Platonic Religion

I hope for Your salvation, Lord, and do Your commandments.  Psalm 119:166  NASB Hope – Plato’s view of religion sets the stage for the contrast we will explore.  Plato also believed in hope.  Well, sort of.  His view was that religion was like wishing things would be better, that is, hoping that your wishes would come true. …

Life Insurance (2)

My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation, and for Your righteous word.  Psalm 119:123  NASB Longing for – Yesterday we discovered that the psalmist wants a guarantee about life.  He asks God to act as his bond, to ensure he will not fall victim to his enemies.  It sounds so good to hear that God cares enough to…

Tears on Your Shoulder (2)

Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You.  Psalm 88:1 (English)  NASB Lord, the God – Make sure you realize why both of these words are found at the beginning of this poem.  YHVH, of course, and ʾĕlōhîm.  Today we consider both of these as designations of…

Visions of Grandeur

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  I will satisfy him with a long life, and show him My salvation. Psalm 91:15-16  NASB Show – How will God “show” His salvation to the man who calls on Him?  If you read this…

Tears on Your Shoulder

Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You.  Psalm 88:1 (English)  NASB Lord, the God – Make sure you realize why both of these words are found at the beginning of this poem.  YHVH, of course, and ʾĕlōhîm.  Today we consider both of these as designations of…