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 52  Listen to Psalm 52

Psalm 52 forms something of a character assassination of Doeg the Edomite. Doeg has attempted to ingratiate himself with Saul, by reporting on the whereabouts of David.

David uses this incident to highlight the dangers of seeking earthly approval over that of God’s approval. In their current circumstances David hiding out in the mountains might be seen to be unsuccessful, in relation to Doeg, returned to the favour of the king. However as David reflects - in God’s eyes things are quite different.

In times of challenge and uncertainty it is easy to view our success in human terms, to measure ourselves against those around us - even if the ethics of their success might be questionable. David has confidence however that, even when he appears a failure, keeping focused on his integrity will win out in the end.

God, when I appear unsuccessful in the eyes of those around me help me to hold fast to the path you have set before 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 51  Listen to Psalm 51

I often wonder at the incredible way the writer of Psalm 51 seems to be able to articulate the journey that many of us go on as we follow Jesus. Yet the Psalm is written long before Jesus is born!

The psalmist laments an awareness of their own sinfulness and lack of goodness, in spite of God’s efforts to instruct and teach them. They acknowledge the ways that they have harmed their relationship with God through their choices and actions. However the psalmist is equally aware that God is the only one who is able get them out of the mess they have got themselves into. They know that ‘burnt offering and sacrifices’ will do nothing, they need God to cleanse them from their sin and make them ‘like snow’.

The good news we have today is that we can know that Jesus has and will continue to cleanse us from our sin. Our right standing with God has been secured through his death on the cross. Everything that the psalm desires is accomplished through Jesus. We do not ever have to try to appease God through ‘being good people’ but can rest fully in the grace God gives us in Jesus.

Lord, would you help us to rest in your grace.

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 50:16-23  Listen to Psalm 50:16-23

We see here two ways of relating to God those who ‘honour’ him (verse 23) and those who 'hate' him (verse 17).

People who ‘hate’ God ignore him and actually ‘forget God’ (verse 22). The last century witnessed the awful results of people’s actions who forgot God and hated his instruction. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn reflected on the great difficulties that engulfed around 60 million Russian people, he recognised a key principal in the last century which was that ‘people have forgotten God’. The people here need to be challenged because their lives show that they have forgotten God. They have no real relationship with God, who is moral and has standards (verses 16-20). They even think that God is ‘like’ them (verse 21), they decide what is right and he just agrees!

We can forget God especially when things go well; we miss reading the Bible and praying or giving thanks to him. These are times where our morals can slip, and we forget we serve a holy God. The psalmist shows us that what we need is a life honouring God – where thanks and praise come from our hearts (verse 23).

How do we sacrifice thank offerings to God? J. B. Phillips version of Romans 12:2 challenges us, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within…"

What does this look like for you?

Lord, help me not to forget about you or be squeezed into the world’s ways especially in…

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 50:1-15  Listen to Psalm 50:1-15

This psalm is by Asaph, who was the leader of David’s musicians and was described as a ‘seer’ or prophet, someone who heard from God (2 Chronicles 29:30). Asaph brings a prophetic warning to produce genuine loyalty to God in the hearts of God’s people. Twice in verses 4 and 6, it says that God is a ‘judge’ of his people. What was going on here?

Because God loves his people, he judges them for just going through the motions! These people thought that they were doing God a favour offering him sacrifices, but God does not need sacrifices from his people (verse 9). As God’s people, our relationship with him is always about our hearts and not about outward rituals. It is important that we are seen to have a real relationship with God and not to be just religious, as people have no time for religion.

It has been good during this pandemic, that we have prayed more for the government. It is so vital that we keep calling out to God in prayer during this pandemic for him to act. We read, ‘call upon me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver you…’ (verse 15). We need help from God, as well as from the scientists, to overcome all the effects of this pandemic and for people to come to know Jesus for themselves.

Lord, help me to keep calling out to you and let my life display your love to all.

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 49  Listen to Psalm 49

This psalm was possibly written by one of the sons of Korah, who was thought to be a rich powerful man. The son is believed to be the chief musician.

The psalm addresses the age-old question of prosperity and wealth, and was intended for all men, ‘Listen, everyone, listen earth dwellers, don’t miss this’ (MSG). But, how can we apply it to our lives now in the 21st century? How can we take this and live as God would desire us?

The psalm reminds us to neither trust in our riches nor to judge others by their poverty or wealth. This is a continuing problem whatever the century. Our culture values those who have wealth, and who demonstrate it, we often see wealth as a form of power. We live in a society where we put our trust in money. During this time of COVID-19 it has made many people evaluate and reflect on where our priorities lie. However if we return to a more social society after COVID-19 will we continue questing for wealth and the status it brings over our relationship with God?

The psalm is a testimony of the writer’s faith in God. In the Living Bible verse 5 says, ‘God will redeem my soul from the power of death, for he will receive me’, it encouraged us, ‘so don’t be dismayed when evil men grow rich’. Eternal life in Christ has riches abound.

Yes, we need to pay bills, and live in this world, however, Colossians 3:23 reminds us to centre our work on the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. Philippians 4:19 says “my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Trusting God in our financial circumstances, whether we are struggling or comfortable financially, is the true key. The psalm helps us focus on our financial priorities in a blunt and straightforward manor reminding us not to value others by their riches, prompting us that ultimately whether rich or poor we will die, our wealth will be left to others. We have hope as Christians that God will give us eternal life through Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice for us.

Thank you, Lord, for the riches and blessings you have given us. We pray for wisdom especially in our financial management, putting your will over ours. We pray for those who don’t know you and value prosperity over relationship with you. Keep reminding us how to prioritise your will over our materialistic desires.

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 48  Listen to Psalm 48

This psalm is a hymn of praise to God, one of the Songs of Zion. It was sung by the congregation, possibly during one of their pilgrim festivals when the people would gather from across Israel and go up to Mount Zion. Although, on the face of it, it seems to be a song in praise of a mountain - Mount Zion is the location of Jerusalem, the city of David, which was a fortress and the location of the temple - these, however, are symbolic and the actual object of praise is the Lord. Part of the symbolism was participating in the ritual of walking around Zion (verse 12). Psalm 48 has been used in Christian worship at Pentecost, and the words have inspired contemporary worship songs. Worship is words and music, to form a song, but also it is ritual and symbolism which can employ all the senses.

During lockdown such pilgrimages and gatherings are not permitted. The large Christian festivals like Spring Harvest, New Wine, Keswick, Focus, etc. are not taking place as usual. I really miss the gathered worship, whether at one of these events amongst thousands, or our Sunday mornings with dozens. There is something not quite the same about singing along in your living room to one musician on a video conference. That is helpful at this time, and I am grateful for the musicians who faithfully lead our sung worship. For many around the world where Christians are facing persecution, individual worship is all that has been possible.

But I still miss the gatherings.

It was a few weeks ago that I realised the sung worship in gathering was what I was particularly missing during the lockdown. Then someone sent me a link to the recording of the UK Blessing which had just been released. As I watched it I found tears streaming down my face. Something happens in these moments when we sing our praises to God. One day we will gather again, in our church buildings, in schools, in stadia, in big tops. Until then...

Father God, thank you for the gift of worship. May we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you, as our spiritual act of worship.

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 47  Listen to Psalm 47

Sometimes our worship can by quiet and reflective as we are still and wait for the Lord. This is not one of those times. Here the psalmist calls on the nations to clap their hands, to shout to God and to blast the trumpets. This is noisy, exuberant worship, as we sing our praises to God because of who he is and what he has done. The name of God used in this psalm, the Lord Most High (verse 2), describes God as God of the whole world, not just of Israel. The psalm celebrates God's kingship, that is his rule over all the earth. It looks forward to the future rule and reign of Jesus.

We saw in Psalm 2 how Jesus was a radically different type of king when he preached about the Kingdom of God. One day all the nations will recognise that Jesus is King. Paul writing to the church at Philipi says, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."

Father God, we worship you because you are an awesome God and are worthy of our praise. Jesus, you are our King and we shout our praise to 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 46  Listen to Psalm 46

The psalm behind the well known hymn “God is our strength and refuge," which we sing to the Dambusters' theme tune. No matter what happens, however catastrophic the natural disasters we will always have God to turn to. He will be our strength and support.

This is a song of hope, of certainty and security knowing that God is there in charge. Although Jerusalem didn't have a river God's celestial city does have a river so again we are moved to think of the city of God we read of in Revelation. This city is indwelt by God. He is in charge and although the nations may be in “uproar" God can restore order by just speaking, bringing calm and order. A reminder of Jesus stilling the storm. He will be our protector against our enemies and we can find safety.

The writer then invites us to look at what God has done in the world. He brings peace throughout the world destroying weapons of war - another theme which crops up intermittently throughout the Bible. He really wants us to get a grasp of his desire for his world to live in peace. He ends his psalm on a calming note with a directive to “be still and know," know who is in control and to see him exalted, put in the highest place, for all the nations on earth to see and acknowledge.

Father, may your children learn to be still before you and desire to live at peace with each other.

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 45  Listen to Psalm 45

Psalm 45 is regarded as a wedding song for the King on his wedding day. So it begins by praising a man who is of excellent character and blessed by God. He is majestic and has successfully campaigned for “truth and humility and righteousness." This sounds like Jesus. He too did “awesome deeds." Arrows piercing the hearts of the enemy points to a victorious campaign. He will rule over the nations who fall at his feet showing acceptance of his rule and their agreement to obey him.

Verses 5 & 6 are reminiscent the book of Revelation – “a throne for him that lasts forever" – forever he will reign having defeated those who oppose the king. He, with the king, (God the Father?) want to see justice and righteousness. Because of his passion for these values God has placed him above his friends. He has been anointed with joy.

The Holy Spirit is portrayed as the oil of joy. The writer has a word for the bride whom he tells to give all her loyalty to the king. Jesus is portrayed elsewhere in the Bible as the bridegroom coming to claim his bride – the church. He sees her as his beautiful bride. When Jesus comes again his bride will be perfectly presented to him. The church will meet her king her beloved with much “joy and gladness."

Thank you Father, for the provision you have made for the time when Jesus will return and claim his bride the church. May every part of his body – the church – be ready to greet 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 44:17-26  Listen to Psalm 44:17-26

Continuing from the earlier part of the psalm, the writer asserts confidently that the current woes of God’s people are not due to a lack of faithfulness to the covenant. (The Israelites knew very well that dire consequences would follow not keeping the covenant God had made with them at Sinai.) If Israel had gone wrong, God would have detected it long since and have dealt accordingly.

“Yet for your sake we face death all day long …”: this verse is quoted in one of the most stirring passages in Paul’s letters, Romans 8, in the context of God’s unchanging love for us even in the most trying of circumstances. There is something in the way the world is now that is at variance with the orientation we have, as God’s people. Hence we experience opposition, not from physical enemies massing on our borders perhaps, but from everything that refuses to acknowledge God’s rule. Paul triumphantly concludes “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

The psalm ends with an anguished cry to God for help. Why can we confidently ask God for help? Because his love for us never fails.

Lord Jesus, when I feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of life, help me remember that nothing in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of God that you continually show me.