Author: Jon Green

Psalm 3 is a psalm of lament, where the psalmist is lamenting the current state of the world and is pleading with God in the midst of sin, sorrow, danger, persecution, or hardship (or all of the above). Throughout the psalms we see both individual laments (on behalf of a particular person) and communal laments (on behalf of a group of people). This one is an individual lament written by David.

In Psalm 3 we see a transformation take place. David begins by explaining his current circumstances: he has many foes, many are rising up against him, and many are saying that God will not deliver him. From the outside looking in, David has every reason to be terrified—he is totally alone, with no ally in sight, enemies surrounding and encroaching in from all directions. But then something happens. He remembers who he’s talking to. David says “but You… are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” After remembering who God is and setting his mind on truth, David’s perspective changes. He declares that he will not fear no matter how many thousands go against him. David’s circumstances didn’t necessarily change, but his mindset did. The transformation wasn’t external, but internal.

The process we see David go through in this Psalm is something we see taught and modeled throughout the Bible. Scripture encourages us often to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). We’re directed to set our minds on things above. Focusing on truth allows us to view our circumstances here on earth with a Christ-centered perspective. When we do that, while our circumstances may not change, our attitude about them does. 

Maybe we need to take a lesson here from David. What are your foes? Who is rising up against you today? What situation are you in that seems downright impossible? Take it to God. Give your circumstances proper perspective, frame them in the lens of truth, and allow God to remind you of who He is and what He can do. Your situation may not change overnight, but perhaps you’ll be changed in the process. 

Editor’s Note: We’ve had some issues with MailChimp in the past 24 hours. Our apologies if you’re receiving this late and thanks for reading along! 

Psalm 136 is a beautiful depiction of the love of God. It compels the reader to zoom out, see a glimpse into the sovereignty of God, and be led into a posture of worship as a response to His love toward us. The psalmist uses repetition as a means to demonstrate how everything that God does is an outpour of His steadfast love towards us. Even the things that we would deem “unloving” in our own eyes, like striking the first born of Egypt (v. 10) or killing mighty kings (v. 18), was still done in love by God for the sake of displaying His majesty on earth and enacting His sovereign rescue mission. The psalmist recounts many stories of the Old Testament, including the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (v. 11) and the splitting of the Red Sea (v. 13), in order to show that the story of Scripture is one of God pursuing His people by love even in the midst of man’s sin and rebellion.

God has a perfect track record of faithfulness; it’s just who He is. Therefore, anytime we begin to judge what is loving and unloving of God, we begin to make God into our own image instead of being conformed into the image of God. We like to define what is good and evil, instead of allowing the One who created all things (v. 5) to define it for us.

This passage is an invitation for us to rest in the love of God and allow it to move us to a place of worship and obedience, for He has invited us into a love-struck relationship with Him. He has rescued us and set us free, and now we get to love and obey as a response as we fix our eyes on Love Himself. The author of love, the perfecter of love, Who has written a love letter to us in Scripture.

Editor’s Note: We had an issue with MailChimp, so you’re receiving this a day late. Our apologies and thanks for reading along!

Psalm 124 is a psalm of thanksgiving in the midst of brokenness. Some days, this fractured world that we live in seems like too much to bear. Too much hate, too much pain, too much loss, too much conflict…it can all feel like just too much. This is not a new condition for humankind and will not be an old condition until the eternal restoration of heaven on earth. So what are we supposed to do in the meantime? How do we cope with the chaos and conflict?

David and the people of Israel offer guidance in Psalm 124. The nation of Israel understood conflict. They endured pain and loss (see enslavement in Egypt and the aftermath in Exodus). They had been at war with their neighbors for generations and had kings in conflict with each other (see 1 and 2 Samuel). They lived in fear of famine, invasion, and deadly illness daily. Yet, they sang Psalm 124.

This psalm begins with an introduction and call to community worship. Can’t you hear the piano’s low and slow start of melody as the worship leader steps to the microphone and gratefully sings “If the Lord had not been on our side…” Everyone knows this song; we were raised on it, sang it at church camp, heard our grandparents sing it, and the intro ushers all the trials, triumphs, and trust in God that comes from His faithfulness to bring us through the brokenness of this world. The tears swell in our eyes and the peace pours over us as we let go of controlling the things of this world and grab hold of the joy of the Lord that can come only from the Holy Spirit.

“Let all of Israel say” the worship leader calls to us. This is not an isolated request; it is a group effort to share the stories, claim the promises, and demonstrate the Holy Spirit to a tired and broken nation. This is a call to us when this world is too much. The psalm describes how God saved Israel from the perils of this world. It ends with the joint proclamation, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” May we find peace and comfort in making this same proclamation together with our community, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

We often look to anything and everything around us to find a sense of security. We look to our jobs, the amount of money in our bank account, the items we own, the relationships we’re in or want to be in, or our own abilities to determine how secure we feel. Psalm 118 speaks of God’s character and causes us to reexamine the source of our security.

David reminds us that attempting to find security in earthly things will only disappoint us (v. 8-9). We are told throughout Scripture that this earth and everything in it will fade away (Isaiah 40:8, Matt. 24:35, Hebrews 13:14). We can count on that.

We can also count on the promise God has given us – the promise of Himself. Because He is with us, we do not have to be afraid (v. 6). We are reminded throughout this chapter that, “His love endures forever.” His love will not fade like the things of this earth. From generation to generation we can count on His love toward us. God is our helper, and He alone is our strength (v. 7, 14). He is good (v. 1), so we can trust that what He does is good, even when we do not understand. In His goodness and love, He has secured our salvation by becoming the One who saves us. His promise is not simply to rescue us from our current, temporary situations, but to give us eternal security through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the cornerstone of our salvation, the One on whom our faith rests (Psalm 118:22, Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:4). Our only true and lasting security lies in the enduring love of our Father and the plan He has laid out since before the beginning of creation to bring us salvation.

We can walk in confidence today because we know that this life is only temporary, and our security lies in the One whose promise is unfailing. When we feel overwhelmed by life’s circumstances, may we look up and remember God’s enduring love and give thanks because of his goodness. We praise Him because His love endures forever.

This psalm is an account of the psalmist calling out to the Lord in a time of great distress, but also with glimpses of gratitude. He is overcome with sorrow and close to death. Then he calls out to the Lord, and God hears his cry. God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105), so we can look to this psalm as a guide and an encouragement when we find ourselves in a dark place.

Even in the midst of despair, this psalm begins with a declaration of love for the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” But what if we struggle to love Him? How does this psalmist love God even in the midst of such sorrow? What causes the psalmist to boldly declare his love for the Lord? Verse 1 says it was because the Lord heard his cry for mercy. Verses 6-8 tell how God saved and delivered him. Charles Spurgeon writes, “Answered prayers are silken bonds which bind our hearts to God. When a man’s prayers are answered, love is the natural result.” So, maybe the way to strengthen our love for God is to return to the Lord again and again in prayer asking for help, confident He hears us. 

The psalmist’s prayer is not long or wordy or eloquent. He simply says, “Lord, save me.” That’s it. All he did was ask for help. Then a remarkable thing happened. The God of the universe, the one who made the heavens and the earth, “turned His ear” and heard this man’s cry for mercy. We won’t experience answered prayers unless we pray. First Thessalonians 5:17 says to “Pray continually.” Call out to Him. Our God is full of compassion.

The lyrics of an old hymn say:

“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”

As we consistently come to the Lord in prayer with our needs, we will experience the Lord “turning His ear” to us. As the psalmist shows us, this will cause us to love God more, regardless of our circumstances.

Before we get started, say the first part of this psalm out loud:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love and mercy endure forever.

This is a creed–a statement of truth repeated in the Psalms that we shouldn’t skip past. Now, let’s look at the rest of this chapter. We have four “stories of the redeemed.” Scholars generally agree that the four compass directions mentioned earlier in this passage are related to the four stories, with one notable asterisk:

• The Desert Refugee = East
• The Prisoner in Chains = West
• The Fools & Rebels = North
• Seafaring Merchants = Sea*

In this narrative, the characters and scenery change, but the plot never does: cry of distress, God’s deliverance, thankfulness. Since the pattern stays the same, let’s update the players to modern terms–the refugee, the imprisoned, the addicted, and the cast of “The Deadliest Catch.” You fit into one of these groups.

The modern, literal refugee fits this story, but so do those who have needed to seek refuge because of an abusive family, unloving church, or a spiritual state equivalent to living and wandering through the desert. The modern prisoner fits this story, but so do those that have faced the devastating consequences of earthly sin and felt the distance from God and chains of guilt that their sin has created. For the third group–the addicted–look at verse 18, and understand that “food” can be literal food or spiritual food. Addiction isn’t limited to substances covered by federal law. Addiction encompasses all of the vices that trade our spiritual food for stuff that makes us sick. 

We then come to the fourth story. Seafaring anecdotes are pretty rare in the Old Testament. The people of Israel just didn’t spend much time in deep waters. This is ancient history, when the seas were dangerous. Consider this–the fourth group may represent the people actively following God. Following God is not free of challenges, and the fourth story depicts one of the scariest professions of the age as a vivid illustration of the fact that people living in pursuit of God will face more than they can handle. 

In a way, Psalm 107 shows us the whole of Scripture: 1) Everyone is in need of saving; 2) God works powerfully in His world to save everyone who calls on His name; and 3) Every one of these stories is worth telling.

Psalm 105 is categorized as both a historical and thanksgiving psalm. Throughout its 45 verses, this psalm traces the history of Israel. However, the initial five verses are an unmistakable call to praise. Found within these verses is a road map for how to praise the Lord:

• Give thanks to the Lord (v. 1)
• Call upon His name (v. 1)
• Make known His deeds among the peoples (v. 2)
• Sing to Him (v. 2)
• Tell of His wondrous works (v. 2)
• Glory in His holy name (v. 3)
• Let your heart rejoice (v. 3)
• Seek the Lord & His strength (v. 4)
• Seek His presence continually (v. 4)
• Remember (v. 5)

The first 15 verses of this chapter are also found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-22 and are presented there as a composition of David. Although this psalm is not specifically attributed to King David, we can conclude that he is the author and that he is calling Israel to a time of remembrance, celebration, and to spread the works of God on Israel’s behalf.

Praise is an imperative part of worshipping God, but many of us can get stuck in a rut, thinking it is confined to singing songs at church. This psalm is a reminder to us that praising God can come in the form of singing, but it also can come in the form of giving thanks to God, of remembering His wondrous works in our lives, and of talking freely and frequently about what God has done for us.

David knows from experience that our human nature is to forget the miracles and wonders of God that have marked our lives, so the bulk of this chapter is devoted to recounting and remembering God’s works for Israel. Following the call to praise, David lists out the cause for praise (v. 7-45) as he recounts how God has protected, guided, and blessed the nation of Israel for generations.

Hebrews 13:15 is a reminder to us that our praise to God is to be ongoing: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Psalm 105 gives us a concrete example of how to do this: Start with any of the commands laid out in the first five verses (give thanks, call upon the Lord, sing, tell of His works, etc.), and the graciousness of God will lead you to an adoring and admiring view of how He has protected, guided, and blessed your own life.

Sabbath is a time of rest, a time to take a break from our work, and a time to worship and be in the presence of God. Psalm 92 gives us a look into sabbath rest and worship. In fact, the psalm is entitled “A Song for the Sabbath Day.” It begins with praising the Lord and making music in His name. Worship music is a way to connect with God, honor Him, and feel His presence. Sabbath is more than singing worship music – it’s a call for physical rest and a time to intentionally connect with our Lord and Savior. Psalm 92 reminds us to start the day proclaiming God’s love and end the day thanking Him for His faithfulness.  

