Sunday Scripture

 

Again today for Sunday Scripture we're continuing my simple study of Psalms.  You can see a copy of the journal I'm using here: The Book of Psalms 1-50 or you can find all the resources right here on Women Living Well, Psalms 1-50.  I'm attempting to SOAP each Psalm too, though some of them are longer so I will likely only do a selected passage from many of them. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Each psalm's study also includes a reflection question, which I've been attempting to journal an answer to.  Today's study is from Psalm 20.   The featured verse is verse 7, but I chose to SOAP verses 6 and 7.  Here goes!

S= "Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."  (Psalm 20:6-7)

O= C.I. Scofield titles this psalm "A plea for help from the sanctuary."  My copy of the ESV Bible titles it "Trust in the Name of the Lord our God".

Cross-references for "holy heaven" (v.6) -- "I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him."  (Psalm 89:20)

"Thus saith the LORD: I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem  shall be called a city of truth, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain."  (Zechariah 8:3)

Cross-reference for "saving strength" (v. 6) -- "The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed."  (Psalm 28:8)

David states: Some trust in chariots;
                    Some trust in horses;

                    BUT

                    We will remember the name of the LORD our God.

The word "but" always signifies a change of direction.

Cross-references for "chariots" (v.7) -- "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots, because there are many, and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD."  (Isaiah 31:1)

"How, then, wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?"  (Psalm 36:9)

Cross-references for "horses" -- "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but safety is from the LORD."  (Proverbs 21:31)

"When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them; for the LORD thy God is with thee, who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."  (Deuteronomy 20:1)

"An horse is a vain thing for safety; neither shall he deliver any by his great strength."  (Psalm 33:17)

Cross- references for "but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" -- "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whose name you have defied."  (1 Samuel 17:45)

"With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us, and to fight our battles.  And the people rested themselves upon the word of Hezekiah, king of Judah."  (2 Chronicles 32:8)

"Nearly three thousand years ago, the ultimate military weapons were the chariot and the horse.  Armies that could field a cavalry or chariot brigade were considered virtually invincible.

"But [God's chosen nation] was to be different.  God's law forbade her king to multiply horses (Deuteronomy 17:16).  Rather than put her confidence in strategic arms,  [she] was to trust in the everlasting arms, for God had promised to fight for His people.  That is why David's affirmation of trust in a delivering God is so appropriate."

A=  David knew experientially that God would preserve his life.  He knew that God would not only hear from His holy heaven, but He would act with the saving strength of His right hand.  others might trust in their great numbers of horses and chariots, but as for David, he would trust in the name of the LORD his God.

I too have seen God work in my life.  I know that He hears when I call to Him and He will bring help and deliverance.  Because I have seen Him work in the past, I can trust Him for the future.

The site Bible Hub notes that the phrase "but we will trust in the name of the LORD our God" "emphasizes a profound faith and reliance on God rather than on human means. The 'name of the LORD' signifies His character, authority, and power. Trusting in God's name implies a deep relationship and confidence in His ability to deliver and protect. This trust is a recurring theme throughout Scripture ... The contrast between human reliance and divine trust is a central message, encouraging believers to place their faith in God's eternal power rather than transient human strength."

"The safest protection in all the world is the name of God. When you know His name, you know His nature. His names and titles reveal His nature. They tell us who He is and what He can do. For example, He is Jehovah, the God who makes covenants. He is the Lord, the sovereign king. He is Jesus, the Savior. Each name He bears is a blessing He bestows on us." -- Warren Wiersbe

P= "Lord, I thank and praise You so much for the privilege of prayer and for the surety of answered prayer.  You not only hear when I call, but You answer and act on my behalf with the saving strength of Your right hand.  I can put all of my trust in Your magnificent name!  Help me never to be tempted to put my trust in temporal things, in other people, or in myself, but in You alone.  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

Reflection Question:  David knew that others were trusting in their horses and chariots for success.  David contrasts their trust in things with his trust in God.

Sometimes we can be tempted to trust in something other than God to give us success -- like our intelligence, money, or even another person.  What are you tempted to trust in other than God?

My response: In general I don't think that at this point in life, I am tempted to trust in anything other than God.  Things I could be tempted to trust in -- maybe my own thoughts and ideas, possibly?  But the Bible tells me that the one who trusts in his own heart is a fool.  This truth helps -- or maybe a better word would be pushes -- me to remember that I am nothing in and of myself.

And there is our very simple study of Psalm 20:6-7.   I hope it's been a blessing!

Sunday Scripture

 

 So today for Sunday Scripture we're continuing my simple study of Psalms.  You can see a copy of the journal I'm using here: The Book of Psalms 1-50 or you can find all the resources right here on Women Living Well, Psalms 1-50.  I'm attempting to SOAP each Psalm too, though some of them are longer so I will likely only do a selected passage from many of them. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Each psalm's study also includes a reflection question, which I've been attempting to journal an answer to.  Today's study is from Psalm 19.   The featured verse is verse 14.  Here we go!

