Let There Be Music: Life Lessons from the Songs of the Psalms Book of Devotionals and Short Bible Lessons, Volume 2 of 3

By Pat Mann

The lessons and devotionals printed herein are always intended to teach a biblical principle, a life lesson, show a path to righteous living, or give a warning before taking a wrong turn in life. The Bible, as a whole, contains principles and guidelines regarding every issue a person can possibly face in a lifetime, including relationships, financial management, emotional highs and lows, attitudes, authority, truth, integrity, fear, pride, temptations, possessions, repentance, and all spiritual insights to name a few. Many of these issues are presented in the chapters of Psalms. Every effort is taken to apply the principles found in the Psalms to everyday life situation so that you may become spiritually strong as you face life's complexities at every stage of your life.

The majority of the chapters of Psalms were written by David, the lad who went from shepherding his father's sheep to shepherding the flock of God's chosen people as king of Israel. In his lifetime, David was hunted down for slaughter for no misdeed of his own. He experienced betrayal by close associates. He knew what it was like for his own children to try to steal his throne. He was a fearless warrior. He had a heart for God. He is called "a man after God's own heart." David had an unrelenting trust in God's protection and provision. He is the author of the most beloved Psalm--the twenty-third Psalm--that begins, "The Lord is my shepherd."

May these songs from Psalms encourage you, inspire you, bless you, and challenge you every day of your life. Let there be music in your heart toward God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685704223

Book preview

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Let There Be Music

Life Lessons from the Songs of the Psalms Book of Devotionals and Short Bible Lessons, Volume 2 of 3

Pat Mann

ISBN 978-1-68570-421-6 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68570-422-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Pat Mann

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Note from the Author Pat Mann

Psalm 51:1–12

Psalm 51:13–19

Psalm 52

Psalm 53

Psalm 54

Psalm 55:1–12, 20

Psalm 55:15–19, 22–23

Psalm 56

Psalm 57

Psalm 58

Psalm 59:1–8

Psalm 59:9–17

Psalm 60

Psalm 61

Psalm 62

Psalm 63

Psalm 64

Psalm 65

Psalm 66:1–7

Psalm 66:8–20

Psalm 67

Psalm 68 1–14

Psalm 68:15–23

Psalm 68:24–35

Psalm 69 (Excerpts)

Psalm 70

Psalm 71:1–13

Psalm 71:14–24

Psalm 72

Psalm 73

Psalm 74:1–11

Psalm 74:12–23

Psalm 75

Psalm 76

Psalm 77

Psalm 78

Psalm 79

Psalm 80

Psalm 81

Psalm 82

Psalm 83

Psalm 84

Psalm 85

Psalm 86

Psalm 87

Psalm 88

Psalm 89:1–14

Psalm 89:14–29

Psalm 89:30–52

Psalm 90

Psalm 91

Psalm 92

Psalm 93

Psalm 94:1–14

Psalm 94:15–23

Psalm 95

Psalm 96

Psalm 97

Psalm 98

Psalm 99

Psalm 100

About the Author

Note from the Author Pat Mann

Songs

Words from this great book, the Bible book of Psalms, are abundantly found in a great many of the hymns that are sung in congregations everywhere. I remember my mother humming the hymns as she worked. Likely more people memorize words from this book than any other book of the Bible. A great many of God's people can quote the great shepherd's song of Psalm 23. Other phrases from Psalms have become so much a part of society that many people may not even know that it is a quote from Scripture, such as Life is short from Psalm 89.

Emotions

The book of Psalms is helpful for you who want to express inner personal feelings to God, but you don't find the words to speak. You can find adequate words in this great biblical book—expressions of praise, expressions of fear, expressions of doubt, expressions of guilt and repentance, expressions of joy and celebration, expressions of anger, expressions of gratitude, expressions of disappointment, expressions of great faith and confidence in God, expressions of need, expressions of personal resolves. Every emotion that exists in the soul of a person is expressed in these chapters.

Prayer

Use the Psalms to help you pray. When you can't come up with the words from your own heart, it would be perfectly proper to actually choose the chapter from Psalms that expresses what you feel and use it to present your prayer to God. Nothing wrong with that. Just read it back to God who gave it. It is acceptable to God. I always love to hear someone read back to me something I myself have written. It is the same way with God. He loves His Word, and He values it even above His own name. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name (Psalm 138:2 KJV).

Healing

There is also healing in the words of this great book of Psalms. A psychiatrist once prescribed to a disturbed patient that he should read Psalm 23 several times every day. The best mental medicine available is found in the words from Psalms.

May God richly bless you as you take to heart the words of this great book of Psalms—songs from the heart to the ear of God.

Psalm 51:1–12

Make Me Clean Again

O loving and kind God, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night. It is against you and you alone I sinned and did this terrible thing. You saw it all, and your sentence against me is just. But I was born a sinner, yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom. Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. And after you have punished me, give me back my joy again. Don't keep looking at my sins—erase them from your sight. Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Don't toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (TLB)

When you need to approach God to say, I'm sorry, this is a great chapter to use as a reference on just how to approach God and what to say. This chapter records what David had to say to God in repentance for the sins he had committed, seeking forgiveness and restoration. There is a lot of insight in these verses regarding repentance.

First, David approached God humbly and truthfully: It is against you and you alone that I sinned and did this terrible thing. David's biggest regret was that he offended God. He admits his wrongdoing. He didn't say, I made a mistake. He didn't blame someone else for his wicked choice. You likewise must take full responsibility when you approach God for cleansing. Point your finger only at yourself. Your own bad choice caused you to sin. Be truthful with God. He knows your heart anyway, and He knows exactly what your sin is. That's a wonderful thing about God. You can never do anything so wrong that God does not love you. He always stands ready to accept your confession and forgive you when you come to Him in genuine repentance. A New Testament verse says, If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 KJV). This verse applies not only to those who come to God for salvation, but also for believers who fall into some sin. Repentance also means that you abandon the sin you confess. Go and sin no more, Jesus said.

He's a forgiving God.

Next, David asked forgiveness in many different ways: O loving and kind God, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. Furthermore, he says, Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood, and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Then he says, Don't keep looking at my sins—erase them from your sight. How many ways can you ask forgiveness? Pick one or more of these when you approach God.

David also expressed the shame he felt for his sin. Apparently, he was not getting much sleep, being torn with guilt for his transgression. For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night. If you are truly repentant, you will carry with you the shame of the offense until you finally do come to God for forgiveness and cleansing. Express that shame to God. Guilt is truly a heavy load to carry. Let the Lord bear it for you.

God, I'm so ashamed.

David expresses insight, knowing he comes from corrupt seed, as you do, so say we all. Everyone needs to come to a time of confessing and forgiveness. That is the only way to have your guilt lifted and your sins forgiven, making you right with God. It may be that you are seeking salvation, or sometimes you are just a backslidden child of God desiring restoration. That's what David wanted—restoration: Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. David did not cry Unfair! regarding the consequences of his sins. He accepted God's punishment against him as being just. This was not a prayer for salvation but rather a prayer for restoration to the joy of salvation.

So we have these components in a prayer of repentance: (1) Approach God with truth and sincerity. Admit what is true: I have sinned. (2) Ask God to forgive you. (3) Express the shame you feel because of your sin. (4) Go and sin no more.

Do you want to have that clean feeling again—as it was before your sin? Surely David longed for that innocent time, playing his harp, watching over his father's sheep, singing, and writing hymns unto the Lord. Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. One thing is sure, you cannot make yourself clean of guilt. Your cleansing must come from the Lord. Even though the Lord can forget your sins, you cannot; just a reminder to go and sin no more (John 8:11 KJV).

You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom.

Psalm 51:13–19

After Forgiveness, Then What?

Then I will teach your ways to other sinners, and they—guilty like me—will repent and return to you. Don't sentence me to death. O my God, you alone can rescue me. Then I will sing of your forgiveness, for my lips will be unsealed—oh, how I will praise you.

You don't want penance; if you did, how gladly I would do it! You aren't interested in offerings burned before you on the altar. It is a broken spirit you want—remorse and penitence. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore. And Lord, don't punish Israel for my sins—help your people and protect Jerusalem. And when my heart is right, then you will rejoice in the good that I do and in the bullocks I bring to sacrifice upon your altar. (TLB)

In verses 1–12 of Psalm 51, David gives you the best example of a prayer of repentance. But what then? You have asked forgiveness, and God has purged your sins and made you completely clean in His sight. Does anything come after that? Yes. Forgiveness of sins always produces change in a person. Repentance means to turn away from sins and begin or continue on your path of the pursuit of righteousness. Having had your sins forgiven, you have a new set of attitudes and desires—righteous desires that cause you to want to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

For believers today, Jesus is your example. Begin doing the kinds of things Jesus did. Love the way Jesus loved. Give the way Jesus gave. Show kindness to others the way Jesus did. Forgive others even as you have been forgiven. Begin performing kingdom tasks. Improve your worship. Pursue knowledge of Scriptures through Bible study. Pray always. Seek the will of God for your life, and always have the answer of yes, Lord, to whatever path God opens for you.

Jesus is your example.

David made some resolves in this text. He resolved to do some things differently. Not only was he going to go and sin no more, but he also resolved to do some positive things. He said, Then I will teach your ways to other sinners, and they—guilty like me—will repent and return to you. David resolves to become an evangelistic teacher. He desires that others experience the same salvation and restoration that he received from the Lord. Fast forward to the New Testament: the Lord Himself commanded that His followers do exactly what David resolved to do—go and tell (Matthew 28: 19). Tell everyone about forgiveness of sins and the gospel of eternal life for all who believe. You can make that same resolve.

Shout it from the mountains!

David furthermore states that he will sing of your forgiveness, for my lips will be unsealed—oh, how I will praise you. I don't believe David was going to sing and speak praises to God in a closet. He intended to shout it from the housetops, in the marketplace, on the streets, praising the Lord. Do not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, as the Apostle Paul said, It is the power of God unto salvation for every man who believes (Romans 1:16 KJV). Your witness can be by word of mouth, by godly attitudes, by setting an example of righteous behavior, by good works, and more. Let your light so shine that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16 KJV).

St. Francis of Assisi is quoted to have said, Preach the gospel at all times, and, if necessary, use words. Yes, go and speak the Word of God; but also your lifestyle, attitudes, and that godly glow should be a witness to God's glory. Make people jealous to have what you have, but without being obnoxious or portraying yourself as holier than thou. Remember, all have sinned and come short (Romans 3:23 KJV). That includes you. A local pastor said, Witnessing is just one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.

Lastly, when David's heart is made right, then he will offer gifts to God. Then God will be pleased with David's offerings. All the religious rituals and giving of gifts to the Lord mean nothing to God if your heart is not joyful in it. Your repentance prayer is not real nor complete if your heart is not right, and your sins are not cleansed.

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore.

Psalm 52

Your Greatest Challenge

Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually. Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah. You love all devouring words, You have a deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah. The righteous also shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him, saying, Here is the man who did not make God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good. (NKJV)

The Bible indicates that it is easier to conquer a city than to tame your spirit (Proverbs 16:32). This text in Psalm refers to the tongue. If you have a bad temper, it often erupts from your tongue. The New Testament book of James has a lot of things to say about your tongue. In chapter 3 of James, it says that in your tongue is a world of iniquity. You would be wise to read that chapter sometime today. At times, your mouth speaks before your mind is engaged to warn you against what you just said. Great harm can result if you spew out hurtful words. Whoever said that words can never hurt was wrong. Sometimes uncontrolled words can sting worse than a wasp. An uncontrolled tongue may even speak things in public that were meant to be kept in confidence. Don't embarrass yourself.

Don't cut out your tongue, train it.

So how do you train yourself to