My Psalm 128

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

You who seek my face,

Remember that you are indeed blessed.

The journey is just as important as the destination.

Blessings abounding will accompany those

Who keep pressing forward.

When blessings come, though,

Do not let them go to your head.

Instead, may they remind you of your Belovedness

And urge you to remind others of their’s as well.

My Psalm 127

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

Only if the Lord speaks over this

Will it ever be profitable.

If He does not speak over it and bless it,

Why waste energy trying when we know it will fail?

Without His blessing and assurance

Everything in this life is meaningless.

Friends are most definitely a blessing from above.

Much like rain to dry and cracked soil,

They encourage and build up,

Filling our lives with laughter and fond memories.

Truly blessed is the person

Who cherishes them deeply

And cares for them with diligence.

My Psalm 126

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

I still can’t believe that He did that.

He surprised me beyond my wildest dreams.

I know I don’t deserve it

And he quietly reminds me

That it was through faith and patience

That this dream was formed

And waited on

And continues to be waited on

After that glorious glimmer of promise and hope

And blessings abounding to come.

Oh Papa, that you would bring me there again,

That fears may be doused once more

With your healing stream,

That those who’ve seemingly sown

And waited and remained faithful in vain,

Would finally see the fruits of their labor

Even if just enough

To sustain us

Through this next season of waiting, praying, watching and yearning

For a glimpse of Your face.

My Psalm 125

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

Those who trust in the Lord

Are like the heavens,

The Lord is always dwelling there,

Watching over us,

Protecting us from harm,

Comforting his children in his loving arms.

Evil cannot win with us

For the victory is already won

Through Christ who claimed us before we were born.

He will deal justly with all

And will remember always

Those children who call on His name to be saved.

My Psalm 124

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

If he who is mighty to save had not stood up for us,

Calling us his own.

If he had not come to our rescue,

The alarms wouldn’t have awakened us;

We would have slept through his feast.

The world would have suffocated us,

Catching us in its lies.

Time would have kept ticking,

Leaving us standing aimlessly by.

Praise be to our Prince Charming

Who saved us all from such destitution

And will gladly pull us out again when we stumble.

He has helped us escape

The jaws of death,

The sparkling lure of sin,

And the wayward glance of the temptress.

Praise be to God for this indescribably gift.

Praise be to Him who is mighty to save.

He is our rescuer.

My Psalm 123

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

From down here on the floor
I lift my eyes to you,
gazing headlong into your welcoming arms.

A daughter in need of wisdom
A friend in need of guidance
I look to you,
waiting for your response.

Show me the favor you have placed
on my life and on theirs.
Show us your glory once again,
that we might stand in awe.

Life has thrown, in fact, is continuing to throw us
curve balls of frustration and confusion.
It tries to swallow us
and constantly throw us off track.

Steady us. Right us Papa.

My Psalm 122

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

I was filled with glorious joy
when asked to join you in the house of the LORD.
To be at this threshold again,
stepping into His tangible presence.

This town built around tradition and love,
where people fellowship on downtown streets
and laughter is heard throughout the square.

I pray for more honesty and love,
for peace to replace the strife,
that all those who come here
may be blessed and leave changed,
ready to spread what they've found.

This town has taught me love and identity
and because of the people here and the God we serve,
I bless you all as He gives you Peace.

My Psalm 121

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

I raise my head to that not so distant future
wondering where on earth You'll show up and when.
I know you are coming
and help You are longing to give me
because You are my great Abba Father.

You don't let me slip up or worry for long
because I cry out and You are there
right about me
attached to that looming wing
that's been protecting me this whole time.

You don't doze off or forget where You're sending me.
You are watching me like a hawk
making sure I am hearing your voice clearly
correcting me in love when I don't.

You've got me safe
Yahweh, My Protector, You are good.

My Psalm 120

---I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.---

In my frustration and confusion
I pleaded with the LORD and he answered me.

"I am sick of two-faced people
who lie straight to my face
and have become someone different
than the friend I once knew."

They don't see what they're doing
to themselves or to others
and I don't know how to show them
in love without being hypocritical.

Am I doomed to forever be in this limbo land?
A completely new person
surrounded by frustrating people stuck in pits
with blinders on their eyes.
I want them to realize and see again.
Bring renewal and take the scales off their eyes.

a new journey

This week begins a new phase, a new bible study, and a new opportunity. This bible study takes me through the Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120 - 134. Every other day I write my own rendition of each psalm. I have picked this study based on a recommendation from a fabulous friend whom I highly admire and look up to. I am eager to see what God teaches me through this journey but also to see what songs he gives me. Part of my new years resolution is to start writing my own songs and let me just tell you, even though it is only january 5th, that journey has begun and its been awesome to see the words that start floating through my head and wont' go away till i write them down. I felt like I was supposed to share these personal renditions of the Psalms of Ascent on here, and we'll see what else gets to see the light of day throughout the journey as well!

I ask that if you are reading these, that you go and read the original psalm for yourself, before you read my rendition, and let the words of your Maker soak deep into your bones.