Give Thanks

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
    finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty,
    their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
    till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul,
    and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,
    and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
    they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
    and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze
    and cuts in two the bars of iron.

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,
    and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
    and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them,
    and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
    and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,
    doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD,
    his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
    which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
    their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men
    and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still,
    and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
    and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
    and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

33 He turns rivers into a desert,
    springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,
    because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water,
    a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell,
    and they establish a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards
    and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly,
    and he does not let their livestock diminish.

39 When they are diminished and brought low
    through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes
    and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction
    and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad,
    and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
    let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. – Psalm 107:1-43 ESV

This psalm contains four word pictures that illustrate God’s grace, mercy, and deliverance. The psalmist uses these visual metaphors to paint the dire nature of Israel's fate. The first describes a person on a journey who has lost his way (Psalms 107:4-10). The second features a person locked away in a prison (Psalms 107:11-16). The third person suffers from a debilitating illness (Psalms 107:17-22). The final image is of a sailor lost in a storm (Psalms 107:23-32).

In each case, their problem has been caused by rebellion against God. As a result, they find themselves in a predicament with no way of escape. This causes them to pray for God to spare them. In each scenario, the result is that God hears and provides a way of escape or deliverance. Their response? Praise to God for His lovingkindness and mercy.

Each of these scenarios would have struck a chord with the author's Hebrew audience. They would have recognized the not-so-subtle similarities between the four scenarios and the history of their own people. This psalm appears to be addressing the nation of Judah after their 70-year captivity in Babylon and their subsequent return to the land of Canaan. Centuries earlier, when Solomon dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem, he offered a prayer of petition on behalf of the people of Israel. 

“If they sin against you—and who has never sinned?—you might become angry with them and let their enemies conquer them and take them captive to their land far away or near. But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, ‘We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.’ If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their enemies and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors—toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name—then hear their prayers and their petition from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause. Forgive your people who have sinned against you. Forgive all the offenses they have committed against you. Make their captors merciful to them, for they are your people—your special possession—whom you brought out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt.” – 1 Kings 8:46-51 NLT  

Solomon seemed to know that his people would be unfaithful and suffer the judgment of God. But he wanted God’s reassurance that He would show them mercy and grace in their time of suffering. This psalm emphasizes the lovingkindness of God expressed toward them even though they had rebelled against Him. 

In four little stories, the psalmist reminds his readers of just how bad things were when they were in captivity. They were lost and had no way to get home. They had been prisoners in a foreign land, with no way of escape. They were as good as dead, in need of healing and suffering because of their own sinfulness. They were like sailors lost in a violent storm and at the mercy of the sea. Yet in each case, God responded in mercy and grace. He delivered them. He led them. He satisfied them. He filled them. He saved them. He brought them out. He broke their bonds apart. He shattered the gates of bronze. He healed them. He guided them.

God delivers the needy, but we must reach the point where we recognize that need. As long as we stubbornly cling to our pride and independence, refusing to admit our problem and cry out to Him, we will remain in our predicament. But as soon as we humble ourselves and pray for His deliverance, He hears and delivers.

When they decrease in number and become impoverished
    through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,
the LORD pours contempt on their princes,
    causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.
But he rescues the poor from trouble
    and increases their families like flocks of sheep. – Psalms 107:39-41 NLT

So what's in this for us? "Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord" (Psalms 107:43 NLT). We will learn from the lives of the Israelites. They rebelled and suffered the consequences. They refused to obey the Lord. They rejected His leadership in their lives and reaped the results. But as soon as they realized the folly of their ways and recognized their need for God, humbly crying out to Him for His help, He responded. God loves to respond. He loves to deliver. He loves to redeem. He loves to save. He loves to show Himself strong on behalf of His children. But we must cry out before God will reach down. We must recognize our need for Him if we desire to be delivered by Him. We must come to an end of ourselves and our stubborn desire to solve all our own problems. God is in the restoration business.

And when He restores, we must be quick to respond with thanksgiving and praise.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.
Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out!
    Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
For he has gathered the exiles from many lands,
    from east and west,
    from north and south. – Psalm 107:1-3 NLT

When He delivers, give Him the credit He deserves. Every time He reaches down and rescues, speak up and shout out. Declare His goodness and greatness. Praise Him for His faithfulness and love. Recall the many examples of His deliverance and rejoice that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  

Those who are wise will take all this to heart;
    they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD. – Psalm 107:43 NLT

Father, what a great reminder. You want to restore me. You desire to bless me. But I must reach an end of myself. I must humble myself before You and cry out. I must admit my need for Your help and my own inability to save myself. Forgive me for the many times I stubbornly remain in the middle of my problem just because I refuse to admit that I can't fix it. All the while You patiently wait for me to admit my neediness and helplessness and call out to You for help. When I reach the end of me, I discover the beginning of Your grace and mercy all over again. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

A Primer on Praise

1 Praise the LORD!
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD,
    or declare all his praise?
3 Blessed are they who observe justice,
    who do righteousness at all times!

4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people;
    help me when you save them,
5 that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
    that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
    that I may glory with your inheritance.

6 Both we and our fathers have sinned;
    we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.
7 Our fathers, when they were in Egypt,
    did not consider your wondrous works;
they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
    but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
    that he might make known his mighty power.
9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry,
    and he led them through the deep as through a desert.
10 So he saved them from the hand of the foe
    and redeemed them from the power of the enemy.
11 And the waters covered their adversaries;
    not one of them was left.
12 Then they believed his words;
    they sang his praise.

13 But they soon forgot his works;
    they did not wait for his counsel.
14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness,
    and put God to the test in the desert;
15 he gave them what they asked,
    but sent a wasting disease among them.

16 When men in the camp were jealous of Moses
    and Aaron, the holy one of the LORD,
17 the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
    and covered the company of Abiram.
18 Fire also broke out in their company;
    the flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf in Horeb
    and worshiped a metal image.
20 They exchanged the glory of God
    for the image of an ox that eats grass.
21 They forgot God, their Savior,
    who had done great things in Egypt,
22 wondrous works in the land of Ham,
    and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
23 Therefore he said he would destroy them—
    had not Moses, his chosen one,
stood in the breach before him,
    to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

24 Then they despised the pleasant land,
    having no faith in his promise.
25 They murmured in their tents,
    and did not obey the voice of the Lord.
26 Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them
    that he would make them fall in the wilderness,
27 and would make their offspring fall among the nations,
    scattering them among the lands.

28 Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor,
    and ate sacrifices offered to the dead;
29 they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds,
    and a plague broke out among them.
30 Then Phinehas stood up and intervened,
    and the plague was stayed.
31 And that was counted to him as righteousness
    from generation to generation forever.

32 They angered him at the waters of Meribah,
    and it went ill with Moses on their account,
33 for they made his spirit bitter,
    and he spoke rashly with his lips.

34 They did not destroy the peoples,
    as the LORD commanded them,
35 but they mixed with the nations
    and learned to do as they did.
36 They served their idols,
    which became a snare to them.
37 They sacrificed their sons
    and their daughters to the demons;
38 they poured out innocent blood,
    the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
    and the land was polluted with blood.
39 Thus they became unclean by their acts,
    and played the whore in their deeds.

40 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people,
    and he abhorred his heritage;
41 he gave them into the hand of the nations,
    so that those who hated them ruled over them.
42 Their enemies oppressed them,
    and they were brought into subjection under their power.
43 Many times he delivered them,
    but they were rebellious in their purposes
    and were brought low through their iniquity.

44 Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress,
    when he heard their cry.
45 For their sake he remembered his covenant,
    and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
46 He caused them to be pitied
    by all those who held them captive.

47 Save us, O LORD our God,
    and gather us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
    and glory in your praise.

48 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!”
    Praise the LORD!  – Psalm 106:1-48 ESV

They say hindsight is 20/20. This euphemistic idiom expresses the insight one receives after coming out on the other side of a difficult circumstance. Looking back at a situation, it seems obvious what should have been done, but it was not apparent in the moment. The author of the 106th Psalm appears to have hindsight bias as he chronicles events from the history of the nation of Israel. 

This psalm provides a sweeping overview of Israel's less-than-flattering relationship with Yahweh. It painstakingly outlines their track record of apostasy and disobedience while reminding them of God's patient display of love, grace, and mercy. 

The psalmist declares his own culpability and responsibility for their strained relationship with Yahweh.  

Like our ancestors, we have sinned.
    We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly!
Our ancestors in Egypt
    were not impressed by the LORD’s miraculous deeds. – Psalm 106:6-7 NLT

This psalm appears to have been written late in Israel's history, long after the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians and Judah's subsequent fall to the Babylonians. So, the author is writing retrospectively, looking back on centuries of disobedience and rebellion against God that culminated in the defeat and captivity of His chosen people. 

The books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles recap the history of Israel and are aimed at an audience that had just returned from 70 years in captivity in Babylon. This remant of former captives might have had reason to question the goodness of God and His faithfulness to them. After all, He had allowed Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian troops to destroy Jerusalem, desecrate the Temple, and deport them into a seven-decade-long period of slavery and oppression. Why had Yahwen allowed that to happen? How could a good and loving God allow His children to suffer for so long?

Considering the context, this Psalm takes on a whole new light. In it, the psalmist is calling on the people of Israel to praise Yahweh.

Praise the LORD!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.
Who can list the glorious miracles of the LORD?
    Who can ever praise him enough? – Psalm 106:1-2 NLT

He encourages them to give Yahwen thanks for His goodness and lovingkindness. He challenges them to remember all that God has done for them. Just in case their memory is spotty and they have difficulty recalling what God has done on their behalf, he tells them. In not-so-subtle fashion, he outlines the not-so-pretty history of the people of Israel and their interactions with God.

He begins his epic recounting of their sin-filled saga all the way back to Egypt. From the very beginning, they had questioned God and rebelled against His plans for them. Even after He miraculously released them from captivity in Egypt, they rebelled against His leadership when they found themselves at the Red Sea with no way across and the enemy bearing down on them. They questioned His lovingkindness and doubted His power. Yet, He still provided a way of escape. During their days in the wilderness, they repeatedly complained against His leadership, ability to provide, and the integrity of His plan for their lives. The Psalmist reminds his readers, "In the wilderness, their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry land" (Psalms 106:14 NLT).

Driven by their physical desires, and not just for food, the people continually rebelled against God. The list goes on and on, and their track record was not a good one. They forgot God, worshiped idols, and complained continually. They even rejected the idea of the promised land, demanding that Moses allow them to return to Egypt. They seemingly forgot the fact of their 400 years of captivity and suffering, or decided that they would rather be slaves in Egypt than servants of the one true God in the land of promise.

The psalmist reminds them how God repeatedly punished them for their rebellion. He sent nations against them, using these foreign invaders to subjugate and oppress them. Then, God would miraculously deliver them, only to see them fall back into the same sin and rebellion. This cycle of sin, suffering, and salvation is the story of the period of the Judges.

Again and again he rescued them,
    but they chose to rebel against him,
    and they were finally destroyed by their sin.

Even so, he pitied them in their distress
    and listened to their cries. – Psalm 106:43-44 NLT

Even so. Nevertheless. Yet. Still.

Various translations render verse 44 differently, yet it provides the key to understanding this entire psalm. Despite all they had done to alienate God and rebel against Him, He responded in love, kindness, mercy, and grace. He looked down. He heard their cry. He remembered His covenant with them. He relented. Even when they found themselves in captivity in Babylon, God caused their captors to show them mercy, to the point that they allowed the people of God to return to their own land.

God cared for His rebellious people even though they had rejected Him. That is why He is worthy of their praise. He had saved them and gathered them from among the nations. So, their response should be to glorify His name and bless Him for who He is and all that He has done. The psalmist strongly encourages them to thank God for His undeserved grace and mercy. This message should have resonated with the people of Israel because He had been good to them. He had graciously orchestrated their return to the land and allowed them to rebuild their destroyed capital and desecrated Temple. Yahweh had kept His promise and restored their broken relationship with Him. 

But what about us? Do we fully understand all that God has done for us through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son? Do we comprehend the magnitude of our own sin and rebellion, our alienation from God due to our inherited and inherent sin natures? We, too, were separated from God by a gulf that was too wide for us to cross. We were condemned by sin and were worthy of God's righteous and just punishment. We were dead in our sinfulness and yet, nevertheless, even so, still – God sent His Son.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:6-8 NASB

We couldn't save ourselves, so God did it for us by sending His Son to die in our place. He showed us mercy when we deserved wrath. He extended grace that was unwarranted and undeserved. Now we stand before Him as forgiven, righteous, redeemed, restored, and with full access to His throne as His children. So why wouldn't we praise Him? Why wouldn't we constantly thank Him for all that He has done? Why would we waste a single second complaining about our lot in life? Why would we even think about whining when He has saved us from captivity to sin and the penalty of eternal death?

And all the people shall say, “Amen.”
Praise the Lord! – Psalms 106:48 NASB

Father, I have so much to praise You for, but I need nothing more than the fact that You have saved me in spite of me. You took me when I was at my worst and provided a way of salvation I couldn't have come up with on my own. I was dead and You made me alive. I was captive to a life of sin and You set me free. I was condemned to death and You pardoned me. You paid the price for my sin that I could never have afforded to pay. I stand before You restored, redeemed, and fully forgiven by You. So You are more than worthy of my praise! Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Plenty of Cause for Praise

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul!
    O LORD my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2     covering yourself with light as with a garment,
    stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
    he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
    his ministers a flaming fire.

5 He set the earth on its foundations,
    so that it should never be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
    the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled;
    at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
    to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
    so that they might not again cover the earth.

10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
    they flow between the hills;
11 they give drink to every beast of the field;
    the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
    they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
    the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
    and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
15     and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
    and bread to strengthen man's heart.

16 The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly,
    the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 In them the birds build their nests;
    the stork has her home in the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats;
    the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons;
    the sun knows its time for setting.
20 You make darkness, and it is night,
    when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
21 The young lions roar for their prey,
    seeking their food from God.
22 When the sun rises, they steal away
    and lie down in their dens.
23 Man goes out to his work
    and to his labor until the evening.

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom have you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Here is the sea, great and wide,
    which teems with creatures innumerable,
    living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
    and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

27 These all look to you,
    to give them their food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up;
    when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
    when you take away their breath, they die
    and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
    and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
    may the LORD rejoice in his works,
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    for I rejoice in the LORD.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
    and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Praise the LORD! – Psalm 104:1-35 ESV

When was the last time you expressed your love and adoration to God? I mean, really let Him know how much you appreciate Him? In this psalm, the anonymous author echoes David's words in Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O my soul… – Psalm 103:1 ESV

His word-for-word use of David's lyrics is not a case of plagiarism but a recognition of the truth behind their meaning. He understands that true worship begins in the soul, or man's heart. So, he repeats David's words, but makes them his own by adding a personal touch to explain his cause for rejoicing.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
    O LORD my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty… – Psalm 104:1 ESV

While David focused on Yahweh's love, grace, mercy, and provision for His people, this unnamed psalmist concentrates His attention on the wonder of Yahweh's handiwork, particularly His creation. 

You are dressed in a robe of light.
You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;
    you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot;
    you ride upon the wings of the wind.
The winds are your messengers;
    flames of fire are your servants. – Psalm 104:2-4 NLT

Using his sanctified imagination, the psalmist tries to picture the moment Yahweh created the heavens and the earth. Familiar with the oft-repeated details of the creation account, he describes God as arrayed in light, a symbol of His purity, power, and life-giving nature.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. – Genesis 1:1-4 NLT

God began His act of creation by illuminating the darkness with the light of His presence. It is no coincidence that the Genesis account records the presence of light before the sun, moon, and stars came into existence. Without advanced scientific training or a degree in cosmology, the psalmist inherently understood that God was the original source of light.

In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John records his vision of the New Jerusalem, the divinely designed and constructed city that will be the final home for God and His people at the end of the age. After destroying His first creation, God will begin again.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” – Revelation 21:1-4 NLT

When God recreates heaven and earth this time, there will be one dramatic difference.

And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. – Revelation 21:23-25 NLT

The psalmist had no way of knowing what John saw in his vision, but he inherently knew that God was the source of light. He understood the power and majesty of God because he could see it in the universe around him. When he witnessed the seas and the mountains, he could only conclude that they were the handiwork of an all-powerful God who was to be treated with awe and admiration.

But the psalmist didn't stop with his admiration for God's creative ability; he went on to describe God's life-sustaining power.

You make springs pour water into the ravines,
    so streams gush down from the mountains.
They provide water for all the animals,
    and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds nest beside the streams
    and sing among the branches of the trees.
You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,
    and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.
You cause grass to grow for the livestock
    and plants for people to use.
You allow them to produce food from the earth… – Psalm 104:10-14 NLT

The entire creation was designed to support and sustain life, but specifically human life. Man was the apex of God's creation and was intended to be the caretaker of all that He had made. The rest of the creative order was designed as the source of human flourishing and fruitfulness.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth,c and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

So God created human beingsd in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened. – Genesis 1:26-30 NLT

The psalmist understood that God had designed the earth for mankind. He could survey the world around him and see that every facet of the creation pointed to God’s sustaining power. The LORD had created an environment in which life would not only survive, but thrive. His power kept the stars and planets in their places, provided light and warmth from the sun, and food for every living creature, including man.

They all depend on you
    to give them food as they need it.
When you supply it, they gather it.
    You open your hand to feed them,
    and they are richly satisfied.
But if you turn away from them, they panic.
    When you take away their breath,
    they die and turn again to dust.
When you give them your breath, life is created,
    and you renew the face of the earth. – Psalm 104:27-30 NLT

The psalmist was blown away by it all, and he expressed his awe in the form of a prayer.

May the glory of the LORD continue forever!
    The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made! – Psalm 104:31 NLT

He knew that the universe was no accident and that the ongoing existence of humanity could not be left to chance. Yahweh was the only logical explanation for all that existed and the only hope for its continued flourishing. Without God’s ongoing power and provision, life as we know it would be unsustainable. And, as the psalmist thought about this sobering truth, he could only respond in worship and praise.

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live.
    I will praise my God to my last breath!
May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,
    for I rejoice in the LORD. – Psalm 104:33-34 NLT

Let's face it, most of us take God for granted. We rarely think about the fact that each breath we take is a gift from Him. Unless we happen to be standing at the brink of the Grand Canyon looking out over its majestic landscape, we probably don't get blown away by His creative handiwork. We rarely stand in awe of His power and creativity as we drive to work or mow the grass. But if we could train ourselves to think "godly" thoughts and look for Him daily in the world around us, we would probably be more grateful and a lot less grumpy!

So, let us adore Him, sing His praises, and shout about His incredible mercies. Remind one another of His limitless love. We have much for which to be grateful, and there's more to come.

Let all that I am praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! – Psalm 104:35 NLT

Father, give me eyes to see You, lips to praise you, ears to hear you, hands to serve you, feet to follow you, and a lifetime that is filled with adoration for who You are and all that You have done. Amen 

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Bless the LORD

Of David.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.
19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his word,
    obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
    his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the LORD, all his works,
    in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! – Psalm 103:1-22 ESV

Gratefulness to God begins with an awareness of all He has done for us. Failure to recognize God’s activity in our lives makes it extremely unlikely that we will be grateful. It’s hard to praise Him for all He has done if we remain oblivious to His activity in our lives. In this psalm, David is purposefully recalling and acknowledging the LORD's gracious involvement and declares his intent to “never forget the good things he does for me” (Psalm 103:2b NLT). Then he goes on to list all those “good things:”

• He forgives all my sins

• He heals all my diseases

• He redeems me from death

• He crowns me with love and tender mercies

• He fills my life with good things

• He renews my youth

• He gives righteousness and justice

• He is compassionate and merciful

• He is slow to get angry

• He is filled with unfailing love

• He will not constantly accuse us

• He doesn’t remain angry with us forever

• He doesn’t punish us for all our sins

• He doesn’t deal harshly with us, as we deserve

• He shows us unfailing love that is immeasurable and unlimited

• He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west

• He treats us like a father would his children

• He is tender and compassionate

• He knows and understands our weaknesses

• His love for us remains forever

• He rules over everything

This rather extensive list is not unique to David. All of these “good things” are available to us as His children, and are just as true of my relationship with God as they were of David. The problem is that we don’t tend to think about them. Instead, we dwell on the things we believe God has failed to do for us. We concentrate on all the unanswered prayers and unmet expectations. We may have some specific need we want God to address, but in our estimation, He has failed to adequately deal with it. In the meantime, we fail to recognize and appreciate the unfailing love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace He extends to us daily, like clockwork.

One of the most amazing realizations David expresses in this Psalm is found in verse 10. The NET Bible translates it this way:

He does not deal with us as our sins deserve;
he does not repay us as our misdeeds deserve. – Psalm 103:10 NLT

This is another way of looking at God’s incredible mercy and grace. You see, mercy is God not giving you what you deserve (withheld punishment), and grace is God giving you what you don’t deserve (unmerited favor). David understood that, due to our sin, God had every right to deal with us harshly, but He chose to show mercy instead. Rather than give us what we deserve, God showers us with His unmerited grace. Until we come to grips with the reality of that statement, we will never properly praise God for who He is and what He has done.

Christ’s death on the cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love and grace. His death made our forgiveness possible. The sacrifice of His Son allowed God to withhold our punishment because, in dying in our place, Christ paid our debt in full. The righteous wrath of God was satisfied once and for all. As a result, God removed our sins “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12 ESV). We no longer stand before God as guilty and condemned, but as forgiven and redeemed. Despite our past sinful actions, God now sees us as righteous and holy. The apostle Paul understood the magnitude of this gracious act of God.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. – Romans 8:1-2 NLT

So if we think about it, we have just as much to be grateful for as David did – even more. We have enjoyed the benefit of Christ’s sacrificial, substitutionary death on the cross. So, like David, we should be able to say, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name” (Psalm 103:1 NLT).

Father, the good things You have done for me are real and deserving of my gratitude and praise. I should be praising You for who You are and all that You have done and continue to do on a daily basis. Open my eyes and help me see Your activity in and around my life. Give me an increasing awareness of Your grace and mercy so that I will praise You more. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Good Shepherd

A Psalm for giving thanks.

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2  Serve the LORD with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations. – Psalm 100:1-5 ESV

This anonymous psalm closes out this section of the psalter that celebrates Yahweh's rule and reign. It provides a succinct yet triumphant statement regarding the Almighty's worthiness of worship and adoration, and repeats a phrase found in an earlier psalm.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    break forth into joyous song and sing praises! – Psalm 98:4 ESV

This call for God's people to respond to His majesty and might with joy-filled voices is meant to be a command, not a suggestion. The psalmist can't imagine any other acceptable response to all that God has done. He is a great and good God who not only formed man out of the dust of the ground, but also created the nation of Israel from an elderly man and his equally old and barren wife. The Israelites existed because God had done the impossible. He took a pagan idol worshiper and commissioned him for an impossible mission.

“Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” – Genesis 12:1 NLT

Abram had to abandon his false gods and follow Yahweh, leaving behind his homeland and family to travel to a distant land that God promised to give his descendants as their inheritance. If Abram obeyed, God assured Abram that his future descendants would be great in number and a blessing to the nations.

“I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:2-3 NLT

And God had kept that promise. That is why the psalmist calls on the people of Israel to acknowledge the miracle God had done for them.

Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
    He made us, and we are his.
    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. – Psalm 100:4 NLT

The Israelites had been richly blessed by God, but they had responded with disobedience, unfaithfulness, and ingratitude. For generations, they had chosen to worship the gods of the pagan nations around them. Their kings had proven to be poor leaders, and their priests had exposed themselves as unreliable shepherds.

Yet, the psalmist knew that God still deserved their adoration and praise. That is why he called them to reverse their trend of infidelity and return to the One who created them and called them His own.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name. – Psalm 100:4 NLT

The people of Israel had proven to be unreliable, unfaithful, and undeserving of Yahweh's grace and mercy, but they remained His chosen people. Yahweh's faithfulness was unshakeable, and His love was unfailing.

For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation. – Psalm 100:5 NLT

There is no indication of when this psalm was written, but it could have been at any time in Israel's less-than-flattering history. Their very existence as a nation was due to God's unmerited love and favor, and He deserved their undivided adoration and appreciation.

Over the centuries, this moving psalm has inspired other authors to pick up the pen and “ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name” (Psalm 29:2 ESV). In 1561, William Kethe used Psalm 100 as the inspiration for his hymn: “All People That On Earth Do Dwell.”

All people that on Earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with fear, his praise forthtell;
Come ye before him and rejoice.

The Lord, ye know, is God indeed;
Without our aid he did us make;
We are his folk, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.

O enter then his gates with praise,
Approach with joy his courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.

For why? The Lord our God is good;
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure. – William Kethe (1561)

But this engaging imagery of Yahweh as the good and gracious shepherd must be balanced by the weight of His holiness and justice. God could not turn a blind eye to the disobedience of His chosen people or the poor leadership of those appointed to serve as His undershepherds. The Book of Ezekiel records God's less-than-pleased response to the shoddy shepherding of Israel’s kings and priests.

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.” – Ezekiel 34:2-6 NLT

They had dropped the ball, and Yahweh was not pleased.

“As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey.” – Ezekiel 34:8-10 NLT

Despite the failed leadership of Israel's royal and religious castes, Yahweh was going to restore the fortunes of His abandoned flock. He would step in and remedy the problem by rescuing His sheep

“I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!” – Ezekiel 34:11-16 NLT

God will accomplish this divine rescue by appointing a shepherd who will replicate the leadership of David, the great shepherd-king of Israel.

“So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!” – Ezekiel 34:22-24 NLT

And centuries later, Jesus would claim to be the fulfillment of this divine promise of restoration and redemption.

“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” – John 10:7-16  NLT

The psalmist had no way of knowing about Jesus’ incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. He was equally oblivious to the Second Coming of Christ and His role as the Shepherd-King who would reign in righteousness from David's throne in Jerusalem for a thousand years. But the psalmist knew enough about Yahweh's faithfulness and unfailing love to understand that He could be trusted and was worthy of worship and praise. How much more should we be willing to acknowledge the greatness of our God when we know how the story ends?

“His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation” (Psalm 100:5 NLT). Jesus is the proof of that statement, and should be all the motivation we need to sing Yahweh's praises.

Father, I don't praise You enough, and I certainly don't thank you enough for all that You have done for me. I am blessed beyond belief. That You, the God of the universe, chose to have a relationship with me and made it possible through the gracious gift of Your Son's sinless life should blow me away and leave me with no other response that to shout Your praises. Forgive me for my ingratitude. I am sorry that I treat Your grace so cheaply and your love as if I somehow deserve it. I know nothing could be further from the truth. So, I stop right now to say, “the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, nand his faithfulness continues to each generation. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The LORD Reigns

1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
    sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!
    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12     let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13     before the LORD, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness. – Psalm 96:1-13 ESV

This psalm is prominently cited in a song ascribed to King David when he brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. As the centerpiece of Israel’s worship, the Ark represented the presence of God. During their days wandering through the wilderness, the Israelites were comforted by the fact that Yahweh's Shekinah glory rested above the mercy seat, which served as the lid for the Ark. So, when David relocated the Ark into his capital city, he wrote a celebratory song that reminded the people of Israel of the goodness and greatness of their God.

In penning the words to his song, David borrowed heavily from Psalm 96, incorporating some of its most memorable lines to encourage the heartfelt worship of Yahweh among his people. God's presence among them was not to be taken lightly or for granted. As the sovereign King of the universe, Yahweh demanded honor, reverence, and unwavering allegiance from His covenant people. Their obedience to His commands was not optional, and their steadfast devotion to Him alone was not up for debate. He had clearly communicated the terms of His relationship with the people of Israel, and He expected wholehearted compliance on their part. 

