Psalms 138-139 – Day 2
I want to thank You from the depths of my heart, I will sing Your praises so even the angels in heaven can hear me! I will bow toward Your holy temple in Jerusalem and offer thanks for Your reputation: Your unfailing love and faithfulness, And keeping Your word is the greatest aspect of Your reputation. Any time I have ever called out to You for help, You have always answered. As a result I was filled with a boldness and confidence inside. Every powerful person on earth would praise You, if they ever stopped long enough to listen to You. And some day they will praise You, because You are an incredible God. Yet even though You are exalted, You take time to care about the lowly. But You keep Your distance from the proud. And even though I live my life surrounded by trouble, You will keep me alive, opposing all my enemies, and protecting me in Your hand. You will complete Your plan for my life, because Your unfailing love for me never does fail. You don't abandon those whom You have made.
You Know Me Better Than I Know Myself. (Based on Psalm 139)
O Lord, You have examined me closely and know everything there is to know about me. You know every time I sit and every time I stand up. Distance doesn't prevent You from understanding every one of my thoughts. Nothing I do escapes You, whether I am out and about or in bed. You are highly familiar with everything I do. You know what I am going to say before I even have a chance to say it! You know my past and my future, Your hand is all over me. When I think about all this, it blows me away, I can't even comprehend it all. Where can I go to escape You, or even attempt to hide from You? If I were able to go to heaven, You would be there. If I went the opposite direction, You would be there too. If I got up at dawn and went to the other side of the sea, You would still be guiding me and holding me in Your hand! Even if I thought I could hide from Your view at night, You would see me just as clearly, because day and night are one and the same to You. You have been in control of my life from the beginning, from before I was even born. I will praise You because You made me and that knowledge inspires both fear and wonder. Nothing about me was unknown to You when I was formed, You saw me even in my unfinished state, You had recorded every day of my life before I had even lived a single second. How priceless are your plans for me, O Lord, I can't even add up their value. Even if I could try to count them, they would be like the sand on the seashore! Every time I wake up, I find myself in Your presence. You will take care of the wicked people in my life, so they might as well leave now. These people actually treat You wickedly, using Your name in vain. I hate them because they hate You, I am burdened by those who resist You. I despise them and count them as my enemies. But I invite You to examine me, O Lord, to perceive what is in my heart; Test me and know the content of my thoughts. Inspect me closely, and see if there is anything about the way I live my life that is wicked, And lead me along the path of righteousness You have chosen for me.