M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Ark Is Brought into the Temple(A)
8 King Solomon ·called for [assembled; summoned] the elders of Israel, the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the ·families [ancestral houses] to come to him in Jerusalem. He wanted them to bring the Ark of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; Ex. 25:10] with the Lord from the ·older part of the city [L city of David, also known as Zion]. 2 So all the Israelites ·came together with [assembled before] King Solomon during the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.
3 When all the elders of Israel arrived, the priests ·lifted [picked; took] up the Ark. 4 They ·carried [brought] the Ark of the Lord, the Meeting Tent, and the holy ·utensils [vessels; items]; the priests and the Levites brought them up. 5 King Solomon and all the ·Israelites [congregation/community/assembly of Israel] gathered before the Ark and sacrificed so many sheep and ·cattle [oxen] no one could count or number them all. 6 Then the priests ·put [brought; carried] the Ark of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; Ex. 25:10] with the Lord ·in [to] its place inside the inner ·room [L sanctuary] in the ·Temple [L house], the ·Most Holy Place [T Holy of Holies], under the wings of the ·golden creatures [cherubim; 6:23]. 7 The wings of ·these creatures [the cherubim] were spread out over the place ·for [of] the Ark, ·covering [forming a canopy over] it and its carrying poles. 8 The carrying poles were so long that anyone standing in the Holy Place in front of the ·Most Holy Place [L inner sanctuary] could see the ends of the poles, but no one could see them from outside the Holy Place. The poles are still there today. 9 The only things inside the Ark were two stone tablets [C on which were the Ten Commandments] that Moses had put in the Ark at ·Mount Sinai [Horeb; Ex. 40:20]. That was where the Lord made his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with the Israelites after they came out of [L the land of] Egypt.
10 When the priests ·left [came/withdrew from] the Holy Place, a cloud filled the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. 11 The priests could not continue their ·work [service; duties], because the ·Temple [L house] was filled with the glory of the Lord.
Solomon Speaks to the People
12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in a ·dark [thick; dense] cloud. 13 Lord, I have truly built a ·wonderful [exalted; glorious; magnificent] ·Temple [L house] for you—a place for you to ·live [dwell] forever.”
14 While all the ·Israelites [congregation/community/assembly of Israel] were standing there, King Solomon turned to them and blessed them.
15 Then he said, “·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of Israel. He has ·done [fulfilled] what he promised [L with his mouth] to my father David. The Lord said, 16 ‘Since the ·time [L day] I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel where a ·temple [L house] will be built ·for me [to honor my name; L for my name to be there]. But I have chosen David to ·lead [rule over] my people Israel.’
17 “My father David ·wanted [L had it in his heart/mind] to build a ·temple [L house] for the Lord, the God of Israel. 18 But the Lord said to my father David, ‘It was good that you ·wanted [L had it in your heart/mind] to build a ·temple [L house] for me. 19 But you are not the one to build it. Your son, who ·comes from your own body [will be born from you], is the one who will build my ·temple [L house] ·for my name [to honor my name; 2 Sam. 7:13].’
20 “Now the Lord has ·kept [fulfilled] his promise. I ·am the king now [L have risen] in place of David my father. Now I ·rule [L sit on the throne of] Israel as the Lord promised, and I have built the ·Temple [L house] ·for [to honor; L for the name of] the Lord, the God of Israel. 21 I have ·made [prepared; provided] a place there for the Ark, in which is the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty; Ex. 25:10] the Lord made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”
Solomon’s Prayer
22 Then Solomon stood ·facing [before] the Lord’s altar, and all the ·Israelites [L congregation/community/assembly of Israel] were standing behind him. He spread out his hands toward the sky 23 and said:
“Lord, God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep your ·agreement [treaty; covenant] ·of love [and steadfast love/lovingkindness] with your servants who ·truly follow you [L walk before you with all their heart]. 24 You have kept the ·promise [covenant; solemn pact] you made to your servant David, my father. You spoke it with your own mouth and ·finished [fulfilled] it with your hands today. 25 Now Lord, God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You said, ‘If your sons are careful to ·obey [L walk before] me as you have ·obeyed me [L walked], ·there will always be someone from your family [L you will never lack a man] ·ruling [to sit on the throne of] Israel [2 Sam. 7:16].’ 26 Now, God of Israel, ·please continue to keep that promise [confirm the word] you made to your servant David, my father.
