Psalm 17
David's is crying out to the Lord, like we have seen so many times before in the psalms. He starts this one off a little different. He says, "hear a just cause, O Lord". What does that mean, a just cause? David feels that his plea, or his cry to the Lord is right. He feels that his conscience is clear. This reminds me of our lesson in youth group this week. Paul is addressing the council and religious leaders and making the statement that his conscience is clear. He is sure that what he is about to say or talk to them about is right. As I read through this psalm, I kept thinking about Paul and his situation in prison and wondered if these words from David entered into his thoughts.
David goes on in the psalm and feels that the Lord has tested him, and that his conscience is still clear. If not, the Lord would have confronted David on it. David goes on and describes how he has tried to keep his life in line with God's pattern and path for him. He calls to the Lord because he knows that He will answer.
He talks about the way of the enemy.....those that are against him. It is different than his path. David's focus is on the Lord, but these people are only focused on themselves.
He asks God to deal with them and confront them. He ends with the heart attitude that he will focus on the Lord, and he will be satisfied in Him.
As your read through this psalm think about David's words. What makes a just cause? How do we have a clear conscience in the things we ask for or the things we bring to the Lord? It starts with self-examination. Are you following the Lord? have you purposed in your heart, and kept your steps in line with God? Is this request a self-serving one or is it in line with God's will? Examine your heart attitude. Can you say with David, "I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness."
David's is crying out to the Lord, like we have seen so many times before in the psalms. He starts this one off a little different. He says, "hear a just cause, O Lord". What does that mean, a just cause? David feels that his plea, or his cry to the Lord is right. He feels that his conscience is clear. This reminds me of our lesson in youth group this week. Paul is addressing the council and religious leaders and making the statement that his conscience is clear. He is sure that what he is about to say or talk to them about is right. As I read through this psalm, I kept thinking about Paul and his situation in prison and wondered if these words from David entered into his thoughts.
David goes on in the psalm and feels that the Lord has tested him, and that his conscience is still clear. If not, the Lord would have confronted David on it. David goes on and describes how he has tried to keep his life in line with God's pattern and path for him. He calls to the Lord because he knows that He will answer.
He talks about the way of the enemy.....those that are against him. It is different than his path. David's focus is on the Lord, but these people are only focused on themselves.
He asks God to deal with them and confront them. He ends with the heart attitude that he will focus on the Lord, and he will be satisfied in Him.
As your read through this psalm think about David's words. What makes a just cause? How do we have a clear conscience in the things we ask for or the things we bring to the Lord? It starts with self-examination. Are you following the Lord? have you purposed in your heart, and kept your steps in line with God? Is this request a self-serving one or is it in line with God's will? Examine your heart attitude. Can you say with David, "I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness."
Psalm 16
We are going to do something a little different this week for the devotional. Psalm 16 is listed as a Miktam of David. Many believe that this psalm and a few others with this title held a special meaning for David.
This week you are going to do a little bible study on your own. I am going to ask a few questions, and have you respond in the conversation. We will end with the answers that you send being posted in this section. (Not that I need to bribe any of you, but......) There will be candy prizes for those who respond. This will be a good exercise in study and biblical discernment! You can pick one question to answer, or all of them. I look forward to seeing your responses.
Here are the questions to work through. I will also answer any questions you might have.
1. What is David's view of God?
2. What is David's view of himself?
3. What is David's attitude at the opening of the psalm?
4. What is David's attitude at the closing of the psalm?
5. Can you summarize this psalm in one sentence?
6. What is a theme that sticks out in this chapter?
We are going to do something a little different this week for the devotional. Psalm 16 is listed as a Miktam of David. Many believe that this psalm and a few others with this title held a special meaning for David.
This week you are going to do a little bible study on your own. I am going to ask a few questions, and have you respond in the conversation. We will end with the answers that you send being posted in this section. (Not that I need to bribe any of you, but......) There will be candy prizes for those who respond. This will be a good exercise in study and biblical discernment! You can pick one question to answer, or all of them. I look forward to seeing your responses.
Here are the questions to work through. I will also answer any questions you might have.
1. What is David's view of God?
2. What is David's view of himself?
3. What is David's attitude at the opening of the psalm?
4. What is David's attitude at the closing of the psalm?
5. Can you summarize this psalm in one sentence?
6. What is a theme that sticks out in this chapter?
Psalm 15
What marks a person of integrity? What would they look like, and how would they act? David asks the question, "who can dwell in God's presence?' David gives us a list of qualities, a list of actions and attitudes that you can see in a person's life.
His walk with the Lord is blameless and right. His speech is truthful and without deceit. He has a love and care for his neighbor and does not easily take offense from his friends. He opposes evil people but honors those that love the Lord. He keeps his word even if it is not beneficial to him. He lends to people that need it without taking advantage of them.
You could boil this list down to 4 things, his walk with the Lord, the way he speaks, the way he treats people, and his use of money.
A commentator stated that "the conduct of a person's life is a reflection of his fellowship with the Lord. What does your fellowship with the Lord look like? Is it sporadic? Do you make it a point to spend time with God daily? The last verse of this psalm says that the person who does these things and makes them a priority will never be moved, meaning that God will keep you and be with you throughout your life.
Take time this week to evaluate your personal time with the Lord. If you don't have a set time, I would encourage you to make it a priority in your life. God desires that we know Him and follow Him. He is the one that brings peace and stability into our lives.
What marks a person of integrity? What would they look like, and how would they act? David asks the question, "who can dwell in God's presence?' David gives us a list of qualities, a list of actions and attitudes that you can see in a person's life.
His walk with the Lord is blameless and right. His speech is truthful and without deceit. He has a love and care for his neighbor and does not easily take offense from his friends. He opposes evil people but honors those that love the Lord. He keeps his word even if it is not beneficial to him. He lends to people that need it without taking advantage of them.
You could boil this list down to 4 things, his walk with the Lord, the way he speaks, the way he treats people, and his use of money.
A commentator stated that "the conduct of a person's life is a reflection of his fellowship with the Lord. What does your fellowship with the Lord look like? Is it sporadic? Do you make it a point to spend time with God daily? The last verse of this psalm says that the person who does these things and makes them a priority will never be moved, meaning that God will keep you and be with you throughout your life.
Take time this week to evaluate your personal time with the Lord. If you don't have a set time, I would encourage you to make it a priority in your life. God desires that we know Him and follow Him. He is the one that brings peace and stability into our lives.
Psalm 14
What type of person rejects the truth about God? The Bible tells us that a person who says, "there is no God", that person is a fool. Scripture tells us that the beginning of wisdom and knowledge is that we fear the Lord. This means that we have a right view and understanding of God. To embrace Him and know Him is wisdom, but to deny Him is foolishness.
Psalm 14 starts off with this bold statement from David claiming that this is the heart of mankind. They don't want God. Romans 1 describes this view in more detail, but David says that there is no good in the heart of man. If we are honest with ourselves, we would agree with David. There is no good in my own heart apart from what the Lord has done in it. He is the one that changes us and makes us new.
Verses 2-3 echo David's statement. The Lord looks down from heaven and confirms there is no one good. As the psalm goes on it talks about God restoring all things and creation eagerly waits for that day. C.S Lewis stated that, "In the end that Face which is the delight, or the terror of the universe must be turned upon each of us.....either conferring glory inexpressible or inflicting shame that can never be cured or disguised".
As you read through Psalm 14 this week. Think about your own heart towards the things of God. Has God done a work in your heart to help you know and understand His Word? If that is a truth in your life, thank Him for His wonderful grace. We should sing praises to Him for His mercy! If there are things that you do not understand or truths about God that you struggle with, go to Him with a humble heart. Isaiah 55:6 tells us to "Seek the Lord while He may be found". Ask God to open the eyes of your heart so that you may understand the truth of His Word.
What type of person rejects the truth about God? The Bible tells us that a person who says, "there is no God", that person is a fool. Scripture tells us that the beginning of wisdom and knowledge is that we fear the Lord. This means that we have a right view and understanding of God. To embrace Him and know Him is wisdom, but to deny Him is foolishness.
