Read Psalm 40 today.
What changes between verse 1 and verse 2? What was the psalmist’s response? There is joy in salvation from the Lord! As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. To wait patiently for the Lord in your own life. That the Lord will draw you up from the pit. That you will have JOY in your salvation. That many will see this JOY in you and put their trust in the Lord. A Joyful Salvation For the Pure and Shining One A song of poetic praise by King David 1 I waited and waited and waited some more, patiently, knowing God would come through for me. Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry. 2 He stooped down to lift me out of danger from the desolate pit I was in, out of the muddy mess I had fallen into. Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path. 3 A new song for a new day rises up in me every time I think about how he breaks through for me! Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until everyone hears how God has set me free. Many will see his miracles; they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him! 4 Blessing after blessing comes to those who love and trust the Lord. They will not fall away, for they refuse to listen to the lies of the proud. 5 O Lord, our God, no one can compare with you. Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you! And you think of us all the time with your countless expressions of love-- far exceeding our expectations! 6 It’s not sacrifices that really move your heart. Burnt offerings, sin offerings—those aren’t what bring you joy. But when you open my ears and speak to me, I become your willing servant, your prisoner of love for life. 7 So I said, “Here I am! I’m coming to you as a sacrifice, for in the prophetic scrolls of your book you have written about me. 8 I delight to fulfill your will, my God, for your living words are written upon the pages of my heart.” 9 I tell everyone everywhere the truth of your righteousness. And you know I haven’t held back in telling the message to all. 10I don’t keep it a secret or hide the truth. I preach of your faithfulness and kindness, proclaiming your extravagant love to the largest crowd I can find! 11So Lord, don’t hold back your love or withhold your tender mercies from me. Keep me in your truth and let your compassion overflow to me no matter what I face. 12Evil surrounds me; problems greater than I can solve come one after another. Without you, I know I can’t make it. My sins are so many! I’m so ashamed to lift my face to you. For my guilt grabs me and stings my soul until I am weakened and spent. 13Please, Lord! Come quickly and rescue me! Take pleasure in showing me your favor and restore me. 14Let all who seek my life be humiliated! Let them be confused and ashamed, God. Scatter those who wish me evil; they just want me dead. 15Scoff at every scoffer and cause them all to be utter failures. Let them be ashamed and horrified by their complete defeat. 16But let all who passionately seek you erupt with excitement and joy over what you’ve done! Let all your devoted lovers rejoice continually in the Savior, saying, “How great and glorious is our God!” 17Lord, in my place of weakness and need, I ask again: Will you come and help me? I know I’m always in your thoughts. You are my true Savior and hero, so don’t delay to deliver me now, for you are my God. #NS90DOP
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Read Psalm 39 today.
What does the psalmist guard and why? How is the brevity of life described? What is the psalmist waiting for? God receives our confessions, delivers us from our sin, and gives guidance to us. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For wisdom to know when to keep silent and when to speak. For continual trust in God, even in our sin and in challenging times. To focus on our eternal life rather than on what is happening in this fleeting world. For increased generosity with our wealth, privileges, and gifts. A Cry for Help For the Pure and Shining One A song of praising by King David 1-2Here’s my life motto, the truth I live by: I will guard my ways for all my days. I will speak only what is right, guarding what I speak. Like a watchman guards against an attack of the enemy, I’ll guard and muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around me. I will remain silent and will not grumble or speak out of my disappointment. But the longer I’m silent, the more my pain grows worse! 3-4My heart burned with a fire within me, and my thoughts eventually boiled over until they finally came rolling out of my mouth: “Lord, help me to know how fleeting my time on earth is. Help me to know how limited is my life and that I’m only here but for a moment more. 5What a brief time you’ve given me to live! Compared to you my lifetime is nothing at all! Nothing more than a puff of air—I’m gone so swiftly. So too are the grandest of men; they are nothing but a fleeting shadow!” Pause in his presence 6We live our lives like those living in shadows. All our activities and energies are spent for things that pass away. We gather, we hoard, we cling to our things, only to leave them all behind for who knows who. 7And now, God, I’m left with one conclusion: my only hope is to hope in you alone! 8Save me from being overpowered by my sin; don’t make me a disgrace before the degenerate. 9Lord, I’m left speechless and I have no excuse, so I’ll not complain any longer. Now I know you’re the one who is behind it all. 10But I can’t take it much longer. Spare me these blows from your discipline-rod. For if you are against me, I will waste away to nothing. 11No one endures when you rebuke and discipline us for our sins. Like a cobweb is swept away with a wave of the hand, you sweep away all that we once called dear. How fleeting and frail our lives! We’re nothing more than a puff of air. Pause in his presence 12Lord, listen to all my tender cries. Read my every tear, like liquid words that plead for your help. I feel all alone at times, like a stranger to you, passing through this life just like all those before me. 13Don’t let me die without restoring joy and gladness to my soul. May your frown over my failure become a smile over my success. #NS90DOP Read Psalm 38 today.
How is the psalmist suffering as a result of his sin? How does the psalmist describe his enemies? What are the psalmist’s cries to God? While our sin has consequences, we can always cry out to God. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For a repentant heart that holds nothing back from God. For a sense of God’s presence and trust in his presence for those who feel abandoned by friends. For those physically suffering and in pain. Freedom for those too ashamed to confess to God. A Groan before the Throne A poetic lament to remember, by King David 1 O Lord, don’t punish me angrily for what I’ve done. Don’t let my sin inflame your wrath against me. 2 For the arrows of your conviction have pierced me deeply. Your blows have struck my soul and crushed me. 3 Now my body is sick. My health is totally broken because of your anger, and it’s all due to my sins! 4 I’m overwhelmed, swamped, and submerged beneath the heavy burden of my guilt. It clings to me and won’t let me go. 5 My rotting wounds are a witness against me. They are severe and getting worse, reminding me of my failure and folly. 6 I am completely broken because of what I’ve done. Gloom is all around me. My sins have bent me over to the ground. 7-8My inner being is shriveled up; my self-confidence crushed. Sick with fever, I’m left exhausted. Now I’m as cold as a corpse, and nothing is left inside me but great groaning filled with anguish. 9 Lord, you know all my desires and deepest longings. My tears are liquid words, and you can read them all. 10-11My heart beats wildly, my strength is sapped, and the light of my eyes is going out. My friends stay far away from me, avoiding me like the plague. Even my family wants nothing to do with me. 12Meanwhile my enemies are out to kill me, plotting my ruin, speaking of my doom as they spend every waking moment planning how to finish me off. 13-14I’m like a deaf man who no longer hears. I can’t even speak up, and words fail me; I have no argument to counter their threats. 15Lord, the only thing I can do is wait and put my hope in you. I wait for your help, my God. 16So hear my cry and put an end to their strutting in pride, to those who gloat when I stumble in pain. 17I’m slipping away and on the verge of a breakdown, with nothing but sorrow and sighing. 18I confess all my sin to you; I can’t hold it in any longer. My agonizing thoughts punish me for my wrongdoing; I feel condemned as I consider all I’ve done. 19My enemies are many. They hate me and persecute me, though I’ve done nothing against them to deserve it. 20I show goodness to them and get paid evil in return. And they hate me even more when I stand for what is right. 21So don’t forsake me now, Lord! Don’t leave me in this condition. 22God, hurry to help me. Run to my rescue! For you’re my Savior and my only hope! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 37 today.
What does the psalmist exhort the reader to do? What is a result of delight and commitment of our ways to the Lord? What eventually happens to the evildoers? God is with us, even in times of trouble. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For a willingness to be still and wait patiently for God to act. For certainty that God blesses those who trust in Him. For those who feel abandoned by God in hard times. For our world, as acts of terrorism have become frequent and even commonplace. To not be envious of the apparent successes of the wicked. A Song of Wisdom Poetic praise by King David 1 Don’t follow after the wicked ones or be jealous of their wealth. Don’t think for a moment they’re better off than you. 2 They and their short-lived success will soon shrivel up and quickly fade away, like grass clippings in the hot sun. 3 Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God, and you will dwell in the land, feasting on his faithfulness. 4 Find your delight and true pleasure in Yahweh, and he will give you what you desire the most. 5 Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way, you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly! 6 He will appear as your righteousness, as sure as the dawning of a new day. He will manifest as your justice, as sure and strong as the noonday sun. 7 Quiet your heart in his presence and wait patiently for Yahweh. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked, in their prosperity, are better off than you. 8 Stay away from anger and revenge. Keep envy far from you, for it only leads you into lies. 9 For one day the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will inherit the land. 10Just a little while longer and the ungodly will vanish; you will look for them in vain. 11But the humble of heart will inherit every promise and enjoy abundant peace. 12Let the wicked keep plotting against the godly with all their sneers and arrogant jeers. 13God laughs at the wicked and their plans, for he knows their day is coming! 14Evil ones take aim at the poor and helpless; they are ready to slaughter those who do right. 15But the Lord will turn all their weapons of wickedness back on themselves, piercing their pride-filled hearts until they are helpless. 16It is much better to have little combined with much of God than to have the fabulous wealth of the wicked and nothing else. 17For the Lord takes care of all his forgiven ones while the strength of evil men will surely slip away. 18Day by day the Lord watches the good deeds of the godly, and he prepares for them his forever-reward. 19Even in a time of disaster he will watch over them, and they will always have more than enough no matter what happens. 20All the enemies of God will perish. For the wicked have only a momentary value, a fading glory. Then one day they vanish! Here today, gone tomorrow. 21They break their promises, borrowing money but never paying it back. The good man returns what he owes with some extra besides. 22Yahweh’s blessed ones receive the land, but the cursed ones will be cut off with nothing to show for themselves. 23When Yahweh delights in how you live your life, he establishes your every step. 24If they stumble badly they will still survive, for the Lord lifts them up with his hands. 25I was once inexperienced, but now I’m old. Not once have I found a lover of God forsaken by him, nor have any of their children gone hungry. 26Instead, I’ve found the godly ones to be the generous ones who give freely to others. Their children are blessed and become a blessing. 27If you truly want to dwell forever in God’s presence, forsake evil and do what is right in his eyes. 28The Lord loves it when he sees us walking in his justice. He will never desert his devoted lovers; they will be kept forever in his faithful care, but the descendants of the wicked will be banished. 29The faithful lovers of God will inherit the earth and enjoy every promise of God’s care, dwelling in peace forever. 30God-lovers make the best counselors. Their words possess wisdom and are right and trustworthy. 31The ways of God are in their hearts and they won’t swerve from the paths of steadfast righteousness. 32Evil ones spy on the godly ones, stalking them to find something they could use to accuse them. They’re out for the kill! 33But God will foil all their plots. The godly will not stand condemned when brought to trial. 34So don’t be impatient for Yahweh to act; keep moving forward steadily in his ways, and he will exalt you to possess the land. You’ll watch with your own eyes and see the wicked lose everything. 35I’ve already seen this happen. Once I saw a wicked and violent man overpower all who were around him, a domineering tyrant with his prideful and oppressive ways. 36Then he died and was forgotten. Now no one cares that he is gone forever. 37But you can tell who are the blameless and spiritually mature. What a different story with them! The godly ones will have a peaceful, prosperous future with a happy ending. 38Every evil sinner will be destroyed, obliterated. They’ll be utter failures with no future! 39But the Lord will be the Savior of all who love him. Even in their time of trouble, God will live in them as strength. 40Because of their faith in him, their daily portion will be a Father’s help and deliverance from evil. This is true for all who turn to hide themselves in him! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 36 today.
What does the psalmist say about God? What do the children of mankind gain from God’s far-reaching love? How does the psalmist find life and light? God’s steadfast love provides us with an abundance of blessings. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. Thank God for his continual love and faithfulness in your life. That your life exemplifies the light of Christ. That those who do not know God might know his great love. For God’s protection for those experiencing violence, oppression, abuse, and other evil acts. The Blessing of the Wise A poetic song by King David, the servant of the Lord 1 The rebellion of sin speaks as an oracle of God, speaking deeply to the conscience of wicked men. Yet they are still eager to sin, for the fear of God is not before their eyes. 2 See how they flatter themselves, unable to detect and detest their sins. They are crooked and conceited, convinced they can get away with anything. 3 Their wicked words are nothing but lies. Wisdom is far from them. Goodness is both forgotten and forsaken. 4 They lie awake at night to hatch their evil plots, always planning their schemes of darkness, and never once do they consider the evil of their ways. 5 But you, O Lord, your mercy-seat love is limitless, reaching higher than the highest heavens. Your great faithfulness is infinite, stretching over the whole earth. 6 Your righteousness is unmovable, just like the mighty mountains. Your judgments are as full of wisdom as the oceans are full of water. Your tender care and kindness leave no one forgotten, not a man or even a mouse. 7 O God, how extravagant is your cherishing love! All mankind can find a hiding place under the shadow of your wings. 8 All may drink of the anointing from the abundance of your house. All may drink their fill from the rivers of Eden. 9 The fountain of life flows from you to satisfy me. In your light of holiness we receive the light of revelation. 10Lord, keep pouring out your unfailing love on those who are near you. Release more of your blessings to those who are loyal to you. 11Don’t let these proud boasters trample me down; don’t let them push me around by the sheer strength of their wickedness. 12There they lie in the dirt, these evil ones, thrown down to the ground, never to arise again! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 35 today.
What does the psalmist ask from God? How has the psalmist been hurt? We can bring all our hurts, our frustrations, and our requests to God. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For the ability to express honestly the depths of your pains and frustrations. Ask God to help you love those who hate you. Pray for those who inflict pain and suffering on fellow human beings. Pray for their actions to stop and for them to turn from these ways. Ask God to help you know how to fight the real enemy, who is Satan. Pray for strength and hope for Christians who are going through persecution for their faith. Rescue Me A poetic song by King David Part One – David, a Warrior 1 O Lord, fight for me! Harass the hecklers; accuse my accusers. Fight those who fight against me. 2-3Put on your armor, Lord; take up your shield and protect me. Rise up, mighty God! Grab your weapons of war and block the way of the wicked who come to fight me. Stand for me when they stand against me! Speak over my soul: “I am your strong Savior!” 4 Humiliate those who seek my harm. Defeat them all! Frustrate their plans to defeat me and drive them back. Disgrace them all as they have devised their plans to disgrace me. 5 Blow them away like dust in the wind, with the angel of Almighty God driving them back! 6 Make the road in front of them nothing but slippery darkness, with the angel of Yahweh behind them, chasing them away! 7 For though I did nothing wrong to them, they set a trap for me, wanting me to fail and fall. 8 Surprise them with your ambush, Lord, and catch them in the very trap they set for me. Let them be the ones to fail and fall into destruction! 9 Then my fears will dissolve into limitless joy; my whole being will overflow with gladness because of your mighty deliverance. 10Everything inside of me will shout it out: “There’s no one like you, Lord!” For look at how you protect the weak and helpless from the strong and heartless who oppress them. Part Two – David, a Witness 11They are malicious men, hostile witnesses of wrong. They rise up against me, accusers appearing out of nowhere. 12When I show them mercy, they bring me misery. I’m forsaken and forlorn, like a motherless child. 13I even prayed over them when they were sick. I was burdened and bowed low with fasting and interceded for their healing, and I didn’t stop praying. 14I grieved for them, heavyhearted, as though they were my dearest family members or my good friends who were sick, nearing death, needing prayer. 15But when I was the one who tripped up and stumbled, they came together to slander me, rejoicing in my time of trouble, tearing me to shreds with their lies and betrayal. 16These nameless ruffians, mocking me like godless fools at a feast-- how they delight in throwing mud on my name. 17God, how long can you just stand there doing nothing? Now is the time to act. Rescue me from these brutal men, for I am being torn to shreds by these beasts who are out to get me. Save me from their rage, their cruel grasp. 18Then I will praise you wherever I go. And when everyone gathers for worship, I will lift up your praise with a shout in front of the largest crowd I can find! Part Three – David, a Worshiper 19Don’t let those who fight me for no reason be victorious. Don’t let them succeed, these heartless haters who come against me with their gloating sneers. 20They are the ones who would never seek peace as friends, for they are ever devising deceit against the innocent ones who mind their own business. 21They open their mouths with ugly grins, gloating with glee over my every fault. “Look,” they say, “we caught him red-handed! We saw him fall with our own eyes!” 22Yahweh, my caring God, you have been there all along. You have seen their hypocrisy. Yahweh, don’t let them get away with this. Don’t walk away without doing something. 23Now is the time to awake! Rise up, Lord! Vindicate me, my Lord and my God! 24You have every right to judge me, Lord, according to your righteousness, but don’t let them rejoice over me when I stumble. 25-26Let them all be ashamed of themselves, humiliated when they rejoice over my every blunder. Shame them, Lord, when they say, “We saw what he did. Now we have him right where we want him. Let’s get him while he’s down!” Make them look ridiculous when they exalt themselves over me. May they all be disgraced and dishonored! 27But let all my true friends shout for joy, all those who know and love what I do for you. Let them all say, “The Lord is great, and he delights in the prosperity of his servant.” 28Then I won’t be able to hold it in-- everyone will hear my joyous praises all day long! Your righteousness will be the theme of my glory-song of praise! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 34 today.
Why happened when the psalmist sought the Lord? What benefits does one get when he tastes of the Lord? How does the Lord respond to the righteous who cry out to him? Those who draw near to God through honesty find that God is already near. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. We would proclaim the greatness of the Lord and give gratitude and glory to God. For the brokenhearted, that the Lord may be their help, and that we might extend God’s love to them. For deliverance and protection for all who cry out to God for refuge. To be strengthened by God’s presence. God’s Goodness A song by King David composed after his escape from the king when he pretended to be insane 1 Lord! I’m bursting with joy over what you’ve done for me! My lips are full of perpetual praise. 2 I’m boasting of you and all your works, so let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Join me, everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together. Let’s make him famous! Let’s make his name glorious to all. 4 Listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears! 5 Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again. 6 When I had nothing, desperate and defeated, I cried out to the Lord and he heard me, bringing his miracle-deliverance when I needed it most. 7 The angel of Yahweh stooped down to listen as I prayed, encircling me, empowering me, and showing me how to escape. He will do this for everyone who fears God. 8 Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him. 9 Worship in awe and wonder, all you who’ve been made holy! For all who fear him will feast with plenty. 10Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing. 11Come, children of God, and listen to me. I’ll share the lesson I’ve learned of fearing the Lord: 12-13Do you want to live a long, good life, enjoying the beauty that fills each day? Then never speak a lie or allow wicked words to come from your mouth. 14Keep turning your back on every sin, and make “peace” your life motto. Practice being at peace with everyone. 15The Lord sees all we do; he watches over his friends day and night. His godly ones receive the answers they seek whenever they cry out to him. 16But the Lord has made up his mind to oppose evildoers and to wipe out even the memory of them from the face of the earth. 17Yet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles. 18The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain, and he is always ready to restore the repentant one. 19Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones, the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated by what they face. 20God will be your bodyguard to protect you when trouble is near. Not one bone will be broken. 21Evil will cause the death of the wicked, for they hate and persecute the devoted lovers of God. Make no mistake about it: God will hold them guilty and punish them; they will pay the penalty! 22But the Lord has paid for the freedom of his servants, and he will freely pardon those who love him. He will declare them free and innocent when they turn to hide themselves in him. #NS90DOP Read Psalm 33 today.
What has the word of God done? What is the relationship between God and the earth? God’s love and power extend throughout the earth. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. Ask God to put a song of praise in your heart. Thank God for his word and faithfulness. Pray for nations and leaders to honor and follow God. Pray that our trust be in God rather than our nation. Pray for hope in the midst of places of physical poverty, and for the church to extend God’s love through action. A Song of Praise Poetic praise by King David 1 It’s time to sing and shout for joy! Go ahead, all you redeemed ones, do it! Praise him with all you have, for praise looks lovely on the lips of God’s devoted lovers. 2 Play the guitar as you lift your praises loaded with thanksgiving. Sing and make joyous music with all you’ve got inside. 3 Compose new melodies that release new praises to the Lord. Play his praises on instruments with the anointing and skill he gives you. Sing and shout with passion; make a spectacular sound of joy-- 4 For God’s Word is something to sing about! He is true to his promises, his word can be trusted, and everything he does is reliable and right. 5 The Lord loves seeing justice on the earth. Anywhere and everywhere you can find his faithful, unfailing love! 6 All he had to do was speak by his Spirit-Wind command, and God created the heavenlies. Filled with galaxies and stars, the vast cosmos he wonderfully made. 7 His voice scooped out the seas. The ocean depths he poured into vast reservoirs. 8 With breathtaking wonder, let everyone worship Yahweh, this awe-inspiring Creator. 9 He breathed words and worlds were birthed. “Let there be,” and there it was-- springing forth the moment he spoke, no sooner said than done! 10With his breath he scatters the schemes of nations who oppose him; they will never succeed. 11His destiny-plan for the earth stands sure. His forever-plan remains in place and will never fail. 12Blessed and prosperous is that nation who has God as their Lord! They will be the people he has chosen for his own. 13-15The Lord looks over us from where he rules in heaven. Gazing into every heart from his lofty dwelling place, he observes all the peoples of the earth. The Creator of our hearts considers and examines everything we do. 16Even if a king had the best-equipped army, it would never be enough to save him. Even if the best warrior went to battle, he could not be saved simply by his strength alone. 17Human strength and the weapons of man are false hopes for victory; they may seem mighty, but they will always disappoint. 18The eyes of the Lord are upon even the weakest worshipers who love him-- those who wait in hope and expectation for the strong, steady love of God. 19God will deliver them from death, even the certain death of famine, with no one to help. 20The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in him with all our hearts. His wraparound presence will strengthen us. 21As we trust, we rejoice with an uncontained joy flowing from Yahweh! 22Let your love and steadfast kindness overshadow us continually, for we trust and we wait upon you! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 32 today.
