Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

To You I have cried out, O LORD, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. LORD, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off. They came around me all day long like water; They engulfed me altogether. Loved one and friend You have put far from me, And my acquaintances into darkness.

This is truly a Psalm of abandonment. We normally think of a Psalm as a declaration of the faithfulness of the LORD, but not so here. The author of this paean of abandonment (yes, two words not normally associated) is totally lost. Where else can he turn for comfort? Do I feel, rightfully or wrongly, that the LORD has misplaced my cry's for support? And my friends and acquaintances; totally ripped my supports from me?

Yes, wrongfully! The LORD, God, the Almighty is incapable of forgetting a plea for help, but He does respond when the time is right for a response. It is not unthinkable that I need a lesson in patience, for example.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 59, Noon Psalm 119:9-16, Evening Psalm 104. .

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.

Set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits

 Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

To You I have cried out, O LORD, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. LORD, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off. They came around me all day long like water; They engulfed me altogether. Loved one and friend You have put far from me, And my acquaintances into darkness.

This is truly a Psalm of abandonment. We normally think of a Psalm as a declaration of the faithfulness of the LORD, but not so here. The author of this paean of abandonment (yes, two words not normally associated) is totally lost. Where else can he turn for comfort? Do I feel, rightfully or wrongly, that the LORD has misplaced my cry's for support? And my friends and acquaintances; totally ripped my supports from me?

Yes, wrongfully! The LORD, God, the Almighty is incapable of forgetting a plea for help, but He does respond when the time is right for a response. It is not unthinkable that I need a lesson in patience, for example.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 59, Noon Psalm 119:9-16, Evening Psalm 104. .

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.

Set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits

You have put away my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and I cannot get out; My eye wastes away because of affliction. LORD, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You. Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah

If I wander from the LORD, what can I expect except that those of my acquaintances who are still walking with the LORD and His disciples, will find my company distasteful. There is a natural bond between the LORD, Almighty and those of His faithful followers, a bond that abhors those who refuse the communion of the Family of God. Why, oh why should I expect those, who treasure the sacrifice of the LORD, Jesus, the Christ, to continue in friendship with someone who takes His Name in vain?

Yet the question regarding the LORD's willingness to work wonders with the spiritually dead is always answered in the affirmative. His arms are always open to the straying lamb.

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Morning Psalm 58, Noon Psalm 119:1-8, Evening Psalm 103 . .

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.

Set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to "Mahalath Leannoth." a Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You.

Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength, Adrift among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And who are cut off from Your hand. You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah

What did Heman the Ezrahite do to get himself so thoroughly on the wrong side of Yahweh? He cry is as a man who has been totally abandoned by his God. Has anyone of us been in this position. Have we been in it without knowing?

I started my study of this Psalm with the question on my mind, “Is this a Psalm which will assist in our study of the Psalms as the Holy Spirit's guide to worship of the LORD, God, the Almighty? The answer is an emphatic “YES” We are called to worship in our times of despair as much as in the times of joy and celebration.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 58, Noon Psalm 119:1-8, Evening Psalm 103. .

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.

Set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song. His foundation is in the holy mountains.The LORD loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah

"I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: 'This one was born there.' " And of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her." The LORD will record, When He registers the peoples: "This one was born there." Selah

Both the singers and the players on instruments say, "All my springs are in you."

Will the day come when to be born in Zion, is a mark of special favor? Will children be born in the New Heaven and the New Earth? The only Biblical passage that comes to mind and shed any light on this is Jesus' response to the Sadducees who were attempting to trap Him in Matthew 22:30 “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” Not very enlightening for those who would like to apply this Psalm to the Age to Come.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 57, Noon Psalm 119:169-176, Evening Psalm 102. .

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.

Set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits

O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Long suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant. Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Do you see the importance of the implication in that last paragraph? When the LORD steps in to support and encourage one of His own, that's earth shattering. You and I may be the dredges of society in the world's eyes, but when the Master of All, says, “He's mine”, notice is taken.

Thank You, LORD. Now use each one of Your children to advance Your Kingdom in the Here and Now. For Your Glory!

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Reading

Morning Psalm 56, Noon Psalm 119:161-168, Evening Psalm 101. .

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.

