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We are to “search for [wisdom] as for hidden treasures.” ( 2:4) We are to “apply our hearts to understanding”. (2:2.) Wisdom is a gift from God which leads us down every good path, and which is pleasant to the soul. The wisdom of God’s Word delivers from the way of evil, but those who turn from it will experience a miserable end.

The fear of the Lord is the starting point and foundation of all true knowledge. However, as we go through life, we do not leave behind the starting point. Rather, we take it with us all through life. For “a wise man will hear and increase learning.” (1:5).

We end our Psalm readings this month with a wonderful reminder of our many blessings as God’s children. The Psalm especially focuses our attention on that most wonderful blessing of God’s forgiveness: “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

We have reason to shout for joy! The Lord is our Creator and our Shepherd. So let us “enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting,

We can be confident that we will find peace and protection in the shelter of the Most High. “He is my refuge and my fortress.” We are further comforted knowing that, “He shall give His angels charge over you.” Finally we are assured that God will bring us safely though death to life eternal. He will show us His salvation!

Our time in this world passes by so quickly. “It is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Soon eternity will dawn. So we pray: “Teach us to number our days.” Help us, dear Lord, to use our time wisely and to your glory; and keep us in our Savior’s grace to life everlasting.

Is your life full of troubles? Does is maybe even seem like God has abandoned you? “Why do You hide Your face from me?” While the Psalm seems to offer little hope, we latch on to the first verse: “O Lord, God of my salvation.” Since God is our salvation, we can be confident of His help even in the darkest of times.

This Psalm tells of the joy of being in God’s house. “My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord!” It is a true blessing to join our fellow like-minded believers in Gods’ house. There we have opportunity to hear His Word, to be assured of God’s forgiveness, to praise His saving Name, and to encourage one another in our faith.

It is the God-given responsibility of every generation to pass down the faith to their children, “telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord.” Soon after they are born we bring our children to Jesus through Baptism. We follow that up by teaching them of their Savior’s love from the Bible. We pray that our children remain in the faith to life everlasting!

David had enemies. We enemies because we hold to Christ and His Word. In foreign countries many Christians are put to death. In our country Christians are ridiculed for their faith. The hatred of the world will only become more vicious the closer we get to the end, but with David we say: “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”

David expresses his repentance for the sin of adultery. The psalm, however, holds universal truths of God’s grace for all sinners. Though we are sinful from birth, and daily sin much, God speaks joy to our guilty hearts. For Jesus’ sake He blots out our iniquity. In thankful response we pray for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit.

Our Savior God is the King of all the earth. The words “God has gone up with a shout” point ahead to Christ’s triumphant ascension and exhaltation. His Gospel now goes out into all lands. In joyful response we clap our hands! We sing praises to God! We sing praises to our King! We sing to Him a psalm of praise!