June 21/22
Psalms 107-110; Today, or this weekend, we begin BOOK FIVE, the final section of the Psalms. It contains a staggering range of emotions, styles, and purposes. Among them are both the longest (119) and the shortest (117) of the psalms, as well as the 15 psalms entitled “Songs of Ascents” (120-134). It concludes with five of the most joyous and praise-filled songs in the psalter (146-150).
Psalm 107 tells four short stories; you can see the starting place of each one by looking for the word: some. Some wandered in desert wastes… (v. 4), Some sat in the darkness… (v. 10), Some were fools through their sinful ways… (v. 17), and Some went to the sea in ships…* (v. 23). The groups described in each story are different, but the stories have similar sequence: 1) People are in trouble. 2) They cry out to the Lord. 3) He delivers them. 4) And they should thank the Lord. What would your song of deliverance look like?
* Verse 23, I’ve heard, was routinely inscribed over the altars of churches in New England fishing villages, many of whose men routinely, and dangerously, went to the sea in ships!
Psalm 108 is one of David’s battle psalms. The King recognized his desperate need for God in defending Israel (v. 8) from her enemies (v. 9). It is in war, as it is in all things: With God, we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes (v. 13)!
Psalm 109 is a troublesome and vengeful song of David. One section alone (vv. 6-20) calls down twenty curses—depending on how you count them—on the wicked encircling him. The rest of the psalm redeems it somewhat from its anger and vengeance, for David humbles himself and brings these troubles before the Lord. Why would such vengeful talk be included in the Bible? Because God is teaching us that in every state of mind and emotion, we can come to Him!
Psalm 110 is one of David’s most famous “Messiah” songs. Jesus made it so by quoting it to the Pharisees: READ Matthew 22:41-46. Here Jesus points out a puzzle in Psalm 110: If the Messiah is the “Son of David,” how does David call the Messiah “Lord” in the psalm? Then Jesus quotes David in Psalm 110:1, The LORD said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. Then Jesus asks: If David calls the Messiah, “Lord,” how can the Messiah be his son? The Pharisees had no response, because Psalm 110 was widely viewed as Messianic. We know the answer to Jesus question, because we know that Jesus is Messiah. Jesus was “Son of David,” through Mary, and “Son of God” through the virgin birth!
Psalm 110 continues its Messiah bent, when David quotes the Lord as saying this to the Messiah: You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (v. 4). This is a lonely reference to the mysterious priest/king of Genesis 14:17-20. READ Hebrews 5-7 for an important commentary on this!
Monday, we continue BOOK FIVE of the Psalms!
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
JUNE 20 PSALMS 104-106
BLOG June 20, 2014
Psalms 104-106; today, we finish BOOK FOUR of the Psalms; the shortest of the five sections. These three extended psalms recall three important aspects of the history of God’s relationship with humans: CREATION, COVENANT and CONFESSION.
CREATION—Psalm 104 is a poetic meditation on God’s work in creation. Each of the six days of creation are represented: Day 1: Light (v. 2), Day 2: Heaven (v. 2), Day 3: Earth and vegetation (vv. 5, 14), Day 4: Sun and moon (v. 19), Day 5: Birds and sea creatures (vv. 17, 25), and Day 6: Animals (vv. 11, 12, 18, 20, 24, 27-30). The only omission is humanity, and, of course, it is a human being doing the meditating (34)!
COVENANT—Psalm 105 is an historical psalm describing God’s great Covenant (Promise) and his faithfulness in keeping it. After the opening praise, the psalmist reminds us of the Abrahamic Covenant, focusing on the promise of the Land of Canaan (vv. 7-11). Then the psalmist shows how each time the Covenant seems threatened, God comes through: When they were few in number (v. 12), when they were in danger from famine (v. 16), when they were slaves and sojourners in Egypt (v. 23f), and when they wandered in the wilderness (v. vv. 39-41). In every threatening time, “He remembered his holy Promise!” (v. 42)
CONFESSION—Psalm 106 is another historical psalm, tracing the story of Israel’s rebellion and sin: Both we and our fathers have sinned (v. 6)”, the psalmist confesses. Despite the faithfulness of God , as remembered in Psalm 105, God people rebelled by the sea (v. 7), forgot his works (v. 13), were jealous of Moses (v. 16), made a calf at Horeb (v. 19), despised the pleasant land (v. 24), yoked themselves to Baal (v. 28), and mixed with the nations around them (v. 35). Nevertheless, the Lord remained faithful! Read vv. 44-48 and thank God for his faithfulness and forgiveness.
Tomorrow, we begin BOOK FIVE, the last of sections of the Psalms. What wonderful psalms await us!
I am your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
Psalms 104-106; today, we finish BOOK FOUR of the Psalms; the shortest of the five sections. These three extended psalms recall three important aspects of the history of God’s relationship with humans: CREATION, COVENANT and CONFESSION.
CREATION—Psalm 104 is a poetic meditation on God’s work in creation. Each of the six days of creation are represented: Day 1: Light (v. 2), Day 2: Heaven (v. 2), Day 3: Earth and vegetation (vv. 5, 14), Day 4: Sun and moon (v. 19), Day 5: Birds and sea creatures (vv. 17, 25), and Day 6: Animals (vv. 11, 12, 18, 20, 24, 27-30). The only omission is humanity, and, of course, it is a human being doing the meditating (34)!
COVENANT—Psalm 105 is an historical psalm describing God’s great Covenant (Promise) and his faithfulness in keeping it. After the opening praise, the psalmist reminds us of the Abrahamic Covenant, focusing on the promise of the Land of Canaan (vv. 7-11). Then the psalmist shows how each time the Covenant seems threatened, God comes through: When they were few in number (v. 12), when they were in danger from famine (v. 16), when they were slaves and sojourners in Egypt (v. 23f), and when they wandered in the wilderness (v. vv. 39-41). In every threatening time, “He remembered his holy Promise!” (v. 42)
CONFESSION—Psalm 106 is another historical psalm, tracing the story of Israel’s rebellion and sin: Both we and our fathers have sinned (v. 6)”, the psalmist confesses. Despite the faithfulness of God , as remembered in Psalm 105, God people rebelled by the sea (v. 7), forgot his works (v. 13), were jealous of Moses (v. 16), made a calf at Horeb (v. 19), despised the pleasant land (v. 24), yoked themselves to Baal (v. 28), and mixed with the nations around them (v. 35). Nevertheless, the Lord remained faithful! Read vv. 44-48 and thank God for his faithfulness and forgiveness.
Tomorrow, we begin BOOK FIVE, the last of sections of the Psalms. What wonderful psalms await us!
I am your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, June 19, 2014
June 19 PSALMS 98-103
June 19 BIBLE BLOG
Psalms 98-103; Today, we continue BOOK FOUR of the Psalms....
Psalm 98 is one of the many psalms we use to encourage non-singers to sing. It’s says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord,” not “make a pretty sound!” But Psalm 98 teaches us more; we sing because of the wonderful things God has done (v. 1). We sing because of the revelation of his salvation and righteousness (v. 2). We sing because of God’s faithfulness (v. 3). And what’s more, we sing because all creation sings his praises (vv. 7-8). Our song will hasten his coming!
Psalm 99 rings a different refrain: Holy is He! What does it mean to call God “holy” and to praise God for the attribute of “holiness?” Though God has stooped low in steadfast love to relate with his people, when we praise him for his holiness, we are stepping back in awe; we’re clapping our hands over our mouths in silence like Job (Job 40:4); we’re standing with God’s people in reverence at the smoking mountain. The holiness of God is his “otherness,” his “set-apartness.” We must never forget the awesome privilege we have in relationship with him.
Psalm 100, in musical form, is called the “Old Hundredth;” it is a favorite among the people of God! Many worship songs have flowed from its words. After the stark holiness of Psalm 99, it brings us back into loving presence of a God who makes Himself accessible to human beings!
Psalm 101 is a psalm of commitments. Read it through looking for each occurrence of the words, “I will.” Then make a list of things that David says he will do as king in Israel. Now, what will “you do?”
Psalm 102 has an inscription that perfectly describes its content: A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord. Notice the many figures of speech the author uses to intensify the description of his physical and emotional agony. I am like a desert owl, a lonely sparrow… (vv. 6-7); I eat ashes like bread… (v. 9); I wither away like grass (v. 11). In verse 12 we begin the transition between complaint and faith. By the end, despite his predicament, he can say: The children of your servants shall dwell secure (v. 28)!
Psalm 103 I’ve always called: “Our Insurance Psalm,” for David says, “Forget not all his benefits!” These benefits include forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, mercy, satisfaction and renewed youth (vv. 3-5). They are the overflow of his compassion (v. 13) and the proof of our position as his sons and daughters. Though we, in our physical lives, are frail and mortal, the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him (v. 17). So, by all means, let’s bless the Lord!
Tomorrow, we finish BOOK FOUR!
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Psalms 98-103; Today, we continue BOOK FOUR of the Psalms....
Psalm 98 is one of the many psalms we use to encourage non-singers to sing. It’s says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord,” not “make a pretty sound!” But Psalm 98 teaches us more; we sing because of the wonderful things God has done (v. 1). We sing because of the revelation of his salvation and righteousness (v. 2). We sing because of God’s faithfulness (v. 3). And what’s more, we sing because all creation sings his praises (vv. 7-8). Our song will hasten his coming!
Psalm 99 rings a different refrain: Holy is He! What does it mean to call God “holy” and to praise God for the attribute of “holiness?” Though God has stooped low in steadfast love to relate with his people, when we praise him for his holiness, we are stepping back in awe; we’re clapping our hands over our mouths in silence like Job (Job 40:4); we’re standing with God’s people in reverence at the smoking mountain. The holiness of God is his “otherness,” his “set-apartness.” We must never forget the awesome privilege we have in relationship with him.
Psalm 100, in musical form, is called the “Old Hundredth;” it is a favorite among the people of God! Many worship songs have flowed from its words. After the stark holiness of Psalm 99, it brings us back into loving presence of a God who makes Himself accessible to human beings!
Psalm 101 is a psalm of commitments. Read it through looking for each occurrence of the words, “I will.” Then make a list of things that David says he will do as king in Israel. Now, what will “you do?”
Psalm 102 has an inscription that perfectly describes its content: A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord. Notice the many figures of speech the author uses to intensify the description of his physical and emotional agony. I am like a desert owl, a lonely sparrow… (vv. 6-7); I eat ashes like bread… (v. 9); I wither away like grass (v. 11). In verse 12 we begin the transition between complaint and faith. By the end, despite his predicament, he can say: The children of your servants shall dwell secure (v. 28)!
Psalm 103 I’ve always called: “Our Insurance Psalm,” for David says, “Forget not all his benefits!” These benefits include forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, mercy, satisfaction and renewed youth (vv. 3-5). They are the overflow of his compassion (v. 13) and the proof of our position as his sons and daughters. Though we, in our physical lives, are frail and mortal, the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him (v. 17). So, by all means, let’s bless the Lord!
Tomorrow, we finish BOOK FOUR!
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
JUNE 18 PSALMS
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
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
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
JUNE 17 PSALMS 84-89
BLOG June 17, 2014
Psalms 84-89; today, we finish BOOK THREE of the Psalms!
Psalm 84 was fashioned by the Sons of Korah as a hymn of praise to God for the temple of His presence. As you read it, put yourself in the place of an ancient Israelite preparing to travel to Jerusalem from some distant corner of the Kingdom. You imagine the beauty of God’s dwelling place; you prepare for the trip; you leave the places that make you cry (Baca); and come into the glorious presence of the Lord!
Psalm 85 is a prayer for revival (vv. 1-7) and a statement of faith (vv. 8-13). It can be prayed and proclaimed as easily for church, as it was for ancient Israel. Try it!
Psalm 86 is a litany of prayer requests with faith statements sprinkled in among them. The faith statements provide an encouraging foundation for each of the prayer requests. For example, I can ask the Lord to incline his ear, preserve my life and be gracious unto me (vv. 1-4), because I know that He is good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on Him (v. 5). Make this psalm personal and pray it for yourself!
Psalm 87 is a psalm of roots. Aren’t we sort of proud of the places of our births? I only lived in Akron, Ohio, the first five years of my life, but I’ve always held Goodyear Aircraft and the All-American Soapbox Derby in high regard! Why? ‘Cause I’m from there! The psalm-writers are thankful that even the foreign people recognize Zion (Jerusalem) as the place where they were born! To have Zion as one’s birthplace is to have a special relationship with God’s dwelling place on earth!
Psalm 88 cries out from the psalm-writers’ depths of depression. Speaking as one person, they say, I cry out day and night (1); my soul is full of troubles (3); You have put me in the depths of the pit (6). And this is just a sampling! Again, as in a number of David’s psalms, the cause of this depression seems to be the desertion of a friend. How sad the final verse is! A part of the lesson here is this: You can come to the Lord, even when you have nothing positive to say. Cry out to Him, like the psalmists did.
Psalm 89 is a song of the “steadfast love of the Lord!” We can see the place of trouble from which the psalmist cries (vv. 38-48), but the thrust of the psalm is faith in God’s righteous rule, in God’s gracious covenant, and in God’s steadfast love. It’s because of His faithfulness that we can cry out to Him!
Tomorrow, we begin BOOK FOUR of the Psalms.
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
Psalms 84-89; today, we finish BOOK THREE of the Psalms!
Psalm 84 was fashioned by the Sons of Korah as a hymn of praise to God for the temple of His presence. As you read it, put yourself in the place of an ancient Israelite preparing to travel to Jerusalem from some distant corner of the Kingdom. You imagine the beauty of God’s dwelling place; you prepare for the trip; you leave the places that make you cry (Baca); and come into the glorious presence of the Lord!
Psalm 85 is a prayer for revival (vv. 1-7) and a statement of faith (vv. 8-13). It can be prayed and proclaimed as easily for church, as it was for ancient Israel. Try it!
Psalm 86 is a litany of prayer requests with faith statements sprinkled in among them. The faith statements provide an encouraging foundation for each of the prayer requests. For example, I can ask the Lord to incline his ear, preserve my life and be gracious unto me (vv. 1-4), because I know that He is good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on Him (v. 5). Make this psalm personal and pray it for yourself!
Psalm 87 is a psalm of roots. Aren’t we sort of proud of the places of our births? I only lived in Akron, Ohio, the first five years of my life, but I’ve always held Goodyear Aircraft and the All-American Soapbox Derby in high regard! Why? ‘Cause I’m from there! The psalm-writers are thankful that even the foreign people recognize Zion (Jerusalem) as the place where they were born! To have Zion as one’s birthplace is to have a special relationship with God’s dwelling place on earth!
Psalm 88 cries out from the psalm-writers’ depths of depression. Speaking as one person, they say, I cry out day and night (1); my soul is full of troubles (3); You have put me in the depths of the pit (6). And this is just a sampling! Again, as in a number of David’s psalms, the cause of this depression seems to be the desertion of a friend. How sad the final verse is! A part of the lesson here is this: You can come to the Lord, even when you have nothing positive to say. Cry out to Him, like the psalmists did.
Psalm 89 is a song of the “steadfast love of the Lord!” We can see the place of trouble from which the psalmist cries (vv. 38-48), but the thrust of the psalm is faith in God’s righteous rule, in God’s gracious covenant, and in God’s steadfast love. It’s because of His faithfulness that we can cry out to Him!
Tomorrow, we begin BOOK FOUR of the Psalms.
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
Monday, June 16, 2014
JUNE 16 PSALMS 78-83
June 16 BIBLE BLOG
Psalms 78-83; BOOK THREE of the Psalms continues....
Psalm 78 is a fabulous example of a teaching psalm. In this case, Asaph, the psalm-writer, is teaching God’s people their history. His purpose is “to tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord.” (v. 4) This is quite different from the world’s history books, which, in many cases, are designed to enhance the glorious deeds of people. Psalm 78 is brazenly forthright about the sins and stumblings of God’s people. So, read it, not just for historical information, but for lessons concerning why God’s people should “not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” (v. 7)
Psalm 79 sounds as if it were written after the destruction of Jerusalem (vv. 1,7) and during the exile (vv. 11-12). If it was written earlier, it could be considered a prophetic psalm, one God inspired Asaph to write so that it would be in place when God’s people needed it. Its cry is honest repentance: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! (v. 9). The ultimate answer to this cry is Jesus.
Psalm 80 is a prayer for revival and restoration, possibly after the crisis of Psalm 79. I love the repeated refrain in vv. 3, 7 and 19; it could be a prayer for God’s people, the Church, today: Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved!
Psalm 81 is a clarion call to the people of God: Listen to Him! The heart of the psalm is contained in vv. 8-10. When Asaph says, Hear, o my people, he is not referring to some new and different word from the Lord, he is calling the people of God to remember both the commandments of God (v. 9) and the deliverance from Egypt that led them to the mountain of God’s commandments (v. 10). This psalm also contains a warning of what God will do with those who do not listen: He will give them over to their stubborn hearts (v. 12). Sounds like the apostle Paul in Romans 1, where God gives them up, again and again, to the enslavement of their own sin. This is so that they might turn back to the Lord, and receive the honey from the Rock He longs to give them.
Psalm 82 is a cry for justice for the weak and needy. If we are to love God, we must find God’s heart for “the last, the least, and the lost.” This psalm contains an amazing claim (v. 6), one that Jesus quotes in John 10:34: You are gods, sons of the Most High. Most feel that this is a creative way to describe the “image of God” in all people. Verse 7 goes on to say, Nevertheless, like men you will die. Though created in God’s image, we are stained, broken and on death row—due to our sins. We need a Savior.
Psalm 83 demonstrates the emotional range of the psalms. It is a cry to God for retribution against the nations and peoples who have sought Israel’s downfall. It’s a bit hard to read, when we remember that Jesus said, Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). The final verse redeems the whole psalm; Asaph prays this harsh prayer that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.
Tomorrow, we finish BOOK THREE!
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Psalms 78-83; BOOK THREE of the Psalms continues....
Psalm 78 is a fabulous example of a teaching psalm. In this case, Asaph, the psalm-writer, is teaching God’s people their history. His purpose is “to tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord.” (v. 4) This is quite different from the world’s history books, which, in many cases, are designed to enhance the glorious deeds of people. Psalm 78 is brazenly forthright about the sins and stumblings of God’s people. So, read it, not just for historical information, but for lessons concerning why God’s people should “not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” (v. 7)
Psalm 79 sounds as if it were written after the destruction of Jerusalem (vv. 1,7) and during the exile (vv. 11-12). If it was written earlier, it could be considered a prophetic psalm, one God inspired Asaph to write so that it would be in place when God’s people needed it. Its cry is honest repentance: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! (v. 9). The ultimate answer to this cry is Jesus.
Psalm 80 is a prayer for revival and restoration, possibly after the crisis of Psalm 79. I love the repeated refrain in vv. 3, 7 and 19; it could be a prayer for God’s people, the Church, today: Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved!
Psalm 81 is a clarion call to the people of God: Listen to Him! The heart of the psalm is contained in vv. 8-10. When Asaph says, Hear, o my people, he is not referring to some new and different word from the Lord, he is calling the people of God to remember both the commandments of God (v. 9) and the deliverance from Egypt that led them to the mountain of God’s commandments (v. 10). This psalm also contains a warning of what God will do with those who do not listen: He will give them over to their stubborn hearts (v. 12). Sounds like the apostle Paul in Romans 1, where God gives them up, again and again, to the enslavement of their own sin. This is so that they might turn back to the Lord, and receive the honey from the Rock He longs to give them.
Psalm 82 is a cry for justice for the weak and needy. If we are to love God, we must find God’s heart for “the last, the least, and the lost.” This psalm contains an amazing claim (v. 6), one that Jesus quotes in John 10:34: You are gods, sons of the Most High. Most feel that this is a creative way to describe the “image of God” in all people. Verse 7 goes on to say, Nevertheless, like men you will die. Though created in God’s image, we are stained, broken and on death row—due to our sins. We need a Savior.
Psalm 83 demonstrates the emotional range of the psalms. It is a cry to God for retribution against the nations and peoples who have sought Israel’s downfall. It’s a bit hard to read, when we remember that Jesus said, Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). The final verse redeems the whole psalm; Asaph prays this harsh prayer that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.
Tomorrow, we finish BOOK THREE!
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
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