Week Eighteen, Days 83-87, Psalm 82-86

Day 83: Psalm 82

Author: Asaph (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Not known.

Main theme: God, the Supreme Judge calls earthly judges to answer for failing to judge with equity.

V. 1. The “great assembly” (NIV) referred to the assembled judges and elders organized by Moses and, later, the Great Hall of Justice (NIV) first built by Solomon (1 Kings 7:7) where they met. This pictured the assembled angels in the heavenly throne room with God holding court. The Congregation of the Mighty is described in Psalm 89:5 as the Congregation of the Saints, showing that this also refers to the Church.

Note: The word Elohim is used in the OT for His representatives, the judges of Israel’s courts, as in Exodus 21:6 and 22:8, 9. This use is here expanded to all the judges in human society.

V. 6. This statement is quoted by Jesus in John 10:34 to support His claim to be the Son of God. Both OT and NT plainly state that men are created to be the actual children of the Most High—the true destiny of man. Doctrines to the contrary (Trinity) that “limit the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 78:41) are false—contra the charge that the truth of God’s Family is blasphemy.

V. 8. Christ has the right to judge all nations because He created and owns them.

Hymnal: N/A.

Personal application: This short eight-verse psalm is a key doctrinal chapter making two major statements:

1. Jesus Christ is the living, Head of the Church of God.

2. The destiny of man is to be actual children of God and members of His family.

The opening statement that God “presides” (NIV) in the “congregation of the mighty” can be paraphrased as Christ presides in the Church. Compare Revelation 1:13 where Christ is pictured as “in the middle of the lampstands” (NLT). The point: Jesus Christ is the active “CEO” or Head of the Church. He rules, directs, judges, and administers all matters of the Church as its Head (Colossians 1:18).

V. 3-4. The injunction to judge righteously implies that this is instruction for those in training to be the righteous judges of the coming Kingdom. We are warned repeatedly to avoid “respect of persons” or “partiality” in our dealings with each other (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; 1 Timothy 5:21; James 2:1-9; 3:17, etc.). Since we make judgments constantly throughout each day, it is no surprise that there is an enormous amount of material in God’s Word on how to judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24). Partiality, or respect of persons, is named as sin, and if we play favorites, we “become judges with evil thoughts” (James 2:4). God MUST make fairness and equity a part of our thinking and character or we aren’t fit for His Kingdom—just like the unjust judges of this world. This should be a regular topic in our prayers.

Day 84: Psalm 83

Author: Asaph or a descendant (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Not known, but the reference to Assyria indicates a later time toward the end of the seven hundreds, as Assyria attacked in 721-718 BC. This last of the Asaph series is an imprecatory psalm. A coalition of overwhelming military strength, described in V. 6-8, is arrayed against God’s nation. There is no time in history when such a coalition existed—it hasn’t happened yet.

Note: This is a prophecy of the end time, and it is unique. Modern Assyria (several European nations) will join the surrounding (Moslem) nations in a major coalition against Jerusalem with the purpose of putting a final end to the nation and very name of Israel (V. 4). It is enigmatic, obviously important, and the time frame isn’t clear. It seems to show what is developing now with the enemies of the State of Israel and gives us a view of what to expect in the progress toward Jerusalem being surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20).

Main theme: A cry for justice and divine aid, asking for God to punish the enemies with curses.

V. 3. Reference to protection in general and possibly “a place of safety” for the hidden or “treasured ones.”

V. 9-15. “Fight against them as you have before!” Examples of God fighting previous battles are given.

V. 16-18. Imprecation: severe curses are requested, and the righteous reasons why are given.

Hymnal: N/A.

Personal application: Christ said to love and pray for our enemies and attackers (Matthew 5:44). But how? We should pray for mercy, enlightenment, etc., but also punishment serious enough to make them stop and think. Ultimately, we pray for their repentance and conversion (V. 16, 18). We should, as God does, always think mercy first and punishment only as therapy rather than vengeance. This is a challenge, of course. The motivation for praying about enemies in the first place is to seek protection when we are under threat or attack. In the end, we should pray for the best blessing for our enemies. God’s kindness toward mankind should lead men to repentance, but it doesn’t by itself! In this way, our enemies need the same thing we do—something to wake them up to the urgent need to seek God. The world, like all the individuals in it, will need to experience some of the severity of God in order for them to come to know His kindness (Romans 11:22). Don’t be afraid to pray for what people really need—just take care with your attitude!

