I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES!
KING DAVID, SONG WRITER, MUSICIAN, SINGER,
AUTHOR OF PSALMS
INTRODUCTION
The book of the Psalms is not a single book but a collection of many poems and other similar works composed mostly by King David but include many other authors such as Moses and Solomon. In the Psalms, joy, suffering, the desire and fear of death are all interwoven and expressed.
Psalms were the most common prayer of Jesus in the New Testament who loved singing them with his disciples. As they left the Last Supper they sang psalms on their way to Gethsemane. “Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Matthew 26:30
On the cross Jesus prayed from Psalm 22, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46) “Into thine hands I commend my spirit.” Psalm 31:5 (Luke 23:46)
God is the true author of the Bible including the Psalms. Since Psalms are the Word of God, the pray-er who prays the Psalms speaks to God with the very words that God has given to us. Psalms are a school of prayer. When I pray the words of the Psalms, I don’t just think about how this is my prayer, I think about how it is the prayer of Jesus Christ. It is his prayer for his church and for the world. Excerpts of Psalms are copied below.
PSALM 19
The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands. Day unto day pours forth speech; night unto night whispers knowledge…. A report goes forth through all the earth, their messages, to the ends of the world….
From one end of the heavens it comes forth; its course runs through to the other; nothing escapes its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye….
The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold, Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb. By them your servant is warned; obeying them brings much reward….Cleanse me from my inadvertent sins. Also from arrogant ones restrain your servant; let them never control me. Then shall I be blameless, innocent of grave sin. Let the words of my mouth be acceptable, the thoughts of my heart before you, LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
REFLECTION
This hymn of praise directs us to the utter goodness of God. God is good. Follow Him and His statutes and our life will be full of sweetness and serenity. Sin is the only disrupter. Cleanse me from my sins that I may be blameless in your sight. Send your light into my darkness, that illuminated, I may grasp the light and be saved.
PSALM 140
Deliver me, LORD, from the wicked; preserve me from the violent, From those who plan evil in their hearts, who stir up conflicts every day, Who sharpen their tongue like a serpent, venom of asps upon their lips.
Keep me, LORD, from the clutches of the wicked; preserve me from the violent, who plot to trip me up. The arrogant have set a trap for me; they have spread out ropes for a net, laid snares for me by the wayside.
I say to the LORD: You are my God; listen, LORD, to the words of my pleas. LORD, my master, my strong deliverer, you cover my head on the day of armed conflict…..
I know the LORD will take up the cause of the needy, justice for the poor. Then the righteous will give thanks to your name; the upright will dwell in your presence.
REFLECTION
A prayer of deliverance from all evil, all occasions of sins. If we walk with the Lord, He will lead us along the path of righteousness and hold us up less we fall into a pit. He will help in our discernment. Lord grant me wisdom to know right from wrong and the fortitude to deny my will full choices. Thy will be done!
PSALM 145
I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and worthy of much praise, whose grandeur is beyond understanding…
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. The LORD is good to all, compassionate toward all your works. All your works give you thanks, LORD and your faithful bless you. They speak of the glory of your reign and tell of your mighty works. The LORD is just in all his ways, merciful in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him…
REFLECTION
The Lord is near to those who call upon Him. So why not call upon Him. His mercy endures forever to all of us no matter what state we find ourselves. We are not alone. Why pretend we are? God awaits our call. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
JESUS PRAYING THE PSALMS