Psalms Thirty, verses 1-12

A Song of Dedication for the Temple of the Lord

As followers of Jesus, WE are His Temple!

Lord, I applaud You. Yes, I clap my hands as I sing Your praise; for You have raised me up out of the depths of my darkness and despair. And You did not allow my enemies to rejoice in my depression. I called for help and You heard me, bringing Your healing to clear my darkness. Thank You, Lord, for not allowing me to fall headlong into that pit. For sparing me from the grave. Ever will I sing Your praises!

Hey, congregation believers, sing His praises. All you His faithful servants, praise His holy name. Yes, I know He gets angry sometimes, but it only lasts for a moment. But His favor, grace, and mercy last forever; beyond this lifetime ... throughout all eternity. I know there are times you may cry yourself to sleep at night. But when you wake in the morning, He will refresh you with HIs unspeakable joy and peace.

You know, when my bank accounts and pantries were full and I felt safe and secure, I said, 'I've got the world by the tail ... I've got it made! For You had blessed me with Your favor, placing me upon Your solid Rock. Then You seemed to turn away just for a moment, hiding Your face from me. My whole world collapsed, and my spirit was in ruins.

I cried out to You in my despair. I longed to be shown Your mercy once more, so I tearfully yelled, 'how can Your Kingdom advance if I am dead and buried? When I can no longer sing Your songs of praise? Will my grave praise Your name? Will it tell others of Your faithfulness ... Your truth? Hear me once more, my God, and pour out Your mercy and forgiveness on me.

See, You've done it again: You turned my cries of anguish into joyous dancing. You have exchanged my sackcloth and ashes for Your pure joy. How can I be silent, now? Therefore I will never stop singing Your praises. Evermore will I lift my voice to give You honor, glory, and praise!

Amen!

Psalm Twenty Two, Verses 1-15

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.

1. 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?
2. 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.
   
3. But You who dwell in the praises of Your people, Israel, are Holy, my Lord.
4. It was You our forefathers trusted implicitly. They trusted You because You delivered them when they were in need.
5. They cried out to You over and over; they trusted You and You never disappointed them.
6. 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.
7. They all make fun of me; throwing their insults, and shaking their heads, they make faces and laugh me to scorn.
8. 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.
   
9. 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. 
10. 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.
11. Then trouble moved in next door. Now You seem so far away, and I need help!
12. My enemies, like a herd of raging bulls, surround me. 
13. 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. Like roaring lions, they prepare to tear apart their prey with their mouths open wide for the kill.
14. 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.
15. 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.