The price of human life is high. The human soul is precious, each unique and fearfully made. When born all of Adam are slaves of sin and are thus owned by death. All born of Adam sin and thus die. (Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22) No one is perfect, not even one. Benjamin Franklin and Roy Rogers said, “Nothing is certain in this world except death and taxes.”
Even the richest person ever to have lived does not have enough wealth to redeem themselves from sin and death. Riches cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God that he should live on forever and not see decay though many have tried.
Yet, hope exists for the sinful. Jesus gave himself as a ransom to set free from sins those who are called by God. (Hebrews 9:15; 1 Timothy 2:6) What riches could not do, Jesus did with himself. Jesus proclaimed, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Wealth has the capacity to empower. The empowerment that wealth obtains is mostly used for self at others’ peril. The natural tendency is to place self before others. This shared human nature grows in the hearts of any who entertains it, burning away compassion and love. When given the chance to overpower others most will do so because of fear of loss. The wealthy pride of a fearful soul selfishly distains and destroys others. Evil days come.
People of little means or power are also afraid. Yet, because they do not have wealth’s capacity they are subjective to those who do, those who have little or no compassion and love. Those of little means tend to fear those who do them wrong. Though they do not have wealth means, they do attempt to use means that destroy societies. Evil days come.
The righteous refrain both the ways of the wealthy and the ways of those of little means. Fear is a temptation for the righteous. Yet, because they have faith in an all-powerful God who loves them enough to die for them they refrain from evil ways. So now I ask the question of the writer of this proverb psalm, “Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me– those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?” The answer to this question is in the coming BDBD.
Psalm 49 is like none before it. This is a proverb psalm; wisdom set to music.
Jesus was known to say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 13:43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8, 14:35) The prophets also used similar phrases that basically mean, “This is real important. Pay attention. Accept it and live accordingly or else…” (1 Kings 22:28; Isaiah 34:1; Micah 1:2)
Not everything I hear today will be wisdom. Some will be misleading and deceptive. Others will be vicious and poisonous. May my words be sweet wisdom to others.
Verse 4 is the psalter telling themselves that they will turn their ears to wisdom. For me to speak wisdom, I need to listen and follow Jesus’ wisdom. Jesus taught, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” (Matthew 12:33) All true wisdom comes from God. If I reject Jesus’ words how can my words be delicious wisdom?
The psalm ends with an instruction to the people to examine Jerusalem, the City of God, Zion, and the Holy Mountain. They are to consider the fortifications that protect the citizens, God’s chosen people. The entire psalm interchanges images of the city and the God who dwells in and protects the city. The fortifications built into the city are how they can visibly see some of God’s protective measures. However, the mechanism that actually protects them is their God. The Lord Jesus protects for ever and ever. The protection is not inanimate. God guides them in an interactive personal love.
The possessions I have are not to be where my security lies. Money, power, skill, intelligence, wisdom, family, friends, physique, and riches are gifts God gives to enable me to do righteous acts. They are not my protection and security. Later the prophet Isaiah wrote, “They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.” (Isaiah 49:10) And he wrote, “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11)
Continuing the thought that in the present age the people of God, the church is the temple of God I am reminded to meditate on the Lord God’s unfailing love. The quiet of the morning is a time I have set aside to contemplate the past day and pray to be in his will in the new day. I have slipped from the steps I take during meditation; ask God through the Spirit to guide my thoughts, experience his presence, meditate on his love, his righteousness as displayed in the past twenty-four hours, and his judgment and his leading throughout the past day. This I do after BDBD.
The Israelites went to the temple in Jerusalem to meditate on his unfailing love. Now, with the Spirit of God within I do not need a building. Now, I need a time set assigned and the willingness to commune with God. As David wrote in 26:3, “for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.” And Psalm 113:3 says, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”
When people tell me something is amazing to behold it is not the same as personally witnessing it myself. I often heard of the splendor of the Grand Canyon in my youth. Having never seen a canyon before I did not have much of a desire to go to see it myself. Then when I finally witnessed the Grand Canyon’s splendor I was truly amazed. Before the visit, I had seen the horizon from a mountain and a beach and was impressed. After I stood on the crest of the Grand Canyon during a winter’s morning sunrise I understood and appreciated the beauty of the depth perception it displayed as never before.
The Israelites had heard that Jerusalem, the city of David had been made secure by the Lord God. Their parents and grandparents had told them so. Then when they visited it themselves they could see the thick stone walls and towering citadels. The fortress withstood many attacks until the Lord sent the Babylonians to besiege and attack Jerusalem. The city fell because of the continued sins of his people. So it was proven that the Lord himself had made it secure, not the thick stone blocks. Once he removed his protection the city’s strength was no more.
Yesterday I may have been healthy and strong. It is the Lord who made that possible. Tomorrow I may be sickly and weak. It is the Lord that could make that possible if I do not love and fear him today.
The previous verses reminded me that I am the temple of God for Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within and with my soul. I dwell in God and God dwells within me. He is my fortress as the Lord in the temple in Jerusalem was its fortress protector. When I am weak he is strong. When I am strong he is my strength. (Psalm 142:3-5)
Forces assault me every day. Some are people, some are evil spirits, some are insects, and some are inanimate gimcracks annoying the senses. They can join forces with the intent to drain life and joy from the temple of God.
The Holy Spirit can stifle the assaults for the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Since I live by the Spirit, I will keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-26) Full of the Holy Spirit, look up the heaven and see the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55) The force of the Spirit is within. The counter-assault will tremble-seize the robbing forces. The Lord destroys them like the ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. They will leave and I will live in peace. The Lord Jesus is my fortress within.
The previous psalm has the Lord, the Great Most High God entering his temple on Mount Zion. Beneath the temple is the City of David where the people of Jerusalem lived. The Lord God is praised and worshiped in the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem. Though God dwells in heaven and his presence is in all the earth, Jerusalem was the place the Lord chose to meet with his people. It is beautiful because of the Lord. Though Jerusalem is a fortified city with citadels, the Lord is the true fortress.
Since the Lord Jesus died, rose from death, ascended to heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in his people, I am the temple of God. Apostle Paul wrote to the congregation in Corinth, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:9) I am scared. I am beautiful. God is my fortification.
“God is King of all the earth” is again proclaimed in the present absolute and adoration in Psalm and song is again commanded. More truths follow the jubilant proclamation of the heavenly monarchy. A key one “all the earth” is defined as “the nations” from the Hebrew “goy” meaning the Gentles, The people of the God of Abraham are with them. Jew and Gentle gathered before the throne of the Lord Most High who is seated on his throne.
The twenty-four elders who fell on their faces and worshiped God as stated in yesterday’s BDBD say, “‘We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great– and for destroying those who destroy the earth.’ Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.” (Revelation 11:17-19)
The pinnacle of this praise and adoration psalm are verses 5 and 6. The Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth has ascended to his throne in the temple with the sounding of trumpets (ram’s horns). The psalm was penned by The Sons of Korah for the dedication of the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. (Leviticus 23:34; 1 Kings 8:1-14) The priests took the Ark of the Covenant up from the place that David had sent up in a tent to the temple Solomon built at the top of Mount Zion, now known as the Temple Mount. The silver trumpets and ram’s horns sounded.
The ceremony during Solomon’s reign mimicked the Lord coming to his people on Mount Sinai during Moses’ life on earth. “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud…” he told Moses to tell the people. Exodus 19:16-19 records, “On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.”
The same will happen when Jesus will come again. The Apostles and all the first believers equated this psalm as a prophecy of Jesus’ second coming. Apostle Paul prophecized, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) And Apostle Paul wrote, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed– in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
Finally, Apostle John was commanded to record, “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.’ And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,” (Revelation 11:15-16)
The LORD Most High in the original Hebrew is “YHWH Elyon”. “Elyon” emphasizes the exalted nature of God who controls the destiny of the universe, all nations, and all individuals. (Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 78:34-35) “YHWH” emphasizes the covenant God of Israel, referring to Moses’ burning yet not consumed bush incident. (Exodus 3:14) Indeed, God is here called “The great King over all the earth!”
The attention to detail and control with absolute power for the benefit of his people who are known by his name is expanded upon. The LORD Most High subdues nations under his people. He chooses their inheritance according to his endless and complete love for them. God uses his authority to control all for the welfare of those who love him in every detail.
The truth revealed here concerning the nature of God and his interaction with his creation, including all humans, and especially his people initiates deep thought about destiny, predestination, and choice that perhaps will generate a decision about these complex and confusing subjects. A warning -this may require aspirin.
I am focusing on the truth in verse 4, “He chose our inheritance for us…” For Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and all of Israel this was the land of promise, Canaan. For Israel to obtain and keep the land promised, the LORD Most High God needed to have absolute control of entire nations as well as individual lives often in miraculous ways since the foundations of the earth were laid by his hand. (Exodus 32:13; Matthew 25:34; Acts 13:19)
The apostles revealed to those who believe in the Messiah Jesus that the inheritance to come was more than a plot of land. The eternal inheritance to come is the kingdom of God, the kingdom of light that Jesus often preached about. (Ephesians 1:18, 5:5; Colossians 1:12, 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:4) To keep this promise the LORD Most High would not only need to control the earth in every detail, but also the heavens and all that dwell within. Already his control enabled over three hundred prophecies about the Messiah to be fulfilled in the life of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:11-14 says, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.”
Here is the command of the Lord God Most High, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” One might think that this is a ridiculous command because for sure, everyone will clamp and shout because they have joy in the Lord. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5)
Yet, people who say they believe in God and in Jesus Christ, his Son stand in a church (when they attend it) like stone and bronze statues as music plays. Their minds are filled with plans for the day’s sports events, meals, and celebrations. Later in the day when their team scores points and beats their opponent they are filled with joy and shout. They talk about it all week long and every Sunday preach about their team with enthusiasm. Then once again they are a Sunday statue when praise is song. Not even the command of the Lord God Most High will cause the stiff arms of the hard-hearted to clap.
Jesus’ words are still true, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'” (Mark 7:6-7) Examine the heart to see what is my problem. This has eternal implications. If the heart is far now, then it will be an infinity away after the day of judgment.
These verses are a bit of a mystery to me at this time. Each verse has a meaning that I understand and accept. However, I am having trouble understanding them as a collective whole. How are they bound? How does one rely on and build on the prior?
Martin Luther was so inspired by this psalm that he wrote one of the first hymns, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”. Though having personal meaning, Martin meant for the congregation to sing his hymn collectively. This would be the first since the years of the apostles that all in the church would sing to the Lord in worship. Martin pulled his theme from the last verse, the refrain first stated in verse 7. Other parts of the hymn do not seem to be mentioned in “A Might Fortress is our God.”
The desolation in verse 8 is a work of the Lord that I am called to come and see. How is that linked to making wars cease to the ends of the earth? I can understand verse 10 as it relates to verse 9. Sure, I can be still, and know that the Lord is God after the war ends and I enjoy the Lord’s victory, but how is that tied to the means to the end, that is the desolations?
Perhaps it is this; that which is laid waste, forsaken, and abandoned was the cause of the problem all along. The enemy that attacks me the most is the sinful nature within me and the death within me. These two are continually assaulting me. Jesus devastated my sin on the cross. Jesus desolated death by rising again. Like the women at the foot of the cross, I will come to the cross. Like Peter and John and the women let me go to the empty grave. I can come and see the works of the Lord Jesus. I can experience Jesus’ battles that ceased their wars to the ends of the earth.
The Spirit of God is the river whose streams make glad the children of God in the city of God. The Spirit of God flows like a river. Jerusalem had no river like Babylon, Ninevah, or Thebes. Yet, the Spirit of God is better because it will never fail to supply refreshment and blessing. The pouring of the Holy Spirit is like what Apostle Peter said on Pentecost, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” (Acts 2:32-33)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:22-26)
I can imagine and have experienced many kinds of trouble. Much of my planning includes avoiding troubles that never transpire. The ones in these verses are so unlikely that I do not bother planning for them. The earth giving way during an earthquake or volcano eruption, the mountains falling into the sea, and the waters roaring and foaming when a river goes over its banks, or the sea rushes inland during a tsunami have less chance of occurring than a bolt of lightning striking me.
Yet, that is the point; even if the most rare extreme trouble were to happen God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Since this is true, then why do I fear? Fear in these cases is the result of a lack of trust in the love God has for me. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
So if the mountains look at me like they want to shake, or a summer storm threatens to give me a tsunami bath I can trust in God and not worry. I cannot add a single hour onto my life, as Jesus said, “by worrying.” (Matthew 6:27; Luke 12:25) So stop worrying and start acting like I am a loved child of God.
The psalm shifts to the glorious princess on her wedding day. The bride is to forget her people and her father’s house (10). This does not mean that she has the ability to remove memories. Rather, she is to cease to care for nor have loyalty to her father. She is to become loyal to her lord’s house and kingdom (11).
The king is enthralled with his bride (11). “Desire” can replace “enthralled” here. The queen is to honor her husband and lord. “Worship” can replace “honor” here. This is analogous to Ephesians 5:33, “each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
Verses 13-15 chronicle the royal grand persecution of the bride-to-be. The princess is stately in her own glory. She is adorned in a gown of interwoven gold (13). The gold brilliantly glistens in the sunlight. She is in her chamber finished preparing herself for the marriage ceremony.
The queen-to-be is led to the king. The pure untouched by men companion attendants and friends follow her in stately form. Joy and gladness pervade them as they arrive at and enter the king’s palace.
The celebration continues after the ceremony. The two join physically. Sons that are sure to be born will continue the dynastic succession (16). The king promises to perpetuate his queen’s memory through all generations. His love is sealed with an eternal promise.
Psalm 45 is more than spiritual poetry penned for the wedding of Solomon and the daughter of Pharaoh. Psalm 45 is a prophecy concerning the marriage of Jesus and his church (congregation). When Jesus comes again the procession will be as described in Psalm 45.
Psalm 45 is a wedding song penned for the matrimony ceremony between King Solomon and Pharaoh’s daughter. The author, so filled with the Spirit’s joy was almost giddy in forming the words (1). The psalm is a synonym for the wedding between Jesus and the church.
The King embodies great splendor, majesty, and glory as a mighty and strong warrior (1-5). He rides a strong horse from battle (4). His weapon of choice is his lips “anointed with grace”. He is the embodiment of truth, humility, and righteousness (4). All nations fall at his feet as defeated warriors or worshiping followers (5).
The King’s reign is eternal (6). God has set him above his companions by anointing him with the oil of joy (7).
The King’s continuance exhales myrrh and aloes and cassia (8). Myrrh was used as an anointing oil for kings and embalming bodies. It was placed in clothes to deodorize them. Cassia is a bark related to cinnamon. Aloes are used as part of spiritual and physical cleansing practices.
The glory of the king’s wedding is honored by foreign kings’ daughters in their pleasant beauty of youthful joy and pleasing smiles. The king’s bride is on his right is the finest gold; reflecting his glory. Such is the bride, the envy of all women.
The author has a final plea to the Lord Jesus. The Sons of Korah appeals for his help. They are his people. They are in need. They have endured. The Lord has brought about this calamity. They have not lost faith. The Lord has been asleep. “Arise… Do not reject us forever.” They are waiting just as I am waiting for Jesus to return again in victory to redeem me from a generation who has turned their back on God. “Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.”
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
“Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Apostle Paul quoted this stanza to the persecuted congregation in Rome. (Romans 8:36) Like the Sons of Korah had been removed from worship and service at the temple in Jerusalem by an enemy, the Christian congregation in Rome had been first expelled from the Jewish congregations in Rome and then persecuted by the Roman authorities and their neighbors. The church in Rome and Apostle Paul experienced trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and the sword. (Romans 8:35) Though in the covenant of the blood, sanctified by the blood and the Spirit they suffered for the name sake of Jesus.
Prior to quoting verse 22, Apostle Paul wrote, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) Just as all creation was subjected to frustration as in the pains of childbirth, not by its choice (Romans 8:20, 22), so the congregation in Rome and the Sons of Korah had been subject to frustrations and persecution not because they had done anything wrong. (Romans 8:23) Suffering in Christ, that is for his name’s sake, is normal and to be expected for all believers in Jesus the Messiah.
Though the Sons of Korah, the congregation in Rome, and myself are directed by God’s orchestration to participate in the suffering of Christ (1 Peter 4:13), who though he was righteous and the Son of God was a man of sorrow and familiar with suffering, was more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37) Though Jesus was crucified he rose to life and is seated at the right hand of God. (Romans 8:32, 34)
Apostle Peter writes to all congratulations in the covenant of the blood, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange was happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:12-17) The judgment is executed by God.
Hope and help by the Spirit exist though I have weakness while suffering for his name’s sake. (Romans 8:24, 26) More on this in the next few BDBD.
I accepted Jesus as my personal absolute Lord and Savior four decades ago. Shall I say it has been forty days and forty nights? I accepted the covenant of the blood and flesh of the Lord Jesus, (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) as the author, the Sons of Korah accepted the covenant of Moses in their youth. (Exodus 19-24)
The Sons of Korah state since then they had not forgotten the Lord or been false to the covenant the Lord made with Israel at Mount Sinai. (17) Their hearts had not turned back to Egypt. (18) They had not strayed from the path marked out for them in the covenant. (18) They are stating that they have not sinned since their adoption as sons of the Living God.
Yet, now they are crushed under despair. (19) They are forced by the enemy to dwell day and night in a desolate place where one can imagine jackals, wolves, and large beasts such as dragons linger in caves and crevices. In lowly earth cavities death-shades bring chilling bone pain and skin chaps. The flesh sun warmed is forgotten. The desolation devastating is at the Lord’s hand. (19, also 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Is this true? Does the loving Lord let happen or even orchestrate the life of those who walk the covenant life in such a manner? What does this mean, “Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered?” (22) This will be considered in the next BDBD.
Feeling sad for someone’s misfortunes is one thing. However, doing something to help them is quite another thing. Is identifying with someone by feeling bad for them while doing nothing anything? For me, yes. For them, no. Compassion is better than indifference. And indifference to suffering is no different than revenge.
Wanting revenge against someone is one thing. However, acting out revenge against someone is quite another thing. Is there a distinction between the emotion and the action? For me, no. For them, yes.
Since compassion and revenge are generated from my heart, then whether I act upon those heart compulsives or not is of little distinction to me. They stay with me. However, the subject of my compassion or revenge is not affected if I do not act upon them.
Yet, emotions seldom if ever end in a moment. The healthy soul and problem soul are not stagnant.The author of this psalm was affected by their enemy’s revenge. The Sons of Korah were disgraced and belittled. They carried shame for no offense to their enemy. Taunts, reproach, and revile came from third parties. The enemy’s revenge was contagious. Many were affected not for the better, but for the worse. Revenge even if only in the heart is not good for many. Revenge destroys society. Compassion betters all.
The Lord disciplined Israel through the invading enemy. As the author of Hebrews wrote, “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” (Hebrews 12:5-7)
Israel continued in sin. They did not repent. So God disciplined them. They were defeated in battle. They huddled together behind their barricaded stronghold walls. God had rejected and humbled them. He did not fight in their battles. They lost and had to retreat. The emptied villages were plundered. The wealth they took pride in disappeared. They were devoured like wolves kill sheep. Those who could not make it to the stronghold scattered to other nations. The nations considered the once proud Israelites a joke, an example of how a nation fails. Israel was humiliated.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I cannot consider myself immune to temptation’s allure. What is pleasant today brings what is unpleasant tomorrow. When tempted I need to fear the consequences if I engage in sin. Self-discipline is better than being disciplined by God. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) My God is a jealous God. Therefore, self-discipline.
The modern-day reader of the Bible may repeat the phrase, “You are my King and my God,” however, what it meant to the Sons of Korah is probably not the same to modern-day parishioners. Few live in a society these days that is monarch-ruled. A king or queen is one by birth and by hereditary right. They are the sole and absolute ruler. They command twenty-four hours a day through armed military. People in their kingdom are their subjects.
I suspect the modern-day follower of Jesus equates a king’s rule to that of working in a company. They have a supervisor who instructs what they do for a few hours of the day. Their supervisor has a boss who has a boss who is held accountable by investors and a board of trustees. If the worker doesn’t like their job they find a new supervisor to report to at a different company. A monarch is not like this. A king’s rule is all day for life, no leaving, no escape, no exception except by a king’s decree.
When I first said, “Jesus I accept you as absolute King and Savior of my life,” I knew in my heart that though I freely wanted Jesus to save me I was hesitating to give him absolute control of my life. Having a king is absolute. I really did want Jesus to be my absolute king. So I surrendered control of my life to Jesus. I gave myself to Jesus then and now. I meant it what I said a second time, “Jesus I accept you as absolute King and Savior.” I have to remind myself every day that Jesus is my King and my God. I am not my king.
The Sons of Korah wrote this prayer for the nation to pray collectively. The occasion is an invasion. When ancient nations marched out toward their neighbors to invade them, it was not a fast-moving event. Rather, the army’s invasion was a slow-paced caravan. News of an invasion spread quickly. When people living and working in the country received the ill news they moved to and barricaded themselves in a nearby fortified city. The people in the city were given this prayer to recite together.
The first junction when united in peril is to remember how the Lord saved us in the past. As a nation can anyone recall the times the Lord saved us? Do parents teach their children to remember and not forget? “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, ‘Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.'” (Deuteronomy 4:9-10)
A nation that does not remember, celebrate, or teach its children past deliverance through the hand of the Lord Jesus will fall to fear and panic when invaded.
The author is searching for hope. Hope for a return to a time when he was happy. A time when he did what he desired. He desired to praise the Lord with the harp, his stringed musical instrument. He desired to be able to go to the altar of God as he had once before. The Sons of Korah turn to God for help. They put their trust in the Lord Jesus.
In this world, trouble comes at a sudden notice, an oppression from without persists to annoy. The enemy comes and removes us from the place where life was good. The enemy attacks are when I need to place my hope in the Lord my God.
Why am I downcast? Why am I disturbed within me? Put my hope in God. I hope in God. He lifts the oppressed. He comforts the disturbed. I will again be in a happy place serving the Lord. Hope in my Savior and my God.
With prayers and petitions to the Lord God Almighty, I am transposed to the realm of the kingdom of heaven, standing in the court of Jesus the Messiah. Though my body remains where I pray, my immortal essence is brought to the court of the kingdom of God. A brilliant cloud of light envelopes all that I witness. The bailiff is standing behind me to the left. I await with others who are standing afar to my right to witness the entrance of the King. My soul is at peace.
My trial is not the reason for the summons. I am not to be put on God’s scale of righteousness. Rather, I was brought to the court at the beckon of King Jesus who heard my petition after witnessing and accepting my acceptance of him as my absolute Lord and Savior.
The physical body is not aware of the reality transpiring in the heavenly realm as the Sons of Korah plead, “Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Jacob wrestled with God physically, perhaps along with the soul’s wrestling. The Sons of Korah wrestle with God and themselves mentally. When Jesus asked his disciples and the religious leaders questions he wanted them to struggle mentally with the hope they would come to logical and wise conclusions.
“Who do people say that I am?” “Why do you worry about clothes?” (Matthew 6:28) “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in you own eyes?” (Matthew 7:3) “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4) “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3) “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Matthew 10:8) “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?”
Asking questions to self as the author is doing is not necessarily the action of some mental disease. Rather, self-imposed diagnostic questions can lead to mental healing. Asking, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” leads to a command to self, “Put your hope in God.”
However, telling one’s self such wise things is one thing. Doing the right thing is another. I pray, “Increase our faith!” as Jesus’ disciples responded to his teaching about forgiving our brother who sins seven times a day and asks for forgiveness seven times a day. “Give me the power and strength and love, whatever is needed, to do your will for me.”
The author imagines themself at the base of a dry waterfall in a deep mountain crevis or narrow valley. Above the Lord God has a great store of love and wealth. The Lord opens the floodgate a little releasing his cash onto the deeply depressed turmoil, the oppressed, the weak, and the weary. The bone-dry had a thirst for the Lord as the deer panting for water (1-2). Now comes the water. Now comes the relief. Refreshing Spirit to a dry soul. Deep calls to deep.
The Lord will send His endless love to the one who seeks his kingdom day and night, a song at night to comfort his soul, and prayer from dawn to dusk. All the Lord’s waves and billows of affection and passion cleanse parched flesh. Tension releases to rest. Comfort replaces restlessness. Relief for the weighed down dejected. Spirit for the dispirited. Salty tears washed away with cool fresh well water. Stench begone downstream to the ocean’s deep. The water will come. The sea brought home awaits a deep call to deep.
Memory can bring hope and new life or it can stifle a once productive life. The Sons of Korah remember a far-back time of celebration, thanksgiving, and joy. The Israelites celebrated seven annual feasts established by the Lord God through Moses. (Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 16:1-17) The Levites lead a great progression to the house of the Lord. In David’s time, this was the tent of meeting David had set up in Jerusalem. The day the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in the tent was indeed a great celebration. (2 Samuel 6)
Perhaps the Sons of Korah escaped the invading enemy by traveling to the northeast, to the headwaters of the Jordan River. Or perhaps they were captured and brought to Mount Hermon and Mizar (meaning little). From there they remembered the Lord their God. Though they once celebrated in Jerusalem, they could also remember and celebrate at Mount Herman.
Psalm 103:1-2 of David states, “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…” Remembering the Lord and all his benefits bring life to a captured soul.
One person hears from strangers, “Where is your God?” Another hears from family and friends, “Where is your God?” A third hears from self, “Where is your God?” When troubled times flow like tearless infant cries the air fills with confused and faithless questions.
A righteous person such as Job may follow up with, “But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! …Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men? …How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin. Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?” (Job 13:3-4, 9, 23)
Though the love of God is not felt on a sick bed, yet God sees and knows. This promise I have, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Matthew 28:20 Hebrews 13:5)
The relationship between the Lord Jesus and his people is the essence of absolute need. We need his love. We need his power. We need his life. We need his light. We need his discipline. We need his counsel. We need his compassion. We need his wisdom. We need him.
The relationship between the Lord Jesus and his people is the essence of absolute desire. We desire his love. We desire his power. We desire his life. We desire his light. We desire his discipline. We desire his counsel. We desire his compassion. We desire his wisdom. We desire him.
Our soul pants for Jesus. Our soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. (John 6:35, 48, 51) I am the light of the world. (John 8:12, 9:5) I am the gate for the sheep. (John 10:7) I am the good shepherd. (John 10:11, 14) I am God’s Son. (John 10:36) I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. (John 11:25) I am in the Father and the Father is in me. (John 14:10, 11) I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:20) I am the true vine; you are the branches. (John 15:1, 5) You are right in saying I am a king. (John 18:37) I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Acts 7:32, 52)”
When asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? he answered, “I am.” Jesus is the I Am that I crave.
Psalms 42 and 43 are a single prayer of the sons of Korah. The Korahite clans are descendants of Korah, a grandson of Levi the high priest of the Lord, the brother of Moses. (Exodus 6:16, 18, 21, 24, 26-27; Numbers 16:1) The Korahite clans along with the rest of the Levites are allotted forty-eight cities to live in amongst the tribes of Israel instead of a tribal inheritance. (Numbers 18:20-23, 26:62; Deuteronomy 10:9, 18:1-2; Joshua 18:7, 21:1-8) David appointed the Korahites to sing in choirs. (1 Chronicles 6:31-47) They called their choirs, “The Sons of Korah”. (2 Chronicles 5:12) The leader in David’s time was Heman. (1 Chronicles 6:33; 15:17, 19; Psalm 88 title)
The cities the Korahites lived in were frequently invaded by the nations, as was all of Israel. (2 Samuel 8, 10, 21:15-22; 2 Kings 2:17-18) During one of these incursions (43:1), the Korahites were oppressed by the enemy (9) and unable to serve at the tent of meeting that David had set up in Jerusalem. (42:4; 43:3-4; 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 17-19, 7:1-2; 1 Chronicles 16:41-42, 25) The enemy’s incursion led to the writing of this psalm split into two.
The recurring refrain ending each of the three stanzas is, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” The author is questioning and instructing himself. Self-rebuking faith encourages hopeful faith. As Apostle Paul who also found himself pursued by enemies encouraged the persecuted followers of Jesus in Rome, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Praising God does not always involve a location or happy times. Praising God is a matter of faith. If my faith is tested during a time of troubles I need to instruct my soul to praise him. This is not easy, but it is necessary. This is an act that seldom becomes a habit but should be practiced as if it is a habit.
David prays with confidence. He believes in the Lord Jesus’ love, justice, and power. He knows that the Lord loves and is full of compassion and mercy. His trust and faith in the Lord God are completed with an answer as he desires.
Jesus gave a parable to his disciples to show that they should always pray and not give up, just as David did. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!'” And the Lord Jesus said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:2-8)
Jesus quoted this verse when he revealed to his disciples that one of them was going to betray him. (John 13:18-21) Jesus, the Son of David experienced the betrayal of a close friend as his forefather David had. If that is true of the Son of God, then I should not be surprised when someone who is or was more than a friend would do the same. Of course, I will be hurt and sad. But I should not be surprised.
Friends, the people I associate with come in many forms. One kind of friend is one I know and like to be around, though I do not know everything about them. Perhaps they and I are in a social group or the local congregation together. I know them and they know me, but not well. We occasionally exchange conversations and laughs. But if one of us has troubles and burdens we act concerned, but really do not get involved enough to be a help.
Another friend is someone I share my past, present, dreams, and desires. We trust each other enough to spend more time together. They and I share common interests, perhaps a sport or a craft. If either of us needs a helping hand we step up and show our friendship. We ask each other’s advice and share opinions. We do not hurt each other unless it is for the good.
The closest friendships a person has are ones that trust each other completely. Each knows the other has their backs protected. This friendship shares meals, laughter, sadness, fear, and expectations. This kind of friendship knows what the other reaction will be to a life event. While doing an activity, whether pleasant or unpleasant, they wish the other was with them. They are the first person they think of when they want to share an idea or experience. Both of these friends would lay down their lives for the other. This is the kind of friendship Jesus had with Judas, who betrayed him. Jesus loved him enough to warn him while not exposing him.
Jesus says to me, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:12-15) Let me not betray him by not keeping his command of love.
David confessed that he had sinned. The vile disease that befell him was the result of his sin. His enemies were happy because they believed he was about to die. Every one of these four verses is a different way his enemies used their voices to speak against him.
The first is verbally expressing their desire that he perish. They did not hold back their wickedness. The second is speaking lies to him and slander about him to others. They do not love the truth. The third is vicious gossip. They know no shame, do not fear God, and love is not in their hearts. All of these gather an audience at the expense of David who had been nothing but kind to them.
James. the brother of Jesus warned the believers of Jesus, “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. “With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
Living with an illness that just will not go away will affect the soul as much as the body. The words in these verses are reassuring. The Lord Jesus will protect. The Lord will preserve life. The Lord Jesus will sustain while on a sick bed. God will restore him from his bed of illness. Yet, the disclaimer in the psalm is the recipient of the Lord’s affection will have regard for the weak.
Many will experience this in this life. However, death befalls us all. Will I see the recurring headache go away for good? Or is its reality in the forever of Psalm 37:28-29? “For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.”
And only found in Apostle Paul’s immortality clothing? “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:53-54)
David’s reaction to the uncertainty of an illness is revealed in the coming BDBDs.
Psalm 41 is the last in the Psalter’s first book (scroll), the scroll of David’s psalms. It is also the last of four where David prays for mercy when seriously ill caused by his sin. As in the previous three, his enemies greet the prospect of his death with joy and his close friends lift up their heels against him.
Blessed, meaning happiness starts the psalm and praise ends it. David no doubt is considering his own actions toward others. He has shown regard for the weak. When people came to him in the desert while being chased by Saul, David welcomed them into his camp. (1 Samuel 22:23) They were weak and in need as he had been when he first fleed Saul’s hate and anger. God helps me when I am poor, he desires me to be like him.
To those who defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked the Lord says, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4) “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” (Proverbs 28:27) “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” (Proverbs 29:7) Jesus rebuked the wealthy religious Pharisees, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13)
Life dregs accumulate from sin, infirmities, and pestilence that float in the human soul. Their multiplication due to repetitional use clogs the heart’s arteries and bursts the aneurysms in the mind. Religious doctors reach into pockets while promising undelivered salvation. Sins overtake the blind patient.
Laying on death’s sharp bed of nails only one prayer can save from the accumulated dregs in lifeless soul’s pit. “Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. (13) But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. (13:5)
Jesus, the only physician says, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus has saved me from the dregs of life. “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:28)
The perception of David I had before studying this psalms and the previous two was a stately greater-than-life man; a warrior, king, musician, poet, romantic, and religious hero. However, his own words especially in Psalms 38, 39, and now this psalm reveal that he made many mistakes and committed sins often (12). David is now to me, perceived as an imperfect human like the rest of us. David created more trouble for himself than King Saul ever did when he forced David to live in the wilderness. “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin'”? (Proverbs 20:9) David certainly did not say that.
David exposes his many sins that have overtaken him (12). The consequences of sins are eventually troubles without numbers that blind and burden the soul. The heart fails under the weight of the consequences of sin. Sin is trouble I invite into my life. My sin is a burden that I was not designed to live with. I am the sinful fool that folded my mind. “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” (Proverbs 5:22-23)
The greatest tragedy of transgression is that sin removes the love and truth of the Lord God that can protect me. Though God’s love reaches the heavens (Psalm 36:5) sin shields me from it (Psalm 61:7).
I do have hope. My hope is in the mercy of the Lord Jesus. He says, “Come now, let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20) Apostle Paul wrote, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
A sin exists that is often committed, even by some religious elite. The sin destroys society and causes stalemate in families. Were it studied by sociologists they would see that in societies this begins to increase, that society darkens, and in societies that do not commit this sin, that society becomes the light of the world.
What is this sin? It is when the faithful do not proclaim righteousness. There is hope and happiness when people do as David did, who did not seal his lips. He did not hide the Lord’s righteousness in his heart. David spoke of Jesus’ faithfulness and salvation. David did not conceal God’s love and truth. Then, David’s society shone brightly. We know it did because the righteousness he spoke is with the world today in these psalms.
Jesus tells his disciples, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:27-28) And he said, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:21-23) Exalt the Lord’s righteousness with words and songs, and the Lord will exalt the society. Suppress the Lord’s righteousness by not speaking of it in words and songs, and the Lord will suppress the society.
The letter to the Hebrews 10:5-7 quotes these verses since they are prophecies about Jesus the Messiah. “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am–it is written about me in the scroll– I have come to do your will, O God.””
Hebrews 10:8-14 reveals the hidden meaning. “First he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’ (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
“Blessed” (“esher” in the original Hebrew) is used often in the Psalter (1:1, 2:12, 32:1,2, 33:12, 34:8, 37:24. etc.). Esher is also translated into English as happy. The AHD defines blessed as “bringing happiness, pleasure, or contentment”. In these verses, it is defined as “the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”
On an early Monday morning knowing I will soon be going to an unpleasant job I am not happy nor content. Does that mean I am not blessed? An old hymn says, “Let me count the ways I am blessed” (or something like that). I do have much to be thankful for. I will not look up to the proud and those who trust in themselves. That foolishness makes me laugh inside and scoff.
If I pay attention I can see many wonderous things the Lord has and is doing. Why then am I unassured that wonders will not happen tomorrow and every day after? Is not his Spirit alive in me? Does not he promise me a place in his home?
David is announcing a recent deliverance executed by the Lord his God. The deliverance story begins with him mentally recanting the past, other times when he waited for the Lord to hear his prayer for deliverance. When trouble befell he waited for the Lord’s answer. While doing so, just as in this time his memory resurged to times past when the Lord heard his request. David had formed a good habit when life became troublesome.
David remembered that once he either fell or was pushed into a slimy pit. He started walking or running in the mud. The mud turned to mire. The mire led to a slimy pit. He found himself trapped. He sank into the earth. The distance between the smelly muck and his distressed face shrank. He prayed as the likelihood of death increased with the decrease in distance between face and mud. Whether the pit was real or a poetic analogy of life events does not matter. For David, it was a slimmy pit that the Lord lifted him out of. The Lord placed him on the rock. He once again had a firm place to stand.
Remembering past deliverance encouraged David. His faith in the Lord was reassured because other times the Lord rescued him. As the Lord had done before, so he would do again.
When the Lord rescued him from the slimy pit and placed him on the rock David wrote a song to inspire others, perhaps Psalm 38 or 39. A new song was placed in his mouth. A hymn of praise was sung to the God of David and Israel. The song led people to see that the Lord saved and they feared. Others put their trust in the Lord. So David once again wrote a psalm, this psalm. Praise must follow deliverance as surely as prayer springs from need if God is to be truly honored.
Perhaps this should be titled, “The way of the cross leads home,” the title of an old hymn. Psalms 38, 39, 40, and 41 are similar in theme. David is reporting a past event; the Lord’s forgiveness of sin committed and the persecution that followed, just as in the other three psalms. The events he is narrating in all four psalms are not the same. Though each time he does not specify the sin, the different circumstances are similar.
David begins this psalm by describing his patience with the Lord, whereas in the previous psalm, his patience had dried up quickly. Patience is an essential part of a relationship with God. Every believer must learn patience. Without pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance patience cannot exist. Whether self-inflicted as in David’s case here, or from an external cause or person patience is taught because it is required; a fruit of the Spirit.
James, the brother of Jesus wrote, “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:7-11)
At the beginning of the psalm, David recalls the reason and effects of his silence before the wicked and before God. Now David is mooing his plea to the Lord. To pray is better than silence. The Lord already knows, why be silent? Help is just a prayer away. The Lord is not deaf. He is waiting for the confession of a humble and contrite soul.
What happens when I do not pray? When my heart is not reaching for God I am like an alien walking away. When David was silent it was as if God punished him harshly and then left him in his misery. He might as well be an alien dwelling in the kingdom of God. Silence makes me a stranger to God. I will know the truth in silence, only suffering from my unrelenting stubbornness.
The Lord Jesus looks at the stubborn lack of faith with distressed eyes, the stern look of a parent. One Sabbath the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for picking some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the kernels. On another Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would heal. They considered healing working which was a Sabbath no-no according to their rules. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” He looked around at them all (with stern parent eyes), and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:9-11) A child does not rejoice when a parent gives him that look. “Look away from me, father,” David prayed for relief from punishment.
David confesses his sin. He indirectly was the cause of the illness. David sinned and the Lord disciplined him as a good father does. The discipline was the illness. The illness was a near-death moment. David did not say anything when disciplined. He and those around him knew he had sinned and knew the Lord was disciplining him. They believed he would die. David did not say anything, not even to God. He remained silent and thought about the place he had put himself in. When he could not hold his tongue anymore due to an anguished heart he spoke his confession. God is constantly involved him my life. He is not far off and unconcerned. He desires that I am the best that I can be. The best that I can be is displayed in the life of Jesus. Jesus is my perfection destination. When I am not heading for the destination, the Lord rebukes me by the blow of his hand. I may be healthy one moment and terribly ill the next. I need to realize and accept that each man is but a breath. The fear of the Lord needs to be known and understood as much as the Love and forgiveness of the Lord.
What is hope? Is it desire? A dream? A wish? An expectation? Hope is my soul looking forward to and expecting something better, something truly satisfying in a time to come.
When the next moment is death and when looking into the soul’s transgressions and the vanity of life already passed, what can one hope for tomorrow and after? Review a life past spent doing things that do not lead to a satisfied soul what is there to desire and expect? “Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.” (1 Chronicles 29:15b)
Can my hope be in me and my actions? My actions past were all vanity. Meaningless, meaningless, meaningless as Solomon wrote. And as David wrote here a mere phantom life. Honest self-reflection knows that a fool hopes in oneself. Like once prosperous Job lamented when all was loss and a fatal illness slowly consumed his flesh, “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?” (Job 6:11-13)
Hope worth living for is not in self-accomplishment nor is vague and insecure dreams. Even if achieved such hope becomes a letdown once accomplished. A trophy and metal on the wall dim in satisfaction as time progresses.
Hope worth living for is in the Lord Jesus. He is the better future. “In his name, the nations put their hope.” (Matthew 12:21) David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'” (Acts 2:25-28)
“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2) “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:23-25)
David’s confessed fiery soul contemplation compelled by a sin-generated mental turmoil had altered David’s life perspective. The confession in verses 4 and 5 is continued in verse 6. The fast-approaching consumption of life and the unimportance of past actions had obtained his full attention. Grave sin and dire illness will alter a person’s perception of life. “What is really important? Is anything important when one is about to die?”
Grievous illness leads to life perspective change. Near death pinches the soul causing the mind to quickly awake from slumber. “Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible) An aged successful Solomon confessed, “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-19)
Jesus, in an attempt to pinch souls without a life-threatening event, revealed in the parable “The Rich Fool”, God’s take on people whose hard work and planning caused them to become very wealthy. “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” ((Luke 12:20-21)
Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:18-20, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
What then is there? What is the point? What is the meaning? Where is there hope that sure and true? Is there more than the phantom life? Yes! The answer to these questions are in the following verses to be revealed in the following BDBD.
David has a nagging thought that induces so much anguish when he holds it in he nearly explodes. He did not want to sin by saying something sinful before the wicked in his presence or before his God. So he held it in. Yet, he could not for his distressed heart burned like a consuming fire devouring his peace.
What weighed so heavy on his heart? The brevity of his life chafed his soul raw. He screamed, “Each man’s life is but a breath.” The state of probation and preparation is short and David knew he was failing. He wanted the Lord to remind him that his final moment was fast approaching. He sought motivation to keep him from sinning and do what is right, noble, and good. Yet, even though he changed, his life would not be long enough to redeem the wrong.
Moses prayed, “The length of our days is seventy years– or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:10-12)
Can David, myself, and anyone else have any hope? The past cannot be undone. The future is short. A fast end makes time well spent not enough to redeem. Did David find any way to be redeemed? The coming verses and BDBD contain the receipt.
Keeping a burning thought and questions inside will irritate the soul. Like a hot volcano, the pressure builds needing more and more soil to keep the heat hidden and buried. Whereas in the previous psalm, David kept his mouth shut before his accusers, here David also keeps his mouth shut before God.
David vowed to keep quiet because he did not want to sin with his words. He put a muzzle on it and meditated. This turned out to be a poor decision because his anguish increased. The teapot would either whistle or explode. The pressure-building thought needed an answer from outside for him to be at peace again. He could not obtain it himself.
As Jesus later taught and Apostle Paul explained, the mouth expresses the thought within. (Matthew 23:25-28; Luke 11:39-41) Holding thoughts and anguish in does not get rid of the troubling question or sin unless I am all-knowing or at least an honest brilliant thinker. Since I am not, holding thoughts in only alters the consequences. Opening my mouth will cause others to react against me. Keeping my mouth shut and thoughts inside causes my body to react against my peace. Either way, the consequences of thoughts and sin are experienced.
David’s recant of this incident continues in the following verses and following BDBD; as does the solution.
David sinned. His confession and request followed. The dual-verse stanza conclusion sums up the entire appeal, “Do not forsake me, be not far from me, come quickly to help me.” David’s request is to the LORD, his God and Savior. David has prayed “Do not be far from me” in earlier Psalms 22:19 and 35:22. He prayed “Do not forsake me” several times too. (27:9, 10, 38:21, 71:9, 18, as did a priest in 119:8)
How is it that a man who the Lord stated was after his heart (1 Samuel 13:14) has on at least three occasions needed to ask the Lord these two things? What did he mean? In each instance, he was in dire need. He was very ill, to the point of death and his enemies were sure to make his life miserable and push him to the edge of existence. Hence, the Lord had not come to his rescue. The Lord had not delivered him. The Lord kept him in illness and misery. David did not ask, “Why me?” Instead, David is saying as in Psalm 40:13 and 17, “Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me… Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.”
Even a righteous child of God will at times plead with the Lord to not delay any more. The apostles approached the misery and persecution they endured by adding rejoicing that they were considered special enough to suffer for Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Peter concludes his first letter, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)
David sinned. He followed the way of the righteous when they sin. He confessed his iniquity (gross immorality and injustice) to God and he was troubled with his sin. As David would have read in Leviticus 5:5-6 “When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.”
When his enemies heard of his confession they took advantage of the situation. Though David had done nothing against them, they vigorously sought his downfall. They hated him without reason. They repaid his good with evil. They slandered his name for pursuing what is good. This is the reason for his prayers at this time. He asked for the Lord God to come to his aid.
David wrote of hate without reason before in 35:19 and 69:4. The Apostle John wrote in his gospel that this was fulfilled in the life of Jesus. (John 15:24-25) When the Bible speaks of hate without reason it does not mean that those who do so do not have self-justifications for their actions. Rather, it means that there is no Godly justification for their hateful actions. Their false justification usually falls under prideful judgment and execution of punishment, almost always as a benefit of self. Most are like in this case. They seek to dispose of their enemy and justify it saying, “They deserve it.”
Jesus taught, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37) “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2)
David sinned. The Lord is disciplining him with a painful illness. His enemies are using these as a means to dispose of him. Sometimes no defense, answers, or rebuttals are the only things that can be done. That is what David is saying in verses. The only things I can do when much is taken away is put my hope in the Lord Jesus and pray.
Psalm 55:22 states, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” And Apostle Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
David sinned. God knew and so did everyone else. David’s sin caused physical wounds. His friends avoided him. His enemies set their traps. They plot deception.
God knows when I sin. My sins are no surprise to the Lord Jesus. God knows what my sin does to me. Consequences do not startle God. “All my longings (desires) lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you,” David cried out. Though he sinned and was suffering the results of his vile, David renewed his appeal to God.
Communication about everything and anything is a part of the vital divine relationship. “Cry out, ‘Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.'” (1 Chronicles 16:35) “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,” (Psalm 10:17) When Apostle Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, Jesus called him to the beach to have breakfast. (John 21) Reunion is just prayers away.
David sinned, the devastating physical and psychological effects of his illness as a result of sin are conveyed in detail. His wounds fester and are loathsome. He is bowed down and mourns all day long. His lower back is searing pain. He is feeble and utterly crushed. Anguish of heart groans do not cease. David confesses. “(These are) …because of my sinful folly.” Other English Bible translates “iwwelet” (transliteration of the original Hebrew) as “foolishness”, “folly”, and “stupidity” When I invite calamity into my life I cannot blame God, “Why me?” is denial and pride. Rather the proper response is, “I accept. I am the one who poisoned the garden so that the life within withers away.”
James wrote, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) Apostle John wrote to all believers, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (1 John 1:9-10) Apostle Paul wrote, “That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:30-32)
David sinned, the details of which are not specified in this penetrative petition. The results are his guilt overwhelms him, God disciplines him in his wrath, and he is physically suffering. Many reasons for physical illness and pain exist including because of God’s wrath. God disciplines his children in many ways including retribution for sin with illness. Guilt can reside whether one committed an ill act or not. Proper guilt results in repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. After all, this is the reason God disciplines the ones he loves with piercing arrows and a heavy hand. A fear of God can keep me from experiencing God’s heavy hand more so than love for God. Therefore, fear God’s discipline enough to live a healthy life.
The ultimate contrast presented in the psalm is repeated again at the end. The blameless, upright, and peacemaker has an eternal future. The sinners and wicked will be cut off.
I am told to observe the upright. Who are the upright? The autistic child sitting alone in the school cafeteria is righteous. The small girl laughed at by other girls because she doesn’t listen to a singer who wears so little clothes on stage. The coworker who is made fun of because they refuse to drink alcohol at the company party. The couple who spend their evenings with their family rather than at a bar and bring their children to a Bible teaching congregation rather than sleep in. The upright is an elderly single person who goes to church every Sunday and is never greeted or noticed.
Who is the sinner? The child who ignores the autistic peer. The girls who bully the small girl. The coworkers who ridicule the person they work with. Family members who gossip about their sibling’s strange boring life. The religious elite who only talk to and recognize their friends at church. These people care little for the Lord and his teaching except when it applies to their own fortune.
The LORD helps the righteous and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. They are not at the mercy of the wicked for the LORD is their refuge, and despite all that the wicked do, the Lord makes secure their inheritance in the promised land.
David, the author of the psalm repeats the theme concerning the wicked and ruthless sure to perminate end. He states that he has personally witnessed an example in his life. He knew an evil man who had everything most people desire to have; wealth, power, success, health, fame, and even some admiration. He flourished like a green tree in its native soil. He suffered because of this wicked person. Then the evil man was gone, not to be found. I wonder, “How is this possible? A wicked person seems to get away with evil.”
Two types of evil exist. First, natural evils such as earthquakes, cancer, and tornadoes. Second, moral evil has its source in the choice and action of humans. The first we call evil, however this does not fall within the Biblical definition of evil. Christianity holds that evil is opposed to God and His purposes. Natural events we call evil are not causes, they are results. So to the question. If God is all-powerful and good, as the Bible affirms, why does He allow evil?
First, God limited Himself in giving people and angels freedom. To be truly human, a person must have the power of choice. Love is displayed only when we are free to choose between love and hate. Love, respect, and choice go together.
Second, humans use freedom in such a way as to bring in evil. Today I may make evil choices, that is, decisions that oppose God and His purposes. When I make this choice I am choosing not to love God.
Third, back of human revolt stood Satan. Just as the Serpent tempted Eve to sin, and Eve convinced Adam to sin; so Satan and those who sin are an every temptation to sin. It is clear, then, that God did not create evil and sin. He merely provided the options necessary for human freedom. People sinned, and before that, the fallen angels, not God for God cannot oppose himself nor his will.
Fourth, even though evil is because of human revolt and failure, God continues to be active in redeeming people from their self-imposed evil. As David attests here, God reserves his intervention in helping the righteous.
Fifth, God deals with evil through judgment and wrath.
Sixth, God deals with evil through the incarnation, the cross, and the resurrection. God’s interventions are best seen through Jesus’ willful act of allowing himself to be arrested, tried, tortured, crucified, and die for the sins of the world.
The promise is made, “Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.” Believing this from my heart is of great importance. I will see the day of judgment fulfilled with my own eyes. Do I believe it enough to live it? A lesson can be learned from Elisha’s time.
Samaria, the capital of Israel was under a long siege caused by Aram’s entire army. The king of Israel was angry at Elisha and angry at the Lord. (2 Kings 6:24-33) The king said in anger, “This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”
Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” (2 Kings 7:11) The officer sent to kill Elisha did not believe. “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”
Some lepers outside of the city decided to surrender to the Arameans. When they arrived at the camp it was deserted for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army. They ate and went back to tell Samaria. When the people heard they ran to the abandoned camp and were filled just as Elisha had said. “Now the king had put the officer on whose arm he leaned in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king came down to his house (to kill him). (2 Kings 7:17)
Believe today. Wait today. Obey today. It is imperative to obtain the Inheritance of the Lord already assigned. “He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.”
The wind hurls snow and unearthly low howls at a thin wall charging me to stay under the protection of a comforter. Hallo whines forewarning, “He lies in wait near the village; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victim. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off with razor incisors.” (Psalm 10:8-9)
“What beast so cruel seeks the flesh of the poor and helpless? Why do the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives?” The soul at peace has become a distant memory, merely swirling visions of a hot desert horizon. Sour eyes press the back of the skull, pools of dry pain. The brain’s heated swells beseeches the skull to break. An acid stomach violently relinquishes empty content. Strength poured out like a drink offering.
Last breath reaches for my Maker. My spirit brushed by His Spirit hears, “Your LORD will not leave him in power. I will not allow you to be condemned when brought to trial. Do not fret because of evil men. Like the grass, they will soon wither, like green plants, they will soon die away.” The Comfortor covers the anguished soul.
Jesus told his disciples after he rose from the dead to spread the good news to the ends of the earth. They did though all of them were threatened to the point of death often. Their mouths uttered wisdom though persecuted. Their tongues spoke justice though their bodies ached. They loved Jesus and his words. Jesus’ truths were in their heart though their bodies withered. They accomplished what they were commanded, some to old age, all to death by enemies of the gospel. There is no retirement from speaking wisdom.
Supply the truth to the righteous and they will benefit. Supply the truth to the fool and they will throw it back in your face, usually violently. After teaching his disciples that they should not judge others he shockingly said, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) Those who oppose God, opposes God’s messenger. Jesus warns me to be selective on who I give the word of God. Jesus wants me to have discernment. Proverbs 9:8 says, “Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” Yet here I am, a layman holding a job and spreading the truth on the internet to anyone led to read and listen. Though my body withers, here I am receiving more hostility than kindness and generosity. Here I am loving the truth and its origin.
The direction toward truth is often repeated in the Bible as presented in these two verses. (Psalm 34:14, 102:28; Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5) A word for turn away from evil, do what is good is repent. The gospel includes the need to feel remorse, contrition, and self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do followed by a desire and need for forgiveness and a desire to change for the better.
The truth that the Lord God loves justice only makes sense for only a loving God must possess these character traits to forgive and bless the repentant soul. Justice and the gospel go hand in hand.
Who do we like to have around us? Who do we spend time with? I want to be with those who love me and like that which I like. The Lord Jesus is the same. He has invited me to follow him, meaning to follow his ways to be like him. This is the way it was meant to be at creation. Those the Lord Jesus wants to be with he will not abandon. They are faithful to him and he is faithful to them.
The author of Hebrews wrote, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
Fear of an unknown future drives people to do things that they will later regret and be ashamed of. Yet, fear of an unknown future is not the root of the problem. Fear of the unknown future is because people do not believe in the one and only God who they chose not to know and believe in. Choosing to not believe in God creates an unknown future.
Trusting in oneself to provide for oneself is scary because all know that they cannot control themselves and others all the time. “Stuff happens,” is what people used to say. The more we try to control everything the more we fret and stress. This is not good. We were not designed to live this way. We were not designed to live without the one and only true God.
A life without fear is found in a God who drives away fear. Living this way is accomplished by the righteous. The righteous are never forsaken. Those who choose to know the one and only God trust and believe in him. This causes them to be generous and lend freely. Freely they were given, freely they give. They do not fear for their children’s future either. They know God will always be there. He knows what we need. God loves and cares. We are designed to live with the one and only true God. We are to believe like little children who trust their parents.
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.
A long-time best-selling fictitious book “The Pilgrim’s Progress (from This World to That Which Is to Come)” by John Bunyan was published in 1678. It tells the journey of a man named Christian who makes his way to a pivotal decision before Jesus on the cross part way through his journey. Christian leaves his heavy pack of burdens at the foot of the cross. As he continues, he meets several interesting people and for a time has a companion on his journey. His life journey on his life path leads to a diverse range of environments and sometimes he takes dangerous diversions. Eventually, he makes it to the celestial city.
I do not remember if verses 23 and 24 are quoted in the book, but they could be. I consider that I have choices to make every moment of the day. However, the situations that I am in are directed by the Lord. These verses in a sense are for everyone. However, they are more pleasant and true to the ears of those the Lord delights in. My way is directed by the Lord. However, as I reach interesting people and a diverse range of environments my thoughts, emotions, reactions, and actions are weighed by the Lord Jesus. The day is coming when I will have to give an account of how I responded. As Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit where he was tested and passed, I too am led.
What if I am led to the dangerous and terrifying? I will not stumble nor fall for the Lord Jesus upholds my hand. When Peter started walking on the water to Jesus he started to sink. Jesus reached out and pulled him up. So, Jesus reaches out to me and lifts me up. “He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails…” (1 Samuel 2:9) “The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” (Psalm 145:14-15) “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.” (Micah 7:8-9)
How do I use that which the Lord is giving me? How do I interact with others with that which the Lord gave me? Am I honest? Do I make agreements with no intent in keeping them? Do I borrow and not repay? Do I take from others for selfish reasons? Do I give generously? Do I hire making promises that I later recant?
Psalm 112:5 & 9 states, “Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice… He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.” Proverbs 11:24-26 promises, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.”
To the Corinthians who had plenty Apostle Paul wrote about their gift to the poor and persecuted in Jerusalem, “As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
A person’s wealth is not just financial. Attention, compassion, and love are also gifts from God. Expertise and skill is more valuable than money which is in the pocket one day and stolen the next. I do not have money, but I do have something worth giving. I have life experiences with my Maker.
Perfect, in general meaning “lacking nothing essentially to the whole” and perfection, in general meaning “the quality or condition of being perfect”. These are what the righteous (12, 14, 16, 25, 29, 30, 32, 39) are portrayed as in verse 18. The Lord God Almighty paints the image of the righteous with paint and brush calling the image perfect and perfection.
“Tamim” in Hebrew (a transliteration) used in verse 18 is translated as “perfect”, “upright”, “blameless”, and “innocent people” in various English translations. “The days of the tamim are known to the LORD.”
In an imperfect society, the righteous are called “perfect”. How is this possible? Is it possible? I consider myself a disciple of Jesus, yet to be honest I believe I am not perfect. I am not referring to my physical body as that is not what the Lord God is referring to in this psalm, nor any other part of scripture when he calls the righteous perfect. Nor does it refer to morality. Perfection Biblically involves more than moral reformation of character.
When teaching about love for enemies and praying for those who persecute me Jesus concludes his words with, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfection is love. The Christian present is love and the Christian way is peace. Verse 37, “Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.” Perfection cannot exist without love. Perfection is love.
Perfect is an ideal state of spiritual wholeness or completeness. It is not a quality which is achieved by human effort alone, nor is it an end in itself. Christian perfection consists essentially in exercising the divine gift of love. (Holman Bible Dictionary) Colossians 3:14 states, “Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.”
The promises stated in verses 18 and 19 are for the blameless in love for God and love for neighbor. “The days of the tamim are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster, they will not wither; in days of famine, they will enjoy plenty.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8-9) This would be true for many, perhaps even myself when reading verses 16 and 17. Wealth is what most societies judge who is high, middle, and low class. Even Christian congregations give prominence and esteem to those who appear financially and materially blessed.
Yet much of his life, David was poor. He had little most of the time and for a while, he had nothing, depending on the charity of others. (1 Samuel 21:3-4) Jesus and the disciples were so poor and hungry that at one point they ate grain reserved for the poor. (Luke 6:1) So did Ruth and Naomi. (Ruth 2:2-3) Elijah also lived on charity of others (1 Kings 17:3) and on one occasion an angel brought him a small cake of bread. (1 Kings 19:6) What did all these have in common? They were righteous in the eyes of God and shunned by society and often the most religious people in their society. Some were wanted dead or alive.
Still here David wrote, “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked…” This truth is witnessed by the fact that many rich were willing to leave all their wealth behind to follow Jesus. Matthew the tax collector, Zacchaeus the chief tax collector (Luke 19:2), and Simon called Peter his brother Andrew, and James and John left their family businesses to follow Jesus (Luke 18:28; Mark 1:20). Why? Because they saw and believed that being with Jesus was more precious than the wealth of the world. To this day most who follow Jesus are not considered rich by their society. The LORD upholds them for they are his righteous. We are promised, “The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth.” (Isaiah 25:8)
Several particulars about the wicked and righteous are presented in 14 and 15. The wicked are violent and militant. They intend to kill and destroy. Their heart lashes out against the poor and needy. They have little compassion beyond themselves. Their ultimate solution is to slaughter those whose way is upright.
Yet, the weapons of the wicked eventually are turned back at them. That which they used is used against them. Jesus told Peter on the night he was betrayed and arrested, “All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) The methods that helped their advance will be the cause of their retreat and distress. They eventually find themselves alone.
The righteous are defined as upright in heart. They adhere to God’s principles and teachings. They are often poor and needy. They trust in God. Thus, they do not repay evil for evil. Their wit is seen in their understanding and acceptance of the ways of the Messiah who says, “Come, follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 8:22, 10:38, 16:24, 19:21).
The righteous find the arrow of the wicked pointed at them. (11:2) Faith is tested and perfected when an arrow is pointed at a face that does not blink and will not strike back. They pray, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 13:34) They are not alone for they pour themselves out as a drink offering.
The Lord God cursed the serpent saying, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) “Enmity” in Hebrew is “eba” (a transliteration). It means hostility and hatred. A continual spiritual battle is going on. Hebrews 11:13 says the righteous are spiritual strangers and aliens to the world. The hate of sin, a constant threat is planted in God’s children’s hearts. The wicked hate the righteous as Cain hated Able and as Saul hated David. This is the nature of the ever-active spiritual battle.
“Gnash their teeth” here and in 35:16 is done in malice. (also Lamentations 2:16) The contentment the ungodly have for the righteous is no light matter. It is real and it is often. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them.
However, the Lord Jesus does not let his children alone. He is with them. God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) He knows exactly what is happening. He knows the plots of the ungodly against his children.
The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath. (2:4-5) Strikingly, the psalmist nowhere in the psalm directly speaks of God’s active involvement in bringing the wicked down, though he hints at it in verse 22, “…those he curses will be cut off.” The certainty that the life of the wicked “will be cut off” is frequently asserted (9, 22, 28, 34, 38) and the Lord also knows it, but God’s positive action is here reserved for his care for and protection of the righteous. The life choices of the wicked bring enough destruction into the life of the wicked. The choice of life in Christ brings protection into the life of the righteous.
The contrast between the wicked and the righteous continues in these two verses. The end to the wicked is stated with certainty. That they will be no more is an absolute promise. They will vanish like the fog on an early fall morning, like the stars at dawn. Not even a trace of the wicked will be found.
The righteous are described as meek and humble. They will inherit the land. An inheritance requires someone to die. Because Jesus died for them, the meek became children of God and inherited the kingdom with him. Jesus promised, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) Zephaniah 3:12 says the meek and humble trust in the name of the LORD.
Meekness and humility go hand in hand. Meekness is defined as showing patience and humility. Gentleness and humility are a personality trait. the opposite of which is pride. Meekness does not refer to weakness or passivity but to controlled power. The meek person has the ability but does not use that ability for selfish gain or for anger and pride.
Jesus is the personification of meekness and humility. (Matthew 11:29, 12:14-21) He entered Jerusalem in humility by riding on a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:53) When Jesus was arrested Jesus stated that he could have called on his Father, and he would put at his disposal more than twelve legions of angels to rescue him. (Matthew 26:53) But he didn’t. This is humility. He had the power, but did not use it to save himself for his first mission was to fulfill the will of God, his Father. Those who are meek like Jesus will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.
The ability to calmly await an outcome or a result is considered a virtue. Bearing and enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, and annoyance with calmness are said to be Christ-like. Forbearance is a skill to be learned. That is why it is so rare. Impatience and defiance are easy. Anyone can portray those. However, being patient is a required skill that most are too stubborn and lazy to master.
Silly is a person who keeps immature impatience because waiting patiently can be acquired with one easy act. All I have to do to acquire resignation is be still before the LORD Jesus. Quiet the soul. rest in him, and be silent are three elements of being still before the Lord Jesus. Surrender the fallen impulse to lose patience with God Almighty inside and I will be stilled. As the Sea of Galilee naturally obeyed Jesus’ command, “Be still.” So will my restless waves find tranquility at his commanding presence.
Being patient is annoying for the evil when seen in the righteous for what fun do they have when their plans to erode the saint’s patient faith do not work? Their self-justification is not obtained. They do not find peace. They will be cut off. So, resisting evil is refraining from anger, turning from wrath, and not fretting over the success of those who practice evil ways. Soon I will inherit the land and they will be gone. Be patient in the Lord Jesus.
Worrying about the future of self is common to the human race. Trusting that the Lord God will act on the person who trusts in him is not. Worrying is in my nature. Trusting that I will not be taken care of is not in my nature. This truth about human nature causes the soul to fall apart with worry illnesses.
Knowing this the Lord Jesus reminds me, “Entrust (Commit) your ways to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act {on your behalf}.” Young’s Literal Translation is pictorial, “Roll on Jehovah thy way, And trust upon Him, and He worketh,”
Chance, luck, and circumstance are not reality for in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28; Proverbs 16:3) Psalm 55:22 states, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” 1 Peter 5:7 states the same. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Verse 6 is specific as to what the Lord Jesus will do. “He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” Not that there is more he will do on my behalf; just that in the premises of this Psalm this specific act of God is given. Isaiah was given and gives me, “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8)
If you do these things, then this will happen. This is what these verses seem to say. Is this the recipe for a reciprocating correlational relationship? Or the results of life choices because that is how God made the world to exist?
I am told to do two things in these two verses. First, Trust in the LORD and do good, and second, Delight myself in the LORD. These two directives are not meant to be like putting money into a vending machine and getting a snack and drink in return. Trusting in and delighting in the Lord are not commodities. If they are offered as a bargaining coin, then they are not sincere. Sincerity is the only true trust and delight acceptable in a loving and respectful relationship. Is a soul satisfied if the expressed emotion is not given in sincerity?
Since these verses cannot produce a reciprocating correlational relationship because they can be given without sincerity, then are these the results of life choices? Jesus’ statement helps when considering this thought, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
David is saying the same, except he states two examples of how to seek first the Lord God’s kingdom and righteousness. A person who seeks after the kingdom of God delights themself in the Lord. A person who seeks God’s righteousness first commits their way to the Lord Jesus. If I wake in the morning and know I only have one thing to do first and foremost, that is follow Jesus the rest of the day, then I will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture, and he will give me the desires of my heart.
Psalm 37, an alphabetic acrostic (with irregularity) is an instruction in godly living. The dominant theme is who will rise from the dead to inherit the land, the wicked or the righteous. The answer is found in the contrasting beginning and ending, 1-2 and 39-40. Verses 1-2 speak of the brevity of the evil whereas verses 39-40 tell of the Lord’s help of the righteous.
The first piece of advice is, “Do not fret because of evildoers.” (NIV, KJ, ASV, YLT). Other English translation states, “Do not be agitated by evildoers” (CSB, HCSB) and “Do not be preoccupied with evildoers.” (GW). Of course, my first question is, “How to do this?” followed by, “Is it possible?” The answer is found in verse 7, “Surrender yourself to the LORD (Be still before the Lord) and wait patiently for him.” If I find myself agitated and preoccupied with evildoers I can go to Jesus for he tells me, “Come to me and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
The second piece of advice is, “Do not… be envious of those who do wrong (wicked things).” This implies that there are reasons why I can be envious of them. Usually, this is because they have wealth, power, prestige, social status, and so much appears to go their way.
Verse 1 provides the reason why I should not fret nor be envious of those who do wrong. They soon will go away and I will live forever. They will die and be forgotten just as when plants die away. As Jesus said, “Those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.”
David, the author prays concerning the proud wicked evildoers. He desires that they be driven away. Did he actually witness that at the end of his trial they lie fallen and were not able to rise? Did he see that they had physically died? Perhaps.
Most definitely David is prophesying about the final judgment. A day is coming when all will have to give an account for the things done while in the flesh; whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Jesus taught, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ (Matthew 25:31-36, 41-43)
What does it mean to know someone? When I say, “I know him or her,” what am I saying? Am I saying I know something about them? Or perhaps, am I perceiving things about them? Maybe I am even saying, “I know all about them. I know how they think, what motivates them, their fears, what they take pleasure in, what they believe, what they think they believe, who and what they love, and who and what they hate.” I say, “I know their soul and I know their body.” However, many acquaintances, friends, family, and even spouses who say they know someone, later sometimes confess, “I guess I never really knew him or her at all.”
If I say, “I know God” as verse 10 states, “Continue your love to those who know you,” what am I saying? Jesus, speaking about the judgment to come said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matthew 7:22-23) Those people obviously knew something about Jesus and even did things for his namesake. Yet, he states they did not know him, and thus he never knew them.
I know one certain way to really know a person’s soul. I cannot know them if I do not spend time interacting, that is communing with them. How can a disciple be in a state of intimate, heightened sensitivity and receptivity with the Lord Jesus?
Apostle Paul considered his past religious concepts based on his perception of God’s word rubbish. He wrote, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:8-11)
“In Your light, we will see light” is poetry magnificent. Yet, it can bewilder the impatient reader. God’s glory is described as brilliant light. (Exodus 16:7,10; 40:34-35) Moses thought it was a burning bush that was not consumed. “To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain” of the covenant. (Exodus 24:17) The shepherds who heard the message of the Messiah’s birth saw the glory of the Lord. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (Luke 2:9) Peter, James, and John witnessed the glory of Jesus when he went up the mountain. “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2-3)
What is the Lord Jesus’ light? And what does it mean, “we will see light”? Apostle John wrote, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:4-5) Jesus told a crowd at the temple, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Lord’s light is the fountain of life as the sun is a source of light.
The light (glory) of the Lord is the extension of the Spirit, the source of spiritual life, the essence of living, and the essential to man’s eternal life in bliss. The light of the Lord Jesus is perfected holiness. Seeing God’s light is living in completeness. Jesus is life. “To see light” is to experience Jesus. (16:10, 27:13, 34:8,12, 49:,9,19, 89:48, 90:15, 106:5)
David elsewhere wrote, “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” (56:13) Job 33:29-30 states, “God does all these things to a man– twice, even three times– to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him.” The Prophet Isaiah wrote of the Messiah Jesus, “After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:11)
Step into Jesus’ light and experience life like you have never before and will ever more what to experience.
A blazing sun, rain from clouds, hawks above, and prowling foxes and cats frighten young chicks. Everything frightens chicks that have only been hatched a few days prior. Fluffy feathers are no protection from danger and evil. Screeching skies, screams in a forest night, and meows from tall grasses are terrifying. Refuge is found under a parent’s wing. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
Strong gentle feathers lead chicks to feasting abundance and rivers of delight. A chick is happy and at peace from the love of Father. Lead me to your abundance. Let me drink your delights. They chirp in joy. All who hear know they are happy and safe.
