Ps. 71: No Cause for Shame

Psalm 71:20 "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up."

David never wants to be ashamed of coming before God. Though he be mocked for it, God is his source of strength and hope, and therefore, David has no reason to be ashamed. He has been delivered and provided for in so many ways. These are the reasons David continues to pray.

Another striking attribute of David is that he wants to continue to be useful to God when he is old and gray. He doesn't want to pass on until he at least gets the chance to proclaim what God has done for him to the next generation. And God has done so much for him. David realizes the gravity in his testimony. He has faced so much opposition and antagonism. He wasn't the purest man or the nicest guy around, but his walk with God was constantly in a state of renewal and restoration whenever he screwed up. He didn't walk away from God ever. And God never abandoned him.

He will continue to walk on even though those around him don't understand his faith. Even though they talk amongst themselves in scorn, thinking he is crazy or stupid for it. He knows its real.

Ps. 70: Kill my Enemies, Save Me

Psalm 70:5 "Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay."

The 70th Psalm is brief, and to me it seems like the epilogue to the 69th Psalm. Another Psalm asking for deliverance. In fact, the chapter is identical to the final 5 verses of Psalm 40. David asks for the destruction of his enemies, who were really meant originally to be on his side. He asks for their destruction, and for his own preservation, and he wants the LORD to hurry. Patience isn't really a strong suit. But in desperation, who can claim patience as a virtue? Not me.

Ps. 69: Deliverance

Psalm 69:29 "I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me."

I couldn't really say it better. The 69th Psalm is yet another in a litany of Psalms requested deliverance. Being subject to attacks by enemies and mockers is painful. Here, it is compared to drowning. It's scary to be in water and barely being able to keep your face above it. A slight error in judgement leads to death. And you can't breathe underwater. Those who hate and mock are compared to deep waters. And deep waters are scary and mysterious. Man was not created to live in deep waters. Man was created to have both feet on dry soil.

The Psalmist also describes being mocked for dressing in sackcloth, and for his devotion to his faith. Ain't that the truth. Even back a million years ago, devotion to God was made the subject of fun. What better way to mock someone than to give them vinegar to drink when they are thirsty. Vinegar doesn't quench thirst, as I recall. It's bitter, and gross and smelly. What a horrible thing to do to someone.

In spite of this pain, and fear and mocking, David (I assume it's David writing) still trusts God and encourages others to praise God. And I think to myself, "If I am complaining about the nonsense that befalls me in my life, would I have the attitude of exhorting my peeps to praise God?" Probably not. Most likely I would be Captain Bringdown.

Ps. 68: A Brief History of God

Psalm 68:35 "You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!"

Boy, there is just a lot going on in the 68th Psalm. It seems as though every awesome thing about God is touched on here. Who he is. Who were are in Him. What he has done. What he will do. It's a pretty well-rounded Psalm. 

I suppose that I have heard it said numerous times: "If God is such a good God, why does (or doesn't) he do this or that." When I see that God is the father to the fatherless, the defender of the widows, and leads prisoners in singing, I get the idea that it is not his business to keep people's fathers or husbands around. It's not God's business to help people get out of slavery. God does do all those things according to His will, but not everyone has that. God is in the business of helping people through their situations. 

It appears to be God's business that he use situations that happen to people to draw them closer to himself. Is that hard to believe? Would we really be drawn closer to God if everything was totally awesome all the time? The reality is that things were totally awesome all the time, but Adam (man) screwed it all up. If Adam hadn't some other loser would have. And someday, at least according to Balaam, Job and David, things will be totally awesome again. So what do we expect from God? Why doesn't God make things awesome now? I don't know. Do I wish he would? Sure. Who wouldn't want to see hunger end, and war disappear? And why does God draw people to himself with tragedy and hardship? I suppose that's the only way to get our attention. When its going good, we're so proud of ourselves. When stuff is going bad, we blame God. It couldn't possibly be a result of our own choices or actions.

Ps. 67: Bless the Nations

Psalm 67:5 "May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you."

In the brief few verses of the 67th Psalm, God is the praiseworthy ruler. The one and only. The ruler of all nations. When I think of being ruled, I think of a negative connotation. Probably that's because of my American heritage, and Americans (until recently) were all about throwing rulers off. But here, there is a call for all nations to sing for joy and take God as their ruler. God would rule in perfect justice and guidance, which is the best argument for a theocracy. 

Another thing is the consensus. With God in control, everyone would praise Him. Except for like Iran and North Korea and Cuba, I don't think any leader has gotten 100% of the "vote," or a 100% approval rating. But God would.

Right?

Ps. 66: God Did It

Psalm 66:20 "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"

As powerful as God is in the universe, a read through the 66th Psalm reinforces the idea that God has specific care for life here on planet earth. Your life. Described here are ways God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. So God brought them into prison, was it just so God could show his power? Wouldn't have not allowing them to be imprisoned by the Egyptians in the first place been a greater show of power? How far back up the line do you go? The point is, how often is God praised by people who are having it good? So something bad doesn't happen. Do you praise God for it, or do you not notice it?

I suppose also this idea that God would turn the sea to dry land to deliver his people is pretty neat. He turns nature back on itself. He uses the land to do something it wasn't meant to do, to do what God wants it to do. Pretty miraculous stuff.

Ps. 65: God's Provision

Psalm 65:13 "The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing."

The 65th Psalm praise the God of forgiveness and the God of creation. It continues the theme that every bit of what was created was created exactly on purpose, the way it was meant to be, and nothing was left to chance.

It is a wonderful, praiseworthy thing to be forgiven, especially by the Almighty. If he forgives you, what's stopping you from forgiving others?

Another rather striking idea is where the Psalmist writes that those far away fear God's wonders. Where those who follow God closely have no cause for alarm. God's wonders are a thing of beauty, of protection and provision, and of safety. Not so for those who wander far from God.

Everything that was created was created with a specific purpose. I love the language in the final 3 verses. It sounds as though some creation is decorated with other creation. God has an aesthetic. The fields are richly ornamented, well-dressed. Very interesting language.

Ps. 64: God is Victory

Psalm 64:9 "All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done."

This 64th Psalm speaks to the condition that I imagine a lot of believers find themselves in at some point or another. Where David is under physical duress, and the threat of death, believers in God are also persecuted. In some nations they are murdered for this faith. This chapter can help these people take heart, because David's been there. It may not provide immediate comfort, but it does speak to the fact that God will eventually be the vindicator. The liberator. The protector. God fights the battles, will fight them his way, and he doesn't need any help or suggestions.

Just as David feared the flight of arrows, he believes God will turn these arrows around.

Just as David knew about the enemy's evil words and plans, he believes God will turn their tongues against them.

Just as David lived in fear, his enemies will at some point fear God.

And all these things make God worthy of praise.

Ps. 63: Growing in the Desert

Psalm 63: "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

I get another description of what it's like to be with God. What it's like to be in a close relationship with God. I see that David thirsts for God in a dry and weary land. He is the desert rose. The only sign of life in desolation. And what sustains him? God. How though? How does God keep David going? Why would David say things like "My soul thirsts for you." "My body longs for you." "My soul clings to you." Imagine! Imagine your very soul, the essence of what makes you you, clinging to God, for dear life! Release from the grip of God is the soul's gravest danger. 

David says that God upholds him, and protects him. Even so, is that enough for me to want my soul to cling to God? To think about God in the watch of the night? Even knowing that God is my only hope of salvation and my own vindication...what would it take for me to own this kind of relationship?

I need to ponder this.

Ps. 62: Soulrest

Psalm 62:11 "One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,"

There's a few things that struck me here in the 62nd Psalm. The first thing is the idea of a soul's rest. Salvation is a part of that. Salvation by God contributes to soulrest. Without salvation, there can be no rest. Salvation is a fortress. It is the place to go when everything else fails. Interesting that it is often the last resort when it has been shown to be the only true resort. In what ways do I avoid running to my fortress, thinking I can handle assaults on my own? If I don't want to be shaken, why wouldn't I run to my fortress for soulrest?

