Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

those who demand tribute from us. Scatter the nations that delight in war. Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals; let Ethiopia bow in submission to God.” (28-31)

From this point the psalm becomes prophetic of God’s future victory in the nations of the earth. The power displayed in the past will be available to his people in the days ahead. The ‘wild animals lurking in the reeds’ is either the crocodile or the hippopotamus that represented Egypt, the greatest military and economic power in David’s time. Though Egypt demanded tribute, they would end up serving the God of Israel through his son, Jesus. At the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, there were Egyptians present. “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God fearing Jews from every nation under heaven…Egypt and the parts of Libya…” (Acts 2:5,10 NIV) Ethiopia bowed in submission to God when the Ethiopian eunuch converted to Christ. “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35 NIV) 8. Epilogue of Praise- 32-35 “Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the Lord. Interlude– Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky. Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in heav- ens. God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!” (31-35) The psalm ends where it began but now the angelic chariots, the processional of Israel and the na- tions of the earth have amplified the song. The instruction is to sing, sing, sing to Yahweh, a prelude to the worship of the Trinity, and tell everyone about his power. As the church ‘sings’ and ‘tells’ the world about Jesus, God promises to shine down with favor and give power and strength to his triumphal pro- cession. “Praise be to God!”

1 Hitzig 2 Keil & Delitzsch 3 Keil & Delitzsch

PSALM 69: THOSE WHO HATE ME WITHOUT CAUSE The Suffering and the Song

This is one of the most highly messianic psalms as seven verses are quoted directly in the New Tes- tament and others are alluded to. It is a prophetic account of the sufferings and thoughts of Christ dur- ing his passion on the cross. Most of the references in the New Testament are mentioned in the gospel of John, the disciple who remained closest to the heart of Jesus during his crucifixion. Nothing in all of literature will allow you more intimacy with the Savior during his suffering than this song-prayer of des- peration and ultimately hope. It is divided into 3 main sections:

I THE SUFFERING 1-21 II THE SNARE 22-28 III THE SONG 29-36

INTRODUCTION:

“For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune, ‘Lilies.’”

Psalm 45 also has the instruction to sing to the tune of the ‘Lilies’. It is designated as a ‘Love Song’ celebrating the marriage of the king to his beloved. This psalm expresses God’s sacrificial love on the cross. This lily…’in the Holy Land is mostly red…as a plant, a beautiful emblem of Christ 1 .’ Every lily of the field is to remind us of his suffering and care for us.

I THE SUFFERING - 1-21

1. Save Me From Sinking- 1-5

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