Render Sevenfold to Our Neighbors - Psalms 79:12

In Psalms chapter seventy-nine Asaph speaking of Jehovah God said, “Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you; according to the greatness of your power preserve you those that are appointed to die”, and in chapter seventy-nine and verse twelve of Psalms Asaph said, “render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom”, where we read,

And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach,

wherewith they have reproached you, O Lord.

The verse begins, “And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, ...” Asaph began with the words, “and render unto our neighbors” or “and return back to our, Asaph and the people of Israel's, nearby inhabitants or residents” “sevenfold” which means “seven times as much” “unto their bosom” or “to their, the nearby neighbors', hallow, midst and lap” “their reproach” which means “their, the neighbors of Asaph and the people of Israel's, scorn, contumely, disgrace and rebuke”. Asaph beckoned Jehovah God to return seven times the amount of disgrace and rebuke that his and the people of Israel received from their nearby residents.

The verse goes on to say, “... wherewith they have reproached you, O Lord.” Asaph continued with the words, “wherewith they have reproached you” or “by which they, Asaph and the people of Israel's nearby residents, disgraced and rebuked them”, “O Lord” which means “O Adonay or reverent master”. Asaph desired that his reverent master Jehovah God would return to his and the people of Israel's neighbors the same disgrace and rebuke given to them.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Asaph desired that Jehovah God would repay his and the people of Israel's nearby residents with the same “reproach” they gave to them. In other words, allow them to “reap what they had sown”. (See Hosea 8:7) Paul the apostle wrote, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (See Galatians 6:7-8), and God's desire is that we reap according to His salvation plan through His Son Jesus. Jesus came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from reaping the evil and wrongs which we have committed against Him and others.

Next time Asaph says, “we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks for ever”, 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".