Praise

Thanks Living! 

I was reading Psalm 150 this morning. "Praise the Lord." 

The word "praise" means to celebrate joyously, exuberantly, "foolishly". In other words, "over the top" celebration!  

Sadly, many times my praise is often quiet and subdued. But if I truly think about who  God is, and all that He has done, I should be SHOUTING praise! 

I shout at sporting events... I even shout at the TV when my team scores a touchdown. But I can't shout praise to God Almighty? Perhaps, it's because I haven't taken the same interest in God as my sports teams. 

Praise. If I want to focus on Thanks Living through this coming year, it begins with praise to God Almighty. Praise for who He is, and then praise for what He's done. For only when I have a heart filled with praise, can I truly have a gracious and thankful heart- and mind- set. 

Thanks Living! "Praise the Lord! Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!" Psalm 150:1a, 2. 

Thanks Living! 

Brighten Up!

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11 

Rejoice: to brighten up, cheer up

Put their trust: to flee for protection, refuge

Shout for joy: to give a ringing cry

Defend: to entwine as a screen, hedge in

Love: friend, have affection for

Joyful: to jump for joy, triumph

Trust = cause to brighten up, rejoice

Defend (protection) = reason to shoutout for joy

Love = jump for joy

No matter the circumstances. No matter the politics. No matter the chaos that surrounds you. No matter..... 

Trust in God. God provides a safe place of protection. God is worthy and deserving of our love. 

And in return, we have many reasons to brighten up, and shout for joy, and literally jump for joy! 

I like that meaning, "to brighten up". We all know people who when they walk into a room, bring a feeling of dread. When they walk in, the life is sucked out of the place. 

Just think, if each of us instead, brighten upped the room! When we walk into a place, we bring the joy of the Lord with us. We make others want to jump for joy because of God's goodness! 

There are some people who it's fun to be around. They are encouraging, uplifting and well, joyful. After you have been with those people, and leave, you have a spring in your step. The joy they had spilled over and spread to you! 

To Brighten Up!

Be joyful. Share joy. Brighten up! 

Thanks Living: Recount in Celebration (TOWDAH)

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:21, 22

Give thanks: praise

Goodness: covenant loyalty, lovingkindness in redemption from enemies and troubles

Wonderful works: to be surpassing or extraordinary

Sacrifice: denotes worship or adoration

Thanksgiving: Towdah (todah), thanking God for “things not yet received" as well as things already at hand.

Declare: intensively, to recount, celebrate

Rejoicing: gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, triumph; shout of joy

God is loyal and faithful.

He has done mighty and beyond extraordinary things.

He more than deserves our worship and adoration.

Because God is faithful, He deserves our thanks for past, present, and future blessings. 

His loving acts and kindness should be counted and recounted in celebration of who God is! 

And in doing each of these, the heart should be overflowing with joy—causing one to shout in triumph and joy!

Thanks Living, TOWDAH. Recount in celebration God's faithfulness! 

Thanks Living: Actively Giving the Finest

Of all your gifts you shall offer up every heave offering due to the Lord, from all the best of them, the consecrated part of them.’  Numbers 18:29 (NKJV) 

Out of all your gifts, you shall present every offering due to the Lord, from all the best of it, even the sacred part from them.’ Numbers 18:29 (AMP)

Offer up: to be high actively, give, present

Best: the richest or choice part, finest

I've been thinking about this verse: 

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Psalm 27:6

And especially about the phrase, "offer sacrifices of joy". 

Joy: alarm, blowing of, the trumpets, joy, jubilee, loud noise, rejoicing, shouting

I am to be highly active in giving the very best toward giving thanks rejoicing to God. 

The very best, the finest. 

That would include all aspects. That means if I am complaining, worrying, anxious, mumbling, etc, my focus and energies are not being active in praising and thanking God. I am "using up" my time, energy, thoughts on the aspects I can see and focusing on what I think are 'good or bad' from my perspective. 

The very best, the finest. 

To be actively giving God the finest—then I really need to be thinking, and living a life of Thanks Living. I cannot use up my mind and thoughts on the selfish and what ifs. Rather, I must be actively giving God shouts of praise and thanksgiving. 

Just think, as my mindset changes to praising God, the what-ifs, the worrying, and the fears of the unknowns no longer get my attention. Rather, they are replaced with shouts of joy and praise, knowing that God Almighty is loving me, caring for me, and working all things out for His glory and honor. 

Thanks Living, actively giving God the finest and very best— sacrifices of joy! 

Proverbs 8:1-3: Wisdom is SHOUTING! Are you listening?

Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors:

Proverbs 8:1-3

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Understanding: intelligence; by implication, discretion, reason, skillfulness

Takes her stand: station oneself for definite purpose

At the highest peak, where the travelers can see her

Cries out: verb give a ringing cry

She is at the entrance to the city, where everyone must pass by. She is making herself known. She is available. 

Wisdom is out in the open where everyone can see and have access and she is SHOUTING—HEY, LISTEN UP! 

Wisdom is SHOUTING—trying to get our attention! Perhaps today, wisdom would be using Twitter, Facebook, TV, Aps to SHOUT her message. 

No matter how loud Wisdom shouts, too often we drown out the advice with our sounds of ignorance and foolishness. Too often we turn to the "doctors" on TV, or advice from strangers with their 140 character limit on Twitter. We'd rather hear what sounds good, rather than the truth that wisdom has to offer. 

Wisdom is SHOUTING, trying to get our attention! She is easily accessible. Yet, we continue to ignore her. 

To have ears ready to hear and give my attention to wisdom, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). And having a reverence for God, will not only give me a desire to hear wisdom, listen to the advice wisdom gives. 

Wisdom is SHOUTING! Are you listening?

Proverbs 1:23: Wisdom shouts—TURN!

Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Proverbs 1:23 (NKJV)

Turn: turn back, return

Rebuke: reproof, chiding, scolding

Surely: certainly

Pour out: as a well or issue forth

Spirit: as endowing men with various gifts—wisdom, understanding

Words: as the sum of that which is spoken

known: be instructed

Proverbs 1:20-22, Wisdom is SHOUTING to get our attention. This is one more plea, to listen and follow after Wisdom. 

VERB: TURN. Take action and not only hear what is being said, but take further action and turn around! 

We all have seen it when a toddler is about do to something wrong. He looks at the parent with a sheepish grin and slowly begins to do the act. The Parent says, very strongly, "NO". But the toddler continues with the action in defiance of the greater wisdom. Then the toddler has to deal with the consequences of disobedience. 

Sadly, this toddler response is too often true of adults. We fully know that the action, attitude, we are about to do is in direct opposition to God. We may hesitate for a moment, then we go right ahead and sin. 

Wisdom tells us "NO", and is willing to instruct us and teach us. But, too often we show a sheepish grin and in defiance — ignore the sound advice. 

Why do we ignore Wisdom? Why do we, knowing that there are consequences to sinful actions, continue to choose sin? Why do we turn a deaf hear to instruction and not accept the gift of wisdom and understanding? 

The answer to each of those questions is the same. We do not have a reverence for God. We do not fear God. We do not respect God. For when there is a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), one will choose to obey God—simply out of respect and love for Him. 

As Wisdom shouts and asks for my response to TURN—will I listen or will I ignore Wisdom and continue on the path of destruction? That is a daily, and sometimes multiple times in a day, question to ask one's self. 

Proverbs 1:20-22: Will I hear?

Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Proverbs 1:20-22

Calls aloud: a ringing cry, cry aloud, in summons, exhortation

Love simplicity: object folly, evil, etc.

Delight: in bad sense of inordinate, ungoverned, selfish desire, take pleasure in

Fools: stupid fellow, dullard

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom: in highest sense, knowledge of God (including obedience)

Love one. Hate the other. 

Love selfish desire. Hate wisdom and obedience to God. 

It's one or the other, the two do not mix. 

Wisdom is crying out: "How long? Until when? You stupid one, who love evil, how long will you continue fulfilling selfish desire?"

An alarm is sounding! Yet, sadly the fools have turned a deaf ear to it. 

How often do I choose folly, evil desires rather than obeying God? How often do I ignore Wisdom shouting at me to change, yet I turn a deaf ear and continue in the ways of sin? 

I'm so grateful that God in His wisdom does SHOUT to get my attention. I'm so thankful that even when I make the wrong choice, God in His grace and mercy is forgiving and loving. 

In order to hear Wisdom shouting above the enticement of sin, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). And when I have reverence for God, I'll want to listen to and follow after Wisdom. Wisdom is crying aloud—will I hear? 

My Silence is Shouting

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 19. Here is what I learned.

They have no speech or words; they have no voice to be heard. Psalm 19:3 (EXB)

There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:3 (AMP)

Inaudible words are their manner of speech, and silence, their means to convey. Psalm 19:3 (VOICE)

`They have no speech, nor words, nor is their voice heard; yet into all the earth hath gone out their sound, and to the extremity of the world their words.' The Hebrew, kav, rendered, line, like the Greek by which the LXX (who are followed by Paul), render it, no doubt signifies the sound as well as the cord which emits it. The Vulgate, Jerome, and Symmachus, render it to the same purpose. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

There is no speech, etc. The sunset was one of the most glorious I ever beheld, and the whole earth seemed so still that the voice of neither God nor man was heard. There was not a ripple upon the waters, not the leaf of a tree, nor even of a blade of grass moving, and the rocks upon the opposite shore reflected the sun's "after glow," and were again themselves reflected from or in the river during the brief twilight, in a way I do not remember ever to have beheld before. No! I will not say the voice of God was not heard; it spoke in the very stillness as loud as in roaring thunder, in the placid scene as in rocks and cliffs impassable, and louder still in the heavens and in the firmament, and in the magnificent prospect around me. His wondrous works declared him to be near, and I felt as if the very ground upon which I was treading was holy. John Gadsby

Without uttering a sound, the stars speak volumes about God. His power. His majesty. His greatness. His eternality. Silent, but still glorifying and honoring God. 

One thing I’ve learned, especially living in an apartment building, is that people enjoy “people watching”. As people watch me, what do they hear? Even without uttering a word, my actions and attitude convey a message. What is my silence shouting? 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure that my silence is shouting praise and honor to God. 

“Blast the News”

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 150. Here is what I learned.

Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Psalm 150: 3 (AMP)

Praise Him with the blast of trumpets high into the heavens, and praise Him with harps and lyres. Psalm 150:3 (VOICE)

Does God hear my praise? Do those around me, hear my praise to God? Or do I praise God silently and very quietly? 

Each and every day I should be blasting on the trumpet—praise to God for who He is! I should be shouting it for all to hear—most importantly for God to hear! Oh, God can hear the quietest whispers, for even my thoughts are words to God.... but why whisper God’s great goodness—that is “blast worthy news!” 

Praise God in prayer is the first way to “blast the news”. The second way to “blast the news” is to tell others about who God is, and what He’s done. And lastly, I need to be living my life in accordance with God’s Word, as a way to “blast the news”. 

How many times have it missed the opportunity to “blast the news” of God’s greatness because I didn’t take the time to notice God? How many times have I missed the opportunity to “blast the news” of God’s greatness to others, because I was more concerned with what they’d say? How many times have I missed the opportunity to “blast the news” of God’s greatness simply because I was too busy? 

To create a positive day I need to “blast the news” of God’s greatness, first to Him, then to those around me. 

Hear and Listen

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 29. Here is what I learned.

The voice of the Lord makes the wilderness tremble; the Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. Psalm 29:8 (AMP)

The Lord’s voice shakes the ·desert [wilderness]; the Lord shakes the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Kadesh. Psalm 29:8 (EXB)

As the storm travelled, it burst over the desert. "The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh." God courts not the applause of men - his grandest deeds are wrought where man's inquisitive glance is all unknown. Where no sound of man was heard, the voice of God was terribly distinct. The vast and silent plains trembled with affright. Silence did homage to the Almighty voice. Low lying plains must hear the voice of God as well as lofty mountains; the poor as well as the mighty must acknowledge the glory of the Lord. Solitary and barren places are to be gladdened by the gospel's heavenly sound. What a shaking and overturning power there is in the word of God! even the conservative desert quivers into progress when God decrees it. The Treasury of David

Sometimes I sit listening intently for God’s answer to my prayers. The silence is so overwhelming. Then I realize that God is SHOUTING His answer, only I don’t hear it because I’m waiting for the answer I want to hear. 

God wants my attention and yet, I’m not hearing or noticing Him. I often wonder if He’s standing there waving His arms, jumping up and down, shouting at me to get my attention... only I am blind and deaf because of my own desires. 

When I finally notice and hear God, and listen to Him, His answer to my prayers are so much better than I could imagine. His plans are so much more thought out than mine. His plans take into consideration all aspects of the now and future, where my plans are short-sighted and are adequate for only the here and now. 

To create a positive day, I have to hear and listen to what God is saying. I may not always understand or agree, but God does has a plan and purpose! 

Determined Action

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 27. Here is what I learned.

And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Psalm 27:6 (AMP)

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God. Psalm 27:6 (MSG)

As I read Psalm 27:6 this morning, I couldn’t help but think of the videos I’ve seen in Boston after the it was announced that the second person responsible for the Boston marathon bombing was captured. The streets were lined with people shouting, clapping, and singing our National Anthem. It was a joyous occasion, and the joy could not be contained. 

That is an example of what Psalm 27:6 is describing.... I should be breaking forth with shouting, singing, to the Lord for His deliverance, protection, and love. 

Sacrifices and shouting of joy. Offering anthems that will raise the roof! Why am I so silent and quiet when it comes to praising God and displaying my joy? 

I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy... to the Lord! This a determined action.. I WILL. And if I take time to consider how GREAT God is... and the GREAT things He has done... a natural reaction will be to want to SHOUT and raise the roof of joy to the Lord. 

To create a positive day, I must make a determined action to offer my sacrifice of shouts of joy to the Lord! 

Triumphant Shouts

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 126. Here is what I learned.

Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs. Then the nations said, “The Lord has done spectacular things for them.” Psalm 126:2 (GW)

Then we were filled with laughter, and we sang happy songs. Then the other nations said, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2 (NCV)

Then: since, at that time, therefore -- beginning, at that time,

Mouths: words, wishes.

Filled: be full of, overflow, fullness.

Laughter: rejoice, make merry, celebrate.

Tongues: organ of singing, speech.

Joyful: cry, gladness, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, singing, triumph, to give a ringing cry.

Nations: the masses, heathen, people.

Said: be or make prominent, boast.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Hath done: accomplish, bestow, furnish.

Great: exceed, excellent, makes it grow; magnify.

For (with): accompanying, by reason of. 

Them: those, another.

There are two responses in Psalm 126:2. The first is a response of those that love God—triumphant shouts!  The second is the response of those that don’t love God—they saw, and boasted, of the goodness of God toward His people.

You can learn about about a person by their actions and reactions. When a person is so excited and happy that joy ‘gushes’ out of them, it makes you smile too. Their happiness is infectious.

Psalm 126:2 adds another dimension to the joy, not only did it produce a loud triumphant shout, but those around knew the reason for the joy and singing—all the blessings God had provided for His people.

So, I’m not just to be “happy”. I’m to be OVERJOYED and SHOUT ........ um shout about what? That I’m just happy? No. I’m to shout triumphantly about the goodness of God.  My joyful shouting and singing is due to the fact that God has/is taking care of me. He has done great and marvelous things and will continue to do great and marvelous things. 

To create a positive day, my triumphant shouts need to include the reason for (and source of) my joy — God’s mighty exceedingly abundant goodness.

Get Out of the Night

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The Twenty-second of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 30. Here's what Treasure I found today.

For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 (ASV)

This is the literal translation: "For a moment in his anger. Lives in his favor. In the evening weeping may lodge: but in the morning exultation." Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

As I read Psalm  30 this morning, I had to stop and re-read this verse several times. As I studied it, I found much comfort in the last part of the verse, “Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.”

Weeping is a temporary visitor. The weeping, the sobbing, the complaining with tears is temporary. There is an ending to the crying. 

The morning. Just at daybreak as the sun begins to rise. At the first hint of light in the dark night sky, there is a SHOUT, jubilation of JOY! The painful sobbing has been changed into gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, singing, and yes triumph!

I guess this verse hit home because living with  chronic pain, there are many nights I literally cry myself to sleep. I am overwhelmed by pain, and “never-endingness” of the pain. Yet, as the darkness of night begins to change to the sunshine of day, even though the pain is still present, there is a sense of peace and joy. 

Phillips, Craig and Dean have a song called “Little Bit of Morning”. Here is a video of that song. 

To create a positive day, I need to ‘get out of the night’ and give a SHOUT of triumph to God Almighty. The temporary of sobbing, gives way to everlasting JOY. The triumph that God is still God. He is the ALMIGHTY and He is my hope and my salvation. God is my source of Joy, and that is greater than any pain; therefore, I will ENJOY a Morning of proclaiming and shouting about my Great God!

Praise-filled Day!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 117. Here is what I learned. 

Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm, but is filled with truth!

Psalm 117:1 is similar to Psalm 111:1. It begins with Praise to God.

(Read more about Psalm 111:1 here: All In!) 

Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! Psalm 117:1 (WE)

Psalm 117:2 begins to give reasons why God is to be praised. And these are not abstract reasons, rather they are ABSOLUTE reasons! 

For he loves us with unfailing love;

the LORD's faithfulness endures forever.

Praise the LORD!

Psalm 117:2 (NLT)

For his lovingkindness is great toward us;

And the truth of Jehovah endureth for ever.

Praise ye Jehovah.

Psalm 117:2 (ASV)

The word “great” means so much! It’s means “strong, powerful, but with blessing”. 

“Lovingkindness” means "kindness with favor and fidelity".  Think for a moment what fidelity means! 

fidelity 

        1. strict observance of promises, duties, etc.

        2. loyalty. 

        3. faithfulness.

        4. adherence to fact or detail.

        5. accuracy; exactness.

God’s great, strong and powerful 

filled-with-blessing love and kindness

is based on WHO God is!

He is loyal. He is faithful. He is VERY detailed. He is very accurate! God can be NOTHING else, because that is WHO He is—He cannot change! 

And the most amazing aspect of this strong, powerful blessing of love—it’s FOREVER!

This is an UNENDING supply of love

from a faithful, promise-keeping,

detailed, accurate, and eternal God.

That should make each of us SHOUT Hallelujah, Praise Yahwah.

Knowing that the faithful, promise-keeping, detailed, accurate, eternal God loves me creates not only a positive day, but a praise-filled day! 

Shout & Leap for Joy!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 100. Here is what I learned. 

Shout triumphantly to the LORD,

all the earth.

Psalm 100:1 (HCS)

Shout happily to the LORD,

all the earth.

Psalm 100:1 (GW)

Shout: exult, triumph, leap for joy. glad shout

The word used for “shout” is one to also convey public worship with music and sacrifice. I am to be SHOUTING our praise to God, and should be doing it HAPPILY and JOYOUSLY! 

As I thought about Psalm 100:1, what I pictured was a concert. If you have ever been to a concert, then you know that audience can’t help but sing along as the performer(s) sing. At some concerts depending on your seat, it’s hard to actually hear the performer, due to the audiences “shouting” the songs. 

Even more than shouting happily at a concert, I should be shouting worship praise to my God. These are not to be just “random” shouts, but rather shouts of joy and worship directed to my Heavenly Father. Yet, in order for me to be able to shout to my God, I need to recognize Who He is, and all that He is. 

Our happy God should be worshipped by a happy people; a cheerful spirit is in keeping with his nature, his acts, and the gratitude which we should cherish for his mercies in every land Jehovah's goodness is seen, therefore in every land should he be praised. The Treasury of David

Going back to the concert venue, the performers always sing old songs mixed in with their newer songs. Why? Because the performers know that to keep the audience engaged, the audience need to know the  songs. When the audience knows the words, they can “shout” and create a fun concert. 

So, back to Psalm 100:1, if I’m to “Shout happily to the LORD” I need to KNOW God. How do I get to know God? It starts with reading His Word, the Bible. And recognizing God working in my life each and very day. 

What can I shout to God in worship and praise? 1) He is a very loving God. 2) He is a very caring God. 3) He is a holy God. 4) He is faithful. 5) He is truthful. 6) God is good—all the time! And all the time God is good! 

Those are just a few facts about God that I can shout and leap for joy about as I worship Him. 

Creating a positive day is getting to know Who God is, recognizing Him working in my life, and then SHOUTING and LEAPING for joy in praise to my awesome God!

A Laugh and a Reason to Shout!

Was up very early today, 3 am... so I went "Treasure Hunting" through the Psalms.

Here is my Treasure for today! This passage made me LAUGH! And then made me SHOUT, "God is GREAT!"

Read it and let me know if you laughed. Just picturing vs 26! Love how David is so "real" with God. Sounds like something a "kid" would "wish", but isn't that how we all often feel? Reading through the Psalms has enhanced my prayer life, as I learn to be "real" with God. He knows my thoughts anyway... I might as well talk them over with Him. 

After I got done laughing, I had to focus on verse 28.... do I say "over and over, and over... God is GREAT"? Again, it reminds me of a little kid who likes the sound of something and continually repeats it. I should "like the sound of "God is GREAT!" that I WANT to SHOUT it over..... and over..... and over... and over.... and never get tired of SHOUTING it or repeating it. 

Psalm 35:23-28 (MSG)

Please get up—wake up! Tend to my case.

My God, my Lord—my life is on the line.

Do what you think is right, God, my God,

but don’t make me pay for their good time.

Don’t let them say to themselves,

“Ha-ha, we got what we wanted.”

Don’t let them say,

“We’ve chewed him up and spit him out.”

Let those who are being hilarious

at my expense

Be made to look ridiculous.

Make them wear donkey’s ears;

Pin them with the donkey’s tail,

who made themselves so high and mighty!

But those who want

the best for me,

Let them have the last word—a glad shout!—

and say, over and over and over,

“God is great—everything works

together for good for his servant.”

I’ll tell the world how great and good you are,

I’ll shout Hallelujah all day, every day.

Just KNOWING the FACT that God is GREAT, adds a wonderful positive aspect to my day!