Today, I am reading and commenting on  Psalms 143-150.

The psalmist cries out to the Lord.  He writes of how “the enemy” pursues him and crushes him.  A synonym for “enemy” is “adversary”, and the Hebrew word for “adversary” gives us the English word Satan.  So, we could read this passage as reading:
“Satan pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
    like those long dead.”
When depression hits us, when we feel overwhelmed by the troubles which life brings us, let us recognize that it is the Adversary pushing us into darkness.  The psalmist gives us the answer to dealing with such a situation.  Remember what God has done in the past and spread out our hands before God.  Thirst for His presence like the parched ground thirsts for rain.  Praise God for being dependable and training our hands how to serve Him.  Each generation tells the next of God’s mighty acts so that we can meditate on the glorious things that He has done.  We learn not to trust in governments, in humans who hold power over others.  Instead, let us turn to God and place our hope in Him.  After all, He is the maker of all that is, heaven and earth, and all that is in them.   God does not take pleasure in our strength, nor in our wealth.  Instead, He takes pleasure in those who fear Him and who put their trust in His love.  He is faithful to defend the oppressed and to give food to the hungry.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord for He created them.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Psalms 143-150.

When we struggle with the difficulties of life, let us remember what God has done for His people in the past.  When our enemies are too strong for us, and we seem doomed to destruction at their hands, let us meditate on God’s works.  In times of trouble cry out to God for direction, and entrust your life to Him.  Follow the guidance which God gives you and remember His love for you.  As insignificant and powerless you consider yourself, and you are not wrong, God cares for you.  God does not love us because we are mighty warriors, or powerful individuals who can accomplish great things on His behalf.  He is the Maker of all that is and does not need our help.  Rather, we need His help and should humbly rely on Him.  God takes delight in those who put their trust in Him, rather than putting their trust in powerful people, wealthy people, or politicians.  Let us fear and trust God, and gain our pleasure in praising Him.  When you meditate on God’s mighty works, you will see that all of Creation brings glory to God’s name.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Psalms 143-150.

There are two lines from the first of today’s psalms that resonate with me: “Show me the way I should go,” and “Teach me to do Your will,”   Later the psalmist tells us how we can open ourselves up to God to receive that direction.  We do so by meditating on God’s works, think about what God has done, both in our lives and in the world around us.  As we do so we will see that those who make God their Lord will be blessed and that God watches over those who love Him.  The psalmist also tells us that those who truly see the works which God has performed will praise Him.  I commit myself to praising God every day for as long as I live.  I will not put my trust in any human being, and certainly not in any government, or any other human institution.  No, I will put my trust and faith in God.  I know that no human power will make the world a better place.  We will not make the world better because we are strong, or determined, or wise, or intelligent.  We will only make the world a better place by fearing God and relying on His love.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Psalms 143-150.

My title today comes from the last verse of the last Psalm.  That truly sums up the them of today’s psalms, and really it sums up the whole Book of Psalms.  As I read today’s psalms they filled me with joy as I thought of all of the reasons I have to praise God.  I praise His name while calling out to Him to give me guidance, to show me the direction I should go and what I should do.  He is my stronghold and my deliverer.  I like the way the psalmist puts those two things together.  A stronghold provides defense and blocks the attacks of the enemy.  A deliverer comes and takes one out of a dangerous situation: I always picture someone pulling someone out of a raging flood.  The psalmist goes further in reminding us that we should tell the generations which come after us about the great things God has done.  Each and every one of us has reasons to praise God.  If you take the time to examine your life, find a reason to praise God, then do so, you will discover that you will have more reasons to praise God.  Note: I am not saying that if you search your life and praise God for those good things He has done that you might have overlooked that you will realize there are more of them than you thought (although that is usually true as well).  No, I am saying that if you praise God for the things He has done you will open yourself up for Him to do MORE for you.  If you praise God for what He has done, He will give you more reasons to praise Him.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 143-150.

May everyone and everything which lives praise the Lord, because He has given them life and His love will care for them.  As I am writing this the sun is shining on flowering plants.  God has been good to me and praising Him each day brings me joy.  The psalmist warns us against putting our hope in powerful people because when they die all of their plans die with them.  The opposite is also true, do not fear them for the same reason.  Instead put your hope in God.  He has made everything that is and His love is eternal.  His power is absolute.  I could write more, but the psalmist says it so much better.  Read these psalms and praise the Lord.