Read Psalm
88-89 & Romans
10
To discover:
As you read note the
qualities of God that are extolled.
To ponder:
In Psalm 88 we see
Heman (see title) crying out day and night to the God who saves for help
(88v1-2). His troubles stem from God’s wrath, pictured by “waves” as in the
flood (88v6-7, 16-17). Not only is he drawing close to death (88v3-5), but God
has made him repulsive to his friends (88v8, 18). Here, the “dim” eyes of grief
may speak of how in despair one cannot see any light of hope. So the psalmist
calls on God, stating that God doesn’t do wonders for the dead, nor can the
dead raise themselves to praise him or declare his love and faithfulness
(88v9-12). Of course God raises those with faith from death. But Heman is
stressing its finality with respect to what might be experienced on earth. He
therefore cries out daily, every morning, asking why God rejects him and so
hides his face (ie, his attention and favour) from him (88v13-14). 88v15-18 are
instructive: Heman declares how he has suffered and been close to death and in
despair even from his youth. This suggests his reference to God’s wrath may not
be at a specific sin, but a way of describing suffering in general because it
stems from God’s wrath on humanity because of the fall (see Gen 3). The psalm
therefore reaffirms the lesson of Job. Even worshippers can suffer long term
illness, loneliness and despair. The prayer helps such people vocalize their
distress, cry out to God for help in this life, whilst hinting to the certain
deliverance they will experience at the resurrection.
Psalm 89 contrasts Psalm 88 by
rejoicing in the certainty of God’s ultimate purposes for Israel .
The psalmist declares he will make known God’s love and faithfulness in song
through all generations - by virtue, one presumes, of this psalm (89v1-2). The
idea of God’s love standing firm forever alludes to his commitment to grant
David an everlasting throne (89v2-4). The psalm then moves to how the heavens
praise God to the angels (holy ones) for his wonders and faithfulness. This
probably refers to how the stars show not only God’s creative power but his
faithfulness in maintaining the seasons for the good of humanity. The point is
that God is to be feared even by the angels, as he is more awesome, mighty and
faithful than they are (89v5-8). And so his powerful rule over the creation is
detailed, together with the righteousness and justice his rule is founded on,
and the love and faithfulness that go before him in his acts (89v9-14). So we
are reminded that there is no greater king in the universe. Those who acclaim
God and walk in “the light of his presence” (ie. according to his word and in
awareness of him) are therefore blessed in the sense that they can rejoice in
the knowledge that this divine king is for them – raising them up in honour and
strength before others (89v15-18). He did this when Israel
were faithful, and will do so supremely on the last day.
This stress on God’s mighty power
and righteous character is intended to assure us of how certainly he will keep
his covenant with David. And so we then hear of how God appointed him as his
king, promising him victory over his enemies. He is pictured as vice-regent
over the land God gave – if not the whole creation. And he will know God as a
Father, who will be his security and care. Indeed, God declares he is God’s
“firstborn” and so the one with authority over all other kings of the earth.
These statements are so exalted that they look beyond David to Christ, and this
is confirmed when God also affirms his love and covenant with David will
continue forever, meaning that David’s throne will too (89v19-29). This
covenant is then restated in terms of God disciplining any of David’s
descendents that break his law, whilst ensuring David’s line continues
(89v30-37, see 2 Sam 7). For God to swear by his holiness, is to swear by his
supreme purity, which guarantees he does not lie. The note about the moon, is
probably that just as it appears every night as a faithful witness to God’s
commitment to sustaining all things, so the continuance of David’s line will
witness to God’s faithfulness to his covenant too. Jesus’ continual reign in
heaven makes just this point.
89v38-45 go on to speak as if God
has rejected David. But elsewhere the psalm speaks of David in the past
(89v19-20, 49), so this must refer to God rejecting one of his descendents or
the line itself when the Southern Kingdom was conquered by Babylon .
Whatever the case, God has acted in anger (as outlined in 89v30-32),
effectively renouncing the covenant with David and casting the throne and
splendour of this king to the ground. Of course, having recounted God’s
covenant with David the psalmist knows this situation cannot endure, but
nevertheless asks “how long” this anger will last (89v46). Indeed, like Simeon
longing to see the Christ, he seems to want to see the monarchy restored before
he dies (89v47-48), asking where now is the love and faithfulness God swore to
David (89v49). As the psalm concludes we see it has flown from a heart grieved
by how the nations have taunted the king – perhaps as he was captured and taken
to Babylon . This implies “the
servant” (89v50) refers to the king himself not the psalmist. We might well ask
whether we feel such grief over how Christ is mocked, and such longing to see
his rule fully established.
89v52 ends this section of the
psalms as previous sections have ended (see 41v13, 72v19).
Praying
it home:
Praise God for his
everlasting commitment to his promises. Pray that you would share the
psalmist’s concern to see God’s everlasting kingdom.
Thinking
further:
None
today.
If you receive
this post by email, visit bible2014.blogspot.co.uk
and make a comment.
0 comments:
Post a Comment