Category Archives: Psalms

All Powerful / King of All, Compassionate, Loving / Kind, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Strong in Our Weakness

God Goes Before His People (Psalm 68:1–10)

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What changes when we remember that we are not asking God to follow us into our battles, but trusting Him to go before us?

Key Verse

“A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.” — Psalm 68:5 (NASB)

Background Context

Psalm 68 is a song celebrating YHWH as the victorious King who rises against His enemies, leads His people, provides for them, and ultimately reigns over the nations.

David begins with language that reaches back to Israel’s journey through the wilderness. When the ark of the covenant set out, Moses declared, “Rise up, LORD! And may Your enemies be scattered” (Numbers 10:35). Psalm 68 draws on that history to remind God’s people who has always gone before them.

Yet this mighty King is also introduced as the One who cares for the fatherless, widows, lonely, and oppressed. His power and His compassion belong together.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 68:1-10

The God of Sinai and of the Sanctuary.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David. A Song.

1Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered,
And let those who hate Him flee before Him.

      2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish before God.

      3But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God;
Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.

      4Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts,
Whose name is the LORD, and exult before Him.

      5A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.

      6God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

      7O God, when You went forth before Your people,
When You marched through the wilderness,

Selah.

      8The earth quaked;
The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

      9You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God;
You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched.

      10Your creatures settled in it;
You provided in Your goodness for the poor, O God.

Reflection

Psalm 68 opens with a dramatic contrast. When God arises, His enemies scatter like smoke driven by the wind and wax melting before fire. But the righteous respond very differently: “Let the righteous be joyful; let them rejoice before God.”

The difference is not God’s power. Everyone encounters the same King. The difference is their relationship to Him.

For God’s people, His presence is a reason for joy because the One who possesses overwhelming power is also the One who cares for them.

David describes Him as “a father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows.” He gives the lonely a home and leads prisoners into prosperity. These are people who could easily be overlooked or exploited, yet God specifically identifies Himself as their defender.

That should shape how we understand God’s greatness. Scripture does not present Him as a distant King who is concerned only with nations and great historical events. The God who scatters armies also notices the lonely person who feels forgotten.

David then looks backward to Israel’s wilderness journey. God went before His people, the earth shook at His presence, and He provided rain for His inheritance when it was exhausted.

Israel’s journey was difficult, but they were never traveling alone.

That is an important reminder when we face our own difficult seasons. We often look ahead and see obstacles, uncertainty, or needs we do not know how to meet. Our natural response is to ask, How am I going to handle all of this?

Psalm 68 redirects the question.

Who is going before me?

This does not mean every obstacle will disappear or every situation will unfold as we prefer. Israel’s wilderness journey certainly wasn’t easy. But they were following the God who had already demonstrated that He could defeat their enemies, provide for their needs, and sustain them when they were exhausted.

We serve that same God.

We do not need to pretend the road ahead is easy. We need to remember who goes before us on the road.

Application

  • When facing uncertainty, remember God’s past faithfulness instead of focusing only on the obstacles ahead.
  • Trust YHWH to lead and provide rather than expecting yourself to control every outcome.
  • Reflect God’s character by noticing and caring for people who are vulnerable, lonely, or easily overlooked.
  • Rejoice that the God whose power defeats His enemies is the same God who compassionately cares for His people.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You that I do not walk through life alone. When I become focused on the obstacles ahead of me, remind me that You go before Your people. Help me trust Your strength, Your provision, and Your faithfulness. Thank You that Your great power is joined with compassion and that You see those whom others may overlook. Help me reflect Your heart by caring for others and faithfully following wherever You lead. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Psalms

Come and Hear What God Has Done (Psalm 66)

When you look back over your life, can you recognize the ways God has been faithful—even through seasons you would never have chosen for yourself?

Key Verse:

“Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul.” — Psalm 66:16 (NASB)

Background Context:

Psalm 66 is a joyful call to praise God for His mighty works. The psalmist begins by inviting all the earth to worship, then looks backward to God’s historical deliverance of His people through the sea. From there, the focus becomes more personal as he reflects on seasons of testing, God’s faithful deliverance, and finally what the Lord has done in his own life.

There is a beautiful movement throughout the psalm. First we are invited to “come and see the works of God.” Later we are invited to “come and hear” what He has done personally. Remembering God’s faithfulness in Scripture gives us confidence during our own trials, and experiencing His faithfulness gives us a testimony worth sharing with others.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 66

Praise for God’s Mighty Deeds and for His Answer to Prayer.

For the choir director. A Song. A Psalm.

1Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;

      2Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.

      3Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.

      4“All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.”

Selah.

      5Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.

      6He turned the sea into dry land;
They passed through the river on foot;
There let us rejoice in Him!

      7He rules by His might forever;
His eyes keep watch on the nations;
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.

Selah.

      8Bless our God, O peoples,
And sound His praise abroad,

      9Who keeps us in life
And does not allow our feet to slip.

      10For You have tried us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.

      11You brought us into the net;
You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.

      12You made men ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water,
Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

      13I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;
I shall pay You my vows,

      14Which my lips uttered
And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.

      15I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts,
With the smoke of rams;
I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats.

Selah.

      16Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.

      17I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.

      18If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;

      19But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

      20Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me.

Reflection on Psalm 66:

Psalm 66 begins with exuberant praise: “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name.” The psalmist’s vision extends far beyond Israel. He calls the whole earth to recognize the greatness of God and bow before Him. Our God is not merely a local or personal deity. He is the sovereign Lord over all creation, and ultimately all the earth will acknowledge His greatness.

The psalmist then invites us to look backward: “Come and see the works of God.” He remembers how God turned the sea into dry land, clearly pointing back to His miraculous deliverance of His people. Remembering what God has already done is an important part of strengthening our faith. When present circumstances make us uncertain about what God is doing, Scripture reminds us of what He has done before. The God who delivered His people then remains the same God we trust today.

But remembering God’s faithfulness does not mean pretending that His people never experience hardship. The tone changes significantly in verse 10: “For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.” The psalmist describes being brought into a net, carrying heavy burdens, and passing “through fire and through water.” These were not comfortable experiences, yet looking backward he could recognize that God had been at work even in the difficulty.

The image of refining silver is especially helpful. Refining involves intense heat, but the purpose of the heat is not destruction. It removes impurities and produces something purer. In the same way, God can use difficult seasons to expose what is in our hearts, deepen our dependence upon Him, strengthen our faith, and shape our character. We should be careful not to assume that every hardship is God’s direct punishment or that we will always understand why He permits a particular trial. But Scripture repeatedly teaches that God can work through suffering to refine His people.

Importantly, the fire is not where the psalmist’s story ends. He declares, “We went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” God had not abandoned His people in their testing. He brought them through it. What may have felt overwhelming while they were experiencing it became another testimony to God’s faithfulness when they looked back.

The psalmist responds by worshiping God and fulfilling the commitments he made during his distress. Then the focus becomes deeply personal: “Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul.” Earlier he said, Come and see what God has done. Now he says, Come and hear what God has done for me. God’s mighty works recorded in Scripture have become joined with the psalmist’s own experience of God’s faithfulness.

That is an important part of our witness as well. We should certainly tell people what Scripture says about God, but we can also tell them how His truth has intersected with our own lives. We can share how He has answered prayer, carried us through hardship, corrected us, provided for us, forgiven us, or strengthened our faith. Our personal testimony does not replace Scripture, but it can point others toward the God revealed in Scripture.

The psalmist adds an important warning about prayer: “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” He is not claiming that God only listens to sinless people. If that were true, none of us could pray. Rather, he recognizes the contradiction of deliberately holding onto sin while expecting intimate fellowship with a holy God. Genuine relationship with God includes repentance and a willingness to submit our lives to Him.

The psalm concludes with gratitude: “Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.” After remembering national deliverance, personal refining, and answered prayer, the psalmist arrives at the same destination: praise.

Psalm 66 invites us to do the same. Remember what God has done. Trust Him while He is refining you. And when you have experienced His faithfulness, tell someone else about it. The trials we would never choose for ourselves may eventually become part of the testimony through which we encourage someone else to trust Him.

Application:

  • Spend time remembering specific examples of God’s faithfulness, both in Scripture and in your own life.
  • When you are going through difficulty, ask God how He may be using the season to refine your faith and character.
  • Do not assume that hardship means God has abandoned you; remember that He can bring His people through fire and water.
  • Examine your heart for sin you are knowingly holding onto, and respond to God’s conviction with repentance.
  • Share with someone what God has done in your life, allowing your testimony to point them toward Him.
  • Praise God not only for removing difficulties, but also for His faithfulness while carrying you through them.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for the many ways You have demonstrated Your faithfulness throughout Scripture and throughout my own life. When I pass through seasons of testing, help me to trust that You have not abandoned me. Use even difficult circumstances to refine my faith, remove what does not please You, and draw me closer to You. Help me remember what You have done so that I will trust You with what I am facing today. Give me opportunities and courage to tell others about Your goodness and faithfulness. Thank You for hearing my prayers and for never removing Your lovingkindness from me. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Thankfulness

The God Who Provides Abundantly (Psalm 65)

Do you recognize God’s hand not only in extraordinary answers to prayer, but also in the ordinary blessings that surround you every day?

Key Verse:

“You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; the stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.” — Psalm 65:9 (NASB)

Background Context:

Psalm 65 is a song of praise from David celebrating the goodness and provision of God. David moves from God’s mercy toward sinners, to His awesome power over creation, and finally to a beautiful picture of the Lord watering the earth and producing an abundant harvest.

The psalm reminds us that God’s provision surrounds us constantly. Rain, crops, pastures, livestock, and the rhythms of creation can easily become ordinary in our eyes, but David sees them differently. He sees the generous hand of God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 65

God’s Abundant Favor to Earth and Man.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David. A Song.

     1There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, O God,
And to You the vow will be performed.

      2O You who hear prayer,
To You all men come.

      3Iniquities prevail against me;
As for our transgressions, You forgive them.

      4How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You
To dwell in Your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Your holy temple.

      5By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation,
You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;

      6Who establishes the mountains by His strength,
Being girded with might;

      7Who stills the roaring of the seas,
The roaring of their waves,
And the tumult of the peoples.

      8They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs;
You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.

      9You visit the earth and cause it to overflow;
You greatly enrich it;
The stream of God is full of water;
You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.

      10You water its furrows abundantly,
You settle its ridges,
You soften it with showers,
You bless its growth.

