Great are You Lord! – Psalm 48

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.” Psalm 48:1

“’A Psalm of the sons of Korah’ refers to Psalms 42, 44–49, 84–85, 87–88 written by a guild of Levite musicians who served in the Temple. They served God as worshippers and doorkeepers rather than following their ancestor Korah’s fatal rebellion.” [1]

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:1-2

How often do we say, “Great!” I have applied this word to many things, but not sufficiently to the Lord. The Lord is great! He is a great King. He deserves to hear us frequently say, “Great are You Lord!”

“Psalm 48 begins with the praises of God and His greatness and ends with the praises of God and His goodness.” [2]

Jerusalem is honored to be called “the city of our God.” God chose to identify with her more than with any other city on earth.

In Matthew 5:34-35, when Jesus said not to make oaths, He mentioned specifically not to swear “by the name of Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King.” He affirmed Jerusalem’s special relationship with God. [3]

The tabernacle or dwelling place of God was in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was there. The atoning sacrifices for peoples’ sin were made there. The Torah (the Law) of the great King was kept, studied and taught there. Seekers of God learned of His greatness in Jerusalem. [4]

Jerusalem is called the mountain of God’s holiness. It is called the holy city. Holiness is about being set apart by God for His special purpose.

The more God reveals Himself to us the more we want to praise to Him. Jerusalem had trained skillful musicians and singers to lead people in worship unto Him. Psalm 34:5 says, “They looked to Him and were radiant.” As we worship the Lord, He reveals His glory to us.

Mount Zion is “beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth.” Mount Zion was on the north side of Jerusalem. Sometimes Mount Zion is used to refer to the Temple Mount, to Jerusalem, and even to God’s kingdom of heaven. Hebrews 12:22 equates Mount Zion with heavenly Jerusalem, the place where God’s people dwell with Him for all eternity. [5]

“God is in her palaces. He is known as her refuge. For behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled. They were troubled. They hastened away. Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, as when You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.” Psalm 48:3-7

Jerusalem’s palace had a healthy reputation in David’s day because he and his servants enjoyed relationships with the one true God. In 1 Chronicles 25, God’s Word tells us that there were 288 trained musicians, divided into 24 groups, comprising both skilled teachers and pupils, to maintain continuous worship unto the Lord in Jerusalem.

The very sight of Jerusalem struck fear in the hearts of pagan kings. Psalm 48:5 says when the kings saw the city they were troubled and quickly got away. The sight of Jerusalem brought to mind what they had heard concerning the special presence of God in the city and the divine protection it was under. Though they were kings, though they were a coalition, yet they knew themselves to be unequal to the God who protected it. Thus, fear came upon them. [6]

God can dispirit the strongest of enemies. When they saw Jerusalem, the pain that they felt was like that of a woman in labor. Their faces sunk like ships descending down into the deep. [7]

“As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God. God will establish it forever. Selah! We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple.” Psalm 48:8-9

Through the window of God’s Word we have heard, seen and have come to know that God has fixed His love upon Jerusalem. Jerusalem is where atoning sacrifices were made to remove the sin barrier between us and God. In the Old Testament, bulls, sheep and doves were sacrificed there on a continual basis to atone for sin. In the New Testament, Christ was crucified and resurrected in Jerusalem to remove the sin that separated us from God. Once, sin is removed, love can flow back and forth gloriously between us and God.

“According to Your Name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness. Let Mount Zion rejoice. Let the daughters of Judah be glad because of Your judgments.” Psalm 48:10-11

God has a way by His Spirit and His people to carry news of His goodness to the ends of the earth. When they learn of God’s grace and love, they want to praise Him.

The daughters of Judah are glad and rejoice because of God’s judgment. While God’s judges that all have sinned and fallen short of His glory, He also made a way in His Son Jesus Christ for our sins to be forgiven. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Whosoever believes in God’s Son does not perish in hell. Believers in Him receive eternal life and dwell with God. This is a great cause to rejoice and be glad. By the way, the name Judah means praise. Let the daughters of praise be glad! Amen!

“Walk about Zion and go all around her. Count her towers. Mark her fortified walls well. Consider her palaces that you may tell it to the generation following.” Psalm 48:12-13

Some interpreters believe the “walk about Zion” refers to a ceremony of triumph. In Nehemiah 12:27-43, during the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem, the people walked about her walls with sound of trumpets and with singing and praises to God. In doing so, they observed her towers and fortified walls. [8]

The Lord chose David when he was just a boy herding his father’s sheep, and the Lord anointed him to become a mighty conqueror and king. Before he left the earth to be with God, he enjoyed the privilege of establishing Jerusalem as the capital city of the nation of Israel. But future generations were not to praise and worship David. They were to praise the God who did such wondrous things with his life and He can do and does do wondrous things with ours too.

“For this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death.” Psalm 48:14

In Psalm 23:4-6, David prophesied, saying, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Jesus our Good Shepherd transfers our soul from this dark world to God’s glorious one. Knowing that my salvation is of the Lord from start to finish comforts me. My enemies cannot keep God from giving me the victory. I will enjoy a banquet with the Lord thanks to HIS goodness and mercy. Thanks to the great King who died on a cross and resurrected from the dead in Jerusalem for me, I have a place reserved for me in the house of the Lord forever.

This wonderful promise of God applies to all of us who believe in and profess God’s Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Amen! Praise the Lord!

“Great are You Lord!”


[1] GotQuestions.Org; See also Numbers 16 about Korah’s rebellion
[2] Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[3] GotQuestions.Org
[4] Matthew Henry’s Commentary (paragraph contains his comment edited for readability)
[5] Ibid
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid
[8] Ibid

Claps and Shouts to the Lord – Psalm 47

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. O, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord, Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.” Psalm 47:1-2

Do we need a musical instrument to praise the Lord? No, not really. God, in His Word, invites us to use clapping and shouting as instruments of praise. The Lord even accepts joyful noises. Psalm 95:1 says, “Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”

Why not clap to the Lord and shout His praises? He is an awesome King. By His Word He created the universe with all its solar systems including stars, planets and moons. He created the birds of the air, the land animals and the creatures of the seas. He created the various seasons of the year. He created day and night. He created us. Though He created and sustains the universe, He has time for each of us. He even knows how many hairs are on our heads. He loves us.

“He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet. He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah! Psalm 47:3-4

In the Old Testament, the Lord subdued Israel’s slave masters. When Pharoah and his chariots and horsemen thought to cross the Red Sea on the path that God made for Israel, God turned the tide against them. The same sea that opened up for Israel, fell upon the army of Egypt.

In the New Testament, the Lord brought forth an even more glorious triumph for people. In Acts 2:5, people from every nation under the heaven were gathered in Jerusalem. In Acts 2:14-40, Peter preached the Gospel to them. What happened? Acts 2:37 says that they were cut to the heart. In Acts 2:38, Peter urged them to repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, and God would give them the Holy Spirit. According to Acts 2:41, about 3,000 souls repented and were baptized. This type of triumph over nations is about people dying to their sinful selves and being resurrected by Christ as new creations.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”

Psalm 47:2 speaks of God choosing our inheritance. Rather than a temporary Promised Land on earth, the Lord has prepared an eternal paradise for us in heaven through faith in His Son. In John 1:12, God says, “As many as received Him [Christ], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name.” In Ephesians 1:13, the Lord speaks of believers being sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:14 calls the Holy Spirit the guarantee of our inheritance. We who have God’s Spirit have a place reserved for us in heaven.

“God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth! Sing praises with understanding!” Psalm 47:6-7

How can we respond appropriately to God for all the battles that He has won for us? Sing His praises! If a person rescued you from an earthly pit or your car from a ditch, wouldn’t you express gratitude and appreciation for that act of kindness? God through His Son Jesus Christ has rescued us from the eternal pit of hell.

Psalm 22:3 states that God inhabits the praises of His people. It is better to sing praises that God inhabits than praises which He does not.

The Lord urges us to sing praises unto Him with understanding! Not just mindlessly sing!

Worship improves as we understand and genuinely mean what we are singing to the Lord.

God has gone up with a shout. According to Acts 1:9, after our Lord Jesus finished His work on earth, He ascended into heaven. In Acts 1:11, the angels told the apostles, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” So, it is likely that there was a shout and the sound of a trumpet when Jesus reentered heaven. In Revelation 5:11-12, John heard the voice of many angels saying with a LOUD voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

“God reigns over the nations. God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted.” Psalm 47:8-9

God’s government is above the governments of the earth, and His government is eternal. Princes represent the political sector of leadership over nations. Abraham represents believers in God. God is the One who provides these physical and spiritual shields for us. God is greatly exalted because He is the One that helps flawed people to do His will.

The shields of the earth belong to God. I see the shields in this Psalm as governments. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Romans 13:4 says that the government is “God’s minister to you for good.” When a government works properly in God’s sight, it rewards those who do good and executes wrath on those who do evil.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, the Lord exhorts us to pray for kings and all who are in authority. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water. He turns it wherever He wishes.” So the Lord is able to turn the hearts of leaders as we pray for them.

God is worthy of our claps and shouts of praise. Expressive actions and loud voices are also ways to enter into prayer for the nations. Psalm 48:1 says, “O, clap your hands, all you peoples.” As we worship the Lord, we can also be praying for God’s Spirit to inspire the nations to join us.

An Anthem for Overcomers – Psalm 46

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

A song for Alamoth (עֲלָמוֹת). “Alamoth denotes a virgin or young woman of marriageable age or newly married.” [1] “Alamoth probably denotes the treble, or part sung by female voice.” [2] So, this anthem of faith in God was originally sung in an high victorious key and not in a low somber voice.

In 1529, Martin Luther drew the inspiration for his hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” from Psalm 46. It was sung by Christians as an anthem of faith in Christ amidst those who threatened to destroy them. [3]

Is someone trying to hurt you? God is your refuge to whom you may flee. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.” When the enemy comes in like a flood, the banner that we raise against Him is the Name of Jesus. In Luke 10:17, 72 disciples returned to the Lord with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your Name!”

Psalm 91:4 says, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.” I heard the testimony of a woman who shouted at a would-be attacker, “Feathers, feathers, feathers!” She could not remember all the words of Psalm 91:4, but the Lord understood what she was trying to say and caused the man to panic and flee from her.

Are you in trouble? Remember, God is with you. He is your strength. Jesus told Paul amidst an insurmountable problem, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul wrote, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Let God’s grace fill the gap that you cannot fill.

“Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah!” Psalm 46:2-3

“We will not fear!” Even when the ground before our feet is shaking and disappearing. Even when mountains plunge like gigantic ships into the deep! Even when waters roar with the sound of a massive tsunami wave!

In John 16:33, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul wrote, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

In Philippians 1:27-28, Paul wrote, “Stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.”

How do we retain faith in the face of fear evoking events? The answer is by keeping our mind and our faith focused on the Gospel.

In Romans 8:31-32, Paul wrote, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.” Psalm 46:4

The river that makes glad the city of God alludes to the waters of Siloam, which according to Isaiah 8:6, flow softly by Jerusalem. [4] Spiritually speaking, the river is the Holy Spirit. In John 7:38, Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:39 explains, “This He spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing in Him would receive...”

“God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.” Psalm 46:5

We are not moved because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the rock on whom we stand. In Matthew 16:16-18, after Peter said of Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

God’s help is like the bursting forth of dawn after a night of darkness. Proverbs 4:18 says, “The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”

“The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He uttered His voice, the earth melted.” Psalm 46:6

David experienced the raging of his nation and the movement of his kingdom against him. King Saul directed his army to locate and kill him. Thankfully, the Lord uttered His voice. In 1 Samuel 23:26, David and King Saul were on opposite sides of a mountain. As Saul and his men closed in on one side of a mountain, David hurried away on the other, just before a Philistine raid forced Saul to stop the pursuit. God uttered His voice and diverted Saul’s army away from David.

In 2 Kings 19, the king of Assyria had Jerusalem surrounded with his mighty army. He raged against David’s descendant King Hezekiah. Hezekiah placed his enemy in the Lord’s hand. In 2 Kings 19:35-37, the Lord sent an angel and that angel destroyed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. The king of Assyria retreated, and after he returned to his homeland, his sons killed him.

In Ezekiel 39:1-8 , the Lord speaks prophetically of Gog coming with a mighty army to destroy Jerusalem, but the Lord intervenes with fire and destroys them. Similarly, in Revelation 20:7-10, fire comes down from heaven and destroys the armies of Gog and Magog. When they come against “the beloved city” to destroy it, God utters His voice and they melt.

In Psalm 2, the Lord asks, “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?” Kings and rulers set themselves against the Lord and against His Anointed. What does God do? He sits in the heavens and laughs. The Lord advises them to “kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and they perish in the way.” Here, kiss has the meaning to worship.

In Acts 9:4-5, Jesus said to Saul of Tarsus, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, It is hard to kick against the goads.” A goad is a tool used to prod animals into motion. “To kick against the goads” is an idiomatic expression that means it is futile to fight against a superior power. [5] In Acts 9:6, “trembling and astonished, he said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The Lord stilled the rage of Saul of Tarsus and filled him with peace.

“The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah! Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two. He burns the chariot in the fire.” Psalm 46:7-9

When the Lord is with us and moving among us, miracles happen! He brings down that which has been holding back the tide of His love. Wars, bows, spears and chariots speak of an economy that depends on the death and destruction of people. A warlike people that have no interest in love, peace and joy! Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. Jesus brings peace!

In Isaiah 2:4, the Lord prophesied of a day when, “He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Similarly, In Revelation 21:4, the Lord prophesies of a day when, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Eventually, wars will cease to exist.

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

God says to enemies who rage and burst out at us like a violent storm, “Be still!” In Mark 4:37-39, a great windstorm arose. Waves of water entered the boat. The boat began to fill with water. “Jesus was in the stern asleep on a pillow. The disciples of Jesus woke Him up and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then Jesus arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” Jesus Christ the Son of God is a peacemaker.

