Psalm 91 is the favorite Psalm of many people. It is a Psalm of Comfort, a Psalm of Joy, and a Psalm of Deliverance. It speaks to us about trusting and resting in the shadow of God’s wings. We are assured that disease will not defeat us and those we love, and that the plotting of evildoers will be foiled.
Also, the most important lesson to learn is that you cannot logic all that God is and represents.
Trust is the key to understanding this Song from the Scriptures. Trust will allow you to relax in Christ, knowing that he has your interests and your welfare covered. Jesus’ blood covers all circumstances. Charlene
PSALM 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a] 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
The Book of Zephaniah is a truly prophetic book that speaks of God’s jealousy and anger against the nation of Judah and over Jerusalem. He speaks of His wrath against those who would destroy His people and steal their inheritance. We will be studying this prophetic book together to explore its truths and apply them to our own day and time. Charlene
Zephaniah 1
1 The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah: Judgment on the Whole Earth in the Day of the LORD
2 “I will sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD. 3 “I will sweep away both man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds in the sky
and the fish in the sea—
and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.”[a]
“When I destroy all mankind
on the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD, 4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all who live in Jerusalem.
I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place,
the very names of the idolatrous priests— 5 those who bow down on the roofs
to worship the starry host,
those who bow down and swear by the LORD
and who also swear by Molek,[b] 6 those who turn back from following the LORD
and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of him.”
7 Be silent before the Sovereign LORD,
for the day of the LORD is near.
The LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited.
8 “On the day of the LORD’s sacrifice
I will punish the officials
and the king’s sons
and all those clad
in foreign clothes. 9 On that day I will punish
all who avoid stepping on the threshold,[c]
who fill the temple of their gods
with violence and deceit.
10 “On that day,”
declares the LORD,
“a cry will go up from the Fish Gate,
wailing from the New Quarter,
and a loud crash from the hills. 11 Wail, you who live in the market district[d];
all your merchants will be wiped out,
all who trade with[e] silver will be destroyed. 12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.’ 13 Their wealth will be plundered,
their houses demolished.
Though they build houses,
they will not live in them;
though they plant vineyards,
they will not drink the wine.”
14 The great day of the LORD is near—
near and coming quickly.
The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter;
the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. 15 That day will be a day of wrath—
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of trouble and ruin,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness— 16 a day of trumpet and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the corner towers.
17 “I will bring such distress on all people
that they will grope about like those who are blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.”
In the fire of his jealousy
the whole earth will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live on the earth.
Footnotes:
Zephaniah 1:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
A. Hebrew: In Hebrew the book is titled hynpx meaning “Yahweh hides” perhaps reflecting the terror of the days of Manasseh when Zephaniah was born, or meaning “Watchman for the Lord,” or even “Zaphon [a Canaanite deity] is Yahweh”1
This was a common name in the Hebrew Scriptures (cf. a Levite, 1 Chron 6:36-38; a second priest under the high priest 2 Ki 25:18-21; cf. Jer 52:24–27; the father of Josiah–a returning exile, Zech 6:10, 14)
B. Greek: In Greek the book is titled SOFONIAS, a transliteration of the prophet’s name in Hebrew
II. AUTHOR:
A. The author, Zephaniah, traces his ancestry back four generations; this is unique among the prophets:2 1:1
1. Son of Cushi
2. Son of Gedaliah
3. Son of Amariah
4. Son of Hezekiah, (possibly the famous Judean king [c. 716-687 B.C.])
B. The author places himself during the reign of Josiah, son of Amon, king of Judah (c. 641-609 B.C.)
III. DATE: between 641 and 612 B.C. (possibly 641 and 621 B.C.)
A. The superscription places the prophet during the time of king Josiah of Judah (c. 641-609 B.C.) 1:1
B. The prophecy anticipated, but preceded the fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C. (Zeph 2:13-15)
C. Many would date the book prior to Josiah’s reforms (622-621 B.C.) which dealt with much of the nation’s idolatry (cf. 2 Ki 22–23) since there are implications of idolatry in Zephaniah’s Judah (cf. 1:4-6, 11-12; 3:1-4)3
D. Conclusion: The book was written some time between 641 and 612 B.C. and possibly between 641 and 622 B.C.
There may have been some overlap with Jeremiah since he began to prophecy in 627 B.C. Zephaniah would have been the first prophet to Judah in the 60 years since Isaiah (Nahum was about Assyria)
IV. AUDIENCE: To the people of Judah and the nations around her
V. HISTORICAL SETTING:4
A. Manasseh’s and Amon’s reigns were dark times in Judah’s history:
1. Manasseh rebuilt the high places that his father, Hezekiah, tore down
2. Manasseh was eclectic making altars to Ashtoreth (Canaanite), Chemosh (Moabite), Milcom (Ammonite), and Baal (Canaanite)
3. Manasseh restored child sacrifice (2 Ki 21) even sacrificing two of his own sons in the Valley of Hinnom
4. Worship of the heavens (stars, sun, moon, astral bodies) was common
5. Amon was named after an Egyptian god unlike most kings who were named after Yahweh
B. Manasseh paid tribute to Esarhaddon to keep Assyria from invading Judah
C. Josiah brought about the final spiritual revival for Judah when during the eighteenth year of his rule in 622 B.C. (2 Ki 22-23)
D. The Assyrian Empire Fell
1. The Assyrian power rose with Ashurnasirpal II (884-859 B.C.) and Shalmaneser II (859-824 B.C.)
2. Tiglath-pileser III (Pul in the Scriptures) began a group of conquerors who took Syria and Palestine including Shalmaneser V (727-722 B.C. who began the deportation of Samaria), Sargon II (722-705 B.C. who completed the deportation of Samaria), Sennacherib (704-581 B.C. who attacked king of Judah, Hezekiah [Josiah’s father]), and Esarhaddon (681-669 B.C. who led campaigns against Egypt)
3. Esarhaddon’s son, Ashurbanipal (669-631) ruled much of the upper Egyptian city of Thebes, but his decline and that of Assyria’s soon followed
4. Nineveh, the capital, was destroyed in 612 B.C.
VI. MAJOR THEME–THE DAY OF THE LORD:
The Day of the Lord is a major theme in Zephaniah occurring 23 times in this short book (as well as in Obadiah, Joel, and Ezekiel). It describes a time when Yahweh will come to His people and necessarily destroy evil as a means to delivering them. While Zephaniah and Joel obviously had “local” aspects in view of this coming Day of Yahweh’s presence among them (with the judgment of Assyria and Babylon), those judgments/deliverances only mirrored, or foreshadowed, the ultimate deliverance (and thus necessary judgment) which would come in the eschaton.
VII. PURPOSE:
A. To proclaim judgment on the entire world
B. To proclaim the Day of the Lord as a time when Yahweh will come to judge the wicked (including the wicked of Judah) and deliver His own5
C. To proclaim judgment on the nations which surrounded Judah (Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Assyria, Ethiopians/Egyptians
D. To proclaim hope for the remnant of Judah
E. To expose the unfaithfulness of Judah’s rulers
F. To encourage Judah to accept correction by hearing of the judgment on her neighbors
G. To expose Judah’s unwillingness to accept correction from Yahweh
H. To describe the ultimate changes which Yahweh will bring about as the nations become worshippers of Him and He becomes Judah’s King/Defender
Reposted on July 10th, 2012 God’s Word is Timeless
Psalm 4
New International Version (NIV)
Safety is in The LORD. he is our rock and our hiding place. When it seems as if this world would crush you with all of its demands and expectations, look to the author and finisher of our faith for support and encouragement. Stand strong in those things that you know to be true, stand steadfast and do not move. GOD looks down from above and sees your affliction. He will heal you. He will set your feet on straight paths, and his mighty outstretched arm will sweep all opposition away. Trust, I say, in the LORD.
Charlene
Psalm 4
Psalm 4[a]For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods[b]?[c] 3 Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 Tremble and[d] do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. 5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD.
6 Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. 7 Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Footnotes:
Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
The Psalms, especially King David’s songs, are such an aid to all of us who seek peace in time of trouble. As GOD delivered David from the hands of Saul, and from other enemies, He (GOD) will do the same for you. So do not despair that all is lost–you have a Father in Heaven who loves you beyond measure, Jesus, your Saviour, who intercedes on your behalf, and The Holy Spirit who dwells in you, counsels you and comforts you. Take Heart and rise with the Son who has healing in His wings. Charlene
A shiggaion[b] of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
1 LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me, 2 or they will tear me apart like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 LORD my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands— 4 if I have repaid my ally with evil
or without cause have robbed my foe— 5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.[c]
6 Arise, LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice. 7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
while you sit enthroned over them on high. 8 Let the LORD judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High. 9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
who probes minds and hearts.
10 My shield[d] is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge,
a God who displays his wrath every day. 12 If he does not relent,
he[e] will sharpen his sword;
he will bend and string his bow. 13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.
14 Whoever is pregnant with evil
conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. 15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit they have made. 16 The trouble they cause recoils on them;
their violence comes down on their own heads.
17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.
Footnotes:
Psalm 7:1 In Hebrew texts 7:1-17 is numbered 7:2-18.
Psalm 7:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
Psalm 7:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
I just wanted to share a heavenly experience that Women United encountered during our weekly meeting on Thursday, March 31st at 4 p.m.
I had planned a lesson for the women’s group that included a chapter from Joyce Meyer’s ‘The Confident Woman. On Tuesday, March, 29th, I kept getting images in my head from the DVD ‘The Finger of GOD’. I had it in my bag that I carry to meeting, but had forgotten it was there. So, at home, I had been trying to think of where it was and hadn’t gotten very far.
As I pulled items out of my bag to teach–the DVD was there, Praise GOD!! I remembered all of the visual impressions from the last few days, and I have learned to listen to GOD’s Spirit and to change the format as The Holy Spirit urges me.
Donna Lind usually begins our meeting by engaging us in prayer for those on our prayer list, but GOD’s Spirit was urging us to do something different. He inspired us to place the list of prayer needs on each of our hearts, and to watch the “Finger of GOD’ as we prayed. It was an amazing, heavenly experience. GOD’s Spirit came in like a flood, and as we witnessed the miraculous signs and wonders that are happening all over the world, we prayered fervently for everyone on the list and beyond.
After the DVD was over we continued to pray, and the smoke seemed to fill the temple. The LORD had us place the lists that we each had prayed over onto a table–and we placed our hands on top of each other’s hands and continued to pray. So many hearts were touched, and so many spirits delivered.
Our meeting started at 4 p.m. At 8 o’clock we exited the building after continuing to pray in The Spirit. We had prayed for protection and deliverance–for healing and gifts. I pray that we may again experience this closeness in Christ, and have the privilege of ministering to GOD’s saints.
This weekend was the celebration of Purim–a Jewish Holy Day set aside to commemorate the deliverance of the Jews in Persia.
This story is found in Scripture, nestled inside the Book of Esther. Read Esther with understanding, seeing God at work in this Book of betrayal, courage, and light. Esther is a servant of the High God, who was placed in a position of authority and influence for God’s Divine purpose. She was blessed among women, and had favor with God and man. I encourage you to partake of Esther at the Father’s table.
Do you ever feel as if you are at a crossroads with no idea as to which direction to take? We all get here at different times in our lives and it is here that we have to proclaim that we have a deliverer. Making decisions that affect the Kingdom of God requires that we seek Him and listen well. The flesh wants to remain where it once felt safe. The spirit wants to soar. Psalm 6 is for those times when we are at our lowest ebb, the tide has gone out and we have dry bones. Search yourself and ask? How can I serve God best? You may be surprised at the answer. Charlene
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith.[b] A psalm of David.
1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint;
heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. 3 My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, LORD, how long?
4 Turn, LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love. 5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears. 7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.
8 Away from me, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
the LORD accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
Footnotes:
Psalm 6:1 In Hebrew texts 6:1-10 is numbered 6:2-11.
As Christians we must always be aware of spiritual warfare. The church is comprised of human beings, and, as in David’s Psalm below, the enemy of God’s saints is ever seeking whom he can devour. Gird up your loins in the Name of Jesus and fight for what you know is right. Accuse no brethren or sisters but forgive all things as Christ forgives you. Charlene
1 Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers. 3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. 4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear.
5 They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares;
they say, “Who will see it[b]?” 6 They plot injustice and say,
“We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.
7 But God will shoot them with his arrows;
they will suddenly be struck down. 8 He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. 9 All people will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.
10 The righteous will rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him!
Footnotes:
Psalm 64:1 In Hebrew texts 64:1-10 is numbered 64:2-11.
Psalm 61: 1-5 Living Bible The Prayer of a Troubled Heart
“O GOD, listen to me! Hear my prayer! For wherever I am, though far away at the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help. When my heart is faint and overwhelmed, lead me to the mighty, towering Rock of Safety. For you are my refuge, a high tower where my enemies can never reach me. I shall live forever in your tabernacle–Oh, to be safe beneath the shelter of your wings! For you have heard my vows, O GOD, to praise you everyday, and you have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name”.
Psalm 30: 4 Living Bible GOD’s Deliverance
“Oh, sing to Him, you saints of His; give thanks to His Holy Name. His anger lasts a moment; His favor lasts for life! Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning there is Joy”.
Scripture testifies of the person of GOD’s Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:2 GNB “The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the power of GOD was moving over the water”.
