October 5 - 11 Daily Meditations in the Psalms
October 5
Psalms 99:1-5
1. The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
2. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
3. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
4. The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5. Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
In Psalm 97, revelation concerning the Lord’s reign was inspiration for rejoicing. In chapter 98, it brings fear and trembling. (For those, who want to take time to study godly fear, here are some NT verses - Mt. 10:28; 28:8; Lk. 1:65; 5;26; 7:16; 8:37, Ac. 2:43; 5:5, 11; 19:17; Ph. 2:12.)
Rejoicing and fear are not contradictory reactions, but in fact, are compatible. In the New Testament, people rejoiced and trembled at once, when they saw awesome majesty displayed through the miracles of Christ. They rejoiced at the works of mercy, but wondered at the glory of the Person walking among them.
Do we understand today the implications of revival? It is, first and foremost, a consciousness of the absolute sovereignty of almighty God. It is an inner conviction of a need to bow in surrender to an unbending Lord and Master. The prayer on the lips of all participants is, “Hallowed be Thy name” and the adjectives of praise are those used by the Psalmist. He is exalted, great, high and terrible. The Spirit-inspired writer declares Him thrice holy in verses three, five and nine. In revival, there is no place for lightness or jesting. There is an awestruck hush, when finally a meeting breaks up, people file out and make their way to their homes. There is a fear, lest an unwise word or action will pollute the holy atmosphere and grieve the pure Spirit. Men are conscious of being at His feet, not by His side or His head. True worship kisses Jesus’ feet, tears flow to bathe them, and all the actions of service are done there (remember, Judas kissed His face). It is holiness that rends the heart and I am afraid we know too little of its beauty. It is the atmosphere of heaven - the breath of God. It is surrounded by glory, scented with purity, bathed in reverence, and permeated with righteousness.
October 6
Psalms 99:6-9
6. Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
7. He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
8. Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
9. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
Consider the three ministers of the Lord mentioned here (see Exodus 4:24-26, Leviticus 10:1-7, I Samuel 15:35-16:1). Moses’ life was endangered, until he met with the terms of the covenant and, through circumcision, became a separated man. Aaron, at the command of God, denied himself the luxury of mourning the violent death of his sons. God ordered Samuel to cease his preoccupation with King Saul. The Lord reigned and His servants bowed in submission.
They knew the holy privilege of prayer and the condescension of a prayer-answering God to a praying people, who properly recognize His holiness and Kingship. He speaks to them, because they obey Him. He is merciful and forgiving, yet every offense meets with serious, fearful measures. To ignore His awesome majesty is to miss the Lord Himself and to forfeit all His benefits.
October 7
Psalms 100:1-3
1. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
The Psalmists have a missionary heart and that is no wonder, for the Holy Ghost from heaven has inspired them. He proceeds from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. This Psalm, as many others, is an appeal to all lands to come serve Him. It is a declaration to all mankind that man is a created being. He has a Maker, upon whom he is dependent.
This is a Psalm of dependence. Man’s supreme purpose is to minister unto the Lord. Not only are we to serve Him, but also we are to do it gladly with joy and singing. It is apparent that even church people do not know their Maker. They live a life of independence. He, who is not a sheep, hearing and following the Shepherd on a day-by-day basis, is not of His fold at all. His sheep has no plan of his own. He belongs to the Shepherd, who has a purpose for him. Every morning he is led into the world, under the conscious guidance of His voice, and every evening, he returns to the shelter of the fold.
October 8
Psalms 100:4-5
4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
It is our privilege to approach a good God. Our experiences with Him as sheep, reveling in His provision and care, cause us to be thankful, to praise Him and bless His name. The God, upon whom we are dependent, is good. He has no evil intentions toward us, but has only our eternal welfare in mind. His mercy exceeds our sin and outlives it. Mercy conquers the sin problem, honorably and righteously. We can bank on His truth to never play tricks on us. It stands as it stood for the patriarchs, the Psalmists, the prophets, the apostles and the church throughout the ages.
October 9
Psalms 101:1-3
1. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
2. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
In this Psalm, David joins Joshua in declaring, “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Walking with God has much to do with our will in choosing behavioral patterns and human relationships. The writer says, I will sing of mercy and judgment. Singing stirs the soul to consciousness of the attributes of God. Everlasting mercy is the crowning glory of God’s personality and perfect justice is the scepter of His kingdom.
He continues, “I will behave myself wisely.” He resolves to be a shining representative of heavenly manners. Good behavior begins with a heart kept perfectly tuned towards God. His ways are perfect ways and we must motivate ourselves towards perfection, living in a way that is totally pleasing to Him.
“I will set no wicked thing before my eyes.” Mature Christian character pronounces a ‘yes’ and a ‘no’ without reservations. They develop a hatred for wickedness that sets the will firmly to eliminate avoidable temptation. All questionable literature and media communication would not be allowed in David’s house.
October 10
Psalms 101:4-8
4. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
7. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
8. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
People with little resolve find it tedious to be with those of high principle. It is too painfully convicting. In the great majority of cases, the Christian will not have to forsake worldly friendships. If he makes a firm decision to walk perfectly before God, earthly friends will leave. He has nothing to offer those who pursue worldly interests.
David separated himself from those with slandering lips, high looks and proud hearts. These are on an ego trip, climbing upon the reputations they destroy. Such relationships are not only fruitless, but also destructive.
David looked for faithfulness in those, who were to serve in his court and in his household. Honesty was the first quality under consideration, so deceivers and liars were rejected. David’s resolve determined his relationships and kept his heart and house right before God. From there, it spread to the streets of his city and finally across the land. Godliness spreads from a firm base.
October 11
Psalms 102:1-13
A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord.
1. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
2. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
3. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
4. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
5. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
6. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
7. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
8. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
9. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
10. Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
11. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
12. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
13. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
According to the title, this is a Psalm for the overwhelmed. This and many Psalms prove that the believer is tried “above measure”, forcing him to go beyond himself to God in desperation. The seeds of prayer are trouble, consumed days, burning bones, a smitten and withered heart, lost appetite, groaning, desertion, loneliness, reproach and weeping.
The Psalmist is aware that some of these things have come upon him deservedly. Oh yes, he’s sinned. However, out of this pile of ashes, he is looking to the eternal nature, mercy and timely intervention of God to bring meaning and purpose. The road of affliction is the road to the priesthood. It makes him aware of the dealings of God with his people. It causes his heart to be the seat of His prayers and takes him into the heart of God.
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