S= "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."  (Psalm 19:14)

O= Verses 1 through 6 of Psalm 19 speak of God's glory as seen in creation, particularly the heavens.  Verses 7 through 11 speak of the purity and effectiveness of God's Word.  In verse 11 David begins to make it personal, noting that God's servant is warned and instructed by God's Word, and finds great reward in obeying it.  In verses 12 through 14 David asks God to cleanse him from secret faults, protect him from sinning presumptuously, and for his thoughts and words to be acceptable and pleasing to Him. 

Now for some cross-references for verse 14.

Cross-reference for "Let the words ... " -- "Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise."  (Psalm 51:5)

Cross-reference for "strength" -- "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress ... my strength ... my high tower."  (Psalm 18:2)

"Strength" in the Hebrew literally means "rock".

Cross-references for "redeemer" -- "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."  (Job 19:25)

"Draw near unto my soul, and redeem it; deliver me because of mine enemies."  (Psalm 69:18)

"And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto those who turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD."  (Isaiah 59:20)

A=  Considering God's glory as revealed in the heavens shifts my perspective every time.  Considering the purity and effectiveness of His Word does a work in my own heart.  If I meditate on God's Word, pay attention to its warnings, and obey His precepts, I will find great reward.  I will, like David, desire for my thoughts and words to be acceptable and pleasing to Him.

"If God is your Redeemer, He can be your Strength. Live acceptably in His sight, allowing the meditation of your heart to please Him. Then your life will be what He wants it to be. God is more than the God of creation and the Scriptures; He is the God of redemption. If your heart is filled with Him and yielded to Him, you can have victory over sin. Don't simply worship the God of nature. Get into the Word of God and let God get into you." -- Warren Wiersbe 

 

Enjoy this beautiful song extolling our Rock and our Redeemer!
 

P= "Lord, how thankful I am that You are my rock and my redeemer!  It is unfathomable that the Creator of the universe should care about me and make a way for relationship with me.  And that You would give Your pure Word to show Your redeemed children how to live -- that is simply above and beyond my finite mind's ability to comprehend.  I praise You that I have Your help and direction and strength as I seek for my thoughts and words to be acceptable in Your sight.  I pray that You will guide me in pursuing this standard, and help me to keep short accounts with You throughout each day.  I thank You for all You have done and will do, in Jesus' name, Amen."

As David reflects on the glory of God as seen in creation and the purity of God seen in His Word, he then reflects on himself.  David closes this psalm by reflecting on his words and his heart.  His one desire is to be acceptable in God's sight.

Take a moment and reflect on your own words this week.  Then reflect on your heart's desires.  Is there anything you need to confess or surrender to  God?  Write out a humble prayer of confession below.

My response: The more I dig into God's Word, the more there is to learn!  I'm not sure that I've ever considered this psalm as a whole before, but I look forward to doing so in a more in-depth study of psalms down the road.  I'm very familiar with Psalm 19.  I've loved and memorized verses 1 through 6, sung and memorized verses 7 through 11, and memorized verses 12 through 14.  But thinking about it as a whole, as a progression, and looking how it all fits together, is new to me.

My prayer: "Lord, there are so many times when my thoughts or words fall short of what You would have them to be.  I praise You that Your Word is pure and tried and teaches me so clearly how You would have me to think and speak.  Forgive me for the many times when I speak before thinking, and help me to stop and think and pray before I speak.  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is our very simple study of Psalm 19:14.  If this simple study whets your appetite to learn more, go ahead and dig into Psalm 19 on your own.  You are sure to be blessed!

Sunday Scripture

  So today for Sunday Scripture we're continuing my simple study of Psalms.  

You can see a copy of the journal I'm using here: The Book of Psalms 1-50 or you can find all the resources right here on Women Living Well, Psalms 1-50.  I'm attempting to SOAP each Psalm too, though some of them are longer so I will likely only do a selected passage from many of them. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Each psalm's study also includes a reflection question, which I've been attempting to journal an answer to.  Today's study is from Psalm 18.   The featured verse is verse 2, but I chose to SOAP verses 1 through 3.  Here we go!

S= "I will love Thee, O LORD, my Strength.
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
""I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from mine enemies."  (Psalm 18:1-3)

O= C. I. Scofield titles Psalm 18:"Praise to the God who delivers His own".  The biblical heading for this psalm is "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said ..."

Interestingly, this very lengthy heading or title has cross-references of its own.  

