The Psalmist in chapter forty-three pleads for vindication and calls God his stronghold. Verse two includes the phrase “Why have you rejected me?” Again, we assume David is the writer because of the thoughts and emotions that are expressed. The promise to praise Him with the lyre seems to indicate the shepherd King. He talks to himself encouraging a continuation to hope in the Lord.

The Sons of Korah refer to a clan that leads worship in the Tent of meeting. This group was assigned these duties by David. They have attributed authorship of many Psalms including number 44. They give credit to Jehovah for bringing the Israelites to the Promised Land. He is also called King.

They continue with a discussion of being rejected and scattered, This seems more appropriate for the captivity period. The disgrace of this period could be what is referred to in this passage. The claim is that He has not yet been rejected. That may be why this Psalm is considered in David’s time when the King was rejected. His unfailing love will lift them again.

A noble theme and a skillful writer give us Psalm 45. The language seems to indicate that David is the subject of this song. The Sons of Korah recognize that Yahweh is eternal. He causes truth, humility, and justice. King David is His chosen instrument to bless the entire world.

Wisdom and understanding are sung of in Psalm 49. We have nothing to fear because Our God is all powerful and will never dessert us. We all begin and end the same. We can believe that our own power is all we need. The wise person knows that money and power will not keep them from perishing. The Lord Jesus is the only one that can and will rescue us from the grave.

Do you ever find being in the home of a close friend something that you desire? In Psalm 84 we are shown that Jehovah should be our closest friend. Our praise of Him will never end. Do you truly join this Psalmist in this opinion? Is our trust in Him really what is described here? If not, why not.

The forgiveness of God is told of in Psalm 85. Time after time, He has given another chance for the Israelites to return to their land. Our salvation is also secure despite our habit of disobedience. He is both love and faithfulness. Jesus tells us in the New Testament that even an earthly Father treats his children lovingly. How much more will our Heavenly Father?

Bragging about being chosen by Jehovah begins Psalm 87. Jerusalem or Zion represents the entire Jewish nation. Being born in this Holy City is like Jesus statement that we must be born of water and spirit. Our spiritual rebirth is necessary.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

We as parents know that we should never discipline our children when we are angry. David asks Jehovah not to do this to him in Psalm 6. He asks for salvation. He, like us, has reached a point of burn out. He is depressed and weeps on his bed. He knows that Yahweh will deliver him.

The songs or psalms were written by David tell the story of his faith throughout his early life as well as after he is anointed as King by Samuel. We continue with the eighth Psalm. In my Old Testament class in college, we had to choose a chapter to memorize and this is the one I chose.

David describes Jehovah’s name as excellent. He questions why Yahweh would even think of mankind because of how high He is as the creator of the universe. We are lower than the messengers of God but above everything on the earth. Some people consider man as lower than other creations. David did not.

David takes refuge in Jehovah. He asks Him to discipline him if he fails to be the man Yahweh wants. He asks God to vindicate him and to defeat his enemies. He calls Him his shield and righteous judge. David also points out how evil people work can cause trouble for themselves. He ends, as usual, with praise again for God.

Thanksgiving is the theme of Psalm 9. Rejoicing and praising His name are two of the methods David uses. Utter destruction is the lot for those who oppose Israel and are therefore fighting against Jehovah.

When the King reminds us, that Yahweh judges all people equally, we often do not like this. Sometimes Christians think that God is always on their side. Just as He allowed David to suffer because of sin, He will do the same to us. Even a repentant attitude is not enough to stop the results of our sins. We are forgiven, but it would be better not to fall into the trap of temptation.

Have you felt like the Psalmist in chapter 10 and thought that God was far away? We all have those thoughts. We even believe that wicked people never pay for their disobedience. Evil appears to triumph and prosper while honest folks continue to have hard times. There are times when we see others act wild animals. They trap and kill those who should be protected. They act as if there is no God.

Jehovah does see wicked and their abuse of privilege. There will literally be Hell to pay. Jesus has paid to redeem them, but when they refuse to accept it, they lose Heaven and spend eternity without the Creator.

Psalm 14 states, “The fool says in his heart there is no God.” That is the reason some call the first of April National atheist’s day. It is not a recognized national holiday.

David repeats much of the description he gave in the 64^th Psalm yesterday. We like the shepherd King look at our world and wonder if there are any who seek God. They never call on Him and we consider ourselves outnumbered. Salvation has come out of Israel in the form of Jesus, a Jew.

In Psalm 16 David asks Jehovah to keep him safe. He acknowledges that he is nothing without Him. As usual, he compares those that follow the Lord with the ones who do not. Where are your lines drawn? Who is your inheritance? Is He on your right hand? Follow David’s advice, if you want to enjoy the blessings of the Lord.

Once again in Psalm 19, David praises Jehovah as the creator. He does not hesitate for a moment to state that He is responsible for the entire universe. The language describing the sun is beautiful.

The King also sings of the law of Yahweh. He describes it as precious, sweet, trustworthy, perfect, and right among other words. “Who can discern their own errors?” That is why we need the statutes from God to show our sins.

This psalm ends with a verse we memorized in Bible School. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.”

The victories of the Israelites were many during the reign of David. In Psalm 21 the King rejoices in these. The reason why is because of his faith in Jehovah. The shepherd asked to be successful and it was granted to him. Why was that?

Yahweh’s enemies were David’s enemies. His friends were God’s friends. He was as close to the heart of God as anyone. He attempted to think like God while remaining humble. When he sinned, he immediately repented. If he had problems, they were not blamed on someone else. He accepted the responsibilities he had been given.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Have you looked at a mountain or tall hill and wondered how high God is to reside in Heaven? He is beyond anything we can see with our physical eyes. Psalm 121 tells us that He is the maker of the Heavens and the Earth and that He is our source of help. The Lord watches over us and is our shade. Consider what this means. Our comfort and safety are in Him. Have you ever wondered if you were coming or going? When you don’t know what you are doing, He does.

We have another short song in the 123^rd Psalm. Eyes are the focus here. Yes, I know that is a bad pun. Our eyes are to wait on the lord as a servant waits on his master or mistress. How can your eyes serve Him? By not viewing things that Jehovah tells us to avoid. Go back to the first five books to see what His instructions are for your eyes and other parts of our bodies. Even if we use our bodies as He asks, we still need God’s mercy.

Where would you be today if God were not on your side? David tells us in Psalm 124 that Israel would have been swallowed by their enemies if Jehovah had not fought for them. He praises Yahweh that He saved them. It is not something they did on their own. When did this happen? Every time they were attacked. Who gets the credit for their success? The Maker of Heaven and earth.

A mountain that cannot be moved is the analogy with faith in Yahweh as depicted in Chapter 125. The wicked will fall to keep righteous from falling into sin. The Psalmist ends by blessing Israel.

Does for respect for the Lord give you blessings as it did the writer in Psalm 128? Is your wife a vine that produces a lot of fruit? Do your children shoot up around your table? Teenage boys grow as they empty the dinner table. Part of this blessing is to see grandchildren. I have seen twelve so far. I am especially blessed.

Again, we believe Psalm 129 was written by King David because he talks of being oppressed as a youth. Those who hate the Jews and their homeland are described as grass on the roof. They will not grow strong or last long.

Psalm 130 is another of despair. We all cry out for others to listen to us. Only God can forgive. We must wait for Him in everything that we do. Redemption and love are from Him as well.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger