Meditations In The Psalms Introduction

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: Meditations In The Psalms Introduction | Jan 1990

The Scriptures can be likened to a crown of pure gold adorned with 66 precious gems to represent the number of books they contain.

Each jewel has colour and beauty all its own. Outstanding amongst them is the Book of the Psalms which has a unique place in our Bibles and world literature. "It is the book of the inner life of private devotion. It expresses the doubts and fears, the joys and sorrows, the sufferings and aspirations of the soul at all times. Notwithstanding its tone of sadness, it is a book of praise... its keynote is worship, and it has been used in the worship of God by Hebrews and Christians alike, down to our day" (A.M. Hodgkin, Christ in all the Scriptures).

According to the Hebrew a psalm is said to be a poem set to notes and is derived from a word meaning a singing forth of praise, to touch strings. The Greek suggests a sacred ode accompanied with the voice, harp, or other instrument. There are 150 psalms divided into five books, comprising what has been called Israel's hymnbook, or the songs of Zion. The first psalm begins with happiness, and the last concludes with praise. "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked" (Ps. 1:1); and "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah" (Ps. 150:6 RVM). A variation of blessed is happy, or "0 the happinesses of the man...", a theme which flows freely through many of the psalms.

The middle verse of our Bible is said to be Psalm 118:8, which avers, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man"; and the longest psalm is 119 with its 176 verses. Renowned statesman and Christian, William Wilberforce, wrote in his diary, "Walked from Hyde Park Corner repeating 119th psalm with infinite comfort". This majestic psalm is headed by 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, eight verses being attached to each letter. How rich and choice in poetry and pathos some of these verses are! For example: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things Out of Thy law (v.18); Strengthen Thou me according unto Thy word (v.28); confirm Thy word unto Thy servant (v.38); Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path (v.105); I am Thy servant, give me understanding (v.125); Give me understanding, and I shall live (v.144); I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant (v.176);" These deep, emotional desires come from one belonging to a culture different from ours, yet his inspired pen adequately expresses the longings of our

redeemed hearts.

What psalm is best known in all the world? Surely Psalm 23. What a blessing its six verses have been to people of varied dialects and languages. It is a favourite of young and old. It has been the means of bringing many lost lambs and sheep to the Good Shepherd. What a comfort verse 4 has been to the dying, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me..." And what needed encouragement is found in the promise of goodness and mercy enabling us to dwell in the house of the Lord for the length of our days. To some, Psalm 23 reaches the apex in Hebrew poetry, and confirms David's title, "the sweet psalmist of Israel" (2 Sam. 23:1).

"Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him", said David (1 Chr. 16:9 AV), with all the zeal of one who penned almost half of these hymns, probably for harp and timbrel. However, the psalms were for speaking as well as singing. Centuries later Paul wrote to Christians in the house of God: "Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). The psalms are such a rich source of comfort, help and inspiration that we lose so much when not sharing them by "speaking one to another". Our heartstrings need to be plucked oftener, too, so that we can enjoy together psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Do we need instruments when the Lord has given us a heart to make melody? Our lives, worship, and service are spiritual, in contrast to the material temple, offerings, and instrumental music. "When ye come together, each one hath a psalm a teaching ... Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26).

Over 70 psalms came from David's fertile pen. The sweet psalmist of Israel once wrote: "The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and His word was upon my tongue" (2 Sam. 23:2). Others were written by Moses, Asaph, a Hebrew songwriter, and Korah's sons. About 50 psalms came from anonymous composers. The expression Selah, generally translated meditate, or pause and consider, occurs 71 times throughout the Book of Psalms. The picturesqueness of the psalms also extends to psalm titles. Examples include "the hind of the morning" - the dawn (Ps. 22); the lilies, a song of loves, the meaning of Shoshannim (Ps. 45); the dove of the distant terebinth, meaning of Jonath elem rehokim (Ps. 56); the lily of testimony, meaning of Shushan Eduth (Ps. 60); a song for the sabbath day (Ps. 92); David's cave prayer (Ps. 142). The Songs of Ascents, which express temple service and the worship of God's people, embrace Psalms 120-l34.

The Book of Psalms provides historical coverage from creation to the millennium, and also reveals the eternity of Deity. "Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God" (Ps. 90:2). Creation is clearly defined by an unnamed psalmist: "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap ... Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast" (Ps. 33:6-9). Though not named, Adam's origin is seen in these words: "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet ." (Ps. 8:6). David portrays the Lord as sitting as King at the flood in Noah's day (Ps. 29:10). Abraham's time is recalled in the priesthood of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4). This specific reference also speaks prophetically of the unchanging priesthood of the Lord 3esus (Heb. 5:6). Jacob is honoured by such appellations as, "The name of the God of Jacob... Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion" (Ps. 20:1,2); and "Thou hast with Thine arm redeemed Thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph" (Ps. 77:15). The unjust incarceration of Joseph, when his feet were hurt by fetters and his soul entered into the iron, is unfolded in Ps. 105:17-19. God's chosen became Egypt's ruler next to Pharaoh; through his influence his father and repentant brothers found a home in Goshen. Unfolded in the same psalm are the divine appointments of Moses and Aaron to go into Egypt to perform miracles which culminated in the slaying of Egypt's firstborn on the passover night (v.36). This added comment is significant: "Egypt was glad when they departed" (v.38). Thus was fulfilled a promise to Abraham, "that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge" (Gen. 15:14).

The miracle of the dry land crossing of the Red Sea, the drowning of the enemy in the returning deluge, the song of praise on the wilderness edge, are detailed in Ps. 106:9-12. A brief, yet beautiful word picture, potently describes what actually happened: "So He led them through the depths, as through a pasture land" (v.9 RVM). How vivid! Added to this event are the pillar of cloud and of fire for leading and guidance, the water from the rock, the manna, the quails, as being among the wondrous and marvellous things God did for Israel (Ps. 78:11-28). He also prepared a table in the wilderness (v.19). "Every one did eat the bread of the mighty" (v.25 RVM).

Through this remarkable experience God patiently shepherded His redeemed flock, and brought them to the "border of His sanctuary, to this mountain, which His right hand had purchased" (Ps. 78:54). "The sanctuary, LORD which Thy hands have established" (Ex. 15:17). The desire of God's hart to have a place and a covenant people, was now realized. The tabernacle, an assemblage of gold, silver, copper, acacia wood, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, was erected in the wilderness. It was a copy and shadow of heavenly things (cf. Heb. 8:5). Forty years would elapse before Israel entered Canaan, and much longer still before the temple was erected on Mt. Moriah. In anticipation David sang: "We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, the holy place of Thy temple" (Ps. 65:4).

After His resurrection our Lord Jesus spoke from the Psalms and all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27,44) of precious and enlightening things concerning Himself to the two on the Emmaus road, and later to the other of His disciples. Some of them would relate to His eternal Sonship, "Thou art My Son" (Ps. 2:7); His crucifixion: "They part My garments among them, and upon My vesture do they cast lots" (22:18); "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (22:1); "Into Thine hand I commend My spirit" (31:5); the surety of His resurrection:

"For Thou wilt not leave My soul to Sheol; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine

Holy One to see corruption" (16:10); His exaltation: "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" (110:1); His millennial reign: "Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Him" (72:11); And in relation to the present testimony: "the Stone which the builders rejected is become the Head of the Corner" (118:22).

John Bright once said that he would be content to stake upon the Book of Psalms the entire question of the existence of a divine revelation, and although our review is incomplete, we would add to his comment - so would we!

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Jan 1990
Meditations In The Psalms Introduction