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

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

The key phrase here is “Teach me Your way, O LORD;” Without teaching from the LORD, all is in vain. I cannot walk in His truth, I won't even recognize it. How can my heart be united to Him? My praise is far more likely to be attempts to justify my miss-behavior. In short, without the guidance of the LORD, God, the Almighty, I have nothing to offer but a stench in His nostrils.

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Morning Psalm 55, Noon Psalm 119:153-160, Evening Psalm 100. .

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.

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

 I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O LORD, revive me according to Your justice. They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law. You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth. Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.

One of the lessons we learn for the 119^th is that IshElohim was constantly before the LORD, beseeching Him for guidance and instruction. Also that He finds the night hours to be a very productive time to meditate on the Word of God.

How many times do I awake grumbling in the morning—some version of “I just couldn't get to sleep”? What did I do with this precious gift that the LORD had give me? Countless games of Solitaire. Hours of browsing aimlessly through Facebook. Checking out the various inboxes to see I heard from a friend?

Anything but turning to the Word of the LORD, looking to Him for a precious Word from Him to quiet the turmoil in my mind; to bring His great gift of refreshing sleep, or maybe, just maybe listening for a word from the Holy Spirit revealing a truth that will draw me closer to the LORD, God, the Almighty. I could even open up one of the books I'm currently reading to spend some time with a fellow saint.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 54, Noon Psalm 119:145-152, Evening Psalm 100. .

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.

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

Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.

You alone are God.

In a sense, this short, terse comment is the necessary and sufficient statement that sums up our faith. I am reminded of the requirement in mathematics that a proof of a theorem meet the these two conditions. This is our necessary and sufficient statement about our faith.  Is it necessary that we recognize that the LORD, God, the Almighty as God, the Father,  God the Son and God the Holy Spirit Alone is God?  Absolutely!  Is it sufficient? Does not the 1st Commandment tell us that we shall have not other gods before Him? Absolutely!

The LORD, God, the Almighty, the Triune God alone is God.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 53, Noon Psalm 119:137-144, Evening Psalm 99. .

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.

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

A Prayer of David. Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I am poor and needy.Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long.

Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.

Another of the magnificent Psalms of worship and praise and adoration and supplication. We have so much to learn as we use these as templates for our own prayers. Templates may a bit strong with its implications of exact copy. Guide might be better.

But we need to pour over them, letting the words of David and many others soak into our very beings, getting to the point where our communion with the LORD, God, the Almighty is as natural as our mother tongue. Let us pray for each other in the pursuit of this precious goal.

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Morning Psalm 52, Noon Psalm 119:129-136, Evening Psalm 98. .

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.

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

Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.

A scant 108 words, but powerfully packed with the relationship between ourselves and the LORD, God, the Almighty. Look at the pairings. Mercy and salivation. My hearing as the LORD speaks. Peace and avoidance of folly. Salvation, fear of the LORD and His glory. Mercy and truth. Righteousness and peace. The LORD's goodness as it spreads righteousness and provides a pathway for our foot steps.

But the LORD's grace is not mentioned. Why? Could it be that His Grace is the summary of all these elements. Could it be that His Grace, His Goodness, His Love are synonyms that emphasize different elements of those Supreme Being(s) that are the triune Lord, God, the Almighty?

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Reading

Morning Psalm 51, Noon Psalm 119:121-128, Evening Psalm 97 .

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.

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

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm Of the Sons of Korah. LORD, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah

You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

A Psalm of forgiveness and restoration. Applicable not only to the people of Israel but to us, the Gentiles who have been grafted in thorough the mercy of the LORD, God, the Almighty. Notice as you pour through this Psalm, letting it soak into your very being, that the only agent of action is the LORD. There is absolutely no other active agent. NONE NADA.

We are the grateful recipients of His Grace and Mercy. Praise Him!

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Reading

Morning Psalm 50, Noon Psalm 119:113-120, Evening Psalm 96 .

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 reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.

O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

What a powerful and worderful conclusion to this sweet Psalm. The thought that a day as a doorkeeper in the house of our LORD is inestimingly better than a thousand in the tents of the wicked. Think of the responsibility and trust involved in such an appointmant. To stand there and welcome each saint as they enter into their eternal rest. It will not be a series of mug shots but an enthausatic welcome home brother or sister.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 49, Noon Psalm 119:105-112, Evening Psalm 95 .

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 reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits.