Psalms 50:12

 Psalms 50:12 says, If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.  God said that if He were hungry He would not tell people this, because they had nothing to offer Him that was not already His.  Of course, this does not mean that at times God is hungry,  but was only a hypothetical statement of if He were.  No matter what we give to God today, it is already His.  Verse thirteen adds, Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?  God asked if the people of Israel thought God was actually going to eat the things offered to Him on the altar.  We need to understand that God does not use our tithes and offerings to satisfy His own needs.  We offer them to show Him our obedience to Him and to do our part in carrying out His work.  Verse fourteen states, Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:  David called on the people of Israel to offer thanksgiving to God, at all times I believe, and to pay, or fulfill, their vows. As followers of Christ, we should always be faithful to God and fulfill our vows to Him.  We are His at all times, and should live in obedience to that fact.  Verse fifteen adds, And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.  David said God told the people of Israel to call on Him in the day of trouble and He would deliver them.  We need to understand that as Christians there will always be the possibility of trouble in our lives, but also that God has already delivered us from them forever.  Verse sixteen asks, But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?  God asked the wicked why they declared His statutes and proclaimed His covenant when they didn't believe it.  This applies today to those who have a hypocritical worship of God.  They do and say the right things, but they really do not believe in God in their heart.  Verse seventeen adds, Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.  God said these hypocritical worshippers really hated His instruction and cast off His word.  Too many people today come to worship God on Sunday and then do not allow Him to guide them the rest of the week.  We must be obedient to God and live by His instruction continually as followers of Christ.  Verse eighteen continues, When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.  God said that instead of condemning those that broke His laws that the people of Israel had started joining them in doing so.  We cannot overlook or join in the actions of those who go against the teachings of God.  Verse nineteen declares, Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.  God said that the people of Israel had begun to speak evil and lies.  Too often today those who profess to believe in God speak the evil ideas of the world and speak lies about God.  Verse twenty adds, Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.  God said not only did they speak evil and lies about Him, but they did the same against their fellow Israelites, even their own brother.  We as Christians should never be guilty of doing this.  We are called on to share the gospel and God's word with the world, and need to be careful that we do not begin to proclaim the lies of the world instead.  Verse twenty-one says, These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.  God said that He had allowed the people of Israel to do this, but that now He was going to reprove them and set them straight.  Since God gives us free will, even as Christians, He may allow us to do things that are not in accordance with His word or His will, but He will reprove us and one day He will set us straight if we do.  Verse twenty-two adds, Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.  God called on the people of Israel to consider what they were doing before He had to tear them apart and they were left with no one to deliver them from the evil of the world.  We need consider our relationship with God before it is too late to accept His deliverance through faith in Jesus Christ.  There is no other Deliverer but Him.  Verse twenty-three states, Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.  God said that those who sincerely worshipped Him would be shown His salvation.  God has shown us His salvation through the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it up to each individual to either accept or reject God's salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Psalms 50:1

Psalms 50:1 says, This is not identified as a psalm of David, but of Asaph, who Matthew Henry says was the chief musician, then verse one says, The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.  Asaph said that the mighty God, the LORD, had spoken.  God has always spoken to His people, but too often they have not listened.  If we can truly comprehend how mighty God is, then we should never fail to listen to Him as Christians.  Verse two adds, Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.  Out of Zion, the mountain of God, His beauty shined forth in the world.  Out of faith in Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, God's beauty shines forth today.  Verse three declares, Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.  The people of Israel who had become hypocritical were warned that God's judgment was coming like a fire to destroy all who did not put their faith in Him.  One day, all those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord will be sent away into the everlasting fires of hell.  Verse four adds, He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. The people of Israel were told that God would call to earth from heaven above to judge His people.  One day, God is going to judge all people, and the only way to forgiveness is through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse five states, Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.  God called on the saints, those who had entered into a covenant relationship with Him and had tried to live true to it, to be gathered together.  We as Christians gather together today to worship and praise God, and we need to make sure that we do so in accordance with His guidance.  What we sacrifice to God is our self will.  Verse six adds, And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.  We are told that the heavens will declare the righteousness of God, and that God is the judge of Himself.  No one is qualified to judge God but God Himself.   Verse seven declares, Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.  The people of Israel were called on to hear God, Who they called their God, and were told that He would judge them.  As Christians, we must be true to our faith in God, but He is ultimately the One Who will judge whether we have been or not.  Verse eight adds, I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.  God's judgment of the people of Israel as having broken their covenant with Him was not in their not offering sacrifices, but in their attitude behind doing so.  We may go through all the motions to show ourselves to be Christians, but if we do not truly put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, it will do us no good.  Verse nine continues, I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.  God said He had no need for their cattle or goats.  They all belonged to Him anyway.   There is nothing that we can offer God that is not already His, except for ourselves.  Though we may be His by creation, He gives us the choice of whether or not to be His spiritually.  Verse ten says, For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.  As just stated, since everything belongs to God already, He really needs nothing from us.  Sacrifices and offerings were just signs of obedience to Him.  Verse eleven adds, I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. God knows that it is all His, and so should we.

 

Psalms 49:11

 Psalms 49:11 says, Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. David said that those who put their faith in their wealth believed that it would last forever.   We may have great wealth in the world today and want to believe that it will last forever, but once we die, we retain none of our earthly wealth.  Verse twelve adds, Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.  David reminded them that in death the were no better than the beasts, except that people have a soul which lives forever, either with God as followers of Christ or separated from Him if one is not.  Verse thirteen continues, This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.  David said putting faith in material things instead of God was the folly of those who did so.  It still is today.  Verse fourteen states, Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.  David said that in death those who believed in riches over God would be no better than sheep that had died, and that the upright would have dominion over them.   No matter how rich and powerful a person may be today, after they die, the upright, those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, shall have dominion over them.  Verse fifteen adds, But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. David said God would redeem his soul from the grave, not because of his earthly status, but because of his faith in God.   We as Christians can be certain that God will redeem us from the grave.  Verse sixteen says, Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;  David basically was saying that we do not need to be afraid of the rich and powerful.  Their time to rule is limited to this world.  We don't need to fear and certainly don't need to envy them.  Verse seventeen adds, For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.  What David said then always has and always will be true.   After we die, we will take nothing of this world with us.  Verse eighteeen continues, Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.  David said that while a person who put his faith in himself and his riches might live what he thought was a blessed life, that it ended with his death.  We cannot put our faith in the things of this world and believe that they will be with us forever.  Verse nineteen declares, He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.  David said such people would go to the grave and never see the light.  Now, the soul of each individual lives on, but if they would live on in the light, they mist put their faith in Jesus Christ in order to live in the light.  Verse twenty concludes,  Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.  David said that people who lived in honor without putting their faith in God were no better than the beasts.  Earthly fame and honor can never bring anyone everlasting victory.  Only faith in God can.

Psalms 49:1

 Psalms 49:1 says,To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.  There is the introduction, then verse one says, Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:  David called on all the people to hear what he had to say.   We today must call on all the people that we come in contact with to hear when we witness for God.  Verse two adds, Both low and high, rich and poor, together. David did not distinguish between people because of their status, but called on all to hear.  We likewise cannot distinguish between people today because of their status in the world.  We must be willing to witness to everyone about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Verse three continues, My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.  When David said he would speak of wisdom, it was not his wisdom but God's that he referred to, and the understanding that his heart meditated on was the understanding of Who God is.  We can only speak of the wisdom of God and not our own wisdom as followers of Christ, and we most continually meditate on our understanding of Who God is, and we will still never understand everything about God.  Verse four states, I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.  David said he would listen to the parables about God.  He also said that he would make the dark sayings, the things about God that people had a hard time understanding, easier for them to understand.  We today must listen to the parables of God and make them easily understood by the world.  Verse five adds, Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?  David asked why he should fear the days of evil when his enemies were all around him attempting to cause him to fall.  We as Christians have no need to fear the days of evil nor those who attempt to get us to fall, because we are already forever victorious through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse six declares, They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;  Then verse seven adds, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:  David addressed those who trusted in their wealth, and there are many people today who trust in their wealth and not in God.  David said that their wealth could not redeem their brother nor give God a ransom for him.  We can never buy the redemption of anyone, but can only lead them to Jesus Christ Who can.  Verse eight continues, (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)  David stated that the redemption of the soul was precious and it lasts forever.  We need to acknowledge that the redemption of every soul is precious and forever.  This includes even those who are our enemies.  Verse nine concludes, That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.  As David said, those who are redeemed by Christ shall live with God forever and not see the corruption of the world anymore when they are called home to heaven.  Verse ten says, For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.  David said the wise, those who put their faith in Christ, and the foolish, those who don't, would both die and leave everything they owned in this world to others.  This will never change. 

Psalms 48:1

 Psalms 48:1 says, A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.  After the introduction, verse one says, Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.  As David said, great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in His city.  David may have written this about Jerusalem, but wherever we are gathered today as Christians should be God's place.  Verse two adds, Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.  David said that God's people were a joy to the whole earth, and we should be today.  If it were not for Christians, think of how bad the world would be, and because of this, we should live in such a way that we bring joy to all those around us.  Verse three continues, God is known in her palaces for a refuge.  David said that God was known as a place of refuge to the people of Israel, and especially in Jerusalem.  As followers of Christ, God should always be our place of refuge.  We should put our faith in Christ alone.  Verse four states, For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.  David said that those other countries around Israel feared them, not because of their great power, but because of the great power of their God.  I believe that too often the world today just ignores God and His people, Christians, because too often we don't live in such a way as to show the true power of God to the world.  Verse five adds, They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.  David said that when the other nations saw the power of God at work in Israel that they marvelled, were troubled, and ran away.  When we live in obedience to God, the world should know that there is something about us that can never be defeated.  Verse six continues, Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.  David said that those around Israel were filled with fear and pain.  This was not because of the great military might of Israel, but because of the great might of their God.  Though as Christians we might not have much earthly power, we do have the power of God with us, and the people of the world should see this in our lives.   Verse seven concludes, Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.  David said that with just the wind that God defeated the ships of Tarshish.  No matter how powerful the weapons of the world are today, God can defeat them with just His word.  Verse eight declares, As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.  David said as the people of Israel had heard of the power of God in the past that they had also seen it in their lives and that God would establish His city forever.  We cannot not just look at the works of God in the past, but must experience His work in the world and especially in our lives today as followers of Christ, knowing that He will establish His city forever one day.  Verse nine adds, We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.  We like David, must acknowledge the lovingkindness of God, no matter what is going on in the world.  Verse ten says, According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.  David said because of God's name and His righteousness that He should be praised to the end of the earth, and one day He will be.  Verse eleven adds, Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.  David called on the people of Israel to be glad because of God's judgments.  If we are living by faith in Jesus Christ today, we should be thankful for His judgments and rejoice in them.  Verse twelve states, Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.  David said that the people of God should go around Zion proclaiming His goodness.  Verse thirteen adds, Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.  David said that the people of Israel should remember God's great work and tell it to the generations following.  This is also our responsibility today, to teach the next generations about God and His goodness.  We must first and foremost share the gospel of Christ with them.  Verse fourteen declares, For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.  We like David must acknowledge that God is our God forever and ever and that He will be our guide for as long as we live.

Psalms 47:1

 Psalms 47:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.  There is the introduction, then verse one says, O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. David called on the people of Israel to shout praises to God while clapping their hands.  We today need to joyously worship God, no matter how much or how little we are demonstrative, and we should never judge others for how much or how little they are.  Verse two adds, For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.  Matthew Henry says this means that God is the God of infinite majesty.  I don't believe it means that He is a terror to be feared, unless someone continues to reject His salvation until it is to late.  Verse three states, He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.  David said God would subdue the other nations under Israel.  We know that they did when the people of Israel were obedient to Him, and as long as we as followers of Christ continue to be faithful to God, one day all our enemies will be defeated.  Verse four adds, He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.  As David said,  God will choose our inheritance for us.  There is never a need to feel that someone is getting more than they deserve from God.  God is the One Who chooses our inheritance.  Verse five declares, God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.  Jesus Christ went up to heaven, and one day He is going to return to the sound of the trumpet.  Verse six adds, Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.  David called on the people of Israel to sing praises to God, not just when things are going well, but at all times.  Too often, we wait until something good happens in our life before we sing praises to God.  Instead, we should always sing His praises, maybe even more in bad times than in good.  Verse seven continues, For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.  David called on the people of Israel to sing praises to God with the understanding that He is the King of the universe.  If we truly understand Who God is, there should never be a time when we don't praise Him.  Verse eight says, God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.  David said that even though they may not acknowledge it, God still reigns over the heathen.  Just because someone claims that there is no God doesn't change the fact that there is and that they will on day realize this fact.  Verse nine adds, The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.  David said that God's people were gathered together, because the earth belongs to Him, and therefore He should be greatly exalted.  As Christians, we should always greatly exalt the goodness of God.  He loves us enough that He sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins, and if we accept His salvation, then we should always greatly exalt Him. 

Psalms 46:1

 Psalms 46:1 says, To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.  After the introduction, verse one says, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  David said that God was the refuge and strength of the people of Israel and a very present help in time of trouble.  God is still the refuge and strength of His people today.  He is an ever present help in our times of trouble if we are followers of Christ, and not some distant and sometime God.  Verse two adds, Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Like David, as Christians we should not fear, even if the world were to blow up around us.  This world is not our home, but heaven is.  Verse three continues, Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.  David just continued with the thought that no matter how bad things got in the world that the faithful people of Israel would continue to put their faith in God.  We cannot allow bad things that happen in the world to shake our faith in God.  Verse four states, There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.  David said there was a river flowing that would make the people of the city of God glad and that it came from the tabernacle of the most High, the only true God.  As Christians, Jesus is the source of living water that flows for those who put their faith in Him.  Verse five adds, God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.  David said that God was in the midst of this flowing river and that He would not be moved.  God is the source of the living water today and He will never be moved by the forces of evil.  Verse six declares,  The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.  As in David's day, the heathen may rage today, but God's voice can still melt the earth.  God does not need man-made weapons, but can destroy all of creation with just His word, but fortunately for us, He made a way to salvation by faith in the Living Word, Jesus Christ.  Verse seven adds, The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.  David declared that the LORD of hosts, the God of Jacob, was the refuge of the people of Israel.  God is still the same God, and He is the source of refuge for Christians.  We need to live like we trust this to be true.  Verse eight says, Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.  As David said then, we need to acknowledge the works of God.  He can make the whole world desolate if He so chooses, and one day when Christ returns in judgment He will.  Verse nine adds, He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.  When Christ returns, He will claim those who have put their faith in Him, and all the weapons of war will be destroyed.  There will be no need for them.  Verse ten declares, Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. God calls on us to be still and know that He is God and will one day be exalted among the heathen.  We need to be careful as followers of Christ that we don't get so caught up in the things of this world that we do not hear God speaking to us.  Sometimes, we need to just be still and know that God is God, and at the time He chooses, He will be exalted among the heathen.  One day, everyone is going to acknowledge God, but for too many it will be too late for it to do them any good.  Verse eleven adds, The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.  As Christians, as David said then, the LORD of hosts is with those who put their faith in Christ and He should be our refuge at all times. 

Psalms 45:8

 Psalms 45:8 says, All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.  Matthew Henry says this refers to David being exalted by men because he had humbled himself before God.  David had been anointed king because he was humble, and it was often when he began to feel self important that he would find himself in trouble.  We as followers of Christ need to remain humble before God and never begin to feel free to do whatever we want to do for our own glorification.  Verse nine adds, Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.  Honorable women attended David's court, and his queen was at his right hand.  As stated earlier, Matthew Henry says these verses refer to Christ and His court, and the may be a prophesy of His coming and return, but if they all refer to Christ and not David, then there would be a queen of heaven, and I do not find any scripture to support this idea.  Of course, as Matthew Henry states it could be referring to the church as the bride of Christ, but that still does not make the church the queen of heaven.  Verse ten declares, Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;  I believe this was addressed to the women of Israel, but also could refer to the church as it is referred to as the bride of Christ.  Either way, the woman, or daughter, is called on to forget her own people and remain true to her husband.  As Christians, we cannot allow family to come between God and us.  Verse eleven adds, So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.  Again, this could refer to the church being desired by Christ because of the beauty of their obedience to Him.  Verse twelve  continues, And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.  Matthew Henry says this refers to everyone honoring the bride, but the church is there to honor God and not to be honored by mankind, so my problem with this would be people of the world bringing gifts to honor Christians.  Verse thirteen states, The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.  Now, with this referring to the church as the king’s daughter, we know that the people of the church will be glorious within.  Verse fourteen adds, She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.  Still, if this does refer strictly to the church, who are the virgins that accompany the church as the bride of Christ.  The church, all of it, is called the bride of Christ, so to me, it seems there would be no others there to serve the bride.  Verse fifteen says, With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.  We do know that one day the church will be brought before God with gladness and rejoicing, and then the people of the church will enter God's palace, or their heavenly home.  Verse sixteen adds, Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.  Matthew Henry says this refers to the Old Testament as the fathers and the New Testament as the children who replaced the them.  Verse seventeen continues, I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.  We know that Jesus Christ will be remembered in all generations and people will praise Him forever and ever, but will the church, the bride of Christ, be?  We do not serve God as followers of Christ so that we will be praised, but so that He will.  

Psalms 45:1

Psalms 45:1 says, To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.  After a very specific introduction, verse one says, My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. David said he would speak and write of the things he knew in his heart about God.  Whatever we as followers of Christ say today should be guided by our relationship with God. Verse two adds, Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.  Matthew Henry said, and I believe, that David was speaking of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is indeed fairer than all men, pouring out the grace of God forever.  Verse three continues, Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.  David spoke in military terms about the coming Messiah equipping Himself for battle with a sword, but we are told that the word of God is mightier than a two edged sword.  Jesus did not need military weapons to win the war against sin, but only obedience to the heavenly Father, and this is still true for Christians today.  Verse four states, And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.  David said that Jesus Christ would ride prosperously and teach the people of the world terrible things.  God tells us of the terrible things that will happen to those who do not come to Him by faith in Jesus Christ, and He promises those who do everlasting prosperity when they are called home to heaven.  Verse five adds, Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.  Still using military imagery, David said God's arrows were sharp and penatrated the heart of His enemies.  Though God does not need military weapons, He will one day defeat all of His enemies.  As Christians, we will be a part of this victory, because God's truth of salvation penatrated our heart.  Verse six declares, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.  David declared that God's throne would last forever.  God always has and always will sit on His throne, ruling the world through His righteousness.  It is up to each individual whether or not to accept God's gift of salvation, which brings righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.  Either way, whether we accept Jesus Christ or not, God's reign will last forever.  Verse seven continues, Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  David said that since God loves righteousness and hates wickedness, that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be set above all other people.  We cannot come to God by our own righteousness, but must come to Him through the righteousness of Jesus Christ if we are to be a part of God's everlasting kingdom. 

Psalms 44:17

 Psalms 44:17 says, All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.  David said even though the people of Israel were suffering, that they had not dealt falsely with God and His covenant.  This must be our declaration as followers of Christ today, no matter what is happening in our life.  Still, this was not true for all Israelites, nor is it true of all who profess to be followers of Christ today.  Verse eighteen adds, Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;  David said that they remained true in their walk with God, and so must we as Christians.  Verse nineteen states, Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. David once more says that God had broken them.  God is never going to break His people, though He may allow them to be broken, or defeated, by those who do not believe in Him.  Even if this happens, we need to continue to live by faith and to praise God.  Verse twenty declares, If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;  David then said if they had forgotten God's name and reached out to a strange God.  We must make sure that we never do this as Christians.  Verse twenty-one adds, Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.  David asked if they had done this would God not search out this fact, as He knew the secrets of their hearts.  We can be certain that if we have turned away from following God's will in our lives, even if it is only in our thoughts, that God is aware of it.  Verse twenty-two states, Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.  David said that the people of Israel were being killed like sheep before the slaughter for God's sake.  Even if we as Christians are killed today, we must die for the glory of God.  Verse twenty-three declares, Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.  David felt that God must be asleep and asked Him to arise and not cast them off forever.  As followers of Christ, no matter how bad things may be going in our lives today, God is never asleep but is always with us.  God will never cast off or desert those who are His.  Verse twenty-four adds, Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?  David said he thought God was hiding His face from the people of Israel and forgetting them in their oppression.  We may sometimes hear Christians say that it seems like God has forgotten them, but He never will.  Verses twenty-five continues, For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.  David said that they were very oppressed.  If we feel oppressed today as Christians, we need to simply look to God in praise.  Our status in life should never determine whether we believe that God is with us or not.  Verse twenty-six concludes, Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.  David asked God to rise up and redeem them for God's sake.  We must always look to God to redeem us from bad situations in life, and if He does we must give Him the glory. 

Psalms 44:9

Psalms 44:9 says, But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.  David said God was no longer with them, that He had cast them off and no longer went with them against their enemies.  In reality, the people of Israel had cast God off.  As followers of Christ, God will never desert us, and if we feel He is no longer with us, we need to examine our own life to see if we have fallen away from Him.  Verse ten adds,Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.  David said God caused them to fall back to their enemies, but it was their lack of faith in and disobedience to God that led to their defeat.  God did not just abandon them for no reason, nor will He ever abandon us for no reason.  Verse eleven continues, Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.  David said God had left them at the mercy of the heathen.  At least David acknowledged God as the source of their success, but he did not put the blame for their defeat on their lack of faithfulness.  We must acknowledge God as the source of our strength as Christians, but we must never blame Him if we are overcome by the wicked of the world.  As long as we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, God has already given us an everlasting victory.  Verse twelve states, Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.  David seems to imply that God gave His people up for nothing and somehow made Himself more wealthy by doing so.  Since everything already belongs to God, this is a foolish idea.  God will never have to abandon His people for His own benefit, nor will He do so.  Verse thirteen adds, Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.  Though the people of Israel may have become a reproach and a source of derision to those around them, it was their own sins that had caused this.  They had turned away from God.  If we feel that we have become a source of scorn to the people around us today as Christians, we need to examine our relationship with God.  We know that God will never abandon us, so we must simply remain faithful to Him, no matter what.  Verse fourteen says, Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.  David was still seems to be putting the blame for the failure of Israel on God, instead of on their disobedience to God.  If life is going badly for us today as followers of Christ, we cannot begin to question or blame God.  We need to continue to praise God for our salvation, and continue to put our faith in Him.  We also need to examine our life and see if we have allowed sin back in.  Verse fifteen adds, My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,  David said he was continually confused and shame had covered his face.  We do not need to be confused about God's love and protection of Christians today, no matter what is happening in the world.  As long as we remain faithful to God,  there will never be a reason for us to feel like we are covered with shame.  Verse sixteen continues, For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.  David said that his confusion came because his enemies seemed to be victorious, even though they spoke blasphemy against God.  Even if those who deny God or attempt too attribute His work to something else may seem to be flourishing today and Christians beaten down, we know that through faith in Christ that we have already won the victory, so we need to keep praising God no matter what. 

Psalms 44:1

 Psalms 44:1 says,To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.  Once more, we have David's instructions and then verse one says, We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.  David said that their fathers had told them of God's work in the past.  As Christians, we need to tell our children about how God has worked in the past, both in Biblical times and in our own lives.  Verse two adds, How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.  David said that their fathers told them how God afflicted the heathen and drove them out of the land that He gave to the people of Israel.  What we need to share as well as this is how Jesus Christ came to defeat all the enemies of God and how He drives sin out of the lives of those who accept Him as Savior and Lord, and then gives them the ability to continue to overcome sinful temptations in their life.  Verse three continues, For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.  David said that the people of Israel did not get the land by military might, but by the power of God.  We need to put our faith in God's power more than in military power today.  Verse four declares, Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.  David said that God was his King, even though David was the king of Israel.  He then asked for deliverance for the people of Jacob, or Israel.  As followers of Christ, first and foremost we must always declare to the world that God is our God.  God is not just some mystical force, but He is our personal Savior and Lord, and He has already delivered us to victory over sin and given us everlasting life if we accept Him by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse five adds, Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.  David said that by the power of God and in His name that they would tread down any enemy that rose up against them.  God still gives us the same power today, even if we lose our life standing for Him.  We already have everlasting life through our faith in Jesus Christ and will never be defeated by the world.  Verse six continues, For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.  David said he wouldn't trust in implements of war to save him.  No matter how powerful we as a nation may be militarily, we must never put our faith in our military might, but must always put our faith in God.  Verse seven states, But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.  David gave God credit for saving the people of Israel from their enemies, and so must we today as followers of Christ.  Verse eight adds, In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. David said the people of Israel put their faith in God and boasted of Him all-day long.  This is what we as Christians should do today, and not just on certain days at certain times.  We must witness for God at all times, because He is with us at all times.

Psalms 43:1

 Psalms 43:1 says, Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.  David called for God to plead his cause against an ungodly nation and asked God to judge him and deliver him from deceitful and unjust men.  One day, God is going to judge everyone, and the only way to not be judged as deceitful and unjust is by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  When God's judgment comes, followers of Christ will be delivered from an ungodly land forever.  Verse two adds, For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?  David was evidently feeling a little sorry for himself, asking why God, the source of his strength, had cast him off.  We may sometimes be the same way, but we need not feel sorry for ourselves, because no matter what happens, God never casts off or abandons those who are His through their faith in Jesus Christ.  Even when everything in life may seem to be going wrong, God is always with us if we are Christians.  Verse three states, O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.  God has already done what David asked Him to do.  He has sent out His truth and light through Jesus Christ.  David asked God to allow His truth and light to guide him to God's holy hill and tabernacle.  One day, God will bring us to His everlasting place of worship, and until then, no matter what may be going on in our life, we need to always give Him our praise.  Verse four adds, Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.  David said that when God sent His light and truth, then he would go to the altar of God and be exceedingly joyful and sing praises to Him.  God has sent His light and truth, Jesus Christ, into the world already today, and if we accept Him as our Savior and Lord, then we should be exceedingly joyful and give our praise to Him.  We should gather together as believers in Christ and sing our praises to Him.  Verse five asks, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.  David asked why his soul was cast down and disquieted.  If we are cast down and disquieted in our soul today as Christians, we need to ask ourselves the same question.  Through our faith in Jesus Christ, God has already given us everlasting salvation, so why should we be worried about the things of this world?  David then said he would praise God, Who was the health of his countenance and his God.  Like David, if we are feeling cast down and disquieted, we need to simply look to God and give Him our praise.  The things of this world should never come between God and us.

Psalms 42:1

 Psalms 42:1 says, To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.  Once more we have the introduction, then verse one says, As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  Like David, we must need and seek after God's will as much as a deer needs and seeks water.  A deer cannot go long without needing and hunting water, and we should never go any time without needing and seeking God and His will for our life.  Verse two adds, My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?  David said that since his soul thirsted for God, when would he come and appear before God.  As Christians, the answer to this question should be that we are continually before God.  Verse three continues, My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where  is thy God?  David said his tears feed him day and night as his enemies asked him where his God was.  Though we may at times cry feeling that the world is too much to handle, if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ, we don't have to wonder where God is.  Verse four declares, When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.  David said that he had gone with the multitude to the house of God and kept His holy days.  Though we go to the house of God, or the church building, to worship weekly, we need to remember that as Christians wherever we are is God's house all the time.  We cannot have a Sunday faith and a weekday faith.  Verse five asks, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.  David asked why he had let the things of the world to cast him down.  We have no reason to let the things of the world get us down, because through Christ we already have the everlasting victory.  Verse six adds, O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.  David said that since his soul was cast down, he would remember God and His past works in the world.  If we begin to feel cast down in spirit,  we need to simply remember what God has done in the past, especially when He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place.  Verse seven says, Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.  David said that the waves and billows of God had gone over him.  We need to allow the love of God to wash over us at all times, but especially in times of trouble.  Verse eight adds, Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.  David said that since God was with him day and night, or at all times, that he would pray to the God of his life.  Since God is with us as followers of Christ at all times, we need to pray to Him, the only true God that there is.  Verse nine declares, I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?  David asked a rhetorical question I believe when he asked why God had forgotten him and why he was mourning in the presence of his enemies.   Since we know that God will never forsake us as Christians, we have no need to mourn if the people of the world seem to be multiplying against us.  Verse ten states, As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?  David said that his enemies daily reproached him and asked where his God was.  The people of the world may look at Christians when they suffer and ask where their God is at these times of suffering, but we never should.  We know that no matter what happens, God is always with us as long as we put our faith in Him.  Verse eleven adds, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.  David then asked why he was cast down in His soul when he knew that God was his God and the One Who sustained his life.  As followers of Christ, if we begin to allow our situation to get us down, we need to ask why, because God is always with us.  Like David, we need to continue to praise God, no matter what. 

Psalms 41:1

 Psalms 41:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  Again we have the introduction, then verse one says,  Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.  Once more, David tells us that those who help the poor are helped, or blessed, by God.  I believe a person has to do this to bring honor to God, and not himself or herself, in order to be blessed by God.  Verse two adds, The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.  David continues to speak about those who help the needy and says that God will keep him or her from his or her enemies.   Once more, I believe that we must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ for this to be true.  Verse three continues, The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.  David then said that God would be with those who helped the poor even if they were sick in bed.  This was not a promise that God was going to enrich them materially, but that He would be with them no matter what happened in this life.  We, as followers of Christ, should not help the poor so that God will reward us, but should do it so that God will be glorified.  Verse four declares, I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.  David asked God to heal his soul because he had sinned against God.  This is the prayer that we must pray when we come to Jesus Christ for salvation.  We must acknowledge our sin and our inability to find forgiveness outside of accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse five adds, Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?  David said his enemies asked when would he die and his name be forgotten.  As Christians, the people of the world may ask the same thing of us, but we can be sure that our name will never be forgotten by God, even if no one in the world remembers us for long.  Verse six continues, And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.  David said if his enemy came to see him that he spoke vanity, or meaningless words, and that his enemy then told the world about David's suffering, because or the iniquity of the enemy's heart.  Many non Christians today love to talk about it when Christians suffer, claiming that it shows that either God doesn't exist or that He has little power.  What they fail to understand is that God is with us always, even if we are suffering, and that through faith in Christ we have already been given everlasting life with God.  Verse seven adds, All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.  David said that all those who hated him were whispering about him and devising ways to hurt him.  We,as Christians, may sometimes feel that the world is against us, but as long as we remain faithful to God, it really doesn't matter.   This world is not our home.  Verse eight states, An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.  David said that his enemies said that he would never rise from the evil disease that clung to him.  Still, it was not in this life that David had hope, and neither should it be for us as Christians.  Verse nine adds, Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.  David said even his trusted friends had turned against him.  If we are suffering as Christians, sometimes even those that we thought to be trusted friends may turn away from us, but we as Christians should never be that way toward those who are suffering, especially our fellow Christians.  Verse ten says, But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. David asked God to be merciful to him so that he could requite them.  We as followers of Christ need to realize that God has already been merciful to us, and one day He will silence our enemies.  Verse eleven adds, By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.  David said that by God lifting him up and silencing his enemies that he would know that God favored him.  Through faith in Christ, God has already lifted us up over our enemies forever.  Verse twelve continues, And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.  Like David, through our faith in Christ, we can be certain that God upholds us and we will see His face forevermore one day.  Verse thirteen concludes, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.  David then asked that the name of the LORD be blessed forever.  As Christians, this should be our goal in life, that we live in such a way that God's name will be glorified. 