27 “But, God, ·can [will] you really ·live [dwell] here on the earth? [L Look; T Behold] ·The sky [Even heaven] and the highest ·place in heaven [heavens] cannot contain you. Surely this ·house [Temple] which I have built cannot contain you. 28 But please ·listen to [regard] my prayer and my ·request [plea; supplication], because I am your servant. Lord my God, hear this prayer your servant prays to you today. 29 Night and day please watch over this ·Temple [L house] where you have said, ‘·I will be worshiped [L My name will be] there.’ Hear the prayer I pray facing this ·Temple [L house]. 30 Hear my ·prayers [pleas; supplications] and the prayers of your people Israel when we pray ·facing [toward] this place. Hear from your home in heaven, and when you hear, forgive us.
31 “If someone ·wrongs another person [sins against a neighbor], he will be brought to the altar in this ·Temple [L house]. If he swears an oath that he is not guilty, 32 then hear in heaven. ·Judge the case [Act and judge between your servants], ·punish [condemn] the guilty ·as they deserve [L by bringing his conduct on his own head], but ·declare that the innocent person is not guilty [acquit/vindicate the righteous/innocent in accordance with their righteousness/innocence].
33 “When your people, the Israelites, sin against you, their enemies will defeat them. But if they ·come back [turn] to you and ·praise you [L confess your name] and pray and ·plead [make supplication] to you in this ·Temple [L house], 34 then hear them in heaven. Forgive the ·sins [or sin] of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.
35 “When they sin against you, ·you will stop the rain from falling on their land [L the heavens will be shut and there will be no rain]. Then they will pray, facing this place and ·praising you [L confess your name]; they will stop sinning when you ·make them suffer [afflict them]. 36 ·When this happens [Then], please hear their prayer in heaven, and forgive the ·sins [or sin] of your servants, ·the Israelites [L your people Israel]. Teach them ·to do what is right [L the good way they should walk]. Then please send rain to this land you have given ·particularly to them [L your people for an inheritence].
37 “·At times the land will become so dry that no food will grow [If there is a famine in the land], or ·a great sickness will spread among the people [pestilence]. ·Sometimes all the crops will be destroyed by […or blight or mildew or] locusts or grasshoppers. ·Your people will be attacked in […or the people are besieged in the land of] their cities by their enemy or ·will become sick [struck by plague or sickness…]. 38 When any of these things happen, ·the people will become truly sorry [L each will know the affliction of his own heart]. ·If your people spread their hands in prayer [L …and spread his hands] toward this ·Temple [L house], 39 then hear their prayers from your ·home [dwelling place] in heaven. Forgive and ·treat [L act and give to] each person ·as he should be treated [L according to his ways/conduct] because you know what is in a person’s heart. Only you know what is in everyone’s heart. 40 Then your people will ·respect [fear] you ·as long as [L all the days] they live in this land you gave to our ancestors.
44 “When your people go out to fight their enemies ·along some [by whatever] road on which you send them, your people will pray to you, facing the city which you have chosen and the ·Temple [L house] I have built for ·you [L your name]. 45 Then hear in heaven their prayer and their ·plea [supplication], and ·do what is right [uphold/maintain their cause].
