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.
Verse of the Day: (33:1) Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
1.Be Rejoicing (33:1-4)
For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. (33:4)
King David who penned this Psalm knew that he must rejoice in the Lord as he knew that God never made a single mistake, and every word that He spoke to, and every work He did for him, was in truth and for his own good. Though he went through much sorrow and suffering, yet he knew that he must continue to trust in his righteous God. Apostle Paul also commanded the Thessalonian Christians to rejoice evermore, even when they were going through intense persecution and even martyrdom, knowing that one day, they shall be with Christ in His heaven for all who fully trusted in Him. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
2.Be Righteous (33:5-22)
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. (33:5)
Though David failed many times yet he trusted God for his life. He acknowledged that God reigned supreme in his life as he could never outwit, outsmart and outmanoeuvre. Him. He knew that God shall blessed Israel, and no enemy shall defeat them when he led them to fully trust and obey Him, their Help and Shield. Indeed, God loves righteousness and judgment, and He hates wickedness and lawlessness, because He is good all the time, and all the time He is good. Everything that God makes is good, and especially man who is made in His own image. Indeed, let us truly trust and believe in Jesus Christ that He is our God and Saviour, and He shall grant us the best for our lives, even though many times we may not fully understand all His ways. Let us be prepared to meet Christ, as one day, He shall judge all the people in this world, and let us be found righteous in Him when we believe that He died and shed His precious blood for our sins. (Revelation 16:5)
3.Be Redeemed (34:1-22)
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. (34:22)
The entire life of David was full of rejoicing and gratitude to his God who had not only delivered him out of all his afflictions, but especially, He had redeemed him from fiery hell, and one day He shall promote him to pearly heaven. Indeed, David could only praised God knowing that no nation, and no one, could ever overcome him and Israel, when they trusted in Him. At the end of his life, he challenged the people to taste and see that God was good to all who trusted in Him. Let us thus rejoice and revive in God, as He had sent His Son to shed His blood to fully redeem us from our sins, and make us as His kings and priests to reign with Him on the new earth for all eternity. (Revelation 5:9-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to rejoice and revive in You amid sadness and sorrow.
Verse of the Day: (31:24) Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
1.Hand (31:1-15)
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. (31:15)
Many times, the book of Psalm has double prophecy, that is, the author, King David, inspired by the ultimate Author, the Holy Spirit, not only prophesied his own future, but that of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, His life and ministry, including His death, resurrection and return as the King of kings and Lord of lords during the Millennium and the new Jerusalem, which is after the Rapture of all Christians that can happen at any time now. David not only prophesied God’s preservation of his life, but also that of Jesus, his Rock, who suffered great persecution under the Romans’ rule before He was crucified not for His own sins, but for the sins of the world. Jesus’ death was in fulfilment of God’s prophecy that He shall come to shed His blood for the forgiveness of the sins of the world, and whoever believes in Him shall live forever with Him in heaven. Let us thus humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand that He may exalt us in His time. (1 Peter 5:6-11)
2.Hope (31:16-24)
O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. (31:23)
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the “black-swan” event in many decades, God desires the world to truly believe and hope in Him in this hopeless world of sins and wickedness. Even during the time of King David, he already experienced the sense of hopelessness as the heathen of the world, including God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, kept committing idolatry and immorality, and refusing to believe and hope in the God of Israel, the true God. Indeed, by God’s grace, let us believe in Christ, and repent our sins, and look forward to the blessed hope of His glorious appearing, as He loved and gave Himself for us, that He shall redeem us from our sins, and purify us as His people zealous of good works, and bound for our home in heaven to be with Him forever. (Titus 2:11-15)
3.Heart (32:1-11)
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. (32:11)
Amid all the trials and troubles, David rejoiced in God knowing that his faith was tested to the fullest, so as to reveal the real motive of his heart, which was indeed, after God’s own heart. Let us thus rejoice in God, singing and making melody in our hearts, and giving thanks to Him for all things, especially our precious salvation. (Ephesians 5:16-21)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to hope in You amid this hopeless world of wickedness.
Verse of the Day: (30:5) For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
1.LORD (29:1-11)
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (29:2)
David was called a man after God’s heart, because he trusted and obeyed the voice of the LORD, and worshipped Him in spirit and in truth. (Acts 13:22) David acknowledged that the voice of the LORD was indeed powerful and majestic, and it is through His great voice that the whole world was created - the magnificent universe, the clear blue sky, the great oceans, the forests, the animals, etc. David truly understood God’s glory and holiness, and this was why he confessed and repented his sins, and prayed to God for fellowship and restoration. Let us thus obey and worship God in spirit and in truth, as He is a Spirit, and worthy to be worshipped for all His glory and holiness. (John 4:21-24)
2.Lift (30:1-4)
I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. (30:1)
God always lift up King David even when he was at the lowest point of his life because he trusted in Him. Though time and again David sinned against God, yet God in His abundant mercy, grace and love lifted him up from the mud of sins. Let us therefore believe in and receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as our personal Saviour, and He shall lift us up one day to His home in glorious heaven to be with Him forever. (John 3:14-17)
3.Life (30:5-12)
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. (30:12)
After all that happened to King David as he encountered many near deaths during his battles against the enemies of Israel, and even with his own son, he realised that it was truly God’s abundant mercy, grace and love, that had kept him alive. He reminisced and recalled the many nights that he cried and wept to God because of the pain and agony of his life storms and struggles, and yet every morning he would wake up with joy and gladness as God comforted and consoled him. Let us thus give thanks to God, as even though we may weep in the night, because of our great trials, but joy shall come in the morning as He shall comfort and console us. Indeed, God blesses us with abundant life as we are His sheep, and He is our good Shepherd, who sent His Son to die on the cross and shed His precious blood for the sins of the world. Whoever believes in Him shall never perish in fiery hell, but have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven. (John 10:7-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for granting me Your favour and life as I believe in You.
Verse of the Day: (27:1) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
1.Salvation (27:1-3)
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. (27:3)
At the time of my writing the entire world is facing the threat of coronavirus pandemic, that have caused the loss of many lives, and many are struggling in pain in the Intensive Care Units fighting for their lives, and many are living in fear and anxiety. As I pray to God for His deliverance upon those infected and affected by this tragic outbreak, and the many cities that are experiencing lockdowns and chaos that have resulted in economic recession, this Psalm comes in timely from God to encourage me that He is still on the throne, and He is the Light, Salvation and Strength to all who believe and trust in Him. King David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, must have written this Psalm amid great fears, especially impending war, just like this pandemic, and God assured him that He is his Salvation, and that he should continue to trust in Him. Indeed, God is our Salvation, and only He can save us from hell and promote us to heaven as we believe in Him. (Acts 4:12)
2.Seek (27:4-14)
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. (27:4)
There were many things that King David might have sought after, yet he only sought after God. This must be the time when he had passed his youthful and lustful days, and had experienced God’s chastisement and humbling, and had concluded to himself that the only thing that was worth pursuing in life was God and His holiness. He must have spent much of his time in sweet fellowship and prayer in the house of God. Indeed, let us daily seek God, and invest our time and treasures on the things that are eternal and pleasing to Him, such as soul winning and discipleship, and supporting and praying for the pastors and missionaries as they preached the Gospel to the regions beyond. (Colossians 3:1-3)
3.Strength (28:1-9)
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiced; and with my song will I praise him. (28:7)
David was thrilled and thankful to God for being his salvation and strength, and saving his wretched soul, and forgiving him of all his sins, as he praised and rejoiced in Him all the days of his life. Let us thus glory in our infirmities because God’s grace is sufficient for us, as our strength is only made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Light, my Salvation and my Everything.
