Biblical Reflections

Psalm 75: A hymn of praise

Psalm 75 is a hymn of praise.  The psalm thanks God for the wonderful things he has done for Israel and celebrates that God is judge of all the earth and will one day put down the wicked and lift up the faithful.   1 – We give thanks to God and recount his wonderous deeds.   2-5 – God declares that at the set time he will judge the earth, rebuking the boastful and the wicked.   6-8 – It is God who executes judgment, lifting up the faithful and putting down the wicked.  All the wicked of the earth will be put down.     9-10 – And the singer will declare God’s praises forever.

Psalm 74: A Cry of Anguish

Psalm 74 is a community lament, a cry of anguish over a disaster that has fallen on the people and destroyed the Temple of God. There is the plea that even though this may come from God in punishment, yet do not let the Gentiles scorn God for this tragedy. 1-3 – Why God did you let this tragedy happen to us? 4-8 – A description is presented of how the Temple of God, the dwelling place of god’s name, was destroyed. 9-11 – Puzzlement over why God is silent during this destruction. 12-17 – Recalling the past wonders that were worked by God and acknowledging that salvation comes from God. 18-23 –For the sake of the covenant, deliver us.

Psalm 73: the question of why do the wicked prosper

Psalm 73 is a psalm of wisdom and the first psalm in Book 3.  Asaph struggles with the question of why do the wicked prosper.  Spoiler alert, ultimately the faithful and the wicked have different destinations.   1-3 – The wicked prospered and Asaph envied them.   4-12 – The wicked are free from the troubles that the faithful face on a daily basis.   13-15 – Asaph had bitter feelings and felt that he had lived a faithful life in vain.   16-17 – Asaph found the answer to his anguish in the sanctuary of God.    18-20 – The destiny of the wicked is destruction.   21-28 – The destiny of the faithful is four-fold.  God is continually with us.  He holds our right hand in protection.  God guides us with counsel.  After death, God will take us into glory.  Our treasure is in heaven not in this world.  God is our strength and our inheritance forever.  In this life it is good to be near God, and to make him our refuge.

Psalm 72: The End of Book 2, A Royal Psalm

Psalm 72 is last psalm of Book 2.  It is a royal psalm praying for the heirs of David to have success in their assigned tasks as king, such tasks include:  ruling God’s people well, protecting the poor and needy, and bringing blessing to all the nations of the world.  This psalm anticipates the Messiah and his worldwide rule of all peoples.   1-4 – Let the king rule/judge the people justly.  The attributes of the king should be righteousness and justice.   5-7 – May they fear you means may they honor and obey you.  Metaphors are used like while the sun shines and till the moon is no more to mean always. 8-11 – May all the kings fall down and serve him, so that they will be under the rule of God. 12-14 – Bring justice and relief to the poor and needy and put down oppression and violence.   15-17 – May all nations be blessed in this king. 18-20 – Not part of Psalm 72, rather it is the closing doxology of Book 2. May the whole earth be filled with the glory of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Psalm 71: When a faithful person is in danger

Psalm 71 is an individual lament in which a faithful person is in danger from enemies who would hurt him by taking advantage of a weakness or distress.  It appears to be taken from parts of Psalms 31 and other Davidic psalms.   1-3 – The singer opens with a profession of faith by being assured of God’s covenant promises.  God is righteous, that is he is faithful to keep his promises, and this is the basis of the prayer.   4-11 – Rescue me from those who want to hurt me.  They are wicked and cruel men, those who oppose true faith in God.  The singer acknowledges God’s protective hand and guidance all the way back to his conception.  The singer declares his faithful actions to God.  This is reminder that the benefits of the covenant are not automatic but are only for the faithful.  The singer has no hope of rescue except in God.   12-16 – The singer calls out for God to come quickly to rescue him.  He hopes to be able to praise God in the future to others for God’s saving grace during this danger.   17-21 – In my youth you taught me to trust you.  Do not abandon me now in old age.  Allow me to proclaim God to a new generation.  God’s attributes of righteousness and faithfulness are proclaimed.   22-24 – The conclusion that the singer expects to praise God in the future for his saving grace during this time of danger.