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 91: Protection is Found Under God’s Wings

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 91 is a song of trust, and it contains both a wisdom psalm (vs. 1–13) and a divine oracle (vs. 14–16).  The author’s faith and theology of God’s providential care and sovereignty over all comes out repeatedly in the psalm. When you are in danger, read this Psalm with the eyes of faith. Notice the changes from “I” to “You” to “he” in this psalm. You may be surprised who quotes this Psalm in the New Testament.

   I. A fully secure protection comes from the God of the Bible (vs. 1–2)

      A. Four names for God; Most High, (Elyon Almighty (Shaddai), LORD (Yahweh), my God  (Elohim) are used. [God’s power as Creator, God’s redemption as covenant keeper]

      B. Four images of security; shelter, shadow, refuge, fortress are used [bird, soldier]

      C. These places are all locations of the utmost security (like a nuclear bomb shelter)

      D. The author testifies of his personal faith in the God of the Bible and the wisdom of having         this kind of relationship with this great God

      E. The providence and sovereign power of God are highlighted in these verses

      F. To live in wisdom, Yahweh must be the God in whom one trusts )A great confession(

      G. Will you choose to believe and trust Him?

 II. The kinds of protection the LORD provides (vs. 3–8)

      A. God will protect you from the planned entrapment (set-up) of expert con-artists                Fowler’s snare = a bird hunters net or trap that springs up as a surprise when the bird lands                 to eat the bait 

      B. God will protect you from destructive plaques that can attack body or mind. This is also a surprise attack from unseen enemies and would include demonic attacks, disease, depression,         slander against you, all types of sneaky evil attacks

      C. God will protect His elect like a bird protects her young in the nest, far from the hunter’s                net. Under the feather and under the wings are places of security and safety [bird]

      D. God will protect you like a large and small shield protects an ancient warrior [soldier]

      E. God’s protection of His own is 24/7

      F. The LORD gives security from all natural and supernatural attacks against His own

      G. Don’t compare yourself to others, God’s promise is to you if you belong to Him

      H. You will witness the righteous justice of God upon His enemies

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose . . . Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Rom 8:28, 35 ESV)

You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will kill some of you. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. (Luke 21:16–18 HCSB)

      I. God’s providence is so precise, that nothing can happen to you by any outside source unless     He grants it because it will fulfill a greater purpose in His plan of redemption

III. A fully secure protection comes from the God of the Bible (vs. 9–10)

      A. The believers are encouraged to deepen their faith in the LORD

      B. The blessing of the covenant are for the loyal, faithful ones

      C. The curses of the covenant are for the rebellious unfaithful ones 

      D. Will you choose to surrender to the LORD?

      E. Will you rest in God alone for your salvation, protection, and eternity?

IV. The kinds of protection the LORD provides (vs. 11–13)

      A. Miraculous protection will come according to God’s will

      B. The elect angels will work with the elect humans to fulfill God’s plan (Heb 1:14)

      C. The devil thought this was a promise to the Messiah (Luke 4:10–12)

      D. Jesus explained that this was not a blanket promise to ignore safety and common sense             and put God to the test

      E. The true believe will be a victor rather than a victim. Both the lion and cobra are symbols        for the evil one and the deadly enemies the elect will trample under foot (defeat).                                [See 1 Peter 5:8; Rev 12:9]

      F. Bottom line: Stay clean and close to Jesus the Messiah and there is absolutely nothing that            can sneak pass Him and harm you. He will not be surprised

 V. A Divine Oracle of Salvation (vs. 14–16)

      A.  The promises of this Psalm belong to the ones who are devoted to God with all their             hearts, mind, body, soul, feelings, will, thoughts—everything

      B. These acknowledge and know His name, they are committed to God

      C. They have a deep desire or longing for God, they love Him because He first loved them

      D. Deliverance, salvation, redemption comes to those who acknowledge their sin and long for    God’s redemption and forgiveness. This is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit

      E. A close relationship with God is held by those who go to Him in prayer by faith and are in     close fellowship with Him. He answers their prayers and protects them

      F. God will honor and exalt His people when it is His time

     G. They will experience everlasting salvation because of the work of Christ for them

Lessons to live by:

• Understand that the Bible uses figurative language in many places to help us understand great truths by things with which we are already familiar. God the Father not only does not have actual hands, eyes, or arms, but also He does not have wings or feathers. These are all analogies to help us understand truths about God

• God’s sovereignty, power, and providence are really sweet truths when you are being persecuted by men. They are not comforting while one is in rebellion, but they are of great aid to believers going through difficult times

• Faith in God and His promises in the Word are very important. Most of the promises to the Messiah as the head of His people are also to us )2 Cor 1:19–20(, but not the ones personally directed to Him as the God-Man. The promises to Israel as a nation )restoration, land( are not for the church. However, some of the promises to Israel as the chosen faithful people of God also apply to us as a chosen faithful people of God

• God and God alone can protect you and provide for you. Man cannot save you, sanctify you, are harm you when you are walking in obedience to God in His way and word

• We call out to God in prayer when we are helpless and He is still powerful

Psalm 27: Confidence in Yahweh

A Song of Faith and Trust

 

David wrote this Psalm during a difficult time in his life. There are many guesses of when this was (1 Sam 22, 23; 2 Sam 21:16–17), but we cannot be sure. It fits in with a number of the difficult times in his life. It also helps us in the difficult times in our lives if we have a genuine faith in the God of the Bible. This Psalm can encourage us in the dark valleys. Psalms 26–28 all address the true worship of Yahweh. The worshiper is evaluated for sincerity in Psalm 26, he finds a safe haven in God’s house in Psalm 27, and he prays before the holy of hollies and receives his answer in Psalm 28. Psalm 27 is a Confidence Psalm, as is: Psalm 11, 16, 23, 62, 91, 121, 125, 131.

 

I. Confidence in Yahweh’s providential presence (past faithfulness) vs. 1–3

 

A. The LORD (Yahweh) is my Light. God is Light (1 John 1:5). Light is holiness, truth, joy, goodness, vitality and the opposite of darkness, distress, uncertainty, doubt, spiritual conflict, and powers of darkness.

B. The LORD is my Salvation. Deliverance from danger by God.  The opposite is to be captured and killed by your enemies.

C. The LORD is my Refuge. A stronghold, sanctuary, safe haven like a modern bomb shelter that is designed to resist the strongest attack. The opposite of being in a refuge is being on the front lines of a battle when your side is losing.

D. The one who has faith in Yahweh knows His providential presence and thus does not need to fear anyone or anything. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8:31) See Rom 8:32–39. When fear grips your heart, remember your God.

E. The believer can withstand the attacks of individual evil men who come after him like a lion or a pack of wolves because the LORD is his protector. People can devour us with their words.

Disease can devour our bodies. God is more powerful than evil men or evil things. Exod 14:19

F. The believer can withstand the attack of national enemies. (Enemies, foes, army, war) Those that attack the nation of Israel sought the life of king David.  Those that attack the church have a hatred for King Jesus and all who belong to Him.

G. The Sovereign God causes the enemies to stumble and fall. They will not ultimately win.

H. David’s inner man is full of faith and devoid of fear because his confidence is in Yahweh.

I. Can we also replace our fears with faith, our worry with worship?

 

II.  Prayer for Yahweh’s Presence (longing for worship) vs. 4–6

 

A. David deeply desires to worship God in his temple because he is seeking after God himself. Matt 6:33 (In the Bible, God seeks man, and real believers seek God. The Bible does not call lost people who want to be entertained “seekers.”  “Awakened sinners” is a better term for someone who is desiring salvation and is under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.)

B. The temple, the house of the LORD had not yet been constructed. This longing for continually being in God’s presence goes beyond the earthly assembly and tabernacle to heaven itself.

C. The beauty of Yahweh includes His glorious presence and His love and compassion for His own people. Nothing displaces fear of men better than the worship of the true God of the Bible.

D. To seek God in His temple is to prayerfully surrender to God’s will and Word.

E. Being in God’s presence can fully satisfy the desires of the believer’s heart.

F. David would inquire of the LORD before going to battle (1 Kgs 22:7; 1 Chr 20:3–14).

G. When he knew he was following God’s will he had assurance of God’s protection.

H. When we follow God’s will in the Bible we can trust Him to control the outcomes even in dangerous places.

I. God’s protection of his obedient children is awesome. (Shelter, Rock, exaltation)

J. God providential interventions should cause us to sing praises to Him. Rejoicing removes fear.

We follow God’s regulations for worship with an engaged heart and mind.

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

 

III. Prayer for Yahweh’s Presence (abandonment and dependence) vs. 7–12

 

A. David is earnest and direct in his prayer for God’s mercy and help right now.

B. David has abandoned himself to Yahweh. Once we have met our human responsibility, we must leave the results with God in faith.

C. David is fully dependant upon God. No one else will do.

D. God is reliable even when our family fails us. He is the only dependable one who keeps His covenant promises. Only God can fully satisfy the needs of a human heart.

(During Saul’s search for David to kill him, David’s parents would be put to death if they appeared to supportive. This is Hebrew poetry, so focus on the main point.) God is trustworthy.

E. David prays for guidance to do God’s will and to experience great fellowship with God.

F. “Straight paths” are obstacle free, smooth walkways. God provides safety.

G. David prays for victory over his enemies. They desire his destruction. They tell lies and plan violence against him. Yahweh can stop them in their tracts.

 

IV. Confidence in Yahweh’s providential presence (present need) vs. 13–14

 

A. David has brought his needs to the LORD in prayer.

B. Now he trust in Yahweh to answer his prayer for immediate help.

C. David believes Yahweh will come to aid of His loyal followers.

D. God’s goodness will show up in fellowship, protection, guidance, and victory.

E. David is confident in God and His covenant name, Yahweh.

F. David anticipates victory on earth, “the land of the living.”

F. Trust leads David to “wait for Yahweh” to act. He is walking by faith.

G. David encourage other believers to be “strong and take heart.” Josh 1:6–9, 18

^ESV 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

H. Faith enables the believer to access the grace to handle the most difficult trial.

^ESV 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

Have faith in God, He’s on His thrown, Have faith in God, he cares for his own. He cannot fail, He must prevail, have faith in God, have faith in God.