Devotions

Psalms 15:3-5

3 the one who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his associate or discredit his neighbor, 4 who despises the one rejected by Yahveh but honors those who fear Yahveh, who keeps his word whatever the cost, 5 who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent –the one who does these things will never be shaken.

The psalmist starts out talking about the person who can live in God’s holy tent. What does it mean to be that kind of person? It means never being shaken. That is what I want.

Psalms 15:1-2

1 Yahveh, who can dwell in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? 2 The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart —

That is a big ideal to live up to. It is true godliness. It is a life of both internalized and externalized truth. My prayer for you today is that you take one step closer to this ideal. I would appreciate your praying the same for me.

Psalms 14:4-7

4 Will evildoers never understand? They eat up my people like they eat up bread; they do not call on Yahveh. 5 Then they will be filled with fright because God is with those who are righteous. 6 You sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but Yahveh is his refuge. 7 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion! When Yahveh restores the well-being of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

The psalmist calls on a people whose plans are being frustrated, and whose well-being has been lost. That I can understand. I know what it feels like to be wronged. Faith calls me to rejoice and be glad. I don’t feel like doing that. But if I truly believe in God, I will worship and praise him for my coming deliverance.

Psalms 14:1-3

1 The stupid one says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt; they do disgusting things. There is no one who does good. 2 Yahveh looks down from the sky on humanity to see if there is anyone who is wise, anyone who seeks God. 3 Everyone has turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.

Paul used this passage to show that no one perfectly follows God’s law, so all are in need of grace. The psalmist was referring to Israel’s enemies. But notice that he said that they have all turned away. That implies a previous awareness of God’s existence, no matter what they might claim. So, Paul was not talking the psalm out of context. It applies to all of us, no matter what our confession. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Psalms 13:4-6

4 My enemy will say, “I have triumphed over him,” and my foes will be glad because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your covenant faithfulness; my heart will be glad because of your deliverance. 6 I will sing to Yahveh because he has treated me kindly.

The psalmist is shaken, but not overwhelmed. His confidence is in God. He considered the possibility of his own death, but has concluded that even that would be no reason to give up his faith. God has treated him kindly in the past, and he expects deliverance in the present. If he were to fall asleep in death, the enemy would gloat. But God will have the final victory.

Psalms 13:1-3

1 How long, Yahveh? Will you forget me permanently? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long will I store up anxious worries within me, agony in my mind every day? How long will my enemy dominate me? 3 Consider me and answer, Yahveh my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death.

Does the psalmist doubt his relationship with God? No.

Does he want God to rescue him? Yes.

What would happen if God didn’t answer him? Would he die and go to heaven? No, he would sleep the sleep of the dead until the resurrection. Death is not the rescue for the saints. It is not what we hope for. Our hope is God’s intervention today, or the greatest intervention tomorrow: the resurrection.

Psalms 12:8 The wicked ones keep walking all around when vileness is still promoted by the human race.

This seems a strange way to end a prayer. Maybe it is meant to encourage people to pray the prayer. It reminds us of the need for God’s intervention because those who hypocritically exploit others are everywhere.

Psalms 12:6-7

6 The words of Yahveh are pure words, like silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times. 7 You, Yahveh, will guard us; you will protect us from this generation permanently.

God’s specific promise was to provide security for those who long for it. The psalmist responds to that promise by praising God for his pure words— words that can be trusted. His words are not like the “great” words of the hypocrites.

This generation is full of pretending exploiters. But God promises to protect us from their influence, give us permanent (for the age) security.