Psalm 124 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 124.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/124/1/s_602001

Meditate on verses 2-3a.

Had it not been the LORD who was on our side

when men rose up against us,

 then they would have swallowed us alive.

Angry people surrounded the psalmist, wanting to devour him, but God saved him.  What a relief when the LORD provides a way of escape!  Keep in mind the steps leading up to the rescue:

1.     Cry out to God for deliverance (Psalm 120)

2.     Look to God for help (Psalm 121)

3.     Go to the LORD’s house (Psalm 122)

4.     Fix your eyes on the hand of the LORD as a faithful servant (Psalm 123)

5.     Recognize God’s deliverance (Psalm 124)

Thinking about these first five steps of the Ascension Psalms, be obedient to what God tells you to do to rise up from low places in your life.  Pray Psalm 124 in thanksgiving for what God is doing in your life and the lives of those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, if You had not been on our side

when men rose up against _________ and me,

then they would have swallowed us alive,

when their anger was kindled against us.

The waters would have engulfed us;

the stream would have swept over our soul;

then the raging waters would

have swept over our soul.

Blessed are You, LORD, who has not

 given us to be torn by their teeth. 

Our soul has escaped as a bird

out of the snare of the trapper;

the snare is broken, and we have escaped. 

Our help is in Your name, LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 123 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 123.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/123/1/s_601001

Meditate on this phrase from verse 2.

Our eyes look to the LORD our God

until He is gracious to us.

The psalmist left the dwelling place of liars and went to the house of the LORD; there he regained his focus (Psalm 120, 122, 123). Instead of lifting his eyes to the mountains, he lifted his eyes to God, focusing on Him (Psalm 121:1; 123:1-2).

It is easy to lose focus when troubles swirl around you and those you love. Satan wants you fixated on problems, worrying and fretting. This psalm tells you how to not look at your circumstances and focus on God—you do it as His servant. A faithful servant keeps their eyes on the master, watching the master’s hands (v. 2). With a simple gesture, the servant obeys the master’s bidding, knowing that from those same hands come what the servant needs to live for the sake of the master.

Fixing your eyes on Jesus, pray Psalm 123 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, to You I lift up my eyes. 

O You, who are enthroned in the heavens!

Behold, as the eyes of servants

look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a maid

 to the hand of her mistress,

 so _________ and my eyes look

 to You, LORD our God,

 until You are gracious to us.

 Be gracious to us, O LORD,

be gracious to us, for we are greatly

filled with contempt.

 Our soul is greatly filled with

the scoffing of those who are at ease,

 and with the contempt of the proud.

Help us LORD, in Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 122 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 122.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/122/1/s_600001

Meditate on verse 1.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us

 go to the house of the LORD.”

Can you imagine how thankful the psalmist was when someone invited him to go to church?  Here he was, living among a bunch of liars (Psalm 120), looking up to the LORD for some help (Psalm 121), when suddenly, somebody said, “Let’s go to the house of the LORD” (v. 1).  How relieved he must have been to get away from those who hated him and go to a place of peace!

You probably know somebody right now whom you could invite to church or to your home, so they can have a moment of peace. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them, because like the psalmist, they will be glad that you did.

Pray Psalm 122:1, 4, and 6-9 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, I love going to Your house! 

Let _________ be glad when I say to them,

 ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’

 We give thanks to Your name, LORD.

Please bring peace to Jerusalem

and peace to _________ and me.

Please let us prosper. 

Let peace be within our walls

 and prosperity within our homes. 

For the sake of our brothers and our friends,

 please give us Your peace, LORD.

We seek good for the sake

 of Your house, LORD our God.

In Your name, Jesus.”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 121 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 121.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/121/1/s_599001

Meditate on verse 2.

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 120 said the LORD answered the troubled psalmist when he cried for help (Psalm 120:1).  What was His answer?  Psalm 121 is God’s answer when all you can see is trouble.  Hear the LORD say:

“Look up!  Look at the mountains.

 Your help will not come from there.

Look up at Me, the LORD!

 I made heaven and earth. 

I will not allow your foot to slip;

I will keep you because I never slumber.

 I never slumber or sleep.

 I keep Israel, and I will keep you.

 I AM the LORD, and I AM your keeper. 

I AM the LORD, and I AM your shade on your right hand. 

The sun will not smite you by day

nor the moon by night. 

I AM the LORD, and I will protect you from all evil;

I will keep your soul.

 I AM the LORD,

 and I will guard your going out

 and your coming in

from this time forth and forever.”

Whew—what a relief!  God is in control!  Look up and pray Psalm 121 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, ____________ and I need help! 

We lift our eyes to You!

LORD, You made heaven and earth,

 and our help comes from You.

Please do not allow our feet to slip. 

Please keep us.  You do not slumber or sleep.

 LORD, You are our keeper. 

You are the shade on our right hand.

 Do not let the sun smite us by day

 nor the moon by night. 

LORD, please protect us from all evil

 and keep our souls.

 LORD, guard our going out

 and our coming in

from this time forth and forever.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 120 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 120.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/120/1/s_598001

Meditate on verse 1.

In my trouble I cried to the LORD,

 and He answered me.

Psalms 120-134 are all titled “A Song of Ascents.” These fifteen psalms will take you on a 15-day journey to a higher place.

The journey begins in such a low place there is nowhere to go but up (v. 1). The psalmist is not only in trouble, he is in anguish because he lives among liars who hate peace. When he tries to talk to these lying warmongers, it only makes matters worse (v 7). So, in his distress, the psalmist cries to the LORD, and the God of peace answers him (v. 1).

Have you ever been in a similar situation? Perhaps you are there now, dwelling with people who enjoy the fight and will even tell lies to start a war. Cry out to God—tell Him everything that is happening to you or someone you love. Then look up—Psalm 121 is coming; it will take you on the next step to a higher place.

Pray Psalm 120:1-2 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, __________ and I are in trouble,

and we are crying to You.  Please answer us!

Deliver our souls, O LORD, from _______________.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 119:169-176 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 119:169-176.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/119/1/s_597001

Meditate on and memorize verse 175.

Let my soul live that it may praise You,

 and let Your ordinances help me.

For the past 22 days, you read the words of a psalmist who adored God’s Word.  He desired God’s precepts to govern him to keep from sinning and to walk in God’s ways.  He knew to meet that goal he must know God’s Word, meditate on God’s Word, and keep God’s Word. 

We hope that taking a slow walk through this psalm gave you time to really think about what God says to you about the importance of His Word in your life.  We pray you long for the Word of the LORD and its governance of your life.

Pray Psalm 119:169-176 over yourself and those you love as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give _______ and me

 understanding according to Your Word.  Let our supplications

 come before You; deliver us according to Your word. 

Let our lips utter praise, for You teach us Your statutes.

 Let our tongues sing of Your Word, for all Your commandments

are righteousness.  Let Your hand be ready to help us, for

we have chosen Your precepts.  We long for Your salvation, O LORD, and

 Your law is our delight.  Let our souls live to praise You, and let

Your ordinances help us.  Please, do not let us go astray like lost sheep;

 seek us, Your servants; do not let us forget Your commandments.

For Your name’s sake, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 119:161-168 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 119:161-168.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/119/1/s_597001

Meditate on and memorize verse 165.

Those who love Your law have great peace

and nothing causes them to stumble.

I (Marsha) must confess that the writing of the Psalm 119 devotionals has been very convicting for me, for I thought I loved God’s Word so much, yet how much do I actually love it?  Psalm 119 made me really think about what I love to meditate on throughout the day.  Is it something somebody said or how I feel I have been treated unfairly, or is it the next Bible verse I am memorizing?  And, my wait times throughout the day—do I pull out my phone to see the latest on the weather, news, email, or social media, or do I open my Bible application and start memorizing the next verse?  I truly want my actions with God’s Word to line up with what I say about God’s Word, so I can know His unspeakable peace, and absolutely nothing will cause me to stumble because my feet are literally planted in His Word.

What about you?  Let God’s Word examine your life, then pray God’s Word from Psalm 119:161-168 as His faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please do not allow princes to persecute _______ and

me without cause, but even if they do, let our heart stand in

awe of Your Words.  Let us rejoice at Your Word as one who finds

 great spoil.  Let us hate and despise falsehood but love Your law. 

Help us praise You seven times a day because of Your righteous

 ordinances.  Those who love Your law have great peace and

nothing causes them to stumble.  May we be those people, LORD! 

We hope for Your salvation, O LORD, and do Your commandments. 

May our souls keep Your testimonies and love them exceedingly. 

Let us keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for

 all our ways are before You.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 119:153-160 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 119:153-160.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/119/1/s_597001

Meditate on and memorize verse 160.

The sum of Your Word is truth,

 and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

The sum of God’s Word is the truth.  Sum is a math word; it means the whole amount.  God’s Word in its entirety is truth.  Do not believe the lie that says, “Some of God’s Word is truth.”  Satan loves for people to exchange the truth of God for a lie, thus destroying their lives (Romans 1:25). 

All of God’s Word is truth, and truth is according to Godliness (Titus 1:1).  Knowing that truth, pray Psalm 119:153-160 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, look upon _________ and my affliction and rescue us,

for we do not forget Your law.  Plead our cause and redeem us;

revive us according to Your Word.  Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek Your statutes.  Great are Your mercies, O LORD;

revive us according to Your ordinances.  Many are our persecutors

and our adversaries, yet we do not turn aside from Your testimonies. 

We behold the treacherous and loathe them because

they do not keep Your Word.  Consider how we love Your precepts;

revive us, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. 

The sum of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your

 righteous ordinances is everlasting.

In Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 119:145-152 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 119:145-152.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/119/1/s_597001

Meditate on and memorize verse 147.

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your Words.

What do you do in the midst of crises when you awaken in the predawn hours because worries race around in your head like a killer tornado?  Instead of staying in bed and rehearsing your heart’s cares, get up and move to a comfortable chair; open your Bible and start reading.  Let the healing salve of God’s Words coat your heart and mind.  Miraculously your heart will stop racing, and the mind of Christ will take control of your storm.  God’s Words will revive you and give you the wisdom you need to make it through the day.

The psalmist knew help came from the Word of the LORD.  He even looked forward to the night watches, for those times gave him more opportunities to meditate on Scripture.

Pray Psalm 119:145-152 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! 

I will observe Your statutes.  I cried to You; save me,

and I shall keep Your testimonies.  I rise before dawn

and cry for help; I wait for Your Words. 

My eyes anticipate the night watches that I may

meditate on Your Word.  Hear my voice according to Your

 lovingkindness; revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances.

 Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far

from Your law.  LORD, protect ________ and me from wickedness! 

You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are truth.

 Of old I have known from Your testimonies

that You have founded them forever.

Thank You, LORD Jesus~”

Psalm 119:137-144 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 119:137-144.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/119/1/s_597001

Meditate on and memorize verse 142.

Your righteousness is an everlasting

righteousness, and Your law is truth.

You live in a world where many people say truth is relative, and right is what is right in the eyes of the individual.  Both statements are false.  God defines what is true and right, and you have the joy and privilege of discovering His eternal truth and righteousness as you read His Word.  You become a truthful and righteous person when you live your life according to God’s Words rather than according to the world’s words.

Pray the eternal and righteous Words of Truth from Psalm 119:137-144 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments. 

You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness

 and exceeding faithfulness.  My zeal has consumed me

because my adversaries have forgotten Your Words. 

Your Word is very pure; therefore, _________ and I, Your

 servants, love it.  We are small and despised, yet we do

not forget Your precepts.  Your righteousness is an everlasting

 righteousness, and Your law is truth.  Trouble and anguish

 have come upon us, yet Your commandments are our delight.

 Your testimonies are righteous forever;

give us understanding that we may live.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 119:129-136 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 119:129-136.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/119/1/s_597001

Meditate on and memorize verse 133.

Establish my footsteps in Your Word,

and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

Establish is a powerful word.  It means to be stable, firm, and steadfast.  Do those words describe your life in Christ and His Word? 

The psalmist knew the importance of being established in God’s Word, so much so that he longed for God’s commandments and wanted the LORD Himself to teach him. 

God’s Words gave the psalmist light and understanding and kept sin from dominating him because the Word of God dominated him.

Pray for God to give you the longing to be established in His Word and the willingness to take the necessary steps to make that happen.  Pray Psalm 119:129-136 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, Your testimonies are wonderful;

therefore, my soul observes them.

The unfolding of Your Words gives light;

it gives understanding to the simple.

LORD, please give understanding to _________ and me.

I am opening my mouth wide and panting,

for I long for Your commandments.

Please turn to me and be gracious to me,

after Your manner with those who love Your name. 

Establish _________ and my footsteps in Your Word,

 and do not let any iniquity have dominion over us. 

Redeem us from the oppression of man,

that we may keep Your precepts. 

Make Your face shine upon us, Your servants,

 and teach us Your statutes. 

My eyes shed streams of water

because _________ does not keep Your law. 

Help us, in Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Psalm 119:121-128 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 119:121-128.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/119/1/s_597001

Meditate on and memorize verse 124.

Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness

 and teach me Your statutes.

Oh, the LORD’s lovingkindness!  His tender regard, mercy, and favor for His own is incomparable.  That He allows His servants to ask Him to deal with them according to His lovingkindness is incomprehensible. 

As you bask in these truths, thank God that He does not deal with you as your sins deserve and be even more diligent to learn His Word and walk in His ways.

Pray Psalm 119:121-128 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help _________ and me to do justice and righteousness; 

please, do not leave us to our oppressors.   

We are Your servants; be surety for us for good; 

do not let the arrogant oppress us. 

 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation 

and for Your righteous Word. 

 Please deal with Your servants according to Your lovingkindness

 and teach us Your statutes.   

We are Your servants; give us understanding 

that we may know Your testimonies.  

 LORD, it is time for You to act, for they have broken Your law.   

Therefore we love Your commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold.   

Therefore we esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything; 

we hate every false way.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”