February 15
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SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song,
His praise in the assembly of the godly! 2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! 3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
Making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 To execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples,
8 To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 To execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!- Psalm 149:1-9
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This is psalm inviting all the godly to rejoice, be glad and praise the Lord. It invites the children of Zion to rejoice in their king with dancing, making melody with tambourines and lyre. It is stressed in this psalm how the Lord is pleased when we sing to the Lord new songs. It is amazing how God has given us the gift of music so that he can be glorified. Sadly, in our world today, we use singing to glorify our own selves or sometimes the idols that we give more time for than the one who gave us all. Many Christians fail to sing to the Lord new songs because they are so busy with all worldly concerns and pleasing themselves.
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ADORATION: Sing a new song to the Holy, Eternal King Jesus. He is worthy! He is Mighty!
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I am not enthusiastically singing or rejoicing about your goodness, your omniscience and omnipotence.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord that you gave us music to express our rejoicing for your glory.
SUPPLICATION: May all of God’s people exult him in songs of praises and hymns about his goodness and miracles.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God wants us to sing new songs to him? What should our songs be about?
Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO
HOW SHALL WE SING THE LORD’S SONG Poem Devotional,
February 14
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HOW SHALL WE SING THE LORD’S SONG?
By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept,
When we remembered Zion. 2 On the willow there we hung up our lyres.
3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
If I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!
7 Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem,
How they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!”
8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed,
Blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!
9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!
– Psalm 137:1-9
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This community lament remembers the Babylonian captivity. The Israelites remember how they were asked to sing songs by their captors. It was difficult for them to do so as they would rather do so when they are in their own land. It is a prayer of plea to the Lord not to let them forget Jerusalem and to deliver them from the cruelty of the Edomites. This psalm requests the Lord to bring them justice and payment for the abuses and wickedness that the Babylonians did to them. Because they are sure that the Lord is a God of Justice, they look forward to that day that their enemies will be punished for their evil deeds to them.
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ADORATION: You are a just and fair God. Praise you for delivering us from evil.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be intimate with you and rely on you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for delivering me from wickedness and injustice.
SUPPLICATION: May evil be defeated by righteousness and your unfailing love.
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REFLECTION
• How can the Israelites pray with such boldness and trust for justice to be done to them? What is required to have such boldness to pray to God?
LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD Poem Devotional
February 13
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LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together,
4 To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,
As was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good. – Psalm 122:1-9
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This psalm is one of the 15 Songs of Ascents, sung by worshipers who were on their way up to the temple. It shows the joy of being God’s chosen city, Jerusalem and being in the house of the Lord to worship. The Songs of Ascents include Psalms 120-134.
The song begins with an invitation to all the pilgrims to set on a journey to go to the house of the Lord. The style of writing which the psalmist wrote this song is personification, giving human attributes to Jerusalem. The pilgrims were alluding to the way the city was built firmly and how it was designed to seat the thrones of the house of David in verses 3-5. Then the pilgrims say a prayer of peace and security for the whole place. It stresses in the last verse that because of the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, the people will seek to do what is right. We see how special the temple is to be located in their city.
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ADORATION: Praise to your faithfulness O, Lord! You built your temple amongst your holy people. You are generous and loving. We rejoice for your provision.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I defile the temple of the Lord with my sinful nature.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for living inside me when I accepted you as my Savior.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember to keep their hearts, mind, body and spirit pure as it is the temple of the Lord. May they be united with other believers in worship.
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REFLECTION
• How is keeping oneself holy and being united with other Christians a form of worshiping the Lord? Why is it important to go to the body of Christ?
WHO IS LIKE THE LORD OUR GOD? Poem Devotional
February 12
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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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According to the ESV Bible Study footnotes this short hymn of praise celebrates the way in which the great God who rules over all takes notice of the lowly. Such a God is indeed worthy to be praised by all mankind. Psalms 113-118 have been used in connection with Passover. These psalms likely provided the hymn that Jesus and his disciples sang after the Passover meal (Matt 26:30).
This hymn elevates a God who sees all especially even the poor and the lowly (verse 7). It is amazing to remember that he is a God of Justice (verse 7-9) who brings equality to those who are poor and deprived. God’s people must never forget this one and only God who loves all his creation. We must revel and worship this God who is faithful, just and loving.
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ADORATION: You are one of a kind. We praise you Lord of all creation, full of love and mercy. You are just and fair to all of mankind. You are holy and righteous.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be fair to others especially when I forget those who are in need and hurting.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your unwavering and unfailing love and mercy to undeserving people like us.
SUPPLICATION: May all the earth give glory to God who is one of a kind and full of mercy.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers maintain a posture of worship to the one true God daily?
THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY Poem Devotional
February 11
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THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY
The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the LORD, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
They kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.
8 O LORD our God, you answered them;
You were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; For the LORD our God is holy!
– Psalm 99:1-9
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This psalm revels at God’s holiness and sovereignty over his people. All his people give glory to a king who loves justice and righteousness. The hymn mentions those whom God chose to lead his people to righteousness and obedience so him such as Jacob, Moses, Aaron and Samuel. These people were testimonies of God’s forgiveness, power and faithfulness. This psalm calls for all of God’s people to worship him for the Lord our God is holy.
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ADORATION: Praise be to you O Lord for you are holy, just and sovereign over all things.
CONFESSION: Grant me forgiveness when I forget to look up and revel at your holiness.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all your faithful provision, mercy, grace and love.
SUPPLICATION: May all people worship you with the way they live, and with their mouths.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for a Christian to revel at God’s holiness?
• What happens when we forget the righteousness of God?
THE STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD ENDURES Poem Devotional
February 9
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THE STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD ENDURES
Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right.
4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
He will uproot you from the land of the living.
6 The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,
7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches
And sought refuge in his own destruction!”
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. – Psalm 52:1-9
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This psalm is one of the contemplative poems of David. He wrote this as he was fleeing from Saul who wanted him killed (1 Sam 21 and 22). David tried to seek help from the priest Ahimelech and when Saul heard about the help he got from the priest, his whole family and the other priests, 85 of them were all killed. It was Saul’s chief Doeg, who executed the whole priestly clan. It is amazing to see David trust the Lord despite the knowledge of the evil things that Saul and Doeg have done. He still relied in the Lord. He knows that God is steadfast in his love and that he will deliver him from all wickedness.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his steadfast love that endures forever.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I don’t totally trust in your unwavering love, O Lord.
THANKSGIVING: I am grateful for the stability I am given because of your faithfulness.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers recognize and realize that without your relentless love, we are nothing. May their faith grow and may they only rely on your steadfast love.
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REFLECTION
• How can David still be full of hope despite the wickedness of his enemies?
THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SKILLS Poem Devotional
February 7
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THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SKILLS
To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me,
Lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help,
When I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.
3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil,
Who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds;
Give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands,
He will tear them down and build them up no more.
6 Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
My heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever. – Psalm 28:1-9
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This is a psalm of lament. The pit (verse 1) probably refers to a big threat that will bring them down. Trust in the Lord is the main theme of this psalm. It describes that in the most dangerous situation, they call on the Lord and lift up their hands towards his holy sanctuary, waiting on the Lord’s response. The people know in their hearts that the source of their strength and skills comes only from the Lord. Their dependence on God is so amazing and their declaration that God is their rock is astounding.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are the rock where I can find stability and strength. Praise to you!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to ask for help and strength from you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for granting us strength and skills to overcome evil.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who love you be renewed and strengthened.
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REFLECTION
• How can the attitude of total dependence on God bring about strength?
• Why do you think God’s people trusts God so much as reflected in this psalm?
TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD Poem Devotional
February 6
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TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
And in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! 6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
9 O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call. – Psalm 20:1-9
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This psalm is a royal psalm and is paired with Psalm 21. It is a prayer requesting God to grant David triumph in the battles he fights. It is a blessing to the king as he fulfills his anointing to save the Israelites. It is a hopeful declaration of trust that the Lord will anoint and bless their king because the Lord himself chose and anointed David.
How often do we pray for our leaders and rulers? 1 Timothy 1-4 encourages us to pray for those in authority so that we will live peaceful and godly lives. This psalm is a good reminder for us to lift up our leaders and rulers in prayer. This way, they may fulfill how God intended them to lead the people assigned to them and propagate peace in their region. When we pray for authorities, we participate in the kingdom plan to be fulfilled.
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ADORATION: Praise and bless you Lord! We shout for joy for you have redeemed us all.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to pray for those who are leading our nations.
THANKSGIVING: We are grateful for all our leaders. Thank you that you are in control.
SUPPLICATION: May all leaders have a servant leadership like Jesus did. May they see their roles as opportunities to pursue peace and humility and bring peace to all nations.
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REFLECTION
• What benefits do we reap when we pray for all leaders and rulers?
HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME Poem Devotional
February 5
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HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.2Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
You have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
And crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
You have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1-9
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This psalm is a hymn of praise of the Israelites to their glorious and majestic God. “Majestic “is defined as possessing or exhibiting dignity; of august dignity, stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble; grand. That is the perfect description of the Lord’s name. What is interesting in this psalm is how it alludes to Genesis 1 and 2, presenting mankind as the peak of God’s creation, rulers over all animal world and object of God’s attention. According to the ESV bible study, verse 2 reminds us of Genesis 3 and God’s plan for fallen mankind, Israel was to the be firstfruits of restored humanity and explains why Hebrews 2:6-8 quotes Psalms 8:4-6:Jesus as the Davidic king, is the ideal Israelite, and thus the Ideal human being. He is crowned with glory after his suffering on behalf of mankind.
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ADORATION: Praise your majestic name, O Lord our Savior. You are full of splendor.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to rely on your majestic name.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for choosing mankind to be the object of your affection.
SUPPLICATION: May all man fall on their knees to glorify your majestic name forever.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God would choose mankind to reflect his majesty?
• Why do humans forget to praise and give glory to God’s majestic name?
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART Poem Devotional
February 4
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GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
Before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple
And give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
For you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
For they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
You stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And your right hand delivers me.8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands. – Psalm 138:1-8
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Giving thanks to the Lord with all our hearts can be very challenging in our busy world today where we live very comfortable lives. This psalm is a reminder to bow down to a faithful God who is always there especially manifested in his name and in his word. Without praising his name and letting the word permeate our lives, we can’t have that grateful attitude that sings praise to him wholeheartedly.
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ADORATION: Praise your name forever, my Lord and my God.
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I don’t wholeheartedly worship you with all my heart, mind, soul and might.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all your unconditional love and provision for all my needs.
SUPPLICATION: May all men recognize the One true God in you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think gratefulness is an act of the heart and not of the mind?
• Can we be grateful without manifesting it in words and action? Will that bless the giver?
• What are you grateful today that God has clearly given you?