March 15
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PSALM 64 HIDE ME FROM THE PLOTS OF THE WICKED
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers,3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” 6They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. 7 But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly.8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. 9 Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done.10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult! – Psalm 64:1-10
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A PLEA FOR DEFENCE FROM ENEMIES by ILMA
O Lord, listen to my plea for protection and safety
The enemy has plotted to steal my peace and destroy me
Preserve me from the dread of their plot to attack
Hide me from their plans to ruin and sabotage.
Day and night, they scheme to oppress my progress
Lord come to my aide so I that I don’t have to be distracted
They have used others to manipulate their way into me
You promised to be my shield from all their wicked tactics.
Lord, keep me focused on your steadfast love and mercy
Your armor and shield will safeguard me against the enemy
Let your righteous people overcome and triumph over evil
Defend your faithful saints from the schemes of the devil.
Let all your people rejoice and worship you constantly
Remind us to submit always to your care and authority
Never let wickedness destroy your faithful people
Lord, deliver us from every evil thing that prevails.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for believers to constantly pray for deliverance and protection from wickedness and corruption?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
PSALM 115 THE LORD IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD
March 14
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PSALM 115 THE LORD IS OUR HELP AND OUR 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 115:10-18
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PRAISE THE LORD WHO IS OUR HELP AND SHIELD by ILMA
Praise the Lord for he is our help and our defender
He protects us from all darts and arrows of the offender
Trust in the Lord, all you who belong to him
He is your shield against all of the enemy’s tactics
The Lord remembers us and never abandons us
You may not see how he does it; be devoted to trust
He is faithful and steadfast in his love; Go and praise him
He blesses all those who are devoted to give him glory
He will prosper you and all your children and their children
Never fail to worship him because he made you alive in Jesus
He gave you life and the earth to steward and care for
Why won’t your heart be in awe and constantly be thankful?
Bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore
Do not be silent to proclaim his goodness to everyone
Proclaim his Good News to the ends of the earth
Give him all the adoration that he so much deserves
The Lord is faithful and steadfast in his love for us
He freed us from sin through Christ who is the ultimate sacrifice.
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REFLECTION
• How has the Lord manifest as the help and the shield in your life? Share some instances that he showed you how faithful he was to deliver and defend you.
PSALM 115 TO THE LORD BE ALL THE GLORY
March 13
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PSALM 115 TO THE LORD BE ALL THE GLORY
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.
– Psalm 115:1-9
________________________________________THE FOLLY OF IDOLS by ILMA
To God, our Lord and Master be given all recognition
No other gods would be deserving of adoration
He made heaven and earth and all creatures on it
Without a doubt, we won’t have anything if not for him
Why would any man even think of making their idols?
It is futile to compete with a God who owns all things
How could man-made compare with divine creation?
It is pointless to even think of attempting competition
Though idols may look exemplary on the outside
They are hollow, empty and powerless on the inside
If you think that idols can make you be satisfied
What a lie it is to even think that it will gratify!
They may seem to meet your cravings for now
But it will only lead you to destruction and doom.
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REFLECTION
• What do idols represent in the heart of man? Why is it futile to hold on to idols?
PSALM 26 VINDICATE ME O, LORD
March 12
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PSALM 26 VINDICATE ME O, LORD
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD,7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.
– Psalm 26:1-12
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A PLEA FOR VINDICATION by ILMA
O Lord, I plead you to vindicate me for I have walked uprightly
I have depended on you without wavering and so completely
I ask you Lord to verify and test my mind and heart
I walk faithfully with your Spirit, worshipping you in truth
I do not sit with those who choose to walk in wickedness
Instead, I expose all evil that compromise righteousness
I loathe those who plot evil and spread false teachings
I love to be in your communion of saints and sanctuary
Lord, deliver me from habitual sinners who don’t repent
Only in your grace will I be able not to be tempted
As for me, I will always serve you my Lord and my God
I will remain in your faithful and steadfast love
I plead you to redeem and grant me grace and mercy
I will continue to worship you, Father, Son and Spirit
O my gracious God, defend me from this corrupt world
Let me never neglect to abide in you and follow your word.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think David is so confident to ask God to be vindicated in this psalm?
PSALM 65 GOD’S CARE FOR HIS CREATION
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March 11
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PSALM 65 GOD’S CARE FOR HIS CREATION
9 You visit the earth and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.
10 You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.
11 You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.
– Psalm 65:9-13
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GOD’S BOUNTIFUL PROVISION by ILMA
O Lord, for all your provision and love, we are grateful
You always ensure that your creation stays bountiful
As I watch the river flows, I am reminded of your power
I am amazed as I behold the fields of crops and flowers
You clothe your meadows with herds and flocks of animals
What a joy to behold all your many ways of sustenance
You provide for all your people’s nutrition and needs
Even their spiritual food, you never fail to give
Thank you for all that you make available for your creation
Let us never take for granted your generous provision.
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REFLECTION
• Why is counting our blessings a way of thanksgiving and worship to the Maker of all things?
PSALM 65 THE LORD ATONES FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS
March 10
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PSALM 65 THE LORD ATONES FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. 2 O you who
hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.3 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! 5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; 6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; 7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. – Psalm 65:1-8
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PRAISE TO THE ONE WHO HEARS OUR PRAYERS by ILMA
O Lord, you are the One whose love is steadfast
You are faithful to forgive the sins of the past
When my tendency to sin overwhelms me
You atone for all of them and grant me mercy.
Blessed are all those whom you have elected
Your grace and goodness keeps the saints satisfied
When we respond to you with our awesome deeds
You shower us with righteousness and blessings.
O God of our salvation, you gave us signs of wonder
One word to your creation and they cannot help but follow
You can make something with your breath and a word
You are in control of everything happening in this world.
O Lord, you who hear all our prayers, grant our requests
Without your guidance we will be confused, lost and perish
We cry out to you, Lord! Grant us a heart that longs to know you
Give us a desire to please you and always worship in spirit and in truth.
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REFLECTION
• How can we fight the tendency to complain and be content and satisfied with what the Lord has given us? How do we respond to his atonement of our sins?
PSALM 85 THE LORD SPEAKS PEACE TO HIS PEOPLE
March 9
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PSALM 85 THE LORD SPEAKS PEACE TO HIS PEOPLE
8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way. – Psalm 85:8-13
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FAITHFULNESS & STEADFAST LOVE MEET by ILMA
Lord, you constantly guide those whom you have chosen
What an honor to hear you speak peace to your people
May we continue to walk in your Spirit and stay holy
Your steadfast love and faithfulness guide us constantly
Peace and righteousness abound when we fear and revere you
Help us to respond to such love with much fervor and devotion.
When I love you with all my heart, soul and mind
I give a rendezvous for love and peace to meet
You promised to give what is good and provide
What a devoted and loving God you always are
May we turn our backs to sin and folly and repent
May you forgive us for our lack of fervor and complacency.
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REFLECTION
• How can we manifest our true devotion to our Lord who gave us all? What did verse
11 mean?
PSALM 85 RESTORE US AGAIN, O GOD OF OUR SALVATION
March 8
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PSALM 85 RESTORE US AGAIN, O GOD OF OUR SALVATION
LORD, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation. – Psalm 85:1-7
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LITANY OF GOD’S FAVOR & PLEA FOR RESTORATION by ILMA
Lord, you have been so good to us; always faithful
You gave us back all that we have lost before
You always pardon us for all our sinfulness
You do not punish us as we are all deserving
My Lord, you removed your wrath on your people
Instead, you gave them chances and showed patience
Each time I mess up, you are there to catch me
Even though at times I fail to ask for forgiveness
No one else has dealt with me so patiently
Only You understand and do not condemn me.
I plead you my Lord and my God, to bring us restoration
We have been attacked and faced with much temptations
Manifest your steadfast love to us and forgive us our iniquities
We plead you to revive all that we have lost in this slavery.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist gave a litany of God’s favor in the past before he pleaded the Lord for restoration?
PSALM 84 THE LORD GOD IS A SUN AND SHIELD
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March 7
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PSALM 84 THE LORD GOD IS A SUN AND SHIELD
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you! – Psalm 84:9-12
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NO GOOD THING IS WITHHELD FROM THE UPRIGHT by ILMA
Look at all your people, Lord, we have come to be with you
We want to praise you and dwell on your goodness and truth
There is nothing else in this world that will satisfy me
Only you are the source of all good things and all my needs.
I long to be in your presence and it is all I live for
You are my sun and shield, ensuring light and protection
I can’t wait to be in your sanctuary and be in your arms
I am grateful that you have granted me favor and grace.
There are no good things that you withhold from the upright
I am so honored that you have chosen me to be shining your light
O my Lord, you give blessings to all who trust in your mighty name
I am thrilled that you, the Lord of Hosts, the Almighty, always cares.
You are faithful and just to forgive us from all our transgressions
Your promises are all that I hope for, all that shields me from temptations
I am humbled by your steadfast love and reminded how faithful you are
Help me to continue to press on forward to come closer to your special place.
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REFLECTION
• What does the psalmist mean when he said The Lord God is our sun and shield?
PSALM 84 HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE, O LORD
March 6
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PSALM 84 HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE, O LORD
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer.
– Psalm 84:1-8
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MY SOUL LONGS FOR GOD’S DWELLING PLACE by ILMA
O Lord, my King and my God, I long to be in your holy house
Your sanctuary is a reflection of your faithful love for us
I cannot stop being amazed at how lovely, secure and safe it is
Even the birds want to park their nests at your dwelling place.
Each day that passes by, I cannot wait to see your face
This abode you have given us has been my only solace
It is the source of my strength as the world presses on me
Without your refuge, I will not be able to resist the enemy.
Bless all those who take shelter in your holy place
It is such an honor and privilege to be in your holy presence
My soul only longs to be with you my Lord and my Master
How long will I come before you and be with your forever?
As I go through valleys and deserts in my life, I look up to you
Your steadfast love and mercy sustain me suffer and go through
Keep me focused only on you my King and my God
I will only be able to press on if you keep me strong.
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REFLECTION
• In the Old Testament, we hear how the Temple is so beautifully constructed as per God’s instructions. It is a place where God meets his people. In the New Testament, the church is where we meet with Him. What should be our stance and posture when we come to God’s dwelling place according to this psalm?