"The Word"

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart--those with moral integrity and godly character].

Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;

Sing praises to Him with the harp of ten strings.

Sing to Him a new song;

Play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound.

For the word of the LORD is right;

And all His work is done in faithfulness. (Psalm 33:1-4) I have not spoken in secret,

In a corner of a land of darkness;

I did not say to the descendants of Jacob,

‘Seek Me in vain [with no benefit for yourselves].’

I, the LORD, speak righteousness [the truth--trustworthy, a straightforward correlation between deeds and words],

Declaring things that are upright. (Isaiah 45:19) It is not [a secret hidden] in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it. (Deuteronomy 30:12-14) So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21) Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

(Psalm 119:11) For where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also. (Matthew 6:21) My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn;

Open your ears to my sayings.

Do not let them escape from your sight;

Keep them in the center of your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,

And healing and health to all their flesh.

Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:20-23) But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”--that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach-- because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous--being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].” For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD [in prayer] WILL BE SAVED.” (Romans 10:8-13) If I regard sin and baseness in my heart [that is, if I know it is there and do nothing about it],

The Lord will not hear [me];

But certainly God has heard [me];

He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God,

Who has not turned away my prayer

Nor His lovingkindness from me. (Psalm 66:18-20) And it shall come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD

Will be saved [from the coming judgment]

For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem

There will be those who escape,

As the LORD has said,

Even among the remnant [of survivors] whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:32)