let me read the psalms to you

This Ramadan, the first plate isn't for you. It's passed across the table. And when the first bite is for someone else, what you cook with matters. V.T. Megabasmati extra-long premium rice. Chosen for its quality. Extra-long grains. Soft texture in every dish. And chosen for moments that matter. V.T. Megabasmati extra-long premium rice. Made for sharing. I had it for a week and got to the end of it. And I was less congested. And I wasn't feeling as fatigued anymore. And I was like, okay, I am over this head cold. Yay! Moving on with my life. Okay, well, I don't know what happened. I don't know if I relapsed a little bit. But I have been so congested. But I don't have any of the other symptoms anymore. So I don't know if it's just like... I don't really actually know what's going on. So unfortunately, you guys are going to have to put up with me again. We've been here before. And that's what it is. You guys know the drill. When I get sick, we just push. And you're just going to have to put up with me sounding a little navely today. But yeah, that's my situation. Also, another fun situation is I am wearing the best sweat set. I was raving about it on my Instagram story the other day. I just cross influence you guys at this point. Because I feel like I'm always bringing things to the podcast that I've already brought to my socials. In case you're not over there, I also have to tell you guys over here. So fun fact about myself is before I started working for the internet, and before I started doing influencing full time and then podcasting as well, I worked retail for a really long time. My first job ever was a Hollister. I was probably 15 years old, worked there for a few years, and then moved over to Erie slash American Eagle, but mainly Erie. And so I worked at Erie for a few years, and I even transferred. I started working at Erie in upstate New York, where I'm from, and then I moved down to Charlotte, North Carolina, with my family, and transferred to an Erie down there. So like, I am a rider-die Erie. I'm going to tell you guys working there. And it was funny because I applied there just looking for a job. I don't think I really had a lot of experience with Erie's clothing, and with their lounge, and their undies and their bras, and bathing suits, all their stuff. I didn't have history with until I obviously worked there, and I had a discount, and so I'm pretty much turning around and using my entire paycheck in the store. I am such an Erie stan that was almost 10 years ago, and I still, to this day, that's a lot of the lounge where I'll get, pajamas, everything else. Bathing suits, like I still will shop their website. So I got on my stories the other day, and I was like, guys, I'm an Erie stan. It is what it is. They have made me the biggest fan just from working there, and so I bought this sweatshirt from them on their website a couple days ago, and I'm up, so I've been living in it. I've been wearing it, like every day since I got it. So anyway, that's fun and exciting. So if you like what I'm wearing right now, it's from Erie. Erie, I love you, sponsor me. Work with me. No, actually though, once upon a time, there was a really cool time, where I had worn a one piece of Erie's, and I posted on my Instagram, and you guys, I'm telling you, this was the coolest thing ever for me at the time. The coolest thing ever. This was the most influencer thing I had done ever, and I was like, I wasn't even an influencer yet. At this point, I probably had maybe a few thousand followers on Instagram. Okay, and I posted a picture of me in one of their one pieces at the beach, and they DMed me, and they were like, we would love to repost this, and put it on our feed, and then also use it in our newsletter, like emails, when we blasted out to people who are subscribed to our emails. And I had never felt more famous in my life when I tell you guys, when that happened, I was like, yes, use my photo. Yes, and I think a friend of mine had gotten an email from Erie, you know, like just like the newsletter, like, hey, this is what's going on, here are the deals. And when you'd scroll all the way to the bottom, there was the picture of me in that bathing suit, the picture that they took from my Instagram that I said they could, of course, because they asked first, and my friend sent me a screenshot, I was like, oh my gosh, and I literally had never felt so famous in my life. I had never felt so seen until I met Jesus, of course, but yeah, anyway, good times. And now we're here, still an Erie Stan. And yeah, just enjoying life, living, laughing, and loving over here, guys. Life is good, God is good. I'm really looking forward to today's episode, because this is one that we haven't done in a while. And I don't know why I got away from it for a couple months now, but we have yet to have a Scripture reading episode for the year of 2026. And so I would love to do that with you guys. I would love to just read the Bible to you, because here's, here's the thing. I've said this before, but it is an honor, a privilege, and a joy to come on here and share my personal revelations with the Lord with you guys. And to even share some of my mistakes and things that I've learned from. And ultimately, just like what I really feel the Lord is walking me through or has taught me, and is speaking on, you know, that's the best part of my job is just being able to testify to what the Lord is doing in my life. And sharing that wisdom with you guys. But ultimately, what I think is the most important, actually, above all of that, though, is the Word of God. Is the Word of God. And I never want to get to a place where this isn't doing enough, you know? Like there has to be more fluff to it. So I think that this will be a good episode to even challenge ourselves. I think I find myself too sometimes doing this, where I want to hear somebody else talk about God, or I want to hear somebody else's perspective, or I want to hear somebody else's revelation and I want to piggyback off of that revelation and be like, oh, that's my revelation now too. Which is a very real thing. So I'm not discrediting that. I mean, I do that all the time with you guys, you know, where I share my revelations with, then spills over into revelation for you guys too. And you're like, oh, my gosh, it's making sense for me, right? Because it first made sense for Ali. She's sharing it on the podcast, breaking it down. Wow, I've never thought of it that way. Thank you, Jesus, right? It's all God. And so it's not that he can't work that way, but I don't ever want me personally. I don't know about y'all, but me personally, I never want to get to a place where it's like, that's the only way that I'm like hearing God is through other people. And so I would love to pray us into this episode. I'm going to read scripture for you guys. And I just pray that the Holy Spirit moves in this episode. And there is a deeper revelation that happens between you and God that honestly, I don't even know about. That'd be awesome. I think that'd be so cool. Is if he just reached every single one of us in such a personal and specific way that it's nothing that I could have said on this episode. I feel the Holy Spirit on that so much you guys. I believe that the Lord wants to speak directly to you, like just you and him. That's it. Room of two. Like personally speaking to each and every one of us. And so before we get into it, I'd love to just pray. Jesus, thank you for today, God. Thank you for your word. Lord, thank you for how invested and intentional you are in each and every one of our lives. And so God, I just ask for you to bless this episode, Lord. Will you please speak to your children? God will you tell them exactly what you want them to hear? I think a lot of times, God, we come to you wanting to hear specific things from you. And it's like, what do I want to hear from God? What do I need this from God? And I need him to speak on this. And I need him to say this. And I need him to say yes or no in this way. And God, I believe you truly care about those things. I invite you, God. We all do in this episode for you to speak to us the way that you want to speak to us. Like what do you actually want us to know today? God, what do you actually want our hearts to be renewed in and our minds to be renewed in? What perspectives do you want us to know today, Jesus? Because we can come to you all day long saying, God, but I want this and I want that. And it does say in Scripture to ask, seek and knock. That is biblical. But today, God, I'm asking for you to show us something that we didn't even know we needed to hear. Or we didn't even know we needed clarity on. So Lord, I ask for your Holy Spirit to fall on this episode, God. I pray for your Holy Spirit to be tangible on my voice, Jesus, as you speak to your sons and daughters, God. And I pray a protection over this episode in the mighty name of Jesus. I pray against any tactics of the enemy. I pray against distraction in Jesus' name. I plead the blood of Jesus over this episode and over our listener on the other end from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet. God, I pray peace of the Holy Spirit over them, Lord. And we are asking for your supernatural power to come over this episode. Lord, we are asking for your clarity. We are asking for your wisdom, God. You are our shepherd. You are the one guiding us, Lord. And we need to hear from you above all else, above what I could ever say, above anyone else could ever say, Jesus, we need to hear you, God. We need you. And so I am desperately, we are desperately asking for your voice today, God. We love you, Lord. Thank you that you are going to show up today, Jesus. We honor you. We adore you. And I seal this in the blood of Jesus. Amen. Amen, guys. Okay. Well, before I read really quick, we do have our Christ. Of course, we couldn't do this episode without it. We have our word of God. Thank you, Jesus. For the word of God. What would we do without it? I am reading the NLT translation. So if you guys want to read along with me in your Bibles, I would highly suggest that. Personally, I don't know a better way of really embedding the word of God into my mind and heart and soul other than obviously hearing it, but then also reading it and highlighting and writing and like really getting into the Bible. Again, I don't think there's anything wrong with people reading to you. Obviously, I'm doing it for you today. I love to do this for you guys. But let's not let that just be our crutch. So if you do have an opportunity of also being in the word physically, open it. Feel it. Touch it. Highlight it. Smell it. Whatever you want to do. But be in it as well. Because I just, I think there is such power of actually having the tangible word of God in front of us. But if you're not in a place to read your Bible, that's okay. I'm happy to read it to you. But yeah. NLT. So if it sounds a little different than your translation, it's probably why. This is the new living translation is what NLT stands for. Also, if you guys have any questions about my Bible, I know I mentioned this often, but it is what it is. I still get questions about the Bible that I have. And so this is just one of a few Bibles that I have from Hosanna Revival. They are one of my favorites. I'm like genuinely obsessed with them. They are truly the kindest people ever. I love their PR team. They are wonderful people. So if there's anyone to support, I highly recommend Hosanna Revival. If you're ever interested in shopping with them, they did give me a discount code for you guys. So you can use my first and last name, which is Aliose, to save. You're welcome to use it or not. I don't know why you would pass that up though, because I would want to save wherever I could. But yeah. Okay. So we have our Christ. And last but not least, we have our coffee on ice today. By yours truly, I made it downstairs in my kitchen, which means it's okay, which means it's fine. Okay. Do thoughts like, did I really mean that prayer or what if God is disappointed in me, play on repeat in your mind? Or do you keep worrying that you're not believing hard enough, that every unwanted thought that's entered your mind is blasphemy, or that you've somehow lost your salvation. And no matter how many times you pray, read or repent, you can't shake the anxiety. Experiences like that can be signs of religious OCD, but because OCD is so highly misunderstood, a lot of people don't even know that it can latch onto religious beliefs. And real OCD is nothing like the stereotypes of just wanting everything to be organized all the time. It is as serious and highly misunderstood condition, where unwanted and distressing thoughts get stuck on repeat in your