July 4, 2010 (Various Psalms)

Today's reading encompassed various Psalms. This will be a little bit different of a post. First of all are some verses that I've highlighted, but I'll end with a Psalm that I have personalized and printed off so that I can read it at various times throughout the day. I am a perfectionist. That is a curse because one can never be perfect. I want things perfect when my husband arrives home. That puts pressure on me, but since that is the way I am 'wired', that's the way it is. And perhaps God has 'wired' me that way so that I will learn that I must trust Him to accomplish all that is on my heart. But I also have to keep in mind the Psalm that says:

² It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.

But I don't work "for food to eat" - and I don't work until late at night. I do get sleep. So anyway, I digress. First of all, the verses:

^{Psalm 101:2} I will be careful to live a blameless life—
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
³ I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.

^{Psalm 105:19} Until the time came to fulfill his word,
the Lord tested Joseph’s character.

And now, the one I have personalized. There are some segments that don't really apply. I don't feel like I have 'enemies' (but maybe I'm just kidding myself!):

Psalm 25

A psalm of David.

¹ O Lord, I give my life to you.

² I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
³ No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

⁴ Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
⁵ Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
⁶ Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
⁷ Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth.
Look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.

⁸ The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
⁹ He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
¹⁰ The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all those who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

¹¹ For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins.
¹² Who are those who fear the Lord?
He will show them the path they should choose.
¹³ They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the land.
¹⁴ Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear him.
With them he shares the secrets of his covenant.
¹⁵ My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help,

for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies.

¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy on me,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
¹⁷ My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
¹⁸ Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
¹⁹ See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!
²⁰ Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
²¹ May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you.

²² O God, ransom Sandy
from all her troubles.