Thanks for a great start to “Reading the Psalms.” I have really appreciated everyone’s comments so far. I also appreciate everyone else who has been reading along with us. Feel free to comment when you want, of course there is no pressure to do so.
Psalm 17-20 over at BibleGateway.com
17) vs 8 That (being the apple of God’s eye and treated as such) would be awesome!
18) May my life be as such so that I never have to sing this psalm! May my focus be on Christ, who commanded Peter to put away his sword and who was led humbly to the cross.
19) The wordless heavens proclaim the handiwork of the LORD. As perfect, sure, right, clear, pure, true, desired and sweet as the law of the LORD is… who can detect our errors.
20) What victories do we turn to the lord for help? And how loud do we (or don’t we) shout for joy and in the name of God raise our banners?
Those are my thoughts reading these four psalms, what are yours?
Psalm 17 - is this the "peer pressure" prayer - "Lord, save me from such people"? We do well to remember that not everyone is either for us or from God. Others can and will lead us astray.
ReplyDeletePsalm 18 - this is David's Thanksgiving for his victories and his thick with literary embellishments. The most poignant line for me was "You keep my lamp burning." A reminder that all that I am and all that I have comes from God. Lord, you keep my spirit bright.
Psalm 19. This is what people think all the psalms are like - joyous praise. Mentally I convert "the law is perfect" to "the will of God is perfect" to move this from a Law based religion to one of Grace.
Psalm 20 It struck me that the first six verses sounded like a wedding toast. My take away line was "Some trust in chariots and horses but we trust in the name of the Lord. Keith
Some great imagery in these psalms - "the shadow of your wings," "a great lion crouching." Some of the images in Psalm 18 make me think of graphics from a video game! Psalm 19 contains familiar and comforting phrases that I love. I don't remember looking closely at Psalm 20 before, but I especially like the petitions in the opening verses.
ReplyDeleteI wrote my own Psalm using selected verses thoughts from these 4 psalms:
ReplyDeleteYou know my heart, Lord.
Deliver me from hidden faults and keep me safe from willful sins.
You are my protector and strong fortress.
You pulled me out of the deep waters and gave light to my darkness.
You made me strong and my pathway is safe.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, My Rock and my Redeemer.
When I awake in the morning your presence fills me with joy. I see the heavens- the sun and moon and stars declaring your glory and majesty.
I pray for you, my fellow Lord-Followers- may the Lord also answer YOU when you are in trouble.
I'm glad someone else tried this. after I read Amy's comment the other day, I tried writing my own simple prayer-psalm instead of reading my usual devotional bk. it was a refreshing experience. I may write Psalm 2 sometime soon.
DeletePs 17 Considering his life, I thought David was somewhat bold in telling God himself that his(David's prayers are righteous and from a pure heart. My own experience is that i am only comfortable being close to God because of Jesus's forgiveness and grace taking away the junk I know lurks too easily. DOes anyone know if there isn't another Psalm that says something like: Examine my heart, O God, and see if there is any foolish way and lead me to your salvation ? If so, that would be more like a Psalm for me.
ReplyDeletePs 18 Verse 28 is my testimony of sorts: "You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." All the things associated with Roger's strokes and blindness brought much "darkness" and uncertainty into our lives, but God truly brought help and light and encouragement and he did and continues to do much of it thru our church family - many of you know who you are and we thank you for being God's servants!
Ps 19:Now David is showing more awareness of his human nature than in Ps 17: "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.'
Ps 20 For all the strength and beauty of horse that I love, I know how very vulnerable they are to many things I would not trust them over God, but are there any other equally untrustworthy things I trust in day by day?? A bit too much self-reliance, maybe?
19:1 “...The heavens declare the glory of God;
ReplyDeletethe skies proclaim the work of his hands....
19:3 “....They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them....
19: 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
18:20 “...my God turns my darkness into light...”
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150212.html is only one of many illustrations