Psalm 105: God is Faithful!

Today's psalmist gives thanks to God for God's faithfulness to Israel. He calls upon the people to remember what the Lord has done for them, going all the way back to Abraham. The psalmist wrote these words over 1,000 years before the birth of Jesus. Just think how much more reason we have to give thanks to God.

O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful w...

Psalm 104: God in Creation

As I sit at my computer this morning, thunder is rumbling, lightning is flashing in the sky, it's raining outside, and I have one very nervous dog in my lap (despite the forecast which called for a 60% chance of rain). Everything from the weather to my dog reminds me of the power and beauty of God's creation - and that is the theme of today's psalm.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty .. ...

Psalm 103: Bless the Lord, O My Soul

You might be familiar with the opening verses to today's psalm. It is a hymn of thanksgiving for God's goodness.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits - who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live, so that your you...

Psalm 102: God, Hear My Prayer!

Today's psalm is a prayer for help made by a person who devoutly believes in God and knows that God is ready and wiling to hear prayer, but finds it necessary to get God's attention. Do you ever feel that way when you pray? I think at some time or another, while we know deep down that God always hears us, we all think we need to do something different this time to get God's attention because this prayer we are praying is really (really!) important.

Hea...

Psalm 101: Living with Integrity of Heart

Today's psalm is an individual's pledge of integrity and justice. It is attributed to a ruler/king, but as you read it, see what words you might pray in our own life.

I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing. I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the work of those who fall a...

Psalm 100: Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord!

If you have been "along for the ride" as we have been reading the psalms, today we hit a milestone - Ps. 100 and we are 2/3 of the way through the Psalms. Today's psalm is a simple hymn of praise celebrating the goodness of God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; enter into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of h...

Psalm 99: Holy, Holy, Holy

Today's psalm gives praise to God for his holiness. Three times it exclaims, "Holy is he!" The word "holy" means worthy of complete devotion; it recognizes that God is perfect in all God's ways, God's goodness and righteousness are eternal.

The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise your great ...

Psalm 98: God Remembers

The psalms for this past week have all been hymns of praise to God: from the majesty of his rule to his greatness, to the promise of his coming, and to the glory of his reign. The praise hymn theme continues today with praise for God as the judge of the world.

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of ...

Psalm 97: Our God Reigns!

Today's psalm has a "royal" tone; it celebrates God as King of the universe and affirms his rule over everyone and everything in it.

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the may coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountain...

Psalm 96: Sing to the Lord a new Song!

Today's psalm is another hymn and poem of praise to God, celebrating the Lord as King. In three short sections, the psalm declares God's rule as savior, as sovereign of all people, and as creator of the world.

O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations; his marvelous works among all the people. For great is the Lord, and greatly...

Psalm 95: O Come, Let us Sing to the Lord!

Today's psalm is a wonderful hymn of praise to God, followed by a call to faithfulness.

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great king above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his for he made it; and ...

A Meditation on Psalm 94

Oftentimes we see or experience injustice and we want God to just step in and make it right; sometimes, though, we want God to do more than that, we want vengeance. Israel has experienced, in its history, times when crying out for vengeance seemed appropriate. When today's psalm was written, Israel was besieged by the Assyrian and Babylonian Empires. Both northern and southern Israel were conquered, with disastrous consequences. Think, in more recent times, of ...

Psalm 93: The Lord, Adonai, is King!

What a great day to begin (or end) with a psalm that celebrates the majesty of God! As you read the words of this poetic psalm, see if you can hear the music.

The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved; your throne is established from of old; you are everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roari...