fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441 
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Post by fearnot on May 24, 2017 16:58:17 GMT -5
5/24/17
Psalm 113
This is a praise Psalm to be sure!
Right off the bat, the word praise is written 3 times, and then it says from now to evermore, from the rising of the sun to its setting.
And tho at times, I may for a short time fret about the 'nations' and it's turmoils, I need to remember that the Lord is so far exalted above or silly human governments, I really need not worry.
For sure evil exists and is often ( well actually in the end 'always' pain filled), full of pain, for the pain it puts on believers, and ultimately the perpetrators of evil.
God will in time raise ( believing) poor and needy people from the ash heap.
But more than that one day, we, them, I will be seated with princes as we are 'kings and queens' as we are a 'royal priesthood'.
I can't help but think that millions of woman ( many Christians even) who had abortions, may have one day felt terrible sorrow over the loss of their children, and even tho the last verse may be for woman who could not have children for one reason or another, God will one day, somehow:
v.9 " settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children"
So in any or either, case, God looks out for woman.
There are those who like to try and make a case the the God of the OT was anti women, but just the opposite is true.
so another reason to praise Him!
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Post by Cindy on May 25, 2017 10:28:01 GMT -5
5/24/17
Psalm 113
This is a praise Psalm to be sure!
Right off the bat, the word praise is written 3 times, and then it says from now to evermore, from the rising of the sun to its setting.
And tho at times, I may for a short time fret about the 'nations' and it's turmoils, I need to remember that the Lord is so far exalted above or silly human governments, I really need not worry.
For sure evil exists and is often ( well actually in the end 'always' pain filled), full of pain, for the pain it puts on believers, and ultimately the perpetrators of evil.
God will in time raise ( believing) poor and needy people from the ash heap.
But more than that one day, we, them, I will be seated with princes as we are 'kings and queens' as we are a 'royal priesthood'.
I can't help but think that millions of woman ( many Christians even) who had abortions, may have one day felt terrible sorrow over the loss of their children, and even tho the last verse may be for woman who could not have children for one reason or another, God will one day, somehow:
v.9 " settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children"
So in any or either, case, God looks out for woman.
There are those who like to try and make a case the the God of the OT was anti women, but just the opposite is true.
so another reason to praise Him!
Psalms 113–118 comprise a rich 6-psalm praise to God commonly called the “Egyptian Hallel” (“hallel” meaning praise in Heb.). These were sung at Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, but had the greatest significance at Passover, which celebrated the Jews’ deliverance from Egypt (cf. Ex 12–14). Traditionally Psalm 113, and Psalm 114 were sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115–118 afterwards. Psalm 118 would most likely be what Christ and the disciples sang before they left the Upper Room the night Christ was betrayed (cf. Mt 26:30; Mk 14:26). There are two other notable sets of praise in the Psalter: 1) The Great Hallel (Pss 120–136) and 2) The Final Hallel (Pss 145–150). The MacArthur study Bible
This psalm is a connecting link between the song of Hannah (1 Sam. 2:1–10) and The Magnificat of Mary (Luke 1:46–55). The psalm also describes the nature of the Lord in a way that anticipates the kenōsis, Jesus’ emptying Himself of glory when He came to earth (Phil. 2:7). The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Also, every time you see the phrase, "Praise the Lord" in the Bible, in Hebrew it's "Hallelu Yah" , Hallelu, meaning glory, or praise, and Yah, meaning Lord or the short form of God's Name Jah, Jehovah. This is where we get the word, "Hallelujah".
God’s greatness (Psalm 113:4–5) is not something He clings to; rather, He comes down to see what is in the heavens and on the earth. He condescends to intervene graciously in human affairs. Psalm 113:6–9 The Bible Knowledge Commentary
“but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7)
I'm always drawn to the phrase "He stoops down", when I see it in the Psalms. It reminds me of my Father when I was a very little girl. He was very tall, 6 feet something, and I was very little, so he would have to stoop down to pick me up or talk to me, or play with me or help me or do anything for or with me. That he would condescend to stoop down to my level, showed his love for me, and that's what the bible is saying about God. God doesn't just sit in Heaven and ignore us, although He certainly could. He certainly doesn't need us for anything, and we can't offer Him anything at all. But because He loves us, He stoops down to pick us up and get us out of the pit we fall into, and brings us into His light. He doesn't see us as "beneath Him" even though we are. Instead, He makes us His children and sole heirs with Jesus so that ultimately everything will be ours! We couldn't possibly be more blessed than we are!
So you don't have to look them up:
“Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; upon them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”” (1 Samuel 2:1–10)
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.” (Psalm 113:7–9)
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”” (Luke 1:46–55)
By the way, something humorous that I thought of the other day... I was thinking about how I'm constantly multitasking and that it seems difficult for some men to do that. As usual I was telling God my thoughts when I instantly realized that our Father is the master multitasker! Made me think  when I thought of all he does constantly every moment of every day! 
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 25, 2017 10:35:25 GMT -5
5/25/17
Psalm 114
Another praise psalm, this time remembering what the Lord had done for Israel. I am thinking that remembering what the Lord has done in the past, is one of the few times, it is ok to think on the past.
This psalm looks back to when God did miracles and provided the way for Israel to leave Egypt.
God even made provisions in the earth for them by His great power, nothing is too hard for the Lord.
Because God is so powerful the earth and all that is in it ( and me) should 'tremble' and acknowledge his greatness.
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Post by Cindy on May 26, 2017 10:48:19 GMT -5
5/25/17
Psalm 114
Another praise psalm, this time remembering what the Lord had done for Israel. I am thinking that remembering what the Lord has done in the past, is one of the few times, it is ok to think on the past.
This psalm looks back to when God did miracles and provided the way for Israel to leave Egypt.
God even made provisions in the earth for them by His great power, nothing is too hard for the Lord.
Because God is so powerful the earth and all that is in it ( and me) should 'tremble' and acknowledge his greatness.
“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,” (Psalm 114:7)
The word tremble literally means to be in pain or have the pangs of a woman in childbirth. So it links the judgements of God against Egypt, when God did all those miracles, to the pains of childbirth. I noticed a long time ago that quite a few of the judgments against Egypt are the same as what will happen during the tribulation, although the ones in the trib will be on a larger scale. That's why I found it interesting that the term for the pains of childbirth is used in this verse. To me it's yet another hint about the coming tribulation which is also called the time of Jacob's trouble.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 26, 2017 12:25:46 GMT -5
5/26/17
Psalm 115
God not us should get the glory.
This reminds me of the big push in schools for 'self-esteem', the idea you can do or be whoever you want.....which not only is not true, but when they push 'self' on children, it's a slap in the face to God.
People have all sorts of 'idols' actually ones made of silver and gold ( or chasing after money...silver and gold) or all sorts of others, including self.
But Buddha, and cows and all manner of man made idols are not god's at all, they can't see, hear, speak, smell, move they are 'at best', a man made craft.
However the true God can do everything and anything ( but not evil), He is the only one who can really help and bless us ( me).
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 26, 2017 12:27:41 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy, that is interesting!
As always :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 27, 2017 11:53:45 GMT -5
5/27/31
Psalm 116
The psalmist gives a reason he loves the Lord, because God in His mercy hears the psalmist prayers,
and therefore the psalmist will cry out to the Lord forever. ( me too)
The psalmist cried out to the Lord when close to death, and God full of compassion saved him.
It seems some people will not come to or cry out to God unless they are in a life or death situation ( maybe one reason why the Lord lets that kind of situation happen, so He can show His mercy and His power.
The psalmist cried out that he was greatly afflicted and that everyone was a liar........sort of reminded me of today's 'fake news'....its almost getting to be impossible to know anymore what is real and what is not. ( everybody is a liar, and that of course reminds me that Satan is the father of lies).
v. 15 is an 'interesting' verse, and I am pretty sure you have talked about it before, but I have forgotten exactly what you said:
v.15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants."
It reminds me of when Jesus said:
John 12: 24
"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
And also more importantly, Jesus died that we might live ( have eternal life with Him).
The psalmist offers a sacrifice of thanks.
Which is another application for me.
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Post by Cindy on May 28, 2017 10:38:35 GMT -5
5/26/17
Psalm 115
God not us should get the glory.
This reminds me of the big push in schools for 'self-esteem', the idea you can do or be whoever you want.....which not only is not true, but when they push 'self' on children, it's a slap in the face to God.
People have all sorts of 'idols' actually ones made of silver and gold ( or chasing after money...silver and gold) or all sorts of others, including self.
But Buddha, and cows and all manner of man made idols are not god's at all, they can't see, hear, speak, smell, move they are 'at best', a man made craft.
However the true God can do everything and anything ( but not evil), He is the only one who can really help and bless us ( me).
“Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115:1)
The Psalmist, by this repetition, implies our natural tendency to self-idolatry, and to magnifying of ourselves, and the difficulty of cleansing our hearts from these self-reflections. If it be angelical to refuse an undue glory stolen from God’s throne, Rev 22:8, 9; it is diabolical to accept and cherish it so much as we sacrifice to our credit, to the dexterity of our hands, or the sagacity of our wit, we detract from God. KJV Bible Commentary
“Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” (Psalm 115:3)
Just as we must learn to obey God one choice at a time, we must also learn to trust God one circumstance at a time. Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will. I never feel like trusting God when adversity strikes, but I can choose to do so even when I don’t feel like it. That act of the will, though, must be based on belief, and belief must be based on truth. The truth we must believe is that God is sovereign. He carries out His own good purposes without ever being thwarted, and He so directs and controls all events and all actions of His creatures that they never act outside of His sovereign will. We must believe this and cling to this in the face of adversity and tragedy, if we are to glorify God by trusting Him.
Our 1st priority in times of adversity is to honor & glorify God by trusting Him. We tend to make our 1st priority the gaining of relief from heartache or disappointment or frustration. This is a natural desire, & God has promised to give us grace sufficient for our trials & peace for our anxieties. But just as God’s will is to take precedence over our will, so God’s honor is to take precedence over our feelings. We honor God by choosing to trust Him when we don’t understand what He is doing or why He has allowed some adverse circumstance to occur. As we seek God’s glory, we may be sure that He has purposed our good & that He will not be frustrated in fulfilling that purpose. Trusting God
“Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:8)
The root word for idol is “worthless”; so then, their worshipers become worthless (Jer. 2:5) & corrupt individuals (2 Kin. 17:15-17). Spirit filled life study Bible.
You become like the treasure you seek. This principle is one of the most important things Psalm 115 teaches. It is an eloquent and accurate principle. When I live for material things, I increasingly become a materialistic person. I start to care about things more than people, thus becoming like the things I crave. Similarly, the person who lives for the little kingdom treasure of control will inevitably become a power-obsessed, controlling person. Someone who gets his identity and meaning from relationships will become driven by what people think of him, living in unending fear of man. Rather than developing the traits of Christian character, which are the result of pursuing and treasuring Christ, I will take on the qualities of my Christ-replacement. This is why so many people in our churches are not growing in Christlikeness. To the degree that Jesus is not the treasure I seek, I will not be progressively taking on his likeness. Instead, I will begin to look more & more like the treasure of the kingdom of self that I am actually living for. Heart of the matter
“he will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.” (Psalm 115:13)
All that’s left to do is trust God. But that just happens to be the hardest thing for a human being to do. If it were natural to us, everyone would happily follow Jesus, and divided allegiances would be an aberration. But trust isn’t natural, and divided allegiances are the norm. We are all guilty of little faith and, to make things worse, it isn’t enough to simply understand this. Acknowledging the diagnosis does not automatically lead to a cure. You can confess it, and worry will creep in even during your confession! The cure is not to simply know what the problem is. The cure is to know the one we are called to trust. Keep looking at the triune God and how he has revealed himself throughout history. Don’t spend your time focusing on your wavering allegiances. How do you seek the kingdom? When you seek the King, you are seeking his kingdom. This kingdom includes everything that comes from him. It includes his law, his grace and mercy, his blessings of life, adoption, and holiness, and all his promises throughout Scripture. Those who seek him feed on his Word and seek to imitate him. Are you worried? Jesus says there is nothing to worry about. It isn’t our kingdom, it is God’s. We take our cue from the King, and the King is not fretting over anything. He is in complete control. Heart of the matter
“It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence; it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.” (Psalm 115:17–18)
I wanted to point this verse out since it can bother some people. The author is not talking about what happens to people when or after they die. That's not his purpose here. Instead, he's focusing on getting people to do what they need to do here and now, letting them know that this is their one and only chance to make a difference in how they will spend eternity -"both now and forevermore." We know from God's Word that we who are saved, will never actually die, therefore we will praise the Lord both now and forevermore. Those who worship idols are spiritually dead inside. Those who are spiritually dead cannot praise God until they've been given new life. Once they've been given that new life however, they then can praise the One True God forever.
Thank you Cindy, that is interesting!
As always :-)  5/27/31
Psalm 116
The psalmist gives a reason he loves the Lord, because God in His mercy hears the psalmist prayers,
and therefore the psalmist will cry out to the Lord forever. ( me too)
The psalmist cried out to the Lord when close to death, and God full of compassion saved him.
It seems some people will not come to or cry out to God unless they are in a life or death situation ( maybe one reason why the Lord lets that kind of situation happen, so He can show His mercy and His power.
The psalmist cried out that he was greatly afflicted and that everyone was a liar........sort of reminded me of today's 'fake news'....its almost getting to be impossible to know anymore what is real and what is not. ( everybody is a liar, and that of course reminds me that Satan is the father of lies).
v. 15 is an 'interesting' verse, and I am pretty sure you have talked about it before, but I have forgotten exactly what you said:
v.15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants."
It reminds me of when Jesus said:
John 12: 24
"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
And also more importantly, Jesus died that we might live ( have eternal life with Him).
The psalmist offers a sacrifice of thanks.
Which is another application for me.
First he praises God as you said and tells us why - because God answered his prayers. Then he explains that he was near death when he cried out to God to save him (when he prayed) and God did in fact save him just as he'd said. Next He talks to himself, giving himself a little pep talk kind of, and he says: “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 116:7–9) So from all this we know that he was in a very dangerous situation and could have lost his life if the Lord hadn't answered his prayer and saved him. After telling himself to basically take a deep breath and relax, remembering what God has done for him, he then tells us how he got into that situation. He says, “I believed; therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” And in my dismay I said, “All men are liars.”” (Psalm 116:10–11) We don't know what the people or person had told him; they might have told him that he was very ill and would soon die, or they may have told him that he was so bad that the Lord would never want to save him because the Lord wouldn't want anything to do with him anymore. All we know from this is that whatever they told him, it caused him a great deal of anguish but even in his anguish he refused to believe what they said. Instead he chose to believe that God would save him and that he'd once more walk with Him, like he'd said in verse 9. He was dismayed because he knew they'd all lied to him and obviously weren't trustworthy. But he knew One that was worthy of trust, His God. He asks how he could possibly repay the Lord, knowing there's no way one can pay God for his life and forgiveness of his sins. So from there he basically says that he will repay him by being obedient to Him, and by fulfilling the vows he'd made previously. It's after this that we get to the verse you questioned.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)
Here he reminds us that all who are saved are precious to God, we're His treasures, and because we're valuable to Him (after all, He paid for us with His death, so that makes each one of us priceless to Him!) He's not going to allow anyone to take our life for no reason. None of us die untimely deaths in God’s plan; our deaths are never an accident, but are always according to His loving plan to bring His beloved child Home at last. Let me quote Matthew Henry on this one, as I like how he worded it: "God often wonderfully prevents the death of his saints when there is but a step between them and it; he takes special care about their death, to order it for the best in all the circumstances of it. Whoever kills them, how light soever they may make of it, they shall be made to pay dearly for it when inquisition is made for the blood of the saints. "
Here's another interesting quote from a book I read:
"Ultimately, without death, humanity would have no way of experiencing complete reconciliation with God. Confined in our bodies of sinful flesh, our separation from Him would be eternal, but for those who believe in Christ, death is the doorway into a glorious future."
Then in the rest of Psalm 116 through 117:2 he says that because he knows that his life and even his death are under God's loving control, (Job 14:5, Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 139:16; Jeremiah 29:11) he tells the Lord that he wants to serve Him instead of himself or others in this world. In his thankfulness for all God's done for him, he again affirms that he will make a sacrifice of praise to the Lord fulfilling the vows he made when he was in trouble & cried out for His help, & that he will do this in the Lord's temple in Jerusalem. He then ends by calling everyone to praise God and telling them why they should do so.
Now you can skip to Psalm 121, then Psalm 122, then skip to Psalm 135, then Psalm 136, Then skip to Psalm 138, and then Psalm 139.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 28, 2017 12:16:32 GMT -5
I really this quote:
"Ultimately, without death, humanity would have no way of experiencing complete reconciliation with God. Confined in our bodies of sinful flesh, our separation from Him would be eternal, but for those who believe in Christ, death is the doorway into a glorious future."
Thank you as always! :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 28, 2017 12:27:56 GMT -5
5/28/17
Psalm 121
I do what this psalm says in the 1st verse..."lift up my eyes"....sometimes to the mountains because we have the coastal range mts we can see ( not super high, but mt's none the less......)
or.... just up to the sky.....because I remember this verse and I know all my help comes from the Lord.
and v. 4 reminds us (me) that God never sleeps....so no matter when we may need to call to Him, He will be awake to hear us.
I really like v. 5 and 6 because I am not a fan of hot heat and glaringly bright sun light....on days like that shade is a welcome relief....because toooo much sun can 'harm' me, not just sunburn, but also a sun headache.
But even better v.7 & 8 says God watches over me and my life, now and forever more.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 29, 2017 11:40:56 GMT -5
5/29/17
Psalm 122
Aha back to rejoice....in going to the house of the Lord :-)
And the psalmist speaks of Jerusalem...it seems interesting that he mentions that it is closely compacted together.....I am not sure if there is any other meaning, other than as a description?
I always do pray for protection of Israel but in this psalm the psalmist asks for prayer for peace of Jerusalem and security.
I really want that for Israel ( and everywhere really), but at the same time, I always am a little confused because of the verse that says:
"While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly"
But nevertheless, that does not stop me from praying for Israel.
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Post by Cindy on May 30, 2017 10:47:55 GMT -5
I really this quote:
"Ultimately, without death, humanity would have no way of experiencing complete reconciliation with God. Confined in our bodies of sinful flesh, our separation from Him would be eternal, but for those who believe in Christ, death is the doorway into a glorious future."
Thank you as always! :-)
5/28/17
Psalm 121
I do what this psalm says in the 1st verse..."lift up my eyes"....sometimes to the mountains because we have the coastal range mts we can see ( not super high, but mt's none the less......)
or.... just up to the sky.....because I remember this verse and I know all my help comes from the Lord.
and v. 4 reminds us (me) that God never sleeps....so no matter when we may need to call to Him, He will be awake to hear us.
I really like v. 5 and 6 because I am not a fan of hot heat and glaringly bright sun light....on days like that shade is a welcome relief....because toooo much sun can 'harm' me, not just sunburn, but also a sun headache.
But even better v.7 & 8 says God watches over me and my life, now and forever more.  Here's a couple of notes for you too:
The peace of God guarding and watching over us is a theme that runs through the entire Bible. In Psalm 121, for example, David says seven different times that God is watching over you. Who is watching you? The Lord, the Creator of the whole universe, and the one who has ultimate power over every circumstance. And when is he watching? By day and by night. Nothing that happens during the day or the night can harm you, because the Lord, your Good Shepherd, is on guard. When the Good Shepherd is present, his peace is present. Paul says, “The God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9). When you read about David in the Bible, the constant refrain is that the Lord was with him. His life was blessed because the Lord was with him. He failed, he sinned big, he often blew it, and yet the Lord was with him. He grew very frail, and yet the Lord was with him. His life was a picture of living faith—a faith that faced trouble squarely and still knew the peace of God because he knew that God was with him. Heart of the matter
5/29/17
Psalm 122
Aha back to rejoice....in going to the house of the Lord :-)
And the psalmist speaks of Jerusalem...it seems interesting that he mentions that it is closely compacted together.....I am not sure if there is any other meaning, other than as a description?
I always do pray for protection of Israel but in this psalm the psalmist asks for prayer for peace of Jerusalem and security.
I really want that for Israel ( and everywhere really), but at the same time, I always am a little confused because of the verse that says:
"While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly"
But nevertheless, that does not stop me from praying for Israel.
“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1–3) Just a bit further on he wrote: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
This verse has been so mangled by so many it's scary. In context, this is saying that when the false prophet(s) begin to say that there will be peace and safety for Israel, then sudden destruction will come on them due to the tribulation. It's reminding them of what the false prophets said to them before the Babylonian captivity. Then the false prophets told the people that there wouldn't be a war, or if there was any altercation that Israel would win it and that they would be safe in their own land and not have to leave it as captives etc. The false prophets were saying this to try and undo what the true prophets of God had been telling the people - that if they did not repent that God would cause them to be conquered and the nation to be ruined, with them taken captive to another land. Jeremiah said of these false prophets: “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14) and “But I said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, the prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’ ” Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.” (Jeremiah 14:13–14) See also Lamentations 2:14 and many others. Paul was saying in Thessalonians that this would happen again just before the final day of the Lord. More than likely it will happen during the tribulation when the false prophet will be telling the Jews to accept the Antichrist.
God of course knows what will happen in our future and theirs and He wants us all to pray for peace in Jerusalem anyway, even though we know that real peace won't come until the Lord has saved the Jews at His second coming. But when we pray for God's peace for them that's really what we're praying for - for their salvation. Of course we can and should pray for mental and physical peace and safety for them now too as well as for their salvation. God tells us in a number of places that we're to pray for the Jews, for peace, safety, and prosperity for them even. We can do that, in the same way Daniel prayed for their return to Jerusalem when they were all in Babylon. He prayed knowing that God had promised that He would return them to their home after 70 years of exile. Daniel didn't just "claim that promise" and wait. He prayed that God would release them and return them all safely to Jerusalem. Not because he doubted God but because he knew that God would honor His Word and answer His prayer. That's what God wants us to do as well.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 30, 2017 12:40:15 GMT -5
Thank you for all your wonderful added info! I was thinking about how when I read sometimes that God will not allow harm to come to His people,
that I would sometimes think,
but......people do suffer torture and death tho they belong to Him.
However, today, I wondered if I could think of no harm coming, as ( at least in one way?),
that the 'real' me.....
not my 'body'
( because I will get a new body one day)
so the real me,
my soul/spirit...that me, they cannot harm, they cannot take me away from the Lord.....
even if, under torture or fear, I deny the Lord
( because it is He, that hold me.... and no one can take me out of His hand)
So in that context they cannot hurt 'me'...
my present body, perhaps, yes,
but me...no....that they cannot harm, because once I am the Lord's.
I cannot even jump out of His hand,
myself....
I can walk away, but I will always remain His....
so, if I cannot remove myself from the Lord (that would be the worst kind of harm for all eternity.....)
surely, not even satan himself, can truly hurt me ( but maybe my body).
Would that be an okay way to think of it?
Because in the past, when reading 'no harm', I would always wonder, because the martyrs, some of them suffered horrific bodily harm ( not to mention mental or emotional harm as well).....
so I could never quite understand how that would work....
I finally just decided it was true, even if, I could not understand it.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 30, 2017 13:09:18 GMT -5
5/30/17
Psalm 135
This is another major praise psalm!
In the 1st 4 verses praise in mentioned 4 times!
The Lord God is great, good, and does what pleases Himself. This psalm lists some of the great and wonderful things the Lord God has done.
And v. 13 says His name will endure forever!
Our God will vindicate and have compassion on His people, gods made by human hands of gold or silver are nothing, they have a 'mouth' but cannot speak, their ears do not hear and they are not real.
Then we are back to praise, in the next 3 verses praise is mentioned 5 times! I am beginning to get the message this is important!
And so my application is to praise God
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Post by Cindy on May 31, 2017 10:20:32 GMT -5
Thank you for all your wonderful added info! I was thinking about how when I read sometimes that God will not allow harm to come to His people,
that I would sometimes think,
but......people do suffer torture and death tho they belong to Him.
However, today, I wondered if I could think of no harm coming, as ( at least in one way?),
that the 'real' me.....
not my 'body'
( because I will get a new body one day)
so the real me,
my soul/spirit...that me, they cannot harm, they cannot take me away from the Lord.....
even if, under torture or fear, I deny the Lord
( because it is He, that hold me.... and no one can take me out of His hand)
So in that context they cannot hurt 'me'...
my present body, perhaps, yes,
but me...no....that they cannot harm, because once I am the Lord's.
I cannot even jump out of His hand,
myself....
I can walk away, but I will always remain His....
so, if I cannot remove myself from the Lord (that would be the worst kind of harm for all eternity.....)
surely, not even satan himself, can truly hurt me ( but maybe my body).
Would that be an okay way to think of it?
Because in the past, when reading 'no harm', I would always wonder, because the martyrs, some of them suffered horrific bodily harm ( not to mention mental or emotional harm as well).....
so I could never quite understand how that would work....
I finally just decided it was true, even if, I could not understand it.
“If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge— then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;” (Psalm 91:9–11)
Notice that this one has a "qualifier" before saying no harm will befall you. It says "If you make the Most High your dwelling". In other words, just as Jesus said, we must be abiding in Him. Many of the verses like this have a similar qualifier. It's when we're not abiding in Him that we sin, it's when we're not abiding in Him that we put ourselves in danger. However, even then, the Lord is in control and because He loves us, He will not allow anything to truly harm us to the point where we would be in danger of denying Him and becoming apostate. Like you were saying, we also have to remember that God doesn't see this life the same way we do. What seems important to us, generally isn't all that important to Him. Of course He knows we need food, clothing and shelter, etc, and like Jesus told us, He will provide it in one way or another, if we will abide in Him. So I'm not saying that He doesn't think we need things like that. What I mean is that we tend to think that we need a house, preferably a nice one, in a certain place, etc. and certain kinds of food, and 20 changes of clothes etc. And the Lord may indeed give us those things. But then again, He may decide that it's better for us if we have to live with a friend for awhile because we can't afford a house or apartment of our own. Or He may provide food that really isn't our favorite, or that we actually don't care for at all, but will nourish us. See what I mean? It's more important to Him that we learn to rely on Him and trust Him, instead of ourselves, our jobs, the government or whatever other things we're trusting in. Most of all, He wants us to abide in Him, dwell in Him, walk in Him, live in Him....
I should also point out that this particular psalm is speaking to and about Israel specifically and is Messianic, therefore speaking also of Jesus at certain points. With Israel (and not with us) God told them that if they obeyed He would bless them but if they did not, He would curse them. So here He is again saying the same thing. If they make Him their dwelling, if they dwell in Him (which would automatically include obedience) that no evil (no curse including illness) would befall them.
“The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:5–8) In this case, it helps if you compare different translations. For example: NASB95 | Ps 121:7 The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. Or ESV | Ps 121:7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. In fact, 9 out of 10 versions translate the word that's translated "harm" in the NIV and a few other versions as "evil". And if you go back and look at the other psalm again and check the word in the original language, you'll again find that it too is the same word, "evil"! And again if you look at other translations, you'll find many of them translate it as "evil" instead of "harm". Obviously, there's a big difference between evil and harm. A broken arm isn't necessarily evil, although it could be depending on how it happened and why. So here what's actually being said is that the Lord will keep you from all evil.
Let's look at one last one: “No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.” (Proverbs 12:21)
Let me just quote about this one: In Hebrew "harm" would be “all calamity.” The proper nuance of אָוֶן (’aven) is debated. It is normally understood metonymically (effect) as “harm; trouble,” that is, the result/effect of wickedness (e.g., Gen 50:20 “As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.”). Rashi, a Jewish scholar who lived A.D. 1040–1105, took it as “wickedness,” its primary meaning; “the righteous will not be caught up in wickedness.” Biblical Studies Press. (2005). The NET Bible
So let's look at some other translations too:
AV 1873 | Pr 12:21 There shall no evil happen to the just: But the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
NKJV | Pr 12:21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil. YLT | Pr 12:21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil. NET | Pr 12:21 The righteous do not encounter any harm, but the wicked are filled with calamity.
So once again we're basically looking at evil, wickedness, and not harm in general. Plus we again have the qualifier - this is only true for the righteous, those who've been saved by the blood of Christ and dwell in Him. The idea you had is also true. I think if you add this to your idea that you'll have a better understanding of what the Lord is telling us. These would be good things to add to your bible by the verses themselves and secondarily to your notebook if you want to. (I'm not saying you should all all of this by those verses! I man just a short note by each verse to help you remember what we've learned) 5/30/17
Psalm 135
This is another major praise psalm!
In the 1st 4 verses praise in mentioned 4 times!
The Lord God is great, good, and does what pleases Himself. This psalm lists some of the great and wonderful things the Lord God has done.
And v. 13 says His name will endure forever!
Our God will vindicate and have compassion on His people, gods made by human hands of gold or silver are nothing, they have a 'mouth' but cannot speak, their ears do not hear and they are not real.
Then we are back to praise, in the next 3 verses praise is mentioned 5 times! I am beginning to get the message this is important!
And so my application is to praise God
What I'd like you to do tomorrow when you do Psalm 136 is to try and write your own psalm to the Lord using a similar structure as Psalm 136. You don't have to do all the verses, just do what feels good to you. The psalmist was an Israelite and wrote about what the Lord had done for Israel. We're not, so your psalm should be about what the Lord has done for you personally that proves that "His love endures forever!" Have fun and make it your Prayer of praise to Him!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 31, 2017 10:59:09 GMT -5
I may have to write my 'psalm' tomorrow, only because today is the last day ( I hope) of super busy-ness) I have to finish cleaning apt ( not mine but for arriving new 'guests' for landlord Brent, and go get a mammogram ( I am thinking this is the last time I will do this, unless, I should develop a huge lump or something someday, I don't know?) and other stuff
I don't think I mentioned, 2 days ago Leonard went to safeway grocery store. He saw one of those big monster trucks parked next to him and actually moved his car as far to the other side of his parking space LOL
Too no avail, the truck had completely taken off his front fender when Leonard came out from the store.
So he has been dealing with insurance companies, getting estimates etc. ( without putting the car up on the thingy, just replacing the fender, the 1st quote is $1,700 plus.....they don't know if other damage happened until the mechanic can really look at it, plus today he must get a 2nd estimate)
Anyway I may start my psalm today ....for sure I will think about it....and maybe.... tomorrow will finally slow down a tad!
But it sounds like a fun project!!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on May 31, 2017 11:12:15 GMT -5
5/31/17
Psalm 136
Today I read this psalm and it is another psalm of praise but for Israel and some of the many things the Lord has done or did for Israel.
I am thinking the message is that it is good to remember all the blessing and love the Lord has shown us.
I have leaned way to far in remembering the 'bad' and tho God may have allowed some bad in my life, He has provided much more good....like this psalm says even the fact that the sun still shines and the moon and stars are still in the universe, is a blessing without which there would be no 'life' to even be grateful for, because neither I nor anyone else would live long if the sun went out.
So I will be thinking on some of the blessing the Lord has given to me ( to list them all...well, there are so many, I would never be able to remember then all....) so that's why I said 'some' ...actually there are so many, that its more like a 'few' I will list...
even if it seems like a lot, it would not be true....
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on Jun 1, 2017 10:56:05 GMT -5
6/1/17
I am not sure if this is what you were thinking so I will write what I think you meant
Psalm 136
Give Thanks to God for His great love
His love endures forever
He spoke the universe into existence
His love endures forever
He made everything on earth to have what it needs for life
His love endures forever
sun, moon, air, plants, animals, all are exactly what is needed
His love endures forever
He gave me gifts and talents
His love endures forever
He was with me as a young child
His love endures forever
He helped me and shielded me from a hurting devastated angry furious foster home father
His love endures forever
He provided me with loving caring adopted parents
His love endures forever
He adopted me ( so I am twice adopted) as His child
His love endures forever
He protected me from possible death ( by foolish sins) many many times
His love endures forever
He gave me a kind loving husband
His love endures forever
And 2 adorable children
His love endures forever
He brought me back to Himself
His love endures forever
He gave me wonderful biblical teachers to help bring me into a closer relationship with Him
His love endures forever
He is with me in my old age
His love endures forever
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Post by Cindy on Jun 1, 2017 10:57:32 GMT -5
I may have to write my 'psalm' tomorrow, only because today is the last day ( I hope) of super busy-ness) I have to finish cleaning apt ( not mine but for arriving new 'guests' for landlord Brent, and go get a mammogram ( I am thinking this is the last time I will do this, unless, I should develop a huge lump or something someday, I don't know?) and other stuff
I don't think I mentioned, 2 days ago Leonard went to safeway grocery store. He saw one of those big monster trucks parked next to him and actually moved his car as far to the other side of his parking space LOL
Too no avail, the truck had completely taken off his front fender when Leonard came out from the store.
So he has been dealing with insurance companies, getting estimates etc. ( without putting the car up on the thingy, just replacing the fender, the 1st quote is $1,700 plus.....they don't know if other damage happened until the mechanic can really look at it, plus today he must get a 2nd estimate)
Anyway I may start my psalm today ....for sure I will think about it....and maybe.... tomorrow will finally slow down a tad!
But it sounds like a fun project!!!
I know you've been really busy, and that's fine if you can't write it till tomorrow hon. I hope it is something you'll enjoy doing. Be sure to tell the Lord what you want to do and ask Him to help you, so you can do it together with Him!
5/31/17
Psalm 136
Today I read this psalm and it is another psalm of praise but for Israel and some of the many things the Lord has done or did for Israel.
I am thinking the message is that it is good to remember all the blessing and love the Lord has shown us.
I have leaned way to far in remembering the 'bad' and tho God may have allowed some bad in my life, He has provided much more good....like this psalm says even the fact that the sun still shines and the moon and stars are still in the universe, is a blessing without which there would be no 'life' to even be grateful for, because neither I nor anyone else would live long if the sun went out.
So I will be thinking on some of the blessing the Lord has given to me ( to list them all...well, there are so many, I would never be able to remember then all....) so that's why I said 'some' ...actually there are so many, that its more like a 'few' I will list...
even if it seems like a lot, it would not be true....
The Hebrew word means “covenant love” or “covenant faithfulness.” God loves us because He is committed to us by His oath. God’s chesed is an essential part of His character.
In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or “steadfastness” suggests only the fulfillment of a legal or other obligation.
The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise, but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement those promises. Checed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law.
Biblical usage frequently speaks of someone “doing,” “showing,” or “keeping” checed. The concrete content of the word is especially evident when it is used in the plural. God’s “mercies,” “kindnesses,” or “faithfulnesses” are His specific, concrete acts of redemption in fulfillment of His promise. An example appears in Isa. 55:3: Here's several translations of it:
“… And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”
“ an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David. ”
“an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. ”
“an unconditional covenantal promise to you, just like the reliable covenantal promises I made to David. ”
The association of checed with “covenant” keeps it from being misunderstood as mere providence or love for all creatures; it applies primarily to God’s particular love for His chosen and covenanted people. “Covenant” also stresses the reciprocity of the relationship; but since God’s checed is ultimately beyond the covenant, it will not ultimately be abandoned, even when the human partner is unfaithful and must be disciplined (Isa. 54:8, 10). Since its final triumph and implementation is eschatological, checed can imply the goal and end of all salvation-history (Ps. 85:7, 10; 130:7; Mic. 7:20).
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
Now let's look at other translations of the first verse of this psalm as that will also help us understand God's love for us:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)
AV 1873 | Ps 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever.
1901 ASV | Ps 136:1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
NASB95 | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
NET | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loyal love endures.
ESV | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
NLT | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
HCSB | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love is eternal.
YLT | Ps 136:1 Give ye thanks to Jehovah, For good, for to the age is His kindness.
LEB | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loyal love endures forever.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 1, 2017 12:06:48 GMT -5
6/1/17
I am not sure if this is what you were thinking so I will write what I think you meant
Psalm 136
Give Thanks to God for His great love
His love endures forever
He spoke the universe into existence
His love endures forever
He made everything on earth to have what it needs for life
His love endures forever
sun, moon, air, plants, animals, all are exactly what is needed
His love endures forever
He gave me gifts and talents
His love endures forever
He was with me as a young child
His love endures forever
He helped me and shielded me from a hurting devastated angry furious foster home father
His love endures forever
He provided me with loving caring adopted parents
His love endures forever
He adopted me ( so I am twice adopted) as His child
His love endures forever
He protected me from possible death ( by foolish sins) many many times
His love endures forever
He gave me a kind loving husband
His love endures forever
And 2 adorable children
His love endures forever
He brought me back to Himself
His love endures forever
He gave me wonderful biblical teachers to help bring me into a closer relationship with Him
His love endures forever
He is with me in my old age
His love endures forever
here's the post I made while you posted this one:
I may have to write my 'psalm' tomorrow, only because today is the last day ( I hope) of super busy-ness) I have to finish cleaning apt ( not mine but for arriving new 'guests' for landlord Brent, and go get a mammogram ( I am thinking this is the last time I will do this, unless, I should develop a huge lump or something someday, I don't know?) and other stuff
I don't think I mentioned, 2 days ago Leonard went to safeway grocery store. He saw one of those big monster trucks parked next to him and actually moved his car as far to the other side of his parking space LOL
Too no avail, the truck had completely taken off his front fender when Leonard came out from the store.
So he has been dealing with insurance companies, getting estimates etc. ( without putting the car up on the thingy, just replacing the fender, the 1st quote is $1,700 plus.....they don't know if other damage happened until the mechanic can really look at it, plus today he must get a 2nd estimate)
Anyway I may start my psalm today ....for sure I will think about it....and maybe.... tomorrow will finally slow down a tad!
But it sounds like a fun project!!!
I know you've been really busy, and that's fine if you can't write it till tomorrow hon. I hope it is something you'll enjoy doing. Be sure to tell the Lord what you want to do and ask Him to help you, so you can do it together with Him!
5/31/17
Psalm 136
Today I read this psalm and it is another psalm of praise but for Israel and some of the many things the Lord has done or did for Israel.
I am thinking the message is that it is good to remember all the blessing and love the Lord has shown us.
I have leaned way to far in remembering the 'bad' and tho God may have allowed some bad in my life, He has provided much more good....like this psalm says even the fact that the sun still shines and the moon and stars are still in the universe, is a blessing without which there would be no 'life' to even be grateful for, because neither I nor anyone else would live long if the sun went out.
So I will be thinking on some of the blessing the Lord has given to me ( to list them all...well, there are so many, I would never be able to remember then all....) so that's why I said 'some' ...actually there are so many, that its more like a 'few' I will list...
even if it seems like a lot, it would not be true....
The Hebrew word means “covenant love” or “covenant faithfulness.” God loves us because He is committed to us by His oath. God’s chesed is an essential part of His character.
In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or “steadfastness” suggests only the fulfillment of a legal or other obligation.
The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise, but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement those promises. Checed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law.