Psalms 40:10

Psalms 40:10 says, I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.  David said that he had not kept the righteousness of God to himself, but he had declared it to the congregation.  We are to share the truth of God with all those around us and not keep it hidden for our benefit only.  Veree eleven adds, Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.  David asked that God not withhold His tender mercies and lovingkindness from him.  As Christians, as long as we are faithful to God, He will never withhold His lovingkindness and mercy from us.  Verse twelve continues, For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.  David, called a man after God's own heart, said that innumerable evils had fallen on him and that his own iniquity made it impossible for him to even look up.  David, even though he was at times very faithful, recognized his own times of giving in to sin.  We as followers of Christ are not perfect and may at times fail to live up to our calling, but we are forever forgiven by our faith in Him.  Verse thirteen states, Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.  David asked that if it pleased God that He deliver him from his situation and his sins I believe.  We can never demand that God deliver us from our situation or or sins, but must always put everything in His hands.  Verse fourteen adds, Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.  David asked God to give him victory over his enemies, and as Christians God has already given us everlasting victory over all our enemies, even if times in life they seem victorious.  Verse fifteen continues, Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.  David asked that those who mocked him because of his faith be put to shame.  Those who mock or make fun of Christians today will be put to shame when God's judgment comes, and we need to be content with this promise.  Verse sixteen declares, Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.  David asked that those who sought the LORD continually magnify, or praise Him.  As followers of Christ, we need to continually magnify God in our everyday life.  Verse seventeen adds, But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.  David, a man known for his great power and faith, declared himself to be poor and needy and asked God, Who was his help and deliverer, to not tarrying in helping him.  As Christians, the Holy Spirit is always with us, and we need to simply live knowing that God has already delivered us to everlasting life with Him.  The evil of the world can never defeat us as long as we remain faithful to God. 

Psalms 40:1

 Psalms 40:1 says,To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. After the introduction, verse one says, I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  If we like David, as followers of Christ, wait patiently on God He will always hear our cry or prayer.  Verse two adds, He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  David said God lifted him up out of the pit and miry clay and put his feet on solid ground.  As Christians, God has lifted us up out of the pit and miry ground of sin and put our feet on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.  Verse three continues, And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.  David said God had put a new song in his mouth, and many would see it and fear and put their trust in the LORD.  God gives us a new song of salvation, and we should share it with the world so that they might come to know and trust Him.  Verse four states, Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.  David tells us that those who put their trust in the LORD and turn aside from the lies of the world are blessed.  There are many lies presented as truth today that go against God's truth, and we as followers of Christ must always put our faith in God's truth, then we will be blessed by God.  Verse five adds, Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.  David said that God's wonderful works were too numerous to be numbered.  We will never be able to count the many wonderous works of God, which is why the only wonderous work we really have to understand is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins.  Verse six continues, Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.  David said that burnt offerings and sin offerings were not what God required.  What God really requires is not ritual, but a personal relationship with Him.  The offerings were simply to show obedience to God.  Verse seven declares, Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,  David said he came to the LORD, and in the volume of the book, God's book of life I believe, it was written of him.  Our works will not get our name written in God's book of life, but only our faith in the salvation of Jesus Christ will.  Verse eight adds, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.  We, like David, need to follow God's will for our life and have His law written in our heart.  Verse nine adds, I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.  David said he had preached the righteousness of God to the great congregation.  We must proclaim the righteousness of Christ to the world around us today, especially the lost people of the world.  If we as followers of Christ do not share the gospel, it will not be shared. 

Psalms 39:1

Psalms 39:1 says,To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.  Again, there are instructions from David, then verse one says, I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  David said he had taken heed of his ways and had controlled his tongue.  We as Christians need to heed our ways and control our tongue today.  We need to live and speak in such a way that we always bring glory to God.  Verse two adds, I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.  David said he remained silent, even when he thought it would be good for him to speak, and this caused him sorrow.  I don't believe that we should ever be reluctant to speak when it is good to do so, and if we do it may lead us to sorrow.  Verse three continues, My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,  David said that there was a fire in his heart as he mused and held his tongue.  Sometimes, if we are holding back from speaking, it may feel like our soul is burning with a desire to speak.  David said at this time, he did speak.  Verse four states, LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.  When David did speak, it was to God, and not to the wicked around him. David asked God to let him know when and how he was going to die so that he might know how frail he was.  Matthew Henry says that this was more of a prayer to consider his mortality, than for a specific time.  We do need to consider the fact that we will one day die, but we need to leave the time of that up to God.  Even when we feel very frail, God is still in charge.  Verse five adds, Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.  David said that his life, as is the life of every person, is but as a handbreath to God.  David also said that at his best, his life was as nothing compared to God.  The only value our life has is the value that God has placed on it.  Verse six continues, Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. David then said that what we gain in this world is of little lasting value.  Whatever we possess when we die will go to someone else.  Only our relationship with Jesus Christ will matter.  Verse seven asks, And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.  David asked what did he have to wait for and hope for in this world.  He then said his hope was in the LORD.  Nothing in this world will ever bring us salvation outside of following God's will for our life through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse eight says, Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.  David asked God to deliver him from his transgressions and to jot make him a reproach for the foolish.  We always need to ask God for His forgiveness when we know that we have allowed sin back into our life.  Verse nine adds, I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.  David said he hadn't spoken because God had caused him not to.  We need to speak when God calls us to, but we also need to be silent when He doesn't.  Verse ten continues, Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.  David asked God to remove His punishment from him.  As followers of Christ, we already have God's punishment removed from us, but He may still rebuke us if we allow sin back into our lives.  Verse eleven declares, When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.  David said that when God rebuked a person, all the beauty in his or her life was consumed like a moth.  The things of this world which may look beautiful to us will never last if they are not built on God's word and in accordance with His will.  Verse twelve adds, Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.  David asked God to hear him and declared himself to be a sojourner in this life.  He also declared himself to be a stranger to God as were the people of Israel before God revealed Himself to them.  We are all just traveling through this world, and until we respond to God's call we will always be strangers to Him.  Verse thirteen continues, O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.  David then asked God to spare his life.  As long as we live, it will be God Who is sustaining our life.

Psalms 38:12

 Psalms 38:12 says, They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. David said his enemies sought to hurt him all day long.  We may feel at times that the whole world is out to destroy us because of our faith, but God is always with us.  Verse thirteen adds, But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.  David said he was as a deaf man, not hearing their threats.  We should likewise be deaf to the world's threats today and simply stay focused on God.  Verse fourteen continues, Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.  David said since he not didn't hear them, he offered no reproofs for what they were saying.  There is no reason for us to be caught up in arguments with those who deny God.  We simply need to continue to witness by faith.  Verse fifteen declares, For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.  David said that since his hope was in the LORD, he would only listen to Him.  If we are to be obedient to God today, we need to tune out the world and listen to God.  Verse sixteen adds, For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.  David asked God to hear Him and guide him, so that he wouldn't fall and his enemies magnify themselves over him.  The world today delights when a Christian falters, but we as followers of Christ should not.  We need to ask as David did that God hear us and guide us, so that we might not falter in our faith.  Verse seventeen states, For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.  David said he felt ready to give up.  Sometimes, we may feel that we can't go on, but as long as we put our faith in God He will give us the ability to do so.  Verse eighteen adds, For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.  David said he would acknowledge and be sorry for his sins.  We must not only acknowledge our sins, but we must be truly sorry for them.  We can never have a cavalier attitude toward sin simply because we know that through our faith in Christ that our sins are all forgiven.  Verse nineteen says, But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.  David said he enemies, who wrongfully hated him, seemed to be multiplying.  The number of people who wrongfully hate Christians today does seem to be multiplying, but God is still with us.  Verse twenty adds,They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.  David said those who gave evil for good were his enemies, because he followed the way that was good.  No matter what, we as Christians must follow God's way, or the way that is good.  Verse twenty-one asks, Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.  David asked God not to forsake him or be far from him.  As followers of Christ, we know that God will never forsake us and He is always with us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-two adds, Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.  David asked God to help him quickly and declared Him to be His LORD and salvation.   As Christians, we should always pray for His guidance and deliverance, since He is our Lord and our salvation. 

Psalms 38:1

 Psalms 38:1 says, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.  This is identified as a Psalm of David to bring remembrance, then verse one says, O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.  David asked God to not rebuke Him in wrath nor chasten him in His displeasure.  If we do not want these things to happen to us, we must come to God through faith and live in accordance to His word.  Verse two adds, For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.  David seemed to feel that somehow God was rejecting or punishing him.  Just because things are not going well in life does not mean that God has rejected or is punishing us.  Verse three continues, There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.  David was evidently very sick, and he attributed his sickness to God's punishment because he said he had sin in his bones.  I believe we can be certain, even as Christians, that if we allow sin back in our lives, it will not go without punishment.  Verse four states, For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.  David said his iniquities, or sins, were too great for him to bear, as ours will always be, no matter how great or small they are.  Only when we turn them over to Christ and allow Him to bear them will we find relief.  Verse five adds, My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.  David said his wounds were because of his corruption.  If we are suffering today, we as followers of Christ need to examine our life and see if we have become corrupt in God's eyes because we have allowed sin back into our life.  Verse six declares, I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.  Verse seven adds, For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.  David continues to speak about his physical ailments which he saw as being caused by his spiritual condition.  Though not all physical ailments are caused by sin in our life, we certainly need to examine our spiritual condition to make sure we are remaining true to God, even if we are physically suffering.  Verse eight adds, I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.  David said he was feeble and broken physically, and that his heart was troubled.  Verse nine continues, Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.  David said God knew the desire of his heart, and if we reach out to God in faith today, He will always know the desire of our heart.  Verse ten says, My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.  David continues to speak of his weakened condition.   Verse eleven adds, My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.  David said his friends and family had deserted him.  Sometimes when we are suffering, it may feel as though everyone has deserted us, but as Christians, we can be certain that God never will. 

Psalms 37:29

Psalms 37:29 says, The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.  I believe that the land that the righteous, those who have accepted God's salvation, will inherit is their heavenly home.  Verse thirty adds, The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.  The wisdom that David said the righteous speak is not their own wisdom, but the truth of God.  God gives His people the wisdom about life.  Verse thirty-one continues, The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.  As David said, the law of God should be in our hearts, or minds continually, and when it is we will not slide back into sin.  Verse thirty-two states, The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.  We as followers of Christ, the righteous, will always be watched by the wicked, those who do not believe in or follow God's law through faith in Jesus Christ, and they will often do all that they can to destroy us, or at minimum our witness about Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty-three adds, The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.  David said that God would not leave the righteous in the hand of the evil, nor condemn him when he was judged.  We already have everlasting salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-four declares, Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.  As David said, we are simply to wait on the Lord and one day we will inherit our heavenly home, and the wicked will be cut off from it.  Verse thirty-five adds, I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.  David said that he had seen the wicked in power, and we today too often see this in the world around us.  Verse thirty-six continues, Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. David said that though the wicked at times had great power that it did not last, and neither will it today.  Verse thirty-seven says, Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.  David said we are to follow the example of the perfect man, and only Jesus Christ is perfect, and to behold the upright, those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, for He is a man of peace.  Verse thirty-eight adds, But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. David then said that the wicked would be cut off, and the wicked, those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, will one day be forever cut off from the presence of God.   Verse thirty-nine declares, But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.  As David said, our salvation is of the Lord, and He gives us strength in the times of trouble.   Verse forty adds, And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.  David said the LORD would deliver the righteous, those who put their faith in Him, and He already has given us an everlasting victory over the wicked of the world. 

Psalms 37:21

 Psalms 37:21 says, The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.  David said the wicked did not repay their debts, but the righteous showed mercy and gave to those in need.  When we as followers of Christ borrow from someone, we need to always return or repay what we borrowed, but more importantly we need to help those in need when we can.  Verse twenty-two adds, For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.  David said that those who are blessed of God would inherent the earth and those cursed would be cut off.  I believe those who are blessed are those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, and those who are cutoff are those who don't.  It is based on ones relationship with Jesus Christ and nothing else.  Verse twenty-three states, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. David tells us the steps of a good man are guided by God.  It is obedience to God through faith in Jesus Christ that makes one good.  Verse twenty-four continues, Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.  I believe this means if we do fail at times to live up to God's calling or standard that God still holds us securely in His hand.  Verse twenty-five declares, I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.  David said he had lived a long time and had never seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.  As Christians, we will never be forsaken and will always be fed with the Bread of Life, or God Himself.   Verse twenty-six adds, He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.  David said God is ever merciful and that His seed, those that put their faith in Him, are blessed.  We, as followers of Christ, are already forever blessed by His gift of everlasting life through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-seven states, Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.  This implies making a choice.  We are called on to depart from evil and do good.  Even as Christians, we always have the choice of whether we do good, or what God calls us to do, or do evil, that which goes against God's will.  We need to always choose to do what God calls us to do.  Verse twenty-eight adds, For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.  David tells us that the saints of God, or anyone putting their faith in Jesus Christ, are preserved forever, but that the wicked are cutoff.  Those like David who lived before Jesus Christ came put their faith in His coming, and those who lived after He came put their faith in the fact that He did come.  In both cases, He is the only way to salvation.

Psalms 37:12

 Psalms 37:12 says, The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.  What David said then seems especially true today.  The wicked seem to be plotting continually against the just, or those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirteen adds, The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.  David said then, and we can be certain today, that God laughs at those who are wicked, because His day of judgment is coming.  Verse fourteen states, The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.  As in David's day, so many wicked people today are attempting to destroy God's people, but they will never be victorious.  Verse fifteen adds, Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.  David said the wicked would be destroyed by their own weapons, and the wicked will always be destroyed by their own disbelief in God, no matter what weapons they us against Him and His people.  Verse sixteen declares, A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.  As Christians, we need to live by this statement from David.  It is better to have a little and be righteous than to have riches and not be saved.  Verse seventeen adds, For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.  David said the wicked would be defeated, but God would uphold the righteous.  God has already secured the victory for the righteous, those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse eighteen says, The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.  David said that God knows the days of the upright and that their inheritance will be forever.  The upright are made so not by their own abilities, but by faith in Jesus Christ, either as the coming Messiah in David's day or as the Messiah Who has come in our day.  Verse nineteen adds, They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.  David said the upright, those who trusted God, would not be ashamed in the day of evil and would be satisfied even in times of famine.  This is the attitude we as followers of Christ need today.  Verse twenty concludes, But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.  David then said that the wicked, the enemies of God, would perish, and we know that those who refuse to accept God's salvation will one day go away to everlasting punishment. 

Psalms 37:1

Psalms 37:1 says, A Psalm of David.  After being identified as a psalm of David, verse one says, Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  David told the people of Israel to neither worry about nor be envious of evildoers and workers of iniquity.  We today as followers of Christ need to be that way as well, not worrying about nor envying what those who are not Christians are doing.  Verse two adds, For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.  David then tells the people of Israel, and us, as Christians today, why we should not fear or envy the wicked.  One day, when God's judgment comes, they will be cut down like grass, or completely destroyed.  Verse three states, Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  David told the people of Israel to trust in the LORD and they would be fed.  He did not say that they would be materially rich, but that they would be fed, or have their daily needs met.  This will always be true spiritually, even if we were to suffer physically for our faith.  Verse four adds, Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  I don't believe that this means that God will give us everything we want, but that if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, then the desires of our heart will be what God wants for us and what will bring glory to Him.  Verse five declares, Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  David tells us that if we commit our way to following God's will in our lives and follow Him in faith, that He will bring us success.  Verse six adds, And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.  David said that when we follow Christ, and become the righteous because of His righteousness, that we should be a light unto the world.  We as Christians are commissioned to share the light of the gospel to the world today,  and if we don't, it will not be shared.  Verse seven continues, Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.  David tells us to rest in the LORD and wait patiently on Him and to not fret that the wicked seem to prosper.  God's judgment will come one day, and until then we need to just rest in our relationship with God through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse eight says, Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.  David told the people of Israel, and tells us today, that we are to cease from anger and to not allow our worries to lead us into evil.  Verse nine adds, For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.  This is the truth of salvation.  Evil doers, those who do not accept salvation through Christ, will be cut off from God when His judgment comes, but those who wait on the LORD, or put their faith in Jesus Christ, will inherit the earth.  One day, as Christians, we will be going to our heavenly home.  Verse ten states, For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.  David said that the wicked might seem to be successful for a little while, but one day they would be no more.  I believe this means that they will no longer be a part of God's coming kingdom, but will be cut off from Him forever.  Verse eleven adds, But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.  David said the meek would inherit the earth and live in an abundance of peace.  We as followers of Christ are called on to be meek in our relationship to others, realizing that it is by God's grace that we are saved and by His power we are sustained. 

Psalms 36:1

 Psalms 36:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.  Once more we have the introduction, then verse one says, The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.  David said those who were wicked said they had no fear of God.  If people truly believe in God, they will fear His wrath if they do not repent of their sins and turn to Him by faith.  If they do repent, they will still have an awesome respect for Him.  Verse two adds, For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.  David said that the wicked flattered themselves in their own eyes, or were unwilling to admit that they were doing anything wrong.  People today do horrible things because they believe that it is their right to do so, no matter what God says about it.  This will never be true.  Verse three continues, The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.  David said these people spoke with iniquity and quit even trying to do what is good.   We find many people around us today who would fit this description.  Verse four continues, He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.  David said that the wicked, those who do not believe in or follow God's teachings, devise evil and do not abhor evil.  We see people throughout the world today who devise evil plans and certainly do not abhor evil.  Verse five declares, Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.  David then looks to God instead of the wicked and evil people around him.  We likewise need to look to God in His glory and faithfulness instead of focusing on the evil of the world.  Verse six adds, Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.  David declared God's righteous to be deep and unmoveable, and that He preserved both men and beasts.  God's righteousness will never change, and He is the only One Who can sustain His universe.   Verse seven continues, How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.  As David stated then, God's lovingkindness is great and if we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will forever be safe in God's care.  Verse eight states,They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.  David said that those who put their faith in God would be satisfied with His blessings.  This does not mean that they will have everything that they want, but that they will desire only what God blesses them with, and this is the way we should be today as Christians.  Verse nine adds, For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.  As David said then, God is the fountain of life and the source of light in the world.   Verse ten declares, O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.  David asked God to continue His lovingkindness to those who knew Him and His righteousness to the upright in heart.  We cannot come to God through our own righteousness, but must come to Him through the righteousness of Christ by accepting Him as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse eleven adds, Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.  David asked that his pride not come between God and him, and that the hand of the wicked not move him from his faith in God.  Self pride too often comes between people and God today.  Verse twelve concludes, There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.  When God's judgment comes, the workers of iniquity will certainly be cast down into everlasting punishment.