TODAY’S READING: PSALM 110-118
OVERVIEW:
The Lord gives dominion to the King; the psalmist’s praise for the works of the Lord; the blessed man; the Lord’s exaltation of the humble; God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt; the heathen idols contrasted with Jehovah; thanksgiving for deliverance from death; a psalm of praise; thanksgiving for the Lord’s saving goodness.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Psalm 110 is a very significant Psalm. It is specifically this Psalm that Jesus used to prove His deity when He sought to shut the mouths of the Pharisees in Matthew 22. That passage says “While the Pharisees were gathered together (see Matt.22:23-35), Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then called him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions” (Matt. 22:41-46).
Notice in verse one of Psalm 110, that 1000 years before Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, David recognized that the Messiah existed (“The Lord said unto my Lord”); acknowledged that the Messiah was his “Lord” (“The Lord said unto MY Lord”); and understood that the Messiah would one day come in judgment upon His enemies (“Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool”).
Psalm 110 is quoted no less than seven times in the New Testament: Hebrews 1:13; 5:6;7:17; Matt. 22:43-44; Mark 12:36; Acts 2:33-34; Luke 20:42-43.
Psalm 111 is a psalm of praise for the “works of the Lord.” God’s works in this Psalm are described in nine different ways. They are: 1) Great (v.2); 2) To be sought out (v.2); 3) Honorable (v.3); 4) Glorious (v.3); 5) Wonderful (v.4); 6) To be remembered (v. 4); 7) Powerful (v.6); 8) True (v. 7); 9) Judgmental (v. 7). Verse 10 of Psalm 111 is a great reminder to those of us living in the last days, because we have been brainwashed before coming to Christ, and for most of us, after coming to Christ, not to believe it. It is true as it stands, however, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”! Not “reverential trust” – not “holy reverence” – FEAR! All of our lives, Satan has been bent on teaching us to fear what God told us NOT to fear (II Kings 17:7, 25), and teaching us not to fear what God TOLD US TO FEAR (Ex.20:20). It basically comes down to this: we will either fear God or fear man (Prov. 29:25). Jesus helps us get the issue in perspective in Matthew10:28– “And fear not them which kill the body (i.e. men), but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”!
How’s that for tact?
Psalm 112 describes the “blessed man” that we met in Psalm 1.
Psalm 113 describes the millennium.
Psalm 114 is a very brief overview of the events recorded in the Books of Exodus and Joshua, and that will be repeated at the Second Coming of Christ.
Psalm 115 admonishes three groups of people to “trust in the Lord” and find Him as their “help” (aggressive action AGAINST the enemy) and their “shield” (protection FROM the enemy). The three groups are 1) “Israel” (v. 9 – i.e. Jews in the Tribulation); 2) The “House of Aaron” (v.10 – i.e. Levitical priests who are about to serve in theMillennialTemple– Ezek. 40-42); 3) “Ye that fear the Lord” (v. 11 – Gentile converts in the Tribulation – Rev. 7:9).
Psalm 116 is a Messianic Psalm.
Psalm 117 is short – and sweet!
Psalm 118 is the middle of the Bible – and specifically verse 8 – “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Verse 22 and 23 of Psalm 118 are incredibly significant, and will be quoted at key places in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ the Apostle Peter, and the Apostle Paul. Psalm 118:22-23 says, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Jesus quoted this verse to the chief priests, scribes and elders ofIsraelto show them that they were about to be the ones who fulfilled this prophecy (Matt.21:42; Mark 12:35-36: Luke 20:42-43). When Peter preached to the high priest, scribes, rulers and elders of Israel in Acts 4, he quoted his verse to explain to them that they had fulfilled this prophecy (Acts 4:5-11). When God inspired Paul to write the Book of Ephesians to reveal the mystery of the church, the body of Christ, he, too, quoted the verse in Ephesians 2:19-21.
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the ONE SEATED AT THE FATHER’S RIGHT HAND – Ps. 110:1 (Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1)
As the STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REFUSED – Ps. 118:22 (Matt.21:42; Mark 12:35-36; Luke 20:42-43)