The Book of Psalms:
Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
This psalm, though without a title, may reasonably be thought to be a psalm of David; since the next psalm, which is also without a title, is ascribed to him (Acts 4:25). This is a psalm of instruction concerning good and evil, setting before us life and death, the blessing and the curse, which we may take the right way which leads to happiness and avoid that which will ends in misery and ruin.
The verse that stands out to me today is verse 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. There is simple wisdom in this verse, the more we delight in God's presence, the more fruitful we are. The Hebrew word for delight is chephets, khay'-fets; from Hebrew 2654 (chaphets); pleasure; hence (abstract) desire; concrete a valuable thing. He has an avid hunger for the Word of the Lord because of its value. On the other hand, the more we allow those who ridicule God to affect our thoughts and attitudes, the more we separate ourselves from our source of sustenance. We must have contact with unbelievers if we are to witness to them, but we must not join in or imitate their sinful behavior. Here is the simple truth, if you want despair, spend time with mocking sinners; but if you want God's happiness, make friends with those who love God and his Word.
You and I can learn how to follow God by meditating on his Word (day & night). The word Meditates means "to mumble" or "to speak to oneself" (see Psalm 4:4). Biblical meditation is focusing the mind on Scripture. In other words meditating means spending time reading, speaking, and thinking about what you have read. It also means asking yourself how you should change so you're living as God wants. Knowing and meditating on God's Word are the first steps toward applying it to your everyday life. If you want to follow God more closely, you must know what HE says.
I pray that you would find great delight in knowing how much He loves you.
In Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 2:1-12
Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 "Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion." 7 "I will declare the decree: the Lord has said to Me, You are My Son, today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel. " 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
This psalm is the second in order, as it is called in Acts 13:33 "God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.'" This psalm, like the first, is without a title, but reasonably thought to be a psalm of David; since it is ascribed to him in Acts 4:25 "who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things?" The Messiah is the subject of this psalm as it declares a prophecy concerning Him, His person, office, and kingdom. The whole Psalm also shows us the nature of sin, and the terrible results of it if it could reign.
The verse that stands out to me today is verse 4 "He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision." The fact is our world has many leaders who boast of their power, who rant and rave against God and His people, who promise to take over and form their own empires. The scriptures make it clear "He who sits in the heavens" The truth is God is King of the universe (see Psalm 93). What are the puny kings of the earth compared to Him? God laughs scornfully at an attack on His Son (see Psalm 37:13). The idea of "fighting off" the will of God is truly preposterous. Also God laughs because any power the nations has is allowed by Him, and the truth is He can take it from them anytime He wants.
It is a sad story when people think they will be free if they can get away from God. The truth is we all inevitably serve somebody or something, whether a human king, an organization, or even our own selfish desires. Just as a fish is not free when it leaves the water and a tree is not free when it leaves the soil, we are not free when we leave the Lord. Life is found in Him alone.
Humility, brokenness, and acknowledgment of our dependency upon God will keep us from being laughed at in the end. I pray that you would "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling" and remember that "Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him."
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 3:1-8
A Psalm of David When He Fled from Absalom His Son.
1 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." special rtab Selah3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. special rtab Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; you have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. special rtab Selah
Psalm 3 is known as a lament (mourning) psalm and it is ascribed to David. This is one of the few psalm titles that ties a psalm to a specific incident in his life: the period of David's flight from his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15). The brief poem has four movements: #1 David's opening lament (vs. 1, 2); #2 his strong confession of trust (vs. 3, 4); #3 his determined act of faith (vs. 5, 6); #4 his continuing plea (vs. 7, 8).
The verse that stands out to me today is verse 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. Sleep does not come easily during a trial or crisis. David could have had sleepless nights when his son Absalom rebelled and gathered an army to kill him. But he slept peacefully, even during the rebellion. What made the difference? David cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard him. The reassurance of answered prayer brings peace. It is the sweetest kind of sleep, a gift of God to those who trust Him in the midst of life's most distressing circumstances. The truth is it is easier to sleep well when we have full assurance that God is in control of circumstances. If you are lying awake at night worrying about circumstances you can't change, pour out your heart to God, and thank Him that He is in control. Then sleep will come.
Psalm 127:2 (KJV)
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Praying you know HIS peace.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 4:1-8
To the Chief Musician. With Stringed Instruments. A Psalm of David.
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. 2 How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? special rtab Selah 3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. 4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. special rtab Selah 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. 6 There are many who say, "Who will show us any good?" Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4 is inscribed "to the chief musician", or "conqueror". This is generally understood as the one that presided over the rest of the musicians and singers. It was to be sung in public worship: for the psalms of David were not composed for private use only, but for public service; and were committed into the hands and care of the chief of the singers. David begins the psalm with a short prayer (v. 1). Next he directs his speech to the children of men (v. 2). Then David calls upon them to consider their ways (v.4) and then exhorts them to serve God and trust in him (v. 5). The chapter concludes with David giving an account of his own experiences of the grace of God working in him (vs. 6-8).
The verse that stands out to me today is verse 7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. There are two kinds of gladness or joy contrasted here. The one gladness has to do with pleasant circumstances such as the result of abundant agricultural produce. The other gladness has to do with inward joy that comes from knowing and trusting God. Inward joy is steady as long as we trust God; happiness as a result of pleasant circumstance is unpredictable. Inward joy defeats discouragement; pleasant circumstance can cover it up. Inward joy is lasting; pleasant circumstances are temporary. In other words, the joy God gives transcends the joy of the harvest. Agricultural produce, the result of abundant rain on fertile soil, was a blessing of God on His people. But there is something greater than abundant agricultural produce and that is the joy of God's presence.
I pray that you would experience the gladness of heart that would cause your day to be filled with real joy, peace, and endurance.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 5:1-12
To the Chief Musician. With Flutes. A Psalm of David.
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray. 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. 4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; you hate all workers of iniquity. 6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. 7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. 8 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue. 10 Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against You. 11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. 12 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Psalm 5 is a prayer of David at a time when the psalmist was brought into distress by the cruelty of his enemies.
David begins his earnest prayer in the morning asking God to hear his cry and to deliver him (vs. 1-3). Next David gives an expression of unwavering confidence in God as the protector and the friend of the righteous, and the enemy of all wickedness (vs. 4-6). Then he declares his commitment to keep close to the public worship of God (v. 7). In the remaining verses he prayed for himself, that God would guide him (v. 8); against his enemies, that God would destroy them (vs. 9-10); for all the people of God, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe (vs. 11-12).
The verse that stands out to me today is verse 5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; you hate all workers of iniquity. This is not one of those verses that you will find in someone's scripture promise box, nor is this a verse that many people walk around and quote. However, it is important to see that David is not only expressing his heart but also under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he is expressing the very heart of God. I believe this psalm speaks of final judgment on the wicked. They will not be allowed to stay in His glorious presence. When this scripture say's, "You hate": God's hatred is not merely a feeling, but an action of His will. The phrase "workers of iniquity" occurs often in the psalms to describe those who characteristically practice evil. The truth is God cannot condone or excuse even the smallest sin. Therefore we cannot excuse ourselves for sinning only a little bit. As we grow spiritually, our sensitivity to sin increases.
What is your reaction to sin in your life? Are you insensitive, unconcerned, disappointed, or comfortable? As God makes us aware of sin, we must be intolerant toward it and be willing to change. All believers should strive to be more tolerant of people but less tolerant of the sin in others and in themselves.
I pray that we would learn to love what God loves and hate what God hates.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 6:1-10
To the Chief Musician. With Stringed Instruments. On An Eight-Stringed Harp.
A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord-how long? 4 Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake! 5 For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows old because of all my enemies. 8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.
Psalm 6 is inscribed "To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith." The phrase "upon Sheminith" occurs here for the first time, and modifies the meaning of the title. The word Sheminith - שׁמינית shemîynîyth - means properly "the eighth," and corresponds exactly to our word "octave," the eighth. This Psalm is commonly known as the first of The Penitential Psalms, and certainly its language well describes one who is retentive, for it expresses at once the sorrow (vs. 3, 6, 7), the humiliation (vs. 2, 4), and the hatred of sin (Psa_6:8), which are the unfailing marks of the contrite spirit when it turns to God. We also understand that the Psalmist was in the midst of his enemies, and in great danger on account of them. "Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it grows old because of all my enemies," Psa_6:7. "Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity," (v. 8). "Let all mine enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled" (v. 10). We cannot be mistaken, then, in supposing that this was at some period in the life of David, when his numerous enemies pressed hard upon him and endangered his life.
What stands out to me today is verses 1-3 1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord-how long? It appears in this psalm that David has accepted God's punishment, but he begged God not to discipline him in anger. Jeremiah also asked God to correct him gently and not in anger (Jeremiah 10:24). David recognized that if God treated him with justice alone and not with mercy, he would be wiped out by God's wrath. Often we want God to show mercy to us and justice to everyone else. God in His kindness forgives us instead of giving us what we deserve.
I also realize today how confused and troubled we can become when we forget the difference between authority and responsibility. If we are not careful we can begin usurping God's authority by demanding our rights or expressing offenses to others. The last I checked, our lives are not our own, but we were purchased with a great price (Jesus dying on the cross for our sins). Being offended for God is one thing (however, He can handle HIMSELF), but taking on offenses for your self is plain madness. We are reminded in Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
I believe David is giving us a great example of the difference between demanding authority verses walking in responsibility of brokenness, humility, and with a contrite heart before the Lord, who has ALL authority. It is no wonder David was able to end this great Psalm with the words: The Lord (to whom our complaints and offenses must go) has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.
I pray that you would continue to trust in God, who alone stands above the pressures of daily life and gives us full assurance.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 7:1-17
A Meditation Of David, Which He Sang to the Lord Concerning the Words of Cush, a Benjamite.
1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me, 2 Lest they tear me like a lion, rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O Lord my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands, 4 If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, or have plundered my enemy without cause, 5 Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; yes, let him trample my life to the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. special rtab Selah 6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded! 7 So the congregation of the peoples shall surround You; for their sakes, therefore, return on high. 8 The Lord shall judge the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity within me. 9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. 10 My defense is of God, who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready. 13 He also prepares for Himself instruments of death; He makes His arrows into fiery shafts. 14 Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown. 17 I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 7 is written by David in response to the slanderous accusations of those who claimed he was trying to kill Saul and seize the throne (see 1 Samuel 24:9-11). Instead of taking matters into his own hands and striking back, David cried out to God for justice. The proper response to slander is always prayer, not revenge, because God says, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay" (Romans 12:19; see also Deut. 32:35-36; Hebrews 10:30). More specifically David applies to God for favor (vs. 1-2). Next he appeals to God concerning his innocence to those things which he was accused (vs. 3-5), and then he prays to God to plead his cause and judge for him against his enemies (vs. 6-9). Next he expresses his confidence in God that he would answer and then return the mischief upon the head of those that designed it against him (vs. 10-16). Lastly, David promises to give God the glory of his deliverance (v. 17).
The verse that stands out to me today is verse 9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. In the Hebrew, hearts and minds is literally "hearts and kidneys"-an ancient way of describing the innermost person. This verse reminds me that God "tests (searches) the hearts and minds." In other words, nothing is hidden from God, and this can be either terrifying or comforting because our thoughts are an open book to Him. Because He knows even our motives, we have no place to hide, no way to pretend we can get away with sin. But that very knowledge also gives us great comfort. We don't have to impress God or put up a false front. Instead, we can trust God to help us work through our weaknesses in order to serve Him as He has planned.
In conclusion we can read is this chapter how it voices the age-long cry of God's oppressed people. Every devout heart pants for the day when the reign of evil will be ended and the just will inherit the earth. That day will come when Christ returns to set up His kingdom. In the meantime, the righteous God who knows man's thoughts and motives is the shield or protector of the upright and the righteous judge who is angry with the wicked every day.
I pray that, like this Psalm, no matter what is going on all around you that you can still sing verse 17 I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 8:1-9
To the Chief Musician. On the Instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! 2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen- even the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!
The structure of Psalm 8 is as following: (v. 1) a prologue in praise of God's excellent name; (v. 2) the praise of God from children; (v. 3) the praise of the Creator of humanity; (v. 9) an epilogue in praise of God's excellent name. Portions of this psalm are quoted in the New Testament and applied to Christ (1 Corinthians 15:27; Hebrews 2:6-8). Jesus became human, just a little lower than the heavenly beings (Psalm 8:5), and He will raise all who belong to Him above the heavenly beings when He comes to reign over the new heaven and new earth. Jesus is the only person who perfectly reflects God's image (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:15).
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 8:3-5 " When I consider your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor." To respect God's Excellency, we must compare ourselves to His greatness. When we look at creation, we often feel small by comparison. To feel small can be a healthy way to get back to reality, but God does not want us to dwell on our smallness, but rather His greatness. Humility means proper respect for God, not self-depreciation. When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we wonder how God could be concerned for people who constantly disappoint Him. Yet God created us only a little lower than himself or the angels. Wow!
I pray that the next time you question your worth as a person, you would remember that God considers you highly valuable. We have great worth because we bear the stamp of the Creator (See Genesis 1:26-27). Because God has already declared how valuable we are to Him, we can be set free from feelings of worthlessness.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!
Praising Him,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 9:1-20
To the Chief Musician. To The Tune of "Death of the Son." a Psalm of David.
1 I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence. 4 For You have maintained my right and my cause; you sat on the throne judging in righteousness. 5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 O enemy, destructions are finished forever! And you have destroyed cities; even their memory has perished. 7 But the Lord shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. 8 He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. 9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. 11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. 12 When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. 13 Have mercy on me, O Lord! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death, 14 That I may tell of all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. 16 The Lord is known by the judgment He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. special rtab Selah17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. 19 Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. 20 Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men. special rtab Selah
The title of the psalm 9, which ascribes the song to David, may also indicate the tune to which it was to be sung, "Death of the Son."
Although this psalm is known as a lament, it still presents a triumphant determination to praise God. The structure of this psalm is as follows #1 a determination to praise the Lord (vs. 1, 2); #2 a rehearsal of God's saving deeds (v. 3); #3 a rebuke of God's enemies (v. 6); #4 a statement of confession (vs. 9, 10); #5 an ascription of praise to God (vs. 11, 12); #6 a petition for deliverance by God (v. 13); #7 a vision of the judgment of the wicked (vs. 17, 18); #8 a call for deliverance by God (vs. 19, 20).
The verse that stands out to me today is verse 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. I am encouraged in know that the poor, those who are dependent and helpless, will not always be forgotten - That is, by God. He will rescue and deliver them by destroying their enemies. He will not suffer the wicked always to persecute and oppress the righteous. In due time God will vindicate and deliver the oppressed and down-trodden, and will consign their oppressors to deserved punishment. This is as true now, in regard to all the oppressed and their oppressors, as it was in the time of the psalmist. The world may ignore the troubles of the needy, crushing any earthly hope they may have. But God, the champion of the oppressed, promises that this will not be the case forever. The wicked nations who forget the Lord and refuse to help their people will be judged by God. He knows our needs, He knows our tendency to despair, and He has promised to care for us (see also Psalm 9:9, 12). Even when others forget us, He will remember.
It can be discouraging to continue to do right and receive no word of thanks or see no tangible results. But be encouraged to keep on doing good and to trust God for the results. In due time, those who are poor and humble in spirit, will reap a harvest of blessing.
I pray that you would experience "New Hope" today knowing that God's promises can not fail in the end.
Psalm 145:15 (KJV)
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 10:1-18
1 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble? 2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. 4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. 5 His ways are always prospering; Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; as for all his enemies, he sneers at them. 6 He has said in his heart, "I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity." 7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is trouble and iniquity. 8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. 9 He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor when he draws him into his net. 10 So he crouches, he lies low, that the helpless may fall by his strength. 11 He has said in his heart, "God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see." 12 Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble. 13 Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." 14 But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none. 16 The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land. 17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, 18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more.
Psalm 10 was originally part of Psalm 9. The two are found as one psalm in the Septuagint, which is the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scripture. Psalm 10 reiterates the desire expressed in Psalm 9 that the Lord would deal with the enemies of the psalmist. This psalm reflects a sense of urgency as David pleads for immediate deliverance from his enemies. The structure of Psalm 10 is as follows: #1 an inquiry into the Lord's inaction (vs. 1, 2); #2 a description of the actions of the wicked (v. 3); #3 a renewed call for the Lord to rise in judgment (v. 12, 13); #4 a confession of trust in the Lord's final judgment (v. 14, 15); #5 a proclamation of praise to God who is King (v. 16).
The verse that stands out to me today is verse 1 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble? This reminds me that God can handle our perspective. He knows what we are thinking, how we are processing the situations we face, and how we are reacting to our difficulties. We can't hide from God. "Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" To the psalmist, God seemed far away. But even though the writer had honest doubts, he did not stop praying or conclude that God no longer cared. He was not complaining, but simply asking God to hurry to his aid. It is during those times when we feel most alone or oppressed that we need to keep praying, telling God about our troubles, and allow God to change our perspective with His eternal truth.
But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
I pray that you would be encouraged today knowing that God is your helper.
Keep the faith,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 11:1-7
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 In the Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain"? 2 For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. 5 The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. 6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.
