Sermons on Psalms (Page 4)
A Story to Remember
A Story to Remember – Psalm 78. A Psalm by Asaph Poor memory of God’s goodness? Yet we will make a way to remember what is important. Asaph was the director of music in the Temple, and author of many of the psalms. “My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our…
What is Man? – Psalm 8
Psalm 8 What is Man? In the 18th century the idea arose that God has no interest in man. The Universe is a vast machine that God made and no longer cares about. Man is just part of the clockwork. In the 19th century Man said that God doesn’t exist. Naturalism (there is nothing but Nature) inevitably led to Nihilism (Man has no significance at all). This is a great blow to any idea of our dignity. We are so…
Resting in Righteousness – Psalm 7
Resting in Righteousness Psalm 7 There is an awkwardness in thinking about Judgement. Is God harsh? Or perhaps my own experience of personal injustice bites too deeply? David cries out in a plea for protection from men terrible as lions. He looks in his own heart. “Am I innocent?” He thinks about God the righteous Judge, asking Him to deal with injustice. Evil and trouble bring their own judgment upon themselves. He moves from plea to praise. “I will give…
Confident prayer from the sick-bed of tears – Psalm 6
Psalm 6 Confident prayer from the sick-bed of tears Luther’s Tentatio It would’ve been around February. March. 2006. And a group of 25-30 students had just returned from their summer break to engage in their second year of classes at George Whitefield College. A Bible College located right on the beach at Muizenberg. In Cape Town, South Africa. As the students take their seats. And enjoy catching up on what each other had been up to over the holidays. The…
Guide Us Guard Us – Psalm 5
Psalm 5 For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David. Turning to God 1 Listen to my words, Lord,consider my lament.2 Hear my cry for help,my King and my God,for to you I pray.3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;in the morning I lay my requests before youand wait expectantly. Psalm 5 God and the Wicked 4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;with you, evil people are not welcome.5 The…
Enlarging the Narrow Place – Psalm 4
psalm 4 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. When Life Closes In 1 Answer me when I call to you,my righteous God.Give me relief from my distress;have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4 When People Oppose You 2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;the Lord hears…
The God Who Saves – Psalm 3
Psalm 3 A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. “God will not save him” 1 Lord, how many are my foes!How many rise up against me!2 Many are saying of me,‘God will not deliver him.’ God will save him! 3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,my glory, the One who lifts my head high.4 I call out to the Lord,and he answers me from his holy mountain.5 I lie down and sleep;I wake again,…
Reflections on Time and Eternity
Psalm 90 It’s good to stop at the end of the year and reflect on who God is and to regain perspective. 1.Ask God to teach you to number your days. 2.Resolve to find satisfaction in Him. 3.Ask that His Kingdom will stretch from shore to shore.
Refuge and Raging – Psalm 2
Refuge and Raging – The World we all live in Psalm 2 ‘This is where we [really] live’ North Korean missiles, Trump, G20 riots, Medicare details and the Dark Web. And that’s just this week! Vain rebellion, verses 1-3 1 Why do the nations conspireand the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth rise upand the rulers band togetheragainst the Lord and against his anointed, saying,3 ‘Let us break their chainsand throw off their shackles.’ Fearing God as…
The Pursuit of Happiness – Psalm 1
The Pursuit of Happiness. The Pursuit of Happiness – Psalm 1. We are all wired to pursue happiness. The Church has been suspicious about happiness. Our culture has been worshipping at the feet of happiness. Christians need to reclaim happiness. To be blessed is to have supreme happiness! Blessed is the Man Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,2 but whose delight is…