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 61  Listen to Psalm 61

The writer seeks to come into God's presence. He asks God to listen to what he is asking. He feels a long way from God - he's at “the ends of the earth”. As far away from God as he can possibly get. Yet God has been the one place/person he can go to for help and protection. He wants to stay in the presence of God with the covering of God like a bird covers its chicks. He knows God has heard him and the promises he has made to Him. He knows he has already received a place in God's promised land with the rest of the people. A request is made for the king to have a long life and reign, to remain in God's presence and receive His faithfulness, love and protection. Then the king will always be able to praise God and keep the promises he made.

As Christian’s we need God to listen to us - He has said He will. Wherever we are we can come to Him and be in a better place with God our Rock. He will always be our refuge and give us strength and help. As His people we love to be with Him, praising Him, receiving the inheritance He has promised us. “In his presence is fulness of joy.” This encourages us to continue to make the journey into our Father’s presence and know His protection and love.

Thank you Father for hearing, loving and protecting us.

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 60  Listen to Psalm 60

David acknowledges God’s anger and rejection of the Jews and comes to plead for restoration of the relationship between them and God. He has brought many problems to David and his people. He has shaken the land and they have reached a state of desperation. However, those who are faithful have tried to rally the people, have established a gathering point and are looking to God for deliverance. He reminds them that He owns all the land they occupy.

David says that he is putting all his trust in God to lead him to “the fortified city” – to safety from the enemy. The king sees that God may have rejected Israel and pleads for help against the enemy.

In a war we seek to survive and come through the difficulties. As believers we can look to God for help and protection and for Him to protect us. We may ponder on our nation’s relationship with God and look at our current situation. David always looked to God for help. We as his children may come to Him for protection and for rescue. We can look to God for the might of His right hand to rescue us from our troubles and put us in a safe place.

Father God, we are dependent on you just as your people were in the time of King David. We look to you for your help and protection in these difficult times. Please keep our eyes focussed on 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 59  Listen to Psalm 59

David, here, was in fear of his life from King Saul who had sent men to his house to kill him (1 Samuel 19:11).

Verses 1-7 are a prayer of deliverance by David who reminds God that he has done nothing wrong and is being unjustly attacked. I believe there are similarities in today’s world for the church when it is attacked, many times physically, in various parts of the world by other faiths who are jealous or feel insecure by the challenge of Christianity. This applies too to individual Christians who are unjustly persecuted for standing firm in their beliefs. David doesn’t hesitate to pray to God to be defended. Even if we do not suffer physical affliction perhaps we should pray often for God to protect us from our spiritual enemies and the temptations of our own hearts. If we are subjected to ridicule or opposition by the secular world we should not worry (see Matthew 5:11-12).

David then puts his trust in the Lord (verses 8-11) and goes on to ask God to punish the evil doers but not too quickly. David didn’t only want the defeat of his enemies. He wanted them defeated in a way that would do the most good for God’s people. If those enemies were kept alive but scattered, the lesson would last longer.

David prayed often for God to punish his enemies. This, perhaps, is not the kind of prayer that we should be making as Christians, as we have the benefit of Jesus’ teaching about praying for our enemies and those who persecute you.

Verse 6 is repeated again in verse 14 for emphasis. Maybe David could see Saul’s men prowling around and surrounding his house at night like the pack of hungry dogs that they were. But he is confident now that God will protect him and save him, so he sings and expresses his praise to God until morning.

O my strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress my loving God (verse 17).

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 58  Listen to Psalm 58

This is a prayer of David asking God, the supreme judge, to set right the affairs of men, judging those rulers who corrupt justice, and championing the cause of the righteous.

This psalm comes out of outrage that is felt when judges have decided the innocent David is guilty. They have not weighed the evidence truthfully and their mouths, hearts and hands are united in the pursuit of injustice. David feels their intention was to work wickedness and in their actions they dispense violence in the earth. There may be times when we feel anger at injustices we see in this world. It can be hard to decide how best to help bring justice in a way that is pleasing to God, but there may be things we can do to try and help bring justice for those being treated or judged unfairly.

David says the judges are wicked from their birth - telling lies which are like poison as venom from a snake. The judges and rulers have power to oppress others and their words are deadly and unpredictable. They are ‘deaf’ and will not listen to God.

He then calls on God to ruin the wicked and take vengeance and break their teeth so they cannot hurt people any more with their deadly bite. Like a slug which dries up into nothing as it moves along a rock in the heat of the sun and the image of a still born baby (quite shocking) – he wants the wicked to die quickly and be ‘swept away’ (verse 9). In Old Testament times they only had vague ideas about life after death. For them justice has to be done in this life, before their eyes, but later on, Jesus taught that justice will be brought by God after death (Matthew 25:31-46).

David is confident that righteousness will be rewarded and God will give the right judgement. He says the righteous will be glad when they see justice done and will rejoice in God’s victory over those who wickedly oppress others. I do not think we should be smug when we see evil folk suffer, because we are told to love our enemies and forgive them. When Jesus suffered the ultimate injustice and was dying on the cross, he was able to say ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’

Lord, please give us a passion to try and help put injustice right.

‘Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like You have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours

Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause

As I walk from earth into eternity.’

From ‘Hosanna’ Brooke Ligertwood.

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 57  Listen to Psalm 57

What does it mean to have a steadfast heart, as in verse 7? The word “steadfast” in various dictionaries is defined as “firmly fixed in one place.”

Rather than thinking about our attitude, Christians often talk more about the steadfastness of God. Altogether this word is mentioned 323 times in the Bible: God’s love is firmly fixed towards us.

But what about our hearts?

In this psalm, David again is in a tight spot, in some cave hiding from Saul, but he knows that when in trouble, wherever you are, the best place to be is under the shadow of God’s wing. As an adult bird would protect its young from predators, so under God’s wing, close to his heart, is best. When the pressure comes we can choose either to run towards God’s heart, pouring out our troubles, or we can run in the opposite direction, making our own way in life.

It is here we find that, like David, Father God is steadfast and freely gives us his gift of love and faithfulness (verse 3). This revelation, that despite everything through Jesus we will never be more loved, forgiven and held by God than we are now and nothing we do can change this, will surely steady the rockiest heart. This revelation in a dark cave turns David’s voice to one of praise and worship that is sent out across the nations.

Father, today please give me a fresh revelation of your love and care for me.

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 56  Listen to Psalm 56

This psalm starts out as a case of 'Faith versus Fear'.

David is having to preach to himself again - he is being watched. On one side by his enemies, who would love to kill him, but more importantly on the other side he is watched by his deliverer God.

Thank heavens that mostly today, we never have to dodge flying arrows or check around dark corners to see if we are about to be hit over the head. However, whether it is pressure from other people, our own fears or situation, or we feel hard pressed by the enemy, we at all times can feel under attack and in a place of fear. This is when we can confidently turn to Jesus and call for help knowing that he has entered the deepest darkest places, where he won the victory - the battle finished.

As we follow Jesus we are called to take up our crosses daily (die) so that we live with him. His was the victory - it is Jesus we follow.

The psalm closes with the words: ‘That I may walk before God in the light of life.’

May Jesus light of the world shine into our lives as we walk with him.

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 55:12-23  Listen to Psalm 55:12-23

We saw earlier that the inner enemy David confronts was a treacherous friend. That person walked with David and even had a covenant relation with him (verses 12-14 and verse 20). God was a third party in their conversation (MSG). The friend’s words which were music to David’s ears, turned to daggers in his heart. Have you ever experienced this? Where your reputation and character have been sullied? Has anger boiled up within you and a desire to get revenge or recompense? David says literally “go to hell” (verse 15).

Rather than a physical attack he repeatedly cries to the Lord who responds by setting him free from distress and unharmed by the opposition. He appeals to the judge of all the earth because he realises that his enemy will never change his ways and never fear God. His actions will rebound upon him (verse 23).

Nicky Gumbel comments that worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it gets you nowhere! No one goes through life without facing problems, battles and causes for worry. But we have a choice how we deal with them. For David it was to trust his case with the Lord. Verse 22 tells us “to put your troubles on God’s shoulders - he will carry your load, he’ll help you out”. Echoed in 1 Peter 5:7; "Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.”

Lord, I bring my cares to you today. I cast all these things on you and trust in 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 55:1-11  Listen to Psalm 55:1-11

There is treason and treachery in Jerusalem. A close friend, perhaps David’s son Absalom, is about to mount a coup. There are rival gangs prowling the alleys and vile propaganda (verses 9-11). Anarchy is on their agenda. Natural thoughts trouble him, fears of death make him want to fly away to a quiet place of shelter away from the storm (verses 6-7). Escapism is never the answer. Confrontation is.

Confronting evil starts with prayer to the all listening God (verse 1) to intervene “I really need you”. Confuse the opponent’s speech as they utter malice, threats and lies. Romans 12:21 tells us do what you can it will make a difference. “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good."

We shall see later that the enemy is within. A close friend who has worshipped together with David and spoke with smooth lips but a heart full of lies. We were recently reminded of the anniversary of the Manchester bombing by the enemy within. Coronavirus is also an enemy unseen.

Lord, listen to our prayers as we confront the evil we see in word and deed. Overcome evil with your good in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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 54  Listen to Psalm 54

It is thought that the description at the start of the psalm relates to the Ziphites’ betrayal of David to Saul. It is probably the historical situation described in 1 Samuel 23:19-29 and David feels abandoned and betrayed. It is one of a few psalms with specific musical direction – to be played with stringed instruments.

David starts with a prayer for deliverance. He appeals to God’s name (nature and character) and his strength (great power). His rescue would be his vindication and his enemies would see that David was in the right and they were in the wrong when his prayer is answered. He confidently asks God to hear and act. He describes the grave danger he faces. The strangers were probably Ziphites, who were Israelites, but it seems they had rejected David and God and were wanting to deliver David to his enemy, so he fears for his life.

The word ‘Selah’ comes at the end of verse 3 and it is seen in many other psalms. It could mean stop and think, pray, make music, or pause and exalt the Lord.

David anticipates deliverance and has confidence in God to help him in his adversity and he does not question the goodness of God, but he appeals to it. He asks that his enemy should be destroyed, but Jesus told us to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44). I guess David was wanting good to triumph and for God to do his work against those who do evil. He asks God to serve as judge on his behalf. We should not judge or punish our enemies, but leave this to God (Romans 12:19).

He says he will give a freewill offering, which he didn’t need to do, but it was given out of his gratitude. We are not sure, but it seems that this may even have been before he sees his prayer being answered. During his life David was in real danger several times, but he trusted God to keep him safe. He knew God had been faithful in the past and had delivered him from all his troubles.

It’s hard to thank and praise God and trust him when things are very difficult and we don’t see answers, but with God on our side, we can know he will deliver us and always wants the best for us.

Thank you Lord, that you are always with us and will keep us safe. Help us to love those we feel are unlovely and to pray for people we find difficult.

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 53  Listen to Psalm 53

The words of this psalm are almost verbatim with Psalm 14. When God speaks we ought to listen. If He speaks about the same thing a second time then it must be something really important for us to hear. What is He saying to mankind during this crisis we are living through? What is He saying to you?

Verse 1: There are two groups of fools:

those that make us laugh

those that are stupid.

This psalm is about the second group. "Thinks", in Hebrew is "says in his "heart". The Jews believed that you thought with your heart. But you also feel in your heart. It makes you do things good or bad. The psalm is written to convince us of our sin “there is no one who does good (in the eyes of the Lord) not even one” - see Romans 3:23. Why are men so bad and lies and corruption so rife from David’s time right up to the present? Because men have no fear of God. Their bad practises flow from their bad principles. Even today with the COVID pandemic, I read that the benefit system had been defrauded of £1.5bn because of false claims from crooks who realise that the authorities are under great pressure, and do not have the usual time to fully investigate everything before paying out.

Verses 4-5: When will those who ridicule and persecute God’s people, ever learn that they will suffer the consequences of ignoring God. Verse 5 refers to the Assyrians who were winning a war against the Israelites (2 Kings 19) and went to sleep one night unafraid of anything. In the morning, when they awoke, 185,000 of them were dead! The king and those remaining left and never returned.

There many people today with great wealth, political or military power who ‘lord’ it over others and think that they control their world and certainly don’t think they have any need for God. But God says that they will be put to shame and know who is really in control. No one knows what will happen tomorrow as the world has seen recently, so we should trust God and not forget to put Him at the centre of our lives. Even for Christians it is easy in the business of life to do things based on our own knowledge and experience and forget to include God in the decisions that we make.

Verse 6: The psalmist longs for Israel’s complete deliverance from her enemies which will come when God deals with the wicked. Could this verse be one of the prophetic visions for the coming of Jesus?

Lord, thank you that you walk beside us every day. Please remind us constantly lest we forget you in the business of life. When life is difficult and hard remind us of Jesus’ words, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”