#802 Refugees in Winter

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame!

2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;

incline your ear to me, and save me!

3 Be to me a rock of refuge,

to which I may continually come;

you have given the command to save me,

for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,

from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.

5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,

my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;

you are he who took me from my mother's womb.

My praise is continually of you.

7 I have been as a portent to many,

but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,

and with your glory all the day.

9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;

forsake me not when my strength is spent.

10 For my enemies speak concerning me;

those who watch for my life consult together

11 and say, “God has forsaken him;

pursue and seize him,

for there is none to deliver him.”

12 O God, be not far from me;

O my God, make haste to help me!

13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;

with scorn and disgrace may they be covered

who seek my hurt.

14 But I will hope continually

and will praise you yet more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,

of your deeds of salvation all the day,

for their number is past my knowledge.

16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;

I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,

and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

18 So even to old age and gray hairs,

O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might to another generation,

your power to all those to come.

19 Your righteousness, O God,

reaches the high heavens.

You who have done great things,

O God, who is like you?

20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities

will revive me again;

from the depths of the earth

you will bring me up again.

21 You will increase my greatness

and comfort me again.

22 I will also praise you with the harp

for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praises to you with the lyre,

O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will shout for joy,

when I sing praises to you;

my soul also, which you have redeemed.

24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,

for they have been put to shame and disappointed

who sought to do me hurt. Psalm 71 ESV

A Psalm without a title.

Let me never be put to shame - Those that take refuge in the Lord are not without struggle, anxiety, enemies that would like to see them fall down, but "I believe,' they say, 'help me with my unbelief." Whatever I must go through let me find Your glory on the other side, save me for the sake of Your honor and Your steadfast love.

…42“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him.… Matthew 27: 42-44

In Your righteousness deliver me - Because of what You have said, because of Who You are, and that You have caused me to believe in You. 

21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,… Romans 3: 21-23

You are my rock and my fortress - I may grow old, tired, weak, yet He, in Whom I have placed all my hope, is able to sustain me, to give me peace that passes even my understanding. He is my safe place, Father, into thine hands I commit my spirit.

- Believers find their God to be their habitation, strong and accessible, and this is for them a sufficient remedy for all the ills of their mortal life. - C. H. Spurgeon

O Lord from my youth - In my youth I put my trust in all else, but I wish, I hope and I pray for my girls that they will know early that there is no reasonable substitute for faith in the One Who created all things, and that salvation comes from none other.

 - Thou art my trust from my youth. David had proved his faith by notable exploits when he was a youth and ruddy; it was to him a cheering recollection, and he felt persuaded that the God of his youth would not forsake him in his age. They are highly favoured who can like David, Samuel, Josiah, Timothy, and others say, "Thou art my trust from my youth." - C. H. Spurgeon

…14 But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. 15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,… 2 Timothy 3: 14-16

- Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. What a blessed mouthful! A man never grows nauseated though the flavour of it be all day in his mouth. God's bread is always in our mouths, so should his praise be. He fills us with good; let us be also filled with gratitude. This would leave no room for murmuring or backbiting; therefore, may we well join with holy David in this sacred wish. - C. H. Spurgeon

Do not cast me off in the time of old age - He recounts with such blessedness and fondness the memories of youthful pursuits. He is the giant slayer, the wilderness survivalist, but his legs are no longer so swift, arms are not so strong, and with fading eyes he can no longer aim the sling or shoot the arrow in so tight a group, but that is only our value to the lost. God never needed any of those things.

 - Saying, God hath forsaken him. O bitter taunt! There is no worse arrow in all the quivers of hell. Our Lord felt this barbed shaft, and it is no marvel if his disciples feel the same. Were this exclamation the truth, it were indeed an ill day for us; but, glory be to God, it is a barefaced lie. Persecute and take him. Let loose the dogs of persecution upon him, seize him, worry him, for there is none to deliver him. Down with him, for he has no friends. It is safe to insult him, for none will come to his rescue. O cowardly boasts of a braggart foe, how do ye wound the soul of the believer: and only when his faith cries to his Lord is he able to endure your cruelty. - C. H. Spurgeon

O god, be not far from me - The Father, what a fitting name, eternally that, and as we grow old we come again to being babes, helpless, and for our good, for now we cry Abba, don't leave me. The closer You are O God, the less I am afraid.

Their number is past my knowledge - 

- When David spoke of his enemies, he said they were more in number than the hairs of his head; he had, therefore, some idea of their number, and found a figure suitable to set it out; but, in the case of the Lord's covenant mercies, he declares, "I know not the number, "and does not venture upon any sort of comparison. To creatures belong number and limit, to God and his grace there is neither. We may, therefore, continue to tell out his great salvation all day long, for the theme is utterly inexhaustible. - C. H. Spurgeon

- Now also when I am old and grey headed, O God, forsake me not. There is something touching in the sight of hair whitened with the snows of many a winter: the old and faithful soldier receives consideration from his king, the venerable servant is beloved by his master. When our infirmities multiply, we may, with confidence, expect enlarged privileges in the world of grace, to make up for our narrowing range in the field of nature. Nothing shall make God forsake those who have not forsaken him. Our fear is lest he should do so; but his promise kisses that fear into silence. Until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation. He desired to continue his testimony and complete it; he had respect to the young men and little children about him, and knowing the vast importance of training them in the fear of God, he longed to make them all acquainted with the power of God to support his people, that they also might be led to walk by faith. He had leaned on the almighty arm, and could speak experimentally of its all sufficiency, and longed to do so ere life came to a close. And thy power to every one that is to come. He would leave a record for unborn ages to read. He thought the Lord's power to be so worthy of praise, that he would make the ages ring with it till time should be no more. For this cause believers live, and they should take care to labour zealously for the accomplishment of this their most proper and necessary work. Blessed are they who begin in youth to proclaim the name of the Lord, and cease not until their last hour brings their last word for their divine Master. - C. H. Spurgeon

You have made me see many troubles and calamities - This is when men walk away, when they speak of fair and unfair, unless the Lord is the One Who carries them, teaches them, guides them through adversity, bringing them to rely upon His grace, for that is all the hope there ever was, all else was a smudge upon the lens.

They have been put to shame and disappointed - 

…54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.… 1 Corinthians 15: 54-56

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#801 Come Quickly

Make haste, O God, to deliver me!

O Lord, make haste to help me!

2 Let them be put to shame and confusion

who seek my life!

Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor

who delight in my hurt!

3 Let them turn back because of their shame

who say, “Aha, Aha!”

4 May all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you!

May those who love your salvation

say evermore, “God is great!”

5 But I am poor and needy;

hasten to me, O God!

You are my help and my deliverer;

O Lord, do not delay! Psalm 70 ESV

A Psalm of David which shares many similarities to Psalm 40 and the preceding Psalm to this.

Make haste, O God - At only 5 verses it seems that the Psalmist was truly short for time. This is a helpless cry, an urgent cry. I am not sure where this could be placed in David's life, which of many moments in caves, on the run from Saul, his own son Absalom, but it is a fitting prayer for our distress.

Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life - God, let them not be successful who seek my ill, and those who practice the sorcery of gossip and slander, let them fail in the attempt. We should pray for those who would spitefully use us and say all manner against us, but let it also be false, let us walk in an upright manner before the Lord. When we do sin, let us not deny it, but rather most readily confess it that we may be forgiven of God and cleansed of all that He hates. Hold fast whatever men may do, place all of your worries, anxieties, and cares on Him, for He cares for you and sees. Christ was treated this way, the prophets before Him as well, and all who proclaim God's judgment on sin afterward. Jesus could not be taken before His time though, so walk in a way that is worthy of His name.

…29 They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him over the cliff. 30 But Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way. 31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath He began to teach the people.… Luke 4: 29-31

Let them turn back because of their shame - Those who say "aha, aha, I told you so", will often walk away in shame. We are quick to judge the ungodly, but even quicker to rejoice in the failure of those who desire to do right, who preach the good news. Men are very fast at believing what is not even true because they delight in the stumbling of better men than themselves. 

18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops. 19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.… James 5: 18-20

May all who seek You - We should be in constant prayer for our brethren, reminding each other of the joy of our salvation, the unique privilege of our salvation. 

 - The doxology, "Let the Lord's name be magnified, "is infinitely more manly and ennobling than the dog's bark of "Aha, aha." - C. H. Spurgeon

But I am poor and needy - That is the wonderful state to be brought to. I can't but You can. You are holy and I am not. I mourn, please be my comforter. I am poor in spirit, no longer proud, please fill me with Your Spirit. This is the reality of our state, a blessed illumination, that we are beggars, and before we knew that we were still beggars only pretending not to be, hoping in ourselves and the towers and monuments of religion that would never ride out the flood. Lord, I am weak, please deliver me. 

…4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.… John 15: 4-6

…23 But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.… John 12: 23-25

22“The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23 Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.… Luke 9: 22-24

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#800 The Lilies' Song

Save me, O God!

For the waters have come up to my neck.

2 I sink in deep mire,

where there is no foothold;

I have come into deep waters,

and the flood sweeps over me.

3 I am weary with my crying out;

my throat is parched.

My eyes grow dim

with waiting for my God.

4 More in number than the hairs of my head

are those who hate me without cause;

mighty are those who would destroy me,

those who attack me with lies.

What I did not steal

must I now restore?

5 O God, you know my folly;

the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,

O Lord God of hosts;

let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,

O God of Israel.

7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,

that dishonor has covered my face.

8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,

an alien to my mother's sons.

9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,

and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,

it became my reproach.

11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,

I became a byword to them.

12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,

and the drunkards make songs about me.

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.

At an acceptable time, O God,

in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.

14 Deliver me

from sinking in the mire;

let me be delivered from my enemies

and from the deep waters.

15 Let not the flood sweep over me,

or the deep swallow me up,

or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;

according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

17 Hide not your face from your servant,

for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.

18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me;

ransom me because of my enemies!

19 You know my reproach,

and my shame and my dishonor;

my foes are all known to you.

20 Reproaches have broken my heart,

so that I am in despair.

I looked for pity, but there was none,

and for comforters, but I found none.

21 They gave me poison for food,

and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.

22 Let their own table before them become a snare;

and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.

23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,

and make their loins tremble continually.

24 Pour out your indignation upon them,

and let your burning anger overtake them.

25 May their camp be a desolation;

let no one dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,

and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.

27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;

may they have no acquittal from you.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;

let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

29 But I am afflicted and in pain;

let your salvation, O God, set me on high!

30 I will praise the name of God with a song;

I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This will please the Lord more than an ox

or a bull with horns and hoofs.

32 When the humble see it they will be glad;

you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

33 For the Lord hears the needy

and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,

the seas and everything that moves in them.

35 For God will save Zion

and build up the cities of Judah,

and people shall dwell there and possess it;

36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,

and those who love his name shall dwell in it. Psalm 69 ESV

A Psalm of David to the chief musician upon Shoshannim "upon the lilies".

Save me o God - There is a type here that will show both the prayer of David and yet still the Son of David.

…6 And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.… Hebrews 5:7

The flood sweeps me over - Oh man of sorrows, acquainted with so much grief, I shall hide my face from You no longer, my heart blesses You. 

