February 12
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PSALM 118
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. – Psalm 118:1-9
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PSALM 118 THE LORD IS ON MY SIDE I WILL NOT FEAR
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
I will dwell on the steadfast love of the Lord that lasts eternally
He has delivered me from bondage so I can live for him faithfully
When I was in trouble, I cried out to him and he heard me
The Lord answered my prayer and freed me from the enemy.
Let us all give thanks to the Lord whose love endures forever
Those who fear the Lord will declare his majestic splendor
The Lord is on my side, therefore I will not fear anything
God is near me, there’s nothing anyone can harm me with.
It is better to trust in the Lord than on any human power
Man is finite and cannot have the sovereignty that only God possess
Let us only run to the throne of God for he is in control of all things
Remember that the Lord is on our side, there’s no reason to be afraid.
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REFLECTION
• What is the greatest assurance we can dwell on that is talked about in this psalm?
• Why is it important to trust in the Lord alone rather than in men or princes?
Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY
PSALM 116 GIVE THANKS AND CALL ON THE NAME OF GOD
February 11
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PSALM 116
10 I believed, even when I spoke: “I am greatly afflicted”;
11 I said in my alarm, “All mankind are liars.”
12 What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD! – Psalm 116:10-19
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PSALM 116 GIVE THANKS AND CALL ON THE NAME OF GOD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord has given me my life and all that I need
He has saved me from sin through Christ’s blood
O Lord, you have loved me so unconditionally
Help me to be grateful to you constantly
I am your servant Lord, for you have delivered me
Grant me to always give you praise and glory.
I call on the name of the Lord who is steadfast in his love
He hears all those who trust, depend on him and give him awe
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the midst of his people
I will declare all his wonderful deeds and stay faithful
Give thanks to the Lord for he is full of grace and forgiveness
In him alone can we experience peace, joy and faithfulness.
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REFLECTION
• We can never repay God for all the things he has done for us, but how can we honor him and give him glory?
• How is thanksgiving a form of worship and praise?
PSALM 116 WHEN I CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD
February 10
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PSALM 116
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. – Psalm 116:1-9
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PSALM 116 WHEN I CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord God is full of grace and mercy; his love is steadfast
I love the Lord and he loves me because he chose me and gave me life
Therefore, I will serve only the Almighty God who is gracious to give
When I call on the name of the Lord, he blesses me and outpours his gifts.
Each time I bless the name of the Lord; all my trials turn to opportunities
God’s Spirit guides me to endure and be strong to face adversities
When I call on my Lord, he hears my pleas and answers them
Because of his steadfast love, I am able to overcome temptations.
When I depend on the Lord, he gives me a fearless perspective
He preserves all the simple and gives them contentment and peace
I will walk with the Spirit so I can glorify the name of the Lord my God
It is the only way I can go against my flesh and tendencies to be bad.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the act of calling on the name of the Lord is something we don’t habitually do?
• Why is it easier to depend on ourselves instead of asking God’s help?
PSALM 115 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
February 9
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PSALM 115
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 115:12-18
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PSALM 115 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord is faithful and steadfast in his love; he cares for his people
He supplies all the needs of those who love him, God never fails or falters
The Lord keeps his covenant promise to those who fear him
He pours his blessings to those who are not lured by sin.
Choose the way of the righteous, it leads to everlasting life
The wicked do not fear the Lord, they will deteriorate and die
Blessed are you who worship and praise the God Almighty
You will have an increase in your offspring and have plenty.
There will be an outpouring of favor from the Lord himself
You will not be overcome by your enemy’s plans and tactics.
Let us praise the Lord who has sovereignty over all things
Fear the Lord for he alone has total control of everything.
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REFLECTION
• What does “fear of the Lord” actually mean? Why does the world twist this phrase?
• How do we manifest the fear of the Lord in our daily lives as Christians?
PSALM 115 WHEN YOU MAKE IDOLS FOR YOURSELF
February 8
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PSALM 115
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.
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.
– Psalm 115:1-11
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PSALM 115 WHEN YOU MAKE IDOLS FOR YOURSELF
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
May God Almighty be the only God who is praised and worshiped
May all idols made by humans be exposed, crushed and destroyed
There is only one God who made heaven and earth and the entire world
No other gods can put life into nothing and make something by his word
God created all things so that his plan for humankind will be fulfilled
He owns all things, even our very lives; he alone deserves to be worshiped.
When you make idols for yourself, you are defying God’s sovereignty
Your idols cannot speak, see, understand anything, nor can it create something
They are made by human hands, so they are not eternal
They do not have power since they are only finite like man
When you make idols for yourself, you become like them
You create your own god to compete with the Alpha and the Omega.
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REFLECTION
• What is most disturbing in the illustration in this psalm about creating idols?
PSALM 114 TREMBLE AT GOD’S GLORIOUS PRESENCE!
February 7
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PSALM 114
When Israel went out from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
3 The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?
6 O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turns the rock into a pool of water,
the flint into a spring of water. – Psalm 114:1-8
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PSALM 114 TREMBLE AT GOD’S GLORIOUS PRESENCE!
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Remember how the Lord delivered the Israelites from their oppressors?
He parted the Red Sea so they can cross it and killed the Egyptians
He turned rocks and flints into bodies of water so they can drink
He rained manna from heaven so they have something to eat
He had a cloud by day and fire by night to guide their path
The Lord even granted their cravings for food and rained down meat
Yet they didn’t tremble in all the deeds that God has done for them
They grumbled instead and made idols for themselves and didn’t fear him.
The Lord made all things for his pleasure; he owns everything
He alone can command his creation to do what he pleases
The sun follows his direction to shine light upon the earth
The trees and grass dance as God tells the wind to blow hard
The skies paint different colors above the horizon
The shadows add contrast to the painted firmament
All the nature trembles at God’s glorious presence
Why can’t humans also fear and shudder at his magnificence?
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REFLECTION
• What does it mean to tremble in God’s presence? Why is it hard for us to do so?
PSALM 113 LET YOUR HEART ALWAYS YEARN AND PRAISE THE LORD
February 6
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PSALM 113
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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PSALM 113 LET YOUR HEART ALWAYS YEARN AND PRAISE THE LORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Are there any other gods who can compare to our Lord God Almighty?
Are they able to be All-seeing and All-knowing as our Eternal God?
Only the one true God have all these characteristics and attributes
Therefore, he is the only one worthy of worship, praise and glory
All you who believe in the God of Israel, kneel down and praise him!
For he gave his only Son so his people could be delivered from sin
He came to free the prisoners and give justice to the oppressed
He came so that the poor and the weak can be consoled and be rescued.
Let your heart always yearn and praise the Lord who is source of all
Only in him can you be blessed and have assurance that you won’t fall
Focus only on the Lord’s unconditional love and faithfulness
Praise the Lord who is unfathomable in his grace and mercy
Offer your whole life to the One who gave you his own image
He longs to be with you constantly even if you are inclined to be sinful
Worship the God who has given up his only Son to give you freedom
Keep your eyes focused on him and you will be released from bondage.
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REFLECTION
• How is worship and praising the Lord the only antidote to falling into sin?
• What can keep our hearts from yearning and praising the Lord?
PSALM 112 WHEN YOU GREATLY DELIGHT IN THE LAWS OF THE LORD
February 5
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PSALM 112
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; conducts his affairs with justice
6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away;
the desire of the wicked will perish! – Psalm 112:1-10
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PSALM 112 WHEN YOU GREATLY DELIGHT IN THE LAWS OF THE LORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Blessed is the righteous for they continually delight in God’s laws
His children will be many and will be blessed and prosperous
To those who exercise justice and generosity, they will be established
They will be firm and steady and will not be afraid of his adversaries.
When you greatly delight in the laws of the Lord, his grace overflows
You will be given understanding and abound in strength and wisdom
The faithful will not waver nor put their trust in their own understanding
He relies heavily and depends only on the Lord for everything.
When you take the commands of the Lord for granted
You will become foolish, haughty and greatly troubled
The desires of the wicked will not come into fruition
For the Lord abhors all those who do evil and are ruthless.
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REFLECTION
• What are the benefits of taking delight in the commands of the Lord?
• What were the promises to those who delight in them in this psalm?
PSALM 111 THE FEAR OF THE LORD LEADS TO WISDOM
February 4
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PSALM 111
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
– Psalm 111:1-10
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PSALM 111 THE FEAR OF THE LORD LEADS TO WISDOM
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Do you wonder where wisdom comes from?
Every good and perfect gift comes from God
When we honor and revere the Lord, we begin to understand
If we rebel against him, we remain careless, wicked and dumb
Our purpose in life is to praise and glorify the Lord God Almighty
When we defy that calling, we fail in all our ways and understanding
Since wisdom is a gift coming from the Lord, let us fear him to have it
Our nature is sinful so if we do not worship God, we will forever be foolish
Can you imagine what life would be without fearing the Lord?
Chaos, confusion, conflicts, division and deception will abound.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the world will be in shambles if we do not fear the Lord?
PSALM 110 A PRIEST FOREVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK
February 3
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PSALM 110
The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power, in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.
7 He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore, he will lift up his head.
– Psalm 110:1-7
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PSALM 110 A PRIEST FOREVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When the Lord chooses you, he blesses you with much power
Though you are surrounded by enemies, do not fear, they will cower
The Lord has vowed to take care of his people, he won’t change his mind
He is steadfast in his love and faithful to defend all those who love him.
Just as his begotten Son sits at his right hand and a priest forever
He grants the same anointing to all who believes and is faithful to him
Be bold to rule in the midst of your enemies and all their plot to attack
You have been given authority to shatter as the Lord pours his wrath.
Even though it seems that the rulers of this world have power
If they do not bow down to the Lord of lords, they won’t be victors
Abide in the Lord Jesus, he is the only way that you can overcome
He died for us so we can be priests forever after the order of Melchizedek.
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REFLECTION
• What does it mean to be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek?