Epaggelia

Jesus chose words from this Psalm deliberately to describe His agony on the cross, Matthew 27:46. It is certain that Jesus was meditating on the Scriptures during the hours of his suffering and that he saw his crucifixion as a fulfillment of Psalm 22. As Jesus approached death while on a cross, it was then, that he felt the horror of God’s abhorrence of sin, he was bearing the brunt of our sins.

“Why have You forsaken Me?” There is a note of surprise in this cry from the Forsaken One, he seems bewildered; “We might easily imagine a situation in the life of King David where he experienced neglect. There were times when he found himself in impossible circumstances and wondered why God did not rescue him immediately. But for Jesus, this suffering was completely for one reason only; God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, 2nd Corinthians 5:21. Jesus not only endured the withdrawal of the Father’s fellowship, but also the actual outpouring of the Father’s wrath upon Him as a substitute for sinful humanity. This was the darkness of his horror; when he penetrated the depths of the gorge of suffering. At the same time, we cannot say that the separation between the Father and the Son at the cross was complete. Paul made this clear in 2nd Corinthians 5:19, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself at the cross”. Our Father must have felt horrific pain too, letting this happen to His Son. If you look closely, you can see two sacrifices at once at the cross.

His enemies identified as the scornful enemies of God and His Anointed in their mockery of Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:43: He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now…). That is exactly what God was planning through it all. In a truly grace-filled man, his trust in God is known. This trust by believing men is not understood by the world. This true faith will almost certainly be mocked at some time or another. The time will come when the man of faith who has trusted in God will be abundantly and obviously justified, but that justification never comes when WE want it.

There is also some reason to believe (based mainly on John 19:34) that on the cross Jesus suffered from a ruptured heart, making the words “My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me” also amazingly specific. My tongue clings to My jaws: As was normal for anyone under the agony of crucifixion, Jesus suffered great thirst on the cross (John 19:28).

You have brought me to the dust of death: David used this moving poetic phrase to describe the extent of his misery. He probably had in mind the curse God pronounced upon Adam after his sin: For dust you are, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19) Jesus bore the sting of Adam’s curse for us, Galatians 3:3, so that we would not have to bear it ourselves.

“I can count all My bones”: These words can only have their origin from the Spirit of Christ through the hands of the Psalmist David, so that The Son of David, despite his great suffering on the cross, suffered no broken bones. A prophecy that John carefully noted, Jn. 19:31-37. It fulfilled this prophecy, as well as Psalm 34:20 and the pattern of the Passover lamb as described in Exodus 12:46 & Numbers 9:12. This entire Psalm evokes an emotion to cry for mercy, from anyone that reads it with faith. Can you imagine what it would feel like to sing it?

The physical universe itself is a message from our Creator, He shouts “glory”.  He is glorious in His size, having created the entire cosmos so big. He is glorious in His engineering, having created something that works together so well, having all parts so interwoven & interactive. He is glorious in His artistry, having created something so beautiful. He is glorious in His goodness and kindness, having created such beauty for all humanity to see, no matter how ugly we are. He is glorious in his power, having laid within his creation such vast resources of energy. Glory should motivate a Christian to be thankful, not wasteful, gratitude that works to take care of such glory. Gratitude that praises our Creator, not ignores Him. This Psalm 19 was a favorite of C.S. Lewis because of how beautiful it’s Hebrew lyrics were, reflecting how beautiful the glory of God was in creation. The apostle Paul saw this lyrical beauty and applied the power of creation’s message to the gospel message in Romans 10:18. The nature of our universe is directly referred to in Romans 2:14-15, showing our conscience being shaped by a glorious creation all around us. This glorious creation has both a positive and negative effect on our conscience, which we can see in Romans 1:19-20. Therefore to overcome a negative effect on our conscience, we need Christ in our life, because he is the “Yes” that shapes our conscience for true goodness, 2nd Corinthians 1:19-20.

In verses 7-9, we have five different words to describe God’s Word, so that His message is known to us as more than what His creation can tell us about Him.

1. law (refreshes souls)
2. testimony (wiser minds)
3. statutes or precepts (gladens hearts)
4. commandment (enlightens eyes)
5. judgments or rules (truly right)

Messages reflect the nature of the authors, no matter who the author is. God is showing us that His nature is refreshing, wise, joyful, enlightening and always right! Indeed God is love, 1st John 4:8. Therefore God is justified in demanding our respect, not because of just who he is, but also because of how He has proved his virtuous nature in Jesus Christ. We just need to ask God for enough courage to submit to him, and show him due respect/awe/fear!

