Isaiah – Old Testament Survey

Psalm 62

Who or what do you trust the God described above or men who are here today and gone tomorrow, men who we celebrate, oppressing others to get your way, stealing what you want because you cannot trust God to get to you what you need, or wealth? Each of these are mentioned in this psalm as not satisfying our souls.

Psalm 62

This psalm was written during the time of Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15-18). We can sense the men of David who deserted or lied to him when Absalom rebelled in this psalm. The men were Ahithophel his counselor (4), Shemei the one still loyal to King Saul’s family (4), and Ziba the servant of the crippled Mephibosheth (3).

Another reference to Jeduthun (Psalm 39, 77, and 89). A feature of this psalm is the word “only.” It is repeated six times.

My soul waits in silence for God only (1)
He only is my rock and my salvation (2)
They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position (4)
My soul, wait in silence for God only (5)
He only is my rock and my salvation (6)
Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie (9)

The psalm is neatly divided into three parts by the Selahs (pause). The first two divisions begin with the same words with one replacement. “Salvation” in verse one is replaced with “hope” in verse five. This presents the one who has received salvation with the surety of its completion (Hebrews 11.1-2).

Verses 1-4-As seen above this portion of the psalm is a complaint to God regarding those who have gone against David in his flight from Absalom in 2 Samuel 15. He is trusting in God to bring him safely through this matter.

Selah: Do you desire to wait patiently (Isaiah 40.28-31 and Psalm 103.1-5 [see our study]) or let circumstances and people determine your life?

Verses 5-8-David expresses what faith is and it is the essence of things hoped for. David knew that God would bring about His will and that God would be glorified and blessed through these dire circumstances. He then calls people to trust in God even as he does.

Selah: Do you proclaim God’s work in you so that others can glorify Him too?

Verses 9-12-David knew that man is temporary and that God is greater. This is the proclamation here.

Verses 9-10-The measure of a man is directly related to his relationship with God, which is then defined by his fellowship with God.
Verses 11-12-God is a powerful God full of love and mercy. He provides each of us with spiritual gifts and other blessings. He demands that we use these to bless Him and others through Him. We will be judged according to what we have done (Matthew 25.31-46). This is not a judgment of salvation but a critique of works we have done that He has called and created us to do (Ephesians 2.8-10 and Philippians 2.12-14).

When God states something twice as in this verse, it is emphatic. David is telling us to listen carefully (Job 33.14). This is why Jesus would repeat “Amen” to His followers (Verily, verily). He was basically instructing them to listen up, pay close attention, because this will be on the test.

God is described in this psalm as

Rock (1-2, 6-7)
Salvation (2, 6-7)
Defense (2, 6)
Glory (7)
Refuge (7-8)
Power (11)
Mercy (12)

Who or what do you trust the God described above or men who are here today and gone tomorrow, men who we celebrate, oppressing others to get your way, stealing what you want because you cannot trust God to get to you what you need, or wealth? Each of these is mentioned in this psalm as not satisfying our souls.

Media

Psalm 62 by Aaron Keyes

Psalm 40

Have you offered your all to God? He is worthy of it. Many of us live a syncretic life without even realizing what we are doing. Instead of referring to the Bible for our guidance, we turn to friends, web sites, and other we celebrate. When we do this, how can we expect the God who expects our all to listen to what we say. In our waiting, we have not truly waited (see our study of Psalm 103).

Psalm 40

Some consider this psalm to be two psalms connected. They state that Psalm 70 is merely a repeat of Psalm 40.13-17 and there once was a psalm that contained the first twelve verses. The reasoning behind this is the difference in the two sections. They appear to be reversed. The thanksgiving (1-8) is presented before the lament (11-17). This is mention for your information; I choose not to pursue the topic and count it as one psalm.

When this psalm is read, it is a reminder that patience is part of prayer. In fact the Hebrew is emphatic here. David actually writes that in his waiting, he is waiting. David cries out to God asking Him how long until He would answer David’s prayer. Notice it is not if He will answer but when He will answer. If there is a desire for a discussion on prayer, please respond and I will post one at a later date. Within this psalm David presents the great truth of many Old Testament prophets and of the words Paul gives us in Romans 12.1-2: God desires more than mere words or rote actions, He desires our heart, our mind, our strength, our all (1 Samuel 15.22; Psalm 51.16; Isaiah 1.11, 6.8; Jeremiah 6.20, 7.21-28; Amos 5.21-24; Micah 6.6-8; and to name a few). See our study on 1 Samuel 15 and Psalm 51 (as more are completed, links will be provided).

The psalm can be divided by the two types of psalms with the hinge verses of 9-10.

Verses 1-8-This is a praise to God for what He has done. David proclaims God’s greatness and then proclaims God’s great claim on our life (see sacrifices above). He wants all of us not a portion of us. He wants us completely, not syncretically. Verses 6-8 are echoed of Christ in Hebrews 10.5-9 for Christ’s perfect, complete, and final sacrifice for our sins (cf. Leviticus 17.11).
Verses 9-10-When God works, He expects us to proclaim that work among our friends.
Verses 11-17-See our study of Psalm 70

Many have attempted to place each verse in the mouth of Christ. They see the first portion of the psalm as Christ’s resurrection, the middle verses as Christ’s public ministry, and the final verses reflect the cross.

Media

Psalm 40 by New Song
40 by U2

2 Samuel 6

When we try to do God’s work our way, we may succeed for a moment, but we are destined for failure. When we do things God’s way, despite what some may think, He will bless us. Sometime our closest friends will turn on us when we decide to praise God properly. This should never detract us from rejoicing in Him. When was the last time you sang for God in such a way that it didn’t matter who was there?

2 Samuel 6 (cf. 1 Chronicles 13.1-14 [read our study] and 15.25-16.6 [read our study]; 1 Samuel 7.1, 2 [read our study])

This chapter presents David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. It is a rather strange story though. After the Israelites received the Ark back from the Philistines, they placed it in Kirjath-Jearim (here it is called Baale-Judah) with Abinidab in order to make Jerusalem both the political and religious capital of Israel. The goal is admirable. It seems, however, the means was less than godly. David intended to transport the Ark via a cart and not using Kohathites (Levitical priests) to carry it as prescribe in Numbers 4.15.

As the party of more than 30,000 were celebrating the transport of the Ark, it began to fall. Uzzah, in an attempt to save the Ark from desecration by having it fall to the ground, stopped it from falling. For his attempts, God struck him dead. Why? Was God being too harsh with Uzzah for touching the Ark? If we are unaware of God’s character, we might trivialize this incident with such a response. However, knowing the holiness of God, we need to respond differently. Uzzah was attempting to “save” the Ark from desecration by desecrating the Ark with his hand (he broke the law in order to save the Ark). Now, some would say that his hand was less dirty than the ground, so it was the lesser of the two evils. I posit a query or two: Is God so incapable that He is unable to keep the Ark from falling without causing someone to sin? Do we really think our sinfulness is less dirty than the dirt? Dirt is dirt and sin is what brought Christ out of Heaven to die for us (it is filthy rags-Isaiah 64.5-7). God’s law demands that any who touch it, die; he did, and he did.

David is in fear and anger. I think he was fearful of whom God actually is and in anger over his mishandling of the situation.

He deposits the Ark at the home of a Levitical priest, a Kohathite, in the city of Gath-rimmon in Manasseh. This would be the proper place to leave it. After David sees that God is not mad at him but blesses the household of Obed-edom, David retrieves it properly and takes it to Jerusalem.

Along the way, the entourage continues their celebration. David celebrates with them. His first wife, Michal, becomes embarrassed by David’s dress and dancing and despises him. When he returns home, she blasts him for rejoicing in the manner he did. David defends himself. God judges her.

Psalm 77

Will God leave me?
Will God never grant His goodness to men?
Will God cease to show His mercy?
Will God fail to keep His promises?
Will God forsake grace?
Will God, in anger, refuse to bless His chosen?

Psalm 77

This is another psalm of Asaph with a secondary ascription provided, it is according to Jeduthun (Psalm 39, 62, and 89). It can be divided into four parts: sighing (1–3), sinking (4–9), singing (10–15), and soaring (16–20).

Verses 1-3-Asaph is in distress. He is crying out to God with outstretched hand seeing direction and help.

Selah-In your troubles, where do you go? To whom do you turn?

Verses 4-9-God will use sleepless nights to draw us closer to Him, to have us contemplate our purpose and worldview, even to have us struggle with sin both known and unknown. During these times we scream out to God and wonder if He has forgotten His promises to us (2 Peter 3.8-9). When we are in these circumstances we need to remember what He has done or else we will begin to think He is who He is not. Remember, one felt need not met will distort our view of all other needs being met. When we ponder Him, we bring our understanding of Him back to what the Scripture states about Him. In this chapter, He is holy and great (13).

Asaph provides six questions whose answers are ridiculous when the nature of God is known. However, these questions are always on the minds of those who do not know the God presented in the Bible.

Will God leave me?
Will God never grant His goodness to men?
Will God cease to show His mercy?
Will God fail to keep His promises?
Will God forsake grace?
Will God, in anger, refuse to bless His chosen?

Selah-Ponder those times when God creates restlessness for you. When you are awakened at night, do you fight it off and go back to bed or do you wrestle with what God is doing?

Verses 10-15-Asaph remembers to recall the goodness of God in a situation such as these. When we are struggling, it is good to recall what God has done in prior years. In this Psalm, it is what God did during the Exodus (a thousand years prior).

It is in verse ten that Asaph answers the questions from verses 7-9. He realizes that God does not change! It was Asaph’s false perspective of the circumstances that brought this line of questioning. All the answers to these questions and the questions themselves are found to be absurd in light of the truth of whom God is. This is Isaiah’s argument too (Isaiah 55.7-9).

Selah-Asaph made a conscious choice to remember. Journaling is a conscious choice to do something to recall. It is a wonderful method of being able to recall what God has done in your life. Knowing what He has done through your ancestors is also a means of remembering God’s continual faithfulness to you. Why not pick up this habit today?

Verses 16-20-The recalling of Exodus 14 is poetic. God’s work is unseen for a moment then it rushes through and we see He was there all the time. When these verses are read in connection with the previous verses, we gather the idea that God’s ways are not thwarted by man’s interventions. God is God.

My testimony from the late 1980s into the early 1990s is reflected in these verses. In days to come, I may add this to these posts.

Psalm 87

This psalm calls us to consider how blessed we are in being chosen by God to be the place He dwells. Have you thanked Him for doing that? Do so, now

Psalm 87

Another psalm of the Korahites possibly written after the exile (see Isaiah 4.3).

Verses 1-3-The writer proclaims God’s love for Jerusalem. He maintains that God loves the city because He was its founder (1 Kings 11.13). And because it is the home of the Temple where God’s glory is manifest.

Selah-We are called to pause in order to reflect on where God now dwells. As Christians, He dwells in us. He has made us into His Temple for all to see and hear our holy praise of Him (1 Corinthians 6.18-20). How are you doing? Have you spoken glorious things because of God? Have others spoken glorious things of God because of you?

Verses 4-6-The one born in and who lives in Jerusalem have been chosen and blest by God and noticed by others (see Isaiah 4.3). The Rahab mentioned here is not the harlot (Joshua 2.3-11) and ancestor of David and Jesus (Matthew 1) but represents Egypt (the Hebrew spelling is pointed differently and has different spelling [for Egypt-רַהַב and for the harlot- רָחָב] (Isaiah 30.7).

Selah-We are called to pause in order to reflect on where we are born. If we are believers, we have been born again into the Temple wherein He dwells. He records our name in His Book of Life. He had established this before the foundations of the world.

Verse 7-Springs represent salvation (Isaiah 12.3), which is only found in God.

This psalm calls us to consider how blessed we are in being chosen by God to be the place He dwells. Have you thanked Him for doing that? Do so, now.

Psalm 85

The writer wants us to pause and think about how God has restored us and has forgiven us of our sins. Pause, take a moment, and meditate on what God has done for you. As a Christian we have much to be thankful for; so, what are you thankful for in terms of what God has done for you?

Psalm 85

The origins of this psalm are unknown. What can be determined in context is that it was written after the Babylonian Captivity because the author refers to God’s wrath being removed (3), the desolation of the land (12), and the need for God to restore it for the people (13).

Again it is written by a Korahite (as mentioned in Psalm 44). It is played on the Gittith. This psalm of national lament can be divided into three parts.

Verses 1-3-The writer is expressing his thanks to God for delivering them from the Babylonian Captivity and forgiving their sins.

Selah-The writer wants us to pause and think about how God has restored us and has forgiven us of our sins. Pause, take a moment, and meditate on what God has done for you. As a Christian we have much to be thankful for; so, what are you thankful for in terms of what God has done for you?

The writer then continues with what God has done in terms of showing His mercy by removing His discipline.

Verses 4-7-The writer knows the sins of the nation brought God’s discipline on them. He knows that until God restores them to their land and brings normalcy, the effects of God’s wrath are still on them. Until they are back in the land, until they are “revived” (given new life), until they have experienced God’s salvation, they still feel the effects of God’s discipline. He desires that God’s name be proclaimed because of what God has done (Habakkuk 3.2) not because of the sins of the people.

Verses 8-13-The anticipation of God’s answer is evident in verses 8-9. It is based on His Word (repentant people calling to Him) and His character. Isaiah 32.17 describes that closeness that righteousness and peace have with each other. There is no peace unless righteousness comes.

When we turn to God in repentance for our known sins, He restores right fellowship with Him. In doing this, He brings peace. As we dwell on what He has required, He is present, which is peace (Philippians 4.8-9).

Psalm 14

The foolishness of man in his attempt to live without instruction from the One who made him is great. It is also prevalent today. Can you see this not only in the world that disowns God but in His church which proclaims Him?

Psalm 14

This Psalm is almost identical to Psalm 53 (see our study).

Verse 1-Our discussion in Psalm 10 already described the fool. Psalm 53.1 adds emphasis to it as well. It may begin individually but it will end corporately. There is none who do good (Romans 3).

Verse 2-Psalm 33.13-14 and Romans 3.11 shed light on this verse. God looks for good and finds none. This is much like what happened with Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18.22-33). God seeks and finds none who are good. This is also evidenced in Judges (Judges 2.19).

The reason behind this is that there is none who are good, except God. This was Jesus response to a man who inquired how he might have eternal life (Mark 10.17-27). He seeks today and only finds good in those who follow His Son.

Verse 3-David continues to explain why there are none who do good. It is because they seek only their own pleasure as they walk astray from God’s good pleasure. Paul tells us the same thing in Romans 3.12 and Isaiah shows this truth in Isaiah 53.

Verse 4-David is describing how the nations who do not know God treat His people. They devour them because they do not know Him.

Verses 5-6-All the plans of man are nothing in the eyes of God (Psalm 2–see our study). He allows them to make their plans. But, it is He, who protects and helps the needy. We are the needy (Psalm 40.17).

Verse 7-Romans 11.25-27 sums up this verse in declaring God’s deliverance is in the forgiveness of sin.

Psalm 6

The circumstances for the writing of this psalm are unknown. It appears that David is sick and feels he is about to die. In this state he writes this penitential psalm (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). When seeking to confess sins, these are great psalms to read as part of confession when asking God to restore our fellowship with Him (1 John 1.9).

Psalm 6

Verses 1-3-David feels as though his bones are melting away within him (Psalm 32) or are broken in pieces (Psalm 51). When we are not feeling well, both physically and spiritually, we feel like this. This call for healing his bones is actually a call for forgiveness. David sounds like he is depressed because of the attacks of his family, friends, and enemies. David is also depressed due to his sin. What does depression do to us?

Verses 4-5-David calls to God to heal him because of the praise that would be given Him and because of His goodness, His loving-kindness (Psalm 88.10-12 and Isaiah 38.18).

Verses 6-7-David weeps over his illness just as Job did (Job 17.7).

Verses 8-10-After the tears come praises.

Think about this Psalm. David is in grief. He presents his petition to God. He then turns to praising God. This is how it should be. Is it how it is with you?

Psalm 18

This Psalm is ascribed to 2 Samuel 22.1-51. Although it is presented at this point in 2 Samuel, it is ascribed to God delivering David from his enemies including Saul. Since Saul dies in 1 Samuel 31, historically it would fit here in our chronological study of the Old Testament.

Psalm 18

“Hosanna” by Hillsong does a good job presenting the truth of these verses.

This is a Royal Psalm

Verses 1-3-David gives God the praise for deliverance from his enemies. In the superscription, Saul is differentiated from David’s enemies. After all that Saul did to David, David still would not count Saul as one of his enemies. How do we treat those in our sphere of influence? Do we count all who are against us as our enemies, even if they once were friends? Do we give God credit for deliverance from all our enemies? When we stand at the end of the day, do we praise Him for bringing us through that day?

David also uses a strong word for love in these verses. Beyond this chapter, this love is used exclusively for God’s love for man. 2 Samuel 22 does not include this verse because it is more a public matter than the private matter of Psalm 18.

David sates that he will cause God’s glory to shine. This is the essence of “halal” or praise and is the root of hallelujah.

Verses 4-5-This verse reflects Psalm 116, in particular verse three. David expresses how he viewed life and how he perceived the situations in which he found himself. How honest are you before God about your life circumstances?
Verse 6-Again, David cries out to God expecting Him to hear David’s pleas. When we pray, do we think God will answer or even hear us?
Verses 7-15-These verses are reflected throughout the Scripture. Three places in particular are Psalm 29.3-9, Psalm 144.5-6, and Isaiah 30.30. The crux of these verses is that when God comes to the earth, it will be unmistakable that God is here. When we proclaim that we are believers, is it unmistakable for those around us?
Verses 16-19-God does deliver us from the hands of our enemies. Water in the Scripture usually denotes trouble. Do we lean on God or on our own strength to get us through the day? Paul reminds us that each day has enough evil of its own (Ephesians 5.16). In order for us to get through the day, we need to remember to call on the one who can set our feet on solid ground.
Verses 20-24-These verses seem to echo Saul’s words to David in 1 Samuel 24.19 and 1 Samuel 26.23. Could we say the same as David does here? Only in Christ. Romans 3.23-24 and Romans 4.23-24 remind us that only in Christ do we have righteousness.
Verses 25-30-Kevin Prosch put music to Revelation 15.3-4 and wrote “King of Saints.” I have not been able to find a recording of it. If someone has, let me know, it is worth listening to. Is our confidence solely in the hand of God or do we attempt to create our own strength and power? If the latter are true, we will fail.
Verses 31-42-Deuteronomy 32-33 and 1 Samuel 2.2 reflect the words that God is our Rock. Habakkuk 3.19 gives the picture of God placing our feet on firm ground.
Verses 43-45-David recalls what God has done for him and gives God the credit.
Verses 46-48-Once again, David gives God the credit and praises Him for all that He has done.
Verses 49-50-Romans 15 reminds us that we need to praise God wherever we go just as David does here (verse nine quotes this Psalm).

When the day is over, do we remember that it is God who enabled us to make it through the day? If so, have you praised Him for it? More often than not, when we are successful we take the credit (pride) and when we fail we blame God (pride).

1 Samuel 30

Good morning! It is almost time to think we can rest; only to find out we have a family that desires our attention, time, love, and, most of all, our vehicles for transporting them.

This was what happened, sort of, to David in 1 Samuel 30.

1 Samuel 30

David returns home, as Achish had suggested. His home was in Ziklag. When he returned, Saul’s sin was there to greet him. He might have thought he was returning home to rest. However, he found the Amalekites. In 1 Samuel 15 we learned that Saul did not utterly destroy the Amalekites. Because of Saul’s inability to completely obey the Lord, David’s army is greeted with a destroyed town, missing families, and potential death.

When we do not rid ourselves of sin or allow something to remain in our lives that God has commanded us to get rid of (sins, which could include people), we and those around us can become ensnared by them once again. What is it that you see you need to get rid of in your life now to be free from its presence, power, and potential harm in the future?

David, before going into battle, does what we should do when we are presented with trouble in our lives, he prayed for God’s direction. David did the same thing in 1 Samuel 23.2-9, it was here that Abiathar joined David’s group. David’s army splits into two groups. Four hundred follow him into battle, while the other remaining two hundred stay at Wadi Besor to rest and prepare themselves for later. The Wadi Besor is a creek bed south of Ziklag. The exhaustion of the two hundred should have been expected. They traveled fifty miles from Aphek, found their town in ruins, then traveled 12-15 miles to Wadi Besor without supplies or rest.
God provides David with an abandoned Egyptian servant of the Amalekites. When he became sickly, the Amalekites deserted him. When David found him, he nursed him to health. It appears as though David has a kind heart. Deuteronomy 23.15-16 gives instruction not to return runaway slaves to their former masters. I wonder how this would have played out in the South during the 1800s.

When David finds the Amalekites, they are celebrating what they had done. David waged an attack on them, and suddenly destroyed all of them (1 Thessalonians 5.3-it applies to the end times but can be applied here and elsewhere when we place our security in the things of this world). All that had been taken from Ziklag and the other places they attacked, was restored (verse 19).

David reinstitutes an old principle, which is to divide the spoils with all those involved not merely those who fought (Numbers 31.26-27). David then sends some of the gain to “his friends” in Judah. The cities listed, particularly Hebron, will play an important role when David returns to Judah as king.

How faithful are we to what God has commanded us? Do we utterly destroy the things He commands us to rid ourselves of or do we hold on to a memory of them? Do we share what God has blessed us with or do we keep it for ourselves? Do we reach out to those who are our friends, even though they may have hurt us in the past?

The crux of this passage can be missed quite easily. Return to verse 6. David was in danger. What did he do? He went to God for strength (Isaiah 40.29-31). When you are tired, weary, burdened, to whom do you turn (Matthew 11.28-30)?