January 10
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PSALM 103
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! -Psalm 103:13-22
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PSALM 103 GOD’S LOVE IS FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Who can ever love us unconditionally and unfathomably?
Who gives us compassion and understanding so generously?
The Lord God is full of his steadfast love to all his people
To all those who fear him, he makes them strong and fearless.
To all those who follow his commands, he blesses them with abundance
Bless the Lord and he will pour out his steadfast love on you and your children
If you follow his will and do what his word says, you will bear fruit
For the Lord keeps his covenant with all those who are faithful.
Therefore, honor the Lord and bless him all you who love him
For he is steadfast in his love; his love is from everlasting to everlasting
Bless the Lord and declare to all what he has given and provided you
Give him thanks and raise up his Name and always follow his truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why is this psalm so reassuring for all the people of God?
Monthly Archives: January 2023
PSALM 103 GOD’S LOVE IS FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING
January 10
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PSALM 103
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! -Psalm 103:13-22
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PSALM 103 GOD’S LOVE IS FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Who can ever love us unconditionally and unfathomably?
Who gives us compassion and understanding so generously?
The Lord God is full of his steadfast love to all his people
To all those who fear him, he makes them strong and fearless.
To all those who follow his commands, he blesses them with abundance
Bless the Lord and he will pour out his steadfast love on you and your children
If you follow his will and do what his word says, you will bear fruit
For the Lord keeps his covenant with all those who are faithful.
Therefore, honor the Lord and bless him all you who love him
For he is steadfast in his love; his love is from everlasting to everlasting
Bless the Lord and declare to all what he has given and provided you
Give him thanks and raise up his Name and always follow his truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why is this psalm so reassuring for all the people of God?
PSALM 103 IF THE LORD DEALT WITH OUR SINS AS WE DESERVE
January 9
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PSALM 103
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
– Psalm 103:1-12
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PSALM 103 IF THE LORD DEALT WITH OUR SINS AS WE DESERVE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord is a God of love but also a God of wrath
Because he is love, he surely hates the bad
For Love is the opposite of fear and wickedness
When we do not love, we cannot live in righteousness
Can you imagine if God is not a fair judge?
We cannot take his wrath which punishes the bad
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger
He abounds in forgiveness and second chances
If the Lord dealt with our sins as we deserve
We will not be standing where we are
But, instead, he gave Jesus so we can get a clean slate
He forgets our sins as far as the east is from the west.
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REFLECTION
• Why do humans repeatedly sin despite God’s provision as a Savior?
PSALM 102 GOD REGARDS THE PRAYER OF THE DESTITUTE
January 8
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PSALM 102
15 Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.16 For the LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory;
17 he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:
19 that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
23 He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.
24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days—you whose years endure throughout all generations!”25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,27 but you are the same, and your years have no end. 28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before
– Psalm 102:15-28
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PSALM 102 GOD REGARDS THE PRAYER OF THE DESTITUTE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord is gracious and full of mercy for the needy and poor
He doesn’t take for granted the prayers of the impoverished
He looks down from the heavens to meet their needs
He cares for his people and will never abandon them
The Lord establishes his people and all their children will have assurance
For the Lord builds up his chosen ones and gives them much nourishment
All you God’s people, gather together so you can give praise to a God who is faithful
Give him all the worship and adoration for he is always steadfast and loyal
The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever
Raise him up in worship for he is worthy of praise; he is eternal.
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REFLECTION
• Why should Christians encourage the poor to constantly ask God in prayer?
PSALM 102 HEAR ME LORD IN MY DISTRESS
January 7
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PSALM 102
Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!
2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!
3 For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh.
6 I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places;
7 I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
8 All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink,10 because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
11 My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations.13 You will arise and have pity on Zion;
it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust.
– Psalm 102:1-14
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PSALM 102 HEAR ME LORD IN MY DISTRESS
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I cry out to you as I am overcome with distress
Hear my plea now that I am overwhelmed with anxiety
Give ear to my pleadings and give me courage to endure
I have been feeling hopeless but I know that you stay faithful
I am full of grief and sorrow that I lie awake each night
Grant me peace as these trials come in my midst
My life is fleeting but you are there forever
You are loving and gracious and you give us life eternal
Comfort me when I am full of grief and sorrow
Let me look forward to that day when they will all be wiped out.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for Christians to cry out to God in their distress
PSALM 101 I WILL WALK WITH INTEGRITY OF HEART
January 6
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PSALM 101
I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall be far from me; will know nothing of evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
7 No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.
8 Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD. – Psalm 101:1-8
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PSALM 101 I WILL WALK WITH INTEGRITY OF HEART
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Because I am a servant of Christ, I will contemplate on the way of the righteous
I will think only what is true, noble, honorable, pure, right and lovely
When I meet arrogant and proud people, I will not tolerate them
I will confront and expose their evil thoughts and deeds in love
When I hear someone slandering another, I will hush and stop it
For the Lord considers slander as murder of another person.
When someone is deceived and do wicked things
It is better for me to stay away from those who habitually sins
Because the Lord abhors evildoers, liars and deceitful people
I will have nothing to do with them so I won’t be corrupted by the world system
I will walk with integrity of heart because Christ set an example for me to follow
I will remain unstained by the world and visit the poor, needy, weak and vulnerable.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think integrity of heart is such a novelty in our world today?
PSALM 100 WE ARE GOD’S POSSESSION
January 5
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PSALM 100
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.– Psalm 100:1-5
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PSALM 100 WE ARE GOD’S POSSESSION
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
God made all things, big and small
He created the entire world in just six days
Of all his creation, he was most pleased with man
He gave humans authority over all creation.
Remember that the Lord made us all for his glory
Only in the Lord Jesus Christ can we be faithful
Why do you even think you have something to boast?
Even the ability to love him also comes from God.
We are made for him and not for ourselves
Therefore, let’s make a joyful noise to the one true God
Give him thanks for every little or big things you have received
Offer your entire life to the one who made you into his own likeness.
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REFLECTION
• How do we remind ourselves that we are not our own but God’s possession?
PSALM 99 EXALT THE LORD OUR GOD FOR HE IS HOLY
January 4
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PSALM 99
The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity;
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.
8 O LORD our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!
– Psalm 99:1-9
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PSALM 99 EXALT THE LORD OUR GOD FOR HE IS HOLY
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All you people of God, exalt his name to all the ends of the earth
For the Lord reigns, he is great and awesome, worthy to be praised
He is a God who is forgiving and full of mercy to all who turn to him
But he is also a God who is full of wrath when people continue to sin.
The Lord God is King of kings and is steadfast in his love; he is faithful
He is a just God and full of compassion and have patience for his people
Because he is holy and righteous, let us tremble and fear the Lord our God
Let every knee bow down to him whose Name is great and give him praise.
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REFLECTION
• How can we raise the Name of the Lord our God so that others especially unbelievers will get to bow down to him as well?
• How can we constantly be reminded of God’s holiness as we navigate this corrupt world?
PSALM 98 GOD MANIFEST HIS GOODNESS & RIGHTEOUSNESS AMONG US
January 3
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PSALM 98
Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
– Psalm 98:1-9
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PSALM 98 GOD MANIFEST HIS GOODNESS & RIGHTEOUSNESS AMONG US
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Look and see the goodness of the Lord; watch his wondrous work
As you wake up each morning, you see the light of day
When you run through the meadows, you are exhilarated
Those wonderful beautiful flowers can make you invigorated
The sounds of the stream and the ocean makes you refreshed
A feeling of joy is felt as birds chirp and sing as you walk through the forest
The sun rises and shows off all of its wonderful warm colors each morning
Then it sets at the horizon with its various cool tones during the evening
But the greatest manifestation of God’s love is his Son Jesus Christ
For in him, we are saved and reconciled with God’s loving grace.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it so easy to take for granted God’s manifestation of his goodness and righteousness among us humans?
PSALM 97 LIGHT AND JOY FOR THE UPRIGHT IN HEART
January 2
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PSALM 97
The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
– Psalm 97:1-12
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PSALM 97 LIGHT AND JOY FOR THE UPRIGHT IN HEART
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
For all those who love the Lord and keep his laws
There will be an abundance of light and joy
For the Lord God goes before him and destroys his foes
All idolaters will be punished and they will be his footstool
As you live for the Lord, he will lead you to paths of righteousness
His grace and mercy will abound and the faithful will receive his blessings
O you, who are lovers of God, keep on focusing on his promises
He will deliver you from all the tactics of the devil and all unrighteousness
Rejoice in the Lord and his presence will always be with you
Be the light to all so that they may praise and glorify Go.
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REFLECTION
• How is being guided by God’s Spirit the only way for us to continually walk in light and have joy in our hearts?