How great is Christ’s triumph.
no future for wrong,
then blessèd that kingdom
where praise is our song.
Cleanse, forgive, LORD, Saviour, – I confess my sin.
He will guide the humble: pride will not begin
to perceive his leading, or revere and praise –
is not taught or guided in God’s chosen ways.
My Strength, and Shield has heard.
He helps me, – praise my Rock;
with joyful heart, I trust the LORD.
Preserve your precious flock!
Psalm 31
My refuge, I trust you,
– for the sake of your name,
don’t leave me distressed, to
their schemes for my shame.
My spirit I lay
in your hands. I pray,
‘Be merciful, free me,
O LORD, God almighty.’
A deadly trap,
tongues that crush,
friendships stop,
enemies crouch,
slander, accuse,
sorrow and grief,
neighbours refuse
to bring relief.
I keep from those clinging
to idols worth nothing,
which are so absurd.
I trust in the LORD.
You saw my affliction,
I was not cut off, –
my precious protection.
In judgement your wrath
will silence all falsehood,
and soon you will show
you’ve stored for us great good,
rich blessings bestow.
You saints who revere him,
the light of his face
desire, and keep near him,
and love him, his grace
preserves all the faithful; –
the proud he’ll repay.
Take heart, always hope-ful,
rejoice every day.
My times he holds,
his love enfolds.
My times are in your hands (Psalm 31:15a)
My times are in your hands, because
you’ve made yourself my God;
and through those times, I can rely
upon your faithful Word.
My times are in your hands, LORD,
and the future I can face, –
excitement and expectancy
are for every child of grace.
I am not self-employed, for
I’ve a Master great and true;
and his commands and pleasure
I will try to do.
My times are in your hands, O LORD,
and I should never fret.
My times are in your hands, – I’m free
to serve, my cares forget.
My times are in your hands, not man’s,
your strong and mighty hands;
I’m safe, I’m led, through life, through death,
– in everlasting bonds.
Tune: CM+ eg ‘I know who holds the future’ by Albert E Smith and E Clark
on Psalm 32
Have you a secret? Are you perturbed?
Memories haunt, your spirit disturbed;
stifling conscience, sin unconfessed,
groaning, concealing, restless and stressed.
Blessèd and happy, glorious relief,
wonderful grace replacing the grief,
brought to the LORD, confessing at last,
pardoned, rejoicing, – misery past.
Never o’erwhelmed, surrounded with song,
unfailing love, deliverance strong.
Shielded from trouble, in you I hide,
heeding instruction, Word of my Guide.
Pray to the LORD, while he may be found,
trust and rejoice, – his love will abound.
Those who refuse him, multiply woe,
all who are upright, blessedness know.
Tune: 99 99 99 eg Blessed Assurance by J F Knapp
on Psalm 33
To praise God is right,
and joyfully sing.
His all-scanning sight
knows who hope in him, –
his servants revere
the name that is dear.
Creator of all,
– the great and the small;
he speaks what is true,
he’s righteous, his view
is accurate, just, –
in his name we trust.
He foils and he thwarts
the plans of men’s thoughts.
His own plans stand firm.
His people will bless him
(– so faithful), blest in him;
unfailing his love.
Don’t trust your resources,
your skills and your horses.
His eyes are upon us;
your love rest upon us.
How happy his nation,
who serve, they’re his portion.
We’re righteous in him
and joyfully sing,
with music and skill,
our voices will thrill,
as hearts overflow
from wonders we know.
on Psalm 34
Stir up yourself to daily praise
exalt, extol his name and ways:
though body, mind be racked with care,
my soul can praise him everywhere.
O praise the LORD, praise God with me,
and think of all his blessings free,
for he will always hear my cry
for help; my needs he’ll wellsupply.
My praise will cheer the struggling saint,
and lift his thoughts far from complaint:
for when I saw my poverty,
and sought the LORD, he rescued me!
Each one who fears his holy name,
and looks to him will know no shame.
God’s radiance on their face is found.
Our Saviour guards us all around.
Come, see and think of all the good
that God can give us – richest ‘food’;
and taste, receive; in troubles call, –
he will preserve, support through all.
The self-sufficient will not know
his closeness, help and hope; for though
the crushed in spirit grieve for sin,
they trust and know they’re safe in him.
Remember then, fear him, and serve;
and guard your tongue; God will observe,
and hear your cries, now peace pursue,
from evil turn, good things to do.
And yes, he sees the wicked too,
and knows the awful things they do.
The LORD redeems, and counts as just,
those who choose righteousness, and trust. Tune: LMD
on Psalm 35
Lord, you please fight for me,
come to my help, and be
my shield, repel my foes, – your spear,
will stop them drawing near,
and quieten my fear.
Assure me of your love,
that I am yours, you’ll save.
Then my whole being will exclaim
the honour of your name:
your kindness brings you fame.
Unique and gracious, kind.
Your servants always find
you save from those too strong for them
(– whose end draws near of shame,
the wage of guilt and blame).
I sought to do them good.
I prayed, neglecting food;
but now I’m low, they speak with glee,
they gloat and slander, see
they gnash their teeth at me.
Awake, be my defence:
their malice and pretence
reveal. Bring honour to your name,
for rescuing me from shame,
false accusations, blame.
on Psalm 36
Sin swamping the mind:
there’s no godly fear;
self-satisfied, – blind
to guilt that is clear.
Deceitful in speech,
their conscience is hard,
no wisdom, they each
good actions discard.
They plot on their bed,
and choose evil course,
not spurning the bad,
keep on getting worse.
How different the LORD:
his faithfulness, love,
and justice outpoured
preserve, care and save.
The high and the low,
who turn back to him,
delivered to know
their God, live again.
His righteousness great,
gives refuge and light:
they were in lost state,
now drink of delight.
LORD, keep them from all
that Satan desires.
The wicked will fall,
unable to rise.
on Psalm 37
They may a while succeed,
their wicked schemes cause fear,
but soon they’ll not be found, (– you’re freed!),
– like smoke, they’ll disappear.
The meek enjoy God’s peace,
the just he will uphold,
their future land will never cease,
he is their safe stronghold.
They’re generous, and in speech
have wisdom on their tongue,
God’s law is in their heart, to teach
to turn to good from wrong.
The wicked, weapons aim, –
God brings us safely through.
Their ruthless swords recoil to maim.
They harm their children too.
on Psalm 37
Do not fret because they prosper –
evil people who do wrong;
don’t be envious, – they will wither,
die away before too long.
Trust the LORD, yes, really trust him, –
do not wander from the place
where there’s safety, joy in feeding
on the only Word of grace.
Take delight in God your Saviour, –
turn your eyes away from men.
Thrill to think about his favour, –
feast your soul on grace again.
Holy Spirit is implanting
longings that he’ll grace impart;
and our God delights in granting
these desires of your heart.
All your way to Christ committing; –
he is working as you trust; –
righteousness will shine, revealing
that your cause is true and just.
So be still and patient, waiting;
don’t be restless, – God will guide,
work his purpose, shaping, changing
those for whom his Son has died.
on Psalm 38
Chastised, rebuked, your hand on me,
my folly fully now I see;
I’m troubled, hurting, overwhelmed,
I mourn, pressed down; and they’re repelled
who used to be my friends; and foes
accuse me falsely, – this God knows.
My good with evil they repay,
to gloat and harm. I cannot say,
a word myself in my defence.
Subdue their slanderous arrogance.
O LORD, do not forsake, stay near:
my Saviour’s help will soon appear.
Psalm 39
‘I’ll watch my ways’, I said,
‘from sinning keep my tongue’:
a muzzle on my mouth
while I am here among
the wicked; but my heart
grew hot, until I prayed
to God omnisicent, LORD,
who justly had displayed
his chastening, disciplining arm
to train me, save me from much harm.
‘O help me look ahead,
and see my days are few,
life fleetingly flies by, –
so little time to do
the things that please you well, –
not bustling round in vain
to gather wealth which soon,
will pass away again.
From my transgressions, save me LORD,
my hope in you, my joy restored.
‘Look not now on my guilt,
– though it has done me good
to feel th’inspecting gaze –
look now upon Christ’s blood,
and so on me in grace.
Remove the scourge I’ve borne
for righteous fruit, through pain:
although I felt forlorn,
now humbled, and revived to praise,
while here I serve remaining days.’
on Psalm 40
The pit I remember, the slime and the mire,
with cries to the LORD as the troubles rose higher:
I waited in trust, and he heard me, and raised
up on to the rock – those who saw were amazed!
A body prepared, with a listening ear,
committed to serve: we’ve a Saviour so dear
whose sacrifice is all-sufficient to save:
we treasure his law, while delighting to serve.
And now once again, many troubles surround,
my sins overwhelm me, my fears abound.
I’m poor and I’m needy, LORD, do not delay,
– deliver, with justice and mercy, I pray.
May all those who seek him, our Saviour, rejoice,
who love his salvation, lift up heart and voice,
and praise him forever – we cannot full well
recount all his blessings – too many to tell!
on Psalm 41
The LORD preserves, delights
in those who help the weak.
“Have mercy on my sickness, plight,
– your pardon, grace I seek.”
My enemies gloat, and spread
a slanderous, lying tale.
A friend betrays, who shared my bread,
desires to see me fail.
King David prayed to rise
to rule, – his foes won’t win;
and Christ, our King is strong and wise, –
we’ll ever live with him.
on Psalms 42 and 43
Remembering fellowship and praise,
experiences of former days;
but now oppressed by taunts and fears, –
I thirst, I pant for God with tears.
Why am I downcast, why despair?
My powerful Saviour hears my prayer.
“Where is my God?” – I do not feel
or sense his presence, comfort real.
“Where is your God?” I know their sneers;
– God hears my sighs and sees my tears.
Why am I downcast, why despair?
My powerful Saviour hears my prayer.
But has my Rock forgotten me?
(False whispers of my enemy)
God’s love directs though storms last long; –
he fills my heart with prayer and song.
Why is my soul disturbed within?
Remember God, and hope in him.
Oppressed, but God will vindicate,
bring justice, save from those who hate.
Send forth your truth and light to guide
to Christ; with joy I will abide.
Why is my soul disturbed within?
Remember God, and hope in him.
on Psalm 44
To God’s power the scriptures witness,
and they tell us of his deeds,
that his kingdom will make progress:
Christ protects, in triumph leads.
Now, O God, we are defeated.
See, your church is scattered, weak.
Many scorn, – we have retreated.
Why? Your honour still we seek.
You know every heart’s position,
that we suffer for your sake.
In your love lift our oppression,
cease to hide your face, awake!
on Psalm 45
As I recite my song, and sing,
my heart is stirred because I bring
a theme so noble, – and with skill
of Jesus I desire to tell.
Most excellent of men is He,
with lips anointed He will be
God’s messenger of grace, and blest
our world’s attention to arrest.
O Christ, proceed victoriously,
display Your splendour, majesty
with awesome deeds,Your sword at hand,
raise righteousness throughout the land.
Prosper the truth, make pride to cease,
wing words the rebels’ hearts to pierce,
let nations fall beneath Your feet
until Your kingdom is complete.
King Christ for ever You will reign,
in justice, joy and glory shine;
O God, Your God has raised You high,
Your Bride to call and beautify.
Consider, all of you who hear –
Christ Jesus wants us to come near,
and leave the ways of kith and kin,
to bring him pleasure, honour him.
Like Jesus hating wickedness,
receive his glorious righteousness,
with joy and gladness, rich in grace,
come to the Bridegroom’s warm embrace.
on Psalm 45
What a theme for contemplation,
what a privilege to praise,
writing out of love, compulsion,
as on Jesus Christ I gaze:
wonder of his glorious coming –
come to claim his precious Bride:
enduring Calvary, recreating,
those for whom he’d suffered, died.
Contemplate his glorious greatness –
Christ most excellent of men
(words invaluable and gracious) –
rides to victory again:
nations fall and hearts are pierced, so
some repent and some rebel.
He’ll have joy that’s unsurpassed; and
children strong to serve him well.
Is she ready for her Bridegroom?
Is she waiting for her King?
He who cleansed her will return soon.
Turn from any other thing
that would make you not remember
whose you are, for he will bring
to his palace for his pleasure:
he has made you fit for him.
on Psalm 45
The church redeemed, and called, betrothed,
awaiting Christ’s return,
with righteousness and beauty clothed:
for Jesus, Christians yearn.
His dazzling attributes I see,
his gracious words I hear,
I love, and he delights in me;
my Rescuer draws near.
Reborn, and washed, and sanctified,
transformed by Christ within –
with conscientious care, his Bride
roots out remaining sin.
She soon will leave this scene of strife,
and all who scorned God’s grace,
will see her welcomed into Life,
with radiant, joyful face.
Psalm 46
Our God is our refuge, our shelter and strength,
he’s with us wherever we are;
he does not demand we appeal at great length, –
never fickle, but faithfully near.
Mighty LORD, with us now,
mighty LORD, with us now, ever near.
Whatever the trouble, whatever is wrong,
if crashing upheavals surround,
things stable may fail that have lasted so long, –
but the help of the LORD will abound.
Within, ever present, the One over all –
don’t worry, we need never fear.
His church, holy dwelling of God, shall not fall –
streams of grace will invigorate, cheer.
See nations in uproar, but judgement and peace,
the plans of Jehovah, succeed;
collapsing regimes, – war and fighting will cease,
God will soon be exalted, – take heed!
He will be exalted throughout all the earth:
be still in your troubles, and know
that he is the Lord God almighty; by faith,
in our fortress we’re safe from the foe.
Tune: 11 8 11 8 + eg It is well by Philip P Bliss
on Psalm 47
Join in vigorous rejoicing:
overflowing spirits praise
with enlightened understanding
noticing God’s awesome ways:
Israel given land, protected;
Christ, for Jews and gentiles gained
full redemption, – now ascended:
his achievement is acclaimed!
King supreme all things directing,
for the coming triumph Day,
over all the nations reigning,
many join his church, and pray.
Yes, we cannot but express it, –
reverence with ecstatic praise,
celebrating, we confess it –
joyful, patient hearts ablaze!
on Psalm 48
Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
great is his city, his dwelling: we gaze,
contemplate heaven, and his church – blest, secure;
enemies shudder, opposers withdraw.
Unfailing love covers all those who dwell,
sheltering with him, – and all hear us tell:
children taught well that our God, to the end
is righteous, will guide us, and ever defend.
on Psalm 49
Money cannot buy
everything that matters, –
happiness, salvation, love:
cash can’t break our fetters.
Money cannot last,
nor splendour here achieved:
there’s glory there, when ‘now’ is past –
if mercy’s here received.
We cannot save ourselves,
and those with skilful speech
who have not learnt of truth and right,
deceive men as they teach.
No mere human can,
my needed ransom bring:
but God can save me; – after death
he’ll take me home to him.
So wealth will leave you poor,
if that is all you own,
for greater is the treasure found
when wisdom’s grace is known.
on Psalm 50
God is mighty, Judge of all,
glorious, speaks a summoning call:
exhorts, corrects his people true,
stills their pride. – ‘I’ve given you
all you offer back, serve fully,
thanking, praying, trusting wholly.’
‘My righteous words the wicked hate,
although my laws they may recite.
They live regardless, steal and lie,
slander, break their vows, think I
will my judging role neglect:
I remember, you forget.
‘My salvation I will show
those who honour me, I know
who repent, and turn to praise,
giving thought to all their ways.’
