(The previous post covered five more of the fifteen songs of Ascents. There were still four more...)
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents; of David.
1 Jehovah, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, Or in things too wonderful for me.
(David expressed his humility. He was aware of his capabilities and did not do things he knew he could not do.)
2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child with his mother, Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
(David’s soul was peaceful and patient.)
3 O Israel, hope in Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore.
Psalm 132
A Song of Ascents.
1 Jehovah, remember for David All his affliction;
2 How he sware unto Jehovah, And vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, Nor go up into my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, Or slumber to mine eyelids;
5 Until I find out a place for Jehovah, A tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob.
(This vow was not recorded elsewhere in the Bible. David had an intense desire to see an establishment for God’s worship and service.)
6 Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah: We found it in the field of the wood.
(Ephrathah was Beth-lehem: Genesis 48:7.)
7 We will go into his tabernacles; We will worship at his footstool.
8 Arise, O Jehovah, into thy resting-place; Thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priest be clothed with righteousness; And let thy saints shout for joy.
(A request for the priests to be clothed in righteousness.)
10 For thy servant David's sake Turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 Jehovah hath sworn unto David in truth; He will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant And my testimony that I shall teach them, Their children also shall sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For Jehovah hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for his habitation.
(God chose Zion (Jerusalem) for His dwelling place.)
14 This is my resting-place for ever: Here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests also will I clothe with salvation; And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
(David’s horn being caused to bud meant that God would enlarge David’s leadership.)
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame; But upon himself shall his crown flourish.
Psalm 133
A Song of Ascents; of David.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
(David wrote of fellowship. Fellowship meant "to give, to share." An effect of this was unity.)
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments;
(The holy anointing oil for the high priest was olive oil mixed with four of the best spices: Exodus 30:22,25,30.)
3 Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: For there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.
(Hermon was a mountain and its name meant "sanctuary.")
Psalm 134
A Song of Ascents.
1 Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.
(This psalm was an exhortation to bless the Lord…)
2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless ye Jehovah.
3 Jehovah bless thee out of Zion; Even he that made heaven and earth.
(Jehovah was God who created the heaven and the earth. This was the last of the songs of Ascents. If we look at the Book of Psalms relative to worship, the authors of the "Exodus" and "Leviticus" sections symbolized the Ark of the Covenant. Perhaps these fifteen psalms represented the Ark of the Covenant ascending to the temple where it belonged, which fit this "Deuteronomy" section that was focused on divine government. Next, we will see a psalm of praise, which would follow the Ark being in the temple...)
Psalm 135
1 Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praise him, O ye servants of Jehovah,
2 Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, In the courts of the house of our God.
(Encouragement for those who stand in the temple to praise Jehovah.)
3 Praise ye Jehovah; for Jehovah is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
(The reason: "for Jehovah was Good"...Right and Just.)
4 For Jehovah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, And Israel for his own possession.
5 For I know that Jehovah is great, And that our Lord is above all gods.
(God was great and above all gods.)
6 Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;
(God was Right and Just. The things that pleased God were always Right and Just.)
7 Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who maketh lightnings for the rain; Who bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries;
8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, Both of man and beast;
(The Passover - it was as if the Law/history was being proclaimed to all those in attendance during a temple dedication.)
9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants;
10 Who smote many nations, And slew mighty kings,
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel his people.
(Canaan was given to the Israelites as the Promised Land. Notice, Og (Numbers 22) was still mentioned.)
13 Thy name, O Jehovah, endureth for ever; Thy memorial name, O Jehovah, throughout all generations.
14 For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself concerning his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
(Verses 15-18 were similar to Psalm 115:4-8. The attributes of these false gods were like the attributes of the men that made the false gods, and like those who trusted in the false gods.)
19 O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah:
20 O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
21 Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah.
(Encouragement to bless God and praise Him, especially from the priesthood.)
(This post covered the last of the songs of Ascents as well as a psalm of praise.)
Day 182
Day 180: Psalms 126-130
(The previous post covered the first six of the fifteen songs of Ascents. Here were five more songs of Ascents...)
Psalm 126
A Song of Ascents.
1 When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them.
(The Jews who returned to Jerusalem were filled with gladness and praise. They declared to other nations the great things God did for them.)
3 Jehovah hath done great things for us, Whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, As the streams in the South.
(Since not all of the Jews returned to Israel at once, the request for other Jews to be returned from captivity was made.)
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 127
A Song of Ascents; of Solomon.
1 Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.
(Laboring man's way was vain (unprofitable). When God built, it was profitable and long term.)
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; For so he giveth unto his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
(Children were a reward, a possession. This explained why Job's children were taken from him (Job 1:19) when his possessions (HAVE) were taken by Satan.)
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
(Children ought to be seen as an opportunity to invest into God’s Kingdom. A quiver was meant to hold five arrows. Some people used this verse to state that God's Will was for every family to have five children.)
Psalm 128
A Song of Ascents.
1 Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, That walketh in his ways.
(Those who revered God and walked in His ways were blessed.)
2 For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
(The reason they were blessed was because they would eat (enjoy the fruit) of the work of God through them.)
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, Round about thy table.
(Wives ought to bring profitable effects to a marriage.)
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed That feareth Jehovah.
5 Jehovah bless thee out of Zion: And see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, see thou thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel.
Psalm 129
A Song of Ascents
1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up, Let Israel now say,
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: Yet they have not prevailed against me.
(The affliction from our enemies ought not have power over you.)
3 The plowers plowed upon my back; They made long their furrows.
4 Jehovah is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
(God was Righteous.)
5 Let them be put to shame and turned backward, All they that hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, Which withereth before it groweth up;
7 Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
(A request for the enemies of Zion/Jerusalem to be turned away from their destruction.)
8 Neither do they that go by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; We bless you in the name of Jehovah.
Psalm 130
A Song of Ascents.
1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.
2 Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.
(The psalmist cried out to God in his despair.)
3 If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.
(All men sinned but with God there was forgiveness which ought to cause us to fear (revere, respect) Him.)
5 I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord More than watchmen wait for the morning; Yea, more than watchmen for the morning.
(Watchmen wait for the morning with anticipation. The psalmist waited on God more than a watchman waited for his shift to be complete.)
7 O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel From all his iniquities.
(This post covered five more of the fifteen songs of Ascents. There were still four more...)
Day 181
Psalm 126
A Song of Ascents.
1 When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them.
(The Jews who returned to Jerusalem were filled with gladness and praise. They declared to other nations the great things God did for them.)
3 Jehovah hath done great things for us, Whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, As the streams in the South.
(Since not all of the Jews returned to Israel at once, the request for other Jews to be returned from captivity was made.)
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 127
A Song of Ascents; of Solomon.
1 Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.
(Laboring man's way was vain (unprofitable). When God built, it was profitable and long term.)
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; For so he giveth unto his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
(Children were a reward, a possession. This explained why Job's children were taken from him (Job 1:19) when his possessions (HAVE) were taken by Satan.)
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
(Children ought to be seen as an opportunity to invest into God’s Kingdom. A quiver was meant to hold five arrows. Some people used this verse to state that God's Will was for every family to have five children.)
Psalm 128
A Song of Ascents.
1 Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, That walketh in his ways.
(Those who revered God and walked in His ways were blessed.)
2 For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
(The reason they were blessed was because they would eat (enjoy the fruit) of the work of God through them.)
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, Round about thy table.
(Wives ought to bring profitable effects to a marriage.)
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed That feareth Jehovah.
5 Jehovah bless thee out of Zion: And see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, see thou thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel.
Psalm 129
A Song of Ascents
1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up, Let Israel now say,
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: Yet they have not prevailed against me.
(The affliction from our enemies ought not have power over you.)
3 The plowers plowed upon my back; They made long their furrows.
4 Jehovah is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
(God was Righteous.)
5 Let them be put to shame and turned backward, All they that hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, Which withereth before it groweth up;
7 Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
(A request for the enemies of Zion/Jerusalem to be turned away from their destruction.)
8 Neither do they that go by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; We bless you in the name of Jehovah.
Psalm 130
A Song of Ascents.
1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.
2 Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.
(The psalmist cried out to God in his despair.)
3 If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.
(All men sinned but with God there was forgiveness which ought to cause us to fear (revere, respect) Him.)
5 I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord More than watchmen wait for the morning; Yea, more than watchmen for the morning.
(Watchmen wait for the morning with anticipation. The psalmist waited on God more than a watchman waited for his shift to be complete.)
7 O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel From all his iniquities.
(This post covered five more of the fifteen songs of Ascents. There were still four more...)
Day 181
Day 179: Psalms 120-125
(The previous post covered the longest chapter in the Bible.)
Psalm 120
A Song of Ascents.
1 In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, And from a deceitful tongue.
(The distress this psalmist experienced was from people lying to him and deceiving him. His response was to cry out to God. A lie was a wrong what. Deception was a right what with a wrong or no how/why.)
3 What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper.
(God would judge those who were deceitful.)
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
(Meshech referred to a people living in the north of Palestine and Syria. Kedar referred to a people of Ishmael beyond Moab and Ammon (both from Lot). Both of these people groups hated peace and loved war.)
6 My soul hath long had her dwelling With him that hateth peace.
7 I am for peace: But when I speak, they are for war.
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come?
2 My help cometh from Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
(The psalmist answered his own question. His help came from God, the Creator.)
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand.
(The psalmist began to write directly to the reader. God is your keeper.)
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.
7 Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; He will keep thy soul.
(God is your protector.)
8 Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore.
Psalm 122
A Song of Ascents; of David.
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah.
(Remember, David was a tenth generation bastard (Perez) and was barred from the temple according to Deuteronomy 23:2. This was why David could not build the temple. So it made sense that it would make him glad when he was even near the temple.)
2 Our feet are standing Within thy gates, O Jerusalem,
3 Jerusalem, that art builded As a city that is compact together;
(Jerusalem was a city that was "compact" together. Compact meant "to unite, join, bind together, be in league/covenant.")
4 Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of Jehovah, For an ordinance for Israel, To give thanks unto the name of Jehovah.
5 For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces.
(Peace and prosperity (profitability) were within God’s House.)
8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9 For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek thy good.
(For the sake of God’s House, David sought other’s good.)
Psalm 123
A Song of Ascents.
1 Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, O thou that sittest in the heavens.
(The psalmist lifted his eyes to God who sat in the heavens. God was spiritual and lived in spiritual places. God can be everywhere; God was omnipresent.)
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid unto the hand of her mistress; So our eyes look unto Jehovah our God, Until he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Jehovah, have mercy upon us; For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scoffing of those that are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.
(The psalmist asked for mercy (postponed judgment) because they were filled with contempt, from the evil actions of others.)
Psalm 124
A Song of Ascents; of David.
1 If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, Let Israel now say,
2 If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, When men rose up against us;
3 Then they had swallowed us up alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;
4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, The stream had gone over our soul;
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
(David recognized, and wanted Israel to recognize, that if it was not for God being on their side, they would have been destroyed.)
6 Blessed be Jehovah, Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: The snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
(This caused David to bless God, the Creator.)
Psalm 125
A Song of Ascents.
1 They that trust in Jehovah Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.
(Those who trust/have faith in God, would not be moved and would live for eternity.)
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, So Jehovah is round about his people From this time forth and for evermore.
(God was in the presence of His people for eternity.)
3 For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; That the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O Jehovah, unto those that are good, And to them that are upright in their hearts.
(A request of Jehovah to do Good (Right and Just) to those who were Good: Right and Just.)
5 But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.
(These were the first six songs of Ascents. There were fifteen in all. No one knows for what purpose this group of psalms were used. The theories tend to concern singing these songs as people ascended to a gathering place, whether it was fifteen steps to the temple or some other gathering place, these psalms were relatively short and could all be sung in a relatively short period of time during an event.)
(This post covered the first six of the fifteen songs of Ascents.)
Day 180
Psalm 120
A Song of Ascents.
1 In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, And from a deceitful tongue.
(The distress this psalmist experienced was from people lying to him and deceiving him. His response was to cry out to God. A lie was a wrong what. Deception was a right what with a wrong or no how/why.)
3 What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper.
(God would judge those who were deceitful.)
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
(Meshech referred to a people living in the north of Palestine and Syria. Kedar referred to a people of Ishmael beyond Moab and Ammon (both from Lot). Both of these people groups hated peace and loved war.)
6 My soul hath long had her dwelling With him that hateth peace.
7 I am for peace: But when I speak, they are for war.
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come?
2 My help cometh from Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
(The psalmist answered his own question. His help came from God, the Creator.)
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand.
(The psalmist began to write directly to the reader. God is your keeper.)
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.
7 Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; He will keep thy soul.
(God is your protector.)
8 Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore.
Psalm 122
A Song of Ascents; of David.
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah.
(Remember, David was a tenth generation bastard (Perez) and was barred from the temple according to Deuteronomy 23:2. This was why David could not build the temple. So it made sense that it would make him glad when he was even near the temple.)
2 Our feet are standing Within thy gates, O Jerusalem,
3 Jerusalem, that art builded As a city that is compact together;
(Jerusalem was a city that was "compact" together. Compact meant "to unite, join, bind together, be in league/covenant.")
4 Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of Jehovah, For an ordinance for Israel, To give thanks unto the name of Jehovah.
5 For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces.
(Peace and prosperity (profitability) were within God’s House.)
8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9 For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek thy good.
(For the sake of God’s House, David sought other’s good.)
Psalm 123
A Song of Ascents.
1 Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, O thou that sittest in the heavens.
(The psalmist lifted his eyes to God who sat in the heavens. God was spiritual and lived in spiritual places. God can be everywhere; God was omnipresent.)
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid unto the hand of her mistress; So our eyes look unto Jehovah our God, Until he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Jehovah, have mercy upon us; For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scoffing of those that are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.
(The psalmist asked for mercy (postponed judgment) because they were filled with contempt, from the evil actions of others.)
Psalm 124
A Song of Ascents; of David.
1 If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, Let Israel now say,
2 If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, When men rose up against us;
3 Then they had swallowed us up alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;
4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, The stream had gone over our soul;
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
(David recognized, and wanted Israel to recognize, that if it was not for God being on their side, they would have been destroyed.)
6 Blessed be Jehovah, Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: The snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
(This caused David to bless God, the Creator.)
Psalm 125
A Song of Ascents.
1 They that trust in Jehovah Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.
(Those who trust/have faith in God, would not be moved and would live for eternity.)
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, So Jehovah is round about his people From this time forth and for evermore.
(God was in the presence of His people for eternity.)
3 For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; That the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O Jehovah, unto those that are good, And to them that are upright in their hearts.
(A request of Jehovah to do Good (Right and Just) to those who were Good: Right and Just.)
5 But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.
(These were the first six songs of Ascents. There were fifteen in all. No one knows for what purpose this group of psalms were used. The theories tend to concern singing these songs as people ascended to a gathering place, whether it was fifteen steps to the temple or some other gathering place, these psalms were relatively short and could all be sung in a relatively short period of time during an event.)
(This post covered the first six of the fifteen songs of Ascents.)
Day 180
Day 178: Psalm 119
(The previous post covered the shortest psalm and the middle chapter of the Bible. We are now ready for the longest psalm which was also the longest chapter in the Bible...)
(This celebrated psalm had several attributes that set it apart from the other psalms. It was divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contained eight verses, and the first letter of each verse was that which gave the name to the stanza.)
Psalm 119
ALEPH.
1 Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
(Blessed were those who were perfect (maximum profitability) and who walked (made progress) in the Law of God.)
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.
3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.
(When you make progress in God’s ways, you will not do unrighteousness. This was principle driven: a focus on what to do. If we live by grace through faith, we will establish the Law and we will not sin.)
4 Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
(When we focused on God’s commands (love God and love others), we would not be put to shame.)
7 I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn thy righteous judgments.
(We could understand God’s Righteous Judgments.)
8 I will observe thy statutes: Oh forsake me not utterly.
BETH.
9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
("Taking heed" according to God’s Word led to cleanness. Taking heed meant to "keep, guard, observe." The effect of taking heed to God’s Word was that His Word would be lived in your life.)
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
(Having God’s Word in your heart would lead to Righteousness, and not sinning.)
12 Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways.
(The psalmist stated he would "meditate" on God’s precepts and have respect on His ways. When the word "meditate" is understood at it's root level, including etymology, it means "to think deeply and speak out loud." Meditating facilitates every part of our brain to be involved.)
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; So will I observe thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold Wondrous things out of thy law.
(The psalmist wanted to be aware and understand God’s Law.)
19 I am a sojourner in the earth: Hide not thy commandments from me.
20 My soul breaketh for the longing That it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, That do wander from thy commandments.
(God confronted those who were proud and those who walked away from Him. It would never be God’s fault if someone was not humble or did not walk in His commands.)
22 Take away from me reproach and contempt; For I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Princes also sat and talked against me; But thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.
(The psalmist responded to affliction from princes by meditating on God’s Word.)
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight And my counsellors.
DALETH.
25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken thou me according to thy word.
(Quicken meant to "be restored to life." The psalmist understood that God’s Word brought life: the ability to repair.)
26 I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me: Teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: So shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
(The psalmist asked for God’s strength in a time of burden.)
29 Remove from me the way of falsehood; And grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness: Thine ordinances have I set before me.
31 I cleave unto thy testimonies: O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
(Another example of "cleave" being used for something as more excellent. The psalmist recognized that God’s testimonies were more excellent than him. If he served God by putting God’s testimonies before himself, it would cause him to be more excellent and not put to shame.)
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, When thou shalt enlarge my heart.
HE.
33 Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes; And I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
(The psalmist knew he would need to understand (the why, the cause, the definitions) of God’s Law in order to intentionally do them.)
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in thy ways.
(The psalmist wanted to focus and look on God, not on fleshly things.)
38 Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Which is in order unto the fear of thee.
39 Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid; For thine ordinances are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness.
(He wanted to be quickened (given life; repair) by God’s Righteousness.)
VAV.
41 Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah, Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me; For I trust in thy word.
(God’s Word had answers. However, we must understand (the why) God’s Word in order to know those answers.)
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; For I have hoped in thine ordinances.
44 So shall I observe thy law continually For ever and ever.
45 And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts.
46 I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, And shall not be put to shame.
(The psalmist stated he would walk in God’s Law and speak of His testimonies, even to the kings.)
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved.
48 I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate on thy statutes.
ZAYIN.
49 Remember the word unto thy servant, Because thou hast made me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction; For thy word hath quickened me.
(God’s Word brought him comfort, even in affliction because God’s Word brought him life: the ability to repair.)
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: Yet have I not swerved from thy law.
52 I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah, And have comforted myself.
(God’s Word comforted this man when he was in derision (to scorn, talk arrogantly). His response to abuse from the proud was to think on God’s Word.)
53 Hot indignation hath taken hold upon me, Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night, And have observed thy law.
56 This I have had, Because I have kept thy precepts.
HHETH.
57 Jehovah is my portion: I have said that I would observe thy words.
58 I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: Be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
(The psalmist said he would walk in God’s Word, and he did.)
60 I made haste, and delayed not, To observe thy commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round; But I have not forgotten thy law.
(This man was being surrounded and smothered by the wicked and he still remembered God’s Law.)
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee Because of thy righteous ordinances.
(The psalmist gave thanks to God because of His Righteousness.)
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, And of them that observe thy precepts.
64 The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy lovingkindness: Teach me thy statutes.
TETH.
65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge; For I have believed in thy commandments.
(The psalmist wanted to be taught (understand) Right and Just judgment and knowledge because he was firmly convinced (believed) in God’s commands.)
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word.
(The affliction he experienced caused him to go towards God. How do you respond to affliction?)
68 Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me thy statutes.
(God was Good (Right and Just) and as an effect, always did Good: Right and Just.)
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I may learn thy statutes.
(Not only did the affliction this man experienced cause him to go towards God, he saw the affliction as good because it caused Him to learn God’s statutes.)
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver.
YODH.
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
(The psalmist first recognized God as his Creator and then asked for understanding.)
74 They that fear thee shall see me and be glad, Because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
(When God equaled out Justice it was done Righteously.)
76 Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be put to shame; For they have overthrown me wrongfully: But I will meditate on thy precepts.
(Even after being overthrown, this man meditated on God’s precepts: God’s Law.)
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me; And they shall know thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes, That I be not put to shame.
KAPH.
81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation; But I hope in thy word.
82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
(In those days, in the Eastern Countries, bottles were made from skins. To dry them out, they were hung in smoke and became parched. The psalmist compared himself to a wine skin because he felt exhausted from the constant troubles he had gone through.)
84 How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
(God was merciful; He postponed judgment. Have you ever asked God when He would judge those who have hurt you?)
85 The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not according to thy law.
86 All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts.
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
(The psalmist had been persecuted wrongfully and asked God for help and did not forsake God’s precepts.)
LAMEDH.
89 For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven.
(God’s Word was eternal. God’s Word was spiritual.)
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91 They abide this day according to thine ordinances; For all things are thy servants.
(God was the Creator and we lived because of Him.)
92 Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93 I will never forget thy precepts; For with them thou hast quickened me.
(The psalmist recognized that God’s Law saved his life. He stated he would not forget God’s precepts because they were what gave him life.)
94 I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me; But I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection; But thy commandment is exceeding broad.
MEM.
97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
(How often do you think deeply about and speak God’s Word?)
98 Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me.
(God’s commandments caused us to be wise: to make profitable decisions.)
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts.
(The psalmist understood more than those older than him because he understood God’s Word.)
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might observe thy word.
102 I have not turned aside from thine ordinances; For thou hast taught me.
(God was this man’s teacher and that was why he was wise.)
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way.
(God’s Law, His Word, gave us understanding. God’s Word gave the why.)
NUN.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
(God’s Word would direct you in the right way to go. God’s Word gave us right how's and right why's.)
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, That I will observe thy righteous ordinances.
107 I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
(Again, affliction came and this man asked God to give him life according to God’s Word.)
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, And teach me thine ordinances.
109 My soul is continually in my hand; Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me; Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
(The psalmist took God’s testimonies as a "heritage." Heritage meant "possession, to acquire." This man saw God’s testimonies as something that belonged to him, something God had given him and he inherited.)
112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes For ever, even unto the end.
SAMEKH.
113 I hate them that are of a double mind; But thy law do I love.
(Those of a double mind were people who lived with apparent contradictions and suffered because of it. Notice how the psalmist contrasted double minded people with God’s Law. God’s Law and Word did not contradict.)
114 Thou art my hiding-place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evil-doers, That I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live; And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
(The psalmist knew God’s Word would give him life.)
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe, And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes; For their deceit is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments.
(This man respected/revered God’s Judgments.)
AYIN.
121 I have done justice and righteousness: Leave me not to mine oppressors.
(Have you lived by God’s Word enough to confidently tell Him that you have "done justice and righteousness"? God was Right and Just, so His Word ought to result in us doing justice and righteousness.)
122 Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, And for thy righteous word.
124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy lovingkindness, And teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies.
(The psalmist asked God to teach him and give him understanding. He wanted to know the why.)
126 It is time for Jehovah to work; For they have made void thy law.
(This verse made it clear that man could make God’s Law, His Word, void!)
127 Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way.
("False ways" were man's traditions, which made the Word of God of none effect: void)
PE.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.
(God’s testimonies were wonderful (marvelous, extraordinary) and that was why this man kept them.)
130 The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.
(God was Light and the opening (unfolding) of His Words gave Light. Even the "simple" could and ought to understand God and His Word.)
131 I opened wide my mouth, and panted; For I longed for thy commandments.
132 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
(If our actions were established in God’s Word, we would not let iniquity have rule over us.)
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man: So will I observe thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; And teach me thy statutes.
136 Streams of water run down mine eyes, Because they observe not thy law.
(The psalmist was extremely saddened because of others not observing God’s Law.)
TSADHE.
137 Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, And upright are thy judgments.
(God was Right and His Judgments (equaling out Justice) were Righteous.)
138 Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness And very faithfulness.
139 My zeal hath consumed me, Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
140 Thy word is very pure; Therefore thy servant loveth it.
(God’s Word was pure (Holy), it cleansed those who lived by it. This was why the psalmist loved God’s Word.)
141 I am small and despised; Yet do I not forget thy precepts.
(This man was humble.)
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is truth.
(God’s Righteousness was eternal and God’s Law was truth. God’s Law had a right what with a right how/why.)
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; Yet thy commandments are my delight.
144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever: Give me understanding, and I shall live.
(The psalmist knew the power of knowing the why. Understanding (the why) gave life: the ability to repair.)
QOPH.
145 I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah: I will keep thy statutes.
146 I have called unto thee; save me, And I shall observe thy testimonies.
147 I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy words.
148 Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches, That I might meditate on thy word.
(The psalmist "anticipated" the dawn and the night. Anticipated meant "to meet, confront, go before." This meant he went towards these things intentionally because of his desire to focus on God’s Word.)
149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thine ordinances.
150 They draw nigh that follow after wickedness; They are far from thy law.
151 Thou art nigh, O Jehovah; And all thy commandments are truth.
(All of God’s commandments were a right what with a right how/why: truth.)
152 Of old have I known from thy testimonies, That thou hast founded them for ever.
RESH.
153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; For I do not forget thy law.
154 Plead thou my cause, and redeem me: Quicken me according to thy word.
(This man faced affliction and wanted deliverance and life according to God’s Word.)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked; For they seek not thy statutes.
156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah: Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
157 Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries; Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
158 I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved, Because they observe not thy word.
159 Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
160 The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.
("The sum of thy word is truth" meant that God’s Word was/is true from the beginning. God’s Word was and is always truth: right what with a right how/why.)
SHIN.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
(The psalmist was persecuted "without a cause" and his heart was still in awe of God’s Word.)
162 I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood; But thy law do I love.
(This man hated wrong what's but loved God’s Law, which was a right what with a right how/why.)
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee, Because of thy righteous ordinances.
(How often do you praise God?)
165 Great peace have they that love thy law; And they have no occasion of stumbling.
166 I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah, And have done thy commandments.
167 My soul hath observed thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly.
168 I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies; For all my ways are before thee.
(God was aware of all of our ways/actions.)
TAV.
169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah: Give me understanding according to thy word.
170 Let my supplication come before thee: Deliver me according to thy word.
(God’s Word gave understanding and deliverance.)
171 Let my lips utter praise; For thou teachest me thy statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.
173 Let thy hand be ready to help me; For I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah; And thy law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; And let thine ordinances help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments.
(The psalmist spoke to God as his Shepherd and felt like a lost sheep.)
(This post covered the longest chapter in the Bible.)
Day 179
(This celebrated psalm had several attributes that set it apart from the other psalms. It was divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contained eight verses, and the first letter of each verse was that which gave the name to the stanza.)
Psalm 119
ALEPH.
1 Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
(Blessed were those who were perfect (maximum profitability) and who walked (made progress) in the Law of God.)
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.
3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.
(When you make progress in God’s ways, you will not do unrighteousness. This was principle driven: a focus on what to do. If we live by grace through faith, we will establish the Law and we will not sin.)
4 Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
(When we focused on God’s commands (love God and love others), we would not be put to shame.)
7 I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn thy righteous judgments.
(We could understand God’s Righteous Judgments.)
8 I will observe thy statutes: Oh forsake me not utterly.
BETH.
9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
("Taking heed" according to God’s Word led to cleanness. Taking heed meant to "keep, guard, observe." The effect of taking heed to God’s Word was that His Word would be lived in your life.)
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
(Having God’s Word in your heart would lead to Righteousness, and not sinning.)
12 Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways.
(The psalmist stated he would "meditate" on God’s precepts and have respect on His ways. When the word "meditate" is understood at it's root level, including etymology, it means "to think deeply and speak out loud." Meditating facilitates every part of our brain to be involved.)
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; So will I observe thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold Wondrous things out of thy law.
(The psalmist wanted to be aware and understand God’s Law.)
19 I am a sojourner in the earth: Hide not thy commandments from me.
20 My soul breaketh for the longing That it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, That do wander from thy commandments.
(God confronted those who were proud and those who walked away from Him. It would never be God’s fault if someone was not humble or did not walk in His commands.)
22 Take away from me reproach and contempt; For I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Princes also sat and talked against me; But thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.
(The psalmist responded to affliction from princes by meditating on God’s Word.)
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight And my counsellors.
DALETH.
25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken thou me according to thy word.
(Quicken meant to "be restored to life." The psalmist understood that God’s Word brought life: the ability to repair.)
26 I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me: Teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: So shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
(The psalmist asked for God’s strength in a time of burden.)
29 Remove from me the way of falsehood; And grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness: Thine ordinances have I set before me.
31 I cleave unto thy testimonies: O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
(Another example of "cleave" being used for something as more excellent. The psalmist recognized that God’s testimonies were more excellent than him. If he served God by putting God’s testimonies before himself, it would cause him to be more excellent and not put to shame.)
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, When thou shalt enlarge my heart.
HE.
33 Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes; And I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
(The psalmist knew he would need to understand (the why, the cause, the definitions) of God’s Law in order to intentionally do them.)
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in thy ways.
(The psalmist wanted to focus and look on God, not on fleshly things.)
38 Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Which is in order unto the fear of thee.
39 Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid; For thine ordinances are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness.
(He wanted to be quickened (given life; repair) by God’s Righteousness.)
VAV.
41 Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah, Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me; For I trust in thy word.
(God’s Word had answers. However, we must understand (the why) God’s Word in order to know those answers.)
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; For I have hoped in thine ordinances.
44 So shall I observe thy law continually For ever and ever.
45 And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts.
46 I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, And shall not be put to shame.
(The psalmist stated he would walk in God’s Law and speak of His testimonies, even to the kings.)
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved.
48 I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate on thy statutes.
ZAYIN.
49 Remember the word unto thy servant, Because thou hast made me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction; For thy word hath quickened me.
(God’s Word brought him comfort, even in affliction because God’s Word brought him life: the ability to repair.)
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: Yet have I not swerved from thy law.
52 I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah, And have comforted myself.
(God’s Word comforted this man when he was in derision (to scorn, talk arrogantly). His response to abuse from the proud was to think on God’s Word.)
53 Hot indignation hath taken hold upon me, Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night, And have observed thy law.
56 This I have had, Because I have kept thy precepts.
HHETH.
57 Jehovah is my portion: I have said that I would observe thy words.
58 I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: Be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
(The psalmist said he would walk in God’s Word, and he did.)
60 I made haste, and delayed not, To observe thy commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round; But I have not forgotten thy law.
(This man was being surrounded and smothered by the wicked and he still remembered God’s Law.)
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee Because of thy righteous ordinances.
(The psalmist gave thanks to God because of His Righteousness.)
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, And of them that observe thy precepts.
64 The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy lovingkindness: Teach me thy statutes.
TETH.
65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge; For I have believed in thy commandments.
(The psalmist wanted to be taught (understand) Right and Just judgment and knowledge because he was firmly convinced (believed) in God’s commands.)
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word.
(The affliction he experienced caused him to go towards God. How do you respond to affliction?)
68 Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me thy statutes.
(God was Good (Right and Just) and as an effect, always did Good: Right and Just.)
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I may learn thy statutes.
(Not only did the affliction this man experienced cause him to go towards God, he saw the affliction as good because it caused Him to learn God’s statutes.)
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver.
YODH.
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
(The psalmist first recognized God as his Creator and then asked for understanding.)
74 They that fear thee shall see me and be glad, Because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
(When God equaled out Justice it was done Righteously.)
76 Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be put to shame; For they have overthrown me wrongfully: But I will meditate on thy precepts.
(Even after being overthrown, this man meditated on God’s precepts: God’s Law.)
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me; And they shall know thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes, That I be not put to shame.
KAPH.
81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation; But I hope in thy word.
82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
(In those days, in the Eastern Countries, bottles were made from skins. To dry them out, they were hung in smoke and became parched. The psalmist compared himself to a wine skin because he felt exhausted from the constant troubles he had gone through.)
84 How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
(God was merciful; He postponed judgment. Have you ever asked God when He would judge those who have hurt you?)
85 The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not according to thy law.
86 All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts.
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
(The psalmist had been persecuted wrongfully and asked God for help and did not forsake God’s precepts.)
LAMEDH.
89 For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven.
(God’s Word was eternal. God’s Word was spiritual.)
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91 They abide this day according to thine ordinances; For all things are thy servants.
(God was the Creator and we lived because of Him.)
92 Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93 I will never forget thy precepts; For with them thou hast quickened me.
(The psalmist recognized that God’s Law saved his life. He stated he would not forget God’s precepts because they were what gave him life.)
94 I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me; But I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection; But thy commandment is exceeding broad.
MEM.
97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
(How often do you think deeply about and speak God’s Word?)
98 Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me.
(God’s commandments caused us to be wise: to make profitable decisions.)
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts.
(The psalmist understood more than those older than him because he understood God’s Word.)
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might observe thy word.
102 I have not turned aside from thine ordinances; For thou hast taught me.
(God was this man’s teacher and that was why he was wise.)
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way.
(God’s Law, His Word, gave us understanding. God’s Word gave the why.)
NUN.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
(God’s Word would direct you in the right way to go. God’s Word gave us right how's and right why's.)
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, That I will observe thy righteous ordinances.
107 I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
(Again, affliction came and this man asked God to give him life according to God’s Word.)
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, And teach me thine ordinances.
109 My soul is continually in my hand; Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me; Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
(The psalmist took God’s testimonies as a "heritage." Heritage meant "possession, to acquire." This man saw God’s testimonies as something that belonged to him, something God had given him and he inherited.)
112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes For ever, even unto the end.
SAMEKH.
113 I hate them that are of a double mind; But thy law do I love.
(Those of a double mind were people who lived with apparent contradictions and suffered because of it. Notice how the psalmist contrasted double minded people with God’s Law. God’s Law and Word did not contradict.)
114 Thou art my hiding-place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evil-doers, That I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live; And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
(The psalmist knew God’s Word would give him life.)
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe, And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes; For their deceit is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments.
(This man respected/revered God’s Judgments.)
AYIN.
121 I have done justice and righteousness: Leave me not to mine oppressors.
(Have you lived by God’s Word enough to confidently tell Him that you have "done justice and righteousness"? God was Right and Just, so His Word ought to result in us doing justice and righteousness.)
122 Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, And for thy righteous word.
124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy lovingkindness, And teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies.
(The psalmist asked God to teach him and give him understanding. He wanted to know the why.)
126 It is time for Jehovah to work; For they have made void thy law.
(This verse made it clear that man could make God’s Law, His Word, void!)
127 Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way.
("False ways" were man's traditions, which made the Word of God of none effect: void)
PE.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.
(God’s testimonies were wonderful (marvelous, extraordinary) and that was why this man kept them.)
130 The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.
(God was Light and the opening (unfolding) of His Words gave Light. Even the "simple" could and ought to understand God and His Word.)
131 I opened wide my mouth, and panted; For I longed for thy commandments.
132 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
(If our actions were established in God’s Word, we would not let iniquity have rule over us.)
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man: So will I observe thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; And teach me thy statutes.
136 Streams of water run down mine eyes, Because they observe not thy law.
(The psalmist was extremely saddened because of others not observing God’s Law.)
TSADHE.
137 Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, And upright are thy judgments.
(God was Right and His Judgments (equaling out Justice) were Righteous.)
138 Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness And very faithfulness.
139 My zeal hath consumed me, Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
140 Thy word is very pure; Therefore thy servant loveth it.
(God’s Word was pure (Holy), it cleansed those who lived by it. This was why the psalmist loved God’s Word.)
141 I am small and despised; Yet do I not forget thy precepts.
(This man was humble.)
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is truth.
(God’s Righteousness was eternal and God’s Law was truth. God’s Law had a right what with a right how/why.)
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; Yet thy commandments are my delight.
144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever: Give me understanding, and I shall live.
(The psalmist knew the power of knowing the why. Understanding (the why) gave life: the ability to repair.)
QOPH.
145 I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah: I will keep thy statutes.
146 I have called unto thee; save me, And I shall observe thy testimonies.
147 I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy words.
148 Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches, That I might meditate on thy word.
(The psalmist "anticipated" the dawn and the night. Anticipated meant "to meet, confront, go before." This meant he went towards these things intentionally because of his desire to focus on God’s Word.)
149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thine ordinances.
150 They draw nigh that follow after wickedness; They are far from thy law.
151 Thou art nigh, O Jehovah; And all thy commandments are truth.
(All of God’s commandments were a right what with a right how/why: truth.)
152 Of old have I known from thy testimonies, That thou hast founded them for ever.
RESH.
153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; For I do not forget thy law.
154 Plead thou my cause, and redeem me: Quicken me according to thy word.
(This man faced affliction and wanted deliverance and life according to God’s Word.)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked; For they seek not thy statutes.
156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah: Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
157 Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries; Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
158 I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved, Because they observe not thy word.
159 Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
160 The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.
("The sum of thy word is truth" meant that God’s Word was/is true from the beginning. God’s Word was and is always truth: right what with a right how/why.)
SHIN.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
(The psalmist was persecuted "without a cause" and his heart was still in awe of God’s Word.)
162 I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood; But thy law do I love.
(This man hated wrong what's but loved God’s Law, which was a right what with a right how/why.)
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee, Because of thy righteous ordinances.
(How often do you praise God?)
165 Great peace have they that love thy law; And they have no occasion of stumbling.
166 I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah, And have done thy commandments.
167 My soul hath observed thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly.
168 I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies; For all my ways are before thee.
(God was aware of all of our ways/actions.)
TAV.
169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah: Give me understanding according to thy word.
170 Let my supplication come before thee: Deliver me according to thy word.
(God’s Word gave understanding and deliverance.)
171 Let my lips utter praise; For thou teachest me thy statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.
173 Let thy hand be ready to help me; For I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah; And thy law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; And let thine ordinances help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments.
(The psalmist spoke to God as his Shepherd and felt like a lost sheep.)
(This post covered the longest chapter in the Bible.)
Day 179
Day 177: Psalms 113-118
(The previous post covered the first six psalms of the "Deuteronomy" section of the Book of Psalms.)
Psalm 113
1 Praise ye Jehovah. Praise, O ye servants of Jehovah, Praise the name of Jehovah.
2 Blessed be the name of Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same Jehovah's name is to be praised.
(An exhortation to praise Jehovah.)
4 Jehovah is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto Jehovah our God, That hath his seat on high,
6 That humbleth himself to behold The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
(God was on High, yet He was humble. God had the ability to consider He was wrong, without ever being wrong.)
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, And to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye Jehovah.
(God exalted His people.)
Psalm 114
1 When Israel went forth out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
(Judah was God’s sanctuary. Sanctuary in this verse meant "set apart." Judah was set apart (holy, sanctified) from the other tribes. Israel was God’s dominion, or realm.)
3 The sea saw it, and fled; The Jordan was driven back.
(The Jordan River was divided. See Joshua 3:13.)
4 The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs.
5 What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back?
6 Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; Ye little hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.
(God made water and oil come from flint rock. See Deuteronomy 8:15 and Deuteronomy 32:13.)
Psalm 115
1 Not unto us, O Jehovah, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory, For thy lovingkindness, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the nations say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased.
(God was in the heavens. God doing whatever He pleased was still always Right and Just.)
4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;
6 They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;
7 They have hands, but they handle not; Feet have they, but they walk not; Neither speak they through their throat.
(Attributes of false gods.)
8 They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
(The attributes of these false gods were like the attributes of the men that made the false gods: focused on the physical realm and short term.)
9 O Israel, trust thou in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust ye in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
(Exhortation to trust/have faith in Jehovah. He would help and protect those who trusted in Him.)
12 Jehovah hath been mindful of us; he will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear Jehovah, Both small and great.
14 Jehovah increase you more and more, You and your children.
(God blessed those who feared Him and caused them to be profitable.)
15 Blessed are ye of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah; But the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not Jehovah, Neither any that go down into silence;
18 But we will bless Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore. Praise ye Jehovah.
(The dead, those who did not repair, did not praise God, but the righteous would praise God forever.)
Psalm 116
1 I love Jehovah, because he heareth My voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
(The psalmist loved God because God heard him. God loved us first. God was always listening. Our actions determined whether He heard us.)
3 The cords of death compassed me, And the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then called I upon the name of Jehovah: O Jehovah, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
(The psalmist responded to affliction by calling on the name of God.)
5 Gracious is Jehovah, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful.
6 Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me.
7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; For Jehovah hath dealt bountifully with thee.
(The psalmist comforted himself by reminding himself that God had dealt bountifully with him.)
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, Mine eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before Jehovah In the land of the living.
10 I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted:
(Paul referenced this verse in 2 Corinthians 4:13.)
11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
(A confession by the psalmist of stating something that was not factual. He spoke quickly and "all men are liars" came out. Paul referenced this verse in Romans 3:4.)
12 What shall I render unto Jehovah For all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of Jehovah.
14 I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints.
(Jehovah saw the death of His saints as precious because that was the beginning of their life without their flesh.)
16 O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.
(The psalmist gave God the credit for freeing him from his bonds, from imprisonment.)
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of Jehovah.
18 I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people,
19 In the courts of Jehovah's house, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah.
(The psalmist would continually remember this and praise God.)
Psalm 117
1 O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples.
(Paul referenced this verse in Romans 15:11.)
2 For his lovingkindness is great toward us; And the truth of Jehovah endureth for ever. Praise ye Jehovah.
(An exhortation to praise God because His mercy was great and His Truth was eternal. This was the shortest chapter in the Bible. The longest chapter in the Bible was Psalm 119. The next Psalm was the middle chapter of the Bible...)
Psalm 118
1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
(Give thanks to God because He is Good (Right and Just) and His mercy is eternal.)
2 Let Israel now say, That his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, That his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
4 Let them now that fear Jehovah say, That his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
5 Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me and set me in a large place.
6 Jehovah is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?
(Verse 6 was quoted in Hebrews 13:6.)
7 Jehovah is on my side among them that help me: Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in princes.
(Taking refuge in God was better than putting confidence in man or princes. Even if the man or prince was "good," it was better to take refuge in God.)
10 All nations compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.
12 They compassed me about like bees; They are quenched as the fire of thorns: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.
(In the name of Jehovah, the psalmist cut off his enemies.)
13 Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; But Jehovah helped me.
14 Jehovah is my strength and song; And he is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.
(Those who were righteous had a voice that rejoiced and they had Salvation. Righteousness is the measure of our Salvation.)
16 The right hand of Jehovah is exalted: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of Jehovah.
18 Jehovah hath chastened me sore; But he hath not given me over unto death.
(God would chasten us to cause growth in us: John 15.)
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto Jehovah.
20 This is the gate of Jehovah; The righteous shall enter into it.
(The Righteous would enter in the gate of Jehovah.)
21 I will give thanks unto thee; for thou hast answered me, And art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner.
(Jesus quoted this passage in Mark 12:10-11 and Matthew 21:42. 1 Peter 2:6 referenced this verse.)
23 This is Jehovah's doing; It is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.
(Hosanna meant "save now, we pray." The crowd stated this to Jesus in Matthew 21:9.)
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah: We have blessed you out of the house of Jehovah.
(Mark 11:9 and John 12:13 recorded this verse was quoted about Jesus by people during Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.)
27 Jehovah is God, and he hath given us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
(God had given us light as He was the Light.)
28 Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
(This post covered the shortest psalm and the middle chapter of the Bible. We are now ready for the longest psalm which was also the longest chapter in the Bible...)
Day 178
Psalm 113
1 Praise ye Jehovah. Praise, O ye servants of Jehovah, Praise the name of Jehovah.
2 Blessed be the name of Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same Jehovah's name is to be praised.
(An exhortation to praise Jehovah.)
4 Jehovah is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto Jehovah our God, That hath his seat on high,
6 That humbleth himself to behold The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
(God was on High, yet He was humble. God had the ability to consider He was wrong, without ever being wrong.)
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, And to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye Jehovah.
(God exalted His people.)
Psalm 114
1 When Israel went forth out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
(Judah was God’s sanctuary. Sanctuary in this verse meant "set apart." Judah was set apart (holy, sanctified) from the other tribes. Israel was God’s dominion, or realm.)
3 The sea saw it, and fled; The Jordan was driven back.
(The Jordan River was divided. See Joshua 3:13.)
4 The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs.
5 What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back?
6 Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; Ye little hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.
(God made water and oil come from flint rock. See Deuteronomy 8:15 and Deuteronomy 32:13.)
Psalm 115
1 Not unto us, O Jehovah, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory, For thy lovingkindness, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the nations say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased.
(God was in the heavens. God doing whatever He pleased was still always Right and Just.)
4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;
6 They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;
7 They have hands, but they handle not; Feet have they, but they walk not; Neither speak they through their throat.
(Attributes of false gods.)
8 They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
(The attributes of these false gods were like the attributes of the men that made the false gods: focused on the physical realm and short term.)
9 O Israel, trust thou in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust ye in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
(Exhortation to trust/have faith in Jehovah. He would help and protect those who trusted in Him.)
12 Jehovah hath been mindful of us; he will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear Jehovah, Both small and great.
14 Jehovah increase you more and more, You and your children.
(God blessed those who feared Him and caused them to be profitable.)
15 Blessed are ye of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah; But the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not Jehovah, Neither any that go down into silence;
18 But we will bless Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore. Praise ye Jehovah.
(The dead, those who did not repair, did not praise God, but the righteous would praise God forever.)
Psalm 116
1 I love Jehovah, because he heareth My voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
(The psalmist loved God because God heard him. God loved us first. God was always listening. Our actions determined whether He heard us.)
3 The cords of death compassed me, And the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then called I upon the name of Jehovah: O Jehovah, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
(The psalmist responded to affliction by calling on the name of God.)
5 Gracious is Jehovah, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful.
6 Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me.
7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; For Jehovah hath dealt bountifully with thee.
(The psalmist comforted himself by reminding himself that God had dealt bountifully with him.)
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, Mine eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before Jehovah In the land of the living.
10 I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted:
(Paul referenced this verse in 2 Corinthians 4:13.)
11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
(A confession by the psalmist of stating something that was not factual. He spoke quickly and "all men are liars" came out. Paul referenced this verse in Romans 3:4.)
12 What shall I render unto Jehovah For all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of Jehovah.
14 I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints.
(Jehovah saw the death of His saints as precious because that was the beginning of their life without their flesh.)
16 O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.
(The psalmist gave God the credit for freeing him from his bonds, from imprisonment.)
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of Jehovah.
18 I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people,
19 In the courts of Jehovah's house, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah.
(The psalmist would continually remember this and praise God.)
Psalm 117
1 O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples.
(Paul referenced this verse in Romans 15:11.)
2 For his lovingkindness is great toward us; And the truth of Jehovah endureth for ever. Praise ye Jehovah.
(An exhortation to praise God because His mercy was great and His Truth was eternal. This was the shortest chapter in the Bible. The longest chapter in the Bible was Psalm 119. The next Psalm was the middle chapter of the Bible...)
Psalm 118
1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
(Give thanks to God because He is Good (Right and Just) and His mercy is eternal.)
2 Let Israel now say, That his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, That his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
4 Let them now that fear Jehovah say, That his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
5 Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me and set me in a large place.
6 Jehovah is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?
(Verse 6 was quoted in Hebrews 13:6.)
7 Jehovah is on my side among them that help me: Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in princes.
(Taking refuge in God was better than putting confidence in man or princes. Even if the man or prince was "good," it was better to take refuge in God.)
10 All nations compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.
12 They compassed me about like bees; They are quenched as the fire of thorns: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.
(In the name of Jehovah, the psalmist cut off his enemies.)
13 Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; But Jehovah helped me.
14 Jehovah is my strength and song; And he is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.
(Those who were righteous had a voice that rejoiced and they had Salvation. Righteousness is the measure of our Salvation.)
16 The right hand of Jehovah is exalted: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of Jehovah.
18 Jehovah hath chastened me sore; But he hath not given me over unto death.
(God would chasten us to cause growth in us: John 15.)
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto Jehovah.
20 This is the gate of Jehovah; The righteous shall enter into it.
(The Righteous would enter in the gate of Jehovah.)
21 I will give thanks unto thee; for thou hast answered me, And art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner.
(Jesus quoted this passage in Mark 12:10-11 and Matthew 21:42. 1 Peter 2:6 referenced this verse.)
23 This is Jehovah's doing; It is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.
(Hosanna meant "save now, we pray." The crowd stated this to Jesus in Matthew 21:9.)
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah: We have blessed you out of the house of Jehovah.
(Mark 11:9 and John 12:13 recorded this verse was quoted about Jesus by people during Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.)
27 Jehovah is God, and he hath given us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
(God had given us light as He was the Light.)
28 Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
(This post covered the shortest psalm and the middle chapter of the Bible. We are now ready for the longest psalm which was also the longest chapter in the Bible...)
Day 178
Day 176: Psalms 107-112
(The previous post covered the completion of the "Numbers" section of the Book of Psalms which encouraged us to praise God during our time of testing.)
(The final section of the Book of Psalms was known as the "Deuteronomy" section and was believed to have been compiled by Ezra. These forty-four psalms declared the glory of God's Kingdom, His Divine government. This post contains the beginning of the "Deuteronomy" section. These six psalms focused on an expression of gratitude by those who endured God's time of testing and were rescued.)
Psalm 107
1 O give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
3 And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.
(The "redeemed" of God were gathered from all the lands. The "redeemed" were to give thanks to God because He was Good (Right and Just) and because His lovingkindness/mercy was eternal. The "redeemed" of God were those who God had justified because of their faith, which was counted as Righteousness.)
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way; They found no city of habitation.
5 Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses,
7 He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city of habitation.
(These verses were literally about the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness but also symbolized the spiritual affliction that God’s people endure. The Israelites cried to God in their trouble. Will you?)
8 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, And the hungry soul he filleth with good.
(God satisfied and filled our souls with Good: Right and Just.)
10 Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron,
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High:
12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses.
(Affliction could also come from God, when we rebelled against His Words. These people were humbled by God and then cried to Him. We will all be humbled, it is your choice as to whether you humble yourself or God humbles you.)
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And brake their bonds in sunder.
15 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder.
17 Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
(We also experienced affliction as a result of our transgression, of our iniquities. When you experienced affliction, did you ask why you were experiencing it? Did you consider it could be in response to your actions?)
18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; And they draw near unto the gates of death.
19 Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses.
20 He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions.
(God consistently delivered His people out of their troubles. However, they first had to cry out to God.)
21 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with singing.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of Jehovah, And his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
(God had control over the winds and the seas.)
26 They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths: Their soul melteth away because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end.
28 Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they are quiet; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
(More examples of God delivering His people when they cried to Him in their times of trouble.)
31 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, And praise him in the seat of the elders.
33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And watersprings into a thirsty ground;
34 A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, That they may prepare a city of habitation,
37 And sow fields, and plant vineyards, And get them fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
(God blessed people so that they could be profitable.)
39 Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock.
42 The upright shall see it, and be glad; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah.
(The wise considered these things. Whatever situation you are in, are you considering why you are in it?)
Psalm 108
1 My heart is fixed, O God; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises, even with my glory.
2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake right early.
(The psalmist was making himself aware. He used music to sing praises and to awaken himself.)
3 I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah, among the peoples; And I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4 For thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens; And thy truth reacheth unto the skies.
(The psalmist gave thanks to God because His mercy was great and His Truth reached the skies.)
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, And thy glory above all the earth.
6 That thy beloved may be delivered, Save with thy right hand, and answer us.
(The psalmist wanted God and His Glory to be exalted so that His beloved would be delivered.)
7 God hath spoken in his holiness: I will exult; I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the defence of my head; Judah is my sceptre.
9 Moab is my washpot; Upon Edom will I cast my shoe; Over Philistia will I shout.
(Moab was from Lot. Edom was from Esau.)
10 Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who hath led me unto Edom?
11 Hast not thou cast us off, O God? And thou goest not forth, O God, with our hosts.
12 Give us help against the adversary; For vain is the help of man.
13 Through God we shall do valiantly: For he it is that will tread down our adversaries.
(The psalmist recognized that help from man was vain. He wanted help from God. Notice, the word "help" occurred twice in verse 12, however, in Hebrew it was two different words and was a restatement of Psalm 60:11 -
-The first help was Strong's #5833 ezrah, which was "help from a superior."
-The second help was Strong's #8668 tesuwquh, which was "help from a lower source."
In Genesis 2:18, God provided Eve as a "help meet" for Adam:
-The word meet meant "perfect."
-The word help was Strong's #5828 ezer which was the root of ezrah meaning "help from a superior.")
Psalm 109
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me: They have spoken unto me with a lying tongue.
(David wanted God to put His wrath against David’s enemies who were speaking deceit and lies against him. Deceit was a right what with a wrong/no how/why. Lies were wrong what's.)
3 They have compassed me about also with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause.
(The destruction David was facing was "without a cause" meaning, without a just cause. This was a reference to Justice. This psalm sounded like a prayer...)
4 For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer.
5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love.
(It seemed that the actual cause of David’s enemies' destruction was because of David’s love! This was unjust! All that was needed was a request and this psalm was a prayer...)
6 Set thou a wicked man over him; And let an adversary stand at his right hand.
7 When he is judged, let him come forth guilty; And let his prayer be turned into sin.
8 Let his days be few; And let another take his office.
(The Disciples quoted this verse in Acts 1:16 when they selected a Disciple to take Judas' place.)
9 Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow.
10 Let his children be vagabonds, and beg; And let them seek their bread out of their desolate places.
(Request: David wanted his enemies to be judged and asked that God do some specific things within this judgment.)
11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; And let strangers make spoil of his labor.
(An extortioner gained at the expense of others. The word catch meant to be "struck, brought down." David asked that the man who gained at the expense of others be brought down by what he had gained. Extortion was only gaining in the short term. If you gained at the expense of another, you would owe that person and it would be equaled out.)
12 Let there be none to extend kindness unto him; Neither let there be any to have pity on his fatherless children.
13 Let his posterity be cut off; In the generation following let their name be blotted out.
14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with Jehovah; And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15 Let them be before Jehovah continually, That he may cut off the memory of them from the earth;
(These were David's requests. However, David still had reasons (Justice) why he had the value for his request...)
16 Because he remembered not to show kindness, But persecuted the poor and needy man, And the broken in heart, to slay them.
17 Yea, he loved cursing, and it came unto him; And he delighted not in blessing, and it was far from him.
18 He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment, And it came into his inward parts like water, And like oil into his bones.
(David referenced Justice with his reasons. Again, David made more requests...)
19 Let it be unto him as the raiment wherewith he covereth himself, And for the girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
20 This is the reward of mine adversaries from Jehovah, And of them that speak evil against my soul.
(David asked that his enemies be given what they had given to him and others. This was Just.)
21 But deal thou with me, O Jehovah the Lord, for thy name's sake: Because thy lovingkindness is good, deliver thou me;
22 For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me.
(David was not physically poor and needy. He talked to God about his spiritual, mental, and emotional wounds. David continued his reasons for his personal request for God to deal with him...)
23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting; And my flesh faileth of fatness.
25 I am become also a reproach unto them: When they see me, they shake their head.
26 Help me, O Jehovah my God; Oh save me according to thy lovingkindness:
27 That they may know that this is thy hand; That thou, Jehovah, hast done it.
(David wanted to be delivered so that others would see that it was God who delivered him. This was a request, which continued...)
28 Let them curse, but bless thou: When they arise, they shall be put to shame, But thy servant shall rejoice.
29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with dishonor, And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
(Again, David was asking God to be Just. To give to his enemies what they had given to others.)
30 I will give great thanks unto Jehovah with my mouth; Yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
31 For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, To save him from them that judge his soul.
(David ended by stating what he would do.)
Psalm 110
A Psalm of David.
1 Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
(Hebrews 1:13 referenced this verse. Jesus referenced this passage when He dealt with the Pharisees in Matthew 22:41-46 and Mark 12:36. The entire exchange rested on the definition of the word "Lord." Peter also referenced this passage during his sermon on Pentecost: Acts 2:34-35.)
2 Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
(Jesus is a Priest after the order of Melchizedek. See Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 5:6-10 and Hebrews 7:17,21. Also, this was one of the scriptures the crowd referenced in John 12:34 in response to Jesus' statement of His death. The crowd thought Jesus was the Messiah and would never die because of this verse and Psalm 89:4.)
5 The Lord at thy right hand will strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He will judge among the nations, He will fill the places with dead bodies; He will strike through the head in many countries.
7 He will drink of the brook in the way: Therefore will he lift up the head.
(This short psalm would have been a powerful teaching to the Pharisees if they had taken the time to understand all of it relative to Jesus: Lord and Priest - two offices the Pharisees needed to respect but did not.)
Psalm 111
1 Praise ye Jehovah. I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart, In the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of Jehovah are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
(Those who had pleasure in God and His works would seek Him out.)
3 His work is honor and majesty; And his righteousness endureth for ever.
(God was Right and Just and therefore, His Righteousness was eternal because He was eternal.)
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful.
5 He hath given food unto them that fear him: He will ever be mindful of his covenant.
(God fed those who feared (reverence) Him. God always fulfilled His end of His Covenants. Any time a covenant had been broken, it was not God’s fault.)
6 He hath showed his people the power of his works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are truth and justice; All his precepts are sure.
(God’s works were Truth and Just. God was always fair in what He did, how He did it, and why He did it.)
8 They are established for ever and ever; They are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He hath sent redemption unto his people; He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.
(Compare verse 10 with Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10. David was Solomon's father.)
Psalm 112
1 Praise ye Jehovah. Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah, That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
(Blessed was the person who feared God and delighted in His commandments. The person's children would be blessed because of his actions.)
3 Wealth and riches are in his house; And his righteousness endureth for ever.
(A man who feared God and delighted in His commandments would be righteous, through God, for eternity.)
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and merciful, and righteous.
5 Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment.
(It was well with the man who gave. God would remember this in His judgment.)
6 For he shall never be moved; The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.
(Evil things did not scare the righteous because the righteous' heart trusted in God.)
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see his desire upon his adversaries.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy; His righteousness endureth for ever: His horn shall be exalted with honor.
(Paul referenced this verse in 2 Corinthians 9:9.)
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish.
(The wicked were grieved by the love of the righteous. Those who chose to not love us back at all after we had loved them were choosing to be our enemy.)
(This post covered the first six psalms of the "Deuteronomy" section of the Book of Psalms.)
Day 177
(The final section of the Book of Psalms was known as the "Deuteronomy" section and was believed to have been compiled by Ezra. These forty-four psalms declared the glory of God's Kingdom, His Divine government. This post contains the beginning of the "Deuteronomy" section. These six psalms focused on an expression of gratitude by those who endured God's time of testing and were rescued.)
Psalm 107
1 O give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
3 And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.
(The "redeemed" of God were gathered from all the lands. The "redeemed" were to give thanks to God because He was Good (Right and Just) and because His lovingkindness/mercy was eternal. The "redeemed" of God were those who God had justified because of their faith, which was counted as Righteousness.)
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way; They found no city of habitation.
5 Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses,
7 He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city of habitation.
(These verses were literally about the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness but also symbolized the spiritual affliction that God’s people endure. The Israelites cried to God in their trouble. Will you?)
8 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, And the hungry soul he filleth with good.
(God satisfied and filled our souls with Good: Right and Just.)
10 Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron,
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High:
12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses.
(Affliction could also come from God, when we rebelled against His Words. These people were humbled by God and then cried to Him. We will all be humbled, it is your choice as to whether you humble yourself or God humbles you.)
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And brake their bonds in sunder.
15 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder.
17 Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
(We also experienced affliction as a result of our transgression, of our iniquities. When you experienced affliction, did you ask why you were experiencing it? Did you consider it could be in response to your actions?)
18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; And they draw near unto the gates of death.
19 Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses.
20 He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions.
(God consistently delivered His people out of their troubles. However, they first had to cry out to God.)
21 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with singing.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of Jehovah, And his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
(God had control over the winds and the seas.)
26 They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths: Their soul melteth away because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end.
28 Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they are quiet; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
(More examples of God delivering His people when they cried to Him in their times of trouble.)
31 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, And praise him in the seat of the elders.
33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And watersprings into a thirsty ground;
34 A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, That they may prepare a city of habitation,
37 And sow fields, and plant vineyards, And get them fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
(God blessed people so that they could be profitable.)
39 Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock.
42 The upright shall see it, and be glad; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah.
(The wise considered these things. Whatever situation you are in, are you considering why you are in it?)
Psalm 108
1 My heart is fixed, O God; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises, even with my glory.
2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake right early.
(The psalmist was making himself aware. He used music to sing praises and to awaken himself.)
3 I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah, among the peoples; And I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4 For thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens; And thy truth reacheth unto the skies.
(The psalmist gave thanks to God because His mercy was great and His Truth reached the skies.)
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, And thy glory above all the earth.
6 That thy beloved may be delivered, Save with thy right hand, and answer us.
(The psalmist wanted God and His Glory to be exalted so that His beloved would be delivered.)
7 God hath spoken in his holiness: I will exult; I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the defence of my head; Judah is my sceptre.
9 Moab is my washpot; Upon Edom will I cast my shoe; Over Philistia will I shout.
(Moab was from Lot. Edom was from Esau.)
10 Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who hath led me unto Edom?
11 Hast not thou cast us off, O God? And thou goest not forth, O God, with our hosts.
12 Give us help against the adversary; For vain is the help of man.
13 Through God we shall do valiantly: For he it is that will tread down our adversaries.
(The psalmist recognized that help from man was vain. He wanted help from God. Notice, the word "help" occurred twice in verse 12, however, in Hebrew it was two different words and was a restatement of Psalm 60:11 -
-The first help was Strong's #5833 ezrah, which was "help from a superior."
-The second help was Strong's #8668 tesuwquh, which was "help from a lower source."
In Genesis 2:18, God provided Eve as a "help meet" for Adam:
-The word meet meant "perfect."
-The word help was Strong's #5828 ezer which was the root of ezrah meaning "help from a superior.")
Psalm 109
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me: They have spoken unto me with a lying tongue.
(David wanted God to put His wrath against David’s enemies who were speaking deceit and lies against him. Deceit was a right what with a wrong/no how/why. Lies were wrong what's.)
3 They have compassed me about also with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause.
(The destruction David was facing was "without a cause" meaning, without a just cause. This was a reference to Justice. This psalm sounded like a prayer...)
4 For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer.
5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love.
(It seemed that the actual cause of David’s enemies' destruction was because of David’s love! This was unjust! All that was needed was a request and this psalm was a prayer...)
6 Set thou a wicked man over him; And let an adversary stand at his right hand.
7 When he is judged, let him come forth guilty; And let his prayer be turned into sin.
8 Let his days be few; And let another take his office.
(The Disciples quoted this verse in Acts 1:16 when they selected a Disciple to take Judas' place.)
9 Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow.
10 Let his children be vagabonds, and beg; And let them seek their bread out of their desolate places.
(Request: David wanted his enemies to be judged and asked that God do some specific things within this judgment.)
11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; And let strangers make spoil of his labor.
(An extortioner gained at the expense of others. The word catch meant to be "struck, brought down." David asked that the man who gained at the expense of others be brought down by what he had gained. Extortion was only gaining in the short term. If you gained at the expense of another, you would owe that person and it would be equaled out.)
12 Let there be none to extend kindness unto him; Neither let there be any to have pity on his fatherless children.
13 Let his posterity be cut off; In the generation following let their name be blotted out.
14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with Jehovah; And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15 Let them be before Jehovah continually, That he may cut off the memory of them from the earth;
(These were David's requests. However, David still had reasons (Justice) why he had the value for his request...)
16 Because he remembered not to show kindness, But persecuted the poor and needy man, And the broken in heart, to slay them.
17 Yea, he loved cursing, and it came unto him; And he delighted not in blessing, and it was far from him.
18 He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment, And it came into his inward parts like water, And like oil into his bones.
(David referenced Justice with his reasons. Again, David made more requests...)
19 Let it be unto him as the raiment wherewith he covereth himself, And for the girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
20 This is the reward of mine adversaries from Jehovah, And of them that speak evil against my soul.
(David asked that his enemies be given what they had given to him and others. This was Just.)
21 But deal thou with me, O Jehovah the Lord, for thy name's sake: Because thy lovingkindness is good, deliver thou me;
22 For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me.
(David was not physically poor and needy. He talked to God about his spiritual, mental, and emotional wounds. David continued his reasons for his personal request for God to deal with him...)
23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting; And my flesh faileth of fatness.
25 I am become also a reproach unto them: When they see me, they shake their head.
26 Help me, O Jehovah my God; Oh save me according to thy lovingkindness:
27 That they may know that this is thy hand; That thou, Jehovah, hast done it.
(David wanted to be delivered so that others would see that it was God who delivered him. This was a request, which continued...)
28 Let them curse, but bless thou: When they arise, they shall be put to shame, But thy servant shall rejoice.
29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with dishonor, And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
(Again, David was asking God to be Just. To give to his enemies what they had given to others.)
30 I will give great thanks unto Jehovah with my mouth; Yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
31 For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, To save him from them that judge his soul.
(David ended by stating what he would do.)
Psalm 110
A Psalm of David.
1 Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
(Hebrews 1:13 referenced this verse. Jesus referenced this passage when He dealt with the Pharisees in Matthew 22:41-46 and Mark 12:36. The entire exchange rested on the definition of the word "Lord." Peter also referenced this passage during his sermon on Pentecost: Acts 2:34-35.)
2 Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
(Jesus is a Priest after the order of Melchizedek. See Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 5:6-10 and Hebrews 7:17,21. Also, this was one of the scriptures the crowd referenced in John 12:34 in response to Jesus' statement of His death. The crowd thought Jesus was the Messiah and would never die because of this verse and Psalm 89:4.)
5 The Lord at thy right hand will strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He will judge among the nations, He will fill the places with dead bodies; He will strike through the head in many countries.
7 He will drink of the brook in the way: Therefore will he lift up the head.
(This short psalm would have been a powerful teaching to the Pharisees if they had taken the time to understand all of it relative to Jesus: Lord and Priest - two offices the Pharisees needed to respect but did not.)
Psalm 111
1 Praise ye Jehovah. I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart, In the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of Jehovah are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
(Those who had pleasure in God and His works would seek Him out.)
3 His work is honor and majesty; And his righteousness endureth for ever.
(God was Right and Just and therefore, His Righteousness was eternal because He was eternal.)
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful.
5 He hath given food unto them that fear him: He will ever be mindful of his covenant.
(God fed those who feared (reverence) Him. God always fulfilled His end of His Covenants. Any time a covenant had been broken, it was not God’s fault.)
6 He hath showed his people the power of his works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are truth and justice; All his precepts are sure.
(God’s works were Truth and Just. God was always fair in what He did, how He did it, and why He did it.)
8 They are established for ever and ever; They are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He hath sent redemption unto his people; He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.
(Compare verse 10 with Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10. David was Solomon's father.)
Psalm 112
1 Praise ye Jehovah. Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah, That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
(Blessed was the person who feared God and delighted in His commandments. The person's children would be blessed because of his actions.)
3 Wealth and riches are in his house; And his righteousness endureth for ever.
(A man who feared God and delighted in His commandments would be righteous, through God, for eternity.)
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and merciful, and righteous.
5 Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment.
(It was well with the man who gave. God would remember this in His judgment.)
6 For he shall never be moved; The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.
(Evil things did not scare the righteous because the righteous' heart trusted in God.)
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see his desire upon his adversaries.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy; His righteousness endureth for ever: His horn shall be exalted with honor.
(Paul referenced this verse in 2 Corinthians 9:9.)
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish.
(The wicked were grieved by the love of the righteous. Those who chose to not love us back at all after we had loved them were choosing to be our enemy.)
(This post covered the first six psalms of the "Deuteronomy" section of the Book of Psalms.)
Day 177
Day 175: Psalms 101-106
(The previous post covered five psalms encouraging us to praise to God.)
Psalm 101
A Psalm of David.
1 I will sing of lovingkindness and justice: Unto thee, O Jehovah, will I sing praises.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way: Oh when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
(David stated he would sing to God of His lovingkindness/mercy and Justice. He would behave wisely (making profitable decisions) and with a perfect (maximum profitability) heart.)
3 I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; It shall not cleave unto me.
(David also stated he would not set anything "base" before his eyes. The word base meant "worthless." Not only did he say he would live profitably but he also would not put unprofitable things before his eyes!)
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me: I will know no evil thing.
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I destroy: Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer.
(David would destroy the evil from his own life and the lives of others.)
6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall minister unto me.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: He that speaketh falsehood shall not be established before mine eyes.
(David would only allow those who walked perfectly to serve in his house. Those who were deceitful and liars would not be permitted to serve with him.)
8 Morning by morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land; To cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of Jehovah.
Psalm 102
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before Jehovah.
1 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And let my cry come unto thee.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day of my distress: Incline thine ear unto me; In the day when I call answer me speedily.
(The psalmist cried to God about the affliction he was experiencing. He asked that God hear his cry and answer it quickly.)
3 For my days consume away like smoke, And my bones are burned as a firebrand.
4 My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; For I forget to eat my bread.
(The psalmist’s days seemed wasted and his heart was withered, to the point he was forgetting to eat.)
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning My bones cleave to my flesh.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.
7 I watch, and am become like a sparrow That is alone upon the house-top.
(He felt as if he was all alone.)
8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; They that are mad against me do curse by me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: For thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.
(The psalmist stated that God’s indignation and wrath was the cause of his weeping.)
11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; And I am withered like grass.
12 But thou, O Jehovah, wilt abide for ever; And thy memorial name unto all generations.
(He felt like he was dying but recognized that God would live forever.)
13 Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yea, the set time is come.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, And have pity upon her dust.
(God’s servants take pleasure in His city’s stones: His creation.)
15 So the nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, And all the kings of the earth thy glory.
16 For Jehovah hath built up Zion; He hath appeared in his glory.
(God built up Zion: Jerusalem.)
17 He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come; And a people which shall be created shall praise Jehovah.
(This was written for the people who were not yet born with the hope that they would praise God.)
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did Jehovah behold the earth;
20 To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;
21 That men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem;
22 When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.
(The "peoples gathered together" was the Church.)
23 He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are throughout all generations.
(Hebrews 1:10-12 referenced the next three verses.)
25 Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands.
(God created the heavens and the earth.)
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.
(God had always been Right and Just and will always be Right and Just.)
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless Jehovah, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless Jehovah, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
(We were told to not forget all of God’s "benefits." The word benefits meant "recompense." We should not forget God’s Justice.)
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy desire with good things, So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle.
6 Jehovah executeth righteous acts, And judgments for all that are oppressed.
(God was Right and Just and all of His actions were Right and Just.)
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His doings unto the children of Israel.
(Moses and Israel were aware of God’s ways.)
8 Jehovah is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always chide; Neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins, Nor rewarded us after our iniquities.
(God was merciful on them. He postponed His judgment against their sins.)
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
(God’s forgiveness of our sins (against Him) removed them from us. First, we must go to God with confession and repentance.)
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.
(God was compassionate towards those who feared Him.)
14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.
(God knew we were made of flesh.)
15 As for man, his days are as grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children's children;
(God’s mercy was eternal for those who feared Him. We will all be judged but God will continue to be merciful for eternity.)
18 To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his precepts to do them.
19 Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all.
(God was the Ultimate Authority.)
20 Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts, Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless Jehovah, all ye his works, In all places of his dominion: Bless Jehovah, O my soul.
(The psalm ended with an exhortation to bless God.)
Psalm 104
1 Bless Jehovah, O my soul. O Jehovah my God, thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty:
(God was "very great." The word great was also translated as "to grow, to nourish up, to magnify.")
2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind;
4 Who maketh winds his messengers; Flames of fire his ministers;
(Hebrews 1:7 referenced this verse.)
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved for ever.
(The heavens and earth were God’s handiwork. He created it all and used it to speak to His people, like the Book of Job stated.)
6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture; The waters stood above the mountains.
7 At thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away
8 (The mountains rose, the valleys sank down) Unto the place which thou hadst founded for them.
9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth.
(Verses 6-9 described the wonders of the Flood.)
10 He sendeth forth springs into the valleys; They run among the mountains;
11 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild asses quench their thirst.
12 By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.
13 He watereth the mountains from his chambers: The earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.
(God’s creatures were given all the provisions they would need.)
14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man; That he may bring forth food out of the earth,
15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man's heart.
(God was the cause of the food and drink that brought nourishment to man and beast.)
16 The trees of Jehovah are filled with moisture, The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: As for the stork, the fir-trees are her house.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; The rocks are a refuge for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons: The sun knoweth his going down.
(Even wild animals that were not used for man’s fields and food were taken care of by God.)
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night, Wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they get them away, And lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labor until the evening.
(God’s creation made it possible for man to work.)
24 O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches.
(God’s works were done wisely. Wisdom was a profitable decision, a right how. Wisdom came from God.)
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships; There is leviathan, whom thou hast formed to play therein.
27 These wait all for thee, That thou mayest give them their food in due season.
28 Thou givest unto them, they gather; Thou openest thy hand, they are satisfied with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust.
(Not only did God provide the needs of His creatures, He had the power to take away their breath. Again, this was the second and final mention of "leviathan" in the Book of Psalms. In the Book of Job, "leviathan" symbolized God's enemies. The final mention in the Old Testament was Isaiah 27:1.)
30 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created; And thou renewest the face of the ground.
31 Let the glory of Jehovah endure for ever; Let Jehovah rejoice in his works:
32 Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.
(The earth trembled at a mere look from God.)
33 I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
34 Let thy meditation be sweet unto him: I will rejoice in Jehovah.
(The psalmist wanted his meditation (thoughts) to be sweet (pleasing) to God.)
35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. And let the wicked be no more. Bless Jehovah, O my soul. Praise ye Jehovah.
Psalm 105
1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known among the peoples his doings.
2 Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvelous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.
4 Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
(Remembering God’s works will build your faith. The psalmist facilitated this for the rest of this psalm.)
(Verse 6-23: a reminder to us of events from Abraham through Joseph.)
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
7 He is Jehovah our God: His judgments are in all the earth.
8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac,
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
(The Abrahamic Covenant was passed on to Isaac and confirmed in Jacob/Israel as an everlasting covenant.)
11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance;
(The land of Canaan was the Promised Land.)
12 When they were but a few men in number, Yea, very few, and sojourners in it.
13 And they went about from nation to nation, From one kingdom to another people.
14 He suffered no man to do them wrong; Yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm.
16 And he called for a famine upon the land; He brake the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant:
(Joseph was sent by God.)
18 His feet they hurt with fetters: He was laid in chains of iron,
19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of Jehovah tried him.
(God’s Word tested Joseph.)
20 The king sent and loosed him; Even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his substance;
(Joseph's response to his unjust imprisonment was handled so well that he was eventually made ruler over all of Pharaoh’s substance.)
22 To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt; And Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
("Ham" was used as another name for Egypt.)
24 And he increased his people greatly, And made them stronger than their adversaries.
25 He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants.
26 He sent Moses his servant, And Aaron whom he had chosen.
(The rest of this psalm reminded us of the events from the Exodus…)
27 They set among them his signs, And wonders in the land of Ham.
(The signs God set before them, His plagues…)
28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; And they rebelled not against his words.
29 He turned their waters into blood, And slew their fish.
30 Their land swarmed with frogs In the chambers of their kings.
31 He spake, and there came swarms of flies, And lice in all their borders.
32 He gave them hail for rain, And flaming fire in their land.
33 He smote their vines also and their fig-trees, And brake the trees of their borders.
34 He spake, and the locust came, And the grasshopper, and that without number,
35 And did eat up every herb in their land, And did eat up the fruit of their ground.
36 He smote also all the first-born in their land, The chief of all their strength.
(The Passover)
37 And he brought them forth with silver and gold; And there was not one feeble person among his tribes.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed; For the fear of them had fallen upon them.
(The Egyptians were happy when the Israelites left. The Egyptians feared the Israelites because of the signs God had made come to pass.)
39 He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night.
40 They asked, and he brought quails, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
(God gave the people flesh (quails) and He also gave them bread from heaven: manna.)
41 He opened the rock, and waters gushed out; They ran in the dry places like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy word, And Abraham his servant.
43 And he brought forth his people with joy, And his chosen with singing.
44 And he gave them the lands of the nations; And they took the labor of the peoples in possession:
(God fulfilled His promise by giving His people the Promised Land.)
45 That they might keep his statutes, And observe his laws. Praise ye Jehovah.
(The next psalm was the concluding psalm of the "Numbers" section. It presented a summary of the testing God's people experienced and failed...)
Psalm 106
1 Praise ye Jehovah. Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth forever.
2 Who can utter the mighty acts of Jehovah, Or show forth all his praise?
(God's acts were so mighty and great, who could give Him all the praise?)
3 Blessed are they that keep justice, And he that doeth righteousness at all times.
(Blessed were those who kept God's Justice and Righteousness at all times.)
4 Remember me, O Jehovah, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people; Oh visit me with thy salvation,
5 That I may see the prosperity of thy chosen, That I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, That I may glory with thine inheritance.
(Verses 6-48: the events of Israel's rebellion against God and God's mercy toward the Israelites.)
6 We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; They remembered not the multitude of thy lovingkindnesses, But were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
(The Jews who experienced God’s signs in Egypt did not understand them. Their rebellion began as early as the passing of the Red Sea.)
8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, That he might make his mighty power to be known.
9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: So he led them through the depths, as through a wilderness.
10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11 And the waters covered their adversaries; There was not one of them left.
(God delivered the Jews from their enemies by causing the Red Sea to fall back upon them. All of them died.)
12 Then believed they his words; They sang his praise.
13 They soon forgat his works; They waited not for his counsel,
(After the Red Sea miracle, the people believed and sang to God. However, soon they forgot Him and did not go to Him for direction.)
14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.
15 And he gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul.
16 They envied Moses also in the camp, And Aaron the saint of Jehovah.
(The people were jealous of Moses and Aaron.)
17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered the company of Abiram.
(This was covered in Numbers 16.)
18 And a fire was kindled in their company; The flame burned up the wicked.
19 They made a calf in Horeb, And worshipped a molten image.
(The people, with Aaron, made a golden calf in Horeb/Sinai: Exodus 32:1-6.)
20 Thus they changed their glory For the likeness of an ox that eateth grass.
21 They forgat God their Saviour, Who had done great things in Egypt,
22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, And terrible things by the Red Sea.
23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
(Moses changed God’s Mind: Numbers 14:13-19.)
24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, They believed not his word,
25 But murmured in their tents, And hearkened not unto the voice of Jehovah.
26 Therefore he sware unto them, That he would overthrow them in the wilderness,
(God caused the Israelites to wander the wilderness for forty years because of their disobedience and wickedness. The first generation did not get to enter the Promised Land.)
27 And that he would overthrow their seed among the nations, And scatter them in the lands.
28 They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead.
29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their doings; And the plague brake in upon them.
30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment; And so the plague was stayed.
(Phineas turned God's wrath away from the Israelites and God gave Phineas a Covenant of Peace: Numbers 25:11-12.)
31 And that was reckoned unto him for righteousness, Unto all generations for evermore.
32 They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes;
(This referenced where Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded (Numbers 20:11). As a result, Moses did not get to enter the Promised Land.)
33 Because they were rebellious against his spirit, And he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
34 They did not destroy the peoples, As Jehovah commanded them,
35 But mingled themselves with the nations, And learned their works,
36 And served their idols, Which became a snare unto them.
37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons,
38 And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood.
(The people were rebellious and worshipped other gods.)
39 Thus were they defiled with their works, And played the harlot in their doings.
40 Therefore was the wrath of Jehovah kindled against his people, And he abhorred his inheritance.
41 And he gave them into the hand of the nations; And they that hated them ruled over them.
(The Israelites were taken captive. God gave them to nations that hated them.)
42 Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were brought into subjection under their hand.
43 Many times did he deliver them; But they were rebellious in their counsel, And were brought low in their iniquity.
44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress, When he heard their cry:
45 And he remembered for them his covenant, And repented according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
(God continued to hear their cries and remembered His covenant with them.)
46 He made them also to be pitied Of all those that carried them captive.
47 Save us, O Jehovah our God, And gather us from among the nations, To give thanks unto thy holy name, And to triumph in thy praise.
48 Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye Jehovah.
(The "Numbers" section of the Book of Psalms began with two psalms from Moses. The rest of the psalms, except for David's only psalm in this section, encouraged us to praise God during our time of testing. This section was compiled by David. The final section of the Book of Psalms was known as the "Deuteronomy" section and was believed to have been compiled by Ezra. These forty-four psalms declared the glory of God's Kingdom, His Divine government.)
(This post covered the completion of the "Numbers" section of the Book of Psalms which encouraged us to praise God during our time of testing.)
Day 176
Psalm 101
A Psalm of David.
1 I will sing of lovingkindness and justice: Unto thee, O Jehovah, will I sing praises.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way: Oh when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
(David stated he would sing to God of His lovingkindness/mercy and Justice. He would behave wisely (making profitable decisions) and with a perfect (maximum profitability) heart.)
3 I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; It shall not cleave unto me.
(David also stated he would not set anything "base" before his eyes. The word base meant "worthless." Not only did he say he would live profitably but he also would not put unprofitable things before his eyes!)
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me: I will know no evil thing.
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I destroy: Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer.
(David would destroy the evil from his own life and the lives of others.)
6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall minister unto me.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: He that speaketh falsehood shall not be established before mine eyes.
(David would only allow those who walked perfectly to serve in his house. Those who were deceitful and liars would not be permitted to serve with him.)
8 Morning by morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land; To cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of Jehovah.
Psalm 102
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before Jehovah.
1 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And let my cry come unto thee.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day of my distress: Incline thine ear unto me; In the day when I call answer me speedily.
(The psalmist cried to God about the affliction he was experiencing. He asked that God hear his cry and answer it quickly.)
3 For my days consume away like smoke, And my bones are burned as a firebrand.
4 My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; For I forget to eat my bread.
(The psalmist’s days seemed wasted and his heart was withered, to the point he was forgetting to eat.)
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning My bones cleave to my flesh.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.
7 I watch, and am become like a sparrow That is alone upon the house-top.
(He felt as if he was all alone.)
8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; They that are mad against me do curse by me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: For thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.
(The psalmist stated that God’s indignation and wrath was the cause of his weeping.)
11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; And I am withered like grass.
12 But thou, O Jehovah, wilt abide for ever; And thy memorial name unto all generations.
(He felt like he was dying but recognized that God would live forever.)
13 Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yea, the set time is come.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, And have pity upon her dust.
(God’s servants take pleasure in His city’s stones: His creation.)
15 So the nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, And all the kings of the earth thy glory.
16 For Jehovah hath built up Zion; He hath appeared in his glory.
(God built up Zion: Jerusalem.)
17 He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come; And a people which shall be created shall praise Jehovah.
(This was written for the people who were not yet born with the hope that they would praise God.)
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did Jehovah behold the earth;
20 To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;
21 That men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem;
22 When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.
(The "peoples gathered together" was the Church.)
23 He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are throughout all generations.
(Hebrews 1:10-12 referenced the next three verses.)
25 Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands.
(God created the heavens and the earth.)
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.
(God had always been Right and Just and will always be Right and Just.)
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless Jehovah, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless Jehovah, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
(We were told to not forget all of God’s "benefits." The word benefits meant "recompense." We should not forget God’s Justice.)
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy desire with good things, So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle.
6 Jehovah executeth righteous acts, And judgments for all that are oppressed.
(God was Right and Just and all of His actions were Right and Just.)
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His doings unto the children of Israel.
(Moses and Israel were aware of God’s ways.)
8 Jehovah is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always chide; Neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins, Nor rewarded us after our iniquities.
(God was merciful on them. He postponed His judgment against their sins.)
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
(God’s forgiveness of our sins (against Him) removed them from us. First, we must go to God with confession and repentance.)
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.
(God was compassionate towards those who feared Him.)
14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.
(God knew we were made of flesh.)
15 As for man, his days are as grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children's children;
(God’s mercy was eternal for those who feared Him. We will all be judged but God will continue to be merciful for eternity.)
18 To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his precepts to do them.
19 Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all.
(God was the Ultimate Authority.)
20 Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts, Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless Jehovah, all ye his works, In all places of his dominion: Bless Jehovah, O my soul.
(The psalm ended with an exhortation to bless God.)
Psalm 104
1 Bless Jehovah, O my soul. O Jehovah my God, thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty:
(God was "very great." The word great was also translated as "to grow, to nourish up, to magnify.")
2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind;
4 Who maketh winds his messengers; Flames of fire his ministers;
(Hebrews 1:7 referenced this verse.)
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved for ever.
(The heavens and earth were God’s handiwork. He created it all and used it to speak to His people, like the Book of Job stated.)
6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture; The waters stood above the mountains.
7 At thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away
8 (The mountains rose, the valleys sank down) Unto the place which thou hadst founded for them.
9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth.
(Verses 6-9 described the wonders of the Flood.)
10 He sendeth forth springs into the valleys; They run among the mountains;
11 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild asses quench their thirst.
12 By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.
13 He watereth the mountains from his chambers: The earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.
(God’s creatures were given all the provisions they would need.)
14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man; That he may bring forth food out of the earth,
15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man's heart.
(God was the cause of the food and drink that brought nourishment to man and beast.)
16 The trees of Jehovah are filled with moisture, The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: As for the stork, the fir-trees are her house.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; The rocks are a refuge for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons: The sun knoweth his going down.
(Even wild animals that were not used for man’s fields and food were taken care of by God.)
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night, Wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they get them away, And lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labor until the evening.
(God’s creation made it possible for man to work.)
24 O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches.
(God’s works were done wisely. Wisdom was a profitable decision, a right how. Wisdom came from God.)
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships; There is leviathan, whom thou hast formed to play therein.
27 These wait all for thee, That thou mayest give them their food in due season.
28 Thou givest unto them, they gather; Thou openest thy hand, they are satisfied with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust.
(Not only did God provide the needs of His creatures, He had the power to take away their breath. Again, this was the second and final mention of "leviathan" in the Book of Psalms. In the Book of Job, "leviathan" symbolized God's enemies. The final mention in the Old Testament was Isaiah 27:1.)
30 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created; And thou renewest the face of the ground.
31 Let the glory of Jehovah endure for ever; Let Jehovah rejoice in his works:
32 Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.
(The earth trembled at a mere look from God.)
33 I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
34 Let thy meditation be sweet unto him: I will rejoice in Jehovah.
(The psalmist wanted his meditation (thoughts) to be sweet (pleasing) to God.)
35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. And let the wicked be no more. Bless Jehovah, O my soul. Praise ye Jehovah.
Psalm 105
1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known among the peoples his doings.
2 Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvelous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.
4 Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
(Remembering God’s works will build your faith. The psalmist facilitated this for the rest of this psalm.)
(Verse 6-23: a reminder to us of events from Abraham through Joseph.)
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
7 He is Jehovah our God: His judgments are in all the earth.
8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac,
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
(The Abrahamic Covenant was passed on to Isaac and confirmed in Jacob/Israel as an everlasting covenant.)
11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance;
(The land of Canaan was the Promised Land.)
12 When they were but a few men in number, Yea, very few, and sojourners in it.
13 And they went about from nation to nation, From one kingdom to another people.
14 He suffered no man to do them wrong; Yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm.
16 And he called for a famine upon the land; He brake the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant:
(Joseph was sent by God.)
18 His feet they hurt with fetters: He was laid in chains of iron,
19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of Jehovah tried him.
(God’s Word tested Joseph.)
20 The king sent and loosed him; Even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his substance;
(Joseph's response to his unjust imprisonment was handled so well that he was eventually made ruler over all of Pharaoh’s substance.)
22 To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt; And Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
("Ham" was used as another name for Egypt.)
24 And he increased his people greatly, And made them stronger than their adversaries.
25 He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants.
26 He sent Moses his servant, And Aaron whom he had chosen.
(The rest of this psalm reminded us of the events from the Exodus…)
27 They set among them his signs, And wonders in the land of Ham.
(The signs God set before them, His plagues…)
28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; And they rebelled not against his words.
29 He turned their waters into blood, And slew their fish.
30 Their land swarmed with frogs In the chambers of their kings.
31 He spake, and there came swarms of flies, And lice in all their borders.
32 He gave them hail for rain, And flaming fire in their land.
33 He smote their vines also and their fig-trees, And brake the trees of their borders.
34 He spake, and the locust came, And the grasshopper, and that without number,
35 And did eat up every herb in their land, And did eat up the fruit of their ground.
36 He smote also all the first-born in their land, The chief of all their strength.
(The Passover)
37 And he brought them forth with silver and gold; And there was not one feeble person among his tribes.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed; For the fear of them had fallen upon them.
(The Egyptians were happy when the Israelites left. The Egyptians feared the Israelites because of the signs God had made come to pass.)
39 He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night.
40 They asked, and he brought quails, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
(God gave the people flesh (quails) and He also gave them bread from heaven: manna.)
41 He opened the rock, and waters gushed out; They ran in the dry places like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy word, And Abraham his servant.
43 And he brought forth his people with joy, And his chosen with singing.
44 And he gave them the lands of the nations; And they took the labor of the peoples in possession:
(God fulfilled His promise by giving His people the Promised Land.)
45 That they might keep his statutes, And observe his laws. Praise ye Jehovah.
(The next psalm was the concluding psalm of the "Numbers" section. It presented a summary of the testing God's people experienced and failed...)
Psalm 106
1 Praise ye Jehovah. Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth forever.
2 Who can utter the mighty acts of Jehovah, Or show forth all his praise?
(God's acts were so mighty and great, who could give Him all the praise?)
3 Blessed are they that keep justice, And he that doeth righteousness at all times.
(Blessed were those who kept God's Justice and Righteousness at all times.)
4 Remember me, O Jehovah, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people; Oh visit me with thy salvation,
5 That I may see the prosperity of thy chosen, That I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, That I may glory with thine inheritance.
(Verses 6-48: the events of Israel's rebellion against God and God's mercy toward the Israelites.)
6 We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; They remembered not the multitude of thy lovingkindnesses, But were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
(The Jews who experienced God’s signs in Egypt did not understand them. Their rebellion began as early as the passing of the Red Sea.)
8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, That he might make his mighty power to be known.
9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: So he led them through the depths, as through a wilderness.
10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11 And the waters covered their adversaries; There was not one of them left.
(God delivered the Jews from their enemies by causing the Red Sea to fall back upon them. All of them died.)
12 Then believed they his words; They sang his praise.
13 They soon forgat his works; They waited not for his counsel,
(After the Red Sea miracle, the people believed and sang to God. However, soon they forgot Him and did not go to Him for direction.)
14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.
15 And he gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul.
16 They envied Moses also in the camp, And Aaron the saint of Jehovah.
(The people were jealous of Moses and Aaron.)
17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered the company of Abiram.
(This was covered in Numbers 16.)
18 And a fire was kindled in their company; The flame burned up the wicked.
19 They made a calf in Horeb, And worshipped a molten image.
(The people, with Aaron, made a golden calf in Horeb/Sinai: Exodus 32:1-6.)
20 Thus they changed their glory For the likeness of an ox that eateth grass.
21 They forgat God their Saviour, Who had done great things in Egypt,
22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, And terrible things by the Red Sea.
23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
(Moses changed God’s Mind: Numbers 14:13-19.)
24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, They believed not his word,
25 But murmured in their tents, And hearkened not unto the voice of Jehovah.
26 Therefore he sware unto them, That he would overthrow them in the wilderness,
(God caused the Israelites to wander the wilderness for forty years because of their disobedience and wickedness. The first generation did not get to enter the Promised Land.)
27 And that he would overthrow their seed among the nations, And scatter them in the lands.
28 They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead.
29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their doings; And the plague brake in upon them.
30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment; And so the plague was stayed.
(Phineas turned God's wrath away from the Israelites and God gave Phineas a Covenant of Peace: Numbers 25:11-12.)
31 And that was reckoned unto him for righteousness, Unto all generations for evermore.
32 They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes;
(This referenced where Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded (Numbers 20:11). As a result, Moses did not get to enter the Promised Land.)
33 Because they were rebellious against his spirit, And he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
34 They did not destroy the peoples, As Jehovah commanded them,
35 But mingled themselves with the nations, And learned their works,
36 And served their idols, Which became a snare unto them.
37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons,
38 And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood.
(The people were rebellious and worshipped other gods.)
39 Thus were they defiled with their works, And played the harlot in their doings.
40 Therefore was the wrath of Jehovah kindled against his people, And he abhorred his inheritance.
41 And he gave them into the hand of the nations; And they that hated them ruled over them.
(The Israelites were taken captive. God gave them to nations that hated them.)
42 Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were brought into subjection under their hand.
43 Many times did he deliver them; But they were rebellious in their counsel, And were brought low in their iniquity.
44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress, When he heard their cry:
45 And he remembered for them his covenant, And repented according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
(God continued to hear their cries and remembered His covenant with them.)
46 He made them also to be pitied Of all those that carried them captive.
47 Save us, O Jehovah our God, And gather us from among the nations, To give thanks unto thy holy name, And to triumph in thy praise.
48 Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye Jehovah.
(The "Numbers" section of the Book of Psalms began with two psalms from Moses. The rest of the psalms, except for David's only psalm in this section, encouraged us to praise God during our time of testing. This section was compiled by David. The final section of the Book of Psalms was known as the "Deuteronomy" section and was believed to have been compiled by Ezra. These forty-four psalms declared the glory of God's Kingdom, His Divine government.)
(This post covered the completion of the "Numbers" section of the Book of Psalms which encouraged us to praise God during our time of testing.)
Day 176
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