Psalm 66

 Psalm 66

This Psalm that calls for and expresses praise to God because of His wonderful works and answers to prayer. It holds for us some unexpected insights that help prepare us for the realities of life.  Notice in the first section, “Because of the greatness of Thy power Thine enemies will give feigned obedience.” We are sometimes surprised that we find wicked people in worship or that wicked people in positions of power, social or cultural, pretend to be an adherent of God.  There are those who give deceptive obedience because they perceive in that an advantage for themselves.  Often it is these people who are the source of our hardship and suffering.  It is understandable that we might be disappointed, but with such warnings we should not be surprised. 

God preserves our life and keeps us from slipping (vs. 8-9), but have we considered how He does this?   Here is our second insight. We see in the middle of this Psalm the “secret formula” that prevents our slipping.  The list provided in vs. 10-12 is no vacation brochure and is not very likely to be a popular message for those wanting to please a shallow audience.  What is that formula that keeps us from slipping?

He tries us.

He refines us like silver (read into this a smelting furnace).

He entraps us in a net, like the capture of a bird or animal.

He places oppressive burdens on our loins-this may refer to the burning pain we feel in extreme terror or fear.

He makes men ride over our heads.  This likely refers to defeat in battle, after which the beaten army is made to lay down before the victors.

We have gone through fire and water, either of which is fatal for people, but used by a blacksmith finishes the work and provides maximum strength to the metal.

How does God keep our feet from slipping by the training of difficulties?  Only after these do we find the last line of verse 12, “Thou didst bring us out into a place of abundance.”

The third insight comes from the last section of the Psalm.  God has delivered and rescued and the Psalmist praises, but he notes that if he had “regarded wickedness” in his heart God would not have heard him.  There is a necessary integrity, not to be mistaken for perfection, that we must have or God will reject our pleas no matter how pious they may sound.  No doubt these struggles will purify us and of the things that must be removed are the hidden agendas of our hearts. People who are thoroughly corrupt can obtain earthly wealth. But the great blessings of God, temporal and relational, only come in our walk with Him and that sometimes requires significant heart conditioning.  

“Lord, if need be purify me and make me strong by hardships. AMEN”

Psalm 65

 Psalm 65

It takes considerable effort to not worship God.  If we are silent, really silent for a moment, it is easy to glimpse God’s greatness.  If we think about God’s perfect moral law, both in the individual points and in its totality, it fits together beautifully.  When we silently contemplate the wonder of creation, from the expanse of the universe to the careful details of the smallest particles, it works.  Whenever we find ourselves viewing a peaceful valley, majestic mountains, a roaring seashore, rushing rapids, or expansive wetlands, we see majesty that points to a majestic One.  In the marvel of a clear night sky, exploding sunrise, or settling sunset, we see Someone behind it all.  Even the cycle of agriculture with rain or harvest, pasture, and livestock can be an opportunity to worship if we are silent long enough.  

Sadly, our world is almost never silent.  So much of our lives are wrapped up in the inanity and banality of hearing and sharing opinions.  Perhaps there needs to be in our lives a discipline of silence.  It might take some time, but by listening less, we might hear more.  

“Lord, grant me the grace of listening for You in the silence.  AMEN.”

Psalm 64

 Psalm 64

In verse 6 the same word is used, in three forms, to describe the activity of the wicked. The root word (chaphas) means to examine, seek out, or investigate.  The wicked carefully and thoroughly plan out the evil they do.  Their plan seems foolproof, perfect, and absolutely flawless.

What they fail to bring into their calculation is God’s action.  Not only does their plan fail because of God’s involvement, but He turns their plan onto or against them.  In verses 2-3 the evil sharpen their tongues and prepare poison arrows.  But in true irony they are the ones who end up being shot, and their sharpened tongues inflict their own wounds.

While we don’t know what prompted the Psalmist to pen this poem, we can see the same story in our world.  The forces of evil are at work planning their advantage and the fall of the innocent.  But God is still at work, and while in the midst of it all we may not see the Lord’s victory, it is coming. One of the tools the Lord uses is the powers of evil.

“Help me to never fear the plans of the evil, because, Lord, You will be victorious. AMEN.”

