(A personal psalm, based on Psalm 16)
Oh, God, I praise you for every blessing you bestow (v. 2).
You are the God of all Goodness, the Author of every benefit. Just recently you granted:
- Timely encouragement from friends,
- A memorable dinner celebrating four anniversaries—ours, along with those of our three children and spouses,
- The announcement of a third grandchild, due to arrive in January.
As A. W. Tozer observed: Out of your goodness, Lord, comes your desire for my highest welfare, your wisdom to plan it, and your power to achieve it. What do I lack (Knowledge of the Holy, p. 70)?
It’s also true that anything good within me comes from you. I hate to think where I’d be today if it weren’t for your influence and direction in my life.
Oh, God, I praise you for your godly people living heroic lives (v. 3).
I take great pleasure in knowing more than several, and gain encouragement from their examples—heroes such as:
- Cheri, who cares for her elderly parents,
- Buck and Nikki, who faithfully minister in nursing homes,
- Bill, who soldiers on with ALS–with a sense of humor, no less—after years of paralysis, and
- Charity, who is battling cancer with great doses of gratitude and praise, in addition to chemo.
These dear ones and more reflect your strength, Lord, your love, joy, peace, and courage. How dare I entertain the slightest bit of self-pity or discouragement?
Oh, God, I praise you for being my grand and glorious inheritance (v. 6).
You possess all power, inhabit all corners of the universe, know all things.
You are all-wise, righteous and holy in all you do—absolutely perfect.
Everything in the universe belongs to you, the Creator of it all.
Yet you care for me. Out of your unlimited resources, you supply everything I need—and then some. Even in the small matters, you are there. You’ve provided:
- A woman to guide me through a hallway-maze in a medical building,
- Two sons who can trouble-shoot my computer problems (!), and
- Continual reminders that your Spirit is at work, even when circumstances seem stagnant.
You are a reliable God who keeps his promises. Always.
And when I leave this earth, you have reserved for me in heaven an eternal inheritance that will never decrease, including the privilege of living with you, basking in your glory.
Such wonders overwhelm the intellect, and my heart overflows with gratitude.
Oh, God, I praise you for your reliability (v. 8).
All the attributes mentioned above (and more) you bring to bear in my life—not as an impersonal monarch overseeing the general welfare of his kingdom—but as a gracious Father, lovingly guiding my individual course.
You will never leave me alone to fend for myself.
And you will also keep me safe until all the chapters of my life have been written (Psalm 139:16).
Oh, God, I praise you with my whole being (vs. 9, 11). You fill:
- My heart with the joy of your presence,
- My mind with the wisdom and truth of your Word, and
- My spirit with the glory of your attributes.
Oh, God, I praise you that these pleasures are available to your children for evermore.
May I keep my thoughts centered on you and on these, your precious gifts.
Art & photo credits: www.dailyverses.net; http://www.biblepic.com; http://www.pinterest.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.pinterest.com (2).
From the Inside Out 
A terrific and PRACTICAL example of turning scripture into our own prayers!!
Thank you, Dawn. I always find the exercise uplifting!
Amen! We are doing a Bible Study now where we are rewriting verses of Psalms or verses I should say. A Blessing!
Sounds intriguing. Must be a delight to hear the reflections of others on the same verses!
Amen. This psalm has always been one of my favorite.
Thank you, Nikki. It is chock full of food for thought and worship, isn’t it!
Such a creative Psalmist, Nancy. You inspire! (and Psalm 16 is one of my favorites, too, especially, “the boundary lines have fallen to me in pleasant places.” Boundaries are good….still learning that.)
Thank you for your kind words, Jody. You lift my spirit! And yes — “boundaries are good.” There is a lot of truth to explore in that one concept!
lovely set of praises. Each day I get a ting on my smart phone reminded me to praise the Lord about 3;00 every day. Hate to need a reminder like that but it works. May use your words tomorrow afternoon. Thanks!
I would be honored if you used “Eternal Pleasures” one afternoon for your personal praise session! I’m praising God for his inspiration and encouragement. And thank you, Jean, for your faithful visits here with your meaningful comments.
His Reliability! That stood out for me to see! “You will never leave me alone to fend for myself.” One of my greatest fears which I am constantly fighting against…being left without any immediate family. But you have reminded me in the plainest of words that He will NEVER leave me alone to fend for myself.
And he “will also keep me safe until all the chapters of my life have been written” (Psalm 139:16). Perfect for me to cling to. His Word could not be any more specific to my needs. The passed couple of days I have been down… Then when I read about other people’s trials…and the people in Italy (earthquake); and those in Baton Rouge who have lost loved ones and possessions …I am ashamed of myself and feel guilty for feeling sorry for myself. So I turned that guilt into prayer for others and praise Him for what He is doing behind the scenes. He is preparing a lovely gated community for me to ‘retire’ to for all eternity…where they will be no more sorrows. This post helped me so much, Nancy!!!
How God must smile to see you turn from those things that would weigh you down, and toward prayer and praise instead! I’m praying you sense his comforting presence, and a holy hug from him, too. ‘LOVE your description of heaven as a “lovely gated community for [us] to retire to for all eternity!” Brilliant! 🙂 Praise God this post, at just the right time, was such an uplift for you, Cheri. That warms MY heart!