Using agricultural images, the Psalmist speaks of suffering and the persecutions that Israel endures. These words were sung alongside the declarations that “yet they have not prevailed against me.” This Psalm contains images of a future when there will be a righteous reversal of all that is wrong in our world. Leon McCrary sings “They have not prevailed.”

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Israel cries out to God, to remember his promises. Chad meditates on how to speak honestly to God. Chad also explains covenantal language, and how we are in a relationship that we are committed to, even when things seem to go poorly. We ask God not to forget us. Kris Winrich sings “Don’t Forget Me.”

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The first section of Psalm 44 teaches about the life of the redeemed. Chad highlights the nature and simplicity of christian life. These first verses demonstrate that the promised land is not a reward for good living but a pure an act of God’s grace and favor. Izzi Ray sings “Grace and Favor.”

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Chad meditates on what it means to look to God and how He looks at us. The Scripture leads us away from ourselves so that we look to and trust in God alone for our salvation. Izzi Ray sings “Until You Show Your Mercy”

Show Notes: 

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Words have great power to destroy. Chad meditates on the power of words in scripture and the contrast being the pure words of the Lord and the speech that tears down and brings shame and fear. This prayer cries out to God for the saving Word, the Word made flesh and for God to speak into us His living word and the gift of bringing those healing words to those around us. Morea Arthur sings “Speak Your Healing Words.”

When we are suffering persecutions, falsely accused and battling our own emotions, the truth of His grace is greater than anything that can attack us, including ourown thoughts. Christ prays this Psalm, and it gives us words to pray when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness and drawn into the deep waters. Christ abides with us. Jeff Macare sings “Give me Your hand.”

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Asking God to be gracious to me, because my enemies are trampling on me. My enemies attack me with such pride, and spend time and energy devising ways to destroy me.But I trust in God and am unafraid. Chad meditates on God being for us, not against us. Chad shows us how to structure a prayer when we are fighting battles and facing uncertainty. We cry out to Him for mercy and protection until we emerge on the other side. Chris Lizotte sings “This I Know.”

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The Psalm is written in the cave, referring to the time David was hiding from Saul and his soldiers. Chad meditates on the meaning of caves in the Old Testament. Sometimes God ministers to us in times of aloneness. David pours his complaint to the Lord. David cries out with his voice. The voice is significant. We will emerge from this time of loneliness, clinging to our Savior and our common Father, the bestower of allgrace and good gifts. Rebekah Caggegi sings the hymn “Abide With me.”

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David states a very bold accusation that God has rejected and abandoned him. The land is quaking, shaking and full of tragedy. Sometimes our experience leads us to the conclusion that God has abandoned us as well. The Psalms give us language to express this rejection that we feel. Once again we see Christ hanging on the cross. God is on our side, joining our sins to Himself on the cross, and we are with Him and secure in Him. Ryan Delmore sings “God Has Forsaken Me.”

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This Psalm describes the wicked and the arrogant thoughts and scenes of wicked preying upon the poor. David prays that God will not forget the poor. Calls for eternal justice. Chad meditates on the lament that God has hidden Himself and allowed such evil to prosper. Our minds want to first figure out the “why’s of our pain, while God calls us to look at the crucified Christ. Izzy Ray sings “Why.”

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