Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. Psalm 73:7 ESV Fatness – Asaph’s description of the physical qualities of the wicked is certainly metaphorical. Asaph is not writing about corneal edema. He is poetically describing the results of a life of opulence; a life that pursues luxury. But his use of…
or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:8 NASB Mercy/ cheerfulness – Paul completes his inventory of charismata with the phrase ho eleon en hilaroteti (“he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness”). But the typical English translation presents us…
Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Psalm 73:6 ESV Violence – Do you connect prosperity to pride? Yes, you might think of that connection. But what about connecting prosperity to violence? For those who share the Greek idea of individualism, this seems like a real stretch. Why would Asaph suggest…
For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:3 NASB Envious – All of the major English translations use the word “envious” for the Hebrew qanah. But this is strange. The word qanah can mean envious but it is most often translated “jealous.” Even the LXX uses…
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. Psalm 73:2-3 ESV Almost stumbled – Asaph proclaims that God is good to Israel and all who are Israel are known by their “clean heart” actions. But he quickly realizes that his steps court disaster. As much as he wants clean…
A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are of a clean heart. Psalm 73:1 Hebrew World Clean heart – Christians are quite familiar with Paul’s argument in Romans that those who are cleansed by Yeshua are included in the true Israel. But Paul didn’t originate that idea. The psalmist…
that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9 NASB Knowledge – One of the Greek words for knowledge is gnosis. There was an ancient sect called the Gnostics. They believed in secret knowledge. Both of these words, gnosis and Gnostic have made their way…
we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Colossians 1:3 NASB Thanks – We all know this Greek word; we just didn’t know that it was the Greek word for “thanks.” It is eucharisteo. When you sound it out, you will see that it is the word Eucharist – the Lord’s…
for you are all sons of light and sons of day 1 Thessalonians 5:5 NASB Light – The Greek word for light is phos. We have so many English words that come from this Greek heritage. Phosphorous, photograph, photon. The early Greeks saw the divine structure of the world in terms of light and dark. …
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB Be diligent – If you grew up in the King James era, then you know this verse as “Study to show yourself approved.” With that translation, we…
