Yes, here’s the whole psalm, written by David after he was crowned King of all Israel.
Read today’s scripture.
Psalm 102.
(This psalm is “a prayer of one afflicted when he is faint. He pours out his complaint before the LORD”.)
It reminds me of the songwriter/singer that David chose, named Heman, with His dark Psalm 88. But this psalm has sections of praise and joy too.
(Wow, he seems desperate!)
Perhaps he’s feeling God’s discipline and is repenting. (Boy, do I ever know THAT feeling.)
Psalm 103.
Here David is praising the LORD in glorious and familiar words!
Wow! Praise God! But there’s more! (He quotes Exodus 34:6-7)
And his mighty conclusion. (This reminds me of the choirs in heaven praising God.)
Psalm 104.
Another fantastic Psalm of praise. Look for all the “creation” references too.
I will sing to the LORD, as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!
Read today’s scripture.
What do you learn about the tribe of Levi and singing in Chronicles?
What encourages you in these Psalms?
Day 117.
1 Chronicles 6.
Remember these genealogies of the tribes, were needed, after they all went into captivity, and then RETURNED. They people who hadn’t been in the Promised Land for 70 or more years had no idea where they were to live. PLUS!!! Those from the tribes of Levi were the priests who would serve Israel and eventually work again in the temple when it was re built.
Today’s reading is all on that priestly tribe of Levi, and his three sons, Kohath (Aaron the priest), Gershon, and Merari.
There are many, many priests listed in the sub-tribe of Kohath, all descended from Aaron. These were the priests in charge of the Tabernacle/Temple and all the Holy things. This chapter lists them down to Jehozadak, who went into exile when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by Nebuchadnezzar.
The sub-tribe of Gershon has a smaller list of names, and the sub-tribe of Merari has even fewer.
Then this chapter (verses 31-48), shows a new group of priests (from each of the sub-tribes) to fulfill another task in the Tabernacle/Temple. Since David was a singer (psalms), he wanted music to be a part of the service in the house of the LORD, after the Ark was brought to Jerusalem, both in the Tabernacle and then in the Temple that Solomon built.
Of the Kohathites, Heman, the singer, was chosen.
Of the Gershonites, Asaph was also chosen. Many of the songs in Psalms were composed by Asaph.
Of the Merarites, Ethan was chosen.
The duties of the High Priests are listed here too. They were to make offerings on the altar of burnt offerings and on the altar of incense for all the work of the Most Holy Place and to make atonement for Israel. After Aaron, was Eleazar, then Phinehas, his son, and so on.
Then the cities and pasturelands are recorded that belonged to each of the sub-tribes of Kohath, Gershon, and Merari. All are listed, so their post-exile descendants would know where their inheritances lay.
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Day 118.
Psalm 81.
(So here is an example of a psalm written by Asaph).
Wow, can you hear the joy and worship in this congregation? Asaph calls the people of God to SING aloud, SHOUT for joy, RAISE a song, and SOUND the music of the tambourine, lyre, harp, and shofar (trumpet).
Then his song tells of how God rescued them from slavery, answered their prayers (and grumbles), and tested them.
They his song says. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. WOW! But, Israel didn’t do it.
Then you hear God’s plea, “Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.”
And God’s promise if they did listen. “He would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
Psalm 88.
This psalm was written by Heman and is very dark. It was sung to the music of a reed, a mournful instrument.) Sometimes my prayers echo his depression and despair.
Then he continues with harsh anger toward the LORD. (Yep, I’ve prayed this way too!)
Yikes! Yes, you CAN pray to God like this when your heart is broken and in torment!
Heman bemoans God’s failure to hear his prayer for GOOD HEALTH. (Have You done this? I have.) He assumes God is angry with him, but, LIKE JOB, he knows of no cause for that anger. But, his crying out to “the LORD, the God of his salvation,” proves that he has an underlying trust; it just seems invisible in this horrible, dark time.
Psalm 92.
(Now, a glad, bright psalm for the Sabbath! But don’t let it mock Heman’s desperate prayer, above.)
Hear the joy in serving the LORD even into old age!
Psalm 93.
Another glorious song of praise!
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No matter how our heart feels or the circumstances we are in, we can always go to our God and pour out our pain or praise. He listens. He knows, like He did in Job’s suffering. Sometimes, He allows us to endure for a while, for our good and His glory.
Read today’s scripture.
How do these Psalms about trouble, heartache, and persecution speak to you?
Psalm 73.
Have you ever felt like this?
Then the Psalmist continues to describe the “arrogant and wicked” in verses 4-12. (See if you recognize them as you read those verses.)
