Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them. And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?" Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.

Think about the implications of that last line. Isn't it true that our lack of knowledge is reveled by our ease in the face of danger? Don't we have a “What me worry?” attitude? And I think I'm rich because of my stupidity?

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Reading

Morning Psalm 16, Noon Psalm 119:17-24, Evening Psalm 62.

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.

Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.

Whew, talk about signs of the times. As we watch social justice, wokeness, critical race theory and other strange interpretations take over the airwaves, the pulpits, the print publications, etc, it becomes more and more difficult to remember that logic and the Scriptures were once the foundations for our discourse.

What happened to the words of David in Psalm 39:1“To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."

Again in Psalm 109:2 “For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 15, Noon Psalm 119:9-16, Evening Psalm 61.

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.

A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.

It is so, so easy to be envious of the boastful and the prosperity of the wicked. Some handsome dude strutting through town, kicking small dogs and shoving old ladies out into traffic when he thinks no one is looking.

But Asaph (and I) both know that the eyes of the LORD are in a thousand places. And that He calls us to be his representatives wherever we go. We are His Ambassadors of Reconciliation to all people and in His name.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 14, Noon Psalm 119:1-8, Evening Psalm 60.

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.

There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.

The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

What a fitting end to this magnificent Psalm of praise. I have underlined the last five sentences to emphasize that these few words should form the the structure of my daily life and thoughts. That short sentence, “Who only does wondrous things!” hit me like a blow to the head when I read it earlier today. Far from the first time ever, but this time the Holy Spirit forced me to let it soak into my mind. As I read and reread it, I am beginning to understand that is the complete summation of Who my LORD, God, the Almighty truly is.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 13, Noon Psalm 119:169-176, Evening Psalm 59.

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.

He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, Like showers that water the earth. In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles Will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba Will offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him. For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight. And He shall live; And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him; Prayer also will be made for Him continually, And daily He shall be praised.

We've just had one of those late summer mornings and afternoons that make Vermont such a delightful place to live. The day started with a blue sky dotted with small puffy clouds and a very gentle breeze. Shortly after lunch the blue was replaced by a light gray that covered the sky bringing a gentle rain. It was raining as I started this paragraph but now replaced by our blue skies freckled with puffy clouds. Beautiful. “Like rain upon the grass before mowing”

This Psalm is filled with beautiful pictures; the dominion from sea to sea; those from the wilderness to the kings of all nations will serve Him. Why? So He can deliver the needy and the poor and all suffering from oppression and violence. All of creation will praise Him.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 12, Noon Psalm 119:161-168, Evening Psalm 58.

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.

A Psalm Of Solomon. Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king's Son. He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice. The mountains will bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness. He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear You As long as the sun and moon endure, Throughout all generations.

I'm sure I don't understand this Psalm that is attributed to Solomon but the final line states that “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.” Oh, well it is a beautiful Psalm filled with praises for and adoration of the LORD, God, the Almighty.

We start here with a plea for Solomon to be a righteous and just king. It those characteristics of the LORD that are called upon to bless Solomon. Where would I go to find a better description of Him? He is righteousness, and justice, and peace, and retribution.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 11, Noon Psalm 119:153-160, Evening Psalm 57.

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.

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.

Ish-Ha-Elohim obviously spent a lot of time studying his relationship with Elohim, a deep and long-lasting relationship. It is infinite--geographically, is forever—it endures all generations, focused on details—established the earth and it abides, it is concerned with infinitely small details—the consummation of all perfection.

The LORD, God, the Almighty is the One above all others; He is the One to whom we all owe our existence and our LORD beyond all measure. Let us spend this Day, the LORD's Day, with our hearts filled with praises for Him; our mouths sharing our love for and obedience to His Word.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 10, Noon Psalm 119:1143-152, Evening Psalm 56..

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.

O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?

You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side. Also with the lute I will praise You—And Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; For they are confounded, For they are brought to shame Who seek my hurt.

From my youth to old and gray-headed, He has taught me to depend on Him and continue to declare His praise to this generation. Obviously, I'm not done yet---and neither are you, dear reader. I met another old and gray-headed at the post office today, struggling to get out of his truck with his cane. When I remarked tat canes were not always a blessing, he disagreed and told me that he had not had a hip for 17 years. A matter of perspective!

So is our faith—sometimes we rail against the LORD, God the Almighty, but as we progress in the faith, we begin to see His wisdom and seeing leads to understanding and understanding to belief-trust-commit-obey-faith. If said I wished I had understood that earlier in life, I would be denying His ultimate wisdom.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 9, Noon Psalm 119:137-144, Evening Psalm 55.

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 71:7-16

I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.  Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, Saying, "God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him."

O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! Let them be confounded and consumed Who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor Who seek my hurt. But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

David continues to pour out the many dimensions that his trust in the LORD takes. I'm reminded of a brother who occasionally remarks that in his experience as a pastor that whenever he called on the congregation to praise the LORD, the response was a unified “Praise the LORD” from the audience and silence. Now look at this Psalm for the many ways in which David finds as reason to Praise the LORD. Somewhere around 16 in 10 verses; this short section of 175 translated words is focused 16 reasons for David, and us, to Praise the LORD.

Have I found 16 reasons to Praise the LORD in the approximately 6 hours that I have been awake so far today? My conscience is screaming a loud NO.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 10 Noon Psalm 119:145-162, Evening Psalm 56.

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.

In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother's womb. My praise shall be continually of You.

“In You, O LORD, I put my trust” What a powerful statement! This Psalm continues in that precious thought through the next 18 verses.

The third verse emphasizes that the LORD, God, the Almighty is our strong refuge to which we may resort continually.

In the 14^th verse, we are told that we can have continuous hope in the promises of this Psalm. It behooves us to study this Psalm and study and study.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 8, Noon Psalm 119:129-136, Evening Psalm 54.

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. A Psalm Of David. To Bring to Remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O LORD!Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back and confused Who desire my hurt. Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, "Aha, aha!"

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!" But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

I'm confused by the 'but' in the paragraph above. David appears to be singling himself out as one who needs special attention. He needs to plead for the LORD's special protection from his enemies; yet feels overlooked as one who is included among those who have been called into His favor.

Yes, there are times when I get hit with a serious case of the “Why me, LORD?”s I want to question Him. Why did You give me Romans 8:28? When are you going to deliver? I think I know the answer even before I shake my fist at Him. It's when I”m mature enough in my faith to properly handle the answer. Until then it is very likely that I will regard it as an indication of my special status as some sort of Senior Saint.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 8, Noon Psalm 119:129-136, Evening Psalm 54.

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.

Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion And build the cities of Judah, That they may dwell there and possess it. Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it, And those who love His name shall dwell in it.

What a picture of days to come when we dwell in the presence of the LORD, God, the Almighty for ever and ever. Beyond the ability to comprehend by my sin warped mind today, but in the days to come, when we are cleansed and made fit for His presence. Another story, a story illuminated His holiness and glory. What a day that will be.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 7, Noon Psalm 119:121-128, Evening Psalm 53.

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.