Psalms 140:1

Psalms 140:1 states,To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. This is identified as a psalm of David, then verse one says, Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;  David was often surrounded by evil men, and he looked to God for deliverance from them.  In this evil world in which we live, God is our only hope of everlasting deliverance.  Verse two adds, Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. We are not the first generation of people for whom war seems to be a constant threat.  David lived in a time that was the same.  Verse three continues, They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.  David said his enemies were like poisonous snakes ready to bite, or attack, him.  Verse four states, Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.  David again asks God to keep him out of the hands of wicked men.  We as followers of Christ should pray for the same thing today, but we must never lose our faith in God no matter what happens to us in the world.  Verse five adds, The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.  David said that those full of self pride were setting traps for him, who was the leader of God's chosen people.  We may not be as important or powerful as David was, but the world is still out to trap or at least discount us as Christians, God's people today.  Verse six declares, I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.  If we want God to hear our prayers, we like David must first declare God to be our God.   This is only possible through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse seven adds, O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. David said God was the strength of his salvation Who protected him in battle.  David did not say that God kept him out of battles, but that He protected him in his battles.  As Christians, we are not promised a life free of problems, but we are promised that God will carry us through those battles.  Verse eight continues, Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.  David asked that the wicked not be allowed to prosper so that they might not brag.  Verse nine says, As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.  David asked that the things that the wicked proposed to do to him fall on their own heads instead.  We can be certain that one day, when God's judgment comes, something even worse than they can think of will happen to those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Verse ten adds, Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.  This is the everlasting fate of those who do not believe in God and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, whether they are really evil or not.  Verse eleven states, Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.  David asked that those who spoke evil never be established in the earth and that evil would come on them instead.  We know that evil men do come to power In the world today, but they will always be defeated, if not in this life, then in the one to come.  Verse twelve adds, I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.  David said God would always maintain the rights of the poor and afflicted.  I believe this applies to the poor and afflicted who have put their faith in God.  Verse thirteen continues, Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.  If we are righteous and upright with God, which can only happen by putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, then we should give thanks to God because we always dwell in His presence. 

Psalms 139:11

Psalms 139:11 says, If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Verse twelve adds,Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.  David said the darkness of night could not hide him from God, because God could see just as well in the darkness as in the light.  No matter how dark it may be where we are, God's light will still shine through. Verse thirteen states, For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.  David said that God had protected him from the time he was conceived.  Several places in the Bible tell us that life begins at conception, and no law that we pass will change that.  Verse fourteen adds, I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  Like David, whether we believe in God or not, we are wonderfully made by God.  Also like David, we should acknowledge this and praise God for it.  Verse fifteen continues, My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  David said that God always knew what he was, a lowly sinner who was given life and purpose by the grace of God, and so are we all.  Verse sixteen says, Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  David said God knew he was imperfect spiritually even before He formed him.  Since Adam and Eve, we have all been born with the ability to be spiritually imperfect.  At some point, we all become aware of good and evil and choose to do evil.  Verse seventeen adds, How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  David said that God's thoughts were precious to him.  As followers of Christ, what God thinks should always be precious to us and guide our actions.  Verse eighteen continues, If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.  David said he could not count God's blessings, and neither can we.  It is also not a competition as to how much God blesses us versus how much He blesse others.  Verse nineteen states, Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.  It may not be today, but God will certainly one day send all the wicked, those who have not accepted the salvation of Christ, away to everlasting punishment.  Verse twenty adds, For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.  David said that those who spoke evil against God and used His name in vain would be punished.  As Christians, we can often use God's name in vain if we call on Him without faith that He will hear and answer us.  I don't believe that we will be held unaccountable for this, even though our salvation is secure.  Verse twenty-one asks, Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?  Though we should be grieved by those who stand against God, we should not hate them, but should reach out to them with the love of God.  Verse twenty-two adds, I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.  Again, even though we should hate the actions of those who stand against God, we should not hate them.  Verse twenty-three declares, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  As Christians, God does search our hearts and know our thoughts, and we should welcome Him to do so.  Verse twenty-four adds,  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way  everlasting.  Like David, we should want God to search our hearts for any wickedness that might be there and correct us if there is any.

Psalms 139:1

Psalms 139:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  This is identified as a psalm of David and sent to the chief musician, then says, O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.  David said God had searched Him and knew him, and this was to be sung by the people of Israel.  As followers of Christ, God has searched us and knows us, and we shouldn't be afraid to share this fact with anyone we meet.  Verse two adds, Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  David said God knew when he sat down and when he got up, and even understood David's thoughts.  God knows us just as intimately today.  He is not some absentee God Who only looks down on us occasionally, as some people believe of their gods.  Verse three continues, Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  As David said then, God knows all our ways as Christians.  Verse four states, For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.  David said that God knew every word that he spoke, and we know that even more than that, He knows every thought that we think.  We should therefore guard our words and thoughts so that they might glorify God.  Verse five adds, Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. David said that God was behind him and before him to protect him.  God surrounds us with His protective hand today if we put our faith in Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse six declares, Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.  David said that God's knowledge was above his comprehension.  This will always be true for everyone.  We cannot comprehend the knowledge of God, but fortunately we do not have to.  We would be without hope if we had to understand everything about God in order to be saved, but fortunately all we need to know is Jesus Christ, crucified, resurrected, and Lord and accept this by faith.  Verse seven asks, Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  David asked where could he go to escape the presence of the Spirit of God, and the answer is nowhere.  As Christians, whenever we go, the Holy Spirit is always with us.  Verse eight says, If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  David said that he could not be out of the presence of God in heaven or in hell.  I don't believe that this means that God is with people in hell, but that they will be aware of His presence just out of their reach.  Verse nine continues, If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  Verse ten concludes, Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  David said that if he went to the uttermost part of the sea to live that God would still be with him and protect Him.  As followers of Christ, there is nowhere that we can go that God is not with us to protect us spiritually since we have put our faith in Jesus Christ. 

Psalms 138:1

Psalms 138:1 says, A Psalm of David.  This is identified as a psalm of David, then verse one says, I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.  David said he would sing praises to God with his whole heart before the false gods.  As followers of Christ, we should also wholeheartedly worship God, especially in the presence of false gods.  Verse two adds, I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.  As David said then, we should magnify God above everything else for His lovingkindness to us.  Verse three continues, In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.  As God answered David when he cried out to Him, God will answer us when we as Christians call out to Him today.  We simply need to be ready to accept His answer.  Verse four states, All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.  There is coming a day when  everyone, including all the rulers will praise God, but for many it will be to late.  These are the people who refused to hear God's word of salvation in this lifetime.  Verse five adds, Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.  In that coming day, everyone will praise God, even if it is too late for them to know the joy of His salvation.  Verse six declares, Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.  God is indeed high and lifted up, and we can only come to Him as lowly sinners, and never high and lifted up in self pride.  Verse seven adds, Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.  David didn't say that God removed Him from trouble, but that He was with him in the times of trouble.   As Christians, we cannot expect to never have trouble in life, but we can expect God to be with us in times of trouble.  Verse eight continues, The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.  God will indeed perfect the work that we do for Him, and that is all the work that matters.

Psalms 137:1

Psalms 137:1 says, By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.  When in captivity in Babylon, the people of Israel wept when remembering Zion.  If we as followers of Christ allow sin to take us away from God's will, then we should weep as we remember what it was like to be in His kingdom.  Even though we, like Isreal, will not be separated forever, like them our refusal to follow God's will at all times can lead to a temporary separation.  Verse two adds, We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.  They hung their harps in the trees because they had no heart to use them.  If we are out of God's will, we should have no heart for the things that brought us joy when we were following Him.  Verse three continues, For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.  Though the people of Israel had no desire to play their harps and sing, their captors required them to do so.  I believe they did this to mock the faith that the people of Israel had in God.  If we were to be taken captivity by some government today that does not believe in God, we should not be surprised if they attempt to make a mockery of our faith.  Verse four asks, How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?  The people of Israel asked God how they could sing the LORD’s song in a strange land.  We as Christians will never be separated from God's kingdom forever, and if we were to find ourselves captive in an unGodly land, we simply need to keep our faith.  Verse five adds, If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.  Verse six continues, If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.  The people of Israel said if they would never forget Jerusalem, and they would rather have their arm cut off and their tongues become useless than to sing praises to God in mockery.  We might be forced to sing to God by some power of the world, but if so, we should do so to truly worship God, and never allow our worship to become a mockery.  Verse seven says, Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.  The people of Israel asked God to remember when the people of Edom had destroyed the city of Jerusalem.  Verse eight adds, O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.  The people of Israel then said that one day Babylon would be punished for their treatment of them.  We may see times when it seems that the world is being victorious over the people of God, but it will always be temporary.  Their punishment is assured.  Verse nine continues, Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.  None were to escape God's judgment, and they will not today.  

