King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 5 notes
1Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
This counsel sounds so counterintuitive, but this is the wisdom of Israel and David, with which they defeated their enemies with 100% 💯 certainty.
So also is the case of the believer who fears and waits on the Lord.
Words of a man of war and much experience.
They are strange words indeed for an army general to utter.
One might think 🤔 that after having uttered these words he would then attribute success in warfare to strategy and skill.
No, none of these. He concludes in subsequent verses that deliverance comes from the Lord.
And this is wisdom for us 🙏.
17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
No one knows this better than David, a mighty warrior himself. Even in much strength and valour he knows victory is of the Lord, for he has defeated many a mighty army greater than himself.
18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
So in war, in trials, in difficult times, it is those who hope in the Lord and their eyes 👀 look upon his mercy that obtain his mercy.
For horses 🐴 and chariots are prepared for battle, but safety is of God.
Proverbs 21:31 KJV
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Another wisdom nugget... It is God who keeps alive in famine. He never fails.
20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.