Psalm 89:38–52: Faith and the Davidic Covenant (part 3)

Part 3: A Lament over the current state of the Davidic Dynasty (vs. 38–52)

Psalm 89 is a royal psalm by the choir of Ethan the Ezrahite. also called Jeduthun, who was a Levitical worship singer as well as a prophetic seer and a counselor to King David (1 Chr 16:41–42, 25:1–6; 2 Chr 5:12, 35:15). This royal psalm’s first section is that of a hymn to Yahweh for His faithfulness (1–18). The second section is an oracle on the promises and the covenant with David (19–37). The third section is a lament over the current sad state (to the writer) of the Davidic dynasty (38–51). See 2 Sam 7:4–17 for the prophecy on which this psalm is reflecting. 

The Preface to the NASB states: “One of the titles for God is Lord, a translation of Adonai. There is yet another name which is particularly assigned to God as His special or proper name, that is, the four letters YHWH (Exodus 3:14 and Isaiah 42:8). This name has not been pronounced by the Jews because of reverence for the great sacredness of the divine name. Therefore, it has been consistently translated LORD.” See the preface of your Bible version on the proper name of God in the Old Testament. Every time you read “Lord,” think adonai  (Master, divine one) and every time you read LORD, think Yahweh (pronounced Yahveh, the eternally present covenant keeping God). The author is deliberately emphasizing something by his choice of each name, so you do not want to ignore the difference.

  I. The Davidic Covenant is invisible (vs. 38–45)

      A. Notice the “But You” of verse 38, there is a contrast from the oracle and hymn

      B. David’s sons, starting with Solomon strayed from covenant faithfulness

      C. The covenant relationship is broken, but not by God

      D. But this author wants God to intervene and restore what the kings broke

      E. This lament prayer has powerful and emotional verbs: cast off, rejected, spurned, full of                  wrath, renounced, defiled, broken down, brought to ruin, put an end to, cast to the ground, cut short, covered with shame  

      F. This language is so strong, many Bible students think this was written during the exile             when King Jehoiachin was deported and wore prison garments for 37 years (2 Kgs 24:8,                 25:27, 29; Lam 1:10–12, 2:8)

      G. God’s full wrath is for unbelievers, unrepentant, unsubmissive, rebels and His Son in the                 place of sinners who will believe, repent, and submit

      H. The anointed one, High priest, prophet, or King. Here it is clearly the King, David’s son Anointed One in Hebrew is masiach which we transliterate also as Messiah. In Greek it is               christos which we transliterate as Christ. So, when the NT says, “Jesus Christ” it is the                   same as the Hebrew Yesh’ua ha masiach, Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One. His name           Yesh’ua means salvation, his name/title Messiah or Christ means “anointed one.” His title                     Lord shows that He is God and he is the Master.

Is this man Coniah [Jehoiachin] a despised, broken pot, a vessel no one cares for? Why are he and his children hurled and cast into a land that they do not know? O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the LORD: "Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah." (Jer 22:28–30 ESV)

In what sense is he childless if he has children taken to captivity? No direct descendant will rule as king over Judah or Israel. 

Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel . . .  Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah (Mat 1:10–12, 16 NASB).

Joseph had royal blood through Solomon but could not rule nor his biological sons.

Mary genealogy was from David through his son Nathan, whose line was not cursed                            the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David (Luke 3:31 NASB)

The coming Messiah needed to be a son of David, but not through the cursed line of Jehoiachin, but the right to rule came through the cursed line. So, when Joseph adopted him as his son, as an adopted son He earned the right to rule without the genetic passing of the curse, as his blood line was under David through Nathan by His biological mother, Mariam’s genealogy. As the Son of God, He also retained the right to rule, as He did before His human birth in Bethlehem.

      I. Yeshua the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) took the Father’s full wrath in your place

      J. God’s promise was that David’s lineage would survive any circumstances

On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant, declares the LORD, and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts. (Hag 2:23 NASB) 

          Zerubbabel survived the Babylonian exile and returned to Jerusalem as a governor and was            in the line of Joseph of Nazareth (Matt 1:12–17). God's mercy displayed

      K. God promised to bring the covenantal curses on any Jew who was not loyally devoted to                 Him, faithfulness matters

     L. God kept both of these promises by removing the wicked kings while simultaneously                         preserving the family line

     M. If God would allow the enemies of Israel to destroy the Davidic covenant, what hope would            Israel have of them not also violating the Abrahamic covenant to the people?

     N. Periods of chastisement are confusing and fearful times

 II. A Prayer for restoration of the Davidic Dynasty (vs. 46 –51)

      A. These questions for God reveal the intensity of the authors pain and fear

      B. This author wants the promises of the Davidic Covenant to be visibly restored during 

           his lifetime

      C. The people are perishing under the persecution

      D. The kingdom of God’s disarray brings dishonor to God among the pagans

      E. The pagans are mocking the King of the Jews

      F. Remember, things are not always what they appear to be or “feel” like

III. The Doxology of praise to Yahweh (vs. 52)

      A. This verse concludes the 3rd book of Psalms

      B. This lament also ends in faith and praise to Yahweh for who He is

Lessons to live by:

• Don’t ever let liberal propaganda steal the substitutionary atonement from you. Jesus offered himself as a wrath bearing sacrifice (a propitiation to God) in our place

• Sometimes it may not “feel” or “appear” like God is keeping His promises because we can’t see behind the scenes. This is where faith come in beyond what we see

• Honesty with God in our prayers should lead us to end in praise and adoration of His greatness as revealed in the Bible

• We too will suffer persecution, though we are heirs of the promises (1 Pet 4:4)

Psalm 89:19–37: King Yahweh and the Davidic Covenant (part 2)

Psalm 89:19-37; Part 2: An Oracle on the Davidic Covenant

This psalm is royal psalm by the choir of Ethan the Ezrahite. also called Jeduthun, who was a Levitical worship singer as well as a prophetic seer and a counselor to King David (1 Chr 16:41–42, 25:1–6; 2 Chr 5:12, 35:15). Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were responsible for the music around the tabernacle and later in the temple, and each man directed a separate choir. This royal psalm’s first section is that of a hymn to Yahweh for His faithfulness (1–18). The second section is a review of the oracle and promises of the covenant with David (19–37). The third section is a lament over the current sad state (to the writer) of the Davidic dynasty (38–51). See 2 Sam 7:4–17 for the prophecy on which this psalm is reflecting.

  I. The Davidic Covenantal Promises (vs. 19–29)

      A. What is a biblical covenant?

           1. a covenant (berit) can be defined as a solemn and lasting agreement that governs a         relationship and makes that relationship more intimate and permanent. Covenants often                  have long-lasting promises that are granted based on compliance to the covenantal              stipulations. The participants may be individuals, groups, or a representative for a                         group. However, the covenantal promises and how they relate to individuals, to certain          generations, and to the nation of Israel during her entire history and her promised future                     are not identical. God in His grace will not allow an individual to make the covenant                         void for anyone but himself. There are unconditional promises that will be kept by                     David’s faithful God in spite of his descendants' failure to comply with the covenantal         stipulations. This is also true for ethnic Israel.

           2. The Davidic Covenant has promises that were partially fulfilled by Solomon, and others             that have been or are being fulfilled by David’s descendant Yeshua (Jesus).

           3. There is a continuity among the covenants Between Yahweh and Adam, Noah,                             Abraham, Israel, Levi, David, and the new covenant

      B. The Davidic covenant choice of David’s line as king (vs. 19–23)

           1. David was anointed by Samuel (1 Sam 16:13)

           2. The vision confirming God’s choice was given to Nathan (2 Sam 7:4) 

           3. God selected David based on God’s freewill and not David’s future performance                         (Acts 13:22; 2 Sam 12:13)

           4. God’s power sustains David and defeats his enemies (1 Sam 18:12–14; 2 Sam 5:10)

           5. God’s purposes cannot fail concerning David and Yeshua

Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,  "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!" He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain." I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.  Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.  You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware."  (Psa 2:1–9 NASB) See Dan 4:34–37

      C. The Davidic covenantal promise of a universal reign (vs. 24–25)

      D. The Davidic covenantal promise of a messianic reign (vs. 26–27)

            1. Father, son, and firstborn are ancient covenant-treaty terms 

. . . and from Yeshua the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the earth's kings. To him, the one who loves us, who has freed us from our sins at the cost of his blood (Rev 1:5 CJB)

And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. (Col 1:18 ESV)

           2. David and Yeshua both had a close covenantal relationship with God the Father

           3. Allegiance to David as God’s appointed ruler was necessary to benefit from the Israelite                 covenants

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV)

      E. The Davidic covenantal promise concerning choice of descendants (vs. 28–29)

           1. The promise is to not cut off the descendants of David like Saul’s

           2. God will continue to work through and in the clan and future descendants of David

           3. This is an unconditional promise concerning the “line,” the group, not to each 

               individual in the group

Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness. (2 Chr 9:8 NKJV)

Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified. (Act 2:33 NASB)

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens (Heb 8:1 NASB)

 II. The Davidic Covenantal Stipulations (vs. 30 –37)

      A. Warning: the king must keep the Law: legal regulations, worship ordinances, moral                             commands (vs. 30–32) [See Deut 17:14–20]

           1. Being disloyal to God’s written instruction brings God’s chastisement

           2. This divine grant covenant has conditional promises for the individual (“if”) 

     B. If the king did not remain full devoted to God, he broke the covenant

     C. Trust and undiluted loyalty from the vassal to the emperor was required

     D. God’s covenant faithfulness will remain (vs. 33–34)

          1. God will not violate the unconditional promises of His covenant

          2. Even with a wicked King, God’s oath to the Davidic line and Messiah stands

if we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. (2Ti 2:12–13 NASB)

