2 Sam. 8:11b-17,25-29, Book III of the Psalms (Ps. 73-89)

In our Sunday blogs we have been working through Book III of the Psalms, Ps. 73-89.  Each Psalm can stand on its own.  However, it is very evident that there is a “theme” to this collection.  They are attributed to Asaph (73-83), Korah (84-85,87-89) and David (86).  [Ps. 88-89 are meditations by two “Ezrahites” who are said to be sons of Korah.]  It is likely that the collecting of these Psalms took place during the Babylonian captivity. 

The common theme has to do with God’s faithfulness to Israel.  It is not so much God’s faithfulness to Abraham as it is God’s faithfulness to David.  God made an unconditional, eternal covenant with David, promising that he would have a Son on the throne forever.  God also said that, if any of David’s sons did not rule in righteousness, He would chasten them and even remove them from the land.  But God would still keep the covenant with David.

As an aid in the study of these Psalms, here is a statement of the subject of each.

73: The righteous suffer while the wicked thrive, but the wicked will perish.

74: The times are very bad.  Arise, God, plead your cause.

75: God is the Judge.  At the proper time He will judge the earth.

76: God’s name is great in Israel and Jerusalem.

77: Has God’s mercy ceased forever?

78: God rejected Ephraim and Shiloh and chose Judah and Jerusalem forever.

79: The nations have come into Jerusalem, Judah.

80: Prayer for restoration of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

81: Israel would not listen and turn to God.

82: Arise, God, and judge the unjust of the earth.

83: Specifically, judge those who deny Israel the right to exist.

84: The blessing of making pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

85: Israel is back in the land, but it's still hard as they wait for Messiah’s kingdom.

86: David himself prays that God would have mercy and strengthen the King.

87: Jerusalem’s best days are ahead.

88: Meditation: my soul is full of troubles; Your face, O LORD, is hidden.

89: Meditation: O LORD, remember Your covenant with David.

These Psalms have great application for every believer in these days.  We can learn how the righteous are to patiently “wait on the LORD” in times when the wicked thrive.  Further, there is encouragement to trust God for Israel’s future.  That is important not only for people of Jewish background but for we who have come to Christ from the nations.  We must not fall into any form of the doctrines that deny God’s faithfulness to His earthly people Israel.  If He fails to keep these promises what hope is there for those of us who hope in the return of Christ to take us to be with Him for eternity?