Verse of the Day: (139:15) My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
1.God’s Spirit (139:1-14)
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? (139:7)
King David of Israel poured out everything that was in his heart to God, his Creator and Saviour who knew everything about him, even when he was in his mother’s womb and right up to the time he would spend eternity with Him in His glorious heaven. In fact, God’s Spirit moved upon the earth even before everything, including man, was created and formed. Indeed, God is a Spirit, and He is omnipotent, omniscience and omnipresent, and He even watches the wicked in hell. God creates hell for the devil, the demons and the unbelievers who reject and rebel against Him. Let us thus believe in God, and pour our hearts to Him who is the Spirit who knows everything about us from the beginning when we are in our mother’s womb to all eternity with Him in His heaven. (Genesis 1:1-2)
2.God’s Secret (139:15-24)
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: (139:23)
David understood that no one, not even the smartest and the most intelligent person on the face of the earth, could truly and fully comprehend how man came into existence, and how he was created, as it was beyond human logic and understanding, except that there must be a Creator and God. David struggled with life on earth as he longed to be with his God and Saviour in pearly heaven, yet he must continue to fulfil his duty and responsibility as the King of Israel, and the father and husband to his family. David prayed and pleaded with God to search his heart, as he truly desired to live a life that would honour and glorify Him. Indeed, let us pray to God to search our hearts, that we may live a holy life. Though we may never understand many things in life, such as, why the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper, yet we must continue to accept them as God’s secrets until one day He reveals to us in His glorious heaven. (Deuteronomy 29:29)
3.God’s Salvation (140:1-13)
O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. (140:7)
David cried out to God to deliver him from the wicked and violent people who discouraged and depressed him in his life, especially his reign as the King of Israel. David trusted and obeyed God, and had confidence in His salvation and strength, knowing that He shall protect and preserve him, his family and kingdom amid countless battles and endless struggles. Indeed, let us fully trust and obey God, and have confidence in His salvation and strength amid our life storms and struggles. (Revelation 12:10-17)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to fully trust You even if it is Your mystery and secret.
Verse of the Day: (137:4) How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?
1.The LORD’s Song (137:1-7)
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. (137:1)
God punished Israel by sending the Babylonians to attack and subdue them. The people of Israel wept when the Babylonians compelled them to sing the LORD’s song by the rivers of Babylon, the foreign land far away from Israel, as they remembered and recalled the good old days, especially the golden years during the reign of King David, but now they were prisoners and slaves of the Babylonians. One day, when we get to heaven, we shall sing the LORD’s song with the angels, including the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, the LORD Jesus Christ, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (Revelation 15:1-4)
2.The LORD’s Service (137:8-9)
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. (137:8)
Instead of serving God, they disobeyed Him, and now they were forced to serve as slaves to the Babylonians. Israel knew that their captivity was the consequences of their rebellion against God, and thus they repented their sins, and turned to Him, and committed their lives to Him. They also prayed for God’s judgment upon the Babylonians who had done much evil to them. Let us thus obey God, and do service to Him with joy in our hearts knowing that He is indeed our loving Master. (Ephesians 6:5-9)
3.The LORD’s Strength (138:1-8)
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. (138:3)
King David reminisced the time when God strengthened and sustained his soul, as he humbled himself before Him, and cried to Him in repentance of his transgressions. David learned the hard way, and he began to daily praise and sing to God for His holy Word, as well as His lovingkindness, truth and mercy, even during the worst time. David fully understood that God is too wise to make a mistake, and too kind to be unloving, and He shall help and revive him in the days of trouble. Indeed, when we call upon the Lord, He shall not only grant us His awesome strength and sustenance, but His priceless salvation, as He willingly left the splendour of heaven to be on earth, and to die on the cruel cross and shed His precious blood for the sins of the world, yours and mine. (Romans 5:6-8)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to praise and sing to You in good and even bad time.
Verse of the Day: (136:1) O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
1.God’s Memorial (135:1-21)
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. (135:13)
God reminds His people, Israel, and all Christians today, to keep praising Him for He is good all the time. God reiterates to them that they must always have fond memory of the days when His mercy was upon them amid their disobedience. In fact, God commanded Israel to teach their children of Him and His Word, and in turn, their children shall teach their next generation, until all generations shall know Him, and made Him known. God’s desire is for all to know the gospel, that only Jesus can save the souls of man, and it be preached throughout all generations. This was why Jesus commanded His disciples that the memorial of the woman who broke her precious ointment on His Head and Body as if in His burial, was the greatest prophesy that He would eventually die, be buried, and the third day, He shall rise from the grave conquering death. Though Jesus’ disciples thought it a waste for the ointment to be on Jesus and should be used to help the poor, yet this memorial act was the priceless gospel that whoever believes in His death and resurrection, shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. (Matthew 26:6-13)
2.God’s Mercy (136:1-8)
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. (136:5)
Throughout God’s Word, His mercy is mentioned time and again, as it is truly His mercy that keeps us living, saving us from fiery hell, and His grace that will ultimately transport us to His heaven. God who creates the heavens; the first heaven being the home of birds, the second heaven being the home of stars, and the third heaven being His home, also creates man in His own image granting us precious salvation when we believe in and receive His Son, Jesus Christ, as our personal Saviour and Lord. Indeed, let us keep ourselves in God’s love, and looking always for His mercy now and forever. (Jude 21)
3.God’s Moon (136:9-26)
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. (136:9)
God who creates the moon and the stars to rule by night, and the sun to rule by day, shall keep us in His mercy as we trust and obey Him. Israel remembered God’s mercy, as He punished the Egyptians destroying their firstborn, so that they would free Israel from the bondage of slavery, and then Israel would eventually inherit His Promised Land. Indeed, one day, all who believe in God, shall never see the sun, moon and stars again, as we shall be Him in heaven, and He shall be the Light shining forever. (Revelation 21:22-27)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your mercy endures forever as I trust and obey You.
Verse of the Day: (134:1) Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
1.The Brethren (133:1)
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (133:1)
King David of Israel, God chosen nation, knew what it was like to have unity in his family and kingdom, because he experienced chaos and conflicts as his family was divided, and his kingdom eventually broke apart. Indeed, let us as God’s family and church, unlike the worldly organisations and nations, be united in Him, because He is in and with us, in His perfect will, amid different preferences and personality. (Romans 12)
2.The Beard (133:2-3)
It is like the precious ointment upon the heads, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; (133:2)
During the Old Testament era, the beard of a man signified leadership, authority and dignity, and those who shaved them, like Ezra, the prophet and scribe, were either mourning for their loved ones, or for backslidden Israel. David described God’s goodness, pleasantness and blessings upon Israel, and the church today, who dwells, praises and worships God together in unity, love and truth, as the precious ointment flowing smoothly from the beard of Aaron, Israel’s high priest, down to his beard, and eventually to the skirts of his garments, and the refreshing dew of Hermon descending upon the mountains of Zion. Indeed, let us be united in Christ for His glory and praise. (Ezra 9)
3.The Blessing (134:1-3)
The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion. (134:3)
In the days of Israel during the Old Testament time, and even today, the church age during the New Testament period, all true believers of God shall worship and praise Him for who He is, the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of the holy city of Zion or Jerusalem in Israel, His chosen nation, as well as the God, the Head of the church, His body. Indeed, we are saved by God’s amazing grace to stand and serve Him, whether day or night, in health or in sickness, in life or even in death, and throughout all our lives for His praise and honour, as He bless and keep us now and forever. Indeed, in this life and life everlasting, God’s desire is for all of us to be united as one body in Him, worshipping and serving Him as He is our one and only Creator, Saviour and Lord. Let us therefore, as long as we live on this earth, be a blessing to all, including our enemies, and learn how to stand up for His holy Word, share His glorious Gospel, and serve His mighty name with all our hearts and souls, until the day He calls us to His pearly heaven. (Revelation 7)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be a blessing to all even my enemies for Your praise.
Verse of the Day: (132:5) Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
1.God’s Heart (131:1-3)
LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. (131:1)
After God spared David’s life when he committed adultery and murder which warranted death by stoning, he truly repented his sins, and served Him. (Deuteronomy 19-22) David escaped death, because he abused his authority as the King of Israel amid God’s mercies. However, he reaped the consequences of his sins, as his infant, from Bathsheba whom he had committed immorality, died, and subsequently his family was in much trouble, and his vast kingdom was eventually divided during the reign of Solomon, his son. (2 Samuel 11-24) Indeed, let us seek God’s heart, and trust and obey Him for His glory. (Acts 13:22)
2.God’s House (132:1-4)
Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; (132:3)
God put into David’s heart the need to build His house not only for Israel, but for the entire world, to gather to worship Him in Jerusalem. David realised that he had built a house for his family, but God’s house was only a temporary tent. He started to prepare the materials for the construction of a permanent house for God. In fact, God is a Spirit, and is omnipresent, and does not truly need a house. However, God’s command was for Solomon, David’s son, to build His house to demonstrate their reverence and respect for Him. God disallowed David to build His house, because he was a man of war, and had shed blood. (1 Chronicles 28) Today, Christians are God’s spiritual houses, and let us strive for holiness, as our God is holy, and His Holy Spirit indwells us. (1 Peter 2:1-10)
3.God’s Habitation (132:5-18)
For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. (132:13)
The mighty God of Jacob specifically chose Zion, also known as Jerusalem in Israel, to be the place for His habitation, as Zion means the city of Peace. Indeed, God’s love and desire is for His creature, man, made in His own image, to truly acknowledge and worship Him, and to dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133) Today, Zion is yet to be the city of peace, as there are chaos and uncertainty, but one day, during the Millennium when Christ reigns, which is after the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and the 7 years of Great Tribulation, it shall finally be the city of Peace, as the devil shall be cast into fiery hell for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20-21) Indeed, let us trust God, knowing that we are His habitation, through His Spirit, to serve Him in His will, and for His praise. (Ephesians 2)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be holy as I am Your holy house and habitation.
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.
