Psalms

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“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish” (Psalm 146:3-4)

December 27, 2013

Those who put their trust in governments should recognize that they are only made up of men. These “princes” cannot save. Only God can save. Put your trust in God alone. Less politics. More prayer.

“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!” (Psalm 141:2)

December 22, 2013

This psalm of David shows his familiarity with the worship of the Tabernacle. The temple incense was made from a recipe of ingredients that were not to be used elsewhere. The priests burned the incense in censers that filled the temple with their fragrance. The daily evening sacrifice was a burnt offering whose smoke would waft upward from the temple altar. David asks God to accept his prayer as incense and his lifted hands as sacrifice. Perhaps David was hiding in a cave or laying down under the stars, far from the house of the Lord. He asked God to let his voice and body be like the tabernacle’s worship.

“The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: ‘One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne'” (Psalm 132:11)

December 13, 2013

This psalm of ascent calls the Lord to remember His promise to David, that the Messiah would be born in his line. The psalmist wrote this for worshipers to sing as they climbed Zion’s hill, urging God to keep His promise to send the Anointed One. “Of your body” is an unusual phrase in the Hebrew, literally, “of the fruit of your womb.” Of course, David had no womb. But Mary did.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1)

December 8, 2013

Our plans for building a house for our family, or for the church may be well-intended, but will not succeed without the Lord. Can you furnish your house with love, joy and peace without the Spirit of God? It is good that you work to provide food, shelter and education for your kids, but who will shepherd their hearts? Who will save their souls? Who will prepare them for eternity? When we decide to BE the family of God, He will BUILD the house. As Jesus told Peter, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” Let God build your house.

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” (Psalm 126:5)

December 7, 2013

The principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout the Bible. The principle involves at least two features: 1) You reap according to what you sow. You sow grass, you get grass. Sow weeds, get weeds. 2) You reap more than you sow. This is the principle of multiplication.
We can choose to sow good seed even in seasons of suffering. Even when it is tempting to eat the seed rather than sow it. When we sow good seed, we can trust the Lord with the harvest. And when the time for reaping comes, He turns our weeping into joy.

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!'” (Psalm 122:1)

December 3, 2013

One of the psalms of ascent, this one written by David, it encourages pilgrims to prepare themselves for worship in Jerusalem by praying for its shalom (peace). Perhaps we need songs to sing as we get ready, loading our kids in the car and driving to church each week. In this way we would bring our glad worship to the house of the Lord.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2)

December 2, 2013

This is one of the 15 “Psalms of Ascent.” Psalms 120 through 134 were written for pilgrims to sing as they ascended towards the holy city, Jerusalem and the temple mount. Today, many pilgrims, both Jew and Christian alike, read these psalms on the Southern steps approaching the Huldah or Triple Gate to the temple mount. But we don’t have to go to Israel to be inspired and encouraged by these psalms. Who will help me climb out of this valley? Who will answer my cry and need? My Helper is the Creator. He is the Lord!

“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (Psalm 119:16)

November 21, 2013

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. For those who know “Bible Drill,” it is near the center (excluding notes and concordance), which is helpful. It is an acrostic, with each stanza beginning with one of the 22 Hebrew letters in the alphabet (aleph, beth, gimel…). It uses many synonyms to describe God’s Word and is a celebration and praise of it. Above, you will notice it uses “statutes” and “word.” It seems appropriate that at the very center, the longest chapter in the Word, would be about, for, and in celebration of the Word.

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man” (Psalm 118:8)

November 19, 2013

Learn to trust in the Lord finding a place of security in Him. Trust in man will always lead to disappointment. Dependence on human government (“princes” as in v.9) or other human systems is also not advised. Depend on God.

“Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?” (Psalm 113:5-6)

November 15, 2013

A rhetorical question that begs the answer, “None!” The Psalmist uses this question to intensify the praise of those who worship the Lord. It causes us to shout out in response, “None is like our God!!!” The Lord is here described as “seated on high,” showing His lofty position over and above creation. Yet, the following verses detail His interest in the “poor” and the “barren woman.” God is both transcendent and immanent. His position is higher than all, yet He stoops to help the least of these. Who is like Him?