      11You have crowned the year with Your bounty,
And Your paths drip with fatness.

      12The pastures of the wilderness drip,
And the hills gird themselves with rejoicing.

      13The meadows are clothed with flocks
And the valleys are covered with grain;
They shout for joy, yes, they sing.

Reflection on Psalm 65:

David begins his praise in a somewhat unexpected place—not with the abundance of the harvest, but with our need for forgiveness. “Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You forgive them.” Before celebrating what God provides for the earth, David celebrates what God provides for the sinner. He recognizes that sin is greater than something he can overcome by his own strength. Yet God provides atonement and makes it possible for His people to draw near.

That makes David’s next statement even more meaningful: “How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts.” The greatest blessing in Psalm 65 is not rain, grain, livestock, or prosperity. It is being brought near to God. His material provision is wonderful, but fellowship with Him is the greater treasure. For followers of Yeshua, this truth becomes even clearer. Through Messiah’s sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and we are invited to draw near to God.

David then turns his attention outward. The God who forgives sins is also the God “who establishes the mountains by His strength” and “who stills the roaring of the seas.” God’s authority extends from the individual heart to the ends of the earth. Nothing in creation exists independently of Him. The mountains, oceans, sunrise, and sunset all testify to the power and majesty of their Creator.

Then the psalm slows down and looks at something much more ordinary: rain falling on the ground. David sees God’s involvement everywhere. God waters the earth, softens its furrows, blesses its growth, and prepares grain for His creatures. What we might simply call weather, agriculture, or the natural cycle of the seasons, David recognizes as the faithful provision of God working through His creation.

That perspective is worth recovering. We often look for God’s hand primarily in miracles or dramatic answers to prayer. Certainly we should praise Him for those things, but Psalm 65 teaches us to recognize His goodness in what happens every day. Food on our tables, rain on the ground, the changing seasons, the ability of soil to produce food, and countless other ordinary blessings ultimately depend upon systems God created and continues to sustain. What appears ordinary is still God’s provision.

David describes this generosity with wonderful imagery: “You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness.” The wilderness pastures flourish, the hills are clothed with gladness, the meadows are covered with flocks, and the valleys are filled with grain. David pictures creation itself shouting and singing for joy. Everywhere he looks, he sees evidence of God’s generosity.

Yet Psalm 65 also keeps these blessings in their proper place. David does not worship creation; creation directs his worship toward the Creator. The harvest is not merely something to enjoy but a reason to give thanks. God’s gifts should continually turn our hearts back toward the Giver. The more clearly we recognize His provision, the more naturally gratitude and praise should characterize our lives.

Psalm 65 therefore invites us to open our eyes. The God who forgives our sins, draws us near, rules over creation, and provides the harvest is still at work. His blessings are so familiar that we can easily stop noticing them. But when we begin recognizing His hand in both the extraordinary and the ordinary, everyday life becomes filled with reasons to worship.

Application:

  • Thank God first for the greatest provision of all—forgiveness and the opportunity to draw near to Him.
  • Look intentionally for God’s provision in ordinary things you normally take for granted.
  • Remember that creation and its abundance point beyond themselves to the Creator.
  • Cultivate gratitude rather than allowing God’s repeated blessings to become invisible through familiarity.
  • Let the gifts God provides turn your attention toward the Giver rather than becoming the focus themselves.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your abundant provision. Above all, thank You for providing forgiveness and making a way for me to draw near to You through Yeshua. Open my eyes to recognize Your hand in the ordinary blessings I so easily take for granted. Thank You for the beauty of creation, the food You provide, and the countless ways You sustain life each day. Keep me from enjoying Your gifts while forgetting the Giver. May Your goodness continually lead my heart toward gratitude, praise, and deeper fellowship with You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Learning To Pray Effectively, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Strong in Our Weakness

When God Is Your Defender (Psalm 64)

How do you respond when others speak against you, misrepresent your character, or work behind your back?

Key Verse:

“But God will shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they will be wounded.” — Psalm 64:7 (NASB)

Background Context:

David wrote Psalm 64 during a time when he faced hidden enemies who sought to destroy him through secret plots and malicious words. Rather than confronting him openly, they whispered together, devised evil plans, and believed no one would ever uncover what they were doing.

Instead of seeking revenge, David brought his fears before the Lord, trusting that the God who sees everything would judge righteously and act at the proper time.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 64

Prayer for Deliverance from Secret Enemies.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

     1Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
Preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

      2Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers,
From the tumult of those who do iniquity,

      3Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword.
They aimed bitter speech as their arrow,

      4To shoot from concealment at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear.

      5They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose;
They talk of laying snares secretly;
They say, “Who can see them?”

      6They devise injustices, saying,
“We are ready with a well-conceived plot”;
For the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep.

      7But God will shoot at them with an arrow;
Suddenly they will be wounded.

      8So they will make him stumble;
Their own tongue is against them;
All who see them will shake the head.

      9Then all men will fear,
And they will declare the work of God,
And will consider what He has done.

      10The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him;
And all the upright in heart will glory.

Reflection on Psalm 64:

David begins this psalm with an honest prayer: “Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint.” He does not pretend that the attacks against him are insignificant. He asks God to preserve his life from those who secretly conspire against him. This reminds us that bringing our fears and burdens before the Lord is not a sign of weak faith but an expression of genuine trust. Rather than allowing anxiety or bitterness to consume him, David places his situation into God’s hands.

One of the striking features of this psalm is that David’s enemies attack primarily with their words. He describes them sharpening their tongue like a sword and aiming bitter speech like arrows. Their goal is to wound the innocent through lies, slander, intimidation, and deception. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that words possess tremendous power. They can encourage and heal, but they can also destroy reputations, divide relationships, and inflict deep wounds that linger long after they are spoken.

David also observes that these enemies believe they can act without consequence. They secretly devise their plans and ask, “Who can see them?” They assume their schemes are hidden from everyone. Yet they overlook the most important truth of all: nothing is hidden from God. The Lord sees every motive, every whispered conversation, and every act committed in darkness. Human justice may fail, but God’s justice never does.

The turning point of the psalm comes suddenly. Those who aimed their arrows of bitter speech at the righteous discover that God Himself shoots an arrow at them. The imagery is both powerful and reassuring. David does not take justice into his own hands because he trusts that God is fully capable of defending His people. The Judge of all the earth sees what others overlook and acts with perfect righteousness at the proper time.

The psalm concludes by shifting our attention away from the downfall of the wicked and toward the response of God’s people. “The righteous man will be glad in the Lord and will take refuge in Him.” That is the true victory. David’s confidence is not rooted in seeing his enemies defeated but in knowing that God remains his refuge. When we trust the Lord to judge rightly, we are freed from the burden of seeking revenge or allowing resentment to rule our hearts. We can rest in the confidence that the God who sees all things will ultimately make all things right.

Psalm 64 reminds us that hidden attacks are never hidden from God. Whether others misunderstand us, misrepresent us, or quietly work against us, we are never abandoned or forgotten. The Lord hears our prayers, knows the truth, and remains the righteous Judge. Our calling is not to return evil for evil but to take refuge in Him, confident that His justice and His timing are always perfect.

Application:

  • Bring your fears and hurts honestly before the Lord rather than carrying them alone.
  • Guard your own speech, remembering that words have the power to heal or to wound.
  • Resist the temptation to seek personal revenge when others wrong you.
  • Trust that God sees what is done in secret, even when others do not.
  • Take refuge in the Lord, knowing that His justice is perfect and His timing is always right.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You that nothing is hidden from Your sight. When others speak against me or work in secret to cause harm, help me to bring my concerns to You instead of becoming consumed by fear or bitterness. Guard my own tongue from speaking words that wound others, and teach me to trust Your perfect justice. Thank You for being my refuge and my defender. Help me to rest confidently in Your faithfulness, knowing that You see, You know, and You will always do what is right. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Psalms

My Soul Thirsts for You (Psalm 63)

When you long for relief from life’s difficulties, what do you desire most?

Key Verse:

“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” — Psalm 63:1 (NASB)

Background Context:

Psalm 63 was written while David was in the wilderness of Judah, a harsh and desolate place where water was scarce and danger was never far away. Far from the comforts of Jerusalem and separated from the sanctuary where he had worshiped God, David found himself surrounded by uncertainty.

Yet instead of focusing on his circumstances, David reveals the deepest desire of his heart. More than relief from hardship, more than the return of his kingdom, and even more than physical necessities, he longs for the presence of God Himself.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 63

The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

     1O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

      2Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

      3Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.

      4So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.

      5My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

      6When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,

      7For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

      8My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

      9But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.

      10They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.

      11But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

Reflection on Psalm 63:

David begins this psalm with one of the most beautiful expressions of longing found anywhere in Scripture: “My soul thirsts for You.” Living in the wilderness, he understood physical thirst better than most. A dry and weary land without water vividly illustrated the desperate need of the human body. Yet David uses that experience to describe something even deeper—the longing of the soul for fellowship with God. His greatest need was not simply to escape the wilderness but to know the One who was with him in it.

This perspective is remarkable because David had many legitimate concerns. He was living with uncertainty, surrounded by enemies, and separated from the place where he had regularly worshiped. We might expect him to pray first for protection, justice, or deliverance. Instead, his first desire is for God Himself. David teaches us that while God’s gifts are wonderful, they should never become more precious to us than the Giver.

As David reflects on God’s character, his longing turns into worship. He remembers seeing God’s power and glory in the sanctuary and declares, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You.” That is an astonishing statement. Life itself is one of God’s greatest gifts, yet David says that experiencing God’s steadfast love is even more valuable. Circumstances may change, health may fail, possessions may disappear, but God’s covenant love remains constant. It is a treasure that can never be taken away.

This confidence transforms David’s entire outlook. Instead of allowing fear to dominate his thoughts, he chooses to meditate on God during the night watches. Instead of dwelling on his enemies, he remembers that God has been his help. He describes himself as clinging to the Lord while God’s right hand upholds him. What a beautiful picture of the Christian life. We hold fast to God, but beneath our imperfect grip is His perfect hand securely holding us. Our confidence rests not in the strength of our devotion but in the faithfulness of the One who never lets go.

The psalm concludes by looking beyond David’s present troubles to God’s ultimate justice. Those who seek to destroy him will not have the final word because the Lord remains the righteous Judge. David can rejoice, not because every problem has already been resolved, but because he knows that God is both sovereign and faithful. His future is secure, not because he can predict what tomorrow holds, but because he knows the God who holds tomorrow.

