A Transitory Life of Silence and Speaking (Psalm 39, Part 1)

We work and pay bills and bus kids and go to church. But what’s the point? We were born, we live, we die—with little to show for it. May we learn humble silence before a gracious and forgiving God.

In Loyalty, Be Silent (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2039:1-3&version=NIV

May we make a personal commitment to control what we say. Silence expresses submission and hope. When we sin, keep silent—do not add to guilt by denying it. If we are not aware of our sin, keep silent—remain secure in innocence.

Faithful God, put muzzles on our mouths. Our anguish increases, our hearts grow hot. Help us to be loyal to You, Lord.

http://genevanpsalter.com/attachments/GenPs039_vocal_homoph_BoP84.MP3

A Sick Person's Prayer (Psalm 38, Part 3

Confession of Sin (verses 17-20)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2038:17-20&version=NIV

Our society thrives on the fall of heroes. Christian leaders caught in sin experience public humiliation. At times we find ourselves experiencing the failures of sin. Our only solution is to confess our sin to Jesus our Savior. His blood shed at Calvary, available to all, will remove our guilt and the consequences of our sin.

Saving God, we confess our sin. Thank You for Your salvation. We seek only to do what is good. Give us Your strength.

Plea for Deliverance (verses 21-22)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2038:21-22&version=NIV

When we reach the end of our resources, we plead to God for deliverance. With God on our side our sense of guilt melts into the joy of salvation. To pray is to keep our relationship with God open. May we praise Him forever, joyful in our hope.

Delivering God, do not forsake us; do not be far from us. Come quickly to help us. We praise You, our Lord and our Savior. We are  joyful in our hope.

Lord, you heal and are not polluted; you help and are not contaminated; for you are a God who saves. Your hands, O Lord, do not lose those that are your own but heal them.

Ambrose (339-397)

A Sick Person's Prayer (Psalm 38, Part 2)

Misery of Loneliness (verses 9-12)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2038:9-12&version=NIV

In our loneliness we find it hard to communicate meaningfully. Our friends and enemies have nothing to do with us. Yet God understands our longings. May our weakness drive us to His strength. Prayer to our loving God will deliver us.

Loving God, we lay all our longings open before You. Our sighing is not hidden from You. Our hearts pound, our strength fails us; even light has gone from our eyes. Our friends and companions avoid us because of our wounds; our neighbors stay far away. In Your mercy, come to us, O Lord.

Desperation of Waiting (verses 13-16)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2038:13-16&version=NIV

In desperation we wait, knowing it is useless to defend our innocence. May we seek to follow Jesus, who though accused, was silent. Society notices our least flaws, but God upholds us by His grace.

Gracious God, in desperation we have become like the deaf who cannot hear, our mouths can offer no reply. Lord, in our desperation we wait for You; You will answer, Lord our God.

A Sick Person's Prayer (Psalm 38, Part 1)

We often experience sickness created by guilt and the feeling of alienation from God and fellow human beings. May we seek God in prayer for relief and reconciliation.

Prayer to God (verses 1-4)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2038:1-4&version=NIV

When in guilt-driven despair we perceive nothing but God’s anger, may we come to God in prayer, acknowledging our fault and asking to be healed.

O Lord, do not rebuke us in Your anger or discipline us in Your wrath. Our guilt has overwhelmed us like a burden too heavy to bear. Forgive us our sins, Lord, and heal us.

Anguish of heart (verses 5-8)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2038:5-8&version=NIV

After we commit sin often our anguish throws us into deep depression, paralyzing us from doing anything. Yet God relieves the afflicted. May we lay our sins before God, acknowledging that nothing is hidden from Him.

God our relief, we confess our sins to You. Because of our sinful folly our wounds fester. As a result we are bowed very low and go around mourning. We are feeble and utterly crushed, we groan in anguish of heart. Heal our anguish, Lord.

http://genevanpsalter.com/attachments/GenPs038_vocal_poly_BoP84.MP3

Walking Straight in a Crooked Society (Psalm 37, Part 3)

The salvation of the righteous (verses 32-40)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2037:32-40&version=NIV

May we experience God’s presence within our distorted world, and wait patiently for God while keeping His way. The rampant evil around us has twisted God’s creation beyond recognition. Still, it has not run God out of the world. By His justice God who has saved will pronounce us innocent. May we remain faithful to our holy God, who calls us to be holy.

Lord our salvation, thank You, that You will not leave us in the power of the wicked or let us be condemned when brought to trial. We hope in You. Our salvation comes from You. You are our stronghold in time of trouble. You help us and deliver us. We take refuge in You.

Thy way, not mine, O Lord,

However dark it be;

Lead me by thine own hand,

Choose out the path for me.

Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)

Walking Straight in a Crooked Society (Psalm 37, Part 2)

The fate of the wicked (verses 12-22)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2037:12-22&version=NIV

Modern society rejects the authority of past experience. The Bible bases its warnings and promises on the record of the past. God is not threatened by rebellion against Him, nor is His judgment avoided. Calamities will come, but deliverance will also come.

Loving God, wicked people plot against righteous people; but You laugh at them, for You know their day is coming. Thank You that You uphold the righteous. Help us to live righteous lives and give generously.

The blessings of the righteous (verses 23-31)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2037:23-31&ver

God’s children often find themselves alienated in this world, but God promised that He will not forsake His own. When we faithfully experience trials we find Jesus our sympathizing companion. Nothing can stop the blessings righteous people will experience.

Righteous God, make firm our steps as we delight in You. Thank You that though we stumble, we will not fall, for You uphold us. Thank You that You love the just and will not forsake Your faithful ones. Increase our righteousness, Lord.

Walking Straight in a Crooked Society (Psalm 37, Part 1)

Although the wicked seem to often succeed and the righteous seem to often suffer, may we faithfully obey God and walk straight in our crooked society.

The success of the wicked (verses 1-11)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2037:1-11&version=NIV

People around us care nothing about God yet experience great success. While billions of the world’s poor struggle just to survive, those in power continue to grow rich. May we cast our feelings of resentment on God. Meditating on Him should gladden our souls

Just God, keep us from fretting or envying those who do wrong. We take delight in You. Help us to be still before You and wait patiently for You. Keep us from anger; may we turn from wrath. Increase our hope in You, Lord.

www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_be_still_my_soul_dttrtp

God's Steadfast Love (Psalm 36, Part 3)

The Righteousness of God (verses 10-12)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2036:10-12&version=NIV

God extends his righteousness to us so that we may become righteous. He who was not ashamed to descend to our fallen level exalts those who follow him humbly. May He give us the strength to confront evil where it exits.

Righteous God, increase Your love toward us as we increasingly know You. Give us Your righteousness. You, Lord, lived a life of humility—remove pride from our lives.

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea;

There’s a kindness in His justice which is more than liberty.

For the love of God is broader than the measure of man’s mind;

And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.

Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863)

God's Steadfast Love (Psalm 36, Part 2)

The Lovingkindness of God (verses 5-9)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2036:5-9&version=NIV

In the midst of the brokenness of our world God’s love and faithfulness, as well as His justice, stretch throughout the universe and throughout eternity. He has given us the opportunity to sit in His house surrounded by joy and the abundant gifts of His grace. May we take refuge under His wings. By the light of the Scripture, we come to understand God, who is light.

Loving God, thank You for Your limitless love and faithfulness. Thank You for Your justice. Thank You that we can take shelter in the refuge of Your wings. In Your light we see light.

God's Steadfast Love (Psalm 36, Part 1)

We are surrounded by choices and overwhelmed with options. The Bible gives us only two options: God’s way or our way. We can ignore God or we can embrace God’s steadfast love.

The Sinfulness of the Wicked (verses 1-4)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2036:1-4&version=NIV

Having only ourselves to measure morality, we blind ourselves with self-adoration. When we habitually do what we know is wrong, we harden our hearts against God and blind our eyes to our own failures.

Lord God, give us reverent fear of Yourself. Reveal our sin to us and cause us to hate our sin. Put Your words into our mouths and help us to be wise and to do good. Take us off our sinful course. Give us Your priorities for our lives.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop2_psalm36A