Text: Psalm 18:1-19 (ESV)

I love you, O LORD, my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,

and I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death encompassed me;

the torrents of destruction assailed me;

5 the cords of Sheol entangled me;

the snares of death confronted me.

6 In my distress I called upon the LORD;

to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry to him reached his ears.

7 Then the earth reeled and rocked;

the foundations also of the mountains trembled

and quaked, because he was angry.

8 Smoke went up from his nostrils,

and devouring fire from his mouth;

glowing coals flamed forth from him.

9 He bowed the heavens and came down;

thick darkness was under his feet.

10 He rode on a cherub and flew;

he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,

thick clouds dark with water.

12 Out of the brightness before him

hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens,

and the Most High uttered his voice,

hailstones and coals of fire.

14 And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;

he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.

15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,

and the foundations of the world were laid bare

at your rebuke, O LORD,

at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

16 He sent from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of many waters.

17 He rescued me from my strong enemy

and from those who hated me,

for they were too mighty for me.

18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

but the LORD was my support.

19 He brought me out into a broad place;

he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

I LOVE YOU, O LORD, MY STRENGTH

David expressed his devotion to God. David's devotion was inspired by God's immense help in rescuing him from Saul and his many other enemies. He acknowledges the love of God – showing him as his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn of his salvation, and stronghold.

“David’s devotion is characterized, such as one might show toward a respected yet distant superior, but rarer by love – as indicated by his opening words ‘I love you[erhamekha] which is derived from the same root as the Hebrew word for ‘womb’[reheem], and denotes a deep and emotionally charged sense of personal attachment and commitment.”- The Moody Bible Commentary

In v,3-6, the key to David’s victory is prayer. When Saul was pursuing David in the wilderness (1 Sam23:15), David felt doomed. Here, he draws the same picture as in Psalm 18:4. The feeling of being trapped, tied up, or entangled in ropes parallels David's sense of being helplessly caught by his enemies.

And in v.7-15, David highlighted the awe-inspiring power of God’s deliverance, such as; the earth quaked[v.7], and the foundations of the mountains were trembling[v.7]. He rode upon the cherub [v.10] the Lord also thundered[v.13] and lightning flashes in abundance [v.14],

In v.16-19, God’s deliverance is further described as ‘He delivered me from the strong enemy’[v.17] The basic explanation of God’s actions in David’s defense is ‘He rescued me because He delighted in me.”[v.19]

In short, it is by God’s favor or grace bestowed upon him.

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Text: Psalm 17:8-15 (ESV)

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings,

9 from the wicked who do me violence,

my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They close their hearts to pity;

with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

11 They have now surrounded our steps;

they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

12 He is like a lion eager to tear,

as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

14 from men by your hand, O LORD,

from men of the world whose portion is in this life.

You fill their womb with treasure;

they are satisfied with children,

and they leave their abundance to their infants.

15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

I SHALL BEHOLD YOUR FACE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

David began by asking God humbly to attend to his cry[v.1,2] Not hypocritical but sincere, he pleaded his case before the holy God. David claims he was free of deceit. He had not lied about others or his situation. He knows that sin hinders prayer as he writes in Psa 66:18,19: "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer." His claim is emphatically indicated by his statements, namely; ‘You have tried…You have visited…You have tested, yet he affirmed that God found nothing in him that is unconfessed and unsettled sin.

He avoided the ways of the violent. How? By heeding God's Word. He firmly said;

‘My steps have held fast to your paths;

my feet have not slipped.’[v.5]

Cherishing God's Word in the heart keeps a person from sin (Psa 119:11) Obeying God and avoiding sin involve a choice, and it is the right choice. He also writes, "I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me" (Psa 119:30). The path of obedience is the safest, preventing us to stumble and fail (Prov 4:12, 26).

In v.6-9, David showed his great confidence in God to show his steadfast love, as His savior. God will keep him as the ‘apple fo God’s eye’ and ‘hide him in the shadow of His wings’ These metaphors indicate God’s protection as one protects his eye and a hen her chicks.

His confidence is undeterred by the fierceness of his enemies as a ferocious lion surrounding and setting an ambush [see v.10-12] It's possible this psalm was written during David's persecution by King Saul (1 Sam 20:32–33).

David believed vengeance is from the Lord. His battle is God’s. So, he invoked God to ‘arise, confront and subdue and deliver him’ from the enemy. These pleadings involve God as his only source of security and safety. Interestingly, in v.13, there is no preposition ‘by’ in the Hebrew text so it reads ‘Deliver my soul from the wicked your sword’ that is, the enemies were the sword of God’s chastisement – seeing everything as from the hand of God.

