Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

(See ‘Introduction to the Songs of Ascent). Although there is no defined author Kraus says of this psalm: ‘very likely we should presuppose the living conditions of exilic (Israel in Babylon) and postexilic time.’ 1 (After the Jews return from Babylon.)

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THE MASTER - 1, 2 The Servants Watch

“I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.” (1)

This psalm is about our spiritual focus as our hearts will follow our eyes. Human nature tends to ‘look downward, or inward, or anywhere but to the Lord,’ 2 but help and grace comes to the worshiper when the decision is made to turn to God. It is not a declaration of what God is going to do in the future but what the psalmist is already doing. It fulfills the longing of Psalm 121:1 “I look up to the mountains…”. The vision of God enthroned in heaven became more detailed from the time of Isaiah the prophet through the days when Ezekiel and Daniel prophesied to the exiled Jews in Babylon. People were al- ways transformed by a clear vision of God on his eternal throne. Perhaps the exile helped the Jews re- alize that Yahweh was not just ‘enthroned’ in Jerusalem but exalted above all the earth. • Isaiah- “In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.” (Isa. 6:1) • Ezekiel- “Above the surface over their heads was what looked like a throne made of blue sap- phire. And high above this throne was a figure whose appearance was like that of a man.” (Ezek. 1:26) • Daniel- “I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like whitest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blaz- ing fire, and river of fire flowed from his presence…” (Dan. 7:9) • John- The fullest revelation of the throne comes to the Apostle John: “And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it!” John was not only looking at God on the throne, the throne was looking back at him: “In the center and round the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.”(Rev. 4:2, 6) “We look to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, [to the hand of their master NIV] as a slave girl watches her mistress [the hand of her mistress NIV] for the slightest signal.” (2) The language has switched from a singular prayer to one that includes others. Jesus taught us to pray “Our Father…” not only “My Father” . The amazing quality of this prayer is that it includes both men and women pointing to the liberating era of the gospel that was about to dawn upon the New Testament age: “In those days I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy.” (Acts 2:18) Being a servant of a high official or a slave girl of a noble lady was a great honor in biblical times. While the men servants are referred to in the plural, it mentions only a singular ‘servant girl.’ Delitzsch believes that ‘those of Israel are Yahweh’s servants, Israel the church is Yahweh’s maid.’ 3 Throughout history the servant women has been equated with the church. Mary rejoices during her pregnancy with Jesus: “Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly ser- vant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed.” (Lk. 1: 46-48) The New Testament lifted women from subjugation to honor: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians–you are one in Christ Jesus.”(Gal. 3:28) The custom among ancient servants was to have their eyes focused upon the “hand” of their mas- ter/mistress, the slightest movement communicated a complete message. As we look to the hand of the Lord today in worship we see: • Scars- that reminds us to have faith in him; “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands…Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’” (Jn. 20:27) • Stars- that reminds us he will always uphold the servants of his church- “This is the meaning of the seven stars you saw in my right hand…The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches,…” (Rev. 1:20) • Scroll- that reminds us he will open the understanding of scripture to his servants- “He (Jesus the Lion and the Lamb of God) stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sit- ting on the throne.” (Rev. 5:7)

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