Psalm 111 and Psalm 112 belong together. They are poems arranged in order according to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Both begin with (1) “Praise the Lord!” Psalm 111 speaks to the qualities of God. Psalm 112 speaks to the righteousness of those who follow Him. I’ve arranged a graphic that allows us to read each line of both psalms together. Receive this to see your God and to see yourself in seeking Him. Let us pray. Dear Lord and heavenly Father, Blessed be your holy name. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us. Thank You for keeping me in […]

Jesus is returning and no one will stand in His way. This is what King David sings about at Psalm 110. At Verses 1-2 we declare His divine appointment: 1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” 2 The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! At Verses 3-4 we declare the eternity of His divine appointment: 3 Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. 4 The Lord has sworn […]

Have you ever been accused of something that simply wasn’t true? King David has, and he prayerfully sings about it at Psalm 109. 1 Do not keep silent, O God of my praise! 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause. In response, David asks of God, that his accusers be dealt with as they have dealt with him. 6 Set a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his […]

Listen to David sing Verses 10 and 11 of Psalm 108. 10 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Taking these verses out of context shows a David who blames God for all of his hardship. Contextually though, hear the biblical David call out his enemies as God’s enemies first, and well dealt with. 1 O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth; […]

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” This is what we read at Verses 8, 15, 21 and 31 of Psalm 107. Why the repetition? Psalm 107 is a survey of all of God’s good work in creation and the psalmist has called out such, in thanksgiving. The psalm is 43 verses but is summarized in the first 3. Here they are. As you read, hear the gospel. 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has […]

Psalm 106 is a psalm that captures a few moments of Old Israel’s great sins, and how God still chooses to save them anyways. And so the psalmist opens, 1 Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Such sin is confessed at Verse 6 but the answer for God’s choice to save follows quickly at Verse 8. 6 We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, We have done wickedly. 8 Nevertheless [God] saves us for His name’s sake, That He might make His mighty power known. In this we note that God does […]

Will you see the LORD’s faithfulness in famine? Will you see the LORD’s salvation in slavery? The singers of Psalm 105 have. At Verses 16-20 we read that God called the famine, but not before calling Joseph to Egypt, 22 To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom. 23 Israel also came into Egypt, And Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham. 24 He increased His people greatly, And made them stronger than their enemies. At Verses 25 we read that God turned the hearts of Egypt against His people but, 26 He sent Moses His servant, And Aaron whom He had […]

Psalm 104 declares our Creator-God and then wonders upon Him. 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, 2 Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. 4 [He] makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. 5 [He] laid the foundations of the earth. 10 He sends… 14 He causes… 19 He appointed… 24 O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. 27 These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season. 31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; May the Lord rejoice in […]

Who forgives all your iniquities? Who heals all your diseases? Who redeems your life from destruction? Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies? Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s? King David knows. At Psalm 103 he calls out the LORD as the Possessor of such things and we are called to be reminded. 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns […]

The title of Psalm 102 says it all: A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord. At first, let us note the problem. 1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come to You. 2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; Incline Your ear to me; In the day that I call, answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, And my bones are burned like a hearth. 4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass, So that I forget to eat my bread. […]