Tag Archives: Psalms 85

Daily Bible Study

June 30, 2023 Bible Study — The Psalmist Gives Warning to Those Who Think That They are Gods

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Psalms 82-89.

In the first of today’s psalms, those who created the NIV translation chose to put the word “gods” in quotes.  I am not a Hebrew scholar, but I am quite confident that there are no quotes in the Hebrew manuscripts from which this passage was translated.  I am equally confident that the translators conveyed the psalmist’s meaning accurately when they used those quotation marks here.  The psalmist warns these “gods” that ultimately God sits in judgement over them.  He then asks them how long they will defend the unjust and side with the wicked?  The psalmist demands that these “gods” defend the weak and uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed.  He goes on to remind these “gods” that they will die just like all other mortals.  As I read this I thought of those who consider themselves the elites of our society today.  They too often seem to defend the unjust and favor the wicked.  They refuse to defend the fatherless or rescue the weak.  They, like those discussed in the second of today’s psalms, conspire against God and those who serve Him.  However, as the psalmist prays, God will not remain silent.  Even now He is sending them a warning in the fires which are consuming the forests.  He will bring judgement against them.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

June 30, 2022 Bible Study — If Those To Whom God Has Given Authority To Judge The Wicked Fail To Do So, God Will Handle It Directly

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Psalms 82-89.

I am going to write the thoughts which came to me as I read today’s psalms, even though today’s psalms have disparate themes.  The first psalm starts out with a challenge to those in positions of authority.  All too often those with power and authority defend the unjust and show favor to the wicked.  The psalmist calls on them to instead defend the weak and uphold the cause of the oppressed, to rescue the weak from the hand of the wicked.  Paul writes in his letter to the Church in Rome that God established the government to punish the wicked.  The psalmist points out here that many in positions of authority not only fail that purpose, but actively aid the wicked.  However, the psalmist also warns them that if they fail to administer justice, God will take matters into His own hands and they will be on the receiving end along with the wicked whom they aided.  All too often those whom the psalmist was addressing here respond to the knowledge that God will judge them by plotting against those who faithfully follow Him.  They come to believe that they can escape God’s judgement by silencing those who speak His word.  However, God alone is the Most High over all of the earth and will show Himself to them.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

June 30, 2021 Bible Study — I Will Sing Of The Mercies Of The Lord Forever

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Psalms 82-89.

As I read this I was struck by several things.  The first psalm today tells us that rulers have been given their authority by God (my reading between the lines and bringing some things in from other parts of the Bible) in order to defend the weak and the fatherless and to uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed.  If they fail to do these things they will suffer God’s judgement.  The second of today’s psalms beg God to strike down His enemies, those who conspire against His people.  Then it takes an interesting turn: the psalmist asks God to do so in order that those He is judging will seek His name.  Let us think and act similarly so that when we seek the downfall of those who do evil we do so in order to turn them to God.

Later in these psalms the psalmist cries out to God asking Him to restore us, to revive us again.  That phrase, which appears throughout the Psalms inspired a great hymn.  That hymn contains references to the other portion of today’s psalms I wanted to touch on.

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.

Which is referenced in yet another great hymn.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

June 30, 2020 Bible Study God’s Truth Is the Only Truth

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 82-89.

Throughout history God calls on rulers to give justice to the poor and the powerless, to uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.  When rulers heed God’s call, their society has prospered.  Yet, also throughout history rulers have time and again failed to do so, have instead been the oppressors.  When the latter happens people conspire against God’s people, both the descendants of Jacob and those who serve His Son.  They seek to wipe them out completely, but fail every time.  Such things happen when God’s people stray to far from Him.

So, let us cry out to God to restore us once more to His favor.  Let us pray that he teach us His ways so that we may know His truth and live by it.  Each and every one of us needs to remember that there is A truth and that truth is God’s truth.  We live in a society which is determined to convince us that there is no truth, or that there are multiple truths: that the truth is different for everyone.

Daily Bible Study

June 20, 2020 Bible Study Greater Joy As A Servant In God’s House Than As An Unjust Ruler Elsewhere

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 82-89.

I feel like a broken record.  Today’s psalms contain many words which speak to me.  I only hope that I can put the ideas together in a way which makes a coherent whole.  We begin with God calling on governing authorities to stop handing down unjust decisions which favor the wicked.  God will not be silent as the powers of this world conspire against His people.  While this passage specifically cites the people and nation of Israel as God’s people, I believe He will render judgement against those who similarly conspire against the followers of His Son.  A position supported by Psalm 87, which tells us that all are welcome to become citizens of Jerusalem, God’s city.  The psalmist is not referring here primarily to the geographic location of Jerusalem.  He is referring to the City of God in Heaven.

The psalmist tells us how we can become citizens of the City of God.  We do so by crying out to Him and listening carefully to what He says.  If we beg Him to do so, He will teach us His ways so that we may live according to His truth.  Let us call on God to revive us again.  Let us pray to Him that He sends His Spirit upon us so that we might shine His light upon this unjust world.  The psalmist reminds us that there is greater joy being a servant in God’s courts than in being a ruler over any other portion of all of Creation.  Let us live as if we believe that and show the joy which comes from serving God to all whom we meet.

Daily Bible Study

June 30, 2019 Bible Study — Lord, Revive Us Again

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 82-89.

As I read the first two psalms of today’s passage they made me think of a message from God different than the one I think the psalmist intended.  The first addresses those who think they are above everyone else and should direct others decisions.  Those who think they are the experts to whom everyone else should listen.  An examination of their record indicates that instead of doing good they hand down judgments which favor the wicked.    Then in the second the psalmist addresses Israel’s enemies, those who seek to destroy God’s people.  It struck me that today it addresses not just those who seek to destroy the Jewish people or the nation of Israel.  It speaks to me today of those who want to eliminate the godly from our society.  But they are not just coming after those who act righteously, they seek to drive God from the world.  The storm they are unleashing will demolish them rather than those at whom they seek to aim it.  God will not be, cannot be, harmed by their actions and He will defend those who rely on Him.

There is another theme which runs through these psalms.  I am not sure that I can capture it in coherent thought, but I am going to try.  The psalmist cries out his longing to be in the presence of God, a longing which hopefully we share.  The psalmist describes how you can develop such a longing, and why you should wish to do so, if you do not already have it.  There is joy which comes from walking with the Lord, from being close to Him that surpasses anything else you can experience.  If we but ask Him, God will teach us His ways.  Let us call on God to restore and revive us, not for the first time, but again and again.

Daily Bible Study

June 30, 2018 Bible Study –There Are No Borders to God’s Kingdom

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 82-89.

    Two of today’s psalms speak to the controversy over immigration from impoverished countries to the developed world, Psalm 82 and 87. I am not going to take a position on how these psalms should be applied to this issue, or even if they should be. Psalm 82 calls on rulers to give justice to the poor and uphold the rights of the oppressed. This is sometimes used to call on the governments of developed countries to be more open to immigrants who have not gone through the established channels. There is some merit to that position. However, what I have never seen is anyone using this psalm to call out the governments of the countries from which these immigrants are fleeing. While those of us in the developed world should pay heed to this psalm’s call to rescue the poor and helpless, its condemnation is directed at those who have been oppressing them.
    Then in Psalm 87 the psalmist says that “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” Certainly, he is talking here about becoming citizens of the Kingdom of God. However, on the immigration issue there are those who want to apply it to our present world. They desire to make everyone citizens of one nation which encompasses the whole world. This whole discussion makes me think that the problem, of which mass migration is but a part, will not be solved until the Christ’s return. This psalm does tell us that citizenship in God’s Kingdom is not determined by geography. People from every land and ethnicity are welcome in God’s Kingdom. God will not only give them citizenship, He will adopt them into the royal family.
**Note:Something about the above two paragraphs bothered me, but I could not put my finger on it. A few minutes ago it struck me: this whole discussion about proper enforcement of immigration laws in developed countries is from the perspective of being involved in the government, even if only in so small a way as voting, something I do not believe we as Christians should do.

    In many ways I see Psalm 84 as being a response to Psalm 83. The peoples of this world will unite together in order to oppose God and attack His people, thinking that by doing so they can gain greater riches and wealth. They will fail in their endeavor. But Psalm 84 tells us that even if they could gain what they are seeking, what they are rejecting is better than what they seek. Despite what the people of this world think, seeking God is more satisfying and a source of greater pleasure than anything else we can do. Despite our fears and insecurities, doing God’s will brings us greater, by far, fulfillment and joy than we can imagine.