#888 Steadfast Love

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

7 to him who made the great lights,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

8 the sun to rule over the day,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

11 and brought Israel out from among them,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

18 and killed mighty kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

20 and Og, king of Bashan,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

21 and gave their land as a heritage,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

22 a heritage to Israel his servant,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

24 and rescued us from our foes,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

25 he who gives food to all flesh,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,

for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136 ESV

A Psalm of the steadfast love of God.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good - Everything that God has directly made is good. It was only in the fall, rebellion against good, that we have come to know evil. The Psalmist finds many reasons still to praise and give thanks, for the Lord has not changed, He is still the eternal good. His justice is good, His mercy is good, His love endures forever. It is the simplest thing to ask of the creature, give thanks for the water you did not make, but thirst for, and those that know His mercy to sinners will be compelled of an overflowing heart to give thanks. 

Give thanks to the God of gods - There are things that men call and even men that claim to be gods, but the Creator of all things is most obviously above all. The following verses distinguish Him from all else by attributing all as belonging to Him.

- If the heathen cultivate the worship of their gods with zeal, how much more intently should we seek the glory of the God of gods--the only true and real God. Foolish persons have gathered from this verse that the Israelites believed in the existence of many gods, at the same time believing that their Jehovah was the chief among them; but this is an absurd inference, since gods who have a God over them cannot possibly be gods themselves. The words are to be understood after the usual manner of human speech, in which things are often spoken of not as they really are, but as they profess to be. God as God is worthy of our warmest thanks, for his mercy endureth for ever. Imagine supreme Godhead without everlasting mercy! It would then have been as fruitful a source of terror as it is now a fountain of thanksgiving. Let the Highest be praised in the highest style, for right well do his nature and his acts deserve the gratitude of all his creatures. C. H. Spurgeon

Give thanks to the Lord of lords - Kings, Presidents, Emperors, Mayors, those that sit in the house of Republics, tyrants of Socialist dictatorships, or the heads of corporations, all will give account to God whether they acknowledge His rightful place or deny His existence. Give thanks, for those that have ruled for selfish gain, who have claimed to be the saviors of the world, who have persecuted, have given false hope, they will all stand before the just Judge. We, who have put our hope in men, must come to the knowledge that so much is outside of their control, and like us they are also flawed. 

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,

and he does according to his will among the host of heaven

and among the inhabitants of the earth;

and none can stay his hand

or say to him, “What have you done?”

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 4: 28-37

To Him, Who by understanding made the heavens - The universe, the moon and the stars, rising and setting of the sun, not random, but rather ordered constants that we enjoy. No man has ever influenced so much, and while we may go the moon, or set our sights now upon Mars, it is God Who has made such things and has also made the mind of man as well. While men and angels may travel, it is God Who is everywhere and knows all things.

To Him, Who struck down the first born of Egypt - We see both God's judgement and His mercy. He has pulled out His elect even from the hand of Pharaoh, who thought himself a god. He has, in his judgment against a nation, preserved a people. Not all who saw these things entered into the promised land, for many died outside because of their murmuring and disobedience. Many were brought out, but few were chosen, and this is a sobering thought, but also the beauty of Christ atonement. The only begotten Son of God, receiving the Justice meant for me, is the greatest acknowledgement of God's wrath and mercy, all poured out upon the same place, satisfied at Calvary.

And gave their land as a heritage - Who made the land? Tell me what it is you own again, that cannot be taken away? Men hold things by might against other men, but who can keep what the Creator has made away from Him? The Lord gives and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

He Who gives food to all flesh - Everything that men need to physically survive can be found here on this earth, but sadly we manipulate it to our greed, and will shamefully cause others to go without. He is also faithful to reveal to us what we lack more, and that is that man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. This too He has provided, and fulfilled in the coming of His Son. The Pentateuch which revealed the fall, the promise of a Messiah, the law to reveal the breech. The historical books that record men's hope in idols, and God's judgment upon these things. He has given us poets that teach us to sing and much about prayer. The prophets, who have revealed in words what was pictured of Christ, from death which came in the garden, the covering of Adam and Eve with animal skins, the substitution of the ram for Isaac, sin leads to death. These things become even clearer as in Psalm 22, in Isaiah, Zechariah and Malachi etc.

Why are we still here? Why has He provided all these things for our learning? Because of His steadfast love. Give thanks, for His steadfast love endures forever.

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#887 Your Renown

Praise the Lord!

Praise the name of the Lord,

give praise, O servants of the Lord,

2 who stand in the house of the Lord,

in the courts of the house of our God!

3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;

sing to his name, for it is pleasant!

4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,

Israel as his own possession.

5 For I know that the Lord is great,

and that our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,

in heaven and on earth,

in the seas and all deeps.

7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,

who makes lightnings for the rain

and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

both of man and of beast;

9 who in your midst, O Egypt,

sent signs and wonders

against Pharaoh and all his servants;

10 who struck down many nations

and killed mighty kings,

11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,

and Og, king of Bashan,

and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

12 and gave their land as a heritage,

a heritage to his people Israel.

13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever,

your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.

14 For the Lord will vindicate his people

and have compassion on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,

the work of human hands.

16 They have mouths, but do not speak;

they have eyes, but do not see;

17 they have ears, but do not hear,

nor is there any breath in their mouths.

18 Those who make them become like them,

so do all who trust in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord!

O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!

20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord!

You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!

21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion,

he who dwells in Jerusalem!

Praise the Lord! Psalm 135 ESV

A mosaic Psalm.

Praise the Lord -  As men we often seek the praise of our fellow, but if for looks then we had little to do with that. If we have altered them then we might praise the plastic surgeon, but then we would still want praise for how we now appear. Men will accept it for the car they drive, but did not build, the thoughts they pronounce from the mind they did not create. When we look upon the things that God has made, His name, which is above all names, His redemptive acts in history, His election of Jacob, a sinner reconciled, there is no one more worthy. When we consider that we are His servants, standing in His courts, breathing the air He made with the lungs he made to receive it, purchasing the time we have in this life upon the promise of His sacrifice, let the congregation sing. 

Who makes lightnings for the rain - Echoing the voice of Jeremiah.

…12 God made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. 13 When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar, and He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings the wind from His storehouses. 14 Everyone is senseless and devoid of knowledge. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud; they have no breath in them.… Jeremiah 10: 12-14

And gave their land as a heritage - We remember the acts of God's judgment, but finding the same depravity in ourselves and our own camp, we remember His acts of mercy, unmerited favor.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever - You are the great I Am, the eternal, timeless God. You are the first cause of all that comes to be, before all things and above all things.

…14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers— the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob— has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. 16 Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.… Exodus 3: 14-16

Those who make them become like them - An idol is nothing, a god that you can make or hold in your hand is silly. Materialism is foolishness, it is trusting in something that is fading, counting on things that will not come with you when you die. Ideals that suggest there is nothing after death are idols supporting the hope that there is no just God, that all that can be gained is here and now. The word of God has gone out, but you cannot hear, the Son of God has come, but you cover your eyes so you cannot see.

…25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.… Ezekiel 36: 25-27

Bless the Lord, Praise the Lord.

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#886 May the Lord

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,

who stand by night in the house of the Lord!

2 Lift up your hands to the holy place

and bless the Lord!

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,

he who made heaven and earth! Psalm 134 ESV

A song of Ascents, bless the Lord. The last of the songs of degrees, the departure.

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord - They have made the long journey, have refreshed their vows to the Creator, have learned from the scribes and priests, have enjoyed such grand fellowship, and this is the morning of their departure. "You there, His servants, bless the One Who has blessed you."

