Psalm 25:9 “He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way”
The idea of being teachable comes up for me a lot. May we always be willing to be learners and have ears to hear what God has for us moment by moment.
25:15 “My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”
The idea of being aware of what I’m focusing on
The idea of what I fill my thoughts with
The idea of watching Jesus and walking on water; watching the waves and sinking in them
Psalm: 22:1 – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
The opening words of this Psalm have become so familiar to us from Jesus’ use of them from the cross. It is difficult for us to separate them from that much later context. If we read these words only as words about Jesus, we might miss some things. The psalmist sees his situation as abandonment in two ways: God’s silence (vv. 2–5) and God’s failure to act (vv. 6–11). He describes himself in two ways: afraid and weak (12-21). Have you felt that way?
If Psalm 22 ends at verse 21, we have a bitter, self-pitying person. The final section of the psalm describes not just God’s ability to fix my problems, but also envisions a future in all that is wrong in the world will be one day be reversed. God will come near, and humanity will acknowledge his lordship and bow before him.
“The law of the Lord is perfect.” – Psalm 19:7.
God’s existence is clear from looking at things like the sun (vv.1-6). What can escape the sun’s light? This is what theologians call general revelation. The words special revelation are used to describe Scripture. For the psalmist, it is perfect, whole, complete. Everything we need to know about God – everything God is and everything God wants us to be – it’s in there.
“The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.” Psalm 18:13.
We have difficulty imagining God in awe-inspiring terms. God becomes a more a familiar friend than a holy God. God is our helper and friend, but something essential is lost when we don’t experience God’s awe inspiring, holy presence.
“For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice.” – Psalm 11:7
And yet Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that Christ became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. If we accept his salvation, God looks on us not on the basis of our failings but on the basis of his righteousness.
Psalm 3:6: “I am not afraid.”
We are solid like that planted tree when our confidence is in the only one worthy of that confidence.
Psalm 4:8 – “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.”
There’s only one place to put my trust. Evaluate it! What am I trusting?
Ps5:3 in the morning I plead my case to you and watch.
We tell God in relationship what’s worrying us then let it go! We watch what God does. And we know him, so we trust every little thing is going to be all right. Every single time. Because God is good. I can trust him no matter what I see physically. I don’t watch what I see physically. I watch God.
So many of the Psalms are laser-focused on the individual: God deals with us on a deeply personal level. We will also read Psalms that focus on the worshipping community.
Psalm 2 is a royal song, which focuses on kings who saw themselves to be uniquely authorized and empowered as God’s adopted sons. Their earthly kingdoms crumble, as did their pride. King Jesus was the exception, which is why Psalm 2 is quoted several times in the New Testament. Here are some:
Psalm 2:1-2 Acts 4:25-26
Psalm 2:1,5 Revelation 11:18
Psalm 2:7 Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5
Psalm 2:8-9 Revelation 2:26-27; 12:5; 19:15
Psalm 1 also in some versions says “happy” instead of “blessed.”
To be like a tree that yields fruit in its season isn’t really special. It’s normal like it’s just the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it’s designed to work under proper conditions. Meditating on God’s law is the proper condition. It’s what we’re meant for. It’s how we work best.
Try reading the Psalms out loud. Songs and psalms were important parts of the oral tradition in Israel. Literacy was low. These songs and poems served many purposes: worshiping God, expressing emotions, teaching history and praying as a community. All of those purposes involved verbally reciting the text, often to music.
Read them out loud. Let others hear you.
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:30-31)
Luke, the Author of Acts and companion of Paul, stated that the mission of this book is witnessing about Jesus to the end of the world, and here in Rome Paul has finally arrived to fulfill both missions.
Nothing has changed for Paul. He’s has been assaulted, he’s been on trial, he’s shared the Gospel to everyone in his path, he’s survived storm and shipwreck and a snake bite. He’s still a prisoner of Rome, sent to Rome to defend himself before the emperor. He’s done enough to be set free but is still under guard.
Luke, why not tell us what happened when Paul was put on trial!
The Other Six Days 