pouring out complaints

Psalm 142

v2

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

Sometimes we have what seems like overwhelming trouble. When we're trying to speak only the way we should, we're tempted to complain. There's a way we should pour out our complaints in front of the Lord and show our trouble to Him. When we feel like complaining, we should pray about the situation instead.

Also notice the contrast between v7 in this chapter, which starts, "Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name", and Psalm 140:8, which says,

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. Selah.

We should want the Lord to help us so we can praise Him, not so we can be arrogant and lift ourselves up.

From: Just as I Am, Without One Plea

By Charlotte Elliott, 1835 and William Bradbury, 1849

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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Mouth-Watch :-)

Psalm 141

v3

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Think twice before you speak today.

From: Just as I Am, Without One Plea

By Charlotte Elliott, 1835 and William Bradbury, 1849

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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the desires of the wicked

Psalm 140

v8

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. Selah.

If we want the Lord to grant the things we desire to us, we need to make sure we're not wicked. This verse prays for the Lord to not grant the wicked peoples' desires.

Verse (v)2 talks about our imagination. One way to make sure we're not wicked is to make sure the things we imagine are right.

v1,4, and 11 talk about violence. I've had to stop myself several times lately from imagining violent things. Here's a way to make sure we're not wicked. We shouldn't talk about violence either.

v3,9, and 11 talk about the way we talk. We shouldn't talk wickedly or violently.

Finally, v8 talks about how wicked people will "exalt" (or lift up) themselves. We should be humble.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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don't speak wickedly

Psalm 139

v20

For they speak against thee wickedly, [and] thine enemies take [thy name] in vain.

This is an encouraging Psalm about how the Lord knows all about us. It also warns us that we shouldn't be wicked. Today we should remember to not speak against the Lord wickedly and not take His name in vain.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me;
By His guiding hand I’m led.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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be humble

Psalm 138

v6

Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

If we want the Lord to have respect to us instead of knowing us far off, we need to be humble and not be proud.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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every thing by prayer

Philippians 4

Key v6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

This verse says, "with thanksgiving". When I have a hard time with things going on, I should pray and thank the Lord for the situations. It says, "Be careful for nothing". I shouldn't get all worried and upset. I should just pray and let God know what my requests are.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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real peace

Philippians 4

Outline

v1-3

Paul's care for the brethren

v4-9

how to have real peace

v10-19

giving and contentment

v20-23

blessings and greetings

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me.
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

listen to MP3 file