Psalm 18:1-50

For Reading and Meditation:     Psalm 104:1-35

Now we consider God's might and power in the act of preservation. No creature has power to preserve itself. "Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?" asked Job (Job 8:11). Both man and beast would perish if there were no food, and there would be no food if the earth...

For Reading and Meditation:     Deuteronomy 32:28-38

We have been seeing that in the sanctuary the psalmist was reminded of the things he had forgotten, and thus his thinking was straightened out. There can be no real change in our personalities until there is a change in our thinking. Counselling that focuses only on changing behaviour and fails to emphasise the...

"For Thou wilt light my candle." Psalms 18:28

It may be that my soul sits in darkness; and if this be of a spiritual kind, no human power can bring me light. Blessed be God! He can enlighten my darkness and at once light my candle. Even though I may be surrounded by a "darkness which might be felt," yet He can break the gloom and immediately make it bright around me.

The mercy is that if He lights the candle none can blow...

The words are capable of being translated, "thy goodness hath made me great." David gratefully ascribed all his greatness not to his own goodness, but the goodness of God. "Thy providence," is another reading; and providence is nothing more than goodness in action. Goodness is the bud of which providence is the flower, or goodness is the seed of which providence is the harvest. Some render it, "thy help," which is but another word for providence; providence being the firm ally of the...

This is a good verse to challenge us when we are tempted to give up too quickly and too easily. If we can't face minor difficulties, how can we expect to face major ones? If we buckle under the petty blows of life, how will we bear up under the sledgehammer blows?

We hear of Christians who sulk and pout because someone has offended them. Others turn in their resignation because someone has criticized them. Still others get their nose out of Joint because some pet idea has been voted...

Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly, in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel. § The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. § Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. . . . The...

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path. § He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. § Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. § You have been a strength to the poor,...

When I am weak, then I am strong.Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” § Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him.It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put...

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. § You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world … we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh.Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed. § Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. For You...