Psalms Reflection Journal #13

Psalm 112

“Blessed are those who fear the Lord,

    who find great delight in his commands.”

This is such a simple idea. That God blesses those who respond to Him appropriately, with fear and obedience. As Christians we understand that “fear” is not terror, but a respect for God’s incredible power and might. We also understand that obedience is not just doing what God says because He says it, like some slave-driver, but we do it because we know this all-powerful, all-knowing, infinite God wants what is best for us, and His will is always what is best for us! 

The next verse is testament to that truth. 

“Their children will be mighty in the land;

    the generation of the upright will be blessed”

So not only are we going to be blessed for being obedient and respectful, but our children will be as well. They will be blessed because they will have seen what it means to fear the LORD and find great delight in his commands. They will hopefully learn from the example we have set for them! 

“They will have no fear of bad news;

    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

This verse in particular spoke to me. I struggle with anxiety and at certain times in my life any sort of “bad news” would have shaken me to my core. God assures us that if we fear Him and obey Him, we will never be shaken, because our hearts are made stead fast by Him. This is such an encouraging promise! 

Psalms Reflection Journal #12

Psalm 101

As I read this Psalm I think about what it would be like to read from a non-Christian perspective. The verses about David singing of God's love and justice, would maybe be a little strange, but we sing songs about love all the time, so I think they would generally get the idea. What I believe they would struggle with is:

 "I hate what faithless people do;
    I will have no part in it.
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me;
    I will have nothing to do with what is evil."

As a non-Christian reading that would probably put me off at first. It sounds really judgmental and shallow. I would have a hard time taking seriously anything the author had to say from that point on, as I would be pretty offended that he would have "no part" with what faithless people do. Then to lump the faithless with the "perverse of heart" seems a bit unfair. 

This would be a difficult Psalm for a non-Christian I think, unless someone were able to explain how important holiness is to God. For David, the King under God, a shepherd of the people of Israel, holiness was imperative, although David struggled with it. Understanding David's struggles though I think would help a non-Christian better understand why David is so stern about this. 

Psalms Reflection Post #11

Psalm 90

Psalm 90, I love this Psalm. I love Scripture that reminds me of how powerful God is. Psalm 90 and the last few chapters of Job do a great job of this! 

“Before the mountains were born

    or you brought forth the whole world,

    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Powerful. From everlasting to everlasting, He is God, what a fantastic reminder. I often find myself thinking about the future. Mostly, worrying about it. It is important to remember that the God we serve, is at both ends of time, watching over us. 

While this Psalm is mostly Moses’ reflection of the wrath of God, it is a reminder of His power over creation. A reminder to count our days so as to not let them go to waste! 

“If only we knew the power of your anger!

    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.

       Teach us to number our days,

    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Moses is surely recalling their time in the desert when he asks God to give them favor for as many days as they suffer. I know I can relate to a prayer like that. My life hasn’t been “hard” by most accounts, but I know that I would like to at least have as many good days as bad in this life, and we can trust that God delights most when we are most satisfied in Him, so I believe it is true, he will bring good for us!