Psalm 89
Bible Passage: Psalm 89
What a contrast in the psalmist contemplation!
I was singing in my heart as the psalmist sang praises to the mercies of the Lord from the beginning for many verses… up till verse 38…
The psalmist devoted a large portion of this psalm praising God, and indeed we can’t agree with him more when he recalled God’s faithfulness and mercy.
But he did not stop at quoting God’s promise of faithfulness and mercy in His covenant with David.
The psalmist did not forget to mention that God’s covenant also mentions the punishment should his people break His statutes and commandments.
Indeed God is most merciful and faithful God, and He is our Heavenly Father who does not give up on us easily. But covenant is just like a contract which has both parties signing off, either side can break the contract which makes it void. Let us not forget our part to play in the covenant with God.
From verse 38 onwards the psalmist laments on how God had indeed exacted His punishment and allowed the nation of Israel to become a reproach to his neighbors. The psalmist asked
“How long, Lord?
Will You hide Yourself forever?
Will Your wrath burn like fire?” (verse 46)
The psalmist recalls an important point in verse 47,
“Remember how short my time is”…
Indeed our life on earth is very short. How much time have we spent on walking on the border of sin and righteousness?
I was telling BRC that I am afraid of writing about David’s psalms already, as our conclusion is just that he has so many enemies in his life and so he has so much to cry out to the Lord. However, afterwards I thought about one thing concerning David. How does he cry out to the Lord before he sinned and after he sinned?
How does one cry out to the Lord while he is still righteous before the Lord versus one who has gone against the commandment of God?
Just as we can read in how David keep asking God to vindicate him while he led a life as a fugitive before he gained the throne, compared to afterwards when he abused his power after becoming king and committed murder and adultery.
As a Christian, we have faith that whatever befalls us, we have God who covers our back. He will not test us beyond what we are able to bear, and He will not forsake as orphans.
But if we were to commit such a sin that makes us shameful to come before God, I think we are indeed the pitiable one. For we had been called his child and we know we can tell God everything and be aware that He has the best interests and plans for us.
But when we turn our back against Him and commit what is abominable in His sight, how would we dare to ask for God’s “former lovingkindnesses”? I feel that our life is so short and it is simply miserable to spend years of our life questioning if God is abiding with us…
Let us use the beginning of the new year to consider how wonderful is the Covenant God has made with us, and let us never put ourselves in a position where we can only lament for lost blessings.
5 Comments
YSL
I agree, shame and guilt can break a relationship. But david managed to acknowledge his sins and seek repentance so his psalms reflect his contrite spirit.
thechosen
it’s true that David was a man who sought the Lord before he had sinned and also after he had realised his sin. We should learn from him to hold onto God no matter what has happened. I believe that as long as we have breath there is hope. After all, where is there hope in life without God?
WT
“either side can break the contract which makes it void. Let us not forget our part to play in the covenant with God.” This is something i tend to forget sometimes C:
“You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain;” Why? I thought Rahab was even praised in Hebrews11:31 “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”?
lim
regarding rahab in verse 10 the following might give some clue:
1. in amplified bible version “You have broken Rahab (Egypt) in pieces; with Your mighty arm You have scattered Your enemies.”
2. in english standard version there is cross reference to Ex 14:30 “So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.” and Job 9:13 “God will not withdraw His anger,The allies of the proud lie prostrate beneath Him.”.
3. in Contemporary English Version, there is footnote of “Rahab: Many people in the ancient world thought that the world was controlled by this sea monster that the Lord destroyed at the time of creation (see Isaiah 51.9).” is 51:9 ” Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD! Awake as in the ancient days, In the generations of old. Are You not the arm that cut Rahab apart, And wounded the serpent?”
WT
I see. hmm, i should remember to make cross-references to other versions next time C:
Thanks.