1000.) Psalm 119:161-176

Today is a celebration:  1000 posts of DWELLING in the Word have now been put up online over the past almost four years!

A chapter of the Bible a day, with art and music, free of charge, to the whole world!  (Top six countries of readership:  USA, United Kingdom, Canada, the Philippines, India, Australia.)   Thanks to all of you who are reading through the Bible with me.  And a special thanks to my dear friend Sue Awes, who first presented me with the idea of a Bible study blog.  I have loved putting each post together and I pray that the Lord will bless this proclamation of his word for his own glorious and eternal purposes.

Psalm 119:161-176   (NIV)

ש Sin and Shin

¹⁶¹ Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.

Canonical Hours

The practice of daily prayers grew from the Jewish practice of reciting prayers at set times of the day: for example, in the Book of Acts, Peter and John visit the Temple  for the afternoon prayers (Acts 3:1).  Psalm 119:164 states: “Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws” which is among the scriptural quotes in the attestation of Saint Symeon of Thessaloniki that commences “The times of prayer and the services are seven in number, like the number of gifts of the Spirit, since the holy prayers are from the Spirit.”

–wikipedia

The Hours have traditionally included Matins, Lauds, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline, from morning to night.  The picture above shows Roman Catholic monks of the Order of Saint Benedict singing Vespers at St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, New Jersey.

¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.

ת Taw

¹⁶⁹ May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.

¹⁷⁰ May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.

¹⁷¹ May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.

Isaiah 41:10   (ESV)

Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
¹⁷⁶ I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

1 Peter 2:25   (NLT)

Once you were like sheep
    who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
    the Guardian of your souls.

_________________________

Music:

In celebration of 1000 posts! — Click  HERE  for the the Norwegian soprano Sissel and the Oslo Gospel Choir singing “To God Be the Glory.”

_________________________

New International Version (NIV)   Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Images courtesy of:

Great peace have they.    http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/kplourde/loon1.jpg

May my supplication.    http://rlv.zcache.com/deliverance_poster-ra9fd0bc07ed24982a415eaa3c7b74493_zqj_400.jpg

helping hands.    http://farm1.static.flickr.com/66/198929783_c70d31afce.jpg

lost sheep.    http://worshippingchristian.org/images/blog/lost-sheep.jpg

980.) Psalm 119:137 – 160

Psalm 119:137-160   (NRSV)

137.  You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are right.
138.  You have appointed your decrees in righteousness and in all faithfulness.

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, O GOD MY FATHER –

139.  My zeal consumes me because my foes forget your words.
140.  Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.
141.  I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts.
142.  Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth.

143.  Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight.
144.  Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

THERE IS NO SHADOW OF TURNING WITH THEE –

145.  With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord. I will keep your statutes.
146.  I cry to you; save me, that I may observe your decrees.
147.  I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your words.

148.  My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
149.  In your steadfast love hear my voice; O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.
150.  Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near; they are far from your law.
151.  Yet you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true.

THOU CHANGEST NOT; THY COMPASSIONS, THEY FAIL NOT –

152.  Long ago I learned from your decrees that you have established them forever.

Matthew 24:35   (NIV)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

153.  Look on my misery and rescue me, for I do not forget your law.
154.  Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise.
155.  Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.
156.  Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your justice.
157.  Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not swerve from your decrees.
158.  I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.
159.  Consider how I love your precepts; preserve my life according to your steadfast love.
160.  The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

AS THOU HAST BEEN, THOU FOREVER WILT BE.

_________________________

Music:

I love verse 151:  Yet you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true.  I remember Hagar saying, “You are the God who sees me.”  I think of Jesus saying, “I am with you always.”  That certainty certainly gives one confidence!  HERE  is Twila Paris and “Where I Stand.”  This song has helped me through some dark days:  Nothing to see — still I believe — Jesus is very near.  And that — the presence of Christ, sure even if unfelt and unseen — is enough.  His compassions fail not.  His grace is sufficient.

_________________________

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Images courtesy of:

verse 142.    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7515691278_a4569925b4_z.jpg

I am the way and the truth.    http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/7747a42b-04ef-4494-a4db-9926d701c4ff/uploadedartwork/650X650/59fa2144-1b2d-48d3-92fc-48f2a411b2be.jpg

my every hope.    http://209.160.24.97/ds_img_direct.php?i=11754356085.jpg&t=8&d=1ghs68mqd5&x=360&y=480&l1=139&l2=319

open Bible.    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sH_iwV0w8Jo/UAvjpMgkGbI/AAAAAAAAC2I/D4uSwj4jPFA/s1600/23631-wypybBp.jpg

Thou art near.    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zbMt3W4lTvg/TAxc4qdbSbI/AAAAAAAAFKg/fxj2VtZtCPk/s1600/june6+003.JPG

970.) Psalm 119:113 – 136

Psalm 119:113-136

New Living Translation

Samekh

¹¹³ I hate those with divided loyalties,
but I love your instructions.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.
¹¹⁵ Get out of my life, you evil-minded people,
for I intend to obey the commands of my God.
¹¹⁶ Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
Do not let my hope be crushed.

Everything that is done in the world
is done by hope.
~Martin Luther

¹¹⁷ Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
¹¹⁸ But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees.
They are only fooling themselves.
¹¹⁹ You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum;
no wonder I love to obey your laws!

The fall of the wicked is the work of God.
~William Cowper

¹²⁰ I tremble in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your regulations.

Ayin

¹²¹ Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies,
for I have done what is just and right.
¹²² Please guarantee a blessing for me.

The Psalmist cried out to God as Job did:
Now put down a pledge for me with Yourself.
(Job 17:3)

Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!
¹²³ My eyes strain to see your rescue,
to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
¹²⁴ I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ Give discernment to me, your servant;
then I will understand your laws.
¹²⁶ Lord, it is time for you to act,
for these evil people have violated your instructions.

Some read it, and the original will bear it,
It is time to work for thee, O Lord!
It is time for every one in his place to appear on the Lord’s side
— against the threatening growth of profaneness and immorality.
We must do what we can for the support
of the sinking interests of religion.
~Matthew Henry

¹²⁷ Truly, I love your commands
more than gold, even the finest gold.
¹²⁸ Each of your commandments is right.
That is why I hate every false way.

Pe

¹²⁹ Your laws are wonderful.
No wonder I obey them!
¹³⁰ The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.

Oh, that Thy words, like the beams of the sun,
may enter through the window of my understanding,
and dispel the darkness of my mind!
~Charles Spurgeon

¹³¹ I pant with expectation,
longing for your commands.
¹³² Come and show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love your name.
¹³³ Guide my steps by your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil.

“This, then, is how you should pray . . .
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
(Matthew 6:9 and 13)

¹³⁴ Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
then I can obey your commandments.
¹³⁵ Look upon me with love;
teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
because people disobey your instructions.

 The eye is for two things, sight and tears:
if we see God dishonoured,
presently our eyes should be filled with tears.
~William Greenhill

_________________________

Music:

One of my favorite hymns and well suited to Psalm 119 — “How Firm a Foundation.”  Click  HERE  to hear an orchestral arrangement.

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said,
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

–London pastor John Rippon, 1787

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New Living Translation (NLT)   Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Images courtesy of:

light through the window.    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rAG7LYQ0Y4Q/TdCcT49voDI/AAAAAAAAAd0/3ZE0M9g_SA8/s1600/Bethlehem+blog+entry+copy.jpg

hope candle.    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1sTfj_W4l0/UCyUHVYi3WI/AAAAAAAAAo8/4beMwrVrZ8c/s1600/hope-in-focus.jpg

guarantee.   http://www.integrityinspection.com/images/guarantee.jpg

open Bible.    http://www.jameswilkins.org/images/2011/02/openbible.png

“tearful”  pencil drawing by Katreeona.   http://www.paintingsilove.com/uploads/9/9229/tearful.jpg

960.) Psalm 119:89-112

Psalm 119:89-112   (NIV)

ל Lamedh

⁸⁹ Your word, Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.

The word of God itself is what establishes the earth and causes it to abide. The earth and all of creation began with a word from God (Genesis 1); it is no surprise that they are also sustained and endure according to the word of God.

This gives new understanding to some wonderful statements of Scripture:

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away (Matthew 24:35)

These passages put the word of God outside the created world and indicate that the word of God is more permanent and enduring that creation itself. Since the created world came into being by God’s word and is sustained by His word, this makes perfect sense.

–David Guzik

⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.

I like how this verse is phrased in The Message:

I see the limits to everything human,
    but the horizons can’t contain your commands!

מ Mem

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.

In 1930, Wheaton College presented Ironside, who quit school after eighth grade, with an honorary Doctorate of Letters degree.

