Introduction: This is a psalm of preemptive thanksgiving. The psalmist is looking to God for a deliverance that he fully expects. There are petitions mixed in with the psalm, but for the most part this is simply anticipatory gladness for deliverance. The deliverance sought is from wicked rulers, which makes the faith all the more …
Eighth Decade of Psalms: Psalm 74
Introduction: We have emphasized before that the psalter is not just a collection of songs, but it is also a model for prayer. We do not ever want to get our prayers to the point where they are “holier” than the prayers offered up in the Bible. And we should not forget to mention that …
Eighth Decade of Psalms: Psalm 73
Introduction: Asaph was an important singer in Israel, and this is the second psalm composed by him. In addition, it is the first of eleven in a row by him. We do not have any details of his biography, as we do with David, but we (possibly) learn a great deal about his personal piety …
Eighth Decade of Psalms: Psalm 71
Introduction: Spurgeon rightly says that this psalm is the testimony of a “struggling, but unstaggering, faith.” The Hebrew form of this psalm has no title, but the Septuagint attributes it to David, an assumption we will follow. Whether by David or not, it certainly fits in with his life and experience. God was with him …
On Telling God to Hurry Up
INTRODUCTION: There are two fundamental approaches to God, as far apart as Heaven and Hell. One sees the Lord God Almighty, high and lifted up. The other is the domestic animal approach to God, where the ostensible worshipper keeps a god on hand, the way you might keep a cow, for the milk. We know …
What Makes the Humble Glad
INTRODUCTION:The wisdom of Scripture does not just offend the carnal heart here or there. Rather, God’s ways of operating are offensive to the unconverted heart across the board. THE TEXT:“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am …
Rite and Ritual
INTRODUCTION:This is the first of twelve psalms ascribed to Asaph. Mostly likely this is the Asaph who lived at the same time as David (2 Chron. 29:30), although that name does appear later (2 Kings 18:18). This psalm is a wonderful illustration of how thoroughly the godly saints of the old covenant understood true worship. …
Wealth and Death
INTRODUCTION:We come now to a very potent expression of the biblical take on blind wealth in the face of inexorable death. As we treat the subject of our riches, let us take care, first, to remember the whole counsel of God on this subject, and let us take even greater care to not allow the …
Walk About Zion
INTRODUCTION:This jubilant psalm is not credited to any particular writer, but the tone and content make it likely that it was written in the aftermath of the great victory over Ammon, Moab, and Edom in the reign of Jehoshaphat—the time he sent the choir out in front of the army. THE TEXT:“Great is the Lord, …
The Shields of Earth
INTRODUCTION:Throughout the Old Testament, we are frequently given glorious visions of God’s glorious plan for our fallen world. It is tempting to say that we are given glimpses of this, but when we finally understand what God has promised us, we start to see His promises everywhere. This psalm is one of many examples. THE …