January 10
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PSALM 53 THERE’S NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4 Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God? 5 There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them. 6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. – Psalm 53:1-6
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This psalm is identified as a maskil of David. Most Bible translations suggest that maskil is a literary or musical term. Most likely, it relates to the purpose of specific psalms or how they were performed or recited. Certain Bible translations have rendered the word in English, referring to it as “a contemplation” or “insight”. It sounds like a soliloquy in a theatrical literary form where the character is thinking aloud while contemplating.
The psalm focuses on fools who don’t believe in God. The psalmist describes them as worldly and loves to engage in detestable evil acts. They can not do anything right. He describes a picture of how God watches over this man whom he created in his image and yet they haven’t been able to live in purpose that he made them to be. Everyone has sinned and have become so tainted by evil. In verse 3, David repeats again the phrase “There is none who does good, not even one.” It is a good reminder for all of us that we are all sinners. In verse 4, David gives his insight on fools who are ungrateful and never acknowledge the Giver of life who provides for all their needs. Isn’t this so true for most of us, even those who claim they are believers? We forget to count our blessings, thus we become fools ourselves.
In verse 5, David further illustrates the fear that is so prevalent in those who reject God. They fear anything and everything because God has left them to the sins they love to do. When they deny God’s existence, they are rejected by God as well. David mentions how God protects his people from such fools who doesn’t acknowledge God. He gives them shame and makes them live in that humiliation. In verse 6, once again, we hear David ends on a hopeful contemplation of the restoration that God promised to his people.
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REFLECTION
• How is this psalm reminding you of man’s fallen nature?
Monthly Archives: January 2022
PSALM 1 – DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
January 9
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PSALM 1 – DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the
wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
– Psalm1:1-6
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The psalmist gives us a distinction between the wicked and the righteous. He clearly illustrates the manifestation of righteousness in a man. They do not follow the system of the world. They do not tolerate sin but expose them instead. They do not take part in mockery of others or in doing unjust things. They take pleasure in the commands and statutes of the Lord and reflect on it day and night and obey them.
The psalmist gives a picture of the righteous. He likens them to a tree that are near streams of water. They are always bearing fruits in its season. They do not scorch or its leaves never dry up because of the water supply that feeds in its root system. It is healthy because of the proximity to water source which is the food of the tree.
Verses 4-6 describes the wicked. The psalmist illustrates that evil people are like chaff which are the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain. They are very easily blown away. It gives us an image of a very unstable object that easily gets blown by the wind. It is opposite to the description about the tree planted by the river bank that is so solid in its foundation because of the deep root system. The wicked are shallow and easily swayed and blown away by any movement around it. They are very fickle and unstable. In verse 5, it describes that the wicked cannot stand the judgment. They cannot stand truth because they are full of lies and thrive only in corrupt and worldly ways. They cannot follow the way of God since they are so full of themselves and only concerned with satisfying their cravings and pleasures. What is interesting to know is that the wicked are clueless to the truth because they have been blinded by their own desires and unrighteousness. They cannot get the filters of selfishness out of their minds and hearts. God destroys the ways of the wicked but blesses and prospers the righteous.
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REFLECTION
• Why is wisdom and fruitfulness reserved only for the righteous people of God?
PSALM 143-MAKE ME KNOW THE WAY I SHOULD GO
January 8
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PSALM 143-MAKE ME KNOW THE WAY I SHOULD GO
Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD I have fled to you for refuge. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! 11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! 12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant. – Psalm 143:7-12
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In this psalm, David continues to ask God to show him the way that he should go. At the beginning of this psalm, we hear David getting discouraged and exhausted from the many attacks of the enemy on him. In verses 1-6, we hear his despair and anguish that seemed as deep as Jesus’ agony in the garden of Gethsemane just before he was about to die.
In verses 5-6 (previous to these verses) we hear a shift from despair to hope. In verse 7, he continues on to plead God to manifest his presence to him. His request to end his isolation in verse 7 is a manifestation of his humility and his dependence on God. He almost declares that without God, he will be like those godless people. Verse 8 is a declaration of his trust in God and how he longs for his lead and guidance to him so he can face all these trials and sufferings.
I love that he says “Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” It is a complete reliance on him. How many of us Christians actually exhibit this kind of dependence and trust and submission to God? We often act on our own will. It is automatic for us to do what we know or what we think is good for us. In verse 9, David reminds God once again of his promise for deliverance from the enemy. Verse 10 declares God as his teacher and that without God’s instructions, he will never be able to obey his will. It shows how David lives under the grace and mercy and will of God. He asks God to show him how to live in this world. In verse 11, he beseeches God to deliver his soul from being corrupted by the world. In verse 12, he reminds God again of his promise for vindication and deliverance from his enemies.
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REFLECTION
• Why is asking God to tell you what to do and where to go an important habit that all believers must include in their daily walk with the Holy Spirit?
• What happens when we rush into doing things without consulting God’s Spirit?
PSALM 143 -MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU LIKE A PARCHED LAND
January 7
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PSALM 143 -MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU LIKE A PARCHED LAND
Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness. 2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. 4 Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. 5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. 6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. -Psalm 143:1-6
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In this psalm, we witness David deeply discouraged and longing so much for the Lord’s presence and deliverance. As he cries out and pleads God to grant him mercy, we hear how intimate he is with God. Verse 1 declares that God is full of faithfulness and righteousness. While David is feeling so beaten down, he never forgets to praise his God by declaring to the Lord himself his own attributes. He pleads God in verse 2 not to judge him for he knows that he is sinful and that no one is righteous before the Lord. According to Van Gemeran, David seemed to anticipate the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:10 (quoting Isaiah), There is none righteous, no not one; and Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Verse 3 is stating the condition of his soul. David seemed so exhausted at the pursuit of the enemy and how he is feeling so defeated and totally crushed in his spirit. He likens this deep depression into those who have long been dead: lifeless and without peace and joy. When we hear David speaks how his spirit is faint, doesn’t it remind us of Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was about to die?
I myself feel David’s anguish during this time of exhaustion from the enemy’s attacks and ploys. When we are constantly targeted by the fiery arrows of the devil, we can physically, emotionally and mentally be drained and depleted. When we are betrayed, manipulated and tricked by those people closest to us, yet do everything they can to make our lives so miserable, we can be so worn out. I recently feel the effects of being marinated in constant attacks for over a decade. It has made me focus on the dark side of things.
In verses 5-6, we hear a shift of emotions from despair to hope as he ponders on God’s goodness from past battles he won. He declares his need for God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to cry out to God in our deepest agony?
• What can praying do for us who are in deep emotional turmoil?
PSALM 91-GOD’S PROTECTION TO THOSE WHO HOLD FAST TO HIM
January 6
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PSALM 91-GOD’S PROTECTION TO THOSE WHO HOLD FAST TO HIM
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he
knows my name.15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” – Psalm 91:11-16
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In the last verses of this psalm, we are given an actual illustration of God’s protection to those who love Him. In our world today, there is a fascination with heavenly beings especially angels. We see sculptures, paintings and even jewelry or small figurines of angels. The bible gives us a clearer image of these heavenly being. In 2 Samuel14:17, it says that they can discern good and evil. In Hebrews 1:14, they are described as ministering spirits to those who inherit salvation. In Luke 20:36, they are called God’s children. In Revelations 14:6, we are given a picture of them flying in midair who had the purpose to proclaim the gospel to those who live on earth-to every nation, tribe, language and people. After hearing what the bible has to say about these heavenly beings, we can now begin to picture how God assigns all these angels to guard all those who belong to Him. In verse 12, it is clearly depicted that they will bear you up. In other words, they will lift you up and make sure, not even your foot is harmed by anything, not even a stone. What a comfort to know that even though we don’t see them, they are there to ensure we are protected. In verse 13, this is almost prophetic and refers to Jesus, who crushes the serpent and the young lion. In other words, those who believe in the Lord, will have authority over these wild creatures and these animals will never hurt them at all.
The following verses are more assurances of God’s love because he promises deliverance and protection to all those who know his name. Verse 15 sounds almost like a caress from God that soothes our whole being. He will answer us when we are in trouble. He will come to liberate or free us. In verse 16, is another promise of long life and satisfaction and contentment to those who belongs to him. What a faithful lover!
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REFLECTION
• How has God manifested his protection on you all these years that you have served him?
• Why is it important to be reminded of the protection that God provides us?
PSALM 91-PROMISE TO THOSE WHO MAKE THE LORD THEIR DWELLING PLACE
January 5
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PSALM 91-PROMISE TO THOSE WHO MAKE THE LORD THEIR DWELLING PLACE
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
– Psalm 91:7-10
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The following verses reminds me of the picture of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. I remember watching the movie “Ten Commandments” starring Charleton Heston and Yul Bryner. It was so dramatic, the clouds was so dark gray and the as soon as the sea was parted and the Israelites were crossing, they were singing worship and praising the Lord as they were crossing the parted sea. Kodak Film only started producing colored movies in the 1950s and this was one of the first movies filmed so magnificently. The effects of the clouds and the sea was so amazing that I can clearly remember how awed I was with the Almighty God who ensured that his people were protected. Verse 8 says that no matter how much obstacles and suffering and attacks of the enemy come your way, it will not come near a point of crushing you. It may feel like it sometimes, but God is faithful to his character and promises. He will be our protector and defender.
Matthew Henry comments on verse 9 on “see the recompense of the wicked” as : people shall see, not only God’s promises fulfilled, but his threatenings: “ Then let sinners come unto the Lord upon his mercy-seat, through the Redeemer’s name; and encourage others to trust in him also.”
Verses 9-10 reminds those who have chosen to make God their sanctuary and their protection that nothing will harm them, which parallels Luke 10:9 verse which says “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Sadly, many of us Christians fail to remember and stand on this promise.
It is such a gift to find a YouTube video of that 1956 movie Ten Commandments of the parting of the Red Sea. It is spectacular to watch God’s power and might and His unfailing protection to all his people and how He manifests his love for all those who are enslaved.
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REFLECTION
• How can we constantly remind ourselves of the power and love of our Lord God Almighty?
PSALM 91-THE GOD WHO IS MY REFUGE AND FORTRESS
January 4
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PSALM 91-THE GOD WHO IS MY REFUGE AND FORTRESS
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
–Psalm 91:1-6
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In this psalm, the writer uses three titles of God namely in the first 2 verses:
• Most High (Elyon)- it means that no idol, god, or created being may be worshipped or exalted about the LORD because He is superior in every way.
• Almighty (El Shaddai)- conveys the idea God is an all-powerful being, able to control everything in the universe at all times.
• The Lord (Yahweh)- Yahweh is derived from the Hebrew word for “I AM,” it is the proper name of the divine person, coming from the verb which means to “exist,”
The psalmist introduces these titles in order to give reverence to the God whom he trusts and whom he considers his refuge and fortress.
According to Derek Kidner, the author of this psalm is unknown, but because it shares some of the themes of Psalm 90, some think the author is Moses. Some think it is David because it shares some common theme with Psalms 27 and 31. Whoever wrote this psalm have the same reverence as Moses and David have especially when addressing their Lord God.
Verses 1-6 enumerates promises of God to those who will abide in Him. In verse 1, we see the result of taking refuge in Him, we become very close to him, as if we are under his own shadow. You need to be close to someone for your shadows to intertwine and become one. Verse 2, gives us a picture of a fort that protects us from all harm and danger. Verse 3 promises deliverance or release from the tactics of the enemy and anything that will bring harm or death. Verse 4 describes how he protects us. Verse 5 promises strength and courage and verse 6 of his constant guidance and light. What rich psalm this is to remind us who we serve and how powerful he is to take care of us and to ensure we are protected.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to know God’s names and his promises?
PSALM 131 – O LORD, I HAVE CALMED AND QUIETED MY SOUL
January 3
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PSALM 131 – O LORD, I HAVE CALMED AND QUIETED MY SOUL
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore. – Psalm 131:1-3
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According to various commentaries and bible study books, this psalm is a psalm of ascent or pilgrim psalm. The city of Jerusalem is situated on a high hill. Jews traveling to Jerusalem for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals traditionally sang these songs on the “ascent” or the uphill road to the city. According to some traditions, the Jewish priests also sang some of these Songs of Ascent as they walked up the steps to the temple in Jerusalem.
Spurgeon notes that this psalm is both by and about David, expressing his humility, his confidence, and his commitment to perform the will of God. The Midrash pairs the phrases in verse 1 with specific events in David’s life that he could certainly have bragged about, yet he retained his humility.
David confesses that his heart is not haughty. In verse 1, he mentions that he does not busy himself with worldly things and anything that will draw attention to himself. In other words, though he had the position to do so, he stayed humble.
In verse 2, he likens his calm and quiet spirit with a weaned child with his mother. We get to see a picture of a baby dependent on his mother and contented that he is in her arms. What a great illustration of David’s dependency and contentment to his Lord God. In verse 3, he is exhorting Israel to have the same contentment and dependency on their creator and Lord.
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REFLECTION
• How can we stay humble and contented in the midst of success?
• How many of us who are in a position of power and wealth can say that they are content with their lives because they have the Lord as their top priority?
PSALM 13- HOW LONG O LORD? ILMA’S BLOG
January 2
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PSALM 13- HOW LONG O LORD?
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed
over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. – Psalm 13:1-6
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Spurgeon comments “If the reader has never yet found occasion to use the language of this brief ode, he will do so ere long, if he be a man after the Lord’s own heart. Whenever you look into David’s Psalms, you may somewhere or another see yourselves. You never get into a corner but you find David in that corner.”
In verse 1, we hear David’s loneliness and exhaustion from the circumstances surrounding him. He is in anguish from the Lord’s absence. We know that David had fought so many battles and there are some victories he had won and that is probably because he felt the Lord’s presence then. But in the beginning of this psalm, we clearly hear despair. In verse 2, he felt very tired of being my himself and relying on his own strength. He sounded very much depleted from the constant battles he faced. I could very much identify with David in this ode “How long, O Lord?” Sometimes I feel shattered to pieces from being on guard against the enemy’s schemes. If I slacken off, I find myself being crushed. In verse 3, David cries out and pleads for God to make his presence felt. He feared sleeping because when he does, he might end up lifeless. When we are so exhausted, we are very vulnerable to feelings of abandonment and depression. He cries out to God to bring him light as he was in a very dark place. He pleads the Lord to rescue him as his strength diminishes.
I am amazed at the sudden surge of hope in verse 5 and 6. It is as if the Lord literally heard his plea while he was still crying out in verse 4. We see a sudden shift from depression to a desire to focus on God’s steadfast love. Then In verse 6, the decision to worship the Lord with gratitude seemed like God changed his perspective from despair to hope. Sometimes we fail to hear God’s reply because we are so immersed and consumed by our circumstances, but God is faithful and steadfast in his love.
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REFLECTION
• How do you identify with David’s crying out to God during times of exhaustion?
PPSALM 43 – VINDICATE ME, O GOD AND DEFEND MY CAUSE ILMA’S BLOG
January 1
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PSALM 43 – VINDICATE ME, O GOD AND DEFEND MY CAUSE
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. – Psalm 43:1-5
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Matthew Henry speculates that David might have composed this psalm when he was prevented from returning to the sanctuary in Jerusalem, either due to persecution by Saul or because of Absalom’s revolt. Some ancient Hebrew manuscripts have this Psalm 42 combined with Psalm 43.In this psalm, the writer sounds like saying out loud a soliloquy (speaking one’s thought aloud by himself). His emotions is on a roller coaster vacillating from anger & panic (v1) to depression (v.2) to optimism (v3) to rejoicing (v4) and back to depression then hopefulness at the very end of the psalm. Our emotions are very complex and changes often each moment. Sometimes, we suppress or avoid some of our emotions that do not fit in the stereotypes or that makes us uncomfortable. I think God gave us emotions so we can examine what is going on inside us. Oftentimes, we set it aside because we have tasks to do and roles to play. When we judge our emotions and not address what it presents to us, we fail to see what the Holy Spirit is teaching and delays our growth. In the first verse, we hear why the psalmist is agonizing. He was unjustly accused by ungodly people and being prevented from going in the temple where he wants to worship the Lord.
Evil lurks when oppression and persecution is present. Satan wants take control of anyone who loves the Lord. I marvel at the courage and strength exhibited in the verses when the psalmist wrote this. Despite the schemes of the enemy to put him down, he never gave in to the accusation. Instead, he ran so quickly to God even during the fear and panic that he experienced. He didn’t suppress the bad feelings, but allowed it to lead him to run to God who is his vindicator and defender. How amazing to know that we can allow ourselves to go through suffering and persecution because God will avenge us.
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REFLECTION
• How can laying down your agony and pain to God strengthen your faith?