Eloheem human judge

When Eloheem refers to a human judge

Psalms 81 and 82 are both Psalms which require a little study to fully understand what Asaph was saying. This isn’t to say that you cannot be blessed without that specific knowledge, but you will NOT get out of it what the Spirit intended through its inspiration.

This is part of studying to show yourself approved as a good workman.

In Psalm 81 Asaph uses events surrounding the exodus of Israel from Egypt to teach a lesson to his generation who are repeating the sins of their forefathers.

Psalm 82 is actually rather straightforward, once you get clarification on the meaning of the word Eloheem which is often mistranslated.

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Asaph testimony Shepherd

Asaph’s testimony of the Shepherd of Israel

The prophet and musician Asaph who wrote 12 of the Psalms saw and knew Jesus. The scriptures tell us that if there was a true prophet in Israel, God had revealed Himself to them in a dream or a vision. When Asaph spoke of the “Holy One of Israel” and “Israel’s Shepherd” he was of course speaking by inspiration, but also by personal revelation. He is one of those who in the book of Hebrews saw the promise of the Father from afar. He was also among those prophets who Peter said searched for the time Messiah would come and knew beforehand of His sufferings and the glories which would follow.

Though these Psalms were written during times of great tribulation and judgment for the people of God, the prophets knew of God’s future deliverance in Messiah and comforted Israel through their words.

These words COULD and sometimes did have soon, albeit temporary fulfillment, but those of those generations would soon experience God’s silence like none of God’s people before or after. The silence would not be broken until an angel spoke to the parents of John the Baptist and those of Messiah Jesus, then to shepherds in a field when God came to His Own in the form of a baby in a feeding trough as Emmanuel – God among us. All of this was foretold by prophets like Asaph who in Psalm 80 said, “look on us with favor, and we will be saved.”

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God Prayers

Praying God centered Prayers

One of the reocurring themes we see throughout the Old Testament and the Pslams in particular are the way the Isrealites prayed God centered prayers. There were of course, needs expressed and requests made, but a great deal of the time the REASON and MOTIVE behind the prayer was the character and the Great Name of God.

Phrases like, “For the sake of Your great name…” do this or that. The request was there, but the purpose of its fulfillment was God’s agenda on the earth.

Jesus also prayed this way – You kingdom come, Your will be done. Oh if we were learn to decentralize ourselves from our prayers and make God and His kingdom the central focus of our petitions, we would find ourselves in a position like the great patriarchs of old to recieve answers.

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David Prayers

Thus ends the prayers of King David, son of Jesse

Tonight we ended Book II of Psalms which largely contains prayers of David and events during hislifetime.

We also began Book III which is almost immediately obvious because the tone and topics change from personal deliverances to cries for national deliverance.

Psalms 73-89 were composed during the time between David’s life and the post exile period of silence which span 400 years. During this time northern Israel went into Assyrian captivity followed by the Babylonian captivity of all of Israel.

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Zeal

Zeal for Your house has consumed Me

Many of these Psalms are prophetic in nature and point to Messiah either in His earthly ministry or in His Millennial Kingdom.

Several quotes and scenarios from Jesus and His life crop up in these Psalms which are recorded in the Gospels.

All of this shows the complexity of the Psalms which, like the Prophets, often reveal an immediate fulfillment and application as well as a future Messianic one.

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