Psalm 80 - restore us Lord

Psalm 80

This is another psalm of Asaph. He is calling on God to come and save them. God had given Israel His law, but she had repeatedly failed to trust the Lord preferring to turn to idols and other nations. Now she was in a real mess. We can all probably identify with this. We think we can manage without God but then find ourselves in deep trouble. We need God to restore us, for His face to shine upon us, to bring an end to the days when He seems to be against us.

Then from v8 the psalmist remembers what God had done in the past. He rescued them from Egypt and drove out nations so that they could possess the Promised Land. God had raised up Israel for Himself, we too have been saved for Christ’s sake. We need God to revive us, to restore us.

Psalm 79 - They have defiled your temple

Psalm 79

This is a psalm of Asaph, it seems to have been written after the Babylonian invasion, when many died, and the temple was ruined. The psalmist calls out to God, telling Him of the destruction, he knows that it is ultimately the result of God’s anger against them and calls out for God to judge the nations. For in attacking God’s people the nations are attacking God. The psalmist knows that it is the sins of past generations that are the real cause, so he calls on God to have mercy on them, for Him to deliver them and to forgive their sins. Recognising our sins and looking for mercy and forgiveness are the only way to properly approach God. This will bring glory to God. God’s name is glorified when people repent and are restored by His grace.

Psalm 78 - hear my teaching

Psalm 78

The psalm starts with a call to hear the teaching of the psalmist. He says he will give a parable, Jesus, of course, was famous for teaching with parables. Then he says the lessons are from of old, but at the same time were hidden. What does this mean? The Old Testament all points towards Jesus and the gospels, but it is only in \new \testament times that they were revealed. Note the importance of passing them on to the next generation, it is important to tell them “the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power and the wonders He has done. God’s giving of the Law to Israel wa an act of grace and kindness, The aim was that they would trust the Lord.

However, Israel was not very good at keeping the Law or trusting in God. The “men of Ephraim” are singled out. There is then reference to the exodus from Egypt, and all that followed.

There was a repeated pattern of Israel turning to God when in trouble, but soon forgetting Him once they were delivered. We need to remember the Lord. They repeatedly put God to the test, turning to idols, we should ensure that we do not do the same, Even so God showed mercy to Israel.

Psalm 77 - I cried out to God for help

Psalm 77

This is not a psalm of David, but is a cry for help. There are lots of cries for help psalms, crying out to God for help is normal.

The psalmist was in distress, and “would not be comforted”. The psalmist was experiencing deep anguish, he wondered if God would reject him forever, if God’s promises had failed, had God forgotten to be merciful. We can have all sorts of negative thoughts, God can still handle us. So the psalmist reminds himself of what God has done in the past. God has not forgotten us, He will rescue us,

Psalm 76 - God is renowned

Psalm 76

This psalm of Asaph seems to be a reflection on the greatness of God, and His relationship to Judah. \he is known in Israel, God is meant to be known among His people, and He dwells among them. He defends His people against their enemies. There are no enemies who can stand against the Lord. He alone is to be feared, so there is nothing nor anyone who comes against us whom we should fear. Many people have a problem with the wrath of God, but when everything is brought to a conclusion, people will praise God for His wrath. So the wise man gives his devotion to the Lord.

Psalm 75 - the God who is near

Psalm 75

This is a psalm of Asaph and is a song of praise. God is praised because He is near. God is not a distant God, but one who is near. In Eden He walked in the garden. In Christ He came to dwell amongst us, and He gives His Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

God acts with justice, and he exalts or brings down. If we want justice we should praise and exalt the Lord.z

Psalm 74 - why have you rejected us?

Psalm 74

This is a maskil of Asapha, the psalmist is reflecting on why God seems to have rejected them. He reminds God that they are the nation that \god purchased, and He has purchased us with Christ’s blood. v7 & 8 seem to refer to what the Babylonians did to Jerusalem. Then the psalmist reminds himself what God has done in the past. In mocking God’s people they are mocking God Himself, so He calls on God to arise against the enemies.