In Psalm 11 the title ascribes the psalm to David. This psalm expresses great trust in the Lord. It is the context of adversity that makes this psalm of trust all the more impressive. This song or poem has three major affirmations: #1 an affirmation of trust in the Lord even during the mocking of the wicked (v. 1); #2 an affirmation of trust in the Lord who reigns above and who will judge the actions of the wicked (v. 4); #3 an affirmation of trust in the Lord because of who He is (v. 7).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 11:5 "The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates." It is clear to me that there are times when the Lord allows trials to come into the life of the righteous as a test. God does not preserve believers from difficult circumstances, but He tests both the righteous and the wicked. For some, God's tests become a refining fire, while for others; they become an incinerator for destruction.
We can't ignore or defy the tests and challenges that come our way. Rather, we need to use them as opportunities for us to grow. Here is an old poem that says it all:
"'Tis my happiness below
Not to live without the cross'
But the Saviour's power to know,
Sanctifying every loss.
Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to his feet -
Lay me low, and keep me there.
Did I meet no trials here -
No chastisement by the way -
Might I not, with reason, fear
I should prove a cast-away!
Bastards may escape the rod,
Sunk in earthly vain delight;
But the true-born child of God
Must not - would not, if he might.'
William Cowper.
Remember, any good teacher, who really loves there students, will give tests to them, not to punish them but rather to help them experience their strengths and weakness so that they can ultimately succeed in life.
I pray that you would be ready for the test and that you would experience the great love your Teacher (Holy Spirit) has for you. And if you fail, humble yourself and ask for extra credit, the Teacher is willing to spend the time needed for you to pass.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 12:1-8
To the Chief Musician. On An Eight-Stringed Harp. A Psalm of David.
1 Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. 2 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, 4 Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?" 5 "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise," says the Lord; "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns." 6 The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever. 8 The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
Psalm 12 is a lamentation of David who is praying for the deliverance of the poor and depressed in a time of universal moral corruption, and more particularly of prevailing faithlessness and boasting. The psalm has five movements or arrangements: #1 a description of the language of the wicked (v. 1, 2); #2 a prayer for God's intervention (vs. 3, 4); #3 the intervention of God to deliver His own (v. 5); #4 a characterization of the language of God (vs. 6, 7); #5 a reminder of the continuing presence of the wicked (v. 8).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 12:5 "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise," says the Lord; "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns."
This is a fresh reminder that God cares for the weak and the needy. The word "needy" here is synonymous with "poor." It refers to those in humble circumstances, who were especially liable to be wronged by deceitful statements and promises. In response to the groan of the poor and needy, the Lord promises to arise and grant them the safety or salvation for which they thirst or yearn for. Here He promises to protect the exploited and confront their oppressors. The truth is we should identify with God's attitude. His work is not done until we care for the needs of the poor. We are His hands extended reaching out to the oppressed. Because the Lord's word and promise is true and unchangeable He will perform it and preserve the poor from this wicked generation (vs. 7,8).
I pray that you would be encouraged today know that in due season the Lord will hear His elect ones, who cry day and night unto him, and though he bear long with their oppressors, yet will he avenge them speedily.
Luke 18:7, 8
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 13:1-6
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him"; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
In Psalm 13 David is pouring out his soul before God. This Psalm consists of three main parts: #1 a lament of the forsaken (v. 1, 2); #2 a petition for deliverance (vs. 3, 4); #3 a confession and a vow of praise (vs. 5, 6).
The verses that stand out to me today is Psalm 13:1-2 "How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?" These two verses present all three pronouns that occur in a typical lament psalm: #1 I am hurting; #2 You have forgotten; #3 they are winning. In this Psalm, the phrase "how long" occurs four times in the first two verses, indicating the depth of David's distress. David is acknowledging that unless the Lord acted quickly to restore, his enemies would soon be boasting that they had defeated him. The Lord allows David to pour out his anxiety before Him. But by the end of David's prayer, the Lord has granted him a correct perspective on his situation. David's only option is to trust in the sovereign mercy of His loving God. This Psalm is like many of our God-sent testings: they begin with a sigh but end with a song! Through prayer we can express our feelings and talk our problems out with God. He helps us regain the right perspective, and this causes us to trust in His mercy and rejoice in His salvation.
I am reminded of the Prophet Habakkuk when he writes:
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-- 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:17-19).
I pray that you would find your self trusting in God's mercy and that your heart would be made to rejoice in His great salvation. Sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with you!
Rejoicing in Hope,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 14:1-7
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 The fool has said in his heart,"There is no God." They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call on the Lord? 5 There they are in great fear, for God is with the generation of the righteous. 6 You shame the counsel of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge. 7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.
Psalm 14 is known as a wisdom psalm and is attributed to David. It speaks of the foolishness of living as if God did not exist. The psalm has three major emphases #1 a description of the pervasiveness of evil (vs.1); #2 an assertion that final judgment is coming (v. 4); #3 a prayer for God's kingdom (v. 7).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 14:3 "They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one." First, it is important to note that David applies these observations to his enemies when he says the evildoers "devour my people as men eat bread" (v.4). David is not thinking of the whole human race, although the description would certainly be true; rather, he is thinking of outright God-deniers in contrast to the righteous. However, we can learn from the Psalms that there is a clear distinction between those who worship God and those who refuse to worship him. David worshiped God, and under his leadership Israel obeyed God and prospered. Several hundred years later, however, Israel forgot God, and it became difficult to distinguish between God's followers and those who worshiped idols. When Isaiah called Israel to repentance, he, like David, spoke of people who had gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). But Isaiah was talking about the Israelites themselves. Paul quoted Psalm 14 in Romans 3:10-12. He made the image of straying sheep even more general, referring to all people. The whole human race?Jew and Gentile alike?has turned away from God.
It is very clear in scripture that no one but God is perfect; all of us stand guilty before him (see Romans 3:23) and need his forgiveness. No matter how well we perform or how much we achieve compared to others, none of us can boast of his or her goodness when compared to God's standard. God not only expects us to obey His guidelines, but He wants us to love Him with all our heart. No one except Jesus Christ has done that perfectly. Because we all fall short we must turn to Christ to save us (Romans 10:9-11). Have you asked Him to save you today? When we pray "Give us this daily bread", we are actually acknowledging that if we don't receive bread (spiritual food daily) we will eventually starve and die.
I pray that you would daily call upon the LORD so as to acknowledge your dependency on upon HIS provision.
Matthew 4:4 (KJV)
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 15:1-5
A Psalm of David.
1 Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
Psalm 15 is a psalm of David and has its focus on the proper approach to the worship of God. The psalm asks the question, Who is righteous enough to approach God? Certainly no one is except Jesus, the Messiah. We who are in Christ learn to come boldly into the presence of the Father because we come on the authority of His Son (Heb. 4:16). This psalm has a question-and-answer format. There are three movements: #1 the question of who may approach the holy God (v. 1); #2 the response (v. 2); #3 the blessing (v. 5).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 5:2 "He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart" It is clear from this verse that Children of God are called to walk with integrity. The man of integrity is a man of moral soundness. He is complete, well-rounded, and balanced. Next, the child of God does what is right. He is careful to maintain a conscience that is void of offense. He wants to walk in a way that is pleasing to his Father. Lastly, the child of God tells the truth from his heart. He would rather die than lie. His word is his bond. His yes means yes and his no means no. The truth is words are powerful, and how you use them reflects on our relationship with God. Perhaps nothing so identifies the child of God as their ability to control their speech?speaking the truth, refusing to slander, and keeping promises.
He who walks uprightly speaks of relative righteousness, not absolute righteousness, for no one is innocent before God. The Lord commands us to be holy:
1 Peter 1:15, 16
"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy.""
And He also gives us the power to become holy:
2 Thess. 2:16, 17
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
I pray that our standards for living would not come from our evil society, but from God. Keep walking, doing, and speaking what is pleasing to the LORD.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 16:1-12
A Michtam of David.
1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You." 3 As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take up their names on my lips. 5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16 is a lament psalm. It has a remarkable prophetic aspect that parallels many of the messianic prophecies concerning the Suffering Servant (Is. 53). This song of David became central in the preaching of the apostles in the early church (Acts 2:22). The psalm has four major parts: #1 a petition to God for deliverance (v. 1); #2 a condemnation of the wicked and their practices (v. 4); #3 an exaltation of the psalmist's relationship with God (v. 5); #4 a confident declaration that God will spare the psalmist's life and bless it (v. 9).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 16:8 "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." This psalm is often called a Messianic psalm because it is quoted in the New Testament as referring to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both Peter and Paul quoted from this psalm when speaking of Christ's bodily resurrection (see Acts 2:25-28, 31; Acts 13:35-37). Because Jesus is our model we can learn so much from His example. Jesus totally submitted Himself to the will of the Father. We too need to learn to acknowledge the LORD in all our ways. It is human nature to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. Instead, we should seek God's will first. By constantly thinking about the Lord and His way of living, we will gain insights that will help us make right decisions and live the way God desires. Communicating with God allows Him to counsel us and give us wisdom.
By saying that he "will not be shaken," David was talking about the unique sense of security felt by believers. God does not exempt believers from the day-to-day circumstances of life. Believers and unbelievers alike experience pain, trouble, and failure at times (Matthew 5:45). Unbelievers have a sense of hopelessness about life and confusion over their true purpose on earth. Those who seek God, however, can move ahead confidently with what they know is right and important in God's eyes. They know that God will keep them from being moved off of His chosen purposes.
I pray that you would always set the Lord before you:
Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 17:1-15
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord, attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. 2 Let my vindication come from Your presence; let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. 3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip. 6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. 7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 9 From the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They have closed up their fat hearts; with their mouths they speak proudly. 11 They have now surrounded us in our steps; they have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, 12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey, and like a young lion lurking in secret places. 13 Arise, O Lord, confront him, cast him down; deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword, 14 With Your hand from men, O Lord, from men of the world who have their portion in this life, and whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, and leave the rest of their possession for their babes. 15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
Psalm 17 is ascribed to David. At times, David suffers under the heavy hand of God's anger because of unconfessed sin in his life. But there are other occasions where he insists that his present troubles are not caused by any fault in his life. In such a case, he calls upon God to vindicate him. This prayer of David has six movements: #1 a plea for vindication (vs. 1, 2); #2 an acknowledgment of God's testing (v. 3); #3 a plea for God's mercy (v. 6); #4 a description of the wicked (v. 10); #5 a renewed plea for vindication (vs. 13, 14); #6 a statement of resolute faith (v. 15).
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 17:2-3 "Let my vindication come from Your presence; let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. 3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress." One thing that is important to establish is that David is not saying that he is sinless but rather by protesting his innocence, he hopes to convince God to move on his behalf and deliver him from his troubles. David's claim was an understanding of his relationship with God. In Psalm 32 and Psalm 51, David freely acknowledged his own sins. Nevertheless, his relationship with God was one of close fellowship and constant repentance and forgiveness. He asks for God to search him thoroughly and to declare his vindication, often translated "justice" or "judgment." He also acknowledges that God has "tested my heart:" David knows that God has done what he is requesting even before he asks. That is, God knew David's needs and what was in his heart. David's prayer helps him to focus on the source of his strength and reaffirm his determination to live a pure life. David's claim to "have found nothing", therefore, was based on his continual seeking after God.
I pray that you would experience the peace and comfort that comes from knowing HE has heard your CRY.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 18:1-50
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David The Servant of the Lord, Who Spoke to the Lord The Words of This Song on the Day that the Lord Delivered Him from the Hand of All His Enemies and from the Hand of Saul. And He Said:
1 I will love You, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. 4 The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, because He was angry. 8 Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down with darkness under His feet. 10 And He rode upon a cherub, and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 From the brightness before Him, His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire. 13 The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire. 14 He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe, lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them. 15 Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were uncovered at Your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. 16 He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. 19 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. 20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all His judgments were before me, and I did not put away His statutes from me. 23 I was also blameless before Him, and I kept myself from my iniquity. 24 Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. 25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 27 For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks. 28 For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. 30 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 31 For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. 34 He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. 36 You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. 38 I have wounded them, so that they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet. 39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. 40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, so that I destroyed those who hated me. 41 They cried out, but there was none to save; even to the Lord, but He did not answer them. 42 Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind; I cast them out like dirt in the streets. 43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; You have made me the head of the nations; a people I have not known shall serve me. 44 As soon as they hear of me they obey me; the foreigners submit to me. 45 The foreigners fade away, and come frightened from their hideouts. 46 The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me; 48 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name. 50 Great deliverance He gives to His king, and shows mercy to His anointed, to David and his descendants forevermore.
Psalm 18 is attributed to David. The superscription indicates that this psalm was David's hymn of celebration for God's deliverance. This psalm is almost a duplicate of 2 Samuel 22. It may have been written toward the end of David's life when there was peace. God is praised for his glorious works and blessings through the years. The lengthy poem has six major movements: #1 a statement of faith and a description of deliverance (v. 1); #2 a poetic description of God's battle for David's deliverance (v. 7); #3 a recital of the blessings of God on the righteous (v. 20); #4 an offering of praise to the person of the Lord (v. 28); #5 a recounting of battles and victories in the Lord (v. 37); #6 concluding praise for God's work of deliverance (v. 46).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. David characterized God's care for him with five military symbols. God is like #1 a rock that can't be moved by any who would harm us, #2 a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can't follow, #3 a shield that comes between us and harm, #4 a horn of salvation, a symbol of might and power, (5) a stronghold high above our enemies where we are protected from the enemy. References to God as a mountain fortress that protects the believer are found many times in the Psalms (91:1; 144:1). This is a particularly suitable image for David, who many times had to hide in the mountains for security (see 1 Sam. 26:1, 20). In other words, if you need protection, look to God.
God knows what you and I will face today and He has what we need to endure to the end. I pray that you would walk in faith and victory today knowing that God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory. Let Him fight your battles for you because He will always win in the end.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 19:1-14
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. 6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19 is a psalm of David that celebrates the Word of God in the context of creation. It is known as both a creation psalm and a Torah psalm. Both the creation psalms and the Torah psalms are regarded as subgroups of the wisdom psalms. The song begins with the heavens, centers on the Word, and culminates in the heart of the servant of God. The poem has three major movements: #1 a celebration of the greatness of God's creation. As God reveals himself through nature (Psalm 19:1-6), we learn about His power and our limited power; #2 a celebration of the purity of the Word of God. As God reveals himself through Scripture (Psalm 19:7-11), we learn about his holiness and our sinfulness; #3 a reflection of the person of God. As God reveals himself through daily experiences (Psalm 19:12-14), we learn about His gracious forgiveness and our salvation.
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 19:14 " Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."
In this verse David is lifting his parting prayer for his words and meditation to be acceptable in the sight of the Lord, his strength (lit. "Rock") and his Redeemer. When God is referred to as a rock, the figure is designed to express strength, security and salvation. As our Redeemer, God in Christ is the One who buys us back from sin, servitude, and shame.
Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought that comes from you would be examined by God first? David asks that God approve his words and thoughts as though they were offerings brought to the Lord. As we begin each day, we need to determine that God's love will guide what we say and how we think. The key is that we take time to meditate on His word day and night.
Joshua 1:8 (KJV)
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Many people think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But the strategy for gaining prosperity that we learn from God's Word goes against such ambition. To be successful, we need to continue to follow God's Word day and night. We may not succeed by the world's standards, but we will be a success in God's eyes?and His opinion lasts forever.
I pray that the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart would be acceptable in the sight of your creator, who is your strength and redeemer.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 20:1-9
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion; 3 May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. special rtab Selah4 May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose. 5 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. 9 Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.
Psalm 20 is known to be a royal psalm; some have referred this to be a National Anthem fitted to be sung at the outbreak of war. This psalm of trust is ascribed to David. The tone of the psalm is one of blessing, such as a king might bestow on his people, perhaps on the eve of battle. The brief song has three movements: #1 God's blessing in battle (v. 1); #2 the assurance of God's deliverance (v. 6); #3 an assertion of faith in God the King (v. 7).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 20:7 "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." As long as there have been armies and weapons, nations have boasted of their power, but such power does not last. Throughout history, empires and kingdoms have risen to great power only to be defeated by an enemy they did not expect. David, however, knew that the true might of his nation was not in weaponry but in worship; not in firepower but in God's power; not in strength of oneself but in trust in God's daily bread. Simply put, the wise will trust in God because the battle belongs to Him. Because God alone can preserve a nation or an individual, we need to be sure that our confidence is in God, who gives eternal victory. Whom do you trust?
I pray for our nation today (The United States of America), that we would not put our trust in chariots and horses (Marines, Navy, Army, Air force, etc.), but that our HOPE and TRUST would always be in the LORD GOD ALMIGHY. Our currency still say's "In God We Trust". I realize some could say "What GOD is that?" but I choose to believe there is still HOPE for a nation that acknowledges dependency on its Creator. Save, Lord! May the King (King Jesus the Messiah) answer us when we call.
Romans 10:12-13 (KJV)
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 21:1-13
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. special rtab Selah 3 For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. 4 He asked life from You, and You gave it to him- length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great in Your salvation; honor and majesty You have placed upon him. 6 For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. 8 Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You. 9 You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; the Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them. 10 Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth, and their descendants from among the sons of men. 11 For they intended evil against You; they devised a plot which they are not able to perform. 12 Therefore You will make them turn their back; You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces. 13 Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.
Psalm 21 is referred to as a royal psalm of David. It is a prayer of assurance of God's blessing on the king. This is the people's song of triumph, after the victory for which they prayed in the former Psalm. The Psalm speaks ultimately of the great King to come, the Lord Jesus. Psalm 21 is known to have four movements: #1 a declaration of praise to God by the king (v. 1, 2); #2 a review of God's blessing on the king (v. 3); #3 an expectation of the final destruction of all enemies of the king (v. 8); #4 a renewed commitment by the people to praise God (v. 13).
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 21:1-2 " The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips." An ancient king would tend to find joy in his own strength and power. But a wise king would find pleasure in the Almighty, for all power comes from Him. What is so beautiful to me is that David described all that he had as gifts from God: "the desire of his heart," rich blessings, a crown of pure gold, long life, splendor and majesty, eternal blessings, joy. We too must look upon all we have?position, family, wealth, talent?as gifts from God. Only then will we use them to give glory back to Him. The more I live the more I realize how much the LORD has done for us. I gladly echo the words of the Psalmist when he said, Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.
I pray that the Lord would give you the desires of your heart as they are derived from a fundamental desire for God's honor and glory.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 22:1-31
To the Chief Musician. Set to "The Deer of the Dawn." a Psalm of David.
1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? 2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. 7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 "He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!" 9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. 10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God. 11 Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have surrounded Me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. 13 They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. 19 But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! 20 Deliver Me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. 21 Save Me from the lion's mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. 22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him, He heard. 25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him. 26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever! 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. 28 For the kingdom is the Lord's, and He rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth shall eat and worship; all those who go down to the dust shall bow before Him, even he who cannot keep himself alive. 30 A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, 31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this.
Psalm 22 is known as lament psalm that concludes as a triumphant psalm of praise for God's deliverance. Although this psalm speaks of David's own distress and the Lord's deliverance of him, it also prophetically describes in remarkable detail Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection This lengthy poem has two main sections: #1 a description of the agony of impending death-an interplay of lament, confession, and petition (v. 1); #2 an ecstatic celebration of great victory-a series of vows to praise God in the congregation (v. 22).
David was obviously enduring some great trial, but through his suffering he gained victory. The Psalmist gave an amazingly accurate description of the suffering the Messiah would endure hundreds of years later. Jesus, the Messiah, quoted this verse while hanging on the cross carrying our burden of sin (Matthew 27:46). It was not a cry of doubt, but an urgent appeal to God.
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 22:30-31 "A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, 31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this." There is a simple principle that we need to see in these verses. The truth is, unborn generations are depending on our faithfulness today. As we teach our children about the Lord, so they will teach their children and their children's children. If we fail to tell our children about the Lord, we fail to bring God's influence in generations to come. We must view our children and all the young people we meet as God's future leaders. If we are faithful in opportunities today, we may well be affecting the future. If we want our children to serve the Lord, they must hear about Him from us.
I pray that you would be found faithful to declare His righteousness to a people who will be born. Remember, what you do today can affect your tomorrows. Keeping sowing good seed!
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 23:1-6
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23 is known to be a Psalm of Trust. The Psalm also speaks prophetically of Jesus as the Great Shepherd who rules, guides, feeds, and protects them; and His sheep will follow, obey, love, and trust Him. He is the Good Shepherd whose flock trusts in Him (John 10) and the King whose perfect rule will be established (Luke 23:2, 3; Rev. 17:14). The psalm is known to have two movements: #1 a description of the Lord as Shepherd caring for the psalmist's every need (v. 1); #2 a description of the Lord as Shepherd extending His mercy to all (vs. 5, 6).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." The word pictures David uses "The Lord is my shepherd", comes from his own life and experience. He spent his early years caring for sheep (1 Samuel 16:10-11, 19). Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. The New Testament calls Jesus the good shepherd (John 10:11); the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). As the Lord is the good shepherd, so we are His sheep?not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us in the right places and in right ways. It is know wonder that if the Lord is our shepherd, we "shall not want." In other words, when we allow God our shepherd to guide us, we have contentment. Do you have contentment today?
I pray that you would recognize the Good Shepherd today and follow Him!
Hopeful,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 24:1-10
A Psalm of David.
1 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters. 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face. special rtab Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. special rtab Selah
Psalm 24 is a Psalm of David that describes the Lord's entrance into the holy city. It may have been sung when David brought the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Odededom to the city of David, Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:15). Tradition says that this psalm was sung on the first day of each week in the temple services. Psalm 24:1-6 tell who is worthy to join in such a celebration of worship. This psalm is often linked with Ps. 22; 23, for all three psalms speak prophetically of the Lord Jesus. The psalm has three movements: #1 praise to God the Creator and Sovereign of the world (vs. 1, 2); #2 an inquiry concerning the appropriate approach to the Lord (v. 3); #3 an anticipation of the King of glory (v. 7).
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." Wow! What a picture we have in this verse. God's rule extends to all those who dwell in the earth, even those who do not acknowledge His power. Think for a minute of how many people have abandoned relationships and declared "I will have nothing to do with you!" I know of many children who have abandoned their parents, parents who have abandoned their children, siblings who have cut off relationship. The truth is, the facts remain the same - blood makes us a match with our family whether we keep the relationship or not. In today's society we have many clamming to be Atheist. The facts remain the same however, "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." It belongs to Him in a sense somewhat similar to our right of property and anything that is the production of our hands, or of our labor or skill. We claim it as our own. We feel that we have a right to use it, or to dispose of it, as we choose. No other person has a right to take it from us, or to dictate to us how we shall use it. Accordingly, God, in the highest possible sense, has a right to the earth, and to all which it produces, as being the creation and fruit of His hands. He has a right to dispose of it as He pleases; by fire, or flood, or storm; and He has an equal right to direct man in what way He so desires.
I pray that you would stay close to your Creator and give HIM praise. Remember only those who hear the call and stay close to the LORD can benefit from the relationship. God has many benefits for you today, don't let anything stand in the way of receiving all that He has for you.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 25:1- 22
A Psalm of David.
1 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. 3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness' sake, O Lord. 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. 9 The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. 11 For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. 12 Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. 13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. 15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distresses! 18 Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all their troubles!
Psalm 25 is unique in that it contains elements of being both a lament psalm and a penitential psalm. The psalm is also an acrostic, in which you have one poetic line for each successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The structure of the psalm is as follows: #1 an introductory appeal that David will not be ashamed before his enemies (v. 1); #2 a call for God to forgive David (v. 4); #3 a focus on the character of God (v. 8); #4 a renewed call for God to forgive David (v. 11); #5 a concluding appeal that David will not be ashamed before his enemies (v. 19); #6 a concluding prayer for Israel (v. 22).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 25:14 "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant." The Hebrew word for "secret" is cowd, sode; from Hebrew 3245 (yacad); a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication intimacy, consultation, a secret :- assembly, counsel, inward, secret (counsel). The word "friendship" would perhaps express the meaning here. The sense is, that those who fear the Lord are admitted to the intimacy of friendship with Him; are permitted to come into His presence, and to partake of His counsels; are allowed free access to Him; or, as it is more commonly expressed, have "fellowship" with Him. Compare 1John 1:3 "that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." The language is such as would be applied to the intimacy of friends, or to those who take counsel together. "The LORD confides in those who fear Him." God offers intimate and lasting friendship to those who revere Him, who hold Him in highest honor. What relationship could ever compare with having the Lord of all creation for a friend? Your everlasting friendship with God will grow as you revere Him. It was to Daniel, "a man greatly beloved," that God revealed the wonderful visions of Gentile governments superseded by the final kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And it was to John, the disciple who leaned on Jesus' bosom, that the glorious revelation of Patmos was given.
I pray that you would know the friendship of the LORD, so that He may reveal His wonderful love and comfort to you today.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 26:1-12
A Psalm of David.
1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart. 3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. 4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, nor will I go in with hypocrites. 5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash my hands in innocence; so I will go about Your altar, O Lord, 7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works. 8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. 9 Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 In whose hands is a sinister scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations I will bless the Lord.
