Psalm 45

Psalm 45

For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies." Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song. ^[a]

1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.

3 Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.

4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;
let your right hand display awesome deeds.

5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.

6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.

8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.

9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:
Forget your people and your father's house.

11 The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.

12 The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, ^[b]
men of wealth will seek your favor.

13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber ;
her gown is interwoven with gold.

14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her
and are brought to you.

15 They are led in with joy and gladness;
they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

Chin Ling: Happy Valentine Day everyone! Not really a believer of V day, but its great that today's psalm is A Wedding Song! :) In other versions, A love song! So nice! :) I love it! I spent quite some time reading it and praying through it too :) Thank God for Chiwern through verses 2-8 :) And then claimed the verses 11-15 for the wedding :)
And then of course, V 16-17 for the future generation. hehehe...

Jacq: I thank God for coming for me. Its a reminder that w/o us, God would not have come.. He came.. for me and you.. each and every single one of us. His loves does not rise n fall with performance.. but cos He really loves us..

Crow: Today i am reminded that i am a princess of the King of Kings, and with that He has given me the power and victory over everything.. Lord help me to ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness.. :)

Aileen: today i'm claiming the last verse! believing that the lord can use me to impact the future generations!! and i'm always reminded that it is the lord and not me

Pam: Hee... happi v-dae.... A wedding Psalm... cool eh.. of divine timing even as I prepare my heart for the marriage encounter tis wkend... Lord... may my love for you will be pleasing to your sight..... Thx u for the union that you have brought.... that I will not forget that you Lord is our heavenly match-maker!

Sara: I used to think that the greatest blessing that anyone could have is to be blessed with joy, that one can possess joy in any and every circumstance, but after reading today's psalm, I realised that the psalmist has blessed the reader with so much more! what a wholesome blessing! a love song indeed, and i pray that my relationship with the Lord can be like that too! happy V day everyone, and may the Lord's favour be with you always! =)

DEllia: I felt God telling me HAPPY V DAY!! haaaa

Psalm 44

Psalm 44

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. ^[a]

1 We have heard with our ears, O God;
our fathers have told us
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.

2 With your hand you drove out the nations
and planted our fathers;
you crushed the peoples
and made our fathers flourish.

3 It was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.

4 You are my King and my God,
who decrees ^[b] victories for Jacob.

5 Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.

6 I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;

7 but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.

8 In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.
Selah

9 But now you have rejected and humbled us;
you no longer go out with our armies.

10 You made us retreat before the enemy,
and our adversaries have plundered us.

11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep
and have scattered us among the nations.

12 You sold your people for a pittance,
gaining nothing from their sale.

13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors,
the scorn and derision of those around us.

14 You have made us a byword among the nations;
the peoples shake their heads at us.

15 My disgrace is before me all day long,
and my face is covered with shame

16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me,
because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

17 All this happened to us,
though we had not forgotten you
or been false to your covenant.

18 Our hearts had not turned back;
our feet had not strayed from your path.

19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals
and covered us over with deep darkness.

20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,

21 would not God have discovered it,
since he knows the secrets of the heart?

22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

23 Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.

24 Why do you hide your face
and forget our misery and oppression?

25 We are brought down to the dust;
our bodies cling to the ground.

26 Rise up and help us;
redeem us because of your unfailing love.

Jacq: God hears my cry, yet he allows certain things to happen for a reason. God, remind me not to fall away when things dont go right, but instead, that I will walk by faith n draw even nearer back to you.

Chin Ling: I'm amazed at how the psalmist is going through such a difficult time, yet is able to start his song by praising the Lord for his goodness. The psalmist continue to acknowledge the goodness of God, displaying his trust in the Lord in spite of his emotions. I want to learn to put his goodness and majesty above my feelings.

Pam: Ydae I wen for a run wif Rog.... ended up walking back cos was nt in the "running mode" and literally I felt so weigh down by things that I did not have the perservance to continue running.... but the walk back was gd cos I am reminded that there are times u walk, n other times u run... but I am assured that I am not alone..... I have Him n the community that I am in... v3 realli reaffirmed my thot..... it is His right hand that won the battle n nt my own will, strenght that did it.

Crow: Reading this psalm this morning, i learnt a truth that the Lord helps me win victories, because he loves me.. Thank you Lord for your sweet love for me.. In this period, i know that i can be quite weak.. many times i feel so tired, and temptations seem so often and so hard to bear.. but dear Lord u r the one that really give me victories small and big... Dear Lord i once again commit my life to u.. help me to always look to you, help me to love u above all... Lord thank u...

Aileen: vs 6 "i do not trust in my bow. my sword does not give me victory." i really was reminded to look to the lord and not on my own abilities. always remembering that the lord is the one who gave me my bow first

Huijuan: The psalmist was recalling how the the forefathers has seen God's blessings in their life and how God brought them through. And i was remineded of my cell, i pray that not only me will see God's victories and expereince His blessings. But my ppl will see Him moving in their lives. God work sth in their lives!

DEllia: I rest assure that the Lord is my protector and I'm reminded not to put my trust in anything or anyone else but the Lord

Psalm 43

Psalm 43

1^[a] Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.

2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?

3 Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.

4 Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Chin Ling: I was reading in 2 Corinthians 6:10 today and it says "sorrowful yet always rejoicing" I was pondering over it. And today's psalm's really throwing a new light to it... it is when we go to the altar of the Lord, and look at him, resting in him, hoping in him, that we will know that he is our joy, and delight. Because of the King, I can rejoice. I need not stay downcast any longer, because my hope is in him. For that, I respond by praising him!

Pam: v4 "..... I'll praise him with your harp...." I am reminded that I have not being worshipping Him when I m at home..... n yes.... I noe He has been calling me to do so.... haha... beta listen ah! I want to praise YOU!

Crow: I am reminded that the Lord is my judge, only seek vindication from him... Seek to serve the Lord only and not man.... then it will not bother me when man do not appreciate.. cuz i work for God not for man... this is something i find very important to apply at work, yet many times it is so hard to really make Jesus ur only boss... and choose to find delight and satistfaction in the Lord alone.... Lord help me to serve u only, Lord help me to praise u all the time, deep within me.. Lord i commit this day to u... :)

Aileen: as i always say, this whole psalms always says vindicate me! haha, well i think the lord is really shining through in terrms of my work. BEgininning to see a little light at the end of the tunnel and i remember to rejoice always and NOT be downcast. so i shall be UPCAST lar!

Dellia: Lead me Lord in Your truth & light. Reading the word and seeking Him I need to do cos that's where His light and truth will shine. Many a times, I'm impatient, Lord, teach me to seek You with all my heart and wait patiently.

Sara: Today's psalm is short & sweet... =) and it answers yesterday's prayer... as it says in vs 3, that His truth and light will guide me to where He is. I pray that I will stray away from that path!

Jacq: Lord I want to go to that Hold mountain where you are. God, reveal to me more of your face and more of your glory. God, lead me in your light and your truth to guide me.

Psalm 42

BOOK II : Psalms 42-72

1

For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. ^[a]

^[b] As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My ^[c] soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.

8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"

10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Jacq: Sounds like a very depressed psalm to start a Monday morning.. but even as I read vs 1, the writer says "so my soul pants for you, O Lord".. I am thinking, am I panting for the Lord, am I so hungry n thirsty for Him to feed me daily, or am I starting to feel that its a duty to read psalm every morning? Lord, teach me to delight more in you, to delight in your word. That I will hunger more and more for you. Going after you will not be a chore, but an exciting journey that I will want to take every morning. Lord, you have reminded me today, nv to take you or your presence for granted. Thank You Lord. Amen!

Pam: This Psalm reminds alot of how the Lord 1st spoke to me thr v11.... n yes.. during tis season/period, dear Lord, I wana put my hope in You!

Crow: Haha, it was so hard to wake up this morning!!! was groaning all the way to office... "i dun wanna go work i dun wanna go i dun wanna go work!!!!" hahaa... so i found this psalm quite amusing.... "Why so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" hahaha... Well, on a more serious note... This verse had helped me through some time ago, when i felt really down... So i'm reminded of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness in my life... that he will always be my friend, even if i'm down and out.. Yup, and also in verse 1, to thrist for the Lord just as the deer pants for water.... hee hee... Ok! back to work! hahaa..... bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aileen: I am SOOooo tired from this CNY where there has been endless visitations and gong xi fa cai action. Even as i looked at today's verse, it really reminded me of the song. As the deer panteth for the water so my soul longeth after you. And i really long for the lord.. for some peace and restoration. hahah.. i need rest lord!!

Sara: haha..i think everyone's feeling the same way, esp. after such a long break from wk, i just kept having to remind myself that God meant for us to wk and not to slack! but today's passage really speaks to me this period, that as long as I am willing to be still and spend time with Him, to listen to His voice, He will meet with me. I dont want to seek him only when I am sad, downcast, unhappy and need shelter and refuge... I would like to meet with Him, to sit and spend time with Him, and let him be part of everything I do!

Chin Ling: Oh man..Such a hard time to drag my lazy self to work! But I will still praise him!

Dellia: Haha...you gals are so cute leh! Haa..! As I read the psalm today, I can't help but told God that one day in His courts is better than a thousand elsewhere! For me, it wasn't the CNY visitation or a start of a new week that makes me tired....frankly..I felt exhausted as dennis was sick and I spent my CNY looking after Him and baby and having all the assignments due plus being a full time housewife....sleep & rest deprive! But the Lord assure me, that I can put my hope in Him and rest in His presence!

Joanna: my keypad is spoilt. haven been able to use my com properly. this psalm makes me one to sing and worship God.Thank God forthis psalm, making me want to worship n draw near to Him.

Psalm 41

Psalm 41

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.

2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life;
he will bless him in the land
and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed
and restore him from his bed of illness.

4 I said, "O LORD, have mercy on me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you."

5 My enemies say of me in malice,
"When will he die and his name perish?"

6 Whenever one comes to see me,
he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it abroad.

7 All my enemies whisper together against me;
they imagine the worst for me, saying,

8 "A vile disease has beset him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies."

9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.

10 But you, O LORD, have mercy on me;
raise me up, that I may repay them.

11 I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12 In my integrity you uphold me
and set me in your presence forever.

13 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

Crow: Dear Lord, help me to always have regard for the weak.... not for my own gain, but because you love them so much....

Chin Ling : I will trust in the Lord and not do things my own ways because he will always protect me.

Dellia: I rest assure that the Lord will sustain me. Though sometimes I feel that I cannot tahan liao..the Lord never fails to sustain me! So Yup yup..!!! =)

Psalm 40

Psalm 40
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"

17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.

Dellia: The psalm opens with wait patiently! Haha...so often I wait...but not patiently.....! Lord, teach me to wait and wait patiently for You!

Aileen: really reminds me of my MSN nick.. zechariah. God remembers!

Chin Ling: I had a nightmare last night. And, I dreamt that 2 people very close to me died, and one of them said to me " I don't know whether I will go to heaven or not....." At that moment, I was so regretful that I did not try my best in my lifetime to reach out to more.... or even disciple well...
"10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly."
I pray that I'll live out V10 in my lifetime.

Crow: Thank you thank you thank you Lord...... for always being so, so faithful.....

Psalm 39

Psalm 39

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more."

Jacq: Actually, I dont really understand this psalm.. but.. right up till the middle, I feel tht David was trying to keep his mouth silent about speaking evil... I am reminded that in YoS, Isa 58.. not to speak idle words. Lord, many times when I struggle, on what to say and what not to say, to what extend it will be a gossip, to what extend will be a sharing, God teach me and always remind me not to speak idly, keep my heart in check not to speak evil.

Crow: Dear Lord, help me to speak only what is good and only what glorifies your Name.

Chin Ling: I've learnt that we can keep silent even when we feel unjustified or when things happening is just so unfair, because the Lord will do all things in accordance to his time. Yet, I also looked inward and question the meaning of my life, (V4-6) and I pray that the Lord will continually show me how fleeting my life is, that the wealth we store here cannot be brought to heaven- to learn to be contented. Lastly, I learn to keep my eyes and my hope only in God, and Rejoice!

DEllia: Totally agree with Chinling! Cos the Lord is our judge & we don't have to justify to others! Lord, teach me not to jump into defense so quickly but to trust in Your unfailing love!

Juan: Agree totally with u all..aahahah.. WEll, i guess if i have nothing nice to talk about, jus shut up else my gossip or words might hurt ppl. Now i have 2 ulcers in my mouth.. its time to be silent and be a listener. :)