Not on the tourist map, for sure. Something I have noticed as I creep around great cemeteries in the world. I have never seen (maybe once) a representation of a MAN crying or grieving for a woman. It is almost always the stern face of the deceased man with a woman weeping, mourning and expressing…
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 NASB Restore – Life is about direction, not destination. Of course, motivational speakers, generals and politicians, men and women of influence may attempt to teach you that what you need are goals. They will point to past successes…
Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11 NASB Cast me away – What does it mean to say that you have been cast away? Is it like the Tom Hanks’ movie? Shipwrecked? Deserted? Or is there perhaps a biblical connection to a much…
I could study in a place like this. First view, the arch on entry. 7.4 million books to read. Ceiling in the main hall. In case you decide to take a break and look up.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NASB Create – First let’s correct the syntax. The emphasis of this verse is not “create.” It is leb tahor, a “heart clean.” But even this needs a bit of explanation. The root taher is not about “spiritual”…
The “Conversation Room” at the Belvedere Palace The fountain in the Belvedere Palace grounds Looking up at the Vienna Town Hall
Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Psalm 51:9 NASB Hide – What does God know about you? Everything. That means He knows all your faults, all your sins, all your rebellious acts. Since God knows all these, do you think it possible for Him to stop knowing them? Can…
Make me to hear joy and gladness, let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Psalm 51:8 NASB You have broken – Broken bones and a broken heart. David eventually connects the two (as we will see in verse 17), but he starts with the impact of sin before he can reach the reconciliation of…
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 NASB Purify me – The key to correctly translating this word is hyssop. If we understand the history of hyssop, then we can comprehend David’s request. Otherwise we are left with a very odd verb,…