46 “When ·your people [L they] sin against you (for there is no one who does not sin), you will become angry with them and ·hand them over [abandon/give them] to their enemies. Their enemies will capture them and take them away to their countries far or near. 47 But if they ·become sorry for their sins [or come to their senses; or have a change of heart; L return to their heart] and ·are sorry [repent] and ·pray [plead; make supplications] to you in the land ·where they are held as prisoners [of their captors], saying, ‘We have sinned; we have ·done wrong [committed iniquity] and acted wickedly.’ 48 If they ·truly turn back to you [L repent with all their heart and all their soul] in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive and pray to you, ·facing this [toward their] land you gave their ancestors, this city you have chosen, and the ·Temple [L house] I have built for ·you [L your name], 49 then hear their prayers and their ·requests [pleas; supplications] from your ·home [dwelling place] in heaven, and ·do what is right [act with justice/judgment; or uphold/maintain their cause].
50 Forgive your people of all their sins and for ·turning [L all their transgressions/offenses they have committed] against you. Make those who have captured them show them ·mercy [compassion]. 51 Remember, they are your ·special people [L inheritance]. You brought them out of Egypt, ·as if you were pulling them out of a blazing [L from the midst of the iron-smelting] furnace.
52 “·Give your attention to my prayers and [L May your eyes be open to] the ·prayers [pleas; requests; supplications] of your people Israel. Listen to them anytime they ·ask you for help [call/cry out to you]. 53 You ·chose them [set them apart; separated them; singled them out] from all the ·nations [peoples] on earth to be your ·very own people [inheritance]. This is what you ·promised [spoke] through Moses your servant when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, Lord God.”
54 Solomon prayed this prayer and ·plea [request; supplication] to the Lord, kneeling in front of the altar with his ·arms raised [hands spread] toward heaven. When he finished praying, he got up. 55 Then, in a loud voice, he stood and blessed ·all the people [L the whole assembly/congregation] of Israel, saying: 56 “·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord! He promised he would give rest to his people Israel, and he has given us rest. ·The Lord has kept [Not one word has failed/L fallen of] all the ·good [wonderful] promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57 May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave or ·abandon [forsake] us, 58 and may he ·turn us [L incline/stretch out our hearts/desires] to himself so we will ·follow him [L walk in his ways]. Let us obey all the ·laws [commandments], ·rules [statutes; decrees] and ·commands [regulations; judgments] he gave our ancestors. 59 May the Lord our God ·remember [L keep near] ·this prayer [these words of mine that I have prayed/pleaded] day and night and ·do what is right [act with justice/judgment; or uphold/maintain their cause] for his servant and his people Israel ·day by day [according to the needs of each day]. 60 Then all the people of the ·world [earth] will know the Lord is ·the only true God [L God and there is no one else]. 61 ·You must fully obey [Devote your heart completely to] the Lord our God and ·follow all his laws [walk in his statutes/decrees] and [L keep his] commands. ·Continue to obey in the future as you do now [L …as to this day].”
Sacrifices Are Offered
62 Then King Solomon and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to the Lord. 63 Solomon killed twenty-two thousand ·cattle [oxen] and one hundred twenty thousand sheep as ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1]. So the king and all the people ·gave [dedicated] the ·Temple [L house] to the Lord.
64 On that day King Solomon ·made holy [consecrated] the middle part of the courtyard which is in front of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. There he offered whole burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17], grain [L gift; tribute] offerings [Lev. 2:1], and the fat of the ·fellowship [peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1]. He offered them in the courtyard, because the bronze altar before the Lord was too small to hold all the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the ·fellowship [peace] offerings.
65 Solomon and all the Israelites ·celebrated the other festival [observed the feast; C the Feast of Shelters; ] that came at that time. People came from as far away as Lebo Hamath [C in the north] and the brook of Egypt [C in the south]. A great many people celebrated before the Lord for seven days, then seven more days, for a total of fourteen days. 66 On the ·following [L eighth] day Solomon sent the people home. They blessed the king as they went, happy because of all the ·good things [goodness] the Lord had ·done [shown] for his servant David and his people Israel.
Living in the Light
5 You are God’s children whom he loves, so ·try to be like [imitate] him. 2 ·Live a life of love [Walk in love] just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a ·sweet-smelling [fragrant] offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But there must be ·no [no hint/mention/rumor of] sexual sin among you, or any kind of ·evil [impurity] or greed. Those things are not ·right [proper; fitting] for God’s holy people. 4 Also, there must be no ·evil talk [obscenity; filthiness] among you, and you must not speak foolishly or tell ·evil [crude; coarse; vulgar] jokes. These things are ·not right for you [out of place/character]. Instead, you should be giving thanks to God. 5 [L For] You can be sure of this: No one will have a ·place [inheritance] in the kingdom of Christ and of God who sins sexually, or does ·evil [impure] things, or is greedy. Anyone who is greedy is ·serving a false god [L an idolater].
6 Do not let anyone ·fool [deceive] you ·by telling you things that are not true [or with shallow philosophies; L with empty words], because these things will bring God’s ·anger [wrath] on ·those who do not obey him [L the children/sons of disobedience]. 7 So ·have nothing to do with them [or do not partner/associate with them]. 8 In the past you were ·full of darkness [L darkness], but now you are ·full of light [L light] in the Lord. So ·live [walk] like children ·who belong to [living in; L of] the light. 9 ·Light brings [L For the fruit of the light is] every kind of goodness, ·right living [righteousness], and truth. 10 ·Try to learn [Discern; Test and prove] what pleases the Lord. 11 ·Have nothing to do with [Take no part in] the things done in darkness, which are ·not worth anything [L unfruitful]. But ·show that they are wrong [expose them]. 12 [L For] It is shameful even to talk about what those people do in secret. 13 But the light makes all things ·easy to see [visible; exposed], 14 and everything that is ·made easy to see [visible; exposed] ·can become [or becomes a; L is] light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper!
Rise from death,
and Christ will ·shine on [give light to] you [C likely an early Christian hymn based on Is. 26:19 and 60:1–2].”
15 So be very careful how you ·live [walk]. Do not ·live [walk] like those who are ·not wise [foolish], but ·live wisely [like those who are wise]. 16 ·Take advantage of every opportunity [or Make the most of your time; L …redeeming the time/season], because ·these are evil times [L the days are evil]. 17 So do not be ·foolish [ignorant] but ·learn what the Lord wants you to do [or understand the Lord’s will]. 18 Do not be drunk with wine, which ·will ruin you [is debauchery/reckless living], but be filled with the Spirit. 19 ·Speak [L …speaking] to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord. 20 ·Always give [L …always giving] thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wives and Husbands
21 ·Yield [Submit; Be subject; L …yielding/submitting; C grammatically linked to the previous sentence, and so part of being filled with the Spirit] to each other out of ·reverence [respect; fear; awe] for Christ.
22 Wives, ·yield to [submit to; be subject to; L to] your husbands, as you do to the Lord, 23 because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. And he is the Savior of the body, which is the church. 24 As the church ·yields [submits; is subject] to Christ, so you wives should ·yield [submit; be subject] to your husbands in everything [Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:1–6].
25 Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church [Col. 3:19; 1 Pet. 3:7] and gave himself for her 26 to ·make her holy [sanctify her], cleansing her in the washing of water by the word [C the “washing” may be (1) baptism, (2) spiritual cleansing (Titus 3:5), or (3) an analogy drawn from the Jewish prenuptial bath (Ezek. 16:8–14); the “word” may be (1) the Gospel, (2) a baptismal formula, or (3) the confession of the one baptized]. 27 He did this so that he could present the church to himself ·like a bride in all her beauty [in splendor; glorious], with no ·evil or sin [L stain or wrinkle] or any other ·wrong thing in it [L such thing], but ·pure [holy] and ·without fault [blameless]. 28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies. The man who loves his wife loves himself. 29 [L For] No one ever hates his own ·body [T flesh], but feeds and takes care of it. And that is what Christ does for the church, 30 because we are ·parts [members] of his body. 31 The Scripture says, “·So [For this reason] a man will leave his father and mother and be ·united [joined] with his wife, and the two will become one ·body [flesh; Gen. 2:24].” 32 This ·secret [mystery] is ·very important [or great; profound]—I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 ·But [However; In any case; or To sum up] each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and a wife must ·respect [reverence; v. 21] her husband.
Prophecy Against Gog
38 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying, 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·look [L turn your face] toward Gog of the land of Magog [Rev. 20:8], the chief ·ruler [prince] of the nations of Meshech and Tubal [C two nations in northeast Asia Minor; 32:26]. Prophesy against him 3 and say, ‘The Lord God says this: [L Look; T Behold] I am against you, Gog, chief ·ruler [prince] of Meshech and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws. And I will bring you out with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all of whom will be dressed in ·beautiful uniforms [or full armor]. They will be a ·large army [great horde/host] with large and small shields and all ·having [brandishing; wielding] swords. 5 Persia, Cush [C Ethiopia], and Put [C Lydia] will be with them, all of them having shields and helmets. 6 There will also be Gomer [C people living north of the Black Sea; Gen. 10:3; 1 Chr. 1:6] with all its ·troops [hordes] and the nation of Beth-Togarmah [27:14; Gen. 10:3] from the far north with all its troops—many nations with you.
7 “‘Be prepared. Be prepared, you and all the ·armies [hosts; hordes] that have come together to ·make you their commander [or be a guard for them]. 8 After ·a long time [L many days] you will be ·called for service [called to arms; mustered]. ·After those [In the latter] years you will come into a land that has been ·rebuilt [recovered; restored] from war. The people in the land will have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which were ·empty [in ruins; a wasteland] for a long time. These people were brought out from the nations, and they will all be living in safety. 9 You will ·come [advance] like a storm. You, all your troops, and the many nations with you will be like a cloud covering the land.
10 “‘This is what the Lord God says: ·At that time [L On that day] ideas will come into your mind, and you will ·think up [devise] an evil plan. 11 You will say, “I will ·march [L go up] against a land of towns without walls. I will ·attack [L come to] those who are at rest and live in safety. All of them live without city walls or gate bars or gates. 12 I will ·capture treasures [plunder] and take loot. I will turn my ·power [L hand] against the ·rebuilt [resettled; inhabited] ruins that now have people living in them. ·I will attack […and] these people who have been gathered from the nations, who have become rich with ·farm animals [livestock] and ·property [goods], who live at the center of the world.” 13 Sheba [27:22], Dedan [27:20], and the traders of Tarshish [27:12], with all its ·villages [or warriors; L young lions], will say to you, “Did you come to ·capture treasure [plunder]? Did you bring your troops together to take loot? Did you bring them to carry away silver and gold and to take away ·farm animals [livestock] and property?”’
14 “So prophesy, ·human [T son of man; 2:1], and say to Gog, ‘This is what the Lord God says: ·Now [L On the day] that my people Israel are living in safety, you will know about it. 15 You will come with many people from your place in the ·far [or remote parts of the] north. You will have ·a large group [many nations/peoples] with you, a ·mighty army [great horde/host], all riding on horses. 16 You will ·attack [come up against] my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. This will happen in the ·days to come [latter days] when I bring you against my land. Gog, then the nations will ·know [acknowledge] me when ·they see me prove how holy I am [I vindicate my holiness] in what I do through you.
17 “‘This is what the Lord God says: ·You are [L Are you…?] the one about whom I spoke in ·past [former] days. I spoke through my servants, the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for many years that I would bring you against them. 18 This is what will happen: On the day Gog ·attacks [comes against] the land of Israel, ·I will become very angry [my wrath/fury will mount up/be aroused], says the Lord God. 19 With ·jealousy [zeal] and ·great anger [fiery wrath] I tell you that ·at that time [on that day] there will surely be a great earthquake in Israel. 20 The fish of the sea, the birds of the ·sky [heavens], the wild ·animals [beasts], everything that crawls on the ground, and all the people on the earth will ·shake with fear [tremble; quake] before me. Also the mountains will be thrown down, the cliffs will fall, and every wall will fall to the ground. 21 Then I will call for a ·war [L sword] against Gog on all my mountains, says the Lord God. Everyone’s sword will ·attack the soldier next to him [L be against his brother]. 22 I will ·punish [execute judgment on] Gog with ·disease [plague; pestilence] and ·death [bloodshed]. I will send a heavy rain with hailstones and ·burning sulfur [brimstone] on Gog, his ·army [hordes], and the many nations with him. 23 Then I will show how great I am. I will show my holiness, and I will make myself known ·to the many nations that watch [L in the eyes of many nations]. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’
A Song About God’s Loyalty
A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation] of Ethan the Ezrahite [C a wise man; 1 Kin. 4:31].
89 I will always sing about the Lord’s ·love [loyalty];
I will ·tell of [L make known with my mouth] his ·loyalty [faithfulness] ·from now on [for generations].
2 I will say, “Your ·love [loyalty] ·continues [L is built] forever;
your ·loyalty [faithfulness] ·goes on and on [is established] like the ·sky [heavens].”
3 You said, “I ·made an agreement [L cut a covenant/treaty] with the man of my choice;
I made a promise to my servant David.
4 I told him, ‘I will ·make your family continue [L establish your seed] forever.
·Your kingdom will go on and on [L I will build your throne for generations; 2; 72; 78:70–72; 2 Sam. 7:11–16; 1 Chr. 17:10–14].’” ·
5 Lord, the heavens praise you for your ·miracles [wonderful acts]
and for your ·loyalty [faithfulness] in the ·meeting [assembly] of your holy ones.
6 Who in ·heaven [the skies] ·is equal to [ranks with] the Lord?
None of the ·angels [gods; divine council/assembly; L sons of God; 82:1] is like the Lord.
7 When the ·holy ones [L council of holy ones] meet, it is God they fear.
He is more ·frightening [awesome] than all who surround him.
8 Lord God ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts], who is like you?
Lord, you are powerful and completely ·trustworthy [faithful].
9 You rule the ·mighty [raging; surging] sea
and ·calm [still] the ·stormy [rising] waves.
10 You crushed the Rahab [C a sea monster, representing chaos (Job 26:12; Is. 51:9) and in some contexts Egypt defeated at the Sea (87:4; Is. 30:7; Ezek. 29:3; 32:3)] like a corpse;
by your ·power [L strong arm] you scattered your enemies.
11 The ·skies [heavens] and the earth belong to you.
You ·made [founded] the world and ·everything in it [L its fullness].
12 You created the north and the south.
Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon [C majestic mountains] sing for joy at your name.
13 Your arm has great power.
Your hand is strong; your right hand is lifted up.
14 Your ·kingdom [L throne] is ·built [established] on ·what is right and fair [righteousness and judgment/justice].
·Love [Loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness] are ·in all you do [L before your face].
15 ·Happy [Blessed] are the people who know how to ·praise [shout to] you.
Lord, let them ·live [L walk] in the light of your ·presence [L face].
16 In your name they rejoice
and continually ·praise [exalt] your ·goodness [righteousness].
17 You are their ·glorious [beautiful] strength,
and in your ·kindness [favor] you ·honor our king [L lift up our horn; C symbol of power and here of the king].
18 Our shield [C the king] belongs to the Lord,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.
19 ·Once [Then], in a vision [2 Sam. 7:4], you spoke
to ·those who worship you [your faithful ones/saints].
You said, “I have ·given strength to [L set help on] a warrior;
I have raised up a ·young man [chosen one] from my people [1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22].
20 I have found my servant David;
I ·appointed him by pouring [L have anointed him with] holy oil on him [1 Sam. 16:1–13].
21 I will steady him with my hand
and strengthen him with my arm.
22 No enemy will ·make him give forced payments [make him pay tribute; or prevail over/or outwit him],
and wicked people will not ·defeat [afflict; humble] him.
23 I will ·crush [pound] his enemies in front of him;
I will ·defeat [strike down] those who hate him.
24 My ·loyalty [faithfulness] and ·love [loyalty] will be with him.
Through ·me [L my name] ·he will be strong [L his horn will be raised up; v. 17].
25 I will ·give him power [L set his hand] over the sea
·and control [L his right hand] over the rivers [C the waters represent chaos].
26 He will ·say [proclaim] to me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my ·Savior [Victor].’
27 I will make him my firstborn son,
the ·greatest [highest] king on earth [2:7; 2 Sam. 7:14].
28 My ·love [loyalty] will ·watch over [keep; guard] him forever,
and my ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with him will ·never end [be faithful].
29 I will ·make his family continue [L set his seed forever],
and his ·kingdom [L throne] ·will last as long as the skies [L like the days of the skies/heavens].
30 “If his descendants ·reject [leave; abandon] my ·teachings [instructions; laws]
and do not ·follow [L walk in] my ·laws [judgments],
31 if they ·ignore [profane] my ·demands [statutes; ordinances; requirements]
and ·disobey [L do not keep/guard] my commands,
32 then I will punish their ·sins [transgressions] with a rod
and their ·wrongs [guilt] with ·a whip [lashes].
33 But I will not ·hold back [break; invalidate] my ·love [loyalty] from ·David [L him],
nor will I ·stop being loyal [L deal falsely with my faithfulness].
34 I will not ·break [profane; violate] my ·agreement [covenant; treaty]
nor ·change [alter] what ·I have said [L came out of my lips].
35 Once and for all I have ·promised [sworn] by my holiness,
I will not lie to David.
36 His ·family [L seed] will go on forever.
His ·kingdom [L throne] will last before me like the sun.
37 It will ·continue [be established] forever, like the moon,
like a ·dependable [reliable; faithful] witness in the sky.” ·
38 But now you have ·refused [spurned] and rejected him.
You have been angry with your ·appointed king [L anointed; v. 20].
39 You have ·abandoned [disavowed] the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with your servant
and ·thrown [profaned; defiled] his crown ·to [or in] the ground [Jer. 13:18–19].
40 You have ·torn down [broken up] all his city walls;
you have turned his strong cities into ruins.
41 Everyone who passes by ·steals from [plunders] him.
·His neighbors insult him [L He is scorned by/a reproach to his neighbors].
42 You have ·given strength of [L exalted the right hand of] his ·enemies [foes]
and have made ·them all [L all his enemies] happy.
43 You have ·made his sword useless [turned back the blade/L rock of his sword];
you did not help him stand in battle.
44 You have ·kept him from winning [or put aside his purity]
and have thrown his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut ·his life [L the days of his youth] short
and ·covered [wrapped] him with shame. ·
46 Lord, how long will this go on?
Will you ·ignore [hide from] us forever?
How long will your anger burn like a fire?
47 Remember how ·short [fleeting] my life is.
Why did you create us? For ·nothing [futility; vanity; no purpose]?
48 What person alive will not ·die [L see death]?
Who can escape ·the grave [L from the hand/power of Sheol; C the grave or the underworld]? ·
49 Lord, where is your ·love [loyalty] from times past,
which in your ·loyalty [faithfulness] you ·promised [swore] to David [2 Sam. 7:11–14]?
50 Lord, remember ·how they insulted [L the reproach/scorn of] your servant;
remember how I ·have suffered the insults of the nations [L carry in my bosom all of the many peoples].
51 Lord, remember how your enemies ·insulted [reproached; scorned] you
and how they ·insulted [reproached; scorned] ·your appointed king wherever he went [L the footsteps of your anointed; v. 20].
52 ·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord forever!
Amen and amen.
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.