PSALMS

The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date.

1:1, 2   How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
            Nor stand in the path of sinners,
            Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
           ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
            And in His law he meditates day and night.

    When I have a problem, who should I go to?
    Clearly God wants me (us) to go to other believers when a problem or concern arises. He does not want us to follow the same path as the rest of the people (sinners), or sit and listen to their misdirected ways.
    As Christians, we are to follow God's laws before man's laws and meditate (or study) God's word DAILY so it will be part of what we think and do.
    Satan puts up lots of distractions in today's world. . . to keep us away from the thoughts here. (DRM 6/13/12)

Let God's Word fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your life. (from Our Daily Bread, 6/13/12)

1:3    And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
        Which yields its fruit in its season,
        And its leaf does not wither;
        And in whatever he does, he prospers.

I like the imagery in this verse. I can visualize a tree by a stream and pray that I will constantly be drinking in the Word of God like the tree has a large supply of water. The constant infilling of God's Word, with God's help, hopefully will bring forth spiritual fruit. (DRM 8/30/06)

The first three verses refer to the man who trusts and follows the Lord. This verse starts with saying the wicked didn't follow the Lord, thus God will just ignore or blow them away as if they never existed.
A choice clearly has to be made and the results are clear - why people choose not to follow the Lord and do His will is beyond my understanding. (DRM 12/29/12)

1:6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous. But the way of the wicked will perish.

You can't hide from God. Unfortunately it looks like the wicked are far more successful in this life than the godly. While the godly have trials, we know that our final destiny will be with Him in Heaven. (DRM 2/18/01)

2:4-6    He who sits in the heavens laughs,
            The Lord scoffs at them.
           ⁵Then He will speak to them in His anger
            And terrify them in His fury, saying,
           ⁶"But as for Me, I have installed My King
            Upon Zion, My holy mountain."

    It seems that this could have been written today. In verse two the writer refers to "the kings of the earth. . . " so these verses refer to them. No matter what these kings will do against God, He is greater. They are like ants to Him. Someday He will get angry and do something against their earthly ways. Earthquakes are an example of what He can do - but many other examples are in Revelation.
    In the near future God will install His King in Zion = Jerusalem and His name is Jesus.
    Come Lord Jesus! (DRM 3/30/17)

2:12 Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

This Psalm is clearly about Jesus - long before He was born! The first step is acceptance of His complete rule in my life, then we have to pay homage and refuge in Him at all times. Certainly this verse clearly states to those who don't or won't worship Him - what their fate will be. (DRM 2/19/01)

This verse is certainly prophetic about the Lord Jesus. Considering Jesus was still future and His nature (wrath) is STILL future, the writer of this Psalm was certainly inspired by God to write this! We (I) need to heed the last sentence here, not only for salvation, but also for how to live my daily life - totally dependent on Him. (DRM 8/30/06)

As a new believer, I had no change in outward appearance and acted about the same, but wanted others to know the "Good News." Probably my unbelieving friends said the same thing about me as this verse shows. Becoming sanctified is a very slow process. (DRM 8/31/06)

3:4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.

    This is a reminder of the basics of my/our faith. . . when we call on the Lord in prayer and sometimes tears, He hears our prayer and acts on it.
    God=Jesus knows everything about us - He made us - and He loves us and wants the best for us.
    While we/I don't understand all His answers at the time - I still have to depend on Him - as He will make everything work out in the end.
    . . . and the earthly end is just the beginning for those who trust in Jesus. (DRM 7/2/14)

3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about.

I understand that this verse means that I will trust totally on the Lord for protection - however - I would still be intimidated by such a crowd of unbelievers if they encircled me. It would certainly be a test of faith! Lord, help me persevere! (DRM 2/20/01)

4:1    Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
         You have relieved me in my distress;
         Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

    This verse, written by David, has two requests and one answer, but they are not in order.
    David asked God to "hear my prayer" (listen) and to "answer me."
    Many times I/we can pray and not hear an answer. Sometimes it can be a LONG wait for a response - but God is never late - there's always a reason for that delay -- we just don't know it at the time.
    When God answered David, he "relieved me in my distress," thus confirming that He heard and acted on prayer.
    As believers in Jesus, we know God hears our prayers. We need patience for some answers, but He is Sovereign. (DRM 5/3/17)

4:2,3    O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?
            How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.
          ³But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;
            The LORD hears when I call to Him.

    These two verses seem to be a comparison between the non-Christian (sons of men) and the Christian (godly man).
    The non-Christian finds our Christian faith to be offensive to him (this is occurring more and more in USA now). He/she follows an other religion or none at all.
    The Lord God still loves those who follow Him and desire to serve Him. The Lord hears our prayers and acts upon them.
    This is a dramatic difference that is becoming more and more evident today. (DRM 4/29/13)

4:7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.

    Grain is this verse could represent food (e.g. bread) or hops that are an ingredient in making alcoholic drinks. New wine is alcoholic.
    "They" get gladness from drinking alcohol and/or eating more food (if grain represents food).
    We can get our gladness from a better Source - God; because He puts gladness in our heart when we serve, honor, praise or just pray to Him. We know He loves us and wants the best for us. That certainly puts gladness in my heart. (DRM 1/14/14)

4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

After a long day, it is nice to go to sleep. It's even nicer to be totally at peace with God after saying my regular evening prayers just before sleep! (DRM 12/9/86)

This makes me think of Prov. 3:5-6 and always trusting in Him. The verse also exposes my unnecessary fears when I do something different [like going to NYC recently]. Lord, take away my fear. (DRM 2/21/01)

Trusting in the Lord God=Jesus is the basic point of Christianity. Here David showed his dependence on the Lord for a good nights sleep - something that we often take for granted - but David possibly could have been at war or hiding in a cave. Complete trust is essential in all things. (DRM 8/31/06)

5:3 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.

    There is no rule/law that tells us what time to pray. Jesus=God is always available to hear our prayers.
    David wrote here that he prayed in the morning. Later we have been told to 'pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17) so we know that God is always ready to hear our prayers.
    Not only did David pray, but he also watched for answers. He had confidence that the Lord heard his prayers and would act on them.
    As believers, we know God hears our prayers and will answer them affirmatively if it is also His desire.
    Be patient. He will answer our prayers in one way or another - in His time. (DRM 3/15/15)

5:8 O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes;
Make Your way straight before me.

The Bible has everything we need for life. Sometimes (like in this verse) we can pray for direction like David did, and in other places we get directions on how to lead a Christian life. If we search enough, the answer to all of lives major questions are in the Bible. It doesn't tell us our occupation, but it does tell us how to act while in the position.
I'm sure I/each of us could pray this verse with all our heart today - and God IS listening. (DRM 4/4/14)

5:10    Hold them guilty, O God;
           By their own devices let them fall!
           In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out,
           For they are rebellious against You.

    Who are these people? David was writing about his foes in verse eight, so these could be the enemies of David - possibly in battle or just in their opposition to his dependence on the Lord God in his reign over Israel.
    There are two sides to every story. It depends where you are standing as to what you think are the facts.
    As believers, we should be taking God's side and want to promote His cause - but we can't do everything. We have to call on the Lord for His judgment against His enemies. (DRM 9/26/14)

5:11 But let all who take refuge in Thee be glad, Let them ever sing for joy;
And mayest Thou shelter them, That those who love Thy name may exult in Thee.

It's still difficult to fathom that of the billions of people in the world, that God knows each one of us individually. He knows who loves Him and watches over them and protects them. I am thankful for this encouragement, but still don't understand health problems of believers. (DRM 2/22/01)

This verse made me think of the verse on the 4th bookmark (Prov. 18:10). God is our protector in times of trouble. I can trust in Him for all of my needs, and He will direct me towards the solutions to my troubles. "Those that love Thy name," Christian believers, will live with Him forever. (DRM 9/1/06)

6:7 My eye has wasted away with grief;
It has become old because of all my adversaries.

    David must have been older when he wrote this Psalm, as different verses refer to aging.
    As time goes on, for most of us, the eyes get "foggy" and things are harder to see clearly. We call these cataracts; perhaps David called this process "wasted away." As we age, we also experience more grief when friends and relatives die.
    David blamed this process on his adversaries or enemies, as he had various battles where people died and he must have grieved with those families.
    Aging is not a lot of fun. (DRM 11/22/14)

This individual lament, a prayer of penitence, was written by David during a time of prolonged and severe distress (Ps. 6:2-3, 5). His plight emboldened his enemies to launch a personal attack and to gloat over his misfortune (vv. 7-8, 10). (from Our Daily Bread, INSIGHT, 11/22/14)

6:8 Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.

David knew the Lord heard his voice, and not the voice of his enemies - who didn't trust in Him. Like I would do, David prayed for success in his battles, and depended on the Lord to provide success.
I can have confidence that God=Jesus hears my prayers and will answer my call for spiritual or physical NEEDS. (DRM 9/1/06)

6:9, 10 The Lord has heard my supplication, the Lord receives my prayer.
¹⁰All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they shall suddenly be ashamed.

The writer [David] was not having a good day. His enemies seemed to be winning and David was sad, but He knew the Lord and that the Lord would hear his prayers. Suddenly the enemies fate would change and He was thanking the Lord in advance. (DRM 2/23/01)

7:4, 5 If I have rewarded evil to my friend, or have plundered him who without cause was my adversary, ⁵Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; And let him trample my life down to the ground, And lay my glory in the dust.

This seems like David's prayer for forgiveness for unknown sin to others. Sometimes I feel the same way, as the Holy Spirit has not convicted me during the day. Still, as I read the Bible more, I know I'm still a sinner in need of constant correction. Lord, help me to me more like You. (DRM 9/2/06)

7:8 The Lord judges the peoples; Vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.

I'm far from perfect! In this psalm, David is asking for the Lord to be just to both his enemies and himself. To ask the Lord for judgment based on personal righteousness is difficult unless you are sinless. My goal should be to sin as little as possible and pray that the Lord Jesus will grant me His favor based on His grace. (DRM 2/24/01)

This was a challenging verse for me to understand. I believe that it means that people who do not know or believe in God are preparing to dig their own doom. If these same people do not eventually trust in the Lord, they will fall into the pit that they have just dug for themselves. (DRM 2/3/87)

7:16 His mischief will return upon his own head, And his violence will descend upon his own pate.

This verse is directed toward the unrepentant (v. 12). God is watching all of the things that we do - both the believers and the unbelievers. We will be called to be accountable for what we did. No one is sinless - thus we don't have any "right" to get into Heaven. Only Jesus can save us from going to hell. (DRM 9/3/06)

8:3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

    Quite often I forget everything that God has made. The best time to think of these things is on a starry night in a country clearing.
    So many people just don't think of God's incredible creation and don't give Him the credit for it.
    Lord, help me to remember that you are the Creator and ruler over all! (DRM 5/18/87)

8:3, 4 When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou has ordained;
⁴What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?

These two verses make mankind to be insignificant compared to God - which is true in the creative way - but God has also given us jobs to do - to rule over His creation and to bring Him glory. How we do on those two things will lead to what we will be doing in Heaven for the Lord. (DRM 9/4/06)

8:4, 6    What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him?
                And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?
            ⁶Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands;
                Thou hast put all things under his feet,

I used to think of myself as a tiny dot in a mass of billions of people. Why would God care about me? Since I became a born-again Christian, I feel that God, through the Holy Spirit, leads me and keeps pushing me on to do things I never would have considered before. He cares! (DRM 2/25/01)

8:5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!

    This verse goes with verse four above.
    Jesus called Himself the son of man - which is also in v4, thus this verse could refer to Jesus - especially considering the "crown him with glory and majesty!"
    I don't consider Jesus to be lower than God, but rather a part of God, so that's my confusion.
    If Jesus is not referred to here, mankind (men and women) were made by God and we will rule with Him in Heaven in one form (duty) or another. {See also Hebrews 2:7} (DRM 2/22/13)

8:7, 8    All sheep and oxen,
             And also the beasts of the field,
            ⁸The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
             Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

In verse five it is clear that this refers to Jesus and in verse six is the statement, "You have put all things under his feet." These two verses are examples of the creatures He has control of.
Really Jesus=God has control over every aspect of every life on the earth - man, animal or even plant (e.g. Jonah 4:6). God truly is in complete control! He deserves our complete submission. (DRM 10/15/13)

    This shorter psalm by David gives praise to God for all He has done: He has displayed His splendor (stars) about the heavens (v. 1). He has brought about strength from infants that would later defeat the enemy (v. 2).
    God's love for each of us is undeserved (v. 4). He has allowed us to rule over the works of His hands (v. 6) with examples of various animals that help and provide for our needs (vv. 7-8).
    No matter how many times it is stated, God still deserves all our praise and worship for what He has and continues to do for us. (DRM 5/16/17)

9:5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

    This seems like another prophecy of David. Over the past thousands of years, God has destroyed many kingdoms and nations that did not honor Him . . . but we can still look back in the history books to learn about these rulers and what they did wrong.
    This verse states that God will blot out their names forever. That hasn't happened yet. It has to be future.
    With all the evil in today's world, it will be a great day when all these things are past. As Christians, we will be in New Jerusalem=Heaven and the good things will remain. (DRM 10/19/15)

9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Why do I worry? If I REALLY trust in the Lord, I know that He will not forsake me. This verse is especially helpful on my stupid worrisome days. If I could only trust in Him, I KNOW everything WILL work out! (DRM 7/10/87)

This is a verse of encouragement for me. So long as I trust in the Lord for His protection, He promises not to forsake me. Where would I be without my dependence on Jesus? Talk about nervous! (DRM 2/26/01)

God's way of salvation is presented over and over in the Bible. The words and illustrations change, but the basic message is always the same. Those who put their trust in God=Jesus will not be forsaken. By doing that - absolute trust - we are assured a home with Him in Heaven. (DRM 9/5/06)

9:15 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made; In the net which they hid, their own foot has been caught.

Various nations in history have begun with a God-centered government, as He was obviously their provider at the beginning, and the founders wanted to honor Him. As time progressed, slowly more and more changes occurred that God would not approve of - and eventually the nation lost wars and vanished. Will this happen in USA? (DRM 9/6/06)

9:19, 20    Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail;
                    Let the nations be judged before Thee.
                ²⁰Put them in fear, O LORD;
                    Let the nations know that they are but men.

God wants attention, He wants to be known. Most people are so busy with their own lives that they don't even know or care what the Lord wants them to do for Him. I think He causes illness etc. to get attention. This verse is pleading for God to wake up His people. (DRM 2/27/01)

10:4 The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.
All his thoughts are, "There is no God."

    This section is on the wicked people. It's not about Satan. Certainly Satan knows God!
    Those who don't know God, feel that He is not necessary for their lives, they think they can do it alone.
    Lord, let me me TOTALLY dependent on You for all of my needs every day - for YOU control the universe. (DRM 2/28/01)

10:6 [the wicked people] He says to himself, "I shall not be moved; Throughout all generations I shall not be in adversity."

This Psalm is a prayer to God concerning the wicked people in the world, and a plea for His judgment. In this verse, I can easily see the rich and powerful think this thought. They think their money can buy them everything they need. At some point God will get their attention - through any of several things - disease, accident, etc. Then, hopefully, they will call unto Him. (DRM 9/7/06)

10:17 You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.

So many times it seems that in my times of discouragement or trials, that my prayers get nowhere. (This chapter deals with the differences of evil people and good people.)
While it may seem in the short run that God does not answer prayers, I am confident that He does answer prayers in His own time. (DRM 7/17/87)

10:17, 18 O LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble; Thou wilt strengthen their heart, Thou wilt incline Thine ear.
¹⁸To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, That man who is of the earth may cause terror no more.

Who is humble? Those who know that the Lord Jesus is in control of EVERY aspect of their lives. God listens to people who depend on Him for everything.
God knows who are oppressed and why. He doesn't blame them, but loves them and wants them to love Him too. (DRM 3/1/01)

Certainly the Lord Jesus knows the desires of my heart, as He knows everything about me. The question seems to be if my attitude is humble or God honoring. If so, then He will incline His ear and help those in need and oppose "man who is of the earth." Only God knows what will happen in the future. (DRM 9/8/06)

11:5 The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates.

A new interesting thought is the fact that the Lord is examining me and watching how I react to every person that comes into my life. While it is good to act "right," it would be better to say something! How? When? (DRM 7/18/87)

I guess in this verse I am "righteous" and not wicked. God tests me just like He tests the others. The point is to see how we react. If we react with violence, He hates and does not respond. If we react with love and thankfulness, He will continue His love toward us. (DRM 3/2/01)

All people are tested by God in some way. He wants to know where our devotion truly lies. We can say we will follow Him, but what happens when He gives us a request? Do we hear His voice and do it? That's not as easy. . .
Those who deny God will also be denied Heaven when the time comes. All need to know Him. (DRM 9/9/06)

12:1 HELP, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be,
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

As soon as I read this verse, I wondered if it referred to the rapture of the church? If so, it's amazing that David would write it. Perhaps he was referring to the low percentage of true believers in the world, and was lamenting how others speak falsehood (v.2) and think the words they say are their own (free choice?) {v.4} (DRM 9/10/06)

12:5 "Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groanings of the needy,
Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."

People pray to God mainly because of their needs and for the needs of others. The second half of this verse is a great encouragement to me: The Lord will answer our prayers. He will give us safety - Why worry? (DRM 3/3/01)

12:6, 7    The words of the LORD are pure words;
               As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
              ⁷You, O LORD, will keep them;
               You will preserve him from this generation forever.

    The Bible is the pure word of God. The "authors" of the books of the Bible were inspired by God on what to write. He tested the writers, but also the words in the Bible clearly reflect His heart. In that way, He refined the words "seven times."
    As the Author, God will keep these words available to believers for all time.
    As the followers of God, He will also preserve us in our faith forever. (DRM 3/17/13)

12:8 The wicked strut about on every side
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

    Clearly the wicked are not believers in God or Jesus. These people generally are proud of their disbelief and independence from God. They will do whatever seems right in their own eyes.
    When I think of "on every side," I think of how Israel is surrounded by enemies who have this attitude, they seem to defy God and want to kill His chosen people - primarily the Jews, then the Christians next.
    How they enjoy or exalt this attitude is beyond my comprehension - but I know Who will win in the end. (DRM 9/1/14)

13:1 HOW long, O LORD? Wilt Thou forget me forever?
How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?

Sometimes it seems that I pray to the Lord and He doesn't answer. Perhaps I hear no answer because I'm too busy talking/praying, and don't listen hard enough; or it could be that He wants me to wait longer. It's reasonably easy to wait a week or a month for answers, but years are harder as I feel abandoned. Still, I have a lot to be thankful for. (v. 6) (DRM 9/11/06)

13:2    How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
           Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
           How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

    David was looking for answers, but he also seems to be looking for a Savior.
    Only God can answer his personal questions, and only God=Jesus has the answer to our spiritual questions.
    If we assume that David was looking for the Savior to come - then we are looking for the same Person. The difference is that David was looking towards Jesus' first appearance on earth and we are looking for the second, thus we can also say, "how long?" (DRM 11/20/12)

13:3, 4    Consider and answer me,
               O LORD my God;
               Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
              ⁴And my enemy will say,
               "I have overcome him."
               And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

    The question was, "How long, O LORD?" (v. 1) David wanted the answer. We all want to know how long it will be for lots of things from pain and suffering to Jesus' return to take us home.
    One of the possible answers is in the same verse. Death. While we won't get new bodies until the Rapture, we will get answers from God soon after our death.
    The enemy in verse four may overcome our physical bodies and be glad, but, at that point, we will be with the Lord - which is better. (DRM 10/19/13)

13:5, 6 But I have trusted in Thy lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.
⁶I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

I get depressed when anything doesn't go the way I think it should. I often don't understand why God chose to do it "another" way. Lord, teach me to accept Your way, not to get upset, but be thankful for all that You have given me. (DRM 3/4/01)

14:2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

    As I go to work this verse seems so real to me. ARE there any believers in this building? Of the 900, I haven't found even 9 yet.
    Thank God that He has chosen me to be a part of His kingdom. Just this thought should make me a better witness to further His kingdom, but I am still afraid and need to overcome! (DRM 8/11/87)

    How few people truly trust in the Lord for their TOTAL existence? It seems very few, from the encounters that I have had. Lord, help me to be a better witness to your love every day! (DRM 12/19/88)

David's response in v.3 is that "There is no one who does good, not even one." Aren't believers good? Yes, but in v.2, David refers to the sons of men - who aren't the believers. I still believe that the Christian's purpose is to share their faith in some way with those who need to know. How much time is left? (DRM 9/12/06)

14:7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.

The day will come when the people of Israel will finally have their eyes opened. Only God knows when that day will be. Praise the Lord that some Jews already know their Messiah; let that knowledge continue to grow! (DRM 3/5/01)

This Psalm has only five verses, and I outlined the whole Psalm!
This Psalm is great for a description of what a Christian should do to show his faith to his neighbors and people he contacts. (DRM 6/30/87)

This short Psalm of David seemed like the Ten Commandments to me. I counted 10 directives as to what a citizen of Zion should do. Like the Ten Commandments, I'm not perfect on these directives. It reminds me how imperfect I am, and that I need to continuously ask for forgiveness for my sins. Only by God's grace am I forgiven. (DRM 9/13/06)

15:1, 4 O LORD, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?
⁴In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the Lord; He swear to his own hurt, and does not change;

How can I become a better Christian and more like Jesus my Savior? Verse 1 asks the question and the other verses give some answers. I must learn to hate what the Lord hates, and love what the Lord loves. When I am hurt by others, I should consider the source before praying about changing anything. (DRM 3/6/01)

15:5    He does not put out his money at interest,
           Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
           He who does these things will never be shaken.

    This was written by David. In a way, it's another list of what a Israelite or believer or later Christian - should do to please the Lord God.
    As believers, we should not want to take advantage of other believers. We can still charge non-believers a fair interest rate, but not those in the "family." The same refers to bribes - which is a form of deception against others' unknowingly.
    We, believers, are to be a good witness to the rest of the world, to show them honesty and His love through our actions and deeds. (DRM 6/11/14)

16:3 As for the saints who are in the earth,
They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.

    While this Psalm is written by David, it appears that v. 3-4 were spoken by God.
    God loves us, He created us and wants us to live with Him forever.
    The "saints" are people who have trusted in the Lord Jesus for their salvation. Those that have trusted in "another god" are referred to in verse four. (DRM 2/27/13)

I still have a problem thinking about people who worship other gods. I don't want to gloat when they suffer, but can't feel much sorrow for them, either.
The best thing I feel that I should do when they are suffering is to be available to them and perhaps find the opportunity to lead them into trusting in Jesus Christ. (DRM 8/15/87)

16:7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed my mind instructs me in the night.

    When David referred to the Lord's counsel, I think he meant the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit was not referred to, since the Trinity was unknown at the time - this seems logical.
    The same Holy Spirit was probably also referred to in the second line, as this is what the Holy Spirit does.
    While David knew God well, as time progressed, He has revealed more of Himself to us through His Son, Jesus, and the indwelling Holy Spirit - mostly after Pentecost. This I call progressive revelation. (DRM 7/16/14)

16:8, 9    I have set the LORD continually before me;
               Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
            ⁹Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
               My flesh also will dwell securely.

[Re: 16:8] No matter how many times, or in how many verses, I need to be reminded to continuously trust in the Lord Jesus. When trials come, big or small, I get nervous or fearful, which is sin. I know that I can go to the Lord and He will continue to love me and watch over me. (DRM 9/14/06)

    David knew his dependence was totally on the Lord for everything in life. He set the Lord before him in prayer, no matter the circumstances. David knew He was always with him, even at his right hand.
    With that in mind (therefore), he had reason to be glad and he rejoiced. He had confidence that he would be secure because of this relationship.
    In this respect, I/we need to be more like David. We have to remember that the Lord will always be with us, so long as we have put our complete trust in Him. With His help, we will not be shaken with things of this world. (DRM 3/4/18)

16:10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

Sheol: noun

Bible a place in the depths of the earth conceived of as the dwelling of the dead

    With faith in the Lord Jesus, we (I) know that we will spend eternity with Him — and not anywhere else.
    When David wrote this, Jesus was still in the future (for the "first" time), thus this is prophetic that when Jesus "died" His body did not decay, like others who died and their bodies decayed in the grave.
    Jesus is alive and will return in the near future - that's the basis of my (our) faith in Him. (DRM 9/12/12)

In his sermon on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11. He understands that David is not referring to himself but to someone in the future: "[David], foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:31-32). David was speaking of his descendant Jesus, who would fulfill this verse, promising triumph over the grave. (INSIGHT from Our Daily Bread 9/12/12)

16:11 Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.

Praise the Lord - for He has opened my eyes to a fuller knowledge of Him! The path of life should be some way of serving and honoring Him. Just to know what God's will is and to do it should make us happy. (DRM 3/7/01)

17:1 Hear a just cause, O LORD, give heed to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

    David wanted assurance that his prayer was being heard. I/we also want the same assurance. How can we know for sure?
    Prayer requests are the answer - even though we think of them as a question to God. When we ask God for something that He can provide, then get an obvious answer - we know He is listening - it builds our faith that He hears and answers prayers.
    Don't stop praying! God truly is listening. He will give us an answer in His time. (DRM 11/3/17)

Someone else had my problem! It is "nice" to know that I am not the only one who is cut down by his own tongue.
Lord, help me to stop defeating myself and Your kingdom, by what I say and don't say when I should. (DRM DRM 8/23/87)

17:6 I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God;
Incline Thine ear to me, hear my speech.

Prayer is probably the most important part of Christian life. While God already knows all of our trials and needs, He wants to hear from us and know of our devotion to Him. In return we ask for things, and He always responds in some way. The hardest part for me is "wait." (DRM 9/15/06)

17:13 Arise, O LORD, confront him, bring him low; Deliver my soul from the wicked with Thy sword.

This Psalm was about non-believers or the enemy. I certainly believe that the answer to the problem is prayer. Here David is praying for the Lord to do the work that he can't do. "Thy sword" could refer to the Bible. (DRM 3/8/01)

17:15 As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake.

David continues to reflect on his enemies that have "surrounded us in our steps" (v. 11) and "like a lion that is eager to tear. . ." (v. 12). Still, his faith is strong and he continues to depend on the Lord for direction. I pray that my faith will continue through all my trials. (DRM 9/16/06)

18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. My God, my rock in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Almighty God. This Psalm begins with some of His qualities. This verse makes me think of the song "A Mighty Fortress." I have to keep learning to trust in Him for everything and not to worry. (DRM 3/9/01)

18:3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

    As Christians, we have a lot of enemies. Satan works through lots of things to stop us from serving the Lord in various ways.
    My #1 enemy is fear. There's always the non-believers who criticize our beliefs and say we are wasting our time and money. Some are more sly and attack us "behind our back," so we can't succeed in serving the Lord. Like in the book of Job, Satan also can attack our health to stop us.
    God=Jesus is our rock (v. 2) and can save us - or save us from the success of our enemies. He will bring us through and then we can look forward to seeing Him for eternity. (DRM 4/6/15)

18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

This verse describes prayer and how the Lord God does hear our cries for help. While I feel alone at times, I know that the Lord is always near and cares about me. He knows more about me that I do myself, and I must continue to leave my destiny in His great hands. (DRM 9/17/06)

18:11, 12    He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him,
                   Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
                ¹²From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds,
                   Hailstones and coals of fire.

    How can God be associated with darkness? I've always associated God=Jesus with light.
    God had just delivered David from his enemies and it seems to me that David was trying to describe what God had just done. If God was for David, then He would be "hiding" from the enemy. People can hide in the dark. This wasn't describing God's nature, but His hiding place. He could still send hailstones on the enemy and not be seen; as He was behind the thick clouds.
    This is our God, our deliverer. (DRM 1/28/16)

When I have difficult days (like yesterday), I wonder where God is. I wonder why things don't happen the way "I" want them to, then I get perturbed when they don't. I still need help in remembering that the Lord is STILL there, even on the hard days. (DRM 3/10/01)

18:20 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.

God gave us (me) a free will. I can choose to do things that are pleasing to Him or do "my own thing." When I choose to do things I know to be His will, He will reward my obedience. The reward may be delayed until I go home to Heaven, but I know He is watching during my life here. (DRM 9/18/06)

18:30 As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

Time after time I am reminded that God is always with me. I can depend on Him for all my needs. He will defend me (shield) when I need His help; I must continue to trust solely in Him. He is my deliverer, provider, defender and friend <= through the Holy Spirit. (DRM 9/19/06)

18:31, 32    For who is God, but the LORD?
                   And who is a rock, except our God,
                ³²The God who girds me with strength
                   And makes my way blameless?

    The first verse here (v. 31) made me think of the song, "Jesus is the Rock of my Salvation."
    Like a rock, God, the LORD, Jesus will never change. We can depend on Him to be available whenever we call on Him.
    God is the One who gives us physical, but more importantly, spiritual strength. We need to do our part in both instances, by training our body and our mind to read His Word and grow in our faith. As soon as we stop either, all progress made seems to retreat.
    By following Him we know our path will be correct and blameless. (DRM 8/29/15)

18:35    You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
             And Your right hand upholds me;
             And Your gentleness makes me great.

    These are words of David to the Lord God, but don't they also apply to each of us?
    God, through His Son, has given each person salvation, if we only accept His gift.
    God is available and dependable in times of trial - when He upholds me.
    By God's working in our lives, we can be great examples to others - so they can come to faith in Him also. (DRM 1/27/12)

By trusting in the Lord, over a period of time, it will be easier to find the path He desires for me to follow. Hopefully this path will be clearly defined as I grow in Him. (DRM 12/20/88)

18:39 For Thou hast girded me with strength for battle; Thou hast subdued under me those who rose up against me.

When most people read about battles and warfare, they think of physical battles of war. While physical battles are the illustration, I think we must think about the spiritual battles. I need spiritual strength for spiritual battles. (DRM 3/11/01)

David was referring to his physical battles with his enemies here. God had placed fear in them (v. 41) and their cries for help were unheeded. David knew the Lord was his deliverer/provider in battle. I can also take this spiritually in how God=Jesus battles my spiritual enemies. He executes vengeance, not me. {v. 47} (DRM 9/20/06)

18:46 The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation.

This is certainly a praise verse written by David. Here the Lord is considered a Rock - like something that never changes. To exalt is to be thankful for His gifts - and especially for my salvation! (DRM 3/12/01)

19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

    Darwin's theory tries to explain away God in the development of humans on earth, but I don't recall Darwin's theory on the solar system. Who made that?
    Of course I believe that God made every star=sun and all the planets that we can't see with our eyes.
    It is intimidating to think that God made our Sun, Moon, stars, and each cell in our bodies; and still wants to hear our prayers and even acts upon them. What an awesome God! (DRM 4/16/12)

19:2, 3    Day to day pours forth speech,
               And night to night reveals knowledge.
             ³There is no speech, nor are there words;
               Their voice is not heard.

    This refers back to verse one. God made the universe, the "heavens" that go further than the eye can see.
    Every day that we look at the sun, we can see that God made it. Every night (on a clear night) we can see the stars and contemplate the Lord God's knowledge in making it all.
    While God rarely speaks audibly, He speaks through His creations, both during the day and during the night.
    It's hard for me to understand people who look at the stars and don't believe in a God who made them all. (DRM 2/27/14)

19:4    Their line has gone out through all the earth,
           And their utterances to the end of the world.
           In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

    This refers to the stars in the universe. Everyone on earth can look at the sky at night and see the stars.
    While they don't speak utterances, they declare to all people that "God created us."
    From our vantage point, the sun is our star - which provides us light and heat. The other stars are minor compared to our sun - like a backdrop (tent) that can be seen in the background. (DRM 12/22/12)

19:6    Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
           And its circuit to the other end of them;
           And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

    When David wrote this Psalm, the object, the sun, seemed to be the object that moved in the sky, rather than the earth going around the sun. He wrote accurately what he saw, and what we see on sunny days.
    None of us would last very long without the heat from the sun. Everything would freeze very quickly. An example would be that it's generally cooler on a cloudy, rainy day without the sun's radiational warmth.
    We need the Son like we need the sun. Without Him in our lives, we would be cold to others and not reflect His glow. God has provided all that we need, and deserves our thanks. (DRM 3/12/15)

19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The law of the Lord generally refers to the Ten Commandments, but could also refer to any of the hundreds of directives that are mostly in the Old Testament. Following all of these would be perfection, but no one can/could fulfill the Law but Jesus.
The testimony of the Lord makes me think of Testimony Newsletter, where people shared what they experienced. God shares of Himself through the Holy Spirit and the words placed in the Bible. As we read and understand His word, we become more wise in His way. (DRM 1/25/12)

    These are the first two of six aspects of what the Lord God has given us.
    The law of the Lord generally is thought of as the Ten Commandments, but, since this is mentioned in the next verse, could include all the laws, rules and regulations of living a godly life that are throughout the Bible.
    Whenever I see the word testimony, I think of Testimony Newsletter, where people shared how the Lord changed their lives. These simple stories, if taken as an example to a non-believer, would make them wise - to also give their life and soul to the Lord. (DRM 12/6/12)

19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

    I think of precepts and the commandments and the law of the Lord as similar things. When we follow God's rules, as written in the Bible, we know we are pleasing Him, and when we please Him, He often rewards us with various desires and answered prayers. That causes rejoicing in our heart!
    The commandments of the Lord are pure - because He wrote them. They are true imparted knowledge from God Himself to His creation - us.
    Look at the difference between those who follow God's laws and those who don't , which is happier, and will be for eternity? (DRM 9/21/14)

19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

The fear of the Lord is different than the fear of things on earth. When I have the fear of the Lord, it is a desire to do things that please Him. When I please Him, it will improve our relationship and that will last forever.
God still makes decisions - judgments today, like in a courtroom. When does this happen? Every time we make a request! He has to say "yes", "no", or "later." Whatever His decision is, it is the best one, as He knows His plans for each of us. We may not agree with His answer, but eventually we see He was right. (DRM 4/15/14)

19:10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

    This refers back to the previous three verses. In those verses we are told about the goodness of the law and testimony of the Lord (v. 7), the precepts and commandment of the Lord (v. 8), and the fear and judgments of the Lord (v. 9).
    To follow God's directions is more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey because if we DON'T follow His plan for our life we will likely fail and see later that He had a much better plan for our life. Then we will regret that we (I) didn't listen clearly at the point of decision. (DRM 7/17/13)

19:11    Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

What are "them?" I think they are verses 7-9, where six aspects of the Lord God are described (law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear and judgments). As I review and study the Bible, I keep finding new things and more conviction for sins. God is always watching over me, and I hope to keep growing. (DRM 9/21/06)

    Sometimes I sin without knowing I did.
    While the Holy Spirit convicts me most of the time when I sin, I still discover more sin that I committed after the fact. The sins are like hidden faults.
    While I don't have a dictionary nearby, I think 'acquit' is like 'forgive' {not guilty}. I (we) need forgiveness for all our sins, both the sins that we are convicted of immediately and the others that we commit and are unaware of at the time.
    I am a born sinner, saved only by His grace. (DRM 6/5/12)

19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

I fail on this so much. I don't speak enough about the Lord. When I do speak, it's about myself. Many of my thoughts are on other things than God. O Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and let me overflow so much that I will have to tell others about You! (DRM 3/13/01)

20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart. . . and make all your plans succeed.

I am still unable to distinguish which of my hopes and plans for the future are from my mind and which are messages from God. As I study more of God's Word, more of my desires will also be what God intended all along. I can continue to pray that my plans are in His will and they will succeed and help Him in His glory in some way. (DRM 11/25/86)

On many occasions, I receive a nearly immediate response to my prayers. Other times I see or hear nothing — but I keep praying! The word counsel here makes me remember to LISTEN also. I don't do that as well. Lord, may I hear and do what You want me to do. (DRM 3/14/01)

20:5    We will sing for joy over your victory,
           And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.
           May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

    The preceding and following verses refer to prayer, so this verse also tells us about prayer results.
    When I/we get an answer to prayer, it's cause for celebration - at least internally. I know when this happens, I keep thanking God=Jesus over and over.
    The final part of this verse is David's prayer that the Lord would fulfill all our requests. Many times that will not happen, and we have to understand that His will is not always our will. He knows what is best - so, while sometimes hard, we have to do things His way and accept His decisions on our prayers. (DRM 7/18/16)

20:7 Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.

David wrote in military terms as he was praying for victory over his enemies. The chariots and horses indicated the size of the enemy in this case - but today it could also be an example of worldly possessions (cars and money). Either way, our trust must be in the Lord Jesus only. (DRM 9/22/06)

21:7 For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.

Certainly I'm not a king, but in this verse I'll try to be. The verse shows that someone trusted in the Lord. Since the Lord [Most High] saw that trust, He showed lovingkindness to the king [us]. God cares about us and won't let us be shaken. (DRM 3/15/01)

I don't expect that anyone reading this is like King David - who wrote this - but we can all apply his thoughts. David was generally blessed by the Lord God because of his devotion. He also had well known sins, and was corrected for them. He seems to be a good example of both right and wrong. (DRM 9/23/06)

22:5 To Thee they cried out, and were delivered; In Thee they trusted, and were not disappointed.

"Historical tradition" comes to mind when I read this verse. Even before David's time, many had trusted in the Lord God to deliver them - and were not disappointed. David had seen that they were correct in their trust. While he had bad days, like I do, he still trusted in the Lord. (DRM 9/24/06)

22:7, 8    All who see me sneer at me;
               They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying,
              ⁸"Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him;
                Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him."

King David lived about 1000 B.C. We don't know what he was thinking about when he wrote Psalm 22, but it clearly became a prophecy on what would happen to his descendent, Jesus, on that "Good Friday" a thousand years later. The chief priests at the crucifixion of Jesus really said these things (Matt. 27:43).
It's exciting for me to see prophecy fulfilled if it's from David about Jesus or the prophecies of what to expect in our future. This proves that God is real, He knows the future and tells us what to expect via the prophecies written in the Bible . . . and all of His past prophecies have been fulfilled as written. (DRM 3/26/16)

22:9 Yet Thou art He who didst bring me forth from the womb; Thou didst make me trust when upon my mother's breasts.

This is another verse that makes me think of predestination. God knows everything. Even before I was born, He knew what I would be like and if I would worship Him or not. Predestination is something that God only knows. (DRM 3/16/01)

    David felt alone when he wrote this verse. While he was Israel's king, he also wrote about being alone with God. (We can be alone in a crowd.)
    Like any leader, David had enemies from outside Israel, inside Israel from people who disapproved of his dependence on God (vv. 7-8), and of course, Satan and his demons.
    When David called on the Lord, he knew He would be with him. Other friends and relatives are nothing like calling on the Lord God.
    When trouble is near to us, we should call on God=Jesus like David did. (DRM 1/3/17)

22:16    For dogs have surrounded me;
             A band of evildoers has encompassed me;
             They pierced my hands and my feet.

    From what I've read about David, I don't know that they pierced his hands and his feet literally. God put this thought into his mind as it became prophetic as to what would happen to Jesus at the end of His earthly life.
    When things don't go well, and others seem to be at fault, it seems like we are surrounded by "dogs" that want to stop our progress. This can be taken both spiritually and literally in various aspects of life.
    God is in control. He's watching over every part of our lives. (DRM 9/16/15)

22:17,18 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. ¹⁸They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Another prophecy is illustrated here. The most interesting part to me are the first six words. Since they did not break any of Jesus' bones after death, he could count them all. (DRM 12/21/88)

There is no doubt that David was writing these words about Jesus. Jesus never had a broken bone. Everyone was watching Him during His last three years. The soldiers divided His clothing, and still He was willing to die for my sins! I can only thank Him daily. (DRM 3/17/01)

[re: 22:18] While David wrote this Psalm centuries before Jesus came to earth, he seems to have been told what would happen in the future. This prophecy about Jesus was again mentioned in Matt. 27:35 and the other three gospels.
It's exciting for me to see how prophecy has been fulfilled over time - to today. (DRM 9/25/06)

22:24    For He [God] has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
             Nor has He hidden His face from him;
             But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.

Several verses in Psalm 22 are considered prophecies of what would happen to Jesus during the crucifixion. Clearly, this verse could reflect the Father's attitude for His Son, Jesus during this period, but it also can show the Lord God's attitude to each of His children - us.
When we (I) cry to the Lord for help, He hears my voice (verbal or in prayer) and acts on my request. The answer could be 'yes, no, or wait', but, with faith, we have to depend totally on His direction. (DRM 11/1/12)

Psalm 22 is the first in a trilogy of messianic psalms that speak prophetically of the work of Christ. It describes Him as the suffering Savior. Psalm 23 envisions Him as the caring Shepherd, and Psalm 24 hails Him as the conquering King. (from Our Daily Bread, INSIGHT, 11/1/12)

    I looked up one of the cross-references for the word "kingdom," and in this case it refers to the earth.
    God is our absolute ruler, no matter what nation we live in. How many people believe this? How many of today's rulers worship God=Jesus and listen for His direction? In some countries it seems that God is never even considered and people are murdered if they disagree with the government. . . This will increase during the Great Tribulation.
    Thankfully we know that God will win in the end and Jesus will literally rule on earth. PTL! (DRM 12/30/14)

22:29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship, All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The rich and the poor of all religions will know the Lord, they will bow before Him, but NOT ALL will stay in Heaven unless they trusted in Him on Earth. (DRM 3/18/01)

At some day, we don't know when, all people will meet the Lord, believers, both rich and poor and also the unbelievers will stand before God. At that time ALL will have to account for what they did with their life. Since I'm still alive, I want to keep serving Him. (DRM 9/26/06)

    If the Lord is my shepherd, I am a sheep (lamb). I am to be under His care and not to follow any other shepherd.
    While sheep aren't considered very smart by earthly terms, we who belong to Him will be so glad when we go to our future "pasture," Heaven - and not where the other shepherds are leading their flocks.
    I shall not be in want for any thing I NEED, so long as I stay with my Shepherd. (DRM 4/28/13)

This verse of the most famous Psalm makes me think of tranquility today. It could even be an image of Heaven? When I depend totally on Jesus, I should not worry and enjoy the "ride," as He truly is the driver. Still, my desire is to serve Him the rest of my days on earth and let Him work out the details. (DRM 9/27/06)

23:3    He restores my soul;
           He guides me in the paths of righteousness
           For His name's sake.

    This could be a "trinity verse".
    When I fail in some service to the Lord God, He (GOD) knows my heart, forgives me, and restores my soul.
    When I need to make a decision, I usually pray for guidance and THE HOLY SPIRIT guides me in what I should do next.
    God sent JESUS to die for our sake, and we are to confess our sins to Him - Jesus=God. (DRM 10/15/12)

23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

No matter how bad things may get, the Lord is always with me. When things go wrong [in my eyes] I think He has abandoned me, but He hasn't. I need to remember Jesus is always with me and will comfort me — if I only calm down and listen. (DRM 3/19/01)

    The 23rd Psalm is one that I nearly memorized as a child, and was my mother's favorite.
    The best section today seemed to be my constant thoughts of fear, that usually God has suppressed in me.
    I must always remember that God is with me and that I have NOTHING to fear!!! (DRM 3/30/87)

23:5    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
           You have anointed my head with oil;
           My cup overflows.

    God prepared a table for the Israelites when they crossed the desert - He was providing daily food for them.
    When a person is dedicated for a special event, he/she is generally anointed by the church or even another person who cares about their spirit.
    When a cup overflows, it's obvious that the Lord has provided more than enough liquid refreshment - which goes with the food at the table.
    God=Jesus will provide for our every need. (DRM 6/6/13)

23:6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

    This Psalm gives me assurance that no matter what the problem is, the Lord Jesus will be with me and carry me through the trial.
    This verse looks to the future and reminds me that Jesus will be with me for the rest of my earthly life and then I (also with David) will dwell in Heaven in a home forever.
    Whatever the trial today — better days are coming in Heaven and it will all be worth the wait. (DRM 4/2/14)

24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.

I could write a book on this verse. Just to think that everything that exists is the Lord's! We are only caretakers of His bountiful gifts.
But what do we say? "It is mine," but that's not true. It is His and we should be willing to admit it. (DRM 4/14/87)

24:3, 4 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place?
⁴He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully.

Is anyone truly "qualified" to ascend to the hill of the Lord? Have we followed all His laws without error? Is my heart focused on Him at all times? No one is perfect. Only through Jesus can I consider going up the hill to Heaven. Jesus is the answer. (DRM 9/28/06)

24:4, 5 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully.
⁵He shall receive a blessing from the Lord And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

God wants perfection. I try for perfection, but fail and sin. Praise the Lord that He sent His Son Jesus to die for my sins, so that even though I've sinned, He will still love me so long as I ask for forgiveness of sins in Jesus name. (DRM 3/20/01)

24:7,9 [same words] Lift up your heads, O you Gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Reading verse 7 didn't sink in, but repeating it as verse 9 did!
As people get older, and set in their ways that are most unwilling to accept any "new" idea. They are unwilling to "lift up their heads" and see God's glory. If these people do not accept Jesus Christ as their savior, the King of Glory will not come in and save them for eternity. (DRM 5/17/87)

24:8    Who is the King of glory?
           The LORD strong and mighty,
           The LORD mighty in battle.

    God is in control of all aspects of our lives. He is aware when we get sick and who we will meet today. He knows our daily circumstances and if we will have food to eat tomorrow or next month. He knows how much snow will fall in the next storm and where it will rain.
    God is strong and mighty in all these respects. While we can't see Him, it's easy to evidence of His existence if a person only admits it.
    The same occurs in battle - where God knows which side will win and can control the outcome if He wants to.
    This is the King of glory. (DRM 12/26/12)

24:10    Who is this King of glory?
             The LORD of hosts,
             He is the King of glory.      Selah

    The King of glory is mentioned in vv 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this Psalm. There is no doubt that the King of glory is the Lord God - strong and mighty (v. 8) who loves each of His spiritual children.
    No matter how we may not understand some of His ways, He deserves all of our praise and worship. We are to lift up our heads (v. 7, 9) so He may come in - to our minds and hearts.
    Praise the Lord (PTL), serve the Lord and do His will when it is known. (DRM 4/19/15)

25:3 Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

When David wrote this he probably wasn't thinking of those, like us, that are waiting for Jesus' return, thus this verse most likely refers to when we wait on the Lord God to give us direction on what we should do next - to follow His will. We will never be ashamed when we know and follow His will.
Others, mostly non-Christians, who are dishonest and deal treacherously with others, will be ashamed for what they have done - when? At the White Throne of Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) if not before. (DRM 9/9/13)

What is God's will for my life? Today's verse is short and direct. Everyone wants to know and the Lord tells us the answer in different ways. Most of the time it is through His word [Bible] or via the Holy Spirit. (DRM 3/21/01)

25:5    Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
           For You are the God of my salvation;
           For You I wait all the day.

    There are various ways to learn about the Lord God=Jesus.
    Most people learn about the Lord by listening to sermons at church. Some people listen to one or more ministries on the radio. There are also evangelical films, ministries and missionaries that teach the way of the Lord.
    My main source of learning is the Word of God - the Bible. The Holy Spirit seems to make almost all the words in this Book clear to me - and I want to share His insight with others.
    Before starting any new projects for the Lord - I try to wait for His leading. (DRM 10/17/15)

25:6 Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they have been from of old.

    It's not hard to think of how the Lord God has had compassion on people over the years. If we go back to the beginning, God showed Adam compassion when He said, "It is not good for the man to be alone: I will make him a helper suitable for him." (Gen 2:18) God loved His creation then and He also does today.
    Think of how many times you have gone to Him in prayer and He has answered positively, showing both that He was listening and showing His love for you.
    Jesus=God didn't just show His love in the past. He loves us all today also. (DRM 3/15/18)

Thank You, Lord, that You remember us according to Your love. Instruct us and guide us. Teach us to live as those who have been forgiven much. (from Our Daily Bread, 3/15/18 _{DAVID H. ROPER})

25:7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Thy lovingkindness remember Thou me, For Thy goodness sake, O LORD.

We all make mistakes. As I get older it seems that more of my past mistakes [from my "youth"] come to mind. Thankfully, the Lord knows this and forgives the sins that we have committed so long as we ask.
Thank you Jesus for your love - even when I fail you. (DRM 3/22/01)

My main regret from my youth is that I didn't know Jesus as my personal Savior. I'm sure if I had, my whole life would have been different, as He is my priority now and other business ideas were priority then. Now that He is my spiritual priority, I need to get on with His physical work and not just regret the past. (DRM 9/29/06)

25:10 All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

    This made me think of the phrase, "Jesus loves me, this I know. . . "
    So long as I/we love God=Jesus and do things in His covenant/Bible and His testimonies - follow His guidelines as testified by the lives of other people in the Old and New testaments - He promises to watch over us. He loves those who love Him . . . probably more than those who don't - as He (God) loves everyone.
    The Bible is absolute truth. Everything written in it is true. For us to know God's will, we must read and follow what is written in the Book. (DRM 7/19/16)

25:14 The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.

I don't remember seeing the word "secret" in the Bible much. In this case I think it refers to the will of God. If someone doesn't fear - or worship Him - He won't let them know His plans for them or the rest of the world. (DRM 3/23/01)

    Quite often I feel lonely, and it is nice to see it shown in the Bible!
    This verse seems to mean that God will be gracious to the lonely and afflicted in the world, if they trust in Him.
    I pray that God will understand my loneliness and help to find someone who will care about Him and also me. (DRM 8/29/87)

I am taking this verse personally today. Over the recent past I have been extremely frustrated and disappointed that "my" plans didn't work out. I sinned in not hearing the Lord clearly enough. Still, after confession of my sin, I knew that He would use this trial to bring me to have more faith in Him. (DRM 10/10/06)

I sin, just like others sin. I fail to do things that I feel that the Lord wants me to do - by my delays. I need to keep on track, stay the line, and need His help!
I wait for Your help, Jesus, and I am anxious for your soon return to the Earth. (DRM 3/24/01)

26:7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving
And declare all Your wonders.

I know it's hard. God wants us to be His mouthpiece. He tells us what to say through the words in the Bible - all we have to do is repeat what is written. Still, it's hard as I fear rejection and loss of friendships. Ministers have the same fear of loss of their congregation if they proclaim some Bible truths.
The second line here is a partial solution. When we declare His wonders or miracles, non-believers are more likely to listen - because it's something that actually happened to me, not thousands of years ago - but the glory has to go to Jesus=God. (DRM 12/2/13)

26:8 O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house And the place where Your glory dwells.

God dwells in Heaven. From all accounts in the Bible, it's a place beyond my comprehension in its beauty and peacefulness. Almost everyone on earth wants to go there - but they don't know how to receive the admittance pass. Our job is to show them how easy it is. (DRM 8/31/07)

26:12 My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord.

I pray that I will always be with the Lord on level ground. (Not on the rocky road.) When I die and go to the great assembly, it will be easy to praise the Lord for all the great gifts He has given me! (DRM 8/24/87)

27:3    Though a host encamp against me,
           My heart will not fear;
           Though war arise against me,
           In spite of this I shall be confident.

    I can understand David's feelings in this verse. When the Holy Spirit dwells within us and we know it, our confidence grows and we know that whatever happens, God=Jesus will be with us. If we were to die from earth, as believers in Christ, we know that we will immediately go to be with Him.
    The enemy can attack mentally, physically or spiritually, but we know that when the battle is over Jesus will still be with us until the end. He will not leave us or forsake us.
    People without Christ have no hope. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness . . . {song "The Solid Rock" } (DRM 7/20/16)

27:4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

How can I add to that? What was the purpose of my conversion? To think of heaven and to KNOW that I WILL live there someday was all that I could ask!
When I get to heaven, I will want to see Jesus and to do ANYTHING that He will for me to do => I want to do that here too! (DRM 9/14/87)

27:5    For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
           In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
           He will lift me up on a rock.

    I've been reading about the different views on the Rapture lately and felt today that this could be another prophetic verse.
    The day of trouble could be the Tribulation that will be coming (soon?). If raptured, we would be apart from the events occurring on earth - or concealed in His "heavenly" tabernacle.
    At the time of the Rapture, we would be "lifted up" and observing from a high place, like a overhanging rock. (DRM 3/24/12)

27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.

    David desired to hear and follow God's voice. Still, he was a sinner like everyone else.
    In this verse, David's voice cry was that of prayer. He wanted the Lord to hear him and answer him.
    As believers, we all want the same as what David wrote here. It would be futile - useless to pray if God=Jesus wasn't listening. We also want answers to our prayers - which are usually, "yes," "no," or "wait." {I seem to get a lot of "wait."} (DRM 3/3/14)

27:8 When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek."

    This verse should be our attitude from the day that we first trust in Jesus.
    God=Jesus wants us to trust in Him and seek His desires - will. His plans are always better than my/our plans.
    We are to listen for and do His will. David clearly said here, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." showing his commitment and devotion. We (I) are to do the same as followers of Christ. (DRM 10/28/13)

27:9 Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!

At various times in my life it seems that the Holy Spirit is very talkative to me. At other times He's quiet. I don't doubt that He is still with me and know that He loves me. Probably the reason for the silence is not His fault, but really mine - as I've been kept too busy to spend the time to be quiet and listen to His voice. (DRM 8/31/07)

27:10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the LORD will take me up.

    While I know this may not apply to others reading this; this verse is literally true for me today. . .
    Both of my parents have passed from earth, so have left me here. While they were here I didn't feel forsaken, but now I do in many respects.
    The emphasis here is that, no matter how lonely I am, the Lord Jesus is still with me and wants me to live to promote His Kingdom - that's truly our purpose for life, even if it's only in small ways.
    There's plenty of evidence that God=Jesus protects people in His family and I totally trust in Him. (DRM 9/16/14)

27:14    Wait for the LORD;
             Be strong and let your heart take courage;
             Yes, wait for the LORD.

    David knew that the Lord God had His own ways and our/his plans had to be approved by the Lord to succeed (v. 9).
    Apparently I'm like David was in one respect. . . I want to serve the Lord and create a plan and then have to wait for His approval. This was what David wrote in this verse and others.
    God knows our heart motives, but He knows so much more - like the reaction of others and if the plan will succeed or not.
    Like David, we are to wait on the Lord God=Jesus and not rush ahead. He will do the best things in His time. (DRM 9/24/15)

    In my times of trial, dear Lord, teach me to wait for You.
    But please teach me even more to trust the love You have for me.
    And as I do, may I learn Your wisdom and have the patience to endure. (from Our Daily Bread, 9/24/15)

28:5 Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

I would say that this is a reason to fear the Lord. God has the power to do ANYTHING! Unbelievers have no regard or care in the Lord and God will "tear them down" for their disbelief or distrust at some time or another. The only question is when. (DRM 9/9/87)

    David had many enemies, on the battlefield and elsewhere. He had many reasons to pray to the Lord.
He knew the Lord heard his prayers and thanked Him for listening to his requests in this verse.
    As time progresses and we stay in faith, we see how the Lord answers prayers. This is an evidence of His love and protection of His children.
    We, as believers, have a lot to be thankful for and need to keep praying and hoping for His granting of our requests/supplications. (DRM 10/20/17)

28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

Some non-Christians say that Christians use Jesus as a crutch to lean on during our trials. While they may think of that as negative, I want to depend on Him to renew my spiritual and physical strength during trials. I think a very important thing is to also thank Him when a trial is over and He has helped to put me through it successfully. (DRM 9/1/07)

Different Bible versions have different words that could lead to different comments.

    It seems that physically strong people have more confidence - either in themselves or that the Lord Jesus is watching over them.
    In this verse the word "anointed" refers to believers in God. He is the One who gives us both physical strength and spiritual strength to carry on through the day.
    David was dependent on the Lord for everything: physical strength, protection in battles and life in general. We should do the same. (DRM 11/4/17)

29:3    The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
           The God of glory thunders,
           The LORD is over many waters.

    God's voice can be described in many ways for different occasions. In this verse He speaks as loud as the thunder in a thunderstorm over water. Clearly He wanted/wants our attention and action in moving out of the way for this illustration.
    God also can speak in a still small voice and often gives us instructions on what to do in that manner.
    God also speaks to our minds by what is written in His Word, the Bible.
    In all cases, when He speaks, we are to listen and obey. (DRM 4/11/14)

God=Jesus is all powerful and knowing. He has more attributes than we can count or name. His voice can be the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, or the powerful voice of a hurricane as it destroys a city. As absolute Ruler, what He says goes. (DRM 9/1/07)

29:8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

    God can do anything He wants. When I read this verse, I thought of thunder and how God creates it and it makes the earth tremble. My Bible also shows, "causes . . . to swirl."
    Kadesh is where the exodus spies gave the report that there were giants in the land.
    David's point seems to be that God really can do anything. He can make the earth shake or open the land of Israel - no matter the obstacle, He is all powerful.
    We need faith that He also uses His power to love and protect us. We can see all this in the life of Jesus. (DRM 1/27/17)

For most of my years, when I got sick or hurt, I would try to come up with a "fix" on my own. Most often it was a pill of some sort. Finally, after an incident in Chicago where the pain didn't go away, a friend said, "did you pray?" So then I did and the problem went away immediately. It's a great example of praying to the Lord Jesus FIRST for healing, rather than as a last resort.
Jesus=God wants us well. Sometimes He will heal immediately, sometimes through doctors, but always go to Him first as He is truly our Healer in whatever way He chooses. (DRM 11/3/14)

30:4 Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name.

If I wasn't a Christian, there would be little reason to sing praises to our Lord God, as we wouldn't believe that He cared about us. Is that why so many people come to church, stand and don't sing?
This whole Psalm is mostly about thanking and praising His name - which He deserves at least daily. (DRM 9/2/07)

    There are two types of prosperity, financial and spiritual.
    Most often, when someone is doing well financially, they won't want to change anything - as God is blessing them in their current situation, if they know Him or not.
    Spiritual prosperity is deceptive - where people think they know everything about God and His ways - as they have studied for years. But God is bigger than what we can learn in a lifetime.
    No matter how much you think you know, there is a lot more. Keep studying, be humble before the Lord. (DRM 9/11/17)

30:12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Over and over again I read how I must not be silent in proclaiming the Word of God to others. I have no trouble thanking God for His many gifts, but when it comes to witnessing, I still lack confidence.
As with other parts of life, when encouraged and prodded, a person slowly "comes out of his shell." I can only pray that I will be of help to God's Kingdom in some way. (DRM 12/2/86)

31:5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.

David wrote the words here, and Jesus repeated them as His last words while in His earthly body. If they were an indication of Jesus' faith in the Father, these words should also be a reflection of my faith in God=Jesus.
God willing, I'll never stop trusting in Him for all my needs and His provision. (DRM 9/2/07)

31:11    Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach,
             Especially to my neighbors,
             And an object of dread to my acquaintances;
             Those who see me in the street flee from me.

This was written by David, the King God loves. It seems hard that someone who was as popular as David would have feelings like this, but I know that I've had the same feelings on some days when I've been depressed.
We don't know other peoples thoughts about us. Sometimes we guess - like here - but that's another mystery that we (I) will have to find out later - when my earthly life is over and in review. (DRM 9/11/11)

31:13    For I have heard the slander of many,
             Terror is on every side;
             While they took counsel together against me,
             They schemed to take away my life.

    Yes, David wrote this about his enemies pursuing him, but how appropriate are his words to Christians in the world today!
    While I haven't ever posted a Christian video on YouTube, I've watched many put on by others. The comments on many of these videos show the attitude of the "world" about Christianity today.
    The laws in the USA are in debate and ever so slowly the plan is to eliminate Christians. David felt it, Revelation predicts it, and we can see it happening! (DRM 5/4/13)

31:14, 15    But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD,
                   I say, "You are my God."
                ¹⁵My times are in Your hand;
                   Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.

    When I first read this verse, I thought of the word "dependence." Everything we/I do during each day is dependent on His approval. If anything goes other than "my" plan, it is because He ordained it. Telephone call interruptions are another means of His changing our plan or schedule. He knows all and what will happen next.
    Still, we need and pray for His protection from our enemies - who can be other people - like spiritual persecution mentioned here - or any other concern (e.g. fears, health).
    Depend on the Lord God - He is our Rock in times of trouble. (DRM 9/20/15)

31:21 Blessed be the LORD, For He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city.

When you live in a large city (like I did for two years), it's easy to see people involved in sin wherever you walk. How I would like to show them the path to Christ - but would they listen? Still, through it all, God=Jesus has protected me and kept me in His spiritual arms - preparing me for whatever future work He has for me to do. (DRM 9/3/07)

    When David wrote this, he knew that God forgave those who repented of their sins. In this respect, God's forgiveness was His covering over of the committed sin.
    Today's interpretation probably brings Jesus into the verse, as God sent Jesus to physically die for our sins. He (God) made the penalty for sin much clearer and the substitutionary blood of Jesus necessary for believers to be saved from their sin.
    Thank God for His Holy Spirit to give us understanding of what Jesus did by dying for our sins - then to rise from the dead to promise us eternal life. (DRM 10/31/12)

32:2 How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

                                    impute - remember, belonging
                                    iniquity - sin
                                    deceit - lying, withholding from, confessing

    I don't have a dictionary, so had a challenge with three words in this verse. I hope I guessed correctly.
    David was thankful to the Lord; he felt blessed because he had finally confessed his sin to the Lord God. The Lord accepted his confession and said He would remember the sin no longer - but there were consequences.
    As we confess our sins to the Lord, we are not to withhold anything - as He knows it all anyway. Our spirit should have no lying or hiding from telling God the sin and asking Him for forgiveness for that sin. Then the hard part - to try and not do the sin again. (DRM 2/28/15)

32:3, 4    When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
               Through my groaning all day long.
              ⁴For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
               My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.   Selah.

    Unconfessed sin. You can't hide from God.
    From these verses, I/we are reminded what He can do to us to convict us of unrepented sin.
    I don't think unbelievers have the conviction of the Holy Spirit because He (Holy Spirit) is not within them. In this way, conviction of sin is good, and repentance is absolutely necessary as a conditional way to grow in His mercy.
    Repent of sin, don't do it again, and God=Jesus will be pleased . . . and I'll/you'll feel a lot better. (DRM 2/20/14)

32:5    I acknowledged my sin to You,
           And my iniquity I did not hide;
           I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD";
           And You forgave the guilt of my sin.    Selah.

When I (we) first surrendered to the Lord, I gave my sins to the Lord for His forgiveness. The "problem" is that sin keeps coming back in one form or another. We keep getting dirty.
At the end of the day I try to be specific in my prayer for forgiveness for what sins I committed that day. The goal is always -0-, but, after reading the Bible I keep getting convicted for something that I could have done differently. (DRM 5/24/12)

Those who repent see their chastening cease, can have their guilt replaced by joy, and their groaning replaced with rejoicing. They are surrounded by the Lord's unfailing love. (v. 10) (From Our Daily Bread, Insight, 5/24/12)

32:6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.

    While we are on earth, we have access to God though prayer. When our earthly life is over and we didn't call on Him, our opportunity has passed. This is the time (now) that God can be found through prayer. He is ready and willing to forgive us of our sins.
    After we have found God and God has acknowledged us as part of His family, then we can be assured that He will protect us from great disasters like a flood of waters.
    There are exceptions. God's ways are not always logical to us. He may and still does put trials in our lives that seem bad at the time - but will work out for His glory later. (DRM 7/22/14)

32:7    You are my hiding place;
           You preserve me from trouble;
           You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

    David had acknowledged his sin and confessed to the Lord (v. 5) and suggested others do the same (v.6).
    In this verse David was thanking the Lord for His forgiveness and deliverance. This proved that when a person comes to the Lord asking for forgiveness for their sin, He hears us and accepts our confession.
    We can go to the Lord Jesus at any time and He is always available. We can hide our sins with Him, not keep them to ourselves, as He will deliver us so long as we confess/repent our sins to Him. (DRM 8/27/13)

32:8, 9    I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
               I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
             ⁹Do not be as a horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
              Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
               Otherwise they will not come near to you.

    God grants us wisdom and understanding if we let Him instruct us.
    The horse or the mule can not obtain wisdom like we can. They have to depend on others (bit and bridle) to tell them where to go, but we are to let God give us the direction - not humans that can lead us in the wrong direction.
    We need to let the Lord God and the Bible and Holy Spirit give us direction in life. We know this will be the path to follow. (DRM 8/26/17)

[Re 32:8] David had acknowledged his sin and placed his trust in God. In this verse, God responds that He will teach David, and all of us, the way to righteousness. Our teachers are the Holy Spirit, the Bible and the teachings received from pastors in our churches. I believe we need ALL of these teachers to get a full Christian education. (DRM 9/3/07)

32:10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

I seem to continuously look for verses that tell me to trust in the Lord and not just in myself. This verse tells me that the Lord has unfailing love, and no matter what, that He is there and cares. It's nice to think that there is always Someone watching over you - especially in times of self-doubt. (DRM 1/17/87)

32:11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

As Christians, we have a lot to be glad/thankful for. Earlier verses in this psalm remind me of instances where the Lord has forgiven (v. 1) my sins when they were confessed (v. 5). He has also provided a hiding place (v. 7) in times of trouble, and instructed me, through the Holy Spirit, on the ways to go (v. 8).
With His help, my Christian life has remained committed to doing His will. The hardest part has been hearing His still small voice so I know what to do next. It's been an interesting ride. Hopefully you are also "on board." (DRM 7/22/15)

33:1    Sing for you in the LORD,
           O you righteous ones;
           Praise is becoming to the upright.

    Of all the churches I've been to, I can't think of any church service that DIDN'T have music. No matter if it is a traditional hymn or contemporary praise music - it's in every service.
    Music is part of our worship - we want to thank the Lord for all He has done - or be reminded of His gift of salvation. There are so many songs to think of our devotion to Jesus=God.
    This verse is an instruction for us to do this, and we can do it in our homes as well as church. He deserves all the honor and glory for what He has done. (DRM 2/3/17)

33:6, 7    By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
               And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
             ⁷He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
               He lays us the deeps in storehouses.

    Either Darwin's theory or the Bible is right. While these verses don't deal directly with evolution, they do relate to God's creation of the heavens and the sea.
    Many people believe there is no God - that's their faith. If God doesn't exist, how were the heavens, earth and seas formed? It seems so obvious that Someone had to put all these things together so they would work in unison.
    "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Gen. 1:1 (DRM 3/25/14)

33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

The key word in this verse is ALL. Certainly all the citizens of earth don't respect or fear the Lord God today - but they respect His power when a great hurricane or earthquake arrives. We need more people to direct non-believers to God=Jesus as they see His power and learn that the cause is to bring them to a greater understanding of Him. (DRM 9/3/07)

33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

    I seem to recall that Ben Franklin quoted this verse soon after the United States declared its independence.
    Certainly the person who wrote this verse didn't refer to the USA. Most likely it was for Israel, but it should be applicable to ANY country in the world.
    If a country, or its leaders and citizens decide to follow the Lord God, and no other god, and listen to His direction, it should be blessed according to this verse.
    Is there any such country on the earth today? I can't think of any. (DRM 1/9/12)

33:17 A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

While I have never sat on a horse, I can imagine the feeling of sitting high above the people standing nearby and looking down on them with the great strength of the horse beneath me. I might feel indestructible.
Even with all of that power, the Lord God is higher and far more powerful. He is the One who decides who will win the battle - spiritual or physical - against our enemy. (DRM 9/4/07)

No matter what happens God is with me. When given the opportunity to witness to His power and His will we must always be ready to share the faith. (DRM 11/1/86)

    When I read this verse, a song came to mind. Probably it did for you also.
    The words in this verse show that we need other people to truly worship the Lord Jesus.
    This could refer to a person's spouse, but since I'm single, that doesn't work. For me, and hopefully also for you, the best place to "exalt His name together" is a Christian church or your choice. This is truly a place to worship Him with other believers. (DRM 8/8/13)

Like my mother, I have fears about different things. As time has passed, I've come to realize that most of my fears never happened and I just wasted my time worrying about nothing. Now I feel that, since I am trusting totally on Jesus, that fear and worry are sins and are to be avoided. I didn't say it is easy. (DRM 9/5/07)

34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.

    When David wrote this Psalm, he was probably referring to God as being radiant (Rev. 21:23). Technically, the words say "they looked to Him," so they (people) became radiant. When we trust in the Lord God=Jesus, we are to become spiritual lights to others in this dark world.
    After we become Christians, we should never be ashamed of Jesus, our Savior. We are to emit spiritual light and others should see the difference in our lives.
    Is your/my light shining brightly enough for others to see and desire? (DRM 9/10/15)

34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.

    Crying to the Lord has to be in prayer. Whatever our problem is, He is willing to listen. "This man" could have been financially poor or have had other needs. The point is that he cried/called out to the Lord in prayer and God heard him and answered by His actions.
    God always wants to hear from us - no matter the length. Jesus listens to our prayers so long as we have put our faith in Him.
    We don't always get everything we want, but He will provide for our needs. I know He has done it for me. (DRM 7/21/15)

    I always thought that angels were invisible - and they have been for me - except once.
    I know of several times when I should have been in an accident and events suddenly changed - and I attribute that to my angel's protection.
    God knows our needs, and He is watching over our (my) every move and rescues us (if it's His will) through the angels. (DRM 2/20/12)

Today's reading alludes to angelic protection of the believer (v. 7). This reality is illustrated when Elisha and his servant were under attack: "And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, 'Alas, my master! What shall we do?' So he answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, and said, 'LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.' Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6"15-17) (from Our Daily Bread, Insight 2/20/12)

34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

    This would be a great verse to tell someone who hasn't yet trusted in Jesus. Try Him, you'll like Him!
    While a person can put their trust in Jesus on their first encounter, most people need time to decide what to do with Jesus. God gave David these words - as He understands hesitation. After the trial, believers will confirm the Lord is good!
    If you haven't trusted in Jesus yet, try Him. You will be blessed for making this major decision. (DRM 3/20/17)

34:9 O fear the LORD, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want.

    Most of the time when I use the word "fear" I am afraid of something. When we are to fear the Lord God=Jesus, it is not to be afraid, but to give Him respect, honor and worship.
    God created us, He is our heavenly Father. He loves us, thus the fear we have is only that we want to please Him.
    As we fear the Lord, He is pleased and blesses us in various ways - it could be answered prayer, good health or something else.
    Trust in the Lord, fear Him, give Him all the praise and He will return your love by answered prayers. (DRM 7/23/16)

Then David mentions a different type of fear—not a fear that paralyzes, but a deep respect and awe of the One who surrounds us and delivers us (v. 7). We can take refuge in Him because He is good (v. 8). (from Our Daily Bread 7/23/2016)

    Every verse in this Psalm seems to be encouraging for those who have put their faith in the Lord.
    This verse tells us to "depart from evil" - which would be sin before the Lord - "and do good" - which would first be confession of the sin, then to turn and follow His will - which is always good.
    No Christian should want war and bloodshed, but rather peace between nations and all our personal relationships.
    With prayer, we can do both of these directives. (DRM 3/11/18)

34:15, 16 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry, ¹⁶The face of the LORD is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

"What then will you do with Jesus?" is a quote of D. L. Moody's that I remember from the biography video. While the Holy Spirit leads us, the decision we make about truly following Jesus will affect how the Lord God treats us throughout life. He will either love us or consider us as weeds to be ignored and, later burned. I'm choosing the first option myself. (DRM 9/6/07)

34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.

I cry to the Lord Jesus a lot. Some of my crying is liquid and most is in the form of prayer. Many times both are together.
This verse refers to crying to the Lord in prayer. God=Jesus hears the prayers of all of His believers and acts upon all of them. While I/we may not like the "answers" we receive; in time, we will see the reason why He chose the answer He did. Sometimes we won't know His reasoning until we get to Heaven and see Him. (DRM 6/14/14)

34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

    Bad things happen to good people, but bad things also happen to bad people. How are Christians different from the rest of the world?
    We know the Lord Jesus is aware of every thing that is happening to us/me today. Jesus loves me and there is an ultimate reason why "this" happened. When bad things happen, we know that He is near. Some that didn't know Him when the bad thing happened will come to trust in Him for assurance during this time.
    While it may be hard today, Jesus knows what's happening, has compassion, and will bring us to a better tomorrow. (DRM 8/5/16)

34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

    As Christian believers, we are on Satan's attack list. He will try nearly anything to diminish our faith in Jesus. I have had car incidents and lots of health concerns which are/were probably caused by Satan or his demons.
    Still, Jesus loves me/us and wants us to go through these trials to grow our faith and dependence on Him.
    Jesus=God knows all of the trials we are going through. He wants only the best for us. Even health problems can be for His glory. He knows what day He will bring us home - but we don't - and have to accept His will for today. (DRM 7/24/16)

35:1, 2 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. ²Take hold of buckler and shield And rise up for my help.

We all have enemies - either physical and/or spiritual. While I try not to have physical enemies, I feel that some people don't understand or agree with my views on some things. I have no control over their feelings. These verses remind me that the Lord Jesus is my defender against these seen and unseen enemies. (DRM 9/7/07)

35:20 For they do not speak peace,
But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

    I'm a quiet person. The bigger the group of people, the quieter I am. This verse refers to the enemy - those who hate me (v. 19). Since I'm quiet, they talk and make up things about me that aren't true. Sometimes I hear the reports of what they said. Perhaps they want me to fight over what they said, but I just stay with the Lord - quietly.
    God=Jesus knows my heart. He is the one I am to please - not the earthly enemies that just want someone to talk about.
    Stay with Jesus. Ignore the worldly enemies. Jesus will stay with us forever - they won't. (DRM 7/25/16)

35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness;
And do not let them rejoice over me.

Who are "they"? They are the unbelieving enemy or critics or accusers (v. 21). They are easy to find today. Here David is calling on the Lord for defense from these people. He (David) would rather be judged by the Lord God than to hear from the critics - and so should I (we), so long as I try to keep my life true in my devotion only to Him. (DRM 9/8/07)

35:28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.

This meant a lot to me because my witness is so poor. I must try harder and not be afraid to speak to others when given the opportunity! (DRM 5/2/87)

36:5 Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

In our terminology, God is rich. Thankfully He shares His riches. While His mercy comes to mind first, His lovingkindness for His saints (sons and daughers; us) is also unimaginable. His faithfulness or devotion to us is similar even though we don't usually see it until we are in trouble - need. (DRM 9/9/07)

36:6    Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
           Your judgments are like a great deep.
           O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

Somehow, this makes me think of the love and adoration of David for the Lord. There is nothing that God can not do. He is more righteous than anyone on earth; when He judges He is always right, His knowledge is beyond anything we can even imagine. He heals and keeps us on earth until the day He is ready for us to join Him.
With all of these characteristics, He deserves our worship! I can't imagine people NOT seeing His love and NOT wanting to spend eternity with Him. (DRM 3/8/16)

36:7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

Here David makes me visualize a bird - like an eagle - protecting her newly born children.
God loves us much more than a bird loves its young. If anything threatens us (e.g. Satan and his demons) we have an older, wiser Protector. It's a great example of the love that God=Jesus has for each of us. (DRM 11/22/12)

36:8 They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.

    This is another reminder of what God thinks of the people who trust in Him.
    Believers are given good things by the Lord. His house is full of blessings - which we receive in various forms. Not only does the Lord provide for our physical food, but also spiritual things like a clearer understanding of Your plans for the future.
    When we go to His house in need, He satisfies the need and often gives us even more. This is part of His will for all believers. (DRM 2/23/14)

37:1, 2    Do not fret because of evildoers,
               Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
             ²For they will wither quickly like the grass
               And fade like the green herb.

    There are various types of evildoers. I can think of those who steal money from someone else to get ahead and enjoy life more themselves. They seem to be succeeding and flaunt their new wealth. It seems today that they have succeeded far more than we who are honest.
    These two verses remind us that we should not envy these people, as we have the hope and assurance of a better life to come. Just by their evil ways, they may succeed today, but not be in Heaven "tomorrow."
    We need patience. God will reward us for our honesty - and that will last forever. (DRM 2/5/15)

37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Trusting in the Lord is a continuous process. Some days are harder (when things don't go well) than others. Still, we (I) are to "do good," which, I think, means to work as to the Lord.
We have just so many days to be on earth and we don't know what day we'll be leaving. While we are "dwelling in the land" we (I) should be cultivating faithfulness in others - which is really the same process as evangelism . . . sharing and showing Jesus to others. (DRM 12/6/11)

37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

This seems to refer to the will of God. As time progresses, we (I) continue to learn more and more about Him and what He generally desires for each person to do to advance His Kingdom. As I know more of His plan, then my desires will agree with His desires for me. When they agree, then this verse will take effect. I guess I'm not there (in all ways) yet. (DRM 9/10/07)

For the past week or so, I have been praying for a specific thing from the Lord Jesus. Certainly I can not make this thing come true and He would have to convince the other person to accept my invitation.
Would this bring honor and glory to the Lord? Am I trusting only in Him? Am I letting any doubt enter my mind? I this His will? (DRM 5/18/12)

"Trust also in Him" (v. 5). When we confidently entrust everything to God, we can "rest in the LORD" (v. 7), for He is bringing about His best for our lives. (from Our Daily Bread, 5/18/12)

37:6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.

    This thought begins in verse five. So long as we commit ourselves to the Lord Jesus and trust in Him, He will water over me/us.
    There will be a judgment day for everyone. Those that have put their faith in Him will be allowed to enter. What they have done or even thought will be brought to light in that judgment day.
    While I'm sure I've trusted in Him, I also could have done more to proclaim His Kingdom verbally to others. This is conviction of sin, and we all need Him to cover for our sins. (DRM 12/4/15)

37:10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.

    There is a wicked person somewhere in everyone's life. In the Bible it refers to unbelievers, while we (I) also think of people who do dastardly (bad) deeds.
    The little while here could be a persons lifespan. If the wicked person is older, he/she will die and be away from us. If they are younger, we will die and be away from them. Either way, we know they will not be in Heaven, thus they can't be found there.
    As believers, we can look forward to Heaven for different things. This is just one of them. (DRM 10/4/12)

37:13 The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.

    God knows everything about me. He knows more about me and every cell inside my body more than I know myself. He is my Creator.
    God knows my current situation in every situation (e.g. marriage, finances, health) and is watching over me.
    So long as we (I) am honoring the Lord and sharing His Kingdom with others, He will be delighted in my way. At least that's what I understand from this verse. (DRM 10/20/11)

The obedient believer seeks to obey God's Word and rests in God's grace. (from INSIGHT, Our Daily Bread, Dennis Fisher, 10/20/2011)

37:18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless, And their inheritance will be forever.

In this world there are really only two types of people, the believers in Jesus and the unbelievers. Here the believers are called the blameless, as sudden attacks (9/11/01) of different types happen that they did not cause - then they are blameless. We are not to give up. While these things happen in a fallen world, God knows and loves His children. (DRM 9/11/07)

37:23, 24    The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
                   And He delights in his way.
                ²⁴When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
                   Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

    The Lord God is our Protector. After I/we put our trust fully in Jesus, the Holy Spirit directs our way in life - if we know it or not. Since He established the way we would walk, He delights that we are following Him.
    There will still be missteps along the way and God knows that, and, in His love, protects us from worse consequences that could have occurred.
    The goal is not to fall, but with the Lord the suffering should be shorter and it will be His will - and bring glory to His Kingdom.
    God=Jesus loves me and is watching over me/us. (7/28/17)

It's better to live with Him, who picks us up when we fall and hold us by the hand (vv. 23-24), than to surrender to evil (v. 16) (from Our Daily Bread INSIGHT 7/25/17 _{MONICA BRANDS})

37:25    I have been young and now I am old,
             Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
             Or his descendants begging bread.

    I am certainly getting "old" now, and I can agree with this statement. When I ran out of money - or nearly so - the Lord provided in one way or another. It wasn't an easy existence, but still He sent what was NEEDED at just the right time. God does provide for His family in some way - at least He did for me.
    Sometimes God blesses us with things we don't expect when we ask for something else. This is an example of how He directs our paths.
    So long as we/I put my complete faith in Him, He will provide for all of my NEEDS. (DRM 1/6/16)

Notice the words of verse 25. The blessing of the Lord is not just spiritual and future; David says it is here and now and he has seen it. Throughout his life, David had witnessed the reality of the Lord's blessing on the lives of the righteous. (from Our Daily Bread INSIGHT 1/6/16)

    Most people think they leave earth forever when they die to this life. The Bible doesn't teach that.
    If we die before the rapture, our souls will leave earth temporarily until the Tribulation is over. That would also be the case if we are raptured . . . Then, during Christ's millennial reign, we will come back to earth to serve Him here. We will inherit a place in His Kingdom - and serve Him here, on earth, forever.
    The earth is not going to end. There will be a new beginning and the Lord Jesus will finally be in charge instead of the corrupt system of today. (DRM 7/25/15)

This verse refers to the righteous (v. 29). It could also be the one that I could need the most help on. I think people are born with a sin nature. We are not naturally God-centered. We need to become born-again before God's Holy Spirit comes into our heart. Even after that point, we need to be sanctified for a long period of time, then this verse is true. But during the learning process, we fail and our spiritual steps slip. (DRM 9/12/07)

37:34    Wait for the LORD and keep His way,
             And He will exalt you to inherit the land;
             When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

    Patience. It seems that I have been waiting for Jesus' return for decades now, but only He (God) knows the day, hour, minute of Jesus' return for believers (Rapture). We are to stay in His way/belief until He returns. Always be ready.
    When the Tribulation is over, the Lord will give us the land and we will serve Him again on earth.
    It seems that all the events prophesized in the Bible for the end times are now being fulfilled. Are you ready to leave now - or will you suffer the consequences of indecision? (DRM 9/16/13)

38:1, 2    O LORD, rebuke me not in Your wrath,
               And chasten me not in Your burning anger.
             ²For Your arrows have sunk deep into me,
               And Your hand has pressed down on me.

    David seems to have been convicted of some sin in his life. It could be his well known sin , or any other sin. He knew he deserved God's wrath and anger for whatever he had done.
    God's arrows of conviction had penetrated David and he knew he had disobeyed the Lord. He felt squeezed by God to repent.
    We all sin and also need to repent when we (I) are convicted of sin. With no conviction, it is harder, but the Bible lists sins and just reading the list is enough to know we (I) need improvement - forgiveness. (DRM 9/26/13)

38:3, 22 ³Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. ²²Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.

Quite often I have felt that all my illnesses are a result of sin in my life. While this may be true, I also know true believers who also have illnesses. God usually puts people through these situations to make them realize that He exists and to bring us to a greater knowledge of Him.
We must ask God to come and help us with all of our problems and he will answer! (DRM 9/19/87)

God knows all my thoughts and desires. That doesn't mean I shouldn't pray to direct my thoughts directly to Him as needed. When I hurt, am sad, lonely, and need direction; He is always there to listen. No busy signal. He wants us to call on Him. (DRM 9/13/07)

38:13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

This verse is a continuation of v. 12, which refers to people who desire to lay snares and injure me (us) spiritually. The correct response is not to hear or pay attention to their threats, as God will enlighten them (one way or another) in His time.
Sometimes it's not easy, but we (I) are to keep quiet and let it pass. (DRM 9/14/07)

39:1    I said, "I will guard my ways
           That I may not sin with my tongue;
           I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle
           While the wicked are in my presence."

