June 15 - Morning
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land."
- Psalms 95:1-5
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land."
- Psalms 95:1-5
YHWH: The Great God and The Great King
The psalmist acknowledges the Lord is the “great god” and the “great king” above all other gods. The highest form of worship is to hear and obey his voice. (Ps. 95:6-8)
In the Babylonian religions the god Marduk held kingship over the gods and, like him, Assyria religious hymns of King Assurbanipal declared the god Ashur to be the king of the gods who ruled supreme over the divine councils. Canaanite worshippers declared Baal to be above all, while Egypt worshipped Osiris as the “lord of eternity” and “king of the gods.”
In addition to worshipping the Lord by hearing and obeying his word, the Lord is to be worshipped with singing and shouting, with thanksgiving and with music and song.
The reason for the Lord’s rightful seat at the head of the divine council above all is because:
- The depths of the earth are today held in the Lord’s hand (Ps. 95:4)
- The extremities of the earth’s mountain tops belong to the Lord (Ps. 95:4)
- The sea is the Lord’s because he created it (Ps. 95:5)
- The was formed by the Lord (Ps. 95:5)
It is this Lord, the Creator and Sustainer from eternity, who is to be praised with thanksgiving, shouts and song. This Great King of all gods is the very Rock and Foundation of the worshipper’s salvation and deliverance.
Kzb (Hb) – to lie (Eng) - The Semitic root kzb, which means “to lie,” is found in Hebrew words which mean:
• “to prove to be a liar”
• “to accuse someone of a lie”
The Hebrew word akzab means “lying” and “deceitful.” Akzab is found in Jeremiah 5:18 and Micah 1:14. In Isaiah 58:11 akzab is used to refer to a spring of water.
• “to prove to be a liar”
• “to accuse someone of a lie”
The Hebrew word akzab means “lying” and “deceitful.” Akzab is found in Jeremiah 5:18 and Micah 1:14. In Isaiah 58:11 akzab is used to refer to a spring of water.
When was the last time that I worshiped in song, by myself, without a song leader or radio? “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.”
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Recharged mind and soul to reengage life
Church
Minister to the lonely
Nation
Terrorism
World
Holy See
Someone to Quote
"It is not bigotry to be certain we are right; but it is bigotry to be unable to imagine how we might possibly have gone wrong."
- G. K. Chesterton
- G. K. Chesterton
Something to Ponder
Louis IX (1214-1270), the King of France told de Joinville sometime between 1240 and 1254 the following:
"No one, unless he is an expert theologian, should argue with these people (the Jews). But a layman, whenever he hears the Christian religion abused, ought not to defend its tenets, except with the sword."
"No one, unless he is an expert theologian, should argue with these people (the Jews). But a layman, whenever he hears the Christian religion abused, ought not to defend its tenets, except with the sword."
Here’s a Fact
The existence of Pharaoh Hophra of Jeremiah 44:30 is confirmed by:
- Herodotus’s Histories
- Tablet reliefs from Abydos
- Palace at Memphis
- Babylonian Chronicles
Proverb
"Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord - how much more the hearts of men!"
- Proverbs 15:11
- Proverbs 15:11
Coach’s Corner
You will need passion to see your plans reach success.
1 Samuel 24
New International Version (NIV)
David Spares Saul’s Life
24 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.
14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”
16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
New International Version (NIV)
David Spares Saul’s Life
24 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.
14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”
16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
2 Kings 21
New International Version (NIV)
Manasseh King of Judah
21 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem I will put my Name.” 5 In the two courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.
7 He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the Lord had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. 8 I will not again make the feet of the Israelites wander from the land I gave their ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them and will keep the whole Law that my servant Moses gave them.” 9 But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.
10 The Lord said through his servants the prophets: 11 “Manasseh king of Judah has committed these detestable sins. He has done more evil than the Amorites who preceded him and has led Judah into sin with his idols. 12 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. 13 I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. 14 I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hands of enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their enemies; 15 they have done evil in my eyes and have aroused my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until this day.”
16 Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end—besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
17 As for the other events of Manasseh’s reign, and all he did, including the sin he committed, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 18 Manasseh rested with his ancestors and was buried in his palace garden, the garden of Uzza. And Amon his son succeeded him as king.
Amon King of Judah
19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz; she was from Jotbah. 20 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. 21 He followed completely the ways of his father, worshiping the idols his father had worshiped, and bowing down to them. 22 He forsook the Lord, the God of his ancestors, and did not walk in obedience to him.
23 Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated the king in his palace. 24 Then the people of the land killed all who had plotted against King Amon, and they made Josiah his son king in his place.
25 As for the other events of Amon’s reign, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 26 He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza. And Josiah his son succeeded him as king.
New International Version (NIV)
Manasseh King of Judah
21 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem I will put my Name.” 5 In the two courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.
7 He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the Lord had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. 8 I will not again make the feet of the Israelites wander from the land I gave their ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them and will keep the whole Law that my servant Moses gave them.” 9 But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.
10 The Lord said through his servants the prophets: 11 “Manasseh king of Judah has committed these detestable sins. He has done more evil than the Amorites who preceded him and has led Judah into sin with his idols. 12 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. 13 I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. 14 I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hands of enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their enemies; 15 they have done evil in my eyes and have aroused my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until this day.”
16 Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end—besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
17 As for the other events of Manasseh’s reign, and all he did, including the sin he committed, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 18 Manasseh rested with his ancestors and was buried in his palace garden, the garden of Uzza. And Amon his son succeeded him as king.
Amon King of Judah
19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz; she was from Jotbah. 20 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. 21 He followed completely the ways of his father, worshiping the idols his father had worshiped, and bowing down to them. 22 He forsook the Lord, the God of his ancestors, and did not walk in obedience to him.
23 Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated the king in his palace. 24 Then the people of the land killed all who had plotted against King Amon, and they made Josiah his son king in his place.
25 As for the other events of Amon’s reign, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 26 He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza. And Josiah his son succeeded him as king.
Psalm 134
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 134
A song of ascents.
1
Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.
3
May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.
____
Psalm 146
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 146
1
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
2
I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
4
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever.
7
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free,
8
the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.
9
The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10
The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord.
____
Psalm 147
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 147
1
Praise the Lord.
How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
4
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
5
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
6
The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.
7
Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.
8
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.
9
He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
10
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11
the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
12
Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion.
13
He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you.
14
He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15
He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
17
He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
18
He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
19
He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.
20
He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws.
Praise the Lord.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 134
A song of ascents.
1
Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.
3
May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.
____
Psalm 146
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 146
1
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
2
I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
4
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever.
7
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free,
8
the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.
9
The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10
The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord.
____
Psalm 147
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 147
1
Praise the Lord.
How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
4
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
5
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
6
The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.
7
Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.
8
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.
9
He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
10
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11
the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
12
Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion.
13
He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you.
14
He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15
He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
17
He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
18
He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
19
He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.
20
He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws.
Praise the Lord.