Category: Psalm

Psalm 57:9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Loving Father, Today’s weather still has me thinking about storms and boats and You, napping, because You *know* there is nothing to fear. Forgive me, when I am afraid, for being angry that You don’t treat a situation like it is the catastrophe that I feel it is.

Psalm 57:10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Dear Lord, You don’t treat it as a catastrophe because You are already on the other side. It’s not that You don’t care, it’s that You know it will all work out because You are eternally victorious. Help me, in the middle of the metaphorical storm, in the middle of the metaphorical ocean to remember *who* You are and who You are *to me.* You will never leave me nor forsake me. I can trust You, even when I am afraid.

Psalm 57:11a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Precious Savior, Help me to strengthen my toolbox with techniques that I can use when the panic sets in: breathing deeply, closing my eyes, repeating “Jesus is napping. He’s not concerned. He’s already won.” Whatever it takes, Lord, help me to employ it. I trust You. Help me to put that trust into practice, especially when I am afraid. Amen.

Psalm 57:11b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 57:6a They spread a net for my feet—

The first thought that comes to mind when I read verse 6 is Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” Although, when the quote is capped here, it almost seems to indicate that I am always right and possibly God’s favorite. But I’m pretty sure that God doesn’t play favorites, and I’m certain that I’m not always right. God also doesn’t have a magic wand that instantly makes everything go my way.

Psalm 57:6b …I was bowed down in distress.

However, God does care about me deeply and wants my faith to grow and mature, and He can use all situations to help me trust Him more deeply. In that way, He can use all things for good, He can use all things for my good and His glory by helping me dig my roots deeper into Him no matter the circumstances.

Psalm 57:6c …They dug a pit in my path—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You can and do use all things for my good and Your glory. Thank You that even when others intend harm, You can use situations for good by allowing me to sink my roots deeper into You in every storm. Help me to trust You. Always. Amen.

Psalm 57:6d …but they have fallen into it themselves.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 57:4a I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—

What strikes me in verse 4 today is the vivid imagery: “in the midst of lions,” “among ravenous beasts,” “teeth are spears and arrows,” “tongues are sharp swords.” There is a palpable sense of danger here. And yet….

Psalm 57:4b …men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

And yet… In verse 5, God is exalted. His glory is praised. That’s the default that I want to have: even with a palpable sense of danger, even in the valleys, even when life is going sideways, I want to praise His holy name. I’m better at it than I was, but I’m not as good at it as I hope to be. Jesus, Help me.

Psalm 57:5a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that You are sovereign; therefore, I can praise You even in the chaos because You are still with me, still in control, still ultimately victorious. Sometimes that’s hard to see and believe, but it’s always true. Help me to live that truth. Help me to praise Your name, always. Amen.

Psalm 57:5b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

As I was pursuing Pinterest emails this morning, I came across this phrasing of Psalm 112:7, “She confidently trusts the Lord to take care of her.” The NIV version of that verse is, “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” Both versions speak to what David is saying in this morning’s verses.

Psalm 57:3a He sends from heaven and saves me,

Google defines trust as: (n) firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Trusting humans can be difficult. Trusting God seems like it should be easier, but my fear, worry, anger, etc etc tells me that for me at least, it’s not as easy as it should be. Trusting Him–first, always, completely–is definitely something that God’s working with me on.

Psalm 57:3b …rebuking those who hotly pursue me—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You know me completely, faults and all, and You love me fiercely anyway. Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, exactly as I am. Thank You for working with me on the areas that I need to give over to You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 57:3c …God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 103:20a Praise the Lord, you his angels,

We were made to praise. When I think about the amount of time that I spend being grumpy about so many inconsequential things, the simple fact that we were made to praise astounds and humbles me.

Psalm 103:20b you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

I think I have gotten better at praising Him, but I’m definitely not there yet. But maybe that’s the point of this life? To draw closer to Him, to learn to praise Him?

Psalm 103:21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Precious Savior, Help me to get better and better at praising You. Help me to take to heart Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” Thank You that there are so very many reasons to praise You. Always. Amen.

Psalm 103:22 Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 103:16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

If there is one thing I hold on to with both hands, it is the fact that God will never leave us nor forsake us. Never. In the words of verse 17, “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who [honor, revere, respect] him….”

Psalm 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—

From everlasting to everlasting. From beginning to end. God is with us. Strengthening us. Encouraging us. Holding us. Collecting our tears. Whispering to our hearts. We are His beloved children. He knows our hearts. He would never leave us to face difficulties alone. And while He doesn’t wave a magic wand to make everything ok, He never leaves us. He stays. He holds us. Always.

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

Precious Savior, Life can be so difficult. Thank You for the promise to never leave us, never forsake us. Thank You for keeping Your promises always. Help us to trust, even in the hard times, that You are there–holding us, loving us, whispering to our hearts. Amen.

Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 103:9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

Today’s verses, specifically the word fear in verse 11, sent me on a hunt. I do not worship a God of fear, a God who strives to make His followers afraid. So what does verse 11 mean, “so great is his love for those who fear him”?

Psalm 103:10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

A quick search reveals the synonyms honor, revere, respect. One source even said that to fear the Lord means to give Him your undivided attention. Those definitions I can get behind. Fear in the traditional sense I cannot. God is not a bully. He doesn’t wield power in order to make others afraid. That’s not who He is.

Psalm 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

Precious Savior, Thank You that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that You are not a God of fear. Thank You that it is easy to give You honor, glory, respect. Thank You that You love me so much that You do not treat me as my sins deserve but instead fling my sins as far away from me as the east is from the west. Help me to treat others with Your grace, compassion, and love. Amen.

Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Have a blessed day.