The sovereign God searches and knows every single human being. For the wicked, this is - or should be - sheer terror. For the righteous, for believers in Jesus, this is an opportunity for intimacy with the Lord we want to be with, see His beauty, and know deeply -Ps 27-4-.

The Lord God reigns. He rules everyone and everything, everywhere. This is bad news for His enemies, but His people rejoice and give thanks.

People elect leaders- leaders enact laws- there is great anxiety over who will lead, who to vote for, what laws to pass and enforce. Who really rules- The Son, sitting at the Father's right hand, His people serving Him in the midst of His enemies.

David is in the midst of a -day of trouble.- What does he pray for- For himself, that God would teach him His ways. For his enemies, that God would show Himself in rescuing David and shame them. Shame them for opposing God's servant. Shame them also to see God and appeal to His mercy.

What do you do with your sin- David deals with his in Psalm 51, in a profound, brokenhearted confession and prayer for forgiveness that flows from a heart that knows his God, and knows his sin.

Do you ever doubt- Of course - we all do. Psalm 73 is for doubters, to teach us and to increase our faith.

Psalm 22 was on Jesus' mind, and quoted by Him, as He hung on the cross. The psalm both prophesies and expresses His suffering. But it is not only a psalm of lament- it ends in a victory song of triumph that extends to the whole earth, the victory of the risen Son.

The King of Glory, creator and sovereign of the whole world and all who live in it, approaches His royal city. Who can enter with Him- Only those without sin, meaning- no one. How can the city be populated- The sinless King of Glory and Good Shepherd goes into the city of David to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin and His clean hands and pure heart to those sheep who follow Him in by repentance and faith.

David knows he is a sheep and praises the Lord his shepherd in this beautiful, beloved psalm. One of the great lies of the Deceiver is to try to convince us we are strong and self-reliant, wolves, foxes, bears, etc. Don't be deceived. Admit it- you're a sheep. You need a shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd you need.

The Sons of Korah, a Levite clan, had the job of protecting the Temple. If Psalm 84 is any indication, they loved their job- What lessons can we learn-