“I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.” – Exodus 20:5 NLT   

If they wanted to experience Yahweh’s presence, power, and provision, they would need to be faithful. By bringing the Ark into Jerusalem, David was relocating God's presence into the heart of his capital and reminding his people of their complete reliance upon Him for all their needs. He alone could protect them from their enemies, provide for all their needs, and pour out forgiveness and redemption for their sins. Without Yahweh, they would be just another nation striving to preserve their existence in a world marked by hostility and mired in sin.

Psalm 96 opens with the words, “Sing to the Lord a new song.” This was a call for the people of Israel to praise Yahweh, not just for His past acts of deliverance but for His present activity in their lives. He was present and moving powerfully in their midst. The God who created the universe and delivered their ancestors from their captivity in Egypt was still moving mightily in their lives. That is why the psalmist states, “Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does” (Psalm 96:2-3 NLT).

As David celebrated the arrival of the Ark into Jerusalem, he used the words of Psalm 96 to encourage faithfulness among his people. He wanted them to understand their need for God and their obligation to declare His glory to the nations around them. Every time Yahweh moved among His people, they were to declare His majesty, power, and sovereignty to the surrounding nations. His glorious deeds among His people were to be a testimony to His greatness and evidence of His role as the one true God. That is why the psalmist addresses the pagan nations and calls on them to reject their false gods and worship Yahweh alone.

O nations of the world, recognize the LORD;
    recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.
Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!
    Bring your offering and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. – Psalm 96:7-9 NLT

But their acknowledgment of Yahweh depended on the Israelites’ faithfulness and willingness to declare His glory. If God's people don't see Him as active in their lives and refuse to declare His power and presence, the nations will continue to seek help and hope from false gods. God’s people were to declare, “The Lord reigns!” (Psalm 96:10 ESV). But this was to be more than lip service or pious-sounding rhetoric. It was to come from the heart and express their own personal experience. 

This psalm provides a glimpse of what it means to worship God. It is less an activity than an awareness of God's character and attributes. It is a recognition of who He is, what He has done, and what He will do because of His unchanging character. God is loving and kind. He is holy and righteous. He is powerful and completely in control. What He says, He will do. He can be trusted. He is reliable. Even when things do not appear to be going as expected, and God seems nowhere in sight, He is there.

His character is consistent with His behavior, and it is in keeping with His word. If we don’t understand who God is, we will never truly worship Him. The reality of HIS faithfulness allows us to be faithful to Him. If we view Him as untrustworthy, we will doubt and disobey Him. If we don’t believe His promises, we will never rest in them. And we will never be able to say, “The Lord reigns!” and mean it. Our testimony to God's goodness and greatness will become second-hand and lack personal evidence that He is alive and active in our lives. This lack of firsthand experience with Yahweh will weaken our testimony and fail to impress a lost and dying world that our God rules and reigns.

Our worship of God is fickle and feeble at best. It tends to be based on present circumstances. If things are going well, our God is good and worthy of praise. If things are going poorly, we begin to doubt Him and even complain about our lot in life. When we do, we portray Yahweh as a fickle, fairweather God who can’t be trusted or relied upon. 

Even when we worship Him, our efforts can portray a half-hearted commitment that paints God as an add-on to our lives rather than the sole focus of our affection. We turn worship into an activity that we only participate in on Sundays. Our devotion to Him is relegated to a worship hour and a particular music style. The entire endeavor becomes more about us than Him. We judge the effectiveness of our worship based on our personal tastes. If we enjoy our worship service of choice and like the music and the message we hear, we believe we’ve worshiped. But we can go through that process and never acknowledge God's lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, truth, and strength. We can feel good, but leave without having grown closer to God. In essence, the worship service becomes more about us than Him.

This psalm reminds us that God is to be our focus. Not because of what He is currently doing for us, but simply because of who He is. He is God, and there is no one else like Him. He is God, and He is entirely trustworthy and true. He is God, and is all-powerful, and capable of doing whatever He chooses to do. If He is not doing what we THINK He should be doing, He has a very good reason. If He allows difficulty into our lives, He is not asleep, apathetic, or impotent; He has a plan.

Yahweh has made us, and we are His sheep. We belong to Him, and He knows what is best for us. But do we trust Him? Do we believe He is strong enough to meet any and all of our needs? Do we comprehend just how much He loves us? The psalmist reminds us that when God made a promise to David that his kingdom would endure forever, even the people's unfaithfulness and disobedience could not alter that promise's reality and reliability. God's word endures. His faithfulness is unfailing. His lovingkindness is everlasting. His truth never falters. His strength never diminishes.

Tell the nations about his splendor.
Tell all the nations about his amazing deeds.
For the LORD is great and certainly worthy of praise;
he is more awesome than all gods. – Psalms 96:3-4 NET

Father, so often I attempt to worship You in ignorance. I try to sing Your praises but I don't fully understand or appreciate who You are. I tend to sing only when I feel like it. I praise You only when You’ve done something for me. Yet You are worthy of praise all the time. You are loving, kind, righteous, holy, trustworthy, and powerful to save. Help me come to know You better so that I might better worship You rightly. Not just for what You do but just because of who You are. And may I be able to declare to the nations, “The LORD reigns!” and truly mean it because I have experienced it in my own life. Amen 

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

A Right Response to a Righteous God

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.

1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
    to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
    and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
    to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
    at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

5 How great are your works, O LORD!
    Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know;
    the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass
    and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
8     but you, O LORD, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O LORD,
    for behold, your enemies shall perish;
    all evildoers shall be scattered.

10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
    you have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
    my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
    and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the LORD;
    they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
    they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the LORD is upright;
    he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. – Psalm 92:1-15 ESV

In this psalm of thanksgiving, the unidentified author provides a litany of reasons to praise Yahweh. His exuberant song takes the form of a prayer, with his words spoken directly to the One whose blessings he enjoyed.  He expounds on the benefits of verbally declaring God’s unfailing love and faithfulness and proudly admits his habit of doing so regularly.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
    your faithfulness in the evening… – Psalm 92:1-2 NLT

In this eloquently written song of praise, the psalmist paints a clear picture of how the people of God should respond to Him. We will see life from a different perspective as we reflect on all that He has done in the past and all that He is doing around us in the present. As we read the Scriptures, we discover His character and learn about His great acts of goodness and righteousness toward His people over the years. Reflection on who God is and how He interacts with His people results in increased optimism and trust.

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
    I sing for joy because of what you have done.
O Lord, what great works you do! – Psalm 92:4-5 NLT

We are more apt to rejoice even when things do not appear to go the way we would like them to go, because we know and understand His character. Thanksgiving and praise come more readily and freely because we see life from God's perspective. He is powerful, loving, righteous, just, and causes His people to live fruitful lives even in times of difficulty.

We tend to forget that God is ruler over everything and everyone. As we survey the disturbing state of the world, it can sometimes appear as if God is somehow a powerless spectator to the events taking place or, worse yet, a disinterested deity who could do something about it, but chooses not to. But the psalmist reminds us that God reigns and rules on high.

But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever. – Psalm 92:8 NLT

God is in complete control, and He is all-powerful. Praise and thanksgiving come naturally when we genuinely believe these things about God. But when we doubt His power and majesty and don't recognize His faithfulness and love for us, we find it hard to thank Him in times of difficulty.

But where do we learn about God? How can we grow in our confidence in His character and power? One way is through the reading of His Word. As we read the Scriptures, we are given a glimpse into the incredible character of God as it is exposed in the stories of God's interactions with mankind. We see examples of His love, mercy, kindness, and righteousness, as well as His anger, justice, holiness, and hatred of sin. We also see God's redemptive nature. From the stories of the Old Testament, we learn that God longs to redeem and rescue His people from their slavery to sin and introduce them to the life of freedom He so graciously offers.

But the psalmist sees God's handiwork in his own life and declares his personal experience with God's power, provision, and blessings.

But you have made me as strong as a wild ox.
    You have anointed me with the finest oil. – Psalm 92:10 NLT

For the psalmist, Yahweh wasn't a distant deity who rarely entered into the affairs of men; He was a personal and intimate God who made His presence known in tangible ways.

My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
    my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents. – Psalm 92:11 NLT

The Bible is a picture of who God is. The stories are reminders of His character. He is the same today as He was then. But we can also learn of God's character as He works in and around our lives today. But we have to know what to look for. We can see His faithfulness and love as we encounter other believers who come alongside us in times of difficulty. Their love is an expression of His love. We can see God's power when we see marriages restored or sicknesses healed. We can see God's provision every time we eat a meal, deposit a paycheck, or pay a bill. He provides the means to do them all. We can see God's matchless mercy and grace every time we find ourselves falling into sin yet again. Despite our failure to remain faithful, we can go to Him and receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Like the psalmist, we can see God in our lives, but we have to train ourselves to look for Him. When we learn to see Him, we will begin to thank Him, sing His praises, and declare His goodness and mercy. And the older we get, the more we will be able to look back on our lives and see the signs of God's presence and power on display. And while our life may feature moments of pain, suffering, and disappointment, we can sing His praises along with the psalmist.

The righteous flourish like the palm tree
    and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the Lord;
    they flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
    they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the Lord is upright;
    he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. – Psalm 92:12-15 ESV

Father, it is good to give You thanks, but I confess that I spend far too much time complaining and far too little time being grateful. Yet, when I look back on my life, I see so many examples of Your love, mercy, grace, and power. You have given me much to be thankful for and I have no excuse for my ingratitude. I have been richly blessed and am totally undeserving of all that You have done. Thank You for your kindness, patience, unfailing love, and commitment to my well-being. Without You, I would be nothing. Help me to sing Your praises more regularly and joyfully so that others may know just how good and great You are. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Singing God's Praises

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You return man to dust
    and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
    are but as yesterday when it is past,
    or as a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
    like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
    in the evening it fades and withers.

7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
    by your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
    we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The years of our life are seventy,
    or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
    they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger,
    and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12 So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O LORD! How long?
    Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
    and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the LORD our God be upon us,
    and establish the work of our hands upon us;
    yes, establish the work of our hands! – Psalm 90:1-17 ESV

This psalm is attributed to Moses, making it the oldest of all the psalms recorded in the Psalter. In this eloquent prayer, Moses addresses God’s faithfulness by focusing on His eternality. He is the ever-present Creator God who not only formed the universe but also faithfully cares for it.

For Moses, God’s eternal nature was a comfort and a concern. He knew God personally and had spent countless hours on top of Mount Sinai receiving instructions to pass on to the people of Israel. Moses had performed miracles in the power of God. He stood before Pharaoh and spoke on behalf of God. This former murderer and sheep herder had delivered the people of God from their slavery in Egypt and then led them across the wilderness to Canaan. During the 40 years he served as Israel's guide, judge, and counselor, Moses saw the power of God on display. He had witnessed God destroy the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. But he had also seen God punish His own people for their disobedience. The Almighty was a force to be reckoned with and not taken lightly or treated flippantly.

You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
    They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
In the morning it blooms and flourishes,
    but by evening it is dry and withered. – Psalm 90:5-6 NLT

Moses had observed firsthand the wrath of God. He had been an eyewitness to God's destruction of Korah and his co-conspirators (Numbers 16:1-40). He had seen God consume Aaron's disobedient sons with fire (Leviticus 10:1-20). He was forced to stand back and watch as God inflicted his sister Miriam with leprosy (Numbers 12:1-10). From his perspective, God’s power was awe-inspiring and fear-producing.  

We wither beneath your anger;
    we are overwhelmed by your fury.
You spread out our sins before you—
    our secret sins—and you see them all.
We live our lives beneath your wrath,
    ending our years with a groan. – Psalm 90:7-9 NLT

Moses began his ministry of deliverance at the age of 40 and served another 40 years as Israel's God-appointed leader. During that time, he experienced all the ups and downs that come with leadership. He was constantly questioned, doubted, accused, ignored, and blamed. He endured a failed coup attempt. His leadership skills were ridiculed, his sense of direction was questioned, and his calling by God was regularly doubted by those he was supposed to lead. So, by the time he reached his seventies, Moses was a worn-out, doubt-filled man who struggled with a lack of confidence and a fear of failure.

Seventy years are given to us!
    Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
    soon they disappear, and we fly away. – Psalm 90:10 NLT

Moses had been reluctant to serve as God's deliverer, but now that he had spent nearly half his life attempting to lead a stubborn people to the “land of promise,” he was worn out and questioning God’s reliability and his own competency. He felt alone and deserted. The people fought him at every turn, and it appeared as if God had abandoned him somewhere along the way.

O LORD, come back to us!
    How long will you delay?
    Take pity on your servants! – Psalm 90:13 NLT

Leading God's people was difficult work and came with few perks. Moses didn't receive many thanks or commendations along the way. The people were always quick to complain but rarely expressed gratitude for his selfless service. He labored and toiled without pay and little in the way of remuneration for his efforts. In his weariness and depression, Moses called out to God and begged for His intervention.

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
    so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
    Replace the evil years with good. – Psalm 90:14-15 NLT

When Moses received his calling from God on Mount Sinai, he had been reluctant to accept God's commission. He felt he was the wrong man for the job and was ill-equipped to pull off such a daunting task. But God assured him, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12 NLT). Yahweh would go with him and before him. The great Creator God would lead the way and provide Moses all the power he needed to accomplish his mission. 

But decades later, Moses was running out of steam and losing motivation. The journey had taken much longer than expected, and the people of Israel proved to be far more stubborn and difficult to lead than Moses could have imagined. Yes, there had been victories along the way. God had stepped in and provided manna and quail when the people grew hungry. He had provided water when the people’s thirst caused them to complain. During their years wandering in the wilderness, their clothes and sandals had not worn out. Yahweh had provided for all their needs.

But as the people neared the end of their journey and Moses approached the end of his life, he was begging God to show up yet again. He desperately desired to see Yahweh demonstrate His power and display His glory one more time.

Let us, your servants, see you work again;
    let our children see your glory.
And may the Lord our God show us his approval
    and make our efforts successful.
    Yes, make our efforts successful! – Psalm 90:16-17 NLT

This song of Moses stands in stark contrast to another song he wrote decades earlier. Immediately after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, Moses penned the following words:

“I will sing to the Lord,
    for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
    into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him—
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
The Lord is a warrior;
    Yahweh is his name!
Pharaoh’s chariots and army
    he has hurled into the sea.
The finest of Pharaoh’s officers
    are drowned in the Red Sea.” – Exodus 15:1-4 NLT

Moses was stoked. His excitement was palpable and contagious. He had seen God perform an epic miracle, and he wanted everyone to know about it. But by the time we get to Psalm 90, Moses is a much older and wilderness-wearied man who had long forgotten the miracle of the Red Sea. For Moses, his best days were in the rearview mirror. The future was unsure, and the presence of God was in question.

But there is yet another song that Moses wrote. It came near the end of his life as he prepared to turn over the reins of leadership to Joshua. Moses was 80 years old and had spent half his life guiding the people of Israel from Egypt to Canaan. But despite his age, Moses was far from weak and not the least bit pessimistic. It is almost as if his prayer in Psalm 90 had been answered. Even in old age, he had a renewed sense of faith and hope in Yahweh.

“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak!
    Hear, O earth, the words that I say!
Let my teaching fall on you like rain;
    let my speech settle like dew.
Let my words fall like rain on tender grass,
    like gentle showers on young plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
    how glorious is our God!
He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
    Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
    how just and upright he is!

“But they have acted corruptly toward him;
    when they act so perversely,
are they really his children?
    They are a deceitful and twisted generation.
Is this the way you repay the Lord,
    you foolish and senseless people?
Isn’t he your Father who created you?
    Has he not made you and established you?” – Deuteronomy 32:1-6 NLT

Even as he anticipated his death, Moses expressed his faith in Yahweh. His days had been numbered by God, and the end was near. Yet, Moses was not bitter or disappointed. He did not moan about his lot in life or express frustration over his inability to enter the land of promise with the rest of the Israelites. 

No, Moses encouraged the people of Israel to remember God for who He was and for all that He had done. He also reminded them to own their own rebellion and recognize their unfaithfulness to God. Over the last 40 years, Yahweh had given them what they deserved but had also showered them with unmerited favor and grace. They were about to enter the land of promise and enjoy all the blessings of Yahweh, and Moses wanted them to know that obedience would be a non-negotiable requirement.

So, he ended his last song with a call to rejoice in the Lord. He wanted the people of Israel to acknowledge God's goodness and greatness.

“Rejoice with him, you heavens,
    and let all of God’s angels worship him.
Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles,
    and let all the angels be strengthened in him.
For he will avenge the blood of his children;
    he will take revenge against his enemies.
He will repay those who hate him
    and cleanse his people’s land.” – Deuteronomy 32:43 NLT

Three songs written by the same man. But the greatest of the three is the last one because it reflects the faithfulness of a man who spent 80 years serving and worshiping Yahweh. As he approached the end of his life, he could still sing God's praises and call the people of Israel to remain faithful. 

Father, it is so easy to lose sight of Your faithfulness. Sometimes we can look back and see Your acts of power and mercy. But other times, we tend to forget and allow our thinking to become clouded and memories to become blurred. But You are always faithful. Your goodness and greatness never fade or falter. Your love remains the same no matter the circumstances. I want to be able to sing Your praises and I want to do so more loudly and joyously the older I get. May I have the perspective of Moses and be able to look back on my life and see Your handiwork woven throughout the fabric of my existence – from beginning to end. Because You are forever faithful. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Enter His Courts With Thanksgiving

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
    for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
    to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
    my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
    ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
    each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
    look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
    the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you! – Psalm 84:1-12 ESV

This psalm was written by the sons of Korah. The significance of this fact will mean little to the contemporary reader without further investigation into Korah’s dark history. The Book of Numbers records the sordid details surrounding his role in an uprising against the leadership of Moses and Aaron during Israel's journey from Egypt to Canaan.

One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?” – Deuteronomy 16:1-3 NLT 

Korah was a grandson of Kohath, one of the three sons of Levi. God had appointed the tribe of Levi to serve as assistants to the priestly line of Aaron.

“Call forward the tribe of Levi, and present them to Aaron the priest to serve as his assistants. They will serve Aaron and the whole community, performing their sacred duties in and around the Tabernacle. They will also maintain all the furnishings of the sacred tent, serving in the Tabernacle on behalf of all the Israelites. Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They have been given from among all the people of Israel to serve as their assistants. Appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood. But any unauthorized person who goes too near the sanctuary must be put to death.” – Numbers 3:6-10 NLT

According to the Book of Numbers, the Kohathites were responsible for transporting the various pieces of the Tabernacle whenever the Israelites broke camp.

“The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.” – Numbers 4:15 NLT

God gave further instructions to Moses and Aaron to ensure that the Kohathites carried out their responsibilities faithfully and in keeping with His commands.

“Do not let the Kohathite clans be destroyed from among the Levites! This is what you must do so they will live and not die when they approach the most sacred objects. Aaron and his sons must always go in with them and assign a specific duty or load to each person. The Kohathites must never enter the sanctuary to look at the sacred objects for even a moment, or they will die.” – Numbers 4:18-20 NLT

But somewhere along the way, Korah became disenchanted with what he believed to be the subservient role assigned to his clan. Because they were not sons of Aaron, they were forbidden from serving as priests. They weren’t even allowed to enter the Tabernacle or look at the holy objects. Their sole responsibility was to transport the ark, the table of showbread, the golden lamp stand, the altars, and the curtains from one location to another. But Korah suffered from delusions of grandeur and became jealous of the more prominent roles of Moses, Aaron, and his sons. Having aligned himself with a group of malcontents, Korah grew increasingly more frustrated and eventually led a coup to disrupt the leadership model God had given the people of Israel. Moses was forced to confront Korah for his actions. 

“Korah, he [God] has already given this special ministry to you and your fellow Levites. Are you now demanding the priesthood as well? The Lord is the one you and your followers are really revolting against! For who is Aaron that you are complaining about him?” – Numbers 16:10-11 NLT

But Korah and his 250 companions were unwilling to listen to Moses’ call for repentance. Instead, they stood their ground and forced God to step in and pass judgment on their actions.

The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers who were standing with them, and everything they owned. So they went down alive into the grave, along with all their belongings. The earth closed over them, and they all vanished from among the people of Israel. – Numbers 16:32-33 NLT

God punished Korah and his companions for their rebellion,  but the Book of Numbers reveals that God graciously spared some of the sons of Korah.

This Dathan and Abiram are the same community leaders who conspired with Korah against Moses and Aaron, rebelling against the Lord. But the earth opened up its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, and fire devoured 250 of their followers. This served as a warning to the entire nation of Israel. However, the sons of Korah did not die that day. – Numbers 26:9-11 NLT

This is what makes the content of Psalm 84 so significant. These undeserving survivors of God’s judgment are expressing gratitude for the privilege of being able to enter the courtyard of God's sanctuary. They are no longer complaining about their diminished role or inability to serve as priests. In fact, because the Tabernacle had been replaced by the Temple, they no longer had the responsibility of carrying its sacred items from one location to another. The Temple was a permanent structure, and so their role had been changed to that of doorkeepers and musicians.

This psalm reflects a remarkable change in attitude among the sons of Korah. Unlike their disgruntled ancestor, they are fully content with being able to enter the courtyard of the Sanctuary. The restrictions on their entering the holy places were still intact, yet they were satisfied with being able to worship Yahweh from the courtyard.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
    to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
    I will shout joyfully to the living God. – Psalm 84:1-2 NLT

The author marvels that sparrows can build nests in the courtyard's recesses and enjoy God's presence and protection. These common birds were welcome in God’s house and need not fear rejection. The psalmist expresses his deep joy at being accepted into God’s presence.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
    ever singing your praise! Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion. – Psalm 84:4-5 NLT

O LORD of hosts,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you! – Psalm 84:12 NLT

There is no hint of jealousy or dissatisfaction in his words. He is content to serve in whatever capacity God ordains, as long as he can enter the courtyard and enjoy the abiding presence of Yahweh. Overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of God, he pens one of the most well-known phrases in all of Scripture.

For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of wickedness. – Psalm 84:10 ESV

What a remarkable contrast to the words spoken by his disgruntled ancestor. This son of Korah is no longer wrestling with dissatisfaction and jealousy. He isn't battling discontentment or disillusionment with his lot in life. Instead, he is rejoicing in his undeserved privilege of entering God’s house and enjoying all the blessings it affords.

The psalmist even considers the annual pilgrimages the Israelites were required to make to the Temple in Jerusalem. These could have been long and arduous journeys that required sacrifice and suffering on the part of the pilgrims. But the psalmist paints a more positive picture by reminding his readers that the destiny will be well worth the journey.

What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
    who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
    it will become a place of refreshing springs.
    The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
They will continue to grow stronger,
    and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. – Psalm 84:5-7 NLT

Korah had grown discontented and dissatisfied with his God-ordained role. Rather than rejoice in the privilege provided to him by God, Korah allowed jealousy and envy to infect his heart and influence his decision-making. He coveted Moses' leadership role. He saw the priesthood as a more enviable and prestigious position that would garner him praise and equip him with power. But he completely overlooked the joy of serving God in humility and gladness. As a result, he suffered an ignominious death and had his rebellion recorded in God's Word as a powerful warning to others.

At least one of his sons learned a valuable lesson from Korah’s mistake. His gratitude for God's grace and mercy has been recorded for posterity, providing a powerful reminder that the pursuit of personal glory is no match for recognizing the blessing of living in God's presence.

Father, the history of Korah is painful to read, but it makes this psalm make sense. Korah's actions were based on jealousy and dissatisfaction. He wasn’t content with serving You. He wanted more. His focus on himself and his frustration stemmed from a relentless need to feel more important and recognized for his accomplishments. How easy it is to let dissatisfaction infect my life and think that I am not getting all I deserve. Lke Korah's son, I want to find joy in the privilege of entering Your presence. I am welcome in Your House, not because of who I am and anything I have done, but simply because of the finished work of Christ. May I always be satisfied with the marvelous reality that I can enter Your presence at any time, not based on my title or accomplishments but because of Christ. Amen 

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

God is Greatly to be Feared and Praised

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

1 We give thanks to you, O God;
    we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.

2 “At the set time that I appoint
    I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
    it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
    and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
    or speak with haughty neck.’”

6 For not from the east or from the west
    and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment,
    putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup
    with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
    and all the wicked of the earth
    shall drain it down to the dregs.

9 But I will declare it forever;
    I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
    but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. – Psalm 75:1-10 ESV

In this psalm of thanksgiving, Asaph speaks on behalf of the people of God, expressing their gratitude for His presence and power to deliver them. Asaph infers explicitly that God’s name is near, a fact that was intended to provide comfort and confidence to His people. For centuries, the Israelites had known God as Yahweh, the name Moses was instructed to use when he gave them God’s message of deliverance in Egypt.

God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD [Yahweh], the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” – Exodus 3:15 ESV

That name was tied to God’s presence. He is the great “I Am,” the one who was, is, and always will be. He is ever-present and always near, no matter the circumstances. During their 400 years of captivity in Egypt, God had been aware of their less-than-ideal conditions and He had heard their cries of despair.

“I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” – Exodus 3:7-10 NLT

Yahweh had always been with them, even in their darkest moments. It was Yahweh who had heard and delivered them from their bondage in Egypt. He had led them across the Red Sea on dry land. He guided them across the wilderness, providing them with food and water along the way. He went before them and gave them victories over their enemies as they occupied the land of promise.

The name Yahweh was near and dear to the Israelites’ hearts because it represented their unique relationship with Him. It was the name by which they knew Him as their personal and intimate God. He was always near and constantly interceding on their behalf. No other nation enjoyed that kind of relationship with Him. In fact, Moses reminded the people of Israel that the Law had been given to them by God to set them apart as His chosen people.

“Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?” – Deuteronomy 4:5-8 NLT

God was near and always ready to assist His people, but He demanded obedience and faithfulness. Their relationship with God was reciprocal, requiring them to keep their part of the covenant by worshiping Him alone.

“Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.” – Exodus 19:5-6 NLT

In his psalm, Asaph provides a short but powerful monologue spoken by Yahweh.

“At the time I have planned,
    I will bring justice against the wicked.
When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil,
    I am the one who keeps its foundations firm. 

“I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’
    I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists!
Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens
    or speak with such arrogance.’” – Psalm 75:2-5 NLT

This divine speech is intended to remind the Israelites of Yahweh’s sovereignty and to call the wicked to repentance. He is a God of justice who deals with the boastful and defiant. He can rescue, but also pour out His wrath on the unrighteous. They were not to take His nearness for granted or to treat His mercy with disdain. Yahweh was holy and expected those who bore His name to reflect His character. 

“Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the LORD [Yahweh] your God, am holy.” – Leviticus 19:2 NLT 

“So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the LORD [Yahweh] your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the LORD [Yahweh] who makes you holy.” – Leviticus 20:7-8 NLT

“You must be holy because I, the LORD [Yahweh], am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own.” – Leviticus 20:26 NLT

Through the medium of song, Asaph reminds his audience that it is Yahweh “alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall” (Psalm 75:7 NLT). While expressing gratitude to Yahweh for His goodness and grace, Asaph also wants to stress the painful reality of God’s judgment against the prideful, disobedient, and wicked. He describes Yahweh as pouring out a cup of judgment designed to leave all those who drink it staggering from its effects. This imagery of God’s judgment as intoxicating wine is found throughout the Scriptures.

Wake up, wake up, O Jerusalem!
    You have drunk the cup of the LORD’s [Yahweh] fury.
You have drunk the cup of terror,
    tipping out its last drops. – Isaiah 51:17 NLT

You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses.
    You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.
You have shaken our land and split it open.
    Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.
You have been very hard on us,
    making us drink wine that sent us reeling. – Psalm 60:1-3 NLT

Asaph wants his fellow Israelites to remember that their gracious, loving God is also jealous and holy and demands fidelity and faithfulness from His people. Picking up on the cup of wrath imagery, Asaph warns, “He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs” (Psalm 75:8 NLT). Yahweh’s love is worth celebrating, but His penchant for pouring out His judgment on the unrighteous also deserves remembering.

But Asaph closes his psalm on a positive note by expressing His trust in Yahweh’s sovereignty and justice.

But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;
    I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked,
    but I will increase the power of the godly.” – Psalm 75:9-10 NLT

He knows that as long as he lives obediently, he will have nothing to fear. Yahweh knows and sees all, and He will always reward the righteous and punish the wicked. Asaph will always have ample reason to praise Yahweh because he intends to obey Yahweh’s commands.

Father, You are a gracious and good God who pours out blessings on Your people. But You are also a holy and righteous God who hates sin and demands that Your people live in keeping with their identity as Your children. You are holy and You expect those who bear Your name to reflect Your character. But You don't expect us to do it in our own strength. You have given us the Holy Spirit, Your Word, and the Body of Christ to make our holiness possible. As Peter put it, You have “given us everything we need for living a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3 NLT). We don't have to manufacture holiness in our own strength because You have clothed us in the righteousness of Christ. That is why we owe You our praise and thanksgiving. With Asaph, I say, “I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.” Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Who Is Like You?

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge,
    to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O LORD, are my hope,
    my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
    you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.

7 I have been as a portent to many,
    but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
    and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
    forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me;
    those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, “God has forsaken him;
    pursue and seize him,
    for there is none to deliver him.”

12 O God, be not far from me;
    O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
    with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
    who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually
    and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all the day,
    for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
    O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
    your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God,
    reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
    O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
    will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness
    and comfort me again.

22 I will also praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
    O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy,
    when I sing praises to you;
    my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
    who sought to do me hurt. – Psalm 71:1-24 ESV

The unknown author of this psalm has been trusting in Yahweh for a long time and has never been disappointed. His experience with relying on the Almighty has been positive, and he is more than willing to share it with others.

O Lord, you alone are my hope.
    I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
Yes, you have been with me from birth;
    from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
    No wonder I am always praising you! – Psalm 71:5-6 NLT

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
    and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. – Psalm 71:17 NLT

But old age has caught up with him, and his diminished strength has left him ever more dependent upon God’s help and hope.

And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.
    Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. – Psalm 71:9 NLT

For years, this faithful servant has relied upon God to deliver him from difficulty and has used these divine interventions to sing God’s praises to anyone who would listen. He states, “My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection” (Psalm 71:7 NLT). Year after year, his loved ones and neighbors have been able to learn vicariously as they witnessed his repeated deliverance by God. His life has been a testimony to God’s faithfulness and a tangible example of what trust in God looks like.

But now, in the twilight of his life, his enemies are spreading the rumor that he has been abandoned by God. His latter years are filled with more turmoil than he can physically endure or emotionally handle.

As has been his custom, he takes his need to the LORD, begging Him to intervene.

O Lord, I have come to you for protection;
    don’t let me be disgraced. – Psalm 71:1 NLT

Be my rock of safety
    where I can always hide.
Give the order to save me… – Psalm 71:3 NLT

No details are given to explain the nature of his predicament, but the intensity of his suffering is unmistakable. He is surrounded by wicked and cruel oppressors who whisper against him and plot his demise. They accuse God of abandoning him and leaving him an easy target for their evil plans. But despite their verbal attacks and life-threatening overtures, the psalmist continues to place his hope in the LORD.

O God, don’t stay away.
    My God, please hurry to help me.
Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers.
    Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me. – Psalm 71:12-13 NLT

In his frustration and confusion, the psalmist calls on God to avenge him and uses powerful language to communicate his preferred consequences for his enemies. He doesn't turn the other cheek or ask God to forgive them because “they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NLT). No, he asks God to mete out justice and show no mercy. In his pain and suffering, he can only imagine an outcome that results in God’s wrath being poured out in full. No other resolution makes sense.

Living long before Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount, the psalmist operated under the premise of reciprocal justice, better known as lex talionis (law of retribution). The Mosaic Law contained a clause that supported this idea.

If there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise. – Exodus 21:23-25 NLT

But Jesus offered a different take on the law, declaring a higher standard for reciprocal justice.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” – Matthew 5:44-45 NLT

In his gospel account, Luke records a more nuanced version of Jesus’ radical message.

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” – Luke 6:27-31 NLT

Paul jumped on the bandwagon in his letter to the believers living in Rome, a hotbed of anti-Christian sentiment that was rife with persecution against Christ followers.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.…Never pay back evil with more evil. – Romans 12:14, 17 NLT

Even the apostle Peter got in on the action, calling believers to live by a completely different code of conduct.

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do… – 1 Peter 3:9 NLT

Yet, despite his adverse conditions and less-than-compassionate outlook, the psalmist knew he could count on God to hear and respond, providing him with another opportunity to sing God’s praises.

But I will keep on hoping for your help;
    I will praise you more and more.
I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
    All day long I will proclaim your saving power… – Psalm 71:14-15 NLT

God had proven Himself trustworthy and reliable time and time again, and the psalmist remained confident that God would come through this time as well. In fact, he saw Yahweh as incomparably consistent in HIs actions. As far as he was concerned, God was one of a kind and had a proven track record of coming through at just the right time, and this occasion would be no different.

Who can compare with you, O God?
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
    but you will restore me to life again
    and lift me up from the depths of the earth. – Psalm 71:19-20 NLT

The psalmist’s line of thought mirrors the words of Moses, written centuries earlier. When considering Israel's unique relationship with God, Moses was prone to point out how His righteousness and accessibility went hand in hand. God was holy, yet wholly approachable.

For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? – Deuteronomy 4:7-8 ESV

The law and sacrificial systems made it possible for unrighteous men to enter the presence of a holy God. That is why the psalmist was fully confident that God would restore him and thoroughly prepared to return the favor with joy, praise, and song.

Then I will praise you with music on the harp,
    because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lyre,
    O Holy One of Israel.
I will shout for joy and sing your praises,
    for you have ransomed me.
I will tell about your righteous deeds
    all day long… – Psalm 71:22-24 NLT

Old age may have diminished some of his physical faculties, but it had done nothing to curb his enthusiasm or minimize his trust in God. He would keep believing and hoping to the end because his God was trustworthy and true.

Father, the older I get, the more I understand what the psalmist is trying to say. Experience has proven that You are trustworthy and worthy of my wholehearted confidence. You have never given a reason NOT to trust You, so why would I beginnow? Give me the strength to rely on You even when things look bleak and dark. Help me to rest in Your sovereignty and trust in Your power to show up even when things are looking down. There is no god like You, and no other place I can turn in my times. of need. Amen 

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Living Lessons

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. Of David.

1 Save me, O God!
    For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire,
    where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
    and the flood sweeps over me.
3 I am weary with my crying out;
    my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
    with waiting for my God.

4 More in number than the hairs of my head
    are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
    those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal
    must I now restore?
5 O God, you know my folly;
    the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
    O Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
    O God of Israel.
7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,
    that dishonor has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,
    an alien to my mother's sons.

9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,
    and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,
    it became my reproach.
11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,
    I became a byword to them.
12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,
    and the drunkards make songs about me.

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.
    At an acceptable time, O God,
    in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
14 Deliver me
    from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
    and from the deep waters.
15 Let not the flood sweep over me,
    or the deep swallow me up,
    or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
    according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
17 Hide not your face from your servant,
    for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.
18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me;
    ransom me because of my enemies!

19 You know my reproach,
    and my shame and my dishonor;
    my foes are all known to you.
20 Reproaches have broken my heart,
    so that I am in despair.
I looked for pity, but there was none,
    and for comforters, but I found none.
21 They gave me poison for food,
    and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.

22 Let their own table before them become a snare;
    and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,
    and make their loins tremble continually.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them,
    and let your burning anger overtake them.
25 May their camp be a desolation;
    let no one dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,
    and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.
27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;
    may they have no acquittal from you.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
    let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

29 But I am afflicted and in pain;
    let your salvation, O God, set me on high!

30 I will praise the name of God with a song;
    I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox
    or a bull with horns and hoofs.
32 When the humble see it they will be glad;
    you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
33 For the LORD hears the needy
    and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
    the seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion
    and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it;
36     the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,
    and those who love his name shall dwell in it. – Psalm 69:1-36 ESV

Do you ever wonder why difficulty comes into your life? As a Christian, do you ever question why God would allow you to suffer at all? The presence of pain, persecution, and trials is difficult for us to understand, even as Christ-followers. As humans, we seem innately wired to run from trouble or to confront it head-on. Either way, we intend to escape it or remove it from our lives. Yet the reality of pain and suffering is one of the things we human beings all have in common. It comes in varying degrees of difficulty; some seem to suffer more than others. But no one gets to go through life completely untouched by sorrow, hurt, difficulty, trials, and the feelings of despair they bring.

Even as God’s anointed king of Israel, David was not immune to difficulty. In fact, long before his kingdom began, he found himself in dire straits, running for his life and spending his days living in the wilderness instead of a palace. Psalm 69 reflects the words of a man in deep trouble and up to his neck in difficulty. We don’t know the circumstances surrounding his situation, but it is clear that David is having a hard time. He says, “I am in deep water,” “I sink into the mire,” I am exhausted,” “I weep and fast,” and “I am in despair.”

Things are not going well for David, so he calls out to His God for help. He asks Yahweh to save him, rescue him, show him favor, and answer his prayer. He appeals to God’s unfailing love and mercy. David knows that God is his only hope. He fully understands that God alone can rescue him from everything happening to him. While David doesn’t enjoy what is taking place, he sees it as an opportunity to watch God work.

Don’t hide from your servant;
    answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!
Come and redeem me;
    free me from my enemies. – Psalm 69:17-18 NLT

I am suffering and in pain.
    Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. – Psalm 69:29 NLT

He knows this is a chance to witness the power of God displayed in and around his life. His pain and suffering provide a platform for God to display His power. And when God does rescue, David will have plenty of reasons for praise and thanksgiving. Not only that, all those who love and honor God will also have ample reason to be encouraged and emboldened to trust God.

The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
    Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. – Psalm 69:32 NLT

David knew his difficulties were simply temporal occasions for God to display His eternal power. Our trials are no trouble for God. He is not worried, dismayed, panicked, or fearful about the outcome. He simply wants to reveal His strength through our weakness. He wants to display His power through our impotence.

God loves to save. He longs to rescue. And when His children praise and thank Him for doing so, He is glorified and honored. When God rescues us, others are encouraged. When God intervenes on our behalf and we sing His praises to those around us, they are prompted to trust in God the next time they go through trials and difficulties. Our troubles become opportunities to witness God’s saving power. They provide us with real-life examples of God’s presence and power, and remind us of God’s love and mercy. When we thank Him for His salvation from trouble and tell others what He has done for us, He is glorified. And all who seek God’s help get encouraged.

Father, You long to intervene in our lives and You long to show Your power. You have chosen to do so through our weaknesses. You have determined to display Your glory through those events in our lives that reveal our own weaknesses. May we see those times as opportunities to see You work. And when You do, may we give You the glory and praise You deserve. So that others will be encouraged to trust You more. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Down But Never Out

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
    preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
    from the throng of evildoers,
3 who whet their tongues like swords,
    who aim bitter words like arrows,
4 shooting from ambush at the blameless,
    shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
5 They hold fast to their evil purpose;
    they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see them?”
6     They search out injustice,
saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”
    For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.

7 But God shoots his arrow at them;
    they are wounded suddenly.
8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them;
    all who see them will wag their heads.
9 Then all mankind fears;
    they tell what God has brought about
    and ponder what he has done.

10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord
    and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult! – Psalm 64:1-10 ESV

When reading the Psalms of David, one could easily conclude that he regularly suffered from depression and debilitating states of melancholy. They feature recurring themes of suffering, heartache, loneliness, and the fear of personal assault and verbal attack. He can almost come across as paranoid and more than a bit pessimistic. Yet, a survey of his life as recorded in the Scriptures reveals that David lived much of his life with a target on his back. As a young man, he received the anointing of God’s prophet to serve as the next king of Israel. But for the next 13 years, he was forced to live as an exile because King Saul, the man he was supposed to replace, had placed a bounty on his head. David became accustomed to a life on the run, living in caves and trying to stay one step ahead of his pursuers. During those years, he was hounded, betrayed, defamed, and plagued by doubts about his anointing, God’s promises, and his own future. 

Even after becoming king and leading the nation of Israel to a period of prosperity and relative peace, David continued to endure personal attacks from both within and without. He was the warrior king who had to fend off Israel’s enemies and secure the land God had promised as their inheritance. Neighboring nations like the Philistines, Moabites, and Edomites were a constant source of conflict and concern. His entire reign was marked by internecine wars with the nations of Canaan.

According to 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18, David was highly successful in his military exploits because “the Lord made David victorious wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:6 NLT). However, David’s blood-soaked hands disqualified him from fulfilling his dream of building a temple for God.

“My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a Temple where the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, God’s footstool, could rest permanently. I made the necessary preparations for building it, but God said to me, ‘You must not build a Temple to honor my name, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.’” – 1 Chronicles 28:2-3 NLT

However, for David, the conflicts were not just external; they emanated from within his own household. After his illicit affair with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan confronted David and gave him a divine declaration of the punishment for his sin.

“From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own.

“This is what the Lord says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” – 2 Samuel 12:10-12 NLT

David’s family would become the epitome of dysfunction and disunity. His many wives produced a host of children and a perfect environment for jealousy, conflict, and sibling rivalries to thrive. His son Amnon ended up raping his half-sister Tamar. Because David failed to intervene and punish his son for his actions, Tamar’s brother Absalom took matters into his own hands and plotted Amnon's death. Rather than arrest his son for murder, David allowed Absalom to escape. Years later, Absalom returned to Jerusalem, only to plan a coup to replace his father as king. Embittered by his father's failure to mete out justice on Amnon and frustrated by his own exile for doing the right thing, Absalom displaced David as king and fulfilled the prophecy that Nathan delivered.

Ahithophel told him, “Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here to look after the palace. Then all Israel will know that you have insulted your father beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you.” So they set up a tent on the palace roof where everyone could see it, and Absalom went in and had sex with his father’s concubines. – 2 Samuel 16:21-22 NLT

As these historical events suggest, David's life was anything but easy. While much of it was self-inflicted, some of the conflict he experienced was not his fault. He did nothing to incur Saul's wrath. He was not responsible for Israel settling in a land filled with hostile nations that opposed their presence and were obsessed with their annihilation. Even the discord within his own family was not something David purposefully planned. It was the result of his poor parenting and bad personal choices.

David lived a complex life that was fraught with difficulties and filled with constant pressure. He was a husband with more wives than he could handle. He was a father with a large mixed family that required more attention than he was prepared to give. He was king over a nation with more enemies than allies. In short, he was a man well acquainted with stress and more than familiar with worry, doubt, and fear.

That is why he starts this psalm out like so many others.

O God, listen to my complaint.
    Protect my life from my enemies’ threats. – Psalm 64:1 NLT

The context is less important than the content of his prayer and the One to whom it is addressed. David always took his problems to God. He doesn't list his enemies or provide the details of his complaint because he knows he doesn't need to. God already knows.

He simply describes them as an evil mob and a gang of wrongdoers with tongues like swords and a penchant for his destruction. Their threats appear to be more verbal than physical. They threaten, plot, spread rumors, discredit, and devise plans to do David harm. But rather than take matters into his own hands, David takes his problem to the LORD.  He calls on the Almighty to defend and avenge him against his enemies, and expresses his belief that God will act on his behalf.

But God himself will shoot them with his arrows,
    suddenly striking them down.
Their own tongues will ruin them,
    and all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. – Psalm 64:7-8 NLT

David exhibits a strange mix of consternation and confidence. He was perplexed and frustrated by his circumstances, but fully confident that God was aware and capable of taking care of the problem. David thought like a warrior, using imagery reflecting his battlefield experience. He envisions God's actions as arrows flying through the air to pierce through the enemy's armor. When the time is right, the Almighty will unleash a deadly barrage of divine vengeance against David's oppressors and eliminate the problem.

Then everyone will be afraid;
    they will proclaim the mighty acts of God
    and realize all the amazing things he does.
The godly will rejoice in the LORD
    and find shelter in him.
And those who do what is right
    will praise him. – Psalm 64:9-10 NLT

For David, the presence of problems was an opportunity to see God's power on display. He firmly believed that God would intervene and, when the dust settled, all would know that a miracle had occurred. The wicked would get what they deserved, and the righteous would know that God was in control and on their side. God’s intervention would produce fear in the lives of the wicked and righteous alike. When all was said and done, everyone would know that God had shown up. His power would be evident, and His right to be praised would be obvious.

David was well acquainted with difficulties, but he was also well-versed in the faithfulness and power of God. Nothing he had experienced in life was too big for God to handle. No enemy was too strong. No family problem was too complex. No battle was too lopsided. No gossip was too damaging. David believed that “the godly WILL rejoice in the LORD.” If they take their needs to Him, they will never be disappointed. If they seek shelter and safety in His presence, they will never be rejected.

David believed in the fallenness of man and the faithfulness of God. He was able to hold those two contradictory ideas in tension because he believed that God's love ifor the righteous always wins out.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
    He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
    for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Once I was young, and now I am old.
    Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
    or their children begging for bread. – Psalm 37:23-25 NLT

Father, I needed to hear this today. It is so easy to let my circumstances dictate my outlook on life and determine my concept of who You are. Like David, I am not immune from difficulties and I am certainly not free from sin. I cause a lot of my own problems by my own actions. Yet, You invite me to come to you with all my worries and cares and You promise to give me peace as You display Your power on my behalf. You have proven Yourself faithful time and time again in my life. Yet, with each successive problem that shows up, I keep doubting and fearing. Give me the strength to turn to You even when things don't turn out the way I expect them to. I want to see the trials of life as opportunities to see Your power on display, just as David did. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Yet, I Will Praise Him

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
    and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
    a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation 6 and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
    from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
    at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
    have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock:
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
    my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God. – Psalm 42:1-11 ESV

This psalm opens with one of the most well-known and beautifully poetic lines in the Scriptures. 

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God. – Psalm 42:1-12 ESV

This simple expression of deep longing for fellowship with God is attributed to the sons of Korah. What makes these beautifully poetic words so significant is the background of the men who wrote them. The sons of Korah were the descendants of a man who led a hostile rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. His mutinous act is recorded in the Book of Numbers

One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?” – Numbers 16:1-3 NLT

Korah and his cohorts questioned Aaron’s right to serve as Israel's high priest. These men were jealous, and, as sons of Levi, they declared their right to serve as priests before God. But Moses revealed that their actions were an affront to the LORD. The Korahites already served in God’s Tabernacle, but dissatisfied with their role, they demanded the right to serve as priests.

Korah, he has already given this special ministry to you and your fellow Levites. Are you now demanding the priesthood as well? The LORD is the one you and your followers are really revolting against! For who is Aaron that you are complaining about him?” – Numbers 16:10-11 NLT

Moses devised a plan to put down the rebellion that would allow God to settle the matter.

“You and all your followers must come here tomorrow and present yourselves before the Lord. Aaron will also be here. You and each of your 250 followers must prepare an incense burner and put incense on it, so you can all present them before the Lord. Aaron will also bring his incense burner.” – Numbers 16:16-17 NLT

To rally the rest of the Israelites to their cause, Korah spread dissent among the people, and a large crowd gathered to watch the showdown between Aaron and his challengers. But things didn’t turn out well for Korah and his companions.

The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers who were standing with them, and everything they owned. So they went down alive into the grave, along with all their belongings. The earth closed over them, and they all vanished from among the people of Israel. – Numbers 16:32-33 NLT

God had been ready to destroy all the people of Israel, but when Moses interceded on their behalf, God chose to kill the ringleaders and their families. But He spared the sons of Korah.

…the earth opened up its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, and fire devoured 250 of their followers. This served as a warning to the entire nation of Israel. However, the sons of Korah did not die that day. – Numbers 26:10-11 NLT

Despite their father's rebellion, the sons of Korah were given a second chance. God allowed them to continue serving in His Tabernacle, and their descendants would play a significant role in David’s royal administration, serving as warriors and worship leaders.

“…the most remarkable thing to note about the sons of Korah is that during the time of King David, they became the great leaders in choral and orchestral music in the tabernacle. Heman the Korahite had a place of great importance as a singer, along with Asaph (a Gershonite) and Ethan or Jeduthan (a Merarite). These individuals played an important role in the thanksgiving services and pageantry when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. David formed an elaborate organization for song, instrumental music, and prophesying through these men.” – gotquestions.org

So, with that background in mind, the words of this psalm carry even greater weight. These descendants of Korah were intimately familiar with the wrath of God. They had grown up hearing the sordid details of their patriarch’s disobedience and ultimate demise at the hands of the LORD. Yet, they had been graciously spared and allowed to serve Yahweh.

Yet, the author of this psalm displays his anguish at having been separated from his duties and unable to serve in God’s house. Some catastrophic event has prevented him from coming before Yahweh, and this forced separation has left him distraught and deeply troubled.

My heart is breaking
    as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
    leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
    amid the sound of a great celebration! – Psalm 42:4 NLT

Yet, even as he wrestles with grief and confusion, he reminds himself that God has not forsaken him. His difficulties cannot truly separate him from his God. He expresses his belief that this momentary light affliction will and he will be restored.

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God! – Psalm 42:5-6 NLT

Even as he suffers, he feels God’s love. His lack of access to God’s house has not diminished his awareness of God’s presence.

…each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me,
    and through each night I sing his songs,
    praying to God who gives me life. – Psalm 42:8 NLT

He has moments of despair and doubt. His enemies taunt him and ridicule his faith. But he continues to believe that His God is good and gracious. He relies on his belief in God’s sovereignty and saving power.

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God! – Psalm 42:11 NLT

The fact that this psalm was written by a descendant of Korah makes it all the more remarkable. This man had inherited a legacy of rebellion and knew the consequences of his ancestor’s actions against Yahweh. Yet, he knew that the same God who destroyed his ancestor was loving, gracious, forgiving, and fully capable of restoring him to fellowship. So, even while he still suffered, the psalmist fought off his discouragement with songs of praise and adoration to God. He bolstered his weakened faith with reminders of God’s presence, power, and provision. He fought off the verbal attacks of his enemies with words of affirmation and inspiration that focused on the faithfulness of God.

Father, when times of difficult arrive, it is easy to assume that I am somehow separated from You. It can feel as if You have abandoned me. But like this “son of Korah,” I want to learn to focus on your goodness, greatness, and presence. You have promised to never leave me or forsake me and I want to believe that promise even when my circumstances seem to contradict it. You are faithful and You have never given me a reason to doubt Your presence, power, and provision. You have always come through for me and You always will. I will put my hope in You because You are my Savior and God. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Best Advertising is a Satisfied Customer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man who makes
    the LORD his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
    yet they are more than can be told.

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
    but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
    you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
    in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O LORD.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation.

11 As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
    your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
    ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me
    beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
    and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
    my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
    O LORD, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
    who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
    who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
    say continually, “Great is the LORD!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
    but the LORD takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    do not delay, O my God! – Psalm 40:1-17 ESV

When was the last time you told someone else what God has done for you? I’m not talking about your salvation story, how you came to Christ when you were seven or eight. I’m talking about telling others how God is actively involved in your life, accomplishing things He can do.

David starts this Psalm by talking about a time in the not-so-distant past when he found himself patiently waiting for help from God. Then he testifies that “he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along” (Psalm 40:1-2 NLT). As a result of God’s gracious intervention, David sang His praises for what He had done in his life. He engaged in an orchestrated public relations campaign for God, boldly proclaiming his miraculous rescue and restoration. His goal was simple: He wanted others to learn from his experience and place their confidence in God.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:3b NLT

To ensure that his audience didn’t miss the point, David recorded a very public prayer of gratitude to God that conveyed his belief in God’s trustworthiness.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD,
    who have no confidence in the proud
    or in those who worship idols.
O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
    Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
    You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
    I would never come to the end of them. – Psalm 40:4-5 NLT

Too often, the only stories we have of God’s activity in our lives are in the past tense. We can tell how we came to faith in Christ and describe the life-transforming nature of that encounter. We may even recall a time when God answered a prayer or delivered us from a difficult situation. But our stories of God’s active involvement in our lives tend to be few and far between and rarely recent in occurrence.

But for David, God was actively involved in every aspect of his life. The LORD’s actions weren’t sporadic or isolated; they were constant and commonplace. Everywhere David looked, he could see God’s handiwork, and he could stop talking about it.

I have told all your people about your justice.
    I have not been afraid to speak out,
    as you, O Lord, well know.
I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
    I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
    of your unfailing love and faithfulness. – Psalm 40:9-10 NLT

This testimony of God’s love and faithfulness was meant to encourage others, but David also used it to bolster his own trust in God. He knew the future would be filled with ample opportunities to seek God’s help and see His faithfulness played out because sin wasn’t going away and troubles were inevitable.

LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
    Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles surround me—
    too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
    I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
    I have lost all courage. – Psalm 40:11-12 NLT

David knew from experience that difficult days would come, but he also knew that God could and would show up when he called. David viewed his life as a proving ground of God’s presence, power, and provision. When his enemies attacked, David could turn to God for help. When his own sinfulness raised its ugly head, David could seek forgiveness and restoration from the LORD. There was no difficulty or dilemma in David’s future that God couldn’t handle. His life had been a testimonial to God’s presence and power, and he wanted everyone to know it.

…may all who search for you
    be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
    repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!”
As for me, since I am poor and needy,
    let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
    O my God, do not delay. – Psalm 40:16-17 NLT

In the middle of this psalm, David draws an interesting conclusion that has far-reaching implications. His testimony concerning God’s faithfulness must be accompanied by a willing obedience to keep God’s commands. It doesn't do any good to go through the motions, offering sacrifices to God and displaying a ritualistic religious fervor that conveys a false sense of piety. David knew that God wanted more than lip service; He desired heartfelt obedience.

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
    Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—
    you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
Then I said, “Look, I have come.
    As is written about me in the Scriptures:
I take joy in doing your will, my God,
    for your instructions are written on my heart.” – Psalm 40:6-8 NLT

What makes this passage even more significant is its presence in the Book of Hebrews, where the author quotes it in reference to Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross

…when Christ came into the world, he said to God,

“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.
But you have given me a body to offer.
You were not pleased with burnt offerings
or other offerings for sin.
Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—
as is written about me in the Scriptures.’” – Hebrews 10:5-7 NLT

According to the author of Hebrews, Jesus understood that obedience to the Father’s will superseded any adherence to the Mosaic Law. While He lived on this planet, Jesus kept the law perfectly and obeyed His Heavenly Father flawlessly. 

When he appeared in human form,
    he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross. – Philippians 2:7-8 NLT

Jesus became the perfect sacrifice—the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). During His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly testified to God’s presence, power, and provision. He spoke of God’s greatness and goodness and demonstrated God’s power through miracles and messages. But all that would have meant nothing if He failed to do what God had sent Him to accomplish.

David seemed to understand that obedience must accompany obeisance. In other words, feigning worship of God without obeying the will of God is hypocrisy. Testifying to God’s greatness while refusing to do His will isn’t worship, it’s the worst form of duplicity. God spoke of this duplicitous and deceitful charade on the part of His people through the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel.

“These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.” – Isaiah 29:13 NLT

“…they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.” – Ezekiel 33:31 ESV

Testifying to God’s greatness while ignoring His will is unacceptable and untenable. David understood that the greatest form of praise was obedience. He was more than willing to sing God's praises, but he also wanted to do God’s will.

