psalm 150

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!

3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

- Psalm 150

Celebrating His Greatness

A Song of Praise. Of David.
1 I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.]
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

- Psalm 145

We are approaching the college football bowl games.  This is the time of year in which many fans will either celebrate the greatness over their team or the upset of loss.  Stadiums will be packed to the max of fans that are chanting songs of praise for athletes that they probably will never meet.  Much money will be spent over the next few weeks for the purpose of…celebrating a game.  As I spent time today reading over Psalm 145, I was drawn to a song of celebration.  Celebrating the greatness of God was central to David.  Take just a few minutes and read all 21 verses of Psalm 145. 

Celebrating the greatness of God is a glorious task that we are privileged to have.  David begins this Psalm with a powerful proclamation of God as His King.  The Psalm moves to daily celebration (v.2), unsearchable celebration (v.3), multi generational celebration (v.4), and majestic celebration (v.5-7).  From these verses, we go into a description of the Lord’s character.  Friend, He is truly gracious and merciful!  The fact that we even have a voice to celebrate Him (v.21), is truly amazing to me. 

He satisfies (v.19), He upholds (v.14), He is infinitely kind (v.17), and He is all loving (v.20).  I could go on with a list of His greatness based on this psalm alone!  So, why would any of us truly want to celebrate the greatness of others?  Why would we worship teams, bands, movies, etc.? How can they truly measure up to the greatness of God displayed in Psalm 145?  Today, celebrate His greatness.  Live in His greatness.   Enjoy His greatness. 

-from one who finds satisfaction in His greatness alone.

Discerning our approach to our adversaries

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
preserve me from violent men,
2 who plan evil things in their heart
and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net;
beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

6 I say to the Lord, You are my God;
give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!
7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah

9 As for the head of those who surround me,
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall upon them!
Let them be cast into fire,
into miry pits, no more to rise!
11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and will execute justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.

- Psalm 140

In just 13 verses, David offers us a rich psalm of understanding our approach to our adversaries.  What exactly do I mean by that?  Take a moment right now and think about those in your life that may purposely want to harm you or your reputation.  In some ways, all of us have adversaries.  They creep up inside the church walls, school, and the workplace.  Tension and striving against our enemies is a direct result from our sin-stained world.  What do we do?  Do we lash back and attack?  Do we fight fire with fire?  I believe in this text, David offers us much needed wisdom.
 
David simply states the problem with his attackers (v.1-5) and seeks the Lord for protection and provision (v.6-13).  In other words, David doesn’t seek after the counsel of his friends or even his family.  In this text, he seeks the help and the mercy of our Sovereign Lord.  This beautiful picture of worship draws me daily to that approach.  Seeking the Lord for His provision in the midst of feeling attacks from others can offer you and I unspeakable joy.  Why would we turn to someone else?  We have the author, creator, sustainer, and ruler of life in our midst! 
 
Today, seek the Lord for His protection and provision for any attack you may be experiencing.  Don’t give in to the temptation of trusting in others.  His Word is good, His counsel is perfect, and His grace is sufficient!
 
-From one who seeks His wisdom in approaching and responding to my adversaries.

psalm 135

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord,
give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2 who stand in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God!
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his own possession.

5 For I know that the Lord is great,
and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.
7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
who makes lightnings for the rain
and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
both of man and of beast;
9 who in your midst, O Egypt,
sent signs and wonders
against Pharaoh and all his servants;
10 who struck down many nations
and killed mighty kings,
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 and gave their land as a heritage,
a heritage to his people Israel.

13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
17 they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them!

19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord!
O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!
20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord!
You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
he who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise the Lord!

- Psalm 135

unspeakable Joy

A Song of Ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

- Psalm 130

This rich Psalm begins with two verses of desperation to two verses of confession.  I believe we must get to the point that we see the desparation sin leaves in order to cling to the confession of our hearts.  In other words, we must fully understand what is at stake when we sin in order to agree with the sin in view of Scripture.  I’ve talked with several folks over the years that truly agonize over their sin.  They see their sin in view of God’s holiness and their simple response is confession.  This Psalm is beautiful, because it naturally goes to hope in verses 5-6.  The writer understands the sin (v.1-2), offers genuine confession (v.3-4), and clings to the sweet hope of the everlasting Lord (v.5-6).  Can you model that process in your own life?  Do you cry for mercy for your sins?  Do you confess daily to the ways you broke His commands?  Do you rejoice in the everlasting hope that He graciously provides?

The Psalm ends with a shout of rejoicing in hope.  I would change the wording to fit our context today by seeing the church in the light of Israel.  May the church hope in the Lord!  May the church be redeemed!  May the church rise up and cling to the hope that is found in the everlasting joy of our glorious Savior!

