April 2: Refuge
1 Samuel 21:1-15, Psalm 56, Psalm 34, 1 Sam 22: 1-19, Psalm 142, 1 Chron. 12:8-18, 1 Sam. 22:3-5
Psalm 56
The Message (MSG)
A David Psalm, When He Was Captured by the Philistines in Gath
56 1-4 Take my side, God—I’m getting kicked around,
stomped on every day.
Not a day goes by
but somebody beats me up;
They make it their duty
to beat me up.
When I get really afraid
I come to you in trust.
I’m proud to praise God;
fearless now, I trust in God.
What can mere mortals do?
stomped on every day.
Not a day goes by
but somebody beats me up;
They make it their duty
to beat me up.
When I get really afraid
I come to you in trust.
I’m proud to praise God;
fearless now, I trust in God.
What can mere mortals do?
5-6 They don’t let up—
they smear my reputation
and huddle to plot my collapse.
They gang up,
sneak together through the alleys
To take me by surprise,
wait their chance to get me.
they smear my reputation
and huddle to plot my collapse.
They gang up,
sneak together through the alleys
To take me by surprise,
wait their chance to get me.
7 Pay them back in evil!
Get angry, God!
Down with these people!
Get angry, God!
Down with these people!
8 You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn
through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
each ache written in your book.
through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
each ache written in your book.
9 If my enemies run away,
turn tail when I yell at them,
Then I’ll know
that God is on my side.
turn tail when I yell at them,
Then I’ll know
that God is on my side.
10-11 I’m proud to praise God,
proud to praise God.
Fearless now, I trust in God;
what can mere mortals do to me?
proud to praise God.
Fearless now, I trust in God;
what can mere mortals do to me?
12-13 God, you did everything you promised,
and I’m thanking you with all my heart.
You pulled me from the brink of death,
my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
Now I stroll at leisure with God
in the sunlit fields of life.
and I’m thanking you with all my heart.
You pulled me from the brink of death,
my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
Now I stroll at leisure with God
in the sunlit fields of life.
Psalm 34
The Message (MSG)
A David Psalm, When He Outwitted Abimelech and Got Away
34 I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.
my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.
together let’s get the word out.
4 God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
he freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
Never hide your feelings from him.
6 When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
and God got me out of a tight spot.
7 God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.
but God-seekers are full of God.
11 Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
12 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
16 God won’t put up with rebels;
he’ll cull them from the pack.
he’ll cull them from the pack.
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.
ready to rescue you.
18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.
still, God is there every time.
20 He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.
not even a finger gets broken.
21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.
they waste their lives hating the good.
22 God pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.
no one who runs to him loses out.
Psalm 142
The Message (MSG)
A David Prayer—When He Was in the Cave
142 1-2 I cry out loudly to God,
loudly I plead with God for mercy.
I spill out all my complaints before him,
and spell out my troubles in detail:
loudly I plead with God for mercy.
I spill out all my complaints before him,
and spell out my troubles in detail:
3-7 “As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away,
you know how I’m feeling,
Know the danger I’m in,
the traps hidden in my path.
Look right, look left—
there’s not a soul who cares what happens!
I’m up against it, with no exit—
bereft, left alone.
I cry out, God, call out:
‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’
Oh listen, please listen;
I’ve never been this low.
Rescue me from those who are hunting me down;
I’m no match for them.
Get me out of this dungeon
so I can thank you in public.
Your people will form a circle around me
and you’ll bring me showers of blessing!”
you know how I’m feeling,
Know the danger I’m in,
the traps hidden in my path.
Look right, look left—
there’s not a soul who cares what happens!
I’m up against it, with no exit—
bereft, left alone.
I cry out, God, call out:
‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’
Oh listen, please listen;
I’ve never been this low.
Rescue me from those who are hunting me down;
I’m no match for them.
Get me out of this dungeon
so I can thank you in public.
Your people will form a circle around me
and you’ll bring me showers of blessing!”
"Oh God, thank You for David's psalms. David gives hope to all who are completely alone with no support to be found. Please encourage someone today with Your amazing word of Truth. Please help someone out there to encourage themselves in You as David did so many times. I thank You for Your constant presence, even when others fail me. You are my Refuge, Oh God. You are my strong Tower. I will worship You and trust You always. Blessed be Your mighty name, the Name of Jesus, AMEN"
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