It seems to me that the reason for MOST of my trouble comes from my tongue. I can say things that can be taken a totally different way from what was intended. When I say something I don't think in advance of all the ways another person can think.
David's solution works - keep silent in the presence of non-Christians - but we also have to share our faith with them in some way, so the silence must be measured to certain topics. (DRM 11/19/13)

39:2 But when I was silent and still not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.

So often I say the wrong words and make a fool of myself. When those times come, I try to just stop talking all together knowing that I won't say anything bad that way.
Today's verse reminds me that total silence will also cause anguish. The best solution to this problem is to think before you speak! (DRM 10/30/87)

39:4 LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.

Each person has a certain number of days to serve the Lord Jesus while we are on earth. No one knows how many days we have left. With modern transportation, and terrorism, we are reminded how quickly life can end - even when we (I) am apparently healthy. EVERY day should be used to serve the Lord in some way. (DRM 9/15/07)

39:5    "Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths,
           And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
           Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah

    As time progresses, the years seem to go quicker and quicker. We don't have that much time to be on earth compared to the length of time in eternity.
    In God's eyes, Who already is in eternity, we are here only for a second of time, like a mere breath - but He still loves us and has a plan of something for us to do.
    He will keep us on earth until our mission has been completed, then we will join Him - if we trusted in Him=Jesus while on earth. (DRM 12/31/12)

39:9 "I have become mute, I do not open by mouth,
Because it is You who have done it.

    David wrote this Psalm. David was a king. How could David keep silent? It was his job to give directives.
    I think David had to be referring to the spiritual problem of not sharing our faith verbally. I certainly have the same problem. I'm not sure that I would accuse the Lord for my silence, but rather that He was aware it would happen. Maybe God keeps us silent in certain situations to protect us from people who could be violent on their opposition.
    God knows our heart and our desires. (DRM 10/5/15)

I try to have patience, but never enough. In the past I'd just go and do things and hope the Lord Jesus would approve. Now I wait for His direction, which comes (to me) from a combination of Bible truths, change in circumstances and advice from other Christians. Patience for me now is usually years.
God hears all of our prayers. It's hard to imagine how He does that, but most everything that He has done - from the creation of the universe to every cell in my body - is hard to imagine in my limited mind. (DRM 1/26/14)

40:2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

All I/we have to do is think what our life was like before we trusted in Jesus as our Savior. I/we were in the pit of spiritual destruction. Our fate was Hell. The miry clay makes me think of quicksand pulling me lower and lower into an inescapable end. We had no hope.
Then Jesus came into my life, and He changed my life and my eternal future. He got me our of the miry clay and stood me on the rock of His salvation. Then I knew to keep away from the things that pulled me towards Satan - and followed the path of righteousness - that will lead to Jesus. (DRM 5/23/15)

40:3    He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
           Many will see and fear
           And will trust in the LORD.

God desires our praise - it can be in any of several forms. We can pray with thankfulness, we can speak to others about His provision and we can sing praises to Him by song among many others.
While this verse refers to our singing praises, God's true desire is for us to share His love with others and tell them to also trust in Him. (DRM 12/18/12)

40:4 How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust,
And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

This is more like an assurance of salvation to me. So long as I (we) have trusted in the Lord Jesus for my salvation, I will be blessed with eternal life with Him.
There are many in the opposition, who want us to trust in someone else that sounds good and they seem confident (proud) of their falsehood, but I must be unwavering in my trust only in Jesus for my salvation. (DRM 9/16/07)

40:5    Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done,
           And Your thoughts toward us;
           There is none to compare with You.
           If I would declare and speak of them,
           They would be too numerous to count.

    This seems like a year-end summary verse to me. Like a reflection of all that the Lord has done for me this year - and throughout my life.
    God deserves all the glory for all that He has done for us - individually and as a group/church/nation.
    Thank You a thousand times is not enough. (DRM 12/31/11)

God knows that my true desire is well expressed in this verse. I hope that I can find God's will for my life and follow that track until I meet Jesus Christ.
The second half is the more difficult chore! I must memorize more scripture if I want His law written in my heart! (DRM 11/27/87)

40:9    I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
           Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
           O LORD, You know.

    I think of a congregation as a group of like-minded people, generally in a church.
    It seems easy to me to talk about the Lord Jesus to people in the "congregation" because they generally agree with me in the first place. It's like they say, 'preaching to the choir.'
    A harder thing for me is walking up to a stranger and telling them about the Lord Jesus - as their reaction is unknown and could be violent in today's anti-Christian environment.
    The most difficult thing for me is to talk to longtime friends and relatives who already oppose the Biblical teachings. Their mind seems to be made up. (DRM 1/3/15)

40:10    I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
             I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
             I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.

    David says in this verse that he told others of his faith in the Lord God. How did he do this? He was likely a king at the time - or certainly knew he would be. I can't imagine him standing on a street corner to tell people to trust in God.
    David's way of showing his faith to the people was by his acts. What he did - like the parade with the ark of the covenant (2 Samuel 6:13-16) clearly showed his faith and trust in God. Like he wrote here - he did not hide his faith.
    There are different ways to show our faith to others, including general conversation and stories of how He changed our life. However you choose - we need to tell others all the things He (God=Jesus) has done for us. (DRM 6/25/16)

40:16    Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
             Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
             "The LORD be magnified!"

    David had various thoughts as I just read through this Psalm. He was concerned about his enemies, his salvation and his health.
    In this verse he reminds me that rejoicing and gladness comes from the Lord - as He is the rock of our salvation. When we seek Him, we know that He is caring and listening to our thoughts (in prayer). The Holy Spirit within us, as Christians, gives us the assurance that the Lord is real and alive.
    This should cause us to also say, "The LORD be magnified!" (DRM 11/29/15)

41:1a, 3 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; ³³The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.

Quite often I wonder how I am helping the weak. Is my sympathy enough, or should I try to give more money to their causes?
Certainly the Lord shows in this verse, that we should help the weak in any way possible, not only for selfish reasons, but to truly appreciate the gifts of health that God has given us. (DRM 9/8/87)

41:4 As for me, I said, "O LORD, be gracious to me;
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You."

    In this verse, David is confessing his sin to the Lord God - which reminds us that we have to do the same when the Holy Spirit convicts us.
    David was already a believer in God, so he knew he still sinned after his original faith began . . and needed to keep confessing and asking forgiveness throughout life.
    We have to do the same after becoming Christians. Even after our salvation, we aren't perfect. We still need to confess our sins as the Holy Spirit convicts us. Only Jesus was perfect, but the goal should be to sin as little as possible - and become more like Jesus every day. (DRM 8/31/17)

41:11 By this I know that You are pleased with me, Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.

Everyone has a different opinion. I hope and pray that my opinions are based on Biblical truths. When others differ with my opinions, for whatever reason, based on this verse, they should be wrong, and I should triumph. . . but I also know that I make errors and don't know everything, so think it's best to understand their position and not cause confrontation. Let the Lord decide the "winner." (DRM 9/17/07)

    The deer get thirsty just like we do after eating. They need water just like we do.
    This is a great illustration of our need for spiritual water. We can't have a complete life without the Lord's provision - not only for our physical needs, but also for our salvation and eternal life with Him.
    We need God. We need Jesus. While He is not visible, His acts can be detected if we (I) pay close attention. (DRM 11/27/13)

42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

    This is one of the few verses that a Christian told me meant something special to him.
    Now, I am finally getting that deep feeling that I must do something to serve the Lord, that will mean a more dramatic change in my life.
    I want to serve You, Lord, how may I be of better service? (DRM 10/31/87)

42:3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

There are many reasons to cry to the Lord and the Psalmist isn't clear on the reason in this verse. If this refers to the previous verse (v. 2), then we can wonder when we will appear before God - at our death or Jesus' coming to get us in the rapture. In either event, we don't know when it will be.
Tears can come and we can plead for His response, but still we won't know the answer. People can create "theories," but God knows what man thinks, so will choose a "surprise" date instead. If this refers to death, we will at least know the season if we have a disease. God is still in control. (DRM 4/19/16)

42:8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.

Sometimes it seems that Jesus=God is the ruler of the daytime and Satan is the ruler of the night, as that is the time when sin abounds.
With that in mind, a soothing way for Christians to make it through the night is by listening to music that glorifies Him. It's great to have Christian music available all night on the radio on nights when I can't sleep - or to calm my soul. (DRM 9/18/07)

42:11    Why are you in despair, O my soul?
             And why have you become disturbed within me?
             Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
             The help of my countenance and my God.

    With God on my side, who can be against me - and win?
    Despair and depression and doubt have sometimes come into my life, but, reflecting back on those times, they seem so useless. God=Jesus has come through each time - in one form or another.
    Dependence or hope in God has brought me through the trials and motivated me to continue - and I hope it will for you. (DRM 11/25/11)

Hope for the Christian is a certainty —
because its basis is Christ. (Our Daily Bread 11/25/2011)

43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!

Just yesterday I finished a job for an office that had no Christians - except me. The ungodly have totally different values than mine, and it was difficult - spiritually - to work in that environment of no morals. So God has delivered me from these people - and I will be glad to see what His next assignment will be. (DRM 9/19/07)

43:3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

I always need to know more of God's truth as contained in the Bible: the guide that should, and hopefully will, carry me throughout my life to be more and more like Jesus Christ. (DRM 11/14/87)

44:3 For by their own sword they did not possess the land, And their own arm did not save them,
But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, For You favored them.

I can try almost anything that I want to do, like the people in this verse (probably the Israelites), but that doesn't mean that I will succeed. My will and the will of God for me that day have to agree. If He doesn't want me to succeed, then it won't happen. It's like a closed door, and I have to keep trying until a door opens. (DRM 9/20/07)

44:8 In God we make our boast all day long; and we will praise your name forever.

David was depressed while writing this Psalm and openly wondered why God did not help him even when he (David) boasted of God all day. I believe patience is the answer. God will provide. (DRM 12/22/88)

Like the Psalmist here, I have felt abandoned by the Lord at times. Perhaps it's a trial to see if I (we) are devoted to Him, and to test our faith. No matter how quiet He is, I know He still loves me and will lead me to a path that will bring Him glory in the end. (DRM 9/21/07)

45:7    You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
            Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
            With the oil of joy above Your fellows.

If you don't notice the capitalization of the words, this seems like a great person, but with the capitalizations - indicating God or Jesus - it's easy to see that it's all about Jesus. How the psalmist knew all these details can only be attributed to Divine revelation. If you look carefully, the whole Bible relates to Jesus=God from Genesis to Revelation. (DRM 9/22/07)

The title of this Psalm is "A wedding song," and I believe this verse should represent the hopes of the wife to the husband, or her king (husband) of the household. (DRM 12/23/88)

45:17 I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations;
Therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.

This is a prophetic verse about the coming Messiah whose name was unknown at the time. We know His name is Jesus in English. For 2,000 years now, and for all eternity, His name will be known to all - believers and unbelievers. Those of us who have trusted in Him for our eternal life will give thanks to Jesus for dying and being resurrected forever.
Without Jesus, I would have no hope for eternity. I would think my life was over at the grave, but now the grave is just the beginning of a brand new life with Him forever! (DRM 8/8/15)

46:1-3    God is our refuge and strength,
              A very present help in trouble.
             ²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
              And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
             ³Though its waters roar and foam,
              Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.      Selah

God is in control. While these three verses refer to natural acts of the earth, He is also aware and permits actions of people - if they advance His plans.
While I (we) don't understand what's going on at the time of trials, He does, and we need to depend on Him to bring us through the trial in a way that advances His Kingdom. (DRM 12/19/11)

46:4, 5    There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
               The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
              ⁵God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
               God will help her when morning dawns,

    While this is only my theory, this seems like the New Jerusalem to me. Believers will live in this city (Rev. 22:1-2) that has a river going through it.
    The water of this river comes from the throne of God. When "morning dawns," eternity will stretch on forever and we will be in this newly created home.
    The only reason that I (we) should want to stay on earth today is to share the Word of God with others in any way possible. (DRM 10/6/12)

46:6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered,
He raised His voice, the earth melted.

The first part of this verse could have happened, but I doubt it. The second part clearly hasn't, so I would say this verse is prophetic of the time at the end of the great tribulation, or when God reforms the earth.
Since I believe that this will literally happen someday - it will be an incredible thing to watch. We know the new earth will be better than the current earth - what has God planned? It's truly something to look forward to! (DRM 6/26/14)

No matter how "down" or depressed I feel at times, this verse reminds me that the Lord God, and Jesus, and His angels, are with me and love me and will not let anything happen to me unless it's His will. I can depend on God's strength when I feel that I have little of my own. (DRM 9/23/07)

46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

In the course of history, cities have come and gone. Where have the cities gone? Why did they cease to exist? It could have been they lost a war with their neighboring city, or lack of water, etc. Only God knows why these cities no longer exist. The cities were burned down or torn down - thus devastated and left desolate. Sands and dust covered up the foundations and they were forgotten to future generations - but not God.
Someday we will find out the answers to all these questions - and God=Jesus will explain everything. (DRM 11/3/13)

46:9    He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
           He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
           He burns the chariots with fire.

    Every day there are different wars going on in various parts of the earth. This has been going on as long as I remember.
    When Jesus comes back, He will be in charge; not just for one country, but for the whole world. He will begin His rule right after the great tribulation which really is the greatest war of all - between God and Satan.
    Today it seems hard to imagine everyone agreeing on everything - but the day IS coming and He will settle all disputes. (DRM 5/30/12)

46:10    'Be still, and know that I am God;
            I will be exalted among the nations;
            I will be exalted in the earth."

The awesomeness of God is clearly shown in this verse! Just think about GOD and what He has done and is doing in people's lives! And He loves me! (DRM 9/15/88)

    Throughout the earlier verses of this Psalm, we are told/reminded of God's love and protection for each of us - no matter what happens on the earth.
    The Psalm seems to be prophetic as the river could be New Jerusalem, the nations seem to be more in uproar today and in the future man's works will be destroyed by 'fire'. Wars will cease, then God=Jesus will be exalted when it's all "over."
    We can depend on Him, if He had this written in His Book, we know it will come to pass in His time. He will be our stronghold. (DRM 11/2/14)

This is a praise Psalm. The word praise is mentioned five times in the Psalm and the whole Psalm is looking forward to following Him by hearing and doing His will.
Working for Jesus should be pleasurable. In the future it will be something that I'll truly enjoy doing, as He knows all about me. (DRM 9/24/07)

47:2, 4    For the LORD Most High is to be feared,
               A great King over all the earth.
              ³He subdues peoples under us
               And nations under our feet.
              ⁴He chooses our inheritance for us,
               The glory of Jacob whom He loves.      Selah.

    God is Awesome. He is our Ruler and we are to do His will, no matter what we/I may think at the time; as He knows far more than we do about any situation.
    He chooses who will reign on the earth and could choose us to help proclaim His Kingdom as a type of leader/ruler.
    When our life on earth is over, He will decide what we will receive as an inheritance for our serving Him while here.
    God=Jesus loves us. As we continue in this world our heart should be on Him and how to best serve Him; our Awesome King. (DRM 1/30/18)

This was a short Psalm for tonight, but I immediately thought about my humming at work. When I do hum, most of the time it would be a Christmas song, or other praise song about my Lord.
Lord, help me to keep my heart and mind on YOU and not the world. (DRM 10/26/87)

47:7, 8    For God is the King of all the earth;
               Sing praises with a skillful psalm.
            ⁸God reigns over the nations,
               God sits on His holy throne.

    All I/we have to do is think a little about the awesomeness of God. Think of the things He created that "first week" in Genesis. There's no limit to His powers and ability. Whatever we look at, He created it in some way. Even tall buildings required the materials He created in some way. Trace it back if you want.
    God is not dead. He still reigns and His Son, Jesus, is with Him right now. He truly rules over all the governments on earth.
    He deserves our praise and worship. He knows what will happen tomorrow. (DRM 8/24/17)

48:1 Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

God is compared to a mountain in this Psalm. In the last verse (v. 14) the comparison continues as the mountain is our guide - even to the end. We always have someone to look up to. (DRM 12/24/88)

48:8    As we have heard, so have we seen
            In the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God;
            God will establish her forever. Selah

With references to Mt. Zion, there is no doubt that the city mentioned is Jerusalem. This is God's chosen city and the Jews were/are God's chosen people - which includes born-again people no matter what their previous faith was. In Revelation we are told of a New Jerusalem and that is the city God will establish forever. (DRM 9/25/07)

48:9 We have thought on Your lovingkindness, O God,
In the midst of Your temple.

    God=Jesus deserves all of our honor, worship and praise. In that time the people worshipped Him in the temple in Jerusalem. The way this is written, it seems to be limited to worship in the temple only.
    While we continue to worship God=Jesus in our church of some sort, we can also worship Him wherever we are today.
    Thank God for His lovingkindness wherever you are and whenever you want. He is with us everywhere. (DRM 2/26/17)

48:10    As is Your name, O God,
             So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
             Your right hand is full of righteousness.

    While a purpose of the Bible is to praise God for all He has done, some verses, like this one, are clear in reminding us of that.
    Maybe we don't agree at the time, but God's decisions for us are from His love for us. He is never wrong. He deserves our praise - He created every cell in our body and directs our lives from "behind the scenes."
    We are to praise God, worship Him - and only Him (Father and Son) and obey His commands when we hear them. He will be our Leader forever. (DRM 2/22/16)

49:7, 8    No man can by any means redeem his brother
                Or give to God a ransom for him —
              ⁸For the redemption of his soul is costly,
                And he should cease trying forever —

We can't redeem - or buy - our way to Heaven. No matter how many things we do at church or donate to help others will not secure a place in Heaven. There's only one way - and it is to trust completely in Jesus for the redemption of our soul. He already paid the price in dying for my sins. I have to accept His incredible gift. Thank you Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, that You have opened my eyes. (DRM 9/26/07)

49:16, 17 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.

It seems that I have always been impressed with others riches of one sort or another and desired to have their "success." I still need to learn to accept what God gives me and not to desire others or their successes. The truth in this verse is that these other people will descend, but staying in God's will, will help me to ascend to be with Him. (DRM 3/19/87)

49:20 Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, Is like the beasts that perish.

No matter how much you accumulate; money, fame or power, you can't take it with you when you die. It's really a waste of time to store up treasures that CAN'T go to Heaven. The important part of this verse is "yet without understanding," as these people understand what treasures they CAN take to Heaven, and will work towards that end. (DRM 9/27/07)

This is probably controversial, but I believe this verse literally, like most of the rest of the Bible - except some figurative illustrations with symbolism.
God controls nature, including thunderstorms and hurricanes. He directs their paths, and knows personally who will be affected. If He directs a storm toward a city, then He has a reason for it. (DRM 9/28/07)

50:16    But to the wicked God says,
            "What right have you to tell of My statutes
            And to take My covenant in your mouth?"

There are millions and millions of people who know Jesus in their head and all about Him, but haven't put their full trust in Him for their eternal security. God states here that He is not pleased with these people who tell others, but don't believe or trust themselves. The last sentence could also refer to the communion that began at the Last Supper. (DRM 9/29/07)

    David had been confronted for his sin with Bathsheba by Nathan the prophet. He was verbally told what he had done to displease the Lord God.
    No prophet comes to me to verbally tell me of my sins - but that doesn't mean I don't commit any. I have to depend on the Holy Spirit that lives within me - and has since the day I became a Christian.
    I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict me of my sins so I may confess them and change my ways immediately. (DRM 3/16/13)

Father, open my eyes to see my failings, open my heart to receive Your discipline, and open my will to embrace Your loving purposes. When I fall, I pray that You will make me whole and restore my joy in You. (from Our Daily Bread, 3/16/13)

    David had just sinned against the Lord God by what he did with Bathsheba. He knew he was wrong when this psalm was written.
    As much as we try, we still commit sins of one type or another. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, we are to repent and try not to repeat the offense against the Lord.
    In this verse David asks God to accept his confession of sin. He wanted to "try again."
    David sinned; we also sin in different ways and need forgiveness - God loves us and understands. He will forgive when we repent. Then we can also "try again." It's a life-long process. (DRM 5/30/16)

51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

According to the title of this Psalm, David is writing about forgiveness for his sin with Bathsheba.
This verse reminds me of God's ability to forgive, forget and renew a person back to a "clean" sinless position - based only on His grace. I (we) need this renewal every day! (DRM 8/24/08)

51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

    In this psalm David was asking God for forgiveness for his sin with Bathsheba.
    This verse could apply to each of us. We all sin - no matter how much I/we try not to. When convicted by the Holy Spirit, we are to confess these sins to the Lord.
    At the point of confession, like David, we pray that our sin will not cause eternal separation from our heavenly Father. In rare times this HAS happened (e.g. King Saul).
    We need to confess all our sins as we (I) are made aware of them. (DRM 8/11/13)

51:16    For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
             You are not pleased with burnt offering.
           ¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
             A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

    The title of this psalm indicates that David wrote this just after his sin with Bathsheba. Throughout the psalm, David is asking the Lord for forgiveness.
    In these two verses, David was seemingly ahead of his time. The sacrificial system still existed (2 Sam. 6:17) while he was king, but still he knew that repentance and a broken heart was what God wanted from him.
    As Christians, we know that animal sacrifices are not needed. Like David in this case, we know that repentance and turning from the sin is God's desire.
    His forgiveness will renew our spirit. (DRM 6/3/17)

When our heart is broken over a sin, God mends it with the priceless forgiveness generously offered by our Savior at the cross. He receives us with love when we humble ourselves before Him, and closeness is restored. (from Our Daily Bread 5/31/17 _{JAMES BANKS})

52:7    "Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge,
            But trusted in the abundance of his riches
            And was strong in his evil desire."

This is a statement by the righteous (v.6). To me the "would not make God" shows that the person made a choice at some time in his life to follow the Lord or not. The choice was to follow money - riches, and evil desire - probably for more riches?
My heart is still on serving the Lord - and I pray that He will fill my financial needs. (DRM 8/25/08)

52:8 But I am like an olive tree, flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

53:3 Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.

I totally understand David's feeling here. All people are sinners, thus we have turned from God in some way. After repentance, a very few (like David) listened and attempted to follow God's will. It was and is a narrow way - but a few have "done good" with God's help.

Sometimes when I pray it seems that He can't hear me. But I know that He hears the prayers of His children. I think it's that I want an instant answer that isn't forthcoming. More patience needed! I know everything will work out in His way and His time. (DRM 8/27/08)

55:6, 7    I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
               I would fly away and be at rest."
             ^7"Behold, I would wander far away,
               I would lodge in the wilderness." Selah

    David wanted the Lord to hear his prayer (v. 1), as the enemy was, at least, bothering him in some way.
    David wanted to get out of the situation - to fly away.
    While I doubt that David was thinking of the rapture of believers, I also want to "fly away" from my troubles.
    Everyone wants to start over when times get tough. God has other plans, most of the time, to bring us through the trial, or let us try a new situation if He allows us to start anew. (DRM 2/6/14)

55:9, 10 Confuse, O Lord, divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
¹⁰Day and night they go around her upon her walls, And iniquity and mischief are in her midst.

This is part of a prayer from David against his betrayers and seems to refer to a city - but unnamed. When I first read this I thought it could also refer to spiritual battles - as our enemy is all around us today and, like David, we need the Lord for our protection. (DRM 8/28/08)

55:16, 17 But I call to God and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress and he hears my voice.

Some people pray to God at a specific time of day, or whenever they feel the need, occasionally.
I think that my needs are constant and that I can't wait until bedtime or morning if I need Him NOW. It seems good to know that whenever we need help, God is always there! (DRM 3/27/87)

55:18 He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me,
For they are many who strive with me.

    There are different types of enemies in life. In this Psalm, David refers to his companion and friend (v. 13) who was also an enemy.
    We can agree with some aspects of people and disagree with others. Quite often politics can cause divisions in people and we can agree on other, closer, things.
    The Lord God gives us the ability to make peace with others. There is no reason to emphasize the negative aspects, but rather to emphasize what we agree upon.
    When this happens, the best thing to do is pray to the Lord and depend on His direction. (v. 22) (DRM 2/13/12)

55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

As my long trial continues, this is a very encouraging verse to me today. I know that He is aware of my burdens and will bring me through this time. He is my rock in the time of testing. (DRM 8/29/08)

55:23    But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction;
             Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days.
             But I will trust in You.

    David had a lot of enemies during his lifetime and I'm sure bloody battles were included while he was king (2 Samuel 8:1-6).
    In this verse David reflected on these people who didn't trust in the God that he constantly consulted. He (David) was confident that the Lord would bring the enemies down to certain destruction and would die in the process. Because of their unbelief in God, they would die at a young age.
    David put ALL his trust in God to bring him through the physical and spiritual battles. He is an example to us that God=Jesus will hear our prayers and do the right thing - even if it's not what we expected. (DRM 9/17/16)

{Prayer} God, today I give my problems to You. I know that You are in control of everything and I believe You are willing to help me. Please help me to find peace in you. (from Our Daily Bread, 9/17/16)

56:4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?

Fear can come from many places. Here David is referring to the Philistines capturing him (from the Psalm title) and his fear of what they could do to him. Certainly this would call for an appeal to God for deliverance. I know that God is always listening to my (our) prayers and will answer His people in a way that will honor Him. (DRM 8/30/08)

56:8    You have taken account of my wanderings;
           Put my tears in Your bottle.
           Are they not in Your book?

    Tears come from fear, sorrow and pleading for His help.
    David knew he had physically wandered from battles and spiritually wandered away from God on occasion. He knew that God knows all that we say and do, and that God knew when he was sad and coming to Him for help.
    While I'm glad not to have David's life and experiences, he also followed the Lord God and repented of his sins when he knew of them. That's why he was a man after God's heart. In that respect, he is an example that we should all try and follow. (DRM 11/25/12)

56:9 Then my enemies will turn back in the city when I call;
This I know, that God is for me.

    Many times David's enemies were military, like this time, but we can have all types of enemies; I know my biggest one is health fears.
    David's solution was to call on the Lord God when his enemies arrived. That's the best solution of all - prayer. Why worry when we can call to our Creator and God? If He agrees we should get out of trouble, He can solve the problem in a second.
    The second line made me think of the term, "If God is for me, who can be against me?" Depend on the Lord God=Jesus - He really cares and will help if it's in His will. (DRM 3/24/15)

Our national motto "In God We Trust" probably came from this verse. It seems too bad that our country as a whole does not trust totally in God or His Son.
I must personally trust God and not be afraid of the future or what "may" happen. With Jesus Christ in my heart, what can man do? (DRM 5/7/87)

57:3 He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me, Selah
God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.

I believe this verse truly shows the faith of David. According to the title of this Psalm, he was hiding from Saul in a cave. When he wrote this - yet he continued to trust in God to deliver him.
I wonder if I would be writing Psalms in a similar situation. Most likely I'd be praying. (DRM 8/31/08)

57:4 I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts - men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

This verse certainly applies to me! Sometimes it gets depressing being in a community of "lions," but to know that God is always with me and in me, gives me a better feeling and knowledge that things will work out. (DRM 12/25/88)

57:6    They have prepared a net for my steps;
           My soul is bowed down,
           They dug a pit before me;
           They themselves have fallen into the midst of it.    Selah

    In this case David was fleeing from Saul, but we all have enemies that want to trap us in our belief.
    "They" are the enemy of unbelievers in the Lord. They prepare a net to try and catch us and disprove our faith. Another way they try to do the same is digging a pit to try and get us to fall into. The spiritual enemy truly is Satan and his demons working through unbelievers.
    While they keep setting traps for us, we know that in the end they will fail and that day they will fall into the pit to their own destruction.
    We can still pray for them, that they will turn and follow the Lord Jesus. (DRM 10/6/17)

58:7 Let them (the wicked) vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted.

This is similar to Psalm 57. Thank God we know that He judges both the righteous and the wicked! [v. 11] (DRM 12/26/88)

58:10, 11 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. ¹¹And men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on earth!"

In Bible days, when the wrath of God was shown, the people knew it. Today it seems that the wrath of God is explained away as a fluke of nature that has to be fixed. The cities of Sodom and Pompeii were destroyed because of sin - why don't people think God could/would do that today? (DRM 9/1/08)

59:1, 2 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me.
²Deliver me from those who do iniquity And save me from men of bloodshed.

I think that, in this way, David was just like us. We want protection from our enemies no matter the cause of why they are enemies.
Later in the Psalm, David describes the enemy; then thanks God for His protection - which I try to do as much as possible. (DRM 9/2/08)

59:10 My God in His lovingkindness will meet me;
God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes.

    David was trapped in a house by Saul's soldiers according to the introduction to this Psalm.
    While David knew that the Lord would protect him, he also prayed (v. 1) for a good outcome to this standoff.
    David had confidence in the Lord in this verse; he knew God would do "something."
    I wonder if I would have stayed in the house or gone out and trusted in the Lord's promised protection. (DRM 2/10/14)

59:12, 13a For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, ¹³consume them in wrath, . . .

Worldly people do not think their words are being heard by God, but they are! Instead of thinking we are "better" than anyone, we must be careful not to imitate their actions and show them a "difference" in our lives. (DRM 12/27/88)

59:14, 15    They return at evening, they howl like a dog,
                   And go around the city.
                ¹⁵They wander about for food
                   And growl if they are not satisfied.

    In this Psalm, David was confined to his house or walled city because of his enemies outside.
    David compared his enemies to dogs in these two verses, and it seems logical when we know the background.
    Our enemy, Satan, will do anything he can to divert our attention away from the Lord God=Jesus. People may howl and growl for attention to stop us from serving the Lord. We need discernment to determine who to answer and which voices are merely diversions away from God. (DRM 8/1/14)

59:16    But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;
             Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning,
             For You have been my stronghold
             And a refuge in the day of my distress.

    I remember the magazine cover from decades ago, "God is Dead" or "Is God Dead?"
    Back then I didn't know the answer. Now I know He is alive and well. He has directed me through some winding paths over the years, but we have made it through together. . .
    That's a reason in itself to sing His praises. The process has been slow and tedious, but He has directed the days - and I have to listen for His continual direction for the rest of my days. (DRM 8/1/13)

60:4 You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah

In this Psalm, David seems to go through phases. The first three verses seem to question God: This verse a bit of submission and v.5 a plea for help. Verses 6-8 seem to indicate God has spoken His will, then in v. 9-12 it seems like another prayer for more direction. (DRM 9/3/08)

I first read this verse at work today and it really struck me! To depend on God for each effort and every problem will surely end up in victory. To depend on God and ask Him for help will cause all our enemies (i.e. fear and doubt) to fall away.
Just trusting in God CAN do all that! (DRM 11/17/87)

61:1, 2    Hear my cry, O God;
               Give heed to my prayer.
              ²From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
               Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

    David was calling to God to hear his prayer. He wanted assurance that God was listening.
    No matter where we are, on the land, sea or air, the Lord is just a prayer away. He is everywhere and always ready to listen. As we are earthbound we can think of another person being in a set position, but that's not the case for God=Jesus. He is always wherever we are.
    The rock represents refuge (Psa. 18:2) where we know He is and we are safe talking to Him. Heaven is usually thought of as higher than we are. (DRM 12/28/15)

This verse goes well with one of the bookmarks that I have given away of Water Tower in Chicago.
It's easy to visualize an old tower, perhaps on the corner of a wall, where the enemy is attacking and the tower is providing protection. God is doing that for us every day - if we trust in Him. (DRM 9/4/08)

61:4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.

    It's easy to visualize a baby chick or bird totally dependant on its parents for everything - food and warmth . . . and the little ones are seemingly always crying for more.
    Like the parent bird for its babies, Jesus loves and cares for us. When we cry for help, He's always there.
    As we grow older and put our full trust in Him=Jesus, we should want to spend more and more time with Him in Bible study now and also worship and prayer. Eventually, at a time He chooses, we will live with Him forever. (DRM 3/10/18)

62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

    David wrote this about God. We can think of this about Jesus. That's an example of how Jesus and God are the same, but with different aspects/duties.
    Note the extra word at the end, "greatly shaken." WE WILL be shaken at times when things don't go as expected. People will criticize our faith (more so in today's society), but we are to hold on to our stronghold - the Lord Jesus=God. He will not allow us to be "greatly" shaken from our dependence on Him.
    God will provide. Continue to have faith in Him. (DRM 10/8/14)

62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

This is similar to Prov. 3:5-6, in that we must trust in the Lord at all times. No matter the disappointments that we go through, there is a reason and God will show us the path to follow. (DRM 8/25/87)

62:10    Do not trust in oppression
            And do not vainly hope in robbery;
            If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

I chose this verse for the third time - as I have been "underemployed" for over three years now. When the Lord Jesus allows me to work again, He doesn't want me to immediately spend all the increase in income, but to continue to live in my current status - as the increase could be temporary. (DRM 9/5/08)

63:1    O God, You are my God;
           I shall seek You earnestly;
           My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
           In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

    It's easy to imagine being thirsty. It happens to all of us occasionally. For those out in the desert it could be a major problem.
    David was comparing physical thirst to thirst for God's word = spiritual thirst. A true follower of God=Jesus will always want to learn more about Him. The best way to do that is by reading and understanding the Bible. Other options include sermons at church, radio and television sermons.
    No matter how much we try to learn about the Lord, there will always be more - we should always be "thirsty" for more. (DRM 4/6/17)

    Where is God's sanctuary? I don't think it's something created by human hands. Even in this verse David saw God's power there.
    I think God's sanctuary is in nature. When I/we walk through the woods we see God's power and His glory. Think of the variety of trees in a single acre or the animals that occupy it. All had to come from somewhere. I didn't put them there! I didn't make the trees grow or give them any water. God did all these things. He didn't need our help.
    How I would like to go to God's sanctuary more often. (DRM 1/27/15)

Like others I know, sometimes I can't sleep at night for various reasons. I quite often pray to the Lord during those times. . . even if it's just to let me get more sleep :-) Still, it is a quiet time when I can hear His still small voice clearer. (DRM 9/6/08)

I believe this to be the transitional or key verse of this Psalm. In the first part, the enemy is devising ways to attack David - or any believer.
From this verse and later verses, God is our defender and we are told to "take refuge in Him." (v.10)

What a great but simple verse! God is the One who hears our prayers, and He will ultimately be the judge of all men of good or evil. (DRM 12/28/88)

65:7 Who stills the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples.

When David wrote this verse, he was probably referring to God, as addressed in v.5, but when I read this verse, I thought, "that's what Jesus did when He was on earth." He (Jesus) calmed the sea, the roaring waves and the anxiety of the people - after they trust in Him. (DRM 9/8/08)

66:4    "All the earth will worship You,
           And will sing praises to You;
           They will sing praises to Your name."     Selah

    The key word in this verse is "will". Certainly these things haven't happened since it was written over 2,000+ years ago.
    In the future all the earth will worship our King, they won't have any choice during the millennium - hopefully they will want to as their soul is opened to the realization of all He has done for them.
    All will sing to Jesus=God. His name will be glorified.
    It will be a wonderful time for those of us who worship Him now. Every day is one day closer. Praise the Lord! (DRM 8/7/17)

66:12    You made men ride over our heads;
            We went through fire and through water,
            Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

It seems to me that this verse says that "we were defeated and then tried through fire and water, but through it all, the Lord was watching us and brought us to a better place." This reminds me that God is watching over me and my trial will end for the better at the end. (DRM 9/9/08)

66:16 Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.

This is a good verse to begin to witness or tell people about Christ. The English of this version is actually how we really would say it. The Bible IS alive today. (DRM 12/29/88)

66:20    Blessed be God,
             Who has not turned away my prayer
             Nor His lovingkindness from me.

    God made us. He knows more about how I was created than I do. He knows my thoughts and deeds. When I pray, He hears my words and acts on my requests if He so chooses.
    When others attack me (spiritually or physically) He is aware of it, (v. 11-12) and will bring us through it.
    God=Jesus loves me this I know - for the Bible tells me so. (DRM 11/30/13)

67:1 God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us —

The first line of this verse is clearly directed to God, but if that is the case, then the second line has to refer to Jesus. If it is written to God, it should be "Your" face instead of "His." So, like David, I pray that God will bless us and that Jesus' face will shine upon us. (DRM 9/10/08)

    Before we became Christians, we were just like the rest of the world. . . living in some type of sin - everyone's sin was different. Now, as Christians, we are different and try to avoid sinful ways.
    God puts in our heart, through the Holy Spirit, a desire to tell others about our new life in Jesus and how different we feel knowing our sins are/were forgiven. This needs to be shared with people wherever we are (Matt. 28:19, 20).
    Each one of us can try to do a small part of the "Great Commission" by telling friends and family . This can be accomplished as we work at it together. (DRM 11/5/17)

68:4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the Lord — and rejoice before him.

Sing, sing to God. How great it is to sing praise songs to Him. He deserves all of our attention, if when we are working on something else, occasionally we can even hum. (DRM 12/30/88)

68:9 You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God; You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched.

This verse could refer to a specific event, or it could be a general statement. Like several verses in the Bible, it can be taken more than one way.
God is our Provider. He knows our need and will provide for us in His timing. We may feel "parched," then He will provide the shower of blessing (Ezek. 34:26) at just the right time. (DRM 9/11/08)

68:17 The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness.

I tend to think of the physical world far more than the spiritual world - as that's what I can see. In this verse is a glimpse of the "other side," that shows us (me) the power and authority of Almighty God. Now it makes more sense to call on Him when in trials and troubles. (DRM 9/12/08)

68:19 Blessed by the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah.

Thankfulness should be a daily expression to the Lord. No matter how depressed we may be, so long as we have trusted in the Lord for salvation there is a reason to be thankful that we will have a home awaiting us in Heaven.
Jesus=God listens to our constant or daily petitions/prayers. He deserves praise for answering (in one way or another) each of our burdens. Think of having to listen to millions of sins every day! It could be depressing! Still He loves us with all our faults. Praise the Lord! (DRM 6/20/16)

Psalm 68 is "A Psalm of David," thus this verse has to be prophetic. The temple was built after David died, by his son Solomon. Then the kings of other countries came to Jerusalem. This is another prophecy that has been fulfilled. It's a reminder that ALL prophecies in the Bible WILL BE fulfilled in His time. (DRM 9/13/08) The use of the future tense is a signal that verses 29-32 project us into the future Millennial Reign of Messiah. (WOL Diary comment)

69:5 O God, it is You who knows my folly, And my wrongs are not hidden from You.

I've probably written this many times, but God knows everything, and there is no way that we (I) can keep a secret from Him. You could say that the videotapes of heaven are rolling. Perhaps the point is for us (me) to live a God-honoring life all the time! (DRM 9/14/08)

69:21 They also gave me gall for my food And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a prophetic verse about the crucifixion of Jesus. Gall is also mentioned in Matt. 27:34. It seems that Jesus' friends were afraid to defend His innocence and shows His dependence on the Father. Jesus knew His mission - and this was the time for it to be fulfilled. (DRM 9/15/08)

69:28 May they be blotted out of the book of life And may they not be recorded with the righteous.

In verses 22-28, David seems to ask God for evil things to happen to his enemy. He feels that if they are his (David's) enemy, that they are also the enemy of God's. Of course there is no answer, as God can change anyone's spiritual heart in a moment. Certainly I understand David's feelings - but don't think he or we should condemn anyone for eternity. (DRM 9/16/08) Verses 22-28 prophesy concerning Israel (from WOL diary commentary).

69:30, 31 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. ³¹This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

It seems that King David knew that sacrifices weren't everything. Praising God by our words and songs helps to build His Kingdom better than unmeaningful sacrifices. (DRM 12/31/88)

69:35, 36    For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah,
                   That they may dwell there and possess it.
                ³⁶The descendants of His servants will inherit it,
                   And those who love His name will dwell in it.

    This seems like half fulfilled prophecy and some unfulfilled prophecy to me.
    God gave Israel/Zion her land back in 1948, and they have built new cities throughout the nation. They dwell there and possess the land. They generally are descendants of the Jewish tribes, but others are allowed to live there also.
    Since Jesus is God, they do not love His name - yet. It seems to me that this is still future, or may even refer to the New Jerusalem where all will truly love His name. (DRM 8/5/13)

70:5 But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God: You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

David (and we) could be physically, spiritually or mentally afflicted. From the content of this Psalm, I think David was one of the last two choices. Certainly I have felt the same way by people who verbally attack me at times. Still, the Lord is my rock and deliverer. (DRM 9/17/08)

This seems like something David would write (Psalm 25:1, 2). While David had his sins, he was convicted of his sins (in one way or another) then confessed his sin to God in repentance . He seemed determined to follow the Lord's leading through prayer and following His instructions. He asked God here that he would never be ashamed for his faith in the Lord God.
We need to do the same . . . take refuge in God=Jesus and not be ashamed to have others know of our faith. With confidence, we know that He will watch over us. (DRM 9/11/16)

Here David admits that all of the things that have happened in his life are not of his own doing - it was the Lord that protected him and sustained him.
This is a great reminder to me (us) that He is the director and provider for all that we do. He should receive all the glory. (DRM 9/18/08)

    Dependency. Non-Christians criticize our dependence on the Lord and desire to follow only His lead. They want to "do it my way."
    I feel that I have tried to do too many things "my way," and they keep failing, no matter the motive. What I'm learning is to be still and wait for His direction - even though it seems like I'm running out of time on earth.
    We need the Lord God=Jesus every day as we (I) try to do His will. We have to depend on Him for our health and everything we do. We need confidence that He is with us and will provide for our needs. (DRM 2/7/15)

71:18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.

As I am getting more gray, I think this is so appropriate for me today. I could repeat this over and over as a prayer to the Lord.
This generation truly need to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and I still hope to tell them in some way. (DRM 9/19/08)

72:5 He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.

This chapter seems to be another prophecy of the 2nd coming of Christ to me. In this verse we are reminded of His eternal qualities. That no matter how we feel or what we think, He is eternal. (DRM 1/1/89)

72:8 May he also rule from sea to sea And from the River to the ends of the earth.

This Psalm was written by Solomon, according to the title. This verse could refer to his hope for his son (v.1), or it could refer to Jesus in His rule of the earth - as it specifically refers to "to the ends of the earth." The whole world is looking for such a ruler now - which is another sign of the coming end of the age. (DRM 9/20/08)
The superscription above the Psalm is likely telling us that this Psalm is concerning Solomon and not written by Solomon. We understand it to mean concerning Solomon, with the author, David, writing about his son and next king, Solomon. (WOL diary commentary)

72:13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And the lives [souls] of the needy he will save.

    While this was written about God, it also was prophetic of one thing that Jesus also did while on earth . . . Maybe that's because Jesus is God and would act the same way.
    As Christians, we are to try and live as our Savior, Jesus did. He wants us to have compassion on the poor and needy and not ignore them on the streets. These people need to know Jesus just as much as anyone else - and are more like to be positive with the salvation message than most rich people - who think they can buy happiness and salvation - if they will listen.
    Still, only God can save the souls of people - rich or poor. We are to show them Jesus through our actions. (DRM 7/14/14)

72:17    May his name endure forever;
            May his name increase as long as the sun shines;
            And let men bless themselves by him;
            Let all nations call him blessed.

Here David seems to be writing about the future Messiah who will come - and what He will do and how He will be praised and worshipped. All will call on the name of Jesus. (DRM 9/21/08)

    I know deep inside, that one of my sins still is envy of the rich and "well endowed."
    Since I became a Christian, I have learned that worldly possessions are only temporary and I should be storing up my treasures in heaven.
    Lord, help me to be a better servant to You, and not be tempted by worldly desires. (DRM 10/4/87)

    Society is different today. In Asaph's time, a fat person was a sign of prosperity (v. 3). They had plenty of food available and apparently "no pain." They had no reason to trust in the Lord for their provision because they had it their own way.
    While the attitude of the rich is about the same if they are unbelievers, fatness certainly doesn't indicate wealth today.
    Today, fatness is not desired either physically or spiritually, unless a spiritually fat person has a lot of knowledge about the Lord, and the "world" doesn't want that either. (DRM 12/3/14)

73:11, 12    They say, "How does God know?
                    And is there knowledge with the Most High?"
                    ¹²Behold, these are the wicked;
                    And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.

God blesses some Christians with wealth, and they share His gift with others; but it seems that a great majority are non-Christians who give little or nothing back to the Lord Creator. It seems their goal is always to earn "more" so they can get bigger houses and possessions. This is all fruitless for eternity. (DRM 9/22/08)

    Generally we think of the Holy Spirit indwelling believers after Pentecost in the New Testament. (Acts 2:4). In this verse, the writer refers to "Your counsel," so God clearly talked to this writer.
    We can hear God in various ways: through the words in the Bible, through other Christians, through some circumstances and even audibly through His messengers, the angels.
    So long as we are Christians and trust in Jesus=God we can look forward to being with Him in glory. (DRM 6/7/14)

73:25, 26    Whom have I in heaven but You?
                   And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
                 ²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail,
                    But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

It happens to everyone. We have good days and bad days. Happy days and sad days. . . but the Lord God=Jesus will be with us every day. I/we can call on Him no matter how we feel. He's always willing to listen.
In these verses, the writer reminds us that there is no higher authority to call upon. He is our portion that can fulfill all our needs - when we put our faith in Him, He will strengthen us spiritually to make it through another day. (DRM 9/22/17)

73:27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.

    This is the story of life. We are all born sinners and want to be free to determine our own futures. Satan and his demons keep us from desiring the Lord God and promote our dependence on self.
    In this verse we are reminded the final outcome of those who refuse to listen to, follow and obey His directives. They have no future - or rather a future full of suffering.
    Praise the Lord that I/we have heard His still small voice and will do as He leads - the future for His followers is fantastic! (DRM 1/1/13)

73:28    But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
            I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
            That I may tell of all Your works.

Wherever I am, God is nearby. I know that I can call on Him at any moment, wherever I am, and He will hear me. When I need rapid assistance, He sends angels to provide. I'm sure He has done this - and He wants me to tell others of His provision - so they can give their lives/soul to Him also. (DRM 9/23/08)

74:7 They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground;
They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name.

This must have been written sometime after the temple was destroyed. Since God allows all things to happen, the Israelites had to learn that their actions didn not please Him, and this was a result of their disobedience. It takes a while to realize how we drift away - and must be in constant communion/praise/prayer to Him. (DRM 9/24/08)

74:9 We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.

In this Psalm, David is again asking why God allows our enemies to flourish. David was looking for a Savior in this verse — someone that could lead the way for good in his world. Thank God, He gave us Jesus! (DRM 1/2/89)

74:21 Let not the oppressed return dishonored;
Let the afflicted and needy praise Your name.

It seems that today's society is becoming more and more anti-Christian - thus Christians have become more oppressed for our views - particularly on Jesus.
Even as we Christians have become spiritually, and sometimes physically, afflicted - we must continue to praise the name of Jesus and know that we will have a better future in the end - eternity. (DRM 9/25/08)

75:6, 7    For not from the east, nor from the west,
                Nor from the desert comes exaltation;
                ⁷But God is the Judge;
                He puts down one and exalts another.

God doesn't want us to exalt ourselves, that is pride. I think the major theme of the Bible is to depend totally on Him. He directs our lives. We (I) am to follow His leading. To let Him be the decision-maker, we (I) have to be in total submission and to listen to His Holy Spirit. (DRM 9/26/08)

76:7 You, even You, are to be feared;
And who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry?

God is love and God is to be feared. How can this be? I think that God loves those who honor and worship Him. I think those who oppose Him and don't believe in Him are subject to His wrath. A large scale event, like a hurricane, is an exception, and I believe He will still take care of those who follow Him. (DRM 9/27/08)

76:11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.

When making a vow to do something unto the Lord, don't change your mind and forget Him. (see 1/1/89)[Psa. 72:5] He is eternal, He would not be pleased if you promise something and don't fulfill your promise. (DRM 1/3/89)

77:1 My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud;
My voice rises to God, and He will hear me.

    Asaph (the writer) seemed to go through phases as he wrote this Psalm. He starts by having confidence that God hears his prayers, then wonders why God rejects his prayers (vv. 7-10), then praises God again for what He has done in the past (vv. 11-20).
    When we pray, God hears our prayers so long as we put our trust in Him. He knows His children and wants the best for each of us - even if we don't understand His logic "today," it will make sense in the future.
    Don't give up praying. God IS listening. (DRM 2/20/16)

77:2    In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
           In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness;
           My soul refused to be comforted.

    Asaph, the writer of this Psalm, seems to be frustrated when he wrote some of this. He sought the Lord God with prayer and supplication and didn't get a response, or wasn't comforted by whatever he did hear.
    There's over seven billion people living today, and even if 10% are true Christians, God has a lot of prayer requests to handle all the time. It can take a while to get some answers to our prayers, that's why it's OK to pray the same request until we hear an answer.
    Yes, there were less people in Asaph's time, but God is the Ultimate authority and He will answer if we wait on Him. (DRM 1/13/15)

77:5, 6    I have considered the days of old,
               The years of long ago.
             ⁶I will remember my song in the night;
               I will meditate with my heart,
               And my spirit ponders:

    Asaph (the writer) was reflective in this Psalm. He was thinking of the times when he was younger.
    I think the same way a lot. The common phrase, "if I knew then what I know now" dwells within me when I think of the many failures in my life. Then I remember the Lord was with me through all of these "trials" and they will lead to an ultimate purpose - a learning experience that will lead to a better tomorrow when I am with Him in Heaven.
    Hopefully you feel the same way about your "failures," and how they were really God's will. (DRM 7/12/15)

The Psalms are moving reflections on life and God. In today's psalm Asaph shares the disappointment of feeling as though God has abandoned him. But Asaph also shows us how to change our perspective. We do this by focusing on the character and deeds of the Lord. Our circumstances may not change, but we will see them in a different way - against the backdrop of God. (Our Daily Bread INSIGHT, 7/12/15)

77:14 Thou art the God who workest wonders; Thou hast made known Thy strength among the peoples.

This verse is a reminder that God has worked wonders in the past. He can do anything that He desires. As He used D. L. Moody to speak to others; I pray that He will also use me to proclaim His kingdom in whatever way He desires. (DRM 8/31/03)

77:17, 18    The clouds poured out water;
                   The skies gave forth a sound;
                   Your arrows flashed here and there.
                ¹⁸The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
                   The lightnings lit up the world;
                   The earth trembled and shook.

    So many people think God doesn't exist or doesn't make His presence known today. These two verses appear to show His presence in a thunderstorm. Rain comes from the clouds, thunder from the clouds, lightning here and there.
    Thunder and strong winds, more lightning and the earth shook from the power of the thunder.
    Maybe someone could say, 'this occurs every day somewhere on earth,' but it also is a representation of the power of God - and often animals react to it more than humans do! (DRM 8/9/14)

77:19    Your way was in the sea
              And Your paths in the mighty waters,
              And Your footprints may not be known.

My first thought on this verse was the popular poem, "Footprints," but that illustration is along the waters edge. In this verse the footprints are not seen, but He is there. Our/my God is not seen. His footprints can be invisible, but He is still with me to bring me through each trial. (DRM 8/30/09)

78:4    We will not conceal them from their children,
            But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
            And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

The first part of this Psalm concerns the continuation of the gospel to the next generation. We are to tell our children all of the wondrous works of God. Bible and Christian education is extremely important - to avoid the mistakes of past history.
God is not just from the past, but is still working in the present - if we are just observant and know how He works. (DRM 8/31/09)

78:5    For He established a testimony in Jacob
           And appointed a law in Israel,
           Which He commanded our fathers
           That they should teach them to their children,

    Share.
    God has opened our spiritual eyes and soul to love Him and desire to know Him better. He doesn't want us to keep this knowledge to ourselves. We are to share/tell others about Jesus=God and all that He has done for us.
    In this verse "children" are mentioned. I can imagine that it would be easier to share God's love with those who live with you (e.g. wife, children), if God gave you a family. Still, single people are not exempt. (DRM 4/13/13)

78:6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children.

The Lord God wants us to spread His Word. Here He refers to the children. Certainly He wants all to know about Him and His Son, Jesus. While I was mildly disappointed that my church won't allow me to teach Sunday School, I can still speak about the Bible to whoever I come in contact with. (DRM 9/1/03)

78:7    That they should put their confidence in God
           And not forget the works of God,
           But keep His commandments, . . .

    The previous verses emphasize the need to teach the gospel to the next generation. If we ignore doing this, Christianity could end in 40-70 years!
    Even if you are unmarried (like me), we are instructed throughout the Bible to share our faith. Young people need to trust in Jesus before going in the wrong spiritual direction.
    This verse tells us what we should be doing and saying to the next generation (v. 6). No one knows how many days we have left. When possible, share your faith with all people; especially with the young. (DRM 9/24/16)

78:8    And not be like their fathers,
           A stubborn and rebellious generation,
           A generation that did not prepare its heart
           And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

    This is a transitional verse between the thoughts of teaching the younger generation the works of the Lord (e.g. v.4) and why this should be done - via the example of the Israelites that left Egypt (vv. 11-64).
    The "fathers" in this verse are the ones who left Egypt. They saw all of God's miracles and still rebelled and didn't believe He would provide for their needs. They needed faith rather than rebellion.
    With all of today's technology, it is easy to forget God. People think they can do things (e.g. buy things) without God's approval, then problems come later because He had a better plan for their life. Submit to Him, let Him make these decisions, then follow. (DRM 5/22/17)

    And in their heart they put God to the test
    By asking food according to their desire.
    ¹⁹Then they spoke against God;
    They said, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?"

Here the author is reflecting on the Israelites in the desert in the exodus from Egypt. I'm sure that I would also wonder how God would provide food for the masses. The real question is - did the have faith that He would provide - or not? God wants us to have faith in His provision - even if it's not exactly what we desire. He WILL provide! (DRM 9/1/09)

78:24 And He rained down manna upon them to eat, And gave them food from heaven.

The Israelites complained that God wouldn't provide for their needs, and He got angry with them, but He still provided all they needed, however He killed the stoutest ones - obviously the greediest ones.
If God loved the ones who complained the most, How He must love those who want to serve Him, and do His will! (DRM 9/2/03)

78:34 When He killed them, then they sought Him, And returned and searched diligently for God;

This section [78:32-44] continues to tell about the Israelites exodus from Egypt. They had constantly complained, even though He kept providing for them. After He killed some of them, they finally sought Him. Certainly I deserve the same fate for my past. Only with His help can I continue. . . (DRM 9/3/03)

78:38    But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them;
             And often He restrained His anger
             And did not arouse all His wrath.

Like the Israelites, we (I) fail in different aspects of devotion to the Lord God. During the exodus, they complained about the food and water, etc. and seemed to forget that He was providing everything.
How similar is that to how we want things differently, and want to do things "our" way? God's way is always better than "my" way. (DRM 9/2/09)

78:52 But He led forth His own people like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;

This Psalm continues to describe the exodus from Egypt and all that God did for the Israelites. This verse seems to describe 1: His love for Israel during the exodus, 2: His love for the Jewish people, 3: His coming as Jesus to lead them again, and 4: His love for all believers today. (DRM 9/4/03)

78:53 He led them safely, so that they did not fear;
But the sea engulfed their enemies.

This continues to show and compare the fate of the Israelites to the Egyptians during the Exodus. While they complained, He made all the provisions for the people of Israel while inflicting plagues on the Egyptians. The point is to show how He provides for those He loves. (DRM 9/3/09)

78:56 But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High; they did not keep his statues.

The 78th Psalm seems to go through a series of denials by the people of Israel to God. Many times they doubted that God was there to protect them.
I must learn to continue to trust God for all my needs. While some solutions seem good at the beginning, the best solution is the one that is truly God's will, and I must know it. (DRM 2/7/87)

I would call this a transitional verse in today's reading (v.59-72). In the earlier verses, God was destroying the Israelites with a vengeance, and after this verse He defended them from their adversaries (v. 66) and selected David to rule them. (DRM 9/4/09)

78:69 And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has founded forever.

While I may be mistaken, this verse seems to indicate that God chose Jerusalem for His sanctuary because He likes tall things (heights). He met Moses on top of a mountain, for example. When we get close to God, we have "mountaintop experiences" that lead us to greater service. I pray that I will continue to have these experiences to follow Him closer. (DRM 9/5/03)

79:9 Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

This whole Psalm seemed to be looking for a deliverer or Savior to forgive them for their sins against God. Thank God, Jesus came later to be that Savior that we can go to! (DRM 1/4/89)

Like Israel in this Psalm, I feel that I have been convicted of several different sins this week. I truly wonder how the Lord can use a sinner like me. I also wonder if He has changed His plans for me. Hopefully, He will forgive my faults and still be able to use me - as He later did in Israel. (DRM 9/6/03)

79:10    Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
              Let there be known among the nations in our sight,
             Vengeance for the blood of Your servants which has been shed.

When something bad happens to us, we (I) am tempted to want to "hit back" in vengeance. The Bible doesn't teach that we should do this, but rather God is to give the vengeance (Heb. 10:30).
When bad things happen to good people (e.g. Christians), let God make things right in His timing. (DRM 9/5/09)

79:11, 12    Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;
                   According to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are doomed to die.
                ¹²And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom
                   The reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.

    This psalm of Asaph calls on the Lord God for deliverance (v. 9) from the nations/neighbors that invaded the land.
    Apparently the neighbors were not the only guilty party, as Asaph also calls for forgiveness of "our" sins referring to Israel. Both parties were wrong.
    In these two verses, God is asked to forgive and preserve the prisoner and to avenge the neighbor that invaded.
    Like what is written here, we have enemies that attack us for our faith in the Lord Jesus (v. 6) and we have to keep calling on Him, in prayer, for our protection. (DRM 3/22/18)

80:3 O God, restore us, And cause Thy face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.

Revival vs. Evangelism seems to be a common question to me. Of course we need both, and both are in this verse. As this verse also shows, God is the restorer, not us. We can only make plans and hope they are in His will, but, through His Holy Spirit the work is done. (DRM 9/7/03)

80:4 O LORD God of hosts;
How long will You be angry with the prayer of Your people?

God's people are the Israelites or Jewish nation. The whole Old Testament generally tells of how they fluctuated from following the Lord to defying His will. There must have been some who cried to the Lord God in prayer while the nation worshipped other gods. This verse could be referring to them. (DRM 9/6/09)

80:6 You make us an object of contention to our neighbors,
And our enemies laugh among themselves.

    Israel/Judah was a small nation in the same place as today 2,000 years ago when this was written. It seems like this verse could be written today as so little has changed.
    All of Israel's neighbors are enemies of one sort or another. They would like to destroy Israel - but have the problem that God protects the country He loves.
    As individuals we are also small in a similar way as Israel is small in size, but God also loves us as His family of believers. We have to put our full trust in Him and allow Him to direct our path - just as He will do for little Israel. (DRM 8/13/17)

80:17,18 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. ¹⁸Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

David's Israel was calling for the person at the right hand of God, to deliver them. They promised to call on His name (honor Him), but when He came, where were they??? (DRM 1/5/89)

81:7    "You called in trouble and I rescued you;
            I answered you in the hiding place of thunder;
            I proved you at he waters of Meribah."

This seems to be a quote from God or the Holy Spirit to Asaph, the writer of this Psalm. While He is referring to the Israelites in the exodus, He could also say this to each of us.
Meribah is where Moses struck the rock for water. God has answered my cries for help numerous times, in various ways, like in Meribah. He can do miracles like getting water from a rock, if He so desires. (DRM 9/7/09)

81:13,14 If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, ¹⁴how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

What else could I say? This seems somewhat similar to Psalm 80, in that the Israelites did not want to follow God's lead, thus they went to their own desires. . . (DRM 1/6/89)

This is the Old Testament! The torah? The Jewish people have and "believe" in the words of the Psalms. . . why not these verses? Do they think that the Bible is just a historic book and not for today? Perhaps they should re-read these words and apply them to today's events!
What can I do? Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. That they may truly know the Peace that Christ provides! (DRM 9/8/03)

The "world" is missing out on something. God doesn't want them to be lost, but how can I help to tell them of His Son, Jesus? (DRM 1/7/89)

When I read all of the directives in the Bible, I wonder how I personally can do everything. Today I think the Bible was written for the church, the whole congregation - where each has one or two talents and they should be used for the benefit of the Kingdom. While I can't afford to personally finance the needy - I think that they need to be fed spiritually also, and perhaps He will teach me how to do that. (DRM 9/9/03)

82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth!
For it is You who possesses all the nations.

This Psalm seems to be telling God what to do. I'd rather think of it as requests, as God makes His own decisions and plans.
While I don't agree with the "tone" of the Psalm, I also pray that the Lord God/Jesus will come soon to right all the wrongs that have occurred on earth. (DRM 9/8/09)

83:3 They make shrewd plans against Thy people, And conspire together against Thy treasured ones.

Our enemies are out there! They delight in our downfall. They have been infiltrated by demons and plot for our [Christian] destruction. Most of this Psalm pleads with God to deal with them.
While I can't stop their existence, I must remember that they exist and work towards my destruction. Keep me aware and protected, Lord. (DRM 9/10/03)

83:4 They have said, "Come and let us wipe them out as a nation,
That the name of Israel be remembered no more."

These words were written at least 2,000 years ago and are still spoken today. The nations around Israel have always worked for her destruction - and succeeded for a while - until 1948.
God remembers and is STILL in control. He gave the Israelites back their nation and has defended it since — thus fulfilling His word. And these will continue to be His people. (DRM 9/9/09)

Have people changed much in the past two years? Now that time has progressed, I think people are back to their normal lives now. Some, however, realized how quickly life can end and have trusted in Jesus as their Savior. These people will never die and have a future in heaven. I [and they] are praising the Lord for opening their eyes. (DRM 9/11/03)

84:10    For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
             I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
             Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

I am not sinless or perfect and I know that God will judge me for my many faults, but, like the person who wrote this Psalm, I'd rather be with the Lord God than in this wicked world.
Note that the Psalmist would rather be at the DOOR of God's house than INSIDE the tent/house of the wicked. We are already on/inside the earth, but still have to approach Heaven. (DRM 9/10/09)

I try to trust in the Lord at all times, but sometimes I wonder if He is listening.
It seems that while I'm waiting for a specific answer, another possible solution "pops up." I can only attribute this to God's desire for me and hope that by pursuing this avenue, that I will be doing His will and not mine. (DRM 4/24/87)

85:4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Thine indignation toward us to cease.

I definitely feel like a sinner this morning. It seems to me that the Holy Spirit is indignant toward my slowness in progress. He has been kind enough to tell me what I am to do - and I am delaying! Lord, may I make great progress today and receive your forgiveness for my procrastination. (DRM 9/12/03)

85:6 Will You not Yourself revive us again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?

How we need a revival in this country - the USA! A revival is not the same as conversion, as this verse shows. Revival is revived interest in the Lord and His works by already converted Christians who have been diverted by any of the world's entrapments. I (we) all need a personal revival to keep growing in spiritual wisdom and service. (DRM 9/11/09)

85:8 I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints — but let them not return to folly.

God has a will for all of us, if we will just listen to Him. If we listen to God's will, He will give peace to his people. . . but we must keep in His word and not return to our old sinful ways. (DRM 6/2/87)

    This is the beginning of a prayer given by David. While we don't know what David's needs were at the time this was written, a clue could be that he was "afflicted." Still, afflictions can be both physical and spiritual.
    God knows everything about us. He knows our needs and is ready to respond to our prayers. He can choose to heal or wait or do nothing. Since He knows all, He has a purpose for all He does.
    Like David, we are to pray. As Christians we know He hears us. He will fulfill our needs in His way, and that's always best. (DRM 10/18/16)

He is the one who answers our prayers, guides us by His Spirit, and saves us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. He deserves our lifelong loyalty. (From Our Daily Bread, 10/15/16)

86:5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

    The title of this Psalm is "A prayer of David." In his prayer, David is reminding us that he has full expectation that God hears and answers prayers.
    It's important to pray. While we/I don't know how, God hears our every word even though others are praying at the same time. When we sin, He awaits our confession and is willing to forgive, no matter what the sin is, but we must call on Him.
    Don't forget to pray every day. God=Jesus loves you and wants to hear of your devotion, petitions and thankfulness for what He has done. (DRM 5/11/16)

Psalm 86:5 declares, "You, Lord, are forgiving and good." The Hebrew word translated "forgiving" is sallah and literally means "ready to forgive." Sallah appears just once in the Old Testament. By choosing this particular word, the psalmist is telling his readers that the Lord is not only capable of forgiving our sins, He is also ready and willing to do so. (from Our Daily Bread INSIGHT _{DENNIS MOLES} 5/11/16)

86:6,7   Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;
              And give heed to the voice of my supplications!
             ⁷In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You,
              For You will answer me.

These two verses refer to two aspects of God. He listens to our requests (v.6) and tells us His response (v.7). I have no doubt that He hears and speaks, through the Holy Spirit. My personal problem a lot of the time is too much activity. I need to remember to "be still" and listen to His still small voice. (DRM 9/12/09)

86:8 There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord.
Nor are there any works like Yours.

    This world is full of gods that want our attention. It's easy to get distracted by the gods of money, materialism and other addictive things. We can easily want more and more.
    David pointed out in this prayer that God Himself is the One to be worshipped and not the gods of this world. He is the Creator and sustainer of life. He and His Son, Jesus deserve our worship.
    God's works in nature and how He created and sustains every cell in our body deserve our worship.
    Don't get distracted. (DRM 3/13/17)

86:9,10    All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord,
                And they shall glorify Your name.
              ¹⁰For You are great and do wondrous deeds;
                You alone are God.

    I enjoy prophecy. Even though there are some people that think the world is getting better and better, I don't understand their reasoning.
    Verse nine states, "shall come." I don't think that the whole world worships the Lord God — yet.
    From what I read in the Bible, and see in the news, it appears that the world has a difficult transition ahead before these two prophetic verses will be fulfilled. (DRM 11/27/11)

86:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name.

I still have an incredibly difficult time memorizing Bible verses. Probably a better way would be to pray for God's Spirit to fill me and help me to learn and understand His word better. (DRM 2/5/87)

I take this verse [and almost all others] literally. It seems that I am not getting my Biblical instructions from earthly institutions, but rather from the Source Himself. So far, He has done a great job, however, I also need more personal contact with believers to grow. I pray with trepidation that He will connect me with a supportive group. (DRM 9/13/03)

86:12, 13    I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
                  And will glorify Your name forever.
                ¹³For Your lovingkindness toward me is great,
                  And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

    In this Psalm, David showed his complete dependence and worship - in prayer.
    These two verses illustrate David's thankfulness to God for deliverance from Sheol - like Hell.
    When we become followers of Christ, we also are delivered from the fate of Hell that non-believers will have to face. That's enough of a reason for praise, worship and thankfulness every day we are still on earth - and will be even after we get to Heaven.
    He deserves all our worship! (DRM 11/5/15)

87:2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion
More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob.

I can't think of much to add to this. Throughout the Bible it is stated, in one way or another, that the most holy city is Jerusalem. We are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and look forward to the "New Jerusalem." I wonder if I will ever see this city while I am in this body? (DRM 9/13/09)

87:5 But of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her."; And the Most High Himself will establish her.

Zion is Jerusalem [I looked it up], not Israel. God showed His love for Jerusalem by sending His Son to rule there. Even now it is the spiritual capital of the world. Sure, I would like to visit there, but also have concerns about the violence in the city. If God wants me to go, I'm sure He will tell me, and give me the money to get there. Then I'll go. (DRM 9/14/03)

88:8    You have removed my acquaintances far from me;
           You have made me an object of loathing to them;
            I am shut up and cannot go out.

Most of this Psalm seems accusational against God and that He nearly ruined the author's life. I don't believe that God did all the things He is accused of here.
As a person in a new city, most of my friends are far from me - but, eventually, I have gotten to know friends in this city and, in time, they will be as good as the ones that were "left behind." (DRM 9/14/09)

88:13 But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

This is a very depressing Psalm. As the "Daily Bread" illustrates: The person who wrote this Psalm shows us that Godly people are not exempt from pain and suffering, but (v. 13) when we cry for help, the Lord does listen and pays attention to our prayers. (DRM 7/13/87)

This psalm is asking the Lord for protection. While the title indicates it is "from death," I feel that it is most appropriate to me today, as I see a hurricane approaching and need His protection for my life from what could be physical destruction. I know that whatever happens, GOD is in control! (DRM 9/15/03)

This is a depressing Psalm. Heman, who wrote the Psalm, felt that the Lord God wasn't hearing his prayers (v. 1-2) or healing him when needed (v. 9).
How can I say that the Bible is wrong? I can't. I can say that the Lord God has His own reasons for what He does. Certainly I've had plenty of depressing times recently, but God has brought me through each one - in His time. (DRM 8/19/12)

89:1 I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever; To all generations I will make known Thy faithfulness with my mouth.

This psalm seems to be about the attributes of God, but I still am "stuck" on the first verse. Considering how powerful He is, I am amazed that He would care about me. What am I doing in thankfulness to Him? Am I telling others of my Lord? Not enough! (DRM 9/16/03)

    God is in control. When storms come and the sea rolls, He still is in control. The sea always calms down again in time.
    This verse could also be a prophecy of when Jesus calmed the sea (Luke 8:24), showing that He had power over nature, like the Father.
    When I/we look at His creation - even a little part of it where we live - we are reminded of His awesome power and ability to make it all in the forms we see.
    Truly God=Jesus is awesome. He deserves our complete worship! (DRM 11/16/17)

When we understand the beauty of who God is we "hear the joyful call to worship"—whenever and wherever we are, "all day long" (vv. 15-16 NLT). (from Our Daily Bread 11/16/17 _{HAROLD MYRA})

89:11 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;
The world and all it contains, You have founded them.

This is a reminder to me that God is the Creator of everything. He created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). He created every part of my body, and my soul to love Him, and no other god.
He founded=created everything else on the earth for our enjoyment - and He will rule forever. (DRM 9/15/09)

89:20,21    "I have found David My servant;
                  With My holy oil I have anointed him,
                  ²¹With whom My hand will be established;
                  My arm also will strengthen him."

God chooses a different task for each of us. He had chosen David to be a leader from early in life and anointed him (1 Sam. 16:13) before he slew Goliath. While I have done various things over the years, I'm never sure what God's plan is and still want to "get on with it." (DRM 9/16/09)

89:27,28 I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. ²⁸I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.

While this Psalm emphasizes David, I believe this to represent one of David's descendents: Jesus Christ: God's love for David and Jesus will never fail, just as it will never fail for us either. (DRM 1/8/89)

89:29 So I will establish his descendants forever, And his throne as the days of heaven.

This section of Psalm 89 [verses 19-37] mostly refers to His love of King David. Of all of the verses, I think most highly of the prophetic one that could only be fulfilled by having Jesus as one of King David's descendents. I must also be reminded that many of God's thoughts and plans are in the Bible — if I only study it more! (DRM 9/17/03)

89:46    How long, O LORD?
             Will You hide Yourself forever?
             Will Your wrath burn like fire?

This part of Psalm 89 seems like a long complaint against the Lord God. Perhaps there is historical significance to what was happening in Israel at the time? As I'm sure I've written before, I also wonder why God tests me, but I try to listen to His direction and follow His plan - as it is revealed to me. (DRM 9/17/09)

89:48 What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?

This section of Psalm 89 [verses 38-52] seemed to be full of complaints about God, that the author was not well treated. It also could be prophetic about Jesus' treatment later. The verse I chose today seems to have easier answers. Yes, the rapture can occur. No, only the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, can change a soul to serve the Lord. (DRM 9/18/03)

90:4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by; or like a watch in the night.

This well known verse makes me remember just how short my life is. While the future seems like "a long time away," the past seems just like "yesterday." (DRM 3/8/88)

90:5 You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;
In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.

    This section of the Psalm (v. 3-6) seems to refer to aging and how God is ageless (v. 4).
    Our days go by quickly, they are swept away like a flood, then we "die."
    After "death," we are given a new body and start anew, like grass in the morning. This does NOT refer to reincarnation, where people die then become other animals, but rather that we will return with (and like) Jesus in the New Jerusalem - when this age is over. (DRM 3/7/12)

90:9 For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.

Aging is a process that I don't like going through. Here it is described as "declined." God's fury doesn't have to be. God can be furious with those who don't obey Him, but to those He loves, He (hopefully) will treat with more compassion.
I think of a sigh as a feeling of resignation, that I could have done "so much more" and failed my Redeemer. (DRM 9/8/11)

90:10    As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
             Or if due to strength, eighty years,
             Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
             For soon it is gone and we fly away.

I agree with the common comment that time goes faster when we age. Certainly it seems that way. I think the real reason is because each task takes longer to do.
As we (I) age, I realize how little has really been "accomplished" for the Lord and want to improve, but don't have the "time." Before long, death or the rapture will come, then I'll fly away to Him to account for my life. (DRM 9/18/09)

90:11, 12    Who understands the power of Your anger
                   And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
                ¹²So teach us to number our days,
                   That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

    God is Awesome. Moses, who wrote this psalm, had seen the power of God during the exodus - so he knew God personally.
    At times God is loving to those who put their trust in Him, but God can also have anger against those who oppose Him. All we need to do to have the fear of the Lord is to think of what He can do if He gets angry.
    We need wisdom to understand what God=Jesus wants us to do and to give Him honor and glory - then His love will shine through and He will bring us to Him in His time. (DRM 5/11/17)

This Psalm is credited to Moses! It's amazing to me that he would ask God = Jesus to return before He came the first time. Still, it's appropriate for today! The writer also knew we, His servants, would fail and sin and asked God to feel sorry [forgive] us for our sins. While time has moved on, our life and sin remains the same. Lord, forgive me. (DRM 9/19/03)

90:15 Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us.
And the years we have seen evil.

Over the years everything hasn't gone "our way." While I wouldn't call it God's affliction, God was aware of the trials and permitted it for our good. We all have seen the evil in the world.
When this life is over - maybe today? - we will be glad and then the Lord will explain the trials and why we had to endure them. (DRM 2/11/13)

91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

    This world is full of troubles - wars, rioting, threats of war, terrorism . . . This verse reminds me/us that God=Jesus will protect His family - even though we know it can happen to us - His Spirit will bring us through the trials.
    Visualize a shelter in the woods - He will protect us from the crowd in the city. The shadow can protect from the hot sun. He will stay with us through the trials.
    Commitment to Him brings us His love and protection. Depend/put all your faith in Him. (DRM 8/18/17)

Though we go through trouble and heartache, we can face them without fear as long as our faces are turned toward God. He is our "refuge" (91:2, 4, 9). (from Our Daily Bread 8/15/17 _{LINDA WASHINGTON})

91:2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

"In God We Trust" may have come from this verse. Our country was founded upon God and His provisions, but now it seems to have turned its back on God. Will someone bring us back?

91:5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;

I remember a television pastor saying in the late 1990's that he didn't know what was meant by "terror." What kind of terror could come to the USA? Now we know and probably more will follow.
When we are under the protective wings of God (v. 4), we don't need to fear terrorism or bullets in the night, because we know that whatever happens, He will be with us. At death we will be with Him, so the pain will be over - and that's something to look forward to - being in His care FOREVER. (DRM 9/23/13)

91:7    A thousand may fall at your side
           And ten thousand at your right hand,
           But it shall not approach you.

    This Psalm seems to show us the assurance of God's protection over His family of believers.
    There are many things that happen in this world and it inevitably causes me/us concern that something could also happen to me. Christians have died - but still He can give us spiritual peace. We know that if it is His will, He will protect us while we are on earth, if not, we will immediately be with Him in Heaven.
    We have tests of our faith. No matter the outcome, He and we win - just by being with Him=Jesus, God. (DRM 7/6/15)

This Psalm does not promise immunity from danger, but security in the midst of it. (from Our Daily Bread, INSIGHT 7/6/15)

    This psalm gives me assurance that the Lord God is watching over me and will protect me when the battle comes. The battle could refer to both a personal battle or even a national or world battle. So long as we/I put my complete faith in Him, He will watch over and protect me from the evil that surrounds me.
    This verse refers to the diseases that are in the world - and more will come in the last days of tribulation.
    The point here is that, with faith in Him, He will protect us . . . no matter the circumstance. He is truly our Saviour! (DRM 1/2/16)

91:11,12    For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
                  To guard you in all your ways.
                 ¹²They will bear you up in their hands,
                   That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

This refers to our "guardian angels." While angels are invisible - like other spiritual things - sometimes I see the evidence that they are near me. The most obvious example is the protection I have received while driving and stopping suddenly. I pray for their protection, but also drive defensively, so as not to depend on them. (DRM 9/19/09)

91:14 "Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

    This section of Psalm 91 has promises or assurances from God that He will water over and protect us, so long as we love Him.
    This has been true in my life - as it seems to be His will - and I'm so thankful for that. Still, I know there are Christians who die young - and I wonder why? Obviously their departure from earth was His will, but it seems to be in conflict with this and other verse(s).
    Only God knows the length of our lives. He will choose when we will "move on" - the day we are done with our work here. (DRM 12/12/14)

91:15    "He will call upon Me, and I will answer Him;
            I will be with him in trouble;
            I will rescue him, and honor him.

This Psalm seems to be of God's protection. DLM read it on the boat as it was sinking. It was also referred to a lot in 1991 during the war. I chose this verse as a personal encouragement to me. He is reminding me to call on Him for all of my needs. He loves me, and wants the best for me. (DRM 9/20/03)

92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

    We should give thanks to the Lord every day. If for nothing else, He has given us another day to share His love with others in one way or another.
    Depending on your vocal ability, you may not sing every day, but you can hum or even think of musical selections that praise and honor Him every day - like in the shower.
    Corporate worship - with others - still is important at least once a week. If you haven't found a church that teaches from the Bible, search for one. We all need encouragement from other believers. (DRM 1/28/18)

92:4 For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

Sometimes I get frustrated that the Lord isn't working "fast enough" for me - but know that He always has provided in the right time. I just need patience.
I (we) have plenty to be thankful for. As I look around His creation is awesome; and He is still in control! (DRM 9/20/09)

92:9    For, behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
           For, behold, Your enemies will perish;
           All who do iniquity will be scattered.

    It's not hard to find enemies of the Lord. The evidence is what they say and do. They will promote sin and ignore or oppose what the Bible states.
    When their life is over, or possible during the Tribulation, their life will end. Obviously they will not have given their soul to the Lord Jesus and they will go to Hell.
    No one will cease to exist, the question is the destination when this life ends. (DRM 2/24/12)

92:10a    You have exalted my horn (strength) like that of a wild ox.

    This is the first verse that the reference helped me the most. Horn symbolizes strength? Now I understand!
    Both spiritual strength and physical strength come only from the Lord. Whatever we do in either category totally depends on His willing hand and He will help us in whatever we do. (DRM 4/10/87)

92:11 And my eye has looked exultantly upon my foes,
My ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me.

The Lord God is watching over us and protecting us (v. 9). With this in mind, we (I) can have confidence when I see (or feel) my foes (physical or spiritual).
We know that our foes exist, but can trust that He will protect us in times of trouble. (DRM 7/24/12)

92:12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

The comparison of the righteous to a palm tree is quite appropriate to me today. When cold air hits palm trees, they wither, but under the right conditions they will just keep growing and growing. (DRM 1/10/89)

92:12, 14    The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree,
                   He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. ¹⁴They will still yield fruit in old age;
                    They shall be full of sap and very green,

This is another psalm of encouragement to me. I have to remember all of these things (that I feel the Lord is leading me to do) CAN happen IF only I apply myself to do His will. I get diverted and frustrated that so many things have to be done - or do they? This house is full of diversions - but I fear that an apartment could also have the same contents - unless I get on with the "program." (DRM 9/21/03)

92:13 Planted in the house of the LORD,
They will flourish in the courts of our God.

    This refers to the "righteous man" or woman (v. 12) who puts all their trust in the Lord Jesus and serves Him.
    With a one-track mind to please the Lord, we would be "planted in the house of the Lord" and devoted solely to His Kingdom. As a result, God=Jesus will have us "flourish in the courts of our God. That doesn't mean that this will occur on earth - it could be later - in Heaven or New Jerusalem.
    Don't give up in whatever you do to serve or proclaim the Lord. He sees all and will reward you in some way in His future Kingdom. (DRM 11/29/16)

92:15 To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

    Verse 12 refers to the "righteous man" thus a righteous man or woman would do the things in the following verses.
    As Christians, we are to be righteous; following the Lord's example. We are to declare only good things about our Savior to bring others closer to Him.
    Jesus=God is unchanging like a rock and we are to depend on Him for all our needs - but that doesn't mean to sit around and do nothing - but rather to know that He is watching and will direct our paths so our needs will be met.
    I just noticed that this is a continuation of the sentence in v. 14, which refers to old age.
    God=Jesus doesn't want us to quit loving Him at any age. He left us on earth for a reason and declaring His works is not dependent on our physical abilities. (DRM 6/29/13)

93:1 The LORD reigns. He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

    God knows everything. He is strong and has ultimate power in all things. He controls the earth and everyone in it. He is ruler over all. Jesus is God.
    God's amazing abilities include His ability to love each of us individually. He knows everything about me! He cares for me and tells me He loves me.
    How can I ever repay Him for all that He has done for me? (DRM 9/22/03)

    This is the shortest verse in a five verse Psalm.
    Here, God is portrayed as eternal. He began before time and will continue for eternity.
    No matter where I (we) go, God is always there. Not only has He always existed, but He is everywhere. (DRM 9/21/09)

93:3, 4    The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
               The floods have lifted up their voice,
               The floods lift up their pounding waves.
              ⁴More than the sounds of many waters,
               Than the mighty breakers of the sea,
               The LORD on high is mighty.

    God is strong and powerful, He is much bigger than we can imagine. There is nothing He can't do.
    When a flood occurs, the extra water gives even a small stream extra strength to push away anything in its path.
    God's strength (v. 1) and power seem to be emphasized in this psalm. He is Awesome.
    When we call on the Lord in distress, we have confidence He can solve the problem because of these things.
    We can both "fear the Lord" and come to the Lord because He loves us as His children. He wants to hear our prayers. (DRM 7/22/17)

There are clearly two types of people in the world; believers and unbelievers. In this verse the unbelievers are called wicked. The Psalmist questions God and wonders why the wicked unbelievers exult themselves or are exulted and believers seem to be put down.
Of course I can see the same today - and also wonder. This is something that we (I) will find out when we get to Heaven. God knows the plan, we don't. (DRM 9/22/09)

There is NOTHING that God doesn't know about me. Some people fear this, but right now I'm glad He knows my frustration in not getting anything done to serve Him.
I pray that He will make it very clear how I can make the change in all aspects of my life. I also pray that my thoughts and intents are NOT mere breath, but will be future action. (DRM 9/23/03)

94:14 For the LORD will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

While I still feel that God, through the Holy Spirit is not pleased with my slowness, this verse gives me a little more hope. He hasn't sent me a helper for some reason I can't understand, and I am still trying to work towards His goal as I have the energy - and time.
Lord, please don't abandon me for lack of speed. YOU can still send me a helper to speed me along. (DRM 9/24/03)

It seems that I have been far too depressed lately. When I slip, I must remember to trust God more. (DRM 6/25/87)

94:19 When my anxious thought multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.

