Hey All,
This summer I am going through "The Psalms of the Bible" again. As often as possible, my husband Bill and I do the day's Psalm together. We finally got our sitting garden going and that's where we enjoy the study. Yeah!
Some thoughts from Psalm 1; I found the mention of fruit bearing in v. 3 really interesting:
"They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all that they do."
There are so many references to bearing fruit in the New Testament. Here are two that I really enjoyed; Philippians 11:1 and John 15:16 (below):
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."
By delighting in His Word and meditating on it day and night, we can be fruitful and not barren in our walk with Christ. God bless!
"The Psalms of the Bible" blog
PSALM 2
For Psalm 2 I noted as a theme "Jesus is the King of Kings; submit to Him!" What did you put?
Sitting in my garden yesterday, talking with a friend, we were noticing how you can boil down much of the world's unrest to people trying to deny and throw off the Lord's rule over His creation. This Psalm makes that so clear. But...oh what joy for all who take refuge in Him! (v. 12b)
PSALM 3
Good Morning! Another beautiful, hot, sunny day in North Texas. Today I'm on Psalm 3. I love this Psalm. The first thing that I'm struck by is that David, the author of this Psalm, is struggling with his enemies, and here we find Him running to God to rescue him. This is a wonderful example for us. So often we don't look solely to God until all else has failed us.
I also find it interesting that people taunted David for trusting in God (v.2). David's trust in God, was obvious to all those around him, and some of them reacted negatively. That will happen to us too, and sometimes it hurts. But Jesus said we are blessed when it does. Here are a couple of cross references for v. 2 - Ps. 22:7,8 Ps. 71:11-16.
In the "What did you learn about God?" section for Psalm 3 I listed all the different things I learned about God our rescuer: He is our shield, He lifts our (despondent) heads, He watches over us when we sleep, He rescues us, and VICTORY comes from Him alone!
God bless!
I also find it interesting that people taunted David for trusting in God (v.2). David's trust in God, was obvious to all those around him, and some of them reacted negatively. That will happen to us too, and sometimes it hurts. But Jesus said we are blessed when it does. Here are a couple of cross references for v. 2 - Ps. 22:7,8 Ps. 71:11-16.
In the "What did you learn about God?" section for Psalm 3 I listed all the different things I learned about God our rescuer: He is our shield, He lifts our (despondent) heads, He watches over us when we sleep, He rescues us, and VICTORY comes from Him alone!
God bless!
PSALM 4
This Psalm by King David, is similar to Psalm 3. David is exhorting those who "seek falsehood" and "love worthlessness" to know that the Lord has set the godly apart for Himself (v. 2, 3). He assures the weak that the Lord will hear them when they call.
Great instructions follow in v. 4 and 5: first, in your anger and disappointment do not sin, instead be still, second live sacrificially to please the Lord; and third, trust, trust, trust in the Lord.
In v. 6b through the end of the Psalm David closes with a prayer and thanksgiving. I prayed these verses from my heart to God's; you may want to too.
God bless!
Great instructions follow in v. 4 and 5: first, in your anger and disappointment do not sin, instead be still, second live sacrificially to please the Lord; and third, trust, trust, trust in the Lord.
In v. 6b through the end of the Psalm David closes with a prayer and thanksgiving. I prayed these verses from my heart to God's; you may want to too.
God bless!
PSALM 5
Good morning! Another great day, if you're in the air conditioning that is! Over 100* again today.
If you are looking for major themes as you go through the Psalms, I think the theme of rejoicing or having joy is apparent in Psalm 5. After several comparisons of those who enter God's house praying to Him (v. 7) vs. those who are evil and boastful and who will not stand in His sight (v. 5), the writer closes the Psalm in v. 11 and 12 mentioning several times the "joy" that belongs to the believer!
The verse that moves me the most is the last part of v. 11: "Let those also who love your name be joyful in You." It caused me to reflect that the only place that lasting joy will be found is in Him, and not in accomplishments, things or even other people. I strenghthened my resolve to spend more time with Him each morning.
What did you get out of this Psalm?
