Daily reading
Today’s reading is: Psa. 144-145; 88-89
Video
Psalm One Hundred Forty-Four
- God’s present battle-training is a marvel. Why does God even care? (Ps. 144:1-4).
- God’s future dealings will prompt new songs (Ps. 144:9 cf. Rev. 5:9; 14:3).
- Much of this psalm appears to be eschatological, with the Lord taking direct action against plural mouths of deceit (the entire world?) given over to the right-hand of falsehood (Ps. 144:7-8,11).
- The psalm concludes with all kinds of happiness for our sons, our daughters, our garners, our flocks, our cattle, our streets (Ps. 144:12-15).
Psalm One Hundred Forty-Five
- Psalm 145 is the last psalm designated as David’s. It is the only Davidic psalm called “a psalm of praise.” It begins the conclusion to the psalms, where the final six hymns highlight the praise of the Lord.
- The believer is to praise and worship the Lord daily, communicating the glory of the Lord to all generations, and to men of all lands (Ps. 145:1-7).
- The believer’s praise and worship comes as a response to the lovingkindness we have received, and the kingdom we have been placed into (Ps. 145:8-13).
- The believer’s provision is not just eternal—God sustains us throughout time as well (Ps. 145:14-16).
- The believer’s intimacy with the Lord is a gift of God’s grace, to be enjoyed both in time and eternity (Ps. 145:17-21).
Psalm Eighty-Eight
- Psalm 88 & Psalm 89 are written by two Ezrahite brothers—Heman and Ethan. Their wisdom was proverbial, although not to the level of Solomon’s (1st Kgs. 4:31).
- Heman endured a personal testing of suffering similar to that of Job.
- Heman engaged in an unceasing prayer ministry, as a result of his life-long physical afflictions.
- As Heman anticipates his arrival in Sheol, he ponders whether the Rephaim (shades, departed spirits, giants) will rise up and praise the LORD, and whether Abaddon would declare His grace and truth (Ps. 88:10-12).
- Like Job (Job 13:15), Heman avows his faithfulness until death (Ps. 88:13-18; Rev. 2:10).
Psalm Eighty-Nine
- Psalm 89 was written by Ethan the Ezrahite, brother to Heman (the author of Psalm 88). He was a famous wise man that Solomon was compared to (1st Kgs. 4:31).
- Psalm 89 is the expression of rejoicing for the glory of the LORD manifest through the Davidic Covenant (Ps. 89:3-4,27-29,35-37,49).
- The realm of elect angels is called upon to praise the LORD for His matchless grace towards David (Ps. 89:5-10).
- No angelic being can be compared to the LORD (Ps. 89:6).
- The one who made such comparisons was crushed, and his allies were scattered (Ps. 89:10).
- The realm of creation is called upon to praise the LORD for His matchless grace towards David (Ps. 89:11-18).
- The realm of believing humanity is called upon to praise the LORD for His matchless grace towards David (Ps. 89:19-29).
- Ethan reminds the LORD that human faithlessness cannot invalidate the Davidic Covenant (Ps. 89:30-37; 2nd Sam. 7:14-16).
- Ethan then complains to the LORD that He appears to have done just that (Ps. 89:38-48).
- Ethan calls upon the LORD to be faithful to His own promises (Ps. 89:49-52).