Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Monday, June 19, 2006

Psalms 93 - 107

Mormon commented -

"O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths!
6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:4 - 6)

This is basically the thoughts of Psalms 105, 106, and 107. The author reminds us of the continual rebellions of Israel against the Lord from the days of Egypt, through the days in the wilderness and to the time of these writings. And it seems every time -

"when he heard their cry:
45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies." (Old Testament Psalms 106:44 - 45)

For when Israel was -

"Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses." (Old Testament Psalms 107:5 - 6)

And when -

"...he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses." (Old Testament Psalms 107:12 - 13)

And when they failed as -

"Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
... and they draw near unto the gates of death.
19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses." (Old Testament Psalms 107:17 - 19)

Even when-

"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses." (Old Testament Psalms 107:23 - 28)

The writer repeats several times -

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Old Testament Psalms 107:21)

In all these cases, the writer wishes Israel would show more gratitude to the Lord, suggesting -

"Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders." (Old Testament Psalms 107:32)

For the Lord -

"...turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease." (Old Testament Psalms 107:35 - 38)

The Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith -

"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:21)

For -

"The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." (Old Testament Psalms 107:42 - 43)