Verse 34...
I will not violate My covenant
or alter the word that went forth from My lips.
While this psalm speaks specifically of the Lord's covenant with David, all His promises to His covenant people carry the same surety: He will never go back on His word or neglect to fulfill His promises.
Yet sometimes I mourn over the fact that the Lord's promises don't seem to make any difference for me personally and my heart's desires. I have a difficult time claiming His promises for myself. What can I say for certainty that He has promised me (besides salvation) that can help me with the everyday sorrows I carry? In the near future I intend to go through a personal study of God's promises that I can claim and pray back to Him.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Psalm 90
Verse 14...
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Nothing else will truly satisfy -- only the steadfast covenant love, chesed, of Jehovah my Lord God. In that love I can face tomorrow with joy and gladness.
My dear one, this is my 100th post on this blog. I continue to trust, "in hope against hope," that I will meet you one day soon.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Nothing else will truly satisfy -- only the steadfast covenant love, chesed, of Jehovah my Lord God. In that love I can face tomorrow with joy and gladness.
My dear one, this is my 100th post on this blog. I continue to trust, "in hope against hope," that I will meet you one day soon.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Psalm 91
Verses 1-2...
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high;
Hide me, oh, my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on thee,
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me;
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring,
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
Thou, oh, Christ, art all I want,
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind,
Just and holy is Thy Name,
I am all unrighteousness!
Vile and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to pardon all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound,
Make and keep me pure within;
Thou of life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee,
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high;
Hide me, oh, my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on thee,
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me;
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring,
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
Thou, oh, Christ, art all I want,
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind,
Just and holy is Thy Name,
I am all unrighteousness!
Vile and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to pardon all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound,
Make and keep me pure within;
Thou of life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee,
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.
(Charles Wesley)
Beautifully set to Joseph Parry's ABERYSTWYTH here.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Psalm 92
Verse 4...
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work;
at the works of Your hands I sing for joy.
God's plan for my life, not to mention His entire creation, is not slapped together like the shoddy craftsmanship of the apartment I've lived in for the past few years. It is a perfectly constructed piece of workmanship, to display His glory.
Ephesians 2:10...
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Matthew 5:16...
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see Your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
As I use the talents He has entrusted to me, I am charged with a high calling -- pointing others to the beauty, majesty, and glory of the Only Worthy One. And I have the privilege of doing this for my earthly career, not only for myself but also training the next generation to do the same!
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work;
at the works of Your hands I sing for joy.
God's plan for my life, not to mention His entire creation, is not slapped together like the shoddy craftsmanship of the apartment I've lived in for the past few years. It is a perfectly constructed piece of workmanship, to display His glory.
Ephesians 2:10...
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Matthew 5:16...
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see Your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
As I use the talents He has entrusted to me, I am charged with a high calling -- pointing others to the beauty, majesty, and glory of the Only Worthy One. And I have the privilege of doing this for my earthly career, not only for myself but also training the next generation to do the same!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Psalm 93
Verse 2...
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.
Today's society is trying to redefine morality and change God's laws. But God sits on an eternal throne and one day all will bow before Him, no matter how much they try to deny His Word and His very existence now.
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.
Today's society is trying to redefine morality and change God's laws. But God sits on an eternal throne and one day all will bow before Him, no matter how much they try to deny His Word and His very existence now.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Psalm 94
Verses 17-19...
If the LORD had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
When I thought, “My foot slips,”
Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
Your consolations cheer my soul.
I am so thankful for the honesty of the psalmist. Tears fill my eyes as I read these verses tonight. No matter how big my sorrows, my God is bigger. No matter how lonely I become, my Jesus experienced worse. No matter how unlovely I feel, His unfailing, redeeming love will wrap me in the beautiful white robes of my Saviour's righteousness.
If the LORD had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
When I thought, “My foot slips,”
Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
Your consolations cheer my soul.
I am so thankful for the honesty of the psalmist. Tears fill my eyes as I read these verses tonight. No matter how big my sorrows, my God is bigger. No matter how lonely I become, my Jesus experienced worse. No matter how unlovely I feel, His unfailing, redeeming love will wrap me in the beautiful white robes of my Saviour's righteousness.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Psalm 95
Verses 1-3...
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
I never want to drift into the false or hypocritical "show" of joy that so many legalistic people plaster on the outside, but I also don't want a depressed melancholic mood to stand between my neighbor and the Saviour.
Can others see the greatness of God through my joyful spirit of praise?
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
I never want to drift into the false or hypocritical "show" of joy that so many legalistic people plaster on the outside, but I also don't want a depressed melancholic mood to stand between my neighbor and the Saviour.
Can others see the greatness of God through my joyful spirit of praise?
Friday, May 24, 2013
Psalm 96
Verses 4-6...
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him;
strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
These verses make me think of how in many churches the "worship service" has degenerated into pop-culture entertainment. And even in "fundamentalist" churches, a reverent liturgy is shunned in favor of Bible thumping antics and shallow gospel songs. It is becoming a rare thing for a church to conduct its worship with the awareness of God's greatness, splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty. Our churches need more of this.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him;
strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
These verses make me think of how in many churches the "worship service" has degenerated into pop-culture entertainment. And even in "fundamentalist" churches, a reverent liturgy is shunned in favor of Bible thumping antics and shallow gospel songs. It is becoming a rare thing for a church to conduct its worship with the awareness of God's greatness, splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty. Our churches need more of this.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Psalm 98
Verse 1...
Oh sing to the LORD a new song,
for He has done marvelous things!
Just because I don't have a companion, lover, and best friend is no reason to withhold praise from the Lord. He has indeed done marvelous things, and I see the beauty of His handiwork around me every day. My too-often gloomy attitude only detracts from the praise due unto His name.
O Lord, may Thy mercy and grace continue to work in this stubborn heart and mold me into a vessel Thou canst use!
Oh sing to the LORD a new song,
for He has done marvelous things!
Just because I don't have a companion, lover, and best friend is no reason to withhold praise from the Lord. He has indeed done marvelous things, and I see the beauty of His handiwork around me every day. My too-often gloomy attitude only detracts from the praise due unto His name.
O Lord, may Thy mercy and grace continue to work in this stubborn heart and mold me into a vessel Thou canst use!
Psalm 97
Verse 11...
"Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart."
Sometimes I feel like I'm living under a dense fog, dragging my feet through a thick mire... lacking that light and joy described in this verse. Only sin can have that drugging effect on a Christian's life, and I yearn to be free of its weighty burdens. The process of sanctification is such a slow process!
Romans 7:22-25a...
"I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
but I see in my members another law
waging war against the law of my mind
and making me captive
to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Wretched man that I am!
Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
"Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart."
Sometimes I feel like I'm living under a dense fog, dragging my feet through a thick mire... lacking that light and joy described in this verse. Only sin can have that drugging effect on a Christian's life, and I yearn to be free of its weighty burdens. The process of sanctification is such a slow process!
Romans 7:22-25a...
"I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
but I see in my members another law
waging war against the law of my mind
and making me captive
to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Wretched man that I am!
Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
I'll be seeing you...
My dear one,
When I sat in "that small cafe" this afternoon, I couldn't help but imagine you sitting across the table from me. I almost started crying because I felt so lonely.
Waiting, though my heart continues to break,
Me
Finally I return...
My dear one,
My unexpected blogging hiatus seems to have come to an end, and it is so nice to sit down and write to you once again. During those three weeks of "silence" I finished up the school year, listened to my students' performance juries, had several performances of my own, and graduated! My dad was able to come stay with me for a few days during this past weekend of commencement activities. He was the only one there to take photos, and they weren't even really good photos. Somewhat disappointing... I wish you could have been there. My heart felt the hole created by your absence.
I bought myself flowers today ... "just because." I'm weary of feeling passed over. On May 9th, the friend who had announced her new "dating relationship" on April Fool's Day posted her engagement photos on Facebook. I cried. And I officially removed her from my newsfeed. I still cry when I think about it. But I am resolved to treat myself with the respect (and splurges every once in a while) I deserve for the completion of this degree, hence the flowers. No one else may be celebrating with me, but I have worked so hard to get through these three years, and it feels so good to be done!!!!
My unexpected blogging hiatus seems to have come to an end, and it is so nice to sit down and write to you once again. During those three weeks of "silence" I finished up the school year, listened to my students' performance juries, had several performances of my own, and graduated! My dad was able to come stay with me for a few days during this past weekend of commencement activities. He was the only one there to take photos, and they weren't even really good photos. Somewhat disappointing... I wish you could have been there. My heart felt the hole created by your absence.
I bought myself flowers today ... "just because." I'm weary of feeling passed over. On May 9th, the friend who had announced her new "dating relationship" on April Fool's Day posted her engagement photos on Facebook. I cried. And I officially removed her from my newsfeed. I still cry when I think about it. But I am resolved to treat myself with the respect (and splurges every once in a while) I deserve for the completion of this degree, hence the flowers. No one else may be celebrating with me, but I have worked so hard to get through these three years, and it feels so good to be done!!!!
Psalm 99
George Rawson's versification for the Leeds Hymn-book (1853):
God the Lord is King of glory;
I love the stately hymn tune ARDUDWY (featuring the Dorian mode, in case that means anything to you) which accompanies this psalm in my church's Trinity Hymnal.
With this post, I resume my "Psalm Countdown" after an unanticipated pause from blogging. Rather than trying to catch up, I will simply allow the countdown date to be adjusted. Who knows... it may turn out to be providential -- maybe the Lord will use those few extra days to work out our yet-to-happen meeting. August 27 is the adjusted date for Psalm 1 ... will I meet you by then, my dear one?
God the Lord is King: before Him
Earth with all thy nations, wait!
Where the cherubim adore Him,
Sitteth He in royal state.
He is holy; He is holy;
Blessed, only Potentate!
Earth with all thy nations, wait!
Where the cherubim adore Him,
Sitteth He in royal state.
He is holy; He is holy;
Blessed, only Potentate!
God the Lord is King of glory;
Zion, tell the world His fame;
Ancient Israel, the story
Of His faithfulness proclaim:
He is holy; He is holy;
Holy is His awful Name.
In old times when dangers darkened,
When, invoked by priest and seer,
To His people's cry He hearkened,
Answered them in all their fear.
He is holy; He is holy;
As they called, they found Him near.
Laws divine to them were spoken
From the pillar of the cloud;
Sacred precepts, quickly broken!
Fiercely then His vengeance flowed.
He is holy; He is holy;
To the dust their hearts were bowed.
But their Father-God forgave them
When they sought His face once more:
Ever ready was to save them,
Tenderly did He restore.
He is holy; He is holy;
We, too, will His grace implore.
God in Christ is all forgiving,
Waits His mercy to fulfil:
Come, exalt Him, all the living,
Come, ascend His Zion hill!
He is holy: He is holy;
Worship at His holy hill.
Ancient Israel, the story
Of His faithfulness proclaim:
He is holy; He is holy;
Holy is His awful Name.
In old times when dangers darkened,
When, invoked by priest and seer,
To His people's cry He hearkened,
Answered them in all their fear.
He is holy; He is holy;
As they called, they found Him near.
Laws divine to them were spoken
From the pillar of the cloud;
Sacred precepts, quickly broken!
Fiercely then His vengeance flowed.
He is holy; He is holy;
To the dust their hearts were bowed.
But their Father-God forgave them
When they sought His face once more:
Ever ready was to save them,
Tenderly did He restore.
He is holy; He is holy;
We, too, will His grace implore.
God in Christ is all forgiving,
Waits His mercy to fulfil:
Come, exalt Him, all the living,
Come, ascend His Zion hill!
He is holy: He is holy;
Worship at His holy hill.
I love the stately hymn tune ARDUDWY (featuring the Dorian mode, in case that means anything to you) which accompanies this psalm in my church's Trinity Hymnal.
With this post, I resume my "Psalm Countdown" after an unanticipated pause from blogging. Rather than trying to catch up, I will simply allow the countdown date to be adjusted. Who knows... it may turn out to be providential -- maybe the Lord will use those few extra days to work out our yet-to-happen meeting. August 27 is the adjusted date for Psalm 1 ... will I meet you by then, my dear one?
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
I'll be back
My dear one,
No, I have not forgotten about this blog. Life has a way of grabbing a hold and demanding my full attention, and my times for writing have been nonexistent. I'll be back soon, I promise...
Be patient, my love, for I remain yours! Me
No, I have not forgotten about this blog. Life has a way of grabbing a hold and demanding my full attention, and my times for writing have been nonexistent. I'll be back soon, I promise...
Be patient, my love, for I remain yours! Me
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