Tag Archives: Psalms

In Psalm 125 we are exhorted to trust in God, a foundation that remains immovable throughout eternity. “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” God’s care for those who trust in Him is greater than we can imagine.

This idea continues in Psalm 126, the sowing of seed requires trust that God will bless one’s effort, resulting in shouts of joy when the grain is harvested.

In Psalm 127 we’re reminded that our efforts require God’s input to succeed.  “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”  Just as Paul relied on God to give the increase for his preaching efforts, so we need to involve God in our daily lives, living in accordance with His will, trusting that He will bless our efforts to serve Him.

In Psalm 119, the Psalmist continues his theme of focusing on God’s word as part of daily life in v41-80.  The Psalmist spoke to kings of God’s word, and wasn’t ashamed, instead finding delight, hope and love in God’s testimonies and commandments.

The Psalmist also writes “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life“. His hope is based solely on God’s word.

When ensnared by the cords of his enemy, the Psalmist does not forget God’s law, instead rising at midnight to praise God.  “The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts“. In the face of trial, the Psalmist is comforted by God’s love and promises. Rather than blaming God, he says “I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me“.

The Psalmist is a great example for us of a person who had a genuine, living faith, tested by trial yet remaining true to his God.

Psalm 107 focuses on the idea of God’s steadfast love enduring forever, with four  references to times when people “cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress“. In the desert, under hard labour in prison, foolish and starving, and in a boat on a stormy sea; on all occasions that the Israelites called to God for help, He delivered them from the difficulty they faced.  On each occasion, the Psalmist exhorts the people to “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man”.

This Psalm reminds us that, no matter what circumstances we’re in, we can cry to God for help and He will hear us.  It also highlights the need to praise and thank God.  “The upright see it and are glad…Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord”

Psalm 103 is a great summary of our hope and salvation. David writes that God “forgives all your iniquity, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from the pit, crowns you with steadfast love and mercy… is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”.

David also contrasts the brevity of man’s life to the everlasting and steadfast love of God.  God is compassionate towards us, like a father is towards his children.  It is up to us to “keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments…obeying the voice of his word”.

“Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture… the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations”.

Not only did God make us, He has called us to be His people. He is faithful and loving, and David’s response is to sing “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless… I will know nothing of evil”.  David understood how much sheep rely on their shepherd, and similarly we are completely reliant on God. Let’s actively follow our maker and shepherd, giving thanks for all He has done.

Psalms 96-99 focuses on the praise of God. “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! … tell of his salvation from day to day … For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens”. Nature is personified as praising God, “let the heavens be glad…. let the sea roar… let the field exult… all the trees of the forest sing for joy”.

If nature itself feels compelled to praise God, then how much more should those that benefit from God’s mercy feel the need to praise God, who “preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them form the hand of the wicked… rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!”

Let’s follow the example of Moses, Aaron and Samuel who kept God’s testimonies, recognising that God is a forgiving God, and “exalt the Lord our God, worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!”

The Psalmist reminds us how important it is to give thanks and praise God on a daily basis. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night… For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work“.

God is our rock, our sure foundation that we can always rely on. Planted in the house of God we can flourish like huge trees, while the wicked merely sprout like grass.  Let us “declare that the Lord is upright” in the way that we live, bearing fruit, and singing for joy at all that our loving Father has done for us.

Psalm 77 commences with an expression of doubt and uncertainty, “I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted…I am so troubled that I cannot speak“. We all feel this way at some point in our lives.

The advice provided is to meditate on God, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord… I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples“. The God we worship “works wonders“; the waters are afraid of God, the earth trembles and shakes.

With His arm, God redeemed His people. Surely such a God as this would not “forget to be gracious” or “shut up His compassion“. We can take comfort and strength in these ideas.