11. Thirty Psalms s.. Psalm 26 1.. Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2.. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind. 3.. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you. 4.. I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; 5.. I hate the company of the evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. 6.. I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O LORD, 7.. singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8.. O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides. 9.. Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty, 10.. those in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11.. But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me 12.. My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation, I will bless the LORD. Thinking At first sight, it seems curious that David felt able to say that he led a blameless life (V.1.) This wasn't quite so. We know about his affair with Bathsheeba, and the way he got rid of her husband Uriah the Hittite. And there were other things. Lord, I have to ask you. How is it that he could say this? Listening My son, this is the mystery of forgiving and forgetting. When you come to me in genuine repentance, I will forgive and forget. From then on I will see you as blameless. Keep my commands and follow me. The same principle applies both to David and to you. Praying Lord this is an awesome and holy thing, and I worship you. So I invite you to examine my heart (V.2.) - even the innermost parts - so that I can confess things before you, and grow into your righteousness and your love (V.3.). Let nothing detract from this closeness to you - not deceitful men, hypocrites (V.4.), evildoers, or the wicked (V.5.). But Lord, I need to come to you and wash my hands and feet so that I can stand before your altar (V.6.). Wash me, Lord, but not just my hands. Like Peter, I ask to be washed all over. Then I will be free to proclaim your praise and tell again of your deeds - most of all the ones you have done on me. Just as the priests of old had to come first to the altar of sacrifice, and then to the laver to wash their hands and feet, before they could enter the holy place, so it is with me, Lord. Following your way allows me to enter the presence of your glory - the place I love (V.8.). So I trust you to receive me. Sinners will be taken away (V.9.), but you lead me and redeem me, so that by being filled with your life, I am blameless (V.11.). Lord, I bow before you and thank you for your great mercy. Listening My son, you are welcome. Come into my house. Place your feet on the level ground. Welcome to my great assembly (V.12.). Praying Lord, it now seems significant that I am praying/writing these words on a Saturday evening. I will take them to bed with me as I pray and prepare for our worship services tomorrow. I will come to bow before you and to worship you. I pray for those who lead, who bring your word, and for my brothers and sisters who will gather with me. Move amongst them, Lord, even now, and renew within us this desire to worship you in purity. Praise you Lord (V.12.). Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms s.. Psalm 27: 1 1.. The Lord is my light and salvation - whom shall I fear? Praying Today, I just want to ponder over these words, Lord, and I invite you stretch my awareness. Listening There's a better metaphor than that, my son. Use the words of the Psalm. Praying Thank you. Now I have it. I invite you to shine your light into the dark recesses of my understanding and give me new bright spots of inspiration. You are the light of my understanding and awareness. Without your grace, I would be groping around in a boring tunnel of darkness. You are the light of purity, and thence the foundation of integrity, that is itself the key to success, relationships, and employability. You are the light that shows direction and gives an eternal purpose to my life that will go on beyond time - all because of you. You are the light of love - kindled before the dawn of time, blazing out at Calvary, and beaming ever more strongly today. And you are the light of life itself, the life essence, flowing from your throne, enervating me as by your grace, I am tuned to receive its full beam. Each of these is facet of salvation, precious Lord, that comes alone from you - wrapped in your infinite grace and love. Lord as I lift my worship, praise and adoration to you just now, I humbly pledge to you my efforts to try and reflect, yes, and to radiate this light around me. Lord, I ask for your grace to be able to do this more effectively. May I assist you to shine your glorious light and salvation into dark places. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms s.. Psalm 27: 1 - 14 1.. The Lord is my light and salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2.. When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh - my adversaries and my foes - they shall stumble and fall. 3.. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet will be confident. 4.. One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5.. For he will me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. 6.. Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 7.. Hear, O LORD when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! 8.. "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face, LORD do I seek. 9.. Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation! 10.. If my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up. 11.. Teach me you way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12.. Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence. 13.. I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14.. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Thinking "The LORD is the stronghold of my life" (V.1.). It is interesting to think through the meaning of this word and not just gloss over it. Stronghold seems to mean fortified place, secure refuge, and centre of support for a cause. This is much more than the passive idea of a safe place. Yes it is a place of safety, but impregnable for many not just one. The idea of support for a cause also implies activity, and a resource for action on and out into the outside world. Praying All of these thoughts are consistent with you, my Lord, and your eternal power and purposes. Is there anything more you want me to be aware of? Listening You've made a good start, but remember - I am the stronghold of your life. Praying I'm beginning to understand now. Because you live forever, so too does my life go on forever, supported by an intimate member of the eternal stronghold, which is you yourself. Now the next few verses become more meaningful. Evil men and enemies will stumble and fall (V.2.) because they are not just advancing against me, but against you and me together. Therefore, I can be confident, and without fear (V.3.). The response seems so easy - may I stay in the stronghold and gaze on your beauty forever (V.4.). But when there are tasks to do, you will keep me safe, because I take the stronghold with me (V.5.). This will enable me to continue to sing and make music to you (V.6.). Lord, I thank you that even tonight, you hear my voice when I call to you. You answer me in your mercy (V.7.), you move within me so that I yearn to seek your face (V.8.), and you are my helper (V.9.). I thank you that you receive me in your love (V.10.). This is part of your goodness to me (V.13.), and I praise you and worship you. Listening Yes, my son, but sometimes you also talk too much. There are times that you need to be still before me and wait for me. Be strong, take heart, wait for me (V.14.), and let me be the one who leads you. Remember! I am the one who built and continues to build the stronghold. Praying Thank you for this rebuke. I bless you, Lord, and wait on you now in the stillness. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms s.. Psalm 28: 1 - 2 1.. To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, do not refuse to hear me, for if you are silent to me, I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. 2.. Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. Praying This isn't the usual time of day that I open your word, Lord, but at a break amidst other activities, I sense a need to reach out to you. This can only be the result of you nudging me. What is it that you want to say to me today, Lord, as I reach out for my Bible and open it at this Psalm? David says, "If you remain silent, I shall be like those who have gone down to the pit" (V.2). He too sensed a need to reach out to you - his rock (V.1.). Listening David lived in a different time and didn't then understand the nature of eternal life with me. Can you imagine his joy when he discovered things he hadn't even dreamed of - as you will too one day? But he was right about one thing. Not listening to me, or not conversing with me, is as good as being dead. Praying Lord, I thank you for this special word, today. I'm now just going to be quiet, to ponder the meaning, and to lift my hands and soul up to you towards your holy place - and listen to you. I bless you Lord. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms s.. Psalm 28: 3 - 9 1.. Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who are workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while mischief is in their hearts. 2.. Repay them according to their work, and according to the evil of their deeds; repay them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. 3.. Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, or the work of his hands, he will break them down and build them up no more. 4.. Blessed be the LORD, for he has heard the sound of my pleadings. 5.. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 6.. The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 7.. O save your people, and bless your heritage; be their shepherd, and carry them forever. Praying Lord, I've just read these seven verses looking for a thought for today, and sense that I just need to be quiet before you, to allow time for thoughts to rise up into my consciousness. David seems to be surrounded by two-faced people, or rather, people with hearts and faces in opposite directions (V.3.). It is the same today, Lord. There seem to be so many people who are outwardly good and decent, but they have no regard for your works (V.5.), let alone your thoughts. In time, you will deal with them (V.4.). I would be like that Lord, but you have shown me how to trust in you, not just with my mind, but with my heart (V.6.). So I praise you, the Lord, as my strength and shield (V.7.). When I am with you in devotion, my heart leaps for joy (V.7.), and everything else counts as for nothing. Listening Share these thoughts, my son. Personal devotion is fine and an important part of your life. You also need to rediscover corporate praise. Remember! I am the strength of the people (V.8.), both individually and corporately. Praying Lord, I worship you this morning for this understanding. And I thank you that you have blessed us with an inheritance that is finer than pure gold, that you lead us on as our shepherd, and carry us - forever (V.9.). The more I think about this, and understand the infinite love behind your purpose, the more awesome and special you are. And I love you very much. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms s.. Psalm 29 1.. Ascribe to the LORD. O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2.. Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor. 3.. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the god of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. 4.. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 5.. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6.. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a wild ox. 7.. The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. 8.. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9.. The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say "Glory!" 10.. The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. 11.. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace. Thinking This Psalm comes down to us over the centuries, and yet there is a sense of timelessness with it. As we read it today (or sing it), it is though we are standing next to a great crowd of people and angels in this world and the next. The exhortation comes first to the mighty ones, the kings and rulers, and people of strength (V.1.) The Lord is the sole source of their strength. Give praise to him, and ascribe to him the glory. Today as we little people join with the mighty ones to do this, we become strong in the Lord, and can stand shoulder to shoulder together with them. Then comes the concept of worshipping the Lord in the splendour of his holiness (V.2.). We are such unholy people that it is hard to imagine the awesome significance or even the real meaning of holiness. Absolute purity, unapproachable by the profane, above and beyond anything created? Yet the mystery is that God wants us to be holy - like him. Praying Lord, again today I bow before you and thank you again that I can stand before you, not because of anything I am or have done, but because being filled with your life has made me clean. This morning, I pray, may I stand in the light of your holiness, and be made holy, so that I can worship you more effectively. Your holiness is wrapped in power. David sensed this as your voice thundering over the mighty waters (V.3.). How do you want me to understand this, Lord? Listening My voice comes in different ways appropriate to the moment. In the creation, I spoke firmly over the oceans and dry land appeared. In the boat at Galilee, I spoke with authority and the waves obeyed. To you, I speak in quiet words to your soul, sometimes to calm a storm, sometimes to teach and to lead, but always to surround you with my ocean of love. Praying This is very holy, Lord. The creative, holy power of your voice, speaking to me. I can only respond with the Psalmist, and ascribe to you in your splendour, all the glory due to your name. Your voice is majestic - the voice of the king (V.4.). Thinking David goes on to wonder at God's power in nature. Like a wind that can uproot tall trees (Vv.5-9.), like the energy of a young calf (V.6.), like thunder and lightening (V.7.), or an earthquake (V.8.). I guess he was listing the most powerful forces he knew about - and he compared them to the Lord. Today, we would use the descriptive words of nuclear energy - nuclear power, fission, fusion, electromagnetic radiation, megaton, and on. Yet these too responded to God's command. That's how our earth all began. "And God said let there be light" (Genesis 1: 3.). Praying So you sit enthroned forever (V.10.), over the flood, world, creation, and over me. By your word, each of these obeys you. And by the same word, you give strength to your people (V.12.), and bless us with your peace. May I always be ready to hear your word, precious Lord, be it the quiet whisper or the thunder. Accept my praise and worship today. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms s.. Psalm 30 1.. I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me. 2.. O LORD, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 3.. O LORD, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored my life among those gone down to the Pit. 4.. Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. 5.. For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6.. As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved." 7.. By your favor, O LORD, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8.. To you, O LORD, I cried, and to the LORD I made supplication: 9.. "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10.. Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper!" 11.. You have turned my morning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12.. so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever. Praying Precious, Lord, from the corporate praise and worship of Psalm 29, I come to this very personal Psalm of devotion. This one is very special to me, because it was you who lifted me out of the depths (V.1.) into full health and a growing awareness of yourself. My response is to exalt you. I called to you for help and you healed me (V.2.). I was at the door of death, but it was you Lord, who brought me up from the grave (V.3.). All my praise, worship, and love can only go to you. So now I sing to you, and encourage all my friends to do the same. Your anger lasts a moment, but your favour lasts a lifetime (V.5.). Listening Yes my son, but even more than a lifetime. My purposes for you go on forever. Praying Then, O Lord, my song and praise must go on and on, and grow on and on, forever. With this your word of encouragement, I shall never be shaken (V.6.). You have put me on a firm mountain, your mountain, and I thank you again for this favour (V.7.). So I praise you again, the one who answers my call for mercy (V.8.). I will praise you forever and proclaim your faithfulness (V.9.). Sackcloth exchanged for joy (V.10.), and it comes from you. It's my heart that sings to you, Lord, the voice of my soul, and it's going to go on forever (V.12.). Listening I hear you, my son, and affirm to you again all the promises I have made to you in my love. And keep talking and listening. This is the way that you will grow deeper into me and into awareness of me. You too, Reader! Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact
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