You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; My adversaries are all before You. Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Let their table become a snare before them, And their well-being a trap.

Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually. Pour out Your indignation upon them, And let Your wrathful anger take hold of them. Let their dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents. For they persecute the ones You have struck, And talk of the grief of those You have wounded. Add iniquity to their iniquity, And let them not come into Your righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.

But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull, Which has horns and hooves. The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live. For the LORD hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners.

Look at the pattern in this passage. In the first paragraph, David looks inward and finds nothing but desolation. The statement, “I am full of heaviness” is an excellent summary of his state of mind. He cannot even find someone to share his dolor with. We have all been there, done that, but, speaking for myself, never with the eloquence of David.

Now look at the pattern in the second paragraph. David summarizes his state of mind very succinctly and then turns to the LORD as the source of the solution. He turns to the LORD completely and totally, no whining and grumbling. I can hear the joy in the LORD as he recognizes that the LORD hears the poor and responds. “His heart lives.” It's a 'hitch up your pants and get to work' attitude. May I respond the same.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 6, Noon Psalm 119:113-120, Evening Psalm 52.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, "When will You comfort me?" For I have become like a wine skin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes.

How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law.

All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me! They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts. Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

The last paragraph with its avowal of faithfulness on the part of Ish HaElohim is a model for us in this day and age. We are facing increased resistance to “the faith which was once delivered to the saints”(Jude 3) We are assailed on every side by attacks on the faith; all aimed pulling its teeth, stripping its authority, in short, emasculating the Word. Let us join in a pact to cover each other with prayer that we would stand strong for the Word of God.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 5, Noon Psalm 119:105-112, Evening Psalm 51.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

Deliver me out of the mire, And let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters. Let not the floodwater overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.

Hear me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies. And do not hide Your face from Your servant, For I am in trouble; Hear me speedily. Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; Deliver me because of my enemies.

What can I do? Stand and shake my fist at the god's of happenstance; fill sandbags with the grains of despair? I remember 10 years ago when the Williams River rose 20 feet in about 20 minutes a few hundred yards from my home as the rains of Hurricane Irene pelted Vermont's impervious mountains. The foremost question was whether or not the flooding was going to cease before it reached my home. It did! Praise the LORD.

Once again, David, provides leadership as he turns to the LORD, begging the LORD to “turn to him according to the multitude of His tender mercies.” Like David, I must learn to admit my failures, to recognize that I can not handle the mess that I've gotten myself into. That's a challenge.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 4, Noon Psalm 119:97-104, Evening Psalm 50.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

I have become a stranger to my brothers, And an alien to my mother's children; Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach. I also made sackcloth my garment; I became a byword to them. Those who sit in the gate speak against me, And I am the song of the drunkards. But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.

David has hit the bottom, but had not lost his hope or joy in the LORD. Look at the beauty of that last sentence. He knows without doubt, that he has not been deserted by the LORD, God, the Almighty, he is a few centuries ahead of us:

“Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels
Borne in a song to me,
Over the fields of glory,
Over the jasper sea.

Refrain:
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.

Fanny Crosby, 1868

Join the Ailbe Community

Reading

Morning Psalm 4, Noon Psalm 119:97-104, Evening Psalm 50.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

Psalm 69:4-7

Those who hate me without a cause Are more than the hairs of my head; They are mighty who would destroy me, Being my enemies wrongfully; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it.

O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You. Let not those who wait for You, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me; Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel. Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face.

LORD, my prayer always should be that I would not nothing to detract from Your Glory. Instead, I pray that every word from my mouth would glorify You every moment of my wakefulness. I know that I have no purpose in life but to bring glory and honor to You and to Your Name. You are the LORD, God, the Almighty.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 3, Noon Psalm 119:89-96, Evening Psalm 49.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

To the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A Psalm of David. Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me. I am weary with my crying; My throat is dry; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

A Psalm of despair and reliance on the LORD. In many ways, a Psalm for today as we watch the world of our youth crumble as its faulty foundations are exposed. A Psalm of crying and waiting. Hoping that the Hand of the LORD, God, the Almighty will be revealed.

Join me in seeking the LORD as we await His surely immanent return.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 2, Noon Psalm 119:81-88, Evening Psalm 48.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, And His strength is in the clouds. O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

I was in a meeting this afternoon with about 12 other men, all devout Christians and we were discussing “encouragement' using some quotations by well known Christian authors. The discussion was lively and profitable, the chairman did an excellent job organizing the topic and keeping some very active minds under control.

Afterwards, I opened my laptop and pulled up Psalm 69:33-35, a section which was selected last week for today's Voices Together. The verse in bold above, the very last verse of the Psalm, v35, jumped out at me as I read through the passage. This is a definition of the Great Encourager.

Do I want to be known as a man who encourages? Of course. Then keep my eyes open for ways to encourage. Look for opportunities for ways to open the awareness of others in their innate strength and power and the source of that strength and power.

Who? Well, my family, wife, children and spouses, grandchildren, brothers, sisters and families, neighbors, co-workers, in the prisons and other ministries, the clerks at the grocery store and the cashier and the gas station, the stranger walking by my house. In short, everyone I meet in any way or any place.

I need to be a Bunny, Betty's niece who went to be with the Lord as the result of a birth defect. But Bunny never (that I know of) met a stranger without the opening line, “Do you know my Jesus?” A beautiful child who is now dancing with her Jesus. Oh that all of us would be in the habit of opening a conversation with strangers with John 3:16

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Reading

Morning Psalm 1, Noon Psalm 119:73-80, Evening Psalm 47.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, Kings will bring presents to You. Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples who delight in war. Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah

I find this passage quite puzzling. I get the first sentence; no doubting the relationship between the location of the temple and the willingness of kings to worship there. But from there until the reference to people who delight in war; I'm lost.

Redeemed by the last sentence which takes me back to the beginning. Praise the LORD, ye peoples of the earth. The day will come and is coming soon.

Reading

Morning Psalm 150, Noon Psalm 119:65-72, Evening Psalm 46.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word. I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant. Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts.

Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies. Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed.

Ish HaElohim, the post-Excilic scribe (my name for him) who wrote the 119^thPsalm was indeed a man of God, an individual whose life was centered on the Word of God. Look at that almost dead central phrase, “For Your law is my delight.” Would someone who knows me inside and out describe me that way? Unlikely, highly unlikely!

The key to his delight lies a few phrases further on, “I will meditate on Your precepts.” Is that my immediate response to a crisis; to raise my concerns to the LORD, God, the Almighty? Betty (my beloved wife of 63 years) mentioned a few minutes ago, that rather than worrying about the forecasted hurricane, we need to be praying. We do not need to be praying that Henri will not be another Irene, but that this storm will be an opportunity to display our dependence on the LORD.

Was he familiar with or did he write Psalm 107 which contains the following passage in verses 24-30?

“They see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea.

They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end.

Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.”

Reading

Morning Psalm 149, Noon Psalm 119:57-64, Evening Psalm 45.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

Bless God in the congregations, The Lord, from the fountain of Israel. There is little Benjamin, their leader, The princes of Judah and their company, The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali. Your God has commanded your strength; Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.

Bless the Lord, princes and paupers. Bless the LORD, merchants and farmers. Bless the LORD, leaders and led. Bless the LORD, teachers and taught. Bless the LORD from the Americas to Zululand. Let all voices be raised to bless the LORD, God the Almighty; the One who is over all; the great triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Praise Your Holy Name.

.Reading

Morning Psalm 149, Noon Psalm 119:57-64, Evening Psalm 45.

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

They have seen Your procession, O God, The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; Among them were the maidens playing timbrels.

What a procession into the sanctuary! The singers with their sacred hymns, a marching band with drums and other instruments; all raising their voices and instruments in praise to Yahweh.

Compare that to our assembling on the LORD's Day morning in the Sanctuary to worship Him. A lot of happy chatter but a discussion regarding the basketball game between the Red Sox and the Blue Jays can hardly be regarded as preparation for worship.

Shouldn't this be a time for reviewing the Scriptures for the day, or the sermon notes or the hymns to be sung. What will bring our minds and hearts to bare on the One who gave His all for us?

Reading

Morning Psalm 148, Noon Psalm 119:49-56, Evening Psalm 44

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.

Our God is the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death. But God will wound the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses. The Lord said, "I will bring back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, That your foot may crush them in blood, And the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies."

The focus in this passages seems to be on those who refuse the statements of the faith that unite us in favor of the differences that drive the LORD, God, the Almighty's people apart. The prayer is that His foot will crush them in blood, that His dogs will feast on the bodies of His enemies.

May it be so, LORD, God, the Almighty.

Reading

Morning Psalm 147, Noon Psalm 119:41-48, Evening Psalm 43

Alternate Reading Plan based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Set your own up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

I suggest either setting aside a period of the day to read all, or break the readings up into morning, mid-day, and evening series. Both approaches have their advantages, and both will build an awareness of the Bible as a whole over time.