My God, in You I trust. Let me be not shamed, let my enemies not gloat over me. Psalm 25:2 Robert Alter translation I trust – When I read these words from the psalmist, I get discouraged. He trusted in God in everything. Why can’t I be like that? Growing up in Hellenism, I learned…
Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God. Deuteronomy 6:13 KJV Fear – According to Rambam’s list of the 613 commandments, this is number four. “By this injunction we are commanded to believe in the fear and awe of God (exalted be He), and not to be at ease and self-confident but to expect His punishment…
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11 ESV Steadfast love – Once again we discover David’s declaration that hesed is the fundamental description of what it means to have a relationship with YHWH. The ESV uses “steadfast love.” NASB attempts “lovingkindness.” NKJV…
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! Psalm 57:11 ESV Over – As we know very well, in languages without punctuation, emphasis is indicated by word order. What matters most usually comes first. So when we translate Hebrew expressions into English, the word order is often rearranged…
But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. Psalm 130:4 ESV May be feared – YHWH pardons! Rejoice! YHWH is salah. I can be straightened. But this is no surprise to the serpent, and he is prepared to manipulate YHWH’s pardon for his purposes. Never underestimate the craftiness of the yetzer ha’ra. …
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom Proverbs 9:10 NASB Fear – Do you fear God? That might seem like a strange question in an age where God is portrayed as the kindly grandfather ready to overlook all mistakes. But it would never have seemed so innocuous when this verse was written. …
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26 ESV Rodney Baker (Adelaide, Australia) has contributed several TW’s on Religion while I am in South Africa. Religious – threskos. What a loaded word! A word that occurs only once in the…
How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:14 NASB Fears always – It is quite popular to encourage believers with the thought that we do not need to be afraid. We are often reminded that Scripture tells us, “Do not fear” more than…
Then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:5 NASB Fear – In Hebrew the word is yare. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) tells us that this word is used in five different senses: 1) the emotion of being afraid, 2) the anticipation of…
But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth. Mark 5:33 NASB Fearing and trembling – What is the relationship between sin and healing? That question plays a significant role in the gospel accounts. The disciples voice their opinion…
