Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote: In many churches the Psalms are read or sung every Sunday, or even daily, in succession. These churches have preserved a priceless treasure, for only with daily use does one appropriate this divine prayerbook. When read only occasionally, these prayers are too overwhelming in design and power and tend to turn …
For the last several weeks leading up to tomorrow's solar eclipse, I have repeatedly seen a post on social media that gives evidence for why the eclipse is a warning of God's judgment upon the United States. To be honest, I haven't read the whole post (nor do I care to), and knowing the Internet, …
Continue reading No, the Eclipse Is Not a Sign of God’s Judgment
Praise the LORD!Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns …
Continue reading Praise in Their Throats & Swords in Their Hands | Psalm 149
Let your steadfast love comfort meaccording to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 ESV As we have already seen, the psalmist is clearly writing from a place and time of affliction. His enemies encircle him like wolves, taunting him. Yet, like Job, he has not cursed God; rather, he has pointedly declared his absolute …
Continue reading Let Your Steadfast Love Comfort Me | Psalm 119:76
John Witherspoon was a pastor and theologian as well as a Founding Father of the United States and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Kevin DeYoung gives the date and context for this sermon: On May 17, 1776, John Witherspoon (1723-94) preached one of the most significant sermons in the history of this country. …
Continue reading The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men | A Sermon by John Witherspoon
I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75 ESV The psalmist is speaking with a Job-like spirit in this verse. Of course, the premise of the book of Job is set up in the first two chapters. Satan appears with all the heavenly hosts before …
Continue reading In Faithfulness You Have Afflicted Me | Psalm 119:75
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,you have established strengthbecause of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 ESV This verse has been in my mind lately for two reasons. First, Psalm 8 has been much in my thoughts since the author of Hebrews cites verses 4-6 of that psalm …
Continue reading Out of the Mouth of Babies & Infants | Psalm 8:2
Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,because I have hoped in your word. Psalm 119:74 ESV I recently wrote a reflection on the first question of the New City Catechism, which asks, “What is our only hope in life and death?” The answer is a thoroughly biblical statement: “That we are not our …
Continue reading Those Who Fear You Shall See Me & Rejoice | Psalm 119:74
Your hands have made and fashioned me;give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Psalm 119:73 ESV This week my daughter took for her class presentation a neckless that I brought back for her from doing some mission work in Mexico, and she explained to her classmates the great difficulty in making by hand …
Continue reading Your Hands Have Made and Fashioned Me | Psalm 119:73
The law of your mouth is better to methan thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:72 ESV The psalmist has already expressed a variation of this idea in verse 14, saying, "In the way of your testimonies I delight, as much as in all riches." He will also return to this theme in verse …
Continue reading The Law of Your Mouth Is Better | Psalm 119:72
B. C. Newton 