Soak up the Psalms – Part 3
You know what I LOVE about the Psalms??? It’s that there are so many of them that touch on just about every facet of our lives…from how to live, how to love, to show God’s grace and mercy, to teach reverence, to teach, to lead, to discipline, and to worship. There are so many amazing truths being held in the Psalms and although I can’t wait to get back to our regular weekend devotionals together, I still feel strongly connected and tied to “Soaking up the Psalms” with you.
This week we are going through Book 3 (Psalms 73-89) and Book 4 (Psalms 90-106). We will finish up the Soak up the Psalms series next weekend, July 13th. I hope you have been taking some time to write down some of your favorite Psalms, I know that it helps me more than words can even describe to keep the Word close to my heart and these Psalms have been the balm needed to heal some of my most painful memories.
Here are some of my favorites…
Psalm 73:25-26
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Psalm 74:16-17
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;
17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.
I’m currently joining Beth Moore and thousands of other sisters as we do a summer long Bible Study called “No Other Gods” by Kelly Minter. In the study we are learning that we tend to put other little ‘g’ gods before our great and might big “G” God. This verse is a great reminder for us to focus on the One true God.
Psalm 81:8-10
“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;
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,
10 I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
Are you feeling weak? Tired? Worn out? Look to Psalm 84 for encouragement. When you read it, take a minute to actually read it OUT LOUD. You will be surprised at the power that comes through you when you claim God’s Word and say it out loud…come on, try it!
Psalm 84:5a
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
Psalm 84:10-12
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;
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,
12 O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
This next Psalm is actually a prayer of David. The words are absolutely beautiful, touching, and true. It is my prayer that these words touch your heart as much as they have mine.
Psalm 86:1-7
1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
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,
3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant,
4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.
When you are paralyzed with fear, scared out of your mind, and you have no idea what you are going to do next, when the world seems to be coming in on you, go to Psalm 92:4-14. I have added emphasis on “first person words/phrases” that you can cling to and also add your name to after you say them. Powerful!
Psalm 92:4-14
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When doubt starts to seep in and you struggle with your belief that you could be called a Child of God go to,
Psalm 103:13
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
When you are seeking just the right words to say for the joy in your heart, the love you feel for your Heavenly Father, go to Psalm 106:1-2 every day!
Psalm 106:1-2
1 Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
When you are seeking just the right words to say for the joy in your heart, the love you feel for your Heavenly Father, go to Psalm 106:1-2 every day!
Psalm 106:1-2
1 Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord?
Who can ever praise him enough?
I don’t know about you, but sometimes the words in my heart are just not enough, and I am a talker (so that is saying something). God has had me on a heart breaking, yet amazing journey, and even though I don’t like the pain, suffering, and stretching, I know that HE, the Creator of the Universe, is shaping me, molding me, and preparing me for what He has next. I am not sure what it is, but I DO know that if I stick to my 6-Word Memoir (to Passionately Pursue God’s Purpose Every Day) that no matter what comes my way I will be walking smack dab in the center of God’s Will for my life, and there is no better place to be.
Take some time today to re-read through these Psalms and truly let them SOAK in a bit…there is nothing sweeter than learning God’s Word. I’ll see you next Sunday, July 13th as we complete the Soak up the Psalms series here on Speak to My Soul Sunday’s in Mel’s World. Have a super blessed week!
Savoring His Word,
PS – Don’t forget about the Mel’s World Summer Give Aways that are going on right now…click here to go directly to the give away post. The drawing will be held on July 15th at 5pm…have fun!
I’m behind on copying these down! I plan on leaving them in the car so I can see one each day, maybe? Or flip through as needed. I may run back to the drugstore to get a spiral bound index cards like you suggested…that certainly would make it easier! LOL
I’m gonna try to catch up this evening while the boys are at their 3rd VBS of the summer! Thanks again for these, Mel!