Psalm 148

v. 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Lord God, you alone are God .  Your name is the Most High name.  I praise you for your glory and might.  Let your favor rest on your people.  May your will be done, Lord our God.  Amen.

Psalm 147

v. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Father, heal our broken hearts.  Bind up our wounds.  Draw us near to you.  Draw me near to you.  Teach me, grab hold of me, don't ever let me go.  Let me hear your voice.  Let me know your voice.  Let nothing snatch me from your loving grasp.  Amen.

Psalm 146

v. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

Lord Jesus, you promise that in you we will be filled when we hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Let me hunger and thirst for you and you alone.  Take care of the downtrodden.  Lift them up -- lift us up.  Fix our eyes on you.  I am an outsider.  I am nothing without you.  Grab my heart and fill it with your love.  Amen.

Psalm 145

v. 14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

Father, so many people I know right now are bowed down.  We have fallen.  Uphold us, lift us up, breathe new life into us.  Let your infinite love pour out upon us.  We need you so desperately.  The hurt is so great right now.  I love you.  You are Savior and Almighty God.  Amen.

Psalm 144

v. 12 Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.

Lord Jesus, bless our children.  Draw them close to you.  Guard their hearts, minds and spirits.  Plant peace in their souls, show them how great is your love.  Amen.

Psalm 143

v. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

My God and Father, please do teach me to do your will.  Lead me on level ground.  Empty me of selfish desires.  Empty my heart of sin.  Show me the ugliness of my sin.  Show me and lead me on a better path.  Lead me on the best path.  Lead me to you.  Bring me into your presence.  There is so much hurt in the lives of those I love.  Bring your healing hand.  Save us, have mercy on us.  We need you so desperately.  Amen.

Psalm 142

v. 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.  Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Lord Jesus, set me free.  I want to praise you with every part of my life.  I want to give you all my heart.  Grab me, draw me to yourself.  Let the world know you and your glory.  Use me to build your Kingdom.  You are such a good, good God.  I need you.  I love you.  Have mercy on me, free me from my own self-made prison.  Amen.

Psalm 141

v. 4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.

Sovereign Lord, deliver me from evil.  Deliver my house from evil.  Put a shield in front of my heart and the hearts of my children.  Turn our hearts toward you.  You alone are good.  You alone are God.  We need you.  I need you.  Have mercy on me, a sinner.  Amen.

Psalm 140

v. 12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

Father, Savior, your mercy is beyond comprehension.  You are a God of compassion and justice.  You fight for the afflicted and downtrodden.  Thank you for fighting for me in my affliction.  Thank you for pursuing my heart.  Lord, give me a heart for the marginalized, for the hurting, for those who suffer.  Give me a heart to show love.  A heart to serve.  A heart to consider others better than myself.  I love you and I need you.  Amen.

Psalm 139

v. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!  How vast is the sum of them!

Father, God in heaven, you are incomprehensible.  The thought of you, your power and goodness can bring me to tears.  You are everything I need, and yet I run from you.  I try and hide from you.  There is no hiding from you.  Your dominion is infinite.  Your heart is pure.  Cleanse my wicked heart -- turn your thoughts toward me and hold me up.  I am tired.  I am weak.  I need you.  Amen.

Psalm 138

v.8 The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever—
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

Do not abandon the works of your hands.  Father, you finish what you start.  You have begun a good work -- in your world, in our city, our community, my family and in me.  Carry this work on to completion.  Do not abandon the works of your hands.  Your love endures forever.  Draw me close to you.  Let me know the warmth of your embrace.  Fill my heart with joy in your presence.  Forgive my sin.  Make me whole.  Forgive me, Father God.  Amen.

Psalm 137

v. 4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?

Father, let my heart remember you always.  May you forever be on my mind.  Give me the words to worship you and share your goodness with the people around me.  Let me not wander to foreign lands, but dwell in your house always.  Amen.

Psalm 136

v. 23-24 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.

Lord, God, thank you for your hand of protection on my family.  Thank you that even when we are down, you are with us.  You walk through the valley with us.  You go before us always.  Your love, indeed, endures forever.  I give you all thanks, praise and glory.  Amen.

Psalm 135

v. 7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Lord God, you have complete control.  We know this and we know you are to be trusted.  As this hurricane bears down on my family, I pray your protection over them and all your people.  We need you.  Hear our cry.  No matter what, I trust you.  Amen.

Psalm 134

v. 1    Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

Father, all glory, honor and praise be to you.  I love you and need you.  Grab me and draw me close.
Amen.

