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Imagine being an eye witness to the destruction of God’s holy temple. You tremble in fear as you see hundreds of evil men destroying sacred icons, burning and looting treasures and haughtily raising their own banners to honor their own kings and idols. You tremble in shocked disbelief that your almighty God would allow this to happen. You feel abandoned and confused.
This is the very state of mind in which we find Asaph at the beginning of his Psalm 74.
Happy Happy 95th birthday to my former teacher and Other Mother, Mrs. Aretha Jackson. You are loved.
Although this song was not written by king David, the lyrics evoke, like his, a reverence for the righteous judgement of God against the wicked and an honest admonish for God to purify his heart. The writer, Asaph, is envious of the apparent wealth, rampant evil and lavish lifestyle of the wicked.
Psalm 73 reminds me of the sentiment found in the phrase, only the good die young or nice guys finish last. These lies are usually spoken to encourage someone to look around, like Asaph did, and see how the wicked people seem to be doing very well, even flaunting their wickedness.
My treasure is in heaven and he even provides me with earthly blessings. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Father, I thank you for your priceless gift of salvation through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. My heart is strengthened to know that I will be eternally in heaven with you.
Although King David is one of the most famous kings of Israel, his son and successor to the throne, king Solomon, is also well renowned. King Solomon was considered to be the wisest man of his time because he asked God, above all else, to give him wise counsel to rule over his people.
While these earthly rulers may be deserving of all this show of appreciation, I am so thankful that Jesus, the King of kings, is truly worthy of all of our praise and worship. There is none greater than Him. The day is soon coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.
The writer of this Psalm begins with the assertion that his full confidence and trust is in the Lord. “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust” (71:1). Trust is developed over time. It is founded on experiences of God’s faithfulness and consistency.
As the writer in this psalm does, I reflect on the many times God has proven I can trust in him. He has answered my prayers, comforted me and miraculously healed my body. I have no doubt he loves me and cares so much for me. I will continually speak and sing of his marvelous works.
In Psalm 70, there is no doubt that David is faced with an emergency situation and all he can do is urgently cry out to God to save him now. And he means right now. At least four times, David pleads for God to rescue him speedily or with great haste. Most of us can relate to this desperate call to God for deliverance, for we know He alone can save us.
We can cry out to Him and ask for His immediate help. God never sleeps or slumbers, he is always aware of our situation. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). God, help me to be like David and to wholeheartedly cry out to you when I am in need. I know that you are my very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Psalm 69 must be one of the most melancholy and heart wrenching of all the psalms. Here David cries out to God in a voice filled with sorrow, anguish and destruction. He is exhausted and overwhelmed by the onslaught of his many enemies.
David teaches us that there is no shame in pouring out your heart to God. God wants us to bare our soul’s fears and tears before Him. We can admit there are times we are tired, weak and worn. I ask God to help me to come naked before Him, knowing He already knows the issues of my heart.
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Psalm 68 (KJV) 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…
This psalm continues the theme of universal reverence and praise to God. All peoples along with all nature join together in recognition of God’s bountiful blessings on everything. The first verse uses the pronoun “us,” which lets the listener know that this message is being sent out to everyone—it is all-inclusive.
God help me to know that I can be a witness to others, bringing them into the knowledge of you and welcoming them to join me and all believers into your kingdom. Our grateful praise for all your blessings can lift you up on this earth now and continue for all eternity in heaven.
