Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Even the most powerful princes and important people can be a disappointment by their failure to deliver their promises. “…their breathing stops, they return to earth…” is reaching back to the story of when God created Adam: “And the Lord God formed a man’s body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person.” (Gen. 2:7) When he dies all of his plans and promises come to an abrupt end. This word for ‘plans’ is used nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible. This psalm marks the ‘end’ of the references to the weaknesses of our Adam-like nature and the beginning of the new nature of Christ that desires to glorify God through praise.

“But happy are those who have the God of Israel (Jacob) as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” (5)

‘Happy’ is the word ‘bless/blessed’ that is used 26 times throughout the psalms. It was first mentioned in Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man…” (NIV) and this is the last appearance of this most tender side of hal- lelujah . We were made to be happy and the more we trust, the more our soul delights in the Lord. ‘“God of Jacob” is a favorite expression of the later psalms, where it almost supersedes the phrase, “God of Israel.”’ 10 The writer seemed to identify with the weaknesses of Jacob’s human nature that only mag- nified the grace and strength of the Lord God. Now begins the contrast between the “the son of man…who is no help” and what the “Lord God” has done and continues to do as he interacts with mankind. Jesus fulfilled all of these qualities ‘and proved himself to be Jehovah (Yahweh) of the Old Testament.’ 11 1. Creator- “He is the one who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.” (6) ’ He who made heaven can make a heaven for us, and make us fit for heaven.’ 12 Our personal Lord is the Lord of Creation: “He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make.” (Jn. 1:2) 2. Faithful- “He is the one who keeps every promise forever,…” (6) All of the promises of salva- tion to the nation of Israel are fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He is now the one through whom every promise in Scripture is dispensed and completed; “…because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, never wavers between yes and no. …he is the divine Yes–God’s affirmation. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in him.” (2 Cor. 1:19, 20) 3. Righteous Judge- “...who gives justice to the oppressed…” (7) The closer that we get to the throne, the more we will be aware of divine perfection and human injustice. Worship is adoring the one who cares passionately about the oppression of any people group. “He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt. 9:36) 4. Provider- “…and food to the hungry.” (7) The Lord is the provider of our natural needs as well as the nourishment of a spiritual purpose in life: “Breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave some of the bread and fish to each disciple, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted…” (Mt. 14:19, 20) The follower of Jesus joins him in his mission of providing natural and spiri- tual food for mankind. 5. Liberator- “The Lord frees the prisoners.” (7) This phrase, along with the following four, are a po- etical device by the Hebrew poet where he conveys his message in three carefully chosen Hebrew words; a masterful act of song-writing! ‘The five lines beginning with ‘Yahweh’ (The Lord) belong to- gether. Each consists of three words…also the favorite measure of the lines in the Book of Job.’ 13 The ministry of Jesus fulfilled this prophecy of liberation: “He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released…This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes.” (Lk. 4:18, 21) 6. Healer- “The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.” (8) There was a continual atmosphere of praise surrounding Jesus as he healed the people of their diseases. “The crowd was amazed! Those who had- n’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking around, and those who had been blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.” (Mt. 15:31) 7. Restorer- “The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads.” (8) Jesus brought this verse to life when he healed a “daughter of Abraham” from a crippling situation that filled her grateful heart with praise: “…he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent dou- ble for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said ‘ Woman, you are healed of your sickness!” then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised and thanked God!” (Lk. 13:11-13)

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