WEEK 27, DAY 186; TODAY’S READING: PSALMS 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 (and magnificent!) psalm. It is specifically this psalm that Jesus used to prove His deity when He sought to shut the mouths of the Saducees and Pharisees in Matthew 22. (see Matthew 22:23–35) The passage says, “While the Pharisees were gathered together, 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 call him Lord, how is he is 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.” (Matthew 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, not only, existed (“The Lord said unto my Lord”), but 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; Matthew 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.” (111:2) God’s “works” in this psalm are mentioned in five different verses and described in nine different ways. Notice, God’s works are:

  1. Great. (111:2)
  2. To be sought out. (111:2)
  3. Honorable. (111:3a)
  4. Glorious. (111:3b)
  5. Wonderful. (111:4a)
  6. To be remembered. (111:4b)
  7. Powerful. (111:6)
  8. True. (111:7a) 
  9. Judgmental. (11:7b)

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!” Notice, not “reverential trust”! Not “holy reverence”! But “FEAR”! All of our lives, Satan has been bent on teaching us to FEAR what God told us NOT TO FEAR (2nd Kings 17:7, 25) and teaching us NOT TO FEAR what God TOLD US TO FEAR! (Exodus 20:20) It basically comes down to this: we will either fear God or we will fear man. (Proverbs 29:25) Jesus helps us get the issue in perspective in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body (i.e. men), but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him (i.e. God) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” How’s that for tact and political correctness?

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 “Israel” (verses 9, 12a), the “house of Aaron” (verses 10, 12b), and “ye that fear the Lord” (verses 11, 13). Recognize that in the prophetic application, the reference to “Israel” is specifically the Jews in the Tribulation. The reference to the “house of Aaron” points to the Levitical priests who will be serving in the Millennial temple. The prophetic reference to those who “fear the Lord” is pointing to Gentile converts during the Tribulation. When you factor in the Millennial application of verse 18, it takes on even more beauty and significance: “…we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.” Won’t that be awesome?! Hallelujah!

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.” Verses 22 and 23 of Psalm 118 are incredibly significant, and will be quoted at key places in the ministry of our 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 of Israel to show them that they were about to be the ones who fulfilled this prophecy. (Matthew 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 this verse to explain to them that they had actually 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 this verse in Ephesians 2:19–21.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE SEATED AT THE FATHER’S RIGHT HAND — Psalm 110:1 (Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1)

As the STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REFUSED — Psalm 118:22 (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:35–36; Luke 20:42–43)