Tag: Psalm

Daily Word

Psalm 32

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Read Psalm 32 – Guilt is heavy and pride is a liar. Pride says, “Shhhh… no one has to know.” David says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” :3 That is heavy; that is guilt, and God does not want that for his children.

But God is a good Father. He will be a stern presence that does not let you off the hook for harboring sin, but he will not pretend with you that the sin is no big deal. “For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” :4

This is where a choice must be made. One can ignore the LORD until their heart is hardened. One can keep listening to pride and seek more sin to try to hide from the Holy Spirit. One can get used to that weight on the shoulders to the point that living without it seems scarier than freedom. Or one can confess and know the blessed life David speaks of, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” :1-2

Were you able to picture Jesus speaking in verses :8-10? Maybe go back to that section, listen to your Heavenly Father as he tells you he will instruct you, counsel and watch over you. Listen as he warns you not to be a mule. Examine your life and see where you fit in verse :10.

And best of all, Beloved, celebrate! “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” :11

Daily Word

Psalm 31

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Read Psalm 31 – Beloved, I cannot begin to tell you what a strength this psalm has been to me.  I was in a season of trial a few years back.  It was a time so heavy from many directions that I did not know how I would survive. It was a time of my deepest despair.  Can you recall a time like this?  If not, be ready.  Trials come upon all of us.

God knows there is something about seeing the perseverance of another and the faithfulness of the LORD that gives us strength.  David cries out, “Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.”

This is a season, and David graphically pours it out to the LORD… sometimes we need to get it all out.  And then we see a shift beginning in verse :14, and these are the words that I hold close in my heart:

“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’  My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.  Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” :14-16

And from there, beginning in verse :19 David can’t stop talking about the goodness of God.  When you feel yourself sinking, try shifting your focus from your troubles to the goodness of God, who he is, past answered prayers, his love, glory, faithfulness and so on.  

David closes with a call to action, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” :24

Daily Word

Psalm 30

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Read Psalm 30 – Joy comes in the morning – My bible gives a notation that this psalm was written for the dedication of the temple of David.  It was a song.  

David has known battles, sin, forgiveness, and the joy of belonging to the LORD.  “Sing to the LORD , you saints of his; praise his holy name.  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” :4-5

Troubles come and some we bring on ourselves, but for those who remain with the LORD, there is a steady foundation.  They can look ahead with hope, faith and joy.  David’s faith holds on tight, “What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit?  Will the dust praise you?  Will it proclaim your faithfulness?” :9  David always comes back to praise.

Perhaps you are in a trial right now.  Will you come back to praise?

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:12

Daily Word

Psalm 29

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Read Psalm 29 – Now that’s a leader!  “Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” :1-2

Could you imagine your father, your boss, your political representative, even your president making these statements?  How great would life be if those in the lead had it right?  

But we are not here for what if’s.  Each of us is the leader of their own life; may it start with us.  May we be the ones to call out for glory, honor, worship and praise to the LORD.  Perhaps you are in need of a reminder.  Our psalm is a good one to go back to anytime life feels off balance.  

Try this, re-read it aloud.  Imagine you are reading this to a crowd with dramatic authority in your voice.  Yes.  Now, have an amazing day!

Daily Word

Psalm 28

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Read Psalm 28 – Beloved, may you be overflowing with reverence and awe of God!  Some like to say that Jesus is their BFF, but I caution you – that is not enough.  Yes, He is a friend to sinners; yes, He is kind and merciful; yes, you can trust Him with all of your worries.  BUT don’t mistake that for equality.  Stand in awe of the one who knit you together in your mothers womb, and knows every hair on your head, and saves your tears.  Be reverent to the LORD, whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours.  Marvel at His glory.  Delight in the LORD on a grand scale.

When David speaks about those who do not belong to God (:1-5), he concludes with, “Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.”  :5  

Yesterday, one of my friends posted a video of lightning, taken from the vantage point of 40,000’ during her cross country flight.  It was marvelous, like a visual symphony as the cloud lit up with explosions of colors.  It was taken during the day, so all sorts of clouds were in the vicinity, but only this one held the lightning.  I could not help but be drawn closer to Jesus by the power and artistry.  The works of the LORD are wonderful.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” :8  

This world can get rather heavy, so look up in awe!  And may you find yourself singing a song of thanks as your heart leaps for joy today!

Daily Word

Psalm 26

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Read Psalm 26 – Check yourself – you, worry about you – these are some of the admonishments my husband and I gave to our children when they would get riled up over what someone else was doing (usually the other sibling).  

David seems to be going through a poetic self- check.    He says, I have/ will/ shall over and over.   Will you go back and look for these words?   Will you ask the Lord to search your heart as David did?  

Beloved, what do you say about you?  Are you kind?   Do you speak of yourself as one who is greatly loved by God Almighty?   

