Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts.

I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.

How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

This stanza brings John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.” to mind as a vehicle for worship. What better way of declaring my love for the LORD, God the Almighty than living according to His Word?

Reading

Morning Psalm 147, Noon Psalm 119:137-144, Evening Psalm 86

A Psalm of David. A Contemplation. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Another example where confession is an important element in worship. A major part is the relationship between parent and child, a relationship of transparency. My earthly father was not overly sympathetic about bandaging a cut caused by my loss of control and intemperate behavior. Cut would get fixed, but I would also get a teaching about not being open with a parent.

Worship must include confession and repentance.

Reading

Morning Psalm 146, Noon Psalm 119:129-136, Evening Psalm 85

Blessed be the LORD, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You.

Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

What a comforting conclusion to this gorgeous hymn of praise. I love that sentence where David confesses that He has been hasty before LORD and rejected Him. Doesn't the LORD often treat those He loves as petulant children. He sits quietly and waits for us to cry to Him and return.

Now look at the ending as David once more declares his fealty to the LORD. It is not the shuffling feet, hanging head of a child who hopes the parent will accept his half-hearted confession. No, it is the song of a heart overflowing with love and thanksgiving expressing his appreciation for what his LORD has done.

Reading

Morning Psalm 145, Noon Psalm 119:121-128, Evening Psalm 84

Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

There is a striking contrast between these two paragraphs: the first is a malediction against lying and insolent lips especially those which speak against the righteous. I suspect that the reference to the righteous is implying the godly.

The second is a paean of praise, an outburst on the part of David. Unobscured, blatant, in your face, no doubt about it praise.

So is the first paragraph! Oh, not so blatant, but still praise. Anytime we stand for our faith and for the goodness of the LORD, God, the Almighty, we are in a state of praise.

Reading

Morning Psalm 144, Noon Psalm 119:113-120, Evening Psalm 83

I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away. I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me. I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life.

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies' sake.

A very interesting set of verses in this set. Look at the overall pattern defined in these three paragraphs. They begin with a declaration of fealty by David in which he acknowledges that the LORD is fully acquainted with his circumstances and supports King David accordingly. Look at that last sentence, no worrying for David about walking a tight rope.

Now we get to the goodies in this package in 1, 2, 3 order. “How great is Your goodness”, “Blessed be the LORD,” “Oh, love the LORD.” What a pattern for us to adopt as the basis of our prayers of thanksgiving and praise. If I cannot cast this prayer in my own words, LORD, let me recite them to You in recognition of Your glory and holiness.

Reading

Morning Psalm 143, Noon Psalm 119:105-112, Evening Psalm 82

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the LORD.

The 31^st Psalm is a remarkable combination of David in Supplication and in Worship. He opens with a plea to never be ashamed, of hiding, of pleading for protection, for the LORD to be his Rock and Fortress, and his strength.

Then, in a pattern will develop further in this Psalm, he turn to Worship of the LORD, God, the Almighty's goodness and power to declare his trust in the LORD.

A beautiful template for our times of Worship.

Reading

Morning Psalm 142, Noon Psalm 119:97-104, Evening Psalm 81

Psalm 30:7-12

LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. I cried out to You, O LORD; And to the LORD I made supplication: "What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!" You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

“Turned my mourning into dancing...clothed me with gladness”Oh, what precious phrases. Oh, what joyful phrases.

This morning's sermon focused the hatred of the Christian faith exhibited by the World, its sources and our defenses. Powerful! These phrases could have been included in the defense package. It is difficult to take a swing, either physical or verbal, at someone who is bubbling over with the joy of the LORD.

Reading

Morning Psalm 141, Noon Psalm 119:89-96, Evening Psalm 80

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.

Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.

I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies. I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Look at that last paragraph, let it soak into the chinks and crannies of your soul. The Word of the LORD is His penetrating oil. It establishes all perfection and covers the whole ball park.

We know that we can go to the Word of the LORD and find direction/guidance for any situation of moral importance. The Word will not guide me in choosing between buying Lipton vs Tetley tea but it will be helpful in deciding whether to buy or shoplift. If you have to ask, I suggest a little time studying the 10 Commandments will assist in the resolution.

That's not a necessarily trite example. There are times when we all tither over trite questions, blaming our indecision on lack of guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Reading

Morning Psalm 140, Noon Psalm 119:81-88, Evening Psalm 79

A Psalm. A Song At the Dedication of the House of David. I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me.

O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Now in my prosperity I said, "I shall never be moved."

“Now in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.” What is my prosperity in the Lord's eyes? I just received a lesson in the difference between man's evaluation and the LORD's. I called one of the ubiquitous 800 phone numbers to check on the progress of an order for medical supplies. A charming voice told me that the office was closed and please call again between 8am and 5pm tomorrow. (their literature stated 8 to noon on Saturdays) My well being, prosperity, is of no interest to them.

But prosperity in the Kingdom of Heaven is based on a different foundation. Not on commercial efforts but praise to the LORD. “Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” The LORD's 800 number is PRAISE THE LORD. And the Holy Spirit answers: “Welcome, son.”

Reading

Morning Psalm 139, Noon Psalm 119:73-80, Evening Psalm 78

The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!" The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

The Voice of the LORD defines boundaries; set limits; empowers His people; blesses His people; and is enthroned forever. Glory be to the LORD, God, the Almighty.

Let His people be forever prostrate before His throne; glorifying Him.

Reading

Morning Psalm 138, Noon Psalm 119:65-72, Evening Psalm 77

He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD shakes all creation. It moves flames and wilderness. It even move the spirit of man. The voice of the LORD reaches deep into the heart of man and convicts of sin and disobedience. More powerful than a two-edged sword. The claymore of the LORD.

Reading

Morning Psalm 137, Noon Psalm 119:57-64, Evening Psalm 76

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.

I have been listening to a piece of music; I think the title was A Cello Prelude in b-minor, majestic and very expressive. When it finished, I picked up my laptop and read this passage preparatory to writing tomorrow's Voices Together column. What a pair.

The composer was using the voice of the cello to describe in music as David was using words for the same purpose. In realty, I don't know who the composer was and I am describing its impact on me. Perhaps the best statement is that any of man's attempts to use the forms of communication available to him are at best inadequate. But we must use them!

PS: I need to instruct Pandora to find more solo cello pieces for me. I wonder if the software is up to the challenge.

Reading

Morning Psalm 136 Noon Psalm 119:49-56, Evening Psalm 75