April 12
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PSALM 86 A GOD LIKE NO OTHER
9 All the nations you have made shall come worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.15 But you, O Lord, are a God
merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. – Psalm 86:9-17
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A GRACIOUS AND GENEROUS GOD by ILMA
My Lord, all your children come and worship before you
You are a God like no other, for you made all things wonderful
You are incomparable to any other gods, you alone give life
No one else can make anything just out of your own breath.
I give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, soul and mind
I will never forget to dwell on all the things you have created
You are slow to anger and steadfast in love and faithfulness
Teach me how to abound in such acts of love and graciousness.
Hear my plea and give your servant strength and courage
My enemies have plotted evil towards your faithful servant
Show your favor on me and shame those who sow evil
Expose all the schemes and maneuvers of the devil.
My gracious and generous God, my heart is full of thanksgiving
You have provided for all my needs and also delivered me
I will forever seek to please you so I can bring you all the glory
Let me walk with your Spirit at all times and with much consistency.
________________________________________REFLECTION
• How can we respond to God’s generosity, mercy and grace as his children?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
PSALM 86 PRESERVE MY LIFE LORD
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April 11
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PSALM 86 PRESERVE MY LIFE LORD
Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me.
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours. – Psalm 86:1-8
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PLEA FOR GRACE AND HELP by ILMA
O Lord, I come to you for help and provision
I am such a poor soul and a needy person
I trust you completely; save your servant
Without your grace I will not make it today.
Grant me peace to face all the troubles this day brings
Show me how to abound in the steadfast love you give
Listen to my pleas for I will not make it without you
Manifest your love so I can be transformed and renewed.
Remind me of your amazing grace and how your mercy abounds
You never fail to listen to those who call on you, my Lord!
I cry out to you as my needs are constantly hounding me
I plead you to help me when I am discouraged and weak.
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REFLECTION
• Why is pleading and asking God persistently for help a good habit for Christians?
PSALM 49 THE WISE PREPARES FOR ETERNITY
April 10
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PSALM 49 THE WISE PREPARES FOR ETERNITY
11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.12 Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.
Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah 16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light.20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. – Psalm 49:11-20
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LOVERS OF WEALTH PERISH WITH NOTHING by ILMA
The foolish gather material wealth and hold on to them
They hoard and are sparing to share their possessions
They guard all their riches so that they can have more
How futile to think that these things can bring them joy!
As the foolish hold on to things, they become prisoners
They don’t want to lose control and are slaves to fear
It is a sad fate to watch the unwise to cling to things
As these riches fade away, they also start perishing.
While the fools think they are envied for their wealth
They fail to see the value of relationships and health
As they continue with their greed, lust and folly
They are treading the wide road to sin continually
The upright will rule over these lovers of riches
The godly gather spiritual riches which lead to eternity
A reward awaits the wise and faithful servants of the Lord
A room will be ready for them when they leave this world.
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REFLECTION
• What challenge does the psalmist present in this psalm regarding wealth?
PSALM 49 ON TRUSTING AND BOASTING ABOUT WEALTH
April 9
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PSALM 49 ON TRUSTING AND BOASTING ABOUT WEALTH
Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor together! 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life,
8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice,
9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit.
10 For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others. – Psalm 49:1-10
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WARNING TO THOSE WHO TREASURE WEALTH by ILMA
To all men, rich and poor alike, take heed and be warned
Trust in your possessions and you will soon forget God
What does it benefit someone who boasts about their riches?
Can such wealth be of any use when they perish?
The riches that will last forever are those that are heavenly
Gather only such wealth that will benefit your spiritual maturity
Trust only in the Lord God, who made heaven and earth
Don’t value things that doesn’t last forever; it is pointless.
Can your riches buy your salvation and give you life everlasting?
The Lord came to ransom you from sin and grant you eternal life
It was the blood of Jesus that freed us from the bondage of sin
No money can buy you freedom or save you from your own iniquity.
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REFLECTION
• Why did the Sons of Korah address the subject on wealth and trusting it or boasting about it?
• Why is it foolish to rely on material wealth while you are still alive? What kind of wealth should you gather as children of God?
PSALM 92 THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH
April 8
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PSALM 92 THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH
10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the LORD;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the LORD is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. – Psalm 92:10-15
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THE RIGHTEOUS STILL BEAR FRUIT IN OLD AGE by ILMA
The Lord is faithful to fulfill his promises to his people
He anoints them with fresh oil and brings them deliverance
The Lord makes them see the destruction of their enemies
He makes them discern all their schemes and tactics.
The righteous thrive and grow so high like the palm tree
They are rooted so strongly because they are God-dependent
Even when they grow mature in age, they still bear fruit
This is a clear proof of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love.
The righteous exalt the Almighty God and they are devoted
The upright man never fails to be loyal and always presses on
He is patient, unwavering and strong in the midst of trials
He welcomes adversity as a way to grow in faith and patience.
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REFLECTION
• Why did the author compare the righteous with the palm tree and the cedar of Lebanon?
• What privileges do the upright person have that the unbelievers do not have in their lives?
PSALM 92 A SONG FOR THE SABBATH
April 7
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PSALM 92 A SONG FOR THE SABBATH
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
5 How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever; 8but you, O LORD, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered. – Psalm 92:1-9
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WORSHIPING THE LORD ON SABBATH by ILMA
You O Lord is worthy to be praised at all times
We come together on the Sabbath, to praise you, O Most High
We thank you each morning for your unwavering love
We meditate on your fulfilled promises at end of each day.
Your creation is magnificent and brings much joy to our hearts
We express gratitude for your works; how great they are!
O Lord, we are so honored that you chose us as your people
Praise be to you, our majestic God who gave us a Savior.
The foolish men cannot understand your sovereignty and power
They are doomed and will not see your light for they love evil
We believe you will not let evil flourish; fools will be scattered
Glory be to your highness, our King, our Deliverer and Master.
We bring our hearts, minds, souls and strength at your throne
We bless your most powerful name, where all knees will bow down
We sing to you, holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty
You are incomparable to any other gods, sovereign of them all.
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REFLECTION
• Why is singing praise and worship to our Lord an essential part of the Lord’s Day?
• How different are the worship in a false church from a true church?
PSALM 33 THE LORD WATCHES THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
April 6
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PSALM 33 THE LORD WATCHES THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. – Psalm 33:12-22
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OUR SOUL WAITS FOR THE LORD, OUR HELP AND SHIELD by ILMA
O my Lord, my Savior and my King, we wait on you to watch over us
You have created us for your glory and your good pleasure
Help us to never forget to consult and ask your wisdom for all things
Keep us focused on you alone so that we won’t act selfishly
Blessed are the ones who have put their trust in the Lord
God ensures protection and provision to all his people
He keeps watch over their needs and their welfare
He delivers them from the snares and attacks of the devil
Let all our soul wait on the Lord for he is our shield and help
He gives us strength, wisdom and satisfaction and contentment
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be on us as we continue to seek you
Give us patience to endure all that we face and keep our minds renewed.
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REFLECTION
• What does it mean to wait for the Lord? What is the opposite of it?
PSALM 33 GOD’S WORD & WORKS ARE DONE IN FAITHFULNESS
April 5
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PSALM 33 GOD’S WORD & WORKS ARE DONE IN FAITHFULNESS
Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
– Psalm 33:1-11
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GOD’S WORD & CREATION SHOW HIS STEADFAST LOVE by ILMA
When the Lord spoke the word, the heavens and the earth were created
It is only at his command and by his breath that all things came to be made
O, what an amazing God we serve! Shout with joy, all you righteous people!
Give him a new song and let the lyre and harp accompany such worship
For the word of the Lord lasts forever, all his works are fruits of his faithfulness
He loves those who fear him and are full of His own righteousness.
Seek the word of God and his righteousness, and His Spirit will fill you up
Only by his word are we able to navigate this world that is so corrupt
Let all creatures and the whole earth magnify and praise the Lord
For everything he spoke and commanded came into this world
The counsel of the Lord will never be shaken, his plans will be fulfilled
Let the whole nations bow down, follow the path that aligns with his will.
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REFLECTION
• What are evidences that the Word of God and his creation work manifestations of his steadfast love?
• How can you draw other unbelievers to see these proofs of God’s faithfulness?
PSALM 67 MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
April 4
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PSALM 67 MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him! – Psalm 67:1-7
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BLESS US AND MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE ON US! by ILMA
May the Lord grant us grace and blessings
May He approve and shine his face on his children
The benediction of the Lord is crucial to all his people
May we never forget to ask and pray for such blessings
Let all the people of God praise their Lord and Master
May they abound in a heart that seeks their Maker
Lord, give us your approval so we can shine your light
Without your grace and mercy, we will never have life
Bless us Lord and make your face shine on all your people
We need your sanctification so we can spread the gospel
Only by blessing us will we be able to fulfill your calling
Grant us your light so we can bring it to all the nations.
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REFLECTION
• Why did the psalmist ask God for blessing and to make his face shine upon His people?
• What was the result if God shone his face on them in verses 6-7?
PSALM 77 REMEMBERING THE DEEDS OF THE LORD
April 3
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PSALM 77 REMEMBERING THE DEEDS OF THE LORD
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. 15 You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah 16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. – Psalm 77:11-20
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THE GOD WHO WORKS WONDERS by ILMA
When I am discouraged, I will remember what the Lord has done
I will not dwell on my troubles or focus on my problems
Instead, I will meditate on God’s works that are so mighty and powerful
Our Lord God is the only God who can perform unsurpassed miracles
Your way, O God is holy. Who can compete with your amazing power?
At your command, every part of your creation trembles and follows
I recall when you redeemed the children of Jacob and Joseph
When you opened the Red Sea to give them a way of escape
The waters obeyed your orders through Moses’ prompt
It parted when you commanded the deep sea to open up
The clouds joined it by pouring down rain and thunder
The lightnings flashed on every side and shook the earth
You manifested your deliverance for them from the enemies
And led your people through the hands of Moses and Aaron
O Lord, let me never forget to be in awe of your deeds of wonder
Grant me a thankful heart so I can reflect and continually ponder
What a loving and mighty God I serve! A God who delivers his people
Praise the God of Jacob and Joseph, the God who promised a Savior.
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REFLECTION
• What can you learn from Asaph in this psalm how to deal with troubles?