July 9, 2020 PSALMS 119 Revelation 17

...Psalms 119 is one of the longest chapters in the bible.

Psalms 119  (Paragraphs 1-5)

  א Aleph (# 1)

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, 

who walk according to the law of the Lord.

Blessed are those who keep his statues

and seek him with all their heart--

they do no wrong

but follow his ways.

You have laid down precepts

that are to be fully obeyed.

Oh, that my ways were steadfast

in obeying your decrees!

Then I would not be put to shame

when I consider all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart

as I learn your righteous laws.

I will obey your decrees; 

do not utterly forsake me. 

ב  Beth (# 2)

How can a young person stay on the path to  purity?
By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, Lord;

teach me your decrees

with my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statues.

I meditate on your ways.

I delight in your precepts

and consider your ways. 

I delight in your decrees; 

I will not neglect your word. 

ג Gimel (# 3)

Be good to your servant while I live, 

that I may obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in your law.

I am a stranger on the earth; 

do not hide your commands from me.

My soul is consumed with longing

for your laws at all times.

You rebuke the arrogant, who are 

accursed, 

those who stray from your commands. 

Remove from me their scorn and 

contempt, 

for I keep your statues.

Through rulers sit together and 

slander me, 

your servant will meditate on your 

decrees. 

Your statues are my delight; 

they are my counselors. 

ﬢ  Daleth (# 4)

I am laid low in the dust; 

preserve my life according to your word.

I gave an account of my ways and 

you have answered me;

teach me your decrees. 

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, 

that I may meditate on your 

wonderful deeds.

My soul is weary with sorrow; 

strengthen me according to your word. 

Keep me from deceitful ways; 

be gracious to me and teach me your law. 

I have chosen the way of faithfulness.

I have set my heart on your laws.

I hold fast to your statues, Lord;

do not let me be put to shame. 

I run in the path of your commandments, 

for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He (# 5)

Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, 

that I may follow it to the end.

Give me understanding, so that I may

keep your law

and 

obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of your commands, 

for there I find delight. 

Turn my heart toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word.

Fulfill your promise to your servant, 

so that you may be feared. 

Take away the disgrace I dread, 

for your laws are good. 
How I long for your precepts! 

In your righteousness preserve my life.

Revelation 17

Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.

Then the Angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. The name written on her forehead was a mystery. 

Babylon the great

The Mother of Prostitutes

And of the Abominations of the earth

I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. 

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. The angel said to me: why are you astonished? I will explain to  you the mystery of the woman and the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 

The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come. 

This calls for a mind with wisdom. 

The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 

The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. 

The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 

They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of Lords and King of kings---and with him will be called, chosen and faithful followers. 

Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. 

Have a great day!