Psalm 92

Psalm 92

A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.

1 It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,

2 to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,

3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.

4 For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

5 How great are your works, O LORD,
how profound your thoughts!

6 The senseless man does not know,
fools do not understand,

7 that though the wicked spring up like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they will be forever destroyed.

8 But you, O LORD, are exalted forever.

9 For surely your enemies, O LORD,
surely your enemies will perish;
all evildoers will be scattered.

10 You have exalted my horn ^[a] like that of a wild ox;
fine oils have been poured upon me.

11 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

13 planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,

15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

Chin Ling: As I read this passage, I am just so thankful that I am his child! It is indeed good to praise the Lord! I will sing of his love in the morning, and at night, as I reflect, I know that I can proclaim his faithfulness in my life! It is good to praise the Lord and make music to the most high! (Doesn't this remind you of the John Koh's song, of long ago?)

Dellia: I can rest assure in HIs presence that I'm a child of God and the Lord will bless! Yes to Chinling, indeed, the song is now ringing in my mind! =)

Eunice: Lord Jesus, I want to sing of your love in the morning, and proclaim your faithfulness at night. I want to make it a point to thank you , for bringing me through everyday, before i sleep! The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, and grow like cedar of lebanon. It's like.. growing as the pride of the world, widespreading and evergreen. I dont want to hv pride in the world, but pride in the Lord. that others will see me, and know that I am from Him!

[ I did a quick check on 'cedar of lebanon': Used in building of important buildings such as temple at Jerusalem, David's house, Solomon's house, Jewish priests were ordered by Moses to use the bark of the Lebanon Cedar in circumcision and treatment of leprosy. Isaiah used the Lebanon Cedars as a metaphore for the pride of the world ( Isa 2:13 ) ]

Aileen: He is my rock. Indeed as i ponder upon his mercies, i remember how the lord is always so solid and firm in my life. Haha, firstly for his no nonsense approach to me and his constant support and refuge. I think i always forget how nice the rock is, because it's just a rock and doesn't look so beautiful or eye-catching, but it's at times like this, that I know God doesn't shift out of my life but is constantly there. amen

Sara: When i was about to blog, i caught sight of the words before the psalm, A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day. And for me, I really really hope that this would be my song to Him. For the Sabbath year. hehe... this year has indeed brought about lots of life-changing and enriching experiences, and i feel like im growing to know Him more and to love Him. In my old age, I wanna be looking back and thanking the Lord that I am still bearing fresh n green fruits for Him, and me, firmly rooted in the house of the Lord!

Crow: Yup, it is good to praise the Lord! Haha, i am so so tired, but i know that in all things, it is Good to Praise the Lord! And yes, indeed His love and faithfulness are just 2 things that I can always sing praise about! Thank u Lord

Pam: Likewise am reminded of the song when I read the verses... indeed Psalms are lyrics.... and it takes the heart of joyfulness and peace to sing each and everyone of them. Thank you for being faithful and teaching me how to be faithful.

Psalm 91

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ^[a]

2 I will say ^[b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Chin Ling: How comforting. This psalm gives me a picture of me in God's big big palm... and as I look around me, many may try to harm but nothing can touch me.. because I am in the Lord's hands, safely sitting in there, with much joy. How lovely is his dwelling place!

Pam: He loves me, protects me, deliver me and satisfy me... I should not ask for more eh?! Heee.. I am love by YOU! THANK YOU!

Huijuan: The psalm jus assures me tat I am under His wings. I jus want to thank God for yday's service, i think He made it for me, so comforting. I feel very secure.

Aileen: It's so nice to be reminded of the lord's protection on a monday morning. It's the starting of the week, a brand new beginning but a brand new battle to fight and i thank God for his mercies and am reminded always to hide in him - my refuge.

Crow: Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me how important it is to Dwell in the Shadow of Your Wings! Dear Lord Jesus may you ALways be my refuge, may i always in every situation turn to you as my shield, my fortress, my help... Lord, teach me to always seek your refuge!!

Sara: Haa.. today i actually came to work early!! thinking i could read psalm 91 before i start work, but nooo, i was greeted by bad news after bad news at work instead. anyway, i managed to read psalm 91, and sigh... isnt it so nice to be re-affirmed the Father's love for me! =) And yes, in Him, I can seek refuge and shelter, and in Him, I shall fear no other! Oh ya.. getting to read Aileen's tag was good news to me too! hehe.. it's really a reminder to trust in the Lord, and indeed, our God always answers in overwhelming ways!

Dellia: I feel so protected and loved. Haha, what more, by someone who is much bigger than anyone else. However, it's fearful too that I will walk out of the covering of the Lord should I give up on Him. Lord, help me never to give up on You or to forget who You are. I wanna hold You close forever, teach me to make You the refuge of my life! To turn to You first everytime!

Eunice: vs 10 says a thousand will fall on my side, and ten thousand on my right, but none will hit me. I always say, friends are angels sent to keep us going on the journey. The Lor'ds angels also protects. God promises that as long as I love him, he will be my refuge, and my protection. Thank you God, and I want to acknowledge your name forever!!!!

Psalm 90

Psalm 90

BOOK IV : Psalms 90-106

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.

2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn men back to dust,
saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning-

6 though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.

8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.

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

11 Who knows the power of your anger?
For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

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

13 Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor ^[b] of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Chin Ling: Lord, as I look at my life, help me to see it the way you do...that many things are meaningless, but the purpose of the Lord will stand forever. Hence, establish the work of my hands for me..that my life may not go to waste.

Dellia: Well, Ps Eugene said it the best. To return back to worship, reconciliation and prayer!

Psalm 89 - Saturday

A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. [a]

1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
4 'I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.' "
Selah

5 The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ?
Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule over the surging sea;
when its waves mount up, you still them.

10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.
12 You created the north and the south;
Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.
13 Your arm is endued with power;
your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.

15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.
16 They rejoice in your name all day long;
they exult in your righteousness.
17 For you are their glory and strength,
and by your favor you exalt our horn. [b]
18 Indeed, our shield [c] belongs to the LORD,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.
19 Once you spoke in a vision,
to your faithful people you said:
"I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
I have exalted a young man from among the people.

20 I have found David my servant;
with my sacred oil I have anointed him.
21 My hand will sustain him;
surely my arm will strengthen him.
22 No enemy will subject him to tribute;
no wicked man will oppress him.
23 I will crush his foes before him
and strike down his adversaries.
24 My faithful love will be with him,
and through my name his horn [d] will be exalted.
25 I will set his hand over the sea,
his right hand over the rivers.

26 He will call out to me, 'You are my Father,
my God, the Rock my Savior.'
27 I will also appoint him my firstborn,
the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
28 I will maintain my love to him forever,
and my covenant with him will never fail.
29 I will establish his line forever,
his throne as long as the heavens endure.
30 "If his sons forsake my law
and do not follow my statutes,

31 if they violate my decrees
and fail to keep my commands,
32 I will punish their sin with the rod,
their iniquity with flogging;
33 but I will not take my love from him,
nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.
34 I will not violate my covenant
or alter what my lips have uttered.
35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—
and I will not lie to David-

36 that his line will continue forever
and his throne endure before me like the sun;
37 it will be established forever like the moon,
the faithful witness in the sky."
Selah
38 But you have rejected, you have spurned,
you have been very angry with your anointed one.
39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant
and have defiled his crown in the dust.
40 You have broken through all his walls
and reduced his strongholds to ruins.

41 All who pass by have plundered him;
he has become the scorn of his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You have turned back the edge of his sword
and have not supported him in battle.
44 You have put an end to his splendor
and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short the days of his youth;
you have covered him with a mantle of shame.
Selah

46 How long, O LORD ? Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember how fleeting is my life.
For what futility you have created all men!
48 What man can live and not see death,
or save himself from the power of the grave [e] ?
Selah
49 O Lord, where is your former great love,
which in your faithfulness you swore to David?
50 Remember, Lord, how your servant has [f] been mocked,
how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,

51 the taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD,
with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.
52 Praise be to the LORD forever!
Amen and Amen.


Eunice: Lord my lips shall praise you forever. I will establish your throne firm throuh out all generations. In this season of qing ming, I wonder how come we have to go and pay respects with all the offerings to the dead. from generations to generations, these traditions are passed down. I too, want to pass down something from generations to generations, but the one thing I want to pass down Lord, is your love for me, and your throne, firmed in my family line.

Huijuan: In the midst of trails, help me to praise u God like David. I koe u will be here for me.

Chin Ling: May the Lord God be my hope. May his strings of accomplishments in the past be my comfort!

Dellia: Lord teach me to let Your kingdom reign in every generation. Not just mine Lord, but all the generations to come.

Psalm 88

Psalm 88

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1^{[a] [b]}
O LORD, the God who saves me,
day and night I cry out before you.

2 May my prayer come before you;
turn your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of trouble
and my life draws near the grave. ^[c]

4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am like a man without strength.

5 I am set apart with the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
whom you remember no more,
who are cut off from your care.

6 You have put me in the lowest pit,
in the darkest depths.

7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me;
you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.
Selah

8 You have taken from me my closest friends
and have made me repulsive to them.
I am confined and cannot escape;

9 my eyes are dim with grief.
I call to you, O LORD, every day;
I spread out my hands to you.

10 Do you show your wonders to the dead?
Do those who are dead rise up and praise you?
Selah

11 Is your love declared in the grave,
your faithfulness in Destruction ^[d] ?

12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness,
or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.

14 Why, O LORD, do you reject me
and hide your face from me?

15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death;
I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.

16 Your wrath has swept over me;
your terrors have destroyed me.

17 All day long they surround me like a flood;
they have completely engulfed me.

18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me;
the darkness is my closest friend.

Dellia: Lord, I pray that even in my darkest hour, I will never question You, but I will trust in You and believe that You have plans to prosper me and not to harm me!

Eunice: God Jesus, I dont want to be in darkness.. I dont want darkness to be my closest friend.. God, I pray tht i will always see ure light, have mercy on me! In times of helplessness when you confine me.. God I cry out to you that you will show me your light, and I will still believe that you are with me..

Huijuan: Dellia, i also wana pray ur prayer.....i wana whine and not go school.. arghh....i think 2 days ago i prayed for God to be abounding in love....i m undergoin training....God pls help me complete the process. Thank You! Help me to love to go school and not drag myself.

Aileen: Wa i think the psalmist always has his highs and lows and today the psalms seems to be such a low. This reminds me of the cycle in my life too! up down merry go round and yet he holds on to the unwavering hope in the lord. That's my prayer that after the high of the retreat, i will press on and remember the lord's goodness when i reach my lows

Chin Ling: Christians suffer too, don't they? In fact, ALL the more christians suffer.... but what makes us difference, and gives us the strength to dance in joy is our Hope in Him! Jesus has risen!

Crow: Reading this psalm and reading the background behind it from pastor william's blog, i find that whatever i have been through, no matter how low i was, cannot be compared to what the psalmist has been through. And yet, even when so cut off from God and his presence and blessings, he calls out to God all day long. If it was me, i might have given up and go my own way apart from God. It teaches me to always seek the Lord in good times and bad.

Sara: Today's psalm can be considerably related to what i felt this morning when i went to work. some dissapointment in work has made me into a cynical person, and im realising that im doubting God's work in this, or that He is able to bring the best out of these situations. And like the psalmist, im riding on ups and downs, depending on my boss' moods, whether things at work goes smooth, etc. Shucks... teach me Lord to find my joy in you and you alone!

Psalm 87

Psalm 87

Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

1 He has set his foundation on the holy mountain;

2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3 Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God:
Selah

4 "I will record Rahab ^[a] and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush^[b]—
and will say, 'This ^[c] one was born in Zion.' "

5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
"This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her."

6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples:
"This one was born in Zion."
Selah

7 As they make music they will sing,
"All my fountains are in you."

Chin Ling : God remembers me... and I am so thankful that I was born in Zion, so thankful that he gave me the opportunity to be born into his family! Oh Yes, and of that, I will make music and sing "All my fountains are in you" Yes! all the fountains of love, fountains of blessings, fountains of all good things come from my heavenly father and I give him ALL glory for that! OH yes! My GOD remembers ME! YAY!

Eunice: Was sharing during biblestudy ytd that we are blessed to be born into the Kingdom, and in us, the royal bloodline flows.. this royal bloodline, not only has it cleansed us from our sins, it has so much power and blessings in it.. and its flowing in each and everyone of us! Indeed, I am reminded.. I can do much more, because his blood flows in me..! Praise the Lord! We're more than conquerors!

Pam: It gota be v6 that speaks to me the most.... indeed... The Lord will personally write in the register of his people... heh heh... quite an admin thingy yah! Hee.. yes, like Chin... God remembers, I feel loved alrdy. :D

Aileen: "all the fountains are in you" this really reminds me what the difference between happiness and true joy is. JOy is one that whells up within you like a fountain and i remember that Jesus always asks people to drink from the fountain and not to thirst again. than when it's written here that the fountains are in you, i really remember how the lord appreciates everyone and gives everyone the power to heal and cast out demons (jo i still think of your funny stories ) Indeed i want to see the lord using all of us! amen!

Crow: Haha, the Lord reminds me that when we gather together as a people of God, the blessings and His annointing is very different; a level higher than if we were to praise the Lord on our own, which is important too. The Lord loves the gates of Zion, where we gather together to worship His name, even more than all the dwellings of JAcob.. Dear Lord today i repent of my tiredness in going for service some times, and when messages do not speak to me i wonder why i am there.... dear Lord help me to know the importance of the gathering of the Lord's people..

Sara: Yup.. when i read this psalm, i feel God's love oozing out of the psalm! Love & Joy, God has set me free! haa.. It is amazing how songs arise when we're filled with joy / love (like the Enchanted movie! haaa).. and I pray for myself.. and all of us too, that these songs of joy will arise within us every day! & Thank you Carolyn for sharing the beautiful song that the Lord has placed in your heart! =)

Dellia: Dear Lord, thank You for loving me and making me Your daughter! =)

Psalm 86- Wednesday

Psalm 86
A prayer of David.
1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. 3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. [a]
14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life— men without regard for you.
15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. [b]
17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me

Chin Ling: God is my strength and my refuge in times of troubles, fears and anxieties. I pray that daily God will "give me a sign of your goodness ... help me....comfort me" that all the days of my lives, his works and goodness is evident!

Dellia: Lord, my prayer is indeed that You will give me an undivided heart that I will always fear Your name!

Eunice: Lord, you are so good. just as v11, my prayer today, is that you guide me to walk in your truth with an undivided heart, and the fear of the Lord will be magnified in my life. an undivided heart... undivided heart undivided heart...

Aileen: "give me a sign of your goodness".. this reminds me of joanna's mum's sparkling chair! Oh God i want a fresh touch from you!

Crow: I found so much truth and meaning in the whole psalm, especially the first few verses. v1, when will the Lord always listen to me? when i learn to be constantly poor and needy, needing God so much and relying on Him. v2, How will the Lord be able to guard my life unless i devote my whole life to him? v4: I need to choose to lift up my soul wholly to the Lord, for him to give me the Joy he promised. That's the verses i meditated on so far, then i had to start work le! byebye!

Huijuan: Crow, my name is joy! hahah..kidding. this characterisitcs- slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, reminded me that as children of God, am i behaving like this?? am i abounding in love?? or have i become very short tempered and frustrated serving?? God help me!

Sara: I found this psalm relating to the point where we have to take up the cross daily and follow Him. To be constantly poor and needy, to guard my life, to walk in His truth, to fear His name... how bad I fail at that sometimes! I do pray that I will constantly be reminded to walk in His way.

Psalm 85- Tuesday

Psalm 85
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 You showed favor to your land, O LORD;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
Selah

3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.

4 Restore us again, O God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.

5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.

8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say;
he promises peace to his people, his saints—
but let them not return to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 The LORD will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.

13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.

Chin Ling: I want faithfulness to spring forth from me, that when my righteous God look down from heaven, his heartbeat and mine will meet. That is where I may find all good things, favour, love and most importantly, his salvation.

Dellia: Lord, I want to always listen to Your voice and not forget You! I want to fear You and dwell in Your house forever.

Eunice: Lord, I thank You that your mercies are new every morning. I thank you for my "new office" even though it is very noisy and uncomfortable, I give praise tht it is away from distractions! I like verse 10 -13, and I want my love and faithfulness for you meet, then righteousness and peace will kiss! Indeed, you only give what is good, and give me the best for me! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Aileen: the lord is really the harvester and the one who loves the land. I'm reminded to trust in him even as he prepares the land

Sara: I read this psalm before i went to work today, and reading it gives me an assurance, of promise...He promises hope, salvation, peace and whatever that is good... simply as long as we stay faithful. Yesterday at our gathering, we started discussing about spiritual warfare.. and it really sounds quite scary actually. And i was really pondering about it on my way home, and you know... Im really glad im in the house of the Lord where we're safe... and not elsewhere!

Crow: Wow, i think verse 10-13 is so beautifully written. haha. really very beautiful. i was meditating on those verses on the mrt this morning.. hee hee. Dear Lord, may we be faithful to u always... may we be righteous in the things we do, so that you can do your work in and through us... Thank u dear Lord

Psalm 84

Psalm 84
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. [a]
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools. [b]

7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Selah

9 Look upon our shield, [c] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

12 O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Chin Ling: What a beautiful psalm for a Monday morning, of God's presence. Praying this over our lives, knowing that "no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" :) Blessed Monday because Jesus has risen for me!

Huijuan: Such a wonderful psalm, I wana dwell in the house of God. Looking back the past weekend, the Lord is truly with me, some of my friends break down, some are lost. But God is still with me. I can only sing..... For you are GREAT, you do mighty wonders Lord, There is no one else like u! There is no one else like u. I wan april to come quickly.ahahh

Crow: I was just telling the Lord before I read the psalm, “Doesn’t the psalmist ever have Monday blues????” hahaha. 0% of me wants to get out of bed this morning. But yes, as I read today’s psalm, wow, it’s such a song of praise, such an awesome psalm… My oh my do I feel ashamed of myself…. Haha.. Well, how I wish what the psalm meant was to stay in church and just enjoy his presence, but yup yup we are the temple of the living God and we need to dwell in His presence wherever we are… difficult, but important! Alright, go away Monday blues, God’s presence must come!

Pam: What a Psalm to start the week with! Its so positive n refreshing compared to the last few ones... kinda like tis psalm alot cos of the similarities they have in some of the songs we sing... yup... I claimed v11 for Roger as he returns to work today after his reservist n the Outram incident.. pray tat the Lord's favour will be with him. C some of you sisters later!

Aileen: Wow when i started reading the psalms, all the songs came flooding to me and it's really so true that it's much better to have one day in His courts than thousands elsewhere. This sancti taught me a lot about the condition of the lord and really makes me yearn for the courts of the lord again. Even as i was going to do QT, i also wondered why i'm not so gan cheong about this coming interview. All in the lord's hands i think! haha.. and really, it's so good to rest in the knowledge that God knows best. haha.. what a wonderful mondaY!! (p/s.. i did the stupid magic trick with my fingers in class today.. HAHahaha.. my students were like.. ???!!! and then they laughed)

Sara: I agree! it's such a beautiful psalm to start the week with! It helped me to lessen my Monday blues as well, and even as I read it, I felt myself focusing more on the Lord's beauty instead of my own attitude of slackness towards work recently. Indeed, how lovely is your dwelling place Lord!

Eunice: Blessed is the choice to dwell in His courts, and to have Lord Jesus as my Father! Even as sanctification week is voer.. I feel... sanctified.. (hahaha..) but really.. esp after alter call that day, I feel so glad that I have more my a dad's love.. and I truly experienced life w a dad's love, set apart from all expectations and comparisons with other ppl, and much of standards to meet n scoldings to bear.. as my wallpaper says " my daddy is da Best ! "

Dellia: As I read the psalm, my heart really longs and faints for Him....Lord, I wanna be so close to You and indeed, one day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere....it's in Your courts that I can find rest and security! Reminds me of a BIG TREE! =)

Psalm 82 - Saturday

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

1 God presides in the great assembly;
he gives judgment among the "gods":

2 "How long will you ^[a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Selah

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

4 Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 "They know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 "I said, 'You are "gods";
you are all sons of the Most High.'

7 But you will die like mere men;
you will fall like every other ruler."

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.

Huijuan: Be patient and know that God will judge.

Crow: The Lord put us as "gods" over his people, but we need to be just and care for them.. Well, to me it's a big responsibility that the Lord gave us.. hmm, but it can be simple too.. i think it boils down to having a genuine concern for people.. to care for them not out of selfish ambition but because u really care for them... hmm.. the Lord is teaching me about this through this time.. to really just love and care and have genuine concern for people... cuz that's the Lord's heartbeat...

Dellia: Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are in charge and that I can rest secure in You.

Psalm 83 - Easter!

Psalm 83

A song. A psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, do not keep silent;
be not quiet, O God, be not still.

2 See how your enemies are astir,
how your foes rear their heads.

3 With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.

4 "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation,
that the name of Israel be remembered no more."

5 With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you-

6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,

7 Gebal, ^[a] Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.

8 Even Assyria has joined them
to lend strength to the descendants of Lot.
Selah

9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,

10 who perished at Endor
and became like refuse on the ground.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12 who said, "Let us take possession
of the pasturelands of God."

13 Make them like tumbleweed, O my God,
like chaff before the wind.

14 As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

15 so pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your storm.

16 Cover their faces with shame
so that men will seek your name, O LORD.

17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace.

18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Huijuan: Vs18 hits me as i read. Lord is the most HIGH!! and i shall not be deafeated. I really feel depressed and defeated the whole weekend.. been rushing reports....and i am not doon yet. never felt so last minute b4. and nv in my life worked through whole nite, reached home 4 plus am....but this verse really gave me more strength to pia!!! CHeong ah!

Crow: HAha, nothing much for me from this psalm.. well, sanctification week is over and i'm really quite tired physically.. hmm, this is quite a different sanctification week, nothing much about what pastor said really spoke to me, yet i enjoyed the 3 night sessions a lot, just being in the Lord's house.. and in the midst of it, there is also a new closeness with my girls.. i truly thank the Lord for that.. yup that's for me! Juan, jiayou! praying for u! chin, congrats on the competition!! so happy for u! :) Indeed, u r a Highly Favoured, Greatly Blessed and Always Loved PRINCESS! :)

Dellia: Lord, I know I can stand secure in You! =)

Psalm 81 - Good Friday

Psalm 81

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph. ^[a]

1 Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre.

3 Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast;

4 this is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

5 He established it as a statute for Joseph
when he went out against Egypt,
where we heard a language we did not understand. ^[b]

6 He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.

7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Selah

8 "Hear, O my people, and I will warn you—
if you would but listen to me, O Israel!

9 You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not bow down to an alien god.

10 I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

11 "But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.

12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.

13 "If my people would but listen to me,
if Israel would follow my ways,

14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!

15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last forever.

16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

Chin Ling: Test and see Open wide your mouth, God will fill it, with honey in the rock, he will satisfy us! Thank You Lord, for your promise! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Huijuan: "I will remove the burden from them" Thank You God!!! yday's nite session with the violin music makes me feel like in heaven. so nice. I have chosen to have God's presence.

Crow: this phrase caught my attention, "if my people would but listen to me".. i think God's plans for us are always the best for us, yet many times we do not listen to Him and end up going one big round..... well that's the case for me, to learn the hard way... at the end of it when i come back to the cross, just feel like Jesus is saying, "aiyo crow, if you would but listen to me, it would have been much simpler!" haa... yup! Lord teach me to listen to you at all times so that i may walk in your will for my life... Thank u Lord

Dellia: I'm reminded to praise God...praise Him with everything! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Psalm 80 - Thursday

Psalm 80

For the director of music. To the tune of "The Lilies of the Covenant." Of Asaph. A psalm.

1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock;
you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.

3 Restore us, O God;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.

4 O LORD God Almighty,
how long will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

6 You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.

7 Restore us, O God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.

8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.

9 You cleared the ground for it,
and it took root and filled the land.

10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.

11 It sent out its boughs to the Sea, ^[a]
its shoots as far as the River. ^[b]

12 Why have you broken down its walls
so that all who pass by pick its grapes?

13 Boars from the forest ravage it
and the creatures of the field feed on it.

14 Return to us, O God Almighty!
Look down from heaven and see!
Watch over this vine,

15 the root your right hand has planted,
the son ^[c] you have raised up for yourself.

16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
at your rebuke your people perish.

17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

18 Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call on your name.

19 Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.

Chin Ling : This is a plead of restoration. Asaph's plead for restoration is so painful that it really reminded me to always remember to keep my ways and step with the Lord. Yet, deep down, I'm startign to realise how good God is by sending his son Jesus for me, to spare us the pain from being seperated from him. How good is our God that my sins are already on the cross many years ago on Good Friday. Thank You Jesus. Really, from the bottom of my heart. By the way, Can I thank God too! I just received news about my bonus too! And its very significant!AHHHH! Praise the Lord!

Eunice: God, I dont want to live in the 400 lost years when you are so silent. Lord Jesus, give me strength for today, just like how you've always been carrying me throughthe day before and yesterday. TO grow is to catch your heartbeat, but God, I cant hear you..

Crow: I read this psalm last night and I really had no idea how it could speak to me.. This morning when I was bathing, I realized the liquid soap container finally had soap in it! (haha, it had been empty for the past few weeks/months! Haha) Well, that’s my family.. we’ll just leave things there empty till finally someone cannot stand it, and does something about it… and we all know that in the end, it will get filled.. Well, what is my point? Haha. the Lord just said to me that in all times good and bad, to leave my heart and hands empty as they are before him… and He will come and fill it in his time.. and as for me I just have to trust that in the end, it will get filled.. What has this got to do with today’s psalm? Haha, well the psalmist is crying out for God to come and restore His people.. and many times when I am in a dry period, I too cry out to God to come once again and restore, and many times I wonder when will God ever come, when will I ever breakthrough.. now the Lord says that in those times to trust and believe that He will come and fill me up in the end.. Thank u Lord

Aileen: This is my prayer that our family will be restored also for my adult cell too!

Sara: i dont know, but the thing that spoke to me was vs 14 - 17, that the Lord will watch over the vine, the root that His right hand has planted. The vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at His rebuke, His people perish. The same goes for me, as He has created me, He cares for me and grows me and blooms me (haha.. like a flower). At the same time, He disciplines because He loves... and I must be careful to walk in His ways that my Lord does not have to come to the point where I am beyond redemption and must be zapped. haa... ok... Discipline is never easy, but is every necessary. But it all happens because He cares! =)

Dellia: Let Your face shine upon us, that we might be the bearer of Your light!

Psalm 79 - Wednesday

Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants
as food to the birds of the air,
the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.

3 They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.

4 We are objects of reproach to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.

5 How long, O LORD ? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;

7 for they have devoured Jacob
and destroyed his homeland.

8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.

9 Help us, O God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name's sake.

10 Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
by the strength of your arm
preserve those condemned to die.

12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord.

13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise.

Chin Ling: Its is really scary to come under the Lord's anger. With the enemy's attacks, we have God to call to. But, when the Lord's anger burn against us, we have no one else to turn to. Thank you Jesus for dying for us that daily, our sins may be washed clean before you. Help us, Oh God, delivers and forgive us daily. Thank you dear Lord Jesus.

Crow: Our God is an Almighty God who has all power to do absolutely anything and everything. So sometimes when it seems that things are not going our way, i guess it's just not the Lord's timing for us. need to be patient and simply trust because there is no doubt that the Lord can help. Also need to trust God's timing is the best for us. I was on the train this morning looking at the masses of people in just one train. Then i was thinking, if i was God and i had to seriously bother and be so concerned about each person's welfare, wouldn't i be vv busy? i think i would be very stressed and would need super planning skills to map each person's life. haha. but anyway, that's our God. He really takes good care of each one of us. miraculous isn't it!

Huijuan: I pray that i will not anger God in everything i do, even if i'm very very pissed off, i will have the peace of God.

Aileen: I think this passage really show me what it means in psalm 23 " you anoint my head with oil".. " in the presence of my enemies". Really reminded that the lord is just and fair!

Eunice: Oh God.. deliver me.. Help!!! I pray that I will not be shakened and continue to be still in you. Yes Lord.. for you are my help and my fortress..

Sara: It reminded me that while the Lord's grace and mercy is upon us, we should never take it for granted, or do anything to incur the Lord's wrath!

Pam: Hahah... I think these few daes of reading Psalms seem different for me.. rather sombre... i guess its juz me.. feeling a little emo! Hahah... but I am reminded that in wake of Jesus's death n all... how easy I can just walk away fr Him n being rebellious in my thots or actions... I pray for a repentant heart.... btw... wan to giv thx... i got bonus! abt 1.75mths worth.... ! Its unexpected.. cos usu. it will b paid out during Feb.. thx God for the provision....

Dellia: Lord, forgive us of our sins and that we may never ever take You for granted!

Psalm 78 - Tuesday

Psalm 78

A maskil of Asaph. ^[a]

1 O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old-

3 what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.

5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,

6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.

7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.

8 They would not be like their forefathers—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.

9 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;

10 they did not keep God's covenant
and refused to live by his law.

11 They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.

12 He did miracles in the sight of their fathers
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

13 He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand firm like a wall.

14 He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.

15 He split the rocks in the desert
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;

16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.

17 But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.

18 They willfully put God to the test
by demanding the food they craved.

19 They spoke against God, saying,
"Can God spread a table in the desert?

20 When he struck the rock, water gushed out,
and streams flowed abundantly.
But can he also give us food?
Can he supply meat for his people?"

21 When the LORD heard them, he was very angry;
his fire broke out against Jacob,
and his wrath rose against Israel,

22 for they did not believe in God
or trust in his deliverance.

23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above
and opened the doors of the heavens;

24 he rained down manna for the people to eat,
he gave them the grain of heaven.

25 Men ate the bread of angels;
he sent them all the food they could eat.

26 He let loose the east wind from the heavens
and led forth the south wind by his power.

27 He rained meat down on them like dust,
flying birds like sand on the seashore.

28 He made them come down inside their camp,
all around their tents.

29 They ate till they had more than enough,
for he had given them what they craved.

30 But before they turned from the food they craved,
even while it was still in their mouths,

31 God's anger rose against them;
he put to death the sturdiest among them,
cutting down the young men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;
in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

33 So he ended their days in futility
and their years in terror.

34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek him;
they eagerly turned to him again.

35 They remembered that God was their Rock,
that God Most High was their Redeemer.

36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths,
lying to him with their tongues;

37 their hearts were not loyal to him,
they were not faithful to his covenant.

38 Yet he was merciful;
he forgave their iniquities
and did not destroy them.
Time after time he restrained his anger
and did not stir up his full wrath.

39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a passing breeze that does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the desert
and grieved him in the wasteland!

41 Again and again they put God to the test;
they vexed the Holy One of Israel.

42 They did not remember his power—
the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,

43 the day he displayed his miraculous signs in Egypt,
his wonders in the region of Zoan.

44 He turned their rivers to blood;
they could not drink from their streams.

45 He sent swarms of flies that devoured them,
and frogs that devastated them.

46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper,
their produce to the locust.

47 He destroyed their vines with hail
and their sycamore-figs with sleet.

48 He gave over their cattle to the hail,
their livestock to bolts of lightning.

49 He unleashed against them his hot anger,
his wrath, indignation and hostility—
a band of destroying angels.

50 He prepared a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death
but gave them over to the plague.

51 He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,
the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.

52 But he brought his people out like a flock;
he led them like sheep through the desert.

53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
but the sea engulfed their enemies.

54 Thus he brought them to the border of his holy land,
to the hill country his right hand had taken.

55 He drove out nations before them
and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;
he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.

56 But they put God to the test
and rebelled against the Most High;
they did not keep his statutes.

57 Like their fathers they were disloyal and faithless,
as unreliable as a faulty bow.

58 They angered him with their high places;
they aroused his jealousy with their idols.

59 When God heard them, he was very angry;
he rejected Israel completely.

60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,
the tent he had set up among men.

61 He sent the ark of his might into captivity,
his splendor into the hands of the enemy.

62 He gave his people over to the sword;
he was very angry with his inheritance.

63 Fire consumed their young men,
and their maidens had no wedding songs;

64 their priests were put to the sword,
and their widows could not weep.

65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
as a man wakes from the stupor of wine.

66 He beat back his enemies;
he put them to everlasting shame.

67 Then he rejected the tents of Joseph,
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;

68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loved.

69 He built his sanctuary like the heights,
like the earth that he established forever.

70 He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheep pens;

71 from tending the sheep he brought him
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel his inheritance.

72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
with skillful hands he led them.

Crow: The Lord gave me a song as i read this psalm.. every word is from the Lord, and speaks of my heartfelt thoughts about my walk with Him.. would like to share it with all of u..

