Psalm 51 & 52

Forgiveness is something that is often hard to ask for. It is hard to admit that we have sinned, especially to God. I don't think this should be a difficult thing since He knows everything we have done, but it is. Similar to Psalm 50, God does not want our offerings and sacrifices, but to realize our sins and come to Him. Why is this a hard thing to do sometimes? Maybe because we must admit our sins to ourselves as well.

The message behind Psalm 52 is that God is in control (and should be!). This time, it is not so much as God in control of our lives, but He is in control of others as well-especially those who commit sins. They may think that they are getting away with everything and relish in the worldly glory and fame, but in the end, God has the upper hand. We should not support or praise this behavior, but rather put all of our trust and faith in God.

Jenni

Psalm 49 & 50

Psalm 49 is telling us to not put all of our faith and dependence on our wealth and other worldly things. We can aquire money while we are here on earth, but after we are gone it is of no use to us. We should put our faith in longer lasting things, such as God, for He will give us much more than money ever would.

Psalm 50 reveals that the most pleasing thing we can do to honor God is to praise Him and be in a relationship with him. He does not want us to bring Him animals, He wants our honor. While this seems like a simple thing to do: pray and give thanks, it is something that I often forget to do. I seem to call on God when I'm in deep trouble and usually offer some sort of bargain (I promise to do this if...). I don't think God wants us to do that, because it is like a sacrifice.

Jenni

Psalm 47 & 48

Psalm 47 celebrates how awesome our God is.  It praises Him for choosing us as those He blesses and protects.  The psalmist reaffirms the fact that God is the ruler over all the nations.

Psalm 48 focuses on Zion, the chosen city.  God chose Zion as the city in which He would look over and that would foster future generations of followers.  The people of Zion recognize that God is their main defender and protector, and praise Him for that.  They let God protect their city and enemies were afraid to attack.  Shouldn't we let God handle more in our lives?  Give him more control over us?  If we did, it would be interesting to see what would happen and how our lives would be blessed.

Jenni

Psalm 45 & 46

Psalm 45 tells the story of a royal marriage, most likely one of the line of David.  This was the blood line chosen to fulfill God's prophecy, therefore weddings were very public.  The psalm mainly focuses on the king, telling how great he is, and explains the divinity of his reign ("scepter of uprightness..."God, has anointed you"  v. 7).  I assume that this marriage will be a blessed one, considering it has been chosen by God.

Psalm 46 has been one of the easiest psalms for me to understand.  We should turn to God in times of trouble, He is "our refuge and strength" (v. 1).  Despite what else may be going on around us, we can rely on God to provide a sense of peace and calm.  The Psalm reminds us of how powerful God is-if He can do all that, then surely He will be able to look after and provide for us.  The line "Be still, and know that I am God" (v. 10) is something I often forget to do.  I get so caught up in trying to figure out what God wants me to do, that I miss it.  Then after not seeing or hearing, I give up and try to figure things out on my own.  It is not often that I really listen, and wait for Him to answer.

Jenni

Psalm 43 & 44

Psalm 43 is somewhat a continuation of Psalm 42.  This man has been turned away from God and the sanctuary, and is asking for His "light" and his "truth" (v. 3) to lead him back.  This is something that I often forget to do, ask for God's guidance.  He is the perfect leader, yet sometimes I prefer to handle it on my own, or find my own way.

Psalm 44 is a plea for God's help.  I found verses 9 through 16 interesting, as they oppose the tone in the beginning of the psalm.  They seem to be 'blaming' God for all the bad things that have happened to them.  It is so easy to blame God for the bad that has happened in our lives, and to turn away from Him.  The last stanzas of the psalm remind us that we should not be turned away from God in hard times, it is then that we need Him most.  I like verse 23, "Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?  Rouse yourself!"  As if God were sleeping instead of watching over us.  Although this seems a little ridiculous thinking about it now, I know there have been times when I feel like God has left me.  I think this psalm is an example of how things will work on God's time, which isn't always the same as our time.

Jenni

Psalm 41 & 42

Psalm 41 is the closing Psalm of Book One.  It is the prayer of one who is suffering and is asking for God's help.  This man has been dutiful, he has "consider[ed] the poor (v.1)" as Christians are called to do, and is now calling upon God to watch over him.  He has also been betrayed by his friends, who wish he were dead, and say evil things behind his back.  His friend who "ate [his] bread, has lifted his heel against [him] (v.9)."  This reminds me of Jesus being betrayed.  He was betrayed by those who broke bread with him at the Last Supper, who said to be his true friends.  

Psalm 42 is a reflection of wanting to come back to worship and to share a relationship with God.  It mentions the importance of going back "to the house of God (v. 4)," or sanctuary.  The psalmist has been torn away from praising God in church for reasons outside himself-mainly from influence of others.  He recognizes that something is missing in his life, and is now calling on God to make his presence in his life known again.

It's easy for me to want to sleep in on a Sunday, after a long weekend or being up late on Saturday.  I notice, though, that even after missing just one Sunday, my whole week feels off.  For me, going to church on Sundays is a fresh start to my week.  I enjoy hearing the sermon that is preached and worshiping with my family of faith.

Jenni

Psalm 39 & 40

Psalm 39 reminds us how fragile our life is, and how powerful God is in making it end or last.  The writer of this psalm opens by stating how gentle and cautious he is when speaking around those who don't believe, and just how hard that is.  He wants to know his end, and prays that God will show it to him, for he doesn't understand the point of living like this anymore.  He puts all trust and hope in the Lord and waits on the day of his deliverance.

Psalm 40 mentions how our faith in God can lead others to believe.  "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord (v. 3)."  People follow by example, and I believe if outsiders see us praising and thanking a God who works miracles, they will want to be a part of it.

Jenni