Amidst the threat, David could just lift face high to say,

‘Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.’[v.15 NLT]

Similarly, our future is also glorious. It includes the promise of resurrection. (see John 11:25) And the prospect of seeing the Lord face to face and being like Him (see 1 John 3:2).

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God’s Word for Today

25 July 2023

-Psa 16:1-11 ESV

YOU ARE MY LORD

David had found God as his refuge. That is, God is his shelter, from threats or disasters as a tower or cave. 

The English versions may read ‘I said to the Lord” but in Hebrew it is ‘You said to the Lord”, in which the ‘You’ David refers as the Messiah. David is the author of this psalm but he is writing as the prayer of the Messiah. 

He delights in God as his Lord. Having a personal relationship with the Lord, his faith is anchored in God alone. The Lord is his delight. Apart from God, nothing less and nothing else was comparatively good in David. In fact, only God is the source of anything good. 

Moreover, He delights in the Lord’s people and dislikes those who are running after other gods [idolators][v.3,4]  In the New Testament, Jesus commanded believers to love one another, which mirrors His love. He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). And this love is evidence that believers are truly His disciples (see John 13:35). 

The Messiah’s portion is the Lord. This has an allusion to the tribe of Levi, whose portion is God. God said unto them, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel" (Num 18:20). Likewise, David's most valuable inheritance was his relationship with the Lord. He rejoices that the "boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places,…a delightful inheritance."[NIV] (v.6).

He trusts in the Lord to protect and defend him. The "right hand" represents ultimate strength and power. In the case of David, the sense that God was at his right hand was a feeling of confidence. Even death and decay couldn’t hold him. [see v.9]

In this psalm, David prophesied the Messiah’s' resurrection. He prophesied that the Lord would not abandon His soul in Sheol, the vague Hebrew concept of the afterlife[v.10]. Definitely, the Lord would not allow the "holy one to undergo corruption’. Peter, in his address to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost, applied the words of this psalm to Jesus' resurrection (Acts 2:22–32). Moreover, Paul also quoted Psalm 16:10 at Antioch (Acts 13:35–37).

In verse 11, He would enjoy eternal bliss in God’s presence, where He is seated at the right hand. Not only that He would be preserved from decay and corruption but be exalted after He is risen. As Paul declares, “24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.[1 Cor 15:24-28]

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God’s Word for Today

24 July 2023

O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?

    Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right

    and speaks truth in his heart;

3 who does not slander with his tongue

    and does no evil to his neighbor,

    nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,

    but who honors those who fear the LORD;

who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

5 who does not put out his money at interest

    and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

-Psa 15:1-5 ESV

WHO MAY WORSHIP IN YOUR SANCTUARY, LORD?

Who is qualified to be the Lord's guest in His tabernacle? David’s desire isn’t just as a guest but as one who is a resident in God’s sanctuary. Everyone has fallen short of God's glory (Psa 51:1–2; 143:2; Rom 3:23). Today, a person might ask similarly, "Who could live in heaven with the Lord?" The answer is that Jesus assures us that whoever believes in Him, God's Son, has eternal life. In John 14:1–3,  Jesus has assured His disciples, including all believers that He will come again and take them to be with Him at His Father's house together and forever.

Genuine believers in the Lord will demonstrate blamelessness. He is not sinless but one who sins less. He is sincere and free of any legitimate charge of sinful conduct, in so far as that's possible for a fallible person (1 John 1:8–10).  Did not Paul exhort us to be "blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation"? (Phil 2:15)  Clearly, his life is marked by truth and integrity in conduct.

His speech also shows that they are true followers of Jesus. His speech is gracious and seasoned with salt that edifies others(Col 4:6). We know the heart of a person upon hearing what comes out of his mouth. He won’t take advantage but like the Samaritan man, is compassionate and tender to the needy neighbor.

Moreover, a truly godly person respects those who honor God and rejects the lifestyles of those who hate Him. He despised a vile or worthless person. He honors those who honor God. In other words, his fellowships and partnerships speak volumes that he genuinely desires to honor God. As Paul strongly opposed unequal yoking, by asking, “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?"

Lastly, he does not practice usury to take advantage of people who are in need. His desire is to minister unto them. It should be noted that there is a big difference between lending to those who are in need and  lending for those who will engage in business. He doesn’t bribe for his advantage. In short, he is not a lover of money and gain. He has the mind and heart of Christ. 

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Text: Psalm 14:1-7

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD?

5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.

6 You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge.

7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

-Psa 14:1-7 ESV

THE PROFILE OF A FOOL

Sanity is associated with believing in the existence of God. Sadly, those who reject God's existence or live as if He does not exist are fools according to the Scriptures. Even those respected as good citizens are depraved fools if they reject the truth that God exists and divine justice. These are the atheists. The word ‘nabal’, used here, implies someone senseless, with an emphasis on being willingly disobedient. The "fool" of this type is characterized by animal behaviors such as donkeys and mules. (Psa 49:20)

Let’s take note of a certain character ‘Nabal’ in 1 Samuel 25. He exemplifies the type of "fool" this psalm condemns. He was obstinate, ignorant, crude, and unreasonable (1 Sam 25:17). He refused to help David and his men despite clear evidence, and good reasons. "Fools" like Nabal chose to act arrogantly and selfishly. David could have killed him if not for Abigail (see 1 Sam 25:21–35).

The continual rejection or dismissal of God's existence is so corrupt that it leads to a wicked life. Paul explains, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.’(Rom 1:21-23).

They won’t seek and call upon God[v.3,4] but they are in great terror. In fact, all of us are not seekers of God.[Rom 3:10] We are dumb as sheep described by Isaiah in Isa 53:6: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way." We were fools until God found us and we know Him.[John 6:44]

In contrast, God is with the ‘generation of the righteous’. While the fools would be destroyed but the poor, who they oppressed, are safe for the Lord as their ‘shelter or refuge’. David expressed that Israel will be protected as His covenant people. Today, nations are persecuting Israel. But, David anticipates the kingdom as a joyful time of restoring Israel's fortunes. Jesus will return to establish His kingdom on earth, He will vanquish His enemies (Rev 19:11–16), cleanse Israel of her sin (Zech 13:1), and inaugurate the kingdom (Zep 3:16–20). Even, Isaiah says that Israel will confess on that day: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."[Isa 12:2]

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Text: Psalm 13:1-6

1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

-Psa 13:1-6 ESV

MY HEART SHALL REJOICE IN YOUR SALVATION

Apparently, David’s life was difficult. Scriptures is replete with verses about believers having to undergo suffering. Two examples include Asaph and the prophet Habakkuk who also express their confusion and frustrations to God (Psa 73:2–3; Hab 1:2–4). David’s question of "how long?" repeated 4 times, is more than just a question of time. He was asking for an explanation. There is a sense of "why?" carried within these complaints.

God is not the author of evil but He allows it. Pain and sorrows are an integral part of our lives. David has a similar note of concern in Psalm 22:11, wherein he pleaded with God, "Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help." We could identify with his feeling of abandonment at times. Like him, our troubles may happen and provoke us to think God has forsaken us and no longer cares for us. However, the Lord would never forsake us for He cares for him (Heb 13:5; 1 Pet 5:7).

He asks the Lord to light up his eyes[v.3]. ‘Light’ is the embodiment of wisdom, truth, and goodness in the Hebrew mind. He asked for a proper perspective on his troubling situation. We, believers, should pray for wisdom when facing trials, should we not? (Jas 1:5). Otherwise, we would be deceived and carried away by our emotions.

Moreover, he also longs for encouragement[v.4]. Fear of death was not an exaggeration, but a very real threat to David. Death and defeat would surely happen unless God intervenes. David has a lot of threats, especially from King Saul and his son Absalom. We need the grace of God.[2 Cor 12:9,10]

Thankfully, David's struggle to find an answer will not lead him to reject God. He did not wait for God to answer. Instead, He responded to his fears with faith (v.5,6). Yes, there are times that our enemy may seem to triumph over us. However, "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us", are we not? (Rom 8:37) Jesus assures us that ‘He overcomes the world’ even though we pass through tribulations.[John 16:33] At the end of the day, David will sing to the Lord because the Lord has been so good to him. The word "bountifully" suggests his trusts to the abundant God's goodness. Praise should be constant although our difficult circumstances have not change. God's love is unfailing. Thus, God's people like us could rejoice, knowing that God is good all the time.[Rom 8:28]

Today, let’s remember the realities of struggle. Let’s not be carried by our emotions but should hold unto the truth. We live by God’s promises not by explanations.

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Text: Psalm 12:1-8 (ESV)

Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;

for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;

with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,

the tongue that makes great boasts,

4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,

our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,

I will now arise,” says the LORD;

“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

6 The words of the LORD are pure words,

like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,

purified seven times.

7 You, O LORD, will keep them;

you will guard us from this generation forever.

8 On every side the wicked prowl,

as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

TRUSTING GOD’S WORD IN A GODLESS CULTURE

In this Psalm's introduction, the word ‘sheminith’ is mentioned. It is often left untranslated. It is apparently related to the Hebrew word for "eight" or "eighth." This instruction might refer to an eight-stringed instrument or some other musical requirement.

David lamented about the decline of faithful believers. From his point of view, it seems there were no good people left. A culture replete with deceptive smooth talk, dishonesty, and fraud. This was so rampant that David indicts "everyone" as practicing it.

There are bible characters who were plunged into a godless culture. One of them is Lot[Gen 13:10-13]. Peter states, "for as that righteous man lived among [the wicked people of Sodom] day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard" (2 Pet 2:8). Even Paul has encouraged us to shine in a ‘crooked and perverse’ culture.[Phil 2:15] as light shines through in darkness that Jesus spoke about in Mat 5:16.

In verse 4, he prays for the Lord to silence these ‘arrogant big talkers’, who flatter and boast. These evil ones are bragging about their sins of oppressing and plundering the weak[v.5], thinking there will be no consequences. This is quite common nowadays at our social media platforms, is it not? There is no sense of accountability before God and man. They disregard the third commandment, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" and ‘not bear false witness against a neighbor’.(see Ex 20) James is right indeed, when he says, "No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (Jas 3:8).

In the midst of decadent culture, David held to the truthfulness of God and His words. “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.”[v.6] The perfection and purity of God's Word is as metals [silver and gold] separated from impurities by melting. Purifying a metal, repeated seven times, do surely burn away most of the worthless material. Unlike lies and flattery in oppressing the poor and needy (v.2), the Lord's words are true and reliable. Jesus knew the value of God’s word. In His prayer, He did not ask us to be out from the world but for us to be sanctified by His words, for His words are true.[John 17:17]

Hence, David believed in the security of those who trust in Him and His words. He resolved, “Therefore, LORD, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation.”[v.7] Even though, wicked people are everywhere, as he said in v. 8;

‘On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.”

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Text: Psalms 11:1-7 (ESV)

In the LORD I take refuge;

how can you say to my soul,

“Flee like a bird to your mountain,

2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;

they have fitted their arrow to the string

to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

3 if the foundations are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”

4 The LORD is in his holy temple;

the LORD's throne is in heaven;

his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

5 The LORD tests the righteous,

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;

fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the LORD is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

the upright shall behold his face.

THE LORD'S THRONE IS IN HEAVEN

Clearly, David was facing an impending danger, prompting and urging him to run away. The image is of panic and self-preservation. Whether he was told by someone or merely self-enhanced, he was tempted to react like a startled bird fleeing to a high place. Are we not like David in a lot of ways?

Is it not in a time of crisis, believers are confronted with two choices. To focus on their obstacles or on God? A lack of faith in God has caused Israel to wander for 40 years in the wilderness (Num 14:20–23). Similarly, this lack of faith in God has caused believers to wander away from Him (Heb 4:7–11).

When the enemy triumphs, David expressed his concern by saying,

“if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”[v.3]

He was Israel's king, so that if the enemy would succeed, the nation's very foundations would be destroyed. A proper system and order grounded in righteousness and justice of God, under a godly king, would crumble surely. When evil and chaos happen, what could the righteous do?

Of course, David held unto the truth that the “Lord is in his holy temple and His throne is in heavens” He knows everything. [v.4] God is sovereign. He is on top of everything.

However, God allows this threat as ‘tests for the righteous’ This is to prove the genuineness of their faith. Definitely, this is not to tempt them to sin (Jas 1:13; 1 Pet 1;7, 1 Cor 10:13). David's trust during troubles and God's response has strengthened his reliance on the Lord more (see Psa 3:4).

As God’s nature is just, He hates the wicked and the one who loves violence, He would avenge his enemies as Lord rained fire and sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah.[v.6] He indicates that these disasters as "the portion of their cup." Notedly, the cup of the Lord is often used in connection with His judgment of evildoers. Take for example in Revelation 14:10, God warns that whoever worships the beast and its image "also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger."

In a twist from fear to faith, David expresses his hope for God. “For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.’[v.7] God is judge yet He is loving. This is displayed in Christ. Because the Lord is righteous, He cannot allow the wicked to go unpunished. Nor will He allow those who are evil and sinful to be with Him in eternity. Our Redeemer Jesus was cursed for our sin [Gal 3:13] in order for us to be righteous and reconciled to God. [ 2 Cor 5:21]

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God’s Word for Today

18  July 2023

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;

    forget not the afflicted.

13 Why does the wicked renounce God

    and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?

14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,

    that you may take it into your hands;

to you the helpless commits himself;

    you have been the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;

    call his wickedness to account till you find none.

16 The LORD is king forever and ever;

    the nations perish from his land.

17 O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;

    you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

    so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

-Psa 10:12-18 ESV

THE HELPER OF THE FATHERLESS

The most common yet the hardest question to answer is’

‘Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?

    Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? [v.1]

Where is God in my sufferings? Why God, if He is good and loving, do allow these hardships in my life? David wasn’t exempted to express his anguish and dismay. He saw the wicked prosper. [see v 5-10]  Proudly, the wicked says, ‘I shall not be moved’ and “I shall not meet adversity’ and ‘“God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”. Cursing and deceit are in his mouth. This evil man lurked, ambushed, and seized the helpless. The helpless are crushed and sink down. They with their evil deeds seem to slip away from His judgments and sight [v.5] 

Yet, David hoped in God. He refused to be overwhelmed with his emotions. He prayed,

‘Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;

    forget not the afflicted.

Why does the wicked renounce God

    and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? [v12,13]

He affirmed his faith that God sees and that He is ‘the helper to the fatherless’. He extolled that ‘God is king forever and ever.’ The nations ‘perish’  is a common feature of prophetic-predictive statements, as it happened already from God's timeless perspective. The Lord has heard the request of the humble and would vindicate the orphan and the oppressed so that nobody could touch them anymore.

In Psalm 23, David testifies that the Lord is his shepherd, even preserving him in the valley of the shadow of death. Thus, David fears no evil because the Lord is with him. Similarly in Heb 13:5, God has assured the believers that the Lord will never forsake them.

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God’s Word for Today

17 July 2023

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;

    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

2 I will be glad and exult in you;

    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,

    they stumble and perish before your presence.

4 For you have maintained my just cause;

    you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;

    you have blotted out their name forever and ever.

6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;

    their cities you rooted out;

    the very memory of them has perished.

7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever;

    he has established his throne for justice,

8 and he judges the world with righteousness;

    he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,

    for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

-Psa 9:1-10 ESV

THE LORD SITS ENTHRONED FOREVER

Thankfulness and singing with gladness are results of David’s recounting to God, the ‘Most High’, and His wonderful deeds.[v.1,2] His enemies turned back, stumbled, perished, and are blotted forever. For example, in Exodus 17:14 records the Lord's words about Amalek after Joshua and his people defeated the Amalekites. The Lord said to Moses, "Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." Only that Sovereign God could utterly blot out, even the memory of sin. The apostle Peter’s message to the Jews gathered at Solomon's portico was to urge them to repent and turn back to the Lord so that their sins would be blotted out (Acts 3:19). 

David claims that God has ‘maintained his just cause’ to mean, God has vindicated him personally. Throughout history,  Satan and his minions have tried to destroy the people of Israel, but the Lord has turned them back just as He turned David's enemies back. Yes, God allowed Israel to suffer defeat at times because of their sin. However, they never faced annihilation. Conversely, ‘the enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.’[v.6] 

But, God lives forever on His throne. David exalts that God is, has been, and always will be the Supreme Authority over all of creation. Moreover, His rule reflects with righteousness and uprightness (v.8).

In Psalm 93:2 the psalmist expresses, "Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting." Psalm 106:48 proclaims, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting." And that from His heavenly throne, He "will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed [Jesus]; and of this, he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead" (Acts 17:31. Isa 9:6-7).

Consequently, David expresses his confidence to God’s help, saying;

‘The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,

    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!

    Tell among the peoples his deeds!’[v.9-11]

Apparently, David’s motivation was more than for his ease and comfort but rather the that the glory of God might be manifest. Thus he exclaims,

‘Be gracious to me, O Lord!

    See my affliction from those who hate me,

    O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

14 that I may recount all your praises,

    that in the gates of the daughter of Zion

    I may rejoice in your salvation.’[v.13,14]

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