Psalm 14 starts off with this bold statement from David claiming that this is the heart of mankind. They don't want God. Romans 1 describes this view in more detail, but David says that there is no good in the heart of man. If we are honest with ourselves, we would agree with David. There is no good in my own heart apart from what the Lord has done in it. He is the one that changes us and makes us new.
Verses 2-3 echo David's statement. The Lord looks down from heaven and confirms there is no one good. As the psalm goes on it talks about God restoring all things and creation eagerly waits for that day. C.S Lewis stated that, "In the end that Face which is the delight, or the terror of the universe must be turned upon each of us.....either conferring glory inexpressible or inflicting shame that can never be cured or disguised".
As you read through Psalm 14 this week. Think about your own heart towards the things of God. Has God done a work in your heart to help you know and understand His Word? If that is a truth in your life, thank Him for His wonderful grace. We should sing praises to Him for His mercy! If there are things that you do not understand or truths about God that you struggle with, go to Him with a humble heart. Isaiah 55:6 tells us to "Seek the Lord while He may be found". Ask God to open the eyes of your heart so that you may understand the truth of His Word.
Psalm 13
Charles Spurgeon made a great observation about David and the Psalms. He said, "Whenever you look into David’s Psalms, you may somewhere, or another see yourselves. You never get into a corner, but you find David in that corner. I think that I was never so low that I could not find that David was lower; and I never climbed so high that I could not find that David was up above me, ready to sing his song upon his stringed instrument, even as I could sing mine.”
Psalm 13 is a psalm of discouragement. David is looking around at his situation and has this feeling that God has forgotten him. "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" There is a sense of despair in his question. Have you ever felt that way? Can you like David ask, "Lord where are you?" In verse 2 David says that he takes counsel in his soul.....and that there is sorrow in his heart. So often, we try to handle our problems by ourselves apart from God. We worry and fret about situations without taking them to the Lord in earnest prayer. What happens when we sit and think about our problems? Do they get better or worse? The truth is we can get discouraged, we can feel like God doesn't care or like David that God has forgotten us.
Our feelings can take us down the path of forgetfulness towards God. We focus on how we feel or how we are being affected by this problem or situation. What we should do in those times is to focus on the truth of God and the truth of His Word. That is where our help comes from. That is where we get our encouragement when all around us is falling apart.
That is what we see in David as well. These psalms show us how to handle our worries and doubts and troubles. Take them to the Lord! David shares what he feels in his heart and then reminds himself of His God. Verse 5 says, "But......I have trusted in your steadfast love.....my heart will rejoice.......and I will sing to the Lord".
What a wonderful example of a right attitude with God. God is wonderful and He does deal bountifully with us. I am reminded of the verse of the song "He Will Keep You".........it says" The one who holds the night, is the sovereign of my days."
There is nothing that surprises God. There is nothing that God is not aware of in our lives. God is using all things and all situations to bring us close to Him. To make us more into His likeness.
The question is, do you retreat into our own thoughts and your own counsel when faced with problems, or do you look to the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth for your comfort and help?
Have the heart and mind of David. Trust in the steadfast love of God, and let your heart rejoice in His salvation, and sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with you!
Charles Spurgeon made a great observation about David and the Psalms. He said, "Whenever you look into David’s Psalms, you may somewhere, or another see yourselves. You never get into a corner, but you find David in that corner. I think that I was never so low that I could not find that David was lower; and I never climbed so high that I could not find that David was up above me, ready to sing his song upon his stringed instrument, even as I could sing mine.”
Psalm 13 is a psalm of discouragement. David is looking around at his situation and has this feeling that God has forgotten him. "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" There is a sense of despair in his question. Have you ever felt that way? Can you like David ask, "Lord where are you?" In verse 2 David says that he takes counsel in his soul.....and that there is sorrow in his heart. So often, we try to handle our problems by ourselves apart from God. We worry and fret about situations without taking them to the Lord in earnest prayer. What happens when we sit and think about our problems? Do they get better or worse? The truth is we can get discouraged, we can feel like God doesn't care or like David that God has forgotten us.