Psalm 63 gently challenges us to examine our own hearts. When we pray, are we primarily seeking God’s blessings, or are we seeking God Himself? There is nothing wrong with bringing our needs before Him—He invites us to do so. But the greatest blessing He offers is His own presence. Every earthly gift will one day fade, but fellowship with the Lord will endure forever. When God becomes our greatest treasure, we discover that even in the wilderness, our souls can be satisfied.

Application:

  • Seek God’s presence before seeking solutions to your circumstances.
  • Remember that God’s steadfast love is more valuable than any earthly blessing.
  • Fill your mind with thoughts of God’s faithfulness, especially during difficult seasons.
  • Cling to the Lord with confidence, knowing that He is faithfully holding you.
  • Let your deepest satisfaction be found in knowing God rather than merely receiving His gifts.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for being the One who truly satisfies my soul. Forgive me for the times I have sought Your gifts more than I have sought You. Help me to thirst for Your presence above everything else and to treasure Your steadfast love more than the changing circumstances of life. When I walk through my own wilderness seasons, remind me that You are near, that Your hand upholds me, and that You alone are enough. May my heart continually seek You with joy and confidence. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Peace / Rest, Psalms, Sabbath / Rest

Rest in God Alone (Psalm 62)

Where do you turn when life feels uncertain and everything around you seems to be shaking?

Key Verse:

“My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” — Psalm 62:1–2 (NASB)

Background Context:

David wrote Psalm 62 during a time of opposition and uncertainty. Although surrounded by enemies seeking to overthrow him, he does not begin by describing his circumstances. Instead, he fixes his attention on the One who never changes.

Throughout the psalm, David repeatedly declares that God alone is his rock, his salvation, and his stronghold. Rather than placing confidence in wealth, power, or people, he chooses to rest quietly in the Lord. His confidence is not rooted in the absence of trouble, but in the unchanging character of God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 62

God Alone a Refuge from Treachery and Oppression.

For the choir director; according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

      1My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.

      2He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

      3How long will you assail a man,
That you may murder him, all of you,
Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

      4They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position;
They delight in falsehood;
They bless with their mouth,
But inwardly they curse.

Selah.

      5My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.

      6He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

      7On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

      8Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.

Selah.

      9Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie;
In the balances they go up;
They are together lighter than breath.

      10Do not trust in oppression
And do not vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

      11Once God has spoken;
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God;

      12And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,
For You recompense a man according to his work.

Reflection on Psalm 62:

One of the most beautiful phrases in this psalm is David’s declaration:

“My soul waits in silence for God only.”

This is not the silence of fear or uncertainty. It is the quiet confidence of someone who has learned where true security is found.

The world often tells us that peace comes when our problems disappear. David teaches something very different. Peace comes when our trust is anchored in the Lord, even while the storms continue to rage around us. Though enemies sought his downfall, David’s soul found rest because it was anchored to an unshakable foundation.

David repeatedly describes God as his rock, his salvation, and his stronghold. A rock is firm, stable, and unmoved by the storms that beat against it. While everything around David seemed uncertain, the God he trusted remained exactly the same.

That truth is just as important for us today. Our circumstances constantly change. Health changes. Finances change. Relationships change. Even our own emotions can shift from one day to the next. But the Lord never changes.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

James likewise tells us that with God there is “no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17). Because God’s character never changes, our confidence in Him does not have to change either.

David also warns us against placing our hope in things that cannot truly support us. He writes that people of high position are only a vapor, riches are uncertain, and power is temporary. These things may appear strong, but they are unstable foundations upon which to build a life.

Instead, David concludes:

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)

What an incredible invitation. God does not ask us to pretend everything is fine. He invites us to pour out our hearts before Him—to bring our fears, disappointments, questions, and burdens into His presence. The same God who is our Rock is also our Refuge.

When we truly believe that God is unchanging, we no longer have to be controlled by every changing circumstance around us. External chaos does not have to produce internal chaos. Our souls can rest because they are held securely by the One who never fails.

As followers of Yeshua, we have even greater assurance. Through Him we know the Father personally and can confidently approach His throne in prayer. Whatever storms we may face, our hope rests upon the same faithful God whom David trusted thousands of years ago.

May we learn to quiet our souls—not because life is easy, but because the Lord is worthy of our complete trust.

Application:

  • Ask yourself what you have been relying on for security besides God.
  • Spend time in quiet prayer, allowing your soul to rest in God’s presence.
  • Pour out your heart honestly to the Lord, trusting Him with every concern.
  • Remember that God’s character never changes, even when your circumstances do.
  • Choose each day to build your confidence on the unshakable Rock rather than the shifting things of this world.

Closing Prayer:

Father, You alone are my Rock, my salvation, and my stronghold. Forgive me for the times I have placed my confidence in things that cannot truly satisfy or sustain me. Teach my soul to rest quietly in You, even when life feels uncertain. Thank You that You never change and that Your love and faithfulness endure forever. Help me to pour out my heart before You and trust You completely, knowing that You are my refuge in every season. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Protector / Deliverer, Psalms

Lead Me to the Rock That Is Higher Than I (Psalm 61)

When life feels overwhelming, where do you turn for refuge and strength?

