I will make music to You ... (Psalms 138-145)

"I will make music to You in front of the false gods" (Psalm 138:1).

We live in an age of pluralism, but we must remain single-minded in our devotion to the Lord.

"You made me bold by strengthening my soul" (Psalm 138:3). 

We come to the Lord in weakness. He give us his strength. 

"O Lord, You have examined me and You know me ... Examine me, O God, and know my mind" (Psalm 139:1, 23).

This Psalm begins with a statement about God, and ends with a prayer to Him. In prayer, we say our Amen to God. We look into God's Word, and we learn about God. He is the God of perfect holiness. In prayer, we say to the Lord, "We want to be more like You."

    

"My eyes look to You, Lord Almighty" (Psalm 141:8).

Where are we looking - to the world or to the Lord? 

"When I begin to lose hope, you already know what I am experiencing" (Psalm 142:3).

For God, there are no surprises. We are caught out - when things go wrong. We say, "I never expected this." God is ready for everything - and he gives us what we need.

O Lord, listen to my prayer. Open your ears to hear my urgent requests. Answer me because you are faithful and righteous" (Psalm 143:1).

The Psalmist doesn't say, 'Answer me because I am faithful and righteous.' He prays, "O Lord ... Answer me because you are faithful and righteous." God is faithful. We fail him.He never fails us. When we let him down, he lifts us up. 

"For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. ⁴ Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled" (Psalm 143:3-4). "Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge" (Psalm 143:9). "And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant" (Psalm 143:12).

Beyond our human enemies, there is the enemy - Satan. He is a powerful enemy. There is a greater power. It's the power of God's love. We're attacked by Satan. We're loved by God. It's God's love that lifts us out of Satan's pit.  

"I will sing a new song to You, O God ... the One who gives salvation ... Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving. Sing praises ... to our God" (Psalm 144:9-10; Psalm 147:7).

"Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised" (Psalm 145:1-3).

The God whom we worship is so much greater than the worship we bring to Him.