Psalm 1

blizzard

It’s a blustery, cold, snowy day in Northwest Ohio.  We were under a blizzard warning last night and now we’re under a Level 2 Snow Emergency.  That means we are not to be out on the roads unless we have an emergency.  That’s perfectly OK with me.  I love the snow and the chance to stay in and read, write, and stitch on my counted cross stitch and crochet projects.

I haven’t posted for a bit because the accuser got into my mind after my last post.  I felt very strongly about God wanting me to write about modesty and never expected to loose more than 200 followers.  I have my positive mojo up and running again and have realized a basic truth – – This blog is not about how many followers but about following God’s ‘command’ to write about His Word and using it in everyday life.

I have been writing the Psalms in my own words to give as a special gift to a dear, dear lady.  So I hope you’ll sit back, grab a cuppa (whatever you like to drink) and just read on…

Psalm 1    Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of gossipers, but whose delight is in the Law of the LORD, and who thinks about it day and night.

TreesThat person is like a tree planted by fresh water.  It yields its fruit in season and its leaves do not dry up.  Whatever they do prospers.

Not so with mean and wicked people!  They are like dust that is blown away by the wind.  God won’t even bother to judge them because they won’t be able to stand among the righteous.  God watches every moment and movement of the righteous and allows the wicked to continue on their path of destruction.

Heavenly Father, let me walk with You, totally delighting in Your Word.  Help me take it to heart and use as I walk this earth.  Forgive me when I determine to do it my way.  Grant me Your peace and presence in everything I think, do, and say.  You are my God, my King, my Everything.  I lift this prayer in the Precious Name of Jesus.  Make it so!

Psalm 8

Majesty of God

Let’s look at another of David’s Songs.  This one is dedicated to the director of music.  That would lead me to think that it was either accompanied by instruments of the time or the words were set to music for use during worship.

This Psalm, gives me great peace when I need to be calmed down.  Just knowing that God is in control makes life a little easier.

PSALM 8

thO LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.

New lifeFrom the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Written_in_the_StarsWhen I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars, which You have set in place,

ManWhat is man that Your are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

crownYou made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

earthYou made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet;

1565-Pieter-Bruegel-the-Elder-The-Re-entry-of-the-Herds-autumn-Detail-the-herdAll flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

tetragrammatonO LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

O Lord, mighty, majestic, all-powerful and all-knowing.  Hear our prayers and praises.  Forgive our pettiness and selfishness.  Heal and restore as only You can.  Help us all to love as You love.  I lift this prayer before the Throne in Jesus’ Precious and Holy name.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

shepherdThe Lord is my Shepherd

empty tableI shall not want

green pasturesHe makes me lie down in green pastures

still watersHe leads me beside still waters

treeHe restores my soul

pathHe leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake

valleyYea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

fearI will fear no evil

gods-love

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me

thumbnailCAG6BOYY

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies

annoint

Thou anointest my head with oil

cup

My cup runneth over

hourglass

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life

house

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.

Worship in song:   The Lord Is My Shepherd

Heavenly Father You are my Shepherd, You give me everything I need.  Peaceful calming rest is Yours to give.  You restore my soul.  You lead me in the right choices.  Even when I’m afraid or evil is all around me You are there.  You comfort me.  Your goodness and mercy are everywhere I look.  I am anointed by You.  My eternal home is waiting with You.  Mighty and awesome God, make it so.

Freedom

Many hymns are embedded with powerful truths.  One that comes to mind is a phrase in America the Beautiful that says: Oh, beautiful, for pilgrims feet, whose stern, impassioned stress a thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness.  Katherine Lee Bates who wrote these words near the turn of the 20th century (112 +/- years ago) was not only referring to settling the wilderness of this country but the wilderness of so many hearts and lives.

I can’t help but think of the many missionaries around the world whose feet are stressing (or hardening) the path (thoroughfare)  to true freedom.  Their passion is so strong they are willing to give up their entire selves to insure the freedom of just one other person.

Psalm 33:12 says: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.  Imagine the power that the United States would be blessed with if we were to get rid of the other gods worshipped in this country and make Him the One and Only leader of our lives.  As another phrase of this well-known song says:  May all success be nobleness, and ev’ry gain divine.  Oh, Lord, make it so.

Ah, Lord, God, grant us the ability to believe so passionately that we too will make our lives more about others.  Thank you for the social and political freedoms we have in America.  Help us not to take this for granted.  What a mighty God we serve.  

Psalm 86

 
Psalm 86 is sub-titled ‘A Prayer of David’ in my Bible. Through prayer and focusing on God’s love David could put those who were tormenting him in the right perspective. Praying this psalm in my own words was very enlightening. Enjoy!
 
 
Oh, LORD, bend your ear down to earth so I can speak my needs directly into it.I trust you to keep me safe because You are my God.I send prayers to You 24/7. Hear and grant them.Help me find gladness in serving You.Many call upon You and depend on Your goodness, forgiveness and constant love.Hear my prayer and plea for mercy.When I am in trouble I come to You for the answer.Your works stand out, You are unique.Your creation worships You.You are the One and Only.Instruct me in Your ways. I am in awe of You.Thank You for being my God. I give You all the glory.Your great love sustains me. You are my Deliverer.Those who do not follow You have risen against me.Show Your mercy and grace, Your ‘always there’ love and faithfulness.

Give me strength and keep me safe.

Let those who hate You be shamed because You are my Helper and Comforter.

Heavenly Father, make it so!