May 10
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PSALM 31 THE GOD WHO HEARS OUR PLEAS FOR MERCY
21 Blessed be the LORD,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
22 I had said in my alarm,
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.
23 Love the LORD, all you his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the LORD! – Psalm 31:21-24
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THE LORD PRESERVES THE FAITHFUL & REPAYS THE PROUD by ILMA
To our gracious and generous Lord,
Let all praise and glory be to him
The Lord preserves the faithful
He repays the proud who constantly sins.
Our Lord hears the upright when they plead
When they cry out for help, he listens and heeds
Be strong all you faithful servants of the Lord
Let your heart take courage as you face this world.
To all the saints, love the Lord with all your strength
Our gracious God will give you your needs and keep you well
He will deliver you from the proud and the wicked
He will raise them up just like Christ was risen.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to ensure that we look up the cross and reflect on Christ’s resurrection when we feel discouraged and down?
• What promise of God is stressed on this psalm and why do we need to hold on to that?
Tag Archives: PSALM 31
PSALM 31 GOD’S ABUNDANT GOODNESS TO THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
May 9
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PSALM 31 GOD’S ABUNDANT GOODNESS TO THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
which speak insolently against the righteous
in pride and contempt.
19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues. – Psalm 31:18-20
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GOD’S LOVE AND PROTECTION FOR HIS PEOPLE by ILMA
O Lord, I praise you for your majesty and glory
Without your love, I will be lost completely
Thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness
You shower your beloved servants with goodness.
You promise protection and deliverance to your people
My Lord, please silence all those liars who oppress the righteous
Hide us from all the evil schemes and plots of the enemy
Cover us with your presence so that their tactics will revert to them.
Your goodness and mercy filled our hearts with much expectancy
Let us take refuge in your steadfast love, grace and mercy
Fill us with your Spirit so we will have courage and wisdom
Help us to discern and expose evil so we can have much freedom.
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REFLECTION
• How can we manifest our trust in the Lord in the midst of suffering and attacks of the enemy?
• Why is it important to lay on the throne of God all our concerns and the trials we face in life?
PSALM 31 – I HAVE BECOME LIKE A BROKEN VESSEL
May 8
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PSALM 31 – I HAVE BECOME LIKE A BROKEN VESSEL
11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many- terror on every side! –
as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; rescue me
from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!
17 O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. – Psalm 31:11-17
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AS THE ENEMY SCHEMES AGAINST ME by ILMA
Lord, come to my rescue as the enemy schemes against me
I have become a laughing stock and disgrace to my neighbor
Many have minimized me and treated me like dead
I hear them whisper all kinds of gossips and judgment
As they scheme against me and mock me incessantly
I ask you Lord, to deliver me from all the attacks of the enemy.
O Lord, I call upon you. Have mercy on your faithful servant
Let the wicked be put to shame and silenced and stopped
Make your face shine on your beloved servant; make haste to save me
As the enemy schemes against me, I slowly become discouraged
Strengthen me to exercise the authority you gave me to trample them
O my God, I trust that you will fulfill your promise of deliverance.
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REFLECTION
• How can you identify with David in this psalm as his enemy schemes against him?
• What did David do when he felt so discriminated and mocked by those people who seemed to have honored him before and currently mock him now?
PSALM 31 BE GRACIOUS TO ME IN TIMES OF GRIEF
May 7
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PSALM 31 BE GRACIOUS TO ME IN TIMES OF GRIEF
6 I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the LORD.
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away. – Psalm 31:7-10
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A PLEA FOR GRACE by ILMA
My Lord, please hear my distressed soul
Be gracious to your servant who is in much sorrow
Please keep away all the idolaters from my life
They suck the energy out and snuff off your light
Set me free from those whose only concern is “self”
Change their hearts and reveal yourself to them
Let them know that their wickedness destroys
Grant me grace to overcome the enemy’s ploys
I trust you completely and stand on your steadfast love
I praise you and honor your name my Lord and my God
Replace my sorrow with the joy that only comes from you
Give me a heart that endures all things and forgives
Shower me with your wisdom and grant me patience.
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REFLECTION
• Why are prayers important especially when you are going through grief and sorrow and suffering?
PSALM 31 INTO YOUR HAND I COMMIT MY SPIRIT
May 6
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PSALM 31 INTO YOUR HAND I COMMIT MY SPIRIT
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
3 For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. – Psalm 31:1-5
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INTO YOUR HANDS I SURRENDER MY LIFE by ILMA
It is in you that I run for defence; you are my sanctuary
Hear out my plea for protection, deliverance and safety
Be that stronghold for me as I go through trials and adversity
The enemy has been constantly assaultive and combative
Lord, I plead you to shelter me under your wings for I am so tired
Be my rock of refuge and strength so I can be rejuvenated.
I need your comfort and deliverance so I can overcome evil
Take me out of their schemes and plans to destroy your calling
Into your hands alone will I surrender my entire life
You are the reason for my life and without you, I will expire
Never leave me or forsake me; I can do nothing on my own
Give me enough strength and let me focus on your firm foundation.
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REFLECTION
• What does the writer mean when he said “Into your hands I commit my spirit?”
• Why did Jesus say the same phrase before he died on the cross?
• Why is it important to surrender all to the Lord?