Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!1 We often hear the expression, ‘Praise the LORD!’ And at church during worship songs, we praise him—even it if means going through the motions, as we are […]
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.1 Our flesh needs food; so does our soul. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.2 They are life to those who find them, and healing for the flesh.3 Incline your […]
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.1 This was Peter, who earlier denied Jesus three times, yet after being filled […]
LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.1 Strong, bold words to speak before God. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. The Jews had a rich […]
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us […]
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry weary land where there is no water.1 Our starting point determines our trajectory. No amount of striving nor hurry will lead you to your destination if you had taken the wrong […]
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out […]
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. […]
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!1 What a graphic picture! Can we actually taste and see the goodness of the LORD? Is there a prerequisite or posture that we should have to sense his goodness? Who are those favored to experience his goodness? […]
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.1 The Greek word used for life is […]
Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.1 No amount of denial will prolong our life; we all shall die a physical death one day. What does Solomon mean, therefore, by those who keep the commandment will keep his life? Was he speaking figuratively? Is there a distinct way […]
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!1 How can we even rejoice amidst our seemingly insurmountable problems and the successive calamities—disastrous earthquakes, […]
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? (Selah) But know that the […]
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you […]
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God . . . .1 The conjunction therefore connects […]
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; . . . (it continues with a list of dual opposites); a time to seek, and a time […]
“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he […]
See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I […]
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.1 What is meant by ‘set his heart’? The NIV used ‘devoted.’ It means to resolve, dedicate, and have a strong, intense desire and commitment to a particular goal or way […]
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.1 God calls. Creation speaks out! For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation […]
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.1What beginning is being alluded to here? When was “the beginning” first mentioned? Note, Genesis […]
Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.1 Advances in medicine is amazing. Whereas historically physicians only speculated. But during the Renaissance period, a breakthrough came when Andreas Versalius went against the norm and cut open human corpses. He revolutionized anatomy by direct […]
[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For by him all things were created . . . all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the […]
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.1 What law is spoken of here? What future hope of the good things is there? […]
Therefore we must pay much close attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.1 Long ago, at many times, and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all […]
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.1 Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.2 To be ruled by a godless, hardened heart is dangerous. It needs to be trained and tempered by Truth. The heart of him […]
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it […]
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, […]
“Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ . . . […]
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.1 Jesus continuously modeled for us this behavior daily. He would always separate himself; E.g., withdraw from the crowd and go to a desolate place by himself;2 go up the mountain by himself to pray;3 at Gethsemane […]
And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, […]
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.1 Just as Hannah prayed for her son Samuel, “He will guard […]
My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.1 The beginning and essence of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.2 Practical wisdom for living is the central concern of the book of Proverbs. It is a collection of Israelite […]
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, . . . . For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance […]
Then [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, . . . and that repentance and […]
I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD! O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.1 Rest assured. In dire situations, with confidence call to God! He hears you. He is […]
“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who […]
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because […]
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of Scriptures we might have hope.1 What is written is believable; assuming that it had been written by a reputable author, well thought of, organized, and concise. The verse above refers to the compilation of Scripture, […]
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as […]
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.1 The kind of belief that leads to […]
Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house […]
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be […]
For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.2 Again and again, experience […]
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.1The word origin in Greek for breathed out are en—meaning “in” or “into” and phusao—“to blow”; and the verb empneo describes the act […]
Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.”1 […]
Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.1 We know of both a physical death and a physical life; likewise, we know the reality of a spiritual death and life. But many would rather believe that all physical death leads to a spiritual eternal […]
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”1 Paul knew his […]
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but […]
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast […]
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.1 At the right time2 Jesus came to bring good news3—what God had planned since the beginning, a new covenant revealed through Jesus, a new […]
And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.1 Knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son is prerequisite to salvation. One cannot claim salvation apart from the Son, whom the Father loves—This is my beloved Son with whom I am […]
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.1 Definitely, there is an intelligent being that created the universe. Consider the grandiosity and complexity of the cosmos—visually, we merely see the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars; […]
Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.1 God is pleased with our […]
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, O LORD preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!1 David knew his God, the one God2; thus, he was confident that if he asked anything that […]
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; . . .1 A merry Christmas to everyone! Jesus is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. The merriment is born out of gratitude and awe as we reflect on the love of God. [God] desires all people to be saved and come […]
Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD, who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God! Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant! For the LORD has chosen Jacob […]
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name. Your kingdom […]
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.1 Indeed those who are in Christ have reason to rejoice; their security is not based on something imagined or conjured. A Christian’s hope is based on a covenant promise—For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in […]
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder […]
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.1 Reality check! There will be a day […]
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.1 God was faithful to David; he kept his covenant with him—known as the Davidic Covenant2, a promise from God to establish a descendant of David as the king of Israel. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your […]
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.1 Paul emphasizes the importance of knowing the truth. He echoes the Shema2—“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD […]
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation, to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”1 For our […]
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but […]
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.1 Paul wrote this verse—the same Paul who was previously persecuting the church.2 He was so filled with anger and hate until he had an encounter with Jesus.3 Previously, Paul exhibited zeal in his pursuit to eradicate the Christians; now after his […]
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.1 Scripture is the sacred writings of Christianity contained in the Bible,2 which consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament.3 Literally, […]
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.1 The whole Christian faith revolves around Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. In […]
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.1 The Samaritan woman mentioned that their fathers worshiped on this […]
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generation.1 To love someone likeable is natural; but to love someone undeserving is unthinkable. This uncanny way of love is what God reserved for you and me. He proved it by sending his only Beloved Son to die for us. […]
“Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book to do according to all that […]
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and […]
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.1 Our bodies need food and so does our soul. We need to surround ourselves with people who strengthen, encourage, and comfort us. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.2 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins […]
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall […]
When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. […]
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.1We have three personalities: A shepherd boy; a son of a king; and a virgin. They were David, Manasseh, and Mary, respectively. Jesse and his sons were invited. Samuel considered Eliab. But the […]
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!1 You have set your glory above the heavens. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son […]
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.1 How can David make a preposterous claim? Is this bold claim merely positive thinking or is it reality? By what means do I, likewise, confidently claim, believe, and declare this […]
No unbelief made [Abraham] waiver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.1 How do we grow in the faith? All growth is a process. There is a start, the continuous intentional walk, […]
But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”1 Victory just celebrated its 40th year […]
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified, in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, […]
Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!1 Over the weekend I had an insightful conversation. He said, “I realize that God is constant; we are the ones who aren’t. If we feel God is distant, it is we who gear away from him.” […]
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!1 As a nation we commemorate our Independence Day every Jun 12; it is a reminder […]
You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; […]
Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.1 […]
Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake.1 The word remember is repeated throughout the Scriptures. Literally, […]
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.1Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of […]
And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has […]
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to […]
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.1 The Scriptures have stern warnings about our lack of knowledge. Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses the way.2 . . . they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.3 What is referred […]
In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.1 We are free to choose which path to go; but there is only one path that leads to life. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.2 Indeed, the lure […]
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.1 It is not man’s bent to be subject to rules and regulations due to our sinful nature2; thus, our need for diligent teaching,3 training,4 discipline,5 and […]
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. . . The voice of […]
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.1 We can trust the LORD for he is all-powerful,2 holy,3 good,4 and trustworthy—God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he […]
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.1 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son […]
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”1 Like Paul, […]
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. 1 All the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has […]
