Verses are meant to be markers to read the context more fully, as the Puritans and others often meant Scripture references to be used.

Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Psalm 25:8-11

“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at My word.”
Isaiah 66:2b

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,
in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Romans 12:3

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.
1 Corinthians 3:18

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
1 Corinthians 4:7

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:24

As the brook hides the footprints which are imprinted on its soft ooze, so are God’s footprints hidden. We cannot detect his great and wonderful secrets. He marches through the ages with steps we cannot track.

–F. B. Meyer, as seen in The One Year Book of Psalms on Psalm 77

Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
Psalm 77:19

I prefer this type of quote to the Footprints In The Sand poem. I went to a site of someone claiming to be the author (which is still in dispute, apparently), just to take a look at the poem and was very disappointed to find out it’s mainly about the author’s fight for getting the copyright. I was hoping to find out about the author’s life as a Christian, but that didn’t seem to be an important enough to even mention. It’s interesting how the popular bits of “Christian” culture like this and the Prayer of Jabez can be so vacuous. I’ve heard first hand that the book below–which is a parody in addition to being educational–is excellent.

I’ve read that one possible reason that Christians, or those on the fringe of Christianity often like bad Christian books, is “because it impacts them in some significant way“ (see the Marturo blog). It may be a new way of seeing God, or a feeling of comfort. But when somebody reads The Shack, how likely are they then to keep reading other Christian books, and more importantly, keep wanting to know God better by reading [more] Scripture? In my limited experience, this is not the norm, and it breaks my heart. I’m very thankful that there are those who do go on from there. God uses those deeply flawed media, but those impactful experiences often fall on bad soil. (Matthew 13:3-23)

The latest popular thing was the TV series The Bible. I wonder how much will come out of that, or if it will become a classic? In any case, Jesus sure is good looking! I never realized he was used as the cover model of so many romance novels. And that slightly English accent sounds so theatrical.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Psalm 84:1-2

Thoughts on reading Psalm 75:

Praise God that he is fair. We may not know exactly how God handles those who have never heard the gospel; how he handles the awful situation of when infants die (John MacArthur has detailed and encouraging thoughts on this), etc. But we know that he will never judge anyone without perfect justice. Nobody will get ripped off because they live in too remote of an area, which is God’s doing anyway, or died too young.

It’s also comforting to know that evil will be punished exactly as it is deserved. God is very angry with evil; he’s not just a judge who meats out punishment and is callous to or unaware of the victims of their hideous deeds. Those who he has made righteous will get infinitely more than we deserve.

“I have set a time for judgment,” says God,
“and I will judge with fairness.
Though every living creature tremble
and the earth itself be shaken,
I will keep its foundations firm.
I tell the wicked not to be arrogant;
I tell them to stop their boasting.”
Judgment does not come from the east or from the west,
from the north or from the south;
it is God who is the judge,
condemning some and acquitting others.
The LORD holds a cup in his hand,
filled with the strong wine of his anger.
He pours it out, and all the wicked drink it;
they drink it down to the last drop.
But I will never stop speaking of the God of Jacob
or singing praises to him.
He will break the power of the wicked,
but the power of the righteous will be increased.
Psalms 75:2-10

FOR MODERN READERS PLAGUED by a negative view of the Old Testament in general and Old Testament law in particular, the book of Deuteronomy offers a healthy antidote. Through the work of Christ not only is Israel’s relationship made possible, but also the church, the new Israel of God, is grafted into God’s covenant promises. As with Israel, access to these promises remains by grace alone, through faith alone. However, having been chosen, redeemed, and granted covenant relationship, Yahweh’s people will gladly and without reservation demonstrate their allegiance to him wholeheartedly and with full-bodied obedience (Rom. 12: 1– 12).

For Christians today Deuteronomy remains an invaluable resource for a biblical understanding (1) of God, especially his grace in redeeming those bound in sin; (2) of the appropriate response to God, entailing love for God and for our fellow human beings; and (3) of the sure destiny of the redeemed. More than any other book in the Old Testament (if not the Bible as a whole), Deuteronomy concretizes the life of faith in real life. In the New Testament Jesus Christ, the incarnate God of Israel’s redemption, summarizes the spiritual, moral, and ethical pronouncements of Deuteronomy with the Supreme Command: to demonstrate covenant commitment to God with one’s entire being (love) and covenant commitment to one’s fellow human beings (Matthew 22: 34–40). Christians who live by this “law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2) will have their feet firmly on the ground and will resist the temptation to retreat into interior and subjective understandings of the life of faith so common in Western Christianity.

–Daniel Block, Deuteronomy (NIV Application Commentary, The) (Kindle Locations 734-746). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Hardcover Available)

We often think so much of the physical realm when interpreting some parts of Scripture and when we pray.

All of our visible blessings are but pale shadows of the real wealth that we can have if we live in continual communion with God. He does not put his best gifts in the store windows. He keeps those in the inner chambers. The best good is not the good that we can touch, taste, and handle and that men can see.

–Alexander MacLaren

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4

Many people wonder why there are so many English translations and agonize about it. They often say, “Why don’t we put these resources into making translations for other languages?” Have you thought that the scholars that are working on English translations don’t know those other languages? Do you expect them to go out and learn them? You may say yes, of course. Then why don’t you? (You who think this way.)

Another spurious reason is money. I think this is quite an accusation. Do you really think all those translators and publishers are money grubbers and get rich off of those?

I’m just thankful we have them and pray that God will bring people up who are talented enough and have the ambition to translate the Bible in languages that need it. Otherwise, I don’t wring my hands over it. I’m just thankful for what we have. There are other things to be more upset about–meaning how many English Bible translations we have.

But for those who do wonder about this, consider what Henry Clarence Thiessen had to say in Should New Testament Greek Be “Required” in Our Ministerial Training Courses? (PDF File)

Perhaps we should stop to inquire as to the reason for the many translations. Is it because of pecuniary reward or the ambition for honor? Possibly these considerations may enter in somewhat in some cases; but the writer believes that there is a deeper reason than that. It seems to him that scholar after scholar has felt that all existing translations fall short in many instances of giving the exact shade of meaning in the original. Becoming fascinated with the richness of meaning in the Greek text, he has yielded to the impulse to try to improve on the existing renderings, and so has added his own version. Thus the presence of the many English translations in reality argues for the insufficiency of translations when one is concerned about absolute accuracy in his study.

Since this was written in 1934, maybe we can say that the above is now less of a reason than before, but it still may give some insight as to why new translations are still being published.

I’m glad, albeit for selfish reasons, that the translators and publisher of God’s Word translation decided to do yet another one. It’s the first translation where I feel like I’m not reading a translation, but just the Bible in English, even if it has what I think are a couple of major flaws. But that’s quite a few less than any other translation for me. Say what you want about the convoluted-grammar/archaic-vocabulary translations being more “accurate”. I love my Bible and read it everyday.

Some days you are the bomb and some days you are the stink bomb.

This helps me a lot and is part of the training God is putting me through regarding enduring trials:

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Colossians 1:11-12 NRSV

I love the NRSV’s rendition of the part I emphasized. Believers need to think of how much more joyful we can be because we’re written in the book of life–having His inheritance–and how infinitely that overshadows any difficulties we may have. It’s still not easy in the moment of frustration. But as we’re being trained by being sanctified, the sooner we can look up as we go along, the better.

Also see:
Always be Joyful | Scripture Zealot blog

~Jeff

Well, yes!

Jesus answered Nicodemus, “I can guarantee this truth: No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Flesh and blood give birth to flesh and blood, but the Spirit gives birth to things that are spiritual. Don’t be surprised when I tell you that all of you must be born from above.
John 3:5-7 GW

Jesus said this about the Spirit, whom his believers would receive. The Spirit was not yet evident, as it would be after Jesus had been glorified.
John 7:39 GW

he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal.
Titus 3:5 GW

Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, “The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own.”
James 4:5 GW

~Jeff

Psalm 13 seems to be a great introduction to the Psalms. Here I’ve concentrated on the back and forth we see in many Psalms and commentary on what “lighten my eyes” may mean.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?
how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
having sorrow in my heart daily?
how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes,
lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him;
and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5But I have trusted in thy mercy;
my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6I will sing unto the Lord,
because he hath dealt bountifully with me. (KJV)

The fluidity of genres of many of the psalms is an expression of their psychological dynamism – they express not one static but an inner evolution or oscillation of attitudes. Perhaps prayer itself served as a vehicle of transformation from acute distress to trust.

