Psalm 88: When All Earthly Hope is Gone

 The Dark Night of the Soul

This psalm is an individual lament of Heman the Ezrahite. Heman was a brother of Asaph (1 Chr 6) and was a Levitical worship singer as well as a prophetic seer and a counselor to King David (1 Kgs 4:31; 2 Chr 35:15). Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were responsible for the music around the tabernacle and later in the temple. Every other individual lament psalm in the book of psalms ends with confidence in God’s response, and then a hymn, praise to God, or a blessing. But not Psalm 88. This is the prayer of a man where death is the only remedy for his suffering according to the will of God. That is why this Psalm would have been a fitting prayer for Jesus the Messiah in the garden of Gethsemane (the crushing, olive press) before the cross (Luke 22:44). God’s will could only be fulfilled in His death (Luke 22:42). Thus, for our appointed time of death (Heb 9:27) and the Messiah’s there is no hope of escaping death and for some, suffering as well. One of the title phrases is translated by some “concerning afflicting or humbling sickness.” This book of Psalms (Book 3) teaches us by contrasting praise with lament, the two opposites on the emotional spectrum. You can only understand the richness of joy when it is compared with the depth of grief. Those who can never feel grief, cannot feel great joy either. Hebrew parallelism is used throughout this sad song.

  I. A prayer for help during times of despair (vs. 1–2)

      A. Faith leads a man to pray in his darkest hours

      B. Yahveh is the God of his deliverance

      C. Poetic parallelism, saying the same thing twice with the second occurrence being a little                 more intense is used throughout this psalm

      D. His request: Please listen to my prayer for deliverance

 II. Experiencing the pains of death while still alive (vs. 3–5)

      A. My soul is so afflicted with pain that I despair even of life

      B. This is the state of Jesus in the garden with the weight of what was about to occur, the                    sinless one would take our sin upon himself, His humanity would be separated from the love and blessing of God the Father for the first time, He would bear the Father’s wrath against sin

      C. The physical ailments that one in David’s time would have that are listed in the Psalm are                 similar to leprosy, but the author Heman, the prophetic seer did not have this disease 

      D. The emotions expressed here are appropriate for any believer fighting their last earthly                    battle with a disease

      E. The covenantal promise of life in the land and corporate covenantal worship stops at death                We can no longer bodily praise the Lord at our familiar place of corporate worship

      F. God will not intervene to stop our death when it is our time to go home (Heb 9:27)

      G. If God the Father would have stopped the death of Jesus, we could not be saved from the                     wrath to come and the everlasting fires of hell 

      H. This writer feels abandoned like an unknown soldier thrown into a mass unmarked grave 

       I. The word pictures of sinking in deep water and thrown into dungeons are lonely images

III. God is actively involved in this pain occurring (vs. 6–9a)

     A. The sufferer states that it is Yahveh who is doing this to him

     B. This statement makes this psalm clearly messianic, and the Father was directly involved in              punishing His Son for His people's sin

This is the gate of the LORD; The righteous will enter through it. I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, And You have become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psa 118:20-24 NASB) (Matt 21:23–46; Mark 12:1–12)

      C. God the Father punished his own Son to the point of death in the place of every believer

      D. God does allow sickness to take His people home to heaven very often, but He is not            actively involved in this sickness unless He is chastising them for continuing to surrender                    to a sinful practice after being given many opportunities to repent

 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. (1 John 5:16 NASB)

IV. A prayer for help as death approaches (vs. 9b–12)

      A. The psalmist asks questions of God that also express his petition to God

      B. The author is not denying life after death, he is viewing what we see on earth after a death         and the loss of the activity of the human body and of the participation in the covenantal     communities' worship and life

      C. From the perspective of most family members and from life on earth, death is not 

          desirable because of all the separations it brings

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. (Phil 1:21–24 ESV)

       D. Sadly, people are eventually forgotten on the earth

 V. God is actively involved in this pain occurring (vs. 13–14)

      A. For the third time (vs. 1, 9, 13) the psalmist states he is crying out to God for deliverance

      B. Again he acknowledges God’s involvement in this suffering in some way

      C. God in His sovereignty is indirectly behind things and allows things like the difficulty of                 this believer. These statements seem to refer to the Messiah

VI. Experiencing the pains of death while still alive (vs. 15–18)

      A. The pain occurring from youth that results in such a severe rejection by men have led                     some to think this is a description of leprosy or skin cancer        

      B. The Messiah, Jesus, knew of His approaching death, and was about His Father’s business              from His youth (Luke 2:49)

      C. The Messiah bore the wrath of the Father in our place all alone on the cross. He spent part              of the night chained in Caiaphas’s dungeon in the pit

      D. A true believer can be chastised by the Father (corrective punishment) but cannot bear the             wrath of God against sin. Jesus already bore the wrath we deserve in our place, once for all time

     E. Jesus was alone in His suffering for us and finished his work. The believer will never be                     alone or separated from Christ or His love (See Rom 8:32–39)

 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you own, for He has said, "I will never ever leave you nor ever forsake you." So, we can confidently say, "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" (Heb 13:5–6)

Lessons to live by:

• In the middle of tribulation, faith holds on to the God who saves 

• We can pray when we feel all alone with great honesty. But since Jesus took our shame and abandonment in our place (My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me? [Psa 22:1]) we will never be alone, but it may feel like we are during dark and difficult days

• Not even death can separate us from the love and presence of Christ                                  

• God allows suffering for a higher purpose. There are mysteries in life connected with suffering and death that we will not be able to understand until we get to heaven

Psalm 87: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

This psalm is a Zion psalm like Psalms 48, 76, 84, 122, 137. Like Psalm 84 and 85, this one  was also written by the sons of Korah. The historical context of this Psalm is unknown as it could have been written before, during, or after the Babylonian exile. It has such a distant future perspective and symbolism, that it does not matter when it was written.

  I. A Hymn that praises Zion [The kingdom of God] (vs. 1–2)

      A. Zion symbolizes God’s kingdom presence (The humans, angels, and places submitted to              the Messiah’s Lordship)

      B. God created the heavenly Jerusalem and God chose the earthly Jerusalem to be the place     where his name dwelt

      C. The hills on which the city of David and Jerusalem was built were not holy when the                      Jebusites were there. It was God’s presence in the tabernacle and temple that made the                    hills holy under earthly Jerusalem

      D. God has chosen this place and passed by all other man-made holy sites

What will one answer the messengers of the nation? The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge. (Isa 14:32 ESV)

Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. (Isa 28:16 NAU)

For he (Abraham) was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (Heb 11:10 ESV)

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- (Rev 21:9 ESV)

      E. God in his sovereignty chose the holy mountains of Jerusalem rather than any of the other            dwelling places of Jacob (Deut 12:21)

For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: (Psa 132:13 ESV)

      F. Yahveh continually loves Zion more than any other city (gates are symbolic for the city)

 II. A list that God keeps in Heaven (vs. 3–6)

      A. The focus changes in vs. 3 from earthly Jerusalem to the heavenly city of God

      B. The focus changes to the future unfulfilled prophecies spoken about Jerusalem

           (See Isa 2:2–4, 26:1–2, 60:15–22, 61:1–7)

      C. This heavenly city has an inhabitants list, a directory, a scroll, a book

By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Rev 21:24–27 ESV)

      D. The former captors and tormentors of Israel will have converts there

           1. Rahab the monster is Egypt

           2. Babylonian Empire

      E. Closer antagonist of Israel will have converts in this city and on this list

          1. Philistines

          2. Phoenicians from Tyre

      F. Distant Gentiles will have converts there, Ethiopia (scattered nations)

      G. All these Gentiles do not just fear God, the know God

      H. There is a textual variant in vs. 5 which includes the word “mother”

and Zion shall be called a mother in whom men of every race are born. (Ps 87:5a NEB)

       I. Paul seems to believe “mother” belongs in this verse by his allusion

But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. (Gal 4:26 ESV)

     J. Everyone on God’s list in the book of Life belongs to Him 

Therefore, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth- called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised- at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Isra'el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood. For he himself is our shalom- [peace] he has made us both one and has broken down the m'chitzah [temple court wall] which divided us (Eph 2:11–14 CJB)

     K. The Most High God established the heavenly Jerusalem and the people who will dwell                   there from every tribe, language, and people (Rev 5:9–10)

     L. The city registry of the heavenly Jerusalem was written by God

          (Exod 32:32; Ps 69:28; Dan 12:1; Mal 3:16; Phil 4:3; Rev 13:8, 21:27)

III. A joyful celebration in earthly Zion  (vs. 7)

      A. The Psalmist brings us back to earth for a celebration

      B. The singers and the dancers agree that their thirst will be quenched in Zion

      C. Zion still has fresh water flowing for the city (see Hezekiah’s tunnel)

      D. Corporate worship brought great joy to this people as well as the promises of heaven

Singers and dancers alike say, "For me, you are the source of everything." (Psa 87:7 CJB)

      E. The gathered people of God are a taste of heaven

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. (Ps 46:4 NIV)

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Rev 22:1–5 ESV)

Lessons to live by:

• Be very grateful that your name is recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20) if you belong to Jesus and know Him and He knows you (Mat 7:21–23)

• Enjoy your earthly fellowship with other believers, but realize it is just a foretaste

• Set your hopes and joy on the city that was built by God alone

• Sing about reaches all peoples like these ancient people did. But don’t be like Jonah and get mad at God because He shows grace and mercy to people different from you

• Realize that being in God’s kingdom means submitting to His King, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and light of the Gentiles

A hymn that teaches these things starts like this:

Glorious things of thee are spoken,

Zion, city of our God;

he whose word cannot be broken

formed thee for his own abode;

on the Rock of Ages founded,

what can shake thy sure repose?

With salvation's walls surrounded,

thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,

spring form eternal love,

well supply thy sons and daughters

and all fear of want remove.

Who can faint, when such a river

ever flows their thirst to assuage?

Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver,

never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hovering,

see the cloud and fire appear

for a glory and a covering,

showing that the Lord is near.

Thus they march, their pillar leading,

light by night, and shade by day;

daily on the manna feeding

which he gives them when they pray.

Blest inhabitants of Zion,

washed in the Redeemer's blood!

Jesus, whom their souls rely on,

makes them kings and priests to God.

'Tis his love his people raises

over self to reign as kings:

and as priests, his solemn praises

each for a thank-offering brings.

Savior, if of Zion's city,

I through grace a member am,

let the world deride or pity,

I will glory in thy Name.

Fading is the worldling's pleasure,

all his boasted pomp and show;

solid joys and lasting treasure

none but Zion's children know.   

[Words by: John Newton, 1779] 

Psalm 85: Salvation is Coming

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. 

Psalm 84: A Real Believer Longs to be in God’s Special Presence

This psalm is classified by some as a Song of Zion and by others as a Pilgrim song. It is not that simple, however, because it also contains a hymn, a lament, and a royal reference (like a Royal Song.) This Psalm, then has a mixture of genres and unclear time references. It would have been usable in its present form before the temple was built and after the temple was built. Psalm 83 was written by one of the descendants of Asaph (A Levitical singer in the tabernacle and temple worship). Psalm 84 was 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. 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). Their ancestors' sin did not exclude them from service for God. The tune for the song was named “Gath” and may have come from the Philistine village by that same name. There are three statements of blessedness in this Psalm.

 

  I. The believer longs to be in the special presence of God (vs. 1–4)

     A. Nothing is more beautiful than being in the presence of God in corporate worship.

     B. The Old Covenant tabernacle and then the Temple was the one place on all the earth where the Shekinah glory of God remained for a time

     C. David experienced this longing for corporate worship while running from Absalom

     D. All the males 20 years old and higher were to come to the temple three times a year

     E. The Levites had cities of refuge in which to live all over Israel and rotating duties in the temple. During their turn away from corporate worship, the real believers longed for it

     F. Yahveh Tsavot, LORD of armies, hosts, multitudes, M. Luther's hymn, “Lord Sabaoth his name,” NIV LORD Almighty. The eternally present covenant keeping God who is the all-powerful Creator of multitudes of planets, stars, and angels—which all obey His command. He is also Creator and LORD of groups of human worshipers.

    G. The God of the Bible is this worshiper’s chief treasure and joy. He deeply desires to corporately worship God. This flows out of private worship.

         1. Legalism and asceticism vs. devotion and pleasure in God

         2. Treasure and priorities

. . . for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt 6:21 NASB)

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matt 6:24 ESV)

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt 6:33 NET)

Not only that, but I consider everything a disadvantage in comparison with the supreme value of knowing the Messiah Yeshua as my Lord. It was because of him that I gave up everything and regard it all as garbage, in order to gain the Messiah: (Phil 3:8 CJB)

     H. The common birds that live on the temple complex are blessed. I long to be at the house of worship and I am jealous of even the birds that live there. Alternate: Like a bird is home in a nest, I am home when I am near the altar of atonement

      I. How much more are the people privileged that can participate in the corporate worship of God just as it is explained in the Bible

      J. The Christian is to have the same love for God, the Messiah, and for the gathered believers who are also God’s temple (Matt 22:37; John 2:19, 13:34–35; 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19)

      K. Yahveh of armies is My King and My God. Those that know God cannot stop praising Him. He is so gracious, wonderful, amazing, willing to postpone judgment, creative, Sovereign, awesome

 

 II. The believer travels to worship God according to the Bible (vs. 5–7)

      A. The Pilgrim is heading home to worship Yahveh

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul (1 Pet 2:11 NASB)

      B. His inner man is centered on the worship of Yahveh. He travels through the dry valley of weeping (balsam trees) with others who love God

      C. Together they bring a blessing on a barren place

      D. God is their strength (Isa 40:28–31; 2 Cor 3:18; Phil 4:13)

      E. The pilgrims are heading to the place of worship, Zion, Mount Moriah.

      F. God has the refreshment we need when we go through difficult times. Don’t seek out broken cisterns, go to the living water who alone can satisfy your soul

 

III. The believer prays for people in leadership (vs. 8–9)

      A. The shield or defense, is parallel to the Anointed One (Messiach)

      B. The High Priest, King, and prophets were anointed.

      C. Most take this to be a prayer for the King, but some for Aaron’s decedent, the high priest

      D. Why pray for the line of David? The Messiah is coming in that line

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1Tim 2:1-2 ESV)

 

IV. The believer supremely values corporate worship and personal holiness (vs. 10–11)

    A. There can be no better place to be than with God’s people in worship

    B. The Korahites guarded the entrance to the holy place, the priests' gatekeepers

    C. It is all about a person, not just a place. Yahveh is the Sun and Shield. If you long to know God, your desire will be answered if you will surrender to obey Him

 

 V. The believer shares his faith with other people (vs. 12)

      A. The one who longs to be in Yahveh of armies' special presence tells others about Him

      B. Do you want to be in state of providential blessing? Trust God. Love God. Faith is key.

 

Lessons to live by:

• How important is God to me? Do I love Him with all that I am? What priority do I place on public worship? God inhabits the praise of His people
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• Do I delight in Jesus and seek His pleasure and will in my life?
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• Do I serve Him each day in His strength, from strength to strength?
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• Do I deeply trust God and live by faith each day? Do I live in a holy, upright, godly way?
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• This psalm reminds me that God wants my delight to be in the LORD, My strength is to be in the LORD, My trust is to be in the LORD
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•  The gather church is the sweetest place on all the earth. (C. Spurgeon)
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•    Loving God, depending on God, and worshiping God leads to an even greater trust in God. He is the LORD Almighty!

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Psalm 79: How Long will Your Chastisement Continue, Oh Lord?

This psalm is a national lament after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 A.D. It does not appear to have been written personally by Asaph, but for his choir that continued in the temple long after his death. New generations of Levites were recruited and trained to provide music in the temple. It appears that this author was one that was allowed to stay in the land and was not deported with the leaders and merchants.

  I. Lamentation over Jerusalem’s destruction (vs. 1–4)

     A. Pagans have destroyed the city and the temple

     B. Pagans have annihilated the covenant people of God

     C. Even though the people’s idolatry caused God to send the Babylonians in His sovereignty,             they are still fully responsible for their cruelty, desecration, and theft

     D. When the people are faithful to Yahveh and their covenant commitment to Him, He blesses           them beyond measure (Lev 26:1–13)

     E. When the people rebel, are disloyal and unbelieving and give their hearts to false gods,                 Yahveh sends chastisements so they will repent (Lev 26:14–39)

     F. One of the covenantal curses is to not be buried after death, a final humiliation to be                        unloved and insignificant (like a deer carcass along a highway)

NKJV Deuteronomy 28:26 Your carcasses shall be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and no one shall frighten them away.

ESV Jeremiah 16:4 They shall die of deadly diseases. They shall not be lamented, nor shall they be buried. They shall be as dung on the surface of the ground. They shall perish by the sword and by famine, and their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the air and for the beasts of the earth.

(See also Jer 34:20; Lam 4:14–20)

    G. The siege and the exile kept their relatives from being able to treat them as image bearer’s               of God with dignity and value

    H. Some of the righteous died, but blood flowed like water at the cruelty of the pagans

    I. Those remaining are starving and being ridiculed by foreign peoples

    J. The curses of the covenant are not pleasant (Deut. 28:15–68; 1 Kings 9:6–9)

 II. Question: How long will the discipline last? (vs. 5)

      A. The author acknowledges that God kept His promise to send chastisement

      B. They know why God’s judgment fell on the wicked, He is holy and hates sin

      C. They know they got exactly what they asked for by their national rebellion

      D. The question is, how much longer will we be in exile and Jerusalem in ruins?

NAU Zechariah 8:2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.'"

ESV Jeremiah 25:11–12 This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the LORD, making the land an everlasting waste.

III. Prayer for vindication and forgiveness (vs. 6–9)

      A. Bring justice to the pagans that have denied Yahveh’s existence and power

      B. They have used the exile to dishonor God

      C. Why would God judge His own people and delay the judgment of Babylon?

NIV Amos 3:2 You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore, I will punish you for all your sins.

     D. The pagans have destroyed God’s land, temple, and people and appear to be getting away                with it to others. God’s glory is at stake

     E. The remnant in exile prays for themselves for forgiveness

     F. Yahveh has spared them for a reason, so they call on Him for deliverance, salvation                     (See Dan. 9:1–19)

     G. Even in chastisement, hope remains for God will never abandon His plan of redemption

IV. Question: How long will the pagans be able to deny God exists? (vs. 10a)

    A. The pagans have asked, “Where is the God of the Jews? Why is He not powerful enough to             protect them?

    B. The remnant calls on God to glorify His name by judging the pagans for their war crimes

    C. They want God to step in soon rather than later

ESV Joel 2:17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, "Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"

 V. Prayer for vindication and restoration (vs. 10b–13)

      A. A needy a suffering slave in a foreign land full of idols calls on God to judge justly

      B. Their hope is that those who saw the blood shed will also see justice rendered

      C. Like the Jews in Egypt their prayers are coming before God for salvation

      D. The sevenfold fold restitution is requesting God’s full justice

      E. Leviticus 26 show the Jews had reached the fifth level of God’s seven-fold punishment

      F. The judgment needs to be equal to the blasphemy of God’s name

     G. The prayer looks in hope to restoration and worship 

      H. Yahveh is still the remnant, the real believer’s shepherd, they are his sheep

       I. The national lament ends in hope because it is a prayer to the Creator God who sustains                  the universe, is sovereign, powerful, loving, and answers His people's prayer

Lessons to live by:

• It always pays to obey God, once we have a relationship with Him. We don’t have the power to obey in ourselves, so we must be born from above first.

• Sin is not worth it for the believer. It costs too much.

• God’s spanking when we sin is not proof that we have lost our salvation, it is proof we were saved to start with, and God is bringing us to repentance (Heb 12:3–14)

• What is it about human nature to never be satisfied with God’s timing? Confess this as sin and wait on the LORD

• God hears our prays when we are suffering. He is still our Shepherd when He allows us to suffer

• Hope in God! Have faith in God. Believe Him, trust Him, love Him, repent and obey Him

Psalm 77: A Remembrance of God’s Greatness after Struggling with Faith

This psalm is technically an individual lament, but it moves from lament (1–9) to emotional reflection (10–12) to joyfully celebrating the greatness of the God of Israel (13–20). At the heart of this psalm is a man in a great trial questioning what God’s chastisement feels like—abandonment. Jesus understands this sensation during His last three hours on the cross more than any other human. This psalmist it brutally honest, we don’t sense God’s gracious closeness during our chastisements until we repent. Sin keeps us from God and God from us. This is how the Jews felt during the locust plaque, the Assyrian deportation of Samaria, and during the Babylonian siege and exile. Not everyone has experienced this depth of pain, so some may be shocked by faith’s struggle in prayer. VanGemeren outlines it as follows:

A. Cry for Help (vs. 1–2)

                 B. Remembrance of God in Hymns of the Night (vs. 3–6)

                      C. Questions (vs. 7–9)

                 B`. Remembrance of God’s Mighty Deeds (vs. 10–12)

A`. Confidence in God’s Help (vs. 13–20)

  I. A cry for help during a time of distress (vs. 1–3)

     A. He is calling to God in prayer, but does not see the answer

     B. This prayer is persistent and fervent, day and night

     C. When the suffering one's thoughts turn to the sovereign God who could stop his pain, he    becomes even more upset

II. Memories and fears makes the nighttime painful (vs. 4–6)

    A. He cannot sleep, talk, or even pray clearly in his current distress

    B. His mind is going wide-open as he remembers how good things once were

III. Questions for God during a time of chastisement (vs. 7–9)

      A. How long will God’s rejection continue? (national idolatry, unrepentance)

      B. Has Israel blown it, so that she can never receive God’s favor again? (No)

      C. Has God’s covenant love for Israel ended now? (No)

      D. Has God ended His promises to Israel or withdrawn them because of their                         rebellion and sin? (No)

      E. Has the omniscient and gracious One forgotten how to be himself? (No)

      F. Has God’s wrath against sin forever ended His love and mercy for His people? (No)

IV. Memories and faith based on the Word of God and His faithfulness (vs. 10–12)

     A. The psalmist may be appealing to the years of blessing at the right hand of God Most High         to prop up his shaky faith

     B. Or he could be saying, this my affliction, has been sent to me by God, thus, I must bear it,         even though I desire instant relief

     C. Or he could be saying, God at one time was blessing us, but now He is bringing on us the     curse

     D. When we are distant from God, who moved? Who sinned? Who delayed repentance?

     E. He redirects his thoughts from the current trial to the past mighty acts of God

     F. Creation, Flood, Tower of Babel, selection of Abraham, preservation of the Jews, the         redemption of the Jews

     G. There is no God like Yahveh, none of the false gods measure up, even the legends of the         false gods show that they are evil rather than holy, like the God of the Bible

 V. The Holy God of Israel who redeemed her from Egypt is worthy of our trust (vs. 13–15)

      A. God has given the Jews signs, and shown His power throughout the earth

      B. The song in Exodus 15 is coming out in the last two sections

      C. The Jews redemption from Egypt is grounds for future faith during trials

      D. Jacob and Joseph are special references to the people in slavery

      E. God’s power makes the difference

VI. The Holy God of Israel shows up in power over man and nature (vs. 16–20)

     A. The red sea was split open by God’s power

     B. The path that delivered the Jews drowned the Egyptians

     C. The whirlwind may have a double meaning, the chariot wheels, and/or nature are all under     God’s sovereignty

      D. The language of a special appearance of God, a theophany 

      E. The Israelites were led to safety by Moses and Aaron

      F. God triumphed over all the false gods of Egypt

      H. The Word of God brings hope, truth, light, and strengthens faith

Lessons to live by:

• Why does God allow the pre-written consequence of sin to happen to those who belong to Him? He must do so to be true to His nature. The better question is, “Why do we go ahead and sin when God has warned us of the severe consequences of rebellion and sin?”

• God does not lack the power to deliver. His goals and His timing are not ours, so we struggle watching His plan unfold

• Nature and History are under God’s control

• Anger at God when we sin is not the right response—repentance, returning, restoration is God’s call to us. A holy God will not ignore our sin

• Can God set aside His promises? No, He will always be faithful. He has a future place for ethnic Israel. The Jews are still in the plan of God

• We as the new covenant people of God will not be cast off either, even though we too must go through many trials and afflictions

Psalm 76: The Victorious Strength of the God of Jacob

 The Divine Warrior, The Lion of Judah

This psalm is a hymn that is celebrating Zion, the city of David (Psalm 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 121, 122). It pictures God as both a lion ready to defend its young and as a Divine Warrior ready to protect Jerusalem. This is the capital of the people God has chosen to bless and protect and the only place, in this day, on all the earth where His special presence dwelt. The psalm may be utilizing the “prophetic perfect” which refers to future events that must surely come to pass (Derek Kidner). Actually, 2 Chr 29:30 calls Asaph a seer, one who receives divine revelation of the future. Asaph, the writer of this song, was a contemporary with David (1 Chr 16:5).

   I. God’s chosen place (vs. 1–3)

      A. God’s relationship with Israel is by His selection of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob

      B. God is known in Judah

John 4:22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.

      C. His name, Yahveh, is great in Israel

      D. His lair (natural thicket, hedge row) is Salem (Jerusalem)

      E. His den is Zion (The city of David, the lower part of Jerusalem, southwest side)

      F. God gave the Bible to the Jews and allowed His ark to be carried to Mt. Moriah, where                  Solomon built the temple, where God’s glory filled the Holy of Hollies 

      G. The devil will constantly try to destroy the Jews (Revelation 12), but Asaph predicts God               will protect them 

       I. Whatever weapons are used, when God shows up, they fail

       J. Fiery arrows can’t out do God. Man is no match for God

 II. God as the Divine Warrior (vs. 4–6)

      A. God is enveloped in light

      B. He is greater than the everlasting mountains

      C. Great warriors will fail

      D. At God’s word, those attacking Jerusalem will be destroyed

           1. Sennacherib Army, Isa 37:36

           2. The future attack on Jerusalem

 

III. God as the Divine Judge (vs. 7–9)

      A. Who wants to stand before an angry lion?

      B. God is making pronouncements from heaven

      C. The last judgment of all men, our God is a consuming fire

      D. God will save the humble remnant in the land of Israel

      E. When he comes to judge, He comes to save (visitation)

      F. God is the sovereign king over all nations. All men answer to Him

      G. God brings judgment on His time plan, not ours

IV. God as the awesome Sovereign over the entire earth (vs. 10–12)

      A. God is so sovereign, even the wrath of men is turned around to bring Him glory

      B. God’s providence is actually in control of angry men behind the scenes (Rom 8:28)

           1. Caiphas

           2. Pilot

           3. Jewish leaders

           4. Roman soldiers

      C. Respond to God wisely

      D. The covenant people are to keep their solemn promises to God

           1. Marriage

           2. Church membership

      E. Have reverential fear for this awesome, holy, glorious God

      F. Those outside of the covenant community have to submit to and fear the awesome God of           the Jews and the Bible

      G. God will break down proud men that have positions of authority

      H. Even the highest rulers will fear God

Lessons to live by:

• We should not declare God’s choices as unfair. He gets to choose Jerusalem over Shechem, Hebron, Mecca, or Varanasi, India. Rank has its privileges. He is God, He gets to select where His Shechinah glory will dwell

• It is very important to know God covenantally. Know God (Phil 3:10), make His name great          (John 12:27)

• Deal with your sin problem, because God is a consuming fire

• Reverence the God of the Bible

• God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride is a root sin, do not play with it