Short Reflection from Psalm 107-150

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (AG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟘𝟟:𝟡

"For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good."

Of course, if we thirst and hunger after sin, God is not going to satisfy us with those sins. We just have to give up sins, hate sins, and flee from them.

But if we thirst and hunger after godly things, righteous things, God shall fulfill our heart's desire.

Let's wait upon God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟘𝟠:𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛

"Oh give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain. Through God we will do valiantly, And it is He who shall tread down our adversaries."

To have confidence in God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟘𝟡:𝟚𝟙-𝟚𝟚

"But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name's sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me; For I am afflicted and needy, And my heart is wounded within me."

This is also my prayer this morning. Only God can understand and heal the wounded heart, the afflicted soul.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟘:𝟙

"The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.'"

The Lord shall be the King of all. Even the rebellious sinners will accept that. May not be now, but someday they shall.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟙:𝟟

"The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure."

A verse to remember the awesome truth concerning God. Such assertion/declaration must be echoed in the philosophy of smart people of our times.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟚:𝟙

"Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments."

We want to be a blessed person, to be a blessing to many people.

Fear God. Delight in His commandments.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟛:𝟞

"Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in heaven and in the earth?"

Our God is a humble one. Human beings are so proud. We don't want to look up to God. While God looks down from heaven to see the affairs of humans to help.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟜:𝟝-𝟞

"What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?"

The mighty acts of God are reconsidered in this Psalm. Nothing can stand against anyone whose side is God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟝:𝟙

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth."

May this be our confession in everything we do!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟞:𝟝-𝟟

"Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you."

If you are a sinner like me, I am sure you have more prayer points than praise points. There were some things I prayed for fervently, and when they were answered, I wasn't totally at peace, and I kept praying for other things, fearing some other things.

This Psalm is reminding us to learn to be quiet, calm, peaceful knowing God has answered our prayers. He remains gracious, compassionate, and righteous. So, we don't need to fear the uncertain things of life, knowing He has dealt with us in a good way this far.

And I do need to preach this to myself like the Palmist.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟟:𝟚

"For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD!"

The word of God written in the Bible is also eternal.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟠

"The LORD has disciplined me severely, But He has not given me over to death."

God shall either discipline or punish people. Some to life and others to death.

God disciplines those He loves and grants them life.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟙𝟡:𝟝-𝟞

"Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments."

Bible Reading Update should convict us of our lifestyle. Have you been reading casually? Take time to think through as well!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟘:𝟚

"Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue."

Stay away from the liars!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟙:𝟚-𝟛

"My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber."

How comforting is it to have the God of heaven as the keeper of my soul!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟚:𝟙

"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'"

Let's memorise this verse to recite to our friends who have the habit of skipping church service.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟛:𝟚

"Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He is gracious to us."

We do need to experience the grace of God. There's an abundant grace of God. It's the grace of God that we are alive now, but in mundane things of life, we do need to desire the grace of God to help us go through all things, enjoying life and godliness to the glory of God.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟜:𝟙

"'Had it not been the LORD who was on our side,' Let Israel now say,"

Let's learn to see the hands of God – protecting, providing, and prospering our life!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟝:𝟜

"Do good, O LORD, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts."

A positive motivation to be a righteous man in this corrupt world.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟞:𝟙

"When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream."

The Lord is not only our saviour and sustainer but also our restorer. The Scripture has promised and demonstrated again and again that God is a gracious restorer.

Have we lost anything because we want to honor God? Have we lost anything because of our ignorance, arrogance, and foolishness? Have we lost anything because we are weak, poor, and timid?

The exhortation is the same for us: to keep trusting God. He will restore us both in this life and the next to come.

Let's remember, Paul, Abraham, David, Ruth, and other Biblical characters.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟟:𝟛

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward."

Children are not a burden nor a thing of inconvenience. It's a gift from the Lord.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟠:𝟛

"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table."

Fear the Lord and you shall not be afraid of anything!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟚𝟡:𝟚

"Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up; Yet they have not prevailed against me."

Stand firm on God and you shall not be utterly cast down.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟘:𝟟

"O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption."

