Book II
The collection of psalms in Book II express lament and distress about present circumstances and conditions while looking to the faithfulness of God.
Beginning in the late 1980s, United States presidents have a tradition of leaving hand-written notes in the Oval Office to their successors on inauguration day. These letters, particularly in an age of technology and partisanship, have become a legendary symbol of the country’s founding principles and a sign of goodwill. As eras end and people and policies change, these letters are meant as a reminder of the country’s past and encouragement for the future.
Psalms 71 and 72 mark the end of Book II of the Psalms and the end of an era. Some scholars believe that Psalm 71 is written from the perspective of all of Israel, looking back at God’s faithfulness to its people for the past few generations as it reaches maturity. Psalm 72 was written on the occasion of a new king’s coronation as a prayer for the Lord to be his wisdom and guide.
I love the contrast these two psalms provide: a sweeping backward review of how the Lord has blessed His people and a forward-looking plea for the Lord to remain faithful as a new generation takes over. Endings are hard for us because we are people wired for peace. And yet, endings disrupt our carefully constructed lives, forcing us to find safe harbor in something more permanent. In the case of believers, our safe harbor is in the steadfast love of the Lord, which endures forever.
Psalm 71 asks God to be a “rock and fortress,” words that remind us of safety and security—necessary in times of shifting sands. I’m struck by the beauty of this psalmist’s reflection from old age, with decades of wisdom earned through reliance on God. “I am like a miraculous sign to many, and you are my strong refuge” (Psalm 71:7) speaks to the lifelong journey of sanctification and trust. May we all describe our lives as such when we are near the end!
Psalm 72 is the last in this book, and it looks forward to the new king Israel will crown and references God’s overarching promises to His people through time. We see echoes of the promise to Abraham in verse 17, which says, “may all nations be blessed by him and call him blessed.” From that promise, we reach all the way to Jesus, the Messiah, the forever King of God’s people. All of these prayers for a righteous, just king (Psalm 72:1) would be fulfilled one day in Jesus.
The next three books of the Psalms will unfold a story of hardship, when the psalmists’ descendants struggled to stay faithful to God and His Word and when Israel would be divided and conquered by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. The endings and new beginnings would have been exhausting, and yet the steady faithfulness of the Lord, His commitment to justice and righteousness, and His never-failing promises of the forever King, Jesus Christ.
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40 thoughts on "Prayers for God’s Blessing"
Amen
Amen and amen!
I’m grateful for the word of God and how alive it is. This season I’m experiencing anxiety and depression and the word really calms me. Give me perspective that I lost within one of my spills. Thank you Father for knowing me and knowing exactly what I need to hear. Thank you for being louder than my own thoughts. Thank you for reminding me for who I am. I ask you continue to speak to me. In Jesus name Amen and Amen
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Lord you knew me since I was in my mothers womb. You take care of me during my youth until my old age and the last day of my life. I am yours and you are mine forever ♥️
Kristina Stump—Welcome! Thanks for being open and vulnerable with where you are at… this is a safe community to share all that God is doing in your life. The good/hard, joys/sorrows,
My lips will shout for joy when I sing a praise to you because you have redeemed me!
MERCY – yes, RHONDA may have been thinking about Diana Fleenor. I think it’s been over 2 years since she’s commented, and I didn’t see any response from her prior to that when I or others mentioned missing her.
KRISTINA STUMP – praying for your family and all that y’all are going through. So sorry to hear about your sister. Thank you for joining us here!
DOROTHY – praying for you as you are thinking about your son. ❤️
JENNIFER ANAPOL – praying for you as you await the arrival of your baby
REBECCA FULLER, MOLLY R, ERICA CHIARELLI and others – praying
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So beautiful. Soli Deo gloria forever and ever!
I have been struggling with patience and trusting 100% yet I had to completely trust on Sunday. I have had this weird thing due to stress where is hard to swallow. After months I’m slowing eating more and more through the discomfort. Besides the throat my nose and ears have been bothering me always feeling full. Sunday was my sisters funeral who recently past away from cancer. It was my first long car ride and I put on my faith and trust into god to get me there. And he did! Praise God! My mom is also struggling with her health. This has been a tough season for my family. Marriage issues and not being able to work. I pray and give praise everyday for the small steps forward. I pray he sees me trying. I’m new to this group and am so thankful for all of the extra support from everyone sharing. Amen!
Jeni B I feel the exact same way! Like many here I am going through a season of transition- we recently moved across the country, and I started a new job, any my husband is looking for a new job. I am having a lot of hormonal issues as well post partum. I am praying for the requests here and ask for prayer for this season as well!
Jeni B I feel the exact same way! Like many here I am going through a season of transition- we recently moved across the country, and I started a new job, any my husband is looking for a new job. I am having a lot of hormonal issues as well post partum. I am praying for the requests here and ask for prayer for this season if m
Thank you that was a great explanation to Tori W’s question. I was praying on how to explain David’s relationship with God.
@ DOROTHY
You are welcome. I am so glad that Father God encouraged and comforted you with my post.
I’m so glad that during all seasons of life, God is with us. I pray that when I am old and grey, I can look back and say that I have followed him since my youth. We are definitely in a time of transition in my house. My husband and I are about to welcome our second daughter. She really could come any day now. I am excited and nervous. I know how hard the postpartum season can be. But I also know how special a new little life can be. I know that God will be with me through all the transitions in my life, as he always has been. ❤️
@Rebecca praying for you and the strength you need to live out Gods truth. I too struggle to fully trust God at times and just know you’re not alone. So many people are afraid to get counseling so just know that’s such an awesome thing you’re choosing to do. We don’t always see the goodness of God when things are tough but the day will come when all that you’re going through will make more sense.
” I am a miraculous sign to many and you are my strong refuge”. Thank you God for making us the sign of His miracle in the sight of those around us. Without Him, I can’t even fathom the troubles, the heartaches of life (which the psalmist expressed that they were from God). The psalmist expressed the thankfulness for those times. Such a strong and godly mindset.
@Allison Bentley thank you so much for your book suggestion. I started reading the first chapter and it helped me a lot to deconstruct the thought process. And surprisingly a good friend of mine suggested the exact same book. Thank you dear sister.❤️
@Rhonda J, could you by any chance mean Diana Fleenor? She was contributing a lot to the SRT community for a while and I always waited to read what she had to share back then. I remember she was on bed rest due to some severe health conditions. I pray she is doing well. I thought of her immediately when I saw your comment the other day :)
Be blessed dear sisters.
@ TORI W … Just like everything else in our Christian life, it is by God’s grace that he had such an intimate relationship with God. A verse in New Testament talks about how everything that was written before was written for our encouragement. I think that David’s close relationship shows us that you do not have to be in ministry to have a close relationship with God.
Having said that, David was anointed as king. The anointing was a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s presence in a person who had been anointed for a specific purpose (prophet, priest, king). These roles were all a foreshadowing of the roles that Jesus would fulfill and that we are also able to do because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us. Unfortunately, many in the Old Testament who were anointed did not take their anointing seriously and grieved God by pursuing other gods and pleasures. David, by God’s grace, continuously sought after God.
Our youngest daughter is a military wife and so she and her husband (and now their daughter) relocate about every two years. She was our daughter who loved staying at home. God brought her husband to her with his Air Force career and so they have alot of experience looking back, transitioning and looking ahead. She has blossomed far more than I could have imagined with all the moving, making new friends, exploring their latest locale, finding yet another church home. Over and over she has said that as long as they remain in God’s will, all will be well. My husband and I once moved 5 times in 7 years. I did not handle those as gracefully as she has handled theirs. She has several “go to” verses that keep her grounded. Her faith is so strong. Each time they receive their next assignment I make it a point to pray for all of our military men, women, spouses and children as they move and adjust. God lead them. God be with them. God be their strength and shield.
This study has been amazing so far. It’s given me a whole new perspective on the Psalms!
Today’s post is so relevant, as I am currently transitioning between jobs. I pray for continued peace, patience, and courage to do what’s right as I close the door on my current job. Lord, may my words and actions reflect my Teacher, Your glorious Son, in a positive way. May I bring glory to You even in the darkest of places. In Jesus’ name, amen and amen!
@Melanie Praying for you – healing and family reconcilation
@Erica Chiarelli @Rebecca Fuller, @Michelle Patire Praying for you during your transition, peace and protection from worry/anxiety/fear. God has you in the palm of His hand, in the shadow of His wings. Michelle, Psalm 62 is one of my favorites – I will be checking out the song recommendation <3
Praying over the other requests that have been shared. Have a blessed day, ladies!
Psalm 71 really spoke to me today. I felt like it described me to a “tee”. I’ve grown up as a believer. I remember my paternal grandma being my kindergarten Sunday school teacher, doing Advent wreaths at Christmas, and always going to church and Sunday school.
Angie Mills, I want to thank you for what you wrote yesterday. I’ll be reading and rereading it over the next few days. Today would have been my older sons 37th birthday — he’s spending it in Heaven — and tomorrow marks 19 years that he will have left earth and gone to Heaven. I know one day I will see him again. He was a devote Christian even at the age of 18.
Be blessed and remember God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are there for you no matter what sisters.
God’s Word is often so perfectly timed in our lives! I’m in a season of massive transition, and am sadly experiencing a lot of anxiety because of it. I’m starting counseling, and seeking to maintain healthy rhythms, but would love prayer that I would truly trust in and abide with God. I say that He is good and can be trusted, but do I really believe it? Please pray for me that I would not only believe it, but live in it! ❤️
My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a few years ago. Thankfully, mercifully, it has progressed slowly, but every once in a while I can see how far it has overall and it can be a sober reminder that life is so temporary here. I sat out on our new back patio (had the concrete poured in late July) and sat in the morning crisp while our chickens started their day and the other birds added to the chorus and prayed Psalm 71 over him. I then sent him verses 14-24 to him. He is a man of God, has been since his teenage years, and I am so thankful to have a godly Father, even with a family and husband of my own. What a legacy he has left to the next generation. Beautiful scriptures this morning – thanks be to God!
I may be thinking of this weird, but how is it that David had such a personal relationship with God? I thought that only the high priest could really communicate with God until Jesus came and the veil was torn, yet David is personally crying out to God. Any thoughts?
@ Gwendolyn Vincent thank you for your encouragement. I meant a lot to me. @ Victoria E. I’m so happy to see you here again! I’ve been thinking and praying for you. Thank you so much for your encouragement as well. I remember reading books to my children when they were babies. I enjoyed every moment of it.
@Erica I am praying for your family and I know that God can be trusted. May He send you the help you need for you and your husband and entire family. Amen
Wow. The devotional is on point for me, again. I am in a season of transition. At church on Sunday, we sang songs that spoke of Jesus being out rock & firm foundation. There is also a song I have been listening to “Psalm 62 (For God Alone)” by Paul Zach. I found it randomly but it has been an anthem for me. “He alone is my rock & my salvation. I will not be shaken. All my hope is in Him.” God is my rock!!!
Thank you @Lexi B for your empathy & prayers. God bless you for working in mental health — I know that job was probably very challenging. Yet God calls us to the dark places, we are needed. I pray your new adventure in business with the Lord is bringing you peace and hope. I know it requires a lot of faith but may God bless your obedience :) I think of you often as I feel God calling me to a new “adventure” soon, too!
God has definitely been my fortress & rock, as we are waiting on Him…we have to move by Oct. 1st & we don’t know where He has us go yet. My hubby also needs a job, he has a YouTube Channel, but it hasn’t been enough financially to support us and our kids. But God always provides!!! He has been so good! Please pray that God would give us wisdom, we would follow Him by faith & trust Him… it’s hard packing up too….but He is good!
Amen and Amen! Katherine Wolf was so inspiring on the podcast. She is a wonderful example of God’s promises and faithfulness. Thank you for sharing her story. Her love of the Lord throughout her life through serious adversity is inspiring.
Amen
Website glitch again with a “Day 8” loop. If anyone else is having trouble, today’s devo is showing as Day 8 (should be 9) titled Prayers for God’s Blessing, written by Melanie Ranier and Scriptures are Psalm 71:1-24 and 72:1-20.
Thank you KELLY (NEO) for your prayers, yesterday was a stressful start to the week.
RHONDA J – you are probably thinking of ERB. I haven’t seen her here in a long time, and I haven’t spotted a response when I (or anyone else) has posted that she is missed.
ERB – hope you are doing well. Your insights are amazing and you are missed!
KIMBERLY ZIEHL – praying for your dad’s surgery and your family.
MARI V – you’ve got this! Praying for insight, comprehension and retention along with wisdom and guidance as you go through these courses. You and God CAN do this!
MELANIE – praying for your health and your family
“I am like a miraculous sign to many, and you are my strong refuge” (Psalm 71:7)
That’s the truth of the gospel right there, isn’t it?? It was no secret, David lived a less than perfect life… absolutely he was a man who loved and followed God – and we cannot forget he was a faulted human who did some pretty atrocious things with his power as well. And yet- he stood as a testament of a God who not only forgives- but continues to bless those He loves. His children. His faulted, messed up, “try it again” children. I believe that is one of the miraculous signs that his life demonstrated- for everyone to see that even in our imperfections, OUR GOD still seeks after us, is continually faithful to us, and it’s never because of us, and always because of His eternal goodness. ❤️
Although I am not old yet, I have always loved Psalm 71, especially verses 14-18. I believe it is because the Lord graciously saved me at a young age and has given me the opportunity to work with children so much. Over the years, these verses have become my anthem.
14 But I will hope continually
And will praise You more and more.
15 My mouth will tell about Your righteousness
And Your salvation all day long,
Though I cannot sum them up.
16 I come because of the mighty acts of the LORD GOD;
I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17 God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still proclaim Your wondrous works.
18 Even while I am old and gray,
God, do not abandon me,
While I proclaim Your power
To another generation,
Your strength to all who are to come.
As we close Book II of Psalms, we are reminded of all the difficulties that David and the people of Israel faced during his reign. We see circumstances changing constantly and we are reminded of our own times.
No matter the circumstances we face or what emotions are stirred up within us during those changes, we can trust that God is with us. People change. Circumstances change. God never changes. He is the same yesterday and today and forever. We can trust God’s faithfulness. We can praise Him in the midst of all the changes because He is the faithful Rock upon Whom we can lay the foundation of our lives. No matter who comes against us, we can trust Him and run to Him because He is our Refuge, our Fortress, our Stronghold, and our Shield. Others may be against, but God is for us. Why should we be afraid or our souls downcast? We must cling to our hope and confidence in Jesus Christ at all times.
Amen
I need a rock and fortress today. I need to cling to Jesus above all. Pray as I continue to battle nut feeling well and for our families reconciliation.
Absolutely claiming and repeating the words of Psalm 71..and 72..
Looking back over this past year and where I am at now in this new season and new age..
These are words I shall take into this new season..
In you O Lord, I have taken refuge.
Be my rock.
For you have been my hope.
I will ever praise you.
Be not far from me, O God.
My mouth is filled with your praise.
Do not cast me away when I am old.
As for me, I shall always have hope: I will praise you more and more.
Though you have made me see troubles.. you will restore my life again.
I will praise you.
I will praise you.
I will praise you.
Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, my God.
Praise be to His glorious and life giving name forever.
BUT GOD..
Amen and Amen.
Extra special love and hugs wrapped so tightly in prayers for a God blessed day for all..❤
Kristen and Brandi – thank you for the prayers and sending some y’all’s way!
I recently moved so paragraph 3 stuck out. At times it has been hard but I am loving my new town. I am praying that God continues to lead me and am trying to make sure I take time to spend with Him in this transition.
Ps. 72:18-19
“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonders.
Blessed be his glorious name forever; the whole earth is filled with his glory.”
KIMBERLY ZIEHL – praying for your dad’s surgery. And for his troubled mind to understand that he has purpose and value.
MARI V – praying the Lord will help you and give you understanding.
CHURCHMOUSE – praying for your ear and other issues
SEARCHING – may the Lord give you peace as you help your family. May His love shine through you and be irresistible to them.❤
In psalm 71, the psalmist sounds so confident in the Lord. Yes, He is facing hardship but his mouth is full of praise. In other psalms we heard about the doubt and struggle with faith of the psalmist but here he is fully trusting in God. “I will hope continually and will praise you more and more.” (v.14) May my trust in God grow so that when I’m in my old age I’ve that same unshakeable faith.
Kimberley – continuing to pray for your father
Mari V – praying for your studies