Psalm 105: Yahweh will Keep His Promise to Ethnic Israel

The author of this psalm is unknown. This psalm is classified as a hymn that celebrates Israel’s history of redemption (also called a narrative or story telling psalm, which there are only five: 78, 105, 106, 153, 136). This psalm’s storyline begins with God’s covenant with Abraham and then displays that covenant beginning to be fulfilled in the nation of Israel. Eight of the ten plagues of Egypt are mentioned.

I. The call to worship (vs. 1–6)

    A. Sing praises to Yahweh

    B. Seek the LORD

    C. Express gratitude to the LORD

    D. Glorify the LORD, Look to the LORD in dependent trust

    E. Remember His signs, wonders and judgments in connection with redemption and revelation

II. The Abrahamic covenant of promise (vs. 7–11)

    A.  Yahweh is faithful to His covenant promises, “Yahweh our God,” Exodus 20

    B. Covenants are established by God, commanded, sworn oath, decree, confirmed

    C. The promise of the land is to the physical seed, ethnic Israel

    D. A thousand generation promise

    E. Focus is on the unconditional aspects of the covenant here

III. The covenant people’s protection by Yahweh (vs. 12–15)

      A. God protected the patriarch’s as Genesis recorded

      B. The Jews survive because Yahweh decreed it, not because of their strength

      C. Those who God chooses He anoints with His Spirit

      D. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob received direct revelation like the prophets

      E. Pharaoh, Abimelech and his son were all rebuked by God 

IV. The covenant people’s providential preservation by Yahweh (vs. 16–23) ***

      A. The famine of the Land moved God’s people to Egypt

      B. God providentially sent Joseph first

V.  The covenant people’s further protection by Yahweh (vs. 24–36)

      A. The people expanded, multiplied, just like Yahweh promises

      B. Pharaoh order gender specific post-birth abortions, Yahweh overruled 

      C. Eight of the ten plagues are mentioned in a different order than Exodus 10–12

      D. These are the judgmental signs and wonders connected with redemption and revelation

VI. The fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant promise (vs. 37–45b)

    A. Yahweh must bring the people out of Egypt to give them Canaan

    B. He must provide them with the resources they needed

    C. He must give them a constitution and legal system

    D. He must give them property

    E. He must provide for them food and water for the trip

    F. He must provide them a Messiah in which to trust

 . . . and they all drank the same drink from the Spirit - for they drank from a Spirit-sent Rock which followed them, and that Rock was the Messiah. (1 Cor 10:4 CJB)

   G. He must provide them reasons to rejoice and be glad

   H. He gave them tree groves and vineyards already planted

    I. He blessed them

   J. He gave them His worship regulations and His moral laws, which as a couplet stands for the         entire law, which includes Civil, Ceremonial, and Moral as categories of law

VII. The benediction of worship (vs. 45c)

        A. The author ends as he began, a call to praise

        B. This conclusion is fitting benediction, Praise Yahweh, He is faithful to keep His covenant               promises

       C.  Because the nation was unfaithful, violated the covenant, and brought the chastisements             of the covenant on themselves, the remnant had to take hold of the promises of Yahweh                      by faith. It has always been that way

Lessons to live by:

• In every era of time it is impossible to please God without faith. See Hebrew 11

• If God keeps His promises to the ethnic seed of Abraham, how much more will He keep His promises to the Spiritual seed of Abraham (Galatians 3)

• If God protects the ethnic seed, will He not also protect the Spiritual seed? (Romans 8)

• The chosen ones today are in the New Covenant with Jesus the Messiah as the mediator of the new and better covenant

• There is no safer place on the earth than living in a committed obedient relationship to Yahweh and His book, the Bible and following His guidance

• Salvation is through faith by grace and never by works, however, the saved will display their salvation by their actions (Eph 2:8–10; James 2)

Psalm 104: Yahweh provides for His Creation and Creatures

The author of this psalm is unknown. This psalm is classified as a Hymn that is a descriptive psalm of praise. The author may have been correcting an ancient Egyptian poem written to worship the sun. If so, he surely displays that the suns maker, Yahweh, is the one to be worshiped rather than His creation. At the very least he had Genesis chapter 1 firmly in his mind as he wrote this psalm. Derek Kidner notes the Creation week of Genesis chapter 1 showing up in this hymn in an orderly way. William Kethe’s, “My Soul, Praise the Lord” and Robert Grant’s “O Worship the King” are based on this psalm.

Days Genesis 1 verses Psalm 104 verses             Subjects

Day 1     3–5                        2a                 light

Day 2     6–8                        2b–4                         atmosphere and water vapor canopy 

Day 3     9–10, 11–13        5–9, 10–13,14–18 land and water distinct; vegetation, trees

Day 4     14–19                        19–24                 luminaries as timekeepers

Day 5     20–23                        25–26                 creatures of sea and air

Day 6     24–28, 29–31        21–24, 29–30         animals and man, food appointed for all

I. The praise of God’s majestic splendor in creation of the earth and sky (vs. 1–4)

    A. I will praise Yahweh with my whole being

    B. God’s creative acts declare His glory and give us a lot for which to praise Him

    C. God is active yet separate from creation. This refutes both deism and pantheism 

    D. God is light, dwells in light, created natural light first, and light is vital to all life

    E. God set up the atmosphere on earth for life and His manifold creation

    F. God is in control of the wind, rain, and lightening

                                                                Hymn

O worship the King, all glorious above, O tell of God's might, O sing of God's grace,           O gratefully sing God's power & God's love; whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,          our Shield & Defender, the Ancient of Days,  whose chariots of wrath - deep thunderclouds form;  pavilioned in splendor & girded with praise.      & dark is God's path on - wings of the storm.

II. The divine formation of the land and the seas (vs. 5–9)

    A. On day 3 the water that covered the mountains and valleys was assigned to the oceans

    B. The dry land had already been formed, it was now visible from the sky

    C. God’s covenant promise to Noah and mankind is the earth will never be flooded again

    D. The poetic language for the earth’s rotation and spot in the solar system is used here

The earth with its store of wonders untold, 

Almighty, thy power hath founded of old; 

hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree, 

and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

III. The divine creation and preservation of land bound life on earth (vs. 10–18)

      A. God is the source and sustainer of life through streams, rain, and snow

      B. Man and many animals require O2 and H2O to survive

      C. All the plants and animals are in the service of man, made in God’s image

      D. God also provides food and medicine for all His creatures

      E. Man’s purpose is not to work, but to glorify God by his work

      F. Even the trees, birds, ibex and rock badgers get what they need from God’s created order

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?

It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; 

it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, 

and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

IV. The divine order and design in God’s created universe (vs. 19–23) **

      A. The ancients all went by a lunar calendar which marked the four seasons

      B. The moon has 29.5 days for each cycle, but visible there are 28 different moon phases

      C. There are 7 visible planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn

      D. God has put His order in creation, the lunar calendar gave a point of reference of time

      E. Daylight and night are additional boundaries set by God

V.  The divine wisdom in creation and usefulness of the oceans of the earth (vs. 24–26)

      A. The natural world reveals God’s creativity and awesome wisdom

      B. The sea reveals many amazing creatures at every depth

      C. Even the amphibious dinosaurs reveal God’s great power

VI. The divine sovereignty in creation and recreation on the earth (vs. 27–30)

      A. Yahweh provides what both man and animals need to survive

      B. Yahweh sets the time for births and deaths

      C. God life giving Spirit gives life and breath and new life

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, 

in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail; 

thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, 

our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

VII. The praise of God’s royal glory, awesome power, and holiness (vs. 31–35)

        A. All of life is about the glory of God, this world displays His glory

        B. God is powerful and holy; thus, He hates sin and His people hate sin

Lessons to live by:

• The triune Godhead created the universe; however, the Eternal Son of God was the primary agent of creation

• Paul says of Jesus: "because in connection with Him were created all things - in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities - they have all been created through Him and for Him. He existed before all things, and He holds everything together." (Col 1:16–17 CJB)

• We can do nothing greater in our lives than bringing God glory. This is the main thing.

Psalm 102: A Heavenly Prospective from a Suffering Man of Faith

The author of this Psalm is unknown. It is an individual lament of a righteous person going through trials because of the wicked with unexplained sufferings like Job. Many Bible students think it reveals the pain of one of the righteous remnant in exile during the Babylonian captivity. He does not ask to be personally delivered from the trail. He wants Yahweh to listen to the details of his difficult lot, for Him to keep His covenant promises to Israel, to not allow the suffer to die prematurely, and for the future presence of his descendants with God. Part of this Psalm is quoted in Heb 1:11 in the New Testament.

  I. The petition to be heard by God (vs. 1–2)

     A. Yahweh, hear my prayer is an opening to prayer often used (Ps 39:12, 54:2, 61:1, 64:1)

     B. The parallel phrase, “Let my cry for help come to you” (Ps 69:17) is part of the address

     C. Human idioms or metaphors are used to ask God to attentively listen to this prayer

          1. The prayer is full of Scriptural phrases

          2. It honestly lists the current situation without one selfish plea

          3. It includes God’s prophetic promises that by faith the praying one claims for Israel                            “Faith mighty faith, the promise see’s and looks to God alone”                                                                “And Lord haste the day when faith shall be sight                                                                                     – the clouds be rolled back like a scroll

           4. Faith is the certain substantive conviction that what God has promised in the Bible that                         we cannot yet see with our eyes is true and real

 II. The lament of a lonely righteous person who is suffering (vs. 3–11)        

     A. Man’s life is temporary, all is temporary

     B. The suffering one short life is like smoke that blows away, burning embers that die out                    summer grass that dies out, an evening shadow that is swallowed by the darkness

     C. The anguish in is heart and body include heat stroke, being without shelter from the sun,                    intense pain, fever (his skeleton is burning like a furnace), sleeplessness, frailty,                                     dehydrated and emaciated from the lack of food and fluid, depressed, appetite gone,                                isolated, in mourning and sadness, wailing loudly, just skin and bones left, lonely and                             alone like an owl, crying alone on the roof like a widowed sparrow

          1. Many can relate to parts of this in the midst of sickness or grief

          2. It has similarities to cancer treatments and Nazi concentration camps

          3. An owl that has lost his mate will cry out on a roof top for several days

          4. His time is short on the earth, it seems he has only days or hours to live

          5. Sadness and solitude often go together, God has made us for community

          6. The delights and joys of life are all hidden from his sight

      D. A major human source of the suffering is this man’s enemies

           1. They mock him continually, they use his name as a curse word

           2. Where is your God now? You are abandoned by Him.

           3. Ashes used in mourning are his food instead of the forgotten bread

           4. There are more tears in his cup than grape juice

      E. A major divine source is the anger and wrath of God against sin

         1. God has lifted the suffer up, like an eagle with a lamb, and thrown him away

           2. The remnant grieve and weep at the thought that they are not pleasing Yahweh

           3. It grieves them to be part of a nation so wicked God must judge them

           4. The shadows lengthen right before sunset; it looks as if his life is coming to an end

           5. The grass that withers finally turns to dirt

      F. Surprisingly, there is no personal request for relief

III. The covenantal promises for Israel claimed in faith (vs. 12–22)

     A. The God of Israel, Yahweh is enthroned forever and over the captors

     B. Yahweh’s name will continue to future Jewish generations

     C.  The time to restore Judah is coming by the power of God

     D. Yahweh’s visitation, compassion, and grace are all promised

     E. He will come with His angels and the destroyed city will be rebuilt

     F. The Gentiles will fear and worship Yahweh because of His great work

     G. Yahweh will allow Jerusalem to be rebuilt and will display His glory there (John 1:14)

     H. The captive's prayer to return will be answered right on time

      I. A future people not yet created (church and millennial Jews) will praise Yahweh

      J. Oppression will be removed when Yahweh shows up to rule

      K. Yahweh’s name will be praised by redeemed Jews and Gentiles in Israel during this time

IV. The final lament of one suffering (vs. 23–27)

     A. The concern over the briefness of life on earth, days compared to generations

     B. The request to die at the right time, not prematurely

     C. Yahweh is the creator of the universe, which also is time bound and cursed

     D. The earth and heavens will one day change, but God’s character remains the same

V. The final promise claimed in faith (vs. 28)

     A. The Jewish descendants will continue and not be destroyed

     B. The faith-line descendants of the remnant will continue and not be destroyed

     C. All the redeemed children of Abraham will be in God’s presence forever 

VI. The New Testament Insight into Psalm 102

     A. This psalm has a topological prophecy that has more than one fulfillment 

     B. Heb 1:10–12, Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God is also a suffering one

     C. Israel and individual men of faith during the captivity suffered

     D. The Psalm touches on both the first and second coming of the Messiah

Lessons to live by:

• The Messiah as God the Son has always existed and will have no end. He came and suffered a lonely vicarious substitutionary penal death in our place.

• He is coming again to rule and reign on the earth from Jerusalem

• Yahweh created the universe through Jesus and redeemed His people through Him and will rule through Him on earth for one thousand years. King Jesus is on the throne in heaven right now until all enemies are put under His control and destroyed

• God keeps His covenant promises to all the real believers who love, trust, and obey Him

Psalm 101: The Model Kingdom

 Excellence in Ruling

The author of this Psalm is King David. Psalm 101 is a Royal Psalm in the form of a deceleration of commitment, a solemn promise, an Ancient Near Eastern vow, or a covenant. This psalm displays the model king with a model administration. This psalm may have been used at the coronation of some of the kings of Judah. The King was to serve in the theocracy of Israel under the Word of God (Deut 17:14–20) and under Yahweh himself as a vice president under the CEO of a corporation. Many Bible students note that King David failed in the very areas he writes about in this psalm. This psalm describes the true model king and kingdom, that only Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah can and will fulfill. This will be significantly evident at His next coming and during the millennial reign of the Messiah.  David knew he was not speaking of His own characteristics in the psalm, but of the decedent promised in the Davidic covenant to rule forever on David’s throne. He was able to see beyond his own failure and sin to the righteous administration of the Messiah of Israel and David’s redeemer, Jesus of Nazareth, the eternal Son of God who became fully man about 4 B.C. at Bethlehem. 

  I. The righteous King’s Commitment to God’s Kingdom (vs. 1–3a)

     A. The King’s motive for intense loyalty is the covenant love (Hesed) and righteous                                 judgements that produce true justice by the emperor, Yahweh

     B. The major requirement of the lesser party in a covenant is loyalty to the superior party

     C. The king and the people were bound to God by covenant in Israel and to each other

     D. Justice requires the king to punish the wicked and reward the righteous

     E. Yahweh’s keeping His covenantal promises causes the king to sing and praise God

     F. The righteous King is going to follow the path of wisdom as stated in Proverbs

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die. (Prov 19:16 NASB)    

     G. Jesus alone was able to live a life blameless before the Moral, Civil, and Ceremonial law

Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him--a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight will be in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, He will not execute justice by what He hears with His ears, but He will judge the poor righteously and execute justice for the oppressed of the land. He will strike the land with discipline from His mouth, and He will kill the wicked with a command from His lips.  Righteousness and faithfulness will be a belt around His waist. (Isa 11:1-5 HCSB)

     H. His question shows the king’s dependence on God

     I. His life show integrity and that all those around him practice steadfast love and justice

     J. A godly leader is blameless before God and in his house. The king's house is the palace                  where the business of the kingdom is conducted. His officials are there with him.

        1. David’s fall to adultery was at the palace

        2. David’s plan to kill Uriah was at the palace

        3. He is knowledgeably writing of the Davidic king to come, Jesus

     K. The king’s oath to Yahweh is that his administration will have unreproachable integrity

     L. Loyalty to the covenant involves faith, obedience, and pursuing righteousness

     M. The king vows to have nothing to do with (the Belial thing) any wicked, evil, perverted                     person, object, or spirit. His rule’s conduct will be opposite of Satan’s

 II. The righteous King’s hatred of evil (vs. 3b–5)        

     A. The godly leader stays away from evil in any form. He has a pure mind, heart, and                    associates. 

     B. To love righteousness one must hate sin. The righteous king hates disloyalty, betrayals, and                faithlessness.

    C. The king will have to sentence the wicked rather than copy them

 Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character. (1Cor 15:33 TNIV)

    D. The righteous king will silence the slanders and bring strong judgment on the proud

    E. King Jesus is concerned with heart attitudes and actions done in secret

    F. Slander, greed, pride, gossip, and false witness display the inner depravity and wicked                         hearts of men. The king vows to punish these sins fully. These sins cause the death of others

   G. “Silencing” and “not enduring” are legal acts by the king/judge

III. The righteous King’s love for God’s people (vs. 6)

     A. The king will protect the faithful, loyal, blameless, and righteous in the land 

     B. The king’s cabinet will be chosen from the faithful and blameless

     C. These are the opposite people from those in vs. 8, so these are humble, truth tellers, wise,                    honest, loyal, loving, peacemakers

     D. See Psalm 15

     E. Wise leaders surround themselves with the best and most capable men

IV. The righteous King’s detestation of evil (vs. 7)

     A. The king will maintain his integrity and not allow liar to have ruling power

     B. The choice to surround yourself with people of integrity is a choice to exclude those who                 do not obey God’s moral law

     C. Deceptive, greedy, dishonest, disloyal, promise breakers cannot be on the king’s cabinet

     D. No matter how talented or intelligent, a man lacking integrity cannot serve in a righteous                king's court (Prov 29:12)

V. The righteous King’s Commitment to Justice (vs. 8) 

     A. The King vows to administer justice every day by removing the wicked from the land

     B. Jerusalem is to be a city of righteousness, so the wicked and evildoers must be judged

     C. The city of Yahweh is to a city of righteousness, so breakers of God’s moral laws must be                 removed and their reign of terror ended

Lessons to live by:

• The king must make a serious commitment to God. How serious is your commitment?

• Integrity is more important that talent or intellect. Telling the truth about others is vital.

• Like 1 Tim 3 is a snapshot of a spiritually mature Christian man, this chapter presents a model of a godly leader, but especially the Lord Jesus the Messiah of Israel

• Truth telling and knowing when not to speak is an important virtue

• Loyalty is also a key element in the new covenant. Faith, trust, obedience, love, commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ is not optional for a real believer

Psalm 100: A Song of Praise to Yahweh

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 100 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. This is the last psalm in this section (93–100) of Enthronement Psalms. It serves like a concluding hymn on this section focused on God’s sovereign rule over all things.

  I. A call to give thanks to Yahweh (vs. 1–2)

     A. The KJV translation jokes made at church services help us misunderstand this text. It is not a          joyful noise made by the tone deaf. It is a loud, celebrative, joyful shout!

     B. See 1 Kgs 1:32–48 

     C. Long Live Melech Yeshua!

     D. Who is surrender to King Jesus? All the earth. Every ethnic group.

And the foreigners who convert to the LORD, minister to Him, love the Yahweh's name, and are His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it, and who hold firmly to My covenant–I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isa 56:6-7 HCSB)

     E. All nations must recognize that Yahweh alone is God

     F. Yahweh’s people exist by His grace and blessing. They trust in Him

     G. The nations are invited to sing hymns to Yahweh and to worship Him

     H. Submission to King Jesus’ rule is a joyous and grateful act in loving response to His            covenant promises

      I. The Bible is about the Promise/plan of God; Promises concerning

          1. Redemption 2. Messiah

          3. Kingdom         4. Revelation (of who God is)

          5. Rescue         6. Salvation, deliverance from sin

      J. “Gladness” is a result of serving, trusting, and obeying the Creator, Redeemer, and King

Through him [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Heb 13:15 ESV)     

      K. Worship is service, and it is work, and requires effort. But you don’t have to beg a real             believer to worship the God of the Bible. He/she wants too!

      L. See Ps 95:6, 96:8

 II. A call to celebrate the covenant between God and His people (vs. 3)        

     A. We are commanded to know something, actually to confess it

     B. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our covenantal master

     C. We are to know and confess that Yahweh alone is the true God of the universe

     D. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our God, we are accountable to Him

     E. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our creator, not man or chance

     F. We are to know and confess our privileged position as believers: God is our Father, we 

         belong to Him, we relate to Him with the same closeness a sheep has to its shepherd.

    H. What does a shepherd do for his sheep? Psalm 23; Luke 15:3–6; John 10:1–18 

III. A second call to give thanks to Yahweh (vs. 4)

     A. Come to public worship, you must go through the gate to enter the Temple court

     B. The court of the Gentiles, Women, Israel, Priests, Holy of Hollies

     C. It is assumed a real believer will come to public worship with praise and thanksgiving

a sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the bride, and the voice of those saying, Praise the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His faithful love endures forever as they bring thank offerings to the temple of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as in former times, says the LORD. (Jer 33:11 HCSB)

    D. A thank offering was voluntary, set by the individual worshiper

    E. How far into the courts can we go, since Yeshua has come and died?

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (Heb 10:18–26 NASB)

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Eph 2:14 ESV)

      H. Thanksgiving focuses on what He has done for us in prayer (actions), Praise for who He is             (attributes)

IV. A second call to celebrate the covenant between God and His people (vs. 5)

      A. Yahweh alone is good, not any man

      B. Yahweh has (hesed) covenant love for His people that never ends

      C. Yahweh keeps his promises faithfully to every generation of His elect

Then the LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: Yahweh--Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers' wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation. (Exod 34:6–7 HCSB)

       D. Jesus does not lose one of His sheep. Jesus is the good Shepherd

       E. Like His Father, He keeps all His promises (I will never leave or forsake you)

Lessons to live by:

• Grateful statements and praiseful statements go together in our prayers to the God of the Bible. We remember what He has done, and who He is.

• Corporate worship is not optional for a real believer. Those who are not providentially hindered know the importance of corporate worship. Make-believers and Holy day Christians have no idea what a covenant relationship with God looks like.

• The promises are very important in the Bible. They are what we grab a hold of with our faith without seeing the final end.

• We have much to be grateful for and many things for which to praise God

• Long Live King Jesus!

Psalm 99: Yahweh’s Righteous Reign on the Earth

 

Holy is He!

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 99 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. Like other psalms in this section (93–100) this one addresses the reign of Jesus, the God-Man from Jerusalem that immediately follows His second coming. So, this psalm is future for us as well. It is at this time that some of the dormant Mosaic covenant promises will be fulfilled. For example, “I will place My residence among you, and I will not reject you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people. (Lev 26:11–12 HCSB) Yahweh is the covenant name for God in the Old Testament. We learn in the N.T. that Jesus (Yeshua) is the person of the trinity that will actually reign from Jerusalem. Because Yeshua is God, the second person of the triune godhead, and He is also fully human (though in a glorified body), He is uniquely suited for this 1000-year reign. Verses 1, 2, and 8 begin with the term Yahweh in the original text. And three times this chapter declares that Yahweh is holy—Holy is He (3, 5, 9). This psalm will be fitting to be sung on the first and every day of Jesus’ 1000-year reign on the earth from Jerusalem. The central principle of Jesus’ earthly government will be holiness.

  I. The worship of the enthroned King Yahweh in Israel (vs. 1–3)

     A. Yahweh dwells on a living throne between the angels

     B. The Gentiles need and the earth need to shake in fear

     C. Yahweh’s greatness is recognized in Jerusalem (Zion) on earth

     D. Yahweh’s name is great and awesome

     E. Yahweh is holy, Holy is He!

     F. Yahweh is totally morally pure and righteous

     G. Yahweh is far above time bound, temporary, and imperfect humans

     H. Yahweh’s throne is an amazing site (Ps 18:6–19; Ezek 1:4–14)

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord (adonai) seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. Burning ones (Seraphim) were standing above Him; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh of armies; His glory fills the whole earth. The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke. Then I said: Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of armies. Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said: Now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, and your sin is atoned for. (Isa 6:1–7)

      I. In this psalm His throne is on the earth, on Mount Zion in Israel

      J. All the nations must worship Jesus during this time

 II. The rule and worship of the enthroned King Yahweh in Israel (vs. 4–5)        

     A. Jesus as a mighty warrior is also One who loves justice

     B. He not only won the victory at the cross, but in the battle at His second coming, this great                 and terrible Day of Yahweh

     C. Jesus’ court will be run with uprightness, accuracy and precise judgment

     D. Jacob or Ya’akov is the former name of Israel before he was renamed. Yahweh will                             personally reign in Israel through the person of Jesus the Messiah

     E. Worship Jesus at His footstool. Where will you be? Right, on the ground

     F. The “footstool” is symbolic for the ark of the covenant, the temple, and Jerusalem

III. The revelation of the enthroned King Yahweh to Israel (vs. 6–7)

      A. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel interceded in prayer for Israel

      B. What does they called on His name mean? Selection and submission

      C. Yahweh answered these men’s prayers for His people

      D. Moses and Samuel were Scripture writers, Aaron the High priest

      E. These three followed the testimonies (Ten Commandments) and the worship regulations                 and ordinances. This couplet of Moral and Ceremonial law stands for the entire law                                 including the Civil laws of Israel.

IV. The exaltation of the enthroned King Yahweh in Israel (vs. 8–9)

      A. Yahweh answered Moses, Aaron, and Samuel’s prayers. They were men like us.

      B. Yahweh granted forgiveness to these men for their sins

      C. Yahweh chastised these men for their sins and some had lingering consequences

           1. Moses striking the rock in disobedience, dishonoring the type

           2. He had to wait almost 1,500 years to enter the land of Palestine

           3. Aaron was healed from his leprosy, but died on the way to Palestine

           4. Samuel’s mistakes as father outlived him

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives. (Heb 12:5–6 ESV)

      D. We are commanded to praise Yahweh

            1. He alone is God (holy, supreme, eternal, all powerful)

            2. He is our God (by covenant relationship)

            3. Worship is to be exclusive for the God of the Bible

            4. When Jesus comes back to earth, we are to worship Him, because He is God, God the                         Father is God, God the Holy Spirit is God, three persons yet one in substance and being

       E. The third time the author states it more fully, Holy is Yahweh our God

Lessons to live by:

• If we come to Jesus on His terms, we can say in truth He is our God, just like we can say this of the Father and of the Holy Spirit.

• If the Bible makes such a big deal about God’s holiness, why is it that we ignore it?

• There will be no righteous government until Jesus returns.

• We can go to God in prayer and intercede for His people as we come to the Father in the name of the Son by the power and aid of the Holy Spirit.

• God is not done with the land of Israel yet, all His promises to them will be fulfilled just as all His promises to us will be fulfilled.

Psalm 98: Yeshua (salvation) [Yahweh] is coming to Judge all Humans

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 98 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. However, this Psalm includes more information about the Messiah’s comings, which we learn in the New Testament are two separate comings. First Jesus comes to save sinners by living a holy life in their place and dying in their place. His second coming will involve His judgment of sinners who will not repent, believe, and surrender to His Lordship. This will involve two battles, one before the 1000-year reign and at the end of this reign. It will include also at least one judgement of humans. What do the people of God do before and during Jesus’ first and second comings? They rejoice and sing with multiple instruments the praises of our sovereign saving king who is victorious in His first coming and in the two battles He leads the angels and elect humans to fight against the wicked. Tremper Longman believes this Psalm is “a Divine Warrior victory song celebrating the return of Yahweh the commander of the heavenly hosts who is leading the Israelite army back home after waging victorious holy war.” In the biblical version of this song, it is one that points to the future, and it focuses on Jesus who will overcome the kings and their armies (Rev 19:11–21, 20:9), redeem His people (Rev 14:4), and judge all humans (Matt 25:31–46). Notice how often “a new song” and “redemption” show up together in the Bible.

  I. Praising Yahweh for His previous deliverances (vs. 1–3)

     A. The new song praises God for His victory 

     B. The mighty works God has done by Himself—singlehanded miracles

          1. Exodus

          2. Return from captivity

          3. Sending of the Messiah, Jesus

    C. Jesus’ Hebrew name, Yeshua is used in vs. 2 and 3

    D. Yahweh has revealed His Salvation and His Righteousness

    E. The Gentile nations witness the righteous deliverance of Israel

    F. Yahweh’s covenant love and awesome faithfulness to Israel is displayed

    G. All mankind has seen the victory of the LORD

 II. Worshiping Yahweh the great deliverer of His people with music (vs. 4–6)

      A. All peoples are to praise God for His salvation

      B. They are to use multiple instruments with their songs of praise

      C. Those who are delivered burst out in joyful praise 

III. Creation rejoices at Yahweh’s coming to the earth (vs. 7–9)

      A. Jesus was the agent of the Trinity that made the universe

      B. When He comes back, all of creation will make noise

     C. These sounds are not the expressive truths offered by free moral agents

     D. All of creation is waiting for His return (Rom 8:19–24)

     E. Jesus came the first time to save, He is coming back to fight, rule, and judge

     F. The victory of King Jesus is a sure thing

Lessons to live by:

• The joy of salvation should fill our songs of praise

• Our joy is made full by God’s righteous deliverance

• We need to make sure we are on the right side when Jesus comes back to battle His enemies. They will lose at His return and at the end of His 1000-year reign

• The LORD’s judgment will be righteous and with exact correctness. Everything secret will be revealed. Every word, thought, and deed will be considered in the verdict

Psalm 97: Yahweh’s Reign Brings Joy to His People

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 97 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. These ancient songs teach that Yahweh (the LORD) is sovereign over all the earth. He rules the world. He delivers His people simultaneous with punishing the pagan nations who are mistreating His people. His visitation provides them immediate relief from suffering. All these psalms refer to the king of heaven in His role as judge of mankind. The N.T. reveals that this task is assigned to Jesus the Messiah (John 5:22). These psalms also note the Messiah’s return will involve a judgment on the nations, probably a very direct judgment during the large battle of the nation's coming against Israel. 

  I. Yahweh’s glorious reign on earth and fiery presence at His appearing (vs. 1–6)

     A. When Jesus has dealt with His enemies in the Jezreel valley and comes to Jerusalem, He                 will arrive to institute His direct reign over the earth

     B. The righteous reign of Jesus during the Millennium will cause many peoples throughout                 the earth to rejoice. Government corruption will cease (Rev 20:6)

     C. The Islands, the remotest outposts of human habitations will join in the celebration that                  takes place on the larger continents (See Isa 24:15, 40:15, 41:5, 42:4)

     D. The righteous, just, and faithful rule of Yahweh will bring order to the earth

 “Isaiah said these things because he saw His [Jesus’] glory and spoke about Him. (John 12:41 HCSB) 

          Yahweh is God, Yeshua, Jesus is God, in some passages Yahweh is Yeshua, God the Son                          (Isa 6:1–5), in other texts God the Father is Yahweh (Ps 110:1)

     E. There will be worldwide liberation from oppressive, selfish, and evil rulers

     F. The figures here show a supernatural manifestation of the presence of God

On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. (Exod 19:16 ESV)

 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the LORD came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. (Exod 19:18 HCSB)

 . . . for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:29 ESV)

     G. Clouds and thick darkness, lightening, God is here, a theophany, a Day of Yahweh (Joel 2:2)

     H. He is here to judge. His throne, His judgeship is based on His true righteousness and His                true justice (Zeph 1:15; Rev 11:5)

which God will bring about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom none of mankind has seen or can see, to whom be honor and eternal might. Amen. (1Ti 6:15–16 HCSB)

     I. His holy fire is a judgment on the wicked

His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out. (Mat 3:12 HCSB)

     J. The majestic mountains are flattened and melt like candle wax from God’s fire

     K. Yahweh (the LORD) is the Master [adonai] (Lord) of the earth He is judging

     L. All nature and men see Jesus’ glory at the second coming (Psa 19:1; Isa 40:5; Rev 1:7)

 II. The command for all beings to worship Yahweh exclusively (vs. 7)

      A. Is it a shameful thing to worship anything other that the invisible God of the Bible

      B. When Yahweh shows up to judge His enemies, your idols cannot protect you

      C. All supernatural beings are commanded to worship only Yahweh

III. Zion’s worship and exaltation of Yahweh, the Most High God (vs. 8–9)

      A. The people of God rejoice in the rule of Yahweh, Adonai, el elyon, Jesus

      B. Jerusalem and Judah will rejoice when David’s son, the Lord is ruling and because they                  have been delivered from those marching to destroy them (Ps 48:11)

      C. The Most High God, Melchizedek used this title for God (Gen 14:18) 

      D. The second coming of Jesus brings immediate relief to those suffering persecution

Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God's churches--about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure. It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering, since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction, away from the Lord's presence and from His glorious strength,1in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. (2 Thess 1:4–10 HCSB)

IV. Yahweh’s true servants are full of joy and of praise for Him (vs. 10–12)

      A. Those who are lovers of Yahweh are commanded to hate evil

      B. There is a price to pay when you stand against evil in this world

      C. Yahweh brings relief of His persecuted people

But as it is written: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man's heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Cor 2:9 HCSB)  

      D. He preserves, guards, watches over their lives—He must allow their home going

      E. He delivers them out of the hands of the wicked (Dan 3:17)

      F. His radiance provides the righteous ones light, the light “dawns” on them (morning joy)

 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Ps 30:5 ESV)

      G. His relationship with them provides them great joy

      H. Believers are to find their joy in God

       I. Believers are to praise God’s holy name, Yahweh, and thank Him for His wonderful                       deliverance, preservation, salvation

Lessons to live by:

• No man can serve two masters; he will hate one and serve the other

• Joy and the removal of guilt are both blessing of genuine salvation. If you really belong to Jesus, He will be your greatest treasure and your greatest joy. If Jesus was not in heaven, it would be hell to you, because you love Him and hate sin.

• Since all the un-fallen and unredeemed creatures in heaven worship God, how much more, should we, who have been bought with the blood of Jesus, redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the lamb!

• We are to exalt, adore, love, and praise the God of the Bible

• When we long for relief from persecution while patiently enduring it and praying for our enemies we display the patience of God. When He judges the enemies of Israel and of the Church on earth, we will experience a great liberation from wicked men

Psalm 96: Yahweh is King of the World

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 96 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. Ancient kings operated as lawmakers, commanders-in-chief, and the supreme court. Judgment is mentioned in most of these Enthronement Hymns. This psalm moves beyond God’s authority and rule over Israel to all nations. The Gentiles show up in the Israeli Hymn book!

  I. King Yahweh’s glory must be proclaimed (vs. 1–3)

     A. Sing to Yahweh is commanded three times.

     B. This is balanced with three commands: Praise (bless), Proclaim, Declare (tell)

     C. What is to be sung? A new song honoring His deliverance

     D. Who is to sing this song? All the earth, all gentile nations, all peoples (families Gen 10:32)

     E. Why is Yahweh to be praised? For His great salvation (deliverance)

     F. What is to be proclaimed? The good news of Yahweh’s salvation, His glory, His amazing     actions on earth

         1. When? Every day

         2. To whom? All the nations

    G. Are new songs bad? Not if they have biblical content, solid doctrine, good theology

    H. Before you can sing a new song you have to write it

     I. Is there anything in the Old Testament that showed God desired the Gentiles to worship                 Him as well as Israel? Yes, two examples: Genesis 12 and Psalm 96

     J. What are God’s wonderful deeds? Creation and Redemption

 II. King Yahweh’s majesty and uniqueness (vs. 4–6)

      A. God is great and worthy of praise

      B. Yahweh alone is to be feared, reverenced, worshiped, adored

      C. All other gods are fakes, nothings, rocks with demons, worthless idols

      D. Because Yahweh is the Creator, He alone rules and sustains the universe

      E. The pagan claims about the power of their fake gods are all false

      F. The Creator - King has given evidence in creation

          1. He is more majestic than the mountains

          2. His splendor is beyond the most beautiful sunset on the beach

          3. He is stronger than an elephant (kingly court)

          4. He is more beautiful than a snow-covered mountain or a delicate flower

III. King Yahweh’s praise, worship, service (vs. 7–9)

      A. Ascribe to Yahweh is commanded three times. (Give, verbally declare, recognize)

      B. Who is to do this? All the families of the earth. A surprising statement for a Jew, the                         original audience

      C. What are we to state in verbal praise about Yahweh?

           1. He is glorious and strong, glorify the Creator King

           2. His name and person are glorious

           3. Verbal praise is followed by acts of submission to the only true God

           4. We are to bring an allowed offering to this great king

           5. We are to enter the court of the Gentiles at Yahweh’s temple in Jerusalem

           6. We are to acknowledge and act according to God’s majestic splendor and awesome                        holiness

          7. All humans are to praise Yahweh for His sovereign rule, and His majesty displayed in                    His mighty supernatural works and in His people    

          8. Yahweh requires reverence, awe, holiness, submission, amazement over majesty and                      holy presence

          9. All the Gentiles are to tremble before this awesome Creator-King

      D. When we fear God, we reverence, honor, respect, acknowledge His power and authority to              judge sin and His hatred of it, along with His supreme authority to rule. So, our love and                 respect are not to be flippant or causal, it is serious business

IV. King Yahweh’s coming to Judge the earth (vs. 10–13)

      A. Tell the pagan nations, Yahweh reigns. He alone is the sovereign God

           1. God has established His right to rule by His work as Creator. It is His world, He made it

           2. God will judge all men with uprightness and the same standard, the moral law written                     on their hearts

      B. All creation rejoices when the Judge arrives to deal with sin and remove the curse

The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Rom 8:19–21 TNIV)

      C. All creation is called upon to rejoice in the Judges coming—heaven, earth, sea, sea                        creatures, fields and wild animals

      D. Yahweh is coming, this is a Day of Yahweh

      E. Yahweh is coming to judge every human being

           1. His judgment will be righteous

           2. His judgment will be in accordance with His faithfulness

      F. He will establish righteousness and truth on the earth

          1. He will punish the ungodly ones

          2. He will deliver the godly ones

          3. Only those who have Jesus’ righteousness legally placed on their account will be                            delivered from everlasting punishment

          4. One day God’s order and personal rule will be brought to the earth. The God’s rule will                  be fully established and be permanent 

Lessons to live by:

• Notice the joy displayed by those who belong to God. They are singing, they are praising Him, and they are satisfied and full of joy. The worlds lie that only sin brings happiness is shown for how foolish it is.

• Be sure to praise God for all the wonders of creation and His mighty acts of redemption. Use this psalm and others like it in your personal worship of God for Who He is and what He has done.

• If you belong to God, the day of Yahweh when the curse is removed and all sin is dealt with is a day for which you desire greatly. Come Lord Jesus, Come! 

Psalm 95: Worshiping and Believing Yahweh

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 95 is a Hymn in a section of Enthronement Psalms. After a brief section of corporate instruction on a proper way to approach Yahweh in worship, the author refers to the incident in Exod 17:1–7. This Psalm is then explained in Hebrews 3:7–4:16. The author begins by instructing us to Rejoice in our Creator-Redeemer, Yahweh, then to Reverence our Creator-Redeemer, then to Respond to the word of our Creator-Redeemer with trust, obedience, and faith.

