Praying the Psalms: Tue, 14 Aug – Psalm 39 ~ our days are numbered

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 39 (NLT)

I said to myself,

“I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”

But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me. I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you. But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand. When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath.

Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest—a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: you are good and just; even though your ways are beyond our understanding. We are perplexed – the wicked prosper and the righteous are afflicted; and yet, you are the sovereign God, the ruler of all. Help us understand –

+ When will our sufferings end? Will death be our only relief?
+ Our lives are so brief and fleeting; what’s it all about?
+ Why do we wok hard all our lives; only to see it vanish?

O Lord our God: you are good and just; even though your ways are beyond our understanding. Our hope is on you –

+ Unfold your good purpose for us as we wait for you.
+ Deliver us from our transgressions and renew our strength.
+ Teach us self-restraint as we appeal to your mercy.
+ Show us how to live as sojourners in this present life.

O Lord our God: you are good and just; and you have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins and to lead us to our eternal home. This is all too wonderful for us to understand,; and yet, by faith we hold on to him as our certain hope for now and for ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 39” – The Women of the East Tennessee State University Chorale

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Praying the Psalms: Mon, 13 Aug – Psalm 38 ~ remember us in our anguish

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning Reading: Psalm 38 (NLT)

O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage!

Your arrows have struck deep, and your blows are crushing me.
Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins.
My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear.
My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins.
I am bent over and racked with pain.
All day long I walk around filled with grief.
A raging fever burns within me, and my health is broken.
I am exhausted and completely crushed.
My groans come from an anguished heart.

You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh. My heart beats wildly, my strength fails, and I am going blind. My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance. Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me. Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me. All day long they plan their treachery.

But I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak. I choose to hear nothing, and I make no reply. For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God. I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall.”

I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain. But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I have many aggressive enemies; they hate me without reason. They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good. Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.
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Morning Prayer

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Do Not Forsake Me” (Psalm 38) – Karl Kohlhase

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Praying the Psalms: Sat, 11 Aug – Psalm 37 ~ Don’t worry about the wicked…

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning Reading: Psalm 37 (NLT)

Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity.

The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.

The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right. But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly.

Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.

But the wicked will die. The Lord’s enemies are like flowers in a field-they will disappear like smoke.

The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Those the Lord blesses will possess the land, but those he curses will die.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.

Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly.

He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. The godly will possess the land and will live there forever.

The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path.

The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them. But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial.

Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.

I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil. But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them!

Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future.

The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: you are our Father and faithful friend. Deliver us from evil and help us in our times of worry –

+ Deliver us from envying the prosperity of the wicked…
+ Deliver us from worrying about our daily necessities…
+ Deliver us from concern about what others think…
+ Deliver us from the lies and deceit of the evil one…
+ Deliver us from jealousy and anger…

O Lord our God: you are our Father and faithful friend. Increase trust in your grace and tender mercy –

+ Lord, increase our faithfulness and daily trust in you…
+ Lord, increase our desire to do go and seek good for others…
+ Lord, increase our confidence in your promises…
+ Lord, increase our delight in your Word and Spirit…
+ Lord, increase our resolve to seek you first in all things…
+ Lord, increase our contentment and quietude…
+ Lord, increase our patience and confidence in your justice…

O Lord our God: you are our Father and faithful friend. Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ; through faith in him we receive your mercy, help, and grace in our times of need – all to the glory and honor of your name. Amen.
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“Do Not Fret” (Psalm 37) – Sharon Wilson

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Praying the Psalms: Fri, 10 Aug – Psalm 36 ~ the unfailing love of God

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning Reading: Psalm 36 (NLT)

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.

Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts. Don’t let the proud trample me or the wicked push me around. Look! Those who do evil have fallen! They are thrown down, never to rise again.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: you are compassionate and rich in mercy. Save us from the deceitfulness of sin –

+ Give us pure hearts that give you the honor you deserve
+ Give us open hearts that recognize your goodness surrounding us
+ Give us willing hearts that seek to further your Kingdom purposes

O Lord our God: your faithfulness is limitless; it exceeds all of our expectations –

+ For your righteousness is displayed in all your judgments
+ For your loving-kindness is extended to every living thing
+ For your protection is given to all who take refuge in you
+ For your graciousness is extended to all who come to your table
+ For your life infuses our days us with a glimpse of eternity
+ For your light guides us and turns our darkness into dawning

O Lord our God: pour out your loving-kindness on your people –

+ That all who are honest might receive justice
+ That all who are upright might be vindicated
+ That your name might be glorifies throughout the earth

Through faith and trust in Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Your Love Oh Lord” (Psalm 36)” – Third Day

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Praying the Psalms: Thu, 09 Aug – Psalm 35 ~ Fight for me, O Lord.

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning Reading: Psalm 35 (NLT)

O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say,

“I will give you victory!”

Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me; turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me. Blow them away like chaff in the wind—a wind sent by the angel of the Lord. Make their path dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me. I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me. So let sudden ruin come upon them!

Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!
Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.

Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me. With every bone in my body I will praise him:

“Lord, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”

Malicious witnesses testify against me. They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good. I am sick with despair. Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered. I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother. But they are glad now that I am in trouble; they gleefully join together against me. I am attacked by people I don’t even know; they slander me constantly. They mock me and call me names; they snarl at me.

How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions! Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people.

Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat.
Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.

They don’t talk of peace; they plot against innocent people who mind their own business. They shout,

“Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we saw him do it!”

O Lord, you know all about this.

Do not stay silent.
Do not abandon me now, O Lord.

Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord. Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice. Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles. Don’t let them say,

“Look, we got what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!”

May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor. But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say,

“Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”

Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord of heaven’s armies: hear the cries of your beleaguered people and fight for them. In your mercy –

+ Right the wrongs committed against us…
+ Expose and put to shame the evil-doers…
+ Listen to your people’s frustration…
+ Exceed all our expectations in your response…
+ Vindicate us according to your perfect will…
+ Move in righteousness and justice against our enemies…

O Lord our God: may your Kingdom come and your will be done, through Jesus Christ, your Son our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Contend” (Psalm 35) – Sons of Korah