“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 “Arm” in Israelite culture was an image of strength. God would begin His answer to Jeremiah’s prayer by restating his words in the form of a rhetorical question later…
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 These two verses form a doxology (or praise)…
“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.” Psalm 138:2 The term “bow down” means that wherever they were, ancient Israelites faced in the direction of the temple in Jerusalem…
“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30 Psalm 18 is attributed to David. The text of this psalm is also found in 2 Samuel 22 with some variations. The superscription indicates that this psalm was David’s hymn of celebration to…
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35 Though the delay of Christ’s second coming might lead some to conclude that He will not appear, His promised return will indeed come to pass. Then, everything else will fail. In contrast, Jesus’ Word will stand forever since the words…
“In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4 The Lord’s people break out in song because of their salvation, proclaiming God’s deeds to all people. Those who know the Word are…
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 “Blessed” means to be manifestly happy; those who listen to God’s counsel will be happy. “Nation” is “the people He chose” for His heritage. Israel was God’s chosen people. The tribes of Israel were each given a…
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness” means blamelessness, honesty, justice, and is an attribute of God praised in the Psalms. The expression “in Your righteousness deliver me” describes the psalmist asking God to keep His promise of salvation. He is the source of righteousness, which is the basis for…
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 The Lord explains to Jeremiah and His people the severity and magnitude of their sin…
“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 faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3 This verse is part of a set of instructions that…