Psalm 46-50 - Call upon Me

God Is Our Refuge and Strength

Psa 46:1 LSB - [1] For the choir director. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. 

God is our refuge and strength, 

A very present help in trouble.

Psa 145:18 LSB - [18] QOPH

Yahweh is near to all who call upon Him,

To all who call upon Him in truth.

Psa 46:10 LSB -
[10] "Cease [striving] and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

God Is King of All the Earth

Psa 47:1 LSB - [1] For the choir director. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm.
O clap your hands, all peoples;
Make a loud shout to God with the sound of a shout of joy.

Psa 98:4 LSB - [4]

Make a loud shout to Yahweh, all the earth;

Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.

 

Zion, the City of Our God

Psa 48:1 LSB - [1] A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised,
In the city of our God, His holy mountain.

Psa 48:12-14 ESV -

[12] Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers,

[13] consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation

[14] that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

Why Should I Fear in Days of Evil?

Psa 49:12 ESV - [12] Man in his pomp will not remain; 

he is like the beasts that perish.

Psa 49:15 LSB - [15] But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah.

Psa 49:20 ESV - [20] Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

God Himself Is Judge

Psa 50:14-15 LSB - 

[14] "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving 

And pay your vows to the Most High; 

[15] Call upon Me in the day of distress; 

I shall rescue you, and you will glorify Me."

Psa 50:23 ESV - [23] The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"

Psalm 42-45 - My Soul Thirsts for God

My Soul Thirsts for God

Psa 42:1 LSB - [1] For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. 

As the deer pants for the water brooks, 

So my soul pants for You, O God.

“Ease he did not seek, honour he did not covet, but the enjoyment of communion with God was an urgent need of his soul; he viewed it not merely as the sweetest of all luxuries, but as an absolute necessity, like water to a stag.” (Spurgeon)

Psa 42:2 LSB - [2] 

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; 

When shall I come and appear before God?

One may go many days without food, but thirsts shows an even more urgent need. “Which is more than hungering; hunger you can palliate, but thirst is awful, insatiable, clamorous, deadly.” (Spurgeon)

For God: “Not merely for the temple and the ordinances, but for fellowship with God himself. None but spiritual men can sympathise with this thirst.” (Spurgeon)

Psa 42:5 LSB -
[5] Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And [why] are you disturbed within me?
Wait for God, for I shall still praise Him,
[For] the salvation of His presence.

Psa 42:8 LSB -
[8] By day, Yahweh will command His lovingkindness;
And by night, His song will be with me,
A prayer to the God of my life.

Psa 42:11 LSB -
[11] Why are you in despair,
O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Wait for God, for I shall still praise Him,
The salvation of my presence and my God.

Send Out Your Light and Your Truth

Psa 43:3 LSB - [3] Oh send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy mountain And to Your dwelling places.

Psa 43:5 LSB -
[5] Why are you in despair,
O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Wait for God, for I shall still praise Him, T
he salvation of my presence and my God.

Rise Up, Be Our Help

Psa 44:22 LSB - [22] But for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

Rom 8:35-39 LSB - [35] Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction, or turmoil, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

[36] Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE COUNTED AS SHEEP FOR [the] SLAUGHTER."

[37] But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

[38] For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

[39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Your Throne, O God, Is Forever

Psa 45:6 LSB - [6] Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

Psa 45:7 LSB - [7] You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your companions.

Psa 45:17 LSB - [17] I will cause Your name to be remembered from generation to every generation; Therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.

 

As the Deer Panteth for the Water

Martin Nystrom, 1984
Based on Psalm 42
[Key: Bb]

Verse 1
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee
You alone are my Strength, my Shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee.

Verse 2
You're my Friend and You are my Brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
You alone are my Strength, my Shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee.

Verse 3
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye
You alone are my Strength, my Shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee.

1 Timothy 4-6 - Flee and Pursue

Some Will Fall Away

1Ti 4:4-5 LSB - [4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [5] for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

1Ti 4:7-8 LSB - [7] But refuse godless myths fit only for old women. On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of godliness, [8] for bodily training is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and [also] for the [life] to come.

1Ti 4:10 LSB - [10] For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

In What Sense Did Christ Die for the Non-Elect? John Piper

1Ti 4:13 LSB - [13] Until I come, give attention to the public reading [of Scripture], to exhortation and teaching.

1Ti 4:16 LSB - [16] Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

“Years ago Hamburgh was nearly half of it burned down, and among the incidents that happened, there was this one. A large house had connected with it a yard in which there was a great black dog, and this black dog in the middle of the night barked and howled most furiously. It was only by his barking that the family were awakened just in time to escape from the flames, and their lives were spared; but the poor dog was chained to his kennel, and though he barked and thus saved the lives of others, he was burned himself. Oh! Do not you who work for God in this church perish in that fashion. Do not permit your sins to enchain you, so that while you warn others you become lost yourselves.” (Spurgeon)

 

Honor Widows

1Ti 5:1-2 LSB - [1] Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but [rather] plead with [him] as a father, [to] the younger men as brothers, [2] the older women as mothers, [and] the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Honoring the Elders

1Ti 5:17 LSB - [17] The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor at [preaching] the word and teaching.

 

Instructions to Those Who Serve

1Ti 6:1 LSB - [1] All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and [our] doctrine will not be slandered.

1Ti 6:11 LSB - [11] But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, gentleness.

1Ti 6:12 LSB - [12] Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 1-3 - Exhortation to Prayer for All Men

Instructions in Doctrine and Living

1Ti 1:5 LSB - [5] But the goal of our command is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and an unhypocritical faith.

1Ti 1:15 LSB - [15] It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.

1Ti 1:18-19 LSB - [18] This command I entrust to you, Timothy, [my] child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, [19] keeping faith and a good conscience, which some, having rejected, suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

1Co 14:3 LSB - [3] But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and encouragement.

 

Exhortation to Prayer

1Ti 2:1-4 LSB - 

[1] First of all, then, I exhort that petitions [and] prayers, requests [and] thanksgivings, be made for all men, 

[2] for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 

[3] This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 

[4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.

1 Tim. 2:4 Paul urges prayer for all people (vv. 1–2) because God desires all people to be saved. Paul emphasizes God’s desire that all races and economic classes trust in Christ. Believers must share Christ with all people, regardless of differences. This does not mean that everyone will be saved (see 4:1; 5:24; 6:10; compare Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 14:9–11). Come to the knowledge of the truth highlights that individuals must understand key truths to become believers. “The truth” is a synonym for the gospel (see 1 Tim. 3:15; 4:3; 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 1:1, 14).

1Ti 2:8 LSB - [8] Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

Instructions for Women

1Ti 2:12 LSB - [12] But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

Overseers and Deacons

1Ti 3:1 LSB - [1] It is a trustworthy saying: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.

1Ti 3:4-5 LSB - [4] leading his own household well, having his children in submission with all dignity [5] (but if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

1Ti 3:13 LSB - [13] For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

1Ti 3:16 LSB - [16] And by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: 

He who was manifested in the flesh, 

Was vindicated in the Spirit, 

Seen by angels, 

Proclaimed among the nations, 

Believed on in the world, 

Taken up in glory.

 

2 Kings 23-25 - Josiah Reads the Book of the Covenant

Josiah Reads the Book of the Covenant

2Ki 23:2 LSB - [2] And the king went up to the house of Yahweh and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Yahweh.

2Ki 23:3 LSB - [3] Then the king stood by the pillar and cut a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all [his] heart and all [his] soul, to establish the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

Josiah Celebrates the Passover

2Ki 23:25 LSB - [25] And before him there was no king like him who turned to Yahweh with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.

2Ki 23:27 LSB - [27] And Yahweh said, "I will remove Judah also from My presence, as I have removed Israel. And I will reject Jerusalem, this city which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, 'My name shall be there.'"

Jehoahaz Reigns Over Judah

Jehoiakim Made King by Pharaoh

2Ki 23:37 LSB - [37] And he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, according to all that his fathers had done.

Jehoiakim Rebels Against Nebuchadnezzar

Jehoiachin Reigns over Judah

Judah Exiled to Babylon

2Ki 24:15 LSB - [15] So he took Jehoiachin away into exile to Babylon; also the king's mother and the king's wives and his officials and the leading men of the land, he led away into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Zedekiah Reigns over Judah

Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem

2Ki 25:7 LSB - [7] And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; then he blinded the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him with bronze fetters and brought him to Babylon.

Jerusalem Burned

2Ki 25:9 LSB - [9] And he burned the house of Yahweh, the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; even every great house he burned with fire.

Gedaliah Appointed Judah’s Governor

2 Kings 19-22 - Hezekiah’s Prayer

Isaiah Tells Hezekiah Not to Be Afraid

2Ki 19:6-7 LSB - [6] And Isaiah said to them, "Thus you shall say to your master, 'Thus says Yahweh, "Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. [7] "Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a report and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land."'"

Sennacherib Deceives Hezekiah

Hezekiah’s Prayer

2Ki 19:14 LSB - [14] Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of Yahweh and spread it out before Yahweh.

Isaiah Speaks of Sennacherib’s Fall

2Ki 19:20 LSB - [20] Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent [word] to Hezekiah saying, "Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, 'Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard [you].'

2Ki 19:27 LSB - [27] 'But I know your sitting down, And your going out and your coming in, And your raging against Me.

2Ki 19:35 LSB - [35] Now it happened that night, that the angel of Yahweh went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And the men arose early in the morning, and behold, all of them were dead bodies.

Hezekiah’s Illness and Restoration

2Ki 20:2-3 LSB - [2] Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, saying, [3] "Remember now, O Yahweh, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept greatly.

2Ki 20:11 LSB - [11] Isaiah the prophet cried to Yahweh, and He turned the shadow on the stairway back ten steps by which it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.

Hezekiah Shows Babylon His Treasures

2Ki 20:19 LSB - [19] Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of Yahweh which you have spoken is good." For he said, "Will it not be [good], if there will be peace and truth in my days?"

Manasseh Reigns over Judah

2Ki 21:9 LSB - [9] But they did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray in order to do more evil than the nations whom Yahweh destroyed before the sons of Israel.

Yahweh Brings Calamity on Israel

2Ki 21:14 LSB - [14] 'And I will abandon the remnant of My inheritance and give them into the hand of their enemies, and they will become as plunder and spoil to all their enemies;

Amon Reigns over Judah

Josiah Reigns over Judah

2Ki 22:1-2 LSB - [1] Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. [2] And he did what was right in the sight of Yahweh and walked in all the way of his father David and did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law

2Ki 22:13 LSB - [13] "Go, inquire of Yahweh for me and the people and all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of Yahweh which is set aflame against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."

Huldah Says Yahweh Is Bringing Evil

2Ki 22:19 LSB - [19] because your heart was soft and you humbled yourself before Yahweh when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become an object of horror, and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares Yahweh.

2 Kings 16-18 - Hezekiah Reigns over Judah

Ahaz Reigns over Judah

2Ki 16:11 LSB - [11] So Urijah the priest built an altar; according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, thus Urijah the priest made [it], before the coming of King Ahaz from Damascus.

Hoshea Reigns over Israel

Israel Exiled to Assyria

Israel Rejects Yahweh

2Ki 17:20 LSB - [20] So Yahweh rejected all the seed of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them from His presence.

Exiled Men in the Cities of Samaria

2Ki 17:41 LSB - [41] So while these nations were fearing Yahweh, they also were serving their graven images; their children likewise and their grandchildren, as their fathers acted, so they are acting [this way] to this day.

Hezekiah Reigns over Judah

2Ki 18:2-6 LSB - 

[2] He was twenty-five years old when he became king; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. 

[3] And he did what was right in the sight of Yahweh, according to all that David his father had done. [4] He took away the high places and shattered the [sacred] pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel were burning incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan. 

[5] He trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor [among those] who were before him. 

[6] So he clung to Yahweh; he did not turn away from following Him, but kept His commandments, which Yahweh had commanded Moses.

Hezekiah Prospers

Sennacherib Comes Up Against Judah

2Ki 18:16 LSB - [16] At that time Hezekiah cut off [the gold from] the doors of the temple of Yahweh and [from] the doorposts, which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.