Category: insight from Psalms

Psalms 65:1-4 NKJV
[1] Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed. [2] O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. [3] Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them. [4] Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.65.1-4.NKJV

Psalm 50:14 ESV
[14]  Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.50.14.ESV


And to you the vow shall be performed

And perform your vows to the Most High

Vows = sacred promises
In a marriage, husband and wife exchange vows. They are making their promises of love and devotion to one another, before God and witnesses.

In our vows to God, we are declaring our sacred love and devotion to Him alone, first and foremost. We are promising to love, honor and cherish our Bridegroom. The Church is the Bride of Christ. To Him we pledge our lives; to love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. 

In response he fills us with His Holy Spirit, and we can’t help but give Him thanks and praise for all that he has done for us, and continues to do. Not only for the individual believer/worshipper, but for the body of Christ, the church.

He hears our prayers when our hearts are turned toward Him. In times of great storms and tragedies, all flesh will come to Him, because every human being is created in His image. When we’ve reached the edges of our own humanity, and our hearts are torn, and our faith is stretched beyond limits and our own comprehension, we’re drawn to Him, and His hand reaches out to us, like a loving father, scooping up his little child, He comes to us with open arms, ready to minister to our deepest grievances and struggles.

We make vows to the One we love, because He first loved us. When we’ve experienced His love and kindness, his mercy and grace, at the deepest level, at the core of our being, the proper and fitting response is to perform our vows to the Most High God.

Vows are truly excercised during times of stress and great tension and anxiety. When our deepest emotions are involved and fully engaged in whatever trial we are facing.

Those who have been married for some time, know the experience of exercising our vows that we made when we became husbands and wives. When arguments turn into heated exchanges of words and emotions, and anger arises and our hearts and minds are being stretched to the breaking point, that’s when our vows kick in, and we take a moment to calm down, de-stress, take a deep breath and compose ourselves, and we come together on peace and unity, and Almighty God leads us through to the other side; blissful shores of forgiveness and mercy, and love leads the wsy

In holy matrimony, we make vows out of love and devotion to one another. In this sacred union between God and man, we make vows to God out of a heart of love that is focused on God’s will and His righteousness and truly putting Him first and seeking Him with all of our being!

Psalms 56:1-13 NLT
[1] O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. [2] I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me.

[3] But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

[4] I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

[5] They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me. [6] They come together to spy on me— watching my every step, eager to kill me. [7] Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down. [8] You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. [9] My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.

This I know: God is on my side!

[10] I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. [11] I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

[12] I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. [13] For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.56.1-13.NLT

David, the Psalmist, writes here about the constant and steady attack from his enemies. As a warrior in battle, fighting for Israel, he’s constantly bombarded by those who want to take him down, even take his life.

But as David declares in this Psalm,

“This I know: God is in my side.“

David takes stock in God’s promises to guide and protect him, and he’s enabled him to face everything with courage and fortitude; to step out in faith, knowing that at in his heart, at the core of his being, God’s got his back, and goes before him. He rests in comfort, knowing that God will cause his enemies to retreat.

Every day you and I are going out to war for our own soul. Other people may come at us, to harm us, but our biggest threat is not other people.

As David also declares, “I trust in God, what can mere mortals do to me?”

David knows that God will do as He’s promised, for those who put their full trust and faith in Him and the power of His word.

God will literally turn our enemies away. He will hide you under the shadow of His wings. He will be your Rock, your Fortress, your mighty defender.

Yet their is a greater enemy who attacks from the inside; your own heart, which is desperately wicked, which no one truly knows, without God at the center, seated on the throne of your heart.

When you hear Him knocking, and open the door, He will come in and be your Lord of lords and Savior. He will be your King of kings, your Master and commander.

My greatest enemies are my thoughts and emotions under my own control, without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, seated on the throne of my heart, leading me by the living power His word, through of the Holy Spirit.

This, you too can know: God will always be on my side. What can other people do to me?

He will give you the wisdom to choose good over evil, right over wrong, love over hate, bitterness and holding grudges.

When you give both your external enemies (other people) and your internal enemies (thoughts, feelings and emotions) over to the authority of God, He will deliver you from every evil, and you will walk in the light of His love, and live in peace  within yourself and with those around you.

God is on your side!

Psalms 55:1-2 NLT
[1] Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! [2] Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.55.1-2.NLT

Psalms 55:16-17 NLT
[16] But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. [17] Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.55.16-17.NLT

My God, who is my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and place of safety, will never get tired of hearing from me when I cry out to Him for help. The inner sanctuary of my heart is His home.

Day and night it seems like the wicked one, the enemy of my soul, is out to get me; to trip me up, knock me down, and devour my soul like a roaring lion.

Satan wants to rob, kill and destroy, all that God is doing within me. But if God is for me, who can stand against me? Is it wrong of me to constantly rely on God to rescue and deliver me from the evil plots of the enemy? No! He is my Helper, my comforter, my teacher and counselor. He will hide me under the shadow of His wings. He is my hiding place. He will shield me from the enemy and his relentless pursuit of destruction.

The Holy Spirit lives in me to sanctify me, which means to mold and shape me to be more like Christ. This is a daily process, as I repent and believe in the good news…more of Him, less of me.

I’ve tried the world’s way of believing in myself,  and reading worldly teachings and philosophers, self-help remedies, etc. they always come up short and never offer any real, lasting peace and serenity.

In many of the Psalms, we see the Psalmists pouring their hearts out to God and pleading for His guidance, protection and deliverance from evil.

Towards the end of the Lord’s prayer, we pray,

…and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one!

So we do well when we place our full trust in Him for protection from the enemy.

Psalms 54:1-7 NLT
[1] Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might. [2] Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea.

[3] For strangers are attacking me; violent people are trying to kill me. They care nothing for God.[4]But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! [5] May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them.

[6] I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. [7] For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.54.1-7.NLT

When a person listens to God, hears His word and His call on their lives, and humbles Himself in faithful obedience, rest assured, the enemy will be on the offensive, attempting to steer him off course and to occupy his mind and his time, with the goal of keeping him from fulfilling his God appointed mission and purpose.

The more you fight to stay the course and continue to do His will, and what is right before God and man, the more intense the opposition will become. Perhaps, even your own family and close friends and associates will come out against you.

But rest assured, when you make that choice daily to honor, serve, and glorify the Lord, by doing the job God has set out for you to do and complete, he will be right there with you, leading, guiding and protecting you from the threats and opposition being cast your way by the enemy, the god of this world, Satan.

That old devil wants nothing more than to keep from focusing on the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and succeeding in God’s appointed mission for your life, as you seek to make His name known in your daily service to your fellow man, and ultimately to God.

Like David in the Psalms, praying and looking to God, first and foremost, you can know that God is for you, and that he will never leave nor forsake you.

Matthew 5:10-12 NLT
[10]  God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. [11]  “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. [12] Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.10-12.NLT

Psalms 57:1-6 NKJV
[1] 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. [2] I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. [3] 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. [4] 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. [5] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. [6] 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

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.57.1-6.NKJV

I was reading my morning Bible devotions from Psalm 57 and was meditating on what it means to “hide under the shadow of His wings.” The Bible is filled with imagery, which reveals biblical principles and truths about God and how He desires to love, care, protect and provide for His children (you and me)

The imagery of hiding under the shadow of His wings reminds me of an eagle, or a hen (Matthew 23:37) watching over its young, protecting them from the dangers of enemies, seeking to devour them; from the wolves who are constantly seeking to ravage them, and the roaring lion, seeking to devour their souls.

Under the shadow of the adult bird’s wings, there is safety, security, protection and guidance. Young birds aren’t always aware of the dangers that lie ahead. They must learn to trust in their parents to teach and protect them.

This is the picture we see when reading about “hiding under the shadow of His wings” in various Psalms (17:8, 36:7, 57:1-6) and other books of the Bible (Ruth 2:12).

In this world, we are exposed, every day to the hidden snares and dangerous plots and ploys of the enemy, roaming about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour them. This is why Jesus tells us, “my kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36)

We cannot depend upon ourselves, our flesh, or this world to protect us from the evils that dwell therein. We must seek His protection. Then God will hide, each of those who seek Him, and His kingdom, and His righteousness, under the shadow of His wings. When the enemy is out and about, he won’t see those who are protected.

The full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10ff) is what and how the Holy Spirit protects and helps those who seek the shadow of His wings. When we put that armor on, every day, the enemy will not penetrate the safety, help, and protection the Lord provides to His disciples; the children of God.

Psalms 17:8 NKJV
[8] Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.17.8.NKJV

Psalms 36:7 NKJV
[7] How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.36.7.NKJV

Ruth 2:12 NKJV
[12] The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

https://bible.com/bible/114/rut.2.12.NKJV

Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34 NKJV
[37] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.23.37.NKJV

When we look to God daily, for guidance and strength, instead of this world, or even ourselves, He is there; our God forever and ever. He will guide us, even until we die, like a shepherd leads His sheep, the people of His pasture.

Psalm 48 speaks of God’s mighty hand in Zion, God’s holy city. Jerusalem is protected by the mighty hand of God. This is not only true of Israel, but of every single person who looks to God in times of great distress, and he guides and protects them, and the world around them, and Satan, the god of this world, has no influence on them.

Those who put their faith and hope in the Lord will come to know Him as their shepherd and they will lack no good thing. They will be healthy; spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. 

They will be prosperous; not necessarily in a worldly, material kind of way, but on the inside, at the core of their being, their soul. They will come to know and develop the mind of Christ, and will exercise sound Wisdom, discretion and discernment.  He will be our God, and we shall be His people.

His unfailing love shall dwell in temples not made with hands, but in the temples of our hearts, as we come to know Him, deeply and intimately, like Abraham, David, the prophets,and the apostles.  Then we will be able to live in the world, while not being friends with it. We will live as citizens of God’s kingdom, which starts in our hearts and spreads to others, as they see Him at work in us, in our daily lives.

As the salt of the earth and the light of the world, we will season this world with flavor and preserve those who become salted. As they see the good works that God is doing in and through us, our lives will shine brightly, glorifying God in heaven.

Psalms 48:9-10 NLT
[9] O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple. [10] As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth. Your strong right hand is filled with victory.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.48.9-10.NLT

Psalms 48:14 NKJV
[14] For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.48.14.NKJV

Psalms 48:14 NLT
[14] For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.48.14.NLT


Isaiah 58:11 NKJV
[11] The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.58.11.NKJV

Psalms 1:1-3 NLT
[1] Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. [2] But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. [3] They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.1.1-3.NLT


Psalm 23:3-4 ESV
[3] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.23.3-4.ESV

Psalms 43:1-5 NKJV
[1] Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! [2] For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? [3] Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. [4] Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. [5] Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.43.1-5.NKJV

I was reading Psalm 43 in my daily devotion and I noticed the title, which may or my not appear in the Bible translation you are reading, but in the New King James, it is.

The title included here is:

prayer to God in time of trouble.

And I was immediately thinking, isn’t that the time when most people pray to God; when they are experiencing trouble and turmoil in their lives, or for others who are experiencing the same?

How many of us turn to God in prayer when life is going great, and there doesn’t seem to be any trouble or discord? Indeed we should pray when life is good. Those are prayers of praise and thanksgiving.

Our prayers are conversations with God, when we pour out our hearts to Him, including our troubles and sorrows, along with our praises.

To worship God in spirit and in truth, with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength, means that we place our entire life in His hands. Not only our own life, but the lives of those we love and those we encounter on a daily basis; our neighbors.

Jesus tells us to “love our neighbor as yourself.” This includes lifting them up in prayer, because we know that God will work in their lives. James 5:16 tells us, ” the effective, fervent prayers of the righteous has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16 NLT)

God desires to hear our prayers. He’s not angry when we pour out our troubles and complaints. In fact, like the loving Father (Abba)he is, he welcomes our deep needs and those times when we are harassed, confused and helpless.

Matthew 9:36 NLT
[36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.9.36.NLT

Jesus is our Good Shepherd, who lays down His for His sheep. When we look to Him, He feeds, protects and listens to their voice. He said;

John 10:3 NLT
[3] The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.10.3.NLT

And,

John 10:27 NLT
[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.10.27.NLT

In times of great trouble and distress, it is comforting and reassuring to know we can turn to Him in prayer. We can go to our prayer closet and meet with him regularly. He wants to hear from us and dekiver us. His love is deep and wide. Trust in His mercy and grace. Let Him lead you, as your shepherd, as He intercedes on your behalf before the Father. He is our mediator.

He is the answer to what plagues us and weighs us down; our worries, concerns and anxieties.

Psalms 46:1-3 NKJV
[1] God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [3] Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.46.1-3.NKJV

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
[6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.6-7.NLT

Psalms 38:1-10 NKJV
[1] O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! [2] For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down. [3] There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. [4] For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. [5] My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. [6] I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. [7] For my loins are full of inflammation, And there is no soundness in my flesh. [8] I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart. [9] Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. [10] My heart pants, my strength fails me; As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.38.1-10.NKJV

The heavy burden of sin, like a crushing weight on one’s soul can actually cause sickness and anguish; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health are affected. 

Like David, a man after the heart of God, those whose hearts are turned toward God, cannot continue in sin without being brought to a place of inner distress, turmoil and conviction.

Repentance is an inner attitude that brings one into close contact with the Living God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sin and rebellion quickly pierce the soul of the one who loves and lives for God, whose heart is fixed on Him, to live rightly and to do good before God. This effects every aspect of their being; heart, mind, soul, and strength.

This is how I feel every day, waking up in the presence of Holy God, with his Spirit, living in me, convicting me of sin. He is my helper and counselor, my teacher and comforter. The Holy Spirit is God living in me and guiding my daily life. When I’m overwhelmed by my own sin, God lets me know there’s a way out. He is the one and only way (John 14:6) to the Father.

Repentance is my daily act of turning away from my sinful nature and turning toward God. When I trust Him by repenting daily, I’m giving Him the authority that He desires and must have over my heart, mind, soul and strength.

Then my mind will not be fooled by the trickery of the enemy and his clever ways of deception and alluring temptations.

When my heart is yielded toward God, He will not let me slip away, led captive by my own lusts and desires.

When my soul, like David’s, comes to the realization that this body of death has no hold on me, my heart will belong to Him, and He will be like an anchor in my soul, keeping me in that safe place, that harbor, hiding me under the shadow of His wings, safe from the enemy, who roams about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour my soul. The more I cling to Him, the further the enemy will be.