3 reasons to hope in the Lord: Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, Redemption

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟙:𝟙

"O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me."

Over the years, slowly and slowly but increasingly I have been learning to recite this Psalm.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟚:𝟡

"Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your godly ones sing for joy."

This is my prayer for our church leaders and members!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟛:𝟙

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!"

The blessedness of unity among the brethren! A great Psalm to recall in any Christian get-together program.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞𝟙𝟛𝟜:𝟙-𝟛

"Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD, Who serve by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth."

A call to praise God and a benediction for the blessings of God.

Grace and gratitude go together well!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟝:𝟞

"Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps."

God is in control of everything. Nobody can thwart the plan of God. His plan and pleasure are always good, yes even to us.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟞:𝟙𝟚

"With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

God will do wonders to make a way for us if He pleases to do so. Seek the will, pleasure, praise of God!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟟:𝟜

"How can we sing the LORD'S song In a foreign land?"

Indeed, praise is more comely in some places. We can worship God anywhere but there are better and more appropriate places to worship Him.

"Work is worship" is one of the most abused sayings. And I think it doesn't originate from Christianity.

Btw, we can defend anything using Bible, but it doesn't mean it's right!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟠:𝟞

"For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar."

What can a wretched man like me do in the face of this earth than to humble before the Lord? And the Scripture says again and again that the Lord regards those who humble before Him.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟛𝟡:𝟙𝟚

"Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You."

It was my elder brother who let me realize that what we think at night is often different from what we think in the daytime. Day and night affect our emotions and many aspects of life. But God remains unchanged because He is perfect and knows everything and is all-powerful and good.

Let's learn to take refuge in God when we are overwhelmed by anything!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟘:𝟠

"Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah."

There's such verse in the Bible. Surely, the desire of some wicked people to control the proclamation of the Gospel should not be granted. Even their mundane desires for seemingly neutral things so as to frustrate them to help them realize that they are living in God's world, not the world they have created for whatever they like.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟙:𝟝

"Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; It is oil upon the head; Do not let my head refuse it, For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds."

He who loves righteousness must hate wickedness. A godly man wouldn't want to be accused of any sin. He would rather be exposed of his sin than be concealed so as to flee away from it.

Love correction!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟚:𝟟

"Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Your name; The righteous will surround me, For You will deal bountifully with me."

David's Prayer even for deliverance from miserable and troubled times is God-centred. To praise God. To make the people of God praise God along with him.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟛:𝟠

"Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul."

This is an appropriate Psalm for me to meditate on this morning. Those who have committed their life to God should keep trusting Him forever. It's not only right to trust God but also the safest and best thing to do.

He is trustworthy. He is loving. He overlooks sin. He delivers. He guides. He answers. He is my hope!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟜:𝟙𝟛-𝟙𝟜

"Let our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce, And our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; Let our cattle bear Without mishap and without loss, Let there be no outcry in our streets!"

It's right to desire and pray for prosperity like King David. But David also loved the lovingkindness of God more than anything.

If we don't forget the giver, we can enjoy the gift as well.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟝:𝟚

"Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever."

The older I have become the stronger I have affirmed this.

God is praiseworthy!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟞:𝟚

"I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

This is my desire and resolution too. To praise God forever!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟟:𝟛

"He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds."

There's hope and comfort, healing and restoration in the Lord for those who learn to wait and trust Him

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟠:𝟟-𝟠

"Praise the LORD from the earth, Sea monsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word."

If inanimate things are called to praise God and they indeed display the glory of God, we, His people, ought to praise God joyfully!

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟜𝟡:𝟜

"For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation."

Who wants the Lord to be angry with him? None. The psalmist says that God takes pleasure in His people. God purposes only good things for His people.

 

ℙ𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝟙𝟝𝟘:𝟚

"Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness."

While the whole psalm exhorts to praise God, verse 2 gives the reason to praise God. It's not a personal/private reason btw, though we must praise God for such reason too. The point is, God is praiseworthy no matter whether we feel like He seems to be far away from us or disciplining us. God remains good and praiseworthy!