Today’s Bible Translation
Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 143-145 NCV
Podcast Introduction
It’s Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read chapters 143-145. I’m calling this episode “Gratitude and Grace.“
Summary
It’s good to take a moment to reflect on the blessings in our lives, both past and present. Life can be tough for some of us. But we can still have faith and believe in the same God that David praised. This forgiving God is available to all who seek His forgiveness and salvation. We have much to be thankful for. Let us praise God’s holy name forever.
Listen to the episode for more!
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The Team
Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise: Transcript Correction
Michael Haner: Podcasting 2.0 Chapters
Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider: Show Art
Jason Paschall: Show Art
Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney: Newsletter Publisher
Transcript
Transcript corrected by Sister Denise
Steve Webb 0:00
Have you ever sat down and made a list of all the blessings in your life?
Steve Webb 0:05
This is the Lifespring! One Year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb, podcasting since 2004. It’s Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 143 through 145. Also, since this episode is pre-recorded because of my surgery today, we won’t have a prayer segment. But I do ask you to remember me in your prayers today. Our next time to pray together will be this coming Sunday. The website is lifespringmedia.com. And contact information will be at the end of the show. And before we read, let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, we thank you so much for the Psalms and we pray, God, today that you would bless us as we read. Touch our hearts I pray in Jesus’ name, amen. Okay, are you ready? Let’s begin.
Steve Webb 0:50
Psalm 143 is another of the Psalms simply entitled “A Psalm of David”. And it comes from a time when David was again in need of God’s help and strength because his enemies were again seeking to harm him. This is another of the penitential Psalms along with Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 130. They’re called this because they’re Psalms of confession and of humility.
Steve Webb 1:17
Psalms, chapter 143. Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for mercy. Answer me because you are loyal and good. Don’t judge me, your servant, because no one alive is right before you. My enemies are chasing me; they crushed me to the ground. They made me live in darkness like those long dead. I am afraid; my courage is gone. I remember what happened long ago; I consider everything you have done. I think about all you have made. I lift up my hands to you in prayer. As a dry land needs rain, I thirst for you. Selah. Lord, answer me quickly, because I am getting weak. Don’t turn away from me, or I will be like those who are dead. Tell me in the morning about your love, because I trust you. Show me what I should do, because my prayers go up to you. Lord, save me from my enemies; I hide in you. Teach me to do what you want, because you are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Lord, let me live so people will praise you. In your goodness save me from my troubles. In your love defeat my enemies. Destroy all those who trouble me, because I am your servant.
Steve Webb 2:39
Psalm 144 is also entitled “A Psalm of David” and it was probably written about the time when all the tribes of Israel acknowledged him as their king.
Steve Webb 2:49
Psalms chapter 144. Praise the Lord, my Rock, who trains me for war, who trains me for battle. He protects me like a strong, walled city, and he loves me. He is my defender and my Savior, my shield and my protection. He helps me keep my people under control. Lord, why are people important to you? Why do you even think about human beings? People are like a breath; their lives are like passing shadows. Lord, tear open the sky and come down. Touch the mountains so they will smoke. Send the lightning and scatter my enemies. Shoot your arrows and force them away. Reach down from above. Save me and rescue me out of this sea of enemies, from these foreigners. They are liars; they are dishonest. God, I will sing a new song to you; I will play to you on the ten-stringed harp. You give victory to kings. You save your servant David from cruel swords. Save me, rescue me from these foreigners. They are liars; they are dishonest. Let our sons in their youth grow like plants. Let our daughters be like the decorated stones in the Temple. Let our barns be filled with crops of all kinds. Let our sheep in the fields have thousands and tens of thousands of lambs. Let our cattle be strong. Let no one break in. Let there be no war, no screams in our streets. Happy are those who are like this; happy are the people whose God is the Lord.
Steve Webb 4:26
Psalm 145 is the only Psalm with this title: “A Praise of David.” It’s a beautiful Psalm that could only be written after having lived a life of striving to be a faithful servant of God through times of great difficulties and great victories. James Montgomery Boice wrote of this Psalm, “Psalm 145 is indeed a monumental praise Psalm, a fit summary of all David had learned about God during a long lifetime following hard after the Almighty.”
Steve Webb 4:57
Psalms, chapter 145. I praise your greatness, my God the King; I will praise you forever and ever. I will praise you every day; I will praise you forever and ever. The Lord is great and worthy of our praise; no one can understand how great he is. Parents will tell their children what you have done. They will retell your mighty acts, wonderful majesty, and glory. And I will think about your miracles. They will tell about the amazing things you do, and I will tell how great you are. They will remember your great goodness and will sing about your fairness. The Lord is kind and shows mercy. He does not become angry quickly but is full of love. The Lord is good to everyone; he is merciful to all he has made. Lord, everything you have made will praise you; those who belong to you will bless you. They will tell about the glory of your kingdom and will speak about your power. Then everyone will know the mighty things you do and the glory and majesty of your kingdom. Your kingdom will go on and on, and you will rule forever. The Lord will keep all his promises; he is loyal to all he has made. The Lord helps those who have been defeated and takes care of those who are in trouble. All living things look to you for food, and you give it to them at the right time. You open up your hand, and you satisfy all living things. Everything the Lord does is right. He is loyal to all he has made. The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him, to all who truly pray to him. He gives those who respect him what they want. He listens when they cry, and he saves them. The Lord protects everyone who loves him, but he will destroy the wicked. I will praise the Lord. Let everyone praise his holy name forever.
Steve Webb 6:52
After reading Psalm 145, I couldn’t help but wonder, have you ever sat down and made a list of all the blessings in your life, all the good things from your past and from the present, and even your future? It’s a great exercise. Maybe you feel like there isn’t much to put on your list. Maybe life has been difficult for you. All season long, we’ve been praying for my very close friends, Del and Kathi. They’ve had severe health problems for decades, literally decades: reoccurring cancer, multiple sclerosis, cognitive decline, diabetes, heart attacks, and yet they praise God for their blessings. They have family that loves them and supports them. They live in an area that has always been their dream, even though it is a humble home they have. Their faith is strong. The God that David praised in this Psalm is their God, and He is as faithful to them as he was to David. The same God who was with Daniel in the lion’s den is with them. And the same God who forgave the thief who was on the cross next to Jesus forgives Del and Kathi. And he forgives me and he forgives you if you’ve asked him to forgive you and to be your Savior. Beloved, oh my goodness, we have so much to be thankful for and to praise God for and I really like the way David closed this Psalm. He said, “I will praise the Lord. Let everyone praise his holy name forever.”
Praise his name. There’s always a reason to praise him. You have thoughts or questions? Let me hear from you. Send a boostagram or call the Lifespring Family Hotline or go to the comments page or write an email. Tomorrow will be Poetry Thursday, and we’ll read Song of Solomon chapters 3 and 4.
Steve Webb 8:38
I invite your comments or questions. There are several ways to do that. Send a boostagram using a modern podcast app or call the Lifespring Family Hotline at +1-951-732-8511. Or go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com if you have a praise report or a prayer request. If you have a comment or question for me go to comment.lifespringmedia.com. Or send an email to st***@*************ia.com.
Steve Webb 9:12
The team is made up of Sister Denise who does the transcripts, Michael Haner who does the chapters, Scott Snider and Jason Paschall who do the show art and Sister Brittaney who does the newsletter. Jason Paschall did today’s show art. Thank you for being with me today. Thank you for making me a part of your day. Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb. Bye.
Announcer 9:37
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Transcribed by https://otter.ai
