Verse of the Day: (68:8) The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
1.The People Of God (67:1-7)
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. (67:3)
At the time of my writing, we just celebrated the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Singapore Bible Baptist Church, my church of 42 years since 1978. Our theme was By His Grace, To His Praise, taken from Ephesians 1:12. Like King David and his people of Israel, we truly praise God for who He is, and what He had done in, for, with and through us for all the past years, and what He shall do for us today, and in the future. Let us therefore praise God for all things, especially our precious salvation, that we have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. Indeed, what a glorious day it will be, when we all get to heaven, and see the Lord Jesus face to face, and praise His holy name! (1 Peter 2:9-10)
2.The Presence Of God (68:1-31)
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. (68:2)
Like the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of our church, we reminisced God’s faithfulness towards us, King David also reminded the people of God’s faithfulness for the past years challenging them to continue to love and serve Him to the end. David reminded Israel of how God performed miracles in their lives when He daily fed them with mana from heaven and water from the sky while they were wandering in the wilderness for forty years. God gave them victory after victory over their enemies as He sent His twenty thousand chariots and thousands of angels to be with them. Indeed, God blessed David as he established a vast kingdom on earth for His glory. Through it all, God blessed Israel with daily benefits since the day of Abraham even until today. (Genesis 12:1-3) Though not all the people of Israel believe in Christ, yet one day, during the Millennium era, when Christ shall reign for a thousand years, they shall all believe in Him. (Daniel 9) Let us praise God for Jesus who is now in His presence interceding for us, as without Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can never be with God in golden heaven. (Hebrews 9:24-28)
3.The Power Of God (68:32-35)
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. (68:35)
David praised God because without His power and strength, he would never have lived and done much for Him in establishing His kingdom on earth to glorify and exalt Him before the whole world. Let us believe and praise our God for He is worthy of our worship as He richly bless us with His salvation, power and strength. (Revelation 19:1-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your presence and power with us now and forever.
Verse of the Day: (66:3) Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
1.The Good God (65:1-13)
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. (65:11)
This Psalm reflects one of the happy days of King David’s life, as he praised God for His goodness for answering his prayers and forgiving his sins, as well as His strength in the creation of the awesome mountains, vast oceans, and the abundant crops and flocks on the earth to feed the population of the world. Indeed, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Though we may not fully understand why God is good during our crises, and cannot see His hand, yet we must fully trust His heart. (Romans 8:28-39)
2.The Glorious God (66:1-2)
Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. (66:2)
King David encouraged his people to sing joyfully to the glorious God who shall save their souls as they confessed and repented their sins, and believed in Him. Indeed, God has blessed us with the glorious gospel that whoever believes in His Son, Jesus, shall never perish in hell, but shall have eternal life with Him in heaven. (1 Timothy 1:1-11)
3.The Great God (66:3-20)
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. (66:10)
David inspired by God explained to all that God had a purpose for His people to suffer so as to test their faith as silver is tried in the furnace of fire. David knew this great principle as God had tested him to the fullest. There were times when he failed God, as he fell into immorality and murder (2 Samuel 11), and when he took a census of Israel which God forbad him (2 Samuel 24). Yet through it all, there were many high points of David’s life as he defeated Goliath, the Philistine giant, and won many battles together with his army and mighty warriors establishing Israel to be the most powerful nation on earth. Not only was he a courageous king, but he was also a compassionate king. He refused to fight with Absalom, his son, who plotted against him for his throne (2 Samuel 18). He also spared Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, because of the promise he made with Jonathan, when he could have allowed the Gibeonites to kill him. (2 Samuel 21). At the end of David’s life, he desired to build God’s house, but God commanded him that Solomon, his son and successor, shall build it, because his hands shed much blood from the wars. Not only David accepted God’s command, but he prepared the designs and materials for the house. (1 Chronicles 22) Let us pray that we shall go through the tests of our great God, emerging victoriously, and looking forward to the day, when we shall be with Jesus, the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS, in His great heaven. (Revelation 19:11-21)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your goodness, glory and greatness upon my life.
Verse of the Day: (63:6) When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
1.God Of Remembrance (63:1-7)
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. (63:7)
In the early days of David’s life, especially the time when he was in the wilderness hiding from King Saul who was after his life as Saul refused to acknowledge him as the next King. David was sad as he loved God, as well as Israel and even Saul, and this was why he slayed Goliath, the Philistine giant, by faith in God. (1 Samuel 17-31) However, God encouraged David each night he remembered and meditated on Him. Throughout David’s life, God helped him and put him under the shadow of His wings as he remembered and rejoiced in Him. This was also the case for Timothy, as he remembered God who stirred his heart of the necessity of preaching the Gospel amid intense persecution and fear. Let us remember God amid all our sufferings, knowing that one day, we shall have a perfect body without suffering, as we shall be with Him in His eternal heaven. (2 Timothy 1:1-7)
2.God Of Rejoicing (63:8-11)
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. (63:11)
Though David was yet to be the king, God encouraged and inspired him to write this double prophesy that he shall soon rejoice as the next king replacing Saul, and that one day, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shall rejoice as He shall come as the King of kings to reign on the new heaven and earth. This was what kept David going as he kept hiding from King Saul, though on two occasions he had the golden opportunities to slay Saul, yet he did not touch God’s anointed, as he knew that vengeance belonged to God. Apostle Paul also encouraged the Christians those days, and even today, that all our sufferings for Christ’s sake are worthwhile, because one day, we shall receive the crown of rejoicing from God in His glorious heaven. Let us therefore rejoice in God as we know that one day, He shall bless us with His crowns and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:13-20)
3.God Of Righteousness (64:1-10)
The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. (64:10)
In all of David’s sufferings for God, he faithfully endured to the finishing line knowing that God shall give the crown of righteousness to him and all who kept their faith in Him. Indeed, let us preach the Gospel and endure sufferings for Christ’s sake, as one day, He shall bless us with the crown of righteousness in His home in heaven. (2 Timothy 4:1-8)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to remember and rejoice in You amid life challenges.
Verse of the Day: (62:8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
1.God Is Our Rock (61:1-8)
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (61:2)
Some say that real men never cry, but let us know that crying is normal as it is the release of our emotions. However, we should cry to God and pour out our hearts before Him, as He is our Rock and Comforter who truly understands us. David experienced many trials in his life, but God kept comforting him as he cried to Him. David was thankful to God, his Rock, who helped him time and again since the day he believed in Him until the day he would be promoted to His kingdom above. Indeed, there was never a time when God did leave David, but He was with him through the brightest and the darkest moment of his life. This was why David sang praises to God, and served Him to the end. Let us thus trust and obey God, our Rock, as He builds His churches and our lives, so that no one, not even the devil and his demons, can divide and destroy His kingdom. (Matthew 16:17-19)
2.God Is Our Refuge (62:1-9)
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (62:7)
Indeed, God is not just our Rock, but He is also our Refuge, as we hide in Him during the storms of our lives. David was very thankful and grateful to God who was His Rock and Refuge throughout his sojourn on this earth filled with difficulties and dangers. Even the weeping Prophet Jeremiah when he was persecuted cried to God for refuge and strength. Indeed, let us cry to God as He is our Refuge in the day of affliction. (Jeremiah 16:19-21)
3.God Is Our Riches (62:10-12)
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. (62:10)
There are many paradoxes in the Christian life, and the reason is that God’s way is beyond man’s understanding. (Isaiah 55:8-13) David was a great example of God’s spiritual richest upon him even though he was a poor shepherd boy. God specially chose him, instead of the rest of the warriors of Israel, to overcome Goliath, the Philistine giant, Israel’s great enemy. In the years ahead, God then blessed David with both spiritual as well as material blessings as he became the King of Israel. Indeed, God through Apostle Paul commended the churches of Macedonia that though they were poor, yet they gave in the riches of their spirituality by giving their lives to Him. Let us therefore give ourselves to God, as His eternal riches far outweigh the riches of this world. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Refuge and Rock in time of trouble.
Verse of the Day: (59:11) Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
1.God Is Our Strength (59:1-10)
Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. (59:9)
Are you physically and spiritually weak and weary? Let us therefore seek and wait upon God, as He shall give us His strength and power, thus renewing us, so that we are like the majestic eagles spreading their wings, and soaring above life storms. David sought God’s strength and power as he faced many enemies while doing God’s perfect will. God’s desire for David, and for His nation, Israel, was that they would share His holy Word so that all the nations of the world might know that He is the true God. However, many including God’s people, refused to acknowledge and submit to Him, and rejected and rebelled against Him. Let us who believe in the true God, the God of Israel, truly wait upon Him, and He shall surely grant us His strength amid our weakness. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
2.God Is Our Shield (59:11-17)
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. (59:16)
Are you physically and spiritually being attacked by the Devil and his demons? Let us therefore put on God’s armour, and take on the shield of faith that we shall block off all the fiery darts of the wicked, and above all, praying in His Spirit. In David’s life he suffered much because of the devil’s assaults, even to the point of despair, yet he never gave up, but instead he sang of God’s power and mercy upon him. David trusted God, his Shield, in the days of his battles, as he knew that the battles belonged to Him. Let us trust in God as we are His conquerors with Him as our Captain and Shield. (Ephesians 6:10-24)
3.God Is Our Salvation (60:1-12)
That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me. (60:5)
Are you in all kinds of trouble? Let us therefore seek God and His salvation as He shall hear our cries and save us with His right hand from eternal condemnation in fiery hell, and one day promote us to His home in glorious heaven. Throughout David’s life, God used him for His glory as he overcame all the wicked people of the land, beginning with the first victory over Goliath, the Philistines giant, Israel’s great enemy. (1 Samuel 17) Beside, granting David many victories over the wicked nations, God gave him trials and tribulations including the death of Absalom, his beloved son. In all of David’s crises, he continued to trust God, his Salvation. Let us trust God, our Salvation, as only He can help us to overcome the devil, who falsely accuses us day and night, by His precious blood, and grant us victory, and a place in His splendour home in heaven. (Revelation 12:1-17)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to take Your Shield of faith blocking the devil’s darts.
Verse of the Day: (58:11) So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
1.God Is Our Refuge (57:1-11)
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (57:1)
What a timely reminder to us as we are facing Covid 19, a deadly and infectious disease, that had taken millions of lives worldwide, and no one, not even the richest, the most powerful and influential people are spared from this unparalleled and unprecedented pandemic. Though David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, might not have experienced this deadly virus, yet he was pleading to God as the powerful King Saul of Israel and his warriors were after his life. Saul felt threatened as Prophet Samuel had anointed David to be the next King, and he would kill him and probably have his son, Jonathan, to be the next king. David became a fugitive escaping to the wilderness to seek refuge. However, David knew that God was his Refuge as he spiritually hid under the shadow of His Wings for protection and preservation of his life and soul. Indeed, let us seek God, our Refuge and Anchor of our souls, amid Covid 19 and all crises and challenges. (Hebrews 6:17-20)
2.God Is Our Righteousness (58:1-9)
Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? (58:1)
God challenged the people to live and speak righteously and truthfully amid wickedness and lies. Indeed, we are born sinners, and children lie and cheat at a certain accountable age even without anyone teaching them. This is because of the sin nature in us inherited from our first parents, Adam and Eve. But thanks be to God, as He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to shed His precious blood and die at the cross for the sins of the whole world, that whoever believes in Him, shall have His righteousness in him, and shall never perish in fiery hell, but have eternal life with Him in glorious heaven. (Romans 5:14-21)
3.God Is Our Reward (58:10-11)
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. (58:10)
Though David suffered much on earth, yet he knew that one day, he shall have his reward from his God in His home in pearly heaven. Let us trust and obey God, and look forward to the day, when Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, shall promote us to His heaven either by death, or by Rapture when all Christians shall be called home (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and blessed with His reward according to our work. (Revelation 22:12-21)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Reward and Righteousness as I serve You.
