Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the LORD. Lamentations 3:40 NASB (1995) Yesterday we arrived back in America. We’ll be here until Thanksgiving and then return to Italy. Return – It’s a bit strange arriving on the shores of America. We’ve been in Italy for several years now, and…
But rejoice, all who take refuge in You, sing for joy forever! And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. For You bless the righteous person, Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12 NASB Shield – Don’t we wish the poet’s words were true! How life would be different if every…
Make them pay, God; have them fall by their own schemes! Scatter them in the multitude of their wrongdoings, for they are rebellious against You. Psalm 5:10 NASB Make them pay, God – With all the corruption and hatred in the world, I want the psalmist’s imperative to come true today. “Make them pay, God!” Yes,…
For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth; their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Psalm 5:9 NASB Open grave – Remember “enemies” from the previous verse? When we read Psalm 5:8, we might have thought that David described those who brandished the sword, who wanted to kill him. But…
Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me. Psalm 5:8 NASB Because – What is the psalmist’s solution to an enemy attack? “Lead me in Your righteousness.” Doesn’t that seem strange? How can God’s guidance in justice and ethical behavior make any difference in an enemy’s assault? Wouldn’t it be…
You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord loathes the person of bloodshed and deceit. Psalm 5:6 NASB Destroy/ loathe – Two verbs of consequence: ʾābad and tāʿab, “to destroy” and “to loathe.” The meanings are a bit tangled. The verb ʾābad is a common word for to die, or, in the case of things, reputation, etc., to pass…
The boastful will not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do injustice. Psalm 5:5 NASB Injustice – The God of love hates something—ʾāwen. Maybe we don’t think about the “loving” God as a God who hates, but we need to. Why? Because the ethical foundation of the creation isn’t the work of a “Santa Claus” God. …
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You. Psalm 5:4 NASB No evil – Mercy is important. In fact, mercy is essential. Without it, we would all be ruined. Why? Because there’s another side of the mercy coin. That other side of the coin is wrath, judgment,…
Listen to my words, Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray. Psalm 5:1-2 NASB My cry for help – I’m feeling discouraged these days. It just seems like the forces of evil in this world are so overpowering, so ubiquitous, that righteousness is…
Leaving Funchal today to cross the Atlantic
