Voice of the Heart
God Our Refuge, Strength and Help
God Our Refuge, Strength and Help – Psalm 46 The Setting The Assyrian King Sennacherib with a huge army besieges Jerusalem (2 kings 18-19) – “God cannot help you” he says to taunt King Hezekiah. But God delivers Jerusalem, and the Assyrians are all slain. It is thought that Hezekiah commissioned this Psalm as a memorial. We have a God to run to, who can never be defeated. The Power of God God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help…
The Way of Blessing
The Way of Blessing – Psalm 84 How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord Almighty!2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:1-2 What is true happiness? To know the favour of God, sure that He is with me. Some things to understand Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young –a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my…
Light in the Darkness
Light in the Darkness: The Excellencies of God’s Love – Psalm 63 The true Christian is driven by adversity TO God and not away from Him. You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 Christians feel they have a right to turn to God at such times On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the…
Praise the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth
Praise the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth – Psalm 115 To Your Name be the glory! Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness Psalm 115:1 For His mercy, His truth, His promises. Where is Your God? Why do the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Psalm 115:2 Many have been mocked like this when in distress in this life – threatened, sick, imprisoned, desitute. God is still there,…
Following God When He Feels Distant
Following God When He Feels Distant (and the “Law of Undulation”) – Psalm 25 A Psalm Of David. 1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalm 25:1-3 Our feelings of closeness to God go up and down like the weather (as does every…
God Dwelling Securely with Us
God Dwelling Securely with Us – Psalm 16 We live in insecure times. Money, house, things and even relationships are never wholly secure. God is for us, yes. But He is also with us. With Him we will not be shaken. Seeking refuge in God, v1-8He is ultimately all we need, “the overflowing source of all good” Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I…
Dwelling Securely with God
Dwelling Securely with God – Psalm 15 Security in insecure times? Wealth, health, youth and relationships are all fragile, and easily shaken. A Crucial Question. The things we think matter the most end up not mattering at all. Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? Psalm 15:1 The Searching Answer – always truthful, always kind, always generous, always honest, always reliable, always honours God. Oops! Doesn’t sound like me 🙁 Only one Man…
An Ancient Atheism – Psalm 14
An Ancient Atheism – Psalm 14 Psalm 14 – For the director of music. Of David. 1 The fool says in his heart,‘There is no God.’They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;there is no one who does good.2 The Lord looks down from heavenon all mankindto see if there are any who understand,any who seek God.3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt;there is no one who does good,not even one.4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?They devour my…
Beauty and Delight – Psalm 95
Beauty and Delight – Psalm 95 Why is the universe so beautiful? Who made it? Our Delight finds its best expression in worship. True worship humbles us Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;7 for he is our God and we are…
How Long, O Lord? – Psalm 13
How Long, O Lord? – Psalm 13 Psalm 13 – For the director of music. A psalm of David. This Psalm of David is for all of us (for the “Director of Music”, so it was for everyone). We lament. (verses 1-2) 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever? How long will you hide your face from me?2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over…
A Song for All Seasons – The Never-Failing Love of the Lord
The Never-Failing Love of the Lord – Psalm 77 7 ‘Will the Lord reject for ever? Will he never show his favour again?8 Has his unfailing love vanished for ever? Has his promise failed for all time?9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?’ 10 Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.12 I will consider all…
A Song for All Seasons – Worse Than Sticks and Stones – Psalm 12
Worse Than Sticks and Stones, Psalm 12 1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful any more; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.2 Everyone lies to their neighbour; they flatter with their lips but harbour deception in their hearts.3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue –4 those who say, ‘By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us – who is lord over us?’5 ‘Because the poor are…