Psalm 144

Psalm 144

The order of the songs is most appropriate. In Psalms 141-143 we have seen David in dire circumstances pleading for God's rescue. Now at the end of this Psalm we see the Psalmist in happy, hopeful, and peaceful circumstances.

In verses 1-4 we see David doing what he ought by acknowledging God is the One who causes victory. In verses 5-8 he talks about the might and the glory of God. The phrase “bow of Heavens” is to say, “Even the Heavens sag under the weight of God's glory and might.” Man may participate, but God is the one who is the real actor and the real cause. We see in verses 9-11 the appropriate response on the part of a godly person: praise and worship. The new song is not for the sake of novelty, but because new experiences with God's mercy call for new expressions of our praise. In verses 12-15 we see the life of God's people in the peaceful kingdom. We see the multiplication of children, produce, grain, livestock, and peace. Verse 14b is descriptive of a society without a need for police. We conclude in verse 15 that humble people who are under God's care are a blessed people.

“Lord, we ask for life in Your kingdom and whatever blessing that may entail. AMEN.” 

Psalm 143

Psalm 143

The emotion and situation behind the psalm are almost beyond comprehension. We believe it was written by David as he was fleeing from Absalom. During the persecution of Saul, he was within a hair's breadth of destruction and was forced to hide in caves. Now he finds himself in similar circumstances, but this time the killer is his own son.

In the midst of these difficult moments, David gives us three insights that will find application in our lives. First, in verse 2, David admits that he needs mercy, not justice: "No man living is righteous." Both David and Absalom were guilty of great evil. So why should God side with David and not his enemy? Because God always chooses the side of those who have a heart of true repentance. Second, God is never late but rarely early. In verse 8 we get the impression that if David doesn't get some good news in the morning, his cause may be lost. Often our situations seem hopeless, but our God is great at the last-minute rescue. And third, in verse 10, we see David's anticipation of the spirit of God leading him. The Lord's Spirit is the author of all our good desires and holy purposes.

“Lord, lead me in the midst of my greatest perils. AMEN.”

Psalm 142

Psalm 142

Everyone has a low point. For David it was in the cave of Engedi, hiding from Saul. David has retreated and found himself taking refuge in a cave only to find Saul and his army surrounding the cave and Saul himself coming in. David's complaint is not that of a weak, whining, wilted lily but of a strong hero who is completely spent. He has come to the end of all of his resources, and now there is nothing left. The word "overwhelmed" in verse 3 is descriptive of someone who is completely covered or buried to the point of suffocation and passing out because of the physical exhaustion, emotional distress, and spiritual burden. David feels alone. There is no one on his right; that is his sword hand, and it means that the defense of a fellow combatant’s shield is not available. He is completely spent and without resources. Yet David has his greatest hope: passionate prayer!

Verses 5-7 are the confidence of a man who, in spite of the distress he suffers because he is faithful to God, will be heard and rescued from what appears to be a helpless situation.

“Lord, be my strength when there is no other. AMEN.”

Psalm 141

Psalm 141

There are occasions when a righteous person is forced to be in the company of the ungodly. This Psalm is descriptive of that kind of reality and advises how to live in hope. It may have been written by David when he was running from Saul and had to spend time with Achish, the pagan king of Gath.

In v. 2 David is unable to be present in the evening rituals of worship, but he pleads that his prayers would, on this occasion, be a suitable substitute. By faithfully keeping the practices of his religion, he wants to keep his faith intact, even in the midst of the influence and allurements of the pagan people around him.

V. 5 gives us two principles or practices of David while in this godless environment. First is a righteous companion to hold him accountable, and second, he is praying, covertly no doubt, against those around him. Vs. 6-7 might be his prayer for the ruin of these evildoers.

David is not naive about the danger of life in the ‘belly of the beast’ and is pleading with God for protection, vs. 8-10. There are times when we have no choice but to be in the midst of the wicked, but we can remain faithful, even in the court of a pagan king.

“Lord, help me to remain faithful to You wherever I may find myself. AMEN.”

Psalm 140

Psalm 140

The Psalms are amazing in their stark realism. They are not given to flights of fancy or pipe dreams of perpetual bliss here on earth. Psalm 140 is the psalm of an oppressed and persecuted godly individual. We would do well to take a moment with the same kind of realism and examine the realities of our days. If we do, we will find persecution or hardship a very likely scenario.

This psalm gives us a picture of one who was so persecuted and from whom we can learn an appropriate response. There are three keys to dealing with persecution. Please forgive the alliteration. First there is Realism. Too many Christians want to believe the foolish ideal that people are basically good and with the right counsel we can dialogue things to a happy, just conclusion. Second, there is Release. While we are to be prudent, we know that only God can protect and provide real justice. Releasing our right to revenge doesn’t mean that evil people get away with anything. Third, there is Rest, especially in vs. 13-14. God has an especially sympathetic eye for those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. So much so that they are ultimately promised the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Lord, grant me wisdom, prudence, and faith in times of persecution. AMEN.”

Psalm 139

Psalm 139

Every so often it is good for us to realize how incredibly and utterly small we are. This psalm might be called the “Psalm of Humility." We see in vs. 1-6 God’s complete knowledge of the deepest secrets of our innermost secret heart. From there we move to see God’s universal knowledge of the entire cosmos. In vs. 13-16 the crafting of the human body is compared to the skillful, beautiful work of the creation of an embroidered tapestry, something that is beyond the imagination, not to mention the skills of all but a very few craftsmen. As science delves deeper into the wonder of life, DNA, the human genome, etc., we are mind-blown. In vs. 17-18 we see the honest assessment of every honest seeker of truth, to stand in humble, awestruck adoration of God.

This brings us to a point of division. The bloodthirsty wicked are expressing contempt for the Creator, Omniscient God. Which arouses in the psalmist a hate for their ideologies and philosophies. But there is a humble warning and admission in vs. 23-24, to which we all need to pay close attention. 

“Lord, help me to be devoid of pride and be free to walk in Your way. AMEN.”

Psalm 138

Psalm 138

If we take the first line of verse 8 out of context, we end up wanting to treat God’s power as a blank check for our agenda. We can also end up with a pretty bad misunderstanding of what we are to be about. “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me” is not about our wanting a new car, a bigger house, a larger income stream, or a more attractive spouse. This is so much bigger than our wants and wishes.

The Psalm begins with praise because God in His mercy and truth has been at work in the life of the Psalmist (vs. 1-3). In fact, God has been so highly exalted that the kings of the earth have heard and have apparently been converted because they have begun to sing and proclaim the glory of God. Interestingly, there is a connection between God’s closeness to the humble in this dramatic change. This was not a top-down edict that brought this change, but God’s close attention to the humble (vs. 4-6). 

Apparently this was not all easy work. There was opposition, but the Psalmist saw God’s hand at work as he was going about his ministry (vs. 7-8). It is when we are serving and God’s will is our concern that “the Lord will accomplish what concerns me.”

“Lord, direct me so that Your concern is my concern. AMEN.”