If you are looking for major themes as you go through the Psalms, I think the theme of rejoicing or having joy is apparent in Psalm 5. After several comparisons of those who enter God's house praying to Him (v. 7) vs. those who are evil and boastful and who will not stand in His sight (v. 5), the writer closes the Psalm in v. 11 and 12 mentioning several times the "joy" that belongs to the believer!
The verse that moves me the most is the last part of v. 11: "Let those also who love your name be joyful in You." It caused me to reflect that the only place that lasting joy will be found is in Him, and not in accomplishments, things or even other people. I strenghthened my resolve to spend more time with Him each morning.
What did you get out of this Psalm?
PSALM 6
Happy 4th of July! Of course I'm thinking about our greatest freedom; freedom in Christ, "He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!"
There are many great things to focus on in Psalm 6, so I'll just share the one that ministered to me today. Verse 2b says, "Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak."
The Lord knows our frame, He knows what we are made of. The Bible says He knows our weaknesses and has compassion on us (Hebrews 4:16 & 10:21). How wonderful! I think it's so important that we have the freedom to come to Him in our weaknesses, and like the psalmist to confess our weaknesses, knowing that He'll receive us and restore us. I was also reminded how essential it is that I extend this compassion to others for their weaknesses as well.
Down in verses 8 & 9 we see the confidence of being heard and answered. Have you ever spoken with that much confidence; that God has heard you and will answer your prayer? We can pray like that:)
There are many great things to focus on in Psalm 6, so I'll just share the one that ministered to me today. Verse 2b says, "Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak."
The Lord knows our frame, He knows what we are made of. The Bible says He knows our weaknesses and has compassion on us (Hebrews 4:16 & 10:21). How wonderful! I think it's so important that we have the freedom to come to Him in our weaknesses, and like the psalmist to confess our weaknesses, knowing that He'll receive us and restore us. I was also reminded how essential it is that I extend this compassion to others for their weaknesses as well.
Down in verses 8 & 9 we see the confidence of being heard and answered. Have you ever spoken with that much confidence; that God has heard you and will answer your prayer? We can pray like that:)
PSALM 7
Have you ever been torn to pieces by persecution, or felt attacked on all sides? Well, you're in good company, David, the writer of this Psalm, was too. David ran to God, who defends the innocent. As a theme for this Psalm I put "God is just and rescues His own."
I think it's interesting that we see in v. 14-16 that people who conceive trouble and give "birth to lies" reap what they sow. God is able to protect those whose hearts turn fully to Him. This Psalm reminds me to let the Lord sort it out when people persecute, lie about or stir up trouble for me or my family and friends.
What part of this Psalm spoke to you?
I think it's interesting that we see in v. 14-16 that people who conceive trouble and give "birth to lies" reap what they sow. God is able to protect those whose hearts turn fully to Him. This Psalm reminds me to let the Lord sort it out when people persecute, lie about or stir up trouble for me or my family and friends.
What part of this Psalm spoke to you?
PSALM 8
I think it is so neat how this Psalm begins and ends with "O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!" It reminds me that everything begins and ends with God. In Acts 17:28a it says, "In Him we live and move and and exist."
For the "What did you learn about God?" section I wrote that all of creation is His handiwork (v. 3, 4), including the children that He "taught" to praise Him (v. 2), and people who He has filled with His glory and crowned with His honor (v. 5). It blows me away that God has blessed us and loves us so much that He has chosen to crown or encircle us with His glory! I don't know about you but that makes me realize His love and care for me, all because of Christ.
What did you put for this section?
Below is a link for the song "O Lord How Majestic is Your Name in all the Earth" Click on the "Listen now" option.
http://www.metrolyrics.com/how-majestic-is-your-name-lyrics-sandi-patty.html
For the "What did you learn about God?" section I wrote that all of creation is His handiwork (v. 3, 4), including the children that He "taught" to praise Him (v. 2), and people who He has filled with His glory and crowned with His honor (v. 5). It blows me away that God has blessed us and loves us so much that He has chosen to crown or encircle us with His glory! I don't know about you but that makes me realize His love and care for me, all because of Christ.
What did you put for this section?
Below is a link for the song "O Lord How Majestic is Your Name in all the Earth" Click on the "Listen now" option.
http://www.metrolyrics.com/how-majestic-is-your-name-lyrics-sandi-patty.html
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