DBG - June 25 - Genesis 4-

This psalm has no author given.  It was composed for use in the Temple by the sons of Korah.  Additionally, it is noted that is to be performed upon Alamoth, which literally means “virgins”.  Again, this cannot be the name of a tune .  It perhaps could indicate the highest  voices in choir were to be used.  The theme of the song is the safety of refuge in God. but it also contains prophetic shadows of the end of this world and the beginning of the Eternal State (Revelation 21:1).

vs. 1-3 – God is seen as a sure refuge even as the world crumbles around the saint.  There is imagery of a flood here reminiscent of Noah’s flood, where God was the refuge for Noah’s family.

vs. 4-7 – This section foresees a city where God dwells as the present world is melted away.  The descriptions have an uncanny resemblance to the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21-22.

vs. 8-11 – The ultimate victory of God is seen in the utter annihilation of his enemies.  Refuge and safety are to be found with the undefeatable God.

This psalm is for use in the Temple by the sons of Korah.  This is a song of praises to the victorious God.

vs. 1 – All peoples are called to praise the Almighty God.

vs. 2-3 – God’s reign over the earth and all things will be manifest in the rule over all peoples.  This is Christ’s Millennial Kingdom

vs. 4 – God will reserve a special place for His chosen people Israel in His kingdom. 

vs. 5 – The shout and trumpet blast indicate the victory of God.

vs. 6 – The proper response to the mighty God is to sing His praises.

vs. 7-8 – God’s rule over the earth and its peoples is reiterated.

vs. 9 – The peoples gather to praise God.

This psalm is for the sons of Korah to be sung in the Temple. It is called both a song and a psalm, which Charles Spurgeon states is because it is both joyful and reverent.  The theme of the psalm is the blessedness and safety of the city of God.  This might be seen historically in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 20?) and prophetically in the New Jerusalem.

vs. 1-3 – The grandeur and safety of the city of God is described.

vs. 4-7 – The kings of the wicked see the impenetrable city of God and hasten away in retreat.  They are destroyed in their retreat.

vs. 8 – The promises of God are made manifest in the city of God.

vs. 9-11 – The character and actions of God are exalted.

vs. 12-14 – The majesty of the city of God exalts God.

This psalm is intended for use in the Temple by the sons of Korah.  The theme of the psalm is the vanity of the wicked’s worldly wealth.

vs. 1-4 – This section serves as preface to the moral instruction to follow.  It invites all to heed the wise lesson to follow.

vs. 5 – The way of the righteous leads to peace even when troubled times arrive.  The second half of the verse is speaking of the sins of the righteous coming to bear on them.

vs. 6-9 – The vanity of riches is displayed.   No earthly price can buy the redemption of a man from his sin debt and grant them eternal life. 

vs. 10-12 – Wealth cannot keep death at bay forever.  Sooner or later the hoarded riches are passed on to another.  The money and estates dwindle and are forgotten by future generations.

vs. 13-15 – The wicked foolishly trust in their wealth but still succumb to death.  Note in vs. 13 that their heirs encourage them, surely because they seek to gain those treasures after the rich die.  The righteous sees beyond the vanity of wealth and trusts in God who can give eternal life.

vs. 16-17 – Encouragement to not let the prosperity of the wicked discourage us.  The final count of the saint’s wealth is not made until after death, and these riches are infinitely greater than the things of this world that perish.

vs. 18-20 – The wicked rich may be celebrated on the earth, but their fate is dismal.  In the end, true wisdom reveals them no better than beasts.  True wealth is found in the blessings of God bestowed on the righteous. 

This psalm is attributed to Asaph, one of the Temple musicians trained by David.  There are 12 psalms associated with him.  This psalm plays out something like a court case, as the God calls men to stand before Him and then declares His verdict concerning them.

vs. 1-3 – The arrival of God in His overwhelming majesty.

vs. 4-6 – The worshippers of the true God are called to stand before God in judgment. 

vs. 7-11 – God seeks to correct misconceptions about worshipping Him through sacrifice.  In vs. 8 God states that He is not calling them to judgment for failing to offer the prescribed sacrifices.  The sacrifices were not made for God’s benefit.  He did not need their animals.  All that is in the world belongs to Him.  This implies that the sacrifices were for Israel’s benefit, not God’s.

vs. 12-15 – God did not need the sacrifices to survive like humans need food.  He reveals His true desire: the hearts of the people.  He wanted their hearts to be thankful and faithful.  He wanted their praise and not a burned animal carcass. 

vs. 16-21 – The actions and attitudes of the wicked are displayed.  God may delay judgment for these for a time, but eventually they will receive their reward.

vs. 22-23 – The great divide between the righteous and wicked.  The wicked will be destroyed while the righteous find salvation in the God they serve.

We have had quite the journey in our psalms today!  We began with glimpses of End Times and ended with calls to trust only in God for salvation.  In light of the fate of the wicked that is looking, there is no time for delay in putting our faith in Christ. 

Our hymn today is by Isaac Watts and in his 1766 edition of The Psalms of David it has the heading “The Value of Christ and His Righteousness”.  You will find echoes in it of Psalm 49’s call to not trust in anything but God for eternal salvation.

No more, my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done;
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of Thy Son.

Now, for the love I bear His name,
What was my gain I count my loss;
My former pride I call my shame,
And nail my glory to His cross.

Yes, and I must and will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus’ sake:
O may my soul be found in Him,
And of His righteousness partake!

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne;
But faith can answer Thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done.