Give ear, O God, to my prayer, and do not disdain my petition. Psalm 54:2 LXX Do not disdain – Unless you have a copy of the LXX, you’re version of this Hebrew psalm will be a bit different. First, the English Bible registers this as Psalm 55, not 54. Secondly, most English Bibles treat…
When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. Job 1:5 NASB In their…
Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” Genesis 41:51 NASB God has made me forget– One of the peculiarities of the Joseph account is how infrequently God is mentioned. Joseph doesn’t pray to God before interpreting visions. He doesn’t mention God during his captivity. He…
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Psalm 51:6 NASB Innermost being – It’s a good thing that the NASB and ESV put this English translation in italics. That indicates that the translators have altered in some way the original text. In this…
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 NASB When you pray – Silent prayer, the paradigm of Christian meditation, has always alluded me. No sooner…
“Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”Proverbs 9:17 NASB In secret – How foolish are we? Proverbs might help us decide the answer to this question. The woman of folly (‘eshet kesilut – “woman of insolence, stupidity”) is the public enticement to those who are attempting to follow the straight path….
He that conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. Proverbs 28:13 NASB Conceals – This Hebrew word is kasa. It is used in poetic contrast with the word for “forgive” (nasa’). The root meaning of the word is “to cover.” It is used to describe a…
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, Romans 16:25 NASB Mystery – Did you know that there are technically no mysteries in the Hebrew Scriptures? “Wait a…
