Tag: Samuel

1 Kings 5

Do you see the plans God has made for you and the direction He is taking you by the experiences you have had and the preparation others have made for you?

1 Kings 5

This chapter introduces one of the main reasons for the dividing of the kingdom after Solomon’s death. The reason is found in verse thirteen. It is corvée, which is the mandatory service of Israelites to build the great architectural wonders Solomon developed during his reign. It is the forced enslavement of citizens not outsiders that make this act more heinous than slavery as was found in Egypt or the United States. More on this concept below.

We see ancient near eastern customs in sending delegates to show support for a new regime after the passing of the previous leader in verse one. David did this earlier in 2 Samuel 10. Solomon used this alliance with Hiram to enable him to build the Temple and other buildings. God had this planned before Solomon was even born. Without Hiram of Lebanon there would be no wood to build what God had designed. God will provide what we need to complete the task to which He has called. When we live life with this faith we begin to understand why with God nothing is impossible (Mark 10.27).

The desire of David to build the Temple (2 Samuel 7.13) was finally realized in his son. Although he did not get to see the Temple, much like Moses did not get to walk the Promised Land, like Moses prepared Israel to enter, David did prepare his son to build as he purchased the area (2 Samuel 24) and provided the plans for the Temple and its usage that he received from God (1 Chronicles 28 and 29).

One desire of parents is for their children to claim the God of the Bible as their own. In verses four and five, Solomon does this. He maintains that the God of his father is also his God.

Solomon, in applying the wisdom God gave him (1 Kings 3), agreed to pay Hiram for the material and labor he is supplying for twenty-years (1 Kings 9.10-11). His annual payment is 125,000 bushels of wheat and 115,000 gallons of pure olive oil.

Verse thirteen introduces corvée. Samuel warned the Israelites this would come if they sought a king other than God (1 Samuel 8.11-17) and would become the bane for the northern kingdom (1 Kings 12.4). These workers worked for one month for Solomon in the quarries or in Lebanon and two months at home. This alternated for at least seven years, the amount of time it took to build the Temple. Solomon also had a large group of slave laborers helping with these projects.

For a detailed account on corvée labor, see “Labor Pains: The Relationship between David’s Census and Corvée Labor” by Kyle R. Greenwood.

Do you see the plans God has made for you and the direction He is taking you by the experiences you have had and the preparation others have made for you?

1 Kings 2

Any morals here? Compromises need to be taken care of sooner than later.

1 Kings 2

These last words of David to his son Solomon are intriguing. When I thought I was to die, I gave my last words to my oldest son. They were,

Joshua, lead our family in the ways of God. Continue to trust Him in all you do. He will guide you into all that is good and right; follow Him. Protect your sister throughout her years with the love of God. His love guides and protects us, we need to do the same for others. I look forward to seeing what God is doing in your life. As I look from Heaven to see my oldest son, I desire to see a man of God changing the world for Him. Press on in His Word!

David’s were a little different. He gave the words of encouragement we would expect him to give. He had done this previous in 1 Chronicles too. He gives the same advice Moses gave to Joshua, be strong and of good courage for God is with you as you follow Him. Good advice for all of us.

What is intriguing is the next bit of advice. He gives Solomon some names and then advises him to act wisely in the matter. With Joab and Shimei his implication was to kill them. With Barzillai his advice was to honor him. These choices and decisions Solomon was to make were intended to give him a strong start in his reign. He needed to know what intrigue there was in the court and needed to establish his reign as just and swift. We will see how he goes exacts just and swift retribution in this chapter.

David dies. Solomon follows David’s advice and establishes his throne. He wisely executes three people. Adonijah, his brother, Joab, his general, and Shimei were all executed by their own words.

Adonijah was warned in our previous study (1 Kings 1) not to attempt to usurp the throne again or he would die. His words in verses 13-18 seem innocent enough. However, because Abishag lay with David, although not in a sexual manner, she was given the rights of a wife. So, whoever married her would have the right to claim the throne. This innocent request, if granted, would give Adonijah the right to the throne. Solomon saw this and put him to death for breaking his promise from chapter 1.49-53. Benaiah executed Adonijah.

To fulfill the prophecy given in 1 Samuel 2.31-35, Solomon banishes Abiathar but does not kill him.

Joab, in fear for his life, runs to the safety of the altar as did Adonijah in 1 Kings 1. Because of Joab’s killing of Abner 2 Samuel 3 and Amasa in 2 Samuel 20, Solomon orders his execution. Benaiah executed Joab at the altar.

Solomon gave Shimei opportunity to live if he stayed in Jerusalem. He agreed. Three years later, thinking Solomon forgot, he left Jerusalem. The terms were if Shimei stayed in Jerusalem, he would live; if he left, he would die. He left. Shimei hears Benaiah’s footsteps. Benaiah executed Shimei.

Any morals here? Compromises need to be taken care of sooner than later.

Psalm 94

Reflect on the state of the United States in light of this psalm. What is next? How long? This psalm is a cold, hard reminder to the truth that it does not matter what you believe if you are not willing to defend it, proclaim, and live it. If we are not willing to do these tasks, how can we say we love Him?

Psalm 94 (Cf. Psalm 73)

This psalm is considered to be written by David as an explanation of the theological issues of Psalm 1 (Read the sermon on Psalm 1). Many have difficulty reading this psalm due to the attributes of God it presents. A. W. Pink writes:

It is sad to find so many professing Christians who appear to regard the wrath of God as something for which they need to make an apology, or at least they wish there were no such thing … Others harbor the delusion that God’s wrath is not consistent with His goodness, and so seek to banish it from their thoughts. … But God is not ashamed to make it known that vengeance and fury belong to Him … The wrath of God is as much a Divine perfection as His faithfulness, power or mercy … The very nature of God makes Hell as real a necessity as Heaven is (The Attributes of God, 1975, p 75).

See our discussions on this subject as seen in Psalm 58 and in Psalm 109.

  • Verses 1-7-David asks the question as to how long God will allow those who practice injustice to continue in their ways. They act as though God does not see what is happening. Worse, they think He does not care about what happens to the widows and the orphans. The answer is in God’s timing. Deuteronomy 32.35 and Romans 12.19 present the case that recompense is God’s prerogative not man’s occupation. With this, God promises to make the wrong right in His timing. An apt description of them is found in Psalm 10. Verse seven presents the unjust rulers as Israelites and not a foreign power. Foreign powers believed their god would be stronger than the God of Israel. The phrase “God of Jacob” would only be found on the lips of the Jewish rulers. This makes the atrocities worse. They knew the right thing to do but refused to do it for sake of gain.
  • Verses 8-11-David answers those who say God does not know, see, or care. He is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and just. The logic of verse ten is telling the Israelites who are guilty of these transgressions that God does judge and He will judge them. This is the same argument that Paul uses in Romans 2-3. Listen to our sermons on Romans 2-3.
  • Verses 12-19-David asks, like he asked in 1 Samuel 17, who will arise as the champion to stand in the gap for those oppressed? The world today has need of men like Martin Luther who stated rather somberly: “Here I take my stand; I cannot do otherwise: May God be my help! Amen.” For our society to be restored to any sense of civility, we need people to stand for what they know is true. David shows that our sense of whom God is determines our desire to stand for Him and what He values. Have we lost the sense of the reality of our God? Do we believe as did David, and Paul in 2 Corinthians 12.9-10, that when we are weak He becomes our strength? Or do we attempt to stand for Him in our own might. Paul had something to say on this subject too. Read 1 Corinthians 16.13, Ephesians 6.10-20, Philippians 4.1-9, 1 Thessalonians 3.6-8, 2 Thessalonians 2.13-15, and 1 Peter 5.12. In these passages Paul and Peter command us to stand firm in the Lord, in our faith, in His Word, not in ourselves.

As we grow older, life does not come easier except that our faith in God grows through our Bible studies, our prayers, our memorizing His Word, and our fellowship with Him and others. This is what John was describing throughout the book of 1 John and specifically in 1 John 1.1-4 and 1 John 2.12-14.

These verses show us eight blessings for following God:

  1. God disciplines
  2. God instructs
  3. God develops faith over time
  4. God will never forsake His own
  5. God judges with righteousness
  6. God helps defend His own against evil
  7. God upholds when His own are in danger of falling
  8. God comforts the soul of those who are His
  • Verses 20-23-God tells us there is no fellowship between light and darkness in 1 Corinthians 6.14-16. Here, David, reminds us of this same truth. God cannot have fellowship with evil. God is the one who will expose the unrighteous deeds of those outside of Him. We are to let our light so shine before men that they have to proclaim the goodness of God, which is what Jesus taught us in Matthew 5.13-16. Look closely at verse 21. Does this sound like the abortion laws coming into full effect? Who will stand up for what is right? Not violently, for vengeance is the Lord’s, but in votes, in teachings, in practice?

I normally do not place large quotes from commentaries in my writings, yet this is the second one in this post. This quote is taken from Word in Life Study Bible (1997):

Have you ever felt frustrated by problems in society that just seem to go on and on? Perhaps you’ve lamented, “Why doesn’t someone do something? Why don’t things ever change?”

The composer of Psalm 94 appears to have felt that way. Looking around at the injustices of society, the writer cried out to God, the righteous Judge, to do something, yet also wondered how long wickedness would continue (Ps. 94:1–3). This psalmist’s frustration compares with an urban pastor who appeared in housing court one day, where many of his poor parishioners were having their cases decided. The minister sat for hours, witnessing one case after another. In every verdict, the judge was siding with the rich and powerful, even when the facts seemed to overwhelmingly favor the poor.

Finally the pastor could take no more of what he saw as blatant injustice. Shaking with outrage, he leaped to his feet and cried, “Your Honor, if it please the court, I have a question.”

The judge stopped his proceedings and acknowledged the pastor. “Yes, Reverend, what is it?”

“Your Honor, I’ve been watching all day long as case after case after case has gone against these poor people. Where is the justice in this court?”

Immediately the judge replied, “Reverend, you don’t understand. This is not a court of justice. This is a court of law. If you want justice, go change the law.”

The judge’s point is well taken. When evil triumphs in society, or when justice is not served, it could be the result of an imperfect system or institution “which devises evil by law” (94:20). In such cases, things will change if the righteous engage in reforming the system, with God’s help.

Sometimes the real question is not Why don’t things change? but Why don’t believers change things?

Reflect on the state of the United States in light of this psalm. What is next? How long? This psalm is a cold, hard reminder to the truth that it does not matter what you believe if you are not willing to defend it, proclaim, and live it. If we are not willing to do these tasks, how can we say we love Him?

Psalm 113

As God is in this world, so are we to be in this world. Do you walk by the poor and needy or do you stoop to help those in need? What would Jesus say about your actions and attitude? Take a moment to read Matthew 24-25 and listen to Keith Green’s song The Sheep and the Goats. There is no faith without action for faith creates action (James 2.14-26).

Psalm 113 (cf. Philippians 2.5-8 [He is immanent] and 1 Timothy 6.11-16 [He is transcendent])

This is the first of the Hallel Psalms or Praise Psalms used at the Passover Meal (Psalms 113-118, 136). Some have attributed this psalm to Samuel because the reference in verse nine imitating 1 Samuel 2.5, 8. Although this could be, it is not the view held here.

  • Verses 1-3-A call to praise God. All those who are His are to praise Him. We praise Him by thanking Him for who He is in our lives. We are to do this perpetually and everywhere our feet trod.
  • Verses 4-6-He is to be praised because He is great, He is without equal, and He has humbled Himself to be concerned with the affairs of man.
  • Verses 7-9-He is to be praised because He cares for the poor, needy, and barren, which are examples of His humbling of self to care for the needs of man.

