What did Adam and Eve sing on the actual 7th day of the existence of creation, when God showed them how to rest in Him? Of course, we do not know, but the author of Psalm 92 has given it some thought. At Verses 1-3 he has considered beginning and ending the day with the LORD in worship and in song. 1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, 3 On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on […]

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” This is how Psalm 91 opens. Do you agree with the psalmist? Is the LORD God your refuge and your fortress? Here’s what you get when the LORD God is your refuge and your fortress: 9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His […]

At Psalm 90, we begin Book Four of the Psalms with Moses. This is the only Psalm ascribed to him. We know of his divine calling from the book of Exodus. We understand the difficulties he faced while leading God’s people through the wilderness from the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy. Psalm 90 captures the essence of his calling and his work. Firstly, Moses calls God out as the foundation of all things. 1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even […]

Ethan the Ezrahite, at Psalm 89, considers the covenant God keeps with His people. 1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” 3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’ ” Selah He then describes, the God with whom covenant is kept. 11 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its […]

Psalm 88 is a prayer that only the believer can pray. The sons of Korah, these temple singers, begin rightly, by calling out to Him only, who is able to save us from our despondency. 1 O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. 2 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. It is only after this proper address, that the believer can bring his concerns to God. 3 For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave. 4 I am counted with those who go[c] down to the pit; I […]

What more, can humanity boast in, other than its cities? What captures the triumphs of humanity’s achievements, historically and today, other than the cities that we have built? Think Babel. Think Babylon. Think Las Vegas, New York, Toronto. Psalm 87, of the sons of Korah, is a particularly unique psalm reflecting upon the glories of the City of God, from which, humanity can only glean a footing. 1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah At Verses 4-6, those human cities of […]

Psalm 86 comes with this uninspired title: “A Prayer of David.” Let us pray. 1 Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; For I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. 4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of […]

The sons of Korah, these temple singers sing, at Psalm 85, a prayer for restoration. Firstly, they consider the God who is able. 1 Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah 3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. Next, they consider the God who is willing. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You […]

We call the place in which we worship, a sanctuary. A sanctuary is a place of refuge. The sons of Korah sing of it, at Psalm 84. 1 How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah 10 For a day in Your courts is better […]

What do you do, when the Church of Jesus Christ is under attack? How about, begin with prayer? Listen to the Psalmist of Psalm 83. 1 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” There is no strength like the LORD […]