S3E169 – Psalms 72-74: Persist

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we’ll read Psalms 72-74, and after the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Persist.”

Comments on Psalms 72-74

Introduction to Psalm 72

This psalm is entitled “A Psalm of Solomon”, but translating from the Hebrew into English can be a bit inexact at times. This is one example. Some translations render the Hebrew here as “A Psalm for Solomon”, and still others as”A Psalm to Solomon.” As a matter of fact, nearly every psalm with this title can be translated in one of these ways. 

So how does one decide which word to use when there are multiple possibilities? You look at the context. What does the surrounding text say? Or I suppose in the case of the title of a psalm, what does the psalm say? Which translation makes the most sense?

In the case of Psalm 72, a case can easily be made for any one of these uses, which is of course why different Bible translations render it differently. 

Some commentators look at this psalm as being written by David for his son, and about his son Solomon, and about his future descendent, the Messiah. So their translation of the title is “A Psalm for Solomon”, or even “A Psalm to Solomon.”

Other commentators believe that the most logical translation is “A Psalm of Solomon.” The final verse of this psalm is, “The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, end here.” Many scholars think that Solomon compiled Book Two of Psalms, and wrote this psalm as an ending of psalms that were primarily written by David. Book Two is made up of Psalms 42 to this one, Psalm 72. You will notice was we read it, that the subject of the psalm is not David, but Solomon partly, but it is certainly applicable to the Messiah.

Introduction to Psalm 73

This psalm begins Book 3 of the Psalter. The title of this psalm is “A Psalm of Asaph”. Asaph was a musician and singer during the times of both David and Solomon. In addition to his musical talents, 1 Chronicles 25:1 and 2 Chronicles 29:30 tell us that Asaph was also a prophet. 

As we read through this psalm, notice the pronouns. In the first section Asaph talks about what will happen to the ungodly. In these verses, the dominant pronoun is “they”. From verses 13-17 the dominant pronoun is “I” as he describes how troubled he is about this situation until he discovered the cure for his trouble. Verses 18-22 find the focus now on God, and the dominant pronoun is “You.” Finally in the closing verses he confesses his faith in God and the assurance he has that he will spend eternity with Him. And the dominant pronouns here are both “You” and “I.” 

Introduction to Psalm 74

This psalm is entitled “A Maskil of Asaph.” Some translations render it as “A Contemplation of Asaph.” We’ve talked about what a maskil is before, so I won’t belabor it now.

This is a psalm of sorrow upon the destruction of the sanctuary. The actual time of the psalm is not known, because was the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, and then later during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. And then there is a third possibility: Asaph was thinking back to when the tabernacle was destroyed in Shiloh (1 Samuel 4). The Hebrew word for sanctuary here in this psalm is also used for the tabernacle in Exodus 25, Leviticus 12 and 21, and in Numbers 10 and 18.

You might be wondering about how Asaph is a possibility when these events happened hundreds of years apart. Commentator James Montgomery Boice explains, in reference to this psalm referring to the destruction by the Babylonian or Antiochus Epiphanes: Either this is a later Asaph, which is not unlikely since the name might have been perpetuated among the temple musicians, or, more likely, the name was affixed to many psalms produced by this body of musicians. We know that the ‘descendants of Asaph’ were functioning as late as the reign of Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:15).”

Comments on Psalm 73

In Psalms 73 today, we see a man who at first seems to be complaining that doing right and living a good life isn’t worth the effort. He suffered, while the unrighteous seemed to have it easy. But then, when he entered the sanctuary, he realized that their ultimate destiny was ruin. Have you ever thought that it just doesn’t seem fair? You look around and see people that you know do not live for God, and they have money, power, influence, fame and all the rest, while you struggle to make ends meet. Maybe you have physical challenges, or people look at you like you’re stupid to believe in a God you cannot see.

My friend, hang in there. We are here on this earth for only a moment in time. Eternity is a long, long, long time. I will gladly sacrifice the supposed comforts of wealth now, to live in the fellowship and the presence of the Lord forever. I have no doubt that it *will* be worth it. Run the race all the way to the finish line!

Comments on Psalm 74

The opening sentence of Psalms 74 captures what many today might be thinking: O God, why have you rejected us forever?

The world is indeed a troubled place right now. Most of the world has rejected God, and has been living in rebellion to Him for decades, and even centuries. Even the United States of America, which had its founding primarily for the practice of freedom of religion, threw God out of the schools in 1963, when I was in the third grade. And since Roe v. Wade, millions of babies have been murdered, sacrifices to the gods of convenience, selfishness and sexual freedom. If I offend you, so be it. 

God allowed Israel to fall because of their worship of false gods. Do we in America think that if God allowed His chosen people to be taken into captivity *multiple times*, He won’t judge America? I truly do hope and pray that He will continue to shed His grace on us, but for how long will He put up with the rebellion? Only He knows. 

But beloved, we must carry His banner. We must speak the truth of Christ boldly. People truly do need the Lord. We must not hide His light under a bushel. Yes, culturally it might seem like the deck is stacked against us, but Jesus started the church with just 12 men. 

I know that some listening to this show are not in America. I’m talking to you, too. Some of you are just north of me in Canada, some in the UK, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia. There are listeners in Singapore, Nigeria and Spain. I could go on. Every one of you in each of the 40 nations that are listening to me right now, and who know Jesus as your savior, have family or friends or acquaintances who need Jesus in their lives. If each of us were to make it a point to tell them what Jesus has meant in our lives, how many people would be brought into God’s family? How many people’s eternities would be changed? 

Do you think that would change the world? It would change the world for those people. 

Those of us who are believers are first and foremost citizens of Heaven. Our responsibility is to live for God. But He put each of us where we are, by design. We are to influence those around us. We are to share the Gospel with those God puts in our path. If we do that faithfully, God can use us to make a difference. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 72 NCV, Ch. 73-74 NIV

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Transcript

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Steve Webb 0:00
Have you ever thought that it just doesn’t seem fair?

Steve Webb 0:10
This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God Gaster Steve Webb, this is a daily podcast and we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Welcome. I’m so glad to see you today. Today, our reading will be Psalms 72 through 74. And before each chapter, I’ll give you a little introduction to that chapter. And at the end, we’ll have some comments. The title of today’s episode is persist the shownotes pages at Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 168. I love getting your comments. And you can also send email to me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 0:50
Introduction to Psalm 72.

Steve Webb 0:53
This Psalm is entitled A Psalm of Solomon. But translating from the Hebrew into English can be a bit inexact at times. This is one example. Some translations rendered the Hebrew here as a psalm for Solomon, and still others as a psalm to Solomon. So we have three possibilities, a Psalm of Solomon, a psalm for Solomon, and Assam to Solomon. As a matter of fact, nearly every song with this title can be translated in one of these ways. So how do we decide which word to use when there are multiple possibilities? Well, you look at the context, what does the surrounding text say? Or I suppose in the case of the title of a psalm, what does the psalm say? Which translation makes the most sense based on what the psalm says? Well, in the case of Psalm 72, here, a case can easily be made for any one of these uses, which is, of course, why different Bible translations render it differently. Some commentators look at this Psalm as being written by David four and about his son Solomon, and about his David’s future descendant, the Messiah. So their translation of the title is a psalm for Solomon, or even a psalm to Solomon. Other commentators believe that the most logical translation is a Psalm of Solomon. The final verse of this Psalm is the prayers of David the son of Jesse, and here. So many scholars think that Solomon compiled Book Two of Psalms and wrote this psalm, as an ending of psalms that were primarily written by David. Book Two is made up of Psalms 42, right up until this one psalm 72. Take note that as we read it, the subject to the psalm is not David But Solomon partly and it is certainly applicable to the Messiah.

Steve Webb 2:50
Psalms chapter 72.

Steve Webb 2:53
God give the king your good judgment and the king’s son, your goodness. help him judge your people fairly and decide what is right for the poor. Let there be peace on the mountains and goodness on the hills for the people. Tell him to be fair to the poor and save the needy and punish those who hurt them. May they respect you as long as the sun shines, and as long as the moon glows. Let them be like rain on the grass, like showers that water the earth. Let goodness be plentiful where he lives. Let peace continue as long as there is a moon. Let His kingdom go from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. Let the people of the desert bow down to him and make his enemies lick the dust. Let the kings of Tarshish and the faraway lands bring him gifts. Let the kings of Sheba and Seba bring their presence to him. Let all kings bow down to him and all nations serve Him. He will help the poor when they cry out and will save the needy when no one else will help. He will be kind to the weak and poor and he will save their lives. He will save them from cruel people who try to hurt them because their lives are precious to him. Long live the king. Let him receive gold from Sheba. Let people always pray for him and bless him all day long. But the fields grow plenty of grain and the hills be covered with crops. Let the land be as fertile as Lebanon, and let the cities grow like the grass in a field. Let the king be famous forever. Let him be remembered as long as the sun shines. Let the nations be blessed because of him. And May they all bless him. Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such miracles. Praise His Glorious Name forever. Let His glory fill the whole world. Amen and Amen. This ends the prayers of David some of Jessie

Steve Webb 4:52
Psalm 73 begins Book Three of the Psalter. The title of the Psalm is a Psalm of Asaph. Now Asaph was a musician and singer during the times of both David and Solomon. And in addition to his musical talents, First Chronicles 25 and Second Chronicles 29 tell us that asef was also a prophet. And as we read through this psalm, notice the pronouns. In the first section asef talks about what will happen to the ungodly, and in these verses the dominant pronoun is they. And then from verses 13 to 17, the dominant pronoun is AI, as he describes how troubled he is about this situation, until he discovered the cure for his trouble. In verses 18 through 22, find the focus now on God, and the dominant pronoun is you. Finally, in the closing verses, he confesses his faith in God in the assurance he has that he will spend eternity with Him. And the dominant pronouns here are both you and I.

Steve Webb 5:59
Psalm chapter 73.

Steve Webb 6:01
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart, but as for me, my feet had almost slipped, I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles, their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens, they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace. They clothed themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity. Their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff and speak with malice with arrogance. They threatened oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, How would God no does the most I know everything.

Steve Webb 6:52
This is what the wicked are, like always free of care. They go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain, I have kept my heart pure, and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long, I’ve been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I understood their final destiny. Surely you placed them on slippery ground, you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrorists. They’re like a dream When one awakes. When you will rise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved in my spirit embittered, I was senseless and arrogant. I was a brute beast before you get I am always with you. You hold me by my right hand, you guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory, Whom have I in heaven, but you and Earth has nothing I desire besides you, my flesh and my heart may fail. But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish. You destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord My refuge, I will tell of all your deeds.

Steve Webb 8:21
Psalm 74 is entitled a maskil of Asaph. Some translations rendered as a contemplation of asef. We’ve talked about what a masculine is before, so I won’t belabor it now. This is a Psalm of sorrow upon the destruction of the sanctuary. Now we don’t know the actual time of this song because the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians and then later during the reign of Antichrist epiphanies, and there’s a third possibility, ASAP was thinking back to when the tabernacle was destroyed in Shiloh is in First Samuel chapter four, the Hebrew word for Sanctuary here and this psalm is also used for the tabernacle in Exodus 25, Leviticus 12 and 21 and in numbers 10 and 18. Now, you might be wondering about how asef is a possibility when these events happened hundreds of years apart? Well, I’m glad you asked commentator James Montgomery Boice explains in reference to this psalm referring to the destruction by the Babylonians or Antichrist epiphanies. He says, either this is a later asef, which is not unlikely since the name might have been perpetuated among the temple musicians, or more likely the name was affixed to many Psalms produced by this body of musicians. We know that the quote descendants of asef unquote, were functioning as late as the reign of Josiah in Second Chronicles 3515.

Steve Webb 9:52
Psalms chapter 74

Steve Webb 9:54
Oh God, why have you rejected us so long? Why is your anger so intense again, the sheep of your own pasture. Remember that we are the people you chose long ago. The tribe you redeemed is your own personal possession. And remember Jerusalem, your home here on Earth. Walk through the awful ruins of the city. See how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary. There your enemy shouted their victorious battle cries. There, they set up their battle standards. They swung their axes like wood cutters in a forest with axes in picks. They smashed the carved paneling, they burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name. Then they thought, Let’s destroy everything. So they burned down all the places where God was worshipped. We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the profits are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end. How long Oh God, will you allow your enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever? Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them. You will God are my King from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth. You split the sea by your strength and smash the heads of the sea monsters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him. You cause the springs and streams to gush forth and you dried up rivers that never run dry. both day and night belong to you. You made the starlight in the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth and you made both summer and winter. See how these enemies insult you, Lord, a foolish nation has Dishonored your name. Don’t let these wild beasts destroy your turtle doves. Don’t forget your suffering people forever. Remember your covenant promises for the land is full of darkness and violence. Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name. Arise, oh god and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long. Don’t overlook what your enemies have said or they’re growing up roar.

Steve Webb 12:10
Well, beloved, in Psalm 73 today we see a man who at first seems to be complaining that doing right and living a good life isn’t worth the effort he suffered while the unrighteous seemed to have it easy. But then when he entered the sanctuary, he realized that their ultimate destiny was ruin. Have you ever thought that it just doesn’t seem fair? You look around and you see people that you know, don’t live for God, and they have money and power and influence, fame and all the rest while you struggle to make ends meet. Maybe you have physical challenges or people look at you like you’re stupid to believe in a god you can’t see, beloved, hang in there. Our time on this earth is really only just a fleeting moment in time. Eternity is a long, long, long, long time, I’ll gladly sacrifice the supposed comforts of wealth now, to live in the fellowship in the presence of the Lord forever. I have no doubt that it will be worth it, run the race all the way to the finish line. Now, the opening sentence of Psalm 74 captures what many today might be thinking, oh God, why have you rejected us forever? The world really is a troubled place right now isn’t it? Most of the world has rejected God and has been living in rebellion to him for decades and even centuries. Even my home the United States which had its founding primarily for the practice of freedom of religion through God out of the schools in 1963, when I was in the third grade, and since Roe v. Wade, millions and millions of babies have been murdered, sacrifices to the gods of convenience, selfishness, and sexual freedom. God allowed Israel to fall because of their worship of false gods. Do we in America think that if God allowed his chosen people to be taken into captivity, multiple times, he won’t judge us. I hope that God will continue to shed His grace on us. But for how long will he put up with a rebellion? Only he knows and I think a case could be made that he’s already turned his face from us. But beloved, we must carry his banner. We must speak the truth of Christ boldly. People truly do need the Lord. We can’t hide his light under a bushel. Yes, culturally, it might seem like the deck is stacked against us. But Jesus started the church with just 12 men. Now obviously not everybody listening to this are in America. I’m talking to you to some of the Lifespring family is just north of me in Canada and you’re really going through it right now. Some are in the UK, some New Zealand some South Africa. And of course we’ve got Kirsty and others in Australia. There are listeners in Singapore, Nigeria, Spain. To be honest, I’ve completely forgotten right now I can’t bring the number to my mind. And how many countries the Lifespring family represents. But every one of you who know Jesus as your savior, probably have family or friends or acquaintances who need Jesus in their lives. And if each one of us were to make it a point to tell them what Jesus has meant in our own lives, how many people would be brought into God’s family, and how many people’s eternities would be changed? Do you think that would change the world? Well, it would change the world for those people. Those of us that are believers are first and foremost citizens of heaven. Our responsibility is to live for God. But He put each one of us where we are on purpose by design. We’re here, wherever here is to influence those around us. We’re to share the gospel with those God puts in our path. If we do that faithfully, God can use us to make a difference. Love to hear what you think. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 168. And leave a comment. Tomorrow we’re going to read Proverbs five and six.

Unknown Speaker 16:05
And now, as the French say, it is time for a boost.

Steve Webb 16:22
Yes, the big music because this morning anonymous sent a donation of $600.

Steve Webb 16:30
In this person says just a little donation to help from my unused vacation payout. And then there’s a smiley face. Please keep me anonymous. If you read this on the show, I just don’t like to announce this type of donation because it’s not for me to get props. Well, anonymous, I get that. And anonymous continues. Also, I hope all is well with the health issues. I saw the note that you were in the hospital. Well, let me stop right there for just a second. First, let me say thank you so much for your generous donation anonymous. Now Beloved, if you’ve been pretty much keeping up with the show listening to the episodes as they come out, you’ll remember that I mentioned that I needed new hard drives. And you might think that anonymous sent this donation to be applied to that purpose, except that you’d be wrong. Anonymous closes the note by saying I saw the note you were in the hospital. But I’m still a couple of months behind on the episodes. So Anonymous has not heard me yet say that I needed new harddrives. Beloved, this donation and note could be filed under praise for an answered prayer. Anonymous didn’t know but God certainly did. And he moved on anonymous his heart to make this donation at this time. And all I can say is how cool is that? Thank you, Lord, and thank you anonymous. The apostle Paul said in Philippians one three, I thank my God every time I remember you. To that I say Amen. And amen. Anonymous. God bless you. Now this morning as I was sitting here in the studio at Lifespring media Central. I got a boost from Sean of San Pedro.

Steve Webb 18:10
This morning at 633 He’s the first one to come in on my new Raspberry Pi setup. He didn’t say anything in this booster gram but he sent 500 SATs from the fountain app. Sean, thank you brother, Be it known that Sean of San Pedro is the official number one booster grammar. But then about 20 minutes later Sean sent me another 500 set booster gram with this message. And by the way, he sent this booster gram as he was listening to the first Kings 1013 How to Stay faithful episode. Shawn said this part of the Bible breaks my heart is Solomon can be so distracted from God. What chance do we have? Well, Shawn, yes, Solomon was a great and wise man. But there’s your answer. Solomon was still just a man. Paul put it perfectly in Romans 310. He said, As it is written, There is no one righteous, not even one. By the way. He was quoting Psalm 14 Three there. And because we’re all imperfect, because we’re all unrighteous. We all need Jesus. He pays the debt wheel for falling short. Shawn, you’ve opened up something that could easily become a sermon, but I’ll leave it there for now. Just don’t be discouraged by any man’s failure to live a perfect sinless life. Your pastor, your mentor, if you have one or be our point of focus should be Jesus, Jesus, and only Jesus. My beloved, you can send booster grams or you can send support in the way of dollars just go to Lifespring media.com/support for all the details, but it doesn’t matter how you support the show. What matters is you do and I thank you for it. And I believe that God will bless you for it.

Steve Webb 20:04
On this date in church history, February 16 1809, former United States President John Adams wrote in a letter to judge FA Vander Kamp, quote, The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. God ordered the Jews to preserve and propagate to all mankind, the doctrine of a supreme, intelligent, wise, all mighty sovereign of the universe, the great essential principle of morality, and consequently, all civilization, unquote.

Steve Webb 20:48
Let’s pray our Heavenly Father, you keep us humble as we read of Solomon’s failings and that’s a good thing. We need to be humble because we have no hope without you, whether we’re rich or poor, whether we have influence or were unknown, there is no one who does not need you. Thank you for reminding us, Lord. But you do call us to be bold and proclaiming the good news. And so I ask that you give us a boldness and courage that can only come from you. Lord, I ask that you bless the Lifespring family today. whoever’s listening right now, wherever they’re listening, whenever they’re listening, touch them, I ask in Jesus name, and let them know that you’re there and that you love them. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Beloved, send in your prayer requests and praises it prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 21:46
My advisor calm edit Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 168. Or if you’d like you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing your time with me. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

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