102 The Alphabet Psalm

Psalm 117

This is the shortest of all the psalms.

Psalm 118

This psalm is the exact middle point of the entire Protestant Bible.

Psalm 119

This is the longest of all the psalms.

This is an Alphabetical Psalm - the longest, and most perfect in its kind, in the collection of Psalms. The peculiarity of the composition consists in this - that the first eight verses of the psalm begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet - Aleph (א '); the next eight verses with the second letter - Beth (ב b); and so on, through the twenty-two letters of the alphabet. These parts are designated in our common version by the names of the Hebrew letters respectively indicating the parts - Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, etc. Barnes commentary.

Psalm 125

 They who trust in Jehovah shall be like Mount Zion; it is not shaken, but remains forever. 
Psalm 125:1

This is believed to be one of the psalms written after the Babylonian captivity because it says, Mount Zion; it is not shaken, but remains forever.  If it had been written before the captivity this would not be a true statement.  As it turns out though, technically it is not true anyway, because Rome destroyed Jerusalem only a few hundred years later.

As I have said a number of times already, the psalms are songs expressing feelings, or maybe wishes, and not necessarily stating facts.  We have a similar type of non-truths in the Christian hymnals today. eg.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form 
and dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

Psalm 137

While we were studying 2 Chronicles we learned that King Nebuchadnezzar took captive many Israelites and carried them off to Babylon.  This psalm is written in the past tense after the Jews were released by King Cyrus and allowed to go back home.  However, the material fits into the time period while they were still captive in Babylon.

There we sat down by the rivers of Babylon; also, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our lyres on the willows in its midst. For there our captors demanded a song from us; and our plunderers demanded gladness, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing Jehovah's song in a foreign land? Psalm 137:1-4.

Psalm 126 

Cyrus released many captives, not only Israelites, back to their own countries.  We learned that this was not so much because he was kind-hearted, but rather because he wanted the returned captives to be a buffer between the Egyptian and Greek armies and Persia.  That plan paid off very well for Persia, later on; when Egypt assayed to attack Persia the Israelite army intercepted.

This psalm fits into the time when the decree was given that they could return to their homeland.

When Jehovah turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. (pinch me, I must be dreaming) Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; (this is just too good to be true) then they said among the nations, Jehovah has done great things with them.  What a testimony to Jehovah's care. Psalm 126:1-6

Psalm 138

Many times it has been stated in this blog that the Bible insists on the plurality of the Gods.  Here is another example of that truth.  I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praise to You. 138:1.

It is uncanny how glibly Bible interpreters tell us that the word gods means idols.  The Hebrew word used here is Elohim.  About this word, Elohim, notice: The everlasting Elohim coming forth out of the depths of his inscrutable eternity, and manifesting himself to man in the new character of Yahweh. Barnes Commentary.  Bible scholars agree that the word, gods (this includes Jehovah), is the real meaning of Elohim, so how can any honest Bible commentator say the word, gods, in this verse, means idols?

It is also worth noting that the word, gods, as it is used here is the same word that is used in Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  It should be read as: In the beginning the Gods created the heavens and the earth.  So those who say that gods in Psalm 138:1 means idols should have no problem reading Gen. 1:1 like this: In the beginning the idols created the heavens and the earth.

It seems that most Bible teachers just cannot let go of the idea that there is only one God.  Throughout the Bible, the name of God is distinctly a plural word.  Is it because, God, is a plural word that they invent a theory, such as the Trinity, which definitely is not taught in the Bible.  That confusing theory sounds like this; The plurality of persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The plural name of God in Hebrew, which speaks of him as many, tho' he be but one. Wesley.

101 Jehovah Is A Great God

Psalm 95 - 96

For Jehovah is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:3
For Jehovah is great, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 96:4

These Bible verses are a good example of how theologians twist the meaning of words to suit what they believe.  A great God is Jehovah, and a great King above all gods;” or, “God is a great King over all.” Clake.  Notice how he drops the word, gods: is it because it does not suit the church's beliefs.  

This does not mean that he is a great ruler of all other gods, as if they had a real existence, but that he is king or ruler far above all that were worshipped as gods, or to whom homage was paid. Barnes.  So the verbiage continues to try to prove that the Bible does not mean what it says.

If we pay close attention to the meaning of the word God and the meaning of the word gods we might see what the Psalmist actually said.  The meaning that Dr Strong, a Methodist theologian, has for these words is this:  

God -  strength; as adjective mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity): 

gods - gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God. 

The meaning of the two words is the same.  Why can we not at least try to grapple with the idea that Jehovah is not the only God in the universe?  After all, the Bible says that He is not!  Are we going to blindly go through our whole life without daring to do our own thinking?

Psalm 97

All those who serve graven images are ashamed, those who boast themselves in idols; all gods bow down before Him. ... For You, Jehovah, are high above all the earth; You are lifted on high far above all gods. Psalm 97:7+9.

To try and tell us that the word gods means idols, here in verse 7, just does not work.  Idols do not bow down, but the gods do.  The word idol means good for nothing. Strong.  In both cases where the word gods is used, it has the same meaning as we saw in Psalms 95 and 96.

Psalm 104 

The psalmist sings of how the needs of all the creatures are provided for by the hands of Jehovah.

Psalm 105-106

In these psalms, the history of Israel is repeated again.

Psalm 110

Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand until I place Your enemies as Your footstool. psalm 110:1 

This verse is often used to "prove" that God is a trinity, but that is false theology!

Jehovah said to my Lord. Most translations.  Notice that Lord is capitalized.  This is done by the translators to indicate that it refers to Jesus Christ after His ascension into heaven.  The Jewish Publication Society Bible does not capitalize lord.  This is also the way the Hebrew translation has it: Yehweh (said) to lord of me.  

Psalm 110:1 precisely defined the second lord as “my lord” (adoni), not “my Lord” as mistranslated in many versions.

The expert Christologist Dr. James Dunn now has the right answer to the identity of Jesus: “Jesus is not Yahweh, not the God of Israel.”  However in 1977 he had misquoted the second lord of Psalm 110:1 as Adonai (Lord) when it is in fact adoni, my (non-Deity) lord.

Dr. Hurtado makes the same mistake about “lord” in his commentary on Mark when he says the second lord is Adonai.  Quoted in Focus on the Kingdom, by Anthony Buzzard, October 2015.

To keep our theology straight it is imperative that we do not mix up the two words, Yahweh, Adonai and lord, Adoni.  Using the word, lord, to speak respectfully of a man should not seem strange to us; we speak of Lord Nelson or Lord Mountbatten.  That is the same way in which the psalmist uses that word here in Psalm 110:1; he is speaking respectfully of lord Jesus, the man.

100. Captivity is Made Captive

The Psalms continue on in the same vein: all of mankind is guilty; some are blatantly evil and on those Jehovah will execute judgement. The upright in heart will be protected by God and they will wash their feet in the blood of the guilty: so that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your enemies. 68:23.  This is not at all a pleasant picture, however, I suppose, we must not over analyse that scene.  Not everything in the Bible means what it says.

Speaking of taking the Bible literally and referencing that to UFO's notice:

Psalm 68

Sing to God, ... praise Him who rides on the heavens. 

To Him who rides on the heavens of heavens of old. Psalm 68:4+33.

The chariots of God are myriads, thousands of thousands. Psalm 68:17

God has gone up with a shout, Jehovah with the sound of a trumpet. Psalm 47:5

It is phrases of this nature, and whole stories, throughout the Bible, that produced the name "Spaceship Theology" for this blog.  Time, and again, in the Bible, we see word pictures of Jehovah riding a spacecraft.  

The problem is that, because of our learning, we have trouble believing that the Bible means what it says.  Of course, there are statements, in the Bible, that conflict with this theory, but we need to remember that many of the poetic segments in the Bible are emotional prayers and openly expressed feelings; feelings of awe, immensity and infinitude that obscure the stated facts in the Bible.

You have gone up on high; You have led captivity captive. Psalms 68:18.  This line, in agreement with the Apostle Paul, (see Eph. 4:8), is usually referred to Christ, when, after he had led captivity captive by His death and resurrection, He ascended to heaven.

Other commentaries say it refers to the time when the ark of the covenant was brought home to Israel. 

Some have presented the following, alternate idea. There was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels warring against the dragon. Rev.12:7.  For you (the dragon, Satan) have said in your heart, I will go up to the heavens, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will go up above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Isaiah 14:12.

And the dragon and his angels warred but did not prevail. Nor was place found for them in Heaven any more. And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent called Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Rev.12:7-9. 

After Jehovah wins the battle against Satan, this verse, Psalm 68:18 fits in: You have gone up on high; You have led captivity captive. For more about this whole intriguing topic may I suggest, http://ikefehr1939.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-war-in-heaven.html

The mountain of Bashan is God's mountain; the Bashan range is a mountain of peaks. Psalm 68:15.  an hill of eminences"; it had several tops, or little hills that rose up from it. Gill's commentary.

Psalm 22 warned us that Bashan was a place of danger: Many bulls have circled around Me; strong bulls Of Bashan have surrounded Me. Psalm 22:12.  By way of contrast Psalm 68:15 tells us that The mountain of Bashan is God's mountain; the Bashan range is a mountain of peaks.  In a spiritual sense, this is where we may go and find quietude and refreshment, far from the noise of this world's entertainment.

Psalm 72

The prelude to this psalm is A Psalm of Solomon, but it ends like this, The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. Psalm 72:20.  This statement is found just about in the middle of the Psalter: this merely shows that the psalms are not arranged in the order in which they were written; neither are the songs in the Church's hymn books.

Psalm 78

For He set up a testimony in Jacob, and ordered a Law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their sons so that the generation to come might know; sons shall be born, and they shall arise and tell their sons, so that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His Commandments; and might not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation. Psalm 78:5.

From here on the writer gives a brief outline of the history of Israel from the beginning of the conquest of Canaan to the rulership of king David.

99. I Have Two Pierced Ears

Psalm 24

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful psalm in the Psalter!  The only way to really appreciate it is to read and re-read it.

Psalm 32

This is a prayer of penitence and of rejoicing for sins that have been forgiven.

Many Bible commentaries suggest that this psalm was written, by David, shortly after his affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah.

Psalm 38

Here we learn that unconfessed sins can actually make a person physically sick.

Psalm 40

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened; burnt offering and sin offering You have not asked. Then I said, Lo, I come, in the volume of the Book it is written of Me; I delight to do Your will, O My God; and Your Law is within My heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; 6-9.

Some scholars say that there is nothing in this psalm that distinctly refers to Christ.  Others believe that it was actually Christ, speaking of His future self, who dictated this psalm to David.  The writer of the Book of Hebrews, in The New Testament, claims that it was Christ who had spoken the words of these four verses.

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire:  According to the books of Moses, these are the things that Jehovah demanded.  Some commentaries say this means that God does not desire sacrifice and offering compared to obedience to Jehovah and a holy lifestyle. 

You have prepared a body for Me. This is a very interesting phrase associated with a lot of confusion. 

In Hebrew it reads something like: two ears thou hast opened for me. 

In The Literal translation: You have opened ears to Me.  This could mean, You hear my prayers.

Many translations use this meaning: My ears You have opened.  This meaning is recorded, eight times in three gospels; Christ in His speeches said, he who has ears to hear, let him hear.  Perhaps that is the meaning used here.

Some say that the meaning is, You have pierced my ears.  This would relate to the Jewish law where, after a slave had been with his master for seven years and was allowed to go free, but he decided to stay, the master would pierce the slave's ears, which indicated that the slave belonged to the master for the rest of his life.  According to this theory, Christ said to His Father, "My ears hast thou bored", that is, thou hast made me thy servant for ever. Clarke Heb. 10:5.

In the Book of Hebrews, in place of, my ears You have opened, we find these totally different words, You have prepared a body for Me.

How did they ever get from, my ears you have opened to You have prepared a body for Me?  The apostle who wrote the Book of Hebrews was copying these words from the Septuagint version of the psalms. In Hebrew handwritten letters, there is only a slight difference in styling the letters, and that change could have happened in the Septuagint by something as simple as using too much ink on the bottom lines of one or more letters. Clarke's commentary. 

Whatever the reason for this misprint, it at least reminds us that we must not be too hung up on the idea that the Bible is "word perfect".

Psalm 42

O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Why are you cast down, O my soul, and moan within me? Hope in God; for I shall praise Him for His salvation. 5-6.  Sometimes in our depression, we feel as if there is nothing left for which to praise Jehovah, but then! we remember the salvation which He has bestowed on us.  Again we raise our souls in praise and gratitude.

98. The Bulls of Bashan

Psalm 22

Some Bible scholars insist that this psalm in no way applies to David but, rather, that David, when he wrote it, was speaking prophetically of Christ's crucifixion.  If it does apply to David, some of the situations mentioned could be taken literally, but if the whole psalm applies only to Christ this psalm must be seen as being loaded down with similes and metaphors.  Can we imagine Christ uttering this, hard to accept, statement, But I am a worm, and no man; 22:6.

Many bulls have circled around Me; strong bulls Of Bashan have surrounded Me. 22:12.  Who will hear the soft calling of "The Lamb" among the roaring clamour of the bulls Of Bashan, for example, North America's world of entertainment?

They opened wide their mouths on Me, like a ripping and a roaring lion. 22:13.

I am poured out like water, and all My bones are spread apart; My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of My bowels. 22:14.  Totally, physically exhausted.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; v.15.  Some apply this to the time when Christ while hanging on the cross, said, I thirst. John 19:28   

For dogs have circled around Me. Psalm 22:16.   The Jews had this "endearing way" of calling non-Jews, "dogs".   This phrase is sometimes referenced to the crucifixion when Christ was encircled by Gentiles. 

Deliver My soul (life) from the sword, My only one from the dog's hand. 22:20.  Deliver my soul, my only life.  Holy Father, please protect my soul from those that would seek my eternal destruction!

Save Me from the lion's mouth. 22:21.  This is certainly a prayer for all of us, but, at the same time, not forgetting that St. Peter put the onus on us.  Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour.  1 Peter 5:8.

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? 

Even if this whole psalm was written as a prayer by David, for himself, it is not surprising that Christ, on the cross, used these words in His hour of deepest need.  He knew the Jewish Bible, which, of course, includes the psalms; He had preached from it for about three and a half years and we should not wonder that He, while He was on the cross, having trusted for, a last moment, miraculous rescue from death, would cry out, My God, my God, why have You forsaken me.

Still, There is Hope for Deliverance

Why are You far from my deliverance, and from the words of my groaning?  Now that everything looks lost he cries out, Why have You closed your ears to by earnest prayers?

But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them.  

Whatever happens to me now, Lord, You are holy, You are uplifted by the praises of your children.  But, could I remind You that in the past our fathers trusted, and You delivered them.  Why doesn't that deliverance work for me now?  Psalm 22:1-3.

All who see Me (at Calvary) mock me; they shoot out the lip (open wide their mouths); they shake the head, saying, He trusted on Jehovah; let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him, since He delights in Him! Psalm 22:7-8.  This psalm continues to fit the horrendous emotional situation of Christ while he was suspended on the cross.

The Jewish elders tauntingly repeated the words of the psalmist, He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him. Mat. 27:43.

It is one of the most remarkable instances of blindness and infatuation that has ever occurred in the world, that the Jews should have used this language in taunting the dying Redeemer, without even suspecting that they were fulfilling the prophecies, ... at the very time when they were reviling him that he was the true Messiah. Barnes.

We end the 22 Psalm with this prayer:

Dearest Lord, give me so to meditate on these things, until I feel my whole soul going forth in all that love and affection which thy people participate, who know thee in the power of thy resurrection, and in the fellowship of thy sufferings. Hawker's Commentary.

97. The Righteous Will Be Resurrected

Psalm 15

In Psalm 12, the writer was looking at the negative viewpoint but now he focuses on the positive.

This Psalm starts by asking two questions.

1. Jehovah, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle? Psalm 15:1.

The first time, in this verse, that the psalmist uses the word, dwell, the word, in the Hebrew text is sojourn.  Translated it reads, Lord, who shall sojourn in your holy temple in Jerusalem?  This is what the question meant to the psalmist, but, of course, the Christian Bible is now a worldwide book and so we apply this psalm to ourselves and make the word, tabernacle, mean God's presence. Lord, who may sojourn in Your presence?

     2. Who shall dwell on Your holy hill?

Here the word, dwell, has the meaning of being settled down.  Who are those that feel comfortable enough in Jehovah's presence to settle down there?  Psalm 15 tells us who those are:

• He who walks uprightly, the one going flawlessly (in Hebrew)
• and works righteousness, the one contriving righteousness (in Hebrew)
• and speaks the truth in his heart; not just with the lips, but from the heart.
• he does not backbite with his tongue, 
• nor does evil to his neighbor, 
• nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 
• but he honors those who fear Jehovah; 
• he has sworn to his hurt, and does not change it; if you make a promise you do your very best to keep it even if it is determental to you.
• he has not put out his money at interest, (credit card companies and financial institutions should pay attention to these words and quit gouging their customers).
• nor has he taken a bribe against the innocent. Psalm 15:2-5.

Christ summed that list up with these words, Therefore all things, whatever you desire that men should do to you, do even so to them; Mat. 7:12.

Psalm 16

For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol, neither wilt thou allow thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt make known to me the path of life: thy countenance is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. 16:10-11.

It is agreed, almost universally in Christendom, that these words, thy Holy One, refer to Christ.  That is not at all surprising since twice, in the Book of Acts: ch. 2+13, Saint Peter made that connection.  Following St. Peters lead modern Bible scholars say things like, How peculiarly this belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Hawker's Bible Commentary.  It is peculiar to Christ, to be called the holy one of God. John Wesley.

We must not press that thought though.  Considering the next part of the verse: neither wilt thou allow thy Holy One to see corruption.  This is in the plural number, חסידיך  chasideycha, thy Holy Ones; but none of the versions translate it in the plural. Clarke.  The reading here in the text is in the plural form, “thy holy ones". Barnes.  Obviously, if thy Holy One, is in the plural it cannot refer only to Christ, but it must refer to those about whom the psalmist was writing in the first part of this psalm; those who are righteous.

David expresses his faith in the resurrection of the just in the last verse of the next psalm, As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness. Psalm 17:15 JPS.

He was agreeing with the teachings of Christ's Church that the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall put on incorruption,  and when this mortal shall put on immortality, then will take place the word that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Cor. 15:52-54.

96. High Morals Are Not Automatic

Psalm 8

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:4-5.  There is no place in the Old Testament where Elohim (God) means "angels;" and, though the LXX (Septuagint version) so translate in the present passage, and the rendering has passed from them into the New Testament (Heb. 2:7), it cannot be regarded as critically correct. Pulpit Commentary.

The way some translations now have it, it is actually correct.   Namely: For You have made him lack a little from God (not angels as the KJV and many others have it), and have crowned him (mankind) with glory and honor. 8:5.   This corresponds very well with the statement made by God Let us make men in our image. Gen. 1:26.

1. Some theologians say that the, him, refers to Christ.  This interpretation should be a real problem for Bible students who accept the doctrine of the Trinity.  If him refers to Christ, what the Bible is saying is that Christ was made, therefore He is not eternal, and that He lacks a little from God; in others words, He is not really God; but Trinitarians insist that Christ is "God of very God".

2. Correctly translated, some commentaries say that the him refers to humankind and that in the original, sinless state, humans were crowned with glory and honor and that Jehovah made him (mankind) rule over the works of His hands; You (Jehovah) have put all things under his feet. Psalm 8:6.  God said to them, ... subdue it (the earth), rule over the fish of the seas, and over birds of the heavens, and over all beasts creeping on the earth. Gen 1:28.

Psalm 11+12

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3.

The reference is to a destruction of those things in a community, when truth is no longer respected; when justice is no longer practiced; when fraud and violence have taken the place of honesty and honor; when error prevails; when a character for integrity and virtue affords no longer any security. Barnes Commentary.

The moral and spiritual foundations of our society are being destroyed by the leaders of our educational system.  I recall my older brother telling me that when he was in elementary school the stories in "The Reader" were based on Bible stories.  By the time I got to grade one the stories had been downgraded to the "Dick and Jane" series.  When the righteous precepts of the books of the great religions of the world are ignored, fraud and violence become the new accepted rules as we see in our society today.

However, education alone is not the answer!  Leaders are supposing they can fix the problems of society with band-aid solutions without first laying a foundation on a rock.  There is much talk about curing humanity's moral ailments by education.  If that was successful surely all doctors, professors and lawyers would be morally upright because they have so much education.

In a University in Eastern Canada, there was a situation where some male students were, by deceit, forcing themselves on some female students.  The counsellors are devising courses and "plans of action" to keep such things from happening again.  Nothing, of that nature, will curb the evil intentions of those thus inclined.  That is because, unless, and until, children are brought up on the solid foundation of the teachings of the holy books of the world's religions there is nothing in their moral fibre that will stop them from acting wickedly.

Help, O Jehovah, for the godly ceases to be; for the faithful fail from among the sons of men. They speak vanity, each man with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart (or forked tongue) they speak. Psalm 12:1-2.

what can the righteous do?  Sure, they can hold peaceful gatherings and demand action but basically, those meetings accomplish next to nothing.  This we see repeatedly in the "anti-gun" meetings held, time and again, in the USA.  The righteous are unable to do anything because if we try we are accused of being narrow-minded and religious bigots.  Some are even physically attacked or killed because they make their viewpoints known.

Unless parents teach their children the fundamental rules of decency and honesty, from their birth and onward, the children do not even know what high moral standards look like or that it is expected of them.

However, we in Canada are not yet in a position in which we should despair.  We may still worship as we wish to.  We are still free to read and write anything we want to unless it is blatantly anti-Canadian or anti-racial.  Our lawmakers, for the most part, are still enacting fair and just laws and, for the most part, our police forces are reputable and most will do their best to defend the innocent.

94.Give Jehovah a Righteous life

Psalm 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. 
O Lord, how my foes have increased! Many are the ones who rise up against me. 3:1

In many of the older versions of the Bible, this verse is treated as two verses so that the psalm actually has nine verses rather than the eight that many new versions have. 

The history behind this psalm is portrayed in the post on April 17, 2015.

Civil War in The Promised Land, http://spaceshiptheology.blogspot.com/2015/04/64-civil-war-in-promised-land.html

The third psalm was composed, or at least the substance of it was meditated and digested in David's thought, and offered up to God, when he fled from Absalom his son, who formed a conspiracy against him, to take away, not his crown only, but his life; we have the story, 2 Sam. 15. Matthew Henry.

And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. 2 Sam. 15:12.

LORD, how many are mine adversaries become! Many are they that rise up against me. Psalm 3:1 Jewish Publication Bible Society.

Psalm 4

Tremble, and sin not; speak within your own heart on your bed and be still. Selah.  Psalm 4:4  

In place of the word tremble the KJV and some others have, stand in awe.  A more significant change is found in some other translations where they use words similar to this: Be moved with anger.

and sin not; If one is so angry that one shakes (tremble's) in anger, the psalmist says, before you do or say anything that you might regret, first think about it overnight and be still (calm yourself).

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in Jehovah. 4:5.  There are many things that we would rather offer to our LORD than the sacrifice of a holy life. 

Living a righteous life cuts into our pleasures; it takes from us the opportunity to do those forbidden things we want to do but we know we shouldn't; Jehovah expects nothing less than a pure life!

Psalm 7

A song of David, which he sang to Jehovah on (concerning) the words of Cush the Benjamite. 7:1.

The title of this psalm seems to intimate that the occasion of this Psalm was some event in David’s persecution by Saul. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown.  In our study of 1 Samuel we learned that King Saul was the son of Kish a Benjamite.  Saul is meant, and that he is called "Cush," with allusion to his father’s name being Kish. Such plays upon words have always found much favour in the East. Fausset's Bible Dictionary.

Cush or, the Ethiopian, expresses one black at heart. ... David ... alludes to Saul's gratuitous enmity and his own sparing "him that without cause is mine enemy," namely, in the cave at Engedi, when Saul was in his power (1 Samuel 24). Fausset's commentary.

O Jehovah my God, ... if there is iniquity in my hands; if I have rewarded evil to my friend.  Psalm 7:5.

If I have wounded any soul today,

If I have caused one foot to go astray,

If I have walked in my own willful way,

Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I offend some other through the strain,
Dear Lord, forgive!  

Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me, and my keeper be.
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have wounded any soul today.  Author: C. M. Battersby

Judge me, O Jehovah, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity on me. Psalm 7:8.

O Jehovah, I know I am guilty of many sins and shortcomings, but, O, my Father, in this case regarding Saul I am innocent of any evil intent or action.  Please judge me with that in mind.

93. The Psalm Against Terrorist Groups!

Psalm 2

A modern-day commentary on Psalm 2.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying, “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.” 2:1-3.

Terrorist groups and their leaders rage (tumultuous - Strong H7283) in a totally uncalled for war. They are plotting a vain thing (to no purpose - Strong H7385).  Before they attain their purpose they will be suddenly and completely destroyed! They speak and act as if they will just walk over Jehovah's army when they finally do meet Him.  A few years ago, in a blog, I read words to this effect, "I can hardly wait for that war to come because we will annihilate Jehovah and His angels."  Think again, Sam!

At times it seems as if the terrorist groups, sometimes with nations joining later, will be the last anti-Jehovah army that will ever exist. 

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; Jehovah shall mock at them. Then He shall speak to them in His anger, and trouble them in His wrath. 2:4-5.

Then the lawless one (the counterfeit Messiah who will take a throne in Jerusalem) will be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming. 2 Thes. 2:8.

• Some say the day of Christ's return has already happened.  
• Many believe that Christ will return before "the great tribulation".  
• However, Saint Paul said, For it (Christ's return) will not be (happen), unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin (the counterfeit Messiah) is revealed, the son of destruction he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; 

The terrorist groups go out of their way to destroy religious buildings and symbols; they are especially intent on killing religious people.  Before the end comes one of them will will assume the position of leadership over all the peoples of the world so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God, (by deception and flattery, before it is all over, he will have convinced many people that he is worthy of worship), and he will be given a throne (in the temple in Jerusalem).  2 Thes. 2:2-4.

If the above theories should prove to be true, the terrorist groups will advance, and keep on advancing; they will invade Europe and the Americas; They are already working havoc in Africa and they will infiltrate the Far East.  From Syria, they will also move southward until they reach the valley of Megiddo in Northern Palestine and there they will meet their final foe - Jehovah and His hosts.

Israel will be poised to defend themselves, and before they suffer total defeat, Christ will return to earth, and with His mighty angels He will put an abrupt end to that war, to give relief to you (the upright) when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus, (they) will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed. 2 Thes. 1:7-10.  That will forever be the end of the terrorist groups and their compatriots.

Christ, very bluntly, put it this way the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have practiced evil to the resurrection of condemnation. John 5:28-29  

A New Inheritance

Then, looking into the future the psalmist pictures Jehovah saying to Christ Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession. 2:8.  What kind of inheritance would Christ be satisfied with?  Would He want to inherit a bunch of nations where war is the normal way of life?

Because He doesn't, David says, And now be wise, O kings; be instructed, O judges of the earth. Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 2:10-11.

How will Christ obtain such an inheritance?  He shall break them with a rod of iron; He shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 2:8.

Blessed (spiritually prosperous) are all who put their trust in Him. 2:12  

92. The Jewish Hymnal

The Introduction

The Psalter may be regarded as the heart’s echo to the speech of God, the manifold music of its windswept strings as God’s breath sweeps across them. Expositors Bible Commentary.

The Book of Psalms is divided into five, very uneven, sections.

The first book contains forty-one psalms; 1:1-41:13; most written by King David;
The second, thirty-one; 42:1-72:20; most of these are written by King David;
The third, seventeen; 73:1-89:52; written by Asaph;
The fourth, seventeen; 90:1-106:48; chiefly anonymous;
The fifth, forty-four; 107:1-150:6; about three-fifths anonymous and two-fifths written by King David. Pulpit Commentary.

The Psalter is also a Pentateuch, the echo of the Mosaic Pentateuch from the heart of Israel; it is the fivefold book of the congregation to Jehovah, as the Law is the fivefold book of Jehovah to the congregation. Pulpit Commentary.

The "books" are severally terminated by a doxology, not exactly the same in every instance, but of a similar character, which in no case forms any part of the psalm whereto it is attached, but is simply a mark of division. Pulpit Commentary.

It has been suggested that the first Psalm is not one of the Psalms but rather an overview of the Book of Psalms.  Psalm 1 contrasts the blessings on the righteous with the curse on those who live unholy lives.  In a very general way, one could also see the Book of Psalms in that light.

The title of ... many of the psalms is as a key hung ready at the door, to open it, and let us into the entertainments of it; when we know upon what occasion a psalm was penned we know the better how to expound it.  Matthew Henry.

The following quote is very rich and speaks volumes of how we can get the most out of the Book of Psalms.

The subject matter of this book is exceeding great and excellent; many of the psalms respect the person, offices, and grace of Christ; his sufferings and death, resurrection, ascension, and session at the right hand of God; and so are exceeding suitable to the Gospel dispensation. The whole book (of Psalms) is a rich mine of grace and evangelical truths, and a large fund of spiritual experience; and is abundantly suited to every case, state, and condition, that the church of Christ, or particular believers, are in at any time. Gill's Expository Commentary.

Psalm 1

Many translations put verse one into the past tense; eg. the man who has not walked.

Blessed (O the happiness of the man! Barnes Com.), is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. 1:1.

This verse speaks of gradual degradation;

1. from walking in the advice given by the wicked
2. to standing where the sinners feel at home and finally 
3. sitting, at ease, in a movie house or in front of a TV watching while the scoffers on the screen ridicule Christ, our Redeemer; or sneer at Jehovah and verbally drag Christ's Church through the dirt of the world.  

How is it possible that born again Christians can tolerate, with pleasure, such "entertainment"?

But his delight is only in the Law of Jehovah; and in His Law he meditates day and night. 1:2  In contrast to being entertained by those who mock Jehovah the person who is spiritually prosperous will find his "enjoyment" in the pages of the Bible.  Like Jeremiah, the spiritually prosperous person might be forced to spend his time separated from his peers and business associates; all the better, for it gives him more time to meditate on the goodness and grace of Jehovah.    I did not sit in the circle of mockers, nor rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand; for You have filled me with indignation. Jer. 15:17.
  

Therefore the wicked shall not stand (be acquitted, Jameson, Fausset and Brown)in the judgment, ... sinners (will not be found) in the congregation of the righteous (in heaven).1:5    Sinners won't have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won't have a place with the people of God. 1:5 Contemporary English.

91. Pride Comes Before A Fall

Three Unwise Counsellors

1. The first of Job's counsellors was Eliphaz; 
2. the second was Bildad, 
3. and now the third of Job's miserable comforters, Zophar, comes to make his "pitch".  

The problem is that he is walking down the same erroneous path that the first two miserable comforters, 16:2, had taken.  What they are saying is that the only reason people suffer is that they have sinned and God is punishing them for their sins.  Job calls their theology into question; he says, But you are imputers of lies; you are all worthless healers. Oh that you would stop speaking entirely! And it would be (show) your wisdom. 13:4-5.  Many public speakers, those that speak as though they have all the answers to everyone's problems, could take a lesson from Job's retort.

1. In 15:1 Eliphaz takes a second "stab" at instructing Job; 
2. in 18:1 Bildad takes over for Eliphaz 

but both of them are just regurgitating the same old accusations against Job, and Job is all fed up with it and says, How long will you torment my soul and break me in pieces with words? 19:2.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall rise on the earth at the last; This is He whom The Christian Church is waiting for, and He will come with vengeance. at the revealing of the Lord Jesus from Heaven ... in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thes.1:7-8.  Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according as his work is. Rev 22:12.   Notice, He did not say He is coming soon; He said He is coming quickly!   

and even after they, the ulcers, corrupt my skin, (KJV has, And though after my skin worms destroy this body, but Bible scholars that read Hebrew say that there is nothing that substantiates that idea.  So the word they probably refers to the ulcers that are eating away at his flesh).

yet this (I know): in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself. Job 19:23-27.  This is the inextinguishable hope of the Christian Church.  If it were not for that hope, our eternal outlook would be on par with that of the ungodly.  Saint Paul said the same thing in these words if Christ is not raised, your faith is foolish; you are yet in your sins. Then also those that fell asleep in Christ were lost. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.1 Cor. 15:17-19.

However, we hold to the words of Job, yet this (I know): in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself.  If this is true, how is it that we have been taught that God is invisible?

A Fourth Unwise Counsellor

The book of Job continues on in the vein of accusations by his three friends and Job's retorts, till chapter 32.  Then, a younger man, Elihu, enters the dispute because his wrath burned against Job, because he had justified himself rather than God.   Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer and had condemned Job. 32:3-4.

Basically, they had just beat the wind and accomplished nothing with all their philosophising. He said to them, Yes, I listened to you, and, behold, not one of you proved Job wrong nor answered his words. 32:12.  His problem is that, using different words, he continues on the same track as the first three counsellors.

Again, according to Elihu, it is with sickness or material loss that God punishes sin. He says, If they (people) are ... held in cords of affliction, then He shows them ... their sins, that they have behaved themselves proudly. If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in blessedness, and their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. 36:8-13. We know, by observation, that this teaching does not line up with the facts of life.

Jehovah's Point of View

In Chapter 38 there is a change in the monotony of the Book of Job.  Here the author finally has Jehovah stating His point of view, and He was not impressed with this young man's, Elihu's, foolish theology. Jehovah answered Job out of the tempest, and said, Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 38:1.

Then, for four chapters, according to the author, Jehovah speaks of His mighty power and wisdom as compared to that of humans. He asks, Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? 38:4. Do you cause the various seasons to happen? Do you control the procreation of all creatures? Do you feed the animals of the earth? Did you set up the constellations of the heavens? If not, then, you should not vaunt yourself against Me!

And it happened after Jehovah had spoken these words to Job, Jehovah said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. And now take to yourselves seven young bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering. And My servant Job will pray for you. 42:7-9.

How ironic! These three self-righteous "teachers" who accused Job of living a sinful life, are now in a position where they must ask him to pray for them! Surely we can all learn a lesson in humility from this turn of events.  Those who seem to be the most righteous might not be!

90. The Lord's Forgiveness

No One Is Immune

If the whip kills suddenly,  Such a "scourge"(in KJV) as war, or pestilence, or famine, is probably meant. If one of these be let loose upon a land, and slay, as it always does slay, indifferently the good and the bad, the innocent and the guilty, what is God’s attitude? Does he interpose to save the righteous? By no means. Pulpit Commentary.

He will mock at the calamity of the innocent. Job 9:23.  He looks on passively, indifferently. Job even goes further, and says, with an audacity that borders on irreverence, ... He will laugh at the trial of the innocent. St. Jerome says, "There is nothing in the whole book harsher than this." Pulpit Com.

The following statement bears repeating: Jehovah is not normally involved with an individual's situation.  Christ intimated as much when he said, For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. Mat. 5:45. Christ was not speaking only of the weather.  This is a generic statement which says, righteous or unrighteous - you get what you get.

When it comes to the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins the Old Testament is but a shadow of the teachings of forgiveness in the New Testament!  Even the books of poetry hardly admit that forgiveness of sins is possible without making restitution to God in some material or physical way.

Why do You not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? Job 7:21.  He (Job) has not sinned greatly, heinously; and therefore he cannot understand why he (Job)  has not been forgiven. The idea that the Almighty cannot forgive sin except upon conditions, is unknown to him.  Pulpit commentary.   This is the same viewpoint that many in the Christian Church also hold; Lord, I will do this or that if only You will forgive me for what I have done, or thought, or said.  Some try to buy God's forgiveness by paying cash, others are willing to, or cause themselves to, suffer just so that God will forgive them.

Forgiveness Is Free

The New Testament allows for no such teaching; but it is rich in teaching that Jehovah will grant forgiveness freely, by His grace, if a person in honesty asks for it and vows to turn from his/her sins.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph.1:7 + 9.

For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him.  If the Lord and I should have a debate, how could I possibly answer Him?  If he, any person, will argue with Him, he cannot answer Him one of a thousand questions. Job 9:3.

I wish that we should come together in judgment; but there is no mediator between us, who might lay his hand on us both. 9:32.   How I wish that there was an arbitrator between Jehovah and me; one who would place one hand on Jehovah's shoulder and one on mine and then plead my case for me.  No, in the Old Testament there is no such a person.  However, praise Jehovah, the death and resurrection of Christ ushered in One who will do that for us!!  If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1.

For now I shall sleep in the dust, and You shall seek me in the morning, but I shall not be. Job 7:21.  When I was alive and needed your healing and forgiveness you did not bother finding me, but soon I will die and then You will want to forgive me but You won't be able to find me.  But, Lord, I do not want to die unforgiven!

Job believed in the resurrection of the dead, as we will see later, but now in a period of deep depression, he spoke not of the resurrection "morning" but as anyone who must first go down to the grave.  In 10:2 Job starts his lament to Jehovah; it is a dark, dreary dirge.  He ends his soliloquy with these words of hopelessness, Are not my days few? Cease then, please quit punishing me, and let me alone (let me have some peace), that I may take comfort a little while, before I go, and I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; a land of obscurity, the darkness of the shadow of death, without any order, and the shining is as darkness. 10:20-22.

without any order, or vicissitudes and successions of day and night, summer and winter, heat and cold, wet and dry; or revolutions of sun, moon, and stars, or of the constellations. Gill's commentary.

and the shining is as darkness. This is a very striking and graphic expression. It means that there is no pure and clear light. Even all the light that shines there is dark, sombre, gloomy - like the little light of a total eclipse, which seems to be darkness itself, and which only serves to render the darkness more distressing. Barnes Commentary.

We were certainly taught an un-biblical non-truth when we were told that at death we "go to heaven".  The Bible clearly teaches that we must first go to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; a land of obscurity.  However, at the return of Christ, the resurrection will take place, both for the righteous and the unrighteous.

Then, after the resurrection, we will "have our day in court" at the Great White Throne and after that, depending on the court's ruling, we will either ascend to the Heavenly realms - or not.

For more on this topic see:
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