Psalm 72

Dear RTB’ers,

The title, “Of Solomon” in today’s Psalm 72… Could it have been written about Solomon by David, his father? Verse 20 indicates that The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. Or maybe it was written by someone else about Solomon, or maybe by Solomon himself? We don’t know. What we do know is that this Psalm is about the rule of a good king, a righteous and just king (Psalm 72:1-7) who rules over all the Earth (Psalm 72:8-11) and cares for the poor and needy (Psalm 72:2,4,12-14). He is described in glowing terms (Psalm 72:5-7) with a prayer that this good king be blessed in every way (Psalm 72:15-17). Who else but Jesus can fit this description? May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed! (v. 17) Read it again, folks, with Jesus in mind.

And now we close Book 2 of the Psalms and move on to I Kings.

Blessings.

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See also: June 25 (2022) / Psalm 72.

Psalms 70-71

Dear RTB’ers,

Two psalms today. My Study Bible suggested that Psalm 70 was a lead-in to Psalm 71, since Psalm 71 has no header line. Accordingly, they ascribe both psalms to David. Psalm 70 is only five verses long, but in those five verses David addresses three groups. In verses 2-3 he speaks against his enemies; in verse 4 he rejoices with others who are seeking the God of Israel; then in verse 5 he speaks of his own need. Five verses, three groups addressed. Intriguing.

More than a few of us here in RTB are getting on in our years. Hence I suspect that what jumps out at many of us in Psalm 71 is old age, as mentioned in verses 9 and 18. In both verses the psalmist asks that he not be forsaken; but in verse 18 he goes on to ask the Lord that he may “…proclaim Your might to another generation…” I think that’s a call to us who are advancing in our years – to reach out to the younger people in our congregation, to encourage their faith with our teaching, with the examples that we set, and with our support for their needs, all the while giving God the glory for whatever we do. It is my sense that people are stronger in their faith as they grow older. The rest of you, yes? …no? Your thoughts…?

We see the word “shame” three times in Psalm 71 (vv. 1, 13, 24). In the first the psalmist asks that he never be put to shame, then in the next two verses he asks just the opposite for his enemies, that they be scorned and disgraced. The verses in between those last two “shame” verses are all about the psalmist’s confidence in who God is and his praise for all that He has done, in spite of difficulties that the psalmist has seen in his own life: You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth You will bring me up again. (v. 20) Old-age reflections – God is faithful through it all. A good reminder for all of us!

Blessings.

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See also:

• June 22 (2022) / Psalm 70
• June 23 (2022) / Psalm 71:1-13
• June 24 (2022) / Psalm 71:14-24

Psalm 69

Dear RTB’ers,

Although this Psalm was clearly written by David (or another king) for a particular situation that he (or ______) was facing, from this side of the Cross we cannot help but read it with Jesus’ life, especially His Crucifixion in mind. Our STS authors mention that there are many New Testament quotes from this Psalm. In fact, my Study Bible notes that no Psalm, other than Psalm 22 is more often quoted in the New Testament. Here are a few of those quotes:

• For v. 9a, see John 2:17
• For v. 9b, see Romans 15:3b
• For v. 13b, see II Corinthians 6:2
• For v. 21, see Matthew 27:34, 48 and similar quotes in Mark, Luke, and John
• For v. 22-23, see Romans 11:9-10
• For v.25a, see Acts 1:20a
• For v. 28 “book of life” there are many Revelations references

There are probably more allusions to Jesus’ suffering that I missed. (For example, an allusion, but not a quote, “But I am afflicted and in pain…,” v. 29a). One commentary that I read even said that “…many Christians sing it [Psalm 69] on Good Friday, the day when we remember Jesus’ death.” So I would encourage you to re-read this Psalm, with Jesus and His sufferings at the top of your mind.

Blessings.

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See also:

• June 19 (2022) / Psalm 69:1-12
• June 20 (2022) / Psalm 69:13-28
• June 21 (2022) / Psalm 69:29-36

Psalm 68:19-35

Dear RTB’ers,

The Ark of the God who brings salvation, deliverance from Israel’s enemies (Psalm 68:19-23) has now arrived in Jerusalem (Psalm 68:24-27). The psalmist (David?) presents a picture of the defeated kings of the earth acknowledging Israel’s God and Jerusalem’s temple: Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to You. Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. (v. 29, 31) The Psalm concludes with praise to the God who rules over all. Awesome is God from His sanctuary; the God of Israel—He is the one who gives power and strength to His people. (v. 35a) It’s as true today as it was some 3000 years ago!

Blessings.

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See also: June 18 (2022) / Psalm 68:19-35.

Psalm 68:1-18

Dear RTB’ers,

Today, the first half of Psalm 68. Both STS and my Study Bible suggest that the entire Psalm is written for a procession, most likely the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Like any other procession, this Psalm has a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Its beginning is the Exodus, Mt. Sinai, and the Wilderness (Psalm 68:7-10). Its middle is the conquest of the Promised Land (Psalm 68:12,14), and its (initial) ending is the establishment of Jerusalem (Mt. Zion) as the “chief” of all the mountains (Psalm 68:15-16). This “ending” of the first 18 verses only sets Jerusalem as God’s holy city. We will read tomorrow of the arrival of the Ark, especially Psalm 68:24-27. For the full story of the journey of the Ark to Mt. Zion, see II Samuel 6 as noted in STS.

Planted in the middle of these historical verses we see David praising the Lord – a common thread in all of David’s psalms: Sing to God, sing praises to His name … His name is the LORD; exult before Him! (v. 4) We also need to mention verse 18, quoted (in part) by Paul in Ephesians 4:8. Paul explains his use of this quote in the next two verses: In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. (Ephesians 4:9-10) That is, Paul is connecting the journey of the Ark to Jerusalem with Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. Those Ephesians verses are more clearly understood when we know the context of those original words in verse 18.

More tomorrow with the rest of this Psalm, with the arrival of the Ark in Jerusalem…

Blessings.

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See also: June 17 (2022) / Psalm 68:1-18.

Psalms 66-67

Dear RTB’ers,

Another two psalms today, both without labels as to who the author might be; the oddity for us is that they are not ascribed to David. Our STS authors and my Study Bible and an external reference all suggest that King Hezekiah might be the author, coming from his victory over the Assyrians. Two of those sources suggest that we read Isaiah 37; the third suggests II Kings 19, a duplicate of Isaiah 37.

I was encouraged by the middle verses of Psalm 66: For You, O God, have tested us; You have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our backs; You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet You have brought us out to a place of abundance. (vv. 66:10-12) The author and his people have gone through testing and come out on the other side. He further acknowledges that he was trusting God through it all. I will perform my vows to You, that which … my mouth promised when I was in trouble. (vv. 66:13b-14) It is often difficult to pray with confidence when we are facing difficulties. We often hear that times of testing are there for our benefit, to “refine” us as does hot fire to precious metals. We are asked to see God at work, even when things are not going our way. We need to believe that and to claim two constant reminders – “God is God and I am not” and “Your will be done.” Hezekiah (like David earlier) sets a good example for us.

Blessings.

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See also:

• June 15 (2022) / Psalm 66
• June 16 (2022) / Psalm 67

Psalms 64-65

Dear RTB’ers,

Two psalms today, both ascribed to David, and totally different in their content. Psalm 64 is all about David’s enemies while Psalm 65 is all about praise. As to David’s enemies… The first eight verses in Psalm 64 mention the enemies; only the last two, speak of God’s deliverance. The enemies are not named, even as to whether they are local or international, so we cannot go to any specific incidents in II Samuel to look for guidance. However, much of the focus is on their tongue, so we can imagine that these enemies are people somewhat close to David: Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows… (vv. 64:2-3) Sadly, these enemies make secret plots, confident that no one can know their goals. However, God knows – and acts: They … talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” … But God shoots His arrow at them; they are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them… (vv. 64:5, 7-8a) He wins, they lose!

Then, the dramatic contrast with all the praise and thankfulness in Psalm 65: Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! (v. 65:4a) In the bulk of the Psalm David uses creation, the climate, the environment to speak of God’s glory. Creation itself praises God: The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy. (vv. 65:12-13) GLORY!

Blessings.

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See also:

• June 13 (2022) / Psalm 64
• June 14 (2022) / Psalm 65

Psalm 63

Dear RTB’ers,

In spite of being on the run, David is still full of confidence and praise: …for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. But those who seek to destroy my life … shall be given over to the power of the sword … But the king shall rejoice in God… (vv. 7, 9-11, edited)

I find that I disagree with the STS opening paragraph introducing this Psalm. The header to the Psalm says that David was in the “wilderness of Judah”, which is the mountainous area south of Jerusalem and west of the Dead Sea. This is the area where David fled when he was on the run from Saul. However, the STS editors suggest that David was on the run from Absalom, but when David fled from Absalom he went east and crossed the Jordan. (Recall the issue of Judah bringing him back over the Jordan, with the other Israeli tribes angry with Judah. See II Samuel 19:11-15, 41-43.) Either way, David is on the run and still oozing with confidence in the Lord’s deliverance.

Blessings.

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See also: June 12 (2022) / Psalm 63.

Psalms 61-62

Dear RTB’ers,

Another two Psalms today, both ascribed to David, but neither pointing to any specific incident in his life – and he had a number of enemies! In both of these Psalms “the king” is specifically mentioned (Prolong the life of the king…, v. 61:6a) or suggested (They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. v. 62:4a). Is David the author, speaking in the third person? Or is there a different author, with the Psalms still ascribed to David? What is confusing to me today was probably straightforward years ago when these Psalms were spoken or sung, over and over, again and again, for thousands of years in temple and synagogue worship. Not an issue for us today…!

A note on Psalm 61:8 took me to an item in my Study Bible that was one of their earlier notes relating to Psalm 7:17, “Prayer springs from need, and praise must follow deliverance.” It struck me how true that is. We constantly pray when we have need(s) and we often give thanks when we see answered prayer, but does our thanks really lead to praise? Do we really honor God for who He is and what He has done for us? I know that I fall short in this realm. Again, I could learn from David.

Today’s verse worth noting: Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. (v. 62:8) Carol and I are dealing with that trust right now as we are waiting for that person or family that will buy our farm. We go back in time and are confident in the Lord moving us in this direction, but waiting and praying for that buyer is difficult. In years past we’ve had difficulties selling properties and that past hangs over us. We do need to Trust in Him at all times… Please pray with us for that level of trust in our current situation.

Blessings.

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See also:

• June 10 (2022) / Psalm 61
• June 11 (2022) / Psalm 62