From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:104 NASB Get understanding – What does it mean to “get understanding.” In our word-intensive, dictionary-based culture, we would probably say that it means to gather useful information. For that we can (sometimes) just Google. What’s delivered is information, but that isn’t “understanding” in…
I understand more than those who are old, because I have complied with Your precepts. Psalm 119:100 NASB More than – The grammatical error spreads. Consider the strikingly different translation of Chabad: “From the wise elders I gain understanding, for I kept Your precepts.” The NASB rearranges the syntax and translates מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים as “more than the aged”…
You favor man with perception and teach mankind understanding. Grant us knowledge, understanding and intellect from You. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Grantor of perception. Amidah (Ashkenazi version) Teach understanding – da’at is gifted. bina is taught. What’s the difference? First, the verb. You’ll remember that the verb for da’at is nātan. The first sequence is…
Mankind in its splendor, yet without understanding, is like the animals that perish. Psalm 49:20 NASB Without understanding – In a Gallup poll in 2017, 86% of Americans said that they believe God exists. Apparently His existence has almost nothing to do with how they behave. Church attendance continues to drop. Atheism is on the rise for the first…
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 NASB Wisdom/ understanding– The verse is so familiar that we fail to recognize it is not about our definitions of wisdom and understanding. In fact, we might go so far as to say that none of the ancient Hebrew Bible…
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,” Job 38:4 NASB Understanding – Job has no answer for God’s question. Why didn’t he say, “Well, I just didn’t exist before You created the world.” That’s how we would answer. But our answer depends on having a concept of nothing,…
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew. Proverbs 3:19-20 NASB Wisdom/understanding/knowledge – Turn to a dictionary. Oh, not a dictionary like the TDNT or the TDOT, but a dictionary of contemporary English usage. Look up “wisdom,” “understanding,” and “knowledge.” You…
So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 1 Kings 3:9 NASB Understanding – Solomon asks for a heart that hears. He wants to know what God knows. So do we (might I add, unfortunately) because we…
“but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24 NASB Understands – sakal not bin. That’s the first thing we need to know about the Hebrew…
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 1 Corinthians 14:20 NASB Thinking be mature – So what about speaking in tongues? Ah, such a divisive question. Some believe this manifestation of spiritual ecstasy is an essential step in full fellowship. Some believe it…
