Philip Dampier's Blog

“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him.” (Psalm 41:1) It is amazing considering our behavior how often a reference is made in the Scriptures about God’s concern for the poor. Of all the things God imposes on His children, nothing…

“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8) David was a man after God’s own heart. From our point of view that is a puzzle because David is portrayed making so many really bad mistakes. He is guilty of sins that…

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7) Interesting question; more interesting answer. The writer lived in tumultuous times filled with perils on every horizon. Many of his psalms speak of enemies and foes both from without and within. He continually saw…

“I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.” (Psalm 38:18) This psalm is from David and appears to be his lament that God has somehow forsaken him. In the midst of turmoil, beset by enemies, David feels a need for the merciful presence of God. He recognizes that…

“Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.” (Psalms 37:16) This is an answer of sorts to the question of why evil people seem to prosper, and the righteous don’t. The question has bothered a lot of righteous people. Evil people are happy in…

“For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” (Psalms 36:9) The fountain of life is no doubt the same as the living water which Jesus offered to the woman at the well. Jesus called it the “…spring of water welling up to eternal…

“I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you.” (Psalm 35:18) This is a psalm of need. David spent a lot of time on the defense side of things during his life. So many of the psalms reflect his cry for God to…

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8) This verse gives us an unusual verb for knowing God. The same verb is used by the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 6:5 in speaking of the word of God. The…

“Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:22) Let’s begin by confirming the first part of this verse; that is that the love of the Lord is steadfast. Not only is this stated in the psalms but also in Lamentations. “The…

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1) Really we should consider this verse with the one after it. They are meant to be considered together as they relate the same truth. The two verses give us three reasons for being among the blessed.…