There is a story about the life of Harry Ironside, the pastor and author and Bible commentator.  Ironside went to visit a man near death, suffering from tuberculosis.  The man was almost dead and could barely speak.  As Ironside spoke to him the sick man asked, “Young man, are you trying to preach Christ, are you not?”  Ironside said that he was, and the man replied, “Well, sit down a little, and let us talk together about the Word of God.”  Then the man opened his Bible and spoke with Ironside until his strength was gone; he shared insights from the Bible that Ironside had not appreciated or even seen before. 

Ironside was stunned and asked the man, “Where did you get these things?  Can you tell me where I can find a book that will open them up to me?  Did you get them in seminary or college?” 

The old man replied, “My dear young man, I learned these things on my knees on the mud floor of a little sod cottage in the north of Ireland.  There with my open Bible before me, I used to kneel for hours at a time and ask the Spirit of God to reveal Christ to my soul and to open the Word to my heart.  He taught me more on my knees on that mud floor than I ever could have learned in all the seminaries or colleges in the world.”

¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰² I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.

¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

נ Nun

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.

How are we to walk?

Ephesians 4:1-3  (NASB)

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Isaiah 57:1-2  (NASB)

The righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart;
And devout men are taken away, while no one understands.
For the righteous man is taken away from evil,
He enters into peace;
They rest in their beds,
Each one who walked in his upright way.

1 John 1:7   (NASB)

If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Micah 6:8   (NASB)

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.

Matthew 28:20   (NIV)

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

_________________________

Music:

Can you hear it even before the music starts?  Amy Grant and “Thy Word.”  Click  HERE  to listen!

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Images courtesy of:

Psalm 119:105.   http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ao9XRz0zbc/UDtrZLWOb-I/AAAAAAAABJw/Ba5A_NJ92K8/s1600/lamp+to+my+feet.jpg

Genesis 1:1.    http://wallpaper4god.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/genesis1_1.jpg

Wheaton College, IL.    http://sojo.net/sites/default/files/mainimages/blog/2761333084_d55def12f9.jpg

honey.    http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/6d/49/honey,psalms,119:103,bible,verse,typography-6d494f04f4b2a130d5592b4d363b43ab_h.jpg

Psalm 119:105 with oil lamp.   http://www.emblibrary.com/el/Product_images/E3592.jpg

949.) Psalm 119:57 – 88

Psalm 119:57-88

(Good News Translation)

Devotion to the Law of the Lord

⁵⁷ You are all I want, O Lord;
I promise to obey your laws.
⁵⁸ I ask you with all my heart
to have mercy on me, as you have promised!

⁵⁹ I have considered my conduct,
and I promise to follow your instructions.

⁶⁰ Without delay I hurry
to obey your commands.
⁶¹ The wicked have laid a trap for me,
but I do not forget your law.
⁶² In the middle of the night I wake up
to praise you for your righteous judgments.
⁶³ I am a friend of all who serve you,
of all who obey your laws.

⁶⁴ Lord, the earth is full of your constant love;
teach me your commandments.

The Value of the Law of the Lord

⁶⁵ You have kept your promise, Lord,
and you are good to me, your servant.
⁶⁶ Give me wisdom and knowledge,
because I trust in your commands.

⁶⁷ Before you punished me, I used to go wrong,
but now I obey your word.

⁶⁸ How good you are—how kind!
Teach me your commands.
⁶⁹ The proud have told lies about me,
but with all my heart I obey your instructions.
⁷⁰ They have no understanding,
but I find pleasure in your law.
⁷¹ My punishment was good for me,
because it made me learn your commands.

⁷² The law that you gave means more to me
than all the money in the world.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord

⁷³ You created me, and you keep me safe;
give me understanding, so that I may learn your laws.
⁷⁴ Those who honor you will be glad when they see me,
because I trust in your promise.
⁷⁵ I know that your judgments are righteous, Lord,
and that you punished me because you are faithful.

⁷⁶ Let your constant love comfort me,
as you have promised me, your servant.

⁷⁷ Have mercy on me, and I will live
because I take pleasure in your law.
⁷⁸ May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me;
as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.
⁷⁹ May those who honor you come to me—
all those who know your commands.
⁸⁰ May I perfectly obey your commandments
and be spared the shame of defeat.

A Prayer for Deliverance

⁸¹ I am worn out, Lord, waiting for you to save me;
I place my trust in your word.

⁸² My eyes are tired from watching for what you promised,
while I ask, “When will you help me?”
⁸³ I am as useless as a discarded wineskin;
yet I have not forgotten your commands.
⁸⁴ How much longer must I wait?
When will you punish those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ The proud, who do not obey your law,
have dug pits to trap me.

