We continue with Asaph as our Psalmist in number fifty. The mighty one summons the Earth and the heavens. These same heavens proclaim His righteousness. Animal sacrifices mean nothing to our God. He does not eat and needs no food. Sacrifice does the wicked no good. Their disobedience enslaves them.  In the church age, this means that our salvation is due to our acceptance of Christ through faith, not because of anything we can do.

How about a rerun today in Psalm 53 from 14 Psalm? It begins, “The fool says in his heart there is no God.” Many of the words seem to be copied from this previous song. Everyone is corrupt, they are vile, and Jehovah is searching for someone that is seeking him. David and some of his people wanted to obey Yahweh. The same is true today. We still feel overwhelmed by foolishness. Once again, he ends with a cry for salvation from Israel and as we said yesterday, that was in Christ Jesus.

Do you ever put new words to an old melody? David did this in Psalm 60. The preface tells us that this song should be sung to the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” This tune is not one that is even recognized by Jews or historians. We cannot sing it the way it was in David’s time. We can agree with the author that we have times that we feel that Jehovah has rejected us. And when that happens, we accept the power and strength of the Lord as the Shepherd King described when he said that Yahweh raised a banner.

The victory is praised, and God is acknowledged as the savior of His people. Israel’s King recognizes that his armies have failed without the assistance of the creator of the universe.

If we knew what the tune of “Do Not Destroy” was we could sing the 75^th Psalm as the ancient Hebrews did. They sang the praises of God, His name, and His actions. Yahweh judges everyone and everything just as he did in Genesis one and He says, “It was good.” The arrogant are to boast no longer. The wicked are to become peaceful, but the righteous will be exalted.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

We now look at Psalms written by Asaph, a contemporary of David, in Psalm seventy-three. He confesses his envy of the wicked and arrogant. His criticism of these evil folks is expounded and sounds like he is thinking seriously about rejecting Yahweh for this lifestyle. He admits his frailties and asks forgiveness for them. The Lord stays with him as He does with all of us. God is his refuge. Is He yours?

Crying to God to hear Asaph is how Psalm 77 begins. This Priest is asking for a favor from the Lord as in the past. He remembers the faithfulness of the past. He declares Yahweh’s holiness, greatness, and miracles. His power is proclaimed from the display of thunder and lightning. He is likened to a shepherd.

We have a parable from Asaph in Psalm 78. This is another record of all the glories of Jehovah. His mercies to the Israelites. We are reminded to educate our children as Deuteronomy instructed the Israelites. The Psalmist encourages them to not reject Him as their ancestors did. All the history is repeated from the exodus from Egypt to the wandering in the wilderness, and the entry into Canaan. The sins of their fathers are recounted. The discipline of losing battles is remembered. The coronation of David is praised.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger