| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| A Psalm of David. |
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| 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? |
The LORD is my light – Guiding the heart. R3248:2
An encouragement when facing the finger of scorn or the lip of sarcasm and slander. R4857:5
And my salvation – Overruling our affairs for good. R3248:2
The more fierce the conflict with the powers of darkness, the more glorious the deliverance. R1915:1
Whom shall I fear? – The proper frame of mind for all the Lord's people who are fighting the good fight of faith. R2016:4
Courage, born of faith and strengthened by endurance, cries with humble boldness in the midst of the deepest darkness of the most perplexing difficulties. R1915:4
Our consciousness of loyalty to God and of divine guidance should keep us without fear. R4922:4
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| 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. |
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| 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. |
Encamp against me – Let us not be of those who draw back, or those that faint by the way, for glorious will be the victory of faith and zeal. R1876:4
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| 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. |
That I may dwell – Be counted worthy to be recognized by him as a member of his Church. R1915:1
In the house – "Whose house are we." (Heb. 3:6) R1915:2
Beauty of the LORD – The beauty of holiness; our pattern and chief joy. R1915:2
And to inquire – As students, of his holy law and testimony. R1915:4
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| 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. |
The time of trouble – Rendered "evil" in "I create evil." (Isa. 45:7) A125; R1351:2*
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| 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
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| 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. |
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| 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. |
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| 9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. |
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| 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. |
Father and my mother – My most trusted human friends. R1788:4
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| 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. |
Teach me – We know that the Lord can direct our course in whatever way he chooses, if we put ourselves under his care. R5212:2
Thy way, O LORD – We should study the scriptures bearing on any subject, trying to find the underlying principle of God's teachings; then commit all to the Father in prayer, asking him to guide both reason and judgment; then use that reason and judgment to the best of our ability. R5212:5
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| 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. |
False witnesses – Foretelling the painful circumstances of the sacrificial death of the Messiah as the Lamb of slaughter. R1205:2
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| 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. |
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| 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. |
Wait on the LORD – Not a ministering to the Lord, but a patient watching and waiting until we learn what our Lord would have us to do. R5711:3, R5712:1
Be of good courage – Courage, fortitude, persistency, in the service of the Lord are very necessary to the child of God. R5712:2
Courage, born of faith in God and in his exceeding great and precious promises, is required to surmount difficulties. R5712:3
Shall strengthen – So that we will not be overwhelmed. R5712:3
Thine heart – The soul, the being, especially the intelligent portion of man. R5712:2
Wait – We are to have faith and hope even though the way is rough. R5331:4
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