Read To Me DAILYنموونە

LEVITICUS 21-22:
In yesterday’s reading in Leviticus, we heard various laws that are for preserving the holiness of God's people, and various kinds of punishment for disobedience.

PSALM 21:
Psalm 21 is a companion to yesterday's psalm, which was for the nation and the king in time of war. Today’s poem is the corresponding victory song.

I have made a comment about the psalmists switching back and forth between seeming to pray to God, and then speak about God. I said that in Hebrew, many parts where the psalmist seems to speak about God can still be understood as praying to God.

In Psalm 21, not only does David pray to God using the 3rd person, but he speaks of himself also in the 3rd person. Let me show you what I mean. The NLT gives the ancient title, “For the choir director: A psalm of David;
Verse 1, “How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!”

David being the writer, but talking about himself as ‘the king’ can be considered ungrammatical in today’s English, and translating literally here may prevent readers from seeing this Psalm as a very personal prayer. I will read several verses adapted from the GNT to show you how I wish this psalm was translated.

21:1 O LORD, I— the king you have chosen, am so glad
because of the strength you have given me.
2 You have given me my heart's desire;
you have answered [my//his] request.
3 You came to me with great blessings
and set a crown of gold on my head.
4 I asked for life, and you gave it,
a long and lasting life.
5 My kingly glory is great because of your help;
you have given me fame and majesty.
6 Your blessings are with me forever,
and your presence fills me with joy.

Luke 14:
As we heard yesterday, Luke chapter 13 contains 4 parables. Jesus sternly warned the people to repent, and he grieved for the persistent stubbornness and hardness of heart of the people of Jerusalem. In both that chapter and today’s chapter, Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, using those occasions as opportunities to teach and rebuke his enemies.