May I keep my eyes set on you, my hears focused on listening to you, and my heart grounded in your word. Keep my mind focused on the truth of God so I promptly recognize and stop thoughts that do not come from the Lord. Negative self talk and self view. Guard my tongue so every utterance will be pleasing and acceptable to you Lord. In Jesus name. Amen
“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.”
Psalms 16:8-9 NLT
love these verses!! the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken because the Lord is with me.
“Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Protect me from wicked people who attack me, from murderous enemies who surround me.”
Psalms 17:8-9 NLT
love these verses. guard me, hide me, protect me.
I really love what you said there “ I never want to be so rich that I think I don’t need God” that really resonated with me. Thank you for that! Bless you and praying for you! ❤️
Wow this reading is so timely.. God is very thoughtful. He is the Saviour, the refuge for the poor.. I learn so much about humility through this reading. I think poor is not just financially but also in spirit. God always those who are poor in spirit because they want more of God. I never want to be so ‘rich’ that I think I don’t need God. Thank you Lord that You lift up those who are lowly, down, poor. Thank You that You are our refuge. Our Redeemer.
As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.
Yes, Lord, True satisfaction… opening my eyes in heaven, seeing You and being like You…awwww
I love that Psalm 15 exalting the holiness and perfection of Christ the God Man comes after Psalm 14, which so clearly depicts the total evil and depravity of mankind. We are hopeless to achieve any holiness by our own capacities, but are given the righteous garments of Christ through His sacrifice alone.
I love that last verse, that he is satisfied with God’s likeness and holds up his face in righteousness. The world may disappoint, and we may always be flawed as humans, but in God there is greatness and from God we may be wholly satisfied.
I haven’t posted before. I am confused by this part of the Psalm, because who among men is always this way?
1O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
3who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
Your question prompted me to do a little research on that chapter and the best explanation that I can summarize is that this passage gives 3 things.
1) A question – how do you get to heaven (verse 1).
2) The answer – a list of character traits of a godly person (verses 2-5A).
3) The Assurance – what happens to the one who has these traits (verse 5b).
God knows that none of us can ever be this way 100% of the time. The passage is more of an encouragement to believers to strive to live this way, to be like Christ. In doing so, we have the same assurance offered in the last verse.
Hi Cynthia, the way I understood this is a guideline for how we ought to strive to live out our daily lives. We are human and we are sinful so we make (plenty of) mistakes but that is the gospel – we make mistakes but Jesus has come so we can be forgiven for them.
I think it is a model, yet only Jesus measures up. But that’s okay! Because of his death and resurrection, WE are now the “righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He stands in our place before the Father, so we can be this blameless before God (Meaning God sees us through Jesus as perfect)❤️
Hello Cynthia. Blessings on you. ❤️Scripture has become to me a plumbline, showing me what is straight and true, but then also showing me how crooked my ways are compared to the holiness of God! Scripture is so clear that there is no one righteous, not even one. Jesus is the holy one! When we believe in him, his blood and his righteousness becomes ours. So when I read high and impossible things in the scripture, I have begun to think about how Jesus is all those things for me. When I rest in that assurance, I can ask for his life to be expressed in power in mine, (without guilt or fear for how I fall short on my own). We can rejoice in our righteousness, Jesus Christ our Lord!
I think the only one who will ever fit this description is Jesus. Because we believe in Jesus, his sacrifice covers our sin, so God doesn’t see our sin. He sees Jesus, blameless and righteous and deserving to “sojourn in [God’s] tent”
Hi Ladies, for anyone interested in joining, there’s a FB group “The Bible in a Year w/ SRT” for some more discussion & interaction. I’ll be making the group “closed” in a few days for privacy purposes, but wanted to see if anyone else would like to join before I do! Happy Psalm Day!
My flesh is always secure. This is such a revealing statement for me. I may be tested. But keeping the LORD before me and having counsel from him. My flesh is secure. It’s safe. He will uphold me. But I must continue in His word. I must keep him close. I need Him to fight temptation.
Just wana give some words of encouragement to everyone out there…. God just answered one of my prayers tonight with Psalm 16:4! Keep listening to Him, He will make your paths straight!!
I agree, this verse, 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”It’s so opposite from our culture and the common thought that there are “good people”. This verse speaks to me to be humble & continually look to Him as the reason for all good in me & my life.
Yes! I heard something so powerful in a sermon once – that there is no darkness, its just the absence of light. And there is no real measure of bad – it’s just the absence of the father. Thanks for preaching it to me a second time this morning!
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.” Helps me to remember that everything I’ve been blessed with comes from God, not my own doing.
“I shall be satisfied with Your likeness…” It’s only though Him that we will ever truly find satisfaction. Father, help us to be completely satisfied with You and not try to chase the crazy things that this world has to offer.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
12 He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.
When I look at this verse I think, wow we ask so much of the Lord and are selfish beings. But the most amazing part is that he does this without a second thought and does much much more for us with out hesitating. That shows just how much he loves us. That brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for loving me Lord. Thank you
I hear ya. It’s not an easy road but it’s worth it Z! I once heard, “the cost to follow Christ is great, but the cost not to is always greater.” I will be praying for you. I am proud of you for learning this truth early and at a young age. What trouble this wisdom will spare you from the closer you cling to it!
Thank you for praying for me. I will also pray that God keeps you safe and well and that if you have any troubles he will be there for you. I really do want to cling to him through all of my struggles. I downloaded this app yesterday because I was hoping for more of an organized plan to help me study. So far it has been just that. I’m looking forward to reading his word every day. Thank you for taking the time to answer what I had said. You didn’t have to, but you did. I agree completely and It made me happy:)
Love, your sister in Christ,
Z
Your will to follow the Lord is a wonderful thing. Sometimes we think that because of our distractions or times of spiritual turmoil we are growing further from Him. The important thing is to remain in Him even in the lows of your path with Him. John 15 talks about the power of remaining in the vine. Through your struggles remain in Him. Cry to Him, laugh and share your joys along with your frustration. Just don’t stray. There will be lows in your journey but those highs in which you see His love and worship with your whole heart bring you back. Keep at it and don’t be discouraged.
I love Psalms…but really I do see myself viewing it as something I don’t measure up to. I’m by no means perfect. And it can be so hard to just have faith in God to see you through all of the troubles this life has to offer. The world we live in today is filled with temptations of worldly things. And the younger you are the more susceptible you are to the customs of the world. Schools are filled with it. Kids are forced to either accept something or be made fun of for not being like the others. I want to guard myself from all of that and really focus on Christ alone. I only just turned sixteen, but I want to make sure my foundation with the Lord will keep me strong through it all. Lord willing, I have a long life to live. I want to live it for him. But I can’t do it without him. So if I give him all I have and more, and really focus on what he wants me to do in this life, then maybe I’ll see an improvement in my walk with God. Right now it’s staggering with all the distractions. But I definitely want to be better.
Z – I remember feeling the exact same way at 16. We can know that God gave you this deep desire to follow Him, and ‘He who has began this good work in you will see it through to completion ‘. Christ gave us the freedom to make mistakes while we fiercely pursue what is right – so don’t lose heart if you struggle and mess up, we all do, what matters most is that we pick ourselves back up and continue to pursue him. David, who wrote many of the Psalms, committed adultery and had someone murdered, so don’t worry about measuring up! We are all sinners. Every time you stand up for Jesus despite pressure from school, you will be acting out your faith and you’ll experience more and more of his presence <3
You couldn’t be more right. I slipped up this past year, not as bad as some. But I still couldn’t get over it. Now I’m rebuilding my relationship with God. I have a lot to learn. 2015 was a stressful year for me. I lost a few loved ones, so i struggled with that too. But I literally cried when I opened my Bible and found the verse Psalm 30:5. And since then I’m continuously trying to be better and learn from my mistakes. They hurt, but i feel so much better when I talk to God about it and do what I can to fix it. I let him handle it after that. It’s in his hands now. I’m active in my youth group but even there I see kids who are really hurt inside and I pray for them. Any time someone dies, even a celebrity or someone like that, I can’t help but wonder at their salvation. I want to do something about it. So right now studying my Bible is really important to me. I hope and pray that that will never change. God comes first in my life. That’s something I need to work on too, but I think I’m getting better at it. I can’t thank you enough for your kind words and encouragement. I really do appreciate it.
Love, your sister in Christ,
Z
Z, your troubles as a young person do not go unnoticed. I’m a teacher and I pray for some or all of my students almost daily. Their struggles are far greater than ones I endured in high school. Just know that there are people who pray for you, including those of us here. God will watch over you and guide you through your faith.
Thank you very much. I’m lucky in a lot of ways. I am raised in a Christian home and I’m not out in the world every day. I’m homeschooled, but I know what goes on in schools. When I was in drivers Ed I remember just how awful it was seeing these kids cuss at the teachers and talk like it was normal. With no respect for them or themselves. Just a couple of weeks made me sick to be near all of that. And hearing about what goes on in schools these days. I have friends in public schools who see it every day. I pray for them and for the other kids. I’ve been lucky to be home all the time and be able to go and see Christian friends, but I still notice how other kids act in the world. And it’s heartbreaking and I just pray that I won’t slip up with some of that stuff. Any of it if possible. I can’t imagine myself doing drugs or drinking or having the wrong type of relationship. You see online these videos of girls who are about fifteen and pregnant. I actually cry for them and pray for them. I want them to be able to see what they did was wrong, and how it’ll effect their lives. I hear stories from friends how some friends of theirs got pregnant and the boyfriend left. Now the girl has to take care of the baby by herself if she chooses to keep it. And I hope so badly that they do keep the baby. I don’t like what the world has come to. It’s not my parents or grandparents world. It’s really terrifying. I want to be in this world, but not of it. Thank you for sharing with me. I appreciate it. Really:)
Love, your sister in Christ,
Z
Z, I am totally with you. This may sound silly but I am truly only eleven. I think that just because I am so young does not mean I can’t start my journey with the Lord and share the love of Christ. We are all not perfect and make many mistakes but you can work through this journey because he is with you. You got his help!
I’m praying for you also Emerson. I appreciate your prayers. You are absolutely right. Never too young. Don’t forget it and never lose your faith. Thank you. Really, I can’t thank you enough. Good luck to you with your walk with Christ. I will pray for you every day:)
Love, your sister in Christ,
Z
I feel strongly that I need to share a quote with you, one that has really spoken to me this last year (I’m 20 and even in college there are the same struggles as in high school – feeling pressures and temptations and not wanting to stand alone but wanting to live your life wholly and completely for Christ).
“I’d rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God.”
I know you put your comment on here a while ago, and I am just now starting this plan, but I hope and pray this quote can still encourage you like it does for me!
who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
this part in particular spoke to me this morning. something devastating happened in my marriage last week, and had already happened last year. i was very tempted both times to walk away, but have decided to stay and make things work, even though it hurts like crazy
God will honor your commitment Rachel, I am so sorry, if it’s what I think it is , I know that hurt! Even if things fall apart in your marriage, God will be with you and you can know you honored your vow. I will pray that your husband will follow your lead and do the same! God bless you!
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
This verse struck me as unusual because we are always told to love our enmities and turn the other cheek but I feel like the author has ill wishes for his.
Any insight would be helpful.
In a way, Psalm 16:8 reminds me of the popular Friday Night Lights phrase, “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” When our eyes and hearts are focused on God, we can’t lose. He never loses.
Psalm 16:8 is a reminder of how I should be striving to live my life, in every moment. If I keep my eyes, my focus, my desire, solely on God, I will never be shaken from my faith that will have grown from intimately know God’s presence in my life by seeking Him above all else.
Psalm 16:7. I really like this verse. I have comfort knowing that even in my sleep God is counseling and instructing me so that when I wake up those things will be on my heart. I need to start paying attention to my first thoughts in the morning and apply that to the premise that God whispered into my heart and soul those things during my rest.
Somedays, a scripture is provided that so poignantly addresses situations and attitudes in one’s life. Today was one. May we each strive, myself especially, to be the person depicted in Psalm 15, secure and steadfast.
Amen Emily! Your words remind me of Paul in Romans 7:24, 25 and 8:1 when he says, “Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!… Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” These standards of righteousness have been fulfilled by Christ and imputed to us by God’s grace! How beautiful!
Psalm 16:6 “The boundary lines have fallen for me
in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
What a wonderful inheritance we have from God! No matter our faults, failures, short comings, or sins, He has our inheritance ready! All we have to do is have faith in Him and trust in Our Savior to lead us daily. So thankful that God has me in mind and in His hands always.
psalms like psalm 15 that list “requirements” for being in God’s presence always make me so grateful to rest in Christ’s righteousness alone. I used to read these passages as a checklist of everything I had to get right and would steel myself to work hard and accomplish them all. but that only fed my pride and self-righteousness – sin! now I can only seek His face as I entreat HIM to work these things in me as only He can. I only meet these requirements through His work over me and in me. what amazing grace, that I can ascend the holy hill of God through Christ alone!!
Emily these are such beautiful thoughts. Thank you for sharing as I needed reminding of this today. What peace we gain when we remember the beauty of His grace covering our inadequacies. When we are weak then we are strong!
Loved what you shared Emily. I’ve lived principle driven way too long. No more checklists. Beautiful rhetoric “steel myself to work hard.” No more. Trying to find that “rest.”
4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
Bartering for another god…. I see myself doing that.
“I die on the inside trying to become more like Him.” I am thankful to be shedding layers of selfishness and pride. This group and this study has really impacted my life in such a positive way! So much love
“4Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. ”
Today’s service pointed out that whoever you do things for, whoever you are trying to impress…that is your Lord, that is your boss. I vow to maintain my fundamentals and keep Him my Lord. Wake up every day and be reminded that He is your boss and we are working for and through Him. We shall run towards Him.
Psalm 15 spoke to me this morning… “Who will dwell in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your Holy Hill? 2. He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. 3. He who does not back bite with his tongue….” These right here are a life’s work but the rest of the chapter continues to tell me things to abide in so I can dwell with God. I needed to read this today. Beautiful!!
1 O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
Interesting that he speaks of having truth in our own hearts. I think of the lies I tell myself, sometimes to rationalize what I do, sometimes so I can deny the truth about who God made me to be. It is so important for me to remember to speak truth in my heart, for from the abundance of the heart speaks the mouth.
Verse 2 of Psalm 14 goes on to imply that nobody naturally seeks after God. Naturally people are corrupt and sinful. Rebels against God. Basically that if someone is seeking for God it’s because God has already done (or at least started) a work in that person’s heart. He has made it alive so that it WANTS God.
The first 3 verses of psalm 14 kinda grabbed me. The first thing I do when I go my own way is to say, “there isn’t really a God anyways”. Or at best, “God created the world but He doesn’t care anything about it now”. But do I really believe that? Ever? Or am I just trying to get away from my responsibility to God? Verse 1 says that it’s foolish (against reason) to even make this claim.
What is this delightful inheritance spoken of in Psalm16: 5-6? The living and ever present Christ! Oh how my heart rejoices! Indeed the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places; for they have lead me to my greatest love, who is the delight of my soul. What else matters in this life? The greatest joy is mine and it is secure in the Lord! I can never lose this!
David says this: Ps 16:7~God counsels me. And that thought thrills me. It’s a rough patch for me right now. And My Counsellor instructs my heart. Even unwelcomed nights lying still awake! When no human eye sees me! He stirs our thoughts to feelings of gratitude. Counsel us all who read —for You read us.
“who keeps an oath even when it hurts”…in our society there is little shame for bowing out of commitments/relationships/roles when they no longer suit us or worse “no longer make us happy”. It always amazes me how seriously God takes His promises to us and upholds them even when we grieve and hurt Him. He has every right to bow out of relationship with mankind but He will not,
Just as we read of His oath to Noah..it shows us perfectly that tension of “though we may hurt God…He will remain faithful to His promise”
Genesis 8
21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though[i] every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
I love this perspective! So convicting and such a good reminder of who we are to be as believers; people of integrity who reflect the integrity of our father
I love you, God! I trust you. You are so good! Amen!
May I keep my eyes set on you, my hears focused on listening to you, and my heart grounded in your word. Keep my mind focused on the truth of God so I promptly recognize and stop thoughts that do not come from the Lord. Negative self talk and self view. Guard my tongue so every utterance will be pleasing and acceptable to you Lord. In Jesus name. Amen
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
This was my fave line from today’s reading.
15As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
I know this was posted a while back but praying for you :)
“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.”
Psalms 16:8-9 NLT
love these verses!! the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken because the Lord is with me.
“Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Protect me from wicked people who attack me, from murderous enemies who surround me.”
Psalms 17:8-9 NLT
love these verses. guard me, hide me, protect me.
1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. – Psalms 17:1
Definitely needed to hear this today! Prayers needed, whoever happens to see this… God knows ❤️
Definitely need to hear this today! Prayer request for whoever happens to see this…
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. – Psalms 16:6
I pray that I would be as in love with the Lord and His Word as the psalmist!
5My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Righteous living! What beautiful scripture.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. – Psalms 17:15
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This verse!!
11You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
I really love what you said there “ I never want to be so rich that I think I don’t need God” that really resonated with me. Thank you for that! Bless you and praying for you! ❤️
I constantly, remember to ask the Lord to keep me safe from the wicked. I love this verse in Psalms.
*always bless
Wow this reading is so timely.. God is very thoughtful. He is the Saviour, the refuge for the poor.. I learn so much about humility through this reading. I think poor is not just financially but also in spirit. God always those who are poor in spirit because they want more of God. I never want to be so ‘rich’ that I think I don’t need God. Thank you Lord that You lift up those who are lowly, down, poor. Thank You that You are our refuge. Our Redeemer.
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New Living- You. Cancelled my ticket to hell
Thank you Lord ❤️
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5The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
This is one of my very favorite passages in scripture. Thankful to be able to read it today!
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Did anyone else see that at the end of 17:15 it says LORDLORDLORD (NIV version) is this a typo orrr?
Hide me in the shelter if Your wings Lord! Amen
I really needed Psalms 17.
I really needed to read Psalm 16 thanks.
I love psalms. The Lord is my defender!!
11You reveal the path of life to me
A beautiful reminder to trust in God’s plan for us. We all try to control and guide the plan but should allow it to unfold as He has written it.
As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.
Yes, Lord, True satisfaction… opening my eyes in heaven, seeing You and being like You…awwww
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
This is great reminder that our reward is not in this world or in this life here. Our reward is eternal, so we can’t think like the rest of the world.
Lord thank you for the beautiful psalm of David in 15:1-5. I want to be seen blameless in your eyes. Help me follow your instructions
Psalm 17❤️
6I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words. -ellie
I love that Psalm 15 exalting the holiness and perfection of Christ the God Man comes after Psalm 14, which so clearly depicts the total evil and depravity of mankind. We are hopeless to achieve any holiness by our own capacities, but are given the righteous garments of Christ through His sacrifice alone.
Day 25
I love that last verse, that he is satisfied with God’s likeness and holds up his face in righteousness. The world may disappoint, and we may always be flawed as humans, but in God there is greatness and from God we may be wholly satisfied.
I haven’t posted before. I am confused by this part of the Psalm, because who among men is always this way?
1O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
3who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
Please someone help me understand this
Your question prompted me to do a little research on that chapter and the best explanation that I can summarize is that this passage gives 3 things.
1) A question – how do you get to heaven (verse 1).
2) The answer – a list of character traits of a godly person (verses 2-5A).
3) The Assurance – what happens to the one who has these traits (verse 5b).
God knows that none of us can ever be this way 100% of the time. The passage is more of an encouragement to believers to strive to live this way, to be like Christ. In doing so, we have the same assurance offered in the last verse.
I think the point is that no one but Jesus fulfills all those listed in the passage. Which means he is the only acceptable sacrifice.
Hi Cynthia, the way I understood this is a guideline for how we ought to strive to live out our daily lives. We are human and we are sinful so we make (plenty of) mistakes but that is the gospel – we make mistakes but Jesus has come so we can be forgiven for them.
I was also confused by this psalm
I think it is a model, yet only Jesus measures up. But that’s okay! Because of his death and resurrection, WE are now the “righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He stands in our place before the Father, so we can be this blameless before God (Meaning God sees us through Jesus as perfect)❤️
Hello Cynthia. Blessings on you. ❤️Scripture has become to me a plumbline, showing me what is straight and true, but then also showing me how crooked my ways are compared to the holiness of God! Scripture is so clear that there is no one righteous, not even one. Jesus is the holy one! When we believe in him, his blood and his righteousness becomes ours. So when I read high and impossible things in the scripture, I have begun to think about how Jesus is all those things for me. When I rest in that assurance, I can ask for his life to be expressed in power in mine, (without guilt or fear for how I fall short on my own). We can rejoice in our righteousness, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen! And we also have to remember Psalms is the Old Testament. Jesus died so these things we can be forgiven.
I think the only one who will ever fit this description is Jesus. Because we believe in Jesus, his sacrifice covers our sin, so God doesn’t see our sin. He sees Jesus, blameless and righteous and deserving to “sojourn in [God’s] tent”
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.❤️
psalm 15❤️
Loved it!
Hi Ladies, for anyone interested in joining, there’s a FB group “The Bible in a Year w/ SRT” for some more discussion & interaction. I’ll be making the group “closed” in a few days for privacy purposes, but wanted to see if anyone else would like to join before I do! Happy Psalm Day!
Done❤️
My flesh is always secure. This is such a revealing statement for me. I may be tested. But keeping the LORD before me and having counsel from him. My flesh is secure. It’s safe. He will uphold me. But I must continue in His word. I must keep him close. I need Him to fight temptation.
Amen!
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God helps me to carry on and be helpful to others
“who keeps an oath even when it hurts and does not change his mind”
Thanks for posting! My version (NASB) said “he swears to his own hurt and does not change.” And I couldn’t understand it. Your comment was a blessing!
Just wana give some words of encouragement to everyone out there…. God just answered one of my prayers tonight with Psalm 16:4! Keep listening to Him, He will make your paths straight!!
Anyone from idlewild out there?
I meant Britt :)
Amen! Jessica, thank you for the insight. May we live in the light and shine our light for Christ for His glory!
I agree, this verse, 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”It’s so opposite from our culture and the common thought that there are “good people”. This verse speaks to me to be humble & continually look to Him as the reason for all good in me & my life.
Yes! I heard something so powerful in a sermon once – that there is no darkness, its just the absence of light. And there is no real measure of bad – it’s just the absence of the father. Thanks for preaching it to me a second time this morning!
That is so cool
That’s deep!
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.” Helps me to remember that everything I’ve been blessed with comes from God, not my own doing.
“I shall be satisfied with Your likeness…” It’s only though Him that we will ever truly find satisfaction. Father, help us to be completely satisfied with You and not try to chase the crazy things that this world has to offer.
That I would be like the person described in Psalm 15. Please help me O Lord!!
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
How beautiful!!
I highlighted that section too :)
12 He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.
When I look at this verse I think, wow we ask so much of the Lord and are selfish beings. But the most amazing part is that he does this without a second thought and does much much more for us with out hesitating. That shows just how much he loves us. That brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for loving me Lord. Thank you
I hear ya. It’s not an easy road but it’s worth it Z! I once heard, “the cost to follow Christ is great, but the cost not to is always greater.” I will be praying for you. I am proud of you for learning this truth early and at a young age. What trouble this wisdom will spare you from the closer you cling to it!
Thank you for praying for me. I will also pray that God keeps you safe and well and that if you have any troubles he will be there for you. I really do want to cling to him through all of my struggles. I downloaded this app yesterday because I was hoping for more of an organized plan to help me study. So far it has been just that. I’m looking forward to reading his word every day. Thank you for taking the time to answer what I had said. You didn’t have to, but you did. I agree completely and It made me happy:)
Love, your sister in Christ,
Z
Your will to follow the Lord is a wonderful thing. Sometimes we think that because of our distractions or times of spiritual turmoil we are growing further from Him. The important thing is to remain in Him even in the lows of your path with Him. John 15 talks about the power of remaining in the vine. Through your struggles remain in Him. Cry to Him, laugh and share your joys along with your frustration. Just don’t stray. There will be lows in your journey but those highs in which you see His love and worship with your whole heart bring you back. Keep at it and don’t be discouraged.
I love Psalms…but really I do see myself viewing it as something I don’t measure up to. I’m by no means perfect. And it can be so hard to just have faith in God to see you through all of the troubles this life has to offer. The world we live in today is filled with temptations of worldly things. And the younger you are the more susceptible you are to the customs of the world. Schools are filled with it. Kids are forced to either accept something or be made fun of for not being like the others. I want to guard myself from all of that and really focus on Christ alone. I only just turned sixteen, but I want to make sure my foundation with the Lord will keep me strong through it all. Lord willing, I have a long life to live. I want to live it for him. But I can’t do it without him. So if I give him all I have and more, and really focus on what he wants me to do in this life, then maybe I’ll see an improvement in my walk with God. Right now it’s staggering with all the distractions. But I definitely want to be better.
Z – I remember feeling the exact same way at 16. We can know that God gave you this deep desire to follow Him, and ‘He who has began this good work in you will see it through to completion ‘. Christ gave us the freedom to make mistakes while we fiercely pursue what is right – so don’t lose heart if you struggle and mess up, we all do, what matters most is that we pick ourselves back up and continue to pursue him. David, who wrote many of the Psalms, committed adultery and had someone murdered, so don’t worry about measuring up! We are all sinners. Every time you stand up for Jesus despite pressure from school, you will be acting out your faith and you’ll experience more and more of his presence <3
You couldn’t be more right. I slipped up this past year, not as bad as some. But I still couldn’t get over it. Now I’m rebuilding my relationship with God. I have a lot to learn. 2015 was a stressful year for me. I lost a few loved ones, so i struggled with that too. But I literally cried when I opened my Bible and found the verse Psalm 30:5. And since then I’m continuously trying to be better and learn from my mistakes. They hurt, but i feel so much better when I talk to God about it and do what I can to fix it. I let him handle it after that. It’s in his hands now. I’m active in my youth group but even there I see kids who are really hurt inside and I pray for them. Any time someone dies, even a celebrity or someone like that, I can’t help but wonder at their salvation. I want to do something about it. So right now studying my Bible is really important to me. I hope and pray that that will never change. God comes first in my life. That’s something I need to work on too, but I think I’m getting better at it. I can’t thank you enough for your kind words and encouragement. I really do appreciate it.
Love, your sister in Christ,
Z
Z, your troubles as a young person do not go unnoticed. I’m a teacher and I pray for some or all of my students almost daily. Their struggles are far greater than ones I endured in high school. Just know that there are people who pray for you, including those of us here. God will watch over you and guide you through your faith.
Thank you very much. I’m lucky in a lot of ways. I am raised in a Christian home and I’m not out in the world every day. I’m homeschooled, but I know what goes on in schools. When I was in drivers Ed I remember just how awful it was seeing these kids cuss at the teachers and talk like it was normal. With no respect for them or themselves. Just a couple of weeks made me sick to be near all of that. And hearing about what goes on in schools these days. I have friends in public schools who see it every day. I pray for them and for the other kids. I’ve been lucky to be home all the time and be able to go and see Christian friends, but I still notice how other kids act in the world. And it’s heartbreaking and I just pray that I won’t slip up with some of that stuff. Any of it if possible. I can’t imagine myself doing drugs or drinking or having the wrong type of relationship. You see online these videos of girls who are about fifteen and pregnant. I actually cry for them and pray for them. I want them to be able to see what they did was wrong, and how it’ll effect their lives. I hear stories from friends how some friends of theirs got pregnant and the boyfriend left. Now the girl has to take care of the baby by herself if she chooses to keep it. And I hope so badly that they do keep the baby. I don’t like what the world has come to. It’s not my parents or grandparents world. It’s really terrifying. I want to be in this world, but not of it. Thank you for sharing with me. I appreciate it. Really:)
Love, your sister in Christ,
Z
Z, I am totally with you. This may sound silly but I am truly only eleven. I think that just because I am so young does not mean I can’t start my journey with the Lord and share the love of Christ. We are all not perfect and make many mistakes but you can work through this journey because he is with you. You got his help!
I am praying for you
I’m praying for you also Emerson. I appreciate your prayers. You are absolutely right. Never too young. Don’t forget it and never lose your faith. Thank you. Really, I can’t thank you enough. Good luck to you with your walk with Christ. I will pray for you every day:)
Love, your sister in Christ,
Z
I’m on the same road as you!! I just turned 14 and this is my first year of youth group and man it so worth it! I’ll pray for you!
Youth group is awesome isn’t it? I went and saw Chris tomlin with em this past year. Best. Day. Ever. Lol
I’ll pray for u also
So happy to be on this journey with Christ with you, sweet sister! Praying for you. :)
You too Taylor. Can’t wait to see u Wednesday
Z,
I feel strongly that I need to share a quote with you, one that has really spoken to me this last year (I’m 20 and even in college there are the same struggles as in high school – feeling pressures and temptations and not wanting to stand alone but wanting to live your life wholly and completely for Christ).
“I’d rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God.”
I know you put your comment on here a while ago, and I am just now starting this plan, but I hope and pray this quote can still encourage you like it does for me!
Love it
who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
this part in particular spoke to me this morning. something devastating happened in my marriage last week, and had already happened last year. i was very tempted both times to walk away, but have decided to stay and make things work, even though it hurts like crazy
God will honor your commitment Rachel, I am so sorry, if it’s what I think it is , I know that hurt! Even if things fall apart in your marriage, God will be with you and you can know you honored your vow. I will pray that your husband will follow your lead and do the same! God bless you!
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
This verse struck me as unusual because we are always told to love our enmities and turn the other cheek but I feel like the author has ill wishes for his.
Any insight would be helpful.
When Jesus came a new covenant was made and he taught us to love our enemies, but before we were to hate them.
I love the Psalms, especially when it’s one that Sons of Korah have covered and I sing along in my head!
Thank you for keeping me in the Word today
In a way, Psalm 16:8 reminds me of the popular Friday Night Lights phrase, “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” When our eyes and hearts are focused on God, we can’t lose. He never loses.
I like your word you shared and I like the FNL reference haha :)
Psalm 16:8 is a reminder of how I should be striving to live my life, in every moment. If I keep my eyes, my focus, my desire, solely on God, I will never be shaken from my faith that will have grown from intimately know God’s presence in my life by seeking Him above all else.
Psalm 16:7. I really like this verse. I have comfort knowing that even in my sleep God is counseling and instructing me so that when I wake up those things will be on my heart. I need to start paying attention to my first thoughts in the morning and apply that to the premise that God whispered into my heart and soul those things during my rest.
Somedays, a scripture is provided that so poignantly addresses situations and attitudes in one’s life. Today was one. May we each strive, myself especially, to be the person depicted in Psalm 15, secure and steadfast.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
Apart from him we have no. Good. Thing.
So thankful for a gracious and loving father.
Amen Emily! Your words remind me of Paul in Romans 7:24, 25 and 8:1 when he says, “Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!… Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” These standards of righteousness have been fulfilled by Christ and imputed to us by God’s grace! How beautiful!
Psalm 16:6 “The boundary lines have fallen for me
in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
What a wonderful inheritance we have from God! No matter our faults, failures, short comings, or sins, He has our inheritance ready! All we have to do is have faith in Him and trust in Our Savior to lead us daily. So thankful that God has me in mind and in His hands always.
“Whoever does these things will never be shaken.” WOW! The power of the God Almighty. I am in awe by that statement.
psalms like psalm 15 that list “requirements” for being in God’s presence always make me so grateful to rest in Christ’s righteousness alone. I used to read these passages as a checklist of everything I had to get right and would steel myself to work hard and accomplish them all. but that only fed my pride and self-righteousness – sin! now I can only seek His face as I entreat HIM to work these things in me as only He can. I only meet these requirements through His work over me and in me. what amazing grace, that I can ascend the holy hill of God through Christ alone!!
Emily these are such beautiful thoughts. Thank you for sharing as I needed reminding of this today. What peace we gain when we remember the beauty of His grace covering our inadequacies. When we are weak then we are strong!
This is the first time I’ve read that psalm with that same mindset! Praise the Lord that our requirements are met in Christ Jesus
Loved what you shared Emily. I’ve lived principle driven way too long. No more checklists. Beautiful rhetoric “steel myself to work hard.” No more. Trying to find that “rest.”
4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
Bartering for another god…. I see myself doing that.
“I die on the inside trying to become more like Him.” I am thankful to be shedding layers of selfishness and pride. This group and this study has really impacted my life in such a positive way! So much love
Such a distant picture. Dying to self. Living in him.
“4Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. ”
Today’s service pointed out that whoever you do things for, whoever you are trying to impress…that is your Lord, that is your boss. I vow to maintain my fundamentals and keep Him my Lord. Wake up every day and be reminded that He is your boss and we are working for and through Him. We shall run towards Him.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
This is one of the first verses I memorized as a young child. It bring such comfort to me.
Such a gentle, tender verse! Beautiful imagery!
Psalm 15 spoke to me this morning… “Who will dwell in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your Holy Hill? 2. He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. 3. He who does not back bite with his tongue….” These right here are a life’s work but the rest of the chapter continues to tell me things to abide in so I can dwell with God. I needed to read this today. Beautiful!!
1 O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
Interesting that he speaks of having truth in our own hearts. I think of the lies I tell myself, sometimes to rationalize what I do, sometimes so I can deny the truth about who God made me to be. It is so important for me to remember to speak truth in my heart, for from the abundance of the heart speaks the mouth.
I never thought about it this way but it is SUCH a helpful thought! Thank you!!
Verse 2 of Psalm 14 goes on to imply that nobody naturally seeks after God. Naturally people are corrupt and sinful. Rebels against God. Basically that if someone is seeking for God it’s because God has already done (or at least started) a work in that person’s heart. He has made it alive so that it WANTS God.
I like this perspective
The first 3 verses of psalm 14 kinda grabbed me. The first thing I do when I go my own way is to say, “there isn’t really a God anyways”. Or at best, “God created the world but He doesn’t care anything about it now”. But do I really believe that? Ever? Or am I just trying to get away from my responsibility to God? Verse 1 says that it’s foolish (against reason) to even make this claim.
Psalm 16:11 speaks loudly to me this morning. He will make known my path. Amen.
What is this delightful inheritance spoken of in Psalm16: 5-6? The living and ever present Christ! Oh how my heart rejoices! Indeed the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places; for they have lead me to my greatest love, who is the delight of my soul. What else matters in this life? The greatest joy is mine and it is secure in the Lord! I can never lose this!
David says this: Ps 16:7~God counsels me. And that thought thrills me. It’s a rough patch for me right now. And My Counsellor instructs my heart. Even unwelcomed nights lying still awake! When no human eye sees me! He stirs our thoughts to feelings of gratitude. Counsel us all who read —for You read us.
“who keeps an oath even when it hurts”…in our society there is little shame for bowing out of commitments/relationships/roles when they no longer suit us or worse “no longer make us happy”. It always amazes me how seriously God takes His promises to us and upholds them even when we grieve and hurt Him. He has every right to bow out of relationship with mankind but He will not,
Just as we read of His oath to Noah..it shows us perfectly that tension of “though we may hurt God…He will remain faithful to His promise”
Genesis 8
21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though[i] every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
I love this perspective! So convicting and such a good reminder of who we are to be as believers; people of integrity who reflect the integrity of our father
Agreed. This is so convicting and reminds me to keep my promises and do what I say I will do
Right. How often does God feel like it’s a pain to keep his promises and yet he still does. We often don’t keep up our end of the bargain. :o