As I write this, there is turmoil in Israel. It seems this very psalm is coming to life again. There are protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (see the videos below). Unmistakably, when a nation’s people turn away from God, they suffer the consequences. This is what happens when they don’t learn from their history. …
These next two psalms were sung together by the temple priests. Like most of the psalms, they are a desperate prayer to God for hope and salvation. Consequently, the psalmist convinces himself that all hope is only found in God. Let’s dig in… Psalm 42 For the choir director: A psalm (maskill) of the sons …
Psalms 42-43: Does Your Soul Thirst? Are You Sad & Discouraged? Need Hope? Read More »
Sometimes we don’t feel blessed. We could be sick, going through a hardship, having financial difficulties, or just feeling lost and lonely. King David wrote this psalm when he was ill and weakened. A rebellion brewed and he was on the brink of losing his kingdom. In addition, his, son Absalom was plotting to seize …
Have you ever been stuck in the mud? I have. As a teenager, there was a pond near our house. I used to go and look for wildlife. One day, after a rain, I had my rubber boots on and I stepped too far into the mud and I was stuck. It just sucked my …
Psalm 40: Stuck in the Mud? Get the Help You Need in Jesus Read More »
David wrote Psalm 38 when he was hurting — badly. When you’re in deep trouble, sick, or going through a heavy trial, and you feel there is nowhere left to turn. When you’ve hit rock bottom, the only place to turn is up. Let’s dig in… Psalm 38 A psalm of David, asking God to …
Psalm 38: Got Troubles? Reasons to Go to God for Help. Read More »
God is good — all the time! God is just and fair — all the time! Really? Then why do wicked, evil people prosper? That’s the question of the ages! Psalm 37 answers this question with some great advice for us as we try to live righteous, Christlike lives. Let’s dig in… Psalm 37 A …
Psalm 37: If God is Good & Just, then Why do Evil People Prosper? Read More »
This world is dark and full of death, sin, and evil. Only Jesus is the fountain of life, the light in the darkness, our hope everlasting. This psalm is short but loaded! Let’s dig in… Psalm 36 For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. 1 Sin whispers to the wicked, …
Psalm 36: Jesus is the fountain of life, the light by which we see Read More »
Have you ever been a victim of injustice? We all have at one point or another. We can respond in one of 3 ways: strike back in anger, bottle up our feelings or take our desire for justice to Almighty God. Psalm 35 is an imprecatory psalm. To imprecate means to “invoke evil”. In other …
Psalm 35: Pray to the Lord for Justice Every Time You’re in Trouble Read More »
When you cry out to God for help — with the right motives — sincerely — He hears your plea. He sees everything! He promises that everyone who takes refuge in HIM, will NOT be condemned! God keeps His promises! God helps and protects His people when they call Him. Let’s dig in… Psalm 34 …
Psalm 34: The Lord Hears His People When They Call for Help Read More »
On Christmas Day, I read the first 8 Messianic Psalms. Today, I finish reading the other 8. Next week we’ll be back to the Sunday Psalms series with Psalm 34. I pray that you will find Jesus in these beautiful poems and songs. As Paul told us, “Faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the …
16 Messianic Psalms Part 2: Finding Jesus in Songs & Prayers of the Past Read More »
The purpose of the Old Testament is not only to tell the story of the Israelites, what God did for them and how they rebelled. Its true purpose is to predict the coming of the “anointed one” or Messiah, who would bring not just salvation to a broken world, but justice and everlasting peace. Moreover, …
16 Messianic Psalms Part 1: Finding Jesus in Songs & Prayers of the Past Read More »
You’d think that once King David was ruling all of Israel that he wouldn’t feel shame, but he did. It’s enough for him to unload his feelings to God in this psalm. It’s really easy for us to feel ashamed of our past sins. Even the ones you’ve tried to bury. Somehow, with the help …
Psalm 31: Because of the Cross, We Never Need to Feel Shame Read More »
Joy – it’s hard to find joy in life these days. Nevertheless, when we surrender our whole lives to Jesus, we receive a supernational joy! This psalm was written in 1003 BC by King David, who is finally king of a united Israel (2 Samuel 5, 1 Chronicles 11). Let’s dig in… Psalm 30 A …
Psalm 30: Jesus Makes a Mourning Heart Dance with Joy! Read More »
God is more powerful than any other being, dead or alive. More powerful than anything in all creation! All in all, Psalm 29 leaves no doubt who God — Yahweh — “the LORD” — is and that He alone should be worshiped. Let’s dig in… Psalm 29 A psalm of David. 1 Honor the Lord, you …
Psalm 29: The Lord is More Powerful Than Any Other Being Read More »
When you look around at all that is happening in the world, do you ask yourself, “Where is God?” Believe it or not, He is still in control. Best of all, you can trust that God hears your prayers and that you can cling to the Rock of Your Salvation. Let’s dig into this psalm… …
Psalm 28: Trust the Lord with All Your Heart. Cling to the Rock of Your Salvation Read More »
Easier said than done, right? We’re told to be brave and courageous and to wait patiently for the Lord. It really doesn’t matter what your particular situation is, what trial or trouble you’re currently going through. It’s still hard. Here’s a psalm of David that we can pray back to God to help get us …
Psalm 27: Be Brave and Courageous. Wait Patiently for the Lord Read More »
According to the dictionary, integrity means … “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness”. Another meaning is “the state of being whole and undivided, uncorrupted, unimpaired, consistent”. As I filled out my ballot today, I looked up each and every judge on the ballot. There were county judges, state Supreme Court Justices, and others. As I researched each one, I looked for their …
Psalm 26: If God Judged You Right Now Would He Delight in Your Integrity? Read More »
Do you trust God? It’s not easy to surrender EVERYTHING in your life to Him. Here in Psalm 25, King David gives us a beautiful poem that we can pray back to God and at the same time, assure ourselves that if we trust in Him, He’s got our back. Let’s dig in… Psalm 25 …
Psalm 25: Surrender Your Life and Trust in the Lord Read More »
Do you have a pure heart? Jesus told us… …The words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you… Matthew 15:18-20a NLT If our hearts defile us, then how do we get a …
Psalm 24: Pray to the Lord Strong and Mighty for a Pure Heart! Read More »
One of Jesus’ “I AM” statements was, “I AM the Good Shepherd.” The 23rd Psalm describes how He takes great care of His sheep. This psalm is not just for reading at funerals or memorial services. It’s a prayer of assurance and trust in your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to whom we owe EVERYTHING. …
Psalm 23: How to Pray this Beloved Psalm Back to the Good Shepherd Read More »
