Introduction: When I was in grade 12 the teacher put the following ‘goble’d’goop’ sentence on the board and told us to punctuate it! Smith where Jones had had had had had had had had been correct! It was an interesting exercise. What has that got to do with this Psalm? In the red section (whichContinue reading “Psalm 81: 8-16….After God has His say, the Psalmist comments!”
Author Archives: Barry Hicks
Psalm 81: 1-7….Shout, shout for joy!
1 Sing aloud to God our strength;shout for joy to the God of Jacob!2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine,the sweet lyre with the harp.3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,at the full moon, on our feast day.4 For it is a statute for Israel,a rule of the God of Jacob.5 He made itContinue reading “Psalm 81: 1-7….Shout, shout for joy!”
Psalm 80: 8-19….From sheep (yesterday) to grapes!
You brought a vine out of Egypt;you drove out the nations and planted it.You cleared the ground for it;it took deep root and filled the land.The mountains were covered with its shade,the mighty cedars with its branches.It sent out its branches to the seaand its shoots to the River. Why then have you broken downContinue reading “Psalm 80: 8-19….From sheep (yesterday) to grapes!”
Psalm 80: 1-7….Let there be Light!
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,you who lead Joseph like a flock.You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,stir up your mightand come to save us!3 Restore us, O God;let your face shine, that we may be saved! – Asaph cries out to the Shepherd four very,Continue reading “Psalm 80: 1-7….Let there be Light!”
Psalm 79: 11-13….A Postscript.
Introduction: Yesterday I re-wrote Asaph’s Psalm 79 in ‘modern’ English. I’ve copied it here because the last 3 verses of the Psalm, which I didn’t include in yesterday’s reading, say things which I think that we, as Christians, have to think deeply about. My transliteration of the Psalm read – Dear God, we are Yours,Continue reading “Psalm 79: 11-13….A Postscript.”
Psalm 79: 1-10….Where are You, God?
1 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;they have defiled your holy temple;they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.2 They have given the bodies of your servantsto the birds of the heavens for food,the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.3 They have poured out their blood like waterall around Jerusalem,andContinue reading “Psalm 79: 1-10….Where are You, God?”
Isaiah 40: 27-31….Soar like an eagle!
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,and speak, O Israel,“My way is hidden from the LORD,and my right is disregarded by my God”? – This asks if God has forgotten His people. I think more commonly we, who should be His people, have forgotten Him!28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD isContinue reading “Isaiah 40: 27-31….Soar like an eagle!”
Isaiah 40: 18-26….Who represents God?
Introduction: We as human beings often think in pictures. When we think of words we will often have an animal’s name which represents a word. A few examples are – kingly – lion; strong – ox; cunning – fox; deceiving – a snake; proud – peacock. Here God says ‘How would you represent me?’ TheContinue reading “Isaiah 40: 18-26….Who represents God?”
Isaiah 40: 9-17….God continues His talk with Isaiah!
Introduction: Verse 9 seems to be definitely the words of God Himself. I think finishing what God says at the end of yesterday’s passage. The voice at the beginning being God’s voice – ‘A voice says, “Cry!”And I said, “What shall I cry?”All flesh is grass,and all its beauty is like the flower of theContinue reading “Isaiah 40: 9-17….God continues His talk with Isaiah!”
Isaiah 40: 1-8….The Inspired word of God!
1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,and cry to herthat her warfare is ended,that her iniquity is pardoned,that she has received from the LORD’S handdouble for all her sins.3 A voice cries:“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4Continue reading “Isaiah 40: 1-8….The Inspired word of God!”