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.
Tonight, after Susan and I finished viewing the powerful General Conference message delivered by David Bernard, the General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International, I concluded my work on Psalm 88.
This psalm, a personal lament of Heman, a singer and musician appointed by King David, is challenging because of its persistent sense of hopelessness. The themes of the psalm include crying, troubles, thoughts of death, weakness, darkness, wrath, afflictions, isolation, mourning and more.
As I seek to complete my work on Books 3 and 4 of the Psalter, I pray God will help me understand how the Scriptures testify of Jesus, the Messiah. I am thankful to have discovered that there is good news, even in this Psalm of lament.
I am happy to report that I have finished my work on Psalm 87! As with my study of Psalm 86, I was once again delighted to discover new insights. In this case, my convinction was strengthened that Psalm 86:9-10 provides a profound link to Psalm 87:4-6 and points ahead to Acts 2.
I can’t describe the results of my study in this post. They will be included in the second volume of my commentary titled The Messiah in the Psalms: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places. The first volume is available both in hard copy and ebook formats at pentecostalpublishing.com and amazon.com. My goal is to finish this second volume, which will include Psalms 73-106 and submit it to the editor by the end of this year.
Here is a paragraph from my comments on Psalm 87. As you read it, keep in mind that people from Egypt were included among those who gathered in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. (See Acts 2:9-10.)
Psalm 86:9 suggests a link between Psalm 86 and Psalm 87 and perhaps even a prophetic connection between these psalms and the events of the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. This idea begins as follows: “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name” (Psalm 86:9). The nations mentioned in Psalm 87 include “Rahab,” an “emblematic name of Egypt,”[1] Bratcher and Reyburn explain that Egypt “translates Rahab, a poetic name for the country (see Isa 30:7).”[2] This can be seen in the Hebrew text of Isaiah 30:7, where the helpless Egyptians are identified as “Their strength is to sit still” (KJV). The NKJV renders the final three words in this verse “Rahab-Hem-Shebeth.” The Hebrew text here transliterates as rahab hēm šābet [רַ֥הַב הֵ֖ם שָֽׁבֶת]. In this context, the reason Rahab is used to represent Egypt is to call attention to Egypt’s history of arrogance and violence. Psalm 87, however, anticipates an event that will transform the nations mentioned in verse 4, an event that will be characterized by these nations coming to worship the Lord and glorify His name (Psalm 86:9). This will be connected with these nations coming to understand that the Lord alone is God (Psalm 86:10).
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 am often asked how many books I have written. The number is twenty-one. I’m now working on number twenty-two, which will be the second volume of my commentary on Psalms. I would, of course, like to get these books into the hands of as many readers as possible. Like preachers, pastors, and teachers, Christian authors have a sense of calling, and they believe God has given them a message they need to communicate to people of faith.
For that reason, I’m happy to tell you that the Pentecostal Publishing House, now known as the Pentecostal Resources Group, has informed me that I can offer a 15% discount on all of my books and other resources from now through July 14, 2023, which is the last day of the Arkansas District Camp Meeting.
Tim Gaddy, the district superintendent of the Arkansas District of the United Pentecostal Church International, has asked me to do the Bible teaching for the Arkansas district’s camp meeting this year, which is scheduled for July 12-14. Due to scheduling challenges, the Pentecostal Publishing House will not have a display set up at the camp meeting. That is the reason the discount is available. We want to make these resources as accessible as possible.
How to obtain the 15% discount
Keep in mind the discount code is DS15. You can take advantage of this special discount by phone or email.
Customer Service Phone: 866-819-7667
Customer Service Email: customerservice@pentecostalpublishing.com
In order to see the fifty-two resources available, check out the PPH website at pentecostalpublishing.com. Type “Segraves” in the search window. This will enable you to see each of the twenty-one books by title and with brief descriptions. One is available in the Spanish language as well a English. Some are offered as e-books as well as in hard copy. In addition to the books, resources are available as CDs. Here is a summary of what you will find:
Verse by verse commentaries:Romans: Living by Faith
Hebrews: Better Things
James: Faith at Work
First Peter: Standing Fast in the Grace of God
Second Peter and Jude
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World
Doctrine:God in Flesh
Hair Length in the Bible
The Messiah's Name: JESUS, not Yahshua
Elohim and the Plural Passages (audio and video)
The Influence of Hellenistic Philosophy on the Development of Christology to Chalcedon (audio)
Binding and Loosing: The Authority of the Church (audio)
The Holy Spirit (This 314 page hard-back book is my most recent publication. It is a treatment of apostolic pneumatology that explores nearly every reference to the Holy Spirit in the entire Bible, beginning with Genesis 1:2 and ending with Revelation 22:17.
Christian Growth:Insights for Christian Living
You Can Understand the Bible
If God Loves Me, Why Am I Hurting?
Spiritual Gifts
That Which is Perfect
Biblical Studies:The Messiah in the Psalms, 1-72: Discovering Christ in Unexpected Places
Reading Between the Lines: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament
Themes from a Letter to Rome
Prophecy:Looking Forward: A Clear View of Biblical Prophecy (available in English and Spanish)
Biography:Andrew D. Urshan: A Theological Biography
This 312 page book is a professionally edited treatment of my Ph.D. dissertation on the life and theology of Andrew D. Urshan, one of the four most influential early twentieth century Oneness Pentecostals.
General Conference, Daniel Segraves 2001:This CD is a recording of my defense of the genuineness of Christ's humanity.
Pentecostal Publishing House || 36 Research Park Ct || Weldon Spring, MO 63304 || (636) 229-7900
Not only am I finished with Psalm 83, but after a discussion with Everett Gossard, Book Editor for the Pentecostal Resources Group, UPCI, I have clear direction for the future of The Messiah in the Psalms.
As many of you know, there are five books within the Book of Psalms. They are arranged in this way: Book 1: Psalms 1-41; Book 2: Psalms 42-72; Book 3: Psalms 73-89; Book 4: Psalms 90-106; Book 5: Psalms 107-150. My first volume covers Psalms 1-72 plus three appendices for a total of 382 pages.
Some commentaries on the Book of Psalms are released in one volume, some in two volumes, and some in three. My final work on the Psalter will be in three volumes. The second volume will include books three and four (i.e., Psalms 73-106). The third volume will consist of book five (i.e., Psalms 107-150).
Thus, volume two will include my comments on 679 verses and volume three my comments on 694 verses. I can’t predict the total page length of each volume, but they should be about the same.
I’m focusing on this project, and the more I do, the more clearly I see what Jesus meant when He said, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me” (Luke 24:44, NKJV).
I have been invited to speak for two hours on this subject at an upcoming meeting of the general board of the United Pentecostal Church and their spouses. I’m looking forward to this event!
He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you (Psalm 81:16, NKJV).
At last I have completed my work on Psalm 81. Now, to Psalm 82, which Jesus quoted in John 10:34.
I am repeatedly surprised by the revelation of the Messiah in the Book of Psalms. What a wonderful thing it would be if I could finish this project by the end of 2023!
