Psalm 115

¹ Not to us, O LORD, not to us
       but to your name be the glory,
       because of your love and faithfulness.

² Why do the nations say,
       “Where is their God?”

³ Our God is in heaven;
       he does whatever pleases him.

⁴ But their idols are silver and gold,
       made by the hands of men.

⁵ They have mouths, but cannot speak,
       eyes, but they cannot see;

⁶ they have ears, but cannot hear,
       noses, but they cannot smell;

⁷ they have hands, but cannot feel,
       feet, but they cannot walk;
       nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

⁸ Those who make them will be like them,
       and so will all who trust in them.

⁹ O house of Israel, trust in the LORD—
       he is their help and shield.

¹⁰ O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
       he is their help and shield.

¹¹ You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
       he is their help and shield.

¹² The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
       He will bless the house of Israel,
       he will bless the house of Aaron,

¹³ he will bless those who fear the LORD—
       small and great alike.

¹⁴ May the LORD make you increase,
       both you and your children.

¹⁵ May you be blessed by the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

¹⁶ The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
       but the earth he has given to man.

¹⁷ It is not the dead who praise the LORD,;
       those who go down to silence;

¹⁸ it is we who extol the LORD,
       both now and forevermore.
       Praise the LORD.

Ah, you say, this looks familiar. 

I did do psalm 115 before, in April, actually.  But I never said I was finished with it- AND I’m not.

This is one of my very favorite psalms- mainly because of the line I quoted in the title- “Our God is is heaven; he does whatever pleases him.”

God is.  He just is.  He didn’t become God because of a contest or special abilities, He wasn’t appointed or raised up through the ranks.  His followers didn’t build a religion around Him and create legends and stories to underline His godliness.

He told Moses His name.  ” I am that I am.”  I am. 

He created the nation of Israel to proclaim His name and promote His plan for salvation to mankind.

He sent His Son to make reparation for the betrayal and death of sin.

And He continues to be.

We call that immutable.  Unchanging.

People of faith believe in Him.  We are engaged by faith- trusting in things that we do not see- following God because there is no other place to go except to Him.

People who do not believe in God still need to believe in something- so they make gods in their own image.  The psalm refers to gold and silver, but they also make people into gods and follow after them- gods of sports or of movie make believe or of politics.  And they are always disappointed when their gods are selfish and flawed.  When these gods do whatever they please, they follow a selfish path that leads to disillusion and destruction, and they are either pulled from their thrones or they just topple over from decay.  They may be able to pull off the illusion for a while, but in the long view of history, they are shown up as frauds.  They become recognizable as  men not gods.  And many want not to forgive them .

But our God is a God of love and help and blessing.  And we need to be forgiven because of His holiness and our fallen state.  -“He is their help and shield”  and “he will bless those who fear the Lord- small and great alike.”

When our God “does whatever pleases him” , he blesses his people.

It pleases Him to bless us.

That comforts my soul.

Psalm 4

A David Psalm

¹ When I call, give me answers. God, take my side! Once, in a tight place, you gave me room;
   Now I’m in trouble again: grace me! hear me!
² You rabble—how long do I put up with your scorn?
   How long will you lust after lies?
   How long will you live crazed by illusion?
³ Look at this: look
   Who got picked by God!
   He listens the split second I call to him.
^4-5 Complain if you must, but don’t lash out.
   Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking.
   Build your case before God and wait for his verdict.
^6-7 Why is everyone hungry for more? “More, more,” they say.
   “More, more.”
   I have God’s more-than-enough,
   More joy in one ordinary day
^7-8 Than they get in all their shopping sprees.
   At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep,
   For you, God, have put my life back together.

Psalm 4

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

¹ Answer me when I call to you,
       O my righteous God.
       Give me relief from my distress;
       be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

² How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame  ?
       How long will you love delusions and seek false gods ?
       Selah

³ Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
       the LORD will hear when I call to him.

⁴ In your anger do not sin;
       when you are on your beds,
       search your hearts and be silent.
       Selah

⁵ Offer right sacrifices
       and trust in the LORD.

⁶ Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”
       Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.

⁷ You have filled my heart with greater joy
       than when their grain and new wine abound.

⁸ I will lie down and sleep in peace,
       for you alone, O LORD,
       make me dwell in safety.

Today is the 4th of July, which around the world means the fourth day of July.

Here in America, however, it is a day of celebration- Independence Day.

I chose the passage for today because it is the fourth Psalm and because it seems rather appropriate for the place we are in as individuals- spiritually, physically, and financially. 

I am an American and I love my country, but unlike many Christians here, I do not believe we are especially blessed as a country because of our beliefs.  We have a very large and diverse country with many raw materials and inventive and intelligent people that have carved success financially and a government that has promoted a way of life that ensures certain freedoms for its citizens.  We have done well in many ways.

But I believe that God’s blessing of a nation was meant for one nation- the nation of Israel, who was called to be God’s servant.  They were formed and guided to become the people of God and the background for God’s true blessing for the peoples of the world, Jesus Christ.  Israel was groomed to become the servant of God that He used to bring forth the Son of God.  They were blessed by that commitment and  His interaction on their behalf. 

Some of those same principles of blessing still apply today, but not in the same way or for the same purpose. 

God deals with us as individuals, not as nations.  We have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.  And today’s Psalm speaks to that individual choice of choosing to trust in God as our source of joy and sufficiency.

Our dependence is on Him.  He alone is our safety and our strength.

Our celebration as individuals is in our salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ.  My celebration is in that relationship- that dependent relationship that brings me freedom as I find myself better fitted each day to be His servant- His bond servant.

Because truly, He has “put my life back together.”

and He has given me “God’s more-than-enough”!

Psalm 8

For the director of music.

A psalm of David.

¹ O LORD, our Lord,
       how majestic is your name in all the earth!
       You have set your glory
       above the heavens.

² From the lips of children and infants
       you have ordained praise
       because of your enemies,
       to silence the foe and the avenger.

³ When I consider your heavens,
       the work of your fingers,
       the moon and the stars,
       which you have set in place,

⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him,
       the son of man that you care for him?

⁵ You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
       and crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶ You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
       you put everything under his feet:

⁷ all flocks and herds,
       and the beasts of the field,

⁸ the birds of the air,
       and the fish of the sea,
       all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ O LORD, our Lord,
       how majestic is your name in all the earth!

I love this psalm.  It is filled with praise and love and the songs of joy from the lips of children. 

It helps us identify our place in the universe and speaks of God’s abiding love for us.

And it fills my heart with joy to read and sing it, today.

“Oh LORD, our Lord,

   how majestic is your name in all the earth.”

Psalm 61

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

¹ Hear my cry, O God;
       listen to my prayer.

² From the ends of the earth I call to you,
       I call as my heart grows faint;
       lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

³ For you have been my refuge,
       a strong tower against the foe.

⁴ I long to dwell in your tent forever
       and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
       Selah

⁵ For you have heard my vows, O God;
       you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

⁶ Increase the days of the king’s life,
       his years for many generations.

⁷ May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
       appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

⁸ Then will I ever sing praise to your name
       and fulfill my vows day after day.

I had the feast in the presence today.  I’d been planning it all last week- making up recipes when I couldn’t find one- tasting, testing and creating wonderful foods.

I didn’t invite enemies.  I don’t know my enemies that well.  I don’t know my enemies at all, really.  So, I invited friends who were happy to come and eat and discuss and share in the meal.

But doesn’t David remind you of yourself?  I do this all the time- waiver between a place of confidence and faith and a heart that grows faint.  One moment I’m really trusting and secure and the next doubt sets in and suddenly the world is a fearful place.

And then I call out for assurance and prolonged protection.  Preserve me, Oh LORD!  And then I will sing praise to your name.

I am of the tribe of Wishy- Washies.

Psalm 23 (King James Version)

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.                                                     

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

This is not a psalm I would normally use for a blog post study, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the character of God recently, and this psalm kept coming to my mind.  It is such a popular piece of scripture that I am running the risk of offending most of you by this analysis- so I’m asking you to forgive me in advance.

I have a tendency to look at the Bible as a whole, rather than as separate testaments, books and letters.  To me, the written word of God is like a giant photograph that one has to back away- far, far away from to see the whole picture.  I see the character of our Lord delineated in each story, His relationships are indicative of  His plans, His press releases through the prophets, small images of His true nature, and as we get to know His word better- we become aware of His true nature.

At first glance this psalm looks like a wish list for faithful believers.

And that is why we read it in our darkest hours, holding on to these statements of safety and reassurance.   I read it to to my loved ones as they lay dying.  I read it and clung to what I thought were promises made to me as a believer.

BUT- and this doesn’t negate the comfort but seems to me to underline it- I don’t think this is about promises of comfort at all.

In fact, I don’t think it is about us at all.

Read it again, this time from the Message.

Psalm 23 (The Message)

Psalm 23

A David Psalm

^1-3 God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
      you find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word,
      you let me catch my breath
      and send me in the right direction.
⁴ Even when the way goes through
      Death Valley,
   I’m not afraid
      when you walk at my side.
   Your trusty shepherd’s crook
      makes me feel secure.
⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
      right in front of my enemies.
   You revive my drooping head;
      my cup brims with blessing.
⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
      every day of my life.
   I’m back home in the house of God
      for the rest of my life.

This is about WHO God is.  Not about me.  Not even about David, except that David sees Who God is.  Clearly, he recognizes that God is in control.  He follows His lead, drinks from where He directs him and sleeps under His protection.  David is not a lamb, but he was a shepherd , and he knows a real Shepherd when he sees one.

Try taking the focus off of yourself.

Try looking at the relationship we have with the Almighty from His point of view.  Take a couple of steps back and look at the big picture.

I think this psalm is beautiful and comforting, but NOT just because it seems like it is full of safe places and good food! 

Look at the beauty of our Lord.

Psalm 95

Come, let’s shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
   Let’s march into his presence singing praises,
      lifting the rafters with our hymns!
^3-5 And why? Because God is the best,
      High King over all the gods.
   In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
      in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
   He made Ocean—he owns it!
      His hands sculpted Earth!
^6-7 So come, let us worship: bow before him,
      on your knees before God, who made us!
   Oh yes, he’s our God,
      and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.

^7-11 Drop everything and listen, listen as he speaks:
      “Don’t turn a deaf ear as in the Bitter Uprising,
   As on the day of the Wilderness Test,
      when your ancestors turned and put me to the test.
   For forty years they watched me at work among them,
      as over and over they tried my patience.
   And I was provoked—oh, was I provoked!
      ‘Can’t they keep their minds on God for five minutes?
      Do they simply refuse to walk down my road?’
   Exasperated, I exploded,
      ‘They’ll never get where they’re headed,
      never be able to sit down and rest.'”

I love this psalm.

Especially verses 6 and 7-  the repetition of the worship body language is so meaningful for me.  Worship- flat on your face before the LORD- bow before HIM- Lower your face before His holiness and majesty and get “on your knees” – kneel – offer him a humble and submitted heart.

This is like a primer in worship, much needed in a society that no longer bows to anyone or anything in subjection.  We don’t acknowledge royalty, our leaders are often treated more with scorn than respect, and religious figures are suspect and outdated.  There are few families where the parental figure is held in a place of honor- children treat their fathers more like Homer Simpson than “Father knows best”. 

And we no longer approach the Lord with fearful awe, because AWESOME is no longer reserved for  the reverential  but used as an everyday adjective.

This psalm teaches us an attitude of worship and praise.

1) Approach the Lord with a LOUD joyful Noise!

2) Recognize that He is creator and savior of His people.

3) Assume the position of worship- humbled – and down on the ground before Him.

4) Hear-Hearken to- OBEY!

5) Worship = nothing less than a bending of wills and a renewal of pilgrimage.

6) Refusal to worship ends in a stalemate.  One cannot approach The Living God without an attitude of worship with a giant helping of praise.  There is NO rest for those who continue on their own way-“They”ll never get where they’re headed”.

Psalm 126 (The Message)

Psalm 126

A Pilgrim Song

^1-3 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion’s exiles.
   We laughed, we sang,
      we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
   We were the talk of the nations—
      “God was wonderful to them!”
God was wonderful to us;
      we are one happy people.
^4-6 And now, God, do it again—
      bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
   So those who planted their crops in despair
      will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
   So those who went off with heavy hearts
      will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

——————————————————————————————

Another of the songs of Ascent or pilgrim songs, sung in unison as the faithful would make their way back to Jerusalem to the Temple traveling up the holy mountain to worship the LORD God of Israel.

This psalm was written in Isaiah’s time (King Hezekiah’s reign) and although we cannot be sure of the individual writer, the circumstances are given to us in II Kings chapters 18 and 19 and in Isaiah 36 and 37.    The Assyrians came to Israel to overtake the country and Sennacherib, King of Assyria sent his commander to Jerusalem to offer them the opportunity to surrender.  The question was ” Do you seriously trust your God to deliver you against our superior war machine?”.

The answer was “YES!- because He has done it in the  past” . 

–

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

¹ When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
       we were like men who dreamed.

² Our mouths were filled with laughter,
       our tongues with songs of joy.
       Then it was said among the nations,
       “The LORD has done great things for them.”

³ The LORD has done great things for us,
       and we are filled with joy.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
       like streams in the Negev.

⁵ Those who sow in tears
       will reap with songs of joy.

⁶ He who goes out weeping,
       carrying seed to sow,
       will return with songs of joy,
       carrying sheaves with him.

————————————————————————————————–

The voices in the psalm are of  the believers in Jerusalem- and of the nations around Israel, ever watching to see what their God would do for them, and the implied voice of Sennacherib’s general and army, shouting insults in Hebrew at the wall of Jerusalem.

And the relationship between God and His people is secure.  Hezekiah was a king who led his people to honor and worship the LORD, and Isaiah was a true prophet who spoke God’s word without equivocation. 

This psalm is anecdotal- it offers us picture stories of God’s faithfulness and protection.

Picture # 1- They are threatened, Doomed- the enemy is at the door !

And God steps in and delivers the victory.  It is God who defeats those who come against us.

Picture #2  – The land is dry- thirsty – dying- dried up and useless ( the reference to the Negev is to a desert)- –And God sends showers of Blessing- quenching thirst, filling the driest spots with Living water!

Picture # 3 – The people are hungry, thin already from privation- weeping from hunger- and they look at the seed set aside for planting and have to make the decision to plant the seed and trust that God  will supply their needs or to eat one last meal and die!

Trusting God, they plant and receive a banner crop! God multiplies the harvest, regulates the weather, giving to His people “armloads of blessing”!

The true beauty of this psalm comes from the testimony it becomes when the future generations continue to sing it in their worship processional.  From that delivery to their present time period- there have been many times of hunger and defeat.  They are remembering the times of delivery- singing of the redemption that comes from God’s hand even in times of oppression and hunger.  That is the strength of trust- looking back and remembering that God can, will and has upheld his people and that He doesn’t change.  It WILL happen again because He is faithful.

So they say- and we echo them-  “…And now, God, do it again!”

Psalm 93

¹ The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
       the LORD is robed in majesty
       and is armed with strength.
       The world is firmly established;
       it cannot be moved.

Tomorrow-Sunday- we are leaving for the eastern shore of Virginia.

This psalm always comes to mind when I’m there- vs 4-

“Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea- the LORD on high is mighty.”

So I’m putting up my Sunday Psalm today.

Enjoy the beauty of the King of the Universe ” Robed in Majesty”!

Psalm 93

God is King, robed and ruling, God is robed and surging with strength.
         And yes, the world is firm, immovable,
      Your throne ever firm—you’re Eternal!
^3-4 Sea storms are up, God,
   Sea storms wild and roaring,
   Sea storms with thunderous breakers.
      Stronger than wild sea storms,
      Mightier than sea-storm breakers,
      Mighty God rules from High Heaven.
⁵ What you say goes—it always has.
   “Beauty” and “Holy” mark your palace rule,
God, to the very end of time.

The Message

For this psalm I’m throwing out the question format I’ve been using and just going to look at it as one would a painting.  The descriptive words and panorama of majesty in this praise psalm call for more of an artistic approach.

In my father’s old KJV, this psalm has a subtitle, “The LORD reigns”- and that is the first line of this announcement.  Because this is a psalm to be shouted out, like an announcement, freely made and bursting out of a full heart of joy!  This is not a part of a planned festival, not a solemn pronouncement, not a Sunday morning reading- this is a testimony of praise!

We see a picture of the LORD God as King, robed in majesty.  A more accurate translation would be – God the King appears in full magnificence and armed for battle.  The King James Version gives us a vision of the picture, in that God “hath put on glorious apparel”.

The KING has appeared  in full battle armor over a tumultuous world-  “Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, the LORD on High is mighty.” 

Last year I was on an island in the midst of a terrible Nor’easter -waves breaking across the causeway onto the island and water rising above flood levels.  The skies were black, the wind unbelievable, and  the world around me was truly in tumult.

Enter into this picture the glorious, Eternal Creator God, holding all power and strength in His hands and ready to use that authority if need be in battle.  NOW, go beyond the picture and  recognize that His is the Reign of Righteousness.  God’s true glory is not merely strength- it is of character.   Verse 5 speaks of ” your statutes”- literally ” your testimonies of affirmations” – terms that indicate that this scriptural portrait rests on the integrity of God ( see Psalm 119) who vouches for it’s promises, warnings, statements and commands.  God is his own guarantor of surety- it is because of Who He is that we can trust in what He says.

His holiness is a thing of beauty.  It is an integral part of the picture we are seeing of Him.  God is the source and the artist, the King and the creator, the central figure in this portrait from which we cannot tear away our eyes . 

A portrait, an announcement, an acknowledgement of His Glory- and from us a cry- a psalm of praise!

Psalm 27

A David Psalm

¹ Light, space, zest— that’s God!
   So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
      afraid of no one and nothing.
² When vandal hordes ride down
      ready to eat me alive,
   Those bullies and toughs
      fall flat on their faces.
³ When besieged,
      I’m calm as a baby.
   When all hell breaks loose,
      I’m collected and cool.
⁴ I’m asking God for one thing,
      only one thing:
   To live with him in his house
      my whole life long.
   I’ll contemplate his beauty;
      I’ll study at his feet.
⁵ That’s the only quiet, secure place
      in a noisy world,
   The perfect getaway,
      far from the buzz of traffic.
⁶ God holds me head and shoulders
      above all who try to pull me down.
   I’m headed for his place to offer anthems
      that will raise the roof!
   Already I’m singing God-songs;
      I’m making music to God.
^7-9 Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
      “Be good to me! Answer me!”
   When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
      my whole being replied,
   “I’m seeking him!”
      Don’t hide from me now!
^9-10 You’ve always been right there for me;
      don’t turn your back on me now.
   Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
      you’ve always kept the door open.
   My father and mother walked out and left me,
      but God took me in.
^11-12 Point me down your highway, God;
      direct me along a well-lighted street;
      show my enemies whose side you’re on.
   Don’t throw me to the dogs,
      those liars who are out to get me,
      filling the air with their threats.
^13-14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
      in the exuberant earth.
   Stay with God!
      Take heart. Don’t quit.
   I’ll say it again:
      Stay with God.

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

The author is identified as David.  The circumstances are either when King Saul was chasing him in the desert or more likely when Absolam, his son turned against him.

The question is “whom shall I fear?” and it is asked and answered by David, “no one” because his confidence is in the Lord.  This is an unequivocal answer, steadfast and unafraid- he has a lifetime of experience to back up this confidence. 

I love praying this way- confident through experience in the Lord’s goodness and unfailing love.  I can and do pray this prayer regularly!

The names of God shared in this Psalm are LORD, God, my saviour,and then salvation,light,stronghold, rock- experiential names from instances throughout his relationship with the Lord God of Israel.  The relationship is one of STRENGTH- god is Redeemer and Rock.

There  are thematic references, but nothing direct to the New Testament (see Psalm 27:10 and Matthew 10:32)

It is David’s strong voice of testimony we hear all though out this psalm.  David’s voice lifted in praise, in song, and in certainty! 

The language and confidence, the mood is exuberant- like a song of Joy along this journey of faith.  David knows the Lord well and describes Him from his own experiences.  As light and salvation, a stronghold,  beautiful in His temple (tabernacle or tent, still)- David has come through some nasty situations and uses them as a springboard to praise.  His past burdens and narrow escapes have become areas of strength.  His enemies helped David get a clearer vision of the love and protection and provision of God in his life.

David’s present song comes from his previous fears and shaken faith- in his darkest hours, he saw the light of the Lord.  When caught in a trap, he recognized the salvation offered by his savior, when camped upon a lonely plain only God was his stronghold.  In the midst of slander,siege, war and attacks he knows he will prevail because the LORD is his  beautiful safe place keeping him like a protected guest , hidden  away from harm.

He ends this psalm with strong testimony of God’s goodness!  The secret of this witness is in the heart of faith- the NIV translates  the phrase in verse 3 as”my heart will not fear”. 

God can help us conquer fear when we obey faithfully and learn to worship Him, walk with Him, and wait for Him.  We can look back upon our lives, recognize that He is in the center of our darkest hours, augmenting our struggles with His strength and love.  And, once we see the source of our overcoming the battle we can, along with David, sing His praises.

Look back, examine today’s difficulties, and look forward to tomorrow’s battles with a sense of victory- because with the LORD on our side we shall prevail!   There is nothing the world or our adversaries can throw at us that can defeat us when we are resting in the strength of the LORD!