Psalms Devotions

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Psalms Devotions
Submitted to Dr. Gary Yates
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
OBST 660-D01 LUO Psalms
By
​Robert Brandon Strickland
​August 9, 2020

 Psalm 29, A Psalm of Praise
As Christians, our lives should be marked by praise and adoration for God, for he alone is worthy of such admiration. Psalm 29 is a psalm that consists entirely of praise. Every line in this psalm is penned with that purpose in mind. Verses 1-2 opens with a call to worship, which calls for the angelic hosts to "ascribe to the LORD glory and strength" and to "worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness." This grand opening reminds the reader that all of creation was created for this purpose. All of heaven and earth shall declare his praise and might. While we cannot add one ounce of glory to God's intrinsic nature, we are called along with heaven itself to recognize his glory and strength and ascribe it unto him. To ascribe glory unto God is the essence of worship, "worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness" (Ps. 29:2). The thrust of this psalm (vs. 3-9) praises God for his awesome power, displayed in a mighty thunderstorm that rolls in from the Mediterranean. The storm moves from the Mediterranean to Lebanon's cedar forests, then down to the southern desert of Kadesh. This thunderstorm envisages a theophanic experience in which God's majestic voice, like thunder and lightning, goes forth from heaven with great power and might in a grand display of his glory. This excellent display of power invokes a response by his people who see this great wonder and cry, "Glory!" (Ps. 29:9). The wonder and awe of God in his might displayed in his creation should cause us to fall to our knees and ascribe unto him praise. The psalm ends picturing God "enthroned" high above the earth as king over all of creation. The word "flood" is significant in that the Hebrew term is used nowhere else in the Old Testament except in Genesis 6-11. In Genesis 6-11 (because of sin), God purposefully brought about judgment upon the earth, allowing the forces of chaos to overwhelm the earth by flood and bring it back to its primordial state. This judgment and display of power in the flood reminds the 2 reader that God is sovereign over all creation, and as the sovereign ruler, he controls even the forces of nature. While this may bring fear and dread to those who witness such a display, the psalmist ends by reminding God's people that such power should bring us great comfort and even peace. While the "voice of Yahweh," is like a thunderstorm full of power and might, it is also a voice of "peace" that brings blessing to his people. While we "give" glory unto God (vs. 1), by ascribing unto him what is his due, he "gives" unto his people "blessing" and "peace" (vv. 10- 11).

Psalm 1, A Psalm of Wisdom
Psalm 1 opens the psalter and lays before the reader two paths; the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked. Much like the book of Proverbs, this psalm is written in the style of wisdom literature (see Proverbs 2:12ff., and 20ff), which calls the reader to head the instruction presented before them by way of contrast between the righteous and the wicked. First, "the blessed man" is described negatively in terms of the things he "does not do" (Ps. 1:1). The blessed man does not follow the counsel, advice, and ways of the ungodly. As Christians, while we are in the world, we are called to be set apart from the world. Rather than following such advice, practice, and counsel of the world, we are to "delight in the law of the LORD" (Ps. 1:2). Those who desire to worship God in truth must do so in light of his instruction (Torah). God's people (the righteous) are called to delight in his instruction, for it is the way to blessing and fruitfulness (Ps. 1:1,3). The opposite of blessing is found when we follow the advice and counsel of the wicked (Psalm 1:1). While the righteous are portrayed as a tree planted by rivers of flowing water that produces fruit in its season (Ps. 1:3), the wicked are portrayed as chaff, blown away by the wind, unfruitful and barren (Ps. 1:4). 3 The psalm ends with both a warning for those who follow the way of the wicked and comfort for those who follow the way of righteousness. "The wicked will not stand in the judgment"(Ps. 1:5), but those who follow the way of righteousness," the Lord knows" their way (Ps. 1:6). Ultimately this psalm sets the tone for the whole psalter and invites the reader to examine his ways. Are we one who delights and meditates on "the law of the Lord"? Or are we one who follows the way of the ungodly? One way leads to blessing the other to destruction.

Psalm 123, A Psalm of Trust
​Psalm 123 is both a community lament and a community psalm of trust, in which the faithful pilgrims cry to God seeking mercy from those who are bringing contempt and scorn upon them. In the first verse, the psalmist declares, "To you, I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens"(Psalm 123:1). This "lifting of the eyes," reminds me of Hebrews 12:2- 3, which tells us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb, 12:2-3). The writer of Hebrews encourages the Christians to "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted" (Heb 12:3). This psalm teaches us that although we may face circumstances that may cause us to grow weary or fainthearted if we will but fix our eyes upon him who is enthroned in the heavens and trust him, he will see us through. In verse 2 the psalmist compares himself and the community to a slave or a mistress which submissively waits upon their master for relief. In such times of distress and contempt we must remain loyal and faithful, waiting upon God's vindication. As Christians, we must take the posture of a servant, fixing our eyes upon the 4 sovereign Lord, and wait for his provision. This psalm also teaches us to cry unto him in such times of distress, and to submit ourselves unto his mercy. He hears our prayers and will vindicate the righteous in his timing.

Psalm 15, A Psalm of Examination
Psalm 15 focuses on the proper approach to the worship of God. The psalm begins by asking the question, "O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill (Psalm 15:1)? In verses 2-5, the psalmist provides the answer, which essentially describes one who is "blameless." As Christians, we know and understand that we are able to come boldly before the throne of God because we come on the merits of his Son Jesus (Heb 4:16). While our approach unto God and dwelling in his presence is achieved in the finished work of Christ, the evidence that we have received this imputed righteousness is a life lived in holy and righteous living. This psalm invites us to exam our own lives to see if our heart and character is one that fits this description. The psalmist speaks not only of the heart (vs. 2), but of the tongue (vs. 3), and the eyes (vs. 4). Every part of our lives should be pure, and blameless in the sight of the Lord. God is holy, and those who dwell with him are to be holy. The writer of Hebrews reminds us as Christians to "strive for... holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:15 that we are to "be holy in all our conduct," as he who called us is holy. This psalm has encouraged me to not seek to be holy for holiness sake, but because it is the mark of those who dwell with God. Ultimately our example is found in Christ the Son of God, who is in many ways described in this psalm. We are to seek to imitate his life, his character, while resting upon his finished work. 5

Psalm 110, A Psalm of Victory
Psalm 110 a royal psalm that anticipates the rule of the King of Israel to reign over all the nations of the earth. This Psalm finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is seated at the "right hand" of the Father in his post resurrection glory, and awaits his final victory at his return to rule all nations. This Psalm being quoted more than any other psalm in the New Testament is a psalm of victory and hope. Our savior reigns now, for he is seated in the heavens, and through his gospel and his people he is bringing the nations into subjection. Christ is presented in this Psalm not only as king, but also as our priest and warrior. He is our priest like that after the order of Melchizedek, who was both priest and king (Gen.14:18-20). The writer of Hebrews recognizes the fulfillment of Christ's priestly office when he states "And being made perfect, he [Christ] became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek" (Heb. 5:9-10). In verses 5-7 the psalmist describes the ultimate heir of David as the great warrior who will conquer the kings and nations and bring about their submission to his rule as king. The Psalm ends on a note of victory, for the warrior "lifts his head" in victory, having conquered the nations (cf. Ps. 27:6). This Psalm encourages his people to proclaim the good news of Christ with authority as his ambassadors and representatives on earth. It also encourages his people that Christ will ultimately gain the victory, and all things will be made right when he returns to judge the earth.