Psalm 124

The Lord The Defender of His People

Psalm 124:1 ... 

  1   “If it had not been the Lord who was on our  side...”

         Let the people now say — 
 

Psalm 125:1-2 …

1   “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion:

     Which can not be shaken cut endures forever.”

2  “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people,

     both now and forever more. 

4   Do good, O Lord, to those who are good – and to those who are upright in their   

     hearts.

5   But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, the Lord will lead them 

     away with the doers of iniquity.

     Peace be upon Israel.   [All God’s people].

Psalm 132:13-14 …

13    For the Lord has chosen Zion, He has desired it for His dwelling:

14    This shall be my resting place forever and ever.

 

This beautiful picture describes three of the most important and blessed provisions from God to His people:

“Stability, security, and rest.”  

 

The world craves and seeks to get these things in different ways, but never finds them in their truth or most abiding form.  Yet there is place where all three may be found. God's  spiritual dwelling place for all people is found as a mountain, Zion, and it is an actual  city in Jerusalem.  Mount Zion pictures "stability," ... all other mountains and hills will be shake or removed, (Isaiah 54:10).  Mount Zion can not be shaken--it is unique among all other mountains.  God has set it apart for His own dwelling place. 

Jerusalem pictures "security."  Anyone who has ever traveled to Jerusalem can conform, that no mater at what point you approach the city, you must pass through mountains to reach it - for they surround it on all sides.  Likewise the city of God always surrounds His people. 

Stability. and security, offer us "rest."  Never ending rest.  God has declared, "This is my resting place forever and ever..."  Sharing in God's dwelling place, we are surrounded by His presence,  we naturally enter into His presence ... and we are at rest.
Amen.

 

Concluding Exhortations

Hebrews 12: 22-29

²² But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^c ²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

^{28 "}Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”

  Deut. 4:22

 "But laid out before us now is a greater mountain – ‘Mount Zion’, ‘the city of the living God’, ‘the heavenly Jerusalem’"

 

 

 

 

Psalm 123

Righteous are you, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You.

Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You:

Why has the way of the wicked prospered?

Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?

 Jeremiah 12:1
 

Psalm 123

1   To You I lift up my eyes – O You who are enthroned in the heavens!

2   Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

    So our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He is gracious to us.  

3   Be gracious to us, O Lord, be gracious to us, for we are greatly filled with contempt.

4   Our soul is greatly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.  

 “How can a good God allow the righteous to suffer?” The question is important to understand to preserve our faith in the midst of life’s trials. Many Christians today seem to think that faith in God comes with a guarantee of freedom from adversity. The suffering of God’s people and the prosperity of the wicked is an issue which is asked over and over.  

 

First we assume that suffering is always evil and doesn’t come from God.  Second, we fail to understand righteousness, as it relates to the true child of God. We can easily be deceived by becoming upset over the wrong things.  We are often grieved by sin, but for the wrong reasons—we envy rather than see purity.  So God instructs us “Do not fret because of evil men, or be envious of those who do wrong.”  - Psalm 37:1

We can be people with sinful attitudes and are not able to judge others objectively. As our Lord put it, those with a plank in their own eyes have trouble seeing a speck of sawdust in the eye of another—Matthew 7:3-5. 

The wicked, those who are do not fear God and who are not near to Him.  In the end they will perish. No matter how comfortable they now seem to be, destruction is their final destiny. Our God who is loving and good, to those who are pure in heart, is also the God who will destroy those who are unfaithful to Him.  Their momentary ease of life helps them to believe they do not need God to be happy and satisfied – but their final destiny is a sobering reality.

If the blessing of God were measured only in terms of material prosperity and ease of life, we could not understand or know what it means to be “near to the heart of God.”  We who do know the loving kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ can with confidence make Him our refuge and publicly praise God for His wondrous deeds, which may sometimes send us through adversity, in order that we might grow still closure to Himself. 

 

 

 

Psalm 122 Part 2

Unity in Relationship—Make it personal

As noted in the previous message, to be closely compacted together, gives us the revelation of how God’s people are to be "united together."  Psalm 122, is an important psalm to understand if we are called His people — He has called ALL of His own to demonstrate this unity in our personal lives. 

Psalm 122:8, 9

      8    For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say—

          “May peace be within you.”

9         For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.  

 

Unity does not imply ‘uniformity’. It does not mean that all Christians will think alike or have the same gifts and or ministry. It does mean a common purpose and inter-dependence within the body of Christ—A fellowship with others of inner unity among believers that expresses itself in co-participation with Christ and one another in accomplishing God’s will on earth.   

Ephesians 4: 1-4, 10-12, 16-17 reads:

 1   Therefore… walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,  

 2   With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

 3    being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 4   There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope... 

10   So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places;

11  This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,

12   in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 

 

16   That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

17   So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—and that you… may be rooted and grounded in love…     

 God's word calls us to be in peace with Jerusalem.  Pray for her and her people, that we— all of God's people, may see the coming of God's Holy kingdom and be a part of it, and not be cast out of it.  We pray for the peace of the Jewish people that they may endure the coming days of great pain and struggle.  None of this good will come without great price.   

 

These matters are prophetic revelation, not theological speculation or human reasoning

We do not need to use reason to piece together to figure out what is happening.  It does not refer to secret knowledge that only a few can know. Rather, it means something that has been concealed and is unknowable by human reason, is now being revealed to His Church. The fact that [we] Gentiles would be included is also stated (see Isaiah 11:10; 19:19-25; 42:1-4; Matthew 12:18-21; Romans 15:9-12). But these truths could not be seen with clarity until Christ brought them to us by His Spirit.   

The point is that we cannot arrive at some of these profound biblical truths through human reason alone, and therefore we cannot boast in our knowledge of them. God had to reveal these truths to Paul, who conveyed them to us. Otherwise we could not have understood them. And sometimes, as in the next point that we’re going to consider, we have to set aside our logical objections to the truth and recognize that God has spoken. We can either proudly argue with His revelation or humbly submit to it.  God is powerful to harden the hearts of man and the nations and then to lift that hardening—according to His sovereign purposes. 

The future salvation of Israel is not just a possibility, but a certainty, because God has decreed it. Does this truth burden your heart for those who are outside of Christ, whether Jew or Gentile?  God is still sovereign over salvation history, but He uses those whom He has saved to proclaim the good news to those who need to hear it in order to believe. Understanding God’s prophetic revelation should motivate us to proclaim to all that “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him."     Romans 10:12

Psalm 122 A Unity in Relationship

Part 1 -- Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem 

Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together;

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Psalm 122: 3, 6

A Song of Ascents, of David

1     I was glad when they said to me,

       “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

2    Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem,

3    Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together; 

4    To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord—

       An ordinance for Israel—to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
 

5    For the thrones were set for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6    Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

      “May they prosper who love you.

7   “May peace be within your walls,

       And prosperity within your palaces.”

8    For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say,

       “May peace be within you.”

9     For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.  

This call to prayer is for all who accept God’s authoritative Word.  God asks for all of His people fro every nation and background to take concern for the city of Jerusalem.  God’s purpose for this age will climax in the setting up of His Kingdom.  When we prayer the familiar prayer: Thy Kingdom come, we are aligning ourselves with that purpose.  The prayer continues, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  It is still invisible to our eyes—but will one day be an earthly realization.  The administration of righteous government will go forth from Jerusalem to all the earth. 

To all who heed God’s call to love Jerusalem and pray for her peace, God gives a promise – They shall prosper.  This is not prosperity of material things, but a deep inner well being, and a freedom from care and anxiety.   To be closely compacted together, gives us the revelation of how God’s people will be united together.  Tracing back the Hebrew root of the words closely compacted together is formed from a root which means “a friend,” a “comrade,” or someone very close—a basic human relationship warm and uncomplicated.  The unity of Christ’s church rests in the strength of personal relationships, not on such things as meetings, attendance, or doctrines.  

Personal commitment is first and foremost to the Lord Himself, second, to all who are committed to Him.  This will always hold us together even when we disagree.  It makes us “closely compacted together.”

Amen  

 

 

 

Psalm 139

 

There is POWER in Knowing What God Says About You

Let's jump ahead for a moment and talk about Psalm 139.  The Bible calls us to examine ourselves, and God in turn will reveal things we don't know about ourselves. 
     Before I [we] was formed in my mother’s womb, HE knew me…  "He fashioned all of  
      our days even before there was one of them. "  

If we build our life on the word of God, the truth is set before us.  Our identity, purpose and value are developed through life.  But in John 8:31 – 32 [NKJV], Jesus said to those who believed Him, “If you abide in my word, you are My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  There is great power in knowing what God says about you, because in life, things happen.  Although things are always changing, nothing really changes. 
  

For You formed my inward parts—

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:-14 

As you are reading this there are some who have experienced great pain, or some great tragedy and you feel like you are worthless or perhaps a mistake.  It is amazing how may people find out that they are adopted or don’t know the circumstances surrounding their conception. If you are a Christian, follower of Jesus Christ ,we are all adopted as son's and daughters' of God.  The truth is every one of is created in the image of God and the Bible teaches us we were not just made but FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made.  We are created in HIS image — the Bible says “Marvelous are Your works,” that is an outstanding truth that you and I are marvelous.  Created in the image of God, ALL of His works are marvelous.  “and that my soul Knows very well…” 

…My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret,

and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. 

And in Your book they were all written…

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there was none of them. 

 Psalm 139:15 -17  

                                                  

  

If we are grounded and rooted in that deep love of Christ, no matter what disturbing news we may find out, we can rest in that love that will carry you and sustain you.  When you know that kind of love… we can not but help to love others.   

 

… nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us

from the love of God that is revealed in Jesus Christ or Lord. 

Romans 8:39  [NLT] 

 

 

Psalm 121

Where Does Our Help Come From?

 

God is real... and when you put your trust in Him, He promises to always be with you. 

Psalm 46:1 says this, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”   We must learn how to let Him take on your burdens.  

            A Song [of ascents]

                ¹    I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
                   where does my help come from?
             ²     My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

³    He will not let your foot slip—
     He who watches over you will not slumber.
⁴    Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵   The Lord watches over you—
     the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
⁶    The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷    The Lord will keep you from all harm—
     He will watch over your life.
⁸    The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
 

 Our Creator is also our Keeper

This psalm teaches us to comfort ourselves in the Lord, when difficulties and dangers may be at their greatest. It is wisdom that understands, and His mighty power that works the safety of those that put themselves under God's protection. We must not rely upon others and their means -- "Shall we depend upon the strength of the hills? Upon princes or great men?  No, my confidence is in God alone."

We must lift up our eyes -- we must look to God who makes all things to us what they are meant to be. We must see all our help coming from the Lord, and from Him alone we must expect it.  Under "the shade of His wings" we find delight and assurance.

"He will cover you with His feathers, you will take refuge under His wings.  His faithfulness will be a protective shield."   - Psalm 91:4 

He is always near His people for their protection and encouragement.  It is a protection for life. The Holy Spirit, who is our Preserver and Comforter, shall abide with us forever.  We can find that while we go about in our daily work, that we have an assurance the blessings and promises in this psalm are ours. Our creator is also our keeper.  Day and night He watches over us and upholds us.  He never sleeps.  He continues to hold on--even if we let go of Him.

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 120

Prayer for Relief from Bitter Foes 

In my distress I called upon the Lord,

And cried to my God for help;

He heard my voice out of His temple,

And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

Psalm 18:6 

         A Song of  Ascents

     1      In my trouble I cried to the Lord,

And He answered me.  

   2     Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,

From a deceitful tongue.  

   3     What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you,

You  deceitful tongue? 

   4      Sharp arrows of the warrior,

With the burning  coals of the broom tree. 

     5     Woe is me, for I sojourn in  Meshech,

For I dwell among the  tents of Kedar!  

     6     Too long has my soul had its dwelling

With those who  hate peace.  

     7     I  am for peace, but when I speak,

They are  for war. 

 

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal faithfully are His delight.  – Proverbs  12:22
 

Although there is no credit given to David for writing this psalm, it is a psalm of principle, short, and packs a hard message.  The psalmist is praying for God to deliver him from false friends and their malicious tongues–spreading false charges against him. In his distress, he sought God by fervent prayer.  God hates a lying tongue and his wrath is compared to hot burning coals having a fierce heat... that "keeps fire very long".  For those who knew truth – and then moved to make it a lie, shall have their portion in the lake that burns eternally.  

In 2 Samuel 15, David's son Absolom conspires to steal the throne, a direct threat to the Davidic Covenant set in place by God. God hates a lying tongue and deceiving motives.  David had ties to these men and desired to be separated from this sort of conduct.  It is very grievous to a good man, to be cast into the company of the wicked.  He desires to be separated from these men and live peaceably. 

Hate is a strong word and many will not associate it with the Love of God.  The opposite of love is not hate, but "self."   Selfishness God hates.  Hate is an emotion, one of disdain.  Hate involves intense hostility towards anything that will hurt or destroy. Love is unselfish loyalty and concern for the good of another, a strong affection rising out of kinship or personal ties. 

 

Let us follow David as he desired to follow in the likeness of his God.  In our distress let us cry out unto the Lord, Jesus Christ, and He will hear us. Let us follow after peace and holiness, striving to overcome evil with good.

PSALM 118 : Choosing Life

God’s Everlasting Mercy and Goodness

 1   Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.

 2   Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

 3   Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

 4   Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  

 5   From my distress I called upon 1the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place.

 6   The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?

 7   The Lord is for me among those who help me – therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.

 8   It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

 9   It is better to take refuge in the Lord  than to trust in princes.

 10   All nations surrounded me, in the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.

 11   They surrounded me; yes, they surrounded me, in the name of the Lord the will surely be cut off.  

 12   They surrounded me like bees, they were extinguished as a fire of thorns; in the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.

 13   You pushed me violently so that I  was falling, but the Lord helped me. 

 14    The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.

 15   The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

 16   The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

 17   I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord.

 18    The Lord has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.  

 19   Open to me the gates of righteousness and I shall enter through them – shall give thanks to the Lord.  

20   This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter through it.

21   I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.

22   The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.

23   This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

24   This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

 25   O Lord, do save, we beseech You; O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity!

 26   Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, we have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

 27    The Lord is God, and He has given us light; bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

 28   You are my God, and I give thanks to You – You are my God, I extol You.

 29    Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

 

Our attitude towards Life should be totally positive

 Verse 21, 27  "I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.  The Lord is God, and He has given us light..."   and verse 17,

I will not die, but live,

and will proclaim all that the Lord has done.   

Our attitude towards our life should be totally positive.  We can not be at all pessimistic ... how many have under some kind of pressure said "I wish I were dead!"  Out of our heart this death wish can open up all sorts of dark, negative forces in the form of thoughts that may come swarming into our mind.  To remain there long enough, t will eventually take over our entire personality.  What begins with an idle thought can become a tragic reality. 

Remember Moses, when He confronted the people in Deuteronomy 30:19, "This day... I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses; now choose life that you and your children may live..."  Life requires a choice on our part.  God sets choices  before us everyday--to choose, or we may not choose.  To not choose is also making the wrong choice. 

The choices we make will not only affect us, but those around us -- as well as our own descendants.  Choosing life will release a stream that will flow down to the succeeding generations.  Jesus reminds us, "The thief will come only to seal, kill and destroy. But I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full."  John 10:10.  

This day, Lord, according to your Word--I choose life, for myself and for those who will come after me.
























 

Psalm 119

Meditations on God's Word

The way to God’s heart is found here in this informative Psalm.  We can carry out our daily activities in a way that opens up our eyes to see, and our ears to hear–and let God's Voice  instruct our heart in the way we should go.  This psalm is acrostically written starting with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, to the last, teaching insight and instruction. The psalmist spells out all that is required of us through his own experience to reach this glorious place of relationship and worship.   
 

Blessed are they who walk in the ways of the Lord  
       א Aleph
       1  Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
       2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
       3  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
       4  Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
       5  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
       6  Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
       7  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
       8  I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

- I will give heed to the blameless way. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. -Psalm 101:2

- The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. -Proverbs 11:20

- All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. –Psalm 25:10

How can a young man cleanse his way - take heed according to thy word
       ב   Beth
      9   How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
      10  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
     11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
     12  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
     13  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
     14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
     15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
     16  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

          - Brethren,whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is 
           pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute – if there is any excellence and if
           anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things… practice these things, and the God
           of peace will be with you. –Philippians 4:8

Open my eyes… that I may behold wonderful things
     ג Gimel
     17   Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
     18  Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.
     19   I am a stranger on the earth – do not hide Your commandments from me.
     20  My soul is crushed with longing after Your ordinances at all times.
     21  You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, who wander from Your commandments.
     22  Take away reproach and contempt from me, for I observe Your testimonies.
     23  Even though princes sit and talk against me, your servant meditates on Your statutes.
    24 Your testimonies also are my delight, they are my counselors.  

      - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. -Proverbs 12:15       - For the hearts of this people have grown dull, and with their ears they can hardly hear. Their
         eyes they have closed—lest they should  see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and 
         understand with their heart and turn, that I should heal them. -Matthew 13:15
      - For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were before, our days on the earth are like a shadow… -1 Chronicles 29:15

Revive me, Teach me Your Ways

ד  Daleth

25   My soul cleaves to the dust, revive me according to Your word.

26   I have told of my ways, and You have answered me – teach me Your statutes.

27   Make me understand the way of Your precepts, so I will meditate on Your wonders.

28   My soul weeps because of grief, strengthen me according to Your word.

29   Remove any false way from me, and graciously grant me Your law.

30   I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me.

31   I  cling to Your testimonies, O Lord, do not put me to shame!

32   I shall run the way of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart.  

-  For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.  –Psalm 143:11
-  See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today…  - Deuteronomy  11:26-27
 

Give me understanding

ה  He

33  Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.

34  Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart.

35   Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.

36   Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to dishonest gain.

37   Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways.

38   Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You.

39  Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your ordinances are good.

40  Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me through Your righteousness.  

-  They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their own gain.  – Ezekiel 33:31
-  Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed – for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”   - Luke 12:15
-  You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.   – Matthew 10:22
 

Let Your Mercies Come…

ו  Vav

41   Let Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, even your salvation according to Your word.   

42    I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.

43    And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I wait for Your ordinances.

44   So I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever.

45   And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.

46   I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be ashamed.

47   I shall delight in Your commandments, which I love.

48   And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes.  

-  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14
-  I have directed you in the way of wisdom, I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. - Proverbs 4:11, 12 
 -  And when you are brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles… do not worry about how or what you are to say
– for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.  -  Matthew 10:18-19
 

Help me remember Your Word… that I may hope

ז  Zayin

49   Remember the word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope.

50   This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.

51   The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

52   I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O Lord, and comfort myself.

53   Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.

54   Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55   O Lord, I remember Your name in the night, and keep Your law.

56   This has become mine, that I observe Your precepts. 

-  For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus…  - Romans 15:4-5 
 

The Lord is my portion

ח  Heth

57   The Lord is my portion - I have promised to keep Your words.

58   I sought Your favor with all my heart.  Be gracious to me according to Your 1word.

59   I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies.

60   I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments.

61   The cords of the wicked have encircled me, but I have not forgotten Your law.

62   At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous ordinances.

63   I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts.

64  The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.  

-    The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I have hope in Him.” - Lamentations 3:24 
-   My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:26
-   He loves righteousness and justice, the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.  - Psalm 33:5
 

Teach me good discernment and knowledge

ט  Teth 

65   You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.

66   Teach me good  discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.

67   Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.

68   You are good and do good, teach me Your statutes.

69   The arrogant have forged a lie against me; with all my heart I will observe Your precepts.

70   Their heart is covered with fat, but I delight in Your law.

71   It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

72   The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 

-  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ. - Philippians 1:9-10
-  They are fat, they are sleek, they also excel in deeds of wickedness. They do not plead the cause – the cause of the orphan, that they may prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the poor. Shall I not punish these people?’ declares the Lord… - Jeremiah 5:28-29
 

May Your compassion come that I may live    

 יYodh

73   Your hands made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

74 May those who fear You see me and be glad, because I wait for Your word.

75   I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are  righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

76   O may Your lovingkindness  comfort me, according to Your  word to Your servant.

77   May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight.

78   May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; but I shall meditate on Your precepts.

79   May those who fear You turn to me, even those who know Your testimonies.

80  May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed. 

-   Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. – Psalm 100:3
-   For we were disciplined for a short time as seemed best to them, but the Lord disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. – Hebrews 12:10

I will wait for You

ך Kaph

81   My soul languishes for Your salvation,  I wait for Your word.

82   My eyes fail with longing for Your word, while I say, “When will You comfort me?”

83   Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.

84   How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?

85   The arrogant have dug pits for me, men who are not  in accord with Your law.

86   All Your commandments are faithful – they have persecuted me with a lie.  Help me!

87   They almost destroyed me on earth, but as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts.

88   Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.  

-   And my soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord – my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. - Psalm 84:2 
-   They cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging … on those who dwell on the earth?  - Revelation  6:10 
 

Your word is settled in heaven

  לLamedh

89   Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

90   Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations, You established the earth, and it stands.

91   They stand this day according to Your ordinances, for all things are Your servants.

92   If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.

93   I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.

94   I am Yours, save me -- for I have sought Your precepts.

95   The wicked wait for me, to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

96  I have seen a limit to all perfection – but  Your commandment is exceedingly broad.  

-   Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. - Matthew 24:35 
-  I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth. For I have said, “Lovingkindness will be built up forever, in the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.” - Psalm 89:1-2 
-  I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to David My servant, I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations. - Psalm 89:3-4
 

 I will not turn aside 

 םMem

  97    O how I love Your law!  It is my meditation all the day.

 98    Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine.

 99    I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

100    I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts.

101     I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word.

102   I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.

103   How sweet are Your words to my taste!  Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104   From Your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way.  

-   It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up… and that he may not turn aside from it to the right or the left. - Deuteronomy 17:19-20
-   My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is thus for your soul – if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. – Proverbs 24:13-14
 

 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path

‍   ‍ןNun

105   Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

106   I have sworn and I will confirm it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

107   I am exceedingly afflicted – revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

108   O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your ordinances.

109   My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law.

110   The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

111   I have inherited Your testimonies forever,  for they are the joy of my heart.

112   I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end.

-  Your commandment is a lamp and your teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life. - Proverbs 6:23
-  Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His name. - Hebrews 13:15  -  With all my heart I have sought You, do not let me wander. - Psalm 119:10
 

You are my hiding place and my shield

  סSamek

113   I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Your law.

114   You are my hiding place and my shield, I  wait for Your word.

115   Depart from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God.

116   Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live, and do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

117   Uphold me that I may be safe, that I may have regard for Your statutes continually.

118   You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes, for their deceitfulness is useless.

119   You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross, therefore, I love Your testimonies.

120   My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.  

-  That man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:7-8
-  How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him… - 1 Kings 18:21 We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope… - Romans 5:3-4
-  According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. - Philippians 1:20
 

I hate every false way
 ע            Ayin

121   I have done justice and righteousness – do not leave me to my oppressors.

122   Be surety for Your servant for good, do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123   My  eyes fail with longing for Your salvation and for Your righteous 1word.

124   Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness and teach me Your statutes.

125   I am Your servant, give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.

126   It is time for the Lord to act, for they have broken Your law.

127   Therefore I love Your commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold.

128   Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way.  

-  And He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness. – Psalm 106:45
-  The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true – they are righteous altogether. – Psalm 19:8-9
 

Establish my footsteps in Your Word

 פPe

129   Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul observes them.

130   The unfolding of Your words gives light – it gives understanding to the simple.

131   I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.

132  Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Your manner with those who love Your name.

133   Establish my  footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

134   Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.

135   Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.

136   My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Your law.  

-  Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins. Let them not rule over me. – Psalm 19:12-13
-  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. - Romans 6:12-13
 

Righteous and upright are You, O Lord

 ץTsadhe

137   Righteous are You, O Lord, and upright are Your judgments.

138   You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.

139   My  zeal has consumed me, because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

140   Your word is very  pure, therefore Your servant  loves it.

141   I am small and  despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.

142   Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.

143   Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight.

144   Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. 

-  O Lord God of Israel, You are righteous… for we have escaped with a remnant, as it is this day; behold, we are before You in our guilt, for no one can stand before You because of this.    - Ezra 9:15
-  However, You are just in all that has come upon us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have acted wickedly.  – Nehemiah 9:33  -  But, O Lord of hosts, who judges righteously, who tries the feelings and the heart. Let me see vengeance on them, for to You have I committed my cause.  – Jeremiah 11:20
 

 You will hear my voice… according to Your lovingkindness

 קQoph

145   I’ve cried with all my heart, answer me, O Lord! I will observe Your statutes.

146   I cried to You  save me, and I shall keep Your testimonies.

147   I  rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.

148   My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.

149   Hear my voice  according to Your lovingkindness; revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.

150   Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Your law.

151   You are  near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.

152   Of old I have known from Your testimonies that You have founded them forever. 

-  In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. – Psalm 5:3 
-  Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?  - Psalm 139:21  
-  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18 -  The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. – Psalm 145:18
 

Great are Your mercies, O Lord

 רResh

153  Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I do not forget Your law.

154   Plead my cause and redeem me – revive me according to Your word.

155   Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes.

156   Great are Your mercies, O Lord.  Revive me according to Your ordinances.

157   Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not  turn aside from Your testimonies.

158   I behold the treacherous and loathe them, because they do not keep Your  word.

159   Consider how I love Your precepts, revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.

160   The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.  

-  The Lord therefore be judge and decide between you and me; and may He see and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand. -1 Samuel 24:15
-  I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light and I will see His righteousness. – Micah 7:9
 

 I  rejoice in Your Word, as one who finds great spoil

 ׁשׁShin

 161   Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart  stands in awe of Your words.

 162   I  rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great spoil.

 163   I hate and despise falsehood, but I love Your law.

 164   Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous ordinances.

 165   Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.

 166   I hope for Your salvation, O Lord, and do Your commandments.

 167   My  soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.

 168   I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You. 

-  I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. – Psalm 119:14  
-  You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; they will be glad in Your presence with the gladness of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. - Isaiah 9:3
 

Let my soul live that I may praise You

 תTav

 169   Let my  cry come before You, O Lord – give me understanding according to Your word.

 170   Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word. 

 171   Let my lips utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes.

 172   Let my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.

 173   Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.

 174   I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight.

 175   Let my soul live that it may praise You, and let Your ordinances help me.

 176   I have gone astray like a lost sheep – seek  Your servant, for I do not forget 
Your commandments.

-  In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help, He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears. – Psalm 18:6 
-  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. – Psalm 63:3 
-  Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation – then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 51:14 

-   Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David.   – Isaiah  55:3

Amen