Devotionals: Psalms Archives

The Truly Blessed Person

By Andrew YoungAugust 15, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“Blessed is the man…” (Psalm 1:1) Bible Reading: Psalm 1:1-6 The term “blessed” is one that we do not use much in common speech today. But that was not so in biblical times. In the days of Moses and David and Jesus, it had a special significance. Its roots in biblical usage go as far back as the creation when God “blessed” the sea creatures and birds, the first man and woman, and the seventh day (Genes1:22, 28; 2:3). To be “blessed” in biblical terms was to be favoured by God and to receive the outpoured goodness of his pleasure. It was […]

Kiss the Son

By Andrew YoungAugust 16, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you perish in the way…” (Psalm 2:12) Bible Reading: Psalm 2:1-12 Many years ago I read of a well-known preacher who said that if he were ever asked to preach to the British Parliament, he would choose to preach on Psalm 2. He would do so, he said, because it puts earthly rulers in their place. It depicts them as completely at the mercy of the Great King and his Anointed Son. The psalm begins with a graphic sketch of the “nations… peoples…kings… and rulers” of the earth railing against “the LORD and against his […]

Bold Faith in a Time of Trouble

By Andrew YoungAugust 17, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“Arise O LORD! Save me, O my God” (Psalm 3:7) Bible Reading: Psalm 3:1-8 The title of this psalm indicates that it was written by David at the time his son Absalom revolted against him (2 Samuel 15:14-17). It is a characteristic lament – a song written in a circumstance of distress, expressing hope in God and appealing to him for help. It begins with the psalmist pouring out his complaint to God. “Many” have risen up against him and are saying that “there is no salvation for him in God” (Psalm 3:1, 2). His foes are claiming that God has deserted […]

Special in God’s Eyes

By Andrew YoungAugust 18, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“But know the LORD has set apart the godly for himself….” (Psalm 4:3) Bible Reading:Psalm 4:1-8 Like many of the psalms, this one is born out of distress. The psalmist’s adversaries – possibly important men in Israel – are turning his glory into shame, loving empty words, and seeking after lies (Psalm 4:2). One way or another, they are trying to bring his name into disrepute. It is this that causes the writer (whom we will assume to be David[1]) to call upon the Lord. And he does so by appealing to his faithful covenant-keeping God to hear him in […]

In the Midst of Enemies

By Andrew YoungAugust 19, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies” (Psalm 5:8) Bible Reading: Psalm 5:1-12 Nothing captures the experience of godly people living in a fallen world better than the opening words of this Psalm. “Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning” (Psalm 5:1). There are times when our sorrows are so deep that they can only find expression in “groans”. That is particularly the case when, as for David, we find ourselves in the midst of enemies. David details their character in v. 9. It is sins of the tongue of which they are most guilty […]

A Prayer from the Depths

By Andrew YoungAugust 20, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.” (Psalm 6:4) Bible Reading: Psalm 6:1-10 An attentive reader of the Psalms cannot but notice how often “laments” (songs expressing deep sorrow and grief) occur, especially within Book I of the collection. Psalm 6 is another example of David writing out of the depths of soul anguish. That anguish is described vividly in terms “troubled bones”, a “greatly troubled soul”, constant “moaning” and weeping that “floods” the psalmist’s bed at night and “drenches his couch” (vs. 2, 3, 6). His eye wastes away and “grows weak on account […]

Refuge in a Righteous God

By Andrew YoungAugust 21, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge…” (Psalm 7:1) Bible Reading: Psalm 7:1-17 In this psalm we find David responding to being falsely accused. He is confused: he is sure of his innocence (Psalm 7:3-5), yet feels as though he is being treated as though he were a covenant-breaker. Enemies are pursuing him, and threatening to overwhelm him (vs. 1, 2). In that circumstance, he appeals to God as a righteous Judge, urging him to “arise… lift himself up… awake for me” (v. 6). He wants God to assume his role as judge of the nations. When God […]

God’s Glory and Ours

By Andrew YoungAugust 22, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1) Bible Reading: Psalm 8:1-9 This is a psalm of praise in which David exalts God, the great King, for his glory revealed in creation, and in granting man rule over the works of his hands (Psalm 8:1, 6). He begins with God, whose “majesty” (a property of royalty) is displayed in “all the earth”, and whose “glory” is higher than the heavens (v. 1). He truly is worthy of praise. Though his foes and enemies speak against him, he silences them through the “mouths of babies […]

The Righteous Judge

By Andrew YoungAugust 23, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“The LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice…” (Psalm 9:7) Bible Reading: Psalm 9:1-20 This is a psalm that celebrates God’s justice in judging David’s enemies and in hearing the cries of the needy and afflicted. It begins on an exultant note of praise (Psalm 9:1-2), contains reflections on the mighty deeds of God (vs. 3-6; 15-18), and ends with a prayer that God will act against the nations, that they might “fear” him and “know that they are but men” (v. 20). The theme that emerges most clearly is that of God as a righteous judge. […]

Where are You, God?

By Andrew YoungAugust 24, 2016Devotionals: Psalms

“Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1) Bible Reading: Psalm 10:1-18 God’s apparent forgetfulness of his people in their troubles is something that often confuses and distresses them. Time and time again, it seems, he is not there, not looking, not listening, and not caring when they need him. This is the concern that troubles the psalmist here. He sees the poor and needy falling prey to wicked evil-doers. The depravity of these people is described at length (Psalm 10:3-11). They are proud and arrogant, boast of their invincibility, shed the […]