Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table.
In many ways, this composition is a continuation of the previous psalm. As in Psalm 127, this psalm speaks of the benefits and blessings bestowed upon a man who fears God, particularly when it comes to his home life. In fact, when he says, “It shall be well with you,” the Hebrew word is טוב tov. That is to say that the blessed man will be in the right place doing what God has intended for him to do; in short, he is functioning in his purpose. This man’s household is established by God with a fruitful wife and many children.
Notice that the fear of the Lord is what precipitated this happy result because the fear of the Lord provokes one to seek what is truly important in life. A desire to please God first and foremost compels one to “walk in His ways.” Let’s put it this way: those who don’t fear God will walk in their own way, and in so doing, are more likely to pursue those things that have no eternal value —i.e. wealth and power. In a roundabout way, these verses decry such pursuits, instead encouraging the people of God to consider the value of a happy home filled with children, not to mention physical labor.
When you really stop and think about it, God’s ideal for His people in this life can be summed up in this scene: a husband and wife, surrounded by obedient children living in an adequate home on a piece of land that brings forth its fruit. If you think about it, that is pretty much the scene that was in the Garden before man decided to walk in his own ways. Thus, we are reminded that, to truly be happy and blessed, we must possess a genuine fear of the Lord that prompts us to walk in His ways. If we will do this, “it shall be well with us.”
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
In the very beginning, God ordained that marriage was holy — a lifelong union of one man and one woman completely devoted to each other. Obviously, for there to be a successful union, undying love is an absolute must; a man is to leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife (Genesis 2:24). However, from a Biblical point of view, marriage was not established to accommodate the deep feelings two people have for one another, not exclusively at least. Clearly, God ordained that marriage was to serve an even greater purpose; a man and woman united in marriage were to produce offspring.
It is written, “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it’” (Genesis 1:28). Put simply, children are a reward from Heaven — a sign of God’s blessing upon a man and woman who are following the pattern established by the Creator. Unfortunately, there are those in this world who view children as an inconvenience and a burden, rather than a blessing. At the very least, such people are shortsighted; they fail to see the wonderful purpose God has for children as it relates to future generations. Seeing the issue from this vantage point makes abortion even more monstrous; not only is a child killed but future generations are deprived of what God had intended for that little one.
In short, children are born for a purpose and with a purpose. That means, when a husband and wife have children, they are participating in God’s plan for His creation. In that light, it becomes clear that parenthood is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. As the psalmist said, “children are a heritage from the Lord” — souls entrusted to our care and supervision. And if they are a gift from the Lord, let us make certain to do everything in our power to make certain His plan for them is carried out.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so theLordsurrounds His people from this time forth and forever.
Anyone who has visited Jerusalem knows that the city, particularly the Old City, is surrounded by protective mountains, which form a natural defensive barrier. In days of old, watchtowers were situated on the hills overlooking the city so that any threat could be viewed long before it was able to reach the city walls. So, in a physical sense, Jerusalem appeared to be an impregnable stronghold, a city not easily taken. Yet David reminded the people of God that, regardless of how strong we believe our position to be, there is no protection unless the Lord “surrounds His people.”
That the Babylonians and the Romans successfully destroyed the city and the Temple within underscores this message; “Unless theLordbuilds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unlesstheLordguards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1). It behooves us all to remember and respect this fact lest we find that our “defenses” are useless against our adversaries. On the other hand, those who trust in the Lord and serve Him in humility and faithfulness will find that the Lord, “will bea wall of fire” us,and His glory will be seen in our midst (Zechariah 2:5).
In an earlier psalm, David made this statement: “Theangel of theLordencamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7). I take this to be very literal; so, in a very real sense, the Lord surrounds His people — those who fear Him — with a protective detail of angels. We don’t see them, but they are there to do the will of God in regard to His people. Therefore, we should not be seduced into thinking that the institutions and industries of this world offer any enduring support; as it is written: “Heonlyismyrock andmysalvation;Heismydefense; I shall not be greatly moved” (Psalm 62:2).
I willconsider Your testimonies. I have seen the consummation of all perfection, butYour commandmentisexceedingly broad.
As we start, allow me to clarify the point addressed by the writer with these words. As he considered the Word of God, he realized that in most things that require us to pursue a goal, there is a limit to it. In other words, at some point we expect the goal we pursue to be accomplished, that we may see the “consummation of all perfection,” as he put it. Even the Lord reached such a point when He created the heavens and earth; as vast as the Universe is, Scripture states, “Thus the heavens and the earth, andall the host of them, were finished” (Genesis 2:1). In contrast, the Word of God is “exceedingly broad,” which is to say there is no end to it.
Job said that the “deep things of God” are “higher than heaven … deeper thanSheol … longer than the earth and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9). Put simply, when it comes to searching and studying the Word of God, we will never attain the goal of “finishing” simply because the riches to be found in Scripture are immeasurable. I am convinced that, even if we could live for a thousand years, we would still fall short of understanding all there is to understand. Think of it this way: the Creator of all has no beginning and no end; He is from everlasting to everlasting, therefore, the same is true of His Word. No student of the Word, including the so-called theologians, has ever or will ever “finish” the Word.
This is not to say that we should approach the study of Scripture as being some endless pursuit with no unattainable benefit. To the contrary, where the Word is concerned, we have before us a fathomless pool of spiritual wisdom and understanding that provides inspiration and guidance for any and all circumstances. Moreover, it provides an avenue by which we get to better understand and appreciate its’ Author, the One who is without end and who is the source of incalculable benefits. Though we will never exhaust the boundless riches of the Scripture, every nugget we are able to mine from it is priceless.
His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. and men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed.
Solomon, the son of David and the king for who David composed this prayer said, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). theLong after silver and gold have been spent and properties sold off to highest bidder, a good name will endure through the generations. Case in point: three thousand years after he died, we still speak of Solomon and his renowned wisdom. True, he didn't finish as well as he started but, nevertheless, his name has endured through the ages.
That being said, there is some interesting commentary regarding this particular verse as it relates to the King Messiah. Specifically the Hebrew wording literally says, “may his name be perpetual.” Even more specifically, the word translated as “perpetual” –ינון yinon — is related to flourishing and increasing as fish who multiply in the sea. Some commentators go so far as to say that, along with a few other monikers like Shiloh, Menachem and Chaninah, Yinon is an actual name for the Messiah. In fact, the first Hebrew letter in each of these words just listed form the word mashiach — Messiah.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
How many times have we heard this verse recited when we were in times of trouble? We even see it used in artwork to remind us that He is God and that, as weak and helpless beings, we must trust that He will see us through those difficult times. I certainly believe that the sentiment expressed here is valuable and it is needful that we discipline ourselves to be still and let God do what only God can do. However beneficial this idea may be, though, it is not necessarily what the psalmist had in mind when they penned these words.
The Hebrew word translated as “be still” means “to desist, stop” or “stand down.” Viewed within the proper context — God destroying the might of the nations in order to bring peace — it would seem the directive to be still is directed, first and foremost, at the enemies of God. In other words, He is encouraging them to quit resisting His will, to lay down their weapons and to know that He is God. In short, they are not capable of overriding His will in the earth; to the contrary, He will be exalted in the earth by all the nations whether they like it or not.
The main point we need to acknowledge is that God always gives the wicked opportunity to correct their ways before He takes decisive action against them. As it is written, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). These words are not just for the wicked among the nations, but is also true for His people. In fact, this statement in Ezekiel is actually directed at His people. And so, this is how He engages all of us — He gives opportunity for repentance before He administers correction. He prefers that we respond to His correction willingly and quickly without having to suffer public humiliation. But if we refuse, He will be God and we will be compelled to bow the knee. So then, it is always a good idea to stop what we are doing when in opposition to the Almighty and consider that He always wins. None can outsmart or outmaneuver Him but we all have the opportunity and ability to serve Him.
Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
I realize that David prayed these words but the sentiment expressed could be appropriated to many of us, if not all. How many times have we felt that we are abandoned and vulnerable to the whims of our adversaries? As for me, it is has happened more than I'd like to admit. But let's also acknowledge that, though our emotions taunted us with this feeling, the reality is that God was and is always there. We have the promise that He will never forsake us, even when it sometimes feels that He has. As David reminds us though, He is not far from us.
That being said, there are those times when He allows us to endure spans of time when things aren't going the way we would like for them to go. There are times when He seems to step back and see what choices we will make in certain situations, and sometimes, our choices are not so good. That seems to be what David is conveying through his prayer — he realized that he had made some poor choices and was reaping the rewards. In a previous verse he said, “I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is continually before me.” How many of us can identify with this sense of defeat — feeling as if we can't take another step and that all is on the verge of collapse?
