I post papers I have written, some during my graduate and post-graduate studies, some in response to other papers, and some written for other purposes like Sunday school classes or Bible studies. I also post observations on whatever comes to my mind and videos from teaching sessions.
I have completed my work on Psalm 92. Now I am doing research on Psalms 93-99, a collection that focuses on the reign of the LORD. My hope is increasing that I will be able to complete this second volume of my commentary on Psalms by the end of January 2025. It will include Psalms 73-106. I don’t plan, however, to take a long, leisurely break after that. Instead, I intend to press on toward the completion of volume 3 of The Messiah in the Psalms: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places. This final volume will consist of Psalms 107-150.
Since I am now 78 years old, I especially enjoyed the next to last verse of Psalm 92. It reads: “They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing” (NKJV).
Six days ago, on September 3, 2024, I announced the completion of my work on Psalm 85. Now, I am pleased to say my research and comments on Psalm 86 were finished yesterday, and I have begun work on Psalm 87. [Please understand the word “finished” in this endeavor must be defined to allow for revisions or editorial work at some future point!]
I enjoyed studying Psalm 86. I frequently ask our Lord in prayer to help me rightly interpret the Scriptures and to understand how they testify of Him (Luke 24:44). I genuinely believe He opened my eyes to messianic themes I had not seen before in this psalm. I will share a bit of that with you in this post.
But first, I want to express my appreciation to my wife, Susan, for her work in redesigning the masthead of my blog. She has a great sense of design and works hard to get everything just right. Thank you, Susan!
Now, here are some of my comments on Psalm 86:16:
Psalm 86:16 indicates there is a son of someone who is the handmaid of the Lord, but the verse does not identify this son’s father. There is a clue to his identity, however, within the verse and in Psalm 89:26: “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God ….” If the person whose prayer is recorded in Psalm 86 is the same as the one whose prayer is found in Psalm 89:26, we know that the “son” of Psalm 86:16 is the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Who, then, is His mother, the handmaid of the Lord? After her encounter with the angel Gabriel, who announced to Mary, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS,” Mary responded with these words: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:31, 38). After her visit with Elisabeth, Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (Luke 1:46-48).
I don’t do much scrolling through Facebook. For years I avoided FB because I thought it would be a waste of time. This means when I do take some moments to see what’s happening in the world of social media, there’s a good possibility I will discover interesting and useful information for the first time. I had that experience earlier today when I came across an excellent blog post written by David K. Bernard. I admire our general superintendent and pray for him regularly. I believe God has raised him up to provide the leadership we need in the United Pentecostal Church International.
In his blog, Brother Bernard discusses the Apostolic Study Bible, Translations, Introductory Studies, Word Studies, Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias, Commentaries and Internet Resources. His recommendations are clear and thoughtful. Many of them would be found as required reading on the graduate level in conservative seminaries.
As I read his comments on the Apostolic Study Bible, I saw my name listed as a contributor to this first study Bible produced exclusively by Oneness Pentecostal scholars. I knew, of course, that I had written the study notes on Psalms, Proverbs, Hebrews, James, I Peter, II Peter and Jude as well as the signature articles on The Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit. Out of curiosity, I clicked on my name and, to my surprise, three pages opened before me displaying all forty-nine of my products available from the Pentecostal Publishing House. You may view these products by following the same instructions given above. (Click on the link below, then click on the next link that comes up.
I have twenty-one books in print. In addition, there are several digital resources including video and audio recordings on subjects including, but not limited to, “Elohim and the Plural Passages,” “Binding and Loosing: The Authority of the Church,” “The Influence of Hellenistic Philosophy on the Development of Christianity to Chalcedon.”
What’s the thing I didn’t know about myself? The Pentecostal Publishing House offers an audio file of mine titled “History of a Student.” I don’t have a clue what it’s about or when I did it. But you can buy it for $5.00.
If you decide to purchase what is apparently a talk I gave at some time and place, let me know what it’s all about. I hope you enjoy it!
I taught this lesson on June 12, 2024 at The Sanctuary UPC in Hazelwood, Missouri, where Mitchell Bland is our pastor. One additional lesson is scheduled to follow next Wednesday night, June 19.
