Today's prayer: Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

Psalm 26

1

Psalm 26 Of David.

1

Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

2

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

3

for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.

4

I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites;

5

I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.

6

I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD,

7

proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

8

I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells.

9

Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men,

10

in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.

11

But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me.

12

My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.

Today's prayer: Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy

Psalm 86

1

Psalm 86 A prayer of David.

1

Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

2

Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

3

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

4

Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

5

You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

6

Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.

7

In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.

8

Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

9

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

10

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

11

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

12

I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

13

For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. ^[1]

14

The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life-- men without regard for you.

15

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16

Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. ^[2]

17

Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Today's bible teaching: Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

Psalm 2

1

Psalm 2

1

Why do the nations conspire ^[1] and the peoples plot in vain?

2

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. ^[2]

3

"Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."

4

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

5

Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6

"I have installed my King ^[3] on Zion, my holy hill."

7

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son ^[4] ; today I have become your Father. ^[5]

8

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

9

You will rule them with an iron scepter ^[6] ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

10

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11

Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.

12

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Today's praises: Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle

Psalm 144

1

Psalm 144 Of David.

1

Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

2

He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples ^[1] under me.

3

O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?

4

Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

5

Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke.

6

Send forth lightning and scatter [the enemies]; shoot your arrows and rout them.

7

Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners

8

whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.

9

I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,

10

to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword.

11

Deliver me and rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.

12

Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.

13

Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields;

14

our oxen will draw heavy loads. ^[2] There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets.

15

Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.

Obasanjo, GEJ, Osinbajo & Ernest Koroma attend opening of CoDA(Photos)

Former president and Chair, Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) Obasanjo, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, and other notable leaders, reflected deeply on some of the challenges we're facing in the West African sub-region with a view to mapping out ways to overcome them at the opening of a CoDA High-level Dialogue with the theme: West Africa: Rising to the Challenge of Consolidating Democratic Goverance holding at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. 

They spoke against coups in Africa and also reiterated that the development is a threat to democracy in the continent

Catholic priest framed up, detained & beaten by security agents in Ebonyi(Photos)

Nigerians should demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Rev Fr. Timothy Ngwuta who was allegedly framed up by security agencies in Ebonyi State..

The continued detention of an innocent priest of a Roman Catholic church has remained a very sad one. The crime of the innocent priest was that he was posted to a Catholic parish in the war torn Effium community. The crisis in Effium community created a refuge  problem which as a priest, he has a moral duty to look after them. This necessitated that he visits them occasionally to attend to their needs and possibly encourage them with the word of God.

Rev Fr Timothy Ngwuta went to Izhi where most of his members were refugees on 11/12/2021. As he went to Nworie Izhi to visit some of his parishioners who ran to Izhi for refuge, he ran into some security agents who claimed they were on stop and search mission. He was arrested by them and later framed up that he was one of the people responsible  for the crisis in Effium community and with other heavy allegations levelled against him without any iota of truth.

Recall that his parish and all he had in life was completely burnt down and he narrowly escaped being killed in Ugoeze community where he was a parish priest of the Catholic church.

Rev Fr Ngwuta was severely beaten by the AK men which has made it difficult for him to walk yet he is still in detention.

As I'm writing now, this innocent priest is still in detention with the injuries they inflicted on him.

Today's bible teaching: Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing

Psalm 34

1

Psalm 34 Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left. ^[1]

1

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

2

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

6

This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

7

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

8

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9

Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

10

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

13

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

14

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16

the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

18

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

20

he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

21

Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22

The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him

Today's prayer: Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless

Psalm 10

1

Psalm 10 ^[1]

1

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

3

He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

4

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

5

His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.

6

He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."

7

His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

8

He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.

9

He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

10

His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.

11

He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."

12

Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

13

Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?

14

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

15

Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.

16

The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

17

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

18

defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more

Today's prayer: For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great

Psalm 25

1

Psalm 25 Of David. ^[1]

1

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

2

in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

3

No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

4

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;

5

guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

6

Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

7

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.

8

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

9

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

10

All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

11

For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

12

Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

13

He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.

14

The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

15

My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

16

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

17

The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.

18

Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.

19

See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!

20

Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

21

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.

22

Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

Today's bible teaching: Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Psalm 32

1

Psalm 32 Of David. A maskil. ^[1]

1

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2

Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah

5

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

6

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

7

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

9

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

10

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11

Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Today's prayer: They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.

Psalm 63

1

Psalm 63 A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

1

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

3

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

4

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

7

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

9

They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.

10

They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

11

But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Today's prayer: Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city

Psalm 55

1

Psalm 55 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil ^[1] of David.

1

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

2

hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

3

at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger.

4

My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.

5

Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

6

I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest--

7

I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah

8

I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."

9

Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.

10

Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.

11

Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.

12

If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.

13

But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,

14

with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

15

Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, ^[2] for evil finds lodging among them.

16

But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.

17

Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

18

He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

19

God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them-- Selah men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.

20

My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.

21

His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

22

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

23

But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.

Today's prayer: Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge

Psalm 16

1

Psalm 16 A miktam^[1] of David.

1

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2

I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."

3

As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.^[2]

4

The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.

5

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.

6

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

8

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

10

because you will not abandon me to the grave,^[3] nor will you let your Holy One^[4] see decay.

11

You have made^[5] known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Today's bible teaching: And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

Psalm 12

1

Psalm 12 For the director of music. According to sheminith. ^[1] A psalm of David.

1

Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.

2

Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.

3

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue

4

that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips ^[2] --who is our master?"

5

"Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

6

And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

7

O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.

8

The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

Today's praises: I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

Psalm 30

1

Psalm 30 A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. ^[1] Of David.

1

I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2

O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

3

O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ^[2] ; you spared me from going down into the pit.

4

Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.

5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6

When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."

7

O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain ^[3] stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

8

To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9

"What gain is there in my destruction, ^[4] in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help."

11

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Today's praises: Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Psalm 33

1

Psalm 33

1

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2

Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

5

The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ^[1] ; he puts the deep into storehouses.

8

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.

9

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

10

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

13

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

14

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--

15

he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

16

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19

to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

20

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

21

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

22

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Today's bible teaching: Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble

Psalm 41

1

Psalm 41 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.

2

The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

3

The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.

4

I said, "O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you."

5

My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?"

6

Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad.

7

All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying,

8

"A vile disease has beset him; he will never get up from the place where he lies."

9

Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

10

But you, O LORD, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them.

11

I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12

In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.

13

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

Today's bible teaching: In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them

Psalm 22

1

Psalm 22 For the director of music. To [the tune of] "The Doe of the Morning." A psalm of David.

1

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

2

O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.

3

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. ^[1]

4

In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.

5

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

6

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.

7

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:

8

"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

9

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.

10

From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

12

Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

13

Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.

14

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.

15

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me ^[2] in the dust of death.

16

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced ^[3] my hands and my feet.

17

I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.

18

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

19

But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

20

Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.

21

Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save ^[4] me from the horns of the wild oxen.

22

I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.

23

You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

24

For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

25

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you ^[5] will I fulfill my vows.

26

The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him-- may your hearts live forever!

27

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,

28

for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.

29

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him-- those who cannot keep themselves alive.

30

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.

31

They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn-- for he has done it. 

Today's prayer: Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me

Psalm 40

1

Psalm 40 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

2

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

3

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

4

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. ^[1]

5

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

6

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced ^[2] [3] ; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7

Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-- it is written about me in the scroll. ^[4]

8

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

9

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.

10

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

11

Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.

12

For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.

13

Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.

14

May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

15

May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame.

16

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"

17

Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

Today's prayer: O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God

Psalm 38

1

Psalm 38 A psalm of David. A petition.

1

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

2

For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me.

3

Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.

4

My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

5

My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.

6

I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.

7

My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.

8

I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

9

All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

10

My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.

11

My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.

12

Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception.

13

I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth;

14

I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.

15

I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.

16

For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

17

For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.

18

I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

19

Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous.

20

Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good.

21

O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God.

22

Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior

Today's prayer: Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.

Psalm 79

1

Psalm 79 A psalm of Asaph.

1

O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

2

They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.

3

They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

4

We are objects of reproach to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.

5

How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

6

Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;

7

for they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland.

8

Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.

9

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

10

Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

11

May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die.

12

Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord.

13

Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Today's bible teaching: The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19

1

Psalm 19 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

3

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. ^[1]

4

Their voice ^[2] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

7

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

11

By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12

Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

13

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer

Today's prayer: See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting

Psalm 139

1

Psalm 139 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

2

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

5

You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

6

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

8

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, ^[1] you are there.

9

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10

even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"

12

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

13

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16

your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

17

How precious to ^[2] me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18

Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

19

If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20

They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.

21

Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?

22

I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.

23

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting

Today's bible teaching: O house of Israel, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield

Psalm 115

1

Psalm 115

1

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

2

Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?"

3

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

4

But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

5

They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;

6

they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell;

7

they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

8

Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

9

O house of Israel, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield.

10

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield.

11

You who fear him, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield.

12

The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron,

13

he will bless those who fear the LORD-- small and great alike.

14

May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children.

15

May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

16

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man.

17

It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence;

18

it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD

Today's bible teaching: The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me

Psalm 138

1

Psalm 138 Of David.

1

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

2

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

3

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.

4

May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth.

5

May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

6

Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.

7

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

8

The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands.

Goodluck Jonathan Visits Liberian President George Weah(Photos)

Today, former Nigerian President and ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General to West Africa and the Sahel and ECOWAS Special Envoy to Guinea, Dr. Sidie Mohammed Tunis, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament paid a courtesy visit at the residence of the Liberian leader President George M Weah. GEJ was at his family house in Monrovia to observe Liberia's Memorial Day.

  

  

  

   

  

Today's bible teaching: The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Psalm 112

1

Psalm 112 ^[1]

1

Praise the LORD. ^[2] Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

2

His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3

Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

4

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. ^[3]

5

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

6

Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.

7

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8

His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

9

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn ^[4] will be lifted high in honor.

10

The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Today's bible teaching: You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet.

Psalm 18

1

Psalm 18 For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1

I love you, O LORD, my strength.

2

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn ^[1] of my salvation, my stronghold.

3

I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

4

The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

5

The cords of the grave ^[2] coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.

6

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

7

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry.

8

Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.

9

He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.

10

He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.

11

He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him-- the dark rain clouds of the sky.

12

Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

13

The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. ^[3]

14

He shot his arrows and scattered [the enemies], great bolts of lightning and routed them.

15

The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

16

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.

17

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.

18

They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.

19

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

20

The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

21

For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God.

22

All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees.

23

I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.

24

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

25

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

26

to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

27

You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

28

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

29

With your help I can advance against a troop ^[4] ; with my God I can scale a wall.

30

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

31

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

32

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

33

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.

34

He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35

You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.

36

You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

37

I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed.

38

I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet.

39

You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet.

40

You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.

41

They cried for help, but there was no one to save them-- to the LORD, but he did not answer.

42

I beat them as fine as dust borne on the wind; I poured them out like mud in the streets.

43

You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me.

44

As soon as they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cringe before me.

45

They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds.

46

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!

47

He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me,

48

who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me.

49

Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name.

50

He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever. 

Today's bible teaching: Though flood waters threaten, they will never reach him

Psalm 32
aOf David. A maskil.

I

Blessed is the one whose fault is removed,

whose sin is forgiven.

2Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no guilt,

in whose spirit is no deceit.

II

3Because I kept silent,* my bones wasted away;

I groaned all day long.b

4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength withered as in dry summer heat.

Selah

5Then I declared my sin to you;

my guilt I did not hide.c

I said, “I confess my transgression to the LORD,”

and you took away the guilt of my sin.

Selah

6Therefore every loyal person should pray to you

in time of distress.

Though flood waters* threaten,

they will never reach him.d

7You are my shelter; you guard me from distress;

with joyful shouts of deliverance you surround me.

Selah

III

8I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk,

give you counsel with my eye upon you.

9Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding;

with bit and bridle their temper is curbed,

else they will not come to you.

IV

10Many are the sorrows of the wicked one,

but mercy surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

11Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous;

exult, all you upright of heart