Psalm Study Thread

[Evie1980]

Hey All,

I have been thinking about the Proverbs thread for a long time now that Mina did and was thinking that there should be a Psalms thread! This is just so that we can share our thougts, opinoins and anything else that the Spirit inspires us to share. Hopefully I will be able to do this everyday (thought Psalm 119 may take a couple of days to do )

Blessings,
Evie

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,

Oh I am having way too many High School flashbacks here. You know there are always going to be those people calling you to join in there gossip, partying, alternative lifestyle... and sometimes it is not always easy to say no. We all want to make friends but at what cost? e careful when you chose your friends. I know from experience what path that leads you down and it is definately not a road I will let my nieces take!

2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

Bearing fruit in season is a funny way to say things. Shouldn't we bearing fruit all the time? Well I am not so sure. True we have the fruit of the Spirit and we are known for the fruit that bear but in essence we won't always bear fruit. Trees don't bear fruit all year round because they need time to grow and spend their nutrients on themselves. This has something to do with producing fruit for your labour. You don't get fruit (your wage) before you work. You work then see the fruit. The same is said for your relationship with God.
There will be times in your life that you may not be able to produce fruit to share with others. There may be times when God is calling you to reflect, to spend time with Him, and to stand still so that you can see His glory in your life. Now leaves on the other hand - they are a year round thing. You will always have your vibrancy and love fror God but sometimes you will have to wait for the fruit.

4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

So who is your American idol? I have been watching that show and I must I that I really like.... Well it doesn't really matter as I can't vote. But If you were on the stage and God was in the judges seat how long would your last? More imporatantly how long would your mates last. Now I know that we are not supposed to judge others but we still need to be selective as to who we hang around. The more time we spend with people more we end up like them. Be careful. God will be in the judges seat one day with you on the stage. Will you get voted off or get to sit on couch? (Ok this is getting sad. I need to start watching Poirot again)

 

[BRISH]

2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

The one thing that stuck out to me was this part. The part that speaks of a tree that is at such a great advantage point where it is not only doing well for itself, but also producing fruit.

For so long I've taken God in and His words and I've sat back with it. Yeah, it's good stuff, but what have I done with it?

I watched something a coulple days ago by Beth Moore, and she brought up a really good point. In places that food is soo scarce and the opportunity to actually grow something out of the ground is almost impossible, the hungry will eat their seed instead of planting it. They dont trust that they can grow something from it, so they eat it. They may be satisfied at the moment, but honestly it becomes a vicious cycle where the people will become even more malnurished because they didn't plan/plant for the future. I don't want to do that anymore. I want to be sower as well. To do so, we have to do some work (that hopefully doesn't seem like work after a bit

Verses 2-3 is awesome. We have to have patience that in due season, God is going to move in our lives. Actually, He moves through each season but we just may not realize it until certain seasons. Like you said, we have to do our part in staying close to the living water (God and His word). It continuously feeds and sustains us for those times when we will bear fruit.

I look forward to this! Thank you!

 

[Marycita]

This reminded me of this....Good stuff, so I thought I would share

YouTube - Slow Fade Teaching Video from TAATD DVD/CD

 

[SplendidTree]

Wow thanks for this thread! I look forward to more Psalms.

 

[mina]

Awesome!! I was thinking about starting Proverbs again the other day. I would like to go through Psalms with you though first! What a great thread!

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”

It is funny how people see being a Christian as something that is just not fun. It is totally uncool and they voice these thoughts into your life. And sadly sometimes we listen to them. You watch television and being a vampire is the trendy thing to be. There are cool and hip. They are something that everyone wants to be but you never see Christians portrayed the same way. Actually it is usually the opposite. The usually are the quiet reserved person who needs to be rescued for their dismal existence and join the others having fun (or they are already but just not willing to admit it). It is hard to be a Christian and hold on to the Lord when everyone is screaming at you to focus on yourself, develop intimate relationships with people you barely know and suck peoples blood (by the way I do not like Vampires. I think that sucking people's bloody is unsanitary, disgusting and is a way of spereading diseases such dengue and malaria just like mosquitos. Yuck!)

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”

Well people can believe and think all they want about what they think what is right for you and this world but the truth is - they are wrong.


7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.

I love that - today I have become yout Father. Today I am your Father. You may not know it but as from today I am yours and you are Mine. God has developed this relationship. He wants us to be His. I love my dad. He loves me. My dad takes ownership of our relationship and it is evident to the world that we are family. How evident is to the world that you are God's child?

8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Payback! Revenge! This is what we want! No, it isn't really. But we remember that the sacrifice we make now paves the way for our inheritance but like all inheritances are we willing to share? Are we out warnign people and letting them know that this life is better than the one that they offer? I am not talking about Bible bashing here as I feel violence never solves anything but are we shwoing others a life that they might want to live? Do we follow their lead or are we inviting them to follow ours?

 

[Allen1901]

Bump!

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 3

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

1 LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”
Right now I understand this feeling. We are staring to live in a very physically volitile place. There have been threats of violence against the school and some of the people in it. It is a hard when you walk down the street during the day and see a man weilding a knife. It is even harder when you know you have to watch everyone and everything around you for your own safety.

3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

A friend asked me the other day if I slept well and it is a blessing to say that I do. Many people don't. There are many reasons, when we lay down at night, to worry about what the night and the morning may bring. I rest with the assurance that the Lord is with me when I sleep. He guides me through all this trouble. He guides me through the undertainty. He allows me to rest every night knowing that I am safely in His protection. There were times that I have doubted Him but His word has helped me through it. Praise be to Him!

6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.

7 Arise, LORD!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked. 8 From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

The Lord delivered me from a mob attack here in Dili. I was surrounded by enemies wanting to do harm and raise fear in me. It was a dangerous situation where i had to call my friend's husband in the UN to help us. It was scary but the Lord's calmness was on me. He delivered me. He enabled me to be calm in a situation I never thought I would have to deal with. He enabled me to resolve a conflict situation by providing for me all the people I needed. I am ever greatful that I have had the opportunity to witness how much the Lord loves me in the midst of these trials! And if God is good to me He will be good to you. I am one of the least worthy people but His love and mercy is still upon me!

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 4

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.


1 Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Dear Lord,
I didn't have a great day. In fact a lousy one. I wanted to curl up in the orner and cry. It was all a little overwhelming in the moment. I tried to call a friend but she didn't answer. I called my mum and talked to her but the pain didn't go away. There is still no relief from the pain that binds my life at the moment. So I pray today, please Lord, heal the pain. Relieve from all that hurts, Help me. Search my heart and know me today.

2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.

Dear Lord,
Thank you that my voice reaches you. Thank you that my words are not left in vain. Though I stuggle I know that you are with me. Hear me Lord for I know that I am Yours.
4 Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.

Dear Lord,
As I lay myself down to sleep I pray that my thoughts will never wonder from You. Let me seach my heart and have Your Spirit talk to me. Share Your wisdom so that I may know You. Tell me the things I long to hear. Let my silence of thought enable me to hear all that You have for me.

5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the LORD.

6 Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.

Dear Lord,
Even though my life right now is not filled with abundance I know that one day it will. My life will be filled with the measure I have given and I am thankful that You will shine upon my life. You will fill it until it is over flowing.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

Dear Lord,
I rest in You. Tomorrow is a day that You will prepare for me, all I have to do is rest. I am thankful for it and the blessing it will be.

Thank you for this day, O Lord. Thank you for all this. You are my shield and my protector. You are Who gives me rest. I pray that I may seek you as I work and play. May I seek you as I rest and every second of the day.

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 5

For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.

1 Listen to my words, LORD,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

There are times I am not sure that God hears me. I cry and say all that I need and then I get silence.
3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.

It is funny how many times I pray after the fact but forget to pray before. It is at the beginning of the day that I am most vulnerable - it is so easy for me to go off task! This is the time I should be praying. These are the moments that I should be looking unto God for help. As I tell my students - prevention is better than cure. I should be asking for help before I need instead of when I find myself in a situation I can't get myself out of!

4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, LORD, detest.

Have you ever heard a lie when you know it is a lie. How horrible it sounds. Have you ever said a lie and hoped that it didn't sound as bad as you think it does. I wonder how the words of my mouth sounded today to God?

7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.

But here is the blessing - even though I know that God could have destroyed me at least once today (I can't remember all that I said but I am sure that it wasn't perfect) He didn't! Why? Because He loves me. He loves me enough to send His Son. He loves me enough to invite me into house and be part of His family. Oh what joy that is!

8 Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.

Make Your path straight, Lord! May I be able to see it and know it. May I be able to walk it easy in the face of all those around me! Lead me Lord through every day of my life because I am surrounded by people who are not looking out for my best interests. They are going to pull me away and I am not sure that I can do this on my own. Only with You, Lord, will I be able to get to where You want me to be.

11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Lord may this be true of all of us here on the Forums. May our joy in You be over flowing. May we be glad and happy for You are the ruler of our lives. May voices rise up in praise for Your glorious name. May Your protection be upon us. May Your bless and favour surround us in all that we do. For You, O Lord, are all that we need. You are our God and our King. We rejoice in You and we love to hear Your name.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

Sorry to derail a bit, this thread reminds me of this song (I used to fall asleep to it a lot):

YouTube - Psalm13 How long, O Lord

 

[Evie1980]

Sorry to derail a bit, this thread reminds me of this song (I used to fall asleep to it a lot):

That is awesome and you are always more than welcome to derail my thread. I call it seguing in my classroom and I love it. Sharing things we feel moved to by the Spirit is always a great thing to do!
Blessings

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 6

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.

1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint;
heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, LORD, how long?

Are we there yet? I ask myself that all the time. I have things that I look forward to but more importantly there are things that I would just like to get over and done with, My time here in Timor is one of them. I would love to be able to go home to Australia and find myself, every now and then, looking at a time line of how long I have to go. It is the struggles that get me the most and my inability to deal with all the dramas. It is always hardest when I know that I have not dealt with a situation the way that God would want me to. I get discouraged and I pray that the Lord would have mercy on me.
4 Turn, LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.

I know that the only reason I am saved is because the Lord loves me. There is nothing I can do to ever be worthy of the mercy that He shows me everyday.

5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from the grave?

6 I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.
7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.

Ever had that feeling - like your world was coming to an end? I have cried a million tears and then still found more to cry. Something bad happens and then something else, followed be the departure of a close friend (or someone you thought was a close friend) and some you once admired turns out to be someone you not sure you want to hang around.... and it is only April! All you can do is pray that somewhere along tohe way that all this will get better.
8 Away from me, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
the LORD accepts my prayer.

And slowly it does. It gets better. It is like the rain comes and washes all the pain away. You see a rainbow and know that the times of trial are over. That there is another plan and all that happened was for your own God. God pours His mercy out and there is a new hope that you never felt possible.

10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 7

A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

1 LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
2 or they will tear me apart like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

There are some things in this life you cannot out run. There are some things in this world that you cannot stand up against alone. Those are the moments that you turn to the Lord and He will come to resucue you. You don't have to rescue yourself. You don't have to do everything alone - God will be there as long as you call on Him.

3 LORD my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands—
4 if I have repaid my ally with evil
or without cause have robbed my foe—
5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.
6 Arise, LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.

There are times that I know I deserve what comes to me but there are times when I just don't understand. I don't mind taking my dues, just loke David, but when I have done nothing wrong it is hard to understand. I have dealt with situations where people have accused me and hurt me for no reason. In those moments I have to trust that the Lord is with me.


7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
while you sit enthroned over them on high.
8 Let the LORD judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
who probes minds and hearts.

It is the Lord who can judge the actions of people and understands that you did not deserve how people dealt with you. Though you feel like you should respond allow the Lord to intercede on your behalf.

10 My shield is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
a God who displays his wrath every day.
12 If he does not relent,
he will sharpen his sword;
he will bend and string his bow.
13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.

God is always ready to fight to fight the battle of truth and justice. He is not only a sheild but a sweod, and a bow with flaming arrows. He has weapons that He can use to win. He will come and save you from your situation and enemies.

14 Whoever is pregnant with evil
conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit they have made.
16 The trouble they cause recoils on them;
their violence comes down on their own heads.

When we harbour ebil inside us it leads to trouble and other problems. We may think we know how to deal with our situations but the truth is when we start to make plans for "payback" it will come back on you.
17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 8

For the director of music. According to gittith A psalm of David.

1 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory
in the heavens.

How spectacular, how amazing, how majestic is the Lord? How can you begin to descibe Him. We cannot even begin to explain.

2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

Who do you think would win a contest - children or enemies? God does not need you to be strong, He doesn't need you to be spectacular. All He needs you to be is willing and ready.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

I am teaching my students about the solar system and I am always amazed at how extreme the universe is. The earth itself is a brialliant piece of work but all the planets, stars and everything else! Could you even imagine to be able to create such a thing? And to think the Creator of such things thinks of me on a daily basis? He thinks of me as a wonderful creation? He thinks of me enough to know all there is to know about me and plan the course of my life? How blessed am I to have His care!

5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:

How much are you worth? God didn't make us to feel inferior. He made us with pupose and vision. He created us do His will here on Earth. He gave us glory and honour. He enables us to be more than we could possibly ever imagine.

7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

Do you know how important you are to God? Do you know the important role God has for you? Sometimes we forget how important we are in this world. We look for other things to give us important. We are impoartant because God made us important. We were all born to be above all the animals in this world. If you ever start to forget remind youself as David did.

9 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Lord God,
You are amazing! You are above all living things. You are the Creator of all has been, all that there is and all that will be. There is nothing here on Earth that is not under you care. I thank you and praise you for all that you have done in my life. Thank you that you take care of me and that you value me more than I could ever value myself. Thank you that you have plans for my life that will be amazing.
In Jesus name,
Amen

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 9

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.
1 I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

I was listening to a book recently which asked the question - if you are constantly complaining how can anyone see God's work in you life? I am not sure if there are the exact words but this is what I felt was being asked of me. It is hard when you are going through a long time of suffering to share what is good in your life. I know as I have struggled with this. I also know that David has more to complaign about than me but he chose to glorify God. That is something that I am trying to work on in my life.

3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause,
sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.

There will be a time when you will be proved innocent. There will be a time when all the stress and drama will ease. There wull be an end to the troubles. God will come and avenge it all.

5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6 Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.
7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He rules the world in righteousness
and judges the peoples with equity.
9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.

There are times when holding onto the Lord is all that I can do. He is who I turn to in times of need. He is who holds my hand in the middle of the night when the tears come. He is who I ask for help when nothing seems to be changing. He walks with me when I am unsure that it is safe. He is with me in all things. All I need to do is ask.

10 Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.

What has the Lord done for you today? When we seek the Lord He will reveal Himself in our lives. It may not seem so at the time but His glory with manifest itself in your life. I reflect upon many times in my life that I felt, at the time, where awful. Now I can see God's glory and love. He provided me so much but at the time I couldn't see it. I am thankful and praise Him for all that He has done.

12 For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

13 LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may declare your praises
in the gates of Daughter Zion,
and there rejoice in your salvation.

God doesn't rescue me so that I look good. I don't want my salvation to reflect me but to reflect God in me. My salvation should bring glory to God. I praise the Lord that He will rescue me!

15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
16 The LORD is known by his acts of justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,
all the nations that forget God.
18 But God will never forget the needy;
the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

Does it seem hopeless? It isn't! Does it seem like you are forgotten? You're not! There is nothing the Lord will not do for you in His time. Hold on. There will come a time when all of this will get better (even I have hope!)
19 Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.
20 Strike them with terror, LORD;
let the nations know they are only mortal.

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 10
1 Why, LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Ok I admit it - I was in a really, really, really bad mood before. Rock bottom is starting to feel closer and the more I cry out the less I feel the love. Even the internet has issues. Then the storm came. It was big and loud and frightening. The rain bucketed down and I felt even more helpless. Then I stood out in the middle of it and allowed myself to get drenched. Some days you just can't deny - it just isn't fun anymore!
I know that David has felt it too. But life isn't about denying the storms exist but acknowledging God in it. You can't stop a storm by sitting on the outside watching. It still exists. There are times when we feel like the Lord has deserted us and we can't ignore it. David was very open in His relationship and feelings with God. Are you?


2.In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises.


Have you ever had a moment of weakness when you ate the extra slice of cake, had the extra drink or have done something that you really didn't want to do just because someone suggested it? They suggested something when you were too tired to think, too lazy to walk away or too distracted to think it through properly? We need to be careful when we choose to do something. If it isn't really something that you want to do, it isn't really wise to do it. I know I fall into this trap on a regular basis - I listen to too many other people (even godly people) and get caught up in other people's plans ignoring the tasks that God has laid on my heart to do. Learn the right time to say yes and the right time to say no.


3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart;
and reviles the LORD.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous;
your laws are rejected by him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”


Attitude is what makes or breaks us. It is good to have the right attitude but many times we have the wrong. Confidence is a good thing but sometimes we can be over confident. Don't think that you are above God's laws. He will hold you to account. You may not see it in this lifetime but it will happen.


7 His mouth is full of lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.


Have you ever felt the weight of another person on top of you? It is so hard to breath and it is hard to stand back up. You feel at the mercy of the person on top of you and there is nothing that you can do about it. When we fall into the traps of the wicked we will find that there is no way out. Be careful!

11 He says to himself, “God will never notice;
he covers his face and never sees.”
12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.


I want justice. I want to see it happen. I think that is why I am addicted to CSI and other crime dramas. I like to see people get what they deserve, but justice is not mine to serve, I may never see justice for all the sufferings in my life but that is ok. I have committed that to the Lord. He will help me. He is my justice.

15 Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals
will never again strike terror.


God does listen to us in our times of need. He does help us and encourage us. It may not seem like it now but one day we will see His justice in our lives. It is not always easy and it doesn't always seem fair (especially when we see others with everything that we want) but God will defend us in His perfect timing. Hold on. It will get better.

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

Have you ever had someone tell you that the best way forward is to abandon God and do your own thing? I have. Plenty of times espcially about my singleness of late. However, we can choose to keep our foundations in God or we can choose take our house and move to higher (safer) ground. It may seem like our foundations are trembling and the Lord is failing us. It may seem like the best way out of this situation is man the life boats and get out of here. It is hard when it seems that our foundations are starting to crumble but hold on. It will be worth it.
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.

Even David had a time when he made the wrong decision and he had to pay the price of being wicked. God examines all of us. He knows our hearts and our lives. He will intercede in our injustices but He will not intercede when we deserve the conqequences of our actions. I have done many things (and still do many things) that I regret. I don't always end up on the right side of things but I know God will be gracious and forgive me. I still have to deal with my actions, however grand or insignificant them seem.

5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.

God loves the good things in life. He stands up for the righteous. What do you love? What do you stand up for?

 

[Evie1980]

Psalm 12

For the director of music. According to sheminith.A psalm of David.

1 Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.
3 May the LORD silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
4 those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

This reminds me of the book of James. I am sitting here tonight realising just how unflattering my words really are. I try my hardest to keep my words unkind quiet but recently they are getting louder and louder. It just seems a little unfair. I was called a "low maintenance teacher" by my principal the other day. Low maintenance is short for "you don't complain and make a fuss. You do your work and you do it well." It is a good reputation to have but I am not sure if this is true in my personal life of late. Could God really say that of me? Or am I starting to say things that I shouldn't? Will my lips defend me and would my tongue be innocent in the court of the Lord? I am really not that sure anymore.

5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the LORD.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.

Dear Lord,
May I speak with Your words. May my words be pure. May my words be flawless and may they be pleasing unto You. Purify my tongue so that it knows not how to hurt. May I never tarnish the world with cruel and heartless words. Prevent me from gossiping and slandering the name of others. Help me to encourage and uplife everyone wherever I speak.
In Jesus name, Amer
7 You, LORD, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race.

 

[AllForJesus]

I am so loving this thread! thank you so much!