A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

I have no idea regarding the reason that the Psalmist was pouring out his heart to the Lord, but it was a serious problem. Not just a stubbed toe, but look at the similes that he uses. Days like smoke; bones burned as if they were the hearth; his heart so smitten and withered that he forgets to eat. But the one that speakes to me the most is the lone sparrow on the house top. A lone sparrow, never for they are community birds, moving here and there in flocks. This man has been rejected by his community.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

 Reading

Morning Psalm 101, Noon Psalm 119:169-176, Psalm 147

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

 Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Do you see the three sections here? David begins with a prayer of praise as he urges his family to follow the LORD in all their ways. Dwell on that thought of walking in his house in a perfect way as a witness to his family. It should be stimulating to all of us with families.

David begins to excoriate all those followers of Satan whose attitudes are contrary to the way of the LORD. As you analyze the list of behaviors, think about the their type. Wouldn’t a good classification be attitudes? Pride of self? Those that are easily hidden behind a self-centered wall? Let us be careful, very careful not to be likewise.

Now he takes a brief step into his requirements for those he looks for in his circle of friends. In short, he looks for friends who strive those who seek to please the LORD, God, the Almighty. And then wraps it all up with a few fine adjustments of those whose way of life is not acceptable to the LORD.

And how do we reach this state of living in accordance to the Word of God? On our knees as we pour our hearts out in repentance as we acknowledge that the Son of God did it all for us on the Cross.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 100, Noon Psalm 119:161-168, Psalm 146

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

This sentence seems to me to be the pivotal sentence of this Psalm, “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” It is the reason that the ‘lands’ are directed to come into His presence with gladness and singing. It is the reason we are directed to enter His gates with thanksgiving, to praise and offer up thanksgiving to Him.

Why? “For the LORD is good!” Not the same ‘good’ when I have a bite of supper, smile at Betty and say, “Ummm, good” and I would be right. But this is not the same as declaring that the LORD, God, the Almighty to be good. No, this is the ultimate good, the absolutely perfect GOOD that is the Almighty.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 99, Noon Psalm 153-160, Psalm 145

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Psalm 99:6-9

 The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

We, who are members of the Kingdom of God, must love the judgment of the LORD, we must seek to bring equity into our personal mission fields by bringing judgment and righteousness to bear.

Why?

Because our mission is to “exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.”

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 98, Noon Psalm 145-152, Psalm 144

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.

“Praise the Savior, who can tell how much we owe Him. Gladly let us offer to Him all we have and are.” This beautiful and moving hymn, written by Thomas Kelly in 1806, is still appropriate and poignant. So complete! We need to read it, sing it frequently. Let it soak into our very being. Our Guide each day, every day as we draw our lives into conformity with our LORD, God, the Almighty. Remember, we are directed to make a joyous noise unto the LORD.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to lear

Reading

Morning Psalm 97, Noon Psalm 137-144, Psalm 143

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Now when they heard trepentance his, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:37-38

See the difference between these two passages?

Ish-Elohim sees obedience to the Law as a result of deliberate action, “I will run.” Peter presents the reception of the Holy Spirit as a result of repentance. That will lead to a life of obedience as the Spirit leads us in a path that glorifies the LORD, God, the Almighty.

It is that repentance that leads to the transformed life that is our witness to the LORD.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 96, Noon Psalm 129-136, Psalm 143

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

“Equity” Now there's a nice little word with some important meanings. We tend to think that it is the net worth of something of value. For example, what’s the value of my home after the mortgage and taxes are settled? But it is used here in an entirely different sense.

It refers to the LORD’s dealings with His people; dealing with them with His justice and fairness. Not yours or mine but His. Think about it. Who but the LORD, God, the Almighty would ask His Son, God the Son to take on the form of a man and then be executed for all mankind, including His executors and call it equity? The only price—I have to reach out and accept the gift.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 95, Noon Psalm 121-128, Psalm 142

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Psalm 98:4-6

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

What jumps out at me, in what may be the first scriptural description of a combo, is not that the emphasis is on the quality of the music, three times it is described as a noise, but that it is joyful. Noisy and joyful may be a better descriptor. Yes, I love a hymn that has three qualities with the first being the message that it carries. It must carry me closer to and strengthen, even embellish my relationship with the LORD, God, the Almighty. First foremost!

Secondly is that palpable sense of joy emanating from the musicians and congregation. Whether we are singing an excerpt from Handel's Oratorio or “Jesus Loves Me,” the joy that bubbles out must be overwhelming. Have you ever known an individual who couldn’t carry a tune in a rusty bucket, but whose joy in singing the LORD’s praises inspired the congregation?

Thirdly, we do come to the qualities of the musicians and their leader. They must neither be so loud that they cover-up the voices of the congregation, nor be so taken with their performance that it becomes the end all and be all of worship.

But in all things and at all times, we must never forget that we sing as a sign of our love for LORD utilizing a gift from the Triune God.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 94, Noon Psalm 113-120, Psalm 141

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

How many of the hymns and choruses truly are songs of praise and worship? How many are gimmes at their base or even worse? How many are explaining to the LORD, God, the Almighty, that the singer is a pretty good fellow and is doing great things for the LORD?

I’m afraid that much of our so-called worship singing is actually self-laudatory. We are so proud of what we have done in His name that we can’t wait to remind Him in case He missed some little nauance.

Rather “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.”

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 93, Noon Psalm 105-112, Psalm 140

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

This Psalm is one paean of praise from v.1 to v.12; a study in the exalted place of the LORD, God, the Almighty. Does the Evil one have your knickers in a twist? Let this Psalm of the joy of the LORD soak in and fill your soul with the peace of the LORD.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 92, Noon Psalm 97-104, Psalm 139

An alternate Reading Plan is 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.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.