Psalm 112

Righteousness Endures Forever

Often times in the psalms, we're told that we need to devote all of our energy to God.  This psalm asks this as well, but goes into detail about what a righteous life looks like, and what the benefits of this life would be.  We're immediately told in verse 1 that a person who praises God finds"delight in his commands", which tells us that serving God is not a burden or an obligation, but rather a joyous expression of thanks.  We are not to serve God because we're worried about what will happen if we don't but because serving the Lord is a reward in itself.

What are these rewards?  Well, according to this psalm, the benefit of righteousness is that it lasts forever.  In fact, this short psalm mentions this fact three separate times!  Why is it so important that our righteousness should live forever?  It is because God is righteous, and God is eternal.  All good men live forever with God, because the light always overcomes the dark, and God always triumphs over the wicked.  God never forgets our righteousness; It stays with Him forever.  As for the wicked?  We hear that they just waste away?  Whatever they have accomplished in life will be forever forgotten.  All of their wickedness will come to nothing.  Evil dies with the wicked man.  Righteousness lives forever with God.

How do we live this righteous life with God?  This psalm twice gives us the example of giving generously to others, particularly the poor.  I find is fascinating that generosity towards others is the prime example of righteousness in this psalm, particularly since such a Christian concept makes an anachronistic appearance in the Old Testament, particularly the psalms, where obeying God's laws  is often the barometer of righteousness.  The writer of this psalm, however, paints a picture of a generous God, who shares his grace freely and enthusiastically with His believers.  Naturally, then, God's demand for His generosity would be for us to be generous as well.  God's generosity knows no bounds, and if we are to live like Him, then we should be boundlessly generous as well.

1 Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
    and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
    for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
    who conduct their affairs with justice.

6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
    their righteousness endures forever;
    their horn will be lifted high in honor.

10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
    they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
    the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Psalm 86

I Call To You Because You Answer Me

An intensely personal prayer of affliction, this psalm reminds us that it is our duty to give ourselves wholly to God, for he is compassionate and loving, and stands by the people who call to him.  The notion of God recognizing the people who come to Him is repeated several places in the text.  In verse two David says "Save your servant who trusts in you", while in verse 16 he says "Save me because I serve you".  Now, at first glance, I thought this psalm had a "scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours" kind of attitude; That David was saying "Hey Lord, I worship you alright, how I think I deserve a little help here!".

Of course, we all know this isn't the way God works.  There is no moral debit system with God, wherein if you do so many good deeds for the Lord, he owes you so much in return.  God doesn't want us to worship Him because we expect a reward.  We worship because we love and appreciate God, because we already know He loved and appreciated us first.  David clarifies this in verse 5, saying the Lord is "forgiving and good, abounding in love for all who call", and later when he proclaims he relies on God's faithfulness to walk the Lord's path.  David isn't demanding that God work for him because he acts a certain way, but instead, he has faith God will come through for him because he believes in God's grace.

Many times in David's psalms, he describes the Lord cutting down his enemies with swords and arrows, or otherwise facing the wrath of an angry God who fiercely avenges those who assault His followers.  That narrative is changed here.  David calls on a compassionate God who is slow to anger.  He asks God not to cut down his foes, but rather show his enemies His goodness, not so that they may perish, but so they can see the error of their ways.  David does not wish doom to his foes, but rather that they see through their hate and recognize this gracious and merciful God.

This is a very Christ like message hiding in the psalms!  David comes very close to saying "Love your enemy".  Because he is such a loyal servant to God, he feels the comfort and grace of the Lord, and he wants everyone to experience that, even those who conspire against him.  The worst he wishes on his accusers is shame.  Shame that they ignored the glory of God.  Hope that they can recognize His power and drop their wicked ways and follow Him.  As David told us, the Lord is abounding in love for all who call.  His forgiveness extends to all.

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
    because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
    will come and worship before you, Lord;
    they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
    you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 131

Put Your Hope In The Lord

What strikes me most about this psalm authored by David is how intensely personal it is.  David comes before God and proclaims his humility before God, and to demonstrate that humility, he explains how content he is just living in God's comforting embrace.  Of course, real life is never that simple; It wasn't for David, and it isn't for us today.  David may have been content just living a Godly life, but God chose him to rule a kingdom and lead armies.  God chooses us to do other things as well, and while we would always like to dedicate our lives to a relationship with God, a million little things always seem to get in the way.  David seems to recognize this, and takes a moment in his busy life to humble himself and thank God.

Verse 2 has some interesting language as well, as David describes God in a very feminine matter.  We're accustomed to the notion of "God the Father", but here it almost sounds like "God the Mother".  When describing the relationship between God and himself, he refers to himself as a weaning infant with his mother.  When a child is weaned, they gradually stop depending on their mother's milk to sustain them entirely, and still require it occasionally.  Perhaps David feels like God has sent him into the world to fend for himself.  However, if he finds himself wanting, he can still rely on him "mother" to provide for him.  He need not worry, because the mother will keep him content.  He can remain calm because he knows God will provide all of his needs.

David tells us he does not "concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me".  Honestly, I found this very confusing.  Is this a declaration of humility before God?  I think it could be.  After all, he declares his humility, as he was just a shepherd who didn't aspire to power, but was chosen by God to lead His people.  Was David telling us that he didn't aspire to the throne, but he'll accept it because it was God's command?  Perhaps.

I think David could also tell us that he is accepting God's command, but he's doing it reluctantly.  After all, many psalms of David as full of lament.  He constantly tells us of the danger and wickedness around him, and being the King puts that bulls-eye on his back.  That's certainly something I can relate with.    David, a righteous man who is beloved by God, even has his concerns about God's plan for him.  Who among us can say that they have felt the same way?  That they want to obey God, but God might give them more than they think they can handle.

Still, above all things, David obeys God.  He accepts the burdens, and then looks to God for help.  When we too, humble ourselves to God, we can share in His comfort.  God's love is like a mother's love; it calms us and makes us content.  Now and forevermore.

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 44

Therefore We Will Not Fear

This a psalm of praise and comfort, that reminds us, no matter what dangers or trials we will face in our lives, God is ever present in our lives, and He will provide comfort and guidance during these trying times.  As far as a theme for a psalm, it is pretty common, but there are some great ideas hiding under the surface.  The psalm writer refers to God a few important ways here, as both a refuge and a fortress.  While those two words can be synonymous, they do mean slightly different things.  A refuge is a place that provides protection from danger, while a fortress provides protection from attack.

This psalm describes many dangers that believers can face.  This psalm describes the earth shaking, the waters rumbling, and the mountains crashing into the sea.  God is our refuge from these natural disasters, therefore we need not fear them.  God is much greater than the Earth and the powerful forces that disrupt it.  Even an event as dramatic as mountains crashing into the sea is no match for God.  He is also our fortress from attacks from our enemies.  This psalm describes God ending wars throughout the world.  The combined power of the human war machine is no match for God.  He takes our  implements of war and breaks them and burns them.  What this teaches us is that human power, as great is it may be, is no match for God's power.  Those that humble before God will have their fortress in His love.  Those that try to rival his strength will have his weapons destroyed.

In my last post, I talked about how what we say matters to God.  This psalm is cool because it reminds us that what God says is important too.  We hear two instances of God speaking, once directly, and another indirectly.  Verse 6 tells us "Kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice and the Earth melts."  That is powerful imagery to me, which reminds us again to humble ourselves before God, because not only the kingdoms of men, but the Earth itself, will act at the command of God.  Verse 10 quotes the voice of God directly.  I love that the first thing God says is "Be still and know that I am God!".  I picture a battlefield full of soldiers hearing God's voice, and just dropping their weapons on His command, suddenly realizing the enormity of His power.

People are born, and then they die.  Mighty nations rise, and then fall from power.  The Earth itself will collapse and tremble.  But God is forever.  He will not fall.    He is eternal.  And He is with us.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 64

Ponder What He Has Done

We come across yet another one of David's psalms where he asks God for deliverance from the threats of his enemies.  Per usual, his adversaries have damaged him, and he pleads to God for help, having faith that God will recognize His righteous people and save them from harm.  What interests me is how his are attacking him this time.  Instead of swords and arrows, his enemies use their sharp tongues and "cruel words" against David.  Despite the notions that words never hurt, we learn instead that men's words can be just as dangerous as weapons, and when it comes to using your words for wicked purposes, God notices.

I think that we tend to believe that what we do really counts when it comes to God, and what we say isn't as important.  I mean, if we say something inappropriate, we can always double back with "I didn't really mean it", or "Just because I said it doesn't mean I'll really do it".  I can picture the men plotting against David, after being confronted by the king, saying "C'mon your highness, we're just joking around!  We would never really stab you in your sleep!".  After reading this psalm, I realize much more than before that God takes what we say seriously.  In the 10 Commandments, three of them (and arguably more) directly involve what we say; We're to not take the Lord's name in vain, we're not to bear false witness, and we must honor our parents.  What we say has consequences.  It has consequences between people, and it has consequences with our relationship to God.

Like most psalms where enemies accost David, the wicked are eventually defeated when their evil ways alienate God and he turns against them.  The way it goes down in this psalm is particularly interesting to me, because God's punishment seems deliciously ironic.  What does God do with men who speak wickedly against others?  "He will turn their own tongues against them, and bring them to ruin."  Another way I look at this is that men are ruined by their own sin.  God isn't punishing them for their own lies and deceit, they are destroying themselves because eventually, their lies and deceit eat away at their lives and lead them to ruin.  And that is the way sin works; It eats away at our lives, and drags us away from God.  The lesson here, to me at least, is that we shouldn't avoid sin because God will punish us, we should avoid sin because sin itself is the punishment.

1 Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
    protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
    from the plots of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
    and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
    they shoot suddenly, without fear.

5 They encourage each other in evil plans,
    they talk about hiding their snares;
    they say, “Who will see it?”
6 They plot injustice and say,
    “We have devised a perfect plan!”
    Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

7 But God will shoot them with his arrows;
    they will suddenly be struck down.
8 He will turn their own tongues against them
    and bring them to ruin;
    all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
9 All people will fear;
    they will proclaim the works of God
    and ponder what he has done.

10 The righteous will rejoice in the Lord
    and take refuge in him;
    all the upright in heart will glory in him!