Reading Plan · Day 164
Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
Psalms 46-50
Day 164
Previously · Day 163 · Psalms 41-45
The previous 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.
Day 164 Read
Where You Stopped
Psalm 46
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah; set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas; 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. Selah
1To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Commentary · verses 1-3
Commentary · verse 3
"Selah" meant "pause and think about what you just read." The author wanted the reader to pause and become conscious of what was read.
4There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God will help her, and that right early.
6The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.
4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
Commentary · verses 4-6
God's Words are powerful, powerful enough to cause the earth to melt as mentioned in Revelation 21:1.
7Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth.
9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.
10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Commentary · verses 7-10
"Still" meant "to cast down/humble yourself" and came from a root word which meant "to heal; thoroughly make whole": life - the ability to repair.
11Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Commentary · verse 11
In 1946, the world war had ceased and nations were taking notice of Jews gathering in the territory of Palestine.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 47
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Oh clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2For Jehovah Most High is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth.
1To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
Commentary · verses 1-2
We were encouraged to praise God by clapping and shouting to God because God was "terrible"…this meant God was worthy of fear, of our utmost respect and reverence.
3He subdueth peoples under us, And nations under our feet.
4He chooseth our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah
5God is gone up with a shout, Jehovah with the sound of a trumpet.
3He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
5God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Commentary · verses 3-5
On November 29, 1947, the United Nations had voted 33 to 13 to partition Palestine into separated Jewish and Arab states. The nation of Israel was conceived.
6Sing praises to God, sing praises: Sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7For God is the King of all the earth: Sing ye praises with understanding.
6Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
Commentary · verses 6-7
We ought to sing praises with understanding. We should know WHY we are singing praise.
8God reigneth over the nations: God sitteth upon his holy throne.
9The princes of the peoples are gathered together To be the people of the God of Abraham; For the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted.
8God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.
Commentary · verses 8-9
The "princes of the peoples" today sound like the United Nations.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 48
1A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
2Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, The city of the great King.
3God hath made himself known in her palaces for a refuge.
1A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
2Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
3God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
Commentary · verses 1-3
God made Himself known and gave Himself as a refuge to His people. The phrase "Beautiful in elevation" meant "fairest of sites" and came from a Hebrew term for "branches of a tree."
4For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.
5They saw it, then were they amazed; They were dismayed, they hasted away.
6Trembling took hold of them there, Pain, as of a woman in travail.
4For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
5They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
6Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
Commentary · verses 4-6
The nation of Israel was birthed by the United Nations: May 14, 1948.
7With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.
7Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
Commentary · verse 7
The British (Tarshish) had occupied Palestine after World War II. They were removed when Israel was born. Jerusalem remained divided. The Jews controlled West Jerusalem. The Temple site was in East Jerusalem and not under Jewish control.
8As we have heard, so have we seen In the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah
9We have thought on thy lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of thy temple.
10As is thy name, O God, So is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
8As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
9We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
Commentary · verses 8-10
God's right Hand was full of Righteousness because God was always and completely Right.
11Let mount Zion be glad, Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of thy judgments.
11Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12Walk about Zion, and go round about her; Number the towers thereof; 13Mark ye well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces: That ye may tell it to the generation following.
14For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.
12Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
13Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Commentary · verses 12-14
If this God, the Right and Just, was your God, He would be your guide.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 49
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye peoples; Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,
1To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
Commentary · verse 1
This verse was similar to the beginning of Deuteronomy 32: "1 Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth." That was the chapter that contained Moses' final statement before he died in which he said God was Right and Just.
2Both low and high, Rich and poor together.
3My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
2Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Commentary · verses 2-3
Wisdom and understanding were the focus of this psalm. Wisdom was a profitable decision. Understanding was knowing the reason WHY.
4I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
4I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Commentary · verse 4
A "dark saying" was revelation and the harp symbolized the psalms. The psalms contained revelation and prophecy, just like Jesus showed in Luke 24:44.
5Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels compasseth me about?
6They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him 8(For the redemption of their life is costly, And it faileth for ever),
5Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
6They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
Commentary · verses 5-8
Our lives are worth more than any amount of physical value. We cannot buy our Salvation with the physical.
9That he should still live alway, That he should not see corruption.
10For he shall see it. Wise men die; The fool and the brutish alike perish, And leave their wealth to others.
9That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Commentary · verses 9-10
We cannot take anything physical with us out of this life.
11Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, And their dwelling-places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names.
12But man being in honor abideth not: He is like the beasts that perish.
13This their way is their folly: Yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah
11Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
12Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
Commentary · verses 11-13
The thought of the physical lasting long term was foolish.
14They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd: And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, That there be no habitation for it.
15But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; For he will receive me. Selah
16Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased: 17For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.
18Though while he lived he blessed his soul (And men praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself), 19He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light.
20Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, Is like the beasts that perish.
14Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
15But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
16Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
18Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Commentary · verse 20
The next psalm was by Asaph. We saw Asaph was the leader of the choir and led the procession to bring up the Ark...
Doctrines on this passage
Where You Stopped
Psalm 50
1A Psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, hath spoken, And called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined forth.
3Our God cometh, and doth not keep silence: A fire devoureth before him, And it is very tempestuous round about him.
1A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
3Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Commentary · verses 1-3
God did not keep silent, He was always speaking.
4He calleth to the heavens above, And to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5Gather my saints together unto me, Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
4He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
5Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
Commentary · verses 4-5
God's "saints" were those who had covenanted with Him by sacrifice.
6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; For God is judge himself. Selah
6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
Commentary · verse 6
The heavens (and creation) declared God's Nature: Right and Just.
7Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify unto thee: I am God, even thy God.
8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices; And thy burnt-offerings are continually before me.
9I will take no bullock out of thy house, Nor he-goats out of thy folds.
10For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.
12If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
13Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?
14Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the Most High; 15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth, 17Seeing that thou hatest instruction, And castest my words behind thee?
7Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
9I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
10For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
12If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
13Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
Commentary · verses 7-17
The wicked hated God's instruction, His Words.
18When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst with him, And hast been partaker with adulterers.
19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, And thy tongue frameth deceit.
18When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
Commentary · verses 18-19
The wicked spoke destruction and deceit, a right WHAT with a wrong/no how and why.
20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; Thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: But I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: 23Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; And to him that ordereth his way aright Will I show the salvation of God.
20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
23Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
Commentary · verses 20-23
This psalm focused on bringing order to the community. In 1950, many of the Jews that returned to Israel came from the East, which caused a lot of cultural stress with the European Jews who began the nation of Israel in 1948.
Commentary · verse 23
This day's reading covered psalms that pointed to God's Nature and the creation of a new nation.
Because God is our strength and helper, physical tragedies do not cause us fear.