Bible in a Year April 26 - Psalms 8-9; 16; 21; 24; 29

 

April 26 - Psalms 8-9; 16; 21; 24; 29

All of today’s psalms were written by David and reflect praise toward God and confidence in his protection. They also highlight his sovereignty over all of creation.

Ps 8:1 is important in its praise. David addresses God by his personal name Yahweh (Lord) and then identifies him as ‘Our Lord’ (Adonai), the sovereign master. Hebrews 2:6-8 applies verses Ps 8:5-6 to Jesus.

While we didn’t read Ps 10 today, apparently Ps 9 and 10 were originally one psalm in the Septuagint, one of the earliest versions of the OT that has been found. However it makes sense that they are separate, because Psalm 9 is a song of thanksgiving, and Psalm 10 is a complaint and prayer over godless  men.

Ps 21 is associated with Ps 20. It’s suggested that Psalm 21 is a thanksgiving psalm after success in the battle referred to in Psalm 20.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary suggests that Psalm 29 was written as David witnessed an awesome thunderstorm, which is kind of cool because as I write this there is an active thunderstorm taking place overhead. It again reminds me of the song, Our God is an Awesome God (“with thunder in his footsteps and lightning in his fists”).

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Psalms 33; 65-68

Bible in a Year April 25 - Psalms 76; 82; 84; 90; 92; 112; 115

 

April 25 - Psalms 76; 82; 84; 90; 92; 112; 115

Today’s psalms all share a theme of praise and worship of God.

The locations of Salem and Zion show up a couple of times – both of these refer to Jerusalem. Psalm 84 mentions the Valley of Baca. This was apparently a place people had to travel through on the way to Jerusalem. Baca means

‘tears, or ‘balsam tree’. This rare tree was known as the balm of Gilead, and grew near the Dead Sea. It is now extinct, but it had a really sweet smelling resin and was used to produce perfumes, incense, and medical ointments.  No one knows where the actual Valley of Baca was located, but it has been used as a metaphor describing when God is present and can provide strength and comfort (balm) for the struggles and hardships (tears) of life.

There are a few familiar verses in today’s text:

Ps 90:12 – “teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” and

Ps 92:4b – “I sing for joy at the works of your hands.”

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Psalms 8-9; 16; 21; 24; 29

Bible in a Year April 24 - Psalms 40; 49-50; 73

 

April 24 - Psalms 40; 49-50; 73

Today’s readings touch on issues that we each face at different times in our lives. Pride, envy, depression, and sin.  But in each case, giving thanks for God’s blessings and continuing to trust in him brings deliverance.

There are passages that refer to the fact that God owns everything and isn’t necessarily delighted by sacrifice. Ps 50 mentions the Thank offering a couple of times. If you remember, that was also called the Fellowship Offering or Peace Offering. As an expression of thankfulness, a person would offer bread without yeast and a cake of bread made with yeast along with the animal sacrifice. This was not a required sacrifice – it was a voluntary expression of thanks to God for his provision.

Jesus, of course, became the embodiment of all types of sacrifices. Yet God is still so amazing in the provisions he has graced us with. How can you offer a tangible expression of thanks to him today?

 

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Psalms 76; 82; 84; 90; 92; 112; 115

Bible in a Year April 23 - Psalms 1; 14-15; 36-37; 39

 

April 23 - Psalms 1; 14-15; 36-37; 39

You may have noticed that the Psalms is subdivided into five books. Our reading today is all in book 1, which sets the tone for the entire book of Psalms by establishing the themes and basic motifs, such as praising and worshiping God, the power and sovereignty of God, and the need to trust and have faith in Him. It also contains some of the most well-known and beloved psalms.

 

There is a lot of practical advice in today’s reading! To be righteous, we:

1.    Don’t follow in the way of the wicked, sinners, or mockers (1:1)

2.    Delight in the law (1:2)

3.    Live a blameless life and speak the truth (15:2)

4.    Don’t slander or  do wrong to your neighbor (15:3)

5.    Honor those who fear the Lord and keep your oath (15:4)

6.    Lend money without predatory interest rates and don’t accept bribes (15:5)

7.    Commit your way to the Lord and trust him (37:5)

8.    Be still and wait patiently for the Lord and don’t fret when evil men succeed (37:7)

9.    Refrain from anger and do not fret (37:8)

It also provides specific warnings against sin and wickedness, and encouragement to trust in God. Overall these psalms remind us of the importance of seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in all aspects of life.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Psalms 40; 49-50; 73

Bible in a Year April 22 - Psalms 108-109; 120-121; 140; 143-144

 

April 22 - Psalms 108-109; 120-121; 140; 143-144

 We are often told to pray scripture – I’m not sure those who say this mean we should pray Psalm 109:6-15 or Ps 140:9-11 for anyone! However, it is encouraging that God seems to be ok with us even when we feel that way.

Psalms 120 -121 are part of a subset of psalms (120 – 134) that were actually pilgrim songs that were sung when Israelites went up (ascended) to Jerusalem for annual feasts. Jerusalem is surrounded by mountains, and visiting pilgrims would have to climb them from almost any direction. Those coming from the area of the Dead Sea would actually climb the most – some 3700 feet over the course of about 40 miles.

Four were written by David, one by Solomon, and the rest are anonymous. (As an aside, Beth Moore has a Bible study entitled “Stepping Up – A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent” if you are interested in going deeper on these verses.) These psalms speak of the longing of the travelers to worship God and to be in his temple. They also talk about the challenges of the journey and express confidence in God’s protection and provision.

The Mishnah, a Jewish collection of oral traditions and written works, indicates that the 15 Songs of Ascent related to the 15 steps that led from the court of women to the court of Israel in the temple. It doesn’t say that the songs were sung specifically on those steps, though. It also indicates that the Levites sang these songs during the all-night ceremony on the first night of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Psalms 140, 143, and 144 are laments that share common themes of prayer, trust, and dependence on God. They can provide encouragement and guidance for us when we face struggles and challenges.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Psalms 1; 14-15; 36-37; 39

Bible in a Year April 21 - Psalms 83; 86; 88; 91; 95

 April 21 - Psalms 83; 86; 88; 91; 95

Two of these things are not like the others – while Psalms 83, 86, and 88 are laments, 91 and 95 are considered wisdom psalms, which are defined as offering insights for living wise and righteous lives in relationships with God and others. They are also considered ‘hymns of trust’, expressing confidence in God’s care and protection.

Today’s psalms have a multitude of authors. 83 was written by Asaph, 86 by David, 88 by Heman the Ezrahite, and we don’t know the authors of 91 and 95.

Psalm 88 is considered one of the darkest and most despairing psalms. Heman is mentioned several times in the Bible. 1 Chron 15:19 and 16:41-42 tell us that he, along with Asaph and a dude named Ethan were to sound bronze cymbals as the Ark of the Covenant was being transported to Jerusalem and during the celebration that followed. He was one of the three chief musicians set aside by David in 1 Chron 25:1,6. He’s also identified as one of the wisest men in the nation in 1 Kings 4:31. I wonder if Heman actually suffered as terribly as is mentioned in this psalm, or if it was written in reference to others? Despite the emotional and physical pain described in this psalm, the author still retains fierce trust in God.

I enjoyed the imagery in Psalm 91 and had a few verses underlined already in my Bible. Did any of the verses we read today pop out at you?

TOMORROW’S TEXT - Psalms 108-109; 120-121; 140; 143-144

Bible in a Year April 20 - Psalms 69-71; 77

 April 20 - Psalms 69-71; 77

We have some more laments today, but these share something new – they include prophetic hints at the suffering and death of Christ, God’s faithfulness and salvation, and his victory over death. Jesus quotes several verses from Psalm 69 (see verses 4, 8, 25, and 28). And 69:21 foreshadows the cross and is quoted in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John.

Psalm 71 talks of God as the rock and fortress, which is echoed in the New Testament where Jesus is referred to as the cornerstone and the foundation (Eph 2:20 and 1 Pet 2:6). Verse 20 talks about restoration and new life – the NIV says “you will restore my life again from the depths of the earth.”

Psalm 77 refers to the sense of abandonment by God, such as Jesus felt on the cross, and the right hand of God, where Jesus now sits. It was not written by David, but by Asaph. We saw him named back in 1 Chronicles 25 as one of three leaders of the musicians. Twelve psalms are attributed to him. The header to this psalm says ‘according to Jeduthun’, who was also one of the three.  There are three psalms that include his name in the intro, and it is supposed that these were given to Jeduthun’s choir to sing.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Psalms 83; 86; 88; 91; 95