Day 2 Morning Psalt Intake

Some Psalms are to be sung to the tune of a melody which was well known at the time. While this Psalm is to be sung to the tune of a song with a rather depressing title, the Psalm itself is upbeat and reminds us of the blessing of being thankful.

Psalm 9

For the Chief Musician. Set to “The Death of the Son.” A Psalm by David.
1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in your presence. 4 For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously. 5 You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished. 7 But the LORD reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgement. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgement to the peoples in uprightness. 9 The LORD will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. 11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion, and declare amongst the people what he has done. 12 For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted. 13 Have mercy on me, LORD. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death; 14 that I may show all of your praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion, I will rejoice in your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken. 16 The LORD has made himself known. He has executed judgement. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah. 17 The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. 19 Arise, LORD! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight. 20 Put them in fear, LORD. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah.
The Psalmist is struggling with the feeling that God is indifferent to his troubles. It is an honest struggle. I think we all feel this way sometime. Hopefully, like the Psalmist we will struggle through with God until we settle once again in the truth that He is always with us and for us.

Psalm 10

1 Why do you stand far off, LORD? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 2 In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise. 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns the LORD. 4 The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God. 5 His ways are prosperous at all times. He is haughty, and your laws are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them. 6 He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble.” 7 His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity. 8 He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. 9 He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net. 10 The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength. 11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it.” 12 Arise, LORD! God, lift up your hand! Don’t forget the helpless. 13 Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account?” 14 But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none. 16 The LORD is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land. 17 LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear, 18 to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.
The Lord is in His holy temple and on His throne in heaven. Remember that in Christ, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place where we can draw near to God. He is ever present and ever watchful over His people.

Psalm 11

For the Chief Musician. By David.
1 In the LORD, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain!” 2 For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 The LORD is in his holy temple. The LORD is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men. 5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates. 6 On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the LORD is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.