#842 Start to Finish

 Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the works of the Lord,

studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,

and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;

the Lord is gracious and merciful.

5 He provides food for those who fear him;

he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,

in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;

all his precepts are trustworthy;

8 they are established forever and ever,

to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to his people;

he has commanded his covenant forever.

Holy and awesome is his name!

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

all those who practice it have a good understanding.

His praise endures forever! Psalm 111 ESV

A Psalm of God's works.

Praise the Lord - Before the Psalmist even goes into detail of God's works, he burst forth in praise. Who is worthy of such adoration? The One that did not have to make the world, nor suffer it after the fall. If I am alive and have voice then I have reason to praise that which is above all creation. Men, in ignorance, praise things, without knowing God will still praise a god, or thinking themselves the highest form of consciousness, will praise themselves by what process our finite and vain mines can imagine. 

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart - Keep your rituals, hold your tongue unless it is with your whole frame, an utterance that stems from the fibers of your very being. It is more than a pleasure, a routine, God gains nothing from it for even the rocks will cry out if you hold your breath, but you gain everything from it, your sanity, your strength, your peace. Do you think you make Him worthy, no, whether you acknowledge Him or not, He is. 

…37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’… Matthew 22: 37-39

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

In the company of the upright, in the congregation - It almost seems as though written with a qualifier as to the congregation. A church isn't so because it says that on the door. God has caused buildings to be torn down before. It is crucial to obedience and growth that we "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together," since we are a body with all those who truly believe. You are incomplete in yourself, not furnished with every gift, and so what is it to forsake the body of Christ?

Studied by all who delight in them - Study brings appreciation, it unravels beauty in layers. If I were to see how quickly I could get through the book of God's revelation to man, I would miss a most that would appear more like all. Men pride themselves on "quick assessments", being "quick studies", a hand shake, the way someone smiles, their dress, but you don't know me. 

- The hidden wisdom of God is the most marvellous part of his works, and hence those who do not look below the surface miss the best part of what he would teach us. Because the works are great they cannot be seen all at once, but must be looked into with care, and this seeking out is of essential service to us by educating our faculties, and strengthening our spiritual eye gradually to bear the light of the divine glory. It is well for us that all things cannot be seen at a glance, for the search into their mysteries is as useful to us as the knowledge which we thereby attain. The history of the Lord's dealings with his people is especially a fit subject for the meditation of reverent minds who find therein a sweet solace, and a never failing source of delight. - C. H. Spurgeon

And His righteousness endures forever -

- There is none like the God of Jeshurun, and there is no salvation like that which he has wrought for his people. And his righteousness endureth for ever. In the work of grace righteousness is not forgotten, nor deprived of its glory; rather, it is honoured in the eyes of the intelligent universe. The bearing of guilt by our great Substitute proved that not even to effect the purposes of his grace would the Lord forget his righteousness; no future strain upon his justice can ever be equal to that which it has already sustained in the bruising of his dear Son; it must henceforth assuredly endure for ever. Moreover, the righteousness of God in the whole plan can never now be suspected of failure, for all that it requires is already performed, its demands are satisfied by the double deed of our Lord in enduring the vengeance due, and in rendering perfect obedience to the law. - C. H. Spurgeon

He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered - He has not left it merely by oral tradition, but has drawn many a picture of His grace in the saving of Isaac, the redeeming of Israel from Egypt, the Passover, the tabernacle, the promise of Messiah. He has given His word in the canon, through the prophets, the unmistakable inspiration of His Spirit in the pen of poets and scribes alike. Read the book of Isaiah alone, and you will never find it's depths while living here. The whole of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, tells of His works, His great work of redemption. 

In giving them the inheritance of the nations - 

…11 After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered among the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53: 11-12

All His precepts are trustworthy - He is faithful to His covenant promise. His commandments are always good for His word is timeless as He is. There is not faltering like with men, no double standard, He is true.

He sent redemption to His people - How righteous is He? He provides the infinitely just sacrifice to satisfy His infinite Holiness. So gracious is He that He condescends to men of low estate, humbles Himself to the cross. Everything needed to satisfy eternal justice was in Immanuel.

Holy and awesome is His name - The opposite of me, the finite, unjust, wavering, cowardly, wretch that I am. It is not a canal, no one can stand next to me and see the other side, except Christ. Without Him it is an impossible void. Shy of perfection is a consolation to men by way of their own standards, but it is a fearsome, infinite gulf in respect to a Holy God. Every one of His attributes are in their full and crowned with holiness. 

…15 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.… 1 Peter 1: 15-17

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#841 Yahweh to Adonai

The Lord says to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies your footstool.”

