Author / jdansmall

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Posts by jdansmall

I'm a beggar on the trail looking for and sharing "bread crumbs" to make the journey better for all of us!
by jdansmall

Psalm 54

Backstory: 1 Samuel 23:19-29 A Psalm “on the run” as Saul pursues David. Here, David’s own countrymen betray his location to Saul. See commentary below.

Save me, God, I’m counting on Your Name
By Your great pow’r defend me from this shame
Hear my prayer, and turn Your ear toward me
Before You, God, I voice my desp’rate plea.

Violent men are trying to take my life
Strangers, too, rise up and create strife
All their schemes and plots are greatly flawed
As they neglect to turn their thoughts to God.

But God’s my helper, He is in control
Adonai, the Lord sustains my soul
My evil foes He’s sure to recompense
In faithfulness He’ll come to my defense.

I gladly bring my offerings to You
Express my thanks for all the good You do
Adonai has now delivered me
With great relief I watch opponents flee.

WorshipMatthew Henry Commentary: 23:19-29 In the midst of his wickedness, Saul affected to speak the language of piety. Such expressions, without suitable effects, can only amuse or deceive those who hear, and those who use them. This mountain was an emblem of the Divine Providence coming between David and the destroyer. Let us not be dismayed at the prospect of future difficulties, but stay ourselves upon Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. Sooner than his promise shall fail, he will commission Philistines to effect our escape, at the very moment when our case appears most desperate. God requires entire dependence on him, If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established, Isa 7:9.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 53

“There is no God!” the fool declaresFist
His heart depraved and base
While God looks down on man’s affairs
For one who seeks His face.

Is there in all the human race
E’en one who understands?
Together they’ve become debased
So far from what He planned.

Not one of them does what is good
No, not a single one
Corrupt, they won’t do what they should
God’s wisdom they all shun.

When will the wicked ever learn
That this cannot end well?
When they His plan and people spurn
They will end up in hell.

They eat my people up like bread
They will not call on God
Not knowing they will soon be dead
Their bones all spread abroad.

When out of Zi’n salvation comes
Our fortunes are restored
Then will rejoice all Jacob’s sons
Glad praises be outpoured.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 52

AhimelechBackstory: 1 Samuel 22 (Saul is seeking to kill David)
Saul Slays the Priests of Nob after Doeg reveals their support of David as recorded here:
…8″For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day.” 9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing by the servants of Saul, said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10″He inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”…

Why do you boast of evil plots
You worker of deceit?
You have no clue that God above
Extends His steadfast love.

Your sharpened tongue seeks to destroy
Loves evil more than good
Devouring people day and night
Not speaking what is right.

But God will strike you down for good
He’ll tear you from your tent
Uproot you from your earthly home
No longer free to roam.

The righteous will observe and laugh
And this is what they’ll say,
“The man who will not trust in God
Relies on a façade.

“He trusted in his own great wealth
And on his evil plots
He would not call on God to save
His hopes lie in the grave.”

But I am like an olive tree
Within the house of God
His steadfast love fore’er I trust
That’s how I stay robust.

Forever I will thank you, God
For what You’ve done for me
And to the saints I will proclaim
My hope in Your good Name.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 51

contriteO God, have mercy, have mercy on me
Wash me and cleanse me from my iniquity
Your lovingkindness is what I now plead
To blot out my sins and my evil deeds.

The weight of my sin now weighs on my mind
Relief from my guilt I can’t seem to find
Against You I’ve sinned, done wrong in Your sight
Your charges against me are just and right.

E’er since I was born sin ruled in my heart
But You want truth and wisdom would impart
Purge me with hyssop, remove every stain
Whiter than snow my life will then remain.

Let gladness and joy be sounds that I hear
The bones You have crushed rejoice and not fear
So from my sins please turn away Your face
Remove and put a clean heart in their place.

Create, O God, a clean heart deep inside
So that in me Your Spirit may abide
Restore to me the joy of being saved
Then I will teach the sinners and depraved.

Save me from guilt of blood that I have shed
Then I can sing my praise to you instead
It’s not burnt offerings that You desire
A contrite heart is all that You require.

Rebuild our walls, restore Your city now
Be pleased with blessings Zion to endow
Then offerings from hearts You have made right
And sacrifices will bring You great delight.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 50

gavel

The Mighty One, the Lord, has come into the court
A raging fire, tumultuous storm escorts Him to the bench
“Come forth, all ye from west to east, the heavens and the earth,”
The righteous Judge begins to speak, the heav’ns declare His worth.

“Against My chosen race I first must testify
Whose offerings of bulls and goats are not the reason why
I do not need these animals, I own each bird and beast
The cattle on a thousand hills if I should want a feast.

“The sacrifice I want is that of thanksgiving
I’d far prefer you keep your vows and call on Me for help
If from your inmost heart and soul you truly honor Me
Then in your time of desp’rate need I will deliver thee.”

And now the wicked ones He calls before the bar
“What right have you to quote My laws or claim My covenant?
You hate correction, spurn My words, join ranks with lying thieves
You join in with adulterers, your lips love to deceive.

“Even your natural bonds mean nothing to you now
You slander brothers, mock your kin, for this I now indict
Mark this, then, you who forget Me, lest I tear you apart
You thought that I was just like you but from My ways depart.

“So hear My verdict now all peoples of the earth
I’m glorified by those who bring a sacrifice of thanks
And those who walk in what is right I promise to redeem
I demonstrate My pow’r to save to all who Me esteem.”

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 49

Now hear this, all you who dwell on earth
Rich or poor, regardless of your worth
I’ve wisdom to impart,
a proverb you should hear
I’ll play it on my harp
Life’s riddles will be clear.

Why should I in days of trouble fear
Even when my foes around appear?
They trust in all their wealth
And boast prosperity
But they can’t buy good health
Or perpetuity.

CemeteryDeath will come to wise and fool and brute
Shared destiny –the stupid and astute.
Their wealth is left behind
As hard as they may try
In due time they all find
It is their turn to die.

All earth’s gold could ne’er a soul redeem
Nor would God a ransom equal deem
They perish just like beasts
Their bodies waste away
The greatest to the least
No more see light of day.

When that day comes my soul, my God will save
He’ll take me Home, not leave me in the grave
That’s why we must not fret
When wealthy folks are praised
In spite of all they get
In dust their glory lays.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 48

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
The city of our God upon His holy mountain
Mt Zion sits on high, the joy of the whole earth
Defended by our God, the city of our King.

The kings of earth passed by, their hearts were filled with fear
Amazed and terrified, they fled in their distress
They saw His mighty pow’r that breaks the ships at sea
And knew the Lord of Hosts would never know defeat.

We contemplate Your love within Your holy temple
As is Your name, O God, Your praise is never-ending
Righteous in all Your ways, Your judgments true and good
Mount Zion will be glad, her daughters dance for joy.

Now walk around Mt. Zion, take note of her great tow’rs
Go thru her palaces, and measure her great walls
Declare the things you see to children yet to come
Such is the living God Who keeps us safe fore’er.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 47

Clap your hands, all ye people
Shout to God with joy-filled songs
Adonai Elyon is awesome
He is King o’er all earth’s throngs!

Gave us vict’ry o’er our enemy
Subdued nations ‘neath our feet
Gave us our own land forever
As our portion, oh how sweet!

At the sound of shouts and shofar
God ascends to His great throne
Sing your praises, sing your praises
With your voice His deeds make known.

God is king of all the nations
Kings of earth to Him bow down
Gather, princes and God’s people
The exalted Sov’reign crown.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and our strength
In times of trouble, near
Though oceans roar and mountains quake
Our heart will have no fear.

The sacred home of El Elyon
The city of our God
A river and its streams are there
With gladness we applaud.

At break of day the city stands
Because our God is here
He’ll shake the nations, thund’ring loud
But we will dwell secure.

Adōnai-Tzva’ot is with us
The Lord of Hosts His name
Come, see the works of Adonai
His victories proclaim.

Consider all His pow’rful deeds
He makes the warrior yield
He breaks their bow and snaps the spear
In fire burns their shield.

Be still and learn that I am God
I take the highest place
All nations on the earth must bow
My sov’reignty embrace.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 45 – A Love Song for the King

O King, my heart and lips o’erflow
With contemplations sweet
Let me recite so all will know
Your virtues they’ll repeat.

Fairer than all the sons of men
Your speech imbued with grace
God’s blessings on You never end
And none can take Your place.

Take up Your sword, O Mighty One
Go forth triumphantly
In paths of righteousness You run
Meekness and majesty.

Your truth will prosper in the land
You shout the battle call
Great are the deeds of Your right hand
Your enemies must fall.

Your throne, O God, will never end
You rule in righteousness
Those who do right You will defend
The wicked never bless.

Therefore Your God anointed You
And blessed beyond Your friends
Rich scents of myrrh and aloes, too
From royal robes ascend.

From iv’ry palaces the sound
Of music makes You glad
Daughters of kings with You are found
The queen in gold is clad.

Listen, O daughter, turn your ear
Forget your family
Unto the king yourself endear
Your beauty let him see.

Bow low before your lord and king
And worship at his feet
Rich gifts the people to you bring
As they your favor seek.

The radiant princess clothed in gold
Enters the royal hall
Her beauty all her friends extol
The King she will enthrall

Your sons will be your pride and fame
Great princes in the earth
Posterity will praise your name
As they declare your worth.

© 2014 J Dan Small