His Word Today

⁸⁹ “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. ⁹⁰Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. ⁹¹ By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.” (Psalm 119:89–91 (ESV)

Today is New Year’s Eve. The last day of the year. Much has happened this year in my family’s life. I’m sure the same could be said for you and your family. Each year has it highs and its lows, its good and bad, its joy and its sorrows. There are events and circumstances that we hope to long remember, while at this same time other things we just as soon forget.

Today’s text from Psalm 119:89-91 speaks of the sure foundation believers’ in Christ possess. That is God’s faithfulness. In both the Old and New Testaments, faithfulness, or faith, means to trust, commit, depend and worship an object. Biblical faith is trust, commitment, dependence and worship of the LORD alone.

As it pertains to God, He alone is trustworthy, committable, dependable, and worthy of worship. These three verses from today’s text, in the longest psalm in the Psalter, describe the LORD’s faithfulness.

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Yahweh’s Word is firmly fixed. This means that what the LORD says remains solidly positioned and firmly standing in and from the LORD’s throne of sovereign authority. For how long? The Word of the LORD is everlasting.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. The LORD’s faithfulness continues, perseveres and prevails for all time. It never ends. The psalmist says that the LORD has not only created the world, but also sustains what He has created (Hebrews 1:1-3). The universe remains fixed before its Creator.

By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. By the LORD’s judicial decision, the heavens and the earth, in effect the entire universe, remains exactly how God wants it to remain. All of creation is God’s servant. No exceptions.

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains, “In spite of Israel’s faithlessness (Deut. 32:20; cf. Rom. 3:3), God showed himself to be absolutely reliable. His faithfulness is great (Lam. 3:23). He is loyal to his covenant and will always manifest his steadfast love to his people (Ps. 136). The pinnacle of faithfulness in the Bible is seen in the work of Jesus Christ, who showed himself faithful to his Father (Heb. 3:2) and in his witness (Rev. 1:5-7). God calls men and women to be faithful by following Christ, relying on him for all things (Heb. 2:4; cf. Rom. 1:16-17).”

The Prophet Jeremiah, in Lamentations 3:23, says, “²²The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; ²³       they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Therefore, as one year comes to its inevitable conclusion, and another year begins, let each of us give thanks to the LORD for His faithfulness.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Chorus

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. (Chorus)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside. (Chorus)

Soli deo Gloria!

¹²”If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.” ¹³ For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: ¹⁴ “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. ¹⁵ I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. ¹⁶ Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy. ¹⁷ There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. ¹⁸ His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.” (Psalm 132:12–18 (ESV)

The final psalm under consideration regarding the Messiah is that He is the coming King of kings and Lord of Lords (I Timothy 6:15; Revelation 9:16). The Bible speaks throughout the Old and New Testament of the Kingdom of God. It is the predominant theme of the Scriptures.

The Kingdom of God is the supreme and sovereign rule and reign of God over all. Jesus Christ is the King of the kingdom. Creation is the place of the kingdom. Human beings are the servants of the kingdom.

The angel Gabriel visited Mary and revealed to Her God’s sovereign plan to conceive a virgin born Messiah. This Messiah would be King.

Luke 1:26-33 says, “²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:26–33 (ESV)

Notice that Gabriel said three things about Jesus’ kingship. (1) God will give Him the throne of His father David. (2) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. (3) Of His kingdom there will be no end.

Concerning today’s text, Dr. John Walvoord writes, “These verses (Psalm 132:12-18) record a revelation from the Lord confirming His earlier promises to David. The Lord reiterated His oath to David that descendants of his would sit on David’s throne forever (vv. 11–12; cf. 89:3–4, 27–29, 35–37). The Lord then affirmed His choice of Mount Zion (132:13–14) which He would bless … with abundant provisions, including food (cf. 111:5; 136:25; 145:15; 146:7) for the poor … salvation for the priests (cf. 132:9), and joy for the saints. God also promised the appearance and crowning of His Anointed One, the Messiah (vv. 17–18).”

Isaac Watts composed a classic Christmas carol centered upon the kingship of Jesus Christ. It is the familiar hymn Joy to the World.

1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive its king;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.

Soli deo Gloria, to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

²² “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. ²³ This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22–23 (ESV)

Psalm 118 is an anonymous psalm. Aside from the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), we do not know who the human author was. How, the two verses which comprise today’s text are very familiar to students of Scripture. They are quoted in three of the four Gospels (Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10–11; Luke 20:17). Luke also references the verses in Acts 4:8-12. The Apostle Peter records the verses in his first epistle (I Peter 2:7).

The metaphor used is of a cornerstone. Jesus used this term to speak of himself in the parable of the wicked tenants (Mt 21:42; Mk 12:10; Lk 20:17). The setting for this parable was his final ministry in Jerusalem after he had cleansed the temple. The Parable of the Tenants speaks of the coming death of Jesus in symbolic terms. Jesus concluded it by referring the Jewish leaders back to their own Scriptures, specifically Psalm 118:22–23 (cf. Is 28:16). The Lord understood the text as speaking of his rejection and exaltation. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, but God the Father would exalt Him as the cornerstone.

Isaiah 53:3 parallels the rejection spoken by the psalmist. Isaiah says concerning the Messiah, “³ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. He was despised, and we held him of no account.”

The Apostle John also referred to the rejection of the Eternal Word of God by the Jewish people. The rejection of the Savior was all within the sovereign and providential plan of God the Father.

John 1:1-5, 9-12 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

^9 “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains that, “It is evident that the OT concept of cornerstone is applied to Jesus to emphasize his exalted position with the Father and so to encourage the believer. In Ephesians 2:20 brief reference is also made to Christ Jesus as the cornerstone upon which the church is built.”

Consider the following by Christian musician and lyricist Chris Rice. The song is entitled Welcome to Our World.

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting
Welcome Holy Child [Repeat: x1]

Hope that You don’t mind our manger
How I wish we could have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven’s silence
Welcome to our world [Repeat: x1]

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born [Repeat: x1]

So wrap our injured flesh around you
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sins and make us holy
Perfect Son of God [Repeat: x1]
Welcome to our world

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁵ “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hand ²⁶ They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, ²⁷ but you are the same, and your years have no end.” (Psalm 102:25–27 (ESV)

Psalm 102 addresses the eternality of the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the Godhead. Along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the Son is identified in Scripture as the self-existent Creator of all things.

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews quotes from today’s text in Hebrews 1:10-12. One author comments, “Invoking the authority of the Old Testament once again, the author quotes from Psalm 102 in which the Psalmist cries out to the Lord in anguish. At the end of the Psalm, the Psalmist calls upon the Lord as the one who laid the foundation for the heavens and earth, acknowledging Him to be the only one who is able to answer his plea for help. His supplication is made to the unchangeable Lord of all creation, and it is this description that the author of Hebrews directs to Jesus Christ.”

Two other New Testament passages which parallel Psalm 102, and Hebrews 1:10-12, are John 1:1-5 and Colossians 1:15-20. Both speak of the majesty and eternality of Christ. Both herald His part in the creation of the universe.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “There is a stark contrast between Christ and that which will pass away. The heavens and earth “will perish” the author of Hebrews writes; the Lord will “roll them up” like a robe, and they will be changed. Christ, on the other hand, “will remain”; for He is “the same,” and His years will “have no end.” On this point,

The great Puritan theologian John Owen writes, “One thing is meant…by these expressions — Christ’s eternal and absolute immutable existence.To emphasize God’s eternal nature in contrast with the world’s frailty and all of its creation, it is said that his years will never end. The world comes to an end but there is no end to Christ’s existence.”

Charles Wesley, along with George Whitefield, must have the eternality of Jesus Christ in mind when they collaborated on the following classic Christmas carol.

 1. Hark! The Herald Angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of the skies.
With the’ Angelic Hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the new-born King.”

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting lord
Late in time behold Him come,
Off-spring of aVirgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail, the incarnate deity
Pleased as Man with men to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel.
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the New-born king!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace, Hail, the Sun of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His Wings.
Now He lays His Glory by,
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the New-born king!”

4. Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born king;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the New-born king!”

5. Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the New-born king!”

Soli deo Gloria!

^15 “O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! ¹⁶ Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever? ¹⁷ The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. ¹⁸ You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.” (Psalm 68:15–18 (ESV)

Most biblical scholars identify Psalm 68 as “a song” celebrating God’s triumphal ascent to Mount Zion. If the superscription of Davidic authorship is correct, (TO THECHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID. A SONG), then the occasion may have been David’s conquering the city (2 Sam. 5:6–8), or moving the ark to Zion (2 Sam. 6), or some triumphal procession after a victory, or his victories in general. The greatest triumph to which the psalm is related is Christ’s Ascension, for Psalm 68:18 was paraphrased and applied to Him by Paul (Eph. 4:8).

Today’s text tells of the LORD’s selecting Zion (Mt. Hermon, Deut. 4:48) above other mountains and of His triumphant entry into it like a conqueror. The great mountains of the land of Bashan refer to the Hermon mountain range, only a few miles north of Bashan.  Mt. Zion was also the Jebusite fortress in Jerusalem conquered by David. Zion was eventually used by biblical writers to identify other areas of Jerusalem. It was used as an identification of the entire city. Zion was also used to symbolically describe the eternal city of God.  

Choosing Mt. Zion for His dwelling place, God entered the city with a vast company (thousands of thousands) of angelic hosts, metaphorically pictured here as riding in chariots. Thus the LORD went all the way from Mt. Sinai (cf. v. 8) to His sanctuary in Zion. His entrance into Jerusalem (when David conquered it, 2 Sam. 5:6–8, or when David moved the ark to Jerusalem, 2 Sam. 6) was like a mighty conqueror ascending on high with captives, receiving tribute from the vanquished, the rebellious.”

How does this portion of Psalm 68 pertain to the Lord Jesus Christ? Why does the Apostle Paul quote from it in Ephesians 4:8?

Dr. John Walvoord further explains, “Psalm 68:15-18 was referred to by Paul in Ephesians 4:8. However, rather than quoting the Hebrew, Paul apparently followed the Jewish interpretation of the day (the Targum), which paraphrased this verse as follows: “You did ascend to the firmament, O Prophet Moses! You led captivity captive; you taught the words of the Law; you gave [not received, ‘as in the Heb.] gifts to the sons of men.” (This interpretation saw Moses as God’s representative.) Paul followed this Jewish exegesis because it explained that the conqueror distributed the gifts to His loyal subjects. The apostle applied that idea to Christ’s victory over the forces of evil and His granting spiritual gifts (cf. Eph. 4:11) to those on His side. By this analogy (based more on the Jewish interpretation of the psalm than on the exact Heb. wording) Paul emphasized the greatness of believers’ spiritual victory in Christ.”

Acts 1:6-11 says, “⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Remember, the Season of Advent does not just concern the coming, or arrival, of the Lord Jesus Christ at His incarnation, but also His arrival in souls of sinners at conversion, and finally His arrival when He returns to Earth in power, might and glory (Rev. 19-22).

Soli deo Gloria!  

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience. Part 3.

4. And because the power which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretense of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God.^a And for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation; or to the power of godliness; or such erroneous opinions or practices as, either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the Church; they may lawfully be called to account,^b and proceeded against by the censures of the Church, and by the power of the Civil Magistrate.^c

a. Mat 12:25; Rom 13:1-8; Heb 13:17; 1 Pet 2:13-14, 16. • b. Rom 1:32 with 1 Cor 5:1, 5, 11, 13; 2 John 1:10-11 and 2 Thes 3:14 and 1 Tim 6:3-5 and Titus 1:10-11, 13 and Titus 3:10 with Mat 18:15-17; 1 Tim 1:19-20; Rev 2:2, 14-15, 20; 3:9. • c. Deut 13:6-12; 2 Kings 23:5-6, 9, 20-21; 2 Chron 15:12-13, 16; 34:33; Neh 13:15, 17, 21-22, 25, 30; Isa 49:23; Dan 3:29; Zec 13:2-3; Rom 13:3-4 with 2 John 1:10-11; 1 Tim 2:2; Rev 17:12, 16-17.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO THE LILIES. A MASKIL OF THE SONS OF KORAH. A LOVE SONG.

^1 “My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. ² You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. ³ Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! ⁴ In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! ⁵ Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you. ⁶ Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; ⁷ you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;” (Psalm 45:1–7 (ESV)

The title of Psalm 45 is significant. To begin with, it is the first Messianic Psalm to be studied which was not written by King David. Rather, it was written by the Sons of Korah. Who were these musicians?

The Sons of Korah were member of the Tribe of Levi, of the division of Kohath (Ex. 6:18, 21). Their ancestor, Izhar, was a member of the priestly family and was related to Moses and Aaron. The rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron ended with the death of many members of the Korahite family (Num. 16:31–35). Only those who did not participate survived (vs. 11). They settled around Hebron in the Levitical cities (Num. 26:58).

The Korahites were known as temple singers, according to the superscriptions of Psalms 42, 44–49, 84–85, and 87–88. David put them in charge of the musical service in the house of the Lord after the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 6:31–33). They also acted as temple gatekeepers (I Chron. 9:19; 26:19) and bakers of sacrificial cakes (I Chron. 9:31). They are mentioned as singers during the celebration of Jehoshaphat’s victory over Ammon and Moab (2 Chr. 20:19).”

Psalm 45 is a love song. Perhaps it is even more appropriate to identify it as a wedding song. There are no other wedding psalms in the Psalter. A close parallel would be King Solomon’s love poetry in Song of Songs.

Psalm 45:1-7 focuses on the righteousness of the King of Israel. Most likely, King David is the ideal monarch the Sons of Korah have in mind. However, even David could not perfectly embody all the descriptions given. Therefore, the psalm foreshadows a greater King of Israel; greater even that either David or his son Solomon. That King is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the greater King of Israel because He is also God incarnate (Heb. 1:8-9).

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “David’s throne, because it was established and preserved by God, could rightly be called God’s throne, and that is exactly what we find in Psalm 45 (see 2 Sam. 7). Since the throne of Israel was the throne of the Lord, the king was expected to be a model of the One who loves righteousness and hates wickedness (Ps. 45:6–7a; see Deut. 17:14–20). When this was true, the Davidic king enjoyed an anointing from on high with the oil of gladness (Ps. 45:7b), a successful reign that brought joy to the kingdom and its citizens.”

“Christ ensures that David’s throne is the throne of God, for Jesus the son of David is the incarnate Lord of all (John 1:1–18). The bride depicted in Psalm 45:10–17, therefore, is a type of the bride of Christ, namely, the church. Like the foreign queen of ancient Israel, we can be joined to the Savior as His beloved spouse if we forsake all other gods and lovingly submit to Him alone (Acts 17:22–34). When we do so, we will be beautified by our Husband.”

Saint Augustine of Hippo comments on this psalm, giving this message to believers: “Thy God is ‘thy King,’ thy ‘King’ is also thy Bridegroom. Thou weddest to thy King, who is thy God: being endowed by Him, being adorned by Him; redeemed by Him, and healed by Him. Whatever thou hast, wherewith to be pleasing to Him, thou hast from Him.”

1 What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Chorus:
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

2 Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.[Chorus]

3 So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.[Chorus] 

Merry Christmas!

Soli deo Gloria!

^“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9 (ESV)

Psalm 41 is also a Psalm of King David. David tells how the LORD blesses those who help the poor. He also calls upon the LORD to heal him and thwart the plans of those who are waiting for him to die. A suggested outline for Psalm 41 is as follows.

I.   God’s Favor (41:1–3): Special blessings are bestowed on those who honor the poor.

A. Protection (41:1–2)

B.  Prosperity (41:2)

C.  Help in sickness (41:3)

II. God’s Forgiveness (41:4): David asks the Lord for forgiveness and healing.

III.     God’s Faithfulness (41:5–13): David calls upon the Lord to rescue him from his enemies, who anxiously await David’s death.

In the midst of our celebrating the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, it might be forgotten that not all prophecies concerning the Lord’s life on earth are pleasant. Some are dark and foreboding. Take the one from today’s text as an example.

David was lamenting that in the midst of his trials, even a close friend of his had turned against him. The Hebrew idiom has lifted his heel against me refers to a great effort initiated against someone. Biblical scholars explain that David had in mind the treachery of his friend Ahithophel, who betrayed him, and then hanged himself (2 Sam. 16:20–17:3, 23).

On the night prior to His crucifixion, Jesus quoted Psalm 41:9 while in the upper room with His disciples. John 13:18-21 says, “¹⁸ I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ ¹⁹ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. ²⁰ Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” ²¹ After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “David’s close companion betrayed him; he kicked him while he was “down.” The Greater David’s experience and the employment of this reference in John 13:18 was to Judas (cf. Matt. 26:21ff.).”

God the Father orchestrated all things which occurred in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Noting was left to chance. This includes our salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
That Jesus my Savior did come for to die.
For poor on’ry people like you and like I
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

Merry Christmas!

Soli deo Gloria! 

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. ² He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. ³ He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. ⁴ Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! ⁵ You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. ⁶ In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. ⁷ Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: ⁸ I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:1–8 (ESV)

King David wrote each psalm that has thus far been examined regarding the incarnation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The text examined today is no exception. David’s immediate circumstances foreshadow a greater fulfillment in the person and work of the incarnate Son of God and Son of Man.

In vs, 1-5 of Psalm 40, David proclaims what God has done for him. There are three main point which David makes. First, the LORD lifted him out of despair (vs. 1-2). Second, God set David’s feet upon solid ground (vs. 2b). Third, the LORD gave David a new song to sing (vs. 3-5).

The metaphorical images David conveys in these first five verses of Psalm 40 are realized in one’s covenant relationship with Yahweh. This is accomplished by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. God the Father lifts sinners from the despair of their sin, sets their lives upon the solid rock of salvation, and gives the new believer in Christ a joy which expresses itself in heartfelt singing.

In vs. 6-8, David expresses the true evidence of the repentant sinner: obedience. To do the will of God is the delight of believer in Christ.

However, the obedience of which David speaks in his own life was perfectly fulfilled by none other than Jesus Christ. This is why the writer of the Book of Hebrews cited these verses in Hebrews 10:5-7.

Hebrews 10:5–7 (ESV) says, “⁵ Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; ⁶ in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. ⁷ Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The obedience of Jesus in the body is to offer Himself once for all, replacing the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament.”

Consider the lyrics of this Christmas carol.  

1.Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

2. King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

3. At his feet the six-winged seraph,
Cherubim, with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Soli deo Gloria! 

²²   I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: ²³ You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! ²⁴ For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. ²⁵ From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. ²⁶ The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! ²⁷ All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. ²⁸ For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. ²⁹ All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. ³⁰ Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; ³¹ they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.” (Psalm 22:22–31 (ESV)

David’s despair contained in vs.1-21 gives way to heartfelt praise and worship in vs, 22-31. The reason for such optimistic praise and gladness is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is a work to which David look forward. Today, it is a finished work of which the church today looks upon and remembers.

The praise of God’s people are given to the LORD in fearful respect of the LORD. God’s people stand in awe of Him and glorify Him (vs. 22-23).

The LORD has not ignored, despised or abhorred the affliction of sinners. He has heard the sinner’s lament (vs. 24).

Consequently, the converted shall be satisfied in their covenant relationship with the LORD. They shall praise Him forever (vs. 25-26). In fact, all kinds of people from all over the world and of every nations will worship Him (vs. 27).

For the LORD is King of kings and LORD of lords. Everyone will bow before Him; even the lost and condemned (vs. 28-29).

It is the LORD who alone is righteous. All who He chooses to serve Him receive His imputed righteousness. It is because of the work He alone has done that this is possible. It is this good news which is to be proclaimed to those yet born (vs. 30-31).

David cannot contain himself; he must testify loudly in the great assembly of God’s great mercies. His exuberance is meant to be contagious (cf. Heb. 2:12). King David speaks of the greater King who is none other than Jesus Christ.

During this Advent 2021 season, may each of us praise and thank the LORD for sending His Son to take our place on the cross and to endure the curse from God for our sin (Romans 3:21-26). It is a work of God alone that is worth celebrating.

Soli deo Gloria!