Day 9 Morning Psalt Intake

During difficult times, it is very helpful to stop and remember all the ways that God has been there for you in the past. He is faithful and will see you through the hard seasons in your life.

Psalm 44

For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. A contemplative psalm.
1 We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the days of old. 2 You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad. 3 For they didn’t get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them. 4 You are my King, God. Command victories for Jacob! 5 Through you, will we push down our adversaries. Through your name, will we tread them under who rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us. 8 In God we have made our boast all day long, we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah. 9 But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and don’t go out with our armies. 10 You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take plunder for themselves. 11 You have made us like sheep for food, and have scattered us amongst the nations. 12 You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale. 13 You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us. 14 You make us a byword amongst the nations, a shaking of the head amongst the peoples. 15 All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face, 16 At the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger. 17 All this has come on us, yet have we not forgotten you, Neither have we been false to your covenant. 18 Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path, 19 Though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread out our hands to a strange god; 21 won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart. 22 Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter. 23 Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever. 24 Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body clings to the earth. 26 Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.
Revelation 19:9 “”Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”” Come Lord Jesus. Your bride, the church longs for your return!

Psalm 45

For the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song.
1 My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skilful writer. 2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever. 3 Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty. 4 In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds. 5 Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king’s enemies. 6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom. 7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. 8 All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad. 9 Kings’ daughters are amongst your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir. 10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father’s house. 11 So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord. 12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich amongst the people entreat your favor. 13 The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you. 15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king’s palace. 16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth. 17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.
Psalm 46 reminds me of the great hymn by Martin Luther, “A Might Fortress is our God”.
A mighty Fortress is our God, a trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil Foe now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; On Earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabaoth Lord, and there’s none other God; He holds the field forever.

Psalm 46

For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; 3 though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High. 5 God is within her. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn. 6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice, and the earth melted. 7 The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, see the LORD’s works, what desolation he has made in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted amongst the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.