11. Thirty Psalms i. Psalm 1: 1.. Happy (or blessed) are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2.. but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3.. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4.. The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff that the wind drives away. 5.. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteousness; 6.. for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Thinking It seems to me very significant that this Psalm starts with the word "Happy" or "Blessed" (V.1.). In the Old Testament, blessing seems to imply showering with physical resources and wealth. I like the way that it has developed in the New Testament to mean showering with spiritual resources, yes, and with the great riches that come with the revelation of God in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit. Praying Lord, contemplating your word does indeed bring a deep and rich sense of peace and serenity, as I am experiencing now (V.2.). Surely this is part of the blessing. I have never experienced this as a result of worldly advice, or from being in the company of people who are not part of your family. By contrast, I have been lifted up and ministered to by brothers and sisters who surround me like tall trees (V.3.). Listening My son, keep close to my word. Look in not out. I have much more to show you. It's also time for you to start being the tree that is planted close to and rooted deep in the river of life that springs from my throne. It is now the season for you to start fruiting. That's why I am moving you to write these thoughts down. These words will not wither, but speak of a direction that I want you to think and move in. Praying Lord, I am not worthy, but I reach out to you knowing that any righteousness I have is yours. And I trust you, because you alone know the way that I should go and the purposes you have for me, both in this world and the next (V.6.). I love you Lord. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms ii. Psalm 2 1.. Why do the nations conspire, and the people plot in vain? 2.. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and his anointed, saying, 3.. "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us." 4.. He who sits in the heavens laughs; the LORD has them in derision. 5.. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6.. "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill." 7.. I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have begotten you. 8.. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9.. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." 10.. Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11.. Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling kiss his feet, or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all take refuge in him. Thinking Why do the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? (V.1.). This scripture seems so topical today with wars and rumours of wars. Even to day the news is of protracted talks between countries and their presidents (V.2.), of others who are being charged for rorts and graft, and still others facing trial for past crimes against humanity. Praying Lord Jesus, today I need to address my prayer to you because you are the king set on the holy hill (V.6.). You are the Son of David, yet the Son of God, and David's holy hill has become the New Jerusalem. Lord, I know that one day you will intervene with power and put these things right (V.9.). So I come to you and seek to serve you with fear and to rejoice with trembling (V.11.). Listening My son, you need to pause and think a little more about what these words mean. This is not a secular fear of being afraid. Rather, it is a holy fear that comes from an expanding awareness of who I am and how the Father and I wish to enfold you in our eternal presence. When you allow us to do this, you will rejoice in your soul. This is far deeper than the human sensation of "being happy", but your body may respond. Different people react in different ways as they sense this quality of inner joy. Some in song, some in voice, others in quiet trembling. For you it is a deep serenity with the urge to write - like you are doing now. Rejoice with trembling. Praying Lord I reach out to "Kiss the Son" (V.12.), and I put my trust in you. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms iii. Psalm 3 1.. O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; 2.. many are saying to me, "There is no help for you in God." 3.. But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 4.. I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers from his holy hill. 5.. I will lie down and sleep; I wake again for the LORD sustains me. 6.. I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 7.. Rise up, O LORD! Deliver me O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 8.. Deliverance belongs to the LORD: may your blessing be on your people. Thinking I read this Psalm the other night and three parts of it moved me. "Lord, you are my shield and have lifted my head" (V.3.). In March of 1999, I came close to death when illness stopped my breathing. Praying But you were there, Lord, and arranged in advance all the details required for treatment by my friend and by medical staff. Then you reached out to my bruised forebrain and touched me with a quality of healing that has restored my mind. More than that, Lord, it has energised my trust in you and unleashed a creativity that I dedicate to you. So I worship you, my Lord, as the one who loves me and lifts my head. Thinking The second area that moved me were the words of the Psalmist when he wrote down his experience of crying out to God, of sleeping, and waking having been sustained by the LORD. (Vv.4,5.). This too is my experience. Praying LORD I reach out to you in thanksgiving. The still of the night is frequently the time that you come to me, and speak with me. Your words are precious Lord, and I should write them down. If an international President spoke to me personally, I would remember every syllable. Surely, I should seek to remember the words you speak? For you are the President of Eternity. Thinking Then we come to the last words. "Salvation comes from the Lord, and the blessing is on the people" (V.8.). Listening My Son, it is very important that you think through the significance of this psalm to you. Yes I have reached out to you and healed your mind. Years earlier I reached out and healed your soul. And I will reach out to you again and to make you more complete - to sanctify you, in the same way as I wish to sanctify each of your brothers and sisters. But each of you must see these individual blessings as a blessing to my people. Just now I want you to see the particular blessings to you in three ways. 1.. The testimony that you can give to my healing of your mind. I will give you opportunities to do this both verbally and in writing so that others can grow in their faith. 2.. Writing prayers in a conversational style. You have made a good start to this, but there's more to be done. I will bless this work because I can use it to bring other people close to me in conversational prayer. 3.. I will use your mind to support projects that will bring benefits to people, and at the same time raise financial resources for my work in various places. This is an example in your case of how I use people. The story can be repeated thousands of times over and in different ways across the world. Each one of your brothers and sisters has a place in my plan. Praying Lord, I don't feel worthy, but I will try my best to be your servant. I know that I can only do this because you are with me, wrapping me up in your love, grace and power, and talking to me. And again I worship you. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms iv. Psalm 4 1.. Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. 2.. How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? 3.. But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. 4.. When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. 5.. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in God. 6.. There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!" 7.. You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. 8.. I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety. Thinking This Psalm seems to be part of a set written (or rather prayed) when David was surrounded by enemies. He asks for relief from his distress (V.1.), and his heart laments for people who are seeking after false gods (V.2.). Praying I can identify with this second bit, Lord - people like this are all around me. Some of them I know by name and I have lifted them up to you. I'm not aware of enemies in the way David was. I agree that some of your servants do have enemies; we heard about it on the news even this morning with renewed unrest in various parts of the world. But this doesn't seem to be my problem. Listening It is my son. But you need to understand that your strongest enemies are shades acting on your mind throughout the night and the day to distract you from conversation and a walking relationship with me. Notice verse 3 of the Psalm - "The Lord has set apart the godly for himself". You are all part of a continual confrontation, even now, but you are also on my side, for I have redeemed you. Praying Thank you for this awareness, Lord. I ask now for the grace to know the power of your presence, to concentrate on you in prayer, and to overcome this distracting power of the enemy. And yes, Lord, you have filled my heart with great joy (V.6.), and shone your light on my face - on my brain. I thank you, Lord, that I can lie down in peace and sleep in safety (V.8.). For me, this happens to mean physical safety and I thank you. Most important is the spiritual safety and security that comes from knowing you, O righteous God. You answer me when I call to you (V.1.). You are always there, and I love you. Accept my worship as I respond now to your prompting and lift these thoughts to you. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms v. Psalm 5: 1 - 7. 1.. Give ear to my words, O LORD; give heed to my sighing. 2.. Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3.. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch. 4.. For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you. 5.. The boastful will not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. 6.. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful. 7.. But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house, I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you. Praying Lord, I have been thinking about this Psalm over the past several days, and I find that in several parts I can identify easily with David. You know the matter that I have had on my mind for many months now, and I have brought it to you almost daily - with sighing (V.1.). Yet I know that you hear my voice - the inner voice of my soul - as I lay my requests before you each morning (V.3.). I wait in expectation. Listening I know you do, my son, and in due time, I will answer your prayer. One of the things you must do is refine the request to ensure that it is exactly consistent with my will. I will help you do that - and then you must trust me for the timing. The answer to your prayer will come at exactly the right moment to have its maximum effect in my greater plan. Praying Thank you Lord for this insight. Even this word comes with your grace and helps me wait. And again I marvel that you the creator of the world speak to me so intimately. Accept my worship this morning. Thinking Then there is a curious series of words in verses 4 - 6. They describe people who cannot stand in the presence of God. a.. Taking pleasure in evil (V.4.). b.. Wickedness (V.4.). c.. Arrogance (V.5.). d.. Doing wrong (V.5.). e.. Telling lies (V.6.). f.. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men (V.6.). This list comes as no surprise, but it is the next line that comes with such strength. "But I, by your great mercy..." (V.7.). Praying This morning, my Lord, I bow before you in reverence and worship. It is only by your grace and mercy that I don't fit this list. You reached out to me and touched me turning my thoughts and direction towards you. Grace and mercy began at the commencement of time, climaxed at Calvary, continued with the gift of your Spirit, and even today, now as I write/pray these words, I sense your acceptance and love. So I reach out to you again, and offer to you my all. I love you Lord. And I'm not yet free of this list, Lord. Especially number three - arrogance. Please rebuke me, shape me, and let me with your strength put this one behind me. Listening I will, my son. Stand firm, and hold on. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms vi. Psalm 5: 8 - 12. 1.. Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. 2.. For there is no truth in their mouths; their hearts are destruction; their throats open graves; they flatter with their tongues. 3.. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. 4.. But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you. 5.. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover them with favor as with a shield. Thinking David put his life in the hands of the Lord when he asked for leading in righteousness - so that the way might be "straight" before him (V.8.). This is the second definition of the word in my dictionary - "upright, honest, candid, not evasive". Perhaps the modern word in the business world is integrity. Praying Lord, today, I again ask that I may be known for these qualities, but not on my own account. May they be seen as qualities that stem from you. Thinking The Psalm goes on to speak about the words, hearts, throats, and tongues that are turned away from you (V.9.). Surely now the word is "unstraight" - words that divert people away from truth, and from integrity. Listening Yes, my son, and one day I will deal with these firmly and forever! (V.10). But now is the time to concentrate on the last two verses. Think through what they mean as I lead your thoughts. Praying Lord I want to take refuge in you (V.11.). Only you can protect me from those "unstraight" ways. Then I will be glad and sing forever. I praise you just now and thank you for the way you have, are, and will spread protection around me. And I love your name, Lord, for its power, might, eternal regality, and purest love. But, Lord, you do more than just protect me/us. You bless us and surround us with your favours (V.12.) - not because I/we are righteous, but because you have given us even your own righteousness. So I bless you, Lord, and marvel at your awesome love. I worship you. Listening I accept your worship, my son. Now be still before me and know my presence. That is the real shield around you (V.12.). Praying Thank you Lord. Amen. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact
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