OVERVIEW:
The preservation of God’s word; longing for deliverance; the foolishness of fools; the description of a godly man; the second coming of Christ; the power of God’s word.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Verse 1 of Psalm 12 establishes the theme and sets the context for the entire psalm: namely, that godly and faithful men are in short supply! It was true in David’s day and it is certainly descriptive of our day as well. However, the Lord promises He will arise and that justice toward the proud and blasphemous “talkers” in this world (12:2–4), along with the oppressors of the poor and needy, will be served! (12:5) The certainty of this truth is based on the certainty of God’s word. We can rest and be at peace, even in this evil world, because we trust the promises of God’s word. He has preserved it for us! It is true and we can rest assured that the Lord will keep His word. In fact, 12:6–7 promises that He will preserve and keep His word pure forever! Hallelujah!
If you’re in need of encouragement today, you may want to slow down through Psalm 13. It only has six verses, so it’s a quick read but boy, do they pack a wallop!
Notice how honest David gets with God in this psalm. Isn’t it awesome that our God can not only handle our honesty but that He actually welcomes it?! (Hebrews 4:14–16) As David is writing and singing this song (psalm) to the Lord, he is a discouraged, disappointed, and even a disillusioned man. In fact, in the first two verses, he asks God four rather inflammatory questions each begin with the same two words: “How long?”
- HOW LONG wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?
- HOW LONG wilt thou hide thy face from me?
- HOW LONG shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?
- HOW LONG shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
Have you ever found yourself at a place spiritually where you’ve felt what the psalmist was feeling here? Have you ever opened your heart to the Lord in prayer and found your mouth crying out, “How long, O Lord?” Notice that as David continues to work through his questions (and questioning!) of God in this psalm, that by the time his song is over, he’s been brought into remembrance of God’s mercy, His salvation, and just how bountifully God had dealt with him through the years.
As we immerse ourselves into this psalm today, may we, likewise, find with David, that if we will simply and honestly pour out our hearts to God, and yes, even our frustrations, that God will begin to bring to our minds His mercies toward us, the salvation He’s provided us, and the bountiful goodness He’s shown us through the years. No, our circumstances may not immediately change (David’s didn’t!), but maybe what will change will be our attitude and outlook toward them! Let Psalm 13 be of great comfort to all of us today!
Psalm 14 is a description of lost man. May we keep ever-present in our hearts and minds that this psalm was descriptive of each of us before coming to Christ!
In Psalm 15, God contrasts the description of the lost man with His description of a “godly” or “saved” man, or, someone in whom God dwells. God uses five sentences to provide a composite of this person:
- He possesses inward righteousness that works its way outward into daily living. (15:2) This is the exact opposite of the Pharisees who had an outward “righteousness” but inwardly were full of unrighteousness.
- He loves others as he loves himself. (15:3) Note that interpersonal problems in our relationships are caused because someone is not loving his neighbor as himself! (Galatians 5:14–15)
- He honors those whose lives give evidence that they fear God, not those who live vile lives. (15:4a) Who are the people you respect and admire? Are they people who walk with God?
- He is someone who means what he says. (15:4b) Can others always trust the things that come out of your mouth? Do you keep your word even when it costs you something, or inconveniences you?
- He is not driven by financial gain. (15:5) Is the priority and pursuit of your life all about making money, getting ahead, becoming “well off”; or, is it loving God, and advancing His kingdom and glory?
Note the prophecy concerning Christ’s death and resurrection in Psalm 16:10. Peter was well-aware of this prophecy, even referencing it in his sermon on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:31!
Psalm 17 is a great place to find refuge during times of trial, particularly those times when people are callously heaping intense opposition upon you. Find solace and comfort through the outpouring of David’s heart and his absolute dependence upon God, not only to see him though it, but to conform him into His image in the process! (17:15 c.f. Romans 8:29) May we both learn from and follow David’s example in these verses. Understanding the “doctrinal” or “prophetic” context of Psalm 18 is vital. This psalm is an incredible prophecy concerning the second coming of Christ and His deliverance of His people, the nation of Israel. In 18:4–6, David describes the utter distress and hopelessness of the Jews during the coming time of Tribulation on this planet, while in 18:7–15, he describes the power and glory of “the Day of the Lord”, which, of course, is the second coming of Christ to this earth! Understanding the prophetic context of this psalm helps us to make biblical sense (i.e. “rightly divide”, 2nd Timothy 2:15) out of David’s obvious emphasis upon human works in 18:20–24. Keep in mind that after the church is removed from the earth at the rapture, those who believe during tribulation are not “sealed” with the Holy Spirit like we have been. As Jesus taught in Matthew 24:13, during the Tribulation Period, “believers” must “endure to the end” in order to be saved. Specifically, they must not take the infamous “mark of the beast (antichrist)”. In that way, they must “endure to the end”: the end of their life, or the end of the Tribulation Period.
Note that Psalm 19:1–6 corresponds to Romans 1:19–20. The creation of God most definitely shows forth His glory in countless ways. David even tells us in 19:4–6, just as Malachi did in Malachi 4:1–2, that the rising of the sun is a daily reminder and picture of the second coming of Christ!
Notice in 19:7–11 that David refers to the word of God by six different names: The LAW of the Lord; the TESTIMONY of the Lord; the STATUTES of the Lord; the COMMANDMENT of the Lord; the FEAR of the Lord; and the JUDGMENTS of the Lord. Notice also in these same verses, the six things he teaches us that the word of God has the power to do: to convert the soul; to make wise the simple; to rejoice the heart; to enlighten the eyes; to endure forever; and to provide warning and reward. No wonder David admonishes us in 19:10 to desire it more than gold, and to find that its sweetness to us spiritually, is actually sweeter than a honeycomb is to us physically.
In Psalm 20, notice once again, the Tribulation/Day of the Lord (second coming of Christ) context throughout. Psalm 20:7 is classic and should characterize God’s people in every dispensation and generation: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Let it be true of us today and every day!
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
Through the RISING of the SUN — Psalm 19:4–6 (Picturing the “Sun of righteousness, rising in the east at His second coming”—Malachi 4:2.)