Key Verse:

“From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” —Psalm 61:2 NASB

Background Context:

Psalm 61 is a heartfelt prayer of David during a time of distress. Although we are not told the specific circumstances surrounding its writing, David speaks as one who feels far away, overwhelmed, and in desperate need of God’s help. Yet even in the midst of his struggles, he expresses unwavering confidence that God is his refuge, his strong tower, and the One who hears his prayers.

This psalm beautifully demonstrates the progression from desperation to confidence. David begins by crying out to God from a weary heart and ends by praising Him with confidence that God will faithfully care for those who trust in Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 61

Confidence in God’s Protection.

For the choir director; on a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David.

1Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.

      2From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

      3For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.

      4Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

Selah.

      5For You have heard my vows, O God;
You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.

      6You will prolong the king’s life;
His years will be as many generations.

      7He will abide before God forever;
Appoint lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him.

      8So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may pay my vows day by day.

Reflection on Psalm 61:

One of the most comforting aspects of this psalm is David’s honesty. He does not pretend to be strong when he is overwhelmed. Instead, he openly admits the condition of his heart and immediately turns to God.

He prays,

“From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

There are seasons in every believer’s life when we feel exactly as David did. The pressures of work, family, illness, grief, uncertainty, or spiritual battles can leave us weary and discouraged. Psalm 61 reminds us that God never asks us to carry those burdens alone. He invites us to bring them before Him.

David’s request is especially significant. He does not ask God simply to remove his problems. He asks to be led to “the rock that is higher than I.” David recognizes that he cannot rescue himself. He needs someone greater than himself—someone unshaken by the storms that overwhelm him.

Throughout Scripture, the image of a rock points to God’s strength, stability, and faithfulness. Moses declared,

“The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Likewise, the psalmist writes,

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.” (Psalm 18:2)

When everything around us feels unstable, God remains unchanging. His character does not shift with our circumstances, and His promises remain secure.

David continues by describing God as both a refuge and a strong tower. A refuge provides shelter during life’s storms, while a strong tower offers protection from enemies. Both images remind us that our greatest security is not found in our own strength or in favorable circumstances, but in the presence of God Himself.

This truth is echoed in Proverbs:

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

Notice that the tower is already there. We do not build it ourselves. We simply run to it.

The psalm concludes with David expressing confidence that God hears his prayers and preserves those who fear His name. His circumstances may not have changed yet, but his perspective has. Having brought his burdens before the Lord, David ends with worship instead of worry.

That progression offers an important lesson for us. Prayer does not always change our circumstances immediately, but it often changes our hearts. As we remember who God is, our fears begin to give way to faith, and our anxiety is replaced by confidence in His care.

No matter what overwhelms us today, the invitation remains the same.

Run to the Rock.

He is higher than we are.

He is stronger than we are.

And He is always faithful.

Application:

  • Bring your burdens honestly before God rather than trying to carry them alone.
  • Remember that God’s strength is greater than your greatest challenge.
  • Find your security in God’s unchanging character rather than in changing circumstances.
  • Make prayer your first response when your heart feels overwhelmed.
  • End your prayers with worship, trusting that God hears and cares for you.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for being my Rock, my refuge, and my strong tower. When my heart is overwhelmed, help me to run to You instead of relying on my own strength. Remind me that You are higher than every challenge I face and that Your promises never fail. Fill my heart with peace as I place my trust in You, and help me to respond to every circumstance with faith and worship. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Learning To Pray Effectively, Psalms

God Restores Those Who Trust Him (Psalm 60)

When life feels shaken and everything around us seems uncertain, where do we turn for hope?

Key Verse:
“With God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.” —Psalm 60:12 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 60 was written during a difficult period in David’s reign when Israel experienced military setbacks before God ultimately granted victory (see the heading of Psalm 60 and 2 Samuel 8). David recognized that these defeats were not simply military events—they were opportunities for God’s people to humble themselves, seek Him, and remember that victory comes from the Lord rather than from human strength.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 60

Lament over Defeat in Battle, and Prayer for Help.

For the choir director; according to Shushan Eduth. A Mikhtam of David, to teach; when he struggled with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

1O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us;
You have been angry; O, restore us.

      2You have made the land quake, You have split it open;
Heal its breaches, for it totters.

      3You have made Your people experience hardship;
You have given us wine to drink that makes us stagger.

      4You have given a banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of the truth.

Selah.

      5That Your beloved may be delivered,
Save with Your right hand, and answer us!

      6God has spoken in His holiness:
“I will exult, I will portion out Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth.

      7“Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim also is the helmet of My head;
Judah is My scepter.

      8“Moab is My washbowl;
Over Edom I shall throw My shoe;
Shout loud, O Philistia, because of Me!”

      9Who will bring me into the besieged city?
Who will lead me to Edom?

      10Have not You Yourself, O God, rejected us?
And will You not go forth with our armies, O God?

      11O give us help against the adversary,
For deliverance by man is in vain.

      12Through God we shall do valiantly,
And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.

Reflection:

Psalm 60 begins with words that might surprise us.

David says:

“O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; O, restore us.”

These are not the words of a man pretending everything is fine.

David recognizes that Israel’s circumstances have changed, and rather than blaming others or relying on military strategy alone, he first looks to God.

One of the marks of spiritual maturity is recognizing that every circumstance should drive us closer to the Lord. Whether we are experiencing success or hardship, our first question should not be, “How do I fix this?” but rather, “Lord, what are You teaching me?”

David continues by describing the nation as though the earth itself had been shaken:

“You have made the land quake, You have split it open; Heal its breaches, for it totters.” (Psalm 60:2)

Many of us have experienced seasons that felt exactly like that. A health crisis, the loss of a loved one, financial hardship, broken relationships, or unexpected disappointments can make life feel unstable beneath our feet.

Yet David does not stop with the problem.

He turns to God’s promises.

He declares:

“You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” (Psalm 60:4)

A banner identified an army and served as a rallying point for its soldiers. Earlier in Exodus 17, after Israel’s victory over Amalek, Moses built an altar and named it “The LORD is My Banner” (Yahweh Nissi). The image reminds us that our confidence is found not in ourselves but in the Lord who fights for His people.

David then records God’s promises concerning His sovereign rule over the land. While nations rise and fall and circumstances continually change, God’s authority never changes. He remains King over every nation and every generation.

Finally, David reaches the conclusion that becomes the heart of the psalm:

“Give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain.” (Psalm 60:11)

How easy it is to place our hope in people.

We trust our own abilities.

We depend on leaders, organizations, wealth, or influence.

While God often works through people, David reminds us that ultimate deliverance never comes from human strength alone.

The psalm closes with one of Scripture’s great declarations of confidence:

“With God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries.”

Notice the balance.

David does not say, “God will do everything, so we need do nothing.”

Nor does he say, “We will accomplish victory by our own efforts.”

Instead, he recognizes that God’s people are called to act courageously while depending completely upon the Lord for the outcome.

This truth echoes throughout Scripture.

Proverbs 21:31 says:

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.”

Likewise, Paul encourages believers:

“If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Faith does not ignore life’s battles.

Faith faces them with confidence because God remains sovereign.

Psalm 60 reminds us that there will be seasons when life feels uncertain and our own strength seems insufficient. During those times, our hope is not found in ourselves or in the wisdom of the world.

Our hope is found in the Lord.

When we trust Him, humble ourselves before Him, and faithfully follow where He leads, we can face every challenge with confidence, knowing that our ultimate victory rests in His hands.

Application:

  • Bring your struggles honestly before God instead of trying to carry them alone.
  • Remember that difficult seasons often draw us into deeper dependence upon the Lord.
  • Place your confidence in God’s strength rather than in human ability.
  • Face life’s challenges with courage, trusting God for the outcome.
  • Thank God that He remains sovereign even when life feels uncertain.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for being my strength and my hope when life feels uncertain. Help me to trust You instead of relying on my own understanding or the strength of others. Give me courage to face every challenge, knowing that true victory comes from You alone. Teach me to seek You first in every circumstance and to rest confidently in Your sovereign care. May my life continually reflect my trust in You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Justice / Judgment, Psalms

Trusting God’s Justice (Psalm 58)

Have you ever looked at the world around you and wondered why wicked people seem to prosper while justice is delayed?

Key Verse:
“Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on earth!” —Psalm 58:11 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 58 is one of David’s imprecatory psalms. In it, David confronts corrupt leaders and those who use their positions of authority to promote injustice rather than righteousness. As he observes evil flourishing around him, David does not take vengeance into his own hands. Instead, he brings his concerns before God and trusts Him to judge rightly.

While some of the language in this psalm is strong, its central message is not about personal revenge. It is about trusting God’s justice when human justice fails.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 58

Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked.

For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David.

      1Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods?
Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

      2No, in heart you work unrighteousness;
On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands.

      3The wicked are estranged from the womb;
These who speak lies go astray from birth.

      4They have venom like the venom of a serpent;
Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,

      5So that it does not hear the voice of charmers,
Or a skillful caster of spells.

      6O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth;
Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD.

      7Let them flow away like water that runs off;
When he aims his arrows, let them be as headless shafts.

      8Let them be as a snail which melts away as it goes along,
Like the miscarriages of a woman which never see the sun.

      9Before your pots can feel the fire of thorns
He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike.

      10The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

      11And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on earth!”

Reflection on Psalm 58:

David begins the psalm by confronting those who hold positions of authority. Rather than ruling with fairness and integrity, they use their power to promote wickedness and injustice. They may appear respectable on the outside, but God sees their hearts and their actions clearly.

This is an important reminder because it is easy to become discouraged when we see corruption in leadership. Whether in government, business, communities, or even religious organizations, there are times when people abuse authority for personal gain. When that happens, it can seem as though justice has disappeared.

David reminds us that God sees what others may miss. No act of corruption escapes His attention. No abuse of power is hidden from His sight. Those who believe they can act wickedly without consequence may fool others for a time, but they cannot fool God.

The psalm goes on to describe the wicked as people who have hardened themselves against God’s truth. Rather than listening to correction, they continue down a path of rebellion. This echoes a pattern we see throughout Scripture. Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart despite witnessing God’s power. The religious leaders who opposed Yeshua often rejected clear evidence because they were unwilling to humble themselves before God.

David’s response is instructive. He does not organize a rebellion. He does not seek personal vengeance. He does not attempt to repay evil with evil. Instead, he brings the matter before God and asks Him to act.

This reflects a principle that appears throughout Scripture. God does not forbid us from pursuing justice through proper means, but He repeatedly warns against taking personal vengeance into our own hands. As Paul later writes in Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge… but leave room for the wrath of God.”

Trusting God’s justice is not always easy. We often want immediate results. We want wrongs corrected quickly and visibly. Yet God sees the entire picture, and His timing is perfect even when it differs from our own expectations.

One of the most encouraging truths in Psalm 58 comes at the end. David declares that there is indeed a reward for the righteous and that there is a God who judges on earth. In other words, evil does not have the final word.

Throughout history, many wicked rulers and corrupt leaders have appeared powerful and untouchable. Yet kingdoms rise and fall. Human power fades. God’s authority remains. The final verdict belongs to Him.

This truth should encourage believers who are discouraged by the injustice they see around them. We serve a God who loves righteousness. He sees every act of faithfulness. He sees every act of injustice. Nothing escapes His notice.

While justice may sometimes seem delayed, it is never forgotten.

As followers of Yeshua, we are called to pursue righteousness, speak truth, and love justice while trusting God with the final outcome. We can rest in the knowledge that the Judge of all the earth will do what is right.

Application:

  • Bring concerns about injustice to God in prayer rather than allowing bitterness to grow.
  • Trust that God sees every act of corruption and every abuse of authority.
  • Resist the temptation to seek personal vengeance.
  • Continue pursuing righteousness even when evil appears to prosper.
  • Remember that God’s justice may be delayed, but it will never fail.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You that You are a righteous Judge who sees all things clearly. When I become discouraged by the injustice around me, help me to trust Your wisdom, timing, and authority. Guard my heart from bitterness and help me respond with faith rather than anger. Strengthen me to pursue righteousness and to leave ultimate judgment in Your hands. Thank You that Your justice never fails and that You remain sovereign over all the earth. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Psalms

Is God’s Law A Burden? (Part 4 of 4)

This post is the last in a four-part series about Psalm 119.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It was written originally in Hebrew in a literary style that begins one section after another, each with the next letter of the aleph bet (Hebrew alphabet). It is beautiful and passionate. It focuses on the law of God. Read and digest all that it claims about the Law of God and then ask yourself, does it describe the law as burdensome? difficult? harsh? or does it describe it as quite different than that? Put aside what you think you know about the law from those who do not understand it and listen to how it is described by one who understood it well and loved our heavenly Father very deeply.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 119:137-176

Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God.

Tsadhe.

     137Righteous are You, O LORD,
And upright are Your judgments.

      138You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness
And exceeding faithfulness.

      139My zeal has consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

      140Your word is very pure,
Therefore Your servant loves it.

      141I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

      142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.

      143Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.

      144Your testimonies are righteous forever;
Give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph.

     145I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD!
I will observe Your statutes.

      146I cried to You; save me
And I shall keep Your testimonies.

      147I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.

      148My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.

      149Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances.

      150Those who follow after wickedness draw near;
They are far from Your law.

      151You are near, O LORD,
And all Your commandments are truth.

      152Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever.

Resh.

     153Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.

      154Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.

      155Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.

      156Great are Your mercies, O LORD;
Revive me according to Your ordinances.

      157Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.

      158I behold the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not keep Your word.

      159Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.

      160The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

Shin.

     161Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your words.

      162I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great spoil.

      163I hate and despise falsehood,
But I love Your law.

      164Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.

      165Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.

      166I hope for Your salvation, O LORD,
And do Your commandments.

      167My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.

      168I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.

Tav.

     169Let my cry come before You, O LORD;
Give me understanding according to Your word.

      170Let my supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.

      171Let my lips utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.

      172Let my tongue sing of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.

      173Let Your hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen Your precepts.

      174I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
And Your law is my delight.

      175Let my soul live that it may praise You,
And let Your ordinances help me.

      176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.

Just to reflect on a few of the things God’s word says about the law in today’s scripture: Your word is very pure and therefore your servant loves it, Your law is truth, Your commandments are my delight, I will observe Your statutes, I meditate on Your precepts, the wicked are far from Your law, revive me according to Your ordinances,  every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting, I love Your law, I praise You because of Your ordinances, those who love Your law have great peace and do not stumble, all Your commandments are righteousness, Your law is my delight, Your ordinances help me

None of this sounds like the description of a burden, or something I can’t wait to get rid of, which is how many Christians describe or talk about following the law. It sounds like a beautiful set of instructions from the Lord, which I want to understand more… both in their original context and about how they still apply to my life today. Psalm 119, if we let it, can really be a testimony for the law of God as a wonderful gift and guide that helps us to know how God thinks we should live and what He values. Obviously, to fully understand the depths of what is in the law and how it may still apply, we need to study the Torah (1st 5 books of the Bible).  Some of the elements of the law (e.g., ceremonial law) can no longer be carried out as God specified, while there is no temple and no Levitical priesthood, but that should not discourage us from understanding and following God’s law as much as we can. Should we walk away from doing as Christ taught just because we can’t do it perfectly? If we do, what then will be our standard?

The Torah is a great place to start for any Christian, many of whom have been taught to really focus only on the New Testament. Spoiler alert… if the New Testament is the building, the Old Testament is the foundation that holds it up. They are not contradictory, but rather complementary.

Pray with me that our Creator and Father would open our eyes, and the eyes of His followers around the world, that we may behold wonderful things from His law. Give us understanding, that we may observe His law and keep it with all our heart.

To learn more:

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.