Verse of the Day: (55:16) As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
1.God Of My Salvation (55:1-21)
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. (55:13)
King David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gave a double prophecy of his future, and that of the coming and life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Though David praised God for his precious salvation as he would be bound for pearly heaven to be with Him forever, yet he expressed his sorrow and suffering, especially that of the betrayal of Ahithophel, his own counsellor, his equal, guide and acquaintance, when he conspired with Absalom, his son, to revolt against him for his throne. (2 Samuel 15:12) This is also the prophecy of Jesus Christ, who also experienced betrayal of Judas Iscariot, His own apostle, his equal, guide and acquaintance, before He was eventually crucified at Calvary. (Matthew 26:14-16) Let us therefore thank God who is forever faithful to us as fully trust in Him in saving our souls from fiery hell, and one day, He promoting us to His glorious heaven. (1 Peter 1:6-9)
2.God Of My Sustenance (55:22-23)
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (55:22)
God had never failed David, not even once, though he had failed God many times. God supplied and sustained all of David’s needs as he cast all his burdens and responsibilities of leading his family and the kingdom of Israel upon Him. Indeed, let us cast all our burdens and responsibilities upon God, as He truly loves and cares for us. Our loving God shall supply all our needs, and sustain us, just like He sustained the people of Israel through Joseph in supplying corns from Egypt to them in time of famine. (Acts 7:11-15)
3.God Of My Soul (56:1-13)
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (56:13)
David cried and poured out his heart and soul to God in all his discouragement and disappointment in life, and God actually collected all his tears into His bottle of comfort. (56:8) David had many enemies because he was close to God. This is what will happen to us when we are close to God, as we will have many opponents who differ from us because of our faith in Him. Indeed, there is nothing wrong in pouring out all our frustrations to God, but make sure that at the end of the day, we must still thank God for who He is, and what He had done for us, and is doing for us, and will be doing for us, because He knows best, what is truly best for us. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Let us therefore fully believe, trust and rejoice in God, and know that our souls are saved with Him in all eternity. (Mark 8:34-38)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for saving my soul from fiery hell to glorious heaven.
Verse of the Day: (54:1) Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
1.God Of My Salvation (53:1-6)
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (53:6)
It is always God’s perfect plan that His people made in His image will bring glory to Him name. As God’s image, man was given choices, and this was why Adam and Eve chose to commit the first sin by taking the forbidden fruit. However, God already knew that Adam and Eve would rebel against Him, and this was why God prepared His salvation plan that His only Son, Jesus Christ, shall leave the splendour of heaven, and come down to earth, to die for the sins of the whole world. Whoever therefore repent his sins and believes in Jesus, shall be saved, and be with Him in heaven forever. (Philippians 2:5-12)
2.God Of My Strength (54:1-5)
Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. (54:4)
Since the day David believed in God, he knew that not only God was his strength, but all who believed in Him were also with him strengthening him in the day of trouble. God ordained David’s life that he should suffered much as He would use his life greatly for His glory, especially that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shall come from his lineage. (Matthew 1:1-17) David became a fugitive the moment God used him to defeat Goliath, the enemy of Israel. King Saul began to seek David’s life because of envy as the people of Israel praised him for defeating Goliath, and God through Prophet Samuel, had anointed him as the next King of Israel. (1 Samuel 17-31) When David became the king of Israel, his son, Absalom, plotted against him to usurp the throne. David then fled from his palace when Absalom launched a civil war. Subsequently, he cried for Absalom who was killed in the battle. (2 Samuel 1-24) However, at the end of his life, he was thankful to God that He was his strength amid his weakness, and His grace was sufficient for him. Let us thus trust obey God knowing that He is truly our Strength. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
3.God Of My Sacrifice (54:6-7)
I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. (54:6)
David was truly thankful to God as he believed that God shall send His Son, Jesus, as the final sacrifice for the sins of the world. Before Jesus came to be the ultimate sacrifice, the priests had to daily offered sacrifices, and the high priest had to yearly enter the holy place to offer sacrifices for their sins as well as the sins of the people. Today, we become God’s children when we repent our sins and believe that Jesus He died on the cross for our sins. Let us therefore freely sacrifice ourselves to God by giving our time, talents, tithes and treasures to Him, as He had sacrifice His only Son for us. (Hebrews 9:24-28)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my tower of Strength amid my weaknesses.
Verse of the Day: (51:12) Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
1.God Of Rejoicing (51:1-11)
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. (51:8)
At the highest point of the reign of King David, he basked in his glory and stayed in Jerusalem while his men went forth to battle, and that was when he committed immorality with Bathsheba, the wife of his courageous warrior, Uriah. Not only did he not repent of his sins, but he sought to cover up his sins when he commanded his general, Joab, to send Uriah to the hottest battle, so that he would be easily killed by their enemies. Uriah was eventually killed, and though no one knew the hideous crimes of David, yet God knew his sins, and He sent His prophet, Nathan, to rebuke and judge him. (2 Samuel 11) Subsequently, God restored him when he repented his sins, and he rejoiced in His mercy. Let us thus be rejoicing in hope and live in righteousness, knowing that our God truly loves us, and at the same time, He knows everything about us. (Romans 12:10-13)
2.God Of Restoration (51:12-19)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (51:17)
After God’s restoration of His fellowship with David, he became a humbled man realising that he could have been dead twice, because the punishment of both adultery and murder was death by stoning, and he actually committed both iniquities. (Exodus 21:12, Leviticus 20:10) Though David was the King of Israel, and he could cover up his sins, yet he could never hide from God. In fact, David as the King of Israel was supposed to teach the people the laws of God and living a holy life before the holy God. This was actually David’s turning point in life as he began to teach his people God’s laws that they would trust and obey Him. Let us therefore seek restoration with God as well as others when we have broken our fellowship with Him and others, so that we can continue to have fellowship with Him and others for His glory and honour. (Hebrews 13:18-19)
3.God Of Righteousness (52:1-9)
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. (52:3)
David learned the hard way in obedience as there is truly no short cut in God’s moulding and making of His servants, that they shall be righteous before His righteousness. Indeed, this is why God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins, so that we shall have His righteousness and be with Him forever when we believe and trust in Him. Let us thus love righteousness, and hate iniquity before our God of righteousness. (Hebrews 1:8-9)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for loving and forgiving me and restoring my soul with joy.
Verse of the Day: (50:23) Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
1.The Soul Of God (49:1-20)
(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever :) (49:8)
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Indeed, money can buy all material possessions that make us comfortable and successful, but it can never buy our precious and everlasting salvation from the Almighty God. Since the beginning when the first couple, Adam and Eve, fell into sin, God’s salvation of man’s soul is that whoever believes in His Son, Jesus Christ, shall be saved through His precious blood that was shed for the sin of the whole world. Let us therefore seek only God and His righteousness, as we can never carry anything to our grave. (Mark 8:34-38)
2.The Silence Of God (50:1-21)
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. (50:21)
King David experienced both of God’s Word and His silence in his lifetime. There were times when God spoke to him to encourage him, when everyone else wanted to stone him to death, as they blamed him as their leader for the destruction of their city, Ziklag, and the abduction of their wives and children by the Amalekites, their enemies. However, David encouraged himself in God as he believed that He shall hear his prayer and deliver him. Indeed, God answered prayers, as David eventually led his people to rescue all their loved ones, and recovered all their flocks and herds. (1 Samuel 30:1-6) However, there were also times when God was silent to David, before He through His Prophet Nathan rebuked him for his sins of adultery and murder. David again called upon God, and He forgave him his sins as he repented them. (2 Samuel 12:1-23) Indeed, let us remember that our God is the Almighty Creator who owns every beast, cattle and fowl, and let our words truly be few before Him. Let us only speak when necessary, and always learn to be silent, as it is golden, and let God speaks to us through His Word. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11)
3.The Salvation Of God (50:22-23)
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. (50:22)
Indeed, salvation is only possible by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. On Judgment Day, God shall judge all the people, and only those who believe in Jesus shall be saved and blessed, while those who reject Him shall be judged and condemned into fiery hell, together the Devil and his demons. (Revelation 12:10-17)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for saving my soul and making me Your child forever.
Verse of the Day: (48:14) For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
1.The LORD Is Our Great God (47:1-9)
For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. (47:2)
Since the day David believed in God, he had been praising Him until the day he was promoted to His eternal heaven. David had much to praise God for as He chose and anointed him to be the King of Israel, and blessed him with many triumphs and victories over his enemies, and with both material and spiritual blessings. Indeed, the Lord is our great God, the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS, and one day He shall judge all of us and those who believe in Him shall be with Him in glorious heaven and those who reject Him shall be cast into eternal condemnation in fiery hell. (Revelation 19:11-21)
2.The LORD Is Our Gladness (48:1-11)
Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. (48:11)
King David praised and thanked God always, as he experienced rejoicing and gladness in his heart even amid tragedies and misfortunes. He knew that all things, including bad things, worked together for good to them who loved God and to them who were called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) David had experienced the lowest and darkest point of his life when he committed immorality and murder, and he experienced the turning point of his life when he truly repented of his sins, and also experienced the highest and brightest point when God blessed him with Solomon, his son, as his successor, before he was eventually promoted to pearly heaven. Indeed, let us praise and thank God always as He gives us abundant rain from heaven and plenty of fruits from the earth, and feeds us with bountiful food and fills our hearts with gladness. (Acts 14:12-18)
3.The LORD Is Our Guide (48:12-14)
Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. (48:13)
The entire life of King David was that of praises and thanksgiving to his Almighty God who was his Guide and Leader in life and in death. Throughout his life, he shared and taught his family and the people of Israel the grace, the goodness and greatness of God who was their Guide and Leader now and forever. He taught them that they were to be example to the Gentiles and the people of the world as they were their guide to them who were spiritual blind until they would spiritually see God, and a light to them in their spiritual darkness until they were able to spiritually see God when He opened their eyes. Let us follow our God who is our Guide and Leader now and forever. (Romans 2:16-20)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Guide in life and death and for all eternity.
Verse of the Day: (45:7) Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
1.God Is Our Righteousness (45:1-14)
And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. (45:4)
God loves righteousness, because He is righteous. David knew that without God’s righteousness, he could never please God as the appointed and anointed King of Israel, His chosen nation. This is a double prophecy as not only David, but Jesus Christ shall come to this world to be anointed with the oil of gladness. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit as His Father was pleased with Him as He gave His life for the sins of the whole world, and whoever believes in Him shall have His righteousness in him. (Matthew 3:13-17) Indeed, the world has the saying that the end justifies the means, but God’s command is that our means must always be righteous before Him. Let us thus awake to righteousness and sin not, amid evil in this present world. (1 Corinthians 15:34)
2.God Is Our Rejoicing (45:15-17)
With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace. (45:15)
What a privilege and honour for King David and all who believe in God as we are His royal children and are bound for His palace in the kingdom of heaven. Amid all the sufferings and sorrow, David looked to God with gladness and rejoicing as he knew that all his sorrow and sufferings were transient as one day, he shall be with God in His palace in heaven forever. Let us thus rejoice in our King Jesus Christ always, and trust and obey Him, as one day He shall bless us with His crown of rejoicing. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
3.God Is Our Refuge (46:1-11)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (46:1)
Since the day David believed in and trusted the God of Israel, the true and living God, he had committed everything to Him, as He was his refuge, strength and present help in trouble. As a young shepherd boy, David already trusted God when he slayed both the lion and the bear by his slingshot when they would threaten to devour the sheep under his charge. As a young man he trusted God, and defeated Goliath, the Philistine giant, again with his slingshot, when no one in Israel, not even King Saul of Israel, would fight against Goliath. (1 Samuel 17) As an old and dying king, he trusted God as he passed his throne to Solomon, his son, who gave glory to God when he built His majestic and magnificent temple. (1 Kings 2) Indeed, let us trust God, and be still, and know that He is our Refuge, Anchor of our souls and High Priest in time of our trouble. (Hebrews 6:17-20)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help us to awake to righteousness and sin not for Your glory.
Verse of the Day: (44:26) Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.
1.God Is Our Health (43:1-5)
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (43:5)
Have you ever ask God in time of your deepest crisis, Why me? Though we are God’s children, yet when the worst situation happened to us, our very first question to God is, Why me? This was why many times David cried out to God in time of his crises as he needed God to help and deliver him, though he the King of Israel. Many times, God sends crises such as the loss of our jobs, or even the loss of our loved ones, or we become bedridden or handicapped because of an accident or illness, to test our faith in Him. In fact, Apostle Paul prayed and wished his disciple, Gaius, whom he loved much, that God would bless him with great health and a prosperous soul as he served God and preached His gospel, as he knew that Gaius would also be facing crises in his life. Indeed, let us pray for one another that we be of great health and have prosperous souls, so that we can overcome our great crises and serve God, do His work and share His gospel. (3 John 1-2)
2.God Is Our Heart (44:1-21)
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. (44:21)
David was confused, as he cried out to God that he had done everything as commanded, such as destroying the wicked people of the land, and preparing to build His house, yet God still allowed crises to happen in his life. However, God comforted David that He knew his heart, and that He was actually testing him. Indeed, the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts the moment we believe in Jesus, and as we study and meditate His Word, He will discern the intents of our hearts and help us to apply it to our lives. (Hebrews 4:12)
3.God Is Our Helper (44:22-26)
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. (44:23)
Though David was out of line when he cried to God to awake from His sleep, and falsely accused Him of forsaking him and the nation of Israel, yet God loved him and Israel, and understood their pain and suffering in time of trouble. Jesus’ disciples also reacted like David in time of a great storm, and they awoke Him, and cried out whether He truly loved and cared for them. (Mark 4:35-41) Indeed, God loved David and Israel, and the disciples as well all who believe in Him, and He is actually testing our faith in Him, so that one day, we shall all be richly rewarded and blessed in His home in glorious heaven. (Revelation 22:12-21) Let us therefore humbly seek God for His help in all our crises, and truly fear no one, not even the devil, and fear nothing, not even death. (Hebrews 13:6)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help us in time of trouble and heal our hearts and health.