Ephesians 3:20 says “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”. When we pray, do we ask him to strengthen us according to his power, or do we expect to do what is right on our own strength by our own wit? How do you pray?
The perfection of the law of the Lord is in His ability to convert or change us from the inside out, 2nd Peter 1:3 says He gives us everything that pertains to life & godliness. God’s word does not give us all knowledge, but all the knowledge it does give us is true and perfect. God’s word is never wrong in science or history or the understanding of either divine or human nature. The Bible says very little about science & history, but what it does say is true. Therefore for real life and real godliness, His word is perfectly able to change us into His perfection! Jesus is our righteousness and we become his righteousness, 2nd Corinthians 5:21.

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”

In the title David tells us whom the Psalm was written for: God Himself, who is the LORD and he is just a servant. He tells us the occasion for the writing of the Psalm; possibly not only the immediate aftermath of Saul’s death (described in 1 Samuel 31; 2 Samuel 1), but also of the period leading to David’s enthronement (2 Samuel 2-5) He tells us also something about Saul, who out of great, undeserved kindness is not explicitly counted among the enemies of David (from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul). This Psalm is virtually the same as the Psalm sung by David at the very end of his life, as recorded in 2 Samuel 22. It is likely that David composed this song as a younger man; yet in his old age David could look back with great gratitude and sing this song again, looking at his whole life. It is one long, loving accumulation of dear names.” This means that David both knew God, and that he had experienced God.

v1-3, David praises the God of his deliverance as his strength, his rock and fortress in whom he trusts, He is his strength, shield, stronghold and horn of his salvation….

I will love You, O LORD: This was a triumphant declaration made in a season of victory both personally & publicly. David simply felt compelled to love the LORD who delivered him so wonderfully. Since he was taken from the sheepfold and anointed the future king of Israel, David had lived some 20 or so years as a fugitive, and as a man who had lost everything. He lost his safety, he lost his youth, he lost his family, he lost his career, he lost his rights, he lost his comforts. Despite great loss, he remained steadfast to the Lord his God – in His timing – God delivered David and fulfilled the long-ago promise of his anointing, giving him the throne.

In saying, “I will love You,” David used a somewhat unusual word. “This word for love is an uncommon one, impulsive and emotional. Found elsewhere only in its intensive forms, it usually expresses the compassionate love of the stronger for the weaker. It has special depth and tenderness.” David said, “I will love You” to the God who delivered him; not only for rescuing him from his trial, but for all God did in and through the trials to make him what he was. David wasn’t bitter against God, as if he said, “Well, it’s about time You delivered me.” Instead he was grateful that the years of trouble had been necessary in his life to provide wisdom & a great example of God’s provision for his children.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer: A rock was of help to the ancient Judean in several ways. It could provide essential shade, always needed in the merciless sun and heat of the desert (as in Isaiah 32:2). It could provide shelter and protection in its cracks and crevasses (as in Exodus 33:22 and Proverbs 30:26). It could provide a firm place to stand and fight, as opposed to sinking sand (as in Psalm 40:2). David saw his God as his strength reminding us of the promise later expressed through Paul: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).  For all these facts, we should put our trust in Him, Hebrews 2:11-13, but also because we have his holiness given to us by Christ.

Notes for Bible Discussion, Gold Canyon Church of Christ, 23 Dec. 2018

v1, “A prayer of David. Protect me, O God, for I have taken shelter in you…”

David wants divine protection because he has remained loyal to God. He praises God for his rich blessings, and is confident God will vindicate him and deliver him from death. None of us takes shelter in something we don’t trust. When it comes to death, who can we trust? Romans 8:37-39. He experienced many hardships because he remained faithful to God. Nevertheless, he also knew that life lived after another god was even more difficult. This is the same attitude of Peter in John 6:66-69, when he said “Lord, to whom shall we go?”

v4, “their troubles multiply; they desire other gods. I will not pour out drink offerings of blood to their gods, nor will I make vows in the name of their gods…”

Offering your own blood is a senseless sacrifice of self, which must be appalling to Christ whose blood was offered for us in the first place! Even today some Roman Catholics whip themselves to blood, offering their blood to their twisted conception of God. This should move us to rejoice for the blessing of redemption we sing about. There is no need for a self-inflicted martyrdom spirit in the church, but if we were called upon by a hateful world to sacrifice our self, we should have an open prayerful heart on the prospect, considering Christ’s love for sinful persecutors.

v7, “I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn…”

Our heart should always be open for instruction, Romans 12:2, as Paul encouraged Christians to “renew the mind”.

v9-10, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”

David described another benefit of his life decision to set the LORD as his goal. It was the confidence of God’s care and blessing in the life beyond this one. David had the settled hope (a confidence, not a simple wish), that God would not leave his soul in the grave (Sheol), but that his life would continue on in the presence of God. This statement is a wonderful declaration of trust in a resurrection and afterlife. In the New Testament, we know that Jesus Christ brought life and immortality to light (2 Timothy 1:10). Wonderfully (and perhaps unknowingly), David spoke beyond himself. In one sense David was indeed the Holy One of God, whose soul would not be left in the grave. Yet in a greater and more literal sense, only Jesus Christ fulfills this in His resurrection. This was perceived by Peter on the Day of Pentecost, who said that these words went beyond David who was obviously dead, buried in a grave, and whose body had long ago decayed into dust (Acts 2:25-31). In quoting and applying this passage from Psalm 16 to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, Peter showed a remarkably sophisticated understanding of the work of Jesus on the cross. He understood that because Jesus bore our sin without becoming a sinner, He remained the Holy One, even in His death. Since it is incomprehensible that God’s Holy One should be bound by death, the resurrection was absolutely inevitable. As Peter said: It was not possible that He should be held by death (Acts 2:24).

v11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The apostle Paul was good at keeping himself reminded and refreshed with the presence of Christ in his daily life, so he could tell Christians to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Php. 4:4) John declares from his vision in Revelation 22:5, that our reign in Christ is eternal, it is better than having more good days than bad, because it is one eternal perfect day. That is real joy!

Notes for Bible Discussion, Gold Canyon Church of Christ, 16 Dec. 2018.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

A Psalm of David.

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

v1… “Hear My Prayer”, Persuading God by emotional displays may look & feel good in the movies, but God wants us to care deeply about the things He cares deeply about, Yes the Almighty has an agenda as the lover of our soul. The prophet Isaiah spoke with sorrow about the lack of this in Israel:And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You (Isaiah 64:7). When prayer seems ineffective, it is worth taking a spiritual inventory to see if there is a reason for unanswered prayer. The Bible tells us there are many reasons why prayer may not be answered.

– Unbelief (Matthew 17:20-21)

– A Bad Marriage Relationship (1 Peter 3:7)

– Unconfessed Sin (James 5:16)

– Trusting in the Length or Form of Prayer (Matthew 6:7)

v2-3, Another contrast between the godly & ungodly. Christians can have confidence in being heard, basing that confidence on Christ, not our self, our education, our own righteousness or morality, but only on Christ and his righteousness. David didn’t have Christ, so what did he base his confidence for being heard upon? Where was his “godliness”? Compare John 15:5& 16:24. Do you recognize the significant role the “mercy seat” in the Temple fulfilled? Where is our mercy seat?

v4, Surely the apostle Paul was familiar with this song, when he wrote Ephesians 4:26. Usually strong resolve arrives in our heart when we stop to rest on the truth and re-align our priorities in order to sleep on them after we have prayed about them. It is consoling to know that we are cared for by The One whose eyes never close, Psalm 121:3-4. The word “Selah” is referring to a pause in lyrics.

v5, placing our trust in God’s abilities, but not your own ability to sacrifice, while at the same time making a sacrifice can be tricky business for the human heart. This forces us to think about our motive in sacrificing. Is it for a pat on the back, or is it to only benefit someone else,preferably God? This is why Peter reminds us of the faithfulness of our Creator God, in the face of suffering from making sacrifices, 1st Peter 4:19.

v8, “You Alone O Lord”, Paul experienced this depth of security and self-value,which is why he wrote Romans 8:35-39. God’s love for you and me in Christ is the only virtue that gives true confidence & peace

(Notes for Bible Discussion 9 Dec 2018, 9am, Gold Canyon Church of Christ)

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;  for the LORD knows the way of the righteous.

But the way of the wicked will perish”.

If your happy and you know it, USE THE PSALMS! See James 5:13, Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. This is the height of being blessed!

