Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
The LORD begins today, not in the above (Matthew 10:16), but rather in Isaiah 33:22 relating to it, which says, “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” The chapter is speaking of when the LORD, as described above, is SEEN standing against those His people no longer look to (see) for advice (the corrupt judges and lawgivers, who rule, as tyrant kings, into destruction).
In Matthew 10, the LORD is speaking of how He recovers us, beginning with the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(Suffer me for a moment while I digress: I know there is a group of you out there who understand this is the inception of the kingdom of God on earth. The instructions I am about to give are meant for you, as in the title verse, I send you forth to recover the lost sheep from the wolves who have caught and hold them. The words aren’t mine, but are commandments given to me by the LORD, the Father who sent me; freely given to you, to be given in like manner. Feed My Sheep!)
Matthew 10
Go not into the way of the Gentiles [those who don’t know the LORD God], and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel [those who call themselves true followers of Him].
7 And as you go, preach, saying, “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.”
8 Heal the sick [see Isaiah 33:24 below], cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils [misleaders as wolves among the sheep]: freely you have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11 And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy [of receiving the LORD]; and there abide till you go thence.
12 And when you come into a house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15 Truly I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues [and churches];
18 And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak.
20 For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.
21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee you into another: for truly I say unto you, You shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his Master [teacher], nor the servant above his LORD.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his LORD. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak you in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach you upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father [knowing].
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear you not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me.
41 He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water [see Proverbs 25:25 below – this good news] only in the name of a disciple, truly I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
When the LORD tells us to be “wise as serpents,” He’s speaking of our words, His word through us, lifted up as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness. As we know, all who looked to the serpent weren’t killed by the venom (deceiving words from the mouths) of serpents among them.
Friends, I am sent to gather the scattered sheep into ONE BODY, and (we together) give life to the world. You need to go and tell God’s People (and the world).
Romans 13
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness [ignorance], and let us put on the armor of light [understanding].
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day [now when the light has come]; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying [not in the ways of the ignorant].
14 But put you on the LORD Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Luke 12
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose you that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house [church] divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
54 And he said also to the people, When you see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway you say, There comes a shower; and so it is.
55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, There will be heat; and it comes to pass.
56 You hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that you do not discern this time?
57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge you not what is right?
The following, ending with Isaiah 25, is from the post of 15 May 2021:
At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of yourself the nations were scattered.
The LORD begins, above in Isaiah 33:3, where the word “noise” is from qowl (voice), and “tumult” is from hamown, a word usually rendered “multitude.” It is speaking of the voices of God’s people, at His lifting up, rising with him, and the tribes and nations (‘am and gowy) arrayed (in battle) against them, are, in fleeing, scattered.
The verses before define these enemies as those who spoiled and dealt treacherously with us. This “treachery” is from the Hebrew word bagad, “a primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage.” It is the evil misleading of those who just destroyed the world with their lies: known liars telling known lies, causing fear and panic, destroying millions of lives and livelihoods, all for political power and control. It is the greatest crime ever committed against humanity: HOAX and HYPE by mass delusion created by mass deceptions.
The word rendered “spoil” is shadad, meaning “properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage: — dead, destroy(-er), oppress, robber, spoil(-er), X utterly, (lay) waste.” It obviously speaks of the powerful who’ve used their positions to destroy their political enemies, while, as collateral damage, also destroying the complicit deceivers (useful idiots) who thought they’d gain from going along with the treachery. (Little did they know, their evil master plan was to bring down all, except their elites who prospered, into dependence and misery, using tactics they knew could never raise anyone out of it.)
Isaiah says “woe” to these treacherous spoilers, because the LORD has been gracious to His people who’ve waited for Him. It says He’s become their arm every morning, and salvation in this time of trouble. Verse 3 speaks of His waking His multitude, their voices heard confessing His arm revealed, proclaiming His known presence, and from this all others panic, flee, and are scattered.
The word “scattered” is the Hebrew word naphats, meaning “to dash to pieces, or scatter.” This scattering is the finishing act, when the power of the holy people is “scattered,” and the LORD scatters those who’ve scattered them (Daniel 12:7). It’s the word used to describe when Gideon’s three hundred “broke” their pitchers (Judges 7:19), their voices were heard, the trumpets sounded, and all Midian (those who cause this strife) paniced and fled from the sword of the LORD.
Isaiah 33
1 Woe to you that spoils, and you were not spoiled; and deal treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with you! when you shall cease to spoil, you shall be spoiled; and when you shall make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with you.
2 O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for you: be you their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
3 At the noise [[qowl – voice]] of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of yourself the nations were scattered.
4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpillar: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.
5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwells on high: he has filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of your times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
7 Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.
8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceases: he has broken the covenant, he has despised the cities, he regards no man.
9 The earth mourns and languishes: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.
10 Now will I rise, says the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.
11 You shall conceive chaff, you shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you.
12 And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
13 Hear, you that are far off [[see Proverbs 25:25 below]], what I have done; and, you that are near, acknowledge my might.
