August 20
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PSALM 20 MAY THE LORD GRANT YOUR HEART’S DESIRE
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
9 O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call. – Psalm 20:1-9
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All you God’ people, hail our King, the Lord God Almighty
Praise his holy name and give him all the glory
May the Lord grant you your heart’s desire
Remember to follow God’s laws and never get tired
May we all shout for joy for we’ve been rescued from sin
May our gracious God hear our prayers and pleas
Open up your heart to the Lord Most High
He alone is trustworthy since he gave you your life
He will save and protect you from evil if you follow his commands
Your desires must be in line with his will and it will be granted
Pray and plead a God who is steadfast in his love and gracious
Trust him alone, for he will lead you to be constantly righteous.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some desires of our hearts are not granted to us when we ask for it?
• What do you think the mindset of the world is when it comes to desires?
Monthly Archives: August 2022
PSALM 19 THE LAW OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER
August 19
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PSALM 19 THE LAW OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:7-14
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
There are many laws in the world, but none stands forever
Only the law of the Lord is true and righteous altogether
When you live by the commandments of the Lord
You will never be overcome by this corrupt world
God’s word leads us to righteousness and light
The world system, on the other hands, bring us death
Serve the Lord your God so that you will desire to obey
When you fear the Lord, you will never be swayed
Let the words that come out of our mouths be acceptable to God
He is the only one who can keep us from evil and all forms of harm
The rules that keep us whole and altogether is found in his truth
There is no other set of laws that will keep us intact and full.
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REFLECTION
• Cite some instance that you have experienced that shows that the law of the Lord endure forever.
PSALM 18 GOD DEALS WITH THE WICKED AND GODLY DIFFERENTLY
August 18
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PSALM 18 GOD DEALS WITH THE WICKED AND GODLY DIFFERENTLY
The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me.
23 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt.
24 So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
26 with the purified you show yourself pure;
and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.
28 For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
29 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.
30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. – Psalm 18:20-30
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord’s way is perfect and his word proves true
He deals with us based on our righteousness and his truth
If we continue to follow his laws, he will never depart from us
Let us praise the Lord always and be thankful for his love and grace
The Lord rewards those who stay upright and those who follow his way
With the blameless, he provides, protects and answers their prayers.
Our Lord saves the humble but leaves the arrogant to their pride
But all those who take refuge in him, he lovingly guides
He is faithful to reward those who walk in his Spirit and avoids sin
He leaves the wicked to their evil deeds and their own foolish ways
With those who are pure, the Lord shows himself pure
With the wicked, his wrath unwraps and they are tortured.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God deals with the humble and the wicked differently?
PSALM 17 O LORD, YOU HAVE TRIED MY HEART AND HAVE TESTED ME
August 17
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PSALM 17 O LORD, YOU HAVE TRIED MY HEART AND HAVE TESTED ME
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! 3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. 4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips. I have avoided the ways of the violent.5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, 9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 11 They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure: they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants. 15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. – Psalm 17:1-15
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, hear my plea, I have kept my mouth from lies and deceit
Please test my heart for I have followed your will and have done what’s right
You know everything about me, my thoughts, action, words and heart
Keep me in your gracious love so I will never stray from you or depart
I am not always strong especially when the enemy prowls like a lion
I get ambushed when I am weak; help me get on your path and obey
Deliver me from the unrighteous and let your word be the sword of my spirit
I look forward to behold your righteous face, you give me hope I embrace it
Keep your children from all the corruption in this world, sanctify them
Grant us grace and an abundance of your constant mercy and love.
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REFLECTION
• Do you come to God to ask him to examine your heart and test you?
• Why do you think some people resist being tested by God?
PSALM 16 IN GOD’S PRESENCE THERE IS FULLNESS OF JOY
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August 16
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PSALM 16 IN GOD’S PRESENCE THERE IS FULLNESS OF JOY
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also, my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:1-11
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I run to you for safety; you preserve me
I am nothing apart from your love and righteousness
Without your presence, life is full of troubles and darkness
It is only by your Spirit that we can have joy in fullness.
Because I have set the Lord always before me
I shall not grumble, crave for worldly things or live in discontent
The Lord gives me wisdom and leads me in the right direction
Without his guidance, I will perish and live in chaos and confusion.
My Lord is true to his word, he will never abandon his people
He makes me know the path to life and gives me his blessings
Therefore, my heart is joyful and my whole being rejoices
I shall worship the Lord all the days of my life; I shall sing him praises.
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REFLECTION
• Can someone who doesn’t know or serve God have a fullness of joy? Why or why not?
PSALM 15 WHO CAN COME BEFORE THE LORD
August 15
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PSALM 15 WHO CAN COME BEFORE THE LORD
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved. – Psalm 15:1-5
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Who can come before the Lord?
Who can stand before him?
He who is faithful to keep his laws
They are those who bring him glory and praise
They do not tell lies or defend themselves
They are those who don’t easily get offended
They are patient, kind, loving and humble
They do not easily succumb to sin or stumble.
He prays and confesses his sins regularly
The world can never deceive him easily
Who can come before the Lord, our God?
They are those who do not conform to this world
They are those who love their neighbors as themselves
He who are honest and live in blamelessness
They are those who walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh
They take the path that is narrow and not wide.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think is David’s intention when he wrote this psalm?
PSALM 14 THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE
August 14
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PSALM 14 THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
2 The LORD 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 turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good, not even one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD?
5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.
6 You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. – Psalm 14:1-7
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
There is none who does good, not even one
Because of our sin nature, we turn away from God
We become proud and fools when we think we are wise
Only the Lord can grant us wisdom to live righteous lives.
No matter what we do, God sees our actions from above
We are only lying to ourselves when we think we are good
When we pride ourselves in what we can accomplish
We are not acknowledging God’s providence and generosity.
Every good gift comes from our heavenly Father
Thank the Lord for his provision; without it, we will suffer
Praise his name forever for he is our salvation
Depend only on him or you will live in an illusion.
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REFLECTION
• What is the danger of not acknowledging God in one’s life?
• Why do you think some people think that they have no need for God?
PSALM 13 MY HEART REJOICES IN YOUR SALVATION
August 13
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PSALM 13 MY HEART REJOICES IN YOUR SALVATION
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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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
I cry to you O Lord, please do not forget me
Sometimes I feel like you have hidden your face from me
Come to my rescue especially when my soul is unstable
When the enemy attacks, I get anxious, tired and grumble.
How long will you come to my rescue O Lord?
Light up my path so I can have courage to overcome this world
My foes mock me and think that he can overpower me
You are my deliverer; free me from fear, worry and sin.
I will sing to the Lord because of his steadfast love
His love endures forever and in him, my heart exults
Answer my plea O Lord, that I may bring you glory
Without your help, I will live life in fear and stay selfish.
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REFLECTION
• What can dependence on God do to you and the relationships you have?
• Why is it essential for you to reach out and pray to God when anxious?
PSALM 12 THE LORD CUT OFF ALL FLATTERING LIPS
August 12
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PSALM 12 THE LORD CUT OFF ALL FLATTERING LIPS
Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,
our lips are with us; who is master over us?”
5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the LORD;
“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
6 The words of the LORD are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.
7 You, O LORD, will keep them;
you will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the children of man. – Psalm 12:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Help us O Lord, for the holy ones are perishing
Most men lie and utter words that are flattering
No one speak the truth anymore, they are telling lies
The Lord cut off all those lips who utter lies and destroy lives
Those who boasts and speak evil things will be judged
O Lord, keep your children from being preyed on
Everywhere we look, the wicked prowls like a lion
Ready to devour and consume his chosen victim
Only your words are our shield, are pure and true
Help me utter only what comes from you and the truth
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think flattering lips are an abomination to the Lord?
• Why are the godly and righteous a novelty in our world today?
PSALM 11 ANTIDOTE TO FEAR
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August 11
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PSALM 11 ANTIDOTE TO FEAR
In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul,
“Flee like a bird to your mountain,
2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
3 if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
5 The LORD tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face. – Psalm 11:1-7
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When fear comes unexpectedly, run to the Lord for shelter
He is the only One who can bring peace in the midst of terror
The enemy attacks the upright by creating havoc and chaos
But the Lord is our stronghold and our shield who protects the righteous
Never forget that the Lord sits on his throne in heaven, full of majesty
His steadfast love doesn’t stop; he is in control, he is Almighty
The Lord tests the righteous and gives them strength and endurance
He refines all those who love him and gives them patience and tolerance
Our loving God hates the wicked and all those who loves cruelty
They will receive his judgment and will be punished severely
For our heavenly Father hates all kinds of evil and wickedness
He will vindicate and deliver all those live in righteousness
So, when you experience doubt and fear, run to the Lord
Exercise your faith for it removes all fear that is rampant in this world.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think was happening in this psalm when David wrote this?