Our feelings can take us down the path of forgetfulness towards God. We focus on how we feel or how we are being affected by this problem or situation. What we should do in those times is to focus on the truth of God and the truth of His Word. That is where our help comes from. That is where we get our encouragement when all around us is falling apart.
That is what we see in David as well. These psalms show us how to handle our worries and doubts and troubles. Take them to the Lord! David shares what he feels in his heart and then reminds himself of His God. Verse 5 says, "But......I have trusted in your steadfast love.....my heart will rejoice.......and I will sing to the Lord".
What a wonderful example of a right attitude with God. God is wonderful and He does deal bountifully with us. I am reminded of the verse of the song "He Will Keep You".........it says" The one who holds the night, is the sovereign of my days."
There is nothing that surprises God. There is nothing that God is not aware of in our lives. God is using all things and all situations to bring us close to Him. To make us more into His likeness.
The question is, do you retreat into our own thoughts and your own counsel when faced with problems, or do you look to the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth for your comfort and help?
Have the heart and mind of David. Trust in the steadfast love of God, and let your heart rejoice in His salvation, and sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with you!
Psalm 12
The power of words.
Psalm 12 is a psalm of David, and in this psalm, he is crying out to the Lord for help. This is a common response from David and such a good example for us. When we are facing difficult things or difficult people we should run to the Lord and His Word for help and guidance.
Here David is looking around and feels that there are no more godly people anywhere. "The faithful have vanished" he says. There will be times in your life that you feel like you are the only one seeking the Lord or seeking to do the right thing. David certainly felt this in his life! For years, he was on the run for his life, not sure who to trust. You get a sense of that in verse 2, "everyone utters lies to his neighbor". There were certainly lies told about him and his motives.
David knows that the Lord will deal with these people. The proud in heart that reject God or seek their own plans and to make their own decisions. The part that stands out is in verse 6, "the words of the Lord are pure words". They are true and trustworthy and have stood the test of time. Even people who wanted to discredit God's Word have been proven wrong. Because the Lord is the one who keeps his words. He is the one that preserves them and brings them to the end He has determined. We can have the same confidence that David does here. He knows the truth in God's Word, and he has put his trust in that.
As you read through this psalm, think of some promises from God's Word that you are holding on to. And like David does, bring them before the Lord in prayer.
The power of words.
Psalm 12 is a psalm of David, and in this psalm, he is crying out to the Lord for help. This is a common response from David and such a good example for us. When we are facing difficult things or difficult people we should run to the Lord and His Word for help and guidance.
Here David is looking around and feels that there are no more godly people anywhere. "The faithful have vanished" he says. There will be times in your life that you feel like you are the only one seeking the Lord or seeking to do the right thing. David certainly felt this in his life! For years, he was on the run for his life, not sure who to trust. You get a sense of that in verse 2, "everyone utters lies to his neighbor". There were certainly lies told about him and his motives.
David knows that the Lord will deal with these people. The proud in heart that reject God or seek their own plans and to make their own decisions. The part that stands out is in verse 6, "the words of the Lord are pure words". They are true and trustworthy and have stood the test of time. Even people who wanted to discredit God's Word have been proven wrong. Because the Lord is the one who keeps his words. He is the one that preserves them and brings them to the end He has determined. We can have the same confidence that David does here. He knows the truth in God's Word, and he has put his trust in that.
As you read through this psalm, think of some promises from God's Word that you are holding on to. And like David does, bring them before the Lord in prayer.
Psalm 11
What do you do in the face of fear?
This Psalm is David's response to fear and a response to well-intentioned advice from his friends. This was written during a time in David's life when he was probably fleeing from Saul....again. Talk about a stressful time, a time to worry, and to be fearful for his life. David makes the bold claim in verse 1, "In the Lord I take refuge". The men close to him, his friends, the ones fleeing with him, they see the trouble around David and their advice is to flee.....to run away.
David asks how can you say that? How can you just tell me to leave and not stick around. Now they give good points as they give the reasons why he should flee. The wicked are out to get you, they are trying to kill you. His men even ask the question, "if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" They were saying, even the king is out to get you, what good are you going to do?
Have you ever felt that way? Felt that everything was against you. Maybe it is a good idea to leave or to stop trying to be a witness. Should I say something to this friend or this person? Or should I just leave it alone.......after all, what can I do?