As God is in this world, so are we to be in this world. Do you walk by the poor and needy or do you stoop to help those in need? What would Jesus say about your actions and attitude? Take a moment to read Matthew 24-25 and listen to Keith Green’s song The Sheep and the Goats. There is no faith without action for faith creates action (James 2.14-26).

Is God conceited? Read these articles by John Piper and NewLife Christian Fellowship to determine for yourself.

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Psalm 30

This psalm is ultimately a psalm of praise and joy amidst, despite, or through the difficult times God allows for us to go through. We must always remember, there is no circumstance given us save it first goes through God’s loving hands.

Psalm 30

This psalm states it was written by David for the dedication of the Temple. The content of the psalm also provides insight into the context. David was reeling from the judgement God sent him, he repents, and rejoices in God. This is the context of the time of 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21-22 (see our studies: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21, 22). Today it is used in celebration of the Feast of Chanukah, which is a dedication of the Temple after it was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes.

  • Verses 1-3-David knows he has erred and his desire is to place God where He truly belongs in life, lifted up, in place of preeminence (Colossians 1.15-20).

David here speaks of being healed (2). Although he was never afflicted by the plague sent in 1 Chronicles 21, it affected him in the deepest way. It sends him into prayer and repentance. His prayer is expanded in verses 8-10.

David identified with those around him so much that when they hurt he hurt. How is this with you? Do you mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12.15)?

  • 4-5-The plague lasted throughout the day where many died. Therefore, the night was filled with weeping.
  • 6-10-David held his confidence in the number of men of military age he had in his kingdom. The pride was his downfall. When David looked to himself, God’s favor was removed. Whenever we choose to walk out of fellowship with God, we should not expect to have Him actively involved in our lives. When we repent, He relents.
  • 11-12-David, like all the mourners, would wear sackcloth to demonstrate their grief.

The discipline of the Lord for our sin produces the image of His Son in our lives, which is the goal of all Christians (Romans 8.29 and Philippians 3.12-14). This produces the joy that follows the mourning (Hebrews 12.5-11, James 1.2–4, and 1 Peter 1.6-9).

This psalm is ultimately a psalm of praise and joy amidst, despite, or through the difficult times God allows for us to go through. We must always remember, there is no circumstance given us save it first goes through God’s loving hands.

Have you dared to thank Him for your present circumstances?

“Don’t shake your head when you see a mom or dad with a Downs Syndrome child and say, No way could I face that. Most likely you couldn’t. Which is precisely why God hasn’t asked you to. Instead, take time to seriously consider how you will remain joyful within your own particular, unique, individual situation. Accept your circumstances as a gift from His hand. Dare to thank Him for them.” Joni Eareckson Tada, Glorious Intruder

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Psalm 42

God desires you to be in His presence with great joy more than you can imagine. How great is your desire to be in His presence? He gave His Son in order for you to go there? What have you forsaken for Him to be there?

Psalm 42

The inscription of this psalm leads us to believe it was written by the family of the Korahites unless it is read that it was written for the family of the Korahites to play during worship service. If the latter are valid, then David wrote this on his retreat from Jerusalem during the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15-19). If the former is valid, then it was written during the exile by a Korahite longing for Jerusalem. I prefer Davidic authorship due to the style and geographic locations mentioned in verse five. Whichever author is chosen, it reflects a genuine heart desire to be with God in the Temple/Tabernacle. If this were the heart attitude of Christians today, the world would be a much different place. The oddity for Christians is that we don’t have to go to the church to spend time with God, He indwells us. We are the temple of God. However, for true fellowship to occur we need to publicly worship Him as part of our growth toward Christlikeness (Hebrews 10.24-25).

This psalm and Psalm 43 (see our study) have a connection and many have placed them together as one psalm. The Septuagint combines them into one psalm. Each psalm has the same refrain and the same ending. However, if Psalm 43 was written during the Babylonian Captivity, it could have been inspired by Psalm 42. Psalm 43 and Psalm 71 are the only psalms in this section of the Psalms without an inscription (see studies on Psalm 9 and Psalm 10).

  • Verses 1-3-David realizes that his life is in God. Without the ability to enter into the presence of God in the Tabernacle, his life was devalued, depressing. What is your heart attitude about being in God’s presence? As mentioned above, the only place we need to go to be with God is nowhere for He indwells us. This is Jesus discussion with the woman at the well in John 4.15-26. We only need to be in right relationship with Him (His child) and in right fellowship with Him (confession of sins) in order to be in His presence. Do you long for God more than for the sins of this world? This is the essence of the book of 1 John.
  • Verses 4-8-David poetically presents his state without God’s presence in it (again, return to our discussion of Psalm 43 for thoughts on verse five). He misses the fellowship he had in Jerusalem with fellow followers of God and longs to see them and publically worship with them.
  • Verses 9-10-David laments over his current situation asking God to deliver him not only for the sake of David but for the sake of God. Do you see your relationship with God as a public demonstration of whom God is? When people see you, they see a representation of God. Your words and actions either tell His greatness or belie who He is. How do people see you when they ask “Where is your God?”
  • Verse 11-The ending of Psalm 43 is identical to this psalm. Our hope is not in others nor in things. It is solely in God.

God desires you to be in His presence with great joy more than you can imagine. How great is your desire to be in His presence? He gave His Son in order for you to go there? What have you forsaken for Him to be there?

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Psalm 41

What is it that you believe? Do you live your life as if your beliefs were actually true? What would you change if you truly did believe? As you consider this psalm, look at your own life. What has gone done in and through you? Praise Him for it. What have you done to bless God as you have blessed others? What are people saying about you? Are they godly things? Are they mad due to your stand for God? Whatever the circumstances, look to God for His presence and help.

Psalm 41

This psalm appears to have been a response to those who stood against him in Psalm 38 (see our study).

  • Verses 1-3-Blessings for those who are blessed by the Lord by doing what He requires by taking care of those who are helpless, who are poor, is the theme of these verses.
  • Verse 4-A prayer to God in light of David’s sin.
  • Verses 5-9-Complaint against a close friend who has turned enemy. This refers to the betrayal of Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 17 (see our study). This psalm is a Messianic psalm. Jesus, too, was betrayed by one who ate bread with Him. Jesus quotes this verse and applies it to Judas in John 13.18 (each Gospel refers to Jesus quoting this verse: Matthew 26.23; Mark 14.20; Luke 22.21). Peter seems to refer to this psalm in Acts 1.16. Read the psalm in light of the last few hours of Christ’s life to determine if this psalm is Messianic in nature.
  • Verses 10-12-Hope based, again, on the character of God. The sense in the Hebrew of “repay them” is “to make good again.” That is David would repay the evil with good. This is the sense of 2 Samuel 19 see our study), which is the context of the psalm. It is also evident in 1 Samuel 24 (see our study) and 1 Samuel 26 (see our study) in David’s dealings with Saul.
  • Verse 13-Praise God from whom all blessings flow, who is eternal. The double “So be it” (Amen) along with “Praise the Lord” emphatically close each section of the psalter (Psalm 41, Psalm 72, Psalm 89, Psalm 106, and Psalm 150). The doubling of the “Amen” provides a strong affirmation to all that has gone on before. David is stating, “You better believe it, for it is true!”

What is it that you believe? Do you live your life as if your beliefs were actually true? What would you change if you truly did believe? As you consider this psalm, look at your own life. What has gone done in and through you? Praise Him for it. What have you done to bless God as you have blessed others? What are people saying about you? Are they godly things? Are they mad due to your stand for God? Whatever the circumstances, look to God for His presence and help.

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 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.

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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.

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).

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