2008 10 Oct

      The eternal reign of the Lord is upon us in these last days of grace! He will reign forever and forever in His Holy Hill, in His Sanctuary, in the New Jerusalem and the New Heavens and the New Earth, which He will make. How much time in your busy life do you spend thinking about and dwelling on these eternal things in your own heart? As a believer, what is heaven going to be like? What kinds of responsibilities will God give us there? What will we spend an eternity doing anyway? 1 Corinthians 2:9 gives us a clue. But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him. Consider Revelation 21:3-7, And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

      On the other side of the spectrum, what will those who have not repented of sin and turned to Christ to save them do for an eternity? These thoughts tend to curl toenails and bend the most obstinate of knees to the Lord, because the Scriptures plainly point out that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. In other words, it will be too late! Revelation 20:13 says. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

      Where's your name? Is it in the Lamb's book of Life? If not, why not get it there by bending your knees in repentance to the Lamb of God who has given His life in your place! If so, Praise Him today, forever!

Pss.93
[1] The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
[2] Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
[3] The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
[4] The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
[5] Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

      We live in a day and age when evil and wrongdoing abounds to the left and to the right. Everywhere we look it seems as if wicked and evil people are getting worse and worse. Has God forgotten His chosen people? Does God not see all these things? The wonderful answer is, “Yes, God does see His Chosen ones. Yes, He will deal with the sin and evil of this world and He will do it in His time.” It is something for those who have trusted Christ, to stop and consider that God is very gracious and merciful. If He wasn’t, we would not be here ourselves, as the Bible says that all have sinned and all fall short of His glory. That means that we are just as guilty as anyone else is. It is only by the Grace and Mercy of God through salvation in Christ that we are not counted in the same category of the wicked who are without any thought of God.

      This Psalm addresses God as the Judge of the earth and asks the question; “How long will the wicked triumph?” Verse 8 gives a very truthful answer in that God does hear all the things that are being said, and sees all the things that are being done. God has given us everything we need for life and for godliness through our knowledge of Him! God instructs the nations and He will correct them, too. God even knows our thoughts! In 2 Corinthians 10:5 it says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” We are to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. That takes daily prayer and daily confession of sin!

      Then we see that God will bless those who are teachable by the Lord. Are you teachable? Or do you bristle against God and His ways? Most of us bristle and get our necks up, don’t we? Oh, would to God that we could be less prideful in our attitudes and teachable in our daily lives. Do you delight in the Lord and His ways? If we daily acknowledge that we fail and that our feet slip, God will help us and will hold us up so we can take comfort and delight in God. “Dear Lord God, how we fail You so many times! We see the sin and wickedness all around us and yet we know that You will help us daily if we only trust You! Forgive our sins and guide us in Your truth. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.”

Pss.94
[1] O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
[2] Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
[3] LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
[4] How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
[5] They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
[6] They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
[7] Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
[8] Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
[9] He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
[10] He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
[11] The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
[12] Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
[13] That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
[14] For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
[15] But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
[16] Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
[17] Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
[18] When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
[19] In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
[20] Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
[21] They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
[22] But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
[23] And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

Psalm 95:1-7O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. … O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (I have excluded verses 4 and 5 because of space) This Psalm is attributed to David and is thought to have been an invitation to come to the Tabernacle and later to the Temple for worship. Some churches still use the above as an invocation reading or as a call to worship. Looking again at verses 6-7 the LORD our maker, For he is our God; is a reference to Deuteronomy 32, where Moses speaks of the Rock who made thee, the God who made thee. It is interesting that the word “Rock” is found in so many places in the Old Testament and it always refers to Christ. This Psalm was used as a hymn in many of the early churches in America. It consists of two separate sections.

The second section begins with the last phrase of verse 7 … To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. It is quoted in Hebrews 4:7. Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart. Many is the person who has heard the word of God as a child or as an adult, over and over again, only to harden their heart and turn from God. The Holy Spirit whispers, “Today is the day of salvation, now is the time to accept Christ as your Saviour.” Don’t put it off; there may not be another day to make the eternal decision. Note Verse 10, God succored them for forty long years. He fed them, gave them water from the Rock, led them by the hand, i.e. the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. He gave them the Law, the Tabernacle, Moses and the Priests, but they hardened their hearts. Let us not be so foolish.

Pss.95
[1] O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
[2] Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
[3] For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
[4] In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
[5] The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
[6] O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
[7] For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
[8] Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
[9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
[10] Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
[11] Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

      “The great truths which this Psalm teaches are not affected by whether it was written by David, to celebrate the going of the ark to Jerusalem (I Chron. 16:23-33), or by Isaiah at the time of Hezekiah’s reformation; or by some Post Exilic writer” it is certain that some historical event brought about the writing of it and it is certain that it is prophetic in character. “The writer, divinely inspired, saw beyond the horizons of his own age, and beyond the limits of his own nation. He saw a day when the sovereignty of the LORD would be fully manifested and universally acknowledged. There is nothing here of Jewish exclusivism, but a vision of world-wide blessing under the Kingship of Jehovah. The Psalm is missionary and millennial. It proclaims a Gospel to all mankind, and it points to the triumph of that Gospel in the actualized universal righteous rule of the LORD.” (Scroggie)

      “The Song is in four stanzas, which treat respectively of the LORD and the Israelites, the gods, the Nations, and the Universe.
Stanza 1 – The LORD and the Israelites (1-3). The Israelites are made the LORD’S evangelists. It is they who are to herald to all nations of His salvation. The outstanding words of this stanza are, new song, all the earth, salvation, glory, wonders.
Stanza 2 – The LORD and the Gods (4-6). God and the gods are here brought into sharp contrast. They are called nothings, nonentities (idols).
Stanza 3 – The LORD and the Nations (7-9). The nations, thought of as families, are bidden to enter into Jehovah’s courts. They are to come in garments of holy attire (‘beauty of holiness’), and give to the LORD what is due from them to Him. It is a millennial scene.
Stanza 4 – The LORD and the Universe (10-13). The message: the LORD reigns, and therefore, the physical and moral worlds are made stable; no longer do they totter, and all peoples are judged justly. The time has not yet come, but it is promised.” (Scroggie).

Thought: “To evangelize the world is not only the Church’s privilege, but also her duty.” (Scroggie) Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8

Pss.96
[1] O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
[2] Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
[3] Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
[4] For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
[5] For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
[6] Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
[7] Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
[8] Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
[9] O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
[10] Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
[11] Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
[12] Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
[13] Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

      Our experience in this life reveals that not all is well. There is much evil. Many give themselves to evil, however, this will not last forever. I believe the kingdom of God will come to this earth. Jesus Christ will rule and reign for 1,000 years from Jerusalem. The kingdoms of this earth, though often established in justice, quickly give way to corruption. When Jesus came the first time, He came as a suffering servant. He came with love and simplicity. When He comes again, it will be with great power and perfect justice. We read in Proverbs 29:2, When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

      Today, evil manifests itself in more powerful ways than it will during the kingdom. God is in control today, because of this, (Romans 8:28) … all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. During the kingdom, righteousness and judgment will not be something that works together, but something evident in the administration of government.

      Regardless of the character of government, there is still a need for people to commit themselves to righteousness. I like the way this is put in this Psalm. We read in verse 10, Ye that love the LORD, hate evil…. Many people today embrace a kind of ‘love everybody and everything’ mentality. This is not righteous. If we really love goodness, we cannot help but to hate evil. The wicked here are confounded and ashamed. The righteous are full of joy and thanksgiving. The wicked are confounded and ashamed because the righteous King will deal with them in perfect wisdom and justice. He will expose evil and so they will be ashamed. He will overthrow their evil purpose and so they will be confounded. This is God's purpose in human government, however, throughout history we have failed. Jesus will achieve it, but in the end it will not work because people must still individually choose good over evil. More important than the government is the goodness of the people. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. One of the best things that we can pass on to our children is a love of truth and righteousness.

Pss.97
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
[2] Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
[3] A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
[4] His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
[5] The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
[6] The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
[7] Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
[8] Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
[9] For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
[10] Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
[11] Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
[12] Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

      Isn’t it a wonderful and delightful thing to worship God and sing praise unto our Lord and Savior for all He has done?! Verse 1 says to sing unto the Lord “a new song.” That new song of course is the song of the redeemed. Satan, however, offers an appealing counterfeit. It is the worlds sound as it tries to imitate the “new song” by calling it “Christian”, “CCM” (contemporary Christian music) by using words that seem to be nice, by using tempting, fleshly, outer feelings and misused rhythms to the music. After all, isn’t that what everyone else is doing too, and “I don’t see anything wrong with it.” The counterfeit music is shallow at best, compared to the real song of the redeemed, as True Christians realize that God has called them to be separated and different from the world, not similar to it. Romans 12:1, 2 says this, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

      Spend a few minutes to pray and meditate on these two verses, and then reread our Psalm for today. Spend some time in prayer right now asking God to truly show you how to really praise Him and then ask Him what kind of music that He would want you to sing and listen to, especially unto Him as your Creator! Your hearts desire will begin to change and you will be amazed at the depth of song and music that God will bring to your heart as you begin to sing this new song, the song of the redeemed. This new song will not be containable! This song comes out when you obediently lead others to Christ. Have you experienced that!?! It is truly a wonderful, indescribable song that just won’t stay in! Is it possible that maybe you don’t hear the new song in your heart because you haven’t been redeemed! If so, why not ask Christ to be your Savior today!

