NURTURING
THE
SOUL
PSALM 20:7
(KING JAMES VERSION)
SEPTEMBER 2023
Background
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Psalm 20:7
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Ps.20.6-Ps.20.9
"II. His people triumphing in God and their relation to him, and his revelation of himself to them, by which they distinguish themselves from those that live without God in the world. 1. See the difference between worldly people and godly people, in their confidences, Ps. 20:7. The children of this world trust in second causes, and think all is well if those do but smile upon them; they trust in chariots and in horses, and the more of them they can bring into the field the more sure they are of success in their wars [...]."
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NURTURING
THE
SOUL
LUKE 10:27
(NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)
AUGUST 2023
Background
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Luke 10:27
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Luke.10.25-Luke.10.37
"(1.) We must love God with all our hearts, must look upon him as the best of beings, in himself most amiable, and infinitely perfect and excellent; as one whom we lie under the greatest obligations to, both in gratitude and interest. We must prize him, and value ourselves by our elation to him; must please ourselves in him, and devote ourselves entirely to him. [...]"
"(2.) We must love our neighbours as ourselves, which we shall easily do, if we, as we ought to do, love God better than ourselves. [...]"
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NURTURING
THE
SOUL
ZECHARIAH 8:19
(NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)
JULY 2023
Background
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Zechariah 8:19
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Zech.8.1-Zech.8.23
"The work of ministers is rightly to divide the word of truth and to give every one his portion. So the prophet is here instructed to do, in the further answer he gives to the case of conscience proposed about continuing the public fasts. His answer, in the foregoing chapter, is by way of reproof to those that were disobedient and would not obey the truth. But here he is ordered to change his voice, and to speak by way of encouragement to the willing and obedient. [...]"
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NURTURING
THE
SOUL
ROMANS 12:1
(NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)
JUNE 2023
Background
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Romans 12:1
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Rom.12.1-Rom.12.21-4919
"I. Concerning our duty to God, [w]e see what is godliness.
1. It is to surrender ourselves to God, and so to lay a good foundation. We must first give our own selves unto the Lord, 2 Cor. 8:5. This is here pressed as the spring of all duty and obedience, Rom. 12:1, 2. Man consists of body and soul, Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 12:7."
"(1.) The body must be presented to him, Rom. 12:1. The body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body, 1 Cor. 6:13, 14. The exhortation is here introduced very pathetically: I beseech you, brethren. Though he was a great apostle, yet he calls the meanest Christians brethren, a term of affection and concern. He uses entreaty; this is the gospel way: As though God did beseech you by us, 2 Cor. 5:20. Though he might with authority command, yet for love’s sake he rather beseeches, Phlm. 1:8, 9. The poor useth entreaty, Prov. 18:23. This is to insinuate the exhortation, that it might come with the more pleasing power. Many are sooner wrought upon if they be accosted kindly, are more easily led than driven."
NURTURING
THE
SOUL
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
(NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)
MAY 2023