Today’s passage: Psalm 89
Helpful thoughts:
- This psalm could be divided into three parts:
- Verses 1-37 recount the promises of God, His covenant with David and Israel.
- Verses 38-45 give the perception of the psalmist at the time of his writing. All was not well. It seemed God had forgotten His covenant.
- Verses 46-59 are utilized to make the request from the Lord to remember His people and take away their reproach.
- God is faithful and will fulfill His covenant with David and Israel. A King will reign who has descended from David, forever. (Matthew 1:1-17)
- The “firstborn” (Verse 27) is a term of prominence. Being the firstborn in a family meant special honor and double inheritance. Being chosen as “firstborn” was a term used in special circumstances by God.
- Israel was the “firstborn” among the nations. (Exodus 4:22)
- David was the “firstborn” among the kings of the earth. (Vs. 27)
- Jesus is the “firstborn” among all creation. (Colossians 1:15)
Questions to consider:
- What is the challenge of verse 39? Had God truly renounced the covenant and defiled the crown? How do verses 30-37 help us answer this? Who had sinned and what was God going to do about it?
- Had we been with the psalmist when he wrote this appeal to God, how might we better understand where he was coming from? In the midst of their trouble, why would it make sense to ask God these questions and appeal to His character and promises?
- How does going to and knowing the promises of God in the Scripture help us to persevere during hardships? How is all of this going to end? (Revelation 21:1-5) Why is it always right to take our concerns directly to God, especially when we might feel like He isn’t doing what we expect Him to do?