Summer Playlist, June 4
Summer Playlist Vol. 2: Praise of Remembrance
Psalm 103
June 4th 2023
The Psalms are to be experienced and felt, as much as understood and applied. They are not random bits of poetry but a strategically arranged symphony – each one playing its respective part.
God’s past faithfulness cements His future faithfulness regardless of present circumstances!
An introduction tells you where the author is going and why it is important to go there with them. A conclusion frames what you learned and marks where you have landed.
When you pursue a lifelong practice of prayer and obedience to God’s teaching, blessing will be your life partner.
Psalm 1:1-4 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 2 speaks to the futility of foreign kings believing they will have the last word over God’s people even when said people are in exile.
“Don’t attach your hope to the present, a Messianic King is in the future”!
Psalm 2:1-12
1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Waiting isn’t wasted unless it is filled with anxiousness.
Hallelu = Praise
Yah = Yahweh
Hallelu Yah = Praise the Lord
Halleluiah!
Praise Worthy
He is worthy of praise in the worst of times and the best of times because the times do not change Him!
He is worthy of praise because He doesn’t abandon us even in our rebellion!
He is worthy of praise even in exile because the exile is temporary and redemptive!
Psalms is a prayer book guiding faithfulness to the Word of God and hope-filled waiting for the Messianic Kingdom.
Psalm 103:1-6
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
David’s encouragement to his soul to praise is sourced by an active memory of the benefits of being in relationship with God!
Covenant Blessings in Christ…
Forgiveness of sin
Heals all diseases
Redeems life
Love & compassion
Good gifts
Renewed strength
Righteousness and justice
Psalm 103:7-12
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
With God, we know what we are going to get at all times…
Compassion
Grace
Patience (slow to anger – but He can get there!)
Love
Forgiveness (will not hold onto anger)
Psalm 103:13-19
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. 19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.