Psalm 73 ~ God is My Strength and Portion Forever

This psalm of Asaph (King David's chief musician) initially reflects the psalmist's envy of the prosperous wicked, which nearly stumbled him. The psalmist believes that he has acted righteously in vain as he cannot understand why the wicked are prospering instead. It is only until he went into the sanctuary of God (i.e. God's Word) that he begins to understand that the wicked will eventually be destroyed and perish. The psalmist also comes to realize that he is not as righteous as he first perceived himself to be - he repents of his old ways where he had rebelled against God like a brutish and ignorant beast. Knowing that God is his one true desire who guides him with His counsel and afterward will receive him to glory, the psalmist concludes that it is good to be near God, whom he has made his refuge and the strength of his heart and his portion forever...

Will you make God your strength and portion forever?

Psalm 51 ~ Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

Psalm 51 is a psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba - the account of the incident is recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12. It is David's plea to God for mercy and forgiveness that he may be cleansed from his sin. The basis for his plea is solely God's steadfast love and abundant mercy. While 2 Samuel 11-12 may indicate several sins such as adultery, murder and irresponsibility (in not fulfilling the king's duty of going into battle), David recognized that ultimately these are all just subsets of one singular sin: despising God's Word. Similarly, while some may say that David has sinned against people like Uriah, David acknowledged that ultimately it is only against God that he has sinned.

David also realized that there was nothing he can offer in return for God's forgiveness, being the sinner that he was. He, however, responded that he would teach transgressors God's ways that sinners may return to Him. David was aware that God does not take delight in mere animal sacrifices or burnt offerings but seek that of those with a broken and contrite heart who are repentant of their evil ways.

A relevant passage in Hebrews 10:1-18 also discusses that with the Old Testament sacrifices came a reminder of sin every year. Christ, however, came into this world and abolished that by becoming the ultimate single offering for sin, once for all, who perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

How will you respond? Will you come to God with a contrite heart and acknowledge Christ who has come to save?

Psalm 8 ~ How Majestic Is Your Name

Psalm 8 depicts David's awe at God's majesty. He acknowledged God as creator of heaven and earth who is strong to defeat His enemies. What amazes David more is that such a powerful and majestic God should be mindful of a small, insignificant creation that is man himself - God crowned him with glory and honor and have given him dominion over His creation (verse 5). While this reflects the authority God gave man to rule over His creation since the days of Genesis, it bears even more significance when we later learn from other parts of the Bible that the son of man (verse 4) refers to Jesus Christ himself whom God has given an everlasting dominion and a kingdom that shall never be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14) - we are rulers of God's creation under Christ. It is no wonder that David should exclaim in verse 9: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 2 ~ The King of the Nations

Psalm 2 is a psalm recited at a king's coronation ceremony. The first 6 verses are recited by the prophet who anoints the king. It tells of how the Gentiles plot to break the bonds between God and Israel and subsequently free themselves from Israel's rule, hence, acknowledging that God is the ultimate power behind Israel's authority over them. God, however, laughs and mocks them for He knows this will not happen, having set His King on Zion.

The next 3 verses are then recited by the incoming king who tells of the decree that he is of God who has promised rulership over all nations. Throughout Israel's history, we see that this has not been fulfilled, king after king, until the first coming of Jesus Christ, who is no doubt the true King of the nations.

Verse 10 is recited by the prophet again to warn all kings and rulers to be wise. The rest of the congregation at the coronation then voice out the last 2 verses as a reminder to serve the Lord with fear as those who do not follow His way will perish in His wrath, yet rejoicing, being assured that all who take refuge in Him will be blessed as He is the Lord's anointed.

Recognizing now that Jesus is the Lord's anointed and the King of the nations, how will you respond?

Psalm 1 ~ The Blessed Man

Last Friday marked the start of IBF's series on the Psalms. We explored Psalm 1 that taught us the way of the righteous and the wicked. A godly person is one who does not follow the wicked in their acts but instead reflects constantly on the law of the Lord (referring to God's commandments), which he takes delight in by living out His Word. The streams of water in verse 3 symbolizes the law of the Lord that sustains this person as he grows spiritually and bears fruit unlike the wicked who will not stand but perish in the judgment like the chaff driven away by the wind.

Which way will you follow? The way of the righteous or that of the wicked?