Tag Archives: Psalms

Genesis 12, Psalm 14-16

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God told Abram to leave Ur and travel to a land unknown. Abram “went, as the Lord and told him”. Along the way Abram built altars and worshipped God. He showed great faith, yet made mistakes, travelling to Egypt during a time of famine and lying about his wife.

Psalm 14-16 touch on the idea of deceit. “O Lord, who shall sojourn in your test? … He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart”. We all make mistakes, even great men of faith like Abram and David.

Perhaps that is why there are so many Psalms that talk about God’s care and Him being our refuge.  “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge… I have no good apart from you”. David realised and wrote about his mistakes, and his method for dealing with them, both sobering and comforting. He writes “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

 

Psalms 11-13, Matthew 7

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In Psalm 11-13, David continues the theme of God being a place of refuge. He writes “in the LORD I take refuge”.  Of the poor and needy, David writes “You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation for ever”.  Psalm 13 concludes “I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation”.

Jesus mentions a similar idea when he encourages us to ask, seek and knock. Like earthly fathers, so will our “Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” God is pleased when we seek to develop our relationship with Him, recognise the need to do His will, and take refuge in Him.

Psalm 9, Matthew 6

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In Psalm 9, David praises and thanks God for His guidance and care. David acknowledges that “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed… those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

In Psalm 10, the Psalmist writes that God can appear to “hide … in times of trouble” while the wicked prey on the innocent, poor and helpless.  But the Psalmist concludes “you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands”.  Not only does God see the actions of the wicked, He hears “the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear”.

Some of these ideas are picked up by Jesus in Matthew 6.  On the subject of alms, “your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Jesus encouraged his disciples to lay up treasure in heaven, and not to “be anxious about your life”, knowing that God watches over all creation, even the birds of the air.  Instead, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”.

Psalm 3-5

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Even when surrounded by enemies, David places his trust in God. In Psalm 3, when fleeing from Absalom, David refers to God as his shield and his sustainer. By trusting in God, David would “not be afraid of many thousands of people”.

In Psalm 4, David continues to thank and praise God.  He writes “you have put more joy in my heart than have they when their grain and wine abound”. As someone who loves fresh bread or a glass of red, this idea really resonates with me. God can provide joy far greater than food or drink ever can!

God is our refuge from the world, He makes us feel safe and secure. Psalm 5 concludes “but let all who take refuge in you rejoice… for you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favour as with a shield”.

Genesis 2, Psalms 2, Matthew 1

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At a time of year many call the festive season, all 3 of our daily readings give us something to truly be happy and cheerful about.

In Genesis 2 we read of creation and God’s rest on the seventh day, calling it holy. We are looking forward to entering God’s rest, and resting from our own works.

In Psalms 2 we read “The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you… Blessed are all who take refuge in him””. We need a place of refuge from the influence of sin, and God has provided us a refuge in the hope of the gospel.

In Matthew 1 we read that Jesus “will save his people from their sins”. He is described as a ruler, who will shepherd God’s people. This is our salvation, the gospel message.

 

Psalm 38

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David describes the guilt of sin as a heavy burden.  He feels “feeble and crushed”, spending his day mourning, distanced from friends and companions, ready to fall.

In this state he knows all he can do is turn to God. “But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer”.  He confesses his sin, and pleads with God not to forsake him, a vivid example of the need to take refuge in God, our stronghold in time of trouble.

Psalm 37

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God cares for those that seek Him. He holds their hand in times of difficulty, He is “their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them… and saves them, because they take refuge in Him”.

We are advised to “trust in the Lord, and do good”, to wait patiently for God to act, and not to concern ourselves with the actions of the evildoers that will soon “fade like the grass”.

Psalm 36

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The Psalmist contrasts the wicked with the love of God. The wicked does not fear God, focuses only on himself, convinced he is smarter than God.

God’s love and righteousness are compared to the enormity of the heavens, the vastness of the clouds, and like life giving rivers.  It is up to us to take refuge in the protection and care God offers, to be sustained and see clearly in the light of truth.

Luke 11, Psalms 143-144

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Jesus said “Blessed are those that hear the word of God and keep it”. Our faith is not passive. We are exhorted to “ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you”, knowing that God will respond to those that seek Him.

We are also exhorted to have our whole body full of light, single mindedly focused on serving God in an active, visible manner. David’s faith was like this, seeking God, praying for mercy, demonstrating his faith in God in the way he lived.

So let’s follow the example of David, who describes God as his rock, “my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge”.

Psalms 137-139

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David describes his dependence on God in Psalms 137-139. “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart… for your steadfast love and your faithfulness… On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased… Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life“.

David also acknowledges God’s omniscience, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar… Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether”.

This knowledge is something we, like David, can take comfort in. There is no point in our life that God does not know more about us than even we ourselves know. “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered“.  Let us allow God’s hand to hold and lead us, guiding us “in the way everlasting“.