November 4
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PSALM 69 DELIVER ME LORD FROM SINKING IN THE MIRE
13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God,
in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
14 Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies
and from the deep waters. 15 Let not the flood sweep over me,
or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
17 Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.
18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!
19 You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor;
my foes are all known to you. 20 Reproaches have broken my heart,
so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found none.21 They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. – Psalm 69:13-21
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Lord, I pray that you hear me whenever it is acceptable for you
In your steadfast love, grant my mind to be renewed
Deliver me from sinking in the mire as I am pulled down by the enemy
Never let me go so I can triumph over them and have victory.
Do not hide your presence from me Lord, I will not make it without you
Remind me to always be awed by your deeds and help me live in the new
Draw near to me as I come near to you my Lord and my salvation
You know every step of the enemy, help me to overcome temptations.
Answer my prayer Lord for I am in deep distress right now
Be with me as I go through the bottom of the mire
Only you can pull me out of this deep trouble
Help me not to get drowned in this bottomless rubble
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REFLECTION
• What kind of mire are you sinking in right now that you want the Lord to pull you out from? Why is pleading the Lord a good practice to do in this situation?
Tag Archives: Christian blog
PSALM 69 SAVE ME FROM MY ENEMIES AND MY FOLLY
November 3
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PSALM 69 SAVE ME FROM MY ENEMIES AND MY FOLLY
Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
4 More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal must I now restore? 5 O God, you know my folly;
the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.
6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.
7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s sons.
9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,
and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.
11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.
12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.
– Psalm 69:1-12
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O my God, save me from my own folly and from my enemies
I am overwhelmed by all their attacks, Lord, help me
Forgive me for all my transgressions and weaknesses
I need your deliverance from all that keeps me in distress
Let not all those whom the enemy uses prosper
Equip me with your grace, give me courage
Save me from all those who plot evil schemes
Let me never succumb to my nature so I can avoid sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to come to the throne of God when the enemy attacks us?
• What did David mean in verse 6? Why did you think he said this?
PSALM 68 THE GOD WHO GIVES POWER AND STRENGTH
November 2
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PSALM 68 THE GOD WHO GIVES POWER AND STRENGTH
28 Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.
32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—
he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God! – Psalm 68:28-35
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O my Lord, the God of my salvation, hear my plea
I come before you to give you honor and praise
You have manifested your power over all your creation
Hear my prayer for strength to overcome all temptations
Help me see beyond my weaknesses and fears
You are the God who gives us power and strength.
No other gods can grant us such boldness and courage
Let me focus on giving you all thanksgiving and praise
Never let us be defeated by the enemy’s strategies
O Lord, we praise you for you are the God Almighty
When I was weak, you became my strength
When I was oppressed, you freed me from them.
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REFLECTION
• How can we have power and strength when we are surrounded by forces against us?
PSALM 68 THE LORD WILL STRIKE THE ENEMIES’ HEADS
November 1
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PSALM 68 THE LORD WILL STRIKE THE ENEMIES’ HEADS
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”
24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the LORD, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. – Psalm 68:21-27
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord God is faithful; he is a promise keeper
He is steadfast in his love and he is full of mercy
But the Lord hates evil and everything that stands for it
He will never allow his people to be beaten up by them
The Lord will strike the enemies’ heads as he vowed
Do not be afraid of these wicked plots for you are with the Lord.
Blessed be God amongst the congregation of believers
Raise your voices to him, all of those who are his children
The Lord is your protector; the world will not triumph
God will defend you and ensure that you win over evil
Abide in him always and you will witness his promises fulfilled
He will never forsake all those who love him and stay faithful.
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REFLECTION
• What assurance can you stand on in this psalm?
PSALM 68 BLESSED BE THE LORD WHO DAILY BEARS US UP
October 31
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PSALM 68 BLESSED BE THE LORD WHO DAILY BEARS US UP
11 The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil—13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon.
15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the LORD will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious,
that the LORD God may dwell there.19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD,
the Lord, belong deliverances from death. – Psalm 68:11-20
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When you are troubled and discouraged, run to the throne of God
The Lord gives his word; it enlightens and guides your path
What life brings may seem like a heavy burden
But the Lord bears us up in all our struggles
Praise the Lord in his holy dwelling; he is our God of salvation
He alone is in control of everything in all his creation.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily guides and protects us
He never fails to provide for all our needs and for our growth
He gives us the ability to overcome all challenges
He is also the one who transforms and makes us courageous
Give your Lord all the thanksgiving and honor he so deserves
He is full of mercy and will never turn his back on his people.
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REFLECTION
• How is looking up to God the only solution to all our struggles?
PSALM 68 THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE JUBILANT WITH JOY
October 30
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PSALM 68 THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE JUBILANT WITH JOY
God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy! 4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the LORD; exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished; 10 your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. – Psalm 68:1-10
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The way of the righteous is always blessed by the Lord
The Lord is faithful to reward those who go against the world
They will have an abundance and they will never perish
They view things with much gratitude and they flourish
The upright is always rejoicing in the Lord who provides all their needs
They do not rely on their own strength but only on God’s Spirit
Come together, all you people of God and praise him
He is the only dwelling place that your sins can be cleansed
Rejoice in the Lord and your hearts will be overflowing
Give the Lord all your attention and you will be abounding.
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REFLECTION
• Why is a glum and depressed Christian an oxymoron?
PSALM 67 MAY GOD GRACIOUSLY SHINE HIS FACE UPON US
October 29
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PSALM 67 MAY GOD GRACIOUSLY SHINE HIS FACE UPON US
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him! – Psalm 67:1-6
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Hear O Lord our exaltation to your name most holy
You have made all things so you will be given all the glory
Show yourself in all your creation so all the people will praise you
They will magnify your works that are unparalleled with any other gods
Let all the nations sing joyfully and give the Lord thanksgiving
Without his steadfast love, we will have nothing.
May God’s gracious face shine upon all his beloved people
May the Lord light the paths that we tread and keep us all faithful
May God bless us with much fervor and love for all that he cherishes
May all the ends of the earth see the Lord’s power and goodness
May his name be known throughout all the corners of the world
May his presence be felt especially amongst the oppressed and poor.
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REFLECTION
• What happens to us when we don’t long to have God’s face or presence shine upon us?
PSALM 66 LET THE SOUND OF YOUR PRAISE BE HEARD
October 27
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PSALM 66 LET THE SOUND OF YOUR PRAISE BE HEARD
Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise! 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.” Selah 5 Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,7who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations— let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
8 Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard,
9 who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.
10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.
– Psalm 66:1-10
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Shout out loud to sing praises to the only God who is powerful
He made all things on this earth so bright and beautiful
Let all his creation bow down to their wonderful Maker
Let all mankind worship God who makes enemies cower.
Clap your hands, rejoice and sing to your Lord and Master
Declare to everyone God’s amazing grace and power
He is Lord Almighty, he is our strength and our shield
Come and see what the Lord has done for mankind.
Our Lord God has tested us like silver is refined
He purifies our hearts and makes us shine
He keeps his people on a path towards heaven
Praise the name of the Lord who loves all his people.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to sing out loud your praise to the Lord?
• Can you praise and worship the Lord without uttering a word? Why or why not?
PSALM 64 BROUGHT TO RUIN BY THEIR OWN TONGUES
October 25
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PSALM 64 BROUGHT TO RUIN BY THEIR OWN TONGUES
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 poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, hear my plea; free me from being fearful of the enemy
Nothing they do will ever harm me because you are my vindicator
There is a constant battle ongoing even if we do not see the foes
They are there to go against the righteousness of the Lord
The wicked pursue all forms of oppression and injustice
The righteous will always be protected by God’s righteousness.
Let all the godly ones prevail and be bold to proclaim the truth
Even though the enemy plots all kinds of acts against what is true
They will be brought to ruins by their own schemes and tongues
The Lord will never abandon his people; he gave them his own Son
Let all the upright and those who follow the Lord be assured
For they will always be led to do what is right and what is true.
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REFLECTION
• How are we assured by the psalmist about not fearing the unrighteous and the wicked schemes against God’s people?
• Why is it the tongue usually the culprit of evil?
PSALM 63 GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE
October 24
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PSALM 63 GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,6 when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped. – Psalm 63:1-11
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, fill up my life with your steadfast love and mercy
It will be an empty and vain life without your grace and blessings
My whole being thirsts for your presence and searches for it all the day long
Let a day never pass without your loving kindness so I can always be strong.
When I relied on the things and people around me, I was upset
But when I dwell on your faithfulness and glory, I found rest
O God, I praise and glorify you; your steadfast love is better than life
There is nothing better than your love and the gift to follow what is right.
My soul latches on to you for without you, I will be drowning
Grant me tranquillity to let go of all control and striving
Protect me from all those who seek to destroy me
I will forever serve you my Lord who is full of mercy.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist think that God’s steadfast love is better than life itself?