Psalm 96

A New Song for the Whole World

Psalm 96 opens with a song, and the song is meant for everyone: “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!” (v. 1). Worship here is not limited to one building or one nation. It reaches the whole earth.

The psalm also says worship should not stay inside the walls of a church. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” (v. 3). Singing and sharing go together. When people see what God has done, they want to tell someone else.

Why sing? The psalm gives a clear answer: “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods” (v. 4). Other gods may look impressive, but the writer is blunt: “For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens” (v. 5). Idols are made by people. The LORD made everything.

Next comes a call to give God what he is owed. “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!” (v. 8). Glory is not something we add to God. It is something we recognize in him. Worship is an honest answer to who he is.

Then the whole creation joins in. “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it” (v. 11). Even the sea has a part in the song.

The reason for the joy is a promise: “for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness” (v. 13). God’s judging is good news. He will make things right.

So the psalm leaves us with a question. Is your song new today?

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 95

Come, Let Us Worship

Psalm 95 begins with an invitation. It isn’t a command shouted from far away. It’s a friendly call to come along: “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” (Psalm 95:1).

This psalm helps people get focused. Worship starts when we turn our attention and our affection toward God. Before we ask for anything, we stop and look at who he is.

The psalm gives reasons to worship. “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods” (v. 3). Everything we can see belongs to him, from the deepest places of the earth to the tops of the mountains. If he is that big, he is worth our praise.

Then the psalm moves from loud singing to quiet humility: “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” (v. 6). Worship is joyful, but it is also respectful. We bow because we remember who made us.

The reason is simple and personal: “For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand” (v. 7). A good shepherd cares for his sheep, and God cares for his people.

The psalm ends with a warning. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness” (vv. 7–8). Israel saw God’s work and still doubted him. Worship can’t be only a song. It means listening and trusting.

So the question is a simple one. When you hear God’s voice today, will you open your heart or close it?

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 94

Life can feel unfair. People who do wrong seem to get away with it, while good people get hurt. That’s the world Psalm 94 speaks into. The writer cries out, “O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!” (Psalm 94:1). He wants God to act. He wants justice.

Then he names the evil: the proud crush the weak, kill the widow, the sojourner, and the fatherless. And they say, “The Lord does not see” (v. 7). That’s the lie we’re tempted to believe when things go wrong. But the psalm answers it: “He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?” (v. 9). God is not blind. He is not absent.

What really grips me is verse 18: “When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.” That’s real. We all have moments when we’re about to fall. And verse 19 says, “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” God doesn’t just watch. He holds. He comforts.

So Psalm 94 tells me two things. First, injustice will not win forever. God sees, and He will judge. Second, even now, His steadfast love keeps me from falling. When my heart is heavy, He is my stronghold and my rock of refuge.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 93

Psalm 93 starts with a strong statement: “The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.” That’s the foundation. God is King. Not a king who worries. Not a king who is losing. He is dressed in majesty and strength. His throne is not new. It has always been. That means His rule is not shaky.

Then the psalm gets real. “The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.” Life can feel like that. Problems come in waves. The news is loud. People are loud. Fear is loud. But verse 4 says, “Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!” The point is simple: the noise is real, but God is stronger. He is not drowned out.

Verse 5 ends with trust and holiness: “Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.” God’s Word can be trusted. And because He is holy, His people should live holy lives. Not perfect, but set apart.

So what do I take from Psalm 93 today? When everything feels unstable, remember who is on the throne. When the waves roar, listen for the voice that is mightier. And let trust in His Word shape how you live. That’s fresh for me, and it’s true.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 92

Praising God in the Morning and at Night

Psalm 92 is called “A Song for the Sabbath.” It teaches that praise is not just for good days. It is a habit that shapes the whole day. The psalm begins: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night” (Psalm 92:1–2). Morning and night are bookends. Start with God’s love. End with His faithfulness. That rhythm keeps the heart steady.

The psalm also faces a hard question: Why do wicked people seem to succeed? The writer says they are like grass that quickly withers. God’s justice is sure, even when it is not immediate. So don’t envy or get confused. Look higher. Let eternity reset the scoreboard. Praise helps the heart see clearly. God is not absent, and He is not unfair.

Then comes a beautiful promise: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12). Palm trees grow in dry places. Cedars grow strong and tall. God’s people can thrive in hard conditions because they are planted in His house. They are not self-made. They are rooted in Him.

The best part is verse 14: “They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green” (Psalm 92:14). God’s purpose does not expire. You can be useful and fruitful at every stage of life. The key is to keep remembering His faithfulness, keep thanking Him, and keep sharing what He has done. Praise is not denial of pain. It is a declaration that God is still good. That is a lesson for every day—morning and night.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 91

Finding Shelter When Fear Comes Knocking

Psalm 91 is a psalm of confidence. It speaks to the fear that lives in every human heart: fear of danger, sickness, and the unknown. The first verse sets the tone: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (v. 1).

