Psalms

This Psalm speaks of the characteristics of a person who will be allowed  to ‘abide with the Lord’ or go to Heaven. Among these characteristics are the following: “He who walks with integrity and works righteousness and speaks Truth in his heart.” Let me focus on what I believe it means to speak Truth in one’s heart. The Bible characterizes Jesus as the Truth. The Bible also characterizes Jesus as the Word of God. Therefore, the…

In this Psalm David writes the following, “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”” The Bible characterizes nonbelievers as fools. They see the world much differently than those who believe in God. To those who believe, this is incredible. To believers God’s existence is obvious. Creation itself proves God’s existence. The beauty of the world and life itself can only be explained by acknowledgment of a Creator. Unfortunately, many do not believe in…

In this Psalm David expresses his sorrow for God’s seeming absence in David’s life. David says, “How long, O Lord? Will Thou forget me forever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?” David’s condition is not unusual. Believers go through periods of suffering and trials in which God is seemingly absent in their lives. Prayers don’t seem to be answered, and God’s presence is not evident. It is during these times that we must…

In this Psalm, David again compares the righteous with the wicked. The wicked people seem to prevail over the righteous. The righteous are afflicted by the wicked. David says, “The wicked strut about on every side where vileness is exalted among the sons of men.” We see this happening in America and indeed the world today. Evil is called good and good is called evil. There is an open attempt to remove God from our lives. When…

In this Psalm King David writes, “The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked.” Our lives are a proving ground. The Bible says that the Lord is preparing a people for Himself. God is growing the people that He wants to live with Him for all eternity. I have heard people ponder and wonder what is the purpose of life. It seems to me to be a time of preparation. The Bible calls it sanctification.  Sanctification…

In these passages David writes, “The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land.” David is writing about a future event when Jesus returns to the Earth to be King. When He returns, He will cleanse the Earth of sin and evil. Nations that have not demonstrated belief in God will be removed.  Jesus will rule as King for 1000 years. The Bible says that those who believed in Jesus during their…

In this Psalm King David speaks to God about the wicked people. David observes that the wicked people prosper and don’t seem to have any problems in their lives. Their wickedness is unrestrained. They harm the weak and afflicted people and take advantage of them. They grow wealthy and are very prideful. Furthermore, they do not believe in God and see no consequences for their behavior. However, the wicked are on a slippery slope. Their judgment…

In these passages the Psalmist writes about God’s eventual judgment. He says, “The wicked will return to Sheol, even all the nations who forgot God.” The Bible says that Jesus will return to the Earth to be King of the Earth. God the Father has given Jesus authority and power to judge the people and nations of the Earth for their behavior. The wicked will be sent to a place the Bible calls Sheol. It is…

In these passages David compares God’s treatment of the wicked and the righteous. Regarding the wicked, David says, “Thou hast rebuked the nations; Thou hast destroyed the wicked; thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.” However, regarding the righteous David says, “Those who know thy name will put their trust in Thee. For Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.” God is just. He will judge rightly between the good…

In this Psalm King David speaks of human insignificance when compared to God. However, God made humans to rule over the works of God’s hand.  God has given humans dominion over the Earth. Therefore, it is incumbent on humans to be good stewards of the Earth and care for it. In some cases, mankind has done a pretty good job. In other cases, not so much. Humans have polluted many rivers, lakes, and streams. However, in…