The Tabernacle of David
“Part V”
Part V. - Table of Contents
Psalms 107 – 150
Title Page
Chapter 107.
Chapter 108.
Chapter 109.
Chapter 110.
Chapter 111.
Chapter 112.
Chapter 113.
Chapter 114.
Chapter 115.
Chapter 116.
Chapter 117.
Chapter 118.
Chapter 119.
Chapter 120.
Chapter 121.
Chapter 122.
Chapter 123.
Chapter 124.
Chapter 125.
Chapter 126.
Chapter 127.
Chapter 128.
Chapter 129.
Chapter 130.
Chapter 131.
Chapter 132.
Chapter 133.
Chapter 134.
Chapter 135.
Chapter 136.
Chapter 137.
Chapter 138.
Chapter 139.
Chapter 140.
Chapter 141.
Chapter 142.
Chapter 143.
Chapter 144.
Chapter 145.
Chapter 146.
Chapter 147.
Chapter 148.
Chapter 149.
Chapter 150.
Title Page
The Tabernacle of David
A Study of how the Psalms
Define Prophetic Numerology
(Psalms 107 – 150)
“Part V”
By
Russell M. Stendal
Chapter 107.
One hundred and seven is a prime number that does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm. The meaning of this number is veiled, but I believe that it has something to do with the Feast of Ingathering and with understanding the mercies of the Lord.
Psalm 107
1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed499 from the hand of the enemy
3 and gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
As our Savior, Jesus the Lamb of God fulfilled the Feast of the Passover (the Feast of Unleavened Bread) with his death and resurrection. When the day of Pentecost (the Feast of Firstfruits) was fully come, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early church and made available for every believer. The third and final feast of required attendance in Israel (Exodus 23:14–17) is the Feast of Tabernacles (the Feast of Ingathering, or harvest). This final feast, linked to the second coming of Jesus Christ, has not yet been fulfilled and is the subject of this psalm.
4 They wandered lost in the wilderness, alone and out of the way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. This sounds like the saints described in Hebrews chapter eleven.500
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his mercy and for his wonderful works unto the sons of Adam!
9 For he satisfies the soul that is destitute and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
God’s plan of redemption includes a complete transformation of the sons of Adam. This is, indeed, a most wonderful work. As we submit to him, God will not only forgive us and cleanse us, but he will also satisfy us and fill our hungry souls with goodness.
10 Such as sat in darkness501 and in the shadow of death,502 being bound in affliction and in irons,
11 because they rebelled against the words of God and condemned the counsel of the most High:
Prior to being redeemed, we sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, and we were bound in affliction and in irons. Iron is a symbol of the law, and all unregenerate humanity is in the grip of the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). We got there because our forefathers Adam and Eve rebelled against the words of God and condemned the counsel of the most High, and those who continue to do so will remain there.
12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was no one to help.
God subjected man, after the fall, to toil and labor (Genesis 3:19). This brought down their heart (it humbled them). When they fell down there was no one to help them.
13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bonds asunder.
Most people wait until they are in trouble to cry to the Lord. God will not reject those that cry out to him with a contrite (repentant) spirit and a broken heart (Psalm 34:18). The Lord loves to save people, and in order to fully do so, he must bring them out of darkness and the shadow of death and break their bonds apart. The Lord is not only able to save us, but he is also able to set us free from bondage to sin, the flesh, and the world.
15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his mercy and for his wonderful works unto the sons of Adam!
16 For he has broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron asunder.
What are the gates of brass and the bars of iron? They symbolize being subject to judgment under the law of sin and death. The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). And since we all have sinned at one time or another (1 John 1:8) and gone against the commandments of God, we all deserve to die. In fact, the only way out of planet earth is by death. God has this wired in.
When the Lord Jesus Christ gave his life for us (when he died on the cross to save us), he broke the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron apart in order to redeem us. Now Jesus has the keys to Hades and death (Revelation 1:18). This has many ramifications and will prove to be absolutely essential to fulfilling the Feast of Ingathering.
17 The fools, because of the way of their rebellion, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near unto the gates of death.
Immature fools tend to be quite belligerent at the beginning of their rebellion. However, as their iniquities add up, they become more and more afflicted by the consequences of their sin. As they approach the end of their lives or when they encounter seemingly insurmountable affliction – when they think they are drawing near unto the gates of death – all of a sudden their soul will no longer find satisfaction with what they have been feeding on.
19 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
20 He sent his word and healed them and delivered them from their graves.
In the highest sense, God’s Word is Jesus (John 1:1). Jesus came not only to eternally save us but also to heal and deliver us. In fact, his salvation will not be complete until he has delivered his people from their graves. This means resurrection!
21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his mercy and for his wonderful works unto the sons of Adam!
22 And let them offer the sacrifices of praise and publish his works with singing.
Sacrifices of praise are what were offered in the tabernacle of David. As David and those he was in fellowship with offered sacrifices of praise and as they published his works with singing, revelation flowed to them from the throne of God. As the revelation flowed, they became more and more aware of God’s mercy and of Christ, the Messiah.
23 Those that go down to the sea in ships that do work in many waters,
24 these have seen the works of the LORD and his wonders in the deep.
I have been privileged to see some of the works of the Lord and some of his wonders “in the deep” as I have spent time sailing in the natural realm of the sea. However, at the drop of a hat, a seemingly tranquil sea can suddenly begin to rage and to roar. Remember that in prophetic Scripture, the sea is associated with lost humanity.
25 For he commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.
26 They mount up to the heavens; they go down again to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble.
I know what it feels like to be crested over by towering waves that mount up to the heavens and then they go down again to the depths. It does not take very long under these circumstances for everyone on board to become seriously seasick and dismayed. The natural man is destined to careen from one extreme to another and from elation to deep depression until their soul is melted because of trouble (this is a factor in why many people who seem successful are not at peace with God and commit suicide).
27 They reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man, and all of their knowledge is of no avail.
Once our ship has been caught by a serious, unexpected storm, all of our previous knowledge is of no avail. If anyone attempts to move about the boat, they reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man. Everyone has to be tethered and wearing a life jacket. No matter how diligent we were to calculate the weather forecast, the wind, and the currents, and no matter how seaworthy we consider our craft, or no matter how prepared we thought we were, once we get in the thick of it, all of that knowledge is of no avail. The duration of the storm is indefinite, the crew is exhausted, the passengers are scared out of their wits, the ship takes on water and is damaged by the wind and the waves.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivers them out of their afflictions.
29 He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.
30 Then they are glad because they are at rest; so he brings them into the haven of his will.
After something like this happens, you would think that everyone concerned would be eternally grateful to the Lord. My experience has been that some are grateful, and some are not.
31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his mercy and for his wonderful works unto the sons of Adam!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
The writers of the psalms were not focused on themselves or on their own prowess. They knew that more than anything else we all need more and more mercy and grace. They desired above all else to please God and make him happy and to give him all the glory and honor and praise that he is due.
33 He turned rivers into a wilderness and the watersprings into dry ground;
34 the fruitful land into salt flats, because of the wickedness of those that dwell therein.
There are places, even entire countries, where nothing ever seems to truly prosper; sometimes it is the other way around.
35 He turns the wilderness into reservoirs of water and dry ground into watersprings.
36 And there he makes the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation
37 and sow the fields and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly and suffers not their cattle to decrease.
There is absolutely no substitute for the blessing of the Lord.
39 Again, they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
Even when we are serving God and have his blessing, there will continue to be those who would attempt to oppress us and afflict us and bring us sorrow. The fallen world around us that is at enmity with God will never be our friend and will always attempt to sabotage us. God may allow this to continue for a season, like when the children of Israel were oppressed and afflicted in Egypt. However, when his time is ripe, God will act on behalf of his people.
40 He pours contempt upon princes and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
Pharaoh was destroyed when he attempted to pursue God’s people into the wilderness. The only way for God’s people to make it through the wilderness, where there is no way, is for us to be closely following Jesus; he is the way.
41 Yet he sets the poor on high from affliction and makes his families like a flock.
42 The righteous shall see it and rejoice, and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Who is wise and will observe these things and shall understand the mercies of the LORD?
In order to understand the mercies of the LORD, first we must be wise. Second we must carefully observe “these things” about the character of God and his power. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and as we observe what God is doing, this will certainly contribute to our understanding of the mercies of the Lord. Who is wise that he might understand this? and prudent that he might know this? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the rebellious shall fall therein (Hosea 14:9).
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, may we be among the wise that observe your wonderful works and who understand your mercies. Amen.
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499 The word “redeemed” is used thirty-five times in the Jubilee Bible translation. This psalm contains the sixteenth and seventeenth use.
500 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but seeing them afar off and believing them and embracing them and confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those that say such things declare plainly that they seek their native country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had time to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one; therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11:13–16).
501 The phrase “in darkness” occurs thirty-three times in Scripture (this is the eighth). When we are born into the natural world, we are in spiritual darkness.
502 The phrase “shadow of death” occurs twenty times in Scripture (this is the thirteenth).
Chapter 108.
One hundred and eight is two times fifty-four (to awake), or three times thirty-six (the planting of the Lord), or four times twenty-seven (the outcome of God’s judgment), or six times eighteen (man accepting God’s decisions), or nine times twelve (divine order according to God’s judgment). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 108
A Song or Psalm of David.
1 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise; this is my glory.
2 Awake, psaltery and harp; I will awake503 the dawn.
David once again is offering sacrifices of praise to God. David, a man after God’s own heart, will awake the dawn of a new day.
3 I will praise thee, O LORD, among the peoples, and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens, and thy truth reaches unto the heavens. It is interesting to note that David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, considers that God’s mercy is great above the heavens. This is prophetic of how Jesus the Son of David would ascend up far above all the heavens that he might fulfill all things (Ephesians 4:10). As God’s truth unfolds here on the earth, it reaches unto the heavens.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens and thy glory above all the earth;
6 that thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
David is referring to himself here as thy beloved and once again is in need of deliverance. In fact, David wants to awake the dawn of a new day. In the immediate new day David sought to awake, he was anointed first as king of Judah and then as king of all Israel, and all of the immediate enemies of Israel were soundly defeated. In fact, in God’s calendar, each new day begins in the evening of the night before the dawn. God had been dealing with David since he was anointed as a young lad and, all the years fleeing from Saul were really part of his training and preparation to receive the throne when “dawn” finally came.
7 God has spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem504 and mete out the valley of Succoth.505
God told David that he would put him in charge of the government (he would divide Shechem) and mete out (measure out and distribute) the valley of Succoth (of tabernacles or dwelling places). Therefore, the tabernacle of David for the ark of the presence of God was high priority.
8 Gilead506 shall be mine; Manasseh507 shall be mine; Ephraim508 also shall be the strength of my head; Judah509 shall be my lawgiver;
David also claims Gilead, “the hill of witness,” as his own. As it was with Joseph, who God would “cause to forget” the trials and tribulations of the past that were like “a double ash heap” when God turned them into “double fruitfulness,” David claims the promises too. His “sacrifice of praise” unto God will be his lawgiver. When David (who was of the tribe of Judah) would sacrifice praise to God before the ark, God would respond with his Word unto David (and God’s Word is law). The real fulfillment of all of this is in the Lord Jesus and all who are members of the body of Christ.
9 Moab510 shall be my washpot; over Edom511 I will cast my shoe; over Philistia512 I will triumph.
David will take “Moab,” symbolic of the embarrassing or even mortifying things that have happened in the history of the people of God, and make it his washpot. In other words, this is where he will begin cleaning things up when his throne is established. The casting of the shoe is linked to redemption (Ruth 4:7–8), and this is what David will offer Edom (the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother). Over Philistia, the mortal enemies of Israel, David will wage war and triumph.
10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
In order to “cast his shoe” over Edom, someone must bring David into their strong city so that he can meet with the elders in the gate; someone must lead him into Edom. When God sends us on similar missions, all of our steps must be carefully led and ordered by the Lord.
11 Surely thou, O God, who had cast us off and did not, O God, go forth with our hosts.
David was coming into the kingdom and awakening the dawn of a new day for Judah and for Israel. The Philistines had soundly defeated Saul and the army of Israel when God did not go forth with their hosts.
12 Give us help from trouble; for the salvation of man is deception.
13 Through God we shall do valiantly, for he shall tread down our enemies again.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, as in the time of David, your people are also in desperate need of a new day. May you awake the dawn. May you once again give your people help from trouble. As with the tragic case of King Saul, we are also aware that the salvation of man is deception. Let your people sing once again, Through God we shall do valiantly, for he shall tread down our enemies again. Amen.
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503 The word “awake” (also awaked or awaken) is used fifty-four times in Scripture. This psalm contains the twenty-first and twenty-second use.
504 “Shechem” means “back” or “shoulder,” and is symbolic of government.
505 “Succoth” means “booths” or “tabernacles.”
506 “Gilead” means “hill of witness.”
507 Manasseh, the name of Joseph’s son, means “one who causes to forget.”
508 “Ephraim” means “double ash heap” or “double fruitfulness.”
509 “Judah” means “praise.”
510 “Moab” means “of her own father” (referring to the incestuous son of Lot by his elder daughter).
511 “Edom means “red” (another name for Esau).
512 “Philistia” means “land of the Philistines” (errant ones).
Chapter 109.
One hundred and nine is a prime number that does not occur in Scripture other than in the title to this psalm. This number has to do with the son of perdition.
Psalm 109
To the Overcomer, A Psalm of David.
1 Do not hold thy peace, O God of my praise;
2 for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me; they have spoken of me with a lying tongue.
3 They compassed me about with words of hatred and fought against me without a cause.
4 They have responded to my love by becoming my adversaries, but I give myself unto prayer.
5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
This psalm, dedicated to the Overcomer, definitely has a messianic application in addition to whatever the circumstances were regarding David’s enemies when this was written. David is asking God to intervene against a group of people that are seriously opposing him with lies and words of hatred after David reached out to them in love. David has not retaliated; he has given himself unto prayer.
6 Set thou the wicked man over him, and let Satan stand at his right hand.
Now this inspired complaint513 narrows down to one man always identified with a personal pronoun. Who does David want God to set the wicked man over? And at whose right hand does David want God to let Satan stand?
7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned, and let his prayer become sin.
8 Let his days be few, and let another take his office.
This is beginning to sound like it is prophetically directed at Judas Iscariot. After Jesus’s ascension, and prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Peter addressed about 120 believers in the upper room and said: Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who was guide to those that took Jesus (Acts 1:16). 9 Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
10 Let his children be continually vagabonds and beg; let them seek their bread out of their desolate places.
11 Let the extortioner catch all that he has, and let the strangers spoil his labour.
This sounds very drastic, and there is no mention in Scripture of Judas ever having a wife or children prior to his suicide. Jesus called Judas the son of perdition (John 17:12), a title that is also assigned to the end time antichrist by Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:3), so it appears that there is a dichotomy here between Judas and the Antichrist who would have “children,” or offspring, and a “wife,” or congregation, in a spiritual sense. For instance, Scripture refers to “sons of Belial” and to “tares” that the devil planted among the sons of God as well as to Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth (Revelation 17:5).
12 Let there be no one to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
13 Let his posterity be cut off, and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
Peter went on to state regarding Judas: He was numbered with us, and had obtained a lot or inheritance of this ministry. He, therefore, purchased a field with the reward of his iniquity; and hanging himself, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers of Jerusalem, in such manner that the field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood (Acts 1:17–19).
Judas arrived at the last supper with thirty pieces of silver in his possession, the blood money for having sold Jesus. During the communion that was a great blessing to the other eleven, Satan entered into Judas (John 13:27). Something similar is prophesied to happen concerning the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
Peter continued speaking: For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no one dwell therein, and let another take his office (Acts 1:20).
The wicked men that hired Judas to betray Jesus could be considered, in a certain sense, as his “fathers,” and the corrupt and apostate religious system that they represent could be considered as his “mother.”
14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
Satan, known as the father of lies, has an entire host of wicked principalities and powers of wickedness (spiritual “fathers” in the dynasty of Satan) that have been able to operate up until now in the heavenly spiritual realm. Soon this will not be the case (Revelation 12:7–11). Who would be the “mother” of the son of perdition? Babylon the Great is a mystery that will soon be revealed for exactly what she has been and for what she is (Revelation 17). For those who are godly, it is the Jerusalem from above that is the mother of us all (Galatians 4:26).
15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
16 Because he did not remember to show mercy but persecuted the man who is poor in spirit and destitute and broken in heart, that he might slay him.
David identified with being poor in spirit (destitute of pride) and so did Jesus who, repeating terminology initiated by David,514 said this: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens (Matthew 5:3). It’s clear that both David and Jesus were persecuted, as has always been the case regarding those who truly follow God. Jesus said, Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens (Matthew 5:10).
Make no mistake, Satan will continue without mercy to attempt to persecute those who are poor in spirit and destitute and broken in heart, and he still desperately desires to kill them all. Things may not work out according to his meticulous plans, however, as he and his “sons” and his “wife” and his “parents” are well on their way toward ending up like wicked Haman who was finally hung on his own gallows (Esther 7–9).
17 As he loved the curse, so let it come unto him; as he delighted not in the blessing, so let it be far from him.
18 As he clothed himself with the curse like as with his garment, and it entered into his bowels like water and like oil into his bones.
When Satan goes down, along with his sons and his wife (along with the congregation that supports him), he will go down wrapped in the curse that God applied to him and that has plagued all of mankind ever since the fall (Genesis 3:14–15). Since he clothed himself with the curse using lies and deception and sin and death as his weapons against the human race, this has entered into his bowels like water (affecting his emotions) and like oil into his bones (affecting his basic structure). Judas literally broke his own neck, and as the effects of the curse came upon him, Hanging himself, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out (Acts 1:18). Something similar will happen to Satan and his entire crew as his kingdom comes apart at the seams under the ultimate effects of the curse.
19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covers him and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
20 Let this be the reward from the LORD of those who spoke falsely against me and of those that speak evil against my soul.
This judicial sentence does not only apply to Judas, and to the son of perdition it states: Let this be the reward from the LORD of those who spoke falsely against me and of those that speak evil against my soul. The essence of Jesus’s life – or soul – that he was willing to lay down for us is the Holy Spirit (Matthew 27:50; John 19:30). Jesus said, whosoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, neither in the age to come (Matthew 12:32b). This warning is repeated in similar language in Mark 3:29 and Luke 12:10.
21 And thou, O GOD the Lord, do unto me for thy name’s sake; because thy mercy is good, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
Whenever those who have responded to our love by becoming our adversaries betray us, our heart will be wounded. This was the case with David; it was also the case with Jesus (John 13:21). David found out that God is not only willing to save us but also to restore our soul (Psalm 23:3). Here, for the sake of God’s own name or reputation, David pleads for him to act as David knows God can with a display of power that brings glory to his name.
23 I am gone like the shadow when it declines; I am tossed up and down by the wind as the locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh fails for lack of fatness.
25 I have become a reproach unto them; when they looked upon me they shook their heads.
26 Help me, O LORD my God; O save me according to thy mercy,
27 that they may know that this is thy hand, that thou, O LORD, hast done it.
David finished his life in victory that clearly demonstrated to everyone that God had done it. Jesus, by dying on the cross, triumphed openly over Satan and his wicked principalities even while providing redemption and forgiveness and victory for us.515 It is also in the heart of God to make every provision so that we can overcome in such a way as to demonstrate to everyone, including our enemies, that the hand of the Lord has done this.
28 Let them curse, but bless thou; when they arise, let them be ashamed, but let thy slave rejoice.
29 Let those who speak evil against me falsely be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion as with a mantle.
We are exhorted: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). We will leave vengeance in the capable hands of the Lord.
30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor in spirit to save his soul from those that judge him.
All of us who identify with the poor in spirit have great and compelling motives to praise the Lord with our mouths and among the multitude. Even though Satan, the accuser, may stand at the right hand of the wicked, urging them on as they slander and oppress and persecute us, the Lord shall stand at the right hand of the poor in spirit to save his soul from those that judge him.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we are so grateful that you stand at the right hand of the poor in spirit to save their soul from those who judge them. May your mercy continue forever upon those that fear your name. May you soon return and restore the tabernacle of David, and in mercy establish your throne therein and sit upon it in truth, judging and seeking judgment, and hastening righteousness, as prophesied through Isaiah and Amos. Amen.
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513 Remember that all scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16).
514 2 Samuel 22:8; Psalm 22:24, 72:13
515 And you, being dead in sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses, blotting out the bill of the decrees that was against us, which was contrary to us and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross, and having spoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:13–15).
Chapter 110.
One hundred and ten is two times fifty-five (the body of Christ), or five times twenty-two (the Word of God fulfilled according to his mercy and grace), or ten times eleven (the law of God is fulfilled in Christ). This number occurs five times in Scripture. There are two references stating that Joseph lived to one hundred and ten (Genesis 50:22, 26) and two regarding Joshua, who also died at one hundred and ten (Joshua 24:29; Judges 2:8).
The fifth reference is when Ezra, with the hand of God upon him, gathered the principles of Israel to go with him from Babylon back to Jerusalem. The list of the heads of their fathers includes: And of the sons of Azgad;516 Johanan,517 the son of Hakkatan,518 and with him one hundred and ten males (Ezra 8:12).
Psalm 110
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
The LORD refers to God the Father, and my Lord refers to Jesus Christ.519 Jesus is presently seated at the right hand of the Father with all power and authority520 waiting for that which follows, that is, until his enemies are made his footstool (Hebrews 10:13)
What is the Lord’s footstool? Scripture exhorts us: Exalt ye the LORD our God and worship at the footstool of his feet, which is holy (Psalm 99:5). His footstool is his people here upon the earth (Isaiah 66:1), for the earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein (Psalm 24:1).
Jesus has opened the way (and he is the way) for humans like us, who were in rebellion against God, to be redeemed (if we respond to him in repentance and faith) and become part of his people.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion; rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
What is the rod of Jesus’s strength that God will send out of Zion (out of the place of his habitation)? The rod of thy strength is also a rod of iron that he will use to impose his laws and his precepts upon the Gentiles (upon those that are not right with God). I will declare the decree; the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day I have begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the Gentiles for thine inheritance and unto the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel (Psalm 2:7–9).
Therefore, even now, Jesus is on high ruling the earth, and he has placed the Holy Spirit in his people, in the midst of his enemies, so that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in the heaven and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in the heaven (Matthew 18:18).
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauty of holiness; as the dew which falls from the womb of the morning, thus shall those who are thine be born unto thee.
In days past, God has had to put up with many people (in both Israel and the church) that were not willing to enter into his rest (and completely depend on him for victory). However, the “day of his power,” also known as the day of the Lord, is about to dawn. This is when the people of the Lord will be willing to serve him in the beauty of holiness (in the beauty or glory of being totally separated unto him). The “dew” is the blessing from heaven that falls from the womb of the morning. When we are born again by the Spirit of God, we are born into the light of the new day of God. The womb is where the children are formed. God has spent almost six thousand years preparing those who will come forth in the first resurrection to live and reign with Christ a thousand years (in the day of the Lord, which is the day of his power).
4 The LORD has sworn and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
God has stated it and will not reverse it (repent or change his mind); Melchizedek,521 meaning “king of righteousness,” is directly linked to Jesus Christ who is our new High Priest (Hebrews 5:5–6).522 The Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is also of the royal house of David (Luke 1:27). This has to do with a royal priesthood that applies to us if we are in Christ (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:5,6). This promise did not come to fruition until after Jesus ascended (Hebrews 4:14, 5:6, 8:4).
5 The Lord at thy right hand shall smite the kings in the day of his wrath.
In the day of his power, the Lord Jesus Christ will be at the right hand of his willing people and will smite the kings (the wicked kings who have placed his people in bondage). This will happen in the day of his wrath, which is also linked to the dawning of the day of the Lord (Malachi 4:1–2).
6 He shall judge among the Gentiles; he shall fill their places with dead bodies; he shall wound the head over much of the earth.
Who is the head over much of the earth? This is Satan who is the prince of this world, who has infiltrated much of the church like he did with the scribes and Pharisees and priests who controlled the Jewish religion at the time of Jesus’s first coming (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 27:1).
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore he shall lift up his head.
The phrase “drink of the brook” only occurs in one other Scripture. This is when God told Elijah to hide himself and drink of the brook named Cherith523 during the beginning of the ensuing famine after Elijah declared to wicked king Ahab that there would not be dew or rain for years until Elijah gave the word. The name Elijah is a play on words in Hebrew and can either mean “the Lord is God,” or “God himself.” Prior to the first coming of Jesus, God sent John the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the rebellious to the prudence of the just, to make ready a prepared people for the Lord (Luke 1:17). The spirit and power of Elijah is the Spirit and power of God himself.
There will also be special preparation prior to the second coming that is linked to the day of the Lord (the day of his power). This is prophesied in the last two verses of the Old Testament: Behold, I send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD: and he shall convert the heart of the fathers to the sons, and the heart of the sons to the fathers,524 lest I come and smite the earth with destruction (Malachi 4:5–6).
There is always hope for those who heed God’s warnings. The people of God in the earth can avoid destruction at the second coming if they will respond favorably to God’s messenger(s) who come in the Spirit and power of God himself (Elijah).
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore he shall lift up his head.
So, who will drink of the brook in the way? In the broadest sense, this may apply to Jesus and to the entire overcoming body of Christ. “Cherith” means “a cut” or “gorge.” God has a very deep draught prepared for his people if we are to survive the coming spiritual famine.525 If we drink from the depths of his special endtime provision, he will cut deep into our hearts and circumcise the control of our flesh by the Holy Spirit so that we will be willing in the day of his power, in the beauty of holiness.526
Let us pray:
Our Father in heaven, we thank you for your provision for our every need, even in desperate times such as today. We rejoice in the fact that in your mercy you will never destroy the righteous along with the wicked. May we drink from the brook of your deep provision and lift up our heads as our redemption draws near. Amen.
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516 “Azgad” means “strong in fortune.”
517 “Johanan” means “the Lord is full of grace.”
518 “Hakkatan” means “the small or little one.”
519 And answering, Jesus said, while he taught in the temple, How do the scribes say that the Christ is Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calls him Lord, and where then is he his son? And the many people heard him gladly (Mark 12:35–37). Here Jesus argues with the Jewish religious leaders about his own deity. David refers to Jesus as “my Lord” even though Christ is also his offspring. In essence, the Messiah is David’s Lord.
520 Mark 13:19; Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 8:1, 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22
521 Spelled Melchisedec in Hebrews.
522 See The Time of Correction, Russell Stendal, Ransom Press, Hollywood, Florida.
523 Then Elijah, the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Leave this place and turn to the east and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan, and thou shalt drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there (1 Kings 17:1–4).
524 One of the main things Jesus will be looking for in his people when he returns is to see if we have implemented his new commandment to us that we love one another (John 13:34–35).
525 Behold, the days come, said the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine to the earth, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD (Amos 8:11).
526 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near (Luke 21:28, emphasis added).
Chapter 111.
One hundred and eleven is three times thirty-seven (those who will inherit the earth). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm, which is poetry made up of twenty-two couplets each starting with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, beginning with Aleph and ending in Tau.
Psalm 111
1 Aleph Halelu-JAH. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, Beth in the company and in the congregation of the upright.
It is important to praise the Lord with all our heart; but it is also important to make sure that our praise and worship takes place in the company and in the congregation of the upright.
2 Gimel The works of the LORD are great, Daleth sought out by all those that have pleasure therein.
Those who do not have pleasure in the works of the Lord are not upright.
3 He Honor and beauty are his work; Vau and his righteousness endures for ever.
God can make us into beautiful vessels of honor for his service. This demonstrates his righteousness (that will endure forever) in us.
4 Zain He has made his wonderful works to be remembered; Cheth The LORD is gracious and merciful.
All the wonderful works that he has done in and through and for his people by his grace and mercy are to be remembered.
5 Teth He has given sustenance unto those that fear him; Jod He will ever be mindful of his covenant.
God never forgets his covenant people and will always provide for them.
6 Caph He has shown his people the power of his works, Lamed by giving them the inheritance of the Gentiles.
God did this for Israel when he gave them the promised land in an awesome display of his power. The power of his works will be even more awesome when his people come into the fullness of their inheritance in Christ under the new covenant.
7 Mem The works of his hands are truth and judgment; Nun all his commandments are sure.
The power of the works of his hands are displayed in truth and judgment. Those who respond to his truth will be blessed. No one will be able to avoid his judgment. All his commandments are sure (they will never be retracted), and of particular interest is Jesus’s new commandment that we love one another.
8 Samech They stand fast from age to age Ain and are made in truth and uprightness.
The Ten Commandments (and everything else that God commands his people) stand fast from age to age because they are made in truth and uprightness, which are part of the very nature of God.
9 Pe He sent redemption unto his people; Tzaddi he has commanded his covenant for ever: Koph Holy and reverend is his name.
God sent redemption unto his people so that he might bring us forth in truth and uprightness according to his commandments. He has commanded his covenant for ever because he is offering us eternal life. The first thing that we need to get straight is who he really is, that his name is holy and to be revered: he has redeemed us, and we belong to him; he is unique; there is no one else like him who is worthy of our devotion, honor, and profound respect.
10 Resh The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; Schin A good understanding have all those that do his will; Tau His praise endures for ever
After we are redeemed and in eternal covenant with God, the fear of the Lord is our basis for acquiring wisdom (as opposed to remaining foolish). The fear of the Lord will motivate us to do his will, and doing his will is the sign that we have a good understanding. Then we will be completely convinced that his praise endures for ever.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, may you fashion us into vessels of honor and beauty for your service. May we always demonstrate the profound respect that you deserve. May we have a good understanding so that we may do your will. We give you all the glory. Amen.
Chapter 112.
One hundred and twelve is two times fifty-six (to walk with God by faith), or four times twenty-eight (covered by God), or seven times sixteen (the first resurrection), or eight times fourteen (of the new creation). This number is used three times in Scripture.
The first use is when David assembled the sons of Aaron and the Levites to bring back the ark. This included of the sons of Uzziel [power of God]: Amminadab [generous or willing people], the chief, and his brethren, one hundred and twelve (1 Chronicles 15:10).
The second use is when Ezra compiled the list of those that went out of the Babylonian captivity. This included The sons of Jorah [harvest born], one hundred and twelve (Ezra 2:18).
The final use is when Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall and the gates of Jerusalem; he reckoned the people by genealogy and the approved list included The sons of Hariph [latter rain], one hundred and twelve (Nehemiah 7:24).
This follows the style of Hebrew poetry used in the preceding psalm.
Psalm 112
1 Aleph Halelu-JAH. Blessed is the man that fears the LORD, Beth that delights greatly in his commandments.
In the highest sense, the man (singular) that fears God and delights greatly in his commandments is Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
2 Gimel His seed shall be mighty upon earth; Daleth the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
The seed (or offspring) of the man that fears the Lord and delights greatly in his commandments shall be mighty upon the earth. This is the generation of the upright that will be blessed.
3 He Wealth and riches shall be in his house; Vau and his righteousness endures for ever.
The righteousness that endures forever is the righteousness of Christ. Those who are members of the body of Christ will share in the wealth and riches that shall be in his house.
4 Zain A light has shined in the darkness upon the upright: Cheth Gracious and merciful and righteous.
The light that is gracious and merciful and righteous is the Lord Jesus Christ. He has shined in the darkness upon the upright. 527
5 Teth A good man has mercy and lends; Jod He will govern his affairs with good judgment.
We are extremely fortunate that Jesus had mercy on us and has lent us his righteousness so that we can govern our affairs with good judgment.
6 Caph Surely he shall not be moved for ever; Lamed the righteous shall be in eternal remembrance.
The Lord Jesus Christ will never be moved forever, and we will never be moved forever if we are in Christ. Then together with him we will be in eternal remembrance.
7 Mem He shall not be afraid of evil rumours; Nun his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
The righteous, whose heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord, only moves when God gives the order. He does not blindly react to evil rumors; he does not fear the lies of the enemy.
8 Samech His heart is established; he shall not be afraid, Ain until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
When his heart is established in God, it is clean and full of love. The perfect love of God casts out fear (1 John 4:18) until the righteous person sees his desire upon his enemies (until his enemies are converted or neutralized).
9 Pe He has dispersed; he has given to the poor; Tzaddi his righteousness endures for ever; Koph his horn shall be exalted in glory.
Jesus dispersed the ultimate gift to all of us who are poor and needy. He gave us his life and, therefore, his righteousness endures for ever in the lives of every genuine believer. Truly his horn (his voice and his power) shall be exalted in glory.
10 Resh The wicked shall see it and be furious; Schin he shall gnash with his teeth and waste away: Tau The desire of the wicked shall perish.
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, may our hearts be established in you so that we will not be afraid. May we live to see our desire upon our enemies. Amen.
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527 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not (John 1:4–5).
Chapter 113.
One hundred and thirteen is a prime number that does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 113
1 Halelu-JAH. Praise, O ye slaves of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Slaves of the Lord belong to him. He is their owner and, therefore, he provides for all of their needs.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
When it becomes clear to us that we are redeemed and that we belong to the Lord, we will bless the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’s name is to be praised.
Those who have been redeemed and know that they belong to the Lord know that his name is to be praised all day, as long as they are awake.
4 The LORD is high above all Gentiles and his glory above the heavens.
The Lord is not only high above all the Gentiles that live in the fallen world around us, his glory is even above the heavens, for he has ascended up far above all the heavens, that he might fulfill all things (Ephesians 4:10).
5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwells on high,
6 who humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth!
The Lord our God, who dwells on high, has to humble himself (and look down) even to behold the things that are in heaven as well as the things in the earth.
7 He raises up the poor out of the dust and lifts the destitute out of the dunghill;
8 that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
God loves to raise up the poor out of the dust of our fallen Adamic nature. He loves to lift the destitute out of the dunghill of the filthiness of the natural man. He loves to place his Spirit within us so that we may be born again into the royal family of God. He loves to set us with princes, even with the princes of his people, as part of the royal priesthood of his new creation. When we realize that we are poor and destitute without him, this is a great time to seek him with all our heart.
9 He makes the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of sons. Halelu-JAH.
This was the case with Abraham’s wife Sarah and many others. There are entire congregations today that are barren in the sense that they are not seeing new believers being born again into their midst. God, however, specializes in making barren “women” to keep house and to be a joyful mother of sons. Halelu-JAH (Praise the Lord).
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we know that since you redeemed us that we belong to you. We thank you for raising us up out of the dust and lifting us out of the dunghill. We pray that we will no longer be barren in your service, but that we will see many in our midst born again into your kingdom. Amen.
Chapter 114.
One hundred and fourteen, in a positive sense, is two times fifty-seven (following God), or three times thirty-eight (the fruit of keeping God’s commandments), or six times nineteen (when God’s people are holy and innocent). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 114
1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah was his holiness, and Israel his dominion.
Holiness is being separated exclusively unto the Lord. God’s holy people are his dominion. We are also called to leave behind all that Egypt represented for the children of Israel. Those in the corrupt world around us speak a strange language. They do not understand the speech of God and, therefore, do not follow his voice.528
3 The sea saw it and fled; Jordan was driven back.
The waters of the Red Sea and of the Jordan literally opened up to allow God’s people to pass. Spiritually, the sea represents the lost humanity of the world, and the Jordan represents death. When God is pleased with how his people represent him (as he was pleased with how Moses and Aaron represented him before Pharaoh), the world (or sea) will see it and flee. Then death (the Jordan) will be driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams and the little hills like lambs.
The mountains and little hills of the land God promised to Israel were populated with those who had become such a wicked abomination that God decided to replace them and give their land to Israel. Therefore, when liberation came, the mountains skipped like rams and the little hills like lambs. God is also planning to liberate the “mountains” and even the “little hills” of modern society at the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
5 What came upon thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee? And thou O Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6 Ye mountains, why didst ye skip like rams and ye little hills, like lambs?
This is an excellent question, and the answer follows.
7 At the presence of the Lord, the earth trembles, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turned the rock into a reservoir of water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
It is the presence of the Lord in and among his people that makes the difference; this is what will make the entire earth tremble. The Lord Jesus Christ is the rock that provides a reservoir of living water for his people. Jesus is the flint (hard rock) that became a fountain of waters.
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, we long for the day when your people represent you in a way that you are totally satisfied with. We long for your return so that once again the earth will tremble at your presence. Amen.
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528 But ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone pluck them out of my hand (John 10:26–28).
Chapter 115.
One hundred and fifteen is five times twenty-three (God shepherds his people according to his mercy and truth). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the tittle of this psalm.
Psalm 115
1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth.
This is the sacrifice of praise. This type of worship that took place at the tabernacle of David will be restored. (Amos 9:9–15).
2 Why should the Gentiles say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens; he has made whatever he has desired.
At the present time, we cannot physically show the Gentiles our God because he is in the heavens. However, he has made whatever he has desired and, therefore, he has always placed worthy representatives (formed and molded by him) here upon the earth as his prophets and ministers.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
5 They have mouths, but they shall never speak; they have eyes, but they shall never see:
6 They have ears, but they shall never hear; they have noses, but they shall never smell;
7 they have hands, but they shall never touch; they have feet, but they shall never walk; they shall never speak through their throat.
8 Let those that make them become like unto them, and every one that trusts in them.
Those who make idols, and everyone that trusts in them (in the idols), will become just as dysfunctional as their idols.529 Some might think that this Scripture is obsolete, but modern idols come in many forms, and God must reveal the truth to us if we are to be set free.
9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD; he is your help and your shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; he is your help and your shield.
11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; he is your help and your shield.
The Lord Jesus is the truth,530 and if we trust in him, he is our help and our shield. This is true for Israel, this is true for the house of Aaron (remember that now under the new covenant we are in the priesthood of all believers), and this is true for all that fear the Lord.
12 The LORD has been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will greatly bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those that fear the LORD, both small and great.
As we all learn to trust the Lord more and more, he will bless us more and more.
14 The LORD shall increase his blessing upon you more and more, upon you and your sons.
When the Lord increases his blessing upon us, this will bless our children and us.
15 Ye are blessed of the LORD who made the heavens and earth.
The writer of this psalm, likely a godly priest, now gives the people a direct answer from the Lord saying: Ye are blessed of the LORD who made the heavens and the earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth he has given to the sons of Adam.
Here is a very important statement. Even though God made the heavens (plural) and the earth (singular) and the heavens are the heavens of the Lord, he gave the earth to the sons of Adam. Unfortunately, like Adam, many, if not most, of the sons of Adam have joined Satan in rebellion against God. Jesus Christ, however, is known as the last Adam531 and has made ample provision to end the rebellion. Jesus said, Blessed are the meek [those who submit to God], for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
17 The dead shall not praise JAH, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless JAH from this time forth and for evermore. Halelu-JAH.
Those who are dead in trespasses and sin are hindered from truly praising God, and those who physically die without the Lord go down into silence, for they cannot bless the Lord from the grave. But we will bless JAH from this time forth and for evermore. From when will we bless the Lord? From the time that we know for certain that we are his, when we receive notice from on high that Ye are blessed of the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. When we have received the Spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. For the same Spirit bears witness to our spirit that we are sons of God (Romans 8:15–16). For the sons of God, physical death will not be able to interrupt us, we will bless JAH from this time forth and for evermore. Halelu-JAH (Praise the Lord).
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we fully identify with the psalmist: Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth. Amen.
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529 See Isaiah 44:9-20.
530 Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, If ye abide in my word, ye shall be my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free (John 8:31–32).
531 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a life-giving Spirit. Howbeit the spiritual is not first, but the natural; and afterward, that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord of heaven (1 Corinthians 15:45–47).
Chapter 116.
One hundred and sixteen is two times fifty-eight (the resolve to do what God says) or four times twenty-nine (the Lord has heard my voice). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 116
1 I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
When the Lord hears us and responds to our supplications, this can be the beginning of an intimate, personal relationship with him. When we know for sure by practical experience that he really has responded to our prayers, this will greatly increase our love and appreciation for him.
2 Because he has inclined his ear unto me, therefore I will call upon him all of my days.
The psalmist is so thrilled with his access to the ear of the Lord that he has decided he will call on him all of his days (every day).
3 The sorrows of death compassed me and the pains of Sheol found me; I encountered trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD, saying, O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
This happens to a surprising number of people when they are in such deep trouble that they think death is virtually inevitable.
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and he saved me.
The simple tend to be quite honest. This testimony is also quite simple: I was brought low and he saved me.
7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with thee.532
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
Sometimes God has to bring us low and then save us in order to bring our soul into his rest. The psalmist was at rest because the Lord had saved his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from falling. The Lord had been abundantly good to him.
9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
The land of the living is a quote from Job that David used in Psalm 27:13, in Psalm 52:5, and again in Psalm 142:5, so it is possible that David could have written this psalm also (because this is the only other psalm that has this quote).
10 I believed, therefore I spoke, and was greatly afflicted;
11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
It seems that in his haste, the writer of this psalm could have underestimated the value of human life, as when David made the rash decision to have Uriah the Hittite killed in battle in an incident that undoubtedly cost more casualties among the army of God. He could have said in his haste, “Oh well, all men are liars.”
12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of saving health and invoke the name of the LORD.
Saving health is ongoing health and salvation (spiritual health). The cup of saving health, however, can involve serious chastisement, such as what happened to David. He was greatly afflicted, as was the anonymous psalmist. But his only real chance for forgiveness and restoration was to drink the cup and invoke the name of the Lord.
14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
The predicament that Lord delivered the psalmist from was so dreadful and disastrous that he made some serious promises (or vows) to the Lord that he definitely plans to fulfill in the presence of all his people. This was so serious that it had to be rectified in public, where others could observe him keeping his vows.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his merciful ones.
This theme was also hammered home to Saul of Tarsus after Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus. Saul had been callously persecuting Christians (even helping to kill some of them) when he was dropped flat on his face and blinded by the glory of Jesus. A greatly humbled Saul later became the apostle Paul (meaning “little”) and went on to become one of the greatest ministers of the gospel of all time.533
16 This is so, O LORD, because I am thy slave; I am thy slave, the son of thine handmaid; thou hast loosed my bonds.
The psalmist now considers himself the slave of the Lord (he belongs to the Lord and so did his godly mother). He wants to remain the slave of the Lord, because the Lord has loosed his bonds (released his chains). The psalmist is totally convinced that he deserved to die and that the Lord has saved him. Isn’t this true, in one way or another, for all of us?
17 I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of praise and will invoke the name of the LORD.
This is the third and final reference to sacrificing praise in the psalms.534
18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the LORD’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Halelu-JAH. The psalmist doubles down and repeats his commitment to pay his vows unto the Lord.535
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we also desire to keep our promises unto you and offer sacrifices of praise. Amen.
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532 It is of interest to note that the psalmist seems to be preaching to his own soul. It is edifying for us to encourage ourselves in the Lord and bring to memory all that he has done for us.
533 He had, however, a thorn in his flesh from which the Lord never delivered him (2 Corinthians 12:7). Somehow I think this had to do with his inability to ever forget the awful persecution he had wrought in the revelation of how precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his merciful ones. Nevertheless, this turned into a prime motivating factor for Paul to continue to minister in the will of God and against all odds.
534 The first is in Psalm 50 (dedicated to Asaph, a worship leader at the tabernacle of David) where God, speaking through the anonymous psalmist (which could also have been David) said: Must I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice praise unto God and pay thy vows unto the most High and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me (Psalm 50:13–15). The second is in anonymous Psalm 107: Oh that men would praise the LORD for his mercy and for his wonderful works unto the sons of Adam! And let them offer the sacrifices of praise and publish his works with singing (Psalm 107:21–22). It certainly seems fitting that all three of these psalms (50, 107, and 116) are anonymous in giving God all the glory.
535 In the case of the apostle Paul, who also went to Jerusalem to pay a vow unto the Lord, it almost cost him his life when an angry mob attempted to tear him limb from limb. He was rescued, however, by the Roman army and spent years in prison. Being under Roman guard was probably the safest place for him to be because he had become a marked man all over the world due to the unreasonable ire of the Jews. During Paul’s time in prison, friendly guards allowed him to continue in ministry, and this was when he wrote very important parts of the New Testament that have been of great encouragement to many ever since.
Chapter 117.
One hundred and seventeen is three times thirty-nine (mature fruit of the kingdom of God) or nine times thirteen (virtues of the kingdom). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 117
1 O praise the LORD, all ye Gentiles; praise him, all ye peoples.
2 For he has greatly increased his mercy upon us; and the truth of the LORD endures for ever. Halelu-JAH.
The time will come, sooner than many think, when everyone everywhere will praise the Lord.
Once again, mercy and truth are paired. The motive for praise is that he has greatly increased his mercy upon us. This might
have something to do with us, by his grace, keeping our promises and commitment to him and giving him all the glory. But even with increased mercy (which we desperately need) the hard fact remains: the truth of the Lord endures forever. We will have all eternity to learn more of God’s truth, but we will also never forget the difficult lessons that we have learned when God has seen fit to confront us with his truth.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, may your mercy be greatly increased upon us and may we consecrate and honor your truth forever. Amen.
Chapter 118.
One hundred and eighteen is two times fifty-nine (the victory of God’s people over their enemies). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 118
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good because his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now say that his mercy endures for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures for ever.
4 Let those that fear the LORD say now, that his mercy is eternal.
God’s mercy not only endures forever, it is eternal. That is, it is of a vastly superior quality than any mercy that we are capable of extending. His mercy is part of his nature that goes with his eternal existence.
5 From a tight place I called upon JAH; and JAH answered me and set me in a wide place.
Like the psalmist, I know what it is to be in such a tight place that only God can deliver me. It is so refreshing when God takes us from a tight place and sets us in a wide place where it is not so easy for our enemies to hem us in or ambush us by surprise.
6 The LORD is for me; I will not fear what man can do unto me.
When we know for certain that the Lord is for us, we may rest patiently in him, no matter what circumstances are raging all around us.
7 The LORD takes my part with those that help me; therefore I shall see my desire upon those that hate me.
When the Lord takes our part with those that help us, this cuts through any strife or bickering on our side and assures the victory so that we may see our desire upon those that hate us. My desire is that God will bring my enemies to repentance and convert them or else neutralize them as he sees fit.
8 It is better to wait upon the LORD than to wait upon man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
When we wait upon the Lord, we know for sure that he will see us through. This is not necessarily the case if we wait upon man (have confidence in humans). To wait upon the Lord is to trust in the Lord.
10 All the nations compassed me about; but in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they laid hold of me; but in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
12 They compassed me about like bees; they were quenched as the fire of thorns; for in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
To trust in the Lord is not passive. As we wait upon him he will show us a course of action that meets with his approval and support. The Romans and the Jews surrounded and overwhelmed Jesus and laid hold on him. They crucified him, thinking that for sure they had cut him off.
As soon as he died, however, the situation quickly reversed, and he was the one who cut them off. Even though they swarmed around him like bees, they were quenched as the fire of thorns. Satan and his wicked principalities and powers were soundly defeated, and now Jesus has the keys to death and to Hades (Revelation 1:18). Within a few years, even the corrupt Jewish religious system at the temple in Jerusalem went down and was quenched as the fire of thorns because there was no good fruit in it.
13 Thou hast thrust at me with violence that I might fall, but the LORD helped me. This is a direct declaration to Satan:
14 JAH is my strength and song and is become my saving health.
15 The voice of singing and saving health is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
Jesus’s once-and-for-all sacrifice ended the bondage of God’s people under the law and ratified the new covenant of grace. Now the law of the Spirit of life in Christ, Jesus, has made us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Now, the voice of singing and saving health is in the tents of the righteous.
16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
Jesus has now ascended up far above all the heavens and is seated at the right hand of the Father with all power and all authority. Truly the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live and declare the works of JAH.
Now, all of us who have placed our faith and trust in Jesus may join the psalmist in this declaration to Satan. We will not die but live and declare the works of JAH, because Jesus has conquered death and has chosen to share his victory with us.
18 JAH has chastened me sore, but he has not given me over unto death.
Many, if not most, of us have received serious chastening from God (so that we might become chaste). Scripture states regarding Jesus: although he was the Son of God, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
19 Open unto me the gates of righteousness; I will go in through them; I will praise JAH.
20 This gate is of the LORD; the righteous shall enter in.
21 I will praise thee; for thou hast heard me and art become my saving health.
The gates of righteousness have to do with resurrection. This gate is of the LORD; the righteous shall enter in; these are the ones who will live and reign with Christ (Revelation 20:4).
22 The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
Jesus quoted this passage to the wicked princes of the priests and Pharisees who desired to kill him.536 Jesus’s victory over death has caused him to become the head of the corner – the cornerstone – of a new temple built without hands and made of the living stones of those he has redeemed.
24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Human historians have divided history into two timelines: before Christ and after Christ. However, this verse will take on even more relevance when the day of the Lord dawns, Jesus returns, and the first resurrection takes place.537
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, cause us now to prosper.538
This is when God’s people will prosper like no one has ever seen before.
26 Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD; from the house of the LORD we bless you.
Near the end of his ministry, Jesus pronounced seven woes upon the apostate religious people of his day and ended by quoting the above verse.539
27 God is the LORD, who has shined on us; bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Now, instead of sacrificing symbolic animals, we may heed the inspired words of Paul: For of him and by him and in him are all things. To him be the glory for the ages. Amen … Therefore, I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies in living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing unto God, which is your rational worship (Romans 11:36, 12:1).
Since God is the LORD, who has shined on us, we may now become living sacrifices bound to the horns (to the power) of the altar of God. If our hearts remain on the altar before him, he will transform us.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee; thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, what can I say? I am overwhelmed. I join with the psalmist: Thou art my God, and I will praise thee; thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever. Amen.
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536 Jesus said unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a people bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whoso[1]ever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And as the princes of the priests and Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them (Matthew 21:42–45).
537 See Appendix B.
538 Those who are carnal and focused upon the fleeting wealth and pleasures of this present world will undoubtedly misinterpret verses like this. True prosperity has to do with things of eternal value such as godly character and harvesting souls for the kingdom of God. In reference to material things, Jesus said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
539 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that didst kill the prophets and stone those who are sent unto thee, how often I desired to gather thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me from now on until ye shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord (Matthew 23:37–39).
Chapter 119.
One hundred and nineteen is seven times seventeen (to call upon the Lord, depend on him, and rest). This number is used once in Scripture: And Nahor540 lived after he begat Terah541 one hundred and nineteen years and begat sons and daughters (Genesis 11:25). Nahor was Abraham’s grandfather, and Terah was Abraham’s father. Terah began the journey to the land of Canaan with Abraham (back then he was called Abram) and made it to Haran and died there (Genesis 11:31). God brought Abraham forward from there, and the promises began (Genesis 12:1–3).
This psalm is divided into twenty-two parts (one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Each part consists of eight couplets (that each begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet) for a total of one hundred and seventy-six verses (twenty-two times eight, signifying God bringing us into a new beginning by his Word). The psalmist chose to remain anonymous, but there are hints throughout that the author may very well have been David.
Psalm 119
Aleph – One542
1 ALEPH. Blessed are those who walk in the perfect way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
How shall we walk in the perfect way? This is only possible with the indwelling presence and resources of the Holy Spirit. Moses admonished those who would walk in the law of the LORD: And know in thine heart, that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD thy God chastens thee. Keep, therefore, the commandments of the LORD thy God by walking in his ways and fearing him Deuteronomy 8:5,6). In the new covenant the Lord promises to give his law in our souls and write it in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) so that he can give us specific direction regarding every step all along the way.
2 Blessed are those that keep his testimonies543 and that seek him with their whole heart.
What are his testimonies? They are his witness to us. If we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, he will testify of the truth and communicate what Jesus is saying to us.544 Note that the promised blessing has two conditions. It is for: 1) those that keep his testimonies and 2) those who seek him with their whole heart.
3 For those who do no iniquity walk in his ways.
Iniquity is hidden sin. This is when a person knows they are going against what God has said and hides it. It is not possible for workers of iniquity to walk in God’s ways because his ways are upright. If we inadvertently do something that displeases the Lord (or if we discover that we have been doing something that is wrong in his eyes), we must be forthright with him and bring it into the open so he can deal with it.545 If we attempt to hide it from him (and when we consciously hide sin this is iniquity), we will most definitely lose our way.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts546 diligently.
5 O that my ways were ordered to keep thy statutes!
This is our great dilemma. When we find out exactly what God’s precepts (God’s preestablished plan and way of doing things) are and understand that he has commanded us to keep his precepts diligently, it awakens an awareness in us that our ways are not ordered to meet his goals or keep his statutes (the legal and moral reasons why we owe our allegiance to God and why we must do right by him). Many of us, however, begin to make a maximum effort to keep what we think are his precepts while continuing on our own way. We attempt to use God to get what we want instead of the other way around.
6 Then I shall not be ashamed, when I have insight unto all thy commandments.
If we attempt to keep his precepts and statutes when the Lord is not ordering our steps,547 we will be ashamed at our repeated failures. In order to not be ashamed, we need insight regarding all his commandments.548
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes; O do not utterly forsake me.
In order to praise God with uprightness of heart, we need to have learned God’s righteous judgments. In other words, it takes his direct intervention to cleanse and circumcise our hearts.
The psalmist desperately desires to get straightened out, and he promises God: I will praise thee (future tense) … I will keep (future tense) thy statutes; O do not utterly forsake me.
If we do not submit to the guidance and correction of the Lord, we will not be able to walk in his ways because we will go where we think best, and this will be outside of his way.
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540 “Nahor” means “snorting.”
541 “Terah” means “turning, wandering.”
542 Note the numbers added for each of the twenty-two Hebrew letters in Psalm 119 and compare this with the meanings noted on Psalms 1 through 22 in this commentary.
543 The phrase “his testimonies” is used ten times in Scripture (this is the ninth).
544 Prior to his death, Jesus told his disciples, If ye love me, keep my commandments; and I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him, or know him; but ye know him, for he dwells with you and shall be in you (John 14:15–17).
545 See 1 John 1:9.
546 The word translated as “precepts” is used twenty times in Scripture and is exclusive to Psalm 119.
547 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and he delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23).
548 Jesus’s new commandment is that we love one another (John 13:34).
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Beth – Two
9 BETH. With what shall a young man cleanse his way? when he shall keep thy word.
Obedience is linked to faith. Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness,549 and the proof that Abraham believed God is that he consistently did what God asked him to do. However, there is another factor: Faith comes by hearing, and the ear to hear by the word of the Lord (Romans 10:17), and when we get our directives directly from the Lord (instead of secondhand from an intermediary), he also provides the grace for us to accomplish his will. According to his grace, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
10 With my whole heart550 I have sought thee; O let me not err from thy commandments.
God loves it when we turn to him with our whole heart. When it is our priority and concern to cry out to God and say, O let me not err from thy commandments, this is a true sign that we really are learning God’s ways, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
11 Thy spoken word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.
When God tells us something and we take it to heart and embrace what he says with faith, then he provides the grace to do his will and to break the bondage of any habitual sin to which we may have been enslaved.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
When we desire to bless the Lord and learn from him, this is infinitely better than the other way around.
13 With my lips I have declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
As our heart is aligned with God and purified, then all the judgments we have been hearing from the mouth of God start coming out of our lips.551
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as above all riches.
When we have the witness of the Holy Spirit within us and guiding our steps, this will be motive for great rejoicing. Then we will find the way of God’s testimonies as above all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts and consider thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes; I will not forget thy words.
The joy of walking in the way of God’s testimonies will motivate us to meditate in552 his precepts and consider his ways. Our delight will be in becoming immersed in God’s statutes (that define his very nature, which he desires to bring forth in us and in his kingdom upon the earth), and we will not forget his words.
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549 Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3.
550 The phrase “whole heart” occurs twelve times in Scripture (this is the fourth).
551 Please bear in mind that if what is coming out of our lips is really from God, what we are saying will be in perfect agreement with the Scriptures (the written Word). There will be no contradiction or discrepancy.
552 Many chew on what God says and meditate on his precepts according to their own understanding. The psalmist, however, desires to meditate in his precepts. He desires to be immersed in God’s pre-ordained way of doing things (according to God’s mercy and truth) as he considers God’s ways.
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Gimel – Three
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy slave that I may live and keep thy word.
Now the psalmist knows that he has been redeemed and that he belongs to the Lord (he is God’s slave). He now knows that God is the only source of life, and he lets God know that he desires to live in order to keep God’s Word.
18 Open my eyes, and I shall behold the wonders of thy law.
So far, the psalmist has been concerned with hearing the spoken word of the voice of the Lord. Now he requests that God would open his eyes. He wants to see into the spiritual realm. He desires to behold the wonders of God’s law. In reality, Jesus Christ is the personification of the law.
We no longer sacrifice the animals stipulated in the law of Moses, not because the law has become invalid but because Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, and in Christ we are perfect (we are mature and complete as long as we submit to the leading, prompting, guidance, and restraint of the Holy Spirit). Jesus said, Think not that I am come to undo the law or the prophets; I am not come to undo, but to fulfil (Matthew 5:17).
19 I am a stranger in the earth; hide not thy commandments from me.
Those who are wholeheartedly committed to God are pilgrims and strangers here upon the earth553 because our real citizenship is registered in the heavens (Hebrews 12:23). Therefore, we live by the word of the Lord.
20 My soul is broken554 from desiring thy judgments at all times.
21 Thou hast reprehended the proud; cursed555 are those who err from thy commandments.
The proud (who go their own way) are the exact opposite of the poor in spirit who are blessed.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies.
When we are sensitive to obey the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and keep God’s testimonies, we may expect him to remove reproach and contempt from us. Then our conduct will truly be above reproach, and we will not be despised or held in contempt.556 Praise is the opposite of reproach, and admiration (or respect) is the opposite of contempt.
23 Princes also sat and spoke against me as thy slave spoke according to thy statutes.
24 For thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.
When we are conscious of the fact that we totally belong to God (we are his “slaves”) and that we live to represent him in a worthy manner, there will be many “princes”557 that will speak against us. Hearing from God in a direct, intimate, personal manner, however, will be our delight as we exclusively follow his counsel.558
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553 Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11.
554 In Psalm 51:17 David wrote: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
555 And it shall come to pass if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep, to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee today, that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee… (Deuteronomy 28:15–68).
556 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, reproach. (Proverbs 18:3).
557 When this happens, God pours contempt upon princes and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way (Psalm 107:40).
558 If the writer of this psalm was David, and if he was speaking according to God’s statutes in the praise and worship he set up in and around the tabernacle of David, many princes of Israel may have been horrified that religious protocol had been dispensed with, and Philistine Gittites such as Obededom were right in the middle of things along with Asaph, Heman, and all their brethren, even while David went in and out before the ark according to his and God’s good pleasure.
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Daleth – Four
25 DALETH. My soul cleaves unto the dust; quicken me according to thy word.
“The dust” refers to our Adamic nature to which our soul naturally cleaves according to the desires of our flesh. Remember that God formed Adam of the dust of the ground and that under the curse, this is where Adam was destined to return (Genesis 2:7, 3:19). God, however, may quicken us, that is, give us eternal life according to his word. This is the desire of the psalmist. The consequence of this, if we are willing to submit to God, is regeneration by the Holy Spirit and ultimately, resurrection.559
26 I have declared my ways, and thou didst hear me; teach me thy statutes.
The psalmist has been honest with God, and God has heard him. Now he wants God to teach him. We can never learn God’s statutes (our obligations to God including the legal and moral reasons we are to remain faithful to him) by studying the Scriptures on our own or by submitting to any human plan of discipleship. It takes the direct, divine intervention of the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God. When God teaches us his statutes, they will become engraved upon our hearts and souls, causing a radical change in our behavior.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts; so I shall meditate of thy wondrous works.
God’s precepts explain his preordained way of doing things. When we understand the way of his precepts, that is, the way he plans to lead us and guide us according to his mercy and truth, then we may truly meditate on his wondrous works as he begins to transform us from the inside out. As his work in us progresses and as our hearts and minds and souls are cleansed, he will also begin to work through us and influence the lives of others.
28 My soul melts for heaviness; strengthen me according to thy word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying, and from thy law grant me mercy.
As the word of God penetrates our entire being, there will be times when our soul melts for heaviness. We will become more and more aware of the deception that we have been living under and that our entire concept of ourselves has been a huge lie. Now we see that there is nothing good in us, and we are in desperate need of mercy and truth and strength from God for this to change in order for us to bear good fruit.
30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have laid thy judgments before me.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). When we choose the way of truth, we choose him. He is the only one that can line us up with the truth so that we may come to know the Father. Therefore, we must lay his judgments before us and let him decide what we should do or not do in every situation.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies; O LORD, put me not to shame.
The psalmist has come this far by sticking with God’s testimonies (these are direct experiences of God’s interaction with us). Therefore, the psalmist does not want to be put to shame (or defeated).
32 I will run the way of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
In order to be able to run (all out) along the way of the commandments of God, it is necessary for God to accomplish a very deep work in our heart; this is not only to cleanse and purify us but also to enlarge our heart. Then there will be ample room in our heart for God and for all of his infinite plans for us to bear good fruit and bless God and others.
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559 And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up the Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if ye live according to the flesh, ye shall die; but if through the Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:11–13, emphasis added).
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He – Five
33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end.
That which we are truly taught by the Lord is very difficult to forget. This is true in the physical realm as well as the spiritual.560 Note that God’s statutes are linked to his way. After the Lord has taught us the way of his statutes, it is extremely important to keep it unto the end. 561
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
To have understanding is more than just to know what God would have us do in any given situation. Those who have understanding know why it is that God insists on certain behavior or on a certain course of action. This is the third time (out of a total of six) that the phrase “whole heart” is mentioned in this Psalm.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments, for therein do I delight.
When we have been given understanding so that we follow God with our whole heart, then we will delight to go in the path of his commandments, which is virtually the same as the way of his statutes. Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6).
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness.562
When our heart is inclined (swayed) toward God’s testimonies (to what he prompts us to think and do and say by way of our conscience) this will be the opposite of covetousness (of desiring anything that is not rightfully ours). Covetousness is closely aligned with selfishness. If our hearts are truly yielded to his testimonies (instead of to our own selfish desires), then we will not depart from the way of his statutes and the path of his commandments.
37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, and cause me to live in thy way.
The first noticeable sign that David was off track was when from the roof he saw a woman washing herself, and the woman was very beautiful to look upon (2 Samuel 11:2b). Vanity has to do with being self-centered. When we selfishly covet that which is not ours, this will soon cause us to depart from God’s way, which is the only path to life. All other paths lead to death.563 If we truly desire to live in God’s way, then we must turn our eyes away from looking at anything that resembles vanity. If we persevere and continue to insist (along with God) that he turn our eyes away from beholding vanity and that he motivates us live in his way, he can definitely make this happen.
38 Confirm thy word unto thy slave, who is devoted to thy fear.
In David’s case, the word that he desired God to confirm is summed up in Psalm 89:19–39. Here the psalmist puts three important things on record: 1) He wants God to confirm that his promises remain firm even in the light of the psalmist’s recent failure. 2) He reiterates that he is God’s slave, that he completely belongs to God. 3) He has a very high level of respect or reverence for God.564
39 Turn away my reproach which I have feared, for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts; cause me to live in thy righteousness.
If David wrote this, then the reproach that he feared was undoubtedly when his son Absalom led a rebellion against him, forcing him to immediately flee Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15–17). The writer wants God to turn away his reproach (and restore him to his previous status); at the same time he affirms that God’s judgments are good (because he knows deep down inside that he actually deserves to die for his sin and rebellion). The writer wants to remind God how he has longed after God’s precepts, and then he makes an astounding petition: cause me to live in thy righteousness! This essentially sums up the gospel approximately one thousand years before Christ. Our own righteousness will never be able to save us. This requires Jesus’s righteousness (which is also a demonstration of the righteousness of God the Father).
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560 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6).
561 See Mark 13:13, 1 Corinthians 1:8, and Revelation 2:26–29.
562 If David wrote this psalm, then the covetousness alluded to here could have been when David desired to have Bathsheba when she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite.
563 Nowadays it is not necessary to take the trouble to clamber onto the roof in order to be a voyeur. Pornography is rampant (even among some of those claiming to be Christian leaders).
564 And unto man he said, Behold, that the fear of the Lord, is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28).
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Vau – Six
41 VAU. Let thy mercy come unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy spoken word.
42 And I shall answer him that reproaches me, by saying that I trust in thy word.
Here, God’s mercy and salvation is linked to his spoken word. There is a lot of emphasis in Scripture upon hearing his voice (John 10:27). It is when we personally hear his voice that we may answer those that reproach us (including the devil) by saying that we trust in God’s living Word (Jesus).
43 And take not at any time the word of truth out of my mouth; for I wait for thy judgment.
When God sent Nathan, the prophet, to confront David regarding his sin, David’s reply is summed up in Psalm 51, including his request that God not take the Holy Spirit from him (v. 11). The request to take not at any time the word of truth out of my mouth is similar. The only way for us to continue to speak the word of Truth is by the Spirit of God, and the only way for us to not quench the Holy Spirit is for us to submit to God’s judgment.
44 So shall I keep thy law continually from age to age.
It is now obvious that even though this psalm was written close to three thousand years ago, it is really a practical example that applies to the entire body of Christ throughout the ages. In order for God’s people to keep his law continually from age to age, a complete transformation of our entire being is required.
45 And I will walk at liberty,565 for I sought thy commandments.
This is not speaking of legalistic bondage to the letter of the law of Moses. The New Testament mentions a higher law, called the law of liberty, in which we are to persevere (James 1:25) and by which we will be judged (James 2:12). This is also known as the law of the Spirit of life in Christ, Jesus (Romans 8:2) and the law of the Christ (Galatians 6:2).
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
God’s precepts and commandments define his way of doing things. His testimonies give us step-by-step guidance to walk in the way of his statutes and the path of his commandments. When the Spirit of God dominates our hearts and souls and minds, we will speak of his testimonies and not be ashamed (even before kings). Then we will delight in his commandments and we will love his commandments (in fact we will keep his commandment to love one another).
48 I will lift up my hands unto thy commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate in thy statutes.
All of this will give us great motive to praise God, to delight in God’s commandments, and to meditate in his statutes.566
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565 The word “liberty” is associated with the Spirit of God (Psalm 51:12; 2 Corinthians 3:17) and occurs thirty-two times in the Jubilee Bible translation. This is the fourth usage.
566 When we delight in God’s commandments and meditate in his statutes this means that we are on his side, contemplating things from his perspective. This will only happen if we are immersed in his Spirit.
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Zain – Seven
49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy slave, in which thou hast caused me to wait.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction; for thy spoken word has caused me to live.
When God gives us a word or a promise, we must continue to wait until he brings it to pass. This involves faith, and faith comes from personally hearing from him. While we are waiting, there will be times of affliction and tribulation, which are described as the trial of our faith (1 Peter 1:3–9). The Holy Spirit is our comforter and will share the spoken word of Jesus to our hearts and cause us to live.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet I have not deviated from thy law.
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD, and have consoled myself.
Even though the proud mock him greatly, the writer knows that he is in fellowship with God. His conscience is clean; all matters between him and God have been resolved in God’s way, and therefore, he has not deviated from God’s law. He remembers God’s judgments of old (God’s judgments in the past) and has consoled himself (because when we humbly submit to God, we may receive judgment with mercy).
53 Horror has taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
In David’s case, the horror was very personal because it was his wicked son Absalom who forsook God’s law along with most of Israel (2 Samuel 18).
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
Where is the house of our pilgrimage? It is wherever God has placed us during our time here on the earth in this fallen world. This is where God’s statutes, which describe why we owe unfailing allegiance to God, have become our songs.
Where are we to keep God’s law and God’s precepts? In our hearts; then we will remember God’s name (or nature) in the night.
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Cheth – Eight
57 CHETH. My portion, O LORD, I have said, will be to keep thy words.
Keeping God’s words will define our portion, or inheritance.
58 I intreated thy presence with my whole heart; be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I considered my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I made haste and did not delay to keep thy commandments.
When we wholeheartedly desire God’s presence more than anything else, the greatest mercy he can bestow on us is to never leave us or forsake us.567 Therefore, we must make sure that we never forsake him.568
Our own ways will lead to death. Therefore, we should consider our ways and turn our feet toward his testimonies. It behooves all of us to make haste and not delay in keeping his commandments.
The person who follows God with their whole heart is no longer interested in personal gain because they live to make him happy. They minister to join the people to him and not to themselves. They live to lift him up instead of lifting up a cause, organization, their own personal ministry, or business.
61 The company of the wicked have robbed me, but I have not forgotten thy law.
One of the things that the company of the wicked will attempt to rob from us is our reputation. When things like this happen, it is especially important that we not forget God’s law (remember that whatever he says is law). God says that we are to overcome evil with good and not respond tit for tat.569
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of the judgments of thy righteousness.
Midnight is mentioned in fourteen Scriptures and is associated with some remarkably interesting events having to do with being saved or with being cut off. It was at midnight that God destroyed the firstborn of the wicked Pharaoh and of all the Egyptians that had enslaved the people of God (Exodus 12:29). It was at midnight that Samson captured and removed the doors of the gate and the two doorposts of the enemy city (Judges 16:3). It was at midnight that Boaz discovered Ruth lying at his feet beside the grain on his threshing floor (Ruth 3:8). It was at midnight that the cry was made that the bridegroom had arrived, and those that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut (Matthew 25:10b). It was at midnight when Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises unto God that a great earthquake took place and the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed (Acts 16:25–26).
The writer of this psalm is now confident that whenever it is prophetically determined to be “midnight” that he will rise to give thanks unto God because of the judgments of God’s righteousness. I believe this will be true for all of us who fear God and keep his precepts. (See also commentary on Psalm 119:148 later in this chapter.)
63 I am a companion of all those that fear thee and of those that keep thy precepts.
Note that the psalmist does not say that he is a companion of all those of the same denomination or doctrinal persuasion. He is a companion of all those that fear God and keep his precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy and teaches me thy statutes.
The earth may refer to the natural planet or to the corporate people of God that are alive and remain. Even though God’s people have disappointed him repeatedly, his hand of mercy is still outstretched to everyone on the planet, and we may continue to learn God’s statutes (that define his ways), both from our victories and from our failures.
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567 Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have; for he has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:5–6).
568 See Jeremiah 17:13.
569 If it can be done, as much as is possible on your part, live in peace with all men. Not defending yourselves, dearly beloved; but rather give place unto the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18–21).
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Teth – Nine
65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy slave, O LORD, according unto thy word,
66 which teaches me discernment and knowledge, for I have believed thy commandments.
God always keeps his word. If we are among the redeemed that belong to him, it will go well with us. It is his word that teaches us discernment and knowledge. However, this is conditional on believing his commandments. This applies all the way back to those like Enoch and Noah and Abraham and others who lived even before the Scriptures were written and published.
67 Before I was humbled, I went into error, but now I keep thy spoken word.570
If the writer of this psalm was David, and it certainly appears that this could be the case, after David went into error (strayed from God’s path), he learned to meticulously keep God’s spoken word. This is also true of many who have gone down a similar path and have been snatched out of the fire by the mercy and grace of God.
68 Thou art good and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
God is the only one who is good and who does good.571 The only way for us to be good and to do good is if he works in and through us. We will learn this if he teaches us his statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
In David’s case, the lie that was forged against him was that he was unfit to be king. This is similar to the lie that the religious Jews forged against Jesus. This lie will also be forged against anyone who is a candidate to reign and rule with Christ. The psalmist’s response to the lie that has been forged against him is that instead of defending himself, he will keep God’s precepts with his whole heart.
70 Their heart became fat like grease, but I delight in thy law.
It is the heart of the proud that became fat like grease.572 This sets them up for heart failure. Those with a heart full of impenetrable “grease” are contrasted with the person who delights in God’s law.
71 It was good for me that I have been humbled, that I might learn thy statutes.
The person who wrote this learned some extremely important lessons about God and his statutes the hard way. Now looking back, he can see that it was good to have been humbled.
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
The love of money is the root of all evil.573
No amount of gold and silver can even begin to compare to the law of the mouth of God. If we are in a personal relationship with God and he writes his law in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) and causes us to hear his voice, this trumps absolutely anything that this world can offer.
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570 If the writer is David, then he also had direct access to God without a curtain or veil to separate him from the ark. Is this opportunity to hear God’s voice different from ours? It could depend on what spiritual realm we are operating in (Passover? Pentecost? Tabernacles?).
571 Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19.
572 See also Jeremiah 5:28 for a similar expression.
573 For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10).
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Jod – Ten
73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, and I shall learn thy commandments.
God made us, and he also desires to fashion or mold us into what he desires for us to become. Why does God have us born into this fallen world that is in spiritual darkness? A major reason is so we may respond to his light and receive understanding so that we may learn his commandments.
74 Those that fear thee will be glad when they see me because I have waited on thy word.
When Absalom went against David, he sought the counsel of men and did not seek the Lord (2 Samuel 17:1–14). On the other hand, David waited on the judgment of the Lord (2 Samuel 15:25– 26). David fled to Mahanaim,574 and his friends, who were glad to see him, gathered there to help defend him against Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27–29).
75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Any of us that have received serious chastisement from the Lord, if we have received it in humility, have become convinced that his judgments are right and that it is in faithfulness that he has afflicted us.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy spoken word unto thy slave.
77 Let thy mercy come unto me, that I may live, for thy law is my delight.
Mercy is one of the outstanding themes of the psalms. Even though David was convinced – practically above all else – that he was in continual and desperate need of God’s mercy, he continually reminded God of the promises that God had spoken to him. It is important for all of us to thoroughly understand the relationship between God’s promises and his mercy. We may take comfort in God’s mercy; it is by God’s mercy that we are offered salvation and eternal life.
78 Let the proud be ashamed, for they dealt perversely with me without a cause, but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me and those that have known thy testimonies.
David faced a situation in which virtually half of the entire nation of Israel had turned against him (even knowing that God had chosen him to be their king). Now as things came to a head, God used the difficult situation to purify and perfect David’s heart and also to separate those that feared the Lord and who had known his testimonies from those who had not. David was not seeking revenge against his enemies; he was meditating in God’s precepts (in God’s pre-established way of doing things according to his mercy and truth).575
80 Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes that I not be ashamed.
The desire of the psalmist for a perfect heart comes from continually seeking God with his whole heart. If our heart is perfect in his statutes, we will not be ashamed. 576
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574 “Mahanaim” means “two camps.” When Jacob was fleeing from Laban with his family and herds, the angels of God met him, and Jacob called the place Mahanaim (Genesis 32:1–2).
575 2 Samuel 18:5.
576 The phrase “not be ashamed” is used twenty times in Scripture (including eight times in the psalms). Here is the last use: And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming (1 John 2:28).
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Caph – Eleven
81 CAPH. My soul faints with desire for thy salvation as I await thy word.
82 Mine eyes fail for thy spoken word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a wine skin in the smoke; yet I have not forgotten thy statutes.
84 How many are the days of thy slave? When wilt thou execute judgment on those that persecute me?
Many of us can identify with this. In theory we know that God will keep his word to us. Yet in the midst of trials and tribulations we desire for God to address our specific case. In fact, we come to the place where nothing here on earth can truly satisfy us, and we wonder how long it will be until Jesus returns or until we die and come into his presence. We also wonder how long it will be until God executes judgment on those that persecute us (Revelation 6:10).
85 The proud have dug pits for me, but they do not proceed according to thy law.
86 All thy commandments are of the same truth; they persecute me wrongfully; help me.
87 They have almost consumed me upon earth, but I have not forsaken thy precepts.
88 Cause me to live according to thy mercy, so I shall keep the testimony of thy mouth.
It is relatively easy to follow the Lord and be in accord with his law, his commandments, and his precepts and to keep the testimony of his mouth when things are going well. It is in times of great difficulty that we are put to the test. Sometimes this happens repeatedly, such as when David was delivered from the problems caused by Absalom and immediately entered into serious trouble caused by Sheba, the son of Bichri (2 Samuel 20:1–2); this was accompanied with serious internal conflict in David’s army leading up to when Joab killed Amasa (2 Samuel 20:4–13).
In the midst of extreme trouble, one thing stands out for the psalmist: if he is to keep the testimony of the mouth of the Lord, then he needs to be enabled to live according to God’s mercy.
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Lamed – Twelve
89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in the heavens.
90 Thy truth is from generation to generation; thou hast established the earth, and it perseveres.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the living Word of God who is settled in the heavens.577
He taught us to pray: Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10b). He also said that the meek shall inherit the earth. God’s truth is from generation to generation, and it is now clear that the psalmist has not only heard directly from the Lord but that God has pronounced judgment defining what was an extremely precarious situation. In David’s case, this meant that he was to be reestablished on his throne in Jerusalem and that his access to the ark of the presence of God in the tabernacle of David would be restored.
91 They persevere unto this day by thy ordinance; for they are all thy slaves.
Heaven and earth persevere up to this day by God’s ordinance; they belong to him, and they obey him; as with us, there is a future promise that they will pass away and be transformed.578
92 Unless thy law had been my delight, I should have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget thy precepts; for with them thou hast caused me to live.
God’s way is a narrow way, and we may walk in it if we understand and remember his precepts. This is the way to life. It was the delight of the psalmist to hear from God and to depend on what God says; otherwise, he bears witness that he should have perished (he should have been dead and lost) in his affliction.
94 I am thine, keep me; for I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me, but I will consider thy testimonies.
The psalmist reiterates that he belongs to the Lord, that he seeks to do things God’s way according to God’s precepts, and therefore, he needs God’s protection.
Even though the enemy has waited to ambush and destroy him, he has learned to say, but I will (future tense) consider thy testimonies. It is only by hearing and obeying the testimony, or witness, of the Holy Spirit that we may always stay on track and be kept safe.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
What does it mean to see an end of all perfection? It is interesting that this statement comes at the end of the twelfth stanza of this psalm associated with the Hebrew letter lamed. As we have seen, twelve is the number associated with divine order (with God’s way of doing things), and divine order is designed to bring us to perfection. The first part of us that may be perfected579 – even here upon the earth in the midst of the fallen world around us – is our heart, and out of the heart flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).
What does it mean when the psalmist tells God: thy commandment is exceeding broad? It means that even after our heart has been cleansed and purified and perfected until we see an end of all perfection (until we see the goal that God has in mind for us), and even if we can be considered by God to have a perfect heart – or as was the case with David, to be a person after God’s heart – God’s commandment is so exceeding broad that he may continue to perfect us even until resurrection happens. This even applied to Jesus (Luke 13:32; Hebrews 5:8–9).
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577 See John 1:1 regarding the living Word.
578 See Isaiah 65:17–18, 66:22; Mark 13:31; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1.
579 The phrase “perfect heart” is used seven times in Scripture in a positive sense (2 Kings 20:3; 1 Chronicles 12:38, 28:9, 29:9, 19; 2 Chronicles 19:9; Isaiah 38:3).
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Mem – Thirteen
97 MEM. O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies, for they are eternal unto me.
Those who walk with God according to his ways love his law (they love what he says and what he determines), and this is the center of their meditation and focus all the day (in all their waking hours). This is what can make us wiser than our enemies. God’s law and commandments are eternal. Not only do they endure forever but due to their source, they are also of a vastly superior quality than any human wisdom.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies have been my meditation.
When we meditate on God’s testimonies (on the witness of what he directly reveals to us) we will have more understanding than all our (human) teachers. This is not only about what we do or don’t do; it is also about the way we go about doing things.
100 I understand more than the elders because I keep thy precepts.
The elders of Israel turned their backs on David; but the men of Judah [of praise] cleaved onto their king from the Jordan even to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 20:1–2).
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments, for thou hast taught me.
David did not seek personal revenge against any of his enemies or come up with his own plans to plot their demise. He let God be in charge and did not depart from God’s judgments. This is what God taught him. Anything less would have placed his feet into an evil way.
103 How sweet have been thy spoken words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
The written Word of God in the Scriptures is compared to honey (Ezekiel 3:3; Revelation 10:9–10), and to personally hear the spoken words of God is sweeter than honey.580 Another reason that his spoken words are so sweet is that once God has cleansed and purified and circumcised our heart, then it will not be long before his words are flowing out of our mouth.
104 Through thy precepts I have obtained understanding; therefore I have hated every false way.
The word “precepts” occurs twenty times in Scripture, all of them in Psalm 119, and it always refers to them as thy precepts. God’s precepts are the key to obtaining understanding.581 As we have seen, God’s precepts have to do with going his way and learning his predetermined way of doing things according to his mercy and truth. Through his precepts, the psalmist obtained understanding, and therefore, hated every false way.
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580 See also Psalm 19:10.
581 The word “understanding” occurs one hundred and forty-four times (twelve times twelve) in Scripture, including eleven times in Job and eleven times in Psalms (eight of these in Psalm 119).
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Nun – Fourteen
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my way.
David was familiar with God’s written Word582 and with his spoken word. In order for the written Word to be a lamp for our feet and a light for our way, the Holy Spirit, by whom it is inspired, must illuminate and reveal it to us so that we receive it according to God’s understanding of how what is written applies to us. Otherwise the “letter” (without the Spirit) kills.583
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep the judgments of thy righteousness.
Once again, the focus of the writer is very clear. He has even sworn an oath that he will keep the judgments of God’s righteousness, yet he knows full well that relying on his own righteousness leads to disaster.
107 I am afflicted very much; cause me to live, O LORD, according to thy word.
And so it is that under the righteousness of the Lord, everything having to do with fallen Adam (also referred to in Scripture as the old man) has to go. It is only as our old man is crucified with Christ that we may live and participate in his resurrection life.584
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
What are the freewill offerings of our mouth? They have to do with the sacrifice of praise (linked to the tabernacle of David) in which we give God all the praise and all the glory for all that he has done, is doing, and will do in and through his people (Psalm 50:14). Then we may become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
109 My soul is continually in my hand; yet I do not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me; yet did not I err from thy precepts.
Even though the soul (or life) of the writer is continually on the line and the wicked continue to seek his demise, he does not forget God’s law. He does not forget what God has revealed to him regarding his words and judgments, and therefore, does not stray from God’s precepts (or way of doing things).
111 I have taken thy testimonies585 as a heritage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
That which God has spoken and revealed to us is part of our heritage (or inheritance) forever. This includes testimonies about what he has done, is doing, and will do for us, in us, and through us (including all that he has revealed to us). God’s testimonies also include the witness of the Holy Spirit regarding the decisions of every day life. All of this should always be a great cause for rejoicing.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes586 always, even unto the end.
In verse 36 the psalmist asks God to incline his heart to God’s testimonies and not to covetousness. Now, he has come to the place where he can tell God, I have inclined my heart, and he says he plans to follow through even unto the end.
It is not enough only to hear the Word and to petition God for mercy; by his grace we are to be doers of the Word.587 It is not enough to begin to walk in the way of God’s statutes; we are to continue always, even unto the end. If we have inclined our heart to perform God’s statutes, this means that we live to please him and to further his kingdom.
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582 The written Word, at the time of the writing of this psalm, consisted the five books of Moses, Job, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and probably 1 Samuel (with 2 Samuel and Psalms still being written along with part of 1 Chronicles).
583 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God, who also has made us able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:5–6).
584 See Romans 6:6–12.
585 The word “testimonies” occurs a total of thirty-six times (three times twelve) in Scripture, including twenty-seven times (three times nine) in Psalms, with twenty-two mentions in Psalm 119.
586 The word “statutes” occurs one hundred and thirty-three times in Scripture (all in the OT) and twenty-seven times in the book of Psalms (twenty-two of these in Psalm 119). This word is introduced regarding God’s promise to Abraham about four hundred years prior to the law of Moses: And the LORD appeared unto him and said, Do not go down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of; abide in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these lands, and I will confirm the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father; and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven and will give unto thy seed all these lands, and in thy seed shall all the Gentiles of the earth be blessed because Abraham hearkened unto my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws (Genesis 26:2–5, emphasis added). God’s statutes also have to do with God’s established rights and our obligation to do right by him.
587 See Romans 2:13; James 1:22–27.
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Samech – Fifteen
113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts; but I love thy law.
Vain thoughts are self-centered; they are not only empty and useless but will soon take us off God’s path. On the other hand, love for what God says will keep us on track. Humanistic philosophy and doctrine very easily degenerate into vain thoughts that disregard what God has said and what he is saying.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I have waited for thy word.
If we are to be secure, we must be hidden and shielded by God as we wait for his word. The Word they were waiting for is really the Lord Jesus Christ, and when he finally came, Simeon said, Behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be spoken against … (Luke 2:34).
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers; for I will keep the commandments of my God.
When Jesus, the living Word of God dominates our being, not only are we hidden and shielded by God but we are completely overwhelmed by his thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Then we hate what he hates and love what he loves. Then we completely reject the company of evildoers and direct our entire focus on doing whatever God tells us to do.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, and I shall live; and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I shall be saved, and I shall delight in thy statutes continually.
Eternal life is not just a matter of believing the right doctrine; we need to join with the psalmist and request that the Lord uphold us according to his word so that we may live. Then we will never be ashamed of our hope (which is to be transformed and live with him for all eternity). Make no mistake: it is when God holds us up that we will be saved.
Then we will delight in his statutes (in doing right by him) continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down all those that err from thy statutes; for their deceit is falsehood.
All those that err from God’s statutes will go under. His statutes are true, and those that err from them depart into deceit that is falsehood.
119 Thou dost cause all the wicked of the earth to come undone like dross; therefore I have loved thy testimonies.
God causes all the wicked of the earth to come undone like dross (like scum or garbage). This should provide great motivation for us to love his testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments.588
The word “judgments” occurs seventy-seven times (seven times eleven) in Scripture, including twenty-eight times (seven times four) in the psalms, of which seventeen are here in Psalm 119 (which is seven times seventeen). This word is introduced in Exodus 6:6 when God smote the wicked Pharaoh and the firstborn of all of the Egyptians, judged the gods of Egypt, and redeemed his people (Exodus 12:12). The last use is when his judgments are poured out on the city of false religion: for true and righteous are his judgments; for he has judged the great whore, who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his slaves at her hand (Revelation 19:2).
God has demonstrated time and time again that he will not destroy the righteous along with the wicked and that when he does destroy the wicked, this is all part of his plan for redemption, deliverance, and justice for his people; yet the psalmist still declares: My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments. This is a healthy attitude that behooves all of us.
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588 This is the thirty-eighth time the word “judgments” is used in Scripture.
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Ain – Sixteen
121 AIN. I have complied with judgment and righteousness;589 do not leave me to my oppressors.
If we have complied with judgment and righteousness, this is because God has completely transformed our heart. If our heart is right with God, this gives us standing to petition him and say: do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for thy slave590 for good; do not let the proud do violence unto me.
Based on the fact that he belongs to his master, the psalmist seeks guaranteed security from God that everything will work out for good591 and that God will not allow the proud to harm him with violence. Note that it is the proud that are linked to violence.
123 Mine eyes fail for thy saving health and for the spoken word of thy righteousness.
124 Deal with thy slave according to thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy slave; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Here, salvation is described as an ongoing process having to do with health and God’s righteousness, which are linked to his spoken word. All of us are in desperate need of ongoing physical, mental, and spiritual health. God’s righteousness is manifest when he speaks the word.
To learn God’s statutes from God himself is not exactly the same as memorizing Bible verses or going to Bible study (although this may be a good start). If God teaches us what we rightfully owe him, this will be according to his mercy and truth. If we are to receive understanding from God, it certainly helps if we are his slaves (that is, if we are redeemed and conscious of the fact that we totally belong to him); the understanding that God supplies is essential if we are to know his testimonies (if we are to recognize and understand the witness of the Holy Spirit within us).
126 It is time for thee, O LORD, to act; for they have dissipated thy law.
127 Therefore I have loved thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I have esteemed all thy precepts concerning all things to be right and I have hated every false way.
The psalmist has observed that “they” have dissipated (that is, they have degenerated and debauched) what God has said. Therefore, he is convinced that it is time for God to act. Look around you in the world today. Don’t you have the exact same impression?
As we live in the midst of modern degenerate debauchery that goes against virtually everything God has said, doesn’t this motivate us to love God’s commandments more than anything the world can offer? This not only applies to the Ten Commandments but also to Jesus’s new commandment that we should love one another and to all the commandments that he communicates personally to every person who is in tune with his Spirit. We will most certainly love his commandments if they are written in our hearts.
The contrast between what God has placed in our souls and written in our hearts and what is going on in the immoral world around us will bring us into very high regard for all God’s precepts, and it will convince us beyond any shadow of a doubt that all his ways are right. Therefore, every false way will be offensive and repugnant to us.
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589 The word “righteousness” is used thirteen times in Psalm 119. In Hebrew, the word for righteousness is the same as justice.
590 The word “slave” occurs fourteen times in Psalm 119.
591 See Romans 8:28.
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Pe – Seventeen
129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore does my soul keep them.
130 The exposition of thy words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple.
The witness of God’s testimonies to his people and to us as individuals is indeed wonderful, and it is delightful to our soul to keep his testimonies. God’s testimonies have to do with direct personal contact with his people. The exposition of God’s words is very different from expounding the principles and values of human doctrine. The anointed exposition of God’s words gives light and understanding to those who are simple (that is, to those who are humble and meek).
131 I opened my mouth and panted; for I longed for thy commandments.
132 Look thou upon me and be merciful unto me, as thou didst use to do unto those that love thy name.
God has a very long trajectory of looking upon and extending mercy to those who love his name. Those who ask him for good things will receive good things from him along with specific guidance and direction (Matthew 7:11–20).
133 Order my steps with thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Even in the midst of the limitations of our human condition, God delights in ordering the steps of those who submit to him so that no iniquity (or hidden sin) will have dominion over us. God loves to intervene in our lives and break the power of compulsive sin.
134 Ransom592 me from the violence of men, and I will keep thy precepts.
Ransoming has to do with redemption and atonement so that we may be reconciled to God. This is essential if we are to keep his precepts. Jesus came and gave his life to ransom us.593
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy slave and teach me thy statutes.
Redemption is linked to God causing his face to shine on us.594 When God makes his face to shine on those whom he has ransomed and redeemed, his grace is poured out on us to change us and transform us and to teach us his ways.
136 Rivers of waters ran down my eyes because they did not keep thy law.
Those who have been ransomed and redeemed are deeply saddened when they observe those who claim to be God’s people but who don’t pay attention to what he says.
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592 The word “ransom” is used twelve times in Psalms.
593 See Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6.
594 See Psalm 31:16, 80:3, 7, 19. God can also make our face to shine with oil (with the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 104:15).
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Tzaddi – Eighteen
137 TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138 Thou hast commanded righteousness, which consists of thy testimonies and thy truth.
Righteousness is what results when we are lined up with God’s testimonies and with his truth. It is primarily a state of being (such as being righteous). The Lord Jesus is the truth, and in order to be properly aligned, we must be in Christ (and those who are in Christ are led exclusively by the Holy Spirit). This is also prophetic of what God desires to do with us, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). The Holy Spirit provides the witness, or testimony, we may participate in his righteousness (as this is walked out in our lives in actual practice).
139 My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten thy words.
Many of David’s enemies were fellow Israelites who had forgotten God’s words. If David is, indeed, the author of this psalm, he may have written this part after all the men of the ten tribes of Israel had turned against him and followed a man of Belial named Sheba (2 Samuel 20:1–2). Those who have forgotten God’s words are primarily religious people because most of those who are outside have never known or cared very much about God’s words.
140 Thy word is very pure; therefore thy slave loves it.
Those who forget God’s words tend to begin by twisting and contaminating and whittling away at them. Those who seek God with their whole heart love the pure, unadulterated word of the Lord and God loves to communicate directly with them. He does not mince his words. He tells us the truth about ourselves and about everything else.
141 I am small and despised; yet I have not forgotten thy precepts.
When we are feeling small and despised, this can be a good time for us to remember God’s precepts according to his mercy and truth. This is the opposite of feeling proud and having the illusions of grandeur that lead to taking the law into our own hands with violence and deception.
142 Thy righteousness is eternal595 righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
God’s righteousness is forever and is of a unique and vastly superior quality. Everything that God says is true (for he cannot lie596), and to twist or change what God has said is deception. This is what happened in the garden when the serpent beguiled Eve. God’s law is that he only speaks the truth. Therefore, his righteousness, which consists of his testimonies and his truth, is eternal righteousness.
143 Trouble and anguish found me; but thy commandments were my delights.
We have also gone through or will go through times when trouble and anguish find us, even though we do our best to stay out of trouble, but to no avail. When we are in communion with God and this happens to us, we soon find out – to our delight – that he continues to command every step of our way. This is how we will eventually find the peace of God, which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) that is unaffected by any external circumstances.
144 Thy testimonies597 are eternal righteousness; give me understanding, and I shall live.
It takes God-given understanding in order for us to fully comprehend how God’s testimonies are eternal righteousness. Sometimes God’s testimonies favor someone, such as when Scripture states that Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness, or when God established a testimony in Jacob. Sometimes they go against God’s people, such as when God was unhappy with an entire generation of Israelites that died in the wilderness and with many others who were unfaithful thereafter. The first use of this word is when God sums up all that he personally dictated to Moses.598
It is extremely important for all of us to understand that when God gives a revelation to his people (individually or corporately), he will hold us responsible, and this will have eternal repercussions one way or the other in relation to eternal life or death. The opposite of eternal life is called the second death, also known as the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14–15).
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595 The word “eternal” is used one hundred and sixteen times in the Jubilee Bible translation including sixteen in the psalms, of which four are in Psalm 119. This is the seventeenth time this word occurs in Scripture and the second time in this psalm.
596 Titus 1:2.
597 This is the seventeenth time the word “testimonies” is used in Psalm 119 (out of twenty-two).
598 See Deuteronomy 4:45, 6:17, 20; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 17:15.
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Koph – Nineteen
145 KOPH [19]. I cried with my whole heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will keep thy statutes.
146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
Note that the relationship of the psalmist with God is not at all one sided. When he cries unto the Lord, he is definitely expecting an answer (in fact, he seems unable and unwilling to make a move without an answer). Also note that this relationship is ongoing and continuous throughout the course of this entire chapter (which happens to be the longest chapter in the entire Bible). This is the sixth and final time in this psalm (out of a total of twelve in Scripture) that the term “whole heart” is mentioned.
Whatever the defeat or delinquency that attempts to haunt him from the past, the psalmist is definitely going all out to convince God that he is serious about his desire and commitment to follow him no matter what. He also emphasizes that he desperately needs God’s continual intervention in order to escape from his many enemies and live. This is true for all of us.599
147 I arose before the dawning of the morning and cried: I waited in thy word.
148 My eyes anticipate the night watches that I might meditate in thy spoken word.
This indicates that the writer has a very keen affinity for both the written and the spoken word of God. He is up before dawn crying out, anticipating a new day, and then waiting on God. He seems to be writing this from a military camp because of the mention that his eyes anticipate the night watches so that he might meditate in God’s spoken word. The reason he is up so early and so eager for night watch duty is because he is actually receiving the spoken word of God and can, therefore, meditate on it. This would certainly fit with what David was experiencing in 2 Samuel 15–20.
149 Hear my voice according to thy mercy; O LORD, cause me to live according to thy judgment.
150 Those that persecute me draw near unto evil; they have strayed from thy law.
The military situation remains precarious; those that persecute him draw near unto evil. He explains to God that this is because they have strayed from thy law. Since this is the case, then it has to have been fellow Israelites that were after him and attempting to completely wipe him out.
151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.600
152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Now the psalmist knows that God is near, and he continues conversing freely with God. He wants God to know that he knows that all God’s commandments are truth (in other words, he will not pick and choose among what God has said according to his own likes or dislikes). He also confirms to God that he has known of old that God has founded his testimonies forever. What transpires here on the earth has eternal and even heavenly repercussions. Jesus said: Verily I say unto you, Whatever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in the heaven; and whatever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in the heaven (Matthew 18:18).
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599 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the lords of this age, rulers of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the heavens. Therefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and stand fast, all the work having been finished. (Ephesians 6:12–13).
600 The word “truth” occurs fifty-six times in Psalms, including eight times in Psalm 119. This is the seventh.
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Resh – Twenty
153 RESH [20]. Consider my affliction and deliver me; for I have not forgotten thy law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me; quicken me according to thy spoken word.
If the writer is David, then the spoken word that he is referring to would include all of the words that God had Nathan the prophet speak to him; it would include whatever God said to David while he was using the ephod601 or while he was worshipping God in the tabernacle of David. God was also without a doubt speaking directly into David’s heart and conscience by the Holy Spirit. So David would have had good reason to believe that God would deliver him. However, the hard fact remained that his enemies were still out there closing in, attempting to do him in.
In a higher sense, it is imperative for all of us (including David and all the OT saints) to have Jesus to plead our cause, come and redeem us, and quicken us (give us life) according to God’s spoken word.
155 Saving health is far from the wicked, for they do not seek thy statutes.
156 Many are thy tender mercies, O LORD: cause me to live according to thy judgments.
The psalmist has made two things very clear: 1) The wicked are lost and do not even seek God’s statutes (they do not even pretend to have any obligation to God). 2) He desperately desires to live and is willing for God to set the all the necessary conditions (or statutes) according to God’s judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies; yet I do not deviate from thy testimonies.
158 I beheld the transgressors and was grieved because they did not keep thy words.
In order to behold the transgressors, the writer had to be very close to his enemies. This would have definitely been the case with David after the defeat of Absalom and before and after the debacle of Sheba the son of Bichri. None of his enemies were keeping God’s words. On the other hand, when Saul was after him, David never lifted his hand against Saul (whom God had anointed), even though he had at least two opportunities to do so. This is because David did not deviate from God’s testimonies (from the witness of the Holy Spirit in his heart).
159 Consider, O LORD, that I love thy precepts; cause me to live according to thy mercy.
160 The beginning of thy word is truth, and every one of the judgments of thy righteousness is eternal.
David knew for certain that for what he had done, he deserved the death penalty (2 Samuel 12:5). From wherever you place the beginning, the psalmist knew that every word that God spoke into his life and circumstance is truth, and now he is equally convinced that every one of the judgments of God’s righteousness is eternal.
The stakes are high. It is not only the Bible characters that will go down in eternal history for their mistakes and failures and faith and courage; every one of us will also have the judgments of God’s witness, or testimony, for or against us.
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601 See 1 Samuel 23:9–12, 30:7–8.
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Schin – Twenty-one
161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of thy words.
162 I rejoice at thy spoken word, as one that finds great spoil.
Once again, the dire situation has been reversed. Even though princes have persecuted the writer without cause, his heart stands in awe of God’s words. He is now able to say, I rejoice at thy spoken word. This was a special word that God spoke just for him, causing him to rejoice as one that finds great spoil (or bounty).
163 I hate and abhor lying, but I love thy law.
Anyone that hates and abhors lying should love God’s law because it is truth.
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of the judgments of thy righteousness.
Seven is a number that has to do with something being complete. To praise God seven times a day means to praise him all day long. It is obvious by now that the judgments of God’s righteousness came down in favor of the psalmist who is now offering the sacrifice of praise. He is not boasting that he got out of his predicament by his own cunning.
165 Those who love thy law have great peace, and nothing shall cause them to stumble.
As long as we love what God says enough to continually obey him (or another way of saying this is, as long as we are sensitive to the restraint of the Spirit), we will have great peace, and nothing will cause us to stumble.
166 LORD, I have waited for thy saving health and done thy commandments.
167 My soul has kept thy testimonies, and I have loved them exceedingly.
The psalmist has come through the present crisis or series of crises and can truthfully tell God that he has waited on him for his saving health, and he has done whatever God told him to do. His soul (that is his inner being) has kept God’s testimonies and has loved them exceedingly (this means that he has not seriously contemplated making any unrighteous moves).
168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies, for all my ways are before thee.
The writer has laid everything transparently out in the open before the Lord and is able to report that he has kept God’s precepts and God’s testimonies. He has done things God’s way and has responded positively to every prompting of the witness of the Holy Spirit. What a victory!
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Tau – Twenty-two
169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD; give me understanding according to thy word.
170 Let my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy spoken word.
171 My lips shall overflow with praise when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak thy words; for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173 Let thine hand help me, for I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy saving health, O LORD, and thy law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee, and let thy judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy slave; for I have not forgotten thy commandments.
This last stanza of eight verses is basically a recap of how the writer intends to proceed from now on in his relationship with God. The last line is a classic, very in keeping with what we would expect from David. The writer is now completely convinced that on his own, he is nothing but a lost sheep; he is, however, a lost sheep that belongs to God (and he has not forgotten God’s commandments), so he desires for God to be continually on his case, ready to go after him and keep him in line.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we desire to receive our own personal revelation of your word. May you reveal Jesus Christ to us in such a way that we will never forget. May our hearts and souls and minds be impacted and permanently aligned with the precepts and statutes and commandments and judgments and testimonies of your perfect will. Amen.
Chapter 120.
One hundred and twenty (in a positive sense) is two times sixty (seeking a double portion), or three times forty (the fruitfulness of embracing God’s discipline), or four times thirty (coming to maturity or perfection by the intervention of God in our lives), or five times twenty-four (to bow before God and receive his mercy and grace), or six times twenty (God’s provision for covering mankind – the Holy Spirit), or eight times fifteen (God’s provision at Passover to give us a new beginning), or ten times twelve (the word of the Lord brings divine order). So, as you can see, this is a versatile number. In a negative sense, it can mean the exact opposite of all of the above. This number occurs twelve times in Scripture, beginning with when God decided to limit man and declared: yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years602 (Genesis 6:3).
The second use is when the tabernacle of Moses was fully set up and each of the twelve princes of Israel (on their successive day) donated many things; this included a golden spoon full of incense from each, which was made of ten shekels of gold. This made for a donation of one hundred and twenty shekels of gold altogether (Numbers 7:86).
The third and fourth uses are related to Moses living to the age of one hundred and twenty (Deuteronomy 31:2, 34:7).
The fifth and sixth uses occur when Hiram sent Solomon one hundred and twenty talents of gold (1 Kings 9:14), as did the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:10).
The seventh use is when David assembled the priests and Levites to bring the ark up to Jerusalem, and the sons of Kohath numbered one hundred and twenty (1 Chronicles 15:5). Among the Levites, it was the sons of Kohath that had the ministry of the sanctuary and were to bear the ark on their shoulders (Numbers 7:9).
The eighth use is when the height of the porch of Solomon’s Temple was one hundred and twenty cubits (2 Chronicles 3:4).
The ninth use is when Solomon’s Temple was dedicated, and there were one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets when the glory of the Lord filled the house (2 Chronicles 5:12–14).
The tenth use refers again to the one hundred and twenty talents of gold given to Solomon by the queen of Sheba (2 Chronicles 9:9).
The eleventh use is when Darius set one hundred and twenty governors over his kingdom, and to supervise these governors, he set three presidents, of whom Daniel was first because an overabundance of the Spirit was in him (Daniel 6:1–3).
The twelfth and final use is when there were about one hundred and twenty disciples gathered in an upper room just before the day of Pentecost had fully come (Acts 1:15).
Psalm 120
A Song of degrees.
1 In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he answered me.
Psalm 120 is the first of a series of fifteen songs of degrees (or ascent). They were to be sung by all the people of Israel as they walked up to Jerusalem from their farms, villages, and cities to celebrate the three annual feasts of the Lord (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles).
This special psalm begins with a cry of distress to the Lord followed by the testimony of the psalmist that: he answered me. God’s people needed to know (and we still need to be assured) that if we are in trouble and cry unto the Lord, he can and will answer.
2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.
First of all, we all need to be delivered from our own lying lips and deceitful tongue.603 It is important to note that when the day of Pentecost came, the Holy Spirit came upon about one hundred and twenty disciples who were all with one accord in one place (Acts 2:1). In order for God’s people to remain in unity, it is essential that God have control of our lips and tongue. This is what happened at Pentecost.604
3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
In order for our false tongue to be brought under control, our hearts must be deeply impacted by the sharp arrows of truth of the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the fire of God. The prophet Isaiah had his unclean lips cleansed with a live coal (of fire) from the altar of God.605
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul has long dwelt with those that hate peace.
7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
“Mesech” means “possession,”606 and Kedar was the second son of Ishmael. When we dwell among those who think that what belongs to us really ought to be theirs, no matter how much we desire peace, they will be for war.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, may you gain control of our lips and tongues by whatever means you deem necessary so that we may all speak your truth by the Holy Spirit and come together in peace and unity. May the things of this world lose their hold and attraction until our focus is on heavenly treasure. Amen.
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602 This may indicate a countdown to the flood or a limitation on the lifespan of mankind (or both).
603 For he that desires to love life and see the good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile. (1 Peter 3:10).
604 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:3–4). The result was that the people that had come from all over the world to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem each heard of the wonderful works of God in their own tongue (Acts 2:11). This was the exact opposite of what had happened more than two thousand years before when God confounded the language of all the earth at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9).
605 Then I said, Woe is me! for I am dead because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of the hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew unto me, having a live coal in his hand which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth and said, Behold, this has touched thy lips; and it shall take away thy guilt, and thy sin shall be cleansed. (Isaiah 6:5–7).
606 “Cain” also means “possession,” and “Cainan” means “possessor.”
Chapter 121.
Chapter 121
One hundred and twenty-one is eleven squared (the consequences of trusting Jesus Christ). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 121
A Song of degrees.607
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and earth.
This is the second psalm in the series of songs of degrees, or ascent, that the people who were traveling to keep the feasts of the Lord in Jerusalem would sing along the way. These feasts became known in Israel as the feasts of the hip because they had to walk there. (They were not allowed to keep these feasts wherever they chose; it had to be in the place of God’s choosing.) The spiritual application is that God’s truth has to be walked out in our lives in actual practice if we are to “ascend” to a higher place in God.
The psalmist prefaces this song with his own testimony. He makes it clear that he does not depend upon his own strength, wisdom, or understanding. He looks to the Lord, who made the heavens and earth, for help. Having established this and set the example, he affirms the promises of God to the congregation:
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keeps thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
If we desire with all our heart to depend upon God and to follow his path, he will not allow anyone or anything to move our feet in the wrong direction, and when he watches over us, he does not slumber. This assurance is to the individual and to the corporate nation of the people of God.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
Pagan idolaters worship the sun god of worldly prosperity and the moon-goddess of immorality. Israel was surrounded and eventually infiltrated by the sacred groves of Baal and Ashtoreth that were filled with abomination and perversion. God, however, provided (and still provides) a perfect covering of protection so that his people will not be smitten by the evil world that surrounds us.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
All of us have an urgent need for the Lord to preserve us from all evil; even more, we need for him to preserve our eternal soul. This is all fairly easy for us to understand, but what does it mean when he promises to preserve our going out and our coming in ?
This is when we leave our place of residence and go somewhere, or return home from wherever we have travelled in the service and representation of the Lord. As we dwell in the midst of an increasingly dangerous world, God promises to preserve us. His promise is in effect from this time forth, and even for evermore. There is no time limit.
If all of these marvelous promises of protection were in place, then how come Israel was soundly defeated on various occasions and even dislodged from the promised land? This happened in the natural realm after they repeatedly turned their back and wandered away from God and insisted on the way of their own folly.
The Scriptures are full of living parables that always tend to be prophetic. The real fulfillment of the feasts celebrated by Israel is spiritual. Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb. He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, 36). He is the fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17). And as we celebrate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and choose to walk with him, all of these songs of degrees take on even greater significance.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, may we never take our eyes off you. May we learn from the mistakes and failures written in the Scriptures for our edification and faithfully follow you so that we may claim all of your great and precious promises. Amen.
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607 This is the second song of degrees.
Chapter 122.
One hundred and twenty-two is two times sixty-one (deciding to use our freedom to serve God after we are set free from bondage). This number occurs twice in Scripture. In the census recorded in the book of Ezra of those who left the Babylonian captivity and returned to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, it refers to: The men of Michmas,608 one hundred and twenty-two (Ezra 2:27). Again, in the book of Nehemiah, when those who remained faithful and were rebuilding the wall and the gates of the city were counted, all one hundred and twenty-two of the men of Michmas were still present and in good standing (Nehemiah 7:31).
Psalm 122
A Song of degrees of David.
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
2 Our feet stood within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
When David wrote this psalm, Solomon’s temple had not yet been built. The house of the Lord that he is referring to in Jerusalem is the tabernacle of David where he had placed the ark of the testimony of the presence of God. Those who stand within the gates of the city of God to worship him are counted faithful.
3 Jerusalem, that one which is built as a city that is well united together
4 Because the tribes went up there, the tribes of JAH, the testimony to Israel, to praise the name of the LORD.
Since this is the third song of degrees written in the midst of the great revival that began to surge after David took the ark to Jerusalem and placed it in the fortress of Zion beside his house, we can deduce that at this time all the tribes of Israel were celebrating the feasts of the Lord in Jerusalem at (or outside of) the tabernacle of David.
5 For there are set thrones of the judgment, the thrones609 of the house of David.610
David spent his time as king assembling and preparing the materials for the temple that would eventually come together without the sound of a hammer. This is prophetic of the temple of living stones (us) that Jesus will sovereignly put together at his return. Note, however, that David remarks here as he was preparing the materials and receiving the plans from the Lord, there (in Jerusalem) are set thrones of the judgment. Jesus is reigning even now from at the right hand of the Father’s throne in the heavenly Jerusalem and is selecting the living stones that he will employ when the time comes. Daniel had a vision of the heavenly thrones611 and so did John.612 The thrones of the house of David represent these thrones.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; those that love thee shall be brought into rest.
Those that love the city of God shall be brought into rest even though the earthly Jerusalem continues to have unrest. David continues his prophetic song:
7 Peace be within thy walls and rest within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek thy good.
Jesus said, my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it (Luke 8:21). David told the Lord, I am a companion of all those that fear thee and of those that keep thy precepts (Psalm 119:63).
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray for the peace of all our brethren and companions. We pray that all those who love the city of God will be brought to rest. Amen.
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608 “Michmas” means “treasured, something hidden.” The town of Michmas was the scene of several intense battles with the Philistines in the days of Saul and Jonathan, and in the time of Nehemiah the inhabitants of Michmas were from the tribe of Benjamin (Nehemiah 11:31).
609 The word “thrones” occurs in fourteen Scriptures.
610 There are twenty-six mentions in Scripture of the house of David. The first is when Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David (1 Samuel 20:16), and the last is when in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary (Luke 1:26–27). Therefore, it follows that Jesus is of the house of David (Matthew 1:16, 20), and if we are in Christ, so are we.
611 Daniel said: I beheld until thrones were placed, and an Elder of great age did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool: his throne a flame of fire, his wheels burning fire (Daniel 7:9).
612 John recorded: And immediately I was in the spirit, and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and there was one seated upon the throne. And he that was seated was like a jasper and a sardine stone to look upon; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were twenty-four thrones, and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold (Revelation 4:2–4).
Chapter 123.
One hundred and twenty-three is three times forty-one (the fruitfulness of being loyal to God). This number occurs three times in Scripture. The first was when Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died in Mount Hor (Numbers 33:39). The second was in the census of those that left Babylon: The sons of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three (Ezra 2:21). The last was when among those faithfully rebuilding the wall and gates of Jerusalem were found: The men of Bethel and Ai, one hundred and twenty-three (Nehemiah 7:32).
Psalm 123
A Song of degrees.
1 Unto thee I lift up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
In this fourth song of degrees, the psalmist begins by establishing his personal focus on God who dwells in the heavens.
2 Behold, as the eyes of slaves look unto the hand of their masters and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until he shall have mercy upon us.
The song now shifts to the corporate focus of the people of God. Slaves have an owner, and we belong to God. He is our Lord and Master. Therefore, we will wait on him until he shall have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we are exceedingly weary of being held in contempt.
Three thousand years later and here upon the earth, those who trust in God are still being held in contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly weary of the scorning of those that are at ease and of the contempt of the proud.
Those who scorn us are at ease in the world. It is the proud who hold us in contempt. There will, however, soon come a time when God will have mercy on his people and reward those who have been proven loyal to him.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, our eyes are lifted up to you, for we depend on your mercy. Amen.
Chapter 124.
One hundred and twenty-four is two times sixty-two (God’s people may rest in his victory) or four times thirty-one (divine intervention as we enter the day of the Lord). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 124
A Song of degrees of David.
1 If the LORD had not been for us, now may Israel say,
It was two thousand five hundred years before the printing press was invented, at a time when it was virtually unheard of for anyone to have a personal copy of the Scriptures. Yet King David made sure that everyone in Israel knew the essential truth about God and his plans for his people by writing songs of degrees (or ascent) that everyone memorized and sang as they walked for hours – sometimes days – three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord at Jerusalem. These songs continue to be of great blessing to God’s people everywhere, and even today there are congregations that incorporate portions of them into their praise and worship. Many of the couplets are profoundly prophetic.
2 If the LORD had not been for us, when men rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;
4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us; the flood would have gone over our soul;
5 then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.
God has delivered his people repeatedly. The greatest crises, however, is yet to come as we enter the day of the Lord and Satan will make yet another desperate attempt to incite his followers against us, as is already the case. Rest assured that God will, once again, intervene and that our enemies will never prevail. We will, however, come out of this thoroughly convinced that if the Lord had not been for us, they would have swallowed us up alive; the waters would have overwhelmed us; the flood would have gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who did not give us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers; the snare has broken, and we are escaped.
Even though we know that an end-time crisis is imminent, do not be fooled into thinking that all the danger is future or that our primary risk is physical death. Not so. Our primary danger is spiritual.
Even if we physically live to report that the Lord intervened and did not give us as a prey to their teeth, this will not do us much good overall unless our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made the heaven and the earth.
Let us pray:
Dear God, let us never forget that our help is in the name of the Lord who made the heaven and the earth. Amen.
Chapter 125.
One hundred and twenty-five is five times twenty-five or five cubed (the ultimate consequences of responding to or rejecting God’s mercy and grace).
Psalm 125
A Song of degrees.613
1 Those that trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed but abides for ever.
There is a heavenly Mount Zion, spelled Mount Sion in the New Testament, where our names may be registered if we are in Christ.614
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from now on even for ever.
The enemy has raged against the true people of God for ages spanning almost six thousand years. Ever since Cain murdered his brother Abel, the enemy has considered it to his advantage to kill the righteous. Not so. The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ has broken the power of death. Furthermore, the souls of all those who have died in faith have been gathered up unto the heavenly Mount Sion and will accompany Jesus at his victorious return when those of us who are alive and remain will meet the Lord in the air. 615
3 For the rod of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous because the righteous shall not put forth their hands unto iniquity.
In ancient times, the land or inheritance was measured with a rod. God will not allow the rod of the wicked, as they selfishly attempt to possess everything, to rest upon the lot (or inheritance) of the righteous because there is a fundamental difference between the two.
This is the difference between the wheat and the tares that grow up together in the same field (Matthew 13:24–30). The righteous shall not put forth their hands into iniquity. There remain, however, many tares mixed in with the wheat that claim to be righteous even while secretly and continually putting forth their hands into iniquity (or ongoing sin that the perpetrators attempt to hide). On the other hand, when those who are righteous know that they have done something wrong, they immediately seek the Lord in repentance so that they may be forgiven and cleansed (1 John 1:9, 2:1).
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that are good and to those that are upright in their hearts.
If we are good and if we are upright in our hearts, we owe it to the mercy and grace of God. We are, however, responsible to keep our hearts on the altar before the Lord so that he may intervene in our lives for good as he sees fit.
5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall take them away with the workers of iniquity; and peace shall be upon Israel.
The Lord is going to separate the wheat from the tares (Matthew 13:36–43). When he does so, peace shall be upon Israel.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, by your mercy and grace, we ask that you continue to intervene in our hearts and lives so that we will not use our hands for iniquity. We ask that you prevent us from turning away from your straight and narrow way into any crooked side path of carnal or worldly desire. May we live to see the day that your peace is upon your people. Amen.
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613 This is the sixth song of degrees.
614 But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the congregation of the called out ones of the firstborn, who are registered in the heavens and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus, the mediator of the new testament and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22–24).
615 See 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.
Chapter 126.
One hundred and twenty-six is two times sixty-three (perfect corporate discernment), or three times forty-two (the fruit of being corrected by God), or six times twenty-one (the peacemakers), or seven times eighteen (bearing the fruit of righteousness and peace), or nine times fourteen (God’s judgments to save and deliver his people). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 126
A Song of degrees.616
1 When the LORD shall turn again the captivity of Zion, we shall be like those that dream.
In the highest sense, the events leading up to and surrounding the first resurrection617 are when the Lord shall turn again (reverse) the captivity of Zion.618 This is when our wildest dreams will come true if we are among those registered in the heavens as citizens of Sion.
2 Then our mouth shall be filled with laughter and our tongue with singing; then they shall say among the Gentiles, The LORD has done great things with them.
3 The LORD has done great things with us, of which we shall be glad.
Throughout the entire history of the people of God, the Lord has done great things with us, of which we shall be glad. The days will come, however, when they will even say among the Gentiles (among the individuals and nations who are not in covenant with God), The Lord has done great things with them.
4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.619
The Hebrew word translated as south above is Negeb, the southern desert. When the Lord “turns again” the captivity of his people, the parched spiritual desert engulfing much, if not most, of Israel and the church will be watered by the streams of his blessing. He will turn around the ruin and destruction caused by the con sequences of unbelief, sin, and disobedience and bring abundance again.
5 Those that sow with tears shall reap with joy.
6 He that goes forth and weeps, bearing the precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
In ancient times of drought and famine, grain farmers were faced with a difficult choice. If they planted what little grain they had left, they might go hungry while they waited for their crop to come to harvest. If they ate the grain that they had left to satisfy their present need, they would have no hope for the future because even if rain came, they would have no seed left to plant. Therefore, there were times when they sowed with tears and went forth weeping, bearing the precious seed.
When God is moving and his blessing is beginning to flow (such as now in many seemingly parched and spiritually dry places all around the globe), this is the time for his people to go all out to sow the precious seed of the gospel, no matter what the sacrifice. The one who is prompted by the Spirit to do this now shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, may we live to see this prophecy come true. May you continue to cleanse your people and make us more and more fruitful. May we be willing to plant with great sacrifice for the good of your kingdom. May you bless Zion and turn our captivity around like streams in the desert. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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616 This is the seventh song of degrees.
617 And I saw thrones, and those who sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of those that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and who had not worshipped the beast neither its image neither had received its mark upon their foreheads or in their hands; and they shall live and reign with Christ the thousand years. (Revelation 20:4).
618 Even in the midst of great economic prosperity there are vast sectors among Israel and the church (who claim to belong to the people of God) that continue in bondage (or captivity) to compulsive sin, to the flesh, to the world, and ultimately to the devil.
619 See parallel passages in Isaiah 33:20–22, 35:6.
Chapter 127.
One hundred and twenty-seven is a prime number that occurs three times in Scripture. The first is when Sarah was one hundred and twenty-seven years old when she died (Genesis 23:1). The second and third are when King Ahasuerus reigned from India to Ethiopia over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces (Esther 1:1, 8:9).
Psalm 127
A Song of degrees for Solomon.620
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain that build it; unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchmen watch in vain.
It is likely that David wrote this inspired psalm for Solomon prior to putting him on the throne. This timeless advice was not only intended for Solomon but written here in the eighth song of degrees recorded in Scripture so that all God’s people would memorize it even through future generations. All of us need to be well aware of this, particularly those who would build private kingdoms using the name of God.
Bear in mind that under the new covenant, we are the house, or temple, and we are the city.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to come home late, to eat the bread of sorrows, because he shall give his beloved sleep.
This verse is an enigma. The Hebrew word translated above as “beloved” is closely related to the name David, who was known as the beloved. It is likely that this psalm was written shortly before David passed away and that, at least on the surface, this line was meant to prepare Solomon for his father’s death. It does, however, also apply to us. Solomon’s Temple lasted less than five hundred years. If we are rising early, coming home late, and eating the bread of sorrows to build something for God (be it a building, an institution, a denomination, a project, etc.), ultimately all of our effort will be considered vain.
The heart of God (and David was a man after God’s heart) is centered on people, not on projects. God has been carefully selecting people for close to six thousand years. When those whom God has chosen die in faith,621 Scripture refers to this as “sleep.” Those who sleep in Jesus will be with him when he returns.622 This is when the real temple will be assembled; this is when the real city of God will be put on display.
3 Behold, sons623 are a heritage of the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is to be desired.
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the young men.624
Once again, we see that the emphasis is on people. God desires born-again sons of God who seek to walk with him and come to maturity so that he can delegate serious responsibility. God wants us to be like arrows in the hand of a mighty man (the mighty man is Jesus) so that he can send us forth to do his will.
5 Happy is the man that has filled his quiver with them: he shall not be ashamed when he speaks with the enemies in the gate.
The gate of the city, town, or village is where judgment was rendered. This is where criminals and enemies were confronted. When Jesus comes back and faces all the enemy evildoers in the “gate of judgment,” his “quiver” will be filled with excellent sons of God whom he will be able to instantly dispatch wherever necessary as straight, sharp arrows that will consistently hit the target with devastating impact.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, please deliver all of us from spending our time, energy, treasure, and resources on seemingly good projects that you are not building. Deliver us from risking our lives and reputations to protect any religious activities, doctrines, or institutions that you are not willing to defend. May you form us as arrows in your hand to deliver your truth whenever and wherever you send us. Amen.
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620 “Solomon” means “peace offering.”
621 Note that Sara, who died in faith (Hebrews 11:11, 39–40) at the age of 127, will return with Jesus as part of the real house that the Lord builds; on the other hand, the 127 provinces spanning from India to Ethiopia that were ruled by King Ahasuerus are no more.
622 2 Samuel 7:12; Acts 7:60; 1 Thessalonians 4:14–15.
623 Here, the word “sons” does not necessarily define gender.
624 I do not see this phrase translated as “young men” as a definition of gender either (Galatians 3:28). It simply indicates young people between the ages of twelve and thirty who are in an intermediate stage of maturity. It is very likely that Solomon was a young man (under thirty) when this psalm was written for him.
Chapter 128.
One hundred and twenty-eight is two times sixty-four or two to the sixth power (how the eternal consequences of our choices affect our family and others), or four times thirty-two (the fulfillment of God’s heavenly plans for us), or eight times sixteen (the heavenly dimension of resurrection life which is eternal). This number is used four times in Scripture. The first is where the census of Ezra of those who left Babylon includes: The men of Anathoth,625 one hundred and twenty-eight (Ezra 2:23). The second is use is: The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred and twenty-eight (Ezra 2:41). The third use is where one hundred and twenty-eight men of Anothoth are again included in the list of those who faithfully helped restore the wall and the gates of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 7:27). The fourth use is where among the faithful priests who ministered in the rebuilt temple are listed mighty men of valour, one hundred and twenty-eight; and their captain was Zabdiel,626 the son of Gedolim627 (Nehemiah 11:14).
Psalm 128
A Song of degrees.628
1 Blessed is every one that fears the LORD, that walks in his ways.
To qualify for this blessing, we must fear the Lord and be found walking in his ways.
2 When thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands; happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
We reap what we sow both in the natural and in the spiritual.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house; thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
When we fear the Lord and walk in his ways, the Lord may provide us with an excellent wife,629 who shall be as a fruitful vine surrounding our house (the vine produces grapes and wine, a symbol of life). Then, our children will be like olive plants around our table. The olive produces oil, a symbol of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and our table is where our family is nourished and where we attend guests.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fears the LORD.
5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion, and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
This blessing from the Lord flows out of Zion, and those that receive the blessing will see the good of Jerusalem (the city of God) all the days of their life. Observe that this blessing transcends the natural and opens our spiritual eyes to see that if we have eternal life, our blessing will never end. Those who remain single may be incorporated into the family of God and rejoice with spiritual offspring resulting from their faithfulness to God.
6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children and peace upon Israel.
We will see our children’s children (natural and spiritual) and peace upon Israel (upon the people of God).
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, may this blessing be fulfilled in every one of the families of those who fear you and walk in your ways. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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625 “Anathoth” means “answers to prayer.”
626 “Zabdiel” means “God is endower.”
627 “Gedolim” means “a great man.”
628 This is the ninth song of degrees.
629 Proverbs 18:22, 19:14.
Chapter 129.
One hundred and twenty-nine is three times forty-three (in a negative sense, the fruit of refusing to show mercy). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 129
A Song of degrees.
1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.
Over the years, there have been numerous and frequent attempts to place God’s people under bondage. This goes all the way back to the affliction brought on by the wicked Pharaoh who had them enslaved baking bricks in an iron furnace in the hot sun; in contrast, God desires unique living stones formed by his hand. Over the millennia, religious brick-making has taken on many disguises. Some are convinced that their ministry is to control God’s people; they make their own molds and force everyone under their dominion to stamp out as many identical copies as possible in conformity to hoops, procedures, and rituals of human origin – or maybe even of demonic origin. This can then further degenerate, as demonstrated by the infamous trident hook (1 Samuel 2:12–17) and promiscuity of the evil sons of Eli (whom God called sons of Belial), while their jovial, fat, and even likable father sat by and feebly protested, unable to stop them (1 Samuel 2:22–25).
3 The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.
4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
Whose back did the plowers plow upon? The psalmist labels it as my back, so this is something that he experienced personally.
The people of God been have been almost continually afflicted by those who would hitch us to the plow of their heavy religious endeavors. Even though they made long their furrows (with the tiresome bondage of legalistic or humanistic religion that tends toward extremes one way or the other), the Lord, in his righteousness, has cut asunder the cords of the wicked630 that bind his people to their plow. This was portrayed in the tabernacle of David that foreshadowed the new covenant in which the freedom and liberty represented by this tabernacle is, and shall be, restored.631
5 All those that hate Zion shall all be confounded and turned back.
Jesus said: My yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28–30). In reality, those who afflict the people of God with any type of bondage hate Zion. Therefore, they shall all be confounded and turned back.
