Psalm 66 (summary): Shout with joy to God!

This psalm is gloriously jubilant starting with “Shout with joy to God, all the earth… Say to God how awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you… Come and see what God has done!… He turned the sea into dry land… He rules forever by his power… Praise our God, O peoples… he tested us like silver… we went through fire and water but you brought us to a place of abundance… I will sacrifice fat animals to you… let me tell you what he has done for me… God has surely heard my voice in prayer… Praise be to God!”

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Psalm 66 (summary): Shout with joy to God!

This psalm is gloriously jubilant starting with “Shout with joy to God, all the earth… Say to God how awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you… Come and see what God has done!… He turned the sea into dry land… He rules forever by his power… Praise our God, O peoples… he tested us like silver… we went through fire and water but you brought us to a place of abundance… I will sacrifice fat animals to you… let me tell you what he has done for me… God has surely heard my voice in prayer… Praise be to God!”

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Publishing of the Bible Résumé

I am now in the process of officially publishing my résumés or summaries of the Bible on the EAB website. Of course they have already been available on my blog, but now they will be available in an organized book by book and chapter by chapter fashion so as to make my summaries more readily accessible. So far my friend Alex Souto has posted Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Please view the work in progress at www.eabrazil.org

Yesterday QPR actually managed to win a game beating Leicester 3 x 1 away! 😂 We are now on 50 points in the Championship in 16th place out of 24 teams. 

Last night I led the service at Green Pastures and I preached on Jesus going to the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7:1-13 focusing on Jesus’ life under threat, his being faced by unbelief with his family and ‘God’s right time’. It was a lovely service. On the way there I saw a Burrowing Owl.

It rained 17 mm at Green Pastures last night but not in Patos. This takes rainfall in this year’s rainy season at Green Pastures up to 346 mm remembering that 600 mm is poor, 800 mm is medium and 1,000 is good between January and the end of April.

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Publishing of the Bible Résumé

I am now in the process of officially publishing my résumés or summaries of the Bible on the EAB website. Of course they have already been available on my blog, but now they will be available in an organized book by book and chapter by chapter fashion so as to make my summaries more readily accessible. So far my friend Alex Souto has posted Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Please view the work in progress at www.eabrazil.org

Yesterday QPR actually managed to win a game beating Leicester 3 x 1 away! 😂 We are now on 50 points in the Championship in 16th place out of 24 teams. 

Last night I led the service at Green Pastures and I preached on Jesus going to the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7:1-13 focusing on Jesus’ life under threat, his being faced by unbelief with his family and ‘God’s right time’. It was a lovely service. On the way there I saw a Burrowing Owl.

It rained 17 mm at Green Pastures last night but not in Patos. This takes rainfall in this year’s rainy season at Green Pastures up to 346 mm remembering that 600 mm is poor, 800 mm is medium and 1,000 is good between January and the end of April.

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Wren

The Southern House Wren is singing beautifully outside my office. 

We continue desperate for rain here because it has only rained 329 mm this rainy season from January to March. A good year rains 1,000 mm, a medium year rains 800 mm and a just about alright year rains 600 mm by the end of April. Please pray!

Yesterday Liz went out to Green Pastures with deaconess Josinete.

I have just drunk a glass of Barbadan Cherry fruit juice which is produce of Green Pastures.

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Wren

The Southern House Wren is singing beautifully outside my office. 

We continue desperate for rain here because it has only rained 329 mm this rainy season from January to March. A good year rains 1,000 mm, a medium year rains 800 mm and a just about alright year rains 600 mm by the end of April. Please pray!

Yesterday Liz went out to Green Pastures with deaconess Josinete.

I have just drunk a glass of Barbadan Cherry fruit juice which is produce of Green Pastures.

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Psalm 65 (summary): Praise awaits you O God!

Psalm 65, again attributed to David, is a jubilant upbeat poem of praise to God. David exclaims that when we were overwhelmed by sins God atoned for our transgressions… God answers us with awesome deeds of righteousness… God formed the mountains by his power and stills the roaring seas… God cares for the land and cares for it providing the people with grains… and blesses the crops with showers… and the carts overflow with abundance… the grasslands overflow and the meadows are filled with flocks… and the valleys shout for joy and sing! 

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Psalm 65 (summary): Praise awaits you O God!

Psalm 65, again attributed to David, is a jubilant upbeat poem of praise to God. David exclaims that when we were overwhelmed by sins God atoned for our transgressions… God answers us with awesome deeds of righteousness… God formed the mountains by his power and stills the roaring seas… God cares for the land and cares for it providing the people with grains… and blesses the crops with showers… and the carts overflow with abundance… the grasslands overflow and the meadows are filled with flocks… and the valleys shout for joy and sing! 

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Mid-week meeting

I led last night’s mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and pastor Rafael led the worship. The study was brought by lawyer Murilo on ‘Test the Spirits’ from 1 John 4:1-6. It was a lovely service in which Linda and Espedita sang solos.

We have just taken part in an excellent meeting with Maggy Spence and Jan Stracey of the Danbury Mission missionary committee. We had a good chat about the work of the Lord.

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Psalm 64 (summary): Hear me O God!

 This is a prayer by David for protection from his enemies. He says: “Protect my life from the threat of the enemy… hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like arrows… they have evil plans… and plot injustice… but God will shoot them with arrows and bring them to ruin… let the righteous rejoice in the Lord!”

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Psalm 63 (summary): O God, you are my God!

Psalm 63, written in the Judean desert, is a passionate Davidic declaration of faith in God saying “O God, you are my God… my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you… I have beheld your power and glory… your love is better than life… with singing lips my mouth will praise you… I sing in the shadow of your wings… those who seek my life will be destroyed… the king will rejoice in God!”

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Psalm 63 (summary): O God, you are my God!

Psalm 63, written in the Judean desert, is a passionate Davidic declaration of faith in God saying “O God, you are my God… my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you… I have beheld your power and glory… your love is better than life… with singing lips my mouth will praise you… I sing in the shadow of your wings… those who seek my life will be destroyed… the king will rejoice in God!”

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Projects

We value your prayers for our social action projects team which in the first half of 2026 are working on the drilling and equipping of 2 more wells, the setting up of 1 further market garden, the construction of 2  more toilet/shower units, and the distribution of more goats and hair sheep in the 4-Legs project. May God be glorified and the poor blessed by these wells, toilets, goats and sheep, and market garden.

Last night we held an excellent Patos Church Council meeting which lasted 2 hours and covered 23 topics in a fine spirit of unity, consensus and Christian love. It was an excellent meeting.

I went to Green Pastures yesterday where I saw some beautiful bright orange Campo Troupials as well as White-naped Jays and Picui Ground-Doves. Everything is beautifully green, but now in desperate need of heavy rains. Please pray!

A 30-year-old Brazilian psychologist from the northeastern city of Fortaleza called Vitória Barreto is being searched for in Essex, England, where she has gone missing. She has been working on a research project with Essex University.

QPR sadly lost away to Birmingham yesterday 1 x 0. 😭

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Projects

We value your prayers for our social action projects team which in the first half of 2026 are working on the drilling and equipping of 2 more wells, the setting up of 1 further market garden, the construction of 2  more toilet/shower units, and the distribution of more goats and hair sheep in the 4-Legs project. May God be glorified and the poor blessed by these wells, toilets, goats and sheep, and market garden.

Last night we held an excellent Patos Church Council meeting which lasted 2 hours and covered 23 topics in a fine spirit of unity, consensus and Christian love. It was an excellent meeting.

I went to Green Pastures yesterday where I saw some beautiful bright orange Campo Troupials as well as White-naped Jays and Picui Ground-Doves. Everything is beautifully green, but now in desperate need of heavy rains. Please pray!

A 30-year-old Brazilian psychologist from the northeastern city of Fortaleza called Vitória Barreto is being searched for in Essex, England, where she has gone missing. She has been working on a research project with Essex University.

QPR sadly lost away to Birmingham yesterday 1 x 0. 😭

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Psalm 62 (summary): My soul finds rest in God alone

 David’s psalm to Jeduthun expresses his total trust in God. “My soul finds rest in God alone… I shall never be shaken”. David says he faces men that seek to topple him and who curse him in their hearts. However David finds rest in God, “he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken… God is our refuge”. David goes on to say that lowborn and highborn people are “only a breath”… and that no-one should take pride in stolen goods. Trust in God because he is strong and loving and will reward people according to what they do”.

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Psalm 62 (summary): My soul finds rest in God alone

 David’s psalm to Jeduthun expresses his total trust in God. “My soul finds rest in God alone… I shall never be shaken”. David says he faces men that seek to topple him and who curse him in their hearts. However David finds rest in God, “he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken… God is our refuge”. David goes on to say that lowborn and highborn people are “only a breath”… and that no-one should take pride in stolen goods. Trust in God because he is strong and loving and will reward people according to what they do”.

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The Parables of the Seeds

Last night I travelled to the town of São Mamede and preached on the Parables of the Seeds in Mark 4:26-34. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Rebeca evangelized the children whilst I preached. A man came and thanked me for the message after the service and said that he will bring his whole family to the next service there.

During the day yesterday I prepared sermons for the married couples meeting and for next Sunday’s service in Patos.

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The Parables of the Seeds

Last night I travelled to the town of São Mamede and preached on the Parables of the Seeds in Mark 4:26-34. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Rebeca evangelized the children whilst I preached. A man came and thanked me for the message after the service and said that he will bring his whole family to the next service there.

During the day yesterday I prepared sermons for the married couples meeting and for next Sunday’s service in Patos.

Continue Reading

The Parables of the Seeds

Last night I travelled to the town of São Mamede and preached on the Parables of the Seeds in Mark 4:26-34. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Rebeca evangelized the children whilst I preached. A man came and thanked me for the message after the service and said that he will bring his whole family to the next service there.

During the day yesterday I prepared sermons for the married couples meeting and for next Sunday’s service in Patos.

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One third

I have completed writing the summary of the first 50 psalms which means I have covered one third of the psalms and about 44% of the Bible. 

Liz went to the women’s prayer meeting last night and she says it was a blessing.

Our field team led by Pastor Rafael went to Fred and Marileide’s farm last night and preached the gospel in an animated service.

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One third

I have completed writing the summary of the first 50 psalms which means I have covered one third of the psalms and about 44% of the Bible. 

Liz went to the women’s prayer meeting last night and she says it was a blessing.

Our field team led by Pastor Rafael went to Fred and Marileide’s farm last night and preached the gospel in an animated service.

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Psalm 61 (summary): Hear my cry, O God!

David here (with stringed instruments) is either in exile (“from the ends of the earth”) or in extreme distress. He says he calls to God for help as his heart grows faint asking to be led to the rock that is higher than I. He says God has been his refuge and that he longs to dwell in God’s tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of his wings. He asks to be enthroned in God’s presence for ever. Then he will sing praise to God’s name. 

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Psalm 61 (summary): Hear my cry, O God!

David here (with stringed instruments) is either in exile (“from the ends of the earth”) or in extreme distress. He says he calls to God for help as his heart grows faint asking to be led to the rock that is higher than I. He says God has been his refuge and that he longs to dwell in God’s tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of his wings. He asks to be enthroned in God’s presence for ever. Then he will sing praise to God’s name. 

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Psalm 59 (summary): Deliver me from my enemies, O God!

 David wrote this psalm when Saul had sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. “Deliver me from my enemies, O God”, prayed David, “deliver me from evil doers… these bloodthirsty men lie in wait for me… I have done no wrong but they are ready to attack… O God show no mercy to wicked traitors”! These would-be assassins “snarl like dogs and prowl… spewing swords from their lips… but God laughs at them. You my loving God are my fortress… let these wicked men be caught in their pride… and it will be known that God rules”! “I will sing of your strength in the morning… for you are my fortress and refuge in times of trouble”.

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Psalm 59 (summary): Deliver me from my enemies, O God!

