 There are times when what you truly need is to take your eyes off of all the mess that is happening on earth and just focus on Who God is. A. W. Tozer said that the most important thing about any of us is what we believe about God. This is why Psalm 29 is such a gift to us from God Himself. It is a Psalm that has no other focus except God alone. With that in mind, let’s dig in and put our eyes on Him for a while.
David begins with a call for God to be praised in the highest realms. Here are his words. Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. (Psalm 29:1-2, NASB) David wanted Jehovah God to be described in reference to His glory and strength. But he is commanding that the “sons of the mighty” do this. Who are these “sons of the mighty?” The Hebrew says that they are sons of El – which is the Hebrew word for God. Sons of God in the Old Testament Scriptures is another name for angels. But why would David be calling for angels to praise God? It is because he knew that his own praise would not be sufficient for such an infinite, glorious, and mighty God. Therefore he calls for angels to join him in his praise of Jehovah – a thing that they would be more than delighted to do. He asks for them to describe God in reference to His glory – the brightness and heaviness of Who He is. He also asks for them to describe God in reference to His strength. The word used here is “oz” and it refers to strength both outward and inwardly. God is mighty in power as well as mighty in the glorious inward strength of character and inward perfections that are infinite as well. Jehovah’s name is also to be given glory. He is the self-existent One who reveals Himself – the great I Am – God Who knows no bounds or limits – infinite and eternal. Finally, David requests that the angels wrap themselves in God’s holiness and worship Him. The word worship means to fall on one’s knees or to lay totally prostrate before another in praise and adoration. Our God is so great and awesome that all the holy angels should give Him worship, adoration and praise for how glorious, strong, and inwardly perfect He is! Next, David begins to speak of God’s power experienced in a storm that he describes as it moves from the Mediteranean Sea through Lebanon and then over Israel. He calls for Jehovah God to be praised for His works on the earth. One of the things we need to grasp in Psalm 29 is that this is poetry. It is meant to be read and felt. It was fascinating in my research to learn that often this Psalm was read both in the synagogue and the church during a raging storm. Charles Spurgeon wrote this about how we should approach the 29th Psalm: “'Just as the eighth psalm is to be read by moonlight, when the stars are bright, as the nineteenth needs the rays of the rising sun to bring out its beauty, so this can be best rehearsed beneath the black wing of tempest, by the glare of the lightning, or amid that dubious dusk which heralds the war of elements. The verses march to the tune of thunderbolts. God is everywhere conspicuous, and all the earth is hushed by the majesty of his presence.” The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful, The voice of the LORD is majestic. 5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everything says, "Glory!" (Psalm 29:3-9, NASB) As David describes this approaching storm, He refers to the sound and effect of it in reference to the “voice of Jehovah.” He first speaks of the approaching storm with two references to “waters.” The first is a reference to the clouds and it speaks of how they are boiling and how the thunder resounds through them. He speaks of how the God of glory thunders. Then he speaks of the Lord over many waters – a reference to how the Mediteranean Sea was driven and tossed as waves crashed and the wind drove the waters toward the shore. Jehovah’s voice is majestic in the midst of the storm. Storm imagery is common in Scripture. God revealed Himself often in them with Moses and Israel at Sinai, with Samuel, Elijah, Job, and many of the prophets. The arrival of a major storm can be an astounding and intimidating thing. I find it fascinating that when storms hit even today they are described by insurance companies as an “act of God.” Indeed! When the storm arrives in Lebanon and then Israel David’s descriptions continue. Mighty cedar trees in Lebanon are broken and shattered in pieces. Other trees are stripped bare. The entire country of Lebanon and their highest peak Sirion (which is another name for Mount Hermon) are described as writhing, bucking calves and wild oxen. As the winds blow and surge through the mountainous region the mountains themselves seem to writhe and twist and turn as the trees are whipped around and even destroyed by the power that is unleashed in the storm. The wilderness shakes and shudders under the blast of God’s nostrils as the storm continues through Israel and then into the wilderness to the south. Deer give birth in the tempest and entire forests are stripped bare. And as they watch and hunker down in the temple – all those who see the power of God cry, “Glory!” as they are given a front row seat to the power and majesty of God. Man prides himself on his accomplishments and feats. Yet there is nothing like the humility that a storm brings to mankind. We cannot stop them – and we cannot adequately prepare everyone for them. As I wrote this piece the Caribbean was still trying to put things back together after Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane on record. She pounded the island nations of the Caribbean with sustained winds of 185 miles an hour. Several meterologists came together to try to describe the power unleashed by this massive storm. Their estimate was that as this hurricane was at a Category 5 level – she packed 7 trillion watts of power. They went on to say that this was greater than the equivalent of all the bombs dropped during World War II. When I read that I gasped. I remember watching footage of Flying Fortresses dropping hundreds of bombs at a time – leveling entire cities. I remember the pictures of the fireball that enveloped Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And yet, all that power manifested in WWII was matched by God with one storm. Kind of puts man in his place doesn’t it? David puts a fitting close to this Psalm of praise to Jehovah God. He has spoken of glory to God in heaven – glory to God on the earth – and now he will speak of glory to God among men. Here are his words, “The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:10-11, NASB) The God of the storm can seem terrifying. Some might even thing the storm is out of control – but that is not the truth. David continues by telling us that Jehovah sat as King at the flood. Of all the storms ever experienced in the history of mankind on earth – none was as great and terrifying as that of the flood of Noah’s day. We were awed when a hurricane was stranded over southeast Texas and dropped 50 inches of rain over certain areas. But we are not talking about a measly 50 inch rain storm. We are speaking of enough rain and water to reach far past the highest peaks of the earth – thousands of feet of water. If there ever was a time to think that nothing and no one was in control – that would have been it. Yet God sat as King over the flood. His sovereignty knows no bounds or limits. He also sits as King forever, according to His revelation here through David. That is a very comforting (although I agree, also terrifying) thought. There is NOTHING that has happened (i.e. the flood) or ever will happen (i.e. what you are currently freaking out over) that is beyond God’s sovereignty and control. He is in, through, above, and beyond every storm, whether it is physical or emotional or spiritual. There is no financial storm – no personal storm – no national storm over which He is not Lord. Therefore, there is nothing or no one I should fear or honor more than Him. David ends Psalm 29 on a beautiful note of praise. This praise is in reference to this mighty, all-powerful God and how He deals with His own people. Jehovah God will give strength to His people. This is the word “oz” again which, if you remember, refers not just to outward strength – but also inward strength. This God who can make earth itself writhe and buck like a wild ox is there to grant to you the strength you need every day! What a glorious thing to know – especially after seeing a God Whose glory and might is seen in terrifying and humbling ways in a major storm. There is nothing you will ever face in life that is beyond Him. There is nothing you will ever have to walk through for which He does not have not just adequate – but super-abounding strength (both inwardly and outwardly) from which you can draw. Lastly, David reminds us that Jehovah will also give His people peace. He will bless us with peace. The word here is the Hebrew word “shalom” which refers to a wholeness, a soundness, a completeness from God. It is also a reminder that the sweet peace that guards our hearts and minds is a gift from Him. Let me end this look at God with this. The greatest storm you and I will ever face is to stand before this infinitely powerful God on the day of judgment to give an account before Him of our lives. The storm that has been and is still currently gathering that will be unleashed on that day is far beyond anything can ever describe. It will be the full unleashing of the fury and wrath of God against sin. On that day, if we have nothing that will speak for our sins – and that will make us acceptable to God with a perfect righteousness – we will face that storm with nothing to protect us. Only two times in history will this wrath and full measure of God’s holy fury ever be released. One is after the final judgment on that final day. The other happened about 2000 years ago outside Jerusalem. You see that storm gathered in all its full rage as Jesus gave Himself to be crucified on the cross. He then bore the full brunt of the wrath of God against sin – a storm infinite in its power and passionate ferocity. Jesus faced that storm and paid the full price for sin for us. It is a thought that is beyond our comprehension as to the love that was given. But the fact remains – He gave it. We do not have to face that storm alone or unprotected. God offers us life and the only shelter from it – which is found in Jesus Christ. Jehovah God Himself will give His people peace! What a glorious fact! Oh that we would hear the sirens – heed the flags that warn of this impending storm. Oh that we would awaken to our utterly unprotected state – and flee to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for refuge. The very One who revealed Himself to us in the storm – bore the full brunt of that storm – so that we might have life and shelter from it. What will you do? How else can you prepare? What other Shelter is there than Christ Jesus our Lord?
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NO HOPE FOR YOU?
Dark times came slithering into my life, Dark times with venom of struggle and strife, Dark days hung like clouds in the air, Dark whispers spoke of ultimate despair. No hope for you O Adam's son, No hope for you O sinning one, No hope at all child of this sod, No hope for you, no hope in God. Failures swirled about and encircled my head, Failures hissing their doubts and their dread, Failures mounting up mountainous in size, Failures prophesying of my demise. No hope for you O Adam's son, No hope for you O sinning one, No hope at all child of this sod, No hope for you, no hope in God. Turning to Him to stop this assault, Turning to Him O grace given halt, Turning to Him for whisperings to cease, Turning to Him for mercy's release. No hope for you O Adam's son? No hope for you O sinning one? No hope at all child of this sod? There's hope for you - but only in God. He is a shield, a shield all about, He is a shield from darkness and doubt, He is a shield, flaming arrows to quench, He is a shield from sin and death's stench. No hope for you O Adam's son? No hope for you O sinning one? No hope at all child of this sod? There's hope for you - but only in God. My Glory, arrested by a life-changing name, My Glory, the only One worthy of fame, My Glory, blinded by a sight-granting view, My Glory, all glory owned only by You. No hope for you O Adam's son? No hope for you O sinning one? No hope at all child of this sod? There is hope for you - but only in God. Head-lifter, golden scepter extended to me? Head-lifter, are those scars in your hand I see? Head-lifter, can it be that I see Your face? Head-lifter, Bestower of mercy and grace, Now hope for you O Adam's son. Now hope for you O blood-bought one. Now hope for you, child of this sod. Now hope for you - but only in God.  David is once again running for his life. This time it is his son who is chasing him around the wilderness. As he climbs the far side of Jerusalem heading for the wilderness (and the climb is a long one), he hears whispers in his heart. There is no hope for you in God, David. Your failures have come home to roost. Yet, as we saw in part one of this study of Psalm 3, David took time to consider what was being whispered in his spirit. What a wise thing to do - to stop and meditate - think about - consider - what is being said.
Selah. David takes a moment and thinks seriously about what he has started this song saying. He is singing a type of the blues - at least a country song that commiserates with his audience about how bad it is for him. But he stops singing the words though for an instrumental portion in the song. Selah means to stop and consider what you've just heard. It was usually done with an instrumental moment in the music. Ever stop in the midst of your miserable self-monologues and think about what you've just said? It is something we should do - especially when our misery wants to lead us to helplessness and despair. "Wait a minute!" we should say to ourselves. Stop and think a moment about what you've just said. "But You, Jehovah, are a shield about me. My glory, and the One Who lift my head." What a radical change from, "no help for you in God" to God being his shield, glory, and head-lifter. Amazing what comes to us when we exercise our right to shut up and listen for a few moments. Astounding what we can learn when we stop and consider the words spoken to us - and even those which we are speaking to ourselves in a rough moment. Are we listening to God - or just focusing on our inner-Eyeore? David, much more than most, had reason to be depressed. He was facing, after all, exile because his son was leading a successful rebellion and overthrow of his kingdom. Yet, stopping and thinking in the presence of God is NEVER a bad idea. Why did I just use the phrase, "stopping and thinking in the presence of God?" It is because that is what is evident in David's words. He stopped and considered things from the stand point of God. He stopped and considered what was being said about God. Is God no longer his deliverer? Is there no hope of salvation for David? Once he stops and considers these words - he doesn't turn only to what God said - but more importantly - Who God is! That is the answer to His dilemma. Who is God right now? What a great question to ask.YOU - Jehovah! That is the answer to every problem we face and every issue that comes up in our lives. YOU - Jehovah! That is ultimately where we need to turn when the world, the flesh, the devil tell us that all hope is lost. Turning to ourselves in such moments is like turning to a defaulted bank for funds. The bank is bankrupt - and has nothing. We ourselves, in ourselves, are bankrupt as well. So - our first thought should be this . . . Who are You in all this, God? That is what will help us in this and every other situation that we face. David is reminded of Who God says that He is. You are a shield about me! You are my glory! You are the lifter of my head! You answer prayer! Let's take a quick look at these answers to David's problem. You, Jehovah are a shield about me. God is a shield and refuge to us. David thinks and remembers the way that God dealt with these situations in the past. Time and time again God surrounded David in times of difficulty and trial like a giant shield. David was protected against the enemy - against Saul when he was crazy - against Goliath - against every foe he had ever faced. This dawned upon him the same way that Elisha's servant was awakened to the protection of God evidenced to him when God opened his eyes to the mountains filled with angels of fire all around him. But then again, that is one of our fundamental problems isn't it. We cannot see Him - so we tend to wonder if He is there. This is not a problem usually for us until the physical problems in our lives get in our face - and we are blinded to the unseen because of the overwhelming presence and demand of the seen. Jehovah was and is a shield to His people and His anointed. But - there are times when though seeing, we are blind to His presence. Regardless of our circumstances though - He is with us - and He is here. You, Jehovah, are my glory! Though this may seem not a huge issue at first, it is the first issue David sees in refocusing on God - and it is a primary issue for him, and for us as well. Honestly, we probably have not thought about "glory" and how important it is to have the right glory in your life. Often we freak out in life because someone is messing with our "glory." Let me explain a little more what I mean by this. Our glory is what is of utmost importance in our lives. For many people that is themselves, their stuff, their position, their power, their happiness . . . in short - they glory