Psalm 132 pulses with God's promises to King David, but it also assures today's believers of God's faithfulness to his promises for the church in all ages. It's a beautiful reminder that God fulfills his promises. He sometimes does that in ways we did not expect, but they are often far better than our wildest imaginings. The … Continue reading Promises, promises, Psalm 132

After Psalm 130's heart-rending cry, comes the peace of Psalm 131. The psalmist writes as a humble person who does not understand everything, but depends on the Lord. O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;    my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things    too great and too marvelous … Continue reading Quiet Soul, Psalm 131

When I wake during the night, as I often do these days, I pray for people I know who suffer. If I can't sleep, I'm sure that some of them are not sleeping either, and I pray for individuals whose names God brings to mind. These "mid-night" prayers (which occur at all hours of the … Continue reading Penitential plea, Psalm 130

Chronic affliction bows down the spirit. The psalmist of Psalm 129 vividly envisions his persecutors as plowmen gouging long furrows upon his bowed back. Afflicted from his youth, he refers to more than personal adversity. God's people have been afflicted since the church's inception. "Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth"—     let Israel now … Continue reading Plowmen have not prevailed, Psalm 129

In Psalm 128 we see a beautiful tableau of a peaceful and faithful family. Its initial verse sets out a two-fold requirement (Psalm 128:1, ESV): Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,    who walks in his ways! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We teach our children that the … Continue reading Peaceful families, Psalm 128

At a time in my life when I was overwhelmed with anxiety and had difficulty sleeping, I memorized Psalm 127. I'd lie awake at night, trying to remain calm through waves of panic, repeating, "He grants sleep to those he loves" (verse 2, NIV 1984). He always did. That precious phrase is only one of … Continue reading Unless the Lord builds the house, Psalm 127

Harold Camping has nothing on true believers. He may attempt to predict the future, but we have seen the future. And our future is joy. In Psalm 126, God grants us a glimpse of the future by first reminding us of his goodness in the past. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,    we were like … Continue reading Harvesting joy, Psalm 126

Are you surrounded by stress? Do attacks press on every side? Psalm 125 affirms that you are surrounded, but what surrounds you is the peace of God. Few natural features appear as immovable as the solid rock of a mountain. Pilgrims making their way up to the temple lifted their eyes to see Mount Zion rising … Continue reading Surrounded with peace, Psalm 125

Psalm 123 reminded us of our total dependence on God, who reigns from heaven and will pour out his mercies upon us in his perfect timing. We identified with the psalmist, whose soul had experienced "more than enough" contempt from the proud.  We saw God's promise that he will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability … Continue reading We have escaped, Psalm 124

In Psalm 123, the psalmist lifts his eyes and a heartfelt cry to the heavens. These four short verses are packed with emotional power. The first two verses convey an image of total dependence upon God as believers pray corporately for mercy. To you I lift up my eyes,    O you who are enthroned in … Continue reading Merciful heavens, Psalm 123