Week 11

1. An Urgent request
   Psalm 70

This Psalm has been called an individual lament, it repeats the themes of earlier psalms, especially Psalm 40. There is a contrast spoken of between those who seek David’s life and those who seek God. David’s request in verse 1 is repeated at the end of the psalm.

David’s request is urgent, he wants God to respond quickly, to make haste: he wants help and deliverance. There are those who are gloating over David’s misfortune, they are laughing at him and especially happy to see him hurt. David wants vengeance, he wants those people to suffer the same fate as he was suffering. They should be dishonoured and ashamed. The bible teaches us not to seek vengeance but to leave it to God, and in a sense David is doing that. He is not going to do anything to those who hate him, but he certainly wants God to. His hope is that the shame they experience will lead to a change, they will turn back – presumably from persecuting him.

When we are unjustly attacked, or criticized it is usual to hope that our accusers suffer some sort of penalty, that they will experience the consequences of their actions. It is also usual that we will try to bring that about ourselves. This is a normal human reaction, so how should we respond. David called on God to deal with them, yes, he had ideas about what should happen, and he told God that. But he handed it over to God to deal with. It would be pointless for us to deny our thoughts to God, he already knows them. If you feel vengeful toward someone, then tell God and in doing so leave it in his hands. God knows how you feel, and he will act fairly and justly – in his time and in his way. You may want immediate retaliation, but God may have better plans. In handing it to him , we are letting it go and forgiveness becomes possible. When we hang on to those hurts we become bitter and it is us that suffers. Best to hand it over!

In contrast David wants all those who seek God to rejoice and be glad, There is no place for bitterness here, joy and bitterness cannot co-exist. When we seek God and trust him we are able to experience the joy of the Holy Spirit, to hang on to bitter vengeful thoughts on the other hand first of all grieves the Holy Spirit, and then quenches his influence in our lives. God has not forgotten the injustice, he will bring to account those who have ignored him and brought pain to his children, but he also offers grace and mercy to those who tun to him.

“May those who love your salvation say ‘God is great’”, says David. They can say this because they love God’s salvation, they understand the freedom they have been given, the release from the power and penalty of sin. They know that they have been forgiven all of their sin and look forward to an eternal inheritance because of the immeasurable riches of his grace, therefore they can say “God is great”. When we are feeling aggrieved it is good to remind ourselves of the benefits of our salvation, what God has done for us. The offences of others may then take on a different perspective.
Nevertheless David felt the pain of his persecution and he wanted to be delivered from it. “I am poor and needy” he says, “Hurry, come quickly, don’t delay – I need your deliverance”.  When you feel as David did, call out to God, tell him how you feel and ask him to quickly come to your aid. He is your father and he wants what is best for his children, he is waiting for your call.

1. Is it wrong to want revenge?
2. Why should we refuse to seek our own method of justice?
3. What does salvation mean to you?

2. Even when I am old and grey
   Psalm 71

It is not certain who wrote this Psalm, it may have been David as he neared the end of his life, or it may have been another, older person who had lived a long and faithful life and was looking back in reflection and forward in hope. Many of the thoughts expressed here are found elsewhere, particularly in psalms 22,31,35 and 70 as well as in Exodus 15:11. It may have been the musings of a man whose practice was to meditate on God’s words regularly so that they came naturally to him as he composed this psalm. Charles Spurgeon says of it: “We have here The Prayer Of The Aged Believer, who in holy confidence of faith, strengthened by a long and remarkable experience, pleads against his enemies, and asks further blessings for himself.”

The writer starts in a familiar way expressing his confidence and trust in God, he wants help urgently because his need is great. He is certain that God will deliver him because he has done so before, he regularly turns to God for refuge and has never been disappointed. God has given a commandment that he be saved, whether this was a specific message he had received or the general belief that God would deliver those who trusted in him is not clear. But whatever the case he believed, and he acted on that belief.

Ever since he was a young man, in fact from the time of his conception God had protected him, and throughout all of his life he had trusted God. At what time does God take an interest in you? David believed it was while you were being formed in the womb (Psalm 139) as does Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5), and Isaiah (Isaiah 49:15). Paul writes that before the foundation of the earth God had plans for you (Ephesians 2:10). He never stops being interested in and caring for you. “Now,” the writer says, “I am getting old and weak, don’t forget me!”

Old age tends to creep up on us. We go from fit and healthy, the life of the party, and the one who wants to be involved in everything to wondering whether we have a place any more, and, what does the future hold – in a blink of an eye.

Our writer pleads: “even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me”. He was worried that once he passed beyond his usefulness that God would no longer care for him and would just turn away. God does not turn away, but it is not unusual for a person in older age to wonder if they still have a purpose, what is the point of learning more or taking on new things? What hope does the future hold for me? In a funeral message delivered by John Piper he offers a number of resolutions for those in old age, one of them is this: ‘Let’s resolve to be people of rugged, undefeatable hope and not give in to despair, even in the nursing home, and even if we outlive all our friends.’ Another is: ‘Finally, let’s resolve to resist all stuffy stereotypes of old people, and play and sing and shout with joy whether we look dignified or not.’

The psalmist knew that God was not finished with him, “O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.” He was going to sing and shout and talk about God’s righteousness at every opportunity. He was not going to quietly fade away but to finish his life strongly. George Whitfield famously stated “I would rather wear out, than rust out” this seems to be the motto of the writer of this psalm. There is a new generation that will continue to proclaim the message of the kingdom, but they will not do it if the generation that produced them disappears into cozy retirement!

1. As you look back on your life, can you see God’s hand guiding you?
2. How do you plan to spend your ‘retirement years’?
3. What do you think of Whitfield’s quote? Can it be taken too far?

      3. Pray for your king
       Psalm 72

Psalm 72 marks the end of the second ‘book’ or collection of Psalms and not everyone agrees with who wrote it or why. The options include that it was written by David for his son, Solomon who was about to take his place as king. It could have been written by Solomon as he collected the thoughts of his father who by the time of writing was past being able to write himself. It could have been written to Solomon to describe the type of king he should be, or about the coming Messiah to explain the type of king he would be. It could have been either of those last two options or both at the same time. It is called a Royal Psalm because it is about the king and it most likely speaks about the ideal king that Solomon should be while also describing the coming king. 

As we reflect on this psalm it would be interesting to see how it compares with our expectations for the leaders of our countries. I do understand that for most of us we have systems that don’t allow for the unlimited power of a king and we have other systems of government, but the character of the leader should have at least some similarities!

The first four verses focus on righteousness and justice and particularly the treatment of the poor and the oppressed. The standard that God consistently applies to righteousness is care of the poor and broken. The righteous king of this psalm would, “defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!” It doesn’t sound much like a modern election platform. The oppressors are more often protected by our political systems and supported so that perhaps the prosperity they enjoy will trickle down to the lowest levels of society. God starts from the bottom up.

The king’s concern for ‘the least of these’ as Jesus calls them is inescapable, further in the Psalm he writes: “For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.” There have been variations on the theme that: ““The greatness of a nation can be judged by how it treats its weakest member,” (attributed to Ghandi and others) including this one by American Vice President Hubert Humphry: “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” These comments certainly reflect the statement of Jesus that, “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The readers of the psalm were exhorted to pray continually for their king so that he would receive the wealth of nations, that there would be an abundance of grain and the harvest would be rich. Then the people would be like blossom in the cities, fruitful, attractive and healthy. The righteous would flourish and peace would endure forever. The king himself would be famous, his name would be known everywhere and the nations would call him blessed.  We know this is the expectation we have of the new Kingdom that Jesus will bring, but sadly it was not the evidence of Solomon’s reign. 

1.    What do you think would mark a godly society, would that influence the way you choose a leader?
2.    In what way should you pray for your leaders?
3.    How much do think of the least of society and how their situation could be relieved?

4. My foot nearly slipped
   Psalm 73

This is one of a number of Psalms attributed to Asaph. Asaph was a prophet, but also the lead singer in the courts of David and Solomon, a role he passed on to his sons (1 Chronicles 24:1,2). Both of the roles given to Asaph were important and significant. The prophetic office was very highly placed, Kings took guidance and often criticism from the prophet that they wouldn’t accept from others. The prophet was not a fortune teller, someone who could predict the future, he or she were God’s spokespersons and were often rebuked for saying things that God had not told them to say. Paul says of prophets in the New Testament that “the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” He adds that prophecy can bring conviction to those who hear (1 Corinthians 14:3, 24). Asaph had the added responsibility to present his prophetic message in song. The leader of singing was often at the head of the army as it went into battle, proclaiming God’s victory over their opponents (2 Chronicles 20:21,22).

This psalm is an honest confession of doubts on Asaph’s part, but also the truth that dispelled those doubts and gave hope and victory. Asaph, this highly regarded prophet and leader of worship admitted that he had nearly slipped. There is hope for us even in this, no matter our position or our gifting it is possible to find our feet on slippery ground. Asaph had a problem with the success of others, he became envious and he confessed it. It wasn’t just that others succeeded where he struggled, but these people were ungodly. Not only were they prospering but they were arrogant about it. “Who needs God? We are wealthy and powerful without God, while you who say you trust and depend on him struggle through life”. Surely this was not right, The righteous were supposed to be blessed while the ungodly should suffer, where is justice? Boice expresses it this way: “If God is in control of things, the plans of the wicked should flounder. They should even be punished openly. The godly alone should prosper. But that is not what Asaph saw, and it is not what we see either. We see scoundrels getting rich. Utterly degenerate persons, like particularly vile rock musicians or movie stars, are well paid and sought after. Even criminals get rich selling their crime stories.”

Asaph was frustrated and confused. It wasn’t fair, what was the point of trying to live a good godly life if there was no benefit in it. Like the writer of Ecclesiastes said, “we might just as well eat, drink and be merry because tomorrow we might die”. He couldn’t understand this, Asaph said, until he went to the Tabernacle, the place he went to meet God. Then he understood. It was the ungodly that had their feet in slippery places, their end would come, they would face God in judgement and they would be swept away. Asaph said that when he was bitter and disappointed he was like an animal, not concerned for right or wrong just wanting to satisfy his appetites, but even in those times God was with him and kept hold of his right hand. He knew that there was nothing he desired more than to be in God’s presence, nothing on earth could satisfy him. Those moments in the presence of God reminded him that he possessed something greater than earthly success or riches, that could never be taken away. His was the kingdom of God which was eternal while all else would fade and pass away. Asaph concludes his song by reminding himself and his hearers that it is good to be near to God. It is a certainty that the close we  are to God the less attractive the lure of the world seems.

1. Asaph was honest about his frustration in seeing ungodly people succeed while he struggled. Is that true for you?
2. What do you think of the role of the prophet?
3. Do you need to spend more time alone with God?

      5. Worship among the ruins
           Psalm 74

In The Message, Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible he begins this psalm with: “You walked off and left us, and never looked back. God, how could you do that?” Some of us may be a little uncomfortable with the way that is written but it may catch the grief and confusion of the writer. Asaph is recorded as the author but there is some question about whether it was the Asaph who attended the palace of David and Solomon or another by that name. The events that the psalm refer to could also have any been any of a number of times the Temple and also the Tabernacle were destroyed. What is obvious though is that an invading army had attacked Jerusalem and the Temple and left it in ruins and the writer of this Psalm expresses his dismay that God apparently is unmoved and was choosing to do nothing.

Asaph’s description of this devastating event is graphic. The enemy had reduced the temple to ruins, they had used hammers and axes to smash everything they could and then set fire to the resulting debris. They shouted and cried out as they ran through the temple smashing everything in sight, burning whatever they could set fire to and demolishing everything else. Asaph was convinced it was beyond repair. This was not just a building, this was God’s dwelling, the only place the people could meet with God and present their sacrifices. It was where the Priest prayed for the people and secured forgiveness for their sins in the offerings that were presented. 

Why did you let this happen, asks Asaph, why did you sit back and do nothing? In verse 11 he seems to say “stop sitting on your hands and do something!”. He reminds God of his activities in the past, how he divided seas, killed sea monsters, put the moon and stars in place – even made summer and winter. Surely he could have stopped this, why didn’t he? We may ask similar questions, or at least think them when we see acts of brutality and injustice in our world. When we are overwhelmed by visions of starving children, death and destruction, earthquake and war. Why God? You can stop this in an instant, why do you sit on your hands?

Asaph appeals to God to remember who he is, he doesn’t ask for mercy on behalf of the people, or suggest they are somehow innocent – he calls on God and the promise he has made to his people. He calls on God to get up and defend his cause, to remember his covenant, to lift up the down trodden. To give a reason for the poor and needy to praise his name.

Asaph speaks as a representative of the people, “Why had God forsaken them? Where was he when everything went wrong? Why did he do nothing?” He was not able to see the restoration that would come and that would be finally revealed in the coming of God’s son. All he could see was the ruins, everything he had worked for and depended on, gone. He sat among the ruins in despair and cried out to God for answers. There may come a time in your life, or there may have already been, when everything you have trusted in, worked for and depended on lies in ruins. Sadly for some, marriages fall apart, businesses collapse, health fails and ambitions are dashed. Everywhere you look there is rubble – where was God, does he care? The answers are God was with you and yes, he cares. There is hope, he has promised to be with you in the brokenness and rubble and to bring you out of it. Like Asaph, don’t hide your feelings, God is already aware of them. Don’t be embarrassed to remind him of his promise to you and call on him to fulfil it. Draw near to him, even as you stumble over the ruins, and he will draw near to you.

1. Do you feel you can speak to God as Asaph did?
2. Do you sometimes think that God his just given up?
3. Have ever thought that you life is in ruins and you have nowhere to turn?

      6. Don’t wave your fist at me!
          Psalm 75

Asaph leads the congregation in a song of thanks. He intends to recount God’s mighty deeds though he doesn’t include those in this Psalm. He alternates between speaking on behalf of the people and then taking God’s place in speaking to them. He returns to addressing God and then declares his response.
Having thanked God and in doing so reminding the people of the nearness of God’s name Asaph moves on. Cornelius Venema writes: ““The name of God is said to be near, because it had come into public notice, and was in every mind and every tongue – opposed to what is unknown and obscure, which is said to be far remote.” It is this well known God of whom now speaks. At a time he decides he will put things right.

God tells the boastful and arrogant that he is going bring justice to the world. Even though it seems out of control to some, he will restore balance. It will no longer totter as if it is about to fall, God will make its foundations sure. He tells those same arrogant people who thought they were in control, the rich and powerful nations who promoted themselves and thought they controlled the world not to lift up their horn. This expression basically means ‘don’t shake your fist in my face!” God says that it doesn’t matter whether they are from the east or the west, it is not them who rule but God himself. He will promote or exalt those he chooses, he will lift up those he wants, and he will also put down those he chooses.

We live in a time when nations from both East and West, and some places in between all claim to have world leadership, to be the most powerful and be in control of world affairs. They will execute their authority through military power, economic control or by forming treaties and relationships with others. God is telling them, he is in control; it has never been any different a review of history will show world powers including Babylon, Assyria, Persia, Rome, Greece, Spain, France, Japan, China, Germany, Great Britain and the United States and many others all rise only to fall again. The time is coming, God says when the evil of all these kingdoms will be mixed together in a bowl and poured out as dregs or refuse.

God sets the time, we do not know when it is, but it is certain. Nations that claim world domination now were minor players not so many years ago, and probably will be again in the future, if God delays his return. At the time of his return God declares that every knee shall bow in submission to him, every person of every nation. The people of Israel saw themselves as a nation under God, his chosen people to whom the promise had been made. Their history was one of conflict with many nations around them, as they turned their back on God and chose to pursue their own destiny. God raised up leaders and kings, gave them instructions to follow and a pattern of worship to maintain their relationship with him, but they would not accept his rule. In God’s mercy he extended the right to the kingdom to all those who choose to accept his son, Jesus as their lord and made them a nation, as the apostle Peter writes: “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). We owe our allegiance to God not to a political system, or a geographic boundary. He is our King; he will be exalted and we will inhabit his kingdom. Let us not boast in the success or prominence of our ‘nation’ or country but in that we are citizens of heaven, and we await the coming of our king with eager expectation.

1. Does it seem like the world is tottering out of control?
2. Can you sense that there are nations or leaders waving their fists at God?
3. Is it good to be patriotic or have national pride?

      7. Who can stand before you?
            Psalm 76

This Psalm starts with the statement ’God is known’. The Psalmist specifically identifies Judah as the place where God is known and that his name is great in Israel. Judah was one of the tribes of Israel but for much of their history they were divided and opposed to one another. The Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah, but Israel remained God’s chosen people. The Psalmist is emphasizing that while nations may have knowledge about God, only those that were his people could actually know him.

There are many people that, because of their status or fame, we know about, but we could not say that we actually know them. We may know all the details of their life and achievements, we might have become aware of their family details and history and even their good and bad habits, but we still don’t know them. While people everywhere know about God, it is only those that have a relationship with him that can be said to know him.

The Apostle Paul speaks of this in his letter to the church at Ephesus. He addresses those who had begun a journey of faith but had not yet grown into mature faith. He prays that these people would come to know all the dimensions of God, his breadth, his length, his height, and his depth, but more was needed. Paul wants his hearers to know something which surpasses mere knowledge. He uses two different words to make it clear – at least in the original language of the Bible. We can comprehend all the facts about God or we can know God himself. There are, sadly, people who may attend church regularly and be able to recite the books of the Bible and a lot of facts about God. They comprehend him, but they do not have a relationship with him and therefor do not know him. Paul explains that as we begin and build this relationship we will be filed with all the fulness of God. This is the heart of the gospel, God can become known through his son.

The people to who the psalmist wrote knew about the actions of God, how he fought great battles on behalf of his people, They knew that when God decided to act then victory was secure, the might of the opposition would fail, their strength would fade and in miraculous ways God would deliver his people. The nations around also knew this, but because they did not know God, they thought they could succeed where others had failed. Better strategies, more troops, improved weaponry would secure the victory. But the people of Judah knew differently: “But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?” They asked.

There is no battle too great for God, there is no enemy that can prevail. What God had done in the past he could again, and again. The hearers of the psalm were convinced of this because they knew their God. Our faith and confidence grows in direct relationship with our knowledge of God. And our knowledge of God grows in proportion to how much time we spend with him, in prayer and worship – but also in companionship. Sometimes the closest of human relationships can develop without words, so too can our communion with God. If we want our faith in God to calm the storms, defeat the enemy and build the kingdom to grow we must nurture our relationship, get to know him better and then we can be sure to trust him. 

1. How well do you know God?
2. How can you nurture your relationship with him?
3. When you really ‘know’ someone you can anticipate how they will act or react without needing to ask is that how you relate to God?