The idea of blessing with one's mouth, and cursing with one's heart is another interesting paradox. I've done it. Who hasn't? These are people David trusted. People who wanted to be seen as something different than who they really were.

Another interesting thing is that David says that his salvation and his honor depend on God. They only depend on God. David's has all his eggs in the God basket. There is nothing else. Nothing else, however could bring him salvation and honor. Despite his high position, and respect from his allies, he doesn't pull his honor from acclaim. That stuff fails because people are fickle. God is not. Also, if God isn't who He says He is...that's the only way David fails.

In verse 11...I like this. One thing God has spoken...and its two things. They say the same thing about God. God is strong and God is loving. His love is strong. His love is an outpouring of his strength? I suppose I never equated the two, or figured one could be part of the other. Then God could pass on His love to us, and make us strong.

Ps. 61: To Be With God

Psalm 61:4 "I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings."

David proves again just how desperately he wants to be with God. I've gotten kind of cynical lately, as I've read through what I perceive is a series of pretty repetitive Psalms, and I've expressed my frustrations. But that's me. That's me reacting, as I set out to do when I started. But I need to stop. I don't want to blow past something important. I'm sure I've missed some points along the way. But this isn't the last time I'll read any of these chapters. 

What's important here is that David shows me, unlike any person I've ever encountered, a person who clearly, truly and deeply desires a close, sincere walk with God. All he can think about...all that dominates his writing is the idea that God is his only refuge, his only hope. Who can live like that? How can I be like that? Should I be like that? How would my life change if I tried to live like that? How differently would I live. Drive. Give. Worship. Rhetorical questions, but I wouldn't even begin to be able to answer that. I wonder what a life devoted to God looks like, and here it is in front of me in Psalm 61. 

Ps. 60: By God's Pleasure

Psalm 60:4 "But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow."

David recognizes that if Israel is being blessed and doing well, it is because of God's grace. If Israel is struggling, it is because of God's displeasure. How to restore this pleasure? We already know. Putting aside the sins and failures, and coming before God with a contrite heart. Not mere sacrificing. A true and pure heart of repentence. This restores the relationship on both ends.

When the psalmist mentions a banner that represents those who fear God, to me that means it crosses the borders. The family of God isn't bound inside one nation, or tribe. They are united to God's family first. It is God who parcels out the land, who draws the borders, and who goes before and conquers, providing a place to live for His people. 

Simply, without God, any man's conquering army is useless. With God, there is no limit to possible success.

Ps. 59: Turn Evil Back

Psalm 59:8 "But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you scoff at all those nations."

David's enemies are spying on him, casing his house and whatnot. And David makes the claim in verse 4 that he has not done anything wrong. He has done nothing to warrant this surveillance. But being in trouble with man is different than being in trouble with God. The offenses are often mutually exclusive.

But these men laugh and scoff at David, and David requests that God turn their mocking back on them. After all, God is the ultimate power, and with a wave of his hand can scatter men on the breeze like a dust storm. And David doesn't wish his adversaries dead. Too easy of a punishment. Plus, their memory will be forgotten, and their misdeeds will cease to be an effective example to future generations of what not to do. David's lamp wasn't going to go out, remember? He wanted to ensure his offspring would have plenty of examples, good and bad. What to do and what not to do. 

Though David was a powerful military commander and cunning strategist, he likely wouldn't have stood against the Israelite army led by Saul. So as much as David would have liked to go on the offensive, and release the hounds, David depended on God to mete out the justice. Plus, I wonder if David was afraid of what kind of man he'd become on the battlefield if he was driven only be revenge. Scary thought.

Ps. 58: Memo to Leaders

Psalm 58:11 "Then men will say, 'Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.'"

Whoa...apparently there was disenchantment with one's government even back a million years ago when David roamed the earth. This is one stinging chapter about those who abuse their power. Those who are in a position of leadership, with justice as their charge. The result is injustice, violence, wickedness and deceit.

Its interesting that they are refered to as cobras, which are among the world's most venomous snakes. But look at this, they're like a snake that doesn't listen to the charmer. I would guess that means God. I've never looked at God as some divine snake charmer before today. So even though God's sovereignty puts men in charge, it is up to them to listen to the director. And here, even in the Bible, government officials are likened to snakes. I love it.

When the psalmist writes "break the teeth in their mouths, and tear out the fangs of the lions," to me that says make their decrees powerless. Especially when it is a decree of rebellion. In spite of the brood of vipers in charge, the psalmist hopes that God will still be the vindicator, acknowledging Him as the charge of the earth. A position no man has ever attained. Yet.

Ps. 57: Be Exalted

Psalm 57:5 "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth."

The song finds David in a cave when he was fleeing a pursuing King Saul. I would guess that this cave in question refers to the Cave of Adullam in 1 Samuel 22. He had escaped from Gath, but was still in danger. Again, I briefly touched on it last summer. It follows the formula pretty closely. David is in danger. David is a afraid. David trusts God.

Someone saw fit to write that old praise song about it, "Be Exalted" based on the lyrics in the 57th Psalm. Other than that, there's less and less I can truly say about these Psalms on the surface. Uh, the language is nice?  I wonder if these Psalms were all meant to be read consecutively.

Ps. 56: Call Upon God

Psalm 56:22 "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

I'm not sure what more I can really say about David. Anytime he has grievances, fear, pain, opposition, he turns only to God. He is desperate to restore his friendly relationship with God. God has been his deliver repeatedly, so it only stands to reason that David would continually call on God to deliver him, and to vindicate him from these trouble. Right?

This chapter doesn't appear to deal especially with David's military foes, and the first section of the 56th Psalm reads like David could be referencing his anguish over his sins. He mentions that he wants to fly away like a dove. I suppose I need to be on the symbolism watch at this point, so where else have doves been mentioned? In Genesis 8, it was the dove that brought Noah the news of dry land, bearing an olive leaf. When the dove was sent out again by Noah, it did not return. Perhaps it went to the place David wanted to go. Away from the troubles. A dove was also mentioned in Leviticus 5 as a resort for those who could not afford a lamb to sacrifice.

Verses 9-14 sound like the betrayal of a close friend. It is harder to deal with than an enemy's onslaught. You expect that. But when a close friend, and what appears to be a co-worker in the temple, a fellow priest in service to God. That's a nightmare. Who could it have been? I can't really think of any priests who betrayed David in what I read. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I just can't remember. But there were priests who did evil, those who extorted from those who brought sacrifices. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli come to mind.

It's enough to get a man down, but David encourages himself by encouraging others to cast their burdens on the LORD, He will sustain. Imagine that. The things that discourage you, you toss on God's shoulders. Burdens can only burden one person...if God takes them. How freeing. But how do you do that? How do you not worry about the things that bother you? Is it a matter of being cold to feeling? Or is it simply a matter of absolute trust in God to handle it? To trust him that whatever is happening, He has everything worked out, even though it brings immediate pain and suffering?

Ps. 54: Save Me

Psalm 54:6 "I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good."

Last summer I blogged about Saul's pursuit of David in 1 Samuel. Here we are in the 54th Psalm with David's thoughts on it. There's no surprise that David is going to trust God for his deliverance. Obviously, we know the Ziphites never overtook him.

I guess I did manage to gain a new perspective on sacrifices. When David offers a freewill offering, it clicked with me that these sacrifices are in some cases a return of the grace of God. Not just done to earn it. The sacrifices are an outpouring of thanks. It is a praise of God's good name. God will deliver him, David will sacrifice. I don't get the sense that if David sacrificed, God would deliver him.

Ps. 53: Foolish Evildoers Reset

Psalm 53:5 "There they were, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them."

Remember back on the 5th of March, and I did a commentary on the 14th Psalm? Well, the 53rd Psalm is nearly identical. There are a couple of differences in the text, though. Seemingly minor on the surface, the 53rd Psalm uses "God" for God. The 14th Psalm uses "the LORD." I wonder why that is, and if it has anything to do with the other difference. That being verse 5. In the 14th Psalm, the people were in fear that their sin would overcome them. In the 53rd Psalm, the people feared that their enemies were going to overcome them.

But why were these Psalms so similar? Is it to simple advance the idea that sin is the enemy? Perhaps that falling to foreign armies is a result of sin? Either can lead to dread. 

But maybe it's a matter of rationality. "Overwhelmed with dread, when there was nothing to dread." The enemy is no reason to dread. Unchecked sin, perhaps that is a reason to dread. It is only God that can save from sin. Sure a person can fight off an enemy, but sin is always terminal.

Ps. 52: Whassup, Doeg?

Psalm 52:3 "You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth."

Doeg the Edomite, you'll remember was King Saul's chief herdsman who revealed David's position with Ahimelech in 1 Samuel 21 and 22. This led to the Nob Murders. Anyway, enough review. Doeg was a pretty lousy individual, we'll leave it at that. If the Psalms had hip-hop style dis tracks, this would be one of 'em, with the crosshairs directly on Doeg.

Doeg betrayed David's safety, and had a boastful attitude about it. The language here suggests that Doeg was very effusive, silver-tongued...a great orator. Maybe. Or maybe he was just cocky and liked to brag about himself, as he was in a position as Saul's head shepherd of high regard. Either way, it was evil. His chatter resulted in a massacre of God's people.

This wasn't, however, a hate-filled diatribe. David bemoan's Doeg's behavior. It is almost with sadness that David warns about how God is going to bring on his destruction. For Doeg was against those whom God was with. It's going to be a brutal end for Doeg, and a flourishing one for the followers of God.

I suppose then this could also have a more general meaning that those who are in opposition to God will meet similar fates.

Ps. 51: David's Confession

Psalm 51:7 "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

Back in 2 Samuel 11, we saw the story of David and Bathsheba. He committed adultery with her and then sent her husband to the front lines of battle, so that he would die, and it would cover up his sin. Nathan called him out on it, and this Psalm is written along the lines of David's confession. I don't know if it was written at that exact time, or after the fact, as sort of a memoir.

After this confrontation, David no longer tries to hide his offense. He knows it does no good to attempt to cover up one's sin from God. He knows he must absolutely throw himself on God's mercy. He understands that it is only God, and the restoration of their communion that can lift the burden of bloodguilt from David's shoulders. He acknowledges his sin, and that he is by his nature a sinner (since birth, v. 5). He is a dirty man, and needs to be cleansed. Specifically by hyssop. Remember that hyssop is described in Leviticus 14 as an ingredient for cleansing from infectious skin diseases (sexually transmitted disease, possibly?).

David wants to hear joy and gladness again, rejoicing from the bones God has crushed. He has received his punishment. And when he asks God to hide his face from his sins, I imagine that means something along the lines of, "When you look at me, don't see my sins." Not to ignore them, or pretend they didn't occur. Because they did.

But not only does he ask for forgiveness from this sin, he seems to not want it to happen again. He asks God to create in him a clean heart. A pure heart, and to renew a right spirit in him. He wants this lust problem to be cleared up. He doesn't want women to be a stumbling point for him. I wonder if those who battle addiction to pornography and the other trappings of lust see beyond just needing forgiveness, but also truly desire a pure heart?

He shows then what I consider a mark of leadership, in that he wants to teach others what not to do. He doesn't want them to fall into this sin, I would imagine firstly. And secondly, he doesn't want them to bear the burden of guilt that he feels. David can tell someone, "I've been where you are." He wants to be able to credit God with being his help, and restoring a firm relationship with him.

Again there is a reference to God not really desiring the blood sacrifices in and of themselves, rather a broken spirit and a contrite heart. God would eschew the sacrifice if a person truly came and threw themselves before God, and allowed God to take control of his heart. That's not to say God rebuked those who made the sacrifices. That was simply the demonstration.

Psalm 51 reminds me of:
Create In Me A Clean Heart by Keith Green

Absalom, Absalom by Pierce Pettis