Verse of the Day: (41:4) I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
1.Healing From The LORD (41:1-5)
The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. (41:2)
If there is one who suffer from depression and disillusion he must be David, as he went through betrayal, slander and even attempted murder by his own King and son. However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, went through the worst as He was not only mocked and wrongly accused by His own people, but He was eventually betrayed and crucified not for His sins, but for the sins of the whole world. David wrote this psalm with a double prophecy of his own suffering as well as that of Jesus’ suffering. Amid all the sufferings, both David and Jesus still praised and blessed the name of God, the Father, because He healed their souls and comforted their hearts. Indeed, let us commit our broken souls and hearts to God, and He shall surely heal them for His glory and praise. (Revelation 22:1-2)
2.Heart From The LORD (41:6-13)
And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it. (41:6)
David poured out to God his anguish of the slander and attempted murder upon his life. He knew that his enemies’ hearts were wicked, and only God could transform their hatred to love by His grace and power. (Jeremiah 17:9-10) God then inspired David to prophecy not only his betrayal by his son, Absalom, (2 Samuel 15:1-12) but also the betrayal of Jesus by His apostle, Judas Iscariot. (Matthew 26:14-16) Let us thus draw near to Christ as only He can cleanse us from all our unrighteousness by His blood. (Hebrews 10:19-22)
3.Hope From The LORD (42:1-11)
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (42:11)
David panted and longed for God and His Word amid all his sadness and sorrow. He was always in a reflective mood, as he searched his heart and soul questioning himself what he had done wrong, and how he would repent his sins and get right with God. However, he knew that there were times when he did no wrong, but God was actually testing his faith so that it would come forth as gold. (Job 23:10) He understood that he must truly hope in God amid hopelessness, as only God could provide him with the solutions to all his problems. Let us therefore be holy as God is holy, and hope in His amazing grace to the end, and He shall surely make a way when there seems no way. (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please heal my soul that I may love and desire You now and forever.
Verse of the Day: (40:8) I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
1.Deliverance from God’s Power (39:1-13)
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. (39:8)
How do we delight in doing God’s will when we are at the lowest point of our lives? This was exactly what King David did as he knew that God shall deliver him from the worst situation in His time, and even if He allowed him to continue to suffer, and even die for His glory, he knew that one day he shall be promoted to the highest point of his life in His eternal home in heaven. Throughout David’s life, he was careful to live a holy life by controlling his tongue and temper, and faithfully doing God’s work with His power. Indeed, since the beginning, there were many God’s people who chose not to be delivered from their persecution and even death, as they refused to renounce the true God, and instead chose to be martyrs, thus obtaining the resurrection in heaven. (Hebrews 11:35-40)
2.Delighting to do God’s Will (40:1-9)
Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. (40:5)
David delighted in doing God’s will, as God had never failed him, not even once, but have instead blessed him with innumerable and wonderful works, the likes of blessing his heart with the construction of His magnificent temple, commending him as a man after His own heart, and above all, blessing him with Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the whole world, as one of his descendants. (Acts 13:22-24) This was why David reaped the blessings of God as he delight in doing His will. Let us delight in doing God’s will, especially through prayer, as it demonstrates our complete trust in Him. (Proverbs 15:8)
3.Declaring God’s Faithfulness (40:10-17)
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. (40:10)
Time and again, David declared God’s faithfulness and salvation as he experienced many blessings from Him that no word could described how much he owed Him. Even Moses declared God’s faithfulness and salvation as he and the Jews experienced how God miraculously delivered them from the bondage of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Indeed, God through Moses proclaimed to Pharaoh that His name and power shall be declared throughout all the earth. It is truly God’s mercy and compassion that we are saved by His grace through our faith in Him, as we are His clay and He is our Potter. (Romans 9:15-25)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to delight in doing Your perfect will for Your praise.
Verse of the Day: (37:4) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
1.Delighting In The LORD (37:1-26)
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (37:23)
King David delighted in God and His Word, as he committed his entire life to Him for His glory, and God granted him the desires of his heart. Whatever situations he faced, he entrusted them to God as he knew that He would never fail him since the day he trusted in Him. Though he saw how wicked unbelievers prospered in their deceit and lies, and the righteous suffered in their honesty and integrity, yet he knew that God never make a mistake. Indeed, one day, the wicked unbelievers shall be eternally punished in the devil’s hell, and the righteous believers shall be richly rewarded, and promoted to God’s heaven. Apostle Paul, like David, also delighted in God and His Word, and he kept his faith in Him, and was granted the desires of his heart with a crown of righteousness awaiting him in glorious heaven. Let us thus delight in God and His Word, and commit all our ways to Him, and He shall grant us the desires of our hearts. (Romans 7:22-25)
2.Dwelling In The LORD (37:27-40)
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. (37:27)
David chose to dwell and meditate in God and His holy Word, as he did what was good in His eyes, departing from evil. Let us thus believe in and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, and invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts. Let us read, study and apply His Word so that we be rooted and grounded in His everlasting love, and sharing His Gospel, that all may know that Jesus is truly the Son of God. (Ephesians 3:11-21)
3.Desiring The LORD (38:1-22)
Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. (38:9)
David poured out his heart before God, desiring to do His will and even to be with Him in His home in heaven. This must be the lowest point of David’s life, as he groaned to God that his heart is heavy, his strength is failing, and his light and life is diminishing and about to meet Him. Every time when David was in deep trouble and crises, he would seek and desire God and His Word, so as to find His perfect plan and purpose for his life. He knew that if not for God’s mercy and grace, he would have been eternally condemned to fiery hell because of his sins and iniquities. However, David truly loved and desired God and His Word, and he repented of his sins, and return to Him. Like Apostle Peter and David and like babies desiring the nourishing milk of their mothers, let us also desire God and His Word so that we may grow in grace and in knowledge of Him. (1 Peter 2:1-3)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to delight in You and Your Word so as to grow in You.
Verse of the Day: (35:9) And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
1.God Is My Rejoicing (35:1-11)
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. (35:11)
King David inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote this Psalm with double prophecy as he not only prophesied his future but also the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This was the time when David must have experienced the hardest trial of his life, especially when his beloved son, Absalom, betrayed him, and conspired with some of his unfaithful leaders to usurp his throne to be the next King of Israel. David also prophesied the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and how He too would also be betrayed by false witnesses, and eventually was crucified on the cruel cross at Calvary, not for His own sins, but the sins of the whole world. Amid all the trials and testing, David still rejoiced in God, and praised and thanked Him for who He is, and what He had done with, in and through him. Like Apostle Paul and King David, let us rejoice in the Lord always in whatever circumstances we are in, as He is truly in control of everything. (Philippians 4:4)
2.God Is My Reward (35:12-28)
They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. (35:12)
Like the Lord Jesus, King David did good for his family and people, but many of them failed to be grateful to him, and instead they rewarded him evil for good. Jesus performed great miracles for the people, as He healed the blind to see, the lame to walk, the dumb to speak and the deaf to hear, and He cast out demons from them, and even raised the dead alive. However, they rewarded Him evil for good, as they chose to free Barabbas, the worst criminal, and crucify Jesus. (Matthew 27:26) Though Jesus and David were rewarded evil for good, yet it was God’s will for them, as they believed that He never make a mistake. Indeed, though this world may reward us evil for good, but our God shall richly reward us when we believe in Him and diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
3.God Is My Righteousness (36:1-12)
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. (36:6)
At the end of David’s life, he knew that he was an imperfect and sinful king, but it was truly God’s abundant mercy, great faithfulness, and everlasting righteousness, that he was eventually promoted to His eternal home in glorious heaven. (1 Kings 2:1-10) This was the legacy that David charged Solomon, his son, and successor to the throne of Israel. Indeed, with God, all the kings of Israel and Judah shall victoriously rule the nation, but without Him, their enemies shall ruthlessly defeat and rule over them. Let us therefore put on Christ’s righteousness and holiness, and flee from wickedness. (Ephesians 4:17-32)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Rejoicing, Reward and Righteousness.
