S – The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life. 8 The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Psalms 121:7–8 CSB
O – Commentary:
These verses portray Yahweh’s protection as something that moves around with the psalmist—Yahweh’s protection is not just a stationary hideout or only in Jerusalem. Yahweh is present everywhere with His people.
John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 121:7–8.
A – This was a bold idea in the Old Testament – God wasn’t stationary. He didn’t dwell in a tent, temple or was confined to a location. He is with us and protects us. Even when challenges come our way, He is guarding and attending to us. That should cause us to move toward Him and not away.
R – Heavenly Father, you are omnipresent and all knowing. Thank you for your love for us that covered our sins. We are grateful that you also want to know us and protect us from the schemes of the enemy.
S – The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God.
Psalms 53:1–2 CSB
O – Commentary:
David received a revelation of God’s view of the human race: they are all fools. His summary description is in this verse: the fool believes there is no God; thus his life is corrupt and vile (i.e., abominable to God). In fact no one … does good.
53:2–3. He then reported the details of this revelation. God investigates the human race to see if there is one prudent person, but the search is fruitless. The entire
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), 834.
A – The “vile, wicked, stupid and irreverent” person says “There is no God.” What a strong reminder that our human nature is sinful. God looks for those who choose him and want a different life. We recognize that on our own we cannot do it. But, when we find God, He is the one who changes us from a fool to a wise man.
R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today. We reject the description of being foolish and choose the wisdom in acknowledging your rightful place in our lives. We want our relationship with you to model an “all in” attitude of love with you.
S – Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion,
blot out my rebellion. 2 Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you—you alone—I have sinned
and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge.
Psalms 51:1–4 CSB
O – Commentary:
51:1b–2. The three verbs David employed here are figurative. Blot out implies a comparison with human records that can be erased; wash away (kāḇas) compares forgiveness with washing clothing (often viewed as an extension of a person), and cleanse is drawn from the liturgical ceremonial law in which one might be purified for temple participation. These requests (cf. vv. 7, 9) stressed David’s desire for God’s total forgiveness of his transgressions … iniquity, and sin.
51:3–4. When he said that his sin was constantly before him, it must be remembered that his confession came about a year after he had sinned (the young child died a week after the confession; cf. 2 Sam. 12:13–18). Perhaps David had so rationalized his actions that he did not sense his guilt until Nathan approached him. At any rate, he confessed that he had sinned against the Lord. And he submitted to the Lord’s will, acknowledging that anything God decided about him would be just.
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), 832.
A – This is one of the most famous Psalms. Many of us have sin in our lives that has challenged our inner most beliefs in God and ourselves. We see how a “man after God’s own heart” can sin and we can relate to that.
We must also see the parallel of forgiveness and moving forward. Forgiveness doesn’t omit consequences. In David’s case the baby died. We are accountable the consequences of our sins. But, we must forgive ourselves and move on to the things God has for us. He has a plan and a purpose for us.
R – Heavenly Father, You are our Savior. We know we are sinners and will fail you at times. There is gravity and consequences for what we do. And, when we do, we are grateful that Jesus paid for those sins with his blood on the cross. We ask for a complete washing away of our sins, a restoration of our hearts for you and the courage to move forward towards the things you have for us. Thank you for your grace and mercy.
S – You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; you open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering
Psalms 40:6 CSB
O – Commentary:
“…This statement is a recognition that God had given him the ability to hear and obey the Word of the Lord (cf. niv marg., “opened”). The Septuagint translated it much more generally, “a body You have prepared for me” (cf. niv marg.), which captured the idea of the context.”
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), 824.
A – Sacrifice in the OT was the way to recognize God and be forgiven of sin. This shows the heart of God all along wanted relationship. David is hearing and talking with God before the arrival of the Messiah or Holy Spirit. God wanted relationship all along.
R – Heavenly Father, you are Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All three point to relationship between man and God. We desire a stronger relationship with you today. Help us to listen and speak with you. We want to know you more!
S – In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor
Psalms 39:5 CSB
O – Commentary:
person standing firm is complete vanity The psalmist recognizes the limited scope of human life. Like a breath, it appears only briefly.
John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 39:5.
A – Life has been described in many ways – it has some incredible highs and lows. I liken it to flying. I love the power of taking off and ascending into the sky and the fun of landing. It’s the “in flight” part that is normal and routine. We have a time on earth and then we go to what’s next. Let’s maximize our lives to bring God into all it.
R – Heavenly Father, you are the One, true God. Thank you for the lives you have given us. We want to be used by you to model your love. We invite you Holy Spirit to work in us and through us today.
S – For I am about to fall, and my pain is constantly with me. 18 So I confess my iniquity; I am anxious because of my sin.
Psalms 38:17–18 CSB
O – David is going through the pain and anxiety of sin which brings him to confession.
A – Sin feels good in the moment but the after affects are challenging. Anxiety, pain, suffering, worry, guilt and shame can impact inwardly and externally. Confession is when we tell God what we did and ask for forgiveness. Freedom comes when we are forgiven and move in a different direction from the sin.
R – Heavenly Father, you are our Savior. Thank you for Jesus dying on the cross as payment for our sin. In confessing our sin, you are “faithful and just” to forgive us. We can walk in freedom because of the price you paid. Help us to move in a different direction from our sin and live a life that brings glory to your name
We need to have faith in the Lord and obey his commands. We need to live each day confidently as children of God. We need to be pliable in our relationship with God and he will provide for us.
A – Bring pliable is an unusual quality. We should align with God’s Word with unwavering commitment. Yet, God want to mold and develop us in our hearts so we combine strength and compassion like Jesus did. Our adaptability allows God to use us with a variety of people and situations.
R – Heavenly Father, you are the Lion and the Lamb. Work with us today to walk in strength and compassion. We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us so we are pliable in your will. We want to emulate a heart that models yours.
A – Our words are powerful and reveal what is in our thoughts. We can “fake it” for a while but eventually, the truth will come out. As believers, we must deal with our heart and core beliefs daily. As that aligns with God’s word and character, our thoughts, words and actions also come into agreement with Him. Then, choosing against evil and moving toward what is good and righteous is easier.
R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy and just. We invite you to search our hearts God and show us where we need to surrender to you. We choose your character and goodness as our “plumb line” to align ourselves. We want to live and model your character and goodness today.
S – Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Psalms 32:5 CSB
O – Commentary:
The psalmist recounts a personal testimony to illustrate the power of confessing sin. During a situation when he was silent and unrepentant, he suffered and continually felt Yahweh’s punishment. Only after he acknowledged and confessed his sins to Yahweh did he enjoy Yahweh’s forgiveness.
John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 32:3–5.
A – When we confess our sins to God, we are recognizing our inability to please him with our actions but our ability to please him with our surrender. We are all going to sin. When we acknowledge him in that journey, we invite his forgiveness, compassion and love for us to be real in our lives. We get to walk away guilt free – no shame, no condemnation.
R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you. Thank you for forgiving us of our sins. We confess that our thoughts, words and actions do not honor you at times. We ask forgiveness and invite your compassion and love to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you, God.
S – For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight,
but there is joy in the morning.
Psalms 30:5 CSB
O – God has emotions – he gets angry and he delights and gives favor. Life will have challenge and grief but it will also have proclamations of hope, rejoicing and gladness.
A – It makes God more “touchable” when we realize that He has emotions. He feels. If we are created in His image, why would this surprise us. We feel. It gives us another step of cohesion with our Creator. We need to understand and validate our feelings and emotions. We also need to create boundaries for them to express themselves in a healthy way.
R – Heavenly Father, you are the Creator. Thank you for creating us with feelings and emotions – they reflect you. Give us insight and wisdom on understanding and validating these wonderful gifts. Also, help us create a healthy expression of them that honors you, ourselves and others.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 