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.” 

Psalm 137

Psalm 137

Of all the Psalms, this one is the most problematic and perhaps has the least direct application for us as disciples of Christ.  This is especially true of verse 9. We are told not to take revenge but to leave room for God’s wrath. What we see in the second half of this Psalm is the destruction of Babylon as the Persians were wrecking her.  

But there is an application for us. Notice that for the Babylonians, the music of worship was nothing more than entertainment. God’s people refused to prostitute their sacred songs for nothing more than a show. Their condition of exile produced such sorrow and grief that recreational music was out of the question. There ought to be times in the life and worship of the disciple that are given over to sorrow and mourning. In fact, the person of sorrow is in an enviable position, Matt 5:4. Our dangerous tendency to focus entirely on happy and fun moments in the ministry, worship, and life of the church puts us in the camp of the Babylonians rather than the people of God. The "world," the "flesh," and the “pride of life" are so antithetical to our Lord and His Kingdom that we can rejoice when we see them ruined.

“Lord, help me rejoice when you destroy the evil in my life. AMEN."

Psalm 136

Psalm 136

Like all the Psalms, this one grows more beautiful the longer you study it. It was originally intended to be a call and response between two groups or individuals. Three historic themes are presented: the goodness and greatness of God in His creation (vs. 1-9), the care and victory of God in the Exodus (vs. 10-22), and the provision and protection of God bringing Israel back from captivity (vs. 23-26). But there is more to it than just these three themes. The response line might be translated as “for His tender mercy is to the coming age.” The word "mercy" is a central theme of the Old Testament in reference to God’s covenant love and faithfulness toward His people. It is important to notice that this relationship is everlasting. All the moments and events we see described in this Psalm are mere points, with a beginning and an end, in a line, but the mercy, the loving kindness, never ends. This Psalm is pointing toward the never-ending grace we have in Christ. 1 Peter 1:10-12 tells us the ancients deeply desired to see this ultimate mercy. Everything in Psalm 136 is the merest glimpse of the grace we have in Christ. 

“Thank you, God, that Your loving, kind mercy for me is without end. AMEN.”

Psalm 135

 Psalm 135

If the Psalms of Ascent (121-134) were sung as God’s people approached worship, this Psalm is the call or beginning of worship. The Psalm begins with the reason to worship, then describes some of the great actions of God (vs. 6-14), the folly of idols (vs. 15-18), and concludes with the call to worship (vs. 19-21). The motivations or reasons to worship are applicable at all times and for all people.

First, in verse 3a, “The Lord is good”; worship always begins with understanding the character of God. Second, in verse 3b, worship is pleasant or lovely. The word carries the connotation of beautiful or fitting. There is a part of us that fits into the worship of God. Third, God has chosen us. Like Israel, God has selected us and remains with us through all the ups and downs of life. Fourth, the Lord is great (verse 5a); He is unlimited in power. When we stop to consider any aspect of God's power or creation, we can’t help but marvel. Fifth, God is unique; no other god can compare with Him. How could we not worship such a God? Notice how little the Psalm talks about our feelings and emotions. The less worship focuses on us, the better.

“Lord, help me turn my heart and my mind toward You and call me to worship. AMEN.”

Psalm 134

 Psalm 134

This, the last of the Psalms of Ascent, is more than a vague ‘good night’ greeting. It is a sort of the ‘changing of the guard’ ceremony or commissioning. The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is powerful and respectful. But its focus is to look back and to make sure nothing at the tomb changes or is disturbed. But this Psalm commissions something more; it looks forward.

The priest who served overnight would certainly guard the temple but also “serve.” They would see to it that all was ready for the morning worship and sacrifices. Beyond their duties to serve, they would also worship God. In fact, we ought to say that in the midst of preparing for the morning sacrifices, they were engaging in worshipping the Lord.

Here is a lesson for us. We need to end the silly dichotomy of sacred and secular. All is the Lord’s, and we ought to worship Him in all we do. I once observed a team of ladies as they prepared the Lord’s Supper for their congregation. Rather than light and friendly banter and conversation, they offered this service to the church as if to God Himself, prayerfully and reverently. But it need not be for the worship gathering of the church. If I prepare coffee for a small group, I can worship God by praying for those who will enjoy the coffee.

“Lord, help me make every moment an occasion to worship You in service. AMEN.”