In Proverbs we heard the wisdom of Solomon, here in Ecclesiastes we listen in on his despair. “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2) So begins the spiritual journal of the richest, wisest and most famous […]
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Glen
This phrase is biblical in origin, but distilled through the poetry of Samuel Butler: “Love is a Boy, by Poets styl’d, Then Spare the Rod, and spill the Child.” In 1662 “spill” was an alternative spelling for “spoil.” But it seems that Butler relied on a yet more ancient poet. In 1377 William Langland wrote: […]
For those who read via RSS feed you may be unaware of two new “King’s English” adventures. (See the new home page). We’ve produced a video in which I say 100+ King James phrases to camera (in rhyming couplets of course!) The new high definition version can be found here. Feel free to use in […]
Why doesn’t God simply forgive us of our sins? Why the mess and the agony of the cross? Why the elaborate nature of atonement – prefigured through millions of animal deaths, and then purchased by the death of Christ Himself? Surely God could go to our sin folder, hit “Select all” and drag it into the […]
This is many people’s favourite Scripture. It was the verse written by my mother into my confirmation bible: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:4-5) I wonder what approach you take to the […]
We’ve seen Job and the Psalms, now the books of “wisdom literature” continue as we turn to the book of Proverbs. Here we have a long and colourful fireside chat. It’s the words of a father to his son. Verse 1 introduces us to the father: “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king […]
The book of Psalms concludes the way all things will conclude – with noisy, joyful praise. Psalm 150: “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the […]
There’s a saying: “Most people only look up when they’re flat on their backs.” It’s proved in the bible time and again. And this phrase “at their wits’ end” is a perfect description for where people find Jesus. Or rather, where He finds them. “Wits’ end” is quite a creative translation from the AV. If […]
Psalm 103 gives us a sobering contrast between the life of man and the love of God. One is extremely fragile and short-lived, the other is eternal and unchanging: “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is […]
The way we think about it, careers, businesses and sports teams go from “strength to strength.” And usually they go from “strength to strength” because of hard work and perseverence. But in Psalm 84 both those assumptions are challenged. First of all, it is God’s people who go from “strength to strength.” (Psalm 84:7) Now […]
