Tag: God

Psalm 64

When you pray to God, do you praise Him even before the answer? Even if the answer might be no?

Psalm 64-A title, if I were to title these, “Two Archers, One Winner”

This, again, was written during the time of Absalom’s rebellions (2 Samuel 15-18). When reading these verses it is easy to see that words can hurt us greatly. “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is a lie. “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will surely kill me,” is more accurate. Slander and misuse of words is so severe a sin in the eyes of God, it made the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20.16). James spends most of chapter three of his book discussing the problems of the tongue and its power (James 3.1-12).

There is a plot afoot to dethrone David by the words of his son Absalom (see our study of 2 Samuel 15). What Absalom, and those in later chapters such as Shimei and Ahithophel (see our study of 2 Samuel 16), slandering David, he felt his character was being blasted. Rather than railing against them, David does what we all should do and that is to pray to the only One who can do something about it. God.

  • Verses 1-2-David prays for protection from evil speakers.
  • Verses 3-6-David describes the evil actions of those who seek to destroy him. Verse five reflects the willful ignorance of people who are sinning for God sees and watches every move (see our study of Psalm 2).
  • Verses 7-9-David describes their defeat by the hand of God. Two of the greatest words in Scripture are found in verse seven: “But God . . .” Trace these two words together and find the presence of God intervening in the life of man. If there is enough interest, we can begin a study on these two words.
  • Verse 10-David, even before it occurs, expects people to praise God. The wicked try to hide their plots, but the righteous proclaims them before all.

When you pray to God, do you praise Him even before the answer? Even if the answer might be no?

Psalm 58

How angry do you get over sin in the world? Your sin? Are you praying for God to bring justice to those in the world acting like God but working evil (remember, this will include you)?

Psalm 58

The term in the superscription, “Altaschith,” means “Do not destroy.” It occurs in Psalms 57-59 and 75 (see our study of Psalm 57, 58, 59, and 75). Although the meaning is not clear, some have conjectured that it was a tune of a popular song. Isaiah 65.8 seems to reference it. It is of interest that David uses this term when he is confronted with the possibility of killing King Saul in 1 Samuel 26.9 (see our study of 1 Samuel 26). However, the setting of the psalm is best placed in the time of Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18), hence the placement in our studies.

This psalm expresses in detail what Jesus prayed in Matthew 6.9-13. Early Christian tradition has the psalm describing the treatment the Sanhedrin gave Jesus (Matthew 26.57-68). The division of the psalm presents three parts:

  • Verses 1-5-The Indictment of the Wicked Judges.

These verses present the truth of Romans 1-3, wherein Paul reminds us that none are righteous, all have fallen short, and we are born wicked. David describes these judges as either judging in place of God or acting as if they were gods (1). Verse one can also be translated “speaking righteousness in silence.” This would mean they know what to do but refuse to speak up for the truth. This reminds me of Phil Keaggy’s song “Little Ones.”

  • Verses 6-9-Imprecatory Prayer upon the Wicked Judges.

David’s prayer is quite graphic, presenting various metaphors for God’s judgment upon the ones who do evil. Judges are to represent God in terms of justice and righteousness. In this circumstance, and in the United States today, we find them far from the truth. The point that needs to be made in both periods of history is that the ones who perpetrate the evil are unaware that it is evil. They are doing what “seems right in their own eyes” and is accepted among those who are present. The book of Judges presents this truth. David prays for God to

    • break the teeth in their mouths;
    • tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
    • let them vanish like water that runs away;
    • like grass let them be trodden down and wither.
    • let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime;
    • like the untimely birth that never sees the sun.
    • sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!

These are graphic, swift, and complete. He is asking God to annihilate their presence and memory from the face of the earth.

  • Verses 10-11-The Righteous Vindicated.

Whether in this life or the judgment to come (2 Corinthians 5.10), we will all receive righteous judgment (1 Corinthians 3.11-15). For those who know Christ as Savior, that judgment has been paid through His death. For those who do not know Christ as Savior, that judgment will be paid eternally by them. Who will pay your penalty?

How angry do you get over sin in the world? Your sin? Are you praying for God to bring justice to those in the world acting like God but working evil (remember, this will include you)?

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Psalm 32

Complete cleansing and forgiveness are found in these verses too. Transgression is removed. Sin is covered, iniquity is not counted against, and deceit is no longer found. In Christ these are ours.

Psalm 32

Tired. Aching. Hurting. Exhausted. Fatigued. Undernourished. Roaring in misery and anguish. Sounds like a third world country. For a Christian it is, it is a place we should not be found. It is in a state of being disciplined by God for sins committed. This is David’s description of himself as he was being disciplined by God for his sin with Bathsheba (see our study of 2 Samuel 11). This psalm was written after Psalm 51 (see our study) more as a reflection of what had happened to him after his sin and before the arrival of Nathan (see our study of 2 Samuel 12). It is a maskil used to relive a teachable moment for many to understand. Amazingly, this private psalm is sung as part of the services of the synagogue during the Day of Atonement services.

Psalm 32 is reflective of what God has done and Psalm 51 appears to be written in the struggle.

Various outlines can be made from this psalm. An example would be to divide it in six equal parts (1-2, 3-4, 5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11).

  • Verses 1-2- the forgiven man
  • Verses 3-4-the physical and psychological effects of unconfessed sin
  • Verse 5-confession as the remedy to obtain God’s forgiveness
  • Verses 6-7-forgiveness brings back prayer
  • Verses 8-9-forgiveness bring back biblical insight
  • Verses 10-11-forgiveness provides personal testimony

It could also be divided by the pauses (Selah): 1-4, 5, 6-7, and 8-11.

  • Verses 1-4-Man cannot forgive on his own. Sin is always against God and witnessed by others (Psalm 51). Because our sin is against Him, He is the agent of forgiveness and we are the recipients. He forgives, He covers, He washes clean; we accept, we praise, we stand amazed. When we do not accept His forgiveness, we die a little each day. Our soul becomes like a sponge in the desert that has seen no rain for years.
  • When Paul quotes verses 1-2 in Romans 4.6-8, he reminds us that forgiveness is a free gift of God based on the work of Christ, not an effort of good works on our part.

Selah-Do you believe your sins are forgiven? Why? On what basis are they?

  • Verse 5-Confessed sin restores the soul not because it places us in right relationship with God, Jesus did that. Our soul is refreshed because our fellowship with God is restored (1 John). We can now access the Water of Life, the Bread of Life, Life Himself. This only comes when we confess our sins (1 John 1.9). Confession is to freely admit that our action was what God calls it. There is no excuse for it and no reason that is acceptable. It is a violation of God’s character.

Selah-Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sin and of God’s righteousness (John 16.5-15).

  • Verses 6-7-Once David repented, he realized that it is always to God that we need to go in order to get things right. In order for us to live the life He created for us to live, we need to be in Him. He is our hiding place (see song below).

Selah-When you do wrong, do you run to God or away from Him? He is your only source of hope.

  • Verses 8-11-David reminds us that we are indeed responsible for our actions. He ends this psalm of penance with joy.

[more will be discussed on sin/forgiveness/relationship/fellowship in later posts if requested]

Definitions

David uses four words for sin in the first two verses alone: transgression, sin, iniquity, and deceit. These words provide insight into different shades of rebellion against God.

  • Transgression is a breaking of God’s Law (פֶּשַׁע/ἀνομίαι)
  • Sin is breaking the laws God placed in motion to rule His creation (חֲטָאָֽה/ἁμαρτίαι)
  • Iniquity is the staining of the soul through depraved activities (עָוֹן/ἀδικία)
  • Deceit or guile is misrepresenting the character of God by presenting yourself as something other than you are (רְמִיָּה/δόλος)

Complete cleansing and forgiveness are found in these verses too. Transgression is removed. Sin is covered, iniquity is not counted against, and deceit is no longer found. In Christ these are ours.

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2 Samuel 11

In your weakness do you seek Him or do you attempt to be strong? You will fall. What will the consequences be?

2 Samuel 11

There is no parallel passage for this chapter and the next found in 1 Chronicles. The writer of the Chronicles was attempting to paint the kingdom, particularly David, in a good light. This chapter is the watershed event in his life. It is the turning point in David’s illustrious career. It also did not change God’s perspective of him (1 Kings 15.5). He sinned, yes; he was forgiven, yes; he repented, yes. God blessed him and disciplined him and allowed him to suffer the consequences of his sin.

When this chapter is evaluated, the conclusion of the matter begins in verse one.

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

David was neither where he should have been (“when kings go out to battle, . . . But David remained at Jerusalem”) nor was he doing what he should have been doing (“when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab”). David literally and figuratively removed his armor (Ephesians 6.10-12). He was wrong on both counts. Being in the right place and doing the wrong thing can lead to sin. Being in the wrong place doing the right thing can lead to sin. Being in the wrong place doing the wrong things will always lead to sin. This is what James tells us in James 1.14-15.

A quick outline of the chapter present us with the sin of lust growing into adultery (1-5), adultery leading to deception (6-13), fear leading to desperation and murder (14-26a), and the unfaithfulness to God and Uriah leads to David displeasing God (26b). David was middle-aged at this point in his life. He may have thought he didn’t need to care about things about him as carefully as he did when he fought Goliath. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10.12-13 of potential outcomes for those who have attitudes like this. Normally we quote verse 13 stating that God will deliver us from or through temptation. What we do not look at is verse 12. When we think we are able to handle life without God (see our study on Psalm 70), we will fall with no guarantee of deliverance. We need to know that when we are weakest we rely on His strength but when we think we are strong we live like we don’t need Him (2 Corinthians 11.30)

The life of David will never be the same. The chapters after this present many problems for David from the death of the son he had by Bathsheba to the revolt of his son Absalom at the end of the book. Each incident comes back to this one incident in David’s life. An example of this is Bathsheba’s family. Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, was the daughter of Eliam. He was one of David’s closest men (2 Samuel 23.34). He was also the son of Ahithophel. He was a private counselor to David. It was he who aided in Absalom’s rebellion against his father, David (2 Samuel 16.21). His advice was for Absalom to take David’s wives or concubines for his own so that when David dies, Absalom could be king (this plays out to the ultimate end in 1 Kings). Because David messed with Ahithophel’s family, Ahithophel sought revenge. It all comes back to the sin of David and Bathsheba in this chapter.

In your weakness do you seek Him or do you attempt to be strong? You will fall. What will the consequences be?

Psalm 69

When we bring our concerns to God, He turns our mourning into joy. When times are difficult, do you worry about them or take them to God; do you become bitter by them or allow God to use them to better you?

Psalm 69

See our study of Psalm 45 for insight into the superscription.

This is a messianic psalm along the lines of Psalm 22 (study to come). The sufferings of Christ are clearly seen in the sufferings of David. The following verses give weight to this claim:

  • Verse 4 and John 15.25
  • Verse 8 and John 7.3–5
  • Verse 9 with John 2.17 and Romans 15.3
  • Verse 21 with Matthew 27.34, 48 and John 19.29
  • Verses 22 and 23 with Romans 11.9-10
  • Verse 25 with Acts 1.16-20

To read through this psalm with knowledge of what Christ went through is amazing for it is a color commentary on what He went through. Although this was written by David about one-thousand years before Christ, it is detailed in the account of what Christ went through.

What we also sense in this psalm is a deep sense of urgency. David writes repeated please for God’s presence. He asks God to save him (1), rescue him (14), answer him (16), quickly answer him (17), draw near to him (18), redeem him (18), free him (18), and protect him (29).

Several attempts have been made to outline this psalm. I find a topical outline useful as an aid in understanding the psalm.

  • Verses 1-4, 10-12, 19-21-David’s lament
  • Verses 5-9- David’s protesting his innocence
  • Verses 13–18, 22–29-David’s requests to God
  • Verses 30–36-David’s gratitude

Another view of the same outline:

  • Verses 1-4-David’s lament
    • Verses 5-9- David’s protesting his innocence
  • Verses 10-12-David’s lament
    • Verses 13–18-David’s requests to God
  • Verses 19-21-David’s lament
    • Verses 22–29-David’s requests to God
  • Verses 30–36-David’s gratitude

When we bring our concerns to God, He turns our mourning into joy. When times are difficult, do you worry about them or take them to God; do you become bitter by them or allow God to use them to better you?

Psalm 60

The closing verses, 11-12, show where David sought his ultimate help. He turned to God to save him. The Hebrew word translated “help” is the word for salvation. He recognizes the deliverance only comes from God for man is incapable of saving. Where is your trust placed? Ask that question in terms of finances, family, friends, education, et al.