      E. The Davidic Covenantal Oath (vs. 35–37)

           1. David’s spot in the progress of redemption is certain (John 12:34)

           2. David’s son, Yeshua will fulfill the Davidic covenant (Rom 1:3)

Lessons to live by:

• We need to focus on the conditional parts of the New Covenant, faith and repentance, and then we can trust God for the unconditional parts (everlasting life)

• The salvation of a child in a church family is not automatic. Pray, share, and live the gospel before them. They are free moral agents and must enter the covenant themselves

Psalm 89:1–18: King Yahweh and the Davidic Covenant (part 1)

 Psalm 89 Part 1: A Hymn of Yahweh’s Kingship (vs. 1–18)

This psalm is royal psalm by the choir of Ethan the Ezrahite. also called Jeduthun, who was a Levitical worship singer as well as a prophetic seer and a counselor to King David (1 Chr 16:41–42, 25:1–6; 2 Chr 5:12, 35:15). Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were responsible for the music around the tabernacle and later in the temple, and each man directed a separate choir. This royal psalm’s first section is that of a hymn to Yahweh for His faithfulness (1–18). The second section is a review of the oracle and promises of the covenant with David (19–37). The third section is a lament over the current sad state (to the writer) of the Davidic dynasty (38–51). See 2 Sam 7:4–17 for the prophecy on which this psalm is reflecting.

  I. Praising Yahweh for who He is and what He has done (vs. 1–4)

      A. What is important for us to remember in stating what God is really like? 

            1. Yahweh has a covenantal love (hesed) for His people

            2. Yahweh is faithful to His promises (requires creativity and sovereignty)

            3. Yahweh as creator and ruler has the power to keep His word

      B. Yahweh has a established a covenant relationship with David

   1. a covenant (berit) can be defined as a solemn and lasting agreement that governs a     relationship and makes that relationship more intimate and permanent. Covenants often                     have long-lasting promises that are granted based on compliance to the covenantal stipulations.        The participants may be individuals, groups, or a representative for a group. However, the covenantal promises and how they relate to individuals, to certain generations, and to the nation of Israel during her entire history and her promised future are not identical. God in His grace will not allow an individual to make the covenant void for anyone but himself. There are unconditional promises that will be kept by David’s faithful God in spite of his descendants' failure to comply with the covenantal stipulations. This is also true for ethnic Israel.

           2. The Davidic Covenant has promises that were partially fulfilled by Solomon, and others                 that have been or are being fulfilled by David’s descendant Yeshua (Jesus).

           3. There is a continuity among the covenants Between Yahweh and Adam, Noah,                                 Abraham, Israel, Levi, David, and the new covenant

      C. Note the words “covenant love” (hesed), “faithfulness,” and “forever” in this psalm

      D. David is Yahweh’s servant, vassal, representative to the people

 II. King Yahweh’s majestic reign in Heaven (vs. 5–8)

      A. The angels declare the awesomeness of Yahweh 

      B. Then angels note His supernatural actions (wonders) and His faithfulness

      C. The angels note Yahweh’s sovereignty over their armies

      D. Humans thing angels are majestic, but how much more is the creator of angels

      E. This awesome, powerful, sovereign, loving, faithful God made a covenant with David

      F. This awesome God is to be praised and obeyed on earth as in heaven

III. King Yahweh’s sovereign reign on earth (vs. 9–13)

      A. Yahweh reigns over the sea, not the idols of fools

      B. Yahweh defeated Egypt with the 10 plagues and at the Red Sea

      C. Yahweh’s power is unlimited in creation and salvation  

           1. Mt Hermon, in North is 9,000 feet high and produces the water for Israel

           2. Mt. Tabor in Galilee is 1,900 feet high is the highest point in that region

      D. All creation acknowledges God power, strength, awesomeness, and authority

      E. Nothing is impossible for God, even resurrecting spiritually dead sinners

IV. King Yahweh’s character and earthly worship (vs. 14–18)

      A. Yahweh is wise, loving, and righteous in His rule

      B. Yahweh’s worshipers find true joy as they glorify Him

      C. Yahweh’s subjects are blessed

      D. Yahweh’s people enjoy His holy presence

      D. Yahweh will exalt the Davidic dynasty (horn)

      E. Yahweh defends and protects His people

      F. Yahweh is the Holy One of Israel

Lessons to live by:

• It is a tremendous privilege to be in a new covenant relationship with the faithful God of the Bible

• We need to praise God for who He is as well as for what He has done

• God’s covenant love is a special selecting and elevating love. God is so sovereign and wise, that He is able to keep the promise to the group unconditionally, while allowing individuals in that group to exclude themselves by sin and rebellion

• God’s creative power is demonstrated continually in creation

• God inhabits the corporate praise of His people. It is very important to gather at the appointed times

• Man’s main purpose in life is to glorify our creator and redeemer

• Surrendering to the God of the Bible produces joy and blessings

• If God is for you, who can be against you?

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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