…4 At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’ 5 The waters engulfed me up to the neck; the watery depths overcame me; the seaweed wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!… Jonah 2: 4-6

- Sin is as mire for its filthiness, and the holy soul of the Saviour must have loathed even that connection with it which was necessary for its expiation. His pure and sensitive nature seemed to sink in it, for it was not his element, he was not like us born and acclimatised to this great dismal swamp. Here our Redeemer became another Jeremiah, of whom it is recorded (Jer 38:6) that his enemies cast him into a dungeon wherein "was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire." Let our hearts feel the emotions, both of contrition and gratitude, as we see in this simile the deep humiliation of our Lord. I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. The sorrow gathers even greater force; he is as one cast into the sea, the waters go over his head. His sorrows were first within, then around, and now above him. Our Lord was no fainthearted sentimentalist; his were real woes, and though he bore them heroically, yet were they terrible even to him. His sufferings were unlike all others in degree, the waters were such as soaked into the soul; the mire was the mire of the abyss itself, and the floods were deep and overflowing. To us the promise is, "the rivers shall not overflow thee, "but no such word of consolation was vouchsafed to him. My soul, thy Well beloved endured all this for thee. - C.H. Spurgeon

Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me - If you are the leader then you are a great leader if you realize that your actions or short comings fall upon those beneath you. When David struggled it was important that he struggled through, but it is human nature not to see those who struggle as overcoming, rather we view the struggle as condemnation. Christ would be esteemed as "stricken, smitten of God and afflicted", yet for our transgressions and iniquities. David often suffered for his own sin, but Christ for the sins of others, and this was a stumbling block for the Jews and foolishness to the gentiles. For those who were and are being saved it is the gospel and the power of God for our salvation. 

…5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?… Matthew 11: 5-7

I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's sons -

-  As David's brethren envied him, and spake evil of him, so our Lord's relatives by birth were jealous of him, and his best beloved followers in the hour of his agony were afraid to be known as having any connection with him. These were sharp arrows of the mighty in the soul of Jesus, the most tender of friends. May none of us ever act as if we were strangers to him; never may we treat him as if he were an alien to us: rather let us resolve to be crucified with him, and may grace turn the resolve into fact. - C. H. Spurgeon

For the zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up - So few these days can get past their own honor, but what of those who would honor God above all else? What a horrid place this must be or become to them.

 - Thus the Great Mediator was, in this respect, a substitute for God as well as for man, he bore the reproaches aimed at the one, as well as the sins committed by the other. - C. H. Spurgeon

13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. John 2: 13-22

They gave me sour wine to drink - 

28 After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.… John 19: 28-30

Let their eyes be darkened - To be turned over, left to that which we have loved, unbelief, the cover of night over our theft, our self worship, malice and every sin that God can only and always hate, utter darkness. When Jesus walked the earth, the physically blind received sight, but we are all born spiritually blind, legally blind, but if you have come to see, then you have witnessed the greatest miracle of all.

- They shall wander in a darkness that may be felt. They have loved darkness rather than light, and in darkness they shall abide. Judicial blindness fell upon Israel after our Lord's death and their persecution of his apostles; they were blinded by the light which they would not accept. Eyes which see no beauty in the Lord Jesus, but flash wrath upon him, may well grow yet more dim, till death spiritual leads to death eternal. - C. H. Spurgeon

For they persecute him whom You have struck down - Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. Whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and it is the character of men that when they see a man down, under the judgment of God, that they, not suffering, feel the need to kick, spit, slander and mock all the more. 

…3 As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” 5“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.… Acts 9: 3-5

…15 Now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and who made for Yourself a name renowned to this day, we have sinned; we have acted wickedly. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, I pray that Your anger and wrath may turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy hill; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all around us. 17 So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary.… Daniel 9: 15-17

…16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. 17 Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the porch and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Joel 2: 16-17

…5 If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail. 6 He has made me a byword to the people; I am the one in whose face they spit. 7 My eyes have grown dim with grief, and my whole body is but a shadow.… Job 17: 5-7

…41 In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, 42“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”… Matthew 27:42

What have we done?

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#800 Psalm 68 Smoke and Wax

68 God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!


4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.


7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.


11 The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil—
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there,
let snow fall on Zalmon.


15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.


19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”


24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.


28 Summon your power, O God,
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt;
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.


32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God! Psalm 68 ESV

 A Psalm and song of David.

Adam Clarke wrote, “I know not how to undertake a comment on this psalm: it is the most difficult in the whole Psalter.”

God shall arise - It is pointed out by some commentators that this is similar to the words of Moses in Numbers 10 when ever they set out, that the ark went before them. God prepares the way. It is quite possible that this recalls a settled Jerusalem and the procession of the ark to the city.

2 Samuel 6 The Ark

…34 And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp. 35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, “Rise up, O LORD! May Your enemies be scattered; may those who hate You flee before You.” 36 And when it came to rest, he would say: “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel.”… Numbers 10: 34-36

Numbers 10

His name is the Lord - God has revealed Himself to us through His word, and has revealed to us ourselves. Israel knows Who the Lord is by His revelation and how He is to be approached. He gives grace to the humble.

iv. “Yah, probably a contraction of the word Yehovah; at least so the ancient versions understood it. It is used but in a few places in the sacred writings. It might be translated The Self-existent.” (Clarke)

Father of the fatherless, protector of widows - I grew up with a single mom, and I didn't meet my dad till sometime in my 20's, but there was a pastor, John Macarthur, who my mom respected for his dedication to the word, and she went to speak with him after a sermon one day. She explained her situation, her sin, her shame, and how she wanted to live a life of repentance and dependence on God. My mom wanted to raise us to be Godly men, and so she asked a Godly man, what should I do? What is the right thing for me to do in God's eyes? He told her that God is Father to the fatherless and a husband to the widow. He told her not to have men stay overnight, to follow God's word, and she took this all to heart. We never starved, and though the world and culture went towards the consumerism of the 80's, she made the home and what was taught there take priority. I was too fascinated with the culture, embarrassed that we lived so differently, mad that she considered everything as belonging to God, ashamed that she took every opportunity to share the gospel. 

ii. “The kings and other rulers of this world do not act like this. They surround themselves with the noblest and richest of their lands, those who can enhance their glory and strengthen their power. The highest glory of God is that he cares for the miserable and surrounds himself with them.” (Boice)

…26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27Pure 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

Though we may lose many friends, family and station in this life, or even see ourselves more fit as solitary beings, enjoying the solitary life, yet God has called us off the hills, out of woods, lakes and all else, to His family. There is this now, and there is eternity, you may feel loneliness now, or even think you have everything you need, that you are self sufficient, but that is fading.

The women at home divide the spoil - The church enjoys much as the bride of Christ. Just as the Israelites new that all was well when God went out before them, so we must come to know that we are proclaimers of the gospel, Christ has won the battle. Through His righteousness we have salvation, have come out of Egypt, weathered the flood, crossed the sea on dry land, and share at His table.

O mountain of God - The Lord lifts up the lowly, He does not hate a broken and contrite heart. His ways are truly not ours.

i. “In comparison with these, Mount Zion was the merest hill: yet Zion, as if to their baleful envy, was God’s choice.” (Kidner)

A host of captives in Your train - 

…7 Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” 9 What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth?… Ephesians 4: 7-9

Ascribe power to God - God is above all that He has created. All worship given to things made is not rightly given. 

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#799 Psalm 67 Mercy That I May Praise

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him! Psalm 67

A Psalm and a song whose author is not named but it's inspiration is from the Holy Spirit.

Gracious to us - Some interpretations say mercy, which is the cry of every heart that seeks the grace of  our Lord, not from works which we have not, but from a bankrupt spirit that has nothing to boast of. So often I petition the Lord, shooting from the hip, thoughtlessly going about the business of prayer, forgetting that I have much need for His mercy, much to confess. 

Bless us - Oh the reach of it all, the petitioner does not seek refuge only for himself, he does not ask only for His own mercy, but this is mercy that he would ask on behalf of others. How many times have I only seen just inches, forgotten that there is a whole world out there dying? God bless them and use me to do so. Let me be Your hands here, Your kind word, Your time, the voice of hope, that tells the truth of Your judgment toward sin, but also Your willingness toward those who ask for mercy, who put their trust in Your forgiveness, their faith in the Way You have provided. 