Psalm 60 (cf. Psalm 108, 2 Samuel 8, and 1 Chronicles 18)

As can be seen in the superscription, this psalm coincides with 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18. This is the second longest superscription in the psalter. Only Psalm 18 is longer. The Lily of the Covenant is also found in Psalm 80. It is a teaching psalm (a mitkam) and David wrote it. The setting is found in a battle and mentions three enemies David faced in the above passages. They were Aram-naharaim (highlands of two rivers or Mesopotamia [land between two rivers]), Aram-zobah (central Syria), and Edom in the Valley of Salt (near the southern portion of the Dead Sea). David was waging war against the Arameans in the north, the Edomites (and Moabites) invaded from the south, forcing David to send Joab to deal with the latter force. This psalm laments the reversal of David’s plans. The outline for the psalm is David’s lament (1–5), a certainty of David being heard (6–8), and a final plea for God to deliver Israel (9–12).

David calls for a pause (Selah) after verse four asking us to contemplate the demise of the army by the hand of God. His only response is to call out to that same God to deliver them and change what has occurred.

The closing verses, 11-12, show where David sought his ultimate help. He turned to God to save him. The Hebrew word translated “help” is the word for salvation. He recognizes the deliverance only comes from God for man is incapable of saving. Where is your trust placed? Ask that question in terms of finances, family, friends, education, et al.

To better understand the places mentioned, look at the map below.

Psalm 53

God does look down from His throne and has come down in Christ. He came for salvation and He will come for judgement. If you have not accepted the first, you are in danger of the second. Where do you stand today?

Psalm 53

This psalm and Psalm 14 (see our study) are almost identical in the English. The Hebrew uses a different name for God. Psalm 14 uses Jehovah (יְֽהוָה) three times and Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) four times. Psalm 53 uses Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) each of the seven times it refers to God. However, this change does not occur in verse one or verse five. Verse one of both psalms contain Elohim (אֱלֹהִים). I believe this occurs because the fool says there is absolutely no god (Elohim [אֱלֹהִים])which would include the God of Israel (Jehovah [יְֽהוָה]). The major change is in Psalm 53.5. Compare it to Psalm 14.5-6. This could have been intentional for the purpose set forth in the occasion of the psalm.

This psalm can be a reflection of the state of our country in this generation. This psalm describes trying to rule without God and without His standards for life.

There are four types of people mentioned in this psalm who live a life that denies the reality of God. They are the foolish person who flatly denies there is even a possibility of a god (1), the lazy person who does not take the effort to know God (2), the person who pursues his own desires, he is called perverse (3), and the person who lives life as if there is no consequence for action, they devour all in their path (4). I see this as our society today. God’s judgement is cast. For those who choose to live a life as if there were no God, he will be put to shame (5). For those who choose to live the life God created for them to live, He brings blessings (6).

Genesis 6.5 describes the wickedness of people before the Flood. The word used to describe them is the same word used here, which is corrupt (1).

Psalm 53.2 tells us that God looks down. This is an interesting phrase and occurs elsewhere in the Scriptures. Here is a listing from the Psalms:

God does look down from His throne and has come down in Christ. He came for salvation and He will come for judgement. If you have not accepted the first, you are in danger of the second. Where do you stand today?

2 Samuel 9

David lived his life with all his ups and downs according to the purpose for which God created him (Acts 13.36). This is one of those instances where David served God’s purpose. We will see later that David falters a few times, but, in the end, he serves God’s purpose. How about you? Are you serving God’s purpose for your life in the area He has placed you (Acts 17.26)?

2 Samuel 9

The key to this whole passage is a promise David made to Jonathan before Saul and Jonathan died on Gilboa. David had promised him that David would always take care of the posterity of Jonathan. After he perished, there was only one alive and his name was Mephibosheth (see our study of 2 Samuel 4). His heritage is thus:

  • He is the grandson of King Saul and son of Jonathan who was crippled as his nurse fled and dropped him after the overthrow of Saul’s kingdom (2 Samuel 4.4-6)
  • After the overthrow of the kingdom, he was raised by Machir who was a powerful leader among the tribes on the eastern side of the Jordan River (transjordan). He also provided assistance to David in 2 Samuel 17.27-29 (2 Samuel 9.4-6)
  • He was sought out and honored by David because of David’s promise to Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20.14-17 (2 Samuel 9.1-13)
  • He was accused by Ziba of attempting to overthrow the kingdom of David when Absalom rebelled (2 Samuel 16.1-4)
  • He explains his side to David (2 Samuel 19.24-30)
  • He was spared by David (2 Samuel 21.7)
  • He was the father of Micha (2 Samuel 9.12)
  • He was called Merib-Baal (1 Chronicles 8.34)

David remembers the promise made to Jonathan after he had conquered and won many battles and became settled (2 Samuel 8.1). We can see this because Mephibosheth had a son (12) by this time. Since he was five when all this happened, some eighteen years could have passed, giving Mephibosheth enough time to marry and have a child.

