February 13, 2019 (Wednesday)
(The Lord’s Prayer in the www.easyenglishbible.com): Jesus said, “Pray like this: Our Father, you are in heaven. Your name is special. You are king (over everyone). What you want to happen will happen in the earth. It will happen (in earth) as it happens in heaven. Give us today the food that we need (each day). Forgive us the wrong things that we have done. (Do this) because we forgive the people that have done wrong things to us. Do not lead us into difficulties, but take us away from bad places (and ideas). (Do this) because you are the king! You are powerful! You will always be *glorious! Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13).
The translation of the Lord’s prayer above captures the spirit of Psalm 115, which emphasizes the truth that there is only one God and He is all-powerful.
New International Version (NIV)
I. AN APPEAL TO GOD TO VINDICATE HIS HONOR BY ENCOURAGING HIS PEOPLE (1-3)
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
2 Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
II. OTHERS HAVE POWERLESS GODS OF THEIR OWN MAKING (4-8)
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
III. AN EXHORTATION TO ISRAEL TO TRUST THE LORD, WHO WILL SURELY BLESS HIS PEOPLE (9-13)
9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord–
he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord–
he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord–
he is their help and shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord–
small and great alike.
IV. PRAYERS FOR BLESSING AND RESOLVE TO EMPLOY LIFE IN THE LORD’S PRAISE (14-18)
14 May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
those who go down to the place of silence;
18 it is we who extol the Lord,
both now and forevermore.
V. PRAISE THE LORD (18b)
Praise the Lord. (Hebrew Hallelu Yah)
Compare three translations side by side. Click here.
Words, William P. Mackay, 1863
Music, John J. Husband, 1815
We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior,
And scattered our night.
All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins,
And hath cleansed every stain.
All glory and praise
To the God of all grace,
Who hast brought us, and sought us,
And guided our ways.
Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above.