Matthew 5:13 - You are the salt of the earth

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

Matthew 5:13

Commentary

The primary value of salt was not as a flavoring but as a preservative. Disciples are to hinder the world's corruption. The salt deposits along the Dead Sea contain not just sodium chloride but a variety of other minerals as well. This salt can become good for nothing when the rain washes out its saltiness over the years.

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (Mt 5:13). Nashville: T. Nelson.


Did you know?

Jews called the law the salt of the earth. Jesus claimed that His disciples exerted this influence.

The Open Bible : New King James Version. 1998, c1997. Includes indexes. (electronic ed.) (Mt 5:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Psalm 4:1 - Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1

Commentary

O God of my righteousness can also be translated "O my righteous God." The phrase has two meanings: (1) only God is righteous; and (2) all of a person's righteousness is found in Him alone. The psalmist is facing a very pressing need, but his confidence in God remains especially strong. He addresses God in terms of His character-His "righteousness." Then he speaks of God's earlier saving works in his life: You have relieved me in my distress.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ps 4:1). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Background

David wrote this psalm as he was about to retire for the night (v. 8). He could not do much about the war around him, but he could do something about the war within him. He did not want to lie in bed and worry, so he committed himself and his situation to the Lord.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Ps 4:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.