Category: Psalms

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SAA Notes

Two more songs by Asaph: Asaph was one of David’s leading Levite musicians. When David brought the Ark into Jerusalem, Asaph was one of those playing out in front of the ark. He lived through some dark days, as Psalm 74 recalls. Asaph’s faith (Psalm 74:12) is like that of Joshua who declared, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord!

SJA Notes

Again we have the pattern.

Here is a reality from man’s perspective.

It seemed as though God had cast them off, and Asaph calls on God to remember His congregation!

But then in v12 of psalm 74 we have the pivot.

“Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.”

This is the balancing of perspectives. We have a valid portion of this prayer given over to our perspective. But it is balanced and overlayed with the perspective of God.

“You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.”

Interestingly Asaph then turns again to calling on the Lord for action.

Our prayers are manifold as we work through the layers and bands that are our lives. We are able to see good wise structure (cry out in our pain -> remember God and what He has done), but that is a deep river we can continue to plumb all our days here.

Let’s give thanks to God that He has provided with us these psalms, wonderful examples, deep and wide, of prayer!

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SAA Notes

The prosperity of the wicked! It seems cruel and unnatural that such things should be – yet that is the state of the world. We must live in a fallen world, not a redeemed one. Look beyond the prosperity of the wicked to their final destiny. God is the strength of your heart!

SJA Notes

How good is this psalm!

Asaph tells us of his thought process, which is ours!

We are jealous of those who seem to have it all and don’t even care about God.

“They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.” v5

This is how we are prone to think, how our human frail minds operate.

And Asaph even tells us of his broken thoughts, v13, “All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.”

What are we hearing here, from God’s word? Has Asaph lost the plot? Is he admitting it is all worthless?

Wait for it. Hold.

V16-17 is the crux and pivot.

“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.”

Here we go! Asaph has previously been dwelling in his own mind. So what does he do?

HE GOES TO GOD!

What a lesson this is for us, Hallelujah for God’s word, always recalibrating and realigning us, pointing us to true north.

Cast our cares on the Lord, turn back to Him for advice, seek Him in and wrestle with Him in prayer.

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” v28

Let’s be encouraged to tell those around us of the works that God has done!

Reading

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SAA Notes

Verse 17 recalls God’s covenant promise to Abraham. Genesis 18:18 Paul taught that this verse reveals that God would justify the Gentiles by faith! Galatians 3:8 Verses 12-14 show us what Messiah’s heart was like. If this was partially true for Solomon, it is doubly true for Jesus.

SJA Notes

This is a psalm written by a king about a king!

David prays fervently that God would bless the king.

It is interesting to measure this psalm up with the prevailing thought amongst the Jewish people when Jesus started His ministry, the opening of eyes, Him being Messiah.

Because while in their history they had kings such as David and Solomon, Josiah and Hezekiah, for many generations they were without a ruler on the throne.

And then Jesus appears, the true Messiah. But He doesn’t seem to be making desert tribes bow down before Him (v9), or forcing His enemies to lick the dust! (v9)

How blessed are we to be able to see the big picture, from Genesis to Revelation, of God’s plan!

That Jesus is absolutely going to return in conquering fashion (Rev 19 v11).

But that first He was to suffer many things, be killed, and on the third day rise again (Matt 16 v21-23, note Peter’s reaction and Jesus response).

We have a king who binds up the broken-hearted, the suffering servant king, the lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.

HIS Name endures forever, HIS fame continues long (and longer) as the sun (v17).

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!