Biblical usage frequently speaks of someone “doing,” “showing,” or “keeping” checed. The concrete content of the word is especially evident when it is used in the plural. God’s “mercies,” “kindnesses,” or “faithfulnesses” are His specific, concrete acts of redemption in fulfillment of His promise. An example appears in Isa. 55:3: Here's several translations of it:
“… And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”
“ an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David. ”
“an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. ”
“an unconditional covenantal promise to you, just like the reliable covenantal promises I made to David. ”
The association of checed with “covenant” keeps it from being misunderstood as mere providence or love for all creatures; it applies primarily to God’s particular love for His chosen and covenanted people. “Covenant” also stresses the reciprocity of the relationship; but since God’s checed is ultimately beyond the covenant, it will not ultimately be abandoned, even when the human partner is unfaithful and must be disciplined (Isa. 54:8, 10). Since its final triumph and implementation is eschatological, checed can imply the goal and end of all salvation-history (Ps. 85:7, 10; 130:7; Mic. 7:20).
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
Now let's look at other translations of the first verse of this psalm as that will also help us understand God's love for us:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)
AV 1873 | Ps 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever.
1901 ASV | Ps 136:1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
NASB95 | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
NET | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loyal love endures.
ESV | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
NLT | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
HCSB | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love is eternal.
YLT | Ps 136:1 Give ye thanks to Jehovah, For good, for to the age is His kindness.
LEB | Ps 136:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loyal love endures forever.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on Jun 2, 2017 1:06:40 GMT -5
It is interesting that you wondered if I might want to add to it...because, in fact, after I posted it, I began to think: OH I forgot, I should have ( wanted to) put this and that in also.
In part, I didn't because I wasn't 100 percent sure I was on the right track, but also, I just thought of more to add, afterward.
I mean for example, I didn't even add, How the Lord died on the cross for me, to pay the debt of my sins.....that was a pretty big omission! And that was one I thought of 'afterwards'.....tho, I might have 'remembered' if I had been more sure and added more at the time....I just don't know.
But I guess I can put it in my journal and add to it as I think of many more.
Tho today was indeed less busy, it still worked out that I watched Devon for about an hour or more....
But I was tired from the past week or so....
The thing about the car, is that every single place that does repairs here within range on the coast,
is backed up, for up to.... 5 mts!!!
One place told Leonard, they are soooooooo backed up with work,
that they are just being able to get to people who have been on a waiting list for a year!!!!!
I am not sure what that means even?
One could wonder if they are super slow at their jobs?
Or, are people having waaaaaay more 'fender benders'?
or, do we not have enough car repair mechanics here on the coast????
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Post by Cindy on Jun 2, 2017 9:45:47 GMT -5
It is interesting that you wondered if I might want to add to it...because, in fact, after I posted it, I began to think: OH I forgot, I should have ( wanted to) put this and that in also.
In part, I didn't because I wasn't 100 percent sure I was on the right track, but also, I just thought of more to add, afterward.
I mean for example, I didn't even add, How the Lord died on the cross for me, to pay the debt of my sins.....that was a pretty big omission! And that was one I thought of 'afterwards'.....tho, I might have 'remembered' if I had been more sure and added more at the time....I just don't know.
But I guess I can put it in my journal and add to it as I think of many more.
Tho today was indeed less busy, it still worked out that I watched Devon for about an hour or more....
But I was tired from the past week or so....
The thing about the car, is that every single place that does repairs here within range on the coast,
is backed up, for up to.... 5 mts!!!
One place told Leonard, they are soooooooo backed up with work,
that they are just being able to get to people who have been on a waiting list for a year!!!!!
I am not sure what that means even?
One could wonder if they are super slow at their jobs?
Or, are people having waaaaaay more 'fender benders'?
or, do we not have enough car repair mechanics here on the coast????
Anyway, feel free to add to it as much or as often as you'd like to. What I did at first was try to follow the same format as the Psalm itself, for example:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)
For that verse I wrote: Give thanks to the LORD, for saving Bruce's life when he had a heart attack; Your love endures forever!
Or “to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:4)
For that verse I wrote: To Him who was our provision when Bruce was out of work; Your love endures forever!
And so on, changing what I said to match the way the psalmist said his. Last year though I decided to try to make the newer ones all the same way so from then on wrote them all this way - filling in the blank with what I was thankful for:
I give You thanks & praise for _______________________________; Your love endures forever!
I give You thanks & praise for keeping Michael's marriage intact, Your love endures forever!
I think of it as my thank you letter to the Lord, and now it's starting to become my love letter to Him. It's really neat how the Lord changes us and we can even see the changes when we keep written records like this. Whatever you decide to do, just enjoy it. You might want to use a separate notebook though as it could eventually take over the one we started!
That's too bad about how long it will take for them to get to your car. It sounds like your area could use another service station for sure!
I'll try and get back here later to see your psalm for today...
By the way, did you notice what I wrote yesterday about the meaning of the word translated "love" in Psalm 136 (and all through the bible when speaking of God's love for us)? It's so important that I just didn't want you to miss it.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on Jun 2, 2017 11:32:13 GMT -5
Oh yes, I did see and read what you wrote about the full meaning of love, thank you.
I really like the way you said it was your thank you and love letter to Lord. I will think of it that way too!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on Jun 2, 2017 11:49:11 GMT -5
6/2/17
Psalm 138
Another psalm of praise and in this God's love is combined with His faithfulness.
Verse 3 says when the psalmist called God answered him.....I think believers may sometimes think God does not answer but He may be saying wait, or even no, and often He says yes, but He does answer.
I sometimes think if He seemingly delays ( a wait answer)
it's so we can get a better grasp of what we are asking.....like how much do we really want what we are asking, or maybe do we really want it at all,
maybe we should revise our petition after we stop our 'emotional only' petition, take and thoughts captive, etc.
But it's uplifting to know God hears us and answers even if it's not the answer we want.
Then it talks about singing to the Lord .........but......it's only for kings to sing ( that's a joke LOL).
But they ( and we and I) are to sing of the ways of the Lord.....kind of like our ( my) in progress 'psalm' of all His blessings, etc.
v. 7 was surely true for me, I have walked in the midst of 'trouble' ( generated by past foolish decisions) yet God preserved my life.
And then v. 8 speaks of God's love again and that it endures forever....and it mentions not being abandoned ( which I felt like I was in the past by people, but in fact, God never abandoned me.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on Jun 3, 2017 14:35:56 GMT -5
6/3/17
Psalm 139
This starts of as a psalm about just how personally involved God is with His children, He knows when we sit, or get up, He knows our every thought, etc.
In fact, the psalmist says it's just too wonderful and lofty for him ( as it is for me).
Then the psalmist asks where could he go ( tho I doubt he would ever want to) to escape from God?
All of the places the psalmist could think of, he realized that God would be there....God is God after all!
That is a very reassuring thought for me!
If ever doubt tries to creep into my mind, I have almost always quoted v. 14 to myself ( because I know it is the truth)>
v.14 " I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
There is just no way possible that we were an accident of chance over millions of years of 'evolving'. Just one aspect of digestion even, we have stomach acids to dissolve food, but yet, it does not dissolve our stomach. The idea that a entity could survive, chance and happenstance over thousands and thousands of years...the entity would die of starvation or worse, looooong before the exact right stomach acids just happened!!! And that is only one tiny aspect of how complicated our human bodies have been designed by God!! Not even to get into our brains, and consciousness and other such mysteries, that only our great Creator God could design!!
And this psalm makes it clear a baby in the womb is a baby.....not a 'parasite, or JUST a mass of cells!!
And then the psalmist is in wonder and awe about how precious are the Lord's thoughts about us.
He also is grieved concerning those who hate God.
And ends asking the Lord to search him, and find an offensive ways and to lead him in the way everlasting.
As do I
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on Jun 4, 2017 21:36:18 GMT -5
6/4/17
Psalm 140
The psalmist asks for protection from God because of violent evil doers, and in today's increasing violence it is a prayer we too could all be asking the Lord.
The psalmist knows that God is a strong deliverer,and of course He still is today!
The psalmist also asks that their(evil doers) plans do not succeed, and to my way of thinking, that is a petition even more needy now than maybe ever before!!
The psalmist knows God helps the poor, needy, and righteous, as He still does.
Forgive me for such a short discussion, we had a 'turn around' ( out at noon in at 4...tho thankfully they are coming late!!) cleaning today....
And for some reason, I am hurting waaaay more, than I have for a pretty long time.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 5, 2017 10:56:28 GMT -5
You may need to take a day off so you can read these carefully... it depends on how much time you have really. I just want you to take your time on what I'm adding here so it can sink in and will help you...Oh yes, I did see and read what you wrote about the full meaning of love, thank you.
I really like the way you said it was your thank you and love letter to Lord. I will think of it that way too! 6/2/17
Psalm 138
Another psalm of praise and in this God's love is combined with His faithfulness.
Verse 3 says when the psalmist called God answered him.....I think believers may sometimes think God does not answer but He may be saying wait, or even no, and often He says yes, but He does answer.
I sometimes think if He seemingly delays ( a wait answer)
it's so we can get a better grasp of what we are asking.....like how much do we really want what we are asking, or maybe do we really want it at all,
maybe we should revise our petition after we stop our 'emotional only' petition, take and thoughts captive, etc.
But it's uplifting to know God hears us and answers even if it's not the answer we want.
Then it talks about singing to the Lord .........but......it's only for kings to sing ( that's a joke LOL).
But they ( and we and I) are to sing of the ways of the Lord.....kind of like our ( my) in progress 'psalm' of all His blessings, etc.
v. 7 was surely true for me, I have walked in the midst of 'trouble' ( generated by past foolish decisions) yet God preserved my life.
And then v. 8 speaks of God's love again and that it endures forever....and it mentions not being abandoned ( which I felt like I was in the past by people, but in fact, God never abandoned me.
Our 1st priority in times of adversity is to honor & glorify God by trusting Him. We tend to make our 1st priority the gaining of relief from our feelings of heartache, disappointment or frustration. This is a natural desire, & God has promised to give us grace sufficient for our trials & peace for our anxieties. But just as God’s will is to take precedence over our will, so God’s honor is to take precedence over our feelings. We honor God by choosing to trust Him when we don’t understand what He is doing or why He has allowed some adverse circumstance to occur. As we seek God’s glory, we may be sure that He has purposed our good & that He will not be frustrated in fulfilling that purpose. Just as we must learn to obey God one choice at a time, we must also learn to trust God one circumstance at a time. Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will. I never feel like trusting God when adversity strikes, but I can choose to do so even when I don’t feel like it. That act of the will, though, must be based on belief, and belief must be based on truth.The truth we must believe is that God is sovereign. He carries out His own good purposes without ever being thwarted, & He so directs & controls all events & all actions of His creatures that they never act outside of His sovereign will. We must believe this & cling to this in the face of adversity & tragedy, if we are to glorify God by trusting Him. Trusting God
6/3/17
Psalm 139
This starts of as a psalm about just how personally involved God is with His children, He knows when we sit, or get up, He knows our every thought, etc.
In fact, the psalmist says it's just too wonderful and lofty for him ( as it is for me).
Then the psalmist asks where could he go ( tho I doubt he would ever want to) to escape from God?
All of the places the psalmist could think of, he realized that God would be there....God is God after all!
That is a very reassuring thought for me!
If ever doubt tries to creep into my mind, I have almost always quoted v. 14 to myself ( because I know it is the truth)>
v.14 " I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
There is just no way possible that we were an accident of chance over millions of years of 'evolving'. Just one aspect of digestion even, we have stomach acids to dissolve food, but yet, it does not dissolve our stomach. The idea that a entity could survive, chance and happenstance over thousands and thousands of years...the entity would die of starvation or worse, looooong before the exact right stomach acids just happened!!! And that is only one tiny aspect of how complicated our human bodies have been designed by God!! Not even to get into our brains, and consciousness and other such mysteries, that only our great Creator God could design!!
And this psalm makes it clear a baby in the womb is a baby.....not a 'parasite, or JUST a mass of cells!!
And then the psalmist is in wonder and awe about how precious are the Lord's thoughts about us.
He also is grieved concerning those who hate God.
And ends asking the Lord to search him, and find an offensive ways and to lead him in the way everlasting.
As do I
God wants to know what’s on your heart. He wants you to need him, to go to him, and to plead with him about your real problems. He wants you to tell him all about your troubles—the health problems, the financial worries, the straying child, the struggling church, and the grief and loss you have experienced. He wants you to confess to him the sins that drive your sinful anxiety—the idols that have hijacked your life. He wants you to ask for his forgiveness for your lack of trust and faith, and for desiring his good gifts more than him. Begin with total honesty and say, “Lord, I don’t understand; help me to understand you.” Admit to him that, although your words say you believe he is in control, your anxious thoughts reveal the truth: You still desire to be in control. Ask God to teach you how to close the gap between what you say you believe and how you think and function on a day-by-day basis. God will use your honest confession to build a relationship with him that will give you true and lasting peace. Your growing and deepening relationship with God is what will transform your anxious thoughts into humble faith and trust. Heart of the matter
There is absolutely nowhere you and I can go, nothing we can do, but that God’s presence isn’t there too. While we may vacillate in and out of our awareness of Him, He never leaves us (Heb 13:5 ). It’s important to remember that God is Spirit, and our feelings swim in the natural realm. Regardless of how we feel, we can trust Him to be true to His Word when He says He’s always with us. When you can’t feel Him with your feelings, feel Him with your faith! God wants us to enjoy His presence in the routine rhythms of life, confident that He enjoys us! When we turn our attention to Him, He enables us to live with our minds cleared of the things that distract us from Him. God wants us to enjoy being present with Him in our day-to-day activities, realizing that He is right here with us—enjoying us. As Tozer said, “He meant us to see Him & live with Him & draw our life from His smile.” Anywhere, anytime we can hit the pause button & be fully present with God. We can be still, turn off the noise in our heads, & know that He is God. Thriving: Trusting god for life to the fullest.
Worry and fear always look ahead. When the thing we dread is upon us, we usually do well. Anticipation is the killer. God tells us that there is nothing in the future that can interfere with our kingdom mission. If you get in the car accident you dread, you will have grace to know that God is with you, and you will have grace to bear fruit even in that difficult situation. If your loved one dies before you, you will have grace to know God’s comfort and to shine brightly as you reflect your Father’s glory. If poverty knocks on your door, you will have grace to trust your King and know that poverty cannot detract from your privilege of being an ambassador who blesses others in his name. As children and stewards who aren’t in control but trust the one who is, the assurance of such grace is a blessing. Keep the manna story in mind. Remember that God gave the Israelites grace to trust and obey him when they left Egypt, just as we are given even more grace for faith and obedience when the wilderness is ahead. But they were also given more unexpected grace than they could have predicted or imagined. Your future includes manna. It will come. There is no sense devising future scenarios now because God will do more than you anticipate. Heart of the matter
Psalm 139:13–16 teaches us that we are who we are, because God Himself created us the way we are—not because of an impersonal biological process. The Hebrew word for “inmost being” is the Hebrew idiom for “the center of emotions and of moral sensitivity.” David, then, is essentially saying, “You created my personality.” Not only did God create David’s physical body, He also created his personality. David was the person he was because God created him that way, physically, mentally, and emotionally. And just as God was personally involved in the creation of David, so He was directly involved in creating you and me. You are the result of the attentive, careful, thoughtful, intimate, detailed, creative work of God. Your personality, your sex, your height, your features, are what they are because God made them precisely that way. He made you the way he did because that is the way he wants you to be…. If God had wanted you to be basically and creatively different he would have made you differently. Your genes and chromosomes and creaturely distinctives -even the shape of your nose and ears-are what they are by God’s design. The application of this truth should be clear to us. If I have difficulty accepting myself the way God made me, then I have a controversy with God. Obviously you and I need to change insofar as our sinful nature distorts that which God has made. Therefore, I do not say that we need to accept ourselves as we are, but as God made us in our basic physical, mental, and emotional makeup. Trusting God
David praised God, not because he was handsome, but because God made him. We need to dwell on that thought. The eternal God who is infinite in His wisdom and perfect in His love personally made you and me. He gave you the body, the mental abilities, and the basic personality you have because that is the way He wanted you to be. And He wanted you to be just that way because He loves you and wants to glorify Himself through you. This is the believer’s foundation for self-acceptance. I am who I am and you are who you are because God sovereignly and directly created us to be who we are. Self-acceptance is basically trusting God for who I am, disabilities or physical flaws and all. You'll never really enjoy other people, have stable emotions, lead a life of godly contentment or conquer jealousy & love others as you should until you thank God for making you the way he did. As we thank God for who we are, we also need to thank Him for those so-called positive abilities & traits we have. All of the abilities—physical, mental, personality, talents, etc. that we have were given to us by God. (1 Corinthians 4:7) All of us received whatever ability, learning, riches, station in life, rank, or influence we have from God to be used by us for His glory. Whether it is an ability or disability, let us learn to receive it from God, to give Him thanks, & to seek to use it for His glory. Trusting God
All the experiences of his life, day by day, were written down in God’s book before he was even born. This refers not simply to God’s prior knowledge of what will occur in our lives, but to His plan for our lives. God created each of us uniquely to fulfill the plan He has ordained for us. Our disabilities as well as our abilities all fit into that plan. One of the most inspiring of truths is that God has a distinct plan for each one of us in sending us into this world. This plan embraces not only His original creation of us, but also the family & social setting into which we were born. It includes all the vicissitudes of life, all the seemingly chance or random happenings, & all the sudden & unexpected turns of events, both “good” & “bad,” that occur in our lives. All these situations & circumstances, though they may appear only as happenstance to us, were written in God’s book before one of them came to be. However, God’s plan for us embraces more than merely the events or circumstances that happen to us. It also embraces that which He wants us to be & to do. The Scriptures teach that God places each believer in the Body of Christ as it pleases Him. He sovereignly determines our respective functions in the Body & gives us the corresponding spiritual gifts with which to perform those functions. (Rom 12:4–6, 1 Cor 12:7–11). Moreover, our spiritual gifts are generally consistent with the physical & mental abilities as well as the temperaments with which God created us. God created our inmost being and fashioned us in our mother’s womb so that we might be equipped to fulfill the plan that He set out for us even before we were born. Who you are is not a biological accident. What you are is not a circumstantial accident. God planned both for you. That thought should give meaning to the most humdrum of vocations. In fact, no vocation should be considered humdrum if God has ordained it for us. The fact that God ordained our days for us should also give meaning to every day, not just the special or exciting days of our lives. The realization that God has planned our days for us should not lead us to a fatalistic acceptance of the status quo. If we have an opportunity to improve our situation in a way that will honor God, we should do so. Even to believing slaves Paul wrote,“If you can gain your freedom, do so” 1 Cor 7:21. But immediately before that statement Paul had written, “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you.” There has to be in our lives a delicate balance between godly efforts to improve our situation & godly acceptance of those situations that cannot be changed by us. Trusting God
6/4/17
Psalm 140
The psalmist asks for protection from God because of violent evil doers, and in today's increasing violence it is a prayer we too could all be asking the Lord.
The psalmist knows that God is a strong deliverer,and of course He still is today!
The psalmist also asks that their(evil doers) plans do not succeed, and to my way of thinking, that is a petition even more needy now than maybe ever before!!
The psalmist knows God helps the poor, needy, and righteous, as He still does.
Forgive me for such a short discussion, we had a 'turn around' ( out at noon in at 4...tho thankfully they are coming late!!) cleaning today....
And for some reason, I am hurting waaaay more, than I have for a pretty long time.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on Jun 5, 2017 12:08:52 GMT -5
Thank you for all the added info as I know you have a lot on your mind today and a lot to do.
I really appreciated all that you posted!!
I am feeling a little better today. Yesterday, I just couldn't seem to find a comfortable position ( after cleaning) and I took some extra pain meds,
muscle relaxer to help....but even so it took awhile for the pain to back down to a dull roar.
But I got a fairly good sleep ( only got up twice.....
actually the last month or two, I have even gone for as long as 6 hours without waking!!!!
Unheard of!!! LOL
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,441
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Post by fearnot on Jun 5, 2017 12:24:24 GMT -5
6/5/17
Psalm 141
The psalmist asks the Lord to come quickly when he calls. I know I often feel that way....come quickly Lord ( even tho I know He is already here) but sometimes, it feels 'rude' and like I am trying to tell God what to do, but its not really what I am trying to do....its more that I need Him so desperately sometimes.
Aha I know v. 3 I have prayed it before to help me from gossip....I haven't prayed it in awhile, and I think I really need to.
Gossip sometimes, seem to just slip in like melted butter, so easily that I feel I really do need a 'guard' on my mouth.
Well, as easy as 'gossip' can be, sometimes, even doing wrong can slide on in, like a runner slipping into home base. And so like the psalmist I ask the Lord to not let my heart be drawn into evil wrong doing.
v. 5 reminds me that to be rebuked by a brother or a sister is a kindness, because sometimes I am too easy on myself ( self pity, making excuses, and the like.
In v. 8 the psalmist asks not to be given over to death and I still have to remind myself that I will not really ever die....my body may ( if I am not raptured first), but the real 'me' will not die...either way, I will be with the Lord Jesus.
And evil doers set traps for us....that is an interesting concept ( not in a 'good' interesting way) but one to be aware of....
and to ask the Lord to keep me safe from them, as the psalmist did.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 6, 2017 10:14:38 GMT -5
Thank you for all the added info as I know you have a lot on your mind today and a lot to do.
I really appreciated all that you posted!!
I am feeling a little better today. Yesterday, I just couldn't seem to find a comfortable position ( after cleaning) and I took some extra pain meds,
muscle relaxer to help....but even so it took awhile for the pain to back down to a dull roar.
But I got a fairly good sleep ( only got up twice.....
actually the last month or two, I have even gone for as long as 6 hours without waking!!!!
Unheard of!!! LOL 6/5/17
Psalm 141
The psalmist asks the Lord to come quickly when he calls. I know I often feel that way....come quickly Lord ( even tho I know He is already here) but sometimes, it feels 'rude' and like I am trying to tell God what to do, but its not really what I am trying to do....its more that I need Him so desperately sometimes.
Aha I know v. 3 I have prayed it before to help me from gossip....I haven't prayed it in awhile, and I think I really need to.
Gossip sometimes, seem to just slip in like melted butter, so easily that I feel I really do need a 'guard' on my mouth.
Well, as easy as 'gossip' can be, sometimes, even doing wrong can slide on in, like a runner slipping into home base. And so like the psalmist I ask the Lord to not let my heart be drawn into evil wrong doing.
v. 5 reminds me that to be rebuked by a brother or a sister is a kindness, because sometimes I am too easy on myself ( self pity, making excuses, and the like.
In v. 8 the psalmist asks not to be given over to death and I still have to remind myself that I will not really ever die....my body may ( if I am not raptured first), but the real 'me' will not die...either way, I will be with the Lord Jesus.
And evil doers set traps for us....that is an interesting concept ( not in a 'good' interesting way) but one to be aware of....
and to ask the Lord to keep me safe from them, as the psalmist did.
“But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.” (Psalm 141:8)
Let's look at how the word "death" is translated in other versions:
AV 1873 | But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
NASB95 | For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
NET | Surely I am looking to you, O sovereign LORD. In you I take shelter. Do not expose me to danger!
There's only one other version (the HCSB) besides the NIV that translates the word as something to do with death. The phrase in Hebrew is "make not my soul bare." or “do not lay bare my life.”
The psalmist here focuses on God, believing that this action (v. 8) will guide him past the traps that the wicked have set for him (vv. 9–10). Faithlife Study Bible
Looking to God and depending on Him enables us to resist temptation (v. 8). Apparently, this poet feared the influence of evil persons in his life and cried out to the Lord for immediate assistance in dealing with the temptation. The Woman’s Study Bible
You can skip to Psalm144 now if you'd like to.
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when I thought of all he does constantly every moment of every day! 
Here's a couple of notes for you too:
