Originally posted: 9/24/2020
But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head, (3:3).
Some thoughts before we get started in Psalms…
I don’t know about you, but I have been so excited to see this day finally arrive. The day we begin this portion of our three-year journey together in the book of Psalms. And we will be in this beautiful book of poetry, song, worship and prayer for almost three entire months! I look forward to the comfort and encouragement, worship and adoration these honest prayers will inspire.
But as way of reminder; The Planting Place (TPP) is not meant to be an exegetical study (critical analysis and interpretation) of the Scriptures. The goal of TPP is to seek and consider Him in every chapter; that He would increase, and we would decrease (John 3:30). In no way am I suggesting there is only one possible view of Him to consider and ponder. It is simply this pilgrim’s observations along her journey through His Word.
The reading plan for TPP was created by meshing a few plans together to be able to accomplish a three-year timeline. Psalms, the longest chapter in the Bible, has many days when two or more chapters are scheduled together. The chapters were not grouped by theme, but actually by length. I am hoping we will see a thread that somehow connects our scheduled reading each day, but of course, I have no idea if that will actually occur.
All this to say, I am excited and a little intimidated, as I launch into our time in Psalms. But of one thing I am certain. He is there, in every chapter; and if we seek Him, we will find Him.
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek,” (Psalm 27:8).
So, here we go!
The book of Psalms contains ancient Israel’s favorite hymns and prayers, which were used in their worship of the Lord, the Great King, NIV Study Bible.
Let’s dive in to consider Him in the book of Psalms; for every day in Psalms will be an opportunity to worship Him, our Great King.
Psalms 1 through 3. Three very different Psalms. But as I read and pondered and prayed, I wondered if there might be some coinciding trait about Him, some manner that reveals a comparable attribute in each of these three chapters together. And then I saw Him. Well, more specifically, the Works of His Hands.
Consider the Works of His Hands
- It is the Work of His Hands that Plants the righteous (remember we are declared righteous through faith). The righteous can never plant themselves.
- How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers, (1:1-3).
- How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
- It is the Work of His Hands that Conquers and Rules the nations as the invincible King. The nations are powerless before Him.
- “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware,’” (2:6-9).
- “But as for Me, I have installed My King
- It is the Work of His Hands that Lifts our head in hope; for there is no deliverance for us but in God.
- Many are saying of my soul,
“There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.
3 But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head, (3:2-3).
- Many are saying of my soul,
- And… it is the Works of His Hands that continually extends His invitation to the wicked, to turn to Him as their only Hope for Life, Refuge, and Salvation.
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- Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish, (1:5-6).
- Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
-
- Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! (2:10-12).
- Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
-
- Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah, (3:7-8).
- Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
How do we respond to the Works of His Hands?
In each Psalm there is a contrast that is drawn between the righteous and the wicked; depicting how each of these will be touched by the Works of His Hands, either touched by His favor and blessings or touched by His judgment and discipline.
So, it seems like more than a good idea as we begin a three-month journey into worship, that we begin with self-examination. Because we know, worship is not a matter of ritual, religious activities, or recitation of recorded prayers. Worship is a matter of the heart; a heart humbled before Him.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise, (Psalm 51:16-17).
Self-Examination:
- Am I trusting the Works of His Hands to plant me?
- Am I truly delighting in His Word and keeping it in my heart day and night, trusting Him to plant me in the best place for me to prosper?
- How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers, (1:1-3).
- How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
- Am I truly delighting in His Word and keeping it in my heart day and night, trusting Him to plant me in the best place for me to prosper?
- Am I honoring the Works of His Hands through worship?
- Am I submitting to the Son in reverence through obedience, and finding my joy in the fear of the Lord, so that my whole life is an offering to Him?
- Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, (2:11-12).
- Worship the Lord with reverence
- Am I submitting to the Son in reverence through obedience, and finding my joy in the fear of the Lord, so that my whole life is an offering to Him?
- Am I relying on the Works of His Hands to lift my head?
- Am I looking to Him in my trials and suffering, believing He will shield and sustain me as I confidently wait for His salvation and blessings to meet my need?
- But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah, (3:3-8).
- But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
- Am I looking to Him in my trials and suffering, believing He will shield and sustain me as I confidently wait for His salvation and blessings to meet my need?
Thank You Father that we are Your children. Father, please grow us to trust, honor and rely on the Works of Your Hands, in us and through us.
But now, O Lord, You are our Father,
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand, (Isaiah 64:8).
And Lord, please Work in us that we would share the Works of Your Hands with a lost and dying world, to extend Your invitation to those who have yet to turn to You for Life, Refuge, and Salvation.
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord, (Acts 11:21).
Oh Father, we ask You to grow and strengthen us in faith and worship; that wherever this life takes us, we would walk in confident faith that You will lead and hold us by the Works of Your Hands.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me, (Psalm 139:7-10).