Read Psalms 67 -- 71
In Today's Reading:
The blessings of God upon His people; His judgment upon enemies; David's prayer in time of trouble; prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Verses for Today:
God be merciful unto us, and bless us. . . . that Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health (His power to save) among all nations. . . . O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. . . . and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him (67:1-2,4,7).
God revealed that His plan of redemption should be declared to all people. Four times in this short psalm we read: Let the people praise [You], O God (Psalms 67:3). This is a reminder to worship our wonderful Lord, Who has promised His blessings upon those who sincerely praise Him. The Hebrew word translated "praise" in all four instances in verses 3 and 5 begins with the word for an open hand. This implies that open hands are to be lifted upward, expressing thanksgiving to God Who loves us, provides eternal life, answers our prayers, and judges all righteous1ly. This is why King David said: My lips shall praise Thee. . . . I will lift up my hands in Thy Name (63:3-4). The thought of these psalms is that one day all the people of the earth will lift up their hands as they praise the One True God of love, wisdom, and justice. This will be fully realized when Jesus Christ, as King of kings, shall "govern the nations of the world." But, while we await His return from Heaven, let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God . . . let them exceedingly rejoice (68:3).
The psalmist then foretold the resurrection of Christ: [You have] ascended on high, [You have] led captivity captive: [You have] received gifts for men (68:18). Paul quoted this psalm, but worded it: When He ascended up on high, He . . . gave gifts unto men. Paul then added: He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:8).
Let us join with the psalmist in a proclamation of praise and adoration for Jesus Christ, Who daily [loads] us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. . . . My mouth shall [show] forth [Your] righteousness and [Your] salvation all the day (Psalms 68:19; 71:15).
All of the Word of God is to be taught as Jesus commanded: Teach all nations . . . to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20). During Christ's triumphant millennial reign, all the kingdoms of the earth [will] sing praises unto the Lord (Psalms 68:32). We too need to join with David, saying: Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad . . . and let such as love Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified (Psalms 70:4).
Christ Revealed:
As the One Who led captivity captive (Psalms 68:18). When Christ physically rose from the dead, He broke the captive power of Satan. He led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8; see also Galatians 5:1; Revelation 1:18).
Word Studies:
67:2 saving health = salvation; 68:4 JAH is an abbreviation of Jehovah -- the Eternal, Self-Existent One -- and corresponds to I AM THAT I AM; 68:13 pots = sheepfolds; 68:18 led captivity captive = led your captives captive -- a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:8-9); 68:20 issues = escapes; 70:3 Aha, aha = an expression of scorn.
Prayer Needs:
Government Official: President George W. Bush · Pray for your church · Country: Madagascar (15 million) an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique · Major languages: French and Malagasy · Increasingly anti-Christian · 43% witchcraft, ancestor worship, and some astrology; 21% Protestant; 21% Roman Catholic; 2% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord's teaching; grow and mature in your prayer life (Luke 11:1).
Optional Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 1:16