Who is the blessed person? What happened when the psalmist confessed his sin? God’s gift of forgiveness brings and is life. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. Ask God to help you overcome any fear or other thing that hinders you from confessing your sin. For the ability to confess with confidence, being assured that God’s grace will meet you. Ask for God’s guidance in the decisions you will make today and in the days to come. For an openness to hearing God’s ways, his wisdom, and his ways. For strength to follow the ways God is showing you to walk. Forgiven A poem of insight and instruction by King David 1 What bliss belongs to the one whose rebellion has been forgiven, those whose sins are covered by blood. 2 What bliss belongs to those who have confessed their corruption to God! For he wipes their slates clean and removes hypocrisy from their hearts. 3 Before I confessed my sins, I kept it all inside; my dishonesty devastated my inner life, causing my life to be filled with frustration, irrepressible anguish, and misery. 4 The pain never let up, for your hand of conviction was heavy on my heart. My strength was sapped, my inner life dried up like a spiritual drought within my soul. Pause in his presence 5 Then I finally admitted to you all my sins, refusing to hide them any longer. I said, “My life-giving God, I will openly acknowledge my evil actions.” And you forgave me! All at once the guilt of my sin washed away and all my pain disappeared! Pause in his presence 6 This is what I’ve learned through it all: All believers should confess their sins to God; do it every time God has uncovered you in the time of exposing. For if you do this, when sudden storms of life overwhelm, you’ll be kept safe. 7 Lord, you are my secret hiding place, protecting me from these troubles, surrounding me with songs of gladness! Your joyous shouts of rescue release my breakthrough. Pause in his presence 8-9I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!” 10So my conclusion is this: Many are the sorrows and frustrations of those who don’t come clean with God. But when you trust in the Lord for forgiveness, his wraparound love will surround you. 11So celebrate the goodness of God! He shows this kindness to everyone who is his. Go ahead—shout for joy, all you upright ones who want to please him! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 31 today.
What help does the psalmist ask for from God? What problems is the psalmist going through in life? How does the psalmist express confidence and trust in God? Hard times provide opportunities to trust God in deeper ways. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. Ask God to help you as you go about your day-to-day activities and work. Ask for God’s deliverance from calamities, evil, and those who are against you. For the ability to trust God in hard times. For the ability to rejoice in God and thank him for being a place of refuge, a place of strength, and a place where we can be assured of divine protection and safety. To trust God for his divine care and protection. How Great Is Your Goodness For the Pure and Shining One A song of poetic praise by King David 1 I trust you, Lord, to be my hiding place. Don’t let me down. Don’t let my enemies bring me to shame. Come and rescue me, for you are the only God who always does what is right. 2 Rescue me quickly when I cry out to you. At the sound of my prayer may your ear be turned to me. Be my strong shelter and hiding place on high. Pull me into victory and breakthrough. 3-4For you are my high fortress, where I’m kept safe. You are to me a stronghold of salvation. When you deliver me out of this peril, it will bring glory to your name. As you guide me forth I’ll be kept safe from the hidden snares of the enemy-- the secret traps that lie before me-- for you have become my rock of strength. 5 Into your hands I now entrust my spirit. O Lord, the God of faithfulness, you have rescued and redeemed me. 6 I despise these deceptive illusions, all this pretense and nonsense, for I worship only you. 7 In mercy you have seen my troubles, and you have cared for me; even during this crisis in my soul I will be radiant with joy, filled with praise for your love and mercy. 8 You have kept me from being conquered by my enemy; you broke open the way to bring me to freedom, into a beautiful, broad place. 9 O Lord, help me again! Keep showing me such mercy. For I am in anguish, always in tears, and I’m worn out with weeping. I’m becoming old because of grief; my health is broken. 10I’m exhausted! My life is spent with sorrow, my years with sighing and sadness. Because of all these troubles, I have no more strength. My inner being is so weak and frail. 11My enemies say, “You are nothing!” Even my friends and neighbors hold me in contempt! They dread seeing me, and they look the other way when I pass by. 12I am totally forgotten, buried away like a dead man, discarded like a broken dish thrown in the trash. 13I overheard their whispered threats, the slander of my enemies. I’m terrified as they plot and scheme to take my life. 14I’m desperate, Lord! I throw myself upon you, for you alone are my God! 15My life, my every moment, my destiny—it’s all in your hands. So I know you can deliver me from those who persecute me relentlessly. 16Smile on me, your servant. Let your undying love and glorious grace save me from all this gloom. 17As I call upon you, let my shame and disgrace be replaced by your favor once again. But let shame and disgrace fall instead upon the wicked-- those going to their own doom, drifting down in silence to the dust of death. 18At last their lying lips will be muted in their graves. For they are arrogant, filled with contempt and conceit as they speak against the godly. 19Lord, how wonderful you are! You have stored up so many good things for us, like a treasure chest heaped up and spilling over with blessings-- all for those who honor and worship you! Everybody knows what you can do for those who turn and hide themselves in you. 20So hide all your beloved ones in the sheltered, secret place before your face. Overshadow them with your glory-presence. Keep them from these accusations, the brutal insults of evil men. Tuck them safely away in the tabernacle where you dwell. 21The name of the Lord is blessed and lifted high! For his marvelous miracle of mercy protected me when I was overwhelmed by my enemies. 22I spoke hastily when I said, “The Lord has deserted me.” For in truth, you did hear my prayer and came to rescue me. 23Listen to me, all you godly ones: Love the Lord with passion! The Lord protects and preserves all those who are loyal to him. But he pays back in full all those who reject him in their pride. 24So cheer up! Take courage, all you who love him. Wait for him to break through for you, all who trust in him! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 30 today.
Why does the psalmist call people to praise and thanksgiving? What is the relationship between anger, weeping, favor, and joy? God is a strong deliverer. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For the ability to see and receive God’s favor, trusting its endurance. For the ability to rejoice while grieving. For those who are struggling with health issues, asking God to give them help through medical intervention and spiritual encouragement and help. For dependence on God, who provides our greatest security. He Healed Me King David’s poetic praise to God A song for the Feast of Dedication of the dwelling place 1 Lord, I will exalt you and lift you high, for you have lifted me up on high! Over all my boasting, gloating enemies, you made me to triumph. 2 O Lord, my healing God, I cried out for a miracle and you healed me! 3 You brought me back from the brink of death, from the depths below. Now here I am, alive and well, fully restored! 4 O sing and make melody, you steadfast lovers of God. Give thanks to him every time you reflect on his holiness! 5 I’ve learned that his anger lasts for a moment, but his loving favor lasts a lifetime! We may weep through the night, but at daybreak it will turn into shouts of ecstatic joy. 6-7I remember boasting, “I’ve got it made! Nothing can stop me now! I’m God’s favored one; he’s made me steady as a mountain!” But then suddenly, you hid your face from me. I was panic-stricken and became depressed. 8 Still I cried out to you, Lord God. I shouted out for mercy, saying, 9 “What would you gain in my death, if I were to go down to the depths of darkness? Will a grave sing your song? How could death’s dust declare your faithfulness?” 10So hear me now, Lord; show me your famous mercy. O God, be my Savior and rescue me! 11Then he broke through and transformed all my wailing into a whirling dance of ecstatic praise! He has torn the veil and lifted from me the sad heaviness of mourning. He wrapped me in the glory-garments of gladness. 12How could I be silent when it’s time to praise you? Now my heart sings out, bursting with joy-- a bliss inside that keeps me singing, “I can never thank you enough!” #NS90DOP Read Psalm 29 today.
What does the psalmist encourage us to ascribe to God? Why should we ascribe to God? How is the voice of God described? We are encouraged to listen, discern, and obey God’s strong voice in our life. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. To ascribe all honor and glory to God for all he has done in your life. Ask God to help you hear His voice and to help you discern his voice from the many voices from people and Satan. To let the voice of God guide your actions, thoughts, and plans. Pray to God to help you to be obedient to do his will. The Glory-God Thunders King David’s poetic praise to God for the last days The Feast of Tabernacles 1 Proclaim his majesty, all you mighty sons of Yahweh, giving all the glory and strength back to him! 2 Be in awe before his majesty. Be in awe before such power and might! Come worship wonderful Yahweh, arrayed in all his splendor, bowing in worship as he appears in the beauty of holiness. Give him the honor due his name. Worship him wearing the glory-garments of your holy, priestly calling! 3-4The voice of the Lord echoes through the skies and seas. The Glory-God reigns as he thunders in the clouds. So powerful is his voice, so brilliant and bright-- how majestic as he thunders over the great waters! 5 His tympanic thunder topples the strongest of trees. His symphonic sound splinters the mighty forests. 6 Now he moves Zion’s mountains by the might of his voice, shaking the snowy peaks with his earsplitting sound! 7 The lightning-fire flashes, striking as he speaks. 8 God reveals himself when he makes the fault lines quake, shaking deserts, speaking his voice. 9 God’s mighty voice makes the deer to give birth. His thunderbolt-voice lays the forest bare. In his temple all fall before him with each one shouting, “Glory, glory, the God of glory!” 10Above the furious flood, the Enthroned One reigns, the King-God rules with eternity at his side. 11This is the one who gives his strength and might to his people. This is the Lord giving us his kiss of peace. #NS90DOP Read Psalm 28 today.
Who is the Lord for the psalmist? For the people? What does the psalmist ask of God? Even when we doubt, we can cry out to the Lord. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For any urgent needs and fears that are in your life. For increased trust in God’s timing to meet needs in your life. For the Lord’s gentle hand to walk with you through your fears and needs. That, no matter what we are thinking or feeling, we would believe we can go to God and talk to him. My Strength and Shield David’s poetic praise to God My Defender 1 I’m pleading with you, Yahweh, help me! Don’t close your ears to my cry, for you’re my defender. If you continue to remain aloof and refuse to answer me, I might as well give up and die. 2 Hear my cry for help as I turn toward your mercy seat, as I lift my hands toward your sacred sanctuary. 3 Don’t allow me to be punished along with the wicked-- these hypocrites who speak sweetly to their neighbors’ faces while holding evil against them in their hearts. My Vindication 4 Go ahead and punish them as they deserve. Let them be paid back for all their evil plans in proportion to their wickedness. 5 Since they don’t care anything about you, or understand the great things you’ve done, take them down like an old building being demolished, never again to be rebuilt. 6 But Yahweh, may your name be blessed and built up! For you have answered my passionate cry for mercy. My Strength 7 Yahweh is my strength and my wraparound shield. When I fully trust in you, help is on the way. I jump for joy and burst forth with ecstatic, passionate praise! I will sing songs of what you mean to me! 8 You will be the inner strength of all your people, Yahweh, the mighty protector of all, and the saving strength for all your anointed ones. 9 Save your people whom you love, and bless your chosen ones. Be our shepherd leading us forward, forever carrying us in your arms! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 27 today.
Why is the psalmist unafraid? Who does the psalmist seek? How so? According to the psalmist, how should we handle the “enemies” in our life? God hears and listens to our fears. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For God’s strength and power against the enemies in your life, who can take on many different forms. For the ability to discern and see our enemies, asking God to respond to them and defeat them. That we would be able to speak our anxieties and fears to the Lord. For God’s comfort as we courageously seek him. That we would be patient and merciful with the fears of others, and to stand with them in truth and mercy. That we would respond to the fears of others, helping to provide a way out of harmful, abusive, and dangerous situations. Fearless Faith David’s poetic praise to God before he was anointed king 1 Yahweh is my revelation-light and the source of my salvation. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run, for you, Yahweh, surround and protect me. 2 When evil ones come to destroy me, they will be the ones who turn back. 3 My heart will not fear even if an army rises to attack. I will not be shaken, even if war is imminent. 4 Here’s the one thing I crave from Yahweh, the one thing I seek above all else: I want to live with him every moment in his house, beholding the marvelous beauty of Yahweh, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to contemplate in his temple. 5-6In the day of trouble, he will treasure me in his shelter, under the cover of his tent. He will lift me high upon a rock, out of reach from all my enemies who surround me. Triumphant now, I’ll bring him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy! Yes, I will sing praises to Yahweh! 7 Hear my cry. Show me mercy, and send the help I need! 8 I heard your voice in my heart say, “Come, seek my face;” my inner being responded, “Yahweh, I’m seeking your face with all my heart.” 9 So don’t turn your face away from me. You’re the God of my salvation; how can you reject your servant in anger? You’ve been my only hope, so don’t forsake me now when I need you! 10My father and mother abandoned me. But you, Yahweh, took me in and made me yours. 11Now teach me, Yahweh, all about your ways and tell me what to do. Make it clear for me to understand, for I am surrounded by waiting enemies. 12Don’t let them defeat me, Lord. You can’t let me fall into their clutches! They keep accusing me of things I’ve never done, breathing out violence against me. 13Yet I believe with all my heart that I will see again your goodness, Yahweh, in the land of life eternal! 14Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting--for he will never disappoint you! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 26 today.
For what does the psalmist ask? How has the psalmist lived? What does the psalmist say he will continue? We can choose to live with God’s steadfast love before us. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. With thanksgiving for ways you have seen God’s steadfast love in your life, the lives of others, and throughout the world. For the ability to keep God’s love before us, remembering his great love for us through Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit within us. For deepened dependence and relationship with God, that would result in greater faithfulness in our lives. For a consistency of faith and obedience to the Lord. For those around you and around our children, and for the communities that influence against the goodness and love of God. Declare Me Innocent King David’s poetic praise to God David’s Trust and Transparency 1 Yahweh, be my judge and declare me innocent! Clear my name, for I walk in integrity and trust you without wavering. 2 Yahweh, you can scrutinize me. Refine my heart and probe my every thought. Put me to the test and you’ll find me true. 3 I will never lose sight of your steadfast love for me. Your faithfulness has steadied my steps. David’s Truthfulness 4 I won’t keep company with tricky, two-faced men, nor will I go the way of those with hidden motives. 5 I despise the sinner’s hangouts. You won’t find me walking with the wicked. 6-7When I come to your altar, Yahweh, I’ll be clean before you, approaching with songs of thanksgiving, singing songs of your mighty miracles. David’s Testimony 8 Yahweh, I love to live in your house, this dwelling place of dazzling glory! 9 Don’t treat me as one of these scheming sinners who plot violence against the innocent. 10Look how they devise their wicked plans; their hands are always ready to receive a bribe. 11I’m not like them, Lord—not at all. Save me, redeem me with your mercy, for I have chosen to walk only in what is right. 12Among the worshipers I will praise Yahweh, for I am safe and secure because of you! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 25 today.
