S – God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. ³¹ For who is God besides the Lord? And who is a rock? Only our God

Psalms 18:30–31 CSB

O – “Perfect” – tâmı̂ym – entire (lit., fig. or mor.); also (as noun) integrity, truth:— without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.

“Pure” – tsâraph – to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (lit. or fig.):— cast, (re-) fine (-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try.

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – God’s way is entirely true and without blemish in its integrity. His Word fuses with our hearts and works to refine us.  We need to allow both principles work in our relationship with God.  When we know his purposes and ways are perfect, we grow in faith.  When we allow His word to become real in our lives, it binds us to Him in a stronger relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the One, true God.  Thank you for your ways and Word – they give us greater faith in you.  Help us to use both as a foundation grow in our intimacy and knowledge of you.

S – Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings ⁹ from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me

Psalms 17:8–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

David prayed that he would be kept in the center of God’s watchful care. His two figures of speech in this verse have been most helpful to believers of all ages. The apple of the eye seems to refer to an eye’s pupil, symbolizing one’s sight. In other words the psalmist prayed for God’s direct and careful attention.
The other figure, the shadow of Your wings, is also mentioned in 36:7; 57:1; 61:4, “shelter”; 63:7; 91:4 (cf. Ruth 2:12; Matt. 23:37). This image comes from the animal world, comparing God’s protective care to that of a bird with its young. So David was praying for care and protection from the Lord.
The reason for the prayer’s urgency is the nature of the wicked.

Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 805.

A – We are the “apple of God’s eye.” The pupil is so amazing in its ability to see. Yet, it is so delicate and fragile that any scratch or penetration could do such harm.  We are like that.  God empowers us with great gifting, talent and heart.  Yet, we too can become damaged or harmed if we are unprotected.  God protects and provides for those He loves.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Jehovah Jireh, our provider.  Thank you for all of your provision.  You protect us and keep us safe from the enemy, his schemes and harm that may come our way.  Thank you for displaying your love in such a wonderful way.

S – I will bless the Lord who counsels me—even at night when my thoughts trouble me.^,

I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

Psalms 16:7-8 CSB

O – Commentary:

As a result of all this bounty, David praised the Lord because He counseled him at night (as well as in the daytime) and because He guided him safely. (Praise is lit., “bless,” which means “to speak well of.” This is the first of about two dozen times in the Pss. where the Lord is said to be “blessed,” usually trans. “praised” in the niv.) Because of this David knew that he would not be shaken (cf. comments on 15:5b) from his walk of integrity and enjoyment of the blessings he had in the Lord.

 Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 804.

A – Blessing goes both ways in these verses.  We can bless or praise God with our words to express how we feel about him.  David experienced the blessing of his presence.  If we let God lead us today through his Holy Spirit, we will not be deterred from the things He has for us.  We can walk confidently because we walk in alignment with Him.

R- Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor.  We invite your Holy Spirit to be present and lead us in all we think, say and do.  We will not be deterred in aligning with your will and purpose today.

S – For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds. The upright will see his face. 

Psalms 11:7 CSB

O – The Lord is just and epitomizes what is right.  Those who follow in his righteousness will see him face to face.  

A – The Lord desires intimacy.  A face to face conversation is very intimate between humans because you hear the words… but you also see the expression, body language, and tone all through the contours of the face.  What we know in part now, will be changed when we see God in heaven.

R – Heavenly Father, you are righteous and pure.  Thank you for desiring a relationship with us that gives us everything we need right now.  We look forward to seeing you face to face when we are in your presence on day.

S – Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, ¹⁸ doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more. 

Psalms 10:17,18 CSB

O – Commentary:

The longing of the afflicted you have heard The wicked praise their desires (v. 3), but Yahweh cares for the desires of the afflicted (Prov 10:24).

You will listen attentively The Hebrew term used here, qashav, means “to listen attentively” or “to pay attention” (Prov 2:2; Isa 48:18). Rather than being far away, Yahweh pays close attention to the cries of the afflicted (compare Psa 10:1, 11).

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 10:17.

A – What does it do for your attitude and perspective to know that God cares for those afflicted and listens to them attentively?  It reminds us how important we are to God and He listens when we talk with him.  With all of life’s challenges, it is comforting and empowering to know that there is something bigger than us and that He knows us intimately.  

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you alone.  Thank you for knowing and caring for us.  We know you hear us and desire the best for us.  Empower us to walk in confidence and humility today.

S – I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous works. ² I will rejoice and boast about you; I will sing about your name, Most High

Psalms 9:1–2 CSB

O – A:  Most of what we say to God in prayer is our expression of what we need or want from God.  This scripture is all about the psalmist exalting, proclaiming and declaring how big and wonderful God is.  We need to spend time honoring God in our thoughts, words and actions.  God is worthy of all praise, honor and majesty we can ascribe him.

R – Heavenly Father, You are the Most High.  We are grateful that you allow us relationship that invites us closer to you.  You alone are worthy of all of our honor and praise – there is none like you.  We love you today with all of our hearts!

S – what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him? 

⁵ You made him little less than God^, and crowned him with glory and honor. 

Psalms 8:4–5 CSB

O – Commentary:

The rhetorical questions in verse 4 emphasize that man is an insignificant creature in the universe (cf. 144:3). Yet God cares for him immensely. It amazed David that the Lord of the universe even thinks about man.

8:5. God’s creation of man is described as one of power and dignity, for he was made … a little lower than God (’ělōhîm; cf. niv marg.). The KJV followed the Septuagint in translating this word “angels.” The NIV has chosen heavenly beings, which follows the same interpretation. Though in some cases ’ělōhîm may refer to angels, this is not its main meaning. Man was created as God’s own representative on earth, over the Creation, but lower than God. David was amazed that God should exalt finite man to such a place of honor.

 Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 797.

A – It is mind blowing when you take in the “bigness” of God and the relationship man has to Him.  Not just as a species…an individual relationship.  He created all things and holds all things while at the same time, he knows how many hairs are on my head right now, what I am feeling and what is happening tomorrow.  How can you not have hope when God is part of the equation? 

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Creator of all and hold all things.  We humble ourselves and surrender to you as our Lord and Savior.  Thank you for all that you provide for us in our relationship.  You have no limits or rival.  Help us to honor you for who you are today.

S – Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. The one who examines the thoughts and emotions is a righteous God

Psalms 7:9 CSB

O – “Establish” – kûwn. to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence, (caus.) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether lit. (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or fig. (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous

“Examine” – bâchan, baw-khan’; a prim. root; to test (espec. metals); gen. and fig. to investigate:— examine, prove, tempt, try (trial).

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – As the world goes one way, righteousness will go another.  “Standing perpendicular” means something is going straight upward in different direction.  God examines our thoughts and emotions.  He knows our hearts.   We need to align ours with His.

R – Heavenly Father, you know all things.  Thank you God for searching our hearts, thoughts, emotions, words and actions.  We desire to walk in your righteousness.  Empower us to take what you reveal to us in our relationship and walk in a way that brings you  glory and honor today.

S –  Turn, Lord! Rescue me; save me because of your faithful love. ⁵ For there is no remembrance of you in death; who can thank you in Sheol? 

Psalms 6:4–5 CSB

O – Commentary:

In his earnest prayer for deliverance, David gave two reasons why God should answer. One is that the Lord should rescue him because of His unfailing love. God had shown Himself again and again to be abundant in loyal love (ḥeseḏ), so David pleaded for deliverance on the basis of God’s character.

6:5. David said the second reason the Lord should turn to him is because of the absence of praises (tôḏâh) in the grave. If he died because of his illness, he then could not praise God for delivering him from it. So David reasoned that if God desired someone to stand in the sanctuary and proclaim that God delivered him, then God would have to do so

 Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 795–796.

A – Believers will go through situations and seasons where they want God to deliver  them from the pain and challenges.  These are real and difficult times.  We know God has unlimited power and could “fix it” instantly and yet, He doesn’t.  Our faith must remain steadfast in Him, trusting that His will and plan for us is good.  In His timing, we will be “delivered” from the challenge.

R – Heavenly Father, you are a good and merciful God.  You know every detail of what we are facing today and the challenges that are before us.  We invite your Holy Spirit to equip and go with us into every conversation and moment.  We want to be led and used by you to bring your presence into each one.  We put our faith in you to work to accomplish your purposes today.

S – Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of my adversaries; make your way straight before me.

Psalms 5:8 CSB

O – Commentary:

O Yahweh, lead me The psalmist asks God to lead him. To be led by Yahweh is to enjoy His protection and safety (23:3; Isa 42:16). The path of righteousness is ultimately a path of safety and blessing (Psa 1:6; Prov 12:28).

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 5:8.

A – David asks God to lead him because he has enemies.  He also asks God to reveal his will and plans so he can see and follow them.  We need to invite God to lead us as well. Our enemies are not always visible and the things we can see are not always beatable in our own strength.  We need God in both situations.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are knowing and all powerful.  We invite you to reveal your will and plans for us today.  We put our faith in your Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in our thoughts, words and actions so we can honor you and be safe.