Scripture on scripture

I've been trying to take my scripture slowly lately. There was a time when I raced through the Bible, reading long portions, looking for the big picture, finding patterns and themes. It was good for me to do that, because I am a big picture kind of person. I become impatient when I just get a small piece or a single step in a process. In order for me to understand the relevance of something, I have to get a grasp of the big picture first. After that, I can go back and spend time studying the details, because I understand why.

Now I am in a stage where I am taking small pieces. Sometimes I feel like I am slacking. Other times, I am richly blessed by looking at scripture as though I am looking through a microscope, pondering how the details beautifully support the big picture.

But today I am going to take two different passages I have been working with lately, and I am going to lay them alongside one another. Because sometimes when we see how scripture sheds light on itself, we learn more than we could learn from even the most technical and exhaustive commentaries. The passages I am going to compare are Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes) and Psalm 86 (which I think exemplifies them). All quotes are from the ESV.

Matthew 5:3 -- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Psalm 86:1-4 -- Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you — you are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Matthew 5:4 -- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Psalm 86:3-4, 17 -- Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul... Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Matthew 5:5 -- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 86:5-8 -- For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
[We are meek when we humbly recognize our place beneath the Almighty Creator of the universe.]

Matthew 5:6 -- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Psalm 86:11-12 -- Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O LORD my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Matthew 5:7 -- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Psalm 86:9-10, 14-15 -- All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God... O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seek my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Matthew 5:8 -- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Psalm 86:11-12 -- Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O LORD my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Matthew 5:9 -- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Psalm 86:14-15 -- O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seek my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Matthew 5:10-12 -- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Psalm 86:13, 16-17 -- For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol... Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.