Are you overrun? Are you oppressed? Are you abused? Has the world taken control of your life? Are your sins many? Is the salvation cheap? Has the devil got a hold of you and refuses to let go. Psalm 76 is for you, dear reader. At Verses 1-3, we note the reality and location of the Judge who shall avenge you. 1 In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. 2 In Salem also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion. 3 There He broke the arrows of the bow, The shield and sword of battle. At Verses 4-6, we note His power […]

Beloved, God is in charge. This is the song Asaph sings at Psalm 75. He begins rightly, by giving thanks. 1 We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Then he captures the declarations of God. They are grace to the faithful and warning to boastful. 2 “When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly. 3 The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved; I set up its pillars firmly. Selah 4 “I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. 5 Do not […]

How often, the world mocks God. This, Asaph contemplates at Psalm 74. 1 O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? 2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed— This Mount Zion where You have dwelt. 3 Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary. 4 Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; They set up their banners for signs. 5 They seem like men who lift up Axes among the thick trees. 6 And now they break down […]

Dear Reader, What do you do when others, who are godless, excel beyond your capabilities? Asaph examines the question at Psalm 73. 1 Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. On the one hand, 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. But on the other hand, 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. In this, Asaph has understood that […]

Dear Reader, Psalm 72 begins with these words: “A Psalm of Solomon.” Traditionally we assume such words to indicate the author, but the psalm ends this way: 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. Therefore we glean that this Psalm is not written by Solomon, but by David, about Solomon. And he prays, 1Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son. 2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice. 3 The mountains will bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He will bring justice […]

Dear Reader, God is your Deliverer. This is the message, the psalmist of Psalm 71 has for you. 1 In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. 2 Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me. 4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. Because the LORD God delivers, we are to call upon Him in our times of need. 12 O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to […]

Dear Reader, When times are overwhelming, Psalm 70 is a prayer, you can pray. It is a short prayer. Perhaps David’s adversaries were at the door, as it were, and he only had a minute to compose. He begins by calling upon the LORD, his God, in urgency. 1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me!Make haste to help me, O Lord! If we know the David of Scripture, we know that he had many enemies. He continues to cry out to his God, in light of all those who pursue his life. 2 Let them be ashamed and confoundedWho seek my life;Let them […]

1 Save me, O God!For the waters have come up to my neck.2 I sink in deep mire,Where there is no standing;I have come into deep waters,Where the floods overflow me.3 I am weary with my crying;My throat is dry;My eyes fail while I wait for my God. Have you been here? 4 Those who hate me without a causeAre more than the hairs of my head;They are mighty who would destroy me,Being my enemies wrongfully;Though I have stolen nothing,I still must restore it. Can you relate? The answer is to call upon the LORD in humility. To dwell upon His strength and His mercy. 5 O God, You know my foolishness;And my […]

Dear Child of God, God is good. At Psalm 68, David knows that there is much that is set against him, but he knows the glory of God in His goodness better. 1 Let God arise,Let His enemies be scattered;Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.2 As smoke is driven away,So drive them away;As wax melts 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;Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. 4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name;Extol Him who rides on the clouds,By His name Yah,And rejoice before Him. 5 A father of the fatherless, […]

Dear Reader, This Psalm 67 encompasses the entirety of your life. It begins with a call into worship. 1 God be merciful to us and bless us,And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah2 That Your way may be known on earth,Your salvation among all nations. It continues on, with worship. 3 Let the peoples praise You, O God;Let all the peoples praise You.4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!For You shall judge the people righteously,And govern the nations on earth. Selah And it concludes in worship. 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God;Let all the peoples praise You.6 Then the earth shall yield her increase;God, […]