in themselves. When someone messes with their glory it is serious. But consider for a moment David and this issue of "glory." As a young man he walked into a situation that involved glory. Goliath stood for 40 days and defied Israel to send out anyone to fight him. Everyone except David missed that glory was being addressed. Saul and his entire army were scared and depressed about this situation - but only saw it in reference to their own glory. This looked bad on them - their fighting ability - their standing and position - and honestly - their own selves - because to go out and fight this monster of a man surely meant death to whoever tried it! Stupid Goliath! He's messing with our glory! Then along came David. He heard the taunts, heard the challenge, heard the same insults and came away with a radically different view of things. How dare this uncircumcised Philistine say these things about God! Stupid Goliath! He's messing with God's glory! That is why he knew he could take Goliath. He KNEW he could take out this doofus who was messing with God's glory! He knew it because he was far more concerned with God's glory than his own. Out David waltzes on the battlefield - no armor - no sword - just a sling and five stones (one for Goliath and each of his ugly brothers too - if they dare to act against God's glory!) WOW - what an amazing faith this young man had! You, Jehovah, are my glory! That is what got David through all this. It is what will get you through your mess too! Your problems and distresses are ultimately NOT ABOUT YOU! God is working through everything He allows so that as you trust Him - look to Him - rely on Him - pray to Him - and fight by His power - you will be to the praise of His glory! Oh God! You are my glory - it is all about You! All this that I am facing - is so that men may see Your glory and what You can do! How did David radically change in these moments? He radically changed the center of this controversy from himself to God. Just a few thoughts. Who did God say that He would build an enduring kingdom through? Who had God said that He forgave when David repented of his sin of adultery, murder by proxy, and deceit? Who did God say that he would protect and keep through all his troubles? And ultimately - Whose glory was MOST affected by Absalom's rebellion, open immorality, and dishonoring of his father and his father's God? Yeah - it wasn't David's glory - it was God's glory. You, Jehovah, are the lifter of my head! The last of these three statements about God may be the most glorious. "Wait a minute," you may think. "What does 'head-lifting' have to do with being chased through the wilderness by another madman?" The answer to that question is found in the whispers that filled David's head - not by his situation in general. David heard that there was no hope for him in God. That meant that God was through with him - done - finished! He wanted nothing more to do with David. But David, in meditating on that thought, realized that this did not fit Who God had been in his life. You see, David was a mess (much like we all are as well). This was not his first rodeo, so to speak. He had failed multiple times before. His failures at times seemed to go above his head so that he feared drowning in the sea of his own transgressions and sin. As David considered his bleak past, he also considered just Who it was that he met at every turn. It was God - Who often was working even through David's sin. He met God at every failure - even though as he came upon the Lord his head was hanging low in shame and disgrace. But God was not there to cast him to the side, offering him judgment and condemnation void of any hope. God met him with grace and forgiveness - as if someone had paid the ultimate price for his sin. (Little did David know - Someone had paid it as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.) This was not a God who banished him. This was The God who "lifted his head" out of disgrace into renewed favor and grace. The golden scepter of grace in Jesus Christ had been extended, removing the death sentence he deserved in the presence of the King Who would never welcome such a sinful man. This is Who Jehovah is - the One Who lifts my head - giving me grace - giving me mercy - offering compassion. No hope for you in God? Far from it saints - but only as you remember Who God is. The answer to your dilemma - indeed to ALL your dilemmas - is found in Who God is. This God, Who maybe even unknown to you allowed these circumstances to come into your life, is not Who you think Him to be. He has not cast you off - thrown you away - or left you behind because of your sins. If He reacted to you apart from mercy - He would have consumed you at the occasion of your first sin! Your God is your shield of protection - only allowing in your life what is needed for your sanctification to be accomplished. Your God is your glory - reminding you to lay down the ridiculous thought that it is or ever was about you and what you want. Your God lifts your head - rather than crushes it due to your sin. He has laid His hand of judgment on His Son at Calvary - and now by faith you receive grace upon grace. Even in the most dire of difficulties this is Who He is. So stop making yourself the center of this situation - your comfort the center of your pursuits - and your glory the purpose of your life. This will lead only to misery in the end. Stop! Consider what you are thinking! And realize the answer is this - Who is God? The sooner we come to this conclusion - the sooner that we can experience the transformation - the same transformation David experienced in Psalm 3. |
Pastor John LawrencePsalms for Life . . . God moved on several people to write the Psalms. This is a book of songs and poems written by people who were seeking to be devoted to God as they walked though their lives. This is a collection of songs and poems that express the true, wonderful, and often raw emotions that we have as we journey through life with God. I hope you will be blessed and encouraged as you read. But more than that I hope that these expositions and writings will help you to seek Him in the midst of the life you live in this world. It will be at times comforting and encouraging, while at others it will be challenging and awkward. Regardless of where you find yourself on this spectrum as you read, it will be a reminder that God invites us into His presence to truly walk with Him, know Him, and at times, pour out emotions of joy, sorrow, frustration, anger, and everything else you can imagine. He not only invites you to do this - He delights in it too! Hope you enjoy your journey! Archives
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