If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2 ESV Paul is writing here to Corinthian believers who are still "infants in Christ" (3:1) yet confidently trust in their knowledge. They apparently think that Paul had no reason to write to them about eating …
Continue reading If Anyone Imagines That He Knows Something | 1 Corinthians 8:2
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2:29-32 ESV After being visited by the shepherds, Luke …
Continue reading Depart in Peace: The Song of Simeon | Luke 2:29-32
Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. Luke 2:14 ESV The story continues in chapter two of Luke's Gospel with the birth of Mary's son, Jesus. She journeyed with Joseph to Bethlehem for Caesar's census, and upon their arrival, they could find no place to stay …
Continue reading Glory to God in the Highest: The Song of Heaven | Luke 2:14
And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of the prophets …
Continue reading Blessed Be the Lord: The Song of Zechariah | Luke 1:67-79
I am a companion of all who fear you,of those who keep your precepts. Psalm 119:63 ESV Given the psalmist’s previous statements that he considers how his ways deviate from God’s testimonies, hastens to obey God’s commandments, devotes himself obedience even when the wicked ensnare him, and rises at midnight to praise the LORD, we …
Continue reading I Am a Companion of All Who Fear You | Psalm 119:63
At midnight I rise to praise you,because of your righteous rules. Psalm 119:62 ESV Having meditated upon his ways and resolved to keep God's law even though the cords of the wicked ensnared him, the psalmist now turns again to praising God for His righteous rules. Praise is fittingly the theme not only of this …
Continue reading At Midnight I Rise to Praise You | Psalm 119:62
Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,I do not forget your law. Psalm 119:61 ESV We might borrow the language of the author of Hebrews and say that time would fail us if we were to recount all the lives of our brothers and sisters who displayed these words with their very lives. Of …
Continue reading Though the Cords of the Wicked Ensnare Me | Psalm 119:61
I hasten and do not delayto keep your commandments. Psalm 119:60 ESV This verse immediately flows from the previous one, which is made evident by the ESV's decision to conclude verse 59 with a semi-colon rather than a period. In that verse, the psalmist noted that as he considered his ways he also turned his …
When I think on my ways,I turn my feet to your testimonies; Psalm 119:59 ESV Thus far, in our present stanza, the psalmist has confessed that the LORD is his portion and promised to keep His word; however, knowing his sinfulness, he also entreated the LORD’s favor, not according to his good works but according …
I entreat your favor with all my heart;be gracious to me according to your promise. Psalm 119:58 ESV As we gaze upon this verse, we should note that the two lines are essentially the same. Especially within the Old Testament, the favor of God is much the same as the grace of God. For instance, …
B. C. Newton 