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This psalm is a community (national) lament. Like Psalm 84, this one was also written by the sons of Korah. This shows God’s grace, as Korah was a Levite that rebelled against Moses (Numbers 16) and the adult males in his family were punished by death. But the children grew up to be temple guards between the court of the men of Israel and the Holy place where only the Levites and Priests could enter (1 Chron 9:19). The timing of this psalm could be connected with a national victory like recorded in the book of Judges or in 1 Samuel over the foreign powers such as the Philistines. It could also be connected with national disasters like the locusts plague in Joel 1 or the Assyrian army of Joel 2. Many modern Bible students think this was written after the Babylonian captivity during the days of the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The wording does imply that the author was once out of the land of Promise and is now back in it during a difficult time. Salvation means both deliverance and preservation in the Bible, not just the “conversion” experience.
I. The believer should tell of God’s past saving acts (vs. 1–3)
A. Notice the word “You” in vs. 1–3
B. God delivered Israel from the Egyptians and Midianites in the past. Any of God’s acts in redemptive history can be used in prayer
C. It appears that confession and repentance has already been done by this group
D. The restoration has already started
Let the priests, the LORD's ministers, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say: "Have pity on Your people, LORD, and do not make Your inheritance a disgrace, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'" 18 Then the LORD became jealous for His land and spared His people. 19 The LORD answered His people: Look, I am about to send you grain, new wine, and olive oil. You will be satiated with them, and I will no longer make you a disgrace among the nations. 20 I will drive the northerner far from you and banish him to a dry and desolate land, his front ranks into the Dead Sea, and his rear guard into the Mediterranean Sea. His stench will rise; yes, his rotten smell will rise, for he has done catastrophic things. 21 Don't be afraid, land; rejoice and be glad, for the LORD has done great things. (Joe 2:17 HCSB)
E. Restoration is a sovereign act of grace from God. It is not earned or deserved (Jer 30:3)
Yes, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all the nations and take them to the Valley of Yaheshaphat (Yahweh Judges). I will enter into judgment with them there because of My people, My inheritance Israel. The nations have scattered the Israelites in foreign countries and divided up My land. (Joel 3:1)
F. The covenantal warnings for disobedience promised them exile if they rebelled
Yet if in spite of this you do not obey Me, but act with hostility against Me, then I will act with wrathful hostility against you, and I, even I, will punish you seven times for your sins. Further, you will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters you will eat. I then will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and heap your remains on the remains of your idols, for My soul shall abhor you. I will lay waste your cities as well and will make your sanctuaries desolate, and I will not smell your soothing aromas. I will make the land desolate so that your enemies who settle in it will be appalled over it. You, however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste. Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths all the days of the desolation, while you are in your enemies' land; then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. (Lev 26:27–34 NASB)
G. Restoration involves the removal of wrath, the forgiveness of sin, the removal of guilt
H. Return from captivity, the chastisement, and be in God’s favor, blessings again
I. Sins are hidden, covered over and God returns to close fellowship with us
II. The believer should grieve over sin and pray for restoration (vs. 4–7)
A. Notice the word “us” in vs. 4 and 7, showing the community is praying
B. The lament and prayer begin after the interlude of praise (vs. 1–3)
C. Prayer: restore us to fellowship and be pleased with us again
D. Questions: The chastisement has worked, is not this a good time for them to end?
E. Prayer: return covenantal love (hesed) grant us salvation
F. God’s judgments are His “disturbing” works, a task He does not delight in (Isa 28:21; Ezek 18:32), but God delights in and is active in the salvation of His people
G. Salvation “sandwich” this section begins and ends with salvation
III. The believer has a hope that leads to assurance of salvation (vs. 8)
A. Notice the word “I” in vs. 8, where a prophet or the psalmist is speaking
B. When God speaks peace (shalom) [wholeness of body and soul) He creates it
(Isa 57:18–21) It includes relief from grief
C. Peace is a gift from God and a way of life
D. The saints, holy ones, are God’s loyal people
So, then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, (Eph 2:19 NASB)
E. God’s people are two in some way, one in other senses in the Bible
F. The holy ones are those who do not return to foolish living, as if God does not exist or cannot enforce His covenant
IV. The believer’s future promise of Christ’s victory on earth (vs. 9–13)
A. Notice the “he” and “his” in this section
B. Salvation is not for everyone, everyone will not be saved
C. Deliverance comes to those who fear, reverence, worship, and serve God
D. The future promise of God’s glory dwelling in the land of promise
The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Joh 1:14 CSB)
Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. (Act 2:3 CJB)
Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. (Lev 26:11–13 NASB)
The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts, and in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts. (Hag 2:1 NASB)
E. Glory in the land, part 1, Jesus, part 2 Pentecost, part 3 Jesus millennial reign
F. These attributes of God are prevalent on the earth during Jesus’ reign on the earth
Lessons to live by:
• Use the Bible when you pray. Honor God for His mighty acts that are recorded in Scripture. Verbally ascribe the glory that is due God name and person
• Warn others to flee from the wrath to come. Remind others that there is forgiveness found in the Messiah, Jesus
• Repent over and confess sins quickly. God delights in our deliverance and perseveration
• Love and righteousness, mercy and truth met on the Messiah’s cross outside the city wall
A hymn that restates these truths is:
WHEN HE SPEAKS PEACE
OFTENTIMES I’VE WONDERED
EVEN IN MY DARKEST HOUR,
WILL HIS FAITHFUL EARS STILL HEARKEN
TO MY NEEDS AND MY DESIRES.
THEN I HEAR HIS VOICE SO TENDER
SPEAKING SOFTLY IN MY EAR,
THEN I KNEEL TO PRAY IN MY SECRET PLACE
I KNOW HE WILL HEAR,
HE’S ALWAYS THERE.
Chorus
WHEN HE SPEAKS PEACE,
THE RAGING STORMS MUST DIE,
NEW HOPE BECOMES NEW LIFE,
WHEN HE WHISPERS EVERYTHING
WILL BE ALRIGHT.
WHEN HE SPEAKS PEACE,
THE DARK NIGHT SLIPS AWAY
LIKE THE BREAKING OF A DAY,
WHEN JESUS SPEAKS PEACE.
WHEN MY FRIENDS HAVE FAILED ME
AND I’M STANDING ALL ALONE,
WHEN I BECOME DISCOURAGED
AND I FEEL ALL HOPE IS GONE,
THERE’S NO NEED TO BE DISHEARTENED
FOR I HAVE A FRIEND WHO CARES.
WHEN MY FAITH BECOMES WEAK
I CAN KNEEL AT HIS FEET
MY BURDENS HE WILL SHARE.
HE’S ALWAYS THERE.
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