Psalm 56--To the choirmaster- according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.--Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me-- all day long an attacker oppresses me--my enemies trample on me all day long,- for many attack me proudly.-When I am afraid,- I put my trust in you.-In God, whose word I praise,- in God I trust- I shall not be afraid.- What can flesh do to me--All day long they injure my cause-- all their thoughts are against me for evil.-They stir up strife, they lurk-- they watch my steps,- as they have waited for my life.-For their crime will they escape-- In wrath cast down the peoples, O God--You have kept count of my tossings-- put my tears in your bottle.- Are they not in your book--Then my enemies will turn back- in the day when I call.- This I know, that God is for me.-In God, whose word I praise,- in the Lord, whose word I praise,-in God I trust- I shall not be afraid.- What can man do to me--I must perform my vows to you, O God-- I will render thank offerings to you.-For you have delivered my soul from death,- yes, my feet from falling,-that I may walk before God- in the light of life.

Brian Lee continues his summer in the Psalms series with Psalm 55.

Psalm 55--To the choirmaster- with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.--Give ear to my prayer, O God,- and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy--Attend to me, and answer me-- I am restless in my complaint and I moan,-because of the noise of the enemy,- because of the oppression of the wicked.-For they drop trouble upon me,- and in anger they bear a grudge against me.-My heart is in anguish within me-- the terrors of death have fallen upon me.-Fear and trembling come upon me,- and horror overwhelms me.-And I say, -Oh, that I had wings like a dove-- I would fly away and be at rest--yes, I would wander far away-- I would lodge in the wilderness- Selah-I would hurry to find a shelter- from the raging wind and tempest.--Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues-- for I see violence and strife in the city.-Day and night they go around it- on its walls,-and iniquity and trouble are within it-- ruin is in its midst--oppression and fraud- do not depart from its marketplace.-For it is not an enemy who taunts me-- then I could bear it--it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me-- then I could hide from him.-But it is you, a man, my equal,- my companion, my familiar friend.-We used to take sweet counsel together-- within God's house we walked in the throng.-Let death steal over them-- let them go down to Sheol alive-- for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.-But I call to God,- and the Lord will save me.-Evening and morning and at noon- I utter my complaint and moan,- and he hears my voice.-He redeems my soul in safety- from the battle that I wage,- for many are arrayed against me.

Brian Lee continues his summer series through the Psalms with Psalm 54

Psalm 54--To the choirmaster- with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, -Is not David hiding among us----O God, save me by your name,- and vindicate me by your might.-O God, hear my prayer-- give ear to the words of my mouth.-For strangers have risen against me-- ruthless men seek my life-- they do not set God before themselves. Selah-Behold, God is my helper-- the Lord is the upholder of my life.-He will return the evil to my enemies-- in your faithfulness put an end to them.-With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you-- I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.-For he has delivered me from every trouble,- and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

HEIDELBERG CATECHISM, LORD'S DAY 34--92 Q. What is God's law- -A. God spoke all these words- --Recite the Ten Commandments---Ten Word Summary of the Ten Commandments- God, Image, Name, Day- Parents, Murder, Adultery, Steal, Lie, Covet--93 Q. How are these commandments divided- -A. Into two tables. The first has four commandments, teaching us how we should live in relation to God. The second has six commandments, teaching us what we owe our neighbor. --94 Q. What does the Lord require in the first commandment- -A. That I, not wanting to endanger my own salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry, sorcery, superstitious rites, and prayer to saints or to other creatures. -That I rightly know the only true God, trust him alone, and look to God for every good thing humbly and patiently, and love, fear, and honor him with all my heart. In short, that I renounce all created things rather than go against God's will in any way.--95 Q. What is idolatry- -A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed himself in his Word.

Brian Lee continues his Psalm series with Psalm 53

Psalm 53----To the choirmaster- according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.----The fool says in his heart, -There is no God.--- They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity--- there is none who does good.--God looks down from heaven-- on the children of man--to see if there are any who understand,-- who seek after God.--They have all fallen away--- together they have become corrupt---there is none who does good,-- not even one.--Have those who work evil no knowledge,-- who eat up my people as they eat bread,-- and do not call upon God---There they are, in great terror,-- where there is no terror---For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you--- you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.--Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion--- When God restores the fortunes of his people,-- let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Brian Lee continues his series through the Psalms with Psalm 52 and the story of Doeg the Edomite.

Psalm 52----To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, -David has come to the house of Ahimelech.-----Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man--- The steadfast love of God endures all the day.--Your tongue plots destruction,-- like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.--You love evil more than good,-- and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah--You love all words that devour,-- O deceitful tongue.--But God will break you down forever--- he will snatch and tear you from your tent--- he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah--The righteous shall see and fear,-- and shall laugh at him, saying,---See the man who would not make-- God his refuge,--but trusted in the abundance of his riches-- and sought refuge in his own destruction----But I am like a green olive tree-- in the house of God.--I trust in the steadfast love of God-- forever and ever.--I will thank you forever,-- because you have done it.--I will wait for your name, for it is good,-- in the presence of the godly.