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.” 

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.”

Psalm 133

 Psalm 133

This little psalm says so much, but we may miss it because the metaphors are unfamiliar to us. We may be familiar with the Lord’s heart for unity (John 17) and the horrors of division among God’s people. But the three symbols here are a little vague to us.

The anointing oil (v. 2) that was mixed or prepared was not to be used except for sacred occasions. It was sprinkled on the robes and on the man being ordained into the priesthood. There was only one occasion when God prescribed this liberal pouring out, and that was when Aaron was first anointed.

The dew of Mt. Hermon (v. 3) was so prolific that it is reported that in the morning, even during the dry season, the ground would be as wet as if it had rained all night. The runoff watered the valley where life-giving crops would grow. The cool air produced by the condensation could be felt for miles around on the breeze. 

So how do the themes of unity, anointing oil, and refreshing dew come together? They are all wonderful in themselves, but they are also harbingers of good things to come. Before there is good ministry, there is unity, anointing, and refreshing from the Lord.

“Lord, please move in Your church with unity, anointing, and refreshing so we can minister before You. AMEN.”

Psalm 132

 Psalm 132

This, like all of the Psalms, grows more wonderful in our hearts the more we consider it. It has three themes, the last of which includes us. Very likely it was written near the end of the exile. It looks back at the commitment of David to prepare a place for the Ark. It has a near-time hope of rebuilding a temple in Jerusalem. But its greatest promise is the fulfillment of David and the temple in Jesus Christ and the church. (Verses 11-18)

The problem with any temple is always geography. If there was a temple in Jerusalem, how could the poor manage to get there from the other side of the world on a regular basis? But the ‘spiritual David’ has made a temple not of stone and cedar but of His people. The heart of each Christian is the dwelling place of our God. Every Christian is a priest and is clothed with the salvation of Christ. The Tabernacle, the Temple, and the Second Temple were wonderful. But they pale in comparison to the grandeur of the temple that is the church.

“Help me, Lord, to appreciate how wonderful your church is. AMEN.”

Psalm 131

Psalm 131

This is a Psalm that we need to take to heart, perhaps more than ever before. In an age where we live in the echo chamber of social media, how many of us feel like we have to have an opinion on every subject? We listen to those with whom we agree and then mimic their words. But the psalmist has “quieted his soul.” He does this by not getting involved in matters that are outside of his lane.

That peaceful state is like a weaned child. A weaned child is more than one that is no longer bottle- or breastfed. It implies a certain level of independent capacity. Infants are very demanding. Toddlers require a close eye lest they do serious harm. There are the terrible twos and the tantrum threes. But somewhere along the line, a child grows to the point they don't come to Mom needing anything or demanding attention. They come because they want to be there. It's not ‘feed me,’ ‘change me,’ ‘entertain me,’ or ‘watch me.’ It is, ‘I find peace in you and just want to be with you.’ That is the sweet spot for children and in our walk with God.

“Help me, Lord, to quiet my soul and simply be with You. AMEN.” 

Psalm 130

Psalm 130

This magnificent song of salvation has its deepest and richest meaning in the life of the disciple. Most likely it was written about the end of the Babylonian captivity. It applies well to the sinner coming to the Salvation of Christ but can also apply to us as we wait for the return of Jesus.

Verses 1-4 provide for us a good picture of a penitent sinner searching for God's grace. Verses 5-6 show that heartfelt hope which only comes from an awareness of our sin and need. The phrase “more than watchmen for the morning” may be best illustrated for us by the liberation of the slaves in the British West Indies colonies in 1830. On August 1st of that year, 750,000 slaves were to be set free. On the night of July 31st the slaves gathered to worship, sing, and pray. They sent some of their number to hilltops to watch for the first rays of dawn and announce that the morning of freedom had come. We look for forgiveness and the coming of the Messiah far more than those slaves looked for the first ray of the morning sun.

“Come, Lord Jesus, come and set us at perfect liberty. AMEN.” 

Psalm 129

Psalm 129

This psalm, which was originally about the suffering of the exiles in Babylonian captivity, is seen by some as a reference to or a prophecy of the suffering of the church. There are a couple of key points in this psalm that will encourage us and prepare us.

First, persecution of the church is the norm for most of the church's history in most locations. The relative peace and freedom the church has enjoyed in the West is not the norm. Everywhere the church has been on the forefront of advancing the Gospel, it has had bitter persecution. “The plowers plowed my back” is likely a reference to the scars left by the whip. A harsh reality to this day for many believers. Second, the efforts of the enemy against the church will fail. Their best strategy would be to repent and convert to the faith. Third, the greatest blessing of God will ultimately be withheld from those who oppose the church. They will come to nothing like dry grass if they resist the church. Perhaps not now, but sooner or later.

