Psalm 91

*As I personalize this Psalm, I am going to include a paragraph of insights shared by my pastor today, 03/15/2020, at the end.

1. I, Leigh, will dwell in the secret place of the Most High; I will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
   
2. I will say of my Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Him will I trust.
   
3. Surely, He will deliver me from the snare of my fowler and from the destructive pestilence (literally, death of destruction).
   
4. He will cover me with His feathers and under His wings (representative of the tallit or prayer shawl, it speaks of intimacy with the Lord) will I abide; His truth will be my shield and buckler (a buckler is a large shield which protects from three sides).
   
5. I will not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,
   
6. nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.
   
7. A thousand will fall at my side and ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me.
   
8. I will only see the just rewards of the wicked with my eyes.
   
9. Because I have chosen to make the Lord Most High, who is my refuge, my dwelling place … the place where I will live forever.
   
10. In doing so, no evil will befall me, neither will any plague be able to come near my home.
    
11. For He gives His angels charge over me, to keep me in the Way.
    
12. They will bear me up in the palms of their hands so that my feet are kept from being cut upon any stone (This stone is a chiseled stone, cut by men. It represents false, man-made gods).
    
13. Because of this provided safety I can walk on the lion and the adder: I can trample the young lion and the serpent beneath my feet.
    
14. In all of this God says, “because Leigh has set her love on Me, I will deliver her. I will set her on My high places because she knows My name.
    
15. Leigh will call on Me and I will answer her. I AM with her in trouble. I will deliver her and honor her.
    
16. With long life I will satisfy her and show her My Salvation.
    

To dwell within the secret place of the Lord is to live with Him intimately. IT is a “close quarters” dwelling … to live within His arm's length so that He can set His hands upon our head. When the Lord sets His left hand upon our head, He covers us with anointing and His protection. When He sets His right hand upon our head, He covers us with His power … His authority. FYI: this "covering only works while we stay within arm's length He who is doing the covering.  It sounds to me like this “secret place of the Most High” is a place of His grace. In 2 Peter 3:18, we are told to grow in His grace, how better to do this than to dwell within His secret place in a life of total intimacy with the King of kings.

To dwell therein is a choice that we must make. For we have to leave behind everything that would try to separate us from the Lord and His love. And we must enter in with complete and sincere humility. We must place everything at His feet … all of who we are and all of who we ever will or could be, placing all of our cares and trust in Him.

For that place of intimacy with the Lord is an all-consuming fire that burns away all of our impurities and prepares us for total immersion in Him; which is our life in Him for all eternity.

So come, dwell in the secret place of the Most High God and rest within His presence!

The Psalms of Christ

*There are many prophetic passages throughout the Psalms that tell us of Jesus. This Psalm is a compilation of those passages. I have given the references for the Psalms and their New Testament fulfillments.

1. God made a proclamation, do you know what He said? Let me tell you. God said, "You are My Son. Today is Your Birthday, today I declare Your Sonship. 
   
2. What gift would You like? Truly, ask for anything You like, it is Yours! Do You want continents as Your inheritance? The whole world as Your possession? They are Yours!
3. Make them do as You will. Bend them, break them in pieces, or simply throw them away as You wish. *[The Messiah is God's Son. Psalm 2:7-9 / Hebrews 1:5-6.]
4. I will do all that I can to make the Lord happy. For He always gives wise counsel, even through the darkest night.
5. My focus, my whole being is trained on Him, for when I keep the Lord at the center of my life, I can not be moved.
6. It is because of You, Lord, that I am happy from the inside out and from the outside in I am being perfected in Your image ... secure in Your restful hope.
7. For You will not abandon me in death, neither will You allow Your Holy One, Your Anointed, to face destruction, corruption, or decay. *[Messiah will rise from the dead. Psalm 16:7-10 / Luke 24:5-7, Acts 13:35.]
   
8. Lord ... oh my Lord! Why have You left me so alone and desolate? Why are You so far from helping me, removed from hearing the deepest distress filled cries of my heart?
9. Oh Lord, I cry out in deep anguish all day long, but I hear no reply. All through the darkness of night I toss and turn in my despair, but still, I get no response from You.
10. But You who dwell in the praises of Your people, Israel, are Holy, my Lord.
11. It was You our forefathers trusted implicitly. They trusted You because You delivered them when they were in need.
12. They cried out to You over and over; they trusted You and You never disappointed them.
13. But I am not worthy to call on Your name; for I am lower than the dust on a worm's belly. I am less than a man. for I am full of disgrace, despised by my companions ... my peers.
14. They all make fun of me; throwing their insults, and shaking their heads, they make faces and laugh me to scorn.
15. You know, he trusted in God, he believes that God will deliver him. So, let God save him since he puts all of his trust, his delight, in Him.
16. But I do trust You, Lord, because it was You who brought me out of my mother's womb. You put this faith within me while I was suckling at my mother's breast. 
17. From my very first breath, I had to put my trust in You. You made me know that You alone were worthy of that trust, and since that day You have been my God.
18. Then trouble moved in next door. Now You seem so far away, and I need help!
19. My enemies, like a herd of raging bulls, surround me. 
20. Their heads are lowered and bobbing, their horns pointed menacingly in my direction. They paw at the ground and flair their nostrils as if ready to stampede.
21. Like roaring lions, they prepare to tear apart their prey with their mouths open wide for the kill.
22. I am done in. My life is poured out; like a water bucket that has been kicked over and the has o water flowed out onto the ground. My body is spent; I feel as if all of my joints are dislocated. My heart is destroyed; it is as if it has melted within my chest, like wax in the cauldron is melted before being made into candles for light.
23. My strength is gone, it is as dried up as an old bone. I can barely call for help, for my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth. You may as well throw me out on the dust pile with the trash, for I am all but dead.
24. 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.
25. All of my bones are visible beneath my skin. And the people stand around, gawking at me and gloating.
26. They divide my clothes among them, but they shoot dice to gamble for my robe.
27. Oh Lord, do not go far away. God, You are my strength, so come quickly to save me.
28. Father, please rescue me from this implement of death. Save Your Begotten One from the destruction of these wild dogs.
29. Deliver me from the lion's mouth, rescue me from this herd of wild oxen, for my death is imminent without You.
30. Regardless, I will shout Your name among my brothers and sisters. Ever will I sing Your praises among the congregation of believers. *[The Christ will experience agony on the cross,  Psalm 22:1-22 / Matthew ch 26 and 27. Evil men will gamble for his clothing, Psalm 22:18 / Matthew 27:35, John 19:23-24. He is exceedingly thirsty on the cross. Psalm 22:15 / John 19:28. He will declare God's name. Psalm 22:22 / Hebrews 2:12.]
31. Even in death You protect Him, You keep His bones from being broken. *[His bones will not be broken. Psalm 34:20 / John 19:36-37.]
32. You have opened my hearing, You have enabled my understanding. Sacrifices and offerings - of animals or money, of body and soul - bring you no joy; You have not required nor requested them, for You have no need of them. It is obedience that You require.
33. It was when I came to this realization that I came to You, just as it is written in Your book about me.
34. Therefore, it pleases me to do Your will, my Lord. Yes Your orders, Your very law, is written deep within my being ... directly on my heart of hearts! *[He came to do God's will. Psalm 40:6-8 / Hebrews 10:5-7.]
35. Even my close friend, a trusted brother ... one who shared my food and lodgings has betrayed me. He has lifted his hand against me and is now among my enemies. *[Christ will be betrayed by a close friend. Psalm 41:9 / Luke 22:48]
36. Your throne is God's throne forever and always. The power by which You rule is just; it weighs the intents of the people. [The sceptre (or orb, in some kingdoms) is the symbol of a king's power (or right) to rule.]
    
37. He knows that You love righteousness and hate evil. Therefore God, yes Your God, has anointed You with the oil of His great gladness; He has named You King ... The Leader of Your brothers, Your companions. *[His Kingdom will never end. Psalm 45:6-7 / Hebrews 1:8-9]
38. When You ascended (from the grave) you released the captives from their captivity. You received gifts from the people; yes even wicked people blessed You; that You, our God, might dwell among them ... within them. *[He rose from the dead. Psalms 68:18 / Ephesians 4:8-10. Words in parenthesis added for clarity.]
39. Zeal, enthusiastic diligence, for You and Your household consumes me from within. The insults of those that hate You break my heart. Yes, and they even blame me for all that they hate about You. *[Christ is zealous, enthusiastically diligent, for God and His people. Psalm 69:9 / John 2:17.]
40. Your enemies placed poison in my food, and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink. *[He was offered vinegar while on the cross. Psalm 69:21 / Matthew 27:48.]
41. You have said that You made a covenant with David, Your chosen one. You swore to him, 'I have established your dynasty, your historic line, forever. I have made your throne secure throughout all generations.
42. Once, and for all time, I have sworn by My Holiness - I will not lie to David - his line will continue forever, and his throne will stand before My presence just as the sun and the moon have from the beginning of creation. *[Messiah is a descendant of King David. Psalm 89:3, 4, 35, 36 / Luke 1:31-33.]
43. Announce to the whole world - Our God Rules! It was Him who set the earth securely on its foundation. And He will fairly judge all of its people.
44. Let's hear the heavenly choir joyously proclaim it, as the earth resounds His praises and the oceans join in with their applause.
45. Let the fields be lush with their excitement and the animals dance. Yes, the trees of the forest will sing and shout with pure joy before their God.
46. Indeed, all creation will rejoice; for He comes. The Lord returns to bring His judgment upon the earth. Judgment, tempered with righteousness and love. Love for His whole creation, the earth, and His children. He will set all things right ... make all things new, in His faithfulness. *[Christ will return to judge the earth. Psalm 96:10-13 / 1 Thessalonians1:10.]
    
47. The Lord God said to my lord (king David), 'Sit here beside Me on My throne until I place all of your enemies beneath your feet. 
48. The Lord God will hold the scepter, the symbol of your rulership and strength, over Zion and say, 'Now rule with My power and might even though you are surrounded by your enemies.' 
49. Don't worry, the people will eagerly join you, clad in their holy armor, on the day of your mighty victory. At the dawning of the day, they will join you. You and all of the people will have vitality and vigor of youth. You will be indestructible ... '10 feet tall and bulletproof.' 
50. The Lord God has sworn - He will never change His mind - 'You are a priest forever, just like Melchizedek of old,  *[He is David's son and David's Lord. He is the eternal priest-king. Psalm 110:1-4 / Matthew 22:44, Hebrews 6:20.]
    
51. The Stone which the builders rejected as flawed has been chosen by God as The Capstone of His house.
52. God has chosen, and we marvel at it. We rub our eyes in disbelief.
53. Yet, this is the very day God acted. Let all of His children celebrate with great joy and feasting! *[He is rejected by many, but accepted by God. Psalm 118:22-24 / 1 Peter 2:7-8.]
    

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 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 Eleven

Intro: 

For the Chief Musician or Choir Director. A Psalm of David

Jesus is my protective defense system, in Him alone do I place my full trust; for He is worthy ... His ways unbeaten!

I see my enemies preparing for the coming battle, his evil troops load up their rifles, mortars and grenade launchers in readiness. They will be ready to attack when night falls. When darkness looms they can shoot at the righteous, picking off the warriors of the Lord in secret. Hidden in the shadows they try to destroy us.

So how can you tell me to run away and hide? It was for this very battle that He has been preparing me.

See now the Lord is in His tabernacles; His very dwelling places. He sits upon His heavenly throne within the hearts of His warriors! I see Him watching over the children of men, the movements of His eyelids tries them, testing them for their upcoming conflicts, strengthening and preparing them. He proves all of our abilities to obey.

But upon the wicked, the evildoers ... all of the unbelievers of the world, He rains down judgment; He pummels them with fiery coals and burning rocks, all the while He is setting traps for their feet and arms to snare them while allowing the burning winds to scorch them in the process. And all of this is their reward for their thoughts, words and deeds, it is the very portion that He has filled each of their cups with.

For my God is True and Total Righteousness. He loves and blesses the righteous acts of His Children. And all of His Children, the precious Children of God, have the privilege of seeing His face as He holds them .... holds us ....  securely in His arms.

And I am Blessed to be counted among His Children!

Lord, I give you all thanksgiving and praise for ALL of Your Marvelous Ways!

Psalm Ten

Lord, why do you seem so far away? Why do you seem removed from my presence, so distant from me? Why do You hide Yourself, closing Your eyes when I am in dire straights ... in desperate trouble?

The wicked in their arrogant pride savagely chase after the poor to persecute them; may they be caught in the evil they have designed to the hurt of others. For they boast and brag of their wicked ways; they sing praises of the evil exploits they desire to do. Yes, the greedy in nature and desire despise You, Lord; they renounce all Your ways.

In their prideful conceit they will not seek after God, nor will they inquire after Him at all: for their minds have already concluded that God doesn't exist, so how can He punish their wrong doings? In all of this they are persistent and seem prosperous. Though Your commandments and accompanying judgments are beyond their comprehension, they have rejected them all. They taunt their enemies, all the while thinking to themselves, "Nothing and No One can harm me ... Nothing can shake my resolve!

Their mouths spews forth lies and curses, oppression and destruction, yet still they are filled with sinfulness and persecution.

They wait in dark alleys to strike at unsuspecting passersby. They hide in doorways to kill the innocent, watching sneakily for the helpless and less fortunate ... dragging them into their traps, crushing them as sink into its destruction; and all they while they think deep in their heart, "God has totally forgotten all about me! His eyes are closed tight, He can't see what I'm up too!"

 "Oh Lord, Open Your eyes, lift up your hands to protect the humble and do not forget them."

Why do the wicked try to deny Your existence? Why do they believe they will not be held accountable for what they have done? I know that you have seen it! Yes, You jot down notes of Your grief and hints of Your coming wrath.

Yet they that have been maligned and persecuted commit their ways to You. For You are the One who helps the fatherless, widows and orphans. You will always defend their cause.

So break the arms of the evil and depraved, make him pay for all the wrongs they have done! Expose them and their activities for all to see. Then will the innocent masses disappear from their sights, they will be unreachable to them forevermore. And all will know that You, Oh Lord, are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, forevermore.

For You, oh Lord, hear the cries of the oppressed, seeking righteousness for their cause. You feel their longings, their very hearts' desires, listening intently to their every word ...

So avenge them, my Lord; seek justice and righteous judgment for them, my God. Then will all men know that You are in charge and will not cause terror unjustly or without cause.

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 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 Six

Oh Lord, don't punish me in your fierce anger, or discipline me while you are so terribly displeased. Show me  Your tender mercy, for I am weak. Father, heal me, for I am troubled to the bone, to the very core of my being; how long must I wait patiently? -- How Long!

Come and deliver me now, Lord! Save me because of Your great mercy. For if I die, who will remember you? When we are put in the ground, who will Give You thanks?

Oh Lord, how weary I am from my moaning. All night long I water my bed with my tears, making it into a swimming pool. My eyes grow dim because of all my grief; they go blind because of the terror my enemies instill in me by their many attacks.

All who are evil in though and deed, leave me NOW! For my GOD has heard my cries in the night. He listens when I pour out my heart in intercession with great sorrow and weeping, and He has received my many prayers. He will make all of my enemies ashamed. He will give them the trouble that they deserve. So much so that they will turn away suddenly, filled with shame at their words and deeds.

And I will give Him ALL Praise!

Amen!

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.