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. Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain; violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish”, and in chapter seventy-three and verse eight of Psalms Asaph said, “they are corrupt, and speak wickedly” where we read,
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
The verse begins, “They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression:” Asaph began with the words, “they are corrupt” or “they, the foolish and wicked exist as mocking, deriding and jeering”, “and speak wickedly” which means “and utter, declare, proclaim and talk bad, evil, disagreeably, malignantly and disparagingly” “concerning oppression” or “about extortion, cruelty and injury”. Asaph shared how the foolish and wicked people mocked, jeered and derided and spoke with evil, malignancy and displeasure about extortion and cruelty.
The verse continues, “they speak loftily.” Asaph added the words, “they speak” or “they, the foolish and wicked, utter, declare and proclaim” “loftily” which means “in an elevated, proud and haughty manner”. Asaph said the foolish and wicked people make declarations in an elevated and proud way.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Asaph described the character of the foolish and wicked people he observed. He said they mocked, jeered and derided others, and they constantly spoke in a malignant and haughty manner. In other words, not only were these foolish and wicked people evil in their ways and speaking, but they were proud of their works. They were invincible in their own minds, and they bragged upon their ways. God loves everyone, and 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 and grant us everlasting life. Those who refuse and reject Jesus will be like these foolish and wicked people who are wicked, talk in evil ways and brag about their exploits and accomplishments.
Next time Asaph says, “they set their mouth against the heavens”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment