Psalm 113

Psalm 113

This is the first song of what the Jewish people called the ‘Hallel,’ Psalms 113-118. These Psalms were sung or recited in unison during the most solemn feast. Passover, for example, was a grand thanksgiving event. Jesus, on the night of the institution of the Lord's Supper, led the disciples in a ‘hymn’ likely taken from one of these psalms.

This beautiful and simple song doesn't require explanation so much as contemplation. There are a couple of pictures that are moving. In verses 5-6 we see that God is so great and grand that He must stoop down to look on the sky so far above us. While we look up at the mountaintops and the planets or stars, God stoops down, like a granddad with a toddler, to reach their level. Second, coming down to this humble level, He can lift up the most lowly person and place him in with royalty. He can even take the lonely, sad individual and surround them with the delight of being adored by a family. Which takes us to verse 5: Who is like the Lord our God?

“Thank you, God, for your beautiful condescension. AMEN.”

Psalm 112

Psalm 112

Because of our broken, sin-filled lives and nature, we struggle with wealth. One of the three main traps of the enemy is the desire to have more. This proneness even infects the church. But God has a plan for wealth. In verses 1-6 we see God's plan for giving wealth and power. God gives these things for the purpose of being compassionate, grace-filled, and right-living, both personally and in helping those in need. Wealth and power are never given so we can heap pleasure and things to ourselves.

Verses 7-9 show us the results of this generous life. As we pour God-given resources into God's agenda, we find our hearts wrapped up in God's care. Rather than worrying or fretting about having enough, there is confidence. Not because God owes us, but because we know and understand God.

In verse 10 we see the frustration of the wicked. The life of love, peace, security, and hope they wished for, tried to possess, and served has escaped them. They are vexed by the envy that they have for the delightful way of the righteous.

“Give me a generous heart like Yours, Lord. AMEN.” 

Psalm 111

Psalm 111

There are many applications for our lives from this Psalm; it seems a pity to only choose one. But there is one principle that impacts our lives every day. Consider the contrast between the fathers of modern science, who were committed to exploring God's creation, and many modern scientists, who reject God's existence and authority. The giants of science, like Pascal, Newton, Galileo, Copernicus, and Kepler, were men of faith who were fascinated by and studied the works of God. They were men who thought God's thoughts after Him. In contrast are scientists who, for various reasons, do bad science. The experimentation of Josef Mengele. The chemical and surgical butchering of young people in an attempt to turn boys into girls and vice versa. The abortion of millions of children by pill and scalpel. When humans in any field begin to reject God, no matter how intelligent they may be, it ends in disaster. A godless person can be smart, but they can never be wise, as it says in verse 10.

“Help me, Lord, to love you and all that you have created. AMEN.”

Psalm 110

Psalm 110

This Psalm is fantastic and would be worthy of many pages and days of study.  But it is also difficult for us.  It seems confusing at times, appearing to be about both Jesus and David.  It is also difficult for us because we are not a martial or military culture.  It will help us to understand if we read this Psalm as a war song! When we see this song as a depiction of Jesus the conquering King leading His army, the church, in worldwide conquest for the Gospel message, the pictures and allusions begin to fall into place.

Some misguided people have said that terms of conflict and conquest are unbefitting the church.  Not so!  In this Psalm we see our King going out in conquest with the mighty army of the church.  We only have time to look at one verse, but in this Psalm any verse will tell this story of conquest.  The first line of verse 7 indicates a long and intense campaign.  There is no time to return home to refresh, but rather to refresh in the midst of the conquest and keep going.  The second line tells us the result of the relentless conquest: victory.  Read this as a war song and as a recruiting story.

“Lord, our King, lead on as we follow You and join you in victory. AMEN”

Psalm 109

 Psalm 109

David's life in many ways was a pattern or a type of the life of Jesus. In this psalm, we see events in the life of David that were a prediction of the life of Jesus. In Absalom’s coup, Ahithophel sided with Absalom. This man was one of David's friends and advisors. He advised Absalom to execute a rapid offensive and capture and kill David while he was weak. When his advice was not taken, Ahithophel realized Absalom’s cause was lost. He then went and hung himself. Along with this Psalm, see 2 Samuel 17:23 and Acts 1:18-20.

There's a pattern that we need to observe. First, even God's anointed and chosen ones can find themselves betrayed and facing terrible opposition. Second, sometimes those betrayers come from the ranks of those closest to God’s anointed. Third, the betrayers didn't begin that way. At one point, both Judas and Ahithophel were faithful and loyal. Finally and most importantly, those who become attackers or betrayers of God's anointed come to a terrible ruin. We need to ask, “Is there betrayal in my soul?”

“Grant, oh Lord, that I will be ever loyal to my savior. Amen.”

Psalm 108

Psalm 108

There are three powerful lessons in this Psalm for us. The first is easy to miss, but its implications are deep. This Psalm is shaped by two other Psalms. Verses 1-5 are nearly identical to Psalm 57:7-8, while verses 6-13 are parallel to Psalm 6:5-12. The author of this Psalm was so immersed in the sacred poetry that it came out in his own praise. That happens to all people. What penetrates to the core of our being will come out in our lives without our consent or conscious effort to recall it.

Second, we get a picture of how this is possible in verse 2. The psalmist says, “I will awaken the dawn.”  It doesn't matter when you get up; everyone has a first thought of the day. That first thought has a powerful ability to shape the whole day. If the day begins with a deep, faith-filled focus on God, we are more apt to immerse our lives in Him.

Which brings us to the third point: in verse 12, we see the deliverance of man is vain. The quality of every day is formed in whom we have placed our hope. If we want powerful days, we need to start our minds with praising God.

“Help me, Lord, to shape my day by beginning with your praise. “AMEN

Psalm 107

 Psalm 107

The first two verses are so beautiful and eloquent that if we are not careful, they can become a cliche. These words need to be more than a mere statement of theological truth. The proclamation of the goodness and mercy of God needs to be the conclusion of our story.

In this Psalm there is a sentence that is repeated verbatim in verses 8, 15, 21, and 31: “...let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness.” In each case this line comes at the conclusion of their story. People in deep distress in various circumstances, often as a result of their own sin, cry out to God, and God brings about their rescue. Notice that the distress comes in various forms, but it is God who saves. Note also that out of these disasters, the people give thanks.

What is your story of God's care for you? That is a story worth the telling and a hopeful testimony of God's loving kindness. Too often we are faced with trouble and plead for help, but once God rescues us, we thank Him, and after that we may not talk about that ever again. We need to add God's mercy stories to our conversations.

“Help me, Lord, to tell Your story of my rescue. AMEN.”