Ps. 113: Good LORD

Psalm 113:3 "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised."

God is the ruler of all the Earth. And most likely, from what I gather, he must be the LORD of the universe. He is exalted over the nations and above the heavens. From the rising to the setting sun. So not just everywhere, every time.

There is no one like him. God is the lone superpower in the universe.

And he's good, lifting the poor from the ash heap and the dust to set them among princes. He doesn't play favorites. He doesn't see rank. All are equal at his table. And he doesn't lower those with high stature. He wants to better lower people's situations. He doesn't take away the prince's success in this illustration. He certainly could, and has punished the high and mighty, but he seeks to elevate those in need, not ruin those with plenty.

Also, that part about settling the barren mother in her home as a happy mother...That's wonderful, and we've seen numerous situations where that has been the case. Sarai, Rebekah, Hannah, Rachel.

Ps. 103: What God Did

Psalm 103:17-18 "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."

David resets why we praise. He lists off all these things that God has done for men, out of his own mercy and grace. It's all here.

 - Forgives sins

 - Heals diseases

 - Redeems from the pit

 - Crowns with love and compassion

 - Satisfies your desires with good things

 - Works righteousness and justice for the oppressed

 - Revealed himself and his deeds to Moses and Israel

 - Compassionate

 - Gracious

 - Slow to anger

 - Abounding in love

 - Not always accusing

 - His anger is temporary

 - Does not treat us as our sins deserve

 - Does not repay us according to our sins

 - Acts on great love for those who fear him

 - Infinite removal of transgressions

All these in spite of our status as dust, essentially. Why question that kind of love? How very praiseworthy indeed. It's really quite a list, and I suspect it's not even everything God has done.

Or will do.

Ps. 36: God vs. Evil

Psalm 36:9 "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light."

It probably wouldn't cross my mind to contrast God with evil people, but this is what happens in Psalm 36. Its an exercise in compare and contrast.

So what's the deal with evil men? They have no fear of God before their eyes. This is not to say they don't believe in God, because to have no fear (or awe) of God still regards Him...still allows for God to be. So to believe God is, but then to disavow Him. Pay Him no mind. That is truly evil. To go to length to believe a god like God exists, but then not to want Him on your side, very strange. That is the pull of sin. So blinding that it would cause man to reject a God, an almighty power, that he believes exists. This happens when people choose not to get to know God, they choose to reject his precepts.

Conversely, God's attributes of love, faithfulness, righteousness and justice are incomprehensible...described as inconceivably massive. Deep as the ocean, big as the mountains. It makes no record of who is large as a man, and who is small. Position, status and bank accounts mean nothing to this God. His love and refuge is for all. God doesn't have to impress anyone or convince anyone of this fact. All are invited to taste and see, and to dine at his table.

Verse 9 is particularly poetic to me. God is the fountain of life...evil men, the fountain of death. The idea that by God's light, we see light. Of course light is illuminating, causes growth, gives birth to wisdom, and all things that are good. But without God's light, even the light by which we would pretend to perceive anything would likely be pitch black, still shrouded in the dark. It is only by the light God provides that we can see anything. And to have my light be God's light...that is the goal.