BLOG June 18, 2014
Psalms 90-97; today, we begin BOOK FOUR of the Psalms; the shortest of the five sections, it is nevertheless a treasure trove of great psalms: 90, 91, 95, 100, and 103 are some of the most often quoted of the entire Psalter.
Psalm 90 is the only psalm attributed to Moses! It is a great psalm to read slowly and thoughtfully, looking back over one’s life through the eyes of God, realizing, yet again, how brief life is and how quickly it flies, and committing all we do to the Lord our God. My favorite verse is 12: Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 91 has always been my mother’s favorite psalm. It was the one she wanted me to read to her before her knee surgery ten years ago. This psalm is a promise of protection for all who dwell in the shelter of the Most High. Do you remember the song “On Eagle Wings?” If you’ve ever heard the verses—and not just the chorus—of that song, those verses are based on Psalm 91!
Psalm 92 is subtitled, “a song for the Sabbath.” It reminds us of both the importance and the reasons for worship. My favorite verse in the penultimate one: They [the righteous] still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green. There is a by-product of youthfulness the comes to those who worship and serve the Lord!
Psalm 93 is simple song that declares the majestic reign of God, which we see most clearly in creation.
Psalm 94 begins with a cry to God: Rise up, O Judge! Repay the proud! But this cry is based upon a deep faith in the One to Whom we cry, For the Lord will not forsake His people; He will not abandon His heritage (v. 14). So, when the tough times come, remember this: Blessed is the one whom You discipline, O Lord (v. 12)!
Psalm 95 is one of the most beloved “calls to worship” in Scripture. Read it as the psalmist wrote it: an encouragement to praise and sing and make noise in celebration of our God (vv. 1-5), and an urging to submit in holy reverence to God as well (vv. 6-7a). But don’t overlook the warning of vv. 7b-11; whatever we do, we should never come before the Lord in worship with a hard heart (v. 8); that’s a good way to lose out on the blessed rest of God!
Psalm 96 is a call to unrestrained praise and awe-filled reverence. My favorite part comes near the end, where the psalmist describes how creation itself participates in this worship. It is as if to say: “If the field can exult, why can’t we? If the trees sing for joy, why don’t we?”
Psalm 97 is another song of praise. The emphasis in this psalm is the appropriateness of righteous praise from God’s righteous instruments of praise. By contrast, the worshippers of idols are “put to shame (v. 7). So, we righteous worshippers should “hate evil,” (v. 10) even while we praise Him!
Tomorrow, we continue BOOK FOUR of the Psalms;
and I remain your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
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