Psalms 33:12

Psalms 33:12 says, Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.  David tells us that the nation whose God is the LORD is blessed.   If we as a nation hope to be blessed today, we must put our faith in the only true God, and be His people by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  Then, we will be a part of those chosen to be a part of His inheritance.  Verse thirteen adds, The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.  David tells us that God is watching all people from heaven.  Nothing that we do is hidden from God.  Verse fourteen continues, From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.  Again,  David tells us that God doesn't just look on some people, but all people.  Verse fifteen states, He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.  David tells us everyone is created the same, and then God observes our works.  I believe this means whether or not our works are done under God's leadership through our faith in Christ.  Verse sixteen adds, There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.  David said that rulers were not saved by their own strength, and no matter how strong rulers may think they are today, if they are not putting them faith in God and following Him, they will fall.  Verse seventeen continues, An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Horses were considered a source of power during wars in David's time, but God said they were a vain thing to look to for safety.  No matter how powerful we may feel militarily today as a nation, it is a vain thing if we have not put God first.  Verse eighteen declares,  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;  David also tells us that God is watching those that put their faith in Him.  God doesn't just look down on His people occasionally, but He looks down on us continually.  Verse nineteen adds, To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.  David said God looking down on His people to deliver their soul from death and to keep them from famine.   When we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, our soul is forever delivered from spiritual death, and God will always provide for our needs if we rely on Him through faith.  Verse twenty says, Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.  We, like David, must wait on God and rely on His strength to shield us from evil in this world.  Verse twenty-one adds, For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.  David said that the hearts of God's people would rejoice in Him, because they had trusted in His holy name.  We as Christians should always rejoice in God if put our trust in His holy name.  Verse twenty-two concludes, Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.  David asked that God's mercy be on people according to their hope in Him.  As followers of Christ, God's mercy is always on us, and because of that we should always live by faith.

Psalms 33:1

 Psalms 33:1 says, Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.  As David said then, the righteous need to rejoice in the LORD, because praising Him is comely, or what we should do.  Verse two adds,, Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.  David said that God's people were to praise Him with songs and musical instruments.  Some people today believe that musical instruments have no place in worship, but if we look to what David said, then we should see that this is not the case.  Verse three continues, Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.  David called on people to worship God with a new song and to play skillfully with loud noise.  Sometimes, the new songs that are sung and played in worship may sound like loud noise, hopefully skillfully played, but if it is offered in sincerity to praise God, then we should find nothing wrong with it.  Verse four declares,  For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.  David tells us that we should worship God because His word is right and all His works are done in truth.  God will never do anything wrong or that is based on a lie.  Verse five adds, He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.  David said that God loves truth and righteous and that the earth is full of His goodness.  This has not changed.  God still expects His people to be righteous based on His judgment, and even with all its problems, the world is still full of the goodness of God.  Verse six continues, By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  David said that God brought all of creation into being by the power of His word, so we need never doubt God's power in the world today.  Verse seven concludes, He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.  David continued to speak of God's power over the earth.  God gathered the seas together and separated the land.  Verse eight states, Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  David called on all the earth to fear and stand in awe of God.  I don't believe that we are to be afraid of God, but we are to have an awesome respect for Him.  We don't need to fear that God is just waiting to destroy us, but instead that He stands ready to forgive us if we will only put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse nine adds, For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.  David tells us that we need to stand in awe of God because He spoke everything in to existence.  God's power has not diminished since He created the heavens and the earth, and we need to acknowledge His power today.   Verse ten says, The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.  As followers of Christ, we have no reason to fear the heathen, those who do not believe in God, because God makes all their devices, or power, to no effect in our spiritual life.  Verse eleven adds, The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.  David said that God's word will endure forever.  If we put our faith in Jesus Christ, God secures us as His forever.  There is no power that can separate us from God as long as we put our trust in Him.

Psalms 32:1

Psalms 32;1 says, A Psalm of David, Maschil. Again, the identification of this being a psalm of David, then verse one says, Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  David said that those whose transgressions were forgiven and whose sins were covered were blessed.  As followers of Christ, this means us.  By the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, our transgressions are forgiven and our sins are coveredby His blood.  Verse two adds, Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.  David said the person whom God does not hold his or her iniquity against is blessed.  The only way for this to happen is through faith in Jesus Christ.  If we put our faith in Him and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, there should be no guile in us.  Verse three states, When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.  David said he had kept silent about the sin around him and his sins and it made him grow old.  If we do not speak out against sin and confess our own sins, we will begin to feel old and defeated.  Verse four adds, For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.  David added that when he refused to speak out against sin that God's hand was heavy on him.  If we refuse to renounce sin today as followers of Christ, then we should not be surprised if we feel God's hand pressing down on us and drying up our joy.  Verse five declares, I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.  David said he confessed his sins to God, and that God forgave him.  If we confess our sins to God through our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, then God will always forgive our sins.  Verse six adds, For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.  David tells us that because of God's salvation from our sins that we should seek Him while He may be found.  Jesus Christ died for the sins of everyone, but for this to have effect in our life, we must come to Jesus Christ when God calls us.  Verse seven continues, Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. David pronounced God to be his hiding place, or his place of security.  As Christians, as long as we put our faith in Jesus Christ, God will always be our place of security.  Verse eight says, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.  David said he would teach others about God because he knew Who God is from his personal relationship withHim.  We as, followers of Christ today, must teach others about God  and share the gospel wherever we go.  Verse nine adds, Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.  David asked that people not be like a horse or mule who need someone else to force them to obey.  I believe that David was saying that we should not have to be forced to do God's will, but that we should do so willingly.  Verse ten states, Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.  As David said, if not in this lifetime, then at God's judgment day certainly, many sorrows will come to the wicked, but to those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ  God's mercy will encompass them.  Verse eleven adds, Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.  David called on the righteous to rejoice in the Lord, and that includes us today as followers of Christ. 

Psalms 31:14

Psalms 31:14 says, But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.  David said he always trusted in the LORD, because He was his God.  There should never be a time when we do not trust in God as Christians.  Verse fifteen adds, My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.  David placed his life in God's hands and asked God to deliver him his enemies.  We need to put our lives in God's hands as followers of Christ and leave it up to Him to deal with our enemies.  Verse sixteen states, Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.  Once more, David asked God to shine His mercy on him for God's sake.  We should recognize that God sheds His mercy on us for His glory and not for ours.  Verse seventeen adds, Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.  David asked that God enable him to not be ashamed of his relationship with God.  Instead, he asked that his enemies be ashamed and silent in the grave.  We need to also ask God to give us the strength and dedication to never be ashamed of our relationship with Him.  The enemies of God will on day realize their shame, and they will have nothing to say to God in their defense.  Verse eighteen says, Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.  David asked that those who lied against the righteous be put to silence.  When God's judgment comes, this will be their status.  Verse nineteen declares, Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!  David stated that God's goodness was great, and we as Christians should always acknowledge this fact.  Verse twenty adds, Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.  David continued to talk about God protecting those who put their faith in Him.  As David said, as followers of Christ, God keeps us safely in His pavilion.  Verse twenty-one states, Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.  David declared that he proclaimed his blessing to God because of God's marvelous kindness.   We should never forget to praise God for all His blessings that He bestows on us daily, even when the world seems to be out to destroy us.  Verse twenty-two adds, For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.  David said in his haste that he thought he was cut off from God, but then he realized that God had always heard him when he called out to Him.  Sometimes, when life seems to be overwhelming, we may in our haste feel that God has forgotten us, but He never will if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-three states, O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.  David called on all the saints of God to love the LORD because He preserved the faithful, and this still applies to us today.  As Christians, we are the saints of God.  Verse twenty-four adds, Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.  David then asked those who put their faith in God to be of good courage.  As followers of Christ, we should live courageously for God today, never wavering in our faith.

Psalms 31:1

 Psalms 31:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The introduction, then verse one says, In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.  David said he put his trust in the LORD and asked that he never be ashamed of that fact and asked God to deliver him by God's righteous, not David's.  As Christians, we are delivered by God's righteous, so we need to put our trust in Him and never be ashamed of the fact that we do.  Verse two adds, Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.  David asked God to listen to his prayers and to be his defence in the world, bringing him a quick delivery from his enemies.  We know that God always hears His people when they pray, and when we put our faith in Jesus Christ spirituallly we have immediate and everlasting delivery from all our enemies.  Verse three continues, For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.  David proclaimed God to be his rock and fortress and asked God to lead and guide him for God's sake.   As followers of Christ, God is our rock and fortress, so we should pray for His continual leadership and guidance, and we should then follow Him for His name’s sake, or glory.  Verse four states, Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.  David asked God to deliver him from the snares, or nets, that his enemies had secretly laid for him, because God was his strength.  No matter how many snares the world may set for us today as Christians, as long as we put our faith in God, He will always deliver us, even from those secret snares we may not see.  Verse five declares, Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.  Like David, as Christians we must commit our spirits to God, because He alone can redeem us, since He is the God of truth.  We cannot sometimes believe the truth of God and other times question it if we are to be saved.  Verse six adds, I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.  David said he had hated those who spoke vain lies and had put his trust in the LORD.  We are not to hate those who speak lies today, but we are to hate the lies that they tell, and we are always to put our faith in the truth of God as followers of Christ.  Verse seven continues, I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;  David said he would be glad and rejoice in God's mercy, because God had considered him in his troubles and adversities.  David did not say that God had always kept him from trouble and adversity.   We need to rejoice in the Lord, not because He will keep us from trouble and adversity, but because He will always be with us and lead us through them by His power.  Verse eight concludes, And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.  David said God had not shut him up in the hand of his enemy, but had set his feet in a large room.  God will never leave Christians in the hand of their enemies spiritually.  Verse nine asks, Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.  David asked God to have mercy on him in his time of trouble, when he was filled with grief.  As followers of Christ, if we find ourselves in times of trouble and grief, we need to pray to God for His deliverance from the situation, and as long as we continue to pull our faith in Him, we can be certain of His everlasting delivery.  Verse ten adds, For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.  David said his years were filled with grief and his strength failed because of his iniquity.  If our lives seem to be filled with grief and our strength failing as followers of Christ, we need to see if we have allowed sin back into our life.  Verse eleven declares, I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.  David said he had become a reproach not only to his enemies but also to his acquaintances.  David had seemingly fallen out from under God's protection, and his enemies were all around him, so even his acquaintances were afraid to be around him.  Even if we are following God's leadership, at times it may seem that everyone has turned away from us, even our friends.  Verse twelve adds, I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.  David said he was forgotten as a dead man and that he was a broken vessel.  We may think of David as a mighty king, but he was often in trouble in the world, so why should we think that we should be any different?  Verse thirteen concludes. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. David said the people all around him slandered him and plotted against him seeking to kill him.  If we feel that the world is against us as Christians, we will not be the first to feel that way, and we must never forget that God is with us no matter what happens. 

Psalms 30:1

Psalms 30:1 says, A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.  This introduction is a little more specific, then verse one says, I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. David said God lifted him to victory over his foes.  David never bragged on himself, but always gave God the glory.  If we rely on God's strength and guidance, we will always be victorious over sin, and we must always give God the glory.  Verse two adds, O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.  David said when he cried to God, or earnestly prayed to Him, that God healed him.  Through our faith in Jesus Christ, God has healed us forever, no matter what happens in this lifetime.  Verse three continues, O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.  David said that God had delivered his soul fom hell, and so does God deliver the soul of anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Savior from hell.  Verse four states, Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.  David calls on all saints, or those who believe in God, to sing to Him with  thanks as they remember His holiness. We as Christians are called saints of God, and we should continually give Him the thanks and remember His holiness.  Verse five adds, For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  David said that God's anger was brief but His favor brings life.  God is angry at our sin, but when we earn His favor through faith in Jesus Christ it lasts forever.  David said that things may look bad at night, but through faith joy comes in the morning.  Verse six says, And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.  David said that during his time of prosperity that he believed he would never be moved.  Matthew Henry says that David was self confident and not truly looking to God.  Often, in times of prosperity we become the same way.  Verse seven adds, LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.  David does give God credit for success, but then says that God hid His face from him.  I believe that the reason David felt this way was because he had stopped being in continual communication with God.  Sometimes, when we as Christians are being successful in life we can tend to forget about God and lose our continual communication with Him.  Verse eight continues, I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.  David said that he cried to God, I believe when his mountain, or success had been shaken.  We may not cry out to God when things are going well, but we are always quick to call out to Him in times of need.  Verse nine asks, What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?  David asked how his destruction could profit God and who would praise God and declare His truth if David was dead.  We may feel that we alone are proclaiming God's truth and that God would not profit from our death, but we are not alone in proclaiming God's word.  We need to be faithful to God no matter how much we may be shaken in the world, even if we lose our life doing so.  Verse ten declares, Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.  Like David, we need to ask for God to hear and have mercy on us, in times of prosperity as well as in times of trouble.  We will always be in need of God's help in this world.  God has already shown His mercy to everyone, but in order to claim that mercy we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  When we do, God through the Holy Spirit is always there to help us if we are following God's will.  Verse eleven adds, Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;  David said God had changed his mourning into dancing, put off his sackcloth of mourning, and wrapped him in gladness.  This is how we as followers of Christ should feel every day.  Verse twelve concludes, To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.  David said that he could not be silent in giving his praises to God, and neither should we be today.

Psalms 29:1

Psalms 29:1 says, A Psalm of David. After the introduction,  verse one says, Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.  David called on the mighty, those who were in power in the world, to give glory to God.  We need the mighty in the world today to give unto God, beginning with themselves.  If they didn't give themselves to God through faith in Christ, then nothing else would matter.  Verse two adds, Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.  David asked that the mighty give unto God because He was due their glory and for them to worship Him in the beauty of His holiness.  We should worship God because of Who He is.  Verse three states, The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.  David begins to speak of the voice of the LORD. He said God's voice in on the waters, or reaches all nations.  Verse four adds,The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.  David also spoke or the power and majesty of God's voice.  God brought all things into existence by the power of His voice, and He calls everyone to salvation by that same powerful voice.  Verse five continues, The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.  The cedars of Lebanon were considered to be strong trees, but David said God's voice could bring them down.  There is nothing in the world more powerful or stronger than the voice of God.  Verse six says, He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.  David said that powerful nations were no more than a weak calf to God.  There is no nation nor any power in the universe that can stand before God, and we need to acknowledge His power in our life today.  Verse seven adds, The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.  We may sometimes think of fire as almost uncontrollable, but David said God's voice could divide, or control, the flames of fire.  We also know that God's spares us from the fires of hell if we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse eight states, The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.  David said God's voice could also shake the wilderness.  People may think that if they go into the wilderness areas of the world that they can escape God, but God is there and in control.  Verse nine adds, The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.  David said that God had the power over the birth of animals, and we can add even over the birth of people.  We need to pray that in God's temple that everyone speaks of His glory.  Verse ten declares, The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.  David said that God sat on the flood.  Most of the world was destroyed by the flood in Noah's day, but God limited it destructive power.  Verse eleven adds, The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.  David said God would give strength to and bless His people with peace.  If we do not have peace in our life as followers of God, we need to look to God in faith allowing His peace to come into our life.  We have no reason to fear anything in this world, because God is more powerful than anything. 

Psalms 28:1

 Psalms 28:1 says, A Psalm of David. After the introduction, then verse one says, Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.  David asked God to not stop speaking to him so that he would not be like those who went down into the pit.  As Christians, we should not find it strange that God speaks to us, though it probably won't be with an audible voice, but we should be alarmed if He stops speaking to us.  Verse two adds, Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.  David then asked that God hear him when he prayed to Him in humbleness.  We can be certain as followers of Christ that God will always hear our prayers if we come to Him simply seeking His will.  Verse three continues, Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.  David asked that God not send him away with those who worked iniquity, claiming to come in peace with their neighbors but really having mischief in their hearts.  We will not be sent away with the wicked if we have truly accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and if we have, we should never mistreat our neighbors.  Verse four states, Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.  David basically asked God to give the workers of iniquity what they deserved.  I really don't believe this should be our attitude, since we are all but sinners saved by grace.  God will take care of punishing those who refuse to accept His salvation plan in His own way and time.  We simply need to reach out to them with the gospel and pray for their salvation.  Verse five adds, Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.  David said that God would destroy those who did not regard Him and would not build them up.  Those who deny God today will one day be destroyed, along with everything that they have gained in this world.  Verse six declares, Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.  David then said that He blessed the LORD because He had heard David's prayers.  When God hears our prayers today, we should give Him the glory, even if His answer to our prayers is no.  Verse seven adds, The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.  Like David, we need to acknowledge God as the source of our strength and know that He will shield us from the sins of the world.  For this, like David, we need to rejoice in our heart and sing praises to God.  Verse eight continues, The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.  David said God was the strength of those who put their faith in Him.  As those who have put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, God is our strength as long as we seek His will in our lives.  Verse nine concludes, Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.  David asked God to provide for His people and to bless them and keep them safe forever.  We as followers of Christ are His forever, and He blesses us beyond measure, no matter what happens in this lifetime. 

Psalms 27:1

Psalms 27:1 says, A Psalm of David. After the introduction as a psalm of David, verse one says, 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?  David said that since God was his light, salvation, and strength, he asked whom should he be afraid of.  If we put our faith in  God, like David, we should be afraid of no one.  Verse two adds, When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  David said when his enemies came upon him to destroy him, that God caused them to fall.  Even if our enemies defeat us in this world, God has already caused them to fall in the everlasting perspective.  Verse three continues,  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  David said that no matter how large the force against him might be, that he would still be confident in the LORD.  This should be our belief today as well as followers of Christ.  Verse four states, One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.  David said that the one thing that he had desired and sought after was to dwell in God's house all his days, to behold the beauty of God and to seek God's will there.  We should also want to live in God's presence and seek His will in our lives as Christians.  Verse five adds, For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.  David said that God would hide him in His security in times of trouble.  God will always keep His people securely in His strength in times of trouble.  Verse six declares, And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.  David said that since God had lifted him up above his enemies that he would offer sacrifices in God's temple and sing praises to Him.  David gave God the credit for his success in life, even when at war, and so should we.  Verse seven adds, Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.  David asked God to hear him and have mercy on him.  If we are to be successful life today, we must first ask God to hear us and have mercy on us.  We cannot demand that God hear us, but if we call out to Him sincerely seeking His mercy through faith in Jesus Christ, He always will hear us.  Verse eight says, When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.  David said that when God told him to seek Him, he obeyed.  God tells everyone to seek Him first today, and our relationship to Him depends on whether we do or not.  Verse nine adds, Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.  David asked God, Whom he called the God of his salvation, to not forsake him.  As Christians, who have salvation through Christ, we can be certain that God will never forsake us.  We have everlasting security through our relationship with God when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse ten states, When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.  David said that even if his father and mother forsook him, he would still put his faith in the LORD.   Even if all the world were to forsake us, even our closest relatives, we must still continue to put our faith in God.  Verse eleven adds, Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.  Like David, we need to ask God to lead us in the plain path of righteousness, because we like David have enemies all around us.  Verse twelve continues, Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.  David asked God to keep him safe from the false witnesses that had risen up against him.  We need to ask the same of God today.  Verse thirteen says, I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  David said that if it weren't for his faith in God that he would have fainted.  We must never allow our faith in God to falter.  As followers of Christ, God secures us by His power and goodness.  Verse fourteen adds, Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  Like David, we simply need to wait on the LORD, both in times of trouble and in times of prosperity.  We need to give God the glory no matter what happens in our life. 

Psalms 26:1

Psalms 26:1 says, A Psalm of David.  After being identified as a Psalm of David, verse one says, Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.  David asked God to judge him, and then said that God knew he had sinned but also that he had trusted in the LORD.   God will one day judge us, whether we ask Him to or not, and we are all guilty of sin, so our only hope is to put our faih and trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Verse two adds, Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.  David then asked God to examine his heart.  It is not enough for us to pronounce ourselves innocent, but we need to continually ask God to examine our life to see if there are any sinful thoughts or actions in our life.  Verse three continues, For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.  David said God's lovingkindness, His mercy, was before his eyes, and that he had walked by God's truth. Because of God's lovingkindness, or mercy, toward us, we should walk guided by His truth.  Verse four states, I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.  Though we are told to go into all the world to share the gospel, this does not mean that we are to sit with those we witness to all the time.  Verse five adds, I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.  David said he hated the congregation of the wicked and would not sit with them.   Again, we are to hate the sins of people and to witness to them about Jesus Christ, but we are not to make congregating with them a way of life.  Verse six declares, I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:  David pronounced his innocence before God and his right to come to God's altar.  David's innocence came from his faith in God and God's mercy and not from his own goodness.  The only way we can stand innocent before God is by putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Verse seven adds, That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.  David said that he would tell the world of all of God's wondrous works in his life, and so should we as Christians.  Verse eight continues, LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.  David said he had loved being in God's house  where God's honor dwelt.  We should love being in God's house today, but when we are gathered in His house, all that we do there should honor Him.  Of course, anywhere that we are as Christians should be God's house for us and we should honor Him in all that we do.  Verse nine says, Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:  David asked that his soul not be gathered with sinners.  David had proclaimed his innocence because of God's grace to him and his faith in the LORD, and asked that he not be sentenced to the same fate as the sinners who had not put their faith in the LORD.  We are all sinners, but if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we will not be judged with those who don't.  By our faith in Jesus Christ, we are pronounced innocent.  Verse ten adds, In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.  David then spoke of some of the actions of the sinful men.  Their hands were full of mischief and bribes.  There will always be sinful people in the world, but as Christians we must not be a part of them.  Verse eleven declares, But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.  David said that he would walk in his integrity, but at the same time asked God to redeem him and be merciful to him.  We cannot save ourselves by our own integrity, but can only be saved by the mercy of God, which we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord to obtain.  Verse twelve adds, My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.  David said he stood on the even ground of God and would bless the LORD in the congregation.  When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He leads us on the even ground and keeps us from stumbling, and for this we should always give Him the praise. 

Psalms 25:11

Psalms 25:11 says, For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.  David asked God to pardon his great iniquity for the sake of God's name.  When God pardons our sins, whether great or small, it is God's name that is glorified and not ours.  Verse twelve asks, What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.  David asked who was the man who would fear the LORD, and said that it was the one who allowed God to show him God's way.  It is always our choice.  Verse thirteen adds, His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.  David said the person who chose to follow God would live at ease and that his or her descendants would inherent the earth.  If we look back to the beginning of creation, God placed the earth in the care of and under the control of mankind.  I believe this was what David was referring to, and not to claiming all the riches of the world.   Verse fourteen declares, The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.  We cannot discover God's secret or truly understand His covenant without Him revealing it to us, and the only way it is revealed to us is by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse fifteen states, Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. David said his eyes were continually on God, Who would pluck him out of the snares of life.  If we keep our eyes continually focused on God,  we will never fall into the traps of sin.  Verse sixteen adds, Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.  David was asking God to look at him in his desolation and affliction and not for God to turn to David's way.  We need to continually be in prayer to God, but especially so when things seem desolate or we are suffering affliction.  Verse seventeen continues, The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.  Verse eighteen concludes, Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.  David just continues to speak of the great distress that he is in.  Sometimes, the world may seem to be overwhelming us, but if that happens, we need to call out to God.  Verse nineteen says, Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.  David asked God to consider his enemies, which he said were many and that they hated him.  David was a great and powerful king, but he recognized that God was the source of his strength, and so must we today.  Verse twenty adds,  O kee!p my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.  David asked God to keep his soul and deliver him.  He asked that he not be ashamed of putting his faith in God, because God was the One Who delivered him from his enemies.  Through faith in Jesus Christ, God has already delivered us to victory over all our enemies, so we should never be ashamed to say so.  Verse twenty-one declares, Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.  David asked God to help him live in integrity and uprightness.   David knew he couldn't do this by his own ability.  We need to put our faith in God and wait on Him to show us the way he wants us to live our life.  Verse twenty-two adds, Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.  David then asked God to redeem Israel out of all his troubles.   We should be in prayer not only for ourselves but for everyone, and especially for God's people who may be in distress, wherever they may be.

Psalms 25:1

Psalms 25:1 says, A Psalm of David. After identifying this as a psalm of David, verse one says, Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. David said he lifted up, or gave, his soul to God, and so must we.  We must give everything that we are, have, or ever hope to be, to God.  Verse two adds, O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.  David asked that he not be ashamed of trusting in God, and also that because of his trust in God that his enemies not be allowed to triumph over him.  As long as we trust in God, whatever happens in this lifetime, we will be successful over our enemies by God's power and strength.  Verse three continues, Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.  David asked that no one who trusted in God be ashamed, and also that those who sin without cause to be ashamed.   We certainly should never apologize for or attempt to hide the fact that we are followers of Christ.  Unfortunately, most of these who openly sin against God are not ashamed of the fact, and instead often openly brag about it, but we still need to be in prayer for them.  Verse four declares, Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.  David asked God to guide his life by showing him God's ways and teaching him God's path.  We need to be in constant communication with God, studying His word, and then He will guide our life to where we need to be.  Verse five adds, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.  David continues to ask God for His guidance and says that He is the God of his salvation.  David wanted to live by the truth of God.  As Christians, God is the God of our salvation, and we must live by the truth of His word and by His guidance. This is a continual thing, and not just an occasional one.  Verse six asks, Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.  David asked God to remember him in His tender mercies, which had always been present.  From the beginning of creation,  God has always been a merciful God, but He does expect people to reach out to Him in faith.  Verse seven states, Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.  David asked God to not remember the sins of his youth nor his transgressions according to God's goodness and for God's glory.   When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, all our sins are forgiven and forgotten, and we need to give God the glory for it.  Verse eight declares, Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.  David declared God to be good and upright and said that He would teach sinners His way.  We are all sinners, and in order to be taught the ways of God we must first put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Then, God will teach us His ways.  Verse nine adds, The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.  David said the meek, those not full of self pride, would be guided by God's judgment and taught His ways.  We cannot come to God in pride and arrogance, but must come humbly to Him.  Verse ten adds, All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.  David said all of God's paths were full of mercy and truth for those who kept His covenants.  We as followers of Christ are called on to follow God in a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.  We are still to keep God's laws, even though we are saved by Christ.  Salvation does not exempt us from following the laws of God.

