New song

Sing joyfully to Yahweh, you righteous;
 
       it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise Yahweh with the harp;
 
       make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
 
       play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of Yahweh is right and true;
 
       he is faithful in all he does.
Yahweh loves righteousness and justice;
 
       the earth is full of his unfailing love.
By the word of Yahweh were the heavens made,
 
       their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
 
       he puts the deep into storehouses.

...the plans of Yahweh stand firm forever,
 
       the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Psalm 33:1-7, 11 NIV

[Yahwah, let us find new words to praise you daily]

Heavens Declare

The heavens declare the glory of God;
       the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
 
       night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
 
       where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
 
       their words to the ends of the world. 

      
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
 
       be pleasing in your sight,
 
       O Yahweh, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:1-4a, 14 NIV

[I enjoy discovering how this beautiful world reflects your glory!]

Work

For a thousand years in your sight
       are like a day that has just gone by,
       or like a watch in the night.
You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
       they are like the new grass of the morning-
though in the morning it springs up new,
       by evening it is dry and withered.

The length of our days is seventy years—
       or eighty, if we have the strength;
       yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
       for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Teach us to number our days aright,
       that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
       that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
       for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
       establish the work of our hands for us—
       yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90: 4-6, 10, 14, 15, 17 NIV

[Lord, bring joy and gladness amid affliction and renew my appreciation today for the work of my hands.]

almost slipped

 ... my feet had almost slipped;
 
       I had nearly lost my foothold.
 For I envied the arrogant
 
       when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
 They have no struggles;
 
       their bodies are healthy and strong.
 They are free from the burdens common to man;
 
       they are not plagued by human ills.
 Therefore pride is their necklace;
 
       they clothe themselves with violence.

 They say, "How can God know?
 
       Does the Most High have knowledge?"

 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
 
       in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

 When I tried to understand all this,
 
       it was oppressive to me
 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
 
       then I understood their final destiny.

But as for me, it is good to be near God.
 
       I have made Lord Yahweh my refuge;
 
       I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73:2-6,11,13,16,17,28 NIV

[Jesus, catch me when I slip, I am blessed that You don’t let go]

Wings

Your love, O Yahweh, reaches to the heavens,
       your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
       your justice like the great deep.
       O Yahweh, you preserve both man and beast.

How priceless is your unfailing love!
       Both high and low among men
       find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
       you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
       in your light we see light.

Continue your love to those who know you,
       your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalm 36:5-10 NIV

[Lord, thank you for blessings under your wings]

Not hills

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?
My help comes from Yahweh,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

Yahweh will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;
Yahweh will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1,2,7,8 NIV

[Lord, thank you for your constant protection]

Glory

My heart is steadfast, O God;
       I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
 
       I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Yahweh, among the nations;
 
       I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
 
       your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
 
       and let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 108:1-5 NIV

[Thank you for the joys contained in this new day!]

Teach

I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

Psalm 77:12 NIV

Teach me your way, O Yahweh,
 
       and I will walk in your truth;
 
       give me an undivided heart,
 
       that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
 
       I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me;
 
       you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Psalm 86:11-13 NIV

[Thank you for a new day to appreciate your blessings]

Strong

My soul finds rest in God alone; 
       my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
 
       he is my fortress, I will never be shaken

One thing God has spoken,
 
       two things have I heard: 

that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving. 
     
Psalm 62:1,2,11,12a

[Thank you Lord, for your constant care.]

The blues

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
      Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
      soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
      He's my God.

Psalm 43:5 (The Message paraphrase)

[Thanks for restoring my countenance!]

Psalm 23

Yahweh is my shepherd;
         I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
         He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
         He leads me in the paths of righteousness
         For His name’s sake.
         
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I will fear no evil;
         For You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
         
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
         All the days of my life;
         And I will dwell in the house of Yahweh
         Forever.

Psalm 23 NKJV

[Amen, Amen]

Sighing

... O Yahweh, consider my sighing.

In the morning, O Yahweh, you hear my voice;
 
       in the morning I lay my requests before you
 
       and wait in expectation.

But I, by your great mercy,
 
       will come into your house;
 
       in reverence will I bow down
 
       toward your holy temple.

Lead me, O Yahweh, in your righteousness
 
        because of my enemies—
 
       make straight your way before me.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
 
       let them ever sing for joy.
 
       Spread your protection over them,
 
       that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O Yahweh, you bless the righteous;
 
       you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:1b, 3, 7-8, 11-12 NIV

[Yahweh, consider my sighing]

(How to) Be strong and do the work

[David said] "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for Yahweh searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for Yahweh has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work."

David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for Yahweh God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of Yahweh is finished. The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command."

1 Chronicles 28:9,10, 20,21 NIV

[Jesus, I lift up all our priests and ministers the world over... may they find willing skilled men & women to help in all the work.]

38,000

When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. David said, "Of these, twenty-four thousand are to supervise the work of the temple of Yahweh and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise Yahweh with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose."

1 Chronicles 23: 1-5 NIV

All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of Yahweh, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives - all of them trained and skilled in music for Yahweh - they numbered 288. Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.

1 Chronicles 25:6-8 NIV

[Supervisors, judges, officials, courtyards, side rooms, purification of sacred things, bread, flour, mixing, measuring, thanking, praising, serving, prophesying, musicians, gatekeepers, guards, treasurers, young and old, teachers and students. Blessings, Lord on all who serve you!]

Wailing into dancing

A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.

 I will exalt you, O Yahweh,
       for you lifted me out of the depths...

O Yahweh my God, I called to you for help
       and you healed me.
O Yahweh, you brought me up from the grave;
       you spared me from going down into the pit.

Sing to Yahweh, you saints of his;

You turned my wailing into dancing;
       you removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
       O Yahweh my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 30: 1a, 2-4a, 11-12. NIV

[Yahweh, teach me to dance]

Troublemaker

Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bicri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,
       "We have no share in David,
       no part in Jesse's son!
       Every man to his tent, O Israel!"
So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba son of Bicri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master's men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us."

2 Samuel 20:1-2  & 6 NIV

[Jesus, give me the energy to deal with troublemakers wisely and with your guidance.]

David Inquired

Once again David inquired of Yahweh, and Yahweh answered him.

1 Samuel 23:4, 23:3-5, 30:8, 30:7-9, 2 Samuel 2:1, 
2:1-3, 5:19, 5:23, 1 Chronicles 14:10, 14:14

Saul died because he was unfaithful to Yahweh; he did not keep the word of Yahweh and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of Yahweh. So Yahweh put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (NIV)

[Yahweh, fill me with a love of inquiring of You]

Betrayed

And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom's following kept on increasing.

A messenger came and told David, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom."

Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword."

2 Samuel 15:12b-14 NIV

David then said [...] "My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life.”

2 Samuel 16:11a NIV

O Yahweh, how many are my foes!
       How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
 
       "God will not deliver him."

But you are a shield around me, O Yahweh;
 
       you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To Yahweh I cry aloud,
 
       and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
 
       I wake again, because Yahweh sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
 
       drawn up against me on every side.

Psalm 3:1-6 NIV

[Yahweh...your king David experienced politics and greed daily as he served you... give me strength and energy to withstand betrayal in my life and to fully trust and hope in You for justice.]

Exalted

Of David. A miktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
       for in you my soul takes refuge.
       I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
       until the disaster has passed.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
       let your glory be over all the earth.

My heart is steadfast, O God,
       my heart is steadfast;
       I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
       Awake, harp and lyre!
       I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
       I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
       your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
       let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 57: 1,5,7-11 NIV

[Yahweh...You are there to protect in evil times]

Olive Tree

But I am like an olive tree
 
       flourishing in the house of God;
 
       I trust in God's unfailing love
 
       for ever and ever.

I will praise you forever for what you have done;
 
       in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
 
       I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Psalm 52: 8,9 NIV

[Lord God, I praise you for being allowed to flourish in your care]

Restoring Joy

Have mercy on me, O God,
       according to your unfailing love;
       according to your great compassion
       blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
       and cleanse me from my sin.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
       and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
       or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
       and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
       you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
       a broken and contrite heart,
       O God, you will not despise.


Psalm 51:1,2,10-12,16,17 NIV

[O God: a pure heart. steadfast spirit, willing spirit is my desire: restore this heart of mine]

King David's Thanksgiving

[Yahweh Sabaoth said to David via the prophet Nathan]: “... Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.”

2 Samuel 7:9b NIV

Then King David went in and sat before Yahweh, and he said:
       "Who am I, O Adonai Yahweh, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Adonai Yahweh, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Adonai Yahweh ?
      "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Adonai Yahweh. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.
      "How great you are, O Adonai Yahweh!”

2 Samuel 7:18-22a NIV

[Yahweh, thank you for the ways you have blessed me. Who am I to deserve it?]

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise

Sing to Yahweh a new song;
 
       sing to Yahweh, all the earth.
Sing to Yahweh, praise his name;
 
       proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
 
       his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is Yahweh and most worthy of praise;
 
       he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
 
       but Yahweh made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
 
       strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to Yahweh, O families of nations,
 
       ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due his name;
 
       bring an offering and come into his courts.
Worship Yahweh in the splendor of his holiness;
 
       tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, "Yahweh reigns."
 
       The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
 
       he will judge the peoples with equity.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
 
       let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
 
       Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;
they will sing before Yahweh, for he comes,
      he comes to judge the earth.

 He will judge the world in righteousness
 
       and the peoples in his truth.

Psalm 96 NIV

[You are worthy of praise Yahweh. Teach me to worship like David!]

Rock Music

I love you, O Yahweh, my strength.

Yahweh is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. 

He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to Yahweh, who is worthy of praise, 

and I am saved from my enemies.

Yahweh lives! Praise be to my Rock! 
      
Exalted be God my Savior!
He is the God who avenges me, 

who subdues nations under me,
who saves me from my enemies. 
      
You exalted me above my foes; 

from violent men you rescued me.
Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Yahweh;
I will sing praises to your name.
He gives his king great victories; 

he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, 

to David and his descendants forever.

Psalm 18:1-3, 46-50 NIV

[Yahweh, thank you for protection. May it never be taken for granted]

Until I Learn

 From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?" So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold. But the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah."

1 Sam 22:3-5a NIV

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:1-8 NIV

[God, may I remember to take the time to learn what you will do for me!]

BFF

... the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. [...] Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

1 Samuel 18:1-4 ESV

[Jesus, thank you for the gift of friends; help us nurture friendships in this busy world.]

Resurrection Sunday - Peace with you

... the first day of the week, when the disciples were together [...] Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you,” and, after saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord, and he said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” After saying this he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained.”

...ειρηνη υμιν...
...ενεφυσησεν και λεγει αυτοις λαβετε πνευμα αγιον...

Thomas [...] was not with them [...] So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord,” but he answered, “Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.” Eight days later [...] Jesus came in and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, “Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving any more but believe.” Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him: “You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

...μη γινου απιστος αλλα πιστος...
...μακαριοι οι μη ιδοντες και πιστευσαντες...

There were many other signs that Jesus worked in the sight of the disciples, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

...ταυτα δε γεγραπται ινα πιστευσητε οτι ο ιησους εστιν ο χριστος ο υιος του θεου και ινα πιστευοντες ζωην εχητε εν τω ονοματι αυτου...

John 20: 19-31 NJB

[Jesus I believe; feed my soul]

What was it like for Mary this day?

And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God.” ...  And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom ... they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
και η μητηρ αυτου διετηρει παντα τα ρηματα ταυτα εν τη καρδια αυτης

... standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and ... When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!"

... [Jesus] said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Luke 1:35,38 Luke 2:41,42,46,47,51 John 19:25-27,30 ESV

[Mary, how can we imagine what this day was like for you?]

Good Friday - the Crucifixion of Jesus

When they reached the place called The Skull, there they crucified him and the two criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing." Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.
...εσταυρωσαν αυτον...ο δε ιησους ελεγεν πατερ αφες αυτοις ου γαρ οιδασιν τι ποιουσιν...

Luke 23:33,34 NJB

... darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the sanctuary was torn right down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice saying, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." With these words he breathed his last.
...και φωνησας φωνη μεγαλη ο ιησους ειπεν πατερ εις χειρας σου παραθησομαι το πνευμα μου...

Luke 23:44-46 NJB

[Jesus, may I daily have an ever-growing understanding of the magnitude of your gift to me.]

Confidence to Receive Mercy and Find Grace

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses [συμπαθησαι ταις ασθενειαις ημων], but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy [ελεος] and find grace [χαριν] to help in time of need.


Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV


[Jesus, why do I struggle and flail often when I can just turn to you in my time of need?]