Psalms 136:13

Psalms 136:13 says,  To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:  This is a continuation of telling of the great things God did for Israel.  He divided the Red Sea so they could escape from Egypt, but that was not as great as what He did for us when He sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins.  Verse fourteen adds, And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:  The people of Isreal passed through the Red Sea unharmed, not because of anything the did, but because of the mercy of God.  We are saved not by our own abilities but by the mercy of God.  Verse fifteen continues, But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Pharaoh and his srmy were drowned in the Red Sea, because they would not obey God.  Those who do not put their faith in God will one day face an even greater punishment, since they will be forever separated from God and His mercy.  Verse sixteen states, To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.  God did lead the people of Israel through the wilderness, but they were only there because of their lack of faith.  God out of His mercy will lead us through our spiritual wilderness today,  but as followers of Christ we should not be there to start with.  Verse seventeen adds, To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:  God overthrew the kings in the promised land, and He will overthrow our enemies today if we put our faith in Him.  Verse eighteen continues, And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Some of the kings were famous, but they could not stand before God.  No matter how famous a ruler may be today, he cannot defeat God.  Verse nineteen says, Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Verse twenty continues, And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Two of the kings overthrown by God were mentioned by name.  Verse twenty-one declares, And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Just as God gave the people of Israel the promised land for a heritage out of His mercy, He gives us an everlasting home in heaven as followers of Christ today.  Verse twenty-two adds, Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.  God gave the promised land to Israel because they were His servants.  If we want to be a part of God's kingdom today, we must be God's servants.  Verse twenty-three continues, Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:   God remembered Israel not because of their greatness, but because of their low estate.  We today do not come to God because of our own innate goodness, but because of our low estate as sinners in need of salvation.  Verse twenty-four states, And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.  God redeemed the people of Israel from their enemies, and He redeems us from our spiritual enemies today, all because of His mercy and not because we have done anything to deserve it.  Verse twenty-five adds, Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.  God provided for the needs of the people of Israel, and He will still provide for our needs today if we put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-six continues, O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.  We today, like the people of Israel then, must put our faith in God and give Him our thanks for His everlasting mercy.

Psalms 136:1

Psalms 136:1 says, O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.  The people of Israel were called on to give thanks to God because He is good and His mercy lasts forever.  God is good to extend His mercy to us, because He certainly doesn't have to, and if we accept it, it lasts forever.  Verse two adds, O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Like Isreal, we should give thanks to God since He is the only real God, and still He offers His mercy to us.  Verse three continues, O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Once more the people of Israel were called on to give thanks to God for His everlasting mercy.  None of these calls for giving thanks, and didn't say anything about material things, but were all based on Who God is and on His mercy, and this is still the reason we should praise God.  Verse four states, To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.  We are to give thanks to God for the great things and wonders He has done.  He is the Creator of everything.  Verse five adds, To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.  As just stated, He is the Creator of everything out of His wisdom, starting with the heavens.  Verse six continues, To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.  God then created the earth.  Verse seven says, To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:  God made the stars, and He did so out of His everlasting mercy.  Verse eight adds, The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Though scientists attempt to figure out when the sun will burn out, it will shine as long as God from His mercy wants it to shine.  Verse nine continues, The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Just as the sun shines by day, the moon and stars shine by night.  This is all a part of God's design and not the result of some great cosmic accident.  Verse ten states, To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Just as God procured freedom from Egypt for the people of Israel by His power and mercy, He procures our everlasting freedom from the power of sin and death if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse eleven adds, And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Verse twelve continues, With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Just as it was by God's mercy and power that the people of Israel were freed from bondage in Egypt, we as Christians are freed from the bondage of sin today by His mercy.  Israel did nothing to deserve God's mercy, and neither can we.  It was freely given to them, and it is freely offered to us today.