This isn’t a promise that trouble will never come. It’s a promise about where we can run when it does. To “dwell” in God’s shelter means making Him our home, not just visiting Him when there’s an emergency.

The psalm names real threats: “the snare of the fowler,” “the deadly pestilence,” “the terror of the night,” and “the arrow that flies by day” (vv. 3, 5). But God promises, “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler” (v. 4).

 Picture a mother bird guarding her young. We don’t have to be strong enough to defend ourselves. We just have to be close enough to be covered.

The psalm does include a condition. Its protection is for those who say, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (v. 2). It isn’t a lucky charm. It’s a relationship. Even the promise that “no evil shall be allowed to befall you” (v. 10) is best understood in an ultimate sense, because God works all things for the good of His people.

The most comforting part comes at the end, when God Himself speaks: “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name” (v. 14). This isn’t about behaving perfectly. It’s about holding on to God. And He promises, “When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble” (v. 15).

For anyone who feels anxious or overwhelmed, this psalm is a deep breath. We don’t face this world alone. The invitation is simple: come under His wings and find a peace nothing can break.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 90

Living Wisely in the Time We’re Given

Psalm 90 is the oldest psalm in the Bible. It’s a prayer written by Moses, who spent forty years leading a stubborn people through the wilderness. He starts with the truth that holds everything else steady: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations… from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (vv. 1–2).

God has no beginning and no end, but we do. Moses compares us to grass that flourishes in the morning and withers by evening. He says it plainly: “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (v. 10). That’s a sobering thought, but it isn’t meant to depress us. It’s meant to wake us up.

That’s why the heart of the psalm is this prayer: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (v. 12). Numbering our days doesn’t mean being obsessed with death. It means seeing every day as a gift. When the clock is ticking, we can’t afford to drift.

Moses is also honest about sin, but he doesn’t stop at judgment. He turns to God’s mercy: “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (v. 14). We can’t earn God’s favor, but we can ask for it. When our joy comes from His love, it doesn’t rise and fall with how things are going.

The psalm ends with a request worth praying every day: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (v. 17).

Our lives are short, and we can’t add a single day to them. But when we offer them to the eternal God, He can make them count, for us and for the generations that follow.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 89

Psalm 89 is about one of the most important truths in Scripture: God is faithful.

Ethan begins with confidence: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89:1, ESV)

Two words appear again and again in this Psalm: steadfast love and faithfulness.

That is who God is. His faithfulness isn’t based on circumstances. It doesn’t change when life becomes difficult. God doesn’t make promises and then forget about them.

The writer looks at creation as evidence of God’s power. “The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.” (Psalm 89:11, ESV)

God created everything. Nothing is outside His authority. Nothing catches Him by surprise.

The Psalm then turns to God’s covenant with David. God had promised that David’s line would continue and his throne would be established.

God said: “My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him.” (Psalm 89:28, ESV)

But God also made it clear that disobedience mattered. If David’s descendants rejected God’s commands, there would be consequences. God’s love didn’t eliminate discipline. That’s an important truth.

God’s faithfulness doesn’t mean He ignores sin. A loving father disciplines his children because their choices matter. God can be completely faithful to His promises while correcting disobedience.

Then Psalm 89 takes a dramatic turn. What Ethan sees happening doesn’t seem to match what God promised. David’s kingdom appears broken. The crown has been brought down. The walls have been destroyed. Enemies are celebrating.

So Ethan asks the question many people eventually ask: God, what happened? “How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever?” (Psalm 89:46, ESV)

There is tension between what Ethan knows about God and what he sees happening around him. That’s where faith gets tested. It is easy to trust God when circumstances make sense. Faith becomes much harder when God’s promises and present reality seem miles apart.

Psalm 89 doesn’t provide Ethan with a quick explanation. Instead, it leaves the reader holding onto what was established at the beginning.

God is faithful. God’s character is greater than current circumstances. And God’s promises are bigger than what can be seen today.

The story also wasn’t finished.

God’s promise to David ultimately pointed beyond an earthly king to Jesus Christ. What may have looked like a broken promise was actually part of God’s much larger plan. That’s often the problem with human perspective. Only one page can be seen while God knows the entire story.

Psalm 89 teaches an important lesson for difficult seasons.

• Remember who God is.
• Remember what God has done.
• Remember what God has promised.
• Ask the hard questions.

But don’t allow temporary circumstances to redefine God’s eternal character. Life won’t always make sense. God will always be faithful. “Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.” (Psalm 89:52, ESV)

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 88

Psalm 88 is one of the darkest chapters in the Bible. Most Psalms of lament eventually turn toward hope. The writer describes the problem, cries out to God, and then remembers God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 88 is different. The darkness never really lifts.

