Category: Psalm

Psalm 95, 97, 98, and 99

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

These are called Enthronement Psalms or Royal Psalms.  Most of you cling to the Psalms that Praise and Celebrate God so you will love these.  Even in a “lament” Psalm, you guys (“ya’ll” if you grew up in the South) will read a long Psalm and find that ONE verse that Praises the Lord.  Well, you are in for a wonderful read.

Psalm 95:  I picture a church worship leader feeling the Spirit on his church so powerfully that he grabs the microphone and says with his eyes closed because it is not about himself, but his God

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song….

And then the congregation in unison would Praise God.  Now picture God looking down on it.  Whoever the Psalmist was who wrote this did the same thing, he called the Israelites to sing his praises.

There is a clear shift at the end of verse 7.  This psalm is a reminder that praise needs to connect with trust and
obedience.  What were Meribah and Massah?  In a word: Ingratitude!   Complaining about your blessings!  I could screenshot you a text I sent to my closest friend that I was on a rant about just this week about “my messy house”, “my busy schedule”, “my weight gain” “how busy work is”.  From God’s viewpoint: Szymanski’s burdens are: her beautiful house, her healthy busy family, the abundance of food, and her amazing job”.

This is a wonderful Psalm and reminder!

Click here to read Exodus 17if you need a recap

Psalm 97-  As you can imagine after reading this I am ready to set up a Zoom with you and read Revelation!  Don’t dare me…I will!!   So I want you to find a  place and actually sing this.  In your house, at work, go outside for a walk  (and when it goes acapella you better be loud!)

CLICK HERE

Psalm 98– You know when you read something and you know it is NOT a coincidence!  Last night about 11:30  I started researching “leveling the playing field” for work.  I got STUCK on the word Equity.  In other words Equality verse Equity.

And then Psalm 98 ends with-

He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.

Shut up!  These are the moments I have to say “Are you talking to me” (Yes,  I said that in my Robert De Niro Italian voice”.

Look for your one Word from God sometimes.

Psalm 99-

STOP!  So when I write a post in the Psalms I read only one.  I write one.  I read the next one….So can you picture me writing the above, reopening my BIble and THEN reading –

The King is mighty, he loves justice—
    you have established equity;

Back to Psalm 99.-This may be called the Sanctus, or ‘the Holy, Holy, Holy Psalm,’ for the word ‘holy’ is the conclusion and the refrain of its three main divisions.   God extends Mercy without ever compromising His Holiness.  How?  By answering our prayers and forgiving us.  Think about that.  Our Prayers are undeserved!

2 Samuel 22-23 and Psalm 57

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

We began 1 Samuel with Hannah’s Song of Praise, it is only fitting we end Samuel with David’s Song of Praise.  This song is almost identical to Psalm 18.  We haven’t read it yet so I posted I attached it.   OK, I wrote a section-by-section cross-reference post and deleted it because each person is going to read a particular stanza and it will be JUST for them.

Chapter 23:  David’s last words:   We have been reading about David since April 12th.  We took a 40 day Journey on David. Here are his last words:

“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
    the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
    the hero of Israel’s songs:

2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
    his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
    the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
    when he rules in the fear of God,
4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise
    on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
    that brings grass from the earth.’

5 “If my house were not right with God,
    surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,
    arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
    and grant me my every desire.
6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,
    which are not gathered with the hand.
7 Whoever touches thorns
    uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
    they are burned up where they lie.”

David’s last words centered with a prophecy of the Messiah.  Similar prophecies are recorded in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah. However, a beautiful confession from David is in verse 2 where he gives all his credit to God who used him as a vessel.

David’s Mighty Men:  We know that the Lord fought his battles for him, but David knew the value of his warriors.  Thirty-Seven of his men deserved special credit for their commitment to David (and the Lord), but The Three were singled out above the rest.

  • Josheb-Basshebeth killed 800 men at one time
  • Eleazar single handily struck down the Philistines
  • Shammah refused to flee and stood his ground and was successful.

Verse 23-39

Thirty heroes are mentioned that were picked from many parts of Israel including Saul’s capital city.  Now that we have read, I am betting you might recognize some of the names at the end 😁.

Psalm 57.  When I read this Psalm I went to my computer and tried to find a worship song that went with it and I just couldn’t find the right feel to it.  What song did you think of?

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

 

 

(Here is the Psalm that matched David’s Song of Praise

Click here to see Psalm 18

Psalm 5, 38, 41, and 42

~ Patricia ~ 3 Comments

Psalm 5. Is it just me or does it feel like you are in a “busy season”?  Guess what…we are always in a busy season.  But this verse stood out to me:

3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.

So if I text someone, I wait expectantly for those little bubbles on my phone telling me that they are writing back.  I WAIT EXPECTANTLY.  Do you do that with God?  Did you open your Bible this morning KNOWING the moment you opened it, you should have seen the “little bubbles”.

Beautiful Psalm…I am hoping someone cut and pastes their favorite part and puts it in comments.

Psalm 38.  Do you remember I spoke about the penitential psalms?  This is one of them.  Maybe take a minute and search your heart for a sin that you know you committed BUT rationalized it.  That is not repentance.  Actually seeing the sin through God’s eyes, and hating the sin so much that if you could go back in time you would do it differently.

For I am about to fall,
    and my pain is ever with me.
I confess my iniquity;
    I am troubled by my sin

Psalm 41-Once again I am drawn to the overwhelming sadness David feels regarding “words” “slander” “lies” “speaking falsely”.  I can relate.  I know most of you don’t know me but my outward and inward don’t match.  I appear thick-skinned, confident, strong.  It could not be further from the truth.  Lacey said the other day: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a lie!!!!  Hashtag true story!

Psalm 42- Close your eyes (after you click play).  Take 5 minutes.

Psalm 26, 40, 58, 61, 62, and 64

~ Patricia ~ 3 Comments

Psalm 26.  I picture David writing this the night he was pelted with rocks.  When David asked God to vindicate him, he was praying that the Lord would show others that he had not been guilty of things with which others had charged him.

Psalms 26 - Holy Bible English - BibleWordings.com

I love:

2 Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

Psalm 40-In this psalm, David offered himself as a sacrifice to God because the Lord had delivered him.  This is one of those Psalms that every time a read a verse I say “Oh, that’s my favorite part” and then the next one is my favorite one!

Psalm 58- This psalm shows that David looked to the Lord as the ultimate authority in Israel. David’s view of his own relationship with God was proper.  Even though he had the authority to punish the wicked, he still looked to God as the Person who had final authority over them, and he appealed to Him to act instead.

Psalm 61- Knowing the background to the Psalms put them from black and white to color.  David may have been on the run from Saul, enemies, Israelites, or even Absolom when he wrote this.

Psalm 62-Rock, refuge, fortress.  Where was David when he wrote this? Castle Rock or Cave Rock, is doesn’t; matter, it is what is in his heart.

Interesting Green: Reflection - David's comfort in prayer (Psalm 142)Faith In Action – King David's Thanksgiving | My Lord, My Friend

Psalm 64– When you do this read through again, take note of how many times David talked about the ‘mouth’ or ‘their words’ as the weapon that hurts him the most.

Psalm 3,4,12,13,28,55

~ Patricia ~ 3 Comments

Before you read these, take a moment to put David’s life in perspective.  Some of us will relate to a time when this mimicked our own life on some level.  If you don’t, then look for the one verse you will cling to when trials will come your way.  Write them down and tuck them in your Bible.

David had reigned for decades as one of the most powerful monarchs in the world. He had extended Israel far beyond its borders. He had become wealthy, living in a palace with his many wives and servants. He had the absolute authority of life or death over everyone with whom he had dealings. No one dared to get on his bad side.

Beyond the Sunday School - A Bible Blog by Jacob Cherian: 9/15/13 - 9/22/13

But then David sinned with Bathsheba and ordered the death of her husband, Uriah. Although David subsequently repented when the prophet Nathan confronted him, David’s sins set in motion a series of God-ordained devastating consequences.

  • David’s oldest son, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar.
  • Tamar’s brother, Absalom, took revenge by murdering Amnon.
  • Absalom fled into exile for several years but later was permitted to return. But after his return, David refused to see his son for two years.
  • The resentment built and Absalom began to gather the disgruntled people in the kingdom, offering himself as a more sympathetic leader than his powerful father was.

David realized that to survive, he had to flee the capital immediately. All of his servants and their little ones grabbed what they could and took off towards the wilderness. David followed them, weeping, and walking barefoot with his head covered in shame.

It was David’s most traumatic, humiliating experience in his entire life. Everything that he had spent his life working for had suddenly unraveled. Many whom he had thought were allies and friends had abandoned him and the most painful wound of all was the betrayal of Absalom. It brought home to David his own failure as a father. One son was murdered, a daughter was raped, and the murderer was now after his own father’s life in addition to his kingdom. Life was falling apart for David.

Psalm 3 has been called the “morning psalm” while Psalm 4 might be the “evening psalm’.

Psalm 12 and 13.  Such an emotional contrast.  Trusting in Him yet feeling forgotten.

Psalm 28.  As a woman, I can say I am an emotional rollercoaster (most of the time).  This Psalm gave me Peace.

Psalm 55.  What is the battlefield?  Our thoughts.

1 Listen to my prayer, O God,
    do not ignore my plea;
2     hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3     because of what my enemy is saying,
    because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
    and assail me in their anger.

But as for me, I trust in you.

Psalm 32, 51, 86, and 122

~ Patricia ~ 3 Comments

Psalm 32 is a Wisdom Psalm.  It is more of a reflection than a prayer or petition.

I really never noticed the -ed after the word ‘bless’ until now.  As a reflection (not a prayer) it makes total sense.  They are not going to be blessed, they are already blessed.

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.

Reading Psalm 32 and 51 back to back is incredible  ‘

  • Psalm 32 talks about the NEED to confess
  • Psalm 51 is the model for the confession.

In it, David did not utter one word of excuse for the sins he had committed, nor did he minimize his offenses or blame others for what he had done.

Psalm 32

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
    my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.

Are you acknowledging your sin OR confessing/repenting of your sin????

I found it odd that the narrator changes from David to God speaking through David by verse 8.  Anyone have any insight on this?  Has this been happening in other Psalms and I just have not noticed?

Psalm 51 A Penitential Psalm.  Back on April 22nd I described a set of psalms that were used when repenting.  Click here if you need to go back.

Look at the title of this Psalm:

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

David confessed the sins he committed against Bathsheba and Uriah. Obviously, he had sinned against Bathsheba, her husband, and the nation that he ruled, but David rightfully admitted that the worst thing he had done was offending God. Taking personal responsibility for our sins is an important part of true confession.

My favorite part was probably one that many of you didn’t choose today (because there are so many good ones) Verse 16:

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

I cannot “make up for it” with works.  Trust me I try it all the time!  What God takes pleasure in is the broken heart.  How many times have you heard this:

a voice from my heart.: Break my heart for what breaks Yours.

Psalm 86:  Very cool Psalm that it is a compilation assembled by other parts of the Psalms quoted almost verbatim.

This Psalm is a virtual mosaic of other psalms, and its quotations are almost verbatim.
Verses in Psalm 86 Similar verses elsewhere
Verse 1: from Ps. 17:6; 31:2; 35:10; 37:14; and 40:17
Verse 2:  from Ps. 25:20
Verse 3: from Ps. 57:1-2
Verse 5: from Exod. 34:6
Verse 6: from Ps. 28:2
Verse 7: from Ps. 17:6; and 77:2
Verse 8: from Ps. 35:10; 71:19; 89:6; Exod. 8:10; 9:14; and 15:11
Verse 10: from  Ps. 72:18; and 77:13-14
Verse 11: from Ps. 27:11
Verse12-13: from Ps. 50:15, 23; 56:13; and 57:9-10
Verse16: from Ps. 25:16

Psalm 122: A song of ascents. You have to picture it.  Walking uphill, to Jerusalem for a festival or to worship and this song is being sung.Ma'alot – the Songs of Ascents

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
 May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”
 For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”

Psalm 65, 66, 67 / 69, 70

~ Patricia ~ 1 Comment
  • Click here to read
  • Click here to listen
  • Sorry I am late, not only did I oversleep but I sat in Psalm 69 and 70 for a little while.  I read them through my eyes.  But then to give me a perspective I read them through David’s eyes which made my troubles seem so much smaller. ❤️

Psalm 65 and 66 are called “communal songs”.  Notice the plural pronouns.  Picture all of us reading today saying this at the same time.

Psalm 65 we begin by asking for forgiveness in verse 1-4.  Verses 5-8 we recognize his awesome power.  Verse 9-13 we acknowledge his overwhelming bounty.

Psalm 66 will speak to those who have suffered a trial in their life.  My favorite part is:

10 For you, God, tested us;
    you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison
    and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and water,
    but you brought us to a place of abundance.

The image of taking silver that is tarnished and wiping away the impurities until it is refined.  If you have ever polished silver you keep at it until you can see your reflection in it.  God refines us until he can see a reflection of Himself in us.

Psalm 67 is to be read as a nation.  We are the priesthood for the Lord so the author of this psalm begins with the Priestly Blessing from Numbers 6 (click here)

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us—
 so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

Psalm 69– Out of all the Psalms you will read, this one is intense.  If it did not speak to you read it through David’s eyes.  I sat in this one for a bit today mulling over some things in my life.

Psalm 70– short but strong Psalm.  Notice the repeat in “May those” “May all”.

2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 20

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

Has anyone ever asked you something, and the best answer you can think of is: it’s complicated.  Well, that is my best answer on this one. 😂.

I had to read this several times because I kept getting confused.  Finally, I took a step back and looked at the bigger picture.  David…is he doing what he is supposed to be doing?  Why didn’t he go to Hanum himself? What was David doing?  Did David fight in these battles?   Should we be fighting the Ammonites?