- Their departing brethren arouse them with the shrill cry of "Behold!" Behold! --see, take care, be on the watch, diligently mind your work, and incessantly adore and bless Jehovah's name. Bless ye the LORD. Think well of Jehovah, and speak well of him. Adore him with reverence, draw near to him with love, delight in him with exultation. Be not content with praise, such as all his works render to him; but, as his saints, see that ye "bless" him. He blesses you; therefore, be zealous to bless him. The word "bless" is the characteristic word of the Psalm. The first two verses stir us up to bless Jehovah, and in the last verse Jehovah's blessing is invoked upon the people. Oh to abound in blessing! May blessed and blessing be the two words which describe our lives. Let others flatter their fellows, or bless their stars, or praise themselves; as for us, we will bless Jehovah, from whom all blessings flow. C. H. Spurgeon

Who stand by night in the house of the Lord - You are the honored watchmen, do not fail to keep watch, to point toward heaven, to tell us of His glory. Please take care of your calling, keep fast to the word of God, do not tell us what we want to hear, but only what God has said. Guard the truth from those who would sell this place, who would pervert it's meaning, do not let them catch you sleeping on your watch.

Lift up your hands to the Holy place and bless the Lord - We should pray for those who God has appointed as ministers to us, and encourage them, stir them up to their duty, directing them to direct us to our first love. 

- As the angels praise God day without night, so must the angels of the churches be instant in season and out of season. And bless the LORD. This is their main business. They are to bless men by their teaching, but they must yet more bless Jehovah with their worship. Too often men look at public worship only from the side of its usefulness to the people; but the other matter is of even higher importance: we must see to it that the Lord God is adored, extolled, and had in reverence. C. H. Spurgeon

…31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.… John 12: 31-33

May the Lord bless you from Zion, He Who made heaven and earth - The priests return the blessing, not "I bless you child", but rather, "May the Lord bless you", that is the greater blessing, the best to be desired. Those that call themselves ministers but point to themselves rather than God, they only stand in the way. Those that desire to be served rather than serve look nothing like Christ. He, who thinks his blessing is equal to or greater than the Lord's, is a fool and charlatan. He is no shepherd that does not desire his Lord to be glorified and his sheep blessed. Praise the name of Jesus.

…10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.… John 10: 10-12

To the Angel

…3 Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name. 4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. 5 Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.… Revelation 2: 3-5

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#885 Bone Of My Bone

Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when brothers dwell in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil on the head,

running down on the beard,

on the beard of Aaron,

running down on the collar of his robes!

3 It is like the dew of Hermon,

which falls on the mountains of Zion!

For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,

life forevermore. Psalm 133 ESV

A Psalm of Ascents of David, dwelling in unity. Reading through other's notes I think it best fits the time frame described in 2 Samuel 5.

When brothers dwell in unity - We must first ask ourselves, are we brothers? 

• David was related to Saul, who wanted him dead, through Abraham. Most all of Israel shared this genetic heritage.
• They had received the law and the knowledge of sin.
• They had in common the revelation of God through His Word and the prophets. 
• In 2 Samuel 5 Israel acknowledges these things, but also that God had anointed him to be king. This is the basis now of our brotherhood, God has anointed His Son, Jesus Christ, to be a Priest King. He has earned this by taking on humanity, becoming the God/Man, living the life we could not, dying for our sins, and rising from the dead. In this we are united through Christ by faith in His atonement. 

The parallels between the shadow of David and the reality in Christ are significant. He was, like David, rejected by His own. We, like all men, share in a fallen nature, and are in Christ reconciled to God and each other. We all come from Adam and Eve, we all fall short, and true unity does not exist outside of Christ. 

…22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— 23 I in them and You in Me— that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.… John 17: 22-24

26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.… Galatians 3: 26-28

…10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—… John 1: 10-12

It is like the precious oil on the head, running down the beard - The priest was anointed to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people, his was a call to holiness, to reverence and proclaim the words of God. Oil is a sign of rich blessing, of care, refreshment, and a sweet smelling savor. There is no true unity that discounts God's holiness, or that tramples under foot the Son of God, profanes the blood of the covenant or insults the Spirit of Grace. 

iv. “What a sacred thing must brotherly love be when it can be likened to an oil which must never be poured on any man but on the Lord’s high-priest alone!” (Spurgeon)

iii. “In short, true unity, like all good gifts, is from above; bestowed rather than contrived, a blessing far more than an achievement.” (Kidner)

For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore - How sweet it is, how thick it is, we awaken to it, the glistening grass, a shining spider's web. I did not fill buckets in the night, nor did I bring the water here, I rested asleep, and woke to manna. I walked the fields with brothers and sisters who gave glory and honor to the Firstborn among us. We could not make this, united in the truth we once hated, now broken from former ties. An odd group of heads, toes, fingers, minds, united not by might or unity's sake, but in forsaking all the lies. 

i. “O for more of this rare virtue! Not the love which comes and goes, but that which dwells; not that spirit which separates and secludes, but that which dwells together; not that mind which is all for debate and difference, but that which dwells together in unity.” (Spurgeon)

ii. “O, come the day when division shall cease, and enmity be done away; when the tribes of the spiritual Israel shall be united in a bond of eternal charity, under the true David, in the Jerusalem which is above; and saints and angels shall sing this lovely Psalm together!” (Horne)

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#884 Bed Bugs and Mites

Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,

all the hardships he endured,

2 how he swore to the Lord

and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,

3 “I will not enter my house

or get into my bed,

4 I will not give sleep to my eyes

or slumber to my eyelids,

5 until I find a place for the Lord,

a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;

we found it in the fields of Jaar.

7 “Let us go to his dwelling place;

let us worship at his footstool!”

8 Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,

you and the ark of your might.

9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,

and let your saints shout for joy.

10 For the sake of your servant David,

do not turn away the face of your anointed one.

11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath

from which he will not turn back:

“One of the sons of your body

I will set on your throne.

12 If your sons keep my covenant

and my testimonies that I shall teach them,

their sons also forever

shall sit on your throne.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;

he has desired it for his dwelling place:

14 “This is my resting place forever;

here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;

I will satisfy her poor with bread.

16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,

and her saints will shout for joy.

17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;

I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,

but on him his crown will shine.” Psalm 132 ESV

A Psalm of Ascents. 

All the hardships he endured - It was a long and hard road for David, his kingship was not realized at his anointing, and even after he was made king much of Israel came slowly. Enduring word gives a great outline of his life. There are shadows here as well, Christ took on human form and endured great suffering, rejection from most of Israel, and even his own brothers for a time. Jesus is now Lord and King, but men prefer their own way. Judas, who walked with and learned from our Lord, also betrayed Him.

· Despised and criticized by his family.

· Placed in many life-and-death struggles.

· Accused of treason and treachery.

· Attacked the connected, powerful, and ruthless.

· Lived many years as a fugitive, a wanted man.

· Had family, home, friends, and career taken from him.

· Endured a significant season of backsliding.

· Accepted as king only reluctantly.

· Faced many enemies in battle through many wars.

· Openly criticized and despised by his wife.

· Suffered because of his own sin and scandal.

· Great conflict and problems among his children.

· Suffered a coup staged by his son, followed by a civil war.

· Openly despised and criticized by some of his subjects. Enduring Word

Until I find a place for the Lord - His was a good desire, not wanting the comforts of this life to precede his dedication to God's kingdom, His glory. We know that David never saw the completion of his vision, that God did not chose him for building the temple, yet he did much to prepare for it. 

…45 And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.… Acts 7: 45-47

Let us worship at His footstool - The tabernacle, temple, the ark of the covenant, none of these things could contain the God, Who created the universe, so the picture is of a humble piece of furniture.

For the sake of Your servant David, do not turn away the face of Your anointed One - 

i. “For his sake all those who are anointed in him are accepted. God blessed Solomon and succeeding kings, for David’s sake; and he will bless us for Jesus’ sake.” (Spurgeon)

The Lord swore to David a sure oath - 2 Samuel 7

…29 Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.… Acts 2: 29-31

He has desired it for His dwelling place -

ii. The LORD has chosen Zion: “The human response was all too often cynical, treating God’s choice as something to be exploited: a shelter against his judgment (Jer. 7, especially verses 8–15) or an asset to be commercialized (Matt. 21:12f.).” (Kidner)

…14 In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. 15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!”… John 2: 14-16

I will satisfy her poor with bread - The leaders of the temple, the religious royalty, did not seek the welfare of their poor, and like Eli's sons they robbed both God's house and His people. This was a place for all to worship God, rich and poor alike, but they made it a den of thieves, elevating themselves, and deceiving themselves so much that they could not recognize God when He came. They took from the poor and sent them away with empty stomachs. They only respected those who had the means to do for them, wicked and unjust servants, plunderers and thieves.

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” Luke 21: 1-6

…26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1: 26-27

There I will make a horn to sprout for David - A horn is representation of power, and here of royal power, government. 

iv. “That this verse doth mystically refer to Christ, the Jews confess, as Dr. Hammond has observed. So saith Rabbi Saadiah, ‘The lamp is the king, which illuminates the nations:’ and Kimchi, ‘The horn of David, is the Messias.’” (Horne)

…6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9: 6-7

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#883 Too High

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;

my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord

from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 131 ESV

A Psalm of David.

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up - Dare I make such a statement? I do not. I will pray about this prayer, for the reality of it, but I am not meek like this. 

…28 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

My eyes are not raised too high - The proud heart will aim the eyes at thrones for the ego to sit upon, and resting there they will soon be turned down upon their fellow. Humility is not en vogue today, nor at the time of the Psalmist, but he understands it to be the purest truth, all else is given over to a strong delusion. 

- What the heart desires the eyes look for. Where the desires run the glances usually follow. This holy man felt that he did not seek after elevated places where he might gratify his self esteem, neither did he look down upon others as being his inferiors. A proud look the Lord hates; and in this all men are agreed with him; yea, even the proud themselves hate haughtiness in the gestures of others. Lofty eyes are so generally hateful that haughty men have been known to avoid the manners natural to the proud in order to escape the ill will of their fellows. The pride which apes humility always takes care to east its eyes downward, since every man's consciousness tells him that contemptuous glances are the sure ensigns of a boastful spirit. In Psalm 121 David lifted up his eyes to the hills; but here he declares that they were not lifted up in any other sense. When the heart is right, and the eyes are right, the whole man is on the road to a healthy and happy condition. Let us take care that we do not use the language of this Psalm unless, indeed, it be true as to ourselves; for there is no worse pride than that which claims humility when it does not possess it. C. H. Spurgeon

I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me - There is much I am unfit for, but I know that where I am called God will qualify me to in His time. Few men will ever disqualify themselves based upon reason and the word of God, but in arrogance and disobedience they will grab at that which they can only blaspheme and make a mockery of the position they want to hold so high.

- Many through wishing to be great have failed to be good: they were not content to adorn the lowly stations which the Lord appointed them, and so they have rushed at grandeur and power, and found destruction where they looked for honour. Or in things too high for me. High things may suit others who are of greater stature, and yet they may be quite unfit for us. A man does well to know his own size. Ascertaining his own capacity, he will be foolish if he aims at that which is beyond his reach, straining himself, and thus injuring himself. Such is the vanity of many men that if a work be within their range they despise it, and think it beneath them: the only service which they are willing to undertake is that to which they have never been called, and for which they are by no means qualified. C. H. Spurgeon

But I have calmed and quieted my soul - I want to be honest with myself, to admit my inadequacy, to say that the Lord is God and I am not. So often my anxiety is the grip I refuse to loosen upon the things that are outside of my control. Lord, let Your Spirit tech my soul to wait, to cry to You in the depths of my frustration. Let me be patient with all and quick to shoulder the stumbling.

Like a weaned child with it's mother - Deepen the reality of my dependence, let me walk with You.

O Israel, hope in the Lord.

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#882 Depths

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!

2 O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,

that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

6 my soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

and with him is plentiful redemption.

8 And he will redeem Israel

from all his iniquities. Psalm 130 ESV

A Psalm of Ascents, my soul waits.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord - We will do anything to keep ourselves and those we say we love, or at least have great natural tie and affection for, from hitting bottom. It is often to my shame that I feel as though all were lost, and it is too late to pray. I forget that I was born lost into a world that was lost, and that it is better to experience that which would lead me to cry out to God here then feel sufficient in myself. It is better to stop and pray, to let others know that I pray, and though I sink and all you may see is the bubbles, my God can interpret every one. 

1 From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God, 2 saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice. 3 For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me.… Jonah 2: 1-3

- The depths usually silence all they engulf, but they could not close the mouth of this servant of the Lord; on the contrary, it was in the abyss itself that he cried unto Jehovah. Beneath the floods prayer lived and struggled; yea, above the roar of the billows rose the cry of faith. It little matters where we are if we can pray; but prayer is never more real and acceptable than when it rises out of the worst places. Deep places beget deep devotion. C. H. Spurgeon

O Lord, hear my voice - He does not insist upon a particular means, only hear me, and Thy will be done. He is begging for mercy, and remember this is a song of ascent, that all those coming to the feast would be singing together. There is no other way, everyone that would worship must come to this same confession as the Psalmist, Lord, have mercy, hear me, remember me.

If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand - For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, none that seek the truth, even if I could be judged based upon a minute, I could not find one without err. It is the doctrine of depravity, the doctrine that men care not to acknowledge, everyone is right in their own eyes. I use to relish in the empty air that came from someone telling me I am a good person, but the ones I love the most now are the men and women who honestly revealed to me my state, who held the word of God up to me. These are real depths, and to discern them should lead us to cry out, to pound the chest, "I am a sinner, O Lord, have mercy on me."

- Well does he cry, "O Lord, who shall stand?" None can do so: there is none that doeth good; no, not one. Iniquities are matters which are not according to equity: what a multitude we have of these! Jehovah, who sees all, and is also our Adonai, or Lord, will assuredly bring us into judgment concerning those thoughts, and words, and works which are not in exact conformity to his law. Were it not for the Lord Jesus, could we hope to stand? Dare we meet him in the dread day of account on the footing of law and equity? What a mercy it is that we need not do so, for the next verse sets forth another way of acceptance to which we flee. C. H. Spurgeon

…5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’ 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” Then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” 7 And the man got up and went home.… Matthew 9: 5-7

…24 You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver, nor satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities. 2 5 I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more. 26 Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated.… Isaiah 43: 24-26

…17 They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will crawl from their holes in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You. 18 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance— who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? 19 He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.… Micah 7: 17-19

But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared - Conjunction, Conjunction, what's your function? There is a "but", and Yes, He is a God of justice, but He is a God of mercy as well. The wages of sin is death, "but" the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. There is a breach, "but" God has provided away across. There is iniquity in me, "but" with You, O God, there is forgiveness, and the one who finds it is forever reverent and grateful. 

- Gratitude for pardon produces far more fear and reverence of God than all the dread which is inspired by punishment. If the Lord were to execute justice upon all, there would be none left to fear him; if all were under apprehension of his deserved wrath, despair would harden them against fearing him: it is grace which leads the way to a holy regard of God, and a fear of grieving him. C. H. Spurgeon

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits - Where else can I go, He holds the words of life. Those that wait in trusting expectation will be renewed. My faith does not rest upon what ails me, but rather what He has said.

- The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord's people have always been a waiting people: they waited for the First Advent, and now they wait for the Second. They waited for a sense of pardon, and now they wait for perfect sanctification. They waited in the depths, and they are not now wearied with waiting in a happier condition. They have cried and they do wait; probably their past prayer sustains their present patience. C. H. Spurgeon

And with Him is plentiful redemption - Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. He is not done with Jacob, Israel is still the apple of His eye. He has left us His Word in good faith, and from the garden till the coming of Christ, the hope of Him was made very apparent. Christ, the Redeemer, Whom the Lord has laid my iniquity upon, redeemed I am, by the blood of the Lamb.

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