PSALM 119 Desire God's Will

When we desire to know God's will, are we facing decisions
for which we want directions from God ?
Or do we strongly want to know what God wants because
 we believe that what  He wants will be the best for everybody ?
The psalmist reveals his strong motivation to be in harmony
with God's purposes and live in God's preferred way.

The psalmist had enough fear of God
to adjust his lifestyle accordingly.
He chose not to walk in the counsel of the wicked
nor to live the way of sinners.

Psalm 119: 97-105 NIV
97     Oh, how I love your law !
         I meditate on it all day long.
98     Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
         for they are ever with me.
99     I have more insight than all my teachers,
         for I meditate on your statutes.
100   I have more understanding than the elders,
         for I obey your precepts.
101   I have kept my feet from every evil path
         so that I might obey your word.
102   I have not departed from your laws
         for you yourself have taught me.
103   How sweet are your words to my taste
         sweeter than  honey in the mouth !
104   I gain understanding from your precepts;
         therefore I hate every wrong path.
105   Your word is a lamp to my feet
         and a light for my path.

Charles Spurgeon, in his exposition of psalm 119:97-104,
wrote;- "Familiarity with the word of God breeds affection
and affection seeks greater familiarity."
Spurgeon wrote ; "our teachers are not always to be trusted.....
when even our pilots err, it behooves us to follow closely the
 chart of the word of God, that we may be able to save the vessel.

     True hearts are not indifferent to anything that contradicts
the will of God. Today every Christian needs discernment to
 distinguish the wholesome will of God from falsehood and error.

Jesus Christ is supreme wisdom, boundless goodness and infinite love.
He can neither be deceived nor will He deceive us.

Colossians 3:24  NIV
It is the Lord Jesus you are serving.

Colossians 4:2   NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful.
Proclaim the mystery of Christ.
6  Let your conversation be always full of grace......

In humility we should stand in the will of God
consecrated to the Lord our God.

PSALM 119 Deliverance from human oppression

Psalm 119:134   NRSV
                                       Redeem me from human oppression.

Psalm 120:2      NRSV
                                       "Deliver me, O LORD,
                                       from lying lips,
                                       from a deceitful tongue."

Psalm 142:6     NRSV
                                       Give heed to my cry,
                                            for I am brought low.
                                       Save me from my persecutors,
                                            for they are too strong for me.

Psalm 3:7-8     NRSV
                                     Rise up, O LORD !
                                           Deliver me, O my God !
                                     For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
                                           You break the teeth of the wicked.
                                     Deliverance belongs to the LORD;
                                           may your blessing be on your people !

Psalm 59:1-2  NRSV
                                   1  Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
                                       protect me from those who rise up against me.
                                   2  Deliver me from those who work evil;
                                       from the bloodthirsty save me.

Psalm 17:13   NRSV
                                       By your sword deliver my life from the wicked.

Psalm 119:133-135  NRSV

                             . . . . .never let iniquity have dominion over me.
134                                Redeem me from human oppression,
                                      that I may keep your precepts.
135                                Make your face shine upon your servant,
                                      and teach me your statutes.

                    In order to be totally in harmony with the will of God,
                    with His way, with His order,
                    totally in harmony with His plans for society,
                    and for the future of the world,
                    the psalmist asks;- to be delivered from human oppression,
                                                  and to be taught God's statutes. . . . . . . .

The above verses are the word of God and are appropriate to be prayed by and for
the people of the Lord who are suffering oppression, persecution, violence and
other works of evil. Several verses in Psalm 17 may be spoken into such situations.

Psalm 17: 7,8,9,13,  NRSV
7     Wondrously show your steadfast love,
       O Saviour of those who seek your refuge
       from their adversaries, at your right hand.
8     Guard me as the apple of the eye;
        hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9      from the wicked who despoil me,
        and from my deadly enemies who surround me.
13    Rise up, O LORD confront them, overthrow them!
        By your sword deliver my life from the wicked.

PSALM 119 Give me life

Psalm 119:25  NIV
I am laid low in the dust 
         preserve my life according to your word.

give me life STRONGS  2421            your testimonies  STRONGS  5713
keep alive,                                         God has spoken !
suffer to live, 
preserve alive

Psalm 119:37  ESV
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things
         and give me life in your ways.
give me life STRONGS 2421            in your way   STRONGS 1870

Psalm 119:40  ESV
Behold, I long for your precepts;
          in your righteousness give me life
your precepts STRONGS 6480       give me life   STRONGS 2421
what God has appointed to be done.

Psalm 119:88  NIV
Preserve my life according to your love,
          and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
give me life STRONGS  2421         the testimony of your mouth STRONGS  6310   5715

Psalm 86:2  NIV
Guard my life for I am devoted to you.

Psalm 119:107  NLT
I have suffered much, O LORD,
          restore my life again , just as you promised.
give me life STRONGS 2421       O JEHOVA,  STRONGS 3068      by your word STRONGS 1697

Psalm 119:149  NLT
In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry;
in your justice, save my life.
by your judgement STRONGS 4941      give me life  STRONGS 2421
According to your law   ENGLISH
According to your torah   HEBREW
According to your instruction  TRANSLATION

Psalm 119:154 NIV
Defend my cause and redeem me,
preserve my life according to your promise.
give me life STRONGS 2421     by your word STRONGS 565

Psalm 119:156 NLT
Lord, how great is your mercy;
in your justice, give me back my life.
give me life STRONGS 2421     and redeem me STRONGS 1350

Psalm 143:11 TLV
For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness bring me out of this distress.

PSALM 119 The psalmist's "hours"

Psalm 119:55 NKJV     I remember Your name in the night O, LORD. 

                  62               At midnight I will rise

                                     to give thanks to You.

                  97               Oh how I love Your law!

                                     It is my meditation all the day.

                  147             I rise before the dawning of the morning

                                     And cry for help.

                  148             My eyes are awake through the night watch

                                     That I may meditate on Your word.

Psalm 134:1-2 NKJV

                                     Behold, bless the LORD

                                     All you servants of the LORD

                                     Who by night stand in the house of the LORD

                                     Lift up your hands in the sanctuary

                                     And bless the LORD.

                  

PSALM 119 Meditation

PSALM 119 NKJV    
Verses relating to meditation and the will of God.

15     I will meditate on Your precepts
         And contemplate Your ways.
23     Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24     Your testimonies also are my delight
         and my counselors.
27     Make me understand the way of Your precepts
         So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
38     Establish Your word to Your servant.
48     My hands also I will lift up
         to your commandments which I love
         And I will meditate on Your statutes.
78     I will meditate on Your precepts.
97     Oh, how I love Your law!
         It is my meditation all the day.
99     For Your testimonies are my meditation.
103   How sweet are Your words to my taste.
105   Your word is a lamp to my feet
         And a light to my path.
148   My eyes are awake through the night watches
         That I may meditate on Your word.
162   I rejoice in Your word
         As one who finds great treasure.

PSALM 119:160 Discerning TRUTH

Psalm 119:160 KJV
Thy word is true from the beginning:
and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

ESV    The sum of your word is truth
            and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

The word  of the Lord is a source of life that never languishes,
 because it is fed by infinite truth that continues for ever,
 therefor, it can never be exhausted
no matter how many drink from the life giving fountain.
                                                                                          NCV footnotes.
There are people who are quite dead to the truth of God.
You can tell who they are.
they do not rise up to praise God.
There are homes where the loving kindness of God
is not declared,
where the faithfulness of God is not proclaimed,
because the truth of His loving kindness and faithfulness
is not known or appreciated or accepted !
Are God's wonders known in such darkness?

There are people who are quite alive to the truth of God.
You can tell who they are..
Their lives are full and overflowing with the joy of the Lord.
Their homes are places of love and healing.
There are believers who are strong witnesses
for all the wonderful things which God has done in their lives.
Their hearts are a place where the saving justice of Jesus
is known and shared.
Rise up and praise God.

Psalm 140:13 NLT
Surely the godly are praising thy name
for they will live in your presence.

Psalm 119 NLT
11     I have hidden your word in my heart
         that I might not sin against you.

16     I will delight in your principles
         and not forget your word
17     Be good to your servant 
         that I may live and obey your word.
18     Open my eyes to see
         the wonderful truths in your law.

79     Let me be reconciled
         with all who fear you and know your decrees.

105   Your word is a lamp for my feet
         and a light for my path.

114   You are my refuge and my shield:
         your word is my only source of hope.

PSALM 118:22 According to Peter and Paul.

Psalm 118:22 GNB
The stone which the builders rejected as worthless
turned out to be the most important of all.

Luke 20:17 GNB
Jesus looked at them and asked,
"What, then, does this scripture mean?
     "the stone which the builders rejected as worthless
       turned out to be the most important of all !"

Acts 4:11 GNB
Jesus is the one of whom the scriptures says
"The stone that you the builders despised
   turned out to be the most important of all.

Ephesians 2:20 NLT
Together we are his house, built on the foundations of the apostles
and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
We are carefully joined together in him
becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

The reference in Ephesians 2:20 is to psalm 118:22
which in the King James Version reads;-
The stone which the builders refused 
is become the head stone of the corner.

1 Peter 2:4-7 GNB
4 Come to the Lord, the living stone rejected by people
   as worthless but chosen by God as valuable.
5 Come as living stones, and let yourself be used in building
   the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests 
   to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God
   through Jesus Christ
6 For scripture says ;- 
"I chose a valuable stone which I am placing in Zion
  and whoever believes in  him will not be disappointed"
7 This stone which the builders rejected as worthless
   turned out to be the most important of all."

                TRINITY
The believers, the church, as members of the royal priesthood
offers its worship, prayer and service   in the Holy Spirit , to the Father
through  our Lord Jesus Christ the High Priest.
Jude offers words to define the church in the context of the Trinity.

JUDE 1-2  GNB
To those who have been called by God,
who live in the love of God the Father
and the protection of Jesus Christ.
May mercy , peace , and love be yours
in full measure.

PSALM 118:6 According to Paul

Hebrews   13:6   NIV
God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
So we say with confidence
"The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid
What can man do to me?

PSALM 118:6 NIV
5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD
        and he answered  by setting me free.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid
        What can man do to me ?

PSALM 117 (118) Septuagint.
   The Lord is my helper;
   and I will not fear what men shall do to me.

Psalm 118: 8-9 NIV
8   It is better to take refuge in the LORD
        than to trust in man.
9   It is better to take refuge in the LORD
        than to trust in princes.

With Paul we say;-"The LORD is my helper".

PSALM 116:10 According to Paul

Amos 3:8 KJV
The lion hath roared who will not fear ?
The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy ?

Psalm 116:10 KJV
I believed, therefor I have spoken:

Psalm 115  (116)  The Septuagint Brenton's translation.
I believed, wherefore I have spoken:

2nd Corinthians 4;13 Good News Bible
13 The scripture says, "I have spoken because I believed."
In the same spirit of faith, we also speak because we believe.

2nd Corinthians 4:13 Jerusalem
13 But as we have the same spirit of faith
     that is mentioned in scripture--
14" I believed, and therefor I spoke"--
       we too believe and therefore we too speak ,
      knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life
      will raise us up with Jesus in our turn,
      and put us by his side and you with us.

Paul's take on Psalm 116:10 is revealed in the New Testament
and is therefore the inspired word of God.
This passage is therefore worth our close and careful attention.

PSALM 116 Sons of the Resurrection.

Psalm 116:17 KJV
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving
And will call upon the name of the Lord.

It is about prayer. The human experience of gratitude
is close to prayer. the experience of heartfelt gratitude
takes us even farther but heartfelt thanksgiving is
another step again !
Calling upon the name of the Lord,
with heartfelt thanksgiving..... is grace in prayer.

 Psalm 116; 14, 18-19 RSV.
14   I will pay my vows to the LORD
       in the presence of all the people.
18   I will pay my vows to the LORD
       in the presence of all his people
19   in the courts of the house of the LORD
       in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.

Luke 20:37-38  NKJV
37   But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage
       that the dead are raised, when he called the LORD
       "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"
38   For he is not the God of the dead but of the living,
       for all live to him.

So when we offer the sacrifice of  thanksgiving in the presence
of ALL his people, in the courts of the house of the LORD
to whom all men are alive and present,
"we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses"
                                                                     Hebrews 12:1 NKJV 

Psalm 116: 9   I will walk before the LORD
                         In the land of the living.

We realize that in walking before the LORD
we are compassed about with the household of God.

Now you are no longer strangers or guests,
but fellow citizens of the holy people:
you are of the household of God.
                                                      EPHESIANS 2:19
                                                      CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY BIBLE
                                                      THIRTY-SEVENTH EDITION

Every time we sing this Psalm,
we sing twice "I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people."
It is true:-
" A psalm a day helps you work rest and pray."
Psalm 116 reminds us that we work, rest and pray
as members of the household of God.

indeed our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son Jesus Christ.                1 John 1:3  ESV

PSALM 115 Remember God's Presence.

Psalm 115:4  RSV
Their idols are silver and gold, the works of men's hands.

People still put their trust money and financial speculation.
They make desirable property and fashionable possessions
the focus of their efforts, and they make social status the
desire of their hearts.  These idols have been around for many
generations and continue to appeal to self centered, self indulgent
folk
.
Psalm 115:9-11 AMPLIFIED BIBLE
9 O Israel, trust and take refuge in the LORD !
   ( Lean on, rely on, and be confident in Him !)
   He is their Help and their Shield.
10 O house of Aaron ( the priesthood )
         trust in and lean on the LORD
   He is their Help  and their Shield.
11 You who ( reverently ) fear the LORD,
   trust in, and lean on the LORD !
   He is their Help and their Shield.

Those who fear the LORD enough to put their trust
in His will and purpose, can truly say
"His steadfast love endures forever"   (Psalm 118:4)
Because those who have put their trust in Him--in everyday life--
have found that "He is their Help and Shield" Psalm 115:11
and that He blesses them and their households.

We need to be among those who can say
"I shall pass my life in the presence of Yahweh,
in the land of the living."  Psalm 116:9  NJB

Mine to walk at ease, enjoying the Lord's presence
in the land of the living.    Psalm 114:8  Knox translation.

Remember God's presence.

Psalm 145:5-6  NIV
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob
whose hope is in the Lord his God.
The  Maker of heaven and earth
the sea and everything in them--
the LORD who remains faithful forever.

No empty theory here. The person who's Hope and Help is,
 in practice, and on an ongoing basis,
  the Lord our God,
is remarkably blessed.

Psalm 115 ESV
May you be blessed by the LORD,
    who made heaven and earth!

                       AMEN.

PSALM 114 Who God Is.

Psalm 114 NLT
1     When the Israelites escaped from Egypt--
       when the family of Jacob left that foreign land--
2     The land of Judah became God's sanctuary
       and Israel became His kingdom.

Psalm 114 is about very dramatic events.
A whole nation finds freedom from enslavement and
oppression,--- from humiliation to renewed life.
They experience the sort of transformation of circumstances
which is beyond our own strength---which , in fact,
can only be brought about by the One who can transform
impossible situations.
It is the testimony of many Christians that the LORD our God
has delivered us personally , transformed our circumstances
and renewed our lives.

To praise God and praise His Holy Name, with all our heart,
we need in our own heart, a really motivating appreciation
of who God is and what He has done for us.
The Children of Israel had just shared such an experience.
To truly engage in heartfelt praise and worship,
we need , in our own heart; the love of God,
the fear of God, and a need, always,
to know His presence.

Psalm 114: 7-8 NLT
7     Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD
       at the presence of the God of Israel.
8     He turned the rock into pools of water
       yes springs of water from solid rock.

John 3:16 KJV
3     For God so loved the world,
       that he gave his only begotten Son,
       that whosoever believeth in him ,
       should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He has made our hearts His sanctuary.
And the body of Christ His Kingdom.

PSALM 113 Know the only true God.

John 17:3 ESV 
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Psalm 113:1-3  ESV
1     Praise the LORD!
       Praise , O servants of the LORD,
       praise the name of the LORD!

2     Blessed be the name of the LORD
       from this time forth and for ever more!

3     From the rising of the sun to its setting,
       the name of the LORD is to be praised.

From psalm 112, we know that those who
delight in doing the will of God ,
also Praise the LORD.

From Psalm 113 we realize that those who
praise the name of the LORD, and bless the name of the LORD,
are those who have personal experience of the praiseworthy attributes,
praiseworthy nature, and praiseworthy deeds of the LORD our God.
We can and do testify to God's character, God's reputation, and God's name.
We praise the name of the LORD
at all times of day, now and always.  

PSALM 112 The blessings of the righteous.

In 2nd Corinthians ch1 v12 , the apostle Paul quotes from
The Septuagint Psalm 111    ( 112 in Hebrew )  verse 3
"Glory and riches shall be in your house"
Paul says "Our glory ( Our boast - in modern translations )
is in this; the witness of our conscience.

By  delighting in the precepts of the Lord,
the righteous become more Godly.
So for us, obedience to the Lord is not an imposed burden
but a power which transforms our hearts.

Obedience to the will of God is to let oneself be filled
with the tenderness, forgiveness, generosity, justice,
kindness, love and mercy of the living God.

Psalm 112:1 NCV  
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his precepts

PSALM 111 Life Lived as God's People

In Christ we live and move and have our being.
The Spirit is poured out in our hearts as love.

Romans 5:5 New Living Translation
.....for we know how dearly God loves us,
because He has given us the Holy Spirit
to fill our hearts with love.

Life lived as God's people is expressed in Psalm 111.
This summary stands as a benchmark
from the days of King David
and is valid for God's people today.
It is a good and necessary thing to fear the Lord.
It is desirable  to have a good understanding.
It is good and necessary to personally
put into practice , the will of God.
It is good and necessary to reverence God
and be zealous in keeping all His laws.
It is good to delight in His commandments,
                to delight in Him and ponder on His deeds.
It is good to be joyful in fearing the LORD and
wholeheartedly participate in His will and purpose.

Psalm 111:10 New Living Translation.
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise Him forever !
                

PSALM 111 Ponder the deeds of the LORD

Psalm 111:2 NLT 
How amazing are the deeds of the LORD !
All who delight in Him should ponder them.

Psalm 111:6 points to more deeds of the Lord.
Psalm 111:6 NASB
He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.

Grateful memory of God,s past actions ads to our confidence
in God,s deeds and works in the present and in the future.
We have a oneness in the communion of saints
with people whose life and work transcends the limits of time
to reach us through their written words.
We can be grateful for God,s deeds in their lives.

A sad heritage is left by those who lightly esteemed God
and failed to serve Him and who did not value the will of God.
As the body of Christ we celebrate and remember the works of God
in His people of faith in Old Testament times and in New Testament times.
We gratefully remember His works and deeds in His people of faith
since New Testament times.

We should ponder the deeds of the Lord, done through the lives of
the brave missionaries and hymn writers of each century.
Thank God for all who came to faith and wholeheartedly shared
the source of their hope with friends and family and community.

PSALM 111 Ponder the Will of God

Psalm 111:10 NKJV
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.

John Calvin instructs his readers to "Reverence God"
and be zealous in keeping His laws.
John points out that, in practice, those who do not fear God
fail to regulate their lives according to His law.
Those who do not render explicit obedience unto God
clearly have no regard for the will of God or His purposes.
In John Calvin's words; "Many lightly esteem God
and fail to serve Him and submit to the regulation of His word."

Psalm 112:1 NLT
How joyful are those who fear the LORD
and delight in His commands.

Those who take delight in putting God's commands
into practice personally have it right.
Participation in the will of God is a wholehearted activity
rather than an academic or legalistic process.

PSALM 110 Our TRIUNE GOD

Psalm 110   (Vulgate 109)
The Lord (The Father)  said to my Lord (Christ),
"Sit at My right hand"

Jesus is begotten from the Father before all time
( before the morning star ) 
and is the "ETERNAL SON " of the "FATHER"

In this Psalm of David
David calls the future king "my Lord".
Since the future king is the Messiah,
David is calling the Messiah "my Lord" !

Psalm 110:3 NCV
Yours is royal dignity in the day of your birth;
in holy splendor, before the day star
like the dew, I have begotten you.

Psalm 110 (Septuagint 109) is a Royal Psalm and
contains prophecy concerning the Melchizedek
 priesthood of our Lord Jesus  Christ .

In Genesis 14:18 Melchizedek is king of Salem
                            and priest of God Most High
bringing out bread and wine he blesses Abram.
See Hebrews 7 regarding the permanence of the
Royal Priesthood of the Lord Jesus.

Hebrews 1:8 begins "But of the Son he says;---"
and quotes Ps110:1  and Psalm 45:6-7 precisely.

Psalm 110:1 ESV    The LORD says to my Lord;
"Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool"

Psalm 45:6-7 ESV Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever.
The sceptre of your kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness;
you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with oil and gladness beyond your companions.

Since we know from Isaiah 63;10 that God's people
"rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit"
we can distinguish God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Holy Spirit, while understanding that
God-With-Us comprises all three.

David, the divinely inspired writer of Psalm 110
predicted that the future seed of David was to be our Messiah.
Our Lord Jesus is,in the flesh, descended from David,
and is David's Lord and our Lord. 

Psalm 2:7  ESV and SAAS
The LORD said to me
"You are my son; today I have begotten you.

St Matthew 3:17 KJV
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, 
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

PSALM 109 Discern what is Good

Discern what is good with the help of Psalm 109.

From verse 1    Praising God is a good start.
From verse 4    Being a loving person is good and
                         good people give themselves to prayer.
From verse 16  Lovingkindness is a welcome sign of good.
From verse 17  The good delight in blessing others.
From verse 21  To be merciful is godly.
                          To see people's need and in steadfast love
                           to deliver them, is in the Spirit of Christ.
From verse 22   It is good to be aware of our own inadequacy.
From verse 24   Fasting and prayer is the normal way of life for the good.
From verse 26   Constant reference to the LORD for
                          His help and enabling is the way of the good.
From verse 30  The good are grateful to the LORD
                          and praise Him to everybody.
From verse 31   It is really Christlike to stand beside the needy,
                          the afflicted and the oppressed.

                         

PSALM 109 Recognize Evil

Discern what is bad with the help of Psalm 109.

From verse 1-5     The wicked are deceitful.
It is wicked to lie about other people.
Words of hatred are spoken out of hatred.
Accusers reveal what is in their heart.
People have to be quite bad to return evil for good.
and even worse to return hate for love.
From verse 16-17
Failure to show kindness is a bad sign.
Persecuting the afflicted and needy is bad.
Bringing about the malnutrition and premature death
of underprivileged people is seriously bad.
Cursing the oppressed is a terrible sign
of social and political decline.
Those who would deny medical care to the "undeserving"
are animated by evil.
Those who curse "immigrants" (even the ones who drown
in the Mediterranean) for being a "nuisance" and a "problem"
curse out of their own personal wickedness.
From verse 28 and 29
Those who publish hatred in the social media,wear their disgrace
like a tea shirt, advertising their evil attitudes.
From verse 31        The LORD our GOD stands beside the needy,
the afflicted and the oppressed...every...single...one.

PSALM 108 Ministry of witness

When older people repeat themselves, it shows what is on their mind.
When mothers repeat themselves, it shows that the mother knows
that her child needs to hear it twice.
When we hear something repeated, we may give it a higher priority.
When today's prayer sounds familiar because we have prayed
much the same before, we pray with fresh faith and a new heart.

Psalm 108:2-6      repeats      Psalm 57:8-12       and
Psalm 108:7-14    repeats      Psalm 60:7-14.

Which surely shows what is on God's mind
and indicates that we should give these matters higher priority.
We need grace to live through familiar challenges with a new heart.
We need to recognize where God's love is .
It is love which gives us fresh enabling and fresh smiles

Verse 1-5 is a vow to sing, give thanks, and to sing God's praises
among the peoples and among the nations.
That is an international ministry of witness !
In verse 6 we seek answer to prayer,
rescue for the all the Lord's people and victory for us all.
In verse 12 we express our need of help from the Lord.
In verse 10, 11 and 12 we lament our own inadequacy:
And in verse 13 we declare our hope and trust in the one true God.

PSALM 107 Witness to Steadfast Love

Psalm 107:1-2  NRSV
1     O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
       for his steadfast love endures for ever
2     Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
       those he redeemed from trouble.

The "Redeemed of the LORD" are particularly qualified
to witness to the LORD'S goodness and steadfast love.
In Psalm 107 the importance of witnessing to his love
and wonderful works is repeated in verses 6, 13, 19, and 28.

Psalm 107:6   &  21-22  NRSV
6     Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble
       and he delivered them from their distress.

21   Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love
       for his wonderful works to humankind.
22   And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
       and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

Public , joyful, "telling of his deeds", out loud in song,
is a witness to all those for whom we pray who need to know
the steadfast love of the Lord
and his wonderful works to humankind.

Our every experience of recognizing the presence of God;.........

Every awareness of the working of the Holy Spirit;........

Every deliverance which we can acknowledge;......

is an opportunity to witness to the Glory of God
to encourage members of the body of Christ
and to shine a beacon to those who are unaware of
the steadfast love and wonderful works of our LORD.

2nd Chronicles  5:13 NRSV
It was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make
themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving
to the LORD, and when the song was raised with trumpets
and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD,
     "For he is good,
             for his steadfast love endures forever."

EPHESIANS 5:19 NRSV
but be filled with the Spirit,
as you sing psalms and spiritual songs among yourselves,
singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,
giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PSALM 106 RESTORATION !

Psalm 106:1-2  NCV
1   Give thanks to the Lord, for he is Good
     his kindness endures forever.
2   Who can possibly recount the mighty acts of the Lord
     and fully proclaim his praise ?

A repentant people recall historical sin
but only to confess contemporary sin.
The community of God,s people gather together
to acknowledge the sins of society, nationally and communally,
in order to seek forgiveness and restoration.
We recall God's mercy, the mercy accomplished in Christ
on behalf of God's sinful but believing people:
Forgiveness accomplished in Christ
which opens us up to the experience of God's love
in restored, thankful, praising community.

Psalm 106: 47-48 NCV
47   Save us, O LORD, our God,
       and gather us from among the nations,
       so that we may give thanks to your holy name
       and glory in praising you.
48   Blessed be the LORD, the God of ISRAEL
       from everlasting to everlasting
       Let all the people say , "Amen."

PSALM 106 Historical Precedent

HISTORICAL PRECEDENT

PSALM 106

v14    Your people became greedy.

v16    Everyone was jealous.

v19    they made and worshiped the statue.

v24    They would not trust you.

v25    They would not obey you.

v34    They disobeyed you.

v38    they poured out the blood
          of innocent children.

v41    You put them in the power
          of nations that hated them.

v43    their sins caused their downfall.

PSALM 105 Trust in God's Providence

Psalm 105  N.K.J.V.
1     Oh, give thanks to the LORD !  Call upon His name.
       Make known His deeds among the peoples.
2     Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him
       Talk of all His wonderous works.
4     seek His presence
5     Remember the wonderful works He has done

We have three calls to praise;-
give thanks,   sing psalms,   seek his presence.
Each immediately followed by;-
Make known His deeds,   Talk of His wonderous works
and remember the wonderful works
.
Three times we have it,
making known His deeds,
talking of His woderous works
and remembering the woderful works He has done.

Telling what God has done is the next thing
to actually praising the Lord our God.

Giving testimony of God's works in our own lives
flows naturally from a heart full of praise.

How do we relate to this psalm which draws our attention to
 The Eternal Faithfulness of the LORD
and invites us to
Remember the marvels that God has wrought

We acknowledge that the psalm is the word of God
and we earnestly want to take it to heart
and to be committed to the ongoing implementation
in our lives of all that the Holy Spirit is showing us.

With St Paul we can stand in faith because we have
 come to have faith in God's providence - in God,s 
ongoing influence throughout the trials of history.

Rom 8:28--we know that all things work together
for good to those who love God, to those who are
called according to His purpose.

We stand in faith with Joseph, sold by his brothers into Egypt.
Psalm 105:17-18-19
God sent a man before them sold into slavery.
They humbled his feet with fetters , his soul was shackled
in iron. Until his word came to pass, the word of the Lord
seared through him.

Joseph was able to testify to God's providence.
God sent me before you to preserve life....
But as for you, you meant evil against me,
but God meant it for good.    Genesis 45:5,7  50:20

PSALM 105 God's Worshiping Community

As children of God, the people of faith
are pilgrim people who need the protection
which His Power brings to our situation.
God is on our side.
The same God who made a pact with Abraham
and Sarah, who gave the oath to Isaac
and Rebecca, who established by decree an
everlasting  covenant with Israel, speaks today.....
"Don't touch my people"
the God who has brought us "safe thus far"
has spoken over us.
"Whoever touches them touches me !"

Psalm 105 verses 2 and 6 NKJV
2   Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him
     Talk of all His wondrous works !
6   O seed of Abraham His servant
     You children of Jacob
     His chosen ones !

The designation of the worshiping community as
"Offspring of Abraham  God's servant
and sons of Jacob, his chosen ones....
underlines our privilege to be members of the
historical community of those who worship the Lord our God.
That forms part of our identity,
We are members of God's Worshiping Community.

PSALM 105 Confidence in God

Psalm 105: 15 RSV
"Touch not my anointed ones"

Psalm 105: 43 RSV
So he led forth his people with joy
his chosen ones with singing.

In God's own words we are his people,  his chosen ones.
We are the Lord's anointed.

Psalm 105: verse 8 and 42
8     He remembers his covenant forever,
       his covenant for a thousand generations.
42   for he remembered his holy word,
       which he gave to Abraham his servant.

Prayer is an act of confidence in God.

..with whom we have relationships, promises  and covenants.
We stand in His love as his created creatures.
we stand in His salvation as saved sinners.
we stand in His community as members of the body of Christ.
we stand in History as the people of God, His adopted sons.

PSALM 105 Testify

Psalm 105 from The Liturgical Psalter ASB 1980

4b    seek his face continually.
5a    Call to mind what wonders he has done.

What sort of prayer does this involve ?
"seeking his face" involves spending some time
being present to the Lord.
"calling to mind" means taking time to review
our own memories in prayer,
like getting the photographs out
while sitting with God.
Our memories of God's goodness put our heart and
mind in favourable dispositions to continue in prayer.

Psalm 105:4-5

4    Seek the Lord and his strength:
      O seek his face continually.
5    Call to mind what wonders he has done:
      his marvelous acts and the judgements of his mouth.

PSALM 105 God's People

Psalm 105 verse 3 and 25

3    Rejoice in his holy name
      let the heart of them rejoice that seek the lord

25 (enemies)  whose heart turned so, that they hated his people;
      and dealt untruly with his servants.

Those who are not "for" the Lord are frequently
"against" his people.
On T.V. and in various national governments
those who are motivated by love and good will
are easily discernible from those who promote
ungodly attitudes and behavior.

Animated by the Spirit of Christ
God's people today may be identified
by their (our) love.
Forces of evil have been attacking the fabric of
society and family life.
Open and violent persecution of Christians in parts
of the world, arise out of the spirit of darkness.
Abroad Christians are publicly persecuted ,
at home Christian values are attacked.
Hearts full of love and hearts full of hate
have very different effects and consequences.

The contrast is shown in verses 3 and 25.

PSALM 104 Continual Dialogue

When we look at creation we marvel that there is
such order and such harmony.  In the air, on the
 ground and in the sea, things live and breathe,
they form part of the food chain, some pollinate
flowers and all fulfill their own purpose in the
great scheme of things while fitting in their own place.
     It would be like the Garden of Eden ,  but for ;-
loveless self interest,  exploitation, oppression,
violence, injustice, cruelty, greed and envy.
Sin is every act which is not done in love,
and is therefore not right with God.
Sin has no place in the bliss to come.

The psalmists prayer from Psalms Anew  Ps.104:35
"May sinners vanish from the earth,
  and the wicked exist no more.

We can see in Psalm 104 that our praise
is part of our continual dialogue of prayer.
The LORD is calling each of us and our believing
community into ongoing fellowship and conversation.

Verse 1   Bless the LORD , O my soul
Verse 35 Bless the LORD , O my soul
                Praise the LORD !

PSALM 104 Meditation

Psalm 104:34 ESV   May my meditation be pleasing to him,
                                   for I rejoice in the Lord

The thoughts and prayers of the psalmist are with the LORD.
It is the desire of the psalmist that his thoughts and prayers
would be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.

Psalm 19:14 ESV   Let the words  of my mouth and the 
                                 meditation of my heart
                                 be acceptable in your sight
                                 O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

It is clear that the psalmist is talking about communication
from his heart, via his own mouth, to please the heart
 of the Lord his God.
                                I rejoice in the LORD                from verse 34 ESV
                                I will be glad in the LORD        from verse 34 KJV
                                I shall delight in the LORD       from verse 34 REB

This heart to heart personal relationship
gives the psalmist great joy.

PSALM 104 A Perpetual Vow

Psalm 104:33 ESV
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath.

The psalmist addresses the Lord  as " my God"
in verses 1 ans 33.

Verse 33 is a perpetual vow
to praise the Lord,
in keeping with Israelite belief
that praise must follow deliverance.

Praise involved thank offering
and celebrating God's saving deed
in the presence of others in the temple.

Psalm 65:1 KJV
Praise awaits you, O God in Zion,
and to you
the vow shall be fulfilled.

PSALM 104 Rejoice

Psalm 104:31  Tree of Life Version

May Adonai rejoice in His works !   

Our creator has been rejoicing for thousands
of years in the beauty and wonder of the galaxies
which the Kepler space telescope has recently
been revealing.

Psalm 104:31 New Living Translation
May the glory of the LORD continue forever!
The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!

We can make verse 31 our prayer for all men
Since He made them  (us), every one...
We can pray in the knowledge that 
the LORD takes pleasure in every one of us,
and we can pray that the LORD will rejoice
in each and every one of us.

When we think of nations where there is trouble,....
   May the LORD rejoice in his works.

When we think of the world wide church in our day,...
   May the LORD rejoice in His works. 

PSALM 104 Creating and Renewing Spirit

In the Jewish liturgy, Psalm 104 is the Psalm
for Rosh Hodesh--- for the new month
Psalm 104 captures the sense of newness and renewal.

                            A Verse to Pray

Psalm 104:30 KJV
            Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created:
             and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Psalm 104:30 NJB
            Send out your breath and life begins;
            you renew the face of the earth.

note the Spirit of God is the same for all being and life.

"Lord send forth thy Spirit
 and renew the face of the earth"

surely a prayer for all men  ( first pray for all men)

Your  Spirit, (Strongs numbering 7307) , breath, Ruach.
Creating and Renewing Spirit
verse 10-26  The order God brought out of chaos is marvelous
verse 27-30  God's continued creative presence
                     prevents a return to chaos.

PSALM 104 Living Presence

All living things on earth and in the sea,
whether wild or domesticated, birds, sea creatures
and human beings, have some idea of the
Living Presence by which they exist.
   see Psalm 145:15f   and 147:9
Psalm 104:27   All of them look to you
       to give them their food at appropriate times.
28   When you provide it for them, they gather it up
       when you open your hand, they are filled with good things
29   When you turn your face away, they are dismayed
       when you take away their breath, they die and return to dust.

Psalm 145
15   The eyes of all look hopefully to you
       and you give them their food at the right time
16   You open your hand
       and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

Psalm 147:9
       He provides food for the animals
       and for the young ravens when they call.

PSALM 104 Wonder and Power

Psalm104:24 ESV
O LORD, how manifold are your works!
in wisdom have you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Isaiah 28:29 KJV  for all things
Come forth from the LORD of hosts,
who is wonderful in counsel and
excellent in working.

The psalmist gives an account of the goodness
and wisdom of God in psalm 104.

A testimony to the wonder and power of God,
Psalm 104 lays out the "works" God has wrought
in creation.
How often are my prayers
a testimony to the wonder and power of God ?

When we acknowledge God as our "Creator"
we acknowledge that we are his "creatures"
He is our "Maker"
We can never be other than "His creatures"
"The work of His Hand"

PSALM 104 Signs and Seasons

Psalm 104:19 invites the reader, the singer,
and the one meditating on Psalm 104:19
to reflect on the wonders of creation.

Psalm 104:19  ESV  He made the moon to mark the seasons
                         The sun knows its time for setting.

Genesis 1:14 ESV
And God said let there be lights in the expanse of the 
heavens to separate the day from the night.
And let them be signs and for seasons and 
for days and for years.

We still use the moon to calculate liturgical seasons.
Easter Sunday is the first Sunday
after the 1st full moon after  the 21st of March.
The stars may still be used for navigation.

The fine balance of life on earth is maintained
by various forms of energy emitted by the sun;-
Gamma rays, x-rays,  infra red, and ultra violet
which promotes vitamin D in human skin.
The Moon causes the ocean tides.
Light and warmth are the most obvious benefits
of the Sun, Moon and Stars, but that is the start
of a long list.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

PSALM 104 Take Refuge

In practice, people who take refuge in the Lord

are those who really trust in the Lord

Those who don't take refuge in the Lord

have put their trust elsewhere.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

                                                                 Proverbs 3:5 KJV

God is our refuge and strength            Psalm 46:1 Scottish Psalter

My safety cometh from the Lord

 who heaven and earth doth make.

                                                                Psalm 121;2 Scottish Psalter

And in God's house for evermore, my dwelling place shall be.

                                                                Psalm 23:6 Scottish Psalter

O blessed is the man whose trust

                 upon the Lord relies.           Psalm 40:4 Scottish Psalter.

God also will a refuge be

      for those that are oppress'd;

A refuge will he be in times

      of trouble to distress'd                    Psalm 9:9 Scottish Psalter

PSALM 104 Place of Refuge

Psalm 104:17-18 Scottish Metric Version

17 Birds of the air upon their boughs

        do chuse their nests to make

     As for the stork,  the fir tree she

        doth for her dwelling take.

18 The lofty mountains for wild goats

         a place of refuge be;

     The conies also to the rocks

         do for their safety flee.

These verses describe the Lord's loving provision

for His own creatures.

In verse 17-18 the creatures;- build their nests,

                                                make their dwelling place

                                                and find refuge and safety.

a fundamental characteristic of the righteous

is that they depend on God, they trust in the Lord.

Psalm 2:12 Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 118:8-9  It is better to take refuge in the Lord

                                  than to trust in man

                          It is  better to take refuge in the Lord

                                  than to trust in princes.

                                            

PSALM 104 Gladdening our Hearts

Psalm 104 14-15 NIV
He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for men to cultivate-
bringing forth food from the earth;
wine that gladdens the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine, 
and bread that sustains his heart.

God's provision for us includes ;-
          gladdening our hearts
                 making our face shine
                       and sustaining our hearts.

Psalm 104 affirms that God's character is made evident
in the natural world.
All creation is a demonstration of God,s wisdom,  power
 and benevolence.

PSALM 104 Blessing upon Blessing

Psalm 104:10-14 ESV
You make the springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkey quench their thirst.
Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth.

The creation of springs in the valley
and grass on the hills, is part of God's
thoughtful generous provision of land and
fruitful yields for our needs.
As it is done in love with wisdom it is also a blessing.
In our need we can see it as part of God's saving work.

In psalm 147 we acknowledge our Lord as;-
"The one who heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds
and "the one who lifts up the downtrodden"
So we can see that the tremendously loving, thoughtful actions
of the Lord, are blessing upon blessing for us.

PSALM 104 Exiles

Saint Augustine  from "De Trinitate"

So let us apply the point to the heavenly country
"Far, far beyond the stars"
from which we, at the moment,
are exiles.
There the will of God presides, as in his house or temple,
over the spirits who are joined together
in highest concord and friendship,
fused indeed into one will by a kind of spiritual fire,
of charity; as it is written;-

"He makes spirits his angel-messengers,
and a burning fire his ministers,                Psalm 104:4

Fused together in the fire of divine love
His love rests on our shoulders.
Our concordance in the will of God
fuses us into one spiritual body,
the body of Christ.

PSALM 104 Experience of Redemption.

Psalms 103, 104, 105, 106,  and 107 recount the deeds of God

in creation and salvation.

The psalmist praises God for what He has done 

in the redemption of His people.

The psalmist recounts something of the covenant history

of the people and their national experience of redemption.

Our national experience of redemption in Britain

must include the effects on the nation of people who have

lead whole communities from spiritual darkness

into the light of faith.

We would have to include people from;-

St. Alban. and St. Cuthbert through to General Booth and John Wesley

and then from Billy Graham through to Nicky Gumble.

and everyone moved by the Spirit.. 

Like the psalmist we should be grateful 

and our gratitude should prompt our gladness and praise.

Psalm 104:1-3 New Catholic Translation

You are clothed in majesty and splendor,

wrapped in light as a robe

You have stretched out the heavens  like a tent 

You have established Your place upon the waters,

You make the clouds serve as your chariot;

You ride forth on the wings of the wind.

  

PSALM 103 For Ever Blessed

In Psalm 103 we are called, along with the angels of God
to bless our LORD and to keep in mind all the generous
and wonderful provision which our heavenly Father has made
and continues to make for us.
We remember that;-
he is our loving saviour (Psalm 103:2-3)
he is our merciful redeemer (Psalm 103: 6-11)
and he is our everlasting Father (Psalm 103:13-18)
Psalm 103 starts and finishes by exhorting our hearts
to glorify our heavenly Father with the words...
"Bless the LORD, O my soul"

There is a world of holy angels
who are ever praising the LORD.
If we were not fallen creatures,
that would be the constant delight
of the whole human race.
But for those who are born of God,
We are to bless the LORD
in complete harmony with the company of heaven.

We shall more perfectly do so when we take our place there.

Psalm 23:4 ESV
Even though I walk through the valley
               of the shadow of death,
        I will fear no evil
for you are with me;

Psalm 73:24 KJV
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel
and afterward receive me in to glory.

John 1027-28  ESV
My sheep hear my voice,and I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish
and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Micah 6:8 ESV
   and what does the LORD require of you ?
but to do justice and to love kindness
   and to walk humbly with your God.

1John 1:3 ESV
    indeed our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son Jesus Christ

Psalm 41:12 ESV
You have upheld me...............
   and set me in your presence for ever.

Psalm 103:22 ESV
Bless the LORD , O my soul  !

PSALM 103 WORD OF GOD

Psalm 103: 14,15,16 NIV
14   for he knows we are formed ,
       he remembers that we are dust.
15   As for man, his days are like grass,
       he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16   the wind blows over it and it is gone

Choirs of heaven witness the spring of our lives
and rejoice in the days when we blossom.
After the storms of life, the empty sea bears witness
that our voyage in this realm is over.

Psalm 103:17 NIV
17  But from everlasting to everlasting
      the LORD'S love is with those who fear him,
      and his righteousness with their children's children-

But the kindness of Yahweh rests on our shoulders forever.
His love is upon our flesh from generation to generation.
His face smiles upon us and upon our children
and grandchildren.       .  .  .        bless the LORD.

Psalm 103:18  NIV
18   with those who keep his covenant
       and remember to obey his precepts.

But He has already ransomed us from death
and surrounded us with with love and tender mercies.
This is the LORD who's covenant we keep,
                            who's precepts we shall remember to obey.
Psalm 103:19-20 NIV
19   The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
       and His kingdom rules over all.
20   Praise the LORD, you his angels
       you mighty ones who do his bidding
       who obey his word.

When we give our word, we give our promise
and we give our undertaking.
Together with the angels of God we give our undertaking
to obey His word.......

Psalm 103:20 KJV
Bless the LORD, ye his angels,
That excel in strength, that do his commandments,
Harkening unto the voice of his word.

Listening to the word of God
Obeying the word of God
Performing the word of God.
                        

PSALM 103 Gracious LORD

Psalm 103:8-10  NIV
8    The LORD is compassionate and gracious
      slow to anger, abounding in love.
9    He will not always accuse
      nor will he harbour his anger forever.
10  He does not treat us as our sins deserve
      or repay us according to our iniquities.

Compassionate and gracious; two of the main qualities
which reveal how our LORD cares for us.

Our Lord gives us freedom to choose our own future.
His choice for our future is gracious and compassionate.
May we choose what God hopes for us
.
Psalm 103:11 NIV

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him.

This is the context of our spirituality,
The one to one love of our Lord and Saviour
is also the context of our daily living and breathing,
but once we become aware of the warmth of His love
and the constancy of His love,
the winter of our spirituality becomes vibrant summer.
Let us accept God's love
in all its vastness,
in all its fullness.

Psalm 103:12 NIV

12  as far as the east is from the west,
      so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

You are neither on remand nor on parole.
"This day you will be with me in paradise".
It is tea, with the governor, in his garden,
right now and from now on.

Let us receive the fullness of His forgiveness.

Psalm 103:13 NIV

As a father has compassion on his children
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 

Our God is a father to his people.
That He has compassion on His people
reveals the character of our God.
He is an example to faithful fathers.
It is Godly to show compassion to our children.
It is a requirement of righteousness to have compassion
on our children..

PSALM 103 Make known His ways

Psalm 103:7  NIV

7   He made known his ways to Moses
     His deeds to the people of Israel.

It is the will of God that we may know his ways
     and make known his deeds to people of our day.

We pray that God's ways may be known on earth
whenever we pray   "Thy will be done on earth"
And our own witness should reveal "God with us"
and His ways.

When we share in people's good news
and in their disappointments, with generosity
and understanding, we are exposing God's love.

That is a good context in which to share the Good News.

PSALM 103 Renew your youth

Psalm 103:5 NIV

     Bless the LORD.....

5   who satisfies your desires with good things

     so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

We are sometimes in a position to help people achieve something good.

We are sometimes in a position ; to be enabling , to be helpful,

to be generous with our time because someone needs a little help

or encouragement to do what they are trying to do.

Let us be filled with youthful renewal.

May our good demeanor and our smiles

show that we are young at heart.

Psalm 103:6 NIV

The LORD works righteousness and justice

      for all the oppressed.

If we don't really notice who is oppressed, financially, socially or

medically in our community, we are still immature spiritually.

Those who are mature spiritually are Christlike in the way 

they are already working wonders, very quietly, 

for good people in a difficult corner.  

PSALM 103 Bless the LORD

PSALM 103:3 NIV
     Bless the Lord.....
3   who forgives all your sins
     and heals all your diseases.

Here it is, all written down to guide our Christian discernment.
What is Godlike?, What is Christlike?...forgiving and healing!
If our words or actions are unforgiving and wounding, it is not
the love of Christ within which is prompting our actions.
When we look back at the day,
before the Lord in prayer,
and we can see that what we did or said
brought forgiveness or healing to someone,
or to a relationship or to a situation,
then we were being Christlike.

Psalm 103:4 NIV
      Bless the Lord....
4    who redeems your life from the pit
      and crowns you with love and compassion.

If you crown your sister with love and compassion
you will warm her heart and she will be glad.
If you can say or do anything to redeem a situation,
that is Christlike.

PSALM 103 Praise the LORD

Psalm 103 NIV
1   Praise the LORD, O my soul;
*   all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
*all that is within me  KJV, NRSV, NASB.

We need to do a lot more than sing this song
without thinking about the words.
We want to do more than sing this song with gusto.
We will cry out this Psalm
from the very core of our being.
As our lips give expression to this Psalm,
the soul and all its powers need to be engaged.

Psalm 103:2 NIV
2   Praise the Lord, O my soul
     and forget not all his benefits.

We need to remember and acknowledge all the benefits,
blessings,and  favours, which the LORD is continually
conferring upon  us. We need to call them into recollection
in prayer, by grace, before God.

1st Chronicles 16:12 
 Remember his marvelous works, that he hath done,
his wonders and the judgments of his mouth.  Psalm 105:5 

PSALM 102 Cry to the LORD

Psalm 102:25-27 NRSV
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth
            and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you endure;
            they will wear out like a garment.
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.


Hebrews 1:10-11 NRSV
10 And, In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
            and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain;
            they will all wear out like clothing;
12 like a cloak you will roll them up,
            and like clothing they will be changed.
     But you are the same, and your years will never end.


The word of God, in Hebrews, is saying that
Jesus is the "LORD" of Psalm 102:25-27.
He is the Creator, the eternal one who never changes.
He is Yahweh of Psalm 102.


Psalm 102:12 NRSV
But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever ;
       your name endures for all generations,


The God who is "enthroned forever"               v12
and outlasts heaven and earth                    v25-27
"will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and will not despise their prayer,"                    v17

So when we are afflicted......
However bad things seem.......
However impossible the situation looks.......
This is the Lord before whom we pray:

The Triune  God of the Old testament
who is the Triune God of The New Testament
and is also the Triune God of our prayers
who inhabits our worship.


Psalm 102:27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
Hebrews 1:12 But you are the same, and your years will never end

Our Saviour Jesus Christ is eternal God.

Romans 6:23....but the gift of God is eternal life
                          through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PSALM 101 A Triple Tongue

Psalm 101:5 NRSV
The one who secretly slanders a neighbor
I will destroy.
A haughty look and arrogant heart
I will not tolerate.

There are those who by insinuations and false accusations
endeavor to supplant the upright, to gain their office
or some new advantage.
He who speaks with a triple tongue against his neighbor
or fellow servants of God, he slays three persons.
1  The person or people he slanders,
2  Those to whom he communicates the slander.
3  Himself the slanderer.

The Chaldee translation of Psalm 101:5
refers to the slanderers triple tongue.

PSALM 101 Trustworthy People

Psalm 101:3-4 NRSV
I will not set before my eyes
anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
Perverseness of heart shall be far from me:
I will know nothing of evil.

Loving parents pray that their children have discernment
and choose appropriate friends.

Caring counselors might pray that their clients
find supportive and not corrosive company.

Psalm 101:7 NRSV
No one who practices deceit
shall remain in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue in my presence.

We should not condone or permit
in our own home, in our own business
or in areas where we have responsibility and authority,
activity and behaviour which is against our own
Christian conscience.

It is folly to put our trust in persons
who are not trustworthy.
There is no virtue in exposing our family and friends
to wicked and unprincipled people
whatever their wealth or fame of popular standing.