Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. Habakkuk 1:3-4 NIV Tolerate – What is the subject of the second question in the NIV translation? “You.” That pronoun stands in the place of “God.” If the…
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. …
Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any wrongdoing have power over me. Psalm 119:133 NASB Any wrongdoing – Of course, this follows from the previous verse. God’s graciousness extends to those whom He calls His own. But things can interfere. Customarily, followers find favor. But even followers fall. When the psalmist asks for God…
If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; Psalm 66:18 NASB Regard – The Bible is a very scary book. Yes, of course, it speaks about God’s care and concern for His creation, including, fortunately, us. But laced throughout the glowing promises of forgiveness and shalom are verses like this one, verses…
