Category: Psalms

March 21, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Tomorrow we start the gospel of Luke, but for today we read two wonderful psalms of David full of prophecy, and for balance one chapter of Deuteronomy.

March 21: Psalm 21, Psalm 22, Deuteronomy 22 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 21, of David. The New Testament references from Revelation 14 seems to fit. When I read the Psalm the battle hymn of the republic kept ringing in my ears.

Psalm 22, of David. It is also called “The Crucifixion Psalm”. Read it and ponder.

Deuteronomy 22 contains more instructions, protect your brother’s property, the LORD detests unisex clothing, protect nesting birds,  do not yoke an ox and a donkey together, and various laws on sexual morality.

March 20, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

we are still in between the gospel of Mark and the gospel of Luke, and we read two short but beautiful Pdalms and three chapters of Deuteronomy.

March 20: Psalm 19, Psalm 20, Deuteronomy19, Deuteronomy 20, Deuteronomy 21 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 19, of David. “This Psalm reflects, more than any other, the beauty and splendor of the Hebrew poetry found in the Psalter. C.S. Lewis wrote, ‘I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.’” (VanGemeren)

Psalm 20, of David. The people’s prayer for the King is heard by the LORD. The most quoted part is: “ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” The Lord saves, we pray for the King.

Deuteronomy 19. God commands to set aside three Cities of Refuge, maybe three more as the land expands. Do not change property boundaries. There must be two or three witnesses for a conviction in court.  From this chapter comes the saying “an eye for an eye”.

Deuteronomy 20. Rules for warfare:  The Lord fights the battle for you. If you are too chicken or are building a house or are pledged to marry, you may be excused. For the rest of you, show no mercy unless they surrender, but above all, save the fruit trees.

Deuteronomy 21 deals with what to do with unsolved murders. Can you marry a female taken captive?  What are the rights of the firstborn? What to do with a rebellious Son? A man punished to death and hung on a tree, he must be buried the same day. From this we get “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”.

March 18, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Having finished the gospel of Mark we pause and read one Psalm and one chapter of Deuteronomy before starting the gospel of Luke.

March 18: Psalm 18, Deuteronomy 16 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 18 is the fourth longest psalm. David wrote it ” To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:” (Read it, ponder and enjoy it.)

Deuteronomy 16 declares how to celebrate the Passover, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. Bring an offering, no one can go empty handed. Appoint Judges so justice can be properly administered. Do not worship any Asherah poles ever and do not put up any sacred stones.

March 17, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

In between the gospel of Mark and the gospel of Luke we read two Psalms and two chapters of Deuteronomy.

March 17: Psalm 16, Psalm 17, Deuteronomy 14, Deuteronomy 15 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 16, of David. A wonderful psalm of confidence in the LORD even in times of trouble. This is a prophetic psalm pointing to Jesus resurrection, it is quoted in the New Testament.

Psalm 17 demonstrates David’s total trust in God and not in self in spite of David’s best efforts. It can be summarized: “Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings” with regard to the threats from David’s enemies.

Deuteronomy 14, do not do as the heathen do with improper mourning, eat only clean meat and do not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk. Observe tithing, and every three years give an extra tithing for the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows.

Deuteronomy 15. Debts are to be canceled after seven years, show generosity to the poor, lend freely but do not borrow,  free your slaves after seven years and give them opportunity to continue on their own. Set apart every firstborn animal.

February 28, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

In between the gospel of Matthew and the gospel of Mark we enjoy reading one short Psalm and two chapters of Numbers.

February 28: Psalm 15, Numbers 14,Numbers 15, (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 15 is only 5 verses long but full of truth that carries on into the New Testament. For that reason there are five 5 references from the New Testament added.

In Numbers 14 the people rebelled and refused to go into the promised land. As a punishment the people had to continue wandering for forty years in the desert until that generation, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua had passed away. Meanwhile the people tried to take on the Amalekites in their own strength, but failed miserably.

Numbers 15 deals with Laws of Grain and Drink Offerings, Laws Concerning Unintentional Sin, Laws concerning Presumptuous Sin, Penalty for Violating the Sabbath, and specifies how to make Tassels on Garments, all good stuff if you are an orthodox Jew.

