Verse of the Day: (129:1) Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
1.Affliction (129:1-3)
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. (129:2)
Throughout history, Israel has been afflicted and persecuted by the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Philistines, the Syrians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Nazis, etc., but they survive until now, because they are God’s chosen people whom He has been protecting and preserving them. However, God still punishes Israel if they refuse to acknowledge and receive Him as their personal Saviour. Today, God has chosen the church, founded by His Son, Jesus Christ, who left heaven and came to earth to die on the cross shedding His blood for the sins of the world, to replace Israel as His ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21) The reason why Israel has many enemies is because the devil, the enemy of God, is behind them, as he seeks to hinder the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, who is from the lineage of Abraham, the founder of Israel. (Genesis 12:1-3) The devil knows that he has a short time as he shall be eternally condemned to hell because of his pride, and hence he takes every opportunity not only to thwart God’s redemption plan of man, but to deceive man in denying Christ and dragging them to hell. (Revelation 20) Let us thus flee from the devil and draw near to God and endure afflictions and one day He shall promote us to His glorious heaven. (James 5:7-11)
2.Asunder (129:4-8)
The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. (129:4)
Only the righteous God can cut asunder the bondage of the devil and sins upon us setting us free to worship and serve Him. Only as we trust God and put on His whole armour, and especially taking His Sword, which is God’s Word, can we not only stand against, but even overcome the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-19) Let us thus trust God and His Word, which is powerful like a two-edged sword dividing asunder our hearts, and He shall enable us to have the victory over the devil and sins now and forever. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
3.Attention (130:1-8)
Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. (130:2)
God shall be attentive to all who believe in and receive Him as their personal Saviour and Lord. God shall hear, forgive and redeem us when we call upon Him, and repent our sins. Indeed, let us wait upon God, and be attentive to His Word, as He is always attentive to all our prayers, and He shall help us to overcome all crises, even this present pandemic Covid 19, that has destabilised the entire world with its deadly infection. (Luke 19:45-48)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to endure affliction and suffering in Your mighty name.
Verse of the Day: (128:2) For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
1.Heritage (127:1-5)
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. (127:3)
King Solomon of Israel started well in life, when in a dream at night God appeared to him, and asked him what he required of Him. Solomon asked God for wisdom, instead of longevity, riches and revenge. God then blessed him with His wisdom. However, throughout Solomon’s life, he failed to apply God’s wisdom, and instead he strayed away from God, and went after the lusts of his flesh and eyes, and pride of life. He rebelled against God, and instead of one wife, he had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, and even followed their idols. At the end of Solomon’s life, he reaped the consequences of his sins of immorality and idolatry. His once powerful kingdom became divided, and his once happy family became a misery to him. Solomon then repented his sins, as he realised that his life, family and kingdom were God’s heritage, rewards and blessings. Without God, he was nothing, and had nothing. (1 Kings 3-11) Indeed, let us trust and obey God and commit our life, family, work and ministry to Him as they are His heritage, rewards and blessings. Let us who are in leadership be blameless and exemplary in our service and testimony, and be sober and vigilant, as our enemy, the devil, as a roaring lion, seeks to destroy and derail us from serving our living God. (1 Peter 5:1-11)
2.Happiness (128:1-2)
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. (128:1)
To have true happiness and real joy, we must fear God, walk in His ways and obey His commandments. Only in God can we find true joy and happiness in our family, work and ministry. Only in God, can we really enjoy the fruits of our hard work, and our labour shall never be in vain. Indeed, let us fear and obey God, and endure sufferings for His sake, as this is the only way to have real joy and happiness in our lives. (1 Peter 3:8-22)
3.House (128:3-6)
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. (128:3)
God instructs His beloved people and precious saints to trust and obey Him, and He shall richly bless and keep our house, family, work and ministry, with true happiness and real joy. Let us commit our family, work and ministry to God, and pray that our wife is virtuous, our children are obedient, and our work and ministry are fruitful. (Proverbs 31:10-31) Let us therefore lead our house well for God’s glory and honour. (1 Timothy 3)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to fear You to have true happiness and real joy in You.
