A man in relief mode. That’s what Psalm 30
records. Notice the bubbling over of emotion directed toward the LORD. He is so
thankful to have been healed. While he was going through the suffering it
seemed to last forever. But when he looks back at it, it is the LORD’s favor
that seems to last (v5). When healing came the LORD is given the credit. The bubbling
joy of verses 11-12 can’t be contained. Wailing turned to dancing. Life back,
as it were, from the dead. He won’t stop praising. Just try!
Even in the most desperate times, the LORD
provides us a rally point so that we can recognize His presence with us (Ps
60:4). So, in the middle of trouble look for that sign of God’s presence. It is
there. The LORD promised to be victorious in battle (vv6-8), but the writer isn’t
experiencing that victory. He can’t seem to find that rally point because the
LORD is using the enemy to bring punishment for rebellion. But he still cries
out for help, and speaks as if to create a rally point by his words expressed
in faith (v12).
Psalm 90 declares in no uncertain terms that
the LORD is eternal. We are temporary (vv5-6). We need to live our lives in
recognition of the transient nature of our existence. We are only here for a
short time, so we need to make our days count (v12). Living begins when we deal
with our death. Nothing permanent, other than our place in eternity, is
accomplished here on earth. It is only the LORD that makes things permanent
(v17). When our hands are involved in eternal matters, they are established by
the LORD as such.
Psalm 120 is the first Psalm of Ascent,
those psalms sung as pilgrims travelled to Jerusalem, and especially as they
went up the hill surrounding the Temple. What jumps out at me is the shortness
of the LORD’s punishment (v4). When cooking as they did then with small sticks
things cooked quickly. I like to think of it as flash cooking. The heat only
lasts a few minutes, so you had better cook fast. The punishment is likened to
the coals of the broom bush. These bushes never get much substance to them, so
the stalks are thin, thus not lasting very long in a fire.
Psalm 150 has one theme. Can you decide what
it is? I hope so! We are to use every possible means of praising the LORD. In every
place (v1), for His power (v2), and with every musical instrument (vv3-5). And
we are to join in as well, since we have breath (v6). Not much question here.
So what are we waiting for?