STUDY OF PSALMS - Chapt. 108-112

PSALM 108 – “Deliver Your Beloved”
(Psalm of David)

[This is considered a Community Lament.]

This is not a new psalm; it is actually made up of two recycled psalms: Psalm 57:7-11 and Psalm 60:5-12. David wrote Psalm 57 when he was fleeing from Saul and Psalm 60 after a historical military battle. In combining the two into a new song arrangement, David presents his enemy on both a personal and national level. He is ultimately secure under God's protection.

VERSES 1-5: RECYCLE OF PSALM 57:7-11
Vs. 1-5 – David praises God's hesed, His steadfast covenant love and mercy. In Psalm 57:10, God's love reaches to the heavens. In verse 4, it is above the heavens.

VERSES 6-13: RECYCLE OF PSALM 60:5-12

Vs. 6-13 – David's praise becomes a prayer of appeal to his faithful God for deliverance against Israel's enemies.

💛NUGGET: The Hebrew word for “beloved” is “yadid”.  Guess what else is derived from this word?  David.  The name of David means beloved. 

Vs. 9-13 – David's enemies are specified as Moab, Edom, and Philistia. It may be that the old foe, subdued earlier in David’s day, must be defeated, again. David did triumph over the Philistines with God's help (2 Samuel 8:1).

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PSALM 109 – “The Accusers”
(Imprecatory Psalm of David)

[This Psalm of David is considered to be one of the strongest Imprecatory Psalms in the collection. It can also be considered a Lament Psalm.]

REVIEW: An Imprecatory Psalm is one in which the writer calls down curses upon their enemies, asking God to defeat and/or destroy them in righteous vindication. David, himself, did not act upon these curses but left vengeance up to God. It's important to remember that David did not have full knowledge of the grace of Jesus like we do. We are to love our enemies and pray for them (Luke 6:27-28), even though it's not always easy to do. Some people make you wanna go 'Full David' and call down fire and brimstone!

Vs. 4a – “Accusers” comes from the same Hebrew root word as “satan”, who is also called the Accuser.

Vs. 4b – “But I give myself to prayer”: David is about to dump some doom on his enemies, but he knows he is not responsible for their actions or their outcomes. He gives himself to prayer and leaves it in God's Mighty Hands. Instead of seeking revenge for their injustice, he prayed to the Judge.

“The Hebrew is more abrupt and therefore even stronger. It says literally, ‘But I prayer.’ That is, ‘I am all prayer or characterized by prayer. While my enemies are uttering false words about me to other people, trying to do me harm, I am speaking to God. I am praying to God always.’” (Boice)

Vs. 6-20 – One commentator viewed David's pronouncements over his enemies as prophesies rather than curses. There are scholars who believe these verses describe the words of David's enemies against him. Others take these verses to be David's own words. If they are the enemy's words rather than those of David, then they are quoted out of context by Peter in Acts 1:20, referring to Judas, an evil man who was rightly condemned. David, in this situation, is an innocent man wrongly condemned.

"We therefore take these words to be David’s own, and while giving due weight to the element of righteous anger and of rhetorical hyperbole, we see them as comparable to the outbursts of Jeremiah and Job: recorded for our learning, not for our imitation; yet voicing the cry of innocent blood which God is pledged to hear.” (Kidner)

Vs. 20 – “Let this be the LORD’s reward to my accusers”: As in verse 4, David made his wishes known to God in hope that God would bring down his enemies.

Vs. 21-29– David appealed to God's steadfast love to deliver him. He did not ask God for assistance based on his own righteousness but on the basis of God’s name and mercy (hesed).

Vs. 30-31 – “I will give thanks to God who protects me”. The psalm concludes with hope.

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PSALM 110 – “Messiah, Priest and King”

(Psalm of David)

This is the most cited chapter in the NT with over 25 direct quotes or allusions, including: Matthew 22:44; 26:64; Mark 12:36; 14:62; 16:19; Luke 20:42-44; 22:69; Acts 2:34-35; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 13; 5:6; 7:17, 21; 8:1; 10:12-13; 12:2.

Psalm 110 is gloriously Messianic. It it not about David, but about his Lord (Adonai). It was prophetically written by the hand of the Holy Spirit 1000 years before Christ appeared upon the scene.  Historically, it addresses the Davidic dynasty.  However, the fulfillment is realized only in the Messiah.

Vs. 1 – “The LORD said to my Lord”: This is the most quoted OT phrase in the NT. Here, David prophetically revealed the words of Yahweh (the LORD) to the Messiah. Jesus validated David's prophecy in Matthew 22:42-45 when He asked the Pharisees, “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?”. When they correctly answered “The son of David”, Jesus quoted verse 1 and asked, “If David then calls Him 'Lord', how is He his son?” BOOM!

The Messiah was not only David’s son... He was also David’s Lord.  He was Lord of those Pharisees, too, even though He wore dusty sandals instead of a crown.

“Adonai refers to an individual greater than the speaker. Here is a case of David’s citing God’s words in which God tells another personage, who is greater than David, to sit at God’s right hand until God makes the person’s enemies a footstool for the person’s feet. This person can only be a divine Messiah, who is Jesus Christ.” (Boice)

Jesus also affirmed that David was the author of this psalm, which He wrote through the Holy Spirit (Mark 12:36). More importantly, He affirms the Trinity:

“For David himself said by the HOLY SPIRIT:

‘The LORD (the FATHER) said to my LORD (the SON) ...”

💛NUGGET: Stephen was given a glimpse of the Trinity at the moment of his death. “Stephen, full of the HOLY SPIRIT, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of GOD, and JESUS standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:54-56)

Vs. 2 – “The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion”: Most commentators interpret the “rod of Your strength” as Jesus, meaning that God will give Jesus rule over all enemies throughout the world. However, Adam Clarke is among those who think the rod of Your strength represents the Gospel: “The Gospel – the doctrine of Christ crucified; which is the powerful scepter of the Lord that bought us; is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword; and is the power of God to salvation to all them that believe.”

Vs. 3 – Huh?? Don't feel bad if you don't understand this verse... even translators can't agree on its meaning. The gist of it is either: 1) referring to the Messiah's volunteer army, full of young, dewy men or 2) referring to the Messiah who never loses his strength (“dew of Your youth).

Vs. 4 – “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”: This statement is an oath made by God (the Father) stating that Jesus has an eternal priesthood, separate and apart from the priestly line of Aaron (Levites). The priesthood of Jesus is in the order of Melchizedek, a King and High Priest, briefly mentioned in Genesis 14. In the Hebrew system, kings could not be priests and vice versa. Melchizedek was the only exception to this rule. Hebrews 7:16 tells how Melchizedek was a “type” of Christ, “a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life”. As a descendant of David and as the Son of God, Jesus fulfills the roles of King and High Priest and “is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Vs. 5-6 – The King moves from the throne to the battlefield with God at His right hand (place of power and strength) and I ain't gonna lie... it's kind of a gory scene. In fact it could be right out of Revelation 19:11-16. The next time we see Jesus, He won't be looking like the mild-mannered guy on our Sunday School flannel boards, y'all.

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PSALM 111 – “The Blessed God”

This psalm is the first in a series of three “Hallelujah Psalms”. All three open with “Hallelujah” (Praise the LORD) and are also part of a group of acrostics psalms (Psalms 111-119). All are untitled and without attributed authorship.

Except for the “Hallelujah”, each line of Psalm 111 begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This psalm is connected to Psalm 112 and was likely written by the same author. Both psalms are composed of the same number of Hebrew syllables and Psalm 112 picks up thematically where Psalm 111 leaves off. Here is Psalm 111 laid out so that the acrostic device can be seen:

1. Aleph – I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart,

Beth – in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2. Gimel – Great are the works of Yahweh,

Daleth – studied by all who delight in them.

3. He – Full of honour and majesty is his work,

Waw – and his righteousness endures forever.

4. Zayin – He has gained renown by his marvelous deeds;

Heth – Yahweh is gracious and merciful.

5. Teth – He provides food for those who fear him;

Yodh – he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6. Kaph – He has shown his people the power of his works,

Lamedh – in giving them the heritage of the nations.

7. Mem – The works of his hands are faithful and just;

Nun – all his precepts are trustworthy.

8. Samekh – They are established forever and ever,

Ayin – to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9. Peh – He sent redemption to his people;

Sadhe – he has commanded his covenant forever.

Qoph – Holy and awesome is his name.

10. Resh – the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom;

Shih – All those who practice it have a good understanding.

Taw – His praise endures forever.

Vs. 4-6 – Remembering God's wonderful works:

• He is gracious and full of compassion
• He has given food to those who fear Him
• He will ever be mindful of His covenant
• He has declared to His people the power of His works
• He has given them the heritage of the nations

Vs. 7-8 – These verses declare God's laws to be absolute and eternal.

Vs. 10a – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”: This wisdom expression is repeated in Job 28:28 and Proverbs 1:7. In this context, “fear” is not defined as the emotion of being afraid. The Hebrew word used for “fear” is “yir'ah” and can have several meanings. It can refer to outright terror; it can mean “respect”, “reverence” or “awe”. The “fear” of the Lord is a combination of all of these. A person who has reverence and respect for the majesty of the LORD will follow His commandments and seek to understand His Word, leading to the path of wisdom and discernment.

💛NUGGET: Wisdom doesn't come in a box. We have to seek it.

Vs. 10b – “A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.”

“The Psalm closes with words which prepare for the next, as they declare that the fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, and that such as act according to that fear have good understanding.” (Morgan)

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PSALM 112 – “The Blessed Man”
(Wisdom Psalm)

Psalm 112 picks up where 111 left off with “the fear of the Lord”. These two psalms may have been written together.

Vs. 1 – “Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.”: Like Psalm 111, this psalm begins with a “Hallelujah!” and echoes the final words of the previous psalm, delighting in God's Words.

Vs. 7 – “He will not be afraid of evil tidings”: We are surrounded, dare I say... bombarded by “evil tidings” today. They may come to you from your workplace, the 24-hour news cycle, social media,  your healthcare provider, your frenemies or even your family. Satan is the producer of evil tidings. Recognize that. Because “greater is He who is in YOU than he who is in the world!” (1 John 4:4). The one who fears the LORD will not be afraid.

💛NUGGET:  The antidote to fear:  TRUST IN THE LORD.

Vs. 9 – Paul quoted this verse in 2 Corinthians 9:9 to encourage Christians to be generous.

Vs. 10 – The fate of the wicked is contrasted with the blessings that are given to the ones who fears God.

VIDEO: 4 HIM  https://youtu.be/aceChBwbkzk

READING FOR TOMORROW:  Chapters 113-118

LINK TO READING PLAN:

https://bibleplan.org/plans/psalms-in-a-month/