Recall that Asaph’s name appeared in yesterday’s reading, listed as one of the Levites who was involved in the music of the Temple worship. This number he starts off with today invites the worshipers to “sing for joy to God.” I’m sorry to say that I have never before noticed how much joy is supposed to be a part of our knowing and worshiping God. I have confessed to Him my lack in that area and asked Him to transform me to make that as important a part of my relationship with Him as it needs to be.
Psalm 81’s account of how God interacted with His Old Testament people is a sobering reminder to us of the consequences of our choices. When they didn’t submit to Him, He gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If you recall the history we have read so far, the result was not pretty, was it? But that is not God’s desire for His relationship with His children. Note what the end of the psalm says about what His desire is, and remember that that is His desire for you. In case you might forget that material prosperity is not promised to us New Testament people, recall also that Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry.” He wants to satisfy us when we feed on Jesus. Can you imagine what that looks like?
Psalm 88 is written by another worship leader. Yesterday’s reading about the descendants of Levi tells us that the sons of Korah were part of the worship instituted by David. What is this writer’s situation? He addressed God as the God who saves him, and he was crying out to God; yet he said God’s wrath lies heavily on him. What can you understand about his situation? Can you find anything to apply to your own life?
The writer of Psalm 92 reminds us that it is good to praise God, and that melodic praise should spring from gladness at God’s deeds and admiration of His thoughts. Is this true of your knowledge of God? Do you express it to Him? He also speaks of the righteous flourishing. The cedars of Lebanon were famed trees that we are not able to appreciate today because they were decimated in ancient history. Their wood was so treasured by ancient powers throughout the Mediterranean that it was more valuable than gold. With that knowledge, think about the image the psalmist is conveying by comparing the flourishing of the righteous with the cedars of Lebanon. Do you see yourself flourishing spiritually? Are you continually bearing fruit, and do you see yourself as fresh and green? If you have difficulty understanding the imagery, think about the opposite of fresh and green: dried, brittle, drab, and barren. Which image describes you? I encourage you to be challenged by the psalmist’s example; use it to evaluate yourself. If this is God’s design for His people, how well do you conform to His design? If you don’t, please don’t wait to talk to Him about it. If you do, break out in praise to Him!
Psalm 93 is a great starter for praise. These should not be empty words to us! Think about what it means that the Lord reigns: how blessed we are that the reigning power is good and not evil. Think about what it means that the reigning power loves you and wants to enjoy intimate relationship with you. With the credentials given in this psalm, we can be assured that God’s reign isn’t going to end; think about the security offered in that. God’s house isn’t like any house we know, and one day we will be at home there; think about what that will be like. Is this substantial hope for you? I’m feeling pretty glad right now!