Ethan the Ezrahite, at Psalm 89, considers the covenant God keeps with His people. 1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” 3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’ ” Selah He then describes, the God with whom covenant is kept. 11 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its […]

Psalm 88 is a prayer that only the believer can pray. The sons of Korah, these temple singers, begin rightly, by calling out to Him only, who is able to save us from our despondency. 1 O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. 2 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. It is only after this proper address, that the believer can bring his concerns to God. 3 For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave. 4 I am counted with those who go[c] down to the pit; I […]

What more, can humanity boast in, other than its cities? What captures the triumphs of humanity’s achievements, historically and today, other than the cities that we have built? Think Babel. Think Babylon. Think Las Vegas, New York, Toronto. Psalm 87, of the sons of Korah, is a particularly unique psalm reflecting upon the glories of the City of God, from which, humanity can only glean a footing. 1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah At Verses 4-6, those human cities of […]

Psalm 86 comes with this uninspired title: “A Prayer of David.” Let us pray. 1 Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; For I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. 4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of […]

The sons of Korah, these temple singers sing, at Psalm 85, a prayer for restoration. Firstly, they consider the God who is able. 1 Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah 3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. Next, they consider the God who is willing. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You […]

We call the place in which we worship, a sanctuary. A sanctuary is a place of refuge. The sons of Korah sing of it, at Psalm 84. 1 How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah 10 For a day in Your courts is better […]

What do you do, when the Church of Jesus Christ is under attack? How about, begin with prayer? Listen to the Psalmist of Psalm 83. 1 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” There is no strength like the LORD […]

Who shall draw you from your sorrow? Who shall you call upon in your time of need? When you are not strong enough, who shall be your strength? Asaph knows. And at Psalm 82, he sings of Him. 1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. 2 How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked. 5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth […]

Beloved, salvation is at hand, if you will listen. Asaph, of Psalm 81, considers God’s offer. 1 Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. 2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. 8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! 9 There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. 10 I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. But sometimes, we’re not too ready […]

Three times in Psalm 80, Asaph cries out to the LORD God 3,7,19 Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! Before the first occurrence, Asaph calls out to his God. The only One able to help. 1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! 2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, Stir up Your strength, And come and save us! Before the second occurrence, Asaph declares the LORD God’s anger against the sins of His people, and the fallout thereof. 4 O Lord God of hosts, How long will You be angry […]