The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 131:3,
"Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore."
I often find it helpful for me to look up words in the dictionary when I am reading the Scriptures. Even simple words and those I am very familiar with, and maybe particularly those words because it helps "round out" and broaden my thinking about a passage. I sometimes think the more familiar I am with the words I encounter, the less I tend to "unpack" the meaning of them and what they could contribute to my understanding.
I realize the English words I am looking up are not those of the original authors of Scripture, but those that the translators of our Bibles have chosen to represent what the original writings intended to convey in their original Hebrew and Greek languages. However, translators are fussy in their business and are much more critical than the rest of us when it comes to conveying thoughts and ideas in language. The grammatical construction and diction they choose to employ in their translations are guided by their goal of precision in transferring those thoughts and ideas of the original authors of Scripture to us accurately.
All that said to defend myself for looking up the word "hope" that we find in Psalm 131. Merriam-Webster defines "hope" as "to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment, to expect with confidence: trust." Also, "to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true." As I read these definitions, the aspect of "desire" becomes apparent for me when I read David telling Israel to put her hope in the Lord.
I suspect we all hope in various things. It seems to me that if one had no hope in anything it would lead to despondency, discouragement and depression. I'm sure throughout the day we hope in all kinds of things, and David's point is to place the Lord as the focus of our desires with the expectation that the Lord can and will deliver all he has planned and promised us.
The wonderful riches of the lavish inheritance the Lord has so graciously and generously bestowed upon those who have embraced him in faith, particularly when realized as undeserved, and yet promised us in his incomprehensible love, is just an amazing hope we have in him if that is what we desire.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore."
I often find it helpful for me to look up words in the dictionary when I am reading the Scriptures. Even simple words and those I am very familiar with, and maybe particularly those words because it helps "round out" and broaden my thinking about a passage. I sometimes think the more familiar I am with the words I encounter, the less I tend to "unpack" the meaning of them and what they could contribute to my understanding.
I realize the English words I am looking up are not those of the original authors of Scripture, but those that the translators of our Bibles have chosen to represent what the original writings intended to convey in their original Hebrew and Greek languages. However, translators are fussy in their business and are much more critical than the rest of us when it comes to conveying thoughts and ideas in language. The grammatical construction and diction they choose to employ in their translations are guided by their goal of precision in transferring those thoughts and ideas of the original authors of Scripture to us accurately.
All that said to defend myself for looking up the word "hope" that we find in Psalm 131. Merriam-Webster defines "hope" as "to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment, to expect with confidence: trust." Also, "to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true." As I read these definitions, the aspect of "desire" becomes apparent for me when I read David telling Israel to put her hope in the Lord.
I suspect we all hope in various things. It seems to me that if one had no hope in anything it would lead to despondency, discouragement and depression. I'm sure throughout the day we hope in all kinds of things, and David's point is to place the Lord as the focus of our desires with the expectation that the Lord can and will deliver all he has planned and promised us.
The wonderful riches of the lavish inheritance the Lord has so graciously and generously bestowed upon those who have embraced him in faith, particularly when realized as undeserved, and yet promised us in his incomprehensible love, is just an amazing hope we have in him if that is what we desire.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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