Category: insight from Psalms

Psalms 23:4 NKJV
[4] Yea, 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/114/psa.23.4.NKJV

Psalm 23:4 ESV
[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.23.4.ESV

Psalms 23:4 NLT
[4] Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.23.4.NLT

Psalms 138:7-8 NKJV
[7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. [8] The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.138.7-8.NKJV

Psalms 139:7, 10-12 NKJV
[7] Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
[10] Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. [11] If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; [12] Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.139.7-12.NKJV

Psalms 3:6 NKJV
[6] I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.3.6.NKJV

Psalms 27:1-3 NKJV
[1] The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. [3] Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.27.1-3.NKJV

Psalms 118:6 NKJV
[6] The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.118.6.NKJV

Psalms 16:8 NKJV
[8] I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.16.8.NKJV

The 23rd Psalm is a favorite of many. We often hear it recited at funeral services.

This Psalm, written by David, brings great comfort to many. The imagery of the God of heaven and earth, caring for His people, as a shepherd, caring for and tending to his sheep.

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, or darkest valley, God sees me, watches over me, guides, protects, defends and goes out in search of me when I get lost along the paths of my life.  Like a Shepherd and Overseer, I always know he is there, even when I lose sight of this reality.

In the Gospels, Jesus is compared to a shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the door of the sheep. In Him we find safety, security, provision, strength, support, encouragement. Those who belong to Him are never out His sight, nor reach.

His rod he uses to ward off predators, seeking to devour my soul and rob me of peace, joy and happiness.

His staff, like a shepherd’s hook, he uses to pull us back from the valley of the shadow of death; the darkest places we may roam or run off to.

Sheep need to be led , tended to, protected, defended. They need a shepherd and overseer, otherwise they will wander and become easy prey for the wolves and wild predators, seeking to devour them.

Enter the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, the door of the sheep. He is the good shepherd and overseer of our souls. In Him, we find God and belong to God. In Christ we find all we need to live as God intends for us to live.

John 10:11 NKJV
[11] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.10.11.NKJV

John 10:14-15 NKJV
[14] I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. [15] As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.10.14-15.NKJV

N

Psalm 18 is a song, sung by David, when the Lord delivered him from his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

David is self-described as “a servant of the Lord.” A servant yields to his Master. That’s how David sees himself in light of God’s presence within his weary soul.

When the enemies of my soul seek to destroy me, from the inside out, He comes in and rescues me. When I look to the Lord, everything He promises in His word becomes mine, as He swoops in to rescue my soul from anxieties and distress , caused by worry, fear, physical and emotional pains of life; the common, ordinary struggles that plague every human, from time to time.

The common, ordinary stuff of life, takes on a life of its own, or so it seems. Life without God tends to make mountains out of mole hills, so to speak.

When we attempt to tackle the struggles and storms of life on our own, we become worn out, broken down and zapped of strength and vigor, and our faith takes a hit. When we retreat to our prayer closet, we find:

Our Strength, our Rock and Fortress, our Deliverer.

Then the Lord steps in. We are reminded that He is there. He becomes our strength to lift us up, our shield of faith to help us in our unbelief, in the midst of the unbearable. He becomes our horn of salvation, declaring to every enemy that has set themselves against us, that we (you) belong to Him. He is our Savior and Deliverer. We belong to Him.

As we come to trust in Him once again, he becomes our stronghold, that fortress,that place of safety, and in His strength, he enables us to rise above these attacks from the enemy, seeking to kill, steel and destroy everything God is doing and building within.

Satan can’t attack us on the inside, in the depths of our soul. But he can use the common, every day struggles, storms and trials of life to upend us. Our feelings and emotions can play with our hearts and attempt to invade our head space. When we give into our negative thoughts and emotions and give them space in our heads, that’s when that tricky deceiver , the devil, gets the upper hand in our personal lives. He uses this world around us on the outside, to influence us on the inside, and to hide or darken the Kingdom of God within each of us, at the core of our being.

When the Father, Son and Holy Spirit…the triune God, are given authority by you, the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, chases those wolves and predators away. Jesus, our Savior and Deliverer, sets us free. They have no authority in you or over you, and His truth sets you free, and you can see the path before you, as His light is burning bright within your soul again. That’s the Holy Spirit; the light burning bright within you. Yield to His presence and surrender your heart, mind, soul and strength to Him. Jesus will life you up!



Psalms 18:1-17 NKJV
[1] I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

[2] The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold.

[3] I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

[4] The pangs of death surrounded me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. [5] The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. [6] In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. [7] Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry. [8] Smoke went up from His nostrils, And devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it. [9] He bowed the heavens also, and came down With darkness under His feet. [10] And He rode upon a cherub, and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind. [11] He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters And thick clouds of the skies. [12] From the brightness before Him, His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire. [13] The Lord thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire. [14] He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe, Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them. [15] Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered At Your rebuke, O Lord, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. [16] He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. [17] He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.18.1-17.NKJV

When we exalt the name of Jesus in the midst of our weary lives and hearts, He lifts us up to a place of inner peace and joy; something the world can’t give us. This kind of peace comes when we learn to “be still and know that He is God.”

If he’s exalted in the earth, among the nations, delivering them from evil, then He will do the same in our lives, daily, as we lift Him up; individually in our own lives, and collectively, when we come together as the body of Christ. We won’t be bogged down by the ordinary struggles and trials of life.

The same message holds true to us today. When we come together and pray, bear one another’s burdens and lift up the Name of the Lord our God, He will move on our hearts, bringing His grace, healing and deliverance.

Psalms 46:10 NLT
[10] “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.46.10.NLT

Psalms 46:10 NKJV
[10] Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.46.10.NKJV

Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV
[13] And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

[14] The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

https://bible.com/bible/114/exo.14.13-14.NKJV

Isaiah 2:11 NKJV
[11] The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.2.11.NKJV

Isaiah 2:17 NKJV
[17] The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, And the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; The Lord alone will be exalted in that day,

https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.2.17.NKJV

Isaiah 33:10 NKJV
[10] “Now I will rise,” says the Lord; “Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up.

https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.33.10.NKJV

Isaiah 2:10-17 NKJV
[10] Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, From the terror of the Lord And the glory of His majesty. [11] The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. [12] For the day of the Lord of hosts Shall come upon everything proud and lofty, Upon everything lifted up— And it shall be brought low— [13] Upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, And upon all the oaks of Bashan; [14] Upon all the high mountains, And upon all the hills that are lifted up; [15] Upon every high tower, And upon every fortified wall; [16] Upon all the ships of Tarshish, And upon all the beautiful sloops. [17] The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, And the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; The Lord alone will be exalted in that day,

https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.2.10-17.NKJV

Psalms 24:7-10 NKJV
[7] Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. [8] Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. [9] Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. [10] Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.24.7-10.NKJV

I’ve read Psalm 24 many times and it’s such a blessing whenever I do read it and meditate upon it. I often wonder what the “gates and everlasting doors” means.

When we open up these doors and everlasting gates, the King of glory comes in.

I’m convinced that the Psalmist is referring to the door and gate of my heart.

Revelation 3:20, Jesus says,

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.3.20.NKJV

In the great assembly, the Psalmist is appealing to worshippers who gather together for the purpose of worshipping God. The Psalmist, David in this case, is appealing to each individual person/worshipper to open up the door of their heart and let the King of glory come in.

Then He will truly be your Lord and Savior, strong and mighty in battle. He will be your everlasting strength, your Redeemer, your Rock and your fortress, your stronghold. He will fight your battles from within.

Trust Him

Lean into Him

Immediately proceeding in this Psalm, we’re asked

Psalms 24:3-6 NKJV
[3] Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? [4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. [5] He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. [6] This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.24.3-6.NKJV

Those who desire to ascend the hill of the Lord, and stand in His holy place must have clean hands and a pure heart.

We cannot obtain this status in the flesh, in our own, sinful nature.

We must repent and believe in the name of the Lord. We must lift up our heads to Him, yielding to Him as we open up the gates and ancient doors of our hearts. That’s when the King of glory comes in and cleans house with conviction, forgiveness of sin and unrighteousness and brings us His peace which surpasses all understanding, to guard our hearts and minds.

He is the Lord of hosts; heaven’s armies. He will command His armies to protect and watch over you.

He will hide you from the enemy, in the shadow of His wings.

