PSALM PARAPHRASES

PSALM 1

To be envied is the man who does not make daily life decisions based on the advise of those who leave God out of their lives.  This man does not stand with, or stand up for people who act contrary to the character of God.  He does not throw in his lot with those who don’t believe there is a God, or those who don’t care.  

To be envied is the man who takes joy and pleasure in living in obedience to God.  Night and day he studies God’s Word, and communicates with himself in order to make decisions based on what he  knows is pleasing in God’s sight.  

This godly man shall flourish.  God Word will continually supply all the nutrition and support that he needs for spiritual growth.  His spiritual life will be healthy and he will bring forth fruit.  He will be able to withstand hard times.  He will not get weary in well doing and his efforts for the Lord will prosper.  

The opposite is true of the ungodly.  They are not to be envied.  If you choose to ignore or disobey God’s Word,  your life will produce nothing of value.  All your works and deeds will not only not count,  they will be blown away.

When judgment time comes, you will not have a leg to stand on.  You will be in a group completely separate from those who are anticipating reward.  

Don’t make a mistake…God knows the life and choices of both the godly and the wicked.  Those who choose to ignore God have nothing to look forward to for all eternity.

PSALMS  2

“Escaping God’s Authority”

Why do people think that they can ignore or get out from under the authority of God?  No matter how much they kick and scream, they are imagining something that can never happen.  No matter how many earthly kings and rulers decide that they will not submit to God’s authority, and try to break loose from His control,  it does not change anything.  Even if all the kings and rulers joined together against God, is it possible for them to win?

God is not threatened by man’s pathetic attempts to ignore His authority.  He is the sovereign Lord.  Because God is very displeased with the hardness of their hearts, they will one day, not only fear Him, they will hear and see His wrath.  

God will set up His king in Jerusalem.  This king will be God’s Son, Jesus, who was raised from the dead.  Because of Jesus’ humility and obedience to His Father, all He needs to do is ask and all people and lands will be under His authority.  The entire world will be His possession.  When He rules He will have supreme authority.  He will use His “rod of iron” to break the “clay pots” that rebel against Him.  

If you allow yourself to be instructed instead of stubborn rebellion, this would be a wise move.  If you serve Him and obey Him, you’ll find rejoicing at the end of the journey.  It is in your overall best interest to honor God and His Son.  Failure to honor God results in God’s anger and death.  A little portion of God’s wrath can do a lot of damage.  Trust Him instead of fighting against Him.  It’s a really good idea to be on God’s side.       

PSALM  18

“GOD IS MY  ________ !”

BACKGROUND:  II Samuel 21:12-22

Lord, I love thee with the most sincere love that a man can possess.  Lord, you are my STRENGTH.  As far as protection is concerned, you are my rock, you are my fortress, you are my deliverer and my God, you are my shield and strength…if I’m looking for a safe place, you are my high tower.  Your care for me is praise worthy.  Every time I call on you, you save me from the attacks of my enemies.  

Lord, you are my CURE FOR FEAR.  I have every right to be afraid.  The thoughts and sorrows of death have me all tangled up.  There are lots of ungodly men that would love to see harm come to me.  I am surrounded by thoughts of dying and the grave.   I find myself in great distress as the enemy has set traps for me.  I don’t know which way to move or turn.  You cure my fears because my cry can be heard by you no matter where I am, or what the troubling circumstance may be.

Lord, you are the one I count on for DELIVERANCE.  I have seen it before, when God’s anger is directed at those who seek to injure his children, the earth moves.  Not just a little, the earth quakes violently.  The foundations of the hills are moved.  Steam and smoke flow from God’s nostrils and fire comes out of his mouth.  Not just a little fire, but a sustainable fire that can ignite coals.  It’s quite a sight when God arrives on the scene.  The heavens bow down and darkness is under his feet.  Sometimes he rides upon angels, other times he just flies on the wings of the wind.  God’s appearance is so awesome that he has to hide his glory in the dark thick clouds.  These clouds appear to be storm clouds.   His brightness is veiled, but his arrival is accompanied by thunder, hailstones and coals of fire.  He is the MOST HIGH GOD.  He is the extremely exalted sovereign God.  He issues orders and they are obeyed.  He arrives with an arsenal of weapons to fight His enemies.  He shoots arrows of lightning that scatter and cause chaos amongst the enemy.  With just a breath of his nostrils he can part the oceans to the point where you can actually see the ocean floor.  Speaking of water, the Lord has many times pulled my out of troubled waters.  I was sinking and in dire straights because my enemy was stronger than me.  The good news is that God is stronger than my strongest enemy.  There have been times when the enemy has had me “dead to rights”.  I was trapped with no where to go…I thought I was a goner.  But the Lord, as always, gets me out of a very tight spot.  He relocates me in a large place without enemy threats.  I’m pretty convinced that I enjoy this favor because the Lord likes me.      

Lord, you are my REWARDER.  I sincerely believe that it pays to do right.  To the best of my knowledge, my hands are clean.  I have kept your words.  I have not ignored any of your laws.  I have made a conscious effort to keep my eyes fixed on pleasing you.  If the action seemed crooked or twisted, I stayed clear of it.  Please look for yourself to see if my hands are indeed clean.  I also anticipate a reward because you are merciful.  Your treatment of me has always been just and with my best interest at heart.

Lord, you are my RESCUER.  You target afflicted people to come to their aid.  Many a time when I am in a dark place, you have lighted my candle.  You have given me the strength to fight my through many men and then find safety after leaping over a wall.  Your plan always works.  I know cause it has worked before…Your plans for my welfare are rock solid and perfect for me.  When the way is difficult and mountainous…you keep my feet from slipping.  Every time I pull back my bow, I know that you are the one giving me the strength to do it.  When I feel weary, I hold the shield that you have provided, but more important is that your right hand holds me up.  I think sometimes you have provided me with special non-slipping tread on my feet.  If I have success in battle you are the one who gives me the courage to relentlessly pursue my enemies.  You cause them to be subdued and fall under my feet.  You’ve allowed me to put my feet on their necks.  No one came to their rescue…some even cried out to you for help.  You did not answer their prayer.  With your help, my enemies are but dust under my feet.  Now that the conflict among ourselves is over, other nations will fear no matter how secure they think their defenses are.  These heathen nations will obey and submit.

Lord, you are my ROCK.  You are a living rock, worthy of praise.  I have no problem letting people know what you have done for me.  You are an avenging rock; a supporting rock and a praise worthy rock.  You pay back those who harm me.  You lift me above my enemies giving me a huge advantage.  I will let all the heathen know that you are the secret to my success.  If they know the secret…they can’t stop you anyways.  You are an everlasting rock.  You cannot be defeated, and you never stop delivering or showing me your mercy.

A  GOD  OF  MERCY

Psalm 85

Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land and thy people.  When we have been in captivity, such as Egypt, you have delivered us.  We have sinned and messed up a lot in the past, but you have always forgiven us and covered our sin.  When we as a people have turned back to you and offered sacrifices, you have granted us forgiveness and covered our sin.  You have been a God of MERCY and FAVOR in the PAST.  We need to pause and think about how truly merciful you have been to us.  Oh, we were chastened and punished for our actions and deeds, but you eventually removed your wrath and eased off from the fierceness of your anger.

Lord, we need you to do it all over again for us NOW.  We need a God of MERCY and REVIVAL.  Turn us back to loving and trusting you.  Restore us again!  Turn our hearts around, bring us back to you.  Allow your anger towards us to cease again.  Will you be angry with us forever?  Will you prolong your anger into the next generation?  We are dead in our trespasses and sins.  Bring us back to life.  If you do, we will rejoice in thee.  Show us your mercy. O Lord.  We want to experience your unfailing and faithful love.  Grant us deliverance,  because if it is left up to us, we will never earn it.  

I know that you will once again deliver us.  We have so much to look forward to.  Eventually we will listen and obey.  Once we learn to obey, we will again experience peace.  When things are finally restored and right again, don’t let us fall into foolish behavior again.  Keep us near you, that is our best hope for continued deliverance.  We want to obey.  We want to receive your blessing.  We want your name, as our God, to be exalted among other nations.  Following the truth is crucial because truth and God’s mercy are best friends.  Two other qualities are closely joined together, these qualities are righteousness and peace.  If we live righteously, we will experience God’s peace.  Obedience to the truth yields God’s mercy, and righteous living results in God’s peace.  

One day when Christ is present on earth, and the Messiah reigns as King of Kings, truth will spring up everywhere.  Righteousness will hover over all the earth.  God has amazingly good things planned for those who love Him.   This has always been God’s desire.  God will not only bless the people, he will bless the land.  No longer under a curse, the earth will bring forth and yield abundant produce.  We may see the earth return to a state similar to the Garden of Eden.  Every step that the Messiah takes will find him following the path of righteousness.  Our responsibility will be to follow in the Messiah’s steps.  As stated before, the future is bright, and abundantly filled with God’s mercy extended to His people.  

--Paraphrase--

         Fred A Goebert