Psalm 73

Hello, my friend.  You may have noticed in your Bible that our Psalm 73 for today was written by a man named Asaph.  He was a descendant of Levi, whom David appointed leader of choral worship (I Chr.16:4-5).   He is listed as the writer of Psalms 73-83 and I find it interesting that other musicians were encouraged to write Psalms, and not only the King himself.    Several other Psalms in this third book were written by people associated with David in the music used in the temple at that time.

In any case, today’s Psalm is significant because it describes a problem we all have faced.   Asaph tells of the doubts that nearly overwhelmed him when he compared the life of a worldly man with his own.  Have you never been confronted with the same doubts, when you see godless men prosper?  Their arrogance sometimes stuns you and their stunning achievements, compared to your own lack of success, make you question, perhaps, what benefit is there in being a Christian.  

Asaph begins the Psalm by acknowledging that God is good to those who are pure in heart, but he says, “As for me, my feet had almost slipped…for I envied the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”  They seem to have no struggles; they are healthy and free from the burdens common to mankind.  Pride is their necklace, the ideas of their minds are evil, they speak with malice and seem to have no limits to their achievements.  And people turn to them, as they say, “How can God know?  Does the Most High have knowledge?”  Ever felt like that, especially when we read in vs. 12, “They are carefree, they increase in wealth.”

And Asaph admits that doubt swept through his mind as he says, “It’s in vain that I have kept my heart pure, have preserved my hands in innocence.”  But suddenly great wisdom grips him, and he acknowledges the foolishness of his complaints.  Like many saints before and after him, Asaph was puzzled that God seemed to prosper the wicked and punish at times the righteous.   But now he overcomes his doubts by considering the destiny of the wicked.  The conflict was painful to him, until, as he says, (vs.17), “I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”  As he prayed he was reminded there in vs. 18 that it is the wicked who are on slippery ground, vulnerable to any catastrophe that can engulf them.  And he grieves over his unbelief, reminding himself in the last verses that “You, Lord, hold me by my right hand, you guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you… my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  It is good for me to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge.”  What a powerful anthem of praise.

“We are so thankful, Lord, for a Psalm like this which keeps our minds on you, when it seems that the wicked flourish.  Indeed, whom do we have on earth beside you.  We rest in you, our Refuge from doubts that swirl around us.  Bless my friend who has joined us, and those in special need!”  Thank you, partner.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000. Copies are available for $10 and can be ordered here.

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Psalm 72

Hello, my friend.  A hearty welcome. Today we move on in our study of the Psalms to one written by a son of David, King Solomon.  He wrote this PSALM 72 and also Psalm 127.  This is a strong Psalm of praise for the King, and I love to think that Solomon, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was thinking of that Royal Son of God yet to come, for it speaks so remarkably about aspects that only Christ could fulfill.  Read this Psalm placing the word Christ  (which is the NT equivalent to King) in all the places where we have a ‘he’ in reference to the King.  Vs.5,  “He will endure as long as the sun as long as the moon, through all generations.  He will be like rain, falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.”   And as Solomon continues, one can sense this is a picture of the world under the Messianic reign when Christ will have returned to rule the world and bring peace and joy to all.

But he also refers, I think, to Christ today as Lord,  who rules “from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.”  And he testifies that “he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help, taking pity on the weak and the needy, saving the needy from death, rescuing them from violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.”  And he closes this Psalm with a wonderful flourish, when he writes, “Praise be the Lord God, who alone does marvelous deeds.  Praise be to His glorious name forever, may the whole earth be filled with His Glory.  Amen and Amen.”   As a final Doxology, it is a fitting Hallelujah ending this first of the five Books of Psalms, as you will find indicated in your Bible.  In 1741, at the London premier of Handel’s Messiah, King George II rose to his feet during the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus” in worshipful recognition of his Supreme Sovereign.  Later, it was Queen Victoria who said, “Someday it shall be my joy to lay my crown at His feet.”  Indeed, we can joyfully, thankfully say the same today.

“Thank you, Lord Jesus, that we too can bow in thankfulness for you at this Memorial Time.  Thank you that we can join the saints of all ages in praising you, the King of Glory.  Thank you for our fellowship in your Word and all we, on the Village Line, share together.  Bless my dear friend who is along, and all in very special need, whom we love.” 

Thank you, partner, for your presence.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000. Copies are available for $10 and can be ordered here.

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Psalm 71

Hello, my friend.   I used to think that if a man were fifty, he was old.  And if he were seventy, he was ancient.  And if he were eighty, he would be an antique, to be handled with care.  And now that I am nearly eighty, I continue at times to feel like I am old, and at other times to feel there is still some ministry ahead.  I thank God for some of you who have known me all my life, and others in a very special way since our marriage in l949 (just fifty years ago this Thanksgiving Day).  Others have known us from nearly the beginning of Village Schools and some recently.  And there are some whom I have never met, but you are important too.  I thank God for you all, and for His faithfulness in our lives.

So we come to PSALM 71, for today, which I have entitled, A Song of an Old Man.    Have you noticed how joyfully David calls the Lord the one “in whom I have taken refuge.” (vs.1)  And then again he says, “Be my rock of refuge (vs.3), my rock and my fortress.”  And again in vs. 7, “you are my strong refuge, my mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.” And then, wistfully, he says in vs.9, “Do not cast me away when I am old,  do not forsake me when my strength is gone.”  For those of us who are old, the way one becomes at times overwhelmed with weariness is familiar. And David seeks God’s continual refreshing and renewal.  And then in vs. 18, he says, “When I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, ‘til I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”   What a challenge this is.  When one feels it’s time to stop, because of whatever problem, one can say with David, “My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long” (vs.24)… indeed all life long.

But notice how he declares the key to this life-long commitment.  He says, in vs. 14, “I will expect…”, he lived in anticipation. In vs. 15, “I will tell of your salvation…all day long…”, his witness for the Lord was a constant life-style.  In vs. 16, “I will come and proclaim your mighty acts.”  And in vs. 17, “I have learned…since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.”  And in vs. 22, “I will praise you with the harp…with the lyre”, he longed to use every means of shouting his love and praise to God.   That’s the message…I will expect, I will tell, I will come, I have learned, I will praise you with the harp, I will shout for joy, all the day long.  A tall order, isn’t it, but a wonderful reminder and challenge that when life gets heavy and the way seems dark and the problems seem overwhelming, there is power in praise.  The key, I think, is that repeated phrase, “all the day long.”  It becomes second-nature to enjoy and share the Lord, now!!

“Thank you, Lord, for this strong song of thankfulness from David, that all life-long begins with all day-long.  Help us remember that the future begins today, and that what it will contain depends on what I invest in it now.  Thank you for the joy of sharing these Psalms together.  Bless my friend who is alongside.  Thank you for helping here in the Center and for those who have expressed their loving encouragement.” 

I thank God for you, my friend, and for your sharing this way.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000. Copies are available for $10 and can be ordered here.

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Psalm 70

Hello, my friend.  So good to be together.

Now, after that long, solemn, often depressing Psalm last week, we come to this short but almost similar statement today in PSALM 70.  I am startled by the intimate way the Psalmist seeks to remind the Lord that it’s time He hastens to save him.  I sometimes think that, since God knows all that is happening and will happen, it’s not proper for me to express my impatience at what seems to me to be His very slow response.  We must always respect God’s sovereignty, but we must also remember that sometimes what seems like delays are in fact opportunities for us to prove our desire, even determination that God responds.  I think of that almost humorous illustration from Luke 11:5.  The Lord had just taught the disciples what we call the Lord’s prayer, and concludes it by saying, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.  An old friend traveling through just showed up and I don’t have a thing on hand.  The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me.  The door’s locked;  my children are all down for the night;  I can’t get up to give you anything’  “But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.  Here’s what I’m saying:  Ask and you’ll get;  seek and you’ll find;  knock and the door will be open.”  And Christ continues, “Don’t bargain with God.  Be direct.  Ask for what you need…” (from Peterson’s translation, The Message.)

Insistent prayer doesn’t change God’s mind, it simply demonstrates that I am serious about my praying and eager to be assured of God’s presence, His power, His purpose in my life.  And after these first verses in Psalm 70, David responds with praise saying, “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;  may those who love your salvation always say, ‘Let God be exalted!’”   But then he continues to demonstrate his eagerness by saying, “Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God.  You are my help and my deliverer.  O Lord, do not delay.”

This is a great encouragement for us to pray diligently, without ceasing, for this keeps us in the constant presence of the Lord, and available to be used and blessed by the Holy Spirit. 

“Thank you, Lord, for reminding us of this oft-neglected but measureless resource granted us in prayer.  Forgive us for our casualness, our carelessness in obeying your command, your invitation to labor in prayer.  Thank you for those in this fellowship.  We are glad to be coworkers with you.” 

So grateful for your fellowship.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000. Copies are available for $10 and can be ordered here.

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Psalm 69

Hello, my friend.    Thank you for your prayers. God is faithful when our trust is in Him alone.  He is able!

Our PSALM 69 for today contains some very serious concerns of this young King David, some of which are very appropriate for us.  He expresses his despair in the first verses, where he so dramatically describes his condition, feeling he was sinking in the miry depths where there is no foothold.  I’m sure most people have had those experiences where they felt they were in deep waters and (vs.3) were worn out calling for help, eyes failing, and hearts desperate.  While David admits he is a sinner (vs.5), he senses the anguish of such loneliness, feeling he is (vs.8) a stranger to his brothers, an alien to his own mother’s sons.  And we can see that much of his problems came about because of his zeal for the Lord  (vs.9).  And there are so many believers who have experienced this very sense of rejection, of condemnation from their own households because of their love of the Lord and the Word.

David continues in the next verses, “I am in trouble! (vs.17).  And the following verses are startling in David’s expression of anger against his enemies, calling down God’s special wrath on them.  He even says, “May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.”  But then we breathe a sigh of relief when he comes back to his place of refuge, beginning with vs. 30, when he says, “I’ll praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving…this will please the Lord more than sacrifice…for the poor will see and be glad.  You who seek God, may your hearts live!”  And he says finally, “The Lord hears the needy and He does not despise His captive people.”   How this Psalm reflects the mood swings we all sometimes have, and it also gives a strong evidence of David’s intimate relationship with the Lord as he pours out his heart without hiding or without pretense. 

I think we can see how the prevailing tone is prayer for deliverance from suffering for the Lord’s sake.  John Walvoord in his commentary points out how parts of the psalm were applied to the life of Christ:  “people’s hatred for him (vs.4) as in John 15:25, ‘This is to fulfill what is written in their Law: They hated me without reason.’  And His zeal for God,  (vs.9), as referred to in John 2:17, ‘His disciples remembered that it is written:  ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’  We can see how this Psalm is in a sense typological of Christ’s suffering, being a man of sorrows acquainted with grief.”  This is a window in the life and love of our Lord. 

“We pause, Lord, seeing how this ancient king’s suffering was in a small way like yours on the Cross, dying for our salvation.  Thank you for your faithfulness to us, all the day long.  May your presence bring great encouragement to some Village E-Link today who may sense a keen loneliness and hurt.  You are able. We trust in you.”

Thank you, my friend, for being along. I’m thankful.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000. Copies are available for $10 and can be ordered here.

To subscribe to these blog posts please enter your email address in the space provided below.

Psalm 68

Hello, my friend.  

Now we come to PSALM 68, another of those very significant Psalms which tower high on the horizon of David’s anthems of praise to the Lord.  It is longer than usual, and full of good stuff.  I truly hope you’ve taken or made the time to read it through.  I can only look at two or three things of particular significance.

It starts right off with David acknowledging God’s power and sovereign authority over all his enemies, blowing them away as smoke is blown away by the wind.  And then he says, vs. 3, “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;  may they be happy and joyful.”  The words joyful and happy are not the same, as you’ve heard from me before.  Happiness depends on happenings which make me happy, but when they change I am unhappy. But joy depends on a relationship which is indifferent to circumstances.  Happiness is like a thermometer, affected by the cold or warmth of surroundings.  Joy is like a rheostat which changes the temperature of the situation.   And we find the word joy and joyful often in Scripture but here we see that we can also be happy, can indeed find pleasure in our circumstances.

Then in vs. 4 we sing to God, whose ‘name is the Lord.’  I like that.  Today we so often hear Christ referred to Jesus this and Jesus that, but in fact we read here that his name is the Lord, which essentially means master, owner, the CEO of the believer’s life.  Jesus was a rather common name in Christ’s time, but Lord simply means there is no other.  He alone is Sovereign in all our lives.

Then we read so tenderly that God cares for those in great need, “He is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, He sets the lonely in families, and He leads forth the prisoners with singing.”  Isn’t that dramatic, tremendous?  There God comes, surrounded with lonely people, abandoned by all, and with people shackled by whatever addiction or difficulty, and God leads them in singing.  Exciting.  And finally in vs. 11 we read that “the Lord announced the Word and great was the company of those who proclaimed it, or declared it.”  I’m thrilled, my friend, to be among that great company who’ve given their lives to declaring and proclaiming the precious Word of God.  And I praise God that you are also along, with those who love and share His Word.

“Thank you, Lord, for the huge blessing of feasting on your Word and finding both refuge and encouragement.  Bless my friend who has joined in, and all in special need.  We worship and love you, Lord.”

And I thank Him for you, partner, Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000. Copies are available for $10 and can be ordered here.

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