“…just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.’ ” Romans 4:6-8 (Part two)

This quote by the apostle Paul, as was mentioned last week, comes from Psalm thirty-two, verses one and two. 

“…just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.’ ” Romans 4:6-8 (Part one)

Paul, in his letter to the church at Rome, quotes David’s inspired utterances from the book of Psalms, “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!” (Ps. 32:1-2 NAS) 

“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled” 1 Peter 3:14 (NAS)

The passage that Peter cites in his first letter to “those who reside as aliens” (meaning Christians, those in the world but not of the world) is drawn from the inspired utterances of Isaiah. 

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9, 10 (NAS)

This is one of many  powerful present positive affirmative passages in the New Testament that communicate the Lord’s perception and intentions regarding His covenant people, the church.

“The wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ ” 1 Corinthians 2:8-9

The apostle Paul is moved by the Spirit to quote from the book of Isaiah in his discourse on the wisdom of God versus man’s wisdom, in particular the wisdom of those who had crucified the Lord of glory, the Roman Governor in unison (some would say by manipulation) with the Jewish religious leadership. 

‘And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation; but as it is written, “They who had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand.” ’ Romans 15:20-21 (NAS)

The Holy Spirit moved Paul (via the pen of Tertius) to reference this quote from the prophet Isaiah in his closing remarks to the church at Rome. 

“But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.” Matthew 12:7 (NAS)

Twice in the gospel of Matthew it’s recorded that our Lord Jesus Christ quoted this Old Testament passage   from the book of Hosea. 

“But the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt, and have heard their groans, and I have come down to deliver them; come now, and I will send you to Egypt.’ ” Acts 7:33-34 (NAS)

Last week, we were reminded the Lord does not fail or forsake His covenant people. 

“Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ ” Hebrews 13:5 (NAS)

The fact that the Lord will never desert nor forsake His faithful ones is a great confidence builder. 

“For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:31-32

Four separate times this Old Testament passage from Genesis 2:24 is wielded in the New Testament.