Psalm 8
This is another psalm written by David. The occassion for the psalm in not noted although v. 3 indicates that he has just spent some time outside at night, looking up at the stars. It is a psalm of praise, beginning and ending with the same phrase: LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! The evidence of the Lord's majesty is that his glory is above the heavens, that he has established a stronghold against his enemies through the praise of children and infants and that he cares for and given authority to humans.
The section on humanity is the main focus of the psalm. David can't get over the fact that in light of all that God has created, he has given such attention to humans. He's even given them authority over the earth and all the animals. I picture David laying on a hill, looking up into the sky at night and just thinking: that's so big and I'm so small! It's amazing that God even knows I'm here and blows my mind that he cares so much for me.
I like the balance David strikes in this psalm: God is majestic, we are small. His creation is amazing and we are nothing in comparison except for the fact that God created us, cares for us and gave us authority over creation. Our position and authority is given to us not because of our merit but because of God's sovreign authority.
I also like the picture of God's power and majesty in verse 2. It is the verse that stands out to me: God is so majestic and strong that he can build a stronghold against his enemies out of the praise of the weakest and most vulnerable humans. It not only speaks to the power of God but the position God has granted humans: humans have been given such authority and power by God that their weakest and most vulnerable members can created a stronghold merely by their voices. The image of a stronghold made of infants' praise is a very vivid one and fires my imagination! It brings incredible peace and security. It also motivates me to add my voice to the stronghold of praise.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
vindication
Psalm 7
This is another psalm of David. The title indicates that it was written concerning Cush the Benjamite. No further information about Cush is given but from the psalm it is clear that Cush is making false accusations against David. Since Saul was also a Benjamite, it is speculated that Cush had the ear of the king and was speaking directly to him about David. There is some speculation that Cush may have been a code word for Saul himself.
In Psalm 6, David is suffering because of his own sinfulness. In this psalm, he is suffering as the result of someone else's sinfulness. Again, this psalm is a lament. David recognizes that something is broken and takes his frustration to God. David calls for his day in court in order to vindicate himself. What is interesting is that God acts as both Judge and David's Defender. The other interesting image is in v. 14: "those who are pregnant with evil..." A very vivid image!
The flow of the psalm is: I am suffering unjustly because of the untrue accusation of Cush. I appeal to God's justice. God's justice means that those who plant traps for the righteous will fall into them themselves. Because I know that justice will prevail, and therefore I will be vindicated and rescued, I will praise God.
If I lived like this, my life would seem so peaceful to those observing my life. I may cry out to God and rage against the injustices and brokeness of the world but outwardly, I would seem at peace because I would be living with the unshakeable assurance that no matter what accusations may be brought against me, no matter what injustices may be suffered in the world, they will all come to light when the Lord gathers the assembly around him and sits enthroned over them and judges the peoples. All the brokeness in this world will be restored. All the injustice of this world will be brought to justice. All the lies will be revealed by truth. All the darkness will succumb to the light. All the righteous will be vindicated.
This is another psalm of David. The title indicates that it was written concerning Cush the Benjamite. No further information about Cush is given but from the psalm it is clear that Cush is making false accusations against David. Since Saul was also a Benjamite, it is speculated that Cush had the ear of the king and was speaking directly to him about David. There is some speculation that Cush may have been a code word for Saul himself.
In Psalm 6, David is suffering because of his own sinfulness. In this psalm, he is suffering as the result of someone else's sinfulness. Again, this psalm is a lament. David recognizes that something is broken and takes his frustration to God. David calls for his day in court in order to vindicate himself. What is interesting is that God acts as both Judge and David's Defender. The other interesting image is in v. 14: "those who are pregnant with evil..." A very vivid image!
The flow of the psalm is: I am suffering unjustly because of the untrue accusation of Cush. I appeal to God's justice. God's justice means that those who plant traps for the righteous will fall into them themselves. Because I know that justice will prevail, and therefore I will be vindicated and rescued, I will praise God.
