not a wondrous cross

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
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Psalm 22:12-16

Psalm 22:12 Many bulls surround me; strong ones of Bashan encircle me.

Psalm 22:13 They open their mouths against me – lions, mauling and roaring.

Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed; my heart is like wax, melting inside me.

Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death

Psalm 22:16 because dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet.

not a wondrous cross

The frantic nature of this poem lends to its intensity. David first describes his opponents as strong bulls, then ferocious lions, then a pack of wild dogs, then a gang of evildoers. He describes himself as being poured out, pulled apart, melting inside, dried up, buried in a dusty grave, and then stabbed.

David is describing his own conflicts, but his words echo in history as a reflection of the ordeal his descendant faced on the cross. It was an ordeal so horrible that one figure of speech alone could not convey its horror. Despite the words of the great hymn by Isaac Watts, the cross was anything but wondrous. David was rescued from his ordeal, but Jesus was not.

“but we keep preaching Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews, and stupidity to Gentiles, but to those called ones, both Jews and Greeks, we preach Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”1

No, the cross was not wondrous, but the love of Christ which kept him on it so that we can be rescued from our sins is beyond description.

Lord, thank you for bearing the horrible cross – for us.

11 Corinthians 1:23-24.

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no one to help

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
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Psalm 22:9-11

Psalm 22:9 It was you who brought me out of the uterus, making me secure at my mother’s breast.

Psalm 22:10 I was given over to you at birth; you have been my God from my mother’s uterus.

Psalm 22:11 Don’t be far from me, because distress is near and there’s no one to help.

no one to help

I’m from an evangelical tradition that does not practice infant baptism, but we do practice child dedication. We have a special service dedicating our children to the Lord, and their parents to raising their children in the “nurture and admonition” of the Lord.

David is saying that his dedication was from the moment of his birth. He never knew a moment when he was not “given over to” God. He is banking on that dedication to get him through this terrible time in his life when he feels distant from the Lord.

Lord, today we pray for those who feel distress with no one to help. Make your presence known to them today.

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his worm time

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
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Psalm 22:6-8

Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by Adam and despised by people.

Psalm 22:7 Everyone who sees me ridicules me; they sneer and shake their heads:

Psalm 22:8 “He relies on Yahveh; let him save him; let Yahveh rescue him, since he treasures him.”

his worm time

The same king who brought people to God by his success is now turning people away from him by his failure. David’s monarchy resulted in a greater respect for Yahveh, but now he is under attack from within his own family, and even his faith is derided.

Why would God allow such a thing? There is an immediate reason, and a more long-range one. First, David is being purified in the furnace of suffering, so that a more pure devotion and a more precious life can emerge. Secondly, David’s kingship is a type of Christ’s. Jesus knew the victory of miracles and the following of the crowds, but he also experienced the shame of the cross. He is now exalted in heaven, above the skies. But he had his worm time, when he was scorned and despised.

Lord, thank you for enduring the cross for us, despising the shame.

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when it feels like God is gone

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
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Psalm 22:1-5

Psalm 22:11 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my rescue and from my words of groaning?

Psalm 22:2 My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, and there is no quiet for me.

Psalm 22:3 But you are holy, enthroned on the praise songs of Israel.

Psalm 22:4 Our fathers trusted in you; they trusted, and you rescued them.

Psalm 22:5 They cried to you and were set free; they trusted in you and were not disgraced.

when it feels like God is gone

David’s words capture the feeling of abandonment so well that our Lord himself used them to express his emotions while in agony on the cross. David’s years of loyalty and trust have come down to this one event when he needs God the most, but it felt like God was gone. He kept storming the gates of heaven with noisy prayers, because his calls were not answered.

Notice the theology and history of these words. David confesses the holiness of God and recounts many times his ancestors were rescued by God. He knows God is still there and is just as powerful as ever. He is just overwhelmed by the contradiction between his theology and his personal experience in the present.

When we get to this place, we can follow David’s pattern of prayer. He begins by remembering who God is, and what he has done. Just remembering our theology and history itself can help us overcome the deceptive feeling that God his gone. Our God is not going anywhere.

Lord, you were there for us in the past, and you are still here now. Thank you for your presence, even when we don’t feel it.

1superscription: A Psalm of David.

Posted in deliverance, dependence upon God, dissapointment, theology, trust | Tagged | 1 Comment

HISHE Canaan

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Jefferson Vann

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Psalm 21:8-13

Psalm 21:8 Your hand will capture all your enemies; your right hand will capture those who hate you.

Psalm 21:9 You will make them burn like a fiery furnace when you appear; Yahveh will engulf them in his wrath, and fire will devour them.

Psalm 21:10 You will wipe their progeny from the land and their offspring from the children of Adam.

Psalm 21:11 Though they intend to harm you and devise a wicked plan, they will not win.

Psalm 21:12 Instead, you will put them to flight when you ready your bowstrings to shoot at them.

Psalm 21:13 Be exalted, Yahveh, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.1

HISHE Canaan

Two stages of battle are reflected in this song. First, there is the immediate appearance of the king, empowered by the LORD, and he captures all his enemies, and fire completely destroys them. Secondly, the progeny (literally fruit) and offspring (literally seed) of the enemy – who have remained in the land – devise a wicked plan to undermine the king. But the king aims his bow to shoot at them, and they all scatter, and are wiped from the land.

This is how the Israelite conquest of Canaan should have ended. This song essentially says that David did what his ancestors should have done. He was able to do this because the LORD was with him.

Lord, thank you that we can win, even where others have lost – because you are with us.

1subscription: For the choir director: according to “The Deer of the Dawn.”

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beyond rescue

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
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Psalm 21:1-7

 Psalm 21:11 Yahveh, the king is made happy by your strength. How greatly he rejoices in your rescue!

Psalm 21:2 You have given him his heart’s desire and have not denied the request of his lips.(Selah).

Psalm 21:3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you place a crown of pure gold on his head.

Psalm 21:4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him– length of days permanently and continually.

Psalm 21:5 His glory is great because of your rescue; you confer majesty and splendor on him.

Psalm 21:6 You give him blessings continually; you cheer him with joy in your presence.

Psalm 21:7 Because the king relies on Yahveh; by means of the faithful love of the Most High he is not shaken.

1superscription: A Psalm of David.

In the previous psalm, the people interceded for God to bless their king. In this psalm, the same people acknowledge that God has answered their prayers many times over. Notice the chiasmus in this section:

  • the king (1, 7)
  • the gift (2, 6)
  • the glory (3, 5)

The central focus is verse four, which combines three different expressions for permanent life:

  • length of days
  • permanently
  • continually

King David had repeatedly been in danger of losing his life, and so he has repeatedly asked God to spare his life. God has done so. But God has gone beyond that. God has listed David among those who will be raised to permanent life.

Lord, today we once again ask you to rescue us. But we also praise you for your promise of permanent life which you gave to us in Christ. We thank you that on the last day, we will be raised to live forever.

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beyond rescue

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Jefferson Vann

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Psalm 21:1-7

Psalm 21:11 Yahveh, the king is made happy by your strength. How greatly he rejoices in your rescue!

Psalm 21:2 You have given him his heart’s desire and have not denied the request of his lips.(Selah).

Psalm 21:3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you place a crown of pure gold on his head.

Psalm 21:4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him– length of days permanently and continually.

Psalm 21:5 His glory is great because of your rescue; you confer majesty and splendor on him.

Psalm 21:6 You give him blessings continually; you cheer him with joy in your presence.

Psalm 21:7 Because the king relies on Yahveh; by means of the faithful love of the Most High he is not shaken.

beyond rescue

In the previous psalm, the people interceded for God to bless their king. In this psalm, the same people acknowledge that God has answered their prayers many times over. Notice the chiasmus in this section:

  • the king (1, 7)

  • the gift (2, 6)

  • the glory (3, 5)


The central focus is verse four, which combines three different expressions for permanent life:

  • length of days

  • permanently

  • continually

King David had repeatedly been in danger of losing his life, and so he has repeatedly asked God to spare his life. God has done so. This psalm emerges from the aftermath of a rescue. But God has gone beyond that. God has listed David among those who will be raised to permanent life.

Lord, today we once again ask you to rescue us. But we also praise you for your promise of permanent life which you gave to us in Christ. We thank you that on the last day, we will be raised to live forever.

1superscription: A Psalm of David.

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call waiting

Posted on March 23, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
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Psalm 20:6-9

Psalm 20:6 Now I know that Yahveh gives victory to his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty deliverance from hisright hand.

Psalm 20:7 Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of Yahveh our God.

Psalm 20:8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.

Psalm 20:9 Yahveh, give victory to the king! May he answer us on the day that we call.1

call waiting

I confess and deny not – I hate telephones. I especially loathe having to place a call and then wait for ages listening to some recorded loop of messages assuring me that my call is important to the faceless voices on the other end of the line.

King David responds to his people’s prayers for his victory in battle here. He is not taking pride in the size of his attack force, but in the greatness of God. He is sure that God is going to answer him from his holy heaven with mighty deliverance from his right hand.

Lord, some of our friends need your deliverance today. We are putting in a call for them, and we know you will answer.

1subscription: For the choir director.

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his victory

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Jefferson Vann

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Psalm 20:1-4

Psalm 20:1 May Yahveh answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob’s God make you safe.

Psalm 20:2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and reinforce you from Zion.

Psalm 20:3 May he remember all your tribute offerings and accept your ascending offering. (Selah).

Psalm 20:4 May he give you what your heart wants and fulfill your whole purpose.

Psalm 20:5 Let us shout for joy at your rescue and raise the flag in the name of our God. May Yahveh fulfill all your requests.

his victory

This psalm was originally designed to encourage the king as he prepared for battle. This section focuses on the people’s prayer for protection and provision. The king can expect protection because God will not forget the many years of tribute offerings he has given. The king can expect provision because God will not forget his years of ascending offerings. Before the battle begins, the people celebrate victory by shouting for joy at the king’s rescue and raising the flag in God’s name.

Lord, our prayers today are accompanied by your victory flag. The success we expect is your victory because it is due to your faithfulness.

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that awful difference

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Jefferson Vann

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Psalm 19:12-14

Psalm 19:12 Who perceives his unintentional lapses? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Psalm 19:13 Also, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the musing of my heart be acceptable to you, Yahveh, my boulder and my Redeemer.1

that awful difference

After looking at the sky, David was overwhelmed by the magnificence of God. After looking at the Scriptures, he was overwhelmed by the sweet holiness of God as reflected in them. But when he looks inwardly, reflecting on the words of his mouth and the musing of his own heart – he sees a creature that is unacceptable to such a great and good creator. He sees a creature whose iniquities range from unintentional lapses, to hidden faults, to willful sins, to blatant rebellion.

What does David do when confronted with that awful difference between himself and his God? He prays to God for cleansing and sanctification and perseverance.

Lord, when we see the evidence of you in the universe and in your word, we see an awful difference in ourselves. Cleanse us, sanctify us, and make us strong to stay in your holiness.

1subscription: For the choir director.

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