March 10
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PSALM 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.8 The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
– Psalm 121:1-7
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PSALM 121 THE LORD IS OUR KEEPER
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Doesn’t our help come from the Lord who made heaven and earth?
Trust in him alone, for he is our keeper and our deliverer
He provides for all our needs and watches over us always
He never lets us be overcome by evil and leads us to righteousness
Do not fear the enemy’s plots, tactics, schemes and attacks
He has promised protection to all those whom he loves
Remember what he has done in the time of Moses?
He will do the same for all those who serve him
Continue to press on for our keeper is faithful
He never lets his people make a habit of being sinful.
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REFLECTION
• How do you feel knowing that your keeper or guardian is actually the Lord himself who made heaven and earth?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
PSALM 120 DELIVERANCE PRAYER FROM LIES & DECEPTION
March 9
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PSALM 120
In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.2 Deliver me, O LORD,
from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
– Psalm 120:1-7
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PSALM 120 DELIVERANCE PRAYER FROM LIES & DECEPTION
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I plead you gracious and merciful Father
Release me from the wickedness and deceit of liars
When I say something to them, they twist my words
Help me not to react and be angry at their ploys
Make me discern their schemes at its beginning stage
Do not leave me and be gobbled up by their cunning ways
I love your word and all your commandments
Equip me with courage and boldness to expose them
Let them not succeed in their schemes of deception
Build up my faith so I will not give in to temptations.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to pray for deliverance from lies and deceptions especially with covert and sly liars and deceivers under the guise of niceness & flattery?
PSALM 119 GREAT PEACE TO LOVERS OF THE LAW
March 8
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PSALM 119
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
– Psalm 119:161-168
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PSALM 119 GREAT PEACE TO LOVERS OF THE LAW
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
We praise you Lord for the gift of your word and your law
Because we are fallen in our nature, it is so easy to fall
We rejoice in your word as it cuts into our hearts like a two-edged sword
Let us constantly follow every truth that comes from your word.
Whenever we ignore your laws and go on our own, we fail
It is through your precepts that you show your steadfast love
To those who take delight and obey your laws, peace usually follows
Haters of your precept and your word are easily tempted and wallow.
Help us to praise you seven times or for as often as we have breath
Keep our minds focused on you and give us a hunger for your truth
Grant us courage to let go of our selfish nature and guide us to your way
Keep us walking with the Spirit so we can follow your light and have life.
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REFLECTION
• How is loving the word and God’s law going to lead us in peace?
PSALM 119 THE SUM OF GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH
March 6
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PSALM 119
153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O LORD;
give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
– Psalm 119:153-160
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PSALM 119 THE SUM OF GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, you have given us your word so we can have life
Teach us to dwell on it and live it so we can stay in your light
The sum of your word is truth; let us heed it so we can stay pure
Give us discernment to expose the pursuit of the enemy to destroy
Your steadfast love keeps us safe and protects us from evil
Show us how to love as you do, so we can overcome the devil
Keep us obedient, subservient and deliver us from lawlessness
Guard our minds and hearts so we can follow the path to righteousness
Bless all those who love and take delight in your word
So that they may glorify you and praise your holy name.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think verse 155 mean when the psalmist says “Salvation is far from the wicked for they do not seek your statutes?”
PSALM 119 WHEN YOU MEDIATE ON GOD’S WORD & PROMISES
March 5
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PSALM 119
145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
I will keep your statutes.146 I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.151 But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them forever.
– Psalm 119:145-152
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PSALM 119 WHEN YOU MEDIATE ON GOD’S WORD & PROMISES
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My mind and heart can be full of concerns with the world
O Lord, grant me a constant longing to meditate on your word
Hear my plea for deliverance from distractions and wickedness
Make your path straight before me so I will choose righteousness
Let me reflect and remember all your promises to those whom you love
Keep my anxiety minimal and change it to rely and constantly trust.
Give me wisdom to discern spirits and guide me to do what is right
Help me to exercise love and gentleness when things don’t seem bright
When I meditate on your word, I begin to understand what seems unclear
When I stand on your promises, I let go of despair and become hopeful
Come close to me Lord as I draw nearer to you each and every moment
Let me grow in the fear of you and in my reliance in your omnipotence.
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REFLECTION
• How often do you meditate on God’s word and his promises? Why is it essential to do this as a Christian?
PSALM 119 YOUR TESTIMONIES ARE RIGHTEOUS FOREVER
March 4
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PSALM 119
137 Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies
in righteousness and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.
– Psalm 119:137-144
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PSALM 119 YOUR TESTIMONIES ARE RIGHTEOUS FOREVER
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, you are full of steadfast love and righteous altogether
Grant me stability to follow your precepts without hesitating
Even in the midst of troubles and being despised and marginalized
I will still delight in your laws and follow your commandments.
Righteous are you my Lord, everything you do is for good
Let me focus on your word so I won’t be corrupted by the world
Your testimonies are righteous forever and is a reminder of your love
Let me declare and be a witness to all of your shower of mercy and grace.
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REFLECTION
• What is the psalmist’s antidote for troubles and anguish in verse 143?
• What are the results of taking delight in the law of the Lord and his testimonies?
PSALM 119 YOUR WORD GIVES LIGHT & WISDOM TO THE SIMPLE
March 3
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PSALM 119
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law. – Psalm 119:129-136
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PSALM 119 YOUR WORD GIVES LIGHT & WISDOM TO THE SIMPLE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, let my mouth only declare what is true and what is right
Help me hunger for it for the unfolding of your word gives light
Keep my path always leading to follow your commandments
Save me from human injustice and man’s oppressions
I mourn for those who do not want to commit to your laws
Rescue us when we go with our nature and follow our flesh.
Let all the faithful ones shout out loud your wonderful deeds
Let no one boast of anything because you made all things
Even the simple can be wise when they read your word
Scripture brings clarity and wisdom to overcome this world
Make your face shine on all you’ve chosen and all those who love you
Protect us from haughtiness, pride or being wise in our own views.
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REFLECTION
• Share a time when the word of God shed light on something that was unclear.
PSALM 119 BECAUSE I HAVE DONE WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT
March 2
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PSALM 119
121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
123 My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the LORD to act,
for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way. – Psalm 119:121-128
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PSALM 119 BECAUSE I HAVE DONE WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, you have chosen me as your servant
You also gave me your Spirit to do what’s right
Your steadfast love overflows to those whom you love
Your grace alone sustains us so we are able to grow.
Because I have faithfully done what is just and right
Give me protection and deliverance from the evil one
Grant wisdom to your devoted people who is in dire need of you
Because I have shown no partiality and followed your laws.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist sounded so confident about his faithfulness to
do what is just and right?
• Why is it important for us to pray for God to give us wisdom and discernment?
PSALM 119 THE DOUBLE-MINDED & THE FAITHFUL
March 1
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PSALM 119
113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments. – Psalm 119:113-120
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PSALM 119 THE DOUBLE-MINDED & THE FAITHFUL
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The word of the Lord is true, alive and will benefit us all
If we keep it in our hearts and follow the word, we will not fall
The Lord God is generous to grant wisdom to those who ask
If we ask for it, we must do it without wavering, but in faith
The double-minded are unstable in all their ways, always uncertain
They cannot expect to receive anything from God; they are faithless
But those whose flesh trembles for fear of the Lord will flourish
Because they hope in the Lord and his word, they will not blunder
Depart from all evildoers and those who are unfaithful
They will open doors for you to follow your sinful nature
Run to the throne of God so you will be protected from evil
He alone can save and deliver you from the works of the devil.
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REFLECTION
• Why does the psalmist caution us from being double-minded or wavering?
PSALM 119 THE WORD IS A LAMP AND LIGHT
February 28
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PSALM 119
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your righteous rules.
107 I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise,
O LORD, and teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end. – Psalm 119:105-112
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PSALM 119 THE WORD IS A LAMP AND LIGHT
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Without the word of God, I will be groping in the dark
It is the truth that will make me see; it is like a lamp
When the world systems seduce me with deceits
Scripture will expose it and protect me from all evils.
The testimonies of the Lord fill my heart with joy
I will declare it so I will overcome all my troubles
The word of God is the light that shows me his path
Without it, my life will be in shambles and pitch black.
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REFLECTION
• How has the word of the Lord become a lamp and a light in your life?
• Share an instance in your life or in others that the word of God exposed a lie.
• How can consuming God’s word and following it give us discernment?