Psalm 39

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah (vv 4-5)

How often do you consider your life in light of eternity? At the end of the above verses, the psalmist inserts an interlude ('Selah' means to pause and calmly consider the preceding thought), encouraging us to consider our existence through God's eyes.

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. (v 6 NLT)

The dictates of society leave little room to consider the above thought. We are encouraged to amass as much wealth as possible and dedicate ourselves to furthering careers, while those who struggle to make ends meet long for the day they can begin to climb ladders of success. But the psalmist points out that in the end it all boils down to nothing.

You can't take any of it with you.

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:13-14 NLT)

Solomon, the richest and wisest of men, spent a considerable time acquiring wealth, lands, slaves, and treasures (Eccl 2: 4-9), and he eventually came to the conclusion that it was all like chasing after the wind.

If, like David, we bear the brevity of life in mind, we will reassess our priorities. Our success will be judged, not by our possessions, but by our impact on those around us. Christ, who is our model and example, came to make a difference in the lives of those who followed Him. As Peter testified:

...God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)

The Lord has called us to be like Him, and to carry out His mission until He returns; and while we may not all be evangelists, pastors or preachers, we are all anointed with the same Spirit. We are all able to make a difference in our environment, but unless we bear eternity in mind, we might just miss that part of God's intent for our lives.

You can probably point to a longing in your heart that you may suspect comes from God; a desire to do something fulfilling - for others, your community - or it may just be a deep yearning to draw closer to God. Life is too short not to take such thoughts into account, and in the end, Christ's words ring true:

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)

Psalm 39 Full Reading

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved

Psalm 38

O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. (vv 1-2)

In another psalm of penitence, David cries out to God in the middle of his suffering. His sins have brought God’s anger upon him, but instead of hiding, David turns to God in penitence. His doesn't try to avoid discipline, but prays that God should temper his anger with mercy. He owns up to his responsibility for the sickness that ravages his body, and asks for forgiveness. There are several lessons to be learned from meditating on this psalm:

1. When we sin, God gets angry:- the loving nature of God shouldn't blind us to His holiness. (See Prov 6: 16-19 ). God is long-suffering, and in His mercy does not always respond to our sins in the way we deserve, but we should not take that to mean He doesn’t detest sin.

2. Even when we ask for forgiveness, we may still face the consequences of our sins. David acknowledges that his disease directly results from his sins; he is also frank about the fact that he deserves to be punished. In 2 Samuel 24:1-17, David sinned against God, and even though he immediately repented, God would not let the nation go scot-free:
   
   "‘This is what the Lord says: …Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you… three years of famine throughout your land, three months of fleeing from your enemies, or three days of severe plague throughout your land.” (vv 12-13)"

3. God will temper His justice with mercy: In 2 Samuel 24, David, knew he could not escape punishment and chose God’s wrath, which led to a three day plague upon the nation. But in verse 16:
   
   “... as the angel was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!”
   

Perhaps David was hoping the Lord would have mercy and change His mind when he chose God’s direct punishment. Fully aware of the consequences of God's wrath, and knowing he deserves anger, he does the same thing in Psalm 38. He could have suffered silently, hidden his sin from God, ridden out the sickness, or ignored his conscience; but David boldly approaches God to confess what he has done. In similar terms to Psalm 51:4, he determines that his sin is first and foremost against God – and that is where he must make amends.

The sincere Christian will be quick to acknowledge sin in their lives. Christ died so that we might be forgiven of our sins, but until we are made perfect, we will sin occasionally. When we suffer the consequences of our sins, we might want to disguise our culpability, or explain away our actions. But like David, we should be asking the Lord for forgiveness, and throwing ourselves upon His mercy.

When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from our wickedness. (1 John 1:9)

Psalm 38 Full Reading

Psalm 37

In one of his most encouraging psalms, David acknowledges the apparent prosperity of wicked people. They seem to have everything going for them as they plot against the righteous, get away with wicked schemes and oppress the poor and needy. However, their end result is encapsulated in verse 22:

For such as are blessed of God shall [in the end] inherit the earth, but they that are cursed of Him shall be cut off. (Amplified Bible)

David has some advice for those who would be blessed by the Lord - the righteous and blameless - as follows:-

What not to do-

1. Fret because of evil doers (v 1)
   
2. Be envious of those who do wrong (v 1)
   
3. Be angry when schemers succeed. (v 8)
   

What to do-

1. Trust in the Lord and do good (v 3)
   
2. Delight in the Lord (v 4)
   
3. Commit your way to the Lord (v 5)
   
4. Be still, and wait patiently for the Lord (v 7)
   
5. Turn from evil and do good (v 27)
   
6. Wait for the Lord and keep His way (v34)
   
7. Consider the blameless and observe the righteous. (v 37)
   

As we consider the above, we realise David's counsel boils down to perspective. If we fixate on the events around us, it can only lead to: worry when things don't go our way or work out as they should; envy when those we think don't deserve success prosper; and anger at the situation, which in itself could only lead to more evil (v8).

Let us consider what we are to do to change our outlook on life. Our job, as we wait on God's providing hand, is to trust Him. The Amplified Bible defines trust in God as: leaning on, relying on, and being confident in His ability to do whatever we depend on Him for.

In addition to trusting God to help us, David suggests we delight ourselves in Him. The true believer, while acknowledging God's ability to provide for their needs, will love and honour God, not only for His blessings, but because He is Lord and Ruler of their lives. Jesus spoke similarly in Matthew 6:33:

...seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Instead of concern about others' success and worry about our failures, we should enjoy God through time spent in His presence, in His word, and on doing His will. Romans 12:1-3 (The Message) takes us through the process: As we offer every detail of our lives to God (with His help), we are transformed from the inside out and our desires are merged with His, thereby accomplishing His good and perfect will.

1 John 5:14-15 puts it this way:

... we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.

A study of David's life reveals that he was truly blessed throughout his days and for future generations, because of his love for God. In fact, the Bible refers to him as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). Delighting in God will turn us away from selfish, earthly pleasures, and yield our will to His as we fill our minds with His Word and obey His commands.

Next, the psalmist advises us to commit our way to the Lord. Whether you are starting a project, facing a trial, or just burdened, turn it over to the Lord. Allow the Lord who knows exactly what you need, and when you need it, to 'make your path straight' (Proverbs 3:5-6). From His vantage point as the Beginning and End, God knows where your blessings lie, and how to get you there from wherever you are right now. Instead of being anxious, David advises you to rest in the Lord, and wait quietly and hopefully for Him.

God is working everything out for your good; and while He may appear to be taking His time, His ultimate plan is to give you a hope and a future. As you wait patiently for the answers to your prayers, remember that He has never failed.

He's not about to begin with you.

Psalm 37 Full Reading

Psalm 36

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil. (vv 1-4 NLT)

The psalmist begins his meditations in amazement at the wicked's absorption with rebellion, self-deceit and hatred. By turning their backs on God, they are open to the manipulation of the evil one, and in succumbing to sin, become blind to their own foolish ways. The heart that does not fear God will be ruled by sin.

Then, in sudden contrast, David is overcome with an awareness of God's steadfast love, righteousness and faithfulness. As he takes his eyes off the wicked, the psalmist's tone changes, and we sense a lightening of his heart.

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast (vv 5-6 NIV).

After spending considerable time with God, Moses became hungry for the glory, rather than the acts and miracles he'd witnessed in the deliverance of Israel. When he asked God to reveal Himself, the following happened:

Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. (Exodus 34:6NLT)

David, in penning this psalm, was aware of these facets of God's nature, and has clearly chosen to focus on the unfailing love of God and His ability to preserve his creation (v 6).

You may feel like David at the beginning of this psalm, as you hear reports of murder, terrorism, corruption, sexual perversion and every form of wickedness imaginable from all over the world. For every solution tendered, evil seems to re-invent itself and appears to grow stronger. Such news can strike fear in the heart, and those who do not know the Lord will surely wonder where the world is going, and how it will all end.

Don't let your heart be troubled. Instead, look up to the heavens where the mercy and steadfast love of God reign supreme. In verse 7 we are told that we can find safety in the shadow of God's wings. Instead of fearful wickedness, a feast of abundance and life awaits those who take refuge in God. The light of God overcomes the darkness emanating from the wicked. Instead of being overwhelmed by what you hear on the news, become absorbed in God's Light, as described to us in John 8:12 (NLT):

Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Lord, in the darkness that surrounds us, You are Light. In the hatred we see around us, You are Love. Surrounded by wickedness and deceit, we recognise Your steadfast love and tender mercies. May our hearts be filled with your love, that we might be beacons of your light and bring hope to the world.

Psalm 36 Full Reading

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Psalm 35

Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. (vv 1-3)

If anyone had repeated cause for vengeance, it was David. Having done his best to serve King Saul, he was threatened with death. He faithfully served Israel as their king, only to be usurped and ejected from the land. His servants plotted against him, and his subjects railed curses on him. Many times in his life, David could be justified for wanting swift fire from heaven to consume his enemies.

An awesome warrior and King, David could have destroyed everyone who withstood him. He had seasoned soldiers at his beck and call, many of who would die for him, but whenever he came under personal attack, he often chose to pray for deliverance. In this psalm, he asks God to fight on his behalf, and not only does he fully expect an answer, he determines in advance to praise God for His response (vv 9-10, 18, 28). David, through his relationship with the Lord, knows a secret that Isaiah later reveals to the children of Israel:

But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. (Isaiah 49:25)

Today's believer should assess this psalm in the following context:

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Eph 6:11-13)

Just as David had enemies wanting his downfall, however much we try to be good and to help others, and no matter how religious we are, we have an enemy roaming the earth looking for whom he may devour (see Job 1:1, 6-11). The powers, principalities and rulers of darkness referred to in Ephesians 6 are all under the command of the devil, who has opposed mankind since creation. When people go out of their way to attack our person, we should recognise their actions for what they are - the enemy's ploy to undermine us. When sickness hits our bodies, or our finances fall under attack, we should see that these are the devil's plans to defy God and steal the glory we would otherwise give Him.

God can use some of our trials to build character in us (James 1:2-4), but as David says in verse 27 of this psalm:

...Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

The Lord's thoughts towards us are continually good, and He desires our well-being. He created us to enjoy abundant life. When we keep this in mind, we will call on Him to fight our ultimate enemy, and stand still, praising and watching for His deliverance.

Psalm 35 Full Reading

Psalm 33 (Part Two)

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. (vv 10-11)

While evil rampages throughout the earth, rest assured that God is very much in control. In fact, the psalmist declares that the Lord will thwart the heathen's plans. We can sometimes feel despondent as we see the world 'going to the dogs', but here is a reminder that God knows what He is doing, and, although the earth is in the hands of men, nothing happens that He does not allow. That thought may prove difficult for us to accept at times, but God, from His vantage point in heaven, sees man's every orchestration (vv 13-15), and this psalm assures us of His intervention where it is necessary to accomplish His will.

There are several examples in the bible where the Lord steps in to influence men's hearts into co-operating with His purpose. In Proverbs 21:1, we read:

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

When Pharaoh thought he could withstand God, his country ended up paying dearly for his stubbornness (note God's involvement in hardening Pharaoh's heart); Nebuchadnezzar's attempt to exalt himself above God cost him his sanity; and the devil's plot, through Pilate, Herod and the Jewish leaders, to kill the Lord Jesus Christ resulted in our eternal salvation!

Nothing is hidden from God's sight, so do not despair when you see the wicked prosper, or in the psalmist's words:

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. ...Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth." (Psalm 37: 1, 7-9)

Sometimes we long for the destruction of the wicked, and wonder, like Habakkuk, why God doesn't put an end to evil. But the Bible tells us that the Lord is slow to anger and of great mercy, (Joel 2:13) and His faithful nature, upon which we rely for our very existence, extends to the world around us. Peter puts it this way:

The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 Amp)

Salvation is the ultimate plan of God for all He has made. While He is able to destroy the wicked in one day (remember Sodom and Gomorrah?), His desire is that every man be saved. And it is this counsel that will stand forever.

Psalm 33 Full Reading

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission.

Psalm 33 (Part One)

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. (vv 1-3)


Calling the righteous ones; all who love the Lord and live by His word. The psalmist encourages you to bring praises before the Lord because you look great doing so! Isn't this a wonderful thought? He urges musicians to serenade and celebrate the Lord with their instruments, and for singers to create new melodies in God's honour. In Eph 5:19-20, Paul puts it this way:

Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ. (The Message)

Praise looks good on the righteous.

You may insist you have nothing to offer if you don't play an instrument, or feel your voice should not be heard outside the confines of the shower, but that is not God's perspective. For a start, He gave you that voice, and knows exactly how it sounds - yet He encourages you to lift it up to Him. Secondly, God is looking for sincere worship, and if yours is from a loving, pure heart, the praise you offer is beautiful, according to this psalm. Sometimes we are intimidated by the skills and talents of others, and may feel inferior when faced with beautiful singing and music, but the Lord looks beyond apparent vocal beauty, searching the hearts instead (v 15). If yours is full of love and adoration, let those emotions pour from your lips in joyous praise; the way you sound will not surprise Him.

When you are going through trials, or your very existence is hanging by a thread, it can be difficult to find reasons to praise God. Often, we may consider singing and praising God when we think of something He's done specifically for us; but not find it so easy when times are rough. Let's learn from Paul and Silas' experience in Acts 16:

" A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!" (vv 22-26 NLT)

The apostles were hauled off to prison for preaching the gospel and setting a slave girl free from demonic possession (vv 16-21). They had every reason to be miserable and question God; but their actions went against logic. They accompanied their prayer with songs of praise, and God responded by sending an earthquake(!) to set them free; revival broke out in the jail, and the jailer and his family were born again! Throughout the Bible, amazing victories often resulted from praising God. (see the battle of Jericho)

We may not always be in such high profile situations, and sometimes our deliverance may be delayed, but we can find reasons to praise God if we search hard enough. The psalmist gives us a few:

"For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect." (vv 4-10)

We can praise God for what He has done in the past; for His awesome works; for His power; for His infallible word; His provision; His divine protection; and for the very fact that He is God! Look around at God's creation, remember His works from the beginning of time, consider His eternal plan for you and me, and in time you will be able to praise Him and rejoice!

And who knows? He just might stun you with a Jericho-style victory!

Psalm 33 Full Reading

The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright (c) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved

Psalm 32

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (vv 1-2)

This psalm is one for the bookmarks, as it speaks God's loving nature in extending forgiveness to those who repent. As the Christian knows, He does not require sacrifices from us, nor demand that we clean ourselves up before He accepts us into His beloved family. Instead, God has already made provision, through Jesus Christ His Son, that whoever calls upon Him shall be saved (Romans 10: 11-13).

However, the psalmist acknowledges that each of us will sin, (as does the Apostle John in 1 John 1:8-10), and stresses the need to recognise this before God. The types of sin mentioned here are:

• transgression = rebellion
  
• sin = missing God's mark/way
• iniquity - moral depravity
• guile = deceit

and for each one, God provides a way of escape by forgiving, covering and erasing them from our record.

The honest believer would acknowledge that sin appeals to the sensual part of us, which constantly battles against our inherited spiritual nature (Galatians 5:16-18); but those who would be triumphant and joyous in Christ are advised to confess their sins and receive His proffered forgiveness. While David failed to confess his transgressions, his body literally weakened from guilt and the disciplining hand of God on his life; but immediately he recognised his sin before the Lord, he was forgiven and restored. How wonderful to know that there is no sin too grievous for our Lord to forgive those who call on Him in truth.

The psalm also points out one of sin's major drawbacks: it hides us from the presence of the Lord (cf Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8-11) and sets us apart from His gracious guiding hand.

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (v 8)

God has a purpose for every person, but as long as we are steeped in sinful ways, we cannot receive His direction. He has given us the Holy Spirit for this very reason - to reveal Christ and His ways to us. But the Holy Spirit, being God Himself, is grieved by sin, therefore, the Christian who would be guided by Him recognises this and keeps himself pure. The above verse makes us understand that God's intention is to guide us in the way of truth and righteousness (Psalm 23:3), and for as long as we heed Him, we will not stumble into the path of, or remain in sin. Christ has made us righteous before God, and He would keep us continuously so, if we are truthful to confess whatever sins we commit in thought or in deed.

If you have missed the mark, or there is hidden sin in your life, confess it before the Lord today, receive His forgiveness and joyfully go your way, knowing you are blessed and highly favoured!

Psalm 32 Full Reading (NLT)