April 3
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OH, THAT MY PEOPLE WOULD 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.
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
– Psalm 81:1-8
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The ESV study bible’s commentary on Psalm 81 says that this psalm resembles the Old Testament prophets’ oracles, so perhaps it is best to think of it a s a prophetic hymn. The primary function of the Old Testament prophets is to challenge God’s people to covenant faithfulness. They tell of covenant blessings or punishments that will come depending on the people’s response.
The new moon and full moon are the beginning and middle of months in ancient Israel. This may show that the psalm was intended for the feast day of Trumpets (Lev 23:23-25), where the Israelites were instructed to have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation and they shall not do any customary work on it; and shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.’” It may also be intended for the feast of Booths (Lev 23:33-36) where they shall dwell in booths for seven days so that the generations may know that God made the Israelites dwell in booths when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for being faithful to deliver his people
CONFESSION: May all believers heed God’s instructions and commandments.
THANKSGIVING: Let us be grateful for a God who provides all our needs and our salvation.
SUPPLICATION: May all of God’s people listen to all that God cautions them with.
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REFLECTION
• Why do many people not heed the admonishments of God?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD!
April 2
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BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD!
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,
10 Who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.
11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
12 May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars
Cut for the structure of a palace; 13 may our granaries be full,
Providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands
And ten thousands in our fields;14 may our cattle be heavy with young,
Suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! – Psalm 144:9-15
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This psalm asks the Lord to be delivered from those who continually lie and bewitch others. It also declares the character of God who delivers his people from the hands of foreigners whose purpose is to bring lies. It is a prayer of blessing for God’s people’s offspring in verse 12. It also is a prayer for being blessed with bounty in verse 13 and for protection in verse 14. It speaks of the privilege of being a people whose God is the Lord Almighty.
It is sad that many Christians nowadays fail to bless their families at different stages of their lives and special occasions. Many of us have forgotten the promises that God has made to his people through blessing declarations. Maybe we could learn from the Jews as how blessings is almost a part of their daily lives, whether they eat, drink or in the face of many natural events. By doing so, they acknowledge that God is involved in everything. Isn’t this something Christians should practice as well?
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ADORATION: Bless the Lord for all that He is, powerful, mighty and steadfast in his love.
CONFESSION: May all those who believe in the Lord make God a part of all their lives.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the promises and bounty you pour on your people
SUPPLICATION: May all of God’s people involve the Lord in everything they do.
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REFLECTION
• What does a prayer of blessing do to someone? Why is it a good practice to do?
MAN’S DAYS ARE LIKE PASSING SHADOW ILMA’S VLOG
April 1
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MAN’S DAYS ARE LIKE PASSING SHADOW
Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;
2 He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer,
My shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
3 O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?
4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
5 Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
6 Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them!
7 Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,
From the hand of foreigners, 8 whose mouths speak lies
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.– Psalm 144:1-8
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During this time of global pandemic, many of us begin to think that our days are like passing shadows. We have no assurance in this world because we are not created for this earth. We are just passing through in this world but many of us forget that because we become familiar and comfortable with our lives here on earth. We are distracted constantly to focus on things that are really not important. Sometimes we get consumed by our love for our families or with possessing and accumulating things so we can feel valued by others. We easily forget that we were all created to serve our Creator. He made us for himself. We are not our own and yet we continue to control our lives. We believe in lies that we can protect ourselves or that we have the answers to everything. We forget that man is like a breath and his days are like passing shadow. Let us remember to praise the Lord. Let us bow down to him who always wants what is best for us.
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ADORATION: Bless the Lord for creating man in his image. Praise him for his creation
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I get distracted with the noise and the lust of this world.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me value by claiming me as your child.
SUPPLICATION: May all people recognize that our lives are fleeting and we are like a mist. We are here now and gone tomorrow. May we glorify God by the way we live.
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REFLECTION
• How can we not lose focus on the purpose of our lives here on earth?
HOW GREAT ARE YOUR WORKS ILMA’S VLOG
March 31
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HOW GREAT ARE YOUR WORKS
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 To declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
3 To the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
At the works of your hands I sing for joy.5 How great are your works, O LORD!
Your thoughts are very deep! 6 The stupid man cannot know;
The fool cannot understand this:
7 That though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish,
They are doomed to destruction forever;8 but you, O LORD, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish;
All evildoers shall be scattered.10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
You have poured over me fresh oil.11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
My ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,
15 To declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock,
And there is no unrighteousness in him. – Psalm 92:1-15
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This psalm worships the Lord who has done so much great works. Part of worship is giving thanks and counting all the blessings that we have received from our Maker. It is rejoicing and declaring his goodness through music and through recognizing all the mighty power and steadfast love of a loving God. When we magnify the works he has done, we are acknowledging that we are nothing without him.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who has done mighty and good works.
CONFESSION: The works of the Lord is great! He provides all that we need.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord for your steadfast love and provision.
SUPPLICATION: May all people feed on your word daily and grow in intimacy with you.
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REFLECTION
• How can we always have a thankful attitude?
• What can thanksgiving and worship do to our lives as Christians?
IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS
March 30
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IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!
3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
You have tested me, and you will find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
My feet have not slipped.6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
Incline your ear to me; hear my words.7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; Hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 From the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! – Psalm 17:1-13
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This is a psalm of lament of David to the Lord. He is unjustly accused of wrong and he prays for the Lord to vindicate him. It is so refreshing to hear a king so humbly hiding in the shadow of God’s wings. He is confident to ask the Lord for help as he has pointed out to him how faithful he is to him. This psalm shows David’s heart that always looks up to God’s promises. He deeply knows the Lord who considers him as the apple of his eyes. He trusts him wholeheartedly.
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ADORATION: We adore you Lord because you alone are full of Grace and Mercy.
CONFESSION: Forgive us as we forgive those who do us wrong.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord for all your protection and provision
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember to hide under the shadow of God’s love.
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REFLECTION
• How can we be optimistic when we are wrongly accused?
PRAISE THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
March 29
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PRAISE THE LORD
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!3 Praise him, sun and moon,
Praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!5 Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.6 And he established them forever and ever;
He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
Stormy wind fulfilling his word! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
Praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the LORD! -Psalm 148:1-13
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Crosswalk.com suggests some Hebrew words for praise that every Christian should know. “Hallah” means to boast, brag, or rave about God even to the point of appearing foolish. “Yadah” is to worship with extended hands. Raising the hands is a sign of surrender. “Tehillah” means to sing or to laud. “Todah” means to shout with a loud voice but it includes an attitude of gratitude for God’s promised deliverance even while we are still in need. “Shabach” also means to shout or to address in a loud tone. “Hallelujah” is the spontaneous outcry of one who is excited about God.
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ADORATION: Hallelujah to the Only True God. He is worthy of all praise and worship.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I become lukewarm in praising you Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for an opportunity to give you the laud you deserve.
SUPPLICATION: May all creation bow down and give praise to the loving God we have.
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REFLECTION
• How do you give praise to the Lord?
• How is worship and praising God a manifestation of humility and surrender?
ZION, THE CITY OF OUR GOD ILMA’S VLOG
March 28
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ZION, THE CITY OF OUR GOD
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God!
His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth,
Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.
3 Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.
4 For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.
5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight.
6 Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.
7 By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God, which God will establish forever.
9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.
10 As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 11Let Mount Zion be glad!
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments! – Psalm 48:1-11
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Like Psalm 46, Psalm 48 is a hymn celebrating Zion as God’s special city, which he defends for the sake of the world. It remembers some great event, in which Gentile powers had attacked Jerusalem but did not conquer it. Though material fortresses may have their place, it is crucial that God himself be the defense of his people.
In the Old Testament, God had Zion as his holy city, on top of the mountain. After Jesus died for all of our sins, he dwelled in our hearts through the Holy Spirit living in us. We are the temple and we need to remain holy and pure as God made his home in our hearts.
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ADORATION: Praise be to the temple of the Lord, where He lives and bring life.
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I forget that you are my stronghold, my fortress.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for dwelling in the hearts of all those who believe in you.
SUPPLICATION: May the Lord dwell in the hearts of all believers and may they all remember to gather in Spirit and in truth.
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REFLECTION
• How can we maintain holiness and purity in the temple of the Lord which is our bodies?
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION ILMA’S VLOG
March 27
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THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION
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 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.
– Psalm 27:1-10
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This psalm speaks of David’s wisdom to surrender totally to the Lord. It shows how he makes the Lord as his stronghold and fortress against all foes and enemies. It denounces fear even in the midst of war. This is a timely psalm for us to all reflect on during this global pandemic we are currently experiencing in our world.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for all his glory and power and mercy.
CONFESSION: May fear be completely annihilated as we surrender all our worries to God.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord for all your protection and for your steadfast love.
SUPPLICATION: May all the world recognize that the Lord is our light and our salvation.
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REFLECTION
• How can a believer stay in the light that only God can give in this pandemic?
• What does giving-up fear look like and how can we embrace this in times of crisis?
DELIVER ME, O LORD, FROM EVIL ILMA’S VLOG
March 25
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DELIVER ME, O LORD, FROM EVIL
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.
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.
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!
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 140:1-13
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David prays for protection from various kinds of people, the evil men, violent ones, the wicked ones, the arrogant and the slanderer. He asks for deliverance from a God whom he knows will surely protect the upright who dwells in His presence. His hope is infectious.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who can deliver us from all kinds of evil.
CONFESSION: I believe that you have covered all those who are righteous, my Lord.
WITH GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY ILMA’S VLOG
March 24
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WITH GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY
My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth! 6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,
Give salvation by your right hand and answer me!7 God has promised in his holiness:
“With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.
9 Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies.
12 Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!
13 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes. – Psalm 108:1-13
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This psalm is a good reminder of the steadfast love of God and how we must also be steadfast in our love for him. Thanksgiving and praise must be something that we all believers should make a habit of. Pleading God for help and relying only in Him alone is the only valiant thing we can do. He is the only source of strength. He alone can bring us courage. When we have his Spirit present in our lives, we can be sure that nothing that the enemy has planted will prosper. In our current world where self-reliance and independence are the way of life, this psalm is a good reminder of the importance on God-dependence.
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ADORATION: Praise to the One and Only source of strength, power and wisdom, Jesus.
CONFESSION: I receive the aide that only comes from my Savior Jesus Christ.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all your supply of love, faith, courage and hope and joy.
SUPPLICATION: May we remember to always rely on God alone and no one else.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers have a constant dependence on God alone?