Read Psalm 116:1, 2, 7-14

If someone does us a kindness, don’t we usually try to return the favor by doing a good deed for that person? That’s not the attitude of the one who wrote this psalm. He says the Lord has heard his cry for mercy, so he will—do what? Keep on calling on God all of his life (vv. 1-2). The more we call, the more it is God’s pleasure to hear and give. God loves to demonstrate His ability to meet human need.

The psalmist’s gratitude comes with a twist. In v. 7 he addresses his own soul. He does not say, “Be grateful.” No, he says, “Be at rest.” He says in effect, “The Lord has been good to you. Relax. Quit worrying. You can count on Him.”

He ticks off all God has done for him. God has delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, his feet from stumbling (v 8). In other words, God has made possible eternal life, He has comforted him in sorrow, He has given him direction in life’s quandaries.

To his credit, the psalmist wants to repay (v. 12). But how? Can I give God anything He does not already have? Yes, there are things God does not have that we can give. Our praise, our prayers, and our obedience (vv. 13-14). God rejoices if, in gratitude, we repent of sin and commit our lives fully to Him.

Read Psalm 105:1-11

Three things we are to do, right off the bat.

First, give thanks to God. Next, keep in touch with God. Third, evangelize. The teaching method recommended is to tell others what God has done for you. All of this is in v. 1. Making God known to the “nations” means telling the whole world, Gentiles as well as Jews.

The psalmist cannot get enough of God. Telling what God means in his life bubbles up, carrying us along on his happy current. Praise God, he repeats. Glory in His name, rejoice in God from your hearts. He leaves no room for depression (vv. 2-3). Always depend on the Lord, he says. Keep seeking God all of your life (v. 4).

In v. 5, the writer reminds us of two things about God, His wonders and His judgments. Miracles are within God’s capabilities. But keep in mind, the psalmist says, that God is no pushover. God makes covenants, confirms them, and keeps them. His standards, His judgments, are in force everywhere, to be observed and obeyed. As an example, he recounts God’s pledge with Abraham, confirmed to his grandson Jacob, by which God gave Israel the land of Canaan as their land (vv. 7-11).

The rest of the psalm, vv. 12-45, tells of Israel’s rescue from Egyptian slavery and their conquest of Canaan. God helped His people. He delivered on His contract. He will help you, too.

Read Psalms 94:1-23

The psalmist is outraged. He practically jumps up and down, imploring God to do something (vv. 1-3). Things are getting out of hand. Evildoers are crushing, oppressing God’s people. They are murdering the innocent—widows, resident aliens, orphans (v. 6). They sneer that it doesn’t matter; God isn’t paying attention anyway (v. 7).

Then it hits him. Creator God implanted our ears. He formed our eyes. Don’t you think He can see and hear (vv. 8-9)?

Perhaps v. 11 is the ultimate reason why we should not hang on to unforgiveness. The Lord knows all of man’s thoughts. And they are futile. Don’t try to avenge yourself. Let God handle your enemies.

Beginning at v. 12, the writer turns a corner. You are blessed, he says, if you accept the Lord’s discipline. He finally realizes that it is the Lord who brings you relief from trouble (vv. 13-19).

Learn God’s thoughts. That’s one big reason to read the Bible every day. From it, as we read it faithfully, God’s mind-set, teachings, opinions percolate down into our hearts and brains. We begin to get some idea of what God thinks about the things He sees and hears from human beings.

The psalmist ends with a burst of confidence. The Lord is his fortress, his rock, his refuge, he says (vv. 22-23). He doesn’t have to scheme and plan. Repaying sinners as they deserve is not my job. It’s God’s responsibility.

Read Psalm 86:1-17

Do you ever use a psalm as a prayer, praying it back to God? Psalm 86 is a good one for that purpose. Many of the verbs are imperative, expressing David’s desire to influence the behavior of God:

v. 1 Hear; v. 2 Guard and Save; v. 3 Have mercy; v. 4 Bring joy; v. 6 Hear (repeated); v. 11 Teach, Give me; v. 16 Turn to me, Grant me your strength; v. 17 Give me a sign. David is not timid about asking God to do for him things he cannot do for himself.

David divides the psalm into topics.

First, he lists his own needs (vv. 1-4).

Second comes a recital of God’s qualities, including things like kindness and forgiveness. He says no other is like our Lord who does marvelous deeds. “You alone are God,” he cries (vv. 5-10).

Third, the writer lists interaction between God and him. “Give me an undivided heart,” he asks. Again he offers praise and gratitude for God’s greatness and love (vv. 11-13). God is so powerful He can deliver us from the grave.

Finally, the writer contrasts his miserable condition with God’s ability and characteristics. Wicked men want to kill me, he says, but you, Lord, are compassionate and gracious (vv. 14-17). Turn to me, grant me strength, he pleads.

Pray your way through all of that, personalizing the requests. Afterward, see if you don’t know God better.