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One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4 May I be always amongst those who not only hear but know Thee, who walk with and rejoice in Thee, who take Thee at Thy word and find life there. The Valley of Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions, 1600/1700s For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in his dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 Help me to stop…  ( Click for more )

My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord. Psalm 26:12 Amid all their trials, sorrows, pains, reproaches, let the righteous lift up rejoicing heads. The eye of God rests on their way. He called them to the narrow road. He upholds their feeble steps. He safely leads them to the glorious end. Henry Law, writer Psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 When fear grasps the heart, we feel powerless and alone encased in fretful imaginings.…  ( Click for more )

(I will go to Your altar, O Lord,) That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving. And declare all Your wonders. Psalm 26:7 Some folks go to God as you might suppose criminals would go to the whipping-post (but not David). Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92, British Reformed Baptist

God, I love living with you; your house glows with your glory (The Message). Psalm 26:8 Leap my spirit with joy; thy Lord doth dwell with thee in might, power and love.

Do not gather my soul with sinners. Psalm 26:9a Talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from…  ( Click for more )

(Psalm of David) Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Psalm 26:1 In all things preserve integrity; and the consciousness of thine own uprightness will alleviate the toil of business, soften the hardness of ill-success and disappointments, and give thee an humble confidence before God, when the ingratitude of man or the iniquity of the times may rob thee of other rewards. Author unknown Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. Psalm 26:2 The voice of conscience is of little weight if…  ( Click for more )

(Mephibosheth to David concerning accusations of treason) he has slandered your servant to my lord the king .. so do whatever pleases you. 2 Samuel 19:27

.give both the benefit of the doubt and make a judgment which benefits both and might facilitate their reconciliation. Bob Deffinbaugh

Barzillai, (a very old wealthy man who supported David in his exile refused David’s offer to reward him but said); let Chimham cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you. 2 Samuel 19:31-37

When God’s blessings abound, pray He spread…  ( Click for more )

The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Psalm 25:17 Although it is true that faith brings peace, yet it does not always bring it instantaneously. There may be certain reasons calling for the trial of faith, rather than the reward of faith. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92, British Reformed Baptist Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. Psalm 25:18 Anxiety makes us doubt God’s loving-kindness, and thus our love to Him grows cold; we feel mistrust, and thus grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers become hindered, our…  ( Click for more )

(the man who awes God) His soul shall abide in good. Psalm 25:13a Many things occur to make us uneasy, but there is enough in God’s grace to counterbalance them all and to make us easy. Matthew Henry, 1662-1714, was a Welsh-born, English nonconformist minister and Bible commentator (the man who awes God) . his seed shall inherit the earth. Psalm 25:13b Do you realize that your walk with God could affect many future generations? How many of your descendants could be blessed because you agreed to be a link to a new cycle of faithfulness to God. Beth Moore, b.1957, Christian…  ( Click for more )

He will guide the meek in justice. Psalm 25:9a Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow men. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92, British Reformed Baptist, highly influential amongst Christians of different denominations

He will teach the meek His way. Psalm 25:9b It is what we think we know already that often prevents us from learning. Claude Bernard 1813-78 French physiologist, 1952-2001, English novelist

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those keeping His covenant and His…  ( Click for more )

O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4b Do not be ashamed to learn, and to cast aside your old doctrines and views. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92, British Reformed Baptist, highly influential amongst Christians of different denominations

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5 I cannot recollect a single plan of mine which I have seen reason to be satisfied had it taken place in season and circumstance just as I proposed; it would, humanly speaking, have proved my ruin; or at least it would have…  ( Click for more )

Psalm of David. To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 God looks not at the elegancy of your prayers, to see how neat they are; nor yet at the geometry of your prayers, to see how long they are; nor yet at the arithmetic of your prayers, to see how many they are; nor yet at the music of your prayers, nor yet at the sweetness of your voice, nor yet at the logic of your prayers; but at the sincerity of your prayers, how hearty they are. Thomas Brooks, 1608-81 O my God, I trust in You; do not let me be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. Psalm 25:2 Lord, give…  ( Click for more )

This is the generation of those seeking Him; they seek Your face, O God of Jacob. Selah. Psalm 24:6 Really awakened souls seek the Lord above everything, and as this is not the usual desire of mankind, they constitute a generation by themselves; a people beloved of God. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Psalm 24:7 God is not a power or principle or law, but he is a living, creating, communicating person - a mind who thinks, a heart who feels, a will who acts. Robert Hamill …  ( Click for more )

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23:6a Live expectantly by Who you trust, not by what you fear. http://www.oneliners-and-proverbs.com

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6b God has so manifested himself to me that now it is no longer "if" and "perhaps" but it is positive, eternal, "shall." Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92

A psalm David. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1 As soon as man began considering himself…  ( Click for more )

(My Shepherd) You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4b How safe are those who are protected by His arm! His eye sees every outward act and searches every inward thought. His people never are unseen. No darkness can conceal His foes. We may confidently trust Him. Henry Law, Exposition of Psalms, 1878

You (My Shepherd) prepare a table before me. Psalm 23:5a Feast at the right table and enjoy what God has prepared.

You (My Shepherd) prepare a table for me before ones vexing me. Psalm 23:5ab

He givethmore grace when the burden grows…  ( Click for more )

(My Shepherd) leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:2b We seek to find peace of mind in the word, the formula, the ritual. The hope is illusion. Benjamin Cardozo, 1870-1938, US supreme court justice, writer

(My Shepherd) restores (returns, refreshes) my soul. Psalm 23:3a The sou lalone, like a neglected harp, Grows out of tune and needs a hand divine. Dwell Thou within it, tune and touch the chords Till every note and string shall answer Thine. Harriet Beecher Stowe 1811-96 (My Shepherd) leads me in the paths of righteousness. Psalm 23:3b Of all human activities,…  ( Click for more )

A psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Psalm 22:1 Is God all-wise? Then the darkest providences have meaning. We will set ourselves as God’s interpreters, and because we cannot make straight lines out of our crooked lot, we think that God has turned our life into inextricable confusion. Parker, 1830–190151 Psalms 22 was not only David’s experience but prophetic of Jesus’ suffering on the cross. O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; and in the…  ( Click for more )

David was weeping and lamenting over (the death of) Absalom. So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people (felt ashamed). 2 Samuel 19:1-3

Although sorrow can overwhelm, there are those who still depend on us.

Joab (to David) Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life (and family’s). Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. .if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. 2 Samuel 19:5-7

If you want to get an idea across, wrap it up in a person or people (Perhaps…  ( Click for more )

(As Absalom’s large inexperienced army fled before David’s small experienced army) . the woods devoured more people that day than the sword.. 2 Samuel 18:7,8

Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars. General George Catlett Marshall, American military commander during WWII, 1880-1959

(When Absalom got tangled in a tree) Joab and his men struck and killed him (against David’s orders which were not logical to him). 2 Samuel 18:9-15

Some there are who presume so far on their wits that they think themselves capable of measuring…  ( Click for more )

(As David continued to flee), Shobi (former Ammonite enemy – I’ve no reason to help), Machir (formally helped David – I’ve already given) and Barzillai (an old man –I’ve already paid my dues), (brought food and supplies to David and his men) and said, "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness. 2 Samuel 17:27-29

Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken.…  ( Click for more )

Shimei . came out, cursing continuously (charging David with a fearful crime he had never committed) David said (to his men ready to kill Shimei) Let him alone. 2 Samuel 16:5

As long as we know the Scripture, we don’t have to be slaves to our emotional reactions when we confront difficult situations or difficult people; we can respond instead as God’s Word tells us. Henry Blackaby, Christian author

(David’s response to Shimei’s charge of a crime he did not commit on top of his immense pain) It may be . that the Lord will repay me with good…  ( Click for more )

Then (David said to the priests who followed him into exile with the ark of God’s presence). Take the ark of God back into the city… 2 Samuel 15:25a

We will live for Christ fully only when we are willing to be impoverished, if necessary, in order that others might be helped. James Montgomery Boice, Foundations of the Christian Faith

Then (David said) ‘If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back (to Jerusalem and His dwelling place) 2 Samuel 15:25b

He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God’s hand, but will…  ( Click for more )

Then (David said to the priests who followed him into exile with the ark of God’s presence). Take the ark of God back into the city… 2 Samuel 15:25a

We will live for Christ fully only when we are willing to be impoverished, if necessary, in order that others might be helped. James Montgomery Boice, Foundations of the Christian Faith

Then (David said) ‘If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back (to Jerusalem and His dwelling place) 2 Samuel 15:25b

He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God’s hand, but will…  ( Click for more )

(after 5 years of estrangement for killing his brother, Absalom requested) let me see the king's face; (saying) if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me. .when (king David, his father) called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom (and Absalom went back to his old life). 2 Samuel 14:32,33 Undue mercy emboldens the unrepentant. Me

(quietly planning a coup, securing military weapons and supporters, criticizing his

father's administration, promising to rule better than David, and…  ( Click for more )

Jonadab (to his uncle David). ‘Only Amnon is dead. because Absalom has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar to kill him.’ 2 Samuel 13:32 Keeping a confidence is virtious, but is outweighed when withholding information can result in suffering and harm.

(after many bitter tears). the spirit of the king David longed to go to Absalom (who had fled for the past 3 years), for David was consoled concerning Amnon's death. 2 Samuel 13:36-39 We achieve inner health through forgiveness—the forgiveness not only of others but also…  ( Click for more )

(after the death of their son of adultery) David went and comforted his wife Bathsheba. .they conceived a son. When he was born they named him Solomon (who would become the next king of Israel). 2 Samuel 12:24a Most laws condemn the soul and pronounce sentence. The result of the law of my God is perfect. It condemns but forgives. It restores - more than abundantly – what it takes away. Jim Elliot

Now the Lord loved (Solomon) and sent word through Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah (chosen beloved one) for the Lord’s sake. 2 Samuel 1324c, 25 …  ( Click for more )