Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Moses and Aaron -

Even though Moses was not an official member of the Priesthood of Israel represented by his brother Aaron, he was the original example of what a true priest was ordained to do; to stand before God on behalf of mankind and stand before mankind on behalf of God. Spurgeon says; ‘Moses, like Melchizedek, is a true-priest- beside and above the law 3 .’ The most graphic example of the brothers interceding for the nation is at the rebellion of Korah in the Book of Numbers. God was going to destroy the whole nation as they had been influenced by Korah to turn against Moses and Aaron. God spoke from the cloudy pillar as in this psalm: “As the people gathered to protest to Moses and Aaron, they turned toward the Tabernacle and saw that the cloud had covered it and the glorious presence of the Lord appeared…the Lord said to Moses, ‘Get away from these people so that I can instantly destroy them!’ But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground.” At this point Moses told his brother to take an incense burner out among the people to intercede for them: “…Aaron burned the incense and made atonement for them. He stood between the living and the dead until the plague was stopped.” (Num. 16:47, 48) Because the brothers stood in intercession, the Lord forgave Israel’s sin. Samuel - Although Samuel was not an official priest but a Levite, he functioned in this important ministry of intercession. As a prophet and judge he led the nation in a moment of crisis when the Philistine army marched against the defenseless people: “The Israelites were badly frightened when the learned that the Philistines were approaching. ‘Plead with the Lord our God save us from the Philistines!’ they begged Samuel. So Samuel took a young lamb and offered it to the Lord as a whole burnt offering. He pleaded with the Lord to help Israel, and the Lord answered.” (1 Sam. 7:7-9) True intercession is based on the blood of the Lamb and continues until an answer is received. In this case the Lord thundered upon his enemies and delivered the nation. Although God forgave the sins of Israel, he punished them for their transgressions. As Scroggie says: ‘the pardon does not stay the consequences of the sin pardoned.’ “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the Lord our God is holy!” (9) To exalt the Lord is to acknowledge his supremacy over all things. Exaltation changes us not the Lord; when we exalt him we align our thoughts and emotions to the truth of His rightful place in our lives. He is ‘exalted’ above everyone; his wisdom, power, intelligence and attributes are greater than any human being or angelic entity. His holiness sets him far apart from us; this strange and infinitely differ- ent God invites us to know him. True worship arises out of his being exalted; the only reasonable re- sponse to this magnificent God is to join the adoring woman in Simon the Pharisees house as she worships at his ‘footstool.’

1 Keil & Delitzsch 2 Boyce 3 Spurgeon

PSALM 100: SHOUT WITH JOY TO THE LORD The Thanksgiving Psalm

This is the last of the ‘Royal’ psalms (93, 95-100) that have a mixture of international praise, cele- brate the majesty of God’s reign and have a strong flavor of his imminent return. It is the only psalm that is designated specifically as a song of thanksgiving although other psalms are filled with gratefulness. It is pure praise and adoration with seven directives as to how to exalt the Lord and seven reasons why we should praise him. Like a diamond, it is clear and symmetrical in its reflection of the greatness of the God it exalts. It has been known through the centuries as the ‘Jubilate’. It is outlined in two sections:

I HE MADE US- 1-3 Gladness and Joy II HIS UNFAILING LOVE- 4,5 Thanksgiving and Praise

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