Psalms 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8

Psalms 119:89-176

89 Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven.

90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.

91 Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.

92 If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.

93 I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.

94 I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.

95 Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.

96 Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.

97 Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.

99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws.

100 I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.

101 I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word.

102 I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well.

103 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

106 I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.

107 I have suffered much, O LORD ; restore my life again as you promised.

108 LORD, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.

109 My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions.

110 The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.

111 Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.

112 I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.

113 I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions.

114 You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

115 Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God.

116 LORD, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed.

117 Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees.

118 But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves.

119 You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws!

120 I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.

121 Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right.

122 Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!

123 My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.

124 I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees.

125 Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws.

126 LORD, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions.

127 Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold.

128 Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.

129 Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them!

130 The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

131 I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.

132 Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.

133 Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

134 Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments.

135 Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees.

136 Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.

137 O LORD, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair.

138 Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy.

139 I am overwhelmed with indignation, for my enemies have disregarded your words.

140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much.

141 I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget your commandments.

142 Your justice is eternal, and your instructions are perfectly true.

143 As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.

144 Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live.

145 I pray with all my heart; answer me, LORD ! I will obey your decrees.

146 I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.

147 I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

148 I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.

149 In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.

150 Lawless people are coming to attack me; they live far from your instructions.

151 But you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true.

152 I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever.

153 Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions.

154 Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised.

155 The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.

156 LORD, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.

157 Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws.

158 Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word.

159 See how I love your commandments, LORD . Give back my life because of your unfailing love.

160 The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.

161 Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.

162 I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

163 I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions.

164 I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just.

165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

166 I long for your rescue, LORD, so I have obeyed your commands.

167 I have obeyed your laws, for I love them very much.

168 Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do.

169 O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.

170 Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.

171 Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.

172 Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

173 Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

174 O LORD, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.

175 Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me.

176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.

1 Corinthians 8

1 Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.

3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

4 So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.

5 There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.

6 But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.

7 However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.

8 It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.

9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.

10 For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol?

11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.

12 And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.

13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.