Author Archives: Barry Hicks

Psalm 72: 1-11….Solomon’s Prayer.

Introduction: Solomon isn’t one of my favourite Bible heroes. He started well but ended up badly. ‘But no one is perfect’ I can hear you say, and certainly I’m not. On the positive side there are such things as this prayer for Solomon which certainly I find a blessing! The leaders prayed this prayer asContinue reading “Psalm 72: 1-11….Solomon’s Prayer.”

Psalm 71; 17-24….A prayer for all ages!

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.18 So even to old age and grey hairs,O God, do not forsake me,until I proclaim your might to another generation,your power to all those to come. – Comment: I find, with hair long ago having lost its greyness andContinue reading “Psalm 71; 17-24….A prayer for all ages!”

Psalm 71: 7-16….David the portent!

7 I have been as a portent to many,but you are my strong refuge. – Is David saying to people (enemies or people in general) look at me and be staggered by what God has done to and through me?8 My mouth is filled with your praise,and with your glory all the day.9 Do notContinue reading “Psalm 71: 7-16….David the portent!”

Psalm 71: 1-11….Is being a ‘portent’ memorial or catastrophic?

Introduction: Reading this portion of Psalm 71, I checked to make sure that my understanding of the word ‘portent’ was accurate. Wikipedia says that its meaning is “a sign or warning that a momentous or calamitous event is likely to happen.” and as an example gives the phrase “many birds are regarded as being portents of death” Their exampleContinue reading “Psalm 71: 1-11….Is being a ‘portent’ memorial or catastrophic?”

Psalm 70: 1-5….Now! Now, Please!

1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me!O LORD, make haste to help me!2 Let them be put to shame and confusionwho seek my life!Let them be turned back and brought to dishonourwho delight in my hurt!3 Let them turn back because of their shamewho say, “Aha, Aha!”4 May all who seek yourejoice and beContinue reading “Psalm 70: 1-5….Now! Now, Please!”

Isaiah 32: 9-20….What is this all about?

9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice;you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech.10 In little more than a yearyou will shudder, you complacent women;for the grape harvest fails,the fruit harvest will not come. – things are going to change! Are you concerned?11 Tremble, you women who are at ease,shudder,Continue reading “Isaiah 32: 9-20….What is this all about?”

Isaiah 32: 1-8….A word not commonly heard – may be because rarely seen displayed!

1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness,and princes will rule in justice.2 Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,a shelter from the storm,like streams of water in a dry place,like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed,andContinue reading “Isaiah 32: 1-8….A word not commonly heard – may be because rarely seen displayed!”

Isaiah 31: 1-9….Think deeply! You foolish people!

1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for helpand rely on horses,who trust in chariots because they are manyand in horsemen because they are very strong,but do not look to the Holy One of Israelor consult the LORD! – Do you really think that horses (even attached to chariots and driven by theContinue reading “Isaiah 31: 1-9….Think deeply! You foolish people!”

Isaiah 30: 27-33….Can we describe God’s nature in just one word?

Introduction: Isaiah could have helped me more by placing dates or some clear markers as to whom various prophecies are made. He could have even helped a lot by telling us as to what time he was prophesying about – the immediate, at the time of the Messiah, or when the Messiah (Jesus) returns! AndContinue reading “Isaiah 30: 27-33….Can we describe God’s nature in just one word?”