Day 85: Psalm 84

Author: The Sons of Korah (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Not known. This is a companion to Psalm 42, which is a lament about being unable to be at the temple, whereas this expresses the joy of being at the temple. Written by a Korahite Levite whose regular duty may have included being a doorkeeper (V. 10).

V. 6. Refers to the sometimes difficult but joyful trip to the Feast of Tabernacles.

V. 11. A profound principle of God’s will for us and a memory scripture: For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

Main theme: A deep desire for God’s house and His family.

V. 1-2. How amiable or lovely—literally “beloved.” Thy courts refer to God’s throne in heaven where He holds court and hears our prayers. Thy tabernacles refers to God’s dwellings in heaven and earth (the Church).

V. 4-5. Who lives in God’s House? The Levites, the tribe chosen to serve as attendants there in olden times, and the Church in New Covenant times.

V. 7-8. Each of those chosen appears before God Himself and enjoys the fellowship of prayer.

V. 12. Summary of the relationship.

Hymnal: #44 O Lord of Hosts, My King, My God!

#45 How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings

#117 Now Thank We All Our God has related content.

#125 God of Grace and God of Glory has related content.

Personal application: This poem is a description of the Church and its members’ earnest love of the fellowship we have with God through prayer and of being a part of God’s Church and Work. The joy and benefits of having free access to attend services (thy dwellings) and of the right to come to God’s throne of grace (thy courts) is the main point. Those called to the work and Church of God live their lives before Him and as members of His family. When we focus on the grace and glory that He gives (V. 11), a change occurs. A deep attitude of personal love and devotion to God develops. This is a central part of our conversion because it is at the heart of our emotional relationship with God—our spirit and attitude. Yet we tend to put off prayer and Bible study and be distracted from daily worship. We simply cannot allow this to happen! The Holy Spirit (holy attitude) comes through our fellowship with God—prayer and Bible study. This must come to be our first priority!

Day 86: Psalm 85

Author: The Sons of Korah (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Not known for sure. Many believe V. 1-3 and 12 refer to the return from exile and the trials of Nehemiah and Malachi’s times. But the main thrust of this psalm is prophetic of the time of the second exodus (Jeremiah 16:14-15; Ezekiel 20:33ff) when God will have truly covered all Israel’s sins (V. 2) and taken all His wrath against physical Israel away (V. 3). These statements can only refer to the future! Only 60,000 to 70,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, but ALL of God’s people will be brought back to their homeland at that glorious time. ALL of Israel’s sins and wrath have never been dealt with. The devastation of the land at that time was only a small type of the destruction of the whole world during the great tribulation and Day of the Lord.

Main theme: A prayer of returned exiles for restoration, revival, mercy and salvation (V. 4,6,7).

V. 1-7. Prayer for the renewal of God’s favor.

V. 8-13. The answer to the prayer—reassurance from God. He speaks peace to His people.

Hymnal: N/A.

Personal application: God speaks peace (V. 8) to the Firstfruits in this day by giving to us the spirit of peace to understand the way of peace and preach the gospel of peace. The answer to the prayer for salvation is to stay close to God (V. 9). There is a cause-and-effect relationship between virtuous conduct and well-being. The reason we don’t have peace in the world is that righteousness, which produces peace, is in such short supply—in the world at large and in individual lives. God “speaks peace” to the Called during this time, and always renews His favor when we seek Him and His righteousness. He will do this for the entire world at the time of which Psalm 85 speaks.

Day 87: Psalm 86

Author: David (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Not known. It seems to be a compilation of quotations from other psalms and Bible quotations for the purpose of composing a liturgical poem to be used in temple services. It is described as a “carefully composed poetic prayer.”

Main theme: A humble and expectant cry for help, concluding with a passionate plea to “turn unto me,” something that is generally said by God. The major elements of a complete prayer are included: humility, faith, hope, thankfulness, praise of God’s works and righteousness, His uniqueness, compassion, mercy and grace, adoration, supplication, thanksgiving, prophecy of all the world worshipping God in the millennium, a desire to be taught God’s truth, and a reminder of our right to come and ask for help on the basis that we are God’s children.

Hymnal: #126 Men and Children Everywhere has related content.

#127 We Will Glorify has related content.

Personal application: This is an excellent prayer that we may use whenever we feel the need to get back in closer contact with God. It reviews a wide spectrum of relationships we have with God on the basis of His character which has been revealed to and shared with us! We’re reminded of our spiritual enemies, always hard at work looking for ways to trip us up (V. 14). It closes with a request for some encouragement and thanks for God’s comfort. This is an all-around extremely useful, all-purpose prayer for when we need help in getting our prayer life re-vitalized.