⁸⁶ Your commandments are all trustworthy;
people persecute me with lies—help me!

⁸⁷ They have almost succeeded in killing me,
but I have not neglected your commands.
⁸⁸ Because of your constant love be good to me,
so that I may obey your laws.

_________________________

Music:

Verse 59 is presented today in three translations, and they say we should “direct our feet” and “turn” and “promise to follow” God’s Word.  Here is Rich Mullins singing his “Step by Step.”  I think it is a catchy number, so we could sing it all day long, thus directing our feet and turning our hearts to follow the Lord.  Click  HERE  to listen and join in!

Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close
You could touch it but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so much work left to do
But so much You’d already done

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit for me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that, no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach

And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days

_________________________

Good News Translation (GNT)   Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society

Images courtesy of:

I have thought about my life.   http://darlenecollazo.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/psalm-119-59.jpg

I pondered.    http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/66/e2/bible,psalms,119:59,bible,verse,typography-66e2846ce17ff974ff7773f4a504e28e_h.jpg

starfish.    http://girlwithnolife.webs.com/photos/Bible-Verses/psalm119_64.jpg

adversity.   http://www.proprofs.com/flashcards/upload/q7514727.jpg

coins.    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ThR6xGW8Euo/TcVRLYrs1cI/AAAAAAAAAcs/yK-xqMwyhv4/s1600/psalm+119.72.jpg

Hebrews 4:16.    http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.11592695.2391/flat,550×550,075,f.jpg

trees.    http://ibibleverses.christianpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mysoul-500×332.jpg

help me.   http://www.innovationinpractice.com/.a/6a00e54ef4f3768834017ee5572a94970d-800wi

944.) Psalm 119:25 – 56

Psalm 119:25-56   The Message (MSG)

^25-32 I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.

I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.

I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.

^33-40 God, teach me lessons for living
so I can stay the course.

Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
my whole life one long, obedient response.

Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot.

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.

Affirm your promises to me—
promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!

^41-48 Let your love, God, shape my life
with salvation, exactly as you promised;
Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockery
because I trusted your Word.
Don’t ever deprive me of truth, not ever—
your commandments are what I depend on.
Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me,
guard it now, guard it ever;
And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces
as I look for your truth and your wisdom;
Then I’ll tell the world what I find,
speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.

I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—
relishing every fragment of your counsel.

^49-56 Remember what you said to me, your servant—
I hang on to these words for dear life!

These words hold me up in bad times;
yes, your promises rejuvenate me.

The insolent ridicule me without mercy,
but I don’t budge from your revelation.
I watch for your ancient landmark words,
and know I’m on the right track.
But when I see the wicked ignore your directions,
I’m beside myself with anger.
I set your instructions to music
and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.
I meditate on your name all night, God,
treasuring your revelation, O God.
Still, I walk through a rain of derision
because I live by your Word and counsel.

_________________________

Music:

The NIV has verse 34 as “Give me understanding, and I will keep your law / and obey it with all my heart.”  Here is the Oslo Gospel Choir singing “I give you my heart.”  Click  HERE  to listen.  Lord, have Your way in me.

_________________________

The Message (MSG)   Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Images courtesy of:

v. 32.   http://seeds2sow.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/psalm-119-32.jpg

Truth.   http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Eb_pWRiWkek/TEdoH8UKGxI/AAAAAAAAIMY/mRI0VeRlJ-o/s1600/psalm119_30.jpg

four candles.    http://aldersgate.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Psalm119_34.jpg

v. 37.   http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4sn661hde1r1o6z3o1_500.jpg

I reach.    http://www.astrogems.com/graphics/bibleverses/Psalm119-48.jpg

Your promise revives me.    http://ourdailyblossom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/101211-590×393.jpg

943.) Psalm 119:1-24

Psalm 119:1-24   (NIV)

Just to keep things interesting — we will be looking at sections of Psalm 119 while we are also reading through Isaiah. 

This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the 22 successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the 8  verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  For this reason, this chapter is known as the Golden Alphabet of the Bible.

Thinking of alphabets reminds me of what Jesus said in Revelation 1:8 — “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”  These words, of course, are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet.

א Aleph

¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
² Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
³ they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.

⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.

⁸ I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

ב Beth

⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.

¹² Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

¹⁷ Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.

¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.

¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
²² Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.

_________________________

Music:

The Christian ABC song — did you learn it as a child, too?  This cutie starts singing about 30 seconds in.  Click  HERE to enjoy!

_________________________

New International Version (NIV)   Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Images courtesy of:

v. 7.    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vGmR2fDGKFw/T0u4_caCxTI/AAAAAAAAA3k/5NbSpibtmfQ/s500/I+will+praise+you+with+an+upright+heart.jpg

v. 11.    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FjX0hUgh3w/TvPPKe78tEI/AAAAAAAAEVM/x2otawz9-FI/s1600/Psalm%2B119%2B11%2Bheart.jpg

open eye.   http://c559477.r77.cf2.rackcdn.com/images/articles/restorers-of-the-breach/open-mine-eyes.jpg

937.) Psalm 118

Psalm 118   (NIV 1984)

“This is my own beloved Psalm.  Although the entire Psalter and all of Holy Scripture are dear to me as my only comfort and source of life, I fell in love with this psalm especially.  Therefore I call it my own.  When emperors and kings, the wise and the learned, and even the saints could not aid me, this psalm proved a friend and helped me out of many great troubles . As a result, it is dearer to me than all the wealth, honor, and power of the pope, the Turk, and the emperor.  I would be most unwilling to trade this psalm for all of it.”

–Martin Luther

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”

⁵ In my anguish I cried to the Lord,
and he answered by setting me free.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

Since New Testament times, Psalm 118 evokes for Christians the story of Easter.

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. 
With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
What can mortals do to me?” (118:5-6).

This confidence – what can mortals do to me? – anticipates Paul’s great resurrection chapter in 1 Corinthians 15. But instead of taunting mere mortals, Paul addresses death itself:

“Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55).

–Nancy Koester

⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.

This Psalm contains the center verses of the Protestant Bible (verses 8-9). The placement is unique in other ways. The shortest Psalm is immediately before and invites the nations (the Gentiles) to join in exalting God. The longest Psalm is immediately after which is an extended doxology of praise related to the law of Moses.

–Wikipedia

¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.
¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.
¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off.

¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.

¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
¹⁶  The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”

From where does our comfort & help come? How do we get such satisfying treasures? Where do we turn to receive their benefits? Comfort & help are wholly what God does, & speaks, & gives to us in Jesus’ Cross. The rejected Cornerstone is our Strength & Song & Salvation! God, in the end, will be our Salvation! He alone will help us in life & death & give us the victory!

Here the psalmist sings of victory and joy. He does this to increase our comfort, painting a beautiful word picture of the blessed children of God who’ve been rescued from trouble and distress, who are now confident on account of all His works and Word to them which creates confidence that trusts completely that in the end we too will sing joyously about the victory of God which comes through the sufferings of Christ. In Christ is our joy and victory, our singing, praise and thanks because in Him we live and move and have our victory song.

–adapted from Martin Luther

¹⁷ I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
¹⁸ The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.

¹⁹ Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

²² The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;
²³ the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

These verses are quoted by Jesus in Matthew 21:42,
Mark 12:10, and Luke 20:17, as well as by Peter in
Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7.

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁵ O Lord, save us;
O Lord, grant us success.
²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
²⁷ The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

_________________________

Music:

Phil Wickham (a Contemporary Christian vocalist/songwriter and guitarist from San Diego, California) and “This Is the Day.”

Click  HERE  to listen — and sing along!
_________________________

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)   Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Images courtesy of:

This is the day . . .    http://www.dodsonlumber.com/acts242/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/this_is_the_day.png

Christ’s resurrection.    https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mV-bdzCEBLg/T4G7cB1jCqI/AAAAAAAACes/U9ttANC7ghU/s0/resurrection_icon.jpg

cornerstone.   http://www.silk.net/RelEd/Year%20B/graphics/easterB_1.gif

O give thanks.    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UQt1weDeKG4/TKKrF2B60uI/AAAAAAAAAkw/9zryHX58_0Y/s1600/Psalm106_cont8x10.jpg

936.) Psalms 116 and 117

Psalm 116   (NIV)

¹ I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
² Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

³ The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”

⁵ The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
⁶ The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.

The Lord does not stand at a distance when his people suffer.  His salvation is close at hand.

⁷ Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.

⁸ For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
⁹ that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.

Psalm 27:13-14  (NIV)

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

¹⁰ I trusted in the Lord when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
¹¹ in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”

¹² What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?

¹³ I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
¹⁴ I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.

¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
¹⁶ Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.

¹⁷ I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.

from Whispers of His Power,
by Amy Carmichael

Psalm 116:15-17  –  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.  O Lord, truly I am Thy servant . . . Thou hast loosed my bonds.  I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Sometimes even Christians write of death in a sad way.  “We regret to announce,” they say.  The Salvation Army people are right in the way they put it:  “Promoted to Glory.”

Just after “Precious in the sight of the Lord” comes “Thou hast loosed my bonds.”  Think what a loosening that loosening is!  No wonder the next words are, “I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving.”

But those words first refer to the loosening of all bonds of sin.  If anyone is conscious of any such bond, ask for it to be loosened now.  Live as God’s loosed ones.

¹⁸ I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
¹⁹ in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.

_________________________

Psalm 117   (NIV)

The shortest chapter in the Bible invites all the earth to praise God!

¹ Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.

Paul quotes this verse in Romans 15:11 to show that all the nations of the world share in the promises to the patriarchs.

² For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord.

_________________________

Music:

Isaac Watts wrote a hymn based on Psalm 117 — “From All that Dwell Below the Skies.”  Click  HERE  to see and hear a lovely multicultural presentation of this familiar piece!

_________________________

New International Version (NIV)   Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Images courtesy of:

Psalm 116.    http://www.hebrewart.com/images/Illuminated-Psalms/300/Psalm-116.jpg

loosed chain.   http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Em2FyPbXBGk/SYr-FVL0NGI/AAAAAAAAAVw/aunD1mUJbtg/s320/chains2.jpg

Psalm 117.   http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1V73YoEI6_I/TnEdShHORdI/AAAAAAAAHag/Xc13ODK_vrw/s1600/Psalm117.gif

930.) Psalms 114 and 115

skipping and leaping like a lamb!

Psalm 114   (NIV)

The saga of Israel’s redemption from Egypt, her wilderness experiences, and her arrival in the land of promise was a tremendous display of the power of God from beginning to end.  In fact, to the Jewish mind it was the greatest demonstration of divine power that had ever taken place.

–William MacDonald

¹ When Israel came out of Egypt,
Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
² Judah became God’s sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.

³ The sea looked and fled,
the Jordan turned back;
⁴ the mountains leaped like rams,
the hills like lambs.

⁵ Why was it, sea, that you fled?
Why, Jordan, did you turn back?
⁶ Why, mountains, did you leap like rams,
you hills, like lambs?

⁷ Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
⁸ who turned the rock into a pool,
the hard rock into springs of water.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4  (NLT)

I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.  In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.  All of them ate the same spiritual food and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.

_________________________

Psalm 115   (NIV)

¹ Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

² Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
³ Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
⁴ But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
⁵ They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
⁶ They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
⁷ They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
⁸ Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.

Model Jesus First, Gently.

A former Hindu who recently decided to follow Jesus, L.S. believes that believers in Christ must not speak to Hindus with condemnation.  “This is where Christians should be very careful,” L.S. said. “You can’t tell them right off that they are worshipping false gods, because the mob will become ferocious. It should be within a certain framework.”

L.S. urges Christians to model Jesus first if they want Hindus to see Him.

“If you want to talk about Jesus, you must be Jesus here,” he said. “You must show all the qualities of Jesus, His love, His affection, His gentleness. If Jesus is reflected in any person who is a leader, all people will be drawn toward him, and they will find Jesus.”

As he reflected on those who worship idols as he formerly did, L.S. urged Christians to open their eyes to what is happening in his country.  “India is not just a land of software,” he said. “It is a land of darkness.”

from The Christian Telegraph

⁹ All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
¹⁰ House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
¹¹ You who fear him, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.

¹² The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
¹³ he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one;

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows for our play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day;

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

–Cecil F. Alexander, 1848

¹⁴ May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
¹⁵ May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

¹⁶ The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
¹⁷ It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
those who go down to the place of silence;
¹⁸ it is we who extol the Lord,
both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord.

_________________________

Music:

Verse 1 reads — Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Chris Tomlin sings “Not to Us.”

_________________________

New International Version (NIV)   Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Images courtesy of:

leaping lamb.   http://scrib.wblog.ro/files/2012/05/IEDUTZ.jpg

water from the rock.    http://www.bullartistry.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/waterfromrock.jpg

rainbow.   http://2.bp.blogspot.com/–7ZZegF_8-U/TbXITA2LJzI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/70zc3ECGPMY/s1600/Psalm-115A.jpg

“Stone-studded Radha Krishna Miniature Idol.”   http://static6.shop.indiatimes.com/images/products/additional/original/B953891_View_1/flowers-gifts/religious-gifts/stone-studded-radha-krishna-miniature-idol.jpg

child with butterfly.   http://www.inhabitots.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/butterfly.jpg