Read Psalm 18

Summary

Many years ago I used to enjoy spending time in the Tararua Ranges, following tracks which climbed up and crossed the many peaks. Standing on the tops of the local mountains, it was hard not to get a strong sense of the permanence of those rocks jutting up into the sky, compared to my own weakness and transience. Those rocks up high were there before I came, and will be there long after I go.

Psalm 18, a Royal Psalm of David, celebrates the deliverance of God’s people from their enemies, inspired by David’s deliverance from his enemies (1 Samuel 22). The psalm is structured around God as a rock, a refuge for his people. In the first part of Psalm 18 (vv.1-30), God is praised for his deliverance, his saving act described, and his goodness praised.

Our passage explained

v1-5

Psalm 18 begins with praise for the deliverance experienced by God’s hand. God’s acts have driven him to praise and devotion: “I love you, O LORD, my strength” (v.1). God is then described as David’s rock, fortress, and deliverer, a rock “in whom I take refuge”, a shield, the “horn of my salvation” (think: power of a rhinoceros’ horn), and a stronghold (v.2). These words describe God as a permanent, secure hiding place, a powerful warrior, and a protector of his people.

David’s praise of God’s deliverance is explained in verses 3 to 19, where the appearance of God to deliver is described. In verse three, David states that “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” God is worthy of praise, and when he is called upon, God saves David (and all his people) from their enemies.

v5-20

God’s appearance came because of David’s situation. He describes it as being near to death, where he is entangled by “cords of death/Sheol”, a torrent of destruction, and snares of death confronting him (vv.5-6). David cried out to God in his distress, and God heard “from his temple” as David’s cries “reached his ears” (v.6). Much like Israel’s cries in Egypt (Ex. 2:23-25), God hears the cries of his covenant subjects, and responds.

The response of God is then poetically described in verses eight to nineteen. God’s intervention is described like an earthquake (v.7), an angry divine warrior whose power is like fire (v.8), coming with majesty as he parts the clouds, descending like a storm (vv.9-11). The storm breaks on David’s enemies (v.12), consuming them and sweeping them away (vv.13-14). Even the foundations of the earth are exposed (v.15) as God rescues David, drawing him from the waters and placing him in a broad place because God delighted in him (vv.16-19). 

v21-29

The appearance of God to deliver causes David to proclaim the goodness of God in verses twenty to thirty. God delivered David because God is faithful to his promises; that those who seek to live after God’s ways will be delivered. David describes this poetically as having “kept the ways of the LORD” (v.21), having his rules before him (to obey; v.22), being blameless in his dedication to God (not sinless, but seeking to be covenantally faithful; v.23).

God’s goodness to his covenant people is demonstrated in his deeds. He is merciful to those who show mercy, blameless to the blameless, and pure to the pure, saving the humble (vv.25-7). By contrast, the crooked experience God’s wrath like a tortuous road, and the proud are humbled (vv.26-7). It is God who provides light for his people in the darkness, and helps people conquer insurmountable odds (v.v.28-9). God is perfect in his deeds, his word is demonstrated to be true, and he protects those who seek his safety (v.30)

Our passage applied

This psalm reminded God’s Old Testament people that their well-being was tied to the Davidic line. In the first half of Psalm 18, God’s power to save and deliver is demonstrated. Ultimately, this salvation is given to us by God through Jesus, a descendant of David. When Jesus bore our sins on the Cross the sky was darkened; when he returns in glory to finally rescue us and consummate his reign the sky will snap up like a roll and the heavens convulse.

God’s goodness to us, his people, does not change because God does not change. He is like a rock, a permanent fixture. He is a shield behind which we may shelter, a fortress to run to. We do not have to save ourselves, but instead we are freed to praise God for his goodness and for his deliverance.

Other nations rise and fall, strong men come and go. But God is a permanent fixture, a rock, and his anointed king Jesus is our deliverer from our great enemies sin and death. We can shelter in the cleft of our God, our rock, and trust he will protect us because his promises hold true: he protects those who call on him for salvation.

Resources

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Read Psalm 17

Summary

The troubles of life often compel us to seek refuge. We may try and find refuge in work, in hobbies, in family and friends, in substances (alcohol, drugs, etc), in nature, or a variety of other things. We instinctively understand refuge; children seek it in their parents, many games involve some sort of refuge (behind your crease in cricket or on a base in softball). Refuge is where we find rest and comfort from trouble.

Psalm 17 encourages us to find refuge in God. King David wrote this psalm to express his own need for refuge, and his trust in God to provide it. This is expressed through a prayer from a trusting heart, an appeal in the face of danger, and a prayer for deliverance and blessing.

Our passage explained

v1-5

In the first five verses of Psalm 17, David expresses a prayer from a trusting heart. David asks God to “hear … attend … give ear” to his request (v.1). David uses absolute terms of innocence to describe his approach, as he describes his cause as “just” and from lips “free of deceit” (v.1). He asks God to vindicate him and to “behold the right” (v.2) of his situation. This does not refer to a claim of sinlessness, but innocence of accusations from enemies and a trust in God as the rightful judge.

We see this described in verses three to five, where David expresses confidence that God’s testing of his heart will “find nothing” (v.3). David has resolved that he will not sin in his speech, as he knows the effect of sinful false accusations. He has sought to follow God’s will as revealed by “the word of your lips” (v.4) in God’s Word, and he has sought to walk according to God’s commands from which he has “not slipped” (v.4) unlike the “ways of the violent” (v.4).

v6-12

In verses six to twelve we see David’s appeal in the face of danger. David again calls upon God to “hear my words” and trusts that God will answer him. He trusts because of God’s covenant love, which he asks God to demonstrate as God has done in the past with those who have sought refuge in him (v.7). Here, David is demonstrating trust based on God’s prior saving deeds, such as the Exodus.

Like God’s acts of the past, David seeks God’s protection. He asks to be treated as “the apple of God’s eye” (a term of endearment) and to be hidden in the “shadow of your wings” like a mother bird protecting its chicks. (v.8). He seeks protection from wicked who surround and attack him (v.9), pitilessly attack to crush him and his followers (vv.10-11), like lions who attack a zebra on a wildlife documentary (v.12).

v13-15

David’s appeal in the face of danger is followed by a prayer for deliverance and blessing. David has sought refuge in God because of his prowling enemies. In verse thirteen, he asks God to “arise … confront him, subdue him!” Like David confronted lions in his shepherding days, he seeks God’s intervention on his behalf. He asks for God to deliver him from the wicked  “men of the world whose portion is in this life” (v.14). They have children, whose children inherit their abundance, but they do not remain to enjoy it (v.14). Wicked men receive their due in this life, God’s people find their portion in God.

David then expresses his anticipation of blessing. David declares he “shall behold [God’s] face in righteousness”. That is, he will know God’s presence. David hints at everlasting dwelling with God by stating “when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness” (v.15). Unlike the wicked who receive their due in this life only, those who trust in God and take refuge in him receive an inheritance in both this life and forever.

Our passage applied

David’s psalm encourages us to find our true refuge in God. While family, work, hobbies, food and drink, or nature around us provide moments of relief and distraction, they do not provide refuge for the weary soul. Instead, true refuge and protection from the trials of this life is found in trusting God, and sheltering in him. We will still be buffeted by the winds of life, but beneath God’s wings we will know his love, care, and protection.

That care and protection is for those who come to God with a trusting heart. We must come to God as David did, willing to place ourselves under the all-wise and all-knowing judgment of God. We can do so, because God has promised to treat us with mercy and forgive us of our sins and trespasses in Jesus Christ, who serves as our covenant head; giving us his righteousness and having borne the penalty of sin for us on the cross.

The deliverance that God offers extends beyond the present day to eternity. The wicked enjoy today, but not eternity. Only those who trust God will find eternal refuge, satisfied in enjoying God’s presence and his blessings.

Resources

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Read Psalm 16

Summary

Many of David’s psalms were written in response to events in his life. Psalm 16 is one of the exceptions, where it simply reflects David’s confidence in God alone to save him and hope in God’s promises. Psalm 16 expresses the confidence that God’s people should express towards God in life, whether things are swell, unwell, or hard to tell.

Our passage explained

v1-4

Psalm 16 opens with a cry to God for help. In verse 1, David cries “preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” This expresses a continual prayer for God’s protection over him, because God is the one in whom David places his trust.

The trust David places is reflected in David’s worship of God, not false idols. David’s worship shows that he believes all good things come from the ultimate source of good – his covenant God. “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you’” (v.2). 

His worship of God is reflected in his love of God’s people, of whom he says “as for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight” (v.3). David delights in God’s chosen people, whom he considers delightful.

The goodness of God and delight in God’s people is contrasted with false idols and their followers. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips” (v.4). 

v5-6

David recognises that true good does not come to those who worship false idols (through calling on them by name and offering blood sacrifices), but ultimately increasing sorrows as they receive punishment from God both in this life and the next. David will not associate himself with these people or their idols, even for seeming momentary gain.

Instead, David expresses confidence in God’s promises to him. Picking up imagery from God’s giving the Promised Land as an inheritance to the Israelites, David says “The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” (vv.5-6). His portion in God is certain and pleasant, unlike the sorrows of idol worshipers.

v7-8

David’s confidence in God extends to receiving learning and protection from him. “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (vv.7-8). 

David praises God for the teaching which God blesses him with, which he meditates on day and night (Psalm 1:2, Joshua 1:8). David knows that because he trusts God continually, that God is at hand to help (the right hand) and so he will not be moved.

The confidence that David has in God’s presence with him causes David to rejoice in God. In verse nine, David sings “therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices” because God is at hand to help and to keep him secure in God’s presence.

v9-11

But God’s helping hand extends beyond the present circumstance to eternity. “my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” (vv.9-10). David is secure in God’s presence, both now and in the future, because God will not abandon David to death. 

But moreover, David is secure because in this passage David prophetically speaks of Christ’s resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:24-36, 13:34-39). It is through Christ’s resurrection, the true holy one of God, that David and all of God’s people dwell secure, and will not be abandoned in death.

The rejoicing in God which David expresses is summed up in verse eleven, the psalm’s conclusion. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” God reveals to David the way to live, giving him joy in whatever circumstances he is in. The pleasant places and things which God gives David (v.6) will last throughout life and into eternity.

Our passage applied

Like David, we can sing with confidence of God’s help to us all our days. Through Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead (v.10) we are reconciled to God, and enjoy his presence. We can take refuge in God, because he has stepped forward to help us and to save us from sin and death. He promises us a beautiful inheritance as his children, enjoying his presence in a world made new.

This psalm encourages us to worship God, to rejoice in him, to take confidence in him. God is the source of all true good, and with him, his pleasures endure forever. We do not need to trust in any other, whether ourselves, other people, or false idols. God alone is the true source of goodness and confidence in which we can take refuge.

Do you want to sing along with David this song of confidence and rejoicing in God? This version of Psalm 16 expresses the joy and beauty of taking refuge in God.

Resources

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Read Psalm 15

Summary

What is it that allows us to come into God’s presence? Is it nice clothes? A long list of good works? Being descended from the right parents? Uttering the right words or providing the correct list of sacrificial items? The Bible is consistent in its answer to this question. Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, “but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). 

Psalm 15, a hymn sung as worshipers entered the temple grounds, also addresses this question, demonstrating that it is personal character which allows us to enter God’s presence. As we examine this list, we should all see that we fail to meet the ethical requirements listed; thankfully, Jesus has met these requirements for us so we may enter God’s presence by Christ’s righteousness given to us.

Our passage explained

v1-3

In verse one, the psalm poses a question: “O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?” The worshipers are coming to the temple (a permanent tent which replaced the tabernacle of the Exodus) to worship their covenant-keeping God, and so they ask who may come into his presence on Mount Zion, where God especially dwelt with his people.

v2-4

The answer to the question is found in verses two to five, where a series of positive and negative ethical standards are described. Firstly, in verse two, three positive personal characteristics are described: “He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.” The one who draws near shall “walk blamelessly” in godliness, acts in righteousness, and speaks truthfully.

In verse three, the psalmist lists three negative personal characteristics to avoid. The one who may dwell with God “does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend.” The righteous one speaks truthfully, and does not speak lies (slander). He acts in righteousness, not committing sins and harmful acts against his neighbour. He does not cast slurs on someone because of their actions or their situation.

v4

In verse four, the psalmist returns to positive characteristics of the true worshiper. He is one “in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change.” The one who may approach God adopts the moral posture of God: he does not glorify and popularise the wicked (“vile person” refers to someone rejected by God). 

Instead, he honours those who “fear the LORD,” that is, those who worship God. The positive moral characteristics are rounded out by noting that he is a man who keeps his word, even to his own great cost.

The list of personal characteristics is completed in the first part of verse five with a final set of negative characteristics to avoid, both centered on money. The acceptable worshiper of God “does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent.”

v5

Lending to fellow members of the covenant community was banned (Lev. 25:36-37, Deut. 23:19) because lending only those in financial trouble sought loans. Imposing interest added to the poor person’s burden, rather than helping them. Likewise, taking a bribe “against the innocent” enriched yourself at the expense of someone who had done no wrong, and perverted justice: something the perfectly just God hates (Ex. 23:8). These sins affected the societal life of the covenant people, and so the acceptable worshiper would not act unethically in this way.

Psalm 15 ends with a promise to those who act ethically, in the last half of verse five. “He who does these things shall never be moved.” Those who act ethically will never be removed from the temple and from God’s presence. Instead they shall dwell with God forever. This does not just mean physical presence at that point, but eternal presence with God, enjoying his protection forever.

Our passage applied

As we work through this list of ethical characteristics which the acceptable worshiper must show, we must admit that we are not able to enter into God’s presence on our own merit. We are not blameless, but too often walk in sin, speak lies, love the evildoer more than the humble worshiper of God, do not keep our word, and have behaved unethically towards each other. 

None of us can say we have kept the positive characteristics completely, and avoided the negative characteristics entirely. Only Christ has. We all have gone astray like wandering sheep, but God has laid on Christ our iniquity (Isaiah 53:6) and given us Christ’s righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21) so we may enter God’s presence to praise him.

Since God has enabled us to enter into his presence through Christ’s sacrifice and mediation, we know we shall enjoy God’s presence forever. As a result, we can respond in worship, already welcomed, by seeking to live ethically wholly, doing the will of God who has brought us into his kingdom by grace through faith.

Resources

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Read Psalm 14

Summary

What does it mean to be a fool? If you ask the average person on the street, then they will probably respond that it is someone who behaves or acts in ways that are silly and have bad outcomes for themselves or others. For instance, a fool may run out in front of a bus, or spend all their money as soon as they are paid, without leaving some aside for bills.

While these might be valid descriptions of someone who behaves or acts foolishly, the Bible considers the key sign of foolishness as someone who refuses to acknowledge God and worship him. Psalm 14 expands on this idea, lamenting a world which foolishly rejects God. The psalm provides a description of a fool, the fate of the fool, and the hope of the righteous compared to the fool.

Our passage explained

v1-3

Psalm 14 opens in verses one to three with a description of the fool. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good” (v.1). The characteristic of a fool is that they speak and live as if God does not exist, they lack the fear of God which is the beginning place of true wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Their foolishness overflows in the way they act: their actions are corrupt and disgusting to God.

Verses two and three expand on this description. In verse two we read that God “looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.” Despite the fool’s denial of God, God still observes all people to see if they seek him in prayer and worship. 

Instead God sees “they have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one” (v.3, quoted in Romans 3:10-18). What God sees is complete moral corruption, an inability to do good absolutely with a desire to motivate God (as opposed to relative good, which we all still do to varying degrees). He does not see good which saves, but the sinfulness of man.

v4-6

Verses four to six direct us to the fate of the fool. In verse four, the psalmist asks rhetorically “have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord?” The fools who think and live as if God does not exist, persecute and exploit God’s (and the psalmist’s) people easily and guiltlessly like someone who devours food. Their behaviour suggests a lack of knowledge of what awaits them.

Verse five indicates that despite their behaviour, fools live in fear of their coming judgment. “There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.” Though the evildoers oppress and persecute God’s people, God is with them and will come to their aid, punishing the evildoers. For this they live in fear of what awaits them. The wicked “would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge” (v.6). God will protect his covenant people, and ultimately defeat the wicked oppressors.

v7

The psalm concludes with an emphasis on hope for the righteous already demonstrated by contrast in verses five and six. Verse seven offers a prayer: “ 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.” 

The psalmist prays that the promised day of salvation for God’s people would come, when God will save his covenant people and restore their fortunes which were harmed by the wicked. The prayer is expressed hopefully, as the psalmist prays for “when” not “if”, and encouraged all of God’s people to be glad at the promised salvation.

Our passage applied

We live in a world where people increasingly openly speak of Christians as foolish, actively seeking to exclude us and the Gospel from the public sphere. Yet this psalm teaches that it is those who accuse us of foolishness who are themselves fools. As Paul says in Romans 1:22ff, the wicked “claiming to be wise… became fools” and exchanged the worship of God for worshiping idols. We should not be surprised and ashamed of the Gospel and of God, for “the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

We should not let our superior knowledge be an occasion for pride, but instead for witness. We have not figured these truths out ourselves, but God has revealed them to us (1 Cor. 2:10-12). God uses the folly of preaching to save those who believe, for the folly of this world is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for salvation (1 Cor. 1:24).

Instead, we should rejoice that God has revealed his wisdom to us, that we may learn to walk in it. And we can rejoice that in a world of folly, the fate of the fools is judgment, while we will enjoy salvation and good fortune from God, our covenant king.

Resources

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Read Psalm 13

Summary

There is a difference between how we feel, and the truth of something. While we live in a world where it seems feelings trump facts, our subjective feelings do not override reality. We can even feel abandoned by God and distant from him, even though he is objectively near to us and cares for us. 

