January 30
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PSALM 110 IN ANTICIPATION OF THE MESSIAH’S COMING
The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the
order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth 7 He will drink from the brook by the way;
therefore he will lift up his head. – Psalm 110:1-7
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According to ESV study notes, this psalm anticipates the coming of the Messiah. The Israelites sang this song to celebrate God’s promises to David, to yearn for the day when the Gentiles receive the light through the Messiah and to pledge to be faithful to their calling until that great day.
The opening of this psalm is an oracle from the LORD to the Davidic king. “Sit at my right hand” means it is a position of honor. “Rule in the midst of your enemies” is a promise of protection for the king to remember that God is with him as he rules his people. In verse 3, it shows the loyalty of the people of God to the anointed king and that he has no need to fear. “From the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours”, I would like to quote Mclaren on this verse: “But the reference of the expression is to the army, not to its leader. ‘Youth’ here is a collective noun, equivalent to ‘young men.’ The host of his soldier-subjects is described as a band of young warriors, whom he leads, in their fresh strength and countless numbers and gleaming beauty like the dew of the morning.”
In verse 4, we hear the promise of God to David that he comes from the order of Melchizedek, a priest forever. In Genesis 14, Melchizedek was not merely a worshipper of the true God. He had the honored title priest of the Most High God. The greatness of God magnified the greatness of Melchizedek’s priesthood. Guzik comments on verse 6 as anticipating the slaughter at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16, 19:11-21). Spurgeon comments on verse 7: “His own head shall be lifted high in victory, and his people, in him, shall be upraised also.”
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REFLECTION
• How does this psalm give us a joyful anticipation of the second coming of the Lord? What do we need to picture in this covenant promise of God to his people?
Monthly Archives: January 2022
PSALM 129- GOD’S UNFAILING PROTECTION TO HIS PEOPLE
January 29
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PSALM 129- GOD’S UNFAILING PROTECTION TO HIS PEOPLE
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”— let Israel now say—2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” 4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! 6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms,8 nor do those who pass by say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”– Psalm 129:1-8
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This psalm is a song of ascents. It was recited by the pilgrims as they go up the hill of Jerusalem to worship the Lord. The psalmist declares how the enemies have brought so much suffering to them all those years, but they were never crushed. When we are chosen by God, he will never allow us to be defeated by the enemy. Boice comments on this psalm: “One might say that the chief accomplishment of the Jewish people has been survival. “The Jews are the longest-enduring distinct ethnic people on the planet. They have been slandered, hated, persecuted, expelled, pursued, and murdered throughout their long existence, but they have survived intact.”
In verse 3, the writer describes the cruelty of the enemy and how they made it impossible for the Israelites to have an easy life, but verse 4 says how the Lord cuts off the wickedness done to his people. Sometimes, we may not visibly see how God protects us, but this verse reminds us that he is our deliverer.
The next verse is a prayer for God’s protection. It may sound like a curse, but let us hear Spurgeon’s comment “This is a proper wish, and contains within it no trace of personal ill-will. We desire their welfare as men, their downfall as traitors. Let their conspiracies be confounded, their policies be turned back. How can we wish prosperity to those who would destroy that which is dearest to our hearts?” Wouldn’t one who loves righteousness pray anything to revert evil? When God’s people wish for evil not to happen to all believers, we are lining up with God’s will. He hates sin and evil, and so should we.
This psalm resonates my life. I have been marinated in abuse and neglect for as long as I can remember and yet I am still here, standing and declaring my Lord’s victory over all the enemy’s schemes. He is my shield and protection.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we not forget that our survival is God’s protection and not our own?
PSALM 17 PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE AND TO BECOME MORE LIKE GOD
January 28
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PSALM 17 PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE AND TO BECOME MORE LIKE GOD
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! 3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.11 They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by
your sword,14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. – Psalm 17:1-15
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This psalm is an individual lament of David, much like Psalm 7. Both have the same theme in which a person considers himself unjustly accused of wrong. This is a prayer for vindication. It is a prayer of someone very confident of his standing with the Lord and an expose of David’s honest heart. The first line pronounces that David won’t come to the Lord, unless he was pure in his heart. He continues to enumerate how faithful he had been to his master. He had followed his path and have evaded any evil act.
Verses 6-8 shifts to declaring God’s promises and trait. He knew that his Lord will answer him because he had responded to God as He requires of him. He also mentions God’s steadfast love and reminds God of his claim on him, that he was the apple of His eyes. In verses 10-12, David tells the Lord how the enemy was accusing him and attacking like a lion would want to tear his prey. Then David closes in verses 13-15 by reminding God of his promise of deliverance to his people. He ends the psalm with a confident trust and hope that when he awakes, he will become more like his Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do humans often forget to pray to become more and more like the Lord?
