Psalm Reading Program

INSD Churches February 23, 2012

Week Ten, Psalms 46-50

Psalms 46-48 are considered a series that go together historically, thematically, and prophetically.

Day 46: Psalm 46

Author: Not known. See Psalm 44.

Time/Occasion: A time of grievous national threat, probably the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib in the reign of King Hezekiah according to the Soncino Jewish commentary. Isaiah lived through and reported that crisis in Chapters 36-37. Prophetic of the beginning of the Millennium.

Main theme: Statement of God's people (the Church) declaring unshakable faith in all ages through the crisis at the close when Christ will return and stop war. The tribulation (V. 1-3) is followed by Christ's second coming and the Day of the Lord (V. 6-9). Through all this, the Church is protected by God who dwells within His Family, the Church (tabernacles-V. 4). "In the end, we win!" because "The Lord of armies is with us," V. 7, 11.

V. 1, 7, 10 and 11 are famous quotes used for memory scriptures.

V. 4. Jerusalem was at the top of the mountain and could have no river. This river is Ezekiel's prophesied supernatural river (Ch. 47) that springs from the temple and flows out from Jerusalem to the whole world in the Millennium.

V. 7 and 11 reference the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 of Immanuel, "God with us," a name of Christ.

Hymnal: # 27: God Is Our Refuge; # 28: Come, See the Works of God.

# 183: O God of Every Nation has related content, Note P. 201.

Historical Note: Psalm 46 is the basis for Martin Luther's famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our

God, which has been called the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation." Like the much later (1849)

English Catholic hymn, Faith of our Fathers, and many others that were highly charged political

statements, this bit of history illustrates how words of God are appropriated for temporal advantage.

Personal application: Like the others in this series, this is a personal prayer of the saints, particularly at the end time when trials and persecution will escalate, culminating in the "great tribulation." God exhorts us to come to Him in times of trouble, which is one of the reasons He has made human life to contain so much trouble. Included in the prayers of saints is a constant awareness of the River of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39), to which we have instant access, and that God is always in us and with us. "Be still and know..." is God's encouraging command to always stand strong in faith and in the Faith until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6)!

Day 47: Psalm 47

Author: Not known. See Psalm 44.

Time/Occasion: Same as Psalm 46 and 48.

Main theme: Christ takes the Kingdom. A call to all earth's inhabitants to give homage to the great King (cp. Ps. 2:10-12) is followed by joyful declarations of and about the Church: their rulership, inheritance, and high position. The presence of princes, meaning the spiritual children of Abraham (Galatians 3:29), proclaims that the promises to Abraham are being fulfilled (V. 9).

V. 4. Possible reference to the Marriage Supper where inheritances and commissions will begin to be conferred.

V. 5. Refers to the royal victory procession into the conquered territory. "...is gone up" is translated variously, has ascended, and by Moffatt: has marched in amid shouts with trumpet blasts: Originally used for the Feast of Tabernacles, this psalm was later recited on the Feast of Trumpets.

Hymnal: N/A.

Personal application: A day we look to, promises we cling to, and our God and Family that we will be faithful to forever are joyfully celebrated by this psalm, making it a fervent, personal prayer of every Firstfruit of God.

Day 48: Psalm 48

Author: Not known. See Psalm 44.

Time/Occasion: Same as Psalm 46 and 47.

Main theme: Jerusalem, the "City of our God," is established as earth's beautiful royal city, the capitol city of the Kingdom of God, on Mt. Zion.

Hymnal: # 29: Mount Zion Stands Most Beautiful; # 122: Great Is the Lord.

Personal application: This describes the Church glorified in the Kingdom. Called by eight names or descriptions: 1) City of our God, 2) Mt. Zion, 3) City of the great King, 4) City of Refuge (implication or allusion in V. 3) , 5) City of the Lord of Hosts, 6) The temple, 7) Princes of the Peoples, and the People of the God of Abraham. The glorified Bride of Christ has spiritual beauty appreciated and loved by God and by the Firstfruits of His family.

V. 9-11. We have heard or learned of God's grace (loving kindness), the meanings of His names (character), His righteousness, and His judgments from our training and experience in the Church (temple).

V. 12-14. One of the great purposes or responsibilities of the Firstfruits is to study and learn all we can about the Church or Family of God -- how it is spiritually structured and built (Matthew 16:18). What makes God's Family strong and stable? -- the spiritual pillars and bulwarks that are principles of God's word, His law, His character, and His wisdom. These spiritual laws are powerful and mighty. They, being the outflowing Words of God through Jesus Christ (John 6:63), are the towers and bulwarks of the beautiful and strong Bride of Christ.

Day 49: Psalm 49

Author: Not known. See Psalm 44.

Time/Occasion: Probably after the return from Babylon in the time of Ezra (457 BC) and Nehemiah.

Main theme: Addressed to all peoples of all stations, high or low, this psalm admonishes, exhorts, and warns: Personal wealth cannot redeem or save from Death, the great leveler.

V. 5. "...iniquity of my heels" should be "at my heels," or (NASB) "iniquity of my foes."

V. 6-14. The aging process, desire to live forever.

V. 14-15. First resurrection of the Firstfruits.

Hymnal: N/A.

Personal application: We are all cognizant of the aging process and how fleeting life is. This psalm reminds us that if we focus on the material and let the spiritual slide, we will lose sight of the sublime purpose of human life and die like an animal. Only a strong covenant relationship with God will enable us to be redeemed. -- I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:22). This psalm reminds all mankind of our mortality and need for God in this life. It's a prayer for everyone to call to remembrance and pray when we get too big for our britches (proud) and drift to a default focus on material things.

Psalms 50 and 51 go together.

Day 50: Psalm 50

Author: Asaph, one of David's three choir leaders who represented the three sons of Levi (1 Chronicles 6:16, 31, 33, 39, 43-44): Asaph, a descendant of Gershom, Heman, a descendant of Kohath, and Ethan, a descendant of Merari. The superscription doesn't necessarily require that Asaph was himself the author, as it could indicate that one of his descendants added to the family contribution to the temple worship services.

This psalm may have been separated from the eleven other psalms of Asaph (73-83) to be paired with Psalm 51.

Time/Occasion: Not known. The content matches several times in the history of Israel and Judah. Scholars suggest around 700 BC in the time of Amos, Micah and Isaiah, or a century later in the time of Zephaniah, Habakkuk and Jeremiah for its inclusion into the Psalter.

Main theme: God demands righteousness of His people, not just form. They must glorify and honor Him, repent of several enumerated sins, obey His laws, pay attention to His instruction, call upon Him in the day of trouble, and keep His covenant. If they take action with a humble attitude He will "show" them His salvation.

Hymnal: # 30: Give Thanks and Offer Praise.

Personal application: The prophetic time setting is the second coming (V. 2-4). This is an indictment upon the nation of Israel (V. 7-13) for casting God's laws behind them and hating His instruction after having been gifted with God's precious covenant and laws. All the nations are to witness this and learn. Their judgment follows shortly. However, the warnings apply to us in the spiritual Church even more because they are about our conversion. We, too, can allow our worship and service to become hollow and just a form that has lost its vitality (going through the motions). The judgment of God on His people is that we still have sin and must not flag in our battle to maintain a right attitude (V. 14-15) and to continue to overcome sin in both attitude and action. Ultimately, only those who put their relationship with God first will be "shown" salvation (V. 23).

Week Eleven, Psalms 51-55

Day 51: Psalm 51

Author: David

Time: Clearly stated in the title or superscription. 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 record the story of David, Bathsheba, and Nathan the prophet.

Main theme: Those who heed the severe warning of the previous Psalm have instruction on how to effectively repent. That is, in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to God.

Hymnal: # 31: In Thy Lovingkindness, Lord; Related content in # 118: Search Me, O God; and # 168: , Thank You, Lord. Note P. 201.

Personal application: This cry of agony is so intense and personal that every one of the nineteen verses gives us words to use in our own prayers of repentance. It is called the pre-eminent biblical prayer for forgiveness that provides the language of the penitent for us to use. [Definition of penitent: A person who repents of their sins and seeks forgiveness from God.]

Psalm 51 is also an outstanding example of the Holy Spirit working with a repenting sinner during or through prayer in that a change is effected as we pray. One description or this process is:

The distraught, conscious-stricken sinner (V.1-2) becomes the believing, active seeker of God's gifts of repentance and forgiveness (V.3-11), and the forgiven, redeemed sinner (V.12-17), who in turn becomes the intercessor for Zion -- the Church (V.18-19).

Many Psalms assist us in finding the right words to ask for forgiveness and examine ourselves as we prepare for Passover and at other times. Along with Psalm 32, 50 and 51 are among the very best in this regard.

Psalm 52-55 form a section reflecting trouble for David and are prophetic of God's Church in the end times.

Day 52: Psalm 52

Author: David

Time/Occasion: Described in the superscription and in 1 Samuel 21 (V.7) and 22 (v.9ff). When Doeg the Edomite, one of King Saul's Chief officials, slandered David and Ahimelech and killed 85 priests and many other innocent people. David realized that he had occasioned this tragedy, and this psalm is the result.

Main theme: Doom of evildoers. Bitter complaint against Doeg, arrogant and destructive tyrants in general, and lying slanderers in particular. They will do much damage but will face the retribution of God.

Hymnal: N/A.

Personal application: All sincere followers of Christ will suffer at the hands of slanderers and other evildoers. That's part of our fellowship with Christ (2 Timothy 3:12). In order to come to a full appreciation for the evil of slander and inequity, we have to deal with it. Here David expresses the distress of Jesus and all the Firstfruits. Notice the prophetic reference to the Ekklessia (called out ones). In V. 8 he is "flourishing in the house of God," and in V. 9 he seeks comfort by observing that "it is good in the presence [fellowship] of your saints."

Day 53: Psalm 53

Author: David (superscription).

Time/Occasion: Obviously, a later version of Psalm 14 with some deliberate alterations, probably to suit new conditions when the task of re-editing was undertaken (Soncino). The main differences are that Elohim is used instead of Yahweh, making it a more formal address, and verses 5 and 6 are mostly added. "Mahaloth" in the title seems to be the word for sickness, possibly indicating that this psalm be used in a time of distress.

Main theme: Prophetic prayer of the godly in the end times, an age of apostasy, depravity and persecution.

Hymnal: N/A.

Personal application: Here David speaks for all Firstfruits. We all must learn the same lessons and have the same insights. One of them is to view the world realistically as God sees it, which helps us look beyond this world and yearn for the Kingdom.

Verse 6 (V. 7 in Ps. 14) is a "Thy Kingdom come!" prayer.

Day 54: Psalm 54

Author: David (superscription).

Time/Occasion: When the Ziphites betrayed David's hiding place to King Saul (1 Samuel 23:19).

Main theme: A prayer of the godly for deliverance. The first reaction to threat is distress, but then the record of God's faithfulness in our own lives comforts and strengthens us.

Hymnal: # 32: Save Me, O God, by Thy Great Name.

Personal application: A lesson we need strongly rooted in our minds well in advance of a trial. When we consider God's faithfulness toward ourselves, it gives us strength. Then, understanding the reward that the attackers will collect, we can say, "I wouldn't be in their shoes for love or money! God has always helped me. I'll stick with Him now, and always!"

This Psalm is another prayer of the saints in the end times prior to Christ's second coming. It should be burned into our memories.

Day 55: Psalm 55

Author: David (superscription).

Time/Occasion: The defection of Ahithophel, David's trusted advisor, to his traitor son, Absolom (I Samuel 15:12-17:23), shortly before David was forced to flee the city and run for his life (V.6-8).

Main theme: In the vortex of distress: stress stacked on trial, heaped on threat, piled on betrayal. David, fearfully watching the conspiracy growing daily, first pleads for God's help and wishes he could fly away to the desert and make it all go away. Then he describes the situation, and finally asserts his conviction that God will intervene.

Verses 6, 9, 13, 17, and 22 are memorable.

Peter paraphrases verse 22, "Cast your burden upon the Lord..." in 1 Peter 5:7.

Hymnal: # 33: But as for Me, I'll Call on God.

Personal application: Some days are really hard. Some weeks, months, and even years are filled with trial. Part of the curriculum is to have trial added to trial until you think you just can't bear any more. But you can, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 10:13. God will give a greater test and support you with His guidance and the strength to stretch you and make you grow stronger. Betrayal and broken relationships are some of the most painful trials, but God will bring us through even those. Is there any burden that is too heavy to cast upon God? No!

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