Do we see the difference between the blessed person and ungodly people? See Matthew 5:6

The ungodly are not blessed by God; they do not have delight in God’s Word, and they will not bear fruit by the Holy Spirit. See 1st Corinthians 2:12-14

Note the way of the wicked is described as:

Note the way of the righteous is described as:

What does “walk” mean to you?

The chaff is with the grain until the wind blows, signifying the day of judgment, then comes the separation. See Luke 3:16-17

The ungodly can not stand in the judgment, we will stand in the day of judgment. What does “stand” mean to you?

What is the determining factor in whether a tree stands or falls?

John 3:16-17 is a good reminder of the what the word “Perish” means, to be destroyed, remember it is the way of the wicked, not the wicked themselves that are destroyed, they will live forever in eternal punishment, but their wicked way will be totally annihilated. The way of the righteous lives on! This is good news.

Hebrew poetry is unlike English poetry. Jews formed their poetry for the purpose of memorizing God’s praise and to teach their children God’s precepts. They educated with methods of repetition, giving meaning to obscure and figurative words. Christian praise is primarily for the purpose of expressing our love to God and encouraging fellow Christians. The Psalms were very close to the heart of Jesus, they were so much a part of his nature, he quoted them as part of his dying words on the cross, Mat. 27:46 (Psa. 22:1) & Luk. 23:46 (Psa. 31:5). He also used them in his teaching, Mat. 7:23 (Psalm 6:8). The New Testament writers quoted from the Psalms in at least 67 passages.  We can find God’s strength from using them. The Psalms were not written for just our reading, they were written to help shape our praise, they are better described as divine praise, instead of poetry.  Jesus was obviously educated with the Psalms, Luk. 24:44.

The Psalms have known authors and many anonymous authors: 73 by King David, 12 by Asaph, 9 by the Sons of Korah, 2 by King Solomon, 1 by Heman, 1 by Ethan and 1 by Moses, with 51 that are anonymous, totaling 150. Since David was the main contributor, it is obvious why instruments play such a big role in Jewish praise. It was King David who introduced and presumptuously authorized instrumental music in the Temple worship, 1Chron. 23:3-5. David’s authority has no bearing on Christian praise, because Christ is the fulfillment of his messianic promises in the Psalms, and Christ reigns supreme. Jesus set an example of singing with his disciples. The only time it is recorded is on the night he was betrayed. Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26. We do not know for sure how he sang. Most likely it was a solemn chant, rather than a boisterous melody.  The reason God is silent on the melody of Jesus singing is because he does not want Christians globally, to feel led in practicing only Jewish music. The same mindset was in the writers of the New Testament, which were mainly Jewish.  They had use and knowledge of instruments in their praise as Jews, but refrained from imitating that in Christian praise. The only type of music for the apostles, Jesus and his disciples, was singing with grace in our hearts. This takes on all types of music in the very generic description of Colossians 3:16. We should take the opportunity to sing seriously. It is not the harmony of voices which God hears, but rather the united feelings of love from our hearts, Eph. 5:19.

All 150 Psalms are divided into 5 sections, resembling the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament).  This was done early in Hebrew history probably during Ezra’s day after their captivity to impress upon the people that they were the authorized words for Prayer and Praise which God would accept. But the most famous grouping of Psalms is 113-118 and 120-136 as the Hallel Psalms used in all three of the mandatory feasts during the Jewish calendar. The exception being 119, glorifying God’s word and being used educationally. Do we pray with an emphasis on praising God? Or do we pray with an emphasis on other desires? Interspersed throughout all 5 sections are 6 different types of Psalms with 19 different tunes. Some tunes are so ancient, no Jew alive today can recite them with any certainty.  These 6 types are not necessarily formats of music, the type of tune expresses the purpose of the Psalm. Actually meditation, instead of harmonic singing was preferred amongst the writers of the Psalm, which is demonstrated in Psalm 19:14. Meditation is translated from “Higgayon”, “a musical notation, as a murmuring sound while thinking or meditating”.

6 Types of Psalms

1.  Didactic – Teaching on the nature & virtue of God’s Lawful word.

2.  Praise – Expressing love to God

3.  Thanks – Expressing gratitude for the mercies of God to His people.

4.  Devotional – Expressing penitence, faith and hope.

5.  Prophetic – Messianic

6.  Historic – Recounting God’s Providence.

How do you use the Psalms? Do you have a favorite Psalm?