Acts 4:24

That shout proceeded from delight and great emotion. Such indeed are the prayers which do their work, prayers replete with true philosophy, prayers offered up for such objects, by such persons, on such occasions, in such a manner; whereas all others are abominable and profane. "Lord, Thou the God that madest heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is." Observe how they say nothing idle, no old wives' talk and fables, but speak of His power. Just as Christ Himself said to the Jews, "If I by the Spirit of God do cast out devils: behold the Father also speaks by the Spirit."

Lord, you who made the heaven and the earth, etc. Hearing the threats of the persecutors, they ask for the confidence to resist through the signs of virtues.

"O Sovereign Lord God, who made." See how fitting the prayers of the apostles are. When they asked the Lord to show them a man capable of apostolic ministry, they prayed thus: "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all" (Acts 1:24), because then there …

Thou art the God who hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, the upper and lower world, and all the creatures that are in both." Thus we Christians distinguish ourselves from the heathen, that, while they worship gods which they have made, we are worshipping the God that made us and all the world.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes

The sense is, Lord, thou hast all power. And thy word is fulfilled. Men do rage against thee: but it is in vain.

And when they heard that,....

Lord, thou art God - Δεσποτα, συ ὁ Θεος, Thou God art the sovereign Lord. Thy rule is universal, and thy power unlimited; for thou hast the heaven and its glories, the earth and the sea, and their endlessly varied and numerous inhabitants, under thy direction and control.

they lifted up their voice--the assembled disciples, on hearing Peter's report. with one accord--the breasts of all present echoing every word of this sublime prayer. Applied to God, the term expresses absolute authority. God which hast made heaven and earth--against whom, therefore, all creatures are powerless.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase

They lifted up their voice - To lift up the voice, among the Hebrews, was a phrase denoting either an “address” to the people Jdg 9:7, or a phrase expressive of “weeping” Gen 29:11; Jdg 2:4; Rth 1:9; 1Sa 24:16, or of “prayer.” To lift up the voice to God means simply they prayed to Him. With one accord - Unitedly. Properly, with one mind or purpose. See notes on Act 1:14. The union of the early Christians is often noticed in the Acts of the Apostles. Thus far, there was no jar or dissension in their society, and everything has the appearance of the most entire affection and confidence. Lord - Greek: Δέσποτα Despota - “Despota.” From this word is derived the word “despot.” This is not the usual word employed by which to address God. The word commonly translated “Lord” is Κυρίος Kurios. The word used here denotes “one who rules over others,” and was applied to the highest magistrate or officer. It denotes “authority; power; absoluteness in ruling.” It is a word denoting more authority in ruling than the other. That more commonly denotes a property in a thing; this denotes “absolute rule.” It is applied to God in Luk 2:29; Rev 6:10; Jud 1:4; to Jesus Christ, 2Pe 2:1; to masters, 1Ti 6:1; Tit 2:9; 1Pe 2:18; to husbands, 1Pe 3:6; and to a possessor or owner, 2Ti 2:21. Thou art God - This ascription of praise seems to have been designed to denote their sense of his power to deliver them, and of his right to dispose of them. They were employed in his service; they were encompassed with dangers; and they acknowledged him as their God, who had made all things, and who had an entire right to direct, and to dispose of them for his own glory. In times of danger and perplexity we should remember that God has a right to do with us as he pleases; and we should go cheerfully, and commit ourselves into his hands. Which hast made ... - Gen. […]