Another 10 psalms

I have completed another 10 psalms, having finished the résumé of Psalm 110 which is a glorious messianic Davidic sign depicting Christ's joint roles of king, priest and judge.

At Green Pastures yesterday I saw a bright yellow Great Kiskadee, 4 Cactus Parakeets, a Blue-black Grassquit and a Scaled Dove. Whilst there it was sad to learn that sister Vilene (member of our Green Pastures church) had her house broken into and they stole their wedding rings and her little motorbike which she comes to church on. 

This morning the Patos church is holding a jumble sale at our school on the south side of Patos. However Liz and I will be involved in an important meeting of our senior leadership team throughout much of the morning and afternoon and value your prayers. 

Psalm 111 (résumé): Praise the Lord!

 Psalm 111 is an acrostic poem. This means that in this case the first letter of each of its 22 lines (not including the initial praise the Lord) begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The psalm focuses on God's covenant ("he remembers his covenant forever"), his provision ("He provides food for those who fear him"), and God's mighty works ("The works of his hands are faithful and just"). The psalm then concludes with the concept that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... to him belongs eternal praise"! 

Psalm 110 (résumé): The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand!

This Davidic psalm is a wonderful messianic psalm depicting the messiah as an enthroned king and eternal priest. "The Lord says to my Lord (Jesus the Messiah): Sit at my right hand... the Lord will extend your mighty sceptre from Zion. Then Jesus' kingly role is united with his priestly role saying: "You are a priest for ever, in the order of Melquizedek." The Messiah will judge nations and crush opposition in the day of his wrath.

Psalm 109 (résumé): O God... do not remain silent!

David starts Psalm 109 asking God not to remain silent because wicked men have returned evil for good, attacked him without cause, and made false accusations against him. David then prays that an evil man be appointed and when he is tried that he be found guilty... may his days be few, his children be fatherless beggars and may his descendants be cut off. Then David asks for God's help because he is poor and needy and his heart is wounded with him... save me in accordance of your love. Then, he concludes, I will greatly extol the Lord! 

Psalm 108 (résumé): My heart is steadfast, O God!

This Davidic psalm is a strong hymn of praise: "I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations... let your glory be over all the earth". David then prays for God's salvation and deliverance for his people. He then goes on to remember God's promise to control the land mentioning Shechem, Valley of Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah. He closes the psalm acknowledging that "with God alone we shall gain the victory... for it is he who will trample down the enemies".

Police Headquarters

Last night Liz and I attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Police Headquarters where our deacon Esau is chief of Police. It was a beautiful event with the presence of the State Governor João Azevedo, the President of the Federal Chamber of Deputies Hugo Motta, and the Patos Mayor Nabor Wanderley. We felt very proud of Esau who made a very good speech.

Psalm 107 (résumé): Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever". This is how psalm 107 starts Book 5 of the psalms. This psalm is a lovely hymn of thanksgiving for all God's deliverance and blessing. The psalmist talks about God's people crying out to God for help and his delivering them from their distress. "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love... they cried to the Lord in their trouble and he saved them from their distress.... He brought them out of the deepest gloom... he sent forth his word and healed them... let them tell of his works with songs of joy... he guided them to their desired haven... he turned the desert into pools of water... and they founