Category: Psalm

Psalm 46:10a He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I know plenty of people who have a hard time being still. I am not one of them. My favorite place to be is curled up in my recline with a good book. However, I have realized over the years that while my body knows how to be still, my mind struggles with stillness.

Psalm 46:10b …I will be exalted among the nations,

Sometimes it is the incessant whir of anxiety. Sometimes it is intrusive thoughts that won’t let me be. Usually the specter of worry is in the middle of it all, whispering, “What if? What if? What if?” Yet God is also in the midst of it all whispering “Be still. Be still. Be still.”

Psalm 46:10c …I will be exalted in the earth.”

Precious Savior, I want to rest in Your peace, but I have such a difficult time silencing the worry and anxiety that clouds my mind. Help me to lay it all at Your feet. Help me to surround myself with Your peace. Help me to be still and know that You are God. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 46:11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 46:7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

How interesting to study Psalm 46 after Genesis 28. Jacob wasn’t a very outstanding figure way back then. His behavior was eyebrow-raising. His trust in God was conditional. And yet, in Psalm 46, we have “the God of Jacob.” To me, that shows the power, the sovereignty of God and what He can do if we allow Him to work in our lives.

Psalm 46:8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

Commentary calls Psalm 46 a “great song of confidence.” It is a reminder that God is with us, that He is our refuge and strength, He is for us, that we should not fear–not because life won’t be chaotic, but because God’s holding us securely in the palm of His hands.

Psalm 46:9a He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.

Precious Savior, Thank You for these reminders of Your sovereignty, Your mercy, Your fierce and unending love. Thank You that You can make a way in the mess of our lives where no way exists. Thank You that You are already on the other side of every problem, every issue. Thank You that we do not need to fear because You are with us, for us, in us. Amen.

Psalm 46:9b …He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 46:4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

I know that verse 5 is talking about a city; however, I love thinking about verse 5 as talking about a human. The idea that God is within us, that God will help us, is comforting and true.

Psalm 46:5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Many translations use the wording “God is in the midst of her; she will not be moved.” Again, these translations feel comforting and empowering to me. I don’t have to be strong enough on my own. God is within me. God is in the midst of my life.  I will not fall. I will not be moved.

Psalm 46:6a Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reassurance that You are with me, that You are in the midst of all that goes on in my life. Thank You that Your grace, Your love, Your sovereignty ensures that I will not be moved from Your presence. Amen.

Psalm 46:6b … he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Precious Savior, Forgive me that I often feel alone when difficult times assail me. Help me to remember that You are with me, You are my refuge and strength, You are an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:2a Therefore we will not fear…

Loving Savior, Help me to cling to who You are and who You are to me so that I can live without fear, no matter my circumstances. I know You love me. I know You are with me. I know You hold me securely in the palm of Your hand.

Psalm 46:2b …though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…

Hope-giving Savior, You know that hope is vital to my life and my outlook. You have given me in Your word all the tools and reminders I need to remain hopeful in You, no matter what. You have shown up again and again in my life, when things are dark, when things are so incredibly good. You are with me. You are my refuge and strength. You are an ever-present help. Let me not be afraid. Amen.

Psalm 46:3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 37:39a The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord…

In my mind, when I read these verses, I see two groups fighting each other–verbally, physically, doesn’t matter. Each group thinks it’s right, it’s righteous. There is righteous anger, righteous indignation. God doesn’t seem to be present anywhere, but attitudes of righteousness abound. That is not what God has in mind.

Psalm 37:39b …he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

“[S]alvation…comes from the Lord….he is their stronghold…The Lord helps…and delivers them…because they take refuge in him.” If we are to cling to His words, then it (life, the fight, whatever) can’t be about us. If there is an attitude of “how dare you treat me like this,” the fight is not for God. Humility has to come into play. God is bigger, greater, more important than our pride.

Psalm 37:40a The Lord helps them and delivers them…

Lord, I know that I must humble myself before You, and yet, my pride, my desire for acknowledgement and recognition keep getting in the way. In order for You to be my stronghold, I must take refuge in You. In order to take refuge, I must give up my pride and humble myself. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 37:40b …he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 37:34a Hope in the Lord and keep his way…

As I begin to set my cap for a new school year, I feel the familiar anxiety of needing to perform, of hoping that others recognize and understand all that I do for my students, how much I truly care about them, and I know that yet again I have fallen short of what my Savior is calling me to do, which is rest in Him alone.

Psalm 37:34b …He will exalt you to inherit the land…

Colossians 3:23 reminds me that, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters….” This anxiety I already feel? That is not from God. And the perfectionist in me wants to berate myself for Still. Not. Getting. It. But the beloved child of God knows that I can’t do this life without my Savior, so there is no need to even pretend I can.

Psalm 37:34c …when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it….

Lord, Once again I find myself trying to measure up in the eyes of the world. I can never measure up in that way, and I truly don’t want to. Help me to focus on You. Help me to work at all things as though working only for You. Help me to find my value, my worth, my peace–not in this world, but only in You. Amen.

Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this…

Commit, trust, be still, wait patiently, refrain, do not fret, hope…. I feel like this is a mantra I need to commit to memory. Today’s reflection began with the words “Understanding will never bring you peace.” Frustrating but true. Peace comes from committing, trusting, being still, waiting patiently, refraining, not fretting, hoping….

Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…

Lord, Sometimes I cause myself such heartache by trying to understand. Help me to navigate the line between digging deeper, seeking, understanding and trusting, being still, waiting patiently, refraining, not fretting, hoping. You created me to ask “Why,” but You also created me to rest in You. Help me to understand when I’m going too far in the questioning and not resting in You as intended.

Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Lord, Thank You that Your word brings me peace. Thank You that every day I feel like I draw just a tiny bit closer to You, that I understand You and myself just a little bit better. Help me to be who You created me to be. Help me to seek and question while also trusting and hoping in You. Amen.

Psalm 37:9b …those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 37:1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

“Do not fret…or be envious….” “Trust in the Lord….” “Take delight in the Lord….” If I could just heed those words right there, I would be able to breathe freer, rest easier. It’s not even that I’m fretting over those who are evil or envious of those who do wrong. I feel….forgotten, unnoticed, and that leads to all kinds of bad things mentally.

Psalm 37:2 …for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

A wise friend would tell me to get over myself, and she’s not wrong. I would do well to take Colossians 3:23 to heart: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” What I need is to be content in the job that I am doing, no matter what. I know I am where God wants me. I know I am doing good work for Him. That’s all I need.

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Precious Savior, It’s when I feel I need acknowledgement from human masters that I get myself in trouble. That feeling that I need recognition makes me fret and causes me to be envious. I want to trust in You and delight in You, Lord. I want to encourage others and to not be envious. Help me to focus solely on You and what You would have me do. It is enough. Amen.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Have a blessed day.