Psalm 62 (summary): My soul finds rest in God alone

 David's psalm to Jeduthun expresses his total trust in God. "My soul finds rest in God alone... I shall never be shaken". David says he faces men that seek to topple him and who curse him in their hearts. However David finds rest in God, "he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken... God is our refuge". David goes on to say that lowborn and highborn people are "only a breath"... and that no-one should take pride in stolen goods. Trust in God because he is strong and loving and will reward people according to what they do".

The Parables of the Seeds

Last night I travelled to the town of São Mamede and preached on the Parables of the Seeds in Mark 4:26-34. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Rebeca evangelized the children whilst I preached. A man came and thanked me for the message after the service and said that he will bring his whole family to the next service there.

During the day yesterday I prepared sermons for the married couples meeting and for next Sunday's service in Patos.

One third

I have completed writing the summary of the first 50 psalms which means I have covered one third of the psalms and about 44% of the Bible. 

Liz went to the women's prayer meeting last night and she says it was a blessing.

Our field team led by Pastor Rafael went to Fred and Marileide's farm last night and preached the gospel in an animated service.

Psalm 61 (summary): Hear my cry, O God!

David here (with stringed instruments) is either in exile ("from the ends of the earth") or in extreme distress. He says he calls to God for help as his heart grows faint asking to be led to the rock that is higher than I. He says God has been his refuge and that he longs to dwell in God's tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of his wings. He asks to be enthroned in God's presence for ever. Then he will sing praise to God's name. 

Psalm 60 (summary): You have rejected us, O God!

This Davidic psalm is a lament when he felt that God had rejected him and his people owing to a battle loss against Edom. David therefore asks for restoration in the face of what he sees as desperate times. He continues saying, "Save us and help us so that those you love can be delivered... give us aid against our enemy... with God we shall gain the victory"!

Psalm 59 (summary): Deliver me from my enemies, O God!

 David wrote this psalm when Saul had sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. "Deliver me from my enemies, O God", prayed David, "deliver me from evil doers... these bloodthirsty men lie in wait for me... I have done no wrong but they are ready to attack... O God show no mercy to wicked traitors"! These would-be assassins "snarl like dogs and prowl... spewing swords from their lips... but God laughs at them. You my loving God are my fortress... let these wicked men be caught in their pride... and it will be known that God rules"! "I will sing of your strength in the morning... for you are my fortress and refuge in times of trouble".

Psalm 58 (summary): Do rulers indeed speak justly?

Psalm 58 is an imprecatory prayer which invokes divine judgement on corrupt judges and unjust rulers. David asks: "Do you judge uprightly? No, in your heart you devise injustice... the wicked go astray from birth... their venom is like that of a snake... and it won't heed the tune of the snake charmer... break their teeth O God!...  Let them vanish like water flowing away down the river... let them be slugs melting away... the righteous will be glad when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked... for surely there is a God who judges the earth"!