Tag Archives: Psalms

2 Kings 6

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In 2 Kings 6 we read one of the most encouraging stories in the Bible. The king of Syria is determined to capture Elisha after learning that Elisha revealed his military movements to the king of Israel.

The king of Syria learned that Elisha and his servant were in Dothan, and “sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city”. When Elisha’s servant rose in the morning and saw the army he was afraid. Elisha was not worried, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed and said, O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see. So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

These angels had been there all along, watching over Elisha and his servant. God watches over us as well, as we are frequently reminded in the Psalms. “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righeous and his ears toward their cry… when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

Like Elisha, we have no need to be afraid. Let us open our eyes and through faith see the love and care God has for us.

Isaiah 56-57

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Isaiah 56 continues the theme of Isaiah 55, “the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord … these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer … my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”. There is a response required to this offer to attend God’s house, “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this”.

This glorious future is contrasted with the actions of the Jewish leaders, described as “beasts of the field, come to devour … they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way”. Bad leadership was often Israel’s downfall, and it’s a lesson to us to make sure we’re leaders who follow God’s way, nourishing and protecting.

Isaiah 57 concludes with hope, “he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain … thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity… I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Let’s be revived by our association with our God, developing a contrite and lowly spirit, which is the sacrifice that God desires.

Psalms 140-142, Luke 10

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In Psalms 140-142, David describes his reliance on God, “Deliver me”, “Guard me”, “You are my God”, “O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation”, “my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge”.  David is once more writing about the trials of his daily life, yet in those difficulties he maintains his reliance on God, doesn’t sever that relationship but seeks refuge in it instead.

In Luke 10, Jesus explains to his disciples how blessed they are to understand the gospel. “Many prophets and kings desired to see what you see…and to hear what you hear” about Christ and the salvation that would be offered through him.  Jesus prays to God, thanking God for revealing this hope. This hope is “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”; a hope hidden from the “wise and understanding” of the world, revealed instead to those who demonstrate trust in God like a child trusts a parent.

Psalms 131-134

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Psalms 131-134 form part of the songs of ascent, short poignant songs that seem designed to have been sung. All 15 of them focus on hope, most in a cheerful manner.

Today’s Psalms encourage the listener to be quiet and calm of mind, remind of God’s choice in Israel and Zion, and use a similie to describe the benefits of unity.

“I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul… O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.” There were many events in David’s life that could not readily be understood or fixed. Rather than worrying over things outside his control, David instead meditates, focusing on God and the eternal hope He had promised. 

We can use the same approach to avoid being overcome by the cares of the world that can choke the word, leading us to become unfruitful. Instead, take the advice of Jesus, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.

Psalm 119v129-176

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Psalm 119 continues with more of David’s thoughts on his relationship with God. He tries to follow God’s commandments, “Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them” but is not always successful, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.” David is thankful for God’s mercy, “Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!… Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules.” and realises that it is only God who can provide life.

Our relationship with God has many similarities to David’s. Like David, we too “rejoice at [God’s] word like one who finds great spoil.”  We find hope and comfort in what God has done for us and what we have been offered, just as David did when he wrote “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.”

Psalm 119v81-128

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David continues to focus on God’s word and promises in Psalm 119v81-128. “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word”. He contrasts God’s sure word with those around who persecute him, “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens… I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life… They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts”. God’s word provided encouragement and guidance to David, so he considers God’s word to be the most valuable thing a person could have, “I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold”.

The very existence of earth confirms David’s hope, “Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast”. As the earth continues to exist, we know that God’s promises to us stand sure as well. David also writes, “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.” Let us do likewise, finding joy in serving God now, confident of that future eternal joy when we can serve God forever.

Psalm 119v41-80

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The Psalmist writes “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life”.  We all go through affliction in our lives, but fortunately there is more to life than just sorrow and crying. The affliction is helping us develop characters that are more like God’s character, as the writer acknowledges – “it is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes”, and again “in faithfulness you have afflicted me”. Over and over again we read of David’s love for God’s teaching and commandments, and of others who feel the same way, “I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts”.

God has offered us a better future, eternal joy, at one with Him and others of like mind.  Focusing on that promise can help us endure the affliction of daily life, just as it provided comfort to the Psalmist.  “Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live.”

Psalm 116

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Psalm 116 is one of the reasons I love the Psalms. It describes the relationship we can have with God and the comfort that offers. The Psalmist writes, “I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!””

Psalm 116 also says, “I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live… For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.”

Psalm 103

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Psalm 103 was written by David, praising God for His love, for giving us hope and offering salvation. It is essentially the gospel message, the good news that God has offered the whole earth. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit”.

Later, “The Lord is merciful and gracious… he does not deal with us according to our sins. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him”.  God is like a father showing compassion on his children. In contrast to the brevity of man’s life, “the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him”.

Let us “keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments”, and in so doing praise and glorify our heavenly Father who has given so much for us.

Psalm 100

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The Psalmist writes, “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” One short verse describes both God’s power and His relationship to us.

We are God’s creation, and just like any earthly artist, God’s creations belong to Him. But that belonging is not just a one way relationship, the way a potter owns the vase they just made. God provides for our every need, in the same way that a shepherd devotes his life to keeping his sheep safe and healthy, providing the best possible conditions for his sheep.

God goes even further than a shepherd or a potter. “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”  God loves us, a strong enduring love that is faithful across countless generations.  The Psalmist encourages us to be affected by that knowledge, to praise God and let everyone know. “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”