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

Psalm 66 - shout for joy to God!

Psalm 66

We are not told who wrote this psalm,nor the occasion. However, it is a call to praise the Lord. Praising the Lord is what we were created for. When we praise Him we are doing what we were designed for. Say to God how awesome are your deeds! Our God is a God who acts, and He defeats His enemies, so that they cringe before Him.

“Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind!”. God acts on man’s behalf, his greatest acts in this regard are His creation of us in the first place, and then sending His Son to redeem us. And He rules by His power.

The psalm calls on all peoples to praise the Lord God disciplines His people, but only to refine us. They were oppressed for a time, but then He brings them into a place of abundance. So the psalmist will come to the temple to make offerings to the Lord. He had been rescued by the Lord.

Psalm 65 - You who answer prayer

Psalm 65

For once David doesn’t seem to be in trouble, in fact this is more David reflecting on things after God has delivered him. God is referred to as “you who answer prayer”, indeed this is a fundamental feature of God and his relationship to His people, He hears our prayers and answers them. And praise awaits God in Zion. And to Him all people will come. We are filled with the good things of His house. 

God answers us with awesome and righteous deeds. He is the hope of all the ends of the earth. His goodness will spread throughout the earth. He is armed with strength and stilled the roaring of the waves, remember that Jesus calmed the storm.

God cares for the land. God is lord of all

Psalm 64 - Protect my life

Psalm 64

The psalm starts with David saying he wants God to hear his complaint, but then seems to be a fairly normal prayer psalm. Even so we should recognise that God seems quite happy for his people to complain directly to him, the problem arises when people complain to others about God. Examples of people complaining to God, include some of the psalms, Job, parts of Jeremiah and Moses.

David asks God to protect his life from the threat of the enemy., and the conspiracy of the wicked, and the plots of evildoers. David then describes the ways of the evildoers. They encourage each other in evil plans and think they have devised a perfect plan, but they have not taken account of God who will shoot them down. The wicked will be defeated, then the righteous will rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 63 - When God seems to be far off

Psalm 63

David was in a desert, hence his use of thirsting metaphors. He earnestly sought the Lord, yet He seemed to be nowhere to be found. There had been times when David had seen the Lord and knew of his presence. He praised the Lord because he knew of God’s love. Though now God seemed to be far off David would still praise the Lord. We should praise the Lord, even when we don’t feel like it.

David thought about the Lord even on his bed. He clung to God. He knew his enemies would be defeated.

So what we see in this psalm is David praising God and trusting in Him even when his feelings are not cooperating.

Psalm 62 - Trust in God

Psalm 62

The psalm was for Jeduthun. He was one of David’ musicians, and this was one of three psalms assigned to him. David wants Jeduthun to learn from him. First, his soul finds rest in God, and salvation comes from him. Whatever the situation we are facing, we need to look for God. What do we want most? We want peace of mind, and we want the situation to be resolved, both of these come from God. He is our salvation and our fortress.

David then speaks to those assaulting him. He admits that he is a “tottering fence”, and his enemies intended to topple him. Even so, he instructs his soul to find rest in God. His salvation and honour depend upon God. We are to trust in Him at all times., He is our refuge.

We are not to fear men, and must not rely on extortion. Power and unfailing love belong to God, so if we put our trust in Him, how can we lose?

Psalm 61 - The rock which is higher than I

Psalm 61

David is, as always, calling upon the Lord. This time  he calls from a state of weakness, he is calling from the ends of the earth and his heart grows faint. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Even when all our strength is gone, there is still hope.For there is one who is higher than us, and David had known times in the past when God had been his refuge, and had been a strong tower.

So there are two things that we can learn. One is that we should dwell upon the times when we have known God’s help, the other is that we are not limited by the extent of our own resources, but by God’s resources,which are unlimited. We should stand upon the lord.

David longed to dwell in the Lord’s tent, we need to know the presence of the Lord. David calls upon God to increase the years of his life. When he knew the reality of the presence of the Lord he would sing God’s praises, and fulfil his vows to the Lord.