Psalm 26 is known as a lament psalm in which there is a protest of innocence. The occasion of this psalm is believed to be during the quarrel between Saul and David. The structure of the Psalm is as follows: #1 a prayer for vindication (vs. 1, 2); #2 an assertion of integrity (v. 3); #3 a vow of praise (v. 6); #4 a prayer for discrimination (vs. 9, 10); #5 an assertion of integrity (vs. 11, 12).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 26:1 "Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip" First, it needs to be understood that by saying that he was "blameless," David was not claiming to be sinless?that is impossible for any human being to achieve (see Romans 3:23). The Hebrew word for vindicate usually means "to judge"; however, here it means "to declare righteous." my integrity: This is the prayer of a forgiven sinner who is living in the fear of God but whose life has been plagued by undeserved evil. David is a great example to us of one who was consistently in fellowship with God, and who was clearing his record when he sinned by asking for forgiveness. In this psalm David pleads with God to clear his name of the false charges made against him by his enemies. We also can ask God to examine us, trusting him to forgive our sins and clear our record according to his mercy. It is so important that we see the value of going to God for vindication and not trying to accomplish it in the flesh. Don't waste precious time worrying over what others are saying about you when the ONE you are called to serve FIRST is ready to hear your cry. This is the ONLY way you can have confidence (trust) that you will not slip (get wounded beyond repair).
I am praying that you learn how to lean on HIS everlasting ARMS.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 27:1-14
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek." 9 Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27 is a psalm of David that emphasizes trust and confidence in God. The occasion of the psalm is not easily identified. Many scholars have debated when in David's life this psalm was written but the results have been inconclusive. The psalm has six movements: #1 a determination not to fear enemies because of God's presence (v. 1); #2 a desire to live in the presence of the Lord (vs. 4, 5); #3 an affirmation of praise in God (v. 6); #5 a prayer for God's continuing presence (v. 7); #5 a prayer for continuing trust in the midst of a life of stress (v. 11); #6 a word of instruction (v. 14).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" The Hebrew word for "Wait" is qavah, kaw-vaw'; It is a primitive root; that means to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figurtaive) to expect :- gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). David knew from experience what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed king at age 16, but didn't become king until he was 30. During the interim, he was chased through the desert by jealous King Saul, who wanted to kill him. David had to wait on God for the fulfillment of his promise to reign as king. Later, after becoming king, he was chased by his rebellious son, Absalom, who wanted to kill him. David learn to look to the LORD with expectation because he knew that God was his only answer.
Waiting for God is not easy. Often it seems that God isn't answering our prayers or doesn't understand the urgency of our situation. That kind of thinking however implies that God is not in control or is not fair. But God is worth waiting for. Lamentations 3:24-26 calls us to hope in and wait for the Lord because often God uses waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us. Make good use of your waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to teach you in the process. And remember in the waiting what we are admonished to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "in everything give thanks for this is the will God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I pray that you would be passionate about God's presence as David was when he prayed: One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 28:1-9
A Psalm of David.
1 To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: Do not be silent to me, lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. 3 Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts. 4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve. 5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up. 6 Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. 8 The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed. 9 Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them also, and bear them up forever.
Psalm 28 is known as a lament psalm. It includes a prayer against David's enemies and a royal prayer of praise to the Lord. The psalm has four movements: #1 an appeal to God that He not be silent (vs. 1, 2); #2 a petition to be distinguished from the wicked and their deserved punishment (v. 3); #3 a blessing of the Lord for His work in the psalmist's life (vs. 6, 7); #4 praise for the Lord who delivers His anointed and His people (vs. 8, 9).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 28:3 "Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts."
David, in his leadership position, may have met many who pretended friendship only to meet their own ambitions. David knew that God would punish them eventually, but he prayed that their punishment would come swiftly. The language here is similar to that of Paul in Romans 1:18. One day even the wicked will have to acknowledge God as their Creator and give Him the glory He deserves.
We need to be reminded that it's easy to pretend friendship. Wicked people often put on a show of kindness or friendship in order to gain their own ends. True believers should be straightforward and sincere in all their relationships. To all the young people out there....Be on Guard!
2 Timothy 3:13-15
"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 29:1-11
A Psalm of David.
1 Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, and strips the forests bare; and in His temple everyone says, "Glory!" 10 The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever. 11 The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 29 is known as a worship psalm. The Psalm is meant to express the glory of God as heard in the "voice of the Lord". David exhorts the "mighty ones" to give glory to God because of His great power and protection for the people. The psalm has three movements: #1 a call to the angels and all people to acknowledge the supremacy of God (vs. 1, 2); #2 a description of the living God as Lord over storms (v. 3); #3 a blessing from God, who is enthroned as King on high, to His people (vs. 10, 11).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 29:11 "The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace." The Hebrew word for "strength" is `oz, (oze); or (fully) owz, oze; from Hebrew 5810 (`azaz); strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise):- boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong. The Hebrew word for "peace" is shalowm, (shaw-lome'); or shalom, shaw-lome'; from Hebrew 7999 (shalam); safe, i.e. (figurative) well, happy, friendly; also (abstract) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace. David is encouraging the people of God that the LORD will give strength and peace to those who worship Him. Why do we worship the LORD? This psalm gives us one of those reasons. "Give unto the LORD Glory and Strength". Our God has all and is worship of all Glory and Strength! We worship HIM because of HIS glory and strength. Throughout history, God has revealed His power through mighty miracles over nature. He promises to continue to reveal His power. Paul urged us to understand how great God's power is:
Ephesians 1:18-23
"the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
When you feel weak and limited, don't despair. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to help us with our daily problems.
I pray that you would give God the glory due His name, and worship the LORD in the beauty of His holiness.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
March 3, 2009
Psalm 30:1-12
A Psalm. A Song At the Dedication of the House of David.
1 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. 3 O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. 6 Now in my prosperity I said, "I shall never be moved." 7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. 8 I cried out to You, O Lord; and to the Lord I made supplication: 9 "What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? 10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!" 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalm 30 is the first time that a psalm is called a song; some psalms are called by one name, some by another, and some by both. A psalm was sung upon musical instruments, a song with the voice; it may be this psalm was sung both ways: the occasion of it was the dedication of David's house: The psalm has five movements: #1 a determination to praise the Lord (v. 1); #2 a report of deliverance (vs. 2, 3); #3 a call for others to join in the praise of the Lord (vs. 4, 5); #4 a report of the psalmist's mortal illness (v. 6); #5 a presentation of the psalmist's praise to the Lord (vs. 11, 12).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 30:12 "To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." This verse states the purpose which David now saw that God intended to accomplish by His dealings with him in the varied scenes of his past life; and his own purpose now as he entered his new dwelling. "The purpose of God," in all these various dealings - in the prosperity which had come to him (vs. 6-7); in the testing's and trials by sickness or otherwise which had come upon him (vs. 3, 7); and in the deliverance which God had granted him in answer to his prayers (vs. 2-3, 10-11) was, that he should learn to praise the Lord. "His own purpose" now, as he entered his new habitation and dedicated it to God, was, to praise God forever. David says, in effect, "I can never forget what the Lord has done for me, and I'll never cease to praise Him for it."
I pray that you would come to the same conclusion in your life. No matter what you have faced or are going through at the present time, you can be assured of this one thing: you were created to give HIM praise.
Ephesians 1:11-14
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Rev. 4:11 (KJV)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Singing HIS Praises,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 31:1-24
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. 6 I have hated those who regard useless idols; but I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, or You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, 8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place. 9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body! 10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. 11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and am repulsive to my acquaintances; those who see me outside flee from me. 12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the slander of many; fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life. 14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies' sake. 17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; let the wicked be ashamed; let them be silent in the grave. 18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. 19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the Lord, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! 22 For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You. 23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. 24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31 is known as both a lament psalm and a psalm of trust. It is a mixture of prayers, and praises, and professions of confidence in God. There are two major sections: #1 the presentation of lament in the context of trust (v. 1); #2 the presentation of praise in the context of lament (v. 19).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 31:5 "Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." David's words, "Into your hands I commit my spirit," convey his complete trust in God. Jesus used this phrase as he was dying on the cross?showing His absolute dependence on God the Father (Luke 23:46). Stephen repeated these words as he was being stoned to death (Acts 7:59), confident that in death he was simply passing from God's earthly care to God's eternal care.
The greatest character that you and I can possess is one of trust and faith in God's promises. We need to commit our possessions, our families, and our vocations to God. But first and foremost, we should place our trust completely in Him.
I pray that like David you would express a complete dependence on God, understanding that your life is in God's hands to do with as He pleases.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 32:1-11
A Psalm of David. A Contemplation.
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. special rtab Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. special rtab Selah 6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. 7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. special rtab Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
In Psalm 32 David expresses the joy of forgiveness. This is another of the penitential (repentance) psalms where the writer confesses his sin to God. It is generally believed that this psalm-like Ps. 51-has its origin in David's response to God following his affair with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). The structure of this psalm is as follows: #1 a description of blessing (vs. 1, 2); #2 a report of David's agony before he confessed his sins (v. 3); #3 a lesson to others based on David's experience with the Lord (vs. 6, 7); #4 an oracle from the Lord on righteous living (vs. 8, 9); #5 concluding praise to the Lord for His mercy (vs. 10, 11).