I am convinced that many more people would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ if the followers of Christ had more to say about Him. If we had more to share about what He has done in our lives lately and how Christ is transforming our lives daily, it would give credibility to our claims regarding the value of salvation. So many unbelievers are asking, “What has God done for you lately?” If they asked you that question, what would your answer be? What would you tell them? David gives us some not-so-subtle hints:

I have told all your people about your justice.
    I have not been afraid to speak out… – Psalm 40:9 NLT

I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
    I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
    of your unfailing love and faithfulness. – Psalm 40:10 NLT

David knew first-hand what it was like to have God intervene in his life and rescue him from trouble, forgive him of sin, provide him with victory, heal him from sickness, and restore him to a right relationship with Himself. David knew that a relationship with God was not all about doing things for God to somehow keep Him satisfied and earn brownie points with Him. No, God wants His followers to take joy in doing His will because they have experienced His faithful, unconditional love and want to express their gratitude through obedience and submission to His will for their lives – because they know He loves them and has their best interests in store.

David said about God, “Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them” (Psalm 40:5 NLT). David had much to say about God because God was an active and vital part of his life. Can the same thing be said of us? If we tried to recite all the wonderful things He has done for us lately, would we run out of time before our list ran out?

David called on God because he expected God to act. David waited on God because he was confident God would respond. David told others about God because he had plenty of stories of God’s faithfulness to tell. He said, “May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, ‘The Lord is great!'” (Psalm 40:16b NLT). Maybe we have little to say about God because we so seldom turn to God for help and hope.

Oh, the joys of those who trust in the LORD. – Psalm 40:4a NLT

Father, the problem is not that You are silent in my life, it is that I don’t recognize and appreciate Your activity. I don’t see it, so I don’t acknowledge it. You are working all the time on my behalf, but I tend to be blind to it. I also don’t turn to You enough in times of trouble and trust You for deliverance. I try to solve all my own problems. In doing so, I rob You of glory and deny myself the opportunity to see Your power on display in my life. I want to be a greater witness for You by being more satisfied by You. I want to sing Your praises more and tell everyone I meet of all Your wonderful acts. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Light in the Darkness

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
    and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy,
    enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted;
    they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued;
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,
    scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
    they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
    let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
    you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth,
    and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
11 Be not far from me,
    for trouble is near,
    and there is none to help.

12 Many bulls encompass me;
    strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
    like a ravening and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
    it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
    and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
    you lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs encompass me;
    a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
17 I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
    and for my clothing they cast lots.

19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
    O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
    my precious life from the power of the dog!
21     Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
    All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
    and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
    the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
    but has heard, when he cried to him.

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
    my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
    those who seek him shall praise the Lord!
    May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
    and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
    shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,
    and he rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
    before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
    even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him;
    it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
    that he has done it. – Psalm 22:1-31 ESV

We all have moments of doubt and despair, those days when everything seems to be going against us, and even God appears nowhere to be found. Our prayers go unanswered, and our hopes are unfulfilled. At those times, it’s easy to fall into despondency and begin to view the world through lenses that have been darkened by doubt and clouded by the lies of the enemy.

Even David, the man after God’s own heart, was susceptible to having dark days of despair, and Psalm 22 is a perfect illustration of how he handled those times in his life. He begins his Psalm by calling out to God. Notice his honesty and refreshing frankness. He doesn’t sugarcoat his feelings or attempt to put on a happy face for God. No, he asks God, “Where are you? Where have you gone? Why have you abandoned me?” David was not afraid to express his feelings to God. At that moment in his life, he felt as if God had left him. He prayed, but received no answer. He cried out, but found no relief. But while David was honest with God, he was always respectful. He knew God was holy and deserving of his reverence and fear. He knew God to be trustworthy and faithful to rescue His people. So he knew that his feelings of abandonment, while real, did not provide an accurate picture of his God.

There is a huge difference between the reality of our circumstances and their ability to determine the reality and reliability of our God. Whatever was going on in David’s life, it was difficult. He was surrounded by enemies and trouble. He was weak, worn out, lacking in strength, running out of hope, and fearing for his life. But he continued to call to God. He knew that God was his strength and deliverer. The same God who had given him life at birth and had protected him to this point would protect him now. Despite his circumstances, David knew he could count on God. He knew the time would come when he could praise God for His deliverance.

For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
    He has not turned his back on them,
    but has listened to their cries for help. – Psalm 22:24 NLT

David’s trust in God was based on his understanding of God. He knew God well enough to know he could trust Him. So, he refused to let his circumstances determine his faith. While he longed for God to hear his prayer and end his suffering, he would not stop believing in God's unwavering love and faithfulness. He recalled the mighty works of God on behalf of his ancestors and found comfort.

They trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued.
In you they trusted and were not put to shame.

God had a track record of faithfulness and David placed his full confidence in it. But little did David know that his words of despair, sorrow, faith, and praise would end up reflecting the feelings of Jesus Himself as He hung on the cross.

Psalm 22 is considered a Messianic Psalm that predicts the future suffering Jesus would experience on Mount Calvary. Verses 11-18 paint a vivid picture of Jesus’ last moments on the cross.

My life is poured out like water. – Psalm 22:14

…one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. – John 9:34 ESV

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. – Psalm 22:15 NLT

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” – John 19:28-30 NLT

They have pierced my hands and feet. – Psalm 22:16 NLT

So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him to the cross. – John 19:16-18 NLT

They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. – Psalm 22:18 NLT

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”[ So that is what they did. – John 19:23-24 NLT

Amid his own suffering, David unknowingly echoed the future sufferings of Christ. This should remind us that God the Father and Christ His Son understand fully what we are going through at any given moment. They understand our weakness, and they know what it means to suffer. The book of Hebrews reminds of this comforting thought.

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” – Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT

Long before Jesus took on human flesh and lived among men, David praised the faithfulness of God and delivered a stunning statement regarding the impact Christ's suffering would have on the world. David had no idea his words spoke for the future Messiah, but his trust in Yahweh made him pen a stirring tribute to the glorious salvation Christ would bring to the world.

Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
    Bow before him, all who are mortal,
    all whose lives will end as dust.
Our children will also serve him.
    Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
    They will hear about everything he has done. – Psalm 22:29-31 NLT

Father, You are not above my times of need and suffering. You are not distant and disinterested. You understand my weaknesses better than I understand them myself. You feel my pain. You empathize with my sorrow. You had to watch Your own Son suffer for my sins and die an agonizing death that was meant for me. And because He died, I can call out to You and receive mercy and grace when I need it the most! Thank You so much. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Describing the Indescribable

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death encompassed me;
    the torrents of destruction assailed me;
5 the cords of Sheol entangled me;
    the snares of death confronted me.

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord;
    to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
    and my cry to him reached his ears.

7 Then the earth reeled and rocked;
    the foundations also of the mountains trembled
    and quaked, because he was angry.
8 Smoke went up from his nostrils,
    and devouring fire from his mouth;
    glowing coals flamed forth from him.
9 He bowed the heavens and came down;
    thick darkness was under his feet.
10 He rode on a cherub and flew;
    he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,
    thick clouds dark with water.
12 Out of the brightness before him
    hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens,
    and the Most High uttered his voice,
    hailstones and coals of fire.
14 And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;
    he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
    and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, O LORD,
    at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

16 He sent from on high, he took me;
    he drew me out of many waters.
17 He rescued me from my strong enemy
    and from those who hated me,
    for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
    but the LORD was my support.
19 He brought me out into a broad place;
    he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

20 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness;
    according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
    and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his rules were before me,
    and his statutes I did not put away from me.
23 I was blameless before him,
    and I kept myself from my guilt.
24 So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
    according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
    with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
26 with the purified you show yourself pure;
    and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
27 For you save a humble people,
    but the haughty eyes you bring down.
28 For it is you who light my lamp;
    the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
29 For by you I can run against a troop,
    and by my God I can leap over a wall.
30 This God—his way is perfect;
    the word of the LORD proves true;
    he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

31 For who is God, but the LORD?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—
32 the God who equipped me with strength
    and made my way blameless.
33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for war,
    so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation,
    and your right hand supported me,
    and your gentleness made me great.
36 You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
    and my feet did not slip.
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them,
    and did not turn back till they were consumed.
38 I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise;
    they fell under my feet.
39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle;
    you made those who rise against me sink under me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,
    and those who hated me I destroyed.
41 They cried for help, but there was none to save;
    they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them.
42 I beat them fine as dust before the wind;
    I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

43 You delivered me from strife with the people;
    you made me the head of the nations;
    people whom I had not known served me.
44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
    foreigners came cringing to me.
45 Foreigners lost heart
    and came trembling out of their fortresses.

46 The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock,
    and exalted be the God of my salvation—
47 the God who gave me vengeance
    and subdued peoples under me,
48 who rescued me from my enemies;
    yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
    you delivered me from the man of violence.

49 For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations,
    and sing to your name.
50 Great salvation he brings to his king,
    and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
    to David and his offspring forever. – Psalm 18:1-50 ESV

Victory has a way of changing one’s perspective and in this Psalm, David uses language that borders on hyperbole to explain his gratitude to God for his recent successes. The introduction makes it clear that David was enjoying a well-deserved respite from his long-standing dispute with King Saul. David had spent years living as a fugitive because Saul viewed his former employee as a threat to his throne. On several occasions, Saul had tried to murder David. The king had also placed a bounty on David’s head and hired mercenaries to hunt him down. Fueled by jealousy and an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14), Saul had been relentless in pursuing David. He was a man possessed and obsessed. But God had plans for David. He was to be the next king of Israel, replacing Saul, who had proved to be disobedient and disappointing. The prophet Samuel had warned the king that his days were numbered.

“You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” – 1 Samuel 13:13-14 ESV 

God had already commanded Samuel to anoint David the next king of Israel, but it would be 13 years before Saul was killed in battle and David ascended to the throne. During that lengthy delay, David’s life was marked by war, political intrigue, and death threats. He was a man on the run. But then God delivered him. That is what this Psalm celebrates and the imagery is classic David.

The simple, yet powerful words David uses to describe his God are found throughout the Psalms he penned. They are a vivid example of someone trying to describe the indescribable using terminology to which he can easily relate. David refers to God as his strength, rock, fortress, savior, and a source of protection. These divine attributes were the basis of David’s love for the LORD. They describe what God means to David. They illustrate characteristics of God that David has come to know and love during his days of exile and suffering.

This Psalm was likely written late in David’s life because it is almost a word-for-word copy of the song David sings near the end of his life, which is recorded in 2 Samuel 22. On that occasion, David was near death and recalled all God had done for him over a long, distinguished, and sometimes difficult life. C. H. Spurgeon calls this Psalm “The Grateful Retrospect.” David expresses appreciation, praise, and love for God’s unmistakable role in his life. He used a variety of powerful words and phrases to convey God’s activity: Pays back, subdues, rescues, holds me safe, saves me, gives victory, shows unfailing love.

David opens up this Psalm with praise for God’s characteristics. Then he closes it in the same way. It is a classic chiastic structure, where the first half of the Psalm mirrors the second half. The main point is found at the beginning and the end. God is David’s rock (sela). The Hebrew word describes a rock, cliff, or a hollowed-out place that provides safety, refuge, and protection. Why would David describe God in those terms? Why would a king who lived in a luxurious palace use that kind of imagery? Because he knew what it was like to live in rocks and caves, seeking refuge from Saul’s soldiers. David had spent over ten years of his life hiding in the wilderness, attempting to keep from being killed by King Saul. He hid in caves and lived in the remote wilderness, finding refuge and protection among the cliffs, rocks, and mountains.

These rocky redoubts had been David’s home where he hid from his enemy and found refuge in times of difficulty. Those rocks and caves became familiar to David and were a constant reminder of God’s protection and love. Yes, they were remote, foreboding, and uninviting, but to David they were familiar and comfortable. There were probably many times during his lengthy reign when he preferred to be back in those same caves. In fact, when his son Absalom stole his kingdom, David headed back to the wilderness again. It was familiar territory where he knew God would meet with him and provide for him.

Where do you and I run when times get tough? Do we have a place where God has shown Himself strong in the past? If we had to pick words to describe who God is to us and what He has done for us, which ones would we use? David spoke of God from experience. His knowledge of God and love for Him was not based on academics, but first-hand experience. I love what Eugene Peterson says about David and his relationship with God:

“The single most characteristic thing about David is God. David believed in God, thought about God, imagined God, addressed God, prayed to God. The largest part of David’s existence wasn’t David, but God. The evidence of David’s pervasive, saturated awareness of God is in his profusion of metaphors: bedrock, castle, knight, crag, boulder, hideout. David was immersed in God. Every visibility revealed for him an invisibility.” – Eugene Peterson, Leap Over a Wall

I long to have that kind of relationship with God. I want to see Him all around me and to view Him through all my circumstances. The words we use to describe God are a great indicator of just how well we know Him.

David’s language is highly descriptive, but borders on the fantastic. He describes God’s activity like an earthquake, causing the earth to reel and rock and the foundations of the mountains to tremble (vs 7). With his imaginative mind, David saw God as fire-breathing, cherub-riding, darkness-shrouded deity whose judgment was accompanied by hailstones and burning coals. He was fierce and fearsome. He thunders and flashes forth lightning. God isn’t obscure, distant, or disinterested in the affairs of men’s lives; He is active and powerful. 

David saw God as mighty and merciful. He is intimidating in His power but intimate when it comes to His love for His people. David describes God as his rescuer, deliverer, protector, support, light in the darkness, shield of salvation, and source of strength and victory. David’s God was all-powerful and deserving of awe and respect. But He was also merciful, kind, compassionate, and unfailing in His love. And David closes his Psalm with his commitment to praise God for all He has done.

For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations;
    I will sing praises to your name.
You give great victories to your king;
    you show unfailing love to your anointed,
    to David and all his descendants forever. – Psalm 18:49-50 NLT

Father, You are my provider, banker, counselor, guide, shelter, and the Kevlar vest I wear when the enemy attacks. You are the umbrella that keeps me dry in the storms of life, the life preserver when my boat goes out from under me, the warm fire when the lights go out and the heat goes off, and the unexpected check in the mail when my account is empty and my hopes are lost. Father, You have been there for me so often in my life. You have never failed to provide for me, protect me, and shower me with Your grace. Thank You! Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

A Name You Can Trust

To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David.

