Psalm 31
Again, David uses incredible imagery to describe both the desperation of his situation and his complete dependance on the Lord. The psalm indicates that the wicked are enjoying a time of prosperity and the righteous are suffering. In this situation, it would be easy to lose heart and faith but David reminds himself and his audience that their hope and trust are completely in the Lord and that the Lord is faithful and trustworthy.
I am reading Eli Wiesel's "Night" right now and some of the situations David describes reminds me of the situation in Germany. It was a death sentence to associate with a Jew and so even their friends mostly abandoned them and did not speak up in their defence, sometimes even denying, in word and attitude and action, that they ever even knew their Jewish neighbours. David is experiencing similar rejection: because of the oppression of his enemies, his friends no longer acknowledge his presence, as if he is dead. The people who see him on the streets turn away from him. To acknowledge him is to be tainted by the death that hangs over him.
How can David remain faithful and hopeful in such a dire situation? I think it is because of his past experiences of God's saving mercy. He remembers the mercy and love he experienced in a city under siege. He remembers the saving power of the Lord in his own history as well as the history of the people and he trusts that God will rescue him again. So, be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord!
This certainly speak of the massive faith that David had but more than that, it speaks about the faithfulness of the Lord. David can only trust in the Lord if the Lord is in control. If he is not, then there is reason to despair for then the fight is not decided and evil may prevail. The Lord must also be good. If he is not, then there is reason for despair for he may be the source of the pain and suffering without any reason. Finally, the Lord must be love. If he is not, then he may be simply using David, his people and you and I in a chess match that he will win and which will be good but not necessarily for us. If he is not, then the ends justify the means. What I see in Scripture is that not only will the Lord accomplish a good end but he will do it by a good means. When I recognize this, I can say with David, "Praise be to the Lord!"
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Night and Day
Psalm 30
This psalm was written by David for the dedication of the temple (or possibly the palace). If it was written for the dedication for the temple it was an act of faith since the temple was not built in David's lifetime. I find the psalm to be an incredibly personal psalm for such a public occasion.
The first stanza expresses praise to God for deliverance from death and humiliation. The second stanza calls on the people to sing the praises of the Lord because his anger and judgement are momentary while his joy and favour are long lasting. David uses the imagery of day and night to make his point: just as the dawn follows the night, so the joy of the Lord will follow times of sorrow. The third stanza talks about the security David feels when he is in the Lord's favour and the terror he experiences when the Lord hides his face. David seems to be reliving the experience of not seeing the Lord's face, perhaps the circumstances he refers to at the beginning of the psalm, and recalls how he cried for mercy in that moment. I really take delight in David's argument: "If I die, I will not be alive to praise you. You should save me from death so I can continue to sing your praise." In the fifth stanza, David recalls the Lord's response to his plea, using imagery and language that seem to dance across the page: "you turned my mourning into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent."
This psalm serves as a good reminder that the day is coming. It may seem like the night is never ending. It may seem as if the Lord's face is hidden. It may seem like our suffering will last forever. David experienced the dawn. We may not experience much of the sun in our lifetime but we can be sure that the dawn is coming. There is coming a time when light will flood our senses, when the we will experience the hilarity of the Lord lifting his countenance upon us and when we will experience the end of every pain and sorrow. Then we will finally and completely exchange our sackcloth for joy and our mourning for dancing.
This psalm was written by David for the dedication of the temple (or possibly the palace). If it was written for the dedication for the temple it was an act of faith since the temple was not built in David's lifetime. I find the psalm to be an incredibly personal psalm for such a public occasion.
The first stanza expresses praise to God for deliverance from death and humiliation. The second stanza calls on the people to sing the praises of the Lord because his anger and judgement are momentary while his joy and favour are long lasting. David uses the imagery of day and night to make his point: just as the dawn follows the night, so the joy of the Lord will follow times of sorrow. The third stanza talks about the security David feels when he is in the Lord's favour and the terror he experiences when the Lord hides his face. David seems to be reliving the experience of not seeing the Lord's face, perhaps the circumstances he refers to at the beginning of the psalm, and recalls how he cried for mercy in that moment. I really take delight in David's argument: "If I die, I will not be alive to praise you. You should save me from death so I can continue to sing your praise." In the fifth stanza, David recalls the Lord's response to his plea, using imagery and language that seem to dance across the page: "you turned my mourning into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent."
This psalm serves as a good reminder that the day is coming. It may seem like the night is never ending. It may seem as if the Lord's face is hidden. It may seem like our suffering will last forever. David experienced the dawn. We may not experience much of the sun in our lifetime but we can be sure that the dawn is coming. There is coming a time when light will flood our senses, when the we will experience the hilarity of the Lord lifting his countenance upon us and when we will experience the end of every pain and sorrow. Then we will finally and completely exchange our sackcloth for joy and our mourning for dancing.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Voice of the Lord
Psalm 29
David focuses on the glory of the Lord as seen in the mighty force of his voice. The first stanza repeats the phrase "ascribe to the Lord" three times, each one building on the previous thought: first identifying the audience to whom the command is given (heavenly beings), second identifying exactly what they are to ascribe to the Lord (glory) and third identifying the reason for ascribing glory to the Lord (he is due it). The second stanza focuses on the voice of the Lord and David gives many examples of what the voice of the Lord can accomplish. David ends by affirming the Lord's position as King above all the turmoil of earth. He re-inforces the idea of the Lord being enthroned: he is not waiting for this throne or his kingdom but sits as ruler now.
David's main point seems to be that we should give the Lord the glory he is due because he is so powerful that his very words have a devastating affect on people and nations and because he is enthroned as the King of the universe. The imagery that David uses to describe the affect that the Lord's voice has is stark and sometimes frightening. At first it reinforces the majesty of the Lord: the voice of the Lord thundering over the waters in power and majesty. Then David reminds us just how powerful the Lord's voice is: it not only creates but destroys; it not only draws people but sends them running like a frightened calf. This is something that I don't think of often. Actually, I'm not sure that's a fair statement. I live with a constant awareness of the Lord's justice and might. It is always there in the background acting as a motivating factor for much of my life. Yet it is a somewhat unrealized fear. I rationalize my choice to engage in sin by stating that I haven't been punished yet but I live in constant fear that someday the shoe will drop and I will be in a world of hurt for all the selfishness and depravity that my choices have exhibited. I believe that the Lord can use this fear to bring repentance and I believe that there is a seed of truth in there. However, I also believe that this type of fear actually keeps me at a distance from God. I act as if I believe that if I maintain my distance I am less likely to be discovered for who I am and therefore less likely to face the terrible voice of the Lord. My prayer is that the Lord would reveal the fullness of who he is to me: all his goodness, his grace, his love and his majesty. I want to have a healthy fear of the Lord for it is the beginning of wisdom and I also want to realize the intimacy and peace that is available to me as one who has placed his trust in the Lord.
This is where David ends his psalm. The Lord is enthroned over the chaos and turbulence, he strengthens his people and he blesses them with peace. I believe that the Lord actively provides strength and peace to his people but I also believe that there is a passive, if one can use such a word about the Lord, aspect to his provision: I receive peace and strength when I realize and acknowledge that the Lord is enthroned over the flood. He is the King and I can rest in confidence and move in confidence. The chaos and turbulence of this world will not overcome me or overthrow the Lord. He is the King.
David focuses on the glory of the Lord as seen in the mighty force of his voice. The first stanza repeats the phrase "ascribe to the Lord" three times, each one building on the previous thought: first identifying the audience to whom the command is given (heavenly beings), second identifying exactly what they are to ascribe to the Lord (glory) and third identifying the reason for ascribing glory to the Lord (he is due it). The second stanza focuses on the voice of the Lord and David gives many examples of what the voice of the Lord can accomplish. David ends by affirming the Lord's position as King above all the turmoil of earth. He re-inforces the idea of the Lord being enthroned: he is not waiting for this throne or his kingdom but sits as ruler now.
