Numbering My Days

Tag: psalms

  • Psalm 82

    God stands in the divine assembly;
    he pronounces judgment
    among the gods:
    “How long will you judge unjustly
    and show partiality to the wicked?”

    Today’s reading – this Psalm, as well as Ezekiel, John, 2 Peter, Job (other passages I read this morning) – all are about judgment.

    God stands!

    He is not blind to the injustice of the world.

    He sees the wickedness of earthly rulers who prefer the wealthy and mighty.

    He sees those who take advantage or ignore the plight of the vulnerable, the needy, fatherless, oppressed, the destitute.

    Judgment comes for all, especially so it seems, on these earthly, powerful people who could be instruments of God’s grace, but instead ignore the plight of the poor to live as kings of the earth.

    Lord, bring judgment.

    Remember the godly.

    Rescue and restore those who long for your kingdom, your justice.

    Your glory!

  • Psalm 81

    I am the LORD your God,
    Who brought you up from the land
    of Egypt.
    Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

    God longs for the relationship with us that He established.

    A unique, one-God only relationship.

    He longs for us to worship Him, and Him alone; to forsake all other gods and influences as the false gods, images, forces they are. And in the unique relationship with God almighty, in a posture of complete dependence on Him, He will meet every need, longing, and hunger that we have.

    Lord, I long for you, and you alone, to fill up my longing.

    Be for me the source, the supply of spiritual food that others may falsely offer, but only you have,

    Lord, I sing to you, for you are my strength, joy, hope, life!

    Praise God almighty.

  • Psalm 80

    Restore us LORD, God of Armies,
    Make your face shine on us, so
    that we may be saved.

    The psalmist repeats this plea throughout this Psalm – “Restore us!”

    It is the heart-cry of a repentant soul, a repentant leader, even, who recognizes that God’s people, once a flourishing people of God, are in need of repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.

    How odd that sounds to the ears of contemporary people. We are self-made and completely great as we are. I don’t need to return to the Lord. I’ve broken out. Become more genuinely me.

    Yes indeed! And the genuine me is a real sinner in need of a savior.

    God restore.

    Bring me not only to repentance, but grant me mercy. Forgive and restore to me the joy of my salvation.

    Through Jesus Christ, my Lord!

  • Psalm 79

    God of our salvation, help us,
    for the glory of your name.

    I think God stands ready to help – me – us – His people. When our perspective and desires are rightly aligned.

    He saves us not for our own, my own, worth, plan, existence – whatever. He save us for His own glory. My perception, my desire must be first and all-consuming, always for His glory, His worth, His plan, His existence.

    When I am in this posture of humility, repentance, worship, then – He comes to save.

    Lord, give me the eyes to see you high and lifted up.

    • A heart that desires only your glory, your kingdom come.
    • A will completely surrendered to you for your glory, majesty, and rule.
    • Lord, come quickly and establish your kingdom, your rule.

    Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Amen.

    More of the image for Psalm 80.

  • Psalm 78

    We . . . will tell a future generation
    the praiseworthy acts of the LORD . . .
    So that they might put their confidence
    in God.

    It’s my duty, my pleasure, my work to tell of the Lord’s mighty acts – so that in the future my grandchildren, and their children, will know Him and put their trust, their faith, in Him.

    Yes, God did all that the Psalmist recorded in this hymn of praise. He brought Israel out of bondage provided for them, settled them in the land, made a way for David to rule.

    And, His work continued. Through David’s line came Jesus Christ, who has brought me out of bondage to sin that I may dwell with Him in eternity

    And His work continues – to all who believe, place their faith in Jesus as Lord, there is eternal provision. God is worthy to be praised for He always works to establish His kingdom –

    and for His glory –

    I will tell!

    (a portion of the image for Psalm 80.)

  • Psalm 77

    I sought the LORD in my day of trouble.

    I understand the Psalmist’s anguish. Of course, I’ve felt it myself.

    Long sleepless nights, wondering why God doesn’t act, doesn’t hear? Doesn’t care?

    Still, I seek the Lord.

    I cry aloud to Him. He will hear me.

    It may seem like He has changed. Doesn’t pay attention. Is rejecting me.

    And I would – do – deserve that, for my regular neglect of Him and His way.

    But I know. I KNOW. He is faithful.

    He does not change.

    He has not moved.

    As He has worked in the past. He is at work today on behalf of His people.

    God your way is holy.

    Lord, hear my cry and strengthen me with your Spirit that I might be your servant.

    By the grace of Jesus Christ.

    (Last time with this image!)

  • Psalm 76

    God is known in Judah;
    His name is great in Israel.

    • God is great.
    • He establishes peace through His power and all the earth recognizes His authority, strength, and power.

    Who can stand before God?

    There are no people who have the might, strength, or righteousness to stand before almighty God – that is a fear-inducing truth. His wrath can be all-encompassing.

    He humbles even kings.

    Israel says (I join): “This is our God.”

    Yet I stand in the same fear and awe as the nations and kings judged.

    I look for the Messiah.

    He has come. To establish this mighty kingdom, and to make possible my participation in the kingdom.

    By the grace of God – by His mercy.

    God is known in my heart.

    By my Lord, Jesus Christ.

  • Psalm 75

    “When I choose a time,
    I will judge fairly.”

    God reminds us of two things (at least) in this one brief verse.

    1. He is on His own timetable. God does His work according to the schedule, the plan, that He has. He doesn’t change His plan, His mind, His timing for any reason. When He decides the time is right, He will act.
    2. He will judge – fairly. He is coming to judge the wicked and the righteous. To separate those who do evil from those who follow Him and seek to do His will.

    Of course, this means all of us are judged, and fairly so; for all of us have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. We can’t stand in the judgment. None of us.

    But, praise God! He has provided salvation for His day of judgment. For those who believe in Him, Jesus Christ stands in our place. Holy, Righteous, Perfect.

    And He claims us as His own.

    To God be the glory!

    (The image above, illustrating verse 8 of this Psalm, is one I’ve struggled with almost more than any other so far in this project. It’s a representation of a metaphor – easy for me to imagine, difficult for me to illustrate. It is an image that represents God pouring out judgment on the world. It flows from His hand to be drunk by the wicked in this world. It’s not intended to be a pleasant image. Instead, it evokes the immediacy and universality of God’s reach into this world with His hand of judgment.)

  • Psalm 74

    There are no signs for us to see.
    There is no longer a prophet .
    And none of us knows how long
    this will last.

    There are times, and right now 2025 seems like one of those times, when the enemies of God, those who trample righteousness, faith, hope, and joy – well, they seem to have the upper hand.

    Lord, many days, it is hard to see your hand at work in the world. The greedy and immoral profit at the expense of the poor and needy. Even your name is abused by the powerful and the resistors alike.

    Few people proclaim the gospel. Fewer still seek you, worship you, desire your will to be done.

    And none of us knows how long this will last.

    In John 6:29-40: Lord, you call on me to believe. I will strive to focus my attention, affections, and my efforts on you. You, Lord, are THE ANSWER.

    The Great King.

    Almighty eternal ruler.

    Rule in my heart, Lord.

    Amen

    (Closer still)

  • Psalm 73

    . . . it seemed hopeless
    until I entered God’s sanctuary.
    Then I understood their destiny.

    I completely understand (or maybe more accurately, I relate with deep affinity) the Psalmist’s struggle and perspective in this Psalm.

    I know I must declare God’s goodness and I must hold onto His faithfulness. He is the LORD, the creator, the sustainer, the judge, the redeemer.

    But sometimes, life seems wonky. The people who seem to love and obey Him least, appear to “have it all.” And those who trust the Lord, who rely on Him – suffer.

    Why?

    Well, in worship I glimpse a part of the answer. The destiny of those who do not trust God is as sure as the salvation of those who do trust Him. Eternity – life with Him – not any material, temporal, life now is what matters.

    In Him we are secure – forever.

    Praise God!

    (Another step forward . . . )