The LORD has Chastened Me - Psalms 118:18

In Psalms one hundred eighteen the Psalmist said, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD”, and in chapter one hundred eighteen and verse eighteen of Psalms the Psalmist said, “the LORD has chastened me sore” where we read,

The LORD has chastened me sore: but he has not given me over unto death.

The verse begins with the words, “The LORD has chastened me sore:” The Psalmist began with the words, “the LORD” or “Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has chastened me sore” which means “has disciplined, instructed and admonished me, the Psalmist, in a strong and corrective manner”. The Psalmist said Jehovah God disciplined him in a strong way.

The verse goes on to say, “but he has not given me over unto death.” The Psalmist continued with the words, “but he has not given me over” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, Jehovah God, did not permit, appoint, assign, designate or deliver me, the Psalmist” “unto death” which means “to dying, ruin, pestilence or the non-breathing”. The Psalmist said Jehovah God did not deliver him over to being among the breathless and dying.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist understood Jehovah God disciplined and instructed him in a strong way, however, that discipline did not cause him to die. God “chastens” those He loves (See Hebrews 12:6-7), and such is His manner among His children. (See Proverbs 13:24) God gives people the right to be His children when they believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. (See John 1:12) Afterward, He disciplines and instructs them so they become more and more like Him. (See Psalm 17:15) God wants to forgive our sins, give us everlasting life with Him, and to help us to be more and more like Him. We are blessed when we believe in His Son Jesus and yield to His instructive ways.

Next time the Psalmist says, “open to me the gates of righteousness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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