"O come, let us sing to the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” (v.1)
This Psalm, written by David, is an invitation to mankind to yield unto the true God the praise, worship, and obedience which He requires and deserves. It is an exhortation to praise God for his great power, goodness, and tenderness to his people (vv. 3-7), and cautions against hardness of the heart (vv. 8-11).
The Lord Jesus, whom we are here taught to praise, is God Almighty; the most high God, the everlasting God, and the Holy One of Israel. To him all power is given, both in heaven and earth. He is our God, and we should praise him. For He has made us what we are - created us, redeemed us, and taken us to be his people.
The Truth: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” (Psalm 150:6)
"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Psalm 94 “The Chastening of the Lord"
"Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord, and teach him out of Your law.” (v.12)
The word "chasten" is not used here in the sense of afflicting or punishing. It means here to instruct; to warn; to admonish; to exhort. Meaning, that the man is blessed or happy whom God “warns, admonishes, or teaches”, because he understands the principles of the divine instruction. That man is precious in God's sight, or the Lord would not have taken
the trouble to correct him.
These chastenings are tokens of God's love, and evidences of our sonship, whom He must guide and correct through His Word. Through them, He teaches many lessons of faith, patience, humility, self-denial, and submission to His will. God has care over his children, and thus chastens them for their own good, that they should not perish forever with the wicked.
Yes, sometimes His chastening can be painful, but the action is never meant to punish, but rather to correct. Something to keep in my when raising your own children.
The Truth: "And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. For He chastens everyone He receives as a son.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)
The word "chasten" is not used here in the sense of afflicting or punishing. It means here to instruct; to warn; to admonish; to exhort. Meaning, that the man is blessed or happy whom God “warns, admonishes, or teaches”, because he understands the principles of the divine instruction. That man is precious in God's sight, or the Lord would not have taken
the trouble to correct him.
These chastenings are tokens of God's love, and evidences of our sonship, whom He must guide and correct through His Word. Through them, He teaches many lessons of faith, patience, humility, self-denial, and submission to His will. God has care over his children, and thus chastens them for their own good, that they should not perish forever with the wicked.
Yes, sometimes His chastening can be painful, but the action is never meant to punish, but rather to correct. Something to keep in my when raising your own children.
The Truth: "And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. For He chastens everyone He receives as a son.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)
Monday, August 20, 2018
Psalm 93 “The Lord is Mighty”
"The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their pounding waves. More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, The Lord on high is mighty.” (vv.3-4)
Trouble comes our way, according Psalm 93, in relentless waves that surge and pound against our souls and break upon them with furious force. “The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice,” and they are deafening (verse 3). Yet above the tempest we hear the psalmist’s say: “The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea” (verse 4).
Indeed, “the Lord reigns”! He is clothed with majesty and strength. He sits as King, exalted higher than the waves that rise above us, deeper than their immeasurable depths, greater than their strongest surge. The storm is in His all-powerful hands: “The world is established, so that it cannot be moved,” for His rule over it was established long ago (verse 1). He rules the raging of the sea; the “wind and the sea obey Him” (Mark 4:37-41). He speaks and they are still.
In life, the waves of trouble and grief may sweep over us, but we will not be swept away. He “is able to keep us from stumbling” (Jude 24) and He will not let us fall (Psalm 121:3). And while the storms of life rage, you can cling to the Lord’s promises of love and faithfulness, for His “testimonies are sure” (Psalm 93:5).
The Truth: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-3)
Trouble comes our way, according Psalm 93, in relentless waves that surge and pound against our souls and break upon them with furious force. “The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice,” and they are deafening (verse 3). Yet above the tempest we hear the psalmist’s say: “The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea” (verse 4).
Indeed, “the Lord reigns”! He is clothed with majesty and strength. He sits as King, exalted higher than the waves that rise above us, deeper than their immeasurable depths, greater than their strongest surge. The storm is in His all-powerful hands: “The world is established, so that it cannot be moved,” for His rule over it was established long ago (verse 1). He rules the raging of the sea; the “wind and the sea obey Him” (Mark 4:37-41). He speaks and they are still.
In life, the waves of trouble and grief may sweep over us, but we will not be swept away. He “is able to keep us from stumbling” (Jude 24) and He will not let us fall (Psalm 121:3). And while the storms of life rage, you can cling to the Lord’s promises of love and faithfulness, for His “testimonies are sure” (Psalm 93:5).
The Truth: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-3)
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Psalm 92 “The Lesson of the Palm Tree “
"The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” (v.12)
Have you ever wondered why God compares the righteous to a palm tree? The palm tree grows in sandy soil which has the least amount of resources. Less water, less salt, less fertility, less nourishment. Nevertheless the date palm grows and flourishes in this soil, in fact towering majestically over the other desert plants. Lack of fertile soil stunts the growth of most desert plants but not the date palm. The date palm is impervious to the changing climatic conditions and wind velocities of the desert regions where it grows. And it grows in extreme climatic conditions- blazing heat, freezing cold, sand storms, and droughts. Yet it grows on steadfastly through all these different conditions, into a stately tree.
