Mark Brinkley The “Songs of Ascents” (of which the 127th is one) are written to help the reader prepare for coming events. I often wonder about the backstory that caused the Psalmist to pen these words. I wonder what experiences have struck to create the words of today’s psalm. What pain or suffering had this author’s path shown? Was it the pain of aloneness, the struggle of enduring loss, ongoing...  Read More

Bob Broadbooks Arriving to pick up his son at daycare, the father found the little boy at play in the middle of a toy-strewn room. Upon seeing Dad, the boy excitedly ran to him. Just then the daycare worker reminded the boy that before he could leave, he had to pick up his toys. The boy burst into tears. He grabbed his dad’s legs and begged, “Don’t leave me, Daddy. Please don’t leave me, Daddy!” D...  Read More

Ellen Weinstock In this chapter, the psalmist is pleading with God to show up, bring deliverance, and shed some light on the situation. When circumstances overwhelm and we can’t see the way forward, what we do next is important: wallow in our grief and confusion or put our hope in God.I’ve climbed the seemingly never-ending spiraling staircases of several lighthouses - viewing the breath-taking su...  Read More

Ron Jackson “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do...  Read More

Julio Morales Everything in the world belongs to God. Absolutely everything belongs to Him: our life, our soul, our all for which we must give honor and glory to the King of Kings, Christ Jesus. He cares for us. He exhorts us to take care of our hands and our hearts. God, by his grace, has given us salvation so we can be in that holy place, on the mountain of the Lord.Jesus Christ tells us in Matt...  Read More

Kelvin St. John Imagine being bullied by someone who is bigger than you. At what seems like the very last minute, your even bigger friend shows up to protect you. Imagine your relief as you watch the bully retreat. This psalm of King David reminds me of innocent people who need a protector.David, the shepherd boy, spent weeks, months, perhaps a few years getting to know those sheep, that field, th...  Read More

Don Stelting If you were to ask those close to me what my spiritual struggles are, you’d learn quickly that I think too often about sin in my past and subsequently struggle with guilt. I can’t seem to comprehend how God could still love and desire me after I’ve failed to be a good person. Most of us probably spend too much time consumed with our own problems and issues, maybe even contemplating pa...  Read More

Merritt Nielson In Psalm 138, a personal song of thanksgiving in the hymnal of the Jewish people, we have themes that recur frequently within the psalter’s pages. They resonate deeply within us every time we let the Psalms lead us in worship. One can’t help but be consoled in difficult times with its graceful lyrics of praise, petition, prayerful hope, and meditation. We come face to face with lyr...  Read More

Mackenzie Burnham One of my favorite Lauren Daigle songs, “Rescue,” talks about God sending an army to find us within the darkest night. Throughout Scripture we are reminded of God’s promises to rescue us.Psalm 115:11 says, “He is your helper and your shield.” Just as the song “Rescue” talks about sending an army to help us, God is our helper and shield. In the hardest and darkest of times, God se...  Read More

Mike Gough The great philosopher, Steve Martin, once said, “You can’t play a sad song on a banjo.” A more important statement is, “It’s hard to be sad while one is praising God.” Praise takes our mind off our problems and puts our focus on God’s power, majesty, and love. It’s hard to be sad when our focus and praise is on God.This Psalm is quoted in 1 Chronicles 15. In that context, David prepared...  Read More

Rebecca Rinker Have you ever seen a picture of a dog right after it does something very bad, like ripping apart a pillow or getting into the trash? Some dogs wear very guilty expressions and can hardly stand to look at you. Others try to act casual and play it cool, giving you a sneaky, sly side-eye. Others have absolutely no shame. They grin up at you with cheeky confidence, like they are cute or...  Read More

Noelia Camargo If we contemplate the sky, we can witness the amazing and impressive things that happen in it. The movement of the clouds during the day, the immense amount of stars at night, the moon in its different aspects, and beautiful things like shooting stars…have you ever seen one? The shooting star was formed by God himself, just as human beings were.David could see the favor of God magni...  Read More