PSALM 89 — REVISED

The Promised King

How do we, as believers, handle hard circumstances in our lives when things are so utterly out of our control? The psalmist, an Ezrahite, is writing this psalm after returning to the land with the nation of Israel from their exile in Babylon. They had been disciplined by God and the Davidic kingship has yet to be reestablished. They are being ruled by Gentile Kings.

The psalmist begins by determining to give God the praise He rightly deserves (89:1-18). He declares he will sing of the love and faithfulness of the Lord forever (89:1-2). He praises God for the covenant promise that He made with David to establish his linage as kings over Israel forever (89:3-4).

He asks the rhetorical question, “who is like You” (89:8)? Neither the holy angels (89:5-7), nor Egypt herself can stand against God’s might (89:9-10). He created all things, from the north to the south; and thus He should be exalted (89:11-13). God’s sovereign rule is not tyrannical however, for His throne is founded upon righteous justice, and whatever He chooses to do is preceded by grace and truth (89:13-14). How truly blessed are the people who know the joyful sound of the praise of the saints (89:15-18).

Brethren, the psalmist praises God for His divine perfections: His love, His faithfulness, His righteousness, His power, and His grace. We must remember that in the midst of confusing and inexplicable times God is still sovereignly in control of all circumstances. The psalmist asks God to restore the David kingdom so that the nation will bear the reproach of their enemies no more (89:46-51). The psalmist is praying for a Davidic king to rule. Little does he know that the next Davidic king to rule will be the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Acts 2:22-36).

PSALM 87 — REVISED

The City of God

Psalm 87 is a song of praise to God and celebration of Jerusalem as the centre of Israel’s spiritual life. The psalmist speaks of the grand position of the city of Zion as YHWH’s chosen dwelling place among the peoples of the world (87:1-3). Glorious things are spoken of Jerusalem because of God’s presence among His people (87:3).

The psalmist continues with God drawing attention to the worshippers of His that have come from the many Gentile nations (87:4). They have come to faith as if they had been born in Jerusalem like the Israelite worshipers (87:4).

We see this idea repeated in the New Testament in John 1:12-13, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God...” God’s design for Jerusalem was to be a “city on a hill,” drawing the world to worship the one true God. The city has never quite lived up to this ideal. Yet, there will be a joyous time in the future, that ever-increasing numbers of believers will be incorporated into her as eternal citizens (87:5-7).

This psalm anticipates the glorious reality of the restored Jerusalem that will be established during the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ (Zech 14:16-21). It will be the seat of Jesus Christ’s worldwide rule and the spiritual centre for worship for all the earth (Jer 3:17). Maranatha!

A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR

Length of days does not profit me
Except the days are passed in Thy presence, in Thy service to Thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains
Sanctifies, aids every hour,
That I might not be one moment apart from Thee,
But may rely on thy Spirit
To supply every thought,
Speak every word,
Direct every step,
Prosper every work,
Build up every mote of faith,
And give me a desire
To show forth Thy praise,
Testify Thy love,
Advance Thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
With Thee, O Father, as my harbour,
Thee O Son, at my helm,
Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
My lamp burning,
My ear open to thy calls,
My heart full of love, my soul free.

Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer me,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilise.

May Thy fear be my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.

From: Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

O Source of all good,
What shall I render to you for the gift of gifts,
your own dear Son?

Herein is wonder of wonders:
he came below to raise me above,
was born like me that I might become like him.

Herein is love;
when I cannot rise to him
he draws near on wings of grace,
to raise me to himself.

Herein is power;
when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart,
he united them in indissoluble unity,
the uncreate and the created.

Herein is wisdom;
when I was undone, with no will to return to him,
and no intellect to devise recovery,
he came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,
as man to die my death,
to shed satisfying blood on my behalf,
to work out a perfect righteousness for me!

O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherd,
and enlarge my mind!

Let me hear good tidings of great joy,
and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore,
my conscience bathed in an ocean of repose,
my eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father!

Place me with ox, donkey, camel, goat,
to look with them upon my Redeemer's face,
and in him account myself delivered from sin!

Let me with Simeon clasp the newborn child to my heart,
embrace him with undying faith,
exulting that he is mine and I am his!

In him you have given me so much that heaven can give no more.

—from Valley of Vision