Some Psalms & Songs

Psalm 1


Psalm 32

And, if you have time, you can read this one, too. It's a bit long...
Psalm 78

Photos: (1) taken (without permission) from richardtscott.com

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I have everything that I need.

He makes me lay down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness, for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

For YOU are with me.

Your rod and staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will live in the house of the Lord, forever.


Photo: taken (without permission) from ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com

The Heart

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

Matthew 12:34b
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

*Verses taken from the NIV (1984) Bible

Looking for Quiet

Psalm 131

I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 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 for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.

Worship in Disappointment

The greatest joy comes from the deepest sorrow. When we are let down by the world, by our own expectations, by our desires... In that moment we face decisions on how to respond. If you are a God-fearing, God-believing individual, you might shake your fist at the sky, asking "Why???" You might also reason that it was never God's will, think that God does not have your best interest in mind, and grudgingly go on your way. Or you can worship.

I was touched by my friend Pete's testimony 2 Sundays ago about how David dealt with the emotional ebbs and flows of his life. I forget exactly which Psalm he referenced, but the pattern of frustration followed by refrains of truthful praise is evident throughout the Psalms.

It just so happens that I was in a state of disappointment this morning. I won't go into the details, but I was hoping that something would work out for me and it's just not going smoothly. In fact, it seems like God is closing the door on that option.

I felt like I was about explode - I absolutely needed to write. So I wrote a short piece in my journal. It started out with the "WHY? WHAT?" I mean, what is the appropriate response to this situation?

I've been at this crossroads before and it's led to months upon months of resentment and faithlessness. I've been hurt by lies, and I didn't want to do that again.

The first thing I did was DENOUNCE the lies in my head. God is not the disappointer. This followed up with TRUTH. God is for me. He's been faithful to me. He sees my situation beyond my visible horizons. He holds my hand in His hands. He holds your life, too. Trust.......

The unexpected consequence was worship. Not perfunctory worship. Like WORSHIP in my heart, songs of praise, remembrances of past faithfulness, His adoption of me as a son, picking me up and dusting me off. WORSHIP.

and.... JOY. Thank you, Lord. I can wear a real smile today because I know You love me, care, and are for me, though I can't see what my future holds. He is in control. YOU ARE IN CONTROL.

Psalm 13
1 How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."