If I lived like this, my life would seem so peaceful to those observing my life. I may cry out to God and rage against the injustices and brokeness of the world but outwardly, I would seem at peace because I would be living with the unshakeable assurance that no matter what accusations may be brought against me, no matter what injustices may be suffered in the world, they will all come to light when the Lord gathers the assembly around him and sits enthroned over them and judges the peoples. All the brokeness in this world will be restored. All the injustice of this world will be brought to justice. All the lies will be revealed by truth. All the darkness will succumb to the light. All the righteous will be vindicated.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
anguish
Psalm 6
This is another psalm written by David. The exact circumstances of his writing are not given. The first seven verses contain a vivid description of anguish and suffering. It is not clear if David is suffering because of attacks from his enemies (v 7b and 10 would imply this to be the case) or if he is suffering from some illness which the rest of the psalm implies. It could also be a relational break down that is causing David to suffer in this way. Whatever the circumstances, the anguish is intense: bones are in agony, soul is in anguish, worn out from groaning, bed flooded with tears each night, eyes weak with sorrow.
This psalm is a classic lament. Something is not as it should be and it is causing David great sorrow and even questions: "how long, Lord, how long?" It is clear that David recognizes that God is in control and can stop the suffering if he so chooses. He appeals to God's character, specifically his unfailing love, in his request for relief. His logical argument is: I can't praise you from the grave. Therefore, preserve my life so I can continue to proclaim your name. As in all classic laments, David's emotions resolve. He recognizes that God is still in control and that he is good. Therefore, the enemies of good can look forward to being shamed.
I can remember a few times in my life where my body ached because of my sorrow. I can remember when anguish overtook my soul and I can remember asking God some very similar questions. I think sometimes we're afraid to ask God these type of questions and to express our emotions in this way because we're afraid that we will offend God. I think the key is to remember that God is in control. This brings both comfort and more questions: if he is in control, why doesn't he stop what's going on? Also, we need to remember that God is good and, even in the midst of our anguish, he is communicating his love to us in some way. We can have the same confidence as David, not that our situation will become lollipops and rainbows but that God will accomplish his purpose in this earth.
I also think that we are tempted to think that bad things in our lives mean some sort of bad behaviour on our part. This was David's assumption at the beginning of the psalm. Sometimes it is true; God does use circumstances to correct our behaviour. However, it is not always the case. It reflects the linear thinking that we so often fall into: if I do A it results in B. The downfall of this thinking is that we then believe that we can achieve God's blessing (B) if we just work hard enough (A) and if we're not experiencing God's blessing, then we just aren't trying hard enough. This is not correct thinking. God's blessing is only a result of God's grace and there is nothing I can do to achieve it. In the end it comes down to trust. That's where David ends up; trusting that God is in control, that he is good and that loves us very much.
This is another psalm written by David. The exact circumstances of his writing are not given. The first seven verses contain a vivid description of anguish and suffering. It is not clear if David is suffering because of attacks from his enemies (v 7b and 10 would imply this to be the case) or if he is suffering from some illness which the rest of the psalm implies. It could also be a relational break down that is causing David to suffer in this way. Whatever the circumstances, the anguish is intense: bones are in agony, soul is in anguish, worn out from groaning, bed flooded with tears each night, eyes weak with sorrow.
This psalm is a classic lament. Something is not as it should be and it is causing David great sorrow and even questions: "how long, Lord, how long?" It is clear that David recognizes that God is in control and can stop the suffering if he so chooses. He appeals to God's character, specifically his unfailing love, in his request for relief. His logical argument is: I can't praise you from the grave. Therefore, preserve my life so I can continue to proclaim your name. As in all classic laments, David's emotions resolve. He recognizes that God is still in control and that he is good. Therefore, the enemies of good can look forward to being shamed.
I can remember a few times in my life where my body ached because of my sorrow. I can remember when anguish overtook my soul and I can remember asking God some very similar questions. I think sometimes we're afraid to ask God these type of questions and to express our emotions in this way because we're afraid that we will offend God. I think the key is to remember that God is in control. This brings both comfort and more questions: if he is in control, why doesn't he stop what's going on? Also, we need to remember that God is good and, even in the midst of our anguish, he is communicating his love to us in some way. We can have the same confidence as David, not that our situation will become lollipops and rainbows but that God will accomplish his purpose in this earth.
I also think that we are tempted to think that bad things in our lives mean some sort of bad behaviour on our part. This was David's assumption at the beginning of the psalm. Sometimes it is true; God does use circumstances to correct our behaviour. However, it is not always the case. It reflects the linear thinking that we so often fall into: if I do A it results in B. The downfall of this thinking is that we then believe that we can achieve God's blessing (B) if we just work hard enough (A) and if we're not experiencing God's blessing, then we just aren't trying hard enough. This is not correct thinking. God's blessing is only a result of God's grace and there is nothing I can do to achieve it. In the end it comes down to trust. That's where David ends up; trusting that God is in control, that he is good and that loves us very much.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
sleep - part 2
Psalm 4
In many ways this psalm seems like it could be an extension of Psalm 3. Psalm 4 is written by David. The occassion of his writing is not noted. David begins by addressing God with a plea to hear his prayer, then addresses the congregation with assurances that God will hear his prayer along with some instructions to appropriately fear the Lord and finally he addresses God again with a request to look on the nation, with favour.
There is again an emphasis on sleeping which indicates trust in God: I so firmly believe that God is in control that even in the face of many troubles and threats, I will sleep peacefully knowing that God will protect me and accomplish his purpose. David also instructs his audience to search their hearts and be silent when on their beds. I am not sure of the significance of that command.
The psalm seems to indicate that David's audience has doubts that God will hear David's prayer and possibly is ridiculing David for trusting in God. David points out that it was God who sanctified him for the throne. I don't know when in David's life he wrote this psalm but it is clear that David had a sense of being set apart for some service in the kingdom.
David asks that God would fill their his heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. This could possibly be that David is so confident that God will look on the nation with favour, which almost always meant prosperity, that he is looking forward to being filled with joy. However, the use of the word their makes me wonder if David is asking God to help him rejoice in the prosperity of his opposition. Because I am so individualistic in my mindset, I can barely rejoice in the prosperity of my brothers and sisters, let alone my opposers. I need God to transform my thinking from "me" to "we" so that I can truly rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.
I feel in some ways that God has blessed with me assurance today that his Spirit will be helping me in my sermon prep. I slept very well last night! I slept in a little bit but also very restfully. This should normally be the case. I don't need to fret. I don't need to stress. I can completely trust God because he is in control, he is good and he is loving. I pray for this assurance in my life. David isn't going to stress over the apparent drought. There is nothing he can do to make the crops grow except pray and once he's prayed, he sleeps. I wish I could remember in those times of stress that there are things that I can't do and rather than get all upset about those things, to trust God and, when it's appropriate, sleep.
In many ways this psalm seems like it could be an extension of Psalm 3. Psalm 4 is written by David. The occassion of his writing is not noted. David begins by addressing God with a plea to hear his prayer, then addresses the congregation with assurances that God will hear his prayer along with some instructions to appropriately fear the Lord and finally he addresses God again with a request to look on the nation, with favour.
There is again an emphasis on sleeping which indicates trust in God: I so firmly believe that God is in control that even in the face of many troubles and threats, I will sleep peacefully knowing that God will protect me and accomplish his purpose. David also instructs his audience to search their hearts and be silent when on their beds. I am not sure of the significance of that command.
The psalm seems to indicate that David's audience has doubts that God will hear David's prayer and possibly is ridiculing David for trusting in God. David points out that it was God who sanctified him for the throne. I don't know when in David's life he wrote this psalm but it is clear that David had a sense of being set apart for some service in the kingdom.
David asks that God would fill their his heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. This could possibly be that David is so confident that God will look on the nation with favour, which almost always meant prosperity, that he is looking forward to being filled with joy. However, the use of the word their makes me wonder if David is asking God to help him rejoice in the prosperity of his opposition. Because I am so individualistic in my mindset, I can barely rejoice in the prosperity of my brothers and sisters, let alone my opposers. I need God to transform my thinking from "me" to "we" so that I can truly rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.
I feel in some ways that God has blessed with me assurance today that his Spirit will be helping me in my sermon prep. I slept very well last night! I slept in a little bit but also very restfully. This should normally be the case. I don't need to fret. I don't need to stress. I can completely trust God because he is in control, he is good and he is loving. I pray for this assurance in my life. David isn't going to stress over the apparent drought. There is nothing he can do to make the crops grow except pray and once he's prayed, he sleeps. I wish I could remember in those times of stress that there are things that I can't do and rather than get all upset about those things, to trust God and, when it's appropriate, sleep.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
deliverance
Psalm 3
This psalm was written by David while he was fleeing his son, Absalom. I think that context gives extra meaning to the words of the psalm. I don't think the psalms are always arranged thematically but Psalm 2 and 3 fit very well together: God has installed his king in Zion and David expressed complete confidence and peace in the midst of turmoil.
David states the problem: I am so surrounded by enemies that nobody has any hope of my survival. Then he states his confidence: it is God who will protect me, deliver me and potentially restore me. Because of this confidence, David can slepp at night without fear.
This is really an acknowledgement of God's sovreign control. If God really is the ruler of this world and if he really does laugh at the plans of those who rebel against him, then David really has nothing to fear. The plans of Absalom will not overthrow the plans of God. For that matter, the plans of David will not prevent God from accomplishing his purpose. Because David knows that God is in control, he can rest. Because David knows that God is good, he can trust that God's plan, whatever it is, will be good. God sustains David. God lifts David's head.
While I don't often (ever?) have a tonne of human enemies surrounding me, sometimes I feel like circumstances and stresses are piling up around me and threaten to overcome me. There are times when I can't sleep at night because of all the worries I have. David reminds me that I can sleep in peace because God is in control and he is good. Sometimes I feel the need to lift my own head: to sustain myself, to glorify myself, to defend myself. David reminds me that God is the lifter of my head, the sustainer of my life, health and reputation and the shield that defends me. I can have the same confidence in the face of failure, temptation and sin. God is the one who restores and sustains me. There are things I can and should put in place to prevent myself from giving in to sin but ultimately, Christ is my strength, my shield and my defender. I can build my confidence on the second last line of the psalm: from the Lord comes deliverance.
This psalm was written by David while he was fleeing his son, Absalom. I think that context gives extra meaning to the words of the psalm. I don't think the psalms are always arranged thematically but Psalm 2 and 3 fit very well together: God has installed his king in Zion and David expressed complete confidence and peace in the midst of turmoil.
David states the problem: I am so surrounded by enemies that nobody has any hope of my survival. Then he states his confidence: it is God who will protect me, deliver me and potentially restore me. Because of this confidence, David can slepp at night without fear.
This is really an acknowledgement of God's sovreign control. If God really is the ruler of this world and if he really does laugh at the plans of those who rebel against him, then David really has nothing to fear. The plans of Absalom will not overthrow the plans of God. For that matter, the plans of David will not prevent God from accomplishing his purpose. Because David knows that God is in control, he can rest. Because David knows that God is good, he can trust that God's plan, whatever it is, will be good. God sustains David. God lifts David's head.
While I don't often (ever?) have a tonne of human enemies surrounding me, sometimes I feel like circumstances and stresses are piling up around me and threaten to overcome me. There are times when I can't sleep at night because of all the worries I have. David reminds me that I can sleep in peace because God is in control and he is good. Sometimes I feel the need to lift my own head: to sustain myself, to glorify myself, to defend myself. David reminds me that God is the lifter of my head, the sustainer of my life, health and reputation and the shield that defends me. I can have the same confidence in the face of failure, temptation and sin. God is the one who restores and sustains me. There are things I can and should put in place to prevent myself from giving in to sin but ultimately, Christ is my strength, my shield and my defender. I can build my confidence on the second last line of the psalm: from the Lord comes deliverance.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
God's Laughter
Psalm 2
This psalm is made up of the image of the kings of the earth conspiring together against the King of the kings and God's response to their plans. The psalmist paints an almost bully-ish picture of God: a God who laughs and scoffs at the feeble plans of the earth's rulers. In the end, the kings of the earth will submit themselves to the king that God has established in Zion.
The key words are wrath, terror/trembling. There is an interesting choice of words in the last couple of verses: "celebrate his rule with trembling." It reminds me a bit of the old stories of communist Russia - you didn't want to be the first one to stop applauding the president. It paints a very interesing picture of God.
This psalm was probably used as part of the coronation ceremony of the King of Israel but also has a lot of foreshadowing pointing to the coming King of the kings. There is a lot of adoption language which, in conjunction with the historical kings would mean that God has given the king of Israel his authourity to rule. In relation to the Messiah, it speaks more about the authourity that the Messiah has.
The picture this psalm paints of God depends on which side of the line you are on. If I am one who takes refuge in God, then this psalm is incredibly comforting: there is nothing that the leaders, rulers, governments, presidents, prime ministers, chancellors and kings of this world can do to subvert the plans of God. I don't have to stress, worry or fret. God has installed his King in Zion. I can trust completely in him.
On the other hand, if I am one who is opposing God and his plans, I have a lot to be worried about. He has installed his King in Zion and there is nothing that I can do to subvert his plans. My only play is to kiss the son, to surrender to the supremacy of Christ.
The truth is that I am in both camps. I have surrendered to the supremacy of Christ but I am like one of the Baltic states in the old CSSR: constantly trying to assert my own independence and right to rule. I must constantly remind myself that I live my life in submission to the King of the kings. I am only blessed if I take refuge in him.
This psalm is made up of the image of the kings of the earth conspiring together against the King of the kings and God's response to their plans. The psalmist paints an almost bully-ish picture of God: a God who laughs and scoffs at the feeble plans of the earth's rulers. In the end, the kings of the earth will submit themselves to the king that God has established in Zion.
The key words are wrath, terror/trembling. There is an interesting choice of words in the last couple of verses: "celebrate his rule with trembling." It reminds me a bit of the old stories of communist Russia - you didn't want to be the first one to stop applauding the president. It paints a very interesing picture of God.
This psalm was probably used as part of the coronation ceremony of the King of Israel but also has a lot of foreshadowing pointing to the coming King of the kings. There is a lot of adoption language which, in conjunction with the historical kings would mean that God has given the king of Israel his authourity to rule. In relation to the Messiah, it speaks more about the authourity that the Messiah has.
The picture this psalm paints of God depends on which side of the line you are on. If I am one who takes refuge in God, then this psalm is incredibly comforting: there is nothing that the leaders, rulers, governments, presidents, prime ministers, chancellors and kings of this world can do to subvert the plans of God. I don't have to stress, worry or fret. God has installed his King in Zion. I can trust completely in him.
On the other hand, if I am one who is opposing God and his plans, I have a lot to be worried about. He has installed his King in Zion and there is nothing that I can do to subvert his plans. My only play is to kiss the son, to surrender to the supremacy of Christ.
The truth is that I am in both camps. I have surrendered to the supremacy of Christ but I am like one of the Baltic states in the old CSSR: constantly trying to assert my own independence and right to rule. I must constantly remind myself that I live my life in submission to the King of the kings. I am only blessed if I take refuge in him.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Blessed
Psalm 1
There is a contrast between the rootedness of the righteous and the temporary nature of the unrighteous. There is also a nice word picture of temptation: starts with journeying with someone, leads to hanging out in bad places and finally ends up by being at home or taking a place among the wicked. There is another word picture of the blessed one: he is like a tree planted by streams of water that produces fruit in the proper season.
The word delight stands out to me. The psalmist is not talking about a religious reading of the law of the Lord. No, the blessed one takes delight or finds pleasure in the laws of God.
This psalm speaks to me on so many levels. In terms of tempation, am I walking in step with the wicked? Do I hang out in places where I know I will find trouble? Do I feel at home in the company of the wicked? This isn't talking about having friends who are lost but about allowing the lost to influence my behaviour. Secondly, do I take delight in the Word of God? There are times when studying the Word has actually been a rush! However, too many times it is a chore. This is because I don't really understand the value of what I have. The King of the universe is communicating with me! If I am at all alive spiritually, that should bring me great delight!
Finally, there are times when life just seems to be a slog. The promise of this psalm is that the one who avoids the ways of evil, delights in the Word of God and meditates on it will prosper. In the immediate context it is probably talking about success in life: riches, honour, position of respect, etc. In the light of the New Testament, I cannot claim this promise for myself. However, there will be a contentment and a peace when the Word of God is the source of my pleasure and the focus of my meditation.
There is a contrast between the rootedness of the righteous and the temporary nature of the unrighteous. There is also a nice word picture of temptation: starts with journeying with someone, leads to hanging out in bad places and finally ends up by being at home or taking a place among the wicked. There is another word picture of the blessed one: he is like a tree planted by streams of water that produces fruit in the proper season.
The word delight stands out to me. The psalmist is not talking about a religious reading of the law of the Lord. No, the blessed one takes delight or finds pleasure in the laws of God.
This psalm speaks to me on so many levels. In terms of tempation, am I walking in step with the wicked? Do I hang out in places where I know I will find trouble? Do I feel at home in the company of the wicked? This isn't talking about having friends who are lost but about allowing the lost to influence my behaviour. Secondly, do I take delight in the Word of God? There are times when studying the Word has actually been a rush! However, too many times it is a chore. This is because I don't really understand the value of what I have. The King of the universe is communicating with me! If I am at all alive spiritually, that should bring me great delight!
Finally, there are times when life just seems to be a slog. The promise of this psalm is that the one who avoids the ways of evil, delights in the Word of God and meditates on it will prosper. In the immediate context it is probably talking about success in life: riches, honour, position of respect, etc. In the light of the New Testament, I cannot claim this promise for myself. However, there will be a contentment and a peace when the Word of God is the source of my pleasure and the focus of my meditation.
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