4. It is unique in its survival. In ancient times, books were copied by hand onto manuscripts which were made from parchment and would decay over time. Ancient books are available today only because someone made copies of the originals to preserve them. For example, the original writings of Julius Caesar are no longer around. We know what he wrote only by the copies we have. Only 10 copies still exist, and they were made 1,000 years after he died. Only 600 copies of Homer's The Iliad exist, made 1,300 years after the originals were written. No other book has as many copies of the ancient manuscripts as the Bible. In fact, there are over 24,000 copies of New Testament manuscripts, some written within 35 years of the writer's death.
5. It is unique in withstanding attack. No other book has been so attacked throughout history as the Bible. In A.D.300 the Roman emperor Diocletian ordered every Bible burned because he thought that by destroying
the Scriptures he could destroy Christianity. Anyone caught with a Bible would be executed. But just 25 years later, the Roman emperor Constantine ordered that 50 perfect copies of the Bible be made at government expense. The French philosopher Voltaire, a skeptic who destroyed the faith of many people, boasted that within 100 years of his death, the Bible would disappear from the face of the earth. Voltaire died in 1728, but the Bible lives on. The irony of history is that 50 years after his death, the Geneva Bible Society moved into his former house and used his printing presses to print thousands of Bibles.
The Bible has also survived criticism. No book has been more attacked for its accuracy. And yet archeologists are proving every year that the Bible's detailed descriptions of historic events are correct. See Matthew 4:4 and 1 Peter 1:25 comments.
75 I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have
afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray you, your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to your word unto your servant.
77 Let your tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in your precepts.
79 Let those that fear you turn unto me, and those that have known your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be sound in your statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81 My soul faints for your salvation: but I hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail for your word, saying, When will you comfort me?
83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget your statutes.
84 How many are the days of your servant? when will you execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me,
which are not after your law.
86 All your commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help me.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not your precepts.
88 Quicken me after your lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of your mouth.
89 For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness is unto all generations: you have established the earth, and it abides.
91 They continue this day according to your ordinances: for all are your servants.
92 Unless your law had been my delights, I should then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts: for with them you have quickened me.
94 I am yours, save me: for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but
your commandment is exceeding broad.
97 O how I love your law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 You through your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your word.
102 I have not departed from your judgments: for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words unto my taste! yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto your word.
108 Accept, I beseech you, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform your statutes always, even unto the end.
113 I hate vain thoughts: but your law do I love.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto your word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of
my hope.
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS
119:160 "The Bible has changed down through the ages."
No, it hasn't. God has preserved His Word. In the spring of 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. These manuscripts were copies of large portions of the Old Testament, a thousand years older than any other existing copies. Study of the scrolls has revealed that the Bible hasn't changed in content down through the ages as many skeptics had surmised. (See 1 Peter 1:25 comment.)
Anyone can now obtain access to computer programs that give the original Hebrew and Greek words, and the only "changes" have been made for clarity. For example, the old English translation of 2 Corinthians 12:8 is "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice...," while a contemporary translation is
"Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times..."
117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto your statutes continually.
118 You have trodden down all them that err from your statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you; and I am afraid of your judgments.
121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for your servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes fail for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.
124 Deal with your servant according unto your mercy, and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your
testimonies.
126 It is time for you, LORD, to work: for they have made void your law.
127 Therefore I love your commandments above gold; yes, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all your precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore does my soul keep them.
130 The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for your commandments. 132 Look upon me, and be merciful unto me, as you used to do unto those that love your name.
133 Order my steps in your word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep your precepts.
135 Make your face to shine upon your
servant; and teach me your statutes.
136 Rivers of waters run down my eyes, because they keep not your law.
137 Righteous are you, O LORD, and upright are your judgments.
138 Your testimonies that you have commanded are righteous and very faithful.
SPRINGBOARDS FOR
PREACHING AND
WITNESSING
119:162 The Bible and All It Contains A young man once received a letter from a lawyer stating that his grandmother had left him an inheritance. To his astonishment, it was $50,000 plus "my Bible and all it contains."
The youth was delighted to receive the money. However, he knew what the Bible contained, and because he wasn't into religion he didn't bother to open it. Instead,
he put it on a high shelf.
He gambled the $50,000, and over the next fifty years he lived as a pauper, scraping for every meal. Finally he became so destitute, he had to move in with his relatives.
When he cleaned out his room, he reached up to get the dusty old Bible from the shelf. As he took it down, his trembling hands dropped it onto the floor, flinging it open to reveal a $100 bill between every page.
The man had lived as a pauper, simply because of his prejudice. He thought he knew what the Bible "contained."