mind. And you feel compelled to engage in certain behaviors to try to make them stop. And that could be constantly seeking reassurance, overanalyzing every thought to figure out if it was sinful, or repeating prayers until they are, quote, perfect. And this is all to try to cope with the anxiety caused by your thoughts. And the thing is, is that these behaviors only provide short term relief. But there is hope, OCD is highly treatable, with the right kind of specialized therapy. And what works for OCD is ERP therapy, or exposure and response prevention. No CD is the world's leading provider for OCD treatment. All of their licensed therapists truly understand OCD and specialize in ERP therapy. Therapy with no CD is 100% virtual, covered by insurance for over 155 million Americans. And includes support between sessions, so you're never facing OCD alone. To learn more about starting OCD therapy with no CD, go to noCD.com and book a free call to learn more about how they can help you. That's noCD.com. So what's really fun about today's episode is I actually don't know what we're reading. But I feel like that just gives God more glory, actually, because it's so fun to me when you guys are in the comment section being like, this is exactly what I needed to hear. And I'm like, only the Holy Spirit because I definitely didn't know what we were going to talk about today. That's literally me on most days. But you know, call it your responsible or call it just, you know, allowing the Lord to move even more. But I do feel some. That's what I felt. Okay. I don't know where in some. We could just start right here where I where I opened it. But I'd love for us to be in the Psalms. And we're just going to read and read and read until we've hit a good point. I open to Psalm 35. So like, let's just do it. Let's start at Psalm 25. Chapter 25 verse 1, everybody. Just a little background as well on the Psalms because I don't know. I haven't always done this with reading the Bible as I would just read the Bible without ever really looking up any context of like, who wrote it and who wrote it? Right. Okay. So anyway, the book of Psalms, if you guys didn't know, is a collection of 150 songs, prayers and poems in the Old Testament. They expressed the full range of human emotion, joy, sorrow, fear, repentance, praise, and trust in God. They were used in worship, personal prayer, and public singing in Israel. So King David is the primary author. David wrote about half of the Psalms. David's Psalms often come from times of fear, moments of repentance, seasons of praise, periods of deep loneliness. So the Psalms are real. And what I love about the Psalms is that this is a book that truly makes me feel so seen in times where I'm feeling all the things. You know, I mean, what's amazing about the Bible in general is that you can get so much from it. Like the Proverbs have so much wisdom. And then of course the Gospels have this entire story of Jesus. And then the book of Job is an example of going through major trials and still having faith in God. There's just really nothing in our life that could be untouched by the Bible. Like I think anything that we're facing, anything that we're going through, even if we just simply want to learn more about who our creator is, learn more about who he's created us to be and how those things work together. Like how do we work with God and how does God work with us? You know, it's all right here. Like the Bible truly has everything you'd need. And I think so many times we say things like I wish that life had a manual. You know, like we're so clueless going into life and it's our first time ever doing it. And what's so incredible about our God is that he didn't just throw us into life to just be like, good luck. It's your first time, you're clueless. You've never done this before, but good luck. He did give us a manual. Like he literally did give us insanely insightful, poetic, beautiful, educational, filled with so much wisdom. He gave us a book. This is a manual. This is how we will get through life. And so anyway, I just, it's a little side tangent, but the Bible is so important. Please read it. Please read it. Don't just rely on prayer and the presence of God. Please also rely on the Word of God because above all else, it literally says in scripture that we are to meditate on this both day and night. This is our daily manna. This is our bread. This is what truly centers me at the beginning of my day, at the end of my day. And it's not just a choice. Like this isn't just like, oh, great. That's what works for you. Like that's what actually helps center you. No, it does. This actually centered my life more than anything else ever could. And so I know it can really be a struggle sometimes. Like I don't know who I'm talking to right now. I know that it can be a struggle sometimes to open this. Trust me. I understand. I know the feeling I'm not coming to you. Holier than thou. Like there are days where I simply do not touch my Bible at all. Which is why I actually really do love these series like these episodes that I do on the podcast because it even holds me accountable to read my Bible with you guys. But I'm not coming to you a perfect person. There are plenty of times where I also don't want to pick up my Bible. And sometimes I simply won't. Doesn't mean it's okay. But please pick up your Bible. It's like a breath of fresh air when you finally do it. And that might be half the reason why it's such a war for us to get into the word is because of how much is really on the other side. And sometimes that initial push before getting to the other side. I mean that that is the thing that makes it the hardest is that push. But then once you get there like, oh, wow, the relief I feel. And that's only been my story every time I've picked up the Bible. No matter where I was at mentally, no matter where my heart was at, whether I wanted to pick up the Bible or not, whether I was excited to read it or not every single time I felt refreshed. And so let the word of God wash over you today in Jesus name. Let it refresh your heart. Let it refresh your soul. And I just pray that it blesses you. I really do. Okay, fun fact about me is I really, really, really love my sleep. Like a lot. I can sleep forever. Sometimes I've really actually had to be like, Jesus, is this am I okay? Am I obsessed with sleep? But for real guys, I really value it. I do. I value my nighttime. I value my sleep. I value my comfortability as I sleep. Brooklyn bedding is one of the few mattress brands endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association for spinal alignment and back health. Plus, hello, ding ding ding. They are 100% fiberglass free just for peace of mind because apparently that's a thing with some mattresses. I don't get it. But they're 100% fiberglass free. Praise God. Brooklyn bedding also offers a 129 comfort trial. So either you love it or they will help you return or replace it hassle free. And I'm telling you my back has never been happier. Like I thought my mattress before my Brooklyn bedding was comfortable. My life has gotten so much better since this mattress has entered my nighttime routine. Hey, Brooklyn bedding has also been awarded the best mattress by CNET and best hybrid mattress by wire cutter. So you know that they're the real deal. Go to Brooklyn bedding.com and use my code coffee at checkout to receive 30% off. Site wipe. And this offer is not available anywhere else. That's Brooklyn bedding.com and promo code coffee for 30% off site wipe. And if you want to support the show, let them know that we sent to you after checkout. That's Brooklyn bedding.com promo code coffee. We looked at city cars and quietly disagreed with the formula. Quietly we added more space. Quietly we upgraded the tech. But kept the price honest. The all new MG for EV urban from just 239 pounds a month with 0% APR. MG motor financial services 2,300 pounds deposit over 49 months 7,223 pounds optional final payment. Off end March 2026 conditions apply visit mg.co.uk Okay, so starting in chapter 35 verse one. Oh Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Put on your armor and take up your shield. Prepare for battle and come to my aid. Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say I will give you victory. Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me. Turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me. Blow them away like a chaff in the wind. A wind sent by the angel of the Lord. Make their path dark and slippery with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me. I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me. So let's sudden ruin come upon them. Let them be caught in the trap they set for me. Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me. Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me. With every bone in my body I will praise him, Lord, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and pour from those who rob them? Militious witnesses testify against me. They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good. I am sick with despair. Yet when they were ill I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered. I was sad as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother. But they are glad now that I am in trouble. They gleefully join together against me. I am attacked by people I don't even know. They slander me constantly. They mock me and call me names. They snarl at me. How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions. Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people. Don't let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat. Don't let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow. They don't talk of peace. They plot against innocent people who mined their own business. They shout, ah-ha, ah-ha, with our own eyes we saw him do it. O Lord, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O Lord. Wake up, rise to my defense. Take up my case, my God, and my Lord. Declare me not guilty, O Lord, my God, for you give justice. Don't let my enemies laugh about me and my troubles. Don't let them say, look, we got what we wanted. Now we will eat him alive. May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor. But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, great is the Lord who delights in blessing his servant with peace. Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long. Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil. Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains. Your justice, like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God. All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. For you are the foundation of life, the light by which we see. Rescuing them from the wicked, he saves them. Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you. Give justice to those with honest hearts. Don't let the proud trample me, or the wicked push me around. Look, those who do evil have fallen. They are thrown down, never to rise again. Don't worry about the wicked, or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord. And He will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn. And the justice of your cause will shine like the new day's sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper, or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry. Turn from your rage. Do not lose your temper. It only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land, and will live in peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the godly, they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs. For He sees their day of judgment coming. The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed to slaughter those who do right. But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly. Day by day, the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times, even in famine, they will have more than enough. But the wicked will die. The Lord's enemies are like flowers in a field. They will disappear like smoke. The wicked borrow and never repay. But the godly are generous givers. Those the Lord blesses will possess the land, but those he curses will die. The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall. For the Lord holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread, the godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and He will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. The godly will possess the land and will live there forever. The godly offer good counsel. They teach right from wrong. They have made god's law their own, so they will never slip from his path. The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them. But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed, or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial. Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed. I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil, but when I looked again, they were gone. Though I searched for them, I could not find them. Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed. They have no future. The Lord rescues the godly. He is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him. O Lord, don't rebuk me in your anger or discipline me in your rage. Your arrows have struck deep, and your blows are crushing me. Because of your anger, my whole body is sick. My health is broken because of my sins. My guilt overwhelms me. It is a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins. I am bent over and racked with pain. All day long, I walk around filled with grief. A raging fever burns within me, and my health is broken. I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart. You know what I long for, Lord. You hear my every sigh. My heart beats wildly. My strength fails. And I am going blind. My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance. Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me. Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me. All day long, they plan their treachery. But I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak. I choose to hear nothing. And I make no reply. For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord, my God. I pray don't let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall. I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain. But I confess my sins, and I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I have many aggressive enemies. They hate me without reason. They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good. Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my Savior. I said to myself, I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me. But as I stood there in silence, not even speaking of good things, the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words. Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you. At best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it, and so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from rebellion. Do not let fools mock me. I am silent before you. I won't say a word for my punishment is from you. But please stop striking me. I am exhausted by the blows from your hand. When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth. What is precious to us? Each of us but a breath. Hear my prayer, O Lord. Listen to my cries for help. Don't ignore my tears. For I am your guest, a traveler passing through as my ancestors were before me. Leave me alone so I can smile again before I'm gone and exist no more. I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard me cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and studied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. O the joys of those who trust the Lord. Who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord, my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand. You don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, look, I have come. As is written about me in the scriptures, I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart. I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Lord, don't hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me, too many to count. My sins pile up so high I can't see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. Please, Lord, rescue me. Come quickly, Lord, and help me. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, aha, we've got him now. But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, the Lord is great. As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. Oh, my God, do not delay. Just for a quick reference, you guys, we are now in Psalm 41. Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor. The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. Oh, Lord, I pray, have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you. But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. How soon will he die and be forgotten, they ask? They visit me as if they were my friends. But all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere. All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst. He has some fatal disease, they say. He will never get out of that bed. Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. Lord, have mercy on me. Make me well again so I can pay them back. I know you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me. You have preserved my life because I am innocent and have brought me into your presence forever. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen. As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God, I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go to stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, where is this God of yours? My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be. I walked among the crowd of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God. I will praise him again, my Savior and my God. Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you. Even from distant Mount Herman, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mazar, I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Oh God, my rock, I cry. Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, where is this God of yours? Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God. I will praise him again, my Savior and my God. Declare me innocent, oh God, defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Send out your light and your truth, let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God, the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my heart, oh God, my God. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God. I will praise him again, my Savior and my God. Oh God, we have heard it with our own ears. Our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day. In days long ago you drove out the pagan nations by your power and gave all the land to our ancestors. You crushed their enemies and set our ancestors free. They did not conquer the land with their swords. It was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm. And the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them. You are my king and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by your power we can push back our enemies. Only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow. I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies. You disgrace those who hate us. Oh God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor. You no longer lead our armies to battle. You make us retreat from our enemies and allow those who hate us to plunder our land. You have butchered us like sheep and scattered us among the nations. You sold your precious people for a pittance, making nothing on the sale. You let your neighbors mock us. We are an object of scorn and derisant to those around us. You have made us the butt of their jokes. They shake their heads at us in scorn. We can't escape the constant humiliation. Shame is written across our faces. All we hear are taunts of our mockers. All we see are our vengeful enemies. All this has happened though we have not forgotten you. We have not violated your covenant. Our hearts have not deserted you. We have not strayed from your path. Yet you have crushed us in the jackal's desert home. You have covered us with darkness and death. If we have forgotten the name of our God or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods, God would surely have known it for he knows the secrets of every heart. But for your sake we are killed every day. We are being slaughtered like sheep. Wake up O Lord. Why do you sleep? Get up. Don't reject us forever. Why do you look the other way? Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression? We collapse in the dust, lying face down in the dirt. Rise up. Help us. Ransom us because of your unfailing love. Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the king for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet. You are the most handsome of all. Gracious words stream from your lips. God himself has blessed you forever. Put on your sword, O mighty warrior. You are so glorious, so majestic. In your majesty, write out to victory, defending truth, humility and justice. Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds. Your arrows are sharp piercing your enemy's hearts. The nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a sceptre of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, God, your God, has anointed you. Pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else. Murr Allos and Cassia perfume your robes. In ivory palaces, the music of strings entertains you. King's daughters are among your noble women. At your right side stand the queen, wearing jewelry of finest gold from offer. Listen to me, O royal daughter. Take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your family far away. For your royal husband delights in your beauty. Honor him, for he is your lord. The princess of tire will shower you with gifts. The wealthy will beg your favor. The bride of princess, looking glorious in her golden gown. In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bride's maids. What a joyful and enthusiastic procession as they enter the king's palace. Your sons will become kings like their father. They will make them rulers over my lands. I will bring honor to your name and every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge. A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the most high. God dwells in that city. It cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos and their kingdoms crumble. God's voice thunders and their earth melts. The Lord of heaven's armies is here among us. The God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the Lord. See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear. He burns the shields with fire. Be still and know that I am God. I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of heaven's armies is here among us. The God of Israel is our fortress. Come, everyone, clap your hands. Shout to God with joyful praise. For the Lord most high is awesome. He is the great king of all the earth. He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet. He chose the promised land as our inheritance, the proud possessions of Jacob's descendants, whom he loves. God has ascended with a mighty shout. The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring. Sing praises to God, sing praises, sing praises to our king, sing praises. For God is the king over all the earth. Praise him with a song. God reigns above the nations, sitting in his holy throne. The rulers of the world have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For all the kings of the earth belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere. And that was the end of Psalm 47. So we read, where did we start? Psalm 35 to Psalm 47? We read over 10 chapters. They're not very long. But what do we think? Do we love the Psalms or what? David's going through it. Homeboys going through it. But like who isn't? Same. Aren't we all one minute? We're up next minute. We're down one minute. We're like, wow, God, you're my fortress. You're saving me. You protect me. You love me. And then the next minute is like, God, why are you literally killing me right now? Why are you letting other people kill me right now? God, we're back. I'm alive. I'm dead. I'm a lot. Like that's literally David is us. And we are David. Oh, anyway, guys, thanks for joining me for today's episode. I really loved it. Oh, I feel so good. After reading that to you guys, that is the thing about God that will just always blow my mind is he doesn't waste a single thing. Like this isn't even about you. Like it's also like everybody is blessed. I'm blessed. You're blessed. The Lord is honored and blessed. Everyone's blessed. Like he doesn't waste anything. I feel so blessed by being able to just read that out loud to you guys. Oh, I love it. Well, guys, that's it for this episode. I love you. I'm so proud of you. Thank you for being here. Happy Friday. Happy weekend. I hope you guys have the best weekend. I hope that it's really restful for you. And until next week, guys, can we just do something really cool real quick? Can we do something cool today? Can we show somebody how cool Jesus is today? Let's walk more like him, talk more like him, be more like Jesus. Let's reflect Christ to the people around us today. We should be doing that every day, but especially in the present right now, we're going to do that. I love you guys so much. And I will see you in the next episode. Bye.