Psalm 73 Today the psalmist expresses his confidence in the Lord’s justice, that the wicked “get theirs” in the end. Note, though, that the difference between yesterday’s reading and today’s is entirely one of perspective and faith — a change in perspective that comes as the psalmist enters the sanctuary of God, not as a …
Author Archives: John S.
June 24 / Psalm 71:14-24
Psalm 71:14-24 The second half of this psalm turns from plea to praise, or more accurately, to the promise of public praise: But I will hope continuallyand will praise You yet more and more.My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts,of Your deeds of salvation all the day,for their number is past my knowledge.With the …
June 23 / Psalm 71:1-13
Psalm 71:1-13 With Fred “otherwise occupied” for a bit, I guess you’re stuck with me again… This psalm is a cry from the heart for God’s protection and deliverance. My guess is that we can all fairly readily “put ourselves into” the psalmist’s position, appealing to the Lord for rescue. For some of us, that …
May 31 / Proverbs 9:13-18
Proverbs 9:13-18 We end these first nine chapters of Proverbs with the personification of Folly, who somewhat gracelessly mimics Wisdom in calling to those who pass by (v. 15) with what sounds like the same invitation: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” (v. 16; see Pr. 9:4) But the second part of her …
May 30 / Proverbs 9:7-12
Proverbs 9:7-12 Today in our reading of Proverbs we finally arrive at a few proverbs. 🙂 Have you ever tried to correct a scoffer? How did it go? Did the scoffer humbly accept your correction, learn from it, change his ways, and pour out appreciation to you? Or did the scoffer instead keep right on …
May 29 / Proverbs 9:1-6
Proverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom prepares a feast and sets her table. She sends out her young women to call from the highest places in the town (v. 3), and she invites… Whom? Her friends? Geniuses? The powerful? The rich and famous? No. Whoever is simple…him who lacks sense… (v. 4) That’s whom she invites. Her feast …
May 28 / Proverbs 8:32-36
Proverbs 8:32-36 And now, O sons, listen to me… (v. 32) This is now the third time we’ve read that exact phrase in Proverbs. (See also Pr. 5:7; 7:24.) Perhaps we should indeed listen and heed, for Wisdom herself promises blessing: Blessed are those who keep my ways (v. 32) Blessed is the one who listens to …
May 27 / Proverbs 8:22-31
Proverbs 8:22-31 Wisdom continues her proclamations, declaring that she was the first of [the LORD’s] acts of old (v. 22), that she was set up at the first, before the beginning of the earth. (v. 23) She goes on from there, expanding on what we read in Pr. 3:19-20 and describing her presence at Creation. …
May 26 / Proverbs 8:12-21
Proverbs 8:12-21 Wisdom continues calling, declaring her attributes, her deeds, and her virtue. She says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (v. 17) Do we love her? Do we seek her? Even more importantly, do we love and seek the One Who is the Source of all …
May 25 / Proverbs 8:1-11
Proverbs 8:1-11 Today’s reading again personifies Wisdom as a woman calling to the children of man to learn from her, much as in Proverbs 1:20-33. Here are a few descriptors of what she offers: Prudence (v. 5) Sense (v. 5) Noble things (v. 6) What is right (v. 6) Truth (v. 7) Righteous words (v. …