Psalms 1 - 10

At the pace we have been going it would take a year to get through just the Psalms, so I am going to read 4 pages of Psalms each day (In my ESV journaling Bible), which should take about 20 blog entries. Enjoy!

1:1-2 - I love that the Book of Psalms starts out with this passage. Blessed are those who make sure they stay away from evil things that are in opposition to God...blessed are those who spend time reflecting on God's truth and writing it on their hearts. There's a simple plan to live you life by!

2:6-7 and 12 - This is actually a prophetic Psalm about Jesus (See: Hebrew Chapter 1). God says, "You are my Son whom I have begotten." If God, Jesus and Spirit are One, how can the Son be "begotten"? In my mind the "begotten" happens when God places Himself into human form. Jesus became man, but remained God. There are too many NT scriptures that declare that Jesus and God are one (Hebrews 1 says that Jesus is the exact imprint of God - the SAME!). Blessed are those who dwell in Jesus.

3:3-4 - Good verses to remember when you are feeling attacked and defenseless. God is our shield and our protector...He lifts up our head from shame...He hears our cries and answers them. We know that it is going to be "okay."

4:7-8 - God will give you more joy than earthly success and riches ever could! That is so true, yet somehow I allow myself to forget that from time to time. I also love verse about lying down at night with peace in our hearts because we know God is with us. There are times when I am kept awake at night struggling with doubt and turmoil and fear...and the only thing that can bring peace to that chaos is finally clinging to the hope that comes from God.

5:4-6 - Be sure you never forget the full nature of who God is...He hates wickedness, conceit and violence...these are things that are opposite His nature and will bring His wrath.

6:4 - I love the raw emotions spilled out as David throws himself on the mercy of God. He knows that there is nothing he can do to save himself...he knows he is not worthy of deliverance, but he throws himself on the mercy of God's ever present love.

7:14-16 - David gives a great description on the creation and consequences of evil in the human life. As men seek to create evil, that evil gives birth to lies and vileness. These things take on a character of their own and become instruments of their creator's downfall. Men who give birth to evil will eventually see it come back to destroy them.

8:3-4 - Look around at the magnitude and the beauty of creation! Take time to see the fingerprints of God in the sky and on the earth (even here in Houston). How is it that the creator of all of this actually cares about me? How is it that you know me God? It is a sign of Your incredible love...thank you Lord.

9:7,9,12 and 18 - Look at the heart of God described in these verses: He is a ruler of justice. He is always concerned with the oppressed and afflicted. He is the one and only hope for the poor. As His followers...created in His image - should we not feel the same way?

10:1 - The psalmist is brutally honest here: God why does it seem like you are so far away when things are going terribly and people are being oppressed? The Psalm continues on like this for some time, but look to the end of the chapter...

10:17-18 - Even when it seems like God is far, the psalmist puts his trust in the fact that God is actually near. We must do the same. We know that God's heart is for the hurting and the oppressed and they will receive their justice.