Psalm 91 31 MARCH 2008
Author Unknown, possibly Moses

Our Divine Covering

This Psalm talks about the special covering of God’s people. They enjoy His protection, v2-13. He delivers & protects His people from traps, attacks, sicknesses, plagues. He even sends His angels to guard & help you.

This covering is conditional. We need to remain in Him. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

The Lord says this when we remain in Him: "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)


Application:
For some of us, we are enjoying membership privileges. If you are sick or being attacked by problems or are feeling low, know that God protects & delivers you. What is an area that you can trust the Lord in today for His covering?

For others, check... Is God your protection & covering or have you stepped outside that by choosing your own ways? (Eg skip church or cell, secret sins etc) Come back to obeying Him today!




Psalm 90 30 MARCH 2008
By Moses

Lessons of Life

This psalm deals with our regard of life: today we have the breath of life and soon, we are no more, v3-6. Moses then goes on to mention the sin of Israel, possibly referring to the moment where they turned faithless at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers chapter 13 &14) and God’s wrath, v7-11.

Moses’ response to the numerous lessons of life :

(i) When we consider that life is short, pray, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

(ii) When we face difficult times, pray, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14
(iii) When our works seem fruitless, pray, “establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17b


Application:
Which one of the above 3 prayers speaks to you today? Pray that He will teach you wisdom, satisfy you &





Psalm 89 29 MARCH 2008
By Ethan

When God Covenants

This psalm starts off as a psalm of praise & ends off as a psalm of lament. The Psalmist rejoices over God’s covenant with David, v3-4 and sorrows over how the later generations did not remain faithful to God, v39.

Still, in the face of unfaithfulness, God affirms that He keeps His covenant and will establish the throne of David, v33-37. This fulfilment is found in Christ, who is the King of kings. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11


Application:
God fulfilled this promise to His people over time and generations. Trust in Him. He may take awhile sometimes, but if you are patient, you will see the wonderful work that He will do!




Psalm 88 28 MARCH 2008
By the Sons of Korah

So Dark

This Psalm is not like the rest where writers would have started out dismayed but ended off their writing with a note of hope.

All through, we read about death & darkness v3-6, 10-12, 15, rejection from men v8, 18, sorrow v9, rejection from god v14, drowning v16-17.

At the lowest point in his life, we learn 4 steps of handling dark days (extracted from Warren Wiersebe’s ‘Be Worshipful’):

i) Go to the Lord by faith v1-2
ii) Tell the Lord how you feel v3-9, 15-18
iii) Defend your cause before the Lord v10-12
iv) Pray again v13-14


Application:
Take the first step of going to the Lord today for yourself or someone you know that is going through a difficult time.



Psalm 87 27 MARCH 2008
By the Sons of Korah

The Holy City

This Psalm speaks of God’s love for Zion, the holy city, v1-3 and the joy of the many nationalities that is birthed and residing there, v4-7.

The Psalm must be read in two levels:

i) It is a prophecy that nations will gather and worship in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:1-5)

ii) It is reflective of the heavenly Zion where we have our spiritual citizenship.


Application:
Pray for God to bless Jerusalem with peace.





Psalm 86 26 MARCH 2008
By David

Call on Him Confidently

Once again, David’s in need of God’s help, v14. He prays confidently in this Psalm. The reasons for his confidence stems from knowing that

i) He is the servant of God and he trusts in His Master, v2b, 16

ii) He can count on God, v5-8

iii) God is great, v9-10


Applications:
Like David, you can pray confidently to overcome the difficult situations in your life. Pray in confidence in Him, now!




Psalm 85 25 MARCH 2008
By the Sons of Korah

New Beginnings

This Psalm was written after 70 years of exile in Babylon. The people start to experience the favour of God, v1-3. Pray for a renewed walk with Him, v4-7 and recall lessons learnt in their fall, v8-13.

George H. Morrison said “The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings.” Do not stay in the fallen state, arise once more!


Applications:
Are there areas that you need God to bless you with new beginnings again? Trust Him. He is a God of restoration.




Psalm 84 24 MARCH 2008
By the Sons of Korah

Longing for God

This psalm was written by a man who for some reason, could not go to Jerusalem to worship God. As he contemplates the temple, we sense his longing for the Presence of God, v2-4. He then recalls the travel up to Jerusalem. The road up has its struggles, v5-6, but because of the desire to be in God’s house & the strength of God, all will make it and enter His Presence.

“They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” v7 (NIV)


Application:
How has your time with the Lord been? Do you pause & allow your spirit to yearn for the Lord more than your projects, deadlines, to-do lists, tests, exams, meetings with friends etc? Long for Him today above all else that crowds your life.






Psalm 83 23 MARCH 2008
By Asaph – the Levite

Enemies United

Things could not have looked worse for Israel. Besides being faced with numerous enemies, this Psalm describes a coalition of 10 enemy nations, coming together against Israel, v5.

Asaph prayed for the defeat of Israel’s enemies and in their defeat, may they acknowledge God as the Most High over all the earth, v9-18.


Application:
Have you found yourself in the situation where others gang up against you? Ask God to help you to set the record straight, so that His Name will be exalted.







Psalm 82 22 MARCH 2008
By Asaph – the Levite

God judge the judges

The “gods” (NIV) or “rulers” (NASB) refers to God’s people in a position of influence. Since we are His people, we represent Him on earth & it’s the Lord’s desire that we are just, kind & obey Him.

The judges described here did not judge justly v2, nor were they merciful v3-4 and they walked in defiance to God’s will v5.

Asaph prayed that God will act & be the Judge above all our affairs.


Application:
Some of us might think, this applies only to leaders or adults. Right & wrong. This Psalm applies to all! We all have some form of influence in our lives: Influence over our maids, friends, classmates or perhaps you are a leader in your class, cell etc. How are you pleasing the Great Judge in the way we treat others?




Psalm 81 21 MARCH 2008
By Asaph – the Levite

IF…..

This psalm was likely penned during a Passover celebration cum Feast of the Tabernacle. The experience of deliverance from Egypt, v6-10 and the tragedy of a nation lost, v11-12, were recalled.

"IF my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways,” v13 (NIV)
Victory & blessings are promised, “IF My people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow My ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!” v14, 16 (NIV)

“IF” speaks of God’s terms. God desires that we listen & obey.


Application:
Is there a thought or teaching that you heard recently?

Have you set your heart to obey? The Lord promises to bless you IF you listen & obey.




Psalm 80 20 MARCH 2008
By Asaph – the Levite

Cause Your Face to Shine Upon Us

Asaph prayed this Psalm after the Northern Kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians (722-21 BC)

The people have sinned against the Lord where once upon a time, they enjoyed tremendous blessings & favour from a fruitful vine, v8-11. Now, God’s face is turned away & the enemy ruled over them, v4-6.

Three times Asaph prayed, “Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” v3, 7, 19


Application:
Have you allowed sin to creep into your life & are now finding a distance in your walk with God?

Repent & pray as Asaph did.




Psalm 79 19 MARCH 2008
By Asaph – the Levite

Sin, Consequences & Cry for Mercy

The pagan nations are triumphant. God’s people are captives and the city and temple are in ruins, v1-4.

God is angry. The kingdom of Judah declined and their forefathers have fallen away from God, v5-8a. The sins accumulated to an extent that God could hold back His wrath no longer.

The psalmist takes the position of the intercessor and pleads for God’s compassion, “may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.” v8b.


Application:
God is love. He cares for His people and His chosen nation. But repeated rebellion and wilful sin will lead to consequences.

Are you holding on to some stubborn sins that seem too hard to let go? Plea for the mercy of God to forgive you & grant to you a new beginning.





Psalm 78 18 MARCH 2008
By Asaph – the Levite

Teaching the Next Generation

The psalmist warned the people not to imitate their faithless ancestors as he reviewed the history, v1-4.

God desires that the fathers teach their children, v1-8 and not to turn away like the Ephriamites & even the Israelites of old, when God rescued them from Egypt, v9-11. Despite seeing countless miracles of how God delivered them, Israel forgot what God did for them in rescuing them out of Egypt, v12-53 and were unfaithful to God by turning to idols even in the Promised land, v54-64.

Oftentimes, the failures of the people are the failures of the shepherd. Then the Lord found a good shepherd, “He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” Psalm 78:70-72
Application:
David is a man with integrity of heart. He does not lie nor live a double life. How are you doing in the area of integrity? Would you tell a white lie now & then? Your moral failure has great consequences on whether the next generation is stronger or weaker in their walk with God! Choose to be true to Him today!