The psalmist sings for joy and praises God for His great works and profound thoughts. We know God is always at work around us (John 5:17). Yet, there are times when the craziness and busyness of everyday life prevents us from seeing and recognizing His works. Sabbath helps us set aside time to reflect on who God is and what He is doing, while recognizing any misaligned priorities and recommitting to seeking opportunities to be used by Him. As Paul writes, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). Sabbath reminds us of our call to live for His glory and spread the good news of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10).  

Unfortunately, there are many who think God’s work and blessings are of their own doing; that they are in control. That’s a dangerous place to go. The psalmist tells us that while senseless and foolish people may prosper and succeed here on earth, their forever is very different from believers’ eternity in heaven. As we keep our eyes on Jesus, we flourish and grow. Practicing sabbath provides us not with an excuse to lie around and watch Netflix all day, but a chance to slow down and connect with our Savior. Couldn’t we all use a little more of that?

Psalm 75 marks the halfway point through the Psalms. Similar to Psalm 57, 58, and 59, this psalm is set to the tune of “Do Not Destroy” for the fourth and final time. It is a prayer by Asaph to God consisting of thanksgiving, a word from God, a warning by the church, and anticipation of the Lord’s deliverance.

Asaph knew that judgment was coming. He knew God would destroy the people not following Him, but he prayed for deliverance of the believers. He rejoiced, even though he knew heartbreak was around the corner. This served as a warning for those who were not following God; there was a destructive fate ahead if they did not take the opportunity to turn to righteousness.

This chapter has many references to a horn. In the Old Testament times, the horn was a symbol of boastful power and strength. The foolish were using their horns to promote themselves and their power, exalting themselves even over God. It seems like an old issue… until we think of a phrase we use today. How often do you “toot your own horn?”

We do not want to be foolish. Charles Spurgeon, a preacher and Bible scholar, notes, “When possessed by the arrogant, the horn is said to be ‘cut down’ or humbled. While God rejects the horns of the haughty, he exalts the horns of the righteous.” The Lord sees how we act every day. Self-promoting tendencies and boasting of success will feel good for a moment, but we will be left with God humbling us. Rather, let us live for righteousness and let God lift us up in His timing.

God will judge with equity and He gives us plenty of opportunities to turn to Him. When we turn to Him, He is near and works in our lives. With a focus on His wondrous deeds and praising Him, it will be much easier to declare His praise than tooting our own horn in vain.

When reading this psalm in its original language, it is full of exclamatory words. The psalmist is suggesting loud, joyful shouts of praise to God–a type of praise that is overflowing from a heart so full that it cannot keep it in. It is thought that this psalm was written after a battle victory, so imagine a post-game locker room speech after a huge win against your biggest rival. It is not quiet. Come and listen! Did you see what God did? Did you see how awesome He was? Tell Him! Sing to Him, SHOUT it! All of you, both Jew and Gentile. Everyone in all the earth, shout joyfully and offer Him praise, because His power is great and His victory is ours!

The author’s heart was overflowing with this exuberance, because he knew who God was and what God could do and what God had done. He was the God that caused their enemies to submit in worship (v. 3-4). He was the God that parted the Red Sea and allowed His people to escape death. He was the God that stopped the Jordan River to allow them to pass into the Promised Land (v. 6). He was also the God that often allowed His people to be tested, but never defeated. The author knew of Abraham and Isaac and of the wanderings in the desert. But he also knew that the purpose of God’s testing was refinement, not destruction (v. 10, Zechariah 13:9). He was the God that brought them through fire and water to a place of abundance (v. 12).

On this side of history, we know that He is also the God that rolls away stones and defeats death. Even when we are being tested and it feels as if defeat is sure, He is the God that brings us through the fire. He does not leave us there. He is still the same God that parted the waters and brought His people through. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “The prowess displayed at the Red Sea is undiminished, the divine dominion endures throughout eternity.”

Psalm 66 reminds us that God’s love is enduring. It is an invitation to come and listen, to remember who God is and what He has done for us. To remember that He hears our prayers and does not turn His back on us. He is worthy of loud, exuberant, joyful praise! He refines us, He protects us, He will bring us through. His power is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Praise God!