JUNE 12 PSALMS 60-66

June 12 BIBLE BLOG

Psalms 60-66; BOOK TWO of the Psalms continues with seven more psalms; six are David’s. These are songs of purest praise and deepest yearning, and many a modern day praise song can be found in them. NOTE: Some of the quotes, today, are from the King James Version of the Bible and reflect the way I first learned these verses: as lyrics to praise songs!

Psalm 60 was written in the wake of a great military victory devised by Joab, David’s 2nd in command. In the end, David declares: “Through our God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.” (v. 12; KJV) Anyone know that song?

Psalm 61 yearns humbly for God like no other psalm. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee. When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I (vv. 1-2; KJV). Do any of you know the praise song with these words?

Psalm 62 continues David’s yearning for the “Rock.” (vv. 2, 6, 7) In it, his great emphasis is on “waiting.” For God alone, my soul waits in silence (v. 1). For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him (v. 5). Trust in Him at all times, O people (v. 8)!

Can you hear the hunger and thirst in Psalm 63? Listen: O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is (v. 1). Were you to hear the melody that goes with verses 3 and 4, I think many of you would recognize this old praise song: Thy lovingkindness is better than life, Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee; thus will I bless thee…I will lift up my hands in Thy name (vv. 3-4; KJV).

Psalm 64 breaks the string of psalms that yearn for God. Here, David reverts, once again, to his complaints about the wicked. But, in the end, the righteous will rejoice, and the upright will exult (v. 10).

Psalms 65 and 66 are psalms of pure praise. Praise is due You, O God, in Zion, David begins Psalm 65, which focuses on God’s creation. By the end, David personifies the hills, meadows and valleys; they shout and sing together for joy (65:13). Psalm 66 continues this vein: Shout for joy to God, all the earth (66:1)! In Psalm 66, the psalmist praises the Lord for His awesome deeds, His protection, and His provision. But just before he thanks God for answered prayer, he reminds himself of a holiness truth: If I had cherished iniquity (sin) in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (66:18). God’s people do not cherish sin, they confess sin!

Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary