June 1 - Evening
"As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
'Where is your God?'
These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."
- Psalms 42:1-5
- Psalms 42:1-5
Longing to Once Again Join the Worship Band
Psalm 42 begins “Book Two” of the collection of Hebrew psalms (Psalms 42-72). It is an accepted interpretation that Psalm 42 and 43 were originally one psalm. The reason for their division is unknown, but it could have been for liturgical purposes. The several reasons for understanding them to be two parts of the same psalm is:
1. Psalm 42 is titled, but Psalm 43 is not titled. You will notice that all of the psalms in “Book Two” of the psalms (Psalms 42-72) have titles with the only other exception being the next to last psalm in “Book Two,” which is Psalm 71. But, even Psalm 71 seems to be connected to Psalm 70 since it serves as an introduction to Psalm 71.
2. Hebrew manuscripts themselves exist that present Psalm 42 and 43 as a single psalm.
3. The same chorus is repeated three times after each of the three sets of verses which are presented like this:
- Stanza #1 (Psalm 42:1-4)
- Chorus (Psalm 42:5)
- Stanza #2 (Psalm 42:6-10)
- Chorus repeated (Psalm 42:11)
- Stanza #3 (Psalm 43:1-4)
- Chorus repeated (Psalm 43:5)
Psalm 42 is about someone being separated from the worship of God for some reason. It appears the separated writer was one of the Levites from the family of Korah who may have been physically removed from worshipping the presence of the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem because of exile, expulsion, uncleanness, sickness, travel or some other unknown reason.
The second best thing to being there for the Levitical worship service was the memory of having once been part of the “procession to the house of God….among the festive throng.” (Psalm 42:4) At least this person could recall better times of being in the midst of the crowd worshipping God as he sang and performed skillfully on his musical instrument.
This Levite compares his desire to worship God to the desire of a deer for water. This water is called “streams of water” which is known as moving water or living water in contrast to stagnant pools of stale water. So, of course, the psalmist compares the deer searching for streams of living water to his soul’s desire “for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2) It is interesting to note that in this second book of Psalms the writers typically refer to “God”, or Elohim, instead of “Lord”, YHWH.
The chorus that is repeated three times voices the hope of the psalmist as he speaks to his own self that he will again “yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5, 11 and Psalm 43:5)
Hupodeiknumi (Gr) – Warn (Eng) – a Greek word which comes from hupo meaning “under” and deiknumi meaning “to show.” Together hupo-deiknumi, “to show under” means “to give information,” “to share a private tip,” and “to point out” (as in Luke 3:7). The idea of hupodeiknumi can refer to thoughts making their way into the mind where they can be understood.
Today I will begin to be thankful for the great things that have happened in my past.
I will remember the goodness of the Lord that I have already experience.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
An elderly person
Church
Vision of potential
Nation
Local economy
World
Germany
Original stone carvings and decoration from Herod's New Testament Temple time in the jamb of the Triple Gate in the south wall of the Temple Mount retaining wall. People visiting the Temple in the New Testament would have walked past this decorated gate jamb and ascended the stairs behind the blocked entrance on the right side of this photo to enter the Jewish Temple courts. (Details, Photo)
Someone to Quote
(On taking an oath to uphold Magna Carta in 1253...)
"All these things shall I keep faithfully and undiminished, as a man, as a Christian, as a soldier, and as a king, crowned and anointed."
- Henry III (1207-1272),
King of England
"All these things shall I keep faithfully and undiminished, as a man, as a Christian, as a soldier, and as a king, crowned and anointed."
- Henry III (1207-1272),
King of England
Something to Ponder
Use these online flash cards to study and review the names of the Assyrian gods, then take the test -
Flash Cards and Test HERE
Flash Cards and Test HERE
Here’s a Fact
Critics of Moses’ authorship of Exodus in 1400 BC instead assign the origins of the book of Exodus to the Jewish exiles in Babylon around 500-400 BC. The problem with the critics rejecting a 1400 BC date is the overwhelming amount of accurate details of Egyptian life, culture and land (slave-labor practice, royal court proceedings, Flora, fauna, language, geography of Egyptian) from the time of the Exodus. It is hard to imagine an author in Babylon 1000 years after the exodus writing a story that contains such an apparent familiarity with a land he had never seen from an age he had never lived in.
Proverb
"The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil."
- Proverbs 10:29
but it is the ruin of those who do evil."
- Proverbs 10:29
Coach’s Corner
The greatest miracle is salvation. The godliest spiritual manifestation is the transformed soul.
2 Kings 16
New International Version (NIV)
Ahaz King of Judah
16 In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. 2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 4 He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.
5 Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him. 6 At that time, Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram by driving out the people of Judah. Edomites then moved into Elath and have lived there to this day.
7 Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, “I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” 8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. 9 The king of Assyria complied by attacking Damascus and capturing it. He deported its inhabitants to Kir and put Rezin to death.
10 Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He saw an altar in Damascus and sent to Uriah the priest a sketch of the altar, with detailed plans for its construction. 11 So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned. 12 When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. 13 He offered up his burnt offering and grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and splashed the blood of his fellowship offerings against the altar. 14 As for the bronze altar that stood before the Lord, he brought it from the front of the temple—from between the new altar and the temple of the Lord—and put it on the north side of the new altar.
15 King Ahaz then gave these orders to Uriah the priest: “On the large new altar, offer the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, and the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offering. Splash against this altar the blood of all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar for seeking guidance.” 16 And Uriah the priest did just as King Ahaz had ordered.
17 King Ahaz cut off the side panels and removed the basins from the movable stands. He removed the Sea from the bronze bulls that supported it and set it on a stone base. 18 He took away the Sabbath canopy that had been built at the temple and removed the royal entryway outside the temple of the Lord, in deference to the king of Assyria.
19 As for the other events of the reign of Ahaz, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 20 Ahaz rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. And Hezekiah his son succeeded him as king.
New International Version (NIV)
Ahaz King of Judah
16 In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. 2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 4 He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.
5 Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him. 6 At that time, Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram by driving out the people of Judah. Edomites then moved into Elath and have lived there to this day.
7 Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, “I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” 8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. 9 The king of Assyria complied by attacking Damascus and capturing it. He deported its inhabitants to Kir and put Rezin to death.
10 Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He saw an altar in Damascus and sent to Uriah the priest a sketch of the altar, with detailed plans for its construction. 11 So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned. 12 When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. 13 He offered up his burnt offering and grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and splashed the blood of his fellowship offerings against the altar. 14 As for the bronze altar that stood before the Lord, he brought it from the front of the temple—from between the new altar and the temple of the Lord—and put it on the north side of the new altar.
15 King Ahaz then gave these orders to Uriah the priest: “On the large new altar, offer the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, and the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offering. Splash against this altar the blood of all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar for seeking guidance.” 16 And Uriah the priest did just as King Ahaz had ordered.
17 King Ahaz cut off the side panels and removed the basins from the movable stands. He removed the Sea from the bronze bulls that supported it and set it on a stone base. 18 He took away the Sabbath canopy that had been built at the temple and removed the royal entryway outside the temple of the Lord, in deference to the king of Assyria.
19 As for the other events of the reign of Ahaz, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 20 Ahaz rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. And Hezekiah his son succeeded him as king.
Psalm 119:137-176
New International Version (NIV)
צ Tsadhe
137
You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are right.
138
The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
139
My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
140
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141
Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.
142
Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
143
Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.
144
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
ק Qoph
145
I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your decrees.
146
I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.
147
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
148
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
149
Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
150
Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.
151
Yet you are near, Lord, and all your commands are true.
152
Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
ר Resh
153
Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.
154
Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
156
Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.
157
Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.
158
I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.
159
See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
161
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
162
I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
163
I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
164
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
165
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
166
I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands.
167
I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
168
I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169
May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
170
May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
171
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
172
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
173
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174
I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight.
175
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
176
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
New International Version (NIV)
צ Tsadhe
137
You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are right.
138
The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
139
My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
140
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141
Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.
142
Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
143
Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.
144
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
ק Qoph
145
I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your decrees.
146
I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.
147
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
148
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
149
Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
150
Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.
151
Yet you are near, Lord, and all your commands are true.
152
Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
ר Resh
153
Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.
154
Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
156
Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.
157
Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.
158
I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.
159
See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
161
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
162
I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
163
I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
164
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
165
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
166
I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands.
167
I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
168
I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169
May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
170
May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
171
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
172
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
173
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174
I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight.
175
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
176
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.