14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
15 He that walked righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil;
16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
17 Your eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off [[see Proverbs 25:25 below – the good news He is preaching]].
18 Your heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?
19 You shall not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than you can perceive; of a stammering tongue, that you can not understand.
20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: your eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.
21 But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams [[his word flowing to His people who receive Him]]; wherein shall go no galley [[churches opposing the flow]] with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
23 Your tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail [nec] – [[the churches without the LORD, without His word from the son of man, couldn’t raise a defense against the serpents destroying us]]: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
Revelation 7
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes [quoted from Isaiah 25:8].
Isaiah 25
1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things; your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
2 For you have made of a city a heap; of a defensed city a ruin: a palace of strangers [zuwr] to be no city; it shall never be built.
3 Therefore shall the strong people glorify you, the city of the terrible nations shall fear you.
4 For you have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
5 You shall bring down the noise [sha’own – uproar] of strangers [zuwr], as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud [by understanding come from heaven]: the branch of the terrible [‘ariyts – powerful or tyrannical] shall be brought low.
6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined [all this word of God you’ve eaten and which has given you strength: understanding].
7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering [uncovering the truth hidden by the lies and ignorance that have replaced it] that have cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD has spoken it.
9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab [the gates of Hell, the open mouths of known liars telling known lies] shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.
11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swims spreads forth his hands to swim [rightly dividing the water and staying above them]: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
12 And the fortress of the high fort of your walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.
When the above speak of the modern corrupted church as a “gallant ship” that couldn’t raise the “sail,” using the Hebrew word nec, it refers us to Numbers 21 and John 3. In the first, the nec is the pole upon which the brazen serpent was lifted by Moses, as God commanded. As we know from John 3:14, the LORD says the son of man (NOW) must, in like manner, be lifted; verse 15 saying, “That whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
The “sail” is what takes the ship (church) where the LORD wills (as opposed to oars against it), as the LORD says, in John 3:8, of the Holy Spirit, the LORD when unknown, is the wind moving (into life) those born again (from the dead).
John 3
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
8 The wind blows where it wills [the Spirit moves God’s people as He wills], and you hear the sound [the words] thereof, but can not tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit [who don’t know where He is moving until they are born by coming out of confusion].
9 Nicodemus [those who overcome the crowd, the mass confusion, and come to the LORD for understanding] answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Are you a master [teacher] of Israel, and know not these things?
11 Truly, truly, I say unto you, We [I and the children God has given me] speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen [the LORD]; and you receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things [come from Him, giving us full understanding]?
13 And no man has ascended up to heaven [risen into full understanding], but he that came down from heaven [who received full understanding from there], even the Son of man [“I Am the son of God”] which is in heaven [speaking from the place of full understanding].
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man [“I Am the son of God”] be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light [understanding] is come into the world, and men loved darkness [ignorance and the resulting confusion] rather than light [understanding], because their deeds were evil [misleading into confusion].
20 For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Proverbs 25
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth yourself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto you, Come up hither; than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end thereof, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Debate your cause with your neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that hears it put you to shame, and your infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.
18 A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul [is a scatterer of sheep], and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon niter, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward you.
23 The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul [see Matthew 10:42 above], so is good news from a far country [see Isaiah 33:13 & 17 above].
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked [bowing to their intentionally misleading words] is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
John 10
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches [harpazo] them, and scatters the sheep.
13 The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He has a devil, and is mad; why hear you him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
John 5
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things so-ever he does, these also does the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that himself does: and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them [zoopoieo – strengthens the dead into life]; even so the Son quickens [zoopoieo] whom he will.
22 For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.
24 Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Truly, truly, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.
John 10
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
26 But you believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck [harpazo] them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck [harpazo] them out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shown you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me?
33 The Jews [the so-called true believer, the self-righteous Jews and Christians] answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, make yourself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, “I Am the Son of God?”
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Psalms 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD has said unto me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces [naphats – scatter them] like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O you kings: be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalms 110
1 The LORD said unto my LORD, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of your strength out of Zion: rule you in the midst of your enemies.
3 Your people shall be willing in the day of your power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: you have the dew of your youth.
4 The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The LORD at your right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Psalms 118
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise you: for you have heard me, and are become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in [opening] our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now [Hosanna], I beseech you, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD, which has shown us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns [to the power] of the altar [of His sacrifice].
28 You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.
Psalms 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon [words of confusion destroying the earth], there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land [where our enemies and adversaries are in power over us]?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem [where God’s word flows from Him, teaching the foundations of peace], let my right hand forget her cunning.
6 If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom [the enemies mixed among, who have forgotten Him] in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [destroy and erase] it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon [confusion], who are to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards you as you have served us.
9 Happy shall he be, that takes and dashes [naphats – scatters the scatterers] your little ones [the destroyers of the earth you’ve brought forth] against the stones.
