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?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
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?
PSALM 96 LET THE EARTH REJOICE AND DECLARE GOD’S WONDROUS WORKS
January 1
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PSALM 96 LET THE EARTH REJOICE AND DECLARE GOD’S WONDROUS WORKS
Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established;
it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. – Psalm 96:1-13
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Come, all you people of God, rejoice for God’s work of salvation
He gave us his only begotten Son to forgive us and grant us reconciliation
Without God’s mercy, we will still be unable to be reconciled with him
It is him who chose us first so we can be his; a people who are redeemed
The God of majesty has given us an opportunity to receive his grace
Embrace all that he has given you and remember to always give him thanks.
Declare the works of the Lord to all the ends of the earth
His splendor and majesty are manifested in all that he made
There are no other gods who made heaven and earth but the Lord
Worship him alone and be awed by all the wonderful deeds he has done
Love the Lord with all your heart; a God who is steadfast in his love for you
Never let anything come between you and the Lord, have your minds always renewed.
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REFLECTION
• How is rejoicing in God’s goodness and declaring his wonderful deeds considered good habits for believers to get into?
PSALM 95 TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS
December 31
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PSALM 95 TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,8do not harden your hearts,
as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.”
11 Therefore I swore in my wrath,“They shall not enter my rest.”– Psalm 95:1-11
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Let us come before the Lord and sing songs of praise and worship
In the morning, prepare your hearts to receive his kingship
He is the Lord our God, who is the greatest and above all other gods
No one is like him, he is Almighty and powerful, steadfast in his love.
He selected his own people to have a relationship with him
The Lord is faithful to keep his promises to them
Because he is our God and we are his people
When he calls us today, our hearts must not be hardened.
Each moment must be an opportunity to serve the Lord
Let each day be a day of worship and singing with joy
Examine your hearts often so you can hear his voice
Follow the lead of his Spirit so you can constantly rejoice.
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REFLECTION
• What hinders us from hearing God’s voice?
• How can we ensure our hearts are not hardened when he calls on us?
PSALM 94 GOD CHEERS MY SOUL WHEN CARES ARE MANY
December 30
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PSALM 94 GOD CHEERS MY SOUL WHEN CARES ARE MANY
12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law,
13 to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;
15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers?
17 If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
18 When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?
21 They band together against the life of the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will wipe them out. – Psalm 94:12-23
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, give me rest from all the distractions and afflictions of this world
Let me remember that you never abandon us and let me dwell in your word
There are no other gods like you for you provide help to those who call on you
Each day, troubles and challenges come my way, but I will press on
I will stand on all your promises for you are steadfast in your love
Nudge me when fear visits me so I can walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
God cheers my soul when my cares are many, he wants me to endure
When I remain steadfast under trials, he promised the crown of life
Who can withstand God’s judgment? He is a stronghold to the saints
All the wicked and evildoers cannot face the Almighty God
They will be wiped out if they ever continue to destroy the upright
No human power can ever be enough to withstand God’s anger.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers look at the upside of troubles and many cares that this world brings?