CNC Daily Psalms

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 69:16-36  Listen to Psalm 69:16-36

David continues to ask for quick deliverance from his enemies, appealing to God’s compassion. He has known the goodness of God’s love in his life and knows God’s loving kindness is ‘better than life’ (Psalm 63:3). He doesn’t want to be ignored, but for God to show his face to him.

The writer lays out his problems – he has been scorned, disgraced and shamed and has had sympathy from no one. Instead of help they have made things even worse by putting gall (bitter to eat) in his food and vinegar (sour) in his drink. This could be another reference to Christ and his sufferings (see Matthew 27:34 and John 19:28-29). We must be careful not to increase the misery of those who are feeling very low through no fault of their own, but instead try to help them and not to judge.

David then asks God to be angry with his enemies and to mete out the punishment they deserve. He wants divine justice upon those who set themselves against the cause of truth and for them not to be listed with the righteous or to enjoy the privileges of the people of God. The writer is pretty angry and we get angry at times. Maybe not always because of what is happening to us, but on others’ behalf, if they are being wronged. We must be careful not to sin in our anger, (Ephesians 4:26) but to use our anger for good and get things done to help those who are suffering injustice.

Verse 29 is a turning point and the writer is more sure of his salvation from distress. He praises God in song and thanksgiving and believes his heartfelt devotion is more pleasing to God than animal sacrifices. Everything in heaven, earth and the seas are not big enough to give God the praise that He is due. God will save Zion, the place of God’s habitation, and all those who love God’s name will dwell there. This sounds like a foretaste of heaven. Let’s praise God for his salvation.

Lord, we thank you that one day we will dwell with you. ‘We praise your name in song and glorify you with thanksgiving.’

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 69:1-15  Listen to Psalm 69:1-15

This is a plea by David for God to save him from injustice, from those who hated him without reason. He acknowledged that there was sin in his life (verse 5), which only God knew about, but David had not sinned against any of the people who were spreading false rumours and conspiring against him. He asks God that his predicament may not cause disgrace to others who share his faith and trust in the Lord (verse 6). He proclaims his love for God in verse 9, “zeal for your house consumes me,” but this has caused him to be alienated even from his own family and friends. God is being insulted (and David ridiculed) by unrighteous men who see his distress and must have concluded that his faith was groundless. How should we react when faced with ridicule or being mocked for our faith?

Jesus’s words from Matthew 5:11 should encourage us much when this happens.

Psalm 69 is mentioned many times by New Testament writers who identify Jesus as the righteous sufferer. Only Psalm 22 is quoted more often. Jesus fitted the pattern almost completely – he was ridiculed, mocked, scorned, spat on, etc. during his trial and crucifixion. David, as we shall see tomorrow in verses 22-28 asked for God to punish his tormentors, whereas Jesus, in contrast, told us to pray for those who persecute us and even asked God to forgive the men murdering him.

Lord, we pray for every person who loves you who suffers persecution of any kind. Please protect and sustain them by the power of your Holy Spirit. We pray too for those who are actively opposing Christians, both verbally and physically, that their eyes may be opened to the truth of who Jesus is.

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 68:21-35  Listen to Psalm 68:21-35

The second half of Psalm 68 takes a broader view. Verses 27 and 28 reference a time when God will be worshipped by all nations, highlighting the regathering of all the tribes of Israel, alongside all other nations. This gathering together seems not to come as coercion but as the result of a broader recognition of who God is. The prayer of the psalm seems to be that conflict from those who “love war” would end and all would turn to worship God.

This is important to note as the early verses are a prayer that God would show his strength. God’s strength manifests itself in a turning of nations away from war to him in worship. This is such a reminder to me that God’s ways are not human ways but far better. When we worship and ask God to reveal his strength we can trust that God will do so in ways better than we could ever imagine, because he is better than we could ever imagine.

God, would you reveal your strength?

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 68:1-20  Listen to Psalm 68:1-20

Today we are looking at part one of Psalm 68. Psalm 68 is a powerful depiction of God as a ruler of loving justice. Throughout the first twenty verses are depictions of the actions of God, both powerful and full of compassion. God is a god of both justice and redemption.

Within the Bible justice and redemption are usually depicted as going hand in hand. Part of the way this redemptive justice is demonstrated is in the understanding that God offers himself as a “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” God is present for those who are seen to have low status - he will meet the needs of those who are needy. Note also the reference to the role of women in proclaiming the word of God in verse 11 - perhaps a precursor of Mary Magdalene at the tomb of Jesus?

Much of the first twenty verses stand as a picture of the kingdom of God to come and (I hope also) the work of the church today - “God puts the lonely in a family.” My sense is that when we see examples of each of these in practice we are witnessing a foretaste of the kingdom of God.

God, would you help us be a church who point people to the works of your kingdom.

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 67  Listen to Psalm 67

Deus Misereratur – ‘May God have mercy.’

The Lord's face shines on us (verse 1). The Lord could turn his face away from us or condemn us, instead his face shines upon us. I reflected on this thinking, when do our faces ‘shine’? Our faces shine when we are glad to see a person whom we love deeply, feeling encouraged. We often talk about people’s ‘faces beaming’, usually this is when they are happy or proud of something. Is this how God feel about us? The Bible says it is!

God’s shining face is not just for our comfort and joy alone, it is missional… ‘so that…’ (verse 2). I have sung/chanted this psalm often, but I missed the fact that God has a universal vision. I was so busy thinking about God’s mercy for me. I think we all suffer from this problem of forgetting that God is a missionary God.

Many nations are in turmoil, practising idolatry of all sorts and are just unaware of God’s love for them shown in Jesus. This psalm talks about a harvest from the nations so that ‘the ends of the earth will fear him’ (verse 7). Jesus said, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19). May our faces shine with the glorious presence of Jesus in our lives.

Lord, give us your universal vision and shine your face on the world’s people. Help us to play our part in making your love known to the praise of your name!

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 66  Listen to Psalm 66

God answers prayer and because of this truth we are encouraged to praise and worship him.

The writer remembers when God delivered his people by parting the Red Sea (verses 5-7). The Jewish people have remembered this rescue event, the Passover, every year for nearly 3500 years. Our God is a God of rescue, shown supremely through the death of Jesus for us!

God also uses our trials to refine our character (verses 8-12), giving us more reasons to praise him. We see that the writer is committed to generously sacrificing and praising the Lord, because God has heard his voice in prayer (verse 19). Let us continue to share answers to prayer to encourage each other.

The writer wanted his praise to be genuine, so he was keen to do business with God and to repent of unconfessed sin in his life (verse 18).  Take time to meditate on the great truths in the last verse

We, like the psalmist, need to raise the praise, which will help us in these strange times where we can feel heavy and burdened. We are told to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!’ (Philippians 4:4). This psalm was a song, and it reminds us that music is so powerful. Let’s use the praise and worship songs on our phones often to raise the praise.

Lord, help me to shout your praise and to give thanks that you have ‘heard my voice in prayer’. Hallelujah!

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 65  Listen to Psalm 65

This psalm, written by David, is a psalm of praise, which starts with the acknowledgement of God's forgiveness of sins. David says, "You cover my sins." He also acknowledges the blessing with God bestows on those who love him.

I like the use of water in this psalm; it shows God's provision for us. Have you ever thought about how God enriches the earth with water? In the UK we just expect water. When we are thirsty we just turn on the tap. Water enables us to be provided with grain, blessing us with growth, food, and nourishment. David’s psalm reminds us that even to the ends of the earth people will see that creation declares the glory of the Lord. Paul wrote in Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen." Creation declares the Lord, God made this planet to sustain life.

This psalm is a celebration of the goodness of God both in spiritual and physical blessings. Take time to celebrate in God's beauty. Stop and look around and see and delight in his provision, God's creation. Listen to creation declaring the glory of the Lord.

Lord God, thank you for all you provide. Help us to see your beauty around us and delight in your provision.

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 64  Listen to Psalm 64

Sticks and stones will break my bones…

This psalm is written by David. It’s a psalm of complaint, a plea for help. David asks to be protected from his dread and fear of his enemy. He is not asking to be delivered from the enemy but from his fear. The word dread is defined as ‘to anticipate with great apprehension or fear.’ I am going to be presumptuous to say that, at times, we have all feel dread.

David knows people are planning his downfall - their tools are words, he says they aim their speech like a bow and arrow, they do not fear. They plan… The analogy of the use of a bow and arrow shows how calculated the archer is. They spot their target and take a calculated measured aim; it’s a considered action planning to hit the bullseye.

However, although David knows this is happening, he hands it over to God, he pleas for God to intervene to deal with his fear. This psalm shows his great faith and trust in God; he knows God will bring them to ruin. David uses words of faith and is trusting that eventually the situation will show the goodness of God. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us “do not be anxious about anything”. It’s hard to stay in a place of prayer, not to give up and give in when we have times of dread and fear, but this psalm reminds us of the value of faith and trust in God.

Have a David attitude!

Lord, you know our fears and our dread, help us to turn to you, to be persistent in prayer and to trust in your presence in the situation. Let your goodness shine through.

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 63  Listen to Psalm 63

Have you found that you are struggling with sleep during lockdown? David had a similar experience. This psalm was known as the morning hymn by the early church in Greece. John Chrysostom (347-407), Archbishop of Constantinople, wrote “that it was decreed and ordained by the primitive [church] fathers, that no day should pass without the public singing of this Psalm.” Charles H. Spurgeon said that, "This Psalm is peculiarly suitable for the bed of sickness, or in any constrained absence from public worship." Does that sound familiar in these times?

David was in the desert, either fleeing from King Saul or possibly a later time when his son Absalom staged a coup. He was no longer able to worship the Lord in the sanctuary of the temple. Yet he longs to do so. He remembers when he was able to worship publicly (verses 1-2) and looks forward to the time he will again (verses 3-4). It also seems that sleep eludes him as he is meditating on the Lord during the watches of the night (verse 6). A recent study by King’s College London and Ipsos MORI found that half of British adults say their sleep has been more disturbed than usual during lockdown.

When we find ourselves awake during the night and can't get back to sleep, or if we are on our sickbeds, or when we just long for gathered public worship, or we find ourselves in the wilderness, then use these times to worship God. Lift your hands in praise (verse 4), one of the oldest gestures of prayer, and may we find shelter in the shadow of God's wings as our souls cling to Him (verse 7-8). David found strength when he did this, and we will too is we choose to do the same.

Oh God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.

Read Psalm 62  Listen to Psalm 62

Have you ever had one of those days when it seems that the world is against you? Perhaps this time of Covid-19 has seen many such days for a lot of us. In this psalm David is in the midst of a crisis. He is being attacked, whether verbally or physically, in the way that a city may be under siege and he also faces hypocrisy from false friends. As in Psalm 13 he asks "How long?"will these assaults continue (verse 3). Despite the current crisis David describes a strong trust in God throughout the psalm.

It is easy to trust God in the good times. How much harder it is to trust in God when things aren't going so well. Yet this is what David urges in verse 8: "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." The psalmist uses the repeated Hebrew word אַךְ (akh) six times in this psalm in verses 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9. It can be translated as truly/surely/nevertheless/only/yes. Twice it is used before "my soul finds rest in God" (verses 1 and 5). Twice it is used before "he is my rock and my salvation" (verses 2 and 6).

It may seem that extortion, deceit and riches will bring success (verse 10), however we should not set our hearts on these, for true power, strength and wealth belong to God (verses 11-12). In the midst of trials and tribulations, nevertheless God is our rock, a mighty fortress, our hope and salvation and where our souls find rest. Faith isn't a naive ignorance of the reality of what is happening in the world. Genuine faith is trusting in God despite the circumstances.

Nevertheless Lord, even though I face crises, assaults and threats, nevertheless I will trust in You.