Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

is certainly one of the most intense physical experiences possible. The presence of the Lord causes pain to the disobedient and the believer to praise. He is identified as “the God of Jacob” in this passage, not the God of Israel. He is with us in our ‘Jacob state’ of human frailties and shortcomings yet his presence births us into deeper levels of Christ-likeness.

“He turned the rock into pools of water; yes, springs of water came from solid rock.” (8)

In the miracle of the Red Sea and the Jordan River, the ‘fluid became solid’. Now the psalmist cel- ebrates the miracle of the ‘solid becoming fluid;’ the two accounts in Israel’s wilderness journey where the rock provided water to his people. Rather than being an image of deliverance or empowerment, this miracle of God’s presence emphasizes the ongoing supply of life that we receive from a relationship with Christ who pours out his Holy Spirit in the desert. “…and all of them drank the same miraculous water. For they all drank from the miraculous rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.” (1 Cor. 10:4) From the simple rock of Christ’s presence where we pray, worship and listen to his word, comes an endless stream of spiritual refreshment.

1 Scroggie 2 Spurgeon 3 Keil & Delitzsch 4 Scroggie

PSALM 115: NOT TO US, O LORD Idols of the Heart

This is an antiphonal psalm written for a divided choir to sing in the rebuilt temple after the Jews returned from their exile in Babylon. It is a confessional psalm repenting of the idolatry that was the main cause for their 70 years of captivity. The writer mocks the idols of the surrounding countries and encourages God’s people to trust only in the Lord. It was most likely written during Nehemiah’s day when the Jews were few in number and were being threatened by the nations around them: “Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews…’ What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they are doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a day if the offer enough sacrifices?’ Then I prayed, ‘Hear us, O our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land!’” (Neh. 4:1,2,4) The psalmist assures the people in a soothing song that God will increase and bless the small band of Jews that had faithfully returned to Jerusalem. True praise that is born out of a love for God is seen as the antidote to setting up idols in the heart. All who honor God “both great and small” will receive part of the blessing promised centuries ago to Abraham. It is outlined in four sections: I NOT TO US, O LORD 1-8 Rejection of Idols II TRUST THE LORD ! 9-11 Resolve to Trust III BLESSED BY THE LORD 12-16 Receive His Blessings IV PRAISE THE LORD ! 17, 18 Rejoice in the Lord

I

NOT TO US, O LORD 1-8

“Not to us, O Lord, but to you goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.” [“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory…”NIV] (1)

Pride is at the root of all idolatry; it is the worship of one’s own selfish desires. The ultimate act of rebellion for mankind is to create our own god and reject the true God. “Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!” (Jer. 2:11) Israel had been exiled because of their pride and idol- atry and from the beginning of this psalm, the singer declares God and his unfailing love and faithful- ness as the source of their release from the captivity of foreign lands. There is no hint of arrogance left in them as they return to their land and doubly declare: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us…” Israel has gone through their cross experience where selfish desire and worldly affections are totally crucified.

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