Psalms Twenty Seven, verses 1-6

A Psalm of David and of Leigh

A Passionate Declaration of Faith

Lord, it is You that gives my life light and purpose. You have saved me; whom shall I fear? It is You that I draw the strength of my life from; of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked - enemies of my body and soul - advance against me to consume me from without and within at the same time, they tripped and fell face first in the dirt. Even if their entire armies should try to lay siege against me, I will not fear ... even in my heart of hearts I will remain at peace. And if war does break out all around me, I am confident in this one thing:

 

I have only desired one thing from You, my Lord, and that will I continually seek after: that You will dwell within my heart of hearts all the days of my life so that I may constantly look upon Your beautiful face, to seek You and study Your ways within Your holy Temple - my very soul - forevermore. 

For when I am in trouble, You secret me away and hide me; wrapping me up in Your protective arms of Love; You set me high upon the Rock of my Salvation, even Jesus! 

So shall I lift my head up above those enemies who gather round about me for my destruction: I will also offer my sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving in Your holy temple, yes even my heart of hearts! I will ever sing songs if joy to You my Lord ... my King!

Amen!

Psalm Twenty Two, Verses 16-31

A Psalm of David

For the Music Director. Set to the Tune of "The Doe of the Morning."

David wrote this as a prayer. It is meant to lift us from our depths of great suffering to the highest levels of joys. David believed that God would deliver him from his despair, even though all of his friends had deserted him and it appeared that God had also. No, David continued to look to that future day when God would rule over all the earth.

• 16. A pack of evil men - thugs, if you will - has surrounded me like a pack of wild and vicious dogs. They have trapped me, piercing my hands and feet.
• 17. All of my bones are visible beneath my skin. And the people stand around, gawking at me and gloating.
• 18. They divide my clothes among them, but they shoot dice to gamble for my robe.
• 19. Oh Lord, do not go far away. God, You are my strength, so come quickly to save me.
• 20. Father, please rescue me from this implement of death. Save Your Begotten One from the destruction of these wild dogs.
• 21. Deliver me from the lion's mouth, rescue me from this herd of wild oxen, for my death is imminent without You.
• 22. Regardless, I will shout Your name among my brothers and sisters. Ever will I sing Your praises among the congregation of believers.
• 23.This is the message I will shout; If you fear the Lord God, praise Him! All of God's Israel, give Him the honor and respect He deserves.
• 24. For He has never let you down or looked the other way when you call on Him ... when your enemies kicked you to the ground. Nor has He left you to go off on a tangent ... to do His own thing. NO, He has been right at your side, listening ... waiting to hear your every need.
• 25. Here in the midst of the congregation of believers, I will praise You, for You fill me with songs of great joy. My songs of praise fulfill of all the vows I made before you in the darkness.
  
• 26. If you are poor, humble, meek and/or lowly ... whatever your need, if you diligently seek the Lord, you will be satisfied. And in that satisfaction, you will find your voice raised in joyful praise.
• 27. From the four corners of the earth, people will remember the Lord and turn to Him. The whole world will bow before the Lord, even those who had walked away from Him in years past,
• 28. for the earth belongs to Him ... He rules it all.
• 29. The rich, powerful and famous will bow before Him - worshiping! The poor and worthless - those who seem insignificant - will also kneel before Him in worship, too. No one can save their own soul. 
• 30. Our children - and all posterity - will serve the Lord.
• They will declare His righteousness so that all who ever will live will know His story ... His salvation message. And that He ALWAYS keeps His promises.

Psalm Twenty

*After reading this Psalm, I got the inspiration to use the recent Election Cycle and Inauguration to give a new light into King David's verses.*

Inauguration of President Donald Trump, January 20, 2017 

A Psalm for the US President, by Leigh
For the Worship Conductor on Capitol Hill

May God answer your cries in times of trouble and turmoil. May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
May He send you help from His sanctuary - His place of rest - the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Stop and dwell on this a moment.

May our Lord give you the desires of you heart. May all of your plans be within His will ... totally fulfilled.
And we, the people of this land, will shout for joy when we hear of your success. We will raise a victory flag in His name and fly it high in honor of His successes on your behalf and that of our nation.
May the Lord hear and answer all of your prayers.

I know that the Lord, our God, saves and protects His anointed leaders. He hears them from His heavenly throne room and rescues them by His mighty power. By the awesome power of his holy arm of Righteousness, He brings down their enemies ... dropping them right at their feet.

So, though some may trust in their weapons of warfare - their soldiers, guns, tanks and ammo - they and their allies will fall flat on their faces in the dust of defeat for all of their efforts. But we will rise up and stand in Your Righteousness ... in Your Strength, Lord.

Thank You, Lord, for giving Your President the victory. Thank you for hearing the cries of Your people.
May Your President continue hearing the cries of Your people. Also hearing and carrying out all of Your plans for success in meeting the needs of this mighty nation. May he, with your help, direction and guidance, truly help us Make America Great Again!

Psalm Sixteen

Intro:

A poem of David, intended to record memorable thoughts.

Eternal Life for one who trusts.

My Intro:

A prayer of my heart, to record my thoughts on the Lord in my life.

My Lord, if I have found a place of refuge in You, if You are indeed the Rock of my Salvation, then I place all of my trust fully in You; within the folds of Your wings, I will hide and safely remain. For I know that You will protect me and keep me safe ... Always!

For You are my Lord and Master; nothing I am or have is any good without You. I have no righteousness unless I am washed clean by Your Blood.

As for Your other followers throughout the nations, it is they who have an excellent relationship with, and right standing in You. I am honored to be counted among them, delighted to follow their example as they follow after You.

But those who choose to follow after other gods, their fellowship offerings I will not offer; neither will I mention their names ... I refuse to allow them to proceed from my lips.

Lord I have chosen You as the cup I will drink from and my lot life has drawn from Your hands, my only favored serving from life's pie.

Battle lines have been drawn and my position chosen.I see I have been placed in battle array on the front lines, yet because You have appointed it I know that it is a protected position, a pleasant place from which I will joyfully serve You.

So I will fight valiantly in order to please You; just to make You crack a smile. For You have always given me wise counsel. Your Spirit, deep within my heart, guides me in dark times.

Because You are the source of my strength, my very right hand, I will not be moved. No force of the enemy can muster will displace the dynamic power of Your Spirit within me!

Therefore will I sing Your songs of praise; my lips, yes my very heart of hearts shall rejoice evermore ... Yes, my whole being is filled with restful hope in You alone.

For I know that You will not leave my soul in the torment of hell and destruction. No, You will not allow Your saints to see corruption, or to suffer eternal separation from You -- You who are the very source of our life ... of my life.

Yes You have shown me that real life is non-existent without You ... for You are life itself! Only in Your presence is their true joy. So this is where I choose to be ... to take my stand ... at Your right hand forevermore! 

Hallelujah!

Amen and Amen

Psalm Fourteen

Intro:

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

I see foolish men (and women) saying aloud that there is no God. It is an idea that emanates from deep within their heart. They are so evil, they have done so many repulsive acts; is there no one that does anything good?

Lord, look down from heaven upon the children of men. See if there is anyone who understands, who seek your face for Your care, Your Love, Your Wisdom. No, there are not. They have all turned away from Your pathway. They have become totally corrupt ... there is none who do good. Not Even One!

And the Lord replies, "Doesn't any of these evil people know anything? Anything at ALL? They eat up my people, just like they eat their dinner. And they NEVER call on Me for help. They tremble with great fear, for they see that I am with those who can stand uprightly in My presence."

"Hey, you there! Can't you see that you shame the counsel of the poor, but they don't care. For I am there refuge!"

Lord, I pray that You would send Your Son once more to earth. Bring Your final Salvation to Your children. Break all of their bonds and release them from all that would hold them captive. And Jacob will sing with JOY. Yes, Israel will shout with pure, unrestrained joy for all of Your marvelous ways!

Thoughts:

Now that David has quit feeling sorry for himself, he takes a new look at his unrighteous and evil enemies. He states that they are foolish and shallow beings, corrupt in all their ways. All of their deeds, every action they make, are evil to the core, vile and abominable. They haven't even one good deed to their credit.

He sees God, looking down from His throne upon the clouds in the sky, shaking His head; for He sees no righteous influence among these evil souls. But David knows the Lord, and that He holds a remnant of godly men and women safe within His protective grasp. He alone is their refuge.

The Lord God will save His people; He will save them from all these ungodly fools. And His chosen ones will rejoice in Him and His provision evermore!

Amen!

Psalm Thirteen and some thoughts on David's version

Intro:

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

Lord, how long will You forget all about me? How long will You turn Your face away from me? How long will You leave me alone with my own thoughts as my guide? How long will I be fulled with grief deep in my soul? How long will You allow my enemies to rule over me? How long, Lord? How Long?

Listen to me, oh Lord, and consider what I have to say. Then fill my soul with the wisdom I need to give me insight that will keep me safe from death at the hands of my enemies. This will keep them from spewing his lies ... from saying, "See, I beat her at her own game." This will keep them from rejoicing over my perils .... gloating over my calamities.

I trust You, Lord. I trust in Your mercy. I rejoice in Your Salvation. And I will ever sing to You the praises You have filled my heart and soul with, for You and blessed me exceedingly. You have given me that "abundant life" You spoke of to the first disciples You trained.

Thoughts:

As I read through this Psalm, I saw David as throwing a great pity party, so let's see how that goes:

Boo who! God is sooo far away. Why has He placed me in such isolation while my enemies are on the loose? How long will I have only my dark thoughts of fear and dread to guide me? Forever?

Listen to me, God! Now ... Before I Die!*

(*This kind and of reminds me of when my kids would argue, then come crying to me for help. I always told them they would have to work it out for themselves.)

"Hear me before my enemies laugh as they are conquering me."

(Here I see David getting a glimpse of Truth once again. So he starts to refocus his thoughts on the Lord rightly.)

"I have always trusted You, for You alone are worthy of my trust. I know that Your mercy prevails and that I will rejoice in Your Salvation evermore. Then I will sing allowed once more. I will lift my voice in songs of praise to You; for You have always dealt with exceeding grace and bountiful mercy toward me.

Thank You, Lord for all of Your wondrous Love and Mercy!

Amen

Psalm Nine

Intro:

To the Chief Musician; possible set for soprano voices. A Psalm of David.

A Song of Thanksgiving!

Lord, I give You thanks from a heart filled with gratitude ... it knows no bounds.

While I write a book of Your exploits, I am whistling, laughing, and jumping up and down for the pure joy that it brings. Lord, I sing all of Your songs of praise, from beginning to end. Then I start all over again.

Do You remember the day that my enemies decided to run away from the scene of their crimes? I do! They were running away, watching over their shoulders all the way. They were so busy looking behind themselves that they tripped over their own feet, falling right on their faces. Then You stepped in and set everything to rights once more.

You were there exactly when I needed you. You took charge and everything went exactly as You had planned.

Lord, You are the original '"whistle blower;"  You blow the whistle on the ungodly nations and throw their evil politicians - all dirty dealers and cheating players of all stripes - out of the game, removing their names from the official records. Your actions on the playing field encourages other enemies, that have been sitting in the grandstand watching, to pick up their seat cushions and leave in haste; their reputations in ruins and their names erased from their roll call of recognition ... removing them from their "hallowed halls of fame."

It is God alone, not Atlas, who balances the worlds in His hands. He put everything that is askew in the world back into it's proper place and position. He knows what is best for every thing and every body in His creation, and He gives them each just what they deserve.

My Lord, You are a safe haven for the broken, battered and bruised; a place of refuge especially set aside for when things, times, and people are evil and destructive. When I step within, I am finally able to relax. And I am always glad to be at home within this peaceful place of refuge.

I will sing songs of praise to You, oh Lord ... You who lives within my heart. I will tell all of the stories of Your marvelous works, all of Your awesome exploits, to everybody that I meet: how You track down and pass judgement on all evildoers, yet all the while You watch over every cry of pain and sigh of despair.

Oh Father, please treat me with Your loving-kindness, for I have been pushed around - kicked about - for far too long; but You pull me back from the edge of destruction, from the very brink of death. For this reason I will proclaim Your name, I will shout praises of You from the rooftops! I will give You thanks for Your saving grace.

Lord, look at the ungodly masses; those peoples who have sought their own paths, their own righteousness. They have set traps for the unsuspecting, snares for those they seek to rob; but they have tripped themselves up, they have been caught in their own webs of deceit. They know that there is no excuse for their destructive deeds; for Your ways are well known, Your exploits have been broadcast far and wide. Yet they continue making their evil designs, breaking their own fingers as they go.

Yet, all that choose to be wicked and evil have already purchased their one-way tickets to Hell.

But all of those who are poor will no longer be a nameless, faceless mass of humanity. No more will the humble in spirit be humiliated. For You, my Lord, have had enough, You will no longer allow this type events to proceed, the wicked have reached the end of Your ropes! For I see that you are sick and tired with all of the posturing of these evildoers. You are about to expose them and all of their "grand schemes." Stir up that hornet's nest, Lord, and let them see just how stupid it all is and how silly they really look!

Amen!

Psalm Eight - Twice!

Intro:

To the Chief Musician; set to a Philistine lute, possibly to the melody of a particular Hittite tune. A Psalm of David.

Oh Lord, my Lord, how majestic, how totally awesome and out of this world, is Your name in all of the known universe!

You have show us Your glory everywhere, even in the very clouds. From the very praise of the children, of toddlers and infants, You have built a fortress against your enemies ... to silence all who have aught against You. When I think about the heavens that You have created, the very works of your fingertips. The moon and stars that you set into place ... what is mankind that they would even enter Your thoughts; the lowly human beings that You would actually care for them?

You made them a little lower in status than your messenger spirits (angels/pastors) and have crowned them (us) with Your glory and honor. You made us rulers over all that You have made; told us to take dominion over everything on earth that Your hands had created. All flocks and herds and wild animals roaming the earth and creatures that fly through the skies ... and everything that teems throughout the oceans and seas.

Oh Lord, my Lord, how majestic, how totally awesome and out of this world, is Your name in all of the known universe!

My Thoughts:

Easter Sunday, March 28, 2016, in our Easter Celebration the Holy Spirit spoke to us. He said that we don't see ourselves as He sees us. We don't know our true identity, our real position, within Him and His Kingdom. And here in this Psalm He tells us once more.

This is an area that I have been struggling with my position in Him, who I really am.  So Here are a few thoughts that I have on this subject.

I see this as a Psalm - a song - of Praise and Worship that David sang in his private times of worship. A shout of joy after their victory over the Philistines. The intro leads me to believe that spoofing one of their war ditties as an act of worship to the Lord. Singing it in reverent fear and honor of His King.

I also see David as remember His own position - and by extension, ours - in the Lord. 

So I think that I will follow David's example:

Psalm 8 - Again

Oh Lord, my Lord, how totally awesome You are! Your very name is more majestic than any other. It's divine interpretation is more wonderful than any human can comprehend.

From the mouths of mere children spew forth tales of Your strength; exploits of Your victories over all Your enemies. You have silenced them ALL.

When I look over all that You have done, When I deeply ponder Your marvelous creation, my breath is taken away; Your glorious heavens and all their intricate details, I am taken totally aback.

So what is mankind, that You thoughtfully consider their existence? What is humanity, that You lovingly care for them?

For You created them (us) in Your very likeness, yet not exact copies of Yourself. You have made us just lower in rank than the heavenly beings You made; a little lower in standing than Your holy angels.

