June 6 BIBLE BLOG
Psalms 31-36
Psalm 31 is another of David’s great songs to be birthed in trial. “Deliver me!” (v. 1) he says. “Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am in distress.” (v. 9) “My life is spent with sorrow.” (v. 10) And “I…said in my alarm: I am cut off from Your sight!” (v. 22) But, from beginning to end, this psalm is also peppered with words of faith, not the least of which Jesus himself quoted from the cross: “Into Your hand I commit my spirit.” (v. 5)
Psalm 32 is a maskil of David’s. Maskil is probably a musical or liturgical term, but no one knows for sure. This psalm teaches us the potential connection between sin and sickness, and between finding forgiveness and healing. While David left his sins unconfessed, he was a physical wreck (vv. 3-4). But when he acknowledged his sin, blessing came (vv. 1-2; 10-11). With this psalm, David pleads with sinners like himself not to be stubborn as a mule (v. 9), but to trust the Lord (v. 10).
Psalm 33 extols the steadfast love of the Lord that we can experience through His creation. The psalm-writer makes the connection between God’s love and God’s creation in v. 5, then writes of how we can cooperate with God’s creative power. Some well-known phrases come from Psalm 33: By the word of the Lord were the heavens made (v. 6); Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (v. 12); and behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him (v. 18).
Psalm 34 is David’s song of gratitude for God’s protection when he pretended insanity among the Philistines (1 Samuel 21:10-15, I think). This is one of my favorites; it’s filled with promises and challenges for those who would seek the Lord. It also contains another Messianic prophecy. HINT: Check John 19:36!
In Psalm 35, David lets loose of all his pent-up frustration with his wicked adversaries, malicious witness (v. 11), that open wide their mouths against [him] (v. 21). This psalm is proof that God’s leaders are allowed to vent before the Lord and complain about difficult people.
In Psalm 36, David begins by describing a sinful man (vv. 1-4). But the rest of this short psalm (vv. 5-12) praises God for His steadfast love. Three of my favorite metaphors for the blessings of God’s love are in vv. 8-9: feast, river and fountain. Listen: They feast on the abundance of Your house, You give them to drink from Your river of delights. For with You is the fountain of life!
Reading the psalms is like drinking from the Lord’s “river of delights.”
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
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