Psalm 18 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 18.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/18/1/s_496001

Meditate on verse 6.

In my distress I called upon the LORD

 and cried to my God for help;

 He heard my voice out of His temple,

 and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

David had a personal, intimate relationship with the LORD.  Notice the list from verses 1-2 of who God was to David:

1.     my strength

2.     my rock

3.     my fortress

4.     my deliverer

5.     my God

6.     my rock of refuge

7.     my shield

8.     my salvation

9.     my stronghold

David knew these truths about God, so he cried out to the LORD in his distress. God heard him and came to his rescue. David’s list about God can also become your list. Reread this psalm and cry out to God to uphold and save you.

Pray Psalm 18:1 and 30-32 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“I love You, O LORD, my strength!

God, Your way is blameless; Your Word is tried. 

Be a shield to ________ and me; we take refuge in You.

 There is no God but You, LORD!  You are our Rock! 

Gird us with strength and make our way blameless.

Because of You, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, Volume 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 17 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 17.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/17/1/s_495001

Meditate on verses 3b and 4b-5.

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

I have kept from the paths of the violent.

My steps have held fast to Your paths. 

My feet have not slipped.

David made decisions based on facts he knew about God. Because the LORD visited, tried, and tested him, David purposed (planned) not to sin by things he said (v. 3). Because David knew words from God’s lips like, “The soul of the LORD hates the one who loves violence” (Psalm 11:5b), he chose to keep away from the paths of violent people (v. 4). Staying on God’s paths, kept David’s feet from slipping.

Ask the LORD to help you make decisions based on His Word.

This entire psalm is a prayer David said to God. As you reread it, say it to the LORD.

Pray Psalm 17:6-8 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God.

Please incline Your ear to me; hear my speech.

Wondrously show Your lovingkindness to _________ and me.

O Savior, we take refuge at Your right hand

 from those who rise up against us.

 Keep us as the apple of Your eye; hide

 us in the shadow of Your wings.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

*The apple of the eye refers to the pupil, the part of the eye that focuses on an object.  You are the apple of God’s eye; He is focused on you because He loves you. 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, Volume 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 16 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 16.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/16/1/s_494001

Observe God’s actions and attributes.

Meditate on verse 8.

I have set the LORD continually before me;

because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

David took refuge in God instead of humans because David intimately knew the truth about God. In order not to be shaken, David set the LORD continually before him. Is God continually before you; is He foremost in your thoughts, plans, and decision-making processes?

David’s relationship with God brought not only stability to his life, but also joy and gladness. Ask the LORD to give you that kind of relationship with Him.

Pray Psalm 16:1-2, 5-9, and 11 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“O God, preserve __________ and me, for we take refuge in You.

You are our LORD; we have no good besides You.

LORD, You are the portion of our inheritance and our cup;

 You support our lot. The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places;

indeed our heritage is beautiful to us.  We bless you, LORD!

 Counsel us; instruct our minds in the night.

We set You, LORD, continually before us;

 because You are at our right hand, we will not be shaken. 

Therefore, our hearts are glad, and our glory rejoices;

 our flesh also will dwell securely.  Make known to us the path of life.

 In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forever.

Thank You, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, Volume 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 15 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 15.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/15/1/s_493001

Meditate on verse 5b.

He who does these things will never be shaken.

The LORD loves to teach with lists.  As you read the Bible, notice lists and observe what God wants you to know. 

There is a list in Psalm 15 of the characteristics of a person who abides with God and as a result of dwelling with the LORD, will never be shaken.  Does this list describe you?

1.     Walks with integrity

2.     Works righteousness

3.     Speaks truth in their heart

4.     Does not slander with their tongue

5.     Does no evil to their neighbor

6.     Does not take up a reproach against their friend

7.     Despises a reprobate

8.     Honors those who fear the LORD

9.     Keeps their promise even if it hurts

10. Does not change their mind

11. Lends money without charging interest

12. Does not take a bribe against the innocent

Pray Psalm 15 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, ________ and I want to abide in Your tent

 and dwell on Your holy hill.

Help us walk with integrity

 and work righteousness.

 Let us speak truth in our hearts and

 not slander with our tongues. 

Do not let us do evil to our neighbors or

take up a reproach against our friends.

 In our eyes, may a reprobate be despised, but

 let us honor those who fear You, LORD. 

May we swear to our own hurt and not change. 

May we not put out our money at interest,

 and let us not take a bribe against the innocent.

LORD, let us never be shaken.

Because of You, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 14 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 14.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/14/1/s_492001

Meditate on verse 1a.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

Psalm 14:1-5 contains a list of actions and attributes of fools.  They:

            *say there is no God.

            *are corrupt.

            *commit abominable deeds.

            *turn aside from God’s way.

            *have become corrupt with other fools.

            *are workers of wickedness.

            *devour others.

            *do not call upon the LORD.

            *are in great dread because:

*God is with the righteous generation. 

*God is the refuge for the afflicted. 

*God restores His captive people (vs. 5-7).

The LORD is looking for people who understand these truths and seek after Him (v. 2). If you are one of the righteous who desire to know the LORD, be encouraged that He is with you to restore you and be your refuge.

Pray Psalm 14:2 and 5-7 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, as You look down from heaven, see ______ and me!

We understand; we seek after You.

God, we want to be Your righteous generation.

Be our refuge when we are afflicted.

Restore us, LORD.

We will rejoice and be glad in You.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, Volume 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 13 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 13.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/13/1/s_491001

Meditate on verse 1.

How long, O LORD?  Will You forget me forever?

How long will You hide Your face from me?

David was in a low place when he wrote this psalm, so low that he thought he might die. Have you or someone you love ever been overcome with sorrow and depression? This short psalm can be a big help. Notice how David handled his distress.

David addressed his questions to God. He was honest with the LORD. If he had expressed some of the same thoughts to a friend or counselor, he might have been thought of as histrionic. But God did not accuse him for being dramatic. God can handle raw emotion; He understands.

After pouring his heart out to the LORD, David recalled God’s lovingkindness in the past. Because of God’s faithfulness to him in previous situations, David knew he could trust God in this present situation. He remembered the LORD had dealt bountifully with him, so he chose to sing and rejoice in God’s salvation.

Pray Psalm 13:3 and 5-6 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Consider and answer ________ and me, O LORD my God.

Enlighten our eyes, or we will sleep the sleep of death.

We are trusting in Your lovingkindness.

Our hearts will rejoice in Your salvation.

We will sing to You, LORD,

 because You have dealt bountifully with us.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, Volume 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Psalm 12 - Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 12.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/12/1/s_490001

Meditate on verse 6a.

The Words of the LORD are pure words.

David cried out to the LORD because the Godly and the faithful were disappearing from among the people.  He observed that the words of men were lies, but the Words of God are pure. 

The world today is similar to David’s world 3000 years ago.  Be warned and encouraged by these pure Words of God:

·      When vileness and worthlessness are exalted, make sure you are not part of such wickedness (v. 8).

·      As the Godly and the faithful cease to exist, make sure you do not disappear with them (v 1).  Stay faithful in the LORD!

·      Notice the words of the arrogant in verse 4: “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”  Ask God to search your heart.  Is there a similar attitude lurking inside you?

In humility, pray Psalm 12:5-7 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, _________ and I are afflicted and needy. 

Arise, LORD, set us in the safety for which we long!

 LORD, Your Words are pure Words;

 as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. 

Keep us, O LORD!  Preserve us from this generation forever!

In Your strong name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, Volume 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell