Milo

APRIL 25

Reading 115

CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER Psalms 64–72

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death” (Ps. 68:19–20).The psalmists often express feelings of overwhelming need. Yet they also remind us that however great the need, our God is able to answer prayer.

Overview

This group of psalms is launched with a plea for protection (Ps. 64). God’s ability to answer prayer is affirmed in psalms that review His righteous works (Ps. 65), His awesome works (Ps. 66), His rule (Ps. 67), and His saving works (Ps. 68). Two pleas (Pss. 69–70) are followed by a psalm expressing confidence in God (Ps. 71). Book II ends with a psalm by Solomon celebrating the ministry of the messianic King (Ps. 72).

Understanding the Text

Psalm 64:

A Plea for Protection.

David sought God’s help against cunning enemies who plotted against him. “I voice my complaint” Ps. 64:1–10. The Hebrew word translated “complaint” is better rendered “troubled thoughts.” Those who plot against us and attack behind our backs are more dangerous than open enemies. David asked God to bring them to ruin, so all might see that God guards those who take refuge in Him. When we are troubled, we too have a refuge in God, who is celebrated in the next four psalms. Psalm 65: God’s Righteous Works. David praised God as One who hears prayer, and whose righteousness is displayed in a creation He continues to care for. “O You who hear prayer” Ps. 65:1–4. In Hebrew to “hear” prayer is to answer it. The God who has atoned for our sins and blessed us with good things does hear our prayers. “Awesome deeds of righteousness” Ps. 65:5–13. We know that God does right by men, for He who created the world (vv. 5–8) continues to care for it, so that nature overflows with an abundance of all man needs to enjoy life. Psalm 66: God’s Awesome Works. These works, performed in man’s behalf, assure David that the Lord will answer the prayers of those who fear Him. “How awesome His works in man’s behalf” Ps. 66:1–7. David called our attention to history, to “come and see” what God has done. In the past the Lord “turned the sea into dry land” for Israel’s forefathers (vv. 5–7). Even more, the Lord had acted in David’s time. “He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping” (vv. 8–9). God had also “refined us like silver,” an image which speaks of the purification that comes through divine discipline (vv. 10–12). As a result of God’s work in his life David now came to the Lord’s temple a fully committed man (vv. 13–17). The psalm’s emphasis of commitment is important. As David said, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” When you and I try honestly to please God, we can be sure that He will answer our prayers (vv. 18–20). Psalm 67: God’s Just Rule. God rules His people justly, blessing those who praise Him. “May the peoples praise You, O God” Ps. 67:1–7. In this psalm praise and blessing are two halves of a circle. Blessing causes us to praise God. And praise, our appropriate response to His gracious provision, maintains that intimate relationship with God which guarantees the blessing. Today as we devote ourselves to praise, we can be sure that “God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.” Psalm 68: God’s Saving Works. One of Scripture’s most vibrant, triumphant psalms celebrates God’s saving works and what they mean to His people. “Sing to God” Ps. 68:1–6. The psalm opens with a triumphant shout; we can imagine it as a fanfare, played on a hundred trumpets. Some commentators believe the psalm may have been sung when David triumphantly brought God’s ark into Jerusalem and danced before the Lord (cf. 2 Sam. 6). Whether it was or not, the tone of this psalm is one of triumphant joy. “When You went out” Ps. 68:7–18. God is praised for His triumphal march through history, in scenes that recall the Exodus, His appearance at Sinai, the thunderstorm that defeated Sisera in Deborah’s time, and the rains which made the Promised Land a place of blessing. “Who daily bears our burdens” Ps. 68:19–31. Relationship with Israel’s saving God assured His people of victory (vv. 19–23). Israel marched in triumph, praising the Lord (vv. 24–27), who one day will see even the Gentiles bow before Him (vv. 28–31). “Sing to God” Ps. 68:32–35. The psalm ends with another fanfare, joyfully trumpeting the power of the awesome God who “gives power and strength to His people.” Psalm 69: Plea of the Distressed. David represented the vulnerable man, a victim of slander, betrayal, and his own faults. In his distress the psalmist’s only hope was that God would “rescue me from the mire.” “The floods engulf me” Ps. 69:1–5. Deep waters frequently represent overwhelming difficulties or troubles. Here David felt helpless before his enemies (v. 4) and his own sins (v. 5). “Folly” is not misjudgment, but sinful choice. “Be disgraced because of me” Ps. 69:6–12. Humiliation of God’s servant reflects on God and His people as a whole. The New Testament quote of verse 9 (John 2:17) reminds us that David was not speaking only of himself here. These words also reflect the humiliation of the despised and rejected Messiah. “Answer me with Your sure salvation” Ps. 69:13–18. In distress the psalmist prayed to God for deliverance. He expected an answer, not because he deserved it, but as an expression “of the goodness of Your love.” “I am scorned” Ps. 69:19–21. In a series of powerful words David described his feelings: he was scorned, disgraced, shamed, helpless, alone. Again the words picture not only David’s feelings, but also the experience of the Messiah. Dragged to Calvary Christ found no comforter, and was offered gall mixed with vinegar to drink (cf. Matt. 27:48–49). “May they be blotted out” Ps. 69:22–28. Here David’s natural feelings broke through, and he called down curses on his enemies. In contrast Jesus, from the cross, prayed “Father, forgive them.” Both expressions are appropriate. In Christ God offers forgiveness to all. Yet those who refuse to trust Messiah will “be blotted out of the Book of Life.” “The Lord hears the needy” Ps. 69:29–36. Even in his distress the psalmist praised God, sure that the Lord does hear and will not despise (reject the plea) of His captive people. Praise rightly precedes deliverance as well as follows it. When we praise God for what He will do, we affirm our faith in Him. In praise we also find the courage we need to wait until God is ready to act for us. Psalm 70: Plea of the Poor and Needy. When you or I recognize our need we turn to God, who alone is “my help and my deliverer.” Psalm 71: Confidence in the Lord. Memories of God’s faithfulness bring the aged hope. (See DEVOTIONAL.) Psalm 72: Ministry of the King. Solomon’s vision of his own calling as king led him to celebrate the greater ministry of the coming Messiah. Although this psalm is not quoted in the New Testament, its theme has been understood by both Jewish and Christian commentators as messianic. One day a coming King will “judge your people in righteousness” and “defend the afflicted.” He will “rule from sea to sea” and “all kings” and “all nations will serve Him.” He will rescue the weak and the needy “from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight.” The ancient promises of God to Abraham will be fulfilled in Him, for “all nations will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed” (cf. Gen. 12:1–4).

DEVOTIONAL

Growing Old(Ps. 71)

Most of us don’t look forward to growing old. We expect old age to rob us of so much that’s important. Our sight will begin to fail. Our hearing will fade. We’ll lack the strength to do many of the things we now enjoy. Many of us will lose much of our sense of taste. Aches will come too, with an increased vulnerability to serious illness and pain. No wonder old age seems to loom like some dark threat on the horizon of our future. Yet in this psalm David reminds us of something that several modern polls have revealed. Old age can be a time of blessing. Those polls have shown that no segment of our population is as content with their lot as those over 60! Perhaps many of our older citizens find comfort and hope in their past experiences of God’s grace. Listen to just a few of the verses in this towering psalm, and perhaps your view of old age may change. You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on You (vv. 5–6). Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation (vv. 17–18). Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will bring me up. You will increase my honor and and comfort me once again (vv. 20–21). When we do grow old, we will have years of relying on the Lord and of experiencing His grace to sustain us. All God has taught us throughout our lives will so enrich us that we will be able to bless the next generation. If we learn to rely on the Lord in our troubles now, the years ahead can truly be golden. We will live those years in confidence, sure that beyond them God will restore our lives again, and then we will be forever young.

Personal Application

Today’s experience of God’s grace prepares us for whatever tomorrow may bring.

Quotable

“How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none. . . . For those out of Christ, time is a devouring beast; before the sons of the new creation, time crouches and purrs and licks their hands.”—A.W. Tozer

APRIL 24

Reading 114

THE STEADFAST HEART

Psalms 57–63 “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving” (Ps. 62:11–12).These psalms of David trace the secret of his commitment to the Lord to an exalted vision of who God is.

Overview

Drawing from experience, David expressed his commitment to the Lord (Ps. 57). That commitment was rooted in his clear vision of God as Judge (Ps. 58), as fortress (Ps. 59), as his help (Ps. 60), shelter (Ps. 61), salvation (Ps. 62), and as his personal God (Ps. 63).

Understanding the Text

Psalm 57: The Steadfast Heart. David refused an opportunity to kill Saul, choosing instead to trust God to fulfill His purpose in David’s life. “When he had fled from Saul into the cave” Ps. 57 superscription. David was hiding in a cave when Saul entered that same cave to relieve himself. David’s men saw it as a God-given opportunity for David to rid himself of an enemy and claim the throne God had promised to David (1 Sam. 24). But David refused to touch Saul, whom God had anointed king over Israel. Rather than an opportunity to kill Saul, David saw a God-given opportunity to do what was godly and right. This psalm conveys David’s spiritual secret—the secret of his freedom to do what he knew was right. “Be exalted, O God” Ps. 57:1–5. What does it mean to take refuge in the Lord? David shows us. It means to pray in the confidence that the Lord will fulfill “His purpose” for us, and that He will send “from heaven” and save us. David chose to wait for God to act, sure that God would accomplish His purpose in David’s life. David did not have to do wrong, for God would bring him to the Lord’s intended goal. This was David’s spiritual secret. He knew there was no need to do wrong, however great the pressure, for God would surely bless David and bring him to the throne in God’s own time. You and I too can have this kind of confidence in God. When pressures tempt us to seek relief by doing wrong, we can pray to a God who will never let His purpose in our lives fail. “My heart is steadfast” Ps. 57:6–10. Despite David’s many enemies, his heart was steadfast. David meant here that he maintained an unshakable trust in God. It was many years after the event celebrated in this psalm that God did at last fulfill His purpose and place David on Israel’s throne. Through all those years David maintained a steadfast trust in God’s love, and in God’s faithfulness. That steadfast trust enabled David to sing praises even during the years of waiting and uncertainty. “Be exalted, O God” Ps. 57:11. What a reminder. You and I exalt God, lifting Him up and displaying His beauty for all to see, by steadfast hearts. Psalm 58: God Who Judges. David’s heart was steadfast because he was convinced that “there is a God who judges the earth.” “Break the teeth in their mouths, O God” Ps. 58:1–11. In biblical imagery the teeth represent power to tear and to destroy. David was fully aware that this world is filled with wicked men who “devise injustice” and “mete out violence.” Yet he knew that there is a God who judges the earth. The day is coming when the wicked will be swept away. Then “the righteous will be glad when they are avenged.” Psalm 59: God My Strength. His life threatened, David cried to God and found strength in the image of God as his fortress. “When Saul sent men . . . to kill him” Ps. 59 superscription. Saul acted openly against his son-in-law David by sending men to kill him in his own house (1 Sam. 19). David fled, weaponless and alone. Yet David found God a source of strength, and God’s love a fortress in which he could take refuge. A wonderful expression of David’s faith is repeated twice. It is found after his vivid description of his enemies (v. 9), and after his confident prayer asking God to deal with those enemies for him (v. 17). What wonderful verses to memorize and bring to mind when you feel endangered by the actions of others. O my Strength, I watch for You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God (vv. 9–10). and O my Strength, I sing praise to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God (v. 17). In this powerful psalm David envisioned his enemies as snarling scavenger dogs, prowling about and eager to devour him. Dogs were not pets in Old Testament times, and frequently represent the bestial aspect of wicked men (cf. Pss. 22:16; 68:23; Isa. 56:10–11; Jer. 15:3; Rev. 22:15). Psalm 60: God My Help. David experienced God as his ally and his help. “When he fought” Ps. 60 superscription. This is a victory psalm, sung after the war had been fought and won (cf. 1 Chron. 18–19). Against the background of the centuries of defeat that fractured Israel during the times of the Judges (vv. 1–3), David now celebrated what God had done to save and deliver a people who, under David, once again honored the Lord (vv. 4–8). The psalm ends with explicit recognition that future victories also depended on the Lord. “Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies” (vv. 9–12). Psalm 61: God My Shelter. This brief psalm of praise was written after David received the throne. “The rock that is higher than I” Ps. 61:1–2. David never lost the simple faith he had as a young shepherd. Despite the fact that he was now exalted as king over Israel, he never became proud. He remained a humble believer looking up to God and expressing his dependence on the Lord in prayer. “You” Ps. 61:3–5. David knew and addressed God in personal terms. The im- ages in these verses suggest how David felt about the Lord. David saw God as a refuge and strong tower: as One to whom he could flee in troubled times and find security. David saw God as a host: he was a vistor in God’s tent. In the ancient East this meant he was under divine protection, with all his needs sure to be met by his gracious Host. And David saw God as sheltering wings: he was a baby chick, nestling for protection against its mother, and finding there not only security but also warmth. It’s fascinating to note the transition of the images. Each speaks of security. Yet God is first seen as a strong but impersonal power; then as welcoming Host; finally in utmost intimacy as a warm and protective parent. This transition may mirror our own experience with God. The better we come to know Him, the warmer and more personal the sense of our relationship with Him. Psalm 62: God, My Salvation. Knowing God as Saviour enabled David to find rest. (See DEVOTIONAL.) Psalm 63: God, My God. David’s heart was steadfast, not simply because he knew who God is, but because he knew this God as his God. “When he was in the desert” Ps. 63 superscription.The setting again is a time of trouble, as David with a small band of followers lived an outlaw’s life in Judah’s desert regions. “O God, you are my God” Ps. 63:1–11. Awareness that God is “my God” is the foundation of a living faith. But to experience the full benefits of our faith we need to move beyond awareness to intimacy. It is this that set David apart. He thirsted for God; he sought opportunities to worship at God’s sanctuary (v. 2) and when alone (v. 6). His sense of God’s love (v. 3) stimulated David to praise the Lord constantly (vv. 4–5, 7, 11). If you and I wish to experience God in a deeply personal way as “my God,” we need to follow David’s lead. By taking every opportunity to turn our thoughts to Him and to praise Him, that same sense of God’s living presence which sustained David will sustain you and me.

DEVOTIONAL

Stressful, Restful Living (Ps. 62)

David lived a stress-filled life. His relationship with Saul was stormy, resulting in years of living as an outlaw in the land God had promised he would one day rule. As king, David knew constant warfare with surrounding nations. He was forced to invent and organize a national system of government. He knew great pressures at home, as his sons feuded with one another and one ultimately led half the nation in rebellion. Yet these years of stress were spiritually productive. David wrote many psalms, reorganized the Levites and priests to support strengthened national worship, and began planning for a temple to be built by his son, Solomon. Today the shelves of our bookstores feature many books on stress. It seems that, in a fast-paced world which makes so many demands on our time, stress is a major concern. People are wound tight, emotionally and physically drained by the pressures of modern life. This makes Psalm 62 especially important for our times. In it David tells us the secret of stressful, restful living. The secret is expressed in verse 1, and developed in the rest of the psalm. “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.” In the Old Testament “salvation” indicates deliverance from earthly dangers or enemies. The word portrays God as One who acts on behalf of those who trust in Him. It was David’s conviction that deliverance does come from God—that God can and will act in the material universe to save him—which brought his soul rest. How powerful that conviction! No matter what the challenge, no matter how great the pressure, David was sure that God could and would perform some saving act. With this conviction David could not be shaken by events (vv. 2, 6). With this conviction, David was emotionally at rest no matter how great a force external pressures seemed to exert. You and I too can find rest despite the stressful pace or pressures of our life. How? By following David’s example, to “trust in Him at all times” and “pour out your hearts” to Him. This, with the conviction that “You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving,” will give us rest.

Personal Application

Expect God to act in your life, and find rest in Him.

Quotable

“In time of trouble, say, ’First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest.’ Next, ’He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.’ Then say, ’He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.’ And last, say, ’In His good time He can bring me out again. How and when, He knows.’ Therefore, say, ’I am here (1) by God’s appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His time.’ “—Andrew Murray

APRIL 23

Reading 113

FOR TROUBLED TIMES

Psalms 50–56 “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall” (Ps. 55:22).Seven psalms of David teach us how to respond when we bring trouble on ourselves, and when others betray us.

Overview

Through Asaph God spoke to His people and to the wicked (Ps. 50). David modeled confession (Ps. 51), and in three psalms expressed his response to betrayal by others (Pss. 52–54). David then recorded a prayer for the distressed (Ps. 55) and for the afraid (Ps. 56).

Understanding the Text

Psalm 50:

God as Judge.

God speaks through this poem penned by a temple musician to His own people and to the wicked. “The Lord, speaks and summons the earth” Ps. 50:1–6. An image from Israel’s legal system pictures God, speaking from heaven, announcing His righteous judgments. “O My people” Ps. 50:7–15. God’s message to His own is simple. “Fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” As we are faithful to the Lord, He will be faithful to us. “But to the wicked” Ps. 50:16–22. The wicked should not misconstrue God’s silence as indifference. God will condemn the righteous “to your face.” In a sense, the psalms of David that follow Asaph’s prophetic poem illustrate its theme. In view of the fact that God is Judge, David shows us how we are to respond in various situations. Psalm 51: Confession of Sin. David’s confession after his affair with Bathsheba shows us how to respect God as Judge when we sin. (See DEVOTIONAL.) Psalm 52: Betrayed by an Enemy. David took comfort in reviewing how different he was from his enemy. “Doeg the Edomite” Ps. 52 superscription. When David fled for his life from Saul, he paused at Nob and took the sword of Goliath from the priests there (1 Sam. 21:1–9). Doeg, one of Saul’s officials, saw him and later reported to Saul. The furious king charged the priestly family with treason; Doeg himself executed 85 innocent priests and their families (22:6–19). When David heard this from the sole-surviving member of the family, he took responsibility, for he had seen Doeg there and knew he would surely tell Saul (v. 20). Yet David never suspected that the half-mad king ordered the execution of these men of God. Psalm 52 commemorates that day, and finds comfort in the fact that God will ultimately judge. “You love evil” Ps. 52:1–7. Doeg’s acts were a disgrace, an attempt to win Saul’s favor at the price of others’ lives. David says, “Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin.” “But I am like an olive tree” Ps. 52:8–9. The critical difference between Doeg and David was that “I trust in God’s unfailing love.” Because David, despite his mistake, honored God, his future was secure. The one person the betrayer surely has betrayed is himself! Psalm 53: The Fate of Fools. Evildoers never learn. God is watching, and will judge. “The fool says in his heart” Ps. 53:1–5. The person whose heart is closed to God becomes morally corrupt (see Ps. 14). Yet God is observing him, and the dread in his own heart testifies against him. “Oh, that salvation would come” Ps. 53:6. Despite the fact that David knew the fate awaiting evildoers, he yearned for God to act soon. Psalm 54: Betrayal by Friends. Most painful of all is betrayal by those whom we have called our friends. “The Ziphites”: Ps. 54 superscription. The introduction to this psalm too gives us a historical setting. While fleeing Saul, David’s band of men occupied southern Judah’s hill country. There they even fought to save such cities as Keilah from marauding bands of Philistines (cf. 1 Sam. 23:1–18). Yet when David’s company hid in the rugged range of hills known as Ziph, the Ziphites twice went to Saul and volunteered to betray his hiding place (vv. 19–25; 26:1–4). “Save me, O God” Ps. 54:1–7. In an earlier psalm David described the wickedness of an enemy who betrayed him (Ps. 52). Here David said little against those fellow-countrymen who showed such ingratitude in betraying him twice! His only imprecation was, “Let evil recoil on those who slander me.” David wisely chose to focus on God Himself, His help, and the One who sustained him. It’s especially painful when a friend turns against us. When that happens we would be wise to follow David’s lead. Don’t dwell on the betrayal. Let God mete out any appropriate punishment. Released from any thoughts of hurt or revenge, David praised God, and remembered how the Lord “delivered me from all my troubles.” Psalm 55: Prayer When in Distress. David did feel betrayal—deeply. In this psalm he reminds us that however great our distress, we can cast our cares on the Lord and He will sustain us. “My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught” Ps. 55:1–8. David again proved himself an emotional man, who freely expressed his feelings in prayer. When you or I are shaken or in despair, it helps to read a psalm like this one and pray along with David. Such psalms help us realize that when we are hurting God does care, and that we can come to the Lord as we are. “Let death take my enemies by surprise” Ps. 55:9–15. David hardly wished the wicked well! Yet he was not being vindictive. The wicked are characterized by violence, strife, malice, and abuse. Such actions surely merit the judgment of God. “But I call to God” Ps. 55:16–23. David’s anguish and his anger both led him to the Lord. He could do nothing to alter God’s timing. What he could do was to remember that God, “who is enthroned forever,” will surely bring the wicked down. In view of this, David penned one of the most wonderful promises in Scripture. “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you” (v. 22). Until God acts to destroy the wicked, He will surely sustain His own. He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 56: Prayer When Afraid. David saw fear not as an evil, but as an opportunity to trust. “When the Philistines had seized him” Ps. 56 superscription. The setting for this psalm is David’s flight to Gath. Depressed and certain that he would lose his life if he stayed in Israel, David went to the land of the Philistines. There he was recognized and seized. David pretended to be insane and was released (1 Sam. 21:10–15). The whole incident is electric with the fear that David experienced—fear that caused him to flee in the first place, fear when taken captive, certainly fear as he returned to his homeland still a fugitive. “Be merciful to me” Ps. 56:1–13. David’s sense of being surrounded by enemies was no paranoia. He was alone, and his enemies were all too real. Yet through this terrifying experience David came to see fear as a friend, rather than as an enemy. How is fear a friend? Fear is a friend because it is only when we are afraid that we plumb the depths of trust. We cannot know what trust means unless we live through experiences in which the Lord is all we have to hold on to. Through his experience of fear, David became able to share a great and wonderful discovery with us. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose Word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? When trust releases us from our fear of others, we are truly free to “walk before God in the light of life.”

