April 22
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PSALM 35 LET THOSE WHO SEEK EVIL BE PUT TO SHAME!
Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
2 Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help!
3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers!
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”
4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life!
Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me!
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away!
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them!
7 For without cause they hid their net for me;
without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8 Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it!
And let the net that he hid ensnare him;
let him fall into it—to his destruction! – Psalm 35:1-8
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LORD, BRING JUSTICE TO YOUR PEOPLE by ILMA
Lord, take justice in your hands when wickedness beset your saints
Bring shame to those who plot and scheme evil and twist the truth
You are the God of my salvation, rescue me from their manipulation
Let them be like chaff before the wind, drive them away in oblivion
These evil men love to put themselves on a pedestal and be worshiped
Let their plans to deceive your people not emerge and be halted
They devise to scheme and control things to their gain
Let their tactics not take place, send quickly your angels
May your promise to defend your beloved servants ensue
Let them experience your wrath and bring us justice, Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think David prays like this when we are told to love our enemies?
• Why do you think this kind of prayer is Spirit and truth filled prayer?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
PSALM 34 THE LORD REDEEMS HIS SERVANTS
April 21
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PSALM 34 THE LORD REDEEMS HIS SERVANTS
15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. – Psalm 34:15-22
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DELIVERER OF THE RIGHTEOUS by ILMA
God favors all those who live in righteousness
He cares for every little thing that they encounter
When they cry out to him in the midst of adversities
He is fast to assist and free them from the devil’s tactics.
God turns his back on those who perpetuates evil and sin
He doesn’t tolerate wrongdoers to crush his beloved saints
The Lord is close to all those who are broken hearted
He also rescues those who are poor in spirit and rejected.
Though adversities and suffering afflict the righteous
The Lord is faithful to deliver them of all such hardships
He keeps all their bones intact and redeems his servants
He slays all those who plot evil and scheme to hurt his own people.
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REFLECTION
• Share a time that God delivered you from an evil scheme towards you.
PSALM 34 TURN AWAY FROM EVIL
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April 20
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PSALM 34 TURN AWAY FROM EVIL
8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:8-14
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ON GUARDING YOUR LIPS AND HEARTS by ILMA
Blessed are those who takes refuge in the Lord
They will lack no good thing in this world
All you saints, arise and see how good the Lord is
He blesses all those who fear him and listens to him.
All you servants of the Lord, guard your hearts and lips
Make sure no evil words or deceit comes out of it
Turn away from all wickedness and corruption
Seek peace and pursue it, don’t engage in division.
Examine your hearts at all times and be wary of deceit
When we act out of our nature, we are not far from sin
Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to react at all times
It teaches us to think highly of others instead of ourselves.
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REFLECTION
• What happens when we don’t guard our lips and hearts?
• Why does the psalmist advice us on watching what comes out of our mouths?
PSALM 34 MY SOUL MAKES ITS BOAST IN THE LORD
April 19
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PSALM 34 MY SOUL MAKES ITS BOAST IN THE LORD
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them. – Psalm 34:1-7
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WHEN I SOUGHT THE LORD by ILMA
I will glorify the Lord incessantly with my lips
My whole being will constantly seek him
To all the servants of the Lord; go and praise your God
Let your hearts abide in him and always walk in love.
When I sought the Lord, he heard me and answered
He pacified all my fears and freed me from shame
All who cried out to him during troubled times
He didn’t give me a deaf ear, but listened to all of them.
Those who serve the Lord and fear him are full of joy
Their faces become radiant and their eyes exudes love
When I sought the Lord, he surrounded angels around me
He delivered me from all evil and tactics of the enemy.
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REFLECTION
• Why should a believer make a habit of seeking the Lord and glorifying him according to this psalm?
PSALM 25 BRING ME OUT OF MY DISTRESS LORD!
April 18
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PSALM 25 BRING ME OUT OF MY DISTRESS LORD!
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles. – Psalm 25:16-22
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MAY INTEGRITY & UPRIGHTNESS PRESERVE ME by ILMA
Lord, I come to you so you can attend to my loneliness
I am distressed with much troubles and discouragement
Look into my condition and forgive all my transgressions
I have been weak and given in to so much distractions
Guard my soul for the enemy attacks me constantly
He weaves tactics to distract and derail me day and night
Let me not be put to shame, for I run to you for safety
May your protection keep me strong to hold on to integrity
May I never forget all that you have done to keep me free
Deliver me from all those who plot evil and wicked devices
Let their schemes bounce back to the them; protect your people
Let me never be swayed and seduced by this world’s corruption
Show me how to always follow your Spirit’s lead in sanctification.
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REFLECTION
• How can integrity and uprightness preserve the believer’s life?
PSALM 25 GOOD AND UPRIGHT IS THE LORD
April 17
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PSALM 25 GOOD AND UPRIGHT IS THE LORD
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.– Psalm 25:8-15
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THOSE WHO FEAR HIM ARE THE LORD’S FRIEND by ILMA
The Lord is steadfast in his love and in his goodness
He keeps his promises to those who follow righteousness
He guides those who are humble but leaves the proud on their own
He teaches those who fear him in the way they should go
The righteous and godly constantly abide in him
They do not feed their lusts and desires which lead to sin
Instead, they listen and depend on the Spirit of the Lord
They do not follow or conform with the systems of this world
The friendship of the Lord is only for those who fear him
The Lord doesn’t tolerate sin but outrightly confronts it
Those who continue in their haughtiness will be cut off
For the Lord hates evil and God’s wrath awaits them all.
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REFLECTION
• What are some ways a Christian can lose friendship with God?
PSALM 25 MAKE ME KNOW YOUR WAYS
April 16
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PSALM 25 MAKE ME KNOW YOUR WAYS
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! – Psalm 25:1-7
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TEACH ME YOUR PATH O LORD by ILMA
O my Lord, I bring to you my whole heart, mind and body
I trust that you will not allow me to live in compromises
Let me not be overcome by all the schemes of the devil
You are faithful to protect your people from all kinds of evil
All those who believe in you look forward to your promises
Guide me so that I will know your ways so I can follow it
Without your lead, I will not be able to navigate this world
Change my mind and make it like yours; help me follow your word
Show me how to examine my own heart so I can align it with yours
Give me courage to say no to my flesh and keep my mind renewed
Because you are steadfast in your love, give me grace, my Lord
Do not focus on my past sins or my tendencies to follow the world.
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REFLECTION
• What is revealed in this psalm regarding the state of David’s heart?
• How can an anointed king still have such desperate need for God’s guidance?
PSALM 45 BOW DOWN TO YOUR LORD
April 15
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PSALM 45 BOW DOWN TO YOUR LORD
10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
forget your people and your father’s house,
11 and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.
12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people.
13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
with her virgin companions following behind her.
15 With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.
16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. – Psalm 45:10-17
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WISDOM FOR THE BRIDE by ILMA
All you women, listen to these wise words for the bride
When you commit to unite with your bridegroom, your life shifts
No longer will your siblings or mother or father will be priorities
Your goal is not to please your parents and family of origin anymore.
Your bridegroom who desires your beauty, also wants your respect
He now becomes the head of your new life and you are to submit to him
Like the bride of Christ towards his Lord, you are now under his headship
Your independence can not be continued since you are now in relationship.
Your role is to respect your husband as the church respects the Lord
You are expected to trust and be subject to your head in all things
The control you used to exercise must be relegated to your husband now
Since the two of you have committed to be one flesh and one body.
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REFLECTION
• How has Paul explained this psalm in Ephesians 5:22-33 when he instructed husbands and wives?
PSALM 45 HIS THRONE IS FOREVER
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April 14
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PSALM 45 HIS THRONE IS FOREVER
My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore, God has blessed you forever.3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one in your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand
teach you awesome deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; 7you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; 8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; 9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. – Psalm 45:1-9
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MY MOST WONDERFUL KING JESUS! by ILMA
Whenever I think of my King, I cannot contain my amazement
He is like no other, the most fine-looking among the sons of men
Every word that comes out of his lips is so full of wisdom
He is clothed in righteousness, majesty and radiance.
He exudes so much unfathomable love, devotion and grace
Each time he approaches someone, they’ll never be the same
Your throne, my King Jesus will never fail and lasts forever
Uprightness is what your kingdom propagates and live by.
Evil and wickedness on the other hand is your enemy’s domain
You protect all those who serve your sovereignty and power
No other kingdoms can surpass your authority and control
You are the only true and majestic ruler of heaven and earth.
I give you honor and all the glory; I bow down in your presence
I pledge allegiance to you alone my wonderful King Jesus
Clothe me in your righteousness as I vow to serve only you
Give me strength to fight for what is right and what is true.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think this psalm is called a hymn for a royal wedding?
PSALM 54 THE LORD UPHOLDS MY LIFE
April 13
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PSALM 54 THE LORD UPHOLDS MY LIFE
O God, save me by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers[ have risen against me;
ruthless men seek my life;
they do not set God before themselves. Selah
4 Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. – Psalm 54:1-7
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MY LORD IS MY DEFENDER AND PROTECTOR by ILMA
O my Lord, I cry out to you because you are my defender
The enemy has plotted to bring me down and oppress me
They do not know you or fear you; they are full of wickedness
They attack all your people and those who live in righteousness.
Come to my aide Lord, and protect the truth that they are twisting
You have been faithful to deliver me in all my past troubles
I look up to your promise of protection; you are my defence
Deliver me from those who scheme to divide your children.
Do what you need to do to expose all the devil’s tactics
Give back to them the evil that they plan to do to the upright
You are faithful to cover your people with your unfailing love
Help me to constantly rely on your protection, mercy and grace.
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REFLECTION
• What was the event that instigated this psalm that David wrote?
• Why do you think David prayed verse 5 to return the evil to his enemies?