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Once, I met a man in China who hated Christians. He accused Christians of devilish deeds. I told the man, “I don’t know about those stories, but I do know that since I met Christ, He has not led me to hurt anyone. In fact, I am in your country helping orphans.”

In John 13:35, Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

God’s love brings peace. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear.”

Jesus had perfect love. In Luke 23:24, after His enemies crucified and mocked Him, He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Stephen had perfect love. In Acts 7:57-60, as his murderers threw stones at him to kill him, and he was about to die, he prayed for them, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”

“The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah!” Psalm 46:11

The God of heavenly armies has an eternal place of refuge for us. Hebrews 11:16 speaks of God’s faithful ones as desiring a heavenly country. Like Moses in Hebrews 11:25-27, we choose to be with God’s people rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. We esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt because in Christ we have a greater reward. We overcome the unjust wrath of kings by keeping our eyes on Him who is invisible.

In November 1970, at age 18, Ivan Moiseyev (Vanya) of Moldova, entered the Soviet Union’s army. Vanya’s supervisors hated him because he testified for Christ. At one point, they forced him to stand outside in a summer uniform when temperatures were -13 degrees. But he did not freeze, nor did he beg for mercy. No, what his torturers thought would cause him pain and death, God turned into a miracle. God gave Vanya spectacular visions of heaven and kept him alive. [6] God was his refuge.

How do we be still and know that God is God? Be a receiver! Receive and believe what God says. For example, when ill, the Lord says in Exodus 15:26, “I am the Lord that heals you.” Pray in the Name of Jesus. Wait and listen! God reveals to us what we need to know about Him by His Spirit. As William Cowper said, “God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” [7]


[1] Brown-Driver-Briggs (Old Testament Hebrew-English Lexicon)
[2] Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
[3] DesiringGod.org
[4] Matthew Henry’s Commentary

[5] GotQuestions.org
[6] Vanya by Myrna Grant, published by Charisma House, Lake Mary, FL, (c) 1974
[7] The hymn, “God Moves” was composed by William Cowper in 1773

The Marriage of Christ and His Church – Psalm 45

“To the Chief Musician. Set to ‘The Lilies.’ A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love. My heart is overflowing with a good theme. I recite my composition concerning the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psalm 45:1

“Shoshannim,” the Hebrew word for “lilies,” either describes an instrument so shaped, or denotes a tune by that name to which the Psalm was to be sung. This is a song of love, or, of beloved ones. [1]

The heart of the Psalmist is overflowing with a good theme because he has experienced the love of God. God’s love has inspired him to speak and write beautiful words about the Lord. The beauty of the Lord exceeds that of all others.

The Psalmist wrote, “My tongue is as the pen of a ready writer.” God’s prophets are pens in His hand. “David not only spoke what he thought of Christ, but wrote about Him, that it might spread further and last longer.” [2]

In verse one of his song, “The Love of God,” Frederick Lehman wrote, “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell...” In verse three, he wrote, “Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.”

“You are fairer than the sons of men. Grace is poured upon Your lips. Therefore, God has blessed You forever.” Psalm 45:2

David’s bubbling adoration of the Lord spilled over on a scroll as he wrote, “You are fairer than the children of men.” The Lord never left his side. He was his trustworthy friend.

When the Lord speaks, grace flows from His lips. This is a reference to Jesus Christ through whom the grace of God has come to us. He is blessed forever by saints and angels.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of divine grace. In Luke 24:46-49, Jesus summarized the contents of the Gospel to two disciples as they walked on a road together. He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His Name to all nations... and behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you...” This is the Gospel. God’s Son gave His life on the cross so that we unworthy sinners could be forgiven our sins, He was buried, three days later He resurrected from the dead, and after He ascended to heaven, He sent His Holy Spirit to fill and indwell all who believe in Him.

“Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, with Your glory and Your majesty. And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness. And Your right hand shall teach you awesome things. Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies. The peoples fall under You. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Psalm 45:3-5

For sure the Lord is able to pierce the heart of our enemies and make them fall before us, but how much better if the Lord brings about their conversion. Before Jesus converted Paul on the road to Damascus, he was known as Saul Tarsus. He, by his own admission in 1 Timothy 1:13 was a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent man. He imprisoned Christians. He consented to the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 7. Jesus appeared to him and converted him.

The Lord’s sword is His Word. God slays sinners with His Law and raises them with the Gospel.

One way to look at the Bible is through the lens of the Law and Gospel. There is a difference between the Law and the Gospel. The Law tells us what we are to do. The Gospel reveals to us what God is doing. The Law speaks of our works. The Gospel speaks of God’s work. In the Law we hear demands. In the Gospel, we hear blessings. The Law demands. The Gospel gives.

John 1:17 says, “The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

When we measure ourselves against the Law, we feel condemned. The Law’s conviction is like an arrow which pierces one’s hearts. The promises of the Law depend on us fulfilling the Law perfectly. The Law says, “I will quench your thirst if you do what I command.”

The Gospel promises us the grace of God and salvation as a gift. The Gospel is free grace. The Gospel asks nothing of us but this, “Take what I give you. Receive it.” The Gospel is an invitation. [3]

The Psalmist asks the Lord to ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness. In other words, please inspire truth, humility and righteousness in the people of the earth.

David writes of God’s right hand teaching awesome things. Christ is said in the Scriptures to sit at the right hand of God. The disciples called Jesus “Rabbi” which means teacher. Jesus is the best teacher. John 1:18 says, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” Jesus is the best revealer of God our Father.

“A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad. Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women. At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.” Psalm 45:6-9

In Hebrews 1:8, Paul connects Psalm 45:6 to Jesus God’s Son. It is the throne of King Jesus that is forever. From His scepter righteousness comes forth! It is Jesus who loves righteousness and hates lawlessness. In John 2:17, after Jesus cleansed the temple, His disciples remembered that it was written of Messiah in Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the oil of gladness because He delights those who have joy in doing God’s will. Jesus delighted to do God’s will. He was anointed with the Spirit above all his fellows. His fellows were anointed with a measure of God’s Spirit, but John 3:34 says of Jesus, “For He whom God has sent speaks the Words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure unto Him.”

Many ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters regarded this Psalm as an allegory of the union between God and people. In the Song of Songs the allegory is carried out more fully. Hosea 1:1-3:5 depicts the relationship of God and His people as a marriage. The marriage metaphor between God and His people runs throughout the Bible. [4]

In Psalms 45:8, the Bridegroom’s garments are scented with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. These are some of the ingredients of the holy anointing oil which God appointed in Exodus 30:23-24. It was not for common use. It was the oil that represented God’s Spirit.

In Psalms 45:9, among the honorable women in the Bridegroom’s court are daughters of a King. All true believers are born from above. Thus, they are children of the King of kings. At the King’s right hand, stands the queen wearing gold from Ophir. The gold of Ophir was renowned for its extreme purity. This queen is the bride of Christ, the Church. Revelation 19:8 says, “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Those righteous acts are the outcome of the Lord’s Holy Spirit in her life.

“Listen, O daughter, consider and incline your ear. Forget your own people also, and your father’s house, so the King will greatly desire your beauty, because He is your Lord, worship Him.” Psalm 45:10-11

In Psalm 45:10-11, the Lord calls His bride to leave behind her former relationships and cleave to Him. In Genesis 2:24, the Lord calls men to leave fathers and mothers and to cleave to their wives. Genesis 2:24 is quoted in Matthew 19:5 by Jesus and in Ephesians 5:31 by Paul. In Ephesians 5:32, the Lord refers to marriage as a great mystery, and also as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and His Church.

In Luke 14:26, Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” “In this passage, Jesus is using a Semitic idiom where ‘hate’ means to ‘love less’ or to ‘rank below’ (similar to Jacob ‘hating’ Leah because he loved Rachel more). Jesus uses extreme exaggeration (hyperbole) to shock the audience into recognizing that true discipleship requires total commitment. This does not contradict the commandment to ‘honor your father and mother,’ but sets the standard of loyalty to God above all human relationships.” [5]

In Jeremiah 2:2, the Lord said to His people, “Thus says the Lord, I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.” The Lord framed Israel’s cleaving to Him in the wilderness as an engagement before the marriage.

In Isaiah 54:5, the Lord speaks of His relationship with His people as a marriage, saying, “For your Maker is your husband. The Lord of hosts is His Name! And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. He is called the God of the whole earth.”

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus described His return as a bridegroom coming to get his bride.

In John 3:29, John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Bridegroom. In Revelation 21:1-9, the Lord refers to His redeemed people as His bride.

In Isaiah 62:5, the Lord said, “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” The true Church, the Bride of Christ, also rejoices in and worships Him! Therefore, the Lord greatly desires her.

“And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift. The rich among the people will seek your favor. The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace. Her clothing is woven with gold. She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You. With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought. They shall enter the King’s palace. Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, whom You shall make princes in all the earth. I will make Your Name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore, the people shall praise You forever and ever.” Psalm 45:12-17

Previously, the rich on earth scorned the thought of Jesus, but now they seek His favor. By grace they are saved. “The daughter of Tyre” brings a gift to Him. Tyre was formerly like the queen of all cities, but in this passage she honors Christ.

The royal daughter in the palace is the Bride of Christ, the Church. The Lord has taken away her reproach. She is all glorious within God’s palace. Her garments are colorful and highlighted with pure gold. Those who join with her before the King of kings do so with gladness and rejoicing. His Bride’s sons are princes in His palace. Thanks to the redemptive work of Christ on the cross this great celebration has been made possible. His Name shall be remembered throughout all generations, and His redeemed people shall praise Him forever and ever. Amen!


[1] Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
[2] Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[3] Words based on “The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel” by C.F.W. Walther
[4] Matthew Henry ‘s Commentary.
[5] Reddit

Walking by Faith not by Sight - Psalm 44

“To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, the deeds You did in their days, in days of old. You drove out the nations with Your hand, but them You planted. You afflicted the peoples and cast them out. For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them, but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.” Psalm 44:1-3

God was so good to preserve the historic record of how He uprooted idolaters from the land that He promised to Abraham and to His descendants. This He did during the days of Joshua. According to Psalm 44:3 and Joshua 10:16-12:24, Joshua and the Israelites conquered 5 kings in one day and 31 kings during the entire campaign. They did so by the light of God’s face. By the strength of His right hand and arm! He was there for them! They prevailed by God’s grace.

Spiritually speaking, Christ is using His body the Church to drive out enmity from the souls of people via the preaching of the Gospel. He conquers by the spiritually active sword of His Word “swinging” or making disciples of all nations. During each conversion, Christ removes sin and fills the void with His Holy Spirit.

Each person’s conversion to Christ is a mini reflection of a great heavenly event.

At first, the earth was the devil and his angels domain. [1] But then, God placed His image-bearers, Adam and Eve, here and gave them dominion over creation. [2] The devil stole the title deed to the earth by deceiving Adam and Eve to sin. In a sense, he became the god of this sinful world. [3] However, in Revelation 5:8-10, the heavenly host sing unto the Lamb [Jesus Christ], saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals. For You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation and have made us kings and priests to our God.” Jesus regained the title deed to earth when He took on human flesh, lived a sinless life and died on the cross to remove our sin. Now, thanks to Jesus, the devil and his followers will eventually be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur to be tormented day and night for ever and ever. [4] God will create a new heaven and new earth for people that will be untainted by sin and the curses of sin. It will be paradise. [5]

The fathers mentioned in Psalm 44 did a good job of recounting to their children the great things God had done for their ancestors. In Romans 10:14, the Apostle Paul asked, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

Children need to be informed about what the Lord has done because faith comes by hearing God’s Word. The world does not hold back from teaching our children lies. Why should Christian parents hold back from teaching our children truth? We shouldn’t.

“You are my King, O God, command victories for Jacob. Through You we will push down our enemies. Through Your Name we will trample those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long and praise Your Name forever. Selah!” Psalm 44:4-8

God commands victories for those who acknowledge and profess Him as their king. We trust in God our King’s Law and Gospel as the highest and purest rule for life. In Acts 5:29, Peter and the other apostles told those who wanted them to compromise the faith, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

According to Revelation 12:17, the devil is at war with those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. He’s at war with such because it is God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus that defeats him. In Matthew 8:8, a Roman centurion professed faith in the power of Jesus’ words. He said to Jesus, “Speak the Word only, and my servant shall be healed.” His servant was healed that very hour by Jesus.

In Jeremiah 1:12, the Lord said, “I am watching over My Word to perform it.”

A man cannot stand in the middle of a highway and stop a speeding vehicle with human strength. But place a government issued police badge and uniform on him, and he can. The motorist stops due to fear of the government that stand behinds that officer.

James 2:19 says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” Demons fear the God whom we represent.

Thus, in Psalms 44:8, we make our boast in God all the day long and praise His Name forever.

“But You have cast us off and put us to shame, and You do not go out with our armies. You make us turn back from the enemy, and those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves. You have given us up like sheep intended for food and have scattered us among the nations. You sell Your people for next to nothing and are not enriched by selling them. You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn, and a derision to those all around us. You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples. My dishonor is continually before me, and the shame of my face has covered me, because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, because of the enemy and the avenger.” Psalm 44:10-16

The people of Israel complained to God because previously they had enjoyed victories due to His help, but now they were suffering horrible losses. They wanted wins as usual. They felt forsaken by God. In Romans 11:1, Paul asked, “Has God rejected His people?” Then, he answered is own question, writing, “By no means! For I myself am an Israelite.”

The enemies of Israel thought no more of killing an Israelite than killing a sheep. Under such circumstances, it seems to God’s people that He has forsaken them. But no, suffering for the Lord also brings Him glory, and wins people’s hearts to Him. Whenever we question if the Lord really loves us, we just have to remember Jesus, God’s Son, dying on the cross for us and we know that, yes, God loves us.

James 5:10-11 says, “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the Name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” The suffering of the prophets and Job teach us that someone can be very close to the Lord, and yet, be tested just as others are with great hardships.

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul lists his extreme sacrifices for the Gospel to authenticate his apostleship. Rather than boasting of academic degrees or great achievements, Paul wrote of his floggings, shipwrecks, and imprisonments as his credentials of being a true servant of Christ. In Galatians 6:17, Paul viewed the “marks of Jesus” on his body as his license to represent God.

“Paul reframed the cultural definition of a leader from one of power and success to one of sacrifice and suffering, identifying this endurance as the true seal of his apostolic calling.” [6]

“All this has come upon us, but we have not forgotten You, nor have we dealt falsely with Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from Your way. But You have severely broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death. If we had forgotten the Name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a foreign god, would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever. Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and our oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust, our body clings to the ground. Arise for our help and redeem us for Your mercies’ sake.” Psalm 44:17-26

As with Job, when trials and persecution from our enemy come, the enemy would like us to believe that God allowed it because He hates us. No, God allowed Satan to attack Job because He knew that while the attacks would cause Job to question why, ultimately, Job would keep believing in God, and this was a witness that was needed for all future sufferers in Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 5:7, Paul wrote, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” When we gauge our “favor with God“ by our day to day circumstances, we experience up and down emotions like riding on a roller coaster. We must base our “favor with God” on what Christ did for us on the cross. He died for our sins. He purchased a place for us in heaven. It is a done deal!

How did the apostles respond to being beaten by authorities for proselytizing in the Name of Jesus? Acts 5:41 says, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.”

Praise God, according to 2 Corinthians 4:17, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”


[1] See Revelation 12:7-9
[2] See Genesis 1:26-29
[3] See Genesis 3 and 2 Corinthians 4:4
[4] See Revelation 20:10, Luke 8:30-31, and Revelation 12:12
[5] See Isaiah 65:17; Luke 23:43; Romans 8:21; Hebrews 12:26-27; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1
[6] https://josephmattera.org/contrasting-church-apostles-apostles-christ/

He Empowers Me as I Praise Him – Psalm 43

“Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. O, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! For You are the God of my strength. Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” Psalm 43:1-2

The ungodly people of his nation wanted to “impeach” David. David loved the laws of the Lord and was not ashamed to say so. They were his meditation. He wanted his nation to be based on the rule of law without partiality. For this reason, the ungodly hated him. They preferred deceitful and unjust business practices. Their network of low life officials were pressing him from every side to concede to their demands. David leaned on the Lord for strength. Even so, at times, when he was overcome with grief, he would ask the Lord, “Why do you cast me off?” Kind of like when Jesus said from the cross, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me.” Truly, God’s holiness was revealed via Christ’s and David’s steadfastness amidst evildoers.

“O, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:3-4

The Spirit of God led David to turn his attention away from the deeds of deceitful and unjust men and to seek God’s help. He needed God’s light and truth to clearly discern and understand what his enemies were doing and how to overcome them. He asked the Lord to lead him. God’s holy hill, His tabernacle and His altar are places where God dwells. The weapons of David’s warfare against his enemies included the joy of the Lord, his musical instrument and his songs of praise unto the Lord. By simply worshipping and drawing from the Lord, he would overcome.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 43:5

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul wrote, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Just as the devil tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and just as he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he tempts people today with promises of riches and power if they abandon God and serve him. Evil deeds such as verbal and physical abuse, murder, deception and thievery are of the devil. Thankfully, according to Revelation 20:10, the devil’s destiny is to be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.

In Psalm 43:5, David commanded his downcast and disquieted soul to hope in God. He did not count on evil people changing their mind about evil. He turned to God and worshipped Him.

As we worship God, we are reminded that He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He holds all things together by His mighty power. He is loving. He is a good Father. He is patient, forgiving and gracious toward His children. He enjoys giving good gifts to us.

As David placed his hope in God, his heart was relieved and his outward appearance improved.

In Hebrews 4:16, Paul wrote, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” In Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you.” In Luke 12:32, Jesus assured us, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Jesus assured us that when we obey God’s Word, we build on a good foundation. Those who cheat and lie to get ahead, build on a bad foundation. In a moment, all they have will disappear.

Concerning the multitude who prefer to do business in an unfair and deceitful fashion, the Lord says in 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Who is in us? The answer is the Holy Spirit.

In Zechariah 4:7, the Lord speaks of leveling a mountain and capping it with the words: “Grace, Grace!” In Zechariah 4:6, He says He will do it, “not by [our] might nor by [our] power, but by My Spirit.” The Word of the Lord for us in Ephesians 3:20 is that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

As we remember and profess God’s precious promises, praise for Him begins to flow from our lips, and our countenance is resurrected from the shadows to behold the brightness of God’s brilliant shining face. Praise the Lord!

Joy in the Joyful Assembly – Psalm 42

“To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, ‘Where is your God’ When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude. I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.” Psalm 42:1-4

“A contemplation of the sons of Korah” refers to Psalms 42, 44–49, 84–85, 87–88 written by a guild of Levite musicians who served in the Temple. They served God as worshippers and doorkeepers rather than following their ancestor Korah’s fatal rebellion.” Psalm 42 was sent to the chief musician to be set to music. The song was composed to help people remember the goodness of the Lord during difficult days. “The writer, perhaps one of this Levitical family of singers accompanying David in exile, mourns his absence from the sanctuary, a cause of grief aggravated by the taunts of enemies, and is comforted in hopes of relief.” [1]

By authorizing the publication of this song, David expressed his soul’s earnest desire for God. When David had to flee from King Saul, he was not able to worship with God’s people as he did before. He missed that. At that time, he found himself asking, “When shall I come and appear before God ?” The hours and days seem to drag while he was kept at distance from the sanctuary. He described his tears as his daily diet due to people questioning his relationship with God. How did David respond to such mistreatment? He poured out his soul to God.

David remembered going with crowds of worshippers into the house of God. How did his fellow worshippers enter the sanctuary? They did so with joy and praise. This multitude pilgrimaged a great distance to come and worship the Lord. Thus, they, like David, also loved the Lord greatly.

David compared his thirst for our Lord to a deer panting for water. His soul earnestly desired communion with God. The Lord refreshed his soul.

Praise God for preserving the Psalms of David. In Acts 13:22, Paul quoted from 1 Samuel 13:14 where God said, “I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after My heart, who will carry out all My wishes.” The Psalms are filled with expressions of love for God, which is the first and great commandment of God. We are blessed to have them. They help us express love to God.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me.” Psalm 42:5

As David grieved the loss of being with a multitude of people joyfully praising God, his soul became disturbed and cast down. He loved the Lord. He wanted to express his love for the Lord with other worshippers. He was an outcast from his own people.

Why was David an outcast from his own people? The answer is that King Saul wanted to kill him. 1 Samuel 18:12 says, “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.” Saul’s evil hatred of David reminds me of Cain’s evil hatred of his brother Abel. 1 John 3:11–12, says, “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.” The Lord loved David and David loved the Lord. 1 Samuel 15:12 says that Saul set up a monument for himself. He wanted the glory that belonged to God. He loved himself more than the Lord.

Mark 15:10 states that the chief priests handed Jesus over to be crucified because of envy. John 1:11 says that Jesus came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. Like David, Jesus had to find His fellowship with other lovers of God outside of established religious institutions due to the jealousy of those in authority.

David told his soul, “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” It is good to grieve losses, but not to stay sad too long. When the Holy Spirit starts feeding your soul hope and reminding you to start praising the Lord for what you do have, it is time to change course. Better days are ahead! Romans 8:28 says that God makes all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

In Hebrew, “the word for ‘help’ is the same word for Joshua, Jesus, salvation, and deliverance.” [2] David praised God for the “Jesus” of God’s face. Jesus, God’s Son, showed us the Father.

“Therefore, I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar.” Psalm 42:6

David fled to the land of Jordan, to Mount Hermon, and to the hill of Mizar to escape from his son Absalom. Absalom turned the people of Jerusalem against David. Despite his horrible circumstances, David did not abandon God. He communed in his heart with the Lord.

Mizar means “small.” “So, most likely, the psalmist is referring to Mizar as a small or obscure hill in Israel. Thus, the psalmist is saying he will remember the Lord from the highest mountain, Mount Hermon, to the fertile and fruitful Jordan Valley, to the smallest, lowest hill of Mizar. David is telling us that whether we are on the highest, snowcapped, desolate mountain or the smallest, most obscure, forgotten place, the presence of God is our health and deliverance.” [3]

Absalom turned so many Jerusalemites against David that he had to flee to save his life. It is worth noting that Jesus also experienced a coup in Jerusalem. On Palm Sunday, a large crowd praised Him with joyful songs, but by Good Friday, the religious leaders in the city convinced a large crowd of the people to demand His crucifixion.

“Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls. All Your waves and billows have gone over me. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me—a prayer to the God of my life. I will say to God my Rock, ‘Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?’ As with a breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’ Psalm 42:7-10

Deep waters, noises of waterfalling, waves and billowing winds are metaphors for repetitive afflictions. Despite his trials, David was not without hope. He believed that the Lord would command lovingkindness to greet him during the daylight hours and give him songs to preserve him in the night seasons. The Holy Spirit empowered David to verbalize to God the thoughts that were on his mind. He asked God, “Why have You forgotten me?” Why were enemies allowed to oppress him and to bring him to tears?

It has been said, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.” But for David, the continuous insults of his enemies, made his bones feel like they were breaking. He had killed a giant and he had killed 200 Philistines in a battle, but now, he was running for his life and his enemies were asking him, “Where is your God.”

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 42:11

When our souls are downcast and disquieted, it is good to change course. Don’t stay there. Hope in God! Better days are ahead. Praise God! He’s as close as the mention of His Name. God will lift your countenance from it’s fallen state as you lift your prayers to Him. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” In Revelation 2-3, the Lord promised rewards to those who overcome the trials of their faith. In Revelation 21:4, He promised us His followers a place where there is no more death, mourning, crying or pain. Those things will be gone.

Hebrews 12:22 speaks of the city of the living God as a place of thousands and thousands of angels in joyful assembly. David is with them now. He is enjoying being with a multitude in God’s city who are worshipping with voices of joy and praise.


[1] GotQuestions.Org (first quote), Matthew Henry’s Commentary (second quote)
[2] markhamby.net/marks-blog/where-in-the-world-is-mizar
[3] Ibid

Seeing Our Lord Our Greatest Reward – Psalm 41

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Blessed is he who considers the poor. The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth. You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness. You will sustain him on his sickbed.” Psalm 41:1-3

The Lord told David that those who consider the poor are blessed or happy. Delivered from trouble and enemies, kept alive, strengthened and sustained when sick are some of the benefits for those who do so.

Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.”

The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus to preach good news to the poor. He fed their souls the Word of God and on some occasions He multiplied food for them.

For example, in Mark 8:1-9, Jesus had an audience of 4,000 people. They had been with Him for three days without eating. He felt compassion toward them. He did not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint enroute to their homes. Some had come from a quite a distance. Jesus took seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, blessed and multiplied them. Everyone ate until they were full and even so there were seven large baskets full of fragments leftover.

In Galatians 2:9-11, when Paul and Barnabas were sent to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles by the esteemed “pillars” of the Church, namely, James, Cephas and John, Paul noted, “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.”

“I said, ‘Lord, be merciful to me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.’ My enemies speak evil of me: ‘When will he die, and his name perish?’ And if he comes to see me, he speaks lies. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes out, he tells it.” Psalm 41:4-6

Why does my soul need healed? The answer is because I sinned against God. Think about it! Every person alive today was at one point inside Adam. Acts 17:26 states: “From one man He [God] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth.” According to Genesis 2:21-22, God created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. Every human soul descended from Adam and Eve. We need God’s mercy because after they sinned, they passed their sin nature on to us all.

Souls marred by sin are a challenge to live with. Then, on top of that, we have an adversary who accuses, mocks and attacks us for sinning. In Revelation 12:10, Satan is called the accuser of the brothers.

David wrote that his enemies spoke evil of him. His enemy anticipated his demise. His enemy fabricated lies and evil reports about him.

In John 8:44, Jesus said that there is no truth in the devil. He is a liar and the father of it.” The devil deceived our first parents with the intension of destroying the human race. He corrupted their souls, and they passed the corruption onto us. Thus, we need the Lord to heal our souls.

Genesis 2:7 says that “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Heb. נֶפֶשׁ nephesh – soul). Humanity’s soul departed from God that day. Only God can restore it.

The Lord said in Ezekiel 18:4, “The soul who sins shall die.” In Matthew 10:28, Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” The implication here is that it is more important to preserve our soul than our bodies. Our earth suits are temporary. They will be replaced in eternity. Our souls are eternal. In Psalm 23:3, it is the Lord who restores our souls.

“All who hate me whisper together against me. Against me they devise my hurt. ‘An evil disease,’ they say, ‘clings to him. And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.’ Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Psalm 41:7-9

King Saul hated David and conspired with his army against him. In 1 Samuel 23:1-8, David and his men saved the citizens of Keilah from the Philistines. King Saul heard that David and his men were in the city of Keilah. Saul responded by saying, “God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” Saul called up all his forces to attack Keilah. In 1 Samuel 23:9-13, when David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he asked the Lord, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will.” So David and his men fled from Keilah.

Joab was King David’s nephew. He was the son of David’s sister. Joab served as the commander of David’s army throughout most of his reign. He was a mighty warrior, but he also betrayed David. He slew Abner after David had made peace with him. Joab slew David’s son Absalom after David commanded him to preserve his life. Joab joined in a confederacy with Adonijah to take the throne when David was about to die, but David had promised the throne to Solomon.

Psalm 41:9 is quoted in Matthew 26:23 and John 13:18 as being fulfilled in Christ. “Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.’” “I am not referring to all of you. I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’” Jesus was betrayed by His disciple Judas Iscariot.

The Lord frequently warns us against placing more trust in people than in Him. Jeremiah 17:5-7 declares a curse on those who make “flesh their strength,” while blessing those who trust in the Lord. Psalm 118:8-9 states that “it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans or even princes.” In Matthew 24:10, signs of the end times include people turning from faith in God and betraying and hating one another. People who betray the Lord are apt to betray others.

“But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them. By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me.” Psalm 41:10-11

David acknowledged his need for God’s mercy to overcome the secret plots against him. He was not all-knowing but God is. Who enjoys being hunted like an animal? In 1 Peter 5:7-8, the Lord gave Peter good counsel for us. He wrote, “Cast all your cares on Him [God] because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” As we abide in Christ, He directs us in the way we should go.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Lord says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

In the Bible, Jesus revealed to us the tribulations that will happen before He returns. Thus, the last verse of the Bible, Revelation 22:21, says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” We need God’s grace to triumph over the enemy of our souls.

“As for me, You uphold me in my integrity and set me before Your face forever. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.” Psalm 41:12-13

How did David maintain integrity? He kept his face ever toward the Lord. Likewise, in 2 Timothy 4:18, Paul wrote, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” “Those whom God now upholds in their integrity He will set before His face forever.” [1] Seeing the Lord is our greatest reward.


[1] Matthew Henry’s Commentary

21st Century Jeremiah - What is it?

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He’s as Close as the Mention of His Name – Psalm 40

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God. Many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3

Whether David spoke of a horrible pit and miry clay as a metaphor for a place of despair or as a literal muddy pit, we do not know. The narratives about him recorded in 1-2 Samuel do not speak of any time where he was in a pit. It is likely that he is speaking metaphorically. But his words have certainly resonated with faithful others who have indeed been delivered from pits.

Old Testament Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers. Jeremiah the prophet was thrown into a pit by the princes of Jerusalem. There was deep mire in his pit. The body of our Lord Jesus Christ was placed into a tomb after His earthly body died. But in all these cases, each of them were rescued from their pits.

The Lord set David’s feet on a rock. The word “rock” is often used in the Bible as a reference to the Word of God, and as a reference to Christ. According to 1 Corinthians 10:4, the spiritual rock that the Israelites drank from in the wilderness was Christ.

While in his pit, the Lord gave to David a song of praise. Some of the most beautiful hymns of the Church were composed by people who experienced great losses and hardships. They survived their ordeals by looking to the Lord for strength, and His love for them inspired them to compose a song about Him.

David waited patiently for the Lord, and the Lord came through for him. God answered his prayers.

Deliverance from the horrible pit was one miracle. Standing David upon a rock afterward was another. Christ is the rock on which a poor soul may stand fast.

In 1834, Edward Mote composed a hymn entitled, “My hope is Built on Nothing Less.” As Edward walked to his workshop in Holborn, London, the words of a chorus came to his mind. By the end of the day, he had penned four verses of what would become one of the most beloved hymns of all time. The following Sunday, Mote visited a friend whose wife lay ill. As they gathered to sing a hymn and pray together, Mote realized he had forgotten his hymnal. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the verses he had written just days before. The words brought comfort and solace to the ailing woman, and Mote, moved by the impact of his composition, added two more stanzas and had 1,000 copies printed to share with others. [1]

Verse one and the chorus are: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

“Many shall see, and fear, and trust in the Lord.” When it pleased the Father to bruise His Son, and put Him to grief for our sins, He demanded our debt from Him. But then, the Father raised Him from the dead and ascended Him into heaven at His own right hand. Thus, many feared and placed their trust in Jesus Christ. God the Father accepted Christ’s payment for our sin.

“Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” Psalm 40:4

David invited others to make God their hope. Blessed are those who believe in the Lord. He urged us not to give respect to deceitful and proud people... people like the Pharisees. The Pharisees rejected Jesus. They rejected the gift of God’s righteousness, that is, Christ. They assumed that their own righteousness was sufficient, but Jesus told His listeners that unless their righteousness exceeded that of the Pharisees, they would not enter the kingdom of God.

“Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done. Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:5

God’s wonderful works are indeed many. Of the short time that Jesus ministered in-person on earth, John wrote in John 21:25, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire. My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, ‘Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book, it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.’” Psalm 40:6-8

This Psalm expresses the feelings of Christ. His ears were open to the Father’s voice. He delighted to do His Father’s will. God’s law was in His heart. He preached good news to the poor, and did not hold back. He demonstrated the lovingkindness of God and always spoke the truth. Christ’s suffering is our example, and His deliverance our encouragement. [2]

In Hebrews 10:5, Paul quoted Psalms 40:6 as the words of Christ. He wrote, “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,’” then, Paul added, “but a body You have prepared for Me.” The Heavenly Father gave to His Son a human body so that His body could be the perfect, untainted by sin, body sacrificed for the sins of the world.

The Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadow of the Messiah that was to come. Jesus Christ offered His body for our sins because it was God’s will. Paul wrote in Hebrews 10:10, “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

In Matthew 12:12, Jesus said, “Of how much more value is a man than a sheep?” People are of more value to God than sheep. Thus, God offered His Son to pay the price for human sin. In 1 Peter 1:18-20, the Apostle Peter wrote, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

“I have proclaimed the Good News of righteousness in the great assembly. Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart. I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly.” Psalm 40:9-10

The work of a prophet is to proclaim the good news of God’s righteousness to people. Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He commissioned His followers to preach His Gospel to all nations. Thus, in Acts 2:9-11, on the Day of Pentecost, when people from many nations gathered to hear the apostles speak, the apostles spoke of the wonderful works of God. In Acts 2:37-38, when people asked the apostles what they should do, Peter answered, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Like David, they had proclaimed the truth about God’s faithfulness and lovingkindness amidst a great assembly. The goal they sought to accomplish was that people would repent, be baptized into Jesus and to receive the Holy Spirit. The goal of a prophet is to see people transformed by the power of God.

God imputes and imparts His righteousness to all who believe in His Son Jesus Christ. And what is our faith but receptivity! Our faith receives Christ and all that He has done for us, including the pouring out of His Holy Spirit into us.

How was the Gospel preached in the Book of Acts? The answer is freely and openly. The early Christians did not refrain from speaking it. They did not hide or conceal it.

“Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord. Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:11

God did not withhold His tender mercies from us. Romans 8:32 confirms that God is generous with us: “Since He [God] did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” In Luke 12:32, Jesus said, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

“For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. Therefore, my heart fails me.” Psalm 40:12

The Lord revealed to David how evil sin was in His sight. God’s Word and Spirit made David very conscientious. Like the publican in Luke 18:13, he dared not even lift his eyes toward heaven as long as he felt sinful. His sins were more than the hairs on his head. His heart was discouraged.

“Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me! Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who seek to destroy my life. Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil. Let them be confounded because of their shame, who say to me, ‘Aha, aha!’” Psalm 40:13-15

The Lord is pleased to deliver us, and to do it quickly. Have we asked Him to intervene? In James 1:6-8, the Lord says to ask Him “in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

The Lord says in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Do we come to God with doubts? Do we assume that it is worthless to seek Him? In Job 21:15, he described the wicked as those who say, “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?”

Our Lord Jesus was beaten, flogged, crucified and buried, and then, three days later He was up and walking among His disciples and telling them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. After He appeared to over 500 people during a period of 40 days, He ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. What more do we need than Jesus? One plus Jesus is a majority.

In 1 Corinthians 15:57, Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In 2 Corinthians 2:14, he wrote, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” In Colossians 2:14-16, Paul wrote that Christ wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He took them out of the way, having nailed them to the cross. Christ disarmed principalities and powers. He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it [the cross].

“Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. Let such as love Your salvation say continually, ‘The Lord be magnified!’” Psalm 40:16

Those that seek the Lord do rejoice and are glad in Him. Our Lord Jesus is wonderful! Jesus fills those who love Him with exceedingly great joy, so we want to say, “The Lord be magnified!”

“But I am poor and needy. Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer. Do not delay, O my God.” Psalm 40:17

In contrast with the Lord’s majestic grandeur and mighty power, David saw himself as poor and needy. God was able to do so much more for and through him when he asked the Lord for help and deliverance. David enjoyed the blessed assurance that the Lord was thinking about him, and that the Lord was as close to him as the mention of His Name.

“He’s As Close As the Mention of His Name” is a chorus written by songwriter Gordon Jensen. It proclaims Christ’s constant presence and availability. The first verse and chorus declare, “In the very thought of Jesus His presence can be found. He’s as close as the mention of His Name. There is never any distance between my Lord and me. He’s as close as the mention of His Name. He’s as close as the mention of His Name, Jesus, Jesus.” [3] Amen!


[1] hymncharts.com/2024/04/08/the-story-behind-the-solid-rock/
[2] Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
[3] Google Sources

Make Me to Know My End – Psalm 39

“To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, ‘I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue. I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me.’ I was mute with silence. I held my peace even from good and my sorrow was stirred up. My heart was hot within me. While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: ‘Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am.” Psalm 39:1-4

How often have words from our mouths hurt ourselves and others? How many relationships have been shipwrecked by a single sentence? In James 3:2, the Bible says, “If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:5 warns us, “The tongue is a little member and boasts great things.”

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” In Matthew 12:37, Jesus revealed to us, “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Thus, the Holy Spirit helped David to avoid sinning with his tongue. God’s Spirit muzzled and muted his mouth in the presence of his enemies. He helped him to hold his peace.

When David’s heart grew hot within him, what did he do it about it? He used his tongue to pray. He prayed, “Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am.” An excellent prayer!

I wish I had known my end from the beginning. Now that I am older, and now that the Lord has helped me to discern more about myself than I could see before, I experience sorrows of heart. I know God has forgiven my sins, but alas, some of my words and deeds have hurt people, and especially made God’s heart sad.

My life on earth is not yet over, so on the one hand, I want to continue to pray that the Lord will keep me mindful of the day I shall meet Him, and on the other hand, I pray that the Lord will help me to make amends with those I have hurt.

We know that we shall die, but some refuse to think about it. David prayed, “Lord, make me to consider my end.” For those in Christ, the end is the end of grief, for those without Christ the end is the end of happiness. Prudence says, “Embrace Christ! End with Him in paradise!”

The Lord recommends that we ask for His help before we talk with people. The Holy Spirit who helped David to restrain his tongue and muzzle his mouth, will help us as well.

Mouths, tongues and words used in worship to the Lord are good uses of such.

David gave the words of this song to Jeduthun. Jeduthun is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 16:37-42 along with Asaph and Heman as chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord. He and they did so with trumpets, cymbals, musical instruments and singers. According to 1 Chronicles 25:2-4, Jeduthun had six sons, Asaph had four sons and Heman had fourteen sons who were on the worship team. 1 Chronicles 25:1 says that they prophesied with their instruments. 1 Chronicles 25:5 says that Heman was David’s seer in the words of God. These worship leaders enjoyed a close relationship with the Lord as should be the case with all who lead others in worship to God.

David wanted his words to bless not curse. In James 3:10-11, the Bible says, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”

David was resolved to “take heed to” his “ways.” He did not want to speak bitter words. He did not want to say words that might harden his listeners or give them occasion to blaspheme. [1]

In Matthew 7:6, Jesus said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” If your hearers have made it known to you that they don’t want you to talk about God, don’t provoke them.

In Ephesians 4:29, the Bible says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

By God’s grace, David was able to bridle his tongue, but the passion within him grew hot. It was as a fire in his bones. After so much silence, he vented his passion before the Lord.

“Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You. Certainly, every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah! Surely every man walks about like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up riches and does not know who will gather them.” Psalm 39:5-6

“Man takes a great deal of pains to heap up riches, and they are but like heaps of manure in the furrows of the field, good for nothing unless they be spread.” [2]

“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” Psalm 39:7

When David thought about the future, he thought about the Lord. He hoped in the Lord.

In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul wrote to his disciple Timothy, saying, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”

“Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the reproach of the foolish. I was mute, I did not open my mouth, because it was You who did it.” Psalm 39:8-9

Only the Lord could and would forgive all David’s transgressions. In Psalm 32:5, David wrote, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

Only the Lord could keep the reproaches of fools from reaching David’s ears.

Who did God call a fool in the Bible? In Luke 12:19-20, God called the man who laid up treasures for himself on earth and was not rich toward God a fool. God suddenly required his soul and he could not take his riches with him.

What does God say about speaking with fools? In Proverbs 23:9, He says, “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” In Proverbs 14:7, He says, “Go from the presence of a foolish man when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.”

“Remove Your plague from me. I am consumed by the blow of Your hand. When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth. Surely every man is vapor. Selah! Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears, for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were. Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, before I go away and am no more.” Psalm 39:10-13

Plagued! Struck by the hand of God! Rebuked! His beauty removed! Feeling estranged! A speaker for God may feel at times that God is unfair due to the treatment he or she receives in this world. What kind of treatment did our Lord Jesus experience when He walked among us?

Isaiah 52:14 says of Christ that His appearance was marred more than any man. Isaiah 53:2 says that He had no beauty that we should desire Him. Isaiah 53:3 says that people hid their faces from Him and that He was despised. Isaiah 53:4-5 says that He was struck and afflicted by God. He was chastised, wounded and bruised by God for our sins. While hanging on the cross, He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” When the sun stopped shining during daylight hours, and the earth quaked, it seemed to say, “God has turned His face from You His Son.” He was taken away and laid in a tomb. It seemed that He was to be no more.

However, the Gospel is that on the third day after Jesus Christ was laid in the tomb, He was resurrected from the dead to die no more.

Jesus Christ fulfilled the promise that God made to David in 2 Samuel 7:13-16, where God said, “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your Seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever. I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son... And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” Hallelujah!

One way to frame suffering for Christ is to rejoice that He has counted you worthy to embody His ministry here on earth. In Acts 5:40-41, after the disciples had been beaten for testifying for Christ, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.” Such suffering is a powerful witness to unbelievers, and in Revelation 2:10, the Lord says, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Being mindful of our “end” here (earth), helps us to live productively for Christ until there (heaven). 

Praise the Lord!

[1] Matthew Henry’s Commentary – edited for readability
[2] Ibid