Psalm 63

 Psalm 63 

With the rise of ever-advancing technology, there has been a disturbing rise in ‘virtual’ relationships and connections.  As video began to stream over the internet, churches began to attempt to draw people to ‘watch their services’ online.  This accelerated in response to the Covid pandemic.  Many in the church community laud this as a great benefit to the church.  Certainly there are good uses of internet-available teaching.  But the gathering of worship via individuals connected only by watching is like looking at a video of a campfire; it is only a shallow representation of the real thing.  As Christians, or even emotionally healthy people, we find a digital girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse disturbing.  How can we imagine that a digital worship experience is adequate?

In contrast to this, when David was on the run, he longed for the worship of God, and that longing was rooted in his experience with God in the sanctuary.  In the forms, the sights, the smells, and the total experience of being in God’s presence, David was bound to God spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. Shaped by worship, when David was away, he wanted to be in God’s presence.  Day or night, David’s thoughts and heart turned toward God.  If that was true in the time of David, how much more ought it to be true for us in the time when the people of God are His temple?  If worship in the community of faith is absent from our lives, very likely our longing for God will be as well.

“Lord, help me to desire deeply to be with Your people, Your temple. AMEN.”

Psalm 62

 Psalm 62

We all have a tendency to want to talk and talk too much.  Especially in difficult times when we are under attack.  This psalm may have been written when David was under attack from Absalom.  David does something we need to replicate when we are under stress.  He emphasizes the importance of being silent. 

In verse 1 David describes himself with “My soul waits in silence for God alone.” After describing the wicked behavior of evil men, there is a subtle change. In verse 5 we see “My soul, wait in silence for God only.”  In verse 1 he describes the state of his soul; in verse 5 he commands it.  Being silent and waiting on God is not a one-and-done kind of thing.  We seem to be at peace, and when reminded of evil, we have to take action to move toward the peace or silence before God.  But this time David doesn’t rehearse their evil behaviors but rather God’s greatness.  Notice also what David heard in verses 11-12.  Power belongs to God, and loving-kindness, or mercy, is His.  

“Lord, help me to be silent so I can hear Your words of mercy. AMEN.”

Psalm 61

 Psalm 61

It seems that we are better at working on our relationship with God in times of hardship than in times of ease and comfort.  The Psalmist is far from the temple and almost spent, verse 2, and is calling out to God.  His desire is to be near the Lord, under His protection.  The Psalmist has made vows to God and God has heard them.  

We have all made vows to God.  Since God needs nothing from us, it's pretty foolish to try to bargain with Him.  What He desires is a relationship with us.  So when we make a vow, it ought to be to that end.  

These vows need to be fulfilled, and that is where the rub, or the challenge is.  When we became Christian, we made certain vows or commitments.  In short, we gave up control of ourselves, and we surrendered or gave our lives to the Lord.  We gave ourselves completely to Him, as a sacrifice, albeit a living one.  So the question we must answer is, “How are we doing in keeping the promises we made to the Lord?”  Not keeping promises is bad, especially those made to God.

“Lord, help me every day to die to myself and live completely for You. AMEN””

Psalm 60

 Psalm 60

When the insanity we call World War 1 began, all the combatant nations held these two things in common.  First, they believed it would be a quick war ending in glorious victory.  Second, they believed this to be the case because they were convinced that God was on their side.  They lived like this in ancient Israel.  Today many of us have the capacity to assume what we deeply desire must be God’s will.

The traditional title of this psalm doesn’t seem to fit the record of Scripture.  Perhaps this was written in a retrospective during the return from exile, calling Israel to reflect on and reject the folly of presuming upon God’s favor. That is the lesson for us.  

It recalls an occasion where apparently Israel was badly defeated in battle after assuming God’s protection and blessing, verses 1-5.  Certainly God’s will is going to be accomplished, verses 6-8.  But His will is going to be accomplished by those in submission and obedience to Him.  The important question is not “Is God on our side?” He alone chooses.  The question is “Am I on God’s side?”  If my loyalty is anywhere else, victory for instance, we may find ourselves beaten and broken.  

“Lord, help me to never presume on Your grace and favor. AMEN.”