And You gave us dominion over the rest of Your creation; over fish and fowl, beasts and dragons, everything that walks on four feet and two, that fly and/or has the breath of life within them ... including Satan and his evil minions.

I thank and praise You for my position in Your Kingdom, Your Family, and Your Army!

Oh Lord, my Lord, how totally awesome You are! 

Psalm Seven - Again

Intro (same):

This Psalm is a meditation of David which he sang to the Lord. It was written when David was troubled by a man of the line of Cush from the tribe of Benjamin ... King Saul was a descendant of  Cush the Benjaminite. Tradition says that it probably had a wildly irregular and unpredictable beat among its strains.
By this intro we know that David was greatly offended and upset with the speech of a certain Benjaminite named Cush. He was so angry with what this man had been saying that he lifted up this frustration in this song unto the Lord, His God. And seeing that some scholars have attributed this Psalm to the time of Saul's ongoing search and destroy operation against David, I could see this here.

God Almighty, I put all of my hope and trust in You. Protect me from all who speak and do evil to persecute me. Deliver me from those that hunt me down , planning to do me harm, just as you have done before ... and save my life.

But Lord, if I have done this to myself, if I have done any harm to those at peace with me, then let my life be forfeit. Let my enemies trample me down in the dust, extinguishing my life, squelching out my voice and squeezing out my very breath ... I think I will ponder that thought very deeply for a while.

Lord, I know that the actions of wicked men riles Your anger. So rise up in Your anger, stand firm in Your wrath against my enemies and stir up the justice You have planned for my foes.

Gather together the congregation of Your people, Lord. Sit on Your Throne, on the Dias that seats You above them, and judge the peoples. And while You're at it, judge me too, Lord. Give me the justice that I deserve by my righteous - my right standing in You - by Your very integrity within me.

And let all the evil words, thoughts and deeds of the wicked ones abruptly come to and end. Establish Your righteousness, Your harmony, in all who walk uprightly in Your presence. For I know that You see and hear the thoughts, words and emotions of all; You alone understand our very hearts' desires.

Lord, You are my Defenses; the Shield and Fortress of ALL who are upright in heart; our Very Protection! Yes Lord, for You are a righteous judge; the Mighty God, Who becomes indignant with the wicked on a daily basis.

If a person, man or woman, refuses to repent of their wicked ways, I know that You will sharpen Your double-edged sword and cut them off from Your own. I see that You are already prepared for the battles that lay ahead. Stepping on the end of Your bow, You have strung it in readiness for your arrows. The arrows have been dipped in an oily substance and laid on the coals so that they will flame through the air and ignite their targets. All of Your weapons are waiting in preparation.

But the wicked are filled to the bursting point with their evil thoughts and plans. They are about to explode with their mischievous ways. See the huge pit they have dug? they will all fall into it before their plans are complete.  All of their wicked and vile ways will return to haunt them; their violence will fall as rain on their own heads.

And I will sing songs of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord because of His righteousness and justice. I will sing songs of praise to the Lord God Most High.

Amen!

Psalm Seven

Intro:

This Psalm is a meditation of David which he sang to the Lord. It was written when David was troubled by a man of the line of Cush from the tribe of Benjamin ... King Saul was a descendant of  Cush the Benjaminite. Tradition says that it probably had a wildly irregular and unpredictable beat among its strains.
By this intro we know that David was greatly offended and upset with the speech of a certain Benjaminite named Cush. He was so angry with what this man had been saying that he lifted up this frustration in this song unto the Lord, His God. And seeing that some scholars have attributed this Psalm to the time of Saul's ongoing search and destroy operation against David, I could see this here.

Oh Lord, my God, in You do I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me. Lest they tear me apart like a lion, rending me in pieces while there is no deliverance.

Oh Go, if I have done this; if there is any iniquity in my hands, if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me ... or have plundered mt enemy without a cause, let him whom I have wronged pursue and overtake me. Yes, let him trample my life into the earth, laying my honor in the dust forevermore. Selah (.... I will sit and ponder this deeply).

Rise up, My Lord, rise up in Your fierce anger; lift Yourself up because of my enemy's rage and bring Your judgement against them for my sake ... the judgment that You have ordered!

Then let the people assemble all around You as You return oh high over them.

The is the Righteous Judge, He alone shall judge all the people. Judge me, Oh Lord! According to my righteousness ... according to the integrity within me.

Yes, and let the wickedness of the evil ones come to an end and establish the just! This is totally within Your character, Lord, for You are THE righteous God. You test the hearts and minds of all. You are my defense, for You alone can save those who are upright of heart.

You, Lord, are the Just Judge. You are angry at those who choose to do evil everyday. If the wicked ones do not repent and change his ways, the Lord will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow, making it ready. God has all of His weapons of warfare, His implements of death, prepared for battle. His arrows have been dipped in accelerant  so that when He shoots they are fiery shafts of Light. 

Behold, the wicked travails ... he labors in excruciating pain as he conceives trouble and produces lies and deceit. For all of the trouble he produces shall fall on his own head. He digs a pit for those he chooses to destroy, but he alone will fall into it. And he shall be crowned by all of the violence that he has called forth upon others.

But I, along with the other believers, shall praise the Lord, because He alone is totally righteous. Yes, I will sing praise to my God, for He IS God Most High!

Psalm Six - Another View

I see David here as being full of grief. David is begging God not to discipline him while He is angry. As I read through David's prayer, I see that he is in great despair. Thoughts of his flight from Jerusalem with his family and his army. Running in fear of his life from his own son, Absalom. How horrendous it must have been for this warrior king, fleeing in abject fear from own to whom he gave birth.

Desperate for relief from God, David pours out his heart, heavy with a growing agony, with many tears. So many that he has turned his mattress into a deep, dark pool; deep enough that one could swim in it. His eyes are red-rimmed and swollen from all of his cries. So many tears that David is finding it difficult to see; his sight dimmed by the tears to the point that his sight is as dark as his heart feels.

In his grief, David screams at those who have haunted his heart; all of his enemies who are seeking to harm him. As he confronts them there on his bed, David remembers that it is God is listening, He has heard the cries of David's heart. And David also remembers that God rebukes his fears, demanding that all of his enemies turn aside and become ashamed at their exploits against him; and that very quickly.

I see so much of humanity, of myself, in David's prayer. We all have the same doubts and fears. Conversely, we also have the same Lord. So I say with Job and a popular hymn, 'I know that my redeemer lives' ... and He is able to keep that which I - and you - have committed unto Him ... until the day that He comes again on that day; 'The Day of His Glorious Appearing,' when He returns to claim His own and dwell with us for eternity.

Amen!

Psalm Five - Another Viewpoint

David has come before the Lord, as was his usual custom, for his time of morning prayer. I believe this was his custom as this is a very intimate conversation between the king of Israel and the King and Creator of all. But much more than a simple chat between close friends.

David started by asking the Lord to listen to his cries, yet he also states to Him that he will stand watch, patiently waiting on the Lord to give His answers. David actually expects God to hear and answer, for He has done just that many times in the past.

David also knows that evil men and women have no place in the Lord. They can't even stay in His presence, for He will destroy them in the end. Yet, David also knows that he has a position in the Lord's Kingdom, His plan, His presence. And he is at home in that knowledge and in God's presence. In His presence David offers his sacrifices of praise and times of worship.

While in God's presence he seeks His face - His guidance and direction - His protection from all his enemies and punishment for those who would harm him.

At the close of David's talk with the Lord, he proclaims joy, refuge, and protection for all who trust in the Lord; because He is the Lord of all and worthy of our trust. God has blessed, is blessing and will continue to bless ALL who are His.

I stand with David. I know that my redeemer lives. And that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him throughout all eternity.

I know that He is faithful to hear and answer all of my prayers ... all of the cries of my heart.

I know that He will reward ALL for their thoughts and actions - whether they are for Him or against Him. Those who choose to live outside His will, WILL perish into eternal damnation ... eternal separation from Him.

And those who choose to follow Him will be rewarded for their acts of faithfulness with life eternally in His presence.

SO ... I CHOOSE to serve HIM. To live as He would have me to. To worship Him daily, without ceasing. To Share my heart and my mind in my prayers and with my actions!

Amen!

Psalm Five

Intro:

To the Chief Musician; 
To be played on wind instruments. 
A Psalm of David.

Lord, please listen to what I have to say. Think about the things that dwell in my mind. Listen to the very cries of my heart oh King! For I will always lift my prayers to You. Early in the morning, as I lay waking up, I will focus my thoughts and share them with You.Yes Lord, I will speak them out so that we can both hear them, all while I am looking up to view Your face.

For I know You Lord. You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil. Nor will You allow evil to dwell in Your sight. I know there are boastful people who would brag of their exploits. But You do not allow them a speck of ground within Your presence on which to stand. I know that You hate all that practice evil in their hearts and minds. You destroy those who speak lies and abhor all who seek to shed blood and those who are filled with deceit.

But I choose to come into Your mercy filled house. In truth of heart, reverent fear, respect and honor I will worship You in Your holy Temple .... deep within my heart. Lead me in Your righteousness - Standing a right in Your presence - because of my enemies, those who would seek to harm me in word or deed. Make Your path plain before me, that I may walk see You clearly. 

You know that there is no faithfulness in their mouths; their innermost beings are pure destruction. Their throats spew forth meaningless compliments and their lips with vile flattery, as an open grave wafts the fumes of rotting, decaying flesh.

So pronounce them guilty already, Lord. Allow them to know the failure of their plans and fall by their own evil counsel. Then cast them of Your presence for the great pile of their sin, their very rebellion against You.

But oh the joy of those who have trusted in You completely. They will shout in the streets of how they love You, for You have defended and protected them. And in their joy You will bless them with Your favor and continuously surround them with the Shield of Your righteousness and peace.

Psalm Four

Intro:

To the Chief Musician; 
To be played on stringed instruments. 
A Psalm of David

Standing before the Lord I cry with David; God, can I have some relief here? I know that You are able, for there have been many times that I was trapped and You freed me.

Oh you sons of men, how long will you seek to dishonor me. How long will you search for lies when the truth is right in front of you? You know that the Lord has separated those who walk uprightly from all of the rest. He has placed them in a class by themselves. He listens when I call and He answers me.

So, sons of men, it is OK to be angry, but do not sin in the process. Speak to yourselves within, silently dwell on your inner most thoughts and your own intentions.

Offer to God the proper and correct sacrifices AND for the right reasons. And confidently lean on the Lord, trusting completely in Him.

Lord, I know that there have been many that have asked You to smile on them so that they can see Your goodness all around them. But I love how You treat me. For You have placed Your pure joy and true merriment in my heart than they will ever know. More even than their wheat fields and vineyards have yielded - even in bumper crop years.

Yes my Lord, You fill me with Your great peace, so that I can lay down to rest confident that I am completely safe, and assured that I can trust You wholeheartedly. For You are my King and My God.

Psalm Three

Intro: 

David's prayer when he ran from Absalom, his son.

Look Lord! My enemies gather together, increasing in number greatly. There are many who take up arms against me.

Listen; they boast. God can't help him.

But You protect me, Oh Lord, You wrap me up in your glory, lifting my head up so that I can see You working on my behalf.

When I cry out to You, You hear me and send Your answers from Your Holy mountain, Zion. And I can rest. I sleep peacefully, awakening refreshed, for You sustain me. Therefore I will have no fear of them who are against me. Even if there are thousands - yes, even thousands of thousands, all around me.

Rise up, Oh Lord, and save me. I know You can; for time after time You have defended me in the past. You have struck my enemies, hitting them in the face, knocking out their very teeth. Thus removing all of their power; humbling them.

You ARE Salvation! And You share it freely.

Please, pour out Your joy and Your many blessings on Your own.

Amen!