“Well, I declare!” Growing up in the South, I’ve heard my mom utter those very words thousands of times. In my mother’s southern mountain drawl, the phrase “Well, I declare” sounds more phonetically like this “Well-Eye-Dee-Clair!” This term, “I declare” wasn’t necessarily used to declare a proclamation or rule. It was a term often followed behind another famous southern phrase with a subtle back-and-forth shaking of the head and a slight grunt. For example, “Bless your heart, well, I declare” (head shaking in disbelief…slight grunt).
This morning, I was reading in Psalm 71:7-8 “Since my youth, you have taught me and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray (or balding), do not forsake me God until I declare your power to the next generation.”
After reading that passage, I prayed that I would not grow to be a grumpy old woman. I want to radiate joy. I want to declare the goodness of the Lord in all times! It was then I realized that I had not finished typing out this the final selection of my favorite Psalms. Well, I declare!
~April
“I call upon the Lord in my distress and He answers me!” Psalm 120:1
“He who watches over you neither sleeps nor slumbers.”Psalm 121:2-3
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8
“May there be peace within your walls. May those who love you be secure.” Psalm 122:6
“So our eyes look to the Lord our God, til he shows us His mercy.” Psalm 123:2
“If the Lord had not been on our side, we would have been attacked, drown, or torn to shreds by others, but the Lord our God, our Help broke the snare and we escaped. Praise be the Maker of Heaven and Earth.” Psalm 124 (my version)
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which can not be shaken but endures forever…so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever more.” Psalm 125:1-2
“The Lord has done great things for me and I am filled with J-O-Y!” Psalm 126:3
“Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Blessed are those whose quiver is full of them.” Psalm 127:3-5
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways…and may the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life.” Psalm 128: 5-6
“I have been greatly oppressed, but the Lord is righteous; He has set me free.” Psalm 129: 2
“Out of the depths I cry out to you- Lord hear my prayer…but with you is forgiveness.” Psalm 130:1, 4
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5
“Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and full redemption.” Psalm 130:7
“I do not concern myself with great matters or things too profound for me that’s God’s job!”
Psalm 131:1 (italicize mine)
“I will not enter my house or go to bed, I will not allow sleep to my eyes nor slumber to my eyelids until I find a place for the Lord.” Psalm 132:3-5
(Or as my friend once said, “No Face book until I’ve had my face in HIS book”)
“I will bless her with abundant provisions” Psalm 132:15
“How good and pleasant it is when we live together in unity.” Psalm 133:1
“May the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth bless you!” Psalm 134:3
“I know that the Lord is great, that our God is greater than all gods.” Psalm 135:5
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His love endures forever!” Psalm 136:1
“Do not let me fail to remember you O Lord. Do not let me fail to honor you.” Psalm 137:6 (my paraphrase)
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life…with your right hand you save me.” Psalm 138:7
“All the days of my life were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16 (Note to self: God’s not finished with me yet, so don’t get stuck on a page!)
“O Lord, hear my cry for mercy! I know you are my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle.” Psalm 140:6-7
“Set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil.” Psalm 141:3-4
“I am in desperate need! Rescue me!” Psalms 142:6
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go.” Psalm 143:8
“The Lord is my Rock…my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield whom I take refuge.” Psalm 144:1-2
“His greatness no one can fathom!” Psalm 145:3b
“The Lord remains faithful FOREVER!” Psalm 146:6b
“The Lord heals the brokenhearted.” Psalm 147:3
“The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:10-11
“Praise the Lord, for he commanded and it was created!” Psalm 148:5
“Let the people praise His name with dancing and make music to him.” Psalm 149:3 *
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in the sanctuary; Praise Him in his mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power. Praise Him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with all musical instruments and in dancing. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” Psalm 150*
*These Psalms are proof that there will be a dance party in heaven. Bring out the disco ball!
The book of Psalms has more real estate in the bible than any other book. It contains every condition and emotion known to mankind. Each chapter points to to the Lord and his mercy and love. Psalm 23 is my absolute favorite:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil (you revive my drooping head), my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Notice the use of the personal pronoun “my” as in the Lord is my shepherd. My prayer for you that is that you will not just know of God, but know God personally. He personally created you for a personal relationship with Him. Just ask him.
“May you and I be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Romans 1:12
~April