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 32:1-2 "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit." David starts the Psalm with the word "Blessed" which means "to be happy." It is appropriate that this term is used to describe the person that experiences forgiveness of sin. God wants to forgive sinners. Forgiveness has always been part of His loving nature. He announced this to Moses (Exodus 34:7); He revealed it to David; and he dramatically showed it to the world through Jesus Christ. These verses convey several aspects of God's forgiveness: forgives transgression, covers sin, doesn't count our sins against us. Paul quoted these verses in Romans 4:7-8 and showed that we can have this joyous experience of forgiveness through faith in Christ.
I pray that you would find yourself rejoicing today knowing that God has shown us that He is willing to forgive because His judgment on sin was satisfied by Christ's death on the cross.
Ephes. 1:7 (KJV)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Col. 1:14 (KJV)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 33:1-22
1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. 2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. 4 For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. 13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. 16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. 22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.
Psalm 33 is known as a Psalm of praise that calls for all people to join Israel's faithful in praising God and waiting on the Lord. This is one of the few anonymous psalms in Book I (others: Ps. 1; 2; 10). The structure is as follows: #1 a call for the righteous to praise God, in view of His righteous acts in creation (v. 1); #2 a call for the nations to praise God, in view of His sovereign work in creation (v. 8); #3 a call for the people to praise God, in view of His care of creation (v. 13); #4 a concluding affirmation of confidence in God (v. 20).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 33:4 "For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth"
All His works are done in truth: This is seen in creation- "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease." (Gen. 8:22). It is seen in providence. "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). And it is seen in redemption-"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). The Hebrew word for truth is translated 'emuwnah, em-oo-naw'; or (shortened) 'emunah, em-oo-naw'; feminine of Hebrew 529 ('emuwn); literal firmness; figurative security; moral fidelity :- faith (-ful, -ly, -ness, [man]), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily. Because God's words are right and true, they can be trusted. The Bible is trustworthy because, unlike people, God does not lie, forget, change His words, or leave His promises unfulfilled. We can trust the Bible because it contains the words of a holy, faithful, and unchangeable God.
I pray that you would put your trust and confidence in the LORD today. Don't let the words of Politicians, Commentators, and TV Personals distract you from the peace that assures you that "....the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth"
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 34:1-22
A Psalm of David When He Pretended Madness Before Abimelech, Who Drove Him Away, and He Departed.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Psalm 34 is known as a wisdom and praise psalm. It is written in the form of an acrostic, with one verse for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The title of the psalm ascribes it to David and specifies that it was written to commemorate his escape from Abimelech the king of Gath (1 Sam. 21:10). The structure of the psalm is as follows: #1 a call for the congregation to join the psalmist in praise (v. 1); #2 a declaration concerning the psalmist's deliverance from trouble (v. 4); #3 instruction about the fear of the Lord (v. 8); #4 a declaration of praise to the Lord (v. 15).
This Psalm is so powerful to me today it is difficult to isolate on one or two verses. For example Psalm 34 reminds me how God promises great blessings to His people, but many of these blessings require our active involvement. He will deliver us from fear (Psalm 34:4), save us out of our troubles (Psalm 34:6), guard and deliver us (Psalm 34:7), show us goodness (Psalm 34:8), supply our needs (Psalm 34:9), listen when we talk to him (Psalm 34:15), and redeem us (Psalm 34:22), but we must do our part. We can appropriate His blessings when we seek Him (Psalm 34:4, 10), cry out to Him (Psalm 34:6, 17), trust Him (Psalm 34:8), fear Him (Psalm 34:7, 9), refrain from lying (Psalm 34:13), turn from evil, do good and seek peace (Psalm 34:14), are humble (Psalm 34:18), and serve Him (Psalm 34:22).
If I had to focus on one verse however, it would be Psalm 34:8 "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" In other words, "Try this; I know you'll like it." When we take that first step of trusting in God's Word and following God in obedience, we cannot help discovering that He is good and kind. The central biblical mandate for the Israelite in the Old Testament is found in the words taste and see. In other words the task of Israel was to attract the nations to their God. For their faithfulness to Him, God had promised to bless them abundantly, and when the nations saw this blessing they would see that the living God was with them. Despite the antichrist spirit in our age, and the hatred of Jews and Christians today, we will see that this verse still stands strong for Israel and the Church of Jesus Christ.
I pray that you would join with the Psalmist in giving God praise continually, and may your boast in HIM cause others to know God's wonderful love and goodness.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 35:1-28
A Psalm of David.
1 Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. 2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. 3 Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." 4 Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my life; let those be turned back and brought to confusion who plot my hurt. 5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, and let the angel of the Lord chase them. 6 Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord pursue them. 7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, which they have dug without cause for my life. 8 Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, and let his net that he has hidden catch himself; into that very destruction let him fall. 9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation. 10 All my bones shall say, "Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?" 11 Fierce witnesses rise up; they ask me things that I do not know. 12 They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart. 14 I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother. 15 But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together; attackers gathered against me, and I did not know it; they tore at me and did not cease; 16 With ungodly mockers at feasts they gnashed at me with their teeth. 17 Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, my precious life from the lions. 18 I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people. 19 Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause. 20 For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful matters against the quiet ones in the land. 21 They also opened their mouth wide against me, and said, "Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it." 22 This You have seen, O Lord; do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me. 23 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, to my cause, my God and my Lord. 24 Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. 25 Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." 26 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who exalt themselves against me. 27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, "let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." 28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.
Psalm 35 is known as a lament psalm as David protests his innocence. Most likely it was written when David was persecuted by Saul; and when many false charges were brought against him. There is a passage in it, Psalm 35:19, which Jesus seems to refer to and apply to himself, John 15:25. The structure of the psalm is as follows: #1 an appeal to God the Warrior and Judge to plead the psalmist's cause (v. 1); #2 a series of petitions for God to dishonor His enemies, deliver His servant, and glorify Himself (v. 4); #3 a second series of petitions and promises (v. 11); #4 a third series of petitions and promises (v. 19).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 35:1 "Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me." David has been wrongly attacked, so he prays that God will deliver him from these assaults. "Plead my cause" is the classic protest of innocence (See also Ps. 17; 26; 43; 69). David has been wrongly attacked, so he prays that God will deliver him from these assaults. He cries out to God to defend him when people wrongly accused him. This is a great example for us. If we are unjustly accused, our natural reaction may be to lash out in revenge or to give a detailed defense of our every move. Instead, we need to ask God to fight the battle for us. He will clear our name in the eyes of those who really matter. James 1:19 can also give us some good insight on how to react to those who attack us: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
I pray that the Lord would fight your battles today. Continue to yield to HIS plans and purposes today and you will know the strength that is needed to make it through.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 36:1-12
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the Servant of the Lord.
1 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, when he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. 3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. 4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil. 5 Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast. 7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. 9 For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. 10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart. 11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. 12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen; they have been cast down and are not able to rise.
Psalm 36 is known as a wisdom psalm that gives a revelation of the nature of sin and an exaltation of God's unfailing love. It is believed that this psalm was penned during the persecution of either Saul or Absalom. Most likely it was penned on account of Absalom's rebellion. The structure is as follows: #1 a revelation of the nature of sin (v. 1); #2 praises to God, centering on His loyal love (v. 5); #3 a prayer for God to continue His loyal love to His people even in the context of His final judgment (v. 10).
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 36:5-8 "Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast. 7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures." David makes it clear in this passage that in contrast to evil people and their wicked plots that end in failure, God is faithful, righteous, and just. His love reaches to the heavens; His faithfulness reaches to the skies; His righteousness is as solid as mighty mountains; and His judgments are as full of wisdom as the oceans with water "the great deep".
I pray that this passage would encourage you today knowing that you need not fear evil people because you know God loves you, judges evil, and will care for you throughout eternity. His faithfulness reaches to the clouds, in other words, it is limitless in its dimensions.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 37:1-40
A Psalm of David.
1 Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret-it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. 13 The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct. 15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. 18 The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away. 21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives. 22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lends; and his descendants are blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore. 28 For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. 33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.
Psalm 37 is known as an acrostic psalm. Its straightforward message is to maintain patience in the midst of troubles. God's people can have such patience because they know that their eternal reward will abundantly surpass any temporal trials. The structure of the poem is as follows: #1 the need for patience in light of the apparent success of the wicked (v. 1); #2 the need for patience in light of the final judgment of the wicked (v. 12); #3 encouragement for the righteous in view of the role of the wicked (v. 23); #4 a renewed call for patience in view of the apparent success of the wicked (v. 34).
