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...