DEVOTIONAL

Night and Day (Ps. 51)

Perhaps our most troubling times come when we are faced with the realization that we have sinned. How we deal with that sin makes all the difference in the world. It’s like the difference between night and day. The difference between a crushing sense of guilt, and the buoyant realization that our heart is pure. This well-known psalm celebrating God’s forgiveness was written by David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then arranged for the death of her husband in battle. The first half of the psalm portrays the dark side of our experience. The second half the bright newness God offers believers who confess their sins to Him. Verses 1–9 feature words from the Old Testament’s vocabulary of sin. David’s usage draws together the entire Old Testament concept by using three major Hebrew terms. Hata˒ (“sin”) is the failure to live up to God’s established standard. Pesha˒ (“transgression”) is conscious rebellion against that standard, while ˒awon (“iniquity”) is deviation from or a twisting of the standard. Somehow the seeds of sin are rooted deeply in David’s very nature, and have grown into a tangled, thorny thicket of willful and unintentional sins which have drawn the psalmist into acts that repel his better self. There is a dark side to all our natures; a side expressed in acts of sin that cry out for forgiveness. Yet David and you and I have hope. There is a bright side, revealed in verses 10–19. Aware of the darkness within him, David cried out, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” God, who spoke light into existence, can do a creative work in us and make our soiled hearts pure. And when that happens? Then again there is joy in salvation. Then again we are able to “teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You.” From the purified heart pour forth hymns of praise, and from the humble acknowledgment of what we are comes something new; a life of holiness.

Personal Application

When we expose sin in confession, God makes our darkness light.

Quotable

“If only there were some evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”—Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

APRIL 22

Reading 112

OF THE SONS OF KORAH Psalms 42–49

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps. 42:2).Temple musicians, descendants of a rebel priest who died at God’s hand, help us explore mysteries of our faith.

Background

Book II.

Most believe this second collection of psalms was assembled during the time of Solomon. While containing other authors it, features works of David. The sons of Korah. Korah rebelled during the Exodus and was killed (Num. 16). But his children were spared. One branch of his descendants became temple guardians (cf. 1 Chron. 9:17ff), while another branch served as temple singers and musicians (cf. 6:31, 33, 39, 44). These descendants of Korah contributed 12 works to the Book of Psalms, most of which may have been used in temple liturgy.

Overview

The sons of Korah probed deeply, to help us examine love for God (Ps. 42), divine vindication (Ps. 43), and the mystery of national defeat (Ps. 44). A wedding song conveys messianic truth (Ps. 45), while “God with us” is exalted as our fortress (Ps. 46). The last three psalms celebrate God’s rule (Ps. 47), His eternal city (Ps. 48), and redemption from this transient world (Ps. 49).

Understanding the Text

Psalm 42:

In Love with God. Love for God lifts the downcast spirit and revives hope. “My soul pants for You” Ps. 42:1–5. The image is one of a lover separated for a time from his beloved. He can think of nothing but her, and misses her terribly. This is the love-driven emotion of the temple musician, away for a time from Jerusalem, yearning to once again lead “the procession to the house of God.” His only comfort is the hope that soon he will return to praise God there again. “I will remember You” Ps. 42:6–11. The sense of separation is unbearable, yet the writer knows that the Lord “directs His love” to him. The separation hurts, yet the writer consoles himself that “I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.” For this son of Korah, the temple symbolized God’s presence, and he wished to be as close to God as possible. How wonderful that you and I can simply close our eyes, shut out the world, and be immediately in the presence of our Lord. When your soul thirsts for God, go to Him. He is there, with you, only a thought away. Psalm 43: A Plea for Vindication. In the end, God will prove that our faith has been well-placed. “Vindicate me” Ps. 43:1. The psalmist envisioned God as Judge, taking his side in court against wicked men who had him in their power. The basis for his plea was that “You are God my stronghold.” “Why?” Ps. 43:2 Yet if God is ours, why must we suffer oppression? Why does He seem to reject us? Such feelings are common when troubles come. We wonder why, and even question God’s commitment to us. In fact, we can never understand the why. But the psalmist does have a solution. “Send forth Your light and Your truth” Ps. 43:3–5. God’s light and truth, images here for His Word, do not so much explain our troubles as lead us back to God Himself. “Then I will go to the altar of God,” the psalmist said, and praise Him. What we need most when hurting is not answers, or even relief. What we need is to come into God’s presence, there to find hope and to offer praise. Psalm 44: The Mystery of Defeat. History teaches that God gives victory when His people obey. Why, now that Israel remains faithful, has defeat come? “We have heard” Ps. 44:1–8. Scripture testifies of the victories God won for Israel during the Conquest. “But now” Ps. 44:9–22. Recent defeats puzzled the psalmist, for Israel had not forgotten God or violated His covenant. Why then did God not act? “Awake, O Lord!” Ps. 44:23–26 Puzzled and pained, the psalmist begged God to “rise up and help us.” The psalm does present a puzzle, yet a common one. Why does God sometimes permit His most faithful servants to suffer? While Psalm 44 offers no specific answer, there may be a hint in verse 22. “For Your sake we face death all day long.” Not all suffering is punishment. Some suffering may be the price we pay for remaining loyal to God in a hostile world. As Peter reminds us, to this we were called, “Because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Psalm 45: A Wedding Psalm. The celebration of a royal wedding shifts focus to offer triumphant praise to the coming Messiah. “At your right hand is the royal bride” Ps. 45:1–9. Many things in this world are shadows cast by realities to be found in the world to come. The joy of the wedding feast transports us to visions of the heavenly union awaiting God and Israel, Christ and His church. The New Testament quotes verses 6–7, making it clear that this psalm truly is intended to transport us from earthly to heavenly celebration, enabling us to sense something of the joy we will know when our Lord returns (cf. Heb. 1:9). Psalm 46: God Our Fortress. With God our refuge and strength, an ever-present help, we need never fear. Psalm 47: Celebrating God’s Rule. If you belong to God, clap your hands in joy, for He is the great King of all the earth. The stone ramparts of Israel’s walled cities rose high above the ground. Massive and secure, designed to frustrate any attacker, they conveyed an image of security to all who lived nearby. One needed only look up from his fields and see the nearby fortress to feel safe. Psalm 46 repeats this image, to convey to us the peace we can find through our relationship with “our fortress,” the Lord Almighty. “The great King” Ps. 47:1–9. In ancient times “great King” was a unique title which was given only to world conquerors like Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus. A ruler who added “great” to his title would be ridiculed, unless his might was overwhelming. How right the psalmist is to title God the “great King.” He subdued nations, and gave Israel her inheritance. He reigns over the nations even now. All the kings of this earth are subject to Him, and He is greatly exalted. Remember this psalm the next time you feel discouraged or downhearted. Our God is the “great King.” There is nothing that He cannot do, or will not do, for you and me. Psalm 48: The Eternal City. Just beyond the earthly Jerusalem, the psalmist envisioned the citadels of the eternal city of God. “The city of our God” Ps. 48:1–8. As the psalmist walked the walls of ancient Jerusalem he saw more than mighty stones. The city God had chosen represented all God’s acts in history which revealed how precious Zion and Israel were to the Lord. “Within Your temple, O God” Ps. 48:9–14. The setting for the rest of the psalm is within the temple, at worship. There the psalmist in his imagination walked the walls of God’s eternal city, far more real and lasting, and far more splendid, than the solid rock of Jerusalem’s ramparts. The walls of the earthly city, unknown to the psalmist, were destined to be thrown down by conquering armies. But the eternal city remains, for “this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.”

DEVOTIONAL

Sic Transit Gloria (Ps. 49)

Successful Roman generals were sometimes granted a “triumph.” They were permitted to parade their armies, with gangs of captives and wagons filled with loot, through the very streets of Rome. But in the chariot of the general, standing just behind him, was an officer whose duty it was to whisper constantly in his ear, “You are but a man.” Psalm 49 serves much the same purpose. It is God’s whisper in our ear, reminding us that no matter how much success we or others have, we are but men. All too soon we will die, and any worldly wealth or glory will pass away with us. As the psalmist said, “Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies.” And, “Though while he lived he counted himself blessed . . . he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life.” Why such a dreary psalm here, among others that lift our hearts and stimulate us to praise? Probably because this is not a dreary psalm at all, but one vibrant with hope. Here, almost hidden among words of warning to the thoughtless who are captivated by the vision of glory or wealth in this world, is this promise: “God will redeem my soul from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself” (v. 15). Our hope is not in riches, or in anything that this world has to offer. The glory of this world passes away, for we are but men, and all too soon we leave its changing scene. Our hope is in God, who redeems our souls from the grave, and surely takes us to Himself.

Personal Application

Enjoy this world. But don’t become too attached to it.

Quotable

” ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’ means: ‘Blessed is the man who has realized his own utter helplessness, and who has put his whole trust in God.’ If a man has realized his own utter helplessness, and has put his whole trust in God, there will enter into his life two things which are opposite sides of the same thing. He will become completely detached from things, for he will know that things have not got it in them to bring happiness or security; and he will become completely attached to God, for he will know that God alone can bring him help, and hope, and strength. The man who is poor in spirit is the man who has realized that things mean nothing, and that God means everything.”—William Barclay

APRIL 21

Reading 111

TROUBLED TIMES

Psalms 34–41“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Ps. 34:19).When difficulties overwhelm, the believer can turn to God. The Lord will listen as we express our feelings. Most important, He will act.

Overview

David expressed praise for deliverance (Ps. 34), followed by two psalms of imprecations directed against enemies (Pss. 35–36). Yet we can celebrate trust (Ps. 37), even when we are disciplined (Ps. 38) or have lost perspective (Ps. 39). Whatever the situation, we can appeal to God for mercy in our times of need (Pss. 40–41).

Understanding the Text

Psalm 34: God’s Unfailing Love. We are to praise God at all times, for in many ways we continually experience the unfailing love of our God. “When he feigned insanity.” The superscription gives us the setting of this psalm. David, giving in to despair, fled his homeland and went to the land of the Philistines. There he was recognized and escaped death only by pretending to be insane. Filled with relief, David’s thoughts turned to the Lord, and as he journeyed back to Israel and his destiny, he saw fresh evidence of God’s unfailing love. “At all times” Ps. 34:1–3. There may be a hint of embarrassment here. David’s flight to the land of the Philistines reveals fear, not faith. Let’s remember God’s love before we act foolishly, not after! “He answered” Ps. 34:4–7. Even when we have acted foolishly, God does not abandon us. As David reported, “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him, He saved him out of all his troubles.” “Taste and see” Ps. 34:8–22. David invites us to experience God’s goodness for ourselves. Let us commit ourselves to doing what is right. We may act foolishly at times, but if we are dedicated to pleasing Him, we can trust the Lord to deliver us. Psalm 35: Against Enemies. This imprecatory psalm called down curses on David’s enemies. “Contend, O Lord” Ps. 35:1–28. Is it right for the believer to call on God to act against his or her enemies? This and similar psalms grew out of the psalmist’s conviction that he had a covenant relationship with the Lord. As God’s servant, the believer is free to call on the Lord to deliver him, and to punish those who by acting against God’s own have set themselves against the Lord as well. There is another assumption in the imprecatory psalms. Those who seek to crush the godly are wicked. It is surely right for God to act against evil men. In this context David rightly cried: O Lord, You have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Vindicate me in Your righteousness, O Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me. When God does act to vindicate the righteous, He displays His love—and His righteousness. Psalm 36: A Word to the Wicked. David warned the wicked that a just God loves the upright in heart. “An oracle . . . concerning the sinfulness of the wicked” Ps. 36:1–4. The Hebrew has massa’, a message of judgment delivered with an overwhelming sense of divine authority. David was completely convinced that evildoers, as defined in these verses, will be “thrown down” by the Lord (v. 12). What characterizes the evil person? He does not respect God (v. 1) or even notice his own sin (v. 2). His words are deceitful (v. 3) and he is committed to a sinful course (v. 4). “Your righteousness . . . Your justice” Ps. 36:5–12. God is faithful, righteous, and just. He cares for both man and beast, and gives refuge to high and low. “Continue Your love to those who know You” Ps. 36:10–12. David’s conviction that the wicked must fail rested squarely on his understanding of who God is. Because of who God is, David’s heart assured him that the wicked will be judged. And God will continue to display love toward those who know Him. Psalm 37: In Praise of Trust. What are the characteristics and the benefits of trust in the Lord? This, one of the best-loved of the psalms, explains. (See DEVOTIONAL.) Psalm 38: A Prayer When Disciplined. Both Testaments tell us that the Lord disciplines those He loves. Here is a prayer for us when we are disciplined by the Lord. “I am feeble and utterly crushed” Ps. 38:1–12. The New Testament says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful” (Heb. 12:11). Reading David’s description of his feelings, we sense how painful God’s discipline was for him. David felt wounded, weak, crushed, filled with searing pain. Some may speak lightly of God’s discipline. But anyone undergoing it knows how apt David’s imagery is. Yet consider. Rather than trying to hide, David came to God with his pain! And this is right. Like a little child who turns to Mommy for a hug after being spanked, we are to turn to God with arms held out. When we do, God, like any loving parent, will take us up in His arms and comfort us. “You will answer” Ps. 38:13–22. Despite the fact that David realized he was being disciplined for sin, he was confident that God would answer his plea. How could David be so sure? He told us, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” David understood what 1 John 1:9 conveys to us as a promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us.” With his sin forgiven, David’s prayer was sure to be answered: O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Saviour. Psalm 39: A Prayer for Perspective. Frustrated by complaints he dared not utter, David begged God for perspective. “I will put a muzzle on my mouth” Ps. 39:1–3. David was unwilling to say anything against the Lord in the presence of the wicked. Yet he was upset and angry that God had not answered his prayer for help (cf. v. 12). We may feel the same frustration with God at times. David leads us then to a surprising way to deal with such feelings. “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end” Ps. 39:4–6. David didn’t ask to know the day of his death. He asked God to give him a sense of life’s brevity. What happens to us here on earth lacks ultimate importance. We need to look beyond time, to eternity. If we can only sense the fact that “each man’s life is but a breath,” we will gain perspective. The suffering that seems so terrible now lasts only for an instant. It is not unbearable after all. “But now, Lord, what do I look for?” Ps. 39:7 With this perspective, David could bear the waiting. Even so, he hoped for God to help him in his brief “now.” How wonderful that God considers our brief moment of life important enough to bless us in our present; that during the present time we “may rejoice again” before departing our world. Psalm 40: The Celebration of Mercy. David remembered all that God had done for him, and found freedom to cry out for new mercies. “He lifted me” Ps. 40:1–3. These words beautifully depict mercy. In the Old Testament “mercy” pictures a helpless individual, crying out for compassion to one who is able to give aid. The “slimy pit” graphically portrays man’s helplessness. God’s “lifting me out” is the intervention of God, and the “new song” of praise is the joy we find in realizing all the Lord has done. “O Lord my God” Ps. 40:4–11. The greatest blessing of the man “who makes the Lord his trust” is a righteousness found not in sacrifice and offering, but in One who came to do God’s will and so bring salvation. Verses 6 and 7 are messianic, quoted in the great exposition of the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice in Hebrews 10. In the One foreshadowed in David’s words we find the righteousness, faithfulness, and salvation of our God. “Do not withhold Your mercy from me” Ps. 40:11–17. It may seem strange, but it is the very fact that our sins overtake us, and our hearts fail, that qualifies us for mercy. Only one who senses his deep need will cry out to God for mercy. The man who shrugs off his sins, or persists in trying to dig himself out of sin’s “slimy pit,” will never look to God but will rely on his own supposed goodness. What a privilege for us to stand, with David, and cry out: I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay. Psalm 41: Psalm of the Merciful. In another psalm which has messianic overtones, David expressed his confidence that the Lord will show mercy to the merciful. “He who has regard for the weak” Ps. 41:1–3. The merciful person is sensitive to those who are weak, and aids them. This quality, so richly displayed in God’s character, is pleasing to Him in you and me. David is sure that God will deliver the merciful man when that man has need of God’s mercy. “O Lord, have mercy on me” Ps. 41:4–13. What a great blessing when we cry out to the Lord for aid to “know that You are pleased with me.” Ultimately the words of this psalm are those of the Messiah (cf. v. 9; Matt. 26:17–25). Yet we too can know God is pleased with us when we trust and seek to serve Him, and can appeal confidently for His mercy.

DEVOTIONAL

The Joys of Trust (Ps. 37)

If you were to pick two psalms to memorize, the first would probably be the 23rd. But the second surely would be this great psalm in praise of trust. No psalm has more comforting verses, more verses inviting lengthy meditation. No psalm has more verses that speak so directly to the human heart. Because of this, it’s almost sacrilege to analyze this psalm: to break its thoughts apart, to look for similarities and themes. And yet, how much this psalm tells us about the nature, and about the benefits, of trust. If we seek to probe the nature of trust, we find in this psalm that trust is: *Looking to God and doing good (v. 3). *Delighting in the Lord (v. 4). *Committing our way to the Lord (v. 5). *Not fretting when the wicked succeed (v. 7). *Refraining from anger and wrath (v. 8). *Being satisfied with little (v. 16). *Giving generously to others (v. 21). *Turning from evil to do good (v. 27). *Planting God’s Law in our hearts (v. 31). *Waiting for the Lord (v. 34). *Keeping His way (v. 34). *Taking refuge in the Lord (v. 40). Trust is in fact a way of life, the way of life we choose when we commit ourselves to the Lord. This same psalm reveals the outcome of trust. One who actively commits himself to the Lord can expect these benefits: *To enjoy safe pastures (v. 3). *To receive the desires of his heart (v. 4). *To be vindicated (vv. 5–6). *To inherit the land (vv. 9, 22, 34). *To enjoy great peace (v. 11). *To be upheld by God (v. 17). *To gain an enduring inheritance (v. 18). *To enjoy plenty in days of famine (v. 19). *To be upheld by the Lord (v. 24). *To always live securely (v. 27). *To never be forsaken by God (v. 28). *To not slip (v. 31). *To see the wicked cut off (v. 34). *To have a future (v. 37). *To be helped and delivered by the Lord (v. 40). The beauty of this psalm aside, its teaching is vital to our well-being. Only by an active trust in God, expressed in the choices made each day of our lives, can we experience the many benefits of a personal relationship with the Lord.

Personal Application

May we grasp the active nature of trust, and commit ourselves to faith’s way of responding to God.

Quotable

“The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. “Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that only fear allows to entrap us.”—John Emmons