A Call to Justice

Psalm 82:1-8

1 A Psalm of Asaph. God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! 

Here in this Psalm we have a sober reminder that God will ultimately judge those in authority. He stands amidst the councils of man and holds them accountable for their actions and how they treat others. This reminder is followed by the complaint of the Psalmist in verse 2. There is some deliberation amongst scholars as to whether this was during the reign of Jehoshaphat or Hezekiah, but either way it is not too difficult for the reader to form the same complaint today. It often seems that it is the wicked and unjust that escape justice when authorities are given the opportunity to mete out justice to them. 

This is followed by a command to give justice to the weak and fatherless and to maintain the right of the afflicted. We as Christians today must keep this command close to our hearts and never let partiality cloud our judgment. We are God’s agents among men and it is our duty to rescue the weak and the needy. It is this duty and responsibility that allows the lost to see the justice of God reflected through us.

We must keep in mind that there are two aspects to judgment. The first is to actually know what is right. This allows us to discern between right and wrong, but it is only understanding that allows us to act on this knowledge. It is necessary for us to not only know what is right but also to actually do what is right. Otherwise we too are liable to walk in darkness. It is interesting to note the Psalmist’s complaint that the whole foundations of the earth are shaken by this injustice. Our actions have an effect on the world around us.

The Psalmist ends his complaint against injustice with another reminder that the judges of the nations will also be judged. Like the judges written of here, all men will die and face the judgment of one who will show no partiality and who will judge with ultimate authority. No matter how high our position today, we will be humbled before the King. We must follow the advice of the Psalmist and know what is right and act on it. Yes, arise oh God and judge the nations.

I cry aloud to God, and He will hear me

Psalm 77:1-20
1 I cried out to God with my voice—
         To God with my voice;
         And He gave ear to me.
 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
         My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
         My soul refused to be comforted.
 3 I remembered God, and was troubled;
         I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.  Selah 
        
 4 You hold my eyelids open;
         I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
 5 I have considered the days of old,
         The years of ancient times.
 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night;
         I meditate within my heart,
         And my spirit makes diligent search.
        
 7 Will the Lord cast off forever?
         And will He be favorable no more?
 8 Has His mercy ceased forever?
         Has His promise failed forevermore?
 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
         Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?  Selah 
        
 10 And I said, “This is my anguish;
         But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
 11 I will remember the works of the LORD;
         Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
 12 I will also meditate on all Your work,
         And talk of Your deeds.
 13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
         Who is so great a God as our God?
 14 You are the God who does wonders;
         You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
 15 You have with Your arm redeemed Your people,
         The sons of Jacob and Joseph.  Selah 
        
 16 The waters saw You, O God;
         The waters saw You, they were afraid;
         The depths also trembled.
 17 The clouds poured out water;
         The skies sent out a sound;
         Your arrows also flashed about.
 18 The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
         The lightnings lit up the world;
         The earth trembled and shook.
 19 Your way was in the sea,
         Your path in the great waters,
         And Your footsteps were not known.
 20 You led Your people like a flock
         By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

The reader can take much comfort in this Psalm. In it we find the complaint and the struggle of every believer at some point in their lives with a certain remedy. The reader can be sure that when we as believers call out to God in our times of struggle that He will hear us.

Note how the Psalmist begins his Psalm focused on his troubles. We as readers are not sure as to the cause of the Psalmist’s pain but we know that He feels that the Lord has abandoned him based on verses 7-9. How many times have we also asked of God “How long must I suffer until you renew me again oh Lord?” We are duly instructed by the Psalmist in two parts following this contemplation.

In verse 10, the Psalmist consigns himself to the fate that God has handed over to him. He ceases his complaints against God and takes ownership of his troubles. This is my anguish. The KJV uses “this is my affliction”. The psalmist takes comfort and solace in God’s sovereign control over his life. He knows that whatever lot God has handed out to him that he is deserving of it. We as believers can and should take the same approach. His grace is enough. It is sufficient even in our times of trouble or abandonment. So what is our remedy once we have taken ownership for our plight?

We need look no further than the same verse than to find the certain remedy. It is the same remedy that James recommends in James 4:8. It is the same remedy that the Lord instructed His people in through the prophets time and time again such as in Zechariah 1:3. The Psalmist returns his focus to God and what He has done. He reflects upon His mighty works in the wilderness and he knows that God has indeed been merciful and gracious before. We can trust in the immutability of God that He will be gracious and merciful again.

I ask you today- Have you reflected recently upon the amazing things that God has done in your life? Have you remembered the price He paid upon the cross? Return to Him. Draw near to Him. Cry aloud to Him. He will hear you.

God shall bless us

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!

- Psalm 67

This is a beautiful short Psalm that conveys a powerful message that can be broken down in three parts:

1. Plea for God’s people
This is a simple prayer for the believer. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. I long to have the attitude of Paul who when faced with trials or faced with plenty knew that God was right there with Him in all things. Yes it is His grace that saves us, but it is also His grace that sustains us day by day. He has made provisions for us and we need to recognize this and also ask God to remind us of His grace every day. The Psalmist here asks God to make His face shine upon us. Oh what a glorious request! To have our maker make Himself known to us every day is more than we deserve, yet in His grace He does just that.

2. Plea for God to be known to all people
Why does the Psalmist request that God be praised by all people? The first reason is that only God is truly just. In Him we place our hope and trust that He will stand by His promise to redeem those that have trusted in His provision of salvation. If that is not worthy of our praise I am not sure what is. But the Psalmist gives us another reason as well. God is working in all things to bring about His purpose in creation. He is guiding all the nations with His sovereign plan. This gives us hope in the face of despair that all will work for the good of those that love God.

3. What the future will look like when all people know Him
The promise of glorification awaits those that trust in Him. As Paul writes: “those whom He justified he also glorified.” Yes God has blessed us now by justifying us and He continues to bless us everyday by shaping us into the people that He created us to be through sanctification. But oh what a glorious day it will be when we can see clearly. Truly God shall bless us then.

He only is my rock and salvation

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.

- Psalm 62

From Him comes my salvation

1-4
David reminds himself that it is God who saves. We often think about our initial salvation and the provisions that God has made for us in that, but how about daily struggles? Do we continually trust that God will provide our salvation for our daily troubles? In this first temptation David trusts that God alone will deliver him from the attacks of his enemies. The people may try to batter him with words designed to shake him from his assurance but they are in vain. How often are you tempted by the words of others to give in to temptation and to join in with the sinners around you? Do you trust that God will deliver you from the situation?

5-8
David returns to the first two verses with a slight variation here and then directs his words outwards. It seems that David was reminding himself that he needed to trust in God always even when it was difficult. I can not help but think of the man who brought his mute son to Jesus for healing who cried “I believe. Help me with my unbelief!” But then, David encourages the people to do the same. This should always be the way the believer should act. We should place our trust in God first and then encourage others to do so as well. But even in this we must trust in God alone.

9-12
David returns to the temporal temptations of this life with a focus on the material. He reminds us that everything in this life is temporary. Weather we are rich or poor really has no eternal consequences. We can not be placing our trust in that which is here today and gone tomorrow. Instead we should be placing our trust in God for it is He that is sovereign (v11). To him belongs mercy and steadfast love (v12) and justice (v12). For our God has spoken. Do you trust in Him?

In God We Trust

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

4 My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

6 They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

-Psalm 57

In God We Trust

Imagine if you will, for a second, the fear that David must have experienced when Saul was pursuing him with the intent of killing him. Imagine further being trapped in a cave with your pursuer. It would be easy to call out to our tormentor and ask for mercy. To throw ourselves at their mercy and hope for the best. Perhaps we would like to plead our case before men and let them decide who is righteous. But David did none of that. He placed his trust in God and not in his concealment as evidenced by verse 1. He took refuge in the shadow of God’s wings- not in the secrecy of the cave. How I long to have that trust in His provisions every day. I want to not trust in my own accomplishments or my own means but in His accomplishment and His providence.

David’s pleas for mercy did not fall on Saul’s ears, but on God’s. Even prior to being rescued from his pursuer, David was trusting in deliverance from God. He recognized the terrible predicament that he was in as noted in verse 4 and in verse 5 he gave praises in anticipation of his deliverance to God. Why is it that we have doubts that God is capable of delivering us from some small trouble when He is capable of delivering us from the greatest trouble? I desire to have this steadfast assurance of future deliverance from any troubles every day. I want to praise Him in advance for His deliverance in His time, not mine.

Perhaps when we are in trouble that is all around us, we do trust in Him for deliverance. Perhaps we praise Him for allowing us to suffer for His kingdom. But do we return again as David does in verse 9 to praise Him when we have in fact been delivered? How great is His love that we can trust in Him to deliver us when we are surrounded by evil. How great is His faithfulness that He remembers us when we are in trouble and cry out to Him. How great is our privilege to sing His praises among the nations. Today and every day Lord I pray that I can trust in You.

worthy of our thanks

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”
1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
2 Your tongue plots destruction,
like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
3 You love evil more than good,
and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
4 You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.

5 But God will break you down forever;
he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6 The righteous shall see and fear,
and shall laugh at him, saying,
7 “See the man who would not make
God his refuge,
but trusted in the abundance of his riches
and sought refuge in his own destruction!”

8 But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
9 I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly.

- Psalm 52

I trust in the steadfast love of God

Prior to the writing of this Psalm, David had been on the run from Saul. He had stopped and asked Ahimelech the priest for food from the house of God in Nob. Ahimelech gave David and his men the special food that had been consecrated for the priests. He also gave David the sword of Goliath at this time. Doeg was there and saw what happened. He told Saul to suit his own purposes and for his own gain. He did not lie to Saul but he did not correct Saul’s mistaken assumptions either. Because of what Doeg said, Saul commanded him to kill the priests in Nob. It is these actions that prompted this Psalm.

We often see evil people in this world using the innocent actions of others to their own benefit. Their only concerns are the pleasures of this world. It seems at times that they have gotten away with their evil actions. This Psalm serves as a reminder that those who have turned their back on God will suffer in the end. The reader should take note that David chastised Doeg for his actions and warned him of the wrath that was awaiting him. David took comfort in the fact that although evil had prevailed on this occasion; it will ultimately have to face the judgment that is coming.

The Psalmist then returns his focus to his standing before God. He trusts in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. It is God and His love that allow us to be made righteous in His sight. He has done it for us when nothing we could do would suffice. This indeed is worthy of our thanks.

the voice of triumph

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1 Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,
a great king over all the earth.
3 He subdued peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.
4 He chose our heritage for us,
the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

5 God has gone up with a shout,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing praises with a psalm!

8 God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples gather
as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
he is highly exalted!

- Psalm 47

This Psalm is an exhortation to give praise to our God. The KJV uses the voice of triumph in the first verse and I love the way that reads. We are to clap our hands and shout to God with the voice of triumph. The Psalmist goes on to explain that God has subdued the enemies of Israel but I think that we can join in the triumphal praise as well for our God has secured the victory on the cross. Through this victory we can share in the triumph in full knowledge that when Christ declared “It is finished.” that He had gained the victory over death and sin.

In verses five and six we are urged by the Psalmist to sing praises to our God and King a total of five times. Note the urgency but also note that it is our God and King. For many people it is easy to sing praises to God for He is our creator and He has given us everything that we have. But how many people are willing to submit to the rule of the King as well? How many are willing to lift their praises to the one who has ultimate authority in our lives?  

He has gone up with a shout and He will return in the same manner. When He does the nations will lay down their arms at His feet and submit to His rule whether or not they are willing. Note how the Psalmist ties God’s sovereign nature directly to His holiness. God is already ruler over all but we are a rebellious lot. Many will regret the day when He returns but as for me, I join in the chorus of praise and long for His return. I urge you to do the same. Sing praises to Him. Sing praises to our God. Sing praises to our King.

BDS

finding delight

 Of David.
1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.

12 The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose way is upright;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.

16 Better is the little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.

18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will remain forever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times;
in the days of famine they have abundance.

20 But the wicked will perish;
the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives;
22 for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26 He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.

27 Turn away from evil and do good;
so shall you dwell forever.
28 For the Lord loves justice;
he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.

32 The wicked watches for the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power
or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.

34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.

37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 37

While examining this Psalm, I was struck by how different it is from most of the other Psalms I have been reading lately. Although David wrote it, this Psalm may seem more at home amongst the Proverbs for it carries words of wisdom for our instruction. I would like to focus today on three simple concepts from the first few verses.

1. Trust in the Lord

This is the ultimate exhortation to faith. Whether we are struggling with issues of doubt or issues with sin, it all comes down to whether or not your trust is in Him. The life of the Christian is built around trust. We trust that whatever needs that we may have that He will provide. We trust that He is faithful and that He will hold to His promise for those that Love Him. But most of all, we trust in His grace. That He will provide even the means in us to trust in Him when we are lacking.

2. Delight yourself in the Lord

This is not the theology of the church of today that gives us riches by proclaiming His name. No, it is far better than that. The second half of the verse promises “the desires of your heart”. What are the desires of the heart for those that delight in the Lord? Well, it is to live a life that is pleasing to him. It is not riches of this earth that we truly desire but to know and be known by Him that gave us life. That is the desire of my heart and I delight in the thought that He has promised to give that to me.

3. Commit your way to the Lord

I can not help but think of James 4:8 and Zechariah 1:3 when I read this. But perhaps it is better captured by what Jesus said in John 15:14- “You are my friends if you do what I command.” I like the way this is phrased as well. The writer has not asked us to commit our hearts or ourselves but our way. Walk as He walked and do as he did and the Lord will act. In this we can be true followers of “the way”.

Lord, I pray today that I can trust in You in all that I do and that I can find all my delight in You. Help me to commit my way to You Lord and give me the strength necessary to walk as You have shown us.

- BDS

be glad in the Lord and rejoice!

“A Maskil of David.
32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

 5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to You at a time when You may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach Him.
 7 You are a hiding place for me;
You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” - Psalm 32

This short Psalm carries a powerful message. Luther considered it a Pauline Psalm because it “teaches that the forgiveness of our sins comes, without the law and without works, to the man who believes”. I find this to be an interesting take on this particular Psalm. The first two verses talk about being “blessed” and thus evoke thoughts of both Psalm 1 and the Beatitudes. Spurgeon wrote of this Psalm: “Blessedness is not in this case ascribed to the man who has been a diligent lawkeeper, for then it would never come to us, but rather to a lawbreaker, who by grace most rich and free has been forgiven.”

I find myself thinking of the prodigal son when reading this Psalm. Day and night when he was in the far off land the hand of the Lord was heavy upon him and his strength was dried up by the weight of it. However, when he returned to his father and confessed his sins, they were forgiven and he was blessed. Note that the confession draws the psalmist closer to God and leads the psalmist to have compassion for others. The Lord then instructs the penitent one and reaffirms our reasons to trust in Him.

“Lord, we thank you for allowing us to become righteous in your sight. We thank you for instructing us in the way that we should go. We pray that we are not stubborn in learning what it is that you have to teach us and that you give us the courage to seek You even in our times of struggle. Then we also can be counted as blessed.”

- BDS

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