“Lord bless the church as she suffers persecution. AMEN.”

Psalm 128

 Psalm 128

Everyone is aware and concerned about the breakdown of society. Few doubt that unless something changes, there is not much of a future for our nation. There's general agreement that the family is the backbone of any culture and the decline of the family always leads to ruin. In this psalm is a simple but demanding solution to our problems. We can go to the end and see the results we desire and, working from there, find how to accomplish those desired results. 

In verse 6 we see the multi-generational blessing of society. In verse 5 we see well-being during our lifetime. In verse 4 we see the context for these generations of blessings: “fear the Lord.” Within those benefits we see a godly father working, enjoying his work, and providing for his family. We don't see a family working extra jobs and grasping always for a little more. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” We have a happy, productive wife caring for her family and children, growing up around the table. The example of godly parents in a home affects generations and cultures and nations and history. Societal renewal apart from personal holiness in the home is not possible.

“Lord, restore our homes to Your standards. AMEN.”

Psalm 127

Psalm 127

This song can seem a little disjointed until we get a historic context. This psalm most likely has the context of Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem. Verses 1-2 describe the difficult and painful labor of the workers on the wall, building under threat of attack. While they were strong, determined, and valiant, if the Lord was not their protection, the enemy would overwhelm them.

But there is more to it than just the building project. In verses 3-5, there's a beautiful description of why the struggle is so important.  It is for the propagation of the next generation of those loyal to the Lord. We go through many hardships for the benefit of the next generation. But what is God's plan for that generation? Arrows are not close combat weapons but rather weapons that are sent. The next generation is intended to take the fight to the place where it's needed. Perhaps the city gate where the fighting is going to be most intense. Perhaps it is around the world as missionaries. All of our work is to prepare our children to accomplish God's purposes for them.

“Lord, we give our children to you to go where you would send them to accomplish your purposes. AMEN."

Psalm 126

Psalm 126

Sometimes good news is so good it is hard to believe when we first hear it. The diagnosis is late-stage cancer, but the retest indicates perfect health. We expect a foreclosure notice and receive notice that we won a million dollars in a sweepstakes. We live in exile captivity, and the emperor sets us free. We finally grasped that by our sin we deserve wrath and Hell, but by grace we are saved.

There needs to be a place in our lives to marvel at the spectacular wonder that we deserve Hell and are given Heaven. Think about it long enough, and it will seem too good to be true until we recall again the greatness of God. Praise Him!

Verse 4 is an interesting point. There were still those in Babylon who had not yet acted upon the declaration of liberty. The psalmist prays that the Lord restore them like a wadi.  A wadi is a dry stream bed that after a rain suddenly becomes a flash flood torrent of water. The psalmist asks God for a flash flood of exiles to return. Do we pray for a flash flood of loss to come to the saving knowledge of God's grace?

“Thank you, God, for the best news ever. Bring others into the knowledge of this gospel news. AMEN.”

Psalm 125

Psalm 125

Jerusalem, by virtue of geography and topography, was naturally fortified, and the added fortifications made her very defensible. But the real security was found in God's care and provision.

Notice in verse 3 that the rule or scepter of the wicked “will not rest.” But are there not some occasions when and where the wicked do in fact hold sway or rule over the godly? Yes, but that is the testing and temporary condition of God's people. If evil forever and permanently triumphs, then the godly might switch sides. In the midst of oppression, it may seem like evil has won. That is part of our testing. In the midst of what seems like endless oppression, can we believe and trust that it is not truly endless? If we can, then what we gain in those moments is a purified and stronger faith; we do not gain riches or comfort or praise. We must look at the short-term supremacy of evil and see beyond it. We must see that our hearts can be made upright. Even evil is not wasted but is used by God.

“Lord, give me confidence in the midst of difficulty to hope in you. AMEN.” 

Psalm 124

Psalm 124

The author of this Psalm is unknown. The default answer for authorship of a Psalm is David, but in this case that might not be correct. A better answer and context for this psalm would be Mordecai or someone close to him or Esther. The Book of Esther is an excellent commentary for this poem.

This Psalm needs to be prayed by every Christian in regard to the persecution of the church today. We hear daily of a new wave of persecution breaking out against the church. The persecution of the church is a story that is repeated throughout her history. 

The powers of darkness hate the church and in their cruelty wish to inflict pain, sorrow, and harm. But God is on the side of the persecuted church. In Christ the church will prevail. But until then we are on our way to that final victory, we will and ought to expect suffering. We must stand with and for the persecuted faithful. To say nothing is to speak, and to do nothing is to act. For persecuted Christians, pray this psalm and then do more.

“Lord, grant the church strength in suffering until the day of our victory in You. AMEN."