Verse of the Day: (126:5) They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
1.The Trust (125:1-5)
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. (125:1)
We are forever God’s beloved children and precious saints when we believe in and receive Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, as our personal Saviour and Lord. Once God saved us, we are saved forever, and nothing, not even this deadly and dangerous pandemic Covid 19, or even death, can separate us from His love for us. (Romans 8) Indeed, God’s salvation is unshakeable and unmoveable as mount Zion, and the mountains of the world. However, God shall judge and punish the wicked who refuse to believe in Him, and He shall blot them out of the book of life casting them into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15) Let us trust our God, and endure all crises and challenges, and He shall bless and reward us granting us peace now and forever. (1 Timothy 4:10)
2.The Tongue (126:1-4)
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. (126:2)
God commands Israel and all who believe and trust in Him to repent of our sins, and turn to Him with our mouths filling with laughter, and our tongues with singing, knowing that He has saved our souls from fiery hell, and one day, He shall promote us to pearly heaven. Indeed, let us sing with our tongues to our awesome God and Saviour for all the great and mighty things He has done in our lives, especially our precious salvation. (Revelation 7)
3.The Tears (126:5-6)
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (126:6)
God reminds His children that all our tears and toils for His marvellous works in winning the lost souls to His eternal kingdom shall never be in vain, because He shall richly reward and bless us in His glorious heaven. What a day it shall be when we get to God’s home, where we finally meet the Lord Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the Lamb, our Saviour, face to face, and all the faithful saints of the Old Testament, the likes of Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Ruth, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Job, Jonah, Malachi, and all the beloved saints of the New Testament, the likes of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude, as well as all our precious loved ones who had gone ahead of us. Indeed, our perfect God shall finally wipe away all tears from our perfect eyes, and there shall be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain in heaven as He is with us for all eternity. (Revelation 21-22)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that there shall be no more tears when I see You in heaven.
Verse of the Day: (124:4) Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
1.The Servant (123:1-4)
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. (123:2)
Let us turn our eyes upon God, who creates heavens, the earth and every living creature, as He is our Master and Creator, and we are His servants. Our God shall provide all our needs and fulfil all our desires as we trust Him. Our master or employer on earth may not be perfect but our God is definitely perfect. Let us turn our eyes to Jesus Christ, the perfect Servant, who left the splendour of heaven, where God, His Master, and Him dwell in, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and humbled Himself in obedience to the death of the cross, the most humiliating way of death, not for His own sins, but for the sins of the whole world. By Jesus’ death, He accomplished His Master’s perfect will. Whoever therefore receives Jesus as his personal Saviour, shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Let us turn our eyes and wait upon our Master, and His abundant mercy and love shall be upon us now and forever. (Philippians 2:5-11)
2.The Soul (124:1-5)
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. (124:5)
At the peak of his reign, King David of Israel, sinned against his holy God and Master, when he committed adultery and murder. Pride took over David’s heart as he succumbed to the lusts of his eyes and flesh and pride of life. God then humbled and chastised David that he truly repented of his wretched soul of proud waters. (2 Samuel 11-12) Indeed, like God delivered Israel from the proud waters of the mighty and overwhelming Red sea and River Jordan, He shall also deliver our souls from the proud waters of the devil’s hell. (Isaiah 43:1-3) Let us truly guard our souls that they are filled with God’s love and humility, as what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his precious soul to the devil, and be forever cast together with him in fiery hell. (Matthew 16:24-28)
3.The Snare (124:6-9)
Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. (124:7)
Though God loves and saves us yet we are still struggling with this life of toils and snares, because the devil is out to destroy God’s perfect plan and precious people. The devil will do all he can in his wiles and deceits to ensnare our souls to sin and rebel against God. Let us therefore follow God and His righteousness, faith, love and peace, and He shall surely deliver and help us escape the devil’s evil snare and deception. (2 Timothy 2:22-26)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for saving my soul from hell to Your heaven as I trust You.
