An Old Friend, A New Perspective

Sometimes a fresh look at something familiar can cause us to love it even more. That's one reason I love to use different Bible translations.

Currently, I'm reading through Psalms at night using the NET Bible, a "modern literal" version that seeks to capture a lot of the heart and soul of the original text (you can see it at www.nextbible.org). The other night I read Psalm 41 - one of my favorites - in this translation. From the beginning I was gripped as it highlighted principles I've long known. The words have hung in my mind all week. I share it here for your encouragement.

May God bless you tonight as you seek Him in the "permanent access to His presence" promised in this passage!

Psalm 41
How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly!
When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him.

May the Lord protect him and save his life!
May he be blessed in the land!
Do not turn him over to his enemies!

The Lord supports him on his sickbed;
you completely heal him from his illness.

As for me, I said:
“O Lord, have mercy on me!
Heal me, for I have sinned against you!

My enemies ask this cruel question about me,
‘When will he finally die and be forgotten?’

When someone comes to visit, he pretends to be friendly;
he thinks of ways to defame me,
and when he leaves he slanders me.

All who hate me whisper insults about me to one another;
they plan ways to harm me.

They say,
‘An awful disease overwhelms him,
and now that he is bed-ridden he will never recover.’

Even my close friend whom I trusted,
he who shared meals with me, has turned against me.

As for you, O Lord, have mercy on me and raise me up,
so I can pay them back!”

By this I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.

As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity;
you allow me permanent access to your presence.

The Lord God of Israel deserves praise
in the future and forevermore!
We agree! We agree!