Psalm 136:1-12 It is often difficult to break these longer psalms without interrupting the flow. Today is a good example. I broke Psalm 136 at verse 12; verse 13 would also be good; or verse 16. Pick your own break today! Today’s verses break down into three sections – praising and thanking God for Who …
Monthly Archives: December 2022
December 12 / Psalm 135:13-21
Psalm 135:13-21 O house of Israel, bless the LORD! O house of Aaron, bless the LORD! O house of Levi, bless the LORD! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD! Blessed be the LORD from Zion, He Who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the LORD! (vv. 19-21) What does it mean to “bless the LORD”? …
December 11 / Psalm 135:1-12
Psalm 135:1-12 It was a wacky morning and a busy afternoon, so I’m just now posting. But it’s a worthy verse to post on: “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.” (v. 6) This is the might, the power of our God. Whatever He …
December 10 / Psalm 133-134
Psalm 133-134 Two psalms today, three verses each. Interestingly, for Carol and me each of these psalms has associated music. Our leader at the Bible Study where we met was a talented musician who wrote guitar music for Psalm 133. And Psalm 134 is one that we’ve sung regularly at church services. It’s difficult to …
December 9 / Psalm 132:11-18
Psalm 132:11-18 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it as His dwelling place. “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it…” (vv. 13-14) One wonders. Often we Christians ask whether we are to take the Bible literally or figuratively or whatever’ly. Taking these verses literally …
December 8 / Psalm 132:1-10
Psalm 132:1-10 Psalm 132, the first half. December 8, in the Catholic Church, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. We say in our Nicene Creed, “Begotten, not made…” and we believe it. How miraculous is this, that God, the God of the Universe can come to earth as a tiny …
December 7 / Psalm 131
Psalm 131 Only three verses. Psalm 117 was shorter – two verses – but we read it in conjunction with Psalm 116. So, only three verses today. O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me. (v. 1, …
December 6 / Psalm 130
Psalm 130 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I hope… (v. 5) While reading through Psalm 119 we had a number of e-mail and face-to-face discussions on those seven or eight synonyms for God’s “word”. Those discussions have stayed with me. My favorite synonym was “His ways”, so whenever …
December 5 / Psalm 129
Psalm 129 A very different psalm today. It’s all about Israel’s enemies and God’s consistent deliverance of Israel from those enemies (Ps. 129:4) – from Israel’s infancy (Ps. 129:1-2) through to her growth years. Although Israel has seen the Lord’s deliverance, the enemies remain. Is that a picture of our Christian culture today in the …
December 4 / Psalm 128
Psalm 128 Not a whole lot this morning, ahead of our RTB gathering after coffee hour. Family. The psalmist specifically mentions the wife (spouse), the children, and the grandchildren. Each is his/her own blessing! He uses the vine (fruit, wine) and the olive tree (oil, food, lubricant, wood) as metaphors of the blessedness of family …