Category: Psalms

Reading

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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

“For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgement, putting down one and lifting up another.”

This can be a hard word for us.

It is God who lifts up and God who puts down.

The warning is clear in Asaph’s words here – Do not boast! Do not lift yourself up!

Why?

Peter wrestles through this in 1 Peter chapter 5,

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”

Why? Because God opposes the proud! That should be more than enough.

Peter goes on,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

We do not need to lift ourselves up. It is God that takes care of us – He cares for His people.

We do not need to lift ourselves up. God holds us in His everlasting arms, and human vanity and pride cannot compare to that.

* Dear Lord God,

Please humble us today.

Please remind us of our desperate and utter need for You and Your salvation.

Please remind us of what You did at Calvary on the cross all those years ago.

Please remind us of Jesus today.

Amen.

Reading

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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

“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.”

There is a pattern shown here in Asaph’s words, one that we have and will no doubt continue to reflect as we walk this narrow road of life.

Asaph is upset at those who reject God, as they seem to have it all.

And more, Asaph echoes self-pity when he says he has kept his heart clean in vain.

But the verses above (16-17) are the pivot point, the crux on which this pattern turns, one that we should replicate and remember.

Asaph comes to God, into His sanctuary, into His presence!

Asaph goes to God.

What a lesson this is for us. God and His word given to us, His Spirit living within us, are always recalibrating and realigning us, pointing us to true absolute north.

Let us be encouraged to bring our cares and worries to the Lord, for He cares for us, and to be reminded again and again of the true heavenly realities.

And let us be encouraged to tell those around us of the good works God has done!

* Dear Lord God,

Please forgive us Lord in our broken state, that we forget You and Your truths so easily.

Thank You for Your word to us, for Your Spirit living in us, that Your Spirit writes Your word upon our hearts. That we might know You better, know how to live under Your will better, more and clearer every day.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.

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

“Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!”

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

David prays fervently that God would bless the king.

We can think about the Jewish people at the time Jesus began His ministry when He lived on earth.

Israel had a history of kings such as David and Solomon, Josiah and Hezekiah. But for many generations up to Jesus they were without a throne, without a king who ruled.

And into this Jesus appears, the true Messiah. But He doesn’t make tribes bow down before Him, He doesn’t force His enemies to lick the dust.

It is important to recognise the blessing we have – That we can see the big picture of God’s plan from Genesis to Revelation.

Jesus as King is absolutely going to return in conquering fashion. Revelation chapter 19 speaks of this in detail.

But first Jesus was to suffer many things be killed, and on the third day rise again (Matthew 16 shows us Jesus telling His disciples this, and we have the gospel accounts of the eventual happening).

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

HIS Name endures forever, HIS fame continues as long and longer than the sun.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

* Almighty God,

King of Love, our Shepherd You are.

King of Righteousness, You save us from the just consequences of our sin.

King of Eternity, You reign in majesty from Your throne in heaven.

Please show us Jesus today.

Amen.