Month: April 2024

The Lord My Light Abide With Me

Henry Lyte was 54 years old pastor
who laboured for 23 years in a
poor church in Devonshire England.
This hymn was written shortly
before his death in 1847, and was
inspired by Psa 27:4 & the words
of the two disciples met by Jesus
on the road to Emmaus: Stay the
night with us, since it’s getting late.
It was eventide for Lyte and he felt
very much alone. But he was not
alone; for the Lord is “the help of
the helpless”, our guide & security.
And He will not leave nor forsake us.

All Praise be to Lord My Light:
The Lord (Jehovah) is my light (ORI)
and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life,
of whom shall I be afraid?… Though
an army may encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear; though
war may rise against me, in this
I will be confident (Ps 27:1-3).
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
that will I seek: that I may dwell
in the house of the Lord..to behold
the beauty of the Lord, and to
inquire in His temple (Ps 27:4).
I would have lost heart, unless
I had believed that I would see the
goodness of the Lord… Wait on the
Lord; be of good courage. And He
shall strengthen your heart (v13-14).

Lord Jehovah ORI, You are the light
of our life, brightening our path.
Praise You for helping us navigate
through the darkness of this life.
And You Lord will bring us the
light of salvation when we turn
to You with a heart of trust.
Draw people to You Lord so that
they may know and experience
You as the light of their lives. Amen.

Lord, I listen with an attitude Your
goodness will show up in my life.
For Your goodness is not a theory
but it’s real. I am grateful for that
and fully expect to see more of it.
But Lord, holding on to faith in
situations that dictate against it
requires fortitude and boldness.
So give me patience and courage
to hear You amidst struggles and
pauses in our dialogues. Amen.

Lord, Abide with me;
fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens;
Lord with me abide !
When other helpers fail
and comforts flee.
Help of the helpless,
O abide with me.
Lord, I need Thy presence
every passing hour.
Shine through the gloom
and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks
and earth’s vain shadows flee.
In life, in death, O Lord,
abide with me. Amen.

The Lord My Shepherd Cares

This 17th century Scottish hymn
is a paraphrase of David’s original.
This version was often sung
daily in Scottish cottages and
so the wordings became more
familiar to the people then and
with us than the Bible text itself.
This text of the 23rd Psalm comes
from Francis Rous, who was a
member of the British Parliament.
Rous’ Psalter was widely used and
was authorised by the Westminster
Assembly, which also created the
Westminster Confession of Faith.

Lord, You Provide, Guide & Protect:
The Lord is My Shepherd,
I Lack Nothing and have
everything I need (Psalm 23:1).
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He Leads me besides peaceful
streams. He Renews my strength
He Guides me along right paths,
bringing honour to His name (v2-3).
Even when I walk through the
dark valley of death, I will not be
afraid for You are close beside me.
Your rod and Your staff Protect
and comfort me (Psalm 23:4).

Lord, the Shepherd of my soul,
praise & thank You for Your Care.
You are not just my Creator and
my God; You are not just the King
and the Judge of the universe. For
You are my Shepherd & I’m blessed
for because of You, I Lack Nothing.
Keep me from complaining; and
keep me from fear and worry; for
You’ll Provide all my needs. Amen.

Lord Shepherd, it is comforting
to know that I am not alone in
the journey of life. Thank You
that You are ever so vigilant,
Guiding and watching over me.
And thank You that You love to
lead me to “peaceful streams”.
Help me to respond to Your sweet
small voice, stay close to You;
and I will gladly Follow You. Amen.

Lord Shepherd, You faithfully
feed, guide and above all Protect
Your flock with Your very life.
Lord, You are always close by,
You protect & comfort us, and
You protectively watch over us.
Merciful Lord and dear Shepherd,
in my darkest moments when I’m
very afraid and I cry out to You,
extend Your hand to hold my hand.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

God Promises Fruitfulness

The psalms written mostly by
David, over a period of 6 centuries
and used as the temple hymnbook,
capture the essence of what it
means to walk daily with God.
The first six psalms form a fitting
introduction to the entire Psalter.
In them you learn the importance
of meditating on God’s Word (Ps 1),
acknowledging the Lord as King(P2)
and constantly being devoted to
prayer in good times & bad (Ps 3-6).

Lord, we’ll Delight in Your Word:
Blessed is the man who walks
not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law
of the Lord, and in His law he
meditates day and night (Ps 1:1-2).
He shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth its Fruit
in its season, whose leaf also
shall not wither; and whatever
he does shall prosper (Ps 1:3).
For the Lord knows (and approves)
the way of the righteous (v6).

Father God, more than anything,
I want to make You Lord happy.
And I want to do and be all that
You planned when You created me.
It’s Your counsel I want to follow,
Your side Lord I want to be on and
Your behaviour I want to imitate.
Help me Lord to Continually Think
of You and Your Word so that
I may experience Your joy. Amen.

Lord, I want to have this kind of
blessed life & this kind of happiness.
So I pray that You Lord will
cause me to recognise the wicked
and refuse to follow their leading.
Pray I will refuse to join in with those
who mock what’s precious to You.
And pray that the Scriptures will
increasingly become the controlling
influence in my life. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, give me the desire to read
Your Word and to meditate on it
day and night. Let me eat deeply
from Your Word & make me wise.
Cause me to Delight in Doing Your
will and that’s what I purpose to do.
Most of all, empower me to Do
what it says and Transform me
and the circumstance so that
I will bear fruit that lasts. Amen.

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

Psalms written mostly by David
capture the essence of what it
means to walk daily with God.
The first six psalms form a fitting
introduction to the entire Psalter;
emphasing the importance of
meditating on God’s Word and
constantly being devoted in prayer.
And Psa 7-20 show the importance
of Seeking and Trusting the Lord..

On Monday, we learn from Ps 1
that God Promises Fruitfulness.
On Tuesday, we learn from Ps 4
that God Hears When We Call.
On Wed, we learn from Psalm 9
that God Is Our Refuge In Trouble.
On Thursday, we learn from Ps 16
that God Shows Way & Gives Joy.
On Friday, we learn from Psalm 18
that God Gives Strength & Security.
On Sat, we learn from Psalm 20
that God Will Come & Save You.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our Praise
as You are Our Refuge In Trouble
and that You Hear When We Call.
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You Promise Fruitfulness and
that You Show Way & Gives Joy.
For You Give Strength & Security
and that You Will Come & Save.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Lord Will Come & Save

Backgrounder: The Lord can be
seen in different roles in Ps 19-24.
He is the Creator (Psalm 19),
the Helper (Ps 20), the King (Ps 21),
Crucified One (Ps 22), the Shepherd
(Ps 23) & the Glorious One (Ps 24).
For each role, there is a related
responsibility for the people who
would follow Him as their God
and King, Shepherd and Sovereign.

Lord, we Trust You’ll Come & Save:
In times of trouble, may the Lord
respond to your cry. May God…
keep you safe from all harm.
May He send you help from
His sanctuary… May He grant
your heart’s desire and fulfill all
your plans… May the Lord answer
all your prayers (Psa 20:1-5).
Some trust in chariots, and some
in horses; but we will remember
the name of the Lord our God
Save Lord! (Jehovah Hoshiah)
May the King answer us
when we call (Psalm 20:7-9).

Lord, we cry out to You about
the relationship, finance or health
situation we are so concerned.
Hear from heaven & answer us!
Send help from Your sanctuary &
rescue us by Your great power!
Grant also our heart’s desires.
Thanks for hearing & responding
to the cries of Your people. Amen

Lord Jehovah Hoshiah, You are
the God who saves Your people
from the miry pit and crowns
them with Your lovingkindness.
You hold all things together; and
You alone have the power to save.
Thank You for saving us from sins
by sending Your Son Jesus Christ.
Thank You for saving us when we
call on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Lord Jehovah Hoshiah, look
with tender mercy and save.
Thanks for healing my wounds and
covering them with loving grace.
Give me eyes to see where You’re
leading me and a compassionate
heart toward others who are
experiencing challenges of life.
And use me to encourage someone
as You have encouraged me. Amen.

God Gives Strength & Security

Backgrounder on Psalms 13-18:
In sharp contrast to the fate of the
fool who denies God’s existence(14)
many blessings accrue to those
who serve God wholeheartedly:
joy (Ps13), fellowship with God (15),
satisfaction (16), preservation (17)
& confidence in facing future (Ps18).
Psalm 18 was written by David
on the day that the Lord delivered
him from the hand of his enemies.

Lord, we place our Trust In You:
I will love You O Lord my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my
fortress and my Deliverer; My God
my strength In Who I Will Trust.
My shield and the strength of
my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is
worthy to be praised; for He saves
me from my enemies (Ps 18:1-3).
In my distress I called upon the
Lord, and cried out to my God;
He heard my voice (Ps 18:6).
You armed me with strength for
battle; You made my adversaries
bow at my feet (Psalm 18:39).
Blessed be my Rock! Let the God
of my salvation be exalted (v46).

Lord, be my rock and source of
security when I am in difficulties.
In You I find protection; for You are
my stronghold & I need nothing else.
Be my strength when I am weak.
Be my shield of protection from
those who seek to harm me.
Be the strength of my salvation
when I call upon You; and I will ever
praise You for You are worthy. Amen

Lord, reassuring that You are a God
that hears and answers prayers.
Thank You that You act on behalf
of those who seek You for help.
Be my strength when I am weak &
make me steady when I am unsure.
And I bless You and praise You
at all times for You are faithful and
a very present help in time of need.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, I am grateful that You have
armed me with the strength I need.
Help me to withstand challenges;
and prevail over my adversaries.
Teach me to persevere in prayer
and not let down nor give up.
Enable me to pray through each
situation until I see breakthrough.
Thank You Lord that You are with
me and working things out. Amen.

God Shows Direction & Gives Joy
Inspiring Hymn Be Thou My Vision

Backgrounder on Psalms 13-18:
In contrast to the fate of the
fool who denies God’s existence
(Ps 14) many blessings accrue
to the one who serves God with
a whole heart: joyfulness (Ps 13),
fellowship w God(Ps 15), direction &
satisfaction(P16), preservation(P17)
& confidence in facing future (Ps18).
Be Thou My Vision is an anonymous
Irish hymn from the eighth century;
filled with various titles for God.
The word Vision is used to indicate
not only what we focus on but also
what we strive for. As we strive
for the goal, we gain a long term
perspective that helps us see
today’s challenges as trivial when
compared to the heavenly Vision.

Lord, we Receive Inheritance & Joy:
Lord, You alone are my inheritance,
my cup of blessing. You guard all
that is mine. The land you have
given me is a pleasant land. What
a Wonderful Inheritance (Ps 16:5-6)
I will bless the Lord who has
given me counsel; my heart also
instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before
me; because He is at my right
hand I shall not be moved (v7-8).
You will not leave my soul in Sheol…
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of Joy.
At Your right hand are pleasures
forevermore (Psa 16:10-11). Amen.

Lord, enable us to walk in the reality
that You are our promised cup
of blessing and true inheritance.
Grant us understanding of the riches
of the inheritance, including faith,
hope & love that You have given us.
Lead us leave a rich inheritance
of faith and love to those
who come after us. For that’s
the way to live successfully. Amen.