Daily Word

Psalm 24

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Read Psalm 24 – The meaning of life.  What a great day this is!  Beloved, once you fully understand Psalm 24 everything in life lines up.  

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” :1  It’s not about me.  It’s not mine.  Yet God has blessed me to enjoy and care for his creation.  He has blessed me to delight and care for my very own life because I am his.  

Those who seek the LORD with a clean hands and a pure heart will enter his presence, receiving blessing and vindication. (:3-6)  Exhale, Beloved, life is that simple so don’t lose your way with the things of this world.  Walk close with Jesus; stay on the narrow path, and know that the best is yet to come.

Regarding :7-10, when there is a knock at your door, what do you ask?  “Who is it?”  So, who is this King of glory?  He is the one the doors to heaven must be thrown open for!  He is the LORD, strong and mighty, mighty in battle, the LORD Almighty – he is the King of glory!

This was written as a song, most believe it was written for the Ark of the Covenant when it was carried into the tent pitched by David for it, or possibly the Temple built by Solomon.  And it clearly has the dual, prophetic meaning of Jesus at his ascension.

I am amazed once more this morning at God’s Word.  It is so multifaceted and rich.  One could spend about a minute reading Psalm 24, or one could meditate on it for all eternity.  Reading the Bible is our opportunity to fall deeper and deeper in love with Jesus every day.

Daily Word

Psalm 23

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Read Psalm 23 – The LORD is my shepherd. Okay, raise your hand if your grandmother made you memorize this. I hope your hand is raised, and if not, will you commit to memorizing it now? These 6 verses are excellent for navigating life in our fallen world with the Good Shepherd.

King David had a correct view of himself as a sheep, and the LORD as the shepherd. Remember, David was a shepherd; he knew a shepherd’s role and the needs of sheep. The LORD guides and guards his sheep. The shepherd is responsible for food, water, rest, care from sickness, and protection from attack when caring for the flock.

Okay, now re-read and pray through Psalm 23. “I shall not be in want.” :1 Lord, am I fully trusting you for all my needs? Show me my heart through your eyes…. (confess anything He brings to mind) Green pastures, still waters… offer gratitude for the Lord’s provision. Fear… what are you fearing? Get practical: is it a tax bill, a relationship, a promotion? Remind your fear how big your God is! Prepare a table… Thank God for knowing the plans he has for you, plans for your good and his glory. Goodness and love… Beloved, celebrate with the LORD that you don’t have to get tangled up in this world, his goodness and love follow you and ultimately you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever… In the New Testament, Paul says, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 As you view this life through the lens of God’s care and control, know that the best is yet to come. Your future is certain in Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd, and all the days leading up to that divine appointment are filled with meaning and purpose because you are His.

Daily Word

Psalm 22

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Read Psalm 22 – Blessed David, did he know when he penned this how prophetic it was?  Did he live through an instance that led his heart to cry out these words?  He certainly lived through many times of peril.  Yet Jesus used these very words during the last moments of his human life, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34  

Did you know the number markers, 3:16, 8:28, 22:1, etc, were added over a thousand years after Jesus?  In his day, one would bring up a passage by uttering the first few words.  

I say that to ask you to picture Jesus as you read.  This is Jesus, scorned and despised (:6).  This is Jesus with his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth (:15).  This is Jesus, pierced through his hands and feet (:16)… read about this wrath that we deserve, yet was paid by him who knew no sin.

Sit in wonder as you consider how perfectly this prophetic psalm was fulfilled in our Savior hundreds of years after it was penned.  There is so much to marvel at; I will be quiet and trust the Holy Spirit to work on your heart as you read and meditate on Psalm 22.

Daily Word

Psalm 21

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Read Psalm 21 – Praise the LORD, Jesus is King!  “How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD!  He shouts with joy because you give him victory.  For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested.” :1-2

These verses had the present meaning of David’s joy as he reflected on the LORD’s hand over his life.  They also had the future meaning as Jesus walked this earth, completing all he set out to, conquering sin and death, rising again in glory… “You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.  You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.” :3  God’s Word is incredible, multifaceted, true, rich, layered, timeless and perfect.

“You will capture all your enemies.  Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you.” :8  ALL always means ALL.  It does not mean SOME or MOST; All means ALL.  All the enemies of God will have their day of reckoning.  So many people hate God today… it shocks and saddens me, yet it is no surprise to the LORD and one day they will be blotted out like a mosquito.

My husband and I went to the movies last night.  It was an action film about dinosaurs, and the corruption of man trying to play god… the bad guys always want to rule the world.  The good guys prevailed, preserving life, even the dinosaurs.  Some of the bad guys saw the error of their ways, repented and began life brand new.  Other bad guys were destroyed by the very thing they sought to control.  It was silly entertainment, but reality is not so far off.

Beloved, may your joy in the LORD be a light for those headed for destruction.