{"id":18433,"date":"2024-12-15T11:04:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-15T11:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/?p=18433"},"modified":"2024-12-15T11:04:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T11:04:54","slug":"part-two-psalms-of-confession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/part-two-psalms-of-confession\/","title":{"rendered":"Part Two – Psalms Of Confession"},"content":{"rendered":"

Psalm 31,<\/p>\n

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.<\/p>\n

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your great name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.<\/p>\n

Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.<\/p>\n

I hate the behavior of those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.<\/p>\n

You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.<\/p>\n

My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.<\/p>\n

Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends\u2014 those who see me on the street flee from me.<\/p>\n

I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear many whispering, \u201cTerror on every side!\u201d They conspire against me and plot to take my life.<\/p>\n

But I trust in you, Lord; I say, \u201cYou are my God.\u201d My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.<\/p>\n

Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Let me not be put to shame, Lord, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead.<\/p>\n

Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.<\/p>\n

In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues. Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.<\/p>\n

In my alarm I said, \u201cI am cut off from your sight!\u201d Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.<\/p>\n

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Psalm 37,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Do not fret because of those who are evil <\/span>or be envious of those who do wrong; <\/span><\/span>for like the grass they will soon wither, <\/span>like green plants they will soon die away. <\/span><\/span>Trust in the\u00a0Lord<\/span> and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Take delight\u00a0in the\u00a0Lord<\/span>, <\/span>and he will give you the desires of your heart. <\/span><\/span>Commit your way to the\u00a0Lord<\/span>; trust in him and he will do this:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, <\/span>your vindication like the noonday sun.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Be still\u00a0before the\u00a0Lord <\/span><\/span>and wait patiently for him; <\/span><\/span>do not fret when people succeed in their ways, <\/span>when they carry out their wicked schemes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; <\/span>do not fret\u2014it leads only to evil. <\/span><\/span>For those who are evil will be destroyed, <\/span>but those who hope\u00a0in the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0will inherit the land.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>though you look for them, they will not be found. <\/span><\/span>But the meek will inherit the land<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and enjoy peace and prosperity.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The wicked plot against the righteous <\/span>and gnash their teeth at them; <\/span><\/span>but the Lord laughs at the wicked, <\/span>for he knows their day is coming.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The wicked draw the sword <\/span>and bend the bow <\/span><\/span>to bring down the poor and needy,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to slay those whose ways are upright. <\/span><\/span>But their swords will pierce their own hearts,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and their bows will be broken.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Better the little that the righteous have <\/span>than the wealth of many wicked;<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/sup>for the power of the wicked will be broken,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>but the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0upholds\u00a0the righteous.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The blameless spend their days under the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u2019s care, <\/span>and their inheritance will endure forever. <\/span><\/span>In times of disaster they will not wither;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

But the wicked will perish: <\/span>Though the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u2019s enemies are like the flowers of the field, <\/span><\/span>they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The wicked borrow and do not repay, <\/span>but the righteous give generously; <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/sup>those the\u00a0Lord<\/span> blesses will inherit the land, <\/span>but those he curses\u00a0will be destroyed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The\u00a0Lord<\/span> makes firm the steps <\/span>of the one who delights in him; <\/span><\/span>though he may stumble, he will not fall, <\/span>for the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0upholds\u00a0him with his hand.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

I was young and now I am old,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken <\/span><\/span>or their children begging\u00a0bread.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

They are always generous and lend freely;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>their children will be a blessing. <\/span><\/span>Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

For the Lord<\/span> loves the just <\/span>and will not forsake his faithful ones. <\/span><\/span>Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed;\u00a0<\/span>the offspring of the wicked will perish.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The righteous will inherit the land <\/span>and dwell in it forever.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, <\/span>and their tongues speak what is just. <\/span><\/span>The law of their God is in their hearts; <\/span>their feet do not slip.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, <\/span>intent on putting them to death; <\/span><\/span>but the\u00a0Lord<\/span> will not leave them in the power of the wicked <\/span>or let them be condemned\u00a0when brought to trial.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Hope in the Lord <\/span><\/span>and keep his way. <\/span><\/span>He will exalt you to inherit the land; <\/span>when the wicked are destroyed,\u00a0you will see\u00a0it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man <\/span>flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, <\/span><\/span>but he soon passed away and was no more; <\/span>though I looked for him, he could not be found.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; <\/span>a future awaits those who seek peace.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But all sinners will be destroyed; <\/span>there will be no future for the wicked unless they repent.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The salvation of the righteous comes from the\u00a0Lord<\/span>; <\/span>he is their stronghold in time of trouble.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Lord<\/span> helps them and delivers them;\u00a0<\/span>he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, <\/span><\/span>because they take refuge\u00a0in him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Psalms 102,<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Hear my prayer,\u00a0Lord<\/span>; <\/span>let my cry for help come to you. <\/span><\/span>Do not hide your face from me<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>when I am in distress.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Turn your ear to me;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>when I call, answer me quickly. <\/span><\/span>For my days vanish like smoke;\u00a0<\/span>my bones\u00a0burn like glowing embers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

My heart is blighted and withered like grass; <\/span>I forget to eat my food.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

In my distress, I groan aloud <\/span>and am reduced to skin and bones.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

I am like a desert owl, <\/span>like an owl among the ruins. <\/span><\/span>I lie awake; I have become <\/span>like a bird alone\u00a0on a roof.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

All day long my enemies taunt me; <\/span>those who rail against me use my name as a curse.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

For I eat ashes as my food <\/span>and mingle my drink with tears <\/span><\/span>because of your great wrath, <\/span>for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

My days are like the evening shadow; <\/span>I wither\u00a0away like grass.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

But you,\u00a0Lord<\/span>, sit enthroned forever; <\/span>your renown endures through all generations<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You will arise and have compassion on Zion, <\/span>for it is time to show favor to her; <\/span><\/span>the appointed time\u00a0has come.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

For her stones are dear to your servants; <\/span>her very dust moves them to pity. <\/span><\/span>The nations will fear the name of the\u00a0Lord<\/span>, <\/span>all the kings\u00a0of the earth will revere your glory.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

For the Lord<\/span> will rebuild Zion <\/span>and appear in his glory. <\/span><\/span>He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>he will not despise their plea.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Let this be written for a future generation, <\/span>that a people not yet created\u00a0may praise the\u00a0Lord<\/span>:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThe\u00a0Lord<\/span> looked down from his sanctuary on high,\u00a0<\/span>from heaven he viewed the earth, <\/span><\/span>to hear the groans of the prisoners <\/span>and release those condemned to death.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

So the name of the Lord<\/span> will be declared in Zion\u00a0<\/span>and his praise in Jerusalem <\/span><\/span>when the peoples and the kingdoms <\/span>assemble to worship the\u00a0Lord<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

In the course of my life he broke my strength; <\/span>he cut short my days.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

So I said: <\/span>\u201cDo not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>your years go on\u00a0through all generations.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, <\/span>and the heavens are the work of your hands. <\/span><\/span>They will perish, but you remain;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>they will all wear out like a garment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Like clothing you will change them<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and they will be discarded. <\/span><\/span>But you remain the same,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and your years will never end.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The children of your servants will live in your presence; <\/span>their descendants\u00a0will be established before you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Psalm 142,<\/p>\n

\n

I cry aloud\u00a0to the\u00a0Lord<\/span>; <\/span>I lift up my voice to the\u00a0Lord<\/span> for mercy.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>I pour out before him my complaint; <\/span>before him I tell my trouble.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

When my spirit grows faint within me, <\/span>it is you who watch over my way. <\/span><\/span>In the path where I walk <\/span>people have hidden a snare for me.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>no one is concerned for me. <\/span><\/span>I have no refuge; <\/span>no one cares\u00a0for my life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

I cry to you,\u00a0Lord<\/span>; <\/span>I say, \u201cYou are my refuge, <\/span><\/span>my portion in the land of the living.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me,\u00a0<\/span>for they are too strong\u00a0for me.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Set me free from my prison,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that I may praise your name. <\/span><\/span>Then the righteous will gather about me <\/span>because of your goodness to me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Psalm 31, In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18433"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18435,"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18433\/revisions\/18435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ministry-strategies.org\/testimony\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}