Psalm 73 - My feet had almost slipped

Psalm 73

This is a psalm of Asaph, and one where the psalmist is struggling with his faith. It was not a doctrinal error as such, for he begins by declaring that God is good to Israel and all the pure in heart, but then he says his foot had almost slipped. So what was the problem?  He had become envious of the arrogant and the wicked. The godless seemed to have it so easy, even though they plotted evil. They seemed to be free of cares and enjoy prosperity, his efforts to follow the Lord seemed to be a waste of time. Then he starts to come to his senses, realising that he was “senseless and ignorant”. V17 is a key verse, things started to change when he “entered the sanctuary of God”. However we are feeling we should enter the presence of God, we need God to change our hearts. So in the end he says he has made the Lord his refuge. We can go through all sorts of emotions and thoughts, but whatever we are going through we should seek the Lord.

Psalm 72 - Endow the king with justice and righteousness

Psalm 72

This psalm is attributed to Solomon, or rather it says “of Solomon” perhaps meaning it was written about Solomon. Maybe David wrote it expressing his hopes for his son. He wanted Solomon to be endowed with justice and righteousness, if only this was so for our leaders today. He wanted the land to be prosperous. The King was to be a blessing to the nation, the psalmist also asks that many nations bring gifts to him, and that is what actually happened. The king was to help the needy and take pity on the weak. The people were also to pray for him. “Then all nations will be blessed through him, when God’s leader or His people live in obedience to God many others are blessed as well. 

Psalm 71 - I take refuge in the Lord

Psalm 71

There is no indication of who wrote this psalm. However, the psalm begins with a declaration that he has taken refuge in the Lord, and a plea never to be put to shame. He asks God to deliver him in his righteousness. The cross was an act of righteousness. The psalmist has put his hope and faith in the Lord. He knows that his life has been dependent upon the Lord since his birth, indeed since his conception. He then looks to his old age asking God to continue to look after him. 

“I shall always have hope” Whatever our situation we can hope in God

Psalm 70 - Hasten to save me, O God

Psalm 70

David calling on God for help. His enemies wanted to take his life, they sought his ruin. Our enemies have evil plans regarding us, but God can protect us.

David admits that he is "poor and needy”, and knows that the Lord is his help and deliverer. We can go through all sorts of situations, and experience all sorts of emotions and thoughts, but God is our saviour in all circumstances. He is able.

Psalm 69 - Save me, O God

Psalm 69

We are back to  a psalm where David is in trouble. He thinks he is in a desperate situation and is losing control. He has been calling out for some time, but there is no answer, and his enemies are increasing in number. He is also being treated unjustly, being forced to restore what he did not steal. He is also aware of his own folly and guilt, and his number one concern is that those who hope in the lord are not disgraced because of him.\v9 was quoted in the gospels when Jesus cleared the temple. David is suffering for the sake of the Lord.

Despite all the negatives, David still prays to the Lord, and believes that God will answer and will rescue him. He relies on God's great love and mercy. V21 reminds us of the crucifixion He wants God to pour out His wrath on his enemies. God’s wrath is not a senseless out of control rage, but considered, righteous judgement on sin.

Psalm 68 May God arise!

Psalm 68

This time we are told that this is a psalm of David.

The psalm begins with David calling on God to arise and to defeat His enemies. Often it seem as if God is doing nothing, but the righteous would be glad and would rejoice if God would defeat his enemies.

David then calls on us to sing to God, to extol Him, and describes some of God’s virtues, He is a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows.

\When \god goes out before \his people they are victorious. Towards the end of the psalm David seems assured that God will indeed arise and defeat his enemies.

Psalm 67 - May all the peoples praise you

Psalm 67

Again we are not told who wrote this psalm, and it seems to be a fairly straightforward psalm of praise. It begins by calling on God to bless them so that His ways may be known earth, and His salvation among all nations. 

The goal is that all the peoples will praise the Lord, and that all the nations be glad. Then the land will yield its harvest. If man had obeyed God, and not rebelled against Him then all would have been well. And the wisest thing that mankind could do is to repent and turn to God. In the meantime God’s people are meant to be an example of what living under God’s lordship means, and the blessings that it brings