Psalm 100 9 APRIL 2008
Author Unknown

For the Lord is Good

This is the final psalm exalting the reign of God.

The people take delight in God, v1-2, know that they belong to Him, v3 and worship meaningfully in the temple, v4. The people could do so with ease as they can conclude that they have a good and loving God, v5.


Application:
Most of us have tasted the goodness of God. Take time to worship & give thanks to Him today! Count all your blessings and acknowledge His goodness towards you!




Psalm 99 8 APRIL 2008
Author Unknown

God’s Throne

Psalm 93, 97 and 99 all open with “The Lord reigns”. God’s reign is not limited only to the lives of the believers but His reign is for the whole earth. There are 3 aspects of the Throne of God:

i) God’s Throne is above the nations, v1-3

ii) God’s Throne is a Throne of Justice, v4

iii) God’s Throne is a Throne of Grace, v6-8
We serve a God who forgives and disciplines His people, “O LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.” Psalm 99:8 (NIV)

Approach the King on His terms! He is holy, v3, 5, 9. “...Be holy, for I am holy...” Lev 11:44

Application:
The royal psalms talks about the reign of God. Is He is the reigning King in your life? Are you living a life of holiness? Any other kind of lifestyle is not acceptable to our Holy God and King of kings!




Psalm 98 7 APRIL 2008
Author Unknown

The Judge Arrives

Psalm 96 & Psalm 98 share several similarities. On an interesting note, Psalm 96:11-13 & Psalm 98:7-9 speaks of a Judge that finally shows up! One of the major laments of many psalmists is that the wicked prosper and seem to get away with their evil ploys as if there were no justice due.

Finally, after a wait, the Lord appears. He is the Bridegroom & the church is His Bride. He will return to receive His Bride some day. When He comes, He will also judge the world. Those who live conscience clear can truly sing and worship while they look forward to the 2nd coming of Jesus.


Application:
If you are facing some form of injustice, be assured that God is in the know and He will arrive!




Psalm 97 6 APRIL 2008
Unknown Author

He is Exalted

Psalm 97 is a call to worship God to both groups of people: the believers / Israel & the whole earth.

The psalmist beckons the whole earth to worship God, v1-7 and saints to rejoice in Him, v8-12.

People who do not know Him would stand amaze at the display of His power, “The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.” Psalm 97:6 (NIV)

As for those who belong to Him, when we see His Name exalted, we rejoice, “Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, O LORD. For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” Psalm 97:8-9 (NIV)


Application:
Pray that the Lord’s name would be exalted in your spiritual family and among prebelieving friends & family members today.




Psalm 96 5 APRIL 2008
Unknown Author

Worship God all the Earth

While Psalm 95 is a call to God’s people to worship Him, Psalm 96 is a call to the whole earth to worship Him. There are 4 key words in our worship of God (extracted from Warren Wiersbe’s “Be Exultant”) :

i) Sing to the Lord a new song, v1

ii) Praise the Lord! He is great and greatly to be praised, v4

iii) Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, v9

iv) Rejoice – the Lord is coming back, v11-13


Application:
Imagine the day when the whole earth sings, praise, worship & rejoice in Christ! The newspaper headlines credits Jesus for reconciliation & end of wars, bird flu, cancer and AIDS patients are cured, marriages are strong and so on! The hearts of the people are grateful to the Saviour.

Let’s pray that this can become a reality and that God will be worshipped in all the earth.

As His children, we start today in some part of earth, to give to God our songs, praises, worship & rejoicing!









Psalm 95 4 APRIL 2008
Author Unknown

God is Great!

This psalm is a call to believers / Israel to worship God.

V1-3 calls us to sing to the Lord, shout joyfully, give thanks. Such exuberance and joy wells up when we can confess, “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:3 (NIV)

The time of exuberance moves next into a time of reverence and bowing before Him, “for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Psalm 95:7a (NIV)

In the time of worship, the psalm affirms that we will hear His voice speaking, only do not be harden to what God has to say, v7b-11.

It’s only when we choose to listen & obey, is the worship of our lives, truly reflective of the worship of our lips and worthy of our great God.


Application:
We worship a great God. How great is your worship to Him? Consistent in walk and talk or is it dependent on how you feel? Focus on His greatness and not your feelings today when you enter His Presence and worship Him.









Psalm 94 3 APRIL 2008
Author Unknown

Facing Injustices

This psalm was likely penned during the rule of the wicked king Manesseh, 2 Kings 21, before the fall of Jerusalem. Instead of being whiney and grumbling incessantly when faced with injustices, the righteous can make 4 responses (points extracted from Warren Wiersbe’s “Be Exultant”)

i) Pray for justice, v1-7

ii) Warn the wicked of their danger, v8-11

iii) Accept God’s discipline, v12-15

iv) Rely on God’s help, v16-23


Application:
What is my typical response to unfairness? To complain & grumble? Choose to respond in a way God desires. Which of the above 4 responses would you like to grow in most at this point in time?




Psalm 93 2 APRIL 2008
By Unknown Levite

Psalm 93, Psalm 95-100 are a series of royal psalms exalting the Sovereign rule of Jehoveh the King.

The Lord Reigns

This Psalm was likely written when the remnant of Jews returned to Judah after the Babylonian captivity. Permission was given for them to return to their homeland, rebuild their temple & nation. While they were doing just that, their progress was interrupted, the builders were attacked. The leaders and the people needed encouragement & the Lord reassured them (points extracted from Warren Wiersbe’s “Be Exultant”) :

i) He reigns supremely, v1-2
ii) He is greater than our circumstances, v3-4
iii) He always keeps His Word, v5



Application:
Let the Lord reassure you today that He is able to help you at all times.




Psalm 92 1 APRIL 2008
Author Unknown

How Are You Fluorishing?

This psalm opens with praise & worship to God, v1-5. The wicked are then compared to grass – flourishing but without permanence, v7. The righteous are compared to the palm tree – flourishing and planted securely in the House of God, bearing fruit & remaining full of life even in old age, v12-14.



Application:
How are you flourishing today? Are you flourishing in the Lord or are you flourishing in the world, caught up with demands of career, socialising and so on?

Pray that the Lord give you wisdom to see where you would want to excel in today. Please Him above all so that He will bless you with permanence beyond temporal achievements.