Psalm 49:8 — Redemption is Costly
“For the redemption of his soul is costly” I am reminded of the old TV commercial campaign for Mastercard centered around the “Priceless” theme.Do you remember the...
Psalm 22:11 — Keeping God Between Us and Trouble
What types of troubles have you been experiencing lately? We know that believers are not immune to the troubles of this world. In addition to the inevitable...
Psalm 90:1-17 — Confirm the Work of Our Hands
Moses prayed "Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands." Since our days our...
Psalm 118 — Insights Into the Goodness And Lovingkindness Of The Lord
I had studied this psalm earlier as part of my devotional commentary. But the other day I had a chance to meditate on some of the insights from this encouraging...
Psalm 77 — What’s Wrong with God?
Psalm 77 wrestles with the practical application of some of the attributes of God that define the Greatness and Goodness of God. Asaph, the psalm writer - a music...
Psalm 93 — Ocean Waves Bow Down Before God’s Majesty And Strength
[Initially posted July 25, 2006] Having just returned from a vacation on Cocoa Beach FL, I am reminded of the lessons God wants all of humanity to learn from the...
Psalm 1 — Two Paths – Two Destinies
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS WORTH IT – BOTH NOW AND FOREVER!
(THE STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND BLESSINGS OF THE RIGHTEOUS
VS. THE LACK OF CHARACTER AND JUDGMENTS OF THE UNGODLY)
Psalm 2 — No Contest
REBELLIOUS WORLD LEADERS MUST BOW DOWN BEFORE GOD’S ANOINTED RULER OR BE BROKEN BY GOD’S WRATH
Psalm 3 — The Lord My Shield
GOD PROTECTS AND DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR ENEMIES
Psalm 4 — The Quiet Confidence of the Godly Leader
UNJUSTIFIED REPROACH AND REJECTION SHOULD NOT DISTURB THE QUIET CONFIDENCE OF THE GODLY LEADER
Psalm 5 — Morning Devotions
THOSE WHO SEEK GOD’S FAVOR IN THE MORNING REJOICE IN GOD’S PROTECTION AGAINST ALL ENEMIES
Psalm 6 — Staying Afloat in Tears of Grief
GOD HEARS US AT OUR BREAKING POINT
Psalm 7 — Integrity Counts for Something
INTEGRITY ENSURES PROTECTION FROM FIERCE ADVERSARIES SINCE THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE WILL VINDICATE THE INNOCENT AND EXECUTE THE WICKED
Psalm 8 — Reaching for the Stars: God’s Glory and Man’s Dominion
GOD DESIGNED SEEMINGLY INSIGNIFICANT MAN TO REIGN OVER THE EARTH IN MAJESTY
Psalm 10 — God Sees All
THE WAY OF THE WICKED IS NOT HIDDEN FROM THE EYES OF THE LORD
Psalm 11 — Faith vs Expediency
OUR RESPONSE TO PERSONAL DANGER AND NATIONAL COMPROMISE MUST BE FAITH NOT EXPEDIENCY
Psalm 12 — War of Words: The Word of the Wicked vs the Word of the Lord
THE LORD’S PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE EXPOSES THE IMPOTENCE OF THE BOASTING OF THE ARROGANT
Psalm 13 — Faith in the Lord’s Lovingkindness
REJOICING BY FAITH WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH REQUIRES FAITH IN THE LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESS
Psalm 14 — Longing for the Salvation of Israel
THE CORRUPTION OF THIS WORLD CREATES A LONGING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Psalm 15 — Rubbing Shoulders With a Holy God
Every year for the Christian Athletic Association soccer season I like to pick a fundamental spiritual principle that we can focus on as we relate to the kids and to...
Psalm 16 — 7 Reasons to Bless God as We Face Death
DEATH OPENS THE DOOR TO THE RICHES OF OUR SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE SECURED BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
Psalm 17 — Cry for Justice
THE MAN OF INTEGRITY CRIES OUT FOR GOD’S JUSTICE AND PROTECTION WHEN HUNTED BY THE WICKED
Psalm 18 — SuperGod and Superman
A SUPERGOD MAKES HIS ANOINTED VICTORIOUS LIKE A SUPERMAN
Psalm 19 — The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
GOD IS SPEAKING … AM I OBEYING?
Psalm 20 — Battle Hymn of the Kingdom of God
WE WILL BOAST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, OUR GOD
Psalm 21 — The Coronation of God’s King
THE CORONATION OF GOD’S KING MEANS:
1) CELEBRATION — REJOICING FOR GOD’S KING — IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE
2) SECURITY — THRU A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP OF FAITH IN GOD’S LOVINGKINDNESS
= “he will not be shaken”
3) EXTERMINATION OF GOD’S ENEMIES
4) EXALTATION OF GOD’S POWER
Psalm 22 — Prophetic Picture of Crucifixion
THE MESSIAH SUFFERS EXTREME REJECTION (CRUEL CRUCIFIXION) BUT ANTICIPATES THAT GOD’S DELIVERANCE WILL SPARK EVER EXPANDING CIRCLES OF PRAISE AND TESTIMONY
Psalm 23 — The Good Shepherd
CONTENTMENT IS NO PROBLEM WHEN WE ARE FOLLOWING THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Psalm 24 — Praise Anthem – The Triumphal Entry
WORSHIP USHERS THE KING OF GLORY INTO HIS RIGHTFUL DOMAIN
Psalm 25 — Waiting on the Lord
THE MAN WHO FEARS THE LORD CAN WAIT ON THE LORD:
FOR SPIRITUAL VICTORY AND
FOR PERSONAL GUIDANCE
Psalm 26 — Passing the Ultimate Test
THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THE MAN OF INTEGRITY
Psalm 27 — Seeking God’s Face
THOSE WHO SEEK GOD’S FACE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT DELIVERANCE
Psalm 28 — My Strength and My Shield
THE LORD IS NOT DEAF TO THE CRIES OF HIS PEOPLE
Psalm 30 — Praise God for Shattering Our Self-Confidence
TRANSFORMATION FROM MOURNING TO DANCING IN THE MORNING:
PRAISING GOD JUSTIFIES OUR EXISTENCE
Psalm 32 — Confession is the Best Medicine
CONFESSION OF SIN CONVERTS THE QUICKSAND FOR SUFFERING INTO THE CONCRETE FOR BLESSING
Psalm 33 — Songs of Joy
BECAUSE WE CAN COUNT ON GOD,
OUR HEART SHOULD OVERFLOW WITH SONGS OF JOY
Psalm 34 — Fear the Lord and Be Delivered From All Your Fears
THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD PRAISE HIM CONTINUALLY FOR HIS DELIVERANCE FROM DESPERATE SITUATIONS
Psalm 35 — Calling in the Heavy Artillery
UNDESERVED, MALICIOUS, PERSONAL ATTACKS CALL FOR DIVINE VINDICATION
Psalm 36 — Wicked Schemers Are Ignorant of the Power of God’s Lovingkindness
THE LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESS WILL PROTECT US AGAINST THE SCHEMES OF THE WICKED
Psalm 37 — Focus on the Finish Line
2 CONTRASTING RESPONSES TO THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED:
PEACEFULLY PERSEVERE VS. FRANTICALLY FRET
Psalm 38 — Hanging On By a Thread
CLINGING TO HOPE WHEN BURDENED BY SIN AND ATTACKED BY ENEMIES
Psalm 39 — Our Response to the Discipline of the Lord
HOW TO TRANSFORM SULLEN DESPAIR INTO SUBMISSIVE DESPERATION
Psalm 40 — Some Things Never Change
6 CONSTANTS IN THE EQUATION FOR DIVINE DELIVERANCE
Psalm 41 — Blessed are the Merciful
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY SHALL RECEIVE MERCY
Psalm 42 — Hope in God
CONTINUED HOPE IN GOD IS THE ONLY ANSWER FOR THE SOULSEARCHING QUESTIONS OF THE ISOLATED BELIEVER (PART 1)
Psalm 43 — Continued Hope in God
CONTINUED HOPE IN GOD IS THE ONLY ANSWER FOR THE SOULSEARCHING QUESTIONS OF THE ISOLATED BELIEVER (PART 2)
Psalm 44 — Temporary Defeat
GOD SOMETIMES GIVES TEMPORARY DEFEAT TO SET THE STAGE FOR MAGNIFYING HIS GLORY THRU DELIVERANCE
Psalm 45 — Celebration of the Royal Wedding
A MAJESTIC BRIDEGROOM AND A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE PRODUCE MEMORABLE PRINCES
Psalm 46 — God Is Our Refuge and Strength
THE BEST FORTRESS IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Psalm 47 — A Great King Over All the Earth
IN THE ARENA OF NATIONS, GOD IS THE KING OF CAPTURE THE FLAG
RESPONSE: JOIN IN SINGING THE WORLD ANTHEM (not just the National Anthem) OF:
“ALL PRAISE TO HIM WHO REIGNS ABOVE IN MAJESTY SUPREME”
Psalm 49 — You Can’t Take It With You
THE HOPE OF THE RIGHTEOUS VS. THE FALSE SECURITY OF THE FOOLISH
Psalm 50 — God Will Not Forget Those Who Forget Him
GOD’S INDICTMENT AGAINST HIS PEOPLE FOR: INSINCERE WORSHIP & UNRIGHTEOUS CONDUCT
Psalm 51 — A Broken Spirit
A BROKEN SPIRIT PLEADS FOR FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING
Psalm 52 — Uprooted Trash Talkers vs Green Olive Trees
THE VICIOUS ATTACKS OF THE WICKED CAN NEVER CANCEL OUT THE LOVINGKINDNESS OF GOD
Psalm 53 — Depravity Lamented
CORRUPTION AND DEPRAVITY CREATE A LONGING FOR THE RIGHTEOUS KINGDOM OF GOD
Psalm 54 — Vindicate Me By Thy Power
GOD IS THE ONE WE LOOK TO FOR DELIVERANCE AND VINDICATION
Psalm 55 — Pressure Situations
HOW TO HANDLE PRESSURE SITUATIONS = CASTING OUR BURDEN ON THE LORD
Psalm 56 — When I Am Afraid I Will Put My Trust In Thee
ONLY FAITH IN GOD CAN CONQUER FEAR OF MAN
Psalm 57 — Worship From the Cave of Danger
IN THE MIDST OF DANGER WE CAN WORSHIP GOD FOR HIS KINDNESS AND TRUTH
Psalm 58 — Surely There is a God Who Judges On Earth
WICKED RULERS WILL GET WHAT’S COMING TO THEM =
THE WRATH OF GOD
Psalm 59 — God Is My Stronghold
THE STRONGHOLD OF GOD IS OUR REFUGE FROM FIERCE ATTACKERS
Psalm 60 — Raise the Banner of the Love of God
WE NEED TO RALLY ROUND THE BANNER OF THE LOVE OF GOD IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST IN ORDER TO GAIN THE VICTORY THAT GOD DESIRES FOR US
Psalm 61 — The Rock of Refuge
THE FAINT-HEARTED APPRECIATE GOD AS THEIR SOLID ROCK OF REFUGE
Psalm 62 — He Only Is My Rock and My Salvation
SECURITY MUST BE FOUND IN GOD ALONE
Psalm 63 — Satisfying a Thirsty Soul
GOD’S LOVINGKINDNESS IS BETTER THAN LIFE
Psalm 64 — Turning the Tables
THE WICKED ARE THE ONLY LOSERS WHEN THEY TRY TO AMBUSH THE RIGHTEOUS
Psalm 65 — Thanksgiving for God’s Horn of Plenty
THE ABUNDANCE OF GOD’S POWER AND BLESSING —
BOTH IN NATURE AND IN OUR LIVES —
QUIETS OUR HEART IN AWE AND EXCITES OUR HEART IN PRAISE
Psalm 66 — Our Awesome God
OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD:
WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP AND PRAISE
Psalm 67 — When God Blesses Us
WHEN BLESSINGS COME DOWN, PRAISE AND RESPECT SHOULD GO UP
Psalm 68 — The Majestic Presence of the God of Israel
GOD’S VICTORY PROCESSION ESTABLISHES HIS PEOPLE AND SCATTERS HIS ENEMIES
Psalm 69 — The Pain of Reproach
THE PAIN OF REPROACH CAN BREAK THE HEART OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT GOD CAN STILL DELIVER
Psalm 71 — Assisted Living But No Retirement
SPIRITUAL WARFARE DOES NOT ALLOW FOR RETIREMENT IN OUR OLD AGE
Psalm 72 — Special Requests for the Reign of the Messiah
THY KINGDOM COME (IN THE PERSON OF THE MESSIAH AND HIS RULE) / SHOWERS OF BLESSING
Psalm 73 — The Antidote for the Root of Bitterness
STICK CLOSE TO GOD AND BITTERNESS WON’T STICK TO YOU
Psalm 74 — Consider the Covenant
THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH FOR GOD TO ABANDON HIS PEOPLE TO DEFEAT AND REJECTION
Psalm 75 — Here Comes the Judge
GOD IS COMING AS JUDGE TO PUT DOWN THE WICKED AND EXALT THE RIGHTEOUS
Psalm 76 — Broken Arrows
GOD CONFIRMS HIS MAJESTY BY DELIVERING THE HUMBLE FROM THE ATTACKS OF THOSE WHO REFUSE TO FEAR HIM
Psalm 77 — What’s Wrong With God?
THE REALITY OF MY TROUBLES CAN NEVER CONTRADICT THE GREATNESS OF GOD
Psalm 78 — Lessons From the History of Israel
THE LESSONS OF HISTORY CAN HELP US ESCAPE THE FUTILITY OFCYCLES OF DISOBEDIENCE AND DISCIPLINE
Psalm 79 — How Long? and Why?
WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE ARE BEING DISCIPLINED, THEY CRY OUT FOR THE ANSWERS TO 2 SEARCHING QUESTIONS:
HOW LONG? AND
WHY?
Psalm 80 — Is God Smiling Down On You Now?
SEEKING GOD’S FAVOR IS THE FIRST STEP IN SPIRITUAL REVIVAL
Psalm 81 — Open Your Mouth Wide and God Will Fill It
OUR REDEEMER INVITES US TO CELEBRATE THE BLESSINGS OF REDEMPTION
Psalm 82 — Here Comes the Judge!
UNJUST RULERS WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE SUPREME JUDGE
WHO IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY
Psalm 83 — God Is No Sleeping Giant (He is a Giant … But He is not Sleeping)
GOD’S ENEMIES FACE SHAME AND DESTRUCTION WHEN GOD SPRINGS INTO ACTION
Psalm 84 — 3 Guaranteed Blessings
LOOK TO THE LORD AS THE SOURCE OF EVERY BLESSING