From Gary... Just enough

"DEAD END"; now these are words that echo of finality. No where to go, end of the line, bought the farm, time for a sod nap, time to feed the worms... and such terms are depressing.  Yet, the name of the road is hope and where there is hope, possibilities exist.  Solomon put it this way...

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9

 4 For to him who is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.   

And dogs in the Middle East are accounted as nothing, to even be eaten when necessary.  But for those of us who look beyond this life, we do so in hope.  Not that we are anything special!!!  We are not!!! As I review my life, I am forced to realize that I have "just enough". Just enough strength to get through the day, just enough intelligence to realize I will never be brilliant, and just enough love to want more and more and more.  However, "just enough" is just that - ENOUGH!!! God has given this life to me and the promise of one beyond what I can see.  Even when I take that last journey down Hope Valley Road and reach my last DEAD END, I have confidence that I will see Jesus.  At that time and in that place, I will have "just enough" as long as I have him.  Peter puts it this way...

1 Peter, Chapter 1

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,  5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,  7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—  8 whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—  9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

On my own, I lack what it takes to get to heaven.  But, through the sacrifice of Jesus, I have "just enough" to live forever.  This is worth sharing and the real reason why I write my blog.  

1 Peter, Chapter 3

 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:

Any questions?

From Mark Copeland... The Heirs Of Abraham (Galatians 3:16-14,26-29)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                  The Heirs Of Abraham (3:16-14,26-29)

INTRODUCTION

1. Abraham is a key figure in three of the world's great religions...
   a. He is the ancestor of the Jews (Hebrews) through his son Isaac
   b. Muslims regard him (Ibrahim) as the ancestor of the Arabs through
      Ishmael
   c. Christians regard him as their spiritual father through Christ
      - cf. Ga 3:29
   -- Such is truly consistent with the meaning of his name, "father of
      many" - Gen 17:5

2. Central to the importance of Abraham are the promises God made to
   him...
   a. The land promise - Gen 12:1,7; 13:15-17
   b. The nation promise - Gen 12:2; 13:16; 17:6; 18:18
   c. The seed promise - Gen 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14
   -- The fulfillment of these promises to Abraham is the theme of the
      Bible

3. The Bible reveals that God fulfilled these promises...
   a. The nation promise - via the descendants of Israel - 

      Gen 46:3; Exo 1:7; Deut 26:5
   b. The land promise - in the days of Joshua, and in the days of
      Solomon - Josh 21:43-45; 23:14-15; 1Ki 8:56; 2Ch 9:26
   c. The seed promise - with the coming of Christ - Ac 3:25-26

4. In the early church, there were evidently some who sought to limit
   the seed promise...
   a. To those who were physical descendants of Abraham
   b. Or Gentile Christians who were circumcised and kept the Law - cf.
      Ac 15:1,5

[In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul dealt with this issue.  As we now
turn to our text (Ga 3:6-14,26-29), we note that the true heirs of
Abraham are...]

I. THOSE WHO ARE OF FAITH

   A. THEY ARE THE SONS OF ABRAHAM...
      1. Just as Abraham believed God - Ga 3:6
         a. Without faith, it is impossible to please God - He 11:6
         b. Abraham's faith was accounted to him for righteousness - Gen 15:6
      2. Indeed, only those of faith are sons of Abraham - Ga 3:7
         a. This is what the seed promise had reference to - Ga 3:8
         b. It is those of faith who are blessed with believing Abraham
            - Ga 3:9
      3. Those who have the same kind of faith as Abraham
         a. To do the works of Abraham - cf. Jn 8:39
         b. Willing to "walk in the steps of the faith" which Abraham
            had - cf. Ro 4:11-12
         c. I.e., to have an obedient faith like he did - cf. He 11:8-10

   B. NOT THOSE WHO ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW...
      1. That is, those who seek to be justified by the Law of Moses
         a. As many in Israel were seeking to do - cf. Ro 9:31-32
         b. They sought to establish their own righteousness - cf. Ro 10:1-13
      2. For they are under the curse of the Law - Ga 3:10
         a. The Law cursed those who did not confirm (keep) it - cf. Deu
            27:26
         b. The Law also proclaimed all men to be sinners - cf. Ro 3:
            10-20
      3. They are not justified by the works of the Law - Ga 3:11-12
         a. As the Law itself foretold - Hab 2:4
         b. The Law required perfect obedience, which none could offer
            - cf. Lev 18:5

[It is through faith like Abraham's that one becomes an heir of Abraham.
Those who seek salvation through the works of the Law are not his true
descendants.  But it is more than simply faith, it is faith in the right
Person.  Thus the true heirs of Abraham are...]

II. THOSE WHOM CHRIST HAS REDEEMED

   A. THEY ARE REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW...
      1. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law
         a. He became a curse for us by dying on the tree - Ga 3:13
         b. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree - 1Pe 2:24
      2. Thus He offers redemption
         a. From every lawless deed - Tit 2:14
         b. Through His blood, providing the forgiveness of sins - Ep 1:7

   B. THEY ARE RECIPIENTS OF THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM...
      1. Even Gentiles, in Christ Jesus - Ga 3:14
         a. As indicated in the promise to Abraham ("all the families of
            the earth") - Gen 12:3
         b. As indicated in the promise to Abraham ("in your seed")
            - Gen 22:16; cf. Ga 3:16
      2. They have received the promise of the Spirit - Ga 3:14
         a. The Spirit Jesus promised to those who believe- cf. Jn 7:
            37-39
         b. Which Paul reminded the Galatians they had received through
            faith - cf. Ga 3:2
         c. "... that promise which agreed to give the Spirit to all who
            rendered the obedience of faith - Ac 2:38-39." - McGarvey
            (commenting on Ga 3:14)

[The heirs of Abraham are those who have been redeemed by Christ and
made recipients of the blessing promised to Abraham (which included
receiving the Spirit).  Closely connected to this is Paul's point at the
end of the chapter (Ga 3:26-29), that the true heirs of Abraham are...]

III. THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME SONS OF GOD

   A. THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS...
      1. We become sons of God through faith in Christ - Ga 3:26
         a. Faith in Jesus as the Messiah - Jn 8:24; 6:69
         b. Believing that He died for our sins - 1Co 15:1-2
         c. Faith in His resurrection from the dead - Ro 10:9
      2. A privilege offered to those who believe in Jesus - cf. Jn 1:12
         a. Those who believe are given the right to become children of
            God
         b. How their faith leads them to become children of God is
            explained in Ga 3:27

   B. THROUGH BAPTISM INTO CHRIST...
      1. We become sons of God through faith, through our baptism into
         Christ - Ga 3:27
         a. Note carefully the conjunction "for"
         b. Paul explains how they became children of God by faith in
            Christ
         c. It was when they put Christ on in baptism
      2. For in baptism one is buried with Christ, crucified with
         Christ, and raised to live with Him - cf. Ro 6:3-8
         a. In baptism we are united with Christ
         b. In baptism we are thus "clothed" with Christ (put Him on)

CONCLUSION

1. Who, then, are the heirs of Abraham, heirs of the promise made
   regarding his seed...?
   a. Those who are of faith, walking in the steps of faith like Abraham
      did
   b. Those whom Christ has redeemed, recipients of the promise of the
      Spirit
   c. Those who have become sons of God through faith in Christ, having
      clothed themselves with Christ in baptism

2. The heirs of Abraham regarding the seed promise are not those...
   a. Who claim to be so because of their lineage through Isaac or
      Ishmael
   b. Who seek salvation through keeping the Law of Moses

Rather, as aptly summarized in the words of Paul himself:

   "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
   free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one
   in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are
   Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
                                                   - Ga 3:28-29

Are you in Christ, having been baptized into Christ and in so doing "put
on Christ"?  If so, then you are blessed to be a true heir of Abraham
according to the promise...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?*

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?*

Isaiah 46:1-2 allows us to imagine the back gates of an ancient city being swung open and under cover of darkness out comes a long line of huge wagons with giant wheels pulled by straining oxen and donkeys. There are strong men as well, pushing and shoving with all their might, giving the straining animals all the help they can give them while the huge wheels creak and the beds of the wagons groan in protest under the massive loads.

And what is this? It's a rescue attempt! The grunting, sweating and straining animals and men are trying to keep the gigantic idol gods from falling into the hands of the enemy (and see Isaiah 21:9).

The historical referent is just prior to 539 BC when the Persians took the city of Babylon and the leaders are sneaking the gods out the back doors to keep them from being taken into captivity where they would be set up in a public show—to demonstrate how powerful the conquerors were.

The idols are the visible representation of the powerful gods the Babylonians thought existed and weary animals (46:1) had to carry them. The gods can't even give strength to the burden bearers much less deliver the burdensome idols from captivity (46:2) and so all that's involved in the picture (gods, the burdensome idols and the burden bearers) goes into captivity.

What's wrong with this picture? Should a god not carry his worshippers? Does it make sense to worship as a deliverer what exists only because we ourselves made it and sustain it? There is nothing behind the idols, said the prophets, and even if there were gods, what use are they? They can't rescue their own idol images and they can't give strength to the people who are trying to rescue the images. What a rip-off!

The prophet knows the history of sinful Israel but he still insists on speaking the word of the Lord who has nurtured and carried Israel since her beginning (46:3-4). Ancient Babylon and we very modern moderns might worry about the failure of our gods because in fact we are the ones who must sustain them but Israel had no grounds for such concern. "Quick, quick, get the Lord out the side gate because the enemy is coming!" None of that's needed! "Hurry, hurry, stifle that talk and silence that argument for God is in danger." None of that's needed. "Wring your hands and pace the floor in anxiety for the whole Western world and its governments have risen up against God and his people." "Oh dear, Professor X and a famous celebrity openly said they didn't believe in God." And on the other hand there's the (almost) relief when some athlete or movie star expresses faith in God. "We're not alone. One of the major players has come over on to our side." That eases our anxiety and gives God a direly needed helping hand.

Prophetic confidence was in God, in no one and nothing else! These men had their own moments of dismay and even the gang-busting Elijah had his experience with depression. But it's still true that they stood for what was best in Israel's faith and called the people back to God, insisting that in him and in him alone there was hope of redemption from sin and loss.

Isaiah 43 is one long insistence that God alone cares for Israel and that he alone is her Saviour. A slow thoughtful reading of the entire chapter is an education and a lift to the heart because so many relationships between God and Israel are expressed and implied in it. He created them, chose them, named them, ransomed them, revealed himself to them, honoured and loved them.

It's hard to say who the speaker is in Isaiah 33 but it's probably the prophet. He speaks of Israel's terrible need in time of siege and horror and confesses the judgement of God against his sinning people. But he's sure that the judgement is not meant to be utter abandonment but God's redeeming work for he speaks of the future with sure hope (33:17-21). And what is it he rests in? It certainly isn't the coming of foreign allies to break the siege or the ability of Judean ambassadors to talk their way out of trouble (compare 36:5-7 and 11-12). No, he speaks with assurance for the future (33:22), "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; it is he who will save us." In light of Israel's sin we might have expected the prophet to say, "He is our Judge, our Lawgiver and our King therefore he will destroy us" but that's not what he says. That's not even close to what he says! If we are to be judged this God will judge us and if we're to be saved this God will save us because there is no other.

One day, weary with all our trying, worn out with all our schemes and self-generated attempts to make things right in our lives and in our world we'll turn to God in the desperation of faith and we'll be saved.  "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked." (Isaiah 45:22-23)

I'm not saying that people should do nothing, pretending that God will transform the world with a wave of a wand—no! We're to engage with life in the world but we're to do it in the light of and with trust in the Lord God. To exclude God from human life is to transform the entire enterprise. It becomes what atheist Blackham described it as: pointless, too bad to be true.

Poor human race! Poor pathetic, blind and deaf human race. We can't cure ourselves, can't guide ourselves, can't control ourselves or save ourselves. We manufacture gods out of everything we can think of and then fall down before them and say to them, "Deliver us". We make them out of metal and stone and plastic and computer chips, out of intellectual power and emotional drives. We make them in the shape of tanks and smart and dirty bombs, college buildings and scientific laboratories. We make them march and kill, burn and destroy, weep and die. We build shrines and we become shrines; we sweat and toil, give up in despair and sleep only to waken to more of the same.

The prophet (Isaiah 44) can hardly believe the ignorance of idolaters.  In God's name he says (44:9), "All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame." He says that defending idolatry is crass and shameful ignorance. Can you imagine the effect on those worshipers when he said something like that? Well, go tell the social reformers, the military men and educators, the politicians and scientists that the works of their hands can't save! And tell them that to say they can means they're ignorant of their shame. Watch the response. 

It's at this point I should be qualifying my remarks, making it clear that schools and medicine, statesmen and judges, scientific advances and more insightful sociological studies are profoundly important. I believe they are! They are but that's only true because these things are in the hands of God and are the gifts of God. To jettison God and see them as our creation is to make them into something they are not, so that even the gifts of God are perverted as they leave his hand. Isaiah (44:20) insists that people who depend on the works of their hands feed "on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, 'Is not this thing in my hand a lie?'" They were blind! We are blind! 

We make advances and think they are our achievements and make idols of them and gods of ourselves. God's tree in Isaiah 44:13-19 becomes our god for having shaped it we bow down to it and worship ourselves in it (44:18-19). 

Yes, but surely idols and a sound political program are completely different? On the surface it would appear so but on closer inspection when God is excluded one is simply a more polished and grand idol than the other one. Once in a while it occurs to us that the gods we make rather than being our saviors are our burdens but it would appear that it's only in truly desperate times that we see the truth of this with clarity and conviction. You might have heard how optimistic we were in the mid 1800's when "every day and in every way things are getting better and better." Then as one of the few serious atheists or more precisely, a Joban figure, Friedrich Nietzsche, warned ahead of time (he died in 1900), that we were entering the classical age of war. All our education and newly found intellectual power that took us beyond the need of gods or serious religion ran up against two world wars. We should have known that we might make good servants but we make lousy gods. We can't save ourselves (Isaiah 44:20) and we can't save our gods.

We don't triumph over evil, personal and cosmic, because we're against it. We don't triumph over entrenched evil in the corridors of power because we have vowed to bring it down. We don't gain victory over the destructive forces that torture, humiliate and damn people because there are moments when we scarcely want to live in such a wicked world. No, we conquer these because he is against them! It's because of him we refuse to see personal defeats as ultimate; it's because of him we rise from specific defeats with unbowed heads; it's because of him we speak our prayers in a world that sneers at prayer and we continue to dream our dreams even in our dismay. It's because the sun rises every day and beams out God's faithfulness that we're sure of the future. It's because the sun shines and the water refracts that light and gives us the rainbow that we're sure of this: he is against the evil and he is in favor of the good and therefore goodness prevails eternally. Corruption and lies don't live forever! 

It's because of him we won't allow popularity polls to sway us. It's because of him we refuse to let church growth numbers matter to any appreciable degree. It's because of him no President, Prime Minister or any other powerbroker whether at home or abroad, wise or foolish, tyrannical or beneficent can make us afraid—or at least paralyze us with fear for though they may be able to disrupt countries and bury nations they are nothing new. God has met them and pronounced their doom when in their sin they ceased to serve his redeeming and gracious purposes.  

    We, we would worry about God? If we the church don't succeed with our programs and protests God will go under? Say such things in the presence of a prophet and he'd judge us to be idolaters. The God the prophets knew wasn't the kind whose health you worried about and every exhibition of power in the world they ascribed to him. Worry about a God like that? That he might not be able to take care of himself and of his people? That he might not be able to fulfill his overarching purpose in the creation of which he was the Agent? 

    The prophet David (Acts 2:30) pictures a heavenly scene in which God, praised by angelic hosts, is the center and the focus (Psalm 29:1-2). That same God who is the worshipful center of the mighty hosts of heaven shows himself on earth in the lightning storms. The psalm follows the course of a stupendous electrical storm that begins in the Mediterranean Sea (29:3) and thunders its way inland and turns south from Mount Hermon (29:5-6). Such is its fury that Hermon quakes and the cedar forests are splintered and the deer in the lower forests are frightened into giving birth (29:7-9 and following The KJV and other versions that stay with the Massoretic text). Moving south it sets the whole wilderness shaking while in heaven the watchers in awe cry out, "Glory!"