Psalms 24:1

 Psalms 24:1says, A Psalm of David.  After being identified as a psalm of David, verse one says, The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  David said that the earth and everything in it, including the people, were God's.  God is the Creator of all things, and therefore everything is His.  He could have created mankind without a choice as to whether or not to follow Him, but He gave them free will as to whether or not they would.  God then provided a way of salvation after mankind sinned, but still still gave them free will as to whether or not to accept His salvation plan.  Verse two adds, For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.  David continues to speak about God as the Creator of the earth, as He set the land upon the seas.  Verse three asks, Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?  David asked who could go up to God by their own ability.  We can only reach God because He calls us and allows us to come into His presence.  Verse four answers, He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.  David lists a few things required before a person can enter into God's presence,  such as clean hands, a pure heart, and being one who has not lifted up his soul in vanity or sworn deceitfully.  Still, we know that no one can meet all these requirements all the time,, which is why the only ones who can come into God's presence are those who come by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse five adds, He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  Those who come to God with the penalty of sin removed from their lives through the righteousness of Christ will receive a blessing from God.  Verse six continues, This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.  David said that those around him were a generation that sought God's face.  We must be a generation that seeks God's face or will, because each generation must do so.  Verse seven declares, Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  David said that if we opened our hearts to Jesus Christ that He, the everlasting King of glory would come in.  It is always the choice of each individual whether or not to accept Jesus Christ as his or her Savior and Lord.  Verse eight asks, Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  David asked who the King of glory was, and answered that it was the Almighty God, the only true God.  If we are to be followers of Christ, we must acknowledge that God is the only true God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.  Verse nine says, Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  Again,  David tells us if we will open our hearts to Jesus that He will come in.  God does not force Himself into anyone's life, even though He could.  It is the choice of each individual whether or not to invite God into his or her heart.  Verse ten declares, Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.  Once more, David asked Who the King of glory was and answered the LORD of hosts, the Creator God.  There has always been and always will be only one true God. 

Psalms 23:1

Psalms 23:1 says, After being identified as a psalm of David, verse one says, The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  David said that since the LORD was his shepherd that he would not want for anything.  This meant that David had a personal relationship with the LORD, and that He would supply all of David's needs.  If we are followers of Christ, we need to have that same faith.  Verse two adds, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  Since David said the LORD was his shepherd, he used an analogy that would have made a sheep content.  David said that the LORD made him lie down in green pastures, and not in some grand palace, and that He lead him by still waters.  These were what sheep needed for food and drink.  We today should be content when God provides us with what we need in life, and not be disappointed if He doesn't provide us with what we want.  Verse three declares, He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.   David said the LORD, or God, restored his soul.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, our soul is restored.  David also said God led him in the paths of righteousness for God's name sake.  When we follow the path of righteousness, it reflects glory on the name of God.  Verse four adds, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  David said that even if he was in the valley of the shadow of death that he would fear no evil around him.  We hear a lot about the evil in the world today, but if we are Christians we should not be afraid of it.  David said that the reason he feared no evil was because God's rod and staff protected him.  This was another Shepherd analogy, and David didn't say it was because of his great abilities or weapons, but because God protected him that he was unafraid in bad situations.  We need to put our faith in God's protection, and not in our own strength or any weapon that we might have.  Verse five states, Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  David said that God prepared a table for him in the presence of his enemies.  David didn't say that God removed him from his enemies, but the He provided for David's needs in their presence.  He also said that God anointed his head with oil and that his cup ran over.  God went above just meeting David's needs when he was in the presence of his enemies, but He blessed David with an abundance of what was expected at a meal.  God's blessings will always meet our needs, but they will also show His abundant love and grace for us.  Verse six concludes. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.  Since David was often under attack, it was God's goodness and mercy that gave him peace and security.   If we feel that we are under attack in the world today, we as followers of Christ should still acknowledge that God's goodness and mercy will be with us all the days of our lives.  David said that he would live in the house of the LORD forever, and as Christians, we know the we have everlasting life with God through our faith in Jesus Christ.  This is one of David's best known psalms, and in it he basically declared himself to be a sheep in God's pasture, and yet we today look down on those that are called sheep. I believe that we sometimes want to think more highly of ourselves than what God calls us to be.

Psalms 22:22

 Psalms 22:22 says, I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.  David said he would declare God's name to his brethren.  We need to do that as well, but even more so we need to proclaim God's word to everyone we meet.  Verse twenty-three adds, Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.  David then called on people who believed in God to praise Him, especially the people of Israel, God's chosen people.  Like them,we need to have an awesome respect for God.  I don't believe we are to be afraid of God as followers of Christ, but we are to recognize His complete power in the universe.  Verse twenty-four continues, For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.  David said that God had not despised nor abhorred the afflicted, nor had He hidden His face from them, and when they cried out to Him, He heard them.  We can never be so bad that God will turn away from us, and if we call out to Him in faith He will always hear us.  Verse twenty-five states, My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.  David said that he would declare his praise of God to the people and that he would keep his vows to Him.  It is not enough to just praise God without keeping our vows to Him.  Verse twenty-six adds, The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.  David said the meek would eat and be satisfied.  I believe that as followers of Christ we are to be meek and humble people and not loud and bragging on our own abilities.  If we humbly put our faith in God, then we can eat and sleep in peace.  Verse twenty-seven declares, All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.  David said that people throughout the world, and not just the people of Israel, would turn to God and worship Him.  God is worshipped throughout the world by people today, but not by all the people of the world.  Verse twenty-eight adds, For the kingdom is the LORD’s: and he is the governor among the nations.  David declared God to be the ruler of all nations.  Even if they don't acknowledge God's sovereignty in this lifetime, when Jesus Christ returns in judgment, every person who ever lived will acknowledge God's sovereignty.  Verse twenty-nine continues, All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.  David said that everyone would one day be held accountable, as I had stated.  We cannot keep our own soul alive, nor can we destroy it.  All we can do is choose our everlasting destination by either accepting or rejecting salvation made available through Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty says, A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.  David said there would always be a remnant that served God and that those who did would be counted as a generation to God.  As followers of Christ, we are part of that remnant.  Verse thirty-one adds, They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.  David said that the coming generations that put their faith in God would declare His righteousness to the world.  This is our responsibility as Christians today.

Psalms 22:11

Psalms 22:11 says, Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. David asked God to be close to Him, because trouble was near him.  We need to always be close to God and ask Him to always be close to us, because trouble is always near and God is the only One we can rely on to always help us.  Verse twelve adds, Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.  David said he had many very strong enemies around him.  If we feel that the evil of the world has surrounded us today, we are not the first people to feel so.  Verse thirteen continues, They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.  David felt that everyone was speaking against him, and it may seem that most people in the world today speak out against Christians, but we need never be afraid, because God is with us.  Verse fourteen states, I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.  David, the mighty warrior that he was, said he felt as weak as water.  Still, it was not his strength that he was to rely on, but God's strength.  When we feel our weakest, that is when we especially need to look to God for strength.  Verse fifteen adds, My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.  David continues to speak about how weak and helpless he felt.  If we feel weak and helpless today, we need to focus on God and not our situation.  Verse sixteen continues, For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.  This is once more a reference to Jesus Christ,  Who had His hands and feet pierced on the cross.  Matthew Henry says the first twenty-one verses are a reference to Christ, but I believe most of the verses refer to how David was feeling at the time as well.  Verse seventeen says, I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.  Again, we know that those that crucified Jesus looked on Him with contempt, so we should not be surprised if they do the same to us today if we are followers of Christ.  Verse eighteen declares, They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.  This is a definite prophesy about what happened to Jesus when He was crucified.  Verse nineteen adds, But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.   Whether this refers to Christ or David himself, it should also be our prayer.  We need God's help to be successful in our Christian walk, whether in times of trouble or times of prosperity.  Verse twenty continues, Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.  Verse twenty-one concludes, Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.  David asked God to deliver his soul from the sword.  We can rest assured that through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord that God has already delivered our soul from all adversity. 

Psalms 22:1

Psalms 22:1 says, To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.  As often is the case, we have the introduction, then verse one says, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?  David asked God why He had forsaken him, and we recognize these as the words of Christ on the cross as well.  Of course, though David was God's chosen leader for His people, he could not bring them salvation, and if he felt that God had deserted him, it was for a different reason than Jesus Christ did.  If we feel that God has deserted us today, it will never be because He has actually done so if we are followers of Christ.  Verse two adds, O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.  David said he called out to God day and night, but that God did not hear him.  Once more,we know that God will always hear His people when they call out to Him, but we may sometimes feel that He doesn't because we are calling out for our own reasons and not for God's will to be done in our life.  Verse three declares, But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.  David said that even if he felt God had forsaken him, that he still recognized the holiness of God.  We must never forget the holiness of God, even if we feel that He has somehow forgotten us.  Verse four adds, Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.  David said he knew that when the people of Israel put their faith in God in the past that He delivered them.  We have the Bible to attest to this, especially with Jesus Christ.  We also have the testimony of other Christians.  Verse five continues, They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.  David continues to speak of God's deliverance of the people of Israel in the past.  We have even more people that we can point to that God delivered when they called out to Him in faith.  Verse six states, But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.  David, though God's chosen king, said he was but a worm and despised by men. We today often don't like to think of ourselves as being so lowly, even changing the words of a hymn that said such a worm as I to sinners such a I.  Verse seven adds, All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, Verse eight continues, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.  David said people mocked him because of his situation and said that David had trusted in the LORD but that the LORD had not delivered him.  We cannot judge God's deliverance on earthly situations.  Verse nine declares, But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.  Verse ten adds, I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.  David said God was with him while he was still in the womb.  We can never deny the fact that even those in the womb are God's creation. 

Psalms 21:1

Psalms 21:1 says,To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  Once more, after the introduction, verse one says, The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!   David was the king, so he really was saying that he would rejoice in God's strength, and so should we, no matter our status in life.  Verse two adds, Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.  David said God had given him everything he desired, not denying any request.  As long as we make our requeste in accordance with God's will, He will always grant our request, but that doesn't mean that He will give us everything we desire.  Verse three continues, For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.  David said that God had made him king.  God should always be the One Who is given the credit to for our success in this lifetime.  Verse four states, He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.  David said God gave him life forever and ever.  When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He gives us everlasting life.  Verse five adds, His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.  David said God's glory was great because He was the One Who provided salvation.  Salvation always has and always will come from God, and we should give Him all the praise for it.  Verse six adds, For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.  David said God had made him blessed forever and exceedingly glad with God's countenance.  God's blessing is everlasting to those who put their faith in Jesus Christ and we should be exceedingly glad in His presence.  Verse seven continues, For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.  David said that by God's power he would not be moved, and neither will we be if we are living by faith in Christ.  Verse eight declares, Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.  As David said, God will find out all those who are His enemies, and until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we will be enemies of God.  Verse nine adds, Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.  David spoke of the enemies of God being devoured by fire, and those who do not accept salvation through Christ will one day find themselves in the fires of hell.  Verse ten continues, Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.  Even the descendants of those who are the enemies of God, unless they come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, will be in the fires of hell as well.  Verse eleven states, For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.  David said God's enemies intended evil against Him but were unable to perform it.  There are many people today who do everything they can to discredit God, but they will never be successful in doing so.  Verse twelve adds, Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.  David said that God's enemies would attempt to turn away from His judgment, but they would be unsuccessful in doing so.  Verse thirteen concludes., Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.  David then called on people to exalt God because of His strength and power.  We serve the all-powerful God as followers of Christ, and we need to give Him all our praise. 

Psalms 20:1

Psalms 20:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  Once more the instructions, then verse one says, The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;  David asked God, Whom he called the God of Jacob, the only true God,  to defend him in the time of trouble.  God is still the God of Jacob, the only true God.  Verse two adds, Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; David asked that God send strength from out of His sanctuary.  David asked for God's divine strength and not just earthly things to help fight the enemy.  If we have faith in God and rely on His strength, that is all we need to be victorious in the world today.  Verse three states, Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice. Selah.  David asked God to remember all the offerings that he had made to Him and to accept the burnt sacrifices.  The only sacrifice that we can offer God that He will remember is ourself by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse four declares, Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.  David then asked God to do this because of Who God is.  God has mercy and provides salvation and protection for us today as Christians because of Who He is and not because of who we are.  Verse five adds, We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.  David said that the people of Israel and he himself would rejoice in God's salvation and proclaim God's goodness to the world.  We today as followers of Christ need to be rejoicing in our salvation and proclaiming God's goodness to the world.   Verse six declares, Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.  David could have been referring to him self as God's anointed king, but I believe the greater reference is to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Who is the true Anointed One.  Verse seven adds, Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.  David said that instead of trusting in horses and chariots, or things used in war, that the people of Israel would put their faith in the LORD.  We will never defeat the evil in this world with military might, but will only defeat it by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse eight continues, They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. David said that his enemies had fallen, but by God's strength he and the people of Israel were still standing. As long as we live by faith in God, we will always stand spiritually victorious.  Verse nine concludes, Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.  David asked that God hear and save them.  We need to ask the same thing of God today.  Unless we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we cannot expect God to deliver us from the evil in the world, but once we do, then we can always go to Him in prayer and ask His strength to keep us safe forever. 

Psalms 19:1

Psalms 19:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  Once more the introduction, then verse one says,, The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  Like David, we need to recognize that heaven and earth themselves, all of the universe, reflect God's work in creation.   Verse two adds, Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  David also said that the fact that time was separated into day and night showed God's creative work.  Verse three continues,  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.   David said that people didn't have to speak a particular language to see the testimony of God's work in the order of the heavens and the earth.  Verse four concludes, Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,  David said there was no place in the earth where God's creative work could not be seen.  Those who deny God as the Creator of the universe will be without excuse.  Verse five declares, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run.  David said the sun shines everyday without tiring.  Nothing is too hard for God to do, and He delights in His creation.  Verse six adds, His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.  David said that the sun influenced everything in the earth, just as the Son came to shine the light and glory of God to the world.  Verse seven declares, The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  David declared God's law to be perfect, in the rest or creation and in the soul of man.  We sometimes forget that mankind was created perfect, but with free will to deny God.  Verse eight adds, The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  David said that God's laws were perfect and brought joy to the heart.  This should still be true for followers of Christ today.  We should see God's law as a delight and not a burden.  Verse nine continues,The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  God's judgment is pure and endures forever.  There was never anything wrong with God's law, but the problem was the inability of people to live up to His law, and that will always be the problem.  Verse ten continues, More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  David said that God's law should be desired more then riches or the sweet things in life.  This should still be true for Christians today.  Verse eleven states, Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.  David tells us that God's laws warn us of the dangers in life and says that there is great reward in keeping them.  As followers of Christ, we have the great reward of everlasting life through our faith in Him, and God's laws still tell us of the danger of not obeying Him.  Verse twelve asks, Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  David said that we might not always know that we have committed errors in keeping God's law, but that we should ask God to cleanse us from even these secret faults.  Verse thirteen adds, Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  David then asked God to keep him from wilful sins.  It is bad enough to be guilty of sinning without realizing it, but it is worse to wilfully sin.  Verse fourteen concludes, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.  This should be our prayer today.   All that we say and do should be acceptable in God's sight, because He is our strength and Redeemer. 

Psalms 18:29

 Psalms 18:29 says, For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.  David said that God had empowered him to be victorious over great obstacles.  When we see the obstacles to following God today, we need to keep our focus on God and not the obstacles.  Verse thirty adds, As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.  David stated that God's ways were tried and true.  This will always will be true.  Verse thirty-one asks, For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?  David basically asked who else besides God was God.  Who else could they rely on to keep them strong.  There is no other God, and He alone can give us strength in the world today.  Verse thirty-two adds, It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.  David once again said that God, and not David himself, was the source of his strength and his goodness.  We cannot rely on our own strength and goodness and be successful Christians, but must always rely on God's strength and goodness.  Verse thirty-three continues, He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.  David continues to state that God is the One Who lifts him up to the high places.  Verse thirty-four declares, He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  The world may have seen David as a great warrior, but he said God was the One Who empowered him.  We should always give God the credit for our strength today.  Verse thirty-five adds, Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.  David said God gave him the shield of salvation and held him up with strength and gentleness.  If we have salvation today, it can only come from God, and when we claim salvation through Jesus Christ, He will hold us up with both strength and gentleness.  Verse thirty-six says, Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.  Verse thirty-seven add, I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.  Once more, David gives God credit for his success against his enemies.  If we as followers of Christ are to be successful against our enemies today, we must look to God for strength and give Him credit for our success.  Verse thirty-eight states, I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.  Verse thirty-nine adds, For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.  David said God gave him strength and that God subdued his enemies.  What we as Christians need to realize today is that God has already subdued our enemies.  We have everlasting victory through our faith in Jesus Christ, no matter what happens in this lifetime.  Verse forty continues, Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.  David was still just giving God credit for his success.  God has already destroyed our enemies which we will see when He comes in judgment, and He will give us the strength to not be overcome by them today as long as we remain faithful to Him.  Verse forty-one states, They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.  David said that there was no one to save his enemies.  He also said that they cried to God and He didn't hear them.  We have to assume that they were not calling out to God in sincerity, because I believe that God will always hear those that sincerely call out to Him, for salvation first and then in obedience and praise afterward.  Verse forty-two adds, Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.  David said he totally destroyed his enemies by the power of God, and so can we today. 

Psalms 18:20

Psalms 18:20 says, The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.  David said God rewarded him according to his righteousness and the cleanness of his hands.   I believe this would have meant David keeping God's covenant and living in accordance with God's will.  We today do not want to be judged by our righteousness, but by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  Our own righteousness will fail us, but after accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we do need to keep our hands dedicated to doing God's work.  Verse twenty-one adds, For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.  David said he had kept the ways of the LORD and had not departed from them.  We know that he did not always do this, but his life was dedicated to following God.   We cannot claim to have always lived in accordance with God's will, but this should be our primary objective as followers of Christ.  Verse twenty-two continues, For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.  David said he kept God's statutes before him and did not depart from them.  Though we will never be able to claim salvation through keeping God's statutes, we should always know them and attempt to follow them.  Verse twenty-three declares, I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.  David once more said he was upright in his relationship with God and that he didn't allow iniquity in his life.  He was speaking of his overall relationship with God, I believe.  We know that David did sin, but he always sincerely repented and returned to God.  We cannot claim to be perfect, but we can claim to be made perfect by our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.   Verse twenty-four adds, Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.  David said God knew he was innocent of the things he was being accused of as a leader.  We need to be innocent of anything bad that we might be accused of in the world today if we arecto look to God for protection.  Verse twenty-five states, With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;  David said that God would show Himself to be merciful and upright to those who were merciful and upright.  Since God is merciful and upright with everyone, I believe that we can more accurately say that since God is merciful and upright with us that He expects us to be that way with others and Him.  Verse twenty-six adds, With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.  David said that God would deal with people based on their relationship with Him.  We either accept that God is in charge and has provided a way to salvation or we deny Him and the salvation He has provided for us.  Verse twenty-seven continues, For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.  David said that God would save those who recognized their need for salvation, but would bring down those who felt they were above the need for salvation, putting their faith in their own abilities instead.   Verse twenty-eight concludes, For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.  David said that God would light his way in the darkness of the world, and He still will today for those who put their faith in Him.  The darkness of the world can ever overcome the light of God. 

Psalms 18:4

Psalms 18:4 says, The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.  David said he was surrounded by the ungodly.  We are not the first people of God to be surrounded by the ungodly, but God is still our protector as long as we 0ut our faith in Him.  Verse five adds, The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.  David continues to speak about his troubles, saying that he was in the midst of hell, and that there were snares all around him.  Though David was a great and powerful king, he often felt like he was going to be overcome by the wicked surrounding him, yet he looked to God for strength, and so should we if we feel that way.  Verse six continues, In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.  As already stated, in his distress David cried out to God and knew that God heard him.  It's not enough to just call out to God.  We must call out to God in faith, knowing that He will hear our cry.  Verse seven declares, Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.  David said God shook the earth because He was so angry about what was going on.  Not all natural disasters are God's judgment, but many throughout history have been.  Verse eight adds, There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.  David attempts to describe God's anger, but like David, we can never adequately do so.  Verse nine continues, He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.  David said that not only did God control the earth, but He controlled the heavens as well.  We either accept the fact that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, or we do not accept God for Who He really is.  Verse ten states, And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. Verse eleven adds, He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.   God didn't send an angel, but came down Himself, even though He was hidden behind the clouds from the sight of the people.  We will not see God in all His glory in this lifetime, but He is still at work in the world.  Verse twelve adds, At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.  When God then chooses to reveal Himself, brightness overcomes the gloom.  Since God has revealed Himself to us as followers of Christ, we should live in brightness and not gloom.  Verse thirteen continues, The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.  David said that God spoke in heaven and the earth was shaken with hail stones and coals of fire.  God always has and always will have it in His power to destroy the heavens and the earth, which are His creation to start with.  Verse fourteen declares, Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.  Verse fifteen adds, Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.  David continues to speak about God's complete control over His creation.  As followers of Christ, we serve God, Who has complete control of the universe.  We cannot make Him any less and still serve Him faithfully.   Verse sixteen continues, He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.  David said that God saved him from the destruction that God had sent, just as He saves us from the coming destruction of all evil if we put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse seventeen says, He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.  David gave God the credit for delivering him from his enemies who were too strong for David to defeat himself.  Our enemies may be too strong for us to defeat today, but they will never be too strong for God to defeat if we simply put our faith in Him. Verse eighteen adds, They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.  Verse eighteen concludes, He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.  David said his enemies prevented him from doing what he knew God wanted him to do by his own power, but that God delivered him from them.  Ir the world seems to overpower us today, all we need to do is look to God for deliverance. 

Psalms 18:1

 Psalms 18:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul:  This psalm has a long introduction.  We are told that it is a Psalm of David to God for delivering him from his enemies,  and especially from Saul.  Then, we are told what David said starting with verse one, which says, And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.  David professed his love for God.  As followers of Christ, we should never be ashamed to profess our love of God every chance we get to do so.  Verse two adds, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  David said God was his rock and his fortress, two things that are difficult to get through, and if we are looking to God for protection, we will find His protection impossible to get past.  David said God was his God, which means that David had a personal relationship with God, and if God is to be our protector, so must we.  David then said God was the source of His strength and the One in whom he would trust.  If we are to rely on the strength of God, we must first put our complete trust in Him.  David called God his buckler, a small round shield worn on the wrist.  David was not looking for actual implements of war, but to God Who would provide even better protection.   We need to likewise look to God for our ultimate protection.  David also said that God was the horn of His salvation, the source from which salvation was poured out, and God is the only source of salvation which comes from putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.   Finally,  David said God was his high tower.  Towers were a place where people could look out and see what the enemy was doing, and God was the One Who was on the lookout for David,  and He still is for Christians today.  Verse three adds, I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  David then said that He would call on the LORD, Who was worthy to be praised.  God is the only One Who is worthy to be praised, and we should never forget to give Him our praise.  David also said that God, and not David himself, saved him from all his enemies.  We must never rely on our own abilities to save us from the evil in the world today, but must always look to God for deliverance. 

Psalms 17:1

Psalms 17:1 says, A Prayer of David. This psalm is classified as a prayer of David, and verse one says, Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.  David asked God to hear his righteous, sincere prayer.  When we pray in sincerity, and not with just feigned, or empty, words, God will always hear our prayers.  Verse two adds, Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.  David asked that God judge his righteousness.  Matthew Henry says that Saul would not, but David appealed to God.  We may not get a just hearing in the world, but as long as God judges us as being righteous, which comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ, then nothing else matters.  Verse three states, Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.  David said that God had visited him day and night, and that God had found him to not be filled with transgressions, or sins.  We know that David did sin, but he never allowed sin to continue to rule his life.  We have all sinned, but when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we should no longer allow sin to rule our life.  Verse four adds, Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.  David continued to profess his innocence.  Verse five declares, Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.  David asked God to guide his footsteps on the path of righteousness, and so should we.  We need God's guidance each step we take.  Verse six says, I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.  David said he called on God because he knew God would hear him.  When we sincerely call on God to hear our prayers, we can be certain that He will, as long as our prayers are sincere and seek His will for our life.  Verse seven adds, Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.  David asked God to show His marvellous lovingkindness to him, and through Jesus Christ dying on the cross to provide forgiveness to those who accept His salvation, God has shown His marvellous lovingkindness to everyone.  This is true of even those who will not put their faith in Jesus Christ, but it does them no good.  Verse eight adds, Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,  David asked for God's protection.  We need to be like David asked of God, and that is sheltered under His wing.  David said his enemies were all around him.  We are not the first of God's people to be surrounded by enemies, and we likely don't even have the most enemies around us.  This has almost always been the status of God's people.  Verse nine adds, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.  Verse ten continues, They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.  David said that his enemies had grown strong and fat, and that they bragged about their power and riches.  We should never become so rich or powerful as followers of Christ that we begin to brag about ourself and not give the glory to God, and we certainly should never use our position to abuse others.  Verse eleven says, They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;  Verse twelve adds, Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.  David compared God's people to those who were surrounded by young ,hungry lions.  There was real danger all around them, and in some places more than others there is real danger for Christians today.  That is why we need to always look to God for help.  Verse thirteen states, Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:  David called on God to defeat his enemies.  David may have been a great and powerful man, but he recognized that his deliverance came from God.  No matter how strong we may be in the eyes of the world, we will always find our strength and deliverance to come from God if we are followers of Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.  David said the people of the world were flourishing.  Verse fifteen concludes, As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.  David then said that no matter what happened, he would behold the righteousness of God and be satisfied.  We need to be satisfied with being God's people, even if it seems that those who deny Him are rich and prosperous while we struggle in life.