Sweet Hour of Prayer
November 15, 2012
When I was a kid, we used to sing this song in church: “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Growing up, I don’t know that I ever spent an entire hour in one day in prayer. It was not until I became an adult that I knew the value of “quality time” with the Lord. Yes, I did pray when I was a kid, but only for a few minutes at a time.
The Bible has much to say regarding prayer. And one of the most important things that Jesus did was to teach His disciples how to pray. The “Lord’s Prayer” is probably one of the most quoted passages in the whole of Scripture. It is the framework from which Christians build their “pipeline” to God.
One of my favorite Scriptural prayers, however, is the 23rd Psalm. David was, truly, inspired when he penned this comforting and encouraging piece of literature. Although I don’t pray it everyday, it blesses me when I do.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:1-6).
Although I use the New International Version for most of my writing, I learned the 23rd Psalm in the King James. So when I pray it, I always pray it in the King James. It seems like it should be prayed this way somehow. And praying is the most important thing that we do.
* Scriptures used from The King James Version (KJV Bible)
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Selah
May 23, 2012
Over the last decade, I have come to rely heavily on the NIV for my personal study of the Bible. But in the last month, I have had a new appreciation for the King James as well as the Amplified Bible.
Previously, in reading the Psalms, I would notice the word “selah,” but I did not delve into the meaning of the word. Now, that I know what it means, it really has added to my study of God’s Word. The Amplifed Bible was the Biblical source that brought this information to light for me.
For example, David writes, “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah” (Psalm 3:4, KJV). “…..Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (Psalm 3:4, AMP).
Also, David pens, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah” (Psalm 3:8, KJV). “….. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (Psalm 3:8, AMP).
In addition, David says, “Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalm 24:10, KJV). “…..Selah [pause, and think of that]!” (Psalm 24:10, AMP).
It is amazing how one small word can make such a big impact. And to think that I had missed out on this word’s meaning for so long.
“Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson,
Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
“Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible.”
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Psalm 23
July 3, 2011
My favorite version of the Bible is the NIV (New International Version) for a couple of reasons. One: because it is easy to understand since it is written in modern English. Two: because part of the team that did the research for this version were Spirit-filled believers (Assemblies of God), and I believe that they did a wonderful job of translating the original Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) into the English language.
But the beauty of the 23rd Psalm in the King James Version is striking. I was taught the 23rd Psalm in the King James back in the late ’60′s, and it has been something that has not faded from memory. It is timeless, and it is the version that is still “in my head” to this day.
Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
King James Version
