Own
In many cases, the spiritual meaning of "own," both as a verb and as an adjective, is relatively literal. When people are described as the "Lord's own," however, it specifically means those people who know Him and have His Word. This has taken various forms since the dawn of humanity; in the prehistoric church known as the "Most Ancient Church" the Lord's truth -- the direct expression of His love -- flowed into people directly. In the Ancient Church the Lord's Word was recognized in nature and in the form of deeply representative stories, some of which were passed on to us in the early chapters of Genesis. Among the Children of Israel the Lord's Word was expressed through the Ten Commandments, the laws of Moses, the very history of the nation of Israel and the various psalms and prophecies. The early Christians had those stories along with the teaching and inspiration of Jesus himself. We now have the whole Bible, including the teachings of Jesus, and can understand the Bible's true meaning. Each of these churches, then, was at some point the Lord's own.
Psalms 33
1
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2
Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4
For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22
Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
