“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him all you peoples!” Psalm 117:1
This short psalm contains a powerful Gospel message. The apostle Paul helps us understand it in Romans 15:11, where he quotes it as proof that the Gospel was intended not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles. This truth offended many Jews, yet they had often sung these very words: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and laud him, all you people.” [1]
Some Jewish writers believed this psalm referred to Messiah’s kingdom. One suggested that its two verses represent two groups of people who would glorify God—the Jews and the Gentiles. Yet together they would become one church, just as these two verses form one psalm. [2]
For many centuries, God’s Name was known and praised mainly in Judah. The people of Israel worshiped the true God, while the surrounding nations worshiped idols made of wood and stone. The Gentiles were not invited to worship with Israel unless they first became Jews through circumcision. [3]
Psalm 117 looks forward to something greater. It calls all nations to praise the Lord. This could not have been completely fulfilled during Old Testament times because the Gentile nations had not yet received God’s message in a way they could understand it. [4]
With the coming of Christ, everything changed. The Gospel was commanded to be preached to every nation. Through Christ, the barrier between Jew and Gentile was removed. Those who had once been far from God were brought near. In Ephesians 3:3, 6, God confirms that these events fulfilled His plan that the Gentiles would become fellow heirs with His people. [5]
Notice that everyone is invited into God’s church. The invitation is extended to all nations and all peoples. The same nations that once opposed Christ in Psalms 2:1 are now invited to become His willing followers. In Mark 16:15, Jesus commanded that the Gospel be preached to all people, and people from every nation are responding and becoming His disciples. [6]
Our heavenly Father’s welcome is magnified by His repeated call to praise the Lord. He invites both Jews and Gentiles to come before Him. In the Gospel, we learn that our Abba Father so loved the world that He gave His beloved Son for us, so that whosoever among us believes in Him would not perish but HAVE everlasting life. Thus, we have good reason to come together as one people and praise the Lord.
Those whom God calls by His Word and transforms by His Spirit are greatly blessed. He makes them a people who bring Him honor and praise. This beautiful picture is fulfilled in Revelation 7:9–10 where people from every nation are worshiping before our Abba Father’s throne. [7]
“For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 117:2
We, Jew and Gentile, believers in Christ should glorify God together because He has been merciful and kind to us.
God’s mercy is ample enough to forgive all our sins. In Romans 5:20, the Word of the Lord says, “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”
The spread of the Gospel to people that were so unlike God demonstrated His desire to include them in His eternal kingdom. Some missionaries were martyred for their witness in foreign lands. Others lost spouses and children due to accidents and severe illnesses. God gave up His beloveds to save the souls of idolators.
Praise the Lord because His truth endures forever. In the past, powerful people have made numerous efforts to silence God by confiscating Bibles and killing preachers, but failed. The Word of the Lord continues to spread throughout the earth.
In 2 Timothy 2:8-9, the apostle Paul wrote, “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained.” Paul was glad to report that though authorities had him tied down, God’s Word was flowing freely.
The ceaseless flow of God’s Word to the nations demonstrates the reality that God spoke of in Psalm 147:15: “He sends His command to the earth. His Word runs swiftly.”
In 2 Thessalonians 3:1, the Scripture teaches us to be zealous for the swift flow of God’s Word to the nations and that God would receive all the glory: “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you.”
Paul’s testimony reminds me of the testimony of Pastor Samuel Lamb in Guangzhou, China. He was imprisoned by authorities for 20 years for preaching the Gospel. However, while he was in prison, the Word of the Lord continued to spread rapidly through the efforts of his church’s members. The Word of the Lord ran very swiftly while he was in prison.
In Jeremiah 1:12, the Lord said to Jeremiah, “I am watching to see that My Word is fulfilled.”
Praise God, we do not have to fret or worry about God’s truth reaching the nations. Every day God is working in numerous ways to reach people. Jesus still walks about our highways and byways sharing good news with the least, the last and the lost. He does this by His Spirit through us who love Him. I am so glad that He welcomes us to join with Him in spreading His good news to all people everywhere. Glory to God!
[1-7] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
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Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
I Love the Lord – Psalm 116
“I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.” Psalms 116:1
Have you ever expressed deep concerns to someone who refused to talk to you about it? David expressed love for God because God listened to him and He responded to his concerns.
“Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore, I will call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalms 116:2
When David spoke, the Lord turned to him. When others disappeared, the Lord appeared. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe humbled Himself to listen to his prayers. Amazing!
David responded to the Lord’s kindness by telling Him that he loved Him.
It is likely that people in the Gospels verbalized their love for Jesus, but the only account where someone tells Jesus, “I love you” happens in John 21:15-17. In this passage, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Each time, Peter responded, “You know that I love You.” It is likely that Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to verbalize his love for Him due to the fact that Peter had previously denied knowing Him three times. My point here is that it is easy to forget to tell the Lord that we love Him, but we should.
To love the Lord our God is the first and great commandment. Since God has shown such great love and compassion toward us, we should gladly and frequently express our love for Him.
Since God loves us, why should we look anywhere else for help? David resolved to call on God “as long as I live.” “Prayer is the breath of the believer until our final breath.” [1]
“The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.” Psalms 116:3
David describes himself as surrounded by death. Perhaps, King Saul and his army was close to capturing him. Perhaps, he was looking at corpses on a battlefield. In any case, David felt the presence of death around him. Like Christ, he was overwhelmed with sorrow. In Mark 14:34, Jesus told His disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
“Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!’” Psalms 116:4
Prayer to God was not David’s last resort. David’s “go-to” response to a death threat was prayer. His prayer was simple: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul.” He asked God to save his soul in the Name of the Lord.
“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.” Psalms 116:5
The words of Psalms 116:5 express David’s belief in God. He viewed God as righteous, gracious and merciful. These three expressions made me think of the Trinity: the righteous Father works among us through His Son and His Spirit. Jesus the Son (also known as the Word of God) and the Holy Spirit are God’s grace and mercy working among us.
“The Lord preserves the simple. I was brought low, and He saved me.” Psalms 116:6
“Simple” describes those who are so low that they are unable to help themselves. They have no human remedy for their problem. They need Jesus to intervene for them just as He did for people in the Gospels. Along the highways and byways, Jesus stopped and rescued them.
God strengthened David to keep praying. God’s people are never so low that He cannot reach them. In Deuteronomy 32:36, it is written, “The Lord will vindicate His people and relent concerning His servants when He sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.”
“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalms 116:7
David tells his soul to rest in God. The Lord did for him more than he could ask or imagine. The words, “Return to your rest, O my soul” are fitting words both when a day and a life ends. [2]
“For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” Psalms 116:8
The Lord delivered David’s soul from death. Every day of life is a gift from God. [3]
The Lord spared David’s eyes from tears. Sometimes God removes the cause of our sorrow, and sometimes He strengthens us so that sorrow does not overwhelm us. One day, in heaven, God will wipe away every tear forever. [4]
The Lord kept David’s feet from falling. When we are close to stumbling, God holds us by His right hand. In Psalms 73:2, 23, it is written, “As for me, my feet had almost slipped. I had nearly lost my foothold. Yet I am always with You. You hold me by my right hand.” [5]
“I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalms 116:9
As long as David lived, he was determined to walk before the Lord. To walk before the Lord means to live daily with awareness that God sees you. In Genesis 17:1, the Lord said to Abraham, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me faithfully and be blameless.” [6]
The fact that we are still “in the land of the living” should inspire us to serve God faithfully. Life is a gift of God’s mercy. [7] Life is an opportunity to love God and people.
“I believed therefore I spoke, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’” Psalms 116:10
David says, “I believed, therefore have I spoken.” Although he suffered while waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled, he continued to trust God and speak openly about his faith. [7]
Paul quotes these words in 2 Corinthians 4:13, applying them to himself and to other ministers who suffer for the Gospel’s sake. Even though they suffered for Christ, they continued to pray to God. Prior to the quote, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”
“I said in my haste, ‘All men are liars.’” Psalms 116:11
Perhaps David was thinking of King Saul, Joab or Michal. All three of them betrayed his trust. He might have been thinking about Samuel’s promise to him that he would be the king. In 1 Samuel 27:1, David doubted, saying, “I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul.”
Even strong believers struggle at times due to trials. In Matthew 11:2-6, after being imprisoned by King Herod, John the Baptist sent his followers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Instead of criticizing others when they struggle, we should encourage them to keep on believing. Jesus affirmed John’s faith in Messiah by sending to him reports of the miracles that were happening.
“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” Psalms 116:12
David realized that God had blessed him in countless ways. God also blesses us in many ways. A good question to ask ourselves each day is: “What shall I render unto the Lord?” [8]
“I will take up the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord.” Psalms 116:13
When the Lord handed David the cup of salvation, he drank it by faith. He accepted the cup that God placed into his hands, but did call on the Lord’s Name for help to drink it. The cup of salvation involves suffering for the sake of saving others. When we walk with God, we share in His sufferings for others. Like Jesus in John 18:11, David accepted God’s will without complaint.
“I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people.” Psalms 116:14
Jesus found His ultimate delight in doing the will of His Father. In John 4:34, He told His disciples, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” He faced immense physical and spiritual anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, but prayed in Matthew 26:39 to the Father, “Not as I will, but as You will.”
In Acts 26:15-19, after Jesus met with Paul and explained God’s purpose for his life, Paul applied himself to do it. He told King Agrippa, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.”
When God reveals to us the purpose for our life, we should commit to do it. To pay a vow is to fulfill a commitment. For example, being a missionary for Christ in a foreign land. At first, the idea of being His ambassador may sound exciting, especially if you enjoy touring foreign lands. However, once the works begins, nice accommodations, restaurant dining and sightseeing ends. You learn to speak a new language, do manual labor, plus you build and maintain relationships with people who are different than you. You will be persecuted if the nation is antichristian. In such a case, paying your vow to the Lord will really test your love for Him.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15
God values the lives of His people. He did not allow David’s enemies to destroy him. Sometimes God protects His servants from danger, sometimes He allows them to be martyred. Martyrs are precious to God. The martyrdom stories of Stephen in Acts 8 and of James in Acts 12 are written with words that endear us to them.
“O Lord, truly I am Your servant. I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds.” Psalms 116:16
Although David was a king, he was born to a mother who served God. God used her example to free David from being bound to a selfish lifestyle. Thus, David gladly served the Lord.
“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!” Psalms 116:17-19
David worshipped God and prayed to Him in the presence of God’s people. He was not seeking attention for himself but demonstrating to everyone that he was not ashamed to serve the Lord. His public worship encouraged others to praise God as well. [9]
David began Psalm 116 with four important words: “I love the Lord.” To love the Lord our God is the first and great commandment. Since God has shown such great love and compassion toward us, let us gladly and frequently express our love for Him.
[1-9] Material developed, added to, and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Have you ever expressed deep concerns to someone who refused to talk to you about it? David expressed love for God because God listened to him and He responded to his concerns.
“Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore, I will call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalms 116:2
When David spoke, the Lord turned to him. When others disappeared, the Lord appeared. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe humbled Himself to listen to his prayers. Amazing!
David responded to the Lord’s kindness by telling Him that he loved Him.
It is likely that people in the Gospels verbalized their love for Jesus, but the only account where someone tells Jesus, “I love you” happens in John 21:15-17. In this passage, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Each time, Peter responded, “You know that I love You.” It is likely that Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to verbalize his love for Him due to the fact that Peter had previously denied knowing Him three times. My point here is that it is easy to forget to tell the Lord that we love Him, but we should.
To love the Lord our God is the first and great commandment. Since God has shown such great love and compassion toward us, we should gladly and frequently express our love for Him.
Since God loves us, why should we look anywhere else for help? David resolved to call on God “as long as I live.” “Prayer is the breath of the believer until our final breath.” [1]
“The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.” Psalms 116:3
David describes himself as surrounded by death. Perhaps, King Saul and his army was close to capturing him. Perhaps, he was looking at corpses on a battlefield. In any case, David felt the presence of death around him. Like Christ, he was overwhelmed with sorrow. In Mark 14:34, Jesus told His disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
“Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!’” Psalms 116:4
Prayer to God was not David’s last resort. David’s “go-to” response to a death threat was prayer. His prayer was simple: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul.” He asked God to save his soul in the Name of the Lord.
“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.” Psalms 116:5
The words of Psalms 116:5 express David’s belief in God. He viewed God as righteous, gracious and merciful. These three expressions made me think of the Trinity: the righteous Father works among us through His Son and His Spirit. Jesus the Son (also known as the Word of God) and the Holy Spirit are God’s grace and mercy working among us.
“The Lord preserves the simple. I was brought low, and He saved me.” Psalms 116:6
“Simple” describes those who are so low that they are unable to help themselves. They have no human remedy for their problem. They need Jesus to intervene for them just as He did for people in the Gospels. Along the highways and byways, Jesus stopped and rescued them.
God strengthened David to keep praying. God’s people are never so low that He cannot reach them. In Deuteronomy 32:36, it is written, “The Lord will vindicate His people and relent concerning His servants when He sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.”
“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalms 116:7
David tells his soul to rest in God. The Lord did for him more than he could ask or imagine. The words, “Return to your rest, O my soul” are fitting words both when a day and a life ends. [2]
“For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” Psalms 116:8
The Lord delivered David’s soul from death. Every day of life is a gift from God. [3]
The Lord spared David’s eyes from tears. Sometimes God removes the cause of our sorrow, and sometimes He strengthens us so that sorrow does not overwhelm us. One day, in heaven, God will wipe away every tear forever. [4]
The Lord kept David’s feet from falling. When we are close to stumbling, God holds us by His right hand. In Psalms 73:2, 23, it is written, “As for me, my feet had almost slipped. I had nearly lost my foothold. Yet I am always with You. You hold me by my right hand.” [5]
“I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalms 116:9
As long as David lived, he was determined to walk before the Lord. To walk before the Lord means to live daily with awareness that God sees you. In Genesis 17:1, the Lord said to Abraham, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me faithfully and be blameless.” [6]
The fact that we are still “in the land of the living” should inspire us to serve God faithfully. Life is a gift of God’s mercy. [7] Life is an opportunity to love God and people.
“I believed therefore I spoke, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’” Psalms 116:10
David says, “I believed, therefore have I spoken.” Although he suffered while waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled, he continued to trust God and speak openly about his faith. [7]
Paul quotes these words in 2 Corinthians 4:13, applying them to himself and to other ministers who suffer for the Gospel’s sake. Even though they suffered for Christ, they continued to pray to God. Prior to the quote, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”
“I said in my haste, ‘All men are liars.’” Psalms 116:11
Perhaps David was thinking of King Saul, Joab or Michal. All three of them betrayed his trust. He might have been thinking about Samuel’s promise to him that he would be the king. In 1 Samuel 27:1, David doubted, saying, “I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul.”
Even strong believers struggle at times due to trials. In Matthew 11:2-6, after being imprisoned by King Herod, John the Baptist sent his followers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Instead of criticizing others when they struggle, we should encourage them to keep on believing. Jesus affirmed John’s faith in Messiah by sending to him reports of the miracles that were happening.
“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” Psalms 116:12
David realized that God had blessed him in countless ways. God also blesses us in many ways. A good question to ask ourselves each day is: “What shall I render unto the Lord?” [8]
“I will take up the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord.” Psalms 116:13
When the Lord handed David the cup of salvation, he drank it by faith. He accepted the cup that God placed into his hands, but did call on the Lord’s Name for help to drink it. The cup of salvation involves suffering for the sake of saving others. When we walk with God, we share in His sufferings for others. Like Jesus in John 18:11, David accepted God’s will without complaint.
“I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people.” Psalms 116:14
Jesus found His ultimate delight in doing the will of His Father. In John 4:34, He told His disciples, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” He faced immense physical and spiritual anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, but prayed in Matthew 26:39 to the Father, “Not as I will, but as You will.”
In Acts 26:15-19, after Jesus met with Paul and explained God’s purpose for his life, Paul applied himself to do it. He told King Agrippa, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.”
When God reveals to us the purpose for our life, we should commit to do it. To pay a vow is to fulfill a commitment. For example, being a missionary for Christ in a foreign land. At first, the idea of being His ambassador may sound exciting, especially if you enjoy touring foreign lands. However, once the works begins, nice accommodations, restaurant dining and sightseeing ends. You learn to speak a new language, do manual labor, plus you build and maintain relationships with people who are different than you. You will be persecuted if the nation is antichristian. In such a case, paying your vow to the Lord will really test your love for Him.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15
God values the lives of His people. He did not allow David’s enemies to destroy him. Sometimes God protects His servants from danger, sometimes He allows them to be martyred. Martyrs are precious to God. The martyrdom stories of Stephen in Acts 8 and of James in Acts 12 are written with words that endear us to them.
“O Lord, truly I am Your servant. I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds.” Psalms 116:16
Although David was a king, he was born to a mother who served God. God used her example to free David from being bound to a selfish lifestyle. Thus, David gladly served the Lord.
“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!” Psalms 116:17-19
David worshipped God and prayed to Him in the presence of God’s people. He was not seeking attention for himself but demonstrating to everyone that he was not ashamed to serve the Lord. His public worship encouraged others to praise God as well. [9]
David began Psalm 116 with four important words: “I love the Lord.” To love the Lord our God is the first and great commandment. Since God has shown such great love and compassion toward us, let us gladly and frequently express our love for Him.
[1-9] Material developed, added to, and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Monday, July 6, 2026
Blessed to Be with God – Psalm 115
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.” Psalm 115:1
All glory belongs to the Lord’s Name because everlasting life is ours due to His mercy and truth. Our lives on earth in our current bodies are short compared to eternity. What statistics can we accumulate? What accolades can we display when it is God who will sustain us throughout eternity. Only He can do that!
Some praise human achievements, but none compare with God’s. He gives to us who believe in Him an all-expense paid trip to heaven. There, He takes care of us for the rest of our eternal lives.
In Galatians 6:14, it is written, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The one deed that made the difference for yours and my eternity was the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our salvation. Thus, it is best to boast of Christ as Paul did in Galatians 2:20,and say, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
God, in His mercy, reveals to us the truth about our origin, and about the spiritual world in which we live. “Thank You heavenly Father for revealing Yourself to us!”
The first request that we make to God in the Lord’s Prayer is, “Hallowed be Your Name.” Only after praying for His glory do we ask in this prayer for help with our daily needs. [1]
God takes note of the Christians who are defamed for His glory. In Hebrews 10:32-33, it is written, “Recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated.” In Acts 5:41, the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Lord’s Name. In John 3:30, John the Baptist said of Christ, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
“Why should the Gentiles say, ‘So where is their God?’” Psalm 115:2
Those who did not know the Lord wanted to know where He was. Why did they ask this? Did they really want to know God? The Gentiles had visible “gods” which they created out of clay, wood and metal. They could see them. Israel’s God was invisible to the human eye. Perhaps, the Gentiles were mocking the Israelites because they had no physical images of their God.
“But our God is in heaven. He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3
God Almighty reigns from heaven above. He created people not vice versa. His universe is much greater than puny planet earth. Created things reflect His glory, but they are not Him.
His majesty surpasses the majesty of all earthly kings put together.
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak. Eyes they have, but they do not see. They have ears, but they do not hear. Noses they have, but they do not smell. They have hands, but they do not handle. Feet they have, but they do not walk, nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them. So is everyone who trusts in them.” Psalm 115:4-8
Instead of asking where Israel’s God is, the Gentiles should ask where is the life in their “gods.” They formed their “gods” with their hands from substances that they took from the earth. It is unreasonable to worship something that has no life in it. None of their features worked. [2]
Those who trust in idols become like them. They and their idols are spiritually dead to God. In Romans 1:23-31, God speaks of giving idolators over to a debased mind to do shameful deeds. The inability to control one’s moral behavior is a sign of not abiding in Christ.
Our new life in Christ cannot sin, but our sinful fleshly self can do nothing other than sin against God. Understood correctly, Paul’s words in Romans 7:20 and Romans 8:11 make perfect sense. He wrote, “It is no longer I myself who commits evil, but it is sin [the old sin nature] living in me.” “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.”
To abide in Christ is to have the greatest king, Jesus Christ, reign on the throne of your heart. Jesus dethrones the lesser kings of sinful self, death and the devil. God replaces the hatred in us with His love. In Romans 5:5, it is written that God has poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given to us.
“O Israel, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield.” Psalm 115:9
Israel and every nation should confidently place themselves in God’s hands. He works all things for the good of those who trust Him to be their help and shield. [3]
“O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield.” Psalm 115:10
Aaron represents the priests and ministers of God. Those who stand before God on behalf of others to lead them should demonstrate faith in God. Spiritual leaders are often the primary targets of God’s enemies. [4] Our faith in God during times of testing inspires our followers to trust in God as well. In Ephesians 6:16, Paul told Christians, “Take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
“You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield.” Psalm 115:11
God extends His mighty help and gracious protection to all who fear, love and trust Him. Those who read and believe God’s Word will see that God is faithful to keep His promises. [5]
“The Lord has been mindful of us. He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron.” Psalm 115:12
Jesus told us that our heavenly Father knows our needs. He answers our prayers. Every blessing that we enjoy springs forth from His love for us. Even when we forget Him, He never forgets us. His past faithfulness gives us confidence to trust Him today. [6]
“He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.” Psalm 115:13
God’s blessings are more than kind words. He is actively at work doing good deeds for His people. His blessings are for young and old; rich and poor; and for mature believers and new believers alike. Everyone who fears Him is precious in His sight. [7]
“May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children.” Psalm 115:14
God’s blessing helps families to grow, wisdom to increase, knowledge to deepen, and joy to become fuller. Those whom God makes more like Christ are truly blessed. [8]
God’s blessings continue throughout our lives. He increases us until we reach spiritual maturity. As it is written in Proverbs 4:18, “The path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” [9]
In Psalm 115:14, the Lord speaks of increasing us and our children. In Deuteronomy 7:9, we are exhorted to, “Know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” [10]
“Thank You heavenly Father for keeping covenant with us and our children. Thank You for showing mercy to us and to our children for a thousand generations.”
“May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:15
God made the heaven and earth. He keeps the sun, moon, stars and planets in their places. He tends mountain peaks and ocean depths. His resources are unlimited. Nothing is beyond His power. He who made heaven and earth blesses us in many ways. [11]
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s, but the earth He has given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16
God has given the earth to us to cultivate and enjoy. One day, He will require an account of how we used His gifts. [12] He promises the “joy of the Lord” to us if we serve Him well here on earth.
“The dead do not praise the Lord, nor any who go down into silence.” Psalm 115:17
God gives to us believers in Him new bodies after our earthly service ends. Praise God for that! But once we die, our opportunities to be witnesses for Christ on earth are over. Psalm 115:17 reminds us to make the most of every opportunity to serve the Lord. [13]
“But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 115:18
Acknowledging our blessings from God and blessing Him in return is a great way to pass our time here on earth. As long as we are here, we should bless the Lord. God blesses us generously, so we should gladly bless Him in return generously. “Bless the Lord O my soul!”
[1-13] Material developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
All glory belongs to the Lord’s Name because everlasting life is ours due to His mercy and truth. Our lives on earth in our current bodies are short compared to eternity. What statistics can we accumulate? What accolades can we display when it is God who will sustain us throughout eternity. Only He can do that!
Some praise human achievements, but none compare with God’s. He gives to us who believe in Him an all-expense paid trip to heaven. There, He takes care of us for the rest of our eternal lives.
In Galatians 6:14, it is written, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The one deed that made the difference for yours and my eternity was the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our salvation. Thus, it is best to boast of Christ as Paul did in Galatians 2:20,and say, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
God, in His mercy, reveals to us the truth about our origin, and about the spiritual world in which we live. “Thank You heavenly Father for revealing Yourself to us!”
The first request that we make to God in the Lord’s Prayer is, “Hallowed be Your Name.” Only after praying for His glory do we ask in this prayer for help with our daily needs. [1]
God takes note of the Christians who are defamed for His glory. In Hebrews 10:32-33, it is written, “Recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated.” In Acts 5:41, the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Lord’s Name. In John 3:30, John the Baptist said of Christ, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
“Why should the Gentiles say, ‘So where is their God?’” Psalm 115:2
Those who did not know the Lord wanted to know where He was. Why did they ask this? Did they really want to know God? The Gentiles had visible “gods” which they created out of clay, wood and metal. They could see them. Israel’s God was invisible to the human eye. Perhaps, the Gentiles were mocking the Israelites because they had no physical images of their God.
“But our God is in heaven. He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3
God Almighty reigns from heaven above. He created people not vice versa. His universe is much greater than puny planet earth. Created things reflect His glory, but they are not Him.
His majesty surpasses the majesty of all earthly kings put together.
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak. Eyes they have, but they do not see. They have ears, but they do not hear. Noses they have, but they do not smell. They have hands, but they do not handle. Feet they have, but they do not walk, nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them. So is everyone who trusts in them.” Psalm 115:4-8
Instead of asking where Israel’s God is, the Gentiles should ask where is the life in their “gods.” They formed their “gods” with their hands from substances that they took from the earth. It is unreasonable to worship something that has no life in it. None of their features worked. [2]
Those who trust in idols become like them. They and their idols are spiritually dead to God. In Romans 1:23-31, God speaks of giving idolators over to a debased mind to do shameful deeds. The inability to control one’s moral behavior is a sign of not abiding in Christ.
Our new life in Christ cannot sin, but our sinful fleshly self can do nothing other than sin against God. Understood correctly, Paul’s words in Romans 7:20 and Romans 8:11 make perfect sense. He wrote, “It is no longer I myself who commits evil, but it is sin [the old sin nature] living in me.” “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.”
To abide in Christ is to have the greatest king, Jesus Christ, reign on the throne of your heart. Jesus dethrones the lesser kings of sinful self, death and the devil. God replaces the hatred in us with His love. In Romans 5:5, it is written that God has poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given to us.
“O Israel, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield.” Psalm 115:9
Israel and every nation should confidently place themselves in God’s hands. He works all things for the good of those who trust Him to be their help and shield. [3]
“O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield.” Psalm 115:10
Aaron represents the priests and ministers of God. Those who stand before God on behalf of others to lead them should demonstrate faith in God. Spiritual leaders are often the primary targets of God’s enemies. [4] Our faith in God during times of testing inspires our followers to trust in God as well. In Ephesians 6:16, Paul told Christians, “Take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
“You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield.” Psalm 115:11
God extends His mighty help and gracious protection to all who fear, love and trust Him. Those who read and believe God’s Word will see that God is faithful to keep His promises. [5]
“The Lord has been mindful of us. He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron.” Psalm 115:12
Jesus told us that our heavenly Father knows our needs. He answers our prayers. Every blessing that we enjoy springs forth from His love for us. Even when we forget Him, He never forgets us. His past faithfulness gives us confidence to trust Him today. [6]
“He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.” Psalm 115:13
God’s blessings are more than kind words. He is actively at work doing good deeds for His people. His blessings are for young and old; rich and poor; and for mature believers and new believers alike. Everyone who fears Him is precious in His sight. [7]
“May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children.” Psalm 115:14
God’s blessing helps families to grow, wisdom to increase, knowledge to deepen, and joy to become fuller. Those whom God makes more like Christ are truly blessed. [8]
God’s blessings continue throughout our lives. He increases us until we reach spiritual maturity. As it is written in Proverbs 4:18, “The path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” [9]
In Psalm 115:14, the Lord speaks of increasing us and our children. In Deuteronomy 7:9, we are exhorted to, “Know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” [10]
“Thank You heavenly Father for keeping covenant with us and our children. Thank You for showing mercy to us and to our children for a thousand generations.”
“May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:15
God made the heaven and earth. He keeps the sun, moon, stars and planets in their places. He tends mountain peaks and ocean depths. His resources are unlimited. Nothing is beyond His power. He who made heaven and earth blesses us in many ways. [11]
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s, but the earth He has given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16
God has given the earth to us to cultivate and enjoy. One day, He will require an account of how we used His gifts. [12] He promises the “joy of the Lord” to us if we serve Him well here on earth.
“The dead do not praise the Lord, nor any who go down into silence.” Psalm 115:17
God gives to us believers in Him new bodies after our earthly service ends. Praise God for that! But once we die, our opportunities to be witnesses for Christ on earth are over. Psalm 115:17 reminds us to make the most of every opportunity to serve the Lord. [13]
“But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 115:18
Acknowledging our blessings from God and blessing Him in return is a great way to pass our time here on earth. As long as we are here, we should bless the Lord. God blesses us generously, so we should gladly bless Him in return generously. “Bless the Lord O my soul!”
[1-13] Material developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Miracles of God – Psalm 114
“When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion.” Psalm 114:1-2
Psalms 114 reflects on the miracles of God. God teaches us in the Scriptures to keep the memories of His mighty miracles fresh in our minds. The devil’s goal is to get us to forget God’s miracles so that we lose confidence in God’s ability to help us.
God brought Israel out of slavery with great power. They did not escape secretly or flee in fear. They left Egypt openly and victoriously with dignity and honor. [1] Psalm 105:43 says that God brought forth His people with joy, His chosen ones with singing.
Although they lived among the Egyptians, the Israelites preserved their own language and identity. Thus, the language of their oppressors was strange to them. In a sense, they fulfilled what Jesus said about His sheep hearing His voice and not listening to the voice of a stranger.
After delivering Israel, God established them as His sanctuary—the people among whom He would dwell. In 1 Peter 2:9, God speaks of His people as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that they may proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.
God’s Word to Pharoah King of Egypt was “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” God delivered them so they could serve Him in holiness and righteousness all their days. [2]
God placed His sanctuary among His people, where He revealed His presence and received their worship. [3] Praise God! He is also revealing His presence and receiving our worship nowadays.
“The Sea saw it and fled. Jordan turned back.” Psalm 114:3
God opened the Red Sea and the Jordan River before His people. God rolled out the red carpet for them. God also opens heaven for us who believe in Him as our souls depart from these earthly bodies.
In Isaiah 51:10, it is written, “Are You not the One who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that made the depths of the sea a road for the redeemed to cross over?”
“The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O, little hills, like lambs?” Psalm 114:4-6
When God descended on Mount Sinai to give His Law to Moses, the mountains shook, but in the verses above the mountains are skipping about as carefree lambs. The connotation here seems to be that even great mountains that are not apt to get up and move for anyone, skipped for joy when Israel walked with God in close communion.
“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” Psalm 114:7
In Exodus 15:15, we read that the chiefs Edom were dismayed, the mighty men of Moab trembled and all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away at the news of what God had done. The Red Sea and the Jordan could not stand in Israel’s way because God led them. [4]
When God decides to deliver His people, there is no sea too deep and no river too wide for Him to cross. There is no obstacle too great for God to overcome. He removes every barrier. [5]
Just as the sea gave way before Israel, darkness gives way before Christ. In Mark 1:34, demons fled from Him. [6] In Acts 19:19, pagans forsook their magic books and embraced Jesus. God drove out evil spirits from them and filled them with His Holy Spirit.
God’s saving work changes the human heart. Sinful desires lose their draw. Prejudice, pride, and unbelief melt away. [7] The Holy Spirit brings every thought into joyful service unto Christ.
“He turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of waters.” Psalm 114:8
In 1 Corinthians 10:4, it is written that the rock which yielded water for Israel to drink “was Christ.” And as Israel received life-giving water from the rock, we believers and professors of Christ receive spiritual life from His Holy Spirit who dwells within us. He is the fountain of living water, supplying us with grace upon grace. [8]
Just as death gave way before Christ on His resurrection day, death shall not keep us from Christ when these earthly bodies die. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, God explains to us that at death “the body is sown in corruption. It is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness. It is raised in power. It is sown a natural body. It is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:49, God promises that “as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man,” that is, Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!
The same God who redeemed Israel from slavery, has made redemption from sin, death and devil available to us. In John 3:16, Jesus says to us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
[1-8] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Psalms 114 reflects on the miracles of God. God teaches us in the Scriptures to keep the memories of His mighty miracles fresh in our minds. The devil’s goal is to get us to forget God’s miracles so that we lose confidence in God’s ability to help us.
God brought Israel out of slavery with great power. They did not escape secretly or flee in fear. They left Egypt openly and victoriously with dignity and honor. [1] Psalm 105:43 says that God brought forth His people with joy, His chosen ones with singing.
Although they lived among the Egyptians, the Israelites preserved their own language and identity. Thus, the language of their oppressors was strange to them. In a sense, they fulfilled what Jesus said about His sheep hearing His voice and not listening to the voice of a stranger.
After delivering Israel, God established them as His sanctuary—the people among whom He would dwell. In 1 Peter 2:9, God speaks of His people as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that they may proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.
God’s Word to Pharoah King of Egypt was “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” God delivered them so they could serve Him in holiness and righteousness all their days. [2]
God placed His sanctuary among His people, where He revealed His presence and received their worship. [3] Praise God! He is also revealing His presence and receiving our worship nowadays.
“The Sea saw it and fled. Jordan turned back.” Psalm 114:3
God opened the Red Sea and the Jordan River before His people. God rolled out the red carpet for them. God also opens heaven for us who believe in Him as our souls depart from these earthly bodies.
In Isaiah 51:10, it is written, “Are You not the One who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that made the depths of the sea a road for the redeemed to cross over?”
“The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O, little hills, like lambs?” Psalm 114:4-6
When God descended on Mount Sinai to give His Law to Moses, the mountains shook, but in the verses above the mountains are skipping about as carefree lambs. The connotation here seems to be that even great mountains that are not apt to get up and move for anyone, skipped for joy when Israel walked with God in close communion.
“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” Psalm 114:7
In Exodus 15:15, we read that the chiefs Edom were dismayed, the mighty men of Moab trembled and all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away at the news of what God had done. The Red Sea and the Jordan could not stand in Israel’s way because God led them. [4]
When God decides to deliver His people, there is no sea too deep and no river too wide for Him to cross. There is no obstacle too great for God to overcome. He removes every barrier. [5]
Just as the sea gave way before Israel, darkness gives way before Christ. In Mark 1:34, demons fled from Him. [6] In Acts 19:19, pagans forsook their magic books and embraced Jesus. God drove out evil spirits from them and filled them with His Holy Spirit.
God’s saving work changes the human heart. Sinful desires lose their draw. Prejudice, pride, and unbelief melt away. [7] The Holy Spirit brings every thought into joyful service unto Christ.
“He turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of waters.” Psalm 114:8
In 1 Corinthians 10:4, it is written that the rock which yielded water for Israel to drink “was Christ.” And as Israel received life-giving water from the rock, we believers and professors of Christ receive spiritual life from His Holy Spirit who dwells within us. He is the fountain of living water, supplying us with grace upon grace. [8]
Just as death gave way before Christ on His resurrection day, death shall not keep us from Christ when these earthly bodies die. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, God explains to us that at death “the body is sown in corruption. It is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness. It is raised in power. It is sown a natural body. It is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:49, God promises that “as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man,” that is, Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!
The same God who redeemed Israel from slavery, has made redemption from sin, death and devil available to us. In John 3:16, Jesus says to us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
[1-8] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Praising The Lord – Psalm 113
“Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the Name of the Lord!” Psalm 113:1
Psalm 113 begins with a thrice repeated exhortation to praise the Lord! This repetition implies that praising God is important. Praise pleases God. Praising Him should be a part of our daily lives, not reserved for special occasions only. Our hearts naturally drift toward worry or self-interest, so Scripture repeatedly calls us back to praising God. [1]
Psalm 113 first calls on “servants of the Lord” to praise Him. We, His servants, have reason to praise Him. [2] God revealed Himself to us. He forgave our sins. He gave us His Spirit’s presence to dwell in us and to empower us to live for His glory.
While Psalm 113 may have originally referred to the Levites, all believers today are called to proclaim God’s praises. In 1 Peter 2:9, it is written, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” [3]
The angels are God’s servants and they praise Him. [4] In Revelation 5:11-12, we read, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’”
“Blessed be the Name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!” Psalm 113:2
God’s Name should be blessed continuously. Praise for God should not be allowed to end with our generation. [5] We should desire that our children and future generations will continue to fear, love and trust God above all things.
“From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s Name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3
Let us pray for and work toward the day when people of every nation, language and tribe will praise the Name of the Lord. [6] People around the world enjoy the blessing of God’s sun rising and setting each day. Why would anyone think it strange to praise God for these blessings?
Psalm 113:3 anticipates the Gospel age. Under the New Covenant, all people everywhere can be members of God’s family. [7]
“The Lord is high above all nations. His glory above the heavens.” Psalm 113:4
Psalm 113 begins with a thrice repeated exhortation to praise the Lord! This repetition implies that praising God is important. Praise pleases God. Praising Him should be a part of our daily lives, not reserved for special occasions only. Our hearts naturally drift toward worry or self-interest, so Scripture repeatedly calls us back to praising God. [1]
Psalm 113 first calls on “servants of the Lord” to praise Him. We, His servants, have reason to praise Him. [2] God revealed Himself to us. He forgave our sins. He gave us His Spirit’s presence to dwell in us and to empower us to live for His glory.
While Psalm 113 may have originally referred to the Levites, all believers today are called to proclaim God’s praises. In 1 Peter 2:9, it is written, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” [3]
The angels are God’s servants and they praise Him. [4] In Revelation 5:11-12, we read, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’”
“Blessed be the Name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!” Psalm 113:2
God’s Name should be blessed continuously. Praise for God should not be allowed to end with our generation. [5] We should desire that our children and future generations will continue to fear, love and trust God above all things.
“From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s Name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3
Let us pray for and work toward the day when people of every nation, language and tribe will praise the Name of the Lord. [6] People around the world enjoy the blessing of God’s sun rising and setting each day. Why would anyone think it strange to praise God for these blessings?
Psalm 113:3 anticipates the Gospel age. Under the New Covenant, all people everywhere can be members of God’s family. [7]
“The Lord is high above all nations. His glory above the heavens.” Psalm 113:4
God is above every nation. His glory outshines the glory of the nations. In Isaiah 40:15, 17, it is written, “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales. Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.” “All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.” [8]
“Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” Psalm 113:5-6
“Who is like the Lord our God?” No one is perfectly like God as Christ was when He walked on earth, but by His Spirit, we do reflect His glory. In any case, praise Him, because His greatness does not make Him distant from us. He displays His greatness by showing us compassion. [9]
God teaches us to listen, care for and help those who depend on us rather than looking pass them. Jesus, the Son of God humbled Himself by leaving heaven, taking on human nature, and coming to save those who were lost. [10] He often stopped on His journeys to help people along the wayside whom others ignored.
“He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes—with the princes of His people.” Psalm 113:7-8
God often raises those whom the world ignores. He called Gideon while he was threshing grain by himself. He called Saul while he was searching for his father’s donkeys. He called David while he was tending his father’s sheep. He called some of the disciples while they were working for their families. [11] God lifted Old Testament Joseph from a prison to a palace.
In 1 Corinthians 1:27–28, it is written, “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are.”
Jesus Christ resurrects the dead from the dust to live among His heavenly people. [12]
“He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:9
God blessed barren Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Samson’s mother and New Testament Elizabeth with sons after they tried many times to become pregnant and failed. In each case, God removed their shame and filled them with joy. [13]
Psalm 113:9 points to the Church. The once-barren Gentile world has become spiritually fruitful through Christ. The Lord prophesied in Isaiah 54:1, “Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman, says the Lord.” In Galatians 4:27, Paul quoted Isaiah 54:1 as being fulfilled in Christ. [14]
“Praise You Lord for all Your mighty deeds and loving kindnesses toward me and many!”
[1-14] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
“Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” Psalm 113:5-6
“Who is like the Lord our God?” No one is perfectly like God as Christ was when He walked on earth, but by His Spirit, we do reflect His glory. In any case, praise Him, because His greatness does not make Him distant from us. He displays His greatness by showing us compassion. [9]
God teaches us to listen, care for and help those who depend on us rather than looking pass them. Jesus, the Son of God humbled Himself by leaving heaven, taking on human nature, and coming to save those who were lost. [10] He often stopped on His journeys to help people along the wayside whom others ignored.
“He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes—with the princes of His people.” Psalm 113:7-8
God often raises those whom the world ignores. He called Gideon while he was threshing grain by himself. He called Saul while he was searching for his father’s donkeys. He called David while he was tending his father’s sheep. He called some of the disciples while they were working for their families. [11] God lifted Old Testament Joseph from a prison to a palace.
In 1 Corinthians 1:27–28, it is written, “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are.”
Jesus Christ resurrects the dead from the dust to live among His heavenly people. [12]
“He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:9
God blessed barren Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Samson’s mother and New Testament Elizabeth with sons after they tried many times to become pregnant and failed. In each case, God removed their shame and filled them with joy. [13]
Psalm 113:9 points to the Church. The once-barren Gentile world has become spiritually fruitful through Christ. The Lord prophesied in Isaiah 54:1, “Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman, says the Lord.” In Galatians 4:27, Paul quoted Isaiah 54:1 as being fulfilled in Christ. [14]
“Praise You Lord for all Your mighty deeds and loving kindnesses toward me and many!”
[1-14] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Friday, July 3, 2026
The Divinely Blessed Life – Psalm 112
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. Psalm 112:1
Praise the Lord because as 2 Corinthians 4:6 says: “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” How could we respect the Lord unless He had made Himself known to us? The person who honors the Lord and delights in His commandments is blessed because God has revealed Himself to him. The person who fears the Lord is blessed because in John 12:26, Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”
In 1 John 5:2, it is written, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.” Loving God and His commandments is a way to love to people. How many people take the time to learn what God has said and practice it? Such people are rare. Thus, as the Holy Spirit leads us to learn and keep God’s commandments, and as we follow His leading, we serve those around us, even if they don’t acknowledge or appreciate it.
“His descendants will be mighty on earth. The generation of the upright will be blessed.” Psalm 112:2
The descendants of people who fear the Lord will be mighty. The word in Hebrew for mighty is ×’ִּ× ּï‹×¨ (gibbor) which can be translated as outstanding, strong or warrior. The children of those who fear the Lord learn from their parents to lean on the Lord for strength and wisdom. “The generation of the upright” refers to the children of this couple. Such parents deal honestly and faithfully with God and their neighbors. [1]
The children of the upright benefit from the example of their parents. They should be careful not to throw away the blessings God has promised to them. [2] I say “parents” because I believe when our Lord says “man” in Psalm 112, He refers to mankind which includes both spouses.
Ideally, spouses are one in the Lord. In Matthew 19:5, Jesus said, “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” So, spouses come together to produce children and then, as one team, they provide for their children, protect them and disciple them. Jesus teaches us. We, in turn, teach our children from what He has taught us. By abiding in Christ and following His leading, we and our family impact the world for Christ. See the picture below.
“Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 112:3
God blesses His children with material prosperity as far as it is good for them. Wealth and riches shall be in the house of the upright, but they shall not be ruled by them. Wealth and riches are wonderful servants but cruel masters. Make wealth and riches serve God not enslave the flesh.
The children of the parents who fear the Lord receive spiritual blessings that surpass the value of earthly riches. While many remain faithful during hardship but drift from God during success, those who love the Lord never want to be far from Him. [3]
“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness. He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.” Psalm 112:4
The light arising in the darkness for the upright assumes that godly people will experience suffering. They are not exempt from hardships. However, just as the Israelites had light in their homes during the darkness in Egypt, God’s people have His light in dark times. [4] Even in dark places, Jesus, the light of the world shines upon them.
Upright people shun wrongdoing. God drew them with compassion and kindness to do what was right and honest. The charity they gave to others came from honest wages. [5] They gave as the Lord had given unto them... freely... expecting nothing in return.
In Psalm 111, the qualities of grace, compassion, and righteousness are attributed to God. In Psalm 112, they are qualities of godly parents. Thus, we are called to imitate God as His beloved children and to be merciful as He is merciful. [6]
“A good man deals graciously and lends. He will guide his affairs with discretion.” Psalm 112:5
People who lend money interest-free to God’s servants demonstrate God’s goodness and grace. When I worked with Hong Kong Youth for Christ, rich people loaned money to the organization without charging interest fees on their loans. This grace helped the organization to afford to purchase a larger facility, and to touch more young people for Christ. God’s moneylenders adhere to the two great commandments which are to love God and people. They make money work for God and neighbor.
Those who use their resources to do good will often see God bless their efforts. In Isaiah 28:26, it is written that “God instructs him and teaches him the right way.” [7]
The wiser people become, the more they recognize their need for God’s guidance. Therefore, they ask God for wisdom. In James 1:5, it is written, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” [8]
“Surely, he will never be shaken. The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.” Psalm 112:6
Satan and his servants seek to rattle the righteous, but the Lord calms us. Though we may be initially shaken, we recover quickly because the Lord assures us of His presence with us..
“He will not be afraid of evil tidings. His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7
In Psalms 46:2, it is written, “We will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea!” In 2 Timothy 1:7, it is written, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” In 1 John 4:18, it is written, “There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear.”
“His heart is established. He will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies. He has dispersed abroad he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.” Psalm 112:8-9
The righteous person helps the poor.
In Proverbs 19:17, it is written, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.”
The righteous will not be afraid.
Doing right in God’s sight leaves the doer’s conscious clean. A guilty conscious tends to yield fear of unwanted consequences about to happen.
The heart of the righteous is established.
One of the greatest promises of God that we have to combat fear is the promise of eternal life. When the Lord calls us home to heaven, the devil’s attacks against us will end. In Revelation 20:10, the Lord tells us that the devil and his henchmen will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever. When we are in heaven with God, we will be glad that He saved us from the devil, and that He helped us to be generous toward the poor.
His righteousness endures forever.
Throughout the Bible the deeds of the righteous are remembered. Even in our world today, righteous people are remembered with gratitude long after they have died. Yet their greatest honor is not found on earth but in heaven where God’s remembrance of them rewarded them with an unfading crown of glory. [9]
The horn of the righteous will be exalted with honor.
The horn is a symbol of strength and honor. In contrast to the honor of the horn of the righteous, the honor of the horn of the wicked will be put down by God. In Psalms 75:5-7, we read, “Do not lift up your horn on high. Do not speak with a stiff neck. For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” [10]
“The wicked will see it and be grieved. He will gnash his teeth and melt away. The desire of the wicked shall perish.” Psalm 112:10
When the wicked see God’s people honored and blessed, it rips them apart. They are undone when the wisdom of the righteous is affirmed and favored by God. The fullest expression of their grief will come in eternity, when the lost “gnash their teeth” as they see Abraham, Lazarus, and all God’s people enjoying His kingdom while they themselves are shut out. [11]
Praise the Lord! The people who fear the Lord and delight in His commandments are blessed.
[1-11] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Praise the Lord because as 2 Corinthians 4:6 says: “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” How could we respect the Lord unless He had made Himself known to us? The person who honors the Lord and delights in His commandments is blessed because God has revealed Himself to him. The person who fears the Lord is blessed because in John 12:26, Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”
In 1 John 5:2, it is written, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.” Loving God and His commandments is a way to love to people. How many people take the time to learn what God has said and practice it? Such people are rare. Thus, as the Holy Spirit leads us to learn and keep God’s commandments, and as we follow His leading, we serve those around us, even if they don’t acknowledge or appreciate it.
“His descendants will be mighty on earth. The generation of the upright will be blessed.” Psalm 112:2
The descendants of people who fear the Lord will be mighty. The word in Hebrew for mighty is ×’ִּ× ּï‹×¨ (gibbor) which can be translated as outstanding, strong or warrior. The children of those who fear the Lord learn from their parents to lean on the Lord for strength and wisdom. “The generation of the upright” refers to the children of this couple. Such parents deal honestly and faithfully with God and their neighbors. [1]
The children of the upright benefit from the example of their parents. They should be careful not to throw away the blessings God has promised to them. [2] I say “parents” because I believe when our Lord says “man” in Psalm 112, He refers to mankind which includes both spouses.
Ideally, spouses are one in the Lord. In Matthew 19:5, Jesus said, “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” So, spouses come together to produce children and then, as one team, they provide for their children, protect them and disciple them. Jesus teaches us. We, in turn, teach our children from what He has taught us. By abiding in Christ and following His leading, we and our family impact the world for Christ. See the picture below.
“Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 112:3
God blesses His children with material prosperity as far as it is good for them. Wealth and riches shall be in the house of the upright, but they shall not be ruled by them. Wealth and riches are wonderful servants but cruel masters. Make wealth and riches serve God not enslave the flesh.
The children of the parents who fear the Lord receive spiritual blessings that surpass the value of earthly riches. While many remain faithful during hardship but drift from God during success, those who love the Lord never want to be far from Him. [3]
“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness. He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.” Psalm 112:4
The light arising in the darkness for the upright assumes that godly people will experience suffering. They are not exempt from hardships. However, just as the Israelites had light in their homes during the darkness in Egypt, God’s people have His light in dark times. [4] Even in dark places, Jesus, the light of the world shines upon them.
Upright people shun wrongdoing. God drew them with compassion and kindness to do what was right and honest. The charity they gave to others came from honest wages. [5] They gave as the Lord had given unto them... freely... expecting nothing in return.
In Psalm 111, the qualities of grace, compassion, and righteousness are attributed to God. In Psalm 112, they are qualities of godly parents. Thus, we are called to imitate God as His beloved children and to be merciful as He is merciful. [6]
“A good man deals graciously and lends. He will guide his affairs with discretion.” Psalm 112:5
People who lend money interest-free to God’s servants demonstrate God’s goodness and grace. When I worked with Hong Kong Youth for Christ, rich people loaned money to the organization without charging interest fees on their loans. This grace helped the organization to afford to purchase a larger facility, and to touch more young people for Christ. God’s moneylenders adhere to the two great commandments which are to love God and people. They make money work for God and neighbor.
Those who use their resources to do good will often see God bless their efforts. In Isaiah 28:26, it is written that “God instructs him and teaches him the right way.” [7]
The wiser people become, the more they recognize their need for God’s guidance. Therefore, they ask God for wisdom. In James 1:5, it is written, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” [8]
“Surely, he will never be shaken. The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.” Psalm 112:6
Satan and his servants seek to rattle the righteous, but the Lord calms us. Though we may be initially shaken, we recover quickly because the Lord assures us of His presence with us..
“He will not be afraid of evil tidings. His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7
In Psalms 46:2, it is written, “We will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea!” In 2 Timothy 1:7, it is written, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” In 1 John 4:18, it is written, “There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear.”
“His heart is established. He will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies. He has dispersed abroad he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.” Psalm 112:8-9
The righteous person helps the poor.
In Proverbs 19:17, it is written, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.”
The righteous will not be afraid.
Doing right in God’s sight leaves the doer’s conscious clean. A guilty conscious tends to yield fear of unwanted consequences about to happen.
The heart of the righteous is established.
One of the greatest promises of God that we have to combat fear is the promise of eternal life. When the Lord calls us home to heaven, the devil’s attacks against us will end. In Revelation 20:10, the Lord tells us that the devil and his henchmen will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever. When we are in heaven with God, we will be glad that He saved us from the devil, and that He helped us to be generous toward the poor.
His righteousness endures forever.
Throughout the Bible the deeds of the righteous are remembered. Even in our world today, righteous people are remembered with gratitude long after they have died. Yet their greatest honor is not found on earth but in heaven where God’s remembrance of them rewarded them with an unfading crown of glory. [9]
The horn of the righteous will be exalted with honor.
The horn is a symbol of strength and honor. In contrast to the honor of the horn of the righteous, the honor of the horn of the wicked will be put down by God. In Psalms 75:5-7, we read, “Do not lift up your horn on high. Do not speak with a stiff neck. For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” [10]
“The wicked will see it and be grieved. He will gnash his teeth and melt away. The desire of the wicked shall perish.” Psalm 112:10
When the wicked see God’s people honored and blessed, it rips them apart. They are undone when the wisdom of the righteous is affirmed and favored by God. The fullest expression of their grief will come in eternity, when the lost “gnash their teeth” as they see Abraham, Lazarus, and all God’s people enjoying His kingdom while they themselves are shut out. [11]
Praise the Lord! The people who fear the Lord and delight in His commandments are blessed.
[1-11] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Praise for God Lasts Forever – Psalm 111
“Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” Psalm 111:1
The title of this psalm in Hebrew is “Hallelujah.” The psalmist faithfully fulfills this theme. Like every good author, he remains focused on his subject from beginning to end. [1]
He is wholehearted about praising God as his main objective in life. He worships God both “in the assembly of the upright” and in the larger congregation of God’s people. [2]
This reminds us that God deserves our praise in both private and public settings. We should worship Him in our homes, in small gatherings of believers, and in the larger assembly of His church. In every setting, worship is especially encouraging when shared with sincere believers whose hearts unite in praising the Lord. [3]
“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.” Psalm 111:2
The psalmist next directs our attention to the works of the Lord, making them the subject of our meditation as we praise Him. These include His providential dealings with the world, with His church, and with individuals. [4]
God’s works reflect His greatness. Nothing He does is insignificant or trivial. Every work is the product of His infinite wisdom and power. [5]
Those who delight in God also delight in His works. They are “sought out of all those that have pleasure therein.” They are not satisfied with a casual or superficial glance. They diligently examine and thoughtfully consider them. Whether studying the natural world or the course of human history, our goal should be to recognize the greatness and glory of God’s works. [6]
Those who humbly and diligently seek to understand God's works will indeed find rich treasures. As Psalm 25:14 declares, “The secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him.” [7]
“His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:3
“Heavenly Father, I honor You and give You glory for all Your wonderful works!”
“His righteousness endures forever." In Ecclesiastes 3:14, it is written, “I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.”
“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4
God has performed deeds worthy of being heard repetitively throughout our lifetimes. His works are marvelous and deserve to be remembered from generation to generation.
Praise the Lord for preserving His Word against all attempts to alter it or eliminate it. We remember God’s works by reading of them in the Bible.
When the Son of God came to earth and wrapped Himself in human flesh, He demonstrated God’s grace and compassion by healing the sick and casting out demons from people. In Acts 10:38, Peter testified to a group of Italians, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
God’s greatest work of compassion was sending His Son into the world so that whosever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. The greatest disaster that every human soul needs rescued from is an eternity in hell. Though Jesus Christ had committed no sin, He was flogged, spit on, hit with fists, mocked and crucified to pay for our sins.
In Acts 10:43, while still preaching to a group of Italians, Peter concluded his sermon with this good news: “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Among all God’s works, His forgiveness of sin is the most astonishing. It deserves continual remembrance because it most clearly displays His grace and brings Him the greatest glory. [8]
“He has given food to those who fear Him. He will ever be mindful of His covenant.” Psalm 111:5
In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus taught us that we should love our enemies to be children of our Heavenly Father because He expresses love for His enemies. God provides sunshine and rain for both evil and good people, but He gives the Bread of Life, the revelation of Jesus Messiah, to those who humble themselves before Him and seek His presence in their lives.
God will “ever be mindful of His covenant.” God’s past faithfulness gives us a basis to believe in His future faithfulness. Not even the smallest part of His covenant shall fail to come to pass. Though people forget God’s promises, God does not. His promises stand secure forever. [9]
“He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.” Psalm 111:6
God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by helping Abraham’s descendants to conquer the seven nations of Canaan. His power was further demonstrated during David’s reign, when many surrounding nations were subdued and became tributaries to Israel. [10]
In these victories God displayed both His sovereign authority and irresistible power. He faithfully accomplishes every promise that He has made. Nothing is impossible with God. [11].
“The works of His hands are verity and justice. All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever and are done in truth and uprightness.” Psalm 111:7-8
God’s commandments are perfect. They need not, nor should they be amended or changed.
Throughout the history of the world some have doubted, denied and even deviously plotted to eliminate God’s commandments, but failed. David wrote in Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.” In Matthew 5:18, Jesus said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
“He has sent redemption to His people. He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His Name.” Psalm 111:9
In 1 Peter 1:18-19, Peter wrote to us saying, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Thus, we can proclaim with the words of Job 19:25-26, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, this I know... I shall see God.... How my heart yearns within me!”
God’s covenant is established forever, because “the Scripture cannot be broken.” Unlike people, whose changing minds often lead them to revise their plans, the infinitely wise God never needs to alter His laws, and neither men nor demons possess the power to overthrow it. [12]
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10
Wisdom is to fear, love and trust God above all things. The fear of the Lord helps us to say, “NO” to sin and “YES” to God.
In Joshua 1:8, the Lord told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
In John 7:16-17, Jesus declared, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” When we want to honor God, the teaching of Jesus makes perfect sense.
Praise of prideful things passes away. Reveling in rebellion ends. Praise for God lasts forever.
[1-12] Material derived, developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
The title of this psalm in Hebrew is “Hallelujah.” The psalmist faithfully fulfills this theme. Like every good author, he remains focused on his subject from beginning to end. [1]
He is wholehearted about praising God as his main objective in life. He worships God both “in the assembly of the upright” and in the larger congregation of God’s people. [2]
This reminds us that God deserves our praise in both private and public settings. We should worship Him in our homes, in small gatherings of believers, and in the larger assembly of His church. In every setting, worship is especially encouraging when shared with sincere believers whose hearts unite in praising the Lord. [3]
“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.” Psalm 111:2
The psalmist next directs our attention to the works of the Lord, making them the subject of our meditation as we praise Him. These include His providential dealings with the world, with His church, and with individuals. [4]
God’s works reflect His greatness. Nothing He does is insignificant or trivial. Every work is the product of His infinite wisdom and power. [5]
Those who delight in God also delight in His works. They are “sought out of all those that have pleasure therein.” They are not satisfied with a casual or superficial glance. They diligently examine and thoughtfully consider them. Whether studying the natural world or the course of human history, our goal should be to recognize the greatness and glory of God’s works. [6]
Those who humbly and diligently seek to understand God's works will indeed find rich treasures. As Psalm 25:14 declares, “The secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him.” [7]
“His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:3
“Heavenly Father, I honor You and give You glory for all Your wonderful works!”
“His righteousness endures forever." In Ecclesiastes 3:14, it is written, “I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.”
“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4
God has performed deeds worthy of being heard repetitively throughout our lifetimes. His works are marvelous and deserve to be remembered from generation to generation.
Praise the Lord for preserving His Word against all attempts to alter it or eliminate it. We remember God’s works by reading of them in the Bible.
When the Son of God came to earth and wrapped Himself in human flesh, He demonstrated God’s grace and compassion by healing the sick and casting out demons from people. In Acts 10:38, Peter testified to a group of Italians, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
God’s greatest work of compassion was sending His Son into the world so that whosever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. The greatest disaster that every human soul needs rescued from is an eternity in hell. Though Jesus Christ had committed no sin, He was flogged, spit on, hit with fists, mocked and crucified to pay for our sins.
In Acts 10:43, while still preaching to a group of Italians, Peter concluded his sermon with this good news: “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Among all God’s works, His forgiveness of sin is the most astonishing. It deserves continual remembrance because it most clearly displays His grace and brings Him the greatest glory. [8]
“He has given food to those who fear Him. He will ever be mindful of His covenant.” Psalm 111:5
In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus taught us that we should love our enemies to be children of our Heavenly Father because He expresses love for His enemies. God provides sunshine and rain for both evil and good people, but He gives the Bread of Life, the revelation of Jesus Messiah, to those who humble themselves before Him and seek His presence in their lives.
God will “ever be mindful of His covenant.” God’s past faithfulness gives us a basis to believe in His future faithfulness. Not even the smallest part of His covenant shall fail to come to pass. Though people forget God’s promises, God does not. His promises stand secure forever. [9]
“He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.” Psalm 111:6
God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by helping Abraham’s descendants to conquer the seven nations of Canaan. His power was further demonstrated during David’s reign, when many surrounding nations were subdued and became tributaries to Israel. [10]
In these victories God displayed both His sovereign authority and irresistible power. He faithfully accomplishes every promise that He has made. Nothing is impossible with God. [11].
“The works of His hands are verity and justice. All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever and are done in truth and uprightness.” Psalm 111:7-8
God’s commandments are perfect. They need not, nor should they be amended or changed.
Throughout the history of the world some have doubted, denied and even deviously plotted to eliminate God’s commandments, but failed. David wrote in Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.” In Matthew 5:18, Jesus said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
“He has sent redemption to His people. He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His Name.” Psalm 111:9
In 1 Peter 1:18-19, Peter wrote to us saying, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Thus, we can proclaim with the words of Job 19:25-26, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, this I know... I shall see God.... How my heart yearns within me!”
God’s covenant is established forever, because “the Scripture cannot be broken.” Unlike people, whose changing minds often lead them to revise their plans, the infinitely wise God never needs to alter His laws, and neither men nor demons possess the power to overthrow it. [12]
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10
Wisdom is to fear, love and trust God above all things. The fear of the Lord helps us to say, “NO” to sin and “YES” to God.
In Joshua 1:8, the Lord told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
In John 7:16-17, Jesus declared, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” When we want to honor God, the teaching of Jesus makes perfect sense.
Praise of prideful things passes away. Reveling in rebellion ends. Praise for God lasts forever.
[1-12] Material derived, developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Lord Said to My Lord – Psalm 110
“A Psalm of David. The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” Psalm 110:1
Under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit, David called his “yet-to-be-born” son, “Lord.” In 2 Peter 1:17, Peter quoted the words that God spoke from heaven about Jesus: “This is my Son, whom I love. With Him I am well pleased.” The Lordship of Christ is certain. God has confirmed it.
In Matthew 22:41-42, Jesus asked the Pharisees what they thought about the Messiah, and then, asked them directly, “Whose Son is He?” They answered, “The Son of David.” Then, He asked them a follow up question, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls Him Lord?” How could a son of David be the Messiah sent into the world by God? Then, Jesus proceeded to quote, “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary states, “The Jews understood the words, ‘My Lord,’ to denote the Messiah.” The words of Jesus here confirm that belief.
Peter quotes David’s “The Lord said to my Lord” Bible verse during his message on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:34. Paul quotes it in his writings to the churches in 1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:22 and Hebrews 10:13. Thus, Psalm 110 celebrates the coming reign of Jesus Christ over all the kingdoms of this world.
According to 1 Kings 2:19, Psalms 45:9; Mark 16:19; and Ephesians 1:20, to sit at the right hand of God is to sit at the supreme place of honor. Sitting at the right hand of God denotes both His dignity and His dominion. All the favors that come from God to man, and all the service that comes from man to God, pass through His hand.
God the Father has Christ sit down while He makes His enemies to bow before Him. The phrase, “make Your enemies Your footstool” is an expression “taken from the custom of Eastern conquerors to signify a complete subjection.” [1]
The enemies of Christ will become His footstool. Jesus Christ has enemies. Satan has filled their hearts with hatred for Him. But one day, every knee will bow to Jesus and every tongue will profess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God our Father.
Once, while participating in a Christian meeting in a particular nation, a spirit of fear tried to influence me to leave. Thoughts came to me, “We all are going to be arrested. What will the authorities do to us?” But then, the Lord spoke to me and said, “You may or may not have to stand before earthly authorities, but everyone in this room will bow before Me.” After that, the fear of God became greater in me than the fear of man, and I continued to witness for Christ in that nation for another 10 years. Incidentally, no one attending that meeting that night was arrested. It all ended well.
“The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!” Psalm 110:2
Christ sets up His kingdom in “Zion.” Zion or Jerusalem is also known as the city of David. Zion is where Christ died to stone for our sins. Zion is where He resurrected from the dead for our resurrection. And Zion is where the Holy Spirit was poured out and birthed the Church.
Matthew Henry, in his commentary, sees the Gospel as the rod of God’s strength. For, says He, “the power of the Holy Spirit comes to us with the Gospel proclamation.”
In Romans 1:16, Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” In, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul wrote, “Our Gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” In Luke 24:49. Jesus told the disciples, “I am going to send you what My Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Some interpret “the rod of His strength” as a shepherd’s rod and staff, denoting Christ’s tender care for His Church. [2]
“Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power. In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.” Psalm 110:3
God’s volunteers serve Him in the power of the Holy Spirit. They present themselves to Him as living sacrifices. The Holy Spirit endues the servants of Christ with power to be His witnesses.
Christ grants the beauty of holiness to those who believe in Him and profess Him. After our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ, and we gladly offer ourselves to obey Him, Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit beautifies us with the holiness of God.
Matthew Henry interprets “the dew of Your youth” as young people converting to Christ. Young people flocking to Christ, like dew on the ground in the morning, helps the Church to be a bright witness for God in a dark world.
“The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” Psalm 110:4
The story of Melchizedek is recorded in Genesis 14. After Abraham defeated a coalition of kings, he met a priest named Melchizedek. Melchizedek means king of righteousness. He is also referred to as king of Salem. Salem is Hebrew for peace and the ancient name of Jerusalem. [3]
Melchizedek is interpreted by many to be the preincarnate Messiah. Like Jesus, He is a king and a priest. In Hebrews 7:3, we read, “He is without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life,” meaning He is an eternal. Melchizedek brings out bread and wine to bless Abraham, which Christians often parallel with the Last Supper. [4] He had the honored title of priest of the Most High God. He blessed Abraham, demonstrating his greatness over the patriarch. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe, a tenth part of all the spoils of battle. Melchizedek is associated with Jesus in the Book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 5:5-10 emphasize that God declared Jesus a priest in the order of Melchizedek. It was not an honor that He claimed for Himself. Hebrews 6:20 emphasizes that Jesus serves now and forever as a living, active High Priest for His people. Hebrews 7:17 and 7:21 emphasize that the priestly order of Melchizedek is better than the priestly order of Aaron, because it is eternal and will never end. [5]
“The Lord is at Your right hand. He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.” Psalm 110:4
Our Lord Jesus will certainly execute evil kings in the day of His wrath. Revelation 6:15-17 speaks of the wrath of the Lamb on kings of the earth, great men, rich men, commanders, mighty men, slaves and free people. In response, they say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
“He shall judge among the nations He shall fill the places with dead bodies. He shall execute the heads of many countries.” Psalm 110:6
This passage likely refers to the great slaughter that happens in Revelation 19:11-21. In this passage, Christ appears on a white horse. The armies of heaven follow Him on white horses. Jesus strikes the nations with the words of His mouth. He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Birds eat the flesh of kings, captains, mighty men, horses and of people, free and slave, small and great. The kings of the earth, and their armies, had gathered against Christ but were defeated. The birds (vultures) were filled with their flesh.
“He shall execute the heads of many nations” recalls what the Lord God said to the serpent in Genesis 3:15, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Those heads of nations who compromise with the devil and serve him will be crushed. [6]
“He shall drink of the brook by the wayside. Therefore, He shall lift up the head.” Psalm 110:7
Matthew Henry sees the brook by the wayside as the bitter cup which the Father gave to Christ. He drank of the wrath of God. Christ drank of this brook when He was made a curse for us. In John 18:1, it is written that Jesus “went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron.” In Hebrew, Kidron (קִדְרוֹן) means “dark.” He drank of the dark waters of sin by the wayside to take our sin out of the way of our salvation. By believing in Jesus, we are exempted from God’s wrath on sin.
“Therefore shall He lift up the head.” In John 19:30, when on the cross, Jesus bowed His head, and died, but three days later, He arose to life again. He lifted up His head as a conqueror.
Jesus lifts up the heads of all who profess Him. In John 11:25, He declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
Praise the Lord! I am so glad that David’s Lord is also my Lord. I hope and pray that you believe in and profess Him as your Savior and Lord as well.
[1] Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (see also Joshua 10:24; Judges 1:7)
[2] Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[3] Enduring Word Commentary
[4] www.soundcitybiblechurch.com/articles/2016/3/1/is-melchizedek-jesus
[5] Enduring Word Commentary
[6] Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit, David called his “yet-to-be-born” son, “Lord.” In 2 Peter 1:17, Peter quoted the words that God spoke from heaven about Jesus: “This is my Son, whom I love. With Him I am well pleased.” The Lordship of Christ is certain. God has confirmed it.
In Matthew 22:41-42, Jesus asked the Pharisees what they thought about the Messiah, and then, asked them directly, “Whose Son is He?” They answered, “The Son of David.” Then, He asked them a follow up question, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls Him Lord?” How could a son of David be the Messiah sent into the world by God? Then, Jesus proceeded to quote, “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary states, “The Jews understood the words, ‘My Lord,’ to denote the Messiah.” The words of Jesus here confirm that belief.
Peter quotes David’s “The Lord said to my Lord” Bible verse during his message on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:34. Paul quotes it in his writings to the churches in 1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:22 and Hebrews 10:13. Thus, Psalm 110 celebrates the coming reign of Jesus Christ over all the kingdoms of this world.
According to 1 Kings 2:19, Psalms 45:9; Mark 16:19; and Ephesians 1:20, to sit at the right hand of God is to sit at the supreme place of honor. Sitting at the right hand of God denotes both His dignity and His dominion. All the favors that come from God to man, and all the service that comes from man to God, pass through His hand.
God the Father has Christ sit down while He makes His enemies to bow before Him. The phrase, “make Your enemies Your footstool” is an expression “taken from the custom of Eastern conquerors to signify a complete subjection.” [1]
The enemies of Christ will become His footstool. Jesus Christ has enemies. Satan has filled their hearts with hatred for Him. But one day, every knee will bow to Jesus and every tongue will profess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God our Father.
Once, while participating in a Christian meeting in a particular nation, a spirit of fear tried to influence me to leave. Thoughts came to me, “We all are going to be arrested. What will the authorities do to us?” But then, the Lord spoke to me and said, “You may or may not have to stand before earthly authorities, but everyone in this room will bow before Me.” After that, the fear of God became greater in me than the fear of man, and I continued to witness for Christ in that nation for another 10 years. Incidentally, no one attending that meeting that night was arrested. It all ended well.
“The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!” Psalm 110:2
Christ sets up His kingdom in “Zion.” Zion or Jerusalem is also known as the city of David. Zion is where Christ died to stone for our sins. Zion is where He resurrected from the dead for our resurrection. And Zion is where the Holy Spirit was poured out and birthed the Church.
Matthew Henry, in his commentary, sees the Gospel as the rod of God’s strength. For, says He, “the power of the Holy Spirit comes to us with the Gospel proclamation.”
In Romans 1:16, Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” In, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul wrote, “Our Gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” In Luke 24:49. Jesus told the disciples, “I am going to send you what My Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Some interpret “the rod of His strength” as a shepherd’s rod and staff, denoting Christ’s tender care for His Church. [2]
“Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power. In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.” Psalm 110:3
God’s volunteers serve Him in the power of the Holy Spirit. They present themselves to Him as living sacrifices. The Holy Spirit endues the servants of Christ with power to be His witnesses.
Christ grants the beauty of holiness to those who believe in Him and profess Him. After our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ, and we gladly offer ourselves to obey Him, Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit beautifies us with the holiness of God.
Matthew Henry interprets “the dew of Your youth” as young people converting to Christ. Young people flocking to Christ, like dew on the ground in the morning, helps the Church to be a bright witness for God in a dark world.
“The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” Psalm 110:4
The story of Melchizedek is recorded in Genesis 14. After Abraham defeated a coalition of kings, he met a priest named Melchizedek. Melchizedek means king of righteousness. He is also referred to as king of Salem. Salem is Hebrew for peace and the ancient name of Jerusalem. [3]
Melchizedek is interpreted by many to be the preincarnate Messiah. Like Jesus, He is a king and a priest. In Hebrews 7:3, we read, “He is without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life,” meaning He is an eternal. Melchizedek brings out bread and wine to bless Abraham, which Christians often parallel with the Last Supper. [4] He had the honored title of priest of the Most High God. He blessed Abraham, demonstrating his greatness over the patriarch. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe, a tenth part of all the spoils of battle. Melchizedek is associated with Jesus in the Book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 5:5-10 emphasize that God declared Jesus a priest in the order of Melchizedek. It was not an honor that He claimed for Himself. Hebrews 6:20 emphasizes that Jesus serves now and forever as a living, active High Priest for His people. Hebrews 7:17 and 7:21 emphasize that the priestly order of Melchizedek is better than the priestly order of Aaron, because it is eternal and will never end. [5]
“The Lord is at Your right hand. He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.” Psalm 110:4
Our Lord Jesus will certainly execute evil kings in the day of His wrath. Revelation 6:15-17 speaks of the wrath of the Lamb on kings of the earth, great men, rich men, commanders, mighty men, slaves and free people. In response, they say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
“He shall judge among the nations He shall fill the places with dead bodies. He shall execute the heads of many countries.” Psalm 110:6
This passage likely refers to the great slaughter that happens in Revelation 19:11-21. In this passage, Christ appears on a white horse. The armies of heaven follow Him on white horses. Jesus strikes the nations with the words of His mouth. He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Birds eat the flesh of kings, captains, mighty men, horses and of people, free and slave, small and great. The kings of the earth, and their armies, had gathered against Christ but were defeated. The birds (vultures) were filled with their flesh.
“He shall execute the heads of many nations” recalls what the Lord God said to the serpent in Genesis 3:15, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Those heads of nations who compromise with the devil and serve him will be crushed. [6]
“He shall drink of the brook by the wayside. Therefore, He shall lift up the head.” Psalm 110:7
Matthew Henry sees the brook by the wayside as the bitter cup which the Father gave to Christ. He drank of the wrath of God. Christ drank of this brook when He was made a curse for us. In John 18:1, it is written that Jesus “went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron.” In Hebrew, Kidron (קִדְרוֹן) means “dark.” He drank of the dark waters of sin by the wayside to take our sin out of the way of our salvation. By believing in Jesus, we are exempted from God’s wrath on sin.
“Therefore shall He lift up the head.” In John 19:30, when on the cross, Jesus bowed His head, and died, but three days later, He arose to life again. He lifted up His head as a conqueror.
Jesus lifts up the heads of all who profess Him. In John 11:25, He declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
Praise the Lord! I am so glad that David’s Lord is also my Lord. I hope and pray that you believe in and profess Him as your Savior and Lord as well.
[1] Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (see also Joshua 10:24; Judges 1:7)
[2] Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[3] Enduring Word Commentary
[4] www.soundcitybiblechurch.com/articles/2016/3/1/is-melchizedek-jesus
[5] Enduring Word Commentary
[6] Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
A Psalm for the Persecuted – Psalm 109
“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Do not keep silent, O God of my praise! For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me. They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred and fought against me without a cause. In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” Psalm 109:1-5
“Heavenly Father, in Your grace and mercy, please help the Gospel proclaimers who serve You among hateful people. Please grant them the love, patience and forgiveness that they need to keep shining for You. Please make a way of escape for them if any trial becomes too great for them to endure. And Father, please set free the slaves of the devil. Please rescue them from being instruments of hate and affliction to others. Holy Spirit, please grant them new birth. I pray this in the wonderful and powerful Name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 9, Paul wrote of the mystery of lawlessness that is at work in the world. He wrote of the coming of the lawless one, that is, the antichrist. How is it that someone who is made in God’s image can behave so devilish against those who praise, love and glorify the Lord?
David used his mouth to praise the Lord, but wicked and deceitful people used their mouths to speak lies and hateful words against him. The more David expressed God’s love for them, the more they hated him. How did David respond to such treatment? He gave himself to prayer. He asked God not to remain silent while all this was happening, but to intervene.
When David experienced hatred from people due to his love for God, the Lord helped him to process what was happening to him, and respond appropriately.
In John 15:24-25, Jesus told His disciples, “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin, but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’”
Graciously convicting a sinner of his or her sin so that he or she may repent and receive God’s forgiveness is an act of lovingkindness, but proud people do not receive it that way. Thus, they hate the one who is trying to help them without a cause.
In Matthew 10:22, Jesus prepared His disciples for unprovoked hatred. He said to them, “You will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
In Matthew 24:9, when His disciples asked Jesus for signs of His second coming, He said to them, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name’s sake.”
In Revelation 12:17, Satan is at war with those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Thus, in Ephesians 6:16-18, Paul urges us to “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”
Prayer invokes God’s help against the evil one. God is easily able to repel his attacks.
“Set a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him be found guilty, and let his prayer become sin.” Psalm 109:6-7
David singles out a particular person who was worse than the rest of his enemies. The ringleader! [1] He zealously prays that God will deal with the man’s behavior.
This passage is particularly applicable to Judas who betrayed the Messiah and Savior of all people. In John 19:11, Jesus spoke of Judas to Pilate when He said, “The one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” [2] Judas knew that Jesus was the Messiah and yet betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. 30 pieces of silver was the common purchase price for a slave in those days.
Set the wicked one over him, that is, Satan. In John 13:27, Satan entered Judas, and deceived him to do evil against Jesus, against himself, and against humanity.
“Let his days be few and let another take his office.” Psalm 109:8
Soon after Judas betrayed Jesus for Satan, his life ended.
In Acts 1:18, Peter said of Judas, “This man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.” Judas traded the promised Messiah for an earthly property, and then, experienced a painful death there.
In Acts 1:20, Peter confirmed that Judas was the one of whom David prophesied in Psalm 109:8.
Those that mismanage their trusts will justly have their office taken from them and given to those that will show themselves faithful. [3]
In Acts 13:22, Paul noted in one of his sermons how God replaced King Saul with King David, saying, “When He [God] had removed him [Saul], He raised up David to be their king; to whom also He bare witness and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will.”
Judas Iscariot not only betrayed Jesus he betrayed himself and his family.
“Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let his children continually be vagabonds and beg. Let them seek their bread also from their desolate places. Let the creditor seize all that he has, and let strangers plunder his labor. Let there be none to extend mercy to him, nor let there be any to favor his fatherless children.” Psalm 109:9-12
The children of wicked parents often suffer due to the bad choices of their parents, as well as due to the bad things that others may falsely assume about them because of their parents. [4]
“Let his posterity be cut off, and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be continually before the Lord, that He may cut off the memory of them from the earth.” Psalm 109:13-15
In Revelation 20:15, it is written, “Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” This prophecy shall come to pass for all who reject Jesus the Savior from sin.
“Because he did not remember to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.” Psalm 109:16
Rather than being merciful to the poor and needy, he persecuted them. He broke their hearts.
In John 12:3-5, when Mary took a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet, Judas remarked, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for 300 silver coins and the money given to the poor?” But then in John 12:6, John tells us that “Judas did not really care about the poor. He asked this because he carried the moneybag and sometimes would steal from it.” Judas embezzled money that was given by others to help the poor. In John 12:7-8, Jesus rebuked his anger, saying to him, “Leave her alone! She has kept this perfume for the day of My burial. You will always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have Me.”
“As he loved cursing, so let it come to him. As he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, so let it enter his body like water, and like oil into his bones. Let it be to him like the garment which covers him, and for a belt with which he girds himself continually. Let this be the Lord’s reward to my accusers, and to those who speak evil against my person.” Psalm 109:17-20
Water is good for the body, oil is good for the joints between the bones, a garment covers nakedness and a belt holds loose clothing in place. These are all blessings from God that a cursor takes for granted. David asked God to turn these blessings that the cursor took for granted and turn them into curses. Thus, it is not believers in Christ who need to be concerned about curses. Cursors of God and God’s people need to beware. In Genesis 12:3, the Lord said to Abraham, the man who believed in God, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
“But You, O God the Lord, deal with me for Your Name’s sake, because Your mercy is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens. I am shaken off like a locust. My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness. I also have become a reproach to them. When they look at me, they shake their heads.” Psalm 109:21-25
Rather than trying to get even with those who attacked him, David took the matter to God. [6]
Who could heal his wounds? He felt his life was a fading shadow. He was treated like a pesty locust by people who cursed God. His knees were weak due to fasting. But it is better to have leanness in body, while the soul prospers than vice versa. The people that David fasted and prayed for, shook their heads in disgust at him. [7]
In all this David was a type of Christ, who in His humiliation was thus wounded, thus weakened, and thus reproached. David was also a type of the Church, which is often afflicted, tossed with tempests, and not comforted. [8]
“Help me, O Lord my God! O, save me according to Your mercy, that they may know that this is Your hand—that You, Lord, have done it!” Psalm 109:26-27
In Matthew 5:3, Jesus began His sermon on the mount with these words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Blessed are those who can say to the Lord as David did, “Help me, O Lord my God, I am poor in spirit. I cannot make it without You.”
In Luke 1:47-49, a distant descendant of David declared, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.” These were the words of the Virgin Mary who gave birth to Messiah.
Whenever I have a dangerous mission before me, my “go-to prayer” is “God help me! Please be with me.” Like the tax collector in Luke 18, I know that I need God’s mercy. I need His hand to be with me. And when I return, I know it because His hand was with me.
“Let them curse, but You bless. When they arise, let them be ashamed, but let Your servant rejoice. Let my accusers be clothed with shame and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle.” Psalm 109:28-29
David valued the blessings of God as sufficient to counterbalance their curses. [9]
David asked God to reveal to his accusers the shamefulness of their ways. Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.” Romans 2:4 says, “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” Only by the grace of God can a malicious accuser of God’s people be separated from his foolishness.
In John 9:35-37, after the Pharisees ostracized a poor man from the synagogue for professing Christ, Christ found him, and affirmed his faith in Messiah, saying to the poor man, “You have now seen Him. In fact, He is the One speaking with you.”
“I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth. Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude. For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who condemn him.” Psalm 109:30-31
David concluded his psalm with joy, joy that his temporary trial ended well. He declared, “I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth.” Not in privacy only, but also among many people. [10]
God shall stand at the right hand of the poor. God says to the poor saint in Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.’” Praise the Lord!
[1-10] Material developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
“Heavenly Father, in Your grace and mercy, please help the Gospel proclaimers who serve You among hateful people. Please grant them the love, patience and forgiveness that they need to keep shining for You. Please make a way of escape for them if any trial becomes too great for them to endure. And Father, please set free the slaves of the devil. Please rescue them from being instruments of hate and affliction to others. Holy Spirit, please grant them new birth. I pray this in the wonderful and powerful Name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 9, Paul wrote of the mystery of lawlessness that is at work in the world. He wrote of the coming of the lawless one, that is, the antichrist. How is it that someone who is made in God’s image can behave so devilish against those who praise, love and glorify the Lord?
David used his mouth to praise the Lord, but wicked and deceitful people used their mouths to speak lies and hateful words against him. The more David expressed God’s love for them, the more they hated him. How did David respond to such treatment? He gave himself to prayer. He asked God not to remain silent while all this was happening, but to intervene.
When David experienced hatred from people due to his love for God, the Lord helped him to process what was happening to him, and respond appropriately.
In John 15:24-25, Jesus told His disciples, “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin, but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’”
Graciously convicting a sinner of his or her sin so that he or she may repent and receive God’s forgiveness is an act of lovingkindness, but proud people do not receive it that way. Thus, they hate the one who is trying to help them without a cause.
In Matthew 10:22, Jesus prepared His disciples for unprovoked hatred. He said to them, “You will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
In Matthew 24:9, when His disciples asked Jesus for signs of His second coming, He said to them, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name’s sake.”
In Revelation 12:17, Satan is at war with those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Thus, in Ephesians 6:16-18, Paul urges us to “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”
Prayer invokes God’s help against the evil one. God is easily able to repel his attacks.
“Set a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him be found guilty, and let his prayer become sin.” Psalm 109:6-7
David singles out a particular person who was worse than the rest of his enemies. The ringleader! [1] He zealously prays that God will deal with the man’s behavior.
This passage is particularly applicable to Judas who betrayed the Messiah and Savior of all people. In John 19:11, Jesus spoke of Judas to Pilate when He said, “The one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” [2] Judas knew that Jesus was the Messiah and yet betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. 30 pieces of silver was the common purchase price for a slave in those days.
Set the wicked one over him, that is, Satan. In John 13:27, Satan entered Judas, and deceived him to do evil against Jesus, against himself, and against humanity.
“Let his days be few and let another take his office.” Psalm 109:8
Soon after Judas betrayed Jesus for Satan, his life ended.
In Acts 1:18, Peter said of Judas, “This man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.” Judas traded the promised Messiah for an earthly property, and then, experienced a painful death there.
In Acts 1:20, Peter confirmed that Judas was the one of whom David prophesied in Psalm 109:8.
Those that mismanage their trusts will justly have their office taken from them and given to those that will show themselves faithful. [3]
In Acts 13:22, Paul noted in one of his sermons how God replaced King Saul with King David, saying, “When He [God] had removed him [Saul], He raised up David to be their king; to whom also He bare witness and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will.”
Judas Iscariot not only betrayed Jesus he betrayed himself and his family.
“Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let his children continually be vagabonds and beg. Let them seek their bread also from their desolate places. Let the creditor seize all that he has, and let strangers plunder his labor. Let there be none to extend mercy to him, nor let there be any to favor his fatherless children.” Psalm 109:9-12
The children of wicked parents often suffer due to the bad choices of their parents, as well as due to the bad things that others may falsely assume about them because of their parents. [4]
“Let his posterity be cut off, and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be continually before the Lord, that He may cut off the memory of them from the earth.” Psalm 109:13-15
In Revelation 20:15, it is written, “Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” This prophecy shall come to pass for all who reject Jesus the Savior from sin.
“Because he did not remember to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.” Psalm 109:16
Rather than being merciful to the poor and needy, he persecuted them. He broke their hearts.
In John 12:3-5, when Mary took a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet, Judas remarked, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for 300 silver coins and the money given to the poor?” But then in John 12:6, John tells us that “Judas did not really care about the poor. He asked this because he carried the moneybag and sometimes would steal from it.” Judas embezzled money that was given by others to help the poor. In John 12:7-8, Jesus rebuked his anger, saying to him, “Leave her alone! She has kept this perfume for the day of My burial. You will always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have Me.”
“As he loved cursing, so let it come to him. As he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, so let it enter his body like water, and like oil into his bones. Let it be to him like the garment which covers him, and for a belt with which he girds himself continually. Let this be the Lord’s reward to my accusers, and to those who speak evil against my person.” Psalm 109:17-20
Water is good for the body, oil is good for the joints between the bones, a garment covers nakedness and a belt holds loose clothing in place. These are all blessings from God that a cursor takes for granted. David asked God to turn these blessings that the cursor took for granted and turn them into curses. Thus, it is not believers in Christ who need to be concerned about curses. Cursors of God and God’s people need to beware. In Genesis 12:3, the Lord said to Abraham, the man who believed in God, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
“But You, O God the Lord, deal with me for Your Name’s sake, because Your mercy is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens. I am shaken off like a locust. My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness. I also have become a reproach to them. When they look at me, they shake their heads.” Psalm 109:21-25
Rather than trying to get even with those who attacked him, David took the matter to God. [6]
Who could heal his wounds? He felt his life was a fading shadow. He was treated like a pesty locust by people who cursed God. His knees were weak due to fasting. But it is better to have leanness in body, while the soul prospers than vice versa. The people that David fasted and prayed for, shook their heads in disgust at him. [7]
In all this David was a type of Christ, who in His humiliation was thus wounded, thus weakened, and thus reproached. David was also a type of the Church, which is often afflicted, tossed with tempests, and not comforted. [8]
“Help me, O Lord my God! O, save me according to Your mercy, that they may know that this is Your hand—that You, Lord, have done it!” Psalm 109:26-27
In Matthew 5:3, Jesus began His sermon on the mount with these words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Blessed are those who can say to the Lord as David did, “Help me, O Lord my God, I am poor in spirit. I cannot make it without You.”
In Luke 1:47-49, a distant descendant of David declared, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.” These were the words of the Virgin Mary who gave birth to Messiah.
Whenever I have a dangerous mission before me, my “go-to prayer” is “God help me! Please be with me.” Like the tax collector in Luke 18, I know that I need God’s mercy. I need His hand to be with me. And when I return, I know it because His hand was with me.
“Let them curse, but You bless. When they arise, let them be ashamed, but let Your servant rejoice. Let my accusers be clothed with shame and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle.” Psalm 109:28-29
David valued the blessings of God as sufficient to counterbalance their curses. [9]
David asked God to reveal to his accusers the shamefulness of their ways. Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.” Romans 2:4 says, “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” Only by the grace of God can a malicious accuser of God’s people be separated from his foolishness.
In John 9:35-37, after the Pharisees ostracized a poor man from the synagogue for professing Christ, Christ found him, and affirmed his faith in Messiah, saying to the poor man, “You have now seen Him. In fact, He is the One speaking with you.”
“I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth. Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude. For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who condemn him.” Psalm 109:30-31
David concluded his psalm with joy, joy that his temporary trial ended well. He declared, “I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth.” Not in privacy only, but also among many people. [10]
God shall stand at the right hand of the poor. God says to the poor saint in Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.’” Praise the Lord!
[1-10] Material developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Monday, June 29, 2026
Be Exalted, O God – Psalm 108
“A Song. A Psalm of David. O God, my heart is steadfast.” Psalm 108:1
Let us bring our wandering hearts under the lordship of Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul wrote of casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, so as to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth, is more than able to fill our hearts until overflowing with blessings. In Ephesians 1:23, we read that Christ “fills all in all.” When Christ is with us and we are with Him, songs of God’s praise do arise from within our heart and soul.
“I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations.” Psalm 108:2-3
Spirit-filled worship is animate. Full of life, love and joy! David woke up with the dawn of day and commanded his voice and his musical instruments to sing praises to the Lord. He wanted praises of God to be heard among the nations. [1] He wanted the nations to join his song just as birds seem to join together in singing to the Lord every morning.
Our tongue is one of God’s greatest gifts. It fulfills its highest purpose when it proclaims God’s praises. As Psalms 45:1 says, when the heart overflows with praise, the tongue becomes “the pen of a ready writer.” [2]
David dedicated his musical talents to God’s glory, saying, “Awake, my psaltery and harp.” [3] God welcomes us to use musical instruments to worship Him.
“For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 108:4
God’s mercy and truth are beyond what our finite minds can comprehend without the help of His Word and Holy Spirit. Praise God that He reveals His mercy and truth to us.
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth.” Psalm 108:5
This should also be our desire—that God would receive the honor due His Name throughout the earth. David’s exaltation of God reflects the heart of Jesus in John 12:28 where Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Your own Name.” David’s heart to glorify God reflects what Jesus taught us to pray, when He prayed, “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.” [4]
Our prayers should not be focused only on our personal needs. [5] We should be jealous for God. That He would be exalted and glorified by all people everywhere! For example, pray, “Thank You Lord that Your glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea!”
“That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and hear me.” Psalm 108:6
The faith of us who are God’s beloved ones rests on His power and His promises. [6] We pray, “Save with your right hand,” because Jesus God’s Son sits at His right hand. God did and does hear, deliver and save us by His right hand.
“God has spoken in His holiness: ‘I will rejoice. I will divide Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine. Manasseh is Mine. Ephraim also is the helmet for My head. Judah is My lawgiver. Moab is My washpot. Over Edom I will cast My shoe. Over Philistia I will triumph.” Psalm 108:7-9
God confirmed His Word by His holiness. Therefore, we can rejoice even before the answer is manifest. God’s promises are certain. God’s speaking and doing are inseparable. [7]
God had promised David the loyalty of his people, so David spoke of the lands of Shechem and Succoth, Gilead and Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah as his. God promised David victory over his enemies. Therefore, David considered these nations as already won. [8]
David’s inheritance of nations is symbolic of Christ. God has promised His Son the nations as His inheritance and the ends of the earth as His possession. [9]
In John 6:37, Jesus declared, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
In Hebrews 2:8, we read that God put all things in subjection under His Son’s feet. “But now we do not yet see all things put under Him.” Although this victory has not yet been fully revealed, it is guaranteed. God watches over His Word to perform it.
“Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom?” Psalm 108:10
David brought his concerns before God in prayer. His confidence rested not in military might but in God’s faithfulness. The same God who gave him past victories, would also win today’s battle. [10]
“Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.” Psalm 108:11-13
When the enemy tells us that God is against us, we can tell God how we are feeling and ask Him to prove the enemy wrong. Contrary to Satan’s lies, David believed that God would once again give him the victory. Rather than admit defeat, he proclaimed, “Through God we will do valiantly, He will tread down our enemies.”
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul wrote, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
David could not defeat the spiritual forces of wickedness in his own strength. The Lord, in His mercy, revealed this truth to David and he boldly declared, “Through God we shall do valiantly.”
In Philippians 4:13, Paul expressed this same truth when he wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
God does valiantly! He treads down enemies! Therefore, let us sing God’s praises among all nations. All of us together singing like birds in the morning, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth.”
Let us bring our wandering hearts under the lordship of Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul wrote of casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, so as to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth, is more than able to fill our hearts until overflowing with blessings. In Ephesians 1:23, we read that Christ “fills all in all.” When Christ is with us and we are with Him, songs of God’s praise do arise from within our heart and soul.
“I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations.” Psalm 108:2-3
Spirit-filled worship is animate. Full of life, love and joy! David woke up with the dawn of day and commanded his voice and his musical instruments to sing praises to the Lord. He wanted praises of God to be heard among the nations. [1] He wanted the nations to join his song just as birds seem to join together in singing to the Lord every morning.
Our tongue is one of God’s greatest gifts. It fulfills its highest purpose when it proclaims God’s praises. As Psalms 45:1 says, when the heart overflows with praise, the tongue becomes “the pen of a ready writer.” [2]
David dedicated his musical talents to God’s glory, saying, “Awake, my psaltery and harp.” [3] God welcomes us to use musical instruments to worship Him.
“For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 108:4
God’s mercy and truth are beyond what our finite minds can comprehend without the help of His Word and Holy Spirit. Praise God that He reveals His mercy and truth to us.
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth.” Psalm 108:5
This should also be our desire—that God would receive the honor due His Name throughout the earth. David’s exaltation of God reflects the heart of Jesus in John 12:28 where Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Your own Name.” David’s heart to glorify God reflects what Jesus taught us to pray, when He prayed, “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.” [4]
Our prayers should not be focused only on our personal needs. [5] We should be jealous for God. That He would be exalted and glorified by all people everywhere! For example, pray, “Thank You Lord that Your glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea!”
“That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and hear me.” Psalm 108:6
The faith of us who are God’s beloved ones rests on His power and His promises. [6] We pray, “Save with your right hand,” because Jesus God’s Son sits at His right hand. God did and does hear, deliver and save us by His right hand.
“God has spoken in His holiness: ‘I will rejoice. I will divide Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine. Manasseh is Mine. Ephraim also is the helmet for My head. Judah is My lawgiver. Moab is My washpot. Over Edom I will cast My shoe. Over Philistia I will triumph.” Psalm 108:7-9
God confirmed His Word by His holiness. Therefore, we can rejoice even before the answer is manifest. God’s promises are certain. God’s speaking and doing are inseparable. [7]
God had promised David the loyalty of his people, so David spoke of the lands of Shechem and Succoth, Gilead and Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah as his. God promised David victory over his enemies. Therefore, David considered these nations as already won. [8]
David’s inheritance of nations is symbolic of Christ. God has promised His Son the nations as His inheritance and the ends of the earth as His possession. [9]
In John 6:37, Jesus declared, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
In Hebrews 2:8, we read that God put all things in subjection under His Son’s feet. “But now we do not yet see all things put under Him.” Although this victory has not yet been fully revealed, it is guaranteed. God watches over His Word to perform it.
“Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom?” Psalm 108:10
David brought his concerns before God in prayer. His confidence rested not in military might but in God’s faithfulness. The same God who gave him past victories, would also win today’s battle. [10]
“Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.” Psalm 108:11-13
When the enemy tells us that God is against us, we can tell God how we are feeling and ask Him to prove the enemy wrong. Contrary to Satan’s lies, David believed that God would once again give him the victory. Rather than admit defeat, he proclaimed, “Through God we will do valiantly, He will tread down our enemies.”
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul wrote, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
David could not defeat the spiritual forces of wickedness in his own strength. The Lord, in His mercy, revealed this truth to David and he boldly declared, “Through God we shall do valiantly.”
In Philippians 4:13, Paul expressed this same truth when he wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
God does valiantly! He treads down enemies! Therefore, let us sing God’s praises among all nations. All of us together singing like birds in the morning, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth.”
[1-11] Material developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Convinced of God’s Lovingkindness – Psalm 107:23-43
“Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea. They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths, their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet. So, He guides them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107:23-30
Our Lord Jesus Christ literally fulfilled this prophecy in Mark 4:35-41.
Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the sea of Galilee when “a furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.” Their boat was mounting up on waves and then descending into the sea so that their souls were melting. They reeled to and fro, and staggered like drunken men on that boat. They were at their wits’ end. They cried out to Jesus who was asleep on the boat. Jesus stood up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. “The disciples were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’”
Psalm 107:29 says that the Lord calms the storm and its waves are still. God does it. Thus, the divine nature of Christ is revealed in Mark 4:35-41.
There is a saying: “Let those who would learn to pray go to sea” meaning that a life-threatening storm at sea will help you to start praying. [1]
In fact, it is good to do as Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” God welcomes continuous prayers from us. We can commit everything we do to God by simply saying or thinking inside our mind, “Lord Jesus, please be with me as I... [fill in the blank]. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”
We don’t have to verbalize every prayer we pray because God hears our thoughts. It is good to verbally profess prayers to God, but, sometimes, when I am in a conversation with someone, I am also praying in my mind and asking God to guide my understanding of what they are saying and how I should respond to what they have said. The Lord answers the prayers that I pray in my mind to Him. Such prayers prayed in my mind coincide with what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:16, “We have the mind of Christ.”
The Holy Spirit reminds me when I am at my wits’ end to ask God for help and He gives me blessed assurance that God will come through for me.
“O, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the company of the elders.” Psalm 107:31-32
It is commendable and proper to respond to God’s assistance with gratitude and praise. We should thank Him privately in our homes and publicly among fellow believers. [2]
“He turns rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground; a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.” Psalm 107:33-34
God can cause well-watered regions to become wildernesses that are dry and barren. According to Genesis 13:10, Sodom was once like the garden of the Lord. However, after the inhabitants committed themselves to devilish behavior, God turned it into a salty wasteland. [3]
In fact, in Deuteronomy 29:19, Moses prophesied that if a person began to say, “I will have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my own heart” the Lord would not spare him. He said that every curse that is written in this book would settle on him, and the Lord would blot out his name from under heaven. He promised that the whole land would burn with brimstone, salt, and fire like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. [4]
In Revelation 20:15, it is written, “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” So, this curse is not just on the land of those who serve Satan, it is also on the souls of such individuals. Such a soul should repent and turn to God.
The earth suffers when people turn away from God. When people fail to produce the spiritual fruit that God desires, He stops blessing the land from which they derive their physical fruit. [5]
“He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into water springs. There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may establish a city for a dwelling place, and sow fields and plant vineyards, that they may yield a fruitful harvest. He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly, and He does not let their cattle decrease.” Psalm 107:35-38
The Lord can also upgrade families and individuals from poverty to prosperity. Throughout the world we see people whose humble beginnings gave little indication of their future success. [6]
For example, at one point in his life, King David was an unknown shepherd boy. His older brother spoke poorly of him. Later, his father-in-law tried to kill him. His first wife left him. But the Lord’s anointing was on David. David believed the Word that God had spoken over him prophetically. God told him that he would be king of his nation, and it came to pass.
In Jeremiah 1:12, the Lord said to Jeremiah, “I will watch over My Word to perform it.” In 1 Timothy 4:14, the Lord said to Timothy via His servant Paul, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.”
The day that I was born again by God’s Spirit, Jesus told me that He would use my life to touch many people. I was poor in spirit. I grew up in a small town. I had few friends and no hope on the horizon. But sure enough, Jesus kept His promise to me. Soon, I was studying the Bible at a college far from my home in a big city. And after that, I ministered the Word of God in four different states that were far from my home state. Then, the Lord brought me to Hong Kong and China from 1985-1997. Since returning from China, I have resided and ministered the Word of God in nine states, and now, articles I published online have been read in 166 countries. The Lord gave me a new word recently. He said, “The lives you have touched will touch more lives.”
Praise God! God is good! His mercy endures forever.
“When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow, He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way. Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock.” Psalm 107:39-41
Thanks be to God for all the proud and cruel “princes” that God has dethroned, and for all the poor people of goodwill that He has raised up to take their places.
God lifts the poor from the dust and sets them among the honorable, fulfilling what is declared in 1 Samuel 2:8 and Psalms 113:7-8. Those who were once oppressed are not only delivered but elevated beyond the reach of former troubles. He makes their households like flocks of sheep—numerous, productive, united, gentle, and peaceful. [7]
“The righteous see it and rejoice, and all iniquity stops its mouth.” Psalm 107:42
“All iniquity will stop its mouth.” God’s actions expose the folly of atheism and every denial of His providence. Since practical unbelief lies at the root of all sin, God’s judgments leave sinners without excuse. When they see that their punishment corresponds to their wrongdoing and that God has justly removed the blessings they abused, they will have no defense to offer. [8]
It comforts believers to see God directing human affairs according to His purposes, raising up virtue and bringing down pride. Such events confirm that God is actively working among us. [9]
“Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43
How wonderful to be convinced of God’s lovingkindness, to experience it personally, and to be shaped by His love as Mary was in Luke 2:19. [10]
[1-10] Material developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Our Lord Jesus Christ literally fulfilled this prophecy in Mark 4:35-41.
Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the sea of Galilee when “a furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.” Their boat was mounting up on waves and then descending into the sea so that their souls were melting. They reeled to and fro, and staggered like drunken men on that boat. They were at their wits’ end. They cried out to Jesus who was asleep on the boat. Jesus stood up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. “The disciples were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’”
Psalm 107:29 says that the Lord calms the storm and its waves are still. God does it. Thus, the divine nature of Christ is revealed in Mark 4:35-41.
There is a saying: “Let those who would learn to pray go to sea” meaning that a life-threatening storm at sea will help you to start praying. [1]
In fact, it is good to do as Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” God welcomes continuous prayers from us. We can commit everything we do to God by simply saying or thinking inside our mind, “Lord Jesus, please be with me as I... [fill in the blank]. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”
We don’t have to verbalize every prayer we pray because God hears our thoughts. It is good to verbally profess prayers to God, but, sometimes, when I am in a conversation with someone, I am also praying in my mind and asking God to guide my understanding of what they are saying and how I should respond to what they have said. The Lord answers the prayers that I pray in my mind to Him. Such prayers prayed in my mind coincide with what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:16, “We have the mind of Christ.”
The Holy Spirit reminds me when I am at my wits’ end to ask God for help and He gives me blessed assurance that God will come through for me.
“O, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the company of the elders.” Psalm 107:31-32
It is commendable and proper to respond to God’s assistance with gratitude and praise. We should thank Him privately in our homes and publicly among fellow believers. [2]
“He turns rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground; a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.” Psalm 107:33-34
God can cause well-watered regions to become wildernesses that are dry and barren. According to Genesis 13:10, Sodom was once like the garden of the Lord. However, after the inhabitants committed themselves to devilish behavior, God turned it into a salty wasteland. [3]
In fact, in Deuteronomy 29:19, Moses prophesied that if a person began to say, “I will have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my own heart” the Lord would not spare him. He said that every curse that is written in this book would settle on him, and the Lord would blot out his name from under heaven. He promised that the whole land would burn with brimstone, salt, and fire like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. [4]
In Revelation 20:15, it is written, “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” So, this curse is not just on the land of those who serve Satan, it is also on the souls of such individuals. Such a soul should repent and turn to God.
The earth suffers when people turn away from God. When people fail to produce the spiritual fruit that God desires, He stops blessing the land from which they derive their physical fruit. [5]
“He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into water springs. There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may establish a city for a dwelling place, and sow fields and plant vineyards, that they may yield a fruitful harvest. He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly, and He does not let their cattle decrease.” Psalm 107:35-38
The Lord can also upgrade families and individuals from poverty to prosperity. Throughout the world we see people whose humble beginnings gave little indication of their future success. [6]
For example, at one point in his life, King David was an unknown shepherd boy. His older brother spoke poorly of him. Later, his father-in-law tried to kill him. His first wife left him. But the Lord’s anointing was on David. David believed the Word that God had spoken over him prophetically. God told him that he would be king of his nation, and it came to pass.
In Jeremiah 1:12, the Lord said to Jeremiah, “I will watch over My Word to perform it.” In 1 Timothy 4:14, the Lord said to Timothy via His servant Paul, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.”
The day that I was born again by God’s Spirit, Jesus told me that He would use my life to touch many people. I was poor in spirit. I grew up in a small town. I had few friends and no hope on the horizon. But sure enough, Jesus kept His promise to me. Soon, I was studying the Bible at a college far from my home in a big city. And after that, I ministered the Word of God in four different states that were far from my home state. Then, the Lord brought me to Hong Kong and China from 1985-1997. Since returning from China, I have resided and ministered the Word of God in nine states, and now, articles I published online have been read in 166 countries. The Lord gave me a new word recently. He said, “The lives you have touched will touch more lives.”
Praise God! God is good! His mercy endures forever.
“When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow, He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way. Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock.” Psalm 107:39-41
Thanks be to God for all the proud and cruel “princes” that God has dethroned, and for all the poor people of goodwill that He has raised up to take their places.
God lifts the poor from the dust and sets them among the honorable, fulfilling what is declared in 1 Samuel 2:8 and Psalms 113:7-8. Those who were once oppressed are not only delivered but elevated beyond the reach of former troubles. He makes their households like flocks of sheep—numerous, productive, united, gentle, and peaceful. [7]
“The righteous see it and rejoice, and all iniquity stops its mouth.” Psalm 107:42
“All iniquity will stop its mouth.” God’s actions expose the folly of atheism and every denial of His providence. Since practical unbelief lies at the root of all sin, God’s judgments leave sinners without excuse. When they see that their punishment corresponds to their wrongdoing and that God has justly removed the blessings they abused, they will have no defense to offer. [8]
It comforts believers to see God directing human affairs according to His purposes, raising up virtue and bringing down pride. Such events confirm that God is actively working among us. [9]
“Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43
How wonderful to be convinced of God’s lovingkindness, to experience it personally, and to be shaped by His love as Mary was in Luke 2:19. [10]
[1-10] Material developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
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