      Gracious God and Savior, how we praise You for all You have done! Thank You for Your great salvation and thank You for the new song that You have put into the mouths of those who have placed their faith and trust in You for salvation. Guide us in Your ways, O Lord. Amen.

Pss.98
[1] O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
[2] The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
[3] He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
[4] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
[5] Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
[6] With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
[7] Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
[8] Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
[9] Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

      The Royal Psalms begin with 94 and close with 100, however Psalm 100 is a benediction to the above seven Psalms. Ps. 95:3 says, “God is a great God and a great King.” Ps. 96:13 described God as, “Jehovah is King.” Ps. 97 opens with, “Jehovah is King.” Ps. 98 calls upon the whole earth (all people verse 1) to sing praises to Jehovah the God of creation. Our Psalm for today uses the name Jehovah five times Verses 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9.

      Note vs. 1, “He sits on the throne” and Hebrews 1:3c … when he (Christ) had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Our Lord Jesus sat beside the Father at his right side. In the military, the junior officer or enlisted person always walks to the left, and the senior always receives and returns the salute. In days of old the junior soldier walked to the left, because the right hand was the sword hand. But because of what Christ did on the cross, He is given the highest position at the right side of the Father.

      The King’s strength is mentioned in vs. 4, this is not arbitrary – this is not power as earthly tyrants misuse their power, but a power of love and righteous compassion. Verse 5 is a position of humility and worship. Never refer to God “as the man upstairs.” He is not a man, He is the only holy God! Rather, we are to bow down at His footstool in humble worship. Never forget that!

      As we look at verses 6-9 we see that only a few in the Old Testament were allowed to speak to God, Moses and the High Priest. They made intercession for the people. Christ is our Intercessor, and Peter tells us in his first Epistle, 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Therefore, because we are born again and in Christ we have access to the Father, in the Name of Jesus we can approach the Throne of Grace because of His blood shed on the Cross. We are sons of God through Christ and have an eternal inheritance with Christ. Since we are the children of God, let us live like royal priests and heirs of eternal glory. What a beautiful Psalm, memorize it.

Pss.99
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
[2] The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
[9] Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

      “This is the only Psalm which has the appellation, ‘A Psalm of Thanksgiving,’ a title eminently suitable, as the Psalm is the last of the great Prophetic Oratorio which commenced with the ninety-fifth; the subject of which is, The LORD is King.” (Scroggie) “The fitting title to Psalm 100 indicates it is a psalm of thanksgiving or is to accompany a thank offering. It was probably sung by worshipers making their way into the Temple.” (R. Alden)

      “The structure is simple, consisting of two stanzas, in each of which are a call to praise, and a reason for so doing. Thus what to do, and why we should do it are the notes to each stanza. Stanza 1 – (Verses 1-3). WHAT? Unto the Lord make a joyful noise, serve with gladness, sing. WHY? Because He is God, He made us, we are His. Stanza 2 – (Verses 4,5). WHAT? Enter, praise, give thanks, bless. WHY? Because He is good, because His lovingkindness and faithfulness are everlasting. Here the dominating notes are gladness and universality. GLADNESS. We cannot always sing, but we should not always sigh. UNIVERSALITY. The Psalm begins and ends on the same note: all the earth (1); all generations (5). The spiritual values of the Psalm are for all believers now, but its primary interpretation is of Israel (3) and its final interpretation, of all nations (1).” (Scroggie)

      “Mark the seven imperatives in this Psalm: ‘make a joyful noise - serve the LORD - come before His presence – enter into His gates – and enter into His courts – be thankful – bless.’ And notice the seven descriptions of praise: ‘joyful noise – gladness – singing – thanksgiving – praise – be thankful – bless’.” (Scroggie) Spurgeon says: “Nothing can be more sublime this side of heaven than the singing of this noble Psalm by a vast congregation.” “Whoso offereth praise not only glorifies God, but enriches his own soul.” (Scroggie)

Thought: “If you must whisper in church, whisper a prayer.” (The Lifeline)

Pss.100
[1] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
[2] Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
[3] Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
[4] Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
[5] For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

      Troubles and afflictions seemingly surround us many times and it causes us to bring much needed self-evaluation to our lives, to see if we are being afflicted because of unconfessed sin that God is dealing with, or sometimes we may be like Job, where God allows these troubles and afflictions for a season to test us, and to bring refinement in our lives as only He can.

      This is the picture of our Psalm today. The psalmist is really feeling overwhelmed through the ongoing afflictions and the first example that is given to us is of much needed prayer. We really need to spend our days in prayer with the Creator, asking and pleading and pouring out our hearts to Him. God really desires our daily communication with Him. God wants us to fully trust Him through all the difficulties we may experience, because He alone knows the perfect plan that He has for us to walk. If He is our Savior, we can fully trust His complete plan for us. .

      As we begin to fully trust God’s desires and His ways, and also in being thankful for them, the process of refinement doesn’t just end there. As we read further in this psalm, we see the greatest example of what continuing in prayer can do for the faithful. It brings our hearts and our thoughts away from ourselves and our circumstances, and our own little minute details, as much as they may trouble us, and instead brings our thoughts and hearts to rest on God Almighty and all that He is, and all that He has done, and all that He wants to do in and through us.

      Isn’t that how we really need to spend our daily lives anyway, in obedience to God with prayers of thankfulness to Him? Our thoughts, our hearts, our lives being spent and consumed with our Savior and His desires for us in complete and humble obedience, rather than complaints of seemingly overwhelming situations that trouble us as we try to deal with them in our very limited and small strength and resource. May we be encouraged today to fully trust God our Savior, and thank Him for all He brings to us for our good. “Thank You, Dear Lord God for Your blessings and for Your ongoing watch-care for us, Your children. Help us to not be sidetracked by difficulties, but rather to fully trust You and to be obedient to You in Your plan for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Pss.102
[1] Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
[2] Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
[3] For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
[4] My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
[5] By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
[6] I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
[7] I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
[8] Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
[9] For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
[10] Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
[11] My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
[12] But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
[13] Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
[14] For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
[15] So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
[16] When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
[17] He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
[18] This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
[19] For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
[20] To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
[21] To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
[22] When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
[23] He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
[24] I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
[25] Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
[26] They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
[27] But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
[28] The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

      The first five verses are some of the most beautiful words found in the Old Testament. The first five verses are a prelude and an outpouring of trusting gladness in which the Psalmist reviews all the mercies of God to an individual. Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the LORD (Jehovah), O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD (Jehovah), O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The praise and adoration given by David should be a pattern for all who read this devotional.

      The body of the poem: Verses 6-7, are filled with gratitude for the protection God has given His people, Israel in their history and the great covenant relationship. In vs. 8, David remembers the loving-kindness, compassion and long-suffering of God. Vs. 9, God will not find fault, nor keep His anger forever. Vs. 10, God is a merciful God and has dealt with our sins and could have sent us to the hell we deserve but has forgiven and forgotten. Vs. 11 His loving kindness is as great as the distance from earth to heaven. Vs. 12, He has removed our sins and transgressions as far as the East is from the West. Vs. 13, His compassion is likened to that of a loving father to all that hold Him in reverence. Vs. 14, He remembers that we are but dust. Compare Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Clay is only dust that water has been added to. Remember God made us from dust. In verses 15 and 16, we are as grass or the flower of the field. Verse 17 is conditional to verse 18 in keeping His covenant has rewards to the third generation to those who remember His precepts.

      Lastly, Jehovah has established an everlasting kingdom that rules over the kingdoms of men. The angels are mighty in strength and serve Him. They cannot understand the plan of salvation nor will they sing the song of redemption, but the saved ones do both. Are you saved?

Pss.103
[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
[3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
[4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
[5] Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
[6] The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
[7] He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
[8] The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
[9] He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
[10] He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
[11] For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
[12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
[13] Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
[14] For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
[15] As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
[16] For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
[17] But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
[18] To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
[19] The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
[20] Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
[21] Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
[22] Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

“Here we have a great song of praise commencing and closing with the same note of personal praise. Here the dominant note is that of the majesty of Jehovah and is a song of loyalty to Royalty. The Psalm opens with a declaration of the essential greatness of God, and then proceeds in poetic language to describe the manifestations of His greatness in creation. All through, beneficent purpose is recognized…Then in a burst of praise the singer recognizes the dependence of all upon Jehovah. The hiding of His face is trouble, and if He withdraw breath, death ensues. Finally, he cries out for the continuity of the realization of Divine purpose everywhere, in order that Jehovah may rejoice in His works. To this end he declares he will make the contribution of his personal worship. The conception is full of beauty. The wide-spread revelation of the power and glory of God makes its appeal to the individual responsibility of the one man.” (Morgan)

Here the kingdom of nature is treated, God’s greatness is prominent, Divine power is evident, and the world without is observed. “No greater Ode to creation has ever been written.” (Scroggie) “The poem is based on the Genesis Creation Story.” (Scroggie) “There appears to be seven stanzas:
Stanza 1 – The Divine Majesty and Power exhibited in the forces of nature. (1-4) ‘The Universe is not a machine once set a-going, and then left to its fate, or inexorable laws. The Great Worker is ever working,’ God Who made (past) the world, giveth (present) to all, life and breath, and all things. (Acts 17:25)
Stanza 2 – The Separation and Control of Land and Water (5-9).
Stanza 3 – The Provision Made for the Wants of Men, Beasts, and Birds (10-18).
Stanza 4 – The Appointment and Design of Moon and Sun (19-23).
Stanza 5 – The Manifold Riches of Earth and Sea (24-26).
Stanza 6 – The Entire Dependence of All Things Upon God (27-30).
Stanza 7 – The Glory of God Invoked By Praise and Prayer (31-35).” (Scroggie)

Pss.104
[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
[2] Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
[3] Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
[4] Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
[5] Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
[6] Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
[7] At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
[8] They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
[9] Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
[10] He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
[11] They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
[12] By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
[13] He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
[14] He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
[15] And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
[16] The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
[17] Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
[18] The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
[19] He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
[20] Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
[21] The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
[22] The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
[23] Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
[24] O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
[25] So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
[26] There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
[27] These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
[28] That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
[29] Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
[30] Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
[31] The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
[32] He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
[33] I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
[34] My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
[35] Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

      I think the biggest lie of the devil is that God is not good. Nothing discourages people or perverts faith anymore than the idea that God is both good and evil. If you look at every major false religion and doctrinal deviation most all attribute both good and evil to God. 1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. He is altogether good and lovely.

      In this Psalm, the point is made in verses 1-7 that the goodness of God is the foundation of our worship. Worship is presented in terms of gratitude, joy and a public witness of truth. Our experience is presented in terms of contentment, satisfaction and sweet fellowship with others. In verses 8-44, we find a summary of Israel's history from the call of Abraham to the conquest of Canaan. Here we see that God did not keep Abraham or other believers from being hurt by their enemies. However, God does not allow us to be hurt without exacting punishment on our enemies. Psalm 105:14, 15 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

      We find David took this principle very seriously when it came to the life of King Saul. What a blessing it would be today if God's people treated each other with the same kind of love and respect. The history of Israel is one of great blessings mixed with great trials. We need to remember that our experience will be similar in this life. Most of the blessings that relate to our salvation are for the world to come. 1 Corinthians 2:9 … Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

      If our vision is limited to this life, we will never conduct ourselves as wisely as King David did. If we fail spiritually, the cause is found in our own wicked hearts and not with God. God is not willing that any should perish. A great source of grace and mercy is prayer. In the life of Jesus, none went away empty that humbly came seeking grace and mercy.

Pss.105
[1] O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
[2] Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
[3] Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
[4] Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
[5] Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
[6] O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
[7] He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
[8] He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
[9] Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
[10] And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
[11] Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
[12] When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
[13] When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
[14] He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
[15] Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
[16] Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
[17] He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
[18] Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
[19] Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
[20] The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
[21] He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
[22] To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
[23] Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
[24] And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
[25] He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
[26] He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
[27] They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
[28] He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
[29] He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
[30] Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
[31] He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
[32] He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
[33] He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
[34] He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
[35] And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
[36] He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
[37] He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
[38] Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
[39] He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
[40] The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
[41] He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
[42] For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
[43] And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
[44] And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
[45] That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Oh, the blessed release and wonderful joy in our hearts that results from confessed sin and the unloading of heavy burdens upon our lives when we willingly tell God of our faults and confess them to Him as sin and ask for His forgiveness! What a wonderful way to walk as a child of God! We see these very things in this Psalm. The nation of Israel had transgressed God’s ways and had been punished as a result. But God, in His mercy and grace, also forgave them and the psalmist is rehearsing what God did in His mercy as he looks back on the history of the nation of Israel and the results of repentance and confession of their sin.

We can learn some important lessons here! When we sin individually, we cause heavy and burdensome walls to be built up in our lives and we lose communication with God. It is spiritually likened to foolishly walking in a mineshaft with no light and no way of knowing which way to go next. There is great danger in a darkened mine shaft, and yet that is where we place ourselves spiritually when we sin; in great danger and in grave consequence. Why would any saved and sensible person want to walk there? That is why God has provided us such a wonderful thing as forgiveness through His grace and mercy. He does not give us what we really deserve. Instead, God gave us Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God also gave us 1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Verse 8 gives us a clear warning, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” This applies to those who do not confess sin, as they ought. They somehow are deceived and get comfortable walking in darkness and in carrying the heavy burdens of unconfessed sin. And they only deceive and fool themselves and worse, they make God a liar. Verse 10, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” May we rejoice as we confess our sin daily to our Savior! “Gracious and Merciful Lord, we confess our sin to You. We thank You for the wonderful release of sinful burdens as we obey Your Holy commands! Cause us to walk circumspectly and obediently as we rejoice in Your great salvation! It is all because of Christ! Amen.”

Pss.106
[1] Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[2] Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?
[3] Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
[4] Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
[5] That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
[6] We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
[7] Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
[8] Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
[9] He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
[10] And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
[11] And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.
[12] Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
[13] They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
[14] But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
[15] And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
[16] They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.
[17] The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
[18] And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
[19] They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
[20] Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
[21] They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
[22] Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.
[23] Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
[24] Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
[25] But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
[26] Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
[27] To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
[28] They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
[29] Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
[30] Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
[31] And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.
[32] They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
[33] Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
[34] They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
[35] But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
[36] And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
[37] Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
[38] And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
[39] Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
[40] Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
[41] And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
[42] Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
[43] Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
[44] Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
[45] And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
[46] He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
[47] Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
[48] Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.

15th

A Song of Deliverance from the Babylonian Captivity

Psalm 107

Introduction: Psalm 107 is suggested by some expositors to be the third in a trilogy of 105, where the writer sets forth the blessings of God; 106 the sins of Israel and their loss and suffering incurred; and 107 the deliverance and Israel’s return to God.

The Psalm falls into seven divisions.

(1) A thanksgiving for their return from Babylon, verses 1-3;
(2) For deliverance from the perils of travel, verses 4-9;
(3) For deliverance from prison, verses 10-16;
(4) For recovery from sickness, verses 17-22;
(5) For escape from the perils of the sea, verses 23-32;
(6) A general account of how God deals with men, verses 33-42;
(7) A commendation of the entire subject to the consideration of the people of God, verse 43.

The English word “loving-kindness” appears 21 times in the Psalms and it is the same Hebrew word translated “mercy, mercies and merciful” used 136 times. It is the mercy of God that extends His loving-kindness to Israel, His wayward people.

Even though this Psalm is couched in praise for past deliverance, it also is prophetic, especially in verses 3-7. We see God gathering his people from the East, West, North and South where they were scattered in the “diaspora” dispersion. Always looking for a city, from the seventy years captivity; to Alexander the Great when he removed 10,000 Jews to Alexandria; to Ptolemy Lagos who moved 100,000 Jews from their land; to Apostolic times when 50,000 Jews lived in Rome. The Jews were always looking forward to and praying, “Next year up to Jerusalem.” These prayers of sixteen hundred years were answered in 1948 when they were given Palestine as their homeland and capturing Jerusalem in 1967. They have been returning from all seven continents for the last 54 years, and are repopulating the Holy Land as God promised they would. The last half of the 20th century was historic in that it was preparing for the return of our Lord and the rapture of the church. Are you looking up in anticipation to see Him coming in the clouds? I am!

Pss.107
[1] O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[2] Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
[3] And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
[4] They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
[5] Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
[6] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
[7] And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
[8] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
[9] For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
[10] Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
[11] Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
[12] Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
[13] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
[14] He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
[15] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
[16] For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
[17] Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
[18] Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
[19] Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
[20] He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
[21] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
[22] And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
[23] They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
[24] These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
[25] For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
[26] They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
[27] They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
[28] Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
[29] He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
[30] Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
[31] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
[32] Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
[33] He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
[34] A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
[35] He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
[36] And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
[37] And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
[38] He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
[39] Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
[40] He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
[41] Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
[42] The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
[43] Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

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16th

Praise Leading to Prayer
Psalm 108:1-13

“When reading this Psalm the first thing that impresses us is that we have seen it before.” (Scroggie) “Except for minor variations, the entirety of Psalm 108 is found elsewhere. The first five verses are nearly identical to Psalm 57:7-11 and the last seven verses are almost the same as Psalm 60:5-12.” (Alden) “That with which this psalm opens was the culmination of the earlier psalm, in which, out of calamity, the singer finds refuge in fixity of heart in God. Here in this book of perfected praise is the opening declaration in a song of triumph over circumstances of difficulty and danger…The soul’s fixity of heart enables the singer to rejoice from beginning to end. Relation to God affects all the relationships. To be homed in His will, and submissive to His throne, is to be triumphant under all circumstances. Triumph in the very hour of defeat is the finest, but it is only possible when the heart is fixed in God.” (Morgan)

