#730 Ritualism Psalm 50

The Mighty One, God the Lord,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God shines forth.

3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence;

before him is a devouring fire,

around him a mighty tempest.

4 He calls to the heavens above

and to the earth, that he may judge his people:

5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”

6 The heavens declare his righteousness,

for God himself is judge! Selah

7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;

O Israel, I will testify against you.

I am God, your God.

8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;

your burnt offerings are continually before me.

9 I will not accept a bull from your house

or goats from your folds.

10 For every beast of the forest is mine,

the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know all the birds of the hills,

and all that moves in the field is mine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,

for the world and its fullness are mine.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows to the Most High,

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

16 But to the wicked God says:

“What right have you to recite my statutes

or take my covenant on your lips?

17 For you hate discipline,

and you cast my words behind you.

18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,

and you keep company with adulterers.

19 “You give your mouth free rein for evil,

and your tongue frames deceit.

20 You sit and speak against your brother;

you slander your own mother's son.

21 These things you have done, and I have been silent;

you thought that I was one like yourself.

But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.

22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God,

lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!

23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;

to one who orders his way rightly

I will show the salvation of God!” Psalm 50 ESV

A song of Asaph.

Then King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshiped. 31 Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings. 2 Chronicles 29: 30-31

The Mighty One, God the Lord - The absolute Sovereign in wisdom, power and might. There is no one like Him. There is no higher court, nothing that one can appeal to above God. 

Summons the earth - He, Who only can speak the world into being, now calls to every part of the earth, from where the sun is setting all the way around to where it is seen as rising. 

A devouring fire - He is perfectly just and has come to judge in righteousness.

Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 29 For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12: 28-29

He may judge His people - Some look at this as only national Israel, but Paul offers much clarification in the New Testament, so just as through Abraham all the world would be blessed, all those who come to Christ will be counted among the saints. We are now God's people by adoption, and there is only One acceptable Mediator between God and man, that is Jesus Christ. The saints will be judged first.

So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. 11 Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.…2 Corinthians 5: 9-11

Made a covenant - See blood pact Genesis 15 

Adam and Eve's nakedness was covered by skins through a sacrifice. 

Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, so that by it, he being dead yet speaketh.

Abram is brought into a covenant with God, the vultures are chased away, as those who had no right to partake. God is the One Who makes Himself known to Abram, calls him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, makes known to him His plan for a nation to come from Abram's line, causes him to sleep while God walks between the sacrificed animals. It is a unilateral covenant, God is holding Himself as executor and redeemer. We know from His words to the serpent after the fall that His seed will be bruised, but as a consequence, the serpent's head will be crushed. God's plan has not changed, but He reveals more to mankind through His word. 

He makes a covenant with Israel under the Mosaic law. 

So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD. 9 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed the words of the people to the LORD.…Exodus 19: 7-9

Continually before me - They performed the rituals that were commanded to show the necessity of a blood atonement, that showed they were not in a right way with God. The sin is not the neglect of ritual, but vain repetition, ritualism. They began to see the work of sacrifice, the offering of animals, as a covering to sin rather than pointing them to a sincere realization of God's holiness and their bankrupt condition as sinners and therefore the objects of His just wrath. 

“What he intended for their instruction, they made their confidence.” (Spurgeon)

The cattle on a thousand hills - What do you offer God that He does not already own? Who made the earth? Where does the sacrifice come from? How do we know God? He makes Himself known. How do we know of sin? He has given us the law. How can I be right with God? He makes the ultimate sacrifice.

because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for me. 6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.… Hebrews 10: 4-6

The cattle on a thousand hills: There’s a story – which may or may not be true, but is a good illustration – that shortly after Dallas Seminary was founded in the 1920s, it almost closed because of bankruptcy. The founders met for prayer and one of them was Harry Ironside. When it was his turn to pray, he said, “Lord we know that the cattle on a thousand hills are Thine. Please sell some of them and send us the money.” As the story goes, just then a Texas rancher came into the business office with a check from two carloads of cattle he had just sold. The secretary came into the office where the founders prayed, told them what happened and presented the check – it was for just the amount they needed to keep the seminary going. Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, the founder and president of the school, turned to Dr. Ironside and said, “Harry, God sold the cattle.” From Enduring Word

A sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows - If you had a bull to sacrifice back then, thank God. If you are alive and are in the hearing of this, thank God that He has not left you uninstructed. So many make vows at their wedding, rich or poor, but finding that they have not become rich, they seek another. Better or worse, until it is worse, then again their hearts pine for another. Sickness and health, yet again they did not in their heart sign up for this. God has said, you worship me with your lips but your hearts are far from me. Oh sinner, let this bring me to my knees, let this point me to the cross. God, let me be humble, let me see that religion is an empty thing, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be found acceptable in Your sight. Let me hunger and thirst after righteousness, know that it is by faith alone, and that a sign of true faith is the fruit of the Spirit, that faith without works is dead. Let me not have a form of Godliness, denying the power thereof, but create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me. 

The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice,and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”… 1 Samuel 15: 21-23

But to the wicked - There are those that heard the word, recite the word, but are numbered as the wicked.

“The real problem with ritual is that, if forms are all there is to our religion, they give us feelings of being right with God when actually we may be guilty of the most terrible sins.” (Boice)

You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.… Matthew 23: 24-26

What right have you to recite my statutes - You say it, and you leave thinking yourself justified. You quote me, but it never sinks in to your own heart. I hate sin, and you know this, you identify yourself as belonging to me, but you quickly discard my words for what you really value. You call yourself wise, yet cannot take My correction. You don't rebuke the thief because you would prefer that way yourself. You admire the adulterer because you are that in your hearts, always divided, never believing that God, as Creator of all, could possibly be right when He offers You a better way. Stay out of the pulpit, put His words away from your mouth unless you are willing to deny yourself, repent and be saved. Let it drive you to the cross, to hold up Christ, to beg for sincerity and a willing heart. God, let me not trust in mere words, let me not be happy with the feelings of a moment, but let me trust in Christ alone. It was His works that You found acceptable, His death that was the only sacrifice worthy, and His resurrection that brings life to the dead. Wherever there is true faith and hope, there is a new life. 

So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:… 2 Corinthians 5: 16-18

What right have you to declare My statutes: “Origen, after his foul fall, opening the book and lighting upon this text, was not able to preach, but broke out into abundance of tears.” (Trapp)

Overwhelmed

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#729 Lyre Over Liars Psalm 49

Hear this, all peoples!

Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

2 both low and high,

rich and poor together!

3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;

the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;

I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,

when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,

6 those who trust in their wealth

and boast of the abundance of their riches?

7 Truly no man can ransom another,

or give to God the price of his life,

8 for the ransom of their life is costly

and can never suffice,

9 that he should live on forever

and never see the pit.

10 For he sees that even the wise die;

the fool and the stupid alike must perish

and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their graves are their homes forever,

their dwelling places to all generations,

though they called lands by their own names.

12 Man in his pomp will not remain;

he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;

yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah

14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;

death shall be their shepherd,

and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.

Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.

15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,

for he will receive me. Selah

16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,

when the glory of his house increases.

17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;

his glory will not go down after him.

18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed

—and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—

19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,

who will never again see light.

20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49 ESV

Give ear all inhabitants of the world - This is for everyone without exception. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All the world is under the curse, and everyone will meet not that which is their fancy or who they believe God to be, no matter the culture or geographical location, it is one God overall, not who we want but Who He is, forever and unchanging. 

Low and high - If you did not know yourself as part of the "all" in the verse before, maybe your station in life has confused you. God is not a respecter of persons, only men fall into that sort of thing, so much so that they did not recognize Him when He walked among them, nor can they hear His word now. 

2 Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and rue and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk across without even noticing.”… Luke 11: 42-44

Rich and poor - What does it profit anyone to gain all of this world's goods? I have watched the dying hand clench tighter, and we have seen the tombs of the Pharaoh's, their graves have been robbed of that which they can no longer defend, shiny things, covered in dust. The poor have cried unfair, wanting wanting what they would only lose, but listen to the poet, neither has any advantage towards eternity. Your life is a vapor, and everything in the universe will one day be shaken, rolled up like a scroll. What was your name? What was your title, your station? I hope it was "Christian, the friend of God."

Shall be of understanding - This is not just a song, it is a meditation. I read the word of God to know Him, I sing with the understanding so that I may speak with wisdom.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.… 1 Corinthians 14: 18-20

Wherefore should I fear - In the world you will have tribulation, but He has overcome the world. Why am I anxious? Why do I spend so much time in worry if my God is the Creator of the universe? Who is worthy of my fear, but only God alone, and anyone else who would wish me to be afraid, him I should pity, him should I love. How sad for the soul that would lift itself up here, only to find  himself unknown in eternity, that he put his trust in the fear of men and being feared. Oh Lord, all I have left is this cross, this is the worse that men could do, but like the thief I am, I ask, remember me.

No man can ransom another - What would you pay for your soul? Are we so vain as those who sell indulgences, that we may reckon the value of eternity? Has not God already set the price too far above earthly things, or shall we pretend that we own that which He made and pay Him back in dust? The only hope is not in any man, not in myself, but in God Himself, the infinite must pay the ransom against eternal justice. Now surely you see it, we are all equal in our lack, both he who hopes in what he has, and he who thinks there is no hope because he has nothing. We are all bankrupt, and He would have perfect obedience, demand holiness, for He is holy and even so while we were yet sinners, He died for us. He hates sin, yet loved us, and since there is no delusion with God, no wavering in His character, He must satisfy the debt in order to set the captive free. Why it must be this way is not so hard for me to see anymore, but why You choose to love me so much, that is still a mystery.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it. 47 Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.…Matthew 13: 45-47

Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. It will cost you everything, which is nothing, you exchange the life you cannot keep, for His life which cannot be lost. 

- They call their lands after their own names. Common enough is this practice. His grounds are made to bear the groundling's name, he might as well write it on the water. Men have even called countries by their own names, but what are they the better for the idle compliment, even if men perpetuate their nomenclature? - C. H. Spurgeon

Many people trace their ancestry thinking that this adds to them some value, yet our esteem is the same as every man's, that we are made in God's image, all from the same parents, Adam and Eve. The Bible will take you back to the most important stories of your heritage, that into sin, a fallen world we were conceived. Tell me this too, what good will it do me that men, who will all be dead, remember me, if Christ looks at me and says, "depart, I never knew you." 

I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.…John 8: 38-40

Foolish confidence - There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is judgment. We have seen men follow after folly and yet live, so we follow after them, not thinking that there is any consequence. I use to imagine that there was no life after this and to me that was blissful, that what I did here did not matter and if I died, no matter, because I thought there was no God, no spirit or soul. I followed men who were flawed, men who claimed special knowledge, forsaking the knowledge that comes from God alone.

Though you get praise - It is easy to find someone who agrees with me. If I watered all of this down and modeled my beliefs after the pop culture, if I turned my back to God, then I would feel the praise of men, but who are any of us. I am tired of a religion that is about me, and I do not care so much for the praise of men. My hope is not in what you think of me, but rather what God says, and whatever good comes out of me, it is Christ in me, and the glory belongs to Him. If I die before you, then say this about me, this will be the highest compliment, that Calvin was a sinner who belied in Christ for everything. Lord, be my all.

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#728 Where God Is Psalm 48

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised

in the city of our God!

His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation,

is the joy of all the earth,

Mount Zion, in the far north,

the city of the great King.

3 Within her citadels God

has made himself known as a fortress.

4 For behold, the kings assembled;

they came on together.

5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;

they were in panic; they took to flight.

6 Trembling took hold of them there,

anguish as of a woman in labor.

7 By the east wind you shattered

the ships of Tarshish.

8 As we have heard, so have we seen

in the city of the Lord of hosts,

in the city of our God,

which God will establish forever. Selah

9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,

in the midst of your temple.

10 As your name, O God,

so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.

Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

11 Let Mount Zion be glad!

Let the daughters of Judah rejoice

because of your judgments!

12 Walk about Zion, go around her,

number her towers,

13 consider well her ramparts,

go through her citadels,

that you may tell the next generation

14 that this is God,

our God forever and ever.

He will guide us forever. Psalm 48 ESV

Great is the Lord - And greatly to be praised, well deserving, and if you have ever marveled at anything, know that it is made. God's greatness is unsearchable, without end, He is most worthy, and no man can attain such. He is I am.

His holy mountain - Mt. Moriah, Zion, the city of Jerusalem, not great for it's earth or it's location outside of God's promise. This is the threshing floor, the place where Abraham brought Isaac and God provided a ram. It would not have been known or existed except for the grace of God, bringing this people out of Egypt and removing the people in the land from before them. They were in themselves unfit, so the glory of the city is God. He is our salvation.

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,


“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”

28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. Galatians 4: 21-31

The people could not approach Mt. Sinai, not even an animal, only Moses could approach because God had chosen him. It was not because of anything inherent to the mountain, nor the burning bush, but rather the presence of the Lord. If a man could wrap his mind around the attribute of God's holiness, he would only ask for one thing, mercy, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly[a] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12: 18 - 29

Thought on Your steadfast love - If you have no pity for the lost, regardless of what you see here, thinking that a man has everything because he has that which is fading, then you have not reflected well. They murmured in the wilderness but what they did not understand is the holiness of God, that history would have ended with Adam and Eve, except for His steadfast love. Jerusalem did not come by any merit of the people and the New Jerusalem will not be inhabited by anyone else than those who have put their trust in Christ.

Tell the next generation - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. Our God is a consuming fire. Praise Him because He is worthy. 

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#727 Clap Psalm 47

Clap your hands, all peoples!

Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

a great king over all the earth.

3 He subdued peoples under us,

and nations under our feet.

4 He chose our heritage for us,

the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

5 God has gone up with a shout,

the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!

Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

7 For God is the King of all the earth;

sing praises with a psalm!

8 God reigns over the nations;

God sits on his holy throne.

9 The princes of the peoples gather

as the people of the God of Abraham.

For the shields of the earth belong to God;

he is highly exalted! Psalm 47 ESV

God is not the maker of only Israel. He is not geographically constrained to one place or time. Abraham was told by God that his offspring would be a blessing to all nations. Now there are many languages, but there is only One true God, Creator of all, and no matter where we are from, all who believe, those whose hearts and affections are set upon Christ, we all clap together. He is worthy. 

Shout to God - Some are so afraid of their culture, create such a culture where they are afraid to lift their hands or to sing aloud. Do not let your religion be horizontal, take it vertical, cry unto heaven, pray speaking to God and not men, for men cannot be nor do so much as God. Others our just loud, wanting to be seen of men, heard for their many words, praised by men who cannot see the true nature of their hearts.

The most High - There is no higher place, no throne above His, and every throne held beneath Him exist only because God has allowed it. We are told, and rightly so, that we should fear God rather than man. So many times I have been anxious or afraid because of the unrighteousness of men, the fickle nature of those who have rule over me, but all along God was in control and to Him be the glory, for nothing that men do to me is lasting, and oh how I do now pray for their souls. 

He chose our heritage for us - Men do not make themselves, choose where they are born or who they are born to. Adam and Eve did not choose the song of redemption, but rather at a time before they were slaves to sin, they chose in their free will to disobey, and became spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins. Abraham did not see nor come to God with the idea of a great nation, dedicated and devoted to the One true God, God chose him from all the people on the earth to make a people, teach a people, reveal to them the law of God, His holiness, and the void that they could not overcome. Christ is our heritage, He is our inheritance. 

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines. 12The body is a unit, though it is comprised of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.…1 Corinthians 12: 11-13

God has gone up - The King eternal has paid the ultimate price for a fallen humanity. He will not hold such honor against His holiness, sin leads to death, and He has met the price with His own self, for no man could die in such a way to satisfy the infinitely righteous. I praise You for living the life I could not live, for humbling Yourself, for taking my sin upon You and satisfying justice. Oh God, I know that You have known what is to be forsaken so that I would not be. I know that the wages of sin is death even though I pretended for so long that there was no such thing as sin. Nothing compares to Your majesty, please accept my praise and let both my words and my actions become one beautiful song of praise.

Reigns over the nations - God is over all. This looks forward to the time of the gentiles as well, for there is only One way, One mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus. Amen and forever Amen

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#726 Glory and Honor and Praise

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Psalm 46 ESV

This is a song by the sons of Korah, and yet even another Psalmist wrote, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee." This deserves to be committed to the memory, a book mark, for who would consider fear to be sin. "Be anxious for nothing", the scriptures tell us and here are some good reasons why.

God is our refuge and strength - If your faith is in the Creator of all things then what is man to fear him? What situation is unknown to God? If you belong to God, and want to hear from God, read His letters to His people. 

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses,in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.…2 Corinthians 12: 9-11

A very present help - He not only has knowledge of the situation, but He is also near to it. You can call on Him. Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. 

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.… Hebrews 13: 5-7

There is a river - When a city was under siege, the attacking force would dam or redirect the water supply. This was not a difficult task in arid lands where there was perhaps only a stream or a small spring. We relate much to the things that cost us the most physically and are vital to our temporal lives. Some men may go some 40 days without food, but no one would last that long without water. No one will enter God's eternal peace without His river of life.

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I will not get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”… John 4: 13-15

God is in the midst of her - The city of God, and again the nations rage, but this is the One Whose word has Created more than what our eyes can see, and Whose word can melt it away. He will not be moved, so stay close to Him. Men will continue to devise evil, to exalt themselves, and even challenge God's rightful place over His creation, but they are futile in their thinking. Though heaven and earth shall pass away His word will remain. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, so though there be wars and rumors of war, stand fast, put your hope in things eternal. Trust Him Who did for you what you could not do for yourself.

Selah is used three times which indicates to me that this is a blessing to meditate upon, how great is our God. If God be for me then who can be against me. Nothing happens outside of His counsel. 

He makes wars cease - The battle belongs to the Lord, and one great day all this contention will end. We, who are redeemed, will worship the only One Who can bring everlasting peace. Men will try to play off this, promise peace, but like those who only clean the outside of the cup, it is vain and without substance. Don't put your trust in men, in the power of money or personality. Trust in God and do not hold tightly to earthly things.

So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), 16 then let those in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house.…Matthew 24: 15-17

Be still - When the disciples feared for their lives upon the sea, Jesus showed Himself to be the Word of God among them by rebuking the storm. Though the earth quakes, the oceans swell, and the universe be rolled up like a scroll, God is above all that and worthy to be praised. 

The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea,and it was perfectly calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”… Matthew 8: 25-27

I will be exalted - No rational mind would say otherwise. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness there of. 

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#725 The Bride and Groom

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;

I address my verses to the king;

my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men;

grace is poured upon your lips;

therefore God has blessed you forever.

3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,

in your splendor and majesty!

4 In your majesty ride out victoriously

for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;

let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!

5 Your arrows are sharp

in the heart of the king's enemies;

the peoples fall under you.

6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.

The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;

7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.

From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;

at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:

forget your people and your father's house,

11 and the king will desire your beauty.

Since he is your lord, bow to him.

12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,

the richest of the people.

13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.

14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king,

with her virgin companions following behind her.

15 With joy and gladness they are led along

as they enter the palace of the king.

16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons;

you will make them princes in all the earth.

17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;

therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. Psalm 45 ESV

The Psalmist here speaks to his own excitement in writing this; it is not a gloomy subject, but a joyous wedding. It is also in the marvelous and mysterious language of the Church as the bride of Christ. One could come across this without much inspection and argue that it was solely in reference to the wedding of an earthly king, but that would fall short.

Like the pen of a ready scribe - The words of the poet are inspired.

You are the most handsome - As the lamb of God it was recorded by the Prophet Isaiah that there was no beauty that we should desire Him, he came poor, out of Nazareth, where no one thought any good could come. This passage speaks to a later time, His triumphant return.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. 12 It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.… Titus 2: 11-13

Oh Mighty One - The Lamb that was slain returns as the Lion Who conquered.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19: 11-16

The cause of truth, meekness and righteousness - His kingdom is not of this world and He did not conquer as others by political schemes or violence. He is the way, the truth and the life. He has won by way of meekness, taking on the form of a servant, and where none were found righteous, not one of us, He became our righteousness, for He knew no sin. This is not the way men respect, we look to who has the most money, the biggest army, the greatest weapons. He conquered sin and death by living humbly to the glory of God and dying in perfect obedience to fulfill God's just and Holy nature. He should and always will be most high and lifted up. 

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”…Matthew 11:28-30

Your throne oh God is forever - The King is God, eternal, and He is the same as the Word through which all was created. The writer of Hebrews makes this same confession.

But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God,Your God, has placed You above Your companions by anointing You with the oil of joy.” 10 And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Hebrews 1: 8-10

A scepter of righteousness - The qualifications were not attainable to anyone else by this measure. He does not come to this position by violent force, He is what men cannot be, and that is God, but also what they cannot be without Him, and that is righteous. What we must be brought to, He already has, in that He has hated wickedness from eternity. Christ, who willingly suffered sorrow beyond measure, has been anointed with joy overflowing.

More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,…Philippians 3: 8-10

Here, Oh daughter - Now the poet addresses the church, the bride of Christ. This reminds me of the story of Abraham sending his servant under oath to get a bride, not from the inhabitants of the land, but from his own people. The way of the servant is blessed because the messenger of God prepares the way before him. 

7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there. 8 And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant placed his hand under his master Abraham’s thigh and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.…Genesis 24: 7-9

Forget your people - She has truly been set apart, broken ties with the ways of this world, the things that are perishing.

A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; 38 and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.… Matthew 10: 36-38

I hope you will bear with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that. 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.…2 Corinthians 11: 1-3

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