Psalm 98

 Psalm 98 We praise the Lord with singing..  "with the lyre.. and the sound of melody.. with trumpets and the sound of the horn... " 

The earth itself breaks forth in song to the Lord.. "Let the sea roar and all it contains.. the world and those who dwell in it.. Let the rivers clap their hands.. Let the mountains sing together for joy.. " 

We sing to the Lord "a new song, for He has done wonderful things. His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation;"

Our God reveals His righteousness.. His faithfulness.. and His lovingkindness to His people. And all on the earth "have seen the salvation of our God."  Though.. sadly.. not all will admit it. 

The psalmist proclaims this truth.. ".. He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with equity." 

Our God is "ready to forgive".. for He is good.. He is great.. His lovingkindness is abundant! But, He is also a righteous judge, holy and just.  Those who will not turn from evil.. those who will not call upon the name of Jesus for the salvation freely given.. will be judged.. with equity.. and will be cast out of His Presence.  They will find no joy.. no peace.. no love.. no hope.. 

God is God alone.  There is no other way than the way that He made.. through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to pay the penalty for our sins.. who rose again from the grave in victory over death.. and who ascended to heaven, to the right hand of the Father.. that He might make intercession for us.. prepare a place for us.. and come again to reign forever with us!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, how we praise Your holy Name!  You are good and worthy of all honor and glory and praise. We come to You today, singing our songs of joy.. for You have done great things for us. You have given us such grace and mercy.. You have delivered us from our sins, set us free from death, and made us alive forever in Christ!  Thank You, Lord!  We ask for Your kingdom to come and for Your will to be done. We ask for Your Spirit to move in our homes, in our churches, and in our world.. to bring salvation to those who still walk in darkness. Let the Light of Your Countenance shine through Your people today. We are Your witnesses.. surrendered to Your purposes and plans.  May Your Name be lifted up in our lives today, Jesus!  Amen!

Psalm 97

 Psalm 97  This psalm exults the reign of the Lord Most High.  Jesus told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world.. " ( John 18:36)  The writer of Hebrews assures us, " Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude  by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire." ( Hebrews 12:28-29) 

This is the Kingdom that we celebrate in Psalm 97 "The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad." 

We rejoice because " Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne."   Think of this.. what nation.. past, present, or future.. besides the Kingdom of God, has such a foundation?  Our country may be better than some.. or even than most, but we lack true justice and there are few that desire what is righteous. 

Our God will judge the earth with righteousness and justice.. and for this we will rejoice.  His "adversaries" will be burned up.  The "earth will tremble". The mountains will melt "like wax".  When He comes again, there will be no question that Jesus reigns.. "over the whole earth".  Hallelujah!

The psalmist encourages the wanderers to look to the heavens, for they "declare His righteousness".  Look to His people, who have seen His glory.  Be ashamed of the "graven images".. the false gods.. and "Worship Him" !

Our God is "the Lord Most High over all the earth.."  Therefore we exalt Him.  We hate evil. We find deliverance from the wicked. We find light and gladness in Him. 

".. give thanks to His holy name." 

Father in heaven, it is with grateful hearts that we come to bow before You and worship.. in spirit and in truth.  For You reign with righteousness and justice.. and Your Kingdom will never end.  Thank You for the promise of a kingdom that will not be shaken!  Our world has seen many "kingdoms" fall and many that have become corrupt and cruel. We pray for Your children, our brothers and sisters in Christ, who suffer even now at the hands of Your adversaries.. and ask that You would deliver them.. " preserve the souls of [Your] godly ones.. " Lord Most High!  We rejoice in You, giving thanks with sincere hearts.. with reverence and awe...  In Jesus' name we come and ask for Your glory to be made known in all the earth!  Amen. 

Psalm 96

 Psalm 96 - This psalm is first presented in I Chronicles 96.. at the time when the ark is brought to the tent that David had prepared.. when he appointed the singers to "celebrate and give thanks and praise the Lord."  

" Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day." 

This psalm gives us much to sing about! 

We sing of the good news.. 

We sing of His glory.. 

We sing of the wonderful things He does.. 

We sing because He is great!

We sing because He is to be feared.. 

We sing because He made the heavens!

We sing because of His splendor and majesty!

We sing because of His strength and beauty!

"Ascribe to the Lord.. " the psalmist instructs us.. give, bestow, appoint, apply.. "...glory and strength.. the glory of His name.."  As Jesus taught us to pray.. "Hallowed be Thy Name.. "  We are to honor His name, even as the commandment taught us.. and never take that Name in vain... in worthless ways. Give glory to His name!

"Worship the Lord in holy attire; tremble before Him, all the earth.. "  We are to mind the way we come before Him in worship. Not half-hearted.. not hypocritically.. not selfishly.. not proudly.. but with the clothing of holiness- humble.. contrite.. surrendered.. yearning.. repentant.. hearts. 

Let our testimony be "The Lord reigns!"  Let our exhortation be "He is coming.. to judge the earth."  For "He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness."  O how the world needs to know that He is coming and He will judge them rightly.. 

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name in all the earth!  Let the nations bow before You.. to know that You alone are God.. that You alone can save.. that You alone reign forevermore!  We give thank to You for the Word that shows us how to worship in spirit and in truth. We offer up this song of praise, for You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory. "You are good and ready to forgive.. Abundant in lovingkindness.. there is none like You."  Father, we ask that Your Kingdom come and that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Our good, good Father.. grant us daily bread.. forgive us our sins as we forgive others who have sinned against us. Lead us in Your ways and deliver us from evil. We are so needy.. and so thankful.  Be glorified in our attitudes, our words, and our actions today as we abide in Christ our Lord.  In His name we pray. Amen. 

Psalm 95

 Psalm 95 "O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;  Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms." 

This psalm leads us into true worship.  We sing TO Him, we shout with joy TO Him.. we come with thankful hearts before Him!  Our thoughts, our attitudes, and our words are addressed to Him.. "For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.. " 

How great is God?  He holds "the depths of the earth."  He made the sea.. and it is His.  He formed the land that we stand on and the mountains that we gaze upon with wonder.  He is our Maker too!

"Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." 

In a world that denies that there is any god.. or claims a false god.. or gives honor to an idol of wood, stone, or whatever.. we can make a simple, but powerful proclamation.. WE have a God.. a God who is the only True God.. the Maker of heaven and earth.. the One who made us.  The One who chooses to receive us to Himself.  

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.. "  Israel did.  They got things backwards.. they put God on trial.. Isaiah said it this way.. " You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, that what is made should say to its maker, 'He did not make me'; or what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He has no understanding'? ( Isaiah 29:16)

Because of this.. this unbelief.. this rebellion.. this wanting to go their own way and not God's way.. a whole generation of Israel never entered the promised land.  "Truly they shall not enter into My rest, " the Lord swore to them.. and they never did. 

The book of Hebrews shows us that this applies to all.. not just to a group of Israelites in the wilderness. Disobedience.. unbelief.. hardened hearts.. still prevent people from entering into the Lord's rest.  "Let us be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience." the writer exhorts, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."  ( Hebrews 4:11-13)

Isaiah's message in chapter 29 addressed those whose hearts were far from God, though they gave Him "lip service".  They thought they could hide the dark plans and conceal their wicked thoughts from Him.  The psalmist and the writer of Hebrews remind us that nothing is hidden from Him and that instead of foolishly thinking we are greater than our God who made us.. who holds our every breath in His hands.. we must come.. "kneel before the Lord our Maker".. and worship.. in spirit and in truth. 

Father in heaven, we sing and shout with joy, for You are the great and mighty God.. the Maker of heaven and earth.. our God.. our Maker.  We do not wish to have any hardness in our hearts.. any darkness in our thoughts.. so we come to kneel before You.  We are so thankful for  Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who has interceded for us.. who has offered Himself in our place so that we might come boldly.. "with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  O how we need You!  Every moment and every hour, we are in need of Your Presence. Fill us, Lord, with Your Spirit, to guide us in Your ways.. that we might not "err in [our] hearts" as Israel did in the wilderness.  Keep us in Your abundant love and power we pray.. in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Psalm 94

 Psalm 94  "O Lord, God of vengeance.. "   The psalmist prays for God, who is Judge will "render recompense to the proud".   He wonders, as we often do, "How long shall the wicked, O Lord, how long shall the wicked exult?" 

We can relate to this prayer.. for the wicked still seem to exult, don't they?  "They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly; all who do wickedness vaunt themselves.."   It is astounding to me these days... how easily political candidates spout off about their support of true wickedness.. especially the killing of unborn babies.   They exult in their superior "wisdom".. they excuse their evil thinking.. calling evil good and good - evil.  Yes, we can easily relate to this psalm.. 

The wicked "crush Thy people O Lord....they slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the orphans."  The psalmist accuses the wicked of their false beliefs.. "they have said, 'The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob pay heed."   He calls them "senseless" and "stupid"! 

"He who planted the ear, does He not hear?"

"He who formed the eye, does He not see?"

" He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke, even He who teaches man knowledge?"

Good questions!

"The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are a mere breath."  !!!  And here is where the psalmist finds relief.. and hope.. and strength.. in his faith.. "For the Lord will not abandon His people... " He will not "forsake His inheritance."  He will help His servants.  He will hold us up by His "lovingkindness".  

"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul." The psalmist continues to remind himself and us.. of the God we serve.. "But the Lord has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of refuge.. "  Vengeance belongs to the Lord and He will deal with the wicked.  He will keep us secure in His mighty love.  So, even when the wickedness seems to be overwhelming.. we can stand firm.. girding ourselves with these truths! 

Father in heaven, we exalt Your Name.  You are good.. You are abundant in lovingkindness. You do great and wondrous deeds. Thank You!  There is none like You, to show us grace, to pour out Your love on us, and to bless us with grace, mercy, and peace in Christ Jesus the Lord.  Father, we pray that You would deal with the wicked.. You know the thoughts and motives of every man, woman, and child.  You see.. You hear.. there is nothing that surprises You or makes You anxious.  Quiet our souls and fill us with Your comfort and peace, that we might reflect Your glory.. through the darkness.. through the uproars.. through the storms of this world that overwhelm at times. Thank You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

Psalm 93

Psalm 93   This psalm proclaims the majesty of our God.. His excellency, His glory, His magnificence, His highness, His triumph, His increase..  "The Lord reigns,  He is clothed with majesty;"  the psalmist writes, "The Lord has clothed Himself with strength.. " 

My God.. established the world so that  "will not be moved." 

My God.. established His throne from eternity past.. to eternity future!

My God.. rules over the floods and the pounding waves.. that offer up themselves to Him!

My God.. is mighty!

My God.. is true!

My God.. is holy!

My God.. is unmoveable, unchangeable, immutable, eternal, omnipotent, and so, so, good. 

Father in Heaven, we praise Your Name and proclaim Your majesty!  Be glorified in Your people. Dwell in us, Christ Jesus, filling us with all that is true and faithful and holy.  Help us to walk in Your truth and proclaim the great gospel of salvation so that the lost can be saved by the power of Your Name. Amen. 

Psalm 92

 Psalm 92  "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy Name, O Most High.. " 

It is the lovingkindness and faithfulness of our God that move us to give thanks and praise to Him.  It is what He has done.. the "works of His hands".. His uprightness, His grace to us.. that we are so grateful for and cause us to offer up songs and declarations and proclamations of His goodness towards us. 

There are those who declare themselves enemies of the Lord. The psalmist says that they sprout up.. "like grass".. they "flourish".. but, "It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore."  

It is the "righteous man" who will "flourish like the palm tree.. like a cedar of Lebanon..  planted in the house of the Lord.They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green.. "

Do we want to be like grass?  Or would we rather be like fruitful trees that stay young and full of life? That is the difference between those who love the Lord and trust in Him fully.. and those who choose sin and self instead. 

I keep thinking about Psalm 90-- Mose's prayer. He speaks of the anger of God.. the "fury" towards sin.... so much so that "we have been consumed" by His anger. "Who understands the power of Thine anger, and Thy fury.. " Moses wrote.  Why does sin make God so angry?  Sin separates us from Him.. Adam and Eve hid from God in the garden.. and every sin.. every lie, every theft, every act of hatred or cruelty.. every attitude of pride or superiority.. every time we turn from Him to another.. we turn away from Him.. and it makes Him angry.  "Our God is a consuming fire," the writer of Hebrews wrote.  He hates the sin that has stolen away our hearts..Yet,  He has given us a way back.. a way out of that prison of darkness.. a way free from the evil one and his spell.  He gave us Jesus, His beloved Son, so that we can escape..and come into His holy Presence! 

 But, we must make that choice..each of us..individually.. of our own free will.  If we stay separate.. we stay in the darkness and will be burned up like the grass.  But, if we choose Him.. choose to put our trust in the salvation provided by Jesus on the cross.. we will have every sin forgiven and will "flourish in the courts of our God."  Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

Father, thank You for providing a way, when there was no way!  You have made us glad by what  You have done! Your works are great!  Your lovingkindness is abundant! Your ways are perfect! We sing praise and thanksgiving to Your great Name. Amen and amen!