Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Are you blessed because you do not walk with the wicked as is stated in the first Psalm? We delight in the Lord and His law. A tree planted next to water gives us the inspiration to think about what that means to the Christian that loves His God. The yield of fruit is greater and his or her life is always full and flourishing. Yahweh is watching His own but is less concerned with those that take advantage of or hurt others.

Why do those who oppose God try to plot against Him and His children? This is laughable to the Creator of the universe in Psalm 2. His Son will be the ruler of that creation and overpower those who are enemies of the family. He is our refuge and the worst nightmare of those who refuse to honor Him.

Who will live in Heaven? The righteous is what Psalm 15 says. All the answers repeated here are like the questions on Jeopardy. The problem is that David knows none of us fit this scenario.  Our only way to meet Jehovah’s requirements is to have faith in Him to provide for us.

Psalm 22 contains a phrase that was used by Jesus at the crucifixion. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus took David’s sin as well as yours and mine with Him when he died on that cross. “I am a worm and not a man” is also in this song. An old hymn had the words “for such a worm as I.” They have been removed by modern man.

We also would like to ignore the fact that “They cast lots for my garments.” This again refers to an actual event during the death of Christ. This scripture also refers to the mocking and the taunting that our Lord suffered.

The Psalmist refers to Yahweh laying him in the dust. In the twenty-third psalm, he speaks of his cup overflowing. This is the opposite of that image. The power, majesty, and strength of the Lord are emphasized once again. Even those to come will be told of Jehovah. That is us.

This Psalm, the 23rd is very familiar. It is studied, loved, and memorized by thousands. Remember that it begins with the name Jehovah, which is written “The Lord”, because of the fear of taking God’s name in vain. He is described as David’s shepherd. Let us make a list of things that He does as The Shepherd.

He provides what is needed physically. He leads where we need to go. He gives us what we need spiritually. He makes us courageous by protecting us like a human shepherd would with his rod and staff. His provision is not hampered by those who oppose us. David ends by stating his belief that Yahweh will never forsake him.

“The earth is the Lord’s” is the way Psalm 24 begins. Everyone who lives here is also His. Who can enter heaven? Only those who are pure. They will receive vindication. The rest of us need Jesus’ salvation. But none are righteous, not even David. Through our faith, we can be forgiven. God is referred to as the King of Glory many times in the final words of this song.

Psalm 47 is not for Baptists. They do not often clap their hands in Church. Israel had been successful at subduing other peoples. Jehovah is high above everything. The applause is to show joy and praise Him. Praising the Lord is Baptist. Exalting His name is also in line with our doctrinal beliefs.

Have you ever watched a candle as the flame burned and the wax below the wick melted? The Shepherd King likens this to what Jehovah should do to his enemies in Psalm 68.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, He rides on the clouds, and He leads the prisoners with singing. Did you notice that the lives of the Israelites did not have much singing and dancing before David’s reign? He is the one who praises Yahweh with music. He left a heritage for all of us.  Our God is an awesome God.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger