Psalms Readings – Week 13
March 28 – Psalm 94
1 The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, Lord; they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness;
the Lord our God will destroy them.
Psalm 94 emphasizes one of God’s primary roles as King is to establish justice in His kingdom. The first 3 verses are a lament and an appeal for the Lord to rise up and judge the wicked. Following these three verses, there are 5 sections of 4 verses each.
In verses 4-7, the psalmist charges the oppressors with their various crimes. They boast arrogantly, they crush and oppress God’s people, they kill the widow, the fatherless, and the foreigner among them. They falsely believe God does not see their evil actions.
In verses 8-11, the psalmist declares the Lord is fully aware of what is going on in His kingdom. The Lord knows that all human plans are futile if they are not according to His will and plan.
In verses 12-15, the Lord will not abandon His people. Even though God uses the oppression we experience as a form of discipline, we are blessed because God is teaching and refining us. The God who disciplines His people will also bring punishment to those who stand against Him.
In verses 16-19, only the Lord can provide the help we need against evil. God’s unfailing love supports us and His comfort brings joy in the midst of troubling anxiety.
In verses 20-23, the psalmist confidently declares the Lord is our fortress and refuge. He will bring judgment on the evil who oppress others. God will make everything right and good one day!
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: How are you praying for God to bring judgment on the evil in our world?
March 29 – Psalm 95
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
3 For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Today, if only you would hear his voice,
8 “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
10 For forty years I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”
The structure of Psalm 95 reveals that right living flows from right worship. This psalm teaches that people should worship and obey the Lord as the King who rules over all, and it concludes with an example from Israel’s history where they failed to do so.
Whenever we gather for worship, our hearts should be filled with thanksgiving. The reason we sing is because it best expresses our heart in declaring praise for God’s sovereignty. There is no other being like Him for He is over all creation from bottom to top and everything in between.
To bow down and kneel is a position of humility and submission. Even in our joyful singing, right worship is a humbling of ourselves before our Maker. He is not only our Creator Maker, but the Maker of us into a community of worshipers, whom we describe as the Body of Christ today. We are His people whom He lovingly cares for.
Instead of following the example of the Israelites in the wilderness who quarreled and tested the Lord when there was no water (Exodus 17:1-7), we must choose today to hear God’s voice and be obedient to Him.
The Israelites had experienced God’s miraculous deliverance out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. God’s power and glory were evident every step of the way, yet they failed to trust and allowed their hearts to go astray. Because of their rebellion, God’s punishment was upon them during their whole wilderness journey and they failed to enter the Promised Land.
We need to get our worship right so we will trust and obey the leading of the Lord. If we are intent upon entering God’s eternal rest one day, then how we worship and live matters today.
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: Have you connected your worship with your living? How have you seen your worship motivate you to live a life pleasing to the Lord? Will you bow down before the Lord today and offer yourself in full obedience to Him?
March 30 – Psalm 96
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Psalm 96 is a universal call to recognize that the Lord reigns. In verses 1-6, it calls us to worship the Lord because of his beauty and glory, and verses 7-13 call us to worship because of His righteous judgment.
The psalms often call us to sing a new song because God loves new music! When we have a fresh experience of God’s grace, we should offer a fresh expression of praise in prayer and worship. A new song not only speaks of music, but of our hearts in prayer. God grows tired if we offer the same old, routine, heartless prayers. Because God is continually doing a new thing within and among us, we should continually be offering him a fresh response of praise.
He is worthy of such praise because He is great and is to be feared above all the so-called gods of the nations. In contrast to these human-contrived objects of worship is the true Lord who actually made the heavens. Compare the handiwork of man with the handiwork of God and what a vast contrast you have!
This is why the psalmist calls all nations to join in the worship because there is one God full of splendor and majesty who reigns over all. Then, he calls the heavens, the earth, the sea, the fields, the forests, and all creation to rejoice and sing jubilantly to the Lord. We can rest assured that our holy Lord will one day judge the world with equity and righteousness. All things will be made whole again.
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: What is the fresh expression of grace God has most recently offered you? What is your new song of praise you are offering in response?
March 31 – Psalm 97
1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
This psalm emphasizes the Lord’s righteousness which is a significant feature of the Lord’s reign. God’s throne is founded upon it; His glorious handiwork proclaims it; and His people reflect it.
