PSALM
62 – “God Only”
(Lament
and Psalm of Confidence of David)
This is
referred to as a Psalm of Confidence because even while David writes
of the problems faced from his enemies (verses 3-4), his primary
focus is on his confidence and trust in the protection of God (verses
1-2 and 5-7).
Vs. 1 –
“Truly my soul silently waits for God.”
The word translated as “truly” can also be “only”. When we
wait in silence for God... it is good to wait only for
Him.
Vs. 2 –
Our only source of salvation is God. We should submit
only to Him. David uses three nouns to describe God's
protection:
- Rock
- Salvation
- Stronghold
Vs. 3-4
– David's lament concerning his enemies.
Vs. 5 –
Our hope is manifested in our expectant faith in God. Like David, we
need not despair. He is our only Rock.
If we put our hopes and trust in our plans... we will be shaken.
But in God only are
we secure.
Here it is:
TRUST IN GOD AT ALL TIMES.
Vs. 11 –
Spoken “once, twice” is a common device used in Hebrew poems to
focus attention on what is being said, which is: Strength belongs to God.
π
PSALM 63 - “Thirsting for God”
(Thanksgiving Psalm of David)
PSALM 63 - “Thirsting for God”
(Thanksgiving Psalm of David)
The
historical setting of this psalm is not specific and described only
as “in the wilderness of Judah”. We can surmise that
David was fleeing either from King Saul (1 Samuel 23) or his son
Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13). The difference in this psalm and others
written by David in similar situations, this is a psalm of
Thanksgiving and Praise.
This is
another well-loved psalm. John Cyrysostom wrote that “the
spirit and soul of the whole Book of Psalms is contracted into this
Psalm”.
Vs. 1-2
– In a dry and desolate land, David was thirsting for God. He
longed to be in His presence.
Vs. 5 –
“Marrow and fatness”; David isn't talking Keto here. He used
these words as a metaphor for rich banquet food, and being a foodie,
that's a metaphor I can get behind. To David, the presence of God
was as satisfying as the most delicious “All You Can Eat” buffet
imaginable.
Vs. 6 –
David's thoughts are focused on God at night, rather than his
problems.
Vs. 9-10
– These are the only verses in which David mentions his enemies and
the punishment they will receive in contrast to the peace of God’s
protection. [“The lower parts of the earth” refers to the realm
of the dead.]
Vs. 11 -
The king in this verse is David. He is rejoicing in God because his
enemies will be defeated. Guess what? Our enemy has been defeated
as well. Jesus defeated him on the cross. And we, like David,
should be rejoicing!!
πNUGGET:
In a barren desert, surrounded by enemies, David sought God. There
was no complacency in his relationship with the Lord. And in seeking
God, David found:
Satisfaction
(vs. 5)
Joy (vs.
5)
Help
(vs. 7)
Protection
(vs. 8)
Glory
(vs. 11)
“Come
near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the
heat of their desire after God. They mourned for Him, they prayed and
wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out, and
when they had found Him, the finding was all the sweeter for the long
seeking…. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth.”
(A. W. Tozer)
π
PSALM 64 – “Protect Me”
(Lament of David)
PSALM 64 – “Protect Me”
(Lament of David)
There are two sections:
Verses 1-6: Prayer of Petition
Verses 7-10: Divine Retribution
Vs. 1-6
– David petitioned God to stop the scheming plans of wicked men
against the righteous. In his list of grievances against the wicked,
David begins first and foremost with their destructive words and
speech (verse 3).
Vs. 7-8
– “But God...” David
trusted in God's Divine retribution.
Vs.
9-10 – God's deliverance should be shared to inspire fear and faith
in Him. And the righteous will rejoice.
π
PSALM 65 - "Thank You, God"
(Thanksgiving Psalm of David)
PSALM 65 - "Thank You, God"
(Thanksgiving Psalm of David)
This is a Praise Psalm addressed solely to God for His abundant goodness and blessings.
VERSES 1-5: PRAISE FOR SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
Vs. 2 –
Some scholars see this verse as a prophetic glimpse into the future
when ALL NATIONS will acknowledge and worship the Lord. (Zechariah
14:16-19).
Vs. 3 –
God not only forgives our past sins, but this verse gives assurance
of atonement for our future sins. David is thanking God in advance.
Oh, what Amazing Grace!
Vs. 4 -
We did not choose God, He chose us. John 15:16: "You
did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should
go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever
you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
VERSES 5-13: PRAISE FOR NATURAL BLESSINGS
David details God's power over creation as well as His bountiful provision.
Vs. 5-8
– God is the only one who could honestly stand on the bow of the
Titanic and declare Himself “King of the World!”.
Vs. 11 -
“Crown the year with your goodness” refers to a year “adorned”
with blessings – an abundance of blessings.
π
PSALM 66 - “Make a Joyful Noise”
(Thanksgiving Psalm)
PSALM 66 - “Make a Joyful Noise”
(Thanksgiving Psalm)
The
author of this psalm is not given. A noted scholar of Psalms, H.C.
Leupold, speculated that it was written by King Hezekiah God
delivered Israel from invasion and Hezekiah from an earlier death.
If so, it would give more meaning to the organization of the two
sections. Verses 1-12 are of a community focus and verses 13-20
detail a personal note of thanksgiving from the king.
VERSES 1-12 – COMMUNITY PRAISE
Vs. 1 –
"Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!"
Except for the use of “The Lord” (Yahweh), instead of “God”,
Psalm 100:1 is identical to this verse. Notice our shout should be
JOYFUL.
πNUGGET:
“The pursuit of joy in
God is not optional. It is our highest duty.”
(John Piper)
Vs. 5-9
– “Come and See” (John 1:46) – The psalmist is
addressing all of humanity to review some of God's miraculous
interventions in Israel's history His sovereignty, faithfulness and
grace. Our very lives are an act of God’s grace (verse 9).
Vs.
10-12 – Here, the psalmist addresses God directly. He interprets trials as testing and refinement from the Lord. It takes intense heat of
over 2000 degrees to refine impurities out of silver... in the same way, God puts us through “refining fire”. He never
wastes our pain and suffering.
VERSES
13-20: INDIVIDUAL PRAISE
Vs.
13-15 – The psalmist switches to first person, telling of his
individual worship and thanksgiving for answered prayers. He does
not forget the vows he made to God.
Vs. 16 –
The psalmist is sharing the Good News of his answered prayer with
“all who fear God”.
Vs.
18-20 – God answered the psalmist's prayer because there was no
hypocrisy in his heart.
PSALM 67 – “Bless Us All”
(Psalm of Thanksgiving)
The hope of this prayer is that God's blessings upon Israel will serve a
greater purpose of bringing salvation to all the nations.
Vs. 1 –
This blessing is similar to the Priestly Blessing of Aaron in Numbers
6:24-26.
Vs. 2 –
This reflects the promise to Abraham that through him and his
descendants, God would bless “all the families of the earth”
(Genesis 12:1-3).
Vs. 6-7
– The psalmist repeats the name of God three times in these two
verses, emphasizing that we cannot separate God from His blessing...
He IS the blessing. And others will be drawn to
Him through us.
πNUGGET:
The word used for “God” in verses 6-7 is “Elohim” (Creator
God), instead of the personal name of Israel’s God, “Yahweh” because God's blessings are for all the world.
“Without
pointing to the Messiah, the psalm anticipates a glorious messianic
era in which Jews and Gentiles share in the glorious presence of God. When
God blesses his people, it is with the goal of provoking the nations
to jealousy so that they too might come to know him, share in his
blessings, and have reason to praise him.”
(Willem A.
VanGemeren)
READING FOR TOMORROW: Chapters 68-72
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