Text:

"25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; 26 with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. 28 For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. 29 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?—32 the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. 36 You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. 38 I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet. 39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed.  41 They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them. 42 I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets. 43 You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. 44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. 45 Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses. 46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation— 47 the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, 48 who rescued me from my enemies;    yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence. 49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. 50 Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever."

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Lexicon:

vs. 28 - lightens (nagahh) - "to cause to shine, to illuminate, to enlighten"

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vs. 28 - darkness (choshek) - "secret place, misery, ignorance, wickedness, obscurity, adversity, sadness"

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vs. 30 - proves true (tsaraph) - "to refine, to test, to smelt (to fuse or melt in order to separate the metal contained), to purify, to purge away, to examine anyone"

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vs. 32 - equipped ('azar) - "to gird, to encompass, to clothe, to belt or bind, to surround, to prepare for battle"

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vs. 33 - secure ('amad) - "to cause to stand firm, to maintain, to stand still, to remain, to endure, to be steadfast"

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vs. 35 - shield (magen) - "buckler, protector, scaly hide of a crocodile, defense"

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vs. 35 - salvation (yesha') - "deliverance, rescue, safety, victory, aid, welfare"

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vs. 35 - supported me (ca'ad) - "to sustain, to strengthen, to comfort, to refresh, to establish, to support the heart"

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vs. 35 - gentleness ('anvah) - "meekness, humility"

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vs. 35 - made me great (rabah) - "to multiply, to increase, to bring into abundance, to enlarge"

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vs. 46 - lives (chay) - "alive, lively, flowing and fresh, flourishing, prosperous"

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vs. 50 - shows ('asah) - "to fashion, to accomplish, to make, to do, to prepare, to put in order, to bring about"

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vs. 50 - steadfast love (checed) - "goodness, kindness, faithfulness, mercy, love, zeal toward anyone, desire"

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What does this reveal about God's character?

God is light.  There is no darkness in Him.  Because He is light, He illuminates the darkness in us - conviction, not shame.  His Word is the Truth, which tests and refines us.  God is faithful.  He calls us to battle and equips us for that calling, making our steps secure and cloaking us in His presence.  He strengthens, sustains and protects us.  God is victorious.  Ultimate victory has been won by God through Christ's salvation.  God is living, alive and active.  God is generous, bestowing gentleness, kindness, love, mercy and abundance on His children.

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Questions:

1) What sin(s) in me is God illuminating? Maybe it's a bad attitude or the need to control your tongue?f

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2) Am I in His Word?  His Word (the Truth) will refine, test and examine our hearts, but we have to be in the Word to allow it to do its job.

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3) Do I lean on God for support, strength and comfort?

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4) Am I victorious?  Have I received the salvation of the Lord?  Please visit our Resources page for more information on receiving salvation.

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5) In what ways have I seen the steadfast love, faithfulness, kindness and goodness of the Lord?  Be specific and thank God for His love.

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Prayer:

Father God, thank you for your Word that lights my path.  I ask you to show me the ways I am sinning against you.  I ask that the Truth of your Word would pierce my soul and reveal any darkness trying to take root.  Soften my heart to your admonishment and show me the way out.  Lord, I ask you to strengthen, sustain and protect me.  Life is one giant spiritual battle.  I know you've ultimately won the victory, but keep me secure in your ways so that I will live victoriously and accomplish for your kingdom all you have ordained.  Thank you for your presence that goes with me and before me (Deuteronomy 31:8).  Thank you for your love and mercy, for your faithfulness and goodness, for your abundance and kindness to me.  Lord, I pray thankfulness would ever me on my lips and that praise of your name would be my life-song.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!