  I. A corporate call to worship Yahweh (vs. 1–2)

    A. The summons is the celebrate and rejoice

    B. The person designated for Adoration and celebration is Yahweh

    C. This is in response to a divine deliverance of His people

    D. The divine warrior delivers and defends His people

    E. Because of God’s mighty acts of deliverance, the people respond with praise and                   thanksgiving. An attitude of gratitude

   F. The worship includes the joyous and celebrative use of music and song

   G. It includes a corporate gathering at a designated place of worship

   H. The people gratefully praise the LORD, their redeemer

 II. A hymn to sing to the Creator-King, Yahweh (vs. 3–5)

     A. God is the greatest of kings that rules over His creation

     B. False gods have territories of mountains, valleys, and seas

     C. The true God of the Bible created and rules over all of creation

III. A reverential call to worship Yahweh (vs. 6)

      A. The summons for joyous songs is followed by a call to prostrate yourself before this                  sovereign king

     B. Jesus is seated on the throne to rule Acts 2:29–36                                                                            He holds the universe together by His powerful word

     C. Jesus is the king of kings and Lord of Lord’s, His universal kingship is the subject                            of our praise

IV. A hymn to the Covenant God, Yahweh (vs. 7a–c)

      A. The covenant God made all humans

      B. The covenant God is the shepherd of Israel

      C. He takes care of His own

      D. The essential promise of most of the biblical covenants, “I will be your God, you will be             my people.” A close covenantal relationship like marriage

      E. God’s own power brought about our creation and our redemption

V. A warning against Covenant unfaithfulness (vs. 7d–11)

     A. The sin of unbelief, Exod 17:1–7; Num 20:1–13, 27:14; Deut 6:16, 9:22, 32:51; Ps 81:7

     B. Miracles do not produce faith, they are evidence to those already believing 

     C. When you read or hear God’s word read, as soon as you understand it you should believe it             and obey it, making it your own, replacing the errors in your thinking with God’s true truth      

     D. The practices of apathy, ignorance, and intentional disobedience strain the relationship                     between God and His people

     E. Today is the moment of Grace; there may be no other offers

     F. How can you harden a stone heart? A corrupt and depraved inner man? Figure - not let the            Word of God penetrate your mind, direct your will, or channel your emotions

    G. They did not know God, or His ways, nor did they love God, listen to or obey Him

    H. Yahweh was thoroughly disgusted with that whole generation (slave-mentality)

     I.  To violate the covenant with unfaithfulness, rebellion, and unbelief is a serious sin against                 the covenant relationship. It forfeits the promises and institutes the covenantal curses.

     J. Interpretation of key terms for the Christian from Hebrews 3-4

        1. Today

        2. Rest

    K. The promised land was a type for heaven itself, especially during the millennium. The                       ultimate fulfillment of the spiritual promises is heaven, and Hebrew says that is for                                  Christians, those who follow Abraham in the faith-line, regardless of their race

Lessons to live by:

• Be sure to praise God for all the wonders of creation and His mighty acts of redemption. Since God has created all matter and elements, no one has the right to take a piece of His work and worship it.

• Evolution is an attack on the very nature and power of God

• Worship of God is important. We worship with song, with prayer, with offerings, with the Word—when we listen, understand, and obey it

• Unbelief in God’s Word is still a good way to miss heaven

Psalm 94: The LORD (Yahweh) is the Judge of the Earth

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 94 is a community Lament (1–15) combined with an individual lament (16–23). The parts of a lament include 1) Address to God, 2) Plea for God to help, 3) Complaints—the issue of this prayer, 4) Confession of trust displaying confidence in God, 5) Petition, 6) Hymn or blessing

   I. Yahweh alone has righteous vengeance or recompense, retributive justice (vs. 1–2)

      A. Yahweh alone is the Judge who punishes evil [Address to God]

            1. Evil has its own reward, the just consequences attached to it

            2. The call for Yahweh to shine forth, is asking for Him to personally come to judge

            3. The LORD will arrive in royal splendor to judge the world

            4. His appearing will include His “rising up” (stepping up) to judge mankind

      B. God will give the proud what they deserve, severe punishment

The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. (Prov 16:5 NIV)

I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. (Isa 13:11 NIV)

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (1 Pet 5:5 ESV)

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Prov 16:18 ESV)

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. (1 Tim 3:6 NIV)

  II. The arrogant person’s thoughts, words, and deeds all require punishment (vs. 3–7)

      A. The call for the LORD’s justice to come sooner [the plea for God to help]

           1. The question is not, denying God’s power or will to deal with evil

           2. The question about evil is When? When will the Day of Yahweh appear, the wrongs be                     made right, all sin be consigned to the lake of fire. How much longer?

           3. God is not without power or like a politician making back room deals

      B.  Self-sufficient, autonomous man, is free to do evil in his own mind [the complaints]

           1. The wicked are boaster, we have evolved, God is a delusion, Huxley, Dawkins

           2. Wicked hearts produce wicked thoughts which produce arrogant words

     C. Wicked deeds are done to God’s real people by the proud tyrants

          1. God’s people are persecuted

          2. The most vulnerable: widows, non-resident foreigners, orphans

          3. The helpless are brutally murdered by those in power

          4. These wicked may be rulers in the land like king Manasseh or government officials

     D. God’s presence, awareness, knowledge and power are denied by the wicked

          1. They pretend He cannot view what they cover in darkness

          2. They declare He will not or cannot pay attention to, act on, or justly deal with these                         wicked deeds

          3. Believers may tell themselves these same lies before they commit sin

III.  The wicked person is rebuked for this pagan or deistic world view (vs. 8–11)

       A. You need to pay attention to yourself, ignorant scoffers

            1. You are acting like wild beasts with no reasoning or thinking skills

            2. You foolishly run your little crooked kingdom bragging that you are an Agnostic

       B. You lack the most basic understanding and reasoning

            1. Ears have an obvious design. The designer can also hear

            2. Eyes have an amazing design. The creator of this can also see

      C. Since God brings judgments on nations which you have seen, why do you think individual             are going to get away with sin? (Greater to lesser argument)

      D. God the Creator, teaches the only true knowledge and He knows that mere man’s small                  thoughts are just hevel: vapor, breath, temporary, puzzling, mystery, ironic, unreliable, insubstantial

IV. The blessing of the wise person who belongs to God [The Blessing] (vs. 12–15)

       A. God disciplines His real children so they will repent and live life to the fullest

       B. The Word of God, the Torah, reveals what God likes and dislikes, so the wise man knows                     how to live—not by legalism, but living to please the God he loves by copying His moral                      nature. The moral law is vital to life.

