God Our Deliverer (Psalm 31, Part 2)

Plea for Mercy (verses 9-13)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2031:9-13&version=NIV

Often our anger over false accusations saps our will to live. In our distress may we seek the mercy of God, and not give in to conspiracies causing us to sin.

Lord, be merciful to us, we are consumed by anguish. Strengthen us, Lord—keep us from giving in to conspiracies causing us to sin.

Trust in Deliverance (verses 14-18)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2031:14-18&version=NIV

We measure our success by public approval; and when unexpected reversals shatter our path to success we feel that life is no longer worth living. May we find our source of value in God independent of our circumstances. May we place our times and our lives in God’s hands.

We trust in You, Lord; You are our God. Deliver us and save us in Your unfailing love. Let the lying lips of the wicked be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

God Our Deliverer (Psalm 31, Part 1)

God our deliverer surrounds us with His love, extending His mercy throughout human society.

Plea for Deliverance (verses 1-5)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2031:1-5&version=NIV

When we plead with God for deliverance we must surrender our lives into the care of Him who gave us life. Christ committed his spirit to God, so that by his death we may live for ever. May we therefore commit our spirit to God.

In You, Lord our God, we have taken refuge; deliver us in Your righteousness. Come quickly to our rescue; be our refuge, save us. Lead and guide us. Keep us from the trap that is set for us, for You are our refuge. Into Your hands we commit our spirits. Redeem us, Lord, our faithful God.

Commitment and Confidence (verses 6-8)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2031:6-8&version=NIV

We may base our confidence on our past experiences of deliverance Faithful to His promises, God will not turn away from His people. Too often we trust in our money and position. May we trust in God alone.

We trust only in You, Lord. We rejoice in Your love, for You saw our affliction and knew the anguish of our souls.

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

Praise for Deliverance (Psalm 30, Part 3)

Celebrating the Praise (verses 11-12)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030:11-12&version=NIV

The psalm ends as it began—singing praise to God with other worshipers. When we acknowledge that without God our lives are nothing, when we admit that we are powerless, when we acknowledge that God alone has the power to save, enduring contentment and joy will characterize our lives. We are invited to join in celebrating the name of the Lord our God.

You, Lord, turned our wailing into dancing; You clothed us with joy, that our hearts may sing Your praises and not be silent. Lord, our God, we will praise You forever.

This is my glory, Lord my God, that forever I may confess to you that nothing I have derives from myself, but that all good things are from you, who are God, all in all.

Augustine (354-430)

Praise for Deliverance (Psalm 30, Part 2)

Confidence and Dismay (verses 6-7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030:6-7&version=NIV

Our self-confidence needs God’s shattering intervention to remind us that our security depends solely on His grace. Our prosperity gives us a false sense of confidence. We think that money allows us to control our lives. May we return to God’s house to thank Him for intervening in our crisis.

O Lord, when You favored us You made us stand firm. Forgive us, Lord, for relying on our prosperity. Help us to rely on You alone.

Plea for Deliverance (verses 8-10)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030:8-10&version=NIV

Prayer is our unfailing resource. Crying out to the Lord is a privilege God has given to us. May this prayer flow from our hearts.

To You, Lord, we call. To You we cry for mercy. Hear, Lord, and be merciful to us; Lord, be our help.

Praise for Deliverance (Psalm 30, Part 1)

Since Christ has delivered us, replacing our sin and mourning with the joy of his resurrection, may we not find our security in circumstances or human sources of power.

Declaring the Praise (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030:1-3&version=NIV

God has exalted us, His children. He has lifted us up through the cross of His Son, Jesus Christ. We praise Him for restoration and healing. We praise God for answered prayer.

We exalt You, Lord, for You lifted us out of the depths. Lord our God, we called to You for help and You healed us. Thank You for sparing us from going down to the pit.

Joining in the Praise (verses 4-5)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030:4-5&version=NIV

Having been blood-bought by Christ and set apart for God, as saints we sing God’s praise. Christ’s disciples lamented Christ’s death; but in the morning women brought them the joy of the resurrection. As we rejoice in Christ’s resurrection God changes our tears into rejoicing.

As Your saints, we sing to You, Lord. We praise Your holy name. Your anger lasts only a moment, but Your favor lasts a lifetime. Our weeping may remain for a night, but our rejoicing comes in the morning.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop2_psalm30A

Praise to the Power of God's Voice (Psalm 29, Part 3)

The Enthronement of the Lord (verses 10-11)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2029:10-11&version=NIV

God rules over the nations and peoples of the world. Since in the most stormy times we are safe in God, let us worship Him and enjoy Him forever. We are strengthened in Christ, who gave us his peace. May we praise God for His undeserved gracious love and salvation.

Thank You Lord God for Your undeserved gracious love and salvation. Thank You that You rule over the nations and peoples of the world—You are enthroned as King forever. Thank You for giving strength to Your people. Thank You for blessing Your people with peace. We worship You and enjoy You forever.

From every stormy wind that blows,

From every swelling tide of woes,

There is a calm, a sure retreat;

‘Tis found beneath the mercy-seat.

Hugh Stowell (1799-1865)

Praise to the Power of God's Voice (Psalm 29, Part 2)

The Voice of the Lord (verses 3-9)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2029:3-9&version=NIV

God’s glory provides a sense of tranquility and awe in the midst of a storm, such as we often see around us with crashing waves and gigantic fallen trees. Our focus on God as our Savior and friend, rather than the powerful Creator God, who does not challenge us to change. May we acknowledge how far our lives are from God’s holiness. May the fire of God’s voice consume our lusts and kindle a flame of holiness. May God’s people recognize, praise, and obey Him as Judge and Savior. May we respond by bowing in worship and proclaiming together, “Glory!”

Thank You Lord, for providing peace and tranquility in the midst of the storm of our society. Thank You for Your powerful and majestic voice. We recognize, praise and obey You as our Judge and Savior. Together we responding by crying “Glory” to You.

Praise to the Power of God's Voice (Psalm 29, Part 1)

This hymn of praise paints a portrait of God the victorious King. God whose powerful voice can control a violent storm can protect His people.

Worship the Sovereign Lord (verses 1-2)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2029:1-2&version=NIV

People around us, from the Port Townsend New Agers to the Seattle-commuting bean counters, believe that some force—a crystal, the market—has a power of its own. They worship and serve this force rather than the Sovereign Lord. When we make a crystal, or the market, or our belly, or money, or anything else our god, we have pushed God aside. May we worship only the Lord God in the splendor of His holiness.

Lord God, we worship You alone. We ascribe to You glory and strength. We ascribe to You the splendor of Your holiness.

Prayer for God's Mercy (Psalm 28, Part 3)

Deliverance from the Lord: Our Salvation (verses 8-9)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2028:8-9&version=NIV

Through Christ God has achieved full salvation for us, giving us His strength. The Shepherd-King of His people, God tenderly cares for his sheep. Having received His strength and salvation, God has sent us back to the world to take on its suffering and so to redeem it.

Lord God, You are the strength of Your people, and our salvation. Thank You that we are Your people and Your inheritance; be our shepherd and carry us forever.

God of all grace, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who knows the enemies of Your Church and are able to thwart all their designs; protect us against all tyrants, heretics, and hypocrites. Hear our prayer and grant us to love Your Word, to promote Your honor upon earth, and to continue in Your service always even to the end. Amen.

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Prayer for God's Mercy (Psalm 28, Part 2)

Justice in the Lord: Our Judge (verses 3-5)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2028:3-5&version=NIV

Our holy God hates evil and desires only good. The brokenness of our world is a direct contradiction of God’s intention. Our evil nature shows up as we care only for ourselves. God’s justice demands the complete removal of evil. God looks at our hearts and expects our actions to reflect our attitudes, desires and commitment to Him.

Thank You, Lord, that You are a just God. We pray that in Your mercy You do not judge us with evildoers.

Praise to the Lord: Our Strength (verses 6-7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2028:6-7&version=NIV

Because God has blessed us we can base our praise on what God has done. Even when it seems that God has not intervened to help us, we can still praise Him by faith. We can know with confidence that God has heard our cries and will protect us.

Praise be to You, Lord, for You have heard our cry for mercy. You are our strength and our shield. We trust in You and are helped. We leap for joy and give thanks to You in song.

Prayer for God's Mercy (Psalm 28, Part 1)

We may call to God for mercy, but in the end we will sing a song of praise to Him because God hears and answers our prayers.

Cry to the Lord: Our Rock (verses 1-2)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2028:1-2&version=NIV

We appeal to God by crying to Him in prayer, expressing our dependence on Him for help. We cannot deliver ourselves, but we can trust that God, our Rock, will extend His mercy to us.

Lord our Rock, hear our cry for mercy, as we call to You for help. As we lift up our hands to You, help us to depend on You alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7yr0_hriBU

A Prayer of Devotion (Psalm 27, Part 3)

Wait in the Land of the Living (verses 13-14)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2027:13-14&version=NIV

The answer to our prayer is to wait for the Lord. We are impatient. But we experience peace and rest as we wait for the Lord to show us His grace and power. God’s reward to us is His gift of spiritual courage.

Lord God, help us to place our confidence in You, not in what we have, who we know, or even our church. Help us to be strong and take heart and wait for You, Lord.

Adorable Sun, enlighten my steps. Be thou the true noonday of my soul; exterminate its darkness, disperse its clouds; burn, dry up, and consume all its filth and impurities. Divine Sun, rise upon my mind, and never set.

Jean Baptiste Elias Avrillon (1652-1729)

A Prayer of Devotion (Psalm 27, Part 2)

Dwell in God’s House (verses 4-6)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2027:4-6&version=NIV

If we truly long to dwell in our Father’s house, we will care little for the goods of this world. In God’s presence fear is banished. As we dwell in God’s house may we sing and shout with joy.

Lord, You are our only desire. May we dwell in Your house all the days of our lives. We long to gaze on Your beauty. In our days of trouble keep us safe in Your dwelling. At Your tabernacle we sing and make music to You, Lord.

Security in God (verses 7-12)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2027:7-12&version=NIV

We are so caught up in our daily activities that we have no time to seek God. Yet only as we seek God will He give us refuge in our daily struggles. May we stand securely in God’s presence, set apart from the confusing and accusing world around us.

Hear our voice when we call, Lord; be merciful to us and answer us. Your face, Lord, will we seek. Do not reject us or forsake us, God our Savior. Teach us Your way, Lord; lead us in a straight path.