He will bless those who fear the LORD--small and great alike. He will bless those who fear the LORD, small and great alikeHe will blessThe phrase "He will bless" originates from the Hebrew word "בָּרַךְ" (barak), which means to kneel, to bless, or to praise. In the context of this verse, it signifies God's active favor and benevolence towards His people. The act of blessing is not merely a passive wish for good fortune but an active impartation of divine favor. Historically, blessings in the Hebrew tradition were seen as powerful and effective, often spoken by patriarchs over their descendants. This assurance of blessing from God underscores His role as a loving and generous Father who desires to bestow good gifts upon His children. those who fear the LORD The term "fear" in this context is derived from the Hebrew word "יָרֵא" (yare), which encompasses a profound reverence and awe for God. It is not a fear that implies terror but rather a deep respect and acknowledgment of God's majesty and holiness. To "fear the LORD" is to recognize His authority and to live in accordance with His commandments. This reverence is foundational to the relationship between God and His people, as it reflects a heart posture of humility and submission. Scripturally, the fear of the Lord is often associated with wisdom and understanding, as seen in Proverbs 9:10. small and great alike This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity of God's blessings. The Hebrew words "קָטָן" (katan) and "גָּדוֹל" (gadol) translate to "small" and "great," respectively. This indicates that God's blessings are not limited by social status, age, or any human measure of importance. In the historical context of ancient Israel, society was often stratified, yet this verse affirms that God's favor is available to all who revere Him, regardless of their position or stature. This egalitarian promise reflects the nature of God's kingdom, where all are valued and cherished equally. It serves as a reminder that in God's eyes, every individual, whether humble or exalted, is worthy of His love and blessing. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises. 2. Those who fear the LORDRefers to individuals who have a reverent awe and respect for God, acknowledging His power and authority. 3. Small and greatThis phrase indicates inclusivity, meaning that God's blessings are available to all people regardless of their social status or position. Teaching Points The Nature of God's BlessingGod's blessings are not limited by human distinctions. He blesses all who fear Him, regardless of their status or achievements. The Fear of the LORDFearing the LORD involves a deep respect and reverence for God, which leads to obedience and trust in His ways. Inclusivity in God's KingdomThe phrase "small and great alike" emphasizes that God's love and blessings are available to everyone, encouraging us to view others without prejudice. Living in ReverenceOur daily lives should reflect a reverence for God, influencing our decisions, actions, and interactions with others. Encouragement for All BelieversWhether we see ourselves as "small" or "great," we are assured of God's attention and blessing when we live in reverence to Him. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean to "fear the LORD," and how can this be practically demonstrated in our daily lives? 2. How does the inclusivity of "small and great alike" challenge our views on social status and equality within the church? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our reverence for God influences our decisions and actions? 4. How do other scriptures, such as Proverbs 9:10 and Acts 10:34-35, deepen our understanding of God's impartiality and blessings? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt "small" or "great" in your spiritual journey. How did your fear of the LORD impact your experience of His blessings? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 9:10This verse highlights the importance of fearing the LORD as the beginning of wisdom, connecting the fear of the LORD with receiving His blessings. Acts 10:34-35Peter's realization that God shows no favoritism but accepts those who fear Him and do what is right, reinforcing the inclusivity of God's blessings. Revelation 19:5A call for all God's servants, both small and great, to praise Him, echoing the theme of inclusivity in worship and blessing. People Aaron, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Alike, Bless, Blesseth, Blessings, Fear, Fearing, WorshippersDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 115:13 4847 smallness Library The Warning "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. But he spake exceeding … G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. MarkLetter xxxiv. To Marcella. In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. ("bread of sorrow," v. 2, and "children of the shaken off," A.V. "of the youth," v. 4). Jerome, after lamenting that Origen's notes on the psalm are no longer extant, gives the following explanations: The Hebrew phrase "bread of sorrow" is rendered by the LXX. "bread of idols"; by Aquila, "bread of troubles"; by Symmachus, "bread of misery." Theodotion follows the LXX. So does Origen's Fifth Version. The Sixth … St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome Christian Graces. FAITH. FAITH! Peter saith, faith, in the very trial of it, is much more precious than gold that perisheth. If so, what is the worth or value that is in the grace itself? Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet God will have me an heir … John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of Idols a Defection from the True God. 1. God is opposed to idols, that all may know he is the only fit witness to himself. He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. 2. Reasons for this prohibition from Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. The complaint of a heathen. It should put the worshipers of idols to shame. 3. Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The Cherubim and Seraphim show that images are not fit to represent divine mysteries. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. 4. … John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Stedfastness in the Old Paths. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, … John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Messiah Derided Upon the Cross All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. F allen man, though alienated from the life of God, and degraded with respect to many of his propensities and pursuits, to a level with the beasts that perish, is not wholly destitute of kind and compassionate feelings towards his fellow-creatures. While self-interest does not interfere, and the bitter passions … John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Triumph Over Death and the Grave O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers … John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Divine Support and Protection [What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite … John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 The Last Supper 189. On Thursday Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem for the last time. Knowing the temper of the leaders, and the danger of arrest at any time, Jesus was particularly eager to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke xxii. 15), and he sent two of them--Luke names them as Peter and John--to prepare for the supper. In a way which would give no information to such a one as Judas, he directed them carefully how to find the house where a friend would provide them the upper room that was needed … Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth Psalms The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius … John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 115:13 NIVPsalm 115:13 NLTPsalm 115:13 ESVPsalm 115:13 NASBPsalm 115:13 KJV
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