Because the Lord reigns, the whole world, the distant shores, the ends of the earth should rejoice. God’s reign is not limited to one country, one people, or one time zone but is forever over all. His rule is accompanied by magnificent signs that cause all of creation to respond in fear and trembling. The heavens proclaim, not only His greatness, but His righteousness as a display of glory for all to see.
That is why those who worship idols are put to shame in comparison. They worship what they have made with their own hands. God has made the heavens. There is no comparison. The Lord is the Most High elevated incomparably above all other so-called gods.
The psalmist makes it clear that loving the Lord equals hating what is evil. If we love God, we cannot cozy up to that which stands in opposition to Him. Let us never be deceived in a world of compromise because sin is always our enemy. It can never become our friend for we have the light of the Lord’s righteousness shining upon us for all to see.
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: If we love the Lord and rejoice in His reign, how much does the light of Christ reflect our hatred for evil? Have we compromised our witness? If so, what will we do?
April 1 – Psalm 98
A psalm.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 98 joyfully celebrates the Lord’s righteousness and was the inspiration for Isaac Watt’s hymn, “Joy to the World.”
Verses 1-3 call the community of believers to sing a new song for God has done remarkable acts. God has made his salvation known, revealed his righteousness to the world, and remembered His love and faithfulness to His people. As a result, all the earth has seen God’s salvation displayed. This is all the more relevant for us as Christ has brought God’s salvation to earth!
Verses 4-6 call the whole earth to joyfully celebrate the Lord, the King. The psalmist gives us vivid imagery of how powerful and beautiful such instrumentation and singing should be. He was not calling for a soft song of praise but one that boldly proclaimed God as King.
Verses 7-9 call all of creation to demonstrative worship. The sea was to reverberate, the rivers were to clap, and the mountains were to be a choir of joy as they declared their praise. The reason for such unthrottled praise was that God judges the world with righteousness and equity. He can be trusted to make all things right and good in due time when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on earth.
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: Does our praise rise to the level that the psalm calls us to give? Which of the reasons most encourage you to offer vibrant praise: God’s salvation, kingship, or judgment?
April 2 – Psalm 99
1 The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
2 Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
5 Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on his name;
they called on the Lord
and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
8 Lord our God,
you answered them;
you were to Israel a forgiving God,
though you punished their misdeeds.
9 Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.
This psalm has three sections each ending by describing God as holy which means He is totally unique and set apart as the only true God above and over all. There is no one like Him. He has no rival.
Verses 1-3 tell us if we truly understood what the rule of God encompasses, there would be much more trembling and quaking going on rather than brazen pride and rebellion among leaders and nations. There would be a broken humility which calls out to God for help and wisdom.
Verses 4-5 state that God the King is mighty and just. He always does what is right and good. He should be worshiped and exalted for the holy God He is.
Verses 6-9 give us examples of those who prayed and God answered. He spoke to them, and they faithfully obeyed Him. When Israel sinned, God forgave them after He punished them. Just because God disciplines us does not mean He is unwilling to forgive us. This brings all of God’s great qualities together. He is holy, mighty, just, and forgiving. There is always reason to offer praise to God!
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: Instead of answering questions, let us spend time praising the Lord for who He is.
April 3 – Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
This psalm is an exuberant joy-filled call to give thanks and praise. It has two sections which each gives the call and then the reason for doing so.
Such praise must be powerful for we are worshiping the one true Lord. So we shout, worship with gladness, and sing joyful songs. This is no mundane worship service. It is wholehearted with all the energy we have.
The reason we joyfully worship is because we know God has created us as His people. Through Jesus, we are the Body of Christ. We belong to Him. We personally know and experience Him as sheep know their shepherd.
The words “His people” translates a Hebrew word that structurally is at the very center of the psalm. Everything preceding this leads up to this affirmation of God’s relationship with His people, and everything following it springs from it. This exercise of locating a poem’s main point at its center—whether it be a word, a phrase, or an entire verse—occurs many times in the Psalms.
So, as the worshipers gather at the temple, they enter with joyful praise. The reason we can always come with such rich gratitude, regardless of our circumstances, is because the Lord is good, loving, and faithful. These qualities never stop and will never end. We can count on God being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Let us go and meet with the Body of Christ and enter worship with a joyful song in our hearts and on our lips.
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: What joyful song of praise and thanksgiving are you taking into worship today? How are you celebrating God’s goodness, love, and faithfulness?