Songs of Praise: Psalm 22

Psalm 22
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Complaints alternate with expressions of trust. Descriptions of trouble are followed by petitions for God's deliverance.

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Psalm 22:2-3 ESV

Medicine and nutrition are a real part of our life in America. Acts of healing are often not credited to God in Christ. Some of the extraordinary medical accomplishments arise out of the gifts of technology today. Science at the hands of gifted medics hold great blessings! The technology God has gifted us with is outstanding.

Many perils are averted with the triumphant affirmation of faith, not only by the patients, but through the gifted skills of the medical staff. The individual may have walked with radical despair, then turned to give thanks and praise to God. Relief from pain and agony can go full circle as one experiences deliverance through faith.

There is no fear of being abandoned by the Lord. Our ancestors put their trust in the Lord. The psalmist calls true worshipers to praise the Lord for His delivering power. Even the suffering of Christ prophesied in this psalm -- My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? (Matthew 26:46, Mark 15:34) -- is followed by exaltation -- I will tell of Your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You.

In physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering, we can rejoice in the Lord and His strength.

Heavenly Father, remind us again that Your ways are not our ways. The suffering Christ seems so totally opposite of a loving God. You turn familiar order and power on their heads. Yet, you continually renew life through the least, as well as the least expected.

Songs of Praise: Psalm 21

Psalm 21
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Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power.

Psalm 19:13 ESV

This psalm of petition for king and people is a confident communal prayer. The prayer emphatically declares that now God will grant the anointed mighty victories. Those who depend on God will rise and stand upright.

Let's sing His praise:

Your blessings, Lord, are with us forever!

Your presence fills us with joy and peace.

Your constant love gives us victory

and makes us secure in your deliverance.

We praise You, Lord, for your great strength

We sing and praise Your power and victory!

For You bless us with good things.

Loving God, Your grace is better than life itself.

You have sustained us through the darkness;

and You bless us with life in this new day.

In the shadow of Your wings we sing for joy

and bless Your holy name. We praise You Lord,

for Your great strength and wisdom.

Songs of Praise: Psalm 19-20

Psalm 19-20
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The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:1 ESV

We can see God's craftsmanship which witnesses to His glory. The laws of nature have their own majesty of how they were created. They are God's self witness to His will.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple...

Psalm 19:7 ESV

The law is the fountain from which flows everything of supreme value to humankind. The reward of keeping the law is not of material prosperity, but to the worshiper a kind of life-giving dedication and sustaining power from God.

Oh, how we need the Lord's grace to keep the law. It is a living expression of the totality of God's will. Even Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law. It is perfect and enduring. It is expressive of the total dedication (mouth and heart) of the worshiper to their God. The law of the Lord is perfect. Those who obey are happy. They are victorious.

Oh God, enable us to grasp more completely who You are. Open our eyes to see You in nature and the written Word. May we be filled with a deep abiding joy in Your handiwork and Your holy presence.

Songs of Praise: Psalm 18:25-50

Psalm 18:25-50
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This God -- his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;

he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 18:30 ESV

The second half of Psalm 18 accords universal influence to both God and king, since the Lord is sovereign over all. God's way is perfect. The promise of the Lord rings true; He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. The Lord is sovereign over all the world. Happiness and prosperity are derived from God's sovereignty. The Lord lives!

Blessed be the Rock, and exalted be the God of salvation. Let's live with David's words on our heart, singing praise to His name. Remembering Him as our Protector. Proclaiming His greatness. Exalting Him as our Savior.

Our help and our God, may we base our authority on You and Your grace.

God we thank you for being our strength. Give us wise leaders

who have compassion for people who need help.

Fill our hearts with praise no matter what comes,

because we remember You are Lord of all the earth.

Songs of Praise: Psalm 18:1-24

Psalm 18:1-24
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The lesson is that God keeps promises and delivers the just, both ruler and people alike.

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 18:6 ESV

David in his trouble called for help. The Lord heard his plea. The Lord listened. The Lord reached down and pulled him up out of the deep waters. He rescued him from his powerful enemies. He protected him.

In graphic language David portrays God coming to aid His trusting servant. God worked through earthquakes, hail, and thunderstorms giving evidence of Himself in nature (Psalm 19). David's public prayer for Israel's leader expressed trust in the Lord. There is a witness to God's authority over all creation.

David strove to follow God's ways in every way. The outcome of his obedience shows the law is not lifeless ordinances, but a living expression of the totality of God's will. To obey it is to have one's life renewed and rewarded.

I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt.

So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

Psalm 18:23-24 ESV

Father God, thank You for hearing my prayers when I cry out

in faithfulness and trust.