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Morning Bible Reading - Psalms 17

  1 <> Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips.  2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.  3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my mouth shall not transgress.  4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer.  5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.  6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [and hear] my speech.  7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].  8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,  9 From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about.  10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.  11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;  12 Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.  13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, [which is] thy sword:  14 From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes.  15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline David|s integrity. (1-7) The character of his enemies. His hope of happiness. (8-15)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-7 This psalm is a prayer. Feigned prayers are fruitless; but if our hearts lead our prayers, God will meet them with his favour. The psalmist had been used to pray, so that it was not his distress and danger that now first brought him to his duty. And he was encouraged by his faith to expect God would notice his prayers. Constant resolution and watchfulness against sins of the tongue, will be a good evidence of our integrity. Aware of man|s propensity to wicked works, and of his own peculiar temptations, David had made God|s word his preservative from the paths of Satan, which lead to destruction. If we carefully avoid the paths of sin, it will be very lead to destruction. If we carefully avoid the paths of sin, it will be very comfortable in the reflection, when we are in trouble. Those that are, through grace, going in God|s paths, should pray that their goings may be held up in those paths. David prays, Lord, still hold me up. Those who would proceed and persevere in the ways of God, must, by faith prayer, get daily fresh supplies of grace and strength from him. Show thy marvellous loving-kindness, distinguishing favours, not common mercies, but be gracious to me; do as thou usest to do to those who love thy name.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   8-15 Being compassed with enemies, David prays to God to keep him in safety. This prayer is a prediction that Christ would be preserved, through all the hardships and difficulties of his humiliation, to the glories and joys of his exalted state, and is a pattern to Christians to commit the keeping of their souls to God, trusting him to preserve them to his heavenly kingdom. Those are our worst enemies, that are enemies to our souls. They are God|s sword, which cannot move without him, and which he will sheathe when he has done his work with it. They are his hand, by which he chastises his people. There is no fleeing from God|s hand, but by fleeing to it. It is very comfortable, when we are in fear of the power of man, to see it dependent upon, and in subjection to the power of God. Most men look on the things of this world as the best things; and they look no further, nor show any care to provide for another life. The things of this world are called treasures, they are so accounted; but to the soul, and when compared with eternal blessings, they are trash. The most afflicted Christian need not envy the most prosperous men of the world, who have their portion in this life. Clothed with Christ|s righteousness, having through his grace a good heart and a good life, may we by faith behold God|s face, and set him always before us. When we awake every morning, may we be satisfied with his likeness set before us in his word, and with his likeness stamped upon us by his renewing grace. Happiness in the other world is prepared only for those that are justified and sanctified: they shall be put in possession of it when the soul awakes, at death, out of its slumber in the body, and when the body awakes, at the resurrection, out of its slumber in the grave. There is no satisfaction for a soul but in God, and in his good will towards us, and his good work in us; yet that satisfaction will not be perfect till we come to heaven.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 17:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 17:4-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 17:9-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Psalms 18

  1 <> I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.  2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.  3 I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.  5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.  6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.  7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.  8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.  9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet.  10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.  11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies.  12 At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire.  13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire.  14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.  15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.  16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.  17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.  18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.  19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.  20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.  21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.  22 For all his judgments [were] before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.  23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.  24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.  25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;  26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.  27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.  28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.  29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.  30 [As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him.  31 For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God?  32 [It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.  33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ [feet], and setteth me upon my high places.  34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.  36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.  37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.  38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.  39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.  40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.  41 They cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.  42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.  43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; [and] thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people [whom] I have not known shall serve me.  44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.  45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.  46 The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.  47 [It is] God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.  48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.  49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.  50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline David rejoices in the deliverances God wrought for him. (1-19) He takes the comfort of his integrity, which God had cleared up. (20-28) He gives to God the glory of all his mighty deeds. (29-50)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-19 The first words, "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength," are the scope and contents of the psalm. Those that truly love God, may triumph in him as their Rock and Refuge, and may with confidence call upon him. It is good for us to observe all the circumstances of a mercy which magnify the power of God and his goodness to us in it. David was a praying man, and God was found a prayer-hearing God. If we pray as he did, we shall speed as he did. God|s manifestation of his presence is very fully described, ver. #(7-15). Little appeared of man, but much of God, in these deliverances. It is not possible to apply to the history of the son of Jesse those awful, majestic, and stupendous words which are used through this description of the Divine manifestation. Every part of so solemn a scene of terrors tells us, a greater than David is here. God will not only deliver his people out of their troubles in due time, but he will bear them up under their troubles in the mean time. Can we meditate on ver. 18, without directing one thought to Gethsemane and Calvary? Can we forget that it was in the hour of Christ|s deepest calamity, when Judas betrayed, when his friends forsook, when the multitude derided him, and the smiles of his Father|s love were withheld, that the powers of darkness prevented him? The sorrows of death surrounded him, in his distress he prayed, Heb 5:7. God made the earth to shake and tremble, and the rocks to cleave, and brought him out, in his resurrection, because he delighted in him and in his undertaking.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   20-28 Those that forsake the ways of the Lord, depart from their God. But though conscious to ourselves of many a false step, let there not be a wicked departure from our God. David kept his eye upon the rule of God|s commands. Constant care to keep from that sin, whatever it be, which most easily besets us, proves that we are upright before God. Those who show mercy to others, even they need mercy. Those who are faithful to God, shall find him all that to them which he has promised to be. The words of the Lord are pure words, very sure to be depended on, and very sweet to be delighted in. Those who resist God, and walk contrary to him, shall find that he will walk contrary to them, Le 26:21-24. The gracious recompence of which David spoke, may generally be expected by those who act from right motives. Hence he speaks comfort to the humble, and terror to the proud; "Thou wilt bring down high looks." And he speaks encouragement to himself; "Thou wilt light my candle:" thou wilt revive and comfort my sorrowful spirit; thou wilt guide my way, that I may avoid the snares laid for me. Thou wilt light my candle to work by, and give me an opportunity of serving thee. Let those that walk in darkness, and labour under discouragements, take courage; God himself will be a Light to them.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   29-50 When we praise for one mercy, we must observe the many more, with which we have been compassed all our days. Many things had contributed to David|s advancement, and he owns the hand of God in them all, to teach us to do likewise. In verse #(32), and the following verses, are the gifts of God to the spiritual warrior, whereby he is prepared for the contest, after the example of his victorious Leader. Learn that we must seek release being made through Christ, shall be rejected. In David the type, we behold out of trouble through Christ. The prayer put up, without reconciliation Jesus our Redeemer, conflicting with enemies, compassed with sorrows and with floods of ungodly men, enduring not only the pains of death, but the wrath of God for us; yet calling upon the Father with strong cries and tears; rescued from the grave; proceeding to reconcile, or to put under his feet all other enemies, till death, the last enemy, shall be destroyed. We should love the Lord, our Strength, and our Salvation; we should call on him in every trouble, and praise him for every deliverance; we should aim to walk with him in all righteousness and true holiness, keeping from sin. If we belong to him, he conquers and reigns for us, and we shall conquer and reign through him, and partake of the mercy of our anointed King, which is promised to all his seed for evermore. Amen.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 18:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 18:2-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 18:3-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 18:8-999 

Evening Bible Reading - Acts 19

  1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,  2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.  3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.  4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.  5 When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  6 And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.  7 And all the men were about twelve.  8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.  9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.  10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.  11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:  12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.  13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  14 And there were seven sons of [one] Sceva, a Jew, [and] chief of the priests, which did so.  15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?  16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.  17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.  18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.  19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [men]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver.  20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-7 Paul, at Ephesus, found some religious persons, who looked to Jesus as the Messiah. They had not been led to expect the miraculous powers of the Holy Ghost, nor were they informed that the gospel was especially the ministration of the Spirit. But they spake as ready to welcome the notice of it. Paul shows them that John never design that those he baptized should rest there, but told them that they should believe on Him who should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. They thankfully accepted the discovery, and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Ghost came upon them in a surprising, overpowering manner; they spake with tongues, and prophesied, as the apostles and the first Gentile coverts did. Though we do not now expect miraculous powers, yet all who profess to be disciples of Christ, should be called on to examine whether they have received the seal of the Holy Ghost, in his sanctifying influences, to the sincerity of their faith. Many seem not to have heard that there is a Holy Ghost, and many deem all that is spoken concerning his graces and comforts, to be delusion. Of such it may properly be inquired, "Unto what, then, were ye baptized?" for they evidently know not the meaning of that outward sign on which they place great dependence.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   8-12 When arguments and persuasions only harden men in unbelief and blasphemy, we must separate ourselves and others from such unholy company. God was pleased to confirm the teaching of these holy men of old, that if their hearers believed them not, they might believe the works.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   13-20 It was common, especially among the Jews, for persons to profess or to try to cast out evil spirits. If we resist the devil by faith in Christ, he will flee from us; but if we think to resist him by the using of Christ|s name, or his works, as a spell or charm, Satan will prevail against us. Where there is true sorrow for sin, there will be free confession of sin to God in every prayer and to man whom we have offended, when the case requires it. Surely if the word of God prevailed among us, many lewd, infidel, and wicked books would be burned by their possessors. Will not these Ephesian converts rise up in judgement against professors, who traffic in such works for the sake of gain, or allow themselves to possess them? If we desire to be in earnest in the great work of salvation, every pursuit and enjoyment must be given up which hinders the effect of the gospel upon the mind, or loosens its hold upon the heart.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 19:1-20 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 19:8-20 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 19:11-20