I should memorize this verse! Certainly I've had anxious thoughts, and He has consoled (calmed) my soul. My mind gets nervous - anxious - at times, but so often the Holy Spirit tells me, "relax, I am in control." The best thing to do is to just leave the matter in His hands, and it will all work out. (DRM 9/23/09)

94:21 They band themselves together against the life of the righteous
And condemn the innocent to death.

    This is today's "news" in the USA.
    "They" are the wicked (v. 3) or unbelievers. Today's goal is to eliminate the remaining Christians in society. Even the nominal Christians don't seem to see this. It's done by stealth. I know I have not been allowed to join their associations because of my (Christian) way of doing business, and it's better not to associate with them anyway.
    To "condemn the innocent to death" sounds like the unborn children today that are aborted at will. It could also refer back to Christians who don't follow their views - as they will literally die in the Tribulation. (DRM 6/20/13)

We should love God enough to worship Him every day. Certainly when speaking to God, He deserves to have a kneeling prayer.
Considering everything God has done for us, He certainly deserves our worship! (DRM 12/26/87)

There are two specific things to do here. Worship can entail many things now - particularly joyous music in this generation. The words are most important, and I think they must be clearly understood by the listeners.
We also have to bow down to pray more often. There is no such thing as praying too much! As best as possible, we are directed to be in prayer continuously. (DRM 9/25/03)

95:7c-8    Today, if you would hear His voice,
                ⁸Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
                As in the day of Massah in the wilderness,

The word "if" here indicates that there are times when the Holy Spirit doesn't talk. Certainly I know that feeling. Since He generally has a "still small voice," I'm not quiet enough.
Both Meribah and Massah refer to the place where Moses struck the rock in the wilderness for water. (DRM 9/24/09)

Why am I afraid to witness to others? Am I ashamed of my salvation? Lord, make me more like You every day of my life! (DRM 1/11/89)

I think this is an action Psalm. God is telling us to DO things, not just sit there and listen! He wants us to sing, proclaim, tell, ascribe, bring, worship and tremble. I know the DLM took this verse [verse 2] personally and was determined to tell at least one other person every day about Jesus. I pray that the Holy Spirit will teach me to do that too. (DRM 9/26/03)

96:3 Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

I wonder how many times the Bible tells us to share the Good News with others? It seems to me that the main request of God=Jesus to His followers is to share "His glory among the nations." Still, most Christians I know won't do this, and don't motivate me to do it either. How will other people know if we don't tell them? (DRM 9/25/09)

    What we wear to church today seems to be controversial. In this verse we are told to wear "holy attire." Does this refer only to the leaders - speakers? It doesn't say that.
    Clearly "holy attire" is not casual clothes that we would wear when going food-grocery shopping.
    God deserves respect. We would tremble before Him if we saw Him face to face, so He deserves the same respect when we can't see Him.
    Like in the 1950's, according to this verse, God wants us to put on our Sunday clothes - and also a heart for Him. (DRM 10/7/13)

96:10    Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns;
             Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
             He will judge the peoples with equity."

    If you've read many of my comments, you know that I emphasize evangelism and the second coming of Jesus.
    Here is another instance of God's desire for us to "say" or share the Good News with people of all nations.
    The earth is NOT going to end, it will not be moved, but rather there will be an overthrow of this system and a new system will be set up with Jesus as King of Kings! (DRM 9/23/11)

"The LORD reigns; the world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously" (Ps. 96:10). God judges according to righteousness - defined by His own perfect justice and flawless character. - Bill Crowder (Our Daily Bread, Radio Bible Class)

97:6 The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His glory.

I'm sure that there are many people who say there is no god, or no God. They do their work and live their lives and don't even think of all the evidence that God surrounds us with. Who put the sun in the sky? Who grew that tree, or our food? What about thunderstorms and the rainbow? God is everywhere. Open your eyes! (DRM 9/27/03)

97:9 For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.

Some people worship other literal gods, like Buddha, or mental gods like money and power. As a believer, I know that God is ruler over all and He has control over every aspect of my life - including the false gods of money and personal control. God controls everything! (DRM 9/26/09)

97:10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

    A great verse to end (or start) the year!
    Since I love the Lord, I have great distaste for evil as in the drunkenness and swearing that I hear. I still find it difficult to understand why people behave that way - but know that it must be from Satan.
    Lord protect me from falling into Satan's trap and lead me to a fuller understanding of You. (DRM 12/31/87)

98:1    O sing to the LORD a new song,
           For He has done wonderful things,
           His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.

I'm guilty of this sometimes when I go to church . . . I sing the songs and don't think about the words that I'm singing. We go to church to praise the Lord for His incredible gifts and sometimes don't put our heart into the reason we are there. We need a way or an illustration occasionally to make the words in the music more personal.
God=Jesus' right hand/arm seem to be dominant. His right hand shatters the enemy (Exod. 15:6) and His right arm shows the salvation of our God in the sight of the nations (Isaiah 52:10). (DRM 10/26/14)

98:2 The LORD has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.

    How has the Lord made known His salvation? If a person hasn't heard of Jesus, or read any of the Bible, how does he/she know God?
    God shows Himself in nature. Can you make a tree? How about a bird? Not just one type of tree or bird, but hundreds of variations of birds all over the world.
    Then look at your hand. God made your whole body to work perfectly together. It didn't just evolve, or if it did, Who would have started that?
    The Lord God has made known His salvation to all the nations. People just have to observe all that is around them. (DRM 3/19/12)

98:3 He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

    God is love. He loves all people He created in all nations and has a special interest in the Israelis.
    This verse has to be prophetic as it refers to "the salvation of our God" - who is Jesus . . . and this was written about 300 years before He was walking the streets and villages in Israel.
    How have we seen His salvation? Missionaries and not other technology have brought His Word, the Good News, to all the countries in the world. While we haven't seen Him with our eyes (yet), we have been given His Word.
    God has not forgotten His promises, we will soon see His salvation with our eyes. (DRM 11/22/17)

98:4, 5    Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;
               Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.
              ⁵Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
               With the lyre and the sound of melody.

    Just thinking of all the things the Lord has done in our lives should make us want to praise Him more and more. If it's a "bad day", just think of salvation, and that's a reason to praise Him.
    Singing praises to the Lord is described here. The lyre was/is a stringed instrument, but we can sing our praises with any instrument or none at all.
    No matter how I/we praise the Lord, He deserves it. I know I feel better after having done it - and He gets all the glory. (DRM 8/22/17)

98:6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn Shout joyfully before the King, the LORD.

Probably my favorite instrument is the trumpet, as it is known to call the people from sleep (physically and spiritually). It seems to demand your attention. To think of all the Biblical references to the trumpet is exciting. This Psalm is a praise to the Lord for what He has done - and refers to His coming again, so why not be excited? (DRM 9/28/03)

98:8, 9    Let the rivers clap their hands,
               Let the mountains sing together for joy
               9Before the LORD for He is coming to judge the earth;
               He will judge the world with righteousness
               And the peoples with equity.

God created the earth and everything in it. All nature shows His work to the people - as evidence that He exists.
Since the Psalms were written before Jesus came to earth the first time, and what He did then is in the New Testament, I believe this verse {9} refers to His second coming. How exciting those days will be! (DRM 9/27/09)

I'm sure that I read this Psalm many times in 1999, expecting the rapture that year. Over time, we can see different aspects from the same words. Yes, someday, Israel will call upon the Lord, but we don't know when. This Psalm looks forward to that day. (DRM 9/29/03)

99:6    Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
           And Samuel was among those who called on His name;
           They called upon the LORD and He answered them.

Sometimes the question comes up, "If people have to trust in Jesus to get to Heaven, what about people who lived in Old Testament times before Him?" This seems to answer the question. They trusted in God - in whom they knew. God saw their trust and "He answered them." (DRM 9/28/09)

99:9    Exalt the LORD our God
           And worship at His holy hill,
           For holy is the LORD our God.

    Just think of what Jesus=God has done for us - He died for our sins so we can be with Him forever. . . just that makes me/us want to exalt His name in any way He leads.
    While this Psalm was written during David's reign (or near then), the holy hill most likely refers to Jerusalem - but we can worship God wherever we are. God knows what we are doing no matter where we are.
    The third line is like the first - God is holy. He wants our worship and answers our prayers positively - if it is His will. (DRM 11/15/15)

    This is a joyful psalm. God has done so many wonderful things and deserves to be praised far more than He is. We have a lot to be thankful for - but so many people ignore Him and think more of themselves and how they did it their way.
    This verse states "all the earth." That means everyone. Jesus=God loves everyone, but the feeling isn't mutual. You can't say He didn't try.
    Just think of all the things that He has done for you/me today . . . the sunshine or the rain. Our breathing and opportunity to speak/show His presence to others for another day. (DRM 5/2/15)

    Psalm 100 is an encouraging psalm full of thanks to the Lord God for all He has done.
    In this verse we (I) are encouraged to serve the Lord - not just sit in the pew at church - but to go and "do something" that promotes God=Jesus and His Kingdom. I don't personally think this has to be limited to a church setting, but can also include sharing the gospel with friends and neighbors in some way.
    God also likes our singing to Him - like I just wrote - singing can be at other places than church. How about in the shower? How about humming at work - which is different from whistling :-) which could be a bit distracting to others.
    Dwell on the Lord and keep giving Him thanks for all He has done. (DRM 2/8/12)

100:3    Know that the LORD Himself is God;
             It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
             We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

I remember the phrase, "He was a self-made millionaire" used by a publication. How can this be true? God allowed whatever to happen in the person's life.
This is a great, upbeat, encouraging Psalm - so long as I (we) understand that we are a part of His family, and He wants the best for us. This is the Fatherly image. (DRM 9/29/09)

100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

Thanksgiving shouldn't be just one day in the year. I don't even think of it as a daily occurrence, but rather a continuous one. I have plenty to praise the Lord for. When things don't go "my" way, then I should wonder, and change if necessary. I should be dwelling on the positive [praises] and not the negative ones. (DRM 9/30/03)

100:5    For the LORD is good;
             His lovingkindness is everlasting
             And His faithfulness to all generations.

We (I) can get upset with God when things don't go the way "we" want them to go, but He has a different, and always better, plan. His lovingkindness is everlasting.
So long as we have committed our soul to Him and repent of our sins, He will continue to love us. This has continued since the beginning - and will for future generations. God loves His creation. (DRM 8/28/12)

101:1 I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, To Thee, O LORD, I will sing praises.

This answers the following question: {What type of heart do I exhibit in my own home?} Of the many choices in these four verses [1-4], I feel that I "sing" praises to the LORD more than anything. He has provided for me when I didn't deserve it many, many times! (DRM 2/3/02)

101:2    I will give heed to the blameless way.
             When will You come to me?
             I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.

    This verse seems out of order. The first and third lines refer to what the writer WILL do and the second asks God when He will come.
    The writer was committed to following God. Apparently he knew the laws that were written and would follow them, both personally and within his house/family as a witness to this commitment.
    In that day, like today, God could come to Him in various ways. I think he was asking for some type of direction.
    Ac Christians, we need to make a constant commitment to God=Jesus and follow His direction, which we can receive through the indwelling Holy Spirit. (DRM 9/22/16)

101:3 I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me.

I ought to memorize this verse! It seems to apply to me today! As I continue to clean out the house, I keep finding more things to "save." But why? More memories of the past - and how things were. They are diverting me from the Lord and trying to renew a grip on me. Help me Lord Jesus to keep on track! (DRM 10/1/03)

101:7 No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.

It is a great goal to speak only to Godly people who have the same moral standards as you do. With the world full of worldly people, it is hard to avoid them. We should not try to avoid the worldly people, just to deal with the Godly people as much as possible and encourage them in the faith. (DRM 11/26/86)

101:8 Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
So as to cut off from the city of the LORD all those who do iniquity.

I may be wrong on this, but I think this is to be taken spiritually and not physically. If the writer were to physically destroy the wicked from the land one morning, then what would be left to destroy the next morning?
I think this refers to confession of wicked sins - where I (we) should confess our sins every day and start anew every morning. (DRM 9/30/09)

This could also refer to unbelievers as wicked, thus they will be destroyed (A thousand years is like a day to the Lord). Unbelievers will be cut off from the New Jerusalem - which will be the city of the Lord in the future. (DRM 3/30/10)

    We all have bad days, and need someone to call on for help. At least my first instinct has been to call on another person (family or friend) for help and assurance, then reality sets in and I feel guilt that I didn't call on the Lord Jesus first.
    As time progresses and our faith increases, the first thing will be to call on the Lord first. Many times He has solved the question/concern even before I need to call anyone else.
    When a day seems bad, and you call on the Lord and hear His response, the day gets a whole lot better. (DRM 1/20/17)

102:2 (O Lord) Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.

When I am sick or need help, I also ask for a speedy reply from the Lord. The best test of our faith, though, is to have the patience to wait for His reply in His timing. (DRM 1/12/89)

102:8 My enemies have reproached me all day long; Those who deride me have used my name as a curse.

This answers the following question: {What can I do when those around me use my name as a curse?} While I am not aware of what people say when I'm not there, this is not something that I've been aware of. If and when it does happen, I would depend on the Lord, as I work for Him. (DRM 2/4/02)

102:9, 10    For I have eaten ashes like bread
                   and mingled my drink with weeping
                ¹⁰Because of Your indignation and Your wrath,
                   For You have lifted me up and cast me away.

    The person who wrote these words was bitter to the Lord for his affliction - which is mentioned in the title of this psalm.
    Some things, many things in the Bible are things that literally happened - then other statements like some in this psalm are statements of feeling. He felt like eating ashes as bread, but hopefully he didn't. He was frustrated (This was a prayer).
    We know the Lord loves us as His children and some things don't go "our" way. He is trying to teach us to put all our faith in Him. He knows what is best. We are to follow His direction. (DRM 5/7/17)

As the days of my life melt away, I feel the urgency of proclaiming Christ more and more each day. I know the time is short - no matter how it ends for me. As I try to rid myself of my hoard of past diversions, the days keep ticking and the progress too slow. Again, Lord, I need help! (DRM 10/2/03)

102:13    You will arise and have compassion on Zion;
               For it is time to be gracious to her,
               For the appointed time has come.

This reminds me of the Lord God's love for Israel and its people. It also makes me think how He loves each one of us individually. We can call on Him during trials, and know that He listens and will do the right thing. He is always with us. (DRM 10/1/09)

102:17 He has regarded the prayer of the destitute, And has not despised their prayer.

Sometimes it seems that I am praying, but no One is listening. While He often is quiet in His response, I feel that He is always there and listening. (DRM 10/5/03)

102:18 This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

I think that the "people" here are Israelites (v. 16) or those from Zion. With that assumption, the statement is still future - when Jesus comes back and they praise Him as their Messiah.
One thing is for sure; we are much closer to that day now than when it was written! Come, Lord Jesus! (DRM 10/2/09)

102:19, 20    For He looked down from His holy height;
                     From heaven the LORD gazed upon the earth,
                   ²⁰To hear the groaning of the prisoner,
                     To set free those who were doomed to death.

    This makes me think of God's compassion. He knows not only what is happening to each of us today, but also what will happen tomorrow.
    When the word prisoner is used here, it could refer to all of us, not just those in a jail. We are imprisoned on earth until we get to Heaven. The day we get to go "home" is determined by God.
    I truly believe that someday soon Jesus will come and set us free from our earthly existence. From all that I've read about Heaven, I can't wait to get there - where He will have a job ready that I'll enjoy and will also serve Him. (DRM 4/1/16)

102:21, 22    That men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion
                     And His praise in Jerusalem,
                   ²²When the peoples are gathered together,
                      And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

Clearly this is prophetic. While v. 21 could be happening now on a very small scale; now I think this likely refers to the time of the great tribulation when there are 144,000 Jewish evangelists in Israel and the rest of the world - kingdoms.
When Jesus comes to rule the earth, all of the people will gather together - maybe literally - most likely via television, and will desire to serve Him - happy that the Tribulation is over . . . then the next generation of non-believers will sow the seed of rebellion for 1,000 years. (DRM 7/19/14)

102:27, 28    "But You are the same,
                      And Your years will not come to an end.
                   ²⁸"The children of Your servants will continue,
                      And their descendants will be established before You."

    At some point in the past, God made the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). At some time in the future they will wear out and be changed (v. 26), but God will endure.
    Time doesn't change God. He has been from the beginning and will have no end.
    As citizens of earth, with God's help, we will continue to have children for generations until God changes the plan.
    At some point God will intervene and take His servants off the earth; but unbelievers will continue to populate the earth. (DRM 4/9/17)

This answers the following question: {How do I respond to the benefits I have from the Lord?} I probably don't know all of the benefits that the Lord has given me, but the ones that I do know, I praise Him and thank Him many, many times every day. Bless the Lord, O my soul! (DRM 2/5/02)

    God made a way to forgive all of our sins - iniquities through His Son Jesus. In the Old Testament they had to have faith in the Father.
    God also is our healer. I believe He has healed many, many things that believers have called on Him to do - He certainly has for me. Sometimes He doesn't heal a disease and we wonder why - and only He knows the answer to that question.
    In the end, we will know the Father and the Son better and will praise Him for all He has done. (DRM 6/20/14)

103:4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

God forgives our sins when we confess them to Him. In this act, He is saving us from the pit of Hell.
As Creator, He made each one of us individually and loves us as a Father. His lovingkindness and compassion are eternal, just like He is. (DRM 10/10/11)

103:5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

    I'm sure that we all have plans and ideas. Some work out great and some attempts fail in one way or another. When something succeeds, we feel a sense that God is with us and it motivates us to try something else. It's a little like being young again and wanting to try something else.
    The eagle represents strength and agility to me; something that fades in humans with age.
    When God allows us to succeed on a plan that honors Him, we (I) am motivated to do more. It's like being young and strong like an eagle. (DRM 12/6/13)

103:6 The LORD performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.

    The Lord God loves all the people and things He created. He thinks about us all the time. He understands how some of us (believers) are oppressed by other people who have not put their faith in Him (Jesus). These oppressors receive more of His judgments, but, seemingly, they don't understand that their problems come from His judgment for their unbelief.
    On the other hand He "performs righteous deeds" for believers because of His love for us.
    This doesn't mean we won't have problems and trials - but we have confidence He is aware and will bring us through it. (DRM 12/25/16)

    David is reflecting on the exodus in this verse. Moses was willing to do God's will (mostly) and heard His voice clearly. Moses shared what he was told to the Israelites and they listened and followed at the beginning, then rebelled against God after time.
    Still, Moses stayed with God and shared what he was told throughout those 40 years.
    We should stay with God even through the trials and hard time that occur in life - knowing that a better future is awaiting in Heaven. (DRM 6/21/15)

103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

    Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
    Even those that don't love Him receive His love, but just don't see or feel it. That's really the difference between Christians and non-Christians. We have seen and felt His love and are attempting to love Him in return for all the things He has done for me/us, while the others ignore Him, or are diverted by things of this world - generally more money.
    Lord, let my love for You show in the things that I do and say. (DRM 5/23/14)

    God forgives.
    When/if we disagree with God, we can put forth a prayer petition and get His response, if He chooses, but remember He doesn't change His mind very often!
    As Christians, when we do something that doesn't please Him (sin), the Holy Spirit will correct us to bring us back in line - so long as we listen to that 'still small voice'. When we confess our sins, He will forgive us - and His anger will cease on that account. (DRM 7/29/13)

103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities,

This answers the following question: {How can I practice God's merciful forgiveness in my life today?} If God is willing to forgive my sins, shouldn't I be able and willing to forgive others theirs? Lord, let me be able to "turn the other cheek" when people accuse me. (DRM 2/6/02)

103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.

This answers the following question: {What is my reaction to God's mercy toward me?} God's mercy or love for believers like me is immense. He wants to love and protect His "children" like a Father. As I pray "I love You," many times I get an echo back. (DRM 2/8/02)

103:12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

East is east and West is west, there is no point where they literally, physically meet. It is infinity.
The Lord God forgives our sins when we (I) confess them, and never remembers them again. While His forgiveness is infinite, that doesn't mean that I want to commit an infinite number of sins! Thank God for His forgiveness of sins, but that doesn't mean I (we) should continue to sin more. (DRM 10/3/09)

103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

As I write this, I am sick, and fearful of what may be coming next. - But I don't have to be, because He is always with me and is compassionate towards my situation no matter how I got here. (DRM 10/5/03)

    This is a couplet verse that goes with verse 13 above.
    The Lord God loves His children - those that put their trust in Him and fear Him (v. 13). He knows that our time on earth is very short compared to the time we will be home with Him in Heaven. He knows "our frame" or our physical abilities AND disabilities; and takes those into consideration.
    Now that there are over 7,000,000,000 people on earth today, each one of us individually must seem like dust, but He truly cares for and loves each one of us - and proves it to His children. (DRM 1/3/16)

103:17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children, . . .

    There is only one fear that is good - that's the fear of the Lord. He wants our respect and for us to remember His power. As we do that in belief, He listens to our prayer requests and is more likely to answer them positively.
    God loves all people, as He created us all, but He has more lovingkindness to those who fear=believe in Him - as stated here. This could continue for generations as faith is passed on to children and their children. (Each person must come to faith individually, it is not inherited.)
    God=Jesus loves me. (DRM 1/8/18)

103:18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His Commandments to do them.

This answers the following question: {What comfort does obeying God's Word give me?} When I obey God's Word, I feel more confident that He is watching me. Like serving a father, I want to please Him by doing whatever He wills for my life. I can feel His love. (DRM 2/8/02)

103:19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His Kingdom rules over all.

This answers the following question: {How am I going to continue to praise the Lord today?} How many people don't know or believe this verse? I am always thankful that Jesus opened my eyes to know Him more and more. Being at Founder's Week truly is praising the Lord! (DRM 2/9/02)

103:20, 21    Bless the LORD, you His angels,
                     Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
                     Obeying the voice of His word!
                   ²¹Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
                     You who serve Him, doing His will.

    This is a Psalm of David.
    The way I read these two verses, it seems that they are directed to angels. Very few humans are "mighty in strength." This reminds me what angels actually do: They hear His voice and follow His directives.
    How does this affect me? It reminds me that the Lord God has angels watching over us (as believers) and they are doing His will in our lives. (DRM 6/28/12)

104:6 You covered it (the earth) with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

This verse would cause a debate with today's "scientists" who don't believe that "the flood" ever occurred. Thank God for His awakening me! (DRM 5/27/88)

104:8, 9    The mountains rose; the valleys sank down
                 To the place which You established for them.
                ⁹You set a boundary that they may not pass over,
                  So that they will not return to cover the earth.

[Re: 104:8] The evolutionists say that these processes took "billions of years," but here and in Genesis, and probably many other places, God rightly gets the credit for doing as He wills, when He wills. When I drive through the countryside, occasionally I think of God's finger creating the valley that the road generally is in. Whatever He desires, He can do; not just in nature, but also in my life. (DRM 8/29/04)

    The previous verses refer to the creation of the earth as we know it (vv. 5-7). The waters were created before the land (Gen. 1:6), so the mountains rose out of the water. Of course what wasn't a mountain was a valley. God decided where the land would end and the oceans begin.
    As Christians we believe that God created the earth and all that's in it. We are to worship the One who loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sins.
    God knows all. He had a plan from the beginning; He deserves our worship. (DRM 1/24/18)

This answers the following question: {How do I respond to the vastness of God's splendor and majesty?} This section refers to the provisions of God and just leads me to more appreciation of His unlimited kindness. Who else could provide for our needs (provisions) like God? (DRM 2/10/02)

104:12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
They lift up their voices among the branches.

    When I went for my prayer walk yesterday, I thought about all the birds that were singing after the recent rain. I heard some new "songs" and wished I could see the source of their song. (Which birds were they?)
    God's creation included the birds and how often we/I take them for granted and enjoy their singing. He also feeds them all. (I know some people also feed a few of them.)
    There seems to be no limit to the variety of God's creation.
    Praise the Lord! (DRM 7/2/13)

104:13 He waters the mountains from His upper chambers;
The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.

    This is a nice way to say "it rains."
    God's upper chambers could be the clouds, where the rain is created. (I won't go into scientific processes here.)
    As a result of rain, our plants - including fruit trees - grow and we get food in various forms. God thought of all of our needs, even in something as common as "rain." (DRM 8/29/10)

104:15    And wine which makes man's heart glad,
               So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
               And food which sustains man's heart.

This part of Psalm 104 seems to remind me of the things that God does in a typical earth day. He makes a day-night (v. 20) and watches over the birds and animals.
I was surprised to see the positive aspect of wine/alcohol in this verse. The Bible never says to avoid wine (alcohol), but not to drink too much of it. (DRM 8/30/10)

104:19 He made the moon for the seasons; The sun knows the place of its setting.

This is another example of how God is in control. I think of the moon and how it effects the tides, but it also relates to the seasons - as written here. Different things are set on a 28 day cycle. With any reflection, we know that the sun provides for almost all of our needs - especially food; but God through Jesus provided for our spiritual needs. No one else. (DRM 8/30/04)

104:24    O LORD, how many are Your works!
               In wisdom You have made them all;
               The earth is full of Your possessions.

    The following verses name some of God's "possessions," which are in the sea for this example. He created all the fish, great and small, and feeds them all.
    God also created the mountains and the rivers, the sun, moon and the most incredible - our human bodies.
    The Lord God=Jesus deserves our constant thanks and praise. We wouldn't even be here if He weren't involved.
    Prayer: Thank You, God, for caring about all of Your creation and making me aware that You and Your Son also love me. (DRM 12/29/17)

104:25, 26    There is the sea, great and broad,
                     In which are swarms without number,
                     Animals both small and great.
                 ²⁶There the ships move along,
                     And Leviathan, which You have formed to sport in it.

Here again, we (I) am reminded how God created everything in nature - emphasizing the sea in these verses. Leviathan is also referred to in Job 41 - and has a detailed description. There the commentary says "crocodile." Here (some Bible) the commentary says "sea monster." Today I think Leviathan is a whale.
This shows the power and variety of God's creation. (DRM 8/31/10)

104:32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles;
He touches the mountains, and they smoke.

God is all powerful. He can look at the earth and create earthquakes, but He can also permit things to happen [9/11/01] that will make us tremble and worship Him. He can touch a mountain and create a volcano and He can also touch people's lives so they will want to serve Him in any way. (DRM 8/31/04)

104:33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

This answers the following question: {How am I expressing my response to the glory of the Lord in creation?} Mostly I pray my thanks to the Lord, but I also hum and sing my love to Him a few minutes a day. When I had woods to go to, it was a place of wonder and prayer. (DRM 2/11/02)

105:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Even when I have problems or trials in my life, I have plenty to thank God for. I had no choice as to where I would be born, or who my parents would be - or their instructions, as I grew up. God and Jesus want to call upon Him in my times of trials. I think even more importantly, He wants me to tell others of all the great things He has done in my life. (DRM 9/1/04)

105:5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.

This answers the following question: {How do these truths relate to what is happening in my life?} I think of thanking the Lord for His awesome gifts, but don't always remember His works from the past. I dwell on the present and future and need to remember the past more. (DRM 2/12/02)

105:11 Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the portion of your inheritance,"

God made a covenant with Abraham & Isaac, then confirmed it to Jacob (v. 9-10). If God clearly told them, or tells us something, you KNOW it will happen.
The Bible clearly tells us that Jesus will return someday - we know it will happen. (DRM 9/1/10)

105:19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.

This answers the following question: {How do I respond to God's testings and leading in my life?} I try to listen to God's voice - through the Holy Spirit and His Word - the Bible. That is how I am lead. The testings are not as clear, I must know they are from Him and make corrections. (DRM 2/14/02)

This verse refers to Joseph of Genesis who was made lord of the house of the King of Egypt. This verse shows - or reminds us - that Joseph had trials before he got his position. I recall that Joseph was in prison - but still had faith that the Lord would bring him through the trial. Like Joseph, who didn't know his great future, I don't know what the Lord has planned for the rest of my life. I must depend on Him. (DRM 9/2/04)

This section of Psalm 105 refers to Israel's early history, with Joseph's imprisonment and the famine and moving to Egypt.
While this was first told in Genesis, it's good to review the past so we (I) don't repeat the same errors again. (DRM 9/2/10)

105:26,27 He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. ²⁷They performed his miraculous signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham.

The land of Ham? Moses performed these signs in Egypt. Now Egypt must be Ham. This part of the confusion seems to have been solved by this verse. (DRM 1/13/89)

[re: 105:27] In this section of Psalm 105 [105:26-36] there is a description of the plagues that God sent among the Egyptians. God clearly chose Moses and Aaron to do His work - they were "called" to do His will. God could have done these things Himself, but He chooses to use normal people to work for Him. God was expressing Himself through them - just like He can [and does] allow us to show His light or desires to others. (DRM 9/3/04)

This section mainly lists the plagues that God sent on Egypt to motivate Pharaoh to let them leave.
What does God have to do to me to get my attention? Hopefully I won't be denying His will as the Egyptian Pharaoh did. (DRM 9/3/10)

105:40 They asked, and He brought quail,
And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

The first line here refers to Exodus 16:12, where the people of Israel grumbled for meat which is more like demanding than "asking."
The point of this verse really is that God heard their pleas and gave them the food they needed to continue. If He can provide for 1,000,000 of them in a desert, He can also provide for my needs. (DRM 9/4/10)

105:43 And He brought forth his people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout.

God controls everything. He was the one who directed Moses on what to say and do. He provided the Israelites with all that they needed. He was joyful at their exodus from Egypt. Everything was going smoothly when they were happily escaping the Egyptian tyranny - then time and sin slowed their progress.
This verse reminds me that the Israelites started the journey joyful - as Christians do, then comes sin and separation. (DRM 9/4/04)

106:4 Remember me O LORD, in Thy favor toward Thy people; Visit me with Thy salvation.

This verse made me think of the thief on the cross with Jesus. When a person states this from their heart, they are truly yielding to the Lord. If for the first time, it should be a life changing verse. I pray that God will use me to help open the eyes and soul of more people to know Him. (DRM 9/5/04)

106:6 We have sinned, even as our fathers did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

Sometimes I think I had a good day and can't think of any obvious sins committed. On other days, I just keep sinning whenever I say a word - so it seems. Lord - - help me to be more like You and less like the world! (DRM 1/14/89)

106:10 So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them,
And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

This section of Psalm 106 referred to the Exodus and how God saved the Israelites from the Egyptians. In this verse/context God saved them and redeemed them from the Egyptians - but today this would also apply to how we were saved from Satan; who hates us - and redeemed us through the shed blood of Jesus. (DRM 9/5/10)

106:13-14 They quickly forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel, ¹⁴But craved intensely in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.

This answers the following question: {How is this similar to what is happening in the church today?} At least denominational churches of today seem to have forgotten the clear teachings of the Bible and are allowing things that He wouldn't. Apparently His Spirit is leaving those churches. (DRM 2/14/02) God will judge each church/person individually, so I'm not criticizing any particular denomination. (DRM 2/27/05)

106:17, 18    The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
                     And engulfed the company of Abiram.
                 18And a fire blazed up in their company;
                     The flame consumed the wicked.

This makes me think of the fire of hell that is described in Rev. 21:8
These people had seen the Red Sea open and God's other miracles, and still would not worship Him. By their acts, they showed what was in their heart, so God sent them straight to hell. This is one more proof that God knows and watches what we do. (DRM 9/6/10)

106:25 But (the Israelites with Moses in the desert) grumbled in their tents; They did not listen to the voice of the LORD.

God is compassionate. He is always available to listen to our requests and complaints. As Absolute ruler He can really change things! In this section of Psalm 106, [106:16-31] we are reminded of the Israelites actions in the desert. Their heart wasn't on the Lord. They [and I] need to remember that we [I] need to pray and listen for the Lord. (DRM 9/6/04)

106:34-35 They did not destroy the peoples, As the LORD commanded them, ³⁵But they mingled with the nations, And learned their practices,

This answers the following question: {In what ways does peer pressure in my life parallel these verses?} I talk to, and am sometimes influenced by non-Christians. I want to be accepted, so they will be comfortable with me, but I also want to show them the way to Jesus. It's very difficult to be both. (DRM 2/15/02)

106:43 Many times He would deliver them; They however, were rebellious in their counsel, And so sank down in their iniquity.

Time after time the Lord would deliver the Israelites from their sins. Still, after time, they returned to worldly ways and needed further correction. The Old Testament is full of these examples, not just Moses, as shown in this Psalm. Still, they drifted away continuously, just as we all do. I know that I need correction and direction and try to listen to Him. (DRM 9/7/04)

106:44-45 Nevertheless He looked upon their distress, When He heard their cry; ⁴⁵And He remembered His covenant for their sake,

This answers the following question: {What happens in my life when I pray for forgiveness?} God hears our prayers! He knows our thoughts and has compassion for us. If we ask Him something, He will provide some type of answer. He forgives our sins, if we ask. (DRM 2/16/02)

106:47    Save us, O LORD our God,
               And gather us from among the nations,
               To give thanks to Your holy name
               And glory in Your praise.

This section of Psalm 106 generally refers to the various times and ways that the Israelites swayed back and forth in their devotion to God.
This verse seems like a prayer - again asking for deliverance from captivity and promising devotion to Him if He delivered them. While He delivered them, in 1948, they have yet to be devoted to Him - but that will happen. We (I) can be devoted to Him now - no matter what the Israeli people do. (DRM 9/7/10)

107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary

This answers the following question: {How are the two commands given here relevant to my situation?} The command in verse 1 is to give thanks to the LORD. The second command is harder for me. As redeemed, He wants us to "say so," or tell others - and I need lots of help on that! (DRM 2/17/02)

In life we have many adversaries. Things go wrong [in our opinion] from many causes. We could have hurt ourselves in a small miss-step, or Satan and his demons could have directed us away from the Lord. When we get back on the narrow path, we must acknowledge His leading and tell others - somehow - how He redeemed us from the trial. (DRM 9/8/04)

107:3    And gathered from the lands,
             From the east and from the west,
             From the north and from the south.

This is the second half of a sentence with verse two.
The confusing part to me is that the words are in the past tense. They are written as if this had already occurred over 2,000 years ago. Perhaps the author was referring to the gathering of the people during the Exodus, but that was only from one nation. This can only be prophetic of the times we live in today - 1948 and onward - as people slowly migrate to Israel this day from all countries in the world. (DRM 12/18/13)

107:4, 5, 6    They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region;
                     They did not find a way to an inhabited city.
                    ⁵They were hungry and thirsty;
                      Their soul fainted within them.
                    ⁶Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble;

    This is another review of the Israelites exodus from Egypt.
    A cross-reference in verse four states they were looking for a city to inhabit - but I think they knew the Lord's plan was to take them to Israel - the promised land.
    When they cried out to the Lord for food and water, He provided, just as He does for each of us - so long as we put our trust in Him to provide. I've gone through this and know it to be true. (DRM 7/24/13)

107:9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

Most of the time when we (I) think of hunger or thirst, I think of a physical need for my physical body. This verse clearly refers to spiritual hunger and thirst.
I feel spiritual hunger when I am in need/trouble and know to call on the Lord Jesus. I feel spiritual thirst if I don't read my Bible for a day or two and need to keep studying His word. This also could apply to hunger. (DRM 9/8/10)

107:13, 19, 28 {all the same words} Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

The Israelites came to the Lord at different times of trouble and He always saved them. There is NO reason to think that He won't also watch over us! (DRM 1/15/89)

This answers the following question: {What will I do when I get myself in trouble by disobeying God?} If I know God's will, I try not to disobey, but I'm sure I have. I pray to the LORD for forgiveness and try to learn from the experience not to do that again. Conviction is the first step. (DRM 2/18/02)

107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death
And broke their bands apart.

    For some reason this verse makes me think of the phrase "He sets the prisoners free."
    There is physical darkness and spiritual darkness. I think that the majority of the Israelites, and also people today, are in spiritual darkness. Why? (see v. 11)
    God, through His Holy Spirit, wants us to get out of spiritual darkness and trust in Him. We can be in misery and chains (v. 10) all from our rebellion from Him.
    Let Him unlock the bonds/chains so you can have true freedom! (DRM 5/3/14)

107:19=28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.

This answers the following question: {When I am delivered from trouble, what will I remember to do?} Pray! Pray when I am in trouble and pray in thankfulness when He brings me through the problem. On 9/11/01 I was just stunned at first, and prayed later. Hopefully I've learned to pray quicker now. (DRM 2/19/02)

107:23, 24    Those who go down to the sea in ships,
                     Who do business on great waters;
                 ²⁴They have seen the works of the LORD,
                     And His wonders in the deep.

Since I don't live near an ocean, and rarely have even seen one - I don't think of the people who work as fishermen on the "high seas."
This is a reminder that they come face to face with God's creation, e.g. whales or great fish or sudden storms. Hopefully they have faith as they see the power of the Lord every day. (DRM 9/9/10)

107:25, 26, 27    For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind,
                           Which lifted up the waves of the sea.
                        ²⁶They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths;
                           Their soul melted away in their misery.
                        ²⁷They reeled and staggered like a drunken man,
                           And were at their wits' end.

    This is a great description of how God creates storms on the sea, and how the passengers on the boat react. While it COULD refer to prophecy and the Lord Jesus calming the sea, these three verses describe what happens during every storm that occurs on every body of water.
    God controls everything, He puts the waves in the sea as easily as our reaction for being in a boat at the time.
    While I haven't experienced this physical feeling, those that do have to just "roll with it," or go for the ride. God is in control - of everything. (DRM 11/9/15)

We could also take this spiritually and remember that God is in control of our spiritual life also. When we have spiritual storms and trials, He is in control of those also. (DRM 11/9/15)

107:28, 29 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. ²⁹He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed.

This made me think of Jesus calming the sea after he had walked on the water — also what happened after Jonah was thrown off of the boat.
Jesus wants us to call on Him when we are in trouble, and not be self-sufficient and prideful. We can't calm the storm - only He can! I must pray to the Lord for my concerns and depend on Him for the answer. (DRM 9/9/04)

107:29, 30    He caused the storm to be still,
                     So that the waves of the sea were hushed.
                ³⁰ Then they were glad because they were quiet,
                     So He guided them to their desired haven.

    This clearly seems to be a prophecy of Jesus calming the sea/lake (Luke 8:22-25).
    The Lord can also calm our lives, if we let Him. When we are in a stormy, emotional, nervous time, we (I) should come to Him (Jesus) and let Him handle it, then my "storm" can calm down.
    Jesus=God can do anything, including calming the seas of life, if we just have faith and trust in Him for the outcome. (DRM 5/12/12)

107:31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!

    Following this verse are a series of verses that show what God has done. I see that I commented on verses 33 and 34 where He changed good things into "bad" things - "because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it."
    In verse 35 He changed "bad" things into good things because they honored and extolled His as the Lord God (v. 32).
    Later verses in this Psalm show the same thought, that the Lord honors and helps those who fear and worship Him. (DRM 11/22/11)

107:32 Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people,
And praise Him at the seat of the elders.

The people on the boat (v. 23) had just gone through a storm. (What is written here is similar or prophetic of the storm that occurred when Jesus calmed the sea.) They were thankful to the Lord God for their deliverance, and in this verse were instructed to share what He did with others "in the congregation of the people."
Like the people on this boat, Jesus wants us to share news of our deliverance with others - not just the ones in the church congregation. (DRM 5/25/13)

107:33, 34    He changes rivers into a wilderness
                     And springs of water into a thirsty ground;
                 ³⁴A fruitful land into a salt waste,
                     Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it.

Normally we (I) think of God meeting our needs as followers of Him. This can also go the other way. If we follow other gods or do things He doesn't want or agree with, He can withhold rain or send other types of natural disasters (e.g. earthquakes, hurricanes). God is the supreme ruler who ultimately controls everything. (DRM 9/10/10)

107:34, 35 A fruitful land into a salt waste, Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. ³⁵He changes a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into springs of water;

God delights in blessing those who want to serve Him, but also can create havoc on the land where the unfaithful live. In both of these verses, it seems that rain can be used. He withdrew rain in verse 34 and added it in verse 35. This all seems simple, but in today's world believers and unbelievers live next door. Perhaps "showers of blessings" answers this question. (DRM 9/10/04)

108:1 My heart is steadfast, O God, I will sing and make music with all my soul.

    When I am a committed Christian (as I am), I must be steadfast and unyielding to those people who disagree with what I say (or write) or do.
    I must sing (my praises) and make music (with my witnessing) to praise God with all my soul.
    Lord, help me to be more and more committed to serving You and more steadfast in my spirit. (DRM 11/1/87)

108:3 I will give thanks to Thee, O LORD, among the peoples; And I will sing praises to Thee among the nations.

This answers the following question: {What are some ways I can express praise to God?} Singing is the answer to the question from today's verse, but I note that giving thanks seems to be for small groups of people where singing praises is among the nations [large groups]. (DRM 2/20/02)

108:5, 6    Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
                 And Your glory above all the earth.
               ⁶That Your beloved may be delivered,
                 Save with Your right hand, and answer me!

This starts with a praise to God, then David (Your beloved) asks to be delivered; probably from his enemies. God can save David and all of us from whatever/whoever the enemy is - and the possibilities are endless.
Maybe the amazing part is that God already knows our situation and will help us, if we (I) only trust in Him. (9/11/10)

108:12 Oh give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain.

The beginning verses of this Psalm give all the praise to God as He is truly the Source for good things that happen. David thanked God, then made his request for a battle [?] victory in Edom [verse 10]. David knew that man cannot provide the victories in life, but only the Lord. He is all powerful and has a plan for all of history that we don't know. I must depend on Him for all aspects of my life! (DRM 9/11/04)

108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly; And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.

This answers the following question: {To whom am I looking for the solution to my problems? Why?} Praise God, that the Holy Spirit sometimes gives me answers! Why go to God? He is the Creator of all things - and knows more about me than I do. His decisions are ALWAYS right! (DRM 2/21/02)

This answers the following question: {When others speak out against me without cause, what can I do?} While the verse doesn't say what he was praying about, he prayed for his accusers. I would pray that their eyes became open to the truth of God's Word. (DRM 2/22/02)

This was written by David. This verse is written about who (has) "spoken against me with a lying tongue."
I'm not sure that I would wish ill on someone in the same situation, but rather pray that the Lord would change their hearts and follow Him - then their actions would also change. (DRM 9/21/10)

David had enemies that spoke and fought against him. He wanted vengeance from the Lord. In this verse, he clearly wanted the other man to be dead. While I don't advocate for the death of others, I agree that the fate of all people is totally in God's hands. If He no longer sees a use for us, then we can be eliminated. My prayer is that He is not through with me yet. (DRM 9/12/04)

109:15 Let them be before the LORD continually,
That He may cut off their memory from the earth;

David didn't like his enemies and felt they were wicked. Like I wrote yesterday, I try not to request evil on others, but rather that they come to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior, then they will change from the inside out. (DRM 9/13/10)

109:20 May this be the Lord's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.

This Psalm contains a list of things that the writer hopes will happen to his accusers.
People who don't know the Lord Jesus Christ are blinded by Satan and don't know what they are missing. During this time I feel that "turning the other cheek" is the (v.27) best policy, but when I get angry, I can understand this writer's feelings. (DRM 11/28/87)

Whatever happened to love? David wanted the Lord's vengeance on his enemies, making this list of accusations and suggestions of what the Lord should do to this man.
While I understand David's frustration, I try to pray for those who criticize me - that they will understand my actions better. Understanding other peoples motives is very difficult without good communications. (DRM 9/13/04)

While David wanted vengeance on his enemies, he also wanted God's blessings for himself [verse 21]. He wanted his enemies to know that he was depending on the Lord and prayed here that the Lord would have his enemies know that he [David] trusted solely in Him. David expected results - and so should I - as I trust in Him alone. (DRM 9/14/04)

109:29 Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.

This answers the following question: {How can I pray for those who speak evil about me?} I think this verse could be asking for the accusers to be convicted for their sins. After they are convicted by the Holy Spirit, they should realize their wrongs and change their ways. (DRM 2/23/02)

109:30, 31    With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD;
                     And in the midst of many I will praise Him.
                   ³¹For He stands at the right hand of the needy,
                     To save him from those who judge his soul.

Why is David willing to proclaim/praise the Lord? Because He helps the needy and protects/saves people from their enemies (physical and spiritual).
Jesus=God is always watching over His own family of believers. While we (I) may not understand why at the moment, He makes the decisions on what we are to do, directs us on His path. (DRM 9/14/10)

110:1b Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.

If a person is at the right hand of Jesus, he is certainly a Christian follower.
So a Christian should never be afraid, as Jesus Christ will put all my enemies at my feet someday. (DRM 4/28/87)

110:2 The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
"Rule in the midst of Your enemies."

Just this week I received a request for donation from a Jewish organization showing maps of how they are surrounded by their enemies. They are asking for money when all they need is faith in the Lord.
Like in David's day, Israel is surrounded, and He will not let them fail when it's "all over." (DRM 9/15/10)

110:5 The Lord is at Your right hand;
He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.

    This clearly refers to the 'day of His wrath', this is prophetic.
    Jesus' place today is the right hand of God. {Lord=Jesus and Your=God}
    When Jesus returns to rule, He will shatter the kings - rulers of this world. It will truly be the day of wrath for how this earth has been run/governed for centuries now.
    With all the problems in the world today, it will be exciting to have Jesus rule. If something isn't right during His rule, He will have the ability to fix it - immediately! (DRM 11/8/16)

110:6 He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country.

Certainly this Psalm refers to King Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God [verse 1]. The people who say that "God is love" are only partially correct. The people who reject Him are subject to His wrath - and there are plenty of examples in the Bible! A decision must be made before it's too late! (DRM 9/15/04)

111:2 Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.

This short Psalm continuously praises the Lord for all he has done. In this verse we are reminded that God has done many "good works," - which would probably be miracles to us - and they have been recorded in the Bible over the centuries. As a part of my personal knowledge, and desire to know Him better, I study His Word, the Bible. It's an effort to try to understand Him better and preparation to meet Him. (DRM 9/16/04)

111:4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate.

This answers the following question: {In my life, for what works of the Lord can I praise Him?} The more I think of this question, the more answers come to mind. Certainly my health is reason #1 to praise Him, but without the true Savior Jesus Christ, I'd be nothing and I'm most thankful for that. (DRM 2/24/02)

111:9    He has sent redemption to His people;
             He has ordained His covenant forever;
             Holy and awesome is His name.

This has to be a prophecy about the coming of the Lord Jesus. If it referred to the Jewish scapegoat, the third line couldn't have referred to "His Name." It's even more interesting that it is referred to in the past tense, as Jesus came hundreds of years later. (DRM 9/16/10)

111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Thank God that He chose me to serve Him! That was the beginning of wisdom, but now to actually do something. I still need God's help daily to understand exactly what He wants me to do for Him. (DRM 1/16/89)

This answers the following question: {What is my response to God's working in my life?} I praise the Lord for all that He has given me. When I think of the future, I have the fear of the LORD and try not to do anything that would displease Him. May I please/praise YOU forever! (DRM 2/25/02)

112:1 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments.

This answers the following question: {How does fearing God affect my life?} There are several things that I won't do, as I know the LORD would not be pleased. I fear God's reaction if I don't read my Bible, go to church weekly, or buy unnecessary items on Sunday. (DRM 2/26/02)

This verse may seem simple, but it's easier said than done. I know I have a tendency to sin. When I sin, I am NOT fearing the Lord's response, then get convicted later. This reminds me to think of the Lord before succumbing to temptation.
The commandments are like a goal that we can attempt to obey. (DRM 9/17/04)

112:2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.

    This complete Psalm refers to verse one - the man who fears the Lord.
    In this verse I am reminded of the term, "the greatest generation" which refers to my father's generation. During that time - until 1962 - Christianity was taught in public schools and I remember going to religious instruction every Tuesday afternoon. When Jesus is taken out of the schools, morality and similar values were gradually eliminated.
    It seems that God's blessing on the USA has gone away ever since He was taken out of the schools. (DRM 8/22/14)

This answers the following question: {What characteristics in myself do I see in the righteous man, here?} Unfortunately, I still have fear in me. Most of the verses here show how the righteous don't fear and trust God. I keep trying and failing. Increase my faith and eliminate my fears, O Lord. (DRM 2/27/02)

112:7 He will not fear evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Let's say you are a known Christian walking down the street and another person comes up to you and criticizes you and Jesus. I would call this "evil tidings."
If that were to happen they really are disagreeing with Jesus, not you, and there should be no reason to fear - as He is watching over you. I realize that you could become a martyr for Jesus' sake. (DRM 9/17/10)

112:8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear,
Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries.

This Psalm refers to "the man who fears the Lord. . . " (v. 1) According to this verse, the believer's heart is upheld/encouraged and will not fear what non-Christians may do to him — nor anyone else.
God=Jesus will take care of our adversaries in His time and however He chooses. Some people who have criticized or hurt my faith have later had health problems or martial problems and I wonder if this is God's reaction to our conflict? Still, it is sobering and makes me think how my daily spiritual walk effects others and how I want to please the Lord and follow only His direction. (DRM 11/29/12)

112:9    He has given freely to the poor,
             His righteousness endures forever;
             His horn will be exalted in honor.

    Who is this man? He is the man/person who fears the LORD (v. 1). So, as Christians who fear the Lord, we should also be like this "man."
    Do I give enough to the poor like this man? Probably not. As a true believer, our righteousness should grow on earth with time, then endure in Heaven forever.
    The "horn" seems to represent the proclaiming of the gospel to others, or proclaiming praise to God (Psalm 148:14). We are to honor the Lord God=Jesus in whatever we say or do. I know that's hard to do every minute, but keep trying.
    Life is short on earth. Heaven will be forever. Show Christ while we are here. (DRM 8/22/15)

Psalm 112 celebrates the blessedness of the person who diligently and lovingly obeys the Lord's commands (v. 1). That person is honorable, gracious, kind, honest, and known for integrity (vv. 5-9). In contrast, the psalm describes the emptiness and the grievous end of the wicked (v. 10). (From Our Daily Bread INSIGHT, Sim Kay Tee, 8/22/15)

This answers the following question: {For what can I praise the Lord today?} I can praise the Lord for His gift of Jesus to a sinful world. Thank God He opened my eyes to this gift - and I pray that He will use me to share this gift with others. (DRM 2/28/02)

113:3 From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised.

I would call this a praise Psalm. Nearly every verse suggests that we praise the Lord, or why He deserves our praise. He deserves praise - not only during the daylight hours referred to in this verse, but also the other hours of the day. (DRM 9/18/10)

This answers the following question: {How has God delivered me from the difficulties of my life?} It's hard to imagine how much the LORD cares about me. He wants us to know that He loves us and wants us to love Him too. Trusting in Him brings us through the tough days. (DRM 3/1/02)

When I first came to the Lord, I thought I "knew everything" about Christianity, but quickly found out that my head knowledge wasn't getting me anywhere. I had to realize that I was spiritually poor, that I needed to totally depend on Jesus Christ for everything in my life. Praise God, He believed my heart that day - and brought me up from the dust or ash heap, and started my new life in Him. How I wish everyone could experience this love of the Father. (DRM 9/18/04)

This eight verse Psalm describes Israel's leaving Egypt. While the illustrations like in this verse, seem unusual, the point is always the same - God was/is in control, and all of the miracles that He did for the Israelites He can also do for me - if He so wills. All I need to do is depend on Him, and He will work it out as He wills. (DRM 6/19/05)

I'm not sure about this verse. The previous verse clearly refers to the exodus from Egypt, but I don't remember the mountains moving for the Israelites. Perhaps this points out that there were always valleys that they could go through as it seems that mountains have parted when you walk through a steep valley. (DRM 6/19/11)

. . . the quaking of Mt. Sinai (v. 4; Exodus 19:18)
These playful images are intended to have us see that all Creation recognizes the Creator's presence and willingly obeys Him. (Word of Life diary)

114:7-8 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, ⁸Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of water.

[refers to verse 7] The fear of the Lord is everlasting. God is all powerful and this verse reminds us of His incredible strength. Thank you God, that You still care for me! (DRM 1/17/89)

This answers the following question: {What has been my attitude when God has delivered me from danger?} I always have the attitude of thankfulness. Sometimes I don't even realize that He is leading me to a safer journey. Today's verses show how powerful He is and how He can change anything. (DRM 3/2/02)

115:1    Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
             But to Your name give glory
             Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.

We are put on earth, not to bring glory or praises to ourselves for our deeds/accomplishments, but to the Lord who created us with our talents and abilities. It's easy to think, "I did that," and want credit for completing whatever the task, but Who gave you this ability?
God created each of us differently and loves us all equally. He knows in advance if we will want to honor Him with our lives or live a self-centered existence of greed (v. 4) and ignorance of His provisions. (DRM 3/20/14)

115:2,3 Why should the nations say, "Where, now, is their God?" ³But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

This answers the following question: {What is my response to the question, "Where is your God?"} Our God is not a gold or silver idol like in other religions. He is not only in heaven, but also in the souls of believers. The evidence of Him is everywhere. People need to open their eyes and hearts and souls to see Him. (DRM 7/28/02)

115:11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.

This answers the following question: {What ideas, things, or people do I trust in more than God?} I can't think of anything higher than God. I fear doing anything that might displease Him. I know that He is my complete provider in all things. He truly is deserving of my worship. (DRM 7/29/02)

115:13 He will bless those who fear the LORD,
The small together with the great.

While this may have been directed to Israel (v. 9) when it was written, it applies to all of us. God wants us to revere Him, to give our souls to His control, to thank Him for all the blessings He has given us.
Thank you God=Jesus! (DRM 6/20/11)

115:16 The heavens are the heavens of the LORD; But the earth He has given to the sons of men.

Who rules Heaven? God! Who rules earth? Satan. Thankfully that doesn't mean Satan has absolute control of earth, just that God has given him temporary leadership here. God still has Christians on the earth and He is watching over us, and protecting us. The spiritual battle for souls is still in full progress, and it seems that the other side is winning, but God=Jesus will win in the end. PTL! (DRM 6/20/05)

116:1 I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

This answers the following question: {What motivates me to pray regularly and faithfully?} Not only does the Lord hear my voice. He gives answers in different ways. I can't imagine not wanting to honor Him for all of His provisions. While He knows all about me, I feel that He also wants to hear from me. (DRM 7/30/02)

116:2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

After we become Christian believers God=Jesus hears our prayers and wants to help His "children." He listens to our appeals and does what is best for us - which doesn't mean we get all we want.
Knowing that He is listening is a motivation to keep praying. A common phrase is "Prayer changes things." (DRM 6/21/11)

Sure, I remember that day, and always will! But my new mission will be to help make others to call on the Lord the same way that I did.
Thank you Lord, for the best gift of all, my salvation. Help me to be able to share Your gift with others. (DRM 11/25/87)

    Who are the simple? I think this refers to uneducated or less educated people than "average." People who follow the Lord start with the simple trust and grow from there.
    The author of this Psalm is not identified in my Bible, but he trusted in the Lord God at a low point in his life - which could be one of many things (e.g. family or financial problems, health problems).
    The Lord wants ALL people to come to Him - not just the simple - but He also knows in advance who will follow and who won't. (DRM 2/16/12)

116:8    For You have rescued my soul from death,
             My eyes from tears,
             My feet from stumbling.

    We were given souls when we were conceived. They will last forever somewhere. In this verse to be rescued from death, the writer is referring to Hell.
    As believers in Christ, our souls have been rescued from Hell. The tears we shed on earth we are told will cease in Heaven (Rev. 21:4) and there will no longer be pain or suffering, thus probably the same as our feet won't be stumbling.
    Going to Heaven will be an exciting time from what is written in the Bible. Be sure you have a reservation. It could happen any day. (DRM 12/27/17)

    In this instance, "the land of the living" refers to where the author was at the time it was written - earth.
    While we are on earth, like this psalmist, we are to walk before the Lord. This means to try and please Him in all we say or do. We are to shine as examples to the others on earth who don't know Him - yet.
    Certainly, the people in Heaven and the coming New Jerusalem are also alive, but our mission currently is to share Christ with the lost. There are many ways to do this, don't give up. (DRM 4/27/17)

Verses 8-9 also give us an eloquent summary of God's deliverance: "For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living." These two verses are worth memorizing as a means of strengthening our faith, giving thanks for past help from God, and in preparation for future trials. (from Our Daily Bread, INSIGHT _{DENNIS FISHER} 4/24/17)

116:12, 13 What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? ¹³I shall lift up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD.

I think the question in verse 12 could have many answers: Praise, Honor, Glory, serving, singing, proclaiming and worshipping come to mind quickly. To lift up the name of Jesus could be doing any of these things - as they all call upon His name. May I be completely devoted to Him — forever. (DRM 6/21/05)

    God=Jesus loves ALL people He created. He knew in advance who would follow Him and who wouldn't, but still generally loves all of His creation.
    Jesus loves those who love Him more than the general love given to all others. These people will live in His Kingdom with Him forever. Those who don't love Him won't be there.
    When a believer in Christ dies in this world, he/she goes spiritually to where Jesus is. They are "precious in the sight of the LORD."
    As Christians, we have an exciting future to look forward to. (DRM 12/4/16)

116:16    O LORD, surely I am Your servant,
               I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid,
              You have loosed my bonds.

    When we become Christians, we agree to do as He asks. We become slaves or servants to do His will above our own. The harder part is knowing what His will is in our individual lives.
    We (I) are not to think of ourselves as higher (pride) than others because of this relationship we have. The idea is to share what we have found with others in some way.
    Then we are not truly slaves to the Lord, but free - as we will WANT to do these things to bring Him glory. (DRM 1/30/14)

116:17 To Thee I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the LORD.

This answers the following question: {How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?} My first thought is "not enough." This verse helps to suggest thanks which I must do at least 50 times a day. I also want to tell others of His love so they can share this joy. (DRM 8/1/02)

117 Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him all peoples! ²For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. ³Praise the LORD!

This answers the following question: {How do I demonstrate my praise to the Lord?} Generally I praise the Lord in thanksgiving. I also praise the Lord in music alone, or in a group. He is awesome and deserves praise for all the works that He does in my life. (DRM 8/1/02)

[re: 117:1] This Psalm is very short - three verses, but direct. One of our jobs on earth is to Praise the Lord and also to laud=proclaim His name to other people in some way. I constantly feel inadequate in doing this from no education in that field, and no one that will encourage me to do that - [really I'm told NOT to tell others more often!] Still, the Bible and the Holy Spirit want us to tell others, and Praise the Lord! (DRM 6/22/05)

    [re: 117:2]    This three verse Psalm is all about praising the Lord.
    We (I) can never thank Him enough for what He has done. . . then there are things that He does for us that we don't even know - like protection from accidents.
    His truth, or the Bible, will last forever - if not in paper form - it will stay in the minds of believers. (DRM 6/22/11)

118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

    I have no problem giving the Lord God=Jesus thanks - no matter how many times I've written it.
    It's easy for me to give thanks because it's easy to see how many ways He has protected me from disasters of various sorts and kept me as healthy as I am. I know I'm not perfect, but the Lord has kept me going this long - and I'm thankful.
    It's hard to explain the love of God because it's from Him - but the evidence is right in front of us if we open our spiritual eyes. (DRM 8/24/14)

The psalmist challenges us: "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever" (Ps. 118:1). The word mercy means "steadfast love." It refers to God's faithfulness. He has promised to be present always to care for His children. — (from Our Daily Bread, Dennis Fisher 8/24/14)

    This is a verse of assurance. So long as we have committed and trust completely in the Lord Jesus, He will also love us (me) and do things that are best for me. That's NOT everything that I want at the time.
    Fearing the Lord is not being afraid of the Lord, but rather respecting and honoring and doing His wishes over my desires. This is what He wants us to do for our earthly parents.
    Jesus' lovingkindness is everlasting and will last for eternity to those who love Him. (DRM 8/24/13)

That day that I accepted the Lord, my prayer could be called that of anguish - in that I hadn't done it before. Thank God He has set me free! (DRM 1/18/89)

This answers the following question: {Since the Lord is on my side, what fears can I dispense of?} Humanly speaking, I have been full of fears that things could go wrong. It's probably my #1 sin. I also know that my fears have been fruitless. Lord Jesus, take ALL of my fear away. (DRM 8/2/02)

118:7 The LORD is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.

    It seems that the newest thing theologically in the past few years is to hate and kill the Christians.
    Whoever wrote this Psalm said that he went to others for help besides the Lord God. Probably it was other believers. The point is to go to the Lord God=Jesus in times of trouble as He will deliver us.
    Others may hate us, but we have to remember He is still watching and will protect us from harm if if is His will. That's something to be thankful for at this time of the year. - Jesus loves me this I know . . . - (DRM 11/26/15)

As I continue to wonder what the Lord Jesus wants me to do next, I make lots of phone calls to my old Albany area friends for consultation and advice. Some of the people I call aren't Christians, and I get different advice from the two types of people. While I listen, the most important Person to listen to is the Holy Spirit's leading. I think I can see a direction now, but am trying to totally depend on Him. When everything agrees and I know it's His direction, He will work it all out. (DRM 6/23/05)

118:10 All nations surrounded me;
In the name of the LORD I will surely cut them off.

    This makes me think of Israel and how that nation is surrounded by nations that don't want her to exist.
    The earthly way to prepare for conflict is by increasing military spending; however God wants us to depend on Him rather than human ingenuity.
    The Lord God will defend Israel, not military or outside countries. (DRM 11/7/12)

    We all have a path that we are to follow. When we become Christians we try to follow the path Jesus leads us on, rather than our own path.
    In this verse, someone from the outside pushed the writer off their path - wherever that was leading. They didn't want to fall from God's grace.
    Since we belong to the Lord God=Jesus, He is watching over our every move. He is our helper in times of trouble - and He wants to keep us on the path - that will lead to being with Him forever. (DRM 10/26/15)

    To follow and trust in the Lord God is to depend on Him for everything. In this way, He is my (our) strength.
    When I sing a song, I think of praise. He is definitely worth my praise and all the songs that have been written about Him.
    I wouldn't want to sing or depend on Him if He wasn't my salvation in the first place. (DRM 6/23/11)

Verse 14 us from the song of Moses (Exodus 15:2), which was Israel's victory song to the Lord, Who saved them from Pharaoh's army at a narrow, confined place next to the Red Sea. It will be Israel's victory song in the coming Messianic Kingdom (Isaiah 12:2) and the victory song for the tribulation saints, and finally, all nations (Revelation 15:3-4) (Word of Life diary)

My days are numbered. He knows each of them. I will die on the day He has determined in advance. Since it hasn't occurred yet, He wants me to live and tell others about Him in any way possible - as He directs. When I get to Heaven, I'll probably regret that I didn't say enough about Him while on earth - no matter how or what I say, it will never be enough to show my gratitude for what He has done for me. (DRM 6/24/05)

118:18 The LORD has disciplined me severely, But He has not given me over to death.

This answers the following question: {What is my attitude to the Lord's chastening of me?} When I have sinned, I feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit to repent of the sin. I'm thankful that it hasn't been severe discipline as mentioned here. Lord, continue to correct my sinful ways - so I may live more like You. (DRM 8/3/02)

118:21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.

    This verse is all about thankfulness. I'm sure that you, like me, could write a long list of things that we are thankful for. . . the first should be that Jesus opened our eyes/heart so that we could receive salvation and the assurance of eternal life with Him.
    Other things that could be included in our list of thanks are health, a job to pay for our needs, food to eat every day, protection as we travel, a loving family and friends and the Bible that directs us on the path we should follow.
    There seems to be no end to all we can thank God=Jesus for. (DRM 4/14/16)

118:22, 23    The stone which the builders rejected
                     Has become the chief corner stone.
                  ²³This is the LORD'S doing;
                     It is marvelous in our eyes.

    Jesus was rejected while He was on earth. This is considered a prophecy of the way He would be treated.
    As verse 23 points out, Jesus knew He would be rejected while He was on earth. He knew He would die for our sins and still went through all the trials and tribulations.
    While I (we) can be rejected for our beliefs, it is nothing in comparison to what Jesus did to provide for our salvation. (DRM 7/2/12)

118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I remember a song that I used to sing that has these words.
There are so many things to be depressed about, but if I (we) concentrate on what He has done for us - including making the sun and rain - we can be thankful for ALL that He has done to provide for us and show His love. (DRM 6/24/11)

118:29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

It's easy to give thanks to the Lord on days when everything is going well. The hard part is on those other days when things aren't going well. There are sicknesses, accidents, finances and personal problems with other people that can make a depressing day.
As Christians, even with all the troubles of this world, we know that Jesus=God is with us and will help us through the day. When the day is over we can say, "it wasn't so bad" as He was with me. Then we can give Him thanks and remember, "His lovingkindness is everlasting." (DRM 3/19/18)

119:1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD.

This answers the following question: {How does my lifestyle show that I am being blessed by God?} God has been very kind to me. I haven't had any major illness and try to follow His direction daily. I pray that I may continue to grow in knowing His desires - and also stay healthy. (DRM 8/4/02)

119:5, 6 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Thy statutes!
⁶Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Thy commandments.

As a believers, we want to honor and serve the Lord Jesus. I want to keep His commandments and be a pleasing servant to Him. The biggest problem with this is that I sin - for one reason or another. I can get diverted or say the wrong things to people that don't glorify Him. I praise God for His grace in forgiving me of my sins, so I can begin new every morning. (DRM 6/25/05)

119:7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.

God can do whatever He pleases. If we, or anyone else, don't do as He desires, we should expect the consequences - which I think are like judgments.
When others receive these judgments it's easier to understand why, but when it's myself, sometimes it's harder to understand. That's why we need friends that aren't afraid to tell us when we are following the wrong path. (DRM 6/25/11)

    As a Christian, I was saved by God's grace. There is nothing I can do to be eligible for entry into Heaven.
    After becoming a Christian, I/we are thankful for what He (Jesus=God) has done for me to allow my future eternity with Him. In appreciation for what He has done, I/we want to keep all of His statutes or laws or commandments that are throughout the Bible.
    Like the writer of this Psalm, I pray that God will not forsake me at the time of my death/transition to Heaven. We both need to do our part. My part is obedience. (DRM 4/9/15)

119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word.

This answers the following question: {What steps can I take to keep pure?} Other verses here are more specific. They seem to indicate: prayer, devotion, memorization, learning, speaking His word, and obedience. I have a long ways to go! (DRM 8/5/02)

119:10 With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

Even though there is a "discussion" on how we become Christians, (His choice or ours?) there is no doubt that we should always seek Him and learn to do His ways. The clearest list of what He desires from us is the Ten Commandments.
So I try to keep reading and comprehending His book - until I'm at home with Him. (DRM 6/26/11)

To treasure God's Word in my heart, I should memorize it. I have never done very well with that, no matter what my age, so decided to familiarize myself with the Bible instead. I just keep reading it over and over every day - until I know at least the general aspect of each book therein. While I feel I know every story, I can't tell you which Book each came from. Still, I'm learning His Word this way and trying not to sin against the Lord from what I have learned. (DRM 6/26/05)

Learning is a lifelong process. While it seems that we do most of our learning in the first 25 years of life - it shouldn't stop there.
Studying and reading the Bible brings more insights each time I (we) read it, so don't stop learning new things! (DRM 11/1/11)

He asks for help to submit to the teaching of the Word (v. 12) (from INSIGHTS, Our Daily Bread, 11/1/11)

    I'm not a bold evangelist - how have I told people about You, my Lord?
    Even when our words don't seem "bold enough," people look at our lifestyle and how we help others and the kindness that we speak. They can see that we, as Christians, are different than the rest of the world.
    Still, there are "good people" who don't know the Lord - and we could be put in that classification if we don't speak of our Savior (Jesus) and God when given the opportunity. (DRM 3/14/14)

119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.

    This part of Psalm 119 makes me think of the word "devotion" to the Lord God and how to continue that attitude.
    The testimonies of the Lord are the evidence of how He has worked either in our life, in nature, or in the lives of others. This shows us that God is NOT dead, but alive and working.
    The riches could be either spiritual or material - in either case, He is the ultimate Provider and also is deserving of our praises.
    No matter what we do or think, God is still with us - He is everywhere we are. (DRM 9/10/14)

    It's easy to 'do it my way', but as Christians we/I want to do it His way. Following the Lord Jesus and God's instruction book (Bible) takes time and meditation on what He is trying to show us.
    When I read the Bible the first time I didn't understand where it was all leading, then after more time, re-reading and thought, it became more clear. With prayer, passages become clearer thanks to the Holy Spirit.
    If you are just starting, don't give up, in time, God's direction will become clearer. (DRM 12/1/16)

God's statutes are like His commandments, His laws, His teachings. We (I) are to learn them and follow them as higher than man's laws. Learning them should be a delight, and when Jesus explained them in parables, they were (are) easier to apply.
When a decision comes and we (I) need God's insight, we are to remember His instruction, or go to His book, the Bible, for the answer. (DRM 6/18/12)

    This is a request or appeal to the Lord God.
    At the beginning of every day, we don't know what will happen during that day. We can make lots of plans, but God can alter them at any moment. I have this all the time!
    The request in this verse seems to realize that only God controls the future. So long as we keep His Word and act as He instructs, we should expect Him to be pleased . . . even so, bad things happen to good people - and we know that God's aware of everything and there is a reason for it.
    Pray for the best. Let God be in control. (DRM 2/13/15)

In today's passage, the psalmist celebrates God's grace as he acknowledges that it is only through Him that he can keep His Word (v. 17) (from INSIGHT, Our Daily Bread, 2/13/15)

This answers the following question: {What is the prayer of longing of my soul each day?} I have so much to learn about the Lord and His law, the Bible. Please Lord, may my desire to learn more about You never end; and may I be able to share this knowledge with others. (DRM 8/6/02)

The earth is not my home now that I'm a Christian. Our home is in Heaven - where we will spend eternity. We are just passing through this short period of time of testing and sharing His word with others.
To be able to share, we need as much knowledge of His Word/Commandments as possible. (DRM 6/27/11)

As a Christian, I want to serve the Lord Jesus in any way He directs. Still, there is plenty of opposition from the "other world." This opposition could be called "reproach and contempt" from this verse. A lot of people just don't like Christians. This could be considered a short prayer to the Lord. We always need His protection, as we [I] try to do His Work in the world. (DRM 6/27/05)

119:23 Even though princes sit and talk against me,
Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

    Princes could represent almost anyone. Generally they are considered someone who is in authority. In this case the writer would be a believer in God (like you and me), who knows that people (e.g. Princes) are talking against his faith.
    No matter what they say, he is determined to keep his faith be meditating on/studying the Bible.
    As time progresses, especially in the USA, more and more people are criticizing Christianity. Like this writer, we are also to be determined and keep the faith. (DRM 9/2/12)

As a sinner before a holy God, I am humbled just thinking of Who I'm praying to — like kneeling to the dust in worship of my mighty God. I always need to learn more about Him and need a revival, or continuous refreshing, of His love, direction and knowledge about Him. Sometimes the Holy Spirit tells me things directly, other times it's through His word, the Bible. However it is - Lord, revive me and fill me with your Spirit. (DRM 6/28/05)

This answers the following question: {In regard to living for God, what are my true desires?} This verse is exactly how I felt yesterday. I was upset because I truly feel that I know God's desires for me and I am not fulfilling them due to circumstances. (DRM 8/7/02)

When Testimony Newsletter was published, it consisted of individuals and how they came to know the Lord Jesus. Here, testimonies are from the Lord, as in all the stories in the Bible about (now) famous people who trusted in Him. These are the "best" testimonies, as they are from the Lord.
The second line is like a short prayer that trusting in His Word (Bible stories) will not bring shame, but rather stronger belief. (DRM 6/28/11)

119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall observe it to the end.

I have been reading the Bible daily for over 25 years now. I have read probably 7 or more versions and still find new insights as I read. The words apply to different situations and are 'new every morning.'
I pray that I (and you) will grow in faith as I constantly read and study and learn His word via the Bible. (DRM 6/29/11)

119:34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law
And keep it with all my heart.

In this verse I think of "God's law" as not just the Ten Commandments, but the learning that we receive from the Bible as a whole.
There are a lot of challenging verses in the Bible that we can only understand with the help of the Holy Spirit. God provides the Holy Spirit to help us (as believers) to understand. Our job is to follow His direction as outlined in His manual - the Bible. (DRM 9/9/12)

    Part of being a Christian is continuous spiritual growth (sanctification). Our growth is generated by studying the Bible (not commentaries of the Bible exclusively) and following His word.
    The primary Law in the Bible is/are the Ten Commandments. While no one is perfect except Jesus, we are to try to obey the Ten Commandments and other rules/laws/directives that are in the whole Bible.
    Following His "laws" will please Him and will direct us to a better life; which we will enjoy - delight in. (DRM 6/13/13)

This answers the following question: {How can my desire improve regarding material gain?} Greed has been a challenging word for me. When in business, I always wanted to sell more, more, more. The only way to break that cycle was to quit business and try to do the Lord's will. (DRM 8/8/02)

    This earth is not my home, I'm just passing through.
    The things that I/we look at today are all temporary; which is easy to forget. When I look at things that I'd like to have, I also TRY to remember that whatever it is, I can't take it to Heaven when I die/leave earth - so why dwell on it?
    God has given each of us a certain number of days on earth. We don't know when the last one will be in advance, so we should be spending more time on declaring His Kingdom in some way every day. I'll admit that's hard to do with all the diversions put in our way. (DRM 5/13/15)

This 5^th section of Psalm 119 seems to be directed towards personal spiritual revival. I agree with the writer that I long to follow the Lord's leading. I am in the world, and the world pulls me into doing things in a different way than following the Lord's way. If I continued like that, I'd still be in Albany. I need continual revival or infilling of the Holy Spirit to know and do His will. (DRM 6/29/05)

119:41, 42 May Thy lovingkindness also come to me, O LORD, Thy salvation according to Thy word;
⁴²So I shall have an answer for him who reproaches me. For I trust in Thy word.

This seems like a conditional request, if You will do verse 41, I will do verse 42. Certainly God's lovingkindness comes to all of us in some way. He loves everyone and wants them [us] all to know Him personally. After we have accepted the gift of His Son, we [I] should learn how to answer the questions and reproaches of unbelievers, based on our [my] faith in Him. (DRM 6/30/05)

119:43 And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Your ordinances.

After we become Christians, the Lord Jesus doesn't want us to be silent. He wants the words that come from our mouths to be honoring to Him - our Savior - for eternity.
The second line has the word "hope" as a synonym for wait, so that helps! I hope and will try to follow all of His commandments and New Testament directives. (DRM 6/30/11)

119:44, 45    So I will keep Your law continually,
                     Forever and ever.
                  ⁴⁵And I will walk at liberty,
                     For I seek Your precepts.

    At least in this section of Psalm 119, the author dwells on the "law", "commandments," or "precepts" — which all declare what God wants us to do.
    Keeping God's law is something we want to do as a true Christian - because we want to please the Lord. We don't want to sin - and this tells us the sins to avoid.
    The Ten Commandments aren't just for Christians and Jews. Just think - if all of society followed God's law, what a place this would be . . . and it will be - in Heaven. (DRM 6/9/17)

119:46 I will also speak of Thy testimonies before Kings, And shall not be ashamed.

This answers the following question: {Which of these promises can I claim for myself?} Probably I underlined this verse in my Bible during Testimony Newsletter times. . . Then my "speech" was written, now I pray it will be verbal and that I will not be intimidated by others of higher position. (DRM 8/9/02)

119:47, 48    I shall delight in Your commandments,
                     Which I love.
                 ⁴⁸And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
                     Which I love;
                     And I will meditate on Your statutes.

The writer loved the commandments that God had given Moses. He wanted to please God and follow His rules. When he lifted his hands to the Lord God he was showing his devotion to God and Him alone. As he studied and read the Bible he tried to understand (meditated) every word.
While there are thousands of years between when this was written and today, I believe that I (we) as Christians want to do exactly the same as what he wrote here. (DRM 9/16/12)

Biblically, love and obedience are linked. In today's Old Testament reading, we see that obedience springs from a heart of love. "I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love. My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes" (vv.47-48). Likewise, in the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ tells us that the secret to experiencing intimacy with Him is to show our love to Him by keeping His commandments. "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21) (from INSIGHT, Our Daily Bread, 9/16/12)

The writer considered himself to be God's servant. We are also to be servants of the Lord God, as He needs - or calls on us.
I think this is really a request that God remember the servant and the trials that he goes through. Knowing God cares gives us all hope. (DRM 7/1/11)

Scriptural hope is the present appropriation of a future, joyous certainty, such as Hebrews 6:19: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast." (Word of Life diary)

This answers the following question: {What comfort might I find in difficult situations?} Whenever I get sick, or attacked spiritually or mentally, I always feel refreshed by knowing that the Lord Jesus loves me. I know that I can depend on Him forever. (DRM 8/10/02)

At least for me, song verses are easier to memorize than Bible verses. To think of the statutes or laws of God in reference to songs makes me think how the writer loved the law and wanted to remember it easily in his heart - like a song.
Our pilgrimage is our journey of faith. As the years go by, I become more and more familiar with Bible passages. If I could think of the laws as songs, it would be easier to have them in my heart. (DRM 7/1/05)

119:61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Thy law.

This answers the following question: {What is my attitude toward my friends who do not love the Lord?} At work unbelievers seem to be everywhere. I also have unbelieving friends. They know my beliefs and I try to pray for them and lead them to think about Jesus in some way. (DRM 8/11/02)

119:63 I am a companion of all those who fear Thee, And of those who keep Thy precepts.

I have two families. One is the family that I was born into, and the other is my family of Christian believers. My "natural" family is very, very small and shrinking as people die. My "spiritual" family seems to be hard to locate. This verse is about them. They also fear the Lord and want to keep His law and serve Him. I know they exist, but meeting, talking, and having a true friendship with them is hard. God willing, that will change SOON! (DRM 7/2/05)

119:64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.

    What some people call "Mother nature" is in all of it's glory at this time of year. I would call it "God's creation." This is one example of His lovingkindness.
    Even if a person never reads a Bible, they can see God's work by His creation.
    As a servant to the King, we (I) need to constantly learn His statutes - all of which are in the Bible. (DRM 7/2/11)

119:66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Your commandments.

The Bible is a seemingly unlimited field of knowledge; not just about God, but also how to run our personal lives that are to be honoring to Him - our Creator. I need to constantly be taught how to follow His ways.
I wouldn't be reading the Bible if I didn't believe in the Author or His Commandments - far more than just ten of them! (DRM 7/3/11)

Being afflicted could be more than with bad health. I can be afflicted with poor judgment and make decisions that are not honoring the Lord Jesus, or bringing more people into His Kingdom. I get convicted if I feel that I'm not doing enough for the Lord, and doing more of my own earthly desires - mostly hobbies - that won't last forever - like Kingdom work does. Lord, let me be more devoted to Your word and work. (DRM 7/3/05)

This answers the following question: {How can I respond when physical affliction comes?} On the days that I have been home sick, I have usually spent more time reading the Bible or adding more info to the jesusistheanswer web site. . . .but that doesn't mean I want to be sick - I should do these things when I'm well also! (DRM 8/12/02)

119:72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

"Before" my mind was always on how to make more money and to have more and more of everything. Since I was born-again, I have accepted the thought of only wanting enough to keep clothes on my back, a roof overhead and food on the table. My greed has declined and selling some possessions doesn't make me feel as bad as it used to. (DRM 1/15/87)

119:73 Thy hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.

This refers to two things at the beginning of life. God created us. He gave us all unique bodies and potentials before we [I] was born. We can't create humans - only God can do that.
Also, when we are born-again spiritually, we want to learn more and more about our Lord and Creator. That's when we [I] would first take the Ten Commandments seriously. It's all a growing process throughout life! (DRM 7/4/05)

This answers the following question: {How do other Christians respond when they see me coming?} Most of my Christian life, until recently, I have been ignored and rejected. Now it seems that I am welcomed and my opinions matter. Now I feel included. (DRM 8/13/02)

119:75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

God knows everything about me. He ought to, as He created me! He is always with me, and has sent His Holy Spirit to live in me after I trusted in Him.
He is fully aware of all of my illnesses, concerns and fears, and can heal all or none of them as He chooses. (DRM 7/4/11)

119:80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,
So that I will not be ashamed.

    Trails come to all of us. They have different forms. What we do when they come shows our faith to those involved - often unbelievers.
    A trial is a test. God wants us to show our faith in Him though trials befall us. We are to keep His commands and not go the way the world goes (e.g. suing the other person and blaming others for things they didn't do.).
     By showing our calmness and faith in the Lord during the trial, we will not be ashamed and the Lord God=Jesus will be glorified. (DRM 5/6/15)

Dear Lord, life is so hard sometimes. I confess that I don't always see Your purpose in my trials. Help me to trust You, and teach me to become the person that You desire me to be.
We learn the lesson of trust in the school of trial. (From Our Daily Bread, 5/6/15)

119:84 How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute judgment on those who persecute me?

Only God know the future. He knows how many days I will live and what I will be doing every day between today and my last day on the earth. He knows who will persecute me and will disagree with what I may say to them about the Lord - or throw away the bookmarks. We [I] don't know when He will execute judgment on others - but my concern is to tell them. (DRM 7/5/05)

119:85 The arrogant have dug pits for me,
Men who are not in accord with Your law.

    As Christians, we are now in an era of religious persecution for our beliefs. Some parts of the world have had this for many years, but for others like in USA, this is new in the past few years - and growing.
    The people described in this verse had/have a plan . . . to dig pits and bury us. Their goal is to eliminate Christianity and also Judaism.
    God is in control. He will protect His people. As believers, we know that He can take us out in the Rapture, or, if we die, we will be with Him the next second. (DRM 4/23/16)

Because God will not abandon us to our circumstances, we can confidently choose hope. His enduring Word assures us of His unfailing love. (from Our Daily Bread DENNIS FISHER 4/23/16)

119:88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

I think of revival as personal spiritual renewal. After a while, we all (or mostly all) drift downward in our spiritual walk. We need a revival to get back on track.
As we (I) grow spiritually, we should show the nature of the Holy Spirit who lives within us. (DRM 7/5/11)

    When God makes a decision, He rarely changes His mind. Moses negotiated with God and God gave the Israelites more time, but, eventually, His refusal to let the unbelieving Israelites into the promised land - stood.
    Job learned that God is in control of all things - even if we don't understand His actions.
    Since the beginning of time, God has made all the major decisions and we have to obey and follow His leading and not our own. (DRM 11/10/13)

119:90 Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations; Thou didst establish the earth, and it stands.

God is eternal. He was in the beginning and will continue forever. He made the earth unlike any other planet that I am aware of. It has an atmosphere and oceans like nowhere else. He has kept the major meteors away so far, and has protected His people, so we can be spread His Good News. He deserves our daily praise and devotion. (DRM 7/6/05)

119:91 They stand this day according to Your ordinances,
For all things are Your servants.

Think of creation. God made it all. The list is endless. When I read this verse today, I thought of trees. God ordained how trees are "made," and all their types. Some have been used to become paper and books and the Bible where this verse is written. While not thinking, trees serve God and can lead people to trust in Him. He ordained it all. (DRM 7/6/11)

119:92 If Thy law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction.

This answers the following question: {What is my attitude toward Bible study?} How would I know God without reading His Book, His Word, daily? Each time I read the same words, I get a different understanding. Lord, keep me devoted to You! (DRM 8/14/02)

Revival is like renewal. A person who is revived had a life before, then lost it and then had an experience to renew their bodies or spirit.
A spiritual revival generally starts with renewed interest in the Bible and its contents. The source for that feeling could be any of several things, but the main idea is to remember the Lord's precepts => Word => Bible and study and learn from it with renewed vigor. (DRM 9/23/12)

119:95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me;
I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

Having faith in the Lord God=Jesus can be difficult at times. As Christians, we should be trying to follow the principles that are in the Bible. Other people have never read the Bible, so don't know or understand why we act in certain ways based on Biblical directives. These people seem to be the "wicked" in this verse. The testimonies are from Bible stories and applications.
Christians should try to please Christ, and follow His ways - not that of our world and the people who try to divert us from our faith. (DRM 6/6/16)

A commonly understood characteristic of Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is that it celebrates the goodness and usefulness of God's commandments. Referring to these laws by various names, the author suggests that God's commands are the very core of how life is meant to be lived. The thought is simple yet intriguing —God's laws help us to live in the way that we were created and intended to live. They are not restrictive; they are freeing. (from Our Daily Bread INSIGHT J.R.HUDBERG 6/6/16)

119:97, 98    O how I love Your law!
                     It is my meditation all the day.
                  ⁹⁸Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
                     For they are ever mine.

    Why would the writer, or I, like/love a rule book? Aren't rule books restrictive?
    God's rule book includes the Ten Commandments - which seem logical to live a holy lifestyle. We (I) want to please the Lord and do His will, thus follow His Law. The benefits of obeying the Law are far better than ignoring the "rule book."
    As Christians, we love the Lord Jesus and want to follow His spiritual rules - which are more important than the rules of today's world. (DRM 8/26/14)

119:99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Thy testimonies are my meditation.

This answers the following question: {How can I have more insight than all my teachers?} As a Christian grows spiritually, He acquires knowledge from reading and learning the Bible. As an example, the Bible tells us the future. In this way we know more than others. (DRM 8/15/02)

Now I think the answer should be more like that in 119:92. . . we all get different understandings from the same verses, and could have different insights than our "teachers." (DRM 6/4/05)

An aged person has lots of life experiences, but that doesn't mean they are Christians. A teenager who has trusted in the Lord Jesus will understand Him better than an aged person.
After our eyes (spiritual) are opened, we gain more insight from nature and His Word. (DRM 7/7/11)

119:101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Thy word.

There are two options, either I follow the leadings of the Lord Jesus or of Satan. To follow one is to avoid the other. To restrain, or hold back, would be to avoid every evil way, thus following the Lord. By Bible reading and praying to the Lord daily, I am trying very hard to follow His leading. I also take circumstances into consideration and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (DRM 7/7/05)

119:102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.

    I've never met Jesus or God face to face. How could He have taught me His ordinances?
    When I became a Christian, I suddenly received the desire to read the Bible and understand how God wanted me to live. The desire and the understanding were given to me by the Holy Spirit; which proves that the third part of the Trinity exists and is in the world today.
    Lord, with the Holy Spirit's help, don't let me turn aside from any of Your ordinances. (DRM 6/11/13)

119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

The words of God are contained in the Bible. As I (we) read our Bible, I am given direction on how He wants me to live. This "rulebook" leads us to a path that honors God, our Creator and Redeemer. It isn't a book that makes our life harder - like the laws of a city. These Laws/rules/directions are to make our life better.
The process of reading and implementing God's words are good - as we also know that we want to honor Him. (DRM 9/30/12)

119:104 From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

    The world is full of options. We are free to choose from probably 100 flavors of ice cream if we want. We are also free to choose what to believe about God.
    There are how many versions of the Bible? Who wrote these versions? The Lord God hates all the false ways that are presented to us. With 400 years in print, the best option is the King James Version of the Bible. I use a version that's over 60 years old (NASB) and clearer to understand.
    We are to learn our facts from the Bible, the older the version the better, and not from commentaries or versions that are published by "special interest groups." (DRM 3/15/12)

The Bible [Thy word] is the source Book fro my life. It leads me to a closer walk with Jesus. If I miss a day of reading its instructions, I feel convicted and empty. The Book teaches me how other people sinned and gives me rules, commandments and ideas as how to improve my life - by living for Jesus. As this verse suggests, it helps to keep me from falling into Satan's pit of destruction. (DRM 7/8/05)

119:106 I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

    This is commitment from the writer to the Lord God. He said it before and he's saying it again by writing it here: "I'll keep Your righteous ordinances." He wanted the Lord to know his allegiance and that he would not waver.
    The ordinances are basically the Law (Ten Commandments) and all of the other laws that God had written in the Old Testament. It's a big list of over 600 items.
    Today, we/I know that I can't keep all the laws and need a Savior to cover me for my sins/breaking of the Laws. . . but that doesn't mean I won't try to be as sinless as possible. (DRM 1/9/15)

    When I first read this verse, I thought of a health affliction, and this could be what was written about, but we can be afflicted by other means also. I could be afflicted with unbelief or Satan could send his demons to divert and discourage my Christian walk.
    Perhaps this refers to spiritual affliction like I just wrote, then we would need to be revived in our faith walk. We need to study His Word more and grow closer to Him.
    There is no doubt that God wants our absolute devotion. If we fall away for any reason, He wants and welcomes us back. (DRM 9/15/15)

119:108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Thine ordinances.

This answers the following question: {To what degree is my commitment to God's Word?} Even after 16½ years, my desire to learn more about the Lord through the Bible hasn't diminished. I have specific times and try to stick to reading His Word daily. (DRM 8/16/02)

119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

The wicked are simply unbelievers. It seems that their goal is to criticize or dissuade us from our faith. Really they are watching more closely to see if we fail or not.
With the knowledge of this we (I) must stay in the Word (Bible) and follow His direction - to prove that our God is real and WILL provide. (DRM 7/8/11)

119:111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.

    According to the cross-reference for "inherited" (Deut. 33:4), the writer inherited the Law, which we primarily call the Ten Commandments. So long as we follow these commandments, we will be obeying God's desire - but there are other things involved today also.
    We can reflect on what the Lord has done in our personal life/walk with Him and His answered prayers.
    While we want to look forward, it's good to reflect on all of God=Jesus' blessings of the past so we can depend on His continued favor in the future. (DRM 4/26/15)

119:112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

    After we/I became a Christian, I wanted first to learn everything that was in the Bible, then to share the good news with others somehow. I wanted to serve the Lord - but how?
    This verse expresses the feelings that I had and continue to have. . . and know that I/we will also be serving God=Jesus when we are in Heaven. It will last forever.
     I hope that all who read this also feel the same way. We want to serve God with the gifts/talents He gave us and always need His direction. (DRM 5/19/16)

119:115 Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God.

This answers the following question: {How should I respond to those who wish to lure me from virtue?} Sometimes it seems that 99% of the world are unbelievers. When I talk to them it seems that they have one unified purpose - to divert me from my beliefs. Praise God, He has made me stubborn and reluctant to change away from His Word. (DRM 8/17/02)

119:116 Sustain me according to Thy word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

Dependency. I am dependent on the Lord for all aspects of my life. The Bible most often is our way of listening to His will, but I know the Holy Spirit also tells me things. My hope is in the Lord and in His direction. Like the writer here, I pray that He won't lead me astray and cause me to be ashamed of Him for any reason. (DRM 7/9/05)

119:119 You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies.

    This has to be prophetic - as the earth still has unbelievers.
    During the tribulation period, more and more unbelievers (wicked) will be removed by disaster after disaster.
    As Christians, we (I) love His Law/testimonies and trust in Him to protect us from the wicked who oppose Him. (DRM 7/9/11)

    There are two types of fear. Normally we think of being afraid of something. (I know I've had a lot of that!) We are told not to have that type of fear (e.g. Isaiah 35:4), Matthew 10:25, 26) and, as believers, our God=Jesus is watching over us.
    The other type of fear is the fear of God - which is good. When we think of His power and abilities, we are in awe - we fear doing anything that would displease Him. That's what this verse refers to.
    Our heart should be totally devoted to Him and to try and please Him every day in some way. (DRM 10/30/17)

119:124 Deal with Thy servant according to Thy lovingkindness, And teach me Thy statutes.

Growing up in the USA, I have always felt it was my right to be dealt with fairly. That isn't true in many other countries in the world. God allowed me to be born in this country, and only He knows why. Still, like the writer of this Psalm, I pray that the Lord will treat me fairly and with lovingkindness. I always need more knowledge and should study His Word more every day. (DRM 7/10/05)

119:125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.

When I read most of the Bible in 1969 and 1970, I had little understanding of what I was reading. Now that the Holy Spirit is within me, I feel that I have more understanding of what I am reading.
Still, I always try to pray for discernment of His Word every day before I start to read, as there are many passages that still elude me. (DRM 11/11/86)

This answers the following question: {What conditions in my society around me indicate I need to pray?} It seems to me that society continues to drift away from caring about the Lord. They have "so little time" and want more rest. Somehow they need to see God's love and desire to worship Him. (DRM 8/18/02)

Gold is a popular investment today; it's better than paper money and can always be cashed in for money when needed.
The "problem" with gold is that it's value is only good on earth - not in Heaven. To have value in Heaven we (I) need to love and learn the Lord's commandments - and follow them while on earth. (DRM 7/10/11)

119:130 The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

This answers the following question: {What do I desire most when I see the world prospering around me?} While the world is prospering materially, my goal should be to prosper spiritually. Reading the word of God is not enough. The Word should be in me, so I can speak it when called upon. (DRM 8/19/02)

119:133 Establish my footsteps in Your word,
And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

    It doesn't take long, maybe 15 minutes every day, but God=Jesus wants us to read His Word - the Bible - and understand what is written in it. . . that's how I/we know what pleases Him and truly is His will for our lives. I know not all verses are easy to understand, but keep trying.
    The second part is to try to stop sinning. That's another difficult challenge because of my/our sin nature, but keep trying.
    The world - people in it that don't believe in Jesus - will try to modify or stop our faith, but, with prayer and determination, it can be done - keep trying. (DRM 8/25/16)

I think all born-again Christians want to be doing God's will and as He desires. I know I would like to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant," when I see Jesus, as I truly want to please Him in whatever I do. As part of this process, I have to continue to learn more about Him, and studying the Bible [statutes] daily is necessary for growth. I never feel that I know enough - and I think He is willing to teach. (DRM 7/11/05)

    This is an interesting way to say, "I cry."
    If I'm not keeping the Law or Ten Commandments, I'm sinning. When I am convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, then I regret my actions and cry in repentance.
    Not only should I repent, but also change my way to not sin in that way again. That's the harder part. (DRM 7/11/11)

119:139 My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Thy words.

I don't need to memorize this verse, I need to live this verse. My zeal, or excitement, for the Lord has consumed me - that seems to me like a person that is full of fire to tell others about Christ. Like today, his adversaries, or non-believers, don't know about the Lord Jesus and their need for him. We need a plan of action - not another delay or diversion! (DRM 7/12/05)

This answers the following question: {What testimony of my zeal can I give of my love for God's Word?} Quite often I feel insignificant on the worldly scale. The little that I do for the Lord seems fruitless. . . but the Word of God tells me that whatever we do will not return void. I pray that I will continue to grow and share the love of Jesus to others. (DRM 8/20/02)

119:143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.

Like everyone else, I have good days and bad days. Trouble and anguish would describe a bad day.
No matter what I'm feeling each day, I still read my Bible and try to learn more about the Lord. The more I read, God willing, the more will "sink in," and influence my daily actions. (DRM 7/12/11)

119:145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord! I will observe Thy statutes.

This answers the following question: {How does my prayer life measure up daily?} While I pray a lot, it is not "continuously." I think my "problem" is that I put in many requests, but don't listen for answers. I need more conversations with God. (DRM 8/21/02)

    The writer indicates that he studied or meditated on God's word, the Bible, in the evening or night time.
    Others, like me, read and study His Word in the morning.
    I don't think the Lord cares WHEN we read/study/meditate on His Word, so long as we do so consistently every day. (DRM 4/12/12)

119:149 Hear my voice according to Thy lovingkindness; Revive me, O LORD, according to Thine ordinances.

This verse seems like a short prayer. The writer wants Jesus=God to hear his prayer requests. I know that He is listening when I see the answers!
We all need revival - which could be "renewed dedication" to the Lord. There's always much more to learn, and I want to learn more - that are His ordinances, and not new ones made up by men. (DRM 7/13/05)

Where is God? Is God in Heaven or is He here with us? How can He be everywhere at the same time? That's why I believe in the Trinity. No One can be everywhere at the same time. The Holy Spirit aspect of God is not a physical being, so He can do that.
I've never found anything in the Bible to be false. Unbelievers try to prove it false, but eventually archeology and study find all of what's written in the Bible to be true. (DRM 7/13/11)

119:157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.

This seems to be written for today's world. While there have always been times where believers in God (the Jews) or Jesus (Christians) have been persecuted for their faith, this seems to be a growing occurrence in both the world and USA.
No matter what happens, I must keep true to my faith and continue to study His Word - the Bible. (DRM 7/14/11)

119:158 I behold the treacherous and loathe them, Because they do not keep Thy word.

This answers the following question: {How does my concern for the unsaved measure up to this example?} If I chose the right verse - I disagree with the example. The lost need to know the Truth, someone has to try to tell them - even though we disagree, we need compassion for their souls. (DRM 8/22/02)

119:160 The sum of Thy word is truth, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.

This seems like a summary verse - not only for this section of Psalm 119, but also the Bible as a whole. The Bible is the truth to live by. The precepts, illustrations, parables and laws are everlasting. This should be the standard that all people on earth follow. Evangelical Christians - like I try to be - should show others in the world how necessary it is to follow this Book. There IS a deadline to decide. (DRM 7/14/05)

Since I wasn't brought up using military terminology, I rarely think of spoil, but have learned of it from Bible passages. The finding of things of value as a result of a military victory, is like finding an unexpected treasure. Like in this verse, I find the Bible, and most verses extremely valuable in directing my life more towards the Lord. This Book of Life directs me in what I should do and how I should act with others. (DRM 7/15/05)

    This seems logical. While God's law is more than just the Ten Commandments, it is represented by them. All of God's law is in the Bible. The Bible is truth, as God's Word is true.
    Some things in the world certainly are also true, but a lot of falsehood is also mixed in and it can become hard to discern the difference at times.
    One thing is for sure. If it's in the Bible it's true - in context. That's why the author loves God's law.
    Trust in the Lord God=Jesus and His Word, it will lead you in the right direction. (DRM 12/6/16)

119:165 Those who love Thy law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.

This answers the following question: {What do I, as a praising person, discover, detest, and do?} As a constant reader of His Word, I discover new every day. I detest people and religions who spread false information. I do want to keep growing in devotion to the Lord. (DRM 8/23/02)

119:168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.

The goal is to follow only His ways, as expressed in the Bible as precepts and testimonies. The first part is to learn what He wants me (us) to do. Then do them!
When I sin I remember that God is video taping my life then regret what I did and ask forgiveness. The hope/goal is to try to be sinless. The Holy Spirit convicts us (me) of sin, as well as the words contained in the Bible. (DRM 7/15/11)

119:169 Let my cry come before You, O LORD;
Give me understanding according to Your word.

Before I read anything in the Bible, I pray a short prayer asking for His wisdom in the understanding of what I am reading.
When it comes to crying before the Lord, that has to be a type of praying. (DRM 7/16/11)

This answers the following question: {How satisfied am I with my relationship to the Lord? Explain.} I always want to grow in my knowledge of the Lord. I am not satisfied with the speed that I am doing this as I get diverted with work. Praise Jesus that He still loves me. (DRM 8/24/02)

119:172 Let my tongue sing of Thy word, For all Thy commandments are righteousness.

I like to sing - especially hymns and praise to the Lord. I'm glad there are so many songs in my mind, that I wouldn't be able to memorize any other way.
God deserves all the praise, either through my singing His praises or speaking them. The principles/commandments in the Bible lead people to righteousness - thus deserving of my praise! (DRM 7/16/05)

This answers the following question: {How do I respond when I am attacked verbally?} Prayer changes things. When people criticize me, instead of fighting back, I should pray for them. I should remember that I belong to His family and not the world. Praise the Lord! (DRM 8/25/02)

Crying or praying to the Lord is something that is necessary. Paul told us to do it continuously, and I know He wants to know of our devotion to Him in this way. With patience, I know He will answer my prayers; yes, no or wait. (DRM 8/28/05)

120:6, 7    Too long has my soul had its dwelling
                 With those who hate peace.
                ⁷I am for peace, but when I speak,
                  They are for war.

    No matter the topic, people have different opinions. In this example, the topic is war. While I am for peace, as this writer was, I also can see the reasoning behind people who want some wars to defend their territory.
    In the Ten Commandments we are told not to murder - and that refers to individuals rather than nations. This HAS to be the case as David went to war (among other Bible personalities) and God blessed him.
    We need discernment/prayer before a nation goes to war. (DRM 7/10/14)

121:1,2 I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? ²My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

My mind has been occupied with the cabin in the "hills" and I know that I have doubted the Lord will provide the needs (tenant) that I must have to pay the mortgage.
My mind must be on the Lord, and the help that He will provide - if I can only trust that He will direct my paths. (DRM 1/20/87)

    God is always available. He never sleeps. What encouragement!
    In the middle of the night if I am sick or have a "bad dream," I know that I can call on Him. When I call, the name I usually call is "Jesus."
    While I have slipped on the ice or water several times, I think this is more likely to refer also to spiritual falling, like following the wrong spiritual path. How does He do that? Through the Holy Spirit who leads us and tells us (me) what to read and who to listen to. (DRM 8/25/12)

God=Jesus never sleeps. If I wake up at 3:00 AM and pray, I know He hears me. I can't run away from Him and He knows where I am and what I am doing. This also refers to Israel as a country and its inhabitants, His chosen people. He will protect them in times of trouble. (DRM 1/12/13)

The Lord is always watching over us (me). He is in control of everything. He is keeping us to serve Him in some way. He is so close that you could compare it to your shadow when you are near a light, as He is the Light that directs our life. (DRM 3/29/12)

    I don't have a dictionary available, but can refer to the context of this verse in the Psalm.
    The Lord will not allow your foot to slip (v. 3), He will not slumber (v. 3), He is your keeper (v. 5), and as close as the shade on your right hand (v. 5). He will protect you from all evil (v. 7) and keep your soul (v. 7). He will guard wherever you go now and forever (v. 8).
    With all this watching and protecting, it seems that He will not allow the sun to burn you or things to harm you in the night. This could refer to spiritual attacks, as it is easy to get a physical sunburn. (DRM 7/11/13)

Sometimes I feel so insignificant, and wonder how God could care about one person in the billions that are on earth. When unnatural things happen, i.e. protection from harm, I know that Jesus or His angels are watching over me. PTL! (DRM 8/29/05)

121:8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in, From this time forth and forever.

This answers the following question: {What example in my life gives evidence that the Lord protects me?} Quite often when I am delivering bookmarks, I have to stop suddenly or make erratic movements with the car. There have been several "close calls" and I believe His angels have protected me from harm. (DRM 8/26/02)

    David loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him, even though he made mistakes, he tried to correct for them.
    With the desire to serve the Lord in his heart, he also wanted to build a sanctuary for the Lord, but that task was to be given to his son, Solomon.
    The house of the Lord in David's time was a tent. Still he wanted to go there to worship the Lord.
    Like David, we should want to go and worship the Lord at least once a week, as He deserves all the honor and glory for all the things He has done for us. . . especially sending His Son to die for our sins. (DRM 6/15/15)

122:4 [Jerusalem] To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD - An ordinance for Israel - To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

This answers the following question: {With what attitude do I go to church?} My first response to this question was, "to learn more about the Lord," but I also have the attitude of thanksgiving for all that He has given me. That's why we sing praises to Him every Sunday. (DRM 8/27/02)

This answers the following question: {What can I do to seek the prosperity of all who suffer for Christ?} Pray. God directs us to pray for Jerusalem, as He knows it will be the center of attention. This verse seems to say that those who pray for Jerusalem will prosper. (DRM 8/28/02)

122:6, 7 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you." ⁷"May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces."

It seems that Jerusalem has never enjoyed peace, as it was controlled by others until 1967; then terrorists or neighbors have tried to attack in one way or another. I pray that the citizens will know their Messiah, then receive peace in their hearts. (DRM 8/30/05)

122:8, 9    For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
                 I will now say, "May peace be within you."
               ⁹For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
                 I will seek your good.

    I pray for other people every day. Most of them I don't know what their needs are for that day, but I pray for their salvation, if needed, or their spiritual growth if they are believers. We all need spiritual protection from Satan and his demons.
    David wrote the words in these two verses in a different way, but also wanted peace for his brothers, spiritual brothers and friends.
    He (David) also wanted those who served at the Temple - house of the Lord - to be blessed, as well as remembered.
    I/we always will pray for peace and not war - among nations and individuals. (DRM 1/29/15)

No matter where we are, Heaven and God are always up. I know that some people believe that Heaven is on earth, just a spiritual dimension. Thankfully we know because Jesus visibly arose to go to Heaven, and there were witnesses. (DRM 8/31/05)

123:2    Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
             As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
             So our eyes look to the LORD our God,
             Until He is gracious to us.

    DEPENDENCE is the word that comes to mind today after reading this verse and short psalm.
    We depend on direction while doing our earthly employment from our supervisors like slaves to their master. We want to please them.
    In a similar way, we want to serve the Lord God=Jesus. The thoughts that we have and the things that we do, we want to please Him — still, we need His direction on what to do next.
    It is not good to go through life alone. Married or unmarried, we need the Lord to direct our lives, as we depend on Him for His love and next steps. (DRM 1/20/18)

123:3 Be gracious to us, O LORD, be gracious to us; For we are greatly filled with contempt.

This answers the following question: {How should I respond when I experience ridicule and contempt?} The earlier verses remind me to depend on Him when confronted with contemptuous people. He is in control, not the offender. He rules - and will rule in the end. (DRM 8/29/02)

123:4    Our soul is greatly filled
             With the scoffing of those who are at ease,
             And with the contempt of the proud.

    As Christians, we are in a spiritual war. It's different than physical wars as the attacks are against our mind and spirit within us.
    Those that aren't Christians are the scoffers in this verse. They are our "friends" and acquaintances that like to criticize our faith in one way or another. They are at ease; not thinking of their own eternity, but only today. They are proud as they think they have it all together. We need to pray for them.
    Thanks to Jesus, we know we will be with Him in the "end" - which is really a new beginning when we get to Heaven. (DRM 7/4/16)

124:2, 3    "Had it not been the LORD who was on our side
                 When men rose up against us,
               ³Then they would have swallowed us alive,
                 When their anger was kindled against us; . . .

    Certainly David knew that when he depended on God, God would protect him. In this case it appears that the enemy was ready to attack and the Lord protected Israel again.
    David, by writing this, gave God the glory for what He had done. He was Israel's protector - at least in that time period.
    When we put all our trust in the Lord, He will also protect us like He did for David in that era. So long as it is His will, God=Jesus will take care of His family of believers. {Sometimes it may seem like He has forgotten us, but His will often is different than ours.} (DRM 8/10/16)

124:7 Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper; The snare is broken and we have escaped.

This answers the following question: {In what past heartache have I experienced God's deliverance?} Praise the Lord there are too many to mention. On several occasions, I feel that I am getting sick in the middle of the night, pray to the Lord Jesus, then feel well again in the morning. (DRM 8/30/02)

This psalm by David showed his dependence on the Lord. In verse 1 he wanted Israel to say these words, but he was the one who wrote them.
Each person has to make an individual commitment, based on the Holy Spirit's leading. (DRM 9/1/05)

125:1 Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

This answers the following question: {When is it hardest for me to trust the Lord? How then should I pray?} Last September 11^th I think I was just in disbelief and wanted more information. Several days later I prayed more after reality set in. As in all other things, I should pray continuously, or nearly so. (DRM 8/31/02)

125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

Thank you, God for this reminder that you are ever with me. When I have to explain my beliefs to others, I need and totally depend on You to help me with the words.
While all my words may not seem Biblical, I know that you are with me to help me to try to explain Your principles. (DRM 10/24/87)

Until now, I never wanted to be surrounded. It made me think of crimes that I've been near. To be surrounded by the Lord, or His angels, is great. It's like being among friends, and protected.
The thought of being loved and protected forever, is rare - and I like that! (DRM 9/2/05)

126:1 When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.

Considering when this was written, probably it did not refer to 1948, but the point is that they were joyful, thankful for what He had done. May I also be more joyful in the same way. (DRM 2/2/03)

Coming back to home after a long trip is like a dream. The longing for a familiar place is strong in each of us. The Israelites felt the same way about returning to Zion after being held captive. I know how they felt. In some ways, we can look forward to Heaven in a similar way. (DRM 9/3/05)

126:2    Then our mouth was filled with laughter
             And our tongue with joyful shouting;
             Then they said among the nations,
             "The LORD had done great things for them."

    The writer of this psalm was recalling the happiness of the Israelites when they returned from the 70 year Babylonian exile.
    They knew the Lord God had made the road to Jerusalem open again and were so happy. I can imagine that very few of them were alive for the whole 70 year period, so this would be the beginning of a new life in a new land for most.
    As we listen to him, He can also lead us to new adventures that will change our life. Always listen for His plan, His leading. (DRM 1/15/17)

Certainly I consider myself a sower - of "seeds" of bookmarks - but I don't pray enough for the churches when I sow. I don't ever expect to know how the seeds were used, but pray that they will lead many, many people to trust in the Lord Jesus. (DRM 2/3/03)

126:6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

This person is like the sower who is carrying a heavy bag of seed and regretting his work. Later, he is happy when he receives his "reward" (good crop) in the end. My work may be hard, but the reward great. (DRM 2/21/2000)

How true. They can build great houses and tiny houses, but it's the hearts inside of people who live in a house to make it a loving home.
Arguing and bitterness don't make a loving home and anything that leads in that direction should be corrected ASAP! (DRM 3/16/87)

127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

Dependence on the Lord. I can try businesses or other enterprises, but without the Lord's direction, it will fail. Both sections of this verse remind me to depend on the LORD and not myself. (DRM 2/21/2000)

The first part is easier - God is the Creator and Provider of all things, not us! He will protect what He has built, both spiritually and physically. . . which is also in part two: He will be the defender of the things He has made. Not a guard-watchman. (DRM 2/4/03)

127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late. To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

It seems that I lived this verse yesterday. I got up early to get more done, then was busy all day and evening, and could hardly keep awake by midnight. As it got later, nothing real productive got done. God knows there's a limit each day, and wants to bless our efforts even as we [I] am resting. (DRM 9/5/05)

127:3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward.

More and more often when I see affection and children, I get tears in my eyes - because they seem happy. I praise Jesus for that gift He has given and know how much I miss it - because I don't have either. (DRM 2/5/03)

In this case, I hope that the word fear equals trust; unless we use different definitions. Whatever, may my fear of the Lord be to acknowledge His authority and trust in that, rather than being afraid of Him, and avoiding Him. (DRM 2/22/2000)

My life (especially currently) seems to be a life of diversions and distractions from the Lord. I want to spend more time on His work, but know that I have to get rid of the "stuff" that I have previously accumulated. (DRM 2/6/03)

The "fear of the Lord" doesn't have to be scary, but rather obedient to His desires. The whole Bible is a clear indication of what His desires are for each of us. The Ten Commandments were specific directives and Jesus taught in parables - which are all directives. Following His lead is what He desires for each of us. (DRM 9/5/05)

128:5 The LORD bless you from Zion. And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

My first thought is to remember the time this was written. The people of Israel needed to be reminded to continue in the faith. As the center of spiritual Israel, Jerusalem was most important - and is again today. I also must continue in the faith! (DRM 2/7/03)

129:2 "Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up; Yet they have not prevailed against me."

Fortunately, I don't think often about the cruel things that the other kids did to me in school - that was close to persecution. Throughout that time - to today - Jesus has been there to protect me for whatever is to come. I hope to be a more vocal witness to Him - when He is ready. (DRM 2/8/03)

129:5, 6 May all who hate Zion, Be put to shame and turned backward, ⁶Let them be like grass upon the housetops, Which withers before it grows up;

[re: 129:5] This Psalm primarily deals with how to deal with those who oppose of Zion, or Israel. As Christians, we should also expect opposition. (DRM 2/23/2000)

[re: 129:5] The emphasis of terrorism in the world today is against the Jewish people. It's all in the Bible! If the terrorists read - and understood - this verse, they would see that God is not pleased with their hate - and destructive tactics. (DRM 2/9/03)

Israel or Zion has always been surrounded by spiritual or physical enemies, and God has protected them - as a people group - for thousands of years. Believers, like grass, need nourishment to grow, as we have short roots. Verse six wants the enemy to dry up and go away - all dependent on the Lord. (DRM 9/6/05)

I sin daily. Sometimes I know I do, and most times I don't know what the Lord thinks. If every sin I commit is logged in a book, I would be denied admittance to Heaven. Thank God, He gave His Son, Jesus to cover my sins - but I must confess them. (DRM 2/10/03)

Total dependence. Patience. Things that the world doesn't want us to have, but the Lord wants us to develop. While I'm getting some patience and dependence, Lord, I always need more. (DRM 2/24/2000)

It seems that most of my Christian life, I have been waiting of the Lord for direction. When I have felt His leading, I followed - but sometimes it seems like a long interval between, so I kept on the last track I know. (DRM 2/11/03)

130:6    My soul waits for the Lord
             More than the watchmen for the morning;
             Indeed, more than the watchmen for the mornng.

    What can I do for you Lord? What's the next step, Lord? Will you heal me, Lord? When will You return, Lord?
    I (we) wait for the Lord for many different things. While my main focus has been on His imminent return, there are lots of other questions to ask Him also.
    We need patience. He will answer all our questions in His time — and it will be worth the wait. (DRM 3/28/14)

130:7 O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.

For thousands of years, the writers of the Old Testament, the prophets, the Lord Jesus and many Christians in the past 2,000 years have prayed that Israel or the Jews would come to trust in the Lord Jesus. A few have. According to prophecy, many more will in His time. I pray for the souls of the Jews that I know personally. (DRM 9/7/05)

131:1    O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
             Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
             Or in things too difficult for me.

    In this verse Davis was humble. He knew that he was not in control of his life, that only the Lord was.
    David knew his limitations. He knew that he didn't know everything. When it came to bigger matters, he probably consulted with others.
    This is what I think God wants - us to know our personal limitations and depend on Him for direction. (DRM 7/6/12)

131:2    Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
             Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
             My soul is like a weaned child within me.

    This verse makes me think of the word "dependence."
    As a child, and in this verse, if I got nervous, I went to my mother for assurance. This was dependence on her and her calming words.
    Now with no parents, my dependence is on the Lord Jesus. Other people help in some circumstances, but the ultimate Healer, Provider and Savior is Jesus=God. (DRM 10/28/11)

We are the modern Israelites. Hopefully more people will continue to put their hope in the Lord. (DRM 1/19/89)

This short 3 verse Psalm, emphasizes trusting in the Lord without the word trust. It ends with this plead to Israel to "hope" in the Lord. Why fear when He is here? (DRM 2/25/2000)

Even in David's time, Israel was not totally committed to serving the Lord. Things haven't improved in all of the years since then. As David pleaded to God for Israel, I pray that they will come to know Jesus also. (DRM 2/12/03)

132:3-5    "Surely I will not enter my house, Nor lie on my bed;
                I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids;
                Until I find a place for the LORD, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."

[re:132:4, 5] This is one prayer that David did not see answered personally, but he let God (and us) know his thoughts and devotion to the Lord. Let me also be devoted and loyal to Him! (DRM 2/26/2000)

[re:132:4, 5] No matter how much Bible reading I do or don't do, the Lord Jesus wants my prayers. I agree with these verses that I should not fall asleep at night without praying to the Lord and asking forgiveness for my sins of the day. (DRM 2/13/03)

While these words were written for or about David's search for a temple location for the LORD [verse 1], it could also refer to our spiritual state before trusting in the Lord for salvation. Both David and I need the Lord to occupy a special exalted place in our hearts and souls, for the Lord or Holy Spirit to occupy. (DRM 9/8/05)

While this refers to Israel in David's time, it can also refer to us personally. MOST people don't go to church anymore, but the Lord wants us to continue meeting together. While it has been a challenge for me to find a comfortable church, I must keep going. (DRM 2/14/03)

132:11 The LORD has sworn to David, A truth from which He will not turn back; of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne.

My understanding of this verse is that David was told that he would be the ancestor of the Messiah - Jesus. As the Old Testament continues; we see how the Lord God continues David's line until Jesus is born. God's promises never fail! (DRM 2/15/03)

132:12    "If your sons will keep My covenant
               And My testimony which I will teach them,
               Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever."

    This was God's promise to King David. God knew what would happen, that's why He said what He did.
    The sons of David slowly faded from serving the Lord - some better and some worse. When there were no more kings, Babylon took over the land.
    Still, God's promise was valid. When Jesus was born, there were two records of His connection to King David - and Jesus will be on the throne forever.
    While God did this differently than expected, He kept His promise. The same is true today. Only God knows the future and when His eternal Kingdom, under Jesus, will begin; as promised. (DRM 10/14/17)

132:13,14 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation.
^14"This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

The promised land and the promised King. Why are the Jews blind to all this? They know the King is coming, but, thank God, I know the King! (DRM 2/27/2000)

[re:132:13] Now that Israel exists again, there is no doubt that God will protect this nation. They have had wars and rockets fired at them - and always won out. It seems that we are preparing for another battle - but what about their souls? (DRM 2/16/03)

Since this was written in David's time, it was a prophecy not only of Jesus' first coming in verse 13, but also of His eternal rule that begins with His second coming. God will do as He desires. I have no doubt that He will have a special job for me to do now - and also for His Kingdom - which is coming soon. (DRM 9/9/05)

133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Peace! The hope of the centuries. Only obtainable through faith in the Lord Jesus. If only the world would know to trust in Him. (DRM 2/28/2000)

It seems like a dream - finding people who agree with my Christian faith. After yesterday's switch of churches, I am reminded again of God's desire - and mine - that we could all agree on our faith in unity. I still can't find it in Albany. (DRM 2/17/03)

134:1 Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD, Who serve by night in the house of the LORD!

I think of God and Jesus as "day people," but They need night servants also! This verse remembers them. I think how my fears sometimes increase at night and how I've depended on saints and angels to help me through nighttime. (DRM 2/29/2000)

I think of nighttime as the time when evil rules. As Christians, we are to be as light in the darkness of this world. This verse, in referring to night, honors those who work with people during the most difficult time of the day. Truly they will be blessed by the Lord in Heaven. (DRM 9/10/05)

While I don't object to others raising their hands in churches, I rarely do it - out of fear of being seen. But I do it at home! Now that I've read this verse that is so clear, I should fear no more. Lord, help me to worship You more. (DRM 2/18/03)

    This Psalm is about worship. I just noticed that in verse one we are to bless the Lord and in this verse, the Lord is to bless us.
    Worship is mutual. When we go to the sanctuary=church, we go to worship the Lord and thank Him for His provisions. He knows all that we do and blesses us in return. Sometimes His blessings are not what we asked for, but He knows what we need better than we do.
    "He who made heaven and earth" reminds us that He created everything from our planet to each cell in our body. (DRM 6/28/15)

135:3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely,

Like my father, I love music. Since being born-again, I've been "into" all types of Christian music. I pray that I will always have a song in my heart and praises to sing to my King - the Lord Jesus. (DRM 2/19/03)

God is the One who makes all the decisions that really matter. He is the One who chose if we would follow Him, based on our circumstances, which He arranged. He knows our thoughts and directs our reactions. He knows more about me than I do. (DRM 9/11/05)

135:6 Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.

God knows everything. Every thought and deed that I do, God knows of it. My sins are known and He forgives them when I ask Him to. Even though I fail, God still loves me. Praise the Lord! (DRM 3/1/2000)

The next verse refers to examples of lightning and wind. Whatever God decides to do - He can do. He is all powerful. With all of that power, it is hard to comprehend that He also knows and loves me. PTL! (DRM 2/20/03)

135:14 For the LORD will judge His people, And will have compassion on His Servants.

I believe that soon after I die, that the Lord will show me all the bad things I have done in my life. At that time I will only be able to say that I've asked Jesus for forgiveness of these sins. This verse says He will forgive. (DRM 3/2/2000)

God-Jesus will judge ALL people. Most of the time I only think of what He will do to the wicked, but He is also going to judge me for what I did for Him in this life. That's scary. I haven't done enough. I need Jesus to get me through. (DRM 2/21/03)

I sin. We all sin in something. We have no "right" to be allowed into Heaven at the end of our lives. God has the videos, and we will each be judged for what we did with the time we were on earth. The decision to follow Him must be made on earth - before the judgment. After we have trusted completely in Him, He will have compassion, and allow us entrance. (DRM 9/12/05)

Unbelievers can do a lot of things that we do. They can hear and speak and see, but they are not aware of God's Spirit within us and thus only see "skin deep."
Being a Christian helps me to see the whole being and the Spirit that is within each of us. (DRM 7/5/87)

These verses emphasize to "bless the Lord" wherever you are. No matter how hard the day seems, or how frustrated I am that things don't go "my" way, I have to remember to trust Jesus for direction and yield to His will, not mine. (DRM 2/22/03)

136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

All three of these verses [verses 1-3] are similar. I think I have the message: Give thanks, give thanks, give thanks to God! Thank God for everything He has done for me. I can never repay Him for His gifts. (DRM 2/23/03)

136:1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b, 11b, 12b {all the same} For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

The above line is in the second half of all 26 verses of this Psalm. I think God is trying to tell us over and over that His lovingkindness for us is forever. We don't deserve His love, but He is willing to give it. (DRM 3/3/2000)

136:2, 3 Give thanks to the God of gods, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
³Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

In this Psalm, it seems that all the "A" parts of each verse refer to something God has done for His children - the Israelites and later we who are believers in Jesus, His Son. The "B" parts of each verse all are the same: "For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
I don't even think of other gods —like the ones mentioned in verse two, or other lords in verse three. The point is that the other gods (e.g. money and earthly power) are really all subject to His will anyway. No matter what we may do to achieve wealth or power, it won't happen unless God allows it. (DRM 10/4/14)

136:4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

I just looked ahead . . . the writer of this Psalm wanted to emphasize that God's "lovingkindness is everlasting" in every verse. God has done many wonderful things - as this Psalm shows, but the best is giving us Jesus to take away our sins. (DRM 2/24/03)

136:5 To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

The writer of this Psalm used the line "For His lovingkindness is everlasting" between every statement in the Psalm. He clearly wanted us to remember God's love and that, no matter the circumstance, He will love us forever.
In this verse we are reminded how God created the heavens and the earth. Just to think of how many stars (suns) and planets there are - and so few collide - shows an intelligent Designer. He truly loves us to set up ways to protect us from most of the loose rocks that come near earth. He can also allow some to hit, if He wants to show/remind us of His existence and power. (DRM 1/1/2014)

136:6 To Him who spread out the earth above the waters, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

All 26 verses of this Psalm state "For His lovingkindness is everlasting," which I think refers to the eternity of God - which is everlasting. This verse refers to the creation of the earth, and His mighty power to change history. We [I] serve an awesome God! (DRM 9/13/05)

136:7-9 To Him who made the great lights, For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
⁸The sun to rule by day, For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
⁹The moon and stars to rule by night, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

    This psalm shows thankfulness to the Lord God for all He has done. The end of each verse is the same and reminds me/us how God truly loves us and His love will last forever.
    In these three verses we are reminded how God created our solar system and the universe. The great lights are the sun and the moon. If we think to when this was written, there was no electricity and the "great lights" were seemingly more great in their daily activities than today when we have adequate light at night.
    God still rules! We still need the sun for food and His Son for our spirit. (DRM 10/22/16)

136:10 To Him who smote the Egyptians in their first-born, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

These six verses [verses 10-15] refer to the Exodus from Egypt - and show, or remind us, that God provided for all of Israel's needs. I must continue to depend on Him for all of my needs also. (DRM 2/25/03)

136:13-15    To Him who divided the Red Sea asunder
                    For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
                 ¹⁴And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
                    For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
                 ¹⁵But He overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
                    For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

    I read this psalm differently than the others. The second line of each verse is the same, so the writer wanted to emphasize God's love to the Israelites, all of us (vv. 4-9), Israel (vv. 10-22), all of us (vv. 23-26), and that it is everlasting.
    Reading only the first line of each verse then reminds us of all the things God has done in protecting Israel in the past. These three verses refer to Israel's crossing the Red Sea and Pharaoh's armies defeat/drowning.
    With God's protection of Israel in the past, we should also expect His protection of them in the future. Only God knows what will happen and when. (DRM 2/7/17)

136:16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

This verse is a reminder of how God led the Israelites through Sinai in the Exodus. He loved the people of Israel and still does. He also loves the people who have trusted in His Son, Jesus' gift of His life for our sins. Praise the Lord! (DRM 2/26/03)

Like yesterday, the second part of each verse in this Psalm is the same. In this section [136:10-26], I am reminded of how the Lord God brought His people from Egypt through the wilderness, and slew mighty kings [verse 18] so they would have a new homeland.
Truly His lovingkindness will last forever! (DRM 9/14/05)

Apparently the kings that are mentioned were taken over when the Israelites moved in from Egypt. God showed His people that the new land was truly theirs by defeating these kings. With His help, we can also defeat our enemy Satan. (DRM 2/27/03)

136:23, 24 Who remembered us in our low estate, For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
²⁴And has rescued us from our adversaries, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

The Lord Jesus is always with us and loves us. He knows all of our thoughts when we are happy or sad. When I am sad, I should remember that I am not alone. He is "secretly" delivering me from the enemy. (DRM 2/28/03)

136:25, 26 Who gives food to all flesh, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
²⁶Give thanks to the God of heaven, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Without His provision, I would be starving physically and spiritually! That's a great example of His lovingkindness!
The last verse is a great summary - give thanks for all He has done - and all 25 previous verses show how much He cares for us. (DRM 3/1/03)

Each of the "a" verses in this Psalm remind me of the great things God has done for the people of Israel in the past. The last verse (v.26) is a great summary for us all. . . give thanks. And let me continue to do that. (DRM 3/4/2000)

When I get upset or don't understand why other people act towards me as I expect, I should always remember that God's love for me will endure. (DRM 2/3/88)

137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion.

This Psalm was written while Jerusalem was in enemy hands. It's a Psalm of reflection on the good old days and how they longed to return. May I also return to doing more for Christ. (DRM 3/5/2000)

It doesn't seem that this Psalm was written by David or Solomon, but rather later, as the writer reflects on the former Jerusalem, and their captivity in Babylon. As I age, I also reflect on the "good old days" when things seemed better.
God willing, the disappointments of today will lead to better days "tomorrow." (DRM 9/15/05)

137:4, 5    How can we sing the LORD'S song
                 In a foreign land?
                ⁵If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
                 May my right hand forget her skill.

    The person who wrote this psalm is unknown. It seems clear that the person was held captive in Babylon at this writing (v. 1), and was homesick for Jerusalem at the time.
    The tormentors asked for a song of Zion (v. 3) and the writer answered what is written here. How could they sing a happy song while being held in a foreign country?
    As Christians, we are also living in a foreign land as our true home is Heaven. Our praise songs worship God and look forward to His coming Kingdom. Our hope should also be going "home." (DRM 11/19/17)

138:1 I will give You thanks with all my heart,
I will sing praises to You before the gods.

    We can praise the Lord God in different ways. One is thankfulness in our prayers, another is our singing either alone or in worship with others. God wants to hear our praise and worship - He deserves it!
    The gods of this world (e.g. money, materialism) are nothing compared to God=Jesus. He is to be above/before any of them.
    David knew he had reason to praise the Lord; even after he sinned, he knew he could go back to the Lord. We can do the same - which really is a good reason to thank and praise Him. (DRM 3/16/17)

138:2    I will bow down toward Your holy temple
             And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
             For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.

    This psalm was written by David. At least this verse is another praise offering to the Lord.
    When we call upon the Lord, we can bow down, lift up or follow almost any position, the point is to worship our Creator and Savior in thankfulness.
    There is no limit to how often we can/should praise the Lord. As the day progresses, we can see how He is directing our life - sometimes it is more clear than other times (e.g. an unexpected telephone call or message).
    It's always good to remember that the Lord is in charge and deserves our worship. (DRM 7/16/17)

138:3 On the day I called Thou didst answer me;
Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul.

Years ago when I prayed, it seemed that I rarely got an answer. As time progressed, I have heard more and more. As He gives me confidence, He also gives boldness. PTL! (DRM 8/3/03)

I know that God answers prayer, and He has done that several times for me. It's also hard when I hear nothing=wait. I know when He is ready, He will tell me somehow to "go." When that happens, as it has before, He will make me bold in my witness to His great love of others. (DRM 9/16/05)

138:4, 5    All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD,
                 When they have heard the words of Your mouth.
                ⁵And they will sing of the ways of the LORD,
                 For great is the glory of the LORD.

    The first word in verse four has to make this a prophetic statement.
    Certainly over time there have been kings and rulers that have loved and given thanks to the Lord God and Jesus for the things He has done.
    The first word, ALL, can't possibly have happened. It's easy today to think of rulers who don't care about the Lord, as they want to do things their own way.
    We can look forward to the future when Jesus will reign over all - and His followers will then rule the nations - then "they will sing of the ways of the LORD." It will be a great time! (DRM 3/6/17)

138:6 Through the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.

The Lord God looks and watches over each one of us. We should all be submissive to His will and accept His will, even if it is not ours. I know that there have been times that I have been proud of works that I have done. I pray that I may not think of my works, but instead to be a willing servant to the Lord. (DRM 11/27/86)

138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Thy right hand will save me.

This made me think of the 23rd Psalm. No matter where I am, I know I can depend on the Lord Jesus Christ to be with me and protect me from my enemies. (DRM 3/6/2000)

God knows everything about us. He is with us wherever we go and sends His angels and Holy Spirit to protect us from our enemies. When I leave my "comfort zone," I have to depend on Him to protect me - and He had done it! (DRM 8/4/03)

139:1, 2    O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
                ²You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
                 You understand my thought from afar.

Why even try to keep a secret from God? He knows everything. He knows my every thought and motive. He knows what's going on inside my body and can correct anything that malfunctions if He wills. . . and I don't know that!
He deserves my (our) worship. He's the Creator of all. (DRM 9/2/11)

139:3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

    God knows everything. I know I've written this many times before - but it's true.
    God knows where we (I) are going to walk (or drive) today. He knows if I will take a nap this afternoon and at what time. He knows who I will see and what will be said.
    In some ways this is intimidating, but it should also keep me (us) on our best behavior - as we know that the King is always with us. (DRM 1/15/12)

139:4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.

Most of the time, I know what I want to say. Sometimes the words come out in a different, more confused way though. Then, rarely, there are times when I don't know what to say and the Lord puts the words in, that's the best time! (DRM 3/7/2000)

This applies two ways. God knows all things and wheat I am going to say with my "earthly" tongue AND - this is increasing - He give me the words to say that explain aspects of Himself better to others. I wonder where "those" words came from, as I didn't think of them! (DRM 8/5/03)

139:5, 6    You have enclosed me behind and before,
                 And laid Your hand upon me.
                ⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
                 It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

In this case to be enclosed is good. The Lord God surrounds us with His love and protection, when He wants to. He lays His hand upon us for the same reason. It's a way to show His love for His family of believers.
To know this is to be thankful that He exists, is watching and protecting us in times of trouble. It's humbling to know that the God of all creation cares about me individually. (DRM 9/7/13)

No matter where we are, God is there. It's good when we are doing good things, but should make us think before we do "bad" things. God is everywhere! (DRM 3/8/2000)

Verses 8-10 are illustrations from this verse. I can't hide from God. He is everywhere. The videotapes are rolling and we will be remembered of ALL our deeds. It causes me to want to be "perfect," but I know when I fail I can ask Him for forgiveness. (DRM 8/6/03)

God is everywhere. He created everything and oversees it all. As Christians, we have allowed the Holy Spirit to live within us, thus He controls every aspect of our existence. He knows every word I will say [verse 4]. Still, I have to listen very carefully to hear His direction, and need to improve on that! (DRM 9/17/05)

139:8    If I ascend to heaven,
             You are there;
            If I make my bed in Sheol, behold,
             You are there.

This verse belongs with v. 7 above. God (through the Holy Spirit) is with us wherever we are. That's because He (Holy Spirit) lives within us - starting the day we became believers in Christ.
Certainly Jesus=God is in heaven, but Sheol? Why would a believer want to go there? Perhaps "make my bed" refers to a type of sin - where we know that God is still watching - and will judge us if we don't repent. (DRM 11/17/12)

David reflected on several attributes of God: omniscience (vv. 1-6), omnipresence (vv. 7-12), omnipotence (vv. 13-18), and omnirighteousness (vv. 19-24). The implications of these divine qualities should bring peace to the heart of the believer. God is all-knowing. God is everywhere-present. God is all-powerful. God is perfectly righteous. Therefore we know that God can meet our needs in any circumstance. (from INSIGHT, Our Daily Bread, 11/17/12)

139:9, 10    If I take the wings of the dawn,
                   If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
                ¹⁰Even there Your hand will lead me,
                   And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

When David wrote this he seems to imagine flying at the beginning of verse nine. No matter how fast you travel, no matter where you go on the sea, God will always be there.
In our time period, men went to the moon and God was there. No matter if we try to hide or not, God's Holy Spirit is truly within us so long as we trust in Him for our eternal salvation. (DRM 4/1/13)

139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,"

    Satan loves the darkness. I've learned that most of the worst sins are committed in darkness - partly because the people are unknowingly trying to hide from God - who is Light.
    Knowing this, we dislike darkness - both physical and spiritual. The good thing is that God is with us at ALL times and will bring us through these dark (trials) times.
    Depend on God=Jesus for all your needs. Turn on the Light. (DRM 5/13/14)

139:12 Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee.

I can take this verse two ways. Literally, God is aware of all of our thoughts and deeds throughout the day or night. A lot of sin is done under cover of darkness. This can also be spiritual where darkness = sin. I can't hide my sin from God. (DRM 8/7/03)

This verse clearly shows that life starts at conception. God had a lot of work to do during those nine months before I (we) were born.
In today's society, millions of babies are killed during the time that God is forming their bodies. I know I would be upset if I was in the midst of building a house and someone came and destroyed all the work that was put into it. Shouldn't God also be upset with the people who kill the tiny babies that He is in the midst of creating? (DRM 6/16/12)

139:14    I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
              Wonderful are Your works,
              And my soul knows it very well.

    No matter how many times I thank the Lord God=Jesus for what He has done for me, it's never enough.
    He created me. He put every part in my body - and made every part work smoothly with the other parts. There are probably a billion cells in my body - all doing different things and work together.
    In a way - Heaven will probably also have a billion people - and we'll all work together for His glory! (DRM 4/20/13)

139:15 My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.

Sometimes I think of Jack Wyrtzen's illustration of different parts of the body, and look at my hands and wonder Who else could have made them. . . For whatever reason, God made me to look just like this, and to do a specific task. I must do as He desires with His gift of this physical body. (DRM 9/18/05)

139:16 Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

God knew me 100 years ago. He knew what my life would be like and how I would come to know and [God willing] live totally devoted to Him. He would also know how many more days I will be on earth. I must depend totally on Him! (DRM 8/8/03)

139:17 How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

I'm probably like most Christians - I think of praying to Jesus, but don't feel that I get back many answers — but the Holy Spirit is responding! He is working in the background and directing all the events of my life. Thank you Jesus - for your incredible love! (DRM 8/9/03)

139:18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

    This goes with v. 17 above.
    God thinks of us all the time and wants the best for us. We can't count the number of His thoughts about us individually.
    How God can do this for each person is beyond my comprehension. Of course how He runs the whole world and universe is also beyond my comprehension.
    He's watching over us when we are awake and asleep. I think the second line here reminds me/us that He is with us 24/7.
    We have an amazing God! (DRM 2/15/14)

139:19, 20    O that You would slay the wicked, O God;
                     Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.
                   ²⁰For they speak against You wickedly,
                     And Your enemies take Your name in vain.

    We have earthly enemies and spiritual enemies as Christians. Generally the earthly enemies want to hurt us physically because of our stand for Christ. We KNOW they intend to hurt us. Some of them will hurt us in a more indirect way by stopping our Christian plans - thus trying to stop the spread of Christianity.
    Our spiritual enemies are generally not seen, but are Satan and his demons. They indwell people on earth who are our physical enemies, mentioned above.
    I/we have to depend on Jesus for defense against the enemies and keep working toward proclaiming His Kingdom. (DRM 10/22/14)

139:21, 22    Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD?
                     And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
                   ²²I hate them with the utmost hatred;
                     They have become my enemies.

    When we trust in Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Satan knows this and sends his demons to attack us in various ways.
    The people who attack/hate the Lord Jesus are non-Christians, and, at least partially, controlled by Satan. It would be our nature (through the Holy Spirit) to oppose those that attack our Leader, the Lord Jesus.
    As Christians, we have entered a spiritual war between good and evil. We have taken our side, and the other side will attack our position. (DRM 10/23/14)

[Re: 139:21] There is a difference between an unbeliever and a person who knows he/she hates the Lord. The unbeliever needs to be shown the Lord's love. The hater should be avoided. (DRM 8/10/03)

In Psalm 139, David invites us to meditate on the attributes of God. He is omniscient, or all-knowing (vv. 1-4); omnipresent, or ever-present (vv. 5-12); and omnipotent, or all-powerful (vv. 13-18). (From Our Daily Bread INSIGHT 10/23/14)

139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me. And lead me in the everlasting way.

A friend told me these verses years ago, and they have been my prayer many times since. I pray to be convicted by the Holy Spirit when I do wrong. There's always something to be found! (DRM 3/9/2000)

I would call this a commitment verse. I am asking the Lord to search my heart and convict me to where I am not totally following Him. In verse 24, I am asking for the teaching of the Holy Spirit to walk closer to His will daily. (DRM 8/11/03)

140:1-3    Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men;
                Preserve me from violent men
               ²Who devise evil things in their hearts;
                They continually stir up wars.
               ³They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
                Poison of a viper is under their lips.        Selah.

    King David had many enemies both from other nations and people within Israel. The attacks could either be in warfare or simply as verbal accusations (v. 3).
    David knew when he was in trouble, no matter from which side, that he could call on the Lord God for direction (v. 1).
    This is another example for us - that when people attack us in one way or another - we are to call on the Lord in prayer and supplication. He will hear our prayer and lead us to the right response. (DRM 2/13/17)

140:4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, Who have purposed to trip up my feet.

This sounds like a prayer to me. It certainly is a prayer from me to God. There are many types of evil people, but the hardest to distinguish to me are people who talk against you behind your back. (DRM 3/10/2000)

God has a plan for each of us to serve Him in some way. Satan knows this, and will send his demons, quite often through others, to divert the cause of Christ. This verse, a prayer, asks the Lord to keep Satan, through other men, away - so His cause can be accomplished on earth. (DRM 9/19/05)

140:5    The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
             They have spread a net by the wayside;
             They have set snares for me.        Selah.

    We all have someone who doesn't like us. As Christians today, most likely it is a government agency that's thinking of a way to keep us quiet, or worse.
    No matter how popular David was, he also had enemies that wanted to trap him literally or spiritually. This seems to be written like he was threatened physically.
    God is our protector. He will keep us on earth until He is done. No matter what we say/pray or do, He knows the last day we will be on earth. He is our God, Ruler, Defender, Protector . . . until the end of our life on earth. (DRM 7/27/15)

140:6 I said to the LORD, "You are my God;
Give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications."

    This verse has two distinct thoughts. One is complete commitment to the Lord God. David was committed to following the Lord - even though he had failures, he confessed and went back to following what the Lord told him.
    David also wanted confidence that the prayers he said to the Lord God were getting to the God they were directed to. . . I can understand that - as when I pray most prayers I wonder if He is listening.
    How do I/we know? When we see results - answered prayers - we know that He is alive and working on our behalf. God=Jesus is alive and cares for me/us. (DRM 1/18/15)

140:7 "O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle."

    This verse reminds me of my daily dependency on the Lord God. If I get stronger spiritually, it's due both to my consistency and His Holy Spirit. He is the One to turn to when we need spiritual help - no one else should be before Him.
    When I get in trouble, the Lord is the One who covers me in the spiritual battle. Quite often I don't realize that the reason things don't succeed is not the Lord's fault, but rather the enemy that is trying to stop my spiritual growth.
    We all need to depend on the Lord God=Jesus for every day. (DRM 6/2/15)

140:8 Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah

    I think I keep up to date on current events and prophecies and theories about what will happen in the near future. From what I've heard, it seems that many evil people have plans to destroy the world by one way or another - bombs or economy or terrorism in some form.
    In this Psalm, David had similar thoughts. He was concerned about the evil plans of his day. He knew Who controlled the future and God could stop their thoughts.
    While we don't know the future, we can still pray to the Lord Jesus=God that He will change their ways or protect us from whatever happens. (DRM 5/15/16)

140:9, 10    "As for the head of those who surround me,
                    May the mischief of their lips cover them.
                  ¹⁰May burning coals fall upon them;
                    May they be cast into the fire,
                    Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.

    David felt surrounded by his enemies. Like today, there probably were literal armies that wanted to destroy Israel. David prayed for their demise, which is logical.
    Verse ten made me think of a similar description of Hell (Mark 9:47-48) given by Jesus.
    People who oppose God and make life difficult for Christian believers are destined for fire - unless they change their ways. We have assurance that they will not be in Heaven — and that's another thing to be thankful for.
    Why do people choose not to follow Jesus? Their fate is sealed. (DRM 12/18/15)

140:12, 13    I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted
                     And justice for the poor.
                   ¹³Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
                     The upright will dwell in Your presence.

No matter where we are in life; rich or poor, young or old, Jesus loves us, as He knew us from the day we were made (139:13-16). When we are sick or afflicted, He is with us. If we get into any type of trouble, He is still with us. He wants us to follow the righteous path in life.
As Christian believers, we have a lot to thank Him for. Of course the first is His death for our sins. Now that He has resurrected from the dead, we know we will do the same, as believers, someday. The great hope we have is to be living in His presence forever. (DRM 10/31/16)

141:1, 2    O LORD, I call upon You; hasten to me!
                 Give ear to my voice when I call to You!
                ²May my prayer be counted as incense before You;
                 The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.

    As David was praying, he wanted assurance the Lord God was listening. He didn't want to just be talking with no one listening to his heartfelt prayers.
    David was devoted to God, he wanted his prayers to be sweet, like incense, in God's ears. Apparently he held up his hands while praying in part or all of his prayer.
    As Christians, prayer is important, God=Jesus wants to hear our petitions and concern for others in various needs. As prayers are answered, we have assurance that they are truly heard. (DRM 12/8/16)

The words that I say are the reflection of my soul. If I speak evil or criticize someone, what does that help? Lord, take away my critical attitudes and lead me to walk closer and closer to You and Your ways. (DRM 8/13/03)

So many times I speak before I think, and the other person doesn't understand what I'm trying to say. I know that what's in my mind comes out of my mouth, so I keep trying to pursue only His knowledge - as much as possible - so the words of my mouth will be pleasing to Him=Jesus. (DRM 9/20/05)

141:4    Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,
             To practice deeds of wickedness
             With men who do iniquity;
             And do not let me eat of their delicacies.

This is all about sin. The people who do iniquity are unbelievers that try to keep us from following the Lord Jesus. They seem to have the goal to distract us and pull us away from the Savior by any evil way possible. These are like the "deeds of wickedness" described here.
When we became Christians, the Holy Spirit entered our soul and He started to tell us the difference between right and wrong, like conscience. We have to listen to that "still small voice" and learn to do what the Lord wants, and not the ways of the unbelieving world around us. (DRM 11/8/17)

141:8 For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless.

As Christians, we are yielding our lives totally to Christ - and doing His directives. The people (unbelievers) in the world don't understand why we are submissive - calling it a crutch. Maybe most don't say their thoughts, but their actions show their disagreement with us and their unbelief.
No matter what they say, do, or think, our eyes should be on the Lord Jesus. He truly is the Rock that we depend on to bring us through each day's trials. (DRM 6/13/16)

This Psalm refers to wicked and righteous people. Again, the last verse sounds like a prayer that I pray. God, protect me from evil doers and evil desires (sin). Thank you, Lord. (DRM 3/11/2000)

142:1 I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD;
I make supplication with my voice to the LORD.

    In this verse David writes that he prays/cries to the Lord.
    While we can cry to other people on earth about our problems, the cry/praying to the Lord Jesus will definitely be heard.
    God=Jesus is our refuge and we (I) know that we (I) can call on Him in my/our times of trouble. (DRM 2/15/13)

142:4    Look to the right and see;
             For there is no one who regards me;
             There is no escape for me;
             No one cares for my soul.

    This is part of David's prayer while he was in a cave. . . probably hiding from Saul and his enemies.
    I live in what seems to be post-Christian America. It is hard to find other believers in Christ - or ones that will say so - unless I meet them in church. The majority that don't go to church don't share what they truly believe.
    As a Christian, it seems that I could write this verse as "first-person" concerning the others that I meet on a daily basis. (DRM 4/29/12)

142:5 I cried out to Thee, O LORD; I said, "Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living."

Prayer is my way of communicating with God. While He knows everything about me, He wants to hear "my side of the story." In prayer, I show my dependence on His provision and have to yield to His will. (DRM 8/14/03)

142:6 "Give heed to my cry, For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are too strong for me."

I am SURE that the Lord hears my prayers. He helps me in time of trouble and calms me down. He protects me from harm, by sending His angels. I should be praying and thanking Him more. (DRM 3/12/2000)

Unfortunately, this verse shows a bit of how I feel today - with no employment for five months. While I live in a new strange city, it seems that there is a conspiracy of employers who don't want me to work for them. Thankfully, I know the Lord has a plan and will tell me in His time. (DRM 9/21/05)

142:7    "Bring my soul out of prison,
             So that I may give thanks to Your name;
             The righteous will surround me,
             For You will deal bountifully with me."

    David was not literally in a prison, but was hiding in a cave at the time this prayer was written. Even so, he was calling on the Lord for deliverance. He knew God could solve his problem and he would thank Him when it was over.
    David had confidence not only in God's provision, but also that other believers would spiritually surround/support him in their prayers.
    No matter how long we have had faith in the Lord Jesus, we always need more faith and encouragement from other believers during our trials.
    Try to encourage someone today. (DRM 2/10/18)

143:1    Hear my prayer, O LORD,
             Give ear to my supplications!
             Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!

    It seems that I'm always asking God for something in my prayers to Him. David also refers to that in this verse.
    While I'm sure that God understands our feelings, He also wants our praises, our thankfulness for what He has done and how He answered "yesterday's" prayers.
    It's up to God as to how He chooses to answer our supplications/requests and our part is to give Him all the honor and glory for being who He is. (DRM 1/28/13)

143:6 I stretch out my hands to Thee; My soul longs for Thee, as a parched land.

Many times I feel lonely lately, and I'm looking for someone to share my life with. While I'm looking for a "human" friend, I have to remember more often that I always have Jesus to talk to. (DRM 3/13/2000)

143:7    Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails;
             Do not hide Your face from me,
             Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.

    Sometimes God answers our prayers very quickly - even within seconds. Other times we hear nothing, and the request is left open for His decision. That's especially true when praying for others' salvation.
    David (and I/we) don't want God to ignore our prayers. We know that non-Christians also pray and get no answers and we don't want to be ignored also.
    There are various ways that God gives assurance that He is listening. We just need more patience on the harder requests - and know He will make the right decision in His time. (DRM 12/11/15)

143:8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I life up my soul.

This is another verse that reminds me to trust in the Lord. Every morning I thank God that I am alive and hopefully will be able to show people His kingdom in some way. I always will need direction and now know that He will lead me, if I only listen! (DRM 7/23/87)

143:10 Teach me to do Thy will, For Thou art my God; Let Thy good Spirit lead me on level ground.

What can I add to this? This is total dependence on God to lead. I haven't always been good at this, and need His help to direct every step of the way. (DRM 3/14/2000)

Prayer is a two-way street. I need answers - and, Thank God, I hear responses from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit must tell me what to do next - not my will, but His will. He must lead me on the path to righteousness (level ground). Depend on Jesus. (DRM 8/14/03)

143:11 For the sake of Thy name, O LORD, revive me. In Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.

Lately it seems that I've been following the "wrong" path, not intentionally, but from lack of His direction. I need a new infusion of His Holy Spirit (revival) to lead me anew towards His plan for my life. This Psalm-prayer is similar to how I feel today. (DRM 9/22/05)

144:3 O LORD, what is man, that Thou dost take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that Thou dost think of him?

Why should the Lord God care about me? Why does He love me the way He does? He created me with a purpose. It has taken me over 52 years to finally find it!
I can only think of the "son of man" as a prophecy of Jesus. (DRM 8/15/03)

144:7 Stretch forth thy hand from on high; Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, Out of the hand of aliens.

David had many troubles in his life and, as he wrote here, he depended on the Lord for deliverance. If David did, why shouldn't I? (DRM 3/15/2000)

144:11 Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hand of aliens, Whose mouth speaks deceit, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

This is similar to yesterday - it's the same Psalm! David [and I] are asking the Lord for protection from our enemies. Even after 3,000 years, some things are the same! (DRM 3/16/2000)

We are dependent on the Lord's provisions. He will protect us as we depend totally on Him. We (I) must learn to avoid situations where evil is present and follow the path to sanctification as temptations are tests to be overcome. (DRM 8/16/03)

144:13 Let our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce, And our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;

It seems to me that everyone, especially Christians, wants a productive life - like what is asked for here. While we have input, the Lord is truly the Person who causes the increase. We can make the effort, but He is the Maker of the fruit. I need to do as He desires - to see any results. (DRM 9/23/05)

145:1, 2    I will extol You, my God, O King,
                 And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
                ²Every day I will bless You,
                 And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

    Extol, bless and praise are all similar words of worship to our Lord and King.
    Just to think over and over on what He has done for me in His protection from disasters and feeding me when I was hungry are examples of His love for me. I'm sure you can think of other examples - even the amazing grace of opening our eyes to salvation: Jesus' death for my/our sins. They all deserve our thankfulness and praise for what He has done.
    Even if you thanked and praised Him yesterday, He deserves it anew every morning. (DRM 8/2/17)

145:3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

When praying, I know that I should spend more time on honoring and glorifying the Lord rather than just putting in my "requests of the day."
This verse helped me to remember that God comes first, and not me. (DRM 3/24/87)

145:4 One generation shall praise Thy works to another, And shall declare Thy mighty acts.

Over and over the Bible reminds me how we [I] should tell others about Him. Here is a reminder to tell children and younger people to "pass it on." May I learn how to do this better! (DRM 3/17/2000)

Traditionally the older generation tells the younger generation how the Lord has helped them in the past. My knowledge of the Lord most often came from the younger generation. I think each generation can learn from the other. (DRM 8/17/03)

This whole Psalm is uplifting and reminds me how I should continue to praise the Lord for all of His blessings. This verse encourages me to talk to the young people of the next generation. Since I have no "family." I can enjoy talking to all generations. God willing, I will have many new friends in Chicago soon. (DRM 9/24/05)

145:5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.

Do you ever just think about all that God has already done? Just look up in the sky from a dark (not city) location and see all the stars and think they are "suns" that probably have planets around them. God created each one! He also created each cell in our body and knows the number of hairs on our head.
Imagine what Heaven will be like compared to the beauty of some places on earth. These are all good things to meditate on - and will be a part of our future lives - so long as we have put our full faith and trust in Jesus' death and resurrection for our sins. (DRM 3/3/16)

145:6 Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.

    Every verse in this psalm praises the Lord God in some way. He deserves it!
    How can we explain the universe and its organization without thinking of Someone who designed the whole thing? For us to exist, we have to be just so many miles from the sun, and how is it that (from our view) the sun and the moon are almost the same size? God HAD to design all of the universe and also how we were made.
    We were put on earth to worship, honor and praise our Creator. It's amazing to me how many people don't even believe He exists. (DRM 10/22/15)

145:7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

    Who are these bold people who "eagerly utter" and "shout" joyfully? At first it seems that they must be the evangelists that God has called to be bold in their witness, as the majority of us keep silent.
    How will others who don't know Jesus find out? Being a good person doesn't tell people why you are acting the way you do.
    The best way to "eagerly utter" and "shout joyfully" is by telling family and friends what God has done verbally, otherwise write or explain somehow. (DRM 5/8/13)

145:10, 11 All Thy works shall give thanks to Thee, O LORD And Thy godly ones shall bless Thee. ¹¹They shall speak of the glory of Thy Kingdom, And talk of Thy power;

God has given me, as a believer, the greatest gift of all - salvation through His Son. My job is to bless the Lord or thank Him for this incredible gift. While He (God) chooses who will receive the gift, we don't know; and He wants us to tell others of His Kingdom and all that He can do. I must not keep silent. Others MUST know in any way possible. (DRM 9/25/05)

[Re: 145:11] What do we really know of His Kingdom? Only what we have read in the Bible . . . but still that is more than those who have never read the Bible. CLEARLY, it is our (my) duty to tell others what I know of Heaven and God's powerful rule over all. (DRM 8/18/03)

    This made me think of Rev. 20:15 and the lake of fire.
    Those of us that the Lord God=Jesus loves, He will keep in His kingdom at the end of the age. Those that ignored or opposed Him while on earth will not be a part of that kingdom - they will be judged, then sent to the lake of fire.
    So many people today don't read the Bible and thus don't know or believe its contents. Somehow, we have to show them that God is real and the NEED to trust in Him before it's too late. What can I do to advance His kingdom? (DRM 5/15/12)

145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

This is a reminder to me that Heaven will last FOREVER. So long as a person has put their faith in the Lord Jesus and confessed his/her faith in the Lord with all their heart they will be saved from the wrath to come and live in Heaven with Him. (DRM 10/25/12)

I hope I understand this correctly. Those of us who fall, or fail, God understands and forgives if we ask for forgiveness. If we are bowed down, we are praying, or honoring Him and He will raise us up spiritually now and literally at the end. (DRM 3/18/2000)

145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.

I don't have very many earthly friends. Most of them are busy and don't have time to hear of my experiences; still I think of them, pray for them and remember the good times we had in the past.
I have a few friends that I can and still do call upon when I'm sad or nervous - but the best One to call upon is the Lord Jesus, and He's always nearby and available. (DRM 12/2/11)

145:19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.

Most of the desires that I have asked of the Lord have been fulfilled. He has been very kind to me. The things that I have not received weren't in His will - and I have to accept that, too. (DRM 3/19/2000)

Certainly I feel that I am trusting in the Lord for direction. Maybe I'm not "fearing Him" enough? I am trying to follow His leading, but am not meeting the goal set before me. (DRM 8/19/03)

145:21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

    This whole psalm, written by David, praises the Lord God for all the things He has done and continues to do (e.g. vv. 8, 12,13, 16).
    It seems that today "the world" ignores God all together or calls Him "Mother nature" or other things that avoid giving Him honor or heeding His warning signs.
    Like David, we know God is in control - of everything. Just thinking of His awesome power should make us praise and worship Him all the more. Think of His past, present and future - and all He does to protect us - then He deserves our honor and praise. (DRM 12/10/17)

146:2 I will praise the LORD while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

    All I/we have to do is reflect on all that God=Jesus has done for us and this verse tells us the natural result.
    Non-Christians are spiritually blind and don't think God knows and loves them individually. The difference is we can 'see' and 'feel' His love in various ways.
    Every Christian church has some type of music to praise the Lord for all He has done. While the styles of music vary, the important part is praising the Lord for all His goodness - just reflect on it - He deserves all our praise. (DRM 10/4/16)

I was accused of trusting more in a man (DLM) than in Christ several years ago. God has used several men over the milennia to serve Him in a mighty way. I would also like to be used by God in a similar way, and pray to Jesus that He will also use me. (DRM 9/28/05)

146:5,6    How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
                Whose hope is in the LORD his God, ⁶Who made heaven and earth,
                 The sea and all that is in them;
                 Who keeps faith forever;

    God is Awesome. He is our hope during times of trouble and illness. When we call on Him there is confidence that He hears and answers our prayers. As in verse five, we are blessed to have Him to call upon.
    In verse six, we are reminded that He=God made Heaven and earth, the seas and all the fish, etc. that they contain.
    While our faith seems so fragile, He has faith forever. Really, that's where our faith comes from..
    We have so much to thank Him for. He is our God in Whom we put our hope and trust. (DRM 12/18/17)

[Re 146:5] Verse 3 refers to people trusting in "men" and how men die. Trusting in God is far better - as God never dies. We (I) don't have to worry about "who" to love as God and Jesus are ALWAYS alive and there for me. (DRM 3/20/2000)

[Re 146:5] The previous verse refers to our death, so this verse refers to what we did before that day. We had to decide for Christ before the final day. I thank God that my eyes were opened and I can look forward to being in Heaven. (DRM 8/20/03)

146:7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free.

Complete trust in the Lord has amazing results! Oppressed people always have hope, hungry people will be satisfied and people who are prisoners of their past sins are free also.
Thank you, God for all that you can do for us, and how little thanks that we give You for it! (DRM 3/12/87)

146:8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises up those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous;

This is part of a list of what the Lord does. He opens the eyes of the spiritually blind, He directs His worshippers and loves those who also love Him. I pray that He will use me in a special way — when He is ready. (DRM 8/21/03)

146:9    The LORD protects the strangers;
             He supports the fatherless and the widow,
             But He thwarts the way of the wicked.

    This verse is similar to the verses next to it. This shows three more things that the Lord God does for His children, so long as it's His will.
    When we travel, the Lord is with us. We should have confidence He will protect us as we meet strangers.
    Those in need - the fatherless and widows - He will provide for.
    The wicked are always unbelievers. He will turn them from their goals.
    It seems that some of these things don't happen today - but we can have hope that they will in the future when Jesus reigns and we will be a part of it. (DRM 3/15/16)

The psalmist's message is a simple one: Trust in God, not in man, for only those who trust God can be truly blessed. (from Our Daily Bread INSIGHT SIM KAY TEE 3/15/16)

146:10    The LORD will reign forever,
               Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
               Praise the LORD!

    When I first read this verse, I thought that it referred to our future reigning King Jesus. On second thought, this was written thousands of years ago and God=Jesus has been reigning all the years since - but in believers' hearts.
    Both are true. As a believer in Jesus' death and resurrection, He reigns as leader in my heart, but will also physically reign as Lord in New Jerusalem in the future.
    He will always be our Leader in one form or another. (DRM 1/4/13)

147:1    Praise the LORD!
             For it is good to sing praises to our God;
             For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.

    When I consider all the Lord God has done for me - it seems that I don't praise Him enough. Going to church and singing His praises once a week just seems inadequate - especially after a few days.
    One solution is to sing to Him at home. Another is to hum spiritual songs while taking a shower or doing other "mindless" repetitive work.
    God wants and likes our praises to Him. As Christians, we know and can see all that He has done - thus deserving of our praise. (DRM 7/24/14)

    For us to see stars, we have to see the light they produce. As we know from our solar system, only the sun gives off light; not the planets that encircle it. Thus the "stars" are really more distant "suns."
    It's almost incomprehensible to think of the number of planets and moons that God has created, as we can't even see them.
    While God's purpose for doing this is stated as "to separate the light from the darkness. . . " (Gen. 1:16-17), He probably has other plans we don't know yet.
    We need to continue to trust in the Lord, our Creator and the Creator of all the universe. (DRM 6/20/17)

147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

All I have to do is talk to other spiritual Christians, and I feel weak and inadequate. Only with the strength of the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, can I do anything that will lead others to His Kingdom. Praise the Lord {PTL} He understands me. (DRM 8/22/03)

The afflicted and the wicked. Jesus healed almost all the afflicted that He came in contact with. While we don't know why they were initially afflicted. He truly showed His love for them. The wicked seem to have a goal of destroying His Kingdom. The opposition will be eliminated someday — soon. (DRM 9/28/05)

147:11 The Lord favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness.

How can I please the Lord? I think "fear" means respect here. To listen to the Holy Spirit and do what I am told. To WAIT and listen and do. (DRM 3/21/2000)

The Lord does not favor us because of our appearance [verse 10], but rather the condition of our soul. He is looking for workers that are "sold out" to serve Him. We must wait for His leading - direction. Lord, may I be one who you will favor. (DRM 8/23/03)

This verse is followed by eight verses reminding the Jews of all that the Lord God has done for them. Here we are thousands of years later, and most Jews still don't hear. Thank you Jesus for letting me hear the truth! (DRM 3/22/2000)

God is benevolent. On this cool morning, and with this verse, I'm reminded that God gives snow and frost, and all of nature, to everyone, not just believers. God=Jesus is with us everywhere. We have to open our eyes and heart to know Him on a personal basis. He is always with us - just for the asking. (DRM 9/28/05)

147:17, 18 ¹⁷He hurls down hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? ¹⁸He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

This is "out of season" on a hot summer night, but makes me think about "Mother nature" and how stupid this world reacts about God's presence around us.
Who else but God would cause snow to fall and warm breezes to melt the snow in the Spring? So many people never even acknowledge His presence around us! (DRM 7/20/87)

[re: 147:17] God is Almighty. Most of the verses here describe His abilities. He doesn't send His ice in sheets or icicles, but rather as small crystals [snow] or fragments [sleet]. Hail is rare. He also adjusts the air temperature in seasons. He is in control! (DRM 8/24/03)

148:1    Praise the LORD!
            Praise the LORD from the heavens;
            Praise Him in the heights!

Just to think of all that the Lord has done for me is a cause for praising Him. He deserves praise from wherever I am - from the valleys to the mountaintops on earth or, even more so, in Heaven itself! (DRM 8/25/03)

    This whole psalm is one of praise to our creator God. In case we forgot all of His creation in Genesis, many things He created are in this psalm. This verse is just one example.
    The sun emits the light and heat we need to live, without His created sun, we wouldn't last long on earth. The moon reflects the light of the sun.
    Like we depend on the sun, we also need to depend on God for every aspect of life. He keeps our heart beating and knows more about us individually than we know about ourselves. He deserves our praise and worship. (DRM 4/21/17)

Ultimately, it reminds us that there is a Creator behind the stunning entrance and exit of the day, One who so loved the world He made that He entered it in order to redeem and restore it. (from Our Daily Bread, _{JEFF OLSON} 4/18/17)

148:6 He has also established them forever and ever;
He has made a decree which will not pass away.

    The end of the world is coming? Not according to the Bible.
    In prior verses of this Psalm, the author praises the Lord for all aspects of His creation, then points out in this verse that these creations will be established forever.
    We don't have to worry about the end of the world. A war may come, but the earth will still be here when it's all over.
    As Christians, war or no war, we know that we will be with Jesus in Heaven when this life is over. (DRM 10/1/13)

148:7, 8 Praise the LORD from the earth, sea monsters and all deeps;
⁸Fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word;

This praise Psalm involves all of creation from heaven [v.1] to "even" the sons of Israel [v.14]. Some people wonder if God controls the disastrous fires and hurricanes that occur, and these verses show that He does. Only He knows WHY He does things the way He does - but, either way, He should receive all the credit. (DRM 10/2/05)

148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven.

This whole psalm reminds us to "Praise the Lord," and tells us WHY. In verse 14 the illustration of lifting up a horn seems to call us to this awareness. Let me not forget my Provider. (DRM 3/23/2000)

Devotion is the first word that comes to mind here. No matter how much I praise and thank the Lord, it is never enough. He deserves all the honor and glory for whatever I do - or can do in my life. (DRM 8/26/03)

148:14    And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
               Praise for all His godly ones;
               Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
               Praise the LORD!

"He" has to be Jesus or God. "lifted up a horn" seems to refer to proclaiming something to the people, based on the cross-reference 1 Samuel 2:1. He was proclaiming the Jews as being His people over their enemies. These are His chosen ones, His godly ones - forevermore. Since He loves His people, He wants us to do the same.
Today's world seems to hate Israel and even the USA government seems to tell Israel to yield to her enemies. No matter what happens, we know by this verse, the Lord God loves His people and will protect them somehow to keep them until He returns. (DRM 11/27/14)

149:1    Praise the LORD!
             Sing to the LORD a new song,
             And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.

    I currently sing in the choir at my church, and occasionally as a soloist.
    In this verse I'm reminded that I'm NOT singing for people in the church, but for the Lord God. We don't want to sing for the approval of men (the congregation), but for God.
    In a previous church, we were told that applause after a church performance (singing or musical) was not appropriate. This verse explains why.
    Is the congregation only godly ones? We hope to have some inquirers also. (DRM 12/14/15)

149:2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.

This verse could be taken different ways - by different people. Who is Israel's King? To them it is G-d, but to me it's Jesus. Thank God, I know in the future we will ALL know the real King Jesus. (DRM 3/24/2000)

149:3 Let them praise His name with dancing;
Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.

When I was younger, the church praised the Lord by singing hymns, using the organ. No other instruments, no other displays of thankfulness to the King. I have now visited churches where more instruments and dancing was used. They seem more "alive." (DRM 8/27/03)

149:6, 7a Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, ⁷to execute vengeance on the nations, . . .

[re: 149:6] This is a great statement about how "godly ones" [v. 5] are to act. Our words are to bring only praise to the Lord God - including our singing. The two-edged sword is probably the Bible - which I should have with me to answer any questions, or, at least, to keep learning more about Him. (DRM 10/3/05)

Israel had many enemies in David's day. Apparently killing others was common then. Here we see that the godly ones will have their day to inflict vengeance on evil rulers. Personally, I would rather let God give vengeance to evil ones. (DRM 8/28/03)

150:1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse.

I think of a sanctuary as being a church building on earth. Certainly His mighty expanse is Heaven. If this is so, then we will be praising the Lord God on earth AND in Heaven - that makes sense to me! Praise the Lord! (DRM 8/29/03)

150:2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

    We have many things and many ways to praise the Lord.
    All we have to do is look outside at nature and know that He created it all. He even "mixed it up" where we find varieties of trees and animals all in the same location. He created the universe and how it seems to stretch out for billions of miles.
    He deserves our praise. We can praise Him by our prayers, our singing, and, yes, we can dance to Him (v. 4) to show Him our love. No matter what our situation, there is something to be thankful for - as we know that the situation could be worse if it wasn't for Him - and His eternal assurance. (DRM 9/6/14)

150:3, 4    Praise Him with trumpet sound;
                Praise Him with harp and lyre
                ⁴Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
                Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord. The instruments listed here could certainly do that! I like the trumpet because of its prophetic meaning, but all music is pleasing to me. I see that dancing is mentioned here as a way to praise the Lord. I hope I can get over my legalistic problems with it - as long as it praises God. (DRM 8/30/03)

It seems that I praise the Lord too quietly. I thank Him every day for all that He has given me and how He slowly changes my direction on how to follow Him more - but, He=Jesus, wants me to make more noise. He wants others to know about His love for them. How will I do that? (DRM 10/4/05)

There are many ways to praise the Lord in this final Psalm. May my future words be full of praise and not critical of others - as the Lord knows all. (DRM 3/25/2000)