Psalm 2
Coronation of the Son
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers conspire together
against the LORD and His Anointed One:
3 "Let us tear off their chains
and free ourselves from their restraints."
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord ridicules them.
5 Then He speaks to them in His anger
and terrifies them in His wrath:
6 "I have consecrated My King
on Zion, My holy mountain."
7 I will declare the LORD's decree:
He said to Me, "You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father.
8 Ask of Me,
and I will make the nations Your inheritance
and the ends of the earth Your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
You will shatter them like pottery."
10 So now, kings, be wise;
receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with reverential awe,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Pay homage to the Son, or He will be angry,
and you will perish in your rebellion,
for His anger may ignite at any moment.
All those who take refuge in Him are happy.
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers conspire together
against the LORD and His Anointed One:
3 "Let us tear off their chains
and free ourselves from their restraints."
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord ridicules them.
5 Then He speaks to them in His anger
and terrifies them in His wrath:
6 "I have consecrated My King
on Zion, My holy mountain."
7 I will declare the LORD's decree:
He said to Me, "You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father.
8 Ask of Me,
and I will make the nations Your inheritance
and the ends of the earth Your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
You will shatter them like pottery."
10 So now, kings, be wise;
receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with reverential awe,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Pay homage to the Son, or He will be angry,
and you will perish in your rebellion,
for His anger may ignite at any moment.
All those who take refuge in Him are happy.
Psalm 3
There are many who attack me.2 Many say about me,
"There is no help for him in God."
Selah
3 But You, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cry aloud to the LORD,
and He answers me from His holy mountain.
Selah
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again because the LORD sustains me.
6 I am not afraid of the thousands of people
who have taken their stand against me on every side.
7 Rise up, LORD!
Save me, my God!
You strike all my enemies on the cheek;
You break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD;
may Your blessing be on Your people.
Selah
God, who vindicates me.
You freed me from affliction;
be gracious to me and hear my prayer.2 How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted?
[How long] will you love what is worthless
and pursue a lie?
Selah
3 Know that the LORD has set apart
the faithful for Himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to Him.
4 Be angry and do not sin;
on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.
Selah
5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are saying, "Who can show us anything good?"
Look on us with favor, LORD.
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace,
for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety.
Confidence in Troubled Times
1 LORD, how my foes increase!There are many who attack me.2 Many say about me,
"There is no help for him in God."
Selah
3 But You, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cry aloud to the LORD,
and He answers me from His holy mountain.
Selah
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again because the LORD sustains me.
6 I am not afraid of the thousands of people
who have taken their stand against me on every side.
7 Rise up, LORD!
Save me, my God!
You strike all my enemies on the cheek;
You break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD;
may Your blessing be on Your people.
Selah
Psalm 4
A Night Prayer
For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic psalm.
1 Answer me when I call,God, who vindicates me.
You freed me from affliction;
be gracious to me and hear my prayer.2 How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted?
[How long] will you love what is worthless
and pursue a lie?
Selah
3 Know that the LORD has set apart
the faithful for Himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to Him.
4 Be angry and do not sin;
on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.
Selah
5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are saying, "Who can show us anything good?"
Look on us with favor, LORD.
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace,
for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety.
*****
To be honest, I'm not quite sure what I'm feeling or thinking about these verses. Although, I have been feeling like I have many "foes" (Psalm 3:1) lately. Not so much actual real people foes (although I feel like there are a few of those to I suppose), but the exhaustion from working too much is certainly wearing me down and making me feel attacked. I have not been relying on the Lord as my shield (Psalm 3:3) and protector. This is something that I will need to work on, because when I rely on myself I don't seem to do so well. So tonight when I finally put this weary body to bed (and tomorrow before I face another day of work, work, work) I should be sure to remember to call on God for his protection and grace.