Duet. 2:19 When you come to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them to war, for I will not give you possession of any land belonging to the Ammonites. I have given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot.”

Go way back in your genealogy and look at the Abrahams’ family tree.  His nephew (Lot).  ☹️

Well, it’s complicated.  After all, a long time ago the Annonites (Moabites)  tried to hire Balaam (on the Donkey) to curse Israel.  They also made Israel slaves in Judges.  Then when Saul was king, they tried to take the Transjordan tribes…

King David managed to maintain friendly relations with Nahash but encountered renewed hostilities when his son Hanun became king of Ammon. Hanun enlisted military aid from Beth Rehob, Zobah, Maakah, and Tob.  David’s army under Abishai and Joab overpowered Ammon, took the capital city of Rabbah, and subjected the Ammonites to forced labor.

I will say this is a personal read for me this week.  😢. In an attempt to show kindness, Hanun took it wrong and it caused a major blow up.  And to make matters worse…I am not nice like David…I have a bitter root in my heart about it! 😞

In ancient times, shaving one’s own beard was done only during deep mourning from a national catastrophe.  They were sending quite the message.    The Israelites were humiliated by having their beards shaved, their garments cut and their body exposed.

FreeBibleimages :: David battles with the Ammonites :: When ...

David’s kingdom was thriving and it appeared nothing could stop the nation from growing.  Today’s read puts us at the turning point for Israel.

Psalm 20 is a wonderful prayer as David’s men prepare for battle.  Notice the words “you” and “we”:

1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

6 Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call!

Psalms 50, 53, 60, and 75

~ Patricia ~ Leave a comment

Psalm 50- from Asaph (you know he is my favorite Psalmist…he says it like it is!)  Notice that this Psalm is written in the first person from God.  He is reminding us of WHO He is.  He is sitting on the great throne, as our Heavenly Judge.  As if a trial was being heard, God gathers those in heaven to hear his view of Israel.

9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
    or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
    and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
    and the insects in the fields are mine.

God does not NEED our sacrifices.  Nor does Jesus: Hebrews 10:

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
    you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
    I have come to do your will, my God.’”

It is about the ❤️ behind the sacrifice.  The Faith.  The Trust.  The Love.

Psalm 53-

Flip in your Bible to Psalm 14.  Wow, right!  Click here to read both at the same time.

What’s the difference??

  • Psalm 14 focuses more on God’s deliverance of the righteous, while Psalm 53 focuses more on God’s defeat of the wicked.
  • Psalm 14 uses “the Lord” (Yahweh) in verses 2, 4, 6, and 7. Psalm 53 uses “God” (Elohim) in all seven places where God is mentioned.

Psalm 60.  A battle cry to the Lord.  In the midst of their fighting, David calls out to God

Psalm 75: How thankful am I that God is the Judge and not man.  I feel so “read wrong” in this world.  I pray all the time: “If they knew my heart…”  This Psalm gives me Peace.  When the cup of wrath is poured out (Rev. 16), God will choose.  Thank Heavens!

6 No one from the east or the west
    or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges:
    He brings one down, he exalts another.
8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup
    full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
    drink it down to its very dregs.

 

Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, 39

~ Patricia ~ 6 Comments

So what I am learning (about myself) is that Psalms is one of those things that if you pick up WHILE you are in a moment it is very powerful and God’s voice is so strong.  By the way, if you are sitting here saying ” what in the world is she talking about, I have never heard God’s voice” you are in good company.  I used to get so frustrated and actually question if I was “really” a Christian because I NEVER HEARD IT.  So when I started reading my Bible and realized WHAT I was reading was directly related to my circumstances I started getting a little freaked out!  As I grew,  I realized that the clearest I hear God is directly from his Word.  It’s cold and cranky out today.  Sit still and read 1 psalm over and over.  See what happens ❤️

My first read:

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.
 Relieve the troubles of my heart
    and free me from my anguish.
 Look on my affliction and my distress
    and take away all my sins.
 See how numerous are my enemies
    and how fiercely they hate me!

For those who had said: “I don’t know what people are talking about, I don’t hear God”.  That was God talking directly to ME.  I read that Psalm over several times and each time a different section then would pop out.

Second read:  This next one made me giggle like God was trying to make me laugh and remember how far I have come…

Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;

And I read it again and God closed our conversation with:

Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
 He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.

Psalm 25 is one of the acrostic psalms in which each verse in the Hebrew Bible begins with the succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 29 I am 99% sure David was sitting in a Thunderstorm just feeling the Presence of God all around him. Underline the word “voice”.

Psalm 33: What a beautiful Psalm.

20 We (this group reading through together this year) wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 36-Continue your love to those who know you,
    your righteousness to the upright in heart. ❤️

Psalm 39 Holy Cow! I could cut and paste the whole thing!