Psalm 73 comments

 

Psalm 73:1 ¶  «A Psalm of Asaph.» Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 6  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13  Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

 

God’s people have often felt this, seen it, and been dismayed by it, that wicked people seem to prosper in the world. They seem to succeed and even reach the heights of power. Some of them, many even, mock God and anyone who follows their Creator and yet seem to have no recompense brought down on them. Look at Job’s lament.

 

Job 21:7  Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? 8  Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. 9  Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. 10  Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. 11  They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. 12  They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. 13  They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14  Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15  What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

 

And Jeremiah’s complaint;

 

Jeremiah 12:1 ¶  Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore [why] doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? 2  Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

 

Usually, people trying to do right make the argument, why should I do right when others get away with almost anything and prosper and I’m struggling to survive? It’s almost that we envy the wicked but successful person which is a sad state of affairs.

 

Psalm 73:15 ¶  If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. 16  When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20  As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

 

The Psalmist didn’t want to say what he was thinking publicly for fear he would offend but it was very hard for him to take, having to reconcile the prosperity of the wicked with the suffering of God’s people. Then, he went to the sanctuary of God and God gave him wisdom and understanding and he realized what the fate of the wicked was. Jonathan Edwards will use 18 in his sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God which I recommend you read or listen to it being read.

 

The destruction of the wicked on this earth can come in a moment of time, when it is unexpected. Their success vanishes like a dream when one wakes up. They will suffer, as well, in the existence to come in eternity. And God will bring their suffering on them, holding them in utter contempt.

 

Daniel 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

 

Psalm 73:21 ¶  Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 22  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

 

The Psalmist is tormented at how foolish he had been. He acknowledges that God is holding him up and is his guide who will receive him into glory, one of the mentions of eternal life by the Hebrew writers. The Psalmist admits he has no one in heaven or earth but God. Even though his thoughts and his flesh die he will live by God’s power forever. He particularly condemns those who have chosen to follow other gods, to go a whoring from God. Finally, he admits that it is good for him to draw close to God, putting his trust in Him, and spreading abroad what God has done and is doing.

 

Just think of how things are for us. We lament that the wicked prosper, or seem to, and some comment often about how they wish God’s judgment would come down on those people in public life who flaunt their sin, their corruption, and their disdain of God. But, if we think about it we know that their fate is not a good one and their sorrow, grief, and eternal pain is hanging over their heads like the Greek Damocles’ sword. It is foolish to complain so and we show no more of an understanding than an animal when we do it. God’s ways are sure, it has been said, but they are tedious, meaning that it can take a lot longer than we’d like for the destruction of the wicked to come but when it does it can come swiftly like the Berlin Wall coming down in 1989. So shall their destruction come as revealed in the book of Revelation, swiftly and with much grief of heart and gnashing of teeth.

 

Psalm 92:5  O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. 6  A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

 

7 ¶  When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: 8  But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.

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2Samuel, chapter 8, comments

 

2Samuel 8:1 ¶  And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2  And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts. 3  David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. 4  And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. 5  And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6  Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. 7  And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8  And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

 

David again campaigns against the Philistines, then against Moab. He also fought against the king of Zobah and their Syrian allies. You can see the parallel account in 1Chronicles 18:1.

 

According to sources the people he slaughtered in Moab were the remnants of the army he conquered not the people in general. Moab became a tributary to King David.

 

The king of Zobah’s son lost a thousand chariots, 700 horsemen, and 20,000 footmen, infantry soldiers. He hamstrung the chariot horses so they couldn’t be used for war anymore. Note these verses;

 

Joshua 11:6  And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

 

Israel’s kings were not to multiply horses of war to themselves under the Law.

 

Deuteronomy 17:16  But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

 

God was to be the source of Israel’s strength, not a multitude of devices for war.

 

The Syrians would lose 22,000 soldiers allowing David to garrison forces in Syria and to make them servants and tributaries.

 

2Samuel 8:9 ¶  When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, 10  Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: 11  Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; 12  Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13  And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. 14  And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

 

King Toi of Hamath was a smart man apparently. He knew that he had two reasons for becoming a tributary of King David. First, David defeated his own mortal enemy and secondly, he didn’t want to suffer the same thing his enemy did at David’s hands. A variant spelling of this king’s name is T-o-u.

 

1Chronicles 18:9 ¶  Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;

 

The King James translators often included variant spellings they found as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadrezzar to be faithful to the original texts. Just think of how we spell a name like Jonathan today, sometimes as Johnathan and sometimes as Jonathan, so a different source may have a different spelling. In addition, consider different spellings of names from Hebrew and from Greek or another ancient language such as Isaiah from Hebrew in the Old Testament or Esaias from Greek in the New Testament, Elijah from Hebrew versus Elias from Greek. Toi’s son, Joram, is also called Hadoram.

 

1Chronicles 18:10  He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

 

Syria apparently has control over Edom and so the slaughter of the Syrians is said to be the slaughter of the Edomites in 1Chronicles. The slaughter of the Edomites is referred to in 1Chronicles 18:12. David now has garrisons from Syria to Edom, modern-day Jordan, to make his control of the area safe. David could not keep all of this tribute for himself like a Gentile king so he devoted it to the Lord, to the sanctuary.

 

Deuteronomy 17:17  Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

 

2Samuel 8:15 ¶  And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. 16  And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17  And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; 18  And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.

 

David’s reign is now secure on his borders and he is actively ruling his people. Joab is his chief general and David’s sons play their part in his reign, dispensing justice and doing David’s will. In David’s rule we can envision Christ’s millennial reign.

 

Jeremiah 23:5  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

6  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

 

David now rules over the land promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:18.

 

Genesis 15:18  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

 

The Cherethites and Pelethites were said by some to be Philistine mercenaries loyal to David. Seraiah the scribe is also known as Shavsha in 1Chronicles 18:16.

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Psalm 72 comments

 

Psalm 72:1 ¶  «A Psalm for Solomon.» Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.

 

The shows that it was written by David for his son, Solomon.

 

Prophetically we might consider that the son of David is a title for the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Matthew 1:1  The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

 

Psalm 72:2 ¶  He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. 3  The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. 4  He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. 5  They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. 6  He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. 7  In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. 8  He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9  They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. 10  The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. 11  Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. 12  For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. 13  He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. 14  He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. 15  And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. 16  There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. 17  His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

 

It is David’s wish that his son judge the people fairly and uprightly in verse 2. See the passage in Isaiah for a prophetic reference to Christ’s reign in His millennial kingdom.

 

Isaiah 11:1 ¶  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

 

 

   

Solomon is known to be a wise and righteous judge of his people which was given to him by God along with much more, so David’s prayer is answered in the affirmative.

 

2Chronicles 1:11  And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: 12  Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

 

In verse 3 this came to mind at first.

 

Isaiah 52:7 ¶  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

 

And this is a reference to spiritual peace commentators say. Others say the mountains and little hills are prophetically speaking, the church and its evangelists.

 

David prophesies about the blessings of Solomon’s reign as the text aligns with a prophecy about Christ’s millennial reign on earth for a thousand years.

 

Isaiah 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

Daniel 2:44  And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

 

So, while we can see here the glory of Solomon’s reign to come we can also imagine the glory of Christ’s reign on earth. This can only be understood in the scope of believing that Christ will physically and literally reign on earth. This is not a spiritual reign through the church or supposed Christian kingdoms and countries but with His presence in command.

 

Look at these four verses regarding Christ ruling the earth with a rod of iron.

 

Psalm 2:9  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

 

Revelation 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

 

Revelation 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

 

Revelation 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

In the contexts of both Solomon’s reign and Christ’s reign there will be showers of blessings for those people who acknowledge and accept their authority. The land will reflect the justice they manifest.

 

We then look forward to the return of Christ to rule the earth.

 

Revelation 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

 

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

Psalm 72:18 ¶  Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19  And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. 20  The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

 

Let’s follow with David in praise of God. Heaven and earth will be filled with His praise.

 

Psalm 41:13  Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

 

1Chronicles 29:10 ¶  Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

 

Nehemiah 9:5  Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

 

The scene in Heaven and earth.

 

Revelation 5:13  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

 

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2Samuel, chapter 7, comments

 

2Samuel 7:1 ¶  And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; 2  That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. 3  And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.

 

King David now expresses a concern for building a more permanent house of God as in a physical place. This makes good political sense and is also indicative of David’s honoring of the LORD God. Nathan expresses God’s approval. God has blessed him and established his kingdom and authority. David is a man after God’s own heart.

 

2Samuel 7:4 ¶  And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, 5  Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? 6  Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7  In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? 8  Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 9  And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. 10  Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, 11  And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. 12  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14  I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15  But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16  And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 17  According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

 

God denies David the privilege and honor of building God a house, the temple. He promises that to David’s generation after him. He also says he will establish the throne of David’s son forever. This is a conditional promise, clearly we can see from history, the part of Israel, obedience, not being fulfilled as well as their rejection of their Messiah.

 

From a prophetic point of view, though, Jesus Christ continues and is a fulfillment of the promises made to the house of David so that this kingdom does continue forever with Christ being a type of David when Israel’s heart is turned to Him. Let’s look at just some of many verses on this topic.

 

First, the implication is that Israel will be saved and it will be by a direct act of God, perhaps with Christ revealing Himself to them in the Great Tribulation.

 

Ezekiel 11:16  Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. 17  Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. 18  And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. 19  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 20  That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

 

Romans 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

 

Revelation 12:17  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Then the fulfillment of David’s kingdom promises;

 

Ezekiel 34:23  And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24  And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.

 

Ezekiel 37:25  And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

 

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

The house of Israel is chastised for two thousand plus years very obviously before all of this happens.

 

Matthew 27:25  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

 

John 19:15  But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

 

2Samuel 7:18 ¶  Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 19  And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 20  And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. 21  For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. 22  Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23  And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 24  For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. 25  And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. 26  And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. 27  For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. 28  And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: 29  Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

 

Notice that it is said that David sat before the LORD like Moses in Exodus 17:11,12 and Elijah in 1Kings 19:4. He’s in the tabernacle where the ark was.

 

2Samuel 6:17  And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Here’s a sort of paraphrase of David’s prayer. I’m not worthy, Lord. Why have you used someone like me from a not so significant family and brought me here to your kingdom? And yet, putting me on the throne is a small thing compared to what you’ve promised me and my descendants. You’ve made great promises bestowing them on someone like myself.

 

1Chronicles 17:17  And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

 

What can I say to these things? You know me. You know who I am and what I am. For your word’s sake you have chosen to do these things according to your own heart and to make me know what your plans are.

 

1Chronicles 17:19  O LORD, for thy servant’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

 

You, God, are great. There is no one like you, no other God. You’ve done great things we’ve seen and heard about. What nation on earth and in history is like Israel, who you redeemed to reveal yourself to the world and to history and for your promised land delivering us from Egypt and from the heathen nations and their gods, little g?

 

Israel will exist for all time and you are our God. Now, God, please do what you said you were going to do. Let your name be proclaimed and glorified forever saying you are Lord over Israel and that my dynasty will be established before you as you promised. You’ve revealed to me that our family is to build you a house. Please Lord, your words have promised this goodness to me, your servant. Bless me and my dynasty, my house, that it may continue before you forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Psalm 71, comments: a prayer of an old person

 

Psalm 71:1 ¶  In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. 2  Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. 3  Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. 4  Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5  For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. 6  By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. 7  I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. 8  Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. 9  Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. 10  For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, 11  Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him. 12  O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. 13  Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

 

 

The Psalmist declares that his trust is in God.

 

Psalm 25:2  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

 

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

 

He prays for deliverance and salvation from a threat, making the case that he should be delivered because of the righteousness of God.

 

Psalm 31:1 ¶  «To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.» In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

 

Psalm 143:1 ¶  «A Psalm of David.» Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness…11  Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

 

He wants God to be his fortress, a castle that he can retreat into for safety.

 

Psalm 31:2  Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. 3  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

 

He specifically refers to the unrighteous and cruel who threaten his life.

