I Shall Not Die, But Live - Psalms 118:17

In Psalms one hundred eighteen the Psalmist said, “The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly”, and in chapter one hundred eighteen and verse seventeen of Psalms the Psalmist said, “I shall not die, but live” where we read,

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

The verse begins, “I shall not die, but live, ...” The Psalmist began with the words, “I shall not die” or “I, the Psalmist, will in no way or manner be executed, put to death or die prematurely”, “but live” which means “instead, except and surely be alive, among the living and breathing”. The Psalmist declared that he would in no way be among the dead, but would remain alive to do the following.

The verse continues, “... and declare the works of the LORD.” The Psalmist added the words, “and declare” or “and tell, recount, reckon, number and rehearse” “the works” which means “the acts and deeds” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. The Psalmist said he would proclaim the acts and deeds of Jehovah God.

When we consider the Psalmist's words in this verse, we see how he made a declaration about continuing to “live” instead of dying. The purpose for remaining alive would be so the Psalmist could tell of the wonderful acts and deeds of Jehovah God. God wants us to know Him in a personal way, and because we have sinned, we are separated from a relationship with Him until we receive His Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord”. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price of death for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and allow us to join the Psalmist and proclaim the acts and deeds of Jehovah God.

Next time the Psalmist says, “the LORD has chastened me sore”, 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".