Shining a light on the weekly Bible Lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly®
Love
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
—New King James Version®
Precious is translated from the Hebrew adjective yāqār. Sometimes rendered excellent or priceless, yāqār appears in accounts of the costly gemstones that adorned the Temple (see II Chronicles 3:6) and in Isaiah’s portrayal of Zion’s cornerstone (see Isaiah 28:16). God’s lovingkindness is more highly treasured than the most valuable material possessions.
Wings are a frequent symbol in Scripture, especially of divine protection and shelter. In addition to biblical metaphors of mother birds, images of winged cherubim in Jewish places of worship evoke safety and security.
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Resources quoted in this issue
GT: New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
RR: Keck, Leander E., et al., eds. The New Interpreter’s Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes. Vol. 3, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Tobit, Judith. Nashville: Abingdon, 1996–2001.
Cit. 1: White, R. E. O. Christian Ethics (rev. ed.; Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1994), as quoted in Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary Collection. Vol. 32, 1, 2 & 3 John. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2000–2016.
Cit. 5: Laymon, Charles M. The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible. Nashville: Abingdon, 1971.
Cit. 11: Keck, Leander E., et al., eds. The New Interpreter’s Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes. Vol. 8, General and New Testament Articles, Matthew, Mark. Nashville: Abingdon, 1996–2001.
Cit. 14: Buttrick, George Arthur, Nolan B. Harmon, et al., eds. The Interpreter’s Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes. Vol. 8, Luke, John. Nashville: Abingdon, 1951–57.
Cit 18: Weiser, Artur. The Psalms. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1962.
COPYRIGHT
Scriptural quotations marked New Living Translation are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scriptural quotations marked Christian Standard Bible are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked New International Version are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scriptural quotations marked Common English Bible are taken from the Common English Bible, copyright © 2011 by the Common English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked GOD’S WORD Translation are taken from GOD’S WORD®, copyright © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of God’s Word Mission Society.
Scriptural quotations marked International Children’s Bible are taken from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© 2021 The Christian Science Publishing Society. The design of the Cross and Crown is a trademark owned by the Christian Science Board of Directors and is used by permission. Bible Lens and Christian Science Quarterly are trademarks owned by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
