With the coming of each new year, many of us endeavor to begin anew, determining to put aside bad habits and cultivate better ones. But it is only through the grace of God that we can experience true spiritual renewal. By the Holy Spirit, He enables us to set aside our sinful desires; He redeems us from the struggles of this world and gives us eternal hope through Christ Jesus His son.
As we enter 2024, we invite you to reflect on these 10 psalms illuminating the renewal and restoration that come from the Lord.
Rejoice in the Lord’s Sovereignty
“Hallelujah!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its maker,
the people of Zion rejoice in their king.
Let them praise his name in dance,
make music with tambourine and lyre.
For the Lord takes delight in his people,
honors the poor with victory.” — Psalm 149:1-4
“I praise you, Lord, for you raised me up
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, my God,
I cried out to you for help and you healed me.
Lord, you brought my soul up from Sheol;
you let me live, from going down to the pit.
Sing praise to the Lord, you faithful;
give thanks to his holy memory.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
his favor a lifetime.
At dusk weeping comes for the night;
but at dawn there is rejoicing.” — Psalm 30:2-6
“The Lord rules forever,
has set up his throne for judgment.
It is he who judges the world with justice,
who judges the peoples with fairness.
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you;
you never forsake those who seek you, Lord.
Be gracious to me, Lord;
see how my foes afflict me!
You alone can raise me from the gates of death.
For the needy will never be forgotten,
nor will the hope of the afflicted ever fade.” — Psalm 9:8-11, 14, 19
Call Upon the God Who Hears
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him and be radiant,
and your faces may not blush for shame.
This poor one cried out and the Lord heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and he saves them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his holy ones;
nothing is lacking to those who fear him.
The rich grow poor and go hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” — Psalm 34:5-11
“The Lord supports all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look hopefully to you;
you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.The Lord is just in all his ways,
merciful in all his works.
The Lord is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he destroys.
My mouth will speak the praises of the Lord;
all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.” — Psalm 145:14-21
“Surely, I wait for the Lord;
who bends down to me and hears my cry,
Draws me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the muddy clay,
Sets my feet upon rock,
steadies my steps,
And puts a new song in my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
Many shall look on in fear
and they shall trust in the Lord.
Blessed the man who sets
his security in the Lord,
who turns not to the arrogant
or to those who stray after falsehood.” — Psalm 40:2-5
Find Refuge in the Lord
“You are my refuge and shield;
in your word I hope.
Depart from me, you wicked,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Sustain me by your promise that I may live;
do not disappoint me in my hope.
Strengthen me that I may be safe,
ever to contemplate your statutes.” — Psalm 119:114-117
“The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the Lord is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eye.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The statutes of the Lord are true,
all of them just;
More desirable than gold,
than a hoard of purest gold,
Sweeter also than honey
or drippings from the comb.
By them your servant is warned;
obeying them brings much reward.
Who can detect trespasses?
Cleanse me from my inadvertent sins.
Also from arrogant ones restrain your servant;
let them never control me.
Then shall I be blameless,
innocent of grave sin.
Let the words of my mouth be acceptable,
the thoughts of my heart before you,
Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” — Psalm 19:8-15
“In the morning let me hear of your mercy,
for in you I trust.
Show me the path I should walk,
for I entrust my life to you.
Rescue me, Lord, from my foes,
for I seek refuge in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your kind spirit guide me
on ground that is level.
For your name’s sake, Lord, give me life;
in your righteousness lead my soul out of distress.” — Psalm 143:8-11
Rejoice in Our Savior
“You answer us with awesome deeds of justice,
O God our savior,
The hope of all the ends of the earth
and of those far off across the sea.
You are robed in power,
you set up the mountains by your might.
You still the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples.
Distant peoples stand in awe of your marvels;
the places of morning and evening you make resound with joy.
You visit the earth and water it,
make it abundantly fertile.
God’s stream is filled with water;
you supply their grain.
Thus do you prepare it:
you drench its plowed furrows,
and level its ridges.
With showers you keep it soft,
blessing its young sprouts.
You adorn the year with your bounty;
your paths drip with fruitful rain.
The meadows of the wilderness also drip;
the hills are robed with joy.
The pastures are clothed with flocks,
the valleys blanketed with grain;
they cheer and sing for joy.” — Psalm 65:6-14