139 My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten your words.
140 Your word is very pure: therefore your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet your commandments are my
delights.
144 The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep your statutes.
146 I cried unto you; save me, and I shall keep your testimonies.
147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in your word.
148 My eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in your word.
149 Hear my voice according unto your lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to your judgment.
150 They draw near that follow after mischief: they are far from your law.
151 You are near, O LORD; and all your commandments are truth.
152 Concerning your testimonies, I have known of old that you have founded them for ever.
153 Consider my affliction, and deliver
me: for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not your statutes.
156 Great are your tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to your judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies; yet do I not decline from your testimonies.
158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not your word.
159 Consider how I love your precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to your lovingkindness.
160 Your word is true from the beginning: and every one of your righteous judgments endures for ever.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162 I rejoice at your word, as one that
finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor lying: but your law do I love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise you because of your righteous judgments.
16 5 Great peace have they which love your law: and nothing shall offend them.
166 LORD, I have hoped for your salvation, and done your commandments.
167 My soul has kept your testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168 I have kept your precepts and your testimonies: for all my ways are before you.
169 Let my cry come near before you, O LORD: give me understanding according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come before you: deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips shall utter praise, when you have taught me your statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of your word: for all your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let your hand help me; for I have
chosen your precepts.
174 I have longed for your salvation, O LORD; and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise you; and let your judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant; for I do not forget your commandments.
119:2 This wonderful psalm gives us insight into the rewards of meditating on God's Word. It reveals the great key to living a life of victory as a Christian. That key is to seek and serve Him with a "whole heart."
119:14 "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book." Abraham Lincoln 119:16 "God's Word is our primary weapon in evangelism. It is not designed to destroy life, but to give it. It is not to be used to harm but like a surgeon's scalpel, to save. Just as a builder knows his tools and an artist
knows his brushes and pens, we need to know the Bible." Greg Laurie
119:18 "Ignorance of the nature and design of the Law is at the bottom of most religious mistakes." John Newton
119:72 "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education." Theodore Roosevelt
119:97 "If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures." Daniel Webster
119:104 "But for this Book [the Bible], we could not know right from wrong ... Take all you can of this Book upon reason, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier man." Abraham Lincoln
119:128 This verse covers all of God's judgments over sinners—harsh though they may seem to our darkened minds.
119:133 Sin may beset the Christian, but those whose steps are in God's Word prevent sin from having dominion over them. See
Romans 6:12–18. See also Galatians 5:16 comment.
119:136 "And you, too, who are moral enough in your conversation, and regular in your attendance on the outward forms of religion, you who never weep over sinners, you who never pray for them, you who never speak to them, you who leave all that to your minister, and think you have nothing to do with it, the voice of your brother's blood crieth from the ground to heaven." Charles Spurgeon
PSALM 120
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. 2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given unto you? or what shall be done unto you, you false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that
I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul has long dwelt with him that hates peace.
7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
PSALM 121
I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper: the LORD is your shade upon your right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil: he shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and
even for evermore.
PSALM 122
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
2 Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together:
4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love you.
7 Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.
PSALM 123
UNTO you lift I up my eyes, O you that dwells in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
PSALM 124
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when
men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
PSALM 125
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abides for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
125:1 If we are "moved" by adversity, it is because we lack trust in the Lord. The amount of joy we retain in tribulation reveals the depth of our trust in God. The apostle Paul said, "I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4).
PSALM 126
When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they
among the heathen, The LORD has done great things for them.
3 The LORD has done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goes forth and weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
126:6 Sowing in tears. "But from whence shall I fetch my argument? With what shall I win them? Oh, that I could tell! I would write to them in tears, I would weep out every argument, I would empty my veins for ink, I would petition them on my knees. Oh how thankful I would be if they would be prevailed with to repent and turn!" Joseph Alleine
"Jesus Christ wept over Jerusalem, and you will have to weep over sinners if they are to be saved through you." Charles Spurgeon
PSALM 127
Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
PSALM 128
Blessed is every one that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways. 2 For you shall eat the labor of your hands: happy shall you be, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of your house: your children like olive plants round about your table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fears the LORD.
5 The LORD shall bless you out of Zion: and you shall see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 Yes, you shall see your children's children, and peace upon Israel.
PSALM 129
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4 The LORD is righteous: he has cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them all be confounded and turned
back that hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up:
7 Wherewith the mower fills not his hand; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom.
8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.
PSALM 130
Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice: let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more
than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
130:1–4 Here is true contrition—a humble cry to God for mercy. Those who obtain the mercy of the cross and see the cost of redemption live their lives in the fear of the Lord, knowing that they were not redeemed with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. See 1 Peter 1:17–19.