Psalms 106:1-3 NKJV
[1] Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. [2] Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can declare all His praise? [3] Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.106.1-3.NKJV

Reading Psalm 106 in my daily devotions and I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and everlasting mercy in the midst of Israel’s constant rebellion. Even after all He brought them through by the hand of Moses, who “stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.” (Psalm 106:23)

God led them out of captivity in Egypt, even parting the Red Sea so they could safely escape the Egyptians who pursued them, as Moses led them out. The people murmured and complained, even after God delivered them. Oh, they praised God as they passed through the Sea on dry land, and as they reached the other side, as the waves of the Sea came down on the enemy who was pursuing them. But it wasn’t long after this event that they forgot about God and returned to their rebellious, idolatrous ways.

This is an accurate picture of mankind and our own rebellion against God. We’re happy and full of praise when He moves in our lives, but as soon as the bad times have passed, and His goodness and mercy have shown upon us and delivered us from evil, it’s not long before we return to our fleshly human nature, and rebel against God again and again, choosing our way over His way and turning our back against Him. Until we hit a rough spot again and call upon Him, and He saves us. When will we choose His way (John 14:6) over our own stubborn, rebellious ways!

We have one better than Moses, who has stood in the breach; that great gap between God and man; Jesus Christ, the Holy and righteous one.

As the Israelites looked to Moses in the wilderness, so we look to Christ, who is the One Moses was pointing to. Jesus is our Redeemer and Savior. As we look to Him in the midst of our own stubborn rebellion, He rescues us with His own outstretched arms!

Remember His faithfulness and his everlasting mercy and peace, which He so richly provides.

In the movie Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne, played by Timothy Hutton, made this statement: “either get busy living, or get busy dying.”

What did he mean when he said this?

We may feel trapped or powerless, and we may be tempted to give up or resign ourselves to our fate. But Andy’s words remind us that we always have a choice. We can either accept our circumstances and let them define us, or we can take action and try to change them. We can get busy living or get busy dying.

In my deepest thoughts and prayers, I’m reminded of the Psalmist, who often wrote about the themes of life and death along with the human experiences of stress, anxiety, despair, and the sufferings of daily life.

In our human nature we worry so much about tomorrow and beyond; what we will do, where we will go, wear, eat, etc. Sometimes we feel trapped or powerless by our present circumstances; perhaps, even, dwelling in the past.

But putting our faith and trust in God and in the living power of His word (Hebrews 4:12) brings us to the throne room of God, where His mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness abounds to those who look to Him. In his mercy, His grace, His peace and His power become ours, as his life flows through living power of His Holy Spirit.

When I am weak, His strength picks me up and carries me. I was once powerless, but now my strength is renewed like the eagle’s. (Isaiah 40:31)

Psalm 116:1-9 ESV
[1] I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. [2] Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. [3]  The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. [4] Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!” [5]  Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. [6] The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. [7] Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. [8] For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; [9] I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.116.1-9.ESV

Repent and believe in the Lord.

Psalms 80:19 NKJV
[19] Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.80.19.NKJV

Repentance leads to restoration and brings His peace upon and within us, in our hearts.

When we stray from the Lord, we’re abandoning His peace, which surpasses our understanding, which guards our hearts and minds.

Often our flesh gets the best of us with its lustful desires and demands. The lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life consume our thoughts, and our feelings and emotions take over and control the outcome.

As Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, so we are tempted regularly. In such times our best defense is the word of God, just as it was for Jesus. When He was tempted by the devil, he did not argue or reason with the enemy, He went right to the scriptures, “it is written ..” Satan is bound by the word of God. He can twist it and decieve us, but he cannot go beyond the authority and living power of God’s word (Hebrews 4:12).

So we will do well to abide in God’s word, so that His word abides in us. Storing up His word in our hearts, may very well keep us from committing sin.

However, when we do give into temptation and commit sin, forgiveness and restoration are only a prayer away

Often the enemy will deceive us into believing we’re so bad, too bad even for God to forgive. But his mercies are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness toward us.

Repentance is a lifelong journey into the heart and grace of God. David and other Psalmists recorded their many prayers in the book of Psalms as a testimony and reminder to us all, that God’s anger does not last, and when we do , eventually, turn to Him in faith, confessing our sins before Him He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)

Psalms 60:1 NKJV
[1] O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down; You have been displeased; Oh, restore us again!

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.60.1.NKJV

Psalms 85:4 NKJV
[4] Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.85.4.NKJV

Lamentations 5:21 NKJV
[21] Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old,

https://bible.com/bible/114/lam.5.21.NKJV