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Wednesday 01/08/25
Thru the Bible: Psalm Book III: Chapters 86-89
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I will make My firstborn, greatest of the Kings of earth!
Psalm 86:1-17, [Holman]
“(1) A Davidic prayer.
Listen, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
(2) Protect my life, for I am faithful. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You. (3) Be gracious to me, Lord, for I call to You all day long.
(4) Bring joy to Your servant’s life, since I set my hope on You, Lord.
(5) For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on You.
(6) LORD, hear my prayer; listen to my plea for mercy.
(7) I call on You in the day of my distress, for You will answer me.
(8) Lord, there is no one like You among the gods, and there are no works like Yours.
(9) All the nations You have made will come and bow down before You, Lord, and will honor Your name. (10) For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.
(11) Teach me Your way, LORD, and I will live by Your truth.
Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.”
Other translations have, “Unite my heart to fear Your name”.
It is a beautiful, poetic and deeply sincere request. We as human beings so often have hearts with divided loyalties. This is a cry to the God Who alone has the power to reconcile all within us to all that He is.
This phrase which more literally reads “Bind my heart to the fearing of Your name.”
To “fear” God’s name means to have a healthy respect for Him which in turn motivates one to obey His commands (see Psalm 61:5; Psalm 102:15).
Though worded differently there are other examples of similar sentiments in the Psalms. These are cries to God to do with and for our human hearts what only He as Creator and Owner of all hearts has the power to do.
It is healthy for us to embrace and own our limitations as created beings. It brings us to a state of humility in the wake of the shock of our total lack of strength, our complete and total incapability to change our own hearts.
It is a conundrum but one which nearly every human heart will recognize – even unbelievers. There are parents who love their children and are determined to not react harshly towards them, but find it impossible to guard against it at all times. Mates who love each other and long to be fully committed but who find themselves flirtive with others or casting that second longing glance at someone else. We often chastise our hearts for their lack of control and seek to do better only to discover we lack the power. Even if we can fully suppress the expression of one weakness like substance abuse, we find it only cropping up in another area like overworking.
In the Christian life what we bring to the table is desire – a longing to be better and a looking to God in trust to supply what only He can and that is the actual power to effect the desired change.
It is this that David and other Psalmists long for, and is one of the better promises which we have under the New Covenant due to Jesus’ destroying the power and dominion of sin and the flesh to rule us anymore.
“(12) I will praise You with all my heart, Lord my God, and will honor Your name forever.
(13) For Your faithful love for me is great, and You deliver my life from the depths of Sheol.”
Isn’t this the desire of every Christian heart – praise Him with all our hearts and live in a way which forever honors His name.
And isn’t it at least in part due to the greatness of His faithful love for us and His continual rescue of us from the enemy that spurs on that desire?
“(14) God, arrogant people have attacked me; a gang of ruthless men seeks my life. They have no regard for You. (15) But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abundant in faithful love and truth.
(16) Turn to me and be gracious to me. Give Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your female servant. (17) Show me a sign of Your goodness; my enemies will see and be put to shame because You, LORD, have helped and comforted me.”
Psalm 87:1-7, [Holman]
“(1) A psalm of the sons of Korah. A song.
His foundation is on the holy mountains.
(2) The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.”
The use of the word “gates” here is puzzling at first.
In context, the gates here seem to point to the city gates of Jerusalem – a place of commerce, debate and judgment. However, being composed by the sons of Korah it suggests a different meaning.
The sons of Korah were a family within one of the three families of the tribe of Levi.
Or said another way – the Levites were comprised of the three families of Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Korah was one of the family heads within the Kohathites.
As you will remember, it was this Korah who led a revolt against Moses and Aaron whom God judged in the wilderness along with his immediate family. His older sons are the ones who lived on to be among those who composed music and led Israel in praise.
But their job went further than that. The sons of Korah being part of the greater family of the Kohathites were invested with the responsibility of transporting the Ark of the Covenant during the wilderness wanderings. Once they settled in the Promised Land and the Temple was rooted in Jerusalem, their services for transporting the Ark were no longer necessary. So the Kohathites were then appointed the responsibility of directing praise in the temple (1 Chron. 6:16-23; Ps. 88:1). Also, according to 1 Chronicles 9:19-27, Shallum and his relatives from the family of Korah were gatekeepers and were responsible for guarding the gates of the Temple. Their ancestors had also been responsible for guarding the entrance to the Temple of the LORD. Included in this duty was evidently the opening and closing of the gates, and standing guard to ensure that only the right people entered.
The significance of the gates.
In the Bible, gates are symbols of authority, protection, and divine encounters. They also represent places of judgment, access, and transitions.
NOW with that little tid-bit of information we can re-examine this passage and see if there might be a deeper and more spiritual meaning to the phrase,
“(2) The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.”
It seems to me that Psalm 86 is about how God loves those whose hearts are completely His. That He longs to dwell among and within them. ThisHe treasures these hearts above all other possessions in the earth.
So I believe the reference to the gates points to the freewill nature in which His people chose Him over earthly possessions. Much like we read last week in Psalm 84. God is not ashamed to be the God of those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage and who look to Him as their eternal home and He longs to make them His.
If I am right then this Psalm is ultimately an allegory of God loving the hearts of His people which have opened wide for Him to come in fellowship and to rule. For Him to take up His royal adobe there. That He loves this infinitely more than the land promised to His people and be certain God does love that land. It was because of Israel’s unfaithfulness to observe the land’s Sabbath rest that many judgments came upon them. But God’s love for the responsive, and yielding hearts of His people far outshine His love for other things and He knows those who are His!
“(3) Glorious things are said about you, city of God. Selah
(4) “I will mention those who know Me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush–each one was born there.” (5) And it will be said of Zion,
“This one and that one were born in her.”
This is an unusual Hebraic construction.
“to those who know Me” (see Psalm 36:10) is a prepositional phrase and is best understood as indicating the recipient of the announcement and is take by some in the sense of “among” as in, “among those who know Me” (cf. NEB, NIV, NRSV).
In this case these foreigners are viewed as the LORD’s people and the psalm is interpreted as anticipating a time when all nations will worship the LORD (see Psalm 86:9) and be considered citizens of Zion.
Though Rahab here is likely a reference to Egypt it is almost certainly God’s way of including Rahab the harlot who was the great, great grandmother of King David and part of the lineage which led to Messiah Jesus. Her inclusion right next to Babylon would be poetic in the non-linguistic sense, in that the spirit of Babylon is an adulterous spirit. The point being that anyone who turns to the Lord can and will be saved – regardless of previous sins, gender or nationality.
“The Most High Himself will establish her. (6) When He registers the peoples, the LORD will record, “This one was born there.” Selah
(7) Singers and dancers alike will say, “All my springs are in you.”
Psalm 88:1-18, [Holman]
It is uncertain the source material for this Psalm. It may be literal regarding the sufferings of an individual but being from “the sons of Korah” rather than ‘A son of Korah” this seems unlikely.
As such it could be symbolism for national suffering in exile, but beyond doubt this has clear Messianic references some of which are very similar to those Jesus actually spoke.
“(1) A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.
LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out before You day and night. (2) May my prayer reach Your presence; listen to my cry. (3) For I have had enough troubles, and my life is near Sheol.
(4) I am counted among those going down to the Pit. I am like a man without strength, (5) abandoned among the dead.
I am like the slain lying in the grave, whom You no longer remember, and who are cut off from Your care.
(6) You have put me in the lowest part of the Pit, in the darkest places, in the depths. (7) Your wrath weighs heavily on me; You have overwhelmed me with all Your waves. Selah
(8) You have distanced my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them. I am shut in and cannot go out.
(9) My eyes are worn out from crying. LORD, I cry out to You all day long; I spread out my hands to You.
(10) Do You work wonders for the dead?
Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah
(11) Will Your faithful love be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon?
(12) Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?
(13) But I call to You for help, LORD; in the morning my prayer meets You.
(14) LORD, why do You reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me?
(15) From my youth, I have been afflicted and near death. I suffer Your horrors; I am desperate. (16) Your wrath sweeps over me; Your terrors destroy me. (17) They surround me like water all day long; they close in on me from every side.
(18) You have distanced loved one and neighbor from me; darkness is my only friend.”
This last phrase can also be rendered, “those who know me leave me alone in the darkness”
This psalm does not offer much in the way of hope except the confidence of the opening lines. If this is a prophetic Psalm of Messiah, then that hope was not misplaced!
Psalm 89:1-52, [Holman]
Like so many Psalms, this one had a reality all its own which no doubt expressed longings, hurts and desires which were immediately relevant to those who wrote it. However, there can be no mistake as to the clear Messianic references throughout. It begins with a lofty overview of God’s work and purpose in redemption. It addresses a deep theologian truth which is all but missed by our present generation of surface and superficial understanding and it does so in passing. The Psalmist does not go out of his way to draw attention to it, but it is there!
As we covered 2 weeks ago on Sunday, it was to Abraham and to his Seed Jesus that the promise was made. Beyond this, the covenant with King David was by extension really a covenant with Jesus made by the Father.
We think ourselves SO central to the story of redemption that we often entirely miss, the transcendent nature of the promise and covenant. God not only swore BY Himself (Hebrews 6:13), He swore TO Himself as this passage says.
The Father made the promise and struck the covenant with Jesus making them both, if it were possible, even more immutable than if they had been made to mankind alone. Within the Godhead, redemption was and is an intensely personal and passionate plan. It was birthed out of an inner communion and commitment between the members of the Godhead. It is sacred and holy! We would do well to keep this in mind. It adds strength to the tenacity with which God has pursued us and keeps us!
“(1) A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
I will sing about the LORD’s faithful love forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. (2) For I will declare,
“Faithful love is built up forever; You establish Your faithfulness in the heavens.”
(3) The LORD said,
“I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David My servant: (4) ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.'” Selah”
Notice the eternal nature of this rule. It can only be accomplished in the One Who who is both Messiah and King of God’s kingdom – Jesus Christ the Righteous! Possessing as He does both Humanity in all its weakness and Divinity undiminished in power and glory!
“(5) LORD, the heavens praise Your wonders–Your faithfulness also–in the assembly of the holy ones.
(6) For who in the skies can compare with the LORD?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD?
(7) God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, more awe-inspiring than all who surround Him.
(8) LORD God of Hosts, who is strong like You, LORD?
Your faithfulness surrounds You.
(9) You rule the raging sea; when its waves surge, You still them.
(10) You crushed Rahab like one who is slain; You scattered Your enemies with Your powerful arm.
(11) The heavens are Yours; the earth also is Yours. The world and everything in it–You founded them.
(12) North and south–You created them.
Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name. [two of the most prominent mountains in Palestine]
(13) You have a mighty arm; Your hand is powerful; Your right hand is lifted high.”
Knowing as we do God’s love of and affinity for languages, this statement reveals two primary meanings.
Referring to God’s right hand as “lifted up” in Hebrew is a symbol of victory. Yet in Roman society to be lifted up, was symbolic of crucifixion. Jesus Himself said, “Even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” which was a clear reference to His death on the cross but then also He said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself. This second statement had a dual reference – first to His crucifixion and secondly to His ascension to Heaven in victory.
So this statement in this Psalm is potentially full of Messianic and redemptive meaning.
“(14) Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; faithful love and truth go before You. (15) Happy are the people who know the joyful shout; LORD, they walk in the light of Your presence.
(16) They rejoice in Your name all day long, and they are exalted by Your righteousness. (17) For You are their magnificent strength; by Your favor our horn is exalted.
(18) Surely our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
(19) You once spoke in a vision to Your loyal ones and said:
“I have granted help to a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people. (20) I have found David My servant; I have anointed him with My sacred oil. (21) My hand will always be with him, and My arm will strengthen him. (22) The enemy will not afflict him; no wicked man will oppress him.
(23) I will crush his foes before him and strike those who hate him. (24) My faithfulness and love will be with him, and through My name his horn will be exalted.
(25) I will extend his power to the sea and his right hand to the rivers. (26) He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the rock of my salvation.’
(27) I will also make him My firstborn, greatest of the kings of the earth.
(28) I will always preserve My faithful love for him, and My covenant with him will endure.
(29) I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as heaven lasts.
(30) If his sons forsake My instruction and do not live by My ordinances, (31) if they dishonor My statutes and do not keep My commandments, (32) then I will call their rebellion to account with the rod, their sin with blows. (33) But I will not withdraw My faithful love from him or betray My faithfulness.
(34) I will not violate My covenant or change what My lips have said.
(35) Once and for all I have sworn an oath by My holiness; I will not lie to David. (36)
“His offspring will continue forever, his throne like the sun before Me, (37) like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.” Selah
“(38) But You have spurned and rejected him; You have become enraged with Your anointed. (39) You have repudiated the covenant with Your servant; You have completely dishonored his crown.
(40) You have broken down all his walls; You have reduced his fortified cities to ruins. (41) All who pass by plunder him; he has become a joke to his neighbors.
(42) You have lifted high the right hand of his foes; You have made all his enemies rejoice. (43) You have also turned back his sharp sword and have not let him stand in battle. (44) You have made his splendor cease and have overturned his throne. (45) You have shortened the days of his youth; You have covered him with shame. Selah”
From the perspective of the Psalmist, God had broken His word to David. We can and should take a note from this man. His respect and allegiance to God remain unmoved, though its foundation has suffered some violence. Unlike Adam and Eve who suspected duplicity in God and acted on it, this Psalmist witnesses with his eye something which seems undeniable regarding God’s faithfulness to His word, yet brings it before Him in prayer coupled with reverence. THIS is appropriate and if done in humility and honesty is not rejected by God.
He sees how David’s children disobeyed and now that they are in captivity, the one who rules over Israel – far from being an offspring of David – isn’t even of Israel but is a foreigner. This places this Psalm as HAVING to be written during or following the Babylonian Exile beginning in 586 BC for that is when the Davidic dynasty came to an end!
“(46) How long, LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever?
Will Your anger keep burning like fire?
(47) Remember how short my life is. Have You created everyone for nothing?
(48) What man can live and never see death? Who can save himself from the power of Sheol? Selah
(49) Lord, where are the former acts of Your faithful love that You swore to David in Your faithfulness?
(50) Remember, Lord, the ridicule against Your servants–in my heart I carry abuse from all the peoples– (51) how Your enemies have ridiculed, LORD, how they have ridiculed every step of Your anointed.
(52) May the LORD be praised forever. Amen and amen.”
Of course this Psalmist did not know that he was speaking of the Messiah. That Jesus, of the lineage of David would be the Great king of the whole earth as well as His firstborn son.
In Genesis 49:10 Jacob prophesied over his son Judah that, “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until He comes to whom it belongs, and the obedience of the nations is His“.
Of course this was a prophetic word which pointed first to God’s covenant with David that so long as God held the obedience of his sons there would not fail to be a descendant of David on the throne. But even if they disobey, God’s faithful love would not depart from David’s house.
1700 years later this was fulfilled in Jesus, the literal King of the Jews – the Lion of the tribe of Judah. After Jesus’ death all connection to kingship associated with David’s lineage ended – which means if Jesus is not the Messiah, then there never will be one!
One more thing of interest for us here is a prophecy found in Daniel 9.
In that chapter we are told that the Messiah was expected to come before the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. We know that this happened in 70 AD. Daniel foretold that the Messiah would be “cut off” before this event, signifying his death prior to the temple’s destruction.
This all being both true and undeniable, it also demands that Jesus and Jesus alone fits the Messianic thumbprint laid down in the prophecies of the Old Testament.
Blessings!
Tri
