Tag Archive | The book of Psalms

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 147 & 148

May27

    Day 147 & 148—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading and today we finis the 12th book!   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?  Share in the comments section.

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

    Day 147 – 2 Chronicles 26 – 29, Psalms 127 (David appoints all who will be in charge of the kingdom as it passes to Solomon.)

Chapter 26. David continues to assign specific work in the Kingdom to men and groups who can handle it. Here, he assigns Gatekeepers, the first line of defense for the City of David. He also assigns men in charge of the treasuries of the house of God, and dedicated gifts.

Interestingly, he assigned “men of great ability” to oversee the tribes east of the Jordan in everything pertaining to God and the king’s affairs.  

Chapter 27. Here, David assigned a standing army of 24,000 for each month, rotating throughout the year (total: 288,000). He also appointed one man to oversee each of the tribes. As for his own property, he appointed men over the treasuries in the country, cities, villages, and towers. Chosen men who oversaw the farms, vineyards, wine cellars, olive & sycamore trees, stores of oil, herds of cattle, camels, donkeys, and flocks of sheep. David also appointed men to “oversee” all his sons (for the LORD had given him many.)  

Lastly, Joab stands as the commander of the king’s army. (David didn’t like him because he killed Absalom and tried to replace him, but the army leader persisted, obeyed the king in everything (even when the king sinned), and was a great military leader.)

Chapter 28.  David assembled all the officials of Israel at Jerusalem.  He tells them how it was in his heart to build a House for the LORD, but that God had given that task to Solomon. He tells how God allowed him to amass all the materials and make the plans.  He also tells them again that young SOLOMON will be the next king of Israel, chosen by GOD! 

David charges Solomon with the task and with obedience to God and then gives him the plans. He reminds him (and the assembled officials there) that “the people will be wholly at your command.”

Chapter 29. David challenges the assembly that the task of building the Temple is great and Solomon is young. He tells of the huge offerings he himself has given and asks, “Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the LORD?”   As one, they come forward with huge offerings for the treasury for the House of the LORD.  Then everyone REJOICES greatly.

David blesses the LORD in their presence. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens, and in the earth is yours. YOURS IS THE KINGDOM, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand, it is to make great and to give strength to all.  And now we thank You, our God, and praise YOUR GLORIOUS NAME.”

“O LORD, our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand and is all Your own.”     “Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”

Then the whole congregation made Solomon, the son of David, king a second time, and they appointed him as Prince for the LORD.

Psalm 127 is a psalm written by Solomon.  “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” 

King David’s death is mentioned at the end of 2 Chronicles, but we’ll see a little more of him in 1 Kings.

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    Day 148 – Psalms 111 – 118 (Psalms of assents and praise written by others)

111. “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart.”    “Holy and awesome is His name! The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: all who practice it have a good understanding.”

112.  “Blessed be the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments!    “It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.”

113. “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”

The above reminds me of the modern song “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman —

Verse 1
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Chorus
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul, worship His holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name.

114. “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.”

115.  “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory for the sake of your mercy and your faithfulness.”    “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.”    

116. “I love the LORD because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy, because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD; ‘O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.”

“For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;…”    “What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?”

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints…“

117. “Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples!”

118. “Out of my distress, I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?  The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.”    “The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation..”

“I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.”   “I thank You that You have answered me and have become my salvation.”

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 132

May11

    Day 132—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 132 – Psalms 65, 66, 67, 69. 70. – (Psalms of God’s glory and awesomeness, and of humility and confession)

Read Psalms 65-67 in one swoop!  I’ll highlight phrases and verses. 

Psalm 65. “Praise is due to you, O God in Zion.:”   “O you, who hear prayer..”  “…You atone for our transgressions.”

“Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!”    “By awesome deeds, you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation.”   “You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.” (Sunrise & sunset)

Psalm 66.  “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name, give to Him glorious praise!  Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.”    “Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.”

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.”    “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”    “Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me!”

Psalm 67. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us.”    “Let the people praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.”    “,,,let all the ends of the earth fear Him.”

Confess, lament your sin, and plead for God to help. But then praise Him. He is GREAT.

Psalm 69. “Save me, O God!”    “O God, You know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.  Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who see You be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.”

“Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.  Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me….”

“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. ”    “For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise His own people …”    “Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion…..”

Psalm 70. “Make haste, O God to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!” “May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!”

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Hey, it’s okay to ask God to act quickly! Don’t panic, but pray!

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 110

Apr19

    Day 110 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for almost a third of the year. What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 110 – Psalms 121, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129, 130. (More psalms by David, mostly praising God)

Psalm 121 “I will life up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.” (Plus more praising God for all He is and does.)

Psalm 123 “To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!”

Psalm 124 “Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 125 “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore.”

Psalm 128 “Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways!” “The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel.”

Psalm 129 “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”

Psalm 130 “If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen (wait) for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD, there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 105 & 106

Apr15

    Day 105 & 106 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for almost a third of the year. What have you learned about God? About yourself? (Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

Day 105 – Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, & 52 (Psalms of David as he flees and hides from Saul)

These are wonderful Psalms in themselves, but they are even more understandable in the context of David’s life. As you read these portions, think of yesterday’s reading of King Saul relentlessly pursuing David, David hiding in caves and strongholds, and David sinning but confessing.

Psalm 7:1, 3-5: “O, LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me…” “O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it…”

Psalm 27:1-3 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yea I will be confident.”

Psalm 31:3-4, 14-15, 21 “For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; and you take me out of the net they have hidden for me; for you are my refuge.” “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say,’ You are my God.’ My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors?” “Blessed be the LORD, for He has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.”

Psalm 34 (Read all of it!) This psalm is about when David changed his behavior (acted insane) before the Philistine king, Abimelech, so he drove David off and he went away.

Psalm 52:2-5 This Psalm is about Doeg, the Edomite when he told Saul about David & the priest Ahimelech. (bread and the sword) “Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. But God will break you down forever, He will snatch and tear you from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living.”

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Day 106 – Psalms 56, 120, 140-142 (Psalms of David as he )

Psalm 56 is written after David is seized by the Philistines in Gath. He laments, then affirms his faith in God with these words in verses 9a-11. “This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God, I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

In Psalm 120:2, David again calls to the LORD in his distress. “Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.”

Psalm 140:4 says, “Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip my feet.

Psalm 141: 3-5 shows David also praying for himself. “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds;” And he ends with a very practical prayer — “Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.” Vs. 9.

Psalm 142 was written when David was hiding in a cave. In verses 6-7, he pleads: “Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of (this) prison, that I may give thanks to your name.”

In these lamenting prayers, it’s good to remember that David is God’s next chosen King. He is the ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus. He is a “man after God’s own heart.” Severe trials and testing do NOT prove that God has forgotten or is angry with us. Often, they are training grounds for what He has planned for us.