In Psalms chapter seventy-three Asaph said, “I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men”, and in chapter seventy-three and verse six of Psalms Asaph said, “pride compasses them about” where we read,
Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain; violence covers them as a garment.
The verse begins, “Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain;” Asaph began with the words, “therefore pride compasses them about” or “thus, wherefore, forasmuch and this being so excellency, haughtiness, swelling and arrogance encircles, adorns and chokes the foolish and wicked” “as a chain” which means “in similar manner to a collar or necklace”. Asaph said haughtiness and arrogance encircled the foolish and wicked like a necklace.
The verse continues, “violence covers them as a garment.” Asaph added the words, “violence covers them” or “wrong, cruelty and injustice overwhelms, languishes and envelops them, the foolish and wicked” “as a garment” which means “in likeness and similar to a sheath, dress or attire”. Asaph said the foolish and wicked were enveloped with wrong, cruelty and injustice.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Asaph noted the “pride” and “violence” within people who are foolish and wicked. Asaph was troubled by these people because it appeared they were getting away with their attitudes and actions even though they were filled with arrogance and cruelty. God knows the ways, attitudes, actions and words of everyone, and because everyone is guilty of “sin, error and wrong” (See Romans 3:10,23), He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and contend with the foolish and wicked people who are filled with arrogance and commit evil acts.
Next time Asaph says, “their eyes stand out with fatness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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