You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Psalms’ category.
Introducing the fourth, Numbers book of Psalms. We discuss the book of Numbers, the book of Israel “In the Wilderness,” and consider the corresponding subject matter of the fourth book of Psalms, focusing on the earth and God’s counsels and purposes regarding it. Then, we consider Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses the man of God. He prays on behalf of the elder, cursed generation in the wilderness, who are doomed to die there, as Moses himself will eventually. Yet the ultimate hope of this elder generation gleams dimly but brightly in the future, for they too will be resurrected from the dead, without which hope none of us would have any chance for a future. So we consider this important psalm, from which we too have much to learn.
In this message, we continue the psalm contrasting the brightness of the covenant made with David and with the darkness of the dishonor his heir is currently experiencing. He promised to be with David heirs for the outflow, to punish them if they disobeyed Him, but never to take His mercy from them as He did from Saul. His seed would be established like the sun and moon. But what now? David’s seed has been cast off. His adversaries have defeated him, and Yehovah seems to have helped them do so. The psalmist calls on Yahweh to remember how their foes have reproached His servants. Thus we come to the end of this third, Leviticus book of Psalms.
In this psalm, the psalmist, Ethan the Ezrahite, pleads on behalf of the heir of David’s throne, who was being greatly dishonored at the time it was written by a foreign invader. He speaks of the greatness of Jehovah and the covenant He made with David. He speaks of His faithfulness and mercy towards him, and how Jehovah saved him and destroyed all his enemies.
In this message, we consider this, the gloomiest psalm in the book, apparently written by a hopeless leper, trusting in Jehovah in spite of the darkness he lives in. He is near to the grave, cut off from God and from hope. All who knew him distanced themselves from him, as if he were already dead. He cried out to God, for he was ready to die from his youth, and all he formerly knew are swallowed by darkness.
In this message, we consider Psalm 86, the only psalm of David in the third, Leviticus book of Psalms. It is a prayer of his, addressed to Yehovah throughout. He calls on Yahweh to preserve his soul and save him. Then, he looks forward to the day when all nations will come and worship before Him. The proud have risen against him, but he knows the LORD is full of compassion. Then, we consider Psalm 87, a glorious psalm of Zion in the future kingdom, when it will be exalted as the city of God. It will be a great privilege, noted by God, to be born there. God’s springs will flow from Zion.
In this message, we consider Psalm 84, the song of a Levite, for a time cut off from the house of the LORD, now triumphantly returning there for one of the feasts, rejoices in the glories of God’s house on earth, stating boldly that he would rather be there than anywhere else on earth. Then, in Psalm 85, the days of Israel’s redemption and God’s kingdom are considered. Israel is forgiven and brought back from death to enjoy the glorious conditions of life on earth during God’s government.
In this message, we examine the final psalm of Asaph. This is a psalm of utmost importance because it provides us with information about the character of the Great Tribulation. It lists ten nations that form a confederation against Jehovah and His anointed, which informs us about the same ten-kingdom confederation in the book of Revelation. This confederation will not succeed, for Jehovah will bring it to an end.
In this message, we examine Psalm 81, another Psalm of Asaph, a psalm that Rotherham suggests was sung by a wandering Levite traversing the northern kingdom, singing psalms to the people and trying to encourage them to return to the true God. Then we consider Psalm 82, another psalm of Asaph, the provides the poetic picture of God as having arrived to speak to the assembly of Israel’s congress. He charges them with corruptly favoring the wicked rich, and urges them to do justice and care for the poor. When they refuse to hear, He reminds them that they will all die and fall from their powerful positions like all previous rulers have done before them. The Psalmist, as if meeting God on the way out of the meeting, urges Him to take control of the land, since someday He will rule all nations. This important psalm was quoted by our Lord Jesus Christ because of its reference to Israel’s rulers as “gods,” which we discuss.
In this message, we consider Psalm 80, another Psalm of Asaph. Rotherham thinks it to be in the same context as Psalm 79 and another appeal to the northern kingdom to return to their God, but Bullinger thinks it was written while the nation was still whole, perhaps at the time of David’s war with Syria and Edom, when Israel seemed in such difficulties. The Psalmist calls on God to help them in their difficulty. He reminds Him how He brought them like a vine out of Egypt and planted them in this good land, clearing room for them and allowing them to grow. Now a wild boar out of the woods is trampling them down. Will He not act to deliver and save them?
In this message, we consider another psalm of Asaph, which Bullinger again suggests was during Rehoboam’s reign and the defilement of the temple by Pharaoh Shishak. The nations around Israel mock their now-desolated condition. The psalmist wonders how long this will last, and God will allow His enemies to mock His people? How long will He be angry at them? The psalmist urges Him to forgive them and help them.
Precepts Audio 