Psalm 13 expresses this tension in a believer’s life, as King David feels neglected and distanced from God. Yet this psalm also expresses the knowledge of God’s goodness and love, as King David reassures himself of God’s faithfulness to his covenant people. As with David, these truths should help assure us even when we feel like God is distant from us.

Our passage explained

v1-3

The opening stanza of Psalm 13 expresses a cry of distress toward God. Verses one and two express four “how long” cries towards God. The first two cries in verse one express feelings of distance from God: “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” David expresses worry that God has “forgotten” him, and does not remember him as one of his covenant people. David feels as if God is withholding his presence from him.

The feelings of distance are further expressed in cries of confusion and frustration in verse two. “How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” In the third cry, David expresses confusion at his feelings of grief and a subjective feeling of abandonment, as if God no longer provides him with counsel. In the fourth cry, David expresses frustration at the apparent success of those who oppose him, despite God’s covenantal promises to uphold his people.

The second stanza contains David’s plea to God for his attention. David expresses his continued belief in God as his prayer as he addresses the “LORD my God” (v.3), demonstrating his belief that God is both personal to him “my God” and has revealed himself covenantally. 

David asks God to “Consider and answer me … light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death” (v.3). He wants God to respond to his prayerful requests, and restore his strength and health, probably spiritual given his cry in verse two.

v4-6

His plea for attention and restoration also answers his worries in the fourth cry that his enemies are exalted over him. He adds a request for answer “lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed over him,’ lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken” (v.4). If God does not respond to David’s cries, David will be defeated, and David’s enemies will have a victory over God.

Psalm 13 concludes with David’s confidence in God’s nearness. “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (v.5). David trusts that God is faithful to his promises, expressed in his covenantal merciful loving-kindness (God’s “steadfast love”). David knows that God’s steadfast love towards his people will result in the salvation of all who trust in God, and he rejoices in that knowledge despite his feelings expressed earlier.

Since David knows God’s presence and love for him, he concludes his psalm by saying “I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (v.6). David does not abandon God because he felt distanced from him, but persists in trusting God and singing praise to him. 

David can trust and worship because he knows that God’s character does not change. God’s saving acts (v.5) and generosity (dealing “bountifully”, v.6) are truths which trump his feelings. God is not distant in anger, but near in his compassion, mercy, and generosity towards David.

Our passage applied

How often do we feel as if God is distant from us? Trouble strikes, and we fear God does not care. We fall into a sin and in our shame think that God must have turned his face away from us, and surely cannot forgive us this time. Perhaps we wonder if God truly loves us, after all. These sorts of feelings are not new; they are felt by believers in all ages.

Despite these feelings, this psalm reminds us of the truth of God’s love for his covenant people. God has promised to save and bless us, to show his loving-kindness and generosity to us. God even sent his own Son, Jesus, to take the punishment and anger of God for sin (Matt. 27:45-47) that we may experience God’s nearness and love (Romans 5:8-11). Because of God’s love and his faith given to us, we can rejoice with joy at the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).

Our feelings deceive us. God does not change, his mercies are new every morning. God’s faithfulness, his salvation, his generosity to all who trust in him are truths we can rely on. Despite times when we feel God is far away, God’s promises and saving deeds remind us of his nearness and love for us.

Resources

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Read Psalm 12

Summary

If you live in New Zealand or in other places in “The West”, chances are you have watched what seems like large parts of both the Church and the wider culture walk away from the living and true God. While we may be tempted to think this is unique to our time and place, the truth is that in many times and places people have walked away from God, leaving only a small faithful remnant.

Psalm 12 illustrates the cry and response of the faithful when surrounded by the faithless. Written by King David, it describes a time when it seemed to him that he was surrounded by the faithless, walking away from God. The psalm reminds us that God will protect and deliver his people, despite the trouble of the world around us.

Our passage explained

v1-4

The psalm begins with King David lamenting the world around him: “Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.” Where, David asks, are the faithful? They have disappeared from the world, and like the days of Noah it seems only one or a few are left.

Verses two to four expand on this lament, describing the words of the faithless. “Everyone utters lies” including outright falsehoods but also insincere flattery and deceitful speech which cheapens and undermines communication (v.2). 

To this David prays that God would “cut off” those who use flattery and boasting to further their own gain (v.3), excluding them from God’s covenant community. Flattery, boasting, and deceitful words are like a weapon against God’s people, because the faithless believe “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” (v.4).

v5-8

The psalm next records God’s response in verse five. “‘Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,’ says the LORD; ‘I will place him in the safety for which he longs.’” God promises to act, righting the injustice visited on the faithful (depicted as poor and needy) and placing them in safety.

David responds to God’s commitment to act on behalf of the faithful with a meditation on the goodness of God’s words. Unlike the deceitful words of the faithless, “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times” (v.6). God’s words are as pure and valuable as refined silver, a precious and beautiful metal. God’s promises can be relied on.

Because God’s words and promises can be relied on, the faithful can live with confidence. “You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever” (v.7). God will not break his word, he will not act outside his covenant love for his people. God will keep his promises and guard his faithful people from the faithless (“this generation”) not only now, but forever.

The faithful can live in this confidence despite the nature of the faithless, summarised again in verse 8. “On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.” While the wicked prowl looking to devour God’s people, and exalting awful thoughts and deeds, God exalts his covenant people, preserving them in the middle of the wicked who surround them.

Our passage applied

As we reflect on this psalm, the first thing that should come to mind is that we do not live in a particularly unique time in history. In many times in history, God’s faithful people have been surrounded and harassed by the unfaithful around, scoffing and fulfilling their sinful desires (2 Peter 3:1-7). While it seems uncomfortable for us that we live in a culture of unfaithfulness, particularly those of us that remember (at least outwardly) days when God’s name was honoured, we are not alone in living in such days.

Living in these days of unfaithfulness, we can take comfort in God’s promise in verse five. This promise summarises all the promises of God in Scripture, to save his people and preserve them through troubles and strife. 

God’s promises are just as precious today as they were in King David’s day, when he described them as like pure silver. They are all “yes” in Jesus, and so we say through Jesus amen to God for his glory (2 Cor 1:20). We can rely on God’s promises.

As we put our trust in God to fulfil his promises, we await the final righting of the wrong of rebellion against God. One day the Lord Jesus will return, and put away all evil and scoffing that righteousness may dwell fully (2 Peter 3:8-13). 

While we live with unfaithful surrounding us now, this is not how things will remain. We have God’s promises to trust in, and the hope of Jesus’ final total victory over sin and unbelief to look forward to. God will guard us, his people, not only from this generation but forever.

God has not left his faithful remnant alone, but promises to arise to protect and preserve them, in whatever place and age they are found.

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Read Psalm 11

Summary

Sometimes, life falls apart at the seams. Everything you thought was true turns on its head. Nations crumble, the everyday routine is shattered, societies abandon morality for insanity, orthodox churches embrace false teaching, or friends and family turn enemy. Psalm 11 addresses this situation in life – what does a Christian do when everything is overturned?

Written by King David when his life fell apart (possibly Absalom’s rebellion – 2 Samuel 15-19), this psalm expresses confidence in God when everything you thought was fixed is overturned. After questioning the advice of his advisers to flee instead of trusting in God, David expresses his confidence in God to deliver and uphold his people.

Our passage explained

v1-3

Psalm 11 opens with an expression of confidence by King David, which sets the tone for the psalm: “In the LORD I take refuge” (v.1). David does not trust in his own strength, but in his covenant-keeping God, who has made promises and sworn an oath to be a God to his own  people.

Because David trusts in God for his salvation, he asks his advisers “how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?’” (vv.1-3). This attitude expresses both self-reliance, and a defeatist attitude.

Firstly this attitude expresses self-reliance because the advice suggests that David should flee to some mountainous hideout, instead of trusting in God. Mountains were natural defensive places in David’s day until very recent times – they forced attackers to assault uphill and also generally allowed a better view of the surrounding area. They also contain caves in which to hide, like birds hiding in the nooks and crannies of hills. Fleeing to a place of refuge instead of trusting in God was an expression of self-reliance.

But secondly this view is defeatist. The advisers encourage David to flee because the wicked have notched arrows to “shoot in the dark at the upright in heart” (v.2), taking them by surprise when they cannot see their attackers. The attack of the wicked so overturns the advisers’ view of the world (and David’s too), that they describe it as an attack on the very foundations of things, and weakly ask in response “what can the righteous do?” (v.3).

v4-7

The despair of King David’s advisers is answered in verses four to seven. Firstly, David recalls the sovereign rule of God. “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man” (v.4). God sits enthroned in heaven, where he sees and weighs all men’s deeds.

Secondly, David recognises that the righteous God will not let the wicked go unpunished. “The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup” (vv.5-6). God sees and examines both the righteous and unrighteous, but his very being reserves his anger for the wicked, who will be judged like the fires which rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).

The reason for God’s acts of judgment and David’s confidence in God’s righteous, sovereign reign is God’s nature and character. “For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face” (v.7). David’s covenant-keeping God is righteous, and loves those who serve him. Those he loves will experience his presence as he delivers them from the wicked to life with him.

Our passage applied

David’s confidence in God expressed in this Psalm shows us how to react when it seems like the world has turned upside down. David understood that whatever went on, whether seen as good or bad from our perspective, God was in control. Nothing has changed from then. God still sits on his throne, casting his eyes upon men, judging between those who trust in him and those who do wicked deeds. Nothing escapes his sight.

We notice also that this passage describes two ways people may wrongly act when calamity comes. First, people can trust in their own resourcefulness alone to ride things out. Secondly, people can despair at the downfall of what they held dear. Both of these reactions are not how we should respond to the troubles of life.

It can be easy to despair at the decline of a denomination, the regression of our civilisation to Greco-Roman Pagan “values”, or the sudden betrayal of friends or family held dear. But Psalm 11 encourages us to place our confidence and trust in God, despite the very foundations of life being shaken. 

God is still sovereign, Jesus reigns, and Christ has borne God’s wrath for our sins at the Cross. So at the day of reckoning we will know fully the joy of God’s presence which we experience now as his people, while the wicked will know God’s vengeance.

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Read Psalm 10

Summary

We live in a world where the wicked seem to get away with their evil deeds. Sometimes as we watch, it can seem like God is letting them get away with their wickedness; doing nothing to intervene. To the author of Psalm 10, this apparent distance of God was a key worry and cause for writing.

Psalm 10 presents a lament at the wicked and their evil deeds, and asks God to intervene. It probably serves as a twin to Psalm 9, since both are written in acrostic form (in Hebrew) using different parts of the Hebrew alphabet. The first eleven verses focus on the wicked and their evil, before a plea to God to help his people, and praise for the divine King who will execute judgment over the wicked.

Our passage explained

v1-4

In Psalm 9, the majority of the psalm praised God before asking him to come to his people’s aid. In Psalm 10, the opening focus is on the deeds of the wicked. In verse 1, the author poses a question concerning God’s apparent distance: “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”

The apparent distance of God is a concern because of the wicked who surround God’s people, and commit evil deeds. The arrogant wicked “hotly pursue the poor” and the psalmist wishes that their evil designs would entrap themselves, like a hunter falling into his own trap (v.2). 

Instead, “the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD” (v.3). The wicked man renounces God, does not seek him but pursues his own desires, and does not acknowledge God’s existence (v.4). His priorities and ethical views are twisted inside-out, focused on self not God.

v5-15

From the perspective of the oppressed, the wicked seem to have it easy. “His ways prosper at all times” while God’s judgments seem irrelevant and distant, and self-trust rather than trust in God is the wicked man’s attitude (vv.5-6). His words express his attitude of deceit, injustice, and oppression (v.7), while in verses 8-10 his actions are described as like a hunter setting an ambush to capture and crush the poor and oppressed. He acts like this because in his heart he does not believe God sees or cares what he does (v.11).

The evil thoughts, words, and deeds of the arrogant wicked man spurs the psalmist to plead with God to help his people. The psalmist asks his Covenant-keeping God and King to “arise … lift up your hand [to intervene]; forget not the afflicted” (v.12). The psalmist asks why the wicked man would “renounce God” and think that God will not bring him to account for his wickedness (v.13), because God sees and notes “mischief and vexation” that he may judge it (v.14). This is because God is a helper of the helpless, and watches over those who need his protection (v.14). For this reason, the psalmist is confident in asking God to “break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none” (v.15).

v16-18

After asking God to help his people, the psalmist concludes with confident praise to the Divine King (mirroring Psalm 9). He describes God as “king forever and ever” who causes evildoer nations to vanish in judgment (v.16, cf. Deut 8:20). 

Unlike the wicked who shuts his ears to the poor, God hears “the desire of the afflicted” and strengthens their heart in the midst of trials (v.17). God listens to their and the psalmist’s pleas so that he will bring justice to those who are oppressed, and so that “man who is of the earth may strike terror no more” (v.18).

Our passage applied

As we read these words we can also join with the psalmist in sharing confidence in God’s judgment of the world. God has promised he will judge all the nations who rebel against him through Christ, who he has appointed heir of all things. And Christ himself has already borne the judgment of God for us, to satisfy the penalty for our sins and restore our relationship to God.

This promise is important to hold to in our day, as we see the arrogant wicked do their evil deeds before all men. We watch as they consign the weak and vulnerable to death by inaction, affliction, law and oppression. They prey on the poor and needy, depriving them of their wages and stealing their dignity. The wicked attack the Church, whether it is through marginalisation and ridicule or persecution, because they do not believe God will hold them to account.

While the wicked who do these things may think God does not see, God is noting their mischief and vexation. One day he will shatter the nations and destroy their idols and security, so that they may strike terror no more. God does not hide himself in times of trouble, but is ready to rise up to judge on the day of his return.

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Read Psalm 9

Summary

When we sing songs during a Church service, we ideally should sing songs which cover the full range of emotion and experience. Sometimes we rejoice, sometimes we are sad. But it is always good to sing praises to God.

Psalm 9 presents a song of praise to God, the divine King who rules and judges the whole world. Written by King David, it probably forms a “twin” with psalm 10, because both psalms are roughly arranged in an acrostic form (in the Hebrew language). After spending the first twelve verses praising God as the divine king, Psalm 9 concludes with an appeal to God to come to his people’s aid.

Our passage explained

v1-2

Psalm 9 opens with a declaration of praise to God for his wondrous deeds. David will sing praises to God “with [his] whole heart” (v.1) to indicate the depth of his praise. This praise is directed to God as his covenant God (“LORD”, v.1) and an exalted king (“Most High”, v.2).

v3-6

David then moves to praising God for his help. In verses 3 to 6, he describes how God intervenes on his side to cause his enemies to perish. He hopefully expresses confidence that God will intervene to cause his enemies to “turn back”, “stumble and perish” before God’s presence (v.3). This confidence is from God’s reign on his throne, giving righteous judgment (v.4). God rebukes the nations, causing the wicked to perish, and enemies to be so utterly defeated they are forgotten (vv.5-6).

v7-10

Compared to the enemies of the world who will be destroyed and forgotten, God’s reign is eternal. God sits “enthroned forever” (v.7) and unlike the nations he judges with both righteousness and uprightness (v.8). God does not oppress the righteous, but instead is a “stronghold in times of trouble” (v.9), providing support and protection to all who know his name, trust in him, and seek him (v.10).

v11-14

These truths cause David to pause and proclaim God’s praises again in verses 11 and 12. He calls on God’s people to sing praises to God who “sits enthroned in Zion” and “tell among the peoples his deeds” (v.11). God is faithful to remember the afflicted, and takes vengeance on those who take the lives of others (v.12). God’s praises ought to be sung to all the nations who do not believe, that they may know of God’s wonder and believe.

David then moves to a present distress, asking for God’s help. He asks God to “be gracious to me” and “see my affliction from those who hate me” which has led him figuratively to “the gates of death” (v.13). He asks this because he wants to praise God publicly in Jerusalem (the “daughter of Zion”) for his salvation (v.14).

v15-18

David turns his attention back to the nations, who he proclaims God will ensnare and judge. They will sink “in the pit that they made” (v.15) and similar phrases which indicate that their evil intentions for God’s people will become their own undoing. Verse 16 makes it clear this is God’s doing, as he makes himself known and executes judgment. 

The evildoing nations who seek to hurt God’s people have forgotten God, and as a result their judgment will see them “return to Sheol” (v.17 the realm of the dead). However, God will not forget the poor and needy (often afflicted), and will not allow them to “perish forever” (v.18).

v19-20

Psalm 9 concludes with a call to God to rise up and vanquish his enemies. David asks that God would arise, and not let “men prevail” in leaving their wicked deeds unpunished, but instead that all the “nations be judged before you!” (v.19). The purpose of this judgment is to drive fear into the nations, that they would recognise they are but humans created by the divine King who is their judge (v.20).

Our passage applied

The praise sung to God in these passages reflects both God’s nature, and God’s acts which flow from his nature. God is described as righteous, faithful, and concerned for those who are afflicted, poor, and needy. These attributes are reflected in the way God acts; to judge the unrighteous, provide protection and help for those who trust in him, and vanquish the enemies of God’s people.

When we sing praise to God, we are also praising both his nature and his deeds. We are thanking God for his goodness, and the way that he expresses that goodness to us. We praise God for his eternal reign, and that he promises to judge the wicked and vindicate his people.

Because of God’s goodness, his promises, and the evidence of his help in ages past, we too can ask God to help us when enemies attack. God promises to preserve his people and deliver them from their enemies. God will do so for us too. Though enemies may seek to kill us and steal us from God’s grasp, God will judge them and preserve us, even from our last enemy – death.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.