Ps. 101: Practical Praise

Psalm 101:2 "I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart."

David lists a few ways to keep a blameless (not perfect, there's a difference) walk before the LORD. The overarching theme of all of them is to completely avoid any sort of sin temptation whatsoever. In this way, David is presented with fewer "opportunities" to fail. In this way, David keeps his house in order, never really knowing when God could show up on his doorstep, so to speak.

He removes vile things from his site, eliminates the company of evildoers and those who could influence him to turn to things ungodly. That specifically includes gossip and slander...liars. David was so mindful of these types of people that he devoted nearly an entire Psalm as a reminder to avoid them. He is the highly susceptible to temptation, and he realized that. This Psalm serves him well, I imagine.

Ps. 100: Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:4 "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

The Psalms cross the century mark with a brief song of thanksgiving. I like the idea of entering God's courts with thanksgiving and praise. Although these were places of holiness, and still demanded a certain sense of awe, one could still enter with joy and thanksgiving. How? Well, if a person lives according the covenant made by God, what does he have to fear? He is not under fear of wrath, and most likely has received awesome blessing. This salvation and close walk with God are reasons enough to be thankful and to praise God. Not to mention that God's faithfulness to save endures forever.

Ps. 99: He is Holy

Psalm 99:9 "Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy."

A reminder of God's holiness is the 99th Psalm. Another brief one, this recounts how God is great, and tremble-worthy. "Enthroned between the cherubim" is an allusion to the temple and the ark are made, the two most significant examples of God's holiness. 

This Psalm shows how God's holiness is praiseworthy. God won't be messed with. His discipline of the nation of Israel is lauded. When they screwed up, God punished them. When they followed his covenant, God rewarded them. Sometimes God even blessed them while they were being jerks, like when they complained about no meat.

Moses, Aaron, and Samuel are pointed to as examples of people to emulate, even though Moses and Aaron displayed horrific lapses in judgement. God still lifted these men up, because they recognized God as holy.

Ps. 98: Sing with Joy

Psalm 98:3 "He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God."

Another quickie, the 98th Psalm is one of celebration. Whenever I read, "The LORD remembered" it is almost exclusively when a person (or Israel) has been delivered from some terrible onslaught, or have returned to the covenant made with God.

When it talks about the LORD making his salvation known to the nations, I wonder if that is the instrinsic idea in everyone that there is a God, a creator, a power higher than they. It is the LORD that has done this. He reveals Himself, in his might and righteousness. Creation celebrates this, in full view of every person.

Ps. 97: Power

Psalm 97:9 "For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods."

There's a lot of imagery in the 97th Psalm related to power. The mountains, the thunder, the lightning. Fire and darkness. Mountains are said to melt like wax...this metaphor was used before when David was hopeless...his heart melted like wax. That is fear.

All these entities beyond the grasp and control of man are subject quite handily to God almighty. Its a good thing he is in control, because I'd hate to live in a world where these things run amok. This power God has is praiseworthy.

Ps. 96: How to Worship

Psalm 96:5 "For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens."

The 96th Psalm does a few things. First, it declares who God is. Second, it instructs God's people what we are supposed to do about it. Third, it reveals creation's ability to worship God.

God is worthy of praise, dwelling in splendor, and, unlike hand carved gods made by men, created the heavens. Because of this, we sing a new song to him (this Psalm is one of them), praise his name, and declare his salvation, day after day. Also, we tell others about the marvelous deeds he has done. Ascribe glory and strength to God and bring him offerings. These are methods of worship. Even simply trembling before God in his power seems to be a way to worship, as it acknowledges God's glory and strength, when words fail.

Even non-human creation serves to worship God...the seas, the mountains, the fields, the trees...they find their jubilance in God...God brings them joy. That's quite a ponderous thing. Maybe some of the religious beliefs of the native American faiths aren't so far off, in the idea that creation is conscious of who their God and creator is? Thoughts?

Ps. 95: Worship the Rock

Psalm 95:1 "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation."

It is good to worship God. He is the creator and protector of all things. He created all things seen and unseen, and this alone indicates unspeakable power. And above all things, he is a good God, seeking that we have great blessing, like a sheep receives protection and providence from his shepherd. That is pretty awesome.

The Psalm ends with a warning not to astray like they did at Meribah and Massah, a reference to Exodus 17 and the Israelites' desire to return to Egypt and captivity. This quarreling led to their 40 years of wandering. Not a fun time.

Ps. 94: Avenge Me!

Psalm 94:11 "The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile."

Another Psalm requesting vengeance on the enemies of the Psalmist and his nation. So much is made in the Psalms about how great the "wicked" on earth have things. Those who reject God do not believe in him in respect to his power. Therefore, without that sense of an afterlife with that God, and probably a sense of eternity limited by their culture, they feel that they have one go-around, and this is it. Hence, they better make the most of the pleasures available while they're here. Undisciplined pleasures that get in the way of a relationship with God, and the source of true treasure. 

The Psalmist here trusts his deliverance and his life to God, and therefore devotes his life to God. What passes away, the obsessions of the wicked, can never save like God's supporting hand.

Ps. 93: Immovable

Psalm 93:1 "The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved."

A brief Psalm that makes no bones about the ultimate power in the universe and how this universe showcases and shouts not only God's existance, but his Godhood. He is the be-all end-all. What God has put in place are not changing, will not be moved by any sort of power. His strength is in his holiness. And I just wonder if that holiness is obeyed by everything. If that holiness is the force that brings everything together.

Ps. 92: Worship and Thought

Psalm 92:5 "How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!"

Worshipping God for his good deeds is a good thing. Right to do. Commanded? No. But if you experience God and allow yourself to understand him and his wonders on the level that the Psalmist does, how could you not? Even though life may not be so wonderful all the time, it is God who is unwavering, who brings the blessing, who has such profound thoughts that he is deserving of praise.

I am also struck by the thought in verses 6 and 7. It takes a level of intellectual honesty and fitness to see the evildoers enjoying such great lives and flourishing, that it is temporary. Eventually that tangible success will be destroyed. And that's something that I personally must remind myself. I don't want to consider myself senseless or a fool (though I must admit I am at times), so I need to realize that true success is to be a man after God's own heart, as David is. To fail, but yet to be so close to God that failure doesn't crush my own true sense of self, and that is that I am beloved by him. 

I want to be that palm...that Lebanon cedar...bearing fruit into old age. Not passing away like scattered enemies.

Ps. 91: Dwell in the Most High

Psalm 91:14 ""Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."

So in spite of God's ability to just crush man and return them to dust, he has a genuine interest and love for man. In that context, the idea that God could love any person is sincerely mind blowing. This 91st Psalm speaks of the protection God would provide a person who trusts in him, the Most High. He will protect man from trouble. That is to say there will be trouble. God protects in the shadow of his wing. And this is faithfulness. He can be trusted to be our protector. Because of this, we have no cause to fear the terrors at night, and the arrow that flies in the daytime. And there will be terror. There will be arrows. There will also be pestilence and plague. The disease du jour is the misnomered "swine flu." Because of God's faithful protection, there is no reason to fear it. 

"What if I get swine flu? What if I get arrowed?" I don't know. God is still faithful and true. Is it total protection so that nothing bad will happen to you? I think not. Life isn't easy and life isn't a God-given guarantee. To expect that nothing awful will happen to you is not realistic. But to believe it's because God doesn't care is equally as unrealistic. He says so right here in the 91st Psalm. Continue to dwell in him, and God will be your shield.

I suspect the notion of "Guardian Angels" comes out of Psalm 91:11. Supernatural protectors that follow you around, making sure you don't trip on a stone. I wonder how far into illustration land the Psalmist going hear. Of course if you mess with a cobra, you'll likely pay with your life. Same with a lion or a serpent. I said a serpent. The point most likely is that you will be watched over. You will be protected from things without even you knowing. This isn't carte-blanche to go diving off a building because you dwell in the protection of the most high. It's little, insignificant things like redirecting a drunk driver down a different street, or having you go flood the school so a jet engine doesn't crush you in bed, or ... you know. You've seen "The Butterfly Effect." The idea that God has Guardian Angels in place because he can't be bothered with having to protect all the billions of people running amok on Earth or on the other planets he may have put life is simply not correct. Maybe there are, maybe there aren't guardian angels. I haven't seen any, and I can't think of any coincidences where I think, "Man am I glad I didn't get on Flight 11 out of Boston on 9/11."

The point is, salvation and protection come from a sincere relationship with God. From dwelling in the Most High.

Ps. 90: Life is Short

Psalm 90:4 "For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night."

Here it is, book 4. The 90th Psalm. It is titled "A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God." I suppose that it was written as though Moses would have written it. 

What I get mostly out of this one is the sheer timelessness of God. Man's time on earth, his life, is short. We measure it out as 70, 80 years or so. God doesn't measure it. The Psalmwriter had the sense to realize that it is basically a breath. A watch of the night. Not much to it. Having lived under the crushing dominion of measured time, day and night my entire life, I can't imagine not living that way. 

Therefore, it is God who says to man, who was dust, "return to the dust." He demonstrates his power to transcend time, to be beyond time, by his ability to just sweep men away every generation. 

I don't know why the Psalmist writes that they are years of trouble and sorrow. Perhaps that is man's choice? Perhaps that is because of the curse brought about by Adam's disobedience? And then the renewal of the curse by Noah's descendants?

While man has no way to be established, the works of his hands can be.

Ps. 89: God's Own

Psalm 89:27 "I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth."

The 89th Psalm is pretty long. And it is mainly about how great David is. And God says a lot of great things about him. This David appears to be someone who's anointing and influence will endure forever. We already know he died, so this isn't his physical nature that goes on. But he is apparently being counted as the greatest king.

And this king will undergo some serious trials, to the point where it will seem like God abandons him. He will be rejected by his people, and they will want him dead.

God's love for David is pretty incredible. David must be a heckuva guy.

Ps. 88: Psalmy Darko

Psalm 88:3 "For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave."

Wow. In my opinion, the 88th Psalm may be the darkest one I've read. It's pretty rough. Those looking for hope in the Psalms are advised to look elsewhere. The sons of Korah paint a pretty bleak picture here for what it's like to be on God's bad side, or to be ignored or abandoned by him. Or really, even having to endure God's silence. Though in one's mind, it may be understood that God is still God and hasn't forsaken, the whole experience isn't a pleasant one. It doesn't necessarily light those touchy-feely God candles.

This Psalm reeks of loneliness, abandonment and despair. Is God refusing to hear? How long is he going to go on doing that?

Wrath and terror engulf him like a flood? Loneliness surrounds him? His friends and companions have been replaced with darkness? Yikes. So the Bible isn't all encouraging words all the time. But I would suppose there is a bigger point coming. This is a writer pouring his feelings out. He's not trying to hide his true feelings. Questions are there...why ignore them for the sake of tradition and religion?

The truth is, there is quite a bit of desparation in the Psalms, mostly from David. But there is just as much beauty in the worshipful words of God. David has good words, but I think Asaph is a bit more gifted in the wordsmithing department.

Ps. 87: Out of Zion

Psalm 87:5 "Indeed, of Zion it will be said, 'This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.'"

Here's a song about the importance of the land of Zion to God, the most high. Zion is the foundation, the establishment. From what I've read in scripture, Zion could mean the promised land, Israel, or Jerusalem. Anyway, it's quite prophetic. 

God views the gates of Zion as more important than the dwellings of Jacob. Why would the Psalmist say that? The gates are loved more than all the dwellings...

I guess on the surface, without gates, there is no safety or protection in dwellings. Enemies could come right in and just run amok.

But something is going to happen. Zion will be so important, that it will be historically recorded that someone, certain people, will have been born there. A person by which the Most High (God) will establish himself. Could those who are recorded to have acknowledged this establishment in verse (Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre) be the same people worshipping God from Psalm 86? I dun't know. This person, this one, this fountain, will have been born in Zion.

Ps. 86: Save David

Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

David is back again, and in typical David fashion has a Psalm asking for deliverance. 

Why should God deliver David?

Why does God have to deliver David?

And why is David in this trouble? Is he not a man after God's own heart? Didn't God say to follow his words and not waver to the right or to the left and one will live long and prosper (Dt. 5)? Well, David often stood in need of God's forgiveness. He wasn't perfect, but he was blameless, due to his constant back-and-forth with God, his total transparency before God.

David describes God in worship, and it's really quite beautiful. Forgiving, abounding in love. That's quite a description, and it speaks to what David knew he needed. God was everything David lacked. And was the only God that David could say that about.

I'm not sure when all nations will bow before God. It hasn't happened yet. But I'm no prophet. And they will worship Him? I really find that very difficult to believe, unless something drastic happens.

At the end of the 86th Psalm, David asks God for a sign. Something that will secure and comfort David, and also put his enemies to shame. I'm not sure what that sign is. Perhaps the promise that David would always have a light in the tabernacle?

Ps. 85: Restoration and Righteousness

Psalm 85:7 "Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation."

Finally, a Psalm of restoration. Before, the Psalmist asked if God would do certain things. Or would stop doing certain things. Here, God has done those things. Fortunes restored, favor shown, iniquity forgiven...its all good here. But why? Why does God take the time he does? Or does he take his time. What is the amount of time between when contrite words are spoken, and when a contrite heart is broken? (That's a free one.) And even then, how long does God wait even after the heart is truely aligned to God's grace?

And grace it is. It is God who sets aside his anger and wrath. It isn't that God is convinced by any arguement or sacrifices or flowery speeches. Nothing is earned from God. Likewise, God earns nothing from man. Which is well and good that nothing transfers from man to God, only from God to man. God is unfailing love and salvation. Man is nothing but in need of those things.

But you have to listen to God. God demanded that people listen and walk in his ways, and this is how righteousness and peace were found. 

Ps. 84: Better Is One Day

Psalm 84:14 "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."

The 84th Psalm extols the wonder and ultimate joy it is to dwell in the house of God. Besides being the obvious inspiration for Matt Redman's ubiquitous late-90's tune, it really shows how God's house can be everywhere. The sparrow finds rest. The sparrow. A common bird. Yet this bird has a place near God's altar. All creation, and I presume the illustration is for all people, is important to God.

The sons of Korah write that their soul faints to be in the house of God. Other than to be with my wife, I can't think of anything else my soul faints for. O, that the house of God would be so critical to my own personal strength and sanity.

We have a section about a pilgrimage passing through the valley of Baca, which I hear tell is sorrow or tears. So much so that pools are formed. I'm not entirely sure what is meant by going from strength to strength til each appears before God in Zion. Perhaps they are encouraged and strengthened? Appearing before God sounds as though there is some final accounting before God. And the strength gained through adversity is the strength that will keep one through the judgement?

Ps. 83: Enemies of God

Psalm 83:17 "May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace."

Asaph isn't some seer, he knows that there are people plotting against Israel. When you plot against Israel, he says, you plot against the LORD himself. Which has proven itself never to be all that great of an idea. Their goals, wipe Israel off the map, and remove them from the memory of history. We've heard this recently, actually.

But Asaph is eager to see God's power of deliverance. He remembers. He was taught about Judges 4, when Deborah defeated Sisera. He recounts Judges 7, when Gideon crushed the Midianites who plotted against Israel.

Asaph knows God is forever, and those who seek to stand against him are temporary, like tumbleweed in the wind, or a forest consumed by fire.

Which side will you be on?

Ps. 82: Olympus

Psalm 82:8 "Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance."

God is like the head God of other gods. They have no power but to submit to God. So I wonder if these other gods have any actual power? But they are given this power. By God. Would God give power to other gods? Why? Unless I am not understanding the word "god" here in this context. Perhaps it is just powerful men. Perhaps angels. Perhaps extraterrestrial life forms? 

Anyway, in verse two, my guess is that God's voice confronts these lesser gods for being partial to the wicked. I suppose it could be man's questioning God for allowing the wicked to be successful, but God doesn't have to answer to that for any reason.

These other gods must be jerks, because they have to be told to stand up for the fatherless and to help deliver the weak and needy. They must be unfair to the poor. It is the social justice aspect that makes me think these gods are rulers of men, who are swayed by their own greed and desire for earthly things that they would neglect the neglected.

But then the high strangeness takes over in verse 6. "You are gods, sons of the Most High." The most high being God himself, presumably. Is it the fact that God ordains rulers? Or are these another race of beings with power from and under God? Angels? But they are told they will die like Adam. Like mere men. Their time is gonna come. They don't rule the way God does, they don't do things his way, therefore they can only pass away, just like every other ruler.

Maybe the 82nd Psalm ultimately serves as a bit of a reminder to rulers on the earth that they are in fact mortal and owe their power and position to one person.