Introduction: The word ‘phobia’ is not found in this passage. I use it because as I read this Psalm (remember that we looked at the first 10 verses yesterday) I think that somehow the Israelites have developed an understandable but nevertheless irrational fear of their neighbours! Irrational because God gives explanations, promises and hopes whichContinue reading “Isaiah 41: 11-20….Is there a phobia for the Jews about their future?”
Category Archives: Bible
Isaiah 41: 1-10….Note the difference that God makes!
1 Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;let the peoples renew their strength;let them approach, then let them speak;let us together draw near for judgment. – Who do you think are the peoples of the Coastlands being referred to here? The descendants of Jacob, or the descendants of Esau who inhabit the surrounding countries? WhoContinue reading “Isaiah 41: 1-10….Note the difference that God makes!”
Psalm 88: 8-18….We don’t find all the answers!
8 You have caused my companions to shun me;you have made me a horror to them.I am shut in so that I cannot escape;9 my eye grows dim through sorrow. – Summary: Yesterday I ended up here in the Psalm with these words. ‘- God is Sovereign, but has He caused this enmity between companions?Continue reading “Psalm 88: 8-18….We don’t find all the answers!”
Psalm 88: 1-9a….A heartfelt Cry to God!
Introduction: God doesn’t spoon feed His people for ever! He graciously lets us drink the milk of the Word to begin with and to get us through the baby stages of growth in Christ. There are stages of spoon feeding but there is meant to be a stage for us to be able to chewContinue reading “Psalm 88: 1-9a….A heartfelt Cry to God!”
Psalm 87:1-7….Jerusalem! Selah.
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;2 the LORD loves the gates of Zionmore than all the dwelling places of Jacob.3 Glorious things of you are spoken,O city of God. Selah – We are instructed to pause and ponder. Why are glorious things spoken of this city on Mt Zion? Why isContinue reading “Psalm 87:1-7….Jerusalem! Selah.”
Psalm 86: 10-17….What’s in a Name?
10 For you are great and do wondrous things;you alone are God. – The underlined phrase is true even if some deny it! But the ‘you’ at the beginning of the phrase underlined must be considered deeply for it is of primary importance. Some call ‘Allah’ God but he is not! Whether ‘gods’ be magnificentContinue reading “Psalm 86: 10-17….What’s in a Name?”
Psalm 86: 1-10….A prayer, which is suitable for every morning!
1 Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me,for I am poor and needy.2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,for to you do I cry all the day. – Comment: What can David possibly mean when he writes ‘forContinue reading “Psalm 86: 1-10….A prayer, which is suitable for every morning!”
Psalm 85: 1-13….Eat all your breakfast, kids!
1 LORD, you were favorable to your land;you restored the fortunes of Jacob.2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;you covered all their sin. Selah3 You withdrew all your wrath;you turned from your hot anger. – The verbs here are in the past tense suggesting that the Psalm is recalling an event or repeated eventsContinue reading “Psalm 85: 1-13….Eat all your breakfast, kids!”
Psalm 84: 1-12….Be honest with God!
Introduction: I am going to go through this psalm and make a ‘polite, nice’ comment in green and a fiery, biting, critical one in red! I’m not in a bad mood but I feel like commenting as if I have wakened up ‘grumpy and doubting’ and ‘at peace with the world’! In fact I’m challengedContinue reading “Psalm 84: 1-12….Be honest with God!”
Psalm 83: 1-8….Antisemitism 3,000 years ago!
1 O God, do not keep silence;do not hold your peace or be still, O God!2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;those who hate you have raised their heads.3 They lay crafty plans against your people;they consult together against your treasured ones.4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;let theContinue reading “Psalm 83: 1-8….Antisemitism 3,000 years ago!”