And his glorious ending thoughts!
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Psalm 77.
Have you done or felt these things when you are suffering in some way?
This is the Psalmist’s hope, but he admits to the opposite.
Here, the Psalmist turns to his knowledge of His Lord and asks questions that have a resounding “NO!” answer.
And those “No” questions gave him hope and comfort. Hear him “preach to himself!” USE THESE TO PREACH TO YOURSELF TOO!!
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Psalm 78.
(A good LONG psalm, looking forward to the next generation.)
The hope of this Psalm.
The Psalm goes on to tell how the Israelites of old, SINNED against God, REBELLED, TESTED, and SPOKE AGAINST God until He was full of wrath against them.
This is a huge “beware” to us today!!!
The psalm goes on to tell how Israel tested God again and again, provoked Him, and did not remember His power, They turned away, acted treacherously, twisted like a bow strong, and rebelled against the Most High God….. And He rejected Israel, the tent of Joseph, and the tribe of Ephraim.
So sad, but so like us sometimes. But then…..
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In a few days, we will get back to the story of King David.
Read today’s scripture.
How do you love in these Psalms?
Psalm 6.
Perhaps this was written after David rescued his family from the Amalekites, only to come home and learn King Saul and his “Best Friend Forever” Jonathan had been killed in battle and Israel had been soundly defeated. He mourns and laments the losses.
Psalm 8,
(I love this psalm!)
Psalm 9.
Psalm 10.
Psalm 14.
Psalm 16.
Psalm 19.
Psalm 21.
(I love reading this psalm pointing to David’s love for and closeness to the LORD … before his fall.)
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Yes, David will fail God horribly, but he was always “a man after God’s own heart.”
Read today’s scripture. You might even pray a couple of the Psalms.
Psalm 17.
This is a wonderful psalm of trust and dependence on God; of a face-to-face closeness that most of us don’t experience. Remember David’s situation as you read, constantly pursued by Saul who wants to kill him.
Psalm 34.
David wrote this psalm after he escaped when he acted crazy before the Abimelech (King Achish of Gath). (Don’t confuse him with the high priest Ahimelech from whom David got the bread and Goliath’s sword just before going to this Philistine king.) (1 Samuel 21:8-15)
The psalm is full of praise, with many verses that would be great to memorize.
Wow! Praise God!
Psalm 54.
This psalm was written by David when those “tattle-tellers” went to Saul and told him David was hiding in their city. (Remember how David asked God if the Ziphites would turn him over to Saul – even though David had rescued them from the Philistines. God had said, “Yes,” and David and his men fled into the wilderness.)
Psalm 63.
Again David is faced with a familiar and persistent enemy. He’s learned to put his trust WHOLLY upon the LORD. Hear him preaching to himself. (Lord, help me to do this too!)
Are you like me? Do you want to memorize some of these great words of trust and praise? Thank you David. Thank You, God.
Read today’s scripture.
How do you love in these Psalms?
Psalm 7.
David has been anointed as the future king, but he’s a fugitive with a band of misfit soldiers who love him. King Saul in his madness desperately searches for David to kill him. The Sweet Psalmist of Israel takes comfort in his relationship with and trust in the LORD God.
Psalm 27.
I love how David “preaches” to himself in the psalm.
Psalm 31.
Psalm 34.
Psalm 52.
This psalm was written when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul “David has come to the house of Abimelech.”
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****FATHER, may I learn from these psalms of David to take refuge in You in all situations, to trust in You for deliverance, and to rejoice in You in whatever situation I am in. YOU will make all things RIGHT in Your time.
Read today’s scripture.
What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?
Who can you share that with today?
Deuteronomy 32.
Today, there is singing (psalms).
The first is a history lesson in song that Moses wrote and taught to the assembly of Israel. He’s quite a songwriter. (see Exodus 15). I wonder how long it took them to memorize what is 43 verses in our Bibles. The melody must have been very catchy.
The song he wrote is God’s words to Israel, telling them who He is, what He’s done for them, the ways they will fail Him, and how much He actually loves them.
Moses tells them to praise God. “For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, His work is perfect, all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, without iniquity, just and upright is He.”
But of Israel, “They have dealt corruptly with Him; they are no longer His children because they are blemished, a crooked and twisted generation.”
But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob, His allotted heritage. He —
But “Jeshurun” (a name for Israel meaning “upright” but said sarcastically) grew fat and kicked and forsook the God who made him. He scoffed at the Rock of his salvation, and stirred Him to jealousy with strange gods, abominations, and sacrificing to demons.
“You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth.”
And so the LORD saw it and spurned them and hid His face from them. And God vowed —
And God said he would have done more against his people, but the enemies would misunderstand and think that THEIR hand had been triumphant and not the LORD at all.
But – and thank You, LORD – He vows, “I will vindicate my people and have compassion on my servants, when I see that their power is gone. and there is none remaining, bond or free.”
“Rejoice with Him O heavens; bow down to Him, all gods, for He avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on His adversaries. He repays those who hate him, and cleanses His people’s land.”
And so Moses ended the song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua. He told them to “take all the words to heart and teach them to your children.
And THAT VERY DAY, God told Moses, “It’s time.” “Go up this mountain, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho and VIEW the land I’m giving to Israel. And die on the mountain, as your brother died on Mount Hor. You shall SEE the land before you, but you shall NOT GO THERE.”
Deuteronomy 33.
Then, before Moses went up to die, he blessed the tribes of Israel, much like Jacob/Israel had done before he died.
There is none like God, O Israel, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in His majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people save by the LORD!
Deuteronomy 34.
Then Moses climbed up Mount Nebo. And the LORD showed him all the land; Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western sea, the Negev, and the Plain, the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees.
“This is the land I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will let your see it, but your shall not go over.”
So Moses died there. He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, but no one knows the place. Moses was 120 years old. His eye was undimmed and his vigor unabated.
And Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom, so the people obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
“An there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, to all his servants, and to the land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of Israel.”
(A postscript by Joshua)
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Psalm 91.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, My refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust. (vss. 1-2)
"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation." (vss.14-16)
Day 159—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading. We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible this week: PROVERBS.
Day 159 – Proverbs 16 – 18. (More of Solomon’s words of wisdom)
Chapter 16 shows God’s sovereignty in many of its proverbs.
Verse 1 – “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.” Verse 4 – “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” Verse 9 – “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Verse 33 – “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Look to God first in your ways and plans, and he will bless you.
Verse 3 – “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Verse 7 – “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Verse 20 – “Whoever gives thought to the Word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”
Sweetness in gracious speech.
Verse 21 – “The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” Verse 24 – “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
“Gray hair is a crown of glory…“
Verse 31a
Chapter 17 contains some very familiar sayings.
Verse 1 – “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting and strive.”
“Grandchildren are a crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
Verse 7
Verse 9 – “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Verse 17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Verse 22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Good words are described, and bad words are illustrated by the fool in Chapter 18.
‘The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.” “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a breathing.” “A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.” “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Verses, 4, 6 – 8, 13, 21)
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”
Verse 22
Day 153—We’ve begun the 6th month of Bible reading. Praise God! Today, we are also reading the 14th book in the Bible: The Song of Solomon. What have you learned so far about God and his purposes in your life? Share in the comments.
Day 153 – Song of Solomon 1 – 8 (Solomon’s love song between himself and his first wife (Abishag? an unnamed woman? the Shulamite? Pharoah’s daughter?), or some think possibly an allegory of God’s love to his people, although that is stretching the idea.)
The Song of Solomon might be rated for “Mature Audiences.” The Jews would not let their young sons read it while they studied the scriptures.
The subtitles list she, he, and others as the speakers, although “the daughters of Jerusalem” and “the Shulamite’s brothers” are also mentioned. Solomon, or “the king,” is also in the text. The descriptions of both the bride and the groom are poetic, vivid, and sometimes evocative.
Some phrases seem almost humorous to modern readers. (“I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.” “Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing.”
Many phrases appear in modern songs, Christian hymns, and choruses. (“Kisses sweeter than wine,” “Rose of Sharon,” “Lily of the Valley,” “He brought me to his banqueting table; his banner over me is love” “I am my beloved’s and he is mine”)
It also vividly portrays God’s perfect plan for marriage in Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The Song includes the beauty and sanctity of sexual intimacy between husband and wife. Hebrews 13:4 states this beautifully. “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immodest and adulterous.”
“In the Song, Solomon recounts his own days of courtship, the early days of his first marriage, and the maturing of this royal couple through the good and bad days of life.”
I. The courtship: “Leaving” (1:2 – 3:5)
The lovers’ remembrances & the lovers’ expression of reciprocal love.
II. The wedding: “Cleaving” (3:6 – 5:1)
The kingly bridegroom, the wedding, and the first night together, God’s approval.
III. The marriage: “Weaving” (5:2 – 8:14
The first major disagreement, the restoration, growing in grace.
Enjoy reading these eight chapters in Solomon’s “Song of Songs.”
Morning Meditations 