Originally posted: 9/28/2020

The Lord is King forever and ever… (10:16).

Something about that phrase, forever and ever, grabbed my attention. Are they the same word, merely repeated for emphasis? Well, actually no.

From Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

Forever: 5769. עוֹלָם ʿôlām: A masculine noun meaning a very long time. The word usually refers to looking forward but many times expresses the idea of looking backward.

Ever: 5703. עַד ʿaḏ: A noun meaning eternity.

He is King Forever and Ever. He is King as we look ahead, as we look behind, and He is King for all of eternity. He has always been King and He always will be. Nothing can change that; He has established His throne in the heavens to sovereignly rule over all, and nothing can move Him from His rightful place.

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all, (Psalm 103:19).

Nothing. Not struggles, not unrest, not challenges, not demands, not crises, not hardships, not obstacles, not pain, not frustration, not troubles, not adversities or tribulation; nothing will unseat Him Who is King Forever and Ever.

Each of the four Psalms today are written from a place of affliction and distress. Although Psalm 10 is not attributed to David, as the following three are, it certainly sounds like a prayer he may have penned; and its theme fits well with the heart cries of each of these Psalms.

Psalm 10: Why God? Why God, do you seem to be absent while the wicked prosper and brazenly reject not only You, but Your very existence?

Psalm 11: What are we supposed to do God? The foundations are crumbling, there is no assurance in our world; are we supposed to run and hide?

Psalm 12: Will You help Lord? Will You bring down the lies and falsehood that seem to be ruling over truth? Will You intervene and show Yourself in Your prevailing power?

Psalm 13: How long Lord? How long before You answer me? Have Your forgotten me in my debilitating sorrow and sickness? Will You hear and answer me, please?

And behind every question, an answer emerges. Look to Him Who is King Forever and Ever.

The writer of each of these Psalms directed their questions to the only One Who is able, to the One Who dwells in holiness, to the One Whose throne is in heaven, to the One Who is King Forever and Ever. They directed their concerns and needs to the One Whose provision is in keeping with His Nature.

He is King; sovereign over every part of His creation. He is holy; high above us and perfect in His goodness. He is eternal; Who He is today, He was yesterday and will be tomorrow; He is King Forever and Ever.

Consider Him Who is King Forever and Ever

The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men, (11:4).

Nothing escapes His attention as He sits on His throne in heaven. From His holy throne, He watches, examining all of mankind. And because He is eternal, He is on His timetable to render judgment. And because He is Holy, His timing and judgment are always perfectly righteous.

• He is King Forever and Ever, Who strengthens the heart of the humble.
  • O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
    You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear, (10:17).
• He is King Forever and Ever, Who rescues the oppressed.
  • To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
    So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror, (10:18).

• He is King Forever and Ever, Who knows the hearts and deeds of every man.
  • The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
    His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
    ⁵ The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
    And the one who loves violence His soul hates, (11:4-5).
• He is King Forever and Ever, Who judges in righteousness.
  • Upon the wicked He will rain snares;
    Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
    ⁷ For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;
    The upright will behold His face, (11:6-7).

• He is King Forever and Ever, Who sets the needy in safety.
  • “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,
    Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.” (12:5).
• He is King Forever and Ever, Who is faithful to His Word.
  • The words of the Lord are pure words;
    As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
    ⁷ You, O Lord, will keep them;
    You will preserve him from this generation forever, (12:6-7).

• He is King Forever and Ever, Who is our hope for life.
  • Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
    Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, (13:3).
• He is King Forever and Ever, Who has dealt bountifully with us.
  • I will sing to the Lord,
    Because He has dealt bountifully with me, (13:6).

How do we respond to Him Who is King Forever and Ever?

The questions posed in these Psalms sound like the same questions we are wrestling with today. Things don’t make sense; things don’t line up with the way of righteousness; things don’t seem to be following the way of justice. It makes sense to ask. Asking is not the same thing as doubting.

When we ask, “Why?” let us remember He will strengthen our hearts and rescue us.

When we ask, “What are we supposed to do?” let us remember He knows every heart and deed and He will judge in His righteousness.

When we ask, “Will You help and intervene?” let us remember He will set us in safety, for He is faithful to His Word.

And when we ask, “How long?” let us remember He is our hope and He has dealt so bountifully with us.

So, besides remembering, what can we do while we wait for His answer?

• We can pray in faith to Him Who is King Forever and Ever, believing He will hear and answer.
  • Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand.
    Do not forget the afflicted…
    ¹⁶ The Lord is King forever and ever;
    Nations have perished from His land.
    ¹⁷ O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
    You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear. (10:12, 16-17).

• We can take refuge in His righteousness, trusting we will see the face of Him Who is King Forever and Ever.
  • In the Lord I take refuge…
    ⁷ For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;
    The upright will behold His face, (11:1, 7).

• We can meet Him in His Word and believe that because He is King Forever and Ever, He will be faithful to keep every promise Forever and Ever.
  • The words of the Lord are pure words;
    As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
    ⁷ You, O Lord, will keep them;
    You will preserve him from this generation forever, (12:6-7).

• We can trust in His lovingkindness and rejoice and sing praises for His generosity. And we know we can look to the future in confident faith, for He Who is King Forever and Ever has dealt bountifully with us.
  • But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
    My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
    ⁶ I will sing to the Lord,
    Because He has dealt bountifully with me, (13:5-6).

Let’s Grow Together!