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Wednesday 02/26/25
Thru the Bible: Psalm Book V: Chapters 111-116
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I was in serious trouble and He delivered me
Psalm 111:1-10,
This is a simple Psalm of God’s covenant and promises and His faithfulness to keep them. It closes with a well known and much repeated proverb, before saying that God will be praised forever!
“(1) Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the godly and the congregation.
(2) The LORD’s deeds are great, eagerly awaited by all who desire them. (3) His work is majestic and glorious, and His faithfulness endures forever.
(4) He does amazing things that will be remembered; the LORD is merciful and compassionate. (5) He gives food to His faithful followers; He always remembers His covenant.”
This has an immediate connection with what we learned on Sunday, regarding God’s faithful and solicitous care for those who know and trust Him, seeking first His kingdom and rightstanding with Him. [See – Living Out the Great Commission Pt. 1]
“(6) He announced that He would do mighty deeds for His people, giving them a land that belonged to other nations.
(7) His acts are characterized by faithfulness and justice; all His precepts are reliable. (8) They are forever firm, and should be faithfully and properly carried out.
(9) He delivered His people; He ordained that His covenant be observed forever.
His name is holy and awesome.
(10) To obey the LORD is the fundamental principle for wise living; all who carry out His precepts acquire good moral insight.
He will receive praise forever.”
Psalm 112:1-10,
This Psalm points out the long term stability and prosperity of the righteous – just so long as you are not married to an entirely earthbound and fallen understanding of prosperity.
The deeds of the righteous distinguish them from the common and ungodly man.
They trust in God and are NOT moved towards fear, even when it appears times of difficulty are coming. Instead of protecting themselves, they place their trust in God and give to those who have need generously.
All the while they look at the ungodly with the glint of triumph in their eyes!
Again, this has much in common with our primary focus this last Sunday.
“(1) Praise the LORD!
How blessed is the one who obeys the LORD, who takes great delight in keeping His commands. (2) His descendants will be powerful on the earth; the godly will be blessed. (3) His house contains wealth and riches; his integrity endures.
(4) In the darkness a light shines for the godly, for each one who is merciful, compassionate, and just.
(5) It goes well for the one who generously lends money, and conducts his business honestly. (6) For he will never be shaken; others will always remember one who is just.
(7) He does not fear bad news. He is confident; he trusts in the LORD. (8) His resolve is firm; he will not succumb to fear before he looks in triumph on his enemies.
(9) He generously gives to the needy; his integrity endures. He will be vindicated and honored.
(10) When the wicked see this, they will worry; they will grind their teeth in frustration and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.”
Psalm 113:1-9,
“(1) Praise the LORD! Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!
(2) May the LORD’s name be praised now and forevermore!
(3) From east to west the LORD’s name is deserving of praise.
(4) The LORD is exalted over all the nations; His splendor reaches beyond the sky.
(5) Who can compare to the LORD our God, Who sits on a high throne?
(6) He bends down to look at the sky and the earth.
(7) He raises the poor from the dirt, and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile, (8) that He might seat him with princes, with the princes of His people.
(9) He makes the barren woman of the family a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD!”
Psalm 114:1-8,
“(1) When Israel left Egypt, when the family of Jacob left a foreign nation behind, (2) Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His kingdom.
(3) The sea looked and fled; the Jordan River turned back.
(4) The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
(5) Why do you flee, O sea? Why do you turn back, O Jordan River?
(6) Why do you skip like rams, O mountains, like lambs, O hills?
(7) Tremble, O earth, before the Lord – before the God of Jacob, (8) Who turned a rock into a pool of water, a hard rock into springs of water!”
Psalm 115:1-18,
“(1) Not to us, O LORD, not to us! But to Your name bring honor, for the sake of Your loyal love and faithfulness.
(2) Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
(3) Our God is in heaven! He does whatever He pleases!
(4) Their idols are made of silver and gold – they are man -made.
(5) They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see, (6)
ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell, (7)
hands, but cannot touch,
feet, but cannot walk.
They cannot even clear their throats.
(8) Those who make them will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in them.
(9) O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their deliverer and protector.
(10) O family of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their deliverer and protector.
(11) You loyal followers of the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their deliverer and protector.
(12) The LORD takes notice of us, He will bless – He will bless the family of Israel, He will bless the family of Aaron.
(13) He will bless His loyal followers, both young and old.
(14) May He increase your numbers, yours and your children’s!
(15) May you be blessed by the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth!
(16) The heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.
(17) The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death.
(18) But we will praise the LORD now and forevermore. Praise the LORD!”
When I first read this in the New English translation I thought, “That HAS to be a poor word choice for translating the Hebrew word nathan into the English word ‘given’”. But I thought, to look it up and discover the reason behind the translation.
As it turns out, this word is used over 2,000 times in the Old Testament and therefore boasts a wide semantic range of meanings. However, as broad as the meanings can be, they can be funneled down into three basic categories.
It is a verb meaning to place or to give. In this passage the word primarily takes on the meaning of placing something. In this case it means to place the world under the management and stewardship of mankind. This is supported by God’s initial intentions as stated in Genesis 1:26 & 28,
“Then God said, “Let Us make humankind in Our image, after Our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth.”
“(28) God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.”
Of course we know that scripture does not contradict itself. We are aware that in other places it is said that the earth belongs to the Lord and all of its fullness. Nothing about this passage changes this fact.
Psalm 116:1-19,
“(1) I love the LORD because He heard my plea for mercy, (2) and listened to me.
At first glance I found this statement a little carnal and self-focused. Then the Spirit reminded me of our limitations as humans and so I reconsidered my initial thought.
To “love the Lord BECAUSE…” – if these words are followed by anything other than He is worthy of all my devotion and adoration somehow seems too earthly. But the truth is, all the love and devotion we have for God is only an echo of what He has for us and has invested into us.
We love Him BECAUSE He first loved us, John tells us.
So, in light of this truth – these words are no longer offensive to me, but rather beautiful and just as it ought to be.
Isn’t it wonderful how obtaining the correct perspective changes everything!
“As long as I live, I will call to Him when I need help.”
You know these truths also place everything in an altogether different light. When we realize that God is the One Who made us dependent upon Him, then it logically follows that He would not resent our need for Him or our constant coming to Him for aid.
Now to say it that way is a little off. To say that God “made us to need Him” doesn’t really capture the full truth and in fact, paints a picture which is not 100% true in itself.
God IS the source of EVERYTHING. Without Him nothing exists or was created. God could not make us self sufficient, because that would require Him to make us a source unto ourselves and He alone IS the source. This cannot be changed – not even by God!
So whenever God creates, He knows He is creating something He must maintain! He does this willingly and in fact in keeping with His desires.
So don’t ever let carnal considerations of self get in the way of seeking God for Who He is or for what He alone can supply. God knew this would be the only possible arrangement before creating you, and He made you with deliberate intention just the same. So go to Him!
“(3) The ropes of death tightened around me, the snares of Sheol confronted me. I was confronted with trouble and sorrow.
(4) I called on the name of the LORD,
“Please LORD, rescue my life!”
(5) The LORD is merciful and fair; our God is compassionate.
(6) The LORD protects the untrained; I was in serious trouble and He delivered me.
(7) Rest once more, my soul, for the LORD has vindicated you.
(8) Yes, LORD, you rescued my life from death, kept my eyes from tears and my feet from stumbling.
(9) I will serve the LORD in the land of the living.
(10) I had faith when I said, “I am severely oppressed.”
(11) I rashly declared, “All men are liars.”
(12) How can I repay the LORD for all His acts of kindness to me?
(13) I will celebrate my deliverance, and call on the name of the LORD.
14) I will fulfill my vows to the LORD before all His people.
(15) The LORD values the lives of His faithful followers.
(16) Yes, LORD! I am indeed your servant; I am your servant, the son of your female servant. You saved me from death.
(17) I will present a thank offering to You, and call on the name of the LORD.
(18) I will fulfill my vows to the LORD before all His people, (19) in the courts of the LORD’s temple, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!”
Blessings!
Tri
