Summer in the Psalms Part 7 - “Book 3” | Thriving in Exile
August 11, 2024
Book 1 - Psalms 3-41
- Theme: Jehovah is the Helper of His people. This name appears at least twice in every Psalm.
- God is
- Focuses on Adoring Worship.
Book 2 - Psalm 42-72
- Theme: Elohim is the wonder-working God. This name appears at least twice in every Psalm.
- God goes
- Overcoming fear and anxiety.
Book 3 - Psalm 73-89
- Theme - God is worthy of
- Elohim - Jehovah are both used.
- God is all
- Many scholars conclude that these Psalms were compiled for use during the Jewish
- Two distinct sections: The Asaphite Collection (73-83) and Prayers in the Exile (84-89).
- Book 3 corresponds to Leviticus and ceaseless worship.
A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out. —Leviticus 6:13
Asaph
- His name means “a
- He was anointed with the Spirit of prophecy and wrote 12 songs.
The Sons of Korah
Book 2 begins with eight psalms of the Sons of Korah (42-49) and Book 3 concludes with four (84-85; 87-88).
Just as there are twelve psalms of Asaph in Books 2 and 3, there are twelve psalms of the Sons of Korah.
Thriving in Exile
1. Book 3 was assembled as a collection of songs and prayers in exile.
- How did Daniel
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. —Daniel 6:10
- 1 Peter 2:9-11 addresses both the believer’s identity and
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. —1 Peter 2:9-11
Attitude:
a) Sojourners and
b) Abstain from fleshly lusts, sinful desire.
2. Psalm 73: To thrive in exile, we must maintain kingdom perspective and vision.
- They way that we look at something can greater alter our mental and emotional state. It can lead us to
1 Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end. —Psalm 73:
- There’s something about being in the house of God, in the Presence of God with the people of God that
21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.
3. Psalm 78: to thrive in exile, we must have a
for the next generation.
- Your faith, prayer, and example aren’t just about you - they are impacting people beyond you.
1 O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying,
2 For I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
3 Stories we have heard and known,
Stories our ancestors handed down to us.
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
About His power and his mighty wonders.
5 For he issued his laws to Jacob;
He gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
To teach them to their children, —Psalm 78:1-5 NLT
- The primary method of teaching God’s ways is to be within the
Psalm 78:9-11 - The danger of forgetting: you are equipped for victory, but live in defeat.
9 The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows,
Turned back in the day of battle.
10 They did not keep the covenant of God;
They refused to walk in His law,
11 And forgot His works
And His wonders that He had shown them. —Psalm 78
4. Psalm 84 - to thrive in exile, we must have a heart
God.
- To thrive in exile, we must continually cultivate a one-thing mindset.
Psalm 84:1-2, 4-6
1 How lovely is Your tabernacle,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You. Selah
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca [weeping],
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools [blessings].
- They have hearts set on God, unwavering. Set on pilgrimage.
- The highways to Zion (the Place of God’s Presence) in their hearts.
- Passing through, crossing over the valley of weeping, they make it a spring, a well spring of life.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. —Psalm 84:10
The language of
- Blessed are those who dwell.
- Blessed is one whose strength is in God.
- Blessed is the one who trusts.