“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalms 124:8 CSB
Lord, I am so thankful that I am not in this life to fight on my own. Whether it is my thoughts or the circumstances that drag me down or the suffering of human life, we are not alone! You are not just a person to be with us but the most powerful, infinite, loving and merciful being in existence. I am so thankful that You are with me wherever I go.
“I lift my eyes to you, the one enthroned in heaven. Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand, like a servant girl’s eyes on her mistress’s hand, so our eyes are on the Lord our God until he shows us favor. Show us favor, Lord, show us favor, for we’ve had more than enough contempt. We’ve had more than enough scorn from the arrogant and contempt from the proud.”
Psalms 123:1-4 CSB
God!?!…waiting is hard! Lord…why must we wait so long for Your hand to work? I know that I am wholly dependent on You in everything. I wish that You would answer instantly and completely…remind me that I know better! Most of Your work is completed in our waiting. Help me to be content in the midst of Your working, my waiting. Help me to rest in the confidence of Your perfectly timed work!
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.” Because of my brothers and friends, I will say, “May peace be in you.””
Psalms 122:1, 8 CSB
What a blessing a church community is. This is literally how I feel each time I am headed to church…it’s time to celebrate because of the friends and community that so faithfully love me, even when things are tough.
God knew what He was doing when He created the local church! Doing life without others encouraging, supporting, reminding and challenging me, would bring about significant doubt, worry, fear and loneliness. But even when I don’t feel like seeing other people I always leave encouraged. What a blessing, rejoice indeed!!!
“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.”
Psalms 121:1-2, 5, 7-8 CSB
What better protector could I ask for…the Creator of all things? Nothing is impossible for God to protect us from. Lord help me to always turn to You for help, not my own ideas or money or health…just to You!
“I have dwelt too long with those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.”
Psalms 120:6-7 CSB
I am struck by this section because it highlights such an important reality: you become like the people you spend time with. It doesn’t matter what your intentions are…you will slowly start to think and act more like your friends every day.
So, choose your friends strategically…think about it: what do you want to be in 5yrs? Lord help me to become more Christlike!
“Let my cry reach you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. Let my plea reach you; rescue me according to your promise. My lips pour out praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue sings about your promise, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, Lord, and your instruction is my delight. Let me live, and I will praise you; may your judgments help me. I wander like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commands.”
Psalms 119:169-176 CSB
“ I wander like a lost sheep; seek your servant”…
Lord sometimes I feel as if I am wondering around aimlessly, give me a clear purpose and direction. I know you have given me general guidance, and I will continue to do those things, but I need you to draw near to me and lead me clearly…I too easily miss your leading as I get distracted by every tasty patch of grass. Help me to hear your voice and be delighted in your presence and purpose alone!
“Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart fears only your word. I rejoice over your promise like one who finds vast treasure. I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your instruction. I praise you seven times a day for your righteous judgments. Abundant peace belongs to those who love your instruction; nothing makes them stumble. Lord, I hope for your salvation and carry out your commands. I obey your decrees and love them greatly. I obey your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before you.”
Psalms 119:161-168 CSB
“Abundant peace belongs to those who love your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.“ Lord what a privilege to know Your peace. Nothing will throw me off when I trust in Your Word. Understanding what You want me to do in every situation can only come from knowing You and being familiar with the Bible.
Lord, thank you for giving peace because nothing else in the universe gives peace. What a gift! Help me to see Your hand in the midst of all that You are doing in my life!
“Consider my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instruction. Champion my cause and redeem me; give me life as you promised. Salvation is far from the wicked because they do not study your statutes. Your compassions are many, Lord; give me life according to your judgments. My persecutors and foes are many. I have not turned from your decrees. I have seen the disloyal and feel disgust because they do not keep your word. Consider how I love your precepts; Lord, give me life according to your faithful love. The entirety of your word is truth, each of your righteous judgments endures forever.”
Psalms 119:153-160 CSB
“Your compassions are many, Lord; give me life according to your judgments.“ I am so thankful that You, God, are compassionate because I need it so often. I need You to look down and see my foolishness and gently correct me. You have every right to have anger, frustration and even wrath against my sin nature… yet that is not your stance! Your grace, mercy, kindness and gentleness are what is extended to me, just like a toddler learning to walk. I sense Your great joy as I keep taking steps, as You lead me, and as You guide me away from danger. Your compassion is so gentle and loving!
“I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord. I will obey your statutes. I call to you; save me, and I will keep your decrees. I rise before dawn and cry out for help; I put my hope in your word. I am awake through each watch of the night to meditate on your promise. In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice. Lord, give me life in keeping with your justice. Those who pursue evil plans come near; they are far from your instruction. You are near, Lord, and all your commands are true. Long ago I learned from your decrees that you have established them forever.”
