Thursday, January 14, 2010

HMMMM...Thought I'd write on HOPE...

First I thought about love, then I thought about bible quotes, then I thought about the ones about HOPE, which are really a trillion.  I thought I would just sum it up by one of my favorite psalms in the bible. I put a version from the Message bible and the other from one of my regular bibles, for the language I am used to and go mainly by.  Both just different ways of thinking.  I like old and new...


PSALM 34

 1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. 
 2 I live and breathe God;
   if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: 
 
3 Join me in spreading the news;
   together let's get the word out. 
 
4 God met me more than halfway,
   he freed me from my anxious fears. 
 
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
   Never hide your feelings from him. 


 
6 When I was desperate, I called out,
   and 
God got me out of a tight spot. 
 
7 God's angel sets up a circle
   of protection around us while we pray. 
 
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
         how good 
God is.
   Blessed are you who run to him. 
 
9 Worship God if you want the best;
   worship opens doors to all his goodness. 
 
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
   but 
God-seekers are full of God. 

 
11 Come, children, listen closely;
   I'll give you a lesson in God worship. 
 
12 Who out there has a lust for life?
   Can't wait each day to come upon beauty? 


 
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
   and no more lying through your teeth. 
 
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
   Embrace peace—don't let it get away! 
 
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
   his ears pick up every moan and groan. 
 
16 God won't put up with rebels;
   he'll cull them from the pack. 


 
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
   ready to rescue you. 
 
18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
   if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. 
 
19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
   still, 
God is there every time. 
 
20 He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
   not even a finger gets broken.

 
 
21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
   they waste their lives hating the good. 
 
22 God pays for each slave's freedom;
   no one who runs to him loses out.



PSALM 34


 1 [a] I will extol the LORD at all times;
       his praise will always be on my lips.

 2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
       let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

 3 Glorify the LORD with me;
       let us exalt his name together.

 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
       he delivered me from all my fears.

 5 Those who look to him are radiant;
       their faces are never covered with shame.


 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
       he saved him out of all his troubles.

 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
       and he delivers them.

 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
       blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
       for those who fear him lack nothing.

 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
       but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

 11 Come, my children, listen to me;
       I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

 12 Whoever of you loves life
       and desires to see many good days,


 13 keep your tongue from evil
       and your lips from speaking lies.

 14 Turn from evil and do good;
       seek peace and pursue it.

 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
       and his ears are attentive to their cry;

 16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
       to cut off the memory of them from the earth.


 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
       he delivers them from all their troubles.

 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
       and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
       but the LORD delivers him from them all;

 20 he protects all his bones,
       not one of them will be broken.


 21 Evil will slay the wicked;
       the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

 22 The LORD redeems his servants;
       no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.




Why try to re-invent a great thing?  Sometimes, bible and poetry just seem to say it all...

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