2 The Lord sends forth from Zion

your mighty scepter.

Rule in the midst of your enemies!

3 Your people will offer themselves freely

on the day of your power,

in holy garments;

from the womb of the morning,

the dew of your youth will be yours.

4 The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind,

“You are a priest forever

after the order of Melchizedek.”

5 The Lord is at your right hand;

he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.

6 He will execute judgment among the nations,

filling them with corpses;

he will shatter chiefs

over the wide earth.

7 He will drink from the brook by the way;

therefore he will lift up his head. Psalm 110 ESV

A Psalm of David about The Priest King.

The Lord says to my Lord - 

- Even before Christ's coming, a prophetic-messianic interpretation of the psalm was well known among Jewish interpreters. - Reformation Study Bible Notes.

The King says to my King, Lord to my Lord, Yahweh to Adonai, God the Father to God the Son. David is the earthly anointed king and from his line will come the king of kings.

- “How condescending on Jehovah’s part to permit a mortal ear to hear, and a human pen to record his secret converse with his co-equal Son! How greatly should we prize the revelation of his private and solemn discourse with the Son, herein made public for the refreshing of his people!” (Spurgeon)

15 Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, 16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: 17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.… Numbers 24: 15-17

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, He asked, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?36 Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ 37 David himself calls Him Lord. So how can He be David’s son?” And the large crowd listened to Him with delight.… Mark 12: 35-37

Sit at my right hand - A place of prominence given to the One Who conquers death and the grave. We have an Advocate, Who sits at the right hand of the Father, ever on our behalf.

…34 For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ 36 Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”… Acts 2: 34-36

…19 and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.… Ephesians 1: 19-21

1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.… Colossians 3: 1-3

Until I make Your enemies Your footstool - David is a shadow of Christ, and he fights an earthly, physical battle, against the enemies of Israel. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but taken up into the realm of the spiritual. We die to self, are buried with Christ in baptism, and raised with Him into a new life. Our warfare is now against that residual wickedness residing in our selves, the flesh that strives against the Spirit, and against the present darkness of this age. We are, in Christ, the light of the world.

…12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” 13 But to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”? 14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?… Hebrews 1: 12-14

…21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.  1 Peter 3: 21-22

Your mighty scepter - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. 

Adam Clarke is among those who think the rod of Your strength represents the Gospel: “The Gospel – the doctrine of Christ crucified; which is the powerful sceptre of the Lord that bought us; is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword; and is the power of God to salvation to all them that believe.” - Enduring Word

Your people will offer themselves freely - They offer up themselves, presenting their bodies here as a living sacrifice. The Spirit makes them willing, the sound of the gospel is like the trumpet before battle, all His soldiers know it, they come alive to it and wherever He leads they will go.

…3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will flee from him because they do not recognize his voice.”… John 10: 3-5

…30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. 32 Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.…

…33 So also, when you see all these things, you will know that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.… Matthew 24: 30-35

“Whensoever the Holy Spirit is supreme in a church there will be a free-will offering of young hearts and lives…. There are no pressed men in our Master’s army – all are volunteers. Offer your will to God; say you are willing to be made willing.” (Meyer)

The Lord has sworn - Providence offers the best vantage to see that what God has said He will do. He promised Messiah in the garden, and He made a covenant with Abraham. He reveals His plan of substitution in the very vivid picture of Abraham offering up his son, yet being stopped in the act and God providing a ram in his stead. 

…11 Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. 13 But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”… Genesis 21: 11-13

You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek - He is referred to as the King of Salem or King of Righteousness. He holds the office of both King and priest, and being the greater, blesses Abraham, who pays a tithe to Melchizedek. Much like Christ, he is not of the hereditary descent, of the high priests, who come in the lineage of Aaron. 

…18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— 19 and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.… Genesis 14: 18-20

…5 So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” 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.… Hebrews 5: 5-7

…15 And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”… Hebrews 7: 15-17

1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who ministers in the sanctuary and TRUE tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. 3 And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer.… 

…4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve at a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary. That is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle, “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.… Hebrews 8: 1-6

…12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, 14 because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.… Hebrews 10: 12-14

He will execute judgment among the nations - Sin has already been judged, as we know, the wages of sin is death. 

…21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes. 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.… John 5: 21-23

- He shall drink of the brook in the way. So swiftly shall he march to conquest that he shall not stay for refreshment, but drink as he hastens on. Like Gideon's men that lapped, he shall throw his heart into the fray and cut it short in righteousness, because a short work will the Lord make in the earth. "Therefore shall he lift up the head." His own head shall be lifted high in victory, and his people, in him, shall be upraised also. When he passed this way before, he was burdened and had stern work laid upon him; but in his second advent he will win an easy victory; aforetime he was the man of sorrows, but when he comes a second time his head will be lifted in triumph. Let his saints rejoice with him. "Lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh." In the latter days we look for terrible conflicts and for a final victory. Long has Jesus borne with our rebellious race, but at length he wilt rise to end the warfare of longsuffering, by the blows of justice. God has fought with men's sins for their good, but he will not always by his Spirit strive with men; he will cease from that struggle of long suffering love, and begin another which shall soon end in the final destruction of his adversaries. O King priest, we who are, in a minor degree, king priests too, are full of gladness because thou reignest even now, and wilt come ere long to vindicate thy cause and establish thine empire for ever. Even so, come quickly. Amen. - C. H. Spurgeon

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#840 Let Them Curse

Be not silent, O God of my praise!

2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,

speaking against me with lying tongues.

3 They encircle me with words of hate,

and attack me without cause.

4 In return for my love they accuse me,

but I give myself to prayer.

5 So they reward me evil for good,

and hatred for my love.

6 Appoint a wicked man against him;

let an accuser stand at his right hand.

7 When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;

let his prayer be counted as sin!

8 May his days be few;

may another take his office!

9 May his children be fatherless

and his wife a widow!

10 May his children wander about and beg,

seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!

11 May the creditor seize all that he has;

may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!

12 Let there be none to extend kindness to him,

nor any to pity his fatherless children!

13 May his posterity be cut off;

may his name be blotted out in the second generation!

14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord,

and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!

15 Let them be before the Lord continually,

that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth!

16 For he did not remember to show kindness,

but pursued the poor and needy

and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.

17 He loved to curse; let curses come upon him!

He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!

18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat;

may it soak into his body like water,

like oil into his bones!

19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around him,

like a belt that he puts on every day!

20 May this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord,

of those who speak evil against my life!

21 But you, O God my Lord,

deal on my behalf for your name's sake;

because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!

22 For I am poor and needy,

and my heart is stricken within me.

23 I am gone like a shadow at evening;

I am shaken off like a locust.

24 My knees are weak through fasting;

my body has become gaunt, with no fat.

25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers;

when they see me, they wag their heads.

26 Help me, O Lord my God!

Save me according to your steadfast love!

27 Let them know that this is your hand;

you, O Lord, have done it!

28 Let them curse, but you will bless!

They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!

29 May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;

may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!

30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;

I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,

to save him from those who condemn his soul to death. Psalm 109 ESV

A Psalm of David to the chief musician.

- The gentlest hearts burn with indignation when they hear of barbarities to women and children, of crafty plots for ruining the innocent, of cruel oppression of helpless orphans, and gratuitous ingratitude to the good and gentle. A curse upon the perpetrators of the atrocities in Turkey may not be less virtuous than a blessing upon the righteous. We wish well to all mankind, and for that very reason we sometimes blaze with indignation against the inhuman wretches by whom every law which protects our fellow creatures is trampled down, and every dictate of humanity is set at nought. - C. H. Spurgeon

Be not silent, O God of my praise - The Psalmist cries out to God for help against those who are not at all silent about him. It is not just that they speak, but they speak lies, and though we say innocent until proven guilty, too often minds are already made up. When my only defense is to tell the truth, I find myself at a disadvantage in this world, but wait, what if my hope is not in this world? What if I tell the truth without exchanging insult for insult, without taking up the weapons of this present age? There was a man who I spoke out often against, but he turned out to be the better man than I. He said he decided at the beginning of his ministry that he would not defend himself, only the gospel. The honor of his Savior was more precious than his own name.

But I give myself to prayer - Lord, You hear what they say about me, and I pray that none of it will ever be true. That part that is or may be, please forgive me of, and remove from me all iniquity. 

Let his prayers be counted as sin - Do not answer him, O Lord, in the way that he would want. Let his curses fall upon him, let his own prayers be in vain, as to an idol or other god. 

9 To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.…

…12 I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”… Luke 18: 9-14

May another take his office - This is quoted by Peter of Judas. What can be wished for a man that returns evil for good, hate for love? We may and should wish that his heart be convicted, changed, but if left to it's sinful state, may he be removed, stepped down from his sniper's perch, put away from doing other's any more harm. 

…19 This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem; so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20“For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘May his dwelling be deserted; let there be no one to live in it,’ and, ‘May another take his office.’ 21 Therefore it is necessary to select one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,… Acts 1: 19-21

May his children wander about and beg - These are hard sayings, and songs left not visited by many a professor of the faith. I refuse to turn my eyes away though, and I look from history past. When Adam fell all of creation fell with him. I remember the history of the kings, and the sword that did not depart from the writer's own house after he had plundered another's. Ahab and Jezebel worked witchcraft and murder, and when we do other's harm with our words or the sword, those that live by it, die by it. This is the dowry of ungodly parents, a chest full of horrors. Have I taught my children deceit, slandered the innocent before their ears, gossiped about and punished better men than myself? What have we left the next generation, who will they be?

28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,…

…30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. 31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.… Romans 1: 28-32

But pursued the poor and needy - He was not in want of hunger or lacking, but he showed no pity on those who were. For so many, the plight of others becomes their might. They look for the quick sale, the foreclosure of the man's house who lost his job. The widow that needs to feed her children becomes the slave of the pimp. He had children of his own that he said were dear to him, but he cannot find such humanity in the eyes of another's child. They could be sold, abused, starved, and left for dead, what was that to him?

He loved to curse, let curses come upon him - This is what came out of the abundance of his heart, he lied so much, he must love lies. He cursed those more righteous than himself, so surely he hated righteousness. Let him reap what he has planted. 

Deal on my behalf for Your name's sake - There is none just like God, and so to Him I make my appeal. What has been said of me is not true in this case. I am poor and needy though, for I am not altogether innocent in all things, but often I have sinned against you. Show mercy to me, O Lord, let me not forget the poor, to do justice for the widow and the orphan.

To save him from those who condemn his soul to death - We have an accuser, but we have a Mediator Who has defeated him, Who has stood in the gap, taken our charges upon Himself. He was falsely accused, given a kangaroo court, a trial before wicked men, sentenced to death, but went quietly in my stead.

…20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”… Luke 23: 20-22

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#839 Warrior's Morning Song

My heart is steadfast, O God!

I will sing and make melody with all my being!

2 Awake, O harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn!

3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!

6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,

give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

7 God has promised in his holiness:

“With exultation I will divide up Shechem

and portion out the Valley of Succoth.

8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;

Ephraim is my helmet,

Judah my scepter.

9 Moab is my washbasin;

upon Edom I cast my shoe;

over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?

Who will lead me to Edom?

11 Have you not rejected us, O God?

You do not go out, O God, with our armies.

12 Oh grant us help against the foe,

for vain is the salvation of man!

13 With God we shall do valiantly;

it is he who will tread down our foes. Psalm 108 ESV

A Psalm of David (Warrior's morning song).

In Ps 57:7-11 these notes of praise follow prayer and grow out of it; but in this case the psalmist begins at once to sing and give praise, and afterwards prays to God in a remarkably confident manner, so that he seems rather to seize the blessing than to entreat for it. Sometimes we must climb to praise by the ladder of prayer, and at other times we must bless God for the past in order to be able in faith to plead for the present and the future. By the aid of God's Spirit we can both pray ourselves up to praise, or praise the Lord till we get into a fit frame for prayer. - C. H. Spurgeon

My heart is steadfast, O God - He is fixed in his resolve. This is the power of praise, the power of good doctrine. When I consider the sovereignty of God, it wells up in me the joy that breaks forth to obedience. Present danger or company does not sway me, my feelings are no longer the fuel of my actions. I can now be afraid yet go forward in what is good and acceptable. We can tell the truth because we love Her for her own sake, it may make me look bad, but I will love her anyway. 

I will awake the dawn - It shall not wake me, for my mouth will already be at praise, my mind will already be engaged, searching out the wee hours of the morning, looking to commune with the Creator. 

I will sing praise to You among the nations - May all the earth be blessed. David is not waiting to see how it may be perceived from place to place. He knows His God is Lord over all, so he sings to all the nations.

- His heart was large, he would have the whole race of man listen to his joy in God, and lo, he has his desire, for his psalmody is cosmopolitan; no poet is so universally known as he. He had but one theme, he sang Jehovah and none beside, and his work being thus made of gold, silver, and precious stones, has endured the fiery ordeal of time, and was never more prized than at this day. - C. H. Spurgeon

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens - No man made idol could contain or reflect the magnitude of God, no worship that does not reflect upon His infinite majesty could ever come to it's proper heights. Look as far as you can see and place Him above that, His mercy to His loved ones that they may praise.

God has promised in His holiness - He has revealed to David His anointing upon him, that he is chosen to shepherd Israel and establish their kingdom. 

Holy Promise

Chosen

A Star

With God we shall do valiantly - The more you lift Him up, the smaller the battle seems, and just know that it is still smaller than that.

…32“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” John 16: 32-33

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. 8 We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;… 2 Corinthians 4:7

…3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is already in the world at this time. 4 You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them.… 1 John 4: 3-5

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#838 Say So

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

whom he has redeemed from trouble

3 and gathered in from the lands,

from the east and from the west,

from the north and from the south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastes,

finding no way to a city to dwell in;

5 hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted within them.

6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them by a straight way

till they reached a city to dwell in.

8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

9 For he satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

prisoners in affliction and in irons,

11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,

and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;

they fell down, with none to help.

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

and burst their bonds apart.

15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

16 For he shatters the doors of bronze

and cuts in two the bars of iron.

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,

and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;

18 they loathed any kind of food,

and they drew near to the gates of death.

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

20 He sent out his word and healed them,

and delivered them from their destruction.

21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,

and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,

doing business on the great waters;

24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,

his wondrous works in the deep.

25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,

which lifted up the waves of the sea.

26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;

their courage melted away in their evil plight;

27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men

and were at their wits' end.

28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

29 He made the storm be still,

and the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,

and he brought them to their desired haven.

31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,

and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

33 He turns rivers into a desert,

springs of water into thirsty ground,

34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,

because of the evil of its inhabitants.

35 He turns a desert into pools of water,

a parched land into springs of water.

36 And there he lets the hungry dwell,

and they establish a city to live in;

37 they sow fields and plant vineyards

and get a fruitful yield.

38 By his blessing they multiply greatly,

and he does not let their livestock diminish.

39 When they are diminished and brought low

through oppression, evil, and sorrow,

40 he pours contempt on princes

and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction

and makes their families like flocks.

42 The upright see it and are glad,

and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;

let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord. Psalm 107 ESV

A Psalm of Rescue.

For His steadfast love endures forever - This unilateral covenant must speak too many volumes to the awakened mind, for as soon as we see it we know we are not so patient, kind, and we must be grateful that God is not like us. 

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so - I didn't even know what to ask for, but it would mean hell to ask for what is fair. It is the Lord Who calls and gathers His chosen from every land. Certainly we must not look upon that which we didn't even make, and think ourselves mighty for all that perishes away. From the first promise of Messiah's heel being bruised it has been God's redemption story.

…14 Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life. 15 The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet of foot will not escape, and the horseman will not save his life. 16 Even the bravest of mighty men will flee naked on that day,” declares the LORD.… Amos 2: 14-16

i. “Moses has given us in the law a clear and full idea of what we are to understand by the word goel, here rendered ‘redeemed.’ If any person was either sold for a slave, or carried away for a captive, then his kinsman, who was nearest to him in blood, had the right and equity of redemption.” (Romaine, cited in Spurgeon)

Some wandered in desert wastes - We saw before the people in the wilderness, the sons of Jacob being led by Moses out of Egypt. This seems to refer of something later, since they were called from every direction. But every time they were taken, the Egyptian captivity, Assyrian captivity, Babylonian captivity, Persian etc.. every time they had to cross hostile lands, with vanquished and hungry souls. He provided manna, but man cannot live by bread alone.  

…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

Some sat in darkness and the shadow of death - We refuse light, as it goes on they rebelled against the words of the Lord. That which would be a lamp unto their feet and light unto their path.

…10 With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. 11 I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.… Psalm 119:10-12

Some were fools through their sinful ways - They suffered at their own hands, doing what they knew ought not to be done. Again, they discarded the words of God, many believing that He exists, but not believing in Him. Pride and unbelief, they persist even in the face of truth. Cannot the One, Who spoke the universe into existence, brought man up from the dust, speak into history His plan of redemption? Everything hangs upon the pure word of God, that what He says, He will also accomplish. 

He made the storm be still - His word still works, He is still over His creation, though there is a tempest He is so much greater than all the things that men fear.

A fruitful land into a salty waste - Time and again, like Sodom and Gomorrah, nations rise, prosper on the earth that God has made, but their hearts are inclined to evil all the time. If God is Holy then He must be just, and He only owes men their wages.

He pours contempt on princes - They make their own laws, they cry unfair, right, wrong, but why should a righteous God yield to the whims of unrighteous men? Should He respect their title and person? None of them can stand before Him. None can call themselves into being. None can redeem themselves from the grave. When He sends the King of Kings, He looks nothing like the princes of the earth, but more like a pauper, born to a peasant home, meek and lowly. We joke of slumming, of roughing it, but we have no idea.

1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.… Isaiah 53: 1-3

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