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, …
in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began Titus 1:2 ESV A few days ago, my eldest daughter and I had a conversation about why we can fully trust God, and as so often happens with smaller children, it was not the first time that we treat down …
The LORD is my portion;I promise to keep your words. Psalm 119:57 ESV Here we arrive at the eighth stanza of Psalm 119, where each of its eight verses begins with the Hebrew letter heth. This first verse begins with two related declarations: The LORD is my portion and I promise to keep your words. …
This blessing has fallen to me,that I have kept your precepts. Psalm 119:56 ESV We come now to the final verse of stanza Zayin of Psalm 119, and within the first line we find a difficulty. The psalmist declares, "this blessing has fallen to me..." And the question immediately before us is: which blessing? The …
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I remember your name in the night, O LORD,and keep your law. Psalm 119:55 ESV Here the psalmist declares that his nightly meditation is upon the name of the LORD. As he lay in his bed, he thinks upon the nature and goodness of his God, for God’s name reflects His character. We observed this, …
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Your statutes have been my songsin the house of my sojourning. Psalm 119:54 ESV While we do not think much about sojourning today, we do indeed still travel. With airplanes, hotels, and tour-guides, things certainly look different for the modern sojourner from how they once were. Even so, we still attach music to traveling. Perhaps …
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Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,who forsake your law. Psalm 119:53 ESV Indignation is anger that specifically arises over unfair treatment or, we might say, over inequality or injustice being committed. Given that justice and equality are chief topics at present, it should not surprise us also to find much indignation within public …
Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 ESV "Pride goes before a fall." Surely that is saying that we are all familiar with, and it derives from this verse of Scripture. Indeed, while it is not a direct quotation, it certainly summarizes the two lines down to one terse statement. …
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When pride comes, then comes disgracebut with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 ESV Pride is arrogance and self-conceit, a lofty view of self. Pride, by its very nature, scorns disgrace and shame; it cannot endure them, for they dismantle being proud. It is supremely ironic, therefore, that this Proverb teaches us that pride brings …
B. C. Newton 