Podcasts about daily wisdom

Welcome to Day 2753 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2753 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 101:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2753 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2753 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The King's Mirror – A Manifesto of Integrity Today, we stand at the threshold of a new royal chamber as we explore Psalm One Hundred One, covering the entire psalm, verses one through eight, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek through Psalm One Hundred, we experienced the joyful noise of the thanksgiving procession. We learned how to "enter His gates with thanksgiving" and "go into His courts with praise." It was a psalm about the people of God approaching the presence of God, acknowledging that He is good, His love is eternal, and His faithfulness lasts forever. It was the liturgy of entry. But Psalm One Hundred One asks a follow-up question that is much more searching: Once you are inside the gates, how do you live? This psalm is often called "The Mirror for Magistrates" or "The King's Mirror." It is written by David, and it is a personal manifesto of integrity. If Psalm One Hundred is about the public worship of God, Psalm One Hundred One is about the private discipline of a leader. It connects deeply to the Royal Psalms we have been studying because, in the Ancient Israelite worldview, the earthly king was supposed to be the visible representative of the Invisible God. If Yahweh reigns with "Righteousness and Justice" (as we saw in Psalm Ninety-seven), then David's throne must be established on the same foundation. This psalm is David's vow to create a court, a home, and a city that mirrors the holiness of the Divine Council. It is a psalm of severe cleaning, purging the influence of chaos and evil from the heart of the kingdom. So, let us look into this mirror and see if our own house reflects the King's standard. The first segment is: The Vow of the Private Heart Psalm One Hundred One: verses one through two. I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs.   I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. David begins his manifesto by setting his tuning fork to the character of God: "I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs." Notice the two attributes he chooses: Love (ḥesed—unfailing, loyal love) and Justice (mishpat). These are the twin pillars of Yahweh's reign that we saw in Psalm Eighty-nine and Psalm Ninety-seven. Before David can rule others, he must immerse himself in the nature of the God he represents. He sings about them to internalize them. A leader who does not sing of God's justice will soon become a...

Welcome to Day 2752 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2752 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 100:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2752 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred fifty-two of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Rhythm of Gratitude – Entering the Gates with Praise. Today, we arrive at a beloved landmark on our journey through the Psalter. We are exploring Psalm One Hundred, covering the entire hymn, verses one through five, in the New Living Translation. This short, vibrant psalm serves as the grand finale to the collection of Royal Psalms we have been trekking through (Psalms Ninety-three through Ninety-nine). In our previous trek through Psalm Ninety-nine, we were on our knees. We saw the Holy King enthroned between the Cherubim, and the command was to "tremble" and to "bow low." It was a psalm of heavy, transcendent holiness. Psalm One Hundred resolves that trembling into uncontainable joy. It tells us that the Holy King is also the Good Shepherd. It is the invitation to stand up, dust off our knees, and march through the temple gates with a song of thanksgiving. It is the only psalm in the Bible with the specific superscription "A Psalm of Thanksgiving" (Mizmor l'todah). It was likely sung as the procession entered the temple courts to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice. It teaches us that while God is the High King of the Divine Council, He is also our God, and His courts are open to us. So, let us join the procession and enter His gates with thanksgiving. The First Segment is: The Universal Call to Worship. Psalm One Hundred: verses one through two. Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. The psalm opens with a burst of energy, issuing three imperative commands to the entire world: "Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!" The command to "shout" (rûa‘) connects us back to the earlier Royal Psalms. This is the shout of homage to a King; it is the fanfare of coronation. But notice the audience: "all the earth." This is a missionary call. Just as we saw in Psalm Ninety-six, the invitation to worship Yahweh is not restricted to the ethnic borders of Israel. It is a summons to the nations—who were formerly under the dominion of the rebel gods of the Divine Council—to switch their allegiance. We are calling the whole earth to defect from the darkness and shout allegiance to the True King. The second command defines the attitude of our service: "Worship the Lord with gladness." The word "Worship" (‘ābad) literally means to serve. It implies slavery or bond-service. In the ancient world, serving a god or a king was often a terrified, burdensome duty. You served to avoid being crushed. But Yahweh demands a different kind of service. We are to serve Him...

Welcome to Day 2750 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2750 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 99:1-9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2750 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred fifty of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title of Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Holy King Enthroned – Trembling Before the Trisagion Today, we reach the summit of the Royal Psalms as we explore Psalm Ninety-nine, covering the entire hymn, verses one through nine, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek through Psalm Ninety-eight, we joined the global victory parade.   We saw the sea shouting, the rivers clapping, and the hills singing for joy because the Divine Warrior had won the battle for the cosmos.   It was a psalm of unbridled exuberance and noise. Psalm Ninety-nine shifts the atmosphere from joyful noise to trembling awe.   While the previous psalms focused on God's power and His reign, this psalm focuses intensely on His Holiness.   In fact, this psalm is structured around a threefold declaration—a Trisagion—that announces, "He is holy!" at the end of each stanza. It reminds us that the King we celebrate is not just powerful; He is Other.   He is transcendent.   He is separated from all corruption and chaos.   And because He is holy, our approach to Him must be marked by reverence.   We move from the cheering crowd to the kneeling priesthood. So, let us take off our shoes, for we are standing on holy ground. The Trembling of the Nations: The Transcendent King Psalm Ninety-nine: verses one through three The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth shake.  The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem, supreme above all the nations.  Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy! The psalm begins with the familiar coronation cry: "The Lord is king!" But notice the reaction commanded this time.   In Psalm Ninety-seven, the earth was told to "rejoice."   In Psalm Ninety-eight, it was told to "shout."   Here, the command is: "Let the nations tremble!" (rāgaz—to quake, shake, or be agitated).   And "Let the whole earth shake." Why the fear? Because "He sits on his throne between the cherubim." This is a powerful image that bridges heaven and earth.   In the earthly Temple, the Ark of the Covenant was the footstool of God's throne, flanked by golden cherubim.   But in the Ancient Israelite worldview, this was merely a copy of the true reality in the Divine Council.   Yahweh sits enthroned above the living Cherubim—the terrifying, powerful spiritual guardians of His holiness.   He is the Master of the spiritual realm. For the "nations"—who...

Welcome to Day 2748 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2748 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 98:1-9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2748 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred forty-eight of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Divine Warrior's Victory Lap – Creation Applauds the King Today, we are lacing up our boots for a joyous celebration as we trek through Psalm Ninety-eight, covering the entire psalm, verses one through nine, in the New Living Translation. This psalm is the crescendo of the Royal Psalms.   In our last trek through Psalm Ninety-seven, we witnessed the terrifying majesty of the Cloud Rider.   We saw Yahweh marching out as a Man of War, with fire going before Him to burn up His enemies.   We saw the mountains melting like wax and the "throne of destruction" being dismantled.   It was a psalm of cosmic conquest, where the rebel gods of the Divine Council were humbled before the Most High. Psalm Ninety-eight is the sequel to that conquest.   If Psalm Ninety-seven was the battle, Psalm Ninety-eight is the Victory Parade.   The smoke has cleared.   The enemies are scattered.   The King has ascended to His throne, and now, a "new song" breaks out across the universe. This is a psalm of unadulterated triumph.   It does not contain a single petition or request.   It doesn't ask God for anything; it simply celebrates what He has already done.   It invites us to join an orchestra that includes not just harps and horns, but the roaring sea and the clapping rivers. So, let us take our place in the choir and sing to the Warrior King. The first segment is: The Divine Warrior Wins the Day Alone Psalm Ninety-eight: verses one through three Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!  The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!  He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. The psalm bursts open with a command: "Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds." We have seen this command before in Psalm Ninety-six, but here, the motivation is specific.   We sing a "new song" because the cosmic status quo has been shattered.   God has done "wonderful deeds" (niphla'ot—marvels, things that are distinct and extraordinary). What is this marvelous deed?   "His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!" This is the language of the Divine Warrior.   In the ancient world, and in the Divine Council worldview, the gods were often depicted as needing armies or alliances to defeat chaos.   But here,...

Welcome to Day 2747 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2747 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 97:1-12 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2747 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred forty-seven of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Cloud Rider Reigns – A Fire Before the King Today, we are continuing our ascent up the high peaks of the Royal Psalms. We have arrived at Psalm Ninety-seven, and we will be exploring the entire text, verses one through twelve, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek through Psalm Ninety-six, we heard the joyous, missionary call to "Sing a new song" and to declare to the nations that "The Lord Reigns!" We saw the invitation for all the families of the earth to abandon their worthless idols—their elilim—and bring their tribute to the true Creator. It was a psalm of invitation and anticipation, looking forward to the coming Judge. Psalm Ninety-seven takes a half-step forward. It moves from the announcement of the King to the actual appearance of the King. The tone shifts from joyful invitation to awe-inspiring majesty. Here, Yahweh is not just invited to reign; He has taken His seat. He is actively asserting His dominion over the cosmos, and the reaction of the universe is a mixture of trembling and rejoicing. This psalm plunges us deep into the Divine Council worldview. It depicts Yahweh as the Cloud Rider, the Divine Warrior who marches out to reclaim His territory from the rebel gods who have corrupted the nations. It is a psalm of spiritual warfare and ultimate victory. So, let us shield our eyes, for the glory of the King is about to shine forth. The first segment is: The Arrival of the Cloud Rider. Psalm Ninety-seven: verses one through two. The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice! Let the farthest coastlands be glad.  Dark clouds and deep darkness surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. The psalm opens with the foundational shout of the enthronement festival: "The Lord is king!" (Yahweh Malak). Because He is King, the command goes out: "Let the earth rejoice! Let the farthest coastlands be glad." The "farthest coastlands" (or "many islands") refers to the ends of the known world—the Gentile nations. Under the rule of the rebel elohim (the lesser gods), the nations have been in darkness and chaos. But the ascension of Yahweh is good news for the geography of the earth. His rule brings order, life, and stability. However, the appearance of this King is terrifyingly majestic: "Dark clouds and deep darkness surround him." To the modern ear, "dark clouds" might sound gloomy or depressing. But in the Ancient Israelite worldview, this is Theophany language—the language of God appearing in visible form.

Welcome to Day 2745 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2745 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 96:1-13 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2745 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred forty-five of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: A New Song for a Reclaimed World – The Lord Reigns Over the Nations Today, we are setting out on a trek that expands our horizon from the borders of Israel to the very ends of the earth. We are exploring Psalm Ninety-six, covering the entire hymn, verses one through thirteen, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek through Psalm Ninety-five, we stood in the holy assembly of Israel. We heard the invitation to bow before our Maker, but we also heard the stern warning from the Shepherd-King: "Don't harden your hearts." That psalm ended with a somber reminder of the wilderness generation who failed to enter God's rest because they refused to listen to His voice. It was a call to the insider to stay faithful. Psalm Ninety-six flings the doors of the temple wide open. It turns away from the failure of the past and looks forward to a glorious future where all nations—not just Israel—are invited to worship Yahweh. It is a missionary anthem. It is a coronation hymn. It declares that the God of Israel is not a tribal deity, but the rightful King of the Cosmos who is reclaiming the nations from the lesser spiritual beings that have held them in bondage. So, let us lift our voices and join the global chorus, declaring that the Lord reigns! The first segment is: The Command to Sing a New Song Psalm Ninety-six: verses one through three Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!  Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.  Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. The psalm opens with an explosion of joy and a threefold command: "Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name." Why a "new song"? In the Psalms, a new song is often required because God has done a new thing. The old songs were about the Exodus from Egypt, about God delivering one nation from another. But this new song is about something far greater. It is about God delivering all nations. The scope has shifted from the local to the universal. The invitation is no longer just for the children of Jacob; it is for "the whole earth." The instruction is specific: "Each day proclaim the good news that he saves." This phrase, "proclaim the good news," is the Hebrew verb basar. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, this word is euangelizo—the root of our word "Evangelism" or "Gospel." The psalmist is telling us to evangelize the world! We are to announce, daily, that...

Welcome to Day 2743 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2743 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 95:1-11 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2743 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred forty-three of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The King, The Shepherd, and The Warning – A Trek Through Psalm 95:1-11 Today, we are lacing up our boots to climb a new peak in the Psalter: Psalm Ninety-five. We will cover the entire psalm, verses one through eleven, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek through Psalm Ninety-four, we stood in the courtroom of the cosmos. We saw God as the Judge of the Earth and the God of Vengeance, dismantling the "throne of destruction" and promising to wipe out the wicked who oppress the innocent. It was a psalm of justice, a cry for the legal intervention of Heaven. Psalm Ninety-five shifts the scene dramatically. We move from the courtroom to the Throne Room, and then to the Wilderness. This psalm serves as the grand entrance hymn to the collection of Royal Psalms that celebrate Yahweh's Kingship. It is a psalm of invitation—an invitation to shout, to bow, and, crucially, to listen. It is structured in two distinct movements: a jubilant call to worship the Supreme King, and a somber, prophetic warning from that same King. It teaches us that true worship is not just about loud songs; it is about a soft heart. So, let us heed the call and approach the Rock of our Salvation. The first segment is: The Call to Cosmic Worship: The King Above All Gods Psalm Ninety-five: verses one through five Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.  For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.  He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.  The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land. The psalmist begins with an imperative, a command to the congregation that bursts with energy: "Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation." We saw in Psalm Ninety-four that God is our "fortress" and "mighty rock" of refuge against the wicked. Now, in response to that protection, the only appropriate reaction is volume. The phrase "shout joyfully" (rûa‘) is the same word used for a war cry or the blast of a trumpet hailing a monarch. We are not mumbling prayers in a corner; we are hailing the Victor. We approach His presence with "thanksgiving" (tôdâ), bringing an offering of gratitude before we even ask for a thing. But why is this enthusiasm required? Verse

Welcome to Day 2742 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2742 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 94:12-23 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2742 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred forty-two of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The School of Discipline and the Throne of Destruction Today, we continue our journey through the courtroom of the cosmos in Psalm Ninety-four, covering the second half of this intense psalm, verses twelve through twenty-three, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek, we stood with the psalmist as he presented his case against the "practical atheists"—the wicked rulers who crush the widow and the orphan, arrogantly claiming, "The Lord isn't looking."   We used the logic of creation—the Eye and the Ear—to dismantle their foolishness.   We established that the God of Vengeance is not blind; He is simply waiting for the proper time to shine forth. Now, in this concluding section, the tone shifts dramatically.   The psalmist turns from addressing the wicked fools to addressing the faithful sufferer.   He moves from the external problem of evil to the internal solution of divine discipline.   He asks a fundamental question: How do we survive while we wait for justice? The answer lies in the distinction between punishment and instruction.   We will see that while the wicked are digging their own graves, God is building a fortress for His people through the hard lessons of life.   We will also see a stark confrontation between the corrupt thrones of men and the righteous throne of God. So, let us settle our hearts and learn why correction is actually a blessing in disguise. The first segment is: The Blessing of the School of God. Psalm Ninety-four: verses twelve through fifteen. Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions.  You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked.  The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.  Judgment will again be founded on justice, and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it. The psalmist begins with a beatitude, a statement of blessing that seems contradictory to our human nature: "Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions." We usually equate joy with ease, comfort, and the absence of struggle.   But here, the psalmist connects joy ('ashrê, or blessedness) directly with discipline (yāsar).   This word, yāsar, implies correction, chastisement, and instruction.   It is the loving but firm hand of a father guiding his child. Why is this a cause for joy?   Because it signifies relationship.   God ignores the wicked for a season, allowing them...

Welcome to Day 2740 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2740 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 94:1-11 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2740 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred forty of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The God Who Hears and Sees – The Argument Against Practical Atheism. Today, we are stepping into the courtroom of the cosmos as we open Psalm Ninety-four, covering the first half of this intense psalm, verses one through eleven, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek through Psalm Ninety-three, we stood in the royal throne room. We heard the triumphant declaration that "The Lord is king!" We saw that He is robed in majesty, stronger than the chaos waters, and that His reign is established from everlasting. It was a psalm of high theology, celebrating God's absolute sovereignty over the universe. But today, Psalm Ninety-four drags that high theology down into the gritty, often painful reality of life on earth. It asks the hard question: "If God is King, and if He is mightier than the waves, why do the wicked still crush the innocent?" This psalm acts as a bridge. It takes the truth of God's Kingship from Psalm Ninety-three and demands that it be applied to the injustices of the present moment. It is a cry for the King to stop sitting on the throne and to start acting from the throne. It confronts the arrogance of those who live as if God is blind, and it uses profound logic to dismantle their foolishness. So, let us lace up our boots and walk through this powerful plea for divine justice. The first segment is: The Appeal to the Divine Avenger Psalm Ninety-four: verses one through two. O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!  Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. The psalmist begins with a title for God that might make modern listeners uncomfortable: "O Lord, the God of vengeance." We often associate "vengeance" with petty retaliation, uncontrolled anger, or getting even. But in the biblical worldview, and specifically within the Ancient Israelite context, vengeance (neqamah) is a legal and royal term. It refers to restorative justice. It is the act of a legitimate authority stepping in to right a wrong, to punish the guilty, and to vindicate the innocent. When the psalmist calls God the "God of vengeance," he is not asking God to lose His temper. He is appealing to God's office as the Supreme Magistrate. He is saying, "God, You are the only one with the authority to fix this broken situation." He repeats it twice for emphasis: "O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!" The Hebrew phrase here literally asks God to "shine forth" (yapha). This is theophany language—the language of God appearing in radiant glory to intervene in human history, much like He did...

Welcome to Day 2738 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2738 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 93:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2738 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-eight of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Lord Reigns Over the Chaos Waters Today, we embark on a journey into the royal courts of the cosmos as we explore Psalm Ninety-three, covering the entire psalm, verses one through five, in the New Living Translation. This short, powerful hymn marks the beginning of a specific collection within the Psalter known as the "Royal Psalms" or "Enthronement Psalms," which generally includes Psalms Ninety-three through Ninety-nine. In our last trek through Psalm Ninety-two, we celebrated the Sabbath, reflecting on the joy of God's works and the ultimate destruction of the wicked.   We concluded with the image of the righteous flourishing in the courts of our God, declaring that, "The Lord is just! He is my rock!" Psalm Ninety-three takes that declaration of God's character and elevates it to a declaration of His universal position.   It moves from the righteous individual flourishing in the temple to Yahweh reigning over the entire created order. It addresses a fundamental anxiety of the ancient world—and indeed, our world today: Is anyone actually in charge?   When we look at the chaos of history, the violence of nature, and the rebellion of spiritual forces, we need to know if the throne is occupied.   This psalm answers with a thunderous "Yes." So, let us step into the throne room of the universe and behold the King who is mightier than the roaring waters. The First Segment is: The Coronation of the Eternal King Psalm Ninety-three: verses one through two The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. The psalm opens with a proclamation that would have served as a battle cry, a theological manifesto, and a shout of worship: "The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty." The phrase "The Lord is king" (Yahweh malak) is the central thesis of Israelite theology.   In the ancient Near East, kingship wasn't just about political administration; it was about maintaining cosmic order.   A king's primary job was to hold back chaos.   By declaring Yahweh as King, the psalmist is asserting that the God of Israel is the one holding the universe together. The imagery of clothing is vital here: "Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength." God does not put on majesty like a costume; majesty is His intrinsic nature, yet it is displayed visibly to His creation.   He is "armed with strength"

Welcome to Day 2737 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2737 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 92:8-15 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2737 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-seven of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Exaltation and the Flourishing Righteous Today, we conclude our journey through Psalm Ninety-two, the beautiful Song for the Sabbath Day.   We are covering the final, triumphant verses, eight through fifteen, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we affirmed that it is "good to give thanks to the Lord," proclaiming His Unfailing Love in the morning and His Faithfulness in the evening (Psalm Ninety-two, verses one through four).   We wrestled with the temporary flourishing of the wicked—who "sprout like grass"—but concluded that they are destined to be "destroyed forever," for God's thoughts are simply "deeper than anyone can comprehend" (Psalm Ninety-two, verses five through seven). Now, the psalm moves to its magnificent climax.   It declares the eternal nature of God's sovereignty, contrasts the certain ruin of His foes with the flourishing destiny of the righteous, and celebrates the lifelong vitality of those who trust in the Most High.   This final section is a powerful declaration of vindication and blessing, a perfect capstone to the Sabbath celebration. So, let us open our hearts to this triumphant assurance, embracing the destiny of the righteous and the certainty of God's eternal rule. The first segment is: The Eternal Judgment and the Exaltation of the Righteous Psalm Ninety-two: verses eight through eleven But you, O Lord, will remain supreme forever.  Your enemies, Lord, will be destroyed;  all evil doers will be scattered.  But you have made me as strong as a wild ox;  you have poured olive oil on my head.  My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;  my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked foes. After acknowledging the fleeting power of the wicked, the psalmist immediately shifts focus to the unchanging reality of God's reign: "But you, O Lord, will remain supreme forever." The "But" is the most important word in the psalm, signaling the ultimate pivot from the temporary to the eternal.   The wicked are ephemeral, but God "will remain supreme forever."   This affirms His sovereignty over all time and space, including His supreme position over the Divine Council, guaranteeing that His justice will prevail. Because God is eternally supreme, the fate of His enemies is sealed: "Your enemies, Lord, will be destroyed; all evil doers will be scattered." This is a prophetic certainty, a final judgment that will

Welcome to Day 2735 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2735 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 92:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2735 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-five of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: A Sabbath Song, The Joy of Proclaiming God's Faithfulness Today, we embark on a journey into Psalm Ninety-two, covering its opening, foundational verses, one through seven, in the New Living Translation. This psalm carries the unique superscription, "A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath Day."   It is a deliberate, joyful declaration of praise and thanksgiving, written specifically for the day of rest. We transition here from the high assurance of Psalm Ninety-one, where we learned that God's faithful promises are our armor and that His angels are ordered to protect us.   Psalm Ninety-two is the natural response to that security: because God is a faithful protector, our lives should overflow with joyful, continuous worship. This psalm invites us to make our lives a perpetual Sabbath, a dedicated time of celebrating God's Unfailing Love and His Faithfulness.   It challenges us to look beyond the temporary flourishing of the wicked and to rest in the wisdom of God's eternal plan. So, let us open our hearts to this song of rest and worship, learning the wisdom of perpetual thanksgiving. The first segment is: The Command and Content of Perpetual Praise Psalm Ninety-two: verses one through four It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.  It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, and your faithfulness in the evening.  Praise him with the ten-stringed harp, with the melody of the lyre.  For you, O Lord, have made me joyful by your deeds; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. The psalm begins with a simple, profound statement of spiritual fact: "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High." "Good"   (ṭôḇ) here means more than merely pleasant; it signifies morally and spiritually excellent, the right and proper thing to do.   The focus is squarely on the Most High   (‘Elyōn), the supreme, sovereign God, whose power transcends all earthly and celestial authority, ensuring that our praise is directed to the one true source of all blessing. This praise is meant to be continuous and all-encompassing: "It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, and your faithfulness in the evening." The psalmist delineates the ideal spiritual rhythm of the day, moving from dawn to dusk.   In the morning, when hope is renewed, we proclaim God's Unfailing Love   (ḥesed), His steadfast,

Welcome to Day 2733 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2733 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 91:9-16 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2733 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-three of our Trek.  The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: Covenant Protection and the Voice of the Almighty - Concluding Psalm Ninety-one Today, we reach the powerful conclusion of our journey through Psalm Ninety-one, one of the most magnificent and comforting psalms of protection in all of Scripture.  We are covering the final verses, nine through sixteen, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we explored the psalm's foundation, discovering that our security comes from dwelling in the "shelter of the Most High" and resting in the "shadow of the Almighty."  We learned that God's faithful promises are our armor, shielding us from terrors of the night and disasters of the day (Psalm Ninety-one, verses one through eight). Now, the psalm moves from the human declaration of trust to the divine confirmation of that protection.  The focus shifts dramatically as God Himself speaks, revealing the profound results of such trust, detailing the role of His angels, and promising rescue, honor, and a long life as the reward for unwavering love.  This transition makes the promise absolute; it is a covenant guarantee spoken from the mouth of the Most High. So, let us open our hearts to this divine dialogue, recognizing the immense power of the promise that awaits those who make the Lord their refuge. This first segment is: The Consequence of Covenant Dwelling Psalm Ninety-one: verses nine through twelve If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from stumbling on a stone. The psalmist begins this section by establishing the condition for the promised protection, a condition rooted in faith and intentionality: "If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter." This is an active choice.  It's not enough to intellectually acknowledge God; we must intentionally choose Him as our ultimate safe place, making the Most High  (‘Elyōn), the supreme, sovereign God, our permanent sanctuary. The consequences of this choice are absolute: "no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home."  This promise of exemption is comprehensive.  "No evil"  (ra‘) and "no plague"  (nega‘, a striking or affliction) can breach the barrier of God's protection.  This is the ultimate security guarantee...

Welcome to Day 2732 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2732 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 91:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2732 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2732 of our Trek.  The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Secret Place of the Most High – Invincible Divine Protection. Today, we embark on a truly magnificent journey into Psalm Ninety-one, one of the most famous and powerful psalms of protection and assurance in all of Scripture.  We are covering its opening, foundational verses, one through eight, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we concluded the Prayer of Moses in Psalm Ninety.  We wrestled with the frailty of human life, the sorrow of its brevity, and ultimately prayed for the wisdom to number our days so we could live with significance.  Now, Psalm Ninety-one provides the covenant solution to that frailty: absolute security found in the eternal refuge of God. While Moses established that man dies under God's righteous anger, Psalm Ninety-one declares that the righteous believer, dwelling in God's presence, is supernaturally shielded from the dangers of the temporal world.  This psalm is an ancient declaration of war against fear, assuring the faithful that they reside in an invincible fortress of divine protection. So, let us open our hearts to this powerful promise, learning how to claim our spiritual citizenship in the Secret Place of the Most High. The First Segment is: The Fortress of Divine Names Psalm Ninety-one: verses one through two Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my fortress, and my God, in whom I trust. This psalm begins not with a request, but with an immediate, unqualified statement of spiritual fact, establishing the location of our security: "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." "The shelter"   (sēter) refers to a secret, hidden, or covered place—a sanctuary.  To "live"  (yashab) in this shelter means dwelling there permanently, not just visiting.  This shelter belongs to the Most High  (‘Elyōn), a name emphasizing God's supreme sovereignty over all other powers, spiritual or earthly.  The result of dwelling there is "rest"  (lun)—a profound state of safety and repose—found in the "shadow of the Almighty"   (Shaddai).  The shadow of the Almighty is a powerful image of covering, protection, and cooling relief from the scorching sun of danger. The psalmist then makes this promise intensely personal: "This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my fortress, and my God, in whom I trust." This...

Welcome to Day 2730 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2760 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 90:10-17 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2730 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2730 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Wisdom to Number Our Days – A Prayer for Satisfaction and Significance Today, we reach the conclusion of the oldest psalm in the Psalter, Psalm Ninety, also known as the timeless Prayer of Moses, covering its remaining verses, ten through seventeen, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we explored the sobering first half of this psalm. Moses established the immense chasm between the eternal God—our “home” and refuge who predates the mountains—and the transient life of man, who vanishes like a “dream” or “grass” that is withered by evening. We acknowledged that our fleeting years are often spent under the cloud of God's righteous anger against sin, as He sets our “secret sins in the light of [His] presence” (Psalm Ninety, verse eight). Now, Moses moves from somber theological reflection to a fervent, practical prayer. Recognizing the brevity and the sorrow of a life lived under divine displeasure, he prays for wisdom, mercy, and ultimate significance. This concluding segment is the mature response to our mortality: since our days are numbered, how can we ensure they are counted for something eternal? So, let us open our hearts to this ancient and vital prayer, learning how to redeem the time God has given us. The first segment is: The Frailty of Life and the Plea for Wisdom Psalm Ninety: verses ten through twelve Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Moses begins by stating the typical limit of human lifespan, a stark number based on his long experience with the dying generation in the wilderness: "Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty." This lifespan, while a gift, is often limited, but Moses acknowledges that longer life isn't always better: "But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away." This speaks to a universal truth: even the healthiest and most prosperous years have their share of hardship—a reality that the ancient Israelites knew...

Welcome to Day 2728 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2728 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 90:1-9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2728 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2728 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Refuge and the Fleeting Shadow of Man - A Trek Through Psalm Ninety: Verses One through Nine Today, we embark on a profound, philosophical, and deeply spiritual journey as we open Psalm Ninety, covering its opening verses, one through nine, in the New Living Translation. This Psalm carries a rare and significant superscription: "A prayer of Moses, the man of God." Written by the great lawgiver himself, this psalm is widely regarded as the oldest in the Psalter, born from the crucible of the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. It is a sober meditation on the frailty of human life and the eternity of God, composed during a time when an entire generation was dying off due to their rebellion against the divine decree. We transition here from the anguished question of the Davidic Covenant's failure in Psalm Eighty-nine—where the psalmist wrestled with God's apparent abandonment—to a foundational truth: man's mortality is not a failure of God's promise, but an unchangeable reality of human existence after the fall. Moses reminds us that before we can grasp God's promises, we must first confront our own fleeting nature. This psalm is essential wisdom for our trek; it sets the proper scale and context for our brief time on earth. So, let us open our hearts to this ancient prayer, recognizing the immense gap between the eternal God and the transient life of man. The first section is: The Eternal God, Our Dwelling Place Psalm Ninety: verses one through two Lord, through all the generations you have been our home. Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Moses begins his prayer not by complaining about the hardship of the wilderness, but by affirming God's eternal nature and His relationship to humanity: "Lord, through all the generations you have been our home." The word "home" (ma‘ôn) means dwelling place, refuge, or habitation. Moses is looking back over the entire history of the covenant people—from Abraham to the present wilderness generation—and declaring that God, not a physical tent or a specific land, has been their constant, reliable dwelling place. This concept provides profound security: in a transient world, subject to change and decay, God is the one permanent, unshakeable refuge for His people. Moses then paints a cosmic picture of God's...

Welcome to Day 2727 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2727 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:38-52 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2727 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2727 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The titled of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Question of Abandonment – Why Did the Unbreakable Covenant Break? Today, we confront the deepest theological crisis in Psalm Eighty-nine, covering its final, devastating verses: thirty-eight through fifty-two in the New Living Translation. This psalm, a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite, is built entirely on the unconditional promise of the Davidic Covenant. In our previous treks, we celebrated the eternal assurance given to David: God promised His Unfailing Love, (ḥesed), would never be removed, and that even if David's descendants sinned, God would punish them with a rod, "But I will never stop loving him, nor will I ever be untrue to my promise."  This was the bedrock: an unbreakable oath, secured by God's very holiness, with the moon as its "faithful witness in the sky." Now, the psalmist transitions abruptly and violently from this glorious assurance to the horrifying reality of his present moment: the Davidic throne has fallen, the sanctuary is ruined, and the king is humiliated. This section is a profound communal lament, a desperate cry that asks: "If Your promise is eternal, why is our reality so utterly destroyed? Why did the unbreakable covenant break?" This lament models how the righteous wrestle with the apparent contradiction between God's revealed truth and their crushing suffering. So, let's immerse ourselves in this agonizing confrontation, acknowledging the pain of disappointment and the desperation of clinging to truth when all hope seems lost. The first section is: The Divine Abandonment and the Ruin of the King Psalm Eighty-nine: thirty-eight through forty-five But now you have rejected him and cast him aside, and your anger burns against your anointed one. You have renounced your covenant with your servant and tossed his crown in the dust. You have broken down all the walls of his city and reduced his strongholds to ruins. Everyone who comes by has plundered him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors. You have strengthened the arms of his foes and filled all his enemies with joy. You have made his sword useless and refused to help him in battle. You have ended his glory and overthrown his throne. You have cut his youth in half and covered him with shame....

Welcome to Day 2725 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2725 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:30-37 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2725 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2725 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title of this Wisdom-Trek is: Covenant and Correction – The Unfailing Promise Beyond Sin Today, we continue our deep exploration of the magnificent Psalm Eighty-nine, focusing on the pivotal verses thirty through thirty-seven in the New Living Translation. This psalm is a grand meditation on the Davidic Covenant, which we covered in detail in our previous trek. We heard God's unbreakable oath to David, promising an eternal dynasty, an unwavering hand of support, and the title of "firstborn, the mightiest of all kings on earth." The core message was the perpetuity of the throne, guaranteed by God's eternal Unfailing Love  (ḥesed). Now, the psalm addresses the inevitable question that hangs over any covenant involving human beings: What happens when David's descendants sin? This section provides the powerful, compassionate, and definitive answer. God assures the Davidic line that while sin will bring discipline and punishment, it will never break the covenant itself. This distinction between temporary discipline and eternal covenant is the central theological assurance of this passage, and it's vital for anchoring our hope. So, let's open our hearts and minds to this profound divine teaching on the nature of grace, discipline, and eternal commitment. The first section is: The Reality of Sin and the Necessity of Discipline Psalm Eighty-nine: thirty through thirty-two  "But if your descendants forsake my instructions and fail to live by my regulations, if they ignore my decrees and disobey my commands, then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their rebellion with whipping." God, who speaks through the prophetic vision in this psalm, moves directly to the problem of human failure. This is a realistic covenant; God knows that David's descendants, like all human rulers, will be prone to failure: "But if your descendants forsake my instructions and fail to live by my regulations..." The "But if" introduces the conditional clause, the possibility of covenant violation by the human party. The psalmist emphasizes the deliberate nature of their potential disobedience. They don't just forget; they "forsake" God's instructions (tōrôt, the divine teaching or law), and they "fail to live by my regulations" (mishpaṭîm, the divine judgments or legal decrees). This is a profound failure of both heart and deed. They ignore the wisdom that we seek here on the trek! The condition of sin is...

Welcome to Day 2723 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2723 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:19-29 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2723 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2723 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title of Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Throne, God's Unbreakable Promise to David  A Trek Through Psalm eighty-nine 19-29 This psalm, a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite, is the grand meditation on the Davidic Covenant. In our previous conversations, we've heard the psalmist anchor his hope in God's eternal Unfailing Love and Faithfulness. He established God's cosmic power as the guarantor of this promise, declaring that God rules the oceans, owns the heavens and the earth, and that Righteousness and Justice are the very foundation of His throne. Now, the psalm moves to the actual historical declaration of the covenant itself. God speaks directly to the prophet, recalling the moment He chose David, anointed him, and laid out the spectacular, eternal nature of the promise. This section details the divine foundation of David's kingdom, promising an unwavering presence, decisive victories, and a dynasty that will endure longer than the heavens. This is the unbreakable contract that is meant to sustain Israel's hope, even when all else fails. So, let's open our hearts and minds to this profound divine revelation, recognizing the depth of God's commitment to His chosen king. The first section is: God's Sovereign Choice and Anointing Psalm eighty-none 19-21 You once spoke to your faithful prophets in a vision and said, "I have raised up a warrior who is mighty, chosen him from the people. I have found my servant David; I have anointed him with my sacred oil. I will steady him with my hand; with my powerful arm, I will make him strong." The psalm now shifts to a recollection of the original prophetic vision that established the covenant. The psalmist reminds the people that God didn't make this promise lightly; He spoke in a vision to His "faithful prophets" (or 'saints,' referencing those in the Divine Council who hear and proclaim God's decrees). God announces His sovereign choice: "I have raised up a warrior who is mighty, chosen him from the people." This directly references David's humble beginnings. David was not chosen from a royal line or a place of prominence; he was chosen "from the people," from the fields, as a mere shepherd, defying all human expectation. Yet, God elevates him, recognizing his internal character, describing him as a "warrior who is mighty." God confirms His personal relationship and investment: "I have found my servant David; I have anointed him with my sacred...

Welcome to Day 2722 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2722 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:19-18 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2722 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2722 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: God's Cosmic Dominion – The Unrivaled Strength of the Almighty - A Trek Through Psalm Eighty-Nine 9-18 This psalm is a grand meditation on God's covenant faithfulness, and this middle section serves to powerfully establish God's absolute cosmic power as the guarantor of that covenant. In our last conversation, we heard the psalmist, Ethan the Ezrahite, begin with an eternal commitment to sing of God's Unfailing Love and Faithfulness forever. He anchored that hope in the Davidic Covenant—God's eternal promise of an unending dynasty—and affirmed God's supremacy over the Divine Council, declaring that no angel can compare with Him. Now, Ethan shifts from the celestial courtroom to the vastness of creation, demonstrating that the God who made that eternal promise is the only One powerful enough to keep it. He is the God who calms the raging sea, defeats the ancient powers of chaos, and possesses all the power, righteousness, and justice necessary to sustain His promise forever. This is a powerful, awe-inspiring affirmation designed to build our confidence in the absolute authority of the Most High. So, let's open our hearts to this declaration of God's universal sovereignty, recognizing the immense power of the One who holds us in His hand. The first section is: Taming the Chaos: The Ruler of the Seas (Psalm eighty-nine 9-12) You rule the oceans when their waves surge high. You are the one who smashed the great sea monster, Rahab, and scattered your enemies with a mighty arm. The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is made by your hands. You created north and south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name. The psalmist begins by affirming God's absolute dominion over one of the most terrifying forces in the ancient world: the sea. "You rule the oceans when their waves surge high." In the ancient Israelite worldview, the sea was often seen as a symbol of chaos, instability, and raw, untamable power. For God to "rule the oceans" means He exercises complete control over the very forces of chaos and destruction. When the waves surge in fury, God is the supreme authority who limits them and commands their retreat. This dominion over chaos is illustrated by a great historical and mythical allusion: "You are the one who smashed the great sea monster, Rahab, and scattered your enemies with a mighty arm." "Rahab" is often used in the Old Testament as a mythical figure representing primeval chaos, similar to the sea monsters Yam and Leviathan. More practically, it is a symbolic

Welcome to Day 2720 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2720 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2720 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2720 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Song of God's Unfailing Love - A Trek Through Psalm Eighty Nine 1-8 Today, we begin a new, pivotal, and magnificent chapter in our journey through the Psalms: Psalm Eighty-Nine. We are covering its opening, foundational verses 1 through 8, in the New Living Translation. This psalm is a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. Ethan, like Heman from the deeply sorrowful Psalm Eighty-Eight we just concluded, was one of the wise men and musicians of Solomon's time. Yet, where Psalm 88 ended in the absolute darkness of suffering and silence, Psalm Eighty-nine explodes with a powerful, unrelenting declaration of faith in God's two greatest attributes: His Unfailing Love and His Faithfulness. This psalm is the theological answer to Heman's despair! It essentially says, "Even when I feel consumed by darkness, even when God's fury seems heavy upon me, I will still sing of His steadfast love!" Psalm 89 is a grand meditation on the Davidic Covenant, a promise from God that established David's throne forever. The opening verses are a magnificent hymn, celebrating the God whose word is established in the heavens and whose power is unrivaled, even in the Divine Council. So, let's allow this hymn of divine promise to lift our hearts and anchor our hope in the unwavering character of the Most High God. The first section is: The Eternal Covenant of Love and Faithfulness (Psalm Eighty-Nine 1-4) I will sing of the Lord's unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever; your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. The Lord said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen servant; I have solemnly promised David: ‘I will secure your throne among your descendants forever; I will make your dynasty last as long as the skies!'" Interlude The psalm opens with an immediate, resolute, and eternal commitment to praise: "I will sing of the Lord's unfailing love forever!" This is a personal vow, made by the psalmist, that will last for all time. The focus is squarely on God's "unfailing love" (ḥesed), that steadfast, covenant loyalty we've discussed so many times. It is the core quality of God's character that guarantees His adherence to His promises. The declaration to sing of it "forever" contrasts starkly with the finite life and suffering Heman described in the last psalm. Here, the emphasis is on the infinite nature of God's...

Welcome to Day 2718 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2718 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 88:8-18 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2718 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2718 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title of Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Loneliest Road – Despair's Final, Unanswered Cry - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 88 8-18 Today, we continue our difficult, yet necessary, trek through the Darkest Psalm, Psalm 88, encompassing its final, unrelenting verses, 8 through 18, from the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we plunged into the depths of Heman the Ezrahite's anguish. We heard his cries "day and night," his fear of imminent death, and his terrifying conviction that his suffering was caused by God's own hand. He felt consumed by "wave after wave" of God's heavy fury and was "abandoned to the depths where the darkness is complete" (Psalm 88 1-7). He had been physically and socially ostracized, counted among the dead while still living. Now, Heman continues his agonizing lament, focusing on his extreme isolation, his unanswered questions, and the ultimate, grim realization that his prayer, unlike nearly every other in the Psalter, ends in unrelieved darkness. This psalm is a profound space for acknowledging that deep despair is real, and that faith often persists even when hope is absent. So, let's listen to this desperate, final cry, recognizing the absolute honesty of a soul on the brink. Section one is about: The Torment of Social and Divine Isolation (Psalm 88 8-12) You have taken away my companions, making me repulsive to them. I am shut in and cannot escape; my eyes are blinded by my tears. I cry out to you, O Lord, every day. I lift my hands to you for help. Are your wonderful deeds appreciated in the grave? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Can anyone proclaim your unfailing love in the grave? Can anyone tell about your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Can your wonders be seen in the dark? Can your righteousness be known in the land of forgetfulness? Heman begins by detailing the social consequence of his affliction, a pain he attributes directly to God: "You have taken away my companions, making me repulsive to them." . His isolation is absolute. God has severed his social ties, causing his friends and loved ones to view him as "repulsive" (tō‘ēḇâ—abominable, a strong term often used for ritual impurity). In the ancient Israelite world, social isolation often meant a lack of care, protection, and provision, leaving him utterly defenseless. This isolation leads to profound emotional and physical paralysis: "I am shut in

Welcome to Day 2717 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2717 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 88:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2717 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2717 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today's Wisdom-Trek title is: The Darkest Night – A Descent into Unrelenting Anguish - A Trek Through Psalm 88:1-7 Today, we take a dramatic, almost jarring turn from the prophetic joy of our last trek. We leave the magnificent vision of Zion, the Mother of All Nations, in Psalm 87, where "All my fresh springs are in Zion," and descend into the deepest, most unrelenting anguish found anywhere in the Psalter. We're beginning our trek through Psalm 88 in the New Living Translation, focusing on its opening verses, 1-7. Psalm 88 is known as the Darkest Psalm; a lament so profound that it offers no resolution, no light, no final affirmation of hope. It is the only psalm that ends entirely in darkness, yet it remains one of the most honest and necessary expressions of faith. It's attributed to Heman the Ezrahite, a name associated with wisdom and music in the time of Solomon. The superscription describes it as a Mahlath Leannoth, which indicates a somber, deeply serious tone, perhaps even associated with affliction. This psalm gives voice to the absolute bottom of human despair, where suffering is so complete that the afflicted can only see God's hand in their misery. It's a crucial reminder that faith is not defined by perpetual happiness, but by honest persistence—crying out to God even when we believe He is the one inflicting the pain. So, let's approach this psalm with reverence and humility, recognizing that it provides a sacred space for the deepest human suffering. This first section is: A Desperate Cry for Morning and Night (Psalm 88:1-3) O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you day and night. Let my prayer come right into your presence. Listen closely to my cry. For my life is full of troubles, and death is waiting for me. The psalmist begins with an immediate and relentless cry, yet he grounds his plea in a recognition of God's character: "O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you day and night." Even in his anguish, he calls God the "God of my salvation," a title that acknowledges God's past role as a deliverer, even if He is not acting as one now. This is a crucial flicker of faith—he addresses God based on who God is, not merely on how God feels to him right now. But his distress is relentless, forcing him to cry out "day and night," indicating unceasing torment and insomnia. There is no rest from his misery. His appeal for divine attention is urgent: "Let my prayer come right into your presence. Listen closely to my cry." This echoes pleas we've heard before, such as in Psalm 86, where David asked God to "Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer," but here, the tone is more...

Welcome to Day 2715 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2715 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 87:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2715 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2715 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today's podcast title is: Zion's Global Citizenship – The Mother of All Nations - A Trek Through Psalm 87:1-7 Today, we embark on a truly extraordinary trek through Psalm 87, covering its entirety, verses 1 through 7, in the New Living Translation. This psalm, though short, contains one of the most magnificent and radical prophetic visions in all of Scripture: the expansion of God's people to include all nations, with Zion as their spiritual birthplace. After the personal laments of David in Psalm 86, where he affirmed that "You alone are God" and prayed for a sign of divine favor, Psalm 87 gives us the cosmic answer. God's universal sovereignty, which David proclaimed, is revealed here as a sovereign plan to bring all the nations that worshiped those "pagan gods" (Psalm 86:8) into the fold of His redeemed people. It transforms the physical city of Jerusalem into the spiritual mother of a global family. This psalm offers a breathtaking vision of inclusivity, unity, and hope. It assures us that God's plan is not confined to one place or one people, but extends to encompass the entire world. So, let's open our hearts to this global, prophetic masterpiece and grasp the meaning of Zion's ultimate citizenship. This first section is: The Foundation of God's Global Home Psalm 87:1-3 On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord. He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel. O city of God, glorious things are said of you! Interlude The psalm begins by firmly establishing the foundation and significance of God's chosen city: "On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord." This refers, of course, to Mount Zion, the site of Jerusalem and the Temple. This city's foundation is unique: it was "founded by the Lord." This wasn't merely a strategic military outpost; it was a sovereign choice by God, making it the center of His earthly operations and the place where He chose to place His name. This Divine choice elevates Jerusalem above every other place. The psalmist emphasizes the depth of God's affection for this city: "He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel." While God certainly loved all His covenant people and their territories, Jerusalem, where His Temple was located, held a unique and profound place in His heart. This divine love is the source of the city's power and destiny. And the result of this divine foundation and affection is its glorious reputation: "O city of God, glorious things are said of you! Interlude" The "glorious things" (niphla'ot) are God's wondrous deeds and promises. This declaration is a prophetic forecast of Zion's future fame, where its status as God's chosen dwelling place would be known and celebrated...

Welcome to Day 2713 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2713 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 86:11-17 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2713 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2713 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Path of Truth and the Mark of God's Favor Today, we reach the powerful conclusion of our conversation in Psalm 86, covering verses 11 through 17 in the New Living Translation. In our last trek, we explored the first half of this deeply personal Prayer of David. We heard his desperate cry for God to "Bend down... and hear my prayer," pleading for help based on his covenant loyalty and trust. He grounded his hope in the magnificent truth that God is "so good, so ready to forgive," and that "You alone are God"—unrivaled by any pagan deity. Now, David shifts from affirming God's character to asking for divine instruction, recognizing that a proper relationship with the Most High requires understanding His will. His prayer moves from dependence to direction, culminating in a powerful affirmation of God's steadfast love and a request for a visible sign of God's favor to silence his adversaries. This final section is a masterclass in how to ask God for guidance and how to confidently claim His mercy. So, let's open our hearts to David's earnest request, learning the wisdom of seeking God's path and resting in His enduring love. The Prayer for an Undivided Heart Psalm 86:11-13 Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me singleness of heart, that I may fear your name. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever. For your unfailing love is great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. Having established God's greatness and unique power, David's first request is for instruction: "Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!" . This is the ultimate expression of submission and discipleship! David isn't praying for wealth or comfort; he's asking for wisdom and direction. He wants to know God's "ways" (derekh—His path, His pattern of acting) so that his life can align with God's "truth" ('emet—His faithfulness and reliability). This is the prayer of the mature believer: Show me how to live in a way that truly honors who You are. He immediately connects this knowledge to internal integrity: "Grant me singleness of heart, that I may fear your name." The Hebrew phrase translated "singleness of heart" (yaḥad lēḇāḇ) means "to unite the heart." David recognizes the divided, often-conflicted nature of the human heart, which pulls us in different directions. He asks God to make his focus singular, eliminating all spiritual distraction, so that his reverence and awe (fear) for...

Welcome to Day 2712 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2712 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 86:1-10 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2712 Wisdom-Trek: The Helpless Plea and the Unrivaled God - A Trek Through Psalm 86:1-10 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2712 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today, we begin a new, deeply personal, and highly encouraging trek through Psalm 86, covering its opening verses, 1 through 10, in the New Living Translation. This psalm is a Prayer of David, a compilation of fervent pleas and confident affirmations, drawing wisdom and themes from many other laments and hymns throughout the Psalter. It moves from a desperate cry for immediate help, anchored in the psalmist's humility and helplessness, to a magnificent declaration of God's unrivaled greatness and universal sovereignty. In the preceding psalm, Psalm 85, we found the people waiting and listening for God's peace and the divine harmony where love and truth would meet. Psalm 86 is the personal response to that longing: a realization that the first step toward receiving God's peace is to humbly and completely cast oneself upon His mercy. It reminds us that our smallness is precisely what qualifies us for God's greatness! So, let's open our hearts to David's personal plea, learning how our deepest distress can become the foundation for our most powerful declarations of faith. The Urgent Plea of the Helpless Servant Psalm 86:1-5 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry out to you all day long. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive. You are filled with unfailing love for all who ask for your help. The psalm begins with an immediate, physical, and urgent plea for God's attention: "Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help." The image of God having to "bend down" speaks volumes! It paints a picture of the psalmist being utterly low, perhaps bowed down by trouble, while God is high and majestic. It's an urgent request for the transcendent God to condescend, to lean in, and to acknowledge the smallness of the one who prays. David anchors his plea in his current state, identifying himself through multiple titles of vulnerability and faith: "Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God." He uses three compelling reasons for God to intervene: Devotion: "I am devoted to you," or "I am holy" (hasid)—meaning he is a loyal, faithful follower of God. Service: "I serve...

Welcome to Day 2710 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2710 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 85:8-13 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2710 Wisdom-Trek: The Divine Harmony of Grace and Truth - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 85:8-13 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2710 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today, we reach the powerful conclusion of our conversation in Psalm 85, covering verses 8 through 13 in the New Living Translation. In our last trek, we explored the first half of this poignant communal lament. We heard the people's prayer for revival, anchored in God's past faithfulness: "You have restored the fortunes of Israel," and "You have forgiven the guilt of your people" (Psalm 85:1-3). Yet, their plea was urgent, asking God to "restore us again" and to "show us your unfailing love" (Psalm 85:4, 7). They were caught in the "in-between," that painful gap between the miracle of the return from exile and the full, glorious reality of true national revival. Now, the psalmist shifts from pleading to listening, confident that God will speak peace and provide the perfect vision for their complete restoration. This final section beautifully describes how God's saving presence will transform the land and the people, bringing a divine harmony where love and truth, justice and peace, meet and embrace. This vision of God's saving power is the glorious answer to their cry for restoration. So, let's open our hearts to this prophetic promise, recognizing the divine symmetry that only God can orchestrate. This first section it titled, The Promise of Peace and the Meeting of Virtues (Psalm 85:8-11) I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! The psalmist makes a conscious, deliberate choice here to stop pleading and start listening: "I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people." This is a pivotal moment in any lament! After pouring out our anxiety and our fears, the next step is to quiet our souls and incline our ear towards the divine. The psalmist expresses confidence that God will speak "peace" (shalom), which, in the Hebrew worldview, is not just the absence of conflict, but total well-being, harmony, and wholeness. This promise of shalom is conditional: "But let them not return to foolish ways." God's people must actively participate in their own revival. The restoration is offered, but they must choose to walk away from the spiritual "foolish ways" that led to their former suffering. The warning is clear: true peace requires sustained obedience and...

Welcome to Day 2708 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2708 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 85:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2708 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2708 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today, we begin a new and profoundly hopeful conversation, continuing our journey through the Psalms with Psalm 85 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its opening verses, 1 through 7. Psalm 85 is another Communal Lament, a prayer of profound longing for national revival and restoration. It is widely believed to have been written after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, a time when the physical journey home was complete, but the spiritual and political realities were far from the glorious restoration promised by the prophets. The Temple was still being rebuilt, the nation was weak, and the initial burst of post-exilic joy had given way to discouragement and doubt. This psalm is a beautiful and necessary transition from the previous psalms. In Psalm 84, we heard the joyous longing for God's presence, declaring that "a single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else" (Psalm 84:10). Now, in Psalm 85, the people acknowledge that same presence but ask God to complete the work of salvation. They remember God's past faithfulness and use it as an urgent argument for Him to move again in the present. This is the prayer of a people who have seen God move, but whose current circumstances demand a fresh move of divine power. So, let's open our hearts to this fervent prayer for revival, feeling the weight of hope and the desperate need for God's face to shine upon His people once again. Remembering Past Favor, Pleading for Present Peace (Psalm 85:1-3) Lord, you have poured out amazing blessings on your land! You have restored the fortunes of Israel. You have forgiven the guilt of your people— yes, you have covered all their sins. You have withdrawn your furious anger and turned away from your blazing wrath. The psalm begins not with a complaint, but with a confident historical acknowledgment of God's past goodness, a crucial starting point for any plea for revival: "Lord, you have poured out amazing blessings on your land! You have restored the fortunes of Israel." This immediately grounds the prayer in God's proven faithfulness. The psalmist remembers the great work God has already done, specifically the Restoration from exile. God had indeed acted, bringing the people back from Babylon, pouring out "amazing blessings" (literally, "been favorable" or "showed favor") upon their land. He "restored the fortunes of Israel" (shuv shevut), a technical term used by the prophets for the major act of bringing the exiles home and reversing their national calamity. This physical restoration was rooted in a spiritual reality: "You have forgiven the guilt of your people—yes, you have covered all their sins." The ultimate blessing of the return was not just the rebuilding of the walls