PSALM 131
LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from
henceforth and for ever.
131:1 Beware of "intellectual Christianity." It is easy to become puffed up with a theology that forgets "the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). The measure of the quality of our Christian theology will be evidenced by the depth of our concern for the lost.
PSALM 132
LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: 2 How he swore unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,
5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
127:3 What God's Word Says About Abortion
By Lynn Copeland God speaks very clearly in the Bible on the value of unborn children.
God's Word says that He personally made each one of us, and has a plan for each life: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" (Jeremiah 1:5). "Even before I was born, God had chosen me to be His" (Galatians 1:15). "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb ... Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:13, 16). "Your hands shaped me and made me ... Did You not clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life" (Job 10:8–12). "This is what the Lord says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb" (Isaiah 44:2). "Did not He who made me in the
womb make them? Did not the same One form us both within our mothers?" (Job 31:15).
Because man is made in God's own image (Genesis 1:27), each life is of great value to God: "Children are a gift from God" (Psalm 127:3). He even calls our children His own: "You took your sons and daughters whom you bore to Me and sacrificed them ... You slaughtered My children" (Ezekiel 16:20,21).
The Bible says of our Creator, "In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being" (Job 12:10). God, the giver of life, commands us not to take the life of an innocent person: "Do not shed innocent blood" (Jeremiah 7:6); "Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person" (Deuteronomy 27:25). "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13).
Taking the life of the unborn is clearly murder—"He didn't kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave" (Jeremiah 20:17)—and God vowed to punish those who "ripped open the women with child" (Amos
1:13). The unborn child was granted equal protection in the law; if he lost his life, the one who caused his death must lose his own life: "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined ... But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life" (Exodus 21:22,23).
Life is a gift created by God, and is not to be taken away by abortion. God is "prochoice," but He tells us clearly the only acceptable choice to make:
"I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19).
7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8 Arise, O LORD, into your rest; you, and the ark of your strength.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For your servant David's sake turn not away the face of your anointed.
11 The LORD has sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne.
12 If your children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon your throne for evermore.
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
PSALM 133
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
PSALM 134
Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
PSALM 135
Praise the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD; praise him, O you servants of the LORD.
2 You that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain; he brings the wind out of his treasuries.
8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and
upon all his servants.
10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12 And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
"A little science estranges men from God, but much science leads them back to Him."
LOUIS PASTEUR 13 Your name, O LORD, endures for ever; and your memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, but they hear not;
neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusts in them.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: you that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwells at Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
135:7 Scientific facts in the Bible. The Scriptures inform us, "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again" (Ecclesiastes 1:7). This statement alone may not seem profound. But, when considered with other biblical passages, it becomes all the more remarkable. For example, the Mississippi River dumps approximately 6 million gallons of water per second into the Gulf of Mexico. Where does all that water go? And that's just one of thousands of rivers.
The answer lies in the hydrologic cycle, so
well brought out in the Bible. Ecclesiastes 11:3 states that "if the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth." Amos 9:6 tells us, "He ... calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth." The idea of a complete water cycle was not fully understood until the seventeenth century. However, more than 2,000 years prior to the discoveries of Pierre Perrault, Edme Mariotte, Edmund Halley, and others, the Scriptures clearly spoke of a water cycle.
PSALM 136
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endures for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures for ever.
4 To him who alone does great wonders: for his mercy endures for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endures for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endures for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endures for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endures for ever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endures for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endures for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endures for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endures for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endures for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endures for ever.
16 To him which led his people through the
wilderness: for his mercy endures for ever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endures for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endures for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endures for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endures for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endures for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endures for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endures for ever:
24 And has redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endures for ever.
25 Who gives food to all flesh: for his mercy endures for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endures for ever.
136:4–6 Worshiping a faithful Creator. We should pray, "Open my eyes that I might
continually see the genius of Your mind displayed in creation." If we could walk in such a spirit of illumination, we would walk around awestruck! We would continually worship God. We would be filled with such faith, we would see no problem too great for our God. As the revelation of His greatness astounds us, we would say, "Ah, Lord God! Behold You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You!" (Jeremiah 32:17).
Such knowledge of His power and ability would cause us to have faith that produces joy, even at the edge of the Red Sea, even in the lion's mouth. We can look at the world with all its problems, sins, and pains, and know that with one small breath of Almighty God's Spirit, our nation can be saved. If the mere tip of the finger of God is for us, nothing can be against us.
PSALM 137
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
"There is no point on which men make greater mistakes than on the relation which exists between the Law and the gospel."
CHARLES SPURGEON 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
6 If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of
Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards you as you have served us.
9 Happy shall he be, that takes and dashes your little ones against the stones.
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS
135:14 "The Bible says 'God repented.' Doesn't that show He is capable of sin?"
"Repent" means "to have a change of mind." When the Bible tells sinners to repent, it means to change their direction, to turn from their sins. God's "repenting" is when He turns away from His fierce anger toward sinners. He warns men of the consequences of their disobedience. If they repent (turn from their sins), He will "repent" by not pouring out His promised wrath on them. For instance, Jonah 3:8,9 says, "Let them turn every one from his
evil way ... Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" (See also Jeremiah 18:8.)
PSALM 138
I will praise you with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto you.
2 I will worship toward your holy temple, and praise your name for your lovingkindness and for your truth: for you have magnified your word above all your name.
3 In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth.
5 Yes, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 Though the LORD be high, yet has he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he
knows afar off. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me: you shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand shall save me.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures for ever: forsake not the works of your own hands.
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS
136:7–9 "How does the young-earth theory explain that we can see stars millions of light-years away? How would the light have reached us?"
Since God made the sun, moon, and stars "to give light upon the earth" (Genesis 1:14– 18), those lights would be immediately visible on earth. They fulfilled their purpose on the day God spoke them into being, because He "saw that it was good." No doubt
God also made Adam as a fully-grown man— perhaps with the appearance of being 30 years old, even though he was only minutes old. Likewise, herbs and trees were already mature and fruit-bearing, to provide a ready supply of food. That would be the case with all of His creation.
PSALM 139
O LORD, you have searched me, and known me. 2 You know my down sitting and my uprising, you understand my thought afar off.
3 You compass my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
"What health is to the heart, holiness is to the soul."
JOHN FLAVEL 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, you What health is to the
heart, know it altogether. holiness is to the soul.
5 You have beset me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from your spirit? or whither shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall your hand lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 1 1 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yes, the darkness hides not from you; but the night shines as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to
you.
13 For you have possessed my reins: you have covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.
15 My substance was not hid from you, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in your book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are your thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with you.
To see how the theory of evolution clashes
with the facts, see Acts 14:15 comment. 1 9 Surely you will slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, you bloody men.
20 For they speak against you wickedly, and your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that
hate you? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against you?
2 2 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
139:2 God's presence. The ungodly are unaware of the immediate presence of a holy Creator. They think that God somehow becomes present when we bow our head in prayer or walk reverently into a lofty cathedral. In truth, our Creator is everpresent. He knows when we sit down and when we stand up (vv.2–12). He searches our heart and sees our innermost thoughts. He knows every detail of our lives, including every whispered word.
The knowledge that a holy God sees every thought and deed is disconcerting to the guilty, but wonderfully comforting to the forgiven and saved soul (see v. 17). It is with this
understanding that we should regularly cry with the psalmist, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting" (vv.23,24).
139:14 We are wonderfully made. In his b o o k Darwin's Black Box, biochemistry professor Michael J. Behe, an evolutionist, acknowledges a "powerful challenge to Darwinian evolution"—something he refers to as "irreducible complexity." He gives a simple example: the humble mousetrap. The mousetrap has five major components that make it functional. If any one of these components is missing, it will not function. It becomes worthless as a mousetrap.
Charles Darwin admitted, "If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down" (The Origin of Species).
If we just take the human eye, one small
part of an incredibly complex creation, we will see this same principle of irreducible complexity. The eye cannot be reduced to anything less than what it is. It has thousands of co-equal functions to make it work. If we take away just one of those functions, the rest of the eye is worthless as an eye. How then did the eye evolve when all functions had to be present at once to give it any worth at all? We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made.
"To suppose that the eye, with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree." Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species
(No wonder—the focusing muscles in the eye move an estimated 100,000 times each day. The retina contains 137 million lightsensitive cells.)
PSALM 140
Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
6 I said unto the LORD, You are my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.
140:2,3 "The heart is like a viper, hissing and spitting poison at God." Jonathan Edwards
PSALM 141
LORD, I cry unto you: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto you.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet. 7 Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cuts and cleaves wood upon the earth.
8 But my eyes are unto you, O GOD the Lord: in you is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
9 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I withal escape.
141:5 This is a test of our humility. Are we prepared to submit ourselves to godly counsel?
PSALM 142
I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5 I cried unto you, O LORD: I said, You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise your name: the righteous shall compass me about; for you shall deal bountifully with me.
PSALM 143
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness.
"Is sin so luscious that you will burn in hell forever for it?"
CHARLES SPURGEON 2 And enter not into judgment with your servant: for in your sight shall no man living