Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Psalms 8-17

Psalm 8:2
Question about the meaning of "Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes." (NRSV)

Psalm 9:19-20 - Prayer for the times we live in?
"Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you. Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are only human."

Psalm 11
Assurance for the righteous in verse 7: "For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face."

Psalm 12
v. 8 - Characteristic of our time? "On every side, the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind."

Psalm 14
v. 2 - "Who are wise, who seek after God." In other words, to be wise is to seek God.

Psalm 15
I like lists. Here's a list from this psalm.

If we walk blamelessly, we do what's right and speak the truth from our hearts, which means we:
  1. Don't slander others
  2. Don't do evil to our friends
  3. Don't take up a reproach against our neighbors
  4. Despise the wicked
  5. Honor those who fear the Lord
  6. Stand by a promise even to our own hurt
  7. Never loan money on interest
  8. Never take a bribe against the innocent.
Psalm 17
vv. 13-15 - He seems to be saying, "Let the wicked have their wealth, and may their children also profit from it," but – a direct quote – "as for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness." Nothing much matters in comparison with beholding the face of God.

No comments: