One week ago today, I was sitting at a picnic table waiting for my son to meet me. I had decided I was going to read Psalms start to finish. The wind; however, was strong and finding Psalm 1 seemed just not meant to be. Psalm 85 is where I began my journey through Psalms. On this day; I had just finished a 3 day retreat the day before. While feeling close to God, the weekend was over and normal life, while not bad, was heating up.
I read Psalm 85 and found it of great comfort, enough so I sent a WhatsApp to my wife saying it was worth a read. The next day (last Tuesday), Psalm 86 was a nice follow-up read. I continued on throughout the week reading Psalm 87 to Psalm 93.
Today, was the first day after my wife finished the same retreat I went on, just for woman. Again; I had started the day with a Psalm, reading Psalm 94. This was good, I thought to myself. I reread the Psalm 94 to my wife and prayed with her a version of Psalm 94:22. It went something like this, “God, be our fortress and our Rock in whom we take refuge…”
What a great way to start another week.
PS: Found a nice link with a ton of talks at SermonCentral on Psalm 85 – something for me to go back to later.
Psalm 85 (NIV)
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.[b]
3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
4 Restore us again, God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 85:1 In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14.
- Psalm 85:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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