Text: Psalm 118:1-29
n this 2-week reading plan, we are assuming a posture of thanksgiving before the Lord by meditating on ten Psalms of Gratitude. Rather than provide a written response to each Psalm, we have offered a simple yet meaningful activity designed to help us recall God’s mercies to us and through time. So grab a journal, and let’s create our own songs of thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 118
Thanksgiving for Victory
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Let Israel say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me
and put me in a spacious place.
The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is my helper,
Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in nobles.
All the nations surrounded me;
in the name of Yahweh I destroyed them.
They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
in the name of Yahweh I destroyed them.
They surrounded me like bees;
they were extinguished like a fire among thorns;
in the name of Yahweh I destroyed them.
You pushed me hard to make me fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!
The Lord’s right hand is raised.
The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!”
I will not die, but I will live
and proclaim what the Lord has done.
The Lord disciplined me severely
but did not give me over to death.
Open the gates of righteousness for me;
I will enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous will enter through it.
I will give thanks to You
because You have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
This came from the Lord;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Lord, save us!
Lord, please grant us success!
He who comes in the name
of the Lord is blessed.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God and has given us light.
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords
to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give You thanks.
You are my God; I will exalt You.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Dig Deeper:
Our circumstances change, but God and His faithful love remain unchanged. Use the structure of verses 1-9 in David’s psalm to write a personal song of thanks to God. Contrast the unique details of your changing life with God’s unchanging truth.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Let ____________ say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
Let the house of ____________ say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
I called to the Lord in________________;
the Lord answered me
and ______________________________.
The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is my helper,
Therefore, _________________________.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to_____________________________.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to ____________________________.
(adapted from verses 1-9)
The details change. God remains the same.
Hello She Sisters! My husband and I have been away for two weeks to Paris and Northern Ireland so I kinda got out of my routine, because of that – I’ve missed you all! But now I’m home (as of 1:00 a.m. this morning) and ready to get back to my normal daily routine. Praying for your requests, as always – as I read them, and as I remember them during my day.
@Heidi – praying you get all your work done today – well before 1:00 a.m. And thank you for organizing this “in between” study!
@Rhonda – continuing to pray for your ministry to those who are in prison. Keep doing what you’re doing – shining and sharing the light of Jesus. Your labor is not in vain!
@Katie L. – praying for your coming weeks. Whatever it is – God sees, He knows, He’s got this!
A Blessed Wednesday to you all!
Who saw it?!?! There it is!
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. :)
Two finals to take/complete today, and a research paper. All need to be completed by 1:00am (but let’s all pray they’ll be done before then!! ha!). I need wisdom, understanding, recall, clarity… Prayers for Kin and for God to fulfil the desires of her heart in His perfect way and timing… THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, FRIENDS… ❤️
MARTHA: praying safe travels today and a memorable, fulfilling weekend with your 2 grandbabies! :)
SEARCHING: I can’t even with you!! lol!! So I type in the comments box thoughts/prayers/comments as I read the scriptures… then I just keep select/copy what I’ve written and then eventually finish and submit. I wrote my prayer requests before I even saw what you had written you were praying over/for me… I just can’t – it has to be the Spirit…. it encourages me, thank you❤️
RHONDA: Prayed for you this morning and what God is going to hear and speak through you! Prayed for the women to have a refreshed understanding and experience and renewal of their hearts and minds that God is so for them, so in love with them, and that they may begin to believe and see the world through His eyes of grace – and see themselves through that lens as well. That they will see He has purpose for them – still – and plans for them and hopes and dreams and so much faithful love for them. When we were SINNERS – in the middle of our depravity- is when He chose to die. He doesn’t wait for ANY.ONE. to “get it together” for Him.. He asks us to come to Him in the humility needed to let Him see the brokenness and bring healing… I swear, I treat it sometimes that I have to fix it first – or at least show Him I’m trying… but how backwards. That’s like trying to fix my broken arm before deciding to let the doctor take a look and apply her expertise to it! OR- worse – thinking I need to HIDE it from the doctor when THAT’s what she is there for in the FIRST PLACE!! How ridiculous! But.. I’m still learning. ;) Have FUN bringing His love to them today!!! ❤️
THERESA- You’re not alone in those thoughts… AND – for all of us, they are a lie. God has said clearly over and over – by. my. GRACE. you ARE SAVED. It is endless grace. And if you can earn even a smidge of it, it’s no longer grace – it’s YOU. He never tires of helping you because He died for you. And not begrudgingly, but willingly and in hope. Not that you would never need Him – He KNOWS you need Him ,that’s the point :) Praying your heart can recognize His great, precious love and grace for you today. He has no disappointment over you – ever. He literally delights in you, His daughter – you literally bring Him joy. I pray you can experience that today!! :)
KATIE L- praying for what is between you and God and that He will be glorified by whatever is the outcome :) Praying His wisdom and strength to guide your steps and lead your mind and that you may have all you need when the enemy comes against your plans to glorify your loving Father… :)
CEE-GEE- sooooooo goooooood!!!!!!!! :) :)
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation. – Psalms 118:14. One year ago today my dad tried to take his life and let us all shaken. So many of you women came and prayed for me and my family during that time I cannot thank you enough! God is truly good even though that truly terrible time in our lives. Our story is a true testament of Gods love for us. My dad who was never a church goer now goes to church. Truly so many god winks through the whole thing. Thank you ladies for all your prayers! Happy Wednesday.
@Michelle Patire. Thank you for this prayer for Theresa and for all of your Sister She’s. This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it. ❤️
In Jesus Always today, spoke about choices and His love. “You may have assumed that your choices are mostly insignificant, but this is not true. A good decision you make today, however small, may set you on a path to accomplish something very important. A bad decision, seemingly minor, can lead to serious failure or loss in the future. Though your choices do indeed matter, remember that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Me. (Here’s the important part), I am able to see all your flaws and failures, yet simultaneously LOVE YOU with GLORIOUS, UNFAILING LOVE.” Rhonda, I worked in prison ministry for 3yrs. A men’s medium security and I never discussed how they ended up there, unless they shared. They had the need to know someone cared and going to Christ they could be forgiven, that weighed on them a lot. Your listening and showing you care is huge. Sharing the Word, gives them hope. Thank you for doing this important ministry. Bless you.
Good morning, She’s! Thank you all for your insight – I get so much more from every day through your postings. Michelle I wish you would “take us to church!” Often I find what you all post are convicting/encouraging you is convicting/encouraging to me as well!
If I could ask for prayers today and in the coming weeks – the Lord knows the details. Taking refuge in the Lord today and not trying to take things in my own hands or looking to friends for validation and comfort – if God is for me who can stand against?!
HEIDI – Lifting you in prayer this morning for the strength of the LORD to bring you victory!
RHONDA J – praying for God to fill you with His words for the women you will be speaking to at the prison today.
THERESA – praying as you requested!
SEARCHING – ❤
May we all boldly proclaim “The LORD is my STRENGTH and my song!”
Sharing this from Enduring Word Commentary – “The LORD is my strength and my song: Quoting Miriam’s song (Exodus 15:20), the singer knew not only that God could bring strength and a song, but that Yahweh Himself became their strength and the song of those who put their trust in Him. Going even further, the psalmist understood that Yahweh had become his salvation. Yahweh is these things for His people.
i. When the LORD is our strength, it means that He is our resource and our refuge. We look to Him for our needs, and we are never unsatisfied.
ii. When the LORD is our song, it means that He is our joy and our happiness. We find our purpose and life in Him, and He never disappoints.
iii. When the LORD is our salvation, it means we put our trust for help and deliverance in none other. He is our rest and rescue.
iv. With all this true, it emphasizes the importance of seeking God Himself when we need strength, a song, or salvation. Often we seek the things themselves, sometimes as even detached from God Himself. To seek God and to receive Him is to receive all these profound gifts.”
Prayers Theresa! It is growth! It takes time, but you are moving toward him, and that is amazing!! Watch Him work in you dear sister!!