PSALMS IN THE NIGHT The Book of Psalms Dr. Jon McNeff, Senior Pastor
December 17, 2017
Note: The following are the pastor’s notes used in preaching this message. This is not a complete, word-for-word transcription of what was preached. These notes serve as a companion to the complete message, which is available by listening to the audio version. Bible quotes are primarily from NASB and ESV, respectively.
Psalms – like being in a candy store – can’t cover them all – Hebrew title was Tehillim – “Praises” – Septuagint changed it to “Psalms,” from the Greek word psalmos which refers to the “plucking or twanging of strings” – Old Testament poetry – parallelisms, couplets, acrostics, chiasms – all meant to be sung – why? – Preserved teaching, aided in memory, and soothing (as David showed) Temple “hymnbook” – written to be used in Temple worship – 55 are dedicated to the Director of Music – 24 reflect connection to Temple musicians – Selah used 71 times – means “lift up, exalt” – pointed to some kind of interruption – possibly pause in music defined proper spirit and content of worship songs Calvin – sing only the Psalms – but New Testament says “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” – wider scope – still good standard – first book printed in America (1644) was the Bay Psalm Book 116 Psalms have superscriptions – included in the Hebrew text – probably appended later to give details about the author, usage, occasion, instructions for music director Written over 1000 year span – Moses to post-exile (Psalm 126) in 520 B.C. – seven authors: David wrote at least 75 – 1 Chronicles 16:4-7, 37-42 presents him as taking an active role in developing Israel’s worship The sons of Korah wrote ten (Psalms 42; 44-49; 84, 85, 87) – in Numbers 16 Korah led rebellion against the leadership of Moses – talked 250 leaders into joining him – God caused earth to open up and swallow him – 2 Chronicles 20:19 indicates the sons of Korah were spared – so grateful they dedicated themselves to producing and performing music to praise God in the tabernacle – Psalms 42; 44-49; 84-85; 87 are probably from their “hymnbook” – reminder that godly children can come from wicked fathers Asaph – leader of Temple worship wrote 12 (Psalms 50, 73-83) Heman – also Temple leader – wrote Psalm 88 Ethan – other Temple leader wrote Psalm 89 Solomon wrote two – Psalms 72, 127 Moses – wrote Psalm 90 Remaining 48 are anonymous - Moses? – Ezra? Evidence of editorial arrangement – David compiled Psalms 1-72 – Ezra was probably the final editor – had to be someone after the exile Other aspects:
Widely used in New Testament Express variety of theological truths Many Messianic passages – founded in Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 – David is both ancestor and model for the future King – Augustine called Jesus isti cantator psalmorum, “himself the singer of the Psalms” – when David speaks, he is speaking for Christ – Derek Kidner – “It would scarcely seem too much to infer . . . that wherever David or the Davidic King appears in the Psalter . . . he foreshadows in some degree the Messiah.” 1
The Psalms reflect Christ in several ways:
Psalm 2 – the ascension and rule of Christ Psalm 8:4-6 – His humiliation and exaltation – quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:27, 28; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:5–10. Psalm 16:8-11; 18:4-6; 116:3; 132:11 – resurrection of Christ Psalm 22 – hugely Messianic – New Testament quotes it 15 times – called the “Fifth gospel” – includes both lament and thanksgiving Psalm 34:20 – bones won’t be broken Psalm 40:6-8 – the incarnation of Christ 1
Derek Kidner, Psalms 1-72 (London: Intervarsity, 1973), 24. 1
Psalm 41:9; 109:4-8 – betrayal of Judas Psalm 45:6-7 – His throne will last forever Psalm 68:18 – He ascended into heaven Psalm 69:9 – zeal for God Psalm 78:1-3 – Jesus’ use of parables Psalm 89:3-4; 35-36 – descendent of David Psalm 96:13 – He is coming to judge the world Psalm 97:7 – He is worthy of worship Psalm 91 – comfort found in Jesus Psalm 96-100 – rule of the Messiah in the millennium Psalm 97; 102:25-27 – His creative power Psalm 110:1-7 – He is David’s Son – Jesus as of prophet, priest, and King – quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22:41–46 Psalm 118 – written by Moses, but incredibly Messianic – along with Psalm 110, it is the Psalm most quoted by the New Testament
Arrangement – integrated book yet made up of five smaller books – like a symphony with five movements – each stands alone yet fits the theme of the whole – each section ends with a doxology (Psalm 41:13; 72:18–20; 89:52; 106:48; 150:6) – Jewish tradition said this five-fold division echoed the Pentateuch
Books 1-2 – David and his kingdom Books 3-4 – troubles in exile Book 5 – after the return from exile Clue to each book in beginning verses and doxology – I’ve reduced each to one word – with principle and pattern
SUFFERING – Psalms 1-41
I.
A.
The principle
Book 1 covers Psalms 1-41 – all are written by David except maybe Psalm 33 and Psalm 10 – the focus is on David’s experience as king – prayers in times of distress are prevalent, with confidence in God alone who can save (Psalms 9; 11; 16; 18) – the theme of the first 41 Psalms could be “God rescues David from his enemies” Psalm 1:1 – sets tone for whole book – difference between the blessed man and the wicked man – Psalm 1:1-2 – “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” – Psalm 1:4-5 – “The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” Symbolizes all of life:
International problem – Psalm 2:2-3 – “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!” – same today – God’s reaction – Psalm 2:4 – “He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them.” – Not worried! – Psalm 2:6 – “’But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.’” – Jerusalem – made the news – Trump recognized Jerusalem as capital of Israel – since David conquered it in 1003 B.C. and made it the capital of Israel – Bethlehem just “cancelled” Christmas celebrations – why? – What will happen when Jesus returns to rule there? – Psalm 2:7 – “’I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.”’” – Only Old Testament reference of Father/Son relationship in the Trinity – planned in eternity past – realized in incarnation – this is Messianic
After setting the stage in Psalm 1-2, Psalm 3 begins a litany of real life issues – Psalm 3 begins as David is fleeing for his life as his son Absalom tries to overthrow him! – Psalm 3:1-2 – “O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, ‘There is no deliverance for him in God.’” – This is the stuff of life! – Caused by out of control family issues – son Amnon raped his half sister Tamar – son Absalom killed his half brother for raping his sister – Absalom flees – David does nothing – comes back – steals hearts of people from under David’s nose - then chases Dad from his own palace – do you have family problems like that? 2
What to do – Psalm 3:3-4 – “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain.” B.
The pattern
Pattern of Psalms 3-41
Prayers – morning prayer (Psalm 3), evening prayer (Psalm 4), prayer for protection (Psalm 5), mercy in time of trouble (Psalm 6), defense against the wicked (Psalm 7), overthrow of the wicked (Psalm 10), help in trouble (Psalm 13) prayer of problems and praises (Psalm 31) rescue from enemies (Psalm 35), painful repentance and forgiveness (Psalms 32, 38), vanity of life though God sustains His servant (Psalms 39, 40) Interspersed with confidence in God – majesty of God (Psalm 8), thanks for God’s justice (Psalm 9), God as refuge and strength (Psalm 11), God as helper (Psalm 12), wickedness of man (Psalm 14), confidence in death (Psalm 16), praise for deliverance (Psalm 18), works of God (Psalm 19), passion for worship (Psalm 26-28), God’s supremacy over heavenly beings, forces of nature, all humanity (Psalm 29) thanks for deliverance from death (Psalm 30), praise to God as creator (Psalm 33), wickedness of man and security of those who trust God (Psalms 36, 37) – counter-act the effects of suffering Suffering Messiah – Psalm 22:1 – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?... – exact quote of Jesus on cross – Psalm 22:13-18 – New Testament quotes it 15 times – set against beautiful Psalm 23 – God is our Shepherd – loved by all Ends with Psalm 41 – expresses his painful lament over betrayal by friends, but ends with Psalm 41:11-13 summarizes “By this I know that You are pleased with me, because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me. As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and You set me in Your presence forever. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”
Suffering and prayer co-exist in Psalms – and in life – Calvin – in the preface to his commentary on Psalms – said knowing the Psalter teaches Christians to suffer for God so that “we renounce the guidance of our own affections, and submit ourselves entirely to God, leaving him to govern us and to dispose our life according to his will, so that the afflictions which are the bitterest and most severe to our nature, become sweet to us because they proceed from him.”2 II.
THIRST – Psalms 42-72 A.
The principle
Book 2 – Psalms 42-72 – 18 written by David – one by Asaph (Psalm 50) and one by Solomon – eight by the Sons of Korah (Psalms 42-49) – three anonymous – focus is no longer on David the king individually, but on God’s people – as the king goes, so go the people Psalm 42:1 – “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?” – Psalm 42:5 – “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?” – What causes thirst? – Boice suggests six causes of spiritual depression – different than clinical (needs medication): 1) Forced absence from the Temple – Psalm 42:4 – “…For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.” – Psalm 42:6 refers to the “…land of the Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.” – Far from Jerusalem – you can become spiritually depressed by skipping church! 2) Taunts of unbelievers – Psalm 42:10 – “As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” – He was removed from the Temple in a far country – adversarial world doesn’t recognize God 3) Memories of the “old days” – Psalm 42:4 – “These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me…” – haunting – reminders of failure – past Christmases W. Robert Godfrey, “The Counselor to the Afflicted,” chp. 7 in Burk Parsons, ed., John Calvin: A Heart For Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology, (Orlando, Florida: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2008), 87/ 2
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4) Trials of life – Psalm 42:7 – “…All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.” – Setbacks – failing health – limited finances 5) Failure of God to act quickly on our behalf – Psalm 42:9 – “I will say to God my rock, ‘Why have You forgotten me?...’” – Normal part of depression is feeling forsaken by God 6) Attacks from enemies – Psalm 43:1 – “Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!” – Enemies who slander, lie, steal, backstab, spread rumors The solution to depression is embedded – 1) Thirst for the living God – Psalm 42:1 – when you’re thirsty nothing satisfies like water – only God satisfies spiritual thirst 2) Remember God’s instruction in the good times – Psalm 42:4 – “These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me.” – Go to church – Christian friends – joyful worship 3) Hope in God – Psalm 42:5 – “…Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” – Review the blessings of the past – be thankful for your redemption – look to the future B.
The pattern
These are the themes repeated throughout this section:
Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 50 – God is the judge of the righteous and the wicked Psalm 51 – David’s broken heart after adultery with Bathsheba Psalms 52-53 – folly of wickedness Psalms 54-60 – prayers for deliverance over enemies Psalms 61-67 – thanks to God as our refuge and strength Psalms 68-70 – more prayers of David for deliverance Psalm 71 – prayer of an old man (David?) to be vindicated Psalm 72 – Solomon’s prayer for personal and national blessing – Psalm 72:18-19 contain the doxology of Book 2 – “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.” Psalm 72:20 – Book 2 ends – “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.”
PATIENCE – Psalms 73-89
III.
A.
The principle
Setting for Book 3 – turns dark – no more king on the throne – Jerusalem has been destroyed and the Temple burned – compiled after Israel was taken in exile to Babylon – many are Psalms from earlier time – David, Ethan, Asaph – arranged in Book III to help Israel trust in God through the pain of the exile.
Psalm 73:1 – “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart!” – I know this . . . but . . . Psalm 73:2 – “But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped.” – How? Psalm 73:3 – “For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” – They prosper – they do anything they want – they mock God and speak authoritatively – I feel like I’ve wasted my time with God – Psalm 73:17 – “Until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end.” – You don’t get a complete picture of life until considering God’s perspective – the ways of the world are temporary Personal application – Psalm 73:18-19 – “Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!” National application – Psalm 74:1-3 – “O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, which You have redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance; and this Mount Zion, where You have dwelt. Turn Your footsteps toward the perpetual ruins; the enemy has damaged everything within the sanctuary.”
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B.
The pattern
Reminders through the rest of Book 3
Psalms 75-78 – reminders of God’s justice in the past even though people have sinned – even when they “…provoked Him with their high places…” (Psalm 78:58) Psalm 79 – Bitter lament over the fall of Jerusalem – Psalm 79:1 – “O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance; They have defiled Your holy temple; They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.” – How could God allow this? – How long will it last? – Any hope? Psalms 80-83 – pleas for rescue despite their sin Psalm 84 – desire to return to worship in the temple Psalms 85-87 – prayers for mercy, supplication and trust Psalm 88 – sad lament of Heman, the musician mentioned in the heading, who was injured or sick from his youth (Psalm 88:15) – no resolution – Psalm 88:18 – “You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are in darkness.” – Picture of Israel?
Psalm 89 – last chapter – attempt to resolve his theology with events –
Psalm 89:1 – affirms God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness Psalm 89:3-4 – Davidic Covenant restated – “I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant, I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations.” – originated in 2 Samuel 7 – royal covenant – the Lord was obligated to fulfill His part even if the other person violated the terms of the covenant – it was extended to descendants of David forever Psalm 89:5-20 – praise for the covenant Psalm 89:21-37 – long, strong affirmation of Davidic Covenant – Psalm 89:20 – “I have found David My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him . . .” Psalm 89:23-24 – “…I will crush his adversaries before him and strike those who hate him. My faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him, and in My name his horn will be exalted.” – Psalm 89:28 – “My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall be confirmed to him.” – Psalm 89:34-35 – “My covenant I will not violate, nor will I alter the utterance of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David.” BUT – Psalm 89:38-45 – Israel has brought shame on David and his covenant with God – Psalm 89:38-39 – “But You have cast off and rejected, You have been full of wrath against Your anointed. You have spurned the covenant of Your servant; You have profaned his crown in the dust.” – ends with Psalm 89:45 – “You have shortened the days of his youth; You have covered him with shame. Selah.” Psalm 89:46-52 – Plea for deliverance – “How long, O Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire?”
Book 3 ends with the national aspirations of Israel laying in the dust – do you ever feel like that? – RHCC – honed passion for preaching and biblical counseling – but where? HOPE – Psalms 90-106
IV.
A.
The principle
Book 4 opens with a response to end of Book 3 – compiled during the time of the exile – opens with Psalm attributed to Moses – strange – but his prayer on leading the exodus from Egypt parallels the people leaving exile in Babylon – reminds Israel that God was active on their behalf long before David – and He will not forsake them now – this is the answer to Psalm 89:46 – “How long O Lord?”
Psalm 90:1-2 – praises God’s eternal nature “…from everlasting to everlasting…” Psalm 90:4-12 – temporal nature of man – from dust – yet “…a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by…” – all man can expect is 70-80 years Psalm 90:13-17 – plea for mercy – Psalm 90:12-13 – “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Do return, O Lord; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants.”
B.
The pattern
Further signs of hope:
Psalm 91:1-6 – Psalm 91:5 – “…you will not be afraid of the terror by night…” – dramatic statement of God’s protection 5
Psalm 92:1 – “It’s good to give thanks to the Lord . . .” – but Psalm 92:6-8 says, “A senseless man has no knowledge, nor does a stupid man understand this: that when the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore. But You, O Lord, are on high forever.” Psalm 93 is a short burst expressing God’s majesty from of old – then Psalm 94 is an interjection of God’s vengeance Psalm 95-100 depicts God’s sovereign rule over the whole world including ecstatic praise from man, the nations, the sea and the fields because the Lord is coming to judge! – Calls to “shout joyfully,” “sing praises,” “tremble before Him” – Psalm 98:7-8 – “Let the sea roar and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy” – Psalm 100 ends with call for praise and thanksgiving! Psalm 101 – personal commitment of David to God Psalm 102 seems like an interruption – Psalm of unknown afflicted person who pours out his heart – possible reason in Psalm 102:17-18 – “He has regarded the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer. This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.” – Practical reminder of God’s faithfulness Psalm 103:7 – “He made known His ways to Moses…” – reminder of God’s eternal rule – Psalm 103:9-10 – “He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” – remember Psalm 89:46 – “…How long O Lord?”); Psalm 103:12-18 Psalm 104 – vivid, poetic praise for totality of God’s creation – includes the wind (Psalm 104:4), foundations (Psalm 104:5), water (Psalm 104:10–13), vegetation (Psalm 104:14), food-producing vines, trees and grain (Psalm 104:15), trees (Psalm 104:16, 17) and cliffs (Psalm 104:18), clouds (Psalm 104:13), wine, birds, trees, moon, sun, the sea Psalm 105 and 106 form a pair – reminds Israel of God’s miraculous provision from Abraham through the Exodus from Egypt – Psalm 106 reviews their sin under Moses and into the Promised land – benediction – Psalm 106:47-48 – “Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, ‘Amen.’ Praise the Lord!”
You can live 30 days without food – three days without water – but you will die without hope – who do you hope in? – GPS - wedding PRAISE – Psalms 107-150
V.
A.
The principle
Book 5 was compiled after the exile when God brought Israel back home – Psalm 107:2-3 affirms this – “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary and gathered from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” B.
The pattern
Structure of Book 5 reflects the answer to the closing petition of Book 4 in Psalm 106:47 – now they needed to know what to do since they were back in the land
Psalm 107 affirms that God does answer prayer Two collections of David’s Psalms – Psalms 108-110 and Psalms 138-145 Psalms 110 and 118 – most quoted in New Testament – thoroughly Messianic – events weren’t ever experienced by any earthly king Longest Psalm 119 affirms the value of the Law – mentioned in every verse but two Psalms 120-134 – 15 “psalms of ascent” recited by pilgrims as they journeyed “up to Jerusalem” to the Temple Psalms 135-136 conclude the “Great Hallel” – praise God for His creation, deliverance, and care – Psalm 136 contains antiphonal “His lovingkindness is everlasting” in every verse – 26 times Psalm 137 – remembering time in Babylon – Psalm 137:1 – “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.” Psalms 138-145 – second section of Davidic Psalms – possibly written as response to the Davidic Covenant – Psalm 139 is David’s wonderful expression of being known by God – shows His omniscience (Psalm 139:1-6), His omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-12), and His omnipotence (Psalm 139:13-18) followed by David’s obedience (Psalm 139:19-24) Psalm 140 – David’s five prayers – for protection (Psalm 140), sanctification (Psalm 141), help (Psalm 142), deliverance (Psalm 143), rescue and prosperity (Psalm 144) – concludes with thankfulness (Psalm 145) Concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (Psalms 146–150) – all begin and end with “Praise the Lord!” 6
Psalm 150 1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. 2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. 3 Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. 4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Suffering – thirsting – patience – hope – praise! – life!
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 1. Why has the book of Psalms become a favorite of so many people? 2. What is the focus of Psalm 42:1-3? 3. Why was Psalm 89:1-4 so important for Old Testament Jews? 4. What is the theme of Psalms 146-150? Why was this theme so dominant in these chapters? 5. What is you favorite Psalm? Why?
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