Robert Alter, The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary

How he expostulates with God hereupon: “How long shall it be thus?” And, “Shall it be thus for ever?” Long afflictions try our patience and often tire it. It is a common temptation, when trouble lasts long, to think it will last always; despondency then turns into despair, and those that have long been without joy begin, at last, to be without hope. “Lord, tell me how long thou wilt hide thy face, and assure me that it shall not be for ever, but that thou wilt return at length in mercy to me, and then I shall the more easily bear my present troubles.”

–Matthew Henry

His prayers are soon turned into praises (Psalm 13:5, Psalm 13:6): But my heart shall rejoice and I will sing to the Lord. What a surprising change is here in a few lines! In the beginning of the psalm we have him drooping, trembling, and ready to sink into melancholy and despair; but, in the close of it, rejoicing in God, and elevated and enlarged in his praises. See the power of faith, the power of prayer, and how good it is to draw near to God. If we bring our cares and griefs to the throne of grace, and leave them there, we may go away like Hannah, and our countenance will be no more sad, 1 Sam 1:18. [Psalm 55:22]

–Matthew Henry

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22

My soul followeth hard after thee:
thy right hand upholdeth me.
Psalm 63:8

Enlighten my eyes:

What his petitions are: Consider my case, hear my complaints, and enlighten my eyes, that is, (1.) “Strengthen my faith;” for faith is the eye of the soul, with which it sees above, and sees through, the things of sense. “Lord, enable me to look beyond my present troubles and to foresee a happy issue of them.” (2.) “Guide my way; enable me to look about me, that I may avoid the snares which are laid for me.” (3.) “Refresh my soul with the joy of thy salvation.” That which revives the drooping spirits is said to enlighten the eyes, 1 Sam 14:27; Ezra 9:8. “Lord, scatter the cloud of melancholy which darkens my eyes, and let my countenance be made pleasant.”

–Matthew Henry

“Lighten mine eyes:” that is, let the eye of my faith be clear, that I may see my God in the dark; let my eye of watchfulness be wide open, lest I be entrapped, and let the eye of my understanding be illuminated to see the right way. Perhaps, too, here is an allusion to that cheering of the spirits so frequently called the enlightening of the eyes because it causes the face to brighten, and the eyes to sparkle. Well may we use the prayer, “Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord!” for in many respects we need the Holy Spirit’s illuminating rays.

–Charles Spurgeon, Treasury of David

the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 19:8b KJV/ESV/NASB

God is our light and life

The word sleep, as it is used in this passage, is a metaphor of a similar kind, being put for death. In short, David confesses, that unless God cause the light of life to shine upon him, he will be immediately overwhelmed with the darkness of death, and that he is already as a man without life, unless God breathe into him new vigor. And certainly our confidence of life depends on this, that although the world may threaten us with a thousand deaths, yet God is possessed of numberless means of restoring us to life.

–John Calvin

If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so,
I would have given up when the hard times came.
Psalm 119:92

I’ll let you guess the Bible translation of that last verse.

~Jeff

“Baruch, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. 5 Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the LORD, have spoken!’”
Jeremiah 45:4-5 NLT

The whole book of Jeremiah needs to be read for context of course. Baruch was Jeremiah’s “dictator”. (He wrote down what the LORD said to Jeremiah.) So God spared the lives of those two, but told them not to look for a life of comfort.

This is the same book that Jeremiah 29:11 is in. See Jeremiah 29:11 | Scripture Zealot including the comments.

Many argue that God took much longer than six 24 hour days to create the universe, and man and woman. (Or people or apes or worms or slime) Why do people never consider that ‘six days’ could have been “a moment” as John Calvin says sarcastically? (Bang) I won’t give my answer or I will offend too many.

In his Institutes, Calvin says that when we ponder the time aspect too much, it takes our eyes off of God. Calvin writes that it was God’s fatherly goodness that he created everything else before he created man, so that he could show his goodness by first creating everything that was needed to provide for his welfare and I would imagine for Adam and Eve’s and all of humanity’s enjoyment, instead of having to live on a barren earth first.

Could this also mean the universe was ready-made for the latter purpose? I suppose I shouldn’t take my eyes off God again.

~Jeff

The gospel explained – How do you become a Christian? What does it mean to really believe in God? What does it mean to be saved or born again? What does the Bible say? What if I disagree with Scripture in the Bible? Do I need to pray a special prayer to “accept Jesus as my personal savior” and “invite Jesus into my heart”? (Hint: the Bible doesn’t say that.)

It’s on the long side, but did you ever notice how long the speeches are in Acts? And Stephen’s was cut off. There are shorter ones in the Bible, but when Jesus gave sermons and Paul argued, explained and proclaimed the Gospel in the synagogues, they weren’t verbally tweeting or trying to be as succinct. I don’t think we need to necessarily cater to shorter attention spans. If people want to know; if people are stirred by the Spirit, I think they will read it.

Let me know what you think of this presentation.

The things of this world seem right side up, but they are upside down. The Kingdom of God is right side up though it seems upside down to the world. So many things in God’s kingdom are the opposite of what we would think they should be. I’m always looking to learn more about Kingdom and what real life is and devalue the world.

If God is good and sits on the throne of the universe and everything that comes into our lives is Father-filtered…how can we be anything less than optimistic? The Christian’s optimism is based squarely on realism: God is real, the atonement is… real, the resurrection is real, the second coming is real, God’s providence is real, and the gospel really is “good news.”

–Randy Alcorn

Paraphrase of 1 Timothy 6:19b: Lay up treasure for yourselves [value the eternal things] as a firm foundation for the future, so that you may take hold of the life that is truly real.

Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
Ecclesiastes 12:12

I like what John Gill has to say about this intriguing verse.

of making many books there is no end; many books, it seems, were written in Solomon’s time; there was the same itch of writing as now, it may be; but what was written was not to be mentioned with the sacred writings, were comparatively useless and worthless. Or the sense is, should Solomon, or any other, write ever so many volumes, it would be quite needless; and there would be no end of writing, for these would not give satisfaction and contentment; and which yet was to be had in the word of God; and therefore that should be closely attended to: though this may be understood, not only of making or composing books, but of getting them, as Aben Ezra; of purchasing them, and so making them a man’s own. A man may lay out his money, and fill his library with books, and be very little the better for them; what one writer affirms, another denies; what one seems to have proved clearly, another rises up and points out his errors and mistakes; and this occasions replies and rejoinders, so that there is no end of these things, and scarce any profit by them; which, without so much trouble, may be found in the writings of wise men, inspired by God, and in which we should rest contented;

and much study is a weariness of the flesh; the study of languages, and of each of the arts and sciences, and of various subjects in philosophy and divinity, particularly in writing books on any of these subjects; which study is as fatiguing to the body, and brings as much weariness on it, as any manual and mechanic operation; it dries up the moisture of the body, consumes the spirits, and gradually and insensibly impairs health, and brings on weakness, as well as weariness. Some render it, “much reading”, as Jarchi, and so Mr. Broughton; and Aben Ezra observes, that the word in the Arabic language so signifies: the Arabic word “lahag” signifies to desire anything greedily, or to be greedily given and addicted to anything (m); and so may denote such kind of reading here, or such a person who is “helluo”, a glutton at books, as Cato is said to be. And now reading books with such eagerness, and with constancy, is very wearisome, and is to little advantage; whereas reading the Scripture cheers and refreshes the mind, and is profitable and edifying. Gussetius interprets it of much speaking, long orations, which make weary.

(m) Vid. Castell. Lexic. col. 1874. who gives an instance of the use of this word in, the following sentence; ולהג “he that reads with mouth, but his heart is not with it”; and so Kimchi, in Sepher Shotash, fol. 74. fol. 2. explains the word here, “learning without understanding”.

–John Gill, in his commentary on Ecclesiastes 12:12 (emphasis is his)

~Jeff

My dear friends, you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I’m absent. In the same way continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him.
Philippians 2:12-13

A song by Solomon for going up to worship. If the LORD does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work on it. If the LORD does not protect a city, it is useless for the guard to stay alert.
Psalm 127:1

[W]hat is the psalmist teaching us? He is teaching us that we are both fully responsible and fully dependent.

–Jerry Bridges, The Transforming Power of the Gospel