Shine upon us - May my life bring you joy. Let my honor be that You were glorified. May the radiance of Your countenance shine on me, so that all men may see the work of Your salvation.

…24 ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; 25 may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’… Numbers 6: 24-26

 - This verse may be regarded as the prayer of Israel, and spiritually of the Christian church. The largest charity is shown in this Psalm, but it begins at home. The whole church, each church, and each little company, may rightly pray, bless us. It would, however, be very wrong to let our charity end where it begins, as some do; our love must make long marches, and our prayers must have a wide sweep, we must embrace the whole world in our intercessions. Selah. Lift up the heart, lift up the voice. A higher key, a sweeter note is called for. - C. H. Spurgeon

Let the people praise Thee, O God - If we do not want this for everyone, then have we known it for ourselves? Are we gathered together to praise Him or are we there to be entertained? Why is it a request? Because we don't know Him, we are blind, we are deaf, and those who would worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. 

- Nations never will be glad till they follow the leadership of the great Shepherd; they may shift their modes of government from monarchies to republics, and from republics to communes, but they will retain their wretchedness till they bow before the Lord of all. What a sweet word is that to sing for joy! Some sing for form, others for show, some as a duty, others as an amusement, but to sing from the heart, because overflowing joy must find a vent, this is to sing indeed. - C. H. Spurgeon

God shall bless us - We have asked for His mercy, and He has freely given it in His Son. We have asked for His blessing, and in the end we may rest assured, as His children, He has blessed us and shined upon us. He has not left us comfortless, but has given us the assurance of His Spirit.

Isaiah 60

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#798 1689 Confession The Last Judgment

32:1 God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given by the Father. In that day, the apostate angels will be judged. So also, all people who have lived on the earth will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, to give and account of their thoughts, words, and deeds and to receive a reckoning according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil. 

…30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all men everywhere to repent. 31 For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”… Acts 17: 30-32

…22 Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
…25 Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.… John 5: 22-27

…2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church?… 1 Corinthians 6: 2-4

…5 Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own domain, but abandoned their proper dwelling, He keeps under darkness, in eternal chains for judgment on that great day. 7 In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.… Jude 1: 5-7

…9 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

…13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.  Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14

…35 The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. 36 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”… Matthew 12: 35-37

…10 Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.… Romans 14: 10-12

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[ you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25: 31-46

32:2 God's purpose for appointing this day is to manifest the glory of His mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect, and of His justice in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For at that time the righteous will go into everlasting life and receive fullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards in the presence of the Lord. But the wicked, who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be thrown into everlasting torments and punished with everlasting destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. 

…22 What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? 23 What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory— 24 including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles?… Romans 9: 22-24

…20 The servant who had received the five talents came and presented five more. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.’… Matthew 25: 20-22

…7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day— and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing. 9 Make every effort to come to me quickly,… 2 Timothy 4: 7-9

…47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire.… Mark 9: 47-49

…6 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in blazing fire. He will inflict vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.… 2 Thessalonians 1: 6-8

…9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, 10 on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony. 11 To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,… 2 Thessalonians 1: 9-11

32:3 Christ desires that we be firmly convinced that a day of judgment will come, both to deter everyone from sin and to comfort the godly more fully in their adversity. For this reason, He has determined to keep the day secret, to encourage people to shake off any fleshly security and always to be watchful, because they do not know the hour when the Lord will come and so that they may always be prepared to say, "Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen."

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. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.… 2 Corinthians 5: 10-12

5 All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels… 2 Thessalonians 1: 5-7

…35 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. 36 Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”… Mark 13: 35-37

35Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. 36Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. 37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.… Luke 12: 35-37

…19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.… Revelation 22: 19-21

The End Do not add or Take away

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