Read
(A psalm and a song by Asaph for the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.”)
Praise God
1Our God, we thank you
for being so near to us!
Everyone celebrates
your wonderful deeds.
2You have set a time
to judge with fairness.
3The earth trembles,
and its people shake;
you alone keep
its foundations firm.
4You tell every bragger,
“Stop bragging!”
And to the wicked you say,
“Don't boast of your power!
5Stop bragging! Quit telling me
how great you are.”
6Our Lord and our God,
victory doesn't come
from the east or the west
or from the desert.
7You are the one who judges.
You can take away power
and give it to others.
8You hold in your hand
a cup filled with wine,
strong and foaming.
You will pour out some
for every sinful person
on this earth,
and they will have to drink
until it is gone.
9But I will always tell about
you, the God of Jacob,
and I will sing your praise.
10Our Lord, you will destroy
the power of evil people,
but you will give strength
to those who are good.
Reflect
It’s not all about you.
It’s all about Him.
At the time of this psalm, David has taken the throne promised to him and he is thanking God: not only for the fulfilling of this promise but that a kingdom which was in disarray is being put on a stable footing. In his thankfulness, David acknowledges that God is sovereign over all (vv.7-8), that in His power He serves His own purposes, apart from the plans of people, because He alone is infinitely wise, holy and good. Because of this all David can do is thank Him (v.9). If you look back to Psalm 50, God says He owns everything and doesn’t need the sacrifices of bulls or goats or blood offered to Him. He wants our sacrifice of thanks (Psalm 50:14), and it is out of this thankfulness to Him that He responds with deliverance in our times of trouble.
Israel was in turmoil and God chose this time to set David on the throne and bring stability to the land. We live in a time of turmoil where events in our world seem ready to unravel in ways we fear to imagine. I believe as followers of God, we must decide to live with renewed minds (Romans 12:2) that “will always tell about you, the God of Jacob”, acknowledging God as sovereign over every circumstance and thanking God for “being so near us.” (v.1)
This may seem like a counter intuitive response to what is going on around you but remember, God is who He says He is and our job is to respond with thankfulness and trust that He “will give strength to those who do good” (v.10).
Respond
Sovereign God, the earth trembles before you and its peoples shake but you promise to give strength to those who are good. Strengthen me to trust you today in every circumstance I face that I might encourage others by my peace. In Jesus’ name I ask this.
James Paterson
James works as a visual artist. His current body of work is a series of metal wire sculptures called Prayer Machines which are whimsically ambiguous machine-like objects that give expression to mystery. “I love to share the gospel message, using art as a bridge, to encourage people in their relationship with Jesus.” He and Lynn have four young adult children. Publications Jim’s Grandiose Big Bible Picture Book (Bastian Books ,2007)