PSALM 147 GOD CARES FOR THE OUTCASTS AND BROKENHEARTED PEOPLE
January 27
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PSALM 147 GOD CARES FOR THE OUTCASTS AND BROKENHEARTED PEOPLE
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! 8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. – Psalm 147:1-11
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This psalm is an invitation for all of God’s people to worship God. It is only fitting since He has created and provided all things for us. He is the only one worthy and deserving of such adoration. In verse 2, the writer begins to enumerate the things that God has been doing for his people: he rebuilds Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel. In a sermon titled Good Cheer for Outcasts, Spurgeon considered the many kinds of outcasts that Jesus gathers and blesses today. They may be the very poorest and most despised among men; or those who have done wicked things, or those who judge themselves to be outcasts; they may be backsliders from the church; or those who have fallen into great depression of spirit. They may be those who suffer for righteousness’ sake. Whatever category an outcast may fall into, it is reassuring to know that God hasn’t forgotten them.
In verse 3, he also didn’t forget those who are broken-hearted. Psalm 34:18 repeats this verse because it says there that The Lord is near to them and those who are crushed in spirit. What a compassionate and loving God we serve! He heals them and binds up their wounds. This verse is especially heart-warming for me because I am one of these broken-hearted people. It is amazing that I do not have to fix myself to be deserving of God’s love. He loves me especially when I am broken. That’s why he sent His Son Jesus, to save people like me. There are no other gods who would take the outcasts and the broken people, but the one true God who made heaven and earth.
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REFLECTION
• How does Satan twist God’s love through religion and works of the flesh?
PSALM 30- JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
January 26
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PSALM 30- JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.3 O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”7 By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8 To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! – Psalm 30:1-12
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ESV study bible notes says that David composed this psalm for the temple’s dedication which took place after David died (1Kings 8:63). The psalm is based on David’s experience and the worshipers can liken their own experiences to his.
In the first three verses, David praises God for not letting his enemies gloat over him, for healing him and restoring him. In verse 4, he invites all saints to worship the Lord in songs and thanksgiving. In verse 5, he focuses on God’s trait: He doesn’t stay angry for long. David gives hope to God’s people in the words “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Isn’t this so true? No matter what we are going through, each new day brings hope because we serve a faithful God. The prophet Jeremiah resounds this same verse when he says in Lamentations 3:22-23 that God’s steadfast love and mercy never ceases. It is new every morning.
In verses 6-7, David praises the Lord by enumerating the things he was blessed with. It was only possible because it was God who gave him such favor and provisions. He continues to plead God to deliver them from the enemies. David strongly stands on God’s promises for deliverance. David ends this song with unending thanksgiving and praise.
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REFLECTION
• Why is this psalm a good song to reflect on when we are discouraged and feeling hopeless? What is the antidote for such depressed feelings?
PSALM 19- THE PERFECT LAW
January 25
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PSALM 19- THE PERFECT LAW
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making
wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and
my redeemer. – Psalm 19:7-14
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In this psalm, David exults the perfect law of the Lord. He enumerates what these instructions bring in our lives:
• It revives the soul
• It brings wisdom even to the simple
• It is right and bring joy in our hearts
• It is pure and enlightens our eyes
• It is true and blameless
What a blessing it is to know that we are going to partake of these benefits when we follow the perfect law of the Lord! Sadly, many of us fail to follow these rules on our own strength. We wonder why we feel empty and dead inside, why we don’t understand them and have no joy in our lives; or why we are unable to see things in God’s perspective and choose the path of truth and righteousness. David treasures God’s laws more than gold and describes it as sweeter than honey.
David ends this psalm with a prayer. In verses 11-12, once again, David declares his dependency on God. Without his God, he won’t be able to be aware to discern his own sins. The ending verses pleads God to deliver him from presumptions and for him not to be dominated by such arrogant thoughts. He ends the psalm with a worship: he asks God to anoint him so that whatever he does or say, will be pleasing only to , who is his rock and Savior.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God made perfect law for imperfect people?
PSALM 82 RESCUE THE VULNERABLE!
January 24
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PSALM 82 RESCUE THE VULNERABLE!
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!– Psalm 82:1-8
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The ESV study bible notes that this psalm is sometimes called a community lament since it addresses God directly with a request on behalf of the whole people. Others call it a prophetic hymn like Psalm 81 interpreting its address to the “gods” as directed to unjust human rulers, whom God will judge. This psalm teaches that the people of God are called to aspire to be an ideal society with their justice visible.
We clearly hear Asaph addressing the corrupt rulers in verse 2 who do not show justice in their territory. He pleads these rulers to ensure that the weak, the fatherless and the needy be looked after. In verse 4, he pleads them to take action to free the weak and the poor from the slavery of the wicked. The writer challenges the rulers to act like they are representing God, who is just and takes care of the vulnerable. Ideally, most governments of various nations do their best to have equality between the rich and the poor; but in reality, there are also many corrupt leaders who abuse their authority and power. They minimize and marginalize the weak and the needy. In these nations where there is no equality, you’ll see that the rich are super wealthy and the poor are unable to live a dignified life. We see clearly that there isn’t a just leadership when these things happen.
Asaph wants God’s people to love others especially the weak. He explains in verse 5 about their vulnerability and lack of understanding. He warns these rulers who do not consider caring for these members of society that are almost forgotten and neglected. In the end of verse 5, he uses “the foundations of the earth are shaken” to describe God’s judgment on these corrupt leaders. The psalm closes with a prayer for God to judge the earth. The basis of this request is that all nations belong to God already.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to constantly pray for our leaders to rule justly?
PSALM 112- THE BLESSINGS OF THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
January 23
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PSALM 112- THE BLESSINGS OF THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. 7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. 9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.10 The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
– Psalm 112:1-10
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This psalm is categorized as a wisdom psalm this is a companion to psalm 111.This song focuses on the moral character of the faithful, and on how such loyal people are blessings to themselves and also to others as well. David’s psalms always described the faithful servants of God as those who take much delight in His laws. That was also mentioned in Psalms 1 and 111. David describes the blessings and promises to those who fear the Lord:
• His offspring will be blessed and powerful in his land
• Wealth and riches he will acquire
• His righteousness will endure forever
• He will never live in darkness but always in the light
• He will be gracious, merciful, generous and conducts his affairs justly
• He is not fearful of bad news and has a firm heart for he trusts the Lord always
What a blessing to know that one will be showered with these things when one reveres the Lord your God. Just like in Psalm 1, David ends this song with a comparison to the wicked. In verse 10, he describes the wicked seething with envy and anger on the blessings that the righteous man receives. The last verses of Psalm 1 and this psalm speak of the destruction of the wicked. They will be annihilated.
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REFLECTION
• Which among the promises listed in this psalm have you been experiencing already as a child of God? Why do you think you still lack some?
PSALM 141- PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM INSINCERITY & COMPROMISE
January 22
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PSALM 141- PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM INSINCERITY & COMPROMISE
O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! 2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! 3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! 5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet, my prayer is continually against their evil deeds. 6 When their judges are thrown
over the cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. 7 As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol. 8 But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! 9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely. – Psalm 141:1-10
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According to the ESV study bible notes, this is an individual lament, a prayer that God will protect the faithful person against all insincerity and compromise. David opens with a plea for God to hear him out when he calls on Him. There is a sense of urgency in this request as he asks God to hurry up to hear him out. If we don’t know David, we will probably pick up an irreverent tone in this first verse; but we know that David has a very intimate relationship with God and it just shows that when you are very close to someone, you can be comfortable to honestly ask anything from that person. He asks God to accept his prayer like he would an offering that is pleasing to Him.
This prayer shows how faithful and sincere David is in his relationship with his Master. How many of us would come to ask the Lord to guard our mouths and our hearts and ensure that we don’t participate in any form of evil? Often, we get so busy doing life that we don’t even take time to be quiet and still with the Lord and plead Him to guide and protect us constantly. We are not even accountable to our loved ones a lot of times. I love verse 5 because David actually requests God to bring righteous people in his life so that they can correct him. He considers it an anointing and blessing when God’s people rebuke him. When he says “let my head not refuse it,” we hear a man who knows how sinful his nature is and is humble enough to admit it. He ends this song with a plea for protection from the enemy.
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REFLECTION
• Give examples of insincere acts and compromised Christian lives.
PSALM 32 THE FORGIVEN AND HIS HIDING PLACE
January 21
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PSALM 32 THE FORGIVEN AND HIS HIDING PLACE
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! – Psalm 32:1-11
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This psalm is usually classified as a thanksgiving hymn according to the ESV study bible notes. Worshipers thank God for the joy of having their sins forgiven. Since this psalm is about confession and forgiveness, it can also be classified as a penitential psalm.
David declares how fortunate he is for being pardoned for his transgression. The terms transgression, forgiven, sin and iniquity all repeat Exodus 34:6-7, which is a key passage about God’s kindness and mercy to those who receive his covenant. Those who are faithful to confess their sins believe that their God is just and merciful to grant them pardon. In verse 2, David emphasizes the importance of having a spirit who has no deceit.
Verses 3-4 warns those who do not confess and repent of their sins. They become heavy hearted and begin to complain and whine. “Dried up” gives us a picture of being half dead. Isn’t this so true? When we do not acknowledge our sins, we just build up more sins. Verse 5 contrasts what happens when we confess and admit our sins. We are forgiven and cleansed. No more heaviness. We are given a clean slate to be right with God again.
In verse 7, David manifests his deep closeness to his Lord. He describes his sanctuary or hiding place. He knows that His Lord is the only source of protection and deliverance. We are surely promised God’s steadfast love. So, let us all rejoice that we are saved!
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REFLECTION
• How can you pay forward the mercy you have received from God?