Similarly no matter where we are planted (good soil, average soil, poor soil), God gives us the grace to thrive, and flourish majestically, like the palm tree. And, as the conditions in life change throughout our time here on earth, God will surely see us through them, giving us the strength to stand and face any adversity. God’s plan for us is not to make us a mediocre people, but to make us strong in His Word; to face difficult situations. And, just as the palm tree is perennially green throughout the year, never changing, so should we strive for a similar consistency and always be a source of encouragement to the people around us.
The Truth: "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
Have you ever wondered why God compares the righteous to a palm tree? The palm tree grows in sandy soil which has the least amount of resources. Less water, less salt, less fertility, less nourishment. Nevertheless the date palm grows and flourishes in this soil, in fact towering majestically over the other desert plants. Lack of fertile soil stunts the growth of most desert plants but not the date palm. The date palm is impervious to the changing climatic conditions and wind velocities of the desert regions where it grows. And it grows in extreme climatic conditions- blazing heat, freezing cold, sand storms, and droughts. Yet it grows on steadfastly through all these different conditions, into a stately tree.
Similarly no matter where we are planted (good soil, average soil, poor soil), God gives us the grace to thrive, and flourish majestically, like the palm tree. And, as the conditions in life change throughout our time here on earth, God will surely see us through them, giving us the strength to stand and face any adversity. God’s plan for us is not to make us a mediocre people, but to make us strong in His Word; to face difficult situations. And, just as the palm tree is perennially green throughout the year, never changing, so should we strive for a similar consistency and always be a source of encouragement to the people around us.
The Truth: "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
Friday, August 17, 2018
Psalm 91 “Safe In His Hand”
“He shall call upon Me and I will answer him; I will be with him in time of trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” (vv.14-16)
This psalm describes the safety of abiding in the Presence of God. As the psalmist describes it, He is our refuge (v.2), our deliverer (v.3), and shall protect us (v.4). He is our habitation (v.9), and shall give His angles charge over us (v.11), and be with us in time of trouble (v.15). Then we shall treed upon the lion and the cobra (v.13), and will see His salvation (v.16).
Meaning, those who abide in Jesus, who dwell in the Lord, will not only be protected and provided for now, but will overcome the evil one and have a glorious destiny in heaven with Him for eternity. This does not mean we are immune to danger, but regardless of our circumstances, we do have the Lord Himself as our refuge. Hallelujah!
The Truth: "Now this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.” (Isaiah 43:1&3)
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Psalm 90 “Sing For Joy"
"O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."
Psalm 90 is the oldest psalm in the Bible. Written by Moses, probably during the close of the desert wandering as the old saint looked back on life. In it, he gives us a glimpse into his heart’s desire for his people, God’s lovingkindness. What a great prayer, so selfless, full of love and grace, for a people who were on many occasions, anything but.
In this psalm, Moses also gives us a preview of the love of Christ, who intercedes for us before the Father, that our sins might be covered by His love. Like the dawn of a new day, our Lord brings joy and gladness to our lives, as He washes away our guilt and shame. I believe Moses was not only looking back over the times when the LORD had forgiven the people, but himself as well.
May our prayers, our heart’s desire, be the same for all those whom God has placed in our sphere of influence, as it was with Moses. That they too may sing for joy and be glad, as their heavenly destination becomes clearer every morning through His love.
The Truth: “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” ( Psalm 100:1-4)
Psalm 90 is the oldest psalm in the Bible. Written by Moses, probably during the close of the desert wandering as the old saint looked back on life. In it, he gives us a glimpse into his heart’s desire for his people, God’s lovingkindness. What a great prayer, so selfless, full of love and grace, for a people who were on many occasions, anything but.
In this psalm, Moses also gives us a preview of the love of Christ, who intercedes for us before the Father, that our sins might be covered by His love. Like the dawn of a new day, our Lord brings joy and gladness to our lives, as He washes away our guilt and shame. I believe Moses was not only looking back over the times when the LORD had forgiven the people, but himself as well.
May our prayers, our heart’s desire, be the same for all those whom God has placed in our sphere of influence, as it was with Moses. That they too may sing for joy and be glad, as their heavenly destination becomes clearer every morning through His love.
The Truth: “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” ( Psalm 100:1-4)
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Psalm 89 “He Is Faithful”
“I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant, I will establish your seed forever, and build up your throne to all generations.” (vv.3-4)
Here in psalm 89, the psalmist recalls an amazing promise given to David by God. It established a covenant with David that his offspring would reign forever! But in looking at Israel’s current state, the psalmist asks the question, “Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David” (v.49)? What led to this seemingly lack of faith?
After Zerubbabel, no prince of the house of David sat on his throne, or had temporal sway over Israel and the kingdom split in two. The Northern Kingdom of Israel would fall to Assyria, and later the Southern Kingdom of Judah would fall to Babylon. The descendants of David then sank into obscurity, and so remained for five centuries. It seemed as though God’s Word was unsure.
However, God had not removed his steadfast love or faithfulness, nor had he broken his covenant. An offspring would come from David’s line (see Matthew 1) who will reign forevermore over the people of God… Jesus. In Jesus Christ (of the seed of David), every pledge made to David was fulfilled. The Psalmist would never see this in his lifetime, and it would be hundreds of years before the first coming of Christ as prophesied (see Isaiah 9:6-7). But, even among all the questions he raised before the Lord in this psalm, the psalmist remained steadfast in his hope of the faithfulness of God (v.52).
Likewise, amidst all our pain and suffering in this life (which we’ve been told will come, John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:12), we too must remain steadfast in our trust in God’s Word. And even though we can not understand our current trials, we can look to His track-record and see His faithfulness shining through in our lives and know that He is faithful.
The Truth: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Here in psalm 89, the psalmist recalls an amazing promise given to David by God. It established a covenant with David that his offspring would reign forever! But in looking at Israel’s current state, the psalmist asks the question, “Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David” (v.49)? What led to this seemingly lack of faith?
After Zerubbabel, no prince of the house of David sat on his throne, or had temporal sway over Israel and the kingdom split in two. The Northern Kingdom of Israel would fall to Assyria, and later the Southern Kingdom of Judah would fall to Babylon. The descendants of David then sank into obscurity, and so remained for five centuries. It seemed as though God’s Word was unsure.
However, God had not removed his steadfast love or faithfulness, nor had he broken his covenant. An offspring would come from David’s line (see Matthew 1) who will reign forevermore over the people of God… Jesus. In Jesus Christ (of the seed of David), every pledge made to David was fulfilled. The Psalmist would never see this in his lifetime, and it would be hundreds of years before the first coming of Christ as prophesied (see Isaiah 9:6-7). But, even among all the questions he raised before the Lord in this psalm, the psalmist remained steadfast in his hope of the faithfulness of God (v.52).
Likewise, amidst all our pain and suffering in this life (which we’ve been told will come, John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:12), we too must remain steadfast in our trust in God’s Word. And even though we can not understand our current trials, we can look to His track-record and see His faithfulness shining through in our lives and know that He is faithful.
The Truth: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Psalm 88 “The Dark Night"
“I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth up; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off. They came around me all day long like water; They engulf me altogether” (vv.15-17)
Some have called this psalm, "the dark night of the soul,” because it doesn’t end on an up-beat note. It is possibly the only psalm that ends without a solution or any relief. It was written by the son of Korah, who had been ill or injured since his youth (verse 15), and was struggling with God’s failure to answer his prayer for healing. Even though he did not understand God’s ways, he kept turning to God in trust.
Sometimes events in life are clouded this side of heaven and things happen that do not add up in our minds. Other times things happen that don’t seem right, as in our text of the psalmist suffering from depression sense his youth. And even though we find no indication of God hearing his cry, silence is sometimes His answer. And if we must continue on in our weakness, it does not mean God has not heard our prayer, or that He does not love us, or that He has abandoned us.
Scripture tells us that, "the rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), and that "in this world we will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Therefore, all of us will experience things we don’t understand, that seem unfair, and even feel like our prayers are not being heard. But take heart! For scripture also tells us that, “God so loved the world: that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Meaning, no matter how wretched we feel, no matter how distressing our situation, no matter how severe our suffering, we are loved.
Unfortunately, faith is no protection from trouble and sometimes we can spiral into sorrow. Nevertheless, like the psalmist, we must remain earnest in prayer. Knowing that God loved us enough to give us His only son, we can know He loves us enough to hear our prayers. And when we feel abandoned, know that God is with us (Immanuel), even in “the dark nights.”
The Truth: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23)
Some have called this psalm, "the dark night of the soul,” because it doesn’t end on an up-beat note. It is possibly the only psalm that ends without a solution or any relief. It was written by the son of Korah, who had been ill or injured since his youth (verse 15), and was struggling with God’s failure to answer his prayer for healing. Even though he did not understand God’s ways, he kept turning to God in trust.
Sometimes events in life are clouded this side of heaven and things happen that do not add up in our minds. Other times things happen that don’t seem right, as in our text of the psalmist suffering from depression sense his youth. And even though we find no indication of God hearing his cry, silence is sometimes His answer. And if we must continue on in our weakness, it does not mean God has not heard our prayer, or that He does not love us, or that He has abandoned us.
Scripture tells us that, "the rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), and that "in this world we will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Therefore, all of us will experience things we don’t understand, that seem unfair, and even feel like our prayers are not being heard. But take heart! For scripture also tells us that, “God so loved the world: that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Meaning, no matter how wretched we feel, no matter how distressing our situation, no matter how severe our suffering, we are loved.
Unfortunately, faith is no protection from trouble and sometimes we can spiral into sorrow. Nevertheless, like the psalmist, we must remain earnest in prayer. Knowing that God loved us enough to give us His only son, we can know He loves us enough to hear our prayers. And when we feel abandoned, know that God is with us (Immanuel), even in “the dark nights.”
The Truth: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23)
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