PSALM THIRTY-FOUR Verse 15+

Psalm 34:15,  17a,  18.  New Revised Standard Version

15  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
      and his ears ere open to their cry.

17a  When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears,

18  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
      he saves the crushed in spirit.

Our LORD has got his eyes on us. He can see and hear us.
He is already with those who are depressed and despondent,
bankrupt and betrayed, redundant and rebuffed.
When we visit folk in hospital ,in prison or in care we know that
Jesus is already  there.
"God with us"  is  with us   at all times and continually.

PSALM THIRTY-FOUR Verse EIGHT

Psalm 34:8 New Revised Standard Version

8  O taste and see that the LORD is good;
    happy are those who take refuge in him.

In verse two the believer is invited to hear and be glad.
Here in verse eight we are invited to taste and see;
for in taking refuge in the LORD  we come to experience
and acknowledge the kindness and the blessings of the Lord
in everyday life.
Those who experience His love and forgiveness can testify to that.
Those who experience His self-revelation, His teaching and shepherding,
His deliverance and His healing, and His counsel and comfort,
enjoy a spiritual life which pervades and influences our worldly existence
.

PSALM THIRTY-FOUR Verse SEVEN

Psalm 34:7 New Revised Standard Version

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around
   those who fear him,  and delivers them.

Psalm 91:9a & 11  RSV
9a  Because you have made the LORD your refuge...
11  ...he will give his angels charge of you
      to guard you in all your ways.

Hebrews 12:1 NRSV
1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great 
    a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight
    and sin that easily distracts.

Our most commonly used prayer includes the words
"Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven"
which draws our attention to a spirit world,
some would add "beyond the grave"
      But Psalm 34:7 tells us that spirit creatures (angels)
are close to believers and have beneficial influences
on us--here and now.
Psalm 91:9a and 11 confirms this and Hebrews 12:1
reveals to us that we are never alone: and that we are
permanently surrounded by angels and saints
who have a keen interest in our exploits .
  

PSALM THIRTY-FOUR Verse FOUR

Psalm 34:4 New Revised Standard Version.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
      and delivered me from my fears.

There is often something coming up about which we might be anxious.
We take it to the LORD in prayer, and things work out better than we feared.
Through out life there are things from which we need to be delivered, some more serious than others.
Christian discernment is of utmost value.
When the Lord reveals something that needs prayer
we can turn to Him for the grace we need.
His love and His grace powerfully effect the life and circumstances
of ourselves and those we pray for.

PSALM THIRTY-FOUR Verse 1-3

Psalm 34 verse 1-3   New Revised Standard Version
1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
   his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes it's boast in the LORD
   let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me
   and let us exalt his name together.

We are invited to participate  (continually and at all times)
in saying good words towards God in appreciation of His
goodness, kindness, love and generosity.
We (the humble) are invited to hear (not all have been literate)
and be so glad of our own experience of the blessings of God,
that we will join the psalmist in proclaiming the greatness of our God

PSALM THIRTY-THREE verse 11, 14 and 20

Psalm 33: 11,14 & 20  The Coverdale Version  from the Book of Common Prayer.

11 The counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever;
     and the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.
14 He fashioneth all the hearts of them : and understandeth all their works.
20 For our heart shall rejoice in him
     because we have hoped in his holy name.

                        The Heart of God
Our creator fashioned our hearts to receive His thoughts from His heart to ours
through scripture,  through His self revelation , even through creation and
through His presence with us and in us in prayer, and when we worship Him in The Spirit.
The human heart which is alive to JESUS has inner joy. 

PSALM THIRTY-TWO verse 8 ESSENTIAL CARE

2nd CHRONICLES Ch20 v 12b AV
neither know we what to do;
but our eyes are upon thee.

New Jerusalem Bible Psalm 32 v 8
I shall instruct you and teach you the way to go
I shall not take my eyes off you.   !

The Jerusalem Bible Psalm 32 v 8
I will watch over you and be your adviser

Psalm 33 v 18 NJB
But see how Yahweh watches over those who fear him
those who rely on his faithful love.

These verses describe the personal relationship between the Lord our God
and the psalmist  (the believer)
The Lord, our teacher, instructor and adviser, watches over us
who rely on his faithful love.
In order to know what to do, we keep our eyes on the Lord.
In psalm 27 verse 4, the psalmist seeks;-
to live in the house of Yahweh all the days of his life
to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh and to consult him in his temple.

Those who know the presence of the Lord , enjoy his sweetness
and consult him every day in one to one prayer.

1st CORINTHIANS 6:19
Do you not realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you and whom you have received from God ?

PSALM THIRTY-ONE verse 5

Psalm 31 verse 5 from The New Revised Standard Version

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;

          you have redeemed me  O LORD , faithful God.

The last words of Jesus on the cross.

Luke 23:46  NRSV

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father,

into your hands I commit my spirit."

Having said this , he breathed his last.

PSALM 31:5 provided the last prayer for Jesus and for Stephen;-

"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"  Acts 7:59  NRSV

Psalm 31:14 +15a

But I trust in you , O LORD;

I say , "You are my God"

My times are in your hand;

Each verse quoted here may be seen as a lesson in prayer.
Every prayer we make should be made with just such
fundamental trust in the Lord.
To cry out such direct, heart to heart, one to one, prayer
in total dependence  and in such trust, is sooner or later
the experience of whoever believes in Jesus Christ..

PSALM TWENTY-NINE verse 11

11 May the LORD grant strength to his people
           May the LORD bless his people with peace.                   NCV

What a good Inclusive prayer.

11 May the LORD grant strength to his people
           May the LORD bestow on his people well-being .
                                                         New Translation--Jewish Publication Society

Take this opportunity to be at one with the Most High,
by praying wholeheartedly  His will in this verse,
support all his people in prayer.
or
PROPHESY this truth
Pray this with conviction;-
Psalm 29  (Psalm 28 in the Orthodox Study Bible)
verse 11
            " The LORD will give strength to his People
               The LORD will bless His people with peace."
                                                                                   Amen
........a prophetic prayer.  

PSALM TWENTY-SEVEN in the land of the living

Psalm 27 verse 10,11a, 13 and 14. from the new translation by Miriyam Glazer.
10  Though my father and mother leave me, Adonai will gather me in.
      Teach me your way , Adonai,
      by leading me on a straight path.
13  Let me believe
     I will see the goodness of Adonai 
             in the land of the living---
     and I will hope in Adonai---
     Be strong ,
     have a heart of courage,
     and hope in Adonai.

EZEKIEL 11:19 ESV
And I will give them one heart , and a new spirit I will put within them.
I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh.

The inspired psalmist with whom we identify did not have a heart of stone,
but based on Ezekiel 11:19 we can pray for our own fellow countrymen ,
that God will give us a new heart  and put a new spirit within us,that Adonai
will remove the heart of stone from our flesh and give us a heart of flesh.
                                                                                                       AMEN. 

PSALM TWENTY-SEVEN verse 1 and 4

From "Psalms of the Jewish Liturgy, A New Translation by Miriam Glazer.
verse 1.
Adonai is my light and my help, whom should I fear ?
Adonai is my source of strength, who can frighten me ?
verse 4
I have just one request of Adonai --for this I yearn --
Let me dwell in the house of Adonai all the days of my life,
let me gaze on the loveliness of Adonai , in God's sanctuary.

The psalmist feels such trust in God and such yearnings to be in His presence.
He reveals his strong feelings and expresses his own experience of trust.

As believers we can identify with the psalmist--and say yes--
Adonai is my light and my help whom should I fear ?
As believers we can identify with the psalmist  --and say yes--
Adonai is my source of strength, I yearn always to be in His presence.

PSALM TWENTY-FIVE The Ongoing Personal Relationship

Psalm 25 reveals the ongoing personal relationship of the psalmist with the LORD
an example of the personal active relationship of a believer with the LORD our God.
verse 4 NJB Direct me in your ways Yahweh and teach me your paths.
verse 5a NCV Guide me in your truth and instruct me.
verse 8 NCV he instructs sinners in his ways.
verse 9  NCV He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them the path to follow.
verse 12 NJB Men who respect Yahweh, what of them?
                    He teaches them the way they must choose.
verse 14 NCV The LORD manifests himself to those who fear him.
                     (Which is to be understood as divine intimacy and friendship)
verse 15 NCV My eyes are ever upon the LORD

Psalm 25 reveals some details of the personal relationship which the believer has with the LORD

He is our personal teacher  Psalm 25:4  25:5  25:9 and 25:12
and our encourager           Psalm 25:5 NJB
He is our guide                 Psalm 25:9 NJB 25:5 NCV and 25:9 NCV
He is our instructor           Psalm 25:9 NJB 25:8 NIV
He is our director              Psalm 25:4 NJB
                                       Psalm 119:35  NIV   Psalm 119:113 NIV
A New Testament prayer for believers
NIV 2nd TH 3:5    May the Lord direct your hearts.

