Psalm 10:12, NKJV
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.

Psalm 10:12, JN paraphrase
Brother Stan Gale wrote today in his column, “Rooted in Christ” that “we are to live lives consecrated to our God and conspicuous of His grace.” I believe that a consequence of this directive is that we will live in the shadow of His grace whether afflicted or not.

What a joy!

Recommended Reading

Providence by John Piper. Piper takes two words, "God’s Benefice," replaces it with one word, "Providence" and then takes 704 pages to explain what he means. Truly a delightful read.

Note

The publication of“ Voices Together” and my participation in the Gathering and the Cafe, will be somewhat erratic for a time to come. Some medical problems will interfere from time to time. 17+ years of publishing VT without missing a day has come to an end.

I need to look at this phase of my life as a time of learning to minister to the elderly. The next step.

Psalm 10:1-11, NKJV
Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”

Psalm 10:1-11, JN paraphrase
Why do You desert me, LORD? Here I am faced with a scoundrel who tops all scoundrels and You are hidden from me?

His arrogance tops all; he is convinced that You do not exist or if You do, his wisdom is superior to Yours. He knows not how to convince but only how to denigrate those who oppose him. The helpless are crushed by his venom; his triumph is the destruction of faith.

Recommended Reading

Providence by John Piper. Piper takes two words, "God’s Benefice," replaces it with one word, "Providence" and then takes 704 pages to explain what he means. Truly a delightful read.

Psalm 9:15-20, NKJV
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah

The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah

Psalm 9:15-20, JN paraphrase
We have dug our own cesspool; we have lined it with foot entangler to insure maximum damage to all involved. We are indeed snared by our own hands. We cannot deny our involvement.

All who have forgotten the LORD, God, the Almighty, all the wicked, will be banished to the realm of the dead, but the poor will continue to struggle. LORD, may they continue the battle to support Your Holy Name.

Recommended Reading

Knowing God by J.I. Packer. Excellent for small group study, especially one that loves a paragraph-by-paragraph style of study.

Psalm 9:10-14, NKJV
Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 9:10-14, JN paraphrase
I must sing my praises to the LORD so that His work as an Avenger in the causes of the afflicted will be recognized. Then I will be enabled and encouraged to praise the LORD where ever He puts me. Praise His Holy Name.

Recommended Reading

Knowing God by J.I. Packer. Excellent for small group study, especially one that loves a paragraph-by-paragraph style of study.

Psalm 119:169-176, NKJV
Taw Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.

Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 119:169-176, JN paraphrase
I need understanding of the Word of the LORD, understanding of the Word according to the Word. Deliverance according to the Word. Praise according to the Word. I will sing according to the Word.

I need Your hand to help as I seek to follow Your precepts for that is only the beginning of the battle. I have gone astray. I do not forgot so much as I deliberately ignore.

This is the conclusion of my first attempt to paraphrase the Psalms. A most useful exercise which I expect to repeat. Beginning next week.

Recommended Reading

Restore Us! A Call to Serious Prayer for Revival by T. M. Moore