Time for the Things Spiritual

Psalm 119:147-148 

    As time passes by, words obtain new meanings. When the queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon we read in I Kings 10:2, "And she came to Jerusalem with a great train." Surely what we call a train today is quite different. So the word prevent, as used in Scripture, has a different meaning from what we have in mind when we use it today. To prevent, for us, is to keep from happening. In Scripture it has the meaning of the two words from which it comes, namely before and come. 

Thus when in Psalm 119:147-148 we read, "I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in Thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches that I might meditate in Thy word," a better translation would be, "I came before the dawning of the morning and cried: I hoped in Thy word. Mine eyes came before the night watches to meditate in Thy word."  The idea is that he filled the day as fully as be could in meditating in God's word and praying for understanding of God's law. Our versification has it thus (PRC Psalter):

    At early dawn I prayed, 
    Thy promises my trust;
    At night I thought upon Thy word, 
    Most holy and most just.

    What an example he sets here for us! In serious illnesses and when dangers arise we will pray. We may ask God to bless our food before we eat it and afterward give thanks to Him for it. But how often do we pray for a clearer understanding of what His law requires of us, and what our duty is in the particular present situation in which we find ourselves?

    We think that physical exercises are important for our bodies. There are times when we are convinced that we should have a vacation so that we can get from under the strain. But do we consider reading and studying God's word important? Do we want to see Christ and His blessings more richly? Is our newspaper and are our news casts more important than God's word? Do we spend as much time with God's word as with books and magazines?

    Truly we have a great deal to learn from the psalmist.

Read: Matthew 6:19-34 
Psalter versification: #339:2 
(Words and Music of the Psalter)

Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

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Song for Meditation: Psalter #58
Why not sing along??

Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Lamentations 3:1-66 
Hebrews 1:1-14 
Psalm 102:1-28 
Proverbs 26:21-22 
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Quote for Reflection:

"When, therefore, standing on Mount Zion, in the new Jerusalem, as the redeemed and sanctified people of God, we hear the name of Jehovah our God, a holy fear and reverence fills our hearts and minds. It is in that name that He has covenant fellowship with us. It is in the name of Jehovah Salvation, revealed unto us in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, that we approach Him, enter into His sanctuary, pour out our hearts before Him in prayer and supplication, praise and adore Him, seek our refuge in Him, and hope for His salvation. " ~ Herman Hoeksema