Most of the psalms are prayers and most of the prayers include praise to God. Praise expresses admiration, appreciation, and thanks. Praise in the book of Psalms is often directed to God and just as often the praise is shared with others. Considering all that God has done and does for us, what could be more natural than outbursts of heartfelt praise?
As you read Psalms, note the praise given to God, not only for what he does - his creation, his blessings, his forgiveness - but also for who he is - loving, just, faithful, forgiving, patient.
Psalm 144 was written by David and he shares with us that in times of prosperity or adversity, blessed are those who believe in the Lord, because we CAN rejoice in God's care. It may be tough sometimes - but believing and trusting in His ways, can bring you through hard times and allow you to see a beautiful horizon in the future.
Psalm 144:3,4 - "O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? 4-Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow"
Life is short! David reminds us that it is "like a breath" and that our "days are like a fleeting shadow." James says that our lives are "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Because life is short, we should live for God while we have the time. Don't waste your life by selecting an interior purpose that has no lasting value. Live for God! He alone can make your life worthwhile, purposeful, and meaningful.
Psalm 144 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
2 He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
3 O Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
the son of man that you think of him?
4 Man is like a breath;
his days are like a fleeting shadow.
5 Part your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
6 Send forth lightning and scatter the enemies;
shoot your arrows and rout them.
7 Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
8 whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
10 to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword..
11 Deliver me and rescue me;
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
12 Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace.
13 Our barns will be filled
with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
14 our oxen will draw heavy loads.
There will be no breaching of walls,
no going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.
15 Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.