May 29 - Evening
"To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.
Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts."
- Psalms 28:1-3
- Psalms 28:1-3
The King Separates from the Wicked and Seeks Deliverance
Psalm 28 begins with a lament (28:1-4) by the king of Israel concerning the need for a distinction between him (the righteous king) and the deceitful wicked. The words of his prayer are accompanied with the lifting of his hands, which could symbolize the reaching out to receive the Lord’s deliverance. But, since the king pleads in verse 28:1 that he not be “like those who go down to the pit,” it may be more likely that the raised hands symbolize the kings need to be rescued from the edge of the pit that will soon receive the wicked covenant breakers, the liars and the deceivers.
This king had worked with and governed with men who did not have the best interest of others in mind. They did not understand God’s nature of faithfulness and integrity. These wicked leaders would go down to the pit since they had spoken words of deception while forming covenants and contracts with others that appeared to promise peace and cooperation. The king wanted separation from these men and their deeds.
In verse 28:5 the priest presiding over this ritual on the temple mount (“your holy shrine” of 28:2) proclaims judgment on the wicked in response to the kings’ request. This priestly pronouncement of judgment came in the form of an oracle from the Lord saying that these wicked men do not understand the works of the Lord. Specifically, they do not understand the Lord’s covenant faithfulness and his integrity. Thus, these leaders operate treacherously. This is in stark contrast to the righteous king who has separated himself from the lying wicked. The king will be distinguished from them when the Lord strengthens the king and serves as the king’s shield (28:7). The Lord will rescue and deliver his anointed king who governs in the same manner as the Lord does, that is, with faithfulness and with integrity. The judgment of the wicked is based on the fact that “they do not understand the works of the Lord” and because of this they will be torn down and never rebuilt. When the Lord strikes them down they will never rise again.
In 28:6 the king responds to the priest’s pronouncement of judgment by blessing the Lord for having “heard the voice of my supplication” in 28:2.
Psalm 28 ends with the priest reflecting the king’s confidence and blessing onto the people of his kingdom (28:8-9).
Oikodespotes (Gr) – Householder (Eng) – oikodespotes is a Greek word that refers to the “master of a house” as in Matthew 10:25 and Luke 13:25. The verb oikodespoteo is the verb form used in 1 Timothy 5:14 that means “to rule a house.”
Do I share the sincerity of my thoughts with the Lord? Or, do I hide behind rituals and empty songs. Or, do I simply neglect sharing my thoughts, concerns and joys with the Lord? I will communicate honestly with the Lord. And, I will do it more often.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Concern for those that need help
Church
Unity
Nation
Global presence
World
Georgia
Someone to Quote
"Time can take nothing from the Bible. It is the living monitor. Like the sun, it is the same in its light and influence to man this day which it was years ago.
It can meet every present inquiry and console every present loss.”
- Richard Cecil
It can meet every present inquiry and console every present loss.”
- Richard Cecil
Something to Ponder
In the 1490’s Florence, Italy (180 miles from Rome, Italy) was ruled by the tyrant Lorenzo de Medici. Art and literature flourished at this time in the Renaissance culture in Florence along with wealth and materialism. Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican monk, came to Florence preaching against sin and excessive prosperity. (Savonarola was fully Catholic in his theology.) In 1494 France attacked Florence and overthrew the Medici family and Savonarola was made the new leader of Florence by popular demand. The people responded to Savonarola leadership with acts of repentance such as giving up their luxurious lifestyles while financial institutions returned ill-gotten gain. Savonarola preached against Pope Alexander VI’s lifestyle of scandal and immorality (The pope had several illegitimate children.) So, in 1495 Pope Alexander in Rome, ordered Savonarola in Florence to stop preaching. Savonarola did stop and retired to study alone, but after a year the Pope allowed Savonarola to resume public preaching. But, Savonarola picked up where he left off and the Pope excommunicated him. Florence rallied to Savonarola’s side, but the Pope demanded the city hand him over. Savonarola appealed to the other European states to demand the resignation of the Pope, but when none responded the Florentines handed Savonarola over to the two papal ambassadors. These ambassadors from the Vatican burned Savonarola in the beautiful piazza of Florence.
Here’s a Fact
The city of Khirbet Qeiyafa sets between Gath and Jerusalem. Yosef Garfinkel excavation of this site revealed a fortified city of six acres with a population of 600 people between the years of 1025-975 BC or King David’s reign (date supported by pottery and radiocarbon testing of olive pits). The extremely large ashlar stones in the fortification and building structures resemble Gezer and Hazor, which means they were built with the assistance of an organized city-state network. This gives validity to the biblical account of David as a national king, instead of the minimalists opinion that David was a mere legendary local chieftain.
Proverb
"The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
and seek to kill the upright."
- Proverbs 29:10
and seek to kill the upright."
- Proverbs 29:10
Coach’s Corner
Live today for someone else’s joy, for someone else’s plans, for someone else’s needs. Do this and you will live today!
Hosea 10
New International Version (NIV)
10
Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.
2
Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.
3
Then they will say, “We have no king because we did not revere the Lord. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?”
4
They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.
5
The people who live in Samaria fear for the calf-idol of Beth Aven. Its people will mourn over it, and so will its idolatrous priests, those who had rejoiced over its splendor, because it is taken from them into exile.
6
It will be carried to Assyria as tribute for the great king. Ephraim will be disgraced; Israel will be ashamed of its foreign alliances.
7
Samaria’s king will be destroyed, swept away like a twig on the surface of the waters.
8
The high places of wickedness will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel. Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
9
“Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, Israel, and there you have remained. Will not war again overtake the evildoers in Gibeah?
10
When I please, I will punish them; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bonds for their double sin.
11
Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her fair neck. I will drive Ephraim, Judah must plow, and Jacob must break up the ground.
12
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
13
But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,
14
the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated— as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.
15
So will it happen to you, Bethel, because your wickedness is great. When that day dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.
New International Version (NIV)
10
Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.
2
Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.
3
Then they will say, “We have no king because we did not revere the Lord. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?”
4
They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.
5
The people who live in Samaria fear for the calf-idol of Beth Aven. Its people will mourn over it, and so will its idolatrous priests, those who had rejoiced over its splendor, because it is taken from them into exile.
6
It will be carried to Assyria as tribute for the great king. Ephraim will be disgraced; Israel will be ashamed of its foreign alliances.
7
Samaria’s king will be destroyed, swept away like a twig on the surface of the waters.
8
The high places of wickedness will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel. Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
9
“Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, Israel, and there you have remained. Will not war again overtake the evildoers in Gibeah?
10
When I please, I will punish them; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bonds for their double sin.
11
Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her fair neck. I will drive Ephraim, Judah must plow, and Jacob must break up the ground.
12
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
13
But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,
14
the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated— as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.
15
So will it happen to you, Bethel, because your wickedness is great. When that day dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.
Psalm 37
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 37
Of David.
1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
2
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
6
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9
For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
10
A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
11
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
12
The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
13
but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
14
The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
15
But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16
Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
17
for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18
The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
19
In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20
But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
21
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;
22
those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.
23
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
24
though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
25
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
26
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
27
Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
28
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.
29
The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
30
The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
31
The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.
32
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death;
33
but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34
Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
35
I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
36
but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
38
But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.
39
The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40
The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
____
Psalm 71
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 71
1
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.
3
Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4
Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5
For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
6
From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.
7
I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.
8
My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
9
Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10
For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11
They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”
12
Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.
13
May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14
As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
15
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.
16
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17
Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
19
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?
20
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
21
You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
22
I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
23
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered.
24
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.
____
Psalm 94
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 94
1
The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
2
Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3
How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4
They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5
They crush your people, Lord; they oppress your inheritance.
6
They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
7
They say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8
Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10
Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11
The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
12
Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law;
13
you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14
For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
15
Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
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.
20
Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
21
The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22
But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23
He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 37
Of David.
1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
2
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
6
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9
For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
10
A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
11
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
12
The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
13
but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
14
The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
15
But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16
Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
17
for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18
The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
19
In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20
But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
21
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;
22
those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.
23
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
24
though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
25
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
26
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
27
Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
28
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.
29
The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
30
The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
31
The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.
32
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death;
33
but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34
Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
35
I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
36
but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
38
But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.
39
The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40
The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
____
Psalm 71
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 71
1
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.
3
Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4
Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5
For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
6
From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.
7
I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.
8
My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
9
Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10
For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11
They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”
12
Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.
13
May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14
As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
15
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.
16
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17
Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
19
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?
20
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
21
You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
22
I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
23
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered.
24
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.
____
Psalm 94
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 94
1
The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
2
Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3
How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4
They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5
They crush your people, Lord; they oppress your inheritance.
6
They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
7
They say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8
Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10
Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11
The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
12
Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law;
13
you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14
For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
15
Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
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.
20
Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
21
The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22
But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23
He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.