Psalms 107 - 150 (Book Five)

Growing in Christ

"He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45

Overview of Old Testament or New Testament

Links to observations drawn from other other books of the Bible

Introduction: The English term "Psalms" comes from a Greek word meaning "songs sung to the accompaniment of stringed instruments." The Psalms are collection of poems, prayers and expressions of worship with became the hymnbook of the Jewish people. 73 of the Psalms were written by David, others by Asaph, or the sons of Korah; others were written by authors whose names were not recorded. Most were written during the 10th century BC, during the times of King David and Solomon.

 

The Psalms include a wide range of expressions and styles. It is best to read them prayerfully to gain insight into their intent. You will notice it's Hebrew poetry is not based on rhyme or meter, but on rhythm and parallelism. Therefore you will find repetition of ideas: first by an initial expression or image, then an expansion in different terms. Because the psalms were sung we find Hebrew musical terms in the margins (the meanings of which are not known with precision) including "Selah" (pause, crescendo or musical interlude), Maskil (contemplative) and Mikhtam (epigrammatic in style).

 

The Psalms include those anticipating the coming of the Messiah, lament psalms crying out to God for help, testimony psalms telling others what God has done, pilgrim psalms sung by travellers on their way to Jerusalem, imprecatory psalms asking for God's judgement on the violent and unjust, penitential psalms sorrowing over sin, wisdom psalms providing guidelines for godly people, historical psalms looking back on God's dealings with His people, and nature psalms reflecting on the handiwork of God in creation.

 

Psalm 107

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!: Because the Lord is good, His steadfast love delivers those who, from a place were being at wits end, call on Him for help (v.1-2). When the Lord intervenes to save, it is right that we give thanks and testify to His grace in the congregation and among the nations.

 

The psalmist depicts four real-life scenarios of extremity: those who are lost in a trackless wilderness (v.4-5), prisoners suffering dehumanizing forced labour (v.10-12), illness near to death (v.17-18) and sailors in a storm where even superb seamanship is of no value (v.25-27). In the 2nd and 3rd circumstances, the Lord brought troubles on those who rebelled against His word and ways (v.11 and 17), the other two misfortune are not linked to our sin.

 

In all four cases those who are desperate call out to the Lord (v.6,13,19,28) and in each case God intervenes to deliver (v.6-7, 13-14, 16, 19-20, 28-30). Our response is appropriately thanksgiving (v.8, 15,21), public testimony (v.22) and songs of praise (v.22, 32).

 

The Lord of nature: God turns nature against those who are wicked (v.33-34), including political rulers (v.39-40). Likewise God turns nature to benefit those who repent (v.35-38), the needy (v.41) the upright (v.42) and the wise who heed his call (v.43). The wise are ever dependent on the Lord, whatever circumstances or extremities we may experience.

 

Personal Response: May my attitude be one of humility, trust, gratitude, praise and testimony. I will turn and cry out to the Lord, not only when I am desperate, but whenever I am aware of need or uncertain. I will ask for help as soon as this awareness dawns, not as a last resort.

 

My Prayer: Thank you Lord that you have delivered me from distress many times. Help me refelect and learn from your goodness, turn to you instinctively, quickly and confidently on every occasion.  

 

Psalm 108
Truth and Lovingkindness: David's exaltation has two solid and unshakable reasons - 1.) God's unchanging truth and faithfulness to His own Word, and 2.) His faithful lovingkindness to David and God's people (v.4). As a result David's heart is steadfast and unshakeable (v.1). David praises with his whole being; voice (v.1,3) and soul (v.1), David's praise is his priority, rising first thing in the morning (v.2) and takes place publicly, even among those nations who know not David's God (v.3).

Confident in God: David is confident that God loves him and will deliver him - personally (v.6) and the entire land (v.7-9). Though God has disciplined Israel (v.11), David knows there is no ultimate hope in relying on humans (v.12). Therefore he cries only to God for help and salvation, confident that God gives strength and victory (v.13).

 

Foundation and Pinnacle: God's objective truth is my rock. His lovingkindness is my soaring joy and worship, confidence and hope - both in the quietness of His presence and in (spiritual) warfare.

 

"I will awaken the dawn (v.2) For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your truth reaches to the clouds. (v.4) With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes." (v.13)

 

Personal Response: I will awaken the dawn. i.e. I will praise the Lord before I do anything else. I not be shaken but rejoice in the face of my spiritual adversaries for the Lord is my rock and joy.

 

My Prayer: Father, your truth and faithfulness rise above the skies and I exult in You with all my being. Lord I want to live and love and minister out of the overflow of your grace and glory this day.

 

Psalm 109

Those who judge men's souls: v.31 describes David's accusers with these words. However God alone is our legitimate judge. Therefore those who wrongfully take God's prerogative, those who judge and curse, are rightfully condemned in this psalm. Remember Jesus' word that we are not to judge lest we be judged.

 

Characteristics of those who judge men's souls: unappointed judges both accuse and pass judgement (prosecutor and judge is conflict of interest), they return David's love with attack, evil for good, hatred for love (v.4-5). They love to curse and speak evil of others (v.17-20). They never bless (v.17).

