December 2 Read Psalm 10:1-11

Sometimes we might wonder why God inspires these kinds of Psalms. We can see why David might pen these words. God’s people throughout the ages have these sorts of concerns. But what is God’s purpose? From other places of Scripture we can see that they provide a background for the comfort provided for us by our heavenly Father. Even though the wicked rage around us and even at us, we can know that we are safe in the arms of God and Christ. The Psalmist shows to us the absurdity of the thoughts of the wicked in the last verse of this section. Do we fall into this error? Sing Psalter 18.

December 3 Read Psalm 10:12-18

Over all the people of the world, God is king. He is king over both the just and the unjust. The unjust seeks every hour to overthrow his rule. Do the just? If we do, we must know that God will use his kingly power to bring us back to an obedient God-honoring life. This power may hurt, but it is better than the effects of the power of God upon the wicked. That effect is death forever. Let us bring our needs to him in prayer, knowing that he will bring deliverance in our time of trouble. Sing Psalter 19.

December 4 Read Psalm 11

How many times do we, like David, lose the consciousness of our faith in God and turn to our own understanding? David, in his trials with Saul, was tempted and fell into that temptation often. In our lives we, too, have these kinds of trials. It may be illness, the loss of a job, or some other affliction. When these strike, we may say, “I just want to hide.” Over against that we find the truth that God is in his holy temple. He sees us and our afflictions. We can know the truth that Jehovah loves us with an incomparable love. That love draws us back to him and sets our feet on the right path. What a comfort that is to the struggling child of God! May we ever remember that love and seek him. Sing Psalter 20.

December 5 Read Psalm 12

What makes things bad in this life? Is it a lack of goods? Is it a lack of respect? Is it anything in which men place their trust? The answer is, of course, sin. Where sin abounds, bad follows for the child of God. The primary sin spoken of in this Psalm is that of the tongue. Remember that James showed how this sin marred the unity of the church. It also is a cause of oppression for God’s people. But our God is faithful. He will appear and protect his covenant people. His words are pure words like a precious metal that has been purified many times. Even though the wicked may surround us, the pure Word of Jehovah will sustain us all through this life until we reach the life to come. Sing Psalter 21.

December 6 Read Psalm 13

In the first part of the Psalm, David recounts the times in which he believes that God has forgotten about him. When we think about David’s early life, we might think that he has a valid complaint against God. Of course, when we think that, we begin to consider our own lives and come to the same conclusion. But David then reconsiders. He thinks of the mercies that God has shown to him. Do not we have those same mercies? Do not we see that those mercies are new every morning? When this is our frame of mind, then we must rejoice in our salvation. Then we must break out into singing and sing the songs of Zion. Those songs are our expressions for all the undeserved goodness God has shown to us. Sing, people of God. Sing praises unto our King who reigneth forever. Sing Psalter 22.

December 7 Read Psalm 14

There are atheists, also known as fools, all around us. But how often do we fall into the same sin. We think that God cannot see us in our sin; this is being atheistic for a time. The Psalmist is distressed at such a condition as he sees it around him. He is distressed as God’s people are oppressed by those who mock and laugh at belief in a sovereign God who is the creator of heaven and earth. For the people of God, the day will come when they shall all be gathered together to sing praises to the God who sees all and loves his people. May we eagerly wait the great day when our Savior Christ Jesus returns on the clouds of heaven. Sing Psalter 23.

December 8 Read Psalm 15

In this Psalm David shows to us the way of sanctification. A child of God must live a sanctified walk. He does this not to gain entrance into God’s temple and holy hill, but rather because he has been given such entrance. In earlier Psalms David has described the wicked person. That person does all the negative actions listed here. The child of God seeks to walk in a way that pleases the Lord. In doing those things, he receives the assurance of his salvation. Let us so walk throughout all of our lives. Sing Psalter 24.

December 9 Read Psalm 16:1-6

While this is a short Psalm, the thoughts need to be considered in more than one writing. This is one that many an aged saint has requested to be read as his life ebbs away. It is easy to see why. The first part asks for God to preserve him, as God is his inheritance. He sees in his life the heritage of salvation as found in God’s Word and carried out through the preaching of that Word in the church. He has no worth of himself; it is only through God’s grace that he is anything and has anything of merit. We should consider verses 5 and 6 often. Those words should be our prayer as we walk through this life, for they are comfort not only on one’s final bed but also they are comforting for daily life. The fact that only God can preserve us brings to us a comfort that cannot be found in the world. This is the peace that Christ spoke of in John 14. Let us seek our inheritance in Jehovah alone. Sing Psalter 27.

December 10 Read Psalm 16:7-11

While we see in this section a cry of David, we also see a prophecy of Christ. Peter in his sermon to the early church used this Psalm to prove to his audience the fact of the resurrection of Christ. This is also a message of great comfort to the child of God. When he lies on his bed awake at night, the Psalm shows to him that God is at his side. Because God is there, the believer has utmost comfort. The believer also does not have to fear death. He has hope of eternal life at the right hand of God. Let us make Psalm 16 a part of those Scriptures which bring to us comfort in every difficult situation. Sing Psalter 28.

December 11 Read Psalm 17:1-7

This Psalm by its title and words is a prayer of David. The prayers of the Bible can show us how to pray. David is not praying out of desperation. David prays because he is used to praying. Do we pray without ceasing? Now our prayers should not become rote, but we must be comfortable to pray at any time and in any circumstance of life. David realizes that in his path through life there is only one sure guide to keep him from trouble. That guide is God and his Word. Is this our experience? May we experience the loving kindness that will save us and take care of us every step of life’s pathway. Sing Psalter 31.

December 12 Read Psalm 17:8-15

David continues his prayer of refuge from the enemy. We, like David must realize that our refuge is in God alone. Verse 8 gives to us some interesting figures about God’s care for us. The figure of hiding under his wings is powerful and comforting. To defeat the wicked takes the sword of God, not man’s sword. Then there are the beautiful words found in verse 15. Death holds no fear for the child of God who has been justified by the blood of the Lamb and is sanctified by the Spirit. We can be confident that when we close our eyes for the final time here on this earth we will open them in a new and glorious place looking at the face of our God, which is glorious and comforting. Sing Psalter 17.

December 13 Read Psalm 18:1-12

David’s first words in this Psalm are words of love toward his heavenly Father. Some might scoff and say that who would not love a God who delivered him out of the trouble that that God put him in? David and we must see that as Paul said, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” Do we see that in this life? In verse 2 David enumerates the ways in which God is on his side. Take time to look at each of those words and see how God is that item. We need to call upon God in the confidence that he will help us. By faith we can know that God will act even as he is described in verses 3-12. Our God is a great God and will help us in all situations. Of that there is no doubt. Sing Psalter 34: 1-6.

December 14 Read Psalm 18:13-18

David describes a deliverance that God afforded to him from the hands of Saul and other enemies. This was obviously an historical deliverance. But it is also a picture of the spiritual deliverance that God has afforded to us at Calvary. Jesus’s death on the cross is no less a feat, in fact it is much greater, than the physical feat described here. God sent his own Son to die for us so that we would not be swallowed up alive by Satan and his hosts. Why did he do this? Was it because we were better than anyone else? Was it because we earned it through our works? The answer to those two questions is no, no, a thousand times no! We are saved from destruction because he delights in us. Is there any better picture of grace? Sing Psalter 34:7-10.

December 15 Read Psalm 18:19-28

David is not boasting here but outlining the way of sanctification that the child of God must walk in this life. We must live a life clean from the ugly taint of sin. We must walk in his laws every day. Being merciful is necessary because God was merciful to us. In our sin he sent his Son to die on the cross for us. Our acts of mercy are to be thankful responses to his supreme act of mercy. In the last verse of this section we see that all of this work is God. He is the one who lights our candle. He takes us out of darkness into his marvelous light. May we walk in that light living the blessed life of sanctification. Sing Psalter 35.

December 16 Read Psalm 18:29-41

In the beginning of this section David lauds God as the one who holds him up in times of trouble. God is a comfort to David because he is the covenant God of his salvation. This should be our comfort as well. Covenant friendship and fellowship with the almighty God affords to us a comfort not found on this earth. When we face troubles on this earth, we should read this Psalm over and over, and then we should seek our deliverer in prayer. Because he is our covenant God, he will save us from all troubles. Sing Psalter 35.

December 17 Read Psalm 18:43-50

As David finishes this Psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from the enemy, he breaks out in to a beautiful song of praise. It is one that we would do well to learn and use. First of all, we see that it is because of Jehovah God that we can do anything at all. Secondly, it is God who gives to us victory over Satan and his hosts. Therefore we should praise God. How do we do that? We use the songs that God has given to us. They are to be used in every circumstance of life, and even among the wicked. We also see that David looks ahead to Christ. Are we looking for Christ’s return, and with that, the final victory? Sing Psalter 36.

December 18 Read Psalm 19:1-6

We find a reason to enjoy God’s creation in the first part of this Psalm. In going outside we see the glory of God. We hear him speak to us. We see examples of Christ and his work for us. All of creation is not a god; that is pantheism, but all of God speaks to us in all of creation. Take time to go out and views the stars. Their glory is but a small picture of God’s glory. Look at the effect the sun has on the rest of creation. Even as the sun rules many of the processes in creation, our heavenly King rules all of the processes on earth and in our lives. We should not worship creation, but in it we see the God that we worship. Sing Psalter 37.

December 19 Read Psalm 19:7-10

While we can see about God and about many of his attributes in nature, those do not impart to us the way of our salvation. For that the child of God must turn to Scripture. The law is the only means to convert the soul and give to God’s people the wisdom that we must covet. This is true because of the character of God’s Word. His ordinances are not fallible; his ordinances will last forever. When we become aware of them by grace, we find that they are more delectable than the finest of foods and more valuable than the purest gold. Let us delve into that Word every day and see the wonders found in it. In that way we will find blessing. Sing Psalter 38.

December 20 Read Psalm 19:1114

As we finish this Psalm, we see further instruction in the value of God’s Word as found in verses 11-14. First of all, they warn us from the dangers that surround us in this life. Those dangers are the sins that we might commit both externally and internally. The Psalmist prays that God will keep him from those sins so that they do not overcome him. Secondly, we are told that in the keeping of God’s law is a reward. That reward is not of merit, however, but of grace. We, like the Psalmist, must know that the only way we can keep the law of God is if God puts that desire in our hearts. Notice that in the last verse, it is the words and thoughts that are foremost in the writer’s concern. Do we watch our thoughts and words? Do we pray that God will make them acceptable in his sight? Sing Psalter 40.

December 21 Read Psalm 20

We can call upon our God with utmost confidence. Is this not a grand thought? When we pray, we can know that our prayers do rise higher than the ceiling of the room we are in or the atmosphere if we are outside. This was David’s confidence as he lived his life as king. All his life he had called upon Jehovah. All that life he had learned that Jehovah heard him. He did not need to trust on man’s inventions or creation for help. We do not either. We may use them, but our help is in Jehovah’s name. As we walk upon the path that God has given to us, let us remember to call upon his glorious name. In that way we will stand in the Day of Judgment. Sing Psalter 43.

December 22 Read Psalm 21:1-6

In this section of Psalms, David rejoices in the victories that God has given to him over Israel’s enemies. With these victories we see David as a type of the conquering Christ who gives to us victories over enemies today and the ultimate victory over antichrist and his foes. As we look to the coming of our Christ, we can see in these Psalms the beauty and glory of our Savior. It is this Savior that we must thank for such a great victory over sin and Satan. Let us pray for such a spiritual life every day of our lives. David’s prayers were answered. With the confidence of faith we, too, will receive a gracious answer from our God. Sing Psalter 46

December 23 Read Psalm 21:7-13

This is the close of a Psalm in which David expresses his gratitude to God for victory over enemies. David realizes that all enemies of the church are God’s enemies. This Psalm is not a personal vendetta against those who hated David but rather an expression of thanksgiving for God’s work in him. David’s desire is that God is exalted. He realizes that it is not of his strength that he can have victory, but only in God’s strength. Are we singing and praising the power of God? Do the words of the songs we sing extol God as the Mighty One? Let us sing, people of God, but let us sing the songs of Zion. Sing Psalter 45.

December 24 Read Psalm 22:1-10

We see in this Psalm obvious evidence that David was a type of Christ. From the words of the first verse, which Christ uttered on the cross, to the description in verse 8, we see the obvious parallels. David used these words during his life as a cry for help to his beloved God. We can use these words in our lives as a cry for help to our beloved Savior. We know he delights in us. He gave his life as a ransom for us. When all around us mock our faith; mock us for our devotion to God, let us cry for help unto our covenant God knowing that he will save us from all those who oppress us. Sing Psalter 47.

December 25 Read Psalm 22:11-21

We continue with this Messianic Psalm of David. From verse 18 of this section it is easy to tell its Messianic nature. David in this prophecy of Christ shows how Christ prayed to his heavenly Father for strength even as he hung on the cross bearing the wrath of God for the sins of his people. He hung there for you and for me! Is there any other message so telling in all of Scripture or even in all of the world? Christ died for us! What mercy! What compassion! What comfort! He died that we may pray to him and through him in our distress. Let us pray often in thanksgiving for the great sacrifice suffered by our Savior on the accursed tree. Sing Psalter 48.

