December 31stPsalm 150:1-6The last day of the year, and the last psalm of this wonderful book of praise and worship to our Lord! Many people write out “New Year’s Resolutions” on this day – what they would like to see changed or made different from this past year. It is good to take stock of our lives and to see where we are spiritually in our walk with the Lord. If we have learned anything from the study of the Psalms, we have been challenged again and again to praise the Lord. A great resolve for this next year would be to commit specific time in each day to praise and worship the Lord with all your heart. To do it with others is a blessing, but to do it when you are alone, is quite revealing of where you really are in your relationship to the Lord. May this next year be filled with praise!
Verse for MeditationVerses 6 – “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD!”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, it is my strong desire and commitment for this coming year, to dedicate my life to praising and glorifying You, to worship You for Who You are, and all that You have done, and will do in the future.”
December 30thPsalm 149:1-9What an incredible psalm of praise – especially as it relates to the wonderful position and privilege of all believers. Once again, as the psalmist often does, he refers to “Israel” and the “children of Zion.” In this psalm, God gives His judgment into the hands of His people to carry out for His honor and glory. He is the “King,” and we are “His people.” In verse 2, the psalmist mentions the unique creation of Israel – “Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him.” It reminds us of Isaiah 43:1. Israel was not listed among the nations that came from the three sons of Noah. They were uniquely created (literally – “out of nothing”) by God Who designed them for His glory and to manifest His attributes of love and faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:6-9).
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.”
Meditation Prayer“I sing to You with joy and praise, O Lord, for You are the mighty King of all kings, and I rejoice in the victory that You have planned for Your people.”
December 29thPsalm 148:7-14This psalm of praise continues by referring to planet earth. After speaking of the heavens that were designed to praise the Lord, the psalmist mentions things on earth. He begins in verse 7 with the words “Praise the LORD from the earth.” Verse 1 said “from the heavens.” Now, in the last half of this chapter He mentions the processes of the weather, the topography of the land and its productivity, the animals, and all the leaders of the earth, regardless of age – everything and everyone has been created for the praise of our wonderful Lord. Take time this day to list all the things you see around you that have come from the hand of the Lord, and praise Him!
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent: His glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for my family, my friends, my home and all that I possess, and the beautiful surroundings, like the trees, mountains, rivers, and oceans – they all speak of You.”
December 28thPsalm 148:1-6All of creation was designed by God to give Him praise and glory. Psalm 19:1 says “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament (expanse – that which is stretched out) sheweth His handiwork.” Romans 1:20-23 reminds us of what happens to a person when we do not glorify God as the Creator of all things. We usually exchange that glory for something we have designed or created. A part of giving glory to God according to Romans 1:21 is being “thankful.” A grateful heart is essential to true worship of the Creator. Today, when you look at the creation around you, how about making a list of all that God has done for which you can give thanks!
Verse for MeditationVerse 5 – “Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for He commanded, and they were created.”
Meditation Prayer“When I consider all that You have created in the heavens, I recognize Your greatness, and I’m overwhelmed by Your love for me.”
December 27thPsalm 147:12-20The focus is again on Israel, and reasons for praise are given to Jerusalem and to Zion. They are to be reminded of the blessing of the Lord and the fact that real peace comes from Him. The creative power of the Lord is mentioned along with the laws of nature that He sustains and manages. The remark of verse 20 is so true – “He hath not dealt so with any nation.” Israel has been particularly blessed of the Lord, more than any nation on earth. His statutes and His judgments were given to Israel, but they did not know them as they should. As a result, Israel has suffered greatly for their lack of obedience to God. Much praise should be given to our Lord for His longsuffering with His people, and how He will bless them in spite of their sin and rebellion against Him.
Verse for MeditationVerse 20 – “He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I worship You, Lord, for the way You sustain all the laws of the universe, and that with one word from Your mouth, all nature responds – may it be so in my life as well.”
December 26thPsalm 147:1-11The infinite wisdom and understanding of the Lord is beyond our ability to comprehend. The psalmist says (verse 5): “Great is the LORD, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.” The psalmist urges us to “sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving.” He mentions all that He does in creation and in sustaining the laws of nature and the universe. One of His most beautiful characteristics is mentioned in verse 3, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” The Lord is not impressed with man’s strength or ability, but rather takes pleasure in the one who fears Him and hopes in His mercy.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”
Meditation Prayer“Teach me, Lord, not to be impressed with what man can do, but rather to put my trust and hope in You alone.”
December 25thPsalm 146:5-10On this Christmas Day, we celebrate the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, and there is no better day to offer our praise to the Lord. David’s praise of the Lord in this section emphasizes all that God has done and continues to do, and refers to the Lord as His “help” and his “hope.” He mentions His creative power, and His care of the oppressed and hungry; He speaks of how the Lord “openeth the eyes of the blind” and how He “raiseth them that are bowed down.” He loves the righteous and preserves and relieves those in need; and, most of all, He shall “reign forever.” After this list, one cannot help but praise the Lord, and give Him all the glory and thanksgiving for what He continues to do in behalf of His children.
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous!”
Meditation Prayer“You, Lord, are my help and my hope, and I praise You for all You have done and will do in the future.”
December 24thPsalm 146:1-4Another psalm of praise is before us today. The timing is beautiful. It is the day before all the Christmas celebrations. We celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ our Lord. How important it is to prepare our hearts for such a celebration by bringing the gift of praise to Him. In all the gift of giving of this season, may we not forget to give to Him Who gave His life for us. As the psalmist declares in verse 2, “While I live will I praise the LORD.” May that be true in every believing heart.
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have my being.”
Meditation Prayer“There is no one like You, Lord, Who alone is worthy of all my praise and adoration; How I thank You for sending Your Son, my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world!”
December 23rdPsalm 145:17-21David emphasizes what the Lord has done and continues to do. He says that the Lord is “righteous in all His ways,” and that He is near, fulfills our desires, and preserves us. If we do not feel close to God, guess who moved? It wasn’t the Lord – He is the God Who is always there. Everything that He does is “righteous.” We can count on Him to do what is right and what will bring the greatest blessing. We are encouraged in this section of the psalm to “call upon Him.” The Lord never gets tired of hearing us cry out to Him. Our total dependency upon the Lord is one of the most important insights we could ever learn from the psalms.
Verse for MeditationVerse 19 – “He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I praise You that You are always there when I cry out to You, and that You will save me and protect me, and satisfy the longing of my heart.”
December 22ndPsalm 145:8-16This psalm has to be on the believer’s favorite list! Its emphasis on the nature and attributes of our God is so important to our perspective on prayer, praise, and trusting God for everything in our lives. The “glory” of His kingdom is the primary emphasis of this section of the psalm, and it encourages us to know that we are citizens of that kingdom by faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, having been born again by the Holy Spirit of God. We shall rule and reign with our Lord forever! His “power” and “mighty acts” should be praised every day of our lives, and there should be no doubt in our hearts that He can handle any problem we have!
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness and Your kindness to me; when I fall, You are there to raise me up, and when I am in need, You are there to supply all my need.”
December 21stPsalm 145:1-7This psalm explodes upon us with praise to our God! It exalts Him and His kingdom, and reminds us of His attributes and mighty deeds. This opening section of the psalm which focuses on the greatness of the Lord, reveals the real secret to David being a “man after God’s own heart.” He concentrated on the worship and praise of Almighty God. He saw the greatness of God and as a result, he saw himself and the need of humility and dependency upon the Lord. If we are too busy to worship the Lord, we are too busy!
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: and His greatness is unsearchable.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I praise You today for how great You are, and for Your great goodness to me.”
December 20thPsalm 144:9-15The testimony of king David in this latter portion of the psalm is indeed fascinating. He begins with the desire to sing a new song unto the Lord that will focus on His deliverance; He then proceeds to enumerate all the blessings that would come from such deliverance, and ends with how happy will be the people “whose God is the LORD.” How true that is! In the light of the historical conflicts in the land of Israel, it is especially enlightening to read his words in verse 11: “Rid me and deliver me from the hand of strange children whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.” During the Intifada uprisings, the role of children is well known. Real peace will come to the land of Israel when the Messiah, the Prince of peace, returns. Until then, our trust is in the Lord and in His deliverance.
Verse for MeditationVerse 9 – “I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“May the music of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my God, and may my happiness be found only in You.”
December 19thPsalm 144:1-8David exalts in the Lord and His power, and when comparing man to God, he says, “LORD, what is man, that Thou takest knowledge of him.” He reminds us all that “Man is like to vanity” (verse 4). James 4:14 tells us that our lives are but a “vapor” that soon vanishes away. We often inflate the importance of our lives and forget that we are not indispensable and we can be replaced! David prays for deliverance, and reminds us of the power of God. His opening words “Blessed be the LORD my strength,” encourage us to praise Him, and to trust Him with all of our hearts.
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shied, and He in Whom I trust: Who subdueth my people under me.”
Meditation Prayer“My trust is in You, Lord, and I pray You will help me not to overestimate the ability of people, not to underestimate Your mighty power.”
December 18thPsalm 143:7-12In this portion of the psalm, David asks for deliverance, guidance, and for reviving of his soul. The pressures from his enemies were great, and his spirit was overwhelmed and discouraged. He wanted to hear of God’s lovingkindness in the morning, and reaffirmed that his trust was in the Lord alone. The entire psalm ends with these words of commitment: “for I am Thy servant.” That is a great summary of what the Lord wants from each of us. Our longing to know the character and abilities of our God is crucial to the contentment and rescue of our hearts from the despair which our difficulties can cause us.
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning: for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk: for I lift up my soul unto Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“I want to know Your will, O Lord, and the way in which You want me to go – help me to be teachable and willing.”
December 17thPsalm 143:1-6David was being besieged by his enemies, and was in dire straits. He knew what to do and that is to call upon the Lord. He trusted in the faithfulness of God to answer him. His discouragement was real and he spoke of being “overwhelmed.” Times like that can come into the lives of God’s children. David knew how much he needed the Lord, and His longing for the Lord was expressed clearly in verse 6 when he said, “I stretch forth my hands unto Thee: my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land.” Today might be a good day to evaluate your own desire for the Lord.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I do remember much of what You have done, and I praise Your mighty power, and trust You to work in my life through Your faithfulness and righteousness.”
December 16thPsalm 142:1-7This was penned apparently while he was in one of the caves at En-Gedi, a beautiful oasis on the western slopes of the Dead Sea. There is a beautiful waterfall, and caves abound in the area with loads of animals, especially deer, ibis, and goats. One cannot help but feel the pain in David’s heart as he wrote these words. He was alone, but the Lord was with Him, and he found strength to endure in the midst of this difficult trial. David is quite honest about his despair and discouragement, and we all can identify with him. May we all learn to seek the Lord as David did, and understand that He is our Refuge, and the One Who truly cares for our souls.
Verse for MeditationVerse 5 – “I cried unto Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You care about all that concerns me, and You are able to handle anything that comes my way.”
December 15thPsalm 141:6-10His prayer about his enemies is so insightful. He knows the problem of falling into their ways and reacting as they would to him. He asks the Lord to protect him, and that when they suffer, his words might be “sweet.” David, like all of us, needs protection from the “snares” that the wicked have laid for him. The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:10-11 that we need the Lord’s strength because of all the “wiles” of the devil. The word “wiles” gives us our English word “methods,” and refers to the many strategies of the enemy. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord as David says in verse 8.
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God, the Lord: in Thee is my trust: leave not my soul destitute.”
Meditation Prayer“I know that I must keep my eyes upon You, O Lord, and to trust in You for all things in my life and future.”
December 14thPsalm 141:1-5David’s cry to the Lord does not simply focus on the attacks from his enemies, but he also recognizes his own problems and seeks the help of the Lord in them. It is such an important prayer that is mentioned in verse 3: “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips.” That’s where most of the trouble begins – our mouth! We say things we will later regret. What we say, even about our enemies, will often come back to hurt us. David is concerned that he not respond in kind to the wicked around him. That is simple to do. The “wicked words” of our enemies often become the same things that we do. How we need the help of the Lord!
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “LORD, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, please help me to control my tongue, and that the words of my mouth might always be pleasing to You.”
December 13thPsalm 140:7-13Sometimes we do not see the connection between what David was experiencing and what we go through in this life. One of the clues that this passage is intended as admonition for us all are the words of verse 10 about “burning coals” falling on the head of our enemies. This graphic description is used in Romans 12:19-21 in which the apostle Paul urges the believer never to take revenge but to overcome evil with good, and thus, heap “coals of fire” upon the head of our enemies. David is going through some very difficult trials and facing daily the possibility that his enemies are waiting behind some rock to kill him. But, in all of this, he reminds us that our protection and our blessing come from the Lord.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.”
Meditation Prayer“I put my life and circumstances in Your hands, O Lord, knowing that You will handle everything according to Your will and glory, and my good.”
December 12thPsalm 140:1-6Being attacked from all sides, David knew that His only hope and refuge was in the Lord. He begins with the words “Deliver me, O LORD,” and ends this portion in verse 6 with the words “Thou art my God.” He recognizes the evil plots and violent actions which his enemies have been planning against him, and he knows that he needs the protection of the Lord when he says in verse 4, “Keep me, “O LORD.” No matter what we might face today, may we understand thoroughly our need of complete trust and confidence in the Lord.
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I know, Lord, that I cannot handle the attacks and pressures which the enemy sends my way, and I come to You, and I cry out to You for deliverance and protection.”
December 11thPsalm 139:19-24The attributes of God will strengthen our resolve to trust the Lord rather than ourselves. All of the wicked will be dealt with by God, and we can leave those matters to Him. The important thing for each of us is to examine our own hearts and get rid of any “wicked way” that may be troubling our walk with the Lord. It isn’t our perspective that we need, but His. The psalmist says “Search me, O God.” That is what we need! Hebrews 4:13 reminds us that “ALL things” are “naked and open” unto the knowledge of our God. We cannot hide from Him.
Verse for MeditationVerse 21 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”
Meditation Prayer“I confess my thoughts to You, O Lord, and I praise You for Your cleansing and Your direction in my life.”
December 10thPsalm 139:13-18First, the psalmist spoke of God’s omniscience, then of His omnipresence, and now of His omnipotence, His mighty power, especially in the creation of a human being. If there was ever an argument against abortion-on-demand, this is it. The sanctity of all human life is rooted in the character and attributes of God Himself. He determines what is valuable and worth saving. He speaks of the baby in the womb as a real person, and intricately designed and formed by His wisdom and power. The design and creation of humanity speaks of the loving thoughts of God toward His creatures.
Verse for MeditationVerse 17 – “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”
Meditation Prayer“Everything about my life was designed and planned by You, Lord, and I desire to praise You and serve You all of the days You have laid out for me.”
December 9thPsalm 139:7-12The psalmist moves from the omniscience of God to the omnipresence of the Lord, the fact that He is everywhere and we cannot hide from Him, nor run away from Him. It is a warning to some, but of great blessing to those who are walking with the Lord. What a joy to know that He is always there, loving, protecting, guiding, comforting, and empowering. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (age). He said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” You may feel all alone and wonder where God is, but He has never left you.
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You are always there, and Your presence means that I am never alone.”
December 8thPsalm 139:1-6The emphasis of this psalm of David on the attributes of God is most encouraging to the heart of every believer. It is also a warning to the non-believer. These opening verses focus on the omniscience of God, the fact that He knows everything we think, say, and do, even before it ever occurs. Such knowledge, the psalmist says, is “too wonderful for me.” The Hebrew word for “wonderful” refers to that which is beyond our ability to understand. We might say that it is incomprehensible. God knows all things, and He also knows what is best for every one of us.
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”
Meditation Prayer“I rest in Your knowledge of all things, and I know that You have already laid out a plan for my life, and nothing I say or do upsets You in the least, for You know everything.”
December 7thPsalm 138:1-8This psalm of praise by king David is a testimony to what was most important in his life. His worship of the Lord and praise of what the Lord had done in his life was continual and real. He knew that one day all nations would praise the Lord. David understood that in the midst of his “trouble” the Lord would “revive” him, and restore His confidence and assurance. David knew that the Lord would finish the work that He had begun in him. Paul wrote the same in Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy Name.”
Meditation Prayer“I trust You, Lord, in all that comes into my life, and I know that You are working Your perfect plan in me.”
December 6thPsalm 137:1-9Israel went into captivity to Babylon, and found it very difficult to sing the songs of Zion. Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 b.c., but never forgotten by God’s people. It is called in verse 6 “my chief joy.” The psalm ends with the assurance that Babylon will one day be destroyed for what they did to Israel and the city of Jerusalem. It is a great reminder that in spite of the pain and difficulties we might face in this life, God has promised ultimate victory to His children.
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that no matter how severe the trial and pain and suffering, You have promised us victory and blessing.”
December 5thPsalm 136:10-26This psalm which (as we pointed out yesterday) ends each verse with the words “for His mercy endureth for ever,” focuses on the history of Israel with special emphasis on how God was involved in everything that took place. It is clear that Israel survived the wilderness and conquered enemy kings by the power and mercy of the Lord, and He provided for them all along the way. The summary to all who read this psalm is found in verse 26: “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endureth for ever.” Every detail of their lives, no matter how difficult they seemed at the time, was being controlled and worked by our God. Verses 10, 13, 16, and 17 begin with the words “To Him.” He was going before them and proving over and over again His mighty power.
Verse for MeditationVerse 26 – “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endureth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, and thank You, for all that You have done for Your people, Israel, and that You have promised to supply all my needs.”
December 4thPsalm 136:1-9Every verse of this chapter ends with the words “for His mercy endureth for ever.” The Hebrew word chesed is sometimes translated as “lovingkindness” as well as “tender mercies.” The compassion of our God is behind all of His marvelous works. The emphasis of this portion focuses on the creation of the physical and material universe. We are exhorted to “give thanks” to our God “Who alone doeth great wonders.” Just look up to the heavens and observe the sun, moon, and starts – our God created them all, and they all speak of His power and His glory.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your greatness, Your goodness, Your wisdom, Your power, and that no problem of mine is too difficult for You.”
December 3rdPsalm 135:14-21The God of Israel is totally unlike anything made has designed. The “idols of the heathen” are simply the design of humanity, and they are totally unable to do anything miraculous or respond to the humans who made them. Our God is completely different. He is the Judge of all, and He alone deserves our blessing and praise. We are told at the end of this psalm that He “dwelleth at Jerusalem.” That is the place where He has chosen to put His house of worship and to manifest His presence. The world continues to fight over possession of the city, and the attempts to deny what God has said about it will never diminish His authority or challenge what He intends to do with Jerusalem in the future.
Verse for MeditationVerse 21 – “Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I trust in You alone, O Lord, and refuse to put any confidence in what people create and design to replace You.”
December 2ndPsalm 135:7-13The mighty power of God is presented in this portion of the psalm and gives us a reason to praise Him. His power is seen in nature, His creation, and in His miraculous signs in ancient Egypt, and the deliverance which He gave to the children of Israel as they came out of the wilderness and went into the promised land of Canaan. The record is clear – God can do anything, and does perform mighty acts that are clearly supernatural power.
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Thy Name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and Thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.”
Meditation Prayer“I know that there is nothing too hard for You to do, and I trust You, Lord, to do what is right for me, and that which brings You glory and praise.”
December 1stPsalm 135:1-6The admonition to “Praise ye the LORD” is repeated several times in this portion of the psalm, and the words “The LORD hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure,” remind us of Israel’s place in the heart and plan of God. The Lord is great and good, and He does whatever He pleases to do in heaven and on earth. Worship is characterized by “praise,” and the worship center (“house of the LORD”) should be filled with it. The Lord wants us to acknowledge Him and His greatness, and to sing it unto His Name. Verse 3 reminds us “for it is pleasant.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 5 – “For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord for Your greatness and Your goodness and that You do whatever pleases You.”
November 30thPsalm 134:1-3The admonition to bless the Lord seems in this psalm to be the response of those who are priests and servants in the house of the Lord. Peter calls all believers “priests” in I Peter 2:5-9, and Hebrews 13:15 speaks of believers offering “the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.” Verse 16 adds “for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” That is the primary responsibility of priests – to offer sacrifices to God and to bless the Lord at all times. The worship and praise of God is the highest priority of the believer!
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I desire as Your priest to worship and praise You every day, and to offer sacrifices of joy and thanksgiving to Your Name.”
November 29thPsalm 133:1-3Unity is so needed among believers today. The blessing of the Lord is connected to its importance. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:3 that we ought to strive to keep the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The devil and his demons cause disunity and strife (James 3:13-18), rather than the fruit of wisdom and peace. The reference in this psalm to “the mountains of Zion” reminds us of the lack of unity concerning the city of Jerusalem. Thank the Lord for the day when the Prince of peace shall return and bring real peace to this troubled world.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, help me to be an instrument for unity among believers, rather than disagreement and disunity.”
November 28thPsalm 132:13-18The wonderful promise of God concerning Zion or Jerusalem is indeed revealing. While the world fights over its possession, God says that it belongs to Him and is His “habitation.” Verse 14 adds, “This is My rest for ever.” That’s very clear. Jerusalem is the centerpiece of God’s prophetic program. Zechariah 12:1-3 tells us that this city will become a “cup of trembling” and a “burdensome stone” to all who come against her. One day we will see the “New Jerusalem” come down out of heaven from the Lord Who has been preparing a place for His own. What a day that will be!
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation.”
Meditation Prayer“I look forward to the day You return, and Your everlasting kingdom is established on the earth.”
November 27thPsalm 132:8-12This portion of the psalm is filled with Messianic prophecy. The passage refers to the promise of God to David that “of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.” Mary, the mother of Jesus, was in the line of David through his son, Nathan. The prophecy was fulfilled through the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), and the curse on the line of Solomon (Jeremiah 22:28-30) was avoided. When Joseph married Mary after the birth of Jesus, Jesus was adopted, and became the legal heir to the throne of David through his son, Solomon, whose direct descendant was Joseph. God kept His promise to David, and He will keep all His promises to us.
Verse for MeditationVerse 11 – “The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.”
Meditation Prayer“I rejoice in Your promise, O Lord, that You will bring the Son of David to rule the world!”
November 26thPsalm 132:1-7The request to remember David and “all his afflictions” is a prayer with which we can all identify. Life is filled with many “afflictions.” The interesting thing about this request is the commitment he had to worship. He would not rest until a place for the Lord to dwell was built. David raised the money, and gave the vision, but his son, Solomon, did the actual construction of the temple. Worship is the priority of the believer, above all else. Our trials seem different when we worship. They no longer are obstacles, but ways by which God’s character and love can be shown.
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “We will go into His tabernacles: we will worship at His footstool.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me to remember, O Lord, that You desire my worship above all else.”
November 25thPsalm 131:1-3When we truly trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, there will be the attitude of the psalmist in these brief verses – an attitude of humility and dependency upon the Lord like a baby upon the breasts of the mother. There is far too much arrogance and pride among believers today. We have been blessed by the Lord, but we have become self-sufficient in it all, and we fail to understand that without Him we are nothing! Our hope is not in our bank accounts, our homes, our cars, our occupations; our hope is in the Lord alone!
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“Teach me, Lord, a heart of humility, that I might always depend upon You.”
November 24thPsalm 130:1-8A psalm of forgiveness is a powerful reminder of our Lord’s compassion and concern for His people. The psalm reminds us that if the Lord should list our sins, we wouldn’t stand a chance of surviving it! The good news about our God is that He is “ready to forgive” (Psalm 86:5). Israel’s hope must be in the Lord alone, for He will “redeem” His people from all their iniquities. The apostle John wrote (I John 1:9), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your forgiveness, and for making my redemption possible through the death of Your Son, my wonderful Savior and Lord!”
November 23rdPsalm 129:1-8The treatment of Israel is the subject of the psalm, and the opening words of verses 1-2 are “Many a time…” Yes, there have been many times when Israel’s enemies have tried to inflict punishment upon them. But, Israel exists by Divine covenant, a covenant that is unconditional, and based on God’s faithfulness, not Israel’s performance. God has promised to bless those who bless Israel, and curse the ones who do not. As verse 8 says, Israel’s enemies do not say “we bless you in the Name of the LORD.” It has been true of God’s people throughout history that they have been persecuted and have suffered greatly for their faith. One day in the future we shall know that they will be rewarded. As Paul wrote in II Timothy 2:12: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “The LORD is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for the reminder of how You watch over Your people, and will ultimately judge all who try to hurt them.”
November 22ndPsalm 128:1-6The one who fears the Lord is blessed, and the Lord will continue to bless that person and his family. What good words of encouragement, and what powerful reminders of the need of fearing the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is parallel to knowledge of the Holy One. To fear the Lord (Proverbs 16:6) is to depart from evil. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence (Proverbs 14:26). Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge.
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I recognize my accountability to You, O Lord, and I desire to be what You want me to be.”
November 21stPsalm 127:1-5This psalm reminds us of how good families are built. They are put together by the Lord Himself. We need to follow His Word, and teach our children the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). These verses speak of the blessing of children. Sometimes we see them as problems or burdens, rather than blessings. It is important to believe what God says and to thank the Lord daily for the gift of children – they are “His reward (verse 3).” Why not take some time today and thank the Lord for your children, and let them know how much you love them and consider them to be great blessings in your life!
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that built it; except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for my family and for the blessing of children – may I be for them what You want me to be.”
November 20thPsalm 126:1-6This psalm speaks powerfully about the hope of the children of Israel and their trust in the promises of the Lord. It speaks of the “captivity of Zion” and reminds the Jewish people of what it was like during the Babylonian captivity. When the Lord brought them back to the land under the leadership of the governor, Zerubbabel, and the high priest, Joshua, their sorrow turned to joy, and their hearts could sing again. We are reminded that those who “sow in tears” have the promise that one day they shall “reap in joy.” All the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that God has promised to His people (Romans 8:18-25).
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You can turn my sorrow into joy, and that You have promised to deliver and bless.”
November 19thPsalm 125:1-5God is the Author of “peace,” and the peace which Israel needs comes from Him. He is our Protector, and He surrounds us like the mountains surround Jerusalem. The need is to “trust in the LORD” at all times, and to recognize that His goodness will bring good to our lives as we depend upon Him. Our need is to be “upright” in our “hearts” as verse 4 says. We often suffer the results of our own disobedience and ignoring of the Lord and His Word.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I put my trust in You, and depend totally upon Your loving protection and desire to use me for Your glory and praise.”
November 18thPsalm 124:1-8This psalm focuses on our need for the Lord’s help in facing our enemies and those who desire to destroy us and our testimony. We are told by the apostle Paul in the New Testament to put on “the whole armor of God.” This will help us in resisting all the attacks of the evil one. Life is filled with pressures and all kinds of strategies from the enemy that are designed to defeat us and to cause us great discouragement. As verse 8 clearly says, “Our help is in the Name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “Our help is in the Name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, thank You for delivering me out of the hand of my enemies, and for helping me to live for You and experience Your blessing upon my life.”
November 17thPsalm 123:1-4The psalmist emphasizes the importance of keeping our eyes upon the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, and the One Who “dwellest in the heavens.” It is a cry for the mercy and intervention of God, especially in the light of those who were mocking and scorning God’s servant. God is abundant in mercy, and ready to deliver, and encourages us all to call upon His Name and trust Him to meet our need. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come “boldly to the throne of grace where we may find mercy and grace to help in time of need.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens.”
Meditation Prayer“I know, Lord, that You see everything and know everything, and that You care about all that goes on in my life.”
November 16thPsalm 122:5-9Jerusalem is the city of God. It was first called “Salem” in Genesis 14:18 and its first king was named “Melchizedek” whose name means “king of righteousness.” No doubt it was (cf. Hebrews 7:1-10) an appearance of our Messiah to our father Abraham. Psalm 76:2 also calls it “Salem.” We are reminded in this latter half of the chapter that it is also the place for the “thrones of the house of David.” The Messiah will one day sit on the throne of His father, David, and rule the entire world. The emphasis of this section is on the meaning of the city’s name – the city of “peace.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 9 – “Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, for Your peace, O Lord, and for reminding me that real peace on this earth will not come until our Messiah returns.”
November 15thPsalm 122:1-4Jerusalem is mentioned 118 times in the Bible and is the most important city in the world. It is the eternal capital of Israel and the place where God has chosen to put His Name forever! There is a Jerusalem on earth and there is a “heavenly Jerusalem” that will one day be set up on earth wherein righteousness will dwell. The “heavenly” city is called “The New Jerusalem,” and it is the eternal dwelling place of God’s people. There will be no night there – the Lord God and the Lamb of God, our Messiah, will be all the light we will need. While we wait for that blessed day to come, we have the earthly Jerusalem to understand. Its “holy sites” are sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Some want it to be an “international city.” However, the Bible teaches that it belongs to Israel.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for reminding me that Jerusalem was designed by You for Your worship and praise.”
November 14thPsalm 121:1-8The wonderful care and protection of God’s people is presented in this psalm. We are reminded that our help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth. Counting pronouns, there are at least 10 references to the Lord in this brief psalm. It has often been said “You and God make a majority.” Sometimes we are afraid of what might be, or even what has taken place in the past. God is our help and He will preserve us forever. He will never forsake you. Deuteronomy 33:27 reminds us that the eternal God is our Refuge, and underneath us are His everlasting arms!
Verse for MeditationVerses 1-2 – “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, O Lord, for Your constant care and protection of my life, and for the assurance that You will protect me forever.”
November 13thPsalm 120:1-7The cry of this psalm appears to be that from a believer who finds himself in the dwellings of the non-believers. He is confronted daily with lying lips and deceitful tongues, and those who call for war and not peace. You may find yourself at times in such situations and difficult circumstances. God does not forsake you in those times, but is rather your deliverance and your comfort. Our trust and our confidence is in the Lord. The psalmist cries out “Deliver my soul, O LORD,” and he is definitely calling on the Person Who can and will do it!
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and He heard me.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for hearing my cries, and for Your promise of deliverance.”
November 12thPsalm 119:169-176The last letter of the Hebrew alphabet is tau and it begins the word that starts each verse in this last portion of Psalm 119. There is a summary of the entire psalm as well as the theme of this portion found in verse 174 when it says, “I have longed for Thy salvation, O LORD; and Thy law is my delight.” When that is true in our hearts, there will be some wonderful results in our attitudes and actions. God’s Word is what we need to be what God wants us to be.
Verse for MeditationVerse 169 – “Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to Thy word.”
Meditation Prayer“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, to Your wisdom and Your will, for I delight in Your word.”
November 11thPsalm 119:161-168The Hebrew letter beginning this section is shin. Verse 162 says “I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” Is the Bible a precious treasure to us? We need to take a moment today and look at what a treasure the Bible is and what it will do for us. Notice the following four things that the Bible does for us:
Verse for MeditationVerse 165 – “Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.”
Meditation Prayer“I treasure Your Word, O Lord, and I thank You for giving me understanding and wisdom for everything in my life.”
November 10thPsalm 119:153-160The letter beginning this section is the Hebrew resh. The emphasis of this portion is the “mercies of God.” The key verse is verse 156: “Great are Thy tender mercies, O LORD.” And, again, the psalmist prays that the Lord will “quicken” (revive) him through the word of God, and appeals to God’s mercy and compassion.
Verse for MeditationVerse 159 – “Consider how I love Thy precepts; quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy lovingkindness.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for how Your word lifts my heart and cleanses my attitudes and strengthens my resolve to live for You.”
November 9thPsalm 119:145-152The Hebrew letter koph begins each verse of this portion. The title of this section could easily be “The Cry for Help.” How wonderful it is to know that God never tires of us coming to Him and crying for help. The simple words of verse 146 are “I cried unto Thee.” The Lord hears our cries and cares about all we are experiencing. He is the “God of all comfort” (II Corinthians 1:3).
Verse for MeditationVerse 149 – “Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to Thy judgment.”
Meditation Prayer“When I cry to You, Lord, I know You hear me, and know what I need much more than I do.”
November 8thPsalm 119:137-144The Hebrew letter beginning this section is the letter that represents the Hebrew word “righteousness.” This 18 th letter of the alphabet is the first letter of the word translated “righteous” – tsadik. To be right with God is so important. When something is wrong between our hearts and the Lord, everything else suffers. Our relationships with others is directly traceable to our being right with God, the One Who blesses those relationships.
Verse for MeditationVerse 143 – “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; yet Thy commandments are my delights.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to be right in my relationship with You, and I know that my need of Your direction from Your word is absolutely essential.”
November 7thPsalm 119:129-136Each verse of this section begins with a word whose first letter is the Hebrew letter pe. It is a part of the Hebrew word translated “wonderful,” which in Hebrew means “incomprehensible” or “too difficult to know or understand.” In Isaiah 9:6 we learn that one of the characteristics of the Messiah is that His Name is “Wonderful Counsellor.” Psalm 139 speaks of the knowledge of God and says “such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high; I cannot attain it.” God’s “works” are “wonderful” and so is His “wisdom” and His wonderful word.
Verse for MeditationVerse 133 – “Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, how I praise You for Your word, and that it brings light and understanding to my soul.”
November 6thPsalm 119:121-128The Hebrew letter that begins this section is ain, and looks like an English “y”. The focus is on the statement of verse 125 – “I am Thy servant.” It was said of God’s leaders in the history of the Old Testament that they were “servants of the Lord.” The phrase that marks the life and ministry of king David is that he is called “the servant of the Lord” many times. In this portion, we learn what a servant of the Lord looks like and what he does.
Verse for MeditationVerse 125 – “I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to be Your servant, and to understand Your ways and Your truth – give me a teachable heart.”
November 5thPsalm 119:113-120The letter samech begins each verse in this portion. The words “hiding place” in verse 114 remind us of many passages in the psalms. Proverbs as well tells us of the refuge we find in the Lord – such as 14:26: “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.” There is safety and protection in the Lord’s “hiding place.” He is our “Shield” and defence against all the fiery darts of the enemy.
Verse for MeditationVerse 114 – “Thou art my Hiding Place and my Shield: I hope in Thy word.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful protection and the safety of Your arms.”
November 4thPsalm 119:105-112The letter nun is the focus of this section, which begins by telling us how the Word of God will be direction for our lives. It is a “light” and a “lamp.” The reason many of us do not know what to do in life, are unsure about what decisions we should make and what priorities we should set, is because we do not seek the answers from God’s Word. When we ignore the Word of God, we do so to our great hurt. Much of the difficulties of life are directly traceable to the lack of knowledge in the Word of God.
Verse for MeditationVerse 107 – “I am afflicted very much; quicken me; O LORD, according unto Thy word.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your Word to revive my heart when I’m going through such difficult times.”
November 3rdPsalm 119:97-104The Hebrew letter mem begins each sentence and the first word of the sentence, and near the end of these eight verses, the psalmist emphasizes the sweetness of God’s word. Its sweetness flows from its concentration on Who God is and what God can do, and the beauty and majesty of it centers in the lovely Messiah (Psalm 45). It is sweet to our emotional life when it reveals how God will deliver us from all our troubles; it is sweet to our spiritual understanding when we see how God is working His wonderful plan in our lives. The word of God is indeed “sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10).”
Verse for MeditationVerse 103 – “How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Meditation Prayer“Your word, O Lord, is sweet to my heart, and I love to read and study everything You have said.”
November 2ndPsalm 119:89-96Each verse begins with a word whose first letter is the Hebrew lamed. The key verse is verse 1, “For ever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven.” The faithfulness of God’s word is the theme, and the psalmist’s response to it is so strong that he calls the ordinances of God’s word “for all are Thy servants.” They are serving us and ministering to us about everything in our lives. We couldn’t make it in times of trial and difficulty without knowing His word and applying it. His word is described as His “faithfulness…unto all generations.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 92 – “Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.”
Meditation Prayer“Your Word is a complete and final written revelation from Your heart to ours, and how I praise You for Your faithfulness that is revealed in it.”
November 1stPsalm 119:81-88The 11 th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, caph, is a curved letter, like a reverse “C” in English. It pictures one bowing down in repentance. The key words are found in verse 86 – “help Thou me.” We constantly need the help of the Lord. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come to the “throne of grace” where we can find “mercy and grace to help in time of need.” The psalmist refers to the pressures and attacks that he is under, and is calling out to God for help. The Lord never gets tired of us saying “help.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 86 – “All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help Thou me.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your lovingkindness which revives my heart.”
October 31stPsalm 119:73-80The Hebrew letter yod is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and looks like the English apostrophe. Jesus said in Matthew 5:18: “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot (Hebrew yod) or one tittle (marking on the letter to distinguish one letter from another that looks like it) shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Even the smallest letter is important to God, and the message of this section focuses on the wonderful comfort of God. II Corinthians 1:3 speaks of “the God of all comfort.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 77 – “Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for Thy law is my delight.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your comfort that I find in Your Word and in Your ways.”
Psalm 119:65-72The Hebrew letter teth is the focus in this portion, and the emphasis is on the value of God’s Word. Psalm 19:10 says “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” One of the reasons that we don’t spend time in God’s Word, learning His principles, and following His commandments, is that we don’t value the Word of God as we should. Psalm 1:1 warned us about listening to other counsel, especially that of the ungodly. Our delight (Psalm 1:2) is to be in God’s Word.
Verse for MeditationVerse 71 – “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I treasure Your word in my heart, and I value it above all other books and sources claiming to be true, and I recommit myself to learn all that You have for me.”
October 29thPsalm 119:57-64The Hebrew letter cheth is the focus of this section of the psalm. The wonderful word we know as “mercies” or “lovingkindness” begins with this letter – chesed, and is found in the last verse – verse 64. The opening words say a great deal about our relationship to the Lord through His wonderful word – “Thou art my portion, O LORD.” So often we have substituted other priorities for this one, and if we have time left over, we give the “leftovers” to God! May our hearts be changed and put the Lord first in everything we say and do.
Verse for MeditationVerse 58 – “I entreated Thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to Thy word.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I want to learn Your ways, and I desperately need Your mercy to sustain me through all the issues of my life.”
October 28thPsalm 119:49-56The Hebrew letter beginning this section looks like a cane to lean on and reminds us that God’s Word is like that – called a zain. A key phrase in this section is in verse 50, “for Thy Word hath quickened me.” It is the Word of God that gives life. We are born again by the incorruptible Word of God (I Peter 1:23-25) that lives and abides forever; and, we are also given “life” when the trials and difficult circumstances have overwhelmed us and we feel like giving up. There is “hope” says verse 49. Hope beyond the grave is indeed given through the Word of God, but there is also hope today in the midst of our despair.
Verse for MeditationVerse 50 – “This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy word hath quickened me.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, help me to remember Your Word when I am going through difficult times, and that I will always remember that You will quicken me by it.”
October 27thPsalm 119:41-48The Hebrew letter vav looks like a shepherd’s staff, and serves as a conjunction in Hebrew, usually translated with the simple word “and.” Once again, every verse in this section begins with a word whose first letter is the vav. Verse 47 refers to the Lord’s “commandments” as that which the psalmist has “loved.” A good question to ask yourself is, “Do I really love God’s Word?” The psalmist gives several reasons why it is so important to do so:
Verse for MeditationVerse 47 – “And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, thank You for Your Word and for revealing to my heart how I can live my life with Your blessing.”
Psalm 119:33-40
The Hebrew letter that begins this section is he, and appears most frequently as the definite article “the.” This portion of the psalm ends in verse 40 with the word “quicken.” Like the previous section, it is a word closely resembling our word for “revival.” There are warnings here about what leads us away from the Lord as well as admonitions that will bring us back to the Lord. Again, we cannot overemphasize the importance of God’s Word in reviving our hearts and turning our eyes away from that which is destructive and putting them back on the Lord and His Word. Ask the Lord to “revive” your heart today. The true meaning of revival includes the following:
Verse for MeditationVerse 34 – “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, teach me Your ways that I may follow You all the days of my life, for I long to know You and to obey You.”
Psalm 119:25-32This portion of the psalm focuses on the 4 th letter of the Hebrew alphabet daleth. It emphasizes the need for revival (the word “quicken”). True revival comes not from attending a meeting or being caught up in the enthusiasm of a crowd. Revival comes from the Word of God, the work of the Holy Spirit revealing through the Word those areas of our lives that need to be changed. When we come with a teachable spirit and a willingness to hear what the Lord says and to apply it immediately in our hearts, the marks of revival begin to take place.
Verse for MeditationVerse 27 – “Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts: so shall I talk of Thy wondrous works.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for reviving my heart through Your Word and showing me what needs to change in my heart.”
Psalm 119:17-24This third section of this amazing psalm begins with the Hebrew letter gimel. Every verse begins with a word whose first letter is gimel. Verse 18 says it all when we read “Open Thou mine eyes.” We need the eyes of faith and understanding, the willingness to see what God wants us to see in His marvelous Word. Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers (II Corinthians 4:3-4) lest the light of the glorious gospel of the Messiah should shine unto them. Our sin also blinds us to seeing what God wants us to do (Psalm 119:11).
Verse for MeditationVerse 18 – “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, not to be blinded by my own neglect of Your Word or the depravity of my heart.”
Psalm 119:9-16
This second section of the psalm focuses on the Hebrew letter beth. Again, every verse begins with a word in the Hebrew whose first letter is beth. This letter is the first letter that begins the Bible’s message in Genesis 1:1. Within this section we notice the emphasis on the need of cleansing and the importance of God’s Word in accomplishing that in our lives. The Bible is a great protection and power in dealing with sin and its many allurements, and it also convicts us and gives us the understanding we need to change our lifestyle and to allow the Holy Spirit through the Word of God to control our sinful desires and to manifest the beauty of the Lord through all we say and do.
Verse for Meditation
Verse 11 – “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”
Meditation Prayer
“I come to You, Lord, through Your Word, believing that it has the power to cleanse my heart and change my life.”
Psalm 119:1-8This amazing psalm of 176 verses divided into 22 sections is a classic of Hebrew poetry. It is an acrostic. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and each section represents one of those letters. All eight verses of each section begin with a word whose first letter in Hebrew is the letter that represents that section. We begin with the letter Aleph, and every verse begins with a word (in Hebrew) that has Aleph as its first letter – truly amazing, and a testimony to the inspiration and inerrancy of the Word of God. The entire psalm of 176 verses is a hymn of praise to the Word of God itself. It mentions “the law of the LORD” and “His testimonies” and “His ways” and “Thy commandments” and “Thy statutes” and “Thy judgments” and “Thy precepts” – all describing God’s wonderful Word.
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.”
Meditation Prayer“I desire to know Your Word, and I want to know You, dear Lord, with all my heart.”
Psalm 118:22-29Those who have read the New Testament are immediately aware of the verses in this portion that are used in reference to our Lord, the Messiah of Israel. He is the “Stone” which the “builders refused.” This verse is quoted several times in the New Testament and refers to the religious leaders in Israel who plotted to kill Jesus and turn him over to the Romans for crucifixion. Verse 24 reminds us that “This is the day which the LORD hath made.” That verse refers to the day He was crucified. And, we will “rejoice and be glad in it” for our salvation was made possible by His death in our behalf – praise the Lord! Matthew 21:9 reminds us that Psalm 118:26 was being used to praise the Lord that day He entered into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) in fulfillment of prophecy.
Verse for MeditationVerse 28 – “Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“How I thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful salvation, and that the Stone which the builders rejected has become the Stone upon which the whole building of believers is constructed.”
Psalm 118:15-21Psalm 113 to 118 is referred to by Jewish people as the “Hallel,” or the psalms of praise. This portion was sung by the levitical choir on the day of Passover when the lambs were killed in the temple. It speaks of victory and deliverance and focuses on praising the Lord for His salvation. In verse 19 we read, “Open to me the gates of righteousness.” Some apply these words to our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the day we call “Palm Sunday.” One thing is for sure – the Lord desires our praise for Who He is and for all He has done for us!
Verse for MeditationVerse 19 – “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I bring to You, O Lord, the sacrifice of praise, and songs of thanksgiving for all You have done for me.”
Psalm 118:8-14This portion of the psalm is one of triumph and victory. The Lord will deliver us. The psalmist speaks of the Lord’s help in destroying all nations that come against him. It has application to Israel throughout its history, but specifically to the Messiah Who will defeat all nations of the world who come against God’s people (Zechariah 12:9). The nations of the world picture themselves as invincible at times, but God Who controls all, has brought them down over and over again, and will do so also in the future. Our trust is in the Lord, not in the political and military might of the nations.
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.”
Meditation Prayer“You alone, Lord, will deliver me, and You alone are my Strength and my Song.”
Psalm 118:1-7Because God’s mercy endures forever, and based on His goodness, we can rely upon His protection, His answers, and His blessing. The believer has the confidence that when we call upon the Lord, He answers. The Lord is “on my side” says the psalmist; therefore, “I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Jesus told us not to fear the one who can kill our body, but rather fear Him Who can cast both body and soul into hell.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: FOR His mercy endureth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and kindness to me, and that You hear when I call upon You.”
Psalm 117:1-2 Two wonderful verses centering in the praise of the Lord (“Hallelujah” in every language!). It is the plan of our sovereign Creator to design all nations ultimately to praise Him. Even when it might be a Pharaoh who opposes the people of God, God raises Him up to show His power throughout the earth. Psalm 76:10 says “Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee.” Everything and everyone has been created to give praise to our wonderful Lord. In this brief section, two things are mentioned that should cause us to praise our Lord: “His merciful kindness” and “the truth of the LORD.” God is so gracious, compassionate, and kind toward us. We deserve judgment and hell, but His grace and forgiveness has given us hope and eternal life. And, we can always count on Him to keep His Word – He always tells the truth, and His truth endures forever!
Verse for Meditation
Verse 1 – “O praise the LORD, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.”
Meditation Prayer
“I praise You, Lord, for Your kindness and mercy to me, and for the fact that I can count on Your promises being true and one day will be fulfilled.”
Psalm 116:15-19 The psalmist continues his praise to the Lord, and emphasizes his role as the Lord’s “servant.” Every statement in this portion is crucial to our understanding of what the Lord really wants from us. The believer is bound for heaven, to be with the Lord, and the psalmist speaks of death as though it were a great blessing. He calls it “precious in the sight of the Lord.” To a believer, death is not a tragedy, but rather a sweet release into the very presence of the Lord where there is “fullness of joy,” and at the Lord’s right hand – “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Until that day God calls us home we will continue to pay our vows and offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to our God.
Verse for MeditationVerse 17 – “I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that there is hope beyond the grave, and hope for each day as I seek to serve You and thank You, and praise You for all You have done for me.”
Psalm 116:8-14In this portion we learn the importance of commitment to the Lord as a response to “all His benefits.” Times come in our lives like the psalmist says when the Lord delivers us from “eyes” that are filled with “tears” and from “feet” that are “falling.” In verse 10, he admits “I was greatly afflicted.” But, this comes from the Lord as well, to teach us His ways that we may follow Him without question all the days of our lives. It is suffering that matures the believer, and it is suffering that helps us to see things clearly. We want the suffering to go away, but the Lord often leaves it for awhile that we might learn through it and become stronger than ever.
Verse for MeditationVerse 12 – “What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I rededicate my life, and all the gifts that You have given to me, to Your service and for Your glory.”
Psalm 116:1-7The psalmist declares how the Lord heard his prayer and delivered him from the pain and sorrow of his situation. He concludes in verse 7 with the words “The LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” The blessings of the Lord are indeed much more than we usually observe. Our circumstances blind us to the manifold ways in which the Lord is blessing us and helping us to see things from His perspective not ours. The depression that had overwhelmed him could only be taken away by the Lord Himself – how true that is!
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “Then called I upon the Name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your deliverance and for Your bountiful blessings in my life.”
Psalm 115:14-18The instruction to praise the Lord, to bless His Name forever, is the main focus of our portion today. The passage teaches that God wants to bless us far more than we realize or desire. He will “increase you more and more” says verse 14. The time to do it is now, not after we die, for “the dead praise not the LORD.” That statement may seem at first to be troubling. It is not saying that those in heaven never praise the Lord. It is referring to the opportunities we have during our physical life here on earth. Once you die, those opportunities are now gone. Of course, when we all get to heaven, there will be great praise and rejoicing – the book of Revelation reminds us of that fact! But, what are we doing with the life God has given us on earth?
Verse for MeditationVerse 18 – “But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to bless You and praise You for all that You have done in creation, and in my life.”
Psalm 115:9-13The admonition to “trust in the LORD” is the conclusion of the psalmist’s previous discussion about the insufficiency and inability of idols, or the “works of men’s hands” to accomplish what we need. We are told in these verses that our God is our “help” and our “shield.” We are told how the Lord is “mindful” of us, and that He will “bless” us if we “fear” Him, or acknowledge Him in all our ways. Our trust and our confidence must be in the Lord, no matter how He will use people, things, and circumstances in our lives. Look to the Lord, not to men, organizations, resources, or human promises of success.
Verse for MeditationVerse 11 – “Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: He is their Help and their Shield.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You will bless everyone who puts trust in You and fears Your Name.”
Psalm 115:1-8Here is a warning against trusting in the idols, the works of men’s hands, instead of trusting in the Lord. Sometimes it is a bank account, or a particular organization, or the projects or professed abilities of someone or something. It is easy to get our eyes off of the Lord, and stop trusting in Him, and instead, start depending upon what men can do or promise to do. God is sovereign, and is working out His wonderful plan in every one of our lives. We need to trust Him completely. He is to be glorified, and that glory never belongs to any person. May God give us wisdom.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to give all the glory to You, and to trust You for all the needs and circumstances of my life.”
Psalm 114:1-8This psalm rehearses how God provided and protected His people Israel when they came out of Egypt. All of nature experienced the hand of the Lord, working in behalf of His people. The point of the passage is that “Judah was His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion” (v. 2). Israel saw the evidence of it in the way God delivered them and brought them through the wilderness for 40 years and provided for their needs in that desolate place. He never forsook them – He was always working in their behalf, guiding them to the promised land. He is the same God Who works in the behalf of His believing children today!
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for how You revealed Your mighty power to Your people Israel, and thank You for Your promise never to leave me nor to forsake me.”
Psalm 113:5-9What the Lord does for us is marvelous to behold! He Who is exalted above the heavens is willing to humble Himself to be with us and meet our needs – what a wonderful encouragement that is! The psalmist mentions the “poor” and “needy” and the “barren woman” – He sees them all and cares deeply for them. The Lord’s greatness involves His compassion and His deep desire to fellowship with the creatures He designed. We were made FOR HIM! We will never find complete satisfaction in life until we find our source of joy in the Lord Himself.
Verse for MeditationVerse 9 – “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for caring about my life and the trials that I face. There is no one as precious as You, and no one who is like You.”
Psalm 113:1-4The need of “praise” in the believer’s life is constant. It is not reserved for church services alone; the Lord wants us to praise Him all day long, from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to sleep – praise the Lord! We need it more than we realize. Life’s circumstances can cause the best of us to lose focus and take our eyes off of the Lord, and become depressed and discouraged because of what we are facing. Praising the Lord lifts our hearts above our circumstances and causes us to rest in the One Who has everything under His control, and is working all things for our good and His glory. Stop right now and praise Him for Who he is and for what He has done.
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s Name is to be praised.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for You are above all, and working everything for Your glory and my good.”
Psalm 112:6-10The qualities that characterize a righteous person are being described in this psalm, and the special emphasis in our portion today is the stability of his life – “he shall not be moved for ever.” It seems that many believers are inconsistent; our emotional responses to difficult circumstances and people are ever changing, and often reveal carnality, rather than spirituality. When we focus on the Lord, praising Him, and fearing Him, we have a stronger sense of what is right and an inward strength from the Holy Spirit to do what is right.
Verse for MeditationVerse 9 – “He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to have my heart fixed on You, and established in Your Word so that I will not be afraid, but willing to stand for You in every situation in life.”
Psalm 112:1-5 This psalm focuses on the identity of a “good man.” He is one who “feareth the LORD” and “delighteth greatly in His commandments.” The “fear of the Lord” is parallel to the “knowledge of the Holy One” (Proverbs 9:10). It is a knowledge that not only believes in Who God is, but responds readily to everything God commands. Hebrews 11:6 says that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” That verse goes on to remind us that when we come to God we must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who “diligently seek” Him.
Verse for Meditation
Verse 5 – “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Meditation Prayer
“I delight, O Lord, in Your commandments, and I desire to live a godly lifestyle, and I need Your help and strength.”
Psalm 111:6-10The emphasis in this chapter on the “works of the Lord” is combined with the “commandments” of God. Acknowledging Who He is and what He has done leads us to trust His wisdom and His judgments, and to obey what He says. It is as simple as that. It is quite easy for us to trust ourselves and to think that we can handle what comes our way. Life reveals eventually that we need help. The Lord is able to do far more than we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), and what He has done in the past is overwhelming proof of that fact. Trust Him with all of your heart.
Verse for MeditationVerse 10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“Your power is what I need, and Your commandments are what I must obey and follow all the days of my life.”
Psalm 111:1-5The “works of the LORD” receive special attention and praise in this psalm. What God does in this world and in our lives is a demonstration of Who He is. His attributes are seen in His works. Everything He does is “honorable and glorious.” The Lord wants us to remember all that He has done. The psalmist says “I will praise the LORD with my whole heart.” Much of our praise is lacking because it is halfhearted – we often say about a person’s apathy – “his heart is not in it.” God wants us to praise Him to the best of our ability, and to let the world know Who He is by declaring what He has done and will do.
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for all that You have done in this world and in my life, and see in it all how wonderful You are!”
Psalm 110:1-7This is one of those special Messianic psalms. Jesus quoted from this passage in one of his discussions with the Pharisees in Matthew 22:41-46. The writer of Hebrews uses verse 4 in his arguments about the Person and work of the Messiah, and that He is greater than Abraham and Aaron, and all other priests. He is “a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” It is quite possible that the Melchizedek of Genesis 14 is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. The argument of Hebrews 7 seems to suggest that fact. No doubt about it – the Messiah is the King of all kings, and one day will set up His kingdom on earth. Our blessed Lord Yeshua (His Hebrew name) is both prophet, priest, and king!
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for giving me direct access into Your presence, and that I don’t have to go through anyone else.”
Psalm 109:26-31A remarkable conclusion to David’s desire to have the Lord judge those who have attacked him. He cries out to the Lord for “help” and desires to “praise” Him. He wants his enemies to know that whatever judgment does come, it will come from the “hand” of the Lord. Leaving matters to the Lord means just that – don’t seek revenge yourself. When you pray, leave it in the hands of the Lord. That is essential to having peace. No matter how hurtful the attacks or painful the experience, God is a sovereign God Who knows exactly what happened and has the answer to it all – trust Him!
Verse for MeditationVerse 27 – “That they may know that this is Thy hand; that Thou, LORD, hast done it.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that all things are in Your hands, and that I can rest in the knowledge that You will make everything right in Your time.”
Psalm 109:21-25After reviewing how much he wanted the Lord to take revenge on his enemies, David now cries out for God’s mercy and deliverance for himself. He confesses his bankrupt spiritual condition, and his emotional and physical weariness. He knows that people around him see his condition and know that something is seriously wrong. He has become a “reproach” (v. 25) to them. The lesson to learn is that David knew the One to Whom he must bring his burdens. The Bible urges us to “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee” (Psalm 55:22).
Verse for MeditationVerse 21 – “But do Thou for me, O God the Lord, for Thy Name’s sake: because Thy mercy is good, deliver Thou me.”
Meditation Prayer“When I hurt so badly, and I feel I can’t take another step, thank You, Lord, that You are there to be merciful and to deliver.”
Psalm 109:13-20 David continues his desire for God’s judgment upon those who had betrayed him and who sought to hurt him. He reviews the kind of people they were, and why it would be righteous for God to judge them. As we have said before, matters of judgment must be left with the Judge of all the earth, Who will always do what is right (Genesis 18:25). One of the interesting things about David’s prayer for God to judge and take vengeance on his enemies is the attitude of David himself. We might wish that he handled this better, but it is in God’s Word for our admonition and wisdom. When we are hurt or attacked, there are feelings in all of us like David had. The important lesson is that he turned them over to the Lord.
Verse for Meditation
Verse 20 – “Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.”
Meditation Prayer
“Thank You, Lord, that You will always do what is right, and bring Your judgment which is always just and fair.”
Psalm 109:6-12This portion of the psalm speaks about God’s judgment upon the wicked, which David brought up in the opening verses. He now asks the Lord to take vengeance on all he has and does. Indeed, we must leave the matter of vengeance to the Lord. In verse 8, when he says, “let his days be few; and let another take his office,” he was, no doubt, referring to the betrayal of his counselor, Ahithophel. But, in Acts 1:20, it is applied to Judas who betrayed our Lord. All things are “naked and open” to the knowledge of God (Hebrews 4:13). No one is getting away with anything.
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, to leave matters of revenge in Your hands, and to have peace in Your righteous ways.”
Psalm 109:1-5David was criticized greatly and attacked often. It is never easy, and it hurts deeply. The jealousy and envy of others, the judgmental attitudes, and the refusal to be kind, is indeed hurtful. What David experienced, we still do. Today, the Internet has provided a new means for people to attack others without ever meeting them face to face or earning the right to share what they do. It gives people a feeling of importance and power as they spread rumors and gossip and to seek to destroy another’s reputation and ministry. What do we do about it? Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there! “Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord,” is the message Paul gave to us in Romans 12:17-21. Don’t ever try to get even! It doesn’t work, and does not come with the blessing of the Lord.
Verse for MeditationVerse 29 – “Hold not Your peace, O God of my praise.”
Meditation Prayer“I leave it in Your hands, O Lord, and commit myself to prayer, not to revenge.”
Psalm 108:7-13What a tremendous hope for the nation of Israel! All of the cities and territories mentioned will be theirs one day, because they all belong to God – even now! He is in control of them all. He has not cast off His people, and the enemies of Israel will be destroyed. This is a great prophecy and so contemporary to our times. Verse 12 says it correctly and simply: “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.” How true that is! The world’s most powerful countries and leaders cannot do for Israel what the Lord God will one day do! Our trust is completely in the Lord and His promises will be fulfilled!
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Through God we shall do valiantly; for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You are the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords, and that You reign over all.”
Psalm 108:1-6David expresses wonderful praise to the Lord, singing and playing his instruments to the glory of God. After praising the Lord, he appeals to the Lord in verse 6 to deliver him, to save him, and to answer him. God’s ability to do that rests in His own character and power; when we praise God for Who He is and for what He can do, we are in a position to call upon Him for our needs. The opening statement is a powerful testimony that we all should reflect in our lives – “O God, my heart is fixed.” To be “fixed” on the praise and worship of our Lord is the highest good in life. It ought to be our main priority and chief agenda for every day!
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “I will praise Thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, O Lord, for Who You are, and all that You do, and I desire to let everyone that I meet know how much I love You and worship You.”
Psalm 107:38-43The final summary of this detailed chapter on the goodness of God is a reminder of all that has been said previously. He refers to how He blessed His people and “multiplied” them “greatly.” He then reminds them of the wilderness wanderings, and His loving care of His “flock.” The last verse of this chapter tells us what we need to know about all that has been said: If we are wise and understand God’s evaluation of His people, then we will understand the “lovingkindness of the LORD.” Often we fail to see His loving and kind ways in dealing with us. Our complaints are tolerated, our sins are forgiven, our diseases are healed, our needs are met, and our hopes are priorities once again.
Verse for MeditationVerse 43 – “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD!”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, to learn from Your ways and works in the past that I might live for You daily in complete trust and love.”
Psalm 107:32-37This portion demonstrates how God’s grace in terms of the environment will rain on the just as well as the unjust, but that some times, what occurs in terms of water needs and productivity, is the result of sin and wickedness. Such was the case with God’s people, Israel. Yes, we often experience what we do because of what we have done or not done. As Solomon learned long ago (II Chronicles 7:14), the One Who will “heal our land” is the One to Whom we must come with all of our hearts, and “turn from our wicked ways.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 32 – “Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.”
Meditation Prayer“We praise You, Lord, for Your longsuffering and kindness to us, in spite of our sin and disobedience; we acknowledge our sins to You, and repent of them before You.”
Psalm 107:22-31The graphic description of the “stormy wind” and how the most experienced sailor will “stagger” under the turbulence of a storm, reminds us again of how much we need the Lord! The awesome power of the ocean itself is indeed a reminder of how great God is. It is the God of creation Who brings the “calm” and causes those in the storm to be glad and relieved. Very graphic! Many of our troubles are like that storm and we cry out for deliverance. The Lord is the One Who will bring the “calm” back into our lives.
Verse for MeditationVerse 29 – “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for the way You bring peace to my troubled soul, and restore the calm in my life.”
Psalm 107:16-21In each stanza of the psalm, the refrain is the application – praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works. In this section, the reminder of how the Lord hears our cries and delivers us from our troubles, is once again the theme. The affliction that often comes to us is sometimes the result of our own sin as verse 17 indicates. The only way to deal with that is to confess it and forsake it (Proverbs 28:13). Many troubles are caused by our own foolishness, and as a result, we suffer the consequences of it. But, once again, when we cry unto the Lord, and depend upon Him, He will deliver.
Verse for MeditationVerse 20 – “He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful forgiveness, and Your willingness to deliver me out of the troubles I have created in my life.”
Psalm 107:9-15When we cry unto the Lord, there is hope. In this portion of the psalm we read of how the Lord responds to those who are “in darkness” and “in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron (v. 10).” But, when they “cried unto the LORD in their trouble,” that’s when God saved them “out of their distresses (v. 13).” What a reason to praise the Lord for His goodness and His marvelous works! No matter how great the trial and trouble in our lives, God is able to deliver us and to use it all for His glory and our good.
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for all the times that You have rescued me from the mess I created.”
Psalm 107:1-8This psalm was meant to be sung. It has a beautiful refrain in verses 8, 15, 21, and 31 – an admonition to praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works. In the opening verse of this song, the emphasis is on praising the Lord and giving thanks for how He has delivered His people from the difficulties of the wilderness. Perhaps you find yourself in a difficult time, and you wonder if God knows, cares, and will help. Be assured that the Lord that is praised in his portion is the One Who still delivers – call upon Him!
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for hearing my cries to You, and for Your wonderful mercy and works in my behalf.”
Psalm 106:44-48In spite of Israel’s sin, rebellion, slavery, and defeat, the Lord delivered them when they cried out for His help. What a wonderful God we have! He loves us, and His grace is greater than our sin. Because He remembers His covenant, and because He is a God of great mercy, there is hope for us all. Our God will save us when we confess and repent. Proverbs 28:13 says we will find compassion when we get right with the Lord.
Verse for MeditationVerse 44 – “Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for being so merciful to me when I don’t deserve anything but hell; I praise You, my Deliverer.”
Psalm 106:40-43The story of Israel in the wilderness is indeed tragic, but the story of their possession of the land reveals tragedy as well. During the time of the rule of “judges,” Israel was experiencing a cycle of sin, attack, captivity, bondage, and deliverance. Our passage today reminds us of that awful cycle, and how common it is to all of us. We are delivered by the Lord, and then fall into sin and disobedience, bondage to our selfish pursuits, experiencing Satanic attacks; then, we cry out to God, and He delivers us. Thank God that His ears are always open unto our cries.
Verse for MeditationVerse 43 – “Many times did He deliver them; but they provoked Him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.”
Meditation Prayer“May I never forget the tragic consequences of sinning against You, O Lord.”
Psalm 106:34-39To read of Israel’s idolatry is indeed troubling; but, to argue that we would not do that today is foolish and immature. We see idolatry everywhere. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:5 that “covetousness” is idolatry. We want that which we ought not to have. Our lusts and desires are often consumed with that which destroys, not that which blesses. One of the most important insights in this portion of the psalm is the effect of compromise upon us – they “learned their works (v. 35),” and the results were tragic. May God help us not to compromise with the world around us. We follow a different message – the Word of the living God!
Verse for MeditationVerse 35 – “But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I recommit my life to You, and ask for Your help and strength as I seek to stand against all forms of idolatry and compromise with this world.”
Psalm 106:28-33Provoking God is not wise! Angering God is not the way to blessing! The children of Israel did both – frequently. God was patient, but the time came to act, and Israel suffered the consequences. Our passage mentions two incidents: one, the case of idolatry, and the loyalty of Phinehas; and two, the case of murmuring at the waters of strife. Before we are too critical of the children of Israel in the wilderness, remember that they had no copy of the Bible as we do today. They were dependent in that barren and dry wilderness upon what physical evidence of God’s presence and provision came to them.
Verse for MeditationVerse 31 – “And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.”
Meditation Prayer“May I stand up for what is right as Phinehas did long ago, caring only for Your honor and glory.”
Psalm 106:24-27The message is clear: Israel murmured and refused to believe God, not responding to the voice of the Lord. The result? That wilderness generation did not go into the promised land. Hebrews 3:19 says that the reason they did not enter was unbelief. It is dangerous not to believe God and His Word. The complaints and disappointments that believers express often to one another reveals that the human heart today is the same as it was during Israel’s wilderness wanderings.
Verse for MeditationVerse 24 – “Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not His word.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I come into Your presence today, confessing that I have often complained; but, I want to do Your will and believe Your word – to trust You no matter what happens in my life.”
Psalm 106:17-23The things that happened to Israel in the wilderness were written for our admonition and learning (I Corinthians 10:11). As Moses is on the holy mount receiving God’s commandments, the children of Israel are making a golden calf and worshipping it. How easy it is to forget the Lord of glory, and instead, substitute something we design! May God help us to learn from their example, and to follow the Lord at all times and in every situation in life that we face!
Verse for MeditationVerse 21 – “They forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt.”
Meditation Prayer“May I never forget what You have done or can do, O Lord, and may I never substitute anything or anyone for You!”
Psalm 106:12-16It is quite amazing to see Israel believing in the Lord, and then immediately turning away from Him. We are no better. We do it often even when we do not recognize that we do. We are so prone to respond to the Lord on the basis of our circumstances. If things are good, we praise Him; but, if things are bad, we complain. The result is very interesting (verse 15) – God met their need, but sent “leanness into their soul.” Their physical hunger was satisfied, but their spiritual hunger grew larger, and their spiritual strength greatly diminished.
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire You more than the things of this life; I depend totally upon You for everything!”
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Psalm 106:1-6This psalm of praise to the Lord reminds us of His goodness and mercy. God is so good. Of course, when things are not going well, we have a tendency to question that goodness. Romans 8:28 is clear – God is working “all things” for our good and His glory. The more we praise Him for His “mighty acts,” the more “blessed” we will be. God wants us to worship Him, and the psalms are clear that He wants us to speak of His ways and deeds.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“When I think of how You have taken care of Your people Israel, I cannot help but praise You and thank You for all that You have done.”
Psalm 105:42-45God kept His promise to His people. It was an unconditional covenant with Abraham, and in spite of the people’s rebellion, God was (and is) faithful to what He said. Many of us forget the promises we have made, but God never does. He always “remembered His holy promise.” What a blessed confidence we have in the faithfulness of our God. The children of Israel did not deserve it, but His faithfulness did it. For 40 years, He provided for their needs, even though they often complained and murmured about His provision.
Verse for MeditationVerse 42 – “For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for supplying all my needs, and for filling my heart with joy!”
Psalm 105:37-41The care and provision of the Lord for His people, the children of Israel, during the days of their wilderness wanderings is a truly remarkable story. In traveling through the Sinai desert, one is aware of the awful desolation, barrenness, and heat. The only way they could survive is through the protection of our God. God has promised to take care of His own, and in spite of the times when things are difficult and the supply seems to run low, He is the God Whom David says will never forsake the righteous – His seed will never beg for bread (Psalm 37:25).
Verse for MeditationVerse 37 – “He brought them forth also with silver and gold; and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for taking care of all my needs, and for never forsaking me in my trials.”
Psalm 105:28-36The plagues of Egypt struck directly into the heart of the Egyptian religious system. The gods of Egypt were being attacked, and the power of the one true God was being demonstrated in a spectacular way. When Israel went into Egypt and began to experience such terrible hardship and suffering, they had no idea at the time as to what God was going to do. Our lives and circumstances are often mysteries to us – we do not see the hand of the Lord in what is taking place. But “all things” are being worked after the “counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11),” and “all things” come from Him, are being worked by Him, and have their ultimate goal in bringing glory to Him (Romans 11:36).
Verse for MeditationVerse 36 – “He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that Your plan for my life is designed to bring You glory and praise; when things are difficult for me, help me to trust You to fulfill Your plan and purpose.”
Psalm 105:23-27At first it seemed like such a wonderful blessing from the Lord that Israel found herself in Egypt, enjoying relief from the famine, and being cared for in such a kind way. But, a new Pharaoh arose who “knew not Joseph,” and things changed. The children of Israel had increased in number greatly and became a threat now to Egypt, instead of a blessing. Life is like that – things that we rely on can change – circumstances can become difficult that once were blessings. But, once again, our need is to trust the Lord in every difficult circumstance. His divine purpose to show His mighty power was being worked in their difficulties.
Verse for MeditationVerse 24 – “He increased His people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for working all things in my life for Your glory and my good.”
Psalm 105:13-22 The history of Israel is replete with examples of how God took care of His people. One of those remarkable times was the famine that brought the family of Jacob to Egypt. The sons of Jacob had mistreated their brother, Joseph, and sold him into slavery, due to their jealousy and envy of how their father honored him. God had it all planned – Genesis 50:20 records the words of Joseph to his brothers: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” We don’t always understand what God is doing, but He is working all things for our good and His glory – we can count on that (Romans 8:28).
Verse for MeditationVerse 19 – “Until the time that His word came: the word of the LORD tried him.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, to trust You at all times, especially when things are not to my liking and I am being tested by You.”
Psalm 105:6-12
The covenant of God is a critical matter in terms of our Biblical understanding and commitment. This “covenant” which He made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) is unconditional, that is, it is not dependent upon human effort or performance, but on the faithfulness of God Himself. God will never go back on His Word! We can trust Him to do what He has promised. That covenant promised a nation, a land, and a descendant Who would bless the entire world. This passage focuses on the promise of the land. Though Israel does not have the land God promised as yet, it will be fulfilled in the future when the Messiah comes.
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “He hath remembered His covenant for ever; the word which He commanded to a thousand generations.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that Your promises are based on Your faithfulness, and not our performance.”
Psalm 105:1-5What a wonderful passage with which to begin the day! Our need of expressing thanks to the Lord is great. It is easy to complain and question God’s wonderful works. Sometimes He seems far away, and you don’t know how to relate to Him. But, He has never moved. He is still the God Who is there – at all times and in every situation that seems difficult or pleasant. The way we respond to God on a daily basis has a definite impact on all we do and say. Focus on Him, and relate all that occurs today to the Lord – you’ll be surprised at the change it brings to your heart!
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “Glory ye in His holy Name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for Who You are, and for all that You do, and I desire to worship You more than I have ever done before.”
Psalm 104:31-35The summary of this particular psalm is a blessing to read. The psalm began with “Bless the LORD,” and it ends with it, concluding with the admonition to “praise the LORD.” The mighty power of the Lord has been declared throughout this psalm, along with His wonderful care and provision for all of His creation. Now, we are told to “sing unto the LORD” and to meditate upon Him and His wonderful works. If we spent more time focusing on the Lord, we would be amazed at the differences that would occur in our perspective and in our attitudes. May God open up our hearts and minds to His attributes and abilities.
Verse for MeditationVerse 34 – “My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I exalt You, O Lord, and bless Your holy Name, trusting You to fulfill Your plan and will in this world, and in my life.”
Psalm 104:24-30The wonderful processes of nature and our environment are created and controlled by God. It is something about which we can get excited! This portion emphasizes strongly the works and wisdom of God. It should lead us to praise Him daily! The last two verses remind us of the brevity of our lives, and the power of God’s Spirit to create and renew. We are reminded by way of illustration to wait upon the Lord and trust Him fully to meet all of our needs.
Verse for MeditationVerse 24 – “O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I come to worship You today, and to thank You for the greatness of the seas and all that is in them!”
Psalm 104:19-23The normal course of life has been designed by God. He provides the means to chart our daily schedules and to provide for all of our needs. This portion illustrates God’s loving care by drawing our attention to “all the beasts” and especially the lions. They take shelter in the day in “dens,” but at night, a darkness that God created, they “roar after their prey.” Then, we read the simple conclusion of verse 23 about ourselves: we go to work during the day (opposite of the lions) and rest in the evening. All of it points to a wise Creator and illustrates simply His plan for our lives.
Verse for MeditationVerse 23 – “Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, to use my days wisely as I seek to work and serve You.”
Psalm 104:14-18When you feel discouraged and things seem so difficult to handle as well as to understand, it is wise to take another look at how God’s creation functions. Behind it all, is an all-wise Creator Who provides for His creation. In these verses we read of God’s provision for cattle and humanity. We read of the trees He created and the hills and rocks, all places of refuge for the birds, wild goats, and conies. I Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your care (worry or anxiety) upon Him, for He careth for you.” Trust Him – depend upon His grace and provision for your every need!
Verse for MeditationVerse 14 – “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I depend on You for everything, and I rest in Your care and provision of my life.”
Psalm 104:6-13The sovereign care and control of God is beautifully portrayed in this portion of the psalm. All of it speaks of His greatness and power. His wonderful provision for all the animals He created is described, and of how much greater love and care does He bestow upon us. Don’t ever think that the Lord does not care. He has promised to supply all of our need (Philippians 4:19), and will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Whatever is concerning you and troubling your heart – take a long look around you at how God cares for that which He created.
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “He watereth the hills from His chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for Your tender care and continuous provision of all my needs.”
Psalm 104:1-5Many believers have enjoyed the song “How Great Thou Art” – based on the words of verse 1. The descriptions here of our God cause us to rejoice and praise His Name! Obviously, there is nothing too hard for Him to do. Perhaps the obstacles, problems, or difficulties in your life right now seem insurmountable. We usually feel that way when our focus is on our circumstances, rather than on the greatness of our God. Why not take a moment right now and lay it all at His feet, trusting it all into His loving hands, the One Who loves you and cares about all that you are facing.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.”
Meditation Prayer“Your greatness, O Lord, is a great comfort and encouragement to my heart, and convinces me that my problems are simple matters to resolve by You.”
Psalm 103:17-22To bless the Lord is to speak well of Him; it is to declare His mighty works everywhere and to everyone. The emphasis is on His children, to all those who “keep His covenant” and “do” His commandments. Verse 20 speaks of His “angels” who “do His commandments.” Verse 21 offers this definition of those who bless the Lord: “Ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.” Obedience to the Lord means that we do that which pleases Him.
Verse for MeditationVerse 19 – “The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You govern in all the affairs of this world, and You rule over everything, including my life.”
Psalm 103:12-16The compassion of the Lord is that of a Father Who pities His children, knowing their inconsistencies and failures. When God forgives us, He removes our sins from us – He remembers them against us no more! We use to sing a little chorus in Sunday School that said: “Gone, gone, gone, gone – yes, my sins are gone!” That is a wonderful fact, and God’s forgiveness is complete! The emphasis on the brevity and frailty of our lives before God is important to our trust and dependency upon Him!
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You know my weaknesses, and the frailty of my life, but You are compassionate, not judgmental!”
Psalm 103:6-11The relationship of God’s justice and His mercy are described in this portion of Psalm 103. The statement of verse 7, “He made known His ways unto Moses,” have special meaning as this meditation is being written. I have just finished a full day in the Sinai desert, visiting a full-scale replica of the tabernacle at Timna, just about 25 miles north of the seaport city of Eilat. The reminder of the wilderness wanderings in this barren desert is now vivid in my mind and heart. God taught Moses about justice and mercy during those 40 years of struggle and wandering. It made me wonder what any of us have learned about our God in the circumstances of our lives.
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy toward me, as You have held back what I really deserve.”
Psalm 103:1-5This wonderful psalm speaks of God’s character and His compassion towards us, and exhorts us to bless (speak well of) His “holy Name.” It is “holy” because it is separate and above all others. His Name refers to His attributes and abilities.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy Name.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, how I bless You and praise You for all the good things You do to satisfy the deepest longings of my heart!”
Psalm 102:23-28
We have a very interesting portion of God’s Word today, as we compare the transitory nature of our lives with the eternal nature of God and His plans and purposes. The psalmist says “He shortened my days (v. 23),” but in v. 26 he says “Thou shalt endure.” He is “the same” and “Thy years have no end.” God is not affected by our limitations, and time does not control Him as it does our lives. The promise he ends with is the permanence of God’s plan for His children. It rests on His abiding faithfulness and character.
Verse for Meditation
Verse 27 – “But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.”
Meditation Prayer
“Lord, I am so unfaithful and inconsistent, but You are the same yesterday, today, and forever – Thank You!”
Psalm 102:16-22The beauty of this passage involves the future promises of the Lord in which He promises to answer the prayers of the “destitute.” He hears the “groaning of the prisoners.” In this section we are told of the coming Messianic Kingdom when people shall “praise the Lord” and “declare the Name of the LORD in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem.” May that day come quickly!
Verse for MeditationVerse 18 – “This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that Your kingdom is coming, and Your Name will be praised through all the earth!”
Psalm 102:11-15In comparison to the Lord, our life is nothing but a “shadow.” He is the One Who will “endure for ever.” His promises to His people will be fulfilled. His timing is not ours. The time to bring His “favor” and blessing upon Zion is a “set time (v. 13).” We can count on it. The result of God’s blessing falling upon Zion (or Jerusalem) will be the response of all nations as they shall fear the Lord and glorify Him. May that day come soon!
Verse for MeditationVerse 15 – “So the heathen shall fear the Name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, may I never forget that days of blessing are coming when You shall be glorified and all Your promises fulfilled.”
Psalm 102:6-10The misery of the psalmist is described as the animals of the desert and the loneliness and insignificance of the sparrow. In Matthew 10:29 our Lord told us that even that sparrow that falls to the ground is known to Him. He was being attacked by his enemies and speaks about his desperate state. He was fully aware that behind it all was the judgment of the Lord, the One Who lifts us up, but Who also casts us down. May we learn the lesson of trusting Him always, and knowing that the afflictions we face in life, are often intended by our Lord to strengthen us, not to defeat us.
Verse for MeditationVerse 10 – “Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath: for Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.”
Meditation Prayer“When Your chastening comes, O Lord, help me to understand that You love me and only desire my good in it all.”
Psalm 102:1-5This psalm begins with desperation – a cry from the heart of one in deep affliction and pain. If you have been there, you know what it feels like and how awful is the loneliness of your troubles. Life is filled with difficulty. A bad relationship with others can hurt deeply; a physical illness that drains your spirit can exhaust you emotionally; a financial burden that never seems to end can weaken your resolve; but, the common malady of us all is when we sin and continue in it, knowing that it is against God and we are paying a terrible price for it. How desperate is our need of the Lord’s healing and restoration!
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“When the affliction comes, I call upon You, O Lord, to heal my heart.”
Psalm 101:5-8This portion of God’s Word is powerful in its condemnation of wickedness. Slander, gossip, pride, deceit, lies – all of it strongly condemned. The admonition is to walk in the way of the Lord and to serve Him. These wicked attitudes, words, and actions, are what destroys and tears down. God’s love builds up and encourages us. We all need to be careful about what we think, say, and do, in the light of God’s judgment – we are accountable to Him!
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with Me; he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve Me.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I ask You to bring to my attention the words of my mouth that hurt and destroy, that I may always please You.”
Psalm 101:1-4The psalmist wants the blessing of God as many of us do as well. He knows the importance of commitment and therefore, speaks of his determination to walk in the ways of the Lord and to do what is right. It is good for us to express our devotion and dedication to the Lord Himself, rather than to others. Proverbs 27:2 says “Let another man praise thee, and not the words of thy own mouth.” But, to God, that is something different. Why not take a moment right now and express your loyalty to Him and what you intend to do about the problems in your life?
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O LORD, will I sing.”
Meditation Prayer“I desire to walk in Your ways, O Lord, and to do Your will, but I must depend solely upon You!”
Psalm 100:1-5The admonition of this wonderful psalm reminds us of the need to praise and thank the Lord for Who He is and for all He has done for us. We are exhorted to make a “joyful noise” to the Lord, and to come into His presence with “singing.” Apathetic responses to the Lord are not what He desires. Many of us need to understand that God wants us to explode with praise to Him! He delights in the praises of His people. Indifference is often rooted in the failure to focus on the greatness of our God. It is so easy to be burdened down with the pains and difficulties of life. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord!
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I come to You with praise and thanksgiving for Who You are – the good, merciful and faithful God – and I am so thankful that You are working out Your wonderful plan in my life.”
Psalm 99:6-9
The key verses of Psalm 99 are found in verse 5 and in verse 9 –almost the same wording – “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; for the LORD our God is holy.” The holiness of God means that He is separate from sin, of course, but it also means that He is separate from that which He created. The emphasis in the first five verses is on the greatness of our God; the primary focus in this portion of the psalm is how God answers those who call upon His Name. In either case, He is to be exalted!
Verse for Meditation
Verse 6 – “Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His Name; they called upon the LORD, and He answered them.”
Meditation Prayer
“I exalt You, O Lord, and worship You alone, and express my thanks to You for Your faithfulness and forgiveness, and willingness to answer my cries.”
Psalm 99:1-5
This psalm centers its attention upon the holiness of our God and we are exhorted to “exalt” the Lord and worship Him. The Lord is great, and He is ruling over all – that is the primary message of this psalm and the motivation behind our praise. True worship centers in the praise of God Himself and what He has done, is doing, and will do in the future. Take time today to praise Him, and see how many times during the day that you recognize His sovereignty and control over all things.
Verse for Meditation
Verse 3 – “Let them praise Thy great and terrible Name; for it is holy.”
Meditation Prayer
“I praise You, Lord, that You are in control of all the events of my life, and working Your plan for Your glory and my good.”
Psalm 98:4-9The instruction to sing and play instruments before the Lord centers in the fact that He is coming to judge the earth. Everything that is wrong now will be made right, and all matters will be handled by the Lord with perfect justice for all. That is worth shouting about! Injustice is everywhere, and there are few in this world who have not experienced it. In Isaiah 11:4 we read of the coming reign of the Messiah Himself and it says: “But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.”
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”
Meditation Prayer“Fill my mouth with music and praise that I may rejoice always in Your coming to this earth to judge in righteousness and truth.”
Psalm 98:1-3The things that the Lord has done cause us to sing and rejoice – praising Him all day long! In these few verses we read what “He hath done,” and they are described as “marvelous things.” We are told what He has “made known” and what He has “openly shewed,” and what He has “remembered.” Much of our problem is the failure to see His hand in all that is taking place in our lives. He is the God Who is there, and He is working “all things” (Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:11) for our good and His glory.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul, and for never forgetting Your promises to Your people.”
Psalm 97:7-12
The response of the righteous to the greatness and glory of the Lord is being described in this portion of the psalm. Our God is exalted above all gods that humanity has conceived and tried to design. There is only one true God, and we are exhorted to rejoice in Him. He is high and holy, totally separate from that which He created. He alone is worthy of all praise and worship. As verse 7 says “worship Him.”
Verse for Meditation
Verse 9 – “For Thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: Thou art exalted far above all gods.”
Meditation Prayer
“I rejoice in You, O Lord, and give thanks, exalting You and worshipping You.”
Psalm 97:1-6The glory of God is displayed in the heavens and in His mighty works. It is the priority of every believer to worship God by glorifying Him for Who He is and all that He has done. The psalm begins with the simple, but powerful, words: “The LORD reigneth.” Sometimes things seem so out of control – but the Lord reigns! Things often do not make sense to us – but the Lord reigns! We wonder how we can make sense out of the tragedies and troubles that occur in our lives – but the Lord reigns!
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You are ruling over all things, and that my life and future are in Your hands.”
Psalm 96:7-13
Giving glory to God is the highest priority for the believer. I Corinthians 10:31 says that whether “we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, do all to the glory of God.” This psalm breaks forth with such praise to the Lord, and focuses on His kingdom, reign, and judgment of all nations. We often say, “The King is coming!” and rightly so; but, we can also say, “The Judge is coming!” and that is true as well.
Verse for Meditation
Verse 9 – “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.”
Meditation Prayer
“As I worship You, O Lord, I bring an offering of praise, time, resources, and commitment.”
Psalm 96:1-6Whether you can sing a note or not, the Bible urges the believers to declare the glory of God – to praise Him, honor Him, and bless His holy Name! Worship is our highest priority – it demands that we focus on the Lord, and not ourselves or our circumstances. When we praise the Lord, we speak of His greatness, and often the reason for that is what He has done in creation. As Psalm 19:1 told us previously, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Why not take a moment tonight and go outside and look at the stars (provided it is a clear night!), and tell the Lord of your love, and worship Him!
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “Sing unto the LORD, bless His Name; shew forth His salvation from day to day.”
Meditation Prayer“I sing to You, O Lord, and praise You for Who You are, and for all that You have done.”
Psalm 95:1-5
The psalms of worship and praise are such a refreshment to the believing heart. They reveal what our Lord really wants from us – not complaint, indifference, or rebellion – He desires our praise and our thanksgiving. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Can you make a list today of that for which you should give thanks? Thanksgiving will change the attitudes of our hearts.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for what You have created in our universe and on our planet – all of it speaks of Your mighty power.”
Psalm 94:8-15
Here is a reminder to those who think they are getting away with things and that they will never be judged by God. What is true about the judgment of the wicked is also true about the chastening of the righteous. When we, as believers, try to get away with things that are wrong, God, in love, will bring His chastening, not to harm us, but to help us in our walk with Him. He doesn’t want us to ruin our lives.
Verse for Meditation
Verse 12 – “Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of Thy law.”
Meditation Prayer
“Thank You, Lord, for the times You brought chastening into my life that I may be more productive and all that You want me to be.”
Psalm 94:1-7Romans 12:17-21 urges us not to take revenge on those who have mistreated us or harmed us or done evil against us. The reason? Vengeance belongs to the Lord – we must leave matters with Him. We are to overcome evil with good. But, we still ask the questions recorded in this passage – “LORD, how long shall the wicked triumph?” God’s judgment is coming, and the entire tribulation period is regarded as the day of God’s wrath and vengeance upon this world.
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O LORD God, to Whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to Whom vengeance belongeth, shew Thyself.”
Meditation Prayer“Teach me, O Lord, to leave things in Your hands, and not to seek revenge for any harm done to me.”
Psalm 93:1-5Here is a psalm that exalts in the rulership of our God – He reigns over all! If things seem out of control – don’t ever forget that God not only knows about it, but is using it for His purposes, and He is still in control (Psalm 103:19). Nothing is wasted, and all will bring ultimate glory to Him. His power is great and nothing is too hard for Him to handle. Trust Him with all your heart!
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “The LORD reigneth, He is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You are in total control, and I praise You for Your mighty power and the glory of Your majesty!”
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Psalm 91:9-16In these wonderful verses there are blessings abundant for the believer! However, there is also prophetic impact as it relates to the Messiah. These words were used by Satan to manipulate our Savior (Matthew 4:1-11) to respond to his deception and refocus our Lord’s attention away from His divine mission and purpose. It didn’t work. These words provide great encouragement to our hearts when we are going through difficult times and are filled with fear.
Verse for MeditationVerse 15 – “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.”
Meditation Prayer“You, Lord, are my Refuge, in Your presence I desire to dwell, and to trust You in every situation of my life.”
- Praise the Lord in all places – verse 1
- Praise the Lord for His power – verse 2
- Praise the Lord with all pieces of the orchestra – verses 3-5
- Praise the Lord as the main priority of your life – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerses 6 – “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD!”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, it is my strong desire and commitment for this coming year, to dedicate my life to praising and glorifying You, to worship You for Who You are, and all that You have done, and will do in the future.”
December 30thPsalm 149:1-9What an incredible psalm of praise – especially as it relates to the wonderful position and privilege of all believers. Once again, as the psalmist often does, he refers to “Israel” and the “children of Zion.” In this psalm, God gives His judgment into the hands of His people to carry out for His honor and glory. He is the “King,” and we are “His people.” In verse 2, the psalmist mentions the unique creation of Israel – “Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him.” It reminds us of Isaiah 43:1. Israel was not listed among the nations that came from the three sons of Noah. They were uniquely created (literally – “out of nothing”) by God Who designed them for His glory and to manifest His attributes of love and faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:6-9).
- The congregation where praise is to be – verse 1
- The children of Zion are to be joyful – verse 2
- The choreography of praise - verse 3
- The concern of the Lord – verse 4
- The characteristic of their mouths – verses 5-6a
- The commitment to execute judgment – verses 6b-9
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.”
Meditation Prayer“I sing to You with joy and praise, O Lord, for You are the mighty King of all kings, and I rejoice in the victory that You have planned for Your people.”
December 29thPsalm 148:7-14This psalm of praise continues by referring to planet earth. After speaking of the heavens that were designed to praise the Lord, the psalmist mentions things on earth. He begins in verse 7 with the words “Praise the LORD from the earth.” Verse 1 said “from the heavens.” Now, in the last half of this chapter He mentions the processes of the weather, the topography of the land and its productivity, the animals, and all the leaders of the earth, regardless of age – everything and everyone has been created for the praise of our wonderful Lord. Take time this day to list all the things you see around you that have come from the hand of the Lord, and praise Him!
- The world that was created for praise – verse 7
- The weather that fulfills His word – verse 8
- The wonder of the land, trees, and animals – verses 9-10
- The way praise applies to humanity – verses 11-12
- The worthiness of God to receive all praise – verse 13
- The will of God for His people – verse 14
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent: His glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for my family, my friends, my home and all that I possess, and the beautiful surroundings, like the trees, mountains, rivers, and oceans – they all speak of You.”
December 28thPsalm 148:1-6All of creation was designed by God to give Him praise and glory. Psalm 19:1 says “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament (expanse – that which is stretched out) sheweth His handiwork.” Romans 1:20-23 reminds us of what happens to a person when we do not glorify God as the Creator of all things. We usually exchange that glory for something we have designed or created. A part of giving glory to God according to Romans 1:21 is being “thankful.” A grateful heart is essential to true worship of the Creator. Today, when you look at the creation around you, how about making a list of all that God has done for which you can give thanks!
- The position of praise – verse 1
- The persons who should praise Him – verse 2
- The places of light that praise Him – verse 3
- The points of outer space that praise Him – verse 4
- The purpose behind their creation – verse 5
- The plan of God for them forever – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 5 – “Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for He commanded, and they were created.”
Meditation Prayer“When I consider all that You have created in the heavens, I recognize Your greatness, and I’m overwhelmed by Your love for me.”
December 27thPsalm 147:12-20The focus is again on Israel, and reasons for praise are given to Jerusalem and to Zion. They are to be reminded of the blessing of the Lord and the fact that real peace comes from Him. The creative power of the Lord is mentioned along with the laws of nature that He sustains and manages. The remark of verse 20 is so true – “He hath not dealt so with any nation.” Israel has been particularly blessed of the Lord, more than any nation on earth. His statutes and His judgments were given to Israel, but they did not know them as they should. As a result, Israel has suffered greatly for their lack of obedience to God. Much praise should be given to our Lord for His longsuffering with His people, and how He will bless them in spite of their sin and rebellion against Him.
- The admonition to praise the Lord – verse 12
- The ability of the Lord in blessing His people – verse 13
- The act of peace comes from Him – verse 14
- The activity of the Lord in the laws of nature – verses 15-18
- The authority of His Word to His people – verses 19-20
Verse for MeditationVerse 20 – “He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I worship You, Lord, for the way You sustain all the laws of the universe, and that with one word from Your mouth, all nature responds – may it be so in my life as well.”
December 26thPsalm 147:1-11The infinite wisdom and understanding of the Lord is beyond our ability to comprehend. The psalmist says (verse 5): “Great is the LORD, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.” The psalmist urges us to “sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving.” He mentions all that He does in creation and in sustaining the laws of nature and the universe. One of His most beautiful characteristics is mentioned in verse 3, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” The Lord is not impressed with man’s strength or ability, but rather takes pleasure in the one who fears Him and hopes in His mercy.
- The praise of the Lord – verse 1
- The place the Lord builds up – verse 2
- The passion He has for the broken in heart – verse 3
- The preeminence of His knowledge – verse 4
- The power of the Lord – verses 5-6
- The priority of praise – verse 7
- The provision He supplies – verses 8-9
- The pleasure He takes in those that fear Him – verses 10-11
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”
Meditation Prayer“Teach me, Lord, not to be impressed with what man can do, but rather to put my trust and hope in You alone.”
December 25thPsalm 146:5-10On this Christmas Day, we celebrate the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, and there is no better day to offer our praise to the Lord. David’s praise of the Lord in this section emphasizes all that God has done and continues to do, and refers to the Lord as His “help” and his “hope.” He mentions His creative power, and His care of the oppressed and hungry; He speaks of how the Lord “openeth the eyes of the blind” and how He “raiseth them that are bowed down.” He loves the righteous and preserves and relieves those in need; and, most of all, He shall “reign forever.” After this list, one cannot help but praise the Lord, and give Him all the glory and thanksgiving for what He continues to do in behalf of His children.
- The help that the Lord gives – verse 5
- The heavens that He created – verse 6
- The hungry that He feeds – verse 7
- The healing that He brings – verse 8
- The hope that He is forever – verses 9-10
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous!”
Meditation Prayer“You, Lord, are my help and my hope, and I praise You for all You have done and will do in the future.”
December 24thPsalm 146:1-4Another psalm of praise is before us today. The timing is beautiful. It is the day before all the Christmas celebrations. We celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ our Lord. How important it is to prepare our hearts for such a celebration by bringing the gift of praise to Him. In all the gift of giving of this season, may we not forget to give to Him Who gave His life for us. As the psalmist declares in verse 2, “While I live will I praise the LORD.” May that be true in every believing heart.
- The praise of the Lord – verse 1
- The priority of praise – verse 2
- The princes of this world are not to be trusted – verse 3
- The perishing of the thoughts of human leaders – verse 4
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have my being.”
Meditation Prayer“There is no one like You, Lord, Who alone is worthy of all my praise and adoration; How I thank You for sending Your Son, my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world!”
December 23rdPsalm 145:17-21David emphasizes what the Lord has done and continues to do. He says that the Lord is “righteous in all His ways,” and that He is near, fulfills our desires, and preserves us. If we do not feel close to God, guess who moved? It wasn’t the Lord – He is the God Who is always there. Everything that He does is “righteous.” We can count on Him to do what is right and what will bring the greatest blessing. We are encouraged in this section of the psalm to “call upon Him.” The Lord never gets tired of hearing us cry out to Him. Our total dependency upon the Lord is one of the most important insights we could ever learn from the psalms.
- The righteousness of the Lord – verse 17
- The response to all who call upon Him – verse 18
- The result to those who call upon Him – verse 19
- The refuge that He is to all who love Him – verse 20
- The responsibility of all flesh – verse 21
Verse for MeditationVerse 19 – “He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I praise You that You are always there when I cry out to You, and that You will save me and protect me, and satisfy the longing of my heart.”
December 22ndPsalm 145:8-16This psalm has to be on the believer’s favorite list! Its emphasis on the nature and attributes of our God is so important to our perspective on prayer, praise, and trusting God for everything in our lives. The “glory” of His kingdom is the primary emphasis of this section of the psalm, and it encourages us to know that we are citizens of that kingdom by faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, having been born again by the Holy Spirit of God. We shall rule and reign with our Lord forever! His “power” and “mighty acts” should be praised every day of our lives, and there should be no doubt in our hearts that He can handle any problem we have!
- The compassion of God in all He has done – verses 8-9
- The commitment of His people to speak of Him – verses 10-12
- The character of His kingdom – verse 13
- The care of the Lord for all who fall – verse 14
- The contentment which all creation enjoys because of Him – verses 15-16
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness and Your kindness to me; when I fall, You are there to raise me up, and when I am in need, You are there to supply all my need.”
December 21stPsalm 145:1-7This psalm explodes upon us with praise to our God! It exalts Him and His kingdom, and reminds us of His attributes and mighty deeds. This opening section of the psalm which focuses on the greatness of the Lord, reveals the real secret to David being a “man after God’s own heart.” He concentrated on the worship and praise of Almighty God. He saw the greatness of God and as a result, he saw himself and the need of humility and dependency upon the Lord. If we are too busy to worship the Lord, we are too busy!
- The giving of praise and blessing to God every day – verses 1-2
- The greatness of the Lord – verse 3
- The generations that will praise His name – verse 4
- The glory of His power – verses 5-6
- The goodness of the Lord – verse 7
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: and His greatness is unsearchable.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I praise You today for how great You are, and for Your great goodness to me.”
December 20thPsalm 144:9-15The testimony of king David in this latter portion of the psalm is indeed fascinating. He begins with the desire to sing a new song unto the Lord that will focus on His deliverance; He then proceeds to enumerate all the blessings that would come from such deliverance, and ends with how happy will be the people “whose God is the LORD.” How true that is! In the light of the historical conflicts in the land of Israel, it is especially enlightening to read his words in verse 11: “Rid me and deliver me from the hand of strange children whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.” During the Intifada uprisings, the role of children is well known. Real peace will come to the land of Israel when the Messiah, the Prince of peace, returns. Until then, our trust is in the Lord and in His deliverance.
- The singing of praises to the Lord – verse 9
- The salvation that the Lord gave to David – verse 10
- The strangeness of children in the land – verse 11
- The sons of the future who will be blessed – verse 12
- The supply of food and cattle will be abundant – verses 13-14
- The secret of happiness – verse 15
Verse for MeditationVerse 9 – “I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“May the music of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my God, and may my happiness be found only in You.”
December 19thPsalm 144:1-8David exalts in the Lord and His power, and when comparing man to God, he says, “LORD, what is man, that Thou takest knowledge of him.” He reminds us all that “Man is like to vanity” (verse 4). James 4:14 tells us that our lives are but a “vapor” that soon vanishes away. We often inflate the importance of our lives and forget that we are not indispensable and we can be replaced! David prays for deliverance, and reminds us of the power of God. His opening words “Blessed be the LORD my strength,” encourage us to praise Him, and to trust Him with all of our hearts.
- The teaching of his hands – verse 1
- The trust of his heart – verse 2
- The thoughts of God about man – verse 3
- The time of a man’s life – verse 4
- The touching of the mountains by God – verse 5
- The terror of God’s power in nature – verse 6
- The trouble out of which God delivers – verses 7-8
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shied, and He in Whom I trust: Who subdueth my people under me.”
Meditation Prayer“My trust is in You, Lord, and I pray You will help me not to overestimate the ability of people, not to underestimate Your mighty power.”
December 18thPsalm 143:7-12In this portion of the psalm, David asks for deliverance, guidance, and for reviving of his soul. The pressures from his enemies were great, and his spirit was overwhelmed and discouraged. He wanted to hear of God’s lovingkindness in the morning, and reaffirmed that his trust was in the Lord alone. The entire psalm ends with these words of commitment: “for I am Thy servant.” That is a great summary of what the Lord wants from each of us. Our longing to know the character and abilities of our God is crucial to the contentment and rescue of our hearts from the despair which our difficulties can cause us.
- The despair he was experiencing – verse 7
- The desire he had to trust in the Lord – verse 8
- The deliverance he needed – verse 9
- The dependency he had upon the will of God – verse 10
- The discouragement from which he needed to be revived – verse 11
- The destruction of his enemies – verse 12
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning: for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk: for I lift up my soul unto Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“I want to know Your will, O Lord, and the way in which You want me to go – help me to be teachable and willing.”
December 17thPsalm 143:1-6David was being besieged by his enemies, and was in dire straits. He knew what to do and that is to call upon the Lord. He trusted in the faithfulness of God to answer him. His discouragement was real and he spoke of being “overwhelmed.” Times like that can come into the lives of God’s children. David knew how much he needed the Lord, and His longing for the Lord was expressed clearly in verse 6 when he said, “I stretch forth my hands unto Thee: my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land.” Today might be a good day to evaluate your own desire for the Lord.
- The supplications he brought to the Lord – verse 1
- The standard for being justified in God’s sight – verse 2
- The smiting of the enemy – verse 3
- The spirit that was overwhelmed – verse 4
- The study of God’s works – verse 5
- The stretching forth of his hands to the Lord – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I do remember much of what You have done, and I praise Your mighty power, and trust You to work in my life through Your faithfulness and righteousness.”
December 16thPsalm 142:1-7This was penned apparently while he was in one of the caves at En-Gedi, a beautiful oasis on the western slopes of the Dead Sea. There is a beautiful waterfall, and caves abound in the area with loads of animals, especially deer, ibis, and goats. One cannot help but feel the pain in David’s heart as he wrote these words. He was alone, but the Lord was with Him, and he found strength to endure in the midst of this difficult trial. David is quite honest about his despair and discouragement, and we all can identify with him. May we all learn to seek the Lord as David did, and understand that He is our Refuge, and the One Who truly cares for our souls.
- The prayer he made to the Lord – verse 1
- The pouring out of his complaint to the Lord – verse 2
- The path that he knew the Lord understood – verse 3
- The pain of no one caring about him – verse 4
- The portion which the Lord was to him – verse 5
- The persecutors from whom he wanted deliverance – verse 6
- The praise he gave to the Lord in the midst of it all – verse 7
Verse for MeditationVerse 5 – “I cried unto Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You care about all that concerns me, and You are able to handle anything that comes my way.”
December 15thPsalm 141:6-10His prayer about his enemies is so insightful. He knows the problem of falling into their ways and reacting as they would to him. He asks the Lord to protect him, and that when they suffer, his words might be “sweet.” David, like all of us, needs protection from the “snares” that the wicked have laid for him. The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:10-11 that we need the Lord’s strength because of all the “wiles” of the devil. The word “wiles” gives us our English word “methods,” and refers to the many strategies of the enemy. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord as David says in verse 8.
- The sweetness of his words – verse 6
- The scattering of his bones – verse 7
- The supplication he makes to the Lord – verse 8
- The snares he wants to avoid – verse 9
- The saving of his life from the nets of the wicked – verse 10
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God, the Lord: in Thee is my trust: leave not my soul destitute.”
Meditation Prayer“I know that I must keep my eyes upon You, O Lord, and to trust in You for all things in my life and future.”
December 14thPsalm 141:1-5David’s cry to the Lord does not simply focus on the attacks from his enemies, but he also recognizes his own problems and seeks the help of the Lord in them. It is such an important prayer that is mentioned in verse 3: “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips.” That’s where most of the trouble begins – our mouth! We say things we will later regret. What we say, even about our enemies, will often come back to hurt us. David is concerned that he not respond in kind to the wicked around him. That is simple to do. The “wicked words” of our enemies often become the same things that we do. How we need the help of the Lord!
- The cry to the Lord – verse 1
- The connection to incense and the evening sacrifice – verse 2
- The control of his mouth – verse 3
- The commitment to avoid wicked works – verse 4
- The confrontation of the righteous is accepted – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “LORD, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, please help me to control my tongue, and that the words of my mouth might always be pleasing to You.”
December 13thPsalm 140:7-13Sometimes we do not see the connection between what David was experiencing and what we go through in this life. One of the clues that this passage is intended as admonition for us all are the words of verse 10 about “burning coals” falling on the head of our enemies. This graphic description is used in Romans 12:19-21 in which the apostle Paul urges the believer never to take revenge but to overcome evil with good, and thus, heap “coals of fire” upon the head of our enemies. David is going through some very difficult trials and facing daily the possibility that his enemies are waiting behind some rock to kill him. But, in all of this, he reminds us that our protection and our blessing come from the Lord.
- The covering of the believer’s head – verse 7
- The control of the desires of the wicked – verse 8
- The consequence he desires on the wicked – verse 9
- The coals of fire he wants on their heads – verse 10
- The concern for what the wicked say – verse 11
- The cause of the afflicted – verse 12
- The comfort of God’s presence – verse 13
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.”
Meditation Prayer“I put my life and circumstances in Your hands, O Lord, knowing that You will handle everything according to Your will and glory, and my good.”
December 12thPsalm 140:1-6Being attacked from all sides, David knew that His only hope and refuge was in the Lord. He begins with the words “Deliver me, O LORD,” and ends this portion in verse 6 with the words “Thou art my God.” He recognizes the evil plots and violent actions which his enemies have been planning against him, and he knows that he needs the protection of the Lord when he says in verse 4, “Keep me, “O LORD.” No matter what we might face today, may we understand thoroughly our need of complete trust and confidence in the Lord.
- The prayer for deliverance – verse 1
- The preparation for war – verse 2
- The poison under their lips – verse 3
- The protection for which he prays – verse 4
- The pride of their hearts – verse 5
- The plea for the Lord to hear his cry – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I know, Lord, that I cannot handle the attacks and pressures which the enemy sends my way, and I come to You, and I cry out to You for deliverance and protection.”
December 11thPsalm 139:19-24The attributes of God will strengthen our resolve to trust the Lord rather than ourselves. All of the wicked will be dealt with by God, and we can leave those matters to Him. The important thing for each of us is to examine our own hearts and get rid of any “wicked way” that may be troubling our walk with the Lord. It isn’t our perspective that we need, but His. The psalmist says “Search me, O God.” That is what we need! Hebrews 4:13 reminds us that “ALL things” are “naked and open” unto the knowledge of our God. We cannot hide from Him.
- The slaying of the wicked – verse 19
- The speaking of the wicked against God – verse 20
- The sympathy of the righteous with God – verse 21
- The strength of the believer’s relationship to God – verse 22
- The searching of the believer’s heart – verses 23-24
Verse for MeditationVerse 21 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”
Meditation Prayer“I confess my thoughts to You, O Lord, and I praise You for Your cleansing and Your direction in my life.”
