January 24
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PSALM 82 RESCUE THE VULNERABLE!
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!– Psalm 82:1-8
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The ESV study bible notes that this psalm is sometimes called a community lament since it addresses God directly with a request on behalf of the whole people. Others call it a prophetic hymn like Psalm 81 interpreting its address to the “gods” as directed to unjust human rulers, whom God will judge. This psalm teaches that the people of God are called to aspire to be an ideal society with their justice visible.
We clearly hear Asaph addressing the corrupt rulers in verse 2 who do not show justice in their territory. He pleads these rulers to ensure that the weak, the fatherless and the needy be looked after. In verse 4, he pleads them to take action to free the weak and the poor from the slavery of the wicked. The writer challenges the rulers to act like they are representing God, who is just and takes care of the vulnerable. Ideally, most governments of various nations do their best to have equality between the rich and the poor; but in reality, there are also many corrupt leaders who abuse their authority and power. They minimize and marginalize the weak and the needy. In these nations where there is no equality, you’ll see that the rich are super wealthy and the poor are unable to live a dignified life. We see clearly that there isn’t a just leadership when these things happen.
Asaph wants God’s people to love others especially the weak. He explains in verse 5 about their vulnerability and lack of understanding. He warns these rulers who do not consider caring for these members of society that are almost forgotten and neglected. In the end of verse 5, he uses “the foundations of the earth are shaken” to describe God’s judgment on these corrupt leaders. The psalm closes with a prayer for God to judge the earth. The basis of this request is that all nations belong to God already.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to constantly pray for our leaders to rule justly?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
PSALM 112- THE BLESSINGS OF THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
January 23
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PSALM 112- THE BLESSINGS OF THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. 7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. 9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.10 The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
– Psalm 112:1-10
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This psalm is categorized as a wisdom psalm this is a companion to psalm 111.This song focuses on the moral character of the faithful, and on how such loyal people are blessings to themselves and also to others as well. David’s psalms always described the faithful servants of God as those who take much delight in His laws. That was also mentioned in Psalms 1 and 111. David describes the blessings and promises to those who fear the Lord:
• His offspring will be blessed and powerful in his land
• Wealth and riches he will acquire
• His righteousness will endure forever
• He will never live in darkness but always in the light
• He will be gracious, merciful, generous and conducts his affairs justly
• He is not fearful of bad news and has a firm heart for he trusts the Lord always
What a blessing to know that one will be showered with these things when one reveres the Lord your God. Just like in Psalm 1, David ends this song with a comparison to the wicked. In verse 10, he describes the wicked seething with envy and anger on the blessings that the righteous man receives. The last verses of Psalm 1 and this psalm speak of the destruction of the wicked. They will be annihilated.
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REFLECTION
• Which among the promises listed in this psalm have you been experiencing already as a child of God? Why do you think you still lack some?
PSALM 141- PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM INSINCERITY & COMPROMISE
January 22
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PSALM 141- PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM INSINCERITY & COMPROMISE
O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! 2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! 3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! 5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet, my prayer is continually against their evil deeds. 6 When their judges are thrown
over the cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. 7 As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol. 8 But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! 9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely. – Psalm 141:1-10
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According to the ESV study bible notes, this is an individual lament, a prayer that God will protect the faithful person against all insincerity and compromise. David opens with a plea for God to hear him out when he calls on Him. There is a sense of urgency in this request as he asks God to hurry up to hear him out. If we don’t know David, we will probably pick up an irreverent tone in this first verse; but we know that David has a very intimate relationship with God and it just shows that when you are very close to someone, you can be comfortable to honestly ask anything from that person. He asks God to accept his prayer like he would an offering that is pleasing to Him.
This prayer shows how faithful and sincere David is in his relationship with his Master. How many of us would come to ask the Lord to guard our mouths and our hearts and ensure that we don’t participate in any form of evil? Often, we get so busy doing life that we don’t even take time to be quiet and still with the Lord and plead Him to guide and protect us constantly. We are not even accountable to our loved ones a lot of times. I love verse 5 because David actually requests God to bring righteous people in his life so that they can correct him. He considers it an anointing and blessing when God’s people rebuke him. When he says “let my head not refuse it,” we hear a man who knows how sinful his nature is and is humble enough to admit it. He ends this song with a plea for protection from the enemy.
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REFLECTION
• Give examples of insincere acts and compromised Christian lives.
PSALM 32 THE FORGIVEN AND HIS HIDING PLACE
January 21
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PSALM 32 THE FORGIVEN AND HIS HIDING PLACE
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! – Psalm 32:1-11
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This psalm is usually classified as a thanksgiving hymn according to the ESV study bible notes. Worshipers thank God for the joy of having their sins forgiven. Since this psalm is about confession and forgiveness, it can also be classified as a penitential psalm.
David declares how fortunate he is for being pardoned for his transgression. The terms transgression, forgiven, sin and iniquity all repeat Exodus 34:6-7, which is a key passage about God’s kindness and mercy to those who receive his covenant. Those who are faithful to confess their sins believe that their God is just and merciful to grant them pardon. In verse 2, David emphasizes the importance of having a spirit who has no deceit.
Verses 3-4 warns those who do not confess and repent of their sins. They become heavy hearted and begin to complain and whine. “Dried up” gives us a picture of being half dead. Isn’t this so true? When we do not acknowledge our sins, we just build up more sins. Verse 5 contrasts what happens when we confess and admit our sins. We are forgiven and cleansed. No more heaviness. We are given a clean slate to be right with God again.
In verse 7, David manifests his deep closeness to his Lord. He describes his sanctuary or hiding place. He knows that His Lord is the only source of protection and deliverance. We are surely promised God’s steadfast love. So, let us all rejoice that we are saved!
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REFLECTION
• How can you pay forward the mercy you have received from God?
PSALM 101 DAVID’S VOW TO RULE WITH INTEGRITY
January 20
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PSALM 101 DAVID’S VOW TO RULE WITH INTEGRITY
I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. 2 I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh, when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; 3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.4 A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. 5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. 6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. 7 No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. 8 Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.
– Psalm 101:1-8
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In verse 2, we get the meaning of someone who has integrity. It means that they will be blameless or someone who does the right thing and have a good moral behavior. In this psalm, we hear David who promises his Master to do what is right. David always begins with worshiping his Lord with a declaration of God’s steadfast love. He loves to make music for God. Here are some of the promises that he vowed to God as the anointed king:
• To ponder on the way that is blameless and follow God’s will in all he does
• To walk in good moral behavior that is pleasing to the Lord
• To focus only on what is of worth to the Lord and not with useless things
• To hate those who fall away from God and not have anything to do with them
• To have a pure heart and never let it be perverse and not participate in wickedness
• To destroy all those who slander their neighbor secretly
• To not tolerate haughty people, liars and deceivers
• To destroy all the wicked and cut off all evildoers
• To give favor to the blameless and allow them to be part of his household
What a man of integrity David was! No wonder he is called a “man after God’s own heart.” All these promises he made are all what God requires from his people. He was willing to commit to do these things for the love of his Master. He knew his Lord very well and would never compromise his relationship with Him. Can we make the same promises to our Lord?
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REFLECTION
• What happens when a believer doesn’t have integrity?
PSALM 14 A PICTURE OF FOOLS
January 19
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PSALM 14 A PICTURE OF FOOLS
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD? 5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. 6 You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. 7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores
the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. – Psalm 14:1-7
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David writes this psalm to expose who fools are. In verse 1, he describes them as someone who doesn’t acknowledge God. They deny His presence. He also labels them as immoral and loves to do detestable things. They do not do the right thing. In verse 2, the psalmist describes how the Lord watches over man and see if anyone among his creation would seek him. Sadly, it says that all humans have turned him down and have become so dishonest and not even a soul does any good.
David is not wrong to expose the nature of man which is sinful. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we all have the DNA of sin. We are all filthy inside and we can’t do anything on our own efforts. It is only through God’s grace that we can. God solved this problem of sin by giving his own Son Jesus to cleanse us from it and be reconciled with God himself. Sadly, many religions have deceived many people to think that if they become a member of such groups, they can be good and be able to contribute to their salvation. It is deceptive to make people think they are someone that they really are not. It is dangerous to have a mindset that thinks that you can become good if you follow certain religious rules and yet have no real relationship with God.
David goes on describing the fools who think that they know things, when they really have no clue about anything. They do not see that everything in their lives come from God. When we forget to count our blessings and don’t praise the Lord, we are dangerously treading the path of fools. When we disbelieve or twists some bible truths to suit our needs, we are clearly fools. When we habitually cater to our desires and cravings and not think of others, we may be called fools.
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REFLECTION
• What other illustration of fools can you add to the mentioned in the description?
PSALM 111 PRAISE AND GIVE THANKS WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART
January 18
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PSALM 111 PRAISE AND GIVE THANKS WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithful-
ness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! – Psalm 111:1-10
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Psalms 111, 112 and 119 are the only psalms which are acrostic by phrase in the Bible; that is, each 7-9 syllable phrase begins with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order.
Many commentators note the connection between Psalms 111 and 112. James Montgomery Boice observed, “The two psalms are an obviously matched pair. The first is an acrostic poem about God; the second is an acrostic poem about the godly man.”
This psalm is a great invitation to all believers to give praise and thanks to our Lord God with our whole hearts and in unity with other believers. In other words, this is a call to corporate worship among the communion of saints. In verse 2, the psalmist points out a common love for reflecting on the great works done by our Lord. When we recall and meditate on these wonderful acts of God’s love, we are actually receiving what he has given us. The remembrance of such powerful acts of God, is even provided by God himself. Without the Holy Spirit bringing to our memories such awesome deeds of God, we will not even be able to glorify Him. This psalm gives worship to the one and only deserving true God. It counts all the blessings that God has given generously to his people.
The writer couldn’t stop the overflow of joy in his heart as he declares God’s holy and awesome name. He ends the psalm with a reminder to revere the Lord and fear Him. When we do, we begin to have knowledge and understanding of God’s love and the desire to continually walk with the Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Why is corporate worship an integral part in a Christian’s life?
PSALM 114 TREMBLE AT GOD’S PRESENCE
January 17
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PSALM 114 TREMBLE AT GOD’S PRESENCE
When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3 The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. 5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? 6 O mountains, that you skip like rams?
O hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.
– Psalm 114:1-8
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Charles Spurgeon had high praise for this psalm. This is second in the series of psalms known as the Egyptian Hallel and sung as part of Israel’s Passover ceremony. He says that “This sublime SONG OF THE EXODUS is one and indivisible. True poetry has here reached its climax: no human mind has ever been able to equal, much less to excel, the grandeur of this psalm.”
In verse 1, the psalmist poetically wrote the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. “People of strange Language” in this verse would indicate that the Israelites had to speak foreign language since they were captured by the Egyptians for 400 years. Guzik comments on verse 2: “The leading tribe of Israel (Judah) represented the whole nation which became the dwelling place of God (His sanctuary). The godly in Israel always understood that God’s dwelling in the tabernacle or temple was only symbolic of His presence in His people.”
When I read this psalm, I was so amazed at the personification of nature. I am a very visual person and the figures of speech used in this psalm jumped at my creative mind and touched my heart so deeply. Verse 3 describes who the body of water opened up from the Red Sea up to the Jordan in obedience to God’s order to deliver his people. Verse 4 according to some commentary has reference to the strong earthquakes and similar phenomena that happened at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-20) when God manifested His presence there. They shook and “skipped” like sheep.
The psalmist ends this wonderful exultation of God’s power with a command to shudder in awe from the power and might and love that God manifests to his beloved people. The God Almighty who created everything would set His eyes on providing, protecting and delivering his own people from slavery and enter into His promised land.
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REFLECTION
• How can we remember to tremble at God’s presence at all times?
PSALM 121- LIFT UP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD
January 16
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PSALM 121- LIFT UP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not
strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will
keep your life. 8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. – Psalm 121:1-8
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According to biblestudytools.com, some call this psalm the soldier’s psalm. Some think that it was written while he was in the camp, when David was going through the high places in the field where he is exposed to danger. and thus trusted God to cover his head in the day of battle. Others call it the traveller’s psalm and think David penned it when he was going abroad, and designed it for a good man’s convoy and companion in a journey or voyage.
This psalm is an acknowledgement of God’s promise of protection to his own people. David starts this psalm with a focus on the source of his help who is God alone. In verse 3, he stands on God’s promise that God will never let him be moved or overcome by evil. David stands on Samuel’s prophecy written in 1 Samuel 2:9 which says “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. David’s complete faith and hopeful expectation of God’s promises of protection and deliverance is quite remarkable. In verse 4, he inspires other believers that the God they serve doesn’t sleep and always watches over them. This psalm is full of God’s promises and amazing attributes of a loving Father who always ensures that his children are not going to be crushed by evil and will have victory and authority over darkness.
The apostle Paul repeats the theme of this psalm in Ephesians 6 when he mentions God’s armor in verse 13. Without God’s armor, we can be defeated by the enemy, but by putting on the full armor of God, each one of his children will be able to withstand the evil schemes and forces of the devil.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to keep looking up on the Lord and wear our protective gear of God’s armour when faced with attacks and schemes from the devil?
PSALM 130- WITH GOD THERE IS FORGIVENESS
January 15
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PSALM 130- WITH GOD THERE IS FORGIVENESS
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! 2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! 3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. 8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities – Psalm 130:1-8
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According to Enduring.com, this psalm is another in the series titled A Song of Ascents. Psalm 130 begins with a personal testimony of God’s rescue from the depths of guilt. From there, the author ascends step by step to a place where he can give confidence to others in their trust in God. Because Psalm 130 is marked by an awareness of sin and a powerful assurance of forgiveness, tradition numbers it among the seven penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143).
In this psalm, the writer cries out to God and recognizes his sinfulness. How often do we plead God to forgive us? Do we do it regularly when we pray? Often times, we only resort to pleas of mercy when we have been suffering from the consequences of our sins. I love how David always acknowledges how God’s mercy is so undeserving for sinners like us. In verse 3, he is thankful that God doesn’t keep a score of one’s sins, or if He did, then no one can even come to ask for his mercy. We will be so fearful that a fair and just God will bring down his wrath and punishment for what we deserve. God continually forgives us if we acknowledge our sins and come to his Son to be cleansed from it.
John Trapp comments on this psalm as a “treasury of great comfort to all in distress.” In verse 5-6, David chooses to wait patiently for God’s answer to his plea for forgiveness. In our world today, many of us are impatient and wants to be forgiven right away. David compares himself as more persistent and enduring than a watchman. We hear hope in the act of waiting. Many of us do not even have that faith to hope for God to fulfill his promises. In verse 7, David encourages the Israelites to put their hopes up and always look up to God’s promises in Scripture. I think that the more we read the bible, the more we discover how much promises there are to focus on. There’s no reason to feel despair when we reflect on them and on God’s attributes. David surely knows his Master.
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REFLECTION
• Is forgiveness possible to those who do not know God? Why or why not?