May 5: Psalm 1, 2, 15, 22, 23, 24, 47, 68

May 5, Psalm 1, 2, 15, 22, 23, 24, 47, 68

Psalm 1 Here is a brief instruction manual on how to make life work for the glory of God. The godly are happier people because of God. We are blessed when we walk in God’s ways, which we have clearly seen from all of our Old Testament readings thus far. Our delights are supposed to be in the Lord and His laws and we are to ponder and think about them all day. When we live like this, we are solid like a tree - but notice a tree gives off fruit for others, not for the tree. We too are to live selfless lives if we claim to love God and serve Him. The wicked are not like this… they are like paint chips that just blow around. The wicked will not prosper - God blesses and prefers the righteous. The wicked will perish. 

Psalm 2 This Psalm is all about God’s anointed, and I believe it is pointing us directly to Christ through the prophetic (God’s directive for His people) writings of David. The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word for Anointed - this is a direct reference to Jesus Christ. When people opposed David they were cutting themselves off from the hope of knowing the one true God. Similarly, in Acts, the Gentiles (non-Jewish peoples) also rebelled against Christ. But God will have His way with them. It is clear here that Jesus is the Messianic heir of King David and is now our true King and Priest. The Messiah is our Refuge!

Psalm 15 Where is your heart? Does your heart incline for evil or God? David celebrates those who worship God with all their heart? Who can come to God and dwell with Him? The answer is he who walks blameless and does what is right, not slandering and gossiping, doing evil and taking revenge. Those who live like Jesus love Jesus.

Psalm 22 True rest only comes from Yahweh. This is another prophetic Psalm about Jesus for us. Look at how many times Psalm 22 is used in Matthew 27.

Incredible, isn't it? Christ was as real as you and I. He felt emotions like we do. He was innocent yet suffered. Again, just like the Israelites are to never forget what God has done for them, neither are we. Look at how far God has brought you and what He has brought you through! Praise Him for those times. Another crazy thought… God knew you when you were in your mothers womb where we learned from birth to trust God to provide for us through nursing from our mother - He has been our God our entire lives, even if we have been disobedient. God help us, stay close to us! Our enemies are all around us and pursuing us. God answers our prayers and delivers us. What should our response be? Go and praise Him. He is the ruler, He is King over everything!

Psalm 23 is a very famous Psalm, but incredible when looked at and pondered. God is our shepherd. That means that He cares for us, protects us, provides for us, and guides us - like a good shepherd would do for his sheep. Only a Sovereign God could do this. He leads all things for His purpose and will. Even when things are looking dim and horrible and hopeless, He is the one who comforts and brings us through it. Our victory is in God’s presence. The ultimate objective in the life of the Christian is to Glorify God and enjoy Him forever! (Westminster confession of Faith)

Psalm 24 Here David is celebrating bringing in the ark, which we just read about yesterday… What does David say - God owns everything in the world, even the people. Knowing that, who shall approach this amazing King? Those who are pursuing righteousness and purity. We are rewarded greatly by God for our obedience. God is the King of Glory! David repeats this twice, so notice the importance of it:)

Psalm 47 How are we to worship such an amazing God? I think David had it right as he danced before the Lord. In this Psalm, we are exhorted to praise and shout with joy before the Lord. He is our God and our King, He deserves all of our hearts in gratefulness.

Psalm 68 Here David shows us how much God cares about and for His people, what a great reminder. The righteous are to be glad before the Lord and praise Him with joy - not out of obligation or because the dude sitting next to you is singing, but because you deeply love God and want to tell Him that with praise! We serve a God that is a Father to the Fatherless and Protector of widows and the rebellious will get what is coming to them from Him. Then we are told again to look at what Yahweh has done… Blessed be the Lord who saves us and delivers us from our enemies. God is awesome and gives everything, including strength to His people. 

To sum it all up:

• What do you delight in? Is it in the awesomeness of God and His laws, or in yourself? In sin? In money? In pleasure? Understand that all of the options besides God being our delight will lead to loneliness, misery and ultimately, death. Not to shock you, but if we delight in the Lord and His laws, we will live in His love. There is not a better place to be. Ponder God’s awesomeness all day is what we are called to. Sound impossible? A refocus of our priorities and heart can change that.
• From thousands of years ago, we know that Jesus was to be our Refuge. Is He where you turn for shelter and hope? Everything else will disappoint you. 
• Those who live like Jesus love Jesus.  
• Our God reigns over everything, trust Him with everything!!! 
• We are so forgetful as soon as things get better, this should not be - so be mindful of what God has brought you through and get your heart right before Him and thank Him.