Father, I bless You as the Lord
who guides and instruct Your
people by day and by night.
Teach me to hear Your instructions;
and help me step into Your will.
Lord, as I Patiently wait upon You,
let Your Spirit guide my heart.
Download Your truths, show me
solutions to problems, and open
my mind to Your ideas. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for everything
that You have blessed us with.
Help us to be contented with our
portion and station in life as well
as the situation we find ourselves.
We trust You are in control; and
You will never leave nor forsake us.
In Your presence, there’s fullness
of Joy; and help me Lord to make
Be Thou indeed be my Vision. Amen

Lord, Be Thou my Vision,
O Lord of my heart.
I ever with Thee and
Thou with me Lord.
Thou my best thought,
by Day or by Night.
Waking or sleeping,
Thy presence my light…
Riches I heed not,
nor man’s empty praise.
Thou mine inheritance,
now and always.
Thou and Thou only,
the first in my heart.
Still be my Vision.
O Ruler of all. Amen.

All but one of Psalms 7-12,
begins with a cry of lament:
“O Lord my God,” “O Lord,””Lord.”
These short but potent songs
express the psalmist’s desire
that justice prevail (Psalm 7),
that the wicked be brought low
(Psalm 9-10), and that God’s holy
name be exalted (Psalm 8,11-12)

Lord, You are Our Refuge:
I will praise You O Lord,
with my whole heart; I will tell
of all Your marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name,
O Most High (Psalm 9:1-2).
The Lord is a refuge for the
oppressed, a stronghold in times
of trouble. Those who know
Your name will trust in You,
for You Lord have never forsaken
those who seek You (v9-10).
Have mercy on me Lord!
Consider my trouble… That I
may tell of all Your praise… I will
rejoice in Your salvation (v13-14).

Lord Most High, I lift up Your name
in praise for You are my salvation
and for Your marvellous works.
Thank You Lord for Your strength;
and thank You God for providing
a place to run to in times of need.
You provide a way out of troubles
where there seems to be no way.
In You alone I find my stronghold
to which I run for safety. Amen.

Lord, we pray for those who don’t
know You as their stronghold, the
one to provide them help and hope.
Draw them with Your loving care;
and show them that in the midst
of their trials that You are there
for them, ever ready to provide
a shield against the storms of life.
Help me Lord share of Your love
and make me a witness of Your
hope to those in need. Amen.

Lord, fill me a spirit of faith and
I will look to You in every way.
I will Bless Your name forever
and I will Trust You at all times.
For Lord You are My Shield,
My Strength My Portion,
Deliverer… My Shelter,
Strong Tower… My Very Present
Help in time of need. Amen.

God Hears When We Call

The first six psalms form a fitting
introduction to the entire Psalter.
In them you will learn the
importance of meditating
on God’s Word (Psalm 1),
acknowledging the Lord as King
(Psslm 2), and constantly being
devoted to prayer in gospel
in good times and in bad (Ps 3-6).

Lord, Hear me when I Call You:
Answer me when I call, O God of
my righteousness (Elohe Tsadeki)!
You have relieved me in my
distress; Be gracious to me
and Hear my prayer (Psalm 4:1).
How long… will You turn my glory
to shame?… But know that the
Lord has set apart for Himself
him who is godly; The Lord will
Hear when I call to Him (v2-3).
You have put gladness in my heart..
I will both lie down in peace
and sleep; for You alone O Lord
make me dwell in safety (v7-8).

Lord Elohe Tsadeki, thank You for
the power of Your righteousness
for from You flow might & strength.
Your righteousness also brings
about the beauty we see in one
another in acts of kindness and love.
All these flow from You for goodness
stem from the core of who You are.
And so You Lord will be gracious
to me when I call upon You. Amen.

Lord, grateful that I am a child
of Yours set apart for Your glory
and that You will hear my prayers.
Show me Lord if there’s anything in
my life that would become a barrier
between me and You such that
my prayers will go unanswered.
Help me to have the peace, knowing
You have heard my prayers and will
answer in Your way & Yr time. Amen

Lord, thank You for setting apart
each of us to know You and for
answering when we call on You.
Grant me joy in Christ and peace
in Your presence even before
a turnaround or harvest comes.
And grant me to lie down in peace
and sleep, for You keep me safe.
For You know my every thought,
You see each tear that falls, and
You Hear me when I call. Amen.