“ 4  Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the LORD with the harp,         with the harp and the sound of singing, 6  with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—         shout for joy before the LORD, the King” Psalm 98:4-6 . These verses are obviously Psalms about worshipping the Great King! All life on earth must join the joyful celebration of God’s kingship. The earth must prepare itself for His coming with an op

“ 1  God is our refuge and strength,     a very present help in trouble.  2   Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,     though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;  3   though its waters roar and foam,     though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah   4   There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,     the holy habitation of the Most High.  5   God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;     God will help it when

“ 52   Blessed be the Lord for ever. Amen and Amen” Psalm 89:52 . Psalm 89  ends with this simple verse: “Blessed be the Lord for ever. Amen and Amen!” I bring this to your attention because this is also called a doxology. Doxology  is a hybrid  word  because it is composed of two words. Christian doxologies are derived mostly from the Greek language and mean: doxa , which means glory , and logia , which means word ! Doxology is a word   of   glory to God ! In Christianity th

“ 1  I will bless the Lord at all times;     his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  2  My soul makes its boast in the Lord;     let the humble hear and be glad.  3  O magnify the Lord with me,     and let us exalt his name together. I love the humility of the Psalmist who blesses the Lord for the acts and words that bring Him “praise.” We should always do the same, pointing to the goodness of God rather than to our own accomplishments.   4  I sought the Lord, and he

“ 5  You prepare a table before Me in the presence of My enemies.           You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,           and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” Psalm 23:5-6 . In the second half of Psalm 23 the Lord is the host at a banquet prepared for His child. The “table” is filled with food and drink. Before sitting at the well-appointed banquet table, the host would anoint the h

“ 1  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2  He makes me lie down in green pastures,           He leads me beside still waters, 3 He restores my soul.           He guides me in paths of righteousness           for His name’s sake. 4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,           I will fear no evil, for You are with me;           Your rod and Your staff,           they comfort me” Psalm 23:1-4 . This is certainly the most well-known, belo

“ 9  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;             my body also will rest secure, 10  because you will not abandon me to the grave,             nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11  You have made known to me the path of life;             you will fill me with joy in your presence,             with eternal pleasures at your right hand” Psalm 16:9-11 . These are words I often pray from Psalm 16. Join me today in praying deep thanksgiving for God promisi

“ 1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?           How long will you hide your face from me? 2  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts           and every day have sorrow in my heart?           How long will my enemy triumph over me” Psalm 13:1-2 ? The opening words of this Psalm 13 speak about two different possibilities in our lives. The depth of the emotions seen in the words of the Psalmist can speak of our experience of God as the source of our trouble, when w

“ 1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;         they set their arrows against the strings         to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3 When the foundations are being destroyed,         what can the righteous do” Psalm 11:1-3 . I have always loved the opening words of Psalm 11: “In the LORD I take refuge” verse 1 . When we are surrounded by our own weaknesses and sin

“ 1  O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,     or discipline me in your wrath.  2  Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;     O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.  3  My soul also is struck with terror,     while you, O Lord—how long?  4  Turn, O Lord, save my life;     deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.  5  For in death there is no remembrance of you;     in Sheol who can give you praise? 6  I am weary with my moaning;     eve

“ 1  Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. 2  Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray. 3  In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;   in the morning I lay my requests before You         and wait in expectation” Psalm 5:1-3 . This is a beautiful Lament, of which there are many in the Psalter. Laments are expressions of great needs felt by the Psalmist. And here the Psalmist is crying out to God to hear the Psalmist’s heart and words. Spec