“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’” v.1
A life without God can produce bitterness, loneliness, and hopelessness in old age. A life centered around God is fulfilling and can be richer and more bearable when we are faced with disabilities, sickness, or handicaps. Being young is exciting. Bit the excitement of youth can become a barrier to closeness with God if it makes young people focus on passing pleasures instead of eternal values. Make your strength available to God when it is still yours – during your youthful years. Don’t waste it on evil or meaningless activities that become habits and make you callous. Seek God now!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
examining every path he takes.
An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
they are ropes that catch and hold him.
He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.” v.21-23
In our world today good men, even men being used by God, are falling into the trap of looking outside of their relationship with their wife, for some type of relationship. Some of them went looking for it while others simply let their guard down. That is why Solomon warns us all to be careful. In contrast to what we read, see, and hear today, this passage urges couples to look to each other for life long satisfaction and companionship. Many temptations cause husband and wives to leave when things become hard, stale, dull, or complacent. They begin to think the grass will be greener on the other side. It may appear that way at first but the reality is that it’s not. Don’t let God’s best for you be wasted on the illusion of greener pastures somewhere else. Instead, rejoice with your spouse as you give yourself to God and each other.

If you are single, don’t think this doesn’t apply to you. Don’t settle for less than God’s best! Be patient, and God will bless!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.” v23
Our heart – our feelings of love and desire – dictates to a great extent how we live because we we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon tells us to guard our hearts above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections lead you in the right right directions. Put boundaries on your desires: Don’t go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.” v. 13-14
Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, and we wonder how we can go on. David stands as this bleak intersection of life’s road and meditates on the Lord, the great burden bearer. God is able to lift us because:

1. His greatness is beyond discovery
2. He does mighty acts for each generation
3. He is full of majestic, glorious splendor
4. He does awe-inspiring deeds
5. He is righteous
6. He is kind, merciful, patient, loving, and compassionate
7. He rules over an everlasting kingdom
8. He is our source for all our daily needs
9. He is righteous and kind in all his dealings
10. He remains close to those who call on him
11. He hears our cries and rescues us

If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.” v.1

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” v.23-24
Sometimes we don’t let people get to know us completely because we are afraid they will discover something about us they won’t like. But God already knows everything about us, even the number of hairs on our heads and he still accepts and loves us. God is with us through every situation, in every trial – protecting, loving, guiding. He knows and loves us completely.

David ask God to search for sin and point it out, even to the level of testing his thoughts. This is exploratory surgery for sin. How are we to recognize sin unless God points it out? Then, when God shows us, we can repent and be forgiven. Make this verse your prayer. If you ask God to search yor heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing on “the path to everlasting life”.

Taken from the NLT LIfe Application Study Bible

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.” v. 1-2
David’s praise focused on the good things God was doing for him. It is easy to complain about life, but David’s list gives us plenty for which to praise God: He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life’s journey, you can always count your blessings-past, present, and future. When you feel as though you have nothing for which to praise God, read Davids list found in this psalm.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.” v.1
This psalm expresses one of the clearest examples of repentance in all of scripture. Countless broken sinners have found in these words an exquisite expression of their deeply felt need for God’s mercy and forgiveness. David’s confession has helped people examine excuses, half-hearted repentance, and lack of sorrow over sin that can keep them from experiencing pardon. David’s words also demonstrate the place of hope within confession. Use this psalm as a starting point when dealing with a sense of distance or with guilt that is affecting your relationship with God. It will help you identify and rectify sin in your life through confession and repentance.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible