The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

The Wicked and Workers of Iniquity - Psalms 28:3

In Psalms chapter twenty-eight David said, “Unto you will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if you are silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle”, and in chapter twenty eight and verse three of Psalms David prayed to Jehovah, “Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity”, where we read,

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity,

which speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.

The verse begins, “Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, ...”. David began with the words, “Draw me not away” which means “do not seize, handle, drag or remove me, David” “with the wicked” or “alongside people who are criminals, guilty of sin and ungodly”, “and with the workers” which means “and alongside people who practice, commit and make” “of iniquity” or “pertaining to trouble, wickedness, sorrow and idolatry”. David appealed to Jehovah God not to align or associate him with people who are guilty of sin, ungodly practices, trouble and idolatry.

The verse continues, “... which speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.” David added the words, “which speak peace” or “who declare, converse, command, promise, warn and threaten completeness, soundness, welfare and safety” “to their neighbors” which means “toward the companions, friends and fellow citizens of the wicked and workers of iniquity”, “but mischief” or “however, bad, unpleasantness, unkindness and evil deeds” “is in their hearts” which means “exists within the soul, mind, thinking, appetite, emotions and passions of the wicked and workers of iniquity”. David wrote of the deceptive speaking and unkind souls of people who are wicked and work iniquity.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how David desired that Jehovah God not seize and associate him with people who are guilty of sin, commit trouble and prone to idolatry. Although they talked to their companions and friends in a non-threatening way, they were actually unpleasant and unkind within their souls and thinking. In other words, they were wicked and deceptive, and David wanted nothing to do with them. David spoke to Jehovah God in this manner because he had an intimate relationship with Him, and God desires to have an intimate relationship with every person. He provided His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from those who commit iniquity and are deceptive in their speech, practices and deeds.

Next time David says, “Give them according to their deeds”, 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".

Hear the Voice of My Supplication - Psalms 28:2

In Psalms chapter twenty-eight David said, “Unto you will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if you are silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit”, and in chapter twenty eight and verse two of Psalms David prayed to Jehovah, “Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto you”, where we read,

Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto you,

when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle.

The verse begins, “Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto you, ...”. David began with the words, “Hear the voice” which means “listen, pay attention to and perceive the sound and noise” “of my supplications” or “pertaining to my, David's, earnest prayer and entreaty”, “when I cry unto you” which means “at the time and moment I, David, halloo and shout aloud for help or freedom from some trouble”. David appealed to Jehovah God to pay attention and listen to his earnest prayers at the time He shouts aloud for His help.

The verse goes on to say, “... when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle.” David continued with the words, “when I lift up my hands” or “at the time and moment I, David, raise, exalt and bear up my, David's, physical hands” “toward your holy oracle” which means “ in regards and in motion to your, Jehovah God's, sacred, separate and consecrated innermost room of the temple or tabernacle”. David desired that Jehovah God hear him at the time that he raised his physical hands toward the innermost sacred part of God's tabernacle or temple.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how David appealed to Jehovah God to pay attention to his earnest prayers and entreaties. When David shouted aloud unto God, and when he raised his hands toward God's holy temple, he wanted God to hear him. James the apostle wrote, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (See James 5:16), and God wants to “hear” our passionate prayers. God loves us, and He sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty of death on the cross for the sins that separated us from Him. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, He will forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life with Him, so let us pray earnestly and lift our hands toward God's Holy Throne as we pour out our hearts before Him.

Next time David says, “Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Unto You Will I Cry, O LORD - Psalms 28:1

Psalms chapter twenty-eight begins with the heading, “[[A Psalm of David.]]” which breaks down, “A Psalm” or “a melody of a poem set to notes and played with a musical instrument” “of David” which means “belonging to David whose name means beloved and was the second king of Israel”, and in chapter twenty eight and verse one of Psalms David said, “Unto you will I cry, O LORD my rock;”, where we read,

Unto you will I cry, O LORD my rock;

be not silent to me: lest, if you are silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

The verse begins, “Unto you will I cry, O LORD my rock;”. David began with the words, “Unto you” which means “toward you, Jehovah God” “will I cry” or “shall I, David, shout aloud, call out and summon”, “O LORD” which means “O Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “my rock” or “my, David's, block of stone, bolder and mighty strength”. David told Jehovah God that he would cry out to Him because He was David's mighty strength or firm foundation.

The verse continues, “be not silent to me: lest, if you are silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.” David added the words, “be not silent to me” or “do not exist as dumb, speechless and deaf to me, David”: “lest, if you are silent to me” which means “peradventure or unless, whether you, Jehovah God, exist as dumb, speechless and deaf to me, David”, “I become like them” or “I, David, will resemble, be likened and compared to the people” “that go down into the pit” which means “who descend, decline and sink into a hole, cistern or dungeon used for a prison”. David appealed to Jehovah God not to be speechless to him so he would not be like the people who sink into a prison or die.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how emphatic David was about Jehovah God hearing and speaking to him. David cried out to Jehovah, and he desired a response. David felt this so strongly that he believed he would be like people who sink into a dungeon used for a prison or more emphatically, that he might as well die. This is a passionate plea from David, and God loves people who desire Him in such a way. When we humble ourselves before God, receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and repent of our wicked ways, Jehovah God hears, and He responds by forgiving our sins and granting us everlasting life. Sometimes we, like David, may experience “silence” from God, and in those times we have an opportunity to give honor, praise and glory to Him for who He is and not only for how He hears and responds to our cries.

