Psalm 57 - A Prayer For Rescue From Persecutors - Part 2

Psalm 57 A Psalm of David when he fled from Saul in the cave at Ein Gedi on the west coast of the Dead Sea. Read 1 Samuel 24. Commentary by Dennis Edwards. Part 2 To go back to Part 1 click HERE.

Psalm 57:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.

The great men of the earth try to exalt themselves. In the book of Revelation talking about the Great Whore Commercial System of the world, called Babylon the Great; her “merchants were the great men of the earth; for by their sorceries were all nations deceived,” Revelation 18:23b. Through finance the great men exalt themselves above all. They rule over the political rulers of the nations.

The time will come when the Antichrist will bring them down. It is prophesized in chapters 17 and 18 in the book of Revelation. Then the Antichrist will exalt himself above everything that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God shall sit in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God, 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

“But the Lord shall consume (him, the Antichrist) with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming,” 2 Thessalonians 2:8b.

“He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked,” Isaiah 11:4b.

The rapture takes place at the end of the 3 ½ years of great tribulation found in Revelation chapters 8-10 under the seven trumpets. Jesus comes back at the rapture at the last trumpet, the 7^th. At that point begins the bowels or cups of the Wrath of God which lasts a short 75-day period. Those that exalted themselves and refused to submit unto God, shall be brought low. 

“Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations He has made in the earth. He makes the wars to cease unto the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that the Lord is God: He will be exalted among the nations, He will be exalted in the earth,” Psalm 46:8-10 adapted.

As the Millennium begins, the Lord shall be exalted.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains (in Jerusalem); and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come, and let us go up to the house of God…and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall the learn war anymore,” Isaiah 2:2-4.

Jesus will rule and reign on earth for a thousand years. God will highly exalt Him. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” Philippians 2:10-11.

Psalm 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

The evil that Saul had sought for David, in the end, came upon Saul himself and his own family. David did not lift up his hand against Saul, the King of Israel. David trusted in the Lord, that the Lord would take care of Saul, and He did.

Psalm 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Our hearts need to be fixed on the Lord. We cannot have any other gods before Him. We should be fastened to the Lord through our love and obedience to His word and His voice, which speaks to us during quiet meditation and prayer. Joshua said,

“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the laws, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,” Joshua 22:5.

Apostle Paul said,

“But none of these things (his bonds and afflictions) move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God,” Acts 20:24.

We need to build the house of our life on obedience to God’s word so that the storms, the winds, the floods of life do not overflow and wash it away. If we keep God first in our life, He promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you,” Isaiah 43:2.

If our hearts are fixed on the Lord, we can sing and give praise no matter what is happening, because we know He will work all things together for our good, Romans 8:28. We can, therefore, in everything give thanks, 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Psalm 57:8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Jesus Himself awoke a great while before it was day and went out alone into a mountain to pray. If Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, needed time alone with God to pray, should we not, also, commit our waking moments to Him in prayer, meditation, reading His word, song, thanksgiving and praise?

We need to wait upon the Lord in the quiet hours of the day before the business of the day is upon us. We need time with God to receive the strength, the wisdom, the direction, the guidance, the love, the patience, the understanding and all the other spiritual gifts we need to confront the problems and difficulties that the day will bring. Spending time with God is not for His benefit, but for ours. He transforms us in the process and imputes to us all the spiritual blessings we need for the day.

David said, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice,” Psalm 55:17. If we spend that time with God, He will make our faces to shine. He will lighten our candles and we will be able to shine forth to the nations with the love and truth of the gospel. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven,” Matthew 5:16.

Psalm 57:9-10 I will praise You, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto You among the nations. For Your mercy is great unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds.

Again, we see the phrase “mercy and truth,” or today we might say, “love and truth.” Apostle Paul tells us that among faith, hope, and love; love is the greatest attribute. Apostle John says that God is love. Pauls writes that “love rejoices in the truth,” 1 Corinthians 13:6b. He says, we should speak the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15.

Truth without love is too harsh. Love without truth is too soft. Truth and love standing together present a perfect picture of the character of God. They are like the central pillars holding up His temple. Those characteristics were uniquely manifested in Jesus our Saviour, kind and good, loving and truthful.

Psalm 57:11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens: let Your glory be above all the earth.

God shall soon be exalted above the heavens. “The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever,” Revelation 11:15. “The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever,” Daniel 2:44.

“And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one,” Zechariah 14:9. “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,” Isaiah 9:6b. “For there is one name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved,” Acts 4:12. That name is JESUS!

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Originally published March 23, 2025. 

 

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Salmo 57 Parte 2 - Uma Oração para o Resgate dos Perseguidores

Salmo 57 - Parte 2  Salmo de Davi, quando ele fugiu de Saul para a caverna. Ler 1 Samuel 24. Comentário de Dennis Edwards. Para ir para a Parte 1 clique AQUI

Salmo 57:5 Sê tu exaltado, ó Deus, sobre os céus; que a tua glória esteja sobre toda a terra.

Os grandes homens da terra tentam exaltar-se. No livro do Apocalipse falando sobre o Grande Sistema Comercial de Prostitutas do mundo, chamado Babilónia, a Grande; seus “mercadores eram os grandes homens da terra; porque todas as nações foram enganadas pelas suas feitiçarias”, Apocalipse 18:23b. Através das finanças os grandes homens exaltam-se acima de tudo. Governam os governantes políticos das nações.

Chegará o tempo em que o Anticristo os derrotará. Está profetizado nos capítulos 17 e 18 do livro do Apocalipse. Então o Anticristo exaltar-se-á acima de tudo o que se chama Deus ou é adorado; para que ele, como Deus, se assente no templo de Deus, ostentando-se como Deus, 2 Tessalonicenses 2:4.

“Mas o Senhor o consumirá (a ele, o Anticristo) pelo sopro da sua boca, e destruirá pelo resplendor da sua vinda,” 2 Tessalonicenses 2:8b.

“Ele ferirá a terra com a vara da sua boca, e com o sopro dos seus lábios matará os ímpios”, Isaías 11:4b.

O arrebatamento ocorre no final dos 3 anos e meio de grande tribulação que se encontram em Apocalipse capítulos 8-10, sob as sete trombetas. Jesus regressa no arrebatamento, na última trombeta, a 7ª. Nesta altura começam as entranhas ou cálices da Ira de Deus, que duram um curto período de 75 dias. Aqueles que se exaltaram e se recusaram a submeter a Deus serão humilhados.

“Vinde, contemplai as obras do Senhor, que desolações tem feito na terra. Ele faz cessar as guerras até aos confins da terra; quebra o arco e corta a lança em pedaços; queima o carro no fogo. Aquietai-vos, e sabei que o Senhor é Deus: Ele será exaltado entre as nações, Ele será exaltado na terra,” Salmo 46:8-10 adaptado.

Quando o Milénio começar, o Senhor será exaltado.

“E acontecerá nos últimos dias que o monte da casa do Senhor será estabelecido no cume dos montes (em Jerusalém); e será exaltado por cima dos montes; e todas as nações concorrerão a ele. E irão muitos povos, e dirão: Vinde, e subamos à casa de Deus… e ele nos ensinará os seus caminhos, e andaremos nas suas veredas; porque de Sião sairá a lei, e a palavra do Senhor, de Jerusalém. E julgará entre as nações, e repreenderá a muitos povos; e estes converterão as suas espadas relhas de arado, e as suas lanças em foices; uma nação não levantará espada contra outra nação, nem aprenderão mais a guerra,” Isaías 2:2-4.

Jesus governará e reinará na Terra durante mil anos. Deus o exaltará grandemente. “Para que ao nome de Jesus se dobre todo o joelho dos que estão nos céus, e na terra, e debaixo da terra, e toda a língua confesse que Jesus Cristo é Senhor, para glória de Deus Pai,” Filipenses 2:10-11.

Salmo 57:6 Eles prepararam uma rede para os meus passos; minha alma está prostrada. Cavaram uma cova diante de mim, no meio dela eles mesmos caíram. Selá.

O mal que Saul tinha procurado para David, no final, veio sobre o próprio Saul e a sua família. David não levantou a mão contra Saul, o rei de Israel. David confiou no Senhor, que o Senhor cuidaria de Saul, e Ele assim o fez.

Salmo 57:7 Meu coração está firme, ó Deus, meu coração está firme; eu cantarei e darei louvores.

Os nossos corações precisam de estar fixos no Senhor. Não podemos ter outros deuses diante d’Ele. Devemos estar ligados ao Senhor através do nosso amor e obediência à Sua palavra e à Sua voz, que nos fala durante a meditação silenciosa e a oração. Josué disse:

“Mas cuidai diligentemente de cumprir os mandamentos e as leis que Moisés, servo do Senhor, vos ordenou; de amar ao Senhor vosso Deus, e andar nos seus caminhos, e guardar os seus mandamentos, e apegar-vos a ele, e servi-lo de todo o vosso coração e de toda a vossa alma,” Josué 22:5.

O apóstolo Paulo disse:

“Mas em nada disto (as suas prisões e aflições) me comove, nem tenho a minha vida por preciosa para mim mesmo, contanto que complete a minha carreira e o ministério que recebi do Senhor Jesus, para testemunhar o evangelho da graça de Deus,” Atos 20:24.

Precisamos de construir a casa da nossa vida na obediência à palavra de Deus para que as tempestades, os ventos, as cheias da vida não transbordem e a levem. Se mantivermos Deus em primeiro lugar na nossa vida, Ele promete: “Quando passares pelas águas, Eu serei contigo, e quando pelos rios, eles não te submergirão; quando passares pelo fogo, não te queimarás, nem a chama arderá em ti”, Isaías 43:2.

Se os nossos corações estiverem fixos no Senhor, podemos cantar e louvar aconteça o que acontecer, porque sabemos que Ele fará com que todas as coisas cooperem para o nosso bem, Romanos 8:28. Podemos, portanto, em tudo dar graças, 1 Tessalonicenses 5:18.

Salmo 57:8 Acorda, minha glória; acordai, saltério e harpa. Eu acordarei cedo.

O próprio Jesus acordou muito antes do amanhecer e saiu sozinho para um monte para rezar. Se Jesus, o Filho de Deus, o Messias, precisava de tempo a sós com Deus para orar, não deveríamos também dedicar-Lhe os nossos momentos de vigília em oração, meditação, leitura da Sua palavra, cânticos, ação de graças e louvor?

Precisamos de esperar no Senhor nas horas tranquilas do dia, antes que cheguem os negócios do dia. Precisamos de tempo com Deus para receber força, sabedoria, direção, orientação e tudo o que precisamos para enfrentar os problemas e dificuldades que o dia trará.

Davi disse: “De tarde, de manhã e ao meio-dia orarei e clamarei, e ele ouvirá a minha voz”, Salmo 55:17. Se passarmos esse tempo com Deus, Ele fará com que os nossos rostos brilhem. Ele acenderá as nossas velas e seremos capazes de brilhar para as nações com o amor e a verdade do evangelho. “Assim resplandeça a vossa luz diante dos homens, para que vejam as vossas boas obras e glorifiquem o vosso Pai, que está nos Céus”, Mateus 5:16.

Salmo 57:9-10 Te louvarei, ó Senhor, entre os povos; eu cantarei a ti entre as nações. Pois a tua misericórdia é grande até os céus, e a tua verdade até as nuvens.

Novamente, vemos a frase “misericórdia e verdade”, ou hoje poderíamos dizer, “amor e verdade”. O apóstolo Paulo diz-nos que entre a fé, a esperança e o amor; o amor é o maior atributo. O apóstolo João diz que Deus é amor. Paulo escreve que “o amor se alegra na verdade”, 1 Coríntios 13:6b. Ele diz que devemos falar a verdade em amor, Efésios 4:15.

A verdade sem amor é muito dura. O amor sem verdade é muito fraco. A verdade e o amor juntos apresentam uma boa imagem do caráter de Deus. São como os pilares centrais que sustentam o Seu templo. Estas características foram manifestadas exclusivamente em Jesus, nosso Salvador, amoroso e bom.

Salmo 57:11 Sê tu exaltado, ó Deus, sobre os céus; esteja a tua glória sobre toda a terra.

Deus será em breve exaltado acima dos céus. “Os reinos do mundo se tornarão de nosso Senhor e do seu Cristo, e ele reinará pelos séculos dos séculos”, Apocalipse 11:15. “O Deus do céu suscitará um reino que não será jamais destruído, nem passará a soberania deste reino a outro povo; antes, esmiuçará e consumirá todos esses reinos, e subsistirá para sempre”, Daniel 2:44.

“E o Senhor será rei sobre toda a terra; naquele dia um será o Senhor, e um será o seu nome”, Zacarias 14:9. “O seu nome será: Maravilhoso, Conselheiro, Deus Forte, Pai da Eternidade, Príncipe da Paz”, Isaías 9:6b. “Porque também debaixo do céu há um só nome, dado entre os homens, pelo qual importa que sejamos salvos”, Atos 4:12. Esse nome é JESUS!

PS: Se a aula foi útil para si, partilhe-a com alguém que possa apreciá-la. Isso ajudará o blogspot a crescer. Obrigado

Publicado originalmente 03/23/2025. 

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Salmo 57 - Una oración para ser rescatados de los perseguidores - Parte 2

Salmo 57. Salmo de David cuando huyó de Saúl en la cueva de Ein Gedi, en la costa oeste del Mar Muerto. Lea 1 Samuel 24. Comentario de Dennis Edwards. Parte 2. Para volver a la Parte 1

Salmo 57:5. Sé exaltado sobre los cielos, oh Dios; sobre toda la tierra sea tu gloria.

Los grandes hombres de la tierra intentan exaltarse. En el libro de Apocalipsis, que habla del Gran Sistema Comercial Ramera del mundo, llamado Babilonia la Grande, sus "mercaderes eran los grandes hombres de la tierra; porque por sus hechicerías fueron engañadas todas las naciones" (Apocalipsis 18:23b). Mediante las finanzas, los grandes hombres se exaltan por encima de todo. Gobiernan a los gobernantes políticos de las naciones.

Llegará el tiempo en que el Anticristo los derribará. Está profetizado en los capítulos 17 y 18 del libro de Apocalipsis. Entonces el Anticristo se exaltará por encima de todo lo que se llama Dios o es objeto de adoración; de modo que, como Dios, se sentará en el templo de Dios, presentándose como Dios (2 Tesalonicenses 2:4).

“Pero el Señor lo consumirá (al Anticristo) con el espíritu de su boca, y destruirá con el resplandor de su venida” (2 Tesalonicenses 2:8b).

“Herirá la tierra con la vara de su boca, y con el aliento de sus labios matará al impío” (Isaías 11:4b).

El rapto ocurre al final de los tres años y medio de la gran tribulación que se encuentran en Apocalipsis, capítulos 8-10, bajo las siete trompetas. Jesús regresa en el rapto, con la última trompeta, la séptima. En ese momento comienzan las entrañas o copas de la ira de Dios, que duran un breve período de 75 días. Aquellos que se exaltaron y se negaron a someterse a Dios serán humillados.

“Venid, ved las obras del Señor, qué desolaciones ha hecho en la tierra. Hace cesar las guerras hasta los confines de la tierra; quiebra el arco y corta la lanza; quema el carro en el fuego. Estad quietos, y sabed que el Señor es Dios: Será exaltado entre las naciones, será exaltado en la tierra”, Salmo 46:8-10 (adaptado).

Al comenzar el Milenio, el Señor será exaltado.

“Y sucederá en los últimos días, que el monte de la casa del Señor será establecido como cabeza de los montes (en Jerusalén); y será exaltado sobre los collados, y todas las naciones correrán a él. Y muchos pueblos vendrán y dirán: Venid, y subamos a la casa de Dios… y él nos enseñará sus caminos, y caminaremos por sus sendas; porque de Sión saldrá la ley, y de Jerusalén la palabra del Señor. Y juzgará entre las naciones, y reprenderá a muchos pueblos; y volverán sus espadas en rejas de arado, y sus lanzas en hoces; no alzará espada nación contra nación, ni se adiestrarán más para la guerra.” Isaías 2:2-4.

Jesús gobernará y reinará en la tierra por mil años. Dios lo exaltará hasta lo sumo. “Para que en el nombre de Jesús se doble toda rodilla de los que están en los cielos, y en la tierra, y debajo de la tierra; y toda lengua confiese que Jesucristo es el Señor, para gloria de Dios Padre”, Filipenses 2:10-11.

Salmo 57:6 Han preparado una red para mis pasos; mi alma está abatida; han cavado una fosa delante de mí, en medio de la cual ellos mismos han caído. Selah.

El mal que Saúl había buscado para David, al final, cayó sobre él mismo y su propia familia. David no alzó la mano contra Saúl, el rey de Israel. David confió en el Señor, que el Señor cuidaría de Saúl, y así lo hizo.

Salmo 57:7 Mi corazón está firme, oh Dios, mi corazón está firme; cantaré y alabaré.

Nuestros corazones necesitan estar fijos en el Señor. No podemos tener otros dioses delante de Él. Debemos estar unidos al Señor mediante nuestro amor y obediencia a su palabra y a su voz, que nos habla durante la meditación y la oración en silencio. Josué dijo:

“Sino que cuidad diligentemente de cumplir los mandamientos y las leyes que Moisés, siervo del Señor, os mandó: amar al Señor vuestro Dios, andar en sus caminos, guardar sus mandamientos, uniros a él y servirle con todo vuestro corazón y con toda vuestra alma” (Josué 22:5).

El apóstol Pablo dijo:

“Pero de ninguna de estas cosas (sus ataduras y aflicciones) me conmueve, ni estimo preciosa mi vida para mí mismo, con tal de que termine mi carrera con gozo y el ministerio que recibí del Señor Jesús, para dar testimonio del evangelio de la gracia de Dios” (Hechos 20:24).

Necesitamos edificar la casa de nuestra vida sobre la obediencia a la palabra de Dios para que las tormentas, los vientos y las inundaciones de la vida no la desborden y la arrasen. Si mantenemos a Dios en primer lugar en nuestra vida, Él promete: «Cuando pases por las aguas, yo estaré contigo; y por los ríos, no te anegarán; cuando pases por el fuego, no te quemarás, ni la llama arderá en ti» (Isaías 43:2).

Si nuestro corazón está puesto en el Señor, podemos cantar y alabar pase lo que pase, porque sabemos que Él obrará para nuestro bien, Romanos 8:28. Por tanto, podemos dar gracias en todo (1 Tesalonicenses 5:18).

Salmo 57:8: Despierta, gloria mía; despierta, salterio y arpa; yo mismo me levantaré temprano.

Jesús mismo se despertó mucho antes del amanecer y salió solo al monte a orar. Si Jesús, el Hijo de Dios, el Mesías, necesitaba tiempo a solas con Dios para orar, ¿no deberíamos nosotros también dedicarle nuestros momentos de vigilia en oración, meditación, lectura de su palabra, cánticos, acción de gracias y alabanza?

Necesitamos esperar en el Señor en las horas tranquilas del día, antes de que nos toque afrontar las tareas del día. Necesitamos tiempo con Dios para recibir la fuerza, la sabiduría, la dirección, la guía, el amor, la paciencia, la comprensión y todos los demás dones espirituales que necesitamos para afrontar los problemas y dificultades que nos depara el día. Pasar tiempo con Dios no es para su beneficio, sino para el nuestro. Él nos transforma en el proceso y nos atribuye todas las bendiciones espirituales que necesitamos para el día.

David dijo: “Tarde, mañana y mediodía oraré y clamaré, y él oirá mi voz” (Salmo 55:17). Si pasamos ese tiempo con Dios, Él hará brillar nuestros rostros. Encenderá nuestras velas y podremos brillar ante las naciones con el amor y la verdad del evangelio. “Así alumbre vuestra luz delante de los hombres, para que vean vuestras buenas obras y glorifiquen a vuestro Padre que está en los cielos” (Mateo 5:16).

Salmo 57:9-10 Te alabaré, oh Jehová, entre los pueblos; Cantaré a ti entre las naciones; Porque grande es hasta los cielos tu misericordia, y hasta las nubes tu verdad.

De nuevo, vemos la frase “misericordia y verdad”, o hoy podríamos decir, “amor y verdad”. El apóstol Pablo nos dice que entre la fe, la esperanza y el amor; El amor es el atributo más grande. El apóstol Juan dice que Dios es amor. Pablo escribe que “el amor se goza en la verdad” (1 Corintios 13:6b). Él dice que debemos hablar la verdad con amor (Efesios 4:15).

La verdad sin amor es demasiado dura. El amor sin verdad es demasiado blando. La verdad y el amor, unidos, presentan una imagen perfecta del carácter de Dios. Son como los pilares centrales que sostienen su templo. Estas características se manifestaron de forma única en Jesús, nuestro Salvador, bondadoso y bueno, amoroso y veraz.

Salmo 57:11: Exaltado seas, oh Dios, sobre los cielos; sobre toda la tierra sea tu gloria.

Dios pronto será exaltado sobre los cielos. “Los reinos del mundo vendrán a ser de nuestro Señor y de su Cristo; y él reinará por los siglos de los siglos” (Apocalipsis 11:15). “El Dios del cielo levantará un reino que no será jamás destruido; y el reino no será dejado a otro pueblo, sino que desmenuzará y consumirá a todos estos reinos, pero él permanecerá para siempre” (Daniel 2:44).

“Y el Señor será rey sobre toda la tierra; en aquel día habrá un solo Señor, y un solo nombre” (Zacarías 14:9). “Se llamará su nombre Admirable, Consejero, Dios fuerte, Padre eterno, Príncipe de paz” (Isaías 9:6b). “Porque un solo nombre bajo el cielo, dado a los hombres, en que podemos ser salvos” (Hechos 4:12). ¡Ese nombre es JESÚS!

PD: Si esta clase te ha sido útil, compártela con alguien que la aprecie. Eso ayudará al crecimiento del blog. Gracias.

Publicado originalmente el 23 de marzo de 2025.

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Words Can Hurt or Heal

 

A compilation The Bible tells us that our words hold the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). Encouragement often comes through spoken words. So does discouragement. “Reckless words pierce like a sword” (Proverbs 12:18), but “how good is a timely word!” (Proverbs 15:23). … Our words can affect the emotional and spiritual health of someone we care about. … Are we building up the lives of our children, spouse, and other loved ones with our words, or are we tearing them down? Are we inspiring people with hope or crushing their spirits? Proverbs 15:4 says, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Jesus reminds us that our words originate from inside our hearts: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34–37). … A critical heart will speak disparaging words; a bitter heart, stinging words; a self-righteous heart, judgmental words; a thankless heart, words of complaint. On the other hand, a loving heart will speak uplifting words; a contented heart, words of faith; a humble heart, words of acceptance; a joy-filled heart, grateful words. Love, contentment, humility, and joy—these qualities within ourselves will help us speak life to others.—GotQuestions.org1 * How is it that unkind words spoken to us can be so painful and damaging? After all, there are no physical wounds that appear when harmful words are spoken; no blood is shed, no bruises appear, no vital organs are pierced or penetrated. Yet, words coming from another person’s mouth can be so painful and hurtful that they can make a person stop eating, stop smiling, stop hoping, and stop believing. How can invisible breaths of air containing sound waves cause so much damage to the human being? It can’t be explained scientifically because it’s a matter of soul and spirit. … Words can hurt because they can penetrate and wound our souls ... that inner part of us that so many of us overlook because we’ve invested all our time, money, and energy into our flesh (our physical being). The human soul can be helped or hurt by words. The human soul can be encouraged or discouraged by words. Words can get “inside” of us ... not just in our ears and in our brains, but in our souls and our spirits. If you have been wounded by the words of a fellow human being, you are most likely experiencing pain in your soul. You can’t go to the emergency room and have the wound mended. There is no physical wound to show to the doctor, but there is a wound, nonetheless. So where do we go when our souls are wounded? Psalm 23 gives the answer as it tells us about our Good Shepherd who leads us beside still waters and restores our souls. Words from other humans can wound our souls, but a word from God can heal us! Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them.” A good word can heal your bones! Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” —Greg A. Lane2 * Fred Craddock is a lecturer at Phillips Theological Seminary in the United States. He tells of a time he was on holiday in Tennessee. He and his wife were having dinner at a restaurant when an old man started talking to them, asking them how they were doing and if they were enjoying their holiday. When the old man asked Fred what he did for a living, Fred saw the chance to get rid of him.—“I’m a preacher.” “A preacher? That’s great. Let me tell you a story about a preacher.” The old man sat down at their table and started to speak. As he did, Fred’s annoyance was changed to profound humility. The old man explained that he was a bastard—in the literal rather than the figurative sense. He was born without knowing who his father was, a source of great shame in a small town in the early twentieth century. One day a new preacher came to the local church. The old man explained that as a youngster he had never gone to church, but one Sunday decided to go and hear the new pastor preach. He was good. The illegitimate boy went back again, and then again. In fact, he started attending church just about every week. But his shame went with him. This poor little boy would always arrive late and leave early in order to avoid talking to anyone. But one Sunday he got so caught up in the sermon that he forgot to leave. Before he knew it, the service was over and the aisles were filling. He rushed to get past people and out the door, but as he did, he felt a hand upon his shoulder. He turned around to see the preacher, a big tall man, looking down at him asking, “What’s your name, boy? Whose son are you?” The little boy died inside; the very thing he wanted to avoid was now here. But before he could say anything, the preacher said, “I know who you are. I know who your family is. There’s a distinct family resemblance. Why, you’re the son of…, you’re the son of…, you’re the son of God!” The old man said, “You know, mister, those words changed my life.” And with that he got up and left.—Ben Hooper, two-term governor of Tennessee3 * For years I monitored children during recess and playground activities. Between all the running, jumping, rowdiness, and good-natured play, someone would often end up getting run into, tripped, shoved, etc. Often the child who had caused the accidents would immediately raise his or her hands and say, “It’s not my fault” or “I didn’t do it on purpose!” But of course, establishing guilt wasn’t the immediate priority. The most important issue is the welfare of the “injured” one. I saw this scene play out so many times that I finally realized that most of us have to learn empathy. It doesn’t come naturally. The children were confusing “I’m sorry” with an admission of guilt, and since they hadn’t harmed anyone on purpose, they didn’t feel the need to feel sorry for them. But in life, like on the playground, we sometimes inadvertently hurt someone and need to apologize. We may have reasons. Maybe we didn’t realize, we didn’t think things through, we didn’t consider the implications of our words or actions. Maybe there were extenuating circumstances, misunderstandings, others involved. Every story has at least two sides. The problem is that when we say, “I’m sorry, but let me explain,” we’re usually turning the focus on ourselves instead of the one we’ve hurt. Then we become the victim of a misunderstanding. It’s sometimes helpful to offer clarifications if we can and give our side of the story. But first things first—did someone get hurt? An apology spoken with sincerity contains a healing balm. Back to the playground. Another lesson I learned from 35 years of working with children—if we’re quick to apologize, the other side is usually quick to forgive. That’s the best part.—Sally Garcia * Apologizing does not always mean that you are wrong and the other person is right. It just means that you value your relationship more than your ego.—Author unknown * When an apology is due, give it freely, then follow your apology with action.—Judy Ford * Apology is a lovely perfume; it can transform the clumsiest moment into a gracious gift.—Margaret Lee Runbeck Published on Anchor August 2026.  1 “What does it mean to speak life?” gotquestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/speak-life.html 2 Greg A. Lane, My Morning Walks with God (Inspired Design & Graphics, 2016). 3 Source: Reported in Tony Campolo, It’s Friday but Sunday’s Comin’ (Word, 1985).

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