Some days I don’t feel like singing; It’s easier to grumble or to become so caught in fear that I dwell there. Hebrews 13:15 talks about “a sacrifice of praise,” and sometimes it feels like a sacrifice to praise rather than wallow. Praise feels unnatural, grumbling and complaining feel much easier. But through faltering practice, I’m learning that praise is what we were made for, what all creation was made for (Psalm 96:12–13)—praise of its Creator.
When our hearts feel dull or hurt and we don’t know where or how to start a song of praise, we have the psalmist’s words. Let his faith carry ours until we can jump into the chorus of praise alongside him.
We can sing of God’s salvation (v.2); His glory and His wondrous works (v.3); His greatness (v.4); His identity as creator (v.5); His splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty (v.6); His reign (v.10); and His righteous and faithful justice (v.13). Worshiping our mighty God helps to loosen fear’s grip; in worship we are reminded about who our God really is.
And as we read the psalms, we see the psalmists calling us not only to sing but to move out from individual praise into proclamation praise: “Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples” (v.3), to “proclaim his salvation from day to day” (v.2).
Proclaiming His salvation could be telling someone of Jesus’s sacrifice for you and for them. It could also be telling them how the Lord is saving you today and forgiving your sins and redeeming you and making you more and more like Jesus. It could also be talking about His daily provisions and ways you see His goodness and mercy following you. In all of it, you are letting others in on the details of living this messy, beautiful life under the glorious truth that you are a child of God with the hope of heaven.
In our praising and proclaiming, we must never forget that we can only enter the Lord’s courts and come before Him with singing because of the precious blood of Jesus shed for us on the cross which we meditate on particularly in these days of Lent. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Lord graciously calls us His children and calls us into His courts, knowing our restless hearts will only find rest in Him. Rest in Him, beloved. At the feet of our Savior, self-conscious fears and grumbling can melt away, and we may find that we can’t help but to sing His praises and proclaim His salvation.
Father God, by Your grace and goodness, free us from our self-conscious fears, and give us courage to sing Your praises aloud to the watching world, proclaiming Your salvation from day-to-day.
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104 thoughts on "Psalms 96–102"
Amen and Amen!
Im a bit behind on my reading this week. But today is Sunday, a gift of a day, a day to breathe deeply and catch up. Read to huge chunk today and praying as I go whilst the house is quiet and the sun streams through the window. God thank uou for Sundays and for being my refuge!
Taking a quiet moment in the morning to reflect and find comfort in these readings changes the whole tone of the day. I saved a few of today’s verses to my online clipboard for encouragement.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:5
Amen ❤️
I chose Psalm 100:3 today – Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us and we are his – his people, the sheep of his pasture.
The Lord is God, his timing is superior, he is in control, not me. I don’t need to try to fix everything in my own power, I need to trust that God has it. I am his!! He loves me and wants what’s best for me, sometimes I lose sight of this in my grumbling. He made me, I’m not broken. I will praise him, he is worthy! Fear cannot hold me. Praying for all of your requests, she’s.
Psalm 101:3- I want to live a life sold out for God!
Complaining has felt second nature in a difficult season. This reminds me to proclaim and declare the Lord’s goodness boldly and in doing so, change the posture of my heart from complaining to praising!
“Worshiping our mighty God helps to loosen fear’s grip.” My heart needed this reminder today and my dog has been having a lot of health issues and it’s been keeping me up at night. Reminding myself I need to worship and praise God for who He is rather than let fear rule in my heart! Thank you Lord for encouraging me today.
Praying for healing for your dog and stillness for your mind, Amanda ❤️
Love what God loves. Hate what God hates.
Psalm 97:10 (NLT)-
“You who loved the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.”
He will protect us!
I really loved that too!
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“Father God, by Your grace and goodness, free ME from MY self-conscious fears, and give ME courage to sing Your praises aloud to the watching world, proclaiming Your salvation from day-to-day.”
Crashing cymbals & Crescendo!!
Sue praying for Steve. May his surgeon and surgical team be guided by the hand of our Lord, the Great Physician, may you and your family feel the presence of the Holy Spirit comforting you as you wait, may his recovery be smooth, and may the time the two of you have left together be quality time. In our Lord Jesus name I ask it. Amen.❤️
Beautiful reminders for my heart today, Kimberly. Thank you for sharing this with us ❤️ I am grateful for your honest reflection of what comes more easily. A sacrifice of praise, indeed!
Blessed Morning She’s, today’s reading reminded me of the song “How Can I Keep From Singing” by Christ Tomlin. God has been so good to us and oh so faithful.
We are walking through a storm right now, as a family, as my husband was let go from work. I am remembering that God is good no matter what and His name is to be praised.
Please pray that my husband will find a job soon.
Thank you, dear sisters.
I am praying now, Marina.
Lifting up your family now, Marina.
All of this morning’s readings are beautiful and I love them all! But this verse jumped out to me- “but you are the same and Your years have no end!” Ps 102:27
He is constant and always with us! We can offer up a sacrifice of praise because of Who He is!
Sacrifice Of Praise
Writer: Reba Rambo
Chorus
I will offer up the sacrifice of praise
I will offer up the sacrifice of praise
I will lift my hands unto the Lord
Bless His name forever more
And continually offer up the sacrifice of praise
Verse 1
The fruit of my lips shall be hosanna, alleluia
The song in my heart a melody of sweet communion
I will lift my hands unto the Lord
Bless His name forever more
And continually offer up the sacrifice of praise
Verse 2
I’ll not love Him only when He blesses me with sunshine
But all through the storm give thanks,
Trust His wisdom divine
I will lift my hands unto the Lord
Bless His name forever more
And continually offer up the sacrifice praise
Chorus 2
Hosanna, praise the Lord, alleluia!
Hosanna, praise the Lord, alleluia!
Hosanna, praise the Lord, hosanna, and alleluia!
And continually offer up the sacrifice of praise
Hosanna, praise the Lord, alleluia!
Hosanna, praise the Lord, alleluia!
It is a good thing to give thanks
Unto the name of the Lord
I will sing a new song
To magnify, to glorify His precious and holy name
I will lift my hands, I will praise the Lord
And worship the God of Israel
I will bless Him, I will worship the King of Kings
Oh, forever and ever and ever and ever
I will bless His name
For the good times, the bad times, the sunshine and rain
I will offer sacrifice of praise
© 1978 Designer Music/SESAC, Songs Of Rambo McGuire/SESAC
(Adm. By CapitolCMGPublishing.com)
Licensing: http://www.CapitolCMGLicensing
Praying for all today!
Amen!
Good Morning She’s!
These were the perfect Psalms today and devotional! My butterfly Stacey, whom I am with in a hotel room, released with nothing but the clothes on her back, her journal and bible- is not freaking out or worrying about how or where she is going to go tonight… tomorrow…next week. She is resigned that if we say we will trust and follow the Lord, then we must trust and follow the Lord. He will provide. please keep her in your prayers that she can stay at the one homeless place this week and that she can get in a shared house.
Ran out of time..thank you!
Praying for Stacey. Lord, thank you that she has a new beginning. We ask for your provision for her. Surround her with your angels to keep her from harm. Give her wisdom and strength to navigate life outside of prison. Holy Spirit cover her and keep her close. In Jesus name I pray.
Praying for provision for her!
Praying for Stacey and that God would lead her in her next steps.
Joining in prayers for new beginnings for Stacey
Praying for Stacey! It’s hard to imagine having to be that dependent on the Lord. Thank you to you, Rhonda, for being the hands and feet of Jesus for her. You are a blessing.
Psalm 94:16-19
New International Version
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
This scripture is a “go to” for me whenever I feel overwhelmed with my circumstances. I love to share this with others when they need encouragement. You sisters are such a blessing to me! Your comments, prayers, and song shares really carry me sometimes when things are hard! I don’t comment to everyone but I assure you that every prayer request is being prayed for.
thank you , I will share with Stacey today.
These were the words I needed today, as I have some hard meetings that are causing me a little bit of anxiety. And I love this short prayer at the end of the devotional— “Father God, by Your grace and goodness, free us from our self-conscious fears, and give us courage to sing Your praises aloud to the watching world, proclaiming Your salvation from day-to-day.” May we all find peace and rest in this truths today. Amen.
Amen!! prayers for you, for you are one of OUR great prayer warriors!!
Praying peace over your meetings tonight, Maria.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee. How great thou art,how great thou art.”
Psalm 102:17 ” He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute and will not despise their prayer.”
In all his greatness and glorious news,He pays attentito us!
How great He is indeed! Jack loved this song and it was sung at his celebration of life. Amen and Amen!
(heart) I am glad we are reminded of things that are so dear to the ones we live and lost (temporarily!). My mom loved this one and Blessed Assurance!
Help me to enter your courts with thanksgiving, Lord! Write a new song on my heart,
It is good to read these Psalms this morning. Praise, adoration, rejoicing, worship and thanksgiving. It is indeed not always easy and when we get to Psalm 102 we read the cries of distress and the pleas. This is the tension of a fallen world that we live in and both can be true and happen simultaneously. We can give an outpouring of praise to our awesome God and call out for Him to hear us and He meets us in the very moment we are in.
Heavenly Father, thank you that no matter where our hearts are at you are near and we can rejoice in you. Help me to not get weighted down by the struggles, anxiety and chaos around but to look to you, the One who rules and reigns above it all. Remind me of your love and faithfulness and that you are good. May my voice bring praise to you Lord for you are greatly to be praised. Amen
Amen
Psalm 97:12 NLT
May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord
and praise his holy name!
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SONG SHARES:
1) For a lively round of praise, check out this cover of Amy Grant’s older song by The Collingsworth family:
Sing Your Praise To The Lord (Live At The Fisher Center For the Performing Arts Nashville, TN 2024) Gaither Music TV
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2) For the one whose heart may not feel like shouting out praise this morning, here is a softer option:
Pat Barrett – Praise The Lord Forever (Live)
Partial lyrics:
For the one who’s brokenhearted
And it’s hard to sing this song
Cuz’ you’ve been walking through the valley
And your faith is feeling small
I pray peace and love surround you from the God who understands
As the family all around you lifts your arms up when you can’t
So join the choir of creation
With the song of the redeemed
Oh come on church
Lift your voice and sing
We will praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord forever
Bless His name
Let all within me sing
Praise the Lord forever
Oh we will praise the Lord
Praise the Lord forever
Bless His Name
Let all within me sing
Praise the Lord forever
Praise the Lord forever
Praise the Lord forever
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Father thank You for Your faithful love! In Jesus name, Amen
Amen! For those with kiddos or grandkids, one of my favorite books to read with my nanny kids is “Little Lion Lungs” by Brandon and Brittany Lake. Today’s verses reminded me of the story of the little cub trying to find a gift fit for a king and yet, all the king desires is our praise! Happy Tuesday She’s!
I love that! I remember him reading it to his boys when showing it’s publishing!
Praying!
Beautiful
Amen!
Dear Father, Help me to rejoice in You today, to cast aside all that troubles my heart. May I sing praise to Your name and declare Your glory, for You are righteous and worthy of praise.
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The LORD reigns
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He remains the same
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Great is the LORD
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Praying for Grammiesue and Steve.
Be blessed today my sisters.
❤
Sharon, holding you and your heart close in prayer..
Great is the Lord indeed..
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Much love and prayers Sharon..❤️
Amen
Good morning, Ladies!
Steve will be having brain surgery this morning to remove as much of the tumor as they can without causing more damage. Please pray for the surgeon and all who will be assisting. For Steve, me and our family as we wait to hear. And for a smooth recovery as well.
I haven’t asked how much time we have…
I am reminded that 4 years ago they gave him 18 months to live…and he’s been here beyond that! It is all in God’s time…I am thankful for the extra years and I will be thankful for whatever we have left. I would like whatever is left to be quality time for Steve.
Thank you for your prayers. I will post after surgery but it will be 4-6 hrs surgery so it could be late.
Thank you all and hugs to each of you. ❤️
Praying, Sue!
Praying for Steve and for you! Especially praying wisdom for the doctors and peace and comfort for you as you wait.❤️
Praying for you and the team surrounding you!
Praying so hard for you both – may you feel His arms wrapped around you.
Praying
Praying for Steve’s surgery and for you as you wait! Psalm 91 comes to mind.
“He will cover you with his feathers, you will take refuge under His wings.”
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Praying for Steve, the surgeons and hospital staff helping with his surgery and for you today.
Praying Sue. May the Lord’s presence, peace and courage be near; the Lord’s mighty hand be guiding the surgeon and medical team in every way, at every moment. ❤️
SUE, What a blessing ti hear from you!!! Joining in prayer for you, Steve, and the medical team – for successful removal, no unexpected issues, smooth recovery, and peace and comfort for whatever time you have together, and especially for your heart as you wait through this surgery.
Hugs, dear Sue! ❤
Praying that God will give you a peace that passes understanding and that He will give the hand of the servant guidancem
oh it’s so good to hear an update, You have been on my mind so often and I pray! I will pray that the surgery is successful and gives Steve more time to spend with his family. I love that you give praise for the miracle of the extended time beyond what the doctors said. I am praying for your faith, strength, and overflowing peace today and ahead
Sweet sister, we are all praying for you and for a successful surgery for Steve! May our awesome God guide the surgeon’s hands as he operates. Sometimes in these situations I find myself saying “it’s in God’s hands now” but I should be reminding myself that it’s been in God’s hands the entire time. When Jack went on hospice they gave him 4-6 months but he lived 14 months. God is absolutely in control!
Boldly praying for you both and for the surgery team!
Lifting Steve and you in prayer. ❤️❤️
Praying for the surgical team, for Steve, and for you and your family as you wait. The waiting is so hard, and I am reminded of the song “Sovereign Over Us” by Michael W. Smith. Here are the first couple verses…
There is strength within the sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting
You’re sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You’re teaching us to trust
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
You’re faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
You are wisdom unimagined
Who could understand Your ways
Reigning high above the Heavens
Reaching down in endless grace
You’re the lifter of the lowly
Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me
And Your promises are my delight
Praying for you and Steve. Wisdom for all who are in that surgery!
Praying!!
Praying!
Praying ❤️
GRAMSIESUE, praying fo Steve and his surgery. Praying for the hands of his surgeon to be guided by the great Physician himself.
Sue, I lift the family and yourself up too in the waiting, hard though it may be, praise the Lord, praise His Holy Healing name. Great is the Lord, great is His Holy name..
Sending youband yours love covered in prayers across the pond, dearest Sue..❤️
Praying with all our sisters for you and your family. I live in the St Louis region. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I pray you know God is holding you and loves you.
Praying for you and Steve. Guidance for the surgeons and peace for you and your family while you wait for word. Sending you love and hugs. ❤️
Sue, I am sure that Steve may be out of surgery now. I pray for him in the recovery time and you and your family as you are right there with him. I pray that the Lord would give you strength and peace in the days to come.
Praying Sue! He is already a living miracle – hold onto that!
I’ve been praying for Steve and his doctors throughout the day, will continue to pray for a speedy recovery and positive prognosis.
Amen!
Verses that got my attention:
Ps 96:4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
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Ps 97:10a You who love the Lord, hate evil!
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From Enduring Word:
“i. It may be that this command is one of the most often broken among God’s people. We find it easy to be too loving, or rather express a twisted love that pretends to both love the LORD and love or accept the things that He hates.
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ii. It is possible for us to be angry at sin or evil, without truly hating it. We may be angry at the trouble sin causes, but not hate it enough to repent and forsake our sin.”
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Ps 99:5
Exalt the Lord our God,
And worship at His footstool—
He is holy.
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Ps 99:6c
They called upon the Lord, and He answered them.
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So much praise in the chapters, tempered by God’s judgment –
Ps 101:5,7-8
5
Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,
Him I will destroy;
The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart,
Him I will not endure.
7
He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house;
He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.
8
Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.
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Ps 102:18 This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.
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Shout to the Lord, written by Darlene Zschech
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My Jesus, my Savior
Lord, there is none like You
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
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My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
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Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
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I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You
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GRAMSIESUE praying for you and Steve
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Lord, may I forever have a song in my mouth and praise in my heart. You are worthy!
Amen❤️
Amen
“Worshiping our mighty God helps to loosen fear’s grip; in worship we are reminded about who our God really is.” This ❤️
For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations. Amen!
Seeing in today’s Psalms Joyful Gratitude, that Lent is not just sorrow, it’s returning to a Good and Faithful God. Desiring a practice of intentional Thanksgiving.
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Praise (Psalms 96–100)
“You are holy, glorious, and worthy…”
Surrender (Psalms 97–98)
“Your kingdom come in my life…”
Dependence (Psalm 100)
“You are my shepherd; I trust You…”
Confession (Psalms 99, 101)
“Cleanse me and make me walk in integrity…”
Honest need (Psalm 102)
“Hear my prayer in my weakness…”
Hope (Psalm 102)
“You are eternal; I rest in You.”
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Worship>Surrender>Dependence>Repentence>Trust
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Love this!
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So many verses today…whew! When all is said and done, Psalm 100:5 sums it up:
“For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever;
his faithfulness, through all generations.”
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GRAMSIESUE – lifting up you and Steve in prayer today. May the Lord bring you His peace and wisdom and healing.
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DANA F – praying all went well with your dad’s surgery.
❤️
Amen
Indeed there is so much that is hard and worthy of grumbling over! Yet, I’m reminded from Psalm 100 that if we are the sheep of His pasture, then He leads us beside still waters and makes us lie down in green pastures. He offers us the care and protection that should make all the hard stuff bearable. May we give it all to Him today and rest in His unfailing mercy and love! Amen.
There is so much to bemoan,
So much that tugs at ones heart,
So much to feel uneasy about,
So much watched slipping away,
So much held on to,
So much to cry over,
So much unhappiness,
So much ill feeling,
So much uncertainty,
So much to pray for, into and over,
So much.
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So much.
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BUT GOD..
The Psalms we are reading today tell of praising, praising well, even when.., PRAISE, because in the praising there is a relief that comes because, Dear, Wonderful, Father God, brings us a peace and lifts our disheartened hearts.
Tucked away at the end of Psalm 102:25-28, we read that God is the same since the beginning, never changing, all may slip away, expire, but, He will remain, and in His remaining He will take care, protect and guide the next generation, and the one after that, and the next,,
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May your praise be forever on my lips LORD GOD, in the good, the bad, the ugly.. yep, even when.., for it is in YOU and only YOU, that we find rest, peace and the Hope we So long for..
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AMEN.
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Happy Tuesday dear hearts..
Much love, wrapped in prayers.❤️
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I will bless the LORD at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth..(Psalm 34:1)
Thank you, Tina beautiful way to start the day with a praise on our lips knowing our God ever changes. Have a beautiful day.
“ praising, praising well, even when…”
Praying for strength of faith to praise even when…
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thank you Tina! for the reminder that even when all feels lost, we have hope♥️
I thought of you as I watched “Every Praise” video last night! ❤
Reminds me of the song “Even If” by Mercyme
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Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the Earth!
❤️