the psalms

January 31st THE PSALMS Psalm 145-150 Psalm 147 He who heals men broken at the heart and bandages their aches, who counts off the stars, names them all. Psalm 147:3-4, Byington Translation Theme: Praise God for his Providence. Background: This anonymous poem was likely written following...

January 30th THE PSALMS Psalm 139-144 Psalm 139 I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there too - your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful - I can’t take it all in! Psalm 139:5-6, The Message Theme: The Wonder of God’s Presence...

January 29th THE PSALMS Psalm 122-138 Psalm 127 Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain. Psalm 127:1, World English Bible Theme: Raising a Family. Background: One of only two psalms...

January 28th THE PSALMS Ps 119:97- Ps 121 Psalm 119 (b) Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path [ it shows how life should be lived]. Psalm 119:105, The Expanded Bible Theme: The excelling value of God’s Word (b). Background: Meditations on the Excellencies of...

January 27th THE PSALMS Psalm 119:1-96 Psalm 119 (a) Although I have become like a shriveled and dried out wineskin, I have not forgotten your laws. Psalm 119:83, God’s Word Translation Theme: The excelling value of God’s Word (a) Background: An acrostic Psalm of 22 sections each...

January 26th THE PSALMS Psalm 114-118 Psalm 118 The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes - we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted - let’s celebrate and be festive! Psalm 118:22-24, The Message Theme: Praise to...

January 25th THE PSALMS Psalm 108-113 Psalm 113 Who is like Yahweh our God? His throne is set on high, but he stoops to look down on heaven and earth. Psalm 113:5-6, New Jerusalem Bible Theme: The Majesty and Humility of God. Background: The first of the six Passover psalms or Hallel...

January 24th THE PSALMS Psalm 106-107 Psalm 10 “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. Psalm 107:6, New Living Translation Theme: Jehovah saves out of distress. Background: The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. Notice the repetitive...

January 23rd THE PSALMS Psalm 104-105 Psalm 105 They clamped his feet in fetters. His neck went into irons. Until [the] time his word came about, the word of Yahweh tested him. Psalm 105:18-19, Lexham English Bible Theme: From Egypt to Canaan: praise Jehovah, seek his face constantly...

January 22nd THE PSALMS Psalm 98-103 Psalm 103 The same way a loving father feels toward his children - that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us, your beloved children, who live in awe of you. Psalm 103:13, The Passion Translation Theme: Praise for Jehovah’s Mercies...

January 21st THE PSALMS Psalm 92-97 Psalm 94 When worries threaten to overwhelm me, your soothing touch makes me happy. Psalm 94:19, The NET Bible Theme: School of Affliction. Background: The righteous are oppressed – does God care? 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom you discipline...

January 20th THE PSALMS Psalm 89-91 Psalm 90 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12, New Living Translation Theme: Man’s frailty. Background: The older generation of Israelites were dying off in the wilderness. 90:4 “For a thousand...

January 19th THE PSALMS Psalm 84-88 Psalm 88 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness. Psalm 88:18, English Standard Version Theme: Darkest Times. Background: One-third of the Psalms are in the ‘anguish’ category, with Psalm 88 as the most...

January 18th THE PSALMS Psalm 79-83 Psalm 80 Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved. Psalm 80:3, New Living Translation Theme: Restore us. Background: Asaph’s two metaphors for Israel: a flock (vs 1-7) a vine (vs 8-14). 80:3...

January 17th THE PSALMS Psalm 77-78 Psalm 77 Your way ran through the sea, Your path cut through great waters, and still no one can spot Your footprints. Psalm 77:19, The Voice Theme: Remembering. Background: Asaph’s depression and deliverance. 77:2-3 “In the day of my trouble I...

January 16th THE PSALMS Psalm 72-76 Psalm 73 But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me. Psalm 73:28, Recovery Version Theme: Pondering Prosperity. Background: Asaph’s self-pity as he saw the prosperity of the wicked. 73:3-4 “For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw...

January 15th THE PSALMS Psalm 69-71 Psalm 69 I looked in vain for one friendly face. Not one. I couldn’t find one shoulder to cry on. Psalm 69:20, The Message Theme: Messianic Mistreatment. Background: Psalm 22 describes Jesus’ physical sufferings too. 69:4 “They hate me without...

January 14th THE PSALMS Psalm 65-68 Psalm 68 Blessed be the Lord, who daily takes our load; the Deity is our salvation. Psalm 68:19, Byington Translation Theme: Celebration of Triumph. Background: The Ark taken to Zion with great joy (2 Sam 6:2-18). 68:3 “But the righteous one...

January 13th THE PSALMS Psalm 59-64 Psalm 63 O God, You are my God; I seek You diligently. My soul thirsts for You, my flesh faints in longing for You, in a dry and weary land without water. Psalm 63:1, Recovery Version Theme: Longing for God Himself. Background: David’s deep love...

January 12th THE PSALMS Psalm 54-58 Psalm 56 On days when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3, International Standard Version Theme: Fear and Faith. Background: David escaped to Gath by pretence of insanity (1 Sam 21; Ps 34). 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in...