Psalms 63-67

David instituted 24 hour a day praise in the House of God. He wanted to give God a praise that was worth the blessing God had given him. God is always available and FOR us, so David wanted to return praise to Him that was commensurate.

It’s not for sure that David wrote this Psalm. Some think it was composed by Hezekiah after God had delivered Judah from Sennacherib. Regardless, its import is vital to a healthy Christian life.

The Hebrew word for praise here (tehillah) means constant, residual praise. This praise should live in us continually. It should always be on our lips. Why, because God is continually good to us.

Glory means “heavy, weighted.” It’s a sincere attitude of the heart, not light and flippant.

When I directed church music, I always attempted to give God the best music I could. To me, a well-rehearsed choir accompanied by a skilled orchestra could make glorious sounds that pleased God and inspired His people. I trust He enjoyed it.

Psalms 58-62

To God belongs all power. Another word for that is omnipotence. Therefore, all power is derived from God and He exercises control over it. No one has power but that God has granted it. He can give it or withdraw it at any moment.

Power is the possession of control, authority, or influence over others. It is the ability to act or produce an effect. It’s strength. It’s might.

Since power is a commodity that finds its origin in God, He will steward its use. Those who have it will be judged on what they do with it. Therefore, it is wise to use it with great prudence.

Our prayer is the most effective measure we have to respond appropriately to the power exercised over us. A right relationship with God places those with power between us and God.

Jesus taught that men ought always to pray and not faint. [Luke 18:1]

Ps. 52-56

We can take refuge in God until the disaster passes. Evil can abound all around like a storm. We merely hunker down, receive God’s protection, and wait until its over. We trust. We wait. We have hope in God, not in men.

Psalms 50, 51

David’s masterpiece of a song is Ps. 51. It is his thank offering and testimony to God for the life-saving mercy he received after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. He was fortunate that God didn’t rip away the kingship and abolish him from Jerusalem. Because he found God’s forgiveness and restoration through this trial, God’s mercy became a prominent theme in David’s life. David called this healing arm of God the “Sure Mercies.”

All of us have sinned and fallen short. We are likewise fortunate that God doesn’t zap us when we fall. The Proverbs say that a just man falls seven times and rises up again. The man that rises up is a better man than the one that fell.

Psalms 46-49

The Psalmist declared, “God, your name is known everywhere; all over the earth people praise you.” [Ps. 48:10 NCV]

This salvation we enjoy and participate in reaches around the world. People of every tribe and tongue will be represented in heaven and so their praise of God now exists in every part of the earth. Scripture also says, “From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, my Lord’s name is to be praised.” In effect, praise can be heard at any moment of any day. Like the revolving exposure to the sun, praises from the lips of God’s people provide a continuous concert of singing to the ears of God alone.

His subjects boast of His power and Kingdom. He LIVES in those praises.

Psalms 43-45

The Lord’s throne will last forever and ever. His Kingdom is ruled by true justice. John the Revelator heard “Great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” [Rev. 11:15]

Every earthly government is only temporary. They have an expiration date. We are wise to subject ourselves to the Lord’s Kingdom for as much of our earthly life as possible by becoming very familiar with His Constitution … the Holy Bible. We can all read it and know our rights.

Psalms 41-42

In Psalm 42, the author cites the protection he and his amigos received from the Lord to go to God’s house. As New Testament Christians we know that WE are God’s house, His temple. Whether we meet in a home, at a church building with pews etc., or under a tree down by the river … or in a van down by the river … we are being protectively watched by our Heavenly Father. If any government or enforcing agency tries to hinder us from meeting to worship and hear God’s Word, WE ARE PROTECTED.

One of God’s angels can destroy 185,000 enemy soldiers in one night. [Isaiah 37:36] Who do we need to be afraid of?

Psalms 38-40

The Psalmist wisely encouraged healthy restraint on the tongue. In effect, he said “put on the mute button when around evil, ungodly people.” [Ps. 39:1]

I learned a painful lesson on this note when I made a sarcastic comment to a “friend?” with a contrasting political flavor. I pushed a button that reaped the whirlwind. After apologizing profusely, I was actually dis-fellowshipped. Needless to say, I have applied new limits to my political humor.

When we think we can say “cute” things, beware … we may have walked into a relationship-curbing trap. Hence, the admonition to keep our mouths in check with a bridle. When God by His Spirit gives us an opening to say edifying things, we will know it.