 

Psalm 17:8 ¶  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 9  From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

 

Psalm 59:1 ¶  «To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.» Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. 2  Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

 

Psalm 140:1 ¶  «To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.» Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; 2  Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. 3  They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. 4  Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

 

Again, he appeals to God as his hope, in whom he trusts in whom he has trusted since his youth, even perhaps since he was delivered in childbirth by his own mother.

 

Psalm 13:5  But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

 

Psalm 71:17  O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

 

Psalm 22:9  But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. 10  I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.

 

Again, he reinforces that God is his safe place.

 

Psalm 62:7  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

 

Psalm 142:4 ¶  I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul…5  I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

 

Jeremiah 16:19a  O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction,

 

The Psalmist’s mouth will be filled with praise, a sentiment he will reinforce in the next passage. He pleads that God will not discard him in the weakness of old age, again reinforced in the next passage. His enemies are united in the desire to take advantage of his weakness.

 

Psalm 56:6  They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

   

They believe God has abandoned him.

 

Psalm 3:2  Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

 

But he pleads with God to hurry his salvation.

 

Psalm 22:11 ¶  Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help…19  But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

 

Psalm 35:22  This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

 

Psalm 38:21  Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. 22  Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

 

Psalm 69:18  Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

 

Psalm 70:1 ¶  «To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.» Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.

 

He wants God’s vengeance on his persecutors which he will repeat in the next passage.

 

Psalm 6:10  Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

 

Psalm 35:4  Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt…26  Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

 

Psalm 40:14  Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. 15  Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

 

Jeremiah 20:11  But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

 

I can see Christ in this with certain limitations as He forgave His persecutors as He exclaimed from the Cross that they didn’t know what they were doing. I can see us in this passage although we are called to pray for our persecutors, not for their destruction. We can see parallels and applications from this passage but they will twist our doctrine if we don’t apply them to David himself first and foremost and understand that all comparisons break down at some point.

 

Psalm 71:14 ¶  But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. 15  My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. 16  I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. 17  O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. 18  Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. 19  Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! 20  Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. 21  Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. 22  I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. 23  My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. 24  My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

 

The Psalmist is going to hold onto God and not let go. Jeremiah will say;

 

Lamentations 3:26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

 

Verse 8 and verse 24 reflect the sentiment of verse 15. Please read Psalm 145, as well. His praise will be continuous all day long.

 

Psalm 145:2  Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

 

Again, he brings up his age as he did in verse 9 showing that this Psalm was written in his old age.

 

See God’s promise in Isaiah and read the context, if you will.

 

Isaiah 46:4  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

 

Although I know that when my time is up it is up I often pray that I be permitted to complete the entire Bible and even to revise comments I’ve already made. So, David prays not to be taken until his work is done.

 

Then, in verse 19, he expresses awe at God’s majesty and power. See how God confirms that fact.

 

Isaiah 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

Job 5:9  Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

 

Psalm 89:6  For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

 

Exodus 15:11  Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

 

Isaiah 40:18 ¶  To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

 

Then, in verse 20, David speaks of the resurrection which is a great saying.

 

Job 14:14  If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

 

Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

 

Let me repeat what David says;

 

Psalm 71:20  Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

 

Isaiah speaks of a resurrection.

Isaiah 26:19  Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Daniel speaks of a resurrection.

Daniel 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Hosea speaks of a resurrection.

Hosea 13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Martha declared it;

John 11:24  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

And Jesus makes it clear that the God’s dead have not ceased to exist and the following passage makes it plain that the Jews knew of the resurrection, although some did not believe, as it is today.

Matthew 22:23 ¶  The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24  Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25  Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26  Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27  And last of all the woman died also. 28  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33  And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

David expects the relief and deliverance that only God can provide and he promises to praise God continually again. This truly is a Psalm of heartfelt praise from an old person.

 

(By the way, a psaltery is said to be a stringed instrument like a zither whose strings are plucked.)

 

So, this Psalm, written by an old man whose earthly glory has faded, is a prayer for deliverance from enemies who wish to do him harm, taking advantage of his infirmities, a confirmation that the Psalmist has faith in God’s deliverance, and a promise to praise God continually. Perhaps when we are close to death we might pray that we exit this world with the praise of God on our lips or in our thoughts, if too weak to speak.