December 10thPsalm 139:13-18First, the psalmist spoke of God’s omniscience, then of His omnipresence, and now of His omnipotence, His mighty power, especially in the creation of a human being. If there was ever an argument against abortion-on-demand, this is it. The sanctity of all human life is rooted in the character and attributes of God Himself. He determines what is valuable and worth saving. He speaks of the baby in the womb as a real person, and intricately designed and formed by His wisdom and power. The design and creation of humanity speaks of the loving thoughts of God toward His creatures.
- The covering in the mother’s womb – verse 13
- The cause for praise – verse 14
- The comfort of God’s knowledge of it all – verse 15
- The control over all of a person’s life – verse 16
- The counting of God’s thoughts – verses 17-18
Verse for MeditationVerse 17 – “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”
Meditation Prayer“Everything about my life was designed and planned by You, Lord, and I desire to praise You and serve You all of the days You have laid out for me.”
December 9thPsalm 139:7-12The psalmist moves from the omniscience of God to the omnipresence of the Lord, the fact that He is everywhere and we cannot hide from Him, nor run away from Him. It is a warning to some, but of great blessing to those who are walking with the Lord. What a joy to know that He is always there, loving, protecting, guiding, comforting, and empowering. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (age). He said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” You may feel all alone and wonder where God is, but He has never left you.
- The asking of where one could flee from His presence – verse 7
- The ascension to heaven would not escape His presence – verse 8
- The attempt to flee is futile – verses 9-10
- The absence of light does not affect His presence – verses 11-12
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You are always there, and Your presence means that I am never alone.”
December 8thPsalm 139:1-6The emphasis of this psalm of David on the attributes of God is most encouraging to the heart of every believer. It is also a warning to the non-believer. These opening verses focus on the omniscience of God, the fact that He knows everything we think, say, and do, even before it ever occurs. Such knowledge, the psalmist says, is “too wonderful for me.” The Hebrew word for “wonderful” refers to that which is beyond our ability to understand. We might say that it is incomprehensible. God knows all things, and He also knows what is best for every one of us.
- The searching of God’s knowledge – verse 1
- The situations of my life that He knows – verse 2
- The secrets of my life He knows – verse 3
- The speeches I make He knows – verse 4
- The stability of my life is controlled by Him – verse 5
- The superiority of His knowledge – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”
Meditation Prayer“I rest in Your knowledge of all things, and I know that You have already laid out a plan for my life, and nothing I say or do upsets You in the least, for You know everything.”
December 7thPsalm 138:1-8This psalm of praise by king David is a testimony to what was most important in his life. His worship of the Lord and praise of what the Lord had done in his life was continual and real. He knew that one day all nations would praise the Lord. David understood that in the midst of his “trouble” the Lord would “revive” him, and restore His confidence and assurance. David knew that the Lord would finish the work that He had begun in him. Paul wrote the same in Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
- The praise of his whole heart – verse 1
- The priority of God’s Word – verse 2
- The prayer that was answered – verse 3
- The place of praise and singing among the kings of the earth – verses 4-5
- The proud will not have God’s blessing – verse 6
- The protection which David experienced – verse 7
- The plan which the Lord will accomplish – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy Name.”
Meditation Prayer“I trust You, Lord, in all that comes into my life, and I know that You are working Your perfect plan in me.”
December 6thPsalm 137:1-9Israel went into captivity to Babylon, and found it very difficult to sing the songs of Zion. Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 b.c., but never forgotten by God’s people. It is called in verse 6 “my chief joy.” The psalm ends with the assurance that Babylon will one day be destroyed for what they did to Israel and the city of Jerusalem. It is a great reminder that in spite of the pain and difficulties we might face in this life, God has promised ultimate victory to His children.
- The memory of Zion – verse 1
- The mirth that they could not sing – verses 2-4
- The mourning over Jerusalem – verses 5-6
- The message of God’s judgment – verses 7-9
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that no matter how severe the trial and pain and suffering, You have promised us victory and blessing.”
December 5thPsalm 136:10-26This psalm which (as we pointed out yesterday) ends each verse with the words “for His mercy endureth for ever,” focuses on the history of Israel with special emphasis on how God was involved in everything that took place. It is clear that Israel survived the wilderness and conquered enemy kings by the power and mercy of the Lord, and He provided for them all along the way. The summary to all who read this psalm is found in verse 26: “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endureth for ever.” Every detail of their lives, no matter how difficult they seemed at the time, was being controlled and worked by our God. Verses 10, 13, 16, and 17 begin with the words “To Him.” He was going before them and proving over and over again His mighty power.
- The rescue from Egypt – verses 10-12
- The results of destroying the Egyptian army - verses 13-15
- The resources that led His people in the wilderness – verse 16
- The revenge of God upon enemy kings – verses 17-20
- The receiving of land for an heritage – verses 21-22
- The remembrance of His people – verse 23
- The redemption of His people, supplying their needs – verses 24-25
- The response of thanksgiving to God – verse 26
Verse for MeditationVerse 26 – “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endureth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, and thank You, for all that You have done for Your people, Israel, and that You have promised to supply all my needs.”
December 4thPsalm 136:1-9Every verse of this chapter ends with the words “for His mercy endureth for ever.” The Hebrew word chesed is sometimes translated as “lovingkindness” as well as “tender mercies.” The compassion of our God is behind all of His marvelous works. The emphasis of this portion focuses on the creation of the physical and material universe. We are exhorted to “give thanks” to our God “Who alone doeth great wonders.” Just look up to the heavens and observe the sun, moon, and starts – our God created them all, and they all speak of His power and His glory.
- The admonition to give thanks – verses 1-3
- The ability of God to do great things – verse 4
- The acknowledgment of His wisdom – verse 5
- The acts of creation that speak of His power – verses 6-9
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your greatness, Your goodness, Your wisdom, Your power, and that no problem of mine is too difficult for You.”
December 3rdPsalm 135:14-21The God of Israel is totally unlike anything made has designed. The “idols of the heathen” are simply the design of humanity, and they are totally unable to do anything miraculous or respond to the humans who made them. Our God is completely different. He is the Judge of all, and He alone deserves our blessing and praise. We are told at the end of this psalm that He “dwelleth at Jerusalem.” That is the place where He has chosen to put His house of worship and to manifest His presence. The world continues to fight over possession of the city, and the attempts to deny what God has said about it will never diminish His authority or challenge what He intends to do with Jerusalem in the future.
- The impact of the Lord’s judgment – verse 14
- The idols of the heathen – verse 15
- The inability of the idols to respond – verses 16-17
- The insufficiency of trusting in idols – verse 18
- The importance of blessing and trusting the Lord – verses 19-21
Verse for MeditationVerse 21 – “Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I trust in You alone, O Lord, and refuse to put any confidence in what people create and design to replace You.”
December 2ndPsalm 135:7-13The mighty power of God is presented in this portion of the psalm and gives us a reason to praise Him. His power is seen in nature, His creation, and in His miraculous signs in ancient Egypt, and the deliverance which He gave to the children of Israel as they came out of the wilderness and went into the promised land of Canaan. The record is clear – God can do anything, and does perform mighty acts that are clearly supernatural power.
- The control of the weather – verse 7
- The consequences upon ancient Egypt – verses 8-9
- The conquering of kingdoms – verses 10-11
- The commitment of the land to Israel – verse 12
- The cause for praise to the enduring Name of the Lord – verse 13
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Thy Name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and Thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.”
Meditation Prayer“I know that there is nothing too hard for You to do, and I trust You, Lord, to do what is right for me, and that which brings You glory and praise.”
December 1stPsalm 135:1-6The admonition to “Praise ye the LORD” is repeated several times in this portion of the psalm, and the words “The LORD hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure,” remind us of Israel’s place in the heart and plan of God. The Lord is great and good, and He does whatever He pleases to do in heaven and on earth. Worship is characterized by “praise,” and the worship center (“house of the LORD”) should be filled with it. The Lord wants us to acknowledge Him and His greatness, and to sing it unto His Name. Verse 3 reminds us “for it is pleasant.”
- The praise that the Lord wants from us – verse 1
- The place where this praise should be given – verse 2
- The pleasantness of praise to the Lord – verse 3
- The priority of Israel in the heart of God – verse 4
- The position of our God above all – verse 5
- The pleasure of the Lord – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 5 – “For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord for Your greatness and Your goodness and that You do whatever pleases You.”
November 30thPsalm 134:1-3The admonition to bless the Lord seems in this psalm to be the response of those who are priests and servants in the house of the Lord. Peter calls all believers “priests” in I Peter 2:5-9, and Hebrews 13:15 speaks of believers offering “the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.” Verse 16 adds “for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” That is the primary responsibility of priests – to offer sacrifices to God and to bless the Lord at all times. The worship and praise of God is the highest priority of the believer!
- The praise we are to bring to the Lord – verse 1a
- The place where that praise was given – verse 1b
- The position of lifting hands to God – verse 2
- The proclamation of God’s creation and blessing – verse 3
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I desire as Your priest to worship and praise You every day, and to offer sacrifices of joy and thanksgiving to Your Name.”
November 29thPsalm 133:1-3Unity is so needed among believers today. The blessing of the Lord is connected to its importance. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:3 that we ought to strive to keep the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The devil and his demons cause disunity and strife (James 3:13-18), rather than the fruit of wisdom and peace. The reference in this psalm to “the mountains of Zion” reminds us of the lack of unity concerning the city of Jerusalem. Thank the Lord for the day when the Prince of peace shall return and bring real peace to this troubled world.
- The pleasantness of unity – verse 1
- The preciousness of unity – verse 2
- The picture of unity – verse 3a
- The promise of unity – verse 3b
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, help me to be an instrument for unity among believers, rather than disagreement and disunity.”
November 28thPsalm 132:13-18The wonderful promise of God concerning Zion or Jerusalem is indeed revealing. While the world fights over its possession, God says that it belongs to Him and is His “habitation.” Verse 14 adds, “This is My rest for ever.” That’s very clear. Jerusalem is the centerpiece of God’s prophetic program. Zechariah 12:1-3 tells us that this city will become a “cup of trembling” and a “burdensome stone” to all who come against her. One day we will see the “New Jerusalem” come down out of heaven from the Lord Who has been preparing a place for His own. What a day that will be!
- The choice of Zion – verse 13
- The coming of God to dwell there – verse 14
- The contentment they will have in her – verse 15
- The clothing of the priests – verse 16
- The crowning of David’s seed – verses 17-18
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation.”
Meditation Prayer“I look forward to the day You return, and Your everlasting kingdom is established on the earth.”
November 27thPsalm 132:8-12This portion of the psalm is filled with Messianic prophecy. The passage refers to the promise of God to David that “of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.” Mary, the mother of Jesus, was in the line of David through his son, Nathan. The prophecy was fulfilled through the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), and the curse on the line of Solomon (Jeremiah 22:28-30) was avoided. When Joseph married Mary after the birth of Jesus, Jesus was adopted, and became the legal heir to the throne of David through his son, Solomon, whose direct descendant was Joseph. God kept His promise to David, and He will keep all His promises to us.
- The prayer for the Lord to respond – verse 8
- The priests who are to be clothed – verse 9
- The plea in behalf of God’s promise to King David – verse 10
- The promise to king David – verse 11
- The prerequisite for His children – verse 12
Verse for MeditationVerse 11 – “The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.”
Meditation Prayer“I rejoice in Your promise, O Lord, that You will bring the Son of David to rule the world!”
November 26thPsalm 132:1-7The request to remember David and “all his afflictions” is a prayer with which we can all identify. Life is filled with many “afflictions.” The interesting thing about this request is the commitment he had to worship. He would not rest until a place for the Lord to dwell was built. David raised the money, and gave the vision, but his son, Solomon, did the actual construction of the temple. Worship is the priority of the believer, above all else. Our trials seem different when we worship. They no longer are obstacles, but ways by which God’s character and love can be shown.
- The concern for God to remember his afflictions – verse 1
- The confirmation of an oath he made unto the Lord – verse 2
- The caution about coming to worship – verses 3-4
- The commitment he had to find a place for the Lord – verse 5
- The call to worship – verses 6-7
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “We will go into His tabernacles: we will worship at His footstool.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me to remember, O Lord, that You desire my worship above all else.”
November 25thPsalm 131:1-3When we truly trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, there will be the attitude of the psalmist in these brief verses – an attitude of humility and dependency upon the Lord like a baby upon the breasts of the mother. There is far too much arrogance and pride among believers today. We have been blessed by the Lord, but we have become self-sufficient in it all, and we fail to understand that without Him we are nothing! Our hope is not in our bank accounts, our homes, our cars, our occupations; our hope is in the Lord alone!
- The humility that is needed – verse 1
- The habits that should be developed – verse 2
- The hope that is needed forever – verse 3
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“Teach me, Lord, a heart of humility, that I might always depend upon You.”
November 24thPsalm 130:1-8A psalm of forgiveness is a powerful reminder of our Lord’s compassion and concern for His people. The psalm reminds us that if the Lord should list our sins, we wouldn’t stand a chance of surviving it! The good news about our God is that He is “ready to forgive” (Psalm 86:5). Israel’s hope must be in the Lord alone, for He will “redeem” His people from all their iniquities. The apostle John wrote (I John 1:9), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
- The cry of one who needs forgiveness – verses 1-2
- The consequences of our sins are counted against us – verse 3
- The compassion of the Lord – verse 4
- The confidence we need – verses 5-6
- The cleaning that the Lord will bring – verses 7-8
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your forgiveness, and for making my redemption possible through the death of Your Son, my wonderful Savior and Lord!”
November 23rdPsalm 129:1-8The treatment of Israel is the subject of the psalm, and the opening words of verses 1-2 are “Many a time…” Yes, there have been many times when Israel’s enemies have tried to inflict punishment upon them. But, Israel exists by Divine covenant, a covenant that is unconditional, and based on God’s faithfulness, not Israel’s performance. God has promised to bless those who bless Israel, and curse the ones who do not. As verse 8 says, Israel’s enemies do not say “we bless you in the Name of the LORD.” It has been true of God’s people throughout history that they have been persecuted and have suffered greatly for their faith. One day in the future we shall know that they will be rewarded. As Paul wrote in II Timothy 2:12: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.”
- The affliction they have suffered – verse 1
- The attempts did not prevail against them – verse 2
- The acts of violence that were done – verse 3
- The action of our righteous Lord – verse 4
- The appeal against those that hate Zion – verses 5-7
- The absence of blessing – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “The LORD is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for the reminder of how You watch over Your people, and will ultimately judge all who try to hurt them.”
November 22ndPsalm 128:1-6The one who fears the Lord is blessed, and the Lord will continue to bless that person and his family. What good words of encouragement, and what powerful reminders of the need of fearing the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is parallel to knowledge of the Holy One. To fear the Lord (Proverbs 16:6) is to depart from evil. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence (Proverbs 14:26). Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge.
- The walk that we need – verse 1
- The wellness of our lives – verse 2
- The wife who is fruitful – verse 3
- The way of blessing – verse 4
- The words of blessing and peace – verses 5-6
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I recognize my accountability to You, O Lord, and I desire to be what You want me to be.”
November 21stPsalm 127:1-5This psalm reminds us of how good families are built. They are put together by the Lord Himself. We need to follow His Word, and teach our children the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). These verses speak of the blessing of children. Sometimes we see them as problems or burdens, rather than blessings. It is important to believe what God says and to thank the Lord daily for the gift of children – they are “His reward (verse 3).” Why not take some time today and thank the Lord for your children, and let them know how much you love them and consider them to be great blessings in your life!
- The recognition of the Lord’s work and protection – verse 1
- The realization of how we can sleep better – verse 2
- The reward of children – verse 3
- The rejoicing over many children – verses 4-5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that built it; except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for my family and for the blessing of children – may I be for them what You want me to be.”
November 20thPsalm 126:1-6This psalm speaks powerfully about the hope of the children of Israel and their trust in the promises of the Lord. It speaks of the “captivity of Zion” and reminds the Jewish people of what it was like during the Babylonian captivity. When the Lord brought them back to the land under the leadership of the governor, Zerubbabel, and the high priest, Joshua, their sorrow turned to joy, and their hearts could sing again. We are reminded that those who “sow in tears” have the promise that one day they shall “reap in joy.” All the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that God has promised to His people (Romans 8:18-25).
- The turning of the captivity – verses 1, 4
- The tongue of His people singing again – verse 2
- The things which the Lord has done – verse 3
- The tears that will turn to joy – verse 5
- The treasures that precious seed will bring – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You can turn my sorrow into joy, and that You have promised to deliver and bless.”
November 19thPsalm 125:1-5God is the Author of “peace,” and the peace which Israel needs comes from Him. He is our Protector, and He surrounds us like the mountains surround Jerusalem. The need is to “trust in the LORD” at all times, and to recognize that His goodness will bring good to our lives as we depend upon Him. Our need is to be “upright” in our “hearts” as verse 4 says. We often suffer the results of our own disobedience and ignoring of the Lord and His Word.
- The removal of mount Zion is impossible – verse 1
- The realization of the Lord’s protection – verse 2
- The rod of the wicked – verse 3
- The result of God’s goodness – verse 4
- The recognition of God’s peace – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I put my trust in You, and depend totally upon Your loving protection and desire to use me for Your glory and praise.”
November 18thPsalm 124:1-8This psalm focuses on our need for the Lord’s help in facing our enemies and those who desire to destroy us and our testimony. We are told by the apostle Paul in the New Testament to put on “the whole armor of God.” This will help us in resisting all the attacks of the evil one. Life is filled with pressures and all kinds of strategies from the enemy that are designed to defeat us and to cause us great discouragement. As verse 8 clearly says, “Our help is in the Name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
- The protection we desperately need from the Lord – verses 1-2
- The pressure of attack from our enemies – verses 3-5
- The praise of the Lord for His deliverance – verses 6-7
- The place where we can go for help – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “Our help is in the Name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, thank You for delivering me out of the hand of my enemies, and for helping me to live for You and experience Your blessing upon my life.”
November 17thPsalm 123:1-4The psalmist emphasizes the importance of keeping our eyes upon the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, and the One Who “dwellest in the heavens.” It is a cry for the mercy and intervention of God, especially in the light of those who were mocking and scorning God’s servant. God is abundant in mercy, and ready to deliver, and encourages us all to call upon His Name and trust Him to meet our need. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come “boldly to the throne of grace where we may find mercy and grace to help in time of need.”
- The position of our God in the heavens - verse 1
- The patience that is needed in waiting upon the Lord – verse 2
- The plea for God’s mercy – verse 3
- The pride of those who scorn God’s servants – verse 4
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens.”
Meditation Prayer“I know, Lord, that You see everything and know everything, and that You care about all that goes on in my life.”
November 16thPsalm 122:5-9Jerusalem is the city of God. It was first called “Salem” in Genesis 14:18 and its first king was named “Melchizedek” whose name means “king of righteousness.” No doubt it was (cf. Hebrews 7:1-10) an appearance of our Messiah to our father Abraham. Psalm 76:2 also calls it “Salem.” We are reminded in this latter half of the chapter that it is also the place for the “thrones of the house of David.” The Messiah will one day sit on the throne of His father, David, and rule the entire world. The emphasis of this section is on the meaning of the city’s name – the city of “peace.”
- The prayer for the city – verse 5
- The peace which should characterize the city – verses 7-8
- The purpose of the believer toward the city – verse 9
Verse for MeditationVerse 9 – “Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, for Your peace, O Lord, and for reminding me that real peace on this earth will not come until our Messiah returns.”
November 15thPsalm 122:1-4Jerusalem is mentioned 118 times in the Bible and is the most important city in the world. It is the eternal capital of Israel and the place where God has chosen to put His Name forever! There is a Jerusalem on earth and there is a “heavenly Jerusalem” that will one day be set up on earth wherein righteousness will dwell. The “heavenly” city is called “The New Jerusalem,” and it is the eternal dwelling place of God’s people. There will be no night there – the Lord God and the Lamb of God, our Messiah, will be all the light we will need. While we wait for that blessed day to come, we have the earthly Jerusalem to understand. Its “holy sites” are sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Some want it to be an “international city.” However, the Bible teaches that it belongs to Israel.
- The gladness that fills the hearts of those who go to the house of the Lord – verse 1
- The gates that shall enclose those who come to worship – verse 2
- The guard which the building of the city provides – verse 3
- The goal of all the tribes who go to worship – verse 4
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for reminding me that Jerusalem was designed by You for Your worship and praise.”
November 14thPsalm 121:1-8The wonderful care and protection of God’s people is presented in this psalm. We are reminded that our help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth. Counting pronouns, there are at least 10 references to the Lord in this brief psalm. It has often been said “You and God make a majority.” Sometimes we are afraid of what might be, or even what has taken place in the past. God is our help and He will preserve us forever. He will never forsake you. Deuteronomy 33:27 reminds us that the eternal God is our Refuge, and underneath us are His everlasting arms!
- The source of our help – verses 1-2
- The sleep He does not need – verses 3-4
- The shade that He provides – verses 5-6
- The soul shall be preserved – verse 7
- The security the Lord provides forever – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerses 1-2 – “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, O Lord, for Your constant care and protection of my life, and for the assurance that You will protect me forever.”
November 13thPsalm 120:1-7The cry of this psalm appears to be that from a believer who finds himself in the dwellings of the non-believers. He is confronted daily with lying lips and deceitful tongues, and those who call for war and not peace. You may find yourself at times in such situations and difficult circumstances. God does not forsake you in those times, but is rather your deliverance and your comfort. Our trust and our confidence is in the Lord. The psalmist cries out “Deliver my soul, O LORD,” and he is definitely calling on the Person Who can and will do it!
- The distress that brings his cry to God – verse 1
- The deliverance he needs – verse 2
- The deceit of the tongue – verse 3
- The discouragement of where he finds himself – verses 4-6
- The desire for peace was not wanted by others – verse 7
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and He heard me.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for hearing my cries, and for Your promise of deliverance.”
November 12thPsalm 119:169-176The last letter of the Hebrew alphabet is tau and it begins the word that starts each verse in this last portion of Psalm 119. There is a summary of the entire psalm as well as the theme of this portion found in verse 174 when it says, “I have longed for Thy salvation, O LORD; and Thy law is my delight.” When that is true in our hearts, there will be some wonderful results in our attitudes and actions. God’s Word is what we need to be what God wants us to be.
- His prayer to the Lord – verses 169-170 (1) It is a cry before the Lord – verse 169a (2) It is a concern for understanding – verse 169b (3) It is a confidence in God’s deliverance – verse 170
- His praise to the Lord – verses 171-172 (1) The need for praise – verse 171 (2) The nature of his praise – verse 172
- His plea for help – verses 173-175 (1) The reason he gives – verse 173 (2) The response he feels – verses 174-175 (3) The reality he faces – verse 176a (4) The request he brings – verse 176b
Verse for MeditationVerse 169 – “Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to Thy word.”
Meditation Prayer“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, to Your wisdom and Your will, for I delight in Your word.”
November 11thPsalm 119:161-168The Hebrew letter beginning this section is shin. Verse 162 says “I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” Is the Bible a precious treasure to us? We need to take a moment today and look at what a treasure the Bible is and what it will do for us. Notice the following four things that the Bible does for us:
- The enthusiasm it creates. (1) Joy – verse 162 (2) Love – verse 163 (3) Praise – verse 164
- The effect it produces. (1) Reverence in the midst of unjust persecution - verse 161 (2) Resistance to lying – verse 163 (3) Resolve to obey God’s word – verses 166-168
- The encouragement it gives – verse 165 (1) Peace (2) Stability
- The expectancy it brings – verse 166
Verse for MeditationVerse 165 – “Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.”
Meditation Prayer“I treasure Your Word, O Lord, and I thank You for giving me understanding and wisdom for everything in my life.”
November 10thPsalm 119:153-160The letter beginning this section is the Hebrew resh. The emphasis of this portion is the “mercies of God.” The key verse is verse 156: “Great are Thy tender mercies, O LORD.” And, again, the psalmist prays that the Lord will “quicken” (revive) him through the word of God, and appeals to God’s mercy and compassion.
- They encourage us to plead for God’s protection (1) He explains why he needs God’s protection and deliverance - His personal condition – verse 153 - His righteous cause – verse 154 - His continual conflicts – verse 157 (2) He expresses his loyalty and confidence in the Lord’s word - His application of it – verse 153 - His attitude toward the wicked – verses 155, 158 - His affection for it – verse 159 - His assurance of its reliability – verse 160
- They encourage us to pray for God’s power (includes three things) - His word – verse 154 - His judgments – verse 156 - His lovingkindness – verse 159
Verse for MeditationVerse 159 – “Consider how I love Thy precepts; quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy lovingkindness.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for how Your word lifts my heart and cleanses my attitudes and strengthens my resolve to live for You.”
November 9thPsalm 119:145-152The Hebrew letter koph begins each verse of this portion. The title of this section could easily be “The Cry for Help.” How wonderful it is to know that God never tires of us coming to Him and crying for help. The simple words of verse 146 are “I cried unto Thee.” The Lord hears our cries and cares about all we are experiencing. He is the “God of all comfort” (II Corinthians 1:3).
- The request for God’s help – verses 145-148 (1) It is an intense plea for help – verse 145a (2) It is a direct prayer to God alone – verses 145b-146 (3) It is a continual problem – verses 147-148 (4) It has a specific purpose: - to produce greater dedication to the word – verses 145b, 146b - to encourage greater dependence upon the word – verse 147b
- The revival that is needed – verses 149-150 (1) The compassion that makes it possible – verse 149a (2) The content in which it happens – verse 149b (3) The closeness of the wicked – verse 150
- The resources that are available – verses 151-152
Verse for MeditationVerse 149 – “Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to Thy judgment.”
Meditation Prayer“When I cry to You, Lord, I know You hear me, and know what I need much more than I do.”
November 8thPsalm 119:137-144The Hebrew letter beginning this section is the letter that represents the Hebrew word “righteousness.” This 18 th letter of the alphabet is the first letter of the word translated “righteous” – tsadik. To be right with God is so important. When something is wrong between our hearts and the Lord, everything else suffers. Our relationships with others is directly traceable to our being right with God, the One Who blesses those relationships.
- His description of God’s righteousness – verses 137-138 (1) It describes God’s character – verse 137 (2) It describes God’s commandments – verse 138
- His devotion to God’s righteousness – verses 139-141 (1) His reason (2) His response (3) His remembrance
- His delight in God’s righteousness – verses 142-144 (1) Because it is everlasting – verse 142 (2) Because it is encouraging – verse 143 (3) Because it is enlightening – verse 144
Verse for MeditationVerse 143 – “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; yet Thy commandments are my delights.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to be right in my relationship with You, and I know that my need of Your direction from Your word is absolutely essential.”
November 7thPsalm 119:129-136Each verse of this section begins with a word whose first letter is the Hebrew letter pe. It is a part of the Hebrew word translated “wonderful,” which in Hebrew means “incomprehensible” or “too difficult to know or understand.” In Isaiah 9:6 we learn that one of the characteristics of the Messiah is that His Name is “Wonderful Counsellor.” Psalm 139 speaks of the knowledge of God and says “such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high; I cannot attain it.” God’s “works” are “wonderful” and so is His “wisdom” and His wonderful word.
- His priorities reveal it – verses 129-131 (1) Seen in his faithful dedication – verse 129 (2) Seen in his continual discoveries – verse 130 (3) Seen in his strong desire – verse 131
- His prayers reveal it – verses 132-136 (1) He realizes his dependency upon God’s mercy – verse 132 (2) He relies upon the word for victory over sin – verse 133 (3) He recognizes the struggles we face in trying to be obedient – verse 134 (4) He requests God’s blessing and help – verse 135 (5) He reacts properly to those who disobey and dishonor God’s word – verse 136
Verse for MeditationVerse 133 – “Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, how I praise You for Your word, and that it brings light and understanding to my soul.”
November 6thPsalm 119:121-128The Hebrew letter that begins this section is ain, and looks like an English “y”. The focus is on the statement of verse 125 – “I am Thy servant.” It was said of God’s leaders in the history of the Old Testament that they were “servants of the Lord.” The phrase that marks the life and ministry of king David is that he is called “the servant of the Lord” many times. In this portion, we learn what a servant of the Lord looks like and what he does.
- He does what is right – verse 121
- He declares his need of God’s protection – verses 121b-123
- He depends upon Gods’ mercy – verse 124a
- He desires to know God’s word – verses 124b-125
- He decides to leave matters in the hands of the Lord – verse 126
- He delights in God’s word – verse 127
- He defends God’s holiness – verse 128
Verse for MeditationVerse 125 – “I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to be Your servant, and to understand Your ways and Your truth – give me a teachable heart.”
November 5thPsalm 119:113-120The letter samech begins each verse in this portion. The words “hiding place” in verse 114 remind us of many passages in the psalms. Proverbs as well tells us of the refuge we find in the Lord – such as 14:26: “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.” There is safety and protection in the Lord’s “hiding place.” He is our “Shield” and defence against all the fiery darts of the enemy.
- The reasons why we need the Lord as our Hiding Place and Shield.
- The problem of the mind – verse 113
- The presence of evildoers – verse 115
- The potential for discouragement – verses 116-117
- The punishment of the wicked – verses 118-119
- The response of those who need the Lord as their Hiding Place and their Shield
- They delight in the Word of God – verses 113 and 119
- They depend upon the Word of God – verse 114
- They do what the Word of God says – verses 115 and 117
- They demonstrate accountability to God and His Word – verse 120
Verse for MeditationVerse 114 – “Thou art my Hiding Place and my Shield: I hope in Thy word.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful protection and the safety of Your arms.”
November 4thPsalm 119:105-112The letter nun is the focus of this section, which begins by telling us how the Word of God will be direction for our lives. It is a “light” and a “lamp.” The reason many of us do not know what to do in life, are unsure about what decisions we should make and what priorities we should set, is because we do not seek the answers from God’s Word. When we ignore the Word of God, we do so to our great hurt. Much of the difficulties of life are directly traceable to the lack of knowledge in the Word of God.
- It reveals the path we are to take – verses 105-106 (1) It gives direction – verse 105 (2) It requires dedication – verse 106
- It revives our spirits in times of affliction – verses 107-110 (1) The nature of affliction a. It is severe – verse 107a b. It is stressful – verse 109a c. It is surprising – verse 110a (2) The need in times of affliction a. To receive inward strength – verse 107b b. To respond with praise and worship – verse 108 c. To request understanding of God’s ways – verse 108b d. To remember what God says – verse 109b e. To recognize the importance of faithfulness – verse 110b
- It rejoices our hearts – verses 111-112
Verse for MeditationVerse 107 – “I am afflicted very much; quicken me; O LORD, according unto Thy word.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your Word to revive my heart when I’m going through such difficult times.”
November 3rdPsalm 119:97-104The Hebrew letter mem begins each sentence and the first word of the sentence, and near the end of these eight verses, the psalmist emphasizes the sweetness of God’s word. Its sweetness flows from its concentration on Who God is and what God can do, and the beauty and majesty of it centers in the lovely Messiah (Psalm 45). It is sweet to our emotional life when it reveals how God will deliver us from all our troubles; it is sweet to our spiritual understanding when we see how God is working His wonderful plan in our lives. The word of God is indeed “sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10).”
- It brings a loving response – verses 97 and 103
- It provides a tremendous resource – verses 98-100
- It develops a personal restraint – verses 101-102
- It produces a godly result – verse 104
Verse for MeditationVerse 103 – “How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Meditation Prayer“Your word, O Lord, is sweet to my heart, and I love to read and study everything You have said.”
November 2ndPsalm 119:89-96Each verse begins with a word whose first letter is the Hebrew lamed. The key verse is verse 1, “For ever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven.” The faithfulness of God’s word is the theme, and the psalmist’s response to it is so strong that he calls the ordinances of God’s word “for all are Thy servants.” They are serving us and ministering to us about everything in our lives. We couldn’t make it in times of trial and difficulty without knowing His word and applying it. His word is described as His “faithfulness…unto all generations.”
- Its eternal character – verses 89-91 (1) It is finished – verse 89 (2) It is faithful – verses 90-91
- Its living comfort – verses 92-93 (1) It encourages us in times of affliction – verse 92 (2) It enables us to live victoriously and eternally – verse 93
- Its saving content – verses 94-95 (1) Because we are God’s possession – verse 94 (2) Because we need God’s protection – verse 95
- Its unlimited commandments – verse 96
Verse for MeditationVerse 92 – “Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.”
Meditation Prayer“Your Word is a complete and final written revelation from Your heart to ours, and how I praise You for Your faithfulness that is revealed in it.”
November 1stPsalm 119:81-88The 11 th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, caph, is a curved letter, like a reverse “C” in English. It pictures one bowing down in repentance. The key words are found in verse 86 – “help Thou me.” We constantly need the help of the Lord. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come to the “throne of grace” where we can find “mercy and grace to help in time of need.” The psalmist refers to the pressures and attacks that he is under, and is calling out to God for help. The Lord never gets tired of us saying “help.”
- His perspective of God’s Word – verses 81-83 (1) He was confident in spite of personal weakness – verse 81 (2) He was concerned because of his failure to see God’s comfort in his circumstances – verse 82 (3) He was committed in spite of his personal discouragement – verse 83
- His problem with God’s timing – verse 84
- His plea for God’s intervention – verses 85-87
- His prayer for personal revival – verse 88
Verse for MeditationVerse 86 – “All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help Thou me.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your lovingkindness which revives my heart.”
October 31stPsalm 119:73-80The Hebrew letter yod is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and looks like the English apostrophe. Jesus said in Matthew 5:18: “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot (Hebrew yod) or one tittle (marking on the letter to distinguish one letter from another that looks like it) shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Even the smallest letter is important to God, and the message of this section focuses on the wonderful comfort of God. II Corinthians 1:3 speaks of “the God of all comfort.”
- It gives counsel to understand God’s purpose in creating us – verse 73
- It gives confidence to accept our trials – verses 74-75
- It gives compassion to encourage our hearts – verses 76-77
- It gives courage to face our struggles in life – verses 78-80
Verse for MeditationVerse 77 – “Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for Thy law is my delight.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your comfort that I find in Your Word and in Your ways.”
Psalm 119:65-72The Hebrew letter teth is the focus in this portion, and the emphasis is on the value of God’s Word. Psalm 19:10 says “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” One of the reasons that we don’t spend time in God’s Word, learning His principles, and following His commandments, is that we don’t value the Word of God as we should. Psalm 1:1 warned us about listening to other counsel, especially that of the ungodly. Our delight (Psalm 1:2) is to be in God’s Word.
- The explanation of its value – verses 65-71
- Seen in the results it produces in our lives – verses 65-67
- Seen in the reasons it gives for the circumstances of our lives – verses 68-71
- based on the nature of God Himself – verse 68
- based on the need for experiencing what the Word teaches us – verse 71
- The extent of its value – verse 72
Verse for MeditationVerse 71 – “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I treasure Your word in my heart, and I value it above all other books and sources claiming to be true, and I recommit myself to learn all that You have for me.”
October 29thPsalm 119:57-64The Hebrew letter cheth is the focus of this section of the psalm. The wonderful word we know as “mercies” or “lovingkindness” begins with this letter – chesed, and is found in the last verse – verse 64. The opening words say a great deal about our relationship to the Lord through His wonderful word – “Thou art my portion, O LORD.” So often we have substituted other priorities for this one, and if we have time left over, we give the “leftovers” to God! May our hearts be changed and put the Lord first in everything we say and do.
- The preeminence of the Lord in our lives – verse 57
- The plea for God’s favor and mercy – verse 58
- The priority which God’s word has in our hearts – verses 59-61 (1) Seen in his thoughtful repentance – verse 59 (2) Seen in his quick response – verse 60 (3) Seen in his faithful remembrance – verse 61
- The praise which controlled his heart – verse 62
- The people he chose as his friends – verse 63
- The prayer which dominated his life – verse 64
Verse for MeditationVerse 58 – “I entreated Thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to Thy word.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I want to learn Your ways, and I desperately need Your mercy to sustain me through all the issues of my life.”
October 28thPsalm 119:49-56The Hebrew letter beginning this section looks like a cane to lean on and reminds us that God’s Word is like that – called a zain. A key phrase in this section is in verse 50, “for Thy Word hath quickened me.” It is the Word of God that gives life. We are born again by the incorruptible Word of God (I Peter 1:23-25) that lives and abides forever; and, we are also given “life” when the trials and difficult circumstances have overwhelmed us and we feel like giving up. There is “hope” says verse 49. Hope beyond the grave is indeed given through the Word of God, but there is also hope today in the midst of our despair.
- It gives confidence – verse 49
- It gives comfort – verses 50-52 (1) In reacting to affliction – verse 50 (2) In resisting personal attack – verse 51 (3) In remembering God’s judgments – verse 52
- It gives concern for the lost – verse 53
- It gives celebration – verse 54
- It gives commitment – verses 55-56
Verse for MeditationVerse 50 – “This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy word hath quickened me.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, help me to remember Your Word when I am going through difficult times, and that I will always remember that You will quicken me by it.”
October 27thPsalm 119:41-48The Hebrew letter vav looks like a shepherd’s staff, and serves as a conjunction in Hebrew, usually translated with the simple word “and.” Once again, every verse in this section begins with a word whose first letter is the vav. Verse 47 refers to the Lord’s “commandments” as that which the psalmist has “loved.” A good question to ask yourself is, “Do I really love God’s Word?” The psalmist gives several reasons why it is so important to do so:
- To proclaim God’s mercies and salvation – verse 41
- To provide answers to all who reproach us – verse 42
- To produce assurance – verse 43
- To promise liberty – verse 45
- To promote boldness – verse 46
Verse for MeditationVerse 47 – “And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, thank You for Your Word and for revealing to my heart how I can live my life with Your blessing.”
Psalm 119:33-40
The Hebrew letter that begins this section is he, and appears most frequently as the definite article “the.” This portion of the psalm ends in verse 40 with the word “quicken.” Like the previous section, it is a word closely resembling our word for “revival.” There are warnings here about what leads us away from the Lord as well as admonitions that will bring us back to the Lord. Again, we cannot overemphasize the importance of God’s Word in reviving our hearts and turning our eyes away from that which is destructive and putting them back on the Lord and His Word. Ask the Lord to “revive” your heart today. The true meaning of revival includes the following:
- It means you are committed to obeying the Word all the days of your life – verses 33-35 (1) Notice the three requests. (2) Notice the three responses.
- It means you are convicted about sinful desires and meaningless activities – verses 36-37
- It means you are concerned about your reputation and testimony – verses 38-39
- It means you are controlled by God’s standards – verse 40
Verse for MeditationVerse 34 – “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, teach me Your ways that I may follow You all the days of my life, for I long to know You and to obey You.”
Psalm 119:25-32This portion of the psalm focuses on the 4 th letter of the Hebrew alphabet daleth. It emphasizes the need for revival (the word “quicken”). True revival comes not from attending a meeting or being caught up in the enthusiasm of a crowd. Revival comes from the Word of God, the work of the Holy Spirit revealing through the Word those areas of our lives that need to be changed. When we come with a teachable spirit and a willingness to hear what the Lord says and to apply it immediately in our hearts, the marks of revival begin to take place.
- The reasons why revival is needed in our lives. (1) Emotions reveal it in terms of despair and sorrow – verses 25, 28 (2) Experiences demand it in terms of integrity and transparency – verses 26, 29, 30
- The requests which the need for revival will bring forth. (1) Need for understanding – verses 26-27 (2) Need for strength – verse 28 (3) Need for grace – verse 29
- The response which a revived heart will give. (1) Meditation – verse 27b (2) Decision – verse 30 (3) Loyalty – verse 31a (4) Obedience – verse 32a
- The results which revival will bring. (1) Answers – verse 26 (2) Enlargement of heart – verse 32
Verse for MeditationVerse 27 – “Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts: so shall I talk of Thy wondrous works.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for reviving my heart through Your Word and showing me what needs to change in my heart.”
Psalm 119:17-24This third section of this amazing psalm begins with the Hebrew letter gimel. Every verse begins with a word whose first letter is gimel. Verse 18 says it all when we read “Open Thou mine eyes.” We need the eyes of faith and understanding, the willingness to see what God wants us to see in His marvelous Word. Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers (II Corinthians 4:3-4) lest the light of the glorious gospel of the Messiah should shine unto them. Our sin also blinds us to seeing what God wants us to do (Psalm 119:11).
- The prerequisite to spiritual understanding and obedience – verse 17
- The purpose behind the desire for spiritual understanding – verse 18
- The problem the psalmist faces – verses 19-20 (1) As to his dependency upon God – verse 19 (2) As to his desire for spiritual understanding – verse 20
- The principle he realizes – verse 21
- The prayer he makes – verses 22-24 (1) It is a request for spiritual protection – verse 22 (2) It is a reaction to criticism – verse 23 (3) It is a response based on his desire to the Word in his life – verse 24
Verse for MeditationVerse 18 – “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, not to be blinded by my own neglect of Your Word or the depravity of my heart.”
Psalm 119:9-16
This second section of the psalm focuses on the Hebrew letter beth. Again, every verse begins with a word in the Hebrew whose first letter is beth. This letter is the first letter that begins the Bible’s message in Genesis 1:1. Within this section we notice the emphasis on the need of cleansing and the importance of God’s Word in accomplishing that in our lives. The Bible is a great protection and power in dealing with sin and its many allurements, and it also convicts us and gives us the understanding we need to change our lifestyle and to allow the Holy Spirit through the Word of God to control our sinful desires and to manifest the beauty of the Lord through all we say and do.
- The cleansing that is needed – verse 9
- The concern of God’s commandments – verse 10
- The control which the Word will bring- verse 11
- The cry for God to teach us – verse 12
- The commitment to God’s Word – verses 13-16
Verse for Meditation
Verse 11 – “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”
Meditation Prayer
“I come to You, Lord, through Your Word, believing that it has the power to cleanse my heart and change my life.”
Psalm 119:1-8This amazing psalm of 176 verses divided into 22 sections is a classic of Hebrew poetry. It is an acrostic. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and each section represents one of those letters. All eight verses of each section begin with a word whose first letter in Hebrew is the letter that represents that section. We begin with the letter Aleph, and every verse begins with a word (in Hebrew) that has Aleph as its first letter – truly amazing, and a testimony to the inspiration and inerrancy of the Word of God. The entire psalm of 176 verses is a hymn of praise to the Word of God itself. It mentions “the law of the LORD” and “His testimonies” and “His ways” and “Thy commandments” and “Thy statutes” and “Thy judgments” and “Thy precepts” – all describing God’s wonderful Word.
- The walk of one who is blessed – verse 1
- The way the one who is blessed seeks the Lord – verse 2
- The ways of the Lord direct us – verses 3-5
- The wisdom of God’s Word will keep us from being ashamed – verse 6
- The willingness to praise the Lord when learning God’s Word – verse 7
- The will to obey – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.”
Meditation Prayer“I desire to know Your Word, and I want to know You, dear Lord, with all my heart.”
Psalm 118:22-29Those who have read the New Testament are immediately aware of the verses in this portion that are used in reference to our Lord, the Messiah of Israel. He is the “Stone” which the “builders refused.” This verse is quoted several times in the New Testament and refers to the religious leaders in Israel who plotted to kill Jesus and turn him over to the Romans for crucifixion. Verse 24 reminds us that “This is the day which the LORD hath made.” That verse refers to the day He was crucified. And, we will “rejoice and be glad in it” for our salvation was made possible by His death in our behalf – praise the Lord! Matthew 21:9 reminds us that Psalm 118:26 was being used to praise the Lord that day He entered into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) in fulfillment of prophecy.
- The stone that was rejected – verse 22
- The sight of it was marvelous in our eyes – verse 23
- The sovereignty of God was behind it all – verse 24
- The salvation that only the Messiah can bring - verse 25
- The song of praise given to Him – verse 26
- The sacrifice that was involved – verse 27
- The speaking of praise and thanksgiving to God – verses 27-28
Verse for MeditationVerse 28 – “Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“How I thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful salvation, and that the Stone which the builders rejected has become the Stone upon which the whole building of believers is constructed.”
Psalm 118:15-21Psalm 113 to 118 is referred to by Jewish people as the “Hallel,” or the psalms of praise. This portion was sung by the levitical choir on the day of Passover when the lambs were killed in the temple. It speaks of victory and deliverance and focuses on praising the Lord for His salvation. In verse 19 we read, “Open to me the gates of righteousness.” Some apply these words to our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the day we call “Palm Sunday.” One thing is for sure – the Lord desires our praise for Who He is and for all He has done for us!
- The rejoicing for what the Lord has done – verse 15
- The recognition of the Lord’s power – verse 16
- The response of the believer – verse 17
- The rescue of the believer from chastening – verse 18
- The righteous who enter the gate of the Lord – verses 19-20
- The result of praise over the Lord’s salvation – verse 21
Verse for MeditationVerse 19 – “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I bring to You, O Lord, the sacrifice of praise, and songs of thanksgiving for all You have done for me.”
Psalm 118:8-14This portion of the psalm is one of triumph and victory. The Lord will deliver us. The psalmist speaks of the Lord’s help in destroying all nations that come against him. It has application to Israel throughout its history, but specifically to the Messiah Who will defeat all nations of the world who come against God’s people (Zechariah 12:9). The nations of the world picture themselves as invincible at times, but God Who controls all, has brought them down over and over again, and will do so also in the future. Our trust is in the Lord, not in the political and military might of the nations.
- The priority of trusting in the Lord – verses 8-9
- The promise of victory over the nations – verses 10-11
- The punishment the nations will receive – verse 12
- The part which the Lord has in helping us – verse 13
- The praise which the Lord deserves – verse 14
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.”
Meditation Prayer“You alone, Lord, will deliver me, and You alone are my Strength and my Song.”
Psalm 118:1-7Because God’s mercy endures forever, and based on His goodness, we can rely upon His protection, His answers, and His blessing. The believer has the confidence that when we call upon the Lord, He answers. The Lord is “on my side” says the psalmist; therefore, “I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Jesus told us not to fear the one who can kill our body, but rather fear Him Who can cast both body and soul into hell.
- The reasons to give thanks – verse 1
- The response that Israel should give – verse 2
- The response of the priest who led worship – verse 3
- The response of all the people – verse 4
- The result of calling upon the Lord – verse 5
- The realization of the Lord’s protection – verse 6
- The revenge which the Lord will bring on our enemies – verse 7
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: FOR His mercy endureth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and kindness to me, and that You hear when I call upon You.”
Psalm 117:1-2 Two wonderful verses centering in the praise of the Lord (“Hallelujah” in every language!). It is the plan of our sovereign Creator to design all nations ultimately to praise Him. Even when it might be a Pharaoh who opposes the people of God, God raises Him up to show His power throughout the earth. Psalm 76:10 says “Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee.” Everything and everyone has been created to give praise to our wonderful Lord. In this brief section, two things are mentioned that should cause us to praise our Lord: “His merciful kindness” and “the truth of the LORD.” God is so gracious, compassionate, and kind toward us. We deserve judgment and hell, but His grace and forgiveness has given us hope and eternal life. And, we can always count on Him to keep His Word – He always tells the truth, and His truth endures forever!
- The places from which He desires praise – verse 1a
- The people from whom He desires praise – verse 1b
- The power of His merciful kindness – verse 2a
- The promises upon which we can rely – verse 2b
Verse for Meditation
Verse 1 – “O praise the LORD, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.”
Meditation Prayer
“I praise You, Lord, for Your kindness and mercy to me, and for the fact that I can count on Your promises being true and one day will be fulfilled.”
Psalm 116:15-19 The psalmist continues his praise to the Lord, and emphasizes his role as the Lord’s “servant.” Every statement in this portion is crucial to our understanding of what the Lord really wants from us. The believer is bound for heaven, to be with the Lord, and the psalmist speaks of death as though it were a great blessing. He calls it “precious in the sight of the Lord.” To a believer, death is not a tragedy, but rather a sweet release into the very presence of the Lord where there is “fullness of joy,” and at the Lord’s right hand – “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Until that day God calls us home we will continue to pay our vows and offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to our God.
- The sweetness of a believer’s death – verse 15
- The servanthood we need to understand – verse 16
- The sacrifices of thanksgiving – verse 17
- The surrender of our wills to the Lord’s purposes – verse 18
- The scene of praise to the Lord – verse 19
Verse for MeditationVerse 17 – “I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that there is hope beyond the grave, and hope for each day as I seek to serve You and thank You, and praise You for all You have done for me.”
Psalm 116:8-14In this portion we learn the importance of commitment to the Lord as a response to “all His benefits.” Times come in our lives like the psalmist says when the Lord delivers us from “eyes” that are filled with “tears” and from “feet” that are “falling.” In verse 10, he admits “I was greatly afflicted.” But, this comes from the Lord as well, to teach us His ways that we may follow Him without question all the days of our lives. It is suffering that matures the believer, and it is suffering that helps us to see things clearly. We want the suffering to go away, but the Lord often leaves it for awhile that we might learn through it and become stronger than ever.
- The deliverance which the Lord brought – verse 8
- The decision to walk with the Lord – verse 9
- The determination to trust in the Lord in affliction – verse 10
- The disappointment from others – verse 11
- The discussion about what to give back to the Lord – verse 12
- The dependency upon the Lord which he declared – verse 13
- The dedication to pay his vows – verse 14
Verse for MeditationVerse 12 – “What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I rededicate my life, and all the gifts that You have given to me, to Your service and for Your glory.”
Psalm 116:1-7The psalmist declares how the Lord heard his prayer and delivered him from the pain and sorrow of his situation. He concludes in verse 7 with the words “The LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” The blessings of the Lord are indeed much more than we usually observe. Our circumstances blind us to the manifold ways in which the Lord is blessing us and helping us to see things from His perspective not ours. The depression that had overwhelmed him could only be taken away by the Lord Himself – how true that is!
- The response of love to the Lord – verse 1
- The resolve to call upon the Lord – verse 2
- The results of his trials upon his emotions – verse 3
- The request for deliverance – verse 4
- The righteousness and mercy of the Lord – verse 5
- The rescue of the Lord when he needed help – verse 6
- The rest he needed – verse 7
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “Then called I upon the Name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your deliverance and for Your bountiful blessings in my life.”
Psalm 115:14-18The instruction to praise the Lord, to bless His Name forever, is the main focus of our portion today. The passage teaches that God wants to bless us far more than we realize or desire. He will “increase you more and more” says verse 14. The time to do it is now, not after we die, for “the dead praise not the LORD.” That statement may seem at first to be troubling. It is not saying that those in heaven never praise the Lord. It is referring to the opportunities we have during our physical life here on earth. Once you die, those opportunities are now gone. Of course, when we all get to heaven, there will be great praise and rejoicing – the book of Revelation reminds us of that fact! But, what are we doing with the life God has given us on earth?
- The coming of God’s blessing upon you and your children – verse 14
- The Creator is the One Who blesses us – verse 15
- The challenge of using the earth to bless His Name – verse 16
- The cessation of praise on earth when we die – verse 17
- The commitment to bless the Lord forever – verse 18
Verse for MeditationVerse 18 – “But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to bless You and praise You for all that You have done in creation, and in my life.”
Psalm 115:9-13The admonition to “trust in the LORD” is the conclusion of the psalmist’s previous discussion about the insufficiency and inability of idols, or the “works of men’s hands” to accomplish what we need. We are told in these verses that our God is our “help” and our “shield.” We are told how the Lord is “mindful” of us, and that He will “bless” us if we “fear” Him, or acknowledge Him in all our ways. Our trust and our confidence must be in the Lord, no matter how He will use people, things, and circumstances in our lives. Look to the Lord, not to men, organizations, resources, or human promises of success.
- The admonition to Israel and Aaron to trust the Lord – verses 9-10
- The application to all who fear the Lord – verse 11
- The answer of blessing that the Lord will bring – verses 12-13
Verse for MeditationVerse 11 – “Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: He is their Help and their Shield.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You will bless everyone who puts trust in You and fears Your Name.”
Psalm 115:1-8Here is a warning against trusting in the idols, the works of men’s hands, instead of trusting in the Lord. Sometimes it is a bank account, or a particular organization, or the projects or professed abilities of someone or something. It is easy to get our eyes off of the Lord, and stop trusting in Him, and instead, start depending upon what men can do or promise to do. God is sovereign, and is working out His wonderful plan in every one of our lives. We need to trust Him completely. He is to be glorified, and that glory never belongs to any person. May God give us wisdom.
- The Person Who alone deserves all the glory – verse 1
- The place where God dwells – verse 2
- The pleasure of God is at work – verse 3
- The products of men’s hands – verses 4-7
- The parallel of the idols to those who make them – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to give all the glory to You, and to trust You for all the needs and circumstances of my life.”
Psalm 114:1-8This psalm rehearses how God provided and protected His people Israel when they came out of Egypt. All of nature experienced the hand of the Lord, working in behalf of His people. The point of the passage is that “Judah was His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion” (v. 2). Israel saw the evidence of it in the way God delivered them and brought them through the wilderness for 40 years and provided for their needs in that desolate place. He never forsook them – He was always working in their behalf, guiding them to the promised land. He is the same God Who works in the behalf of His believing children today!
- The people from whom God delivered Israel – verse 1
- The place where God would dwell – verse 2
- The power which God displayed for His people – verses 3-4
- The problem of why the sea, river, mountains, and hills responded as they did – verses 5-6
- The presence of the Lord which causes the earth to tremble – verse 7
- The provision of the Lord in giving them water in the desert – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for how You revealed Your mighty power to Your people Israel, and thank You for Your promise never to leave me nor to forsake me.”
Psalm 113:5-9What the Lord does for us is marvelous to behold! He Who is exalted above the heavens is willing to humble Himself to be with us and meet our needs – what a wonderful encouragement that is! The psalmist mentions the “poor” and “needy” and the “barren woman” – He sees them all and cares deeply for them. The Lord’s greatness involves His compassion and His deep desire to fellowship with the creatures He designed. We were made FOR HIM! We will never find complete satisfaction in life until we find our source of joy in the Lord Himself.
- The realization that no one is like the Lord – verse 5
- The result of His concern for His creation – verse 6
- The raising up of the poor and needy – verses 7-8
- The response of the Lord to the barren woman – verse 9
Verse for MeditationVerse 9 – “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for caring about my life and the trials that I face. There is no one as precious as You, and no one who is like You.”
Psalm 113:1-4The need of “praise” in the believer’s life is constant. It is not reserved for church services alone; the Lord wants us to praise Him all day long, from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to sleep – praise the Lord! We need it more than we realize. Life’s circumstances can cause the best of us to lose focus and take our eyes off of the Lord, and become depressed and discouraged because of what we are facing. Praising the Lord lifts our hearts above our circumstances and causes us to rest in the One Who has everything under His control, and is working all things for our good and His glory. Stop right now and praise Him for Who he is and for what He has done.
- The praise of the Name of the Lord that He desires – verse 1
- The proclaiming of His Name forever – verse 2
- The pattern of praise that we should follow – verse 3
- The position of the Lord that we should praise – verse 4
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s Name is to be praised.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for You are above all, and working everything for Your glory and my good.”
Psalm 112:6-10The qualities that characterize a righteous person are being described in this psalm, and the special emphasis in our portion today is the stability of his life – “he shall not be moved for ever.” It seems that many believers are inconsistent; our emotional responses to difficult circumstances and people are ever changing, and often reveal carnality, rather than spirituality. When we focus on the Lord, praising Him, and fearing Him, we have a stronger sense of what is right and an inward strength from the Holy Spirit to do what is right.
- The stability of the righteous – verse 6
- The security of the righteous – verse 7
- The strength of his heart – verse 8
- The scope of his concern for others and the honor of it – verse 9
- The state of the wicked when confronted with the righteous – verse 10
Verse for MeditationVerse 9 – “He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire to have my heart fixed on You, and established in Your Word so that I will not be afraid, but willing to stand for You in every situation in life.”
Psalm 112:1-5 This psalm focuses on the identity of a “good man.” He is one who “feareth the LORD” and “delighteth greatly in His commandments.” The “fear of the Lord” is parallel to the “knowledge of the Holy One” (Proverbs 9:10). It is a knowledge that not only believes in Who God is, but responds readily to everything God commands. Hebrews 11:6 says that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” That verse goes on to remind us that when we come to God we must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who “diligently seek” Him.
- The man who fears the Lord – verse 1
- The might which he will display – verse 2
- The manner in which he will be blessed – verse 3
- The marvel of God’s character in his life – verse 4
- The methods by which he demonstrates his godly character – verse 5
Verse for Meditation
Verse 5 – “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Meditation Prayer
“I delight, O Lord, in Your commandments, and I desire to live a godly lifestyle, and I need Your help and strength.”
Psalm 111:6-10The emphasis in this chapter on the “works of the Lord” is combined with the “commandments” of God. Acknowledging Who He is and what He has done leads us to trust His wisdom and His judgments, and to obey what He says. It is as simple as that. It is quite easy for us to trust ourselves and to think that we can handle what comes our way. Life reveals eventually that we need help. The Lord is able to do far more than we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), and what He has done in the past is overwhelming proof of that fact. Trust Him with all of your heart.
- The showing of His powerful works – verse 6
- The surety of His commands – verse 7
- The standing fast of His commands forever – verse 8
- The sending of His redemption – verse 9
- The strength of His commands in making us wise – verse 10
Verse for MeditationVerse 10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“Your power is what I need, and Your commandments are what I must obey and follow all the days of my life.”
Psalm 111:1-5The “works of the LORD” receive special attention and praise in this psalm. What God does in this world and in our lives is a demonstration of Who He is. His attributes are seen in His works. Everything He does is “honorable and glorious.” The Lord wants us to remember all that He has done. The psalmist says “I will praise the LORD with my whole heart.” Much of our praise is lacking because it is halfhearted – we often say about a person’s apathy – “his heart is not in it.” God wants us to praise Him to the best of our ability, and to let the world know Who He is by declaring what He has done and will do.
- The praise that God desires – verse 1
- The pleasure we should have in the works of the Lord – verse 2
- The pattern of His works reflects His character – verse 3
- The preciousness of what He does – verse 4
- The provision He makes for His own – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for all that You have done in this world and in my life, and see in it all how wonderful You are!”
Psalm 110:1-7This is one of those special Messianic psalms. Jesus quoted from this passage in one of his discussions with the Pharisees in Matthew 22:41-46. The writer of Hebrews uses verse 4 in his arguments about the Person and work of the Messiah, and that He is greater than Abraham and Aaron, and all other priests. He is “a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” It is quite possible that the Melchizedek of Genesis 14 is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. The argument of Hebrews 7 seems to suggest that fact. No doubt about it – the Messiah is the King of all kings, and one day will set up His kingdom on earth. Our blessed Lord Yeshua (His Hebrew name) is both prophet, priest, and king!
- The sitting of the Messiah at God the Father’s right hand – verse 1
- The sending of the Messiah to rule – verse 2
- The speaking of his power and holiness – verse 3
- The selection of his priesthood – verse 4
- The striking of kings in the day of His wrath – verse 5
- The sovereignty He will exercise in judging the heathen – verses 6-7
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for giving me direct access into Your presence, and that I don’t have to go through anyone else.”
Psalm 109:26-31A remarkable conclusion to David’s desire to have the Lord judge those who have attacked him. He cries out to the Lord for “help” and desires to “praise” Him. He wants his enemies to know that whatever judgment does come, it will come from the “hand” of the Lord. Leaving matters to the Lord means just that – don’t seek revenge yourself. When you pray, leave it in the hands of the Lord. That is essential to having peace. No matter how hurtful the attacks or painful the experience, God is a sovereign God Who knows exactly what happened and has the answer to it all – trust Him!
- The request for God’s help – verse 26
- The reason he has – verse 27
- The rejoicing which he desires to have – verse 28
- The result he desires for his adversaries – verse 29
- The response of praise – verse 30
- The reassurance of God’s salvation – verse 31
Verse for MeditationVerse 27 – “That they may know that this is Thy hand; that Thou, LORD, hast done it.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that all things are in Your hands, and that I can rest in the knowledge that You will make everything right in Your time.”
Psalm 109:21-25After reviewing how much he wanted the Lord to take revenge on his enemies, David now cries out for God’s mercy and deliverance for himself. He confesses his bankrupt spiritual condition, and his emotional and physical weariness. He knows that people around him see his condition and know that something is seriously wrong. He has become a “reproach” (v. 25) to them. The lesson to learn is that David knew the One to Whom he must bring his burdens. The Bible urges us to “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee” (Psalm 55:22).
- His cry for mercy and deliverance – verse 21
- His emotional conflicts were hurtful – verse 22
- His confidence was gone – verse 23
- His physical condition was weak – verse 24
- His character before others had suffered greatly – verse 25
Verse for MeditationVerse 21 – “But do Thou for me, O God the Lord, for Thy Name’s sake: because Thy mercy is good, deliver Thou me.”
Meditation Prayer“When I hurt so badly, and I feel I can’t take another step, thank You, Lord, that You are there to be merciful and to deliver.”
Psalm 109:13-20 David continues his desire for God’s judgment upon those who had betrayed him and who sought to hurt him. He reviews the kind of people they were, and why it would be righteous for God to judge them. As we have said before, matters of judgment must be left with the Judge of all the earth, Who will always do what is right (Genesis 18:25). One of the interesting things about David’s prayer for God to judge and take vengeance on his enemies is the attitude of David himself. We might wish that he handled this better, but it is in God’s Word for our admonition and wisdom. When we are hurt or attacked, there are feelings in all of us like David had. The important lesson is that he turned them over to the Lord.
- The posterity he wanted to remove – verse 13
- The parents he felt should be judged – verses 14-15
- The persecution of the poor that was done – verse 16
- The problem of cursing – verse 17
- The punishment for cursing – verses 18-19
- The plea for the Lord to reward them with this – verse 20
Verse for Meditation
Verse 20 – “Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.”
Meditation Prayer
“Thank You, Lord, that You will always do what is right, and bring Your judgment which is always just and fair.”
Psalm 109:6-12This portion of the psalm speaks about God’s judgment upon the wicked, which David brought up in the opening verses. He now asks the Lord to take vengeance on all he has and does. Indeed, we must leave the matter of vengeance to the Lord. In verse 8, when he says, “let his days be few; and let another take his office,” he was, no doubt, referring to the betrayal of his counselor, Ahithophel. But, in Acts 1:20, it is applied to Judas who betrayed our Lord. All things are “naked and open” to the knowledge of God (Hebrews 4:13). No one is getting away with anything.
- The consequence the wicked should experience – verse 6
- The condemnation he should receive – verse 7
- The prophetic connection with Judas – verse 8
- The children of the wicked – verses 9-10
- The catching of what he deserves – verse 11
- The cry for vengeance by withholding mercy from him – verse 12
Verse for MeditationVerse 7 – “When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, to leave matters of revenge in Your hands, and to have peace in Your righteous ways.”
Psalm 109:1-5David was criticized greatly and attacked often. It is never easy, and it hurts deeply. The jealousy and envy of others, the judgmental attitudes, and the refusal to be kind, is indeed hurtful. What David experienced, we still do. Today, the Internet has provided a new means for people to attack others without ever meeting them face to face or earning the right to share what they do. It gives people a feeling of importance and power as they spread rumors and gossip and to seek to destroy another’s reputation and ministry. What do we do about it? Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there! “Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord,” is the message Paul gave to us in Romans 12:17-21. Don’t ever try to get even! It doesn’t work, and does not come with the blessing of the Lord.
- The desire for God to intervene – verse 1
- The deceitfulness of those who speak against him – verse 2
- The denial that they ever had a righteous cause – verse 3
- The dependency of prayer alone – verse 4
- The disappointment in loving others and doing them good – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 29 – “Hold not Your peace, O God of my praise.”
Meditation Prayer“I leave it in Your hands, O Lord, and commit myself to prayer, not to revenge.”
Psalm 108:7-13What a tremendous hope for the nation of Israel! All of the cities and territories mentioned will be theirs one day, because they all belong to God – even now! He is in control of them all. He has not cast off His people, and the enemies of Israel will be destroyed. This is a great prophecy and so contemporary to our times. Verse 12 says it correctly and simply: “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.” How true that is! The world’s most powerful countries and leaders cannot do for Israel what the Lord God will one day do! Our trust is completely in the Lord and His promises will be fulfilled!
- The rejoicing in God’s holiness – verse 7a
- The rule of God over all – verses 7b-9
- The realization that God alone will accomplish this – verse 10
- The reminder that God alone will conquer – verse 11
- The recognition that man’s help is vain – verse 12
- The result which God alone will bring – verse 13
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Through God we shall do valiantly; for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You are the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords, and that You reign over all.”
Psalm 108:1-6David expresses wonderful praise to the Lord, singing and playing his instruments to the glory of God. After praising the Lord, he appeals to the Lord in verse 6 to deliver him, to save him, and to answer him. God’s ability to do that rests in His own character and power; when we praise God for Who He is and for what He can do, we are in a position to call upon Him for our needs. The opening statement is a powerful testimony that we all should reflect in our lives – “O God, my heart is fixed.” To be “fixed” on the praise and worship of our Lord is the highest good in life. It ought to be our main priority and chief agenda for every day!
- His expression of praise to God – verse 1
- His enthusiasm in the morning – verse 2
- His extending that praise among the people – verse 3
- His extent of God’s mercy and truth – verse 4
- His exaltation of God – verse 5
- His expectancy that God will answer and deliver – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “I will praise Thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, O Lord, for Who You are, and all that You do, and I desire to let everyone that I meet know how much I love You and worship You.”
Psalm 107:38-43The final summary of this detailed chapter on the goodness of God is a reminder of all that has been said previously. He refers to how He blessed His people and “multiplied” them “greatly.” He then reminds them of the wilderness wanderings, and His loving care of His “flock.” The last verse of this chapter tells us what we need to know about all that has been said: If we are wise and understand God’s evaluation of His people, then we will understand the “lovingkindness of the LORD.” Often we fail to see His loving and kind ways in dealing with us. Our complaints are tolerated, our sins are forgiven, our diseases are healed, our needs are met, and our hopes are priorities once again.
- The blessing of the Lord – verse 38
- The bringing them low – verse 39
- The burden they bore – verse 40
- The bondage that is broken – verse 41
- The belief that is restored – verse 42
- The benefit we receive from it – verse 43
Verse for MeditationVerse 43 – “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD!”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, to learn from Your ways and works in the past that I might live for You daily in complete trust and love.”
Psalm 107:32-37This portion demonstrates how God’s grace in terms of the environment will rain on the just as well as the unjust, but that some times, what occurs in terms of water needs and productivity, is the result of sin and wickedness. Such was the case with God’s people, Israel. Yes, we often experience what we do because of what we have done or not done. As Solomon learned long ago (II Chronicles 7:14), the One Who will “heal our land” is the One to Whom we must come with all of our hearts, and “turn from our wicked ways.”
- The congregation should praise Him – verse 32
- The changes He brings because of our wickedness – verses 33-34
- The good consequences when we repent – verses 35-37
Verse for MeditationVerse 32 – “Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.”
Meditation Prayer“We praise You, Lord, for Your longsuffering and kindness to us, in spite of our sin and disobedience; we acknowledge our sins to You, and repent of them before You.”
Psalm 107:22-31The graphic description of the “stormy wind” and how the most experienced sailor will “stagger” under the turbulence of a storm, reminds us again of how much we need the Lord! The awesome power of the ocean itself is indeed a reminder of how great God is. It is the God of creation Who brings the “calm” and causes those in the storm to be glad and relieved. Very graphic! Many of our troubles are like that storm and we cry out for deliverance. The Lord is the One Who will bring the “calm” back into our lives.
- The sacrifices of thanksgiving that the Lord desires – verse 22
- The sight of the ocean that reveals the Lord’s power – verses 23-24
- The storm which the Lord brings – verse 25
- The soul that is troubled by the storm – verse 26
- The staggering in the midst of the storm – verse 27
- The salvation they receive – verse 28
- The stillness which the Lord can bring – verse 29
- The safety that results – verse 30
- The speaking of the Lord’s goodness – verse 31
Verse for MeditationVerse 29 – “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for the way You bring peace to my troubled soul, and restore the calm in my life.”
Psalm 107:16-21In each stanza of the psalm, the refrain is the application – praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works. In this section, the reminder of how the Lord hears our cries and delivers us from our troubles, is once again the theme. The affliction that often comes to us is sometimes the result of our own sin as verse 17 indicates. The only way to deal with that is to confess it and forsake it (Proverbs 28:13). Many troubles are caused by our own foolishness, and as a result, we suffer the consequences of it. But, once again, when we cry unto the Lord, and depend upon Him, He will deliver.
- The power He displays – verse 16
- The problem our own sin creates – verse 17
- The pain we experience – verse 18
- The plea for God’s help – verse 19
- The pattern of God’s deliverance – verse 20
- The praise the Lord desires from us – verse 21
Verse for MeditationVerse 20 – “He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful forgiveness, and Your willingness to deliver me out of the troubles I have created in my life.”
Psalm 107:9-15When we cry unto the Lord, there is hope. In this portion of the psalm we read of how the Lord responds to those who are “in darkness” and “in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron (v. 10).” But, when they “cried unto the LORD in their trouble,” that’s when God saved them “out of their distresses (v. 13).” What a reason to praise the Lord for His goodness and His marvelous works! No matter how great the trial and trouble in our lives, God is able to deliver us and to use it all for His glory and our good.
- The satisfaction the Lord gives – verse 9
- The shadow of death we face – verse 10
- The sin of rebellion – verse 11
- The seriousness of their condition – verse 12
- The salvation of the Lord – verses 13-14
- The sacrifice of praise to the Lord – verse 15
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for all the times that You have rescued me from the mess I created.”
Psalm 107:1-8This psalm was meant to be sung. It has a beautiful refrain in verses 8, 15, 21, and 31 – an admonition to praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works. In the opening verse of this song, the emphasis is on praising the Lord and giving thanks for how He has delivered His people from the difficulties of the wilderness. Perhaps you find yourself in a difficult time, and you wonder if God knows, cares, and will help. Be assured that the Lord that is praised in his portion is the One Who still delivers – call upon Him!
- The character of the Lord – “He is good” – verse 1
- The captivity from which they were delivered – verses 2-3
- The circumstances of the wilderness – verses 4-5
- Their cry unto the Lord – verse 6
- The city to which He led them – verse 7
- The call to praise the Lord – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for hearing my cries to You, and for Your wonderful mercy and works in my behalf.”
Psalm 106:44-48In spite of Israel’s sin, rebellion, slavery, and defeat, the Lord delivered them when they cried out for His help. What a wonderful God we have! He loves us, and His grace is greater than our sin. Because He remembers His covenant, and because He is a God of great mercy, there is hope for us all. Our God will save us when we confess and repent. Proverbs 28:13 says we will find compassion when we get right with the Lord.
- The cry that He hears – verse 44
- The covenant He remembers – verse 45
- The concern which others had for them – verse 46
- The call for God’s salvation and praise – verse 47
- The commitment to praise the Lord – verse 48
Verse for MeditationVerse 44 – “Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for being so merciful to me when I don’t deserve anything but hell; I praise You, my Deliverer.”
Psalm 106:40-43The story of Israel in the wilderness is indeed tragic, but the story of their possession of the land reveals tragedy as well. During the time of the rule of “judges,” Israel was experiencing a cycle of sin, attack, captivity, bondage, and deliverance. Our passage today reminds us of that awful cycle, and how common it is to all of us. We are delivered by the Lord, and then fall into sin and disobedience, bondage to our selfish pursuits, experiencing Satanic attacks; then, we cry out to God, and He delivers us. Thank God that His ears are always open unto our cries.
- The reaction of the Lord against His people – verse 40
- The rule of the heathen over them – verse 41
- The result of bondage – verse 42
- The rescue which the Lord brought many times – verse 43a
- The reason God’s people suffered like this – verse 43b
Verse for MeditationVerse 43 – “Many times did He deliver them; but they provoked Him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.”
Meditation Prayer“May I never forget the tragic consequences of sinning against You, O Lord.”
Psalm 106:34-39To read of Israel’s idolatry is indeed troubling; but, to argue that we would not do that today is foolish and immature. We see idolatry everywhere. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:5 that “covetousness” is idolatry. We want that which we ought not to have. Our lusts and desires are often consumed with that which destroys, not that which blesses. One of the most important insights in this portion of the psalm is the effect of compromise upon us – they “learned their works (v. 35),” and the results were tragic. May God help us not to compromise with the world around us. We follow a different message – the Word of the living God!
- The destruction of the nations did not happen – verse 34
- Their disobedience led to compromise – verse 35
- Their decision to serve idols cost them greatly – verse 36
- The devils to whom they sacrifice – verse 37
- Their deeds led to the slaughter of their children – verse 38
- The defilement was caused by their own works – verse 39
Verse for MeditationVerse 35 – “But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I recommit my life to You, and ask for Your help and strength as I seek to stand against all forms of idolatry and compromise with this world.”
Psalm 106:28-33Provoking God is not wise! Angering God is not the way to blessing! The children of Israel did both – frequently. God was patient, but the time came to act, and Israel suffered the consequences. Our passage mentions two incidents: one, the case of idolatry, and the loyalty of Phinehas; and two, the case of murmuring at the waters of strife. Before we are too critical of the children of Israel in the wilderness, remember that they had no copy of the Bible as we do today. They were dependent in that barren and dry wilderness upon what physical evidence of God’s presence and provision came to them.
- The sacrifices of idolatry which they ate – verse 28
- The seriousness of their provoking God – verse 29
- The stopping of the plague – verse 30
- The strength of one man’s life and actions – verse 31
- The striving at the waters – verse 32
- The speaking of Moses that was unwise – verse 33
Verse for MeditationVerse 31 – “And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.”
Meditation Prayer“May I stand up for what is right as Phinehas did long ago, caring only for Your honor and glory.”
Psalm 106:24-27The message is clear: Israel murmured and refused to believe God, not responding to the voice of the Lord. The result? That wilderness generation did not go into the promised land. Hebrews 3:19 says that the reason they did not enter was unbelief. It is dangerous not to believe God and His Word. The complaints and disappointments that believers express often to one another reveals that the human heart today is the same as it was during Israel’s wilderness wanderings.
- Their resistance to the Lord’s promise – verse 24a
- Their refusal to believe His Word – verse 24b
- Their reaction of murmuring – verse 25
- The response of the Lord – verse 26
- The result of defeat and scattering – verse 27
Verse for MeditationVerse 24 – “Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not His word.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I come into Your presence today, confessing that I have often complained; but, I want to do Your will and believe Your word – to trust You no matter what happens in my life.”
Psalm 106:17-23The things that happened to Israel in the wilderness were written for our admonition and learning (I Corinthians 10:11). As Moses is on the holy mount receiving God’s commandments, the children of Israel are making a golden calf and worshipping it. How easy it is to forget the Lord of glory, and instead, substitute something we design! May God help us to learn from their example, and to follow the Lord at all times and in every situation in life that we face!
- The consequence of sin which they had seen – verse 17
- The coming of fire from God to judge – verse 18
- The calf they designed – verse 19
- The changing of God’s glory into the created thing – verse 20
- The complacency they revealed toward God – verses 20-21
- The calling upon God by Moses to spare them – verse 22
Verse for MeditationVerse 21 – “They forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt.”
Meditation Prayer“May I never forget what You have done or can do, O Lord, and may I never substitute anything or anyone for You!”
Psalm 106:12-16It is quite amazing to see Israel believing in the Lord, and then immediately turning away from Him. We are no better. We do it often even when we do not recognize that we do. We are so prone to respond to the Lord on the basis of our circumstances. If things are good, we praise Him; but, if things are bad, we complain. The result is very interesting (verse 15) – God met their need, but sent “leanness into their soul.” Their physical hunger was satisfied, but their spiritual hunger grew larger, and their spiritual strength greatly diminished.
- Their faith was sometimes evident – verse 12
- Their forgetting was also clear – verse 13
- Their failure to trust God continued – verse 14
- Their spiritual food was lacking – verse 15
- Their following of the leaders was weak – verse 16
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I desire You more than the things of this life; I depend totally upon You for everything!”
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Psalm 106:1-6This psalm of praise to the Lord reminds us of His goodness and mercy. God is so good. Of course, when things are not going well, we have a tendency to question that goodness. Romans 8:28 is clear – God is working “all things” for our good and His glory. The more we praise Him for His “mighty acts,” the more “blessed” we will be. God wants us to worship Him, and the psalms are clear that He wants us to speak of His ways and deeds.
- The thanksgiving our Lord desires from us – verse 1
- The things He has done that deserve our praise – verse 2
- The times we are to do right – verse 3
- The truth of His salvation that we want Him to remember – verse 4
- The teaching that should result – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever.”
Meditation Prayer“When I think of how You have taken care of Your people Israel, I cannot help but praise You and thank You for all that You have done.”
Psalm 105:42-45God kept His promise to His people. It was an unconditional covenant with Abraham, and in spite of the people’s rebellion, God was (and is) faithful to what He said. Many of us forget the promises we have made, but God never does. He always “remembered His holy promise.” What a blessed confidence we have in the faithfulness of our God. The children of Israel did not deserve it, but His faithfulness did it. For 40 years, He provided for their needs, even though they often complained and murmured about His provision.
- The promise the Lord remembered – verse 42
- The people He brought forth with joy – verse 43
- The places He gave to them for an inheritance – verse 44
- The purpose He had in it all – verse 45a
- The praise He alone deserves – verse 45b
Verse for MeditationVerse 42 – “For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for supplying all my needs, and for filling my heart with joy!”
Psalm 105:37-41The care and provision of the Lord for His people, the children of Israel, during the days of their wilderness wanderings is a truly remarkable story. In traveling through the Sinai desert, one is aware of the awful desolation, barrenness, and heat. The only way they could survive is through the protection of our God. God has promised to take care of His own, and in spite of the times when things are difficult and the supply seems to run low, He is the God Whom David says will never forsake the righteous – His seed will never beg for bread (Psalm 37:25).
- The resources they brought out of Egypt – verse 37
- The relief which Egypt felt – verse 38
- The revelation of God’s presence – verse 39
- The reward of the quail and bread – verse 40
- The river that came out of the rock – verse 41
Verse for MeditationVerse 37 – “He brought them forth also with silver and gold; and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for taking care of all my needs, and for never forsaking me in my trials.”
Psalm 105:28-36The plagues of Egypt struck directly into the heart of the Egyptian religious system. The gods of Egypt were being attacked, and the power of the one true God was being demonstrated in a spectacular way. When Israel went into Egypt and began to experience such terrible hardship and suffering, they had no idea at the time as to what God was going to do. Our lives and circumstances are often mysteries to us – we do not see the hand of the Lord in what is taking place. But “all things” are being worked after the “counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11),” and “all things” come from Him, are being worked by Him, and have their ultimate goal in bringing glory to Him (Romans 11:36).
- The darkness God sent – verse 28
- The disaster of the water – verse 29
- The differences he caused in those judgments – verses 30-31
- The dropping of hail and fire – verse 32
- The desolation of the environment – verse 33
- The declarations that brought the plagues – verse 34
- The devouring of the land – verse 35
- The death of the firstborn – verse 36
Verse for MeditationVerse 36 – “He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that Your plan for my life is designed to bring You glory and praise; when things are difficult for me, help me to trust You to fulfill Your plan and purpose.”
Psalm 105:23-27At first it seemed like such a wonderful blessing from the Lord that Israel found herself in Egypt, enjoying relief from the famine, and being cared for in such a kind way. But, a new Pharaoh arose who “knew not Joseph,” and things changed. The children of Israel had increased in number greatly and became a threat now to Egypt, instead of a blessing. Life is like that – things that we rely on can change – circumstances can become difficult that once were blessings. But, once again, our need is to trust the Lord in every difficult circumstance. His divine purpose to show His mighty power was being worked in their difficulties.
- The coming of Israel into Egypt – verse 23
- The circumstances that caused Egypt concern – verse 24
- The change in the attitudes of the Egyptians – verse 25
- The choice of God’s deliverers – verse 26
- The consequences that revealed God’s power – verse 27
Verse for MeditationVerse 24 – “He increased His people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for working all things in my life for Your glory and my good.”
Psalm 105:13-22 The history of Israel is replete with examples of how God took care of His people. One of those remarkable times was the famine that brought the family of Jacob to Egypt. The sons of Jacob had mistreated their brother, Joseph, and sold him into slavery, due to their jealousy and envy of how their father honored him. God had it all planned – Genesis 50:20 records the words of Joseph to his brothers: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” We don’t always understand what God is doing, but He is working all things for our good and His glory – we can count on that (Romans 8:28).
- Their presence in other nations – verse 13
- The protection of the Lord – verses 14-15
- The plan behind the famine – verse 16
- The person God used – verse 17
- The punishment he endured – verse 18
- The position that the Lord gave him – verses 19-22
Verse for MeditationVerse 19 – “Until the time that His word came: the word of the LORD tried him.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, to trust You at all times, especially when things are not to my liking and I am being tested by You.”
Psalm 105:6-12
The covenant of God is a critical matter in terms of our Biblical understanding and commitment. This “covenant” which He made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) is unconditional, that is, it is not dependent upon human effort or performance, but on the faithfulness of God Himself. God will never go back on His Word! We can trust Him to do what He has promised. That covenant promised a nation, a land, and a descendant Who would bless the entire world. This passage focuses on the promise of the land. Though Israel does not have the land God promised as yet, it will be fulfilled in the future when the Messiah comes.
- The choice of His people – verse 6
- The character of God – verse 7
- The covenant He has remembered – verse 8
- The confirmation of that covenant – verses 9-10
- The commitment of the land which God made – verse 11
- The cause for it was not found in their numbers – verse 12
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “He hath remembered His covenant for ever; the word which He commanded to a thousand generations.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that Your promises are based on Your faithfulness, and not our performance.”
Psalm 105:1-5What a wonderful passage with which to begin the day! Our need of expressing thanks to the Lord is great. It is easy to complain and question God’s wonderful works. Sometimes He seems far away, and you don’t know how to relate to Him. But, He has never moved. He is still the God Who is there – at all times and in every situation that seems difficult or pleasant. The way we respond to God on a daily basis has a definite impact on all we do and say. Focus on Him, and relate all that occurs today to the Lord – you’ll be surprised at the change it brings to your heart!
- The response of thanksgiving – verse 1
- The reference to singing – verse 2
- The rejoicing in Him – verse 3
- The reliance upon Him – verse 4
- The remembrance of His works – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 3 – “Glory ye in His holy Name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for Who You are, and for all that You do, and I desire to worship You more than I have ever done before.”
Psalm 104:31-35The summary of this particular psalm is a blessing to read. The psalm began with “Bless the LORD,” and it ends with it, concluding with the admonition to “praise the LORD.” The mighty power of the Lord has been declared throughout this psalm, along with His wonderful care and provision for all of His creation. Now, we are told to “sing unto the LORD” and to meditate upon Him and His wonderful works. If we spent more time focusing on the Lord, we would be amazed at the differences that would occur in our perspective and in our attitudes. May God open up our hearts and minds to His attributes and abilities.
- The endurance of the glory of the Lord – verse 31a
- The expression of joy in His heart – verse 31b
- The effect of His power upon the earth – verse 32
- The enthusiasm of our praise – verse 33
- The exercise of meditation and its results – verse 34
- The end which the wicked will face – verse 35
Verse for MeditationVerse 34 – “My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“I exalt You, O Lord, and bless Your holy Name, trusting You to fulfill Your plan and will in this world, and in my life.”
Psalm 104:24-30The wonderful processes of nature and our environment are created and controlled by God. It is something about which we can get excited! This portion emphasizes strongly the works and wisdom of God. It should lead us to praise Him daily! The last two verses remind us of the brevity of our lives, and the power of God’s Spirit to create and renew. We are reminded by way of illustration to wait upon the Lord and trust Him fully to meet all of our needs.
- The exaltation of God’s works and wisdom – verse 24
- The enormity of God’s creatures in the sea – verse 25
- The extent to which the sea is used – verse 26
- The expectancy of the creatures in the sea – verses 27-28
- The end of their lives in the hand of God – verse 29
- The essential of God’s Spirit in creation and renewal – verse 30
Verse for MeditationVerse 24 – “O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I come to worship You today, and to thank You for the greatness of the seas and all that is in them!”
Psalm 104:19-23The normal course of life has been designed by God. He provides the means to chart our daily schedules and to provide for all of our needs. This portion illustrates God’s loving care by drawing our attention to “all the beasts” and especially the lions. They take shelter in the day in “dens,” but at night, a darkness that God created, they “roar after their prey.” Then, we read the simple conclusion of verse 23 about ourselves: we go to work during the day (opposite of the lions) and rest in the evening. All of it points to a wise Creator and illustrates simply His plan for our lives.
- The movement of heavenly bodies – verse 19
- The making of the darkness – verse 20
- The meat which God supplies – verse 21
- The means for animals to rest – verse 22
- The manner in which humanity works – verse 23
Verse for MeditationVerse 23 – “Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening.”
Meditation Prayer“Help me, Lord, to use my days wisely as I seek to work and serve You.”
Psalm 104:14-18When you feel discouraged and things seem so difficult to handle as well as to understand, it is wise to take another look at how God’s creation functions. Behind it all, is an all-wise Creator Who provides for His creation. In these verses we read of God’s provision for cattle and humanity. We read of the trees He created and the hills and rocks, all places of refuge for the birds, wild goats, and conies. I Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your care (worry or anxiety) upon Him, for He careth for you.” Trust Him – depend upon His grace and provision for your every need!
- The food He provides – verse 14
- The face of men He causes to shine – verse 15
- The fullness of the trees for the birds – verses 16-17
- The fortress of the hills and rocks for a place of refuge – verse 18
Verse for MeditationVerse 14 – “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I depend on You for everything, and I rest in Your care and provision of my life.”
Psalm 104:6-13The sovereign care and control of God is beautifully portrayed in this portion of the psalm. All of it speaks of His greatness and power. His wonderful provision for all the animals He created is described, and of how much greater love and care does He bestow upon us. Don’t ever think that the Lord does not care. He has promised to supply all of our need (Philippians 4:19), and will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Whatever is concerning you and troubling your heart – take a long look around you at how God cares for that which He created.
- The covering of the earth – verse 6
- The control of the waters – verses 7-10
- The care of the animals – verses 11-12
- The consequence of His provision – verse 13
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “He watereth the hills from His chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works.”
Meditation Prayer“I praise You, Lord, for Your tender care and continuous provision of all my needs.”
Psalm 104:1-5Many believers have enjoyed the song “How Great Thou Art” – based on the words of verse 1. The descriptions here of our God cause us to rejoice and praise His Name! Obviously, there is nothing too hard for Him to do. Perhaps the obstacles, problems, or difficulties in your life right now seem insurmountable. We usually feel that way when our focus is on our circumstances, rather than on the greatness of our God. Why not take a moment right now and lay it all at His feet, trusting it all into His loving hands, the One Who loves you and cares about all that you are facing.
- The greatness of our God – verse 1
- The garment of His light – verse 2
- The glory of His presence in the heavens – verse 3
- The goodness He displays through His angels – verse 4
- The ground upon which He laid the earth – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.”
Meditation Prayer“Your greatness, O Lord, is a great comfort and encouragement to my heart, and convinces me that my problems are simple matters to resolve by You.”
Psalm 103:17-22To bless the Lord is to speak well of Him; it is to declare His mighty works everywhere and to everyone. The emphasis is on His children, to all those who “keep His covenant” and “do” His commandments. Verse 20 speaks of His “angels” who “do His commandments.” Verse 21 offers this definition of those who bless the Lord: “Ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.” Obedience to the Lord means that we do that which pleases Him.
- The result of mercy to those who fear Him – verse 17
- The remembrance of His commandments – verse 18
- The rule of the Lord over all – verse 19
- The response of His angels – verse 20
- The returning of blessing to the Lord – verses 21-22
Verse for MeditationVerse 19 – “The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You govern in all the affairs of this world, and You rule over everything, including my life.”
Psalm 103:12-16The compassion of the Lord is that of a Father Who pities His children, knowing their inconsistencies and failures. When God forgives us, He removes our sins from us – He remembers them against us no more! We use to sing a little chorus in Sunday School that said: “Gone, gone, gone, gone – yes, my sins are gone!” That is a wonderful fact, and God’s forgiveness is complete! The emphasis on the brevity and frailty of our lives before God is important to our trust and dependency upon Him!
- The removal of our sins – verse 12
- The response of God toward us – verse 13
- The remembrance of our sins – verse 14
- The reality of human life – verses 15-16
Verse for MeditationVerse 13 – “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You know my weaknesses, and the frailty of my life, but You are compassionate, not judgmental!”
Psalm 103:6-11The relationship of God’s justice and His mercy are described in this portion of Psalm 103. The statement of verse 7, “He made known His ways unto Moses,” have special meaning as this meditation is being written. I have just finished a full day in the Sinai desert, visiting a full-scale replica of the tabernacle at Timna, just about 25 miles north of the seaport city of Eilat. The reminder of the wilderness wanderings in this barren desert is now vivid in my mind and heart. God taught Moses about justice and mercy during those 40 years of struggle and wandering. It made me wonder what any of us have learned about our God in the circumstances of our lives.
- The execution of God’s judgment – verse 6
- The exposure of God’s ways – verse 7
- The explanation of His mercy – verse 8
- The extent of His mercy – verses 9-10
- The exaltation of His mercy – verse 11
Verse for MeditationVerse 8 – “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy toward me, as You have held back what I really deserve.”
Psalm 103:1-5This wonderful psalm speaks of God’s character and His compassion towards us, and exhorts us to bless (speak well of) His “holy Name.” It is “holy” because it is separate and above all others. His Name refers to His attributes and abilities.
- The response to His holy Name – verse 1
- The remembrance of all His benefits – verse 2
- The release from sin and disease – verse 3
- The redemption from destruction – verse 4a
- The reward of His kindness and mercy – verse 4b
- The renewal He gives that satisfies – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy Name.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, how I bless You and praise You for all the good things You do to satisfy the deepest longings of my heart!”
Psalm 102:23-28
We have a very interesting portion of God’s Word today, as we compare the transitory nature of our lives with the eternal nature of God and His plans and purposes. The psalmist says “He shortened my days (v. 23),” but in v. 26 he says “Thou shalt endure.” He is “the same” and “Thy years have no end.” God is not affected by our limitations, and time does not control Him as it does our lives. The promise he ends with is the permanence of God’s plan for His children. It rests on His abiding faithfulness and character.
- The failure of our strength – verses 23-24
- The foundations of the universe that will not endure – verses 25-26
- The faithfulness of God upon which we can depend – verses 27-28
Verse for Meditation
Verse 27 – “But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.”
Meditation Prayer
“Lord, I am so unfaithful and inconsistent, but You are the same yesterday, today, and forever – Thank You!”
Psalm 102:16-22The beauty of this passage involves the future promises of the Lord in which He promises to answer the prayers of the “destitute.” He hears the “groaning of the prisoners.” In this section we are told of the coming Messianic Kingdom when people shall “praise the Lord” and “declare the Name of the LORD in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem.” May that day come quickly!
- The appearance of the Lord in His glory – verse 16
- The answers to prayer He will bring – verse 17
- The adoration of His people – verse 18
- The assessment which the Lord makes from heaven – verse 19
- The agony that is heard by Him – verse 20
- The aim He has for His people – verse 21
- The assembly of His people to serve Him – verse 22
Verse for MeditationVerse 18 – “This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that Your kingdom is coming, and Your Name will be praised through all the earth!”
Psalm 102:11-15In comparison to the Lord, our life is nothing but a “shadow.” He is the One Who will “endure for ever.” His promises to His people will be fulfilled. His timing is not ours. The time to bring His “favor” and blessing upon Zion is a “set time (v. 13).” We can count on it. The result of God’s blessing falling upon Zion (or Jerusalem) will be the response of all nations as they shall fear the Lord and glorify Him. May that day come soon!
- The realization of our days – verse 11
- The reality of God’s eternal nature – verse 12
- The recognition of God’s timing – verse 13
- The response of God’s people toward Jerusalem – verse 14
- The result upon all the nations – verse 15
Verse for MeditationVerse 15 – “So the heathen shall fear the Name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, may I never forget that days of blessing are coming when You shall be glorified and all Your promises fulfilled.”
Psalm 102:6-10The misery of the psalmist is described as the animals of the desert and the loneliness and insignificance of the sparrow. In Matthew 10:29 our Lord told us that even that sparrow that falls to the ground is known to Him. He was being attacked by his enemies and speaks about his desperate state. He was fully aware that behind it all was the judgment of the Lord, the One Who lifts us up, but Who also casts us down. May we learn the lesson of trusting Him always, and knowing that the afflictions we face in life, are often intended by our Lord to strengthen us, not to defeat us.
- The isolation of the afflicted – verse 6
- The insignificance of the afflicted – verse 7
- The impact of his enemies – verse 8
- The intensity of his pain – verse 9
- The indignation of the Lord – verse 10
Verse for MeditationVerse 10 – “Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath: for Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.”
Meditation Prayer“When Your chastening comes, O Lord, help me to understand that You love me and only desire my good in it all.”
Psalm 102:1-5This psalm begins with desperation – a cry from the heart of one in deep affliction and pain. If you have been there, you know what it feels like and how awful is the loneliness of your troubles. Life is filled with difficulty. A bad relationship with others can hurt deeply; a physical illness that drains your spirit can exhaust you emotionally; a financial burden that never seems to end can weaken your resolve; but, the common malady of us all is when we sin and continue in it, knowing that it is against God and we are paying a terrible price for it. How desperate is our need of the Lord’s healing and restoration!
- The cry that comes to the Lord – verse 1
- The concern over the Lord’s response – verse 2
- The consuming of our days – verse 3
- The complacency about eating in the midst of the pain – verse 4
- The cleaving of the bones to the skin – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto Thee.”
Meditation Prayer“When the affliction comes, I call upon You, O Lord, to heal my heart.”
Psalm 101:5-8This portion of God’s Word is powerful in its condemnation of wickedness. Slander, gossip, pride, deceit, lies – all of it strongly condemned. The admonition is to walk in the way of the Lord and to serve Him. These wicked attitudes, words, and actions, are what destroys and tears down. God’s love builds up and encourages us. We all need to be careful about what we think, say, and do, in the light of God’s judgment – we are accountable to Him!
- The way we deal with our neighbor – verse 5
- The walk that pleases God – verse 6
- The working of deceit – verse 7
- The wicked that God will destroy – verse 8
Verse for MeditationVerse 6 – “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with Me; he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve Me.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I ask You to bring to my attention the words of my mouth that hurt and destroy, that I may always please You.”
Psalm 101:1-4The psalmist wants the blessing of God as many of us do as well. He knows the importance of commitment and therefore, speaks of his determination to walk in the ways of the Lord and to do what is right. It is good for us to express our devotion and dedication to the Lord Himself, rather than to others. Proverbs 27:2 says “Let another man praise thee, and not the words of thy own mouth.” But, to God, that is something different. Why not take a moment right now and express your loyalty to Him and what you intend to do about the problems in your life?
- The devotion of his heart in singing to the Lord – verse 1
- The dedication he made to walk in the ways of the Lord – verse 2
- The determination to avoid wickedness – verse 3
- The departure from wickedness that he desired – verse 4
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O LORD, will I sing.”
Meditation Prayer“I desire to walk in Your ways, O Lord, and to do Your will, but I must depend solely upon You!”
Psalm 100:1-5The admonition of this wonderful psalm reminds us of the need to praise and thank the Lord for Who He is and for all He has done for us. We are exhorted to make a “joyful noise” to the Lord, and to come into His presence with “singing.” Apathetic responses to the Lord are not what He desires. Many of us need to understand that God wants us to explode with praise to Him! He delights in the praises of His people. Indifference is often rooted in the failure to focus on the greatness of our God. It is so easy to be burdened down with the pains and difficulties of life. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord!
- The noise we should make to the Lord – verse 1
- The need of joy and singing in our service to the Lord – verse 2
- The nature of our relationship to the Lord – verse 3
- The need of praise and thanksgiving – verse 4
- The number of attributes that causes us to praise the Lord – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name.”
Meditation Prayer“Lord, I come to You with praise and thanksgiving for Who You are – the good, merciful and faithful God – and I am so thankful that You are working out Your wonderful plan in my life.”
Psalm 99:6-9
The key verses of Psalm 99 are found in verse 5 and in verse 9 –almost the same wording – “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; for the LORD our God is holy.” The holiness of God means that He is separate from sin, of course, but it also means that He is separate from that which He created. The emphasis in the first five verses is on the greatness of our God; the primary focus in this portion of the psalm is how God answers those who call upon His Name. In either case, He is to be exalted!
- The calling upon His Name – verse 6
- The communication of the Lord to those who call upon His Name – verse 7
- The characteristic of our God to those who call upon His Name – verse 8
- The commitment to exalt His Name and worship Him – verse 9
Verse for Meditation
Verse 6 – “Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His Name; they called upon the LORD, and He answered them.”
Meditation Prayer
“I exalt You, O Lord, and worship You alone, and express my thanks to You for Your faithfulness and forgiveness, and willingness to answer my cries.”
Psalm 99:1-5
This psalm centers its attention upon the holiness of our God and we are exhorted to “exalt” the Lord and worship Him. The Lord is great, and He is ruling over all – that is the primary message of this psalm and the motivation behind our praise. True worship centers in the praise of God Himself and what He has done, is doing, and will do in the future. Take time today to praise Him, and see how many times during the day that you recognize His sovereignty and control over all things.
- The rule of the Lord – verse 1
- The recognition of His exalted position – verse 2
- The reason why we should praise Him – verse 3
- The righteousness of His reign – verse 4
- The response we should give – verse 5
Verse for Meditation
Verse 3 – “Let them praise Thy great and terrible Name; for it is holy.”
Meditation Prayer
“I praise You, Lord, that You are in control of all the events of my life, and working Your plan for Your glory and my good.”
Psalm 98:4-9The instruction to sing and play instruments before the Lord centers in the fact that He is coming to judge the earth. Everything that is wrong now will be made right, and all matters will be handled by the Lord with perfect justice for all. That is worth shouting about! Injustice is everywhere, and there are few in this world who have not experienced it. In Isaiah 11:4 we read of the coming reign of the Messiah Himself and it says: “But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.”
- The rejoicing of God’s people with music – verses 4-6
- The reaction of all creation – verses 7-8
- The righteousness that shall characterize the rule of our Lord over all the earth – verse 9
Verse for MeditationVerse 4 – “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”
Meditation Prayer“Fill my mouth with music and praise that I may rejoice always in Your coming to this earth to judge in righteousness and truth.”
Psalm 98:1-3The things that the Lord has done cause us to sing and rejoice – praising Him all day long! In these few verses we read what “He hath done,” and they are described as “marvelous things.” We are told what He has “made known” and what He has “openly shewed,” and what He has “remembered.” Much of our problem is the failure to see His hand in all that is taking place in our lives. He is the God Who is there, and He is working “all things” (Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:11) for our good and His glory.
- The singing over what God has done – verse 1
- The salvation that God has made known – verse 2
- The salvation that the world has seen – verse 3
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul, and for never forgetting Your promises to Your people.”
Psalm 97:7-12
The response of the righteous to the greatness and glory of the Lord is being described in this portion of the psalm. Our God is exalted above all gods that humanity has conceived and tried to design. There is only one true God, and we are exhorted to rejoice in Him. He is high and holy, totally separate from that which He created. He alone is worthy of all praise and worship. As verse 7 says “worship Him.”
- The exhortation to worship – verse 7
- The enthusiasm of God’s people – verse 8
- The exaltation of our God – verse 9
- The evil we are to hate – verse 10
- The extent of God’s blessing on the righteous – verse 11
- The expressions of gratitude to our God – verse 12
Verse for Meditation
Verse 9 – “For Thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: Thou art exalted far above all gods.”
Meditation Prayer
“I rejoice in You, O Lord, and give thanks, exalting You and worshipping You.”
Psalm 97:1-6The glory of God is displayed in the heavens and in His mighty works. It is the priority of every believer to worship God by glorifying Him for Who He is and all that He has done. The psalm begins with the simple, but powerful, words: “The LORD reigneth.” Sometimes things seem so out of control – but the Lord reigns! Things often do not make sense to us – but the Lord reigns! We wonder how we can make sense out of the tragedies and troubles that occur in our lives – but the Lord reigns!
- The rejoicing over the Lord’s rule and reign – verse 1
- The righteousness of His throne – verse 2
- The results upon His enemies – verse 3
- The revelation of His power – verse 4
- The reaction of the hills – verse 5
- The response of the people – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You are ruling over all things, and that my life and future are in Your hands.”
Psalm 96:7-13
Giving glory to God is the highest priority for the believer. I Corinthians 10:31 says that whether “we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, do all to the glory of God.” This psalm breaks forth with such praise to the Lord, and focuses on His kingdom, reign, and judgment of all nations. We often say, “The King is coming!” and rightly so; but, we can also say, “The Judge is coming!” and that is true as well.
- The way we should come to Him- verses 7-8
- The worship we should give to Him – verse 9
- The world will be judged by Him – verse 10
- The wonder of creation itself – verses 11-12
- The word of promise that He is coming – verse 13
Verse for Meditation
Verse 9 – “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.”
Meditation Prayer
“As I worship You, O Lord, I bring an offering of praise, time, resources, and commitment.”
Psalm 96:1-6Whether you can sing a note or not, the Bible urges the believers to declare the glory of God – to praise Him, honor Him, and bless His holy Name! Worship is our highest priority – it demands that we focus on the Lord, and not ourselves or our circumstances. When we praise the Lord, we speak of His greatness, and often the reason for that is what He has done in creation. As Psalm 19:1 told us previously, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Why not take a moment tonight and go outside and look at the stars (provided it is a clear night!), and tell the Lord of your love, and worship Him!
- The admonition to sing unto the Lord – verse 1
- The actions that reveal your worship – verse 2
- The announcing of His greatness of all people – verse 3
- The adoration of God above all – verse 4
- The argument of creation – verse 5
- The attributes of God that deserve our praise – verse 6
Verse for MeditationVerse 2 – “Sing unto the LORD, bless His Name; shew forth His salvation from day to day.”
Meditation Prayer“I sing to You, O Lord, and praise You for Who You are, and for all that You have done.”
Psalm 95:1-5
The psalms of worship and praise are such a refreshment to the believing heart. They reveal what our Lord really wants from us – not complaint, indifference, or rebellion – He desires our praise and our thanksgiving. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Can you make a list today of that for which you should give thanks? Thanksgiving will change the attitudes of our hearts.
- The invitation to sing unto the Lord – verses 1-2
- The incomparableness of our Lord – verse 3
- The ingredients of His greatness that cause us to praise Him – verses 4-5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, for what You have created in our universe and on our planet – all of it speaks of Your mighty power.”
Psalm 94:8-15
Here is a reminder to those who think they are getting away with things and that they will never be judged by God. What is true about the judgment of the wicked is also true about the chastening of the righteous. When we, as believers, try to get away with things that are wrong, God, in love, will bring His chastening, not to harm us, but to help us in our walk with Him. He doesn’t want us to ruin our lives.
- The rebuke of the foolish – verse 8
- The reasoning they had about God was wrong – verses 9-10
- The reaction of God to man’s thoughts – verse 11
- The rest which God will give to those who trust Him – verses 12-13
- The refusal of God to forsake His people – verse 14
- The righteousness that will prevail – verse 15
Verse for Meditation
Verse 12 – “Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of Thy law.”
Meditation Prayer
“Thank You, Lord, for the times You brought chastening into my life that I may be more productive and all that You want me to be.”
Psalm 94:1-7Romans 12:17-21 urges us not to take revenge on those who have mistreated us or harmed us or done evil against us. The reason? Vengeance belongs to the Lord – we must leave matters with Him. We are to overcome evil with good. But, we still ask the questions recorded in this passage – “LORD, how long shall the wicked triumph?” God’s judgment is coming, and the entire tribulation period is regarded as the day of God’s wrath and vengeance upon this world.
- The request for God to act – verse 1
- The reward which God will bring – verse 2
- The realization that God is delaying His answers – verses 3-4
- The respect that lack for God’s people – verses 5-6
- The reasoning of their hearts argues that God will not see or do anything about it – verse 7
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “O LORD God, to Whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to Whom vengeance belongeth, shew Thyself.”
Meditation Prayer“Teach me, O Lord, to leave things in Your hands, and not to seek revenge for any harm done to me.”
Psalm 93:1-5Here is a psalm that exalts in the rulership of our God – He reigns over all! If things seem out of control – don’t ever forget that God not only knows about it, but is using it for His purposes, and He is still in control (Psalm 103:19). Nothing is wasted, and all will bring ultimate glory to Him. His power is great and nothing is too hard for Him to handle. Trust Him with all your heart!
- The reign of our Lord – verse 1
- The realization of His eternal nature – verse 2
- The relationship of the Lord to His creation – verses 3-4
- The reliability of His Word – verse 5
Verse for MeditationVerse 1 – “The LORD reigneth, He is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.”
Meditation Prayer“Thank You, Lord, that You are in total control, and I praise You for Your mighty power and the glory of Your majesty!”
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Psalm 91:9-16In these wonderful verses there are blessings abundant for the believer! However, there is also prophetic impact as it relates to the Messiah. These words were used by Satan to manipulate our Savior (Matthew 4:1-11) to respond to his deception and refocus our Lord’s attention away from His divine mission and purpose. It didn’t work. These words provide great encouragement to our hearts when we are going through difficult times and are filled with fear.
- The plague we will not experience – verses 9-10
- The protection the angels will provide – verses 11-13
- The position we receive for trusting Him – verse 14
- The prayer He will answer – verse 15
- The peace He will give – verse 16
Verse for MeditationVerse 15 – “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.”
Meditation Prayer“You, Lord, are my Refuge, in Your presence I desire to dwell, and to trust You in every situation of my life.”