Cross-references for "servant of the LORD" -- "To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD."  (Heading of Psalm 36)

"I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn unto David, My servant."  (Psalm 89:3)

"I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him."  (Psalm 89:20)

"Now, then, do it; for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of My servant David I will save my people, Israel, out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies."  (2 Samuel 3:18)

Go and tell My servant, David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build Me an house for Me to dwell in?"  (2 Samuel 7:5)

Cross-reference for "spoke unto the LORD" -- "And David spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul."  (2 Samuel 22:1)

A marginal note for 2 Samuel 22 states, "This chapter is almost identical with Psalm 18."

Cross-references for "song" -- "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spoke, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea."  (Exodus 15:1)

"And Moses spoke in the ears of all the congregation of  Israel the words of this song, until they were ended."  (Deuteronomy 31:30)

Now, on to the cross-references in the actual psalm.

Cross-reference for "strength" (v.1) -- "Blessed be the LORD, my strength, who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight."  (Psalm 144:1)

Cross-references for "rock" (v. 2) -- "For who is God, save the LORD?  Or who is a rock, save our God?"  (Psalm 18:31)

"The LORD liveth, and blessed be my rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted."  (Ps. 18:46)

"For Thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Thy sake lead me and guide me."  (Psalm 31:3)

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."  (Psalm 19:14)

Cross-references for "fortress" (v.2) --  "I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him will I trust."  (Psalm 91:2)

"My goodness, and my fortress;  my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield; and He in whom I trust, who subdueth my people under me."  (Psalm 144:2)

Cross-reference for "in whom I will trust" (v. 2) --  "And again, I will put my trust in Him."  (Hebrews 2:13a)

Cross-references for "shield" (v. 2) -- "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield, and thy exceedingly great reward."  (Genesis 15:1)

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proved; He is a shield to all those who put their trust in Him."  (Psalm 18:30)

Cross-references for "horn of my salvation" --  "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant, David."  (Luke 1:68-69)

Cross -reference for "high tower" (v .2) -- "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."  (Psalm 9:9)

For "worthy to be praised" (v. 3) -- "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. (Psalm 48:1)

"For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods."  (Psalm 96:4)

"From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised."  (Psalm 113:3)

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable."  (Psalm 145:3)

A= These are the words of King David, yet every one of them rings true for me.  I too love the Lord.  He is my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, the One in whom I trust, my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  He is worthy to be praised!  He has saved me from my greatest enemy, Satan! It occurs to me that in a very real sense our salvation testimony serves as our personal "song of deliverance".

We can take these titles for God personally.  He will be all of this and more to us, and He will provide deliverance for us as we look to Him.  I will and do call upon Him daily.  He is able to deliver me from all my enemies.

P= "Lord, I cannot thank and praise You enough for all that You are to me.  I praise You for all the reasons that David listed in Psalm 18.  I am especially thankful that You have delivered me from Satan, my greatest and mortal enemy.

"You are my salvation -- and my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my high tower!  You are my strength -- and Your joy has been my strength through countless hard situations.  I love You, O LORD my strength!  And I pray in Jesus' strengthening name, Amen."

Reflection question: David wrote this psalm of praise, celebrating the victory that God gave him over all his enemies.

What is an example of a victory that God gave you and how was He your rock during that time?

My response:  I can think of many different times like this, but one I will cite was during a season of eldercare looking after both my parents.  They needed a great deal of help and we had an agency staying nights with them, but I spent time several days each week cooking, cleaning, and shoring them up in general.  Many times I drove there beseeching God for His joy to be my strength.  It always was!

And there is our very simple study of Psalm 18.  I hope it was a blessing!

Some goals for June

 

Time to set some goals for June!  As always, some are specific to this month,  and many are ongoing.  Here goes:

* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week

* Spend a Saturday evening around a campfire with our young friends at our cottage

* Take a scenic mountain train ride with friends

* Post in this blog as often as possible 

* Post in my Christmas blog as often as possible

* Continue planning and making Christmas gifts and decor

* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones

* Continue studying and preparing for my Sunday Scripture blog posts

* Read through the June passages of the Daily Walk Bible

* Get together with extended family while my hubby's sister is here from Florida

* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating

* Get early light each morning

* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home

* Drink enough water each day

* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week

*  Celebrate the fourth anniversary of our church merger with a dinner and special service

* Continuing preparing for and teaching a ladies Sunday School class

* Prepare a good number of new listings for my Etsy shop

* Work at our volunteer jobs as needed

* Work on typing a manuscript

* Seek to encourage friends by email and phone chats

* Figure out finishes for some completed cross-stitch and embroidery projects

HEALTHY HABITS FOR JUNE:  Drink more water/get more sleep/exercise daily/intermittent fasting/limit carbs/get morning light

WORD FOR 2026: Intentional

And there you have it -- a few goals for June 2026!