Psalms 119:145-152 CSB
“I call with all my heart“…this is convicting this morning. Lord, so much of my life is filled with distraction that I rarely have my whole heart and mind focused on one thing. Only during severe trial is all of my heart focused on you. I don’t want to live constantly under trial, so change my heart to be more focused on You! Do not allow the interesting things of this world to pull my attention from way really matters!
“You are righteous, Lord, and your judgments are just. The decrees you issue are righteous and altogether trustworthy. My anger overwhelms me because my foes forget your words. Your word is completely pure, and your servant loves it. I am insignificant and despised, but I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your instruction is true. Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but your commands are my delight. Your decrees are righteous forever. Give me understanding, and I will live.”
Psalms 119:137-144 CSB
“Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but your commands are my delight.” Even in times of trouble and stress when I can feel overwhelmed or discouraged, I can look to scripture and find delight. Scripture never changes, never shifts or thinks differently. It is a firm foundation…a rock on which to stand!
That is the opposite of what everything around me feels like when I am shaken by trial or even just relational stress. What confidence I can have in Gods word! Thank you Lord for giving us the Bible and specifically what it is to live for you and not ourselves! There is great joy in knowing you!!!
“Your decrees are wondrous; therefore I obey them. The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. I open my mouth and pant because I long for your commands. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your practice toward those who love your name. Make my steps steady through your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me. Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep your precepts. Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow your instruction.”
Psalms 119:129-136 CSB
"My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow your instruction." This seems a bit extreme, but I understand the sadness of watching people I love, living their lives according to their own plan. Ignoring Gods instructions.
They live "happily" and are simply unaware of the bliss they could be experiencing.
It would be a bit like a person eating a saltine cracker as a snack...(I love saltines...simple, salty but flavorless & dry) but refusing to try the best chocolate chip cookie (sweet, chocolatey, buttery, chewy, vanilla'y with a hint of salt).
The cracker IS fine, maybe even good sometimes...but the cookie is infinitely better. The same can be true of people living their own way...they just are not experiencing the infinitely better life of walking in Gods presence. I want that for them, it is so good, so life altering, so sweet and refreshing, so joyful...
“I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. My eyes grow weary looking for your salvation and for your righteous promise. Deal with your servant based on your faithful love; teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding so that I may know your decrees. It is time for the Lord to act, for they have violated your instruction. Since I love your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, I carefully follow all your precepts and hate every false way.”
Psalms 119:121-128 CSB
"give me understanding so that I may know your decrees." Lord, change me into a man with deep comprehension of your Word, so that I know what You want at any turn, any moment, any question! That kind of insight comes only from You and by Your great mercy.
“I hate those who are double-minded, but I love your instruction. You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word. Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God’s commands. Sustain me as you promised, and I will live; do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Sustain me so that I can be safe and always be concerned about your statutes. You reject all who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is a lie. You remove all the wicked on earth as if they were dross from metal; therefore, I love your decrees. I tremble in awe of you; I fear your judgments.”
Psalms 119:113-120 CSB
“You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word. Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God’s commands.“ This is a familiar mentality…as we draw near to God, the enemy comes in for an attack. They distract, confuse and lie to us so that we follow our own thinking rather than the truth of Gods Word. I need your truth moment by moment. Help me to recognize the lies of the enemy and flee from them…toward Truth!
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. I have solemnly sworn to keep your righteous judgments. I am severely afflicted; Lord, give me life according to your word. Lord, please accept my freewill offerings of praise, and teach me your judgments. My life is constantly in danger, yet I do not forget your instruction. The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not wandered from your precepts. I have your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart. I am resolved to obey your statutes to the very end.”
Psalms 119:105-112 CSB
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Lord, thank you for illuminating my way so that I would have the wisdom and understanding to take my next step. It is only because I spend time becoming familiar with Your Word daily that I have confidence to take each step toward where You desire. Please Lord, align my actions with what You have shown me every step of the way.
“How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word. I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me. How sweet your word is to my taste — sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.”
Psalms 119:97-104 CSB
“I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me. How sweet your word is to my taste — sweeter than honey in my mouth.“ Lord, it is incredible that You personally help me to understand Your Word. You don’t leave me struggling to comprehend what it is you want me to know. You have blessed me beyond what I deserve…only God can do what You have done!
“Lord, your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. Your faithfulness is for all generations; you established the earth, and it stands firm. Your judgments stand firm today, for all things are your servants. If your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for you have given me life through them. I am yours; save me, for I have studied your precepts. The wicked hope to destroy me, but I contemplate your decrees. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your command is without limit.”
Psalms 119:89-96 CSB
“I will never forget your precepts, for you have given me life through them.“ I used to feel like following Gods rules were keeping me from enjoying some parts of life, so many restrictions. But, as I know Christ more, I see that EVERY one of His “restrictions” is protecting me from pain and suffering…following them actually brings great joy and peace. I wish I could convey this in a convincing way to the next generation so that they could avoid some of the heartache and be spared from the bleak discouragement.
God, You know what is best for me and what is best for them, I pray that You would help them learn in the least painful way!
“I long for your salvation; I put my hope in your word. My eyes grow weary looking for what you have promised; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget your statutes. How many days must your servant wait? When will you execute judgment on my persecutors? The arrogant have dug pits for me; they violate your instruction. All your commands are true; people persecute me with lies — help me! They almost ended my life on earth, but I did not abandon your precepts. Give me life in accordance with your faithful love, and I will obey the decree you have spoken.”
Psalms 119:81-88 CSB
“I long for your salvation; I put my hope in your word.“ God, you have saved me…that I will spend eternity with you! God you are saving me…day by day making me more like Christ! God you will save me… moment by moment as you remind me of the truth to help me choose to avoid sin.
God, “I long for your salvation; I put my hope in your word!” Your salvation is everything to me because on my own I am miserable, lonely and impatient. I need You…every hour I need You!
“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn your commands. Those who fear you will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in your word. I know, Lord, that your judgments are just and that you have afflicted me fairly. May your faithful love comfort me as you promised your servant. May your compassion come to me so that I may live, for your instruction is my delight. Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies; I will meditate on your precepts. Let those who fear you, those who know your decrees, turn to me. May my heart be blameless regarding your statutes so that I will not be put to shame.”
Psalms 119:73-80 CSB
I know, Lord, that your judgments are just and that you have afflicted me fairly. May your faithful love comfort me as you promised your servant.
Lord help me to trust in your plans…not my own.
“Lord, you have treated your servant well, just as you promised. Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good, and you do what is good; teach me your statutes. The arrogant have smeared me with lies, but I obey your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight in your instruction. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes. Instruction from your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”
Psalms 119:65-72 CSB
Lord, I feel like I could have written this section…I have experienced this so accurately.
Having a hard and insensitive heart, is so easy…it feels normal, and nothing seems like it is a big deal. This is an easy way to float through life…but it is not filled with your blessing. Blessing comes from knowing You and following Your commands!
“The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep your words. I have sought your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to your decrees. I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands. Though the ropes of the wicked were wrapped around me, I did not forget your instruction. I rise at midnight to thank you for your righteous judgments. I am a friend to all who fear you, to those who keep your precepts. Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love; teach me your statutes.”
Psalms 119:57-64 CSB
The Lord is my portion…how incredible that God lets us know Him, that He desires to know us! How amazing that He gives us Himself!!!
all who fear you, to those who keep your precepts… to know God is to love Him, to love Him is to obey. That is sad to consider because it means that I don’t know or love God, when I choose to do what I want over what God desires.
“Remember your word to your servant; you have given me hope through it. This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life. The arrogant constantly ridicule me, but I do not turn away from your instruction. Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago and find comfort. Fury seizes me because of the wicked who reject your instruction. Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life. Lord, I remember your name in the night, and I obey your instruction. This is my practice: I obey your precepts.”
Psalms 119:49-56 CSB
The author talks about remembering Gods name in the night…it stands out to me that Gods name really is His reputation (who He is, what He stands for, and His character). Then in reference to the night, he is likely referring to emotional darkness, discouragement, depression or teals…where there seems to be nothing but bad news. I can relate to this!
Some days when I feel discouraged about disappointment in life, I just remember who God is and what He has done in the past. It is a great encouragement because so many times He has done the very thing that seemed impossible, that transformed a tragedy into a blessing! That gives me hope that One day He will do that again!
“Let your faithful love come to me, Lord, your salvation, as you promised. Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever. I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. I delight in your commands, which I love. I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and will meditate on your statutes.”
Psalms 119:41-48 CSB
Lord, you have indeed blessed my life because of my understanding of your Word. I see this passage played out in my life, and the victories or blessings come from following You. Doing what You tell me works so well and people love to have me around, because You designed life and how it should work. And it works best when you follow the instructions of the maker! Thank you for loving me!!!
“Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your statutes, and I will always keep them. Help me understand your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart. Help me stay on the path of your commands, for I take pleasure in it. Turn my heart to your decrees and not to dishonest profit. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in your ways. Confirm what you said to your servant, for it produces reverence for you. Turn away the disgrace I dread; indeed, your judgments are good. How I long for your precepts! Give me life through your righteousness.”
Psalms 119:33-40 CSB
Confirmation of Gods Word is so valuable because it reinforces the truth and gives confidence that I am interpreting it accurately. I need that. I can so easily twist the Word into what I want it to mean, which essentially means I am following my own way and not Gods…spoiler alert…that method leads to disappointment, frustration and suffering!
Gods ways lead to life! Eternal Life today, is knowing God and following Jesus! Eternal life in heaven is unending presence of God in a perfect place with a perfect body.
“My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word. I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.”
Psalms 119:25-32 CSB
Lord, You have given us so much through Your Word, yet I often overlook its value. Help me to see how much spiritual strength I gain when I go to Your Word rather than my own thoughts/plans. You are gracious to give us all we need for life, if only we would open the Bible!
“Deal generously with your servant so that I might live; then I will keep your word. Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction. I am a resident alien on earth; do not hide your commands from me. I am continually overcome with longing for your judgments.
You rebuke the arrogant, the ones under a curse, who wander from your commands. Take insult and contempt away from me, for I have kept your decrees. Though princes sit together speaking against me, your servant will think about your statutes; your decrees are my delight and my counselors.”
Psalms 119:17-24 CSB
Lord, you are so generous to me, not only have you given me salvation, you bless me daily with your kindness, your grace, your love and patience. You are an amazing God and I desire to serve you with every fiber of my being!
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Lord, may you be blessed; teach me your statutes.
With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from your mouth. I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”
Psalms 119:9-16 CSB
Lord, help me to seek after you with all my heart, with all my energy and with every part of my mind.
“How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!
Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept. If only my ways were committed to keeping your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous judgments. I will keep your statutes; never abandon me.”
Psalms 119:1-8 CSB
https://bible.com/bible/1713/psa.119.1-8.CSB
“I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done. I will give thanks to you because you have answered me and have become my salvation. You are my God, and I will give you thanks. You are my God; I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.”
Psalms 118:17, 21, 28-29 CSB
There is so much to be thankful for! God has blessed me in a billion ways and taught me some very painful lessons…all of those things make me want to praise Him! I am thankful for the freedom we have and the blessing it is to live in a place that allows unrestricted worship of God. Most importantly is my salvation and that He selected me. So undeserved, but so thankful!
“Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify him, all peoples! For his faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!”
Psalms 117:1-2 CSB
This must be one of the shortest chapters in all of scripture…yet God placed it here for me today. Essentially, Gods faithfulness is perfect and never changes just like His love. Those are two things that I am so thankful for, because I need them both. If God's love and ability to keep promises were like mine, we would all be screwed! Humans, even the best of our kind, are so fickle in our affections and constantly fail to do what we say.
What a blessing that God is perfect and cannot fail is, or change His love toward us! We should praise Him and glorify Him every second of every day! I don’t do that well… I so easily get focused on the things around me, work or personal desires, and completely forget about the awesome God we serve.
Lord, help me to draw near to You and keep You at the center of my thoughts today!
“I love the Lord because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call out to him as long as I live. The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate. The Lord guards the inexperienced; I was helpless, and he saved me. For you, Lord, rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I believed, even when I said, “I am severely oppressed.” How can I repay the Lord for all the good he has done for me? I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”
Psalms 116:1-2, 5-6, 8-10, 12-14 CSB
What an amazing God! He protects us from trouble, from sin, from our own desires…and our portion is to call out. Just to ask. That asking for help requires that we realize we cannot do it on our own, so asking is an acto of humility, a realization of my own weakness and a demonstration of faith. Our call/prayer to Him is declaring that I am powerless but He is powerful!
Then the question comes, because He has saved me thousands of times…
Q: “How can I repay the Lord for all the good he has done for me?”
A: “I will fulfill my vows to the Lord”
Lord, help me to reach out to You every time I need help! You will allow me to attempt to save myself, and it is a constant reminder that I cannot do it on my own. You are an amazing God, I need You even for the small things. Forgive my pride of thinking I can win on my own, I need You, every hour I need You!!!
“Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield. he will bless those who fear the Lord — small and great alike. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. But we will bless the Lord, both now and forever. Hallelujah!”
Psalms 115:1, 11, 13, 15, 18 CSB
God deserves glory and blessing every moment of every day. The reasons are innumerable, two of which are highlighted here: “because of your faithful love, because of your truth”.
Dozens of times in the psalms Gods faithful love is discussed. So much so, that it is a character of who God is. What a blessing to humanity, because we are often not worthy of Gods continued love, yet He gives it freely because it is who He is…not because of how amazing we are. We are so blessed by God and He does deserve ALL THE GLORY!!!
