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.

If God Is For Us

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin;
    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices,
    and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:1-8 ESV

This Psalm bears striking similarities with Psalm 3, causing some scholars to speculate that it was written by David at about the same time. David found himself in an unexpected dilemma, having fled the capital city of Jerusalem because of a coup led by his son Absalom. Deposed from his throne, David is hiding somewhere in the wilderness outside Jerusalem.

This predicament was preceded by Absalom's four-year-long character assassination strategy. David’s son had conducted an aggressive PR campaign designed to build up his own reputation by questioning his father’s judgment and leadership skills.

Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!”

When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel. – 1 Samuel 15:1-6 NLT

While living as a fugitive, David had to deal with the fact that his own son had ruined his reputation by defaming his character. These were difficult days for David. He was facing one of the most challenging moments of his life. He had been placed on the throne by God, but now he was a deposed and discredited former king living like a convicted criminal somewhere in the outskirts of his former capital. 

But rather than launch a vindictive slander campaign against his conniving son, David took the matter to God. This Psalm opens with a prayer.

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! – Psalm 4:1 ESV

He refers to God as “my righteousness” (Psalm 4:1 ESV). With all the false accusations leveled against him, David was willing to leave his guilt or innocence up to God. David didn’t fully understand his circumstances and must have had a thousand questions for God. But rather than demanding answers, he simply asks God to hear his prayer and deliver him from his predicament. This was not the first time David found himself in a difficult situation, and he knew from personal experience that God could be trusted to always do what is right and just. 

The Lord is good and does what is right;
    he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
    teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
    all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. – Psalm 25:8-10 NLT

Despire the circumstances, David knew that God was still on his side. While it appeared that everyone else had turned their back on him, David was confident of God’s abiding presence and sovereign control over his life. As if addressing his detractors, David confidently asserts, “You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him” (Psalm 4:3 NLT).

The Hebrew word translated “set apart” is pālâ, which means “to separate,” “to distinguish,” or “to show special favor.” David knew that he had been set apart by God to serve as the king of Israel. He could recall the moment when Samuel, the prophet of God, appeared at his home in Bethlehem. David had been summoned from caring for his father’s sheep and stood before his family as Samuel anointed him with oil.

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. – 1 Samuel 16:13 NLT

That fateful day had begun a long and circuitous path to the throne, including another period of isolation in the wilderness as King Saul sought to take David’s life. As a young man, David had been anointed the next king of Israel, but Saul would not relinquish the throne without a fight. During those difficult days, David learned to trust God for the future. It was during that time that David wrote another Psalm expressing his dependence upon the Lord.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
    I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
    until the danger passes by.
I cry out to God Most High,
    to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
He will send help from heaven to rescue me,
    disgracing those who hound me. Interlude
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. – Psalm 57:1-3 NLT

David had been here before. He was well acquainted with caves and more than familiar with adversity. Experience had taught him to judge his circumstances through the faithfulness of God and not the other way around. David knew God would deal with him differently because he belonged to God. He even refers to himself as “godly.” That word simply means “faithful one.” David was declaring his faithfulness to God. He wasn’t claiming perfection or sinlessness, but only that he had not abandoned God. He continued to trust in and rely upon God. He belonged to God, so he knew God would hear him when he called.

The people who accompanied David when he fled Jerusalem were asking, “Who will show us better times?” (Psalm 4:6 NLT). They were distraught and wondering what the future held. They wanted to know what plans David had to rectify the situation. He was their leader and they depended on him to solve their problem. But David knew that God was the key to their hope. He knew through experience that God was the source of joy. God had provided David with more joy than any amount of success or affluence could bring.

You have given me greater joy
    than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. – Psalm 4:7 NLT

David knew that God alone could hear him when he called, declare him innocent, free him from his troubles, show him mercy, and keep him safe even in his sleep. No matter what was going on around him and to him, David knew that his God could be trusted to do the just and right thing. His fate was in God’s hands, not Absalom’s. That confident assurance had been forged in the fires of his earlier adversities.

My heart is confident in you, O God;
    my heart is confident.
    No wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my heart!
    Wake up, O lyre and harp!
    I will wake the dawn with my song.
 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
    I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
    Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. – Psalm 57:7-10 NLT

God had proven Himself faithful to David time and time again. He had a stellar track record for reliability. In another one of his earlier predicaments, David had written: “This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:9-11 NLT). David’s words reflect his familiarity with another anonymous Psalm.

In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
    and the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?
Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
    I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in people.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes. – Psalm 118:5-9 NLT

But David’s confidence in God doesn’t mean he had no questions. Psalm 4 reflects his confusion over the circumstances surrounding his son’s actions, but he doesn’t direct his uncertainties to God. He addresses his adversaries with a string of disquieted queries that demand an explanation for their actions.

How long will you people ruin my reputation?
    How long will you make groundless accusations?
    How long will you continue your lies? – Psalm 4:2 NLT

But rather than wait for an answer, David turns his attention to God.

You can be sure of this:
    The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
    The Lord will answer when I call to him. – Psalm 4:3 NLT

Their continued attacks would prove powerless before God, and David was willing to allow the Almighty to defend and avenge him. He didn’t fully comprehend the nature of his fall or the timing of his rescue, but David was willing to trust God with the outcome. So much so, that he encouraged his disgruntled companions, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you.  Think about it overnight and remain silent. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord” (Psalm 4:4-5 NLT).

For David, difficult circumstances were not an indication of God’s absence or anger; they were an invitation to see Him work. His son’s opposition was actually a divinely-ordained opportunity to display God’s glory and goodness. That is why David was able to say, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” (Psalm 4:8 NLT).

Father, I want to trust You more. I want to have the came degree of confidence in You that David expressed. He had found You to be faithful in the past, so he could confidently trust You for the future. He didn’t let the conditions around him determine His faith in You. He trusted in Your character, not his circumstances. He recalled all the wonderful things You had done for him and realized that You had set him apart for Yourself. David belonged to You, so he knew he could trust You. And I want to trust you, too. 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.

When Things Look Down, Look Up

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O Lord!
    Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
    you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
    your blessing be on your people! Selah – Psalm 3:1-8 ESV

While Psalm 2 addressed the issue of foreign adversaries standing opposed to God’s anointed king, this Psalm portrays a more intimate and internal threat. David has had to abandon Jerusalem and his throne because his son, Absalom, has taken over his kingdom. The details of this tragic event are recorded in the Book of 2 Samuel.

Absalom had recently returned from Geshur, where he had been living in exile after having killed his half-brother, Amnon. The sordid details of this story paint a less-than-pleasant picture of David’s homelife and parenting skills. He had a large and rapidly growing family because of his many wives. These marriages were in direct violation of God’s command.

“The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord.” – Deuteronomy 17:17 NLT

While David had managed to remain faithful to Yahweh, his large blended family was anything but a picture of domestic bliss. His violation of God’s command produced a series of unfortunate events that ultimately led to the events recorded in Psalm 3. Chapter 13 of 2 Samuel 13 records Amnon’s lust-fueled rape of his half-sister Tamar. This violent act went unpunished by David, leaving Tamar in a state of mourning over the loss of her virginity. She was damaged goods and, in that culture, would likely remain unmarried the rest of her life. When her brother Absalom saw that their father was not going to deal with Amnon’s crime, he took matters into his own hands and arranged for Amnon’s death. This crime also went unpunished by David. Rather than stepping up and meting out justice, David remained silent and allowed Absalom to escape to Geshur. 

In time, David allowed his exiled son to return, but refused to restore their relationship. In time, Absalom became embittered by his father’s passive-aggressive behavior. David’s avoidance of his son only fueled Absalom’s disrespect and resentment for him. Eventually, Absalom devised a plan to steal the throne from his father. Through a series of clever ploys, Absalom managed to win the hearts of the people and pull off a bloodless coup that forced David to abandon Jerusalem and concede the kingdom to his son.

Psalm 3 was written as all this was going on. So, David was going through some significantly trying circumstances. He had lost everything, including his kingdom, the love of his own son, and the respect of his people. His world had been turned upside down. To make matters worse, his enemies used this collapse of David’s fortunes to torment him. They accused God of having abandoned His anointed kind.

“God will never rescue him!” – Psalm 3:2 NLT

Even as David fled the capital, he was confronted by a man named Shimei, who took the opportunity to berate the fallen king and accuse him of getting what he so richly deserved.

As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!” – 2 Samuel 16:5-8 NLT

These were dark days for David, but this Psalm reveals his understanding of God’s faithfulness. Despite all that had transpired, David maintained a confidence in God that came from personal experience. He knew his God was a shield about him – a form of protection from attack. No matter how bad things got, David knew God would preserve and protect him.

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
    you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy mountain. – Psalm 3:3-4 NLT

As a warrior, David used his familiarity with the tools of his trade to describe the faithfulness of God. Yahweh was as reliable as the shield a soldier used in battle to protect himself from certain death. David viewed God as his greatest defense because he knew that his life existed for God’s glory. He had been called and commissioned by God. His reign had been God’s idea and only He could give David honor in the sight of others. David may have lost his throne, but he knew he was in God’s hands. Others may have lost their respect for David, but he knew that ultimately any honor he received was from God and not from his position or possessions. God gave David’s life “weight.” In other words, it was David’s relationship with God that gave his life value – not his job, title, or resume. That is why David could sleep well at night, even when his world seemed to be falling apart.

I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.
I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
    who surround me on every side. – Psalm 3:5-6 NLT

Despite his losses, David maintained his confidence in God. He knew that God cared for him and was fully capable of rescuing him. His circumstances did not alter his understanding of God. Yes, he had run away from his own son. He had abandoned his throne and was hiding in the wilderness. But David knew that God was the lifter of heads. The Almighty could revive David’s fortunes and even restore him to the throne – if that was His will. That is why David expressed his confidence in God even as he abandoned the city to his son.

“If the Lord sees fit, he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again. But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.” – 2 Samuel 15:25 NLT

David knew his God. He had faith in his God. He could rest in his God. He had confidence in his God. So, he cried out to his God. Then he waited. David was not going to let circumstances determine His view of God. A bad day would not alter his understanding of the goodness of God. Unexpected and unwelcome events should never cause the believer to doubt the power or presence of God. Instead, life's adversities should cause us to turn to Him for help, hope, and healing. Cry out. He answers.

Victory comes from you, O Lord.
    May you bless your people. – Psalm 3:8 NLT

Father, give me the confidence of David. Give me a view of you that is not determined by my circumstances. Help me to see Your faithfulness in the midst of difficulty. Help me to trust You even when things seem out of control, unfair, and difficult to understand. You are my shield, glory, and the lifter of my head. 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 Coming King of Israel

1 Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. – Psalm 2:1-12 ESV

This Psalm appeals to the rights of the divinely appointed sovereign head of the nation of Israel. This poetic recounting of Israel’s past describes what appears to be a true-to-life scenario in which a coalition of foreign powers has joined forces to “stand against the LORD and against his anointed one” (Psalm 2:2 NLT). This was not an uncommon occurrence for the kings of God’s chosen people. They often found themselves facing stiff competition from the surrounding nations. Ever since they arrived in Canaan after their God-ordained exodus from Egypt, they had been in an ongoing battle with the land’s former occupants. It is impossible to determine which historical event is being described, but the context is less important than the message of futility and sovereign power it contains.

This “royal” Psalm is less about a particular Israelite king who sits on a throne in Jerusalem than it is about “the one who rules in heaven” (Psalm 2:4 NLT). The kings who have aligned themselves against the “anointed” one are actually battling Jehovah Himself. To free themselves from the bondage of Israelite oppression, they have determined to “burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us” (Psalm 2:3 NLT). But the psalmist describes Jehovah laughing in scorn at their feeble attempt to thwart His sovereign will.

But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
    The Lord scoffs at them.
Then in anger he rebukes them,
    terrifying them with his fierce fury.
For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
    in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” – Psalm 2:4-6 NLT

God’s intense rebuke is meant to trivialize their bold demand for independence and minimize their hope of opposing His power and providence. The Israelites are not just any nation; they are the treasured possession of the LORD of Heaven's Armies. To oppose them is to oppose God Almighty. Picking a fight with the king of Israel is a foolish and futile endeavor that will always result in failure. Even the unnamed Israelite king pronounces the LORD’s decree and revels in its providential promise to preserve his power and authority.

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.
    Today I have become your Father.
Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
    the whole earth as your possession.
You will break them with an iron rod
    and smash them like clay pots.’” – Psalm 2:7-9 NLT

But this is where the Psalm takes an interesting turn. The king describes himself as God’s son and claims to have a divinely ordained right to rule over all the nations of the earth. He boldly declares that God has given him the whole earth as his possession. The only place in Scripture where this kind of divine promise of global dominance appears is in 2 Samuel 7, where the prophet records the details of the Davidic Covenant. God is addressing King David and assuring him that he will be the father of a long line of heirs who will sit on his throne and perpetuate his dynasty.

“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’” – 2 Samuel 7:11;16 NLT

Solomon would fulfill this promise, but there is far more going on here than David could comprehend. The authors of the New Testament understood that there was a greater fulfillment of this promise than Solomon's reign. While he did ascend to his father's throne, his kingdom eventually came to an end, and because of his disobedience, God split Israel in half, creating two kingdoms that would stand opposed to one another. Yet, God had promised David that his throne would be secure forever.

That is where the New Testament writers saw the prophetic nature of Psalm 2. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they grasped the Messianic implications of the “second psalm.” In a sermon he preached in Antioch of Pisidia, Paul quoted from Psalm 2.

“…now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus. This is what the second psalm says about Jesus,

‘You are my Son.
    Today I have become your Father.’” – Acts 13:32-33 NLT

The New Testament authors viewed Psalm 2 as a Messianic psalm and quoted it 18 times. Chapter 4 of the Book of Acts records the words of a prayer issued after Peter and John were released from jail. It contains a quote from Psalm 2 and attributes the words to King David.

“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?
    Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
    the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
    and against his Messiah.’” – Acts 4:24-26 NLT

The disciples clearly understood that Psalm 2 was a prophetic vision of Jesus, the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah of Israel. He was the ultimate promise of the Davidic Covenant and the one to whom God would give the nations as His inheritance. David’s reign ultimately came to an end and while his kingdom continued under the leadership of his son Solomon, it too would have an expiration date. After the split of the kingdom, Solomon would be followed by other kings in the Davidic line. Still, in 587 BC, the Babylonians completed their years-long siege of Jerusalem and destroyed the city, its beloved Temple, and took many of its citizens captive. With the fall of Jerusalem, the Davidic line came to a halt. No more kings would sit on David's throne. But with the coming of Jesus, born of the line of David, that dynastic drought ended.

So, the closing verses of Psalm 2 contain a warning to the nations, advising them to submit to God’s royal Son, the King of kings and LORD of lords.

Now then, you kings, act wisely!
    Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,
    and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
    But what joy for all who take refuge in him! – Psalm 2:10-12 NLT

The nations of the earth stand opposed to the LORD’s anointed one. Just like they rejected the authority and sovereign power of the kings of Israel, they ultimately reject the reign of God's royal Son. But the day is coming when Jesus, the Messiah, will return to set up His kingdom on earth and rule from David's throne in the city of Jerusalem. The apostle John was given a vision of this future event and recorded it in the Book of Revelation.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. – Revelation 19:11-16 NLT

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.

Choose Your Way Wisely

1 Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish. – Psalm 1:1-6 ESV

The Psalms are a collection of lyrical poems intended to be accompanied by stringed instruments when read. Written over a period of 1,000 years by a variety of different authors, the Psalms reflect Israel’s rich history and provide a backdrop to their relationship with God. The Psalms come in a range of styles, from laments to hymns of praise. Some are songs of thanksgiving, offering gratitude to God for His protection and provision. Others are “songs of ascent” to be sung by faithful Israelites as they made their way to Jerusalem for one of the three annual festivals prescribed in the Law of Moses. There are also psalms of wisdom, victory psalms, royal psalms praising Israel’s Messiah, and songs of Zion

The authors include well-known characters such as Moses, David, and Solomon, as well as lesser-known individuals like Asaph, Heman, and Ethan. In the Hebrew Bible, this book is called Tehillim, which means “praise songs.” When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek (Septuagint), the translators used the Greek word psalmos, which means “song sung to a harp. The English title of the Book of Psalms comes from the Greek title Psalmoi.

This first of the 150 Psalms is a mere six verses long but serves as a powerful preface for the rest of the book. The author's name is unknown, but many have speculated that it may be one of the 70-plus Psalms penned by King David. Regardless of who wrote the Psalm, its content is simple and straightforward, providing a stark contrast between the way of the righteous and that of the wicked. The former delights in the law of the LORD, while the latter faces judgment from God for their godless behavior.

The blessed man is the one who refuses to emulate the ways of the wicked, choosing instead to focus his attention on pleasing God by faithfully meditating on and adhering to His law. The imagery contained in this Psalm is important because it portrays the godly life as a journey. Verse one states, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…” (Psalm 1:1 ESV). The Hebrew word for “walk” is hālaḵ which means “to go.” It can be used literally or figuratively to convey the idea of motion or progress. A blessed man does not conduct his life based on ungodly counsel or advice. His actions are not influenced by input from the wicked. Verse 1 describes three kinds of potentially distractive and destructive characters. The first is the wicked (rāšāʿ). The second is sinners (ḥaṭṭā').  Finally, there are the scornful (lûṣ). Each word is designed to provide a different shade of color or hue intended to paint the least-attractive portrait of the prevailing cultural norm. The wicked are the godless masses who operate according to secular philosophies and humanistic values. Their worldview is man-centered and focused on standards of morality that promote personal pleasure over sacrifice and compromise and convenience over conviction and commitment. These individuals live their lives in an atmosphere of self-deluded autonomy and personal preference.

The term “sinners” was often used of criminals or lawbreakers. These were the kind of people who violated the commands of God either knowingly or unintentionally. Their lifestyle was marked by godless behavior that stood in direct opposition to His rules for righteous conduct. A blessed man refuses to associate with such people. To stand among them is to make a conscious decision to consider their godless behavior as not only acceptable but worthy of imitation.

The scornful refers to the arrogant and prideful who refuse to view their behavior through the lens of God’s righteousness. Rather than exhibiting shame for their actions, they mock their detractors and boast about their spiritual superiority.

The author seems to be addressing the issue of guilt by association. Godly people choose to surround themselves with people who share their values and encourage God-honoring behavior. It is no small matter that the author emphasizes “delight in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 1:2 NLT). This isn’t about rule-keeping or forcing oneself to obey a set of onerous and unpleasant regulations. It’s about delight (ḥēp̄eṣ) – a pleasurable and pleasing determination to do what God prefers rather than obeying the desires of the flesh. 

Godly people choose to be godly because they know it results in blessedness. It is preferable because it is profitable. It not only brings joy to God, but it results in blessings on all those who choose to live in obedience to His will. The psalmist described the benefits of such a life.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do. – Psalm 1:3 NLT

The prophet Jeremiah picked up on this idea.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
    with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
    or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
    and they never stop producing fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT

The fruitfulness is not a reward for good behavior; it is the outcome of a of a deeply rooted, God-centered lifestyle. His emphasis is not on the actions done but on the fruit produced, which only God can make happen. Jesus taught this concept when He said, “I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 BSB). Fruitfulness is the byproduct of faithfulness, not hard work.

But the psalmist uses the wicked as a counterpoint. Their lifestyle produces nothing of lasting value. Their “fruit” is worthless and of no benefit to anyone. He compares them to “worthless chaff” (Psalm 1:4 NLT). Chaff was the part of the grain that was separated during the threshing process and discarded because of its non-nutritive value. The apostle Paul described these fruits as “the works of the flesh” and he goes on to describe them in graphic detail.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,  idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. – Galatians 5:19-21 NLT

It’s not that the godless are fruitless, but that their fruit is devoid of quality and value. It is damaging rather than life-giving. It kills rather than fills. It tears down but can’t build up. The path of the godless is a lteral dead-end that results in judgment and condemnation.

They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
    Sinners will have no place among the godly. – Psalm 1:5 NLT

The Psalms could not have started in a more in-your-face, attention-getting manner. From the very beginning, this collection of worship songs established the stark contrast between two lifestyles that result in two distinctly different outcomes. The way of the wicked results in judgment and not just death, but eternal separation from God the Father and those who chose the path of righteousness.  The psalmist couldn’t have made the contrast any more vivid and threatening.

For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. – Psalm 1:6 NLT

Those who choose the narrow path of righteousness will one day reap a reward; not for their behavior but for their faithfulness to trust God’s will and obey His Word. But those who choose the broader and more appealing path of personal gain and unbridled pleasure will find themselves headed to a dark and deadly destination.

There are only two paths to choose in this life. One leads to eternal life and the other to death and destruction. Once again, the apostle Paul preached the reality of this two-path choice that every person faces in this life.

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. – Philippians 3:18-21 NLT

But Paul was not alone in his assessment of the two paths. The apostle Peter concurred and painted a rather dark picture of those who claimed to be Christ followers but who were misleading the faithful with their pious-sounding lies and lives that produced death rather than life.

These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed. Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. – 2 Peter 2:12-15 NLT

The Proverbs speak to this matter of paths and choices, and warns that the decision one makes has eternal ramifications. So choose carefully and wisely.

The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the godly will flourish.

There is a path before each person that seems right,
    but it ends in death. – Proverbs 14:11-12 NLT

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.