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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

           2. Wicked hearts produce wicked thoughts which produce arrogant words

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

          1. God’s people are persecuted

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

          3. The helpless are brutally murdered by those in power

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

       B. You lack the most basic understanding and reasoning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     E. It appeared their government coalition was unstoppable

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

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

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

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

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

Lessons to live by:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning's of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Contrast this with "MY CAPTAIN" by Dorothea Day 

Out of the night that dazzles me,

Bright as the sun from pole to pole,

I thank the God I know to be

For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

 

Since His the sway of circumstance,

I would not wince nor cry aloud.

Under that rule which men call chance

My head with joy is humbly bowed.

 

Beyond this place of sin and tears

That life with Him! And His the aid,

Despite the menace of the years,

Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid.

I have no fear, though strait the gate,

He cleared from punishment the scroll.

Christ is the Master of my fate,

Christ is the Captain of my soul

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

A famous hymn

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Psalm 93: Yahweh Reigns Over Everything

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

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

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

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

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

________________

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

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

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

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

           have eyes that see and ears that hear

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

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

      A. The LORD established the earth during the creation week 

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

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

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

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

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

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

      C. A hurricane or monsoon brings noise and destruction

      D. Uncontrollable waters are also used figurative for pagan armies

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      A. The LORD is king over the covenant community

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lessons to live by:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 92: A Sabbath Song of Worship to the LORD

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 92 is an individual song of thanksgiving used in corporate worship on the Sabbath day. The Jews gathered for worship (Lev 23:3), a holy assembly, as well as resting on this day. This day was intended to be a delight rather than a burden, but those who were consumed with themselves rather than the living God disliked the Sabbath (Amos 8:5; Isa 58:13–14). While the priests were offering the morning and evening sacrifices, the Levitical singers lead the people in song by musical instruments (Exod 29:39–41).

   I. Worshiping Yahweh (the LORD) with music (vs. 1–3)

      A. Praising God is good because He loves us and thus it pleases Him

      B. Praising God is good because it encourages and liberates us

      C. Praise is a grateful vocal response to the acts of God 

      D. The LORD’s covenant Love (hesed) and faithfulness, 24/7

      E. The most high God’s name is Yahweh (the LORD) is to be praised in music

      F. The are using instruments in praising God’s name

      G. The music had a message, it “proclaimed” the LORD’s attributes

      H. No matter what the style of music, if the message is wrong about God, it is not                acceptable worship. Content is King in worship!

 II. A song of thanksgiving (vs. 4–15)

      A. The LORD’s actions are to be praised by His people (vs. 4–5)

            1. Praising God for Who He is, transforms into:

            2. Thanking the LORD for what He has done—mighty acts of deliverance

            3. The Bible is redemptive history, it tells His Story

            4. Praising God in corporate worship bring the believer joy

      B. The fool does not understand redemptive history (vs. 6–8) 

           1. A human who cannot think and analyze God’s powerful redemption is like a bull

           2. When your thoughts are all about you, you ignore the shortness of life and the coming                 judgment by a powerful and sovereign God

           3. The wicked are temporary in their pleasure and power like grass in the desert heat

           4. Their judgment is an everlasting judgment

           5. In contrast God is exalted forever, not just for a short while like the wicked fool

           6. The LORD rules and judges, He is a sovereign king

      C. The Sovereign LORD judges the wicked while exalting His people (vs. 9–11)

           1. The wicked enter judgment and find themselves alone

           2. Yahweh vindicates His people while He punishes their enemies

           3. He will raise the heads of His people and give them authority (horn= symbol of power)                while at the same time consecrating them again for holy service (olive oil, 1st pressing)

           4. Like on judgment day, the righteous see the defeat of those God calls wicked

           5. When God is done, there will be no opposition to His sovereignty

           6. God’s intervention and justice is a vital part of our hope when persecuted

           7. Our hope includes the total elimination of all evil from earth to the lake of fire in the                     future

      D. The wicked are temporary like weeds, but not the righteous (vs. 12–14)

           1. Believers and repenters are like beautiful palm trees

           2. We are like the tall cedar trees that used to grow in Lebanon

           3. Both trees show strength, beauty, and continual durability

           4. We will be placed very close to the LORD our God (house, courts)

           5. We will continue to have meaningful service, purpose, and dignity in our old age on                  earth and in heaven (blessed and valuable)

      E. Exalting Yahweh for His character (vs. 15)

           1. We proclaim in song that God is holy, righteous, just, right

           2. We proclaim in song that we are dependent on God who sustains us

           3. A rock provides stability and daily provision (water out of the rock)

The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. (Deut 32:4 NASB)

           4. God is unlike man, who is born wicked. There is no wickedness in God

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.  (1 John 1:5-7 NASB)

Lessons to live by:

• Singing good theology to God and thanking Him and praising Him with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs is important. 

• The most important thing about what we sing is what it says about God, not the style which is a matter of taste that changes over time

• God ordained that instruments be used in His worship

• If we oppose the sovereignty of God, we are aligning ourselves with the wrong side

• God is holy. All of the biblical attributes are true of God, and no attribute is greater than the others. They complement each other. God’s love is holy, and God’s holiness is loving, His justice is holy, and His holiness is just

• Praising God for who He is can shift into thanking Him for His redeeming acts in such a seamless way that the one appears to be part of the other

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.