Reading Plan · Day 163
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Psalms 41-45
Day 163
Previously · Day 162 · Psalms 36-40
The previous day's reading covered five psalms from David that spoke of difficult times similar to what Job experienced.
Day 163 Read
Where You Stopped
Psalm 41
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.
2Jehovah will preserve him, and keep him alive, And he shall be blessed upon the earth; And deliver not thou him unto the will of his enemies.
3Jehovah will support him upon the couch of languishing: Thou makest all his bed in his sickness.
1To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
3The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
Commentary · verses 1-3
4I said, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me: Heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
5Mine enemies speak evil against me, saying, When will he die, and his name perish?
4I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
5Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
Commentary · verses 4-5
Verse 5 could also be the perspective of the Jews in 1941 concerning Hitler.
6And if he come to see me, he speaketh falsehood; His heart gathereth iniquity to itself: When he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
7All that hate me whisper together against me; Against me do they devise my hurt.
6And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
7All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
Commentary · verses 6-7
World War II?
8An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him; And now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
9Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, Who did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me.
8An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
9Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Commentary · verses 8-9
David's own friend betrayed him.
10But thou, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me, and raise me up, That I may requite them.
11By this I know that thou delightest in me, Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
10But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
11By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
Commentary · verses 10-11
One reason David knew God delighted in him was because his enemy did not beat him.
12And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, And settest me before thy face for ever.
13Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
12And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
13Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
Commentary · verses 12-13
This psalm ended in "Amen, and Amen" which had prophetic implications. "Amen" meant "so be it." This statement of "so be it, and so be it" brought this "Genesis" section of the Book of Psalms to a conclusion that looked to the future with emphasis. We saw these first forty-one psalms focused on the blessing from God to those who were humble, as well as the punishment from God on those who were prideful. In fact, all of the psalms of this first section were written by David and even exemplified some of the concepts that Job covered in the first book of the poetic section of the Old Testament...which was only fitting since we placed Job chronologically prior to Israel's journey out of captivity from Egypt.
Commentary · verse 13
Next, the "Exodus" section of the Book of Psalms which focused on Israel's redemption from captivity. These psalms were compiled by Solomon and began with eight psalms from the sons of Korah. These were the people that were given the responsibility of carrying the Ark of the Covenant.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 42
1For the Chief Musician. Maschil of the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?
1To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Commentary · verses 1-2
This psalmist's soul thirsted (to desire eagerly) for the Living God. A "hart" was an animal that always thirsted. Even if the hart drank from a stream, with the first step away from the stream, they were panting from thirst.
3My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
3My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
Commentary · verse 3
The Jews made the same statement during 1942.
4These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, How I went with the throng, and led them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.
5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.
4When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Commentary · verses 4-5
The psalmist asked his own soul questions and then told himself what to do, hope (faith) in God.
6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: Therefore do I remember thee from the land of the Jordan, And the Hermons, from the hill Mizar.
7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterfalls: All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8Yet Jehovah will command his lovingkindness in the day-time; And in the night his song shall be with me, Even a prayer unto the God of my life.
9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10As with a sword in my bones, mine adversaries reproach me, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
Commentary · verses 6-10
Again, the Jews of 1942 could have stated verses 9 and 10.
11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Commentary · verse 11
God was the help in time of trouble.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 43
1Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: Oh deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
1Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
Commentary · verse 1
The ultimate contrastive request was to ask God to judge you. This verse could also have been stated by Jews in 1943 about Hitler.
2For thou art the God of my strength; why hast thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me: Let them bring me unto thy holy hill, And to thy tabernacles.
2For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4Then will I go unto the altar of God, Unto God my exceeding joy; And upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.
5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Commentary · verses 4-5
Again, God was the help in time of trouble. This short psalm could have been stated by the Jews in 1943.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 44
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, What work thou didst in their days, In the days of old.
1To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
Commentary · verse 1
The psalmist stated he had understanding of how God had worked in the lives of their ancestors.
2Thou didst drive out the nations with thy hand; But them thou didst plant: Thou didst afflict the peoples; But them thou didst spread abroad.
2How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
Commentary · verse 2
Psalm 1 referenced a tree that was planted. This verse could have been looking back over the history of the Jews and how they had been spread abroad, in hopes of being planted together again as a nation.
3For they gat not the land in possession by their own sword, Neither did their own arm save them; But thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, Because thou wast favorable unto them.
4Thou art my King, O God: Command deliverance for Jacob.
3For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
4Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
Commentary · verses 3-4
Again, this psalm was written about Israel's captivity in Egypt and looked forward to deliverance so that they could form their nation. Likewise, in 1944 the Jews were looking forward to God's deliverance.
5Through thee will we push down our adversaries: Through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
6For I will not trust in my bow, Neither shall my sword save me.
5Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
6For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
Commentary · verses 5-6
The psalmist recognized that God was the cause of their victories. He did not put his trust in his physical weapons.
7But thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And hast put them to shame that hate us.
8In God have we made our boast all the day long, And we will give thanks unto thy name for ever. Selah
7But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
8In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
Commentary · verses 7-8
Again, take a moment and think about how these first eight verses could have been stated hopefully by the Jews in captivity in Egypt and during 1944. The next section of this psalm could be stated by both as a statement of the reality of their situation...
9But now thou hast cast us off, and brought us to dishonor, And goest not forth with our hosts.
10Thou makest us to turn back from the adversary; And they that hate us take spoil for themselves.
11Thou hast made us like sheep appointed for food, And hast scattered us among the nations.
12Thou sellest thy people for nought, And hast not increased thy wealth by their price.
13Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to them that are round about us.
14Thou makest us a byword among the nations, A shaking of the head among the peoples.
15All the day long is my dishonor before me, And the shame of my face hath covered me, 16For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth, By reason of the enemy and the avenger.
9But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
10Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
11Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
12Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
13Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
14Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
15My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
16For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
Commentary · verses 9-16
Next, the psalm focused on their attitude...
17All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, Neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
18Our heart is not turned back, Neither have our steps declined from thy way, 19That thou hast sore broken us in the place of jackals, And covered us with the shadow of death.
20If we have forgotten the name of our God, Or spread forth our hands to a strange god; 21Will not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
22Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
17All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
18Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
19Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
20If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
22Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Commentary · verses 17-22
Paul referenced this verse in Romans 8:36, (suffering for the sake of Christ). Also, this verse could apply to the 12,000 Jews that were killed every day during the first nine months of 1944.
23Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise, cast us not off for ever.
24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
25For our soul is bowed down to the dust: Our body cleaveth unto the earth.
26Rise up for our help, And redeem us for thy lovingkindness’ sake.
23Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
25For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
26Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.
Commentary · verses 23-26
This psalm ended with a plea directly to God to intercede. There was nothing more to say, like Job waiting for God to show up.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 45
1For the Chief Musician; set to Shoshannim. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves. My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter; I speak the things which I have made touching the king: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
1To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Commentary · verse 1
The psalmist stated his tongue (words) was as a pen of a "ready" writer. "Ready" meant "prompt; skilled." This psalmist was skilled with his words. Also, this psalm began with exuberance and pointed towards a celebration.
2Thou art fairer than the children of men; Grace is poured into thy lips: Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
2Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
Commentary · verse 2
The Hebrew word for "Grace" is the word chen. This word means "favor" and is not the same word and does not have the same meaning as the Greek word charis which is translated as "grace" in the New Testament. Hebrew and Greek are different languages translated into the same language (English). Just because the same English word is used as a translation does not mean these words are the same and does not mean they have the same definition.
3Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, Thy glory and thy majesty.
4And in thy majesty ride on prosperously, Because of truth and meekness and righteousness: And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5Thine arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under thee; They are in the heart of the king’s enemies.
3Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
Commentary · verses 3-5
The enemies have been defeated!
6Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
7Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness: Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.
6Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
Commentary · verses 6-8
Re-read these first eight verses as if they are written from God the Father to Christ. Verses 6 and 7 were quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9.
9Kings’ daughters are among thy honorable women: At thy right hand doth stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house: 11So will the king desire thy beauty; For he is thy lord; and reverence thou him.
12And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; The rich among the people shall entreat thy favor.
13The king’s daughter within the palace is all glorious: Her clothing is inwrought with gold.
14She shall be led unto the king in broidered work: The virgins her companions that follow her Shall be brought unto thee.
15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be led: They shall enter into the king’s palace.
9Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;
11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
13The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.
Commentary · verses 9-15
Victory!
16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, Whom thou shalt make princes in all the earth.
17I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: Therefore shall the peoples give thee thanks for ever and ever.
16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Commentary · verses 16-17
In 1945, after six million Jews were killed ("thy fathers"), Israel began to become repopulated by Jews ("thy children") because World War II was over.
Commentary · verse 17
This day's reading covered the conclusion of the "Genesis" section and the beginning of the "Exodus" section. The "Exodus" section dealt with the Jews in captivity while the final psalm declared victory.
Blessings of the man who considered the poor. Could this also be the blessings the United States received as an effect of entering World War II in 1941 and defending the Jews?