Psalms
General
It is
safe to say that no other collection of poems has accomplished as much good as
the book of Psalms. Its sentiments seem to touch the soul at every turn--in
joy, in sorrow. R5653:3
David's thought in writing the Psalms may have been merely to their use
in song; but the Lord's object was to give prophecy to assist his people of a
later period. R2345:4
Many of David's prophetic words
relate more particularly to The Christ than to himself and many were written
from this standpoint, as speaking for Messiah. R3609:1
The book does not claim to be a book of David's psalms, but a book of
psalms. While a majority of the psalms particularly claim that David was their
author, some do not name their authors. The Jews recognized the book of Psalms
as a whole--as sacred Scripture--as a holy or inspired writing. And our Lord
and the apostles quoted directly or by allusion from sixty-one of the psalms,
some of them repeatedly. Our Lord himself quoted from nineteen of them. These
quotations embrace, not only some of those definitely ascribed to David, but
equally those whose authorship is not stated. And in one case (John 10:34, 35)
our Lord, quoting from Psalm 82:6, distinctly terms it a part of the
"Scriptures" which "cannot be broken." R1418:3
Psalm 1
Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man -- The Lord Jesus and those who walk in his footsteps, the
pure in heart. R1383:2
That walketh not -- Has no fellowship, sympathy or common interest. R1383:2,
R2697:3
Evil companionship corrupts good
conduct. Let all of our special friends or companions, in business or pleasure,
be the Lord's friends, who honor him. R2366:1
It is not our mission to follow
others into outer darkness in conversation and reading, but to remain with the
Lord and seek others to take their places and crowns. R1860:6
We should fellowship with the
saints of the Most High, who are meek and lowly of heart and whom he shall lead
in his ways. R4484:4
Lot did not pursue this course and
hence failed of a blessing. R2853:2
In the counsel -- That there is a way of salvation for man other than that
provided in God's plan. R2698:2
Of the ungodly -- The worldly. C89
The wicked and slothful servants
in the Church who, having been made partakers of the holy Spirit, commit wilful
sin. R2697:6
Those who neglect this counsel
need not be surprised if they fall into temptation, sin and disfellowship with
the things which are pure. R4076:2
Standeth -- Entering into their plans and schemes, thus likely
becoming partakers of their spirit, careless of consecration vows and
overcharged with earthly cares. R2698:4
Stand with God even if that should
imply standing alone. R1383:3
The way of sinners -- The assemblies of the wicked. C89
Sinners against their covenant of
consecration, being overcharged with the things of this life. R2698:3, R4079:5*
Nor sitteth -- We cannot sit down in the light. We must walk in it if
we are to stay in it. A25
Because of ignorance of God's plan
and character, because they are blinded by Satan and because their ideas of
right and wrong are warped through false doctrines and theories. R1174:6
Of the scornful -- Some, not of the Church, unteachable; those possessing
more or less knowledge of holy things and rejecting them, speaking of them
lightly and scornfully. R2698:4
The heart that is contentious and
that sitteth in the seat of the scornful is not in a condition to receive the
blessings of the Lord. R4475:3
Illustrated by one church which
invited Dr. R. G. Ingersoll, the agnostic, to preach to them. R1968:4
Psalm 1:2
But his delight -- The sentiment of our heart should be the desire to get
the divine mind as nearly as possible on every subject. R5518:6
One thus isolated from the ungodly
will have a delightful experience. "I delight to do Thy will, O my
God." (Psa. 40:8) R1383:3
Is in the law -- Three lessons for the Lord's faithful to learn: (1)
Meekness, humility; (2) Obedient faith, abiding trust; (3) Love. R4483:6
Briefly comprehended in the word
"Love." R2698:5
God's will and plan. R1383:3
Doth he meditate -- Not read carelessly. R2146:5*
Study. C89
A contemplative study to see how
the Law would work out its influence on oneself. R4838:3
Only in so doing can we receive
the nourishment it is designed to give. R1390:3
When the memory is stored with the
words of divine revelation, what food is furnished for prayerful meditation.
R2038:6
That its principles may be
assimilated. R4835:4, R4838:3, R5518.5
Psalm 1:3
Rivers of water -- God's grace and truth. R1383:3
Forth his fruit -- The fruits of the spirit. R2698:6
His leaf also -- His hopes. R2698:6
Shall not wither -- Become dead and barren. R1383:3
Whatsoever he doeth -- His aim is to glorify his Heavenly Father. R2698:6
It will make happier homes, better
husbands, better wives, better children. It will sweeten the temper, soften the
voice, dignify the language, cultivate the manners, ennoble the sentiments and
lend its charming grace to every simple duty. R4835:4, R1296:5
"All things shall work
together for good to them that love God, to the called according to his
purpose." (Rom. 8:28) R1646:4
Shall prosper -- Not because of our own wisdom in the management of our
affairs, but because our infallible Lord is supervising our interests and
outworking them for good to him. R2699:4
Since God's plan shall prosper,
their plan shall prosper; for his plan is their plan. R1383:5
What matter if instead of earthly
prosperity is brought financial loss, if it work our spiritual gain? R2699:1
Psalm 1:4
The ungodly -- Those who wilfully prefer sin to righteousness. R1383:5
Are like the chaff -- Shall have no place after the Lord has thoroughly
cleansed the world and swept them into oblivion. R1383:5
The wind driveth away -- The winds of false doctrine or the storms of opposition.
R605:6
Psalm 1:5
The ungodly -- The wicked (and slothful servants) shall not stand in
the assembly of the righteous. R2975:2
Shall not stand -- Though a thousand unfaithful shall fall at his side and
ten thousand at his right hand the faithful shall stand and, in due time,
receive the great reward. R606:1
Shall not continue to stand, but
shall fall, pass away as the chaff. R1383:5
In the judgment -- Of the Millennial age. R1383:6, R1219:5
Nor sinners -- Violators of their covenant of consecration. R1383:6
In the congregation -- Not permitted to continue, but cut off in the Second
Death. R1219:5, R1235:1
Psalm 1:6
Knoweth the way -- The judgment will determine who are the lovers of
righteousness. R1383:6
Of the righteous -- God's care is over the righteous. "The Lord knoweth
them that are his." (2 Tim. 2:19) R3155:6
The justified. R3156:1
Shall perish -- If justice be delayed it is only for the development of
some greater good than could be accomplished by a speedy adjustment. R2025:5
Psalm 2
Psalm 2:1
Why do the heathen -- The nations. R1385:1
This Psalm is a prophecy of Jesus
at his first advent and still further of the entire Christ, including the
Church, and their final exaltation as the Millennial Kingdom. R1384:3
Though applied in Acts 4:25-27 to
events connected with our Lord's crucifixion, the fulness of the import belongs
to the time of the second advent. R1384:6
Rage -- Tumultuously assemble. A271
In the worldwide commotion and
discontent already prevailing. R1385:1
A vain thing -- As the cry of Peace, Peace, when there is no peace. D239
Vain schemes, such as Communism,
Socialism, Nihilism, Anarchism. God's remedy is the only one that will cure.
R1385:1
Every nation in this war (1915)
seems to believe itself God's favored people whose ultimate mission is to rule
the world. They are all in error. R5788:3
Psalm 2:2
Kings of the earth -- Civil and ecclesiastical authorities. D239
Set themselves -- In opposition. D52
The rulers -- Religious, financial, and political. R1385:1; SM695:2
Take counsel together -- For the preservation of the present inequities in the
world by which they are profiting. SM695:2
"Associate yourselves
(unite), O ye people and ye shall be broken in pieces; ... take counsel together
and it shall come to nought." (Isa. 8:9, 10) R1079:5
Against the LORD -- Against Jehovah. R1385:1
Against his anointed -- The Head of The Christ in the Jewish harvest, and the
feet members in the Gospel age harvest. B263
The King, who has come to rule in
righteousness and whose presence and power is now forcing upon the minds of men
the perplexing questions of the hour. R1519:3
The kings of the earth do not know
that by attempting to uphold their present institutions they are really
fighting against the establishment of the Lord's Kingdom. R1385:1, R1425:5
Psalm 2:3
Let us -- Jehovah and his Anointed. R1385:2
The kings and rulers of earth. D52
Those seeking freedom from the
restraints of consecration. R4707:1
Break their bands -- The restraints which the people are putting upon them,
seeking to reinaugurate a reign of autocracy. SM695:2
The combinations of those who have
banded themselves together to oppose the setting up of the Kingdom. R1385:2
The Adversary still leads the
world into all kinds of excesses in the name of liberty. R4707:1
Their cords -- By which they endeavor to retain control of their
kingdoms. R1385:2
Psalm 2:4
Shall laugh -- The Lord shall have them and their wonderful banding
together in derision. R1385:2
"I also will laugh at your
calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh." (Prov. 1:26) R1519:4
The Lord -- Adonai, Jesus. E48
Shall have them -- Their futile schemes. R1079:5
Psalm 2:5
Then -- Since they persistently neglect to heed his warnings.
D52
He -- The Lord. R5574:2
Them -- The world. R5574:2
In his wrath -- The great time of trouble just approaching. R1385:3
Also merciful and gracious to
those who will then turn unto him. R5989:2
He who smites them in his wrath is
also merciful and gracious, unwilling that any should perish but desirous that
they should obey his counsels and live. R5989:2
Sore displeasure -- Hot and just displeasure. D631
Psalm 2:6
Yet -- Meanwhile. R1385:3
Have I -- Jehovah. D632; R1352:6
Set my king -- Anointed my king. A271
Already the Father has appointed
our Lord as King, and will soon deliver to him the power and glory of his
office. R5181:3
Since 1878 AD. R1914:2, R5990:2
Upon my holy hill -- The Kingdom of God. Dix; OV272:3
Or "hill of the
sanctuary," being the original site of the Tabernacle, pitched by David
for the reception of the Ark. R1648:3
Psalm 2:7
I will declare -- He (Jesus) will first make plain to the world that it is
by the Father's decree that he takes possession. R1385:4
The decree -- The decree is that the dominion shall be taken from
them, that he whose right it is shall take the kingdom and that the nations
shall be given to him for an inheritance. D12
The LORD -- Jehovah. E48
Thou art my Son -- God honored him in this way. R5472:3; E72
"He that honoreth not the
Son, honoreth not the Father which sent him." (John 5:23) E72
Begotten thee -- Fulfilled when our Lord Jesus, at 30
years, consecrated himself wholly
to the will and plan of God. R1385:4
Borne, or delivered thee, from
death by a resurrection. R2149:6
Psalm 2:8
Ask -- The Redeemer will not ask for the world until his Church
will have been gathered to glory. R5493:4, R1385:4; CR490:6, CR51:5; R4476:4,
R5054:6; HG669:2
When Christ shall have paid over
the ransom-price. R5683:3; SM666:1
The Lord did not ask for his great
power sooner. He was well contented with the divine times and seasons. SM436:1
This worldwide dominion has not
yet come to Messiah. "Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the
heathen." (Isa. 60:2) CR50:2; SM435:1
God will make his enemies his
footstool. R5054:5
Pray for. R5493:4
Messiah, after finishing his work,
shall make application for a kingdom which divine providence has already
arranged for, and which divine prophecy has already foretold. R5492:3
Misapplied by the Papacy to the
Papal Millennium. HG268:6, HG269:1
Of me -- Jehovah. R5777:4, R5492:3
I shall give thee -- "The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom."
(Dan. 2:44) A308
It is Jehovah's power that will
bring about the Millennial victory of The Christ. R3079:5, R5492:2
This, we believe, is at the door
because the Lord is about to take possession of the Church. R5622:3, R4476:4
Our Lord will make application of
the ransom-price for the world. Then ignorance and superstition will be
supplanted by divine enlightenment. SM666:1; R4819:5
In "due time," when the
Church shall have passed into heavenly glory. SM666:1
During Messiah's reign the Lord
Jesus will be given full power and authority to control the world. This is the
particular business appointed to him. R5022:6
Messiah will take possession of
man's inheritance purchased by him for humanity at Calvary. The nations will
become Christ's by the conquering power of the time of trouble. HG669:4
The heathen -- The nations. D12; Q29:4
Who are not now members of the
household of faith. R5777:4, R5493:4
God's due time for giving the
heathen to Christ is in the Millennial age and not in this Gospel age. R1710:4
For thine inheritance -- God is about to show the world the true and beneficial
operation of the Law of Primogeniture. R1164:2
The King's Son is soon to receive his
long-promised inheritance. R5489:5
When the Church shall have
inherited the Kingdom they will be prepared to do the work of judging the
world. R5776:4
Uttermost parts -- Jesus gained the right to control all for whom he died.
R43:5*, R483: 6*
Of the earth -- The purchased possession includes the world of nature.
R593:3
Psalm 2:9
Thou -- The Christ, Head and Body. B77, B100; R30:6*
Shalt break them -- In the great time of trouble just approaching. R1385:3,
R5527:4, R5493:4, R268:4, R1092:2, R1095:1, R1692:5
When the selection of the Church
shall have been completed. CR51:5; SM441:1
When the work of destruction is
accomplished the people will return to the Lord and he will heal them. A256;
R1869:3
The iron rod of Christ's rule must
bring down every high thing and subdue all things unto him. R1735:3
Breaking up all their former
habits and customs as well as breaking up present institutions founded upon
these false habits and false ideas of liberty. A302
He wounds to heal. The lessons of
the time of trouble will be salutary. R5493:4
Men must learn their own impotence
and the true Master; just as every colt must be "broken" before it is
of value. D378
The myriads of ignorant and
barbarous heathen who have gone down to the grave with lifelong habits of
fierce passion and deep degradation. HG31:2
The thousand-year period, known as
the Millennium, is set apart for this work. Q69:5
This does not commence until the
sounding of the seventh trumpet. HG13:6
This war (1915) was allowed to
occur at about the end of the Times of the Gentiles, the appropriate time when
they are to be dashed to pieces with the iron rod of the iron rule. R5632:3
With a rod -- Symbol of divine authority. R4058:4
The rod will be merely for
temporary service, bringing the race back to their original privilege as kings
of the earth. R5377:4
He will rule with the iron rod to
the intent that all mankind may learn the divine law and have the divine
blessing. R4819:5
Of iron -- Of unbending and just retribution. R1423:2
With firmness and vigor, cutting
off every opportunity to do wrong to others or to oneself. A302
Shalt dash them -- By the tumult of contending factions. R362:1
The Gentile governments. B77, B100
The present strife in Europe
(1914-1918) is only the beginning of the great trouble and overthrow of the
nations. R5735:4
Intimating that in some sense the
Lord will take possession of these before they have been completely overthrown.
R5631:5
In the midst of the time of
trouble. HG14:1
Everything appertaining to present
institutions contrary to the divine standards of justice will be rudely shaken
and eventually destroyed. R5493:4
As a result of manifesting the
judgments of the lord in the world. (2Thess 1:7-10) R5527:4
When "the kingdom is the
Lord's and he is Governor among the nations." (Psa. 22:27,28) R321:2
Jesus' title, the Prince of Peace,
will not then apply to him. R5136:4
In pieces -- "In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven
set up a kingdom, and it shall break in pieces and consume all these
kingdoms." (Dan 2:44) HG 75:5
Potter's vessel -- The existing institutions, those vessels of the
Adversary potter. SM717:1
Psalm 2:10
Be wise ... O ye kings -- Ye powers of Christendom. D52
Including financial kings. OV86:4
Those nations who heartily accept
Messiah's rule will be saved from the breaking process. SM441:3
Be instructed -- God's Word furnishes the only principles which, if put
in operation, would avert the dread calamity now impending. R1369:1
Part of Messiah's Kingdom work
will be to stop the anarchy when it shall have done its work, when it shall
have demonstrated to the human race that nothing that man can do will be able
to help the race. R5567:2
Psalm 2:11
Serve the LORD -- The conditions of consecration for mankind in the next
age will not be sacrifice, but obedience to God and his law of love. R442:6
With fear -- Respect. R442:6
With trembling -- "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest
he fall." (1 Cor. 10:12) OV272:3; B300
Psalm 2:12
Kiss the Son -- Misapplied by the Pope to himself in compelling kings
and emperors to kiss his great toe. OV272:3; B300; R54:4, R305:4; HG269:4
Make friends with the Son. A272
Yield cheerful, willing submission
to the Lord. B300; A272
The Greek word translated
"worship" in the New Testament is proskuneo which signifies "to
kiss the hand," as a dog licks the hand of his master. The significance is
reverence. E72
God's last warning to Christendom.
D52
Now or never (as nations) they may
recognize their new king by abandoning oppression and establishing justice. Now
is the time to concede to all men their natural rights. R713:4
Lest he be angry -- Lest he bring the threatened Day of Vengeance. D52
Scriptures intimate that all
nations will be found in violent opposition to the heavenly Kingdom and hence
will be crushed as the vessels of a potter. CR51:6
But a little -- For his wrath may soon be kindled. A272
Are all they -- Primarily the consecrated Church as the time of trouble
draws near. R1385:5
Psalm 4
Psalm 4:1
Hear me -- It is supposed that the fourth Psalm and part of the
third were written regarding David's experience as an exile from his capital.
R4277:3
Psalm 5
Psalm 5:3
In the morning -- In the Millennial age. A9; E359
Psalm 5:4
Pleasure in wickedness -- The destruction of the incorrigible after the final test
will be a demonstration of God's unceasing hatred of sin. R1782:1
Therefore God is not pleased to
accept men without testing and proving them as to whether, after full
knowledge, ability and choice, they will sincerely love the right and hate the
wrong. R1273:5
The very character of God demands
that we become holy. R5901:6*
Neither shall evil -- Nothing short of perfection can find favor in God's
eyes. R5902:1*, R1610:2
God permits evil for a time
because he sees a way to make it a valuable and lasting lesson to his
creatures. A118; HG393:1
God could not excuse the sin, for
he cannot look upon the least sin with any degree of allowance. R386:6
Dwell with thee -- Every good cometh from God as the good fountain. Evil,
on the contrary, comes from sources in opposition to God and his goodness.
R870:6
We must in this life become
Christlike, or perfect in character; else we cannot eternally dwell with God.
R5902:1*
This does not signify a perfection
of the flesh, which is an impossibility; but a perfection of heart, of
intention, of will, of endeavor. R5902:1
Psalm 5:7
Thy holy temple -- The Christ. T70
Psalm 5:11
Ever shout for joy -- If suffering, are we rejoicing? R4248:3*
We ought to rejoice, remembering
that the Lord's dealings were designed to work out a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory. R4248:2*
Thou defendest them -- It is profitable in many ways to love the Lord. He has
provided a place of safety during the day of wrath for every trusting, loving
child of his. R32:5*
That love thy name -- Those who love the name, the character of God, are
endeavoring by his grace to develop it. R4248:2*
Psalm 6
Psalm 6:4
Deliver my soul -- It is the soul, the being, which is destroyed. E361
Psalm 6:5
Is no remembrance -- There is no consciousness in hell. E361; R4781:2,
R552:6, R802:2*, R4363:4*; SM525:1; HG511:1
"The dead know not
anything." (Eccl. 9:5) R754:4*
Death is the "land of
forgetfulness." (Psa. 88:11) CR209:2; HG335:1
Therefore they can neither assent
to, nor oppose, their awakening. R1509:5
Man's probation or trial must occur,
not in death, but before the state of death has begun or after it has ended--in
the resurrection. R909:3*, R915:6
Even from the human standpoint it
would be a short time for each individual who would only have the few remaining
years of life before the Kingdom. R3180:6
Thus, when our Lord was dead he
could not preach and the dead of mankind could not hear. R4176:6
In the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E361; R828:6;
HG216:2
Give thee thanks -- The text manifestly refers to the pious. E361
Therefore the departed saints have
not been praising the Lord after their death all during the past ages. R1881:5
Psalm 7
Psalm 7:11
God is angry -- Righteous indignation against sin. R5603:1
Anger in itself is not sin.
R5417:5
Inability to be angry under proper
cause would imply imperfection. R3928:2
It would be improper for our
Creator to refrain from righteous indignation where there is a just cause; just
as it would be improper for him to be angry without a cause. R787:4
God is not so overbalanced in love
that he cannot permit justice thoroughly to scourge the race of condemned
sinners. R880:6
He tells us to be like him in our
loves and hates--to hate sin and love righteousness. R1251:1
The force of character which
permits of anger is the very same force which, otherwise directed, signifies
intensity of love. R3928:2
If we feel that anger is proper
for us we should use a great deal of discretion. "Be ye angry and sin
not." (Eph. 4:26) R5417:5
If any walk after the flesh and
not after the spirit such will proportionately lose the love of God. R3034:1
Psalm 7:15
Fallen into the ditch -- Those who dig pits for others are likely to fall therein
themselves. R2503:4
Which he made -- As illustrated by Haman and by those who caused Daniel
to be cast into the lion's den. R2503:1
Psalm 8
Psalm 8:2
The mouth of babes -- Foreshadowing the multitude's shouting Jesus' praise as
the Messiah, the Son of David. R4670:4
Psalm 8:3
Consider thy heavens -- When we realize that the countless stars are each one a
solar system we are amazed and feel our own littleness. CR188:5; R4972:2
Gaining thereby a high conception
of the divine character. R3313:4
Our solar system is a small
fraction of God's creation. Astronomers count 125 million suns and estimate
that there are millions of others further distant. SM467:2
How much more profitable is the
consideration of the still higher things revealed to the Gospel Church through
the holy Spirit since Pentecost. R3313:4
Psalm 8:4
What is man -- Man is of the earth, earthy, an earthly copy of his
heavenly Maker. "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."
(Gen. 1:26) R1266:1; OV288:1
How little is man, how small a
speck in the universe. CR188:5
Orthodoxy falsely teaches that he
is of two indestructible, indistinguishable parts, soul and spirit, enclosed in
a prison-house of flesh. E302
Science says he is merely an
animal of the highest type known, and has evolution hopes. E304
The Bible says that he is a
Nephesh, soul, sentient being, composed of a body animated by Ruach,
life-power, sometimes called the spirit or breath of life, because sustained by
breathing. E308
Adam was the man preeminently in
that he was the head of the race of men, and in him resided the title to earth
and its dominion. E152
Art mindful of him -- In his present deplorable, fallen, sinful condition.
HG670:3
Not having forsaken the original
plan. A175
God has provided a Savior, a way
of restoration to divine favor. CR317:5, CR189:6; R5140:3
And the son of man -- The posterity of Adam, the fallen human race. E426
Thou visitest him -- Carest for him. R5291:4
Eventually, in the Times of
Restitution. E426
Psalm 8:5
Thou hast made him -- Claimed by Popists to refer to the Pope. B309
A little lower -- In intelligence and capacity. R3922:2
Only a little lower. CR189:2, R4972:3,
R453:5
Not a little while, as if a matter
of time; but clearly and distinctly a little lower in degree. A175; R329:1;
HG670:4
Not lower in the sense of being
less than perfect, but a totally different kind of being. R329:1
Consequently mortal. E390; R1879:4
On the earthly plane instead of
the heavenly. R5837:3
God designed an order of beings
adapted to the earth by nature. R363:3, R470:3
Therefore the Redeemer must be on
the same plane. R5025:5
Because Adam was not a spirit
being he could not die a spiritual death. CR131:1
As there is a vast difference
between the conditions of existence of a fish and a bird, so we may reasonably
suppose that there is just as wide a difference between the human and the
angelic conditions. Q769:5
Restored perfect men will still be
a "little lower" than the angels, while the glorified Church will be
"so much better than the angels." (Heb. 1:4) R637:5, R2317:5,
R4176:1, R616:2*, R852:4
Jesus was made alive from the dead
in the divine nature, far higher than the angels, while manhood is a little
lower than the angelic nature. R1228:2, R486:1; Q838:4
Than the angels -- Elohim, a name frequently applied to Jehovah. E67,
SM497:2
Like them, mortal; where death is
a possibility. E390; R4972:3
The highest of earthly creatures,
and but a little removed in intelligence from the angelic hosts. R2836:4
Fallen man cannot cope with the
cunning of fallen angels. R2172:5
Angels are the lowest in rank on
the spirit plane and man is the highest of all earthly beings. But man, even
when perfect, was a little lower than the angels because he was an earthly and
not a spiritual being. OV137:1; Q502:6; SM53:3; R4774:3, R5837:3, R456:6,
R506:6
Orders of spirit beings (all
perfect) were made before men. R5057:6, R4972:3; OV15:T
Man is lower than the angels as
far as nature is concerned, but this Psalm speaks of man as superior in that he
has a dominion. R4972:5
Man was not an angel, so he could
not fall from the condition of angels or fall from heaven; therefore he will
not be restored to being as an angel. CR279:2, CR269:4
Neither was Jesus a combination of
the two natures, human and spiritual. A179
Crowned him -- An earthly crown. SM153:3
As the king of all creatures on
the animal plane. SM469:1
Originally in God's likeness and,
as his representative, Adam was the king of the earth. R1510:4
Glory and honour -- Of perfect manhood. E427; R1794:1, R5417:3
As a son and heir of God, beloved
and owned of God. R1266:3, R5223:3
The moral likeness of his Creator.
R2394:5
"Glory"--Adam was made
in the image of his glorious Creator. R5229:1; CRI73:1, CR279:3
Man was so grandly formed as to be
able to receive and retain life by the use of the means which God supplied, and
never grow dim. A208
Lost in sin and degradation,
through disobedience. Restitution to "honor" and life in God's favor
was redeemed for all by our Lord's sacrifice. R1761:3
Possessed by Jesus at his
consecration, originally by Adam before sin and death, and ultimately by the
restored race at the close of Jesus' glorious reign. R573:5
Men must discern God by his works,
the noblest of which is perfect man, made in his moral image on the earthly
plane. R4966:5
Glorious and honorable indeed will
be the estate of men when lifted up to perfection in Paradise restored. A191
Psalm 8:6
Thou madest him -- Mankind, in the person of Adam. A247, R453:3
Both man, the sovereign of the
earth, and woman, his joint-heir and queen. R1552:2
It was purposed from the
first--the Heavenly Father made man the king of the earth. R5377:1
As a result of Adam's covenant
with God. E27; CR326:2
To have dominion -- As an earthly representative of the Creator. CR425:1;
F722
"And thou, O Tower of the
flock (Christ) ... unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion."
(Micah 4:8) E152
"Fill the earth and subdue it
and have dominion." (Gen. 1:28) B94
The Heavenly Father made man king
of the earth. R5377:1, R5403:6; CRI89:3
Adam had dominion over the earth,
but none of the angels were ever set over anything. R5290:3, R4972:5; CR189:3
Jesus took the place of father
Adam with all his rights and authorities. OV251:T, E152; R4452:1; Q224:T
The "likeness" of God
(Gen. 1:26) in which man was created. R2836:3
A likeness of the divine honor and
rulership of the earth. R871:3
Man stands related to the lower
creatures as God does to the entire universe. R4972:3, R3922:2; A174
Representing man as the crowning
masterpiece of mundane creation. R5140:3
Qualities of justice and judgment
fitted him to be a ruler; qualities of mercy and love prepared him to be a
reasonable, kind and wise ruler. R163:2, R417:1
The specialization in the case of
man's creation is shown in his vast superiority over the lower animals. PD7/13
Though Adam was privileged to be a
great king, he himself failed to be fully loyal to the Creator. CR425:2
The divine plan ultimately is to
have mankind perfect, as the lord of earth, controlling earth and its creatures
in harmony with the laws of the divine Creator. E426; HG669:1
With the restitution of perfect
mental and moral balance to man, the original king of the earth, will also come
a blessing to his subjects, the beasts of the field; and the ordering of the
earth itself is likewise promised. HG299:6
Peter, Jesus and all the prophets
declare that the human race is to be restored to human perfection and is again
to have dominion over earth as Adam had. R612:6, R2606:6, R3572:3, R860:5
In "the fulness of
times" there will be on the earthly plane perfect fish, perfect birds,
perfect beasts; and over and above them all, their ruler, perfect man. R828:1,
R4535:4
Typified by Job with his estate.
R1507:4, R5403:6
The father of lies seduced Adam
and robbed mankind of the dominion, thus becoming the "prince (ruler) of
this world." R453:3
Works of thy hands -- The winds and waves, the light and heat, the electric
currents, the minerals and gases and liquids, and vegetation in all its varied
forms will freely minister to his comfort and blessing. R1267:4
Hast put all things -- Divine power will put all things under Messiah. (1 Cor
15:28) HG671:6
Under his feet -- The feet in this passage are figurative. B157
All life on earth was subject to
Adam. CR173:1, CR326:3
Psalm 8:7
All sheep and oxen -- The dominion is not to be over each other, for when love
controls there will be no necessity for dominion over one another. R655:2
Beasts of the field -- To become docile and obedient to mankind, as originally
as a blessing of Christ's Millennial reign. R1352:3
Naturally and without compulsion
the beasts, cattle, fish, and fowl will be man's willing servants. R1267:4
Psalm 8:8
Fish of the sea -- Claimed by the Pope to refer to those who are in hell,
agitated by its waves of affliction. B312
Psalm 9
Psalm 9:8
And he shall -- In the Millennial age. F396
Psalm 9:11
Dwelleth In Zion -- The spiritual Church of God. A297; D23; T33
Psalm 9:15
That they made -- Those who dig pits for others are likely to fall therein
themselves. R2503:4
Psalm 9:17
The wicked -- Those who forget God after clear knowledge. E361;
R2610:1; HG498:5
This text applies to the time when
the highway of holiness is set up. R2610:2, R553:2
Saints and sinners all go into
Sheol now. R553:5
Turned into hell -- Shub, returned, into Sheol, oblivion, Second Death.
E361; R2610:4; OV174:6; Q329:3
Into the condition of death.
R553:2
Showing that some go into hell
once, come out of hell, learn of God, forget him and are returned to hell.
HG734:3*
Since they are returned to hell,
it must be to the Second Death. R769:5, R1298:3*, R3084:1
Nations -- Goi, heathen, Gentiles, people. All who, under that full
knowledge, do not become Israelites indeed. R2610:3
That forget God -- That do not become God's covenant people. R2610:3
They must first have known him.
Q329:2; R2610:1
Psalm 10
Psalm 10:4
Not In all his thoughts -- Their minds are distracted, turned to unworthy and
ignoble subjects that have a more and more degrading influence upon them.
R3893:2
God's Word is neglected by
scientists; hence the proper foundation for reasoning and judgment along
geological lines, for example, is lacking. R4825:5
Just as Israel failed to think of
the Lord's will in their affairs. R4277:1
Although the nations of Europe
style themselves Christian nations, not one of them manifests any faith in God.
R5754:3
Psalm 10:6
In adversity -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125
Psalm 11
Psalm 11:1
Put I my trust -- Like David against Goliath, we must battle in full
reliance upon the Lord, using the sling and pebble of truth. If we cannot
conquer along these lines we cannot conquer at all. R4216:6
Psalm 11:4
In his holy temple -- The Christ. T70
Psalm 11:6
Upon the wicked -- In the Day of Vengeance, the time of trouble. D541
And in the testing season at the
end of the Millennium. A303
Fire and brimstone -- Trouble and destruction. D541
Psalm 12
Psalm 12:5
Oppression of the poor -- The whole present order of things shall be reversed, for
the Lord shall espouse the cause of the poor and needy. R1896:5
Psalm 13
Psalm 13:3
The sleep of death -- A condition of peaceful unconsciousness. HG726:4
Dr. Trench says of this word
sleep, "The reality of death is not denied, but only the fact implicitly
assumed that death will be followed by a resurrection, as sleep is followed by
an awakening." R2617:5
Heaven is not a sleeping place,
but a place of joyful activity and life. Neither could we imagine mankind as
sleeping in a Catholic purgatory or a Protestant hell. R5060:1
Psalm 14
Psalm 14:1
The fool -- One who ignores, or lacks, reason. HG528:1
The person who, after intelligent
thought, concludes that there is no God; that everything came to be what it is
by chance. SM467:3; R5210:3, R2834:2
Those who do not recognize the
great First Cause, God, have their intellects so perverted that they are fools.
R2834:2
The study of creation is the key
to knowledge. PD1/7
Blinded with pride and liberty of
earthly wisdom, science falsely so called. R525:4
So undeniable is the basis of fact
in nature's testimony, and so logical the reasoning from cause to effect, that
the Bible declares the man a fool who does not accept the conclusion that there
is an intelligent Creator. R1158:2
Said in his heart -- Even the "fool" says it to himself. It is not
a conclusion of reason, but an expression of a wish. He is anxious to get rid
of God in order that he may freely exploit his folly. R3421:1
There is no God -- That each cranium makes its own god, according to its
own development of the qualities of wisdom, justice, love and power. OV61:T
It is a self-evident truth that
effects must be produced by competent causes. HG528:1
Nature alone teaches that there is
a God. R932:4, R2162:2; HG528:1
Only 35% of the students in a large
class at Columbia University expressed their belief in a personal God. R3792:1
None that doeth good -- All have shared in Adam's sin and its death sentence.
All come short of the glory of God as represented in the first perfect man.
HG193:5
Psalm 14:3
None that doeth good -- None up to the standard of perfection required by the
Law; hence none approved by it. R812:2*
None perfect, sound in either mind
or body. R1080:2, R1413:1
Psalm 14:7
Out of Zion -- The spiritual Church of God. A297; D23; T33; R4474:2
Psalm 15
Psalm 15:1
Who shall abide -- It is not enough to consecrate ourselves, for the
consecration will avail nothing if we prove unfaithful to it, except to rise in
judgment against us. R2154:5
The one ultimate standard of
admission to blessedness in the future is character. R800:5*
It is one thing to get in; another
to stay in. R4240:5*
In thy tabernacle -- Wherever there are one or more loyal, consecrated
hearts, there is a dwelling place of God. R2080:3*
Especially the glorious temple of
God, which shall be the dwelling place of the saints throughout eternity.
R2080:5*
In thy holy hill -- The Kingdom of God. D628
Psalm 15:2
Walketh uprightly -- Implies the strictest integrity in our dealings, both
with God and with our fellowmen. R4808:5
The measure of our acceptableness
is only to the extent that we earnestly strive to attain actually to the
standard of perfection. R1295:6
Psalm 15:3
Taketh up a reproach -- A violation of the law of love. We will not be against
our brother unless he acknowledges the wrong. Love will cover a multitude of
sins. R4240:5*
Psalm 15:4
Is contemned -- He who sympathizes with the evildoer whom God condemns
is partaker of his evil deeds. R764:5
Sweareth -- Makes a solemn covenant to present himself a living
sacrifice to God. R2080:6*
And changeth not -- Carries out his part of the agreement faithfully even
though the covenant be unfavorable to him. R3108:2, R4808:5
One cannot, by subsequently
changing his mind, be released from the obligations of consecration vows.
R2080:6*
Having made a covenant, do not
ignore its solemn obligations. R2080:6*
Psalm 15:5
To usury -- Taking unjust advantage of the necessities of others.
R2155:1, R4808:5, R1994:6
The word "usury" is now
always used to indicate oppressive interest. Formerly its meaning was, simply,
interest. R1995:1
We do not understand the taking of
reasonable interest to be usury. R1994:5
If the party using the money is
making something out of it, it is not usury. R1994:6
Never be moved -- Such a one is a virtuous man, a man of fortified or
strong character. R2155:1, R4808:6
Psalm 16
Psalm 16:5
Lord is the portion -- Your life consisteth not in the abundance of the things
you possess. You are not dependent upon these earthly things. R2130:6*
Psalm 16:6
Unto me -- The Lord does not keep any who do not make the proper
effort to know the will of God. R5501:4
In pleasant places -- What a flood of glory now shines upon the path of the
saints. R5501:2
Psalm 16:7
Given me counsel -- Thus Jesus, the Great Teacher, would be himself taught
of Jehovah. E51
Psalm 16:8
At my right hand -- Signifies the chief place, next to the chief ruler. A92;
R2089:5
Psalm 16:10
Not leave my soul -- Fulfilled in Jesus' being raised from the dead. R5832:1;
Q668:1; SM526:1
We are particularly told that it
was the soul of Jesus that was raised from the dead. R5017:2, R5612:4; SM25:2;
CR290:3; HG245:6; R3854:5
"He, seeing this before,
(prophetically) spake of the resurrection of Christ." (Acts 2:31) R2600:6
Cannot refer to David personally,
for his soul was left in hades and his body did see corruption. R2600:6,
R5832:1; HG121:3
Our Lord's soul was not left in
Sheol, but God did not give him back the body he died with. HG204:6
The act of baptism represented, in
the one act of going into the water and rising from it, his going down into
death and his trust in the Father's promise that he should not be left in
death. R444:6
In hell -- Sheol, oblivion, death; not torment. R5154:3; SM30:T,
SM526:1; Q668:1; E348, E362
"He hath poured out his soul
unto death." (Isa.53:12) E362
The Lord Jesus was in hell during
the three days following his crucifixion. Q784:2
Compared with Acts 2:27-31, a
proof that the word hades in the New Testament is the exact equivalent of the
word Sheol in the Old Testament. SM526:1; HG511:2
Holy One -- Hebrew, ghahseed; literally, God-seed, meaning saint.
HG26:2
To see corruption -- The removal of the crucified body from the tomb was also
miraculous, for it did not see corruption, nor was a bone of it broken. R1817:4
We incline to the opinion that his
flesh, man's ransom price, will never see corruption, but that it will be
preserved as an everlasting testimony of the grace of God. R2478:6
The body would vanish, be
dissipated or dissolved, without corrupting or decaying. R666:2
The New Testament writers record
the fulfillment of these predictions in Jesus of Nazareth. A58
Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt shew me -- Cause to have a knowledge of. E52
If meekly desirous of being shown
and honestly in doubt of God's teaching on a subject. R1256:3
The path of life --The narrow way, with its strait entrance. R814:1*
God made known to our Redeemer
step by step the path that would lead to the glorious consummation. CR158:3
Our Lord was shown that the path
of sacrifice meant the path to glory; similarly, he shared this light with his
followers. R4155:4
"I am the door" (John
10:7) --the door of opportunity, the way of access to eternal life. R1647:3
In thy presence -- No matter where we are. R1949:5
By and by in the immediate
presence of God. R1949:2
Instituting a lively and delightful
fellowship with God, which is the chief end of human existence, both on the
side of the creature and of the Creator. R2031:3
Fulness of joy -- If any of God's children is not happy in him, he is
living below his privileges. R1949:5
"Ask, and ye shall receive,
that your joy maybe full." (John16:24) R1949:5
At thy right hand -- To which we may approach by prayer. F679
A place of favor and power.
R2089:5, R655:6, R1394:1, R2607:5; A92
There are pleasures -- True happiness can come only to those who form a
character modeled after that of the Heavenly Father. R1840:6
For evermore -- Beginning in the present life. R1949:2
Psalm 17
Psalm 17:8
Apple of the eye -- The true Church, espoused to Christ. D29
Psalm 17:15
I shall be satisfied -- It will more than compensate for all the little things
you suffer and endure now. CR462:6
We will not attain full
satisfaction until we experience our resurrection change. R4558:1, R4810:2,
R1387:6
We may be content now, but we
shall be satisfied only when we get those eternal verities of which we now have
only the promise or hope. SM739:3
By faith we are satisfied and rest
in hope--actually we shall be satisfied when we awake in his likeness. R3730:6
Nevertheless, there is a measure
of satisfaction to our drinking, even in the present time. R4132:5
The prophets of past ages will
likewise be satisfied when they awake with God's likeness as Adam had it.
R613:2
When I awake -- In the first resurrection. R1703:4, R2671:6
Death is a condition of
unconsciousness, rest and quiet. R5059:6
With thy likeness -- Christ in the likeness of the Father. T67
The Church in the likeness of its
head, having the divine nature. T67; A222; E140; R4966:5; CR117:4
Mankind in the likeness of the man
Jesus. E140
There are two likenesses spoken of
in the Bible--the likeness of men and the likeness of God. R89:1
"It doth not yet appear what
we shall be, but we know that when he shall be revealed, we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2) R4675:3; CR117:4
Psalm 18
Psalm 18:2
And the horn -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
Psalm 18:5
The sorrows of hell -- The bonds of Sheol, oblivion, the fear of death. E362
A figure in which trouble is
represented as hastening one to the tomb. R2599:3
Prevented me -- Seized me. E362
Psalm 18:7
The earth shook -- Verses 7 to 19 give a vivid description of the awful
time of trouble. R5735:4
Psalm 18:10
He rode upon a cherub -- Jehovah is frequently spoken of as dwelling between, or
above, the cherubim. R529:6*
Psalm 18:12
And coals of fire -- To batter down man's pride, selfishness, and prejudices,
and consume these. B153
Psalm 18:14
Sent out his arrows -- Divine truth slaughtering the hosts of error. R5493:6;
CR164:4; SM51:T
See comments on Psalm 45:5
Shot out lightnings -- Diffusions of knowledge. R511:2
Psalm 18:19
Brought me -- The David class, heirs of the Kingdom. R4242:6*
Large place -- The place of freedom. R4243:1*
The place of justification and
consecration--seated with Christ in heavenly places. R4243:2*
Delivered me -- In two ways--deliverance out of the vexations and
deliverance in the distresses. R4243:2*
Either by removal of difficulties,
or by increased grace and ability to stand the trials. R4243:2*
Not as individuals, but as members
of the Body of Christ. R4243:2*
Not necessarily from financial
troubles, but he will give us peace and rest. R5218:1
Psalm 18:25
Shew thyself merciful -- If we come to God's Word as reverent students, expecting
to find therein the delineation of the character and plan of God, it will be
revealed to us. R3337:1
Psalm 18:26
With the pure -- A person's idea concerning God is a fair index of his
relation toward God. R139:6*
The froward -- These can warp and twist the Scriptures to suit their
own ideas. R3337:1
Psalm 18:27
High looks -- "A haughty spirit precedes a fall." (Prov
16:18) R3337:2
Psalm 18:28
Enlighten my darkness -- To those humble and faithful ones whom the Lord has been
leading. R3337:4
Psalm 18:29
By thee I have -- "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:13) R2154:3
Through a troop -- Of opposing enemies. R3337:5
Over a wall -- Of bondage into the glorious liberty of a son of God.
R3337:5
Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way -- God's way is his plan or purpose, that which he purposes
to accomplish, and which is steadily working out. R3336:3
Is perfect -- Just, merciful, wise, benevolent, practicable and sure
of a glorious termination. R3337:5
Nothing short of perfection can
find favor in the eyes of God. R1610:2
God created man perfect, in his
own image or likeness, not in the image and likeness of a monkey. CR208:6*
But we received our lives from our
parents, and so on back to father Adam. Our first parents sinned, and thus the
curse of death came upon the race. HG650:2
Our blemishes came to us from our
parents, not from God. R2285:1
Therefore God is not the author of
sin. R1225:2, R1782:4
Therefore we are to be so fully in
accord with God's arrangements that we will not be disturbed or distressed by
the fact that some will go into the Great Company and that others will go into the
Second Death. Q498:7
Is tried -- When fully understood it will stand the test of every
argument that could be formed against it as to its justice, wisdom and
benevolence. R3337:5
He is a buckler -- A defense. R3337:5
Psalm 18:31
For who is God -- Who is mighty. R3337:5
Who is a rock -- A safe anchorage to our souls. R3337:5
Psalm 18:46
The LORD liveth -- Securely anchored in him, we may trust and not be
afraid.) R3337:5
Psalm 19
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare -- By their numberless multitude, their orderly grouping,
their continual yet never conflicting movements, their perfect harmony, their
magnitude and mutual benign influence. R1391:1
Much more shall his intelligent
creatures exhibit, in variety, the glory of his power. A188
But many wise men who study these
wonderful works of God do not appreciate the love of God. They have a certain
knowledge of his power, but few appreciate his character. R5717:2
The glory of God -- Speaking of an intelligent designer, wisely adapting
means to good and benevolent ends, and ministering to the necessities of his
intelligent creatures. R1562:6
We stand awestruck at the
immensity of space and at the law and order which everywhere reign. R5210:3
An appreciation of the infinite
power of the Creator and of our own littleness should make us teachable. PD1/7
The magnificent pageantry of the
heavens, daily and nightly should elicit our praise and adoration. R1815:1
They tell of the order and harmony
of the circling spheres, and of the benevolent purposes of God. R1560:3
Psalm 19:2
Sheweth knowledge -- Of the immensity of creation. SM467:2
Psalm 19:3
Is not heard -- Their voice is heard by some; by those who have a
hearing ear. R3848:2
Psalm 19:4
Is gone out -- Shall go. This proves that the Gentiles shall yet have
this Gospel preached to them. R1970:5
Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD -- The law of love. R1462:5
Margin, doctrine. R524:2*
Is perfect -- "The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and
just and good." (Rom. 7:12) R1462:2*
How true these prophetic
declarations are may be comprehended only by those who have learned to
appreciate the Word of God. R3609:2
The Jews perceived that such was
his covenant with them-- obedience was rewarded; disobedience was punished.
R4922:6
Converting the soul -- Transforming the being. R4923:5
Completely turning us from sin to
righteousness if we give heed to it. R1296:2, R4834:6, R276:6
Only what the Bible teaches should
be believed. R4923:3*
It deters from sin, encourages
toward righteousness, gives consolation in trouble, strength and courage for
fear and quaking, wisdom in times of perplexity. R3609:2
Other influences may lead to
temporary and partial changes of course and action, but only God's revealed
truth can change being, character, soul. R1391:1
The testimony -- The instruction. R1296:2, R4834:6
Of the LORD Is sure -- Not doubtful, but clear and positive. R1391:2
Making wise the simple -- The meek, teachable ones-- clearly pointing out to them
the ways of righteousness. R4384:6, R1296:2
A right understanding of God's
Word not only adds to the wisdom of the wise, but also maketh the wise simple.
HG315:1
The humble. HG471:1
Those with no other desire than to
know God's will. R524:2*
Psalm 19:8
The statutes -- Piqqudim, appointments, appointed plans. R1391:2
Decrees, ordinances and precepts.
R4834:6
Are right -- The infallible rules of righteousness. R4834:6
Rejoicing the heart -- The plan of the ages rejoices the hearts of all who come
to a knowledge of it. R1391:2
Of the obedient. R4834:6
The commandment -- Mitsvah, precepts or teachings. R1391:2
Enlightening the eyes -- Showing us clearly the certain ends of righteousness and
unrighteousness. R1391:2
Giving us right ideas of justice,
love, etc. R524:2*
Psalm 19:9
The fear -- Yirah, reverence. R1391:2
Of the LORD is clean -- Not a menial, servile fear; but a noble fear, begotten
of love; a fear of falling short of his approval. R4834:6, R1296:2, R1391:2
The judgments -- Mishpat, ordinances, decrees. R1391:2
Of the LORD -- Expressed by his holy apostles and prophets. R2057:6
Altogether -- His judgments as to right or wrong in any manner are
always correct. R524:4*
Psalm 19:10
Are they -- The Law and the testimony of the Lord. R4834:6, R1296:2
Psalm 19:11
Moreover by them -- By the judgments or decrees of the Lord as to the course
of righteousness or of unrighteousness with its rewards and penalties. R1391:3
Is thy servant -- The faithful servant who meditates on these things.
R1391:3
Warned -- Concerning the dangers of the way and the snares of the
Adversary. R4835:1, R1296:2
In keeping of them -- In remembering and harmonizing with them. R1391:3
Psalm 19:12
Who can understand -- Guard against, by his own wisdom and foresight. R1391:4,
R1296:2, R4835:1
His errors -- Rightly judge himself by using merely his own fallible
judgment without the Word of God. R1296:3, R4835:1, R4524:1
Cleanse thou me -- The prophet recognized that he was not capable of
cleansing himself. R5739:3
To strive against outward sin
while neglecting the beginnings of sin in the secrets of one's own mind is
attempting a right thing in a very foolish way. R2249:1
From secret faults -- Those he did not see himself. We should pray to the Lord
that he would show us whatever in our lives is not fully pleasing and
acceptable to him. R5739:3
Imperfections and faults of the
mind, unknown to anyone but ourselves and the Lord. Suggestions of pride or
avarice or envy, if entertained, become secret faults. R2248:3
"All things are naked and
opened unto the eyes of him whom we have to do." (Heb. 4:13) R2094:4*
Psalm 19:13
Presumptuous sins -- Which must first have their roots in secret faults.
R2249:1
To presume signifies to take for
granted without authority or proof. R4835:1
Presuming to approach God in our
own righteousness. R1836:6
Such as presuming that the Lord
"Takes the will for the deed" instead of actually "keeping"
his words. Love is the measure of our obedience, and vice versa. R1802:3*
Dictation to the Lord. A191
Sins of pride or of arrogant
self-will which do not meekly submit to the will of God. R4835:2, R1296:4
The perversion of what he has
revealed, or claiming and holding tenaciously any doctrine merely on the ground
of fallible human reasoning. R4835:1, R1296:4, R1391:5
Illustrated by the strange fire
offered by Nadab and Abihu. R1836:5
It is best to "wait upon the
Lord." R1959:1*
Not appreciating the necessity for
the precious blood of Christ. Q548:2
Great transgression -- Willful, deliberate, intentional sin. R2249:1
The sin unto death referred to by
the Apostles. (1 John 5:16; Heb. 6:4-6; Heb. 10:26-31) R4835:2
Psalm 19:14
Let the words -- A prayer appropriate to all the Lord's people. R3305:6,
R2240:4
Even the most advanced of the
Lord's people are liable at times to err with their lips. R3305:6
What a fearful responsibility
attaches to the tongue that wags in an evil, or even in a flippant, way--which
is also dishonoring to God. R1938:2
Meditation of my heart -- Begin with the heart. Harbor no thoughts that in any
sense of the word would be evil. R4803:3
Not manifest to fellow-men until
expressed in word or action, but all open and manifest to God. R1296:1
Be acceptable -- Nothing short of purity of heart, will, intention, can
be acceptable to God. R5123:4
We are to measure ourselves
continually by this standard. R5123:4
In thy sight -- With what confusion and chagrin would we greet the
sudden appearance of a friend of high and noble character while we were in the
midst of some ignoble transaction! God is just such a friend, always present.
R1295:6
Psalm 20
Psalm 20:2
Out of Zion -- The spiritual Church of God. A297; T33
Psalm 20:7
Trust in chariots -- Symbols of worldly organizations. C316
And some in horses -- Symbols of doctrinal bobbies. C316
Remember the name -- Christians must cultivate the spirit of praise by
calling to mind the works of the Lord. R2031:6
Psalm 21
Psalm 21:3
Crown of pure gold -- Symbol of the divine nature. T18
Psalm 21:9
And the fire -- Destruction of his foes in the time of trouble. R5761:6;
A318
Psa. 22:T
A Psalm of David -- David may have spoken of himself, but Jehovah guided his
utterance, and made him thus to represent Messiah. R436:2, R1364:2
Psalm 22
Psalm 22:1
My God, my God -- Jews read from Psalm 22 and cried aloud these words at
the wailing place in Jerusalem. C275*
Forsaken me -- There came a time when the gate of earth and the door of
heaven were both closed to Jesus. He hung suspended between the earth and
heaven; he had given up earth at his consecration, and now the door of heaven
was also closed. R4529:5*
Such a dark moment might be
permitted to even the most worthy followers of the Lamb. F143
Psalm 22:11
None to help -- Pray, pleading our need. R5380:5*
Psalm 22:14
It is melted -- As every particle of the meat offering was exposed to
the fire. R84:2*
Psalm 22:18
Part my garments -- Minutely fulfilled. R1394:5, R3370:3
Little did the soldiers think, as
they divided his garments, that they were fulfilling prophecy. R3901:5
Upon my vesture -- Symbolizing the righteousness of Christ, which can be
appropriated only as a whole. R2474:1
Psalm 22:22
Unto my brethren -- The Little Flock, the Bride class. R5007:1
Who have received the spirit of
adoption. E109
Psalm 22:23
That fear the LORD -- Perfect love casts out slavish, but not reverential,
fear. R2289:4
Psalm 22:25
My vows before them -- Nothing in the Scriptures intimates that our Vow to the
Lord must be kept secret. Indeed, our baptismal vow we are required to
symbolize or profess publicly. R4266:4
Psalm 22:26
The meek shall eat - The table of
the Lord has been spread for his Church from the very beginning of the Gospel
age, and has always been supplied with meat in season. R1899:2
Psalm 22:27
Shall remember -- The resurrected ones shall have personalities identical
to those with which they went into the grave, able to recall their former
degraded conditions. R360:5, R604:3*
Turn unto the LORD -- In due time. (1 Tim 2:4) SM311:1
The Christian church has been
right in believing in the eventual conversion of the world, but it is the work
of the Kingdom and not of the Gospel age. HG14:2
All the kindreds -- Including those who have perished from the earth, for
the Scriptures assure us of the awakening of all the sleeping millions of
earth's population. HG434:2
Worship before thee -- "All nations shall come and worship before
thee" (Rev 15:4); the ultimate result of the work of Christ. R99:2*
Psalm 22:28
Kingdom Is the LORD'S -- The conversion of the world is not due while the devil
is "the prince of this world." R532:4, R256:4, R321:1, R5:2
Psalm 22:29
Keep alive his own soul -- The soul can be destroyed by its Creator. R1882:1;
HG334:5
Psalm 23
Psalm 23:T
A Psalm of David -- Himself a shepherd, one of a group that might be termed
an intellectual and thinking class of people. R2556:5
Psalm 23:1
The LORD -- Jehovah. E45; F251, F396
Jehovah, the great over-shepherd,
appointed his Son to be the under-shepherd. R5490:1, R2706:5
In David's day, the arrangements
for the shepherd and the flock of John 10:1-16 had not been completed. R2672:1
All the features of this Psalm are
applicable to our Redeemer himself, as well as to his followers. R5653:6
Is my shepherd -- Jehovah is the shepherd in the largest sense of the
word; Jesus is the great shepherd to all the flock; every local elder is a
shepherd in a local capacity. F251
Fed by Messiah "in the
strength of Jehovah." (Mic 5:4) E45
Originally the Jewish nation constituted
this flock, David himself being one of the sheep. R5490:2
In the present time, the Little
Flock only. R3268:3, R1396:2
The only begotten Son is called
the Lamb of God, and all his people are styled his sheep. R2441:2
Of the antitypical David--Christ,
Head and Body. R4851:3, R5490:3
The shepherd has particular care
over the affairs of spiritual Israel. R5490:2, R5491:1
Sheep are meek, docile; when they
hear the voice of the shepherd, they run to obey it. R3116:2
I shall not want -- Temporal necessities. "Bread shall be given him;
his waters shall be sure." (Isa. 33:16) R1745:2, R4279:3
Light. "Unto him shall be
given the light of life." (John 8:12) R1745:2
Care and discipline. "Whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son." (Heb 12:6) R1745:5,
R4279:3
Consolation and fellowship.
"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Heb 13:5) R1745:5
Anything. "All things work
together for good to them that love God." (Rom 8:28) R1396:3, R5654:2
The only condition connected with
this promise is that we shall abide in his love and follow his directions.
R4279:3
Those who are proper sheep trust
wholly to his guidance, and are thus relieved of that anxious craving so common
to the world. R3269:2
Though the promises of God's Word
may not hinder us from feeling pain, they will modify the pain and its
frequency. R2083:3
Psalm 23:2
To lie down -- To rest, the rest of faith. R3116:5, R4279:5
This rest, this peace of heart, is
absolutely essential to our development as New Creatures. R4279:5
In green pastures -- Of spiritual refreshment, private devotions, studies of
divine things, and Christian fellowship. R3269:3
Being spiritually fed and
refreshed. R5654:2
We shall be bountifully fed with
meat in due season. R1396:5
He leadeth me -- Away from the strife of worldly ambition. R3269:4
Divine leading is necessary to
find the streams of truth and grace. R3269:4
To appreciate the desirableness of
his ways and the undesirableness of every other way. R5654:3
Shielding us from every foe and
the dangerous pitfalls that lie in our path R5490:6
The still waters -- The deep waters of Present Truth. R3295:6
Streams of truth and grace.
R3269:4, R5654:2
Living, but comparatively quiet
waters. R3269:4
Psalm 23:3
Restoreth my soul -- Justified me to life. R3269:5, R1396:5
He brings me back to himself.
R5654:3
In the paths -- The path marked out by the Word of the Lord as one of
meekness, faith, patience, love, etc. R1646:5
Of righteousness -- Suitable for spiritual development. R3269:5
All his ways are perfect,
righteous. R5654:3
For his name's sake -- Because we are his and because we trust in his name, in
his merit. R1396:5
Because I am his child I bear his
name. R3116:5
His promise is involved; his honor
is at stake. R4280:1
Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk -- In common with all the rest of the world of mankind.
R3269:5, R5654:3
Through the valley -- Far below the mountaintops of life and perfection.
R360:3
The valley of sin, with its broad
road to destruction and its narrow way to life. R3269:5
The farther we go into this valley
the darker it becomes, until the last spark of life expires. R15:2
Of the shadow -- The journey of life, since the fall, has been through a
vale of tears, upon which rests the shadow of death. R3116:5
Lingering on the brink of death.
T90
Of death -- I was born in this valley and I shall die in it. R1396:5
We have been in this valley for
more than 6000 years, but the end of it is near. R4280:2, R5654:4
I will fear no evil -- No failure of thy sure covenant. R1396:5
Because the Shepherd is with us.
R4280:3
They realize that divine love has
provided a redemption R3269:6
We should seek to drive away our
fears, giving heed to God's Word, having it before our minds and considering
its precious promises concerning God's love and care. Q272:2
For thou art with me -- Even here. R1396:5
Thy rod -- Such chastisements as are necessary to correct me and to
bring me back into fellowship with the flock. R2672:5, R4663:1
And thy staff -- Of promise and hope. R1396:5
Of providential care. R1721:3
A rod for our correction; a staff
for our relief, assistance, and protection. R4280:3
Even straying sheep the Shepherd
will not leave. R5654:2
If one becomes overcharged with
the cares of this life the Lord may permit affliction or disaster to teach a
lesson that could not otherwise be learned. R4663:1
They comfort me -- Protect me from difficulties and defend me from enemies.
R3269:6
"Before I was afflicted I
went astray." (Psa. 119:67) F648
The rod and the staff are designed
to bring back the sheep from some course leading in the wrong direction, away
from the Shepherd's footsteps. F648
Psalm 23:5
Thou -- As my host. R3270:1
Preparest a table -- To the end that his children should be so full of
happiness as to bubble over all the time. R1494:2
Divine truth. R3270:2
Clean, good, orderly, bountiful,
beautiful. (Contrast Isa. 28:8) R1475:2
The Lord girds himself and sets
before us rich things from his storehouse--things old and new. R4280:5, R3455:5
Especially since his presence.
R4280:5
The privilege of feasting at this
table, even when misunderstood and opposed, represents God's provision and
favor to his people. R5654:4
Of mine enemies -- The Adversary and the wicked spirits in high places.
R3270:1
They see the bounties and feel
jealous, but refuse to accept the good things we would so freely share with
them. R3396:1
Anointest my head -- Christ Jesus, the Head of the Body. R5654:5, R3270:4
With oil -- Symbol of the holy Spirit. T116
My cup -- Both of joy and sorrow, sweet and bitter; represented in
the communion cup. R3270:4, R5654:5
Our cup is full, but we would not
wish it one drop less. R5654:5
It represents sorrows unto death.
R4555:5
Runneth over -- A cup of joy and of sorrow; in both respects it
overflows. R3270:4, R4280:6, R4555:5
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness -- The few who can join in this expression of confidence
have therein a great joy and rest of heart which none others possess. R5425:2
Shall follow me -- "Pursue me" appears to be the stricter
translation. R4280:6
It has already begun, and will
follow beyond the veil. R3270:4
God's goodness and mercy,
following us every day and every moment, making all things work together for
our good. R5654:6
And I will dwell -- In the present life, through faith. R2642:5
In the house -- The heavenly state, in the Father's house on high. R3270:5,
R5654:6; CR92:3
Of the LORD for ever -- As his child, a member of his household. R3116:5
He will be our Shepherd to the end
of the way, receiving us into the glorious condition at the end of the journey.
CR92:3
Psalm 24
Psalm 24:T
A Psalm of David -- Supposed to have been sung as a marching accompaniment
as the procession returning the Ark was entering Jerusalem. Seven choirs formed
part of the procession. R4260:4, R5680:4
Psalm 24:1
The earth -- The joint care of which, with its fulness, was committed
to mankind by God as a stewardship. D310
The symbolic earth, the new social
order. R3113:3
Is the LORD'S -- From the time that "the kingdoms of this world
become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ." (Rev. 11:15) R3113:3
The fulness thereof -- Every good and every perfect gift cometh down from the
Father through the Son. R5680:5
Psalm 24:2
Upon the seas -- After God had said "Be still" to the restless
sea-element of society. R3113:6
The new earth will be established
upon the ruins of the old. R3113:6
God is founding his new order of
things in the midst of seas of discontent. R5680:5
The new earth will be stablished
where the sea now is; the class symbolized by "the sea" shall be no
more--"There shall be no more sea." (Rev 21:1) R1814:2
Upon the floods -- Replacing anarchy. R3113:6
Psalm 24:3
Who shall ascend -- Go as true subjects, loyal citizens, no longer aliens
and strangers. R3114:1
Hill of the LORD -- Jerusalem was built on a double-top mountain,
symbolizing the unity of the kingly and priestly qualities in the glorified
Church, and also the heavenly and earthly phases of the Kingdom. A301
After the time of trouble there
will be only one mountain, or hill, left--the Kingdom of God. R3114:1
Who shall stand -- Be counted worthy to remain. R3114:1
In his holy place -- The spiritual phase of the Kingdom of God. A301; D582;
R5680:5
Psalm 24:4
He -- Whether as an heir or as a subject of the Kingdom.
R3114:2
Hath clean hands -- An honest life. D582
Clean actions, clean conduct,
determined opposition and resistance to sin in all its forms. R3114:2
Righteous living to the best of
one's ability. R5680:5
The one ultimate standard of
admission to blessedness in the future is character. R800:5*
A character which is the outcome
of true faith exercised unto godliness. R3114:2
Free from self-emulation and human
glorying. R2275:1
Among whom the delusions of error
can make no headway. R2275:1
The best provision which parents
can make for their children for the time of trouble is to give them faithful
instruction in righteousness. R1963:5
And a pure heart -- An honest heart. R5680:5
Void of offense towards God and
man. D582
A will, intention or purpose that
always, like the needle to the pole, turns toward righteousness, truth, purity,
cleanliness of person, clothing, language, habits, and companionship. R3114:4
A single-hearted purpose to
glorify God and bless fellow men. R2275:1
Lifted up his soul -- Aspired to be great, or good, or wise in the eyes of
men. R2275:2
Unto vanity -- But is humble, meek, modest, candid and sincere. R3114:4
Cultivating no earthly ambition or
pride, but patiently waiting for the glory to follow the course of present
self-sacrifice. R3826:5
Nor sworn deceitfully -- Ignoring or despising his covenant with God. R3114:5,
R3826:5, R5680:6, R2275:2
Psalm 24:5
He shall receive -- Those who have done all they have covenanted to do.
R5680:5
The blessing -- The promised share in the Kingdom. R3826:6
And righteousness -- Perfection, full deliverance from present imperfections.
R3826:6
Psalm 24:6
That seek thy face -- None can obtain God's blessings without seeking them
through Christ. R3114:5
O Jacob -- O God of Jacob. (Margin) R3114:5
Psalm 24:7
The King of glory -- Jehovah. E44
We are still waiting for the
entrance of this King of Glory in the full sense of the word. R5680:6
The Pope is the imitation
"king of glory." R1002:3
Psalm 24:8
Mighty in battle -- In the time of trouble. D549
Psalm 25
Psalm 25:9
The meek -- The fully consecrated children of God who have laid
aside their own ways and thoughts to both know and to walk in God's ways.
R1023:2
Those who hear the Master's voice
by whomsoever he speaks. R1574:3
Ones willing to leave the
confession found to be false and the denomination found to be in error. R1305:5
If you are honestly in doubt as to
God's teaching, and meekly desirous of being shown, God is ready and willing to
lead you into the truth. R1256:3
Guide in judgment--Guidance for
the knowing of his will. R590:1*
Thus the results of the
consecrated deliberations of the Church should be accepted by all as the mind
of the Lord. R1891:6
The spirit of a sound mind leads
one to accept God's instructions and reject his own faulty judgment. R5095:4
All classes of mankind need divine
instruction. R5370:1
Meek will he teach -- It is to those who are meek that Jesus was sent to
preach the good tidings. (Isa. 61:1) R3103:3
As we seek to teach the meek, let
us see that we also maintain a meek, childlike spirit. R957:4
Before honor is humility, and
before exaltation is humiliation. R764:5
Self-confidence hinders the seeing
of truth. R2882:3
"God resisteth the
proud." (Jas. 4:6) R5370:4
The meek are the only ones in a
position to receive instruction. R5370:4
The proud and haughty, therefore,
are very unsafe spiritual guides. R2241:3
Psalm 25:10
All the paths -- God will bring order out of present confusion. R2334:6
"And we will walk in his
paths." (Isa. 2:3; Mic. 4:2) R2334:6
Psalm 25:14
Secret of the LORD -- The deep things of God, the divine plan. R5989:5,
R2208:3, R5462:4
"The mystery" --revealed
only to the saints and hidden from all others. (Col. 1:26) R4492:1, R4715:2
That we should be fellowheirs, and
of the same nature as our Redeemer. (Eph. 3:6) SM152:2
The full import of the great
oath-bound promise. R5285:3
In the secret of the Lord's
presence an armament of grace and truth is specially provided. SM289:2
The principle of keeping secret
the divine purpose, yet providing a key to its understanding in due time, can
be illustrated by the time-lock of a bank. OV6:2
Is with -- So that the Lord's consecrated people might know of the
time in which we are living and be more and more quickened, energized and
separated from the world and its spirit. HG399:1
Them that fear him -- Such as have made a covenant with the Lord by sacrifice.
R4666:3, R5462:4, R5039:2; SM457:3; Q719:7; CR9:4, CR10:3, CR90:4, CR92:2
But not with others, not even
Satan--to whom, no doubt, much of the Word is obscure. A171; D611, D612;
R4492:1, R4631:3; OV65:3; CR10:1, CR92:2; Q621:2
It is the due time to open up
things new as well as old. CR92:4
Developing in them the spirit of
perfect love. CR9:5
Not all have ears to hear. SM183:2
The Lord does not honor the world,
nor the worldly-wise, with a knowledge of his secret purposes. R1617:6
The world cannot comprehend our
joy, nor know the sweets of this fellowship with God and his Son. R1906:5
Not seeing their need of the great
Physician, the worldly are not listening in that direction and do not hear his
voice. R3915:2
For the uncontrite of heart to
understand would mean that they would oppose God's plan the more and would come
under greater responsibility themselves. R4599:2
"The wise shall understand
(matters as they become due) but none of the wicked shall understand."
(Dan. 12:10) R3947:1
"Unto you it is given to know
the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (unbelievers) it is not
given." (Matt. 13:11) R1063:3* , R1957:6
To whatever extent we lose the
spirit of the Lord, to that extent we lose its illumination. R5100:2
Any, once sanctified and blessed,
are sure to lose their interest in the deep things of God if they return to
their "wallowing in the mire" of sin. R3213:5
Not those who fear man and the
work of man, sectarian systems, creeds, etc. "The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom" (Psa. 111:10) because it leads to sonship. R2208:3
That love him, that love his will
and his way more than anybody else's. CR159:5, CR175:3
"Fear"--reverence.
R4599:2, R4631:3, R4715:1, R5100:1; SM6:1
Honesty and sincerity lead to zeal
to know and to do the will of the Father. R5522:2
He will shew them -- And no others in the present time. A171
Otherwise it could not be
understood. R4631:3
To understand it distinctly we
must be in the right attitude of heart and abide under the shadow of the
Almighty. CR159:6, CR175:3
His covenant -- The Abrahamic covenant, that "all the families of
the earth (shall) be blessed" in the seed of Abraham, The Christ. R2209:3;
CR9:6, CR11:1
His covenant is to make it known
to them. R1913:5, R3371:4
Whoever loses sight of this
mystery shall cease to strive for it. R4535:5
To be in covenant relationship
with God is to be in harmony with God; and to be called a son of God is a full
measure of this. CR93:3,4
To those worthy of heart, God
revealed his Son. R4715:1
To such the Bible, as a telescope,
will bring divine things into close view; and, as a microscope, magnifying the
law of God in all the little affairs of life, will help us to bring every
thought into subjection to the divine will. R2210:5
Psalm 26
Psalm 26:2
Prove me -- He proves to see if we are worthy--to see if we love him
best or love self best. R5914:1
Psalm 27
Psalm 27:T
A Psalm of David -- This entire Psalm applies to every member of the Body of
Christ. R3248:5
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light -- Guiding the heart. R3248:2
An encouragement when facing the
finger of scorn or the lip of sarcasm and slander. R4857:5
And my salvation -- Overruling our affairs for good. R3248:2
The more fierce the conflict with
the powers of darkness, the more glorious the deliverance. R1915:1
Whom shall I fear? -- The proper frame of mind for all the Lord's people who
are fighting the good fight of faith. R2016:4
Courage, born of faith and
strengthened by endurance, cries with humble boldness in the midst of the
deepest darkness of the most perplexing difficulties. R1915:4
Our consciousness of loyalty to
God and of divine guidance should keep us without fear. R4922:4
Psalm 27:3
Encamp against me -- Let us not be of those who draw back, or those that
faint by the way, for glorious will be the victory of faith and zeal. R1876:4
Psalm 27:4
That I may dwell -- Be counted worthy to be recognized by him as a member of
his Church. R1915:1
In the house -- "Whose house are we." (Heb. 3:6) R1915:2
Beauty of the LORD -- The beauty of holiness; our pattern and chief joy.
R1915:2
And to inquire -- As students, of his holy law and testimony. R1915:4
Psalm 27:5
The time of trouble -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125; R1351:2*
Psalm 27:10
Father and my mother -- My most trusted human friends. R1788:4
Psalm 27:11
Teach me -- We know that the Lord can direct our course in whatever
way he chooses, if we put ourselves under his care. R5212:2
Thy way, O LORD -- We should study the scriptures bearing on any subject,
trying to find the underlying principle of God's teachings; then commit all to
the Father in prayer, asking him to guide both reason and judgment; then use
that reason and judgment to the best of our ability. R5212:5
Psalm 27:12
False witnesses -- Foretelling the painful circumstances of the sacrificial
death of the Messiah as the Lamb of slaughter. R1205:2
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the LORD -- Not a ministering to the Lord, but a patient watching
and waiting until we learn what our Lord would have us to do. R5711:3, R5712:1
Be of good courage -- Courage, fortitude, persistency, in the service of the
Lord are very necessary to the child of God. R5712:2
Courage, born of faith in God and
in his exceeding great and precious promises, is required to surmount
difficulties. R5712:3
Shall strengthen -- So that we will not be overwhelmed. R5712:3
Thine heart -- The soul, the being, especially the intelligent portion
of man. R5712:2
Wait -- We are to have faith and hope even though the way is
rough. R5331:4
Psalm 28
Psalm 28:7
Trusted in him -- The grandeur of David's character was shown in his
devotion to God and in his submission to the divine will. R5674:5
Psalm 29
Psalm 29:1
O ye mighty -- El, a name often applied to Jehovah. E67;
R296:3
Psalm 29:2
Beauty of holiness -- The worship of God is elevating and ennobling,
calculated to develop in us the glorious moral likeness of God. R1836:1
Psalm 29:10
Sitteth upon the flood -- Indicating that Jehovah's dominion is established over
all created beings. R1283:5*
Psalm 29:11
The LORD will give -- So, then, if you lack the strength to use faithfully your
talent, the fault is yours, not God's. R1282:6
Strength -- Courage. The Lord encourages us in many ways. R4817:6
His people -- His trusting, faithful servants. R4818:6
With peace -- In this age, when all creation groans and travails in
pain. R4818:5
Psalm 30
Psalm 30:3
Soul from the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death--not torment. E348, E363
The soul can be destroyed by its
Creator. R1882:1; HG334:5
Hast kept me alive -- This passage expresses gratitude for recovery from the
danger of death. R2600:2
Psalm 30:4
His holiness -- His justice, wisdom, love, and power which insure his
doing all things well. R5989:6
Psalm 30:5
For his anger -- Which must necessarily be manifested in the great
trouble that will soon overwhelm the world. C304
There was anger against Jesus
"for a moment" when he bore the sinners' curse. R302:5*
Favour is life -- Everlasting life. R5475:6, R436:1
The future existence. R581:1
The earnest of the morning he has
tasted, but the morning itself he anticipates. R302:5*
Jesus' resurrection was a
manifestation of Jehovah's favor. R302:5*
Weeping -- Not only for the departed ones, but also by reason of
the imperfection, mental, moral, and physical, which they find in themselves,
their neighbors, and friends. HG415:5
Sorrow. OV202:2
In connection with our fightings
with foes within and without. R3259:3
Endure for a night -- During the period in which sin is permitted. A9
The night of dying and sleeping.
E345; HG332:1
Six thousand years. SM470:2;
R5273:2
The entire period of human history
thus far. SM789:2; CR324:1; R5097:2, R6013:1
We are still in the night of
weeping. R4892:1
The Gospel age is part of the
world's dark night. R1877:5
The healing of diseases of mind
and body will not be complete until the Millennial morning. R2028:3
Sickness, sorrow, sighing, and
dying continue; and will continue until the glorious morning of Messiah's
Kingdom. OV176:1; R4892:1
Jesus had a night of weeping, of
"strong crying and tears," (Heb. 5:7); being "sorrowful, even
unto death." (Matt. 26:38) R302:5 *
But joy cometh -- Showing the strong contrast between the present evil age
and the coming age of righteousness. R2398:2
Note three contrasts: the length
of the night with the longer day; the cause of the night with the cause of the
morning; the cause of weeping with the cause of joy. R1868:3
When that which is perfect shall
have come. R3259:3
Whose glory, brightness, and
blessing will fully compensate for all the dark shadows of the nightime past.
SM789:2; R6013:1
There was a joyful resurrection
morning for Jesus, and there shall be one for his saints also. R302:6*
Israel's "double" has
been fulfilled and her morning of joy will soon break. SM399:T
"Awake and sing, ye that
dwell in the dust." (Isa. 26:19) E345
In the morning -- The morning of awakening, resurrection. A9; E345;
R4329:5, R1881:1, R1533:2, R302:6 *
When the Church will be known and
honored. CR492:1
The glorious morning of Messiah's
Kingdom. OV176:1, OV205:1,4
The great antitypical Sabbath, the
seventh thousand-year day. R5273:2; SM471:1
The Millennial morning is already
here, but it is early--not yet light except for the Morning Star. It will be
some time yet before the Sun of Righteousness shall arise. R348:6
We can see the reflection from the
"Sun," although it has not yet arisen. We are now in the early dawn.
R5097:6
The night will give way to the
glorious day of his presence. HG433:3
"The Sun of Righteousness
shall arise with healing in his beams." (Mal. 4:2) HG336:5
The path of the elect is a dark
way, a nighttime when the Word of the Lord is a "lamp to their feet";
the path of the non-elect in the Millennium will be radiant because the Sun of
Righteousness shall arise. R3026:5,6
Psalm 30:7
Made my mountain -- My Kingdom. A318
Psalm 30:11
Hast turned for me -- The chastened and converted world. C304
Psalm 30:12
And not be silent -- And never be silent. C304
Psalm 31
Psalm 31:1
In thy righteousness -- Pray, pleading God's justice. R5381:1*
Psalm 31:3
For thy name's sake -- For the sake of thy work and the share that I may have
in it. R3062:4
Pray, pleading God's glory.
R5380:6*, R5381:1*
Lead me, and guide me -- Every spiritual Israelite must recognize the leadership
of the Lord. R3061:6
And never attempt any undertaking,
either temporal or spiritual, without seeking to note the will of the Lord
concerning it. R4859:1, R3062:1
Psalm 31:5
Into thine hand -- Quoted by Jesus on the cross. (Luke 23:46) R2474:6
Hoping to receive it again by a
resurrection. E315; R2475:4
Commit my spirit -- Ruach, spirit of life or vital energy. E315
The ransom-price was thus placed
into the hands of the Father, giving Jesus the right to all those things which
he intends to bestow upon the whole world of mankind. R4637:5
Psalm 31:15
Times are in thy hand -- All the affairs of life, temporal and spiritual, of
God's people. R4527:3, R4533:6
We wish to have the Lord's will
done in respect to the time of our change, and in respect to all we enjoy
together daily. R5728:5
Psalm 31:16
For thy mercies' sake -- Pray, trusting God's love and mercy. R5380:5*
Psalm 31:17
Silent in the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E363; HG121:3
Psalm 31:20
Strife of tongues -- Confusion of human traditions. R1788:2
Psalm 31:23
Preserveth the faithful -- God is both able and willing to keep that which we have
committed to his keeping, but we are not to expect miraculous help except when
necessary. R2021:2
By being all gathered through
death to glory before the terrible severity of the world's trouble will be
permitted to come. R2020:4
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage -- Courage is necessary to fight down the tendency to sin.
R5329:6
We are to resign our earthly
interests to our Heavenly Father and to leave them under his supervision. If we
allow the Adversary to beat our courage down, he will soon put us out of the
battle entirely. R5329:3
Strong courage, godly courage,
from right principles, based on faith in the Lord which says to us, do your
duty whatever may be the Lord's will for you. R5330:1
Thus demonstrating our faith in
the Lord. R5330:4
Strengthen your heart -- Our faith is the basis of both our strength and our
peace. R4817:6
That hope -- The Lord will supervise our affairs and we are to trust
in him. R5329:3
The Christian's secret of a happy
life is in his knowing and trusting the Heavenly Father and the Heavenly
Bridegroom. R2083:5
Psalm 32
Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he -- Primarily David himself. R3260:1
Taking the standpoint of the
prophet after his heart had returned to peace with God through assurance of
divine forgiveness of his sins. R4271:2
Whose transgression -- Against Uriah. R3260:1
Nearly all sins committed by God's
people may be classed as mixed sins--only partially wilful. R5690:2
Is forgiven -- If you believe God exercised mercy toward you and
forgave your sins, then believe also that the Lord has a similar arrangement
for the world. HG147:3
Is covered -- The Lord will cover the unwilful portion of a mixed sin,
but will punish that portion which was of knowledge and assent of the mind.
R5690:1
Set aside; not actually blotted
out until the resurrection. R3261:1, R3314:6, R2667:1, R4272:5
Psalm 32:2
lmputeth not iniquity -- So long as we renounce it and seek the Lord in faith and
sincerity. R3314:6
There is no guile -- No deceit or hypocrisy; whose conduct is open and
transparent. R2017:5
No secret longing for sin with
merely the restraints of fear. R4271:2
Psalm 32:3
When I kept silence -- Verses 3 and 4 briefly rehearse the king's unhappy
experiences during nearly a year. R4271:3
Apparently for a time the king had
smothered his conscience. R4271:5
The sin was concealed, unrepented
of. R2016:2
My bones waxed old -- He seemed to age rapidly that year; he became enfeebled
prematurely. R4272:1
Psalm 32:4
Thy hand was heavy -- The chiefest of his troubles consisted in his separation
from the Lord. R4271:4
Turned into the drought -- All the freshness, vigor and joy were consumed, as by a
drouth. R4272:1
Psalm 32:5
Acknowledged my sin -- "Against thee, and thee alone, have I sinned, and
done this great evil in thy sight." (Psa. 51:4) R4271:5
Unto the LORD -- To the Lord only could he go asking forgiveness. R4271:5
Psalm 32:6
For this -- For this cause, because of God's mercy. R4272:5
Mayest be found -- There is a time limit to divine mercies. R4272:5
Before the heart becomes calloused
and set in an evil course. R2017:5
David's experience taught him that
every day he remained unrepentant carried him further from fellowship with the
Lord. R3261:4
Surely -- If the sinner will promptly confess and repent. R3261:4
Of great waters -- Of trouble. R3261:4
Psalm 32:7
From trouble -- Not necessarily implying that they would be taken away
before the trouble. It is "through much tribulation we shall enter the
kingdom." (Acts 14:22) R4273:1
Songs of deliverance -- David could figuratively hear the heavenly messengers
singing songs of his deliverance even while in the affliction. R3261:5
Psalm 32:8
With mine eye -- The eye is the symbol of wisdom. R4858:6
We should look to the Lord for
leading in all of life's affairs. R4859:1, R4858:3, R3062:1
As a horse, driven without reins
or bridle, simply directed by the eye and watching for the master's will, the
animal being without restraint. R4273:2
The Lord's eye will watch over us,
that he may give us the necessary proper counsel. R4273:1
Those who can be guided only by
continual scourgings are not of the overcoming class. E234
See comments on Psa. 31:3.
Psalm 32:9
Be ye not as the horse -- But, in the legitimate use of our intellectual
endowments, let us apply our hearts unto instruction. R1661:6*
As the mule -- Stubborn. R680:1*
No understanding -- God would have his reasoning creatures serve
intelligently and without force. R1566:2, R680:4*
While the Lord promises grace
sufficient, he never encourages any to rest supinely upon his promises, but
exhorts to activity, alertness, energy, perseverance. R1670:3
With general directions he sends
us forth: not like machines, but as intelligent beings, to use our brains as
well as our hands and feet. R3161:5
The two extremes of underrating
and overrating human reason are both fraught with evil consequences. R1566:6
With bit and bridle -- The world will be restrained with bit and bridle during
the Millennium, but they must advance beyond this to be fit for eternal life at
its close. R4273:2
Lest they come -- Else they will not come (R.V.) R2017:6
Psalm 32:10
Mercy shall compass -- Though, to outward appearances, having as many sorrows
as their less pious neighbors, God's promise is sure and his grace sufficient.
R4273:4
Psalm 32:11
Glad in the LORD -- A very different thing from being glad in the trifling
things of this world. R4273:4
Ye righteous -- God's people, reckoned righteous through faith. R4273:1
Psalm 33
Psalm 33:1
Rejoice in the LORD -- Rejoicing and the spirit of praise are indissolubly
linked in the divine economy. R2031:3
Praise is comely -- Gratitude is one of the divinely implanted instincts of
a soul bearing the image of God, and should therefore be cultivated. R2031:2
Psalm 33:6
By the word -- Not Jehovah personally, but he used various agencies. He
gave orders and they were promptly executed. E182
Psalm 33:8
In awe -- Before God, infinite in wisdom, justice, love and power.
SM168:4
Psalm 33:9
For he spake -- When we read that Jehovah created the heavens and the
earth, we are not to suppose that he personally handled it, but that he used
various agencies. R370:4
And it was done -- His orders were promptly executed. E182
Satan has never interfered with
God's plans. A116
Psalm 33:13
From heaven -- The bodily presence of Jehovah is in heaven. R5547:6
Psalm 33:14
Looketh upon all -- The Lord has means by which he can be cognizant of all
earthly affairs. R5547:6
Psalm 33:19
Their soul -- Being. R277:1
From death -- Not the body, but the being, called in the Scriptures,
"soul," dies. R205:4, R277:1
Psalm 34
Psalm 34:2
Boast in the LORD -- "Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me." (Jer. 9:24) The beginning of this wisdom is
indeed the reverence of the Lord. R1919:6
Psalm 34:7
Angel of the LORD -- There is some power by which God seems to encircle his
holy people. CR314:4
May stand for any agency or power,
whether animate or inanimate, that God would be pleased to use. R5633:3,
R3798:1
The angels are "ministering
spirits" (Heb. 1:4) and always have access to the Father's face on behalf
of his Little Flock. F76
God's dealings with his people in
earlier times was through angels. R5634:1
In this text the word angel
probably refers to spirit beings. R5634:1
Doubtless the angels of the Lord
are as present with his people now as ever. R5606:1, R5635:1; Q437:4; F76
Perhaps one guardian angel to each
saint; perhaps more than one. R2350:4
It will be part of our joy, on the
spirit plane, to make the acquaintance of these angels. R4823:5
Persons whose minds are in accord
with righteousness and truth are proportionately surrounded by a protective
influence which shields them from the intrusion of the evil spirits. R4218:3,
R4069:2
Encampeth -- An encampment, representing a continual and abiding
presence, of divine representatives. R3441:2
Present in our midst without our
being conscious of their presence. R265:2
Present, yet invisible. A182;
R5781:5
So the Lord, at his second advent,
can be present, yet invisible. R2974:3
Round about them -- For their deliverance or protection. R4477:3, R4348:4,
R4769:3, R5634:5, R5781:5
Illustrated by the vision granted
to Elisha's servant. R3441:1, R2349:2
On the snowy curtain above the
Holy of the Tabernacle, and on every side, are pictured cherubim. R158:6 *
That fear him -- Any special supervision intimated in the Scriptures is
only for the Lord's "little ones." R3798:1
Especially deputized to watch over
and minister unto the very elect. R3441:3
Who not only will to do right, but
who do the right to the extent of their ability. R3641:4
Delivereth them -- In the way that will bring the largest measure of
blessing. R5634:5
Only those who are in covenant
relationship with God. R4769:3
Protect them, not always from the
threatening disaster, but from any injurious or evil effects therefrom. R3641:3
The angel of the Lord was as truly
with James, who was killed, as with Peter, who was delivered. The deliverance
is such as cannot always be appreciated by the natural senses; sometimes
granting sustaining strength to endure even when not delivered. R2140:5
In James' case the
"escape" was final and decisive; in Peter's case it was only
temporary. R3004:5
But it is the interest, the good,
of the New Creature that is being considered and not the interests of the
flesh. R5606:1
Psalm 34:8
O taste and see -- Of the feast now spread for the elect Gospel Church, or
of that of the Millennium for all people. R1957:6
But do not let it stop at that, as
many do. F117
Psalm 34:9
O fear the LORD -- Perfect love casts out slavish fear, but increases
reverential fear. R2986:6
The fear (reverence) of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom. R2289:4
Psalm 34:10
Any good thing -- They shall not lack anything good for them. R4731:5
Psalm 34:13
Keep thy tongue -- A warning to the world in general. A309; D68
"Speak the truth in
love." (Eph. 4:15 ) R2157:4
From speaking guile -- Our first concern, then, should be for the heart.
R1937:2
Psalm 34:14
Seek peace, and pursue -- Insisting on such rights as are reasonable and necessary
for the cause, and freely relinquishing other rights in the interest of peace.
R4407:5
Whether the great trouble be very
near or farther afield, the proper course of God's consecrated people is the
same. R5458:6
"God has called us to
peace." (1 Cor. 7:15) R2946:3
Psalm 34:15
Eyes of the LORD -- Let your child feel that your eye and God's is ever upon
him, just as we feel that God's eye is upon us. R1097:5*
His ears -- Are bowed down to hear the groaning of the prisoner.
SM623:1
Open unto their cry -- No matter how long we have walked in a blundering way.
R2147:4
Psalm 34:17
The LORD heareth -- A promise applicable to all who fulfil its conditions.
R1358:6
Let your faith grow strong by
meditation upon the promises. R5381:5*
Psalm 34:18
Broken heart -- Those discouraged and despairing, bereft of all hope.
R5862:2
A contrite spirit -- Their lowly estate in the present life is only their
necessary discipline to fit them for the glory and service of the time to come.
R2139:5*
If any violation of the golden
rule brings pain and regret it is a sure sign that it was not wilful, but
stumbled into by the flesh contrary to the desires of the spirit. F375
Psalm 34:19
Are the afflictions -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125; R1351:2 *
Trouble is not necessarily a sign
of disfavor. God permits us to have afflictions. R5879:4
Illustrated by the life of Job.
SM523:1
Psalm 34:20
Not one...is broken -- The New Testament writers clearly record the fulfilment
of this prediction. (John 19:36) A58; R1394:5, R1205:2, R1817:4
One of the many prophecies which
show that the Bible is a divine revelation. A58
Psalm 34:22
Redeemeth the soul -- Actually, death is an extinction of the soul. R3174:3
Psalm 35
Psalm 35:11
False witnesses -- All the painful circumstances of the Lord's sacrificial
death were foretold. R1205:2
Psalm 35:27
Pleasure...prosperity -- It is God's good pleasure to give the Kingdom to his
Little Flock. (Luke 12:32) R1272:6, R1781:4
Psalm 36
Psalm 36:6
Is like the great -- El, a name often applied to Jehovah. E69; R296:2
Psalm 36:8
Abundantly satisfied -- The Ancient Worthies shall be satisfied when they awake
with God's likeness as Adam had it. R613:2
Psalm 36:9
Fountain of life -- Thus it can be withdrawn by him in whom we all
"live...and have our being." (Acts 17:28) R822:2 *
In thy light -- To see any truth clearly we must look from the
standpoint of the divine revelation. F45
Psalm 37
Psalm 37:1
Fret not thyself -- The New Creature should not be distressed over
political, financial or other wrongdoings. F592
Under the Millennial order of
things right-doers are to be exalted and evildoers restrained and punished.
B138
Psalm 37:2
They shall soon be -- Verses 1 to 19 give clear prophectic testimony relative
to the Kingdom and its operation on behalf of the poor--its overthrow of
injustice and the general equalization of human affairs. B138
Cut down -- In the reign of Christ. R492:6
Psalm 37:3
Do good -- So much the more as ye see the day drawing on,
"strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees." (Isa.
35:3) R707:5
Especially when confronted with
"perils among false brethren." (2 Cor. 11:26) R4540:3
Rather earn a humbler living with
godliness and contentment and spend more time in his service, doing good unto
all as you have opportunity. R1243:3
To forward the truth and suffer
for it. R1102:5
Thou shalt be fed -- Our food and water will be sure. He will never leave nor
forsake his own. R1840:1
Naturally and spiritually. R2021:5
It is improper for saints to ask
alms. R4101:5*
Psalm 37:4
Delight thyself -- This is a step further than trusting. "I delight to
do thy will, O my God." (Psa. 40:8) R1840:1
To delight thus in the Lord is to
have the affections centered on him. R1840:2
The heart that is continually
looking for divine direction is continuously in a prayerful attitude. No other
condition is proper to the Christian. R3806:1
The desires -- If those desires are in harmony with his plan. R4983:6
Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way -- It is not sufficient that we merely place ourselves in
the hand of the Lord. R4790:1
Before becoming entangled in
multiplied cares and hampered by the outcome of our own misguided course.
R1554:2
Bring it to pass -- Their fervent prayers will avail much. R1840:4
Blessings and peace, even in the
midst of the storms of life; and eventually glory, honor and immortality
through Christ. R4506:4
Psalm 37:6
He shall bring forth -- In his own due time. R3820:3
There is likely to be in all our
affairs a time in which, if we have been misunderstood and misrepresented, the
truth will ultimately be brought forth. R2888:2
Thus we can rejoice when we are
accounted worthy of misrepresentation for his sake. R1193:4
Thy righteousness -- Thus silencing all our opposers. R1102:5, R1816:1
As the light -- Clear, cloudless and widely manifest. R5803:5
As God was ultimately glorified by
Daniel's course of letting his light shine. R3639:3
Thy judgment -- Character will, in every case, be revealed in due time
and meet its just recompense. R801:5*
Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD -- Do not make the mistake of expecting him to give you the
desires of your heart instantly. R1840:5
Wait patiently -- We must not be disappointed and allow our faith to falter
when the test of patient endurance is applied. R5802:6, R1840:5
"They that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength." (Isa. 40:31) R1840:5
Outward peace and calm are not
always the conditions best suited to our needs as New Creatures. R5803:1
Our Father has not forgotten us
when the answer to our prayers seems delayed. R5803:1
For the grand outworking of his
plan. R1070:1
Psalm 37:9
For evil doers -- All who, after coming to a clear knowledge of the truth,
still wilfully disobey it. E388
Unless they attain the spirit of
love, they will not be fit for the Kingdom, for God is love. SM230:2
From the mention of the character
of this class it is manifest that the Second Death into which they are cast is
not a death to sin, as Universalists claim. R1443:5
Shall be cut off -- During the Millennial age. A67; R492:6, R443:1; HG538:2
"From among the people"
(Acts 3:23) in the Second Death. E473; R2763:5, R1878:6, R1272:5
Because God has no pleasure in
them that love evil. R1781:3
This rule, however, does not apply
to the Gospel age. R2061:1
But those -- During the Millennial age. E240
That wait upon -- The Prince of life will use for servants the pure, the
holy, the reverent, the godly. OV91:1
Psalm 37:10
Wicked shall not be -- God tells us plainly that the nature of the everlasting
punishment of the wicked will be death, destruction. R2607:3
Contrary to the teachings of
Universalism. R3083:6
It is merciful on God's part to
destroy the incorrigibly wicked. R3083:6
Psalm 37:11
Meek shall inherit -- Not yet. Today they seldom even get a good slice of it.
CR493:5
In the reign of Christ. R492:6
Of peace -- "God has called us to peace." (1Cor. 7:15)
God's Word has many messages on peace. R2946:3
Psalm 37:16
Little that a righteous -- The Christian does not strive as anxiously as others for
his full rights and full share of present blessings. R1245:2
Psalm 37:20
Wicked shall perish -- All who, after coming to a clear knowledge of the truth,
wilfully disobey it. R1878:6
Suffer the loss of everlasting
life and all of its privileges, joys and blessings. E388
Perish does not mean preserve.
SM521:T
"All the wicked will he
destroy." (Psa. 145:20) R2607:3, R891:5
We do not find one verse in the
Bible saying that the wicked can have life in torment or in any other
condition. R2607:3, R1039:6
Psalm 37:23
The steps -- Walking in the right paths. R4628:6, R3155:6
"The Lord knoweth the way of
the righteous." (Psa.1:6) R3155:6
Of a good man -- A righteous man, reconciled to God through the death of
his Son. R4628:6, R3156:1
Are ordered -- The Lord will surely direct the path of such. R5711:5,
R4628:6
Especially in respect to the
service of the truth. R3157:2
Sometimes in sending financial or
social disappointments or sickness to bring back his wandering sheep. R3157:2
The providence of God over his
sons is a very particular providence. R1561:2
Therefore, the Christian should
never view any experience as being lucky or unlucky. R4628:6
God does not arbitrarily interfere
in the affairs of his people, set aside their free agency, and force them to
move as mere machines. R3156:5
We must scrutinize the
circumstances of life, lest that which is only a device of Satan be mistaken
for the providence of God, and an indication of his will. R614:2,3
By the LORD -- Who exercises supervision over his individual affairs.
R3155:6
And he delighteth -- Because of confidence in God's love and wisdom. R2762:6
In his way -- In God's way; because, be it ever so thorny, narrow and
rocky, he knows the end is best. R2762:6
Psalm 37:24
Though he fall -- The feet class. R1268:2
Err in judgment and bring upon
himself the consequences of his error. R3156:6
The noblest characters you have
ever known in the racecourse have made failures at times. CR153:1
A just man will not fall into sin.
The very most that could happen to him would be to stumble. R5218:3
While all the Bride will not fall
with Babylon, yet some, really children of God, will fall, yet not be utterly
cast down. R177:5
He shall not be -- But, in due time, by constant effort, be able at least
measurably to overcome the weaknesses of his nature. R628:5*
Utterly cast down -- Which would mean Second Death. CR153:1; R3157:5
LORD upholdeth him -- By making his blunders and weaknesses react so as to
establish him in righteousness and fit him for joint-heirship in the Kingdom.
R3156:6, R5218:3
With his hand -- He will not let go of us as long as we are striving to
walk in his way. R3157:5
His hand is still held by the
Lord. R3157:4
Psalm 37:25
The righteous forsaken -- The Lord's children and work will get along without us;
but a loss of opportunity and blessing will be sustained by us if we do not
assist. R548:3,4
Begging bread -- Each has confidence regarding the bread, water and plain
clothing. What they fear is the loss of some of the comforts, the luxuries that
God has not guaranteed us. R832:5
Does not exclude the providing of
means for their deliverance. R1963:1 *
The Lord may provide through their
own industry, through the generosity of friends, or by public provision.
R2021:5
Accepting proffered help is not
begging. R2021:5
It is improper for saints to ask
alms. R4101:5*
Psalm 37:31
Is in his heart -- Symbolized by the breastplate's being bound to the High
Priest's heart. R72:1
None of his steps -- The Word of God furnishes principles, precepts, and
examples broad enough to indicate the Lord's will in the minutest affairs of
life. R614:4
Psalm 37:35
Seen the wicked -- At the present evil time. CR493:4; HG538:3
In great power -- It is seldom indeed that God visits punishment upon the
world in the present time. He has appointed a day in which he will judge the
world by Christ Jesus. R569:5
Spreading himself -- During the time in which evil has been permitted. A68;
R492:3
Psalm 38
Psalm 38:3
No soundness -- We are all enslaved to the extent that we have these imperfections.
CR429:3
Psalm 39
Psalm 39:1
I will take heed -- If our ways please the Lord our utterances will be
right. R4804:3
With my tongue -- The tongue is potent in its influence, beyond any other
member of the body, for either good or evil. R4805:1, R4804:6
Thereby we may honor God, or
blaspheme him. R4804:3
In the unregenerate the tongue is
a fire, stimulating all the fallen passions. R4805:2
The perfect mastery of our words
is to be sought by vigilant, faithful effort. R4805:2
To utter an injurious remark
against another, and then to add, "I do not know whether it is true or
not," is to show that the speaker is exercised by an evil spirit. R2444:6
Keep my mouth -- To the end that, when we speak, our speech may be with
grace, seasoned with salt, and that under all circumstances we may speak as the
oracles of God. R1937:6
Satan and his angels are seeking
to subvert the Lord's people and catch them in their words. R5518:2
With a bridle -- A restraint, a controlling influence. R4804:3
While the wicked -- The wicked one, who tempts and tries the righteous.
R1937:4, R5518:2
The evilly inclined of the world,
and those with a knowledge of the Lord who are in opposition to him. R4804:6
Psalm 39:2
Dumb with silence -- The safest attitude for a saint when being tried.
R1937:5
Even from good -- From doing or saying what seemed good in my own sight.
R1937:5
Psalm 39:3
The fire burned -- A fiery trial. R1937:5
Psalm 39:4
Measure of my days -- However vexing our experiences, they will soon be over.
R1937:5
How frail I am -- Realizing the vanity of all earthly things, and their
inability to satisfy or comfort, and that our days are but as a handbreadth.
R1937:5
Psalm 39:11
Like a moth -- When sin deprived humanity of the right to life,
immediately the jewel began to lose its perfection of brilliancy and beauty.
R279:1
"Yea, man giveth up the ghost
(life) and where is he?" (Job 14:10) A209
Psalm 39:12
And a sojourner -- A law-abiding, tax-paying alien, looking for protection
under the laws, but not compelled to fight against the rightful king. F594
Psalm 40
Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently -- Pray perseveringly. R5381:2*
Psalm 40:2
He brought me up -- By the "arm of the Lord" Christ Jesus. (Isa.
53: 1) E418
A testimony to be proclaimed
publicly by all in their lives and conversation. Q514:4
An horrible pit -- The pit of condemnation, sin and death. R3000:6; OV308:3
Depth of confusion. R287:6
Out of the miry clay -- Of personal sin. R1673:1
My feet upon a rock -- Christ and his redemptive work. R3000:6
Especially applicable to the feet
members of Christ being established on the rock of truth. R287:6, R757:5
Established my goings -- Established my feet of faith upon the rock foundation.
R3000:6
Our course no longer vacillating.
R3000:6
Psalm 40:3
Hath put a new song -- Of divine justice, mercy and love, reasonable and
harmonious in its every cadence. R3001:1
"The song of Moses and the
Lamb." (Rev. 15:3) R3998:6; C237
Now sung by those who can exercise
faith in the Lord, but its complete fulfilment will be in the Millennial age.
R3999:1
In my mouth -- What further commission is needed for every member of
the New Creation to preach. F295
Psalm 40:4
The LORD his trust -- "This is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith." (1 John 5:4) R3064:6
Psalm 40:5
Thy wonderful works -- Thy kindness towards us already performed. R3000:6
And thy thoughts -- Thy plans, purposes, promises for the future. R3000:6
Cannot be reckoned -- "Neither count I my life dear unto me." (Acts
20:24) R3001:3
"I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." (Phil. 3:8)
R3001:4
"Count it all joy when ye
fall into divers temptations." (Jas. 1:2) R3001:4
"I reckon that the sufferings
of the present time are not worthy to be compared." (Rom. 8:18) R3001:5
"I thank Jesus Christ, who
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry." (1 Tim. 1:12) R3001:6
"That ye may be counted
worthy of the Kingdom for which ye also suffer." (2 Thes. 1:5) R3002:2
Psalm 40:6
Thou didst not desire -- The finest bullock could not take away sin. A perfect
man had sinned. Only a perfect man could redeem the sinner. SM660:1
These were not the end of God's
desire or intention; he had in mind the better sacrifices of Christ and the
Church. Q611:4
Psalm 40:7
Then said I -- Christ Jesus, at the time of his baptism. F437
Lo, I come -- At age 30 Jesus offered himself as the antitypical
bullock of the sin-offering. R5128:2, R4969:6
Our Lord made a covenant of death
at that moment, which required the succeeding three and a half years to
accomplish. HG602:2
Representing in the consecration
of the priesthood (Lev. 8) by the offering on the altar of the fat and parts of
the life-producing organs as a sweet savor unto the Lord. T42
Volume of the book -- The Law and the Prophets. CR400:4
At consecration, Jesus offered to
do everything written in the book, though he did not then know all that was
therein written. R5086:1, R5165:4
What book? The book of the divine
will, represented in Revelation by the scroll written on the inside and
outside, sealed with seven seals. Also the books of the Old Testament. Q182:1
Submitting himself to everything
that was written in the book. R5085:3, R5264:2; Q36:7
We must also be willing to do
everything written in the book. R5447:1
His consecration went beyond the
moral law and embraced everything that God had written prophetically. R5165:4
Psalm 40:8
I delight -- "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall
give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psa. 37:4) R1840:1
Jesus was willingly delivered up
to die; every talent and power was offered up as a sacrifice to God in the
carrying out of the divine plan, whatever that might involve. SM644:3; CR401:1
Jesus came not for exaltation, but
from a delight to do the Father's will. R5375:2, R5186:3
To have the affections centered in
him, to see in God the fountain of all goodness and truth. R1840:2
We must all come to that point or
we cannot be his disciples. CR322:6; R4462:5; CR469:4; R5269:6, R3021:3
How important patient, cheerful
endurance seems to be in the light of the Word. R4910:5, R5650:6
Willing service, not compulsion.
CR489:4
Not merely a willingness to do the
Lord's will under restraint, but of a willing heart. R3609:1
Jesus had pleasure in
self-abasement. R3885:5
The pleasure of an ideal life.
R2694:6*
Not taking pleasure in turning,
twisting and endeavoring to avoid the force of that Word, but seeking to
conform thereto. R2649:1
Delight to surrender and sacrifice
our own wills. R3237:2
Such desire is necessary before we
can be, in any sense of the word, pleasing or acceptable to him. R4596:5
Endurance in an impatient or
unhappy state of mind cannot be pleasing to God. R4910:5
So that his will is not grievous
to us. R4277:4
The language of love, the language
of the heart. SM283:T, F452
To do thy will -- Christ Jesus, highly exalted as he is, delights to
acknowledge the headship of Jehovah. R765:2*, R920:4, R1075:3*; SM492:3;
OV307:T, We know that God's will is best whether we understand it or not.
R5843:6
God was specially, and more
particularly, manifest in the flesh of Jesus when he presented himself to John
at Jordan. (1 Tim. 3:16) R5291:5
Our first battle should be to gain
the consent and full cooperation of our wills with the divine Word. R4062:3
Consecration to God will ensure a
searching of his plan revealed in his Word, that we may be able to spend and be
spent for him, in harmony with his revealed plan. T119
In accordance with the Father's
will; NOT in obedience to the Father's law. R4591:2
He left the dignity of the chief
place on the spirit plane and came prepared to face death to carry out the
Father's will. R5846:6, R5085:3, R5022:6; Q212:4
Our service must not be rendered
to obtain the reward. We must seek to know the divine will and to obey it.
R4836:4, R5648:4, R5431:6
Yea, thy law -- The Law, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, mind, being and strength." (Mark 12:30) F356
He sees more than merely,
"Thou shalt," "Thou shalt not." He sees things from God's
standpoint. He sees the principles of God's character which govern the
universe. R5277:5
All under it must love God
supremely. F356
That which condemns all
imperfection. T35
Is within my heart -- In the midst of. R5085:5
Is my pleasure. In the type, the
breastplate of judgment, representing the Law, was worn upon Aaron's heart,
Aaron typifying Christ. T35; R72:4
A part of the Christian's daily
business is to engrave in his character, in his heart, more and more deeply the
laws of the Lord. R3609:2
Moses carried the Law to the
people in his hands; Christ carries the law to the people in his heart.
R1322:5*
Psalm 41
Psalm 41:1
In time of trouble -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125
Psalm 41:9
Own familiar friend -- Judas. R3760:2
Eat of my bread -- One who partook of the same supper, common hospitality.
R4906:6
Trials from "brethren,"
some of whom were only weak, and one false at heart, must have been the sorest
among our Lord's experiences. R3820:3
Lifted up his heel -- The Lord quoted this prophecy, but it did not move Judas
to change his course. R4906:6
A radical change from an attitude
of love and friendship to an attitude of bitterness and enmity is not an
instantaneous, but a gradual, work. R4234:4
Psalm 41:13
From everlasting -- From all eternity, without any beginning. E86
Psalm 42
Psalm 42:1
After the water brooks -- "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the
waters (the refreshing waters of divine truth)." (Isa. 55:1) R1936:1
So panteth my soul -- With increasing appreciation of spiritual blessings
comes a more ardent longing for more and more fellowship with God, and more
intense longings after holiness. R2123:5
Hungering and thirsting for
righteousness. (Matt. 5:6) R5163:6
After thee -- Not only after truth with a curiosity interest, but
after that righteousness which comes through a knowledge of the truth. R1936:1
Psalm 42:5
Art thou cast down -- "Perfect love casteth out fear." (1
John 4:18) R1906:2
Hope thou in God -- As the eagle soars above the storm cloud, live at such
an altitude of Christian experience as to enable you to rejoice in the Lord
always, and in everything to give thanks. R1906:2
Psalm 43
Psalm 43:3
Unto thy holy hill -- The heavenly phase of the Kingdom of God. D582
Psalm 44
Psalm 44:3
And thine arm -- The power of Jehovah; in highest matters, Jesus. E47
Psalm 44:14
Makest us a byword -- Since the Jews' rejection of Messiah, since their house
was left desolate, Israel has had no marks of God's favor--their tears, groans,
and prayers have gone unanswered. B216
Psalm 44:22
All the day -- The Gospel age. R5173:4
Psalm 45
Psalm 45:1
The king -- The Lord, after being invested with Kingdom authority.
SM55:1
Psalm 45:2
Thou art fairer -- In his earthly life. HG448:3
He had proven purity of heart and
absolute loyalty to the Father. SM55:1
Grace is poured -- "Let your speech be always with grace (with
manifest love and kindness), seasoned with salt (a purifying and preservative
influence)." (Col. 4:6) R1937:3
Into thy lips -- The grace of our Lord's lips is manifest to us in the
message which he left. SM55:1
"Never man spake like this
man." (John 7:46) "All bear him witness and wondered at the gracious
words that proceeded out of his mouth." (Luke 4:22) R1937:2
Blessed thee for ever -- Jesus' exaltation is perpetual; far above angels and
powers and every name. SM56:T
Psalm 45:3
Gird thy sword -- Make ready for the Day of Vengeance. D549
The sword of Messiah is the truth,
and with it he shall smite the nations. R774:2
Divine knowledge as it shall go
forth in due time for the binding of Satan and the liberating of all the slaves
of sin and death. SM56:1
Thy majesty -- The establishment of Messiah's Kingdom with power, great
glory, and majesty. R5493:6; SM56:1
Messiah's triumph in the
Millennial age. SM440:1
Psalm 45:4
Ride prosperously -- Prophetic of Jesus in his glorified condition. CR164:2
The saints also ride upon white
horses (pure doctrines). R774:6
Because of truth -- The lessons of "right" (righteousness), the
necessity of equity and fairness in their dealings with one another, is being
forced upon every one--nations and individuals. R774:2
And righteousness -- A reign of force. SM56:1
Thy right hand -- Thy power. CR164:2; SM57:1
Terrible things -- There will be a terrible time of trouble. CR164.2;
SM57:1
Psalm 45:5
Thine arrows -- Words of divine truth shall enter in and show the whole
world just where they are, and shall cut them to the heart. (See Acts 2:37)
CR164:4, CR51:4; SM51:T, SM53:T, SM440:1; R5493:6
The sharp truths and righteous
judgments of the Lord which shall prevail during the Millennial age. HG270:3
Are sharp -- "Sharper than any two-edged sword." (Heb.
4:12) R3726:6
King's enemies -- Hosts of error. R5493:6; CR164:2; SM52:1
The people fall -- In submission to the Kingdom. SM60:2
A picture of the conversion of the
heathen. CR51:4; SM440:1
The slaughter of the hosts of
error will mean a great blessing, for the Lord smites to heal. R5493:6; HG270:3
Every knee must bow and every
tongue confess. (Rom. 14:11) HG448:3
Those who fall before him in
obedience and reverence to his scepter of righteousness will the soonest be
blessed and exalted by the King of glory, while those who oppose his scepter
are counted his enemies and shall fall before his sharp arrows. R774:3
Under thee -- To confess and adore him. SM60:2
Psalm 45:6
O God -- Given of God (Leeser). R774:1
The sceptre -- The right to rule. B83
Psalm 45:7
Lovest righteousness -- Only those who learn to love what is right will have
life on any plane. A303; SM65:3; OV202:1
Hatest wickedness -- In equity, injustice; the very opposite of love.
SM395:T, R5125:1
All brethren of the Lord Jesus
must take the same stand regarding sin, especially sin in ourselves. R5702:5
We should hate the wrong but not
the individual who does the wrong. R5125:2
Not like Balaam, double-minded,
not reliable in every way. R5323:1
We should not become more loving
than the Lord. We want to love just what he loves and hate what he hates.
R4909:6
Thy God -- The mighty one above even thee. R354:1
Anointed thee -- We have received of the anointing under our Lord.
CR436:1
The oil of gladness -- The holy Spirit. F132; R5654:5
The holy joy of our Lord, and the
holy prospects which sustained him in his sacrificing, laying down his life.
R5847:1
Above thy fellows -- As David was chosen over his older brothers. R4210:4
As head over the Royal
Priesthood--his fellows. F132; CR435:6; T37
Above the angels, above the
Church, making him head over all things. SM434:2
Psalm 45:8
Smell of myrrh -- Symbol of wisdom. R4093:2*
Psalm 45:9
Thy right hand -- The place of favor. R354:1
The queen -- The Bride of Christ, the true Church. R1944:1; OV255:5
In gold of Ophir -- Clothed in the glory, honor and immortality of the
divine (gold) nature. R354:1, R1944:1
Psalm 45:10
Hearken, O daughter -- Daughter of Jehovah, not of Christ. E49; R385:1*
The Church, espoused to Christ.
CR39:2
Was ever a proposal of marriage couched
in more delicate and beautiful phrase? R1494:6
And consider -- That present life is brief, and that we have the
opportunity to sacrifice it for eternal life in the future. HG450:3
Incline thine ear -- Give attention to Jehovah's instructions; search the
Scriptures and learn of him. R354:2, R458:3
Forget -- By becoming so enchanted with future prospects as to be
almost oblivious to the things of this present time, except as to "things
needful." R4090:4
Thine own people -- Earthly friendships. R1386:5, R1318:2 *
Thy father's house -- The human nature. R1386:5
The world--its vanities, smiles,
frowns, praises and scorn. R354:2, R1141:5
Adam's house, the world in
general. R1494:6; CR39:2
The human relationships, the
ambitions, hopes and aims of the children of Adam. C193; R5862:5
Psalm 45:11
So shall the king -- The Lord Jesus. R5862:5; C193; E49
Greatly desire -- Have respect only to his approval, his smile, his
praise, and his frown. R354:2
Although the whole family in
heaven and earth will be blessed through him, only his wife, cooperating with
him, will be his companion, confidante and treasure. R5862:5
Thy beauty -- Of character, of heart loyalty. R5862:5, R1554:3
Thou art beautiful already in his
eves, for he looks upon the heart and reads its loyalty to him. R1141:5
"The ornament of a meek and
quiet spirit." (1 Pet. 3:4) R1820:6, R5862:6
For he is thy Lord -- Adon, not Jehovah. E49
Worship thou him -- Our Lord, while on earth, was really worshipped, and
properly so. R2337:3; E72
Psalm 45:12
Daughter of Tyre -- The strong ones of earth. C193
Shall be there -- During the Millennium. C193
Psalm 45:13
The king's daughter -- Jehovah's daughter, the Bride of Christ. C193; CR8:3,
CR39:2, CR101:5; Q436:2; R5865:5
Pictured by Asenath, wife of
Joseph. R2888:5
Is all glorious -- With the beauty of holiness. C193; CR217:1
Not merely a glory of office, but
an inherent and eternal glory as we11. CR39:2, CR8:3
Within -- Not to the vision of the natural man. C193
Her clothing is -- Will be, when she is glorified. C193
Of wrought gold -- immortality--the divine nature. T18; C193; CR217:2,
CR253:5, CR39:2, CR8:3, R2161:5; SM727:1
Psalm 45:14
She -- The Little Flock. Q106:3; R4655:1, R4973:6
Brought -- Led--all through the Gospel age, from grace to grace.
SM254:1
Unto the king -- The Bride's exaltation to Plane K of the chart will come
when the Heavenly Bridegroom shall present his Bride complete before the
Heavenly Father. R5060:5; Q53:4
The intimation is that after the
Church has experienced her change she will be absent from the earth for a while
and will be brought into the presence of Jehovah, the great King. R5181:6,
R4973:6
In raiment -- The simple white robe of her Lord's own furnishing.
C193; R5197:6; HG449:3
There is a difference between her
imputed robe and the one she will wear when she is changed. HG449:5
Represented by the seamless robe
of Christ. R2788:3,4
Of needlework -- The beautiful adornments of the Christian graces. C193;
R5181:6, R2782:6; CR217:2; SM259:1; HG449:4, HG180:5
As Peter expresses it, she is to
"add to her faith" the various Christian graces. (2 Pet. 1:5) R458:2
Painstaking endeavor to fix and
establish in their robes the glorious pattern outlined by the Lord. SM254:2,
SM205:3; R5197:6, R2161:6; CR253:4; Q159:1
Painstaking embroidery of actual righteousness.
R1494:6
Every stitch must be taken
carefully, painstakingly. Each feature of the outline must be carefully
studied. HG449:6
The virgins -- The five "foolish virgins." (Matt. 25:2) C192;
F128; R5232:2; CR101:5; Q300:1, Q437:T
Though foolish, they are,
nevertheless, virgins. Q296:T
Her companions -- The Great Company are to be companions of, and ministers
to, the Church. F121; R5394:3, R4655:1, R3869:2; Q436:2
Typified by the damsels that
accompanied Rebecca. R4761:1; F171; R428:4; Q304:2; SM205:3
They neglected the work on the
garment; they lacked zeal. SM260:T, R4648:1, R5023:2, R5656:2, R4855:2, R4921:4
The Great Company is part of the
household, part of the Church of the first-born. Q304:2; R4761:1, R4875:3
Bridesmaids. R5865:3
In olden custom, the father would
present the wife with a maidservant, who would accompany her mistress and would
necessarily be associated with her. R4655:2
Though companions, there will be a
very great difference in the degrees of glory. R458:1
They will never be sharers of the
Bride's portion. R2764:4, R5232:2, R4036:1
They are also invited to the
marriage supper. Q229:2, Q106:2
Also represented by Benjamin.
R4437:1, R5232:2,6
That follow her -- At the fall of Babylon they will be fully set free from
the timidity that has restrained them, and be glad to acclaim the Bride.
Eventually, they will be invited to the marriage supper. R4647:6
Shall be brought -- As soon as they have all finished their course. Q314:4
They shall also be brought into
the presence of the King. Q161:T, Q106:3; CR62:6; SM727:1, SM326:T
The Great Company shall be honored
also, though less highly than the Bride, by the King. R828:5; HG450:1; SM727:1
Psalm 45:15
And rejoicing -- Finally delivered from Babylon, with rejoicing. R4079:6*
After they have passed through
their great tribulation. R2162:1
Shall they -- The Bride, all glorious, shall be presented to the great
King, the Father, by the great King, his Son. R4148:5
The Great Company--after severe
testings, and after having lost the chiefest blessing. F128
They shall enter -- "The virgins, her companions," as guests at
the great supper. After the marriage they will enjoy the feast with the royal
family. R343:6, R3834:5
The king's palace -- By an instantaneous resurrection to perfect spiritual
conditions. F707
Psalm 45:16
Instead of -- Instead of being any longer considered. D625; R5199:4;
Q751:T, R4715:3, R5074:1
Thy fathers -- Messiah's progenitors--the Ancient Worthies, the
Patriarchs. E142; R5199:4, R4555:2, R1006:5, R354:2,4; Q750:4; SM733:1, SM397:1
The faithful among Israel who
earnestly endeavored, in their weakness, to keep God's covenant. B207
These men, great in faith and
obedience to God, will be known to the Jews as "the fathers."
OV321:5; F128; D628
Developed by the Law covenant.
Q196:1
Be thy children -- They will be the first-born children of the
"Everlasting Father," the Messiah. R4535:4, R4321:2, R5199:4,
R4990:5, R4555:2, R3245:5; CR104:2; OV46:T
Instead of Christ's roots, they
shall be his branches. R809:6
The father of Messiah in the flesh
will become the son of Messiah in glory. R4687:5
But not of the father's (divine)
nature. To be a father does not imply that the children will partake of the
father's nature. R354:5
Typified by Kohath, on the
Church's right hand, their closest of kin. F129
Whom thou mayest -- By an instantaneous resurrection to perfect human
conditions. F707
Eventually to be made sharers of
the spirit nature and become members of the Great Company class. R5182:4
Make princes -- Examples of perfect manhood, leaders of the people.
R4990:5, R5344:4
Perfect on the earthly plane, made
princes amongst men. R3937:2, R5810:1 R4836:4, R5189:5
Chief ones, captains. F707; D625;
R5074:1, R4555:3, R5199:5, R4930:6, R5031:1; SM733:1
Fleshly representatives of the
Kingdom. E78; C257; R4535:4, R4974:2, R5344:4, R5505:4, R5836:3, R4715:2;
OV56:4; CR104:2; SM402:1
The agents of the Kingdom's
judgments and the channel of its blessings. T109, R5241:4, R5836:3, R5182:2;
SM191:T, OV96:2
Representatives of the invisible
Messiah and his Bride, backed by their full power and authority. R5189:5
The seen representatives of God's
Kingdom, while Christ and the Church, the real spiritual leaders, will be
unseen. R1872:5
As perfect men they will be the
superiors and natural leaders of the world. R1872:5
The princes who will execute
judgment will all be Israelitish and all perfect men--tried and approved of
God. OV321:5; R5809:6
To them, first, will be drawn the
Jews. OV109:1, OV116:3; F178
Israel's polity will be restored
under these princes or judges. (Isa. 1:26) A294
Representing Israel when the
blessings of the New covenant will be poured upon them. OV119:3,4
So recognized by Israel and all
nations. R1904:2
A remnant of fleshly Israel shall
join with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who will then be princes, in constituting
a nucleus of a holy nation. R2860:5
Inheritors of the earthly phase of
the Kingdom. R4072:1, R5964:3
When Christ, as King, appoints
those resurrected and perfect men as the rulers, exemplars, and teachers of
men. R1157:1
Being resurrected perfect men,
they will be the perfect images of God. In each one of these Ancient Worthies
God will be manifested in the flesh. R5291:3
Presumably they will have a great
work of instruction to do for the rest of humanity. R5182:2
In contrast, the Church will be a
Kingdom of priests, a Royal Priesthood. R5859:3
"Out of Zion shall go forth
the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isa. 2:3) R5293:4
Only the merciful of the Ancient
Worthies will share with Abraham in dispensing the divine favors to mankind as
"princes in all the earth." R2857:5, R3947:5
Represented by Moses on the Mount
of Transfiguration. R3794:3
"A king shall reign in
righteousness and princes shall rule in judgment" --to act as magistrates
(Young). (Isa 32:1) R354:5
Administrators of the law. OV184:4
Intermediaries between the
spiritual Kingdom, the saints, and their subjects, mankind. D619, D626, D629;
CR117:1
Typified by the veil that Moses
wore at Mt. Sinai. D630
The contrasting standard of
perfection that men must recognize in the Kingdom. F717
Like the ashes of the red heifer
(Num. 19), the results of the painful experiences of the Ancient Worthies will
be a store of blessings, instructions and help in the restitution work. T111,
T112
The "reward" that he
gives to "his servants, the prophets." (Rev. 11:18) R5567:5; F119
Not likely to be as many as
144,000. Q606:1
In these Christ will be
manifested, in their flesh, even as the Father was manifested in his flesh.
B136
In all the earth -- The nation of Israel will be the first to respond to
this standard of the Lord thus set up. R2983:1
Psalm 46
Psalm 46:T
A Song -- The utterance of the faith of Israel's faithful ones in
the time of Jacob's trouble. R302:6*
Psalm 46:1
God Is our refuge -- The antitype of Israel's cities of refuge. R3093:1
The Church's refuge and
protection. A323; D158
Justice is the avenger of sin and
Christ is the refuge and deliverance. R3093:5
All of these blessings are of the
Father, through the Son. R3093:5
And strength -- "In the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."
(Isa. 26:4) R1787:3
In trouble -- The great storm of trouble at the close of this age in
which Babylon will go down, like a millstone cast into the sea. R5058:6
Which will entirely change the
present construction of society. R5059:1
Psalm 46:2
Will not we fear -- Because we have made the Lord our refuge and habitation.
CR18:3; R5059:1
Because we are waiting for and
expecting thus to see Messiah's heavenly Kingdom introduced. R879:6
Knowing that, at the same time,
our redemption draweth nigh. R1379:4
The saints rejoice and are restful
of heart while others lament and weep. R5989:5
Nor will we, if permitted to
remain even until they sink into the midst of the sea. R845:4*
Though the earth -- The trouble upon the earth (society) will not reach its
intensity until the shaking of the heavens (ecclesiasticism) has broken the
fetters of superstition, plunging the masses into skepticism and infidelity.
R1308:4
When the present organization of
society. A323; C229; D46
Be removed -- Unsettled, disorganized and overthrown. A323; C229; D46;
CR18:3
Not until the servants of God are
"sealed in their foreheads." (Rev. 7:3) R1863:2
When newspapers and banks,
politicians and everybody, will be lost, and every man's hand will be against
his neighbor. HG480:5
Psalm 46 seems to give a complete
picture of the seventh plague of Revelation. R511:4
And though -- And when. A323
The mountains -- Kingdoms, autocratic governments. A323; C229; D46, D551;
SM320:3; R4990:2, R5059:1
As mountains and hills tower above
the earth, they aptly symbolize the civil powers of earth. R716:2*
While kingdoms (mountains) shall
give place to republics (islands), so the islands in due time shall also flee
away. (Rev. 16:20) R511:4
Be carried into -- Signifies the overwhelming of a government in a revolutionary
uprising of the masses. R816:1, R686:2,3
Others will melt with fervent
heat. (Psa. 97:5) R815:6, R4573:1
Are swept into. A323
By a great tidal wave. R5364:1,
R5863:6; SM320:3
The midst of the sea -- Lawless, ungovernable masses. A323; C229; D46, D551,
D596; R5364:1, R5863:6, R1489:4; Q842:2
Anarchy, which will swallow up the
false systems. R5478:2, R4772:3, R5059:1; SM320:3
The great waves (Luke 21:25) of
nihilism, communism, socialism and anarchism are sweeping with irresistible
force against the bulwarks of present institutions. Q841:4
Babylon is to be "cast as a
great millstone into the sea." (Jer. 51:62-64; Rev. 18:21) R5478:3
Psalm 46:3
Waters thereof roar -- Become infuriated. A323
And be troubled -- With the disputing of contending factions. C229; HG401:6
With retributive and purgatorial
troubles. R1470:3
Though the mountains -- The kingdoms. C229; D45
Shake -- By terrible revolutions. D551
Tremble for fear and insecurity.
C229; R1489:4
He shakes and sifts because he
would separate the many who have assumed the name of Christ, but who are not
truly his people. R1307:6
With the swelling -- The threatening and rising power. C229
Psalm 46:4
There is a river -- The river of salvation. CR18:5
A river of truth. R686:4
Illustrated by the Niagara River.
R4066:4,5
The river of the water of life
which will flow during the Millennial age from the glorified New Jerusalem, the
Church. R2508:3,5
Shall make glad -- But not rejoicing in its own security, regardless of the
woes of others. R686:5
The city of God -- The Kingdom of God, the Church, even in its present
hampered condition. C229; CR18:5; R686:4
The holy place -- The Church, the Sanctuary. C229
It is not the Kingdom set up and
glorified, else it would be represented as in the Most Holy. R686:4
Of the tabernacles -- The dwelling place. C229
Psalm 46:5
The midst of her -- The true Church. A323
The center of our interests is our
great Advocate. R5306:2
She -- The Church, the Bride of Christ. R3259:3
Shall not be moved -- Not exempted from the shakings, but not moved by them.
R3053:1
Earthquakes cannot dissolve the
relationship subsisting between the Lord and his faithful; they are preserved
by the peace of God ruling in their hearts. HG401:6
There is no saint of God so weak
as not to be able abundantly to stand, even in this evil day, if he is only
loyal and faithful to God. R1318:6*
Because her faith is established,
not in ignorance and credulity, but in the Word of God. F592
"That those things which
cannot be shaken may remain." (Heb. 12:27) R3053:2; CR18:5
Help her -- Rescue her from her toil, weariness and peril. R2650:5
Deliver, "change." (1
Cor. 15:51, 52) R4133:5
And that right early -- The morning brings with it deliverance from danger,
victory over enemies, peace to the nations, and the renewal of earth, by the
establishment of Messiah's glorious throne. R303:1 *
Just as in the morning watch he
looked out from the fiery cloud and troubled the Egyptians. R303:1*
When the morning appeareth the
saints will be changed in the first resurrection. C230; R5567:6
"When the morning
appeareth." (margin) What a morning! -- Resurrection for the Church,
restoration for Israel, restitution for the earth! R303:1 *, R2064:3
At the dawning of her morning,
when she has passed through her nighttime in which "no man can work,"
(John 9:4) and has been ushered into glory. Her morning is to precede the
Millennial morning. C230; A323; E437
In the morning of the Millennial
day. R1832:5, R3701:4, R2973:3, R2759:5
The morning is already dawning.
CR18:6
Earlier in the morning than others
not winners of the prize of the high calling. R2109:5, R2504:4; HG745:3
As Israel's deliverance did not
come in the night in which the Passover was eaten, but in the morning which
followed it. R2918:3
As Jesus was raised -- "very early in the morning." (Luke 24:1)
R3375:3
As Jesus came to the disciples in
the midst of the storm in the fourth watch of the night. (Matt. 14:25) R2650:5
Psalm 46:6
Uttered his voice -- "The voice of the archangel." (1 Thes. 4:16)
B147
Assumed command. B147
God will speak "Peace"
in tones that will shake not only the earth (social structure), but also the
heavens (ecclesiasical structure). R2515:2
The earth melted -- Organized society disintegrated, the systems of error
going down. B147; A323
Psalm 46:8
Desolations -- Divine wrath. SM188:1
He wounds to heal. R1869:3
He hath made -- Truth on every subject, however, or by whomsoever
uttered, is the voice of God. R686:6
"Behold, the Lord maketh the
earth empty, and maketh it waste." (Isa. 24:1) R686:6
Psalm 46:9
Maketh wars to cease -- By the "desolations" of verse 8. The nations
will be so satiated with bloodshed that they will willingly turn and seek for
purity and peace. R35:2*, R269:1, R532:3
With the crisis of its trouble,
the world will be saved from its own madness by the establishment of Messiah's
Kingdom. R5852:2
By subduing all classes and
enforcing principles of righteousness in the Millennium. A333; E372
In the fire -- In the destruction of the time of trouble. D528
Psalm 46:10
Be still -- "After the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings
19:12) R3414:6, R2334:5
The time of trouble will paralyze
the whole world. Q204:9
Desist from your former ways, O
people. A323
God's message to babbling,
clamorous, self -assertive humanity in the time of trouble. D637; B78
Out of the wild commotion of that
stormy sea, God will bring order and peace. R3114:1
Applicable to the Church now.
R687:1
Those who bid their own wills and
prejudices to be still are learning now, from God's Word, the blessed truth.
R687:4
And know -- Come to the knowledge. A323
After the trouble the Lord will
command the nations to be still and recognize him as God. R5364:1
Then the preparatory work will be
accomplished, and the proper work of the new Kingdom may begin. R763:5
I am God -- That the Lord's Anointed has taken the dominion.
R1095:1, R1423:2, R1715:1
I will be exalted -- The only true basis of peace is righteousness. SM606:2;
CR114:5
Among the heathen -- Rich and poor of every nation shall gradually be made
aware of the changed conditions, and all lovers of righteousness will rejoice.
SM456:T
Therefore the heathen cannot be
going to an everlasting hell. R870:4*
Exalted In the earth -- In the new order or arrangement of society. A324
After 6000 years of human pride
and boasting. R2145:6
Psalm 47
Psalm 47:T
A Psalm -- Probably written for the occasion of the bringing of the
Ark to Jerusalem. R4297:1
Psalm 47:3
Subdue the people -- Forcibly. B101
Not a peaceable conversion of the
nations. B101
The work of subduing and ruling
the nations with a rod of iron does not commence until the sounding of the
seventh trumpet at the end of the Gospel age. HG13:5
Psalm 48
Psalm 48:2
Is mount Zion -- The heavenly phase of the Kingdom of God. R3647:2; A295
God's agency. Dviii The reward of
The Christ. R5711:2
Sides of the north -- The great eminence which Lucifer sought, that he might
"sit upon the sides of the north," (Isa. 14:13) will be granted as a
reward to The Christ. R5711:2
The city -- The New Jerusalem. A295
Psalm 48:6
A woman in travail -- The troubles of the Day of the Lord are but the labor
pains of the old, as the new dispensation is ushered into existence. R621:2
Psalm 48:9
Of thy temple -- The Christ. T70
Psalm 48:14
Be our guide -- Ask him to guide you, with no will of your own, no
choice as to the pathway. R590:5
Psalm 49
Psalm 49:T
A Psalm -- These are Christ's words, as proven by the quotation of
verse 4 in Matt. 13:35. R302:6*
Psalm 49:7
None of them -- None born of Adam, the contaminated fountain. R5972:1,
R777:1,2, R1247:4; E102; HG351:5; A172
Because there is "none
righteous, no, not one." (Rom. 3:10) R5429:6; E96; T78
Illustrating the exactness and
particularity of divine justice. OV22:1
Therefore without hope of ability
to recover himself. R3847:3
Since none could be found, God
arranged with the Logos that he should become a man and be the Redeemer of the
race. R5352:4
Had our Lord not been absolutely
free from sin he never could have redeemed us. R1186:6
Jesus must have been a perfect man
since he was able to do what no imperfect man had done or could do--give
himself a ransom. R776:2
Proven by God's Law to Israel and,
through their experience, to all the world. R682:6
Thus the necessity for Jesus'
having no earthly father, but being begotten of the holy Spirit. R4941.2
Redeem his brother -- Adam and all condemned in his transgression. E418
To give a ransom for father Adam,
or for any other man. OV150:2; R4426:1, R5352:4
Or even satisfy the claims of
justice against himself. F101; R5972:1
Since man could not justify
himself he would be wholly unable to justify another--his brother. R5972:1
A ransom -- The word "ransom" in the Old Testament seems
to be used less definitely than in the New Testament. The Hebrew word is
"kopher" and signifies a covering, a protection. R5972:1
Proving that God's Law did demand
a ransom; that he will by no means "clear (excuse) the guilty." (Ex.
34:7) R709:5
None can, by any works, meet the
requirements of justice. F101
So God had compassion on man, and
love made a provision for this. The Son of God became a man and paid man's ransom-price.
HG346:5
Psalm 49:10
Leave their wealth -- The result of an unsound mind. If the mind were well
balanced its energies would be divided between accumulation and using, for good
and noble uses for himself and his fellowmen. R1080:5
Psalm 49:11
That their houses -- Their families. C20
Shall continue -- Holding to the present arrangement of society with a
death clutch. C20
Psalm 49:13
Posterity approve -- Receiving their inheritance with mean ingratitude and
generally using it to their own injury. R1080:5, R1413:4
Psalm 49:14
Like sheep -- Sheep are not buried in graves, but in oblivion. E363
They -- A certain class who vainly think to build up fortunes
and make their names endure without realizing what is the true wealth of
character which should be sought. R2338:2
Laid In the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death; not torment. E363; R2600:2
And the upright -- The saints. (Dan. 7:27) R2600:2
"The saints shall judge the
world." (1 Cor. 6:2) E364
Dominion over them -- Come under the dominion of Christ and the Church in the
morning of the Millennial day. R2338:3
"Rule them with a rod of
iron." (Rev. 19:15) A303
In the morning -- Of the resurrection, the Millennium. A60; E363; R302:6*
The morning shall bring dominion
to the righteous-- redemption from the power of the grave. R302;6*
Grave from their dwelling -- The grave, sheol, oblivion, being an habitation to every
one of them (margin). E363
Psalm 49:15
Will redeem my soul -- By giving thy Son as my ransom price. A172
It is the soul that was sentenced
to death. R5166:3, R1510:2, R3854:5; E328, E348
The soul that went into death is
the soul that was redeemed by Jesus. R5166:3
Power of the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death; not torment. E328, E363
Psalm 49:19
They shall -- His earthly riches shall. R1761:5
Never see light -- Never more be seen as his. R1761:5
They shall never see light before
death overtakes them. R3725:4*
Never-- "ad," as far as,
or until; "naytsakh," goal, or the bright object at a distance
traveled towards; "lo," not. Instead of teaching everlasting death,
the word "never" teaches resurrection. R2358:4*
Never see life in the full sense,
though all the families of the earth shall be awakened and brought to a full
clear knowledge of the truth before being sentenced as wicked. R1106:4
Never be enlightened concerning a
better way. R3725:4*
Psalm 49:20
That is in honour -- Therefore not heathen, or men dying in ignorance of God.
R1761:3
Lifted up by restitution processes
to the glory and honor of perfect manhood. R1761:3
Understandeth not -- Does not appreciate the work which Christ has done for
him. R1761:5
Like the beasts -- Perishing hopelessly. R1761:3
Psalm 50
Psalm 50:1
The mighty God -- El elohim, the mighty of the mighty. E67
Even the LORD -- Jehovah. R3647:2
Hath spoken -- Through the glorified Christ. R3647:2
And called the earth -- To repentance, righteousness and eternal life. R3647:2
With thunder tones of judgment.
R5990:4, R1914:4
Rising of the sun -- "The Sun of Righteousness shall arise." (Mal.
4:2) R3647:2
From the east to the west. R5990:4
Going down thereof -- At the close of the Millennial age. R3647:2
Psalm 50:2
Out of Zion -- The heavenly phase of the Kingdom. A295; T33; R4454:1,
R5874:4
God hath shined -- His glorious character and plan are made known. R3647:3
Psalm 50:3
Our God shall come -- The promised blessings are still future. R3647:3
A fire -- The time of trouble. "The fire of my
jealousy." (Zeph. 3:8) R3647:3; A323
Very tempestuous -- The Millennial morning will be specially
cloudy--"Behold, he cometh with clouds." (Rev. 1:7) R1073:5
Psalm 50:4
To the heavens -- The high or ruling powers. D75
And to the earth -- The masses of the people. D75
Judge his people -- His professed people--Christendom. This judgment is now
in progress and accounts for the merciless criticisms of the nominal church by
the world at large. R3647:3; D75
As the supreme Judge. F396
Psalm 50:5
Gather my saints -- "Gather the wheat into my barn." (Matt. 13:30)
BI04, B164, B229; C139; SM127:1
Separating them as wheat from
tares. R1488:1, R248:5
From every quarter of Babylon.
R3786:5
Into oneness with the Lord and
each other, and out of fellowship with mere professors, tares. C139; CR84:1
It was the Lord who said the
gathering time would be in the end of the age. R6023:2*
The present time is a gathering,
rather than a sowing, time. R442:2
The first work of Christ at his
second advent will be the harvest work. B104, B229
This call, or invitation, has been
going forth during the entire Gospel age. R5424:3; CR84:1,3
He is gathering merely those who
have the hearing ear and the responsive heart--from inside and outside of all
denominations of Christendom. SM130:1; R4831:2, R5092:5; HG671:1
Saints--holy ones. R5877:6,
R5928:1; SM186:T, SM334:1; OV119:2, OV156:3; Q177:T, Q194:4
In the day when the Lord shall
make up his jewels, he will gather such as have completed the covenant of
sacrifice. R581:6
Preparatory to the setting up of
his Kingdom in power and great glory. R1745:5
Not at death, nor continuously
during the age, but after, and in consequence of, the Lord's return. R154:3*
Hebrew, ghahseed; literally,
God-seed. HG26:2
Together unto me -- Not into any man-made organization. SM343:2; R4638:3,
R5092:4, R2994:1; CR84:6, CR85:2
Primarily, this drawing is not to
the Savior, but to the Father. CR84:6
"They shall be mine, saith
the Lord, in that day when I make up my jewels." (Mal. 3:17) C139; R3849:5
This class as a whole is the
Messiah, the spiritual seed of Abraham. OV156:3
A covenant -- The Sarah covenant, the Grace covenant. R5909:2, R5690:4
The Church is developed under the
same covenant-mother as was Christ. R5246:1, R5644:4
To be fully submissive to the
headship of the Savior. R5308:5, R4548:1, R5644:4, R5758:1; Eiii Under which
Christ and the Church are called, sanctified, and developed. R5928:1, R5909:2,
R5071:2; CR100:2; Q181:4, Q196:2
A new covenant, in the sense that
it is different from the Jewish covenant of Mt. Sinai, but it is not THE New
covenant. Fii Not the Law covenant or the New covenant. R5542:6, R5947:1,
R5021:6
Not without law, but under law in
Christ. The law in Christ is the law of their covenant, the law of love.
R5072:3
The only way to gain justification
in God's sight. OV280:1
This covenant has been made
individually with the entire Church of Christ. R5071:3
Offering life. A141
Offering the divine nature.
SM154:1
To be carried out day by day.
SM683:2
A covenant of consecration.
R1383:6
Covenant-keeping sacrificers.
R1170:4
A fellowship covenant. R4490:1*
Many people are not Christians
because they have not entered into a covenant with God. R5055:3
None can enter into this covenant
without a definite knowledge of its terms and conditions. R5775:6
When this company shall have
completed their covenant by sacrifice the present age will end. R5928:1
By sacrifice -- Not by a promise to sacrifice. R3647:3, R4494:4,
R5654:1, R5775:6; CR98:3
Self-sacrifice; a full surrender
to the divine will in thought, word and deed. OV156:3, OV422:5, OV344:1;
R5006:6, R5301:4; Ev We make the covenant to sacrifice. It is for the Lord to
give us the opportunity to do so. R5168:6
We sacrifice earthly things. The
reward is heavenly things. R4902:2, R4869:6
Of the earthly nature. R4681:1,
R5226:6, R5163:5
Represented by the goats (of Lev.
16) being tied at the door of the Tabernacle. But it has not yet been offered.
R4864:3
A daily work of the crucifixion of
the flesh. R5855:4
More than merely obedience to the
divine law. Justice, the divine law, could not demand sacrifice. R5006:6,
R5128:4
A sacrificial arrangement, based
upon our Lord's merit, imputed to us. R5089:6, R5877:6
That I might attain unto the
heavenly inheritance in joint-heirship with my Redeemer. R5165:3
As Jesus laid down his life in
doing good and proclaiming the truth, so do his followers in the same manner,
whether for three-and-a-half years, or twenty, or whatever it may be. R5671:6
The Church attains her
relationship with God, not through the work of a mediator, but by sacrifice.
CR98:3
The privilege of joining in this
sacrificial work is limited to those who have certain
characteristics--character-likeness to the Great High Priest. OV107:T
Not a portion of time and
substance. Cain came with such a sacrifice and it was not received. If we
present ourselves we must surely present all we have also. R328:6*
None are saints who make no
sacrifice. R156:3*, R5134:2, R3871:5, R4450:1*
Proving a most drastic test,
demonstrating to the Lord those whom he desires to be the spiritual seed of
Abraham. R5301:5
Those accepting this call to enter
into sacrifice are received of the Father; then they are begotten of the holy
Spirit. Thenceforth they are New Creatures. R5439:1
"Bind the sacrifice with
cords, even unto the horns of the altar." (Psa. 118:27) R4244:4*
Psalm 50:6
And the heavens -- The Kingdom of God which will be established. R3647:5
His righteousness -- God's righteousness. R3647:5
For God -- Who cannot err. R3647:5
Psalm 50:7
O Israel -- Nominal spiritual Israel--Babylon, Christendom. D75
Psalm 50:8
Thy burnt offerings -- Freewill offerings, such as benevolent works. "Many
wonderful works." (Matt. 7:22) R3647:6
Psalm 50:9
1 will take no bullock -- Neither will he compel his children to sacrifice
anything in his service, nor will he accept anything from them short of a
cheerful freewill offering. R885:5*
Psalm 50:10
Is mine -- "The silver is mine and the gold is mine."
(Hag. 2:8) R3844:2
And the cattle -- The Almighty is not poor that he should need our gifts.
It is a privilege to give to the Lord and his cause. R5781:3
Yet, while so rich, he has
deposited a little here and there with us, giving us the control of it that we
might have the privilege of ministering to the saints, being thus co-workers
with God. R547:3,5, R3844:2; Q615:T
Psalm 50:12
Would not tell thee -- I do not need your wisdom nor your works. R3647:6
We should not wait for the Lord or
his cause to be hindered and embarrassed for money before giving it. R855:4
Psalm 50:14
Pay thy vows -- As a thank-offering for all his multiplied favors.
R885:6*
"When thou vowest a vow unto
God defer not to pay it." (Eccl. 5:4) R4265:6
Unto the most High -- All our covenants or vows, except for the marriage vow,
should be made with the Lord. Our responsibility should be realized to him and
not to man. R4265:1
Psalm 50:15
Call upon me -- We need to reinforce our courage with the special
promises of divine grace. R4817:3
In the day of trouble -- "I will be with thee in six troubles and in the
seventh I will not forsake thee." (Job 5:19) R4784:2
I will deliver thee -- We have enlisted in no uncertain struggle, except as our
faint-heartedness or unfaithfulness should make it so. R1281:6, R4817:3
Shalt glorify me -- By thy testimony and faithfulness. R3648:1
Let your faith grow strong by
meditation upon the promises. R5381:5*
Psalm 50:16
But unto the wicked -- Covenant-breakers who still claim to be God's people.
R3648:1
The unrepentant, who walk after
the flesh, not after the spirit. R3483:3
Who have a form of godliness, but
deny the power thereof. R3330:5
Who know what is right but refuse
to practice what they preach. R1922:1
The messages of peace which the
Bible extends are not for the world. SM334:1
All who are not in the attitude of
full consecration to the Lord are in opposition to some extent, and to the
extent that they are in opposition they are wrong, or wicked. R2925:5
The difference between the Church
and the world should be distinctly discerned. R5692:4
Declare my statutes -- Decrees, doctrines, plans. R3648:1,2
Why should any undertake to give
out the message of God who has not been anointed by his spirit? R5537:3
The privilege of testifying for
God, or being ambassadors for truth, is a favor reserved for the Lord's own
people. R3309:4
No man should be regarded as a
minister of the gospel who cannot claim his commission by virtue of his
anointing as a consecrated child of God. R1715:3, R1922:2, R2057:3
The Lord does not desire the
testimony of the devils or unregenerate respecting himself or his plan. R3727:6
Better to waste or destroy the
money than to contribute to those who fetter others with error and dishonor
God. R1173:5
Take my covenant -- "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God
in vain" (Exod. 20:7)--falsely, or to no purpose. R1527:3
"Let every one that nameth
the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Tim. 2:19) R1527:6
In thy mouth -- The Lord's people should resent the services of any who
do not give evidence of heart union with the Lord. R3309:4
Seeing with what aversion the Lord
regards anything short of simple candor and honesty of heart, with what
carefulness we should take upon us his worthy name. R1527:6
Neither Jesus nor Paul would
accept testimony from the fallen angels. R3309:4
Prayer is the privilege of
"believers," reconciled children of God, only. R2024:4, R2644:1,
R3805:3, R5692:3
Psalm 50:17
Hatest instruction -- These who have no heart union with the Lord would
deceive and mislead the children of God. R3309:5
Psalm 50:18
Sawest a thief -- One desirous of robbing God's children of the truth.
R3648:4
Teaching men to climb up to life
by some other way than that of God's appointment. R1528:4
Consentedst with him -- A listener to, or repeater of, slander is partaker with
the thief in his robbery of a reputation. R4282:5
With adulterers -- With the Mother of Harlots and her daughters. R3648:4
Psalm 50:19
Thou -- The unfaithful nominal church. R3648:4
Psalm 50:20
Against thy brother -- The true saints, the wheat class. D75
Psalm 50:21
And I kept silence -- Up to the present time. R3648:4
Thou thoughtest -- Because I kept silence, that I was consenting to your
evil ways. R3648:4
But -- Now that the Harvest time has come. R3648:5
I will reprove thee -- Hence the exposures and growing unrest in the various
sects of Christendom. R3648:5
Psalm 50:22
Now consider this -- This reproof. R3648:5
He sets men's sins in order before
them that they may freely confess their sins and bear their shame, as did the
brethren of Joseph. R1646:4
Tear you in pieces -- Destroy you. R3648:5
Psalm 50:23
Whoso offereth praise -- Thankfully receives the reproof and applies his heart
unto instruction. R3648:5
Glorifieth me -- As a faithful, consistent believer and representative of
the truth. R3648:5
Conversation aright -- Makes his life conform to the light received. R3648:5
Psalm 51
Psalm 51:T
Chief musician -- Indicating that David had this confession chanted in the
Tabernacle with the other Psalms. R3254:2
When Nathan -- In this Psalm, David makes public confession of his sin
and asks God's mercy in forgiveness. In Psalm 32, he gratefully records the
blessedness of the man whose transgression is forgiven. R2017:5
Psalm 51:1
Have mercy -- Pray, trusting in God's love and mercy. R5380:5*
God showed mercy to David, as to
all Jews under the Law covenant, in that he made allowance for their fallen
condition and punished with trouble, not everlasting death. R1397:2
Blot out -- David's sins were not blotted out nor forgiven, for the
Lord punished him severely for his sin; yet he did not exact the full penalty,
everlasting death. R1397:2
Psalm 51:2
Mine iniquity -- These words of honesty assure us that the king was
overtaken in some kind of mental fog. R5681:5
Psalm 51:3
I acknowledge -- Commendable that he did not attempt to justify his
course or deny the wrong. R1396:6
My transgressions -- Because he had allowed earth-born clouds to arise
between the Lord and himself. R5681:5
Psalm 51:4
Thee only -- God is the Great Judge. R3254:5
David's confession here was to
God, for the wronged Uriah was dead. R1397:5
While the wrong to
fellow-creatures was recognized by the king, he recognized a still higher
responsibility to God. R3254:5
Be clear -- He confessed his sin that others might know, when the
chastisements should come, that the king's troubles were just punishments and
not violations of God's covenant promises. R1397:5
Psalm 51:5
Shapen in iniquity -- By heredity. E484; R4752:6, R5032:3, R5093:1, R5768:4;
OV329:6; HG351:4, HG574:2
Mis-shapen. CR451:3
None was ever born perfect except
one, Jesus. CR427:2
These conditions of the fallen
race may be accentuated or diminished to a considerable degree by the mental
condition of the parents. R5615:3
We cannot assent to the doctrine
of total depravity. CR113:3
We cannot do perfectly because we
are imperfect. We are imperfect because we are born in sin. Q798:T
Therefore we cannot be perfectly
holy in every action, word and thought. CR451:3
But God has graciously arranged
that the merit of Christ's sacrifice shall compensate for the weaknesses and
blemishes of the followers of Jesus. R4558:2
"We cannot do the things that
we would." (Rom. 7:14-25) OV366:1
Poor material out of which to form
likenesses of God's dear Son. R4837:1
Selfishness seems right to man in
his depraved condition because he was born with it. SM162:2
If the perfect man by disobedience
forfeited his standing, we who are imperfect could have no hopes of justifying
ourselves before God. F101
"Condemned already" as
children of Adam. HG434:3
Therefore our need for the robe of
Christ's righteousness. HG409:5
Not that God made us sinners. We
received our life from our parents, all the way back to Adam. These first
parents sinned and came under the death sentence. HG650:2
Imperfection of mind, morals and
body is passed from mother to child. HG693:4; R4982:2
Nevertheless, we cannot accept the
doctrine of total depravity--that there is nothing good in any man, nor in all
men. SM501:3; HG650:1
Confident that the Lord would give
him the benefit of every mitigating circumstance. R3254:5
If no fall, then no death, no
ransom. R1616:1
The very essence of Jewish belief,
upon and into which were fitted the various typical sacrifices for sins,
atonements and washings from uncleanness. R1794:1
Therefore our minds, at first
conformed to earthly things, generally take the earthly view of matters, the
selfish view. R4628:1
The shape of the brain of the
child is largely influenced by heredity--particularly by the mother. R4752:6
The realization of this helps to
make us more sympathetic with the depraved and degraded, not approving their
wrong, but intelligently assisting to better mental views. R4866:5, R5102:1,
R4991:4; HG650:3
Few parents realize how much they
have to do with the moral and physical status of their children--in the
qualities which are given them at the time of their begetting and during the
period of gestation. R5360:3; F551; HG650:4-6
And in sin -- Under the death curse. E409; R5093:1, R5360:3; SM436:2;
CR496:2; HG193:5
The dying process of 6000 years
has affected the race mentally, morally and physically. R5063:6, R4443:4,
R4612:3, R5149:3; CR428:1
But all are not born in the same
degree of degradation. Some parents produce types higher than themselves.
R2902:2, R5201:1
The only exception to this rule of
being born condemned is in the case of children, one or both of whose parents
are believers. (1 Cor. 7:14) R2719:1, R3773:6
The statement that in Christ there
was life (John 1:4) implies that he did not receive his life from an earthly
father. R4154:3
The rationale for infant baptism.
HG252:6
The better we understand the
origin of sin and the methods of its operation in ourselves and others, the
more successful we will be in combating it. R650:1
My mother conceive -- Accounts for the fact that the infant shares in the
dying process and the pain as well as those who live longer and participate
personally in transgression. F333
Psalm 51:6
Thou desirest truth -- Candor, honesty, truthfulness. Any who have not this
quality in the heart cannot be pleasing to God. R5453:5, R2943:6
"Let every one that nameth
the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Tim. 2:19) R1527:3
The inward parts -- In the heart. R1527:3
Although mankind is fallen in the
flesh, and unable to do perfectly, God demands purity of heart, purity of
motive or intention, and this David realized he had not manifested. R1397:5
We are to be loyal to the very
core or God will reject us. SM346:1
Outward crime and a crime allowed
in the mind are alike heinous in God's sight. R3254:5
Although David had not directly
taken the life of Uriah, but merely connived at his death in battle, he was a
murderer. R3254:5
Psalm 51:7
Purge me -- The pardoned sinner in the Millennial age. T112
With hyssop -- With the application of the instructions that will be
given by the Ancient Worthies. T112; R1872:5
Used in the sprinkling of the
unclean under the Law. David desired the antitypical cleansing of his heart.
R3254:6
Wash me -- With the truth. T112
I shall be whiter -- The Hebrew root word from which we get the word
"frankincense." R84:5*
Made so in the great fountain of
redeeming love, the Redeemer's merit. C209
Psalm 51:8
Hear joy and gladness -- Implying that during the preceding year even the music
of singers and joyous songs of nature were sore to his heart. R3254:6
May rejoice -- As freely as God forgave, so must all his people; and
therefore we rejoice to recognize David as one of the Ancient Worthies. R2017:6
Psalm 51:10
In me a clean heart -- The lesson here is that we shall keep close accounts
with God. R5681:6
The world's need is thus
foreshown. D450
Renew a right spirit -- Disposition. R2322:4
If we would realize the influence
of our minds over our own bodies what a great thought-reform movement would
speedily begin in us. R2322:1
Sinners . . . converted -- Prophetic. R3600:5
In the present time, sinners are
reclaimed through good example. In the future, we hope that they will be turned
to the Lord under the more favorable Millennial conditions. R3600:5
Psalm 51:13
Then -- After we have experienced the joys of his salvation and
forgiveness. R3255:2
Will I teach -- Those who would be thus used of the Lord, in this age or
the next, must be fully consecrated to God-- clean, pure in heart. R1397:5,
R3600:5
Psalm 51:14
Of thy righteousness -- The mission of the cleansed ones is to accept the Lord's
mercy, extol his righteousness, acknowledge their unworthiness and call upon
others to recognize this fountain of forgiveness. R3255:2
Psalm 51:15
Open thou my lips -- None can tell the glad tidings of great joy unless first
the Lord shall have opened his lips with his mercy and truth. R3255:2
Psalm 51:16
Desirest not sacrifice -- Typical sacrifices. R3255:4
In burnt offering -- Only the Day of Atonement sacrifices were sin offerings.
The burnt offerings and peace offerings of the remainder of the year
represented consecration to the Lord. R3255:4
Psalm 51:17
Sacrifices of God -- The thing which is most difficult for us to sacrifice is
self. R3845:3
A broken spirit -- Nothing we can give the Lord, even after our acceptance
in Christ, has any value in his sight until we first give him ourselves--our
hearts and our wills. R3255:4
A contrite heart -- Of humble mind. R5596:3
Those who have broken and contrite
hearts may know that they have not committed the "sin unto death,"
for it is impossible to renew such "again unto repentance." (Heb.
6:6) R3255:5
It is the crushed olive that
yields the oil, the pressed grape that gives forth the wine; and it was the
smitten rock that gave water in the wilderness. So it is the broken, contrite
heart that is most rich in holiness and most fragrant in grace. R1775:5
Wilt not despise -- All who are mourning and sorrowful, drawing nigh to God
through Christ, will be comforted. Q782:T
Psalm 51:19
Then -- At the close of the Millennial age. T96
Of righteousness -- Of right doing. T96
With burnt offering -- Thankful prayers to Jehovah for a ransom through Christ.
T97
They -- Mankind, on reaching perfection. R5383:3
Offer bullocks -- Perfect sacrifices. T96
Cannot refer to the Church in the present
time, for on the Atonement Day the Church is represented by a goat, and our
Lord by a bullock. R5383:3
Psalm 53
Psalm 53:3
None that doeth good -- An important factor to consider in marriage, therefore
not expecting perfection of one's mate. R5900:5
Psalm 53:6
Come out of Zion -- The heavenly phase of the Kingdom. A295; T33; R4454:1
"There shall come out of Zion
the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." (Rom. 11:26)
R238:4*
Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
Psalm 55
Psalm 55:15
Let them go down -- "I would that they were even cut off which trouble
you." (Gal. 5:12) R356:1
Quick into hell -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. R2599:3; E364
The gradual change of language has
attached a totally different meaning than the word "hell" originally
had--the grave. PD29/41
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden -- "Every man shall bear his own burden." (Gal.
6:5) This Psalm refers to burdens which we cannot bear. R549:6*
Psalm 56
Psalm 56:12
Vows are upon me -- Nothing in the Scriptures intimates that our vow to the
Lord must be kept secret. Indeed, our baptismal vow we are required to
symbolize, or profess, publicly. R4266:4
Psalm 56:13
My soul from death -- The soul can be destroyed by its Creator. R1882:1;
HG334:5
Psalm 57
Psalm 57:7
My heart is fixed -- Established in love, reverence and faith in the sure
Word of God. R3337:4
If Christ be formed in one, these
established principles of Christian character will hold him firm and steady in
the midst of temptations and error. R1274:5
Illustrated by the heroic examples
of the godly zeal and fortitude of Daniel and his three Hebrew companions in
Babylon. R1708:6
Psalm 58
Psalm 58:3
Are estranged -- By heredity. R3133:3
They go astray -- The image of God has largely given place to the image of
Satan. R3773:6
Psalm 60
Psalm 60:2
Hast made the earth -- The present organizations of society. A323; C229; D46
Psalm 61
Psalm 61:3
A strong tower -- The divine plan of the ages is an ample shield and
buckler to all who, in simplicity of heart, receive it and prove faithful to
it. R3332:1, R4926:1
See comments on Psa. 91:4.
Psalm 61:4
I will trust -- The responsive language of the hearts of God's faithful
children. R3331:6, R4926:1
"He shall cover thee with his
feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust." (Psa. 91:4) R3331:6
So close to his heart does Jehovah
gather his children that they feel the warmth of his love. R3331:6
Psalm 61:5
My vows -- My covenant of consecration. R3331:6
Psalm 63
Psalm 63:3
Because -- And not for money or reputation. R2853:4
Thy lovingkindness -- Divine favor. R2850:3, R5435:3, R5475:3
In a sense to all creatures, but
especially to those who have lovable qualities of heart. R5440:3
Seen through the divine plan of
the ages--the salvation planned from before the foundation of the world.
R5441:3; CR480:4
Here the Psalmist represents The
Christ. R5436:1, R5441:1,3
The more a reality to us, the more
we lay down our lives in his service. R5441:1,4,5
Not merely favor as respects
future prospects and hopes, but it extends down to the present life. R2852:2,
R5441:4
But God does not love the wilful
sinner. R5440:3
Is better than life -- In view of God's provisions for the future, we count
what remains of the present life as a trifling thing and are glad to lay down
our human lives in doing the things that are pleasing to God. CR481:2; R5436:1,
R2852:1
"I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." (Phil. 3:8)
R2851:6
None but those who walk and talk
with God can say this. R5441:3, R2850:3
Jesus, in appreciation of God's
lovingkindness, laid down his life. It is the same with those who walk in his
footsteps. CR481:2, CR489:4
More esteemed by us than all of
earthly life and its good things. R2853:4
David would rather die than live
without divine favor. The same is true, prophetically, of The Christ. R5436:1,
R5475:3
My lips -- The Church's lips. CR481:1; R5436:1, R5441:3, R2850:3
Shall praise thee -- Not from a sense of duty or love of money or worldly
position, but because the message is too good to keep. R2852:4
"He hath put a new song in my
mouth, even the lovingkindness of our God." (Psa. 40:3) R2852:4
Showing forth the glorious
character and loving kindness of our God. R5436:4, R5476:1, R5440:6; CR481:3
Costing trouble, money,
misunderstandings, persecution, and perhaps breaking of home ties. R5441:2
By telling the wonders of the
divine plan. R5436:4, R5476:4
Not only as a witness to the
world. The witnessing also has a good effect on us. R5436:4, R5476:1
Psalm 63:5
Shall be satisfied -- David referred to God's favor, raising him from shepherd
boy to king. R5785:2
The Ancient Worthies will not envy
the Church, but will be satisfied when they awake with God's likeness as Adam
had it. R613:2
Shall praise thee -- The Psalms contain many beautiful expressions of praise
and thanksgiving to the Almighty. R5785:2
Psalm 63:6
When I remember thee -- The spirit of praise is cultivated by calling to mind
and recounting what the Lord has done. R2031:3
So must the Christian continually
call to mind the works of the Lord, especially in his own individual
experiences. R2031:3
Meditate on thee -- Not thinking foolish thoughts, nor planning foolish
things. R5785:2
In the night watches -- If there is a prophetic thought here, it is that all
through the Dark Ages, all through the nighttime of this age, God's faithful
people have been praising him. R5785:5
Psalm 64
Psalm 64:3
Shoot their arrows -- Bitter words of the opponents of the truth. "The
arrow that flieth by day." (Psa. 91:5) R3332:1; SM51:T
Receiving no arrows again in
return from those who are seeking to serve the Lord. R4112:5
Even bitter words -- The method of persecution at the present time. SM217:2
May hurt our flesh, but cannot do
us harm. CR314:3
Possibly the extent of our
sufferings may be the wounding of our feelings. R3002:4
Slanders and misrepresentations of
the faithful. R2450:3, R2560:5, R5288:5; CR351:4*; HG558:1
Psalm 64:4
Shoot in secret -- Injure the righteous. SM50:3
At the perfect -- All identified with the work in a public way. R5365:3
Psalm 65
Psalm 65:1
In Sion -- The heavenly phase of the Kingdom. A295; T33; R2737:4
The vow -- The vows of sacrifice. R2737:5
Psalm 65:4
Whom thou choosest -- Not many great and rich are chosen because their riches
usually make them too self-confident and not sufficiently humble and reliant
upon the Lord. R5605:2
Of thy holy temple -- The Christ. R2508:2; T70; R2737:5
Psalm 65:7
Noise of the seas -- The restless, ungovernable masses. A323; C229; D46, D551
Psalm 65:9
Visitest the earth -- The new social order. R3113:6
The river of God -- The river of the water of life, flowing from the city of
God in the Millennial age. R2508:5
Is full of water -- Truth. R2508:3; C65
Psalm 65:10
Waterest the ridges -- The ground of Israel is no more chapped, for there are
now rains in the land. The favor of Jehovah is causing the city of Jerusalem to
revive R1297:5*
Psalm 65:11
Crownest the year -- The Lord's people should continually keep track of the
mercies and blessings they enjoy and, at the close of a year, take a
comparative view of their experiences. R2737:1
With thy goodness -- Recalling life's storms as well as its sunshine, its
sorrows as well as its joys, its tears as well as its smiles. R2737:3
Our Lord Jesus was the great
channel of this divine goodness, through whom it reaches his followers. They,
in turn, can become channels for dispensing divine goodness ultimately to
Israel and all the world. R4100:6
Psalm 66
Psalm 66:1
A joyful noise -- The Lord can get along without trained choirs. What he
desires is that all should praise him in their hearts. R2511:3
All ye lands -- All the world. R5500:3
Psalm 66:8
Our God -- His name is Faithfulness. R5501:2
Ye people -- Primarily relates to natural Israel--even more
appropriately to spiritual Israel. R5500:6
Psalm 66:9
Feet to be moved -- They were not vanquished by their enemies as long as
they trusted and obeyed; so with spiritual Israel. R5500:6
Psalm 66:10
Proved us -- Probed our heart within. R187:5
Psalm 66:13
Pay thee my vows -- Which David had made in the time of his trouble. R5500:3
Psalm 66:18
If I regard iniquity -- Pray, being free from condemnation. R5380:3*
Having prayed against sin, be sure
you watch against it. R585:3*
To take the name of God, claiming
to be Christians, without determination and effort to fairly represent him, is
a sin against God. R1527:6
In my heart -- We are to be loyal to the very core or God will reject
us. SM346:1
The Lord will not hear -- "God heareth not sinners." (John 9:31) R2024:1
To undertake the Christian life is
to engage in a great warfare against iniquity. R1527:6
"Let every one that nameth
the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Tim. 2:19) R1527:6
Psalm 67
Psalm 67:6
Then shall the earth -- By the close of the Millennial age. E30
Yield her increase -- Easily and naturally. A192
Discoveries are already being made
in preparation for the fulfilment of this promise. SM37:1; R5058:2, R2775:6,
R2776:1-3
Every hope held forth to the Jews
is earthly. OV118:1
The entire earth is to become like
the Garden of Eden. R6013:5
Become a fit habitation for man.
Q777:1
Psalm 68
Psalm 68:1
Let God arise -- This Psalm seems to be a description of the journey
towards Canaan. (Num. 10:35) R3060:6
Psalm 68:18
Thou hast ascended -- "He that ascended, what is it but that he first
descended, into the lower condition of the earth." (Eph. 4:9) R5066:3
Captivity captive -- The glorious outcome of the Savior's work. R5066:2
"A multitude of
captives." Our Lord purchased the whole race of mankind, captives to sin
and death. R5066:2, R5067:1
Gifts for men -- "The heavenly gift," the Spirit, at Pentecost.
E210
"And he gave some apostles,
and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers."
(Eph. 4:11) R567:1, R5265:1
The Church, in turn, will be his
gifts for mankind. R5067:6
Psalm 68:20
Belong the issues -- Or escapees from death, which Jesus owns by purchase.
R1337:1*
Psalm 68:21
His enemies -- Those who still (in the Millennium) go on in their
trespasses. R1337:4*
Psalm 69
Psalm 69:4
Without a cause -- Prophetic of Jesus (John 15:25)--who was crucified
because his works were good and theirs were evil; because he taught the way of
the Lord more perfectly than they. R5215:2
Psalm 69:8
Unto my brethren -- In the case of Jesus and the early Church, the
persecution came from their brethren according to the flesh, the Jews. Since
then, from their nominal Christian brethren. R5215:5
Psalm 69:9
The zeal -- That which is warm, aglow, hot. R5250:2
Born of love. R3296:1
That eager, arduous, active
interest in the Lord's plans and their development which is begotten of sincerest
love for the Lord and those dear to him. R913:2*
The measure of our zeal in the
service is the measure of our love for the heavenly Bridegroom. R913:6*
The more love there is connected
with our consecration to God, the more quickly will it consume our offering.
T46
If we have the spirit of Christ,
it will be the spirit of service. R5250:2
Of thine house -- David had a zeal for the Tabernacle and the Temple.
Jesus had a zeal in cleansing the Temple. But now the Church is the house of
God, the Temple. (1 Cor. 6:19) R5250:1
Hath eaten me up -- Our Lord's zeal prompted him to lay down his life for
us, and he invites the Church to be similarly consumed with him in service to
the Church. R5250:2
Consumed all my energies. R913:2*
And the reproaches -- "Let us go to him without the camp, bearing the
reproach with him." (Heb. 13:13) T62
All associated with the truth will
bear some of its reproaches. R1798:5
Are fallen upon me -- Christ and all who faithfully teach the truth. E490
Psalm 69:21
Vinegar to drink -- Prophetic of the circumstances of Jesus' sacrificial
death. R1205:2, R1394:5
Not ordinary vinegar, but more
properly sour wine, the common, cheap drink of soldiers. R2474:3
Jesus hungered and thirsted that
we might have the water and bread of life. R4173:3
Psalm 69:22
Let their table -- The table of fleshly Israel, so bountifully spread with
the rich promises and blessings offered them through Christ. B215; R4287:6
Become a snare - Because of their
hardness of heart. B215
Psalm 69:23
Eyes be darkened -- They have stumbled, they are blinded; but their
blindness is not to be perpetual. CR104:3; SM398:T
The period of their blindness is
the second part of the "double"; with its fulfilment, their blindness
will begin to vanish, and "all the blind eyes shall be opened." (Isa
35:5) CR104:3
Psalm 69:33
Not his prisoners -- Death's captives. A112
Psalm 72
Psalm 72:1
Give the king -- Christ during the Millennial age. B138
This King whom thou hast
appointed. R1415:5
Thy judgments -- The execution of thy grand designs. R1415:5
Unto the king's -- Jehovah's. R1415:5
Son -- Messiah's Kingdom is to rule the world in righteousness.
R5706:4
The Body of Christ is,
collectively with their Head, the King's son. R49:1*
Psalm 72:2
Thy people -- For thy people. R1415:2
With righteousness -- In due time, God will establish righteousness in the
earth. R5115:3
And thy poor -- And for thy afflicted. R1415:2
With judgment -- With justice. R1415:2
Psalm 72:3
The mountains -- New ruling powers of Christ's Kingdom. R1415:2
The little hills -- The tributary powers under the main government. R1415:2
Psalm 72:4
He shall save -- Shall give help to the children of the needy. R1415:2
Break In pieces -- This will be the beginning of the purgatorial judgments
of the Millennium--in favor of the poor and against the wealthy. R1470:4
The oppressor -- All oppressive systems and institutions-- civil, social,
financial and religious. R1415:1; OV46:3
Psalm 72:5
Sun and moon endure -- The glorified Church will have no need of the sun or
moon (Rev. 21:23) literally, because they will be spirit beings. Symbolically,
she will not need the light of the Gospel or Jewish ages because of her more
excellent glory. R2833:6
Nothing in the above indicates
that the world will not have need of both sunlight and moonlight during the
Millennial age and subsequently. R2833:6
Psalm 72:6
Like rain -- Symbol of truth, refreshing--"showers of
blessings." (Ezek. 34:26) R5575:5
Upon the mown grass -- The world of mankind, after they have been shorn of all
that has encumbered them and prevented the showers of grace from reaching their
hearts. R5575:5
Water the earth -- "Times of refreshing." (Acts 3:19) R1414:6
Psalm 72:7
In his days -- In "the world to come, wherein dwelleth
righteousness." (Heb 2:5; 2Pet 3:13) A67
In the reign of Christ. R492:5
Righteous flourish -- Temporally, mentally, physically, morally. R2763:5
The reverse of what we now
witness. R1412:3, R2406:2; HG538:2, HG681:2
The same rule as in the Jewish
age--faithfulness brought temporal prosperity. R2060:6
The very circumstances which now
make sacrifice necessary will be gone; consequently, the opportunity for
sacrificing will be gone. R443:1
The rewards and punishments will
be equitable. An appeal will be made to the hearts, supplemented by stripes,
judgments and chastisements. R3304:6
This has not been fulfilled yet.
R5853:5
Abundance of peace -- Because the King, the Lord's Anointed, rules in
righteousness and princes decree justice. (Isa 32:1) R3114:1
Psalm 72:8
From sea to sea -- While there is a work of grace now going on in the
hearts of believers, a veritable Kingdom of God is yet to be established under
the whole heavens. A282
Ends of the earth -- Christ's Kingdom will be without an opponent. R4974:4,
R1415:1
After every evil thing has been
destroyed, every creature in heaven and in earth will be heard praising God.
(Rev 5:13) R5183:2
"As truly as I live, the
whole earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord." (Num 14:21)
R1415:1
Psalm 72:9
In the wilderness -- Beyond the pale of Christendom. R1415:1
And his enemies -- Those who, after full knowledge, oppose the Kingdom and
its laws. R1415:1
Wilful enemies--not the ones
referred to by Jesus when he said, "Love your enemies." (Matt. 5:44)
R1176:1
Shall lick the dust -- Be destroyed. R1415:1, R1176:1
Signifying the destruction of
Satan, symbolized by the serpent. "Dust shall be the serpent's meat. (Isa.
65:25) R5574:4
Psalm 72:10
And of the isles -- Symbol of republics. R511:3
Psalm 72:11
Yea, all kings -- The prominent and influential among men. R1415:1
Psalm 72:12
Deliver the needy -- By causing the general leveling of society. R1955:1
When he crieth -- Pray, pleading our need. R5380:5*
Psalm 72:14
Shall their blood -- Their lives. R1415:4
Psalm 72:15
He shall live -- Receive all the blessings of everlasting life which God
has made provision for through Messiah. R5706:4
Of the gold -- Representing obedience. R3703:4
Have we laid at his feet our
earthly substance, our gold? R3703:5
Psalm 72:16
An handful of corn -- An abundance of corn. R1415:4
Top of the mountains -- As a blessing from the King. R1415:4
The fruit thereof -- The fruitage of our Lord's death was the bringing forth
of the Church. The dying of those grains is to bring forth the appointed crop.
R4354:3
Like Lebanon -- Like the trees of Lebanon. R1415:4
And they of the city -- Those blessed by the Kingdom of God. R1415:4
Psalm 72:17
Endure for ever -- Be as that of a son, continuing his father's name
forever. R1415:4
As long as the sun -- As the sun's brightness increases to noon, so shall the
honor of the Messiah grow brighter and brighter as the mists and gloom of sin
are driven away. R1415:4
Blessed in him -- Blessed through him; it will be in and by the blood of
the Lamb that this opportunity for cleansing shall come. R1415:4
Christ, Head and Body. R238:4*
All nations -- Including the half -civilized and savage tribes. R1415:1
Psalm 72:18
Doeth wondrous things -- Whose wisdom alone devised the wondrous plan. R1415:5
Psalm 72:19
With his glory --The whole earth shall be filled with the glory of the
Lord. B99
Psalm 72:20
Are ended -- Summed up. R303:2*
Psalm 73
Psalm 73:2
Well nigh slipped -- In former ignorance and foolishness, until he held us up
by the right hand (verse 23), and did not suffer us to fall. R1562:5
Psalm 73:3
1 was envious -- If justice be delayed it is only for the development of
some greater good than could be accomplished by a speedy adjustment. R2025:5
Prosperity -- The effect of Satan's reign on sinners. R492:3
Of the wicked -- Who, in the present life, flourish more often than do
the righteous. R1383:5
Psalm 73:5
They -- The wicked class, the worldly. R1652:3
Not in trouble -- All suffering is not the direct penal result of some
personal sin. R1773:3
It is very seldom, indeed, that
God visits punishment upon the world in the present time. R569:5
As other men -- The saints. R1652:3
But we see the justified ones
suffer and die just like other men. R1561:1
Psalm 73:7
With fatness -- Under the reign of the prince of darkness, evildoers
often have great success. R5778:2; CR493:4
They seem to go unheeded in their
wrong course. R4856:4
Psalm 73:8
Wickedly concerning -- In the wickedness of oppression. R1562:2
Loftily -- From the chief places of power and control. R1562:2
Psalm 73:9
Their tongue walketh -- Their influence has free course. R1562:2
Psalm 73:10
Therefore his people -- God's people. R1562:3
Return hither --Turn into the wilderness condition of separation from the
world. R1562:3
And a full cup -- Of affliction and persecution. R1562:3
Psalm 73:11
And they say -- The ungodly say. R1562:3
Psalm 73:12
Prosper in the world -- Occupying the chief places of control--political,
financial and religious. R1562:4
Because, during this age, Satan is
permitted to be the prince of this world--to rule as he will. R569:2, R5778:2
Psalm 73:17
Into the sanctuary -- The holy place of entire consecration to God, typified
in the Holy of the Tabernacle. R1562:4
Their end -- In the day of judgment they will get their lessons and
have much more difficulty than those who learn the lessons now. R4856:4
"The Lord knoweth how to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." (2 Pet. 2:9)
R569:5
Psalm 73:22
So foolish was I -- In being envious of the prosperous wicked. R1562:5
Psalm 73:24
Thou shalt guide me -- Nothing indicates that God is pleased to guide his
people by impressing his thoughts upon them in any other way than through his
Word. R2240:6
If the heart desires guidance,
divine light will be shed through the Word, under the illuminating power of the
holy Spirit. R590:5*
One of life's most important
lessons is our own insufficiency, our own lack of wisdom. R2240:2
He will not drive his sheep, but
goeth before them to lead, that they may follow. R2672:3
We should not expect to be able
always to comprehend the divine wisdom which is so much beyond our own, yet we
can often see it afterward. R1562:2
With thy counsel -- As contained in the Scriptures. R2240:5
Those who can be guided only by
continual scourgings are not of the overcoming class. E234
Not only respecting the life to
come, but also respecting the things of this present life. R2240:2
We believe in divine providences,
but these do not supplant God's written Word. R2240:5
Even the best of earthly counsel
is of value only as it has been directed by the divine counsel. R2240:3
As a natural man, Jesus had no
need of the Father's special counsel, being perfect and able to guide his own
way, but as a spirit-begotten individual he, like the members of his Body,
needed the Father's counsel. R4246:6*
Afterward -- If we give heed to the counsel. R2240:3
The present life, being
preparatory, is a time for the schooling and discipline of the sons of God.
R1561:2
"Afterwards it yieldeth the
peaceable fruits of righteousness." (Heb. 12:11) R1562:2
Receive me to glory -- The overcomers of the Gospel age to celestial glory and
the overcomers of the Millennial age to terrestrial glory. R2242:5
Only those who seek diligently to
know the most minute features of the Lord's counsel will afterward be received
into glory. R4247:2*
Those of the Jewish age into the
glory of the earthly phase of the Kingdom; those of the Gospel age into the
glory of the heavenly phase. R1562:2
It was not the man Christ Jesus
that was received into glory. R4247:1*
Psalm 73:26
My heart faileth -- The flesh is too weak and the heart is too faint to
pursue the course marked out for the righteous in this evil time, except as
strengthened and upheld by power from on high. R1562:5
Jesus realized that, as a human
being, though perfect, his heart and flesh would fail unless reinforced by
divine grace. R1807:2
Psalm 74
Psalm 74:1
Sheep of thy pasture -- We are his sheep. The Jews were also referred to as
God's sheep. R5383:2
Psalm 75
Psalm 75:3
The earth -- Not the literal, physical earth, but the symbolic earth,
society as at present organized. R1813:6
Psalm 75:6
Promotion -- All prominence, all promotion, and all control of the
Church, is in the hands of the Lord. R5711:1
Cometh -- The Church is on the way to a promotion, a prominence,
greater than that of all others. R5710:6
Neither -- Throughout the Scriptures, the North seems to be closely
associated with Jehovah's government of earth. R5710:3
The members of the Church do not
promote their own selfish interests, but lay down their lives in carrying out
God's great purpose and plan. R5711:1
Psalm 75:7
God is the judge -- The great eminence which Lucifer in his pride sought to
grasp, that he might "sit on the sides of the north," will be granted
as a reward to The Christ. (Isa. 14:13; Psa. 48:2) R5711:2
All things are of the Father and
by the Son. In this work of judging the world, Christ will be the Judge, and
the Church will be the associate judges. R5710:6
He -- "God hath set the members, every one of them, in
the body as it has pleased him." (1 Cor. 12:18) R5711:2
Putteth down -- Therefore a brother, losing the office of elder or
deacon, should accept the decision as from the Lord. R5305:6, R5711:3
The Lord will put down the attempt
of the great usurper, Satan, to rule the world. R5710:5, R5305:5
Setteth up another -- God sets up elders and deacons through the voice of the
church. R5305:5
As he set up Nebuchadnezzar as the
head of gold and raised up Pharaoh. (Ex. 9:16; Rom. 9:17) R5305:2
Psalm 75:10
All the horns -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
Psalm 76
Psalm 76:2
Salem -- The most ancient name of Jerusalem. R1296:3*
In Zion -- The spiritual phase of the Kingdom of God. A295; T33
Psalm 76:6
Both the chariot -- Symbol of worldly organizations. C316
And horse -- Symbol of doctrine. C316
Psalm 76:8
From heaven -- From the new powers of spiritual control. A318; D618
The earth -- The present organizations of society. C229; D46
Psalm 76:10
The wrath of man -- The Lord has even used the devil as his agent. R5527:1
In far-seeing wisdom, God has
permitted all present disorders. R1408:5
The Adversary may have had to do
with the movement toward communism, socialism and anarchism. Q579:4
Shall praise thee -- Unintentionally, by working out thy plans. E448; Q23:6;
R5205:4, R799:1
This would imply that the affairs
of the world may be safely left with the world, under the Lord's supervision.
R3853:3
Some agencies, not in themselves
good, will be made use of in destroying present evil governments, thus
accomplishing the Lord's purpose. R592:5, R5061:4
The wrath of men and devils, while
not in any sense of God, shall be operated or controlled by God's providence.
R1778:4
The remainder of wrath -- That which would work no good, serve no purpose, or
teach no lesson, but which would be subversive to the divine arrangements.
R3179:5; A250; R5257:5, R4843:1*, R2973:6
Shalt thou restrain -- Not permit to interfere with his plan. R1270:1
God's actions, where he has
interfered at all, have been toward the restraining of sin. R1779:1, R1270:4
Psalm 76:11
Vow and pay -- Taking a vow, let us keep it in letter and spirit.
R4267:4
Psalm 77
Psalm 77:3
And my spirit -- Ruach, mind, courage. E318
Psalm 77:6
And my spirit Ruach, mind. E318
Psalm 77:10
I will remember -- Nothing is more encouraging to faith than to consider
the Lord's past faithfulness to us and his promise that thus it shall be unto
the end. R2163:5*
In Israel, the spirit of praise
was cultivated by calling to mind and recounting what the Lord had done for
them. R2031:6
So must the Christian continually
call to mind the works of the Lord, especially his own individual experiences
of the Lord's leading, care and deliverance. R2031:6
Psalm 77:12
I will meditate -- With a meek and prayerful spirit; not read carelessly.
R2146:5*
Work . . . doings -- Here the two great books of nature and revelation are
pointed out as special themes for meditation. R1390:6
Psalm 77:15
With thine arm -- The Lord Jesus. E47
Psalm 77:18
Voice of thy thunder -- Symbol of controversy. R576:6
Was in the heaven -- In "the day of his preparation" (Nah. 2:3) for
the blessings of mankind. R738:5
The lightnings -- Diffusions of knowledge. R511:2
Not the brilliancy of the
"Brain Age." A171; R738:5; HG346:5
Lightened the world -- In "the day of his preparation" (Nah. 2:3) for
the blessings of mankind. A171
Psalm 78
Psalm 78:2
In a parable -- If our Lord's parables and dark sayings be taken as
plain, literal statements, they will lead to all kinds of error. R4644:1
It is the invisible world which is
the fact. It is the visible world which is the metaphor. This fact is why the
Bible is so inexhaustible in its meanings. R29:5*
"Unto you it is given to know
the mystery of the kingdom of God, but unto them that are without, all these
things are done in parables, that seeing they may see and not perceive, and
hearing they may hear and not understand." (Mark 4:11) R3763:3
The misconceptions of our
forefathers on the subject of punishment for sins were built upon
mistranslations or statements meant to be understood symbolically. HG653:6
I will utter -- Our Lord opened his mouth in figures and obscure
sayings. R2602:6
Dark sayings -- Without his enlightenment through the Apostles, his
words would today be dark and not understood. OV151:5; R5455:5, R5088:1
Of old -- Expound the hidden truths of ancient prophecy. F233
Psalm 78:9
Children of Ephraim -- Ephraim was the name of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel,
as Judah was the name given to the two-tribe kingdom. R3463:3
Psalm 78:25
Angels' food -- The manna, a food supplied by the Lord's providence.
R4011:6
Representing our spiritual
supplies. R3036:6
All life, other than immortal,
both of angels and men, must be supplied by food or other conditions. R280:1,
R252:3
Psalm 78:35
God their redeemer -- Gaal, the one who sets free by payment. E438
Psalm 78:40
Provoke -- Though God is love, the children of Israel aroused his
indignation repeatedly. R5125:1
Psalm 78:50
Soul from death -- Not the body, but the being, called in the Scriptures,
soul, dies. R277:1
The soul can be destroyed by its
Creator. R1882:1; HG334:5
Psalm 78:71
His inheritance -- The people over whom he ruled, under Jehovah. A248
Psalm 79
Psalm 79:5
Burn like fire -- In the time of trouble. "Fire of my jealousy."
(Zeph. 3:8) D528
Psalm 79:7
Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
Psalm 79:11
Of the prisoner -- Death's captives. A112
Psalm 79:13
Sheep of thy pasture -- The Jews are referred to as God's sheep. R5383:2
Psalm 80
Psalm 80:1
Between the cherubims -- Between love and power, above a foundation of justice.
"The Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims." (2 Sam. 6:2)
T124
Shine forth -- A bright light represented Jehovah's presence.T123
Psalm 80:15
And the vineyard -- "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of
Israel." (Isa. 5:7) R1795:3, R5504:3
Right hand -- The vine of the Father's right-hand planting, the
fruitage of which is the character-likeness of Christ. R5505:5
And the branch -- He will not look for ripe clusters on the new branch, or
even green grapes, but for the small indication of the fruit-bud; and
subsequently, the blossoming of these in flower. F170
Psalm 80:17
Of thy right hand -- Position of power and authority. A92
See comments on Psa. 110:1.
Psalm 81
Psalm 81:1
A joyful noise -- All who have heart sentiments of thankfulness and
gratitude should be encouraged to make "a joyful noise unto the Lord"
without trained choirs being necessary. R2511:4
Psalm 81:16
Finest of the wheat -- It is necessary that the New Creature be fed upon it.
R5735:6
Psalm 82
Psalm 82:T
A Psalm of Asaph -- A Psalm for Asaph--to set to music. This Psalm is
questioned by Higher Critics, but Jesus quotes from it in John 10:34, 35.
R1418:2
Asaph was a Levite whom David made
musical director in the services of the Sanctuary. R1418:2; HG310:5
Psalm 82:1
God -- Elohim, Christ appointed by the Father to judge the
world now. E69
Of the mighty -- The saints. R1410:3, R296:3, R338:2, R421:3
The financial, political and
ecclesiastical princes. D53; E69
Among the gods -- These same Elohim, mighty ones, saying. D53; E69
Psalm 82:2
How long will ye -- Ye earthly princes. D53; E69
Psalm 82:5
They know not -- Earth's mighty ones need not his reproofs. E69
Walk on in darkness -- Respecting the outcome of their policy. E69
Until, as a consequence. D55
All the foundations -- The established principles of law and order. D55
Of the earth -- The present social structure. D55, D542; E69
Are out of course -- Moved, terribly shaken. D55
And must be removed, is his
decision. E69
All the basic principles of the
present social structure are distorted, out of proper relationship to each
other, in confusion. HG551:4
Psalm 82:6
I have said -- Distinctly termed by Jesus as part of the
"Scripture" which "cannot be broken." (John 10:34, 35)
HG310:6
He now addresses his faithful
Little Flock. E69
Ye are gods -- Elohim, mighty ones, applied to the saints. C239; E68
Quoted by Jesus in John 10:35.
C239
You are children -- "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." (1 John
3:2) E69
The present work is that of
selecting this class. R5007:1
Not only was Jesus the Son of God,
but he said he would bring many sons to God. R5623:3
Of the most High -- Claiming Jehovah as our Father is claiming that we are
divine beings, hence all such are gods. R474:1
Psalm 82:7
Ye shall die -- All who have consecrated themselves unto death.
"But we shall not all sleep." (1 Cor.15:51) C238, C239; Q117:2
There is no other way of entering
into the spirit nature than by dying according to the flesh. R5624:2
Nevertheless, though the natural
man understands it not, these are passed over, or rescued, from death. F460
Like men -- Like other men. E68; Q122:2; R5729:1, R338:2, R421:4,
R3823:3
It is as co-sacrificers with
Christ that the death of the saints is esteemed by God. (Psa. 116:15) C239
Or, as men. R4519:4
Confirming the distinction between
men and the "New Creatures," between the human and the divine
natures. R515:1
One of the princes -- Not like Prince Adam, but like Prince Jesus. F444; E68;
HG368:3; R301:6, R1106:3
Dead with Christ; made conformable
unto his death. C239
The world in general die like
Adam, sharing his sentence. F724
Literally, heads (Young's
translation). R301:2, R473:6
As joint-sacrificers with Jesus in
his death of obedience. R2982:6
"Filling up that which is
behind of the afflictions of Christ." (Col. 1:24) R3175:3
Psalm 82:8
Arise, O God -- As soon as the elect Church have all died, Christ will
be called upon. E69
In Psa. 110:1 we see Jesus at
Jehovah's right-hand, waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool. Then he
who had said unto him, "Sit," shall say, "Arise." R303:1*
Judge the earth -- Let loose the judgments of the time of trouble. E69
Inherit all nations -- In the succeeding "Times of Restitution."
(Acts 3:21) E69
Psalm 83
Psalm 83:18
Alone is JEHOVAH -- This title belongs only to the Father. E65, E66, E47;
R379:5
The distinctive personal name of
the Almighty Father, never applied to any other being. R1410:6
Psalm 84
Psalm 84:1
How amiable -- How lovely. D652
In the eyes of all who have the
same spirit. R1401:6
Tabernacles -- Dwelling places. D652
"Ye are the temple of the
living God." (2 Cor. 6:16) R2080:3*
Wherever God is, there is his
Tabernacle. Wherever there is a loyal consecrated heart, there is the dwelling
place of God. R2080:3*
Such are not only tabernacles
individually, but the Church of Christ as a whole is one great Temple of the
future. R1401:6
O LORD of hosts -- Jehovah of hosts. D652
Psalm 84:2
My soul longeth -- After more and more of the manifestations of the divine
favor. R2080:3*
Courts of the LORD -- Wherein the individual tabernacles will be brought
together into one grand holy Temple of God. R1401:6
Crieth out for -- Shout with joy unto. D652
Psalm 84:3
Yea, the sparrow -- Leeser's translation is better: "Even as the
sparrow hath found a house and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may
lay her young, (so have I found) thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, my
God." R1402:2
Even thine altars -- Even so have I found thy altars. D652
The Brazen altar in the Court
representing the ransom-sacrifice of Christ, and the Golden altar representing
the Church's acceptableness as joint sacrificers with him. R1402:2
Psalm 84:4
Blessed are they -- Happy are they. D652
In thy house -- Now, or at any time. R1402:2
They will be still -- They shall be continually. D652
Psalm 84:5
Whose strength -- Whose strong confidence. D652
In whose heart -- Whose heart reflecteth wholly on the paths of
righteousness. D652
The ways of them -- Portraying the journey of the consecrated toward the
heavenly home. R1402:2
Psalm 84:6
The valley of Baca -- The valley of mourning, or "tears." D653
"The valley of the shadow of
death." (Psa. 23:4) R1402:4
Make it a well -- Turn it into a place of joy-springs, a "Valley of
Blessings." D653
The rain also -- The outpouring of the Millennial blessing, after the
great time of trouble has ended, at the second advent. R1402:4
Psalm 84:7
Strength to strength -- A matter of growth. "First the blade, then the ear,
after that the full corn in the ear." (Mark 4:28) R5912:6
Showing the progressiveness of the
journey. R1402:4
Every one of them -- It is an individual work, not a congregational or
sectarian one. R1402:4
Appeareth -- May be presented perfect. D653
Psalm 84:10
Than a thousand -- Elsewhere. R1402:4, R2080:3*
Be a doorkeeper -- Wait during the present life for admission to the
Father's house. R1402:4
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God -- Even while we wait for admission into his presence. R1402:4
Is a sun -- To shine upon our pathway and into our hearts,
enlightening us and filling us with a sense of his greatness and perfection.
R1906:2, R1402:4, R4219:6
And shield -- To protect us from all the fiery darts of the wicked.
R1906:4
The merit of Christ is freely
imputed to all who will accept it as their covering or shield. R1402:5
Grace and glory -- Favor and honor, mingled with tribulation working
patience. R1402:5
No good thing -- Really advantageous and useful to fit us for admission
to the Father's house. R1402:5, R5835:5
Yea, even chastisements and
sorrowful experiences. R5654:2
Our bread and water shall be sure.
(Isa. 33:16) R2326:3
Will he withhold -- For the proper development of his children. R5296:4
Even in this present life. R2087:4
But he requires sometimes that we
wait for a considerable time. At other times there may be a speedy answer.
R5835:5
It is improper for saints to ask
alms. R4101:5*
Psalm 84:12
Blessed is the man -- Now and forever. R1402:5
Psalm 85
Psalm 85:1
Brought back -- Cyrus gave Israel liberty to return from Babylonian
captivity. Messiah, the antitypical Cyrus, is about to give full liberty for
the return of Israel to divine favor, to Palestine. OV176:3; R4892:2
Captivity of Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
Psalm 85:2
Forgiven the iniquity -- The Deliverer will do more than merely regather them.
R4892:2
Israel's sins have not yet been
taken away. OV176:4
Psalm 85:6
Revive us again -- Israel has the promise of a mighty deliverance. OV176:3
Psalm 85:11
Out of the earth -- The earthly phase of the Kingdom. D653
Down from heaven -- The heavenly phase of the Kingdom. D653
Psalm 85:12
Yield her increase -- Until the whole earth shall smile as the Garden of Eden
and break forth into singing. R1248:3
Psalm 86
Psalm 86:5
Ready to forgive -- Let your faith grow strong by meditation upon the
promises. R5381:5*
Psalm 86:8
Among the gods -- Elohim, mighty ones. E67
Psalm 86:9
Glorify thy name -- "When thy judgments are made manifest." (Rev.
15:4) All will hail him as the infinitely wise one. R5430:4
Psalm 86:13
Delivered my soul -- Christ's soul. E365
From the lowest hell -- Depth of sheol, oblivion. Peculiarly applicable to Jesus
since he was liable to perpetual oblivion if not raised from the dead. E365
Margin, the grave. R2599:3
The gradual change of language has
attached a totally different meaning to the word "hell" than it
originally had-- the grave. PD29/41
Psalm 87
Psalm 87:2
The gates of Zion -- The heavenly phase of the Kingdom. A295; T33; R4454:1
Dwellings of Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
Psalm 87:3
O city of God -- The Kingdom of God, the Church. C229; D25
Psalm 87:5
Zion -- The heavenly Zion, those who shall be born in the first
resurrection. Q330:4; CR335:5
Was born in her -- There will be a list made so the world will know who are
on the other side. CR388:1, CR52:5
Psalm 87:6
Shall count -- A very honorable roll call, the Lamb's book of life.
Soon everybody will know about it. CR52:4
Psalm 88
Psalm 88:3
Is full of troubles -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125
Nigh unto the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E365
Psalm 88:4
I am counted -- By my enemies; but none will be in this class whose
hearts are in the attitude of the Psalmist. R2338:2
The writer is not declaring his
own opinion, but merely saying how he is regarded by others. R2338:2
Psalm 88:5
Lie in the grave -- Qebar, tomb, place of interment. E348
Rememberest no more -- Disesteemed by others as one unworthy of any future
life, remanded to the Second Death. R2338:2
Psalm 88:11
Declared in the grave -- There must be a resurrection before they can give God
thanks. HG121:5
Psalm 88:12
Land of forgetfulness -- Not pain, suffering or remorse. R2599:2
Where we can neither help nor
hinder, do good or do harm. SM28:T
A condition of extinction. CR209:1*
Thus Lazarus and others were
silent about their experiences in hades. R822:6*
"There is no work, nor
device, nor knowledge, in the grave whither thou goest." (Eccl. 9:10)
R2599:2
Psalm 88:13
In the morning -- Of the resurrection, the Millennium. A9; E359
Psalm 89
Psalm 89:6
The mighty -- Hebrew, El, signifying strong or powerful; applicable to
any powerful being, especially to the most powerful, the Almighty Jehovah.
R296:2
Psalm 89:7
To be feared -- Not treated with irreverent familiarity. R2002:2
When the people, contrary to the
Law, looked into the Ark (symbol of the divine presence), and God punished
them. R2002:6
A feeling of profound respect,
often mingled with awe and affection. R2002:3
Psalm 89:9
Raging of the sea -- The restless masses of mankind. A318
Psalm 89:10
With thy strong arm -- The power of Jehovah; in the highest sense, Jesus. E47
Psalm 89:14
Justice -- Jehovah's government is based on justice, not on mercy.
R4980:6, R5857:1; OV229:4; SM661:1; R586:5
Justice must also be the
foundation principle governing our lives, the foundation of all Christian
character. R5431:5, R5857:1
Only after we have rendered
justice are we at liberty to practice love towards another. SM354:1
The results of injustice will be
more injurious to the doer than to the victim. R4500:6
Represented by the slab of the
Mercy Seat, above which the glory of the Lord appeared in the Most Holy. T124
The basic principle of God's
character. R2120:5
If God were an unjust God we could
never depend on him. R5857:1
All the power, all the justice,
all the wisdom of God must be used in accord with his own character, which is
love. R5210:6
Its value manifested in the great
expense at which God maintained it inviolate--the sacrifice of his only
begotten Son. R1275:2*
Judgment -- Equity. R769:2
Are the habitation -- The foundation. Otherwise his creation would become
filled with imperfect beings. E472
The just sentence against Adam
would have stood forever had no acceptable substitute been found. E421
While love can guide divine
justice, justice must rule. R5159:6
The principle which underlies all
God's dealings with his creatures; God's unchanging business principle. R5884:1
Justice is the basis of love.
R5266:1
Therefore the satisfaction of
justice is the satisfaction of God. Q388:T
Therefore God cannot justly set
aside his own laws. HG309:1
Throne -- Empire. R5210:6
Mercy and truth -- God maintains the even tenor of his rule of
righteousness, but makes special provision for the sinner race through Christ
Jesus. SM662:1
God's own character (love) and law
(justice) are twin bulwarks, each as high and strong as the other. R2328:1
Psalm 89:15
That know -- Can distinguish the joyful sound of the heavenly
message. R2569:3
The joyful sound -- Turnah, Jubilee (Lev. 25:9), the Gospel. "Good
tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people." (Luke 2:10)
R2569:5, R2568:3
Shout. Jubilee means "time of
shouting" or "shout." R2025:3*
The "shout" (of
encouragement) (1 Thes 4:16) should be understood to be the people's response
to the Jubilee trumpet blown by the priests. R2026:2
The new song of Moses and the
Lamb. R2569:6
They -- Those whom God has blessed with a knowledge of Present
Truth. R2570:1
Shall walk -- In the narrow way of self-control and self-sacrifice,
even unto death. R2570:4
In the light -- Shall be his blessed people. R2570:4
In the path "that shineth
more and more unto the perfect day." (Prov 4:18) R2570:4
Psalm 89:17
Our horn -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
Psalm 89:19
Laid help upon -- Because a sinless sacrifice was needed. E96
Accomplishing salvation through
the Son--every feature is of the Father and by the Son. R3172:3
One that is mighty -- Mighty to deliver from the power of death. SM116:2
Fully qualified. R3172:3
Primarily our Lord Jesus, but
subsequently The Christ complete--Head and Body. R1936:2
"Mighty to save"
--having both the right and power to call the dead to life, and the ability to
instruct, discipline and lead back to the perfect estate. R3951:2, R713:2
Psalm 89:20
David my servant -- Christ. The name David means "beloved."
R1364:2
David's character was a beautiful
type of Christ. R1936:5
Anointed him -- In the following verses the "sure mercies" of
David (Isa. 55:3) are enumerated. R1936:5, R1364:2
Psalm 89:21
With whom my hand -- Power, dominion, kingdom. R1936:4
Mine arm -- Of support and strength. R1936:4
Strengthen him -- To perform the great preparatory work of sacrifice.
R1936:4
Psalm 89:22
Afflict him -- "All things shall work together for good to those
who love God." (Rom 8:28) R1936:4
Psalm 89:24
Shall his horn -- Authority and power. R1936:4
Psalm 89:25
In the sea -- His power will in due time control all the restless,
ungovernable masses of the world. R1936:4
Psalm 89:26
Art my father -- Realizing communion and fellowship with God even in the
midst of their earthly trials. R1936:5
Psalm 89:27
Him my firstborn -- "The firstborn of all creation." (Col. 1:15)
E87
Head of the "Church of the
firstborn." (Heb. 12:23) R1936:5
The Logos was Jehovah God's first
creative act as respects intelligent beings. SM491:2
Psalm 89:29
His seed also -- The redeemed and restored race of mankind. R1936:5
By redemption and regeneration.
R1364:2
To endure for ever -- They shall have everlasting life. R1936:5
Psalm 89:32
Then -- During the Millennial age. A303
Psalm 89:34
My covenant -- The Abrahamic and the New covenants, particularly.
R3109:2
Not break, nor alter -- "I am the same, I change not." (Mal. 3:6)
R3107:3
"That we might have strong
consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."
(Heb. 6:18, 19) R3109:3
The Lord would have his people
similarly faithful to their covenants. R3109:5
Psalm 89:35
Not lie unto David -- Unto Christ. R1936:5
Psalm 89:36
His seed -- The genealogical records, as given by Matthew and Luke,
prove that Jesus was the son of David. R944:1*
Psalm 89:45
Hast thou shortened -- Prophetic of the painful circumstances of Jesus'
sacrificial death. R1205:2
Psalm 89:48
His soul -- Being. R205:4
Hand of the grave -- Power of sheol, oblivion, death. E348, E365
It is not the body, but the being,
soul, that dies. R205:4, R277:1
Psalm 90
Psalm 90:T
A prayer of Moses -- Written by Moses. R1418:2, R4055:2*; HG310:5
Psalm 90:1
LORD -- Jehovah. E45
Dwelling place -- Refuge. The city of refuge which God has provided for us
is Christ, under the cover of his merit, his robe of righteousness. R3116:1
Psalm 90:2
From everlasting -- From all eternity, without a beginning. E86; CR247:1;
R338:4, R421:5, R3920:3, R4107:2
His qualities and attributes have
always been the same. R5209:3
With unlimited time, he is working
out his plan with great deliberation. R5251:3
Back of all inanimate causes there
must be an intelligent first cause, an intelligent designer, and that is God.
R675:6
Contrary to Mormonism. HG731:4
To everlasting -- Self -centered, self -contained, the same yesterday,
today and forever, he changes not. SM483:4
Psalm 90:3
Man to destruction -- A condition of peaceful unconsciousness. R2172:3
As a natural result of the penalty
on father Adam. E363; F331
To sheol, hades, the grave.
HG228:3
Not torture. R649:3, R846:4
And sayest, Return -- In resurrection, because the price is paid. E353;
R615:5*; HG333:5
The revival of man's life will not
make him immortal or incapable of destruction. HG358:3
Psalm 90:4
For a thousand years -- From the divine standpoint "a day with the Lord is
as a thousand years." (2 Pet. 3:8) "In the day that thou eatest
thereof." (Gen. 2:17) SM151:2
It was within one of these
"days" that Adam died at the age of 930. F332
God has permitted a reign of evil
during six of these thousand-year days. PD18/26
"A little while and ye shall
not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me." (John 16:16)
R702:4
But as yesterday -- It is only as measured by the shortness of present life
that the 6000 years of evil seems very long. R1092:4
The lapse of time between death
and the awakening will be nothing to the dead when it is past, since they are
entirely unconscious of it. R1017:6
Watch in the night -- To God a thousand years are but a watch in the night.
R5210:3
Showing that even a shorter period
than a "day" can be referred to as a thousand years. SM151:2
Psalm 90:5
They are as a sleep -- Rest, or peaceful sleep. R2172:3
Psalm 90:10
And we fly away -- Into the land of the enemy, the prisonhouse of death.
R4792:6
Psalm 90:12
Number our days -- Counting the days as so many blessings, so many
privileges, so many opportunities to serve. R2896:6
"Not slothful in business;
fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." (Rom. 12:11) R1532:2
Psalm 90:17
And let the beauty -- The justice, mercy, wisdom and power. R2570:5
Psalm 91
Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth -- The Church in the end of this Gospel age, The Christ.
R4925:3, R5437:3; A338
The cause of protection for those
who do not fall is the fact that they live in God. R862:3, R593:4, R4227:6
In the secret place -- Of consecration, communion and fellowship. D66; R1788:2;
HG717:3
Typified by the Holy (Most Holy,
D43; R3331:5) of the Tabernacle. R4925:3, R5815:2, R5989:5, R159:1*, R1913:5
Provided in these perilous times
with a clear knowledge of the divine plan, with its times and seasons. R5989:5
They have entered "the
holiest, by the blood of Jesus." (Heb. 10:10) R4767:6
Of the most High -- Sanctified, wholly set apart to God. D158
Under the shadow -- Very close to the Lord, where the wicked one cannot
touch us. R4311:2, R4524:6, R4736:3, R4925:6
Symbolized by the cloud that
covered the typical Tabernacle. R1913:4, R5989:5
Psalm 91:2
I -- David here represents Christ Jesus, addressing the
Church. R3331:5, R4925:6
Will say of the LORD -- Of Jehovah. R3331:5
He is my refuge -- Those who have the Lord for their refuge and fortress
have a superhuman care and protection. R4487:4
Psalm 91:3
Deliver thee -- Those who abide under the protection of the Almighty.
R4925:6
Snare of the fowler -- The deceptions of Satan. R3331:6, R4304:4, R4925:6
Satan is represented as a hunter,
seeking the Lord's people as earthly hunters are prone to hunt after speckled
birds. R5693:4
The strong arguments and deep-laid
plans of error. R36:3
Noisome pestilence -- The pestilence which destroys. The sinful propensities
of the old nature, and the spiritual pestilences of Christian Science,
Spiritism and Universalism. R3331:6, R4926:1
Psalm 91:4
He shall cover thee -- So close to his heart does Jehovah gather his loyal and
faithful children that they feel the warmth of his love. R3331:6, R4926:1
"The Father himself loveth
you." (John 16:27) "Fear not, Little Flock, for it is the Father's
good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) "He that loveth
me shall be loved of my Father." (John 14:21) R3331:2
With his feathers -- As New Creatures, as a shield from the enemy. R5438:4
Not only the strong, sheltering
wings, but also the feathers of the hen-mother's breast are used to protect her
young. R5438:1
Under his wings -- The picture is that of a mother hen who, when the hawk
is about, clucks for her brood, calling them under her wings, under her special
protection; the cluck corresponding to the "Vow." R4304:2
The soft, downy feathers under the
mother-hen's wings serve to keep the little chicks warm and hide them from
their enemies. R5438:1
His truth -- That grand system of truth comprised in the divine plan
of the ages. R3332:1, R4926:1
Shield and buckler -- The whole armor of God, to enable us to stand in the
very midst of the time of trouble, no matter how fiercely the storms of life
may assail us. C228, R3332:1, R4817:6, R707:4
Only a clear and harmonious
understanding of God's Word will enable us to withstand the powerful attacks of
this time. R36:4
Psalm 91:5
Terror by night -- The terror of the dark night of the great time of
trouble "wherein no man can work" (John 9:4) in the dissemination of
divine truth, so great will be the terror, tumult, trouble and persecution.
R3332:1, R4926:2
Nor for the arrow -- "Even bitter words" (Psa. 64:3) of the
opponents of truth. R3332:1, R4926:2, R112:3
That flieth by day -- At the present time which, in comparison with the dark
night that is coming, is called day. R3332:1, R4926:2
Slanders and misrepresentations
will be open. R2450:3
Psalm 91:6
For the pestilence -- Moral and spiritual stumbling stones-- error, Higher
Criticism, unbelief, infidelity. R3332:1; SM289:1; R5437:3, R4926:2, R844:3,
R36:3
The moral pestilence of Spiritualism.
R267:1, R125:2
As a pestilence, infidelity suits
itself to its various surroundings. R36:3
A pestilence spreads because
people are in poor physical condition. So it is with spiritual pestilence. Out
of the heart are the issues of life. R3826:5
When pestilence is in the air, it
inoculates a person without his being aware of the fact--likewise with
spiritual pestilence. R5815:6
Walketh in darkness -- Secretly, hidden. R2450:3
Spreading and making its victims
among those in darkness, ignorant of the truth or unfaithful to it, and
therefore subject to the strong delusions of error. R3332:1, R4926:3
For the destruction -- Caused by these pestilences. R3332:1
Wasteth at noonday -- Subverting the faith of many just when the light of
divine truth is shining gloriously upon the faithful, as it is today. R3332:1
Science, falsely so--called,
claims to be at its very zenith, its noontide of light and glory. R862:3
Psalm 91:7
A thousand shall fall -- Into infidelity. C241; R4926:4, R5816:2
But not into eternal torment, nor
Second Death. SM325:2; CR115:3
God wishes some to fall. SM325:2
The cross has ever been the great
stumbling stone. R5801:6, R1644:2, R4110:4
A testing time is now upon the
Church. R4304:2, R4745:3, R4926:3, R5437:3
No overstatement of the fact. R867:6,
R2817:2, R684:4; HG317:5
Into mere social moralism. R1911:5
Because only one in a thousand of
nominal Christians is really consecrated wholly to the Lord. R1307:6
Partly caused by natural
calamities, as well as social, financial and religious convulsions. R3033:5
One of the signs of the close of
the present dispensation. R3199:1
Like Gideon's typical band, the
victory is reserved for the faithful few. R1356:6
At thy side -- The true Church's side. R5801:6
Those who were actually begotten
of the holy Spirit, or who have assumed such a position; for instance, the
tares. R4926:3, R4304:2
The only things which will stand
will be those which cannot be shaken, the true and faithful. R3053:2, R5816:5;
OV320:1
Ten thousand -- We might infer that the one thousand may fall into total
unbelief, and the ten thousand, the Great Company, into the great time of
trouble to wash their robes white. R4926:4
So great will be the failing away
from the truth, even among those who once received it with joy. R3332:2
Into Higher Criticism, Evolution,
Theosophy, Christian Science and various other delusions. R4304:2
Including some of the most learned
of our day. SM245:2
Thy right hand -- These fall because they have neglected the necessary
development of character; failed to put on the whole armor of God. R5678:4
Not come nigh thee -- The true Church, because of their loyalty and
uncompromising faithfulness, and because of the ample armor of truth and
righteousness. R3332:2, R4926:3, R4955:6, R4167:6; D592
Kept by the power of God through
faith. R3295:5
The citadel of truth will be
preserved, notwithstanding the fall of the masses of Churchianity. R3455:3
Not one whose name is
"blotted out" of the book of life (Rev. 3:5) shall stand, and not one
whose name remains shall fall. R745:2
Psalm 91:8
Only with thine eyes -- Enlightened by the spirit of truth. R2450:3
Of the wicked -- Those who reject the truth or prove unfaithful to it.
R3332:2, R4926:4
Psalm 91:9
Thou -- The shielded ones will be those who live very near to
the Lord. R4438:6, R4379:4
Thy habitation -- The only safe retreat in the Day of Wrath. D242; R2770:6
These shall not be moved, yet many
of them will pass through most severe trials and temptations. R5652:4
Psalm 91:10
No evil befall thee -- The New Creature. We see that no evil befell our Lord as
a New Creature. R4767:2, R4311:2
No evil of the kind referred to.
Any other seeming evils shall, under divine providence, work together for good.
R3332:2, R4926:5
That will mean divine protection
to the very end of our course. R5817:4
Some evils do befall the Great
Company, to bring about the destruction of their flesh. R4767:6
Plague come nigh -- "That wicked one toucheth him not." (1 John
5:18) SM289:2
Psalm 91:11
For he -- Jehovah, the Heavenly Father. R5257:2
His angels -- Heavenly messengers and the Lord's earthly children are
used of him as ministers, servants, as well as various other agencies. R4926:6,
R5257:2, R3441:4, R5815:5, R5816:6
God will raise up some faithful
pastors and teachers. R4926:5, R4927:1
Divine promises and helpful
assistance of the saints. R5437:6
Charge -- The loving, protecting care of God. R5257:2
The message of Present Truth.
R2647:6, R1268:2, R745:2
In the Harvest time a
"charge" or counsel is given to bear up all members of the feet
class, lest they stumble. R3441:5
Divine agency and power are
everywhere, and ready at any instant to be exercised as much as need be for the
accomplishment of God's will. R4769:3
Over thee -- Concerning thee. R3332:2
The Messiah class, Head and
members. R5257:2, R4545:1
To keep thee -- The Lord, our Shepherd, will care for the true sheep.
Nothing can harm these, except as the Heavenly Father sees that earthly injury
would prove profitable. R4926:6 , R3332:4, R4545:1
In all thy ways -- In all the affairs of the Church, at all times,
including the Dark Ages. R5257:5
Psalm 91:12
They -- Doubtless the heavenly messengers are connected with
this work, yet it is done through the Church in the flesh. R4927:1, R3441:4
Human agents. R844:6, R1480:4*
Shall bear thee up -- All the members of the Body of Christ, individually and
collectively. R3332:4, R4927:1
By helping them to a clear
understanding of the truth and encouraging them to be faithful to it. R3332:4,
R4927:1, R4545:1, R5437:6, R2567:5
To a higher plane of devotion and appreciation
of divine love. R5105:1, R4674:5
In their hands -- Upheld with the right hand of his righteousness, the
power of his truth. R1307:6
Dash thy foot -- Symbolic of the last members of the Body of Christ.
R3332:4, R4927:1, R5257:6, R5437:6, R681:6, R3719:1, R3298:5, R2244:2, R1688:6,
R757:6, R288:1; B157
After a description of the evil
day which this "feet" class shall experience, special provision for
the help and support of the "feet" is promised. R844:3
It is in this day that we are
living that the "feet" are in special danger of stumbling. R3668:6
Against a stone -- Only the sanctified in Christ Jesus, the
"feet" class, will be kept from stumbling. R844:3, R2647:6
Stumbling-stones of false
doctrines, especially the errors regarding the great fundamental doctrine of
redemption through the blood of Christ, and our Lord's presence. R4927:1,
R5817:1, R3332:4, R4110:4
Lest some overwhelming trial
should prove too much for them. R1801:6
Psalm 91:13
The lion and adder -- Every device of Satan, whether boisterous as a lion or
stealthy as a serpent. R3332:5, R4927:4
Psalm 91:14
His love -- The love and loyalty of each member of the
"feet" class. R4927:4
Upon me -- Saith Jehovah. R3332:5
Deliver him -- The Heavenly Father will deliver him (the
"feet" class) from the pestilence, etc. R3332:5, R4927:4
Set him on high -- As joint-heir with Christ, a partaker of the divine
nature. R3332:5, R4927:4
He hath known -- Hath appreciated. R3332:5, R4927:4
Psalm 91:15
He shall call -- This Psalm applies especially to Jesus and the Church.
R5757:3,5
I will be with him -- Whether standing alone or in company with others.
R4927:5
In trouble -- The Lord may not prevent or deliver us from trouble if
his wisdom sees best for us to have it. R5758:4
I will deliver him -- There are deliverances at present according to our
needs. R5758:5
Final deliverance in the
resurrection. R5758:5
Honour him -- Not the kind the world now appreciates, but which in the
end it will. R5758:5
Psalm 91:16
With long life -- Eternal life. R3332:5
My salvation -- Make him understand my plan. R3332:5, R4927:5
Psalm 92
Psalm 92:10
But my horn -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
With fresh oil -- Type of the holy Spirit. T116
Psalm 92:12
The righteous -- And they only. C371
Shall flourish -- In the Millennial age, in Christ's Kingdom. C371; R492:6
Like a cedar -- Symbol of everlasting human life. T109
Psalm 93
Psalm 93:1
The world also -- The new, perfect conditions of the Millennial age.
R1814:2
Cannot be moved -- Thus, in the change of dispensations, there is little or
no change of the earth or heavens, but simply a great destruction of life.
HG11:4
Psalm 93:4
Waves of the sea -- Restless masses of mankind. A318
Psalm 94
Psalm 94:3
How long -- After the Lord has chosen his jewels, "then shall
he return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that
serveth God and him that serveth him not." (Mal. 3:18) R1653:6
Psalm 94:9
He -- Shall we not consider God as infinitely superior to the
very highest of our human ideals? OV3:2
Shall he not see? -- We can also say that he who knew how to make the tongue
knew what words to select for his message to men. R52:2
He that gave humans the sense of
justice and the power of sympathy, compassion and love--shall we not consider
him as infinitely superior to our highest ideals? SM625:1
Psalm 94:13
Days of adversity -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa 45:7) A125
Psalm 95
Psalm 95:1
A joyful noise -- All who have heart sentiments of thankfulness and
gratitude should be encouraged to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, without
trained choirs being necessary. R2511:5
Psalm 95:3
For the LORD -- Jehovah. E67
Is a great God -- El, mighty one. E67
Above all gods -- Elohim, mighty ones. E67
Psalm 95:8
In the provocation -- While passing through the wilderness, the children of
Israel aroused his indignation repeatedly. R5125:1
As in the day -- Forty years, not 24 hours. B47; F19; PD3/8; HG583:4
Psalm 95:10
Forty years long -- Typifying the 19 centuries of the period of Jewish
disfavor. R3079:3
Psalm 96
Psalm 96:1
O sing unto the LORD -- The judgment day, instead of being a time of terror,
distress and sorrow, is represented in the Scriptures as being a special time
of joy and gladness for the world. Q853:4; HG273:5
Psalm 96:4
Above all gods -- Elohim, mighty ones--a name applied to Jehovah. E68
Psalm 96:5
Are idols -- Septuagint: demons. So Romish nations stand under
demoniacal tutelage, just as did the Gentiles of old. R1991:5
Psalm 96:9
Worship the LORD -- The worship of the one true God is elevating and
ennobling, and calculated to develop in us the moral likeness of God. R1836:1
Beauty of holiness -- In the spirit of the truth. R1836:1
Psalm 96:10
Among the heathen -- It is the privilege of the saints to tell the glad
tidings to all who will hear. R5989:2
The LORD reigneth -- Blessing not only the living, but also those who have
fallen asleep in death. R5706:4
Judge the people -- The saints are to be judges with Christ. R5776:2
Psalm 96:11
Heavens ... earth -- Not only the saints, but the whole earth. R5989:2
Psalm 96:12
Field be joyful -- Prefigured by the High Priest, when he lifted up his
hands and blessed the people. R1248:4
"The whole earth is at rest
and is quiet; they break forth into singing." (Isa. 14:7) R1248:5
Trees of the wood -- "The trees of the field (the people) shall clap
their hands." (Isa. 55:12) R1024:4
Psalm 96:13
For he cometh-When he appears, day appears, life appears, fruitfulness
appears; the curse departs; difficulties, wars, troubles, sorrows vanish; it is
the world's Jubilee. R302:3*
He who so loved us as to give his
life for our ransom comes again to reign. R1352:2
To judge the world -- The object of the second coming of Christ is to bless
all the families of the earth. HG315:4
Rewarding with restored perfection
the willing and worthy, and cutting off from life forever all wilful sinners.
R1073:4
With righteousness -- Swift and unerring justice. D519
Psalm 97
Psalm 97:1
The LORD reigneth -- Having special reference to the period from 1878 down to
the full inauguration of his Kingdom, when his glorious reign will be clearly
recognized. R5989:1
Typically, over Israel. R1887:5,
R1996:6
The fulfilment of every foretold
sign of his presence bears witness to this fact. R814:6
Let the earth rejoice -- It is great cause for rejoicing if they can only have
the faith to realize it. R816:4
Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness -- Storm clouds and the darkness of gloom, perplexity and
trouble. R1913:1, R5989:1
Therefore men cannot see the
blessings beyond, since they walk only by sight and not by faith. R815:1
The morning without clouds is that
of the perfect age beyond the reign of Christ. The Millennial morning will be
especially cloudy. R1073:5
And judgment -- Justice, represented by the slab of the Mercy Seat,
above which the glory of the Lord appeared in the Most Holy. T124
It is this judgment of the
nations, manifesting all unrighteousness, that is causing the clouds and
darkness. R1913:1, R5989:1
This trouble is a necessary
preparation for the glorious reign, which is an abundant cause for rejoicing.
R5989:2
Justice is the foundation of God's
government, and his love could not operate in violation of his justice. R1286:3
The basic principle of God's
character. R2120:5
Are the habitation -- The establishment. R35:4*, R269:6
The foundation; otherwise his
creation would become filled with imperfect beings. E472
Also the foundation of our present
and future security. Without the justice of God, we would have no assurance
that his gracious promises would ever be fulfilled. R3656:2
The just sentence against Adam
would have stood forever had no acceptable substitute been found. E421, E422
See comments on Psa. 89:14
Psalm 97:3
A fire -- Wisely directed by the High and Holy One. R1913:1,
R5989:2
Increased knowledge, like a
pendulum, will swing to the opposite extreme of impropriety, bringing great
trouble and anarchy. R815:5
Burneth up -- Cut off, destroyed, devoured with "the fire of his
jealousy." (Zeph. 3:8) R1913:1, R5989:2
His enemies -- All opposers of his righteous course. R1913:1, R5989:2
Of God and man, the oppressive
organizations of both church and state, thereby liberating the people. R815:5
Psalm 97:4
Lightnings -- Diffusions of knowledge. R511:2
Not the brilliancy of the
"Brain Age." A171
A flash of lightning from the
obscured throne discloses here one error, and there another, with remarkable
glimpses of the great principles of truth and righteousness. R1913:2, R5989:3
Principles of the Word of God
brought to the front and discussed in the news media and at public gatherings.
R5989:4
In contrast with which the world's
present disorder is so manifest. R1913:2, R5989:3
The increase of knowledge, general
diffusion of education, multiplying of inventions, general interchange of
thought, wider range of commercial interests, rapid modes and cheap rates of
travel, multiplicity of books and periodicals, wonderful power of the daily
press. R815:5
Enlightened the world -- In the day of his preparation for the blessing of
mankind. A171
Continually calling attention to
the Word of God, the golden rule, the equal rights and privileges of human
brotherhood. R1913:3, R5989:3
Revealing corruption and
dishonesty, in high places. R5989:4
Flashes of ight and knowledge
manifest his presence and more and more disclose to the world his power, glory
and reign. R153:5
The earth -- The present organization of society. A323; C229; D46
Saw -- Worldly men are drawing attention to the prophecies of
Scriptures. R5989:3
And trembled -- For fear and insecurity. C229
Not knowing what the outcome will
be, but dreading the worst. R1913:3, R5989:3
Knowing that the present war of
words must sometime come to blows--and is now beginning to do so. R1913:4,
R5989:5
Popular thought is set in a
revolutionary direction. R5989:4
The first flashes bring terror and
dismay to the world, disclosing the gigantic proportions of evil and
oppression. R547:4
"The earth shall reel to and
fro like a drunkard." (Isa. 24:20) R1913:4
As Israel did at Mt. Sinai.
R5990:2, R1914:2
Psalm 97:5
The hills -- The less high, less autocratic, governments. D551;
R5575:4
Melted like wax -- Retain their form, but as the earth (society) gets hot,
they come down little by little, to the level of popular demand. D551
Some melt under fervent heat,
while others will be carried forcibly into the midst of the sea. (Psa. 46:2)
R815:6, R511:4
The result of the
"shout" and the "trumpet" of 1 Thes. 4:16, and of
"Michael standing up" in Dan 12:1. R668:1
Great Britain is an example. If
all governments would fully concede to the people their rights (melt), much of
the great calamity of revolution would be averted. R815:6
Russia, on the other hand,
conceding nothing to the people, shall be forcibly carried by the tumult of
revolution "into the midst of the sea." R816:1
Illustrated by the decree of the
Czar of Russia (1903) providing for freedom of religion and establishing some
degree of local self-government. R3177:6
Psalm 97:6
The heavens -- The new heavens of the Millennial age. A323
Heavenly rulers, the saints.
R493:5*, R270:1, R35:4*
Psalm 97:7
Confounded -- Put to shame and confusion; their idols destroyed.
R5990:1
Graven images -- Human philosophies and science falsely so-called.
R1913:6, R5990:1
Idols -- Which their wayward hearts have set up instead of God.
R5990:1
Those who are worshiping mammon,
stocks and bonds, houses and money, will be ashamed of riches that they cannot
account for along lines of the golden rule. SM595:3
All ye gods -- "Let all the angels of God worship him." (Heb.
1:6) E72
Psalm 97:8
Zion heard -- The true Church heard. D158
Not all who claim to be of Zion,
for the great nominal church turns away, saying, "Where is the promise of
thy presence? for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they
were from the beginning." (2 Pet. 3:4) R814:6
And was glad -- Psalms 91 and 46 show why the saints rejoice and are
restful of heart while others weep and lament. R1913:4, R5989:5; D158
It is the sinners in Zion that are
afraid. (Isa. 33:14) R5989:5
Daughters of Judah -- Fleshly Israel, whose blindness shall be taken away.
R816:4
Psalm 97:10
Hand of the wicked -- Some power is in Satan's, hand, but with limitations.
R2180:1
Psalm 97:11
Light -- Truth. A20
For the righteous -- The truth is only intended for God's consecrated people.
Q719:7; R1305:5, R652:1; HG745:6
It is a mistake to suppose that
those without faith, and consequent justification, should be able to apprehend
clearly the truth. It is not for such. A20
"The path of the just is as a
shining light." (Prov. 4:18) A20
Righteous at heart, as Saul of
Tarsus. R1444:2
Justified, reckoned righteous in
God's sight. R945:6
Who faithfully and thankfully
receive and disseminate it. R3648:2
If any of the wicked gains a
partial knowledge of the truth, we may be sure he will lose it. R2823:6
Those who have been blessed with
light and have made no use of it, have not been privileged to retain it. R946:2
To the extent that men observe the
principles of righteousness, they are correspondingly favored with truth and
its attendant blessings. R945:3
Sown, through the prophets, for
the righteous some centuries down the stream of time. R946:1
Sown centuries ago, but now being
most gloriously revealed to those for whom it was sown. R947:4
Gladness -- Which comes from a realization of the truth. R3648:2
Psalm 98
Psalm 98:T
A Psalm -- Written by inspiration for the dedication of the Temple.
R4297:1
Psalm 98:1
His holy arm -- Jesus, the power of Jehovah. E47; R4792:6
To no human generalship can the
honors of the coming victory for truth and righteousness be ascribed, but to
the King of kings and Lord of lords. D19
Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise -- All who have heart sentiments of thankfulness and
gratitude should be encouraged to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, without trained
choirs being necessary. R2511:5
All the earth -- The work of judgment is a great cause for rejoicing, not
only among the saints, but in the whole earth. R5989:2
Psalm 98:7
The world -- The face of nature reassumes the smile of unfallen
times. It is earth's festival, the world's Jubilee. R302:3*
Psalm 98:9
For he cometh -- See comments on Psa. 96:13
To judge the earth -- A period of glory and blessing, not dread. OV255:1,
OV311:1; A142, A143
Cannot begin until the great Judge
takes his seat and authority. R5443:5
The saints are to be judges with
Christ. R5776:2, R569:4
Judge the world -- By the Messenger of the Covenant, now present. R5442:3
After the Day of Wrath. R5442:4
The love of God brings judgment to
the world. R5442:1
All hopes of eternal life are
based on this trial. R5442:2
All who prefer sin will be
destroyed in Second Death. R5442:3
Psalm 99
Psalm 99:1
The LORD reigneth -- This Psalm was apparently written by inspiration, on the
occasion of the dedication of the Temple. R4297:2
Between the cherubims -- Between love and power, above a foundation of justice,
represented by the Mercy Seat. T125
Let the earth -- The present organization of society. A323; C229; D46
Psalm 99:4
In Jacob -- To natural Israel. A300
Psalm 99:5
At his footstool -- The earth re-established under God's dominion. D649
Psalm 99:9
At his holy hill -- The earthly phase of the Kingdom of God. A301
Psalm 100
Psalm 100:4
Enter -- Only applicable to the priestly class. R3054:5
Into his gates -- The Holy and Most Holy conditions. R3054:1
Psalm 101
Psalm 101:5
Him will I cut off -- The Second Death, the final sentence of those failing
the individual trial of the Millennial age, will never be destroyed. R2609:6
Psalm 101:8
Destroy all the wicked -- All evildoers and corrupters of earth will be destroyed.
R4999:1, R894:5; SM230:2
The Second Death will never be
destroyed. R2609:6
Psalm 102
Psalm 102:13
Time to favour -- A large proportion of the promised coming blessings
belong to natural Israel; all should not be spiritualized. OV108:2
Set time -- Fixed and unalterable. SM479:2
At the end of the Gentile lease of
power, God's provision for Israel to represent his kingdom in the world
returns. SM477:1
Psalm 102:14
For thy servants -- "For thy servants hold dear her stones, and her
very dust they cherish." (Leeser) CRI35:5
Psalm 102:16
Shall build up Zion -- Restore the natural city of Jerusalem and complete the
construction of the New Jerusalem, the Church. R56:2*
Implying a process, including the
restoration in all its parts; true both of earthly Jerusalem and the Gospel
Church. R56:6*, R58:3*
Appear in his glory -- "When Christ who is our life shall appear then
shall we also appear with him in glory." (Col 3:4) R56:2*
Psalm 102:19
Behold the earth -- In his sympathy, God beheld our sorrow. R4963:5
If God so loved these, if Christ
died for them as well as us, why should we not be very sympathetic with them?
R3933:4
After the saints have all gone to
be with the Lord. R60:5*
Psalm 102:20
Hear -- Figuratively. R4963:5
Describing, not an impersonal
Creator, but a personal one-- one who feels, thinks and exercises his power.
SM623:1
Groaning -- The suffering of humanity under the death penalty and
the incidental aches and pains of our fallen condition. R5032:1, R4963:5;
SM610:2
The prisoner -- Prisoners of sin; captives in the prison house of death.
Q159:T, A112; R4963:5
To loose those -- He did more than look and pity. His right arm of divine
power in due time began to bring deliverance to the captives of sin and death.
R5032:1
Psalm 102:23
Weakened my strength -- Christ's strength. R449:1
Here the speaker changes from
Jehovah to Jesus, speaking at the time of his crucifixion. R449:1
Psalm 102:24
Midst of my days -- Prophetic of the painful circumstances of Jesus' death.
R1205:2
Thy years -- Jehovah's answer to Jesus prayer. R449:4
Psalm 102:25
Of old -- In the creation of our first parents. R1814:1
Of the earth -- The present social order. R1814:1, R3154:6
Originally, Adam was king, with
dominion over the beasts, fowls and fish. R4222:6
The physical earth--referring to
changes taking place as to earthly conditions; also used as the basis for a
symbol, indicating the transformation of the present social order into one more
acceptable to God. R3154:6
And the heavens -- Powers of spiritual control. R3154:6
Originally, the spiritual heavens
recognized the supremacy of the Almighty and that his will must be law for
mankind. R4222:6
The spiritual or superior rule of
the angels, which was connected with the epoch that preceded the flood. R4222:3
Psalm 102:26
Be changed -- Rearranged, made over, made new. R3154:6
One such change took place at the
flood. We anticipate another in the near future, making the earth more fit than
at present for the Millennium. R3154:6
Already changed twice, until today
we have what is known as "This Present Evil World." (Gal. 1:4)
R4222:6
They need changing, not because of
any imperfection of the divine arrangement, but because it was departed from
through sin, disobedience and death. R4222:6
Psalm 102:28
Children of thy servants -- The best provision which parents can make for their
children is to give them, by precept and example, instruction in righteousness.
R1963:5
Shall continue -- "Seek meekness, seek righteousness. It may be that
ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." (Zeph. 2:3) R1963:6
Psalm 103
Psalm 103:2
O my soul -- The appeal is not merely to the lips, but to the entire
being. R2551:2
Forget not -- One of the least expensive, but most highly appreciated,
offerings we can present to God is thanksgiving for mercies past and present.
R2551:2
He that is conscious of being
forgiven much loveth much; hence the danger of forgetting it and of falling
into the idea that every one must suffer the full penalty for his own sins.
R137:4*
Psalm 103:3
Who forgiveth -- It is the new mind that recognizes his healing, his
forgiveness, his reconciliation to God. R4981:4
They who hide their sins from
themselves and think to hide them from the Lord greatly err, and will make no
progress. R5234:4
Not generalizing, but
particularizing. Properly, the first item of praise is redeeming love through
Christ's sacrifice. R1402:3
The Church's sins are only
"covered" now, but wait to be "blotted out ." R2028:3
The work of Christ for the Church,
of blotting out sins and healing all diseases, will not be complete until the
Millennial morning. R2028:3
Who heareth -- God is prepared to heal us spiritually when we come into
the proper attitude of heart and go to the heavenly throne of grace. F145
By heeding your fervent prayers
for restoration of favor after you have amended the wrong as far as possible.
F144, F649
With spiritual healings. R5234:4
Those who receive physical healing
by "gifts" or "prayers" have never yet been completely
healed. At most they receive a temporary blessing. R2028:3
Those resurrected will be without
any of their present mental, moral, or physical diseases or weaknesses. R1402:6
All thy diseases -- Applicable physically to the Israelites under the Law
covenant and spiritually to the Church, the New Creation. R4979:6, R4981:4
New Creatures have such
experiences. F649
Soul disease, due to the Lord's
hiding his face because of our neglect of consecration vows. F144, F145
Certainly not physical diseases;
the Lord's bloody sweat, the bursting of his heart, and Paul's thorn in the
flesh prove the contrary. F649; R5234:4
Psalm 103:4
Who redeemeth -- Gaal, sets free by payment. E438
The original sentence to
destruction is now offset by the ransom. HG333:5
Thy life -- Soul, being, not the body. OV166:2, R5017:2
It is the soul that is doomed to
destruction not the body. The body changes every seven years anyway. HG204:5
From destruction -- "Thou turnest man to destruction." (Psa. 90:3)
E353
It would have been
destruction--death as that of the brute beast--except for the fact that Christ
paid our penalty. HG195:2; R803:3
Not from torment. HG197:1
Psalm 103:6
That are oppressed -- The weak and oppressed of the world. R1402:6
He makes their cause his cause.
R1402:6
Psalm 103:7
His ways unto Moses -- His care for the interest of the weak in the laws which
he promulgated through Moses. R1402:6
Psalm 103:8
LORD is merciful -- Especially towards spiritual Israel. R5818:1
Toward the world, in its release
from the bondage of sin and death to full liberty of sons of God. R5818:4
Plenteous In mercy -- Making provision for the passing over, covering, and
ultimate blotting out of our weaknesses. R3425:5
Except for his mercy and love, God
would have been fully justified in canceling our covenant long ago. R4056:1
If we would appreciate his mercy
through Christ, we should similarly exercise mercy toward others. R4056:4
His grace, while limited first to
one earthly nation, then later to an elect company from all nations, is finally
to be extended to every human being the world around. R5818:4
Psalm 103:9
Not always chide -- Contend with the wayward. R1402:6
Reprove. R1272:3
Neither will he keep -- Hold back, retain; a time of retribution shall come.
R3947:2, R1402:6
"The Lord is not slack, as
men count slackness." (2 Pet 3:9) R1272:3, R1781:1
His anger -- Righteous indignation against wilful sin and sinners.
R1772:2
Psalm 103:10
After our sins -- According to the just desert of our sins. R1402:6
To our iniquities -- As they deserved under his righteous law. R1402:6
Psalm 103:11
Great is his mercy -- We cannot come too often, then, to the throne of
heavenly grace. R1865:3
Them that fear him -- And love him. R1403:1
Psalm 103:12
Our transgressions -- The transgressions of those who love and fear God.
R1403:1, R5427:2
Full and complete forgiveness to
those who are truly repentant and desire to draw near to God through Christ.
Q832:4
Psalm 103:13
Like as a father -- "I will receive you and be a father unto you, and
ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Cor. 6:17,
18) R5739:5
Illustrated by anecdote. . .
"If God cares for you as I do..." R.3808:1
His children -- The first step is to come into harmony with God and
become his child. SM682:T
Those who come in childlike faith
and obedience to God he calls his "little ones." R657:1*
LORD pitieth -- Gives sympathy to. R1585:4
He invites us to confide in him as
children and speak to him freely of all that concerns us. R3161:4
Them that fear him -- Reverence him. R2083:5
Perfect love casts out slavish,
but not reverential, fear. R2289:4-6, R2986:6
Psalm 103:14
Knoweth our frame -- He knows that we are fallen--imperfect mentally,
morally, physically. R5101:3, R5585:6
He has compassion on us. The fact
that we are weak and lame does not separate us from his love and power, for he
has covered us with the imputed righteousness of Christ. R4818:1, R5803:2;
Q655:T
In our trials, the Lord permits us
to be taken out of the fire for a little while so that they will not be too
severe. R5778:6
It is not his purpose that we
shall always be in conflict with ourselves--perfect will against imperfect
body; but he has provided for perfect resurrection bodies in accord with our
new minds. R4897:6
Graciously giving us time to run
the race and develop character. F372
Therefore arranging that we have
little seasons of refreshment between times of trial. R5779:1
That we are dust -- That we cannot do what we would like to do. R5437:4
God invites our confidence in the
smallest affairs of life. R3161:4
And so has compassion on the sons
of his love, and is very pitiful and of tender mercy. R4818:1
Our testing is not to see whether
we are perfect according to the flesh. R5115:1
Psalm 103:17
Them that fear him -- Lack of reverence for God was the cause of the fall of
Eve, Adam, Satan; the cause of calamities upon Lot, Ishmael and Esau. It was
reverence for the Lord that brought blessings to Noah, Abraham and Isaac.
R2872:3
Psalm 103:19
His throne -- Power, dominion, control. R1815:2
His kingdom ruleth -- The Kingdom for which we pray. R1403:4
Psalm 103:22
In all places -- After the end of the Millennium. R1403:4
Psalm 104
Psalm 104:3
Clouds his chariot -- "Behold, he cometh with clouds." (Rev 1:7)
R153:3
Psalm 104:4
Maketh his angels -- "Who maketh the winds his angels and flaming fire
his servants." R2382:2
God is as able to use winds or
waves, lightnings or sandstorms, or pestilence, as any other agency in the
execution of his will. R2382:2
Spirits -- Spirit beings. R5043:1; Q838:4
His ministers -- God can use anybody or anything as his agency, his
messenger. R5815:3
A flaming fire -- Spirit beings can appear as a flame of fire, as in the
burning bush. (Exo. 3:2) HG28:4
Psalm 104:5
Of the earth -- The new, perfect, conditions of human society. R1814:1
For ever -- Not to be burned up, but to "abide forever."
(Eccl. 1:4) R6013:5
The same physical earth remains,
and is the scene of great revolutionary changes, justifying the use of the
symbols of a new heaven and a new earth. R1615:4
Psalm 104:13
Earth is satisfied -- Not envious of the Gospel Church and its reward. R613:2
Psalm 104:20
Beasts -- Wild beasts; not man-eating Negroes, as some claim.
R3044:5
Psalm 104:34
My meditation -- Only in pondering the Word of the Lord can we receive
its nourishment. A hasty reading of the Scriptures makes a spiritual dyspeptic.
R1390:3
Psalm 105
Psalm 105:8
Covenant for ever -- Both the Abrahamic covenant (spoken of here) and the New
covenant are scripturally styled "The Everlasting covenant, " in
contrast with the Law covenant, which passed away. R4321:2
The one covenant is perpetual in
the other, even as the spiritual seed shall rule and bless through the earthly.
R4321:2
Psalm 105:9
Which covenant -- The promise of the land was the covenant. HG44:1
His oath -- Confirmation of the participation of Isaac and Jacob in
the great promise that God made to Abraham. OV73:2
Psalm 105:15
Touch not mine anointed -- An assault on one of these would be an attack on the
Almighty's arrangements. R5673:2
Though King Saul was the Lord's
anointed, we are not to think of the kings of today as the Lord's anointed.
They are their own anointed. Their kingdoms are kingdoms of this world. R5673:2
We shall not be injured as New
Creatures, no matter what the Lord may permit to come against us according to
the flesh. R4219:2
My prophets -- Ministers. R4219:2
No harm -- Injure your real, highest, interests. R4219:2
Psalm 105:18
Hurt with fetters -- With a clear conscience, and a sense of the divine
approval, Joseph determined to make the best of that situation also. R1640:2
For very shame's sake, we should
strive at least to come up to the standard of Joseph. R3973:4
Egyptian prisons were terrible
places, with the prisoners horribly mistreated. R2886:2, R3973:3
He -- Nephesh, soul, sentient being. E334
Psalm 105:24
Increased his people -- Israel's increase was a miracle. HG362:3
Psalm 105:25
Turned their heart -- Injustice inequity iniquity got such a hold upon them.
R5271:2
To deal subtilly -- The practice of injustice injures both parties the
afflicter as seriously as the afflicted. R5271:1
Psalm 105:26
Moses his servant -- Who stood in the position of a father to the whole
nation. R1725:3
Who acted representatively in
bringing the Jews under the Law covenant, as Christ acted representatively in
removing it. R1725:4
Thus, as God's representative on
the one hand, and Israel's on the other, Moses could be the Mediator of the Law
covenant between God and that nation. R5046:6
Psalm 105:27
Shewed his signs -- The plagues were doubtless a full compensation of
justice upon them, equivalent to the injuries which they had practiced. R5271:3
And wonders -- The Egyptian plagues were miraculous from one viewpoint;
not so from another. R5271:3
Psalm 105:28
He sent darkness -- Perhaps produced by the dust in the air. R5272:5
Pharaoh considered the sun god of
the Egyptians as the powerful one. R5271:5
Psalm 105:29
Waters into blood -- Possibly produced by some micro-organisms in the water,
the miracle being the ability of Moses and Aaron to effect the change at their
command, and to abate it. R5271:6
Psalm 105:30
Brought forth frogs -- Which Pharaoh's magicians were unable to remove. R5272:1
Psalm 105:31
Divers sorts of flies -- Gnats, mosquitoes, house flies and cattle flies. R5272:2
And lice -- Dust ticks, probably breeding on the decaying heaps of
frogs. R5272:2
In all their coasts -- The miracle consisting in producing these ticks in
unusual numbers--not merely in the desert wilds, but throughout Egypt. R5272:2
Psalm 105:32
Hail for rain -- A cyclone. R5272:4
Psalm 105:34
Without number -- Immense swarms of locusts that have come upon Egypt from
Nubia have covered the ground for miles--sometimes to a depth of 15 inches.
R5272:5
Psalm 105:35
Eat up all the herbs -- Locusts are apt to eat everything that is green before
they fly away. R5272:5
Psalm 105:36
Smote also -- The penalty was not so much in the death as in the
suddenness of it. R5272:6
Psalm 106
Psalm 106:1
His mercy -- Which sent his Son to be our Redeemer. R5427:3
The wrath of God is always just
and tempered with mercy. HG319:5; R5427:3; R2613:2
Endureth for ever -- To a full completeness. R5427:3
Psalm 106:12
They sang his praise -- In the song of Moses recorded in Exo. 15:1-20. R3998:6
Psalm 106: 23
Stood before him -- God dealt with only one man in connection with the
making of the Law covenant--Moses. R1725:6
In the breach -- See comments on Psa. 105:26.
Psalm 106:35
Learned their works -- Grecian philosophy, including the doctrine of the
immortality of the soul. R5910:3
Psalm 106:36
Served their idols -- Sought after wizards, necromancers-- mediums of the
fallen spirits. R5910:2
Psalm 106:48
From everlasting -- From all eternity; without any beginning. E86
Psalm 107
Psalm 107:1
O give thanks -- This Psalm was probably written on the occasion of the
dedication of the Temple. R4297:1
Endureth for ever -- To a full completeness. R5427:3
Psalm 107:10
Sit in darkness -- Failing to search the Scriptures that they may know the
will and counsel of God. R2240:6
Bound in affliction -- Our first parents--driven out of the Garden of Eden
because of disobedience. SM156:3
Psalm 107:11
The words of God -- The Scriptures--by not putting them into practice.
R2241:1
Psalm 107:12
Brought down -- Penalty for disobedience. (See Psa. 107:10) SM157:1
With labour -- The sentence, that man should earn his bread by the
sweat of his face, was designed of the Lord to be a blessing. SM157:1
Psalm 107:13
Then they cried -- Before being used of the Lord and prepared for further
great things at his hand, Israel needed to learn dependence upon him. R3983:5
As the Lord taught us to pray,
"Abandon us not in temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
(Matt. 6:13) R3983:6
In their trouble -- Present distresses and tribulations are all working out
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, if we are rightly
exercised thereby. R3983:6
Psalm 107:19
They cry -- Such a cry implies that the sins and weaknesses of the
flesh were contrary to the transgressor's will. All such who cry unto the Lord
in sincerity and faith shall be heard. R3103:4
Psalm 107:26
They go down again -- Stormy troubles of the sea--a graphic description of
some of our trials and difficulties. SM745:1
Trouble -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125
Psalm 107:27
Reel to and fro -- "The earth shall reel to and fro like a
drunkard" (Isa. 24:20) as the judgments of the Lord fall heavily on the
wayward and disobedient. R5989:5
Vainly endeavoring to right
itself, maintain a footing and re-establish itself. D551
Psalm 107:28
Cry unto the LORD -- When the world is frenzied with fear and despair. They
will see then that unless the Lord helps them, all is lost. OV420:2
Out of their distresses -- A picture of how the Kingdom of Christ will be
inaugurated. OV420:2
Psalm 107:29
The storm -- Mankind is experiencing a mighty whirlwind on the social
sea; selfishness is always stirring up a storm on every possible occasion. God
permits this so humanity will learn to appreciate our great Savior. R5695:6,3,
R5696:1
How suddenly the Adversary may at
times bring against us a whirlwind of temptation or of opposition or of
persecution. R3324:6
The storms may seem to come from
the world, but really beyond the world is the Adversary. R3325:4, R5239:2
These storms may be right inside
our own person--storms of anger, passion, or resentment. R5239:4
Those who do not have storms,
trials, and difficulties lack proof that they are God's children. (Heb. 12:7,
8) R5239:2
The 6000 years of sin and death
have been one continuous storm with occasional brief lulls. R5239:5
This trouble and the glory to
follow are the theme of all the holy prophets. R5696:3
The difficulties of life have been
valuable to the Church. R5695:6
A calm -- The storms of life may go on, but the Lord speaks peace
to us. R5696:1
In due time, Christ will bid all
storms to cease. R5695:3
In a storm at sea, the voyager
feels his own littleness and realized no human arm can calm that storm; but our
Heavenly Father can calm the storms of trouble. R5239:1
By the storms and sunshine of
life, the Lord is bringing us to the desired haven. SM745:1
The great rest for mankind from
the evil one for a thousand years. R3325:4
Illustrated by the miracle of
Jesus' calming the sea. R3324:1
Psalm 107:30
Desired haven -- Beyond the veil--the New Jerusalem. SM743:1
To that condition of heart and
character which he can approve as worthy of life eternal. SM746:T
Psalm 107:39
Affliction -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125
Psalm 107:43
Shall understand -- And that constitutes authority to teach. F295
Have confidence in the Lord and in
his times and seasons. R5697:1
It is ours to know the outcome.
R5696:1
Psalm 108
Psalm 108:9
Moab is my washpot -- Cleansing Israel from their defilement and bringing them
back to God. R4199:5
Psalm 109
Psalm 109:2
Opened against me -- Prophetic of the painful circumstances of Jesus' death.
R1205:2
Psalm 109:7
Be condemned -- Upon Judas alone, of all who had to do with his death,
our Lord placed the full responsibility. R1962:5, R4909:3
Psalm 109:8
Let another -- The Apostle Paul. Q521:2; R5002:3, R5408:6, R5940:4
Take his office -- Judas' office. Q521:2; R5002:3, R5408:6, R5940:4
Prophetic announcement of a
successor to Judas, to teach that the appointment of his successor was
exceptional and not the rule. R5002:3
Psalm 110
Psalm 110:1
The LORD -- Jehovah. E49
Said unto my Lord -- Adon, Jesus. E49
Showing a distinction of persons
between Jehovah and Jesus. R296:3, R2757:5, R1410:6
Jesus does not become David's Lord
until he becomes David's father--when he gives him life in the Millennial age.
R809:6
He became David's offspring in
Bethlehem; he became David's Lord and root at his resurrection, through virtue
of his death. R810:1
"To this end Christ both died
and revived, that he might be Lord, both of the dead and living." (Rom.
14:9) R810:1
To be Lord of the dead implies the
right, authority and power to give them life. R810:2
At my right hand -- The place of chief favor, next to the Father himself.
CR457:2; A92
Until -- He is waiting until his glorious Kingdom shall be
inaugurated for the blessing of all the families of the earth. SM679:1
Psalm 110:2
Shall send the rod -- Scepter, authority. R2935:2
Out of Zion -- The heavenly phase of the Kingdom. A295; T33; R5574:4
Rule thou -- The Church. This is not in any measure fulfilled yet.
R2935:2
Of thine enemies -- Who even until now continue to take the kingdom by force
and to use violence against the members of the Lord's Body. R2935:2
Psalm 110:3
Thy people -- The Jews first, and then those who shall become
Israelites (people of God) during the Millennial age. D632, D654; R2935:4
Shall be willing -- Having learned the dreadful lesson of the exceeding
sinfulness of sin. R35:2*, R269:2
This cannot refer to the Church;
they are willing now. R2935:3
To hearken to the voice of the
Lord through those whom he will appoint. R5646:5
In the day -- The Millennial day. R2935:4
Of thy power -- When Satan is bound; when Messiah takes his great power
and reigns. R2935:3, R5646:5
Womb of the morning -- Jesus was the only direct creation of Jehovah. R1060:4
The saints of God, coming forth
from their invisible abodes in the morning of joy, shall refresh the world with
their benignant influences. R303:1*
As morning after morning comes
forth fresh and vigorous, and as the sun retains its youth and energy. R2935:5
Dew of thy youth -- Freshness, vigor, in the re-creation. E92
Manifested in the original
creation. E92
Jesus' power displayed in
restoring and perfecting all things will at least equal his power as Jehovah's
agent in creating them. R446:4,* R1060:2
Psalm 110:4
The LORD -- Jehovah. E49
Hath sworn -- By divine oath to the antitypical Melchizedek, more
emphatic than in respect to the Aaronic priesthood. SM141:1
Thou -- Christ. T30; R4877:2
Here, too, the Body of Christ is
no longer shown as separate individuals, but as one complete. R3952:4, R714:4
Art a priest -- A Mediator, whose mission is to restore fallen beings to
perfection and harmony with God. R3951:2, R713:2
Must be called of God. R5472:2
For ever -- Melchizedec was without beginning of days or end of
years in respect to his office; no record was made of when his priesthood
began, nor was any provision made for a successor. In these respects he
typified Messiah. (Heb. 7:1-4) PD25/36
After the order -- Or, manner. R714:1, R4877:2
Our Lord is the Head of this priesthood,
and the gospel Church are his members, his under priesthood. R5424:1
Of Melchizedek -- If Christ was to be a priest after the order of
Melchizedec, he could not be a priest after the order of Aaron. Q692:6
The renunciation of the earthly
nature is necessary to the attainment of this kingly priesthood. OV106:2
A priest upon his throne. T30;
SM499:1; R4715:2, R5066:1, R5472:3, R5776:6
Who represented The Christ in
glory with full power to bless. R3951:6, R4877:2; Q696:2; SM137:2
Christ is not on his own throne
yet. He is waiting at the Father's right hand for his foes to be subjected to
him; for the Church to be completed. CR361:1
The New Creature (the priest) is
not of the Aaronic order. It does not trace its lineage to any human source.
This was strikingly typified in the priesthood of Melchizedek. R713:3, R5226:6,
R4877:2, R3951:6
Our Lord is now the great Prophet,
Priest and King after the order of Melchizedek. OV402:2; CR112:5
Not one jot or tittle of the Law
failed. The priesthood did not cease, but was merely transferred from the order
of Aaron to the order of Melchizedek. OV105:2
As we have no right to intrude
into the typical Holy or Most Holy, so they of the house of Aaron have no right
to come into the antitypical Holy, which we enter. Q692:7
Under this priesthood, men will
gradually rise up out of sin and death during a period similar in time to the
930 years in which Adam experienced the dying process. SM503:1
Psalm 110: 5
The Lord -- Adonai, Jesus. E49
At thy right hand -- In Jehovah's position of chief favor. E49
It is Jehovah's power that will
bring about the Millennial victory of The Christ. R3079:5
Day of his wrath -- The Day of Vengeance, the time of trouble. A308, A323
The Millennium is preceded by the
most terrible judgments upon the nations. In consequence of these judgments,
the people are turned to a pure worship. HG18:5
Psalm 110:6
He shall -- With the sword of truth. B101
Wound the heads -- Civil, social and ecclesiastical. B101
As the "old world" ended
with an almost entire destruction of individual life, so national life is to be
destroyed in the end of this world. HG18:2
Psalm 110:7
Drink of the brook -- Wisdom gained by experience. "He learned obedience
by the things which he suffered." (Heb. 5:8) His testing was of a
character and of an intensity such as never before had been brought to him or
any other creature. R2935:6
"The cup which my Father hath
poured for me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11) R2936:1
It is necessary that all the
members of his Body should likewise drink of the brook in the way if they would
share with the Lord in kingdom blessings. R2936:1
Therefore -- Because he did what is now our privilege to do. R2936:1
Lift up the head -- Be exalted, as we will be also if we follow him. R2936:1
Psalm 111
Psalm 111:9
Reverend -- Reverence is defined as a feeling of profound respect,
often mingled with awe and affection; worshipful regard when directed to the
divine or sacred. R2002:3
Psalm 111:10
Fear of the LORD -- Such reverence inspired our coming to the Lord in
consecration. It helped to perfect our sacrifices by keeping us back from
presumptuous sins, and helped to fix acceptable character. R4462:5
The filial fear of failure to
fully manifest love and thankfulness. R1122:5
The fear to do aught that would be
displeasing to him or that would separate from his love and favor. R2986:6
When he speaks, therefore, our
ears should be attentive to his voice and every power alert to do his bidding.
R2002:3
One of the peculiarities of our
day is lack of reverence. R2053:3
Looking away from our narrow
thoughts, plans and schemes and allowing our minds to dwell upon the grandeur
of God's benevolent, loving and glorious character. R1518:3
Under proper limitations, fear is
a healthy condition. R4996:3
Scripture text cards in every room
are a constant reminder that the Lord's will is the only standard recognized.
F554
Perfect love casts out slavish,
but not reverential, fear. R2986:6
Reverence; not the fear of eternal
torment. OV261:5; R5952:5
A proper reverence acts as a
restraint upon sin. OV180:1
Our coming to the Lord was
inspired by reverence for him. R4462:5
It is a dangerous practice to
speak jestingly of the Lord and the Scriptures. R5952:5
Beginning of wisdom -- Only when it leads to greater carefulness of living and
to a desire for the Heavenly Father's approval. OV180:1
We must have reverence to begin
with, and all the time. CR40:1
An appreciation of the infinite
power of the Creator and our own littleness should make us teachable. PD1/7
Psalm 112
Psalm 112:4
There ariseth light -- Truth. A20
Psalm 112:5
With discretion -- Hebrew, mish-paht, righteousness. HG16:6
Psalm 112:6
The righteous -- The Ancient Worthies and others who cooperate with them
during the Millennial age in turning many to righteousness. A291; R1409:6
Psalm 112:9
He hath dispersed -- Quoted by the Apostle Paul in 1
Cor. 9:9 to support his plea for
Christian benevolence and alms-giving. R2212:5, R2211:1, R5927:5, R5926:1
His horn -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
Psalm 113
Psalm 113:1
Praise ye the LORD -- The first of the "Great Hillel" Psalms
(113-118) which were chanted antiphonally, with responses, to flute
accompaniment, on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. R2438:6*
At the end of the Kingdom mankind
will be filled with joy, gladness, life and happiness and be enabled to sing
the praises of the Lord. R4243:5*
Psalm 113:7
Raiseth up the poor -- His power and influence will be the great moving
principle that will level the whole world of mankind. R4982:4
Psalm 114
Psalm 114:3
The sea -- The time of anarchy in the close of this age. R1657:5
Jordan -- Meaning "Judged down," "Condemned."
Typifying the curse, which has rested for 6000 years against our race. R3086:4
Psalm 115
Psalm 115:1
Not unto us -- An exhortation to humility. R5901:1
Psalm 115:6
But they smell not -- Ruach, exert invisible power--sense of smell. E174
Psalm 115:16
The children of men -- As represented by father Adam, and conditioned upon
obedience and loyalty. R5335:5
God's guidance in the affairs of
earth was originally intended. R5304:3
The race as a whole will have
possession of the earth. R5183:1, R5112:1
God would have the prosperous
concentrate their mental powers not upon the personal aggregation of wealth,
but upon generous schemes for the uplifting of the entire race. R5112:5
Psalm 115:17
The dead praise not -- But the resurrection of the dead will bring all to a
full knowledge of the truth. R890:1
Down into silence -- "There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor
wisdom, in the grave" (Eccl. 9:10); not a place where shrieks and groans
are heard. R2599:2, R2604:4
Death is a place of darkness (Job
10:21); of no remembrance (Psa. 6:5); a land of forgetfulness (Psa. 88:11)
where there is neither work, nor device, nor wisdom, nor knowledge (Eccl.
9:5,10; Job 14:21). CR209:2*; HG194:5, HG216:2
Psalm 116
Psalm 116:3
Sorrows of death -- The sadness associated with the thought that he was
about to die. OV265:1
Pains of hell -- The fear of sheol, oblivion, death; no reference to
anything in the future life. E366; OV265:1
Gat hold upon me -- Sickness and trouble are the figurative hands of the
grave to grasp us. R2599:3
Psalm 116:7
-Return -- When, for a season, there is a cloud between us and the
Lord, because we fail to maintain the standard, it can only be removed by
repentance and forgiveness. R5149:4
Unto thy rest -- Of faith in the promises of God. R5433:1
Let the mind return to its rest in
contemplation of the beauty of holiness, which is the mark, or goal, of the
high calling. R1885:6
Psalm 116:12
What shall I render -- The things we consecrated to God, our little all.
CR474:6; R5726:2
Our time, our strength and our
bodies as living sacrifices. CR308:2, CR306:1; R5538:2
Each day should begin with the
inquiry as to what are the possibilities of our service or sacrifice in the
Lord's cause. R5155:2
Not, "What will he or she
render?" but, "Lord, what shall I render?" CR304:2
All his benefits -- Which we have received, as well as those we hope yet to
receive. R5155:2, R5726:1; CR474:5
Psalm 116:13
I will take -- Through faith in Christ, the Redeemer. R1673:4
The cup -- Of self-denial, shame, ignominy and abasement now;
blessing and refreshment in the Kingdom. R3853:6, R5155:2, R5538:4; CR316:4,
R329:4
All the experiences that come to
us in his providence, every day. R5538:4; CR307:2, R322:6
Of salvation -- The gift of God's love, purchased for us at great cost.
R1673:4
Which is the cup of sacrifice.
R4304:5
The cup of death is represented as
a cup of salvation because only thereby can our salvation, and the world's, be
attained. R4555:5
Call upon the name -- Giving him our fullest confidence. R1673:4
For needed aid, not trusting in
our own strength. R4555:6, R5155:5, R5539:5; CR322:6
Psalm 116:14
I will pay my vows -- Fulfil my covenant of consecration, of sacrifice,
faithful unto death. R3282:5, R4555:6, R5539:1
The vow of Christ and his members
is faithfulness unto death-- the drinking of the cup. R4555:5
Now -- Now is the acceptable time for the Church. R5539:1
Promptly. R1673:4
Presence of all -- The Lord desires a public confession; a witness before
men. R5539:4, R4304:5, R4266:5
We will not keep secret the matter
of our vow, nor the matter of our obedience, but we will stimulate one another
in the good way. R5155:5
Psalm 116:15
Precious -- No matter how long ago it took place. C233
He takes special note of their
death. R4651:3
Sight of the LORD -- "The Father himself loveth you." (John 16:27)
R2355:4
Death of his saints "Ye shall all die like men, and fall like one of the
princes." (Psa. 82:7) C239
Nothing that befalls them is an
accident. F646
In their case, the control of
"Him that hath the power of death" (Heb. 2:14) is limited. R2180:1
As in the Lord's case, dying daily
(1 Cor. 15:3), even unto death. R3282:5
Consecration--dying daily--and
finally, actual death--they are all precious to the Father. Q221:2
Such, at his coming, are raised in
his likeness. R1210:3*
Those of the Jewish age, into the
glory of the earthly phase of the Kingdom; those of the Gospel age, into the
glory of its heavenly phase. R1562:2, R2354:6
As though the vow referred to
symbolized death to self and the world, as well as to sin. R4266:5
Psalm 116:17
Sacrifice of thanksgiving -- There is a more difficult sacrifice than this offering
of praise--to forsake all, take up our cross, and follow him in the narrow way.
R4535:2
Psalm 118
Psalm 118:1
O give thanks -- This Psalm was probably written for the dedication of
the Temple. R4297:1
The last of the "Great
Hillel," which was chanted antiphonally, or rather with responses,
accompanied by the flute, on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. R2438:6*
Endureth for ever -- The wrath of God is always just, and tempered with
mercy. R2613:2, R5427:3; HG319:5
To a full completion. R5427:3
Psalm 118:4
That fear the LORD -- Perfect love casts out slavish, but not reverential,
fear. R2986:6
Psalm 118:6
I will not fear -- I shall be content, so long as I have my Father and my
Redeemer. R5113:6
Can man do -- Or say of me. R5113:6
Psalm 118:20
This gate of -- This is the gate that leadeth to. D639
Psalm 118:22
The stone -- Christ. R1796:4; C329
Is become -- In reference to his triumph in the resurrection and his
future glory as King of the whole earth. R1796:4
The head stone -- Typified by the top stone of the Great Pyramid. C329;
R1982:1,6
A foundation is laid in the
heavens, not on earth; the living stones built upon it are cemented to it by
heavenly not earthly, attractions. R1982:2
"The chief corner stone"
of the Temple which God purposes to build. R2940:2
As of a pyramid. Every under-stone
must be built in harmony with the lines and angles of the top-stone, showing
how all of God's sons, earthly and heavenly, must be conformed to the image of
his Son. A242,243
Psalm 118:23
It is marvellous -- To have the stone "witness," the Great
Pyramid, speak, and corroborate the testimony of the Bible, is astounding. C374
Psalm 118:24
This is the day -- The day of earth's salvation; the Millennial day of
Christ's glory as the Head and Ruler of the world. C329; D639
Psalm 118:27
Shewed us light -- Truth. A20
Bind the sacrifice -- In the time of sacrifice. R2789:1
Dying daily is a very hard thing
to do. R4244:5*
The Vow is a closer binding of the
sacrifice of consecration to the altar. R4402:3*
With cords -- The cords of love and zeal. R2588:6
In the Tabernacle type, the goat
was tied, picturing the covenant of sacrifice which we make. R4864:3
Of the altar -- The Brazen altar. R101:1*
Psalm 119
Psalm 119:9
Wherewithal -- The law of God is a detector of false ways; therefore we
should test all of our ways by it. R705:6
A young man -- At the verge of manhood life's great work and duties
must be faced, and the youth must come in contact, to some extent, with the
wickedness of an ungodly world. R2146:2*
Cleanse his way -- Keep a clean course in life. R2146:2*
By taking heed -- Very few take time to consider, to weigh and compare
principles and motives of action, to see whether the ends for which they strive
are worthy of their efforts. R2146:1*
To thy word -- "Able to make thee wise unto salvation." (2
Tim. 3:15) R2146:4*
Coming to it for answers to all
questions of right and duty, studying how the perfect law of God applies to
daily life, its associations and obligations. R2146:6*
Psalm 119:10
I sought thee -- The Christian who abandons daily reading of the Word and
meditation on its precepts is not a growing Christian. R1850:5
Psalm 119:11
Hid in mine heart -- Heart appreciation of the divine arrangements. R4409:5,
R1850: 5
Psalm 119:15
I will meditate -- With a meek and prayerful spirit; not read carelessly.
R2146:5
Only in pondering the Word of the
Lord can we receive the nourishment it is designed to give. R1390:3
A life acceptable to God is to be
attained, not merely by prayers and resolutions, but by systematic effort at
self-cultivation and nipping the weeds of perversity in the bud. R1296:2
In thy precepts -- By diligent and constant cultivation of pure, benevolent
and noble thoughts. R4834:6
Psalm 119:16
I will delight -- Not merely a willingness to do the Lord's will under
restraint, but a willing heart-- "I delight to do thy will." (Psa.
40:8) R3609:1
I will not forget -- The key to all proper living. R3609:1, R4834:5
Thy word -- Not according to the imperfect standard, but according
to God's Word. R4834:6
Psalm 119:18
Open thou mine eyes -- God's Word explains many mysteries, and his faithful
servants, who study his Word, are not in darkness. R1063:4*
Wondrous things -- The matchless harmony of the divine plan. A349
Out of thy law -- The entire Word of God, in a larger sense, is God's law.
R1498:5
Psalm 119:54
Have been my songs -- "Thou hast put a new song into my mouth, even the
lovingkindness of our God." (Psa. 40:3) R2232:2
"Songs in the night."
(Job 35:10) R2232:1
Not only literal songs, but the
entire life will be a song of praise and thanksgiving. R2232:2
Remember Paul and Silas, praising
God in the prison of Philippi, while their backs were still lacerated and
bleeding? R2232:5
In the house -- "The present evil world" (Gal. 1:4) is the
general house of our pilgrimage while waiting for the change from the human to
the divine nature. OV178:T; R2231:2
"The earthly house of this
tabernacle." (2 Cor. 5:1) R2231:3
Of my pilgrimage -- While waiting for the "city" of God. R2231:1
Even while we remain here as
enemies and foreigners in the enemies' lands, we shall be fed and nourished
temporally and spiritually. R5803:6
Psalm 119:55
In the night -- Before the dawn of the Millennial day. R2232:1
Psalm 119:67
I was afflicted -- Our Heavenly Father designs that various kinds of
trouble shall come upon us to develop and prove our characters. R5879:4,
R2382:1; F648
There are great blessings
connected with afflictions. F648
The real interests of the New
Creation and their physical conditions and interests are often opposites. F631
I went astray -- It often requires several adversities to awaken one to
come unto the Father through Christ for relief. R4048:3
But now -- Therefore, we can thank God for earthly adversities.
SM330:T
As Job was blessed more abundantly
after his trials than before, so in mankind's final restoration they will have
the blessing of added experience to make them wise. R5803:4
The severe tribulations and
disciplines of Israel's "seven times" will prove favorable to such of
them as incline to do right. In fact, when Jesus came, they had proved so
favorable that they were the holiest people in the world. Q356:4
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me -- Precious indeed to the saints of God is the ministry of
pain and sorrow. R5803:2, R5879:4, R2382:1; F648
"If ye be without
chastisement (discipline, training), then are ye bastards and not sons,"
(Heb. 12:8) R5879:4
Psalm 119:75
Afflicted me -- See comments on verses 67 and 71.
Psalm 119:76
According to thy word -- Pray, trusting God's love and mercy. R5380:5*
Psalm 119:90
And it abideth -- The same physical earth remains as the scene for great
revolutionary changes which destroy the preceding order of things. R1615:4
Psalm 119:97
0 how I love thy law -- The law of love, whose foundation is justice. R5885:5,
R3070:6, R3071:4, R1535:5
We should love it as Christ loved
it, study it and endeavor to conform to it as he did, glory in it and, by word
and example, teach it to others as he did. R1404:5
We learn to delight ourselves in
God's law by assembling together for Bible study. R597:6*
Meditation -- We should, in every detail of life, consider carefully
what is right and what is wrong according to Scripture. This course is termed
meditating on God's law. R5116:3
If God's law were the constant
meditation of all, there would be fewer glaring mistakes. R5885:5, R3071:4
All the day -- Since it is to be applied to all our business and social
relations, its often intricate problems require close discernment. R1703:5,
R4062:4
Psalm 119:99
More understanding -- God's Word explains many mysteries, and his faithful
servants, who study his Word, are not in darkness. R1063:4*
Psalm 119:104
I get understanding -- While seeking to follow the various specific commands of
Scripture, let us seek more and more to understand the principles which
underlie the divine law. R3596:1, R4803:4; HG620:1
Every false way -- The law of God is a detector of false ways; therefore,
we should test all our ways by it. R705:6
Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp -- His providence and Word. R4663:4
A prophetic lamp. D617
We need the Bible now as a lamp
because we are in a dark time, until the day dawn. Q43:2; CR251:4
During the time of the world's
existence the Bible has been the lamp, or light, to God's people. CR267:3
In this age the Word is the lamp
and the Church the lampstand, but in the next age we shall shine forth as the
sun in the kingdom of our Father. (Matt. 13:43) R243:6*, R244:1*
During the Millennium the world
will have something better, yet they will get a blessing from the Bible when
they see how prophecies were fulfilled. Q43:2
All who walk the narrow way must
use the lamp and walk with great particularity. CR340:4
In proportion as we feed the flame
of the Spirit with the truth, we become burning and shining lights in the
world, having the Spirit of the Lord in us. R4419:4
The lamps are trimmed by searching
the Scriptures. C92
Even believers see only in part,
and should desire increasing light, which God has for the Church only. HG745:6
The heathen are in gross darkness.
Civilization is in darkness also, although not as gross as in heathendom.
HGI79:6
Those who have it not stumble on
in the darkness. R3686:3, R4988:1
Unto my feet -- Pictures the traveler with the lamp attached to the toe
of his sandal, giving light only for each step of the way. SM242:1; R5055:2
Not a light like that of the moon,
which reaches far out, but merely a little light at the feet of those watching
for it. Those who are going to sleep will find their light going out. R5256:6
Light unto my path -- illuminating the signs of the times. R2973:3
Only for those who walk in the
footsteps of Jesus. It does not shine far into the future, but enough for each
onward step as it becomes due. A20; OV203:1; R3468:6
"The path of the just is as
the shining light." (Prov. 4:18) A20
The light prevents stumbling over
the "stone of stumbling." (Isa. 8:14) R176:5
No amount of prayer will make up
for neglect to study the Lord's Word. R5709:5
The Law was a light, but was
ultimately superseded by the true light, the Gospel. R2439:1, R2504:4
God's promises respecting the
glorious morning are figuratively called "light," and these
constitute the Bible. R5038:2
But let us beware in this day of
the "new lights" and of many presenting themselves as special
teachers. R2532:4
Psalm 119:130
Giveth light -- Wisdom from above is the noblest science and the best
instruction. R4825:1
Psalm 119:133
Order my steps -- Help me so to walk as to make as few mistakes as
possible. R3157:1
In thy word -- The Word of God furnishes principles, precepts and
examples broad enough to indicate the Lord's will in all the minutest affairs
of life. R614:4
According to thy promise; perhaps
by sending financial or social disappointments, or sickness of body so as to
bring back the wandering sheep. R3157:2
Psalm 119:148
Prevent -- Anticipate. R5518:5
Thy word -- Law, precept--the spirit, the purpose of that law, not
merely the outward form. R5518:5
Psalm 119:165
Great peace -- "God has called us to peace." (1 Cor. 7:15)
R2946:3
The knowledge that all of their
affairs are under divine supervision. R5933:1
Which love thy law -- To appreciate the fact that God has a great purpose; to
take delight in finding out what God's will is; to have full confidence in his
justice, wisdom, love and power. R4898:1; Q528:5
God's law represents God's will.
R4898:1
Offend -- Stumble. Those that stumble are those that are not
rightly in harmony with God's law. R5933:1; Q528:5
Psalm 119:174
For thy salvation -- From all sin, and to the perfection and beauty of
holiness. R1938:2
Psalm 119:175
Let my soul live -- The soul can be destroyed by its Creator. R1882:1;
HG334:5
Psalm 121
Psalm 121:2
My help -- The Lord's people never needed help more than at the
present. The difficulty with some, however, is that they do not realize their
need. R4311:1
Cometh from the LORD -- Not relying on our own strength or wisdom or the
assistance of our fellows; not despising assistance from any quarter, but
receiving it in the conviction that it comes from the Lord. R4311:2
Psalm 121:4
Slumber nor sleep -- Whether we call on him in the busy hours of the day or
in the silent watches of the night he is near to sustain, uphold, and protect,
whether we realize his presence or not. R5549:1
Psalm 121:5
LORD is thy keeper -- The great Covenant Keeper, who has promised and who will
not fail in his promises. R3632:2
He would protect them as long as
they would be loyal to him. R5626:2
Psalm 121:8
Preserve thy going -- Refers especially to the spiritual life of the Lord's
consecrated people. R1682:4
Psalm 122
Psalm 122:1
Go into the house -- Become part of the true Temple. R3284:4, R1495:6
In the Millennial age all mankind
will be invited to approach the Lord and his spiritual Temple, The Christ; and,
through them, the Father. R3284:4
Psalm 122:6
Peace of Jerusalem -- As true of Jerusalem the higher, and her children of
peace, as of the earthly Jerusalem. Those who pray for the Lord's cause seek to
serve it and are proportionately blessed thereby. R2576:2
Psalm 123
Psalm 123:2
Wait upon the LORD -- We should recognize the divine providences and look for
them. R5844:2
Psalm 125
Psalm 125:1
Be as Mount Zion -- The spiritual phase of the kingdom of God. A295; R5574:4
Psalm 125:2
Jerusalem -- Would be a difficult city for an enemy to successfully
attack; so is the defense of the Lord's people. R4623:3
Is round about -- As a fortress and protection under every adverse
influence. R4623:3
We are surrounded by God's
messengers. (Psa. 34:7) R158:6*
Psalm 126
Psalm 126:2
Tongue with singing -- While the whole creation groans, the saintly few may
sing, may rejoice. R4892:5
As Israel left Babylon with great
joy, so we who have gotten free from mystic Babylon rejoice exceedingly and
would not go back under any consideration. R3643:4
Psalm 126:3
For us -- For natural Israel upon her return from literal Babylon;
for spiritual Israel upon her return from mystic Babylon. R3643:1, R4892:2
We are glad -- Those not thus stirred in spirit may as well stay in
Babylon, as they would only prove snares and stumbling blocks to others.
R2510:5
These have joy and peace because
he grants to them a knowledge of his divine purposes and of things to come.
R4892:5
Psalm 126:5
They that sow -- The work of seed sowing was to be one of the main
features of the Church's work until the Harvest, but the work of the harvest
time is altogether different. R885:2*
Psalm 126:6
And weepeth -- Feeling the importance and cost of the work in
self-sacrifice. R785:1
Touched with sympathy for the
blinded and suffering. R935:5*
Doubtless come again -- We "know that our labor is not in vain in the
Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58); we will see some of the fruit. R785:1
Psalm 127
Psalm 127:2
His beloved sleep -- Many, previously troubled with the cares of this life,
have cast their cares upon the Lord and have regained the ability to enjoy
sweet rest in sleep. R3003:4
Psalm 130
Psalm 130:1
Out of the depths -- In every life, in the present reign of sin and evil, the
somber shades predominate. R5802:2, R1759:2
It is in seasons of overwhelming
sorrow, when we draw near to the Lord, that he draws especially near to us.
R1759:5, R5802:3
Have I cried -- The soul that has never known the discipline of sorrow
and trouble has never yet learned the preciousness of the Lord's love and
helpfulness. R1759:3
Unto thee, O LORD -- The righteousness of our Savior is our glorious dress in
which we may come to God with humble boldness, courage. R5802:5
Psalm 130:3
Mark iniquities -- When the heart is true and loyal, God does not mark our
infirmities in a record against us. R1759:6
Mark against us the unavoidable
blemishes of our earthen vessel. R5802:5
Who shall stand? -- David, feeling his own shortcomings, longed for full
deliverance from every imperfection. R5802:3
Psalm 130:4
There Is forgiveness -- Mercy is one of the grandest and most impressive
features of the divine character. R3599:2
The fact that God gives us credit
for our heart intentions prompts us to greater reverence for him. R5681:1
That thou mayest -- It is God's love which constrains us to seek him, desire
to serve him, and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. R4931:3
If God were not forgiving and
merciful, we might indeed be in terror before him, but we could not love him,
not have the same incentive to righteousness. R3599:2
Feared -- Reverenced. R1759:5, R4931:3
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD -- How necessary is the patient waiting on the Lord. R1759:6,
R5802:6
"Wait patiently for him ...
and he shall bring it to pass." (Psa. 37:7, 5) R1760:1
Do I hope -- He loves us too well to permit any needless sorrow, any
needless suffering. R5802:6
God has not forgotten when the
answers to our prayers seem to tarry long. R1760:1
Psalm 130:6
More than they -- Who are watching from the standpoints of socialism,
nationalism, and other human plans and hopes. RI760:4
For the morning -- The Millennial morning. R1760:1
Psalm 131
Psalm 131:2
Quieted myself -- Nephesh, soul, sentient being. E334
Psalm 132
Psalm 132:7
At his footstool -- Applied by Popists to the kissing of the Pope's foot.
B309
Psalm 132:8
Arise, O LORD -- Chanted just before the glory of the Lord filled the
Temple at its dedication. R4297:4*
Referring to the cloud's lifting
from the Tabernacle and going before Israel as a guide. R3060:6
Thou, and the ark -- The Christ. T121
Psalm 132:11
Fruit of thy body -- The genealogical records prove Jesus to be the Son of
David, as the prophets foretold. R944:1*
Fulfilled in Solomon only because
Solomon was a type of the greater Son of David, who was also the Son of God.
R2372:6
The typical kingdom continued from
David to Zedekiah, then was taken away from the earth, never to be replaced
until the Messiah replaces it as God's true Kingdom at his reign. Q93:8
If Solomon had obeyed God as did
David, the deathless heir to the throne would have come from his seed as well.
R467:3*
The Maccabeans did not come from
the line God recognized, and the Herod family were not Jews at all. Q93:8
Psalm 132:12
If thy children -- But they did not meet the conditions, and Solomon's line
was rejected as Christ's ancestry. E130
Psalm 132:13
Hath chosen Zion -- The true Church. D158
Psalm 132:17
The horn -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
Of David -- Type of Christ. B255
Psalm 133
Psalm 133:1
How pleasant -- This Psalm seems to be specially applicable to our day.
R4994:3
Brethren -- The Church. R4994:3
But truth and error, light and
darkness, are not brethren. They are implacable and everlasting foes. R753:5,
R5229:5
Together in unity -- All who have the spirit of the Head must be in sympathy
with the fellow members of the Body. F132
The more the Lord's jewels come
together, the more opportunities for friction, and the more need for the holy
Spirit. R4995:6
It would be easier for a company
of people in the nominal church to live together in unity. R4995:1
While each New Creature is a
complete member of Christ, yet in addition all the New Creatures are to recognize
themselves as members one of another, and are to exercise toward each other
such love as will prevent friction and enable the whole to cooperate for its
own upbuilding and completion. R2227:5
Made difficult because of the
Christian's real intrinsic worth or character--like diamonds being rubbed
together. R4995:4
Let our combativeness be engaged
against the great enemy and all the works of sin--including those in our fallen
flesh. R3246:5
Each brother has a right to his
own opinion. We have no right to make our views tests. The things that are
tests are the things given us in the Scriptures. R4995:3,4
If we find any member unendurable,
we should ask for more of the Lord's spirit so that we may exercise more
patience and brotherly kindness in dealing with that one. R5230:1,4
The most favorable condition for
unity is that all shall seek to have the Lord's will done in their mortal
bodies. R5229:3
Illustrated by David, who was
emphatically a man of peace toward his brethren of all the tribes. R3246:5
Illustrated in the Bethel family.
HG503:1
Psalm 133:2
Precious ointment -- The holy Spirit. T37, R5235:6, R5654:5, R5971:6
"The anointing which we have
received of him abideth in you " (1 John 2:27) T37, E215
The anointing belongs to the
entire Body--the qualifying power of God on all the Royal Priesthood,
authorizing them to declare the glad tidings. E215; Q23:T, R5971:6
Jesus' anointing was God's
recognition and acceptance of his sacrifice. R1688:4
Upon the head -- Upon Christ Jesus at the time of his baptism. T37,
R5424:5, R5549:4, R5587:5; CR460:3
"Anointed with the oil of
gladness above his fellows." (Psa. 45:7) T37
In Jesus alone have we any
standing before God. R5536:5
That ran down -- From the baptism of Jesus to the last member of his Body.
E215; CR251:5; OVI61:T, CR460.3
The underpriests took part in the
ceremony and were anointed symbolically in him as members of his body. R135:1,
R270:6
Even Aaron's -- Type of The Christ, Head and Body. T37
To the skirts -- Showing that the same anointing covers all the members
of the Body. R4994:3, R5971:6, R5549:4, R5654:5, R1715:3; SM599:T, Q452:T,
CR251:5
Of his garments -- Anointing all who are truly his, covered by his robes.
R72:6; T38
Psalm 135
Psalm 135:4
LORD hath chosen Jacob -- God himself was king of Israel. Hezekiah and others were
only his representatives on the throne. R1358:4
His peculiar treasure -- So long as Israel was under the divine rulership and
care, no evil could befall them--except by divine permission for their correction
and discipline. R1358:5
Psalm 135:14
The LORD will judge -- It is not for us to judge any. R4473:6
His people -- Up to the present God has not been judging the world;
the trial is confined to justified believers. HG234:3
Psalm 136
Psalm 136:1
Endureth for ever -- To a full completeness. R5427:3
The wrath of God is always just,
and tempered with mercy. R5427:3, R3283:4, R2613:2
This Psalm was probably sung by
the Levites and the people of Israel at the dedication of Solomon's Temple.
R3283:4, R4297:1
Therefore, the punishment of the
wicked will end sometime. R236:4, R356:2
Psalm 136:6
Stretched out the earth -- By gathering together the waters into seas; by
convulsions of earth casting up mountain ranges and depressing other parts for
the gatherings of waters, seas. R1813:1
Above the waters -- Higher than the waters. R1813:1
Psalm 136:8
The sun to rule -- Not the limitation of its usefulness; only that which
specially pertains to man and the earth, his home, is mentioned. R1812:6
Psalm 136:10
Endureth for ever -- To a full completeness. R5427:3
God's mercy towards human sinners
will endure until Christ makes an end of it in the close of the Millennial age.
R1454:1
Not limited to the present life.
During the Millennial age the hand that smote will be turned to heal. R5427:3;
A256
Psalm 136:15
Overthrew Pharaoh -- Type of Satan. F458
In the Red sea -- Type of the Second Death. F459
Psalm 137
Psalm 137:1
Rivers of Babylon -- Defiled by the mire of worldliness and error. R497:6
Yea, we wept -- Fleshly Israel, after the overturn of their kingdom. B83
Remembered Zion -- God's favor to Zion in the past. R497:6
Psalm 137:2
Hanged our harps -- Laid aside the harps of God. R497:6
Take down your harps; flee from
Babylon into full liberty of thought and expression; tune your harps and sing
the song of Moses and the Lamb. R497:6
Upon the willows -- Weeping over the grave of truth. R497:6
Psa. 137:3 : They that
carried -- The Babylonian system. R497:6
Required of us mirth -- Babylon would like to see Zion's captives happy in the
midst of her worldliness. R497:6
Songs of Zion -- That she might boast of the Lord's favor. R497:6
Psalm 137:5
If I forget thee -- It is pleasing to note that in the land of their
captivity Israel was reclaimed from idolatry so thoroughly as never to return
to it again. R1483.3
Psalm 137:6
Remember thee -- The spirit of praise is cultivated by calling to mind
and recounting what the Lord has done. R2031:5
Psalm 138
Psalm 138:2
Thy holy temple -- The Christ. T70
Psalm 138:6
Unto the lowly -- Only the poor in spirit, the humble and teachable ones,
can submit to the discipline and training necessary to fit them for the
Kingdom. R2139:4
Psalm 139
Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge -- His mighty intellect grasps with ease all the interests
of his wide domain, from immensity to minutia. R1864:3
Memory that never fails, judgment
that never errs, plans that never miscarry, vigilance that never ceases.
R1560:2
Psalm 139:7
Go from thy spirit -- To escape or be hidden from divine power. E366
Psalm 139:8
My bed in hell -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E366
Thou art there -- Even oblivion is accessible to divine power. E366
God has the same power to aid
those in hell that he has to bless those in heaven. HG754:6*, HG756:1*
God's power is unlimited. Even
over those in the tomb he can, and will, exert it, and bring forth all that are
in the graves. (John 5:28) R2599:3
"I have the keys of death and
of hades, oblivion." (Rev. 1: 18) E366
Psalm 139:14
Fearfully -- Awe-fully; we are noble creatures, in the image of our
God, except as marred by sin. R1566:3
Psalm 139:15
My substance -- My organism. E404
When I was made -- Either at first birth, or in the resurrection. E404
Psalm 139:16
In continuance -- Gradually. E404
Psalm 139:21
Them Includes both evil men and evil angels. Q322:2
Psalm 139:22
Perfect hatred -- We want to hate what the Lord hates. "Thou hast
loved righteousness and hated iniquity " (Heb. 1:9) R4909:5, R1861:4,
R5949:2, R1291:1; Q321:5, Q783:T
We hate the Antichrist systems
with "a perfect hatred" because we love God with a perfect love. The
two, being opposites, properly produce opposite sentiments. R1191:4
We have no thought of ever
becoming more loving than the Lord. R4909:6, R2131:2
Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God -- It is in the diagnosis of our case that we are most
likely to err; it is here that sobriety of mind and meekness are so much
needed. R2094:5
Try me -- The Lord says, I will prove you by leaving you all your
time, influence, money, everything, in your hands as my steward. Q615:T
Psalm 141
Psalm 141:2
As incense -- The incense of old, which typified the prayers of
saints, was composed of a rare mixture which only the priests were allowed to
make. R5692:5
The prayers of God's people rise
up before him as a sweet perfume. R5692:5
Psalm 141:3
Keep -- If the prayer be sincere, the petitioner will do all in
his power in this direction while seeking divine aid. R3739:6
The door of my lips -- Whatever difficulty we have through our lips needs
correction at our hearts. R3739:6
Help me to be secretive at the
proper time. R3971:5
What a fearful responsibility
attaches to the tongue that wags in an evil, or even in a flippant, way, which
is also dishonoring to God. R1938:2
Psalm 141:4
To any evil thing -- Assist me in my determination of opposition to all these
things (dainties of this world). R5692:6
Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous -- Primarily the Lord Jesus; also right-intentioned,
right-willed persons, manifesting in their conduct the spirit of righteousness.
R4977:2
Smite me -- Those in fellowship with God will take no offense if
reproved by the righteous. R5692:6
A kindness -- We should be glad to be set right if we are wrong, and
receive it as of the Lord. R4977:2
Let him -- A proper reproof should not be injurious, but uplifting
and refreshing. R4977:2
Reprove me -- Administering reproof to another should be done only
after careful consideration and prayer. R4977:3
An excellent oil -- Such as a guest received from his host in ancient time.
R5692:6
Shall not break -- Neither our heads nor our hearts are broken by
Scriptural reproofs. R5693:1
"Let not my head refuse
it." (American Revision) R5693:1
Reproof should not be disastrous,
not crushing. R4977:3
In their calamities -- Rendered "evil" in "I create evil."
(Isa. 45:7) A125
"Even in their wickedness
shall my prayer continue. " (American Revision) R5693:1
Psalm 141:7
At the grave's -- Sheol, oblivion. E366
Psalm 141:9
From the snares -- But the world will be ensnared in the great time of
trouble. R5693:5
Psalm 141:10
Let the wicked fall -- Satan and his servants will be overwhelmed in the great
time of trouble approaching, in a manner not expected. R5693:5
Psalm 142
Psalm 142:6
For they are stronger -- Pray, pleading our need. R5380:5*
Psalm 143
Psalm 143:5
I remember -- The spirit of praise is cultivated by calling to mind
and recounting what the Lord has done for us. R2031:5
Work of thy hands -- The two great books of nature and of revelation are
special themes of meditation for those who love the Lord and desire to know
more of him. R1390:6
Psalm 143:8
In the morning -- Of the resurrection, the Millennium. A60; E364
Psalm 143:10
Lead me -- Ask him to guide you, with no will of your own or choice
as to the pathway, silently waiting to hear his voice, and it will be given you
to know his will. R590:5*
Psalm 144
Psalm 144:1
Fingers to fight -- We should never go to battle without the assurance that
the battle is the Lord's, nor should we forget that "Our weapons are not
carnal weapons." (2 Cor. 10: 4) R2015:3
Psalm 144:6
Cast forth lightning -- Diffusions of knowledge. R511:2
Shoot out thine arrows -- Divine truth, slaughtering the hosts of error. R5493:6;
CR164:4; SM440:l
See comments on Psa. 45:5.
Psalm 144:11
Strange children -- The Lord shall separate the false, or strange, children
from the true, and will glorify the saintly ones. R4768:2
Psalm 144:12
Corner stones -- Corner pillars. R4768:4
Polished -- Sculptured. R4768:4
The grace and beauty of the
children of the Messiah will be marvelous, attaining to more than Adamic
perfection. R4768:4
Psalm 144:13
Our streets -- Your open pastures. R4768:4
Psalm 144:14
No breaking in -- No breach--no rupture of happy relationships. R4768:4
Nor going out -- No migration, no more seeking for better or more
happifying conditions. R4768:5
Even death shall be destroyed.
R4768:4
No complaining -- Discontent is now rapidly increasing with every added
blessing of our wonderful day. R4768:5
Contentment will take the place of
selfishness and discontent. R4768:5
Psalm 144:15
Happy is that people -- It is an ideal picture of the future and not of the
past. R4768:1
That happy nation will acquire,
additionally, a happy home and a worldwide paradise. Even human perfection
could not bring happiness if calamities continued. R4768:2
Whose God is the LORD -- Whose God is Jehovah. We need to correct our ideas and
our theologies. R4768:5
Psalm 145
Psalm 145:5
I will speak of -- Meditate on. R2712:1
The glorious honour -- From the standpoint of the average Christian, God is
anything but gloriously honorable in his majesty. R2712:3
Thy wondrous works -- The sentence of death upon our race, the work of
redemption through Christ, and the coming deliverance. R2713:1
Psalm 145:6
And men -- The world of mankind in general, not appreciating his
glorious character. R2712:1
Psalm 145:7
Abundantly utter -- Loudly proclaim. R2713:5
The memory -- The Memorial, the gift of God's dear Son. R2713:5
Psalm 145:9
Is good to all -- The Lord's special care and compassion are over the
weak, helpless and bereaved ones. Q781:4
His tender mercies -- Kind providences, to be manifested in due time. R1560:3
Over all his works -- His memory never fails, his judgment never errs, his plans
never miscarry, his vigilance never ceases. R1560:2
In a certain sense God's
providence attaches to every creature, but saints are his peculiar care.
R3219:2
Psalm 145:10
And thy saints -- All the Lord's saints during the harvest time. R2714:6
Psalm 145:11
Of the glory -- Of the glorious salvation to be manifested to the living
and the dead. R2714:2-4
Of thy kingdom -- The Millennial Kingdom. R2714:2
Of thy power -- Which will bind Satan, punish sin, heal the mental,
moral and physical diseases of men, raise the dead, lift all the obedient up to
perfection. R2714:4
Psalm 145:13
Everlasting kingdom -- Man will have everlasting life, as Adam had it, as long
as obedient to God's will, which will be forever, since they will have learned
the evil effect of any other way. R269:6
Psalm 145:15
Meat in due season -- Every feature of Present Truth sent by God as "meat
in due season" for his saints is promptly counterfeited to "deceive,
if possible, the very elect." (Matt. 24:45, 24) R5800:5
Psalm 145:17
And holy -- He could not be holy in all of his works if he were the
author of sin and crime. R1351:4*
Psalm 145:19
Them that fear him -- Perfect love casts out slavish fear, but increases
reverential fear. R2986:6, R2289:5
Psalm 145:20
The LORD preserveth -- God will eventually bring a blessing out of evils to
those not in sympathy with them; but the evils themselves, and the wicked, he
will destroy. R3145:4*
To all eternity. OV439:3*
Them that love him -- During the Gospel age divine blessings are conferred
upon the Church. R3658:5
But all the wicked -- Satan and all who intentionally oppose God. E392;
R4811:6, R5839:4, R769:4
Of the Sodomites and the
antediluvians God made illustrations of the great lesson that all who refuse
the rule of righteousness will be esteemed "wicked." R5179:1,
R5167:6; SM502:2; CR113:4
The intelligently wicked. R5839:1
Not the ignorant. R3083:2
The wilfully wicked and not the
merely ignorant, misled, blinded, or deceived. HG728:5
Whether they belong to the class
that is now on trial or to the class which will be on trial during Messiah's
reign. R5408:2
All shall be awakened and brought
to a full knowledge before being sentenced as "wicked." But the
wicked shall never see life. R1106:6
God permits conditions which he
disapproves, which he will ultimately destroy. R5209:6
Will he destroy -- Not torment. F332; SM520:2, SM153:2; CR498:4; R5238:3;
OV439:3*; SM589:3
"The wicked shall
perish." (Psa. 37:20) R2607:3
"Punished with everlasting
destruction." (2 Thes. 1:9) E392
Ultimately, after full
opportunity, every false teacher and every wilful sinner will be destroyed.
R4740:5, R5209:6, R5340:2, R5694:2; SM87:1
Torment is unjust and unmerciful,
but taking away life from those who do not conform to New covenant regulations
is reasonable, just and merciful. R3083:5
God can both create a human soul
and destroy one. OV34:1
He who gives us our existence has
the power to deprive us of it. R363:1
This is a righteous, just, penalty
for those who refuse God's favor and his righteous, reasonable, loving terms.
Q219:T
Neither sin nor sinners can go
beyond the Millennial age. R765:4
There is no reason why those who
will not make progress should be allowed to live on indefinitely. R5167:5
He will not feed them and continue
their lives everlastingly. R1176:1
But the delay in execution until
the little season will delude some into thinking that it will not be enforced,
as Eve was deluded in Eden. R1234:5
Not in the present life where
they, more often than the righteous, flourish and prosper. R1383:5
Whoever will not have God's gift
of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord cannot have life at all. R2398:6
God will ultimately have a clean
universe, free from the blight of sin and sinners. R2607:3
It is right to destroy beasts, and
it is right for God to destroy those who will ultimately be like brute beasts
in that they would be injurious to others. Q225:T
Contrary to the teachings of
Mormonism. HG731:4
But none will die the Second Death
because of Adam's transgression. SM589:3
"Fear him who is able to
destroy both soul and body." (Matt. 10:28) CR498:4
There will be no forced obedience.
The only force wilful sinners will receive, after having full opportunity to
know God's will, is the force of destruction. R891:4
Psalm 146
Psalm 146:4
His thoughts perish -- Contrary to the teachings of Spiritualism. R2170:2
"The dead know not
anything." (Eccl. 9:5) R4792:1
There is no conscious existence
after the breath leaves the body. R802:3, R1881:5
His personality, the result of his
hereditary and prenatal influences, combined with his experiences, perishes,
for it cannot exist without a body. R5166:2
Whoever would believe the
Scriptural doctrine of the resurrection must also believe the Scriptural
doctrine respecting death--that death is death, the cessation of life. R4791:6
Psalm 146:7
Looseth the prisoners -- Setting free the prisoners of sin and death. OV387:5;
A112
Psalm 146:9
Relieveth the fatherless -- The Lord's special care and compassion are over the
weak, helpless, and bereaved ones. Q781:4
Psalm 147
Psalm 147:2
Outcasts of Israel -- Assembling to his standards the outcasts of nominal
spiritual Israel. (Isa. 66:5) R438:2
Psalm 147:4
The stars -- The Lord's bright ones. R438:2
Psalm 147:11
Them that fear him -- Earnestly watchful of every word and act, trying to
please the Lord, and copy his character. R2289:6
Psalm 147:14
Finest of the wheat -- The wealth of our Father's storehouse. R5538:3
It is necessary that the New
Creature be fed upon it. R5735:6
Psalm 148
Psalm 148:8
Stormy wind -- Ruach, invisible power. E174
Psalm 148:14
Exalteth the horn -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
Psalm 149
Psalm 149:5
Joyful in glory -- The time may come when part of the saints will be in
glory beyond the veil, and when those on this side will enter very fully into
the joys and work of their Lord. R5451:1
It need not be on the other side,
but on this side, of the veil. Q387:1
Though we shall rule the world, it
will be when we are in glory. R233:5,* R35:6, R152:6
Upon their beds -- In the state of perfect rest. R82:3* ; Q99:1
Representing creeds, or the sum
total of one's religious belief. R5804:2
Representing mental attitude and
heart condition. R5804:4
This seems to imply that there is
a special work to be done while the saints still have "beds" on this
side of the veil. R5631:6, R5451:1; Q88:2
Signifying a rest of faith,
applicable to this side of the veil, beyond is not a rest of faith, but an
absolute entering into rest. R5451:2
We shall, of course, be at ease on
the other side, but this evidently means an ease of faith on this side of the
veil. Q387:1
Psalm 149:6
High praises of God -- The saints can praise God more intelligently and fully
now than ever before. R5804:4
Applicable to those on this side of
the veil. R5631:6, R5451:2; Q427:2
Two edged sword -- That sword is truth, and the living saints and many of
the world are now being used as the Lord's soldiers in overthrowing errors and
evils. B100, B101
The Word of God. R5631:6, R5804:4;
Q88:2, Q99:1
The Word of God. That means here,
for there will be no smiting with a two-edged sword over there. Q387:1; R5451:2
God's people have all the
knowledge needful for the efficient use of the sword at this time--to oppose
everything opposed to the truth. R5804:4; Q387:1
Psalm 149:7
Execute vengeance -- This would seem to imply that there would be something
for the saints on this side of the veil to do in connection with the execution
of the judgments upon the nations. R5632:1
Implying that these saints will be
in authority. This Psalm describes the time when they are to do a judging work
in respect to the world in general, as well as in respect to Israel, God's
people. R5451:2
Upon the heathen -- The Gentiles, or nations. R5451:2; Q427:2
Other Scriptures intimate that all
nations, not only heathen, but civilized, will be found in opposition to the
heavenly kingdom, and that all together will be crushed. SM442:1
And punishments -- To some extent at least we are already engaging in the
great work here depicted--in the binding and fettering of error. R5804:5
The seven last plagues. R155:4-6*
Upon the people -- Of Israel. R5451:2
Psalm 149:8
To bind their kings -- To forcibly restrain them from wrongdoing. D633
The new King (The Christ complete)
will dethrone and bind the former Prince of the power of the air and accomplish
the final overturning. R362:1
The binding or suppression of evil
during the Millennial age will result from the exercise of authority and power
by our Lord when he shall take unto himself his great power and reign. (Rev.
11:17) R331:2
Whether we participate in this
work on this side of the veil or on the other side makes no difference to us.
R5451:5
Illustrated by a sister's
experience with a Baptist minister. R5573:5
Apparently the Church now has no
part whatever in the binding of kings. Q125:5
Fetters of iron -- Because they will not surrender peaceably. A261
Truth is surely accomplishing a
work in binding and fettering error. R5804:5
Psalm 149:9
To execute -- Should any commission be given to the Lord's people to
execute judgment this side of the veil, it would be so explicit as to leave no
room for doubt. R5451:4
Possibly some of the Lord's people
on this side of the veil might jointly engage in some work of judgment with others
on the other side. Q99:1
The judgment written -- All this belongs to this side of the veil. These are the
saints who are to execute the judgments written. Q387:1
The river Jordan means a judgment,
and the smiting of this Jordan may mean to put the truth in such a way as to do
the judging. The Elijah will handle this sword. Q387:2
This honour --Has not come to us yet. Q427:2
Of a share in the establishment of
the Kingdom and the overthrow of Gentile power. D624
All his saints -- Would include those who are living in the world when the
judgments are executed, as well as the resurrected saints. R5761:5