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Psalm 7 | King James Audio Bible
YouTube: Psalm 7 KJV | King James Audio Bible | Word Aloud
Psalm 7 expresses the psalmist’s struggle against unfairness and his plea for God’s protection.
The psalm extends from individual predicament towards cosmic reality – the overarching knowledge of God as the reality of the universe. We can imagine being wrongly accused and treated badly by others. In Psalm 7, the psalmist is upset about being treated unfairly and asks God for help.
In the beginning, the psalmist expresses his trust in God. He asks for refuge, knowing that to be with God is spiritual home and justice.
There is a vivid picture where the psalmist compares his situation to a lion tearing its prey. There is a visceral, animal sense of the psalmist’s torment. This is no abstract dilemma; the whole being of the psalmist is entailed.
Then, the psalmist looks at his own actions. He declares his innocence, especially in relation to dealings with others, and asks for justice considering any sin. There is a call for himself to be brought to account. Implicitly, there is firm belief that the psalmist has abided by God’s law and justice. This is in context of surrender to God’s will.
The psalmist asks God to make things right. He wants God to judge people fairly, separating the good from the bad based on their hearts. There is belief in the universality of God’s justice, both in a supernatural sense and in the assembly of people – God’s justice carried forth on Earth.
The psalm is hopeful. The psalmist trusts that God will protect those with good hearts. He believes God will take action against the wrong things people do.
The psalmist describes how the troublemakers bring harm upon themselves with their own deceitful plans. Their actions have consequences upon themselves. Such is the nature of evil.
The psalmist believes that God is righteous and can be relied upon. God tests His faithful, and yet this test is fair – there is justice.
Psalm 7 expresses a desire for fairness and protection from those who are causing harm. It reminds us that when things are tough, we find refuge and trust in God’s justice.
Indeed, the whole universe, the whole divine plan of salvation, is with us there.
Psalm 7 | King James Audio Bible KJV | Prayer To Jesus
O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
Key Themes Of The Psalm For Reflection | Love Revealed
- Seeking God’s Protection: The psalmist starts by seeking God’s help and protection from those who are causing trouble and harm.
- Facing Unfair Accusations: The psalmist grapples with being wrongly accused and treated unfairly by others, highlighting the theme of injustice.
- Divine Justice: The psalmist appeals to God’s sense of justice, asking for a fair evaluation of hearts and actions.
- Self-Reflection: The psalmist examines his own actions and asserts his innocence, showing a commitment to fairness and righteousness.
- Trust in God’s Defence: Amidst adversity, the psalmist places trust in God as a defence, emphasizing God’s role as a protector.
- Consequences of Wrongdoing: The psalmist describes the negative outcomes that result from the deceitful plans of the wicked, underscoring the theme of accountability.
- Divine Judgment: The psalmist believes in God’s role as a just Judge, separating the righteous from the wicked based on their intentions.
- Hope and Confidence: The psalmist’s tone shifts to hope and confidence, trusting that God will take action against wrongdoing and uphold fairness.
- Praise and Trust: The psalmist concludes by praising God’s righteousness and expressing trust in His reliability as a source of refuge and justice.
- Seeking Refuge in God: Psalm 7 portrays a journey of seeking refuge in God amidst adversity, appealing for justice and finding hope in divine protection.
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As we have heard in our Palm Sunday reading, Mary anoints Jesus. In John’s account, she anoints Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. This is a sign of great love and humility, which Jesus will offer to his followers in John’s account of the Last Supper. The ointment she uses is very precious, costing a year’s wages for a labouring man, and the whole house is filled with the beautiful scent [ … ]
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