Some storm! But in 29:10 we're assured that God sat enthroned at "the flood". Throughout the Old Testament the word is used only of Noah's flood and this storm may have produced enough rain to make people think of such a time. But whatever happened in Noah's day it vastly outranked even this blinding storm that David might have seen in his shepherding days. The fountains of the deep broke open and came back up over the land while the waters that were above the earth came down on the earth. There is reason to believe that in such a time there were volcanoes erupting under water, the movements of earth's plates and the lifting up of mountains. Seas were hurried back in some areas and in others they rushed to carry away all before them. There were tidal waves that would beggar description and continent sized land masses first thrust up and then dropped on top of teeming millions of animals. [See Velikovsky's, Earth In Upheaval for proofs of the planet's agonized past. Ignore the critics who steal his work even while they sneer at him.] 

And while the earth was popping at the seams, while mountain ranges were rising and others were falling, while tidal waves swept the earth and electrical storms the like of which had never been seen and will not be seen again—while all this was happening where was God? He was reigning in and over it all (29:10).

If ever there was a time of complete "creation anarchy," if ever there was a time when humans would have known that no one was in control, that surely would have been the time. But there is no such time! The terrific storm David saw pales before the flood in Noah's day so when he concludes with, "The Lord reigned at the flood," he was rising to a climax.

And if the flood was an expression of his sovereignty (Genesis 6—8), if he was enthroned at the flood, does that not put wars and natural disasters into perspective? If Noah's flood was the work of God reigning in and through it all should we then be unhinged if nations clash and areas of the world are in an uproar like waves that crash against each other (see Isaiah 17:12-13)? If he was reigning then he's reigning now! And since he orchestrated the flood to redeem the world and give us another chance should we not live in assurance during anxious times? I'm not saying it's easy! We're humans, for pity's sake! Still, the redeeming God was reigning then and reigns now! 

After the flood there was the rainbow! The prophet knew a God who was powerful beyond imagining (Ezekiel 1:1-28, especially 28); a God committed to humanity and to creation with a commitment from which there was no turning back (Isaiah 54:9-10). That God and he alone was the ground of prophetic confidence.

(I borrowed much of this from THE GOD WHO COMMANDS THE IMPOSSIBLE. In the USA, toll free 877-792-6408 or BJPAINE@aol.com)

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Gary.... Bible Reading and Study September 4

Bible Reading and Study    

September 4

The World English Bible

Sept. 4

Psalms 36-39

Psa 36:1 An oracle is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: "There is no fear of God before his eyes."

Psa 36:2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, too much to detect and hate his sin.

Psa 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

Psa 36:4 He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn't abhor evil.

Psa 36:5 Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psa 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal.

Psa 36:7 How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.

Psa 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.

Psa 36:9 For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.

Psa 36:10 Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psa 36:11 Don't let the foot of pride come against me. Don't let the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Psa 36:12 There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.

Psa 37:1 Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

Psa 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

Psa 37:3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

Psa 37:4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psa 37:5 Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

Psa 37:6 he will make your righteousness go forth as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun.

Psa 37:7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

Psa 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret, it leads only to evildoing.

Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.

Psa 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn't there.

Psa 37:11 But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psa 37:12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.

Psa 37:13 The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.

Psa 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright in the way.

Psa 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.

Psa 37:16 Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.

Psa 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.

Psa 37:18 Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.

Psa 37:19 They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Psa 37:20 But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish-- vanish like smoke.

Psa 37:21 The wicked borrow, and don't pay back, but the righteous give generously.

Psa 37:22 For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.

Psa 37:23 A man's goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

Psa 37:24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.

Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.

Psa 37:26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed.

Psa 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.

Psa 37:28 For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn't forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psa 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

Psa 37:30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

Psa 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.

Psa 37:32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.

Psa 37:33 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Psa 37:34 Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

Psa 37:36 But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

Psa 37:38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psa 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

Psa 37:40 Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him.

Psa 38:1 Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.

Psa 38:2 For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.

Psa 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

Psa 38:4 For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

Psa 38:5 My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.

Psa 38:6 I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.

Psa 38:7 For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.

Psa 38:8 I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.

Psa 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.

Psa 38:10 My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.

Psa 38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.

Psa 38:12 They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.

Psa 38:13 But I, as a deaf man, don't hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth.

Psa 38:14 Yes, I am as a man who doesn't hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.

Psa 38:15 For in you, Yahweh, do I hope. You will answer, Lord my God.

Psa 38:16 For I said, "Don't let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

Psa 38:17 For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.

Psa 38:18 For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.

Psa 38:19 But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.

Psa 38:20 They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

Psa 38:21 Don't forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don't be far from me.

Psa 38:22 Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.

Psa 39:1 I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I don't sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."

Psa 39:2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

Psa 39:3 My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:

Psa 39:4 "Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.

Psa 39:5 Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." Selah.

Psa 39:6 "Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn't know who shall gather.

Psa 39:7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

Psa 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don't make me the reproach of the foolish.

Psa 39:9 I was mute. I didn't open my mouth, because you did it.

Psa 39:10 Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

Psa 39:11 When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.

Psa 39:12 "Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don't be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

Psa 39:13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more."

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Psalms

Psalms 36 1

An oracle is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: "There is no fear of God

before his eyes."

{To the chief Musician. [A Psalm] of the servant of Jehovah; of David.} The transgression of

the wicked uttereth within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes.

To the Overseer. -- By a servant of Jehovah, by David. The transgression of the

wicked Is affirming within my heart, `Fear of God is not before his eyes,

Psalms 36 2

For he flatters himself in his own eyes, Too much to detect and hate his sin.

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, [even] when his iniquity is found to be hateful.

For he made [it] smooth to himself in his eyes, To find his iniquity to be hated.

Psalms 36 3

The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, to do good.