Next time David says, “Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Wait on the LORD - Psalms 27:14

In Psalms chapter twenty-seven David said, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” and in chapter twenty seven and verse fourteen of Psalms David said, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage”, where we read,

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

The verse begins, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart:”. David began with the words, “Wait on the LORD” which means “expect, hope and eagerly look upon Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”: “be of good courage” or “and grow strong and firm, prevail, be resolute and secure”, “and he shall strengthen” which means “and he, Jehovah God, will make strong, bold, solid, alert and courageous” “your heart” or “your, the people who read and hear David's words, inner man, soul, life, mind, will and seat of emotions and passions”. David instructed the people listening to his words to be in expectation and strong within as they looked toward Jehovah God because He would make bold and courageous their emotions, passions, desires, thinking and drive.

The verse goes on to say, “wait, I say, on the LORD.” David continued with the words, “wait, I say” or “I, David, utter, declare and proclaim to expect, hope and eagerly look” “on the LORD” which means “upon Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. David repeated his idea of being in a state of hoping and expectation upon Jehovah God.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how David instructed the people who would read and hear his words to remain in a state of hope and expectancy toward Jehovah God. They were to be strong, firm and resolute toward Him, and He would make them bold and courageous in the world. This idea was so important to David that he repeated it. Whenever we begin to understand the love of Jehovah God who demonstrated it by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for ours sins, we should surrender to Him and expect that He will forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life with Him. Let all praise, honor and glory go to Jehovah God in whom we have great hope and expectancy not only in this life, but also in the life to come.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see David say, “Unto you will I cry, O LORD my rock;”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Goodness of the LORD - Psalms 27:13

In Psalms chapter twenty-seven David said, “Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of my enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty” and in chapter twenty seven and verse thirteen of Psalms David said, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD”, where we read,

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

The verse begins, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD ...”. David began with the words, “I had fainted” which means “I, David, would have grown numb, feeble and slacked”, “unless I had believed” or “except I, David, would have confirmed, had faith and trusted” “to see the goodness” which means “to observe, behold, perceive and look upon the beauty, joy, prosperity and favor” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. David shared how he would have grown numb, weak and feeble if he had not trusted in and relied upon the beauty, joy and favor of Jehovah God.

The verse continues, “... in the land of the living.” David added the words, “in the land” or “within the arable ground, territory, region and country” “of the living” which means “belonging to people who are alive, active, fresh and strong”. David shared how Jehovah God's favor and blessing was in the location of people who are alive and active.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how David knew his limitations for caring for his own life. “Enemies” were against him, but Jehovah God would sustain him. Difficulties, troubles and opposition were assaulting David at all times while he lived on the earth, and yet, Jehovah God was with him through them all. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with every person who yields their life to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for their sins. God made a provision for us to rely upon Him, and while we are among “the land of the living”, we should give praise, honor and glory to the One who rules, reigns and provides protection against all “enemies” who rise up against us.

Next time David says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Not to the Will of My Enemies - Psalms 27:12

In Psalms chapter twenty-seven David said, “Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies” and in chapter twenty seven and verse twelve of Psalms David said, “Deliver me not over unto the will of my enemies”, where we read,

Deliver me not over unto the will of my enemies:

for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

The verse begins, “Deliver me not over unto the will of my enemies:”. David began with the words, “Deliver me not” which means “do not give, bestow, grant, permit, consecrate or dedicate me, David” “over unto the will” or “toward the soul, appetite, mind and seat of passions and emotions” “of my enemies” which means “belonging to my, David's, hating adversaries and foes”. David desired that Jehovah God not give him over to the appetite, passions and emotions of the people who hated him.

The verse goes on to say, “for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.” David continued with the words, “for false witnesses” or “because, since and on account that vain, lying, deceptive and disappointing frauds” “are risen up against me” which means “stand up, arise and become powerful in opposition to me, David”, “and such as breathe out cruelty” or “whose breathing, exhaling and puffing out consists of violence, injustice and wrong”. David shared the reason he needed Jehovah God to watch over and protect him was because lying and deceptive people came against him, and these people were so vicious in their violent ways that their every “breath” threatened him with violence, injustice and wrong.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we notice how David depended upon Jehovah God for keeping him from the desires of the people who hated him. David knew God was omnipotent, and even through people with fake and untrue testimonies stood up against him, David knew the Lord was stronger. As an example of this, we may remember how David relied upon Jehovah God's power when he faced Goliath as recorded in First Samuel seventeen. God wants to be so intimate with us through His Son Jesus, that when we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and protect and defend us against any opposition that comes our way.

Next time David says, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Teach Me Your Way, O LORD - Psalms 27:11

In Psalms chapter twenty-seven David said to Jehovah God, “Hide not your face far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up” and in chapter twenty seven and verse eleven of Psalms David said, “Teach me your way, O LORD”, where we read,

Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies.

The verse begins, “Teach me your way, O LORD, ...”. David began with the words, “Teach me” which means “direct, instruct and show me, David” “your way” or “Jehovah God's path, roadway, direction and course of life”, “O LORD” which means “O Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. David wanted Jehovah God to instruct and direct him according to His Divine plan for his life.

The verse continues, “... and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies.” David added the words, “and lead me” or “and guide me, David” “in a plain path” which means “within a level, upright and straight concord, roadway or passing of life”, “because of my enemies” or “since, in view, to the purpose and intent of my, David's, hating adversaries and foes”. David appealed to Jehovah God to guide him in a straight and upright passing of his life since the adversaries who hated him would attempt to alter his course.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how David was dependent upon Jehovah God to guide him because his hating adversaries were against him. David knew God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, and there was no better choice than Jehovah upon which to rely for the direction of his life. God would defend David against those who hated him, and He will do the same for us when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”. God loves us, and He wants to lead and guide us according to His plan for our lives. He shall forgive us of our sins, grant us everlasting life with Him and defend us against our “enemies”. We should have no greater desire than to have Jehovah God guide us in our course of life and to defend us against our “enemies”.

Next time David says, “Deliver me not over unto the will of my enemies”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…