Tag Archives: Psalms

Psalm 61

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In the midst of this week of prayer and fasting that we’re taking part in as a church, let these words of the psalmist David be an encouragement to you as you pray.

Psalm 61
To the Chief Musician. On a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David.

1  Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
2  From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3  For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
4  I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.  Selah

5  For You, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
6  You will prolong the king’s life,
His years as many generations.
7  He shall abide before God forever.
Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!

8  So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may daily perform my vows.

A New Song

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It’s hard to describe the excitement, joy, exhilaration that comes to us when God finally acts after putting us through a long period of waiting.  David does a pretty good job of it in Psalm 40.  In fact, he lays out the entire process wonderfully for us there.

First there is the waiting and crying out to the Lord. 

Then the movement from the pit and the mire to the rock.

That is followed by joyful praise – a new song.  It’s no longer a song of sadness, but of thankful, heartfelt rejoicing.

Finally there is the effect that all of this has on others.  Their trust in God is increased by observing what He does in our lives. 

May the Lord encourage each of us through David’s experience.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth-
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.”
                              – Psalms 40:1-3 (NKJV)

God’s Guidance and My Resistance

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I often pray for the Lord to lead me, guide me or show me what to do – and I think that many others do the same.  What I now wonder is how often the Lord has tried to lead me and found me an unwilling follower.  In Psalm 32 David perceived God saying this to him:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.”
                              – Psalms 32:8-9 (NKJV)

This is perhaps an overlooked point.  It might be wise for us to pray, not only for the Lord’s leading in a given matter, but for our own sensitivity to that leading, which He says will surely come. 

May we all receive His instruction, His teaching and His guidance this day.  And may we respond with complete willingness to whatever He reveals.

Simple Trust

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Truth does not have to be complicated to be deep.  Our relationship with the Lord is often made strongest by the simplest, most straightforward concepts.  The Psalms are full of them.  Take the following:

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
                       – Psalms 31:24 (NKJV) 

The first portion is something of a command: “Be of good courage.”  In any time of trouble or need, in the midst of any difficulty, this is what we have to remember.  It’s a decision not to fear, but to trust.  We can remain confident that our God is there, is watching, understands, and will give us all the grace and help that our specific situation requires.

Then comes the Lord’s part: “He shall strengthen your heart.”  This is a promise.  He is committed to strengthen your heart, to build your faith, to increase whatever courage was there to begin with.  The first step to “be of good courage” may have seemed difficult, but now the Lord supernaturally gives it momentum.

And to whom is this promise given?  “All you who hope in the Lord.”  No exceptions, no asterisks.  If we hope in Him we have access to the promise. 

Trust Him, simply trust Him.  Place your hope, your expectations, upon Him.  Our own resources will inevitably prove to be inadequate.  Let’s take advantage of all of His resources this day by exercising simple trust.