Bible in one year 9/8/ 2022 Psalm 82- 84 By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 9/8/ 2022  Psalm 82- 84  

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

Psalm 82 A psalm of Asaph. Like Psalm 58, this psalm also relates to the unjust judges who stand before God’s judgement seat(v.1) accused of injustice (vv.2-5), and who hear the divine verdict of death(vv.6-7). The psalmist petitions God to extend His just judgement throughout the earth(v.8). Verse 1 “gods” is a reference to the human rulers and judges of the people (also v.6; Ps.58:1 and John10:34).

Psalm 82:1-8

God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgement among the ‘gods”. How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? (vv.1-2).

 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (vv.3-4).

“They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, ‘ You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’ But  you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” (vv.5-7).

Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.(v.8).

 

Psalm 83 A psalm of Asaph. Ringed by enemies, the psalmist pleads with God for help (vv.1-4), pictures the confederacy(vv.5-8), and prays for vengeance (vv.9-18).

Psalm 83:1-18

O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. “Come” they say, “Let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.” (vv.1-4).

With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—that tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to lend strength to the descendants of Lot. (vv.5-8).

Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who perished at Endor and became like refuse on the ground. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, “ Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.” Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. (vv.9-15).

Cover their face with shame so that men will seek your name, O Lord. May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. (vv.16-18).

 

Psalm 84 A psalm of the Sons of Korah. This song of a pilgrim expresses his passion for God’s house (vv.1-4), his pilgrimage to God’s house (vv.5-8), and his praise in God’s house(vv.9-12). Verse 6 the Valley of Baca. Not a specific place, but a reference either to a place of weeping (Baca being from a root meaning “to weep”) or a valley of desolation (Baca being the singular of “balsam trees,” which grow in arid ground). The meaning is: the pilgrim turns his troubles into blessings. Verse 9 Shield. Speaks of protection. Anointed. Refers immediately to the Davidic king (though ultimately to Christ).

Psalm 84 : 1-12

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (vv.1-2).

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. (vv.3-4).

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it will pools. (vv.5-6).

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield , O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (vv.7-10).

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. (vv.11-12).

 

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.