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In today’s psalm, the author, who is advanced in age (verse 9), begins by crying out for help, requesting God to deliver him, rescue him, and be his rock. He then pleads with God to intercept and subdue his enemies that are pursuing him in his older age. He ends by reflecting on times when God has protected and provided for him and praises God through song and instrument. 

This psalm is a great template for us to follow when we experience heartaches, hardships, and headaches in this world. Note how the Psalmist declares who God is throughout the text. He declares how God is his rock, refuge, fortress, hope, and help. When we experience the pains of this world, let’s remind ourselves of who God is in the midst of the pain. 

Then, the Psalmist expresses to God his needs and asks for His help in specific ways. When we experience the pains of this world, let’s not forget to acknowledge our needs to God and ask Him for help. 

After he spends some time asking God for His help, he takes time to thank God and praises God for what He’s done thus far. When we experience the pains of this world, let’s follow the Psalmist’s example and take time to remember the ways God has provided and cared for us, and take the time to praise Him for those things. 

The next time you find yourself experiencing heartaches, hardships, or the headaches that come with living in this world, remember the example set forth by this Psalmist: Take time to declare who God is, ask for His help, and spend time praising Him. 

If these five verses sound familiar, it’s because they are. Psalm 70 is almost a word-for-word repetition of Psalm 40:13-17. It is unknown what the time difference is between the writing of these two Psalms, but regardless, we can learn from the fact that at the time David wrote Psalm 70, he had unanswered prayers. So what was his response? He prayed them again.

The commentator Matthew Henry reminds us that “it may be of use sometimes to pray over the prayers we have formerly made to God upon similar occasions, which may be done with new affections.” So in these short five verses, David makes ten urgent pleas that he has formerly made to God. He asks for deliverance for himself and retribution for his enemies coupled with the reminder that there is great joy found in the Lord!

David also pleads to God with a tremendous note of urgency. In verse one, the phrase “make haste” is repeated twice. The same phrase is repeated again at the beginning of verse 5, and the chapter closes by saying “do not delay!” One commentary describes David as “short on time, but long on need.” We can learn from both the earnestness and honesty of David’s dire prayer. David is being honest with God that he longs for God to act quickly on his behalf. He fervently asks the Lord to help him and to please do it quickly!

Psalm 70 is an encouragement to our prayer lives as believers. It helps us understand we can communicate the deep yearnings of our hearts to God over and over again. In addition to that, we can be specific in asking God to answer us! It doesn’t necessarily mean that God will answer in our timing, but it is a reminder to us that God is sovereign over time, and we will begin to see the goodness of God’s timing. Pray that we may be a group of believers who learn to humbly and earnestly ask God to hurry, but for His Glory and our good.

It’s hard to imagine many things worse than drowning. The claustrophobic, desperate feeling of the floods engulfing us and the waters coming up to our necks sounds miserable. And while we may not know the literal, physical experience of drowning, we all know what it’s like to feel metaphorically like we’re drowning. We know what it’s like to have no foothold and to feel like we’re sinking. Whether it’s financial pressures, a semester’s worth of papers and finals, the challenges of a failing marriage or difficult children, or loneliness and depression, we all know what it feels like to be worn out, wondering if God even sees or hears us. In Psalm 69:3, David writes, “I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.”

Cognitively we know He’s there and we know He sees and hears us. But some days it feels like He’s distant, uncaring, mute, blind, or just plain tired of us. Life doesn’t seem fair—we defend Him, endure scorn and shame (v. 7), and when we even do things like fast, we’re still picked on, mocked, and scorned (v. 10-12).

Fortunately David knows what’s right and true about God, and we would do well to remind ourselves of the same. He loves us (v. 13), is merciful (v. 16), can rescue and deliver us (v. 16), and will execute justice in His time and His way (v. 24). When we feel alone, unseen, and forgotten, we need to remember what’s right and true about the Lord. We can be thankful for David who was human just like us and can follow his lead when we struggle. And not only does David cry out to the Lord, He also praises and glorifies Him (v. 30).

Today when you feel forgotten or alone, remember we are NEVER alone. Be encouraged by the truths of who God is today and remind others of what’s true and right about God. Whether you’re standing on firm ground or sinking in the miry depths, God is with you always (Matthew 28:19-20).

Many scholars believe this psalm was written by David when the ark of the covenant, representing God’s physical presence with the Israelites, was brought into Jerusalem. The psalm gives the reader a picture of a processional: singers, musicians, women playing tambourines, all praising God and exalting the Lord. 2 Samuel 6 tells us that when the ark came into the city of David that David himself led the processional, dancing with all his might. He might have even been singing some of the words of this psalm. 

Getting the ark to Jerusalem had taken many, many, many years and the only reason it could be brought into the city of God was because Israel’s enemies were finally subdued. God had given His people victory at last and, in this psalm, you can sense David’s relief and joy at God’s physical presence being returned to His people. This is a psalm of celebration and praise. 

David praises God for His mighty power. He is the one who rides in on the clouds, shakes the earth, pours down rain from the heavens, crushes his enemies and saves His people. He also praises God for His nearness. He is the one who sets the lonely in families, fathers the fatherless, defends the widow, provides for the poor, and daily bears His peoples’ burdens. And this God, who is powerful and big, but also compassionate and near, was coming even closer to His people through the ark of the covenant. And that’s why David was celebrating so animatedly. This God was coming into their city, at last! 

If only we shared that same enthusiasm! David was celebrating a box representing the presence of God being moved closer to His people. We, as believers, have the presence of God living inside us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that our bodies are God’s temples, where His Holy Spirit dwells constantly. We don’t have to wait for the ark of the covenant to come close or go to the Temple to be near God. We have access to Him at all times. The God that David praises in this Psalm is the same God living inside of us. Let’s praise God for His presence within us and take advantage of His accessibility today.

In February 2021, Texans were hit by unprecedented weather conditions including ice, snow, and record-setting low temperatures. Many went without power and water for days. After five long, dark, and dreary days with freezing cold temperatures, the sun came out. It was glorious. What a blessing to have the sun shining after an incredibly hard few days! This is just a small glimpse of how we feel knowing God’s face is shining on us.

Psalm 67 begins with a blessing request: Lord, be gracious to us; shine Your face upon us. Written in a time before Jesus, the psalmist and God’s people were requesting that God graciously fulfill His promises. Praise God that we now know that God’s Son fulfilled the ultimate promise. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can have life eternal⏤the greatest blessing of all (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10).

For those who have received God’s blessing of salvation (Ephesians 2:8), let us share who God is with others. Let’s lock arms and all work toward the goal of every single person on earth knowing our Heavenly Father. There are people in our neighborhood, our city, our country, and throughout the world who have never heard of God’s blessings! We are called to bless others by sharing the greatest blessing bestowed upon us. It’s exciting just thinking about it! Yet, we can get carried away and forget that we have a role to play. We aren’t meant to hold tightly to God’s blessings but to share them with the world around us.

Blessings also call for praises! Be glad. Sing for JOY. It’s contagious. Others will notice. Even for what may feel like a very small blessing, we remain faithful by praising a gracious God who continues to shine His face upon us. The Doxology sums it up well.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

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 Spurgeon says, “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!

God didn’t have to design the universe in the way that He did. We could have lived in a small, bland, and colorless world. Instead, He decided to give us a small taste of His splendor as he designed creation to be filled with deep oceans, powerful rivers, colorful plants, thousands of stars, and a wide variety of animals. He gave us senses to feel the sunshine on our skin, smell the fresh breeze of a new season, see the clouds rolling through the sky, run our fingers through the blades of grass, and hear the birds chirping. If you’ve ever wondered if God could do more than you can ask or imagine, just look at creation. Could you have imagined the display of a perfect sunset from scratch? Could you have ever created the grandeur of the lion on your own? Indeed, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).

This is why the process in Psalm 65 is so helpful for our faith. Nature reminds us of the magnitude of our God. We don’t serve a small or unimaginative god. We get to know and love an innovative Creator. Here, when David lists out the wonders of the world, he falls more in love with his God. Have you ever had that happen to you? You couldn’t explain it, but standing at the edge of the ocean made you love God more. Or, perhaps you looked at the stars and felt your heart resound with praise. This is because we can learn about God through what He has made. 

His creation speaks to us every single day about His character. Have you been paying attention? Or instead, have you been consumed with your phone, your job, your homework, or your to-do list? Take some time today to notice that which your God has made. Nature is His reminder to you that He is a big God who is worthy of praise. He has given us an invitation to see a glimpse of Him today, will you accept it? 

This psalm is referencing David’s enemies, persecutors and slanderers who gave him a great deal of trouble. We have all heard the old saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” David would certainly disagree with this trite adage. We would be wise to lean into Psalm 64 and learn from David as he pleads to God for protection from evildoers. The Scripture tells us that these evildoers sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows (v. 3) and talk of laying snares secretly (v. 5). Arrows and swords are used to kill. He certainly experienced the crushing blow of venomous tongues and fear threatening to overtake him. David voices such angst that his enemies openly boasted of “who will discover us”? David faithfully brings his petitions to God knowing Him to be his defender over and over again.

Does this sound like a familiar narrative today? We live in an age of social media where we feel safe behind screens to voice our opinions with little or no accountability. We weigh in on everything often without using the filter of the Holy Spirit to guide us. Many times we wound with words and think it is our right to do so. The tongue has incredible power; it can bring blessings or curses and can be difficult to control.

Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we have power over the tongue. James 3:5 says “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. See how great a forest fire is set aflame by such a small fire.” Today, let’s be determined to use the incredible power of our words to boast only in our Savior who empowers us to speak words of life, healing and hope. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” and Luke 6:45 declares “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

Psalm 63 takes place in the wilderness of Judah as David is fleeing from either Absalom or Saul. This wilderness is hot, dry, and desolate – a fitting image for longing. David describes his seeking after God as thirsting for water in the midst of the desert. This was a feeling he was well acquainted with, to be sure. His soul longs for the Lord, his God, because he knows that God is the only one who can satisfy his longing–much like water is all that can satisfy our thirst. In the midst of physical desperation, David earnestly seeks after God and worships Him for who He is. 

Water is necessary for life. But David confesses that there’s something much more necessary than water, and greater than life itself. The steadfast love of the Lord is the focus of David’s attention. Because his mind is fixed on God’s love, he is able to honestly and confidently pen these words. 

Because your love is better than life:

• My lips will glorify you 
• I will praise you as long as I live 
• I will be fully satisfied 
• With singing lips, my mouth will praise you 

David never sees himself outside of the love and protection of God. His perspective is what allows him to praise. He continues to remind himself of God’s character and it brings forth singing. 

Because you are my help:

• I sing in the shadow of your wings (a place of protection) 
• I cling to you
• Your right hand upholds me
• Those who seek my life will be destroyed

Our perspective enables our actions. David’s perspective of who God is and how He cares for him allows him to praise God in the midst of the desert and in the midst of being pursued by his enemies. In Acts 16 when Paul and Silas are unjustly thrown into prison, they also sing hymns to God. No matter the situation we are in, we can choose to praise God for who He is and how He cares for us, knowing that His love is better than life.