Psalm 25 reveals an interesting picture of a believer.
A believer is someone who trusts in the Lord
                  someone who waits for the Lord
                  someone who knows the ways of the Lord
                  someone who has been taught His paths
                  and is lead into truth
A believer is someone who Waits for God all day
                                who has been instructed in the Way
                  someone who is guided in what is right
                  someone who keeps His covenant
                  someone who has had his guilt pardoned
                               who Knows the fear of the LORD
                               who enjoys the friendship of the LORD
                               who the covenant is made known to
                               who's eyes are ever toward the Lord
                               who takes refuge in the Lord
                               who is delivered by God

PSALM TWENTY-FOUR The Pure in Heart.

Psalm 24 verse 1,3&4   GOOD NEWS BIBLE

The world and all that is in it belong to the LORD;
the earth and all who live on it are his
Who has the right to go up the LORD'S  hill?
Who may enter his holy Temple?
Those who are pure in act and in thought,
who do not worship idols or make false promises.

Psalm 24:1 is quoted in 1st Corinthians 10:26
The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord'

Psalm 24:4 is Quoted in Matthew 5:8
Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God.

These verses are easy to read in this version.
The quotations in the New Testament serve to draw our attention
to these truths which inform us of the best way
and invite us to choose to go that way.

In this age we have a media where mocking and sneering is offered as entertainment.
So to become " pure in heart " is not a fashionable goal.
Still, we wouldn't want our children to get too involved with people who worship idols
and make false promises or people who are jealous or conceited or selfish or even irritable.
We would rather that our children were mixing with patient , good mannered, trustworthy
kind, good humoured, generous people of faith and integrity who are pure in act and thought.
Sometimes it is obvious who is choosing the best way and who are choosing other ways.
Genius is not a prerequisite of Christian discernment .
We have a teacher who says;-
I am the LORD your God, the one who wants to teach you for your own good
and direct you in the way you should go.
                                                              GOOD NEWS BIBLE  ISAIAH 48:17
Those who really believe that are listening to Him
.
Such are the people of God
who come into the presence of the God of Jacob
                                                                         PSALM 24:6    GOOD NEWS BIBLE
The whole world and all that is within it belongs to the LORD
----the God of your fathers ,  the God of Abraham,  The God of  Isaac,
       and  the  God  of  Jacob.  

PSALM TWENTY-THREE The Flock

Our Father is Lord of heaven and earth
We pray for His will to be done on earth as in heaven.
But on earth there are lawless places where violence reigns.
In some societies the accumulation of wealth has priority and everything is attuned to that.
There are countries where , in practice, little reference is made to God.
But there are individuals and communities-- a whole body of people-- who live in the love of God, practicing his presence and his precepts
They do not do this in their own strength or without guidance.
The Lord is their shepherd.

In prayer they ask Him to lead them because they trust in Him and believe that His will for them
is the very best.
They ask Him to guide them throughout life
They know his presence in daily life
and in everyday life they choose to serve Him

Joshua 24:15 "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"

In prayer believers reflect on their own attitudes and activities  and choose the most wholesome and loving way to be blessing to those around them.

You are with me PSALM TWENTY-THREE

In Hebrew  "You are with me" is at the center of Psalm 23
The number of Hebrew words before and after being equal.

John Ch10  RSV
v11  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep'
v14  I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me ,
v15  as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
v16  And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also,
       and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
v27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me ;
v28  and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ,
       and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.

PSALM TWENTY-THREE Scottish Psalms of David in Metre

1  The Lord's my shepherd, I'll nor want        5  My table thou hast furnished
2          He makes me down to lie                             in the presence of my foes; 
    In pastures new: he leadeth me                     My head thou dost with oil anoint,
            the quiet waters by.                                     and my cup overflows.
3   My soul he doth restore again;                   6  Goodness and mercy all my life 
            and me to walk doth make                          shall surely follow me;
     Within the paths of righteousness                  And in God's house for evermore
            ev'n for his own names sake.                       my dwelling place shall be.
4  Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale
            yet I will fear none ill;
    For thou art with me: and thy rod
            and staff me comfort still.

HEBREWS 13:20-21    The Jerusalem Bible
I pray that the God of peace, who brought our Lord Jesus back from the dead 
to become the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood that sealed an eternal covenant,
may make you ready to do his will in any kind of good action; and turn us all into whatever is acceptable to himself through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever , Amen.
                                                                              This is the word of the Lord.

VERSE FOURTEEN PSALM TWENTY-TWO

Verse 14  NEW LIVING TRANSLATION    Psalm 22

"My life is poured out like water
     and all my bones are out of joint
My heart is like wax, melting within me.

When "that sinking feeling" is very serious and most unexpected ,
it is very real.  There are moments in life, when all that you had planned hits the buffers;
When all that you had expected collapses: When the shock of loss really hits you.

The psalmist has been there, he expresses it in verse 14 & 15 of psalm 22.
Both war and peace bring such experience to individuals.

We cling to Jesus who knows and feels all that we know and feel.

When we have time to reflect on such experiences,
the person of faith is pleased to recall that their own reaction was to call out to the Lord,
to turn to him in their hour of need as they have been in the habit of doing in everyday life.

The poor humanist doesn't believe there is a God to turn to.
The self possessed person is likely to blame someone ,probably God.
The person with a tendency toward evil is likely to curse the people he blames

That is a predictable pattern but still we should not judge people , but in prayer
seek how to bless people who are devoid of faith or discernment. 

The responsibility of leaders PSALM TWENTY-ONE

In the ESV , Psalm 21 has the title "The King Rejoices in the LORD'S Strength"
This psalm is talking about a king who trusts in the Lord (verse 7):
A king who knows the joy of the Lord's presence  (verse 6)
Although Psalm 21 is talking about a Davidic king , it also addresses those in authority over nations who in practice have great authority and responsibility.
These leaders stand in need of prayer because power corrupts.
It is most important that those in authority are fully aware that they are answerable before the people
and before God,  There are continuous blessings to nations which are governed by authorities who
put their trust in God.
Some people might think that it is all right to trust governments and authorities which are humanist.
It is worth noting that humanists do not seek the Lord in prayer. They do not exult over the power of the resurrection or Christ's victory on the cross. Humanists do not attribute any blessing to God and do not seek or expect eternal life. Humanists can not see God in all creation or recognize the presence of God. They do not seek the will of God or attempt to put it into practice.

Psalm 21  ESV  The King Rejoices in the Lord's Strength.
verse 6.............you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
verse 7 ............For  the king trusts in the Lord.

Trust affects life PSALM TWENTY

Psalm 20 verse  7   ESV

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

    but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

That is a resounding good verse, you could proclaim it at speakers corner.

When you hear someone speak, if they are freely expressing their own views,

listen to what they are saying, where is it coming from and where is it leading ?

If they are promoting righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and 

gentleness, they are inspired by the Spirit of Christ, for the light of Christ is in them

and they are leading their listeners to all that is wholesome.

If the words of the speaker are promoting a self centered perspective, self indulgence,

self fulfillment and self justification;

That comes from habits of thinking and doing things which are characteristically for 

for our own pleasure; And that leads to a selfish life.

If the words of the speaker are stirring up envy, jealousy, division, violence, greed, 

revenge or hatred,  the speaker is inspired by a very dark spirit

which leads to despair.

Choose life, trust in the name of the LORD our God.

If your trust in the name of the LORD our God

has, over the years, affected your habits of thinking and doing,

your perception of people and things, your desires, your commitments, and your attitudes,

then you are blessed in deed.

The discernment we need ----- PSALM NINETEEN

ESV   Verse 12    Who can discern his errors  ?

NCV   Verse 13    But who can fully realize his shortcomings ?

Just as we can offend a friend without realizing it
so we can offend the Lord without realizing it.

We need to seek forgiveness for our errors or " hidden faults."
We also need to seek revelation of our "hidden faults"
in order to correct our attitudes and actions in order not to repeat them.
We need discernment.

Meditation of the heart in PSALM NINETEEN

Meditation of the heart in Psalm 19 verse 14 AV

Let the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

"Meditation of my heart"

The true believer loves the LORD his God with all his heart

and with all his soul.           see Deuteronomy 13:3

That is the context in which the true believer meditates 

in the sight of the LORD his God.

Meditation can mean, to engage in deep mental reflection.

Meditation of my heart is first of all, meditation of one individual, personally,

 engaged heart to heart with the living God.

Meditation of the heart is more than cerebral 

and includes the inmost feelings, intimate feelings of love and hope.

This meditation is carried out before God, in His sight

and very much in His presence... That is in the intimate presence of our LORD

who is our very strength and our actual Redeemer.

The comfort of God's presence in PSALM NINETEEN

Verse 8b        Psalm 19

ESV  the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes

NIV  The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes

7a, 7b, 8a and 8b each describe a divine action which has an effect
on the believer who comes under each divine influence.
7a   restoring the soul
7b   making the simple wise
8a   making the heart rejoice
8b   enlightening the eyes

As the sun (verse 4,5 and 6) brings light and warmth--from east to west
the word of God brings revelation ( light ) and comfort (the warmth ) of God's Presence.

Feel better in PSALM NINETEEN

Verse 8a    ESV     Psalm 19

The precepts of the Lord are right giving joy to the heart.

This divine gift does not bring anxiety or oppression
it brings joy to the heart
It affects how you are and how you feel.

As we grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord
it is good to realize that He cares how we feel.

Psalm 5:11......let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice ; let them ever shout for joy,
because thou defendest them; let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

From immaturity to maturity in PSALM NINETEEN

Verse 7b     ESV     Psalm 19

The testimony of the LORD is sure
       making wise the simple.

This verse offers an excellent prospect.......being made wise !

What verse 7 is talking about is;-  Not just accumulating information,
but in action and in practice...becoming wiser....by divine action !

A life-changing transformation ..moving from immaturity towards maturity
is a good indicator of spiritual growth 

A wake up experience in PSALM NINETEEN

Verse 7a    ESV      Psalm 19

The law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul.

reviving ;-   bringing to consciousness  or  restoring consciousness.

soul       ;-   the immortal part of people,    our innermost depth,
                  the inner person where our nobler feelings and capacities lie.

verse 7 is talking about a personal wake up experience......
having our inner person and our nobler feelings re-awakened .

Images of my God in PSALM EIGHTEEN

my strength          verse 1
my rock               verse 2      verse 31               verse 46
my fortress           verse 2
my deliverer          verse 2      verse 17               verse 48           verse 50
my God                verse 2
my strength in whom I will trust       verse  2
my buckler and the horn of my salvation        verse 2
my high tower
merciful and upright         verse 25
my candle             verse 28  AV
my lamp               verse 28  RSV
a buckler to all those that trust him        verse 30
God that girdeth me with strength
and maketh my way perfect                 verse 32
He teacheth my hands                          verse 34

Each image expresses the relationship of the believer with
the God of Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob.
My God who's way is perfect.               verse 30

The LORD liveth: and blessed be my rock:
and let the God of my salvation be exalted.          verse 46 AV
.

The Presence of God in PSALM SEVENTEEN

verse 2   From your presence let my vindication come                     ESV
verse 2   From your face let my judgement come                            NLT

With the psalmist we choose to walk with the King
in Your way     in Your path                                                         see verse 5

verse 3   you have visited me by night                                           ESV

As the focus of God,s love, His intimate presence
enfolds us protectively ....."as the apple of His eye"                         see verse 8

With the psalmist we are satisfied to behold the Lord,s face
--when we wake--in glory.                                                           see verse 15

The Ways of God,s People in PSALM SEVENTEEN

  The just pray with lips free from deceit...... see verse 1 ESV
  ...prayer from honest lips                          see verse 1 NLT
  The innocent                                            see verse 2 NLT
  are determined not to sin                            see verse 3 NLT
  by the word of your lips
  I have avoided the ways of the violent         see verse 4 ESV
  My steps have held fast to your paths          see verse 5 ESV
  Call upon.. pray to God                              see verse 6 ESV
  seek refuge in the Lord                               see verse 7 ESV

The Way of the Wicked in PSALM SEVENTEEN

Psalm 17 gives some details of people who are not innocent;-
              those who choose to go "other" ways
verse 4  ESV.....the ways of the violent
verse 4  NLT....cruel and evil people.
verse 9  ESV....the wicked who do violence.....who surround the innocent.
verse 9  NLT....the murderous who surround and attack the innocent.
verse 10 ESV....who close their hearts to pity
                   ....who speak arrogantly
verse 10 NLT....they are without pity....listen to their boasting..
verse 11 NLT....they track down the vulnerable
verse 12 ESV....lurking in ambush to take advantage of the vulnerable..