Psalm 71

1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

2 Deliver me in thy righteousness and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

3 Be thou my strong habitation, where unto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all the day.

9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.

10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.

14 But I will hope continually and will yet praise thee more and more.

15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

16 I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

18 Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come.

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. (KJV)

Charles Spurgeon sums up this Psalm by calling it “THE PRAYER OF THE AGED BELIEVER”. He sums up this Psalm asbeing written by one “who, in holy confidence of faith, strengthened by a long and remarkable experience, pleads against his enemies, and asks further blessings for himself. Anticipating a gracious reply, he promises to magnify the Lord exceedingly.” Reading this Psalm, I picture the walk of a righteous person as he makes his journey of life on this earth. Verse one set the stage for having a righteous walk on our journey through life on this earth. We must learn that it is only in God we can find a refuge, a place to retreat in times of trouble.

Reading this Psalm, I realize that one of the main purposes of a believer is to tell of the mighty acts of God in our life and to proclaim his righteousness to others. In this Psalm the Psalmist declares to others God’s splendor all day long as he praises the Lord more and more. He proclaims God’s righteous and his salvation all day long. He daily conversation centers on God’s righteousness both in times of trouble as well as seasons of great abundant of blessings in one’s life. However, the Psalmist recognizes that there are those who want to harm him, who are characterized as wicked, evil and cruel man. In light of this Psalm believers today should put forth the same example in their lives as the Psalmist does in this Psalm. So, as you walk daily in this world walk in the same light as the Psalmist did: taking refuge in the Lord, knowing it is He who rescues you from the wicked, praising God all the daily long, knowing that he is the one that has created the splendor that we see daily and finally realizing that it is Him who teaches us to walk in the way.

I have realized that the more I study the Psalms the more my daily conversations centered on how great God’s righteous acts are toward those who pursue a life pleasing to Him. As having a blessed life of knowing Christ from an early age I reflect on my youth and recall how truly this greatness of His goodness has been in my life. As we age, we begin to realize the true pressures of this life and how we are in a battle against the spiritual wickedness that Paul writes about in Ephesians chapter six. So as we face these battles we must approach it in the same manner as Paul outlines in Philippians chapter three: “Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.” So, as I go about today’s journey may my song be reflective of that great hymn “and the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace”.

Reading and reflect upon these words of David and studying his life, I realize that the path God had for David was not always the path that David had for himself. In Revelation three verses seven and eight John writes “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things said he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that opened, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opened; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”. As I look at this verse and also study the only other reference to the key of David found in Isaiah 22:22 I noticed three characteristics that the church of Philadelphia had that David also possessed: little strength, kept God’s ways and did not deny God’s name. David’s strength was in his trust of God strength and not the strength that David possessed. David knew that the events and daily happenings in his life were for God’s purpose and not the path that David had planned for that day. Did David realize this from his youth? I believe not, he grew in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord just as we all do. However, this one thing was true in David’s life as they must be in the believer’s life; he did not deny God or God’s way.

Psalm 70

1 Make haste, o God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.

2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying. (KJV)

This psalm was probably written when David was running from Saul.  This time frame of around seven years was probably the most depressing time in his life.  Having also having been through a dark period in my life for a long period of time where the events in my life that I desire to achieve were not in my hands to control, but in the hands of those who desired my downfall; makes the psalms of this time period of David’s life more meaningful to me.  However, after going through these rough periods of life and learning to wait on the Lord and follow his ways, has made me realize how wonderful the Lord has been in my life.

Reading this psalm, I can picture Christ praying this during his earthly ministry. The message of God’s love and the way of his righteousness was not only rejected but was opposed by the very ones he was sent to share the good news of God’s salvation. As you read this psalm ask yourself this simple which group would I be in: those who desire Christ’s ruin, or those who love your salvation? Those who seek his ruin will be turned back in disgrace, those who love his salvation will praise the Lord.

As I listen to the messages that are in the world around me the message of Christ and the price that was paid with his death on the cross seems to be lost even during the Easter season that we are now approaching. May I be along those who love the salvation that the Lord provides.  The words in verse five “Yet I am poor and needy, come quickly to me” can also be used to describe this generation.  These words are like those that John used to describe the condition of the church of Laodicea in the Revelations chapter three.  The corruption of mankind in this world can be seen all around us.  And yet the focus of the church today making the world around it a better place and in the process forgetting the message of the cross. 

We must realize that we are all poor and needy, and no matter how hard we try we can’t change the course of the evil in this world.  We are given the instruction on how to try to live peaceable with all man; however, with the ungodly this is almost impossible.   We must realize that in our fallen state we can never achieve perfection.  Instead, we are to strive to live each day as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God.  This is only possible if we live in the power of God’s Word.  We can try to change the world to be a better place; however, we must realize that we are in a war and that the enemy is continually trying to destroy our works.   However, there will come a day that God will judge all men.  The only hope for anyone is that they accept the free gift of God for their salvation and that is the Lord Jesus.  This is the true message of the gospel.    

Psalm 69

1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.

9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

14 Deliver me out of the mire and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

16 Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

18 Draw nigh unto my soul and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: mine adversaries are all before thee.

20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

30 I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

32 The humble shall see this and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

33 For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

35 For God will save Zion and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there and have it in possession.

36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.  (KJV)

Reading this psalm, it points me to the suffering of Christ on the last day of his ministry on this earth. So many of these verses are tied to the New Testament account of this day. May I be like the poor in verse thirty-two and be glad. As Christ stated in Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” is alluded to here in verse thirty-six “those who love his name will dwell there”. So, as you read this psalm reflect back on the cross, and then focus you praise to the one who is now seated on the right hand of God in heaven.

This psalm not only reflects the life of David as he was running from Saul during his darkness times, or reflective of the final days of Christ; but it also reflects the battles that true Christians face daily when they stand against the ways of the world.  Just as Christ’s final days on this earth lead to the cross instead of a throne, so too will the path of some believer’s lead down a path of uncertainty.  In my youth I was blessed to have great hymns to remind me of this walk.  One of these songs was “Follow Me” written in 1953 by Ira Stanphill which gave me a great picture of what the Christian’s walk on earth should be like today.

I traveled down a lonely road
And no one seemed to care
The burdens on my weary back
Had bowed me to despair
I oft complained to Jesus
How folks were treating me
And then I heard him say so tenderly

“My feet were also weary upon the Calvary road
The cross became so heavy I fell beneath the load
Be faithful weary children the morning I can see
Just lift your cross and follow close to Me.’

I work so hard for Jesus, I often boast and say,
I’ve sacrificed a lot of things, to walk the narrow way.
I gave up fame and fortune, I’m worth a lot to Thee
And then I hear Him gently say to me:

“I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss,
My hands were nailed in anger upon the cruel cross;
But now we’ll make the journey with your hand close in mine
So lift your cross and follow close to Me.”

O Jesus, if I die someday upon a foreign field
T’would be no more than love demands no less could I repay.
No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die:
These are the words He gently spoke to me:

“If just a cup of water I place within your hand,
Then just a cup of water is all that I demand.
But if by death to living, they can thy glory see,
I’ll take my cross and follow close to Thee.

Studying the Psalms written by David I realize how much of his writing reflects the inward emotions that Christ suffered during His ministry on this earth.  David was characterized as a man after God’s own heart.  In this psalm David relates the feeling that he was going through during the time that Saul was seeking to destroy David who was the one anointed by Samuel as the next king of Israel.  As we study the Psalms and the way in which David walked, may we also develop into a person who are characterized as a person after God’s own heart.  

After watching The Lord of the Rings movies, I was inspired to read the books written by J.R.R. Tolkien.  As I read the books, I became aware of how much richer the story was in the book and how much was left out or in some cases changed in the movie.  In the book J.R.R. Tolkien goes into great detail in the rich description of each of the characters in his books so that the reader could almost know what the heart’s desire of each of these characters was truly.  So, in studying the Psalms written by David it is also important for us to study David’s life found in the books of I and II Samuel and I Chronicles to see the trails and triumphs that he faced during his life.  The more we study these events the more we can truly see how to become a person after God’s own heart. 

His state of mind during his ministry and waiting on God’s intervention.

I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing.

I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried.

My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head.

They that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty.

Then I restored that which I took not away.

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from thee.

Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

His ministry

Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.

For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

His Prayer

But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

Deliver me out of the mire and let me not sink let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

Draw nigh unto my soul and redeem it: deliver me because of my enemies.

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: mine adversaries are all before thee.

Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

His prayer for God’s judgement on his enemies

Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

His prayer for those that see God’s hand in his suffering.

But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

The humble shall see this and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein.

For God will save Zion and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there and have it in possession.

The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein. 

Psalm 68

1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness: Selah:

8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

13 Though ye have lien among the pots yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan, an high hill as the hill of Bashan.

16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.

17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.

21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:

23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

24 They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.

35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. (KJV)

Introduction of Psalm 68 verse 1-3.
May God arise

May his enemies be scattered

May his foes flee before him
May you blow them away as smoke is blown away by the wind

May the wicked perish before God as wax melts before the fire
May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God

May they be happy and joyful

Praises to God 4-6
Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds his name is the LORD and rejoice before him.  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

History of God with his people verses 7-15.

When you went out before your people, O God, when you marched through the wasteland, Selah the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.  Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.  The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it: “Kings and armies flee in haste; in the camps men divide the plunder.  Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.”
When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.  The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged are the mountains of Bashan.

Future battle of the Lord. 16-33

Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?  The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.  When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.  Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.  Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.  The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea, that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”  Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.  In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines.  Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.  There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.  Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.  Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts.  Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.  Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, Selah to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice. 

Our message to the world verses 34,35.

Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.  You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

As you can see, I paraphrased this Psalm to help me get a better grasp of it meaning. 

Introduction of Psalm 68 verse 1-3

Praises to God 4-6

History of God with his people verses 7-15

Future battle of the Lord. 16-33

Our message to the world verses 34,35

This psalm reminds me of Paul’s ending message to the Ephesians.  In Ephesians 6:10-12 Paul writes “Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  The battle began for mankind in the garden of Eden and is still going on to this day.  Yes, Christ has paid the price for our redemption with His death and resurrection; however, we are still on the battlefield until the day of the great white throne judgment.  The battle will end when we are within in our new sanctuary the new heaven and the new earth.  Just remember that God is always present in the believer’s life even when we can’t feel his present.

When studying the writings of John in his gospel, his epistle, and the book of Revelation we can get a glimpse of the future for all believers.  In John fourteen Christ describes the future as a place of many dwellings as a place that he is going to prepare for us.  In Revelation chapters twenty-one and twenty-two this place is described as with a river of the water of life, clear as crystal with the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit each month.  There will be no more curse with no longer any night because the Lord God shall illumine this world.  No longer will there be death, mourning, crying, or pain.  The description of the new Jerusalem is a city that the walls are made of jasper and pure gold.  The foundation of the city’s wall is adorned with every kind of precious stone.  And nothing unclean will shall ever come into it.  This is the home of our future.

It is psalms like this and the future promises that the great men and women of faith looked toward in their journey on this earth.  In Hebrews 11:13, 16 “All these died in faith without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one.  Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”   So, as one of my favorite song verses that I have hidden in my heart states “turn your eyes upon Jesus and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”.  Are you storing your treasures stored up in heaven or here on earth?

Psalm 67

1 God be merciful unto us and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.  (KJV)

As I started studying this Psalm I really did not know where to begin. This is a

simple Psalm with a simple message “may God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us”. Yet it was this simple prayer that Moses (Numbers 6:22-27) instructed Aaron and his sons to use to bless Israel. This benediction recognizes that God is the source of all good blessings in a person’s life.

Verse two presents two requests of knowledge from the writer of this Psalm to God. First that His ways may be known on the earth. The second was that his salvation might be known among all nations. The interesting issue in this verse is the focus on the whole earth, not just the nation of Israel. We have the tendency just focus on the issues around us, but in this verse the author of this Psalm makes us realized that the knowledge of God and his salvation is for the whole world.

The last two verses are the realization of the results that can come from following God’s ways. The land will yield it harvest, we will be blessed of God, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

We are living in an age of opportunities that this world has never witness.  And yet we also are witnessing the destructive forces of sin that can destroy these opportunities.  This psalm includes a very powerful word, and that word is MAY.  God has given us the freedom to walk in his way or in the way of Satan, which is way of making self the guiding force in one’s life.   Walking God’s way is difficult for man because of our sinful nature.  This nature places the focus of our life on self and not God.  It becomes a life about ME not Him.  This psalm reflects the walk of those who make God’s way their walk.  May the opportunities of life be seen as a blessing from God instead of the works of man’s great achievements.

Psalm 66

1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

2 Sing forth the honor of his name: make his praise glorious.

3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

4 All the earth shall worship thee and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

7 He rules by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

9 Which holds our soul in life and suffers not our feet to be moved.

10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laid affliction upon our loins.

12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. (KJV)

This psalm deals with the whole aspect of living. To truly live a believer’s life in this world we must develop godly habits that reflect a walk with God. However, the purpose of this walk is not to manifest our godliness but to let God make us more Christ-like in everything we attempt to do. My public prayers are simple. Father, we thank you for everything you have done for us and for meeting our every need. Father be with us in everything we say and do, for we ask this in Jesus’s name – Amen. This prayer should reflect the desire in my heart to walk in God’s way. This psalm provides instruction and is a great guide by which we should walk in God’s way.

Reflecting on the question “Can I give an answer to the unbelieving world why I am a Christian?” I can look to this psalm for the answer. As you read this psalm notice that the first four verses are praises to God. This is the way our prayers should start. When I look at the world around me and the beauty of it, I should see the awesomeness of God. Verse five speaks of how awesome God’s works are for man’s sake. He has created everything; however, his greatest creation was man who was formed after God’s own image.

Yet I can see that God has a greater purpose for us in his creation. These verses also tell me of times of testing and refining. It is during this testing and refining that God preserves us and keeps us from falling. Verses eleven and twelve reveals that our paths will not be a bed of roses. We will face prison and times were others completely control everything we do. We will have times where we must be the burden bearers for others. We will see others take advantage of us and use us for their purpose. We will even see the forces of nature turn against us. Yet after all of this the psalm states “come and see what God has done for me.

The key to living a Christian life is also highlighted in this psalm. Verse eighteen “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” sums up the relationship we must have with God. Sin will keep us from enjoying a relationship with God. Sin also makes the answer to the question “can I give an answer to the unbelieving world why I am a Christian” much more difficult to answer. When I cherish sin in my heart then I am just like the rest of the world around me. I either blend in with the world or present a poor example of what a Christian should portray. And most of all my simple prayer will go unanswered. I guess that is why our Lord included the little phase in the Lord’s prayer “and forgive us this day our daily trespasses as we forgive those who trespasses against us.

This psalm also gives us insight on how to handle national issues as we are facing today in America. God has given us the example Israel to look to as guidance during times that we are facing today in America. Exodus chapter one set the background for God calling Israel out as a nation and delivering them for Egypt (Exodus 1:8-14).

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there fall out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land. Therefore, they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Rameses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor: and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, wherein they made them serve with rigor.

Egypt had forgotten Joseph and his God that delivered the Egyptians and the world from famine and made Egypt a world leader four hundred and thirty years before. The same is taking place in the USA today. We are forgetting that it was God who made this nation of ours great.

Verse five “Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” is the theme of this Psalm. As we look at the history of Israel, we see how awesome God has been to his chosen people. But what does the average person believe the nature of God? If I could only ask a person one question to find out their views on God what would that question be? It would not be “Who is God?”, since many would start the answer off as do you mean “what is God or Is there a God”. No, instead I would ask the same question that the Psalmist asked in Psalm eight “What is man?”. For within the reply to the question will come either an acknowledgment of God or a denial of God. Either man was the creation of God or man evolved. God either has a place in their life or God does not exist. So, ask yourself this question “Who is God?”.

Psalm 65

A Psalm of David

1 Praise waits for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.

2 O thou that hears prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

4 Blessed is the man whom thou choose, and causes to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation, who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

6 Which by his strength sets fast the mountains; being girded with power:

7 Which stills the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts is afraid at thy tokens: thou make the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

9 Thou visits the earth, and waters it: thou greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou prepare them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

10 Thou waters the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settle the furrows thereof: thou make it soft with showers: thou bless the springing thereof.

11 Thou crowns the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing. (KJV)

In my daily studies I try to start the day out by reading five psalms a day and one chapter of Proverbs. The psalms help me grow in my understanding of the greatness of God and helps develops a closer relationship with Him. The Book of Proverbs helps me understand God’s way in dealing with the issues of life that involves my relationship with those around me. During the rest of the day, I try to meditate of God’s word. This involves studying some of the great works of other authors. One such author is Oswald Chambers. His insight into God’s Word reveals a great desire to become more Christ-like in all aspects of live. An example of this can be found in today’s reading from My Utmost to His Highest May 13 “I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Chambers’ devotional is great book that can give great insight on how to develop a daily walk with Christ.

However, as I read this psalm I am reminded of God’s courts, his house and his holy temple and those he has chosen to bring near to live there. This makes me think of the church and the role it plays in today’s society.

This week I started reading Charles Colson’s and Harold Fickett’s book The Faith. The subtitle of this book What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters is a message that should challenge the church today. In the introduction he brings to light how most (yes most not just some) believers really do not have a grasp of the great doctrines of the Christian faith. One of the questions he would ask was plainly ” What is Christianity anyway?” One of the trends that I have seem myself within the church over the last fifty years has been a move from it desire to preach the gospel to a lost and dying world, to a defender of Christian values and the family unit. In this process the Bible has taken a back seat to all the self-help, how to have purpose in life, and guides to family living books. This is supported by the statement in the book’s Introduction “Of the twelve critical doctrines that I have identified in this book, most of my friends, admittedly unprepared, could only name four, at the best five”.

As I reflected on this last statement, I ask myself if I could identify twelve critical doctrines if I was asked this this question. This is why the psalms are so important to me. I can grow in my understanding of the great doctrines of the faith on a daily basis.

In this psalm I realize that the most important doctrine to your faith is answer “Who is God” and his relationship to man. Here is some of the facts we can gleam from this psalm about who God is:

He is worthy of praise.

He hears our prayers.

All men will come to you.

God forgive sins.

God choose the ones who live in your court.

God is a righteous judge.

God created the world.

God cares for the world.

These are simple yet profound truths about God that we can grasp just by daily studying God’s Word.

The other critical doctrines are answer in this psalm “Who is man”. He is overwhelmed by sins, yet our sins can be forgiven. It is God who chooses to bring us into his courts.  Man was God’s creation.  He was created in the very image and likeness of God.  Yet this likeness is overwhelmed by sin and has lost it godliness.  We also see that we can be blessed by God when our sins are forgiven.  Who are those that the Lord has blessed and has choose to bring near to live in God’s courts.  The good news is this blessing is offered to all men.  However, many do not believe and turn away.  This is the great mystery of our free will to choose. 

Psalm 64

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

9 And all men shall fear and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. (KJV)

Two things that David is asking here: for the Lord to hear him as he voices his complaint and protect his life, and to hide him from the secret counsel of the wicked, and from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity. As we look at the way David dealt with Saul, we see the principle that Paul wrote about in Rom 3:5-9 about how we are to take our vengeance on those around us. “But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.”