Verse of the Day: (122:6) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
1.God’s Preservation (121:1-8)
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (121:8)
God encourages His people who trust in Him to seek His help amid all our trouble including this unprecedented pandemic Covid 19 that has taken thousands of precious lives. Our God never slumbers or sleeps as He is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth and all living things, and He can do anything including the impossible. Let us thus trust God and seek Him in prayer, and He shall preserve us from all evils, and one day, He shall gloriously promote our souls to His heavenly kingdom forever. (2 Timothy 4:18)
2.God’s Peace (122:1-6)
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. (122:4)
David, a man after God’s heart, was glad every time he went to God’s house to worship Him in spirit and truth. (Acts 13:22) Though Jerusalem, the city of Israel, never really had perfect peace, yet one day, they shall have perfect peace when the Lord Jesus Christ shall return to reign during the time of the Millennium, which is after the Rapture (any time now when all Christians shall be caught up to be with Christ forever) (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and the 7 years of Great Tribulation. (Daniel 9:24-27) Today, though we may not have perfect peace, yet let us trust and thank God, and His perfect peace shall indwell in our hearts amid tribulation including Covid 19. (John 16:31-33)
3.God’s Prosperity (122:7-9)
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. (122:7)
As King David relentlessly and passionately pursued after his God and His Word, God richly prospered and enriched him with both material and spiritual blessings. David became the most powerful king of all the kings of the world. He ruled and reigned with love and wisdom as God was with him. David desired in his heart to build God’s majestic house but God told him that Solomon, his son and successor, shall build His house, because David was a man of war, and had shed much blood from the battles he had fought against his enemies. (1 Chronicles 28) Indeed, God prospered David, as the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, eventually came from his tribe, Judah, thus fulfilling the earliest and greatest prophesy of all time. (Genesis 49:8-12) Let us therefore seek God and His righteousness, and faithfully and generously give our time, talents, tithes, treasures, and lives to Him, and He shall prosper and enrich us both materially and spiritually now and forever. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please grant me Your perfect peace amid this pandemic Covid 19.
Verse of the Day: (119:11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
1.God’s Word (119:1-26)
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. (119:17)
God commands Israel and all who believe in Him today to hide and keep His holy Word in our hearts so that we will not sin against Him. God promises us that He shall bless us when we obey His commandments, and punish us when we disobey Him. This is God’s sowing and reaping principle since the day He created the first couple, Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3) Indeed, God’s Word is living, power and sharper than any two-edged sword that will pierce the souls and hearts of men to reveal who we really are. Let us therefore truly believe in God and His Word, and trust and obey Him now and forever. (Hebrews 4)
2.God’s Works (119:27-176)
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. (119:27)
God encourages Israel and all who believe in Him today to talk of His wondrous and marvellous works that He has performed for, in, with and through us, especially the precious salvation of our souls that we have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. Let us obey God’s Word by studying, meditating, memorising and applying it into our lives, as it is like a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, so that we shall continue to shine, even in the darkest hour of our lives. God and His Word is our hiding place and shield, and let us believe and hope in Him amid hopelessness and helplessness. Let us love God and His Word above everything, including precious gold and silver, and fame and fortune. Let us keep sharing God’s most important word and work, that whoever shall truly call on the name of the Lord Jesus, and believe in his heart, that God had raised Him from the dead shall be saved forever. Indeed, God’s Word is settled and sure in heaven forever. (Acts 2)
3.God’s War (120:1-7)
I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. (120:7)
God sent His only Son, Jesus, from the splendour of heaven to lowly earth as the Saviour of the world, to die for the sins of men, making peace and reconciliation with men. Whoever therefore truly believes in Jesus shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. However, one day, Jesus shall come again from heaven, but this time, He shall come as the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, to judge and wage the final war, known as the battle of Armageddon, against the devil and the wicked who reject and rebel against Him. Jesus shall then have the final and ultimate victory over the devil and the wicked, casting them into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Indeed, let us trust and obey God and His Word. (Revelation 19-20)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to hide Your Word in my heart so that I will obey You.
Verse of the Day: (118:8) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
1.The Truth (117:1-2)
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. (117:2)
God constantly reminds Israel and Christians today to share to the whole world know that He is the one and only true God, and His merciful kindness and truth endure now and forever. Let us therefore live and walk in God’s mercy, kindness and truth, knowing that He is indeed the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man can be saved from eternal condemnation of his sins, except to repent of his sins, and believe in Him. (John 14:1-7)
2.The Trust (118:1-11)
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. (118:9)
God reiterates to Israel and Christians today to share to the entire world know that we should trust no one, except in Him. Though we can trust our loved ones, good friends and competent leaders, yet they may fail us one day, and only God shall never fail us. Only God and His mercy shall endure forever. God encouraged Israel that since the day He establish them as His chosen nation, He has been with them even until today. (Genesis 12:1-3) Through the thick and the thine, the mountain and the valley, and in life and in death, God has been with them. Indeed, if God is for us, who can be against us. Nothing, not even death, life, angels, powers, authorities, etc., can separate us from His love and mercy. (Romans 8:31-39) Let us therefore only trust in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who loved us so much, that He left the splendour of heaven, and lived and ministered on lowly earth, before He eventually died on the cruel cross, and shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world, for yours and mine. (Ephesians 1:1-14)
3.The Thorns (118:12-29)
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. (118:12)
God prophesied to Israel and Christians today that we must declare to the whole world that His only Son, Jesus, shall come to this earth to live and die, and that only the fire of thorns on His head, and the shedding of His blood shall destroy death, and then shall He finish His mission in this world. Indeed, the scriptures were fulfilled when the Romans soldiers twisted a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, and put on Him a purple robe, and mocking and insulting Him as the King of the Jews, before eventually crucifying Him. Little did they know that Jesus is not only the King of the Jews, but He is the KING OF KINGS AND LORDS OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16) Let us trust in Jesus, and we shall never perish in hell, but shall have eternal life with Him in heaven. (John 19:1-30)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, I fully trust You, the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Verse of the Day: (116:15) Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
1.The Shield Of God (115:1-18)
O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. (115:9)
God emphasises to Israel and Christians today that all glory is due to Him, and never to man, because He is the Almighty Creator who makes glorious heaven and beautiful earth. Indeed, we are God’s saints saved only by His amazing grace through our faith in Jesus Christ, His Son. However, many times, men choose to make their own gods and idols, and worshiping them, and refuse to acknowledge their Creator. This is why God commands Israel, and all who believe in Him, to repent of their sins and turn to Him. God even commanded the lineage of Aaron, the Levites as well as the priests of the people, the likes of the pastors today, to be exemplary in their testimony so that all will repent their sins, and turn to the true God, their Help and Shield in time of all their troubles and tribulations. Let us thus fear and trust God, our Help and Shield, as we put on His whole armour, especially His Shield of faith, to overcome Satan’s wiles. (Ephesians 6:10-19)
2.The Salvation Of God (116:1-14)
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. (116:13)
King David of Israel and all who believe and trust in God declare our love to Him, as we call upon and pray to Him, our Salvation and Shield, and He shall hear, deliver and save us from all our troubles, especially His miraculous deliverance of our souls from the devil’s hell to His portals of heaven. Indeed, God is gracious, righteous and merciful, and He shall preserve and protect all who truly believe in Him, humble ourselves before Him, and walk in His way and truth, and for His glory and praise. (John 14:1-7) Let us thus rejoice in God with joy unspeakable and full of glory for His precious salvation and His abundant and bountiful benefits and blessings upon us now and forever. (1 Peter 1:1-12)
3.The Saints Of God (116:15-19)
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. (116:17)
How can it be precious in God’s sight the death of His saints? Indeed, it is precious because the saints who died shall have no more sorrow, crying and pain as they are now with God, their Father in His glorious heaven. (Revelation 21:1-7) The reason why we are here on this earth is to worship God, our Creator, and share His gospel that only Jesus can save our souls from hell, and one day, He shall promote us to heaven. (Philippians 1:20-30) Let us thus give thanks to God for His great salvation, and earnestly contending for our faith, fervently keeping ourselves in His love, and faithfully looking for His mercy, as we are His precious saints bound for heaven to be with Him forever. (Jude)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that we are Your precious saints in life and in death.
Verse of the Day: (113:1) Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
1.God’s Praise (113:1-6)
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised. (113:3)
God exhorts Israel and Christians today to praise and trust His name for who He is, and what He does for His beloved people. God supremely reigns and rules the earth, and His glory is above the homes of the birds and the fowls, the stars and the planets, as well as His glorious and eternal home. Indeed, God can do anything, even the impossible. God seemingly allows evil on earth to prevail, primarily to test the faith and obedience of His people. Ultimately, God shall eradicate wickedness in His power and holiness, and for His praise and glory. Let us thus fully praise and trust God from the rising to the setting of the glorious sun, as He shall eventually overcome Satan and his great whore of demons and wicked people, and grant us sweet victory now and forever. (Revelation 19:1-5)
2.God’s Poor (113:7-9)
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; (113:7)
God loves all especially, the poor, and He shall make us His precious princes, when we trust and obey Him. Though God loves all, yet He has a special place for the poor and the underprivileged, because He is fair and just. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, willingly left the riches and splendour of heaven to become a poor and humble man on earth, so that those who are poor will become rich in Him both materially and spiritually. Jesus’s ultimate mission was to live, minister and subsequently die at the cruel cross, and shed His precious blood for the sins of the world. Let us thus love and treat the poor with God’s love and care, and He shall richly bless us now and forever. (2 Corinthians 8:1-9)
3.God’s Presence (114:1-8)
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob; (114:7)
God points to Israel of the time when He miraculously delivered them out of slavery of the Egyptians by sending the 10 plagues, the opening of the Red sea and river Jordan, and the quenching of their thirst with waters from the rock in the wilderness, before they finally entered the Promised Land. (Exodus 7-17) Ultimately, God desires for Israel is that they testify to the whole world that their He is the true God. At the time of writing, we are struggling with this unparalleled pandemic, Covid 19, for almost a year, but let us keep praising God as His presence is with us now and forever. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to praise Your name and presence in all my problems.
Verse of the Day: (111:4) He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
1.God’s Compassion (111:1-4)
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. (111:1)
God encouraged Israel to praise Him with their whole and upright hearts, and truly remember all His wonderful works that He had miraculously performed in their lives the likes of sending the 10 plagues to deliver them out of slavery from the Egyptians, and the momentous opening of the Red sea so that they could cross it dry to the wilderness and eventually to the Promised Land. (Exodus 7-14) Indeed, God is gracious and full of compassion to Israel and all who fully trust and obey Him. Since God commanded faithful Abraham to establish Israel, His chosen nation, so that they would shine their holy testimony, and point the whole world to their God, the God of Israel, as the true and living God, yet time and again, they kept disobeying and rebelling against Him. Nevertheless, God is loving and forgiving, and always waiting for them to repent their sins, and humbly return to Him. Indeed, God is gracious, full of compassion and faithfulness, and let us repent of our sins, and trust and fear Him. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
2.God’s Covenant (111:5-10)
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. (111:5)
God reminded Israel of His covenant that He shall richly bless and multiply them and all their generations in the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, if they would completely trust and fear Him. (Exodus 6) God reiterated to Israel that the fear of and obedience to Him and His commandments is the beginning of their wisdom, and His praise and blessings shall be upon them forever. Today, God has made a new covenant, not only with Israel, but the whole world, that those who truly believe in Jesus as their Saviour and Mediator, who died on the cross and shed His blood for the sins of the world, shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Indeed, let us praise our God for His new covenant, and serve Him with reverence and godly fear. (Hebrews 12:18-29)
3.God’s Commandments (112:1-10)
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. (112:1)
God shall richly bless Israel and all who truly fear Him, and greatly delight to do His commandments. Indeed, let us delight in God, and do His commandments, and we shall have the greatest privilege to God’s tree of life and heavenly city. (Revelation 22:14-21)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your compassion and covenant for a sinner like me.