David can't let those thoughts affect him, he can't give in to that temptation to flee or to give up. He reminds himself of who God is. As you read Psalm 11, what truths do you see that David used to remain steadfast? What did he see in the person and even the work of God that gave him confidence and how can you apply them in your life?
What do you do in the face of fear?
This Psalm is David's response to fear and a response to well-intentioned advice from his friends. This was written during a time in David's life when he was probably fleeing from Saul....again. Talk about a stressful time, a time to worry, and to be fearful for his life. David makes the bold claim in verse 1, "In the Lord I take refuge". The men close to him, his friends, the ones fleeing with him, they see the trouble around David and their advice is to flee.....to run away.
David asks how can you say that? How can you just tell me to leave and not stick around. Now they give good points as they give the reasons why he should flee. The wicked are out to get you, they are trying to kill you. His men even ask the question, "if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" They were saying, even the king is out to get you, what good are you going to do?
Have you ever felt that way? Felt that everything was against you. Maybe it is a good idea to leave or to stop trying to be a witness. Should I say something to this friend or this person? Or should I just leave it alone.......after all, what can I do?
David can't let those thoughts affect him, he can't give in to that temptation to flee or to give up. He reminds himself of who God is. As you read Psalm 11, what truths do you see that David used to remain steadfast? What did he see in the person and even the work of God that gave him confidence and how can you apply them in your life?
Psalm 10
Have you ever prayed to the Lord asking where He is? Why has He not answered your prayers or why does He feel so far away? David felt this way, and in Psalm 10 he brings those thoughts and feelings to the Lord.
"Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?" Sometimes we look around at our lives and feel helpless and even hopeless. We don't see the Lord working and it seems that those that reject God are better off than we are. David says about that person, "His ways prosper at all times". Circumstantially we look around and think it doesn't matter, in fact these people mock God and nothing happens to them. They go about with their proud hearts and sinful lives and God lets it happen (so it seems to us). In verses 6-11 we get a good picture of the attitude of these people.
It is not wrong to have these thoughts or feelings, and it does seem like we can validate them based on what we see. But, as David often does, he has to remind himself of who God is. His goodness and His power and His authority. Don't allow yourself to be tempted to sin and to wallow in your grief and sadness. Look to God, call out for His help and for His hand in whatever your circumstance is. God is a gracious God not just to Christians, but also to the lost. He is gracious in not dealing immediately with their sin and giving them a chance to repent and turn to Him. When we are tempted to be discouraged with other people and even our own situation and God seems distant, press into the Lord. Seek Him throughout your day, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.
As you read Psalm 10 this week, what areas are you struggling in? Bring them to the one who is king forever and ever and the One that will call into account all things. Leave them with Him and take comfort in His grace and mercy.
What other things do you see in this passage? Do you have questions? Share them in the comments.
Have you ever prayed to the Lord asking where He is? Why has He not answered your prayers or why does He feel so far away? David felt this way, and in Psalm 10 he brings those thoughts and feelings to the Lord.
"Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?" Sometimes we look around at our lives and feel helpless and even hopeless. We don't see the Lord working and it seems that those that reject God are better off than we are. David says about that person, "His ways prosper at all times". Circumstantially we look around and think it doesn't matter, in fact these people mock God and nothing happens to them. They go about with their proud hearts and sinful lives and God lets it happen (so it seems to us). In verses 6-11 we get a good picture of the attitude of these people.
It is not wrong to have these thoughts or feelings, and it does seem like we can validate them based on what we see. But, as David often does, he has to remind himself of who God is. His goodness and His power and His authority. Don't allow yourself to be tempted to sin and to wallow in your grief and sadness. Look to God, call out for His help and for His hand in whatever your circumstance is. God is a gracious God not just to Christians, but also to the lost. He is gracious in not dealing immediately with their sin and giving them a chance to repent and turn to Him. When we are tempted to be discouraged with other people and even our own situation and God seems distant, press into the Lord. Seek Him throughout your day, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.
As you read Psalm 10 this week, what areas are you struggling in? Bring them to the one who is king forever and ever and the One that will call into account all things. Leave them with Him and take comfort in His grace and mercy.
What other things do you see in this passage? Do you have questions? Share them in the comments.
Psalm 9
As you read through Psalm 9 this week, I encourage you to think about a few things we see in the passage.
David in the first verse says that he will "recount all your wonderful deeds". He will remind himself of the goodness of God, of all that the Lord has done. How often do we remind ourselves of the blessings that God has worked in our lives? We just got back from the winter retreat, and this was one of the things that was brought up......we need to be reminded. We forget, we focus on the immediate need or the problem we are facing. Sometimes we let that blur our vision and we can't see the Lord's hand working. Like David, we should remind ourselves. One way of doing this is writing down ways the Lord has worked or the blessings we have been given. We can look back and see an answer to prayer or maybe an area that we have grown in.
David reminds himself of the Lord's blessing and wonderful deeds as well as his justice and power in verses 7-10. David also encourages us to share with people what God has done, it allows then to rejoice with us. We also see in the last few verses that David prays that people would see that you are God and we are but men.......He is the one with all authority and the one who rewards righteousness and brings justice.
This week, remind yourself of what God has done in your life. Write out things that come to your mind and then go to the Lord in thankfulness and praise!
As you read through Psalm 9 this week, I encourage you to think about a few things we see in the passage.
David in the first verse says that he will "recount all your wonderful deeds". He will remind himself of the goodness of God, of all that the Lord has done. How often do we remind ourselves of the blessings that God has worked in our lives? We just got back from the winter retreat, and this was one of the things that was brought up......we need to be reminded. We forget, we focus on the immediate need or the problem we are facing. Sometimes we let that blur our vision and we can't see the Lord's hand working. Like David, we should remind ourselves. One way of doing this is writing down ways the Lord has worked or the blessings we have been given. We can look back and see an answer to prayer or maybe an area that we have grown in.
David reminds himself of the Lord's blessing and wonderful deeds as well as his justice and power in verses 7-10. David also encourages us to share with people what God has done, it allows then to rejoice with us. We also see in the last few verses that David prays that people would see that you are God and we are but men.......He is the one with all authority and the one who rewards righteousness and brings justice.
This week, remind yourself of what God has done in your life. Write out things that come to your mind and then go to the Lord in thankfulness and praise!
Psalm 8
As you read through Psalm 8 this week, try to put yourself in David's place. What would bring David to say these things about God? How has David seen God work in his own life? Do we share that view of God? Is He majestic in our eyes?
This is a psalm about the majesty of God. David starts off talking about the name of the Lord. He is LORD, Sovereign, Ruler of everything. David exalts the name of God above all names, and yet He is still a personal God. He cares about His creation.
The Lord's majesty is seen in His creation, the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars and even humanity. Why would you even care about man, David asks? What do we bring to the Lord except our sin and unworthiness?
Verse 5 shows the heart of God towards His creation. He has given man a position and crowned him with glory. Who's glory is it? It is God's glory. But He has also given man a purpose........to rule and have dominion over His creation.
We have a position, a purpose, authority, and glory from the only true God.
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
Take time this week to reflect on the goodness and love of the Lord. Pray that God would give you the heart that David has for God, that we see Him as Majestic!
As you read through Psalm 8 this week, try to put yourself in David's place. What would bring David to say these things about God? How has David seen God work in his own life? Do we share that view of God? Is He majestic in our eyes?
This is a psalm about the majesty of God. David starts off talking about the name of the Lord. He is LORD, Sovereign, Ruler of everything. David exalts the name of God above all names, and yet He is still a personal God. He cares about His creation.
The Lord's majesty is seen in His creation, the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars and even humanity. Why would you even care about man, David asks? What do we bring to the Lord except our sin and unworthiness?
Verse 5 shows the heart of God towards His creation. He has given man a position and crowned him with glory. Who's glory is it? It is God's glory. But He has also given man a purpose........to rule and have dominion over His creation.
We have a position, a purpose, authority, and glory from the only true God.
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
Take time this week to reflect on the goodness and love of the Lord. Pray that God would give you the heart that David has for God, that we see Him as Majestic!