Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

I THE REFUGE OF GOD - 1-3

“ God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”(1) Like the first verse in the Book of Genesis the psalm begins with the assumption that God exists, “ God is… ” First of all, he exists. Secondly he exists as a protector, a sustainer and a helper in times of deep distress. God is attracted to us particularly when we face insurmountable trouble. It is his special delight to deliver his people when they have no earthly means of help. Paul amplifies this thought: “ We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us.” (2 Cor. 4:8,9) “So we will not fear,…” (2) The sons of Korah stand firm in their faith that God will help them, they shout for joy when the enemy attacks them! They maintain their confidence even in the face of four of the most frightening nat- ural disasters that mankind can experience: • Earthquakes- “ …even if earthquakes come…” • Avalanches- “ …and the mountains crumble into the sea.” • Tsunamis- “ Let the oceans roar and foam.” • Volcanoes- “ Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude (2,3) God thunders, and the earth melts!” (v. 6)

The armies that are coming against Jehoshaphat/Hezekiah and Jerusalem are like one of these terrifying forces of nature, only God can provide the protection and help they need.

II THE RIVER OF GOD - 4-7

“ A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.”(4)

‘In this setting the ‘river’ of verse 4 is the stream of Siloam, the only natural supply of fresh water in Jerusalem 1 .’ The pool of Siloam is where Jesus told the man who was blind from birth to wash the mud from his eyes. “ Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smoothed the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, ‘Go and wash in the pool of Siloam’ (Siloam means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.” (Jn. 9:6,7) This pool and river represented the miraculous river of the power of the Spirit. It brought healing and joy to this man and resulted in him believing in Jesus and worshiping him: “ …Jesus…said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ The man answered, ‘who is he, sir, because I would like to.’ ‘You have seen him,’ Jesus said, ‘and he is speaking to you!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ the man said, ’I believe!’ And he worshiped Jesus.” (Jn. 9:35-38) God has placed a spiritual river in his city where the blind can wash their eyes and believe in and adore the Son of God! Isaiah describes the river and the protection of God from the Assyrians: “ Instead, you will see Zion as a place of worship and celebration. You will see Jerusalem, a city quiet and secure. The Lord will be our Mighty One. He will be like a wide river of protection that no enemy can cross.”(Isa. 33:20,21)

“ God himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed.” (5)

While the psalm is speaking of the natural city of Jerusalem, it is also pointing us to the heavenly Jerusalem: “ Abraham…was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city de- signed and built by God.” (Heb. 11:10) The ‘city’ of God also is speaking figuratively of his church that God has miraculously preserved through the centuries. The security and celebration that happened in the natural city is to take place among his people today!

“ God will protect it at the break of day. The nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms crumble! God thunders, and the earth melts!” (5,6)

In both of the possible instances of the writing of this psalm, God helped his people “ at the break of day ” destroying the attacking armies. This should encourage us to rise early and start each day with prayer and praise. • Jehoshaphat- “ Early the next morning the army of Judah went out…” (2 Chron. 20:20)

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