With a study of this Psalm we are made aware of repetition. “There is more in Scripture about repetition than perhaps we are aware of. In Gethsemane our Lord prayed three times ‘using the same words.’ Paul was strong on repetition. Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice (Phil. 4:4). As we said before, so say I now again –(Gal. 1:9). To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe (Phil. 3:1). It is clear then that repetition is sanctioned by inspiration. Truths, and the forms in which they are expressed, are not to be abandoned because they are old, but should be employed, whenever they are suitable, to express new emotions, ambitions, and gratitude to God. For a preacher to boast of never having repeated a sermon is a reflection either on the sermon, or on the preacher or on both. Christ largely repeated Himself. Words which are good enough to be used once should be good enough to be used twice. Novelty of language is not essential to devotion.” (Scroggie)

Thought: “Prayer is measured by depth, not length.” (Fellowship Paper)

Pss.108
[1] O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
[2] Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
[3] I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
[4] For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
[5] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
[6] That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
[7] God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
[8] Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
[9] Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
[10] Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
[11] Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
[12] Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
[13] Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

111502kdd

17th

Seeking Justice – A Prayer for Vengeance
Psalm 109

      Many people today either cannot understand the difference between the righteous and the wicked, or they choose to ignore this important difference altogether. Therefore, they are very uncomfortable with the ideas of justice and retribution. Many use Jesus Christ as an example of how retribution is wrong. Yet, we would be wise to appreciate that this is a Messianic Psalm. Note David's experience here in verses 1-3, Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

      We know that many of David's troubles were the direct result of his sin with Bathsheba. Yet, though God uses wicked people as the instruments of chastisement, in the end, He thoroughly judges them. Here, God appears silent in the midst of the most wicked hatred and opposition. Therefore, in verses 6-20 David pleads with God to deal with the wicked. He asks God to destroy their wealth, their life, and their memory. Sadly, this is the unavoidable and ultimate end of all those who set themselves against God.

      In thinking of who these people are, he describes their extreme self serving cruelty. Psalm 109:16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. David, the man after God's own heart, was ever the defender of such people. I have done jail ministry, and sadly, there are those who cannot see the difference between those who uphold the law and those who break the law. Indeed, both use force and violence. Yet there is a clear difference. The violence of the criminal is directed against helpless victims. The violence of the police is directed against criminals.

      The focus of this prayer is the elimination of wickedness to the glory of God. This is not wrong. It is right. At the end of the age, God will eliminate all wickedness from us. Doing so now doesn't hurt a thing; rather it is essential that God periodically does so.

Pss.109
[1] Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
[2] For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
[3] They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
[4] For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
[5] And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
[6] Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
[7] When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
[8] Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
[9] Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
[10] Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
[11] Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.
[12] Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
[13] Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
[14] Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
[15] Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
[16] Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
[17] As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
[18] As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
[19] Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
[20] Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
[21] But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.
[22] For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
[23] I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.
[24] My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.
[25] I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
[26] Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
[27] That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it.
[28] Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.
[29] Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
[30] I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
[31] For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

111602dw

18th

Announcement of the Messiah’s Reign
Psalm 110

      This Psalm contains one of the most exalted prophetic portions of Scripture presenting Jesus Christ as both a holy King and royal High Priest. This is something that no other human monarch of Israel ever experienced. This Psalm, along with Psalm 118, which we will read in a few days, is by far the most quoted psalm in the New Testament. This Psalm also portrays the perfect king, the perfect High Priest, and interestingly, the perfect government. While it portrays these things, it also declares Christ’s current role in heaven as the resurrected Savior and His future role on earth as the reigning Monarch. This psalm is decidedly messianic and millennial in the content too. Jesus Christ verifies the Davidic authorship. The exact occasion of this psalm is unknown, but it could easily have been associated with God’s declaration for the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:4-17.

      The interesting phrase in verse 1, “The Lord said to my Lord,” refers to the divine/human King of Israel, the Lord Jesus Christ. As we do further study, we see that Christ’s humanity descended from David, which is part of the promise that was given in 2 Samuel 7. Jesus also used this passage to declare His deity in the Gospels by arguing that only God could have been Lord to King David. Of course, “My right hand”is in reference to God the Father inviting God the Son in His ascension, to sit at the place of honor in the heavenly throne room, “until He makes all Your enemies Your footstool.”This portrays that the enemy will be underfoot as Christ will have gained complete and total victory. This is also in anticipation of Christ’s Second Advent as a conquering King according to Heb. 10:13.

      How can we practically apply this Psalm today? Without Christ and the fulfilled prophecies, we are left with no hope, no assurance of tomorrow, and no savior. But thanks be to God, we do have hope. Christ is Savior because of fulfilled prophecy. God always keeps His promises and will always do what He says. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

      Precious Lord and Savior, may all praise and all worship be unto You as our Creator and blessed Savior! We exalt Your Name above all other names! Thank You for that Blessed Hope of the Redeemed! Amen.

Pss.110
[1] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
[2] The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
[3] Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
[4] The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
[5] The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
[6] He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
[7] He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

111702dm

19th

Praising God for His Wonderful Works and Wisdom
Psalm 111

      The first and last phrases of this chapter are words of praise. That’s not the only praising, it seems the theme in all ten verses come from the heart of the writer and continually praises God for His wonderful works.

      Praise to Jehovah, vs. 1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. Never let it enter your heart to quit praising God!

      Recounting the sevenfold works and character of God, vvs. 2-4 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3 His work is honourable and glorious: andhis righteousness endureth for ever. 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. The honor of God never changes nor ceases!

      The fourfold providence of God, vvs. 5-6 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. To have the Lord on my side is better than to have all the armies of the world on my side and all the riches of the earth in my bank account. Amen!

      The fourfold character of the works and word of God, vvs. 7-8 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. Nothing was created or made without him!

      The fourfold redemption of God, vs. 9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.We have even a greater covenant than the Jews had!

      The source of Wisdom, vs. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his command-ments: his praise endureth forever. Several times we are instructed to seek wisdom from God in Proverbs, and James also admonishes us to ask God for wisdom. James 1:5. Godly wisdom is something to seek after and to use for His glory.

Pss.111
[1] Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
[2] The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
[3] His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
[4] He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
[5] He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
[6] He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
[7] The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
[8] They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
[9] He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

111802rjs

20th

The Man (Person) Who Fears The Lord
Psalm 112:1-10

There is a definite connection between Psalm 111 and 112. Psalm 111 “has set forth the praises of Jehovah as great and gracious, this declares the blessedness of the man (person) who lives in true relation to Jehovah. The connection is clearly seen in the relation of the closing verse of the former to the opening verse of this. The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom...Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah. True wisdom consists in the maintenance of right relationships with the one God. True happiness consists in becoming like Him Who is at once great and gracious.” (Morgan)

“To be godly is a good thing in itself, but it is also good in its consequences and not in the next life only. This Psalm displays some of these consequences.

1. Praise ye the LORD. In reality He only is worthy of praise, and the objects of His redeeming love are best able to praise Him. If we would be blessed we must fear the LORD, and greatly delight in His commandments.
2. Seed …generation. Under the Old Covenant temporal and domestic blessings were promised to the obedient, but this is not so in the present dispensation.
3. Wealth and riches are not guaranteed to the faithful. If affluence were an evidence of godliness, there would be few godly people in the world. But there is wealth which the poorest can have (Prov. 3:16; 8:18). To be godly is the true riches.
4. Light in the darkness. The promise is made to the upright. Every believer has his dark days, and these maybe due to a variety of causes…But if one’s heart is set on Christ, if the whole drift of one’s life is towards God, light is promised.
5. Sheweth favour. Character and conduct should be consistent in a Christian. Benevolence should express itself in beneficence.
6. Shall not be moved...remembrance. The godly man while in this world will be firmly rooted and when he departs he will be remembered.
7. He hath dispersed...given. The godly man will be gracious, according to his means.” (Scroggie)

Thought: The most valuable gift you can give another is a good example.” (The Lifeline)

Pss.112
[1] Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
[2] His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
[3] Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
[4] Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
[5] A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
[6] Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
[7] He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
[8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
[9] He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
[10] The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

111902kdd

21st

God is Good
Psalm 113

Psalms 113-115 have been called by some the Greater Hallel. The people sung these songs at the feast days. In particular, they sang these at the feast of Passover and Tabernacles. The first few verses of this Psalm speak of God's holiness and greatness. God is infinite in all of his perfections. This goodness extends to man in the form of grace and mercy. Grace is God giving us good things that we do not deserve. Mercy involves God withholding judgment that we do deserve. God does not deal with his children according to the standards of strict justice. He has not dealt with us after our sins or rewarded us according to our iniquities. Rather, He always deals with us as children for our good. This is ever an offence to the wicked who do not seek God.

All false religious notions involve making God in an image more comfortable to man. In doing so, God's goodness and greatness are always limited. However, the goodness and greatness of

"The Book of the Psalms",

(Psalms 93-119)

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