Psalm 65:1-4
King James Version (KJV)

   “Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
   O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
   Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
   Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.”

This Psalm has been very special to me since I first understood it’s scope and meaning in my life.

It starts with Praise.

I am in a little UMC, playing piano, (mostly a multitude of Hymns).  That are meaningful to the Pastor and congregation. 

My problem,  complaint, even dissatisfaction lies in the belief that you cannot forget about yourself and focus on being one, with God.  

If you are forever reading the next word you are to sing.  

This is why I prefer short, Praise Songs, mostly Scriptures put to music.

They are God’s word, sung in Praise.  They become part of us, live in our hearts.  Bring comfort, peace and joy to our lives as we sing.

They lead us to that moment of connection, that time of silent knowing, experiencing, recognizing, the presence of God.

Worship.

That just isn’t happening with what we are singing.

It leads to Prayer.

When we truly learn to Praise and Worship, we bring ourselves to a voluntary humility, a place of recognition and subjection to God.

We Recognize our sin, followed by  Repentance.

A place where He hears our Prayers.

It then leads to forgiveness.

We can then be cleansed of our sins, forgiven, become blameless in the beloved.

This is when God chooses to draw us closer.

He calls us to dwell in His courts, to rely on His strength, love and provision. 

This is when He for a truth, becomes, “Our Lord and Shepherd.”

This is when and where we “Shall not want“.

Psalms 23, becomes reality,  not just a prayer.

I leave you with the Amplified Bible Version of these Scriptures.   I  pray we all take them for our own.

Psalm 65:1-4
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
Psalm 65
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A song.
  “To You belongs silence (the submissive wonder of reverence which bursts forth into praise) and praise is due and fitting to You, O God, in Zion; and to You shall the vow be performed.
   O You Who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come.
   Iniquities and much varied guilt prevail against me; [yet] as for our transgressions, You forgive and purge them away [make atonement for them and cover them out of Your sight]!
   Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You choose and cause to come near, that he may dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.”

 Oh Lord, 

Hear my prayer.

Amen