Bible in one year 9/5/ 2022 Book III Psalm 74- 76 By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 9/5/ 2022  Book III Psalm 74- 76

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

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

 

 Psalm 74 Against the background of the Babylonian captivity and the destruction of the Temple in 586, this psalm relates the nation’s cry for help(vv.1-2), the conditions of the havoc(vv.3-11), and the confidence of their hope (vv.12-23). Asaph, a contemporary of David, lived long before this psalm was written; thus the reference here is either to one of his descendants or to a choir guild that bore his name. They ask God to hasten to inspect the seemingly irreparable ruins of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. (v.3). The enemies’ standards in the Temple area replaced those emblems God had placed in the Temple (such as Aaron’s rod). (v.4). Verses 13-14 God’s destruction of the monster and Leviathan(Job.3:8) is a poetic description of His victory over the Egyptians at the time of the Exodus. The convenant in verse 20  originally made with Abraham (Gen.15:18-21; 17:7-8).

Psalm 74:1-23 Amaskil of Asaph.

Why have you rejected us forever, O God? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? Remember the people you purchased of old, the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed – Mount Zion, where you dwelt. Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. (vv.1-3).

Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.(vv.4-7).

They said in their hearts, “we will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. How long will the enemy mock you, O God? Will the foe revile your name forever? (vv.8-10).

Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Garment and destroy them! But you O God, are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth. It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.(vv.11-14).

It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever flowing rivers. The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. How foolish people have reviled your name.(v.15-18).

Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. (vv.19-21).

Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually. (vv.22-23).

 

Psalm 75 A psalm of Asaph. In this communal thanksgiving psalm, Asaph praise God who will judge the earth(vv.1-3), warns the wicked of this judgment (vv.4-8), and vows to praise God (vv.9-10), Do Not Destroy. Heb., Al-tashheth. See the note on Psalm 57. Verse 6 No mention is made of the north (the desert was to the south), for the Assyrians were approaching from the direction (Isa.36-37 is likely the background of this psalm).

Psalm 75:1-10

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, “ I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. (vv.1-3).

To the arrogant I say, “ Boast no more,” and to the wicked, “Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.” (vv.4-5).

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up. (vv.6-10).

 Psalm 76 A psalm of Asaph. This hymn of thanksgiving records the voice of the people(vv.1-3), the victory of God(vv.4-10), and the vows of the people(vv.11-12). As with Psalm 75 , the victory celebrated is likely the defeat of the Assyrians in 701 B.C. (2Kings 18:13-19:37; Isa.36-37); therefore the Asaph mentioned is either a descendant of the Asaph of David’s time or a reference to a choir guild bearing his name. Salem(v.2) is a shortened form of Jerusalem also called Zion. Verses 5-6 This description remarkably fits the judgment God brought on the armies of Sennacherib (2Kings 19:35; Isa.37:36).

Psalm 76:1-12

In Judah God is know; his name is great in Israel. His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game. (vv.1-4).

Valiant men lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands. At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and chariot of Jacob, both house and chariot lie still. (vv.5-6).

You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet- when you, O God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. Surely your wrath against men brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. (vv.7-10).  

Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. He breaks the spirit of relers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.(vv.11-12).

 

 

Bibliography,

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

 

Bible in one year 9/4/2022 Psalm 72- 73 and a worship song "All our life in Lord's hand" by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

"All our life in Lord's hand" is a worship song I composed, recorded and produced in a worship album named " A Living Stone" during 2013. the song reflects Psalm72:12-14 King Solomon's assurance is in the Lord. He assured the Lord will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who has no one to help. Lord will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. The Lord will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in Lord's sight. Friends, hold on these Words of God, and put your hope and trust in the Lord. The Lord will save, the Lord will rescue, The Lord will provide His people who cry out for help. Be strong!

Bible in one year 9/4/ 2022  Psalm 72- Book III 73

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

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

 

 Psalm 72 A psalm of Solomon. In this royal psalm, Solomon prays that the king’s reign will be characterized by righteousness (vv.1-4), peace(vv.5-7), power (vv.8-11), compassion (vv.12-15), and prosperity (vv.16-17). The concluding notes of praise(vv.18-20) close Book II of the Psalms. Like other royal psalms (Psalm2), this one is also messianic, referring to an O.T. king (either Solomon or his son), but having its ultimate fulfillment in the ideal King, Jesus Christ. David’s greatest Son (Luke 1:31-33). Verse 8 He will rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. This will not be fulfilled until the millennial reign of Christ (also v.11 and v.17). Psalm 127 is the only other attributed to Solomon.

Psalm 72 :1-20

Endow the king with your justice, O God,, the royal son with your righteousness. Hew ill judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.(vv.1-4).

He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days the righteous will flourish, prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. (vv.5-7).

He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seda will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. (vv.8-11).

For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. (vv.12-14).

Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. (vv.15-16).

May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

 

Book III Psalm 73-89 

Psalm 73 A psalm of Asaph. Asaph finds the answer to the perplexing prosperity of the wicked (vv.1-4) in the contrast between their destiny and that of the righteous(vv.15-28). This is the conclusion that came out of the trial of his nearly lost faith (v.2).The wicked mock God and lord it over other men.(v.9). Even God’s people are tempted to corrupt practices.(v.10). The problem of the life-long prosperity of the wicked is aggravated by the apparent lack of reward for those who live righteously. (vv.13-14). The conditions described in verses 3-14 are misleading apart from God’s viewpoint and His final word, which assures the destruction of the wicked (vv.18-20,27).

Psalm 73:1-28

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. (vv.1-6).

From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore, their people turn to them and drink up water in abundance. They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” (vv.7-11).

This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All daylong I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. If  I had said, “ I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. (vv.12-17).

Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. (vv.18-22).

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward  you will take me into glory. Who have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (vv.23-26).

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (vv.27-28).

 

Bibliography,

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

 

Bible in one year 9/3/ 2022 Psalm 69-71 By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 9/3/ 2022  Psalm 69-71

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

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

 

              Psalm 69 This lament may be outlined as follows: David’s despair in persecution(vv.1-12), his desire for punishment (of his enemies)vv.13-28), and his declaration of praise(vv.29-36). Verse 4 Though David encountered unjustified persecution, the sinless Lord Jesus experienced it in the most supreme way(John15:25).For other messianic implications, verse 8 with John 7:3-5; verse 9 with John2:17 and Rom.15:3; verse 21 with Matt.27:34;verse 25 with Matt.23:38. Verse 25 Peter applied this verse to Judas (Acts.1:20). Verses 34-35 These verses anticipate millennial conditions of a rebuilt and repopulated Judah, when all the earth with praise God.

            Psalm 69:1-36 A psalm of David

            Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.(vv.1-5).

            May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the Lord Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel. For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, and alien to my own mother’s sons. For zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. (vv.6-9).

            When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. But I pray to you, O Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink, deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the flood waters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. (vv.10-16).

            Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes. You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.(vv.17-20).

            They put all in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. May their eyes bedarkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.(vv.21-24).

            May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. (vv.25-28).

            I am in pain and distress; may your salvation , O God, protect me. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. (vv.29-30).

            This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad—you who seek God, may your hearts live! The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people (vv.31-33).

            Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants with inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there! (vv.34-36).

        Psalm 70 A psalm of David. An urgent prayer for help, this psalm is basically identical to Psalm40:13-17. A reference to laying a petition before God for His attention and action.

            Psalm 70:1-5

            Hasten, O God, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “ Let God be exalted!” Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.(vv.1-5)

            Psalm 71 The unnamed, aged writer of this psalm cries for help (vv.1-3), pray for deliverance because of a confidence based on God’s lifelong care for him(vv.4-13), and resolves to continue praising God (vv.14-24). Verse 7 though men point to him as someone to be avoided or mocked (apparently the meaning of portent), God is still his refuge. Verses 17-18 An important ministry of older believers is to declare God’s wondrous deeds as a testimony to the younger generation.

            Psalm 71:1-24

            In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men. (vv.1-4).

            For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. (vv.5-6).

            I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.(vv.7-10).

            They say, “ God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.” Be not far form me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me. May my accusers perish in shame; may whose who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.(vv.11-13).

            But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. (vv.14-15).

            I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. (vv.16-17).

        

    Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. (v.18).

            Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; form the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. (vv.19-20).

            You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you, I, whom you have redeemed. My tongue willtell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put ot shame and confusion. (vv.21-24).

Bibliography,

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

 

 

Bible in one year 9/2/ 2022 Psalm 67-68 By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible in one year 9/2/ 2022  Psalm 67-68

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

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

 

Psalm 67 This psalm of thanksgiving invokes God’s continued blessing on Israel so that the nations may experience His salvation, justice, and bounty, and so praise Him. An abundant harvest gave assurance of future blessing.

Psalm 67 : 1-7

          May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.(vv.1-2).

 May the people praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. (vv.3-4).

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.(vv.5-7).

          Psalm 68 This victorious hymn, probably composed for David’s procession with the Ark from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem (2Sam.6:12), calls for the wicked to flee before God (vv.1-6), celebrate God’s victorious march from Egypt to Jerusalem(vv.7-18) and His power exercised in the choice of Jerusalem (vv.19-31,), and calls on the nations to praise Him(vv.32-35). The verse 4 the Lord (JAH, an abbreviation for Yahweh; (Gen.2:4;Ex.3:15) Other Hebrew names for God used in this psalm are : Elohim(v.1), El Shaddai(v.14), Yahweh(v.16), Yah Elohim(v.18), Adonai(v.19), and Yahweh Adonai (v.20).

          Psalm 68: 1-35

          May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. (vv.1-3).

          Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol him who rides on the clouds  - His name is the Lord and rejoice before Him.(v.4).

          A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, He leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun –scorched land. (vv.5-6).

          When you went out before your people, O God, when you marched through the wasteland, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. (vv.7-8).

          You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor. The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it. (vv.9-11).

           “Kings and armies flee in haste; in the camps men divide the plunder. Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.”(vv. 12-13).

          When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Zalmon. The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountain; rugged are the mountains of Bashan. Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where  God chooses to reign, where the Lord himself will dwell forever? (vv.14-16).

          The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands; the Lord has come form Sinai into his sanctuary. When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious that you, O Lord God, might dwell there.(vv.17-18).

          Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.(vv.19-20).

          Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins. The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them form the depths of the sea, that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share.” (vv.21-23).

          Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians; playing tambourines. Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel. There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali. (vv.24-27).

          Summon your power, O God; show us your strength , O God, as you have done before. Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts. Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war. Envoys will come from Egypt Cush will submit herself to God. (vv.28-31).

          Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice. Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God.(vv.32-35).

 

         

Bibliography,

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

 

Bible in one year 9/1/ 2022 Psalm 64-66 By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 9/1/ 2022  Psalm 64-66

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

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

 

 Psalm 64 A psalm of David. This psalm relates the plot of David’s enemies(vv.1-6) and their punishment by God(vv.7-10). Sins of the tongue are again condemned (v.3). David asks that the punishment of the wicked would be such as to teach the people the seriousness of sin, especially sins of speech, their own tongues will eventually trip them up. (v.8).

            Psalm 64:1-10

            Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy. Hide me from the conspiracy  of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers. (vv.1-2).

            They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows. They shoot form ambush a the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear. (vv.3-4).

            They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “ who will see them?” They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning. But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down. (vv.5-7).

          

  He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. (vv.8-9).

Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him! (v.10). 

            

             Psalm 65 A psalm of David. In this thanksgiving hymn, David praises God for His favor(vv.1-4), for His greatness(vv.5-8), and for His harvest(vv.9-13). Therefore, God is magnified as Redeemer, Creator, and Provider. Verse 9 the first part of this verse is a summary statement , illustrated in the many examples given(through v.13).God’s presence provides the harvest of field and flock.

            Psalm 65:1-13

            Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. (vv.1-4).

            You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. (vv.5-7).

            Those living far away fear your wonders; where

 morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy. (v.8).

            You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. (v.9).

            You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.(vv.10-11).

            The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.(vv.12-13).

 

Psalm 66 In celebration of some national deliverance, the psalmist calls on all the earth to praise God (vv.1-12) and as the representative of the nation, he offers sacrifice and praise(vv.13-15) and exhorts the people to prayer and praise (vv.16-20). Verse 6 A reference to the deliverance from Egypt (Ex.14-15), and event viewed with the greatest awe in the Psalms(18:15-18;68:7-8;74:13-15;77:16-20; 78:13,52,53;89:7-10;106:7-12;136:10-15). Verse 12 depicts the triumph of their enemies. Verses 18-19 Sin disqualifies the suppliant; a blameless heart gives assurance that God hears our prayers(1John3:21).

Psalm 66:1-20

Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, “How awesome are our deeds!” So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.” (vv.1-4).

Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters of foot—come, let us rejoice in him. He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations let not the rebellious rise up against him.(vv.5-7).

Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on your backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. (vv.8-12).

I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. (vv.13-15).

Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!(vv.16-20).

 

 Bibliography,

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