Psalms

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“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?

“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1)

November 13, 2013

How to prepare yourself for church: The Psalmist announces his intent to praise and give thanks to the Lord. He describes what he will do, with what motive he will do it, where, and in whose company. He plans to sing, shout, give a thanks-offering (this is a free-will offering above his regular tithes and offerings) motivated by his whole-hearted love. And he plans to do it at God’s house surrounded by like-minded fellow worshipers who are doing the same. I want to go to church with this guy!

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble” (Psalm 107:2)

November 9, 2013

If you’ve been redeemed (bought back, ransomed, delivered) by the Lord, the Psalmist encourages you to “say so!” We can never repay the One who gave His life as a ransom for us, but we can certainly give Him thanks and praise. We were sinful, separated and spiritually dead, but Christ has redeemed us, granting us His righteousness, sonship, and life. So, if you know so, SAY SO!

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4)

November 3, 2013

This is the abiding life, to seek the life-giving strength of the Vine and to walk in His presence always. Rather than seeking (worrying, wondering) what we should do about a thing, seek God’s strength and presence. Where is God in this? How can we join Him there? Not laboring in the flesh, but resting in the Spirit.

“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” (Psalm 100:3)

October 28, 2013

“Know” – in the imperative, it calls us to acknowledge that the Lord is God and to seek an abiding understanding and a foundational grounding that He is both Creator and Owner of all, including us. This knowing is not just transcendent, but immanent, for it calls us to not only know that He is Lord over all, but also personal, familial and shepherd to us. We can know about Him, but better yet, we can know Him personally and relationally.