Psalm 70 - Prayer for divine help

The words of this short psalm are almost the same as the closing verses of Psalm 40. It is likely that there is a link between them, but there are some small differences, and they must be the reason why both psalms are included in the Psalter.

David, once again, is facing strong opposition and he turns to God in urgent prayer, asking him to come quickly and deliver him, otherwise his opponents may take his life. They do not think much of David and treat him with contempt. The circumstances are such in that the only One who can help David is the Lord. Yet if he should come to David’s aid, it is inevitable that David will be delivered because the Lord cannot be defeated (vv. 1-3).

David is not only concerned about himself. He also considers God’s people, those in Israel who looked to the Lord and sought fellowship with him. David wants them to have spiritual encouragement, to have assurance that the Lord can reveal his power, which is what would happen if he helped David. Such assurance would led to them affirming with joy the greatness of God (v. 4).

In order for that to happen, David cries to God to act. David has no personal resources that he can use. This fact he confesses to God, the One who has helped him in the past. Again, he implores God to come quickly and rescue him (v. 5). 

This psalm reminds us that God sometimes chooses to include similar chapters in his word. Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel 22 are very alike. So are Psalms 14 and 53. The compilers of the psalter would have known that most of Psalm 70 is found in Psalm 40. Maybe the answer is that the verses that make up Psalm 70 were regarded as suitable for use when making the particular offering mentioned in the heading of the psalm. 

Or it could be that sometimes a short prayer, which is what this psalm is, is more suitable for a believer to use than a longer one. In times of trouble, we can mention briefly but urgently to God our own needs, the needs of fellow believers, and the actions and attitudes of opponents, and then wait for God to answer.

Psalm 69 - Prayer for deliverence

David was in a time of great difficulty because of opposition. He likens himself to a man who is about to drown or to a man who is sinking in a bog with no-one around to rescue him. Not even God has come to his rescue even although he has cried persistently with deep sorrow. His opponents are many and mighty, and they attack him with false accusations. Yet he knows that he has not done anything that deserves such hostility, even although he is a sinner in God’s sight. Perhaps God has something against him because of some folly, and that is why his prayers seem not to be heard. But his opponents have no such reason for their response (vv. 1-5).

David reveals his love for God’s people in verse 6. He does not want them to be discouraged by his circumstances or undergo personal disgrace because of what is happening to him. Even his own family have disowned him. Yet all along he has been very devoted to God’s cause. But his expressions of devotion, such as fasting for sin and wearing of sackcloth, have been mocked by many, including those who rule (sitting in the gate) and those who get drunk. Nevertheless, he remains devoted to God and is expecting an answer from him because he knows that his God will be faithful to his own character and yet display his abundant mercy (vv. 6-13).

David repeats his lament in verses 14-21. He longs for deliverance from his circumstances. An answer to his prayer will be an expression of divine grace. He wants the Lord to look on him, perhaps a reference to the Aaronic blessing which requested peace from God. Despite David’s circumstances, he remains God’s servant, but he desperately wants divine action on his behalf. He mentions to God the details that the Lord already knows - his reproach, his dishonour, his isolation, his enemies, his sorrow, the attempts to kill him. Only the Lord has the power to deliver him, to ransom him.

Verses 22-29 is an imprecatory section of his prayer when he asks for divine judgement to be enacted on his opponents. His requests are severe, but that does not make them sinful. In rebelling against him, those opponents were rebelling against God because he had chosen David to be his king. Persistent antagonism against David was evidence that they were opposed strongly to God. David does not want them to live since that is their way of life. In contrast, he asks for divine vindication for himself and his place of honour.

The section beginning at verse 30 indicates that David’s prayer has been answered, so perhaps he added this section once he had been delivered from his predicament. He intended to express his gratitude at the sanctuary, and this response would please the Lord much more than mere conforming to a sacrificial ritual. His expression of gratitude would also encourage the devout in Israel because they would see once again that God answers prayer. Moreover, with David restored to power, the country would make progress that would prepare it well for future generations. Indeed, such had been the nature of his deliverance that David wanted the whole of creation to praise the Lord (vv. 30-36).

This psalm reminds us of the importance of persistent prayer and patience when in difficult circumstances. Such persistent prayer is not merely formal, but energetic. While those praying in such a time will not know how God will answer, they can specify what they want him to do. A powerful argument in such prayer is what a divine answer will mean for the ongoing prosperity of the kingdom of God.

Despite some of the expressions in the psalm, there are parts of it that are applied to Jesus in the New Testament. He would not have made the confession of sin that David made in verse 5, nor is there any sign in the New Testament that someone tried to poison his food, although Matthew mentions that Jesus on the cross was offered gall and vinegar (Matt. 27:34, 48). On the other hand, false accusations were made about him and his devotion to God was despised and misinterpreted by his own brothers. His zeal for the things of God were noticed by his disciples and made them apply verse 9 to him (John 2:17), and Paul too quotes verse 9 (Rom. 15:3) and applies it to Jesus bearing reproach for his devotion. In a far greater manner than was the case with David, the exaltation of Jesus brings about spiritual prosperity for his cause.

Psalm 68 - Victory

David wrote the psalm to celebrate the arrival of the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem. He calls on God to arise and enter the city he had fought for. David begins with a section summarising what had happened. God’s opponents had been forced to flee, but the righteous greatly rejoiced. In his campaign, God had revealed the compassion he has for the needy, including widows and orphans. He had brought spiritual liberty and treasures to those isolated and imprisoned by sin, but who had followed him into freedom (vv. 1-6).

In the next couple of sections, David reflects on the journey of the children of Israel from Mount Sinai after receiving God’s law. Even the natural order was affected by his presence, with an earthquake and plenty rain. The rain also brought great refreshment for his people in Canaan, the inheritance he had given to them. David also refers to how women celebrated divine victories over powerful kings (vv. 7-14).

In verses 15-18, David depicts the high mountain of Bashan in the north, with its many peaks, looking down with hatred at the small hill of Zion because God had chosen to live there. Zion had now become like Sinai because of the presence of the Lord with his armies. It had been a long campaign, taking centuries to be completed, with many battles and triumphs, but now he had reached his destination.

Verses 19-23 describe the confidence the people had in the God who had delivered them. He had been with them day by day, providing salvation even when it seemed unlikely. It was his actions that had brought great victories for his people as he destroyed their enemies and brought them safely to where they now were.

The procession accompanying the ark is described in verses 24-27. Choirs led it and musicians were at the rear, with women playing tambourines in between them or around them. Leaders from the tribes took their places, with those from the north mentioned as well as those from the two tribes who had provided the monarchy. It was certainly a joyous occasion, a fitting climax to a long campaign.

But the climax was not the closure. In verses 28-31, David looks ahead to times when Gentiles will come to Zion to worship the Lord, including from Egypt where his people had been slaves and from Cush which was far away. They would experience the gracious power of God, although others would be punished for their sins.

The psalmist then calls on the nations to praise the great God who had done so much for Israel (vv. 32-35). He is sovereign over everything (even the skies), and his presence with his people gives them security and reminds them that he will use his great power to give them whatever strength they will need. Who can compare with the faithful, triumphant God of Israel?

How can we understand the psalm? By noting that Paul in Ephesians 4 applies verse 18 to the ascension of Christ: ‘You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.’ This means that the arrival of the ark of the covenant in the earthly Zion is a picture of the arrival of Jesus into the heavenly Zion. Before his arrival, he had been in a battle at the cross. After his arrival, he will bring people from the nations to celebrate in Zion, which he does through the gospel.

The psalm also reminds us of the patience of God. It was a long campaign from Sinai to Zion, but it ended eventually in triumph. God knows what he is doing, and he knows the best way to do it. A day with him is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. He is patient today as well, but victory is sure.

Moreover, the psalm tells us about the importance of extravagant praise of the great God of salvation. The parade in the psalm entered Zion with great celebration and David noted the details. Of course, that parade is over. But another parade is continuing and in it are those marching to Zion behind their forerunner, Jesus. We don’t see those who have arrived today, and we will not see an arrival until it is our turn. But it is good to be in the parade. And we should celebrate.

Psalm 67 - Prayer for worldwide blessing

The psalm begins with a prayer for God to bless Israel by making his face shine on them. Referring to God’s face is another way of depicting his favour as he looks upon them with delight and kindness. The author was aware that Israel did not deserve divine blessing even although they were God’s people. Since the commencement of the relationship between God and Israel, it had always been based on his grace (v. 1).

The prayer is connected to the contents of the Aaronic blessing recorded in Numbers 6:24-26. The outcome of that blessing is the enjoyment of divine peace. Such peace has many aspects, but the desire of the psalmist here is that God would not only bring such peace to Israel, but that he would also bring the nations to experience it.

If God was to show favour to Israel, then other nations would see it and wonder if such blessings could come to them. The author knew that it could happen because such a possibility is found in the promises that God made to Abraham that through his descendants the world would be blest. While the ultimate fulfilment of those promises would occur when the Messiah came, there could be foretastes of it (vv. 2-3).

The psalmist knew that God was able to bring about such a wonderful global experience. After all, he is the sovereign who judges and guides the nations even when they are not receiving his peace. But when they would be given it by him, then they would experience the joy of the Lord in a profuse manner. So the psalmist intercedes with energy for such a wonderful fulfilment to happen soon (vv. 4-5).

Of course, it helps in such praying to have evidence that God cares for the nations and the Psalmist finds it in the harvests that occur regularly throughout the world. Since the earth had once again yielded its fruits because of God’s involvement, it was evidence that spiritual blessing could come as well from him. The author deduces that the recent harvests were a sign that God could bless his people by adding to their number through all the ends of the earth fearing him (vv. 6-7). This was a powerful argument in prayer because both earthly blessing and spiritual blessing require divine power for them to occur. And there are divine promises about both.

It is evident that the answer to this ancient prayer is connected to the spread of the gospel. Since Jesus ascended to heaven, he has been engaged in drawing people from all the nations to fear him, and is doing so today with great success. It is amazing that we are privileged to participate in the advance of his kingdom through our prayers, as well as in other ways.

  

       

Psalm 66 - The God who Answers Prayer

We are not told who wrote this psalm. In it, the unknown author praises God for his amazing displays of his power, first to the world (vv. 1-4), then to his people (vv. 5-12), and finally to himself (vv. 13-17).

As far as the world is concerned, they should praise God because of the way he defeats his enemies. Maybe the surrounding nations had heard how God prevented enemies from defeating his people; indeed, he had caused those enemies to cringe. Maybe the defeat of those enemies liberated other peoples from their grip and caused them to thank the God of Israel for such liberation. Or perhaps the verbs in this section should be regarded as future, meaning that the author was praying for the days when the Messiah would reign in a global manner.

In verses 5-7, the author celebrates what the Lord had done in the past for his people. He had provided a dry path through the Red Sea when Moses led the people out of Egypt and he enable them to pass across the Jordan when Joshua invaded Canaan and marched towards Jericho. Although it happened long previously to his time, he regarded those victories as belonging to him because he too belonged to the same people of God. Those God-given victories reminded all his rejoicing people that he was in control, keeping an eye on any who would try and oppose his kingdom.

Such triumphs had not been the only experiences that God’s people had known. Verses 8-12 describe occasions when God allowed his people to go through hard and difficult times. Yet even when they occurred, he powerfully kept them and eventually brought them out of such situations into a state of prosperity. The psalmist recognised that such occasions were tests sent by the Lord.

In verses 13-15, the author describes his own experience. He had been in trouble, but he had prayed to God about his circumstances, saying that he would publicly thank the Lord if he delivered him. Since God had delivered him, he intended to go to the sanctuary in Jerusalem and offer several burnt offerings, which certainly would be costly in financial terms. A burnt offering symbolised dedication because all of the offering was consumed on the altar. 

The author issues a kind of invitation to others to come and hear him at the sanctuary when he would describe how the Lord had delivered him. He knew that those who feared God were in need of encouragement. The encouragement would be that God answers prayer, although he did qualify his words by reminding others that allowing sin to flourish in his heart would result in unanswered prayers. When such an attitude is present in a believer’s heart, his prayers go no higher than the sound of his words. But he knew that his prayers had been answered, so he was glad that the answers proved that God still loved him. 

The psalm reminds us of the corporate unity of God’s people. Even as the Exodus and the Entrance into the land belonged to all the generations of Israel, so the triumphs of the church in all centuries belongs to all the church. Those events are not merely their history, but they are also our history.

The psalm also reminds us that periods of testing can come for God’s people. Yet though they are hard, they eventually lead to prosperous times. We are in times of testing today, but the point is where are we going to. We need to remain faithful in such times and leave the route to prosperity with God.

A third lesson from the psalm, and one that is found in other psalms as well, is the importance of public testimony to the fact that the Lord answers prayer. What better encouragement can we give? But in order for that to happen, we must first pray.

   

   

   

    

      

Psalm 65 - God is good and kind

In this psalm, David reflects on why God should be worshipped. He thinks about worship features at the sanctuary as well as about the Lord’s works in providence.

At the sanctuary, people could draw near to God personally and communally. Often they came to keep vows that they had made when the Lord had helped them. The vow usually involved offering a sacrifice, a public acknowledgement of the Lord’s goodness shown in a difficult situation. God should be praised because he answers prayer.

Another reason for praising God that was connected to the sanctuary was that it was the location where atonement was made for sin. We can see from the pronouns in verse 3 that while a worshipper had an individual sense of sin he joined with others in experiencing the remedy. His sense of his personal sin was strong, but the remedy provided by God was the same for all who confessed their sins.

A third reason for praising God at the sanctuary was gratitude for the work of those who lived there, the priests and Levites, who took their turns in serving in different roles so that the worship system functioned well in the way that God had set it apart. It was the place where his grace was given and received in a soul-satisfying manner by the worshipper (v. 4).

As we look back at the forms of worship at the tabernacle and temple, we may be tempted to dismiss them because they were inferior to the greater privileges and understanding that we now have. Yet it was a profound experience for believers to go there and worship the holy God.

In verse 5, David turns to think about other examples of God’s work in providence. One obvious example is his displays of power everywhere. When he describes God as the hope of people faraway, I think he means that God’s involvement is so constant in the natural order that people recognise his sovereignty even although they do not sense his mercy. They knew that Someone was keeping the mountains in their places, that Someone was calming the stormy seas, that Someone was even controlling disturbances that arose in different societies, that Someone was in charge of the daily cycles. They felt compelled to worship him, but they did not know he was. But David and his people did (vv. 5-8).

The section beginning at verse 9 could indicate that this psalm is a harvest song. But it could also be a general psalm thanking God for his bountiful provision and noting how he worked in providence to bring it all about by sending rain to produce pastures for animals and grain for humans. 

As with the divine arrangement of day and night in verse 8, the divine arrangement for provisions in verse 13 highlights the joy experienced through common grace. Perhaps there is an echo of what was lost in Eden and an anticipation of what will be seen in the new creation when it comes.

The obvious lesson from the psalm is that Christians should be glad that they know God, that they know that the One who pardons is also the One who provides, that the One who answers prayer is also the One who is active in providence continually, that the One who has arranged for us to worship him is full of grace and kindness.

Psalm 64 - Trust the God who will yet deliver

David brings his opponents’ activities to God. He desires divine protection from their schemes to overthrow him. They are numerically strong (a throng) and determined (they hold fast to their plans). Their method is to entrap the righteous suddenly, and it seems as if the righteous are helpless to do anything about what is happening (vv. 1-6).

While the righteous may be powerless, they know one who is not, and that is the Lord. He also has his weapons that he can use quickly, and he can even use the sudden moves of the enemy to entrap them suddenly. When he moves, the outcome for David’s opponents will be complete ruin, and they will become the objects of ridicule (vv. 7-8).

(It is possible that David has already received deliverance from his complaint, that what he prayed about in verses 1-6 had been dealt with by God in verses 7-8. If that was the case, then David has mentioned in this psalm what he wrote before the answer came and what occurred when the answer came.)

God’s victory will be so complete and obvious that people will be compelled to speak about it and reflect upon his actions. So we have a clue here as to when to know God has answered our prayers for big interventions by him. Divine action will be so striking that it becomes the talk on the street as to how such a dramatic turn of events can occur (v. 9).

Why was David confident that this would happen? He had this certainty because he knew the character of God, he knew the attributes of God and he knew the promises of God. It is through them that we have to judge circumstances and not by the abilities and apparent progress of opponents.

Meanwhile, David states what should be the obvious response of the righteous. Until God acts, they can rejoice in him and go to him for protection. Indeed their rejoicing should be great, and that is before God delivers them (v. 10). So how great will their rejoicing be after he has done so!