Category Archives: Psalms

Prophet, Priest, and King

29 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 110, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to the reading from Psalm 110:

Of David. A psalm.
The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”
The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
Your troops will be willing on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendor,
your young men will come to you
like dew from the morning’s womb.
The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at your right hand;
he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead
and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
He will drink from a brook along the way,
and so he will lift his head high. (NIV)*

Reflection

Psalm 110 is perhaps the most messianic psalm in the entire psalter. Jesus made a direct reference to the opening line of this psalm in a discussion he had with the Pharisees in the temple courts during the week of his crucifixion. See Matthew 22:41-46 and Luke 20:41-44.

Jesus asks, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” In response the Pharisees answer, “The son of David.”

But Jesus refutes their answer by quoting from Psalm 110. His answer does not carry the same punch in the English language quote we see in Matthew, because we fail to see the distinction between the first ‘LORD’ and the second ‘Lord’. We see these words as synonymous, but in the original Hebrew they most certainly are not. The first LORD is Yahweh (Jehovah), but the second Lord is Adonai, the Messiah.

Speaking prophetically by the Spirit, David was referring to his Adonai—his Messiah. By quoting this scripture, Jesus was affirming his designation by God as the Messiah the Jewish nation had longed to see. The long wait was over. Jesus the Messiah was standing directly in front of Pharisees who were blind to his presence and his deity.

This Lord or Adonai is also the divinely designated priest who will present his own body as a sacrifice on the cross. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” The writer of the Book of Hebrews has a great deal to say about the priesthood of Melchizedek. He systematically reasons that Jesus is our heaven-sent prophet, priest, and king. See Hebrews chapters 6-8.

Response

Father God, thank you for sending Jesus into the world to be my personal Messiah. Jesus, you suffered and died for me. Now extend your reign as conquering king over me and through me. Amen.

Your Turn

Have you bowed your knee before the Messiah King? How can you honor King Jesus today?

Sacred Word Worship’s Rendition of Psalm 110

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

28 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”


Today’s Reading: Psalm 109: 21-31 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD,
I confess events in my life have left me wounded.
Heal me on the inside. Today I turn to you.
I can’t do this by myself.
Help me, LORD my God; 
save me according to your unfailing love.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Crucifixion of Jesus

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon,
the father of Alexander and Rufus,
was passing by on his way in from the country,
and they forced him to carry the cross.
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha
(which means “the place of the skull”).
 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes,
they cast lots to see what each would get.

 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.
The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.

They crucified two rebels with him,
one on his right and one on his left.
Those who passed by hurled insults at him,
shaking their heads and saying,
“So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,
 come down from the cross and save yourself!”
In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves.
“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!
Let this Messiah, this king of Israel,
come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”
Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
(Mark 15:21-32).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.
(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

The Prayer of the Wounded

28 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 109:21-31 (NIV)*

But you, Sovereign LORD, help me for your name’s sake;
    out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
 I fade away like an evening shadow;
    I am shaken off like a locust.
My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.
I am an object of scorn to my accusers;
    when they see me, they shake their heads.
Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love.
Let them know that it is your hand, that you, LORD, have done it.
While they curse, may you bless;
    may those who attack me be put to shame,
    but may your servant rejoice.
May my accusers be clothed with disgrace
    and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.
With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD;
    in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Reflection

Post-traumatic stress disorder—PTSD—its effects are real. Soldiers are returning from theatres of war looking fit and healthy, but in reality, they are deeply wounded by what they have seen or participated in. Of course, one does not need to go to the battlefield to experience the devastating effects of PTSD. First responders and witnesses to horrific events here at home can also become wounded and scarred.

In this concluding portion of Psalm 109, David makes this confession: I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me (v. 22).

Our world is full of wounded people. Keep this in mind the next time you see someone in a fit of rage or self-medicating with a bottle of booze or pills or a hypodermic needle. The wounds are real. The way back to social and emotional health is often long, difficult, and fraught with pain.

David, the wounded warrior, does two things that are vital for anyone who wants to recover from PTSD or any form of spiritual wounding. He admits his need. Rather than tough it out, he confesses that he is in a desperate state. I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

Secondly, David called out to the LORD. Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love (v. 26). The LORD’s ears are always open to that kind of prayer—the prayer of the wounded. Jesus our Savior was wounded. With his wounds, Jesus heals the wounded heart. Will you let him in?

Response

LORD, I confess events in my life have left me wounded. Heal me on the inside. Today I turn to you. I can’t do this by myself. Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love. Amen.

Your Turn

Are there wounded people in your life? How have you been wounded? How can you help others?

Sacred Word Worship’s Rendition of Psalm 109

Psalm 109 (KJV Lyrics) | Sacred Word Worship – YouTube

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.


The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Tuesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”


Today’s Reading: Psalm 109: 16-20 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
today I want to be a blessing
and pronounce a blessing on those around me.
I am thankful for the generosity of your love, forgiveness,
and grace. It’s more than I deserve.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Soldiers Mock Jesus

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium)
and called together the whole company of soldiers.
They put a purple robe on him,
then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.
 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!”
 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.
Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.
 And when they had mocked him,
they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him.
Then they led him out to crucify him.
(Mark 15:16-20).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.
(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Cursing in His Bones

27 Tuesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 109:16-20 (NIV)*

For he never thought of doing a kindness,
 but hounded to death the poor
and the needy and the brokenhearted.
He loved to pronounce a curse—
    may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
    may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment;
    it entered into his body like water,
    into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
    like a belt tied forever around him.
 May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers,
    to those who speak evil of me.

Reflection

In just a few weeks we will be entered the giving season. I am of course referring to the pre-Christmas shopping binge, when gifts are purchased, wrapped, and hidden away for the big celebration. Many rail against this tradition, but in reality, the Scriptures are filled with admonitions that encourage us to be generous and bless others. Christmas and year-end provide us with wonderful opportunities to do just that. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

If we find no pleasure in giving, we may be suffering from more than a simple case of Scrooge-like stinginess. Soul sucking self-centeredness destroys us from within. It defaces the image of God that is stamped upon us from birth. God our heavenly Father is the picture of generosity. He gave His only Son for us. In light of this sacrifice, there’s something terribly wrong if we can’t spare a dime or a kind word for the less fortunate. Generosity is never out of season.

Today’s reading provides us with a negative contrast to the generosity of God. The individual being described withheld his blessing. He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him (v. 17).

How generous am I with words of encouragement, praise, and blessing? How generous am I with this world’s goods that have been lavished on me by a gracious Father? Now and in the pre-Christmas season I need to check my heart and my bank account, but above all my heart. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Am I generous with words of praise and thanks for those around me—with the clerk at the shopping mall or the life partner who shares my bed? Am I reflecting or defacing the image of God?

Response

Father God, today I want to be a blessing and pronounce a blessing on those around me. I am thankful for the generosity of your love, forgiveness, and grace. It’s more than I deserve. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you too tight fisted or too lavish with your giving? What provokes you to be generous?

Sacred Word Worship’s Rendition of Psalm 109

Psalm 109 (KJV Lyrics) | Sacred Word Worship – YouTube

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.


Jesus Before Pilate

26 Monday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”


Today’s Reading: Psalm 109: 6-15 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
I need your help.
I find it easy to lash out at those who have hurt me.
When I want to go for the jugular
help me reach out for the wisdom and compassion of Jesus instead.
I want to be more like you, Jesus.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Before Pilate

Very early in the morning, the chief priests,
with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans.
So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

The chief priests accused him of many things.
So again Pilate asked him,
“Aren’t you going to answer?
See how many things they are accusing you of.”

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested.
 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists
who had committed murder in the uprising.
The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”
asked Pilate,  knowing it was out of self-interest
that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.
 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

“What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?”
Pilate asked them.

“Crucify him!” they shouted.

 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

Wanting to satisfy the crowd,
Pilate released Barabbas to them.
He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
(Mark 15:1-15).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.
(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Cursing in the Psalms

26 Monday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 109:6-15 (NIV)*

Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy;
    let an accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is tried, let him be found guilty,
    and may his prayers condemn him.
May his days be few;
    may another take his place of leadership.
May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
May his children be wandering beggars;
    may they be driven from their ruined homes.
May a creditor seize all he has;
    may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
May no one extend kindness to him
    or take pity on his fatherless children.
May his descendants be cut off,
    their names blotted out from the next generation.
May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD;
    may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
May their sins always remain before the LORD,
that he may blot out their name from the earth.

Reflection

This portion of Psalm 109 contains fourteen mays of condemnation. After reading this long list of curses spoken against this unnamed individual, it becomes abundantly clear that David, the author of this psalm, was not affectionately inclined toward this man of treachery. This man, who earlier was identified as a friend, had turned against David. In the verse just prior to today’s reading, David laments, “They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship” (Psalm 109:5).

Psalm 109 is called an imprecatory psalm. The word imprecatory simply is a fancy term for cursing. I am sure many Christians are unaware that there is cursing in the Bible—cursing coming from the man who penned Psalm 23—the LORD is my shepherd.

Many find the imprecatory psalms deeply troubling. I include myself in that number. Does God condone calling down curses on our enemies? What about the words of Jesus? “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:43-46).

I remain convinced that Jesus calls us to live on a higher plane—the plane where he dwells.

Response

Father God, I need your help. I find it easy to lash out at those who have hurt me. When I want to go for the jugular help me reach out for the wisdom and compassion of Jesus instead. I want to be more like you, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn

Is there a place for the imprecatory psalms in the Bible? What purpose might they serve?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.


Give Us Aid

24 Saturday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 108, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to Psalm 108:6-13 read by Jonathan Dent.

Reading: Psalm 108:6-13  (NIV)*

Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
God has spoken from his sanctuary:
“In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.
Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.


Response

Father God, I want to play my part in turning things around in your church. Raise up leaders who are eager to love and serve you in humility. Today let your Kingdom come and your will be done among us through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

The photo of Jerusalem on the cover of Psalm 365, Volume II

Take a journey to the cross.


To view further details or purchase click here.

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Peter Disowns Jesus

23 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”


Today’s Reading: Psalm 109: 1-5 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
today I pray for all those
who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred.
Show them your love, protection, comfort, and mercy.
Let compassion reign.
Help me to be an instrument of help and encouragement.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Peter Disowns Jesus

While Peter was below in the courtyard,
one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.
 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

But he denied it.
“I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,”
he said, and went out into the entryway.

When the servant girl saw him there,
she said again to those standing around,
“This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter,
“Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

He began to call down curses, and he swore to them,
“I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.
 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him:
“Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.”
 And he broke down and wept.
(Mark 14:66-72).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.
(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Classrooms Full of Chickens

23 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalms, Psalm 109

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 109:1-5 (NIV)*

My God, whom I praise,
    do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
    have opened their mouths against me;
    they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
    they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
    but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
    and hatred for my friendship.

Reflection

Words have enormous power. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

Words of hatred can be devastating. This is especially true when those words come from those we believe to be our friends. This is the situation the psalmist finds himself in. Hear the psalmist’s lament: With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship (v. 3-4).

There is a deep sense of betrayal in the psalmist’s words. The beginning of this psalm smacks of the Judas kiss. Jesus suffered the hatred and attacks described here. But millions of others have experienced betrayal, false accusations, and words of hatred. Daily, children and teens are bullied and harassed at school and online. All too often tweets and Facebook comments are nothing more than fountains of hate. Mob mentality rules as attacks and insults pile high.

All this reminds me of farm life and the behavior of chickens. Chickens are highly social creatures and early on in their young lives, these birds establish a pecking order. I’m not speaking figuratively. This really happens. The lead bird pecks first at their food and will aggressively exclude others. Those who transgress the established order will find themselves under vicious attack by the leader and other members of the flock. This means exclusion from the food source, but in the worst instances the aggressive chicks will peck the victim to death. Only human intervention can save them.

It’s truly remarkable how human behavior so closely resembles the behavior of chickens. Our classrooms are full of chickens—aggressive chickens establishing their pecking order—and God help the poor child who falls out of favor! As a teacher I have often been a front-seat witness to the bullying that goes on. Intervention is essential or in the worst cases death may result. 

Response

Father God, today I pray for all those who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred. Show them your love, protection, comfort, and mercy. Let compassion reign. Help me to be an instrument of help and encouragement. Amen.

Your Turn

Have you been a victim of bullying? How did you overcome? How can you help others who are being bullied?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award.

For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.