December 26 Read Psalm 22:22-31

Now the focus of this Messianic Psalm switches from the dying Christ to the resurrected Christ. His focus of redemption now switches from the sacrifice to the praise of God in the midst of the elect. David did this as the type of Christ. Even though he was hounded by Saul, pursued by enemies, he remained the sweet singer of Israel. Do we do this today? Do we focus our lives upon the praise of God? Do we confess that the kingdom we seek is Jehovah’s and not of this earth? What about our children? Do they know how to praise Jehovah? That covenant promise is found in the last two verses of the Psalm. We need to spend energy instructing our youth not only in the praise of Jehovah, but also how and when to praise Jehovah. The how is with the whole heart-with every part of their being. The when is continually. May we praise our God daily for the gifts that he gives to us daily. Sing Psalter 49.

December 27 Read Psalm 23

This most-beloved of all the Psalms is read, meditated on, and used for many situations by many of God’s people. It is one that a child can understand. It is one that brings comfort to the dying. Reading through the Psalm shows to us the path of our life from birth to death. As lambs we need to be led by those things that we need. We need to be taught catechism as the means of grace. We will walk in the valley of the shadow of death as we take our places in God’s church militant. Then we have the blessed promise of a place in Jehovah’s house forever. We are never too old for Psalm 23. Read it and read it often. Sing Psalter 53.

December 28 Read Psalm 24:1-6

Immediately following the Shepherd Psalm is this Psalm depicting the kingdom of God and its inhabitants. Because the earth belongs to the Sovereign King of Creation, he decrees who will walk in the house of the Lord forever. Notice that creation is on the forefront in the Psalm. Those who do not permit God to be the sovereign creator can find no comfort in this Psalm. Those that will enter God’s kingdom are those who have a sanctified walk in this life. They will receive God’s blessing in the way of that walk. They are the ones who are drawn to him by irresistible grace. It is good for us to consider this Psalm each time we look to enter his house here on earth. Sing Psalter 57.

December 29 Read Psalm 24:7-10

After describing to us the kind of man that will be eligible to enter the kingdom of heaven, the Psalmist now calls us to praise the King of that kingdom. Just as an earthly king received a certain type of pomp and pageantry when he came to visit a city, so the King of Kings must receive from us the praise due the honor of his name. The rhetorical question, “Who is the King of glory?” is asked twice in this small section of Scripture. The answer is straightforward. The King of glory is Christ who has and will defeat all of Satan’s hosts and take us into his heavenly kingdom. Let us glorify the King with every breath that we take anticipating the glorious day of his coming. Sing Psalter 58.

December 30 Read Psalm 25:1-7

Who of us does not need to lift up our souls unto Jehovah? Who will be ashamed in going in that way? Oh, we might be ashamed before man but never before our heavenly Father. Who of us does not need to pray for God to show him the way that he must go? This should be the desire of all of God’s people, young or old. Each of us also must pray for the forgiveness and remission of sins. David, here, even prays about sins of youth. It is not on account of our goodness that we will find forgiveness but only on account of the goodness of Jehovah. Let us daily pray the truths found in this Psalm for in them we will find comfort for our souls. Sing Psalter 64.

December 31 Read Psalm 25:8-14

Here in this part of the Psalm we have valuable instruction concerning the covenant. First of all it is equated with the law. It is not because we keep the law that we are received into the covenant, but rather that in keeping the law we keep that covenant of friendship which God has established with his people. Then in verse 14 we have that idea of friendship further explained. A friend is one to whom we can trust our secrets. God trusts his secrets to those who fear him. In that friendship he shows to us the workings of his covenant. We must wait until glory to fully understand all of its facets, but even now we can be comforted by the knowledge that God is our friend. Sing Psalter 65.

January 1 Read Psalm 25:15-22

In this life there are those who would do us harm because of our faith. They hate the God we love and hate us for loving that God. What must be our response? Do we hide our faith? Do we pretend to be someone we are not? We find the answer in this portion of Scripture. We look to Jehovah from whom all blessings flow. We go to him in daily prayer for deliverance. We can do this by the assurance afforded to us by his gracious hand. We can trust him because we see the evidence of his sovereign care for his creatures. Let us wait upon our God to deliver us and redeem us from all of our troubles. Sing Psalter 66.