Scripture: Psalms 103: 1-8

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thy iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Commentary: Bless the Lord who forgives, heals, redeems and loves you

What a mighty God we serve. He is a God of mercy, kindness, love, and forgiveness. Think about your life. What have you accomplished by giving yourself to God?  Bless the Lord!

David’s praise focused on God’s glorious deeds. Do not complain about life, look at what God has done for you. This chapter gives us plenty for which to praise God. He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice.

We receive all of this without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life’s journey, you can always count your blessings. God will always be here for us.

Where would we be without Him?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 103

Scripture: Psalms 119: 129-136

PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.  Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.  Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.  Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Scripture Commentary: Be prepared for change as you apply God’s Word

Double-minded people cannot make up their minds between good and evil.  But when it comes to obeying God, there is no middle ground; you must take a stand.  Either you are obeying Him or you are not.  Either you are doing what He wants or you are undecided.  Have your ordered your steps in His Word?

Faith comes alive when we apply Scripture to our daily tasks and concerns.  We need discernment so we can understand and we need the desire to apply Scripture where we need help.

The Bible is like medicine in that it goes to work only when we apply it to the affected areas.  As you read the Bible, be alert for lessons, commands, and examples that you can put into practice.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 119

Scripture: Psalms 118: 24-29

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.  Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.  Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Scripture Commentary: The psalmists’ prayers often ended in rejoicing!

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice.  Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming.  We can relate to the writers of the Psalms who often felt this way.

No matter how the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God.  As as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise.

Often we don’t feel like rejoicing.  Be sure to tell God how you truly feel.  You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice.

God has given you this day to live and to serve Him – be glad!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 118

Scripture: Psalms 115: 1-9

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.  Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.  They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:  They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:  They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.  They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.  O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Scripture Commentary: Don’t place idols above the intangible realities of God

The psalmist asked that God’s name, not the nation’s, be glorified.  Too often we ask God to glorify His name with ours.  We may pray for help to do a good job so that our work will be noticed.  Or we may ask that a presentation go well so we get the applause.  There is nothing wrong with looking good or impressing others.  The problem comes when we want to look good no matter what happens to God’s reputation in the process.  Many people worshiped idols: statues of wood, stone or metal.  They took pride in what they could see and had contempt for what they couldn’t see.

Today we still may value tangible objects rather than intangible realities.  Those who spend their time obtaining tangible objects are as foolish and empty as the idols themselves.

There are times when we feel isolated, alone and abandoned, even by God.  Be encouraged when depressed by problems or struggling with self-worth.  God keeps you in His thoughts.

Do you have the faith to trust God?  Will you place yourself in His hands?

Who will get the credit when God answers your prayer?  Because He will respond.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 115

Scripture: Psalms 118: 1-9

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.  Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.  Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.  Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.  I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.  The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?  The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Scripture Commentary: Where do you place your confidence?

Airline pilots put confidence in their planes.  Commuters place confidence in trains, cars, or buses.  Each day we must put our confidence in something or someone.

If you are willing to trust a plane or car to get you to your destination, are you willing to trust God to guide you here on earth and to your eternal destination?

Do you trust Him more than any human being?  How futile it is to trust anything or anyone more than God.

Put your life in the hands of Jesus Christ, for He is the truth and the light to everlasting life.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 118

Scripture: Psalms 117: 1-2

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Scripture Commentary: Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord our God!  When was the last time you praised Him?  Have you ever thanked Him for all He has done for you?

If you are reading this, you should be praising Him.  He woke you up this morning, and gave you the ability to learn, to read, and to understand.

We can go through life and take things for granted and not thank God, and not tell anyone what He has done for you.

This Psalm is not only the shortest chapter in the Bible; it is also the middle chapter.

Paul quotes from this psalm in Romans 15:11 that God’s salvation is for all people, not just the Jews.  This psalm gives us reasons for praising God, His great love toward us, His faithfulness, and His grace and mercy.

Think about your life today.  Where would you be without God in it, and what would you be doing?  If He did nothing else for you, He would still be worthy of your highest praise.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 117

Scripture: Psalms 107: 1-3, 5-9

O Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.(1-3)

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainteth in them. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and fillets the hungry soul with goodness.(5-9) 

Scripture Commentary: We need to thank Jesus for what he’s done for us … and tell others about his goodness

When was the last time you told anyone what Jesus has done for you? Did you thank him and praise him when you were distressed and needed help and he rescued you?

We, who have been redeemed, need to thank God and tell others how he saved us. Jesus wants us to tell our story of how he has taken us out of darkness and put us in the light.

This is our declaration, that when we live in God’s presence we will not be able to keep this glorious experience to ourselves. We do have a lot to be thankful for, so tell someone.

We are free from sin because God sent his son to free us. If God did this while we were captive to sin, how much more merciful is he now that we are his followers?

We are no more wanderers or prisoners, and we are not sick. How wonderful is that? What has Jesus Christ done for you? Is there someone you can tell?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 107

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100: 1-5

Commentary:

God is our creator; we did not create ourselves. Many people live as though they are the creator and the center of their own little world. This mindset leads to greedy possessiveness and, if everything should be taken away, a loss of hope itself. But when we realize God created us and gives us all we have, we will want to give to others as God gave to us. Then, if all is lost, we still have God and all he gives us. God alone is worthy of being worshiped. Do you willingly and joyfully come into God’s presence, or are you just going through the motions? This psalm tells us to remember God’s goodness and dependability, and then to worship with thanksgiving and praise. So go and shout a loud joyful cry to our Lord and spread the word of Jesus Christ through the land.

Scripture: Psalms 90: 10-12

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger?  even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Scripture Commentary: Life is too short not to use your time wisely

What are you doing with the time God gives you? We exist as humans only a certain number of days; how do you apply your time?  Every day he gives you a glimpse at his creations, but you cannot understand the perfection of his creations. God knows our future, but if we walk with him, we will know where we are going.

Realizing that life is short helps us use the little time we have more wisely. Take time to number your days by asking, “what am I doing for my Lord Jesus Christ? What steps can I take to spread his Word?” We want God’s work to count, to be effective and productive.

God is Omni-temporal. We are not. Don’t be discouraged if your troubles seem prolonged. God knows what you are doing, and that the seeds you are planting take time to grow.

Moses reminds us that a thousand years are like a day to the Lord. Because he is eternal, we can depend on him. God wants us to view what we have with the right perspective. Use your God-given gifts before it is too late.

Ask yourself this question, “What do I want to see in my life before I die?” Is your answer, “Jesus Christ.”

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 90

Scripture: Psalms 66: 16-20

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Scripture Commentary: Who are we to bargain with God?

People sometimes make bargains with God.  We often declare in times of trouble that,  “If you heal me, or get me out of this mess, I’ll obey you for the rest of my life.”

Who are we to bargain with God?

Our confession of sin must be continual because we continue to do wrong. This does not mean that after we recover with God’s help we forget what he did and resume our old lifestyle.

God always keeps his promise and we must do the same. With true confession, God requires us to listen and stop our sinful ways.

David confessed his sin and prayed, “Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins.”

If you are going to be a servant of God you must live as God intended. When we refuse to repent or when we harbor and cherish certain sins, we place a wall between us and God. It assures all of us who believe in Christ that by trusting him we can overcome evil.

Nobody is beyond redemption, you and I can be made clean of sin.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 66