But that is why David called upon the Lord to help — not a person or human agent of assistance but the Lord Himself. Sometimes the Lord does send a person to offer assistance to those in need but, frankly, the assistance can be as short-lived as the agent himself. That is why David prayed that the Lord would bring salvation; if the Lord is the One coming to our aid, the salvation is complete and permanent. Isn't that what we all want? Admittedly, the Lord knows just what to do on our behalf and He knows when it's the appropriate time, nevertheless it is good that we should pray, “Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!”
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
It is interesting that so many English translations refer to the steps of a “good man.” I make this point because, in reality, the Hebrew word gever should be translated as “strong man.” So why was the decision made to translate this as good? There are many men who wish to do good but when pressed and tempted are too quick to give into the evil inclinations of the flesh. It takes a strong man (or woman) to overcome that inclination and do what the Lord has commanded. But we must also acknowledge that the strength to overcome does not come from ourselves but from above. As it is written, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
It takes a strong person to resist all the seductions the world entices us with and, if we are willing to be completely honest, none of us have the strength to resist every single one of them. We may not be tempted with one thing but there is another that has our name on it. Were it not for the Word of God and the empowerment of His Spirit, no one would be able to walk the path that God has ordained for us. And so in reality, the strong man or woman is the one who realizes that in our weakness, He is proven strong. As it was said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” And so as Paul said, so let us all say, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
When we are led by the Spirit, it is inevitable that we will be led into difficult situations and circumstances that are calibrated to our spiritual maturity; but also intended to cause us to grow in spiritual strength. Should we falter, and that is likely to happen with many of us, we have the promise that He will not cast us away. To the contrary, even as we stumble, He has us by the hand so as to soften the fall. Just as an earthly father would grasp the hand of a stumbling child lest they hurt themselves, our Father has us by the hand even as He leads us into troubling circumstances. He is for us and not against us; though He sometimes allows the situations that causes us to fall it is always with the intention of building us back up. So may it be that today and everyday, as we strive to do good, let us endeavor to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
Several years ago, the county in which we live experienced an outbreak of several tornadoes, most of which were quite destructive; unfortunately, some resulted in deaths. That evening my family were preparing a candlelight dinner (the power had gone out earlier in the day) when the weather radio we were monitoring issued an imminent tornado warning and told us to take shelter. In just the short time it took us to get from the kitchen to the bedroom closet, the storm was upon us. The house shook; we could hear leaves and other debris slapping the side of the house. Needless to say it was a scary moment or two and all I could think to do was to sing a psalm.
When the storm had passed I went outside — it was pandemonium. Several neighbors had lost everything in just a matter of seconds. Sirens were blaring, people were shouting; just a few hundred yards away, one family was trapped in their basement underneath the ruins of their former home. As I surveyed the devastation around me, my attention turned to my own home and property — no damage whatsoever. Downed trees and other signs of destruction surrounded our property but everything on our lot was spared. It was then I recalled what had transpired several hours before. Sensing that the storms would pass our way, I walked the perimeter of our property praying over and over, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
Never in my life had such a promise been so real; with my own eyes I could see the promise of the Lord being manifested before me — and for me. I saw no angels but I knew they were there watching over my family because, respecting His might and power, we had placed our trust in Him. For us, His deliverance was as significant as it was for Daniel when an angel was sent to muzzle the lion's mouth or for his three friends when they were rescued from Nebuchadnezzar's fiery pit. No books will be written about our experience but it doesn't negate the fact that the Sovereign of the Universe looked upon a small frightened family who believed in Him, and sent His angel to surround them and deliver them from destruction. If He did it then, He will do it again; if He did it for us, He will do it for you.
The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance. Shepherd them also, and bear them up forever.
In the previous devotion, we explored the notion that God is our source for strength allowing us to withstand the attacks of the enemy, as well as shielding us from any missiles launched at us. In the verses above, David — who had been petitioning God on his own behalf — prays for the sake of the people of Israel, who he refers to as God's “inheritance.” The Hebrew word used here is of interest because, according to Jewish belief, “Your inheritance” hints at prophetic elements. Specifically, David seems to referring to the time in the future when all Israel will be together in the land living under the authority of the Messiah.
It is of interest, also, that David prays that the LORD will “shepherd them” and “bear them up” — literally elevate them — forever. This wording is also pregnant with prophetic themes. Being a prophet, as well as a king, David was aware that a time would come when Israel would be scattered through the nations, forced to live beneath the heel of her oppressors (Moses had spoken this long before; see Deuteronomy 4:25-31). Realizing they would be as lost sheep having no shepherd, David prayed that the LORD Himself would be their shepherd — keeping watch over them and guiding them until the day came He would bring them back into their own land. In that day, David understood that God would elevate them above all other nations, never again to be subservient to oppressors. As it is written:
“For thus says the Lord God: Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered.” (Ezekiel 34:11-12)
What has this to do with you and me? As it is written, “We are all His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3), and we “like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). But He is our Shepherd who watches over His people wherever they may be, never losing sight of them. Though we sometimes wander, He will guide us back to where we are supposed to be, and in so doing, bear us up above our oppressor, Sin. As His people, we are His inheritance; as for me that means that He is determined to never let go of what belongs to Him. Let us be thankful that He, our Good Shepherd, has not only saved us; He will save us and bring us safely into His Kingdom to live under His care forever, amen.
The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
In the previous devotion, we shared the idea that David's words recorded in this psalm are prophetic, ultimately speaking of the Messiah — and if you can receive it — “quoting” the Messiah to a degree. In that light, take note of the statement, “You have given him his heart’s desire” — it is phrased in such a way that we may conclude the prayer has already been answered. To be clear: if David is expressing the words of Messiah in the form of prophecy, then the desire of Messiah's heart had already been granted, long before He ministered on the earth. If that is true then might it be that, when we pray according to the Will of God, it is the same? In others words, if we are His, will He not grant the request of our lips? John seemed to think so:
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15).
Messiah, also, speaks to this issue; He said, “If his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:9-11). The point, obviously, is that our Heavenly Father desires to answer our prayers, sometimes even before we ask; as it is written, “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).
It is important to point out, however, that even though He already knows what's going on in our life, He wants us to pray. He knows what's swirling around in our heart, but still wants us to use our mouth and lips to utter our prayers and petitions. I would suggest that prayer, among other things, is the most intimate of ways we can interact with the Creator, meaning, that it is how we can grow in intimacy with Him. Like any parent, He doesn't want His children to take His unlimited goodness for granted; He wants to have a relationship with us whereby, even though He knows our heart's desire, He wants us to come to Him and lay it before Him. In short, He doesn't interfere with an answer when we are motivated to humble ourselves before Him. It may be as good as done, but it is even better to know that when we call, He recognizes our voice and moves quickly on our behalf.
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
As to why David wrote this psalm and for whom, there is much discussion in rabbinical works. The reason for this diversity of opinion revolves around the phrase seen at the heading of this psalm — “To the Chief Musician. On the Death of the Son.” In Hebrew the last of the phrase is translated from the words, mut (death) l'van (to the son). Some commentators surmise the son in question may have been Absalom, but most conclude that the son referred to is the one born to Bathsheba who died as a seven-day old infant. You will recall this is the child born as a result of David's scandalous and adulterous affair.
Others suggest the word l'van may have another meaning, while remaining connected to the thoughts above. They argue that the Hebrew word l'van should not be translated as “to the son” but as the “to whiten.” The word laban does in fact mean “white” and, therefore, this idea is not to be considered as farfetched. But why would David compose a psalm about being whitened one might ask? That is, in fact, the very thing that connects the two ideas together. In other words, the death of his young son was, in part, a consequence of his sin, meaning that God allowed him to endure a great trial that was engineered to render repentance. God allowed David to go through a great trial, at the end of which, David arose, washed himself and changed his clothes. He realized that God was putting him through the process of repentance and forgiveness. In short, l'van has a double meaning: it was the “death of the son” that caused David to be “whitened.”
Instead of being melancholy and composing a dirge, David went before the LORD with song and with adoration saying, “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” How many of us could do this under such circumstances? Admittedly, it is difficult to come out of such a distressing situation and immediately burst forth into praise, and yet, David did so, and in so doing, challenges us to do the same. All of us have grappled with remorse over our failures and grief over our losses, still in spite of those how we feel at the moment, it behooves us to praise Him with our whole heart and sing praise to His Name. That might be just the thing to pull us out of our grief and despair.
