UCG-INSD Churches CMK Beginning in January

Week Fourteen, Psalms 66-70

Psalm 66

Author: Not known.

Time/Occasion: Not known. It's possible that this was written after the defeat of Sennacherib's Assyrian army.

Main theme: Second in this series of four on the theme of millennial restitution (Acts 3:21). This psalm of thanks for national deliverance becomes a prophecy of millennial worship and praise in the Kingdom.

V. 1-5. All the earth is called to praise and worship God just as the Kingdom is established.

V. 6 and 12. These references to the Exodus seems to also be a prophecy of a great second exodus of Israelites at the end time foretold in Isaiah 11:16; 19:23; Jeremiah 16:14-15; 23:7-8; and Ezekiel 20:41.

V. 10-12. Description of reminiscing about the Great Tribulation of the nations of modern Israel. V. 12 adds the element of fire to the water of the ancient Exodus. Both will be present in the "Second Exodus."

V. 13ff. Written in the plural for the nation/world through V. 12, the composer changes to personal worship.

V. 16-20. Thanks to God for answering his prayers.

Hymnal: 36 Joyfully and Praise God!

Personal application: The work of God always includes giving the truth to others (spreading the gospel). When we comprehend how great God is and the magnitude of His goodness and His saving acts for our benefit, the natural reaction is to tell others, to share. The internal structure of the poem has an introduction, conclusion, and V. 5 and V. 16 frame the message with "Come and see" and "Come and listen" spreading, preaching the gospel. Who is doing the preaching? That would be those who have been called into the work and prepared for the Kingdom in this age by actively working in His work in this age! This psalm is about us getting started in our new capacity as leaders in the new world! Exciting!!

V. 9. God, the Author and Sustainer of life, is our source of stability.

V. 18. This is a powerful teaching about obedience, our relationship with God, faith that our prayers will be answered, and the spirit of the law. Here's a combination of several translations: If I had been secretly thinking of sin with pleasure and nursing evil in my heart, God would never have listened. In the middle of his thanks and exultation about God having answered his prayers, he looks back with satisfaction that he has been whole-hearted with God.

Psalm 67

Author: Not known.

Time/Occasion: Not known.

Main theme: The wonderful news of the Gospel of the kingdom of God encircles the earth! This psalm, third in the series on "restoration the creation to a former state" (Acts 3:21), addresses and celebrates the commission and purpose of the Church - both Old and New Testament! It answers the Aaronic Benediction of Numbers 6:24-27, showing the outgrowth or eventual result of all God's effort in establishing and developing the ancient nation of Israel through all the intervening history to the NT Church and finally, the Kingdom. Compare Solomon's inspired and inspiring prophetic prayer recorded in I Kings 8:41-43, 60-61.

From the Soncino Commentary: This is a prayer for salvation in the widest sense ... for the whole world.

Hymnal: N/A

Personal application: The commission of the Church is to spread the gospel to the entire world. Only two of the seven verses don't mention inclusion of all the nations (races, nationalities) of the world. This prophecy focuses our attention on what we are working toward - a world at peace with God, worshipping and praising Him in unity - the unity of the Church of God! When we understand that this is our purpose and goal, reading or singing this psalm helps us to pray, "Thy Kingdom Come!"/P>

Psalm 68

Author: David (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Not known.

Main theme: The Kingdom of God set up in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ reigns! The final of this four-psalm series about millennial restitution of all things (Acts 3:21), this is the glorious climax. If it were set to music, it would be on a par with Handel's "Who Is the King of Glory" from The Messiah, composed from Psalm 24.

First half: V. 1-18 - Israel marching behind the Lord from Sinai through the wilderness to Mt. Zion (V. 16).

V. 18. This refers to the ark being taken up to and finally placed in the Temple. "You have gone up to claim your throne on Mt. Zion ... "

Ephesians 4:8 (7-16). Paul applies this to Christ ascending from the grave to heaven for the purpose of giving gifts to mankind (the Holy Spirit, salvation). This points us to the promise of Christ's return to earth to claim His throne as King of Kings in Jerusalem, City of Peace, His chosen royal city.

Second half: V. 19-35 - Hope and trust that God will continue to intervene for His people until their redemption is complete, and the Kingdom of God and its King are universally accepted and praised.

Memorable scriptures:

V. 6. Used as a Feast scripture to include everyone in fellowship as God does.

V. 20. Issues means escapes.

V. 24-26. Sanctuary service - hymn singing.

Hymnal: N/A

Personal application: As so many other Psalms, this one is history, prophecy, doctrine, inspiration, prayer and instruction to the Firstfruits.

V. 1-2 speak not only of Sinai, but of the second advent.

V. 3-6. Specifically to the Church -- attitude, relationship with God, service to and care for others.

V. 7-10. We travel through a spiritual wilderness and survive because of the spiritual manna that God generously rains down on us -- like the physical manna in the wilderness.

V. 11-14. God has published His promise to fight our battles as He did for them in the conquest of Canaan.

V. 15-18. We come to "the hill of God," Mt. Zion -- God's throne where we receive gifts.

V. 19. Daily loads of gifts, his purpose as mentioned by Paul, "...gave gifts to men." God works with us

continually as we go through our intensely personal training with Him.

V. 21. Proof that Jesus Christ is JHVH -- Lord of the Old Testament.

V. 32-34. We know the true and only God.

V. 35. God gives power to His people -- the Firstfruits. What power? John 1:12-the power to become His sons.

We can read this triumphant, inspiring Psalm from different points of view. Possibly most important is reading with understanding this as our own joyous prayer for the future in the Kingdom when our physical trials will be past.

Psalm 69

Author: David (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Not known.

Main theme: The suffering of the persecuted. This is the "deeply pathetic" cry of human distress by a devout servant of God who is being treated cruelly. He pleads for relief and calls for retribution on his persecutors. David refers to his sins and consequences (V. 5-6), so reflecting his own feelings and thoughts, but he was a prophet, and this is a prophecy. Like Ps. 16 and 22, this psalm expresses some of Jesus thoughts on the cross. Notice several prophecies that parallel descriptions of Christ in the Gospels:

V. 3. Dry throat.

V. 4. Hate me without a cause.

V. 7. Shame and reproach.

V. 8. Brothers disbelieved him.

V. 9. Zeal of thy house... quoted in John 2:17.

V. 11. Became a proverb.

V. 17. Hide not thy face.

V. 18. Redeem my soul.

V. 19. You can see my (spiritual) adversaries.

V. 20. No comforters.

V. 21. Gall and vinegar.

Hymnal: N/A

Personal application: Suffering in general and specifically persecution for doing good are part of the curriculum for those in training for the Kingdom (2 Timothy 3:12). We have to endure unfair treatment as Christ did in order to hate it so much that we would never be unfair or practice partiality ourselves. Being hated without cause, and especially for doing good, is a trial that builds the character of Christ. Study and meditation on Jesus' horrific experiences helps us "put on the new man" (Ephesians 4:23-24), which is understanding and choosing the thinking or "mind of Christ" (Philippians 2:5).

V. 4. Our enemies are spiritual. The demons HATE us and look for every opportunity to persecute us. One great strength we need to develop is God's ability to see or perceive who our real enemies are.

V. 22-28. We have natural reactions to being attacked. Christ had the perfect balance on this, being the Creator. We don't, but we can follow His example in dealing with our internal thoughts. These righteous judgments of a holy God are balanced with mercy upon repentance, and we have a great part in the whole process of helping Christ bring many sons to glory.

V. 29-36. As Christ looked to the joy of exultation and glory (Hebrews 12:2), so we must have our sights on the glory promised us. This is a great key to success in general, but specifically to working through the confusion, frustration and angry reactions we have when we are hurt by others.

Psalm 70

Author: David (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Not known.

Main theme: An urgent call for help in a hurry. This is a short summary of the previous psalm without the specific prophetic element of Christ's thoughts on the cross.

Hymnal: N/A

Personal application: Sometimes you need a quick, urgent request answered speedily. God hears short, earnest, sincere requests, too. He doesn't have to be approached in an official, formal prayer to hear and answer. In fact, we are told several times to call on him when we find ourselves in trouble. As noted in an old poem by Edgar Guest on positions in prayer, "The prayingest prayer I ever did pray was upside down in a well." The key is the earnestness or the request. The prophet Elijah prayed a short "18-second prayer" that stands as an example of just this principle (1 Kings 18:36-37). Here's an astounding thought: We are welcome at the great throne of God's judgment and grace when we have an urgent request. As Paul instructs in Philippians 4:6-7. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God 7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.