Psalm 133

v.1 How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!

Father, God, show us how to live together in unity.  Unite us under your banner.  Draw your people close to you, and show us that our identity is in you.  You are our hope, our only hope.  You are eternal, almighty God.  Honor, glory and praise be to your name.  Amen.

Psalm 132

v. 11-12 The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath he will not revoke: "One of your descendants I will place on your throne.  If your sons keep my covenant and that statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever."

Father, we know that David and his sons failed to follow you perfectly.  We also know that you provided the Son of David to sit enthroned forever.  Lord Jesus, thank you for being our perfect sacrifice and for reigning eternally.  You are great, you are good, you are all we need.  Praise and glory be to your name for ever and ever.  Amen.

Psalm 131

v. 2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Lord, God, I don't really like to think of myself as an infant or toddler.  But I long for the contentment that comes from abiding in you.  Give me the ability and maturity to calm and quiet myself, knowing that you care and that you are near.  I need your hand on my life, and your Word in my heart.  Amen.

Psalm 130

v. 3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

Father, you keep no record of sins.  You have removed them as far as the east is from the west.  Thank you for mercy and forgiveness.  Apart from your great mercy I would crumble.  I could never, ever stand before you.  Thank you for your great heart of compassion.  Amen.

Psalm 129

v. 4 But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.

Lord, God, you are righteous indeed.  You have made a path for me to follow you, to flee from evil.  You have cut me free from the cords of the wicked.  I confess that, although the cords are cut, sometimes I return to wickedness.  Forgive me and bring me close to you.  I need you, Lord my God.
Amen.

Psalm 128

v. 1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.

Father, you go on to talk about blessing, prosperity, a fruitful spouse and abundant children.  Help me to walk in obedience.  Help me to know your blessing.  I praise you for your power and glory.  Make me your obedient servant.  I love you and need you.  Amen.

Psalm 127

v. 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

Lord, build my house and watch over my city.  Use me to help others build houses and cities leaning on you, and allowing you to build through us.  Build us up and watch over us.  We need you in every way.  Amen.

Psalm 126

v. 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.

Lord, you are so good.  When I wander, bring me back to you.  When I abandon my first love, bring me back to you.  Restore me and make me whole.  Lord my God, bring me back to you.  Amen.

Psalm 125

v. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

Lord, God, build your Kingdom.  Surround us, your people.  Give me your heart for those who do not yet know you.  Grab hold of us, draw us close to you.  Take my eyes off of me, and put them on you and others.  Amen.

Psalm 124

v. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Father, You alone can protect us from harm.  You alone are in control and all-powerful.  Be our help.  Set our eyes on you.  We need you.  I need You.  Grab me and draw me close, my Lord and my God.  

Psalm 123

v. 1 I lift my eyes up to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

Lord, train my eyes on you.  Teach me to follow you, to know you, to love you, to serve you with everything I am.  You are Almighty God, enthroned in heaven above.  All praise, glory and honor be to you.  Amen.

Psalm 122

v. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure".

Father, I pray for the peace of your people.  I pray those who love you may be secure.  There is no security apart from you -- nothing can protect us apart from you.  Nothing can harm us when you are protecting us.  You are God, You are King.  Let your blessings flow on your people.  Let your blessings flow on Israel and on Jerusalem.  May your Name be made great among all the nations.  Amen.

Psalm 121

v. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life.

Father, Lord, keep me from harm.  Deliver me from evil.  Watch over my steps.  Draw me close to you.  Let me live with the confidence in You that comes from knowing that Your love is perfect and infinite.  I have literally nothing to fear in this world.  Amen.

Psalm 120

v. 2 Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.

Lord, God, please save me from lying lips.  Save me from those who would hurt me.  Save me from myself.  My lips are deceitful.  I am wicked.  I need you to save me and to change me.  I love you, Father.  Amen.

Psalm 119 part 2

v. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

v. 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

v. 112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.

v. 120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.

v. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.

v. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

v. 144 Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.

v. 152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.

v. 157 Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.

v. 165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

v. 176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.  Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Psalm 119 part 1

v. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

v. 24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

v. 29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.

v. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

v. 59-60 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.  I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

v. 88 In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

Psalm 118

v. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?

Lord, even when I pull away from you, be near to me.  Give me the wisdom to stay near to you.  Strip me of my pride.  Strip me of my fear.  No man can harm me.  You alone are God .  You alone have the power.  Amen.

Psalm 117

v. 1-2 (the whole thing) Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.  For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord.

Love and faithfulness enduring forever.  That is our God.  You are our King.  I give you all praise.  Thank you for being such an incredibly good and loving and faithful God.  I give you my heart, my Savior and my Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 116

v. 18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,

Lord, this psalm talks so much about how good you are, compassionate and merciful, loving and kind.  No doubt those things are true.  It also talks about the proper response to your goodness, which is for me to fulfill my vows to you.  I have done such a lame job of honoring you with my life.  Help me, hold me up, show me how to love you well.  Help me to fulfill my vows to you in the presence of your people.  I need your help.  I cannot do this alone.  Amen.

Psalm 115

v. 11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord -- he is their help and shield.

Lord, our God, show me how to fear you.  You tell us that the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord.  I want to be wise.  I want to properly fear you.  You are amazing, Almighty God.  I give you all praise and glory.  Lord, God, be my help and shield.  Have your way.  Do your will.  Amen.

Psalm 114

v. 7 Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,

Lord God, I tremble in your presence.  I shake inside.  You are God Almighty.  Your power is unimaginable.  Bring me into your presence and make me like you.  All praise, honor and glory are yours, Almighty God.  Amen.

Psalm 113

v. 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap.

Lord, our God, we are poor and needy.  Lift us up.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear.  Bind our hearts to yours.  You are nothing but good.  I love you and need you so desperately.  Amen.

Psalm 112

v. 4 Even in darkness, light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Father, make me gracious, compassionate and righteous.  Make me upright in heart.  Have your way with me.  Let your will be done.  Take my life.  Teach me your way, Lord, that I might follow you completely.  I long for the light of your presence.  Grab me and make me wholly yours.  Amen.

Psalm 111

v. 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

Lord, you are faithful.  You never leave us.  You are always with us.  We can never escape your reach or your love.
Lord, you are just.  You never leave sin unpunished.  You paid the price for my sin.  I owe you everything and then some.
Lord, you are trustworthy.  You cannot lie.  You cannot go back on a promise.  You do all you say you will do.  
I give you all praise, glory and honor.  Amen.

Psalm 110

v. 1 The Lord says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."

Jesus, you are God.  You are King.  Enthroned forever.  Seated at the right hand of the Father.  You will win.  You will conquer.  You have conquered death.  You will eradicate all evil.  There is evil in my heart.  Cleanse me.  I want to be close to you.  I do not want to be your enemy.  I need you and I love you.  Amen.

Psalm 109

v. 31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Lord God, you alone can save us.  You alone are the Most High God.  Save me.  Save us.  I am needy -- totally and utterly dependent upon you.   Grab hold of my heart.  Teach me your ways.  Save me, Lord my God.  Amen.

Psalm 108

v. 6 Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

Save us, Lord our God.  Please save me.  I know I am guilty.  I am broken.  I need a Savior.  I need you.  You are my God.  I cannot save myself.  You alone are the way.  Help me to run to you.  Draw me close.  Save us, Lord our God.  Deliver us from evil and lead us not into temptation.  Amen.

Psalm 107

v. 6 (and 13, 19 and 28)   Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

Lord God, I am in trouble.  I am usually either in trouble or flirting with trouble.  I cry out to you, 'save me, my Lord and my God.'  I beg you to save me from distress.  Help me Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  I love you.  I need you.  I worship you.  Amen.

Psalm 106

v. 47  Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

Yes, Lord, save us.  Gather us in.  Bring us to you.  The world is ugly and broken in so many ways, and yet, you and you alone are beautiful.  You alone provide us hope.  I so quickly turn from you and forget your goodness.  I try to provide for my own well-being.  I try to make myself happy.  It doesn't work.  It doesn't last when I try to do this myself.  Let me give thanks always to your holy name.  Let me glory in your praise.  Let me stand in the gap like Moses and Phinehas.  To you I live, to me I am dead.  Amen.

Psalm 105

v. 44-45  he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—
 that they might keep his precepts
    and observe his laws

Father, you have given us abundantly more than we could dream of.  You have given me infinitely more than I deserve.  Give me a heart that seeks you, that desires you, that loves and worships you and you alone.  Give me a heart and a mind to obey -- to live the way you want me to live, to live the life I know is best.  You are best.  You are God.  The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.  Train me, teach me, guide me and use me.  I need so you desperately.  Hear the cry of my heart.  Amen.

Psalm 104

v. 34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.

Lord God, my all my thoughts please you and bring you glory.  Purify my heart.  Help me to rejoice and be grateful for all your goodness.  Let me find my joy in you.  I love you and I need you.  Amen.