Here is today's message

Psalm 119:137-176 Part 4 of 4 TLB


Psalm 119:137-176 O Lord, you are just and your punishments are fair.

Your demands are just and right.

I am indignant and angry because of the way my enemies have disregarded your laws.

I have thoroughly tested your promises, and that is why I love them so much.

I am worthless and despised, but I don't despise you laws.

Your justice is eternal for your laws, are perfectly fair.

In my distress and anguish your commandments comfort me.

Your laws are always fair; help me to understand them, and I shall live.

I am praying with great earnestness; answer me, O Lord, and I will obey your laws.

"Save me," I cry, for I am obeying.

Early in the morning before the sun is up, I am praying and pointing out how much I trust in you.

I stay awake through the night to think about your  promises.

Because you are so loving and kind, listen to me and make me well again.

Here come these lawless men to attack me,

but you are near, O Lord; all your commandments are based on truth.

I have known from earliest days that your will never changes.

Look down upon my sorrows and rescue me, for I am obeying your commands.

Yes, rescue me and give me back my life again just as you have promised.

The wicked are far from salvation, for they do not care for your laws.

Lord, how great is your mercy; oh, give me back my life again.

My enemies are so many. They try to make me disobey, but I have not swerved from your will.

I loathed these traitors because they care nothing for your laws.

Lord, see how much I really love your demands. Now give me back my life and health because you are so kind.

There is utter truth in all your laws: your decrees are eternal.

Great men have persecuted me, though they have no reason to, but I stand in awe of only your words.

I rejoice in your laws like one who finds a great treasure.

How I hate all falsehood, but how I love your laws.

I will praise you seven times a day because of your wonderful laws.

Those who love your laws have great peace of heart and mind and do not stumble.

I long for your salvation, Lord, and so I have obeyed your laws.

I have looked for your commandments, and I love them very much;

yes, I have searched for them. You know this because everything I do is known to you.

O Lord, listen to my prayers; give me the common sense you promised.

Hear my prayers; rescue me as you said you would.

I praise you for letting me learn your laws.

I will sing about their wonder, for each of them is just.

Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow your will.

O Lord, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight.

I you will let me live, I will praise you; let your laws assist me.

I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not turned away from your commandments.

Nehemiah 9:32-38 "And now, O great and awesome God, you who keep your promises of love and kindness--do not let all the hardships we have gone through become as nothing to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon  our kings and princes and priests and prophets and ancestors from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.

Every time you punished us you were being perfectly fair; we have sinned so greatly that you gave us only what we deserved.

Our kings, princes, priests, and ancestors didn't obey your laws or listen to your warnings.

They did not worship you despite the wonderful things you did for them and the great goodness you showered upon them. You gave them a large, fat land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.

So now we are slaves here in the land of plenty that you gave to our ancestors! Slaves among all this abundance!

The lush yield of the land passes into the hands of the kings whom you have allowed to conquer us because of our sins. They have power over our bodies and our cattle, and we serve them at their pleasure and are in great misery.

Because of all this, we again promise to serve the Lord! And we and our princes and Levites and priests put our names to this covenant."