• Home
  • About
  • DavidKitz.ca
  • Youtube Videos
  • Books by David
  • Books on Amazon.com

I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

I love the Psalms

Tag Archives: joy

Here Comes the Judge

22 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 98, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

God's judgment, joy, praise, restoration, worship

Reading: Psalm 98
(Verses 7-9)
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the L
ORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity
(NIV).*

snow covered mountain

The mountains sing together—Photo by Gianluca Grisenti on Pexels.com

Reflection
What comes to mind when you think of God’s judgment? Do you envision pictures of doom, gloom and destruction? If that’s your response, you are not alone, but maybe you have the wrong set of pictures? Maybe you have a wrong understanding of God? Should the redeemed live in dread of God’s judgment?

Psalm 98 is a joyous anthem of praise to God—praise for the salvation the LORD has won for us. The psalmist begins this psalm by calling us to sing to the LORD a new song. In today’s reading, that call for praise and worship is extended to all of nature. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy.

Have you seen any mountains singing for joy? Have you heard the rivers clap their hands? I love the pictures such thoughts put in my mind. In reality all of creation is speaking daily. The earth, sea and sky are telling of God’s mercy and glory. The setting sun shouts out the praises of God. Can you hear it?

According to the psalmist, there is a cause for this great celebration by the sea, the rivers and the mountains. These elements of creation are celebrating because the LORD is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity. In other words God’s judgment should bring joy not dread. The LORD will set things right.

For far too long we have lived in a world of injustice, suffering and death. When the LORD comes, He will bring all this pain and perversity to an end. The environmental degradation that we have caused will come to an end. The Eden that was lost because of mans’ sin will be restored. Once again we will have access to the Tree of Life. Best of all we will walk in sweet communion with our heavenly Father. All this is possible because of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. The power of sin was broken at the cross. Since God’s coming judgment will bring about all this glorious restoration, why wouldn’t we join the mountains as they sing for joy?

Many of us have a wrong understanding of God and a wrong understanding of the purpose for His judgment. His judgments are good. They bring about peace—the shalom of God. Here in Psalm 98 we have the promise of His word on that. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Response: LORD God, in the past I have dreaded your judgment, but now I recognize your goodness. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. I want to see this world set right through your power and grace. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you fear God’s judgment? Is that always a good thing? Can it be misunderstood?

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

The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.

A Prayer from the Psalms for the New Year

09 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 106, Psalms

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

blessed, God's favor, joy, praise the LORD, prosperity

I will praise the LORD!

img_20191208_1620147

His love endures forever — photo by David Kitz

Praise the LORD.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
    or fully declare his praise?
Blessed are those who act justly,
    who always do what is right.

Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people,
    come to my aid when you save them,
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
    that I may share in the joy of your nation
    and join your inheritance in giving praise.

(Psalm 106:1-5, NIV)*

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

Like a River in the Desert

03 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 105, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Abraham, God's promises, joy, rejoicing

I will praise the LORD!

img_20201206_1156498

It flowed like a river in the desert — photo by David Kitz

He spread out a cloud as a covering,
    and a fire to give light at night.
They asked, and he brought them quail;
    he fed them well with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
    it flowed like a river in the desert.

For he remembered his holy promise
    given to his servant Abraham.
He brought out his people with rejoicing,
    his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—
that they might keep his precepts
    and observe his laws.

Praise the LORD.

(Psalm 105:39-45, NIV)*

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

Restore us again, God our Savior

03 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

forgiveness, God's favor, grace of God, joy

Reading: Psalm 85
For the director of music.
Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
(Verses 1-7)
You, LORD, showed favor to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people
    and covered all their sins.
You set aside all your wrath
    and turned from your fierce anger.
Restore us again, God our Savior,
    and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
 Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your unfailing love, L
ORD,
    and grant us your salvation
(NIV).*

img_20201124_0738385-1

Winter morning — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Psalm 85 begins on a high note as the psalmist reflects on God’s goodness in the past. You, LORD, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

God’s favor is not something we earn; it is undeserved. God’s favor is synonymous with God’s grace. We may attempt to explain God’s grace, but in reality there’s no accounting for it. God showers His grace upon us, but why on us and not someone else? There is an aspect of Divine grace that we may never fully comprehend. We simply need to receive it and rejoice in God’s favor when it comes our way.

Make no mistake. God’s grace and His favor are rooted in forgiveness. Note the words of the psalmist: You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. 

Because of our sins and disobedience, we deserve God’s wrath and anger, but instead He has shown us favor and forgiveness. How awesome is that! There is something over-the-moon wonderful about the love of God. When we experience its fullness, it puts a smile on our face and a wellspring of joy in our hearts.

But… But there is a point of transition in this psalm. The wonderful sense of nearness to God has been lost. About midway through the passage above the psalmist cries out in anguish. Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? 

We are not told what has caused this sense of separation from God. Is it sin? Is it unforeseen hardships or calamities of various kinds? Whatever the cause, the psalmist pleads for revival and a return to joy.

Response: LORD God, revive my love for you. I want to sense you near to me again—smiling down on me. Show me your favor and your unfailing love. Let me know your grace. Amen.  

Your Turn: Have you lost a sense of nearness to God? What can you do to restore it?     

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

Some good news: The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in November, 2020, by Elk Lake Publishing. Two additional volumes will follow in 2021 to complete the three volume set of devotions from the Psalms.

                                

Giving Thanks

26 Thursday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 100, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

faithfulness, joy, praise, thanksgiving

Today’s Psalms of Thanksgiving

person slicing pie on aluminum plate

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

Psalm 100, NIV
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Worship the LORD with Gladness

24 Saturday Oct 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

joy

I will praise the LORD!

2020-10-17

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
   Worship the LORD with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

(Psalm 100, NIV)*

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

My Lips Will Shout for Joy

18 Sunday Oct 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

joy, praise

Today’s verse from the Psalms.Psalm 71-23

Shout for Joy

18 Sunday Oct 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 71

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

God's faithfulness, joy, praise the LORD

I will praise the LORD!

DSCN1672

Autumn glory, Gatineau Park, Quebec — photo by David Kitz

I will praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
    Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
    all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
    have been put to shame and confusion.

(Psalm 71:22-24, NIV)*

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

You Spread Your Protection

02 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 5

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

joy, protection, rejoice

Today’s verse from the Psalms.Psalm 5-11

Lord God, I thank you for coming along side me
and protecting me from harm.
Time after time, you have been my help.
You have led me along the road of life.
In Jesus’ name I give thanks.
Amen.

May the Peoples Praise You, God

30 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Psalm 67, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

joy, nations, praise, praise the LORD

I will praise the LORD!

image

Photo by Timothy Kitz

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

  (Psalm 67:1-5, NIV)*

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

Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

Psalms 365

"Psalms 365" is designed to help you develop a life of worship and prayer like the biblical David. Each daily reading provides insight and inspiration for practical Christian living, allowing the Good shepherd to guide you to the center of his will.

Psalms

Recent posts

  • Psalms 365: Volume II, Coming Soon April 14, 2021
  • How Do You Learn? April 14, 2021
  • A Right Understanding April 13, 2021
  • Laid Low in the Dust April 13, 2021
  • Open My Eyes April 12, 2021
  • Bible Blindness April 12, 2021
  • His Love Endures Forever April 11, 2021

Calendar

April 2021
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« Mar    

Blog Posts

Blogroll

  • David Kitz Website
  • Discuss
  • Get Inspired
  • Get Polling
  • Get Support
  • Learn WordPress.com
  • Theme Showcase
  • WordPress Planet
  • WordPress.com News

Comments

  • Vincent S Artale Jr on How Do You Learn?
  • davidkitz on How Do You Learn?
  • davidkitz on How Do You Learn?

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×