The psalmist begins with exuberant praise to the LORD 

“Shout for joy to God, everyone!”

Then he lists what God has done for him and his people. Even though it is probably in reference to Egypt and the Exodus, he leaves it general enough to be applied to any situation. In doing so, the key to this psalm is verses 13-14,

[13] I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
and fulfill my vows to you—[14] vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
when I was in trouble. 

He had made a vow during a troubling time to love, honor and serve the LORD if He would bring him out. The LORD did and so he is honoring that commitment. 

We, too, have made such a “deal” with God concerning salvation. What should be our response to so great a salvation? Telling others of what He has done for us! 

[16] Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.

[17] I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.

[18] If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

[19] but God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer. 

[20] Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! 

And we finish with, “and He will hear your prayer, too!” Of course, IF they are willing to give up the sin that is in their hearts. 

The GOSPEL was being preached a thousand years before Christ came to fulfill God’s Plan!

[6] They plot injustice and say,
“We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning. 

 They are envisioning the future without God. They do not take Him into account. Verses 7 and 8 describe what God does:

[7] But God will shoot them with arrows;
suddenly they will be struck down. 

[8] He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. 

God will use their retribution as a lesson for His people:

[9] All mankind will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done. 

Verse 10 has the promise:

[10] Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!

[2] I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 

David’s experience with God was first-hand and personal. He experienced God in the fields and in the temple. Beholding God changes a person. Now we know why worship is so important. 

[3] Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

[4] I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

[5] My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Enjoy His presence in personal worship today as we look forward to corporate worship this evening and Sunday. 

“My soul finds rest in God alone…” I LOVE that song! We did it recently in church. 

“With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.”

God said something similar through Isaiah, “These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
 but their hearts are far from me.
 Their worship of me
is made up only of rules taught by men.” 

Our praise to God must come from a pure heart, one that is focused on and directed toward Him. “Pure” means “singularly devoted,” not necessarily without sin. It’s all about our intention. Do we mean to include Him in intentional sin, as in 1 Cor. 6:15, Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? May we always say with Paul, Never!

I understand that a prostitute is an extreme example, but sin is sin, whether it is prostitution or lying. We are still selling ourselves to sin. 

[11] One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,
[12] and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. 

I am reminded of the child’s prayer, “God is great and God is Good…” it takes both to describe God! He also holds us accountable. 

Let’s trust in His goodness. 

[4] I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. 

Since the temple was not built until Solomon’s reign, David never knew anything but the tabernacle, the tent. Interesting, no?

[7] May he [the king-himself, but it can be attributed to Christ] be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. 

[8] Then will I ever sing praise to your name
and fulfill my vows day after day. 

Davids intention was to walk faithfully. We know from his biography that he failed with Bathsheba and Uriah, and with his children. Yet he was still known as “a man after God’s own heart,” and “God’s friend.”  

We can take great comfort in that!

[11] Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. 

Anytime Israel looked to her neighbors for help, they got in trouble. It is when things get dark that God shines brightest. 

We are to be His light in a dark world. As things grow darker-and don’t he surprised when they do-make sure that you don’t turn to humans for help (especially politicians), but to the LORD. Only then will we see miracles and have that close bond with Him. 

I always think of Peter when he stepped out of that boat. I like to think that I would have clambered over the side with him…WOW! Wouldn’t that have been exciting? And it wasn’t even a particularly dangerous or strategic moment! It just comes with being with Jesus. 

Let’s lean in and trust Him. Get out of the boat-that’s where Jesus is!

[8] But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you scoff at all those nations. 
Psalms 2:4-9 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them. 

 [5] Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,  [6] “I have installed my King
on Zion, my holy hill.” 

[7] I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
He said to me, “You are my Son;  today I have become your Father. [8] Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession. 

[9] You will rule them with an iron scepter;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 

David has a global view of world events and a pretty good idea of how God works. He has wise words for the rulers of the world:

[10] Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

[11] Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling. 

[12] Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
 for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. 

David finishes 59 with his intention and his practice:

[16] But I will sing of your strength,
 in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble. 

[17] O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
 you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. 

Let’s make our practice, too, shall we? 😃

Psalms 58:10-11 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.
 [11] Then men will say,
“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.” 

What a gruesome psalm! Yet, I know that it will come true eventually,

Revelation 19:17-21 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,
[18] so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” 

[19] Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.

[20] But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

[21] The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Wow! What an ending——-Wait: It’s just the beginning!!!

[7] My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
  [8] Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 

 Now THIS is how we are to respond when the going gets tough! How did get this way? He hid in the shadow of the LORD’s wings: [1] Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed. 

 It’s nice not having to explain anything to God. He knows me inside and out. As long as I am honest with Him, I can rest in Him and enjoy His sweet presence, comfort and love. There’s lots of joy there!

What an attitude!

[3] When I am afraid, I will trust in you. [4] In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

David takes great comfort and courage from this promise:

1 Samuel 16:12-13 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”
 [13] So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. 

We have a similar promise:

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
[20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”  -Jesus

Therefore, let us not be afraid of mere mortals. All they can do is kill our bodies. Our soul and our hope rests in Him. 

[12] If an enemy were insulting me,
I could endure it;
if a foe were raising himself against me,
I could hide from him.
 [13] But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
 [14] with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
as we walked with the throng at the house of God. 

No wonder David was downcast. He had been betrayed by a close friend! “Et tu, Brute’?” (Julius Caesar). 

[20] My companion attacks his friends;
he violates his covenant.
 [21] His speech is smooth as butter,
yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. 

We have known people like this. Proverbs 6:16-19 expresses it well: God hates…one who sows dissension among the brothers. 

How does David respond? [16] But as for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. [17]  Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. 

How should we respond? [22] Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Why? “For He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Walk in His protection today. Will He protect us from suffering? Probably not, but we will never be severed from His love and His presence! Romans 8:35-39. 

[2] Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth. 

David is young and on the run. But he knows on Whom to call!

[4] Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

David trusted in God’s plan to make David King of Israel. He was also careful to give Him all the credit, too!

[6] I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good. [7] For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes. 

May we do the same. 

[1] The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good. 

The literal rendering is, “no God for me.” The fool is saying, “I have no room for God in my life.” Therefore, he convinces himself that God doesn’t exist. He, at least, lives as if He doesn’t exist. 

Thank God for Christ! Were it not for Him, we would all be fools!

Let’s worship Him today. 

It seems that David wrote a song about everything! Here is one about betrayal. 

The key verse about Doeg is:

[7] “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”

Here is David’s:

[9] I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Let’s hope in His name today. 

This psalm was penned upon David’s repentance from his episode with Bathsheba and Uriah. 

Note that in verse 14 he asks to delivered from the guilt of bloodshed. Surely he is talking about Uriah!

One of the most interesting verses is verse 6. It lets us know God’s heart and desire. It also encourages us that He will teach us. Where? In our heart of hearts. 

[6] Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
 you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 

(AMP) [6] Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.

I am reminded of Elijah when he saw the tornado, the wildfire, felt the earthquake, but then heard the still, small voice of the LORD (1 Kings 19:11-12).

Also, verses 16-17 are added to the list!

1 Samuel 15:22

Psalms 50:8 and on

Proverbs 21:3

Hosea 6:6

Matthew 9:13

Matthew 12:7 

Wow! What a psalm. Go, Asaph!

Note: Asaph was a contemporary of David and one of his worship leaders. He was in there with the Sons of Korah. 

[9] I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,

God gave them credit in verse 8 for sacrificing faithfully. However, He let them know quickly that He didn’t NEED their sacrifices. All they owned was His to begin with (v. 10)! 

God’s case against them was, “You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.” V. 17

Even with good evidence, even with them thinking that God was like them because He had been silent (v. 21), God offers them salvation (v. 22-24). 

Samuel summed it up this way, 1 Sam. 15:22 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

And Hosea like this, Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Jesus even quoted Hosea twice: Matthew 9:13, Matthew 12:7

Proverbs 21:3 says, To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 

Let’s live for Him today and receive His salvation and His pleasure!

I used a lot of this psalm in my Proverbs post this morning. 

The key verse for me is:

[15] But God will redeem my life from the grave;
he will surely take me to himself.  

Through and in the Word of God we gain perspective. Would that we all kept the end in mind. 

Psalms 48:12-13 Walk about Zion, go around her,
count her towers,
[13] consider well her ramparts,
view her citadels,
that you may tell of them to the next generation. 

To the next generation, yes, and for another 400+ years. David lived from c. 1040-970 BC  and his reign was from 1010-970 BC with the last 32 years in Jerusalem. The psalm was written sometime between 1010 and 970.  The fall of Jerusalem came in 586 BC. 

How can we believe verse 8?

[8] As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God:
God makes her secure forever. 

The temple was never intended to be an eternal structure. It was first a tent! Then, it was three different temples. Then it was transformed from an earthly structure to the hearts of people with the death of Jesus and the tearing of the curtain. Also, God has a new Jerusalem coming that is beyond this world’s capacity at this present time:

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

[2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

[3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

[4] He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 Wow! What an inheritance we have in Christ! Let us live up to our new heritage. 

[5] God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
 [6] Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
 [7] For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. 

Sounds like a Processional to me! The Sons of Korah were priests that were musicians, so we could rightfully call them Worship Leaders. 

In these verses, we are exhorted to use shouting, trumpets, singing, and psalms of praise. And we should! 😃🎶 Why? Because “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.” (8)

Let us exalt His name today!

[46:1] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble [2] Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea [again],

When driving through the mountains a couple of week ago it was pretty obvious that the Flood of Noah was the culprit behind such devastating beauty. I couldn’t help but think of verse 8, Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

 The other theme to this psalm is in verse 6, Nations are in an uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts. 

When linked to 2 Peter 3:5-7, But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

[6] By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

[7] By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men, we get a clear picture of the future. GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Fire is mentioned again in verse 9 about burning their weapons of war. 

What is God’s goal? This:

[10] “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Have a great day at church!

What a beautiful song! I wish I knew the tune. I would have loved to hear it. 

The psalm has undertones of a spiritual wedding that is coming: The Wedding Feast of the Lamb!

Revelation 19:5-9 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
 you who fear him,
both small and great!” 

[6] Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!
 For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 

[7] Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready. 

[8] Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.” 

 (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

[9] Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

 Favorite verse: [7] You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy. 

It takes us to another prophecy concerning our Messiah,

Isaiah 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
 the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. 

Jesus anoints us with the oil of His joy! Rejoice today!

[3] Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 

David was once again being mistreated. Was it God’s pleasure for him to be mistreated? No; it was by the bad choices of other people. Yet, God uses even the malevolence of others to teach us to look to Him. David asked for God to send him light and care, both of which would lead him to His house so that he could worship:

[4] Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God. 

David finished the psalm by borrowing the refrain from Psalm 42,

[5] Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

How do we beat depression? By remembering the works of God and His love for us!

“These things I remember…” v.4

As David comes before God in song, he is distressed. He likens his emotional state to a deer that has been running and its feet are overheated, so it takes refuge in the stream. What a beautiful picture of us in our world today!

What did David do when he was anxious and depressed? He remembered God’s faithfulness and good times with Him. Then he praised the LORD! I can’t think of a better remedy to depression than praising God through song. 

[8] By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life. 

Beautiful!

This psalm follows the same theme and form as 40. There are two verses that make it quite unique:

[9] Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

This verse is considered a Messianic verse. David was betrayed by a close friend; Jesus was betrayed by Judas. 

[11] I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

Old-Testament thinking: Immediate cause and effect. 

New-Testament thinking: Delayed  rewards or consequences. 

God gives people chance after chance through us to turn to Him. Even at the cost of our own lives. But those who don’t will surely reap the consequences and we will reap the rewards!

[13] Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen. 

As we finish this psalm, you will see David vacillating between displaying confidence and begging for mercy. Note that his confidence is in God’s mercy!

[11] Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.

[12] For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me. David recognized his sinful state-the state of all mankind. 

[13] Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me. I interject confirmation that God did and does: 

Ephesians 1:5 (AMP) For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent] —

[14] May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace. [15] May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame. There is more here than defeat. I think David wants conviction to fall on them, as well. 

[16] But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
“The LORD be exalted!” 

[17] Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay. 

May we put our confidence in His mercy and grace today!

[9] I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 

[10] I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

Bragging on God is always a good idea! Telling of God’s faithfulness is one of the pure pleasures in life. Nothing but good comes of it. I am reminded of when Jesus called out to the Father, “Father, glorify your name!” God answered Him, “I have, and I will!” (John 12:27-28)

May we brag on God and His faithfulness to those around us-tastefully, of course. 

[6] Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require. 

Samuel spoke of this concept in 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied:

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 

Sacrifices were never meant to take away sin; they simply roll everything forward-to Christ! Speaking of Him,

[7] Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll. [8] I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.” 

One more thing:

Exodus 21:2-6 If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.

[3] If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him.

[4] If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.

[5] “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’

[6] then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.

We have gone to the post with Jesus and He has pierced our ear!

Asdf

[4] Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. 

I am reminded of the 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

People put their strength, their faith and trust in themselves, their stuff, other people, and even in gods, which is like following yourself because you get to choose the god you follow. I only know of one God who says, “Follow Me,” to each of us-even today!

[5] Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare. 

I believe that David speaks in past and future tense here. God’s plans for us were made before He created the world and will continue into eternity!

They may be too many to declare, but let’s try, shall we?😃🎶🎵❤️