The words of his mouth [are] iniquity and deceit, He ceased to act prudently -- to

do good.

Psalms 36 4

He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good; He doesn`t abhor evil.

He deviseth wickedness up on his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good: he

abhorreth not evil.

Iniquity he deviseth on his bed, He stationeth himself on a way not good, Evil he

doth not refuse.`

Psalms 36 5

Your lovingkindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Jehovah, thy loving-kindness is in the heavens, and thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the

clouds.

O Jehovah, in the heavens [is] Thy kindness, Thy faithfulness [is] unto the clouds.

Psalms 36 6

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are a great deep. Yahweh, you

preserve man and animal.

Thy righteousness is like the high mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: thou,

Jehovah, preservest man and beast.

Thy righteousness [is] as mountains of God, Thy judgments [are] a great deep. Man

and beast Thou savest, O Jehovah.

Psalms 36 7

How precious is your lovingkindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow

of your wings.

How precious is thy loving-kindness, O God! So the sons of men take refuge under the

shadow of thy wings.

How precious [is] Thy kindness, O God, And the sons of men In the shadow of Thy

wings do trust.

Psalms 36 8

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them

drink of the river of your pleasures.

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou wilt make them

drink of the river of thy pleasures.

They are filled from the fatness of Thy house, And the stream of Thy delights Thou

dost cause them to drink.

Psalms 36 9

For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

For with Thee [is] a fountain of life, In Thy light we see light.

Psalms 36 10

Oh continue your lovingkindness to those who know you, Your righteousness to the upright in

heart.

Continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee, and thy righteousness to the

upright in heart;

Draw out Thy kindness to those knowing Thee, And Thy righteousness to the

upright of heart.

Psalms 36 11

Don`t let the foot of pride come against me. Don`t let the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me

away.

Let not a foot of pride meet me, And a hand of the wicked let not move me.

Psalms 36 12

There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.

Psalm 37 By David.

There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and are not able to rise.

There have workers of iniquity fallen, They have been overthrown, And have not

been able to arise!

Psalms 37 1

Don`t fret because of evil-doers, Neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

{[A Psalm] of David.} Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, and be not envious of them

that work unrighteousness;

By David. Do not fret because of evil doers, Be not envious against doers of

iniquity,

Psalms 37 2

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither like the green herb.

for they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and fade as the green herb.

For as grass speedily they are cut off, And as the greenness of the tender grass do

fade.

Psalms 37 3

Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

Confide in Jehovah, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on faithfulness;

Trust in Jehovah, and do good, Dwell [in] the land, and enjoy faithfulness,

Psalms 37 4

Also delight yourself in Yahweh, And he will give you the desires of your heart.

and delight thyself in Jehovah, and he will give thee the desires of thy heart.

And delight thyself on Jehovah, And He giveth to thee the petitions of thy heart.

Psalms 37 5

Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

Commit thy way unto Jehovah, and rely upon him: he will bring [it] to pass;

Roll on Jehovah thy way, And trust upon Him, and He worketh,

Psalms 37 6

He will make your righteousness go forth as the light, And your justice as the noon day sun.

and he will bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

And hath brought out as light thy righteousness, And thy judgment as noon-day.

Psalms 37 7

Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don`t fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him that

prospereth in his way, because of the man that bringeth mischievous devices to pass.

Be silent for Jehovah, and stay thyself for Him, Do not fret because of him Who is

making prosperous his way, Because of a man doing wicked devices.

Psalms 37 8

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don`t fret, it leads only to evildoing.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself: it [would be] only to do evil.

Desist from anger, and forsake fury, Fret not thyself only to do evil.

Psalms 37 9

For evildoers shall be cut off, But those who wait for Yahweh, they shall inherit the land.

For evil-doers shall be cut off; but those that wait on Jehovah, they shall possess the land.

For evil doers are cut off, As to those waiting on Jehovah, they possess the land.

Psalms 37 10

For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he

isn`t there.

For yet a little while, and the wicked is not; and thou considerest his place, but he is not.

And yet a little, and the wicked is not, And thou hast considered his place, and it

is not.

Psalms 37 11

But the humble shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

But the meek shall possess the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of

prosperity.

And the humble do possess the land, And they have delighted themselves In the

abundance of peace.

Psalms 37 12

The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth.

The wicked plotteth against the righteous, and gnasheth his teeth against him.

The wicked is devising against the righteous, And gnashing against him his

Psalms 37 13

The Lord will laugh at him, For he sees that his day is coming.

The Lord laugheth at him; for he seeth that his day is coming.

The Lord doth laugh at him, For He hath seen that his day cometh.

Psalms 37 14

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and

needy, To kill those who are upright in the way.

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the

afflicted and needy, to slay those that are upright in [the] way:

A sword have the wicked opened, And they have trodden their bow, To cause to

fall the poor and needy, To slaughter the upright of the way.

Psalms 37 15

Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.

their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

Their sword doth enter into their own heart, And their bows are shivered.

Psalms 37 16

Better is a little that the righteous has, Than the abundance of many wicked.

The little that the righteous hath is better than the abundance of many wicked;

Better [is] the little of the righteous, Than the store of many wicked.

Psalms 37 17

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But Yahweh upholds the righteous.

for the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Jehovah upholdeth the righteous.

For the arms of the wicked are shivered, And Jehovah is sustaining the righteous.

Psalms 37 18

Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.

Jehovah knoweth the days of the perfect; and their inheritance shall be for ever:

Jehovah knoweth the days of the perfect, And their inheritance is -- to the age.

Psalms 37 19

They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

they shall not be ashamed in the time of evil, and in the days of famine they shall be

satisfied.

They are not ashamed in a time of evil, And in days of famine they are satisfied.

Psalms 37 20

But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields.

They will vanish -- Vanish like smoke.

For the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of Jehovah shall be as the fat of lambs: they

shall consume, like smoke shall they consume away.

But the wicked perish, and the enemies of Jehovah, As the preciousness of lambs,

Have been consumed, In smoke they have been consumed.

Psalms 37 21

The wicked borrow, and don`t pay back, But the righteous give generously.

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; but the righteous is gracious and giveth:

The wicked is borrowing and repayeth not, And the righteous is gracious and

giving.

Psalms 37 22

For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut

off.

for those blessed of him shall possess the land, and they that are cursed of him shall be

cut off.

For His blessed ones do possess the land, And His reviled ones are cut off.

Psalms 37 23

A man`s goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

The steps of a man are established by Jehovah, and he delighteth in his way:

From Jehovah [are] the steps of a man, They have been prepared, And his way he

desireth.

Psalms 37 24

Though he stumble, he shall not fall, For Yahweh holds him up with his hand.

though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for Jehovah upholdeth his hand.

When he falleth, he is not cast down, For Jehovah is sustaining his hand.

Psalms 37 25

I have been young, and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his

children begging for bread.

I have been young, and now am old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his

seed seeking bread:

Young I have been, I have also become old, And I have not seen the righteous

forsaken, And his seed seeking bread.

Psalms 37 26

All the day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed.

all the day he is gracious and lendeth, and his seed shall be a blessing.

All the day he is gracious and lending, And his seed [is] for a blessing.

Psalms 37 27

Depart from evil, and do good; Live securely forever.

Depart from evil, and do good, and dwell for evermore;

Turn aside from evil, and do good, and dwell to the age.

Psalms 37 28

For Yahweh loves justice, And doesn`t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, But

the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

for Jehovah loveth judgment, and will not forsake his saints: They are preserved for ever;

but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

For Jehovah is loving judgment, And He doth not forsake His saintly ones, To the

age they have been kept, And the seed of the wicked is cut off.

Psalms 37 29

The righteous shall inherit the land, And live in it forever.

The righteous shall possess the land, and dwell therein for ever.

The righteous possess the land, And they dwell for ever on it.

Psalms 37 30

The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

The mouth of the righteous proffereth wisdom, and his tongue speaketh judgment;

The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, And his tongue speaketh judgment.

Psalms 37 31

The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.

the law of his God is in his heart; his goings shall not slide.

The law of his God [is] his heart, His steps do not slide.

Psalms 37 32

The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to kill him.

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him:

The wicked is watching for the righteous, And is seeking to put him to death.

Psalms 37 33

Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged.

Jehovah will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Jehovah doth not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him in his being judged.

Psalms 37 34

Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, And he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the

wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Wait for Jehovah, and keep his way, and he will exalt thee to possess the land: when the

wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it].

Look unto Jehovah, and keep His way, And He doth exalt thee to possess the land, In

the wicked being cut off -- thou seest!

Psalms 37 35

I have seen the wicked in great power, Spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading like a green tree in its native soil:

I have seen the wicked terrible, And spreading as a green native plant,

Psalms 37 36

But he passed away, and, behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

but he passed away, and behold, he was not; and I sought him, but he was not found.

And he passeth away, and lo, he is not, And I seek him, and he is not found!

Psalms 37 37

Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, For there is a future for the man of peace.

Mark the perfect, and behold the upright, for the end of [that] man is peace;

Observe the perfect, and see the upright, For the latter end of each [is] peace.

Psalms 37 38

As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

but the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut

off.

And transgressors were destroyed together, The latter end of the wicked was cut

off.

Psalms 37 39

But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of

But the salvation of the righteous is of Jehovah: he is their strength in the time of

And the salvation of the righteous [is] from Jehovah, Their strong place in a time

of adversity.

Psalms 37 40

Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,

Because they have taken refuge in him. Psalm 38 A Psalm by David, for a memorial.

And Jehovah will help them and deliver them: he will deliver them from the wicked, and

save them; for they trust in him.

And Jehovah doth help them and deliver them, He delivereth them from the

wicked, And saveth them, Because they trusted in Him!

Psalms 38 1

Yahweh, don`t rebuke me in your wrath, Neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.

{A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.} Jehovah, rebuke me not in thy wrath;

neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

A Psalm of David, `To cause to remember.` Jehovah, in Thy wrath reprove me not,

Nor in Thy fury chastise me.

Psalms 38 2

For your arrows have pierced me, Your hand presses hard on me.

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand cometh down upon me.

For Thine arrows have come down on me, And Thou lettest down upon me Thy

hand.

Psalms 38 3

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, Neither is there any health in

my bones because of my sin.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine indignation; no peace in my bones,

because of my sin.

Soundness is not in my flesh, Because of Thine indignation, Peace is not in my

bones because of my sin.

Psalms 38 4

For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

For mine iniquities are gone over my head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

For mine iniquities have passed over my head, As a heavy burden -- too heavy for

me.

Psalms 38 5

My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, Because of my foolishness.

My wounds stink, they are corrupt, because of my foolishness.

Stunk -- become corrupt have my wounds, Because of my folly.

Psalms 38 6

I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all the day long.

I am depressed; I am bowed down beyond measure; I go mourning all the day.

I have been bent down, I have been bowed down -- unto excess, All the day I have

gone mourning.

Psalms 38 7

For my loins are filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.

For my loins are full of burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.

For my flanks have been full of drought, And soundness is not in my flesh.

Psalms 38 8

I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.

I am faint and broken beyond measure; I roar by reason of the agitation of my heart.

I have been feeble and smitten -- unto excess, I have roared from disquietude of

heart.

Psalms 38 9

Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.

Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my sighing is not hid from thee.

Lord, before Thee [is] all my desire, And my sighing from Thee hath not been hid.

Psalms 38 10

My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me.

My heart throbbeth, my strength hath left me; and the light of mine eyes, it also is no

more with me.

My heart [is] panting, my power hath forsaken me, And the light of mine eyes,

Even they are not with me.

Psalms 38 11

My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand afar off.

My lovers and mine associates stand aloof from my stroke; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

My lovers and my friends over-against my plague stand. And my neighbours afar

off have stood.

Psalms 38 12

They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things,

And meditate deceits all day long.

And they that seek after my life lay snares [for me]; and they that seek my hurt speak

mischievous things, and meditate deceits all the day long.

And those seeking my soul lay a snare, And those seeking my evil Have spoken

mischievous things, And they do deceits meditate all the day.

Psalms 38 13

But I, as a deaf man, don`t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn`t open his mouth.

But I, as a deaf [man], hear not; and am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

And I, as deaf, hear not. And as a dumb one who openeth not his mouth.

Psalms 38 14

Yes, I am as a man who doesn`t hear, In whose mouth are no reproofs.

Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

Yea, I am as a man who heareth not, And in his mouth are no reproofs.

Psalms 38 15

For in you, Yahweh, do I hope. You will answer, Lord my God.

For in thee, Jehovah, do I hope: *thou* wilt answer, O Lord my God.

Because for Thee, O Jehovah, I have waited, Thou dost answer, O Lord my God.

Psalms 38 16

For I said, "Don`t let them gloat over me, Or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

For I said, Let them not rejoice over me! When my foot slipped, they magnified

[themselves] against me.

When I said, `Lest they rejoice over me, In the slipping of my foot against me they

magnified themselves.

Psalms 38 17

For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.

For I am ready to halt, and my pain is continually before me.

For I am ready to halt, And my pain [is] before me continually.

Psalms 38 18

For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.

For I will declare mine iniquity, I am grieved for my sin.

For mine iniquity I declare, I am sorry for my sin.

Psalms 38 19

But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.

But mine enemies are lively, they are strong; and they that hate me wrongfully are

multiplied:

And mine enemies [are] lively, They have been strong, and those hating me

without cause, Have been multiplied.

Psalms 38 20

They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, Because I follow what is good.

And they that render evil for good are adversaries unto me; because I pursue what is

good.

And those paying evil for good accuse me, Because of my pursuing good.

Psalms 38 21

Don`t forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don`t be far from me.

Forsake me not, Jehovah; O my God, be not far from me.

Do not forsake me, O Jehovah, My God, be not far from me,

Psalms 38 22

Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation. Psalm 39 For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A

Psalm by David.

Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

Haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Psalms 39 1

I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I don`t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with

a bridle while the wicked is before me."

{To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.} I said, I will take heed to my ways,

that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked is

before me.

To the Overseer, to Jeduthun. -- A Psalm of David. I have said, `I observe my ways,

Against sinning with my tongue, I keep for my mouth a curb, while the wicked

[is] before me.`

Psalms 39 2

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

I was dumb [with] silence, I kept silent from good, and my pain is excited.

Psalms 39 3

My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:

My heart burned within me; the fire was kindled in my musing: I spoke with my tongue,

Hot [is] my heart within me, In my meditating doth the fire burn, I have spoken

with my tongue.

Psalms 39 4

"Yahweh, make me to know my end, What is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I

am.

Make me to know, Jehovah, mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: I shall know

how frail I am.

`Cause me to know, O Jehovah, mine end, And the measure of my days -- what it

[is],` I know how frail I [am].

Psalms 39 5

Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely

every man stands as a breath." Selah.

Behold, thou hast made my days [as] hand-breadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before

thee; verily, every man, [even] the high placed, is altogether vanity. Selah.

Lo, handbreadths Thou hast made my days, And mine age [is] as nothing before

Thee, Only, all vanity [is] every man set up. Selah.

Psalms 39 6

"Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and

doesn`t know who shall gather.

Verily, man walketh in a vain show; verily they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up

[riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Only, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, [in] vain, they are disquieted,

He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth them.

Psalms 39 7

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

And now, what wait I for, Lord? my hope is in thee.

And, now, what have I expected? O Lord, my hope -- it [is] of Thee.

Psalms 39 8

Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don`t make me the reproach of the foolish.

Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish.

From all my transgressions deliver me, A reproach of the fool make me not.

Psalms 39 9

I was mute, I didn`t open my mouth, Because you did it.

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; for *thou* hast done [it].

I have been dumb, I open not my mouth, Because Thou -- Thou hast done [it].

Psalms 39 10

Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.

Turn aside from off me Thy stroke, From the striving of Thy hand I have been

consumed.

Psalms 39 11

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely

every man is but a breath." Selah.

When thou with rebukes dost correct a man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to

consume away like a moth: surely, every man is vanity. Selah.

With reproofs against iniquity, Thou hast corrected man, And dost waste as a

moth his desirableness, Only, vanity [is] every man. Selah.

Psalms 39 12

"Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don`t be silent at my tears. For I am a

stranger with you, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.

Hear my prayer, Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; be not silent at my tears: for I am a

stranger with thee, a sojourner, like all my fathers.

Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And [to] my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent,

For a sojourner I [am] with Thee, A settler like all my fathers.

Psalms 39 13

Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go away, and be no more." Psalm 40 For

the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

Look away from me, and let me recover strength, before I go hence and be no more.

Look from me, and I brighten up before I go and am not!

Study Questions

What signifies a lack of the fear of God? 36:1

Describe God's mercy and faithfulness? 36:5

What shall inherit the earth? 37: 9, 11

Who were David's adversaries? 38:20

David's hope was in __________? 39:7

The World English Bible

Sept. 4

Romans 16

Rom 16:1 I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,

Rom 16:2 that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.

Rom 16:3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

Rom 16:4 who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.

Rom 16:5 Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.

Rom 16:6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

Rom 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Rom 16:8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

Rom 16:9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.

Rom 16:10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

Rom 16:11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

Rom 16:12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.

Rom 16:13 Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Rom 16:14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.

Rom 16:15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

Rom 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.

Rom 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

Rom 16:18 For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

Rom 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Rom 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.

Rom 16:22 I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.

Rom 16:23 Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.

Rom 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.

Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,

Rom 16:26 but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;

Rom 16:27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. 

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Romans

Romans 16 1

I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,

But I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is minister of the assembly which is in

Cenchrea;

And I commend you to Phebe our sister -- being a ministrant of the assembly that

[is] in Cenchrea --

Romans 16 2

that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in

whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my

own self.

that ye may receive her in [the] Lord worthily of saints, and that ye may assist her in

whatever matter she has need of you; for *she* also has been a helper of many, and of

myself.

that ye may receive her in the Lord, as doth become saints, and may assist her in

whatever matter she may have need of you -- for she also became a leader of many,

and of myself.

Romans 16 3

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

Salute Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus,

Salute Priscilla and Aquilas, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus –

Romans 16 4

who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the

assemblies of the Gentiles.

(who for my life staked their own neck; to whom not *I* only am thankful, but also all the

assemblies of the nations,)

who for my life their own neck did lay down, to whom not only I give thanks, but

also all the assemblies of the nations --

Romans 16 5

Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first-fruits of

Achaia to Christ.

and the assembly at their house. Salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is [the] first-fruits of

Asia for Christ.

and the assembly at their house; salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is first-fruit of

Achaia to Christ.

Romans 16 6

Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

Salute Maria, who laboured much for you.

Salute Mary, who did labour much for us;

Romans 16 7

Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the

apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.

Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow-captives, who are of note among

the apostles; who were also in Christ before me.

salute Andronicus and Junias, my kindred, and my fellow-captives, who are of note

among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.

Romans 16 8

Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

Salute Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

Salute Amplias, my beloved in the Lord;

Romans 16 9

Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.

Salute Urbanus, our fellow-workman in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.

salute Arbanus, our fellow-workman in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved;

Romans 16 10

Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

Salute Apelles, approved in Christ. Salute those who belong to Aristobulus.

salute Apelles, the approved in Christ; salute those of the [household] of

Aristobulus;

Romans 16 11

Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

Salute Herodion, my kinsman. Salute those who belong to Narcissus, who are in [the] Lord.

salute Herodion, my kinsman; salute those of the [household] of Narcissus, who are

in the Lord;

Romans 16 12

Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored

much in the Lord.

Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in [the] Lord. Salute Persis, the beloved, who

has laboured much in [the] Lord.

salute Tryphaena, and Tryphosa, who are labouring in the Lord; salute Persis, the

beloved, who did labour much in the Lord.

Romans 16 13

Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Salute Rufus, chosen in [the] Lord; and his mother and mine.

Salute Rufus, the choice one in the Lord, and his mother and mine,

Romans 16 14

Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.

Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren with them.

salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren with

them;

Romans 16 15

Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with

them.

Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with

them.

salute Philologus, and Julias, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the

saints with them;

Romans 16 16

Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.

Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the assemblies of Christ salute you.

salute one another in a holy kiss; the assemblies of Christ do salute you.

Romans 16 17

Now I beg you, brothers, mark those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling,

contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

But I beseech you, brethren, to consider those who create divisions and occasions of

falling, contrary to the doctrine which *ye* have learnt, and turn away from them.

And I call upon you, brethren, to mark those who the divisions and the stumbling-

blocks, contrary to the teaching that ye did learn, are causing, and turn ye away

from them;

Romans 16 18

For those who are such don`t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their

smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair

speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not serve, but their own belly; and through the

good word and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the harmless,

Romans 16 19

For your obedience has reached all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise to

that which is good, but innocent to that which is evil.

For your obedience has reached to all. I rejoice therefore as it regards you; but I wish you

to be wise [as] to that which is good, and simple [as] to evil.

for your obedience did reach to all; I rejoice, therefore, as regards you, and I wish

you to be wise, indeed, as to the good, and harmless as to the evil;

Romans 16 20

Now the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet swiftly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with you.

But the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord

Jesus Christ [be] with you.

and the God of the peace shall bruise the Adversary under your feet quickly; the

grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen!

Romans 16 21

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.

Timotheus, my fellow-workman, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute

you.

Salute you do Timotheus, my fellow-workman, and Lucius, and Jason, and

Sosipater, my kindred;

Romans 16 22

I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.

I Tertius, who have written this epistle, salute you in [the] Lord.

I Tertius salute you (who wrote the letter) in the Lord;

Romans 16 23

Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city,

greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.

Gaius, my host and of the whole assembly, salutes you. Erastus, the steward of the city,

salutes you, and the brother Quartus.

salute you doth Gaius, my host, and of the whole assembly; salute you doth Erastus,

the steward of the city, and Quartus the brother,

Romans 16 24

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

Study Questions

Where did the church meet? 16:3-5

What should the brethren at Rome do to those who cause divisions? 16:17