Psalm 32 “The Joy of Being Forgiven”

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (v.1)

Most Bible Scholars believe that this psalm was written by David in the aftermath of his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. In this psalm David is praising the Lord because his sin has been forgiven. However, before David repented and confesses it to the Lord, it ate away at him (vv.3-4), and he carried the weight of it for 9 months until Nathan the prophet confronted him, and corrected him (2 Samuel 12:7). 

God is always willing to forgive and draw us back to Himself, but sometimes it takes a firm hand. If something is heavy on your heart, constantly on your mind, causing you to feel spiritually dry and unconnected, take it to God sooner rather than later - and you will experience the same “joy of being forgiven” as David did. 

The Truth: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Psalm 31 “A Psalm of Trust”

"But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, 'You are my God.'" (v.14)

This psalm is about trusting in the LORD no matter the circumstances.

In the face of trouble, David took refuge in the LORD and proclaimed his faith in God’s strength, trustworthiness, loving care, and ability to rescue and guide him (vv.1-5). He believed that God saw and understood the anguish of his soul and had already responded with grace (v.8). And, though David speaks of great affliction and anguish (vv.10-13), he does so trusting that the LORD will preserve him (v.14).

David was a real person, with real trials, who cried out to the Lord over and over again. But, he also praised Him, gave thanks to Him, and even credited God with answered prayer before it happened.

May God strengthen us all with this kind of trust in Him.

The Truth: "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.” (Psalm 125:1)

Psalm 29 & 30 “Give Him Glory”

“Give unto the LORD the glory due His name.” (v.2)

It is believed that David composed this Psalm while observing a storm. Seeing the lighting, hearing the thunder, feeling the wind and rain probably inspired him to write of God’s strength and power, and causing him to give glory to His name. 

Scripture tells us that, “the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm 19). In Psalm 97 we read, “The heavens proclaim His righteousness and the people see His glory (v.6). 

As a shepherd, I’m sure David looked up into the heavens on many occasions while tending his flocks, both on clear nights and stormy ones, causing him to be naturally in awe of God, to see His glory, and to praise His name. 

May we all step outside and look into the heavens, see His handiwork, and do the same.

The Truth: " “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)

Psalm 30 "Glory to God"

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” (v.11)

Here in Psalm 30, David gives God the glory for answered prayer in his life. He is praising God for exchanging his sackcloth, a garment traditionally worn in times of mourning, for a new item of clothing he called gladness. This gladness or joy, like a piece of clothing, surrounded him on every side. And, he clearly saw it as a gift from the hand of his Creator.

Having been through sorrows and times of mourning myself, I can truly testify to God putting off of my sadness, and covering me with gladness through; His Word, answered prayer, and the body of Christ. Just as David gave glory to God for His deliverance and was able to find joy and gladness in his life after times of mourning, so can we - by putting our faith and trust in Him. 

As the psalmist reminds us in our text, "Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning” (v.5). Thank you LORD for all You have brought us through.

The Truth:  "The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair.” (Isaiah 61:2-3)

Psalm 28 “Hear My Voice”

“Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit” (v.1)

This Psalm probably belongs to the time of Absalom’s rebellion, although we don’t know for certain. What we do know is that it was written by David in the context of some kind of battle. And, if we have learned anything about David thus far through the Psalms, we know he is not shy about calling upon his God for help in time of need. David's big concern in the beginning of our text (for whatever reason), centers around his cry/prayer being answered, and his fear of death (going down to the pit) if God does not answer. 

This raises the questions, What does it mean when God is silent in our lives? And, How should we react when this seems to be the case? Scripture tells us that God is silent sometimes because; He loves us (Zeph. 3:17), other times to test our faith or stir up our zeal (Matt. 15:23), and sometimes because He has already spoken and we have not heeded His words (Matt. 26:62). As to how we should react, David again shows us the way: 1) continue in prayer (v.2), 2) bless the LORD for hearing our prayers (v.6), trust and worship Him (v.7), then rest in His protection as our great shepherd (vv.8-9). 

Even though David experienced this time of silence, he did not go to some other (unhallowed) source for help as king Saul had done when the Philistines encamped against him at Shunem (1 Samuel 28:4). But rather David prayed, worshiped, sang songs unto the LORD, and waited. After beginning this psalm by praying, “Hear my voice” he ends it by praying for others saying, “lift them up for ever.”

So often this is what occurs in prayer as we speak to God, our requests move from “our desires” to the needs of “others.” What a beautiful foreshadowing of King of Kings who would pray for those who persecuted Him.

The Truth:  “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) 

Psalm 27 “Wait On The LORD”

“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (v.14)

Here is the real secret to David’s courage and strength in his decision making during times of persecution - He waited on God for His direction before doing anything in his own strength.

Waiting is never easy, and it can feel like torture, especially when you are concerned (afraid) about not making a mistake. Fear can cause us to be reckless and impatient, to make hasty and unwise decisions. But waiting is the true posture God desires from us. As we look to His Word the LORD meets us there, and His Spirit speaks to our hearts, confirming our decisions in Him. Then, by faith we receive it, believe it, and God then gives us the strength and courage to act upon it. 

Waiting is one of the hardest things to do, but Psalm 27 should speak volumes to us about taking our fears and concerns to God. 

The Truth: "But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Psalm 26 “The Antidote for Complaining”

“Vindicate me, O Lord…I have trusted in You without wavering.” (v.1)

Constant complaining can injure a person’s health, according to Dr. Matthew Budd of Harvard Medical School, “Chronic complainers put themselves in a heightened mood state the disrupts the physiology of the body. There is a higher risk of heart disease associated with anger and hostility and because people who complain a lot see themselves as victims, they are prone to increased stress, depression, and an increase sense of hopelessness.” 

The antidote for a complaining or bitter spirit is trust in the Lord, especially in His justice. Rather than worrying or becoming angry, we should follow David’s example in today’s reading and pray for vindication. His prayer is neatly summarized in verse 1. The request-justice, the doer-God, the basis-David’s innocence and faith in God.

David’s plea of innocence was not a proud one, for David confessed his sinfulness to God in other psalms. Here in psalm 26 he invites God to examine him, and try him, to prove his heart and mind (v.2). He further states to God, “I have walked in Your truth” (v.3), and “prefer Your company, Your house, over the company of “evildoers” and “bloodthirsty men”, who’s hands are full of bribes (vv.4-10). Then finally citing his own righteous intentions as evidence of his worshipful heart (vv.11-12). 

David never claims perfection, only a certainty that what he was suffering was undeserved. He does not air his complaints to all who would listen or stir up some crusade for justice, but takes his prayer for redemption directly to God.

May we all do the same. 

The Truth: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Psalm 25 “Teach Me Your Paths"

“Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your Paths.” (v.4)

This prayer of David is something we all should continually seek from the LORD, enlightenment from His Word and His direction in our daily life. Discerning God’s will is not easy, but the starting point is always to come to the Lord in prayer, as God promises to give us wisdom when we do so (James 1:5). 

Prayers for guidance often concern specific decisions. God’s Word then must be at the core of such decisions, for we know that God will not lead us contrary to His own Word. And, because the Lord often reveals His will through circumstances, we should pray for increased awareness of the Holy Spirit’s leading as well. 

Once we have prayed for guidance and wisdom from the LORD, we like David must wait on His leading. During this time His spirit will guide you, teach you, and confirm to your heart His path. For the mature Christian, there is no other way worth learning about, and no other path worth following.

The Truth: “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)

Psalm 24 “The King of Glory”

"Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up , O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” (v.7)

This Psalm was composed for a choir as a choral hymn to celebrate the removal of the Ark from the house of Obed-edom to Mount Zion, its new resting place prepared by king David (2 Samuel 6). Scripture describes, the great procession by which it was delivered, who was to do the carrying, as well as how it was to be carried. All along the way sacrifices were made, music and song along with worship and praise were lifted up, until it finally arrived (1 Chronicles 15:2-27). Then the shout went out, “Open the gates”, the ark of the LORD has arrived. 

Just as there was a great celebration made and the cry to "open the gates" went out when the ark arrived in Zion, so there will be another great celebration and the cry to “open the gates” when we are gathered together to meet our LORD in the air, when He, our King, takes us to be with Him in Glory (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Hallelujah!

The Truth:  "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Psalm 23 “The Shepherd Psalm”

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (v.1)

We, like sheep, desperately need a shepherd. And if the LORD is truly our shepherd, we should follow Him and not go wondering away from: His provision, His rest, His Word, His path, His comfort, His communion, His goodness, His mercy, nor His eternal kingdom. Or, like sheep, we will find ourselves lost, defenseless, hungry, thirsty, beat-up, wounded, maybe even surrounded on all sides by predators. 

Isaiah said it best: We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way (Isaiah 53:6). That’s our tendency. The human prideful nature that leads to, self-indulgence, individualism, going my own way, doing my own thing, and denying the need for the LORD as a shepherd.

When anyone or anything else is shepherding us, we can never satisfied. If our vocation shepherds us, then there is restlessness and feverish activity and frustration. If education is our shepherd, then we are constantly being disillusioned. If another person is our shepherd, we are always disappointed, and ultimately we are left empty.

But, if the Lord is our shepherd, as David says, we shall not want.

The Truth: "Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:9-10)

Psalm 22 “A Cry of Anguish”

(A Psalm of David to the chief Musician, upon Aijeleth Shahar)

“My God my God, why have you forsaken me?” (v.1)

In many ways this is the most amazing of all the psalms. In it we have a picture of the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus painted by the psalmist David one thousand years before Jesus Christ was born. It constitutes one of the most amazing predictions of all time. At least nine specific events or aspects of the crucifixion are described here in minute detail. All of them were fulfilled during the six hours in which Jesus hung upon the cross. 

Moreover, the latter part of the psalm clearly depicts the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The probability that the predictions of these nine events would be fulfilled by chance in one person, on one afternoon is inconceivably small. The chance that all this could occur by accident is beyond any realm of possibility our minds could imagine. Yet all was fulfilled as predicted in this amazing psalm. 

Psalm 22 has two major divisions; verses 1-21 recount the torments of an unknown sufferer who is entirely alone crying out to God in His agony, then in verses 22-31 we find the suffer no longer alone but in the midst of a large company praising God and shouting in victory.

Our text today deals with the cry of anguish by the suffer experiencing what is perfectly described as death by crucifixion, eight hundred years before it was invented. The words in our text, “Why have You forsaken Me”, are also found in the gospel accounts of Christ death. When Jesus became sin for us, He endured a separation from God He had never experienced in His entire existence. Why? Because the Father is holy and can have no association with sin, so He had to turn from His only Son during that time. Simply put, sin causes separation, no matter who you are.

However, praise God for not allowing His Son to see corruption, but raised Him in incorruption, who now sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you and me day and night before the throne of God. Great is the mystery that God became a man, but greater still is the mystery that that man became our sacrificial lamb.

The Truth: But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled..?” (Matthew 26:53)

Psalm 21 "A Psalm of Thanksgiving" and Psalm 20 "The Power of God's Name"

"The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!” (v.1)

Today as we look at Psalm 21 we see a hymn of thanksgiving and praise to God. Throughout the Psalm David gives thanks to God for; 1) the strength He provides to defeat his enemies (vv.1,5), for answered prayer (v.2), for his many blessings through his life (vv.4,6), and for His presence and unfailing love (v.7).  This is also called a Royal Psalm as David wrote it as king of Israel, and acknowledging that God had given him his throne and established his kingdom. 

What a great example for us to follow in our own prayer life, starting with praise and honor to whom it is due. Acknowledging God for what He has done and not coming to Him with our laundry list of needs first, but thanking Him for how He has established us and the sphere of influence he has given to us.

Now read this Psalm again and while doing so reflect back over your life and give thanks to God for His hand of protection, provision, and his presence along the way.

The Truth: “ In everything give thanks, for this is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Psalm 20 “The Power of God’s Name”

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (v.7) 

David, the king of Israel, was intimately acquainted with the power of God's name. So were the people of Israel. In this Royal Psalm, the people and the king had come together to call on God's name in prayer, asking God's blessing and protection as they were about to enter battle, and proclaim their trust in Him. 

When we do the same before we enter the daily struggles of life, we acknowledge our dependence on Him, and declare our expectation of His deliverance. While others may call on their own strength or resources to save them, we have the greatest weapon of all, prayer to our never-failing God.

This Psalm also reminds us that the power of prayer is often multiplied when God's people approach Him together. Therefore, pray not only in your closet, but collectively with the people of God for the Kind of kings will hear us when we call.

The Truth: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)

Psalm 19 “Acquit Me of My Hidden Faults”

“Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of my hidden faults.” (v.12) 

Here David asks the question, Who can discern his errors? Great question. We can always see the errors of others, but our own we tend to justify. 

So how does God convict us of our sins? His Holy Spirit might speak directly to our hearts, bringing to mind a sinful attitude or action we need to confess. We might feel convicted of sin by reading Scripture, hearing a sermon, being confronted, or seeing clearly through the actions of others that we ourselves have fallen short of God’s standards. These are just some of the means the Lord can use to reveal our sin to us and bring us to repentance. 

In today’s reading, David fell under conviction of his sin while observing God’s creation, and reading God’s Word. So heavy was the perfect, flawless, and truthful Word of God upon his heart that the psalmist wrote, “it converts the soul” (v.7), “it rejoices the heart and enlightens the eyes” (v.8). Leading him to the realization, “the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous” (v.9) and in keeping it (the word) there is great reward” (v.11). 

It’s no surprise that conviction of sin falls upon David in this psalm, because that’s what God’s Word does. It lead David to ask of God to, “acquit me of my hidden or secret faults", as he realizes his need to be cleansed. “How can a young man cleans his way? By taking heed to the Word” (Psalm 119:9).

    

May we have the same conviction, to look at our own lives and pray as David did, “LORD, show me my faults", and then correct them.

The Truth: “The Word have I hid in my heart, that I might sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11)

Psalm 18 “A Psalm of Deliverance”

“I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust: my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies" (vv.1-3). 

This Psalm is an exaltation of God’s deliverance and protection. David wrote it specifically to praise God for delivering him from the hand of his enemies and from Saul, who had tried to kill him (2 Samuel 22:1). The language in this Psalm of David provides great imagery that can help us understand how powerful God’s protection for His people really is, and His justice against His enemies.

However, His deliverance is not always in our timing or even in this lifetime. There are times when God does not deliver us from our enemies/trials; Stephen in the book of Acts is an example, and even our LORD Jesus is another. But, ultimately God does deliver us (as He did with His Son through His resurrection), if we place our full trust in Him. Therefore, just as David in his desperation cried out to the LORD and God heard him, we too can be sure God will hear our cries as well. As believers, His Holy Spirit indwells in our hearts and therefore is never far from hearing. 

God’s strength made David a mighty warrior, able to overcome any obstacle; Goliath, an army, a king. So too it is with all believers. Only by God’s power can we overcome the trials and the difficulties we face in this life. Therefore, call upon the name of the LORD for deliverance and you will find in Him the ultimate refuge, against which no enemy can conquer.

The Truth: “Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.” (2 Samuel 22:1)

Psalm 17 “A Prayer of David"

“Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry; give ear to my prayer.” (v.1)

Truly David was a man of prayer, and here is yet another example. In his opening words “hear the right”, David is making an appeal that God would vindicate him while asking to be heard on the basis of his righteousness. Here and elsewhere the psalmist assumes that right is on his side, and that he is being persecuted unjustly. Very bold to take this approach before a Holy God. Unless he had been convinced of this, he could not have called on God to vindicate him. 

Taking our text one step further he says, “attend unto my cry.” This shows the earnestness of David’s prayer and some feel through a loud piteous cry, like a child’s cry that goes straight to the parent’s heart. I know from personal experience a child has many types of cries and can communicate through them. Maybe David was doing the same thing here by crying out to God. Scripture tells us that God spoke of David as, “a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). Maybe it had something to do with how often he cried out, “Abba Father.”

Finally David says, “give ear to my prayer”, expressing his earnest desire to be heard and answered immediately. Like the repeated blow of a hammer hitting the same nail on the head, David keeps on knocking, he keeps on asking, and laying out his solemn appeal boldly before his God in prayer. What confidence and boldness we see in the remainder of David's prayer here in Psalm 17, along with an expectation of the agent to fulfill the work. 

May we take David's example to heart in our prayer life when we are under attack and boldly present our case before the LORD. And in so doing, touch the heart of our heavenly Father while stimulating faith within our own soul.

The Truth:  Jesus said, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9-13)

Psalm 16 “A Michtam of David”

Michtam means “golden” and/or “hidden.” Some have explained Psalm 16 as a song that leads to the deeper things of God, hidden from the wise, but are revealed to simple by the Spirit. Our text then could also be called, “A Psalm with a hidden or golden secret.” 

The Apostle Peter when quoting from it said, “David speaks concerning Him (Jesus)” (Acts 2:25), and Paul made reference to this Psalm in the book of Acts 13:35-38, expressly ascribing it to God’s authorship through David and affirming that it spoke of His (Jesus') Resurrection. 

The hidden treasure in this Psalm then is Jesus, whom the Father gave as a sacrafice for all, giving a future hope to all who believe through His resurrection and ascension (v.10). The Psalm goes on to promise His eventual glorious return, providing to all who are found in Him fulness of joy, and pleasures in heaven forevermore (v.11).  Why? Because we are His poem, His workmanship, His song, His treasure, His joy. 

The Truth: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Psalm 15 "Who Can Abide in Your House?"

“LORD, who can abide in Your house?” (v.1)

It is commonly believed that this psalm was written by David to celebrate the bringing of the Ark to Mount Zion. The first words of this psalm are almost a repetition of the awe-struck question of the stricken men of Beth Shemesh in 1 Samuel 6:20, “Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?" 

The answer to both questions is found in verses 2-3. If we heed that instruction, we shall not only dwell in His royal palace, but we shall not be moved from our character while here on earth. 

The Truth: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what the LORD requires of you? But to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)    

Psalm 14 "The Fool"

“The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” (v.1)

Psalm 14 states that a person who says there is no God is a fool. Here lies the real issue for so many people, the hardness of their hearts. The person who makes this claim, the atheist or the agnostic, does so because of rebellion not intellect. Their biggest problem with believing in God is not evidence, but rather the threat God poses to their lifestyle. 

Jesus said, “This is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). So, if there is no God, then there is no judgment, no punishment, and no standard of right or wrong. This makes the atheist’s position especially attractive to those who want to live a life of no accountability. Therefore, they come up with foolish theories to support their lifestyle despite what scripture says or even Jesus Himself.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1, “the wrath of God is against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown them ” (vv.18-19). In other words, there is no excuse. God reveled Himself in creation, “His invisible attributes clearly seen and understood, even His external power and the Godhead” (v.20). But, man became “futile in his thoughts and in his foolish heart became darkened. Professing to be wise, some became fools” (vv.21-22).

Therefore, brothers and sisters, do not exchange the eternal for the present, for one day our LORD will return, to rule and reign from Jerusalem for 1000 years. Then the arrogant man will be put in his place for suppressing what he knew in his heart to be true, and placing himself at enmity with God. 

The Truth: "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Psalm 13 “How Long O LORD”

“How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? (v.1)

This Psalm expresses David’s feeling of being forsaken, and forgotten. He wrestles internally with loneliness, doubt, and sorrow - while externally, his enemies seemed to be triumphing over him. The language in verses 1-2 displays a desperate state of mind. But as he continues his prayer, he goes from desperation to a confident trust in God’s mercy, salvation, and provision.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had some of these same feelings. But like David, every time I take them to the LORD in prayer, my focus changes. By casting those feelings upon Him, trusting in Him, turning the issue over to Him, now He becomes to agent doing the work - not me. By letting go and letting God take the wheel, it changes my entire outlook. 

Therefore, talk to the LORD. Pour your heart out to Him. It will change your entire outlook.

The Truth: "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8)

Psalm 12 "Help Lord"

“Help, LORD, for godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.” (v.1)

Here in Psalm 12, evil men seem to be all around David, and it appeared to him that the godly had vanished. Although it wasn’t true, this psalm reflects David’s human fear and depression of the moment. Therefore, he cried out to God for help. His prayer is short, simple, and straight forward. He told the LORD what he saw, how he felt, and asked God to do something about it.

This “cry for help" goes a long way in guiding us how to pray when we feel like evil is prevailing around us. Like David, we too should lay it out before the LORD and leave the rest to Him.

The Truth: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

Psalm 11 "The LORD is on His Throne

“The LORD is in His Holy Temple; The LORD is on His Heavenly Throne” (v.4a)

Today’s verse is about divine justice, and how David closely linked God’s holiness with His justice. These two divine attributes are joined because God’s holiness is the only reliable standard to measure right and wrong, as opposed to man’s judgment which is imperfect and flawed. Man is not holy or just, and he lacks perfect knowledge in any situation. But heaven’s Judge possesses both holiness and justice and from His heavenly throne, "observes the sons of men” (v. 4b).

Sometimes people who are victims of injustice wonder out loud if anybody’s watching “up there.” The unfairness of life in a sinful world can even lead God’s people to doubt His goodness. But Scripture’s answer to these doubts is that nothing escapes heaven’s attention. God is not only watching the events of earth; He is closely examining every motive and action and executing judgment based on His righteous character. Nothing escapes the sight of heaven’s judge, and "the wicked will not escape His justice” (vv.5-6). 

The encouraging promise of this psalm is found in verse 7, “He loves righteousness, His countenance beholds the upright.” Therefore, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).

The Truth: "But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:4)

"Christ - The First Fruits - He Has Risen"

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ are fundamental to Christianity. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then there is no victory over sin - no victory over the grave - no hope in life after dead - the Bible itself then is a lie - and our faith is in vain. However, the scriptures not only predict and record the death of Jesus but, they also predict and record His burial and resurrection.

The death of Jesus Christ was predicted in the OT in Isaiah 53:5-6 in about 500‘s B.C., and recorded in the NT gospels. (Matt.27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18) His crime was, He claimed to be the Son of God. An accusation He did not recount even after a very brutal scourging. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, to pay the penalty that our sins deserved.

The burial of Jesus Christ was prophesied in Isaiah 53:9 and recorded (among others) in the gospel of Matthew 27:57-61 - His resurrection prophesied in Psalm 16:9-10, recorded in the gospels and again in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8. In these verses, the Apostle Paul records a list of the eyewitnesses of the resurrection - Peter, the twelve disciples, over 500 brethren in Galilee, James (the half brother of Jesus), all the Apostles and then Paul himself. These all remained united in their testimony as to the resurrection, even unto death. (violent)

Therefore, since Christ is risen from the dead, He has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. It was by man that death first came into the world, through Adam to all men. But, praise be to God, who sent His Son into the world as a Man, in order to undo the work of the first man. (John 3:16) Thus, by the Man Christ Jesus, came the resurrection from the dead and the hope of eternal life.

This is not however, a universal salvation to all men from death. Adam and Jesus Christ are presented as federal heads, this means they acted for other people. All who are descended from Adam die, so in Christ all shall be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:23) Meaning, only believers in Jesus Christ will be raised from the dead to dwell forever with Him.

So how then are we to live? The apostle Paul says, “If the dead do not rise, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32) He testifies here that - if there is no resurrection - we all would be better off by making the most out of life. However, since Christ has risen, Paul suggests we should not spend our lives on passing interests. We must live for “then” (resurrection) not for “now.” (pleasures)

The Truth: "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh will also rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:9-10)