May 24
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PSALM 81 AFTERMATH OF STUBBORNNESS
11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” – Psalm 81:11-16
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CONSEQUENCE OF STUBBORN HEARTS by ILMA
When you do not listen to the voice of the Lord
You are probably corrupted and consumed by this world
He gave us everything so we can serve and glorify him
But the world we live in entices us to disobey and sin
When you hear God’s voice today, harden not your hearts
The consequence of such stubbornness will tear you apart
The Lord promised his covenant people his protection
But when you do not follow him, you are on your own
Those who hate the Lord, watch out, for you will regret it
The consequence of stubborn hearts will bring you down the pit
Our God Almighty will not force you to walk in his ways
If you resist, he will leave you in your own stubbornness
Those who submit to the Lord will reap a harvest of rewards
They will be protected, rescued and be assured of deliverance.
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REFLECTION
• How is rebellion and stubborn hearts like witchcraft or divination as 1 Samuel 15:23 mentions?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
PSALM 81 OH ISRAEL IF YOU WOULD BUT LISTEN TO ME!
May 23
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PSALM 81 OH ISRAEL IF YOU WOULD BUT LISTEN TO ME!
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
4 For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I hear a language I had not known:
6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket.
7 In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. – Psalm 81:1-10
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GOD ADMONISHES HIS PEOPLE by ILMA
All you covenant people, sing out loud and joyfully praise the God of Jacob
He brought you out of the land of Egypt and delivered you from the evil one
He led you out of bondage into a land of freedom so you can give him glory
He decreed you to follow his commands; but you wouldn’t heed his warnings
He commanded pure allegiance to him alone and no other gods idolized
Yet, you bowed down and worshiped some of these gods who are powerless.
Have you forgotten all that God has done to free you from slavery?
How long will you continue to be untrue to a God who loves you faithfully?
He has chosen you to serve him and have showered you with blessings
Why have you turned your back on the Lord God who is just and is so giving?
All you people of God, confess and turn from your evil ways and be cleansed
The Lord admonishes those whom he loves so he can be worshiped and praised.
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REFLECTION
• How did Asaph illustrate God in the following passages in this prophetic hymn?
• Why would a majestic God sound almost like pleading his people in this psalm?
PSALM 135 THE FATE OF IDOLATERS
May 22
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PSALM 135 THE FATE OF IDOLATERS
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 135:15-21
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WHEN ONE MAKES IDOLS by ILMA
When one bows down to idols made by human hands
They are worshiping things that do not have life
They appear to have mouths but they are mute
Their ears are not able to hear and are devoid of sounds.
When one makes idols, they turn to objects that are lifeless
They become like what they bow down to and idolize
O you house of Israel, praise only the God who made you
O you house of Aaron and Levi, bless the Lord.
Let all who serve the Lord bless His holy name
Do not tolerate those who likes to compete with God
Stay away from idols and idolaters, they are enemies of God
They have no loyalty to anyone else but their own selves.
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REFLECTION
• Why is idolatry and having idols a big sin to our Lord God?
PSALM 135 THE LORD IS THE VINDICATOR
May 21
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PSALM 135 THE LORD IS THE VINDICATOR
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. – Psalm 135:8-14
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GOD VINDICATES HIS PEOPLE by ILMA
The Lord God is faithful to defend and protect his people
He is full of compassion and never lets down his servants
Remember how the Lord punished the Egyptians
He also struck Pharaoh, the Amorites and the Canaanites
All the kings who competed with him were all defeated
To think they have power to compete with God, is foolishness
All you faithful saints, do not fear for God is your vindicator
The Lord keeps his promise to protect and rescue his loved ones
Your name, O Lord endures forever, it is the name above all names
We bow down to you alone our Lord Almighty, our majestic God
Keep us always dependent on you alone and be fearless
We praise you Lord for you are our defender and fortress.
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REFLECTION
• Why should believers not be quick to react or defend themselves?
• Why is defense of the self an open door for the enemy to attack a believer?
PSALM 135 THE LORD WHO IS GREAT AND IS ABOVE ALL GODS
May 20
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PSALM 135 THE LORD WHO IS GREAT AND IS ABOVE ALL GODS
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. – Psalm 135:1-7
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THE LORD DOES WHATEVER HE PLEASES by ILMA
Acclaim the Lord who is great and is above all gods
Servants of the Lord, give him all glory and praise
He is the Maker of all things in heaven and on earth
He is in control of all things; whatever he pleases, he does
No other gods can have the power to bring life
They have no ability to help people or shine their light
The Lord is all-knowing and all-seeing, he is above all
If you choose to follow him, you will not be tempted to fall
Trust in the only God who can deliver you from sin
He is faithful to protect you from the devil’s schemes
Trust in the Lord alone for he is steadfast in his love
Do only what please him so you can discern his ways.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to leave all things to the Lord?
