My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah

David continues to struggle against the lions and the sons of men, but recognizes that his safety is with the LORD. He has no other strength than that in the glory of the LORD. His enemies have prepared a net and dug a pit, but they, themselves, have fallen into the pit.

Oh, that I would learn to trust in you to turn the evil ones plots against themselves, stripping them to to any harm to me and my own.

Reading

Morning Psalm 110, Noon Psalm 119:121-128, Evening Psalm 9,

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

Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.

You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.

LORD, my plea is that You open my eyes so that I may live an obedient and wondrous life. Open the eyes of my heart so that I may live according to You commandments and judgments. The leaders of the world of man have no impact for I find my delight and counsel coming from You. Continue, LORD Jesus, the Christ to open Your statutes to me.

Reading

Morning Psalm 109, Noon Psalm 119:113-120, Evening Psalm 8,

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 "Do Not Destroy." a Michtam of David When He Fled from Saul into the Cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

David recognizes that, “Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High” i.e., he has no other recourse. This, in itself, is a major accomplishment in his relationship with the LORD, and so must I come to that point in my relationship with Him.

I must, absolutely must, come to the point where I cease to struggle with my weaknesses and willingness to settle for less than perfection, and turn to You, the Holy One of Israel . I must relinquish all control, all solution, to You. Completely to You.

Reading

Morning Psalm 108, Noon Psalm 119:105-112, Evening Psalm 7,

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

Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?

To have Faith is to Believe. To Believe is to Trust. To Trust is to Obey. To Obey is to have Faith.

Do I? Do you?

Reading

Morning Psalm 107, Noon Psalm 119:97-104, Evening Psalm 6,

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

You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me. In God (I will praise His word), In the LORD (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Another powerful statement followed by a contemptuous question, A question answered with a shouted “NOTHING” by thousands of martyrs in the 10-40 window each day but with a whimpered, “Don't let them hurt me, LORD” in the evangelical West.

When will we in the West stand and shout, “In God (I will praise His word), In the LORD (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Well, the answer to the question lies in the hearts of you and me.

Reading

Morning Psalm 106, Noon Psalm 119:89-96, Evening Psalm 5

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 God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? All day they twist my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather together, They hide, they mark my steps, When they lie in wait for my life. Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God!

Here are elements of trust in the Word of God. To praise His Word. To trust in Him. Let the Evil Ones deny and twist His Word; they cannot prevail for all their thoughts are evil. They scheme and plot, marking the steps so that they are able to lay traps. Their steps may be hidden and they expect to escape but the Anger of the LORD, GOD, the Almighty has been raised against them

Reading

Morning Psalm 105, Noon Psalm 119:81-88, Evening Psalm 4

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 Silent Dove in Distant Lands." a Michtam of David When the Philistines Captured Him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me. My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

This is a powerful statement! Look at that last sentence. The first consideration is whether I can answer that question in the affirmative or not? And the second and the third and … In fact it is not the question. The real question is: will I trust Him?

Reading

Morning Psalm 104, Noon Psalm 119:73-80, Evening Psalm 3

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.

Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me. My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

This is a powerful statement! Look at that last sentence. The first consideration is whether I can answer that question in the affirmative or not? And the second and the third and … In fact it is not the question. The real question is: will I trust Him?

Reading

Morning Psalm 104, Noon Psalm 119:73-80, Evening Psalm 3

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 has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.

Sometimes a 'friend' turns against me, someone who swore that they would never leave nor forsake me. Poppycock!

But the LORD's promises are yea and amen. I think so often of Elisha's servant in (2Ki 6:17)  Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Those horses and chariots of fire surround each one of the LORD's people, shielding us from the onslaughts of the forces of the Evil One. Let us never forgot the One who is our LORD and Savior.

Reading

Morning Psalm 103, Noon Psalm 119:65-72, Evening Psalm 2

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.

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.

I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Oh what a beautifully complete statement concerning the centrality of the Word of the LORD. Those habits, ingrained in me during family devotionals after dinner, granted lost during my rebellious teenage and and early adult years; were quick to return as I turned back to the faith.

The foundation had been set, those precious verses began the process of throwing off the mold and detritus that had been heaped by the Evil One. But the process of restoration continues; I must be faithful in pursuing my daily time in the Word of the LORD, God, the Almighty.

Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them. As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me.

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me. God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah. Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.

Another example of the wicked assault upon the faithful. But the LORD, God the Almighty listens to my prayers (if I pray). He has and will continue to redeem my soul in peace (if I pray). He, the LORD, God, the Almighty who abides from old. But  those that assault me do not change; they continue in their self-centered ways.

Reading

Morning Psalm 102, Noon Psalm 119:49-56, Evening Psalm 150

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.

For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.

Who among us has not had the very disappointing experience of having a dear brother or sister in the LORD suddenly refuse to speak or share fellowship in any form? Hurts, doesn't it? Often exceedingly perplexing. Often the result of a misinterpreted comment at the end of a long chain of repeated comments.

My advice to me, which I don't often follow, is to remember Romans 8:28 and pray.

Reading

Morning Psalm 101, Noon Psalm 119:41-48, Evening Psalm 149

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 would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest." Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it. Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.

Civilization, as I knew it, is crashing around me, truly crashing, not subsiding, not collapsing, but crashing. What was polite behavior and conversation a year ago, is now the object of scorn and derision.

Guide me, LORD, lead me step by step, as I seek to continue to serve You in all things. Instruct me, LORD, that my yea may be yea, my nay, be nay.

Reading

Morning Psalm 100, Noon Psalm 119:33-40, Evening Psalm 148

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.