Tuesday... Here it is. Such a good friend.

Tuesday... Here it is. Such a good friend..

Every 5th month I start the book of Psalms over again. And it's back to a very good friend, Psalm 1. I believe I memorized it in third grade. Such a special friend.

Now I first memorized it in the King James Version of the Bible. It says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." 

Yes, there is some comfort in that version but the Amplified Bible puts it this way. It says, "Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers)."  A little more detailed. I mean blessed is a tremendous word but fortunate, prosperous and favored by God adds so much meaning.

I like how The Message Paraphrase puts it. It says, "How well God must like you." That is another way to say blessed. It goes on, "you don't walk in ruts of those blind-as-bats, you don't stand with the good-for-nothings, you don't take your seat among the know-it-alls."

Now if you could find a picture of me in 3rd grade and then see me today at 76 I would not look the same but it would still be me. I came from the same parents but I have lived through so many different experiences. You and I could have been friends back then and we are still friends today but we have grown through the experiences of life. 

Think of this, if we would go back to the way the Bible was in the beginning, it would not make any sense to us if we did not know the Hebrew language or the Greek language. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. In other words the King James Version of the Bible was not the original version. And God has used many different versions coming from the original version to show us what He want say to us.

I am a different version at 76 than when I was in 3rd grade. I have grown.

The King James Version is still a good friend but I spend a great deal of my time now in the New Living Translation. It helps me in my understanding of what was written first in Hebrew and Greek. 

Here is how the NLT puts verses 1-3. I have highlighted it in my NLT because it has so much meaning to me.  Of course I have also highlighted it in the KJV, the AMP, the MSG. and the NIV. But the NLT says, "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the river bank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do."

In my reading each morning, I start in the NIV and then go to the NLT. But first I start in prayer asking that the Holy Spirit will open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my mind to comprehend, my heart to comply and my hands to communicate. And then I strive to hear through different versions what He wants to say to me and through me. 

Yes, Psalm 1 is a very good old friend and each time I read it God applies what I need for that day through His Holy Spirit. In other words, I meditate and delight on it and remember, "Oh, the joys of those who... delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night." And that is so true. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning