October 16
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PSALM 57 I WILL GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD
6 They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth! – Psalm 57:6-11
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
I will forever declare my thanksgiving to the Lord
He never fails to provide for all my needs and more
Even though the enemy sets a trap for me to fall
They end up falling into their own trap; the Lord cares
The Lord God is steadfast in his love and never fails to deliver
He is there for me when I continually serve him; he is faithful
Sing out loud to give praises to the Lord God who protects his people
Be faithful to give glory to the God of our salvation, he is full of majesty
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever
Praise and exult him for he is the beginning and the end, he is eternal
I will make melody to bring glory to God; I will always lift him up in adoration
The Lord is full of grace and mercy, he is our stronghold and foundation.
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REFLECTION
• How is giving thanks a form of exaltation and praise to God?
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PSALM 57 THE GOD WHO FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME
October 15
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PSALM 57 THE GOD WHO FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
4 My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth! – Psalm 57:1-5
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
No matter what happens to me, I will cry out to God
Even in the midst of all the enemy’s tactics and attacks
I will take refuge in the Lord who is my stronghold
It is in his faithfulness that I can count on; he is my firm foundation.
The Lord has a plan for my life; I will surrender to it
He created me in my mother’s womb and a part of his creation
I will trust his unquestionable wisdom; he knows what’s best for me
Even if I am surrounded with wicked and ungodly people, I will trust him.
Have mercy on me O Lord for I am faithful to serve you
Give me strength and make me love the way you do
I worship the Lord God who is the Alpha and the Omega
He holds all things in his hands and he will fulfill his wonderful plan.
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REFLECTION
• Why do a lot of people struggle following God’s plans for mankind?
PSALM 56 COLLECTOR OF MY TEARS
October14
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PSALM 56 COLLECTOR OF MY TEARS
8 You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 I must perform my vows to you, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God
in the light of life. – Psalm 56:8-13
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Whenever you are grieved and suffering, be joyful
All those who belong to God will be constantly assured
The Lord collects all our pains, sufferings and tears in a bottle
We need not be hopeless for he knows all that we undergo.
When you are overwhelmed and seem things are all dark
Run to your Almighty God who knows what’s true and right
Though enemies surround you, trust that the Lord protects
It may seem so impossible to win, but he delivers the faithful.
Can you fathom how this faithful God can be concerned with our pain?
He is steadfast in his love; continue to rely and depend on him
In God, we will trust for he sees everything and is in control
Surrender your life to the one who is omnipotent and omniscient.
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REFLECTION
• Can you visualize in translate in words what comes in your mind when the psalmist mentions in verse 8 that the Lord puts our tears in a bottle?
• How can this picture assure us of his love for his people?
PSALM 56 WHEN AFRAID I WILL TRUST THE LORD
October 13
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PSALM 56 WHEN AFRAID I WILL TRUST THE LORD
Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
all day long an attacker oppresses me;
2 my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many attack me proudly.
3 When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
5 All day long they injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They stir up strife, they lurk;
they watch my steps,
as they have waited for my life.
7 For their crime will they escape?
In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! – Psalm 56:1-7
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The enemy unceasingly attacks and oppress me
I get trampled on day and night without end
The devil stirs up fears, confusion and uncertainties
Lord, I plead you to help me to focus on your Spirit’s leading.
All day long, I get distracted from focusing on you by this world system
I ask you to grant me grace and mercy so I can win over all kinds of wickedness
When I am afraid, I will put my trust only on you for you are truth
During such weaknesses, please transform my mind and make it new.
Cast down all my strongholds and make it captive to your will
Grant me the grace to let go of all bitter roots and unforgiveness
You are my foundation that will never be unstable or be destroyed
Keep me in your fold so that I can overcome darkness and have joy.
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REFLECTION
• What do you do when you are afraid? What does the psalmist advice us to do?
PSALM 55 WHEN YOU CAST YOUR BURDENS TO THE LORD
October 12
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PSALM 55 WHEN YOU CAST YOUR BURDENS TO THE LORD
16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.19 God will give ear and humble them,
he who is enthroned from of old, Selah
because they do not change and do not fear God.
20 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.
21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart;
his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you;
he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction;
men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days.
But I will trust in you. – Psalm 55:16-23
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Do you run to someone when you are in trouble and suffering?
Do you get relieved when you unburden and start complaining?
Did you get comforted or understood for what you are going through?
If you resort to depending on other humans, you will be far from the truth
But when you cast your burdens to the Lord, you will be comforted
He never fails to hear even when you cry day and night; he’ll be there for you.
When you cast your burdens to the Lord, he will sustain and give you strength
Your faith will grow and you will be able to endure your circumstances
If you are faithful to serve the Lord, you will find much joy and peace
When you lay down on Jesus’ feet your pleadings, you will find hope
Cast your burdens to the Lord and you will feel light
Unburden to others and you may be confused and lose sight.
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REFLECTION
• What is the biggest promise when can take away from this psalm?
• How is casting your burdens to God different from doing it to others?
PSALM 55 WHEN FRIENDS BETRAY YOU
October 11
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PSALM 55 WHEN FRIENDS BETRAY YOU
9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues;
for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go around it on its walls,
and iniquity and trouble are within it;
11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud
do not depart from its marketplace.
12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
14 We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God’s house we walked in the throng.
15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive;
for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. – Psalm 55:9-15
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I plead you to defend me from wicked schemes
Examine my heart so that I can clearly see and discern
Help me to accept that humans are all sinners
This way, I do not have to give in to offensive spirits
Do not let me live in the city of regret when people deceive me
Show me another perspective so I can live in victory
When friends betray me, let me be focused on you alone
Do not let people’s wicked ways steal my joy
Let those who taunt me bear the consequence of the mockery
Help me let go of unrealistic expectations from people
Only you alone, O lord are good and perfect
Teach me to trust others and not be let down easily
Change my mind so that I can see others as you see them.
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REFLECTION
• Why is betrayal of a friend more painful than when your trust is breached by anyone else?
PSALM 55 WHEN I AM RESTLESS
October 10
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PSALM 55 WHEN I AM RESTLESS
Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
2 Attend to me, and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and I moan,
3 because of the noise of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they drop trouble upon me,
and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
4 My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling come upon me,
and horror overwhelms me.
6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest;
7 yes, I would wander far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah
8 I would hurry to find a shelter
from the raging wind and tempest.” – Psalm 55:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When I am restless, I will run to the Lord for refuge and comfort
I will hide in his steadfast love and let God be in control
Because the enemy has pursued me constantly
The more I will seek God and surrender to him completely
When I am restless, it may be because I am led by my flesh
I will invite the Holy Spirit to take over my whole soul and mind
Though I fear and tremble from all that overwhelms me
I will continue to believe in the Lord who is my deliverer
I will trust in the name of the Lord, my God who is my strength
When I am restless, I will confront the fear that makes me overwhelmed.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think is behind restlessness?
PSALM 54 THE LORD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE FROM EVERY TROUBLE
October 9
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PSALM 54 THE LORD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE FROM EVERY TROUBLE
O God, save me by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers have risen against me;
ruthless men seek my life;
they do not set God before themselves. Selah
4 Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. – Psalm 54:1-7
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O my Lord, I am forever grateful to you for upholding my life
You have been faithful to forgive me when I am unable to resist strife
The enemy has been plotting against me constantly and without ceasing
Vindicate me by your might and give ear to my pleadings
Praise the Lord for he is my helper and shield
Without him, I won’t be able to overcome and win
The Lord delivers his people from every trouble
I will run to him for defense and vindication
I will praise the name of the Lord Almighty always
He is my deliverer; I will not fear any adversity.
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REFLECTION
• How is this psalm a good reminder for us not to fear when trouble or any adversities come our way?
PSALM 53 THERE’S NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE
October 8
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PSALM 53 THERE’S NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man
to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good, not even one.
4 Have those who work evil no knowledge,
who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?
5 There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror!
For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. – Psalm 53:1-6
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
If you think that you are a good person, you are only fooling yourself
It’s the devil’s trap to keep you proud and hinder your from being humble
Only God is good, humans are naturally selfish and inclined to sin
Because of this nature, we do not walk in the Spirit towards Him
When you do things out of looking good, you are not really loving
Loving is thinking less of yourself and being more a God-pleaser.
Fools do not acknowledge God; they are corrupt and have no honesty
They do all kinds of selfish things and love to gratify themselves
Vanity is in the nature of all men, but humility is the way of the Spirit
If you walk in the flesh and crave for pleasure, then you are foolish
There is none who does good, only God himself is
Do not fall into the trap of those who are foolish.
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REFLECTION
• What does the psalm say about those who think they are good? What happens to them according to the psalmist?
PSALM 52 WHY DO YOU BOAST OF EVIL
October 7
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PSALM 52 WHY DO YOU BOAST OF EVIL
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. Selah
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. Selah
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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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All you unrighteous men, why do you boast of all your evil?
You love to plan conflicts, violence and all kinds of deceit
There is nothing truthful that comes out of your mouth
Filth and lies are the only things that regularly comes out
Do you not know that God will crush and destroy you?
The righteous will watch the disaster that you will go through.
Those who serve the Lord will be blessed with growth
They will watch the wicked as they suffer and punished by God
All those who are proud and do not acknowledge the Lord’s power
They will experience God’s wrath and will eventually cower
Trust in the steadfast love of the Lord for he protects his people
Those who boast of evil deeds will in the end be judged and suffer.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think ungodly people love to boast of the evil things they do?
• As a believer, what should you do when someone boasts of their evil deeds?