 David wrote this psalm when Saul had sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. “Deliver me from my enemies, O God”, prayed David, “deliver me from evil doers… these bloodthirsty men lie in wait for me… I have done no wrong but they are ready to attack… O God show no mercy to wicked traitors”! These would-be assassins “snarl like dogs and prowl… spewing swords from their lips… but God laughs at them. You my loving God are my fortress… let these wicked men be caught in their pride… and it will be known that God rules”! “I will sing of your strength in the morning… for you are my fortress and refuge in times of trouble”.

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Psalm 59 (summary): Deliver me from my enemies, O God!

 David wrote this psalm when Saul had sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. “Deliver me from my enemies, O God”, prayed David, “deliver me from evil doers… these bloodthirsty men lie in wait for me… I have done no wrong but they are ready to attack… O God show no mercy to wicked traitors”! These would-be assassins “snarl like dogs and prowl… spewing swords from their lips… but God laughs at them. You my loving God are my fortress… let these wicked men be caught in their pride… and it will be known that God rules”! “I will sing of your strength in the morning… for you are my fortress and refuge in times of trouble”.

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Psalm 58 (summary): Do rulers indeed speak justly?

Psalm 58 is an imprecatory prayer which invokes divine judgement on corrupt judges and unjust rulers. David asks: “Do you judge uprightly? No, in your heart you devise injustice… the wicked go astray from birth… their venom is like that of a snake… and it won’t heed the tune of the snake charmer… break their teeth O God!…  Let them vanish like water flowing away down the river… let them be slugs melting away… the righteous will be glad when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked… for surely there is a God who judges the earth”! 

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Psalm 58 (summary): Do rulers indeed speak justly?

Psalm 58 is an imprecatory prayer which invokes divine judgement on corrupt judges and unjust rulers. David asks: “Do you judge uprightly? No, in your heart you devise injustice… the wicked go astray from birth… their venom is like that of a snake… and it won’t heed the tune of the snake charmer… break their teeth O God!…  Let them vanish like water flowing away down the river… let them be slugs melting away… the righteous will be glad when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked… for surely there is a God who judges the earth”! 

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Psalm 58 (summary): Do rulers indeed speak justly?

Psalm 58 is an imprecatory prayer which invokes divine judgement on corrupt judges and unjust rulers. David asks: “Do you judge uprightly? No, in your heart you devise injustice… the wicked go astray from birth… their venom is like that of a snake… and it won’t heed the tune of the snake charmer… break their teeth O God!…  Let them vanish like water flowing away down the river… let them be slugs melting away… the righteous will be glad when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked… for surely there is a God who judges the earth”! 

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Psalm 57 (summary): Have mercy on me, O God!

 Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding in a cave sheltering from Saul and it is a prayer for protection and for God’s help. “O God… I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings… he rebukes them who hotly pursue me… I am in the midst of lions… be exalted O God above the heavens”. “They spread a net for my feet and dug a pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.” “My heart is steadfast, O God… awake my soul and praise God among the nations… for great is your love and glory”! 

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Psalm 57 (summary): Have mercy on me, O God!

 Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding in a cave sheltering from Saul and it is a prayer for protection and for God’s help. “O God… I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings… he rebukes them who hotly pursue me… I am in the midst of lions… be exalted O God above the heavens”. “They spread a net for my feet and dug a pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.” “My heart is steadfast, O God… awake my soul and praise God among the nations… for great is your love and glory”! 

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Psalm 57 (summary): Have mercy on me, O God!

 Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding in a cave sheltering from Saul and it is a prayer for protection and for God’s help. “O God… I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings… he rebukes them who hotly pursue me… I am in the midst of lions… be exalted O God above the heavens”. “They spread a net for my feet and dug a pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.” “My heart is steadfast, O God… awake my soul and praise God among the nations… for great is your love and glory”! 

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Psalm 56 (summary): Be merciful to me, O God!

This another psalm by David was written when the Philistines had seized Him in Gath. David prays: “Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me… many are attacking me… but when I am afraid, I will trust in you”. “All day long they twist my words… plotting to harm me… don’t let them escape O God… record my lament… list my tears… in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? You have delivered my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God in the light of life”!

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Psalm 56 (summary): Be merciful to me, O God!

This another psalm by David was written when the Philistines had seized Him in Gath. David prays: “Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me… many are attacking me… but when I am afraid, I will trust in you”. “All day long they twist my words… plotting to harm me… don’t let them escape O God… record my lament… list my tears… in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? You have delivered my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God in the light of life”!

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Psalm 56 (summary): Be merciful to me, O God!

This another psalm by David was written when the Philistines had seized Him in Gath. David prays: “Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me… many are attacking me… but when I am afraid, I will trust in you”. “All day long they twist my words… plotting to harm me… don’t let them escape O God… record my lament… list my tears… in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? You have delivered my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God in the light of life”!

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Psalm 55 (summary): Listen to my prayer, O God!

 Psalm 55 is a Davidic lament saying “hear me and answer me O God… I am distraught… by those who revile me in their anger”. “Fear and trembling have beset me… oh for the wings, for the wings of a dove and I would fly away and be at rest”! “Confuse and confound the wicked O Lord… day and night they prowl after me”. What especially upsets David is that it a close friend and companion (maybe Absalom) who is persecuting and betraying him. “Let death take my enemies… I call on God to save me… he ransoms me unharmed from the battle… my close friend has speech as smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart.” “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you… but you O God  will bring down the wicked”.

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Psalm 55 (summary): Listen to my prayer, O God!

 Psalm 55 is a Davidic lament saying “hear me and answer me O God… I am distraught… by those who revile me in their anger”. “Fear and trembling have beset me… oh for the wings, for the wings of a dove and I would fly away and be at rest”! “Confuse and confound the wicked O Lord… day and night they prowl after me”. What especially upsets David is that it a close friend and companion (maybe Absalom) who is persecuting and betraying him. “Let death take my enemies… I call on God to save me… he ransoms me unharmed from the battle… my close friend has speech as smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart.” “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you… but you O God  will bring down the wicked”.

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Psalm 52 (summary): Why do you boast of evil?

This psalm by David was written when the evil man Doeg the Edomite slaughtered dozens of priests in 1 Samuel. David asks Doeg why he boasted of his evil telling him he is a disgrace in the eyes of God. David says Doeg’s tongue is like a sharp razor and that he loves evil and falsehood rather than good and truth. David says that God will bring him everlasting ruin as he did not make God his stronghold but grew strong by destroying others. David says that he himself is like a flourishing Olive tree trusting in God’s unfailing love and praising him forever.

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Psalm 52 (summary): Why do you boast of evil?

This psalm by David was written when the evil man Doeg the Edomite slaughtered dozens of priests in 1 Samuel. David asks Doeg why he boasted of his evil telling him he is a disgrace in the eyes of God. David says Doeg’s tongue is like a sharp razor and that he loves evil and falsehood rather than good and truth. David says that God will bring him everlasting ruin as he did not make God his stronghold but grew strong by destroying others. David says that he himself is like a flourishing Olive tree trusting in God’s unfailing love and praising him forever.

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Psalm 51 (summary): Have mercy on me, O God!

This Davidic psalm was written when the prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband Uriah. It is a psalm of profound repentance. It starts with David imploring God’s mercy and asking to be cleansed from his sin. David above all recognizes that his sin had been against God. He asked to be cleansed and made whiter than snow creating in him a pure heart. He asked to be restored with the joy of salvation and not to have taken the Holy Spirit away from him. David recognizes that God doesn’t want sacrifices but rather a broken and contrite heart. This psalm is a perfect example of repentance from the heart.

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Psalm 51 (summary): Have mercy on me, O God!

This Davidic psalm was written when the prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband Uriah. It is a psalm of profound repentance. It starts with David imploring God’s mercy and asking to be cleansed from his sin. David above all recognizes that his sin had been against God. He asked to be cleansed and made whiter than snow creating in him a pure heart. He asked to be restored with the joy of salvation and not to have taken the Holy Spirit away from him. David recognizes that God doesn’t want sacrifices but rather a broken and contrite heart. This psalm is a perfect example of repentance from the heart.

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