The Joy of God’s Lovingkindness
This psalm was typically used by the post-exilic Jews for their Sabbath worship. It is a praise psalm extolling God’s goodness to His people. The main point of this psalm is found in verse 8, God is Above All others forever and ever. This psalm can be divided into three sections: The Sounds of Praise (1-3), The Reason for Praise (4-7), and The Blessing of God (8-15).
The psalmist begins this psalm by making the statement that it is good to praise the Lord (1-3). Praising God for His attributes and works recognises the perfections and will of God. The assembly of believers can declare the faithful love of the Lord at all times in song (2-3). Brethren, let us not neglect this assembling together (Heb 10:25), and let us sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs together (Col 3:16).
The reason believers can praise God is that His works are great (4-7). The Psalmist contemplates the mighty works of God throughout history and sings for joy (4-5). In contrast to this the ungodly wicked of this world are like mere “senseless” animals who live to feed their desires. They “flourish” like grass for a moment, but they are “fools” who lack understanding of the true nature of things. The ungodly do not know YHWH and will face the eternal fire (6-7). Brethren, what a joy it is to meditate on the wonderful works of Christ on behalf of His people. Unbelievers can never know this joy because they do not know YHWH.
Believers, you can trust in God on High, because he will remove the wicked and bless His people all their lives (8-15). Even in our old age we can declare, “YHWH is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him (15)!”