Daily Bible Reading “My Soul Longs for You” (Psalm 42:1-11)

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

My Soul Longs for You

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 42:1-11. Psalm 42 is written to the Chief Musician. It is a Maschil for the sons of Korah. A Maschil is a song or a poem of contemplation. The psalm talks about longing for God, as the deer longs for water from the brook. Have you ever thirsted after God? Have you ever desired to be in His presence so much you longed for Him? Sometimes we don’t realize the longing in our hearts is for God. We try to fill the longing in our hearts with everything else, but are never satisfied. There is a place in our hearts and lives that only God can fill. God created us to have a longing for Him.

Jesus says in John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Obviously this had been a sad time for the psalmist because he says, “My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?” He was despondent and blue because of the oppression of his enemy. When the circumstances of life overwhelm us, we may become despondent and blue. If we can remember in these times to focus on God and how much He loves us instead of our circumstances, it will help lift our spirits.

The answer to our problems is in verse 11, where it says the psalmist hopes in God and praises Him. If we put our hope in God and praise Him in spite of our circumstances, we will gain the strength we need to go through our circumstances. We can find the answer to our problems through seeking God.

The psalmist was cast down because the enemy was trying to destroy him. But, when he turned his heart to God, God helped to comfort and direct him. Have you ever been in situation where, after you turned the problem over to God, you saw a complete turnaround?

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 42:1-11

1 [[To the Chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.]] As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Things to think about:

In what ways do you thirst or long for God?
What do you find quenches the thirst you have for God?
What do you do when you feel despondent and blue due to your circumstances?
How can we turn our hearts to God during difficult times?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. Help us to thirst for You. Help us to desire to be in Your presence. You are our creator, our provider, our protector, our comforter, our Savior and our Lord. Help us to long to spend time with You. Fill our empty hearts and lives with Your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. – Psalm 42:1

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Excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60

Christian Music Video: “Be Still My Soul” – Kari Jobe

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

“As The Deer”

Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60 by Deborah H. Bateman is 27th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book will contain approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 will not be included in The Book of Psalms since Deborah has already published a book about it called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet. The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.

The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.

The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60 contains thirty-five Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Blessed are Those Who Help the Poor” (Psalm 41:1-13)

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Blessed are Those Who Help the Poor

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 41:1-13. Psalm 41 is a Psalm of David to the Chief Musician. David begins this psalm by saying, “Blessed are those who are concerned for the poor.” God will take care of him and protect him from his enemies and the LORD will strengthen him on his sickbed.

David makes what is considered a prophetic statement in verse 9, which is believed to be a referral to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Jesus also makes reference to this in John 13:18 when He says, “I speak not of you all: ‘I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.’”

Verse 10 is also believed to be a messianic statement referring to the resurrection of Christ. David says he will know the LORD favors him when his enemies didn’t triumph over him. He ends this Psalm with, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.”

One of the things we can do to show gratitude for all the blessings God has given us is give gifts to the poor. We can do this as an act of thanksgiving to God for all His blessings on us. God is there for us and takes care of us even when our best friends have deserted us. He protects us from our enemies. We need to find ways of showing our gratitude to Him. It blesses God when we help those who are in need. Do you make a habit of helping those who are less fortunate than you?

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 41:1-13

1 [[To the Chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
5 Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
10 But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Things to think about:

What are some things we can do to help those who are less fortunate?
What does David tell us our rewards will be for helping the poor?
In what ways can we seek God’s favor on our lives?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. Help us to remember what David tells us about being concerned for the poor. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who not only died for our sins, but was resurrected so we might have eternal life. Help us to show our gratitude to You for all You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. – Psalm 41:1

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Excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60

Christian Music Video: “Lord Heal My Soul”

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “My Deliverer” (Psalm 40:1-17)

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

My Deliverer

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 40:1-17. Psalm 40 is a Psalm of David to the Chief Musician. David cried out to the LORD. He said he waited patiently and the LORD heard his cry. David was in a horrible pit and the LORD brought him out of the pit and set his feet upon a rock. God put a new song in his heart, and David was praising God because he put his trust in the LORD.

David pours his heart out to God, he asks God to forgive him of his sins and to protect him from his enemies. As you read through this Scripture and hear David’s heart cry to the LORD, consider the condition of your own heart and life and see if you need to pour your heart out to God.

You may feel threatened by the enemy. Do like David and call out to God. Pray and turn the situation over to God. He can turn the situation around. He can take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it to good. You may have to wait to see the outcome. You may still have to fight the battle, but trust God to deliver you. Sometimes we need to surrender everything to God and put things in His hands to handle. It is then that we will see the victory.

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 40:1-17

1 [[To the Chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Things to think about:

Is there anything you need to confess to God and ask for His forgiveness?
Is there a situation in your life you need to turn over to God?
Do you have a song in your heart or are you burdened with trouble?
Consider turning it all over to the LORD.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture where we see David call out to You and You put a new song in his heart. Help us to come to You with our concerns. Help us to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. Help us to stay in fellowship with You continuously. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. – Psalm 40:17

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Excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60

Christian Music Video: “My Deliverer” – Rich Mullins

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “My Hope is in Thee” (Psalm 39:1-13)

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

My Hope is in Thee

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 39:1-13. Psalm 39 is a Psalm of David to the Chief Musician, Jeduthun. David talks of having a bridle on his tongue while the wicked were about him so that he might not sin with his tongue. This is a message from David that we must all take heed of and be careful about.

David said he acted as if he was dumb, or mute, and kept his silence. He held his peace even though sorrow stirred in his heart. David was a great king, but when it came to the end of his days David was concerned about his demise.

As humans we are vain and think that our lives are going to last forever, but our days are numbered and David wanted to know what to expect. We worry about making money and buying houses, cars, and such, but we can’t take them with us when we die. This is something we all wonder about, if we are truthful with ourselves – when and how we’ll die. But only God knows when our time will come.

David’s hope was in the LORD. David asks God to deliver him from his sin. Obviously David was suffering the consequences of his sin and he was begging God not to make a spectacle of him because of his disobedience. David calls out to God to spare him and give him strength.

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 39:1-13

1 [[To the Chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.]] I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

Things to think about:

Why was David silent?
What was David’s concern?
In whom did David say he put his hope?
What did David ask in his prayer to the LORD?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. We see that David had learned not to gossip about his feelings with men, but to discuss them with You. Help us to realize that we can’t trust everybody with our deepest concerns, but we can trust You with everything we are and everything we think. Help us to put all our hope and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. – Psalm 39:7

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Excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60

Christian Music Video: “My Hope is in You” – Aaron Shust

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Forsake Me Not, O LORD” (Psalm 38:1-22)

Posted on May 27, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Forsake Me Not, O LORD

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 38:1-22. Psalm 38 is a Psalm of David. In this Psalm David is in much distress. David begs God not to rebuke him because of His wrath and great displeasure. What does David mean by this statement?

David’s sin had caused him great trouble and he felt God was angry with him. It seems that David was experiencing some kind of illness in his body as well. He says he is weak and feeble. He also speaks of having wounds on his body.

Even people who are like David, who was on very close terms with God, feel terrible when they sin against God. They have to deal with the guilt and shame of their sin, as all of us do. Not only do we have to deal with the guilt and shame of our sin, but we may have to deal with the physical consequences of our sin, as David did in this psalm. David’s sin doesn’t excuse us from our responsibility to try to live a godly life, but it shows us that none of us are perfect and even those who are closest to God will make mistakes in their life.

David doesn’t try to hide his condition from God, but confesses to Him everything he is going through and everything he is feeling. Don’t you find it funny that we sometimes try to hide our feelings from God knowing all the while that He knows everything about us?

David’s friends and family had deserted him. His enemies were seeking to destroy him. David confessed his sin to God and asked God to forgive him. David pleads to God not to forsake him. He begs God to help him speedily. Has there ever been a time in your life when you strayed from God and sinned against Him, yet when your sin caught up with you, you cried out for Him to give you mercy and come to your aid in a hurry? This is what David is doing in these Scriptures. What can we learn from David’s example? Even though sin never pays off and there are always consequences for our sins. God never leaves our side. We are the ones who sometimes walk far from Him.

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 38:1-22

1 [[A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.]] O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

Things to think about:

What was David’s concern in this psalm?
What caused David’s situation?
What did David do to try to resolve his situation?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. Even though it is kind of graphic in David’s description of his physical health, there are lessons we can learn from this Scripture. Help us to take these lessons and apply them to our own lives. Help us to realize that there are consequences for our sins. Help us to know that we need to confess our sins to You, turn from our sins, and ask for Your forgiveness. Be near to us, dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. – Psalm 38:21

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Excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60

Christian Music Video: “Not For A Moment” – Meredith Andrews

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.