Bible Study & Affirmations

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PSALM 98

Psalm 98:1-3

We will sing to you, oh God, a new song.  You have done wonderful and marvelous things.  Your right hand and your holy arm have worked salvation for each one of us.  Your salvation is known dear God and has been revealed to the nations.  God forever remembers his love and faithfulness for all of Israel.  All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

Psalm 98:4-6

All the earth shall shout for joy to the Lord bursting into jubilant song with music.  We will make music with the harp and sing along with its great sound.  The trumpets and sounds of the ram’s horn will shout for joy before the Lord God almighty, the King.

Psalm 98:7-10

The sea will resound and everything in it, the world and all who live therein.  The rivers of water will clap their hands as the mountains sing for joy, singing before the Lord as He comes to judge the earth.  The world will be judged in His righteousness and the people judged in His equity.

My Overview and Observation

This is a psalm, a song, reminds of the purpose for which we were created and the responsibility we have to praise and worship our God.  It reminds us of the joy that is found in worship along with the blessings and penalties that come with praising our King.  It reminds us that God created everything for His glory and thus everything and everyone has the ability to praise and worship Him.  It is a psalm that is filled with the promises of God as well as a reminder that all will be judged and held accountable for their actions here on Earth.  The sovereign God will have the last word here on Earth.  To God be the Glory.

Be encouraged to read and share ❤️

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Psalms Chapter 97 Let the Earth Rejoice: The Greatness and Wisdom of God

This chapter is a powerful reminder of God's sovereign and righteous judgment, over everything and everyone. A passionate portrayal of God's sovereignty and just rule over all the earth. It encourages the faithful that God's ruling can be trusted and to live righteously.

The Majestic Reign of God (Vs 1-5)

* This Psalm begins by proclaiming that the Lord reigns.

*Using imagery, the psalmist describes God's supremacy through clouds, fire, and lightning.

*The righteous judgement of God is compared to a consuming fire, showing His power and authority.

God's Righteous Judgement (Verse 6-9)

*The heavens declare God's righteousness and His glory is seen by all.

*Idol worshippers are shamed and warned of their fall that is about to happen.

* The righteous are to hate evil.

*The faithful are reassured of God's protection and the joy of His justice.

* God's holiness is exalted above all else, and praise is stirred up from His faithful ones.

The Joy of the Righteous (Vs 10-12)

* Those who love the Lord are instructed to hate evil. They are reassured that God guards the lives of His saints and delivers them from the hands of the wicked.

*Symbolic of God's favor, blessings, and guidance, light is sown for righteousness.

*The faithful who are in Judah and Zion are to rejoice and be glad in the Lord's name and bask in His divine righteousness.

Observation and Takeaways:

- It is our duty to recognize and rejoice in God's majesty

-God has the ultimate authority over all creation

-God is just and has the power to overcome evil

-God's majesty is revealed in creation

- We are only to worship God and not idols

-Blessings come when we live in alignment with God's will

-We can cultivate a heart that loves God and hates evil

-We can be at peace and trust in God's control over circumstances that we face

God bless ❤️

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Introduction:

Psalm 95 is a passionate call to worship and to listen to God’s voice. It reminds every believer, whether seasoned or new, that worship is not just singing songs, but surrendering hearts. It’s a loving warning not to harden ourselves against God. In a noisy world, this chapter is like a steady hand, pulling us back to our Maker with urgency and tenderness.

Verse/ Explanation:

Verse 1 (A Call to Praise)

“Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.”

Explanation:

We are invited to praise God with energy and joy! He is our solid foundation and the one who rescues us.

Verse 2 (Enter with Thankfulness)

“Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.”

Explanation:

When we approach God, we should do so with hearts full of gratitude, recognizing all He has done.

Verse 3 (God’s Greatness)

“For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.”

Explanation:

God is supreme. No idol, no earthly power can ever compare to His majesty.

Verse 4 (God’s Authority Over Creation)

“He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.”

Explanation:

Every part of creation — from the deepest valleys to the highest peaks — belongs to God and is under His control.

Verse 5 (The Creator of Land and Sea)

“The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.”

Explanation:

God’s craftsmanship is seen everywhere, and it reminds us of His divine ownership of the world.

Verse 6 (Call to Humble Worship)

“Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,”

Explanation:

True worship is an act of humility, acknowledging God as our Creator and surrendering to Him.

Verse 7 (We Are His Sheep)

“for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!”

Explanation:

God lovingly cares for us like a shepherd with his sheep. He longs for us to hear and obey His voice.

Verse 8 (Warning Against Hardened Hearts)

“The Lord says, ‘Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness.’”

Explanation:

God warns us not to repeat Israel’s mistakes — resisting and doubting Him even after witnessing His miracles.

Verse 9 (Testing God)

“For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did.”

Explanation:

Despite seeing God’s power firsthand, the Israelites doubted Him, showing that even miracles don’t guarantee obedience if hearts are stubborn.

Verse 10 (Grieving God’s Heart)

“For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’”

Explanation:

Disobedience and unbelief grieve God deeply. A wandering heart leads to spiritual distance from Him.

Verse 11 (Result of Disobedience)

“So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”

Explanation:

God’s judgment came because of their rebellion — they missed out on the peace and blessings He intended for them.

Takeaway/Application Steps:

• Begin your day with songs of praise and thanksgiving, even in hard seasons.

• Reflect daily on God’s greatness through creation and Scripture.

• Stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice — don’t delay obedience.

• Examine your heart regularly to avoid becoming spiritually hard.

• Trust God fully without needing constant “proof” of His care.

• Remember that God’s peace is a gift to the obedient heart.

Personal Reflection

Psalm 95 reminds me that worship is not about being in a perfect situation — it’s about knowing I serve a perfect God. It’s about choosing to lift my eyes even when my arms feel heavy. Like so many women — whether working, raising children, supporting loved ones, caring for aging parents, or just trying to keep faith alive in a noisy world — I’ve learned that praise is an act of survival and surrender.

When I was younger, I watched the women in my family worship through hardships with such grace. Now, as an adult, I understand that they weren’t worshiping because life was easy — they were worshiping because God was their strength.

True worship isn’t about having a perfect life — it’s about bringing our imperfect hearts to a perfect God. Even when life is heavy, we can choose to trust, praise, and rest in Him. Every moment we surrender becomes an offering of love.

Have a blessed week!