Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

III EXALTED ABOVE ALL GODS - 7-9

• Idols judged- “Those who worship idols are disgraced- all who brag about their worthless gods- for every god must bow to him.” (7) Prior to his coming there will be a resurgence of idolatry that pro- vokes the judgment of God. “The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object (idol) that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place” (Mt. 24:15) God did not tolerate the Philistine god ‘Dagon’ to stand alongside his presence, every false god must bow before him: “But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it (their idol) the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord!” (1 Sam. 5:3) • Israel Restored- “Jerusalem (Zion) has heard and rejoiced, and all the cities of Judah are glad because of your justice, Lord!” (8) In the initial fulfillment of this verse the nation of Israel was ecstatic with joy about the return of their people from Babylon. Justice had been accomplished on the nation that had conquered them. There are many prophecies foretelling a great harvest of the Jewish people be- fore Christ’s return: “Some of the Jews have hard hearts, but this will last only until the complete num- ber of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved.” (Rom. 11:25, 26) • Exaltation of Christ- “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” (9) It is revealed in his word that Christ is presently exalted in heaven yet at his return every eye will see the reality of this verse: “…God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11) Although the last times are filled with great judgments and trouble for the whole earth, there are some striking promises for God’s people! • Love for the Lord- “You who love the Lord, hate evil!” (10) There will be people who genuinely love God and this will be evidenced by their hatred of the world and all the evil in it: “But those who obey God’s word really do love him.” (1 Jn. 2:5) • Protection from God- “He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.” (10) Just as the Israelites were protected from the plagues of Egypt in the days of Moses, God promises a greater measure of supernatural care during these times. This is shown in the highly figurative language of Revelation: “But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle. This allowed her to fly to a place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time.” (Rev. 12:14) • Light for the godly- “Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right.” (11) God’s light shines brightest in the darkest times; he has promised to add special illumination to his people in these dark moments: “But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.” (1 Thess. 5:4, 5) • Praise for the Lord- “May all who are godly be happy in the Lord and praise his holy name!” (12) One of the outstanding characteristics of the church that is alive during the time of Christ’s return is their confidence in God and love for him expressed in joyful praise. They are standing victoriously in faith awaiting his return: “So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your sal- vation is near!” (Lk. 21:28) IV LIGHT SHINES ON THE GODLY - 10-12

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