PSALM 35 GOD DELIGHTS IN HIS SERVANTS’ WELFARE


April 25
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PSALM 35 GOD DELIGHTS IN HIS SERVANTS’ WELFARE
26 Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who rejoice at my calamity!
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor
who magnify themselves against me!
27 Let those who delight in my righteousness
shout for joy and be glad
and say evermore,
“Great is the LORD,
who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all the day long.– Psalm 35:26-28
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THE LORD CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE by ILMA
Let us praise the Lord who is love himself
He cares for those who are righteous and does his will
He makes sure that they are not put to shame
The Lord will protect those who honor his name.
Let all those who have troubles and suffering come to him
He will make their burden light and deliver them from sin
Great is the Lord who delights in the welfare of his servants
He is steadfast in his love and ensures their well-being.
Let us testify and declare all God gave us and be thankful
Without his grace and mercy, we will not be bountiful
Praise the Lord forever and always trust his providence
He is steadfast in his love, unchanging and full of compassion.
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REFLECTION
• This psalm started with David’s plea for deliverance and asking God to vindicate him, but he ends on a thankful note praising God for his provision. Why is it important for us to be honest in our circumstances but not be overcome by it?
• What was David teaching us in this psalm?

PSALM 35 BE NOT SILENT LORD

April 24
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PSALM 35 BE NOT SILENT LORD
17 How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions! 18 I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you.19 Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause. 20 For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit. 21 They open wide their mouths against me; they say, “Aha, Aha! Our eyes have seen it!” 22 You have seen, O LORD; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me! 23 Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication, for my cause, my God and my Lord! 24 Vindicate me, O LORD, my God,
according to your righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me! 25 Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, our heart’s desire!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”
– Psalm 35:17-25
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RESCUE US O LORD! by ILMA
My Lord, how long will you allow evildoers to destroy your people?
Do you not see how much havoc they have inflicted on the faithful?
I plead you to vindicate us from the wickedness that they generate
They do not care for others; it is deception that they propagate
They concoct lies and twist the truth so they can gain something
Awake and rescue us Lord from these people who habitually sins
Come, Lord, vindicate us and let them not have the upper hand
Let them not think that they are victorious in their wicked plans
Deliver us from the deceptions and manipulations they slyly invent
Show us your favor and grace by reverting back evil on each of them
We glorify you and look forward to your promise of deliverance
We thank you for your steadfast love and your constant protection
Manifest your presence when times of weakness and temptations arise
Strengthen your beloved people with much faith and enough endurance.
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REFLECTION
• Why did David sound as if God wasn’t making himself present in the situations he was experiencing in this psalm? Was he impatient with God in this prayer?

PSALM 35 THE LORD DELIVERS THE POOR & NEEDY


April 23
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PSALM 35 THE LORD DELIVERS THE POOR & NEEDY
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, “O LORD, who is like you, delivering the poor
from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?”
11 Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.
13 But I, when they were sick – I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting;
I prayed with head bowed on my chest.
14 I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother;
as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.
15 But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered;
they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know
tore at me without ceasing; 16 like profane mockers at a feast,
they gnash at me with their teeth. – Psalm 35: 9-15
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PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM MOCKERS by ILMA
My Lord, I come to you for deliverance, I revel at your mercy and grace
To the oppressed, crushed in spirit and broken hearted, you are close
Many unbelievers have inched their way to your communion of saints
I pray that you will not allow them to corrupt your faithful servants
They are wolves in sheep’s clothing that have entered your sheepfold
Keep them away from contaminating your flock and creating confusion
I ask you Lord to deal justly with those who perpetuate sorcery and evil
Especially those who cunningly device tactics to destroy your people
Give your servants discernment to expose such mockers among us
Keep us bold to confront and not tolerate the spirits that seduce
Do not let lovers of self be comfortable in the communion of saints
They will only use your resources for their own selfish agenda and gains
Let your word penetrate and cut through their hardened hearts
Do with them what needs to be done to stop their evil plans.
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REFLECTION
• Why must all Christians be wary of evil plots to infiltrate and corrupt the saints?

PSALM 35 LET THOSE WHO SEEK EVIL BE PUT TO SHAME!


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?