Below are three translations of Psalm 65:1a. What’s the difference? Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion (ESV). There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, God (NASB). What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you in Zion (NLT). The literal translation in Hebrew would be, “To You praise is silent.” Not believing this statement has […]
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalm 65 Read More »
Typically, I write my main point at the beginning of an Interruption and then repeat it several times in the blog post for emphasis. But in this Interruption, I’ve left the focal thought for the end. It needs some build-up to make sense, so let’s read about Saul, David, Spiritual Warfare, and then the Psalms!
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalms and Spiritual Warfare! Read More »
Psalm 74 depicts the consequences of sin. Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary (v. 3, NLT). God chose Israel and the Jews as His land and His people. It’s the only land and people that God has chosen in history. Now, with the Babylonians destroying
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalm 74 Read More »
We find angels mentioned in the Psalms about 15 times (either directly or by my inference). Two of my favorite verses are. . . The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them (Psalm 34:7, ESV). and For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11).
Guardian Angels in the Psalms Read More »
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever (Psalm 145:2, ESV). The word “praise” is found 150 times in the 150 Psalms in the Old Testament. The words “psalm” and “song” can be used interchangeably, with all the Psalms set to music, though we no longer know what that music
Psalms On Saturday ~ Praise in Psalms Read More »
Psalm 149 seems discordant to me. Let’s read a verse from the beginning of the Psalm and then two verses from the end of the chapter to see if you understand my dilemma. Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful (v. 1, NLT). Let the praises
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalm 149 Read More »
For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! (Psalm 143:11, ESV) Psalm 143 is unique. It lists a step-by-step process of freedom from discouragement. As a pastor for 49 years, when dealing with a follower of Jesus depressed by a life situation, I felt my best advice would
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalm 143 Read More »
Before discussing Psalm 105, let’s review Hebrews 6:17, 19a. . . God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind … This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls (NLT). God always keeps His promises. Psalm 105
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalm 105 Read More »
Bookends — commonly used in reference to a beginning and an ending! We find bookends in the Bible with Genesis (the beginning) and the Book of Revelation (the ending). But we also see bookends in Psalm 1 and Psalm 150. Take a few minutes to read Psalm 1 (only six verses) and Psalm 150 (again,
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalm 1 and Psalm 150 Read More »
I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy (Psalm 142:1, NLT). David was hiding in a cave while being pursued by his enemy, King Saul. The prophet Samuel had anointed David as king when David was 15 years old and King Saul was still on the throne. Uh, oh! Now you know why
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalm 142 Read More »