A Most Beautiful Analogy
The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
PSALM 12:6
+
A Most Beautiful Analogy
The Gospel is called "silver," first, because it is precious, not according to the flesh, but because it makes the soul precious in the sight of God; second, because it is solid, that is, because it makes people solid and full, not like an empty reed and a carnal letter [nor worm-eaten like a twig or a rush]; third, because it is heard far and wide. Thus the sound of the Gospel has gone out through all the world (Psalm 19:4), and it makes the disciples sonorous and eloquent. Fourth, it is weighty, because it does not contain fables or superficial things, and it makes men serious and mature, as stated below, "I will praise Thee in a strong people" (Psalm 35:18). Fifth, it is white and shining, because it is modest and chaste and teaches modesty, it speaks modestly. Therefore because of this characteristic, when he had said, "the promises of the Lord are pure," he immediately called it "silver" altogether…. The preacher of the Word of God should also be like this, namely, first, valuable and genuine; second, solid and full of knowledge, not of the emptiness of opinions; third, eloquent; fourth, sober and steadfast; fifth, shining, reproving without malice and rage.
From First Lectures on the Psalms, on Psalm 12 (Luther's Works 10:103)
February 25
PSALM 12:6
+
A Most Beautiful Analogy
The Gospel is called "silver," first, because it is precious, not according to the flesh, but because it makes the soul precious in the sight of God; second, because it is solid, that is, because it makes people solid and full, not like an empty reed and a carnal letter [nor worm-eaten like a twig or a rush]; third, because it is heard far and wide. Thus the sound of the Gospel has gone out through all the world (Psalm 19:4), and it makes the disciples sonorous and eloquent. Fourth, it is weighty, because it does not contain fables or superficial things, and it makes men serious and mature, as stated below, "I will praise Thee in a strong people" (Psalm 35:18). Fifth, it is white and shining, because it is modest and chaste and teaches modesty, it speaks modestly. Therefore because of this characteristic, when he had said, "the promises of the Lord are pure," he immediately called it "silver" altogether…. The preacher of the Word of God should also be like this, namely, first, valuable and genuine; second, solid and full of knowledge, not of the emptiness of opinions; third, eloquent; fourth, sober and steadfast; fifth, shining, reproving without malice and rage.
From First Lectures on the Psalms, on Psalm 12 (Luther's Works 10:103)
February 25
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever