What is meant by the beauty of the Lord?

August 14, 2010

Question: In Psalm 27:4 and others when it states the beauty of the Lord, what do you think of?  There are several different ways, I think, to look at this and I wanted someone else’s’ opinion to help me. Thank you. Answer: “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that…

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What does “vain thoughts” mean in Psalms 119:113?

July 12, 2009

Question: I recently came across a section of the Psalms that concerned me.  Psalms 119:113 says in the KJV, “I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love.”  Doing a Google search for the phrase “vain thoughts,” I came across a few articles, mostly from British writers of the eighteenth century, that asserted that…

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Just Justices

November 9, 2008

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JustJustices.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 10:22-38   I.         Many times Jesus faced a mob set to stone him for his words.             A.        In our reading, the thing which upset them was Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God.             B.        They understood that this was not a light claim, but one of a direct relationship. They…

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Psalms 119

August 10, 2008

Psalm119-1Psalm119-2Psalm119-3Psalm119-4Psalm119-5Psalm119-6 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverb 4:10-17   I.         How do you learn? What do you need to learn?             A.        The evil decay, but a child of God must learn – II Timothy 3:13-17             B.        It is important for all aspects of life – II Peter 1:3             C.        Your parents have invested a lot in you, so has…

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What does “put my tears in your bottle” mean in Psalms 56:8?

August 4, 2008

Question: Can you help me with the meaning of Psalms 56:8, especially the part “tears into thy bottle?” Answer: “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8). Each phrase is a reference to God remembering or recording what has happened to David. This particular Psalm,…

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Could you explain the different translations of Psalm 51:5 in detail?

May 4, 2007

Question: Could you explain the difference between the NIV and the rest of the versions concerning Psalms 51:5? In detail, if you can. The NIV seems to be saying we are born sinful, while the rest indicates we are born into a sinful world. I understand the difference but I have a hard time explaining…

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Why does Psalm 104:8 read so differently in different translations?

March 31, 2007

Question: I have an interesting question. In the NIV it says. they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. Psalm 104:8 NIV But in another version it says Mountains rose and valleys sank to the levels you decreed. Psalm 104:8 NLT Do they mean the…

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Were most of the Psalms written during the time of II Samuel?

November 21, 2006

Question: Recently, I heard a preacher say that “most of the Psalms were written during the time of II Samuel”. If so, what verification do we have of that? Answer: Most of the Psalms were written by David, whose life is covered in II Samuel. Another author, Asaph, who wrote twelve of the Psalms, was…

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The Valley of the Shadow of Death

April 29, 2006

by Earl Kimbrough Via Guardian of Truth XXXII: 17, pp. 534-535, September 1, 1988 The beautiful twenty-third Psalm is a song of faith. It abounds with an assurance of God’s guidance and protection. There is mention of the danger of enemies, both past and present, but it is muted by David’s trust in the perpetual presence…

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What Is the Law?

October 29, 2004

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 19:7-11   I.         Frequently, when people try to force an odd interpretation on the Scriptures or desire to ignore a portion of the Writings, they declare “Oh, that is part of the law, but I’m not under law. I’m under grace.”             A.        Seventh-Day Adventist divide the Old Testament into civil and…

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