One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Psalm 6:3, “My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD— how long?” Again we see the close connection between our body and our soul. We also see David calling out to God based on their covenant relationship. We can pray to God asking “How long?” In our trials because we know him personally!

This episode looks at Psalm 6:2, “Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.” Our bodies and souls are closely intertwined together. When our soul faces distress—due to our own sin, a trial we face, or enemies pursuing us—our bodies are taxed. We ask God to heal our bodies and to get us through.

This episode looks at Psalm 6:1, “O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.” We don’t want God to stop disciplining us because that would mean he doesn’t not love us (Prov 3:11–12). Instead we cry out for mercy and correction out of his love since justice has been satisfied on the cross.

This episode looks at Psalm 5:12, “For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” God makes us righteous as we take refuge in him, and then he blesses us abundantly. May we rejoice at the great blessings God gives us both here and now and for eternity, even in the face of great suffering and wickedness.

This episode looks at Psalm 5:11, “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.” We call on God to protect us so that we can give him the honor, glory, and praise he deserves from hearts overflowing with joy.

This episode looks at Psalm 5:10, “Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.” It is not wrong to pray for God to judge evildoers. We can pray for their salvation without sacrificing justice when we see how God’s justice is perfectly poured out against sin in the cross of Christ for those who God gives the gift of faith.

This episode looks at Psalm 5:9, “For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.” We ask for God to remove these things from our lives, whether it be from the entertainment we take in, from the people we surround ourselves in, or we see it rising up in our own hearts.

This episode looks at Psalm 5:8, “Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.” We need God to lead us in his righteousness because we can’t do it on our own. We need him to remove evildoers from our lives when we are tempted to fall into sin, and we also need to be different from the sinners around us so that they will be called into a life of holiness. May God give us grace to do so.

This episode looks at Psalm 5:7, “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” God hears the righteous, but we only enter his presence because of his loyal, covenant love toward us. We thank him for that love, and we ask for hearts that worship him with the respect due to him.

This episode looks at Psalm 5:6, “You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” There’s no way around it: God hates sinners. Yes, he loves them in that he wants them to be saved, but he hates them unless they are washed clean by the blood of Christ. This should make our prayers for our unsaved friends earnest, and this should cause us to fall on our knees in repentance for sin every day.