February 27, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Relaxing between the gospel of Matthew and the gospel of Mark we read two short Psalms and two chapters  out of Exodus.

February 27: Psalm 13, Psalm 14, Numbers 12, Numbers 13, (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 13 is only 6 verses, but there is a moving Anglican Chant written and sung. Enjoy.

Psalm 14 is also short. It begins “The fool has said in his heart, there is NO GOD.”

In Numbers 12 Miriam and Aaron opposed Moses and Miriam suffered the consequences.

In Numbers 13 God prepared His people to take the land He had promised them, so they were sending out scouts to survey the land and how best to take it. They came back with a discouraging report; it is a good land flowing with milk and honey, but the people are too strong for them, they felt like grasshoppers in their sight. Only Caleb dissented. (Joshua joined Caleb in the next chapter)

February 25, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Taking a rest between the gospel of Matthew and the gospel of Mark by reading two short Psalms and three chapters of Numbers that only appear long.

February 25: Psalm 11, Psalm 12, Numbers 7, Numbers 8, Numbers 9 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 11 has the phrase “flee as a bird to the mountain”, which bring back memories of songs we used to sing in choir.

With all the double speak today, Psalm 12 is especially valid. The Lord has something to say about that.

Numbers 7 has 89 verses, but the chapter only seems long since the same offerings for the dedication of the tabernacle are repeated for each of the twelve tribes.

Numbers 8 deals with setting the Levites apart for their duties.

Numbers 9 defines how the Passover shall be celebrated from that time on. It also describes the cloud over the tabernacle, if it lifted they moved on, if it stayed, they stayed.

February 24, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

In between the gospel of Matthew and the gospel of Mark we take time out to read two Psalms and two chapters in Numbers.

February 24: Psalm 9, Psalm 10, Numbers 5, Numbers 6 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 9 and Psalm 10 may belong together as they do in the Septuagint. They speak of God’s faithfulness and the only temporary victories of the wicked one.

Numbers 5 deals with purity, how to deal with leprosy or dead bodies, restitution for wrongdoings and how to deal with marital unfaithfulness, especially for women.

Numbers 6 tells of the vow of the Nazarite, how he (or she!) must separate themselves totally to the LORD, not shave the hair, not eat anything from the grape, not even the dry skin, not touch any dead bodies and so on. When the separation is over an offering must be given. Thankfully the chapter ends with the priestly blessing: “ The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:  The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.“

January 26, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today, in between the Gospel of John and the Gospel of Matthew we read two Psalms and two chapters of Exodus.

January 26: Psalm 7, Psalm 8, Exodus 3, Exodus 4 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 7 is a shiggaion, a dithyrambic ode of David. I would love to hear what the music to this Psalm sounded like.

Psalm 8 on the other hand has been set to music many times. Even I have sung it many times, both as a choir number, and the first verse as an introit. Looking for the music I found a far better, free rendition of the Psalm, this one by Marty Goetz.

Exodus 3 is where God revealed Himself to Moses in the form of a burning bush and declared “I am that I am”. Jesus makes a similar declaration in John 8:58 “Before Abraham, I am”.

In Exodus 4 God gave Moses his call. At first Moses cames up with one objection after another, but God persuaded him with signs that he must go back to Egypt, face Pharaoh  and lead his people.

January 24, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today there are four chapters, two psalms and the end of Genesis

January 24: Psalm 5, Psalm 6, Genesis 49, Genesis 50 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 5 is a prayer extolling the joy of praising God and praying towards Jerusalem, but is also an urgent prayer to do away with and destroy all wickedness and wicked people.

Psalm 6 is likewise a prayer, this time of a humble David asking for mercy, but also asking God to destroy David’s enemies.

In Genesis 49 Jacob blessed all his sons with a different blessing for each of them.

And finally in Genesis 50 Jacob is buried back in Canaan near Mamre where Sarah also was buried. Joseph forgave his brothers; “Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good”. Finally even Joseph dies, and he wills that his bones will be carried out when they depart  and enter into the promised land.