SATURDAY – Introduction

The Psalms remind us that God is in charge of everything. He made everything, and He takes care of it all. He is like a king ruling over the whole world fairly. God's rules are good, and if we follow them, they bring us life. He watches over the world and makes sure things are in order. Sometimes we may not understand why certain things happen, but God has His own timing for everything.

God made a special agreement with the people of Israel, and it shows His plan to save everyone. Even when the Israelites didn't always follow God, He stayed faithful to them. This helps us understand that the world is secure because of God's control. The psalmists want us to know this truth so that we can live our lives fully devoted to serving God.

SUNDAY – The Lord Has Made Us

Read the following Psalms:

Psalm 8

KJV ¹ O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. ² Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. ³ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; ⁴ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? ⁵ For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. ⁶ Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: ⁷ All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; ⁸ The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. ⁹ O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! CEV (A psalm by David for the music leader.) ¹ Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. ² With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless. ³ I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. ⁴ Then I ask, “Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?” ⁵ You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. ⁶ You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power — ⁷ the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, ⁸ the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. ⁹ Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!

Psalm 100

KJV ¹ Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. ² Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. ³ Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. ⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. CEV (A psalm of praise.) ¹ Shout praises to the Lord, everyone on this earth. ² Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the Lord! ³ You know the Lord is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. ⁴ Be thankful and praise the Lord as you enter his temple. ⁵ The Lord is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever. 100.
5 : 1 Ch 16.
34; 2 Ch 5.
11-13; 7.
3; Ezra 3.
11; Ps 106.
1; 107.
1; 118.
1; 136.
1; Jr 33.
11.

What do these psalms say about God and people?

The Psalms talk about how amazing God is as our Creator. The sky and everything in it show God's glory and power. God made everything, and He is much greater than any other so-called gods. The Psalms also remind us that God made us, not ourselves. Everything we have comes from Him. God's creation also shows His love for us, taking care of us like a shepherd cares for his sheep.

MONDAY – The Lord Reigns

The following passages in the Psalms declare, "The Lord reigns."

Psalm 93:1

KJV ¹ The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. CEV ¹ Our Lord, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place, and it will never be moved.

Psalm 96:10

KJV ¹⁰ Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. CEV ¹⁰ Announce to the nations, “The Lord is King! The world stands firm, never to be shaken, and he will judge its people with fairness.”

Psalm 97:1

KJV ¹ The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. CEV ¹ The Lord is King! Tell the earth to celebrate and all islands to shout.

Psalm 99:1

KJV ¹ The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. CEV ¹ Our Lord, you are King! You rule from your throne above the winged creatures, as people tremble and the earth shakes.

What does this mean?

This means that God is not just our Creator; He is also our Ruler. These psalms describe God as powerful, majestic, and surrounded by light. They show that God is in control of everything. His rule is seen in creating, saving, and judging. God's kingdom is everlasting, and His rule is based on love, justice, and righteousness. Even though some people may challenge God's authority, the psalmists trust in God's rule and look forward to the day when Jesus will establish God's kingdom fully.

TUESDAY – God Is the Judge

Read Psalm 75

KJV ¹ Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. ² When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. ³ The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah. ⁴ I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: ⁵ Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. ⁶ For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. ⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. ⁸ For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. ⁹ But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. ¹⁰ All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted. CEV (A psalm and a song by Asaph for the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.” ) ¹ Our God, we thank you for being so near to us! Everyone celebrates your wonderful deeds. ² You have set a time to judge with fairness. ³ The earth trembles, and its people shake; you alone keep its foundations firm. ⁴ You tell every bragger, “Stop bragging!” And to the wicked you say, “Don't boast of your power! ⁵ Stop bragging! Quit telling me how great you are.” ⁶ Our Lord and our God, victory doesn't come from the east or the west or from the desert. ⁷ You are the one who judges. You can take away power and give it to others. ⁸ You hold in your hand a cup filled with wine, strong and foaming. You will pour out some for every sinful person on this earth, and they will have to drink until it is gone. ⁹ But I will always tell about you, the God of Jacob, and I will sing your praise. ¹⁰ Our Lord, you will destroy the power of evil people, but you will give strength to those who are good.

Why is the boasting of the wicked in vain?

God is not only our Creator and Ruler; He is also our Judge. The wicked may boast and act like they are in control, but God will judge them in His own time. Psalm 75 describes God's judgment as a cup of red wine, symbolizing His intense anger against evil. The psalm assures us that God will cut off the power of the wicked and establish justice. God's judgment begins with His people but extends to the whole world. This judgment is like God examining our lives to save the righteous and decide the fate of the wicked.

WEDNESDAY – Ever Mindful of His Covenant

How does God's covenant with His people give us peace and assurance?

God's covenant is like a special agreement with His people. He promises to be with them and takes care of them. God forgives their mistakes, guides them, and blesses them. Psalm 105

KJV ¹ O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. ² Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. ³ Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. ⁴ Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. ⁵ Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; ⁶ O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. ⁷ He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth. ⁸ He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. ⁹ Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; ¹⁰ And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: ¹¹ Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: ¹² When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it. ¹³ When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; ¹⁴ He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; ¹⁵ Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. ¹⁶ Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. ¹⁷ He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: ¹⁸ Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: ¹⁹ Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. ²⁰ The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. ²¹ He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: ²² To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. ²³ Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. ²⁴ And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. ²⁵ He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. ²⁶ He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. ²⁷ They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. ²⁸ He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. ²⁹ He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. ³⁰ Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. ³¹ He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. ³² He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. ³³ He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts. ³⁴ He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number, ³⁵ And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. ³⁶ He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. ³⁷ He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. ³⁸ Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. ³⁹ He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. ⁴⁰ The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. ⁴¹ He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. ⁴² For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. ⁴³ And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: ⁴⁴ And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; ⁴⁵ That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord. CEV ¹ Praise the Lord and pray in his name! Tell everyone what he has done. ² Sing praises to the Lord! Tell about his miracles. ³ Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart. ⁴ Trust the Lord and his mighty power. ⁵ Remember his miracles and all his wonders and his fair decisions. ⁶ You belong to the family of Abraham, his servant; you are his chosen ones, the descendants of Jacob. ⁷ The Lord is our God, bringing justice everywhere on earth. ⁸ He will never forget his agreement or his promises, not in thousands of years. * ⁹ God made an eternal promise ¹⁰ to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ¹¹ when he said, “I'll give you the land of Canaan.” ¹² At the time there were only a few of us, and we were homeless. ¹³ We wandered from nation to nation, from one country to another. ¹⁴ God did not let anyone mistreat our people. Instead he protected us by punishing rulers ¹⁵ and telling them, “Don't touch my chosen leaders or harm my prophets!” ¹⁶ God kept crops from growing until food was scarce everywhere in the land. ¹⁷ But he had already sent Joseph, sold as a slave into Egypt, ¹⁸ with chains of iron around his legs and neck. ¹⁹ Joseph remained a slave until his own words had come true, and the Lord had finished testing him. ²⁰ Then the king of Egypt set Joseph free ²¹ and put him in charge of everything he owned. ²² Joseph was in command of the officials, and he taught the leaders how to use wisdom. ²³ Jacob and his family came and settled in Egypt as foreigners. ²⁴ They were the Lord's people, so he let them grow stronger than their enemies. ²⁵ They served the Lord, and he made the Egyptians plan hateful things against them. ²⁶ God sent his servant Moses. He also chose and sent Aaron ²⁷ to his people in Egypt, and they worked miracles and wonders there. ²⁸ Moses and Aaron obeyed God, and he sent darkness to cover Egypt. ²⁹ God turned their rivers into streams of blood, and the fish all died. ³⁰ Frogs were everywhere, even in the royal palace. ³¹ When God gave the command, flies and gnats swarmed all around. ³² In place of rain, God sent hailstones and flashes of lightning. ³³ He destroyed their grapevines and their fig trees, and he made splinters of all the other trees. ³⁴ God gave the command, and more grasshoppers came than could be counted. ³⁵ They ate every green plant and all the crops that grew in the land of Egypt. ³⁶ Then God took the life of every first-born son. ³⁷ When God led Israel from Egypt, they took silver and gold, and no one was left behind. ³⁸ The Egyptians were afraid and gladly let them go. ³⁹ God hid them under a cloud and guided them by fire during the night. ⁴⁰ When they asked for food, he sent more birds than they could eat. ⁴¹ God even split open a rock, and streams of water gushed into the desert. ⁴² God never forgot his sacred promise to his servant Abraham. ⁴³ When the Lord rescued his chosen people from Egypt, they celebrated with songs. ⁴⁴ The Lord gave them the land and everything else the nations had worked for. ⁴⁵ He did this so that his people would obey all his laws. Shout praises to the Lord! 105.
1-45 : 3 Macc 2.
1.
105.
9 a : Gn 12.
7; 17.
8; b Gn 26.
3.
105.
10,11 : Gn 28.
13.
105.
14,15 : Gn 20.
3-7.
105.
16 : Gn 41.
53-57.
105.
17 : Gn 37.
28; 45.
5.
105.
18,19 : Gn 39.
20 — 40.
23.
105.
20 : Gn 41.
14.
105.
21 : Gn 41.
39-41.
105.
23 a : Gn 46.
5-7; b Gn 47.
11.
105.
24,25 : Ex 1.
7-14.
105.
26 : Ex 3.
1 — 4.
17.
105.
28 : Ex 10.
21-23.
105.
29 : Ex 7.
17-21.
105.
30 : Ex 8.
1-6.
105.
31 a : Ex 8.
20-24; b Ex 8.
16,17.
105.
32,33 : Ex 9.
22-25.
105.
34,35 : Ex 10.
12-15.
105.
36 : Ex 12.
29.
105.
37,38 : Ex 12.
33-36.
105.
39 : Ex 13.
21,22.
105.
40 : Ex 16.
2-15.
105.
41 : Ex 17.
1-7; Nu 20.
2-13.
105.
44 : Js 11.
16-23.
reminds us of God's faithfulness throughout history, leading and protecting His people. God's covenant is not just about the past; it's about staying faithful to Him, following His laws, and sharing His love with others. This covenant applies to us today through Jesus, connecting us to God's promises.

