Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
Sometimes I sing my prayers to God while doing chores around the house. As I go to sleep knowing God is with me, He is my song in the night. When I wake up, another salvation song fills my mind. So, I understand David’s hallelujahs of honest praise and prayer to God. Music soothes the soul and reminds us how much we are loved. David’s words can be found in the songs we sing today. Hallelujahs and salvation songs are ways to “tell everyone we meet” about the God who made a way for us to love and commune with Him by sending His Son to redeem us. Enjoy the next song that comes from a grateful, loving heart for God.
Psalm 9, The Message
A David Psalm
1-2 I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders.
I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;
I’m singing your song, High God.
3-4 The day my enemies turned tail and ran,
they stumbled on you and fell on their faces.
You took over and set everything right;
when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.
5-6 You blow the whistle on godless nations;
you throw dirty players out of the game,
wipe their names right off the roster.
Enemies disappear from the sidelines,
their reputation trashed,
their names erased from the halls of fame.
7-8 God holds the high center,
he sees and sets the world’s mess right.
He decides what is right for us earthlings,
gives people their just deserts.
9-10 God’s a safe-house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
you’re never sorry you knocked.
11-12 Sing your songs to Zion-dwelling God,
tell his stories to everyone you meet:
How he tracks down killers
yet keeps his eye on us,
registers every whimper and moan.
13-14 Be kind to me, God;
I’ve been kicked around long enough.
Once you’ve pulled me back
from the gates of death,
I’ll write the book on Hallelujahs;
on the corner of Main and First
I’ll hold a street meeting;
I’ll be the song leader; we’ll fill the air
with salvation songs.
15-16 They’re trapped, those godless countries,
in the very snares they set,
Their feet all tangled
in the net they spread.
They have no excuse;
the way God works is well-known.
The cunning machinery made by the wicked
has maimed their own hands.
17-20 The wicked bought a one-way
ticket to hell.
No longer will the poor be nameless—
no more humiliation for the humble.
Up, God! Aren’t you fed up with their empty strutting?
Expose these grand pretensions!
Shake them up, God!
Show them how silly they look.
SOMETHING TO CHEW…Yes, how great is our God?! David sings his hallelujahs to God for victory over Israel’s enemies. His aim was to honor the Lord, not to glorify himself. His joy was in the Lord, not just in the great victory that he had been given (Phil. 4:4), and he wanted to tell everybody about God’s wonderful works.
HEART CHECK…
When life victories come to us, who do we praise first? How do we praise him?
Do we sing hallelujahs to God and salvation songs about God to others?
How do we tell others? Do they have to guess and wonder by observing the way we live our lives?
“I’ll be the song leader; we’ll fill the air with salvation songs.” Hallelujah to the God who saves!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this prayer of honesty and devotion to you, the Victor and Savior of our very own lives. We praise You for all you have done, are doing and will do in our lives each day. I love you, Lord with all that is in me.
In Jesus Name, Amen
And I’m singing…Who am I that the highest King
Would welcome me?
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh His love for me
Oh His love for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
Free at last, He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin
Jesus died for me
Yes He died for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
I am chosen
Not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me
Not against me
I am who You say I am….
