God’s Strengthening Word: Offering God Thanks and PraiseSample

Introduction

Psalm 144: Today’s reading is a “royal psalm” that celebrates God’s powers and virtues. The “enemies” and “foreigners” mentioned in verses 6, 7, and 11 are the nations that oppressed God’s people during the exile and after their return. The psalm concludes with a prayer for the nation.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 144:15b GNT

Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

Reflect

How is God described in verses 1 and 2? Verse 3 recalls Psalm 8:4 (see the reading for November 4). What does this verse, along with verse 4, indicate about the writer’s thoughts? What does the psalm writer ask of God (verses 5–8)? Reread verses 12–14, which describe a flourishing society. How would you paraphrase these verses for a vision of society today?

Pray

I praise you, Lord, because you are my protector and defender, my shelter and my savior, in whom I trust for safety. Reach down, O God, and embrace me in your loving care. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 145: A hymn proclaiming God’s greatness.