 

David's response: David asks God to punish those who treat him thus (v.6-20) and for God to protect and strengthen him in his weakness (v.23-24), deliver him (v.21) and heal the wounds inflicted by his accuser's attacks (v.22). Over all soars David's confidence in the Lord's lovingkindness (v.21, 26) who stands with the needy in his defense, in the presence of his accuser (v.31). David's heart is filled with gladness (v.28), thanksgiving and praise (v.30)!

 

Psalm 109:31: I will praise Him for He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul. (NAS)

 

Personal response: I thank the Lord that He who loves me is my judge and redeemer, rather than the Accuser who hates me or evil men who know not the cross, grace or mercy. I will speak a blessing on each person with whom I am speaking in the course of that conversation. (Psalm 109: 17)

 

My Prayer: Father, keep judgments far from my heart. Forgive me for judging, even cursing others, however evil they may be in my sight, for You alone are rightful judge. Fill my heart rather with prayer for those under your judgement and with blessing for those with whom I speak.

 

Psalm 110

Yahweh speaks to Adonai: Yahweh always refers to God. Adonai sometimes refers to God's sovereignty, on other occasions to the sovereignty of earthly rulers (www.christianity.com/wiki/god/what-does-adonai-mean.html). The NT frequently quotes v.1 as Yahweh speaking to the Messiah who sits at the right hand of the Father until his return to rule his enemies and all the earth (v.1). The Messiah's authority and power emanate from Yahweh whose sceptre the Messiah holds (v.2). As God's people offer themselves to His Kingdom, Messiah's enemies yet resist and are overcome (v.3).

 

Warrior, Priest and King: Like Melchizedek, the Messiah is both Priest and King (v.4). As Warrior, he will scatter kings (v.5) and influential men (v.6), overcoming and judging the nations,

 

The Messiah at Rest: refreshed and victorious, the Messiah's work is complete (v.7).

 

The Messiah gives ample opportunity for the nations to receive Him freely and with gladness. In this the Church is tasked with extending His invitation to be reconciled while the Messiah ascends to receive His kingdom (Luke 19:2)

 

Personal Response: I will anticipate the Day of Your Return, Lord Jesus, to rule over this rebellious earth in righteousness and justice.

 

My Prayer: Father, may the day of your power (v.3) come quickly and be seen to the rejoicing of your people and the subjugation of your enemies.

 

Psalm 111

The Knowledge of the Lord: The fear (deep reverence) of the Lord is personal before it is academic (v.1: with all my heart, v.2: delight). The knowledge of the Lord is a life-long study (not briefly considered but deeply imbued). Sadly not everyone gives God such focused attention, but they do who rejoice and delight (v.2) in the character and ways of the Lord. This personal knowledge of God brings the wisdom (lit: good intelligence) necessary to live life well, personally and in relation to others, in family and society. Nothing is more important than this foundation of personal knowledge of Yahweh.

 

Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

 

The Nature of the Lord: is righteous (v.3), gracious and compassionate (v.4), true and just (v.7). Yahweh's character and personality is the nature of His covenant with us (v.5, 9). He is our redeemer (v.9), always splendid, majestic (v.3) and awesome (v.9). In addition, in all these traits God is utterly holy (v.9) and eternally consistent and reliable (v.3,5,8,9). In all these ways we will praise Him forever (v.10) - beginning today (v.1).

 

The psalmist is not identified by name but reveals a profound grasp of the significance of right relationship with the Lord. The psalmist is both a worshipper and theologian, as should be we.

 

Personal Application: I will trust the Lord even (and especially) where I don't understand what is taking place, or why, in uncertain and evil days. (The only alternative to not trusting the Lord in uncertain and evil days is being alone without hope in uncertain and evil days.)

 

My Prayer: Father, you are good and great and worthy to be praised. I will trust you where I do not understand. Thank you that the alternative is so clear also that I dare not even consider it. I look only to You and praise your name forever!

 

Psalm 112

The Root and Source of all Good and Blessing: My delight in the Lord and my fear of the Lord (awe, respect) is the beginning of (wisdom and) blessing (v.1). It is our response to the Lord that produces the contrast between the blessings of the righteous (v.2-9) and judgement of the wicked (v.10).

 

The Righteous are both Blessed by God and a Blessing to Others: the righteous are blessed from God with honored descendants (v.2), resources (v.3), steadfast hearts without fear which are not shaken in evil days (v. 6-7). The righteous are a blessing to others though their grace and compassion (v.4), gifts to the poor (v.9) and willingness to lend to their neighbours (v.5).

 

Psa 112:5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.

 

The Wicked produce nothing: The wicked who have disconnected themselves from God, melt away, with their desires unfulfilled, into nothingness (v.10).

 

Personal Response: All that is good comes from the Lord. I will seek Him only and always. I will be generous to the poor (gifts) and lend to those in need (loans).

 

My Prayer: Father, I delight in who you are, your righteousness and power, holiness and awesome strength. May who you are flow through me unimpeded to bless others.