David's main point seems to be that we should give the Lord the glory he is due because he is so powerful that his very words have a devastating affect on people and nations and because he is enthroned as the King of the universe. The imagery that David uses to describe the affect that the Lord's voice has is stark and sometimes frightening. At first it reinforces the majesty of the Lord: the voice of the Lord thundering over the waters in power and majesty. Then David reminds us just how powerful the Lord's voice is: it not only creates but destroys; it not only draws people but sends them running like a frightened calf. This is something that I don't think of often. Actually, I'm not sure that's a fair statement. I live with a constant awareness of the Lord's justice and might. It is always there in the background acting as a motivating factor for much of my life. Yet it is a somewhat unrealized fear. I rationalize my choice to engage in sin by stating that I haven't been punished yet but I live in constant fear that someday the shoe will drop and I will be in a world of hurt for all the selfishness and depravity that my choices have exhibited. I believe that the Lord can use this fear to bring repentance and I believe that there is a seed of truth in there. However, I also believe that this type of fear actually keeps me at a distance from God. I act as if I believe that if I maintain my distance I am less likely to be discovered for who I am and therefore less likely to face the terrible voice of the Lord. My prayer is that the Lord would reveal the fullness of who he is to me: all his goodness, his grace, his love and his majesty. I want to have a healthy fear of the Lord for it is the beginning of wisdom and I also want to realize the intimacy and peace that is available to me as one who has placed his trust in the Lord.
This is where David ends his psalm. The Lord is enthroned over the chaos and turbulence, he strengthens his people and he blesses them with peace. I believe that the Lord actively provides strength and peace to his people but I also believe that there is a passive, if one can use such a word about the Lord, aspect to his provision: I receive peace and strength when I realize and acknowledge that the Lord is enthroned over the flood. He is the King and I can rest in confidence and move in confidence. The chaos and turbulence of this world will not overcome me or overthrow the Lord. He is the King.
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Fortress of Salvation
Psalm 28
David is returning to a familiar theme: his complete dependence on God and his keen sense of justice. He begins with a petition for God to hear his prayer and then calls on him to pour out justice on the wicked. He ends with assurance that God has heard his prayer and is the strength of the king and the nation.
David uses some metaphors/similes to describe the strength of God: rock, my strength, my shield, a fortress of salvation, shepherd. I resonate with the fortress of salvation. It evokes images of building forts in the living room and in the backyard; secret places of peace, safety, security and adventure. Unlike my chair and blanket forts, God provides a place of true security. There is nothing that can penetrate his defenses. When I am found in God, I am comletely safe and can have utter confidence. The other image that resonates with me is the image of shepherd. This is another common image that David uses but in this case it stands out because of all the other images that David uses of shields, fortresses, rocks and strengths. The image of shepherd is usually a very tender image in my mind. Here, David reminds me that God the Shepherd is a strong shepherd. He is a warrior who will do battle on behalf of his sheep. He guides and directs his sheeps and protects them. The reason that the image of Shepherd is such a tender one is because in the presence of the Shepherd, I am completely secure and at peace. Nothing can harm me. I can trust him implicitly.
David is returning to a familiar theme: his complete dependence on God and his keen sense of justice. He begins with a petition for God to hear his prayer and then calls on him to pour out justice on the wicked. He ends with assurance that God has heard his prayer and is the strength of the king and the nation.
David uses some metaphors/similes to describe the strength of God: rock, my strength, my shield, a fortress of salvation, shepherd. I resonate with the fortress of salvation. It evokes images of building forts in the living room and in the backyard; secret places of peace, safety, security and adventure. Unlike my chair and blanket forts, God provides a place of true security. There is nothing that can penetrate his defenses. When I am found in God, I am comletely safe and can have utter confidence. The other image that resonates with me is the image of shepherd. This is another common image that David uses but in this case it stands out because of all the other images that David uses of shields, fortresses, rocks and strengths. The image of shepherd is usually a very tender image in my mind. Here, David reminds me that God the Shepherd is a strong shepherd. He is a warrior who will do battle on behalf of his sheep. He guides and directs his sheeps and protects them. The reason that the image of Shepherd is such a tender one is because in the presence of the Shepherd, I am completely secure and at peace. Nothing can harm me. I can trust him implicitly.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Trust
Psalm 25
Trust is the theme of this psalm of David. This is an interesting psalm because it is so much about the character of God and a surrender to God but the occassion for writing it is that David has been reminded of a past sin. However, David recognizes that God is good, upright and loving and therefore David's relationship to God does not have to be defined by his previous sinfulness. He can enjoy a restored relationship because God has forgiven his sin.
I like the contrasts: Remember your mercy and love, not the sin of my youth. This is not easy grace. David recognizes the greatness of his iniquity. In fact, verse 16-19 indicate that he feels the pain of his sin keenly. David also recognizes that forgiveness from God cannot be earned or based on merit. It is only according the name and character of the Lord that he will be forgiven.
My prayer could very often echo this prayer of David:
"God, I trust in you. Show me your ways, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and lead me for my hope is in you always. Remember your mercy and love and not my sinfulness for you are good.
You will instruct, guide and teach sinners like me for, even though I am not good, you are. For the sake of your name and because of your loving faithfulness forgive my sin, though it is great. I will look to you alone for help, for guidance and instruction.
I feel the full weight of my sin and the triumph of my spiritual enemies. Please turn your face to me and be gracious to me. Don't let me be put to shame for I take refuge in you. My hope is in you."
Trust is the theme of this psalm of David. This is an interesting psalm because it is so much about the character of God and a surrender to God but the occassion for writing it is that David has been reminded of a past sin. However, David recognizes that God is good, upright and loving and therefore David's relationship to God does not have to be defined by his previous sinfulness. He can enjoy a restored relationship because God has forgiven his sin.
I like the contrasts: Remember your mercy and love, not the sin of my youth. This is not easy grace. David recognizes the greatness of his iniquity. In fact, verse 16-19 indicate that he feels the pain of his sin keenly. David also recognizes that forgiveness from God cannot be earned or based on merit. It is only according the name and character of the Lord that he will be forgiven.
My prayer could very often echo this prayer of David:
"God, I trust in you. Show me your ways, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and lead me for my hope is in you always. Remember your mercy and love and not my sinfulness for you are good.
You will instruct, guide and teach sinners like me for, even though I am not good, you are. For the sake of your name and because of your loving faithfulness forgive my sin, though it is great. I will look to you alone for help, for guidance and instruction.
I feel the full weight of my sin and the triumph of my spiritual enemies. Please turn your face to me and be gracious to me. Don't let me be put to shame for I take refuge in you. My hope is in you."
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Seeking Generation
Psalm 24
This is a praise psalm composed by David. There are three major sections. The first section focuses on the creative power of the Lord. The second section asks and answers the question, "who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?" The final section addresses the gates of the temple or the city, proclaiming the arrival of the King of glory. This section seems to build into a crescendo of praise, perhaps resulting from the thought that the Lord has vindicated and blessed his people.
It is obvious that David's hope of salvation was in the Lord. He asks who may stand before the presence of God and then answers his own question: those who have clean hands and a pure heart and whose loyalties are not divided. The qualifications are high: both inwardly (heart) and outwardly (hands), David has to be perfect. I really like the simplicity with which David sums up the requirements to stand before God. In three simple images, he captures the total picture. His hands must be clean meaning that his actions must be righteous. There must not be any blood on his hands. His heart must be pure which means his affections, his attitudes, his motivations and his thoughts must be pure. He must not swear by any other god, meaning that his worship must be focused only on the Lord God. He must not have anything besides God at the center of his life.
The requirements are impossible to meet and yet David has this utmost confidence that he can stand in the presence of God. Why? Because he trusts God for his salvation and not his own religious observances and piety. David recognizes his own sinfulness (we'll see that in other psalms) but trusts that the grace and righteousness of God are enough to overcome his impurity and make him pure.
This is also my only hope. Yes, of course, I strive to be more righteous in my actions, interactions, atttitudes and worship but ultimately I know that I am not righteous. I depend on Christ for my vindication. This is the characteristic of the generation who seeks God's face - their hands are clean because Jesus has made them clean. Their hearts are pure because Jesus makes them pure. They worship with integrity because Christ has bound their wandering hearts to his.
This is a praise psalm composed by David. There are three major sections. The first section focuses on the creative power of the Lord. The second section asks and answers the question, "who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?" The final section addresses the gates of the temple or the city, proclaiming the arrival of the King of glory. This section seems to build into a crescendo of praise, perhaps resulting from the thought that the Lord has vindicated and blessed his people.
It is obvious that David's hope of salvation was in the Lord. He asks who may stand before the presence of God and then answers his own question: those who have clean hands and a pure heart and whose loyalties are not divided. The qualifications are high: both inwardly (heart) and outwardly (hands), David has to be perfect. I really like the simplicity with which David sums up the requirements to stand before God. In three simple images, he captures the total picture. His hands must be clean meaning that his actions must be righteous. There must not be any blood on his hands. His heart must be pure which means his affections, his attitudes, his motivations and his thoughts must be pure. He must not swear by any other god, meaning that his worship must be focused only on the Lord God. He must not have anything besides God at the center of his life.
The requirements are impossible to meet and yet David has this utmost confidence that he can stand in the presence of God. Why? Because he trusts God for his salvation and not his own religious observances and piety. David recognizes his own sinfulness (we'll see that in other psalms) but trusts that the grace and righteousness of God are enough to overcome his impurity and make him pure.
This is also my only hope. Yes, of course, I strive to be more righteous in my actions, interactions, atttitudes and worship but ultimately I know that I am not righteous. I depend on Christ for my vindication. This is the characteristic of the generation who seeks God's face - their hands are clean because Jesus has made them clean. Their hearts are pure because Jesus makes them pure. They worship with integrity because Christ has bound their wandering hearts to his.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Green Pastures and Quiet Waters
Psalm 23
I can definitely see why this is such a favourite psalm. It is so gentle, so full of peace and yet not fairy-tale, happily ever after kind of sentiment. David, the composer, is reflecting on his relationship with the Lord. It is obvious that David is drawing on his experience as a shepherd, perhaps even writing the psalm while out with the sheep. He carries the shepherd-sheep imagery through the first two thirds, painting pictures of green pastures, quiet waters, and confidence in the shepherd even when the path leads through shadow filled valleys. The last third of the psalm talks about the provision of the Lord even in the face of opposition and the joy that David has from his relationship with the Lord.
The rod and the staff bring comfort to David. The rod and the staff, as far as I know, are meant to correct and guide the sheep. I've never heard of a shepherd beating his sheep with the rod but I imagine it could happen. David is speaking of the gentle, love-filled corrective touches from God. I can imagine that sometimes the sheep find those corrective touches restricting and sometimes even scary. For David they are reminders of God's presence and his care and love for the sheep.
I long for this kind of relationship with God. I know lots about God and I do a lot of the right things; things that people have told me will increase my intimacy with God but I still feel like my faith is more intellectual than passionate. I feel like I have a theology more than I have a relationship at times. I feel like I am missing out on the kind of closeness that David had with the Lord. Oh, I can look back on my life and see where God has definitely been my shepherd. I can recount instances where his rod and staff have corrected me and comforted me. I can tell people about times when I walked through dark valleys and knew that God was still in control, good and loving. Maybe the reason that I don't experience God's presence is because I don't take enough time to reflect each day on where I saw and experienced the presence of God.
I can definitely see why this is such a favourite psalm. It is so gentle, so full of peace and yet not fairy-tale, happily ever after kind of sentiment. David, the composer, is reflecting on his relationship with the Lord. It is obvious that David is drawing on his experience as a shepherd, perhaps even writing the psalm while out with the sheep. He carries the shepherd-sheep imagery through the first two thirds, painting pictures of green pastures, quiet waters, and confidence in the shepherd even when the path leads through shadow filled valleys. The last third of the psalm talks about the provision of the Lord even in the face of opposition and the joy that David has from his relationship with the Lord.
The rod and the staff bring comfort to David. The rod and the staff, as far as I know, are meant to correct and guide the sheep. I've never heard of a shepherd beating his sheep with the rod but I imagine it could happen. David is speaking of the gentle, love-filled corrective touches from God. I can imagine that sometimes the sheep find those corrective touches restricting and sometimes even scary. For David they are reminders of God's presence and his care and love for the sheep.
I long for this kind of relationship with God. I know lots about God and I do a lot of the right things; things that people have told me will increase my intimacy with God but I still feel like my faith is more intellectual than passionate. I feel like I have a theology more than I have a relationship at times. I feel like I am missing out on the kind of closeness that David had with the Lord. Oh, I can look back on my life and see where God has definitely been my shepherd. I can recount instances where his rod and staff have corrected me and comforted me. I can tell people about times when I walked through dark valleys and knew that God was still in control, good and loving. Maybe the reason that I don't experience God's presence is because I don't take enough time to reflect each day on where I saw and experienced the presence of God.
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