In the Psalms - Part 1
OVERVIEW
The Psalms show how to worship and trust God
SATURDAY - Introduction
The Psalms point to Jesus
Memory Text
Psalm 40:8 – God's law in the heart
SUNDAY - “Our High Priest”
Jesus brings us near to God
MONDAY - “On Mount Zion”
God’s holy mountain
TUESDAY - “Law in Our Hearts”
God’s Word becomes part of us
WEDNESDAY - “Psalm 5”
Start your day with prayer
THURSDAY - “Teach Transgressors Your Way”
Helping others know God
FRIDAY - Further Thought
Worship from a clean heart
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Talk and reflect
LESSON SUMMARY
Psalms teach worship, honesty, and trust
In the Psalms - Part 1
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OVERVIEW
The Psalms are filled with songs and prayers that show us how to connect with God. This week we focus on how the Psalms speak about Jesus as our High Priest, the importance of God’s law in our hearts, and how to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. They help us understand how to be honest with God, trust Him deeply, and worship Him from our hearts.
SATURDAY - Introduction
Memory Text
Psalm 40:8
KJV
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
CEV
8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you. Your Law is in my heart.’ ”
Read the following:
Psalm 40:6-8
KJV
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
CEV
6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey.
7 And so, I said, “I am here to do what is written about me in the book, where it says,
8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you. Your Law is in my heart.’ ”
Luke 24:44
KJV
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
CEV
44 Jesus said to them, “While I was still with you, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Books of the Prophets, and in the Psalms had to happen.”
Hebrews 10:5-10
KJV
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
CEV
5 When Christ came into the world, he said to God, “Sacrifices and offerings are not what you want, but you have given me my body.
6 No, you are not pleased with animal sacrifices and offerings for sin.”
7 Then Christ said, “And so, my God, I have come to do what you want, as the Scriptures say.”
8 The Law teaches that offerings and sacrifices must be made because of sin. But why did Christ mention these things and say that God did not want them?
9 Well, it was to do away with offerings and sacrifices and to replace them. This is what he meant by saying to God, “I have come to do what you want.”
10 So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all.
Summary:
The Psalms are not just poems or songs — many of them are prophecies about Jesus. They describe His love for God’s law, His mission to save us, and how He trusted the Father completely. Psalm 40
is one example, showing Jesus saying He delights in doing God’s will because the law is in His heart.
KJV
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
CEV
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
1 I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened
2 and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm,
3 and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.
4 You bless all of those who trust you, Lord, and refuse to worship idols or follow false gods.
5 You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.
6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey.
7 And so, I said, “I am here to do what is written about me in the book, where it says,
8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you. Your Law is in my heart.’ ”
9 When your people worshiped, you know I told them, “Our Lord always helps!”
10 When all your people met, I did not keep silent. I said, “Our Lord is kind. He is faithful and caring, and he saves us.”
11 You, Lord, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure.
12 I have more troubles than I can count. My sins are all around me, and I can't find my way. My sins outnumber the hairs on my head, and I feel weak.
13 Please show that you care and come to my rescue. Hurry and help me!
14 Disgrace and confuse all who want me dead; turn away and disgrace all who want to hurt me.
15 Embarrass and shame everyone who says, “Just look at you now!”
16 Our Lord, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, “The Lord is wonderful!”
17 I am poor and needy, but, Lord God, you care about me, and you come to my rescue. Please hurry and help.
Jesus showed us what it looks like to live in obedience, love, and trust. When we read the Psalms, we can see Jesus speaking and learn how to follow Him with joy.
Ellen White Notes:
Ellen White says that the Psalms show how Jesus trusted and loved His Father, even when He suffered. They teach us to follow His example — not only in joy but also in pain. Obedience is not a burden when it is done from the heart.
Reflection
What does Psalm 40
teach us about how Jesus viewed God’s law?
KJV
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
CEV
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
1 I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened
2 and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm,
3 and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.
4 You bless all of those who trust you, Lord, and refuse to worship idols or follow false gods.
5 You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.
6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey.
7 And so, I said, “I am here to do what is written about me in the book, where it says,
8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you. Your Law is in my heart.’ ”
9 When your people worshiped, you know I told them, “Our Lord always helps!”
10 When all your people met, I did not keep silent. I said, “Our Lord is kind. He is faithful and caring, and he saves us.”
11 You, Lord, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure.
12 I have more troubles than I can count. My sins are all around me, and I can't find my way. My sins outnumber the hairs on my head, and I feel weak.
13 Please show that you care and come to my rescue. Hurry and help me!
14 Disgrace and confuse all who want me dead; turn away and disgrace all who want to hurt me.
15 Embarrass and shame everyone who says, “Just look at you now!”
16 Our Lord, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, “The Lord is wonderful!”
17 I am poor and needy, but, Lord God, you care about me, and you come to my rescue. Please hurry and help.
How do the Psalms help us understand Jesus better?
SUNDAY - “Our High Priest”
Read the following:
Psalm 110:1-4
KJV
1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
CEV
(A psalm by David.)
1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right side, until I make your enemies into a footstool for you.”
2 The Lord will let your power reach out from Zion, and you will rule over your enemies.
3 Your glorious power will be seen on the day you begin to rule. You will wear the sacred robes and shine like the morning sun in all of your strength.
4 The Lord has made a promise that will never be broken: “You will be a priest forever, just like Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 7:24-27
KJV
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
CEV
24 But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever!
25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.
26 Jesus is the high priest we need. He is holy and innocent and faultless, and not at all like us sinners. Jesus is honored above all beings in heaven,
27 and he is better than any other high priest. Jesus doesn't need to offer sacrifices each day for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. He offered a sacrifice once for all, when he gave himself.
Hebrews 10:11-14
KJV
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
CEV
11 The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins.
12 But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God's right side,
13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power.
14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.
Summary:
Psalm 110
tells us about someone who will be a priest forever. This is a prophecy about Jesus. Unlike the old priests, Jesus is a perfect and forever High Priest. He doesn’t need to keep offering sacrifices — His one sacrifice on the cross was enough for everyone, for all time.
KJV
1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
CEV
(A psalm by David.)
1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right side, until I make your enemies into a footstool for you.”
2 The Lord will let your power reach out from Zion, and you will rule over your enemies.
3 Your glorious power will be seen on the day you begin to rule. You will wear the sacred robes and shine like the morning sun in all of your strength.
4 The Lord has made a promise that will never be broken: “You will be a priest forever, just like Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your right side, and when he gets angry he will crush the other kings.
6 He will judge the nations and crack their skulls, leaving piles of dead bodies all over the earth.
7 He will drink from any stream that he chooses, while winning victory after victory.
Because Jesus is our High Priest, we can come to God boldly. He understands our weaknesses, and He prays for us. The Psalms remind us that God’s plan has always been to bring us close to Him through Jesus.
Ellen White Notes:
Ellen White says Jesus is the perfect Priest because He gave Himself for us and now stands before God on our behalf. The old priests pointed to Him, but only Jesus can truly take away sin.
Reflection
What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest?
Why was Jesus’ sacrifice better than the old system of sacrifices?
MONDAY - “On Mount Zion”
Read the following:
Psalm 2:6
KJV
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
CEV
6 “I've put my king on Zion, my sacred hill.”
Psalm 132:13-14
KJV
13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
CEV
13 You have gladly chosen Zion as your home, our Lord.
14 You said, “This is my home! I will live here forever.
Hebrews 12:22-24
KJV
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
CEV
22 You have now come to Mount Zion and to the heavenly Jerusalem. This is the city of the living God, where thousands and thousands of angels have come to celebrate.
23 Here you will find all of God's dearest children, whose names are written in heaven. And you will find God himself, who judges everyone. Here also are the spirits of those good people who have been made perfect.
24 And Jesus is here! He is the one who makes God's new agreement with us, and his sprinkled blood says much better things than the blood of Abel.
Revelation 14:1-5
KJV
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
CEV
1 I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion! With him were 144,000, who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.
2 Then I heard a sound from heaven that was like a roaring flood or loud thunder or even like the music of harps.
3 And a new song was being sung in front of God's throne and in front of the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn that song, except the 144,000 who had been rescued from the earth.
4 All of these are pure virgins, and they follow the Lamb wherever he leads. They have been rescued to be presented to God and the Lamb as the most precious people on earth.
5 They never tell lies, and they are innocent.
Summary:
Mount Zion in the Psalms is a special place — it’s where God is King and where His people gather to worship Him. Psalm 2
talks about God placing His chosen King on Zion, which points to Jesus as the true ruler.
KJV
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
CEV
1 Why do the nations plot, and why do their people make useless plans?
2 The kings of this earth have all joined together to turn against the Lord and his chosen king.
3 They say, “Let's cut the ropes and set ourselves free!”
4 In heaven the Lord laughs as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations.
5 The Lord becomes furious and threatens them. His anger terrifies them as he says,
6 “I've put my king on Zion, my sacred hill.”
7 I will tell the promise that the Lord made to me: “You are my son, because today I have become your father.
8 Ask me for the nations, and every nation on earth will belong to you.
9 You will smash them with an iron rod and shatter them like dishes of clay.”
10 Be smart, all you rulers, and pay close attention.
11 Serve and honor the Lord; be glad and tremble.
12 Show respect to his son because if you don't, the Lord might become furious and suddenly destroy you. But he blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.
Today, we don’t go to a physical mountain to meet God. Instead, through Jesus, we are part of the heavenly Mount Zion — where God’s people are joined with Him. The Psalms remind us that we are invited to be part of His kingdom forever.
Ellen White Notes:
Ellen White writes that Zion represents a place where God’s people are safe with Him. Jesus is our King, and through Him, we can be citizens of that heavenly city — full of joy and truth.
Reflection
What does Mount Zion represent in the Psalms and in the New Testament?
How can we be part of God’s kingdom on Mount Zion?
TUESDAY - “Law in Our Hearts”
Read the following:
Psalm 40:8
KJV
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
CEV
8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you. Your Law is in my heart.’ ”
Psalm 119:11
KJV
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
CEV
11 I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you.
Jeremiah 31:33
KJV
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
CEV
33 Here is the new agreement that I, the Lord, will make with the people of Israel: “I will write my laws on their hearts and minds. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Hebrews 10:16
KJV
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
CEV
16 “When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts.
Summary:
God doesn’t want us to just obey rules — He wants His law written in our hearts. Psalm 40
says, “Thy law is within my heart.” When God’s truth is part of who we are, we follow Him with love, not just duty.
KJV
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
CEV
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
1 I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened
2 and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm,
3 and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.
4 You bless all of those who trust you, Lord, and refuse to worship idols or follow false gods.
5 You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.
6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey.
7 And so, I said, “I am here to do what is written about me in the book, where it says,
8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you. Your Law is in my heart.’ ”
9 When your people worshiped, you know I told them, “Our Lord always helps!”
10 When all your people met, I did not keep silent. I said, “Our Lord is kind. He is faithful and caring, and he saves us.”
11 You, Lord, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure.
12 I have more troubles than I can count. My sins are all around me, and I can't find my way. My sins outnumber the hairs on my head, and I feel weak.
13 Please show that you care and come to my rescue. Hurry and help me!
14 Disgrace and confuse all who want me dead; turn away and disgrace all who want to hurt me.
15 Embarrass and shame everyone who says, “Just look at you now!”
16 Our Lord, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, “The Lord is wonderful!”
17 I am poor and needy, but, Lord God, you care about me, and you come to my rescue. Please hurry and help.
The Psalms, prophets, and New Testament all agree: true obedience comes from knowing and loving God. Jesus lived this way, and we are called to follow His example by letting God’s Word change our thoughts and choices.
Ellen White Notes:
Ellen White says the heart must be changed first, and then the actions will follow. When we love God’s law, it’s no longer hard to obey — it becomes a joy.
Reflection
What does it mean to have God’s law in our hearts?
How can we let God write His law in our hearts?
WEDNESDAY - “Psalm 5”
Read the following:
Psalm 5
KJV
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
CEV
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)
1 Listen, Lord, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan.
2 You are my King and my God. Answer my cry for help because I pray to you.
3 Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply.
4 You are not the kind of God who is pleased with evil. Sinners can't stay with you.
5 No one who boasts can stand in your presence, Lord, and you hate evil people.
6 You destroy every liar, and you despise violence and deceit.
7 Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, Lord, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple.
8 You do what is right, and I ask you to guide me. Make your teaching clear because of my enemies.
9 Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies.
10 Punish them, God, and let their own plans bring their downfall. Get rid of them! They keep committing crimes and turning against you.
11 Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those who truly love you and let them rejoice.
12 Our Lord, you bless those who live right, and you shield them with your kindness.
Psalm 88:13
KJV
13 But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.
CEV
13 Each morning I pray to you, Lord.
Mark 1:35
KJV
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
CEV
35 Very early the next morning before daylight, Jesus got up and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.
Luke 11:1-4
KJV
1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
CEV
(Matthew 6.
9-13; 7.
7-11)
1 When Jesus had finished praying, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his followers to pray.”
2 So Jesus told them, “Pray in this way: ‘Father, help us to honor your name. Come and set up your kingdom.
3 Give us each day the food we need.
4 Forgive our sins, as we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And keep us from being tempted.’ ”
Summary:
David wrote Psalm 5
as a morning prayer. He said, “In the morning, I will direct my prayer unto thee.” This Psalm shows us that we can start our day by giving our plans, fears, and hopes to God.
KJV
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
CEV
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)
1 Listen, Lord, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan.
2 You are my King and my God. Answer my cry for help because I pray to you.
3 Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply.
4 You are not the kind of God who is pleased with evil. Sinners can't stay with you.
5 No one who boasts can stand in your presence, Lord, and you hate evil people.
6 You destroy every liar, and you despise violence and deceit.
7 Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, Lord, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple.
8 You do what is right, and I ask you to guide me. Make your teaching clear because of my enemies.
9 Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies.
10 Punish them, God, and let their own plans bring their downfall. Get rid of them! They keep committing crimes and turning against you.
11 Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those who truly love you and let them rejoice.
12 Our Lord, you bless those who live right, and you shield them with your kindness.
Like Jesus who prayed early in the morning, we are invited to speak with our Heavenly Father each day. Psalm 5
teaches us that prayer is not just asking for things — it’s choosing to trust and walk with God at the very beginning of our day.
KJV
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
CEV
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)
1 Listen, Lord, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan.
2 You are my King and my God. Answer my cry for help because I pray to you.
3 Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply.
4 You are not the kind of God who is pleased with evil. Sinners can't stay with you.
5 No one who boasts can stand in your presence, Lord, and you hate evil people.
6 You destroy every liar, and you despise violence and deceit.
7 Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, Lord, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple.
8 You do what is right, and I ask you to guide me. Make your teaching clear because of my enemies.
9 Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies.
10 Punish them, God, and let their own plans bring their downfall. Get rid of them! They keep committing crimes and turning against you.
11 Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those who truly love you and let them rejoice.
12 Our Lord, you bless those who live right, and you shield them with your kindness.
Ellen White Notes:
Ellen White says that morning prayer helps us prepare for the day’s challenges. When we begin with God, we are stronger, wiser, and more loving throughout the day.
Reflection
What can we learn from David’s morning prayer in Psalm 5
?
KJV
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
CEV
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)
1 Listen, Lord, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan.
2 You are my King and my God. Answer my cry for help because I pray to you.
3 Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply.
4 You are not the kind of God who is pleased with evil. Sinners can't stay with you.
5 No one who boasts can stand in your presence, Lord, and you hate evil people.
6 You destroy every liar, and you despise violence and deceit.
7 Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, Lord, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple.
8 You do what is right, and I ask you to guide me. Make your teaching clear because of my enemies.
9 Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies.
10 Punish them, God, and let their own plans bring their downfall. Get rid of them! They keep committing crimes and turning against you.
11 Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those who truly love you and let them rejoice.
12 Our Lord, you bless those who live right, and you shield them with your kindness.
How does morning prayer help your relationship with God?
THURSDAY - “Teach Transgressors Your Way”
Read the following:
Psalm 51:1-13
KJV
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
CEV
(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)
1 You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins.
2 Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins, and I cannot forget the burden of my guilt.
4 You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me.
5 I have sinned and done wrong since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty, so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop until I am clean and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful! You crushed my bones, now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.
11 Don't chase me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me.
12 Make me as happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law, and they will return to you.
Isaiah 1:18
KJV
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
CEV
18 I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.
1 John 1:9
KJV
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
CEV
9 But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.
James 5:19-20
KJV
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
CEV
19 My friends, if any followers have wandered away from the truth, you should try to lead them back.
20 If you turn sinners from the wrong way, you will save them from death, and many of their sins will be forgiven.
Summary:
Psalm 51
is David’s prayer after he sinned. He asks God to clean his heart and renew his spirit. Once forgiven, David says he will teach others about God’s mercy so that they too can turn back to Him.
KJV
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
CEV
(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)
1 You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins.
2 Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins, and I cannot forget the burden of my guilt.
4 You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me.
5 I have sinned and done wrong since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty, so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop until I am clean and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful! You crushed my bones, now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.
11 Don't chase me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me.
12 Make me as happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law, and they will return to you.
14 Keep me from any deadly sin. Only you can save me! Then I will shout and sing about your power to save.
15 Help me to speak, and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices are not what you want.
17 The way to please you is to be truly sorry deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won't refuse.
18 Please be willing, Lord, to help the city of Zion and to rebuild its walls.
19 Then you will be pleased with the proper sacrifices, and we will offer bulls on your altar once again.
God’s forgiveness is not just for us — it’s meant to be shared. When we’ve experienced God’s grace, we are called to help others know they can be forgiven too. The Psalms teach us that even after failure, God can use us to help others.
Ellen White Notes:
Ellen White says true repentance leads to a desire to help others. When we know what God has done for us, we can’t stay silent — we want to tell others about His love and mercy.
Reflection
Why did David want to teach others after he was forgiven?
How can you share God’s mercy with someone this week?
FRIDAY - Further Thought
Read the following:
Psalm 51:14-17
KJV
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
CEV
14 Keep me from any deadly sin. Only you can save me! Then I will shout and sing about your power to save.
15 Help me to speak, and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices are not what you want.
17 The way to please you is to be truly sorry deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won't refuse.
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.
Matthew 5:8
KJV
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
CEV
8 God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see him!
Romans 12:1-2
KJV
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
CEV
1 Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God.
2 Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
Summary:
God doesn’t just want burnt offerings — He wants a broken and honest heart. Psalm 51
reminds us that worship starts with a humble spirit. When we confess and surrender, our praise becomes real and powerful.
KJV
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
CEV
(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)
1 You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins.
2 Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins, and I cannot forget the burden of my guilt.
4 You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me.
5 I have sinned and done wrong since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty, so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop until I am clean and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful! You crushed my bones, now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.
11 Don't chase me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me.
12 Make me as happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law, and they will return to you.
14 Keep me from any deadly sin. Only you can save me! Then I will shout and sing about your power to save.
15 Help me to speak, and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices are not what you want.
17 The way to please you is to be truly sorry deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won't refuse.
18 Please be willing, Lord, to help the city of Zion and to rebuild its walls.
19 Then you will be pleased with the proper sacrifices, and we will offer bulls on your altar once again.
Worship isn’t only about singing — it’s living for God, every day. The Psalms teach us to love truth, seek God’s forgiveness, and offer Him a clean heart. This is the kind of worship that brings joy to God’s heart.
Ellen White Notes:
Ellen White says that God values true repentance more than fancy rituals. He wants worship that flows from hearts made new by His grace. A pure heart is the best gift we can give Him.
Reflection
What kind of worship pleases God the most?
How can you prepare your heart to truly worship God this week?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How do the Psalms help you be more honest with God?
What can Psalm 51
teach us about what true repentance looks like?
KJV
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
CEV
(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)
1 You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins.
2 Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins, and I cannot forget the burden of my guilt.
4 You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me.
5 I have sinned and done wrong since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty, so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop until I am clean and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful! You crushed my bones, now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.
11 Don't chase me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me.
12 Make me as happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law, and they will return to you.
14 Keep me from any deadly sin. Only you can save me! Then I will shout and sing about your power to save.
15 Help me to speak, and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices are not what you want.
17 The way to please you is to be truly sorry deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won't refuse.
18 Please be willing, Lord, to help the city of Zion and to rebuild its walls.
19 Then you will be pleased with the proper sacrifices, and we will offer bulls on your altar once again.
How can you worship God with your actions, not just your words?
LESSON SUMMARY
In the Psalms - Part 1
The Psalms are full of beauty and truth. This week, we saw how they speak of Jesus as our High Priest, remind us to start our days with prayer, and teach us to confess, worship, and share God’s mercy. Worship isn’t about perfection — it’s about a heart that seeks God honestly and joyfully.