A Prayer of the afflicted when he is weak and pours out his complaint before the Lord. Psalm 102 NASB Before – A curious thing has happened in this verse. The English order doesn’t follow the Hebrew order. In Hebrew, the phrase “before the Lord” comes after “is weak (is faint).” The Hebrew verse reads: “A…
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? Psalm 13:1 NASB Hide Your face – I understand the absence of the Landlord when the tenant deserves judgment. Feeling the brokenness of relationship is a powerful incentive for repentance and restitution, as every parent knows. Children who need to…
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20 NASB Secret place– Now that we’re searching for the hints of those promised elements of ṭôb, where is the first place to look? David’s song doesn’t leave us in the…
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Psalm 25:16 NASB Turn to me – The Hebrew word for “face” is the plural word pānîm. In a culture that views relationship as the fundamental element of existence, perhaps this plural word recognizes that we are always more than a single…
Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 NASB Waters – The Teacher, Qohelet, might be somewhat of a skeptic, but that doesn’t mean his advice isn’t practical. “Spend your efforts on the one you love in your youth,” is great advice. “Don’t worry…
You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. Psalm 60:4 NASB Given a banner – The Hebrew word nes means a flag, a standard (as in military combat) or a banner. In ancient times, factions involved in wars flew banners to identify themselves….
