Psalms

In this Psalm David says the following thought-provoking words. “With reproof Thou dost chasten a man for iniquity; Thou dost consume as a moth what is precious to him.” This indicates to me that we may value some of our possessions too much. In these cases, our possessions may become more valuable to us than God. It can be said that we may worship our possessions. The Bible says that we are not to prioritize any…

In this Psalm David speaks of misery and pain due to sin in his life. He says, “There is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. My wounds grow foul and fester because of my folly.” God greatly favored David and blessed him abundantly. However, like all of us, David was prone to sin on occasion.…

In these passages David continues to expound on the characteristics and benefits of the righteous person. David says, “The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” A righteous person has God in his or her heart. God guides a righteous person’s steps. God also guides a righteous person’s words and actions. Therefore, a righteous person rightly interprets the Word…

In these passages David contrasts the righteous and the wicked people. David says, better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of the wicked. The arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord sustains the righteous.” The wicked person may be rich and have many possessions, but these will not last. On the other hand, the righteous may have few possessions. However, the righteous will live a more fulfilled life and…

In this Psalm are many pearls of wisdom. The following verses are two of them: “Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Faithfulness or Faith is something that must be cultivated. Developing Faith in God is a lifelong process. As we live our lives with the Word of God as our guide, our Faith in God will grow. With every event…

In this Psalm David speaks about the characteristics of those who do not believe in God. David says, “Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart, there is no fear of God before his eyes… The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit.” The wicked or evil person does not fear God. They not believe God exists. They promote false beliefs, such as evolution. Indeed, they support lies and deceit. The Bible says that Satan is…

In this Psalm David continues to speak of those around him who are not faithful, those who seek David’s destruction. David says of them, “They devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.” David was a person who was loyal to God.  He lived his life in obedience to God and pleased God. David could be likened to true believers today who are faithful to God. True believers are not popular in the world,…

In this Psalm David speaks about those around him who desired bad things for David. They probably appeared to be loyal subjects and supportive of David. However, they were not. They secretly desired David’s suffering and destruction. David wrote the following of these people: “At my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together. The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me. They slandered me without ceasing.” In my life I have had similar…

In these passages David writes, “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” The life of a believer is a transition from evil to good. Our natural human tendency is to sin and to do what the Bible characterizes as evil. When we start down the road towards Heaven we are transformed from evil to good. It is not a natural transition. It requires choice and purpose. Additionally, it requires perseverance. It requires…

In this Psalm David writes, “But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.” The key words in this passage are ‘good thing.’ Early in our lives we want many things. Some of these things are good for us. Some are not. However, we desire to have things that we think will fulfill our desires. Many times, we may pray to God to fulfill our desires. We are told by…