PSALM 27 LOOK UPON THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD
May 19
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PSALM 27 LOOK UPON THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
– Psalm 27:7-14
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I SEEK THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD by ILMA
O my Lord, I cry out loud for your grace and response to my plea
I seek your presence O God; In spirit, I long to see your face
Though I cannot see you with my eyes, I ask you to be with me
Help me as many plots have come my way from the enemy
Even my own family and loved one have left me on my own
But I know that you are faithful and will never leave me all alone.
I believe that your goodness will always manifest in our lives
I will patiently wait on you Lord; you are my salvation and my light
Do not let me be overcome by evil and lead me to the right path
Keep me strong and let me trust you more when I am down
My Lord, you are my priority, let that be manifest in my life
I will seek the Lord alone; I will worship him with all heart.
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REFLECTION
• What did David mean when he said “Your face Lord, do I seek in verse 8?
• What did verse 10 means when he said that his parents have forsaken him?
• How often do you seek the presence of the Lord in your life?
PSALM 27 WHOM SHALL I FEAR?
May 18
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PSALM 27 WHOM SHALL I FEAR?
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD, all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD. – Psalm 27:1-6
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THE LORD IS MY LIGHT & MY SALVATION by ILMA
Since I serve the Lord, He is my light and my salvation
There is nothing in this world to be fearful or anxious about
Whenever the enemy spits their venom on the righteous
The Lord will ensure his people are aware and cautious
Though the devil relentlessly attacks here and there
I will not be afraid; I will gaze on the Lord’s beauty
He will hide me in his sanctuary during times of troubles
He will watch over me, protect and encamp angels around me
The Lord is my fortress; no schemes of the devil will prosper
He will lift me up and ensure that I am out of danger
I will sing and praise the Lord with shouts of joy
He alone can deliver me; I offer him my heart and soul.
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REFLECTION
• Why should a believer not be habitually fearful?
• What should we do when we are pressed down by the enemy and feel crushed?
PSALM 113 WHO IS LIKE THE LORD OUR GOD?
May 17
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PSALM 113 WHO IS LIKE THE LORD OUR GOD?
Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! – Psalm 113:1-9
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WHY PRAISE GOD FOREVER by ILMA
There is only one true God, the Lord Almighty Father
He made heaven and earth and all things for his purpose
He made the sun and the moon, the day and the night
It is only fitting to praise him at sunrise and at moonlight
Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high?
He will always be there for his people when they need him
The Lord is the only one who can speak life to his creation
He also is the only one who can bring destruction
Give him all your blessings for he is steadfast in his love
He is patient and generous to forgive our misdeeds and wrongs
He is in control of all things and whatever he pleases, he does
When he closes a door for you, no one else can open it
He is generous to give and never gives up on his children.
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REFLECTION
• Why is praising God very important in a believer’s life? Share some reasons why you need to give God glory?
PSALM 73 GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
May 16
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PSALM 73 GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
20 Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works. – Psalm 73:20-28
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THOSE WHO ARE UNFAITHFUL SHALL PERISH by ILMA
O Lord you are so faithful and continue to hold me close
You constantly guide those who lovingly serve you
Without your counsel, I will not understand things
The wicked continue to attack and wallow in sin
Let me stand on your promise of deliverance
Keep my eyes focused on your steadfast love
You are faithful to give protection to your children
The enemy seems to flourish with their wickedness
Lord, I plead you to protect and deliver your people
Let the unfaithful perish and stop all their schemes
Put an end to all those who do not serve and believe
I am grateful for your promises and I humbly receive.
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REFLECTION
• What should we do whenever we are almost feeling defeated by the enemy’s attacks?
PSALM 73 UNTIL I WENT TO GOD’S SANCTUARY
May 15
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PSALM 73 UNTIL I WENT TO GOD’S SANCTUARY
13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day long I have been stricken
and rebuked every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16 But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task,
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I discerned their end.
18 Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors! – Psalm 73:13-19
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DISCERNMENT COMES ONLY FROM GOD by ILMA
When you seek the Lord your God, your view changes
You begin to discern things you never used to see before
The world dictates different standards and priorities
Through the Word, we can observe what belongs to worldly systems
Do not be envious of those who live following this world
Be transformed by the renewal of your mind through God’s word.
All you people of God, set your mind on heavenly things
Gather riches in heaven so you can overcome sin
Feed on the Word constantly and discern what is good and evil
It is the only way we can align our hearts with God and beat the devil
Wear the armor of God so you can fight all the tactics of the enemy
Discernment comes only from the Lord; run to God’s sanctuary.
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REFLECTION
• Why is discernment only possible when we feed on God’s word?
• How can we grow the gift of discernment in our lives as believers?