Post by WWJDthrume on Aug 17, 2004 8:22:35 GMT -5
I read the One year Bible every morning. It is available in multiple translations and what I like about it is it arranges an Old and New Testament reading with a portion of psalms and proverbs. It brings the reader through the whole Bible in 365 days. For me it has been an easy way to make sure I cover the entire counsel of God regularly. I have other Bibles and do branch out and do other reading; but this is a great way to get my attention turned to the Lord first thing in the morning even when I'm feeling uninspired.
It amazes me how often the scripture of the day speaks to the issues of my life. Today's psalm portion is Psalm 35 verses 1-16. I am using the NIV translation today. David prayed many imprecatory prayers. Some of these prayers are in song form. Here is a basic definition from a google search:
... Definition: \Im"pre*ca*to*ry\, a. Of the nature of, or containing, imprecation;
invoking evil; as, the imprecatory psalms. Thesaurus Terms. ...
I am not sure where grace fits into imprecatory prayers. David was calling down evil on evil doers in the first half of the psalm.
The last sentence in this portion reminds me of those who Naked short stock and plot to ruin businesses and investor's..
Psalm 35: 1-16 -Contend O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me, Take up shield and bucker; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and Javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."
May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise-may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim "Who is like you, Lord? ;D You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, The poor and needy from those who rob them".
This next part is talking about people who slander, gossip, speak maliciously about another. We could call that bashing. In the context of CMKX and what has recently transpired I would say it fits. What I found especially interesting is the last verse of this portion. Verse 16 says they mocked maliciously, like the ungodly. Like those who didn't have God. So these ruthless witnesses appear to be fellow believers with David.
Ruthless witnesses come forward they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they slandered me without ceasing.
Like the ungoldly they maliciously mocked, they gnashed their teeth at me.
The older covenant was based on laws. There is something satisfying about the law. When wrong is done we can appeal to the court and demand justice. We know that this prayer is heartfelt and speaks to the need for justice. We all need and want justice. We want lying tongues and illegal actions to stop.
The new covenant Jesus gave us is based on Grace. We still hunger for justice. But we also want mercy when we are on the wrong side of right; and because of that we need to extend mercy to others. The new law of love says "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". To give people what they deserve is justice. To not give people what they deserve (as in a punishment) is grace. And I will end on that note.
It amazes me how often the scripture of the day speaks to the issues of my life. Today's psalm portion is Psalm 35 verses 1-16. I am using the NIV translation today. David prayed many imprecatory prayers. Some of these prayers are in song form. Here is a basic definition from a google search:
... Definition: \Im"pre*ca*to*ry\, a. Of the nature of, or containing, imprecation;
invoking evil; as, the imprecatory psalms. Thesaurus Terms. ...
I am not sure where grace fits into imprecatory prayers. David was calling down evil on evil doers in the first half of the psalm.
The last sentence in this portion reminds me of those who Naked short stock and plot to ruin businesses and investor's..Psalm 35: 1-16 -Contend O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me, Take up shield and bucker; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and Javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."
May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise-may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim "Who is like you, Lord? ;D You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, The poor and needy from those who rob them".
This next part is talking about people who slander, gossip, speak maliciously about another. We could call that bashing. In the context of CMKX and what has recently transpired I would say it fits. What I found especially interesting is the last verse of this portion. Verse 16 says they mocked maliciously, like the ungodly. Like those who didn't have God. So these ruthless witnesses appear to be fellow believers with David.
Ruthless witnesses come forward they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they slandered me without ceasing. Like the ungoldly they maliciously mocked, they gnashed their teeth at me.
The older covenant was based on laws. There is something satisfying about the law. When wrong is done we can appeal to the court and demand justice. We know that this prayer is heartfelt and speaks to the need for justice. We all need and want justice. We want lying tongues and illegal actions to stop.
The new covenant Jesus gave us is based on Grace. We still hunger for justice. But we also want mercy when we are on the wrong side of right; and because of that we need to extend mercy to others. The new law of love says "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". To give people what they deserve is justice. To not give people what they deserve (as in a punishment) is grace. And I will end on that note.