6 They shall be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up,
7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor he that binds sheaves his bosom.
The grass upon the housetops (where no plow can reach, and the heat bakes) does not bear fruit because it withers before it grows up. When harvest time comes (especially at the end of this age, which is rapidly approaching), they will have nothing to show for all their heavy-handed endeavors.
8 Neither did those who go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.
Who are those who go by? This is the tenth song of degrees (or ascent) written and implemented at the time of King David. The people that were on their way to celebrate the feasts of the Lord before the ark of the testimony of his presence (which at this time was located in the tabernacle of David) were singing this song (or one of the other songs of degrees) because they desired to come to a higher spiritual place in God.
I do not believe that the singing would have stopped when they arrived at their destination, where Asaph, Heman, and Ethan, Obededom the Philistine Gittite, and their brethren were ministering together with King David before the ark. All the complex protocol associated with the brazen altar, the outer court, the holy place, the showbread, the golden lampstand, and even the golden altar of incense that once required an entire army of intermediary priests was likely conspicuous by its complete and utter absence.632
This is when things would have really gotten going. Can you imagine being there in person and pressing in through the crowd to hear David and Asaph play their instruments and sing (at the head of dozens of talented and inspired musicians and singers) and lead the people in offering sacrifices of praise unto the Lord?
In fact, some of the psalms were even written upon Gittith633 (music according to the style of Gath634). Apparently, all of this was too much for some of the stuffy religious folks to handle,635 so they went by the big revival meetings (and continued on their way) without even saying, The blessing of the Lord be upon you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, may every one of us that fears your name be completely delivered from causing, stirring up, or bearing any type of affliction or bondage, religious or otherwise. May we all flow in the liberty and unity of the Holy Spirit. May everything portrayed by the tabernacle of David be completely restored in and among your people. May the Lord Jesus soon return, and may his throne be established in mercy; may he sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking judgment and hastening righteousness. Amen.
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630 God began to set the stage for the freedom and liberty of the tabernacle of David when he ended (or cut) the ministry of the corrupt house of Eli when his wicked sons, Hophni and Phineas, were killed and the ark was captured. After that, the ark never returned to the tabernacle of Moses in Shiloh, and eventually David brought it to the fortress of Zion in Jerusalem.
631 And in mercy shall the throne be established; and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking judgment and hastening righteousness. (Isaiah 16:5). In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen and close up its breaches; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old. (Amos 9:11). And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon has declared how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return and will restore the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will repair its ruins, and I will set it up again, that the men that are left might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who does all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Therefore my sentence is that those from among the Gentiles who are converted to God not be troubled. (Acts15:13–19).
632 It all remained back in Shiloh where apparently the formalities and rituals continued unabated even though the ark of God’s presence was long gone.
633 See Psalm 8, Psalm 81, and Psalm 84.
634 Gath was the principle city of the Philistines, the mortal enemies of Israel.
635 They may have been concerned that David was not really a priest and, therefore, had no business making such radical changes to their established religion, no matter what he claimed God told him to do. It is true that David was not a Levitical priest (and neither was Jesus), however, when the Lord sent young Samuel to admonish Eli, listen to what was included in the message: And I will raise me up a faithful priest that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind, and I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before my anointed [Heb. Messiah] for ever (1 Samuel 2:35). I can’t think of anyone else that this could apply to but David and Jesus. Jesus is of the sure house of David and is now high priest after the order of Melchisedec (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:5–10). If David (and us) are in Christ, where does that place us? In a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9; see also Revelation 1:5–6).
Chapter 130.
One hundred and thirty is two times sixty-five (waiting for the Lord), or five times twenty-six (responding to the kingdom of God according to his mercy and grace), or ten times thirteen (the kingdom according to the word of the Lord). This number occurs in sixteen Scriptures beginning with when Adam lived one hundred and thirty years and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image, and called his name Seth (Genesis 5:3).
The second use is when Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have the days of the years of my life been and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage (Genesis 47:9).
There are twelve references listing the offerings given by the princes from each of the twelve tribes of Israel when the tabernacle of Moses was dedicated, including one silver charger of the weight of one hundred and thirty shekels each.636 The silver chargers were each paired with one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a present (Numbers 7:31). This accounts for uses three through fourteen.
You might already know that silver may represent redemption, and the present of fine flour represents the work of our hands that will only be acceptable to God if mingled with oil that represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit and if accompanied with a blood sacrifice. In our case, Jesus has fulfilled the blood sacrifice, and if we are in Christ (the anointed) under the direction and discipline of God, then our offering will be pleasing to him when we offer him our sacrifice of praise and give him all the honor and glory for all that he has done, is doing, and will do for us, in us, and through us.
After David won a great victory over the Philistines, he made houses for himself in the city of David and prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it (1 Chronicles 15:1). Then, among the Levites that David assembled to bring up the ark (because the glory of God is to be carried upon the shoulders of those who are anointed and sanctified or set apart for this purpose) are registered: of the sons of Gershon: Joel, the chief, and his brethren one hundred and thirty (1 Chronicles 15:7). This is the fifteenth use of the number.
The sixteenth use of the number occurs when Scripture says Jehoaida637 the faithful priest was one hundred and thirty years old when he died. King Joash did what was right before the Lord until the righteous priest died, and then the princes of Judah worshipped him and convinced him to abandon the Lord with eventual dire consequences for himself and for the entire nation (2 Chronicles 24:14–18).
Psalm 130
A Song of degrees.638
1 Out of the depths I cry unto thee, O LORD.
Adam and Eve must have been very distraught after Cain killed Abel. They were finally consoled with the birth of another son, whom they named Seth (meaning recompense or compensation), when Adam was one hundred and thirty years old. At this time, Eve said, God has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew (Genesis 4:25). Eve had to have remembered both the curse and the promise when God told the serpent, I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed; that seed shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15). One hundred and five years later, when Seth had a son they named Enos (meaning “mortal”), Scripture states, Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD (Genesis 4:26).
It is when the finite limits of our mortality and their eternal consequences begin to dawn on us that many become highly motivated to call upon the name of the Lord.
2 Lord, hear my voice; let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
When we call upon the name of the Lord, we will remain wondering if the Lord is paying attention to our voice (until we have an answer), and the pending weight of all our iniquities will seem heavier and heavier.
3 If thou, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall endure?
4 Therefore there is forgiveness close to thee, that thou may be feared.
The answer that will truly console us is to know that we are forgiven; the more we fear and respect God, the more imperative this will be. How can we know for sure that we are saved if we do not know for sure that we are forgiven? Since the eternal stakes are so high, it is not wise to depend solely upon what others tell us (no matter how godly they seem). We desperately need for God’s Spirit to bear witness unto our spirit that we are sons of God (Romans 8:16). The more we draw near to God, the more we will know about forgiveness.
5 I have waited for the LORD, my soul has waited, and for his word I have waited.
6 My soul has waited for the Lord more than those that watch for the morning: I say, more than those that watch for the morning.
The word “waited” is repeated four times above. This means that when we begin to cry to the Lord out of the depths of our predicament, it will likely take some time until we have all the answers we so desperately seek. The psalmist states and repeats it twice that he has waited for the Lord more than those that watch for the morning.
Those that watch for the morning are waiting for the light of a new day. In the natural, the dawn does not occur in an instant but over a gradual and prolonged period of time. And so it is when we begin to draw near to the Lord. If we are in a natural predicament and need the light of day to sort things out, it can seem like an eternity as we wait for the dawn. In ancient times, it was even more so because they did not have the kind of good lights we have now.
7 Let Israel wait for the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy and plenteous redemption close to him.
The mercy and plenteous redemption that are absolutely indispensable for all of us are found close to him. Therefore, it be hooves all of us to wait for the Lord. As soon as we realize that he is not with us, our best move is to stop everything and wait for him to give us instructions as to how he desires for us to approach him. If we persist with honesty and sincerity, we will, most certainly, be very amazed when his presence completely overwhelms us.
8 And he shall ransom Israel from all his sins.
When this was written, the psalmist, with keen prophetic vision, used the future tense: He shall ransom Israel … Now we know that Jesus Christ has paid the ransom to redeem us. We also know that he will not be satisfied until all of the wonderful prophecies and promises for his people contained in the Scriptures are completely fulfilled.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, by your mercy and grace, may we learn patience and wait for you so that we do not continue to blunder into trouble on our own. Amen.
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636 See Numbers 7 for the specific list by tribe.
637 “Jehoaida” means “the Lord knows.”
638 This is the eleventh song of degrees.
Chapter 131.
One hundred and thirty-one is another prime number that does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 131
A Song of degrees of David.
1 LORD, my heart has not become haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither have I walked in grandeur, nor in wonderful things above and beyond that which pertains to me.
Unless our hearts have been thoroughly circumcised and cleansed, we all have a strong tendency, or even compulsion, toward narcissism that will increase dramatically when we prosper in the things of this world. David came to the place where he could truthfully say that his heart did not become haughty, nor his eyes lofty, and that he did not walk in grandeur, nor in wonderful things above and beyond that which pertained to him. Furthermore, he made his declaration in public as part of this twelfth song of degrees that he taught the entire nation to sing and repeat over and over so that everyone would have the opportunity to identify with him.
2 Rather I have quieted myself and caused my soul to become silent, that I might be as a child that is weaned of his mother, as one who is weaned from my own life.
Here is the key: we must be weaned from our own life so that the life of Christ may come forth in us. Today, this remains difficult to accomplish in the midst of constant bombardment and interruption from seemingly omnipresent electronic devices offering news, entertainment, music, and propaganda along with many other distractions that make it almost impossible for us to focus on what is most important. If we really desire to consistently hear from God, we must quiet ourselves and cause our soul to become silent. Then we may hear his still small voice loud and clear.
3 Let Israel wait for the LORD from now on and for ever.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we identify with David. May we be weaned from our own life and depend upon your life so that our heart will not become haughty, nor our eyes lofty. We ask that when you bless and prosper us, as you did with David, we would not walk in grandeur, nor in wonderful things above and beyond those which pertain to us. May we learn to quiet our soul so that we may personally hear your voice with clarity. Amen.
Chapter 132.
One hundred and thirty-two is two times sixty-six (the consequences of living in Christ), or three times forty-four (the fruitfulness of God’s appointed times), or six times twenty-two (the Word made flesh), or eleven times twelve (the life of Christ brings us into divine order). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 132
A Song of degrees.639
1 LORD, remember David and all his afflictions:
2 How he swore unto the LORD and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3 surely I will not come into the habitation of my house nor go up into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
5 until I find out a place for the LORD, a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
David, in the midst of all his afflictions, definitely and consistently put God first. He fervently desired to extend the best hospitality possible to the Lord.
However, the physical place of habitation for the Lord Jesus when he left heaven and came to earth was in the womb of a virgin for the first nine months or so, and then he was born where there was no place but a manger for him to sleep.
6 Behold, we heard of her in Ephratah; we found her in the fields of the wood.
“Ephratah” can mean “ash heap” or “place of fruitfulness.” Ephratah is also another name for Bethlehem.
Who is the lady they found in Ephratah? Where are the fields of the wood and what are they? According to the law: The houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country; they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubilee (Leviticus 25:31). Therefore, the small town of Bethlehem could be considered part of the fields of the wood and was redeemable. And precisely there was where our redeemer was born of the virgin Mary (representative of all God’s people who are undefiled and who are not building their own religious fortresses).
7 We will go into his tents; we will worship at his footstool.
Whose tents? The tents of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, where he dwells with his people (this speaks of the Feast of Tabernacles).
What is his footstool and where is it?
David said, I had in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of our God and had made ready for the building (1 Chronicles 28:2b).
However, God sent the Nathan the prophet to stop him and to tell David that instead, God was going to build the house of David (2 Samuel 7:11) because in reality God wants his people upon the earth to be his footstool. Then God took this a step further and gave David a promise that would be fulfilled in the Messiah, the son of David, that he would make his enemies into his footstool.640
8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
The ultimate rest that the Lord seeks is in and with his people. The ark was the testimony of his presence among Israel.
9 Thy priests641 are clothed with righteousness, and thy merciful ones shout for joy.
We are now in the priesthood of all believers under the new covenant in which Jesus Christ is our High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 5:5–10). God’s priests are clothed with righteousness (his righteousness), and they share his love for mercy. Jesus said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7).
10 For the love of thy slave David, do not turn away thy face from thine anointed.
The psalmist voices concern and intercession for the house of David that would go through forty-two generations until Christ (the anointed). However, there is now an entire body of Christ made of many anointed members of which Jesus is the head. As was the case with the physical heirs to the throne of David, it is also imperative that those who are spiritual joint heirs with Christ remain faithful and clean.
The psalm now makes a transition from the intercession of the psalmist before God into prophecy in which the psalmist is God’s mouthpiece.
11 The LORD has sworn truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body I will set upon thy throne.
Jesus Christ is the son of David, but he is also the Lord of heaven who was born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem and who came to save us.642
12 If thy sons will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their sons shall also sit upon thy throne for ever.
Even though God promised David that the Messiah would come from his bloodline, each successive generation of the sons of David had a personal responsibility to keep God’s covenant and his testimony that he would personally teach them. As born-again sons of God and joint heirs with Christ, we are also given the same type of responsibility. If we deviate from God’s covenant and from his testimony (from his personal witness and instructions to us) this will place the next generation and us in spiritual jeopardy.
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired her for his habitation.
Zion is where God chooses to live. In the time of David, he chose a fortress in natural Jerusalem. Now, however, his desired resting place has been expanded to include all the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem that are registered in the heavens, no matter where they happen to be in heaven or on earth.643
14 This shall be my rest for ever; here I will dwell; for I have desired her.
Note here that Zion is referred to as female (as is the bride of Jesus Christ). This is further confirmation that the promises listed here are not necessarily limited to a certain geographical place644 but for God’s people who meet his conditions.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with saving health, and her merciful ones shall shout aloud for joy.
In verse 9, God’s merciful ones shout for joy, and here it is her merciful ones that shall shout aloud for joy. These promises in future tense are reserved for the prophetic fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles (the feast of the end-time harvest) at the appointed time, which is drawing near.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud; I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself shall his crown blossom.
Some would apply the above two lines to the Messiah at the time of the second coming. This may very well be the case, but remember, when Jesus returns, he will bring all his chosen saints with him at the time of the first resurrection. This includes David, and I am confident that David (along with many others) will be given major responsibility in the world to come.
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, please cause all of us who are among your merciful ones to shout for joy as we experience your appointed times for us as individuals and your appointed times for your corporate people. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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639 This is the thirteenth song of degrees.
640 Psalm 110:1; Mark 12:36; Hebrews 10:13.
641 The word “priests” now has a religious context. Long ago, that was not necessarily so. A priest was someone who had access or face time with the king and could go in and out among the people as the king’s spokesperson. Therefore, Scripture records that: David’s sons were priests (2 Samuel 8:18b).
642 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government is placed upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called The Wonderful One, The Counsellor, The God, The Mighty One, The Eternal Father, The Prince of Peace. The multitude of his dominion and the peace shall have no end upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdom, ordering it and confirming it in judgment and in righteousness from now on even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of the hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6–7, emphasis added)
643 But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the congregation of the called out ones of the firstborn, who are registered in the heavens and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus, the mediator of the new testament… (Hebrews 12:22–24a).
644 Although I am certain he has glorious plans for that particular place.
Chapter 133.
One hundred and thirty-three is seven times nineteen (blessing and eternal life for the anointed body of Christ). This number does not occur in Scripture except in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 133
A Song of degrees of David.645
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!646
David and his friends were setting a wonderful example of unity in the Spirit that was on display for all Israel when they all walked to Mount Zion three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord at the tabernacle of David. What God did and was doing in the life of David began to trickle down and affect all of God’s people who had the right attitude.
Many of the events in the life of David foreshadow, as a living parable, the Messiah (meaning “the anointed one”), who provides an unlimited supply of the anointing of the Holy Spirit to the entire body of Christ.
2 It is like the precious ointment647 upon the head, that runs down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard,648 that goes down to the skirts of his garments;649
David undoubtedly never forgot the time when he was a young lad and Samuel the prophet came to Bethlehem and anointed him right in front of his incredulous brethren and the entire town; a full portion of this special oil must have completely covered him from his head down to his feet (1 Samuel 16:1–13).
Aaron, the first high priest under the law of Moses, was another example who, in some ways, is also a living parable of Jesus Christ. The anointing that flows from the head of the body of Christ runs down upon the beard (a symbol of identity) and goes all the way down to the skirts of his garments, anointing his entire body.
3 as the dew of Hermon, that descends upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commands blessing and eternal life.
This wonderful, supernatural anointing flows as the dew of Hermon, which is Mount Sion (Deuteronomy 4:48) and is symbolic of the heavenly Mount Sion (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 14:1) and descends upon the mountains of Zion. The mountains of Zion are the strongholds of the people of God that dwell together in unity. Jesus said, where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). To gather together in his name means to come together in his nature. This is where the Lord commands blessing and eternal life.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, may your people dwell together in unity. May the anointing that you provide by your Holy Spirit engulf and transform our identity and bring the entire body of Christ together without schisms or fractures so that we may all fully participate in your blessing and in your eternal life. Amen.
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645 This is the fourteenth song of degrees.
646 The word “unity” only occurs three times in the Jubilee Bible translation. The other two references are Ephesians 4:1–3, 11–14.
647 The formula for the superior ointment or anointing oil (Exodus 30:23–25) consists of five hundred shekels of excellent myrrh (symbolizing the way of the cross), two hundred and fifty shekels of aromatic cinnamon (symbolizing righteousness), two hundred and fifty shekels of aromatic calamus (symbolizing judgment), and five hundred shekels of cassia (symbolizing true worship), and one hin of olive oil (symbolizing the bond of the Spirit); it makes two gallons of anointing oil. This oil was for the purpose of consecrating everything having to do with the tabernacle of the testimony and with it the ark of the testimony (Exodus 30:26).
648 The beard was part of the identity of the men of the people of God, particularly of the priests. Our identity in Christ as part of his royal priesthood must be anointed with a continual supply of the unction of the Holy Spirit if we are to minister successfully.
649 God also told Moses, And thou shalt also anoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them that they may be my priests. And thou shalt speak unto the sons of Israel, saying, This shall be my oil of the holy anointing throughout your ages. (Exodus 30:30).
Chapter 134.
One hundred and thirty-four is two times sixty-seven (the royal priesthood). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 134
A Song of degrees.650
1 Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye slaves of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Slaves belong to their owner; nevertheless, why are all of those who belong to the Lord standing in his house at night? First, they are standing because he is the one seated on the throne. Second, it is night (spiritually) because the day of the Lord has not yet dawned (but it is close).
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3 The LORD that made the heavens and the earth bless thee out of Zion.
In the days of King David, Zion was the fortress of Jerusalem where the ark of the testimony of presence of God resided, and all Israel went there to worship God and to receive his blessing. However, Jesus told the woman at the well:
Woman, believe me, the hour comes when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem shall ye worship the Father. Ye worship what ye know not; we worship what we know, for saving health is of the Jews.
But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit and those that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21–24).
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, may we worship you in spirit and in truth and may you bless us out of Zion. Amen.
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650 This is the fifteenth and final song of degrees.
Chapter 135.
One hundred and thirty-five is three times forty-five (the fruitfulness of being judged according to God’s mercy), or five times twenty-seven (mercy is the consequence of submitting to the discipline of God), or nine times fifteen (the fruit of our lives submitted to judgment). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 135
1 Halelu-JAH. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye slaves of the LORD.
2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
Slaves of the Lord belong to him. Those who stand in the courts of the house of our God are there because they have responded to his invitation. They are on their feet, standing to show him honor and respect and praise.
3 praise JAH; for the LORD is good; sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4 For JAH has chosen Jacob unto himself and Israel for his own possession.
There is no other source of good than the Lord, and in order for something to be truly pleasant, it must be good. Jacob was chosen from before he was born. Nevertheless, it took many years and a deep crisis for Jacob to become fully converted and named Israel (a name that belongs to God). This is when it became clear that Israel (now synonymous with the people of God) is God’s own possession.
5 For I know that the LORD is great and that our Lord is above all gods.
God’s people all tend to believe this in theory, yet many of them seem ignorant when it comes to practical, daily matters in which they do not really honor the sovereignty of the Lord.
6 Whatever the LORD desired, he did in the heavens and in the earth, in the seas and in all the deep places.
7 He who causes the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth, made the lightnings in the rain; he who brings the winds out of his treasuries.
Sometimes God’s people tend to think that God will not make a move unless we ask him to and insist on it. This, however, is only one side of the coin. From God’s perspective, he has always done whatever he desired in the heavens and in the earth, in the seas and in the deep places. He will not, however, force himself on us as he patiently waits for our response to his goodness.
God is the one who causes the clouds to ascend. He vaporizes water and causes it to defy gravity. This is symbolic of his word. Once he places his word within us, he may then elevate us as citizens of the heavenly realm. It is from the heavens that he sends the rain of his blessing and mercy. This, however, is always punctuated with the lightnings of his truth.
He brings the winds (the word “wind” could also be translated “Spirit”) out of his treasuries (that contain all manner of resources).
8 He who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast;
9 sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his slaves.
God sent signs and wonders into the midst of ancient Egypt to deliver his people from bondage to Pharaoh, to the firstborn of Egypt, and to Pharaoh’s slaves. These Egyptians represent the natural man (and God is about to intervene today to deliver his people from those who would hold them in bondage). Now we call this humanism. God chose Jacob, the second born, in order to show that the natural man descended from Adam must be born again by the Spirit of God.
10 He who smote many Gentiles and slew mighty kings,
11 Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan
12 gave their land for a heritage, a heritage unto Israel his people.
Kings Sihon and Og and all the kingdoms of Canaan were occupying the inheritance that God had promised his people (Israel). This, however, was all part of a living parable to demonstrate that eventually the meek (those who submit to God as their only master) will inherit the earth. There are many kings and kingdoms spread out over the breadth of the earth today that are also standing in the way of the promised inheritance of the people of God; they will soon come down and give way to the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 11:15).
13 Thy name, O LORD, is eternal, and thy memorial, O LORD, from generation to generation.
14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his slaves.
The name or nature of the Lord is eternal. This is primarily an indication of vastly superior quality (that is forever). The memorial of the Lord is from generation to generation, and he will select from each generation to participate in the first resurrection and reign with Christ upon the earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4–6). This goes in tandem with how the Lord will judge his people. A key thought to remember regarding this judgment is that he will repent himself concerning his slaves (God will help those who belong to him to repent).
The slaves of the Lord belong to him, and he provides for all of their needs. On our own, we are not even capable of complete repentance (of completely turning from our own way in order to go God’s way). Therefore, we are in desperate need of grace.
15 The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
16 They have a mouth, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see;
17 they have ears, but they do not hear; neither is there any spirit in their mouths.
Idols represent other gods. In the modern world, there continue to be many who worship all that is represented by silver and gold and the work of men’s hands. Idols, in whatever form, are unable to speak or give us guidance. They are blind to the dangers prevalent in the world around us. They are unable to really hear us or anyone else, and there is no spiritual life in them.
18 Let those that make them become like unto them and every one that trusts in them.
Those that make these idols and those that trust in them will never transcend into the eternal everlasting realm that God has prepared for those who love him.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel; bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi; ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion who dwells at Jerusalem. Halelu-JAH.
The house of Israel represents the people of God (Jew and Gentile are now one new “man” in Christ). The house of Aaron (means “enlightened”) represents the priesthood of all believers under the new covenant. The house of Levi (means “united”) represents those who truly belong to God (those who are his slaves). Those that fear the Lord have entered the path of wisdom. Zion is the house, or dwelling place, of the Lord at Jerusalem (representing the heavenly city of the peace of God). Now, of course, we are the temple. We are the dwelling place of God individually and corporately. Halelu-JAH.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we fervently desire to submit to you in all aspects of our being. May you provide for all our needs including our need to fully repent and turn from our own way, from anything that is not pleasing to you, so that we may truly bless you and others. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Chapter 136.
One hundred and thirty-six is two times sixty-eight (to pray without ceasing), or four times thirty-four (perfect charity), or eight times seventeen (a new beginning – dependence on God). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm. Each of the twenty-six couplets of this psalm end with the phrase, for his mercy endures for ever.651
Psalm 136
1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.
Only God is good, and his mercy endures forever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods, for his mercy endures for ever.
God is unique, and no other god can equal him, beginning with the fact that his mercy endures forever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures for ever.
This is the third time thanks is mentioned; it is implied in another eight verses and summed up in the final line for a total of twelve.
4 To the only one who does great wonders: for his mercy endures for ever.
No one else does great wonders, and the concept that his mercy endures forever is at the top of the list.
5 To him that by intelligence made the heavens: for his mercy endures for ever.
The heavens were made by God’s intelligence,652 and this is linked to his mercy.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures for ever.
The waters represent his word. This is the foundation of the earth, and it all comes back to his mercy.
7 To him that made the great lights: for his mercy endures for ever:
8 The sun to rule in the day: for his mercy endures for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule in the night: for his mercy endures for ever.
The great lights in the firmament of the heavens were to divide the day from the night and to be for signs and for appointed times and for days and years (Genesis 1:14). All this is linked to his mercy that endures forever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endures for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endures for ever:
12 With a strong hand and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endures for ever.
God, by his eternal mercy, brought out Israel from among the Egyptians by smiting the firstborn of the Egyptians who had enslaved them. God did this with a strong hand and a stretched out arm. God broke the power of the wicked Pharaoh with his strong hand and at the same time offered mercy with an outstretched arm ready to embrace those who would receive him, as symbolized by the Passover.
13 To him who divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endures for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endures for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endures for ever.
God parted the Red Sea, he led Israel to safely pass through the midst of it, and he overthrew Pharaoh and his host. All of this is linked to his mercy.
16 To him who led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endures for ever.
God continued to lead his people through the wilderness even when he had to extend the time by forty years due to unbelief, disobedience, and rebellion. He never failed to provide a pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night, manna every weekday, water from the rock, plus clothes and shoes that never wore out. This is because his mercy endures forever.
17 To him who smote great kings: for his mercy endures for ever.
18 And slew powerful kings: for his mercy endures for ever,
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endures for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endures for ever:
God was the one who smote great kings. God slew powerful kings, such as Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan,653 because his mercy endures forever. The Israelites had been complaining to the Lord about virtually everything including his provisions of manna (Numbers 21:5), yet he had mercy. Eventually those who were unbelieving and disobedient died off and God brought their children into victory over their enemies.
21 And gave their land for an inheritance: for his mercy endures for ever:
22 Even an inheritance unto Israel his slave: for his mercy endures for ever.
God brought down wicked kings and kingdoms and gave their land for an inheritance to his people, while at the same time, God’s people are God’s inheritance. Everything works out this way because his mercy endures forever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endures for ever:
24 And has redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endures for ever.
In our low position, we are slaves of the flesh, slaves of sin, and slaves of the world that is in darkness under the control of the devil. However, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
God has remembered us in our low estate and redeemed us from our enemies because his mercy endures forever.
25 Who gives food to all flesh: for his mercy endures for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of the heavens: for his mercy endures for ever.
Let us pray:
O God of the heavens, we give you thanks for remembering us in our low estate, for redeeming us from all our enemies, for providing for all our needs, and most of all for your mercy that endures forever. Amen.
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651 The British English “for ever” is equal to the American English compound “forever”.
652 Abraham was promised two types of descendants: as many as the stars of the heavens and as the sand of the seashore. As man builds better and better telescopes on earth and in space, some are now speculating that the number of celestial bodies that exist in the universe may be similar in number to the grains of sand contained in all the beaches of the seashore.
653 Numbers 21.
Chapter 137.
One hundred and thirty-seven is a prime number that does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
“Babylon” is symbolic of licentiousness (or moral unrestraint). This is where apostate Judah was held captive for seventy years while their land fulfilled its required sabbath rest, which had accumulated during four hundred and ninety years of failure to completely adhere to God’s requirements. Even so, God said that he would pardon Jerusalem if any could be found that execute judgment and seek the truth (Jeremiah 5:1). Sadly, this was not the case. Only one third of the inhabitants made it to Babylon alive, and it was by the rivers of Babylon that remorse and repentance began to set in as they remembered Zion. Something similar happened to Christianity during the long centuries that even secular historians have called the dark ages.654
2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof;
3 when there, those that carried us away captive asked us for the words of the song; with our harps of joy hung upon the willows saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
The first mention in Scripture of the willow is linked to the Feast of Tabernacles. When the captive Jews hung their harps on the willows by the rivers of Babylon and refused to sing the songs of Zion to their captors, we can only imagine the thoughts that must have been going through their minds:
4 How shall we sing the song of the LORD in the land of strangers?
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, my right hand shall be forgotten.
6 If I do not remember thee, my tongue shall cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I do not prefer to lift up Jerusalem as my chief joy.
According to the law of Moses, the people of God were required to celebrate three annual feasts of the Lord at the place God would choose (later confirmed as Jerusalem). Those who were captive in Babylon pined for Jerusalem and for the temple and for the annual celebrations of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. This set the stage for the return to rebuild the temple and the walls of Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah as soon as Cyrus (and later Ataxerxes) gave the necessary orders.655
7 Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation thereof.
Edom (means “red”) is a symbol of the natural man that likes to build his own kingdoms. Therefore, the sons of Edom opposed the kingdom of God even to the extent of encouraging the Babylonian army to destroy Jerusalem to its foundation. However, the real foundation of the city of God is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11), and no one will ever be able to bring him down.
8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards thee as thou hast served us.
9 Happy shall he be, that takes and dashes thy offspring against the stones.
Who is referred to here as the daughter of Babylon? This is a pagan, licentious Chaldean656 congregation that was dealt a severe blow by Darius the Median (Daniel 5:31) who was allied with Cyrus the Persian.
This, however, was a living parable of an end-time event that will take place when the “great prostitute,” on whose forehead was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Revelation 17:5), will be destroyed along with all of her offspring.657
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, may we always remain free from legalism and from licentiousness so that we may continue to sing the songs of Zion according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. May we never be overcome by the enemy and forced into the modern equivalent of hanging our harps on the willows beside the rivers of the Babylon of the world that surrounds us. May we always retain our identity as your people under our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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654 In his famous pamphlet, Martin Luther called these years the Babylonian captivity. Prelude on the Babylonian Captivity of the Church was published by Martin Luther in 1520.
655 It seems that the configuration of the inspired Psalms of David was finalized in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah to include Psalms 79 and 137 and possibly one or two others. This brought the total number of psalms to one hundred and fifty and gave the final numerical order that we now find so significant and compelling.
656 Chaldea has to do with spiritualism or witchcraft.
657 See Revelation Chapters 17 and 18.
Chapter 138.
One hundred and thirty-eight is two times sixty-nine (following the Good Shepherd), or three times forty-six (the fruitfulness of being cared for by God), or six times twenty-three (being perfected by the hand of God). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 138
A Psalm of David.
1 I will praise thee with my whole heart:658 before the gods I will sing praises unto thee. David publicly praises the Lord with his whole and undivided heart in front of whatever competition from other gods there may be.
2 I will worship the temple of thy holiness and praise thy name above thy mercy and thy truth; for thou hast made thy name to be magnificent and raised up thy spoken word above all things.
Jesus Christ, while on earth, was the temple of the holiness of the Father (John 2:19–21). The name of God has to do with his nature, which is displayed in human form by the Messiah. The letter of the written Word kills if not accompanied by the Spirit that brings life (2 Corinthians 3:6). It is in and through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, that the Father has made his name to be magnificent. Now Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, may dwell in the heart of every believer, which brings the written Word of God to life and reveals the spoken word of God so that we may enter into never-ending, unbroken fellowship with him. This is how God has raised up his spoken word above all things. In the highest sense, Jesus is the living Word of God (John 1:1) that the Father has raised up above all things (Ephesians 4:10).
3 In the day when I called, thou didst answer me and strengthen me with strength in my soul.
Throughout the psalms, David continually emphasizes (and pairs) God’s mercy and his truth. Even though this theme is absolutely essential, David declares that he will praise God’s name even above his mercy and his truth. The reason is that God has made his name to be magnificent and has raised up his spoken word above all things. When David called, God answered with his spoken word, and this translated into strength in David’s soul. The same can be true for us.
It is extremely important for us to appreciate God’s mercy and truth. How[1]ever, as God the Father draws us to the Lord Jesus, and as Jesus immerses us into the Holy Spirit and fire, we will begin to perceive how his spoken word brings us into intimate communion with the Son and with the Father by the Spirit. David found that this trumps everything.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hearken unto the spoken words from thy mouth.
The earth is symbolic of the people of God and in a broader sense can include the entire planet. When all the kings of the earth hearken unto (hear and obey) the spoken words from God’s mouth, this is when they will all praise the Lord.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
What does it mean for all the kings of the earth to sing in the ways of the Lord? I can’t wait to find out. When this prophecy comes true, it will demonstrate the greatness of the glory of the Lord.
6 For the LORD, who is high and lifted up, looks upon the humble, but the proud he does not know.
Those who hear and obey the spoken words of the mouth of God must humble themselves.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me; thou shalt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Like David, all of us who stand for the Lord here on the earth continue to walk in the midst of trouble. David knew that God would revive him, and so do we. David knew that God would stretch forth his hand against the wrath of his enemies, and so do we. David knew that God’s right hand would save him, and so do we.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; thy mercy, O LORD, endures for ever; forsake not the works of thine own hands.
In and through all the trouble that David experienced here on earth, he could prophesy: The LORD will perfect that which concerns me. David was confident of this due to his overwhelming conviction that the mercy of the Lord endures forever. If we, like David, have commended ourselves totally and completely into God’s capable hands so that he may intervene in our lives as he sees fit and form us according to his will, we may rest assured, according to the sure mercies promised to David, that God will never forsake the works of his own hands.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we ask that you might reveal your spoken word to us. May the day soon arrive when all the kings of the earth hearken unto and give undivided attention to the spoken words of your mouth. May all of us learn what it is to sing as we exclusively follow your ways. Amen.
****
658 This is the ninth and final time the phrase “whole heart” is used in the psalms (out of a total of twelve times overall in Scripture).
Chapter 139.
One hundred and thirty-nine is a prime number that occurs once in Scripture where all the porters numbered one hundred and thirty-nine in the census of those who left Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 2:42). In another place, the psalmist (possibly David) said: Behold, O God our shield and look upon the face of thine anointed, for a day in thy courts is better than a thousand outside of them. I would rather be a doorkeeper [or porter] in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Psalm 84:9–10).
Psalm 139
To the Overcomer, A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me and known me.
2 Thou knowest my sitting down and my rising up, thou dost understand my thoughts from afar.
David was known to be a man after God’s heart (and God certainly knows and understands his own heart). Daniel was also described as being heard and understood on high (Daniel 10:12). It is wonderful when we begin to understand more and more about God; however, David was able to direct himself to God and say, thou dost understand my thoughts from afar. When we understand God and God understands us, this means that we are compatible.
3 Thou hast girded my walk and my rest, and hast prepared all my ways.
4 For the word is not even upon my tongue, and, behold, O LORD, thou dost know it altogether.
When we have been brought into intimate fellowship and compatibility with God, we find that he has prepared and anticipated everything. David said, Thou hast girded my walk and my rest. He was covered (protected) when he walked and when he rested because God had prepared all David’s ways. In fact, when David went to express what was in his heart, even before he could open his mouth, God already knew what he was going to say because David’s heart was in tune with God’s heart.
This psalm soon becomes intensely prophetic and messianic (which includes the entire body of Christ).
5 Thou hast formed my face and my insides and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Thy knowledge is wonderful beyond my ability to comprehend; it is high, I cannot understand it.
Toward the end of his ministry on earth, Jesus told his somewhat bewildered disciples that if they had seen him, they had seen the Father (John 14:9). When our hearts are in tune with God, and when he has formed our “face” and our “insides” and laid his “hand” upon us, we truly begin to marvel as we, like David, contemplate his knowledge and wisdom, which is wonderful beyond our ability to comprehend.
7 Where shall I go from thy spirit? or where shall I flee from thy presence?
Paul described this as a great mystery: Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:26–27). If God places his Spirit within us, then wherever we go, his Spirit and presence will be with us. In the OT this happened from time to time with special people, but it was not until the death and resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit was made available to every believer.
8 If I ascend to the heavens, thou art there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.
In the tabernacle of Moses, the holy of holies, which was behind the second veil and contained the ark of the testimony, was a representation of the virtually unattainable heavenly realm. (Even in the OT, prior to the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, reconciliation with God depend[1]ed on and anticipated the righteousness of Christ.) The tabernacle of David is a living parable of how the new covenant works (see appendix A).
Jesus Christ, through the eternal Spirit, is the one who offered himself without spot to God (Hebrews 9:14). It was Jesus who descended and made his bed in Sheol and then ascended back to the heavens (Ephesians 4:8–10). It was Jesus’s unbroken fellowship with the Father by the Spirit that brought him through his incarnation, death, and resurrection. If we are in Christ, we have his promise that he will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
9 If I take the wings of the dawn and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
The wings of the dawn represent the anticipation and revelation of a new day in God. The uttermost parts of the sea is where hopeless clusters of unredeemed humanity reside. This is where the hand of God will lead us with the gospel. This is where the right hand of his authority will hold us and sustain us if and when he sends us.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall shine because of me.
12 Even the darkness does not hide from thee; but the night shines as the day; the darkness is as the light.
God can send us into the pitch-black spiritual darkness of the kingdoms of this world, and his presence in and through us will make it so that even the night shall shine. Jesus told his disciples, Ye are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14a).
13 For thou hast possessed my kidneys: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
Our “kidneys” are similar to our conscience. David was covered by the Spirit of God from his mother’s womb, and God has had his hand on many of his people from before they were physically born. God has also had his hand on all of his people from before they were born again. If we have become part of the new creation, then it is the Jerusalem of above that is the mother of us all (Galatians 4:26). It is from here that God has covered all the members of the body of Christ.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works, and that, my soul knows right well. This is true both in the natural and in the spiritual.
15 My body was not hid from thee, even though I was made in secret and brought together in the lowest parts of the earth.
God has been adding members to the body of Christ in secret. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50); therefore, the body of this corporate overcomer under the headship of Jesus (to which fifty-five psalms, including this one, are dedicated) must be brought together in the lowest parts of the earth, in the grave, through physical death. Our path to resurrection and victory goes through the grave, and the last enemy that will be defeated is death (1 Corinthians 15:26).
16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which were then formed, without lacking one of them.
God’s eye saw the substance of the body of Christ yet being imperfect while we were being formed (as we were being born and raised in the natural). Even though Jesus never sinned, Scripture clearly states that although he was the Son of God, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal saving health unto all those that hearken unto him (Hebrews 5:8–9).
From before time, God wrote down all the members (or parts) of the body of Christ in his book, which then were formed, without lacking one of them. It is interesting to note that when Judas, one of the original twelve disciples, disqualified himself and then committed suicide, the Scripture states, let another take his office (Psalm 109:8; Acts 1:20). In order for the body of Christ to be complete, a particular member formed to the particular preordained specifications of that “office” has to be there.
No part of our human existence is left to fate or chance in light of this Scripture. David acknowledges that the span of our days is determined by God’s will. This speaks to God’s sovereignty over the creation of individual lives and the body of Christ.
17 Therefore, how precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with thee.
God’s thoughts are infinite and so are the possibilities for those who shall inherit all things with Christ. Regarding Abraham, a father of faith, God said: Therefore there sprang even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable (Hebrews 11:12).
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God; depart from me therefore, ye bloodthirsty men.
There were a number of bloodthirsty men mixed in with David’s army who turned out to be wicked, even though they seemed to have many positive qualities. In the end, however, the truth will eventually come out, and it is God who decides who is wicked.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Non-Christians who cuss and swear are not the only ones to take God’s name in vain. Hypocrites who run around piously saying “praise the Lord” and “hallelujah” do this even more subtly even while they go about their secret, selfish corrupt agendas.
21 Do I not hate all those, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them mine enemies.
What is perfect hatred? This is when we completely reject those who have completely rejected the Lord, when we grieve over those who have risen up against him. Whether we like it or not, these are our enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts.
24 and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way eternal.
David wanted God to search him and know his heart. David wanted God to test him and prove him and know his thoughts to make sure that he was not deceiving himself. David did not trust his own judgment regarding himself. He wanted God to thoroughly inspect every aspect of his being and make sure there was no wicked way in him that might eventually cause trouble. David did not even trust his own goals and ambitions. He made sure to insist that God lead him along the path of eternal life. This is a worthy example for every one of us to follow.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we also desire for you to search us and try us and know our thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in us that might hinder or deviate us from your way of eternal life. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Chapter 140.
One hundred and forty, in a positive sense, is two times seventy (trusting God’s promises), or four times thirty-five (deliverance according to God’s mercy and grace), or five times twenty-eight (securely covered), or seven times twenty (under God’s word and covering there shall be peace), or ten times fourteen (salvation according to the word of the Lord). This number occurs once in Scripture when, after God restored him, Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations (Job 42:16).
Psalm 140
To the Overcomer, A Psalm of David.
1 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man; preserve me from the man of violence.
2 Who devise evil in their heart; they are continually gathered together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.
Those who are evil are linked to violence. Those who devise evil in their hearts are continually gathered together for war. With their venomous words they promote and instigate conflict.
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the man of violence, who have purposed to overthrow my steps.
5 The proud have hid a snare for me and cords; they have spread a net; on the path they have set snares for me. Selah.
David knew that if it weren’t for the Lord keeping us and protecting us, we would not be safe. The wicked promote violence and use every manner of lies and deception in their attempts to overthrow the steps of the righteous.
6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my saving health, cover thou my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further his wicked thought lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
David exalted God and trusted him for protection in the day of battle. The wicked desire to exalt themselves.
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the perversion of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they not rise up again.
11 The man with an evil tongue shall not be established in the earth; evil shall hunt the man of violence to overthrow him.
Evil will eventually turn on its perpetrators and overthrow them.
12 I know that the LORD will effect the judgment of the poor and the judgment of the destitute.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
If we are poor in spirit (poor in pride) we will benefit from the judgments of God. Those who are righteous will also be thankful for all that God has done, is doing, and will do for them (and for all those who are poor and destitute). I can’t think of a healthier, safer, more desirable place to dwell than in the presence of the Lord. This is reserved exclusively for the upright.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, may arrogance and pride be absent from our hearts. May we be the beneficiaries of your righteous judgments. May you intervene and deliver us from the lies and snares and violence perpetrated against us by our enemies. May those who devise evil and promote violence reap the consequences of what they sow. We will continually give thanks to your name and we look forward to dwelling in your presence for all eternity. Amen.
Chapter 141.
One hundred and forty-one is three times forty-seven (the fruit of discernment). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 141
A Psalm of David.
1 LORD, I have called unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, the gift of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
When we are in a blood covenant with God (as described by the evening sacrifice), then our prayer is heard and the gift of our hands is acceptable to him. When we put our life on the altar, this is when the life of Christ may come forth in and through us.
3 Set a watch, O LORD, upon my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to do works with ungodliness with the men that work iniquity, and let me not eat of their dainties.
God’s advice to Solomon was: Above all else, guard thy heart; for out of it flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus said, Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). If the Lord is to set a “watch” on our mouth and keep the “door” of our lips (so that our words are always pleasing to him), then he must deal with our hearts. When our hearts are lined up straight with God, then we will not be inclined to any evil thing or do ungodly activities with the people that work iniquity. Remember that iniquity is sin that perpetrators hide while they attempt to pass themselves off as being righteous. This is why it is so important for us to discern what is really going on and not eat of their dainties (delicacies).
5 Let the righteous smite me in mercy, and let him reprove me: and let not a flattering evil prince anoint my head, for my prayer shall ever be against his evil.
It is much better to submit to the chastisement and reproof of righteous God than to succumb to flattery and pomp from the devil. David had the discernment to be able to unequivocally say, my prayer shall ever be against his evil.
6 Their judges shall be thrown down from strong places; they shall hearken unto my words; for they are sweet.
Whose judges will be thrown down from strong places? Those of the flattering evil prince. David had experienced a number of situations like this where he put down evil rulers and reformed their justice system. Eventually, David’s sweet inspired words (and songs) prevailed.
7 Our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol, as when one cuts and cleaves wood upon the earth.
8 Therefore mine eyes look unto thee, O GOD the Lord; in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
Our bones represent our formation and structure. When we attempt to do God’s work in our own way, mortality sets in and soon our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol. Our dead works become the equivalent of a pile of firewood. This is why David decided to fix his eyes on God. Unless we trust the Lord and depend upon him, our soul will be left destitute (with nothing of eternal value).
9 Keep me from the hands of the snare which they have laid for me, and from the snares of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall together into their own nets, whilst I pass on ahead forever.
At least one of the snares that the workers of iniquity have laid for us is flattery. David decided to let them fall together into their own nets (as they flattered one another) while he passed on ahead forever.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, may you circumcise our hearts and set a watch over our lips. Deliver us from the flattery and false anointing of the evil prince as we submit to your guidance and correction. May we receive discernment to not join the workers of iniquity in their ungodliness or partake of their delicacies so that we may let the wicked fall into their own nets as we pass on ahead forever. Amen.
Chapter 142.
One hundred and forty-two is two times seventy-one (choosing to stop and wait upon the Lord). This number does not occur in Scripture except in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 142
Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.
1 I shall cry unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice shall I ask the LORD for mercy.
2 I shall pour out my complaint before him; before him I shall tell of my trouble.
Throughout his entire life, David’s most consistent prayer request was for mercy, even when it was very clear that he had not done anything wrong.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou didst know my path. In the way in which I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.
David went from being an important general in the army of Israel (and son-in- law to the king) to narrowly avoiding a trap and then fleeing for his life.
4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no one that would know me; I had no refuge; no one cared for my soul.
At this time, virtually everyone had turned against him. With a few trusted men, he was holed up in the cave of Adullam (means “righteousness” or “justice of the people”).
5 I cried unto thee, O LORD; I said, Thou art my hope and my portion in the land of the living.659
The Lord is David’s hope and his “portion,” or inheritance, in the land of the living. David knows for sure that his physical (and spiritual) life depends upon the Lord, and therefore, he is not taking anything for granted.
6 Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison,660 that I may praise thy name; the righteous shall feast with me; when thou shalt have weaned me.
David knows that God is the only one that can provide deliverance from his persecutors. David feels that his soul is in prison, for he has lost his freedom; we can easily understand his desire to praise the name of the Lord as soon as his situation is rectified. However, what does the last line mean? The righteous shall feast with me; when thou shalt have weaned me. David mentions this theme in another of his psalms: Rather I have quieted myself and caused my soul to become silent, that I might be as a child that is weaned of his mother, as one who is weaned from my own life (Psalm 131:2).
David has received the revelation that when God has weaned him away from his own life – when God has become the center of his existence – then the righteous will feast with him. When the righteous come together for a feast, God is the center of attraction. After he became king of Israel, David made sure that this was truly the case whenever the three annual feasts of the Lord were celebrated in Zion.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for all the many times that you have intervened to deliver us from all of the difficult and impossible situations that you have used – and are still using – to wean us from our own life so that we may feast with the righteous. Amen.
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659 This is the fourth and final time that “the land of the living” is quoted from Job in the book of Psalms.
660 I carefully studied this psalm on January 2, 1984, on my 142nd day of captivity by the FARC rebels in the jungle of Colombia, taking particular note of verses 6 and 7. The very next day I was released.
Chapter 143.
One hundred and forty-three is eleven times thirteen (the kingdom of Jesus Christ, the land of uprightness). This number does not occur in the Scriptures other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 143
A Psalm of David.
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications for the sake of thy truth; answer me for the sake of thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with thy slave; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
The only way for any of us to be justified (or lined up with God’s truth) is through the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
When he wrote Psalm 142, David had been living (apparently for quite a while) in a cave that was somewhat similar to a grave.
4 Therefore my spirit has become overwhelmed within me; my heart within me has become desolate.
This sounds as though David is still in the cave.
5 I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all thy works; I mused on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretched forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsted after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
We don’t know how long David and his men were confined to the cave of Adullam as they sat and remembered the days of old. During this time, David says, I meditated on all thy works; I mused on the work of thy hands. David has became more and more centered on the Lord instead of on himself. In response, he stretches his hands forward in a posture of prayer, and his soul thirsts for God as one would in a desert land.661
7 Hear me speedily, O LORD; my spirit fails; hide not thy face from me lest I be like those that go down into the grave.
8 Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning, for in thee do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto thee.
David has been holed up in the cave of Adullam (means “the righteousness of the people”), and now he is about to leave off trusting in his own righteousness and begin to walk with God in a new day that must begin with God’s mercy in the morning. It is by God’s mercy that David will have the necessary light and guidance to know the way in which he should walk.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I flee unto thee.
There will now be a major change of direction: instead of fleeing from his enemies, David will flee to the Lord, and the Lord will deliver him from his enemies.
10 Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightness.
Instead of continuing with doing what he thinks is right, David wants God to teach him to do God’s will. It will require the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit to leave all that is represented by the cave of Adullam and enter into the land of uprightness.
11 By thy name, O LORD, thou shalt give me life; by thy righteousness thou shalt bring my soul out of trouble.
David received a stunning revelation as he was leaving the cave:662 we will be given life by the name (or nature) of the Lord. By the righteousness of Jesus Christ (imparted into our lives by the Holy Spirit), God will bring our soul out of trouble and lead us into the land of uprightness.
12 And by thy mercy thou shalt scatter my enemies and destroy all the adversaries of my soul; for I am thy slave.
By God’s mercy, he will scatter our enemies and destroy all the adversaries of our soul when we truly and sincerely acknowledge that we belong to him.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, let us never forget that we depend on your life and on your righteousness to bring our soul out of trouble. Please surround us with your truth and with your mercy so that we may learn to do the will of God. May your good Spirit lead us into the land of uprightness. Amen.
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661 See Psalm 63:1.
662 I can confirm this because I received a similar revelation of truth when I left the jungle guerrilla camp behind (where I had been tied to a tree for 143 days). Miraculously and by the mercy of God, I found myself seated once again at the controls of my airplane (where this adventure had begun) and soared into the sky to enjoy my unlimited freedom at 10:00 a.m. on January 3, 1984, on exactly (to the day and the hour) the twentieth anniversary of our family ministry in Colombia, which began when our plane landed in Bogotá on the morning of January 3, 1964. God’s mighty hand of mercy and truth and victory has been continually upon us ever since.
Chapter 144.
One hundred and forty-four is two times seventy-two (doubling down on God’s order), or three times forty-eight (the fruitfulness of God’s set times), or four times thirty-six (redemption from the depravity of man), or six times twenty-four (blessed under the government of God), or eight times eighteen (the new song of the new creation), or nine times sixteen (selected for the first resurrection), or twelve squared (the consequences of doing things God’s way). This number occurs once in Scripture regarding the wall of the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, which measures a hundred and forty-four cubits (Revelation 21:17).663
Psalm 144
A Psalm of David.
1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, who trains my hands for the battle and my fingers for the war:
It did not take David very long to realize that he was in the middle of a war that would contain many battles (in fact, the spiritual aspects of this war have intensified, and the battles continue). David found his strength in the Lord, who was training (or guiding) David’s hands and even his “fingers,” whether he was shooting his bow or plucking the strings of his lyre or harp.
2 My mercy and my fortress; my high tower and my deliverer; my shield and he in whom I trust, who subdues my people under me.
David was not a control freak. He trusted the Lord to subdue his people under the authority that God had given him as king. David’s people followed him out of love and respect because God’s hand was upon him.
3 LORD, what is man that thou knowest him? or the son of man, that thou esteemeth him?
4 Man is like unto vanity; his days are as a shadow that passes away.
David considered it a rare privilege for God to seek his friendship; it was a great honor for God to esteem someone like him. David saw that man is like unto vanity (like a breath) and his days are as a shadow that passes away.664 However, God sees that our brief time here upon this temporal earth can be a time of preparation and of training so that he may grant us responsibility regarding things of eternal value. This is why it is so important for us to seek God and discover what he desires to do for us, in us, and through us instead of trying to use God to obtain selfish, temporal gain.
5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning and scatter them; shoot out thine arrows and destroy them.
The kingdoms of this world (represented here as mountains) are no match for the Lord. One touch from him will cause them to smoke and burn. The lightning of his presence will scatter them, and the arrows of his truth will destroy them.
7 Send thine hand from above; redeem me and deliver me out of many waters, from the hand of the strange sons,
8 whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
The “strange sons” that David was concerned about were the Israelite servants of Saul who claimed to belong to the people of God. However, their mouth was filled with vanity (with useless, worthless words) and their right hand (or power) was derived from lies instead of from the truth.
9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God; upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings I will sing praises unto thee.
10 Thou, he who gives salvation unto kings, who redeems David his slave from the evil sword.
The new song of praise may only be learned by the redeemed (Revelation 14:3). It is sung upon a psaltery (or lyre) and an instrument of ten strings (the number ten being symbolic of the word of God).
11 Redeem me, and save me from the hand of strange sons, whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
In order to be saved from the hand of strange sons, redemption is required. The redeemed of the Lord sing the new song (which includes a lifestyle that brings praise to the Lord), and the truth of God comes out of their mouths instead of the vanity of the strange sons whose entire lifestyle is false and hypocritical.
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace;
If we are redeemed, saved, and learn the new song, then our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth (they will quickly grow up to maturity and bear good fruit of the Spirit) and our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace (forming homes and even entire congregations on a sure foundation, multiplying the regal class and polish of God’s royal priesthood).
13 that our garners may be full, affording all manner of store; that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets;
14 that our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in nor going out; that there be no shout of alarm in our streets.
When our sons and daughters turn out right, this ensures that our garners may be full, affording all manner of store. This means that God will supply all of our need according to his riches in glory. Having optimum quality sons and daughters (physically and spiritually) also makes it possible so that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets. David saw this happen both in the natural and in the spiritual.
The blessing of having the right kind of sons and daughters continues: that our oxen may be strong to labour and produce grain abundantly (spiritually this has to do with humble servants of God that minister his truth abundantly to his people); that there be no breaking in nor going out (no thieves or robbers will be tolerated and there will be no schisms); that there be no shout of alarm in our streets (no attacks by foreign armies, no civil strife, no pandemics, no cause whatsoever for alarm or panic).
15 Blessed is that people, that is in such a case; yea, blessed is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, may we be counted among your blessed people. May our lifestyle and the lifestyle of our sons and daughters glorify you and bring praise to your name. Amen.
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663 It also occurs three times as part of a larger number (Revelation 7:4; 14:1, 3).
664 See also Psalm 39:4–6; 102:11.
Chapter 145.
One hundred and forty-five is five (having to do with mercy and grace) times twenty-nine (having to do with the voice of the Lord). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 145
David’s Psalm of praise.
1 Aleph I will extol thee, my God, my king, and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
2 Beth Each day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
3 Gimel Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 Daleth One generation shall praise thy works to another and shall declare thy mighty acts.
It is absolutely essential that each successive generation receives personal testimony of the works and mighty acts of God. This is why David declares: One generation shall praise thy works to another and shall declare thy mighty acts.
5 He I will speak of the beauty of the glory of thy majesty and of thy wondrous works. David refers to the glory of the majesty and wondrous works of God in terms of its beauty.
6 Vau And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts, and I will declare thy greatness.
7 Zain They shall proclaim the memory of thy great goodness and shall sing of thy righteousness.
The might of God’s terrible acts and the declaration of his greatness are linked to his character, which is the personification of great goodness and righteousness and is the motivation behind David’s song.
8 Cheth The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and of great mercy.
9 Teth The LORD is good to all; and his tender mercies shine over all his works.
Even though he is the perpetrator of terrible acts, the Lord dispenses grace and compassion. It is definitely possible to make him mad, yet he is slow to anger and shows great mercy. David defines the Lord as being good to all. Quite a statement! David continues: And his tender mercies shine over all his works.
10 Jod Let all thy works praise thee, O LORD, and thy merciful ones bless thee.
If we are the work of his hands and if the Lord is defined by his goodness and by the fact that his tender mercies shine over all his works, then it follows that if we belong to him, we will become merciful ones who are a blessing to him (as opposed to those who cause nothing but trouble for him and for everyone else).
11 Caph They speak of the glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power,
12 Lamed to make known to the sons of Adam his mighty acts and the glory of the magnificence of his kingdom.
God’s merciful ones don’t brag about themselves. They speak of the glory of God’s kingdom and talk of his power. They evangelize the unconverted sons of Adam with firsthand knowledge and testimony of God’s mighty acts and the glory of the magnificence of his kingdom.
13 Mem Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations.
Although God’s kingdom has a brilliant eternal future (and will never be corrupted), it is a kingdom of all ages (even though it has been rejected by many), and God’s dominion endures throughout all generations (every single person of every generation that has ever lived or that will ever live will eventually submit to the judgment of God).
14 Samech665 The LORD upholds all that fall and raises up all those that are oppressed.
15 Ain The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their food in due season.
16 Pe Thou dost open thine hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
God is the source of all life (natural or spiritual). The Lord upholds all that fall (he is not trying to trip anyone up or cause them to stumble) and raises up all those that are oppressed (if someone is down and out, the Lord is always ready to lend a helping hand). However, for those who blatantly reject the Lord, it is clear in Scripture that he will not force himself upon them.
David, with prophetic sight, can anticipate a time when The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou dost give them their food in due season (in fact, even now this is true concerning those who have been born again and are spiritually alive with the life of Christ). Thou dost open thine hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing (but what about those who are dead in trespasses and sin?).
17 Tzaddi The LORD is righteous in all his ways and merciful in all his works.
18 Koph The LORD is near unto all those that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Those who live in spiritual darkness and death may call upon the Lord. If they call upon him “in truth” (sincerely), they will find that he is near.
19 Resh He will fulfil the desire of those that fear him; he also will hear their cry and will save them.
Those who call upon him in truth will not treat him lightly. Those who demonstrate deep respect, reverence, and fear toward the Lord will not go unnoticed by him. When the Lord fulfills our desire and hears our cry and saves us, we will most certainly begin to love him with all our being.
20 Schin The LORD preserves all those that love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
For those who wonder if they are saved, let me ask you a simple question: do you truly love the Lord? If so, here is your promise: The LORD preserves all those that love him.
Therefore, it follows that all those that love the Lord (unlike the wicked) will continually praise him.
21 Tau My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we are extremely grateful when we contemplate what you have done for us, all that you provide for us, and your wonderful promises regarding the future. Truly, this is way more than we can even begin to comprehend. Truly, your greatness is unsearchable. We ask that we may be able to praise your works to the next generation in a worthy manner and bear testimony of your mighty acts. Amen.
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665 This psalm of praise of David has an interesting tweak. In the style of Hebrew poetry displayed in several psalms, where each verse or couplet begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet (twenty-two in total), here in verse 14 it jumps from the letter Mem to Samech, omitting Nun, the fourteenth letter of the alphabet. This makes it so that this psalm has a total of twenty-one couplets (three times seven). Another thought regarding the missing fourteenth letter (fourteen being the number that represents the Passover and salvation) is that even though God has made provision for everything (as outlined in this psalm), he will not force salvation upon anyone. We must respond to his goodness and mercy and request it.
Chapter 146.
One hundred and forty-six is two times seventy-three (the pure in heart of Zion). This number does not occur in the Scriptures other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 146
1 Halelu-JAH. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 In my life I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises unto my God while I live.
It is important that our life (and lifestyle) be clean and pure and pleasing to the Lord. Clean hands and a pure heart are necessary if we are to participate in the blessing (Psalm 24:3).
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man in whom there is no salvation.
4 His spirit shall go forth, he shall return to his earth; in that very day all his thoughts shall perish.
God formed Adam from the dust of the ground, and God breathed into him the spirit of life (Genesis 2:7). After death, the natural man will decompose into dust (Genesis 3:19). However, when man dies and is buried, his spirit shall go forth, and on the judgment day there will be a general resurrection and accounting. After this, anyone not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:11–15).
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God;
6 who made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is therein; who keeps truth for ever:
Those who are written in the book of life are happy and receive help from the God of Jacob (they receive comfort and regeneration by the Holy Spirit). Their eternal hope is in the Lord who made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is therein. Even though the heavens and the earth will pass away and be replaced with a new heaven and a new earth where there is no more sea (Revelation 21:1), Jesus said that his words shall not pass away (Mathew 24:35). This is because God keeps truth for ever.
7 He who does justice unto the oppressed; who gives bread to the hungry. The LORD looses the prisoners:
When our hope is in the Lord, then we leave things such as vengeance in his capable hands. If we feed on what God says, we will be released from our prison; we will be brought into freedom. Jesus is the very personification of the truth (John 14:6). Jesus is the bread that God sent from heaven (John 6:48–51). Jesus said, ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free (John 8:32). As we walk with Jesus and feed on the truth, many promises follow:
8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD raises those that are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous:
Only the Lord can open the eyes of the blind (naturally and spiritually). Jesus loves to raise up those that are bowed down. After Jesus opens our eyes and straightens us out, we soon come to the obvious, yet startling, revelation: The Lord loves the righteous.
9 The LORD preserves the strangers; he raises up the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
If we walk with Jesus, then we are strangers and pilgrims in a hostile world that disowns us and hates us as it has disowned and hated him. However, the Lord preserves the strangers; he raises up the fatherless and widow. He provides for us and becomes our inheritance, but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, from generation to generation. Halelu-JAH.
Let us pray:
O Lord, may you reign forever. May you reign from generation to generation in us and in our extended families. May we live to see your grace and mercy and truth and protection upon our children and upon our children’s children. Amen.
Chapter 147.
One hundred and forty-seven is three times forty-nine (the fruit of abiding in God’s rest) or seven times twenty-one (making peace our borders). This number does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 147
1 Halelu-JAH: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for praise is pleasant and beautiful.
2 The LORD, he who builds up Jerusalem; shall gather together the outcasts of Israel.
In the natural realm over the past seventy or eighty years, we have certainly seen the hand of the Lord building up Jerusalem and gathering together the outcasts of Israel. Something similar has also been taking place in the spiritual realm, and this will intensify. Those who are registered citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem are being built up and gathered together in Christ.
3 He heals the broken hearted, and he binds up their wounds.
In meetings across countries such as Colombia and Venezuela, when we ask the people if they have a broken heart, it is common to see a majority of hands go up all over the auditoriums (I suspect this may be the case in many countries of the world). The Lord specializes in healing the brokenhearted, and he binds up their wounds so that they may turn to him with their whole heart.
4 He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names.
God gave a promise that Abraham claimed by faith and God confirmed to Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26:1–6; Exodus 32:13) that his “seed” would be as the stars of the heaven, innumerable, and that all the Gentiles of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:15–18). Even though God knew Abraham would not be able to number the stars (Genesis 15:5), God counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord and of great power; his intelligence is infinite.
6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked down to the earth.
According to God’s great power and infinite intelligence, he chooses to lift up the humble and cast the wicked down to earth. Jesus put it this way: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens (Matthew 5:3). God loves to register the humble as citizens of heaven (Hebrews 12:23) even while he promises to cast the wicked (including Satan and his evil principalities) down to the earth (Revelation 12:7–9).
7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
The humble certainly have great motivation to sing with thanksgiving unto the Lord.
8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares the rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He who gives the beast his food and to the sons of the ravens666 which cry unto him.
The Lord covers the heavens with clouds to prepare the rain for the earth. It is the blessing of the word of God that makes the grass to grow upon the mountains. God’s heavenly people are compared to clouds, and God uses his special people, those who seek eternal heavenly treasure instead of temporal earthly gain, to bring forth his word.667
10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; nor does he take pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD takes pleasure in those that fear him, in those that wait upon his mercy.
The horse is another symbol of the strength and ability of the natural man. The Lord does not take pleasure in our capabilities (even though we have received all of this as gifts from God). The Lord takes pleasure in the humble, in those who fear the Lord and wait upon his mercy.
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
13 For he has strengthened the bars of thy gates; he has blessed thy sons within thee.
Jerusalem and Zion are symbolic of the kingdom of the heavens, and the Lord has strengthened the bars of her gates so that the wicked (who are proud and unclean) may not enter. The sons of God’s kingdom have clean hands and pure hearts that have been cleansed by the spoken word of God so that they may participate in the blessing (John 15:3).
14 He who makes peace to be thy borders shall fill thee with the finest of the wheat.
In the beginning, God gave the green grass as food for the beasts (and man without God is a beast; see v. 9) and the grass-bearing seed (such as wheat) as food for man (Genesis 1:29–30). When God makes peace to be the borders of his people, this is linked to being filled with the finest of the wheat. 668
15 He sends forth his word upon earth; his word runs very swiftly.
Sometimes God’s word comes down from the clouds like rain and flows very swiftly in streams and rivers.
16 He who gives snow like wool scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He casts forth his ice like morsels; who can stand before his cold?
Sometimes his word comes forth like snow or frost or ice and is stored up by the cold until the proper time and season.
18 He shall send forth his word and melt them; his wind shall blow, and the waters shall flow.
When he decides, he will send forth his word and melt the snow and frost and ice that are like treasures of his storehouse (Job 38:22). Then his wind (same word as Spirit) will blow, and the waters will flow. This is beginning to happen once again.
19 He declares his words unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
Israel was named Jacob before he had a face-to-face encounter with God. Those who are not fully converted can receive the Word of God like green grass (they can feed on the historical truth recorded in the Scriptures), but in order to understand God’s statutes and judgments, we must be reconciled with God and in tune with his Spirit (then he will fill us with the finest of the wheat).
20 He has not dealt so with the other nations, which have not known his judgments. Halelu-JAH.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we ask that we might know your judgments so that we will not be like the other nations who are not your people. Amen.
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666 Ravens can fly in the heavens, but they feed on dead flesh or carrion. This is symbolic of what has happened to the angels that follow Satan. The demons operate in the spiritual realm but feed off of rebellious humanity that has rejected God and, therefore, is dead in trespasses and sin.
667 He also said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring forth and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full grain in the ear (Mark 4:26–28).
668 “The finest of the wheat” is the bread that comes from heaven (Jesus Christ).
Chapter 148.
One hundred and forty-eight is two times seventy-four (God’s people shall inherit the earth) or four times thirty-seven (our inheritance in Christ). This number is used once when Scripture records: The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred and forty-eight (Nehemiah 7:44). Actually, Psalm 148 seems to be a continuation of Psalm 74, a Maschil of Asaph written during the Babylonian captivity.
Psalm 148
1 Halelu-JAH. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights.
2 Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise ye him, sun and moon; praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens and ye waters that are above the heavens.
All creation will praise God. Note that this includes the waters that are above the heavens (see also Genesis 1:6–8). Eventually, the heavens and the earth will pass away and be transformed into new heavens and a new earth. Jesus said, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Mark 13:31). The waters that are above the heavens represent the word of God and Jesus, the living Word of God, ascended up far above all heavens (Ephesians 4:10).
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD; for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He has established them for ever and ever: he has made a law which shall not be broken.
What is the law that shall not be broken? David wrote, I will worship the temple of thy holiness and praise thy name above thy mercy and thy truth; for thou hast made thy name to be magnificent and raised up thy spoken word above all things (Psalm 138:2).
Jesus died to redeem us (and all of creation); then he rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father. This brought about a change in the priesthood and in the law under a better covenant (Hebrews 7:12). Jesus is now our eternal high priest under the order of Melchisedec. The apostle Paul sums up the law that God has made that will not be broken: Therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is Lord in the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9–11).
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps,
8 fire and hail; snow and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word,
9 mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars,
10 beasts and all animals; creeping things and flying fowl,
11 kings of the earth and all the peoples, princes and all judges of the earth,
12 both young men and maidens, the old with the children,
An awesome and comprehensive list with deep natural and spiritual implications, this psalm begins with praise for the Lord from the heavens, and now the praise is commanded to continue from the earth. In the end, God will derive praise from everyone and everything in heaven and on earth.669
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD; for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above earth and heavens.
Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord above the earth and heavens. 670
14 He has exalted the horn of his people; let all his merciful ones praise him; even of the sons of Israel, the people near unto him. Halelu-JAH.671
When God exalts the horn of his people, this not only means that he has lifted them up in power and might and voice but also, in the highest sense, the horn of his people is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, let all his merciful ones praise him. The sons of Israel are the sons of God. They are the people who are close to him. This is the order of Melchisedec; this is the royal priesthood. Halelu-JAH.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, we look forward with great anticipation to the day when every detail of this prophetic psalm becomes reality. Amen.
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669 My father used to say that God would never let a human life go to waste. If for nothing else, a person can always serve as a bad example.
670 And above the heaven that was over their heads was the figure of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the figure of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man seated upon it. And I saw something that looked like the colour of amber, that appeared to have fire round about within it, which could be seen from his loins upward; and from his loins downward, I saw what looked like fire, and it had brightness round about that looked like the bow of heaven that is in the clouds in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And I saw it and fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke (Ezekiel 1:26–28). Compare this with Revelation 6:12–17.
671 Halelu-JAH is a way of saying praise the Lord.
Chapter 149.
One hundred and forty-nine is a prime number that does not occur in Scripture other than in the title of this psalm.
Psalm 149
1 Halelu-JAH. Sing unto the LORD a new song, let his praise be in the congregation of the merciful.
Only those who were redeemed from the earth may learn the new song (Revelation 14:3). Jesus said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7). The new song of the redeemed praises God in the congregation of the merciful.
2 Let Israel rejoice with his Maker; let the sons of Zion be joyful with their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
There are joyous times ahead for Israel (for the people of God) and for the sons of Zion (those who overcome) when Jesus returns in power and glory with all his saints.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he will beautify the humble with saving health.
The Lord takes pleasure in his people (present tense); however, in the near future he will beautify the humble with saving health.
5 The merciful shall be joyful with glory; they shall sing aloud upon their beds.
When the merciful are joyful with glory and sing aloud upon their beds, this means that they will be at rest.
6 The high praises of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand,
What are the high praises of God? In this psalm, they are linked to the new song of the redeemed and the praise coming forth in the congregation of the merciful. When God’s merciful ones are completely at rest in Christ, then the high praises of God shall be in their mouth and a twoedged sword in their hand.
7 to execute vengeance upon the Gentiles and punishments upon the peoples,
8 to imprison their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,
9 to execute upon them the judgment written: this shall be glory for all his merciful ones. Halelu-JAH.
Here is a parallel passage:
Revelation 11
15 And the seventh angel sounded the trumpet, and there were great voices in the heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are reduced unto our Lord and to his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the twenty-four elders, who sat before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God,
17 saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who art and wast, and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned.
When the Lord God Almighty takes his great power and begins to reign upon the earth, this will trigger the events described in Psalm 149.
18 And the Gentiles were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou should give the reward unto thy slaves the prophets and to the saints and those that fear thy name, to the small and to the great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of his testament was seen in his temple: and there were lightnings and voices and thunderings and earthquakes and great hail.
God dwells among his heavenly people. Under the new covenant, we are the temple of God. It is in God’s plan to rejoin heaven and earth. When the temple of God is opened in heaven, this is when the ark of his testament will be seen. The ark of his testament is Jesus Christ, and the ark will be seen in the heavenly temple of God. This is the revelation of Jesus Christ (and his entire body) at his second coming (Jude 14–15). In the day of the voice of the seventh angel when he shall begin to sound the trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as he did evangelize unto his servants the prophets (Revelation 10:7).
When the seventh trumpet begins to sound, the mystery of God shall be finished. When did it begin? Paul gives us the history: The mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints, to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery in the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:26–27).
Psalm 149 describes exactly what will happen when the mystery of God will be finished. There will be a great and joyous celebration among the congregation of the merciful when Jesus and all the saints that have gone on before are reunited with those of us who are alive and remain (1 Thessalonians 4:14–18); in addition, even while the high praises of God are in our mouth, there will also be a two-edged sword in the hand of each member of the entire body of Christ to execute judgment and vengeance according to the perfect will of our Lord (Revelation 19:11–16).
Psalm 149 finishes with our honor and privilege: This shall be glory for all his merciful ones. Halelu-JAH.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we are at a loss for adequate words to express our deepest appreciation for your plans and purposes concerning the mystery that has been hid from ages and from generations. We eagerly await the time when the seventh trumpet begins to sound and your mystery will be finished. May we be found in the congregation of the merciful singing the new song that may only be learned by the redeemed. Amen.
Chapter 150.
One hundred and fifty is two times seventy-five (seeking mercy and grace), or three times fifty (the fruit of the Holy Spirit), or five times thirty (brought to maturity by mercy and grace), or six times twenty-five (man rejecting God’s mercy and grace), or ten times fifteen (the fruit of mercy and grace according to the word of the Lord). This number occurs six times in Scripture (and is used in both a positive and a negative sense), beginning with when the waters prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days (Genesis 7:24) and only Noah and seven others who were with him in the ark were saved. On the one hand, the waters of the flood represent a terrible judgment upon all those who had rejected God. On the other hand, Noah and his family must have been very thankful to God when, after one hundred and fifty days, the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:4).
The second use of this number occurred when Solomon bought horses out of Egypt for a hundred and fifty shekels of silver each and supplied all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria (1 Kings 10:29). The third use is when Scripture records the famous archery unit at the time of the kingdom of David, and among the tribe of Benjamin were: the sons of Ulam [means “foremost”] were mighty men of valour, expert archers who had many sons, and sons’ sons, one hundred and fifty (1 Chronicles 8:40). The fourth use is a repetition of Solomon buying the horses from Egypt for one hundred and fifty shekels each (2 Chronicles 1:17). The fifth use is found in the record of the priests who accompanied Ezra back to Jerusalem from Babylon: of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males one hundred and fifty (Ezra 8:3). The sixth and final use is when Nehemiah had one hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers eating at his table (Nehemiah 5:17).
Psalm 150
1 Halelu-JAH. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in the firmament of his power.
God’s sanctuary is in his people that he has redeemed and cleansed and set apart in holiness for himself. The firmament of his power was originally designed to be the covering of his Spirit over creation. When things went wrong, the heavens had to be veiled off from unclean, rebellious humanity – like the holy of holies in the tabernacle of Moses.
When God directed David to bring the ark back to Jerusalem (in a living parable representing God’s future plans for a new covenant in which the covering of the Holy Spirit over God’s people would be restored), it became possible for David and Asaph and Obededom and others to figuratively and literally praise God in his sanctuary and praise him in the firmament of his power. In fact, the first mention of the Holy Spirit in Scripture is by David (Psalm 51:11). It was in the tabernacle of David, which is prophesied to be restored at the second coming, where the emphasis was on the sacrifice of praise.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the shofar; praise him with the psaltery and harp.
At the time of the end and leading up to the return of Jesus Christ, there will be seven trumpets (the shofar is a ram’s horn trumpet) that will prepare the way for the second coming and for the most intense praise service that has ever been. This is when God’s mighty acts will be on display until the corrupt world system crumbles and righteousness prevails everywhere.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance; praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals; praise him upon the cymbals of joy.
6 Let every thing that has breath praise JAH. Halelu-JAH.
When God’s kingdom comes and when his will is done on earth even as it is in heaven, then everything that has breath will praise him. Halelu-JAH.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, please open our understanding to all that you desire to restore regarding the tabernacle of David and the sacrifice of praise. May our hearts be cleansed and filled with mercy so that we may partake of more and more of your mercy and so that our strong desire to praise you will grow even more intense. Amen.
