God Reigns as King (Psalm 47, Part 3)

Exalt God our King (verses 8-9)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2047:8-9&version=NIV

In the midst of all the turmoil on this earth, with petty rulers exalting themselves, the nations still belong to God. He does not permit His purposes to be deterred by national politics. Ultimately the rulers of the nations will acknowledge God’s sovereignty. While God’s throne of holiness will be feared by all people, His throne of grace is loved by His redeemed. In the end His throne of glory will be praised by the whole creation.

Thank You, God, that You reign over the nations. You are seated on Your holy throne. Thank You that the leaders of the earth belong to You, God; You are greatly exalted. We sing this psalm of praise to You, our God, the King of all the earth.

O worship the King, all glorious above!

O gratefully sing his power and his love!

Our shield and defender, the Ancient of days,

Pavilioned in splendour, and girded with praise.

Robert Grant (1785-1838)

God Reigns as King (Psalm 47, Part 2)

Sing Praises to God our King (verses 5-7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2047:5-7&version=NIV

After having come to earth as a baby 2,000 years ago, Jesus died, was resurrected and ascended to heaven. In the person of Christ, God acts on our behalf. May we find God’s kingship a present reality rather than a future possibility. Because of Jesus our Savior we have an everlasting reason to sing praises to God our King as we dwell in the shadow of His throne.

Thank You, our Lord and Savior, that You have ascended amid shouts of joy. We sing praises to our God. We sing praises to our King. Since You are King of all the earth, we sing to You a psalm of praise.

God Reigns as King (Psalm 47, Part 1)

Since God reigns over the whole earth, may we celebrate His reign with praise. As Christ takes his throne in our minds and hearts, may we join in joyful praise to our true King.

Rejoice in God our King (verses 1-4) 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2047:1-4&version=NIV

The victory of the Great King of kings, and Lord of lords provides the basis on which all peoples are invited to join in rejoicing in God as King over the whole earth. May we submit our wills and desires completely to God who loves us and has chosen our inheritance.

We shout to You, God, with cries of joy; for You, our Lord Most High, are awesome. You are the great King over all the earth. Thank You that You subdue nations, and chose our inheritance for us. We rejoice in You, Lord God, our King.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop_psalm47A

God is Our Presence (Psalm 46, Part 3)

God’s Presence in the Earth (verses 8-11)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2046:8-11&version=NIV

With our confidence in God’s protective care, may we be still in His presence. War, not part of our God of Peace’s creation intention, grew out of human sin and disobedience. At the end of the age, in peace we will rejoice eternally in God’s presence. May we, God’s people, express our gratitude for His presence on earth and show our joy in song.

God our Peace, as we look forward to “Peace on earth, good will among people,” make us persons of peace. Thank You that You are with us, with our community, and with those serving You in other parts of your world. Help us to be still and know that You are God. You will be exalted in the earth among the nations. Thank You that the Lord Almighty is with us; You are our fortress.

When things go well for us we find it easy to forget God and rely on our own ability. But in this troubled world we can turn to this psalm to find our peace.

      How happy then are we,

      Who build, O Lord, on thee!

What can our foundation shock?

Though the shatter’d earth remove,

Stands our city on a rock,

On the rock of heavenly love.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

God is Our Presence (Psalm 46, Part 2)

God’s Presence in Society (verses 4-7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2046:4-7&version=NIV

The contemporary church is threatened by the materialism and persecution of our society. May God release us from our bondage to materialism. We pray for God’s children who experience persecution. God’s all-sufficient grace enables us to endure to the end. The presence of Christ in society, and the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, gives His Church strength.

Lord God, thank You for inhabiting the hearts of Your children. Release us from our bondage to materialism. We fear violence from the terror around us. May Your voice stem the violence. Yes, Lord Almighty, You are with us! Be our fortress!

God is Our Presence (Psalm 46, Part 1)

In His presence God gives us inner strength to face difficulties. We sing our praise to God because He is with us and He preserves His Church against the assaults of nature, society and the earth.

God’s Presence in Nature (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2046:1-3&version=NIV

With our increased understanding of how nature works, we are more aware of its destructive powers. May our faith in God’s presence give us strength and protect us from the waves crashing around us. May we not fear cosmic phenomena—earthquakes, floods and hurricanes—and place our confidence in God’s presence.

Thank You, Lord our God, that You are our refuge and strength. We put our trust in You. May we not fear when the seismograph needle shakes and tsunamis and hurricanes strike. You have the entire earth under Your control. Thank You for Your presence in nature.

http://genevanpsalter.com/attachments/GenPs046_vocal_homoph_BoP84.MP3

The Glory of the King and the Bridegroom (Psalm 45, Part 3)

Praise the Kingdom (verses 16-17)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2045:16-17&version=NIV

What human kings could not accomplish due to their sinful failings, Jesus righteously completed. May we give thanks to our loving Lord Jesus Christ. Eternal praise belongs to the Messiah, the king on God’s throne.

Almighty God, we celebrate Your majesty and eternal reign. Thank You that we live and serve in Your eternal kingdom. We will perpetuate Your memory through all generations. The nations will praise You for ever and ever.

I shall see the King in His beauty in the land that is far away,

When the shadows at length have lifted, and the darkness has turned into day.

And to none will the King be a stranger of the throngs who surround His seat.

For the hearts of the saved will know Him by the prints of the nails in His feet.

A. B. Simpson (1843-1919)

The Glory of the King and the Bridegroom (Psalm 45, Part 2)

Praise the Bridegroom (verses 10-15)

            http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2045:10-15&version=NIV

Christ has called the church his bride. Therefore may the beauty of Christ shine through us on our world around us. May nothing mar the glory and beauty of his bride. When we learn how to demonstrate God’s love by the Holy Spirit, we have a reason to celebrate and praise Jesus Christ the Bridegroom

We praise You, God, that we are Your Church, Your bride. We pray for the bride of Christ in Jefferson County. Lead us in joy and gladness as we enter Your palace. We praise Jesus Christ our bridegroom.

The Glory of the King and the Bridegroom (Psalm 45, Part 1)

In this wedding hymn we catch a glimpse of Jesus Christ, who is both king and bridegroom.

Praise the King (verses 1-9)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2045:1-9&version=NIV

As Jesus triumphantly establishes his kingdom, he reigns on behalf of truth, humility and righteousness. As the One Anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism, Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament titles which required anointing: prophet, priest, and king.  As prophet he proclaimed God’s words. As priest he offered himself as a sacrifice. As king he rules the universe.

We thank You, Almighty God, for Jesus our King, who reveals to us the cause of truth, humility and justice. We thank you for Jesus the prophet who proclaims Your words. We thank You for Jesus the priest who offered himself as a sacrifice for our lives. We thank You for Jesus our king. Thank you that his throne will last forever.

www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop_psalm45A

Trust and Obey (Psalm 44, Part 3)

What God Will Do: Prayer for Deliverance (verses 23-26)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2044:23-26&version=NIV

May we pray when we are under conviction or oppression. May we pray for deliverance of the church under persecution.

Awake, Lord! Do not reject us forever. We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up and help us; rescue us because of Your unfailing love. Lord, we do praise You for Your unfailing love.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.                    

John H. Sammis (1846-1919)

Trust and Obey (Psalm 44, Part 2)

What God is Doing: Suffering and Disgrace (verses 9-16)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2044:9-16&version=NIV

In suffering and disgrace we feel that God has forgotten us. May we know that God is indeed alive and at work in Jefferson County. God will accomplish His purposes; and in due time we will see results.

Loving God, we often feel rejected and humbled. We are the scorn and derision of those around us. We suffer in disgrace at their taunts. We call on You, Lord, our God; help us to know that You love us.

We Obey: Claim of Innocence (verses 17-22).

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2044:17-22&version=NIV

Our commitment to Christ begins with obedience to God. Yet we are not innocent. May our failures not permanently separate us from God. May we learn to cling to Him in loving obedience.

In our efforts to be faithful to You, Lord our God, we still stray. We feel crushed and in deep darkness. You know the secrets of our hearts. Strengthen us, Lord, and help us to obey You alone.

Trust and Obey (Psalm 44, Part 1)

Since suffering is a part of God’s discipline in our lives, may we learn to trust and obey our God.

What God Has Done: His Past Acts of Deliverance (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2044:1-3&version=NIV

Our churches have forgotten how to remember God. We have become biblically illiterate. Since God is our eternal source of mercy, may we fill our minds with God’s Word.

We have heard, O God, what You did in days long ago. Help us to recall Your mercy and justice, and to put Your Word into our minds and hearts. Thank You for loving us.

We Trust: Confidence in God (verses 4-8).

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2044:4-8&version=NIV

Trusting in God does not come naturally for us. When difficulties arise we turn first to human solutions. Yet God has redeemed us with a price and has enriched us with His fullness. May we place our confidence in God alone.

You are our King and our God; You decree victories. We trust in You alone. In You, God, we place our confidence. We praise Your name forever.

http:www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop_psalm44A

Seeking God (Psalm 43, Part 3)

A Profession of Hope (verse 5)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2043:5&version=NIV

When we feel depressed and discouraged may we profess our hope in God, and praise our Savior and our God.

God our hope, lift us up to You. We put our hope in You. We praise You, our Savior and our God.

Oh, send thy light to guide my feet,

And bid thy truth appear;

Conduct me to thy holy hill

To taste thy mercies there.

C. D. Barlow