Psalm 70 – O Lord, Do Not Delay

Fields of grain and wheat to the east of Bethlehem, in the area where Boaz and Ruth met.

Fields of grain and wheat to the east of Bethlehem, in the area where Boaz and Ruth met.

The five short verses of this psalm are almost word for word taken from Psalm 40:13-17. The most reasonable explanation for the repetition is that this portion of Psalm 40 was adapted for a specific occasion as a corporate prayer, while the former psalm was written during David’s earlier and more private time. The superscription says it was “for the memorial offering.” This was part of the grain offering in which the priest burns a portion on the altar. Still, it is a lament and an appeal to God for deliverance:

May all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”

But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  

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Psalm 78:25-49 – The Bread of Angels

When the people begged for meat, God sent clouds of quail, but with it he sent a plague (Numbers 11:31-35).

When the people begged for meat, God sent clouds of quail, but with it he sent a plague (Numbers 11:31-35).

Today we take verses 25-49 of this historical psalm, which begins with a lovely poetic section on the way the Lord fed His people in the desert, despite their constant complaints. The first part of this is about the manna, which the scripture calls “the bread of angels.” Then it moves on to when the Lord caused the wind to rain down the quail for meat for them to eat (Numbers 11:31-32):

Man ate of the bread of the angels;
He sent them food in abundance.

He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
He rained meat on them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;

Verses 31-40 re-tell the story of how even after this, the people grumbled against God. His angered kindled again, He sent a plague, and as it ravaged them they began to repent, and flattered Him with their mouths. But they lied with their tongues (verse 36). Still, He was compassionate to them, though they tested Him time and again in the desert (verses 40-41). But as verses 42-49 complete this section, they forgot all that He had done with His power in the signs with which He had dealt with the Egyptians before they were freed (Exodus 7-12).

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.