Verse of the Day: (25:14) The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
1.Salvation (25:1-13)
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (25:5)
David, king of Israel, God’s chosen nation, waited and trusted God to grant him truth and wisdom as he led his family and kingdom amid trouble and tribulation. He knew that God was his Saviour and salvation, and without Him, he was nothing. He recalled the time when he was just a poor ordinary shepherd boy in his village, and God came to him, and chose and anointed him to be the rich powerful king of Israel, which was at that time the most powerful nation of the world. Indeed, let us wait and trust in God and His grace, salvation and promise of His return amid our trouble and tribulation. (Titus 2:11-15)
2.Secret (25:14-22)
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. (25:20)
David revealed to all who sought God that His secret was with all who loved and feared Him, and keep His commandments. He was troubled on all sides, as without his enemies were planning to invade Israel, and within some of his loved ones were plotting against him, yet he kept praying, and reading God’s Word, and trusting and obeying Him all the days of his life. Today, the mystery of God, which had been kept secret in the Old Testament, has been revealed to all who believe in Him, that is, we are not only to fear Him and keep His commandments, but that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, truly belong to the body of Jesus, when we receive Him as our Saviour. (Romans 16:25-27)
3.Soul (26:1-12)
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: (26:9)
David’s daily prayer was to have God to judge and examine his heart, mind and soul that they be one in Him as he continued staying close to Him and His righteousness, and flee from evil and wickedness. He must remind himself never to take for granted that all that he had - his health, family, kingdom, riches, fame and power – were from Him. Though he once committed adultery and murder yet God had forgiven him and restored the fellowship with him. Indeed, he was very thankful and grateful to God for His everlasting mercy, amazing grace and wonderful love, as he looked forward to the day that he shall be with Him in His home in glorious heaven forever. Let us who believe in God pray and share the gospel so that precious souls may come to know the truth that Jesus is truly the Son of God, and be saved from spiritual death and eternal condemnation. (James 5:19-20)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to stay in Your secret which is to love and fear You.
Verse of the Day: (23:1) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
1.Shepherd (23:1-6)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (23:6)
What a great promise from God that He is our Shepherd and we are His sheep! Indeed, God, our Shepherd, shall grant us all the desires of our hearts, as we believe in and follow Him all the days of our lives. He shall make us lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters, and feed us both materially and spiritually. He shall be with us in good health and in sickness, and in life and in death. He shall be with us even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, comforting us that we shall never die, but be asleep, and when we wake up, we shall see His face, and our loved ones. Indeed, though we are born sinners, because of our first parents, Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God and their sins were imputed on us, yet He already has a redemption plan for us, as He offered His only Son to be the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. This is why we are called sheep because we are born docile, and we are only God’s sheep when we believe in Jesus through His precious blood of the everlasting covenant. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
2.Salvation (24:1-5)
He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (24:5)
David knew that everything he had including his throne and empire were from God, and especially the salvation of his soul as he believed in the prophecy that God shall send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Messiah of the world. He was indeed humbled by God’s amazing grace and everlasting mercy that Jesus would be from his lineage. However, at the later stage of his life, he realised that God’s blessings shall be upon him only when he had clean hands and a pure heart, otherwise he would reap the grave consequences of his sins. Indeed, salvation is only possible in the precious name of Jesus, and obedience is essential for God’s saints to receive His abundant blessings. (Acts 4:12)
3.Seek (24:6-10)
This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. (24:6)
Though God has a redemption plan for mankind, yet many have been blinded by the devil in unbelief, and refuse to seek their Creator and Shepherd. May we be like David and his generation who seek God, the King of glory, and His righteousness, and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and King, and all the things we need and desire shall be granted to us according to His sovereign and perfect plan and purpose. (Matthew 6:33-34)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to seek You, my Shepherd, Saviour and King of glory.
Verse of the Day: (22:28) For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.
1.The Life (21:1-13)
He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. (21:4)
Are you sad? Rejoice in the Lord as He shall bless you with life everlasting as you trust and obey Him. David trusted and obeyed God, and God blessed him, and his family and kingdom, and they enjoyed the riches of both His material as well as spiritual blessings. In fact, this was the pinnacle of the kingdom of Israel during the reign of David, as after Solomon, his son, took over from him, and committed idolatry and immorality, the kingdom began its rapid decline, and had never regained its power and glory since then. Indeed, life is like a vapour, and we do not even know whether we will live tomorrow. Let us believe in and receive Jesus as our Saviour knowing that we have only one life and soon it will pass, and only what’s done for Him will last for all eternity. (James 4:13-17)
2.The Lion (22:1-27)
They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. (22:13)
David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote this prophetic psalm of the first coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even though he could not fully comprehend how it could ever happened that God could become a Man. Indeed, this is God’s sovereignty, as He can do the impossible, even without man. However, God’s enemy, Satan, the devil, as a ravening and roaring lion sought to hinder Jesus’ miraculous birth to a virgin, Mary, and her husband, Joseph. Nevertheless, God, the Creator, always wins, as Satan, His fallen creature, could never hinder Jesus’ birth. In fact, Jesus left the splendour of heaven, and came to earth, and subsequently died and shed His precious blood for the sins of the world. Today, Satan is still on the offensive side trying to discourage and demoralise God’s people. However, God is with His people, and He shall protect and preserve them to the end. Satan’s ultimate end is fiery hell, while that of God’s people shall be with Him in His home in heaven. (Revelation 20) Meanwhile, let us put on the whole armour of God against the wiles and wits of the devil, and pray without ceasing. (Ephesians 6:10-19)
3.The LORD’S (22:28-31)
A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. (22:30)
The Seed is none other than Jesus who will serve God, His Father, not only for His own generation but for all generations, the past, present and future. Indeed, Jesus’ first coming was a defenseless baby, while His second coming shall be the powerful KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Let us therefore rejoice evermore as we love, worship and serve our risen Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ now and forever. (Revelation 19:11-16)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am Yours, the servant of the LORD OF LORDS.
Verse of the Day: (19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
1.Rejoicing (19:1-8)
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (19:8)
Are you depressed? Look to the Lord and believe in Him as only He can redeem our souls so that we shall always be rejoicing in our hearts as we are heavenward bound. The awesome creation of God’s handiwork as well as His holy Word encouraged and inspired King David to keep on leading and motivating his people of Israel amid many crises and challenges the likes of betrayal and defeats at the battlefields, rebellion of his children, etc., that many times made him disappointed and even depressed. Indeed, let us appreciate God’s creation and Word as we keep rejoicing in Him in good or bad times, as even in death we never die but only sleep, as we will wake up and see Jesus, our Saviour and Lord, face to face in glorious heaven when we truly believe in Him. (Philippians 4:4)
2.Redeeming (19:9-14)
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (19:10)
Every time when David was discouraged he would prayed to God and read and meditate His Word and commandments in his heart as he highly regarded them more than fine gold, and sweeter than honey and honeycomb, as he encouraged himself in God. He recalled and reminisced the time when their enemies, the Amalekites, defeated them and destroyed their homes and took their wives and children, and his men planned to stone him to death as they blamed his leadership, but God saved him, as he encouraged himself in Him. (1 Samuel 30:1-6) Indeed, Jesus Christ is our Strength and Redeemer, who has redeemed and reconciled us to God, His Father, by His precious blood, and has made us as His kings and priests to reign on His new earth for all eternity. (Revelation 5:9-14)
3.Remembering (20:1-9)
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (20:7)
Though David was the king of Israel, the most powerful country in the entire world at that time, yet he proclaimed that he would only remember and trust in the name of the Lord, God of Israel, and not on his powerful chariots and horses, and his mighty army. He knew that his God shall hear and save him as he call upon Him, and would raise him up one day to His eternal home in heaven. Let us thus remember Jesus, our Redeemer, as only He can truly save our souls from hell, and promote us to heaven. (2 Timothy 2:8-15)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Strength and Redeemer amid life storms.
Verse of the Day: (18:10) And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
1.God’s Word (17:1-15)
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. (17:4)
King David was called a man after God’s heart because his heart was close to His heart, as he obeyed His Word, and thus avoiding the destroyer or the devil’s snare. As much as God is real, the devil is real, and he angrily seeks to destroy every work of God because he knows that he had a short time before he will be eternally condemned to fiery hell. (Revelation 12:10-12) However, God loves and keeps those who truly believe in and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord like the apples of His eyes and hide them under the shadow of His wings. Let us thus put on the whole armour of God and wield the sword, which is His Word, as it is the only offensive weapon against the devil, while the rest of His armour, such as the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith are defensive ones. Above all let us pray in the Spirit so that we shall victoriously overcome the devil and his demons. (Ephesians 6:10-19)
2.God’s Wind (18:1-29)
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (18:2)
Many times God encouraged David when the latter was discouraged and depressed by assuring him that He was his Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Strength, Buckler, Horn of his salvation, High Tower and Wind beneath his wings that would lift him up above life storms. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the mighty Wind who filled the house where Jesus’ disciples were sitting at the day of Pentecost to fully empower and encourage them that God was with them, and they must preach His Gospel that Jesus came, died, and on the third day, He rose again from the grave conquering death. Whoever therefore believes in Jesus shall never perish in hell but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. (Acts 2:1-21)
3.God’s Way (18:30-50)
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. (18:30)
God assured David that His way was perfect, and His Word was proven to be the Truth, and He was his Shield whom he could completely trust with, not only this life, but for all eternity. Indeed, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man can truly know and experience the richest blessings of God, the Father, except through Him. (John 14:1-21)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are the Wing beneath my wings in my lifetime.