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you;
    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,
    they stumble and perish before your presence.
4 For you have maintained my just cause;
    you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;
    you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;
    their cities you rooted out;
    the very memory of them has perished.

7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
    he has established his throne for justice,
8 and he judges the world with righteousness;
    he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
    for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!
    Tell among the peoples his deeds!
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
    he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13 Be gracious to me, O LORD!
    See my affliction from those who hate me,
    O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may recount all your praises,
    that in the gates of the daughter of Zion
    I may rejoice in your salvation.

15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
    in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.
16 The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment;
    the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah

17 The wicked shall return to Sheol,
    all the nations that forget God.

18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
    and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

19 Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail;
    let the nations be judged before you!
20 Put them in fear, O LORD!
    Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah – Psalm 9:1-20 ESV

This Psalm opens with what appears to be a musical notation: According to Muth-labben. The exact meaning of this phrase is unclear, but the NIV translates it as “The Death of the Son” and treats it as the name of a tune to which the Psalm was to be read. 

This Psalm of praise and thanksgiving to God opens with David declaring his intentions.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart. – vs 1

I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. – vs 1

I will be filled with joy because of you. – vs 2

I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. – vs 2

No timeline or details are provided that might explain David’s excited declaration. It’s impossible to know what event may have prompted this impassioned promise to sing God’s praises, but David does give a list of reasons for his joy and gratitude.

1. His enemies had retreated because God had defeated them.

2. God’s defense of David had vindicated his right to rule as God’s vice-regent.

3. As the true King and Judge of the earth, God had decided in David’s favor.

4. God had “rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked” (NLT)

5. In His sovereignty, God had blotted out their names forever.

6. The victory of God had been complete and comprehensive.

It seems likely that this was a compilation on David’s part. He was looking back on his life and recalling the numerous occasions when God had intervened and rescued him from difficulty. This wasn’t about one isolated incident. From David’s perspective, God had a proven track record of faithfulness that showed up in His sovereign intervention in the affairs of his life.

David may have been the king of Israel, but he viewed Yahweh as the King of the universe, who “reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne” (Psalm 9:7 NLT). As the Judge of the world, God was just, fair, compassionate, and righteous in all His judgments. He never showed partiality or ruled unjustly. His verdicts were always accurate and free from corruption or coercion. God could not be bought off or deceived by the clever arguments of men, and David found God’s integrity to be a source of joy in a world filled with uncertainty and populated by untrustworthy men who could not be trusted.

David was intimately familiar with Yahweh’s character because he had seen it in action. He knew and understood God’s nature because he had witnessed it throughout his life. But the Psalms are more than a personal journal of David’s experiences, they are an expression of his grasp of God’s greatness and goodness. In this Psalm alone David reveals that his God is all-powerful, just, eternal, righteous, faithful, merciful, sovereign, impartial, holy, and wrathful.

David’s understanding of God’s nature produced in him a growing sense of trust and confidence. With each trial he encountered, David saw God show up and pour out His justice, mercy, and compassion. That is why David could say with confidence, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you” (Psalm 9:10 NLT).

To know God’s “name” is to be familiar with His reputation. Those who follow and trust God do so because they know Him to be trustworthy and reliable. He has proven Himself to be powerful and present in their lives. The Hebrew word translated as “name” can also mean “reputation” or “fame.” To trust in the name of God is to trust in who He is – His nature, character, and reputation. It is to stand on His past accomplishments and to rely on His track record of reliability. God had proven Himself to David time and time again, and had shown Himself to be faithful, powerful, righteous, just, trustworthy, merciful, and holy. So David trusted in the name of God. When in trouble, he appealed to the name of God.

But for David, recognition of God’s goodness and greatness was not enough. He was emboldened to turn his gratitude into songs of praise, and he wanted everyone to join in.

Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem.
    Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. – Psalm 9:11 NLT

David wasn’t a one-man band, he was the director of a massive choir made up of fellow Israelites who lifted their voices in praise of their gracious, all-powerful King and Judge.

God was worthy of praise because of all He had done in the past. David had found God to be a shelter and a refuge in the past, so he knew God would be so in the future. He was faithful, consistent, reliable, and unchanging in His nature. David knew he could turn to God and find mercy and help no matter how difficult the situation. He knew from experience that God had a special affinity for the helpless and the hopeless, rescuing and restoring them in His grace and mercy.

David had seen God judge righteously and justly, bringing judgment on the wicked and avenging the righteous, and he was confident that God would do it again. For David, God's works were “unforgettable” and “marvelous.” They were worth singing about, talking about, and relying upon. No matter how bad things got, David knew he could trust in his God because he knew Him well.

Father, I want to know You like David did. I want to trust You like David did. I want to understand the full scope of Your character and be able to rest in the integrity of who You are based on all You have done. Give me eyes to see Your reputation all around me. Help me know You better and better with each passing day. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Glory of God

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2     Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1-9 ESV

The opening description of this Psalm refers to the “Gittith.” There is no consensus on the meaning of this Hebrew word but some have speculated that it relates to a Gittite harp. It is likely a musical notation meant to provide instructions concerning the song’s tempo or style. Perhaps it was meant to be played by the accompaniment of a certain instrument.

But while this notation is unclear as to its meaning, the Psalm itself is straightforward and impossible to miss. In eight short verses, David praises God's glory and majesty. He opens his Psalm by using two of the primary names for God: LORD and Lord. The first is God’s personal name used by the Israelites alone. He is Yahweh, the ever-present God who has made an unbreakable covenant with His chosen people. He is also Adonai, the sovereign, all-powerful ruler of all creation, including His covenant people. The name of God figures prominently in this Psalm as David calls out to His majestic LORD and Lord.

But unlike the previous Psalms, this one is reverential rather than penitential. David is not petitioning Yahweh for anything. Instead, he glorifies God for His unparalleled greatness. He refers to God as “majestic” using the Hebrew word 'adîr, which carries the idea of immensity, power, glory, might, and excellence.

David uses this rich and multifaceted word to describe the name of God. Having never seen God face to face, David can only speak of His name (šēm), which encompasses His reputation or fame. Everywhere David looked, he saw the evidence of God’s glory. It was visible and tangible, but you had to be able to recognize it all around you. This former shepherd could see it throughout the earth and even in the night sky.

O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
    Your glory is higher than the heavens. – Psalm 8:1 NLT

Even children have the innate capacity to recognize God’s glory and greatness in the world around them. Jesus spoke of His Heavenly Father’s intention to make Himself knowable to the innocent and pure.

“O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!” – Matthew 11:25-26 NLT

David’s awareness of God’s majesty revealed in the world around him produced a sense of humility and awe-struck wonder.

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them? – Psalm 8:3-4 NLT

God’s glory – His reputation, renown and fame – was all-pervasive to David. He couldn’t look out the window and not see the majesty of God revealed. He couldn’t look up into the night sky and not be reminded of the greatness of God. To David, God’s reputation was not only based on His miraculous interventions in the affairs of Israel—His victories in battle, divine provision, and protection—but was also evident in the everyday affairs of life. Everything around David screamed the praise of God, because that is the way God designed it. Even Jesus understood what David was talking about when He quoted this Psalm in an exchange with the religious leaders.

The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” – Matthew 21:15-16 NLT

From birth, man was made to praise God. We are appointed for that purpose. But the effects of the fall and the influence of sin have a way of hijacking our purpose and blinding us to the majesty and greatness of God. We lose the ability to see Him all around us. Our eyes become blind to His presence and power.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion, the crowd of disciples following Him cheered wildly, proclaiming, “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” (Luke 19:38 NLT). The Pharisees were appalled at what they heard and demanded that Jesus tell His disciples to cease and desist. Instead, Jesus replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (Luke 19:40 NLT).

Jesus knew what David knew. Everything in creation shouts God's praise and glory. While all men were created to praise God, most do not, but creation does. God’s glory is not relegated to man’s recognition of it. God’s reputation is on permanent display in His creation—at all times.

David found it difficult to comprehend that this glorious, majestic, mighty, all-powerful God would give any thought to men. We are insignificant when compared to creation. Yet God not only takes note of us, He has given us a job to do. He has appointed us as stewards of His creation, with the responsibility to care for all that He has made. In doing so, God shared a bit of His glory with humanity. Made in His image, we have the capacity to display His creativity and caretaking abilities, and that gives us glory and honor. We get to care for what He has created—an honor and privilege that no other created being shares.

Yet you made them only a little lower than God
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
You gave them charge of everything you made,
    putting all things under their authority—
the flocks and the herds
    and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
    and everything that swims the ocean currents. – Psalm 8:5-8 NLT

The recognition of that vital role given to us by a mighty God should rock our world and cause us to exclaim with David, “O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!” (Psalm 8:9 NLT). We should recognize the greatness of God’s reputation and desire to do everything in our power to protect it, proclaim it, and live up to it.

Father, give me eyes to see You all around me. Don’t let me look past Your divine presence in creation as I search for You elsewhere. Like David, may I be able to look out the window or up into the sky and see You. Let me be blown away by Your majesty, might, and glory. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Knowledge of God

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord;
    consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
    evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
    you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies;
    the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    in the fear of you.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies;
    make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth;
    their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
    they flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;
    let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
    for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
    you cover him with favor as with a shield. – Psalm 5:1-12 ESV

In this Psalm, David issues another prayer to God, asking for His favor and help in a time of great need. No timeline is provided or details given that might shed light on the circumstances David is facing, but it is clear that he is going through difficult days. He mentions his “groanings” and cries for help, which indicate that he is a man facing a desperate situation. For the Jews, each new day began at sundown, and David seems to indicate that his prayer began at that moment and lasted throughout the night. His situation was so dire that he regularly spent his nights in prayer and welcomed the dawn by continuing to call out to God.

…in the morning I will present my case to you and then wait expectantly for an answer. – Psalm 5:3 NET

David makes clear the motivation behind his all-night prayer sessions. He knew that God was the Judge, the differentiator between the righteous and the wicked. Only Yahweh could discern truth from lies and make a just determination on David’s guilt or innocence.

O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
    you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
    for you hate all who do evil.
You will destroy those who tell lies.
    The Lord detests murderers and deceivers. – Psalm 5:4-6 NLT

David knew what it was like to be slandered and falsely accused by his enemies. His son Absalom had portrayed him as an unjust and uncaring king who regularly failed to mete out justice for his people (2 Samuel 15:1-4). As a king, David faced a constant barrage of false accusations designed to question his integrity and undermine his authority. But he knew that God was not fooled by these cleverly worded condemnations. Yahweh was all-knowing and could see into the hearts of men. He could not be deceived by their lies or manipulated by their false allegations against His servant. In fact, David rests in the confidence that his enemies have no access into God’s throne room. Because of their wickedness, they have no right to enter His presence to present their case against David.

But David is fully confident to come before God. He even boasts that his current situation will not prevent him from entering the Temple to offer sacrifices to God.

Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
    I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. – Psalm 5:7 NLT

His predicament would not prevent his access to the Almighty. Even when facing difficulty, David knew he was welcome to come before his Judge and King. In times of trouble, he would turn to the only One who could help. As a king himself, David understood the sovereign rule of God. He was in charge. He alone possessed the power and authority to do anything about David’s problem. But he was also David’s God, so He deserved honor, respect, and worship. David understood the holiness and righteousness of God, and never forgot that He was set apart and separate from the sinfulness of men – including the wicked, prideful, evil doers, liars, murderers, and deceitful.

God was not like earthly kings who could be all those things and more. He was a righteous, holy King who was just, good, and merciful. So David could appeal to His unfailing love and ask for protection and guidance. 

Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
    or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow. – Psalm 5:8 NLT

Unlike David’s enemies, who lied and flattered for their own benefit, God was truthful, loving, and a righteous judge who always dealt justly and honestly with men. When David needed peace, he knew he could find it in God. When he needed direction, he could trust Yahweh to provide it. When he needed vindication, he knew God was the only reliable source.

David saw God as a place of refuge and protection. He could run to God in the tough times and find comfort in God’s open, loving arms. David understood the mercy and love of God because he had experienced it. That is why he could sing God’s praises even while suffering. He could experience joy even when surrounded by those who were out to destroy him. David had repeatedly found God to be his protector and provider. God had proven Himself faithful to David in the past, so he knew he could trust him for the future. He knew if he called, God would hear. He knew if he was under attack, verbally or physically, God would protect him. He knew if his enemies mistreated him, God would deal with them justly.

My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
    Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
    Their tongues are filled with flattery.
O God, declare them guilty.
    Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
    for they have rebelled against you. – Psalm 5:9-10 NLT

David was humble enough to understand that he was not the real focus of his enemies’ attacks. Their assaults on him were really aimed at God. He was just the inconvenient intermediary. As God’s chosen king, David was the lightning rod for the attacks of the wicked and unrighteous. In rebelling against the Lord’s anointed, they were really rebelling against God. In questioning the sovereignty of David, they were denying the sovereignty of God. But David knew that his position and power had been ordained by God. He had not earned or deserved his role as king. Yahweh had placed David on the throne and he served at Yahweh’s pleasure.

This awareness of God’s sovereignty and providence caused David to take his problems to the only One who could do anything about them.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
    that all who love your name may be filled with joy. – Psalm 5:11 NLT

He knew that when he was at a loss for what to do next, God would show him what to do because God was his King, guide, protector, provider, judge, advocate, and refuge. God was his source of joy and peace, the object of his praise, the focus of his prayers, the answer to his problems, the director of his paths, and the reason for his worship. The prophet Hosea calls on all the people of God to share that confident and unwavering perspective of God. 

Oh, that we might know the Lord!
    Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
    or the coming of rains in early spring. – Hosea 6:3 NLT

Father, I want to know You more. I want to have an understanding of Your character and nature like David did. Knowing You didn’t rid David of all his problems, but it gave him a different perspective on how to handle and view them. I want to respond to the circumstances of life as he did – prayerfully, expectantly, worshipfully, and joyfully. I want to understand Your holiness better, rest in Your love more often, and sing Your praises in the good times and the bad times. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.