April 30
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PSALM 148
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the LORD! – Psalm 148:13-14
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PSALM 148 PRAISE THE GOD WHO BRINGS VICTORY
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Who has the power over all creation and is full of majesty?
Who can create all things just by breathing a word on it?
Only the Lord God Almighty can do all these wondrous deeds
Praise him alone for no other gods can create all these!
He sent us his only begotten Son so we can be free from God’s wrath
He delivered us from the bondage of sin so we can follow his plan.
Without God’s mercy and grace, we will live for our flesh
He is steadfast in his love so he gave us his son Jesus
Like a bull’s horn, he equipped us with victory
That we may be able to defeat the enemy’s tactics
Let us then praise the Lord who alone can defend
Without his presence and help, we will be without strength.
Praise the God who brings victory to those who are faithful
He is the foundation that is solid and indestructible
In him alone can we fight the attacks of the devil
Let us humbly come to his throne to destroy all evil
Worship the Lord who can do wondrous deeds for his people
Stay in his word and his statues so you can be devoted and faithful.
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REFLECTION
• Do you believe that without God, we can never have victory? Why or why not?
• What do you say to someone who relies on his own strength?
Monthly Archives: April 2023
PSALM 148 A CALL TO ALL CREATURES TO PRAISE THE LORD
April 29
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PSALM 148
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
– Psalm 148:7-12
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PSALM 148 A CALL TO ALL CREATURES TO PRAISE THE LORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Let us all come together to praise the Lord
All creatures big and small that occupies this world
For God has created all sea creatures in the seas and oceans
He also made all the beasts and animals grazing on the lands
The hills, valleys and mountains form such amazing sceneries
Only the Lord God can create all such wonderful beauty.
Come and gather all those people he created so brilliantly
He provided all of mankind with all their needs so generously
He made men, women and children in his own likeness
He also filled the earth with all kinds of birds and beasts
The seas were filled with fishes, sea creatures and mammals
Plants and trees cover some of the valleys and mountains.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to give praise to the Lord who made all creatures?
• What happens to Christians who forget to worship the Lord?
PSALM 148 REASONS TO PRAISE THE LORD
April 28
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PSALM 148
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.
6 And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
– Psalm 148:1-6
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PSALM 148 REASONS TO PRAISE THE LORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord is the creator of all things in heaven and on earth
Without his steadfast love, we will not be alive
He made light as it was dark and void in the beginning
He provided for humans, his image bearer and all living beings
What a wonderful world he made so that his kingdom will be established!
Look at all the amazing things God made; isn’t he worthy of worship and praise?
Have you ever heard of another god who can create just from his own breath?
No other gods can do the majestic creation that he has made
He fashioned humans in his own likeness; what awesome plan he has
When men sinned, he gave his only begotten Son to remedy man’s fall
The Lord God made us new through his Son Jesus Christ
Praise the Lord for his mercy and grace; he gave us freedom and life.
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REFLECTION
• What reasons can you think in your personal life to give praise to the Lord?
PSALM 147 THE LEGACY OF HIS WORD & LAWS TO HIS PEOPLE
April 27
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PSALM 147
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules. Praise the LORD!
– Psalm 147:17-20
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PSALM 147 THE LEGACY OF HIS WORD & LAWS TO HIS PEOPLE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord has generously showered his people with much provision
He has also given them the legacy of his word and laws for their obedience
The Lord God is Mighty and powerful, he hates all kinds of wickedness
That is why he gave his laws so people can choose the path to righteousness.
Blessed are those who follow his word for they will have wisdom
While the wicked and the fools will be on their way to destruction
Let us all praise the Lord who is generous; the giver of life
He has chosen his people so they can reflect God’s light.
His word is precious and is better than gold or silver
It cleanses our hearts and exposes all that is evil
God’s law is our protection from being corrupted by this world
Seek God’s word for it is alive; it is our spirits’ sword.
Treasure the word of God, eat it for it is the food for your spirit
His laws reflect God’s steadfast love; he exalts all who follow it
Meditate on it day and night so your life can be blessed
Do not disregard it, for many have perish when they dismissed it.
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REFLECTION
• Why is the word of God and his laws the standard that all Christians must live by?
PSALM 147 PRAISE THE GOD OF CARE
April 26
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PSALM 147
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
– Psalm 147:12-16
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PSALM 147 PRAISE THE GOD OF CARE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
What have you received today from the God of abundance?
Did you wake up seeing the sun shine over nature’s radiance?
Did your children bless you with their appreciation for your presence?
Was there a hug from someone you treasured and love deeply?
No matter what you have gotten today, remember to thank the God of care
The Lord brings compassion to our lives; let us recognize his steadfast love for us.
Praise the God who gives us all the different seasons to enjoy
He allows us to experience his goodness as we look at creation
Let us relish the sun as it rises and as it is swollen up by the horizon at dusk
As the snow falls, let us remember God’s pure and unconditional love
The Lord gave us the gift of his presence and thoughts through the word
Let us praise and worship the God who sets us apart from this corrupt world.
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REFLECTION
• How has the God of care manifest himself in your life today?
• What can we do to show the Lord our praise and worship for his compassionate care for his people?
PSALM 147 THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
April 25
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PSALM 147
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
– Psalm 147:7-11
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PSALM 147 THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Praise the God who provides for all that we need
He made everything for man to be faithful to him
The Lord made the skies and filled it with clouds
He made it rain so plants, trees and the grass will grow
The Lord provides food both for man and beasts
He delights in all those who love and fear him.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Serve the Lord your God and let his kingdom come
He promised eternal life to all those who believe in him
Even if they die, they will still live because they believed
Continue to fear the Lord and you will be wise
Never fail to praise the God who is full of mercy and grace.
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REFLECTION
• How can the fear of the Lord be the beginning of wisdom?
• What happens if we have no fear of the Lord?
PSALM 147 HEALER OF THE BROKEN-HEARTED AND THE WOUNDED
April 24
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PSALM 147
Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the broken-hearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The LORD lifts up the humble;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
– Psalm 147:1-6
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PSALM 147 HEALER OF THE BROKEN-HEARTED AND THE WOUNDED
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Are you suffering from losses, pain, injustice and oppression?
Take heart! You are not alone for others also go through depression
When your life is challenged by a health concern, he is your comforter
Fear not for the Lord heals all the broken- hearted and the wounded
The Lord exalts those who are humble and destroys the wicked
Run to your Savior, for he will protect all those who are oppressed.
It is good to count your blessings and thank the Lord for all his generosity
Praise and worship him for he is a just God who practices impartiality
He made all things and decides what and how things work; he is in control
When you feel discouraged, remember he knows everything that’s going on
Sing praises to the Lord to honor and thank his generosity and compassion
No other gods can fill all our needs and grant us such generous provision.
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REFLECTION
• What comfort and assurance can believers get from this psalm?
PSALM 146 A COMPASSIONATE GOD
April 23
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PSALM 146
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD! – Psalm 146:6-10
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PSALM 146 A COMPASSIONATE GOD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Praise the Lord who is our light and our salvation
He gives freedom to those who are imprisoned
He is compassionate to the widows and fatherless
He watches over those who are discouraged and in distress.
The Lord restores the sight of the blind and provides for them
He brings light to the darkness and forgives those who confesses their sins
He protects those who are oppressed and deals with the unjust
The Lord will always remain in control; in him should we put our trust.
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REFLECTION
• Who were the recipients of God’s compassion as mentioned in this psalm?
• What are the promises of God that we can stand on in this psalm?
PSALM 146 DON’T PUT YOUR TRUST IN HUMANS
April 22
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PSALM 146
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
– Psalm 146:1-5
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PSALM 146 DON’T PUT YOUR TRUST IN HUMANS
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Praise the Lord your God for he is the only one whom you can trust
Do not give your trust to friends, yourself or even your loved ones
Humans are by nature sinful, fickle and full of themselves
They are finite and very limited; they don’t see God’s perspective.
When you put your trust in humans, you will surely be disappointed
They don’t see the big picture and can be unsure and ambivalent
Only the Lord is omniscient and can see a man’s heart and intentions
No humans can even have an inkling of the full picture of our situations.
When you confide in humans, you are not sure it won’t spill out
Man’s nature puts the self first and anyone can easily betray us
But if you put your confidence in the One who is Almighty
You won’t be judged unfairly or be condemned unjustly.
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REFLECTION
• When was your trust in someone ever been betrayed? What was the consequences of that betrayal?
• Why does the psalmist warn us about putting our trust in humans?
PSALM 145 GOD FULFILLS THE DESIRE OF THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
April 21
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PSALM 145
14 The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
– Psalm 145:14-21
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PSALM 145 GOD FULFILLS THE DESIRE OF THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Revere the Lord your God for he is kind and merciful
He is there when you call and he answers your prayers
The Lord is near to those who love and fear him
He will not let you down if you repent of your sin.
When you run to the Lord, he will protect and deliver you
He is generous to provide for all the needs of those who stay true
God fulfills the desire of those who fear him and obey his laws
Praise the Lord who keeps his promises and listens to the cries of his saints.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some of our desires are not fulfilled by God?
• Verse 20 says God will destroy the wicked, how come some of them are prospering in their pursuits instead of being ruined?