the last Psalm

Psalm 150

v2

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Here are a couple of things to praise the Lord for:

• His mighty acts
• His excellent greatness

1 Peter 4 Summary

1 Peter 4

Summary

This chapter seems to be about arming yourself with the mind of suffering for doing what's right (from v1). It talks about evil behavior based on fleshly lust (v2-4) which we have to give up. We have to suffer somewhat because of that. We also have to suffer somewhat because of other people talking badly about us because we do what's right (v4,14).

We however, need to speak the right way. When we get together with other people or have a chance to talk to them, we shouldn't just talk about things like football. We should talk about things of the Lord, like His Word (v11). Instead of the evil behavior, we're supposed to have good behavior (v7-11), by doing everything we do for the Lord (v11). We have to be willing to suffer in order to do what's right like this, because we have to sacrifice our own fleshly pleasure for other people, for example, in hospitality (v9).

We shouldn't let extreme trials take us by surprise (v12), but we should be glad because of the reward of the Lord's glory that's going to make it worthwhile (v13,14).

Finally, we're warned that it is not worthwhile to suffer just because of our own sin (v15). Instead of sinning in ways that lead to suffering, we should just keep doing what's right even when we suffer. We should just keep trusting the Lord to keep and reward us (v19).

1 Peter 4 Definitions

1 Peter 4

Word Definitions

lasciviousness

(v3) excess, licentiousness, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness; The prominent idea is shameless conduct.

revellings

(v3) consequence of drunkenness

stewards

(v10) the manager of a household or estate

oracles

(v11) a Divine response or utterance

_{From The Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Used with Fair Use, in a limited way for educational purposes.}

1 Peter 4 Key

1 Peter 4

Key v19

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

This verse seems to be saying something like this. The Lord is faithful and He is the Creator. If we have to suffer, leave it to the Lord to take care of us, by continuing to do what's right while we're suffering.

Application

When I feel depressed, I'll think of something good to do, and do that.

From: No, Not One!

By Johnson Oatman, 1895 and George Hugg

Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

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1 Peter 4 Outline

1 Peter 4

Outline

v1-6

suffer by ceasing from sin

v7-11

suffer by serving the Lord instead

v12-14

suffer by being reproached for the Lord's name

v15-19

don't suffer by sinning

From: No, Not One!

By Johnson Oatman, 1895 and George Hugg

There’s not an hour that He is not near us,
No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

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Job 21 Key

Job 21

Key v27

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [which] ye wrongfully imagine against me.

Applicaton

I'll work on not imagining wrong things.

Job 21 Outline

Job 21

Outline

v1-6

Job's friends should be ashamed of mocking him like that

v7-16

things can go very well for wicked people

v17-21

at the end of their story it is true that there is sorrow, destruction, and no pleasure

v22-26

some people have a good time until the end of their life, and other people have miserable deaths

v27-34

but there is a day of destruction for wicked people after this life. Job's friends were wrong to talk to him like he was a wicked person because of the trouble in his life.

be meek today

Psalm 149

v4

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

I should be humble today.

From: No, Not One!

By Johnson Oatman, 1895 and George Hugg

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases,
No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

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1 Peter 3 Key

1 Peter 3

Key v9

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

I've been having a problem being angry and talking the wrong way.

Application

When somebody does something evil or is speaking against people in an evil way, I'll think of a way to give a blessing instead of acting the same way back.

1 Peter 3 Outline

1 Peter 3

Outline

v1-7

how wives and husbands should behave

v8-12

do good things, not evil things

v13-17

suffering for doing good is worth it

v18-22

Christ's example of suffering for us

From: Joy Unspeakable

By Bar­ney War­ren, 1900

I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o’erflowing well,
Springing up within my soul.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory,
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.

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His name alone is excellent

Psalm 148

v13

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.

This Psalm names great things the Lord has created, and says for them all to praise the Lord. The Lord has created all of us people, and we should all praise Him too.

From: Joy Unspeakable

By Bar­ney War­ren, 1900

I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory,
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.

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praise is pleasant

Psalm 147

v1

Praise ye the LORD: for [it is] good to sing praises unto our God; for [it is] pleasant; [and] praise is comely.

It is pleasant to sing praises to the true God. We should sing to praise Him, to please Him, and we should find pleasure in that.

From: Joy Unspeakable

By Bar­ney War­ren, 1900

I have found the pleasure I once craved,
It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing! I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory,
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.

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Job 20 Key

Job 20

Key v3

I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

Sometimes I want to answer something because I think I have understanding, but I might be wrong.

Application

I might have much knowledge about what I'm talking about, but, before I talk, I need to make sure I really understand the situation.

From: Down at the Cross

By Eli­sha Hoff­man, 1878 and John Stock­ton

Come to this fountain so rich and sweet,
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today, and be made complete;
Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name, glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

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Job 20 Outline

Job 20

Outline

v1-4

Zophar thought he was answering because of the understanding he had (v3,) but he wasn't. Don't think that and speak the wrong thing, like him.

v5-9

These things might be true about a wicked hypocrite, but Job wasn't a wicked hypocrite. Also, the pleasures of sin are just for a season.

v10-19

A wicked person might get a lot by cheating, but it won't be worth it in the end of the story. Zophar makes pictures of wickedness being like eating food.

v20-29

Other people (v22) and other things (v27) will be against wicked people.

From: Down at the Cross

By Eli­sha Hoff­man, 1878 and John Stock­ton

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in;
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name, glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

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the way of the wicked

Psalm 146

v9

The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

There are some ways I've been wicked lately (like wasting time and being angry.) I'll take encouragement from this Psalm to be righteous instead.

From: Down at the Cross

By Eli­sha Hoff­man, 1878 and John Stock­ton

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within;
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name, glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

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1 Peter 2 Key

1 Peter 2

Key v20

For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.

When we suffer for doing well and for our conscience in front of God, we should endure grief. We should take it patiently.

Application

When I have to suffer for doing well, I'll remember to take it patiently and not be angry.

From: Near to the Heart of God

By Cle­land Mc­A­fee, 1903

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.

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1 Peter 2 Outline

1 Peter 2

Outline

v1-3

we should want the Word

v4-8

like living stones

v9-12

from darkness to light

v13-18

submit yourself

v19-20

endure suffering for righteousness

v21-25

Christ's example of suffering for us

grace, compassion, and mercy

Psalm 145

v8

The LORD [is] gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

I should believe these things as I bless and praise the Lord.

strange children

Psalm 144

v11

Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand [is] a right hand of falsehood:

I shouldn't be like these strange children. I should make sure that the things I say with my mouth aren't vanity. I should make sure to stay away from falsehood.

Job 18 Key

Job 18

Key v2

How long [will it be ere] ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.

I should spare my words, and not talk too much.

From: Down at the Cross

By Eli­sha Hoff­man, 1878 and John Stock­ton

Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name, glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

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Job 18 Outline

Job 18

What Wicked People Have

Outline

v1-4

don't talk too much

v5-6

wicked people have darkness, not light

v7-10

wicked people run into traps

v11-15

wicked people have terror, destruction, and death

v16-21

wicked people have no good legacy

to know the way to walk

Psalm 143

v8

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

As I'm deciding to rejoice, I should be praying to the Lord about things. This verse says, "cause me to know the way wherein I should walk". That's something I should pray.

1 Peter 1 Key

1 Peter 1

Key v8

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

We will rejoice with this great joy if we Love and believe in Jesus Christ.

Application

As the next step in my quest for joy, I'm going to decide to rejoice. That's a way to show I Love and believe in Him.

From: Joy Unspeakable

By Bar­ney War­ren, 1900

I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth ev’ry need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory,
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.

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1 Peter 1 Outline

1 Peter 1

Outline

v1-5

a lively hope (from v3): v2 elect, grace, peace. v4 "to an inheritance". v5 "unto salvation".

v6-9

rejoice in trials

v10-12

the prophets beforehand

v13-22

be ye holy

v23-25

the word of the Lord endureth for ever

pouring out complaints

Psalm 142

v2

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

Sometimes we have what seems like overwhelming trouble. When we're trying to speak only the way we should, we're tempted to complain. There's a way we should pour out our complaints in front of the Lord and show our trouble to Him. When we feel like complaining, we should pray about the situation instead.

Also notice the contrast between v7 in this chapter, which starts, "Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name", and Psalm 140:8, which says,

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. Selah.

We should want the Lord to help us so we can praise Him, not so we can be arrogant and lift ourselves up.

From: Just as I Am, Without One Plea

By Charlotte Elliott, 1835 and William Bradbury, 1849

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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Mouth-Watch :-)

Psalm 141

v3

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Think twice before you speak today.

From: Just as I Am, Without One Plea

By Charlotte Elliott, 1835 and William Bradbury, 1849

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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---

the desires of the wicked

Psalm 140

v8

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; [lest] they exalt themselves. Selah.

If we want the Lord to grant the things we desire to us, we need to make sure we're not wicked. This verse prays for the Lord to not grant the wicked peoples' desires.

Verse (v)2 talks about our imagination. One way to make sure we're not wicked is to make sure the things we imagine are right.

v1,4, and 11 talk about violence. I've had to stop myself several times lately from imagining violent things. Here's a way to make sure we're not wicked. We shouldn't talk about violence either.

v3,9, and 11 talk about the way we talk. We shouldn't talk wickedly or violently.

Finally, v8 talks about how wicked people will "exalt" (or lift up) themselves. We should be humble.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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don't speak wickedly

Psalm 139

v20

For they speak against thee wickedly, [and] thine enemies take [thy name] in vain.

This is an encouraging Psalm about how the Lord knows all about us. It also warns us that we shouldn't be wicked. Today we should remember to not speak against the Lord wickedly and not take His name in vain.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me;
By His guiding hand I’m led.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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be humble

Psalm 138

v6

Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

If we want the Lord to have respect to us instead of knowing us far off, we need to be humble and not be proud.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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every thing by prayer

Philippians 4

Key v6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

This verse says, "with thanksgiving". When I have a hard time with things going on, I should pray and thank the Lord for the situations. It says, "Be careful for nothing". I shouldn't get all worried and upset. I should just pray and let God know what my requests are.

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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real peace

Philippians 4

Outline

v1-3

Paul's care for the brethren

v4-9

how to have real peace

v10-19

giving and contentment

v20-23

blessings and greetings

From: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

By Francis Rowley, 1886 and Peter Bilhorn, 1886

I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me.
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

listen to MP3 file