Psalm 126 – when, recalls a time of amazement when the Lord worked wonders, then uses that remembrance to provide hope. What else might we learn from this psalm? Psalm 126 Psalm 126 – when, is the seventh out of fifteen songs of ascents used by pilgrims to Jerusalem. Some posit that pilgrims recited a […]
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Psalm 125 – unshakeable, begins with the statement that those who trust in the Lord cannot be shaken – or in other translations, unshakeable. What does it mean to be unshakeable? Psalm 125 In Psalm 125, another song of ascents, the psalmist compares those who trust in the Lord to Mount Zion. “Those who trust […]
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If – a small but powerful word. It speaks of potential – if this had happened, or if this had not happened. What more might we learn about this word from Psalm 124 – If? Psalm 124 Psalm 124 is another song of ascents for pilgrims, this one attributed to David. Using poetic imagery, it […]
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Psalm 123 is a lament of one who has had enough and has nowhere else to turn. The writer turns to God in his need, like slaves who are dependent on their master. What might we learn about slaves from Psalm 123 – Slaves? Psalm 123 Psalm 123 is another song of ascents, recited by […]
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Jerusalem, a site of controversy and violence, a place of contradiction. Jerusalem, the city of David, is sacred to three different religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What might we learn about Jerusalem from Psalm 122 – Jerusalem? Psalm 122 Psalm 122 is a song of ascents, attributed to David. Pilgrims rejoice on their way to Jerusalem. […]
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I remember a story about man who gave his grandson a kite. The boy had been experiencing hardships, and his grandfather wanted him to look up. In the same way, Psalm 121 – lift my eyes, reminds us to look up, focus on God. Psalm 121 Psalm 121 is another song of ascents for pilgrims […]
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Distress is extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain; a state of danger or desperate need. Desperate times result in desperate measures. But sometimes escape from distress eludes us, as in the situation in Psalm 120 – distress. What can we learn about distress from Psalm 120? Psalm 120 Psalm 120 is the first of a series […]
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What does it mean to be blameless? Are any of us completely blameless? And what does Psalm 119 – blameless teach us about the word? Psalm 119 Just two weeks ago we reflected on the shortest psalm in the book of Psalms, Psalm 117. This week we reflect on the longest psalm in the book […]
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The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and all things green approaches, as well as March Madness. I’m a Michigan State Spartans fan – go green! But I have found myself reflecting on a less positive green — jealousy, the green-eyed monster. Jealousy and a Critical Spirit Many years ago, while a mother of young children […]
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Psalm 118 – good, begins and ends with the call to thank God for God is good. Why? What does it mean to say God is good? Psalm 118 The last of the Hallel psalms, Psalm 118 is a beautiful psalm, beloved by Matin Luther, and recited by Jesus on the night before he died. “Psalm […]
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