It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. Psalm 112:5 NASB Gracious – Exodus 34:6 and 7 are crucial verses. They communicate God’s own self-description. The words He uses as He passes by Moses reveal the character of the God we serve, worship, and love. If a…
Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous. Psalm 112:4 NASB Compassionate – The consonant structure of raḥûm, the Hebrew word for “compassionate,” offers an interesting linguistic insight into its meaning and application. You see, raḥûm, can be slightly altered by changing the vowels. Then it becomes raḥam, the word…
I have just completed a four day visit of St. Petersburg, Russia. Photographing the Russian orthodox churches was invaluable for visually exhibiting the transition in Christianity that occurred nearly sixteen centuries ago. Understanding how the Christian Church adapted and altered the thinking of the East and the West is crucial. These influences shaped our thinking…
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:3 NASB Righteousness – The blessed father is one whose children are aligned with God’s word (Psalm 112:2), but his influence doesn’t stop there. His righteousness endures. What does that mean? Does it mean that the father experiences eternal life? Does it…
His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalm 112:2 NASB Upright – What does it mean to be upright? In biblical terms, this is not an inherited condition. It’s not about having a conscience. It’s learned behavior. God grants man the ability to learn the Torah, but He does…
St. Isaac’s Cathedral, St. Petersburg and a few others along the way
Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments. Psalm 112:1 NASB Blessed – Congratulations! You who follow God’s instructions are blessed. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have all the measures of success in this world. The psalmist might go on to say that those…
as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:10 NASB Sorrowful/rejoicing – Has your life become a reflection of the life of Paul? Do you know both sides of the coin of committed contradictions? In the last few weeks, God has been pressing…
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NASB In – How does one translate without interpreting when the word in question has multiple, ambiguous meanings depending on the context? The perfect answer would be to ask the author what he meant, but, of…
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NASB Tender-hearted – Have you ever been so emotionally mistreated that your stomach became upset? Have you experienced trauma to the point of getting sick? Then you know exactly what this Greek word is all about….