How do we handle situations that others have forced upon us such as Saul forced upon David in a Godly manner? By looking at David’s life we can see how a man after God’s own heart handled them. The first thing David did was to voice his issue concerning the matter to the Lord to deal with and did not deal with it himself. The second thing that David did was to ask for God’s protection.  Sometimes the waiting on the Lord can become difficult and the results might not be the results we desire.  However, in the end the righteous shall be glad in the LORD and their trust in the Lord will grow as a result of waiting on the Lord.

Reading the second half of verse six “Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning” I think of the church of Laodicea in Revelation chapter three. When studying the seven churches of Revelation from a historical standpoint the church of Laodicea is the last church. Its name in Greek means “Laos = People and dike = principle, decision” or the right of the people. This church is pictured as a church that has works that are neither hot nor cold but are lukewarm. It is a church that is not rejected by the world but is rejected by God (I will spew thee out of my mouth). It is a church that Christ is knocking on the door to enter. This church could be the synagogue of Satan that was described in verse nine of this chapter as the ones that came to the doors of the church of Philadelphia and worship God and to learned that God loved them. As I study the role of the church in society today and look back to the role that church played in my youth, I see two different churches. It is to the church of Laodicea that he warns “I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man takes thy crown”. This crown is not given because of good works, but for remaining faithful in the mist of trails:

• James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
• Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you; the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
• I Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
• II Timothy 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing
• I Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

So, as mankind looks at the lifestyle that we live will they fear God and proclaim how powerful he is your life, or will they see your live and proclaim how well you have done for yourself?  The believers of the church of Laodicea were comfortable with their lifestyle and their standing with the world around them.  They were more involved in enjoying life than knowing the Lord.  They lost the real vision of the church and served themselves instead of others.  They were held captive to the fulfillment of their worldly desires and not the desires of the Lord.  The final warning to this church was to hear the knocking of the Lord on their heart’s door.   Are we listening to that knock today?

Psalm 63

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsts for thee, my flesh longs for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.

2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

3 Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

6 When I remember thee upon my bed and meditate on thee in the night watches.

7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

8 My soul follows hard after thee: thy right hand upholds me.

9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that swears by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. (KJV)

Matthew chapter 4 gives us a picture of Christ in the wilderness, which we will all face at one point in our walk with Christ on this earth. It is a time in which we cannot feel the presence of God in our life and the environment around us is very harsh. As I was watching the Fellowship of the Ring last night the scene where Boromir is dying in Aragorn’s arms and recalling the beauty of the halls of Minas Tirith came to mind as I read verse two. Christ knew the beauty of the city of God. He knew the power and glory of God. It was this time of reflecting on God’s Word and the angels that gave him comfort during an experience that help him make it through the desert. David statements in verse two “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory” reveals that he too was looking at past experiences. He probably recalls the victories with the battles he had with lions and bears when watching his father’s herds in the wilderness. He probably recalls his victory over Goliath and the Philistines.

But most of all it was probably the peace that overcame him when in the presence of God, he would worship his Lord with others in the sanctuary. It was probably the great songs and hymns that David had learned as a youth that he recalled during these desert times. As I look back to the past, it is not the sermons I recall, but the great hymns and praise songs that come to mind. Just remember when you are in dark times reflect on how God has delivered you in the past and the peace that came from your praises to him for these victories.

I started a new devotional today written by Max Lucado titled Grace for the Moment. His Introduction to this devotional is title Each Day. As I start to study this used book, I realized that the person before me only made it to page thirty-two. However, there seem to be a hunger in this person’s life to know God and his plan for their life. We all seem to make great plans to get back on a path to God when we go through difficulties in our life; however, as soon as the crisis is over, we turn back to our old ways. The words of advice that Max Lucado gives seems to echo the words that David writes in verse one of this Psalm “I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, and my body longs for you”. Max Lucado’s introduction (Each Day) to devotional gives direction to our life. The key to facing each day is making the right choices. These choices are also the way of God wants us to conduct our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And the best way to start each day is by reading and then hiding God’s Word in your heart.