       C. Justice will one day prevail, and God will sustain and protect His righteous remnant                             until that day. Be patient. (He will not forsake His people) [Confession of trust]

 V. An Individual Lament, the Petition (vs. 16–21)

     A. The LORD is my champion, He will stand with me against the wicked

     B. Yahweh provides protection, perseverance, and inner peace by His covenant love

     C. God does not allow His people to be lost, stumble to destruction

     D. Things were really bad before he was rescued, delivered, saved

     E. It appeared their government coalition was unstoppable

     F. How long will God tolerate wicked rulers and evil civil laws? By God’s nature, He must                     bring all wicked regimes to an end and to the Great White Throne Judgment

VI. Praise to Yahweh, he will right the wrongs [The Hymn] (vs. 22–23)

      A. God is a stronghold, a rock of refuge (A fortress like Masada, beside the Dead Sea)

      B. God will punish the wicked in this world and the next

      C. Those outside of the Messiah will pay for every word, though, and action for all eternity as             well as the new sins they continue to commit in the lake of fire

Lessons to live by:

• Be patient when you are wronged and persecuted for the gospel's sake. Be patient when small men make evil laws and arrogantly display their power.

• Beware of the consequences of sin. It is never worth the price. God see’s all, knows all, records all. Everything done in the dark will be reviewed at the judgment.

• There is no free lunch. Someone always pays. The foolish person creates his own theology. The wise person builds a theology from God’s Word, the Bible and then lives by it.

• Chastisement is a good thing. Judgment begins with the house of God. It ends with the wicked masses who will not submit to King Jesus’ reign in their lives.

• God records the death of every innocent person, including the 40 million plus babies murdered in the USA

• The Day of the LORD is coming, not only should we get ready, but also help other get ready so that they can escape the wrath to come.

“Invictus” (Latin Unconquered) by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) displays the arrogance and rebellion of humans

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning's of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Contrast this with "MY CAPTAIN" by Dorothea Day 

Out of the night that dazzles me,

Bright as the sun from pole to pole,

I thank the God I know to be

For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

 

Since His the sway of circumstance,

I would not wince nor cry aloud.

Under that rule which men call chance

My head with joy is humbly bowed.

 

Beyond this place of sin and tears

That life with Him! And His the aid,

Despite the menace of the years,

Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid.

I have no fear, though strait the gate,

He cleared from punishment the scroll.

Christ is the Master of my fate,

Christ is the Captain of my soul

---------------------------------

A famous hymn

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Psalm 93: Yahweh Reigns Over Everything

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 93 is a known as a corporate worship hymn that is an enthronement psalm. The psalm was sung in ancient Jewish worship at some point before the trumpet would sound signaling the beginning of the Sabbath around 6:00 pm each Friday, according to the Talmud. The only name for God in this hymn is Yahweh. This psalm praises Yahweh as king over the earth, the seas, and Jerusalem. VanGemeren’s outline of the psalm is as good as it gets.

A. Yahweh’s glorious kingship (vs. 1a–1b)

     B. Yahweh’s kingship on earth (vs. 1c–2)

     B`. Yahweh’s kingship over the seas (vs. 3–4)

A`. Yahweh’s glorious kingship in Jerusalem (vs. 5)

________________

   I. Yahweh’s (the LORD’s) glorious kingship (vs. 1a–1b)

      A. Praising the only sovereign God, Yahweh, king of the universe (Isa 52:7)

      B. None of the false gods are sovereign, they are merely demons

      C. The LORD’s majestic creation and providential control are displayed openly to all who 

           have eyes that see and ears that hear

      D. Yahweh is king, no matter what His enemies say

 II. Yahweh’s kingship on earth (vs. 1c–2)

      A. The LORD established the earth during the creation week 

      B. The word “throne” is figurative for the sovereign rule of God, which began over the                         earth at creation, but will not have an ending, but will intensify at the 2nd coming

      C. Calvin reminds us that if we really believed God was in charge and powerful than nothing                 could cause us to fear if we were living in obedience to God

      D. The destruction of the world is not in man’s hands

III. Yahweh’s kingship over the seas (vs. 3–4)

      A. The seas, floods, rivers, currents are all powerful forces of water

      B. For those on the sea or coastline, a tidal wave carries uncontrollable destruction

      C. A hurricane or monsoon brings noise and destruction

      D. Uncontrollable waters are also used figurative for pagan armies

      E. Yahweh is above, over, and in control of ever flood, river, sea, and army

      F. Our God is mightier than any storm, than any tidal wave (Ps 29:4)

      G. Both Jonah and the Apostles learned by experience that Yahweh controls the sea

 

    Eternal Father, Strong to save,         O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard

    Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, And hushed their raging at Thy word,

    Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep         Who walked'st on the foaming deep,

    Its own appointed limits keep;                 and calm amidst its rage didst sleep;

    O hear us when we cry to thee,         Oh hear us when we cry to Thee

    for those in peril on the sea.         For those in peril on the sea!

    Most Holy spirit! Who didst brood         O Trinity of love and power!

    Upon the chaos dark and rude,         Our brethren shield in danger's hour;

    And bid its angry tumult cease,         From rock and tempest, fire and foe,

    And give, for wild confusion, peace;         Protect them wheresoe'er they go;

    Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,

    For those in peril on the sea!         Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

IV. Yahweh’s glorious kingship in Jerusalem (vs. 5)

      A. The LORD is king over the covenant community

      B. The term “testimony” is often used for the Ten Commandments

      C. God’s moral laws stand firm against a world of sin and relativism

      D. God’s commands, warnings, promises, oaths and statements in the Bible are all true, fully              confirmed by this sovereign Lord 

      E. Where the special presence of God is, men are keenly aware of His holiness

      F. The glorious light above the mercy seat, the fire above the 12 apostles' heads, the wings                     covering the angels faces crying holy, holy, holy

Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:28-29 ESV)

Lessons to live by:

• Since God is sovereign, worry and praylessness are both sins. When in danger, call out to God by prayer in faith. He is mightier than the danger

• The Creator is in charge of His world and limits what even men can do

• Don’t let the latest doomsday theory make you afraid. Man cannot destroy the earth nor can any other created being

• If God’s house is adorned by holiness, we should take our personal holiness seriously, once we have received Christ’s transferred righteousness to our legal record in heaven

If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you all together are that temple. (1Cor 3:17)

• Because God is king over His covenant people, we should ask, will this choice please king Jesus, Lord and Head of the church, or will this choice just please me?

• If we love this great and sovereign King, we will live properly before His royal presence with great reverence and joy, as His commands are not a burden

• Praise God for who He is, including His sovereignty, self-existence, awesome power, eternal existence, infinity, providence, and holiness

• “May the Lord appear in his church, in our day, in manifest majesty and might, saving sinners, slaying errors, and honoring his own name.” Charles Spurgeon