What does the psalmist ask of God? According to the psalmist, whom does God lead? How does God lead? God’s instruction comes out of his goodness and righteousness. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For the confidence to follow God and his leading. For deepened faith that God is trustworthy, even when we cannot see the answers or they do not make any sense to us. For hearts of humility, coming before the Lord in prayer and confession, acknowledging he is sovereign and good. For increased opportunity to meditate on the character of God, and follow his ways. Don’t Fail Me, God! King David’s poetic praise to God 1 Always I will lift up my soul into your presence, Yahweh. 2 Be there for me, my God, for I keep trusting in you. Don’t allow my foes to gloat over me or the shame of defeat to overtake me. 3 Could anyone be disgraced when he has entwined his heart with yours? But my foes will all be defeated and ashamed when they harm the innocent. 4 Direct me, Yahweh, throughout my journey so I can experience your plans for my life. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you. 5 Escort me into your truth; take me by the hand and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation; I have wrapped my heart into yours all day long! 6-7Forgive my failures as a young man, and overlook the sins of my immaturity. Give me grace, Yahweh! Always look at me through your eyes of love-- your forgiving eyes of mercy and compassion. When you think of me, see me as one you love and care for. 8 How good you are to me! When people turn to you, Yahweh, they discover how easy you are to please—so faithful and true! Joyfully you teach them the proper path, even when they go astray. 9 Keep showing the humble your path, and lead them into the best decision. Bring revelation-light that trains them in the truth. 10Loving are all the ways of Yahweh, loving and faithful for those who keep his covenant. 11For the honor of your name, Yahweh, never count my many sins, and forgive them all-- lift their burden off of my life! 12Who are they that live in the holy fear of Yahweh? You will show them the right path to take. 13Then prosperity and favor will be their portion, and their descendants will inherit the earth. 14There’s a private place reserved for the devoted lovers of Yahweh, where they sit near him and receive the revelation-secrets of his promises. 15Rescue me, Yahweh, for you free my feet from every trap. 16Sorrows fill my heart as I feel helpless, mistreated-- I’m all alone and in misery! Come closer to me now, for I need your mercy. 17Turn to me, for my problems seem to be going from bad to worse. Only you can free me from all these troubles! 18Until you lift this burden, the burden of all my sins, my troubles and trials will be more than I can handle. Can’t you feel my pain? 19Vicious, violent enemies hate me. There are so many, Lord. Can’t you see? 20Will you protect me from their power against me? I have taken shelter in you. Let it never be said that when I trusted you, you didn’t come to my rescue. 21Your perfection and faithfulness are my bodyguards, for you are my hope and I trust in you as my only protection. 22Zealously, God, we ask you to come save Israel from all her troubles, for you provide the ransom price for your people! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 24 today.
According to the psalmist, what power does God have? Who receives blessing and righteousness from the Lord? How does the psalmist describe the King? God is sovereign and has the power to give good things. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. To see how God desires for you to clean your “hands” and purify your heart. As you confess, trust in God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ. That your actions, attitudes, and will would reflect God’s ways. For your heart to be open to the timing of answers from the Lord. For the ability to see God’s face and not serve anyone other than God. For a life of integrity, making good and true decisions when tempted to do otherwise. The King of Glory David’s poetic praise to God Creation’s King 1 Yahweh claims the world as his. Everything and everyone belong to him! 2 He’s the one who pushed back oceans to let the dry ground appear, planting firm foundations for the earth. Who Comes before the King? 3 Who, then, is allowed to ascend the mountain of Yahweh? And who has the privilege of entering into God’s Holy Place? 4 Those who are clean—whose works and ways are pure, whose hearts are true and sealed by the truth, those who never deceive, whose words are sure. 5 They will receive Yahweh’s blessing and righteousness given by the Savior-God. 6 They will stand before God, for they seek the pleasure of God’s face, the God of Jacob. Pause in his presence The King is Coming! 7 So wake up, you living gateways! Lift up your heads, you doorways of eternity! Welcome the King of Glory, for he is about to come through you. 8 You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?” Yahweh, armed and ready for battle, Yahweh, invincible in every way! 9 So wake up, you living gateways, and rejoice! Fling wide, you eternal doors! Here he comes; the King of Glory is ready to come in. 10You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?” He is Yahweh, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts! Yes, he is the King of Glory! Pause in his presence #NS90DOP Read Psalm 23 today.
What is the tone of this psalm? Why does the psalmist refer to the Lord as our shepherd? In what ways does the psalmist say God provides? God walks with us as he provides protection, comfort, rest, and guidance. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. Pray for God’s provisions for all of his people around the world. Pray for God to give you, or someone you know, the courage to face a difficult challenge knowing our God cares for us, provides for us, and is always with us. Pray for a sense of peace, knowing that your shepherd is watching over you each day and night. The Good Shepherd David’s poetic praise to God 1 Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. 2 He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. 3 That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. 4 Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. 5 You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. 6 So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 22 today.
Why is the psalmist in pain and suffering? For whom is he dying? What is the expected outcome of this torture? Sacrificial love is the ultimate act of love. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. Pray a prayer of gratefulness to God that he sent Jesus to die for your sins. Pray that God brings you closer to him as you continue your commitment to continue working through these 90 days of prayer. Pray that God provides opportunities for you to share his glory through you with others. Pray that God provides relief to all those suffering from afflictions in your family, your community, and all around the world. A Prophetic Portrait of the Cross For the Pure and Shining One David’s song of anguish To the tune of “The Deer at the Dawning of the Day” The Cross 1 God, my God! Why would you abandon me now? 2 Why do you remain distant, refusing to answer my tearful cries in the day and my desperate cries for your help in the night? I can’t stop sobbing. Where are you, my God? 3 Yet I know that you are most holy. You are God-Enthroned, the praise of Israel. 4 Our fathers’ faith was in you-- through the generations they trusted in you and you came through. 5 Every time they cried out to you in their despair, you were faithful to deliver them; you didn’t disappoint them. 6 But I am like a worm, crushed and bleeding crimson, treated as less than human. I’ve been despised and scorned by everyone! 7 Mocked by their jeers, despised with their sneers, as all the people poke fun at me, spitting their insults, 8 saying, “Is this the one who trusted in God? Now let’s see if Yahweh will come to your rescue! Let’s see how much he delights in him!” 9 Lord, you delivered me safely from my mother’s womb. You are the one who cared for me ever since I was a baby. 10Since the day I was born, I’ve been placed in your custody. You’ve cradled me throughout my days, and you’ve always been my God. 11So don’t leave me now, for trouble is all around me, and there’s no one to help me. 12I’m surrounded by many violent foes like bulls; forces of evil encircle me like the strong bulls of Bashan. 13Like ravenous, roaring lions tearing their prey, they pour curses from their mouths. 14Now I’m completely exhausted. Every joint of my body has been pulled apart. My courage has melted away. 15I’m so thirsty and parched. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. And now you lay me in the dust of death. 16They have pierced my hands and my feet. Like a pack of wild dogs they tear at me, swirling around me with their hatred. A band of evil men surrounds me. 17I can count all my bones. Look at how they gloat over me and stare! 18With a toss of the dice they divide my clothes among themselves, gambling for my garments! 19Yahweh, please don’t stay far away. My strength, come quickly to my rescue. 20Give me back my life. Save me from this violent death. Save my precious one and only from the power of these dogs! 21Save me from all the power of the enemy, from this roaring lion raging against me and the power of his dark horde. The Resurrection 22I will declare your name before all my brothers and praise you in the midst of the congregation. 23Those who fear Yahweh, praise him! Let all the seed of Jacob glorify him with your praises. Stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24For he has not despised my cries of deep despair. He’s my first responder to my sufferings, and when I was in pain, he was there all the time and heard the cries of the afflicted. 25You’re the reason for my praise; it comes from you and goes to you. I will keep my promise to praise you before all who fear you among the congregation of your people. 26Let all the poor and broken eat until satisfied. Bring Yahweh praise and you will find him. May your hearts overflow with life forever! 27From the four corners of the earth, the peoples of the world will remember and return to Yahweh. Every nation will come and worship him. 28For Yahweh is King of all, who takes charge of all the nations. 29The wealthy of this world will feast in fellowship with him right alongside the humble of heart, bowing down to the dust, forsaking their own souls. They will all come and worship this worthy King! 30His spiritual seed shall serve him. Future generations will hear from us about the wonders of the Victorious Lord. 31His generation yet to be born will glorify him. And they will all declare, “It is finished!” #NS90DOP Read Psalm 21 today.
How has God provided for the King? For what does the psalmist give thanks in this psalm? Why do God’s enemies deserve judgment? God provides for his people. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. Pray to feel God’s presence with you today. Pray for others to experience the joy of God’s blessings. Pray for those who do not yet know God, that they might be saved through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that hope, peace, and justice one day reach all the ends of the earth. Through Your Strength For the end times, to the Pure and Shining One David’s poem of praise Looking Back 1 Yahweh, because of your strength the king is strong. Look how he rejoices in you! He bursts out with a joyful song because of your victory! 2 For you have given him his heart’s desire, anything and everything he asks for. You haven’t withheld a thing from the king. Pause in his presence 3 Rich blessings overflow with every encounter with you, and you placed a royal crown of gold upon his head. 4 He wanted life—you have given it to him and more! The days of his blessing stretch on one after another, forever! 5 You have honored him and made him famous. Glory-garments are upon him, and you surround him with splendor and majesty. 6 Your victory heaps blessing after blessing upon him. What joy and bliss he tastes, rejoicing before your face! 7 For the king trusts in Yahweh, and he will never stumble, never fall. The forever-love of the Most High holds him firm. Looking Forward 8 Your almighty hands have captured your foes. You uncovered all who hate you and you seized them. 9-10When you appear before them, unveiling the radiance of your face, they will be consumed by the fierce fire of your presence. Yahweh’s flames will swallow them up. They and their descendants will be destroyed by an unrelenting fire. 11We will watch them fail, for these are the ones who plan their evil schemes against the Lord. 12They will turn and run at the sight of your judgment-arrows aimed straight at their hearts. Looking Up 13Rise up and put your might on display! By your strength we will sing and praise your glorious power! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 20 today.
Who is the psalmist praying for? What is the psalmist praying will happen? What is the psalmist confident in? God listens as we to talk with Him. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. That we would believe God listens. That God would make himself known to you each day. For God’s protection over you and all of his people today. For the confidence to lay your trust in the Lord in all that you do. A Victory Decree For the Pure and Shining One For the end times, by David May God Hear You 1 In your day of danger may Yahweh answer and deliver you. May the name of the God of Jacob set you safely on high! 2 May supernatural help be sent from his sanctuary. May he support you from Zion’s fortress! 3 May he remember every gift you have given him and celebrate every sacrifice of love you have shown him. Pause in his presence 4 May Yahweh give you every desire of your heart and carry out your every plan as you go to battle. 5 When you succeed, we will celebrate and shout for joy. Flags will fly when victory is yours! Yes, God will answer your prayers, and we will praise him! 6 I know Yahweh gives me all that I ask for and brings victory to his anointed king. My deliverance cry will be heard in his holy heaven. By his mighty hand miracles will manifest through his saving strength. 7 Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom, but my miracle-deliverance can never be won by men. Our boast is in Yahweh our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory! 8 Our enemies will not prevail; they will only collapse and perish in defeat while we will rise up, full of courage. 9 Give victory to our king, O Yahweh! The day we call on you, give us your answer! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 19 today.
How is the law of the Lord described? What does the person who keeps God’s law receive? Who does the psalmist say God is? God’s law is a law of love and leads to life. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. Pray that God makes his love known to you in the coming days. Pray that God helps you to re-frame “fear of the Lord” from a fear-based attitude to a sense of respect, awe, and submission. Pray for God to reveal ways for you to respond appropriately to his ways. Pray to be able to sense and believe God’s presence with you, and for one or two more people you know, throughout today. God’s Witnesses For the Pure and Shining One A poem of praise by King David, his loving servant God’s Story in the Skies 1 God’s splendor is a tale that is told, written in the stars. Space itself speaks his story through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship. 2 Each day gushes out its message to the next, night by night whispering its knowledge to all-- 3 without a sound, without a word, without a voice being heard, 4 yet all the world can hear its echo. Everywhere its message goes out. What a heavenly home God has set for the sun, shining in the superdome of the sky! 5 See how he leaves his celestial chamber each morning, radiant as a bridegroom ready for his wedding, like a day-breaking champion eager to run his course. 6 He rises on one horizon, completing his circuit on the other, warming lives and lands with his heat. God’s Story in the Scriptures 7 Yahweh’s Word is perfect in every way; how it revives our souls! Yahweh’s laws lead us to truth, and his ways change the simple into wise. 8 Yahweh’s teachings are right and make us joyful; his precepts are so pure! Yahweh’s commands challenge us to keep close to his heart! The revelation-light of his Word makes my spirit shine radiant. 9 Yahweh’s decrees are trustworthy. The fear of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever. 10The rarest treasures of life are found in his truth. That’s why God’s Word is prized like others prize the finest gold. Sweeter also than honey are his living words-- sweet words dripping from the honeycomb! 11For they warn us, your servants, and keep us from following the wicked way, giving a lifetime guarantee: great success to every obedient soul! 12How would I discern the waywardness of my heart? Lord, forgive my hidden flaws whenever you find them. 13Keep cleansing me, God, and keep me from my secret, selfish sins; may they never rule over me! For only then will I be free from fault and remain innocent of rebellion. 14So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, Yahweh, my only Redeemer, my Protector. #NS90DOP Read Psalm 18 today.
What does the psalmist repeat about God’s character? What stands out about God’s actions? Focusing on verses 16-24, read this portion through the eyes of someone who is innocently imprisoned. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For those who are innocently imprisoned. For hope and strength for those suffering injustices. For a sense of God’s presence for those who are trapped within systems of unjust power. For our systems of justice to be just for all people. I Love You, Lord A song to the Pure and Shining One by King David, his servant, composed when the Lord rescued David from all his many enemies, including from the brutality of Saul. He said: 1 I love you, Yahweh, and I’m bonded to you, my strength! 2 Yahweh, you’re the bedrock beneath my feet, my faith-fortress, my wonderful deliverer, my God, my rock of rescue where none can reach me. You’re the shield around me, the mighty power that saves me, and my high place. 3 All I need to do is to call on you, Yahweh, the praiseworthy God. When I do, I’m safe and sound in you-- delivered from my foes! 4-5For when the cords of death wrapped around me and torrents of destruction overwhelmed me, taking me to death’s door, 6 in my distress I cried out to you, the delivering God, and from your temple-throne you heard my troubled cry, and my sobs went right into your heart. 7 The earth itself shivered and shook. It reeled and rocked before him. As the mountains trembled, they melted away, for his anger was kindled on my behalf! 8 Fierce flames leapt from his mouth, erupting with blazing, burning coals as smoke and fire encircled him. 9-10He stretched heaven’s curtain open and came to my defense. Swiftly he rode to earth as the stormy sky was lowered. He rode a chariot of thunderclouds amidst thick darkness; his steed was a cherub, soaring on outstretched wings of Spirit-Wind. 11Wrapped in the thick-cloud darkness, his thunder-tabernacle surrounded him. He hid himself in mystery-darkness; the dense rain clouds were his garments. 12Suddenly the brilliance of his presence broke through with lightning bolts and hail-- a tempest dropping coals of fire. 13The Lord thundered; the great God above every god spoke with his thunder-voice from the sky. The Most High uttered his voice! 14He released his lightning-arrows, and routed my foes. See how they ran and scattered in fear! 15Then with his mighty roar he laid bare the foundations of the earth, uncovering the secret source of the sea. The hidden depths of land and sea were exposed by the blast of his hot breath. 16He rescued me from the mighty waters and drew me to himself! 17Even though I was helpless in the hands of my hateful, strong enemy, you were good to deliver me. 18When I was at my weakest, my enemies attacked-- but the Lord held on to me. 19His love broke open the way, and he brought me into a beautiful, broad place. He rescued me—because his delight is in me! 20He rewarded me for doing what’s right and staying pure. 21I will follow his commands and I’ll not sin by ceasing to follow him, no matter what. 22For I’ve kept my eyes focused on his righteous words, and I’ve obeyed everything that he’s told me to do. 23I’ve been blameless before him and followed all his ways, keeping my heart pure. 24And so Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, because I kept my heart clean before his eyes. 25Good people will taste your goodness. And to those who are loyal to you, you love to prove that you are loyal and true. 26And for those who are purified, they find you always pure. But you’ll outwit the crooked and cunning with your craftiness. 27To the humble you bring heaven’s deliverance, but the proud and haughty you disregard. 28God, all at once you turned on a floodlight for me! You are the revelation-light in my darkness, and in your brightness I can see the path ahead. 29With you as my strength I can crush an enemy horde, advancing through every stronghold that stands in front of me. 30Yahweh, what a perfect God you are! All Yahweh’s promises have proven true. What a secure shelter for all those who turn to hide themselves in you, the wraparound God. 31Could there be any other god like Yahweh? For there is not a more secure foundation than you. 32God, you have wrapped me in power and made my way perfect. 33Through you I ascend to the highest peaks to stand strong and secure in you. 34You’ve trained me with the weapons of warfare-worship; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35You empower me for victory with your wraparound presence. Your power within makes me strong to subdue. By stooping down in gentleness, you made me great! 36You’ve set me free, and now I’m standing complete, ready to fight some more! 37I caught up with my enemies and conquered them and didn’t turn back until the war was won! 38I smashed them to pieces and I finished them once and for all; they’re as good as dead. 39You’ve placed your armor upon me and made my enemies bow low at my feet. 40You’ve made them all turn tail and run, for through you I’ve destroyed them all! 41They shouted for help, but no one dared to rescue them. They cried out to Yahweh, but he refused to answer them. 42So I pulverized them to powder and cast them to the wind. I swept them away like dirt on the floor. 43You gave me victory on every side, for you make me a leader of nations. Even those I’ve never heard of come and bow at my feet. 44As soon as they heard of me they submitted to me. Even the rebel foreigners obey my every word. 45Their rebellion fades away as they come near; trembling in their strongholds, they come crawling out of their hideouts, cringing in fear before me. 46Yahweh lives! Praise is lifted high to the unshakable God! Towering over all, my Savior-God is worthy to be praised! 47Look how he pays back harm to all who harm me, subduing all who come against me. 48He rescues me from my enemies; he lifts me up high and keeps me out of reach, far from the grasp of my violent foe. 49So I thank you, Yahweh, with my praises! I will sing my song to the highest God, so all among the nations will hear me. 50You have given me, your king, great victories. You’ve always been tender and kind to me, your anointed one, your loving servant, David, and to all my descendants! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 17 today.
What does the psalmist claim about his actions? What does the psalmist ask of God? God promises his presence. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. For all to believe that God’s nearness and presence is with them. For hope for those who feel as if God is distant. For those who despair that their sin is too deep and their actions are too bad for God to be near them, and that they would see and experience God’s love and grace. That family members, those we love, and even our enemies who are trapped in sin would be freed to life with God through Jesus. A Cry for Justice A priestly prayer of David Hear Me! 1 Listen to me, Lord. Hear the passionate prayer of this honest man. My cause is just and my need is real. I’ve done what’s right and my lips speak truth. 2 Examine and exonerate me. Vindicate me and show the world I’m innocent. 3 For in a visitation of the night you inspected my heart and refined my soul in fire until nothing vile was found in me. I will not sin with my words. 4 Following your word has kept me from wrong. Your ways have molded my footsteps, keeping me from going down the paths of the violent. 5 My steps follow in the tracks of your chariot wheels, always staying in their path, never straying from your way. 6 You will answer me, God; I know you always will. Hear my words like you always do as you listen to my every prayer. Hide Me! 7 Magnify the marvels of your mercy to all who seek you. You are the loving Savior of all who turn aside to hide themselves in you. 8 Protect me from harm; keep an eye on me as you would a child who is reflected in the twinkling of your eye. Yes, hide me within the shelter of your embrace, under your outstretched wings. 9 Protect me there from all my foes. For there are many who surround my soul to completely destroy me. 10They are pitiless, heartless—hard as nails, swollen with pride and filled with arrogance! 11See how they close in on me, waiting for the chance to throw me to the ground. 12They’re like lions eager to tear me apart, like young and fearless lions lurking in secret, so ferocious and cruel—ready to rip me to shreds. Help Me! 13Arise, God, and confront them! Challenge them with your might! Free me from their clutches and rescue me from their rage. 14Throw them down to the ground, those who live for only this life on earth. Thrust them out of their prosperity and into their portion in eternity, leaving their wealth and wickedness behind! 15As for me, because I am innocent, I will see your face until I see you for who you really are. I will be satisfied in an awakening of your likeness in me! #NS90DOP Read Psalm 16 today.
Why is the psalmist rejoicing? What are the actions of God expressed by the psalmist? Good comes from being with God. As you reflect on this, pray in these ways and any other way the Holy Spirit leads. That our hearts and minds be open to see God in our circumstances and all around us. For our faith to constantly grow deeper as we learn to trust him more and more. For those who are having a hard time rejoicing and trusting, that God would make his presence deeply felt to them. For our joy in the Lord to shine through us so that others will want to know him. For the boldness to share the good news of Jesus to whomever God puts in front of us. The Golden Secret A precious song, engraved in gold, by David My Protection 1 Keep me safe, O mighty God. I run to you, my safe place. 2 I said to Yahweh, “You are my Maker and my Master. Any good thing you find in me has come from you.” 3 And he said to me, “My holy lovers in the land are my glorious ones, who fulfill all my desires.” 4 Yet there are those who yield to their weakness, and they will have troubles unending. I never gather with such ones, nor give them honor in any way. My Portion 5 Yahweh, you alone are my inheritance. You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion. You hold my destiny and its timing in your hands. 6 Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places. I’m overwhelmed by the privileges that come with following you! My Praise 7 The way you counsel me makes me praise you more, for your whispers in the night give me wisdom, showing me what to do next. 8 Because I set you, Yahweh, always close to me, my confidence will never be weakened, for I experience your wraparound presence every moment. 9 My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory! Even my body will rest confident and secure. 10For you will not abandon me to the realm of death, nor will you allow your Faithful One to experience corruption. 11Because of you, I know the path of life, as I taste the fullness of joy in your presence. At your right side I experience divine pleasures forevermore! #NS90DOP |