daily psalms

  Psalm 23 The Lord is like a shepherd to me, looking after me with great care, making sure that I have all that I need.  He makes sure that I can rest in beautiful lush green fields.  When Im thirsty He leads me to still waters, knowing that I cant cope with the fast flowing torrent when Im weary.  His care for me repairs my sore heart, restores my bruised mind, readjusts my battered will.  When we walk together it is in paths of righteousness because that is who He is - righteous. But you know, even if I have to walk through deep dark places where death is lurking I will not be afraid because You Lord are with me.  You keep me safe, close, healthy, part of the flock even if sometimes you have to use your shepherds crook to yank me out of trouble.   You act as though my enemies dont exist - you throw a party for me even in the midst of all their scheming.  You bless me - your blessing runs down from the top of my head like warm oil....

  psalm 21 The king can rejoice because You. O Lord are his strength and his salvation.  You have given him his heart's desire and have not held back from giving him what he asked for Just stop for a minute to think about that Whenever You meet the king You bless him with all Your goodness which is like a golden crown upon his head.  He asked You for long life and You have given him not merely length of days on earth, but eternal life too.  And so he marvels in Your salvation: You have given him honour, You have made him majestic because You have set Your belssing on him forever.  Your presence with him has made him exceedingly glad because the king trusts in the Lord and because of The Lord's mercy he knows he will not be shaken God, you will seek out all Your enemies - those who hate You - and You will burn them up when the time comes for Your anger to be unleashed.  You shall remove all trace of them from the earth.  Because they plotted evil agains...

  Psalm 22 God! Where have You gone??  You have abandoned me.  You are miles away - cant You hear my groaning?  Ive been crying all day but You haven't even heard.  I've been crying in my bed at night but You haven't been listening. But You, the God who inhabits the praises of Your people, are holy - our forefathers trusted in You.  They trusted and You delivered them: they cried to You and You saved them.  They werent ashamed to trust in You. But Im not like them.  Im nothing. Nobody. Im ridiculous - people despise me; they walk past and say ' Ha! Look at him. He trusted in the Lord - lets see if the Lord will rescue him now since he's always telling us how great He is!' But You are the one who took me out of my mother's womb.  From infancy I trusted in You.  You have been my God for as long as I can remember. Please don't distance Yourself from me because trouble is near and there is no one to help me.  Im surrounded on all sides ...

  psalm 20  ( I love this one) May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble.  I pray that You will be able to hide in Him and that He will send you help from the inner courts of heaven.  I pray that He will give you strength.  That He will remember all the sacrifices you have made and are making for Him and accept these as an offering in which He delights because they prove your devotion to Him. I pray that He will grant you your hearts desire and fulfil all your potential , leading you along a totally satisfying path. And as He does this we shall be cheering you on, raising our banners, waving our flags as we rejoice.  May the Lord answer every single question you have and grant all your requests. I am totally sure, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God saves those whom He has called and chosen and will answer them from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some people trust in fast cars and worldly wealth to get them th...

  Psalm 19 You only have to open your eyes and look up to see God's glory.  The skies are His handiwork and every day that goes past, every night time starry spectacle shows something of what He is like and describes who He is.  There is nobody on earth who isnt able to see these wonderful ways in which He communicates with us. In the skies He has made a throne for the sun -which looks as glorious as a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom in the morning ready to run his race across the sky from one end of it to the other.  Everyone basks in its heat. God's law is perfect and in understanding it our souls are saved The proof of what God has done and continues to do is so undeniable - simple but incredibly profound His laws are right - following them is the key to happiness His commands are righteous - obey them and you will clearly see the way ahead The fear of the Lord is clean and lasts forever. His judgements are true and totally right and we should desire to be ju...

  Psalm 18 ( part 2) You will shed light on everything.  The Lord will enlighten the darkness.  Because with You I can face an army - with Your strength indwelling me I can leap over the obstacles I'm facing.  Gods way is perfect.  His word can be trusted.  He is a shield to all who trust Him.  There is no other God except our Lord.  Who else has a God like ours?  A rock - strong and immovable.  He makes sure that I'm walking in His perfect way.  Even if He's taking me over high and difficult mountain tops He makes sure I'm ready and equipped.  He teaches me how to use the weapons He has given me.  And He has also given me a protective shield - my salvation.  Your right hand has reached out to grab me when Ive been unsure and Your gentleness has made me great.  You have widened the path under my feet so that they didnt slip. Because of this Ive been able to pursue my enemies and overtake them - I didn't turn...

  Psalm 18 ( part 1) Yippee God, way to go! I love You so much, my strong, immovable, warrior God.  I trust You. My shield, salvation, stronghold.  You are there when I call for You, rescuing me from my enemies. Death crept close, and I was terrified that I was sinking in a sea of evil.  I was depressed and deathly thoughts were lurking.  In my distress I called to the Lord.  I cried out to God and He heard my voice - my cry made its way to His ears.   Then the earth shook - earthquakes and shaking because He was angry, smoke and fire from volcanos.  The skies came down to the ground as He descended in darkness.  Winds raged.  He wore the stormy waters like a cape.  Hailstones, thick clouds and coals of fire.  Thunder as He spoke.  Hail and fire, lightning like arrows sent by Him to scatter the enemy.  The very foundations of the earth were laid bare at Your rebuke Lord. He sent from above: He took me: He lifted ...

  Psalm 17 Im a good and godly man who stands in your presence and is waiting for Your justice.  .You can see that I am right with You.  You have tested my heart, You have visited me in the night.  You have set me tests which I have passed.  I have decided that my mouth wont go the way of the world and Ive managed to keep myself on the right path by following Your instructions.  Please keep me walking in Your ways and don't let my feet slip.  I have called out to You and you will hear me God.  Turn towards me and hear what I'm saying.  Show me your marvellous loving kindness because You are a God who saves those who trust in You and rescues them from their enemies. Keep me as the apple of Your eye.  Hide me under the shadow of Your wings.  Hide me from the wicked who opress me and my deadly enemies who surround me. My greedy, selfish enemies have closed up their selfish hearts: they are arrogant and proud.  They are out to get ...

  Psalm16 Keep me going God - I'm trusting that You will.  My mind, will and emotions have said to the Lord ' You are my God - there is nothing good about me except for the fact that You live with me'  And I have said to God's people ' You are brilliant and I love you guys!' People who chase after other gods arent going to find happiness - so Im not going to go after them, do the things they demand or even speak about them.  You Lord are the rich treasure I have inherited, You are the one who sustains me. You keep me going.  And as a result life's been pretty good to me - Ive been able to smile through most of it.  Yes, Ive been blessed. So I will bless You Lord, for giving me good advice and I will listen to my heart when it speaks to me as I lie awake at night.  The Lord is in my heart and because He is so close to me I will NOT succumb to the violent shaking that is going on all around me.  I will not fall. So I can be glad and rejoice....

  Psalm 15 Lord, what srt of person has permission to come and go with You and who is allowed to live permanently in Your holy presence? The good and godly man, that's who.  The man of integrity who doesnt gossip and speak carelessly, doesnt bear grudges and doesnt enjoy wickedness but who honours those who fear the Lord : the man who keeps his promises even if it cost him, is generous with his money and cant be bribed.   This sort of man will NOT be taken down.