Psalms 81-85
FIVE SIMPLE PLEASURES:
A great yoga class- The satisfaction of sorting through piles of papers
- A Ludovico Einaudi CD
- The joy of my work experience student
- Having a good laugh at house group while tackling some really tough stuff
PSALM 81: MAKE MUSIC!
Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre. v1-2
It’s interesting how music and singing have always been an integral part of worship. And still are. Making music and song are a natural outworking of our joy.
PSALM 82: WHAT REALLY MATTERS
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked. v3-4
We get hung up on all sorts of stuff that doesn’t really matter at the end of the day. This is what matters. Lending a voice to those who have none.
PSALM 83: BRING THEM LOW
Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord –
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. v18
I’m not so sure about the psalmist’s suggested measures – crushing and destroying his enemies until they are brought low – but I understand this desire. This desire to ‘let them know you’. This should be our desire. For all people to know God. For us to show them God. Not necessarily with words but with love in action.
PSALM 84: BLESSED ARE THOSE…
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere… v10
Learning to live in the presence of God. Practising the presence of God. This is precious.
PSALM 85: KEEPING THE FAITH
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other. v10
The psalmist has had to keep the faith through some really bad times. He has called out to God for salvation over and over again without any obvious response. He has had to trust that God is God and knows what He is doing. Because he recognises that when salvation comes, then he will experience an abundance of God’s love and faithfulness and righteousness and peace. This is what he is holding out for. This is what is keeping him going.