What David did for Mephibosheth was not what the kings of ancient times did. They would slay all who were potential rivals (even in their own household). David not only spared Mephibosheth but gave him a home even though Mephibosheth could give nothing in return. Isn’t this much like what God does for us? He doesn’t slay us, but in His grace offers us who are crippled by our sin an eternal habitation fit for a king.

David lived his life with all his ups and downs according to the purpose for which God created him (Acts 13.36). This is one of those instances where David served God’s purpose. We will see later that David falters a few times, but, in the end, he serves God’s purpose. How about you? Are you serving God’s purpose for your life in the area He has placed you (Acts 17.26)?

2 Samuel 8

When God provides victories in your life, do you give Him the honor, praise, and glory for them? Or, do you hoard them yourself?

2 Samuel 8 (cf. 1 Chronicles 18)

The theme of this chapter can be seen in two verses, verses 6 and 14. In both of these, the writer states that “Jehovah gave victory to David wherever he went.” The kingdom is growing, through the hand of David by the will of God. This chapter recounts the kings David vanquished (the Philistines, the Moabites, the king of Zobah, the Syrians, and the Edomites [1-8]), the wealth he acquired in these conquests (9-10), and how he ruled his people (15-18). Since David sought God first (2 Samuel 6), God blessed David with a kingdom (Matthew 6.33).

Even the spoils David took, he offered to God for the building of the Temple under Solomon (11).

When God provides victories in your life, do you give Him the honor, praise, and glory for them? Or, do you hoard them yourself?

Historical Notes

  • Verse 2-two of three would be put to death
  • Verse 6-from Damascus to the Euphrates
  • Verse 13-David won a name for himself. Interestingly, David’s name appears twenty-one times in this chapter.
  • Verse 16-For more on Joab, read our studies in 1 Samuel 26, 2 Samuel 2, 2 Samuel 3, and 1 Chronicles 11.
  • Verse 18-For more on Abiathar, read our studies in 1 Samuel 30 and 1 Samuel 21-24.
  • As for the numbers involved in this chapter and in 1 Chronicles, the following numbers are given:

from the Syrians (Arameans) one thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and 20,000 footmen (soldiers) were captured. As well, 22,000 Aramean soldiers were killed. Thus, the 40,000 “horsemen” (2 Sam. 10:18) and 40,000 footmen (v. 18) are merely rounded-off figures for the 42,000 foot soldiers either captured or slain. The word “horsemen” in 2 Samuel 10:18 is thus used imprecisely or may have been miscopied from the listing in 2 Samuel 8:4 (King James Version study Bible. 1997).

Psalm 68

When looking through this psalm, we need to ask if people see and know who our God is and how great He is.

Psalm 68 (cf. Judges 5–see our study)

This is another psalm written in response to the Ark being moved into Jerusalem (see our study of Psalm 47). Numbers 10.35–36 and 2 Chronicles 6.41–42 (see our study) both describe the words to be said when the Ark is to be moved and laid to rest. It is describing the movement from Obed-edom into Jerusalem with the pomp given it. The psalm calls us to praise the God who cares for the needy with a pause )Selah( for us to ponder whether we do the same.

History unfolds placing the Ark in its proper place with another pause for us to reflect on the God who saves us.

The procession is marked with various peoples participating in the festivities. David then gives two short songs proclaiming God’s deliverance and God’s rule over all the earth.

Paul quotes this verse in Ephesians 4.8.

What is of interest are the varied names God is called in this one psalm. He is called Elohim (1-אֱלֹהִים), Yah (4-יָהּ), Shaddai (14-שַׁדַּי), Yah Elohim (18-יָהּ אֱלֹהִֽים ), Adonai (19-אֲדֹנָי), and Jehovah Adonai (20-יהוִה אֲדֹנָי). El (אֵל) is also found throughout this psalm.

The psalm is neatly outlined this way:

  • Hymn of praise to God (1–6)
  • Moving the Ark from Sinai through the wilderness (7-8)
  • Entrance and conquest of the land of Canaan (9–14)
  • Capture of Jerusalem by David (15–18)
  • Praising God for victory over the Jebusites (19–23)
  • Procession of the ark to the sanctuary in Jerusalem (24–27)
  • Jubilation in anticipation of the final victory of God (28–35)

When looking through this psalm, we need to ask if people see and know who our God is and how great He is.