Categoria: News

 Psalm 84 is attributed to the Sons of Korah and is one of the most beautiful hymns of the Bible which expresses a deep yearning for God’s house and for God’s presence. The psalmists say that their heart and flesh cry out for the living God. How lovely is your temple Lord… even sparrow and swallow think so… blessed are those that dwell in your house. The writer goes on saying blessed are those whose strength is in you and have set their heart on pilgrimage… though one goes through dry and harsh valley of Baca God transforms it into a place of springs and autumn rain… better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere… better is it to be the door keeper of the temple than to dwell in the tents of the wicked… for God is sun and shield… blessed is he who trusts in God!

Psalm 83 is a prayer of lament written by Asaph. It calls on God to speak out against his cunning enemies who plot against God’s people. Many nations have formed an alliance against Israel including even Assyria to destroy Israel as a nation! (some things never change!) Asaph prays that God will repeat the same sort of defeats as those inflicted in the past against Midian, Sisera and Jabin. Asaph prays that Israel’s enemies be dealt with like chaff in the wind or fire in a forest. Asaph prays that the enemies be ashamed and dismayed and perish in disgrace and let them know that the Lord alone is the Most High over all the earth!

Psalm 82 was written by Asaph and presents God as the supreme judge who gives judgement among the “gods” (Elohim). God reprimands those in authority who are unjust and show partiality to the wicked. They understand nothing and live in darkness. They are “gods” who will die like mere men. Asaph concludes invoking God to judge the earth because all the nations are his inheritance. 

 Psalm 81 is a celebratory song by Asaph which also calls Israel to repentance. It starts joyfully calling everyone to sing accompanied by tambourines, harp, lyre and ram’s horns (shofar) under a full moon! God then speaks recalling how he had freed Israel from slavery and how he tested them at the waters of Meribah. God calls Israel to listen to him decrying their stubbornness and idolatry because if they would follow God’s ways they would be fed with the finest wheat and with honey from the rock!

This psalm is again written by Asaph and is a poetic lament which uses the vine as a poignant metaphor. Asaph starts asking for the restoration of Israel by its Shepherd. He goes on to question how long God’s anger will smoulder and he then repeats his plea for restoration. Asaph then describes the vine Israel which was planted in Canaan and grew spreading from the Mediterranean Sea to the River Euphrates. He pleads for God to “watch over this vine” because it has been cut down and burned. The end of the psalm is clearly messianic appealing to the man at God’s right hand… the son of man… appealing to God for restoration, salvation and revival!

Psalm 79 is a gut-wrenching lament written by Asaph apparently following the invasion of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and the destruction of the temple. Initially the chaotic scene of destruction is depicted with the temple defiled, the city reduced to rubble, people’s bodies serving as food for vultures with no-one available to bury the dead. How long will this mess last? – the people cry out… may your mercy come quickly to meet us because we are in desperate need… help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of your name… may you avenge the blood of your servants and stops the nations asking “where is their God”?… hear the groans of the prisoners… pay back our neighbours seven times… and we will praise you forever!

This is another psalm of Asaph which is the second longest, after psalm 119, with 72 verses. This is a teaching psalm passing on to all generations God’s faithful dealings with his people despite Israel’s unfaithfulness. Asaph says initially that parents should teach their children Israel’s history so that the children might trust in God, remember his mighty works and not repeat their past rebellious attitudes. Asaph then goes on to cite Ephraim as a negative example of past unfaithfulness who forgot their covenant with God. Asaph then goes on to recall God’s mighty acts bringing his people out of Egypt, opening the Red Sea, leading them with cloud and fire and giving them water from the rock. However the Israelites soon forgot and doubted, but still God sent them the bread of angels and quails, but whilst it was still in their mouths God’s anger rose against them because of their disbelief. Asaph goes on to remind people of the constant ups and downs of the Israelites between backsliding, punishment, superficial repentance and then slipping back to square one! In all of this topsy turvy process God’s mercy prevailed. Asaph then goes back to Egypt reminding people of the 10 plagues and the subsequent leading into Canaan. Asaph’s teaching goes on to remind about times of past apostacy when they reverted to idolatry and paganism which brought God to abandon the tabernacle at Shiloh. The psalm then closes with hope with the choice of Judah and David. David was the shepherd of Israel who with skill and integrity led the people of God.

This further psalm of Asaph expresses him in a deep period of depression and doubt. He cries to God for help… I was in distress and sought the Lord… my soul refused to be comforted… I was too troubled to speak… then I remembered my songs in the night… will the Lord reject us for ever?… has his unfailing love vanished?… I will remember the deeds of the Lord and his miracles of long ago… what god is so great as our God?… he led his people through the sea and guided them by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 76 is another psalm by Asaph. It is a victorious celebration of the majesty and power of God which should be sung accompanied by stringed instruments. God’s name which is great in Israel – he broke flashing arrows and all the weapons of war. God is described as “majestic more that mountains rich with game… and victorious over warriors, horses and chariots… who can stand before God when he is angry?!” “Surely God’s wrath brings him praise… and he is feared by the kings of the earth”!

Psalm 75 is another psalm of Asaph, but this time it is a hymn of thanks to God and a prophetic declaration concerning God’s judgement. Asaph starts thanking God for his wonderful deeds and acknowledging that he judges uprightly and at the appointed time. To the arrogant, Asaph says, boast no more. God, says Asaph, is the supreme judge who brings one down and exalts another. He says that above all else he will sing praise to God forever and the wicked will be defeated whereas the righteous shall be exalted!

Whereas the previous psalm was a personal crisis of faith this psalm is a collective outcrying of desperation by the community faced by a national crisis. It is widely thought that this psalm was written after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. In the first 11 verses Asaph bemoans the catastrophic destruction… “everlasting ruins… smashed all the carved panelling… burned the sanctuary to the ground… no prophets are left… how long will the enemy mock you O God?” Then in verses 12-17 Asaph recalls God’s mighty works of the past breaking the heads of sea monsters, crushing the heads of the Leviathan and controlling day, night, sun and moon. So if God can do all this he can certainly restore Mount Zion! Then in the final verses Asaph cries to God to react and restore city and temple. He says “Rise up, O God! and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long!

Psalm 73 was written by Asaph who clearly struggles to cope with the prosperity of the wicked as opposed to the suffering of the righteous. Asaph confesses that he envied the prosperity of the wicked as they have such an easy life! “Their mouths lay claim to heaven… they are always carefree increasing in wealth… surely in vain have I kept my heart pure… but how suddenly are they destroyed… but you Lord hold me by my right hand… you guide me with your counsel… whom have I in heaven but you?… God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever… you destroy all who are unfaithful to you, but as for me it is good to be near God!  

Psalm 72 was either written by Solomon or for Solomon (probably the latter) and is messianic. It describes an ideal king in his justice, compassion, riches and global rule. “He will judge the people in righteousness… he will bring prosperity to the people… he will defend the afflicted and save the children… he will endure as long as the sun… prosperity will abound till the moon is no more… he will rule from sea to sea… all kings will bow down to him… he will take pity on the weak… Long may he live!… may his name endure forever… all nations will be blessed through him… praise be to his glorious name for ever!”

This psalm brings to an end the second book of psalms.

Psalm 71 is a reflective poem about God’s help and blessing throughout life from birth to old age. The unnamed psalmist asks God to always be his refuge and deliver him from the wicked. He says God was with him at birth and had been his confidence since his youth. So he asks God not to cast him away when he is old. “May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace… I will always tell of your righteousness… since my youth I declare God’s mighty deeds… so don’t abandon me when I’m old and grey… your righteousness reached to the skies O God… I will praise you with the harp… my lips will shout for joy!

In this petition psalm by David he cries to God for swift intervention to help him against those who want to kill him. David seeks God’s blessing on those who seek the Lord and prays that God might be his help and deliverer as soon as possible and may all who desire his ruin be disgraced.

Psalm 69 is another Davidic lament crying out to God for help against his enemies and undeserved suffering. “Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck”! “I sink in the mud… floods engulf me… I am exhausted calling for help… many enemies seek to destroy me… zeal for your house consumes me… I am the song of the drunkards… answer me O God with your salvation!”  “Do not let the floodwaters engulf me… answer me quickly because I am in trouble… Pour out your wrath on my enemies… May they be blotted out of the book of life… I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me… I will praise God’s name in song… the poor will see and be glad… Let heaven and earth praise God… those who love God’s name will dwell in Zion!”

Last night Pastor Rafael led the main service of the week on Sunday night in Patos and I preached on Psalm15: “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?” It was an excellent service. The praise and worship was beautiful led by Erika, Louisa and Marina backed by Rogerio, Netinho, Ricardinho, Tiago and Davi.

It rained in Patos last night but not at Green Pastures unfortunately.  

Psalm 68 is a triumphant Davidic hymn celebrating God’s victories and goodness to the needy. “May God arise and his enemies be scattered”, David commences. He prays that God’s foes be blown away like smoke in the wind. God is extolled who is a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows. David remembers how God led his people in the wilderness and gave abundant showers. God scattered the kings in the land and left them like fallen snow. David then seems to rejoice in God’s victorious ascent from Sinai to Zion. God is also praised as a burden bearer of his people and says that surely God will crush his enemies. Then David says, “Your procession has come into view, O God” as apparently a festive procession takes place. There are singers, musicians and maidens playing tambourines. David rejoices singing to God as God thunders with a mighty voice. “You are awesome O God in your sanctuary”.

This is a short prayer seeking God’s grace and blessing and asking that God’s ways be made known amongst all the nations. The prayer continues beseeching that all nations praise God and be glad under God’s perfect rule and guidance. Then it says that the harvest will be good, God will bless and be feared unto the ends of the earth. 

This psalm is gloriously jubilant starting with “Shout with joy to God, all the earth… Say to God how awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you… Come and see what God has done!… He turned the sea into dry land… He rules forever by his power… Praise our God, O peoples… he tested us like silver… we went through fire and water but you brought us to a place of abundance… I will sacrifice fat animals to you… let me tell you what he has done for me… God has surely heard my voice in prayer… Praise be to God!”

Psalm 65, again attributed to David, is a jubilant upbeat poem of praise to God. David exclaims that when we were overwhelmed by sins God atoned for our transgressions… God answers us with awesome deeds of righteousness… God formed the mountains by his power and stills the roaring seas… God cares for the land and cares for it providing the people with grains… and blesses the crops with showers… and the carts overflow with abundance… the grasslands overflow and the meadows are filled with flocks… and the valleys shout for joy and sing! 

 This is a prayer by David for protection from his enemies. He says: “Protect my life from the threat of the enemy… hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like arrows… they have evil plans… and plot injustice… but God will shoot them with arrows and bring them to ruin… let the righteous rejoice in the Lord!”

Psalm 63, written in the Judean desert, is a passionate Davidic declaration of faith in God saying “O God, you are my God… my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you… I have beheld your power and glory… your love is better than life… with singing lips my mouth will praise you… I sing in the shadow of your wings… those who seek my life will be destroyed… the king will rejoice in God!”

 David’s psalm to Jeduthun expresses his total trust in God. “My soul finds rest in God alone… I shall never be shaken”. David says he faces men that seek to topple him and who curse him in their hearts. However David finds rest in God, “he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken… God is our refuge”. David goes on to say that lowborn and highborn people are “only a breath”… and that no-one should take pride in stolen goods. Trust in God because he is strong and loving and will reward people according to what they do”.

David here (with stringed instruments) is either in exile (“from the ends of the earth”) or in extreme distress. He says he calls to God for help as his heart grows faint asking to be led to the rock that is higher than I. He says God has been his refuge and that he longs to dwell in God’s tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of his wings. He asks to be enthroned in God’s presence for ever. Then he will sing praise to God’s name. 

This Davidic psalm is a lament when he felt that God had rejected him and his people owing to a battle loss against Edom. David therefore asks for restoration in the face of what he sees as desperate times. He continues saying, “Save us and help us so that those you love can be delivered… give us aid against our enemy… with God we shall gain the victory”!

 David wrote this psalm when Saul had sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. “Deliver me from my enemies, O God”, prayed David, “deliver me from evil doers… these bloodthirsty men lie in wait for me… I have done no wrong but they are ready to attack… O God show no mercy to wicked traitors”! These would-be assassins “snarl like dogs and prowl… spewing swords from their lips… but God laughs at them. You my loving God are my fortress… let these wicked men be caught in their pride… and it will be known that God rules”! “I will sing of your strength in the morning… for you are my fortress and refuge in times of trouble”.

Psalm 58 is an imprecatory prayer which invokes divine judgement on corrupt judges and unjust rulers. David asks: “Do you judge uprightly? No, in your heart you devise injustice… the wicked go astray from birth… their venom is like that of a snake… and it won’t heed the tune of the snake charmer… break their teeth O God!…  Let them vanish like water flowing away down the river… let them be slugs melting away… the righteous will be glad when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked… for surely there is a God who judges the earth”! 

 Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding in a cave sheltering from Saul and it is a prayer for protection and for God’s help. “O God… I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings… he rebukes them who hotly pursue me… I am in the midst of lions… be exalted O God above the heavens”. “They spread a net for my feet and dug a pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.” “My heart is steadfast, O God… awake my soul and praise God among the nations… for great is your love and glory”! 

This another psalm by David was written when the Philistines had seized Him in Gath. David prays: “Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me… many are attacking me… but when I am afraid, I will trust in you”. “All day long they twist my words… plotting to harm me… don’t let them escape O God… record my lament… list my tears… in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? You have delivered my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God in the light of life”!

 Psalm 55 is a Davidic lament saying “hear me and answer me O God… I am distraught… by those who revile me in their anger”. “Fear and trembling have beset me… oh for the wings, for the wings of a dove and I would fly away and be at rest”! “Confuse and confound the wicked O Lord… day and night they prowl after me”. What especially upsets David is that it a close friend and companion (maybe Absalom) who is persecuting and betraying him. “Let death take my enemies… I call on God to save me… he ransoms me unharmed from the battle… my close friend has speech as smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart.” “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you… but you O God  will bring down the wicked”.

David writes Psalm 54 in the light of his persecution in first Samuel by Saul and the Ziphites. He cries to God, “Save me, O God… vindicate me”! “Hear my prayer, O God”… strangers are attacking me… men without regard for God”. “Surely God is my help… I will praise your name O Lord… he has delivered me from all my troubles and foes”!

Psalm 53 is very similar to Psalm 14 and is a Davidic wisdom psalm. David decries the corruption of atheists and evil doers as no-one amongst them does good. The psalm concludes praying that God might restore the fortunes of his people probably returning them from exile so that Israel might be glad.

This psalm by David was written when the evil man Doeg the Edomite slaughtered dozens of priests in 1 Samuel. David asks Doeg why he boasted of his evil telling him he is a disgrace in the eyes of God. David says Doeg’s tongue is like a sharp razor and that he loves evil and falsehood rather than good and truth. David says that God will bring him everlasting ruin as he did not make God his stronghold but grew strong by destroying others. David says that he himself is like a flourishing Olive tree trusting in God’s unfailing love and praising him forever.

This Davidic psalm was written when the prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband Uriah. It is a psalm of profound repentance. It starts with David imploring God’s mercy and asking to be cleansed from his sin. David above all recognizes that his sin had been against God. He asked to be cleansed and made whiter than snow creating in him a pure heart. He asked to be restored with the joy of salvation and not to have taken the Holy Spirit away from him. David recognizes that God doesn’t want sacrifices but rather a broken and contrite heart. This psalm is a perfect example of repentance from the heart.

This psalm is by Asaph and starts by presenting God as judge who summons heavens and earth to be the witnesses of his judgement. God declares that he doesn’t need sacrifices of bulls or sheep because “the cattle on a thousand hills” belongs to God. God instead wants devotion and sincerity from his people. God then goes on to reprimand those who externally exhibit obedience to God but who are far from the Lord in their hearts. For “what right have you to recite my laws”? – God asks. The psalm ends assuring salvation to those who sincerely honour the Lord. 

This wisdom psalm by the Sons of Korah points out that death is inevitable for both rich and poor. It says than no ransom is ever enough for a man’s life. The wise, foolish and senseless all die just the same. For man, come what may, is mortal like animals. But despite the grave being unavoidable for all the author expresses his hope in the redemption of God. For God “will surely take me to himself”, he says. For accumulation of wealth is pointless as you take nothing with you to the grave.

 Psalm 48 is a song of praise by the sons of Korah celebrating the mighty, beautiful, lofty Mount Zion with the city of Jerusalem – the city of the great Lord! God, it says, is Zion’s fortress causing enemy kings to flee in terror and shattering them with the wind. Mount Zion, it says, rejoices because of God’s judgements. God is our God for ever and ever to the end.

Psalm 47 is another psalm of the sons of Korah written for the director of music. It is a joyful positive psalm extoling God’s sovereignty who is “the great king over all the earth”. Much praise ascends to God who is the one who “reigns over the nations”. It says that “the kings of the earth belong to God” who is highly exalted.

 Psalm 46 is a glorious expression of confidence in the sovereign Lord. God, say the sons of Korah, is refuge and strength always present in times of trouble. No matter what happens we will not fear it says. It says that God is within Jerusalem and therefore she will not fall. Nations maybe in uproar, kingdoms may fall but when God speaks the earth melts. “The Lord Almighty is with us”! He is above all and ceases wars and ends violence. “Be still and know that I am God” exalted among the nations. The psalm ends saying that “the God of Jacob is our fortress”!