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.”

Psalm 59

 Psalm 59

This Psalm has traditionally been attributed to David, but there are some scholars who believe it may have been written by Nehemiah while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  This seems to fit the Psalm better, especially the difficult-to-translate and understand verse 9.

When there are limited or scarce resources, you better put those resources to the best use possible, and that is what verse 9 is all about. What the Psalmist seems to be saying is either “Because my enemy is stronger, I will wait on God” or “With all my strength, I will wait on God.”  Perhaps the reason this verse is vague is that the writer meant both.  Compared to the power of darkness, our personal resources are very small.  The best use of our limited resources is to direct them to connecting with God. 

In this Psalm the forces of evil are powerful, relentless, remorseless, and cruel.  Clearly the author is over matched, so he will use what he has to connect with the One who saves. In the last 2 verses we see the hope of this strategy.  

“Lord, I will trust You because You are my stronghold. AMEN.”

Psalm 58

 Psalm 58

We believe this psalm was prompted by the rebellion of Absalom.  Recall that Absalom began to steal the hearts of the people by means of promising justice and social reform (2 Samuel 15).  

There are few things more harmful than those in a position of public trust who have evil motives.  They are like a deadly snake that is unresponsive to its handler/charmer.  David’s descriptions or curses are highly aggressive: a toothless lion, poured-out water, arrows with no point, snail slime, or a miscarried child.  David says their punishment will be fast.  Thorns burn fast and hot but not for long.  David is not predicting a soon-to-arrive justice, but when it happens, it will be a short and complete demise.  

At the fall of the wicked, righteous people rejoice.  This should not be a matter of personal revenge or angry retribution.  Rather, this is the delight of seeing God’s justice prevail.  We rejoice that God’s standards are vindicated.  “Surely there is a God who judges the earth. ”.

“Grant, Lord, that I will wait for Your justice.  AMEN.”