Psalm 73, 77, 78
Today, we study three of the twelve Psalms of Asaph (he wrote Psalm 50 and Psalm 73 – 83). Asaph, as I understand it, was David’s music master and worked also under Solomon and Rehoboam. It is likely that he set many of David’s songs to music.
In Psalm 73, Asaph talks about almost losing his footing because he was envying the proud. It seemed to him that the wicked were prospering and didn’t have the same troubles other people have. He wondered if he kept his heart pure for nothing. While he got nothing but trouble all day long, they got away with sinning and being wicked. He does recognize, however, that the wicked are on the path to destruction.
Asaph also recognized his own foolishness and ignorance and knew that God guided him, leading him to a glorious destiny. His words “Whom have I in heaven but you?” should resound with all believers. Heloved being near God and having the Sovereign Lord as his shelter.
Is Psalm 77, he talks about being in deep trouble and searching for the Lord, praying, but his should was not comforted. Had God forgotten him? No. How does he know this? He rehearses God’s wonderful deeds from long ago. He remembers God’s great wonders and awesome power. How comforting it was for him to remember how God brought them through the Red Sea and led them like sheep.
Asaph certainly was well aware of the importance of the shema. Remember the words of Deuteronomy 6:
“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
In verse 4 of Psalm 78, he talks about not hiding these truths, these hidden lessons from the past from “our children” – we will tell the next generation. He then discusses the glorious deeds of the Lord, his power and his mighty wonders. He realizes that they must teach their children and their children must teach their children so each generation should will set its hope anew on God, “not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.
He then reminds them of God’s mighty deeds and that it didn’t seem to matter – the people still kept on sinning against him. They “again and again” tested God’s patience and provoked Him. He makes it clear there was a cycle of God blessing the people of Israel, followed by the people sinning against Him, followed by a plea to God for mercy and deliverance, and God delivering them. How sad!
Tomorrow, it’s I Chronicles 6. Watch for a reference to Asaph.
Safe Arrival
Left home this morning about 4:30 and arrived in Lawrenceville, GA about 12:30 – a wonderful, uneventful drive. I was listening to a book on tape: Prey by Linda Howard. It is an excellent book. Going to my niece’s wedding on Saturday.
Until next time…
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