-From one who receives unspeakable joy in the hope of God’s everlasting mercy.

A firm Foundation

A Song of Ascents.
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!

- Psalm 125

I find it glorious that our Lord promises us a firm foundation as a result of our trust in Him.  He gives us that great assurance in Psalm 125.  Take a few minutes and read Psalm 125 a few times.  Since it is only 5 verses long, it shouldn’t take too much time.  My desire today is for His Word to be immersed in your soul.  After you’ve read this text a few times, I invite you continue with me as we examine it in our lives.
 
Mt. Zion in verse 1 is described as a foundation that, “cannot be shaken.”  The writer even goes to the great length to tell us that this foundation endures forever.  If we are given that promise, why would we place our trust in the things of this world or in fallen man?  I’ve placed my trust over the years in friendships that betrayed me.  I’ve placed my trust in situations and seasons that changed.  I’ve placed my trust in goals that failed.  However, looking at this verse, I’m drawn to the beauty of trusting in the Lord.  The result of that trust is a firm foundation that cannot be shaken…and endures forever!  Isn’t that glorious?!  The writer goes on to explain that the Lord surrounds us with His glory like the mountains surround Jerusalem (V.2).  The attacks from the adversary are only temporary (V.3), and will experience the wrath from the Mighty One (V.5).  We are to simply trust in His provision and care.  Our God is glorious.  He sent His Son to give us a REASON to trust in Him…for the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus has established in us all the eternal, enduring, perfect, and invincible foundation of God. 
 
Friend, trust in Him today.  Don’t get sucked into the trap of placing your trust in the things of this world that will eventually fade away (Isaiah 55).  I want to close this day by quoting one of my favorite hymns.  I invite you to sing it with me if you know the melody.  Enjoy the enduring foundation of God’s surrounding.
 
How Firm a Foundation, written in 1787 by John Keith.
 
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake

From one who leans on His firm foundation

psalm 120

1 In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, 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 A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!

5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!

- Psalm 120

Humble Anyone?

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

9 O Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.

12 The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord,
both the small and the great.

14 May the Lord give you increase,
you and your children!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!

- Psalm 115

I love this Psalm.  When I read this text, I’m drawn to the reality of my sinfulness and God’s glory.  I’m reminded that God is on His throne in perfect glory.  I’m reminded that the depravity of man will lead to idolatry, and blinded pursuit of God.  Friend, we must humble rejoice that God has pursued us with an everlasting love and joy.  The Word tells us that the love and joy of God has been demonstrated on the cross of Jesus (Romans 5:8). 
 
With a Biblical understanding of the Gospel, we can boast in Psalm 115:1.  In our walk, our talk, our singing, our leading, our practicing, our serving, and our witnessing; we must submit to the reality that all we do is not for our glory.  All we do is for His glory.  He is the One that makes the dead come to life.  He is the One that brings the lost to salvation.  He is the One that has faithfully given us the divine command to preach and proclaim His heavenly kingdom on the earth. 
 
We must strive for humility daily.  My favorite definition of humility is simply our understanding of our sinful nature and our joy to His perfect nature.  I believe that living daily with this understanding will draw us naturally to seek His fame (v.1), His honor (v.13), His blessing (v.15), and His eternal praise (v.18).  Let us draw together with great humility to His Name, not our own.
 
From one who strives for the glory of His name and not my own..

All Hail King Jesus

A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”

2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power,
in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth will be yours.
4 The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”

5 The Lord is at your right hand;
he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will execute judgment among the nations,
filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs
over the wide earth.
7 He will drink from the brook by the way;
therefore he will lift up his head.

- Psalm 110

Psalm 110 is a Messianic Psalm.  In other words, the 7 verses point to Jesus as the fulfillment of the words.  Compare Psalm 110 to Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42, Acts 2:34, and Hebrews 1:3.  There are more verses to describe how this Psalm fits into the rule of King Jesus.  Today, I want you to spend just a few moments in prayer and reverence to the majesty of Jesus. 
 
We worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  This Psalm reminds me of the fact that we should consider it an honor to pray in the name of Jesus.  We should be honored and humbled that God would rescue us from the wages of our sins by the blood of King Jesus.  We should be full or praise and adoration that the King, the One that sits at the right hand of God the Father, rescued us.  He pursued us with a burning desire to bring His Father glory (John 17:1-4).  Today, spend time in thanksgiving over the gift of salvation that King Jesus gave you.
 
This Psalm paints the beautiful picture of Christ’s royalty.  You can compare this Psalm to Hebrews 5 and 7 to get a better glimpse of the high priest authority of Jesus.  He lives and reigns to intercede for you and me.  Today, spend some time in prayer, trusting that Jesus will bring your prayers to the presence of the Father.
 
In closing, read Psalm 110 again…and then read Hebrews 1.  Rejoice in the King that you worship.  I’m amazed by this king, for what other king would humble Himself, take up the cross that I should be carrying, and die the most embarrassing death for my guilty verdict?  The Righteous King is the One that declares me innocent to the Father.  This King, sits gloriously at the right hand of God. 
 
I close today by quoting one of my favorite hymns by Charles Wesley.  Please read the words and rejoice in what you have gained today; the joyful fellowship of the Lord. 
 
O for a thousand tongues to Sing
 
O, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise
The glories of my God and King
The triumphs of His grace

My gracious Master and my God
Assist me to proclaim
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name

So come on and sing out
Let our anthem grow loud
There is one great love Jesus

Jesus, the name that charms our fears
That bids our sorrows cease
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears
‘Tis life and health and peace

He breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoners free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me

He speaks and listening to His voice
New life the dead receive
The mournful broken hearts rejoice
The humble poor believe

Glory to God and praise and love
Be ever, ever giv’n
By saints below and saints above
The church in earth and Heav’n

There are so few words
That never grow old
There are so few words
That never grow old
Jesus
 
-From one who is amazed by the One that sits at the right hand.

living Psalm 105

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

7 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your portion for an inheritance.”

12 When they were few in number,
of little account, and sojourners in it,
13 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
14 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!”

16 When he summoned a famine on the land
and broke all supply [1] of bread,
17 he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 His feet were hurt with fetters;
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19 until what he had said came to pass,
the word of the Lord tested him.
20 The king sent and released him;
the ruler of the peoples set him free;
21 he made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions,
22 to bind [2] his princes at his pleasure
and to teach his elders wisdom.

23 Then Israel came to Egypt;
Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And the Lord made his people very fruitful
and made them stronger than their foes.
25 He turned their hearts to hate his people,
to deal craftily with his servants.

26 He sent Moses, his servant,
and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
27 They performed his signs among them
and miracles in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and made the land dark;
they did not rebel [3] against his words.
29 He turned their waters into blood
and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land swarmed with frogs,
even in the chambers of their kings.
31 He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,
and gnats throughout their country.
32 He gave them hail for rain,
and fiery lightning bolts through their land.
33 He struck down their vines and fig trees,
and shattered the trees of their country.
34 He spoke, and the locusts came,
young locusts without number,
35 which devoured all the vegetation in their land
and ate up the fruit of their ground.
36 He struck down all the firstborn in their land,
the firstfruits of all their strength.

37 Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold,
and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed,
for dread of them had fallen upon it.

39 He spread a cloud for a covering,
and fire to give light by night.
40 They asked, and he brought quail,
and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
it flowed through the desert like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy promise,
and Abraham, his servant.

43 So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
44 And he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,
45 that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!

- Psalm 105

Genuine worship and adoration toward God comes from the awareness of His historical faithfulness.  One doesn’t need to sit around and think of reasons to worship God if the Scriptures are studied.  Sometimes we experience seasons of our lives that produce difficult obstacles that prevent our adoration of God.  Friend, if that season consumes you today, open up to Psalm 105 and allow the words to refresh you to the perfect providence of our Maker.  In this rich Psalm, the writer gives us a shout of praise toward the God that led the Israelites in their history.  Trust me; their history was far from perfect.  Difficult seasons consumed them as they do us.  However, in moments like Psalm 105, we see a beautiful choir of remembrance assembled for the Holy God.  They praise Him for His deliverance from captivity and for His daily provision. 
 
Sin blinds adoration.  We could easily be consumed with sin to the point that His rich history doesn’t capture our attention anymore.  This tendency leads many church goers to live as lukewarm followers.  Jesus warned us about this complacency.  It doesn’t matter what season you are in, fall on your knees today, read Psalm 105 and remember that the days are His.  He was faithful in the past…and He will be faithful in the future.  One day, as Revelation 7:17 teaches us, every tear will be wiped away.  One day, we will get to immerse ourselves in an eternal bond of joy such as the Psalm 105 folks had.  Why not trust that He will remove the obstacles of our praise today so we can enjoy Psalm 105?  Why not remember His faithfulness in the past.  He gave you life today.  Start there.  He was faithful to give you the ability to read the words I’m typing.  Start there.  Praise Him for His faithfulness.  Follow Him in faithfulness.  Treasure His Son.  Enjoy His Spirit. 
 
-living Psalm 105 today.

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