Category: Psalms

September 22, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Colossians 3:1-17. The Apostle Paul listed the rules for holy living; not carnality but Christ, the character of the New Man and proper relationships in the christian home.

Jeremiah 6. Bad news. Jerusalem will be under siege.

Jeremiah 7. The prophet reminded the reader that false religion is worthless, and proclaimed judgment on perverted religion.

Psalm 84, of the Sons of Korah.  The famous 19th century English preacher Charles Spurgeon said Psalm 84 was “to be called The Pearl of Psalms.” He once preached a whole sermon on verse 3: “Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.”Jeremiah 6, Jeremiah 7

September 19, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Philippians 4. The Apostle Paul’s theme is joy “dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” and “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” and this gem “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” and this one “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This letter of joy and encouragement ends with a greeting: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Proverbs 14. These Proverbs of King Solomon mark the contrast between the foolish and the wise.

Proverbs 15, Proverbs of Solomon. Solomon speaks of the value of following the LORD and the pursuit of righteousness and virtue as opposed to folly, pride and wickedness, all of which God hates.

Psalm 82, of Asaph. Jesus quotes this Psalm and confounds the people accusing him of blasphemy.

Psalm 83, of Asaph. An urgent prayer for God to help when war is threatening.

September 17, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Philippians 2:12-29. The Apostle Paul urged the believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Yes, salvation is past tense (for by grace have you been saved), present tense (work out your own salvation) and future tense (you will be saved). God is independent of time (He existed before time and space and created both). Paul ended the chapter talking about Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Isaiah 63. The day of the Lord’s vengeance is coming where “the grapes of wrath are trod” and there was no one to help. Then God will show His mercy and provide salvation, but will people listen?

Isaiah 64. A prayer of petition and penance: “All our righteousness are as filthy rags”

Psalm 81, of Asaph. A Psalm for the Feast of Tabernacles.

September 13, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Ephesians 5. The Apostle Paul gave good advice: Walk in love, walk in light, and walk in wisdom, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” Then Paul gave Godly advice on marriage  and likened it to the relationship between Christ and the church.

Isaiah 56. Salvation will be open to all. In Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial will be remembered “Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.” Yet, Israel still have wicked leaders.

Psalm 80, of Asaph. A prayer for restoration of Israel, mentioning the Shepherd of Israel, a heartfelt and urgent plea.

September 12, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Ephesians 4:17-32. The Apostle Paul reminded them they are children of light, do not grieve the spirit, and “do not let the sun go down on your wrath“.

Isaiah 54. After the gigantic chapter 53, writing about the sin-bearing, suffering servant the narrative switches back to God’s servant, Israel, and the Covenant of Peace. It ends with “no weapon formed against you shall prosper”

Isaiah 55 is the invitation to abundant life. Remember this: “ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Psalm 79, of Asaph. A cry for help, for the heathens were devastating Jerusalem, the Temple and the people. The Psalmist confessed their collective sins and pleaded for restoration, always with praise and thankfulness.

September 6, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Galatians 6. Bear one another’s burdens and at the same time each one should carry his own burden. A man reaps what he sows, be generous and do good, especially to those of the household of faith. Glory only in the cross. After these admonitions Paul gave his final blessings.

Isaiah 43 speaks of the redeemer and the rebirth of Israel, which took place in 1948. It happened in spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness only by God’s mercy, and His promise that He would do a new thing.

Psalm 78, a maskil of Asaph. “This is the longest of the historical psalms. Its lesson is that history must not repeat itself. The people must never again be unbelieving.” (James Montgomery Boice)

September 5, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Galatians 5: 16-25. “ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Paul spoke of christian liberty, love fulfills the law and is accomplished by walking in the spirit.

Isaiah 41 waxes eloquent about the helper of Israel. “How firm a foundation” is to stand with God. Compare that to the futility of idols!

Isaiah 42 records the Servant of the LORD as a light for the Gentiles. The sons of Kedar will sing a new song, which is not the doctrine of Islam, as some Muslims claim, but as so often was the case, Israel was still blind and deaf.

Psalm 77, of Asaph. No matter how dire the circumstances the believer can still sing God’s praises and recall God’s wonders.

August 27, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

2 Corinthians 10. The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that this is a spiritual war “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”  He defined his authority and the limits of his authority; it is all in Christ: “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Isaiah 23 records a prophecy about Tyre.

Psalm 76, of Asaph. A song that praises the LORD, how He confounds the “stouthearted” but saves the meek.

August 26, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Corinthians 9. The Apostle Paul gave advice in how to administer the gift, one way being the cheerful (hilarious) giver. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!

Isaiah 21. The prophecies continue, this time against Babylon, Edom and Arabia.

Isaiah 22 contains a prophecy about Jerusalem.

Psalm 75, of Asaph. A song of praise to the LORD. The theme is: He executes proper judgement. It ends with: “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”

August 25, read through the Holy Bible in a year.

2 Corinthians 8. The Macedonians excelled in giving but first gave their own selves to the Lord. Christ is our pattern in giving himself. The Corinthians took up a collection for the Judean saints. Titus was sent to the Corinthians.

Isaiah 18 features a prophecy against Cush (with a vignette from modern Sudan).

Isaiah 19 gives an oracle about Egypt and tells of the future blessing of Assyria, Egypt and Israel.

Isaiah 20 is very short and contains a prophecy against Egypt and Cush.

Psalm 74, of Asaph. This Psalm describes the destruction of the Temple. This Asaph may have been penned by a descendant of the earlier musician, or may be prophetic. In any case he asked God to defend His case against the evildoers.