THURSDAY – Your Testimonies Are Very Sure

What do the following passages from the Psalms say about God's testimonies?

Psalm 19:7

KJV ⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. CEV ⁷ The Law of the Lord is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people.

Psalm 93:5

KJV ⁵ Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever. CEV ⁵ Your decisions are firm, and your temple will always be beautiful and holy.

Psalm 119:165

KJV ¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. CEV ¹⁶⁵ You give peace of mind to all who love your Law. Nothing can make them fall.

Psalm 1:2

KJV ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. CEV ² Instead, they find happiness in the Teaching of the Lord, and they think about it day and night.

Psalm 1:6

KJV ⁶ For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. CEV ⁶ The Lord protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.

Psalm 18:30

KJV ³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. CEV ³⁰ Your way is perfect, Lord, and your word is correct. You are a shield for those who run to you for help.

Psalm 25:10

KJV ¹⁰ All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. CEV ¹⁰ In everything you do, you are kind and faithful to everyone who keeps our agreement with you.

God's testimonies are like His rules and laws. They are stable, reliable, and unchangeable. They reflect God's firm and secure rule over the world. Even when things seem shaky, those who follow God's laws find stability and security. God's Word is described as a lamp that guides us and protects us from hidden dangers. Keeping God's laws brings peace and protection, helping us withstand life's challenges.

FRIDAY – Further Thought

How does understanding that "God is love" help us interpret the descriptions of God in the Psalms?

God's love is the key to understanding everything in the Psalms. Even when the psalmists talk about God's rule, judgment, and laws, it's all rooted in His love. Ellen G. White emphasizes that studying God's character in light of the cross reveals mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness. God's anger is temporary, but His mercy lasts forever. As we read the Psalms, we should always remember that God's love is the foundation for everything He does, and it shapes our response to Him.