Heman begins with these words: “O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.” (Psalm 88:1, ESV)

That first sentence is important. Heman is hurting deeply, but he still calls God “the God of my salvation.”

• He hasn’t stopped believing.
• He hasn’t stopped praying.
• He hasn’t stopped coming to God.

But he is struggling. Heman describes himself as being near death. He feels forgotten, overwhelmed and alone. He even believes God is responsible for some of what he is experiencing: “You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.” (Psalm 88:6, ESV)

Those are difficult words. But God allowed them to become part of Scripture. That should tell us something important about prayer. God doesn’t require people to pretend everything is fine when it isn’t.

Prayer can be honest. There are times when life hurts. There are seasons when God’s plan makes no sense. There may even be times when God seems far away and prayers appear unanswered.

Psalm 88 gives permission to bring those feelings directly to God.

Heman does exactly that: “Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you.” (Psalm 88:9, ESV)

Notice what he does not do.

• He doesn’t walk away.
• He keeps praying.

That may be the greatest lesson in the chapter. Faith isn’t always standing on a mountaintop praising God for a victory. Sometimes faith is getting up tomorrow and praying again when nothing has changed.

Heman asks God hard questions: “Why, O LORD, do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 88:14, ESV)

God can handle hard questions. Questions aren’t necessarily a lack of faith. Sometimes asking God “why?” is evidence that someone still believes God is there and is still listening.

The Psalm ends in a surprising way: “You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.” (Psalm 88:18, ESV)

That’s it.

• No sudden rescue.
• No happy ending.
• No explanation.
• Just darkness.

Sometimes life has chapters like that. But there is one fact that shouldn’t be missed. Heman wrote the Psalm to God. Even in the darkness, he kept talking to Him.

Psalm 88 teaches that faith doesn’t require having all the answers. It doesn’t require pretending pain isn’t real. And it doesn’t mean every problem gets resolved quickly. Faith keeps turning toward God.

• Keep praying when God seems silent.
• Keep trusting when the answer hasn’t come.
• Keep showing up when feelings say it doesn’t matter.

Darkness may describe the circumstances. It doesn’t have to determine the direction. When nothing else makes sense, keep turning toward God.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 87

Psalm 87 is short, but it contains a powerful picture of God’s plan for His people. The sons of Korah write about Zion, the city of God, and the special place it has in His heart.

The Psalm begins: “On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.” (Psalm 87:1-2, ESV)

Jerusalem was important because God chose it as the place where His presence would dwell among His people. But Psalm 87 quickly becomes about something much bigger than a city.

It becomes about people. “Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.” (Psalm 87:3, ESV)

What makes Zion glorious?

The surprising answer is who God says will belong there.

The Psalm names Rahab, which refers to Egypt, along with Babylon, Philistia, Tyre and Cush. These were foreign nations. Some had been enemies of Israel. They weren’t the people anyone would expect to be listed as citizens of God’s city.

Yet God says of them: “This one was born there.” (Psalm 87:4, ESV)

That’s an amazing statement. God’s plan was always bigger than one nation.

Throughout Scripture, God makes clear that His desire is for people from every nation to know Him. Israel had a special place in God’s plan, but God’s blessing was never intended to stop with Israel. It was intended to reach the nations.

Psalm 87 gives an early picture of that truth.

God isn’t impressed by where someone was born, what family they came from, how much money they have, or what position they hold. Human beings tend to create categories. God looks at whether a person belongs to Him.

Verse 6 says: “The LORD records as he registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there.’” (Psalm 87:6, ESV)

God keeps the record. That matters.

People spend a lot of energy building an identity around things that won’t last. Careers end. Titles disappear. Possessions get passed to someone else. Human recognition is quickly forgotten.

The most important question isn’t whether a name is known on earth. It is whether that name is known by God.

Psalm 87 points forward to the larger story of Scripture. Through Jesus Christ, the invitation into God’s family extends to every tribe, tongue and nation. People who once were outsiders can become part of God’s household.

That’s grace.

The Psalm ends with celebration: “Singers and dancers alike say, ‘All my springs are in you.’” (Psalm 87:7, ESV)

The picture is one of joy because God is the source of life. Everything ultimately flows from Him.

Psalm 87 challenges the tendency to make faith too small. God’s plan isn’t limited to one church, one community, one country or one kind of person.

God is building a family. And His family will include people nobody expected.

• That should change how God’s people look at others.
• There are no people beyond God’s reach.
• There are no nations outside His concern.
• There are no outsiders that His grace cannot bring home.
• God keeps the record.
• God opens the door.
• God provides the life.

And belonging to Him is the identity that matters for eternity.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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