In Spite Of All These

Have mercy on me Lord
Woe am I
Turn you face to me O God
This is what I pray
O Lord

What wonders your have shown to me
What blessings have I received
What love you have poured out on me
What grace abounds in me

In spite of all these
I still chose to sin
In spite of your wonders
I did not believe In spite of your mercy
I grieved you O Lord
Yet in spite of all these
You called me your child

Thank You Lord

I really want to say thank you, Lord JEsus, for coming to save me, to forgiving me time and again.. Lord have mercy on me, and help me to love and serve u all the days of my life... i love you Lord..

Eunice: Lord, have mercy on my soul. Have mercy on me. God I do not deserve, yet you came. Lord Jesus, each and every time when we sin, we seek your forgiveness and you always gave. God, I pray that I will never take this forgiveness for granted. Neither do I want to take you and your blessings for granted. Give me a heart of thanksgiving. God I thank you so much, that inspite of all, you called me your child. Lord Jesus, thank you.

Chin Ling: As I read this passage, my heart was felt with remorse and the fear of the Lord. As I reflected, isn't my life like that of the psalm? Walk, tasted of the Lord's goodness, sin, and we walk again, pick ourselves, and sin again..How it hurt God's heart. I want to keep looking at his goodness to me, and ask for his strength to help me to walk his ways ALL the days of my life

Pam: Its a very apt psalm during this wk leading to Gd Fri/Sancti.... Sets me thinking am I also like the people who continue to sin against Him despite of the wonders n blessings....hmmm... I am really not worthy of His mercies and grace... Lord, carry me through.....

Dellia: Sets me thinking that woah....for the next generation....we really need to talk about God to them day and night so that they will never forget or abandon the Lord...similar for us...to thank God and always remember what He has done for us.

Aileen: It really reminds me how the lord's ways are higher than our ways and how he allows things to happen, yet leads us out of it by his grace. I really thank God for the periods of dryness and uncertainty because it leads me back to God. Just to share and please do pray, i'm currently arranging for an interview. Pray that if this is where God leads, than it'll be successful! thanks gals!

Psalm 77 - Monday

Psalm 77

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah

4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;

6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7 "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?

8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Selah

10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

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

13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah

16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Chin Ling: Asaph started of with focusing on all his troubles... but V11 when he chose to remember the deeds of the Lord ... his heart is out at ease. God is good. What I am reminded is, Taste and see that Lord is good, that we can trust that God will NEVER shortchange us. Amen.

Eunice: Remembering how the Lord has brought us thru, in difficult times and all.. remembering His mighty works and all the miracles He has done. His magnificence and awe.. tides us through. "Be magnified O Lord. You are highly exalted. and there is nothing you can do. O Lord, my eyes are on you. Be magnified, O Lord b magnified." Lord, forgive me if I have made you too small in my eyes and when I have believed in a lie. Thank You for loving me. Heal me and show yourself strong. Amen!

Crow: Reading this psalm reminds me to always remember and proclaim the good things the Lord has done for me. Only when Aspah did that did his soul find rest and joy again.. Like in verse 2, his soul refused to be comforted; i think it takes an inner conviction before he Lord can come and restore our soul. Dear Lord i thank you for softening my cold and hardened heart and for allowing me to once again find that simple joy in You. Thank u Lord

Sara: I looked back in my life and I can only thank the Lord for His goodness, for his unfailing love, and for helping me to see that He has been there for me in all seasons and in all circumstances, even though I had questioned then, whether his unfailing love had vanished. or whether He has turned away from me & withheld His compassion in anger. But like the psalmist, i am thankful that these negative thoughts have been rejected, because I know that the Lord has delivered me before, and He will deliver me again and will not turn away. I will gladly say that I am the Lord's sheep and I am following my shepherd all the days of my life. =)

Aileen: The lord has really been good to me and as i set my mind on my future plans, i rest assured that the lord will provide

Huijuan: As i read today's psalm, it just reminded me to give thanks to God in all circumstances even though at times our prayer weren't answered instantaneously. :) So far i still see people wandering in dessert, and u wish the Lord will bring them back. But all u can do now is to wait . :)

Dellia: Amen! I will always remember Your deeds oh Lord and mediate on all Your works! Let me never forget or be distracted, but always to be reminded that You are with me!

Psalm 76 - Sunday

Psalm 76

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1 In Judah God is known;
his name is great in Israel.

2 His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.

3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
Selah

4 You are resplendent with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.

5 Valiant men lie plundered,
they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors
can lift his hands.

6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.

7 You alone are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?

8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet-

9 when you, O God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
Selah

10 Surely your wrath against men brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. ^[a]

11 Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.

12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.

Crow: Dear Lord, help me to fulfill vows that i make to you.. Dear dear Lord JEsus, You are the Almighty God and Lord i want to always love and serve you... :)

Dellia: I'm reminded....that the vows I make to the Lord...I must take it seriously and fulfill them!

Psalm 75 - Saturday

Psalm 75

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1 We give thanks to you, O God,
we give thanks, for your Name is near;
men tell of your wonderful deeds.

2 You say, "I choose the appointed time;
it is I who judge uprightly.

3 When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
Selah

4 To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,'
and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns.

5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak with outstretched neck.' "

6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man.

7 But it is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.

8 In the hand of the LORD is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.

9 As for me, I will declare this forever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

10 I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

Crow: As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. Dear Lord, I love you and i want to sing your praise through all seasons of my life..

Dellia: Lord, I don't just want to praise You in good times, but in both good and bad times, I want to praise You.

Psalm 74 - Friday

A maskil of Asaph. [a]

1 Why have you rejected us forever, O God?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember the people you purchased of old,
the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us;
they set up their standards as signs.

5 They behaved like men wielding axes
to cut through a thicket of trees.

6 They smashed all the carved paneling
with their axes and hatchets.

7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.

8 They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!"
They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.

9 We are given no miraculous signs;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.

10 How long will the enemy mock you, O God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?

11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

12 But you, O God, are my king from of old;
you bring salvation upon the earth.

13 It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.

15 It was you who opened up springs and streams;
you dried up the ever flowing rivers.

16 The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.

17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.

18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD,
how foolish people have reviled your name.

19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts;
do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.

20 Have regard for your covenant,
because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.

21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace;
may the poor and needy praise your name.

22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause;
remember how fools mock you all day long.

23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries,
the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

Eunice: The psalm reminded me.. to continue to hv faith, even when things dont go right, to continue to believe, even when God seems silent. God allowed certain things to happen, yet, he seemed so distant, not cos he is not there, but cos, he wants us to continue to be faithful, to hold on and believe that He is still in control, He is still at work! God, teach me to always remain faithful to you. at times when you seem silent, God, may this be a time when I will learn to draw even nearer to your heart, be still and know that you are my God, and you are carrying me through it. Amen!

Huijuan: Learn to be still before God.

Dellia: The Lord can do more than I can imagine, therefore, let me be still and know that He is in control.

Psalm 73

Psalm 73
BOOK III : Psalms 73-89
1A psalm of Asaph.
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. [a]
5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity [b] ; he evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice; n their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. [c]
11 They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
12 This is what the wicked are like— always carefree, they increase in wealth.
13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
20 As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Chin Ling: Its true. So often, I have to battle between my ambitious dreams and desires with the Lord's mission and will in my life. All these ambitious dreams and desires that overwhelms me always fall into perspective and does not feel as important anymore when I come before the Lord (V16-17). I want to keep it clear and right that in my life, God will be my strength. In him, things will not and cannot go wrong. I will turn my eyes upon Jesus and the things of earth will grow strangly dim in the light of his glory and grace.

Aileen: I always struggle at work because i see so many unethical practices taking place and when i see the school politics at work, i often shake my head in disbelief. The thing is i'm really reminded that God is my strength and that he is a righteous God and I belief that when i set my eternity on him, everything else is just temporal. so.. vindicate me lord! haha

Sara: Surely the Lord has been good to me, and yet, I have almost slipped and lost my foothold many times, for I envied the arrogant when i saw the prosperity of their ways and desired the same for myself. But the Lord shall be my staff and my strength, and the path that I shall choose will be the one that He has chosen for me. Let not my desires and impatience get the better of me, and hinder the Lord from doing His work in my life. And indeed, it is truly good to be near the Lord, for He keeps me from yielding to temptation and from going my own way. Thank you Lord, let me stay near you all the days of my Life!

Crow: I find this psalm so honest and true... So many times i so easily lose my footing and almost slip, but the Lord is so so good and merciful.. In verse 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Indeed so many times my heart and my flesh fail... I pray that God will always be the strength of my heart and my portion forever.. Yup dear Lord please be the strength of my heart!!!!

Dellia: keep my heart pure Lord, that I will always do what is right and believe in it!

Psalm 72

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.

2 He will ^[a] judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.

3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4 He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor.

5 He will endure ^[b] as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.

6 He will be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.

7 In his days the righteous will flourish;
prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.

8 He will rule from sea to sea
and from the River ^[c] to the ends of the earth. ^[d]

9 The desert tribes will bow before him
and his enemies will lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
will bring tribute to him;
the kings of Sheba and Seba
will present him gifts.

11 All kings will bow down to him
and all nations will serve him.

12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.

13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.

14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.

16 Let grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon;
let it thrive like the grass of the field.

17 May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
All nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.

18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.

19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.

20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

Chin Ling: The last prayer that David made, was for his son, Soloman. And, I pray that I'll also become the person that David prayed in this prayer, this sort of leader. And, I want to pray the same prayer for my people. Amen.

Pam: This is a very very apt Pslam for me... so comforting n so much promises to claim.. And I want to claim v12-13 esp. v12.. The Lord will deliver me... the Lord is a victorious God and I will rest in His truth! Thank you God for your gentleness.

Eunice: Even as I am preparing for QQS, I want to be the one who is going out to bless the nations, and indeed, I am very very excited about it. WE, are goin out to bless, and may those who go out, be blessed as well. All glory to Lord

Aileen: I think my prayer today is really to ask God to bless my department that we'll bring in more students and that they'll learn good english here. So that we can bless the lord's name. amen

Huijuan: The prayer of David really reflects his heart for his son. I pray that as my ppl rise up, they will inherit the characteristcs in today's prayer.

Sara: Again, this psalm speaks of hope to me. I was reading a book which talks about the life of a boy who saw his country going through phases of war, and from riches to rags, from a life of comfort to suffering. As I read this, I felt that the Lord's glory is indeed upon our nation, and upon us people, who are so richly blessed, and never to have to go through such poverty and suffering. I thank God for what He has blessed us with... and I pray this for all other nations, that they too will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed.

Crow: Today the Lord says to me that as i serve the needy children together with the other coaches and volunteers, He will give supernatural favour and will pave the way for us. Today we had an outdoor event for the children and my school was really quite a mess.. So difficult even to gather them together... But i thank God that on the bus ride back to the school, the Lord blessed with favour to be able to gear them towards the future sessions, even as we talked to them about their misbehaving.. it ended well. I praise God and commit all future sessions to Him. Well, i learn that i am incompetent, yet the Lord's favour is upon me. PRaise the Lord!

Dellia: Indeed, the Lord's heart is with the weak and the meek and He will help and deliver them.