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 37:4-5 "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass" David calls us to take delight in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do to him. But how do we do this? The "delight" in the Hebrew is `anag, aw-nag'; a primitive root; to be soft or pliable, i.e. (figurative) effeminate or luxurious :- delicate (-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self. To delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Therefore, to delight in the Lord, we must know Him better. Knowledge of God's great love for us will indeed give us delight and make us soft and pliable to His will. To "commit" in Hebrew is the word galal, gaw-lal'; a primitive root; to roll (literal or figurative) :- commit, remove, roll (away, down, together), run down, seek occasion, trust, wallow. To commit ourselves to the Lord means entrusting everything?our lives, families, jobs, possessions?to his control and guidance. To commit ourselves to the Lord means to trust in him, believing that he can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently (Psalm 37:7) for him to work out what is best for us.
I pray that you would find yourself putting all your trust in the LORD today by committing your ways ("rolling it all over") to Him. When your desires spring forth from your time spent with HIM you will have a hope that will not disappoint in the end.
Romans 5:5
"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 38:1-22
A Psalm of David. To Bring to Remembrance.
1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! 2 For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness. 6 I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. 7 For my loins are full of inflammation, and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You. 10 My heart pants, my strength fails me; as for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me. 11 My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off. 12 Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all the day long. 13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; and I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. 14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth is no response. 15 For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God. 16 For I said, "Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me." 17 For I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin. 19 But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. 20 Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good. 21 Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
Psalm 38 is known as a lament psalm and more specifically a penitential psalm. This is called a penitential psalm because David pleads earnestly for the mercy of God even when he senses God's discipline. He expressed sorrow for his sin. He stated that his sin led to health problems and separated him from God and others, causing extreme loneliness. He then confessed his sin and repented. The structure of the Psalm is as follows: #1 a plea to God to stop rebuking (v. 1); #2 a description of David's suffering (v. 6); #3 a second plea based on the actions of David's friends and foes (v. 9); #4 a commitment by David to trust solely in the Lord even in the time of His anger (v. 13); #5 a third plea for deliverance based on David's weakening condition (v. 17); #6 a concluding plea based on David's certainty that there is salvation in the Lord alone (vs. 21, 22).
The verses that stand out to me this morning our Psalm 38:1-3 "O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! 2 For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin." As a child might cry to his father, so David cried to God. David was not saying, "Don't punish me," but, "Please don't punish me in your wrath." He acknowledged that he deserved to be punished, but he asked that God would discipline him with mercy. Like children, we are free to ask for mercy, but we should not deny that we deserve discipline. David saw his anguish as judgment from God for his sins. Although God does not always send physical illness to punish us for sin, this verse and others in Scripture (Acts 12:21-23; 1 Corinthians 11:30-32) indicate that he does in certain circumstances. Our sin can have physical or mental side effects that can cause great suffering. Sometimes God has to discipline his children in order to bring them back to Himself (Hebrews 12:5-11). When we repent of our sin, God promises to forgive us. He delivers us from sin's eternal consequences although He does not always promise to undo all of sin's earthly consequences.
I pray Psalm 38:21-22 over you today: I pray that the Lord would not forsake you nor be far from you today. I pray that He would be quick to help you and reveal His salvation to you.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 39:1-13
To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me." 2 I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; and my sorrow was stirred up. 3 My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: 4 "Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. 5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. special rtab Selah 6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. 7 "And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of the foolish. 9 I was mute, I did not open my mouth, because it was You who did it. 10 Remove Your plague from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand. 11 When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth; surely every man is vapor. special rtab Selah 12 "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent at my tears; for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 13 Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, before I go away and am no more."
Psalm 39 is known as a wisdom psalm in the form of a psalm of individual lament. The title indicates that this is a psalm of David composed for Jeduthun. The psalm speaks of a determination to be silent against foes, whereas most psalms speak boldly against enemies. It ends with a request that God leave the psalmist alone, this is very much like sections of the Book of Job. The structure of the poem is in four movements: # a determination by the psalmist to be silent before his foes (v. 1); #2 a petition to God for help in view of the brevity of life (v. 4); #3 a petition for forgiveness and deliverance (v. 7); #4 a petition for God to leave him alone (v. 12, 13).
The verse that stands out to me today is Psalm 39:4 ""Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am." David is acknowledging how short life really is. The length of life is a theme throughout the books of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. Jesus also spoke about it (Luke 12:20). It is ironic that people spend so much time securing their lives on earth and spend little or no thought about where they will spend eternity. The truth is life is short no matter how long we live. If there is something important you want to do, you must not put it off for a better day. Ask yourself, "If I had only one week to live, what would I do?" Tell someone that you love him or her? Deal with an undisciplined area in your life? Tell someone about Jesus? Because life is short, don't neglect what is truly important.
I pray that you would take time to acknowledge His provision in your life. Thank Him for His mercy, strength, peace, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, grace, rest, faith, hope, and love. Better yet, make your own personal list and give Him praise. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Rejoicing in His Provision today,
Alan J. Schrader
Psalm 40:1-17
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth- Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord. 4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. 7 Then I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart." 9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. 10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly. 11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head; therefore my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me! 14 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who seek to destroy my life; let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil. 15 Let them be confounded because of their shame, who say to me, "Aha, aha!" 16 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, "The Lord be magnified!" 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
Psalm 40 is known as a declarative praise that moves into a psalm of lament. This psalm is a remarkable example of how troubles and difficulties forced David to depend continually on the Lord. The structure of the psalm is as follows: #1 a report of deliverance (v. 1); #2 instruction to the people to commit their lives to the Lord (vs. 4, 5); #3 a confession about worship (v. 6); #4 a testimony to God of the fulfillment of his vow to praise (vs. 9, 10); #5 a renewed lament (vs. 11, 12); #6 a set of petitions for deliverance (v. 13); #7 continuing praise in the midst of trouble (vs. 16, 17).
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth- Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord." The Hebrew translated I waited patiently is literally "waiting I waited." The emphasis of this phrase is not really on patience, but on the fact that David waited exclusively on the Lord. The verb "to wait" expresses a confident trust or faith in the Lord. Waiting for God to help us is not easy at times, but David received four benefits from waiting on God that I would like to share with you: #1 The Lord lifted him out of his despair, #2 The Lord set his feet on a rock, #3 The Lord gave him a firm place to stand, and #4 The Lord put a new song of praise in his mouth.
I pray that you would be found faithful in waiting on the Lord because great blessings can come through trials and tribulations if you do not grow weary in doing good.
Romans 5:3-5
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
March 16, 2009
Psalm 41:1-13
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. 3 The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed. 4 I said, "Lord, be merciful to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You." 5 My enemies speak evil of me: "When will he die, and his name perish?" 6 And if he comes to see me, he speaks lies; His heart gathers iniquity to itself; when he goes out, he tells it. 7 All who hate me whisper together against me; against me they devise my hurt. 8 "An evil disease," they say, "clings to him. And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more." 9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. 10 But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them. 11 By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me. 12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever. 13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
Psalm 41 is known as a lament psalm. Since it begins and concludes with words of praise to God, it may also be called a psalm of praise. The psalm speaks of the challenges of a person suffering from serious physical illness. Ultimately, it presents the victory of the Savior Jesus over His enemies, especially the great enemy Satan. There are four movements in the psalm: #1 an affirmation of confidence in the Lord's power to deliver the godly from distress (v. 1); #2 a description of David's distress (v. 4); #3 a renewed expression of hope in the Lord (v. 10); #4 a coda (music term) of praise marking the end of Book I of the Psalms (v. 13). Psalms is divided into five books, and each one ends with a doxology or an expression of praise to God. The first book of the psalms, Psalm 1-41, takes us on a journey through suffering, sorrow, and great joy. It teaches us much about God's eternal love and care for us and how we should trust him even in the day-to-day experiences of life.
The verses that stand out to me today are Psalm 41:1-3 "Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. 3 The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed." The Bible often speaks of God's care for the weak, poor, and needy, and of his blessing on those who share His concern. Take another look at the blessings:
1. The Lord will deliver you in times of trouble if you consider the poor.
2. The Lord will preserve you.
3. The Lord will keep you alive.
4. The Lord will bless you on the earth.
5. The Lord will deliver you from your enemies.
6. The Lord will strengthen you on your bed of illness.
7. The Lord will sustain you on your sickbed.
These are series consequences for considering the poor. It sounds to me God is very committed to the poor if there is such reward to those who care for the needy. The truth is, God wants our generosity to reflect His own heart. He has a heart of giving! Simply put, as he has blessed us, we should bless others. When we learn to bless what God has intended to bless we enter into God's economy. Blessed on the earth refers to the acts of God's goodness in a person's life, including health, wealth, longevity, spiritual vitality, and harmony with God and people.
I pray that you would have a heart to care for what God is caring for. Let HIS love shine through you today.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
