Brian Lee continues his Summer Psalms series with Psalm 59 "Salvation as Protection."

Psalm 59--To the choirmaster- according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.--Deliver me from my enemies, O my God-- protect me from those who rise up against me--deliver me from those who work evil,- and save me from bloodthirsty men.-For behold, they lie in wait for my life-- fierce men stir up strife against me.-For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,- for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.-Awake, come to meet me, and see-- You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.-Rouse yourself to punish all the nations-- spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah-Each evening they come back,- howling like dogs- and prowling about the city.-There they are, bellowing with their mouths- with swords in their lips-- for -Who,- they think, -will hear us---But you, O Lord, laugh at them-- you hold all the nations in derision.-O my Strength, I will watch for you,- for you, O God, are my fortress.-My God in his steadfast love will meet me-- God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.-Kill them not, lest my people forget-- make them totter by your power and bring them down,- O Lord, our shield--For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,- let them be trapped in their pride.-For the cursing and lies that they utter,- consume them in wrath-- consume them till they are no more,-that they may know that God rules over Jacob- to the ends of the earth. Selah-Each evening they come back,- howling like dogs- and prowling about the city.-...

Brian Lee continues his series through the Psalms with Psalm 58 and "Bad News for the Wicked."

Psalm 58--To the choirmaster- according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David.--Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods-- Do you judge the children of man uprightly--No, in your hearts you devise wrongs-- your hands deal out violence on earth.-The wicked are estranged from the womb-- they go astray from birth, speaking lies.-They have venom like the venom of a serpent,- like the deaf adder that stops its ear,-so that it does not hear the voice of charmers- or of the cunning enchanter.-O God, break the teeth in their mouths-- tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord--Let them vanish like water that runs away-- when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.-Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,- like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.-Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,- whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away--The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance-- he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.-Mankind will say, -Surely there is a reward for the righteous-- surely there is a God who judges on earth.-

Isaiah 25--O Lord, you are my God-- I will exalt you- I will praise your name,-for you have done wonderful things,- plans formed of old, faithful and sure.-For you have made the city a heap,- the fortified city a ruin--the foreigners' palace is a city no more-- it will never be rebuilt.-Therefore strong peoples will glorify you-- cities of ruthless nations will fear you.-For you have been a stronghold to the poor,- a stronghold to the needy in his distress,- a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat--for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,- like heat in a dry place.-You subdue the noise of the foreigners-- as heat by the shade of a cloud,- so the song of the ruthless is put down.-On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples- a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,- of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.-And he will swallow up on this mountain- the covering that is cast over all peoples,- the veil that is spread over all nations.- He will swallow up death forever--and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,- and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,- for the Lord has spoken.-It will be said on that day,- -Behold, this is our God- we have waited for him, that he might save us.- This is the Lord- we have waited for him-- let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.--For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain,- and Moab shall be trampled down in his place,- as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.-And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it...

Behold, the Lord will empty the earth and make it desolate,- and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.-And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest-- as with the slave, so with his master-- as with the maid, so with her mistress--as with the buyer, so with the seller-- as with the lender, so with the borrower-- as with the creditor, so with the debtor.-The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered-- for the Lord has spoken this word.-The earth mourns and withers-- the world languishes and withers-- the highest people of the earth languish.-The earth lies defiled- under its inhabitants--for they have transgressed the laws,- violated the statutes,- broken the everlasting covenant.-Therefore a curse devours the earth,- and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt--therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,- and few men are left.-The wine mourns,- the vine languishes,- all the merry-hearted sigh.-The mirth of the tambourines is stilled,- the noise of the jubilant has ceased,- the mirth of the lyre is stilled.-No more do they drink wine with singing-- strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.-The wasted city is broken down-- every house is shut up so that none can enter.-There is an outcry in the streets for lack of wine-- all joy has grown dark-- the gladness of the earth is banished.-Desolation is left in the city-- the gates are battered into ruins.-For thus it shall be in the midst of the earth- among the nations,-as when an olive tree is beaten,- as at the gleaning when the grape harvest is done.

Brian Lee continues his sermon series through the Psalms with Psalm 57.

Heidelberg Catechism--103 Q. What is God's will for you in the fourth commandment- --A. First, that the gospel ministry and schools for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of rest, -I diligently attend the assembly of God's people -to learn what God's Word teaches, -to participate in the sacraments, -to pray to the Lord publicly, -and to bring Christian offerings for the poor. --Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, -let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, -and so begin in this life the eternal Sabbath.

Psalm 57--To the choirmaster- according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.--Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,- for in you my soul takes refuge--in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,- till the storms of destruction pass by.-I cry out to God Most High,- to God who fulfills his purpose for me.-He will send from heaven and save me-- he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah-God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness--My soul is in the midst of lions-- I lie down amid fiery beasts--the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,- whose tongues are sharp swords.-Be exalted, O God, above the heavens-- Let your glory be over all the earth--They set a net for my steps-- my soul was bowed down.-They dug a pit in my way,- but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah-My heart is steadfast, O God,- my heart is steadfast--I will sing and make melody-- Awake, my glory--Awake, O harp and lyre-- I will awake the dawn--I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples-- I will sing praises to you among the nations.-For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,- your faithfulness to the clouds.-Be exalted, O God, above the heavens-- Let your glory be over all the earth-

Brian Lee continues his summer Psalms series with Psalm 56.