O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Questions
1. Many of the royal psalms offer prayer for the king’s might and wisdom. Today, offer a prayer for those who are in charge of our country, state, city, courts, schools, or churches.
2. The royal psalms speak of power, but it is different from the corrupted power we see in our world. What clues do the psalmists give to help us distinguish between God’s power and human power?
3. This week’s psalms include examples of petitions to God and thanksgiving for gifts received from God. Try to find a balance of praise, thanksgiving, and requests as you interact with people today.
4. Psalmists praise God’s mighty power and strength, but also God’s gentle protection and steadfast presence. What attributes of God do you read in today’s psalm? What attributes of God do you need to focus on in your life today?