Isaiah 61:1-4 GNB “The Sovereign LORD has filled me with His Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to announce release to captives and freedom to those in prison. He has sent me to proclaim that the time has come when the LORD will save His people and defeat their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn; to give to those who mourn in Zion. Joy and gladness instead of grief; a song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees that The LORD Himself has planted. They will all do what is right, and GOD will be praised for what He has done…”.
Psalm 51:10-13 GNB “Create a pure heart in me O GOD, and put a new and loyal Spirit in me. Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach sinners your commands, and they will turn back to you.”
The Great Commission is the work of GOD’s Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Comforter to us to guide us in the work of salvation. Therefore, there has been an unction put upon my heart to teach the concepts of the work of God’s Spirit.
I sometimes forget that there was once a time when I did not understand the Holy Spirit’s work for myself. It is the responsibility of God’s saints to impart teaching and wisdom to those who have not yet tasted of His Spirit. Therefore, GOD provided an opportunity for me through His servants to learn of Him.
I can remember the first time that I was exposed to the gifts of The Spirit. I was 24 years old and finally learning how to drive. My high school did not offer a full Drivers Ed program, so my Dad had tried to teach me and had failed. I had wrapped the fender of his car around a pole and that was the end of lessons. When it became imperative for me to learn to drive, I sought the help of a driving school. The instructor was Dan, a born-again charismatic Christian.
From the moment that we met Dan took it upon himself to educate me in the ways of God’s Spirit. I was a Christian, saved at five-years-old, but I did not understand the work of The Spirit. I did not even understand that Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit were the same person. As we drove here and there, in the midst of teaching me how to corner, etc, etc; Dan talked to me about the Scriptures. I could hold my own here because, after all, my Daddy was a preacher. There wasn’t much that this guy could teach me, right?
I was almost finished with my driving lessons. All that was left to do was night driving. Late in the evening Dan picked me up and had me drive to his friend’s house for Bible Study. This was his concept of training for night driving. I thought this was a bit unusual, but did what he asked. Upon arrival I was introduced to several nice Christians who proceeded to welcome me to study with them. I saw no problem here–so I joined them in a very interesting Bible Study in First Corinthians.
After the study they started to pray, and this is where things began to get weird. At least to me they were weird. Someone was speaking in an entirely different language, and not only was it unfamiliar to me but there seemed to be a change in the atmosphere of the room. It made my hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I was sitting in the back of the living room and could not escape so I was subjected to an hour of several people praying in what I now know to be tongues, and others giving interpretations.
After what seemed like an interminable time, Dan told me that we could go. Once in the car all was silence until he said, “Was that frightening to you”? My Protestant guns were ready to fire. Suffice it to say that he got both barrels. Dan suffered my fearful utterings, then said, ” I thought it time that you learned about the gifts of the Spirit. I have been listening to you talk about Jesus and God for two weeks–but you never mentioned The Holy Spirit. He went on to tell me about the Third Person of the Holy Trinity and about His work with mankind. I was totally blown away. It would not be until three years later that fruit would grow in such a heavenly, sovereign way that I could not deny the truth of God’s Spirit.
My older sister had invited me to another Bible Study. This time it was being held at a small, local church not far from home. I was reluctant to go because I had heard of the type of meetings they had. People were reportedly slain in the Spirit at every meeting, and lives were being changed. I did not want to be convicted because I knew that I was not living by God’s Word. I did not want my life overturned. My sister convinced me to attend.
The Bible Study was good, holy, and convicting. At the end of the evening there was an altar call and many people went forward for prayer. I did not want to be among them but something ( I now know someone) urged me forward. The line was long and I shook as I watched person after person hit the floor. I tried to turn back but the crowd was too thick behind me.
The Pastor was smiling at me as I arrived at the front of the altar. He asked me for my name and reached towards me, and that is all I can remember. When I came to myself, I was lying in the floor, and I could feel a Presence so strong that I was unable to rise to my feet.
I have never been the same. Nothing changed overnight except my understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work and a growing awareness of His presence inside of me. As time progressed, everything in my world fell apart and then GOD mended it. It took several years for me to fully understand and to receive the gift of tongues, with other subsequent gifts from God’s Spirit. Everything that has happened in my life since that time has been walked through, prayed through, and resolved through The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They have been my Comforters through two difficult pregnancies, breast cancer, removal of my gallbladder, debilitating back pain, and my husband experiencing a near-fatal heart attack. Miraculously, my husband and myself are in full recovery. God has been my deliverer and provider through all of these things. Now I face life changing events that promise a renewed future and dedication to The Trinity’s work and Persons, and I can only say ‘ “Thank You, Holy Spirit”.
All scripture retrieved from Good News Bible: Todays English Version. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc under license from the American Bible Society 1976.
