Archive for February 2019

Psalm 58: 9 I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense. Many of the self-inflicted woes I’ve experienced are a result of having been impulsive; taking things into my hands, reacting on impulse rather than responding in/by the Spirit.  It often occurs when we succumb to the tyranny of the urgent. …

Psalm 57: My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Knowing the setting or context of a passage brings clarity and understanding beyond just the words inspired by the Holy Spirit in the author.  This particular poem (Michtam) by David was penned during the time Saul was…

Psalm 56: 9  When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me. With Saul in pursuit, David is taken captive by the Philistines and everything seemed to be crashing in him, how does the shepherd respond?  Note the closing line of our verse, “This I know, because…

Psalm 55:6, 7 “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness.” The Absalom revolt not only destroyed David’s relationship with his manipulating son, but others who were swayed and sucked into the conspiracy plot.  The references…

Psalm 54 The setting, David is facing a conspiracy with intentions of garnering favor by those he trusted to give him protection and assistance, only to discover they are in process of setting a plan to bring about his demise. Betrayal coupled with conspiracy is at the very least a challenge, especially when those you’ve…

Psalm 53: 6   Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. Viewing the culture and the downward spiral of values that the media portray as the majority (but it isn’t), one can’t help but wonder “Is there…

Psalm 52: 8    But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. Betrayal is a challenge to even the strongest.  How does one withstand and endure such times? Doeg betrayed David and was responsible for the deaths of an entire family of…

Psalm 51: 2   Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. Throughout this Psalm David pours out his heart seeking restoration with Almighty God.  Even though he was king of a mighty nation his hidden transgression with Bathsheba, conspiracy of murder and an attempted cover-up was known by the Lord and…

Psalm 50:23    Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright     I will show the salvation of God. Most have no problem with praising God; we enjoy and are even exhilarated by praise.  The challenge is living righteously, obeying the Lord.  So often I find seeds of rebellion when it comes to walking…

Psalm 50:15   Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. Reading the preceding verses, the Lord shares what He is truly after.  It wasn’t just the sacrifices, rather the ones who offered them was and continues to be His passion. He wants us to “call” on…