Lord’s Day, Vol. 12 No. 24

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Lord’s Day, Vol. 12 No. 24

(1) Opening the Psalms Book 1

In concluding the opening of Booking of 2 Samuel, it was written, “David was called the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Sam. 23:1) who wrote a psalm of thanksgiving recorded in 2 Sam. 22 cf. Psalm 18 – 2 Samuel 22:47 (KJV) The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.” Then comes the opening of the first Book of the Psalms from Psalm 1-41. Of the 41 psalms, there are 37 Psalms with the heading “A Psalm of David”.

From the history and prophetic record of portions of 1 Samuel and subsequently 2 Samuel on the life of David during David’s fugitive years to the time of the United Kingdom of Israel, our Bible reading brings us to the heart of the Book of Book – the Book of Psalms.

The “Psalm” is a song, coming from the Hebrew word “מִזְמוֹר mizmô” which means “a melody”. In Psalm Book 1, from Psalm 1-41, there are 37 psalms recorded as psalms of David. He is indeed the sweet psalmist of Israel.

In an introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books, C. Hassell Bullock wrote insightfully, “Old Testament history and theology are impressed upon this book in fragmented and unsystematic form. The dynamism of history and personal encounter with God exudes from these songs. They have not only arisen out of history and personal encounter, but have also stood the test of the same. To read and pray the Psalms is to join the voice of numberless people who too have read and prayed them, have felt joy, anguish and indignation.

More than that, men’s encounter with God bring with it, expressions of God’s dealings with their very soul! The personal record of man’s encounter with God is bear open for our examination and scrutiny, learning and emulation. The psalmist teaches us how to handle the emotions with God’s help as one experiences the happenings in one’s life.

Psalm 1 provides the preface to the Book showing how the reader can benefit from this study. It is by separating himself from ungodly men – Psalm 1:1 (KJV) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. And to take time to meditate upon the Scriptures – Psalm 1:2 (KJV) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Showing the benefits of such piety – Psalm 1:3 (KJV) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The scope of the book of Psalms broadens in Psalm 2 to the reign of the LORD over all the kings of the earth. None can resist Him but all must submit to His rule. It culminates with the earthly rule of the LORD out of the holy hill of Zion with Jerusalem. It stills the heart of God’s people to know that He is at the helm of human affairs and all is not reeling out of order but within His purview – Psalm 2:10-12 (KJV) Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psalm 3 begins with the reign of David in Israel and the revolt of Absalom his son. It provides insight into the emotional anguish of a father’s love for his son, his dire predicament and how the LORD sustained him – Psalm 3:3-5 (KJV) But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

The psalmist experienced strength from the LORD to boldly trust the LORD to work out all things well – Psalm 3:6-8 (KJV) I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

The godly living amid unruly men finds the mercy of God to live righteously, and experience God’s peace and restful sleep in safety – Psalm 4:3-8 (KJV) But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

The daily leading of the LORD in the psalmist’s morning devotion as he directs his prayer to the LORD and looks up and his rejoicing in the LORD’s leading –  Psalm 5:3 (KJV) My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up… Psalm 5:7-8 (KJV) But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face… Psalm 5:11-12 (KJV) But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalm 6 is the first of the Penitential psalms that expresses the psalmist’s sorrow, humiliation and hatred of sin in this mournful ode. There is a disquiet of conscience and an apprehension of God’s anger upon him that caused him to examine his soul’s condition –  Psalm 6:1-4 (KJV) To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.

In the face of persecution, the psalmist renewed his trust in the LORD, as he examines his walk if indeed he was living righteously – Psalm 7:8 (KJV) The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

The honour accorded to man is the theme of this psalm, and how much man should realize he is blessed above all of God’s creation – Psalm 8:1-5 (KJV) To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

The psalmist David sought the LORD wholeheartedly and saw His marvellous providence who forgetteth not the cry of the humble – Psalm 9:1-4 (KJV) To the chief Musician upon Muth-labben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

Guidance and deliverance are sought by the psalmist from the LORD in the face of oppression and persecution wicked – Psalm 10:1-2 (KJV) Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined… Psalm 10:15-18 (KJV) Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

To be continued…

(2) Family Bible Camp 2024

Thank God for gathering His church for this year’s Family Bible Camp. There were more than 90 campers. The theme is “The Day of the Lord is at Hand” (2 Thess. 2:2) as we study 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

OUTLINE

  • Fulfilling the Gospel Mandate (1 Thessalonians 1)
    • Prayer and Gospel Preaching – the Whole Counsel of God
    • Spirit-led Salvation and Transformation
  • Spirit-Filled Gospel Work 1 (1 Thessalonians 2)
  • Godliness at Work
  • Persecutions, Sufferings and Hindrances from Satan
  • Spirit-Filled Gospel Teamwork (1 Thessalonians 3)
    • Follow-Up
      • Standfast in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:8)
    • Follow-On
      • In Holiness (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
  • Spiritual Growth (1 Thessalonians 4)
    • Sanctification – Holy Living
    • Succour – True Comfort in the Consummation
      • Understanding the Rapture
  • Spiritual Soberness (1 Thessalonians 5)
    • Watching
    • Waiting and Working
  • Spiritual Resilience (2 Thessalonians 1)
    • Patience and Faith
    • Undergirded by Prayer
  • Spiritual Futurist (2 Thessalonians 2)
    • Return of Christ Yet Future (When?)
      • Falling Away First
      • Antichrist Be Revealed
  • Spiritually Vibrant Church (2 Thessalonians 3)
    • Working and Patient Waiting

In this year’s camp, we see the effect of God’s spirit working in a transformed life through the record of the life of the Apostle Paul and his co-workers Silas and Timothy in the Acts of the Apostles and the impact of their lives on one particular church located in Western Europe – Thessalonica. In the short period of 17 years since the Lord’s ascension to heaven, the gospel will reach the charted territory of Thessalonica. This is the unfolding story of the infant church led by God’s servants to prepare for the Lord’s coming.1 & 2 Thessalonians were the Apostle Paul’s first written epistles to exhort, comfort and establish a sorely persecuted congregation to steadfastness in the faith. He showed them how to find rest in the Lord, resisting temptation so as to live holily and unblameably before God and men as they await the return of Christ. There are two events in the eschatological complex concerning Christ coming again – the first is the rapture and the second is the day of the Lord when He returns to judge the world with His saints. Whilst the church awaits the return of Christ, the church is exhorted to be watching soberly, waiting patiently and fervently working as a witnessing church for His glory. Amen.  

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee