Six Biblical Steps for Guidance

This article presents the traditional view that we are to seek guidance from the Lord in all the major decisions of life, and he will clarify our thinking, or overrule our circumstances.

‘Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me.’ (Psalm 25.4-5)

Comfort for Tried Believers

Are you troubled, and are you inclined to despair? Take counsel; these storms are not beyond what believers in Jesus can bear. Is not the Lord himself with you as your captain, and is not the Holy Ghost with you as your guide, and have you not a faithful God to trust to in the stormiest night you may ever know?

The Awesome God

What is awe? A teenage boy went to see the Niagara Falls and was over­whelmed by the power of that mighty cascade of water. Riveted to the spot, he really felt its danger and magnificence. He went down to the lower shelf to view the falling water from behind, and could not stop talking about it for days. That’s awe.

Fortifications for the Saints

‘Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.’

In the Beauty of Holiness

‘O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.’

The Invincibility of the Church

‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.’

Responding to God’s Benefits

‘What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.’

The Extraordinary Mercy and Kindness of God

David traces the reasons for personal sin in a life, the phenomenon of God’s mercy, the benefits of trusting Him, and the tragic result of rejecting His kindness. There is no treatment of sin and salvation as profound and uplifting as this psalm.

The Lord Our Shepherd

‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.’

Eternal Life in the Old Testament

It is said that there is little understanding of eternal life in the Old Testament, but this is very mistaken. 46 Psalms of David speak of eternal glory, and here we survey ten to show that all the Bible is about everlasting salvation.

Trusting the All-Sufficient God

‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.’

Our Dangerous Journey

King David’s best-known psalm reveals his view of life’s journey. Claiming the Almighty God as his personal guide and Saviour, he points to all that we miss without this divine Shepherd, and the conversion experience that He gives to all who follow Him.

The Beauty of Christ

‘I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.’

How Can God Be Loved?

How can the invisible, unfelt God be loved? It is not possible without some unmistakable experience of His intervention in our life. Here is how that may happen, so that we exclaim with the Psalm, ‘I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice.’

Why God Hears Some Prayers But Not Others

King David imparts his experience of prayer and lays out the key conditions for prayer to be heard and answered. So much prayer, we learn, is distasteful to God and disregarded. May the fundamental human instinct to pray lead to life and peace with God.

We Are What We Worship

An idol is any object or idea that substitutes for the true God. The Bible shows that idolatry is rampant in every life. Today the worship of self claims that individuals have the right to be themselves and have their desires – we become ‘God’.

A Small Sin With Everlasting Consequences

‘The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.’

Answering Doubts About God And Faith

Here are several troubling objections to Christian faith drummed into modern society, and why they are entirely wrong. Here also are the chief evidences for the being of God, the basis for finding and knowing Him, and the proving of His life-changing power.

Under the Direction of the Lord

‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.’

God’s Plan for the World

David’s last prayer is one of the most remarkable and detailed prophecies of the Old Testament, describing what the coming Messiah (Jesus Christ) would do for the world. Every major act of Christ is here, and what these mean for our eternal souls.

Things God Gives Only to Those Who Ask

All things come from God, but the greatest and most significant benefits in life come by application to Him. Here are the ‘deep things’ of God – His mercy and benevolence, and what the promises (in the Scriptures) do for all who ask.

How To Thank The Lord

‘Praise ye the Lord; I will praise the Lord with my whole heart.’

The Happy Man

‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.’

The Dream of Life

What happens when the dream of life is over and the reality of God’s existence dawns? The Psalmist describes the futility of a life lived without God, and the inevitability of final judgement. Will we face Christ the Lord as our Saviour or as our Judge? ‘As a dream, when one awaketh, so, O Lord, … Continued

Fret Not Thyself

Full chapter _____________ Psalm 37 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be … Continued

Seeking The Face Of The Lord

‘When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies … Continued

The Shadow of Life

King David looks back to his experiences of deep cynicism, describing how it gave way to a realisation of the futility of life without God. He saw life as a ‘shadow’, and provides us with a prayer for approaching and finding a forgiving God. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: The Greatest Rescue of Life, Seeking … Continued

Crying out for Salvation

You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: The Height and Depth of Salvation, How to Apply for Salvation Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But … Continued

The Duty and Blessing of Attending God’s House

Full chapter _____________ Psalms 100-101 Psalm 100 – A Psalm of praise.  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his … Continued

Life For Evermore

‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the … Continued

Dependent Beings

When pilgrimages to Jerusalem reached the last stage of the journey, and the mountains of the city were in sight, this psalm was sung and explained – a call to look to God for reconciliation with Himself, pardon, life, and His power and guidance to eternity. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: The Unseen … Continued

Personal Revival

‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 139 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my … Continued

The Voice of the Lord

You May Be Also Interested in… Video Tract: What is life? Sermon: The Voice of GodArticle: Seven Voices of Calvary Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD … Continued

The Folly of Unbelief

You May Be Also Interested in… Video Tract: What is life? Sermon: The Troubles of Unbelief The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any … Continued

The Greatest Possession in Life

Here are the aims and desires of all who live life without God, and their failure to gain what is desired.  Here also are the obstacles that keep us from God, the benefits that come with His forgiveness, and how He is to be approached. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Valuing your Life Blessed … Continued

The Conversion of David

Israel’s greatest king – David – was also a remarkable teacher, prophet and psalmist.  But it was as a youth that he found a personal relationship with the living God, and this psalm recalls the experience that changed his life and took him from shepherding to ruling. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: King David’s … Continued

A Stethoscope For The Soul

“Why be thankful to God?” we may ask. We grasp at attempts to explain away the evidence of design in our universe, and we do so, according to scripture, because of human pride. Here are the psalmist’s steps for paying homage to God and finding Him. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Who Cares for … Continued

Light and Life in Christ

You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Valuing your Life, Walking In and For LightHymn: The Lord my Saviour is my light (Psalm 27) For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. … Continued

Who Cares For Your Soul?

David, pursued by 3000 military men of Saul, has taken refuge in a mountain cave. Bereft of all help, he turns to God, and is delivered. Here he recalls his sense of helplessness in order to illustrate the realisation of spiritual isolation and loss that usually precedes conversion to God.

The Unseen Battle of Life

A very remarkable presentation of the way to find God in which the psalmist uses ten illustrations in just five verses, to show (1) the human predicament – cut off from God; (2) the remedy – what God has done; (3) our response; and (4) the result.

The Priority of Thanksgiving

An incomparable psalm for understanding the riches of thankfulness. Here are unexpected seams of thought from God’s acts of creation, deliverance, guidance and provision. Here also is how the psalmist anticipates conversion and the Christian life, and shows the spiritual benefits of thankfulness.

Experiencing God First Hand

King David’s burden is to convey the very real experience he had of association with God. He spells out the tangible changes in his life through conversion, the evidences and scale of God’s interventions and helps, then the terms on which one must approach Him.

The Astonishing Mercy of God

As far as human beings are concerned, the multitude of God’s tender mercies are the towering wonder of His divine attributes. Here are His mercies of salvation, their benefits, the great cost to God of their implementation, and the happiness of receiving them.

Practical Religion

Full chapter _____________ Psalms 100-101 Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of … Continued

Explaining Human Nature

Despite the intellectual brilliance of the human race, we are capable of great foolishness in our dismissal of God, as King David points out. Here are the reasons why we suppose that God keeps no account of our lives, and all that we lose by this thinking.

Praise In Heart and Life

‘Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 33 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: … Continued

The Human Experience

He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. (Psalm 33:5-6) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the Metropolitan Tabernacle … Continued

The Proof of Prayer

Millions pray to the one eternal, almighty God. Who may pray to Him, and how? On what basis may the Holy One be approached? What makes prayer acceptable or futile? What kind of request is heard, and what is the proof? Here are David’s answers.

The Limitation of Life

– Especially if God is set aside. The limitation of idols listed in this Psalm apply to the idol of today – materialistic atheism. Lacking voice, vision and hearing it has no explanation of life’s purpose, no help and no power. The Gospel of Christ is the opposite.

King David’s View of Life

The 23rd psalm is the most famous of David’s poetic compositions, but people often do not realise it is the king’s brilliant summary of his view of life – of how he saw himself before his Creator – and how he came to find and know Him.

The Value of Our Life

King David, a man of immense ability naturally, tells from experience of the journey from self-confidence and self-satisfaction to being humbled to see his vital need of God, and going on to seek and find a life-changing relationship with Him.

Eternity in the Psalms

Contrary to what Bible critics ignorantly claim, the Old Testament is full of heaven and the eternal bliss of the redeemed. Here is a review of David’s psalms that overwhelmingly prove so, including an explanation of the few places that suggest (wrongly understood) the contrary.

The Dissolving of Doubts 6

This study refutes a new book attacking the credibility of the Bible (The Bible for Grown-Ups), denying all Bible history before 900BC and claiming endless errors along with the absence of any spiritual message or consistent morality in the OT period. (We hear of teachers indoctrinating classes with it.)

All God’s Supremacy in One Psalm

King David’s last words combine a history of time with a ‘world view’ from God’s perspective. Here is the solution to the greatest problem of mankind – moral disorder and alienation from God – and how Christ saves countless souls out of every age of time.

David Sees Messiah’s Reign

Probably David’s last and most uplifting psalm containing standards for his successors but chiefly soaring into messianic prophecy. Here is spelled out the character, extent and fruits of Christ’s reign using vivid pictures exclusively fulfilled by the One ‘who only doeth wondrous things’.

David Teaches Greater Communion

Fleeing Saul in the wilderness of Ziph David’s quest for communion is rewarded, this psalm revealing his steps under four discernible headings: 1. his longing for it (the means), 2. his commitment to praise (including the feast analogy), 3. his dependence, 4. the element of anticipation.

David on the Terms of Blessing

Composed when David was at the height of his power, this looks back at Saul’s disastrous reign and its cause to help people value their present blessings. To us, it says inversely – reviving past evangelical blessings means abandoning new methodology and trusting the Word alone.

David Takes Details to God

David takes his terrifying predicament to the Lord, but not before affirming his trust in God’s promises and power – a vital antidote to making self-pitying complaints rather than offering believing prayers. Here are the lessons of his great example in the conquest of fear or discontent.

David’s Hold on Spiritual Happiness

This hymn with a refrain that recurs 11 times addresses a series of exhortations to believers, accompanied by strong divine promises, especially to see all of life in the light of eternity. Containing the famous four words – Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, it constitutes a rich devotional feast.

David’s Driving Aim in Life

David’s prayer in deep waters, but his chief concern is God’s glory and the perpetuation of his witness. Here also are the answers to the seven questions we may ask in personal Bible study – Is there a doctrine here, a duty, a reproof, a promise? etc.

David Teaches Spiritual Dependence

Dependence is a central duty of the Christian life and vital to the blessing of churches. Here is the nature of dependent prayer in troubles, the avoiding of worldly solutions, the forms in which God gives strength, and some of the mistakes of today.

David on Felt Union with God

Although hostility and war threaten the king, the running theme of this psalm is close communion with the Lord, his first and chief source of relief and perspective. Here we trace how the king went about it, his experience and its fruits.

David’s Components of Dedication

Carefully structured, this great prayer provides a profound study of dedication, yet it also works as a quick checklist of the vital elements, such as one might keep in the back of one’s Bible. Here are David’s six ‘departments’ for regular recommitment.

David’s Prayer for Guidance

First it is shown that the main theme of this prayer – paths and ways – is about the course of life and its major decisions and crises. Then we see several prerequisites or conditions for discerning the Lord’s guidance, all equally prayed for by the king.

David Prays in Troubles

Just what we need for the day of intense trial, temptation, persecution, loss, illness or turmoil. Here is God’s promise for prayer, the conditions for being heard, the part we must play, the duty of appreciation, the effect on assurance and avoiding fleshly solutions.

King David’s Route to Assurance

An insight into a most helpful approach to assurance, not here by reviewing our experience (legitimate as that is) but by reflecting (1) on God’s attributes in creation (2) on the distinctive qualities of the Word, and (3) by avoidance of certain kinds of sin.

Attitudes to God

Many wonder how any person could love God. Is not love an affection we have for people, or beauty or a cause? Here is an insight into how countless people, great and small, have stumbled into an experience of great love of God.

David in Desperate Straits

David in despair and hounded by Saul controls his feelings and (1) articulates his needs in prayer (2) affirming that God knows what He will do (3) that he has a higher, better life (4) that God alone can help and (5) yielding his life afresh.

David Prays for Sanctification

A truly extraordinary psalm with numerous illuminating metaphors. Here we see 13 of them under the headings (1) the place of prayer (2) the priority of guarding lips and heart (3) the heeding of correction (4) coping with the world’s contempt (5) Satan’s snares.

David on Spiritual Relationships

Extraordinary psalms – here the riches of fellowship are unfolded: first the ideal; secondly, the fragrance or pleasantness of Christian warmth; thirdly, its power and productiveness; fourthly, its eternal character. In these exquisitely structured verses two feelingful illustrations speak to our hearts.

David’s Motto-Psalm for Trust

A king’s devotions – these three memorable verses enable believers to maintain humility, dependence and trust in all circumstances. Firstly, a regular confession, secondly, the deportment or stance to be worked at, thirdly, the patience and waiting factor. All these sustained a great ruler’s trust.

David on the Spiritual Warfare

Most modern ‘study Bibles’ limit Psalms 123-6 to the release from Babylonian captivity. But older works are right to relate them to all Zion’s trials, including spiritual opposition. Never underestimate, says David, the war against the saints, its periodical peaks, and remarkable deliverances.

The Blessings of Reflection

Unique Psalms – David reflecting on the church, especially Messiah’s, using the picture of the Temple.  Here are the riches and benefits of God’s provision of gatherings of his people. We too should reflect on the meaning of its structure, purposes, ‘walls’, ‘palaces’, and peace.

David’s Prayer of Faith

A unique model prayer rich in counsel, including problems in prayer. Four evident sections cover (1) The petitioner’s humble approach, (2) God’s approachability and readiness to respond, (3) The petitioner’s promise to God (a vital part of prayer), (4) The core petition itself, including the token for good.

Things That Come Only From God

A soul-searching psalm that presents all the things in life provided exclusively by God, together with things we cannot possess or experience unless we apply to Jesus Christ the Saviour for forgiveness and eternal life. Then only do substantial and eternal things become ours. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for … Continued

The Victorious March of God

Unique psalms: here is the whole scene of redemptive warfare, lifting us above setbacks and discouragements. Here too is prophecy – the ascension of Christ and the New Testament age, with the harvest of the Gentiles and coming judgement, and with surprising assurances along the way.

David’s Inventory of Benefits

Unique psalms: here David shows us how to summon ourselves to praise. The main subjects are God’s forgiveness of, and compassionate acts toward, His people, both flowing from His character, and infinitely exceeding our guilt and inadequacy. The pinnacle of praise then lifts to Heaven.

King David’s Resolutions

A unique and challenging psalm: David’s ten vows for his reign, all to do with his moral rules for personal life and for his administration. Here is – (1) his dedication; (2) his plea for evident divine involvement; (3) his defence of the cause in the spiritual warfare.

Praise For Lasting Glory

‘Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 104 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a … Continued

Christ’s Plan For His Churches

The psalmist predicts the destruction of Zion and its restoration after exile; also its spiritual revival in the Christian age. Here is Christ’s blueprint for individual churches (rather than denominations, societies and private ministries), their superior qualities, their end-time oppression, and final triumph.

Closeness to God

David’s rhapsodic review of all the ways by which he knew the mighty hand of God in every condition of life. Both deeply searching and powerfully comforting, here are the details of the Lord’s love toward his own in action, and the gratitude we owe.

The Glory and Wonder of Praise

David shows praise is about the Lord and his work, and also about the believer’s many recurring deliverances throughout this life of countless needs. These blessings cannot be experienced without concern for holiness and reverence. Here are inspired counsels for both personal and congregational praise.

The Summons From On High

Full chapter _____________ Psalm 50 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it … Continued

A Sure Refuge for Souls

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:12) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the Metropolitan Tabernacle we cater for the needs of … Continued

Responding to God’s Love

Preparatory Devotional Address (Psalm 116): The spiritual responses and resolutions of a serving heart to the love of God.

How to Approach God

Many only ever approach God over emergencies, but not to find Him or to have Him as their God. Others approach Him in a way He has already said in the Bible is unacceptable to Him. King David shows the way, and here is his effective approach.

God’s Mercy and Love

David provides eight reasons why we commit personal sin, then sets out the magnitude of God’s mercy, His promises of pardon and life, His soaring unchangeable standards, His provisions of help, and the precious thing He gives to those who trust Him.

Knowing God in Trials

‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.’   Full chapter _____________ Psalm 63 O God, … Continued

Where Do You Live?

‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’   Full chapter _____________ Psalm 91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and … Continued

Christian Character

‘I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.’   Full chapter _____________ Psalm 101 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, … Continued

Looking Up to God

The mountains of Jerusalem, especially the Temple Mount, remind the psalmist of the Creator, and of his own human smallness, and need of spiritual life. Here is how this powerful metaphor persuades us to reach out to God for life and purpose.

How King David Found God

In this royal testimony of conversion David describes his previous ignorance, and how the wonder and majesty of the night sky stamped on his mind God’s infinite being, and his own smallness, bringing him to seek the kindness that stoops, pardons and imparts spiritual life.

Life’s Greatest Treasure

Wealth, fame, power, health, ability and pleasure all rank among the things most desired by men and women. But the Christian message ranks the forgiveness of God greater than them all. Here are the limits and costs of the former, and the eternal gains of free forgiveness.

Who Cares for the Soul?

King David shows that no ruler or society or relation or loved one can help an individual person concerning the soul. This central, vital core of our being can only be enlivened and protected by God, and David’s message is about God’s way of saving the soul.

Three Neglected Spiritual Disciplines

‘I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 119 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in … Continued

Evangelistic Preaching from the Psalms

Soul-winning reasoning often of a unique kind is found throughout the psalms. This address showed some of these themes and provide sample suggested sermon outlines, including individual verses with special potential.

A View Into One’s Soul

Whether or not we are thankful to God (the highest duty of the human heart) says more about our souls, our direction in life, and our eternal destiny than we realise. Here a range of attitudes to God are reviewed, showing our need to experience His power and love.

Under the Shadow of the Almighty

A psalm vividly portraying the traps and snares life presents to the soul, and the vulnerability of unbelief. How these snares are baited, and minds are made entirely materialistic. Here also is how the mind may be woken to find and trust in God

Useful versus Useless

‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.’   Full chapter _____________ Psalm 1 Blessed … Continued

Are We Truly Citizens Of Heaven?

‘LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.’   Full chapter _____________ Psalm 15 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, … Continued

The Christian’s Resolve

  Full chapter _____________ Psalm 39 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart … Continued

Downcast Yet Triumphant!

‘As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.’   Full chapter _____________ Psalm 42 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? … Continued

Lifting Up the Soul

Not blissful happiness or ‘Christian hedonism’, because in a world of sin there are countless griefs and trials, but the lifting up of the inner person. This psalm remarkably conducts us through an agenda for thanksgiving and reflection that greatly strengthens and gladdens the heart.

How to Apply for Salvation

King David sympathetically and appealingly spells out the terms and conditions of salvation. Speaking from his own experience, he shows what we must believe, what our attitude should be, and how we ought to ask for new life from God. He also describes God’s response.

Striking Contrasts

‘The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 36 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be … Continued

How Should I Rate My Life?

Life can only be measured in terms of our value and significance before God. King David recalls that he had fallen into backsliding, but grasped afresh the brevity and futility of life without a living experience of God. Here are the thoughts that brought him to renew that experience.

The Christian’s Burdens

Full chapter _____________ Psalm 55 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and … Continued

Musing and Meditating

Full chapter _____________ Psalm 39 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was … Continued

Hindrances to Spiritual Progress

‘Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.’   Full chapter _____________ Psalm 119 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. … Continued

Love for Christ

The psalmist had stumbled into material desire, or into doubts, envying the apparent benefits of godless people. But surrounded by the symbols of divine mercy in the sanctuary, he recovered his sense of salvation, his exclamation of love yielding great lessons for us on how to express love to Christ.

A Spiritual View of Life

If we are boxed in to a material view of life, this psalm is like a camera drawing back and showing the real context of our earthly journey. We see ourselves passing through a ravine oblivious to the dangers and destination. Here is vital information for those seeking their Creator.

The Debt We Owe to Christ

David’s prophecy of Calvary, quoted by Christ as His own words, describes verse-by-verse the details and purpose of Calvary more deeply even than the Gospels. Then (from verse 23) David exhorts believers to love Him, and predicts eternal glory. (Good Friday service)

The Living God

Present-day Western ‘idolatry’ is the worship of a god invented by us, or of earthly objects and goals which we substitute for God. Here are the massive differences between the true and living God and all substitutes.

The Kind of Prayer God Hears

True atheism is rare. Everyone prays at some time, but how? Here are prayers that fall to the ground, and why, contrasted with the kind that God has promised to answer. To know these things is to know how to approach and find God in a true and personal way.

God’s Plan for the World

Here is the most detailed prophecy – 900 years before the event – of Christ’s work and of the way He would capture the hearts of billions until the final day of earth’s history. This is the message of eternal life.