vs. 3 We need  to get together to make music to God. (vs 1 ) God says “a solemn sound” which, to me, speaks of peaceful and respectful, but not a funeral dirge, because elsewhere we are told to “make a joyful noise…come into His courts with singing and praise” (ps. 100).

If music in church is to be to GOD’s liking (and it should), then it must be solemn, peaceful, and respectful, filled with joyful voices.  That removes the harsh rhythms and shiny metal-flake electronics that please PEOPLE.

Let’s be real disciples and allow GOD to tell us what He likes or does not.  He says it in His Word and in our hearts if we will not push His truth (and His Spirit) from us when we want something different; or stopping our ears and saying “La-La-La” all the while we pray for His wisdom, guidance, leadership, and protection – Oh, sister!

The Bible gives this psalm the title “a song for the Sabbath day”.  For the Christian, we celebrate The Lord’s Day.  What is it about?

vs 1  It is a good thing to give thanks and sing praises.  We get together to thank and praise GOD, the Most High.  It is good and pleasant to do this together, and God likes it.

vs 2  The purpose is to declare God’s goodness to us – His lovingkindness and faithfulness to us!  This is an encouragement to our heart…Praise Him often – every morning and night.  The early church got together much more than we do today.  We should be quick to give testimony of what God has done for us recently.  The psalmist is so certain that God is busy in our lives that he knows we’ll have praises to shout out every morning and night in joyful testimony and to give thanks; that’s the psalmist’s own testimony here, written down and preserved forever! ( and he didn’t just go to the ‘Morning Service’)

vs. 14  I just need to wait on God’s perfect timing.  God even grants that waiting on Him will require courage.

Good Courage – steady, honest, based on trust in GOD,  filled good works and good choices on my part as I wait.

God promised to strengthen my heart (exercise ?!?) as I wait with good courage.  He repeats the instruction to wait.  A warning that insisting to go ahead – on my own – is a move to disaster.  The LORD is strength.      Wait Courageously!

vs. 13  I’d be destroyed without God!  “in the land of the living” = now.  God’s blessings are not only in our “eternal life”, some are meant for our present, earthly life.

I need to trust that  God’s plans and path for me are good, filled with His loving intentions toward me.  I need to KNOW all my present trials and hardships are amazingly purposed to “work together for good”.  I need to believe in God’s goodness !! and evidence my belief by being content with God’s choices.  I need to live out my submission to God and my having placed God as sovereign of my life by being content with God’s purposes and plans for me.  *This should be an easy rest because I’m assured of God’s Goodness to me. *Remember, I asked Him to show me HIS way in vs. 11!

vs. 10  God will never forsake me (Heb. 13:5).  My own mother & father may forsake me, but never God.

vs. 11  He will continue to teach me and mature me to bring me closer to Him. – Remember, I desire to be “the house of the Lord.”

“Light my path and make thy way (Thy will) plain because my enemies are wiley and purpose to confound my relationship with You.”

The destruction of my access to the LORD is the enemy’s goal – separate and conquer.

vs. 12  Therefore, Lord, please confound the enemy’s plans…and the enemy has many on his side, hurting and tirelessly working to undermine me.     I need You, LORD!!

vss. 7-9 Is a prayer, or plea, for God’s help.  When I realize the only defense in life’s trials is God, pleaing and fleeing to Him is the only course of action.

vs. 7  Is an urgent, audible cry for God’s mercy when God’s answer is desperately needed.

vs. 8  Is a rehearsal to God of the psalmst’s obedience in turning to God in faith for help.  “You told me to turn to You, give my life to You, trust and rest in You.  I have done that;-Please answer !!”

vs. 9  I know God has promised never to leave or forsake me, but in moments of desperation, when trouble is upon me, I begin to doubt.  “Has some sin spoiled God’s blessings? Will He be angry and not come to my rescue?”

He’ll come – He’s the God of my Salvation. I may not always be faithful, but God always is!

vs. 5 cont’d  Nothing can separate me from Jesus’s love (Romans 8:28) or His power to save and protect (and the omniscient wisdom of how best, and when to bring the situations He deems necessary to pass.)

vs. 6   In this secure position, and with the confidence (vs. 3) that I am purposing to have, I can know I shall be victorious through the enemy attacks.  So much so that I should act like the victory is now.  Praise, thanksgiving, and singing unto the LORD are my response when I truly realize God’s watch-care of me and His amazing ability and desire to carry me victoriously through my battles.-   Rest joyfully in Him!

vs. 5  This open door of communion, a spirit that desires dwelling with the Lord, also provides access to God’s places of refuge where He shall hide me in the time of trouble.  His places of hiding are secret.  The world can’t understand and doesn’t see them.  Their effectiveness in hiding me is directly related to my desire and implementation in dwelling “in the house of the Lord”.  When trouble lurks, I must be “in doors”.

I must also trust where God “sets” me, for (even if it doesn’t feel like it) I am “up upon a rock”-safe from the battering storm.  God actually directed and told the Isrealites exactly where to stand when they got “hemmed in” by Pharoh’s persuing army and the Red Sea.  God knew they would be “cornered”, but He hid them with His cloud and parted a sea to rescue them – all for His glory, to reveal His watch-care  for them. (This should have built their faith.)

Nothing can separate me from this love (Romans 8:38-39), or this power to save and protect, coupled with the omniscient wisdom of how best, and when, to bring the situations He deems necessary to pass.

God’s merciful grace, His unconditional, unmerited love has done all the work to set me upon a rock; and that Rock is JESUS CHRIST.

vs. 4  Desire to dwell in the house of the LORD – to abide with Him.  When trouble comes, stay close to Him (stay faithful to church!)  More than that, my daily walk must be in the “house” of the LORD.  I am His temple!  Is it fitting to call me “His House”?  He dwells within me…Am I a place He is comfortable in? a place He can call “home”?

In addition to this aspect, I am compelled to consider my house.  I do desire my house, where I live, to be “the house of the LORD“.  When I (or anyone else) walk through my door, I should be surrounded by a “Christ centered” atmosphere.  I want to “behold the beauty of the LORD” at my house.

-pleasant, harmonious, God glorifying music

-decent & orderly

-sweet smelling

-comfortable

-safe haven

-bright & cheerful

-hospitable & cozy

-without strife

When I desire to make myself and the surroundings I can control reflect “Christ-centeredness”, I open a greater door of access to be able to ‘enquire’  of the LORD.  He is welcomed here.

vs 1 (cont’d)  God is the Strength of my life – Who better to depend on than the Giver and taker of life.  He is able!

He understands my weaknesses and is ahead of the attack, prepared with a plan to “cut it off at the pass” and hedge me about.  The troubles I face are FOR my strengthening!

vs 2  I am safe from attacks against me by my mortal enemies – those whose wickedness would have them stop at nothing in their desire to destroy me.  They will be defeated by God – not me.

vs 3  Even if facing an entire army (or mountain of trouble), I need to have confidence in God’s strength.

My attention should not be focused on any foes or obstacles of life.  My concentration must be on seeking after the LORD.

God has told me He’s taking care of my foes – to continue concerning myself with that is to distrust and question God.  I’m supposed to be taking care of my relationship with God – that’s what He’s given me to do.  I’m invited to be close to Him and bask in His Presence.

To choose to use energy and brain cells on anything else would be an offense to GOD.  If someone in your care didn’t trust you with the “little things” (which are everything to GOD), how would you feel!