Psalm 91: Protection is Found Under God’s Wings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      G. Will you choose to believe and trust Him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      D. Will you choose to surrender to the LORD?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lessons to live by:

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 90: Teach Us to Number our Days

Psalm 90 is a community lament, but it functions as a wisdom song. The author of this Psalm is Moses and its themes can be seen in Genesis 1–3 and are latter taken up by Solomon in Ecclesiastes. Psalm 90 begins book four of the Psalms. This book (four) tends to have more cooperate worship songs than the other books. Book three favored the title elohim, God, but book four favors the personal name of God: Yahweh, especially connected to His covenant promises. The Preface to the Holman Christian Standard Bible states: “The HCSB® Old Testament consistently translates the Hebrew names for God as follows: Elohim = God, Yahweh or YHWH = LORD, Adonai = Lord, Adonai Yahweh = Lord God, Yahweh Sabaoth = LORD of Hosts, El Shaddai = God Almighty. The HCSB® uses Yahweh, the personal name of God in Hebrew, when a text emphasizes Yahweh as a name: His name is Yahweh (Ps 68:4).” Thus, every time you read “Lord,” you should think adonai (the Master, divine one, Majestic Ruler) and every time you read LORD, you should think Yahweh (pronounced Yahveh, the eternally present and faithful covenant keeping God). The author is deliberately emphasizing something by his choice of God’s name or titles, so you do not want to ignore the difference. That is the problem with pronouncing LORD and Lord the same, when listening to the text read, you cannot tell what the original author was emphasizing by his choice of God’s proper name (Yahweh) or one of His titles (God, Lord, Almighty one, etc.) The Legacy Standard Bible translates God's name as Yahweh every time it is used in the Hebrew Bible instead of LORD.

Exodus 3:14 God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. (Exod 3:14–16 HCSB)

Isaiah 42:8 I am Yahweh, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, or my praise to idols. (Isa 42:8 HCSB)

Psalm 68:4 Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds--His name is Yahweh--and rejoice before Him. (Psa 68:4 HCSB)

 Notice the purple and gold banner on the wall, front left that has been in the worship center for years, which has on it: יהוה Yahweh. This is the proper name for God. Also note that Yeshua is Jesus’ actual name, pronounced like his mother pronounced it. Messiah, meshiach, christos, Christ (all words for the Anointed One), and words like Lord, Emmanuel, and God are His titles.

  I. The Lord (adonai) is God (vs. 1–2)

      A. God Himself is the dwelling place of pilgrims and strangers on the earth

      B.  God is the source of our security, protection, joy, life, strength, even breath

      C. God existed before the earth gave birth to the mountains; thus, He is older than the Mts.

      D. God is eternal, but the earth and humans are time bound

      E. God’s love is eternal as well as the protection He offers His own people

      F. God is creator and sovereign king over His creation

      G. The Lord (adonai) alone is God, there is no other God in time or space

 II. A lament over the temporariness of life (vs. 3–12)

      A. God has authority over men (vs. 3–6)

           1. Temporary of temporariness, all is temporary (Eccl 1:2)

           2. Things on earth have a beginning point and ending point (Gen 5:27)

           3. When compared to God, the eternal one, humans are just dust (Isa 40:15)

           4. Men are dependent beings relying on the only Independent Being (Gen 3:10)

           5. God created time, but is not under it or bound by it (2 Pet 3:8)

           6. God determines when people die, by His decree, not man’s (Lam 2:19)

           7. Human life spans are like grass that withers the same day it sprouts

           8. Even renewed human strength quickly fades away to weakness

      B. God wrath is against sin (vs. 7–10)

           1. Sin always produces death

And He said to Adam, "Because you listened to your wife's voice and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'Do not eat from it': The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust." (Gen 3:17–19 HCSB)

           2. Death produces fear, at least of the unknown, but for some, judgment

           3. God has anger, indignation, wrath, and judgment against sin

           4. Sin shortens earthly life for everyone, and God records every sin

           5. Life on earth has many difficulties and includes many sorrows

           6. Life under the sun is difficult and short, usually 70 to 80 years

      C. The correct response to God’s wrath (vs. 11–12)

           1. A sane fear is to fear the chastisement of God against sinners

           2. It is wise to take account of the days you are given, 70 years is 25,550 days, 80 years             is 29,200 days, 89.5 is 32,668 days. Life on earth is short, and the judgment is coming

          3. God can teach us and grant us a wise heart, especially at funerals—facing life’s brevity

          4. Humans live in the moment and often ignore the big picture of things, Day of the LORD

          5. Wisdom begins and ends with the majestic Lord’s revelation and illumination                                 (Prov 1:7)

III. A prayer for restoration of the covenant mercy and grace of God (vs. 13–17)

      A. Please bring the chastisement to an end soon, followed by a new beginning

      B. Please restore to us the joy of our saving relationship with You

      C. Please give us a long period of your presence and blessing

      D. Please allow our work to have a permanence by Your Grace amidst all the temporariness

      E. We struggle with the puzzling things and the temporariness of all our efforts

Lessons to live by:

• The eternal God is the only secure dwelling place for temporal human beings

• Life on earth is temporary, but God is eternal (no beginning and no end)

• Man has dignity, because he is made in the image of God

• Man needs humility because he was formed from the dust of the earth

• It is never right for an individual to play God and intentionally terminate human life, even if it saves money. There are times when it is proper to remove systems that are preventing death, but this does not always include withholding food or water. The State does need to take the life of its worst criminals that have significantly broken God’s moral laws. This includes the police, military, and executioners, and citizens defending themselves (See Gen 9:5–6; Rom 13:1–7)

• Pray and ask God for wisdom about time, life, death, punishment, and purpose

Psalm 49: Riches, Wisdom, and Life on Earth

This psalm is different from the hymn psalms which praise God. This is a wisdom psalm similar to Psalm 1, and the wisdom books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. It is written to encourage the godly who struggle with the power and prestige of those who have become rich by evil methods (Today: drug dealer, organized crime, dishonest businessmen, etc.) [See Ps 73] Why do the wicked sometimes prosper? The central message of this psalm is that living for wealth is futile because wealth is temporary (vs. 12, 20). There are several textual issues in the Psalm which require the Bible student to first try to determine what the original text said before they look at what it meant to the original audience and then apply it to our day.

Our Bible study rule for this week is:

RULE #6: Interpret each passage according to the Bible’s consistent themes and repeated emphasis (The Bible’s complete teaching on each subject). In other words, interpret Scripture by Scripture. Regular reading of the Bible and the use of cross references is the best way to apply this rule. Regular studies of Bible books will also help. You may check commentaries for related passages and cross references as well as a concordance. If you think the passage that you are studying contradicts other clear passages, look at it again. You have misunderstood the meaning of that text. (An example is the doctrine of “prayer.” Look at each passage on prayer to develop a theology of prayer.)

   I. The introduction to the Psalmist’s format for dealing with a problem vs. 1–4

      A. The audience addressed is all humanity

      B. The command, “Listen up, folks!”

      C. The low and high, “all mankind, every living man” (those born rich, those born poor)  

      D. The author wants to offer wisdom, understanding, a proverb, a riddle of life

           Wisdom is the skillful use of knowledge; a proverb is a short saying that is generally true 

           most of the time (80% or better) 

      E. The riddle is played on a kinnor [harp] (See www.harpsofdavid.com)          

 II. The question of the Psalmist: “Why do we fear the rich and powerful?” vs. 5–6

      A. Why do we fear old age, the unknown future, and the mistreatment of the powerful?

      B. Persecution of the righteous is real, normal, and to be expected

      C. The rich here are those who take advantage of the poor, aged, and the lonely

      D. Increasing your savings does not guarantee you will be healthy, secure, and problem free 

      E. Those who trust in wealth rather than God are fools (Prov 23:5)

      F. The proud boasters are opposed by God, which is not a good place to be!

      G. Do not fear those with money and power—fear God

III. The great leveler of all men (male and female) is death vs. 7–12

      A. There is a problem in the text here, but both options are true. No one can use money to escape death for a loved one, (brother) and no one can use money to escape death for himself [Either way, Bill Gates cannot pay God enough money to escape death]

      B. No one can hire a substitute to die for them physically so they can live longer

      C. The word translated as “soul” also means “life,” “breath,” “throat” (here = life)

      D. Most human bodies will die, be buried, and decay

      E. The smart and the dumb, the rich and poor (and all in between) will die 

      F. The rich person’s tomb will be their body’s ‘house’ for a long time

      G. The best text for vs. 11 is preserved in the majority of manuscripts (Syriac, LXX [Greek                  Septuagint], Aramaic Targums) [“Their tombs will remain their houses”]

      H. Getting something named after you is still temporary (land of Uz)

       I. Only the gravestones keep the names a long time (but also temporary)

  ** J. The key thing to remember is that the human body, no matter how rich, is going to die

       K. The curse of the fall effects both man and animals [sin brings death, Romans 5] 

       L. This is not the final word on the resurrection, but an early statement about the truth about           the bodies of every human person (progressive revelation will tell us more)

       M. Since the fall, the 2nd law of thermodynamics (order to disorder)

IV. The foolishness of relying on wealth, status, connections, and power vs. 13–14

      A. The self-sufficient and self-confident are foolish because life is temporary (Luke 12:20)

      B. Those who support the powerful will not get off from death either (lose their position)

      C. Like animals all men will physically die (like sheep to the butcher block)

      D. “Death” is personified, as something eating people like a sheep would eat grass

      E. In the resurrection, the righteous will have an everlasting rulership over the wicked                            (Dan 12:2; Ps 17:15, Matt 25:19–23; Luke 19:17–19)

      F. Once the power brokers die, they rot like everything else (prestige is temporary)

 V. The answer to the question: One’s earthly status is temporary vs. 15–20                         (Therefore, we should not fear the rich and powerful, instead we should fear God)

      A. “But God” will redeem His people (chosen ones)

      B. The wicked will go to the grave and everlasting punishment (Sheol, Pit)

      C. God Himself will ransom the righteous, protect them in death, and preserve them forever

      D. After death the righteous still exist, “God will take me to Himself, receive me”                                (Enoch, Gen 5:24; Ps 27:4, 30:1, 3, 71:20, 73:24)

      E. The answer to the question in vs. 5 is: We should not fear the rich and powerful (vs. 16)                because “temporary, temporary, everything is temporary” (Eccl 1:2)

      F. The wicked rich take nothing with them when they die, they remain in darkness    

      G. The righteous enjoy the light of everlasting life where Jesus is the light

Lessons to Live by:

• We can trust God with our future

• We should not fear men or the future, but rest in the One who controls both

• All men will physically die, life on earth is temporary, don’t hold it too tightly

• Pride is the deadly killer of faith and brings God’s opposition

• Riches, position, fame, make no difference in the grave

• Live for eternity, not for the temporary, serve Christ, not yourself

• Faith mighty faith, the triumph of faith over fear and sight

• It is foolish to live for, love, and serve money

Psalm 46: The Sovereign God of Jacob is our Fortress

This psalm is a hymn, one of the songs of Zion (46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 121, 122). It has been a comfort to people who love the God of the Bible for thousands of years. Luther was moved by the psalm to write the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

Our Bible study rule for this week is:

RULE #5: Interpret each passage according to the historical, geographical, and cultural background available. You may use Bible Atlas’(maps), Marginal references, Bible dictionaries, Bible Encyclopedias, or other books on the Bible's culture, geography, archeology, and history to aid your study.  Discover information about the original cultural setting. Don't back read American culture into the text. 

   I. God’s presence and power over nature 1–3

      A. Confession: God is for us 

      B. Our true security is in God alone (Promise: She shall not be moved)

      C. God is present with us during the storms of life

      D. God is our Refuge, shelter, fortress, defense, protector—He is unchanging.                                     An isolated and elevated place with additional man-made defenses

      E. God gives us the strength to endure—He is enough

      F. God is sovereign over the seas, mountains, rivers, floods, earthquakes, mud slides

      G. When God shows up in judgment, there is radical shake-up of nature                                     (Any of the days of the LORD, theophany)

 II. God’s presence and power in judgment 4–7

      A. The river symbolizes blessing and restoration

      B. God’s protection of His city

      C. God the Son, Jesus will reign in Jerusalem for 1000 years

      D. The raging and warring of men against God’s people will ultimately fail

      E. God will help His people (both ethnic and spiritual Israel)

      F. El Elyon (Almighty God) is Yahveh of Armies

      G. The Great King in Jerusalem destroys His enemies with his voice

      H. God is with us, the God of Jacob (Ya’acov) is our strong defense                                             (God chose Jacob in wonderful grace)

III. God’s presence and power on the earth 8–11

      A. The works of Yahveh include Creation, Exodus, Conquest, deliverances during the Judges                 and Kings of Israel (Remember these works)

      B. Come and see a vision, this part is prophetic

      C. The works of God are also “acts of God”

      C. God directs the destructions on the earth (Remember the Flood)                                                        (The Psalmist does not worship Mother Nature)

      D. God is sovereign over the ending or wars 

      E. King Jesus’ reign alone will totally stop wars for a 1000 years, disarmament is by force

      F. Your best weapons are no good fighting God 

      G. Rest in the sovereignty of God once you have exhausted your human responsibility

      H. God plan includes all the ethnic groups of the world (1 family to reach the 70)

       I. It is all about the glory of God, exalting God, it will be done!

       I. Confession: God is with us, Yahveh of armies

      J. The God of Jacob, the God of the Bible, He alone provides protection                                                (God’s we make-up are idols who can do nothing)

Lessons to Live by:

• We can trust God during a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire, mud slide, etc. He has nature and even the devil on a chain.

• A close covenant relationship with the covenant God of the Bible is the only safe place in God’s universe.

• If God is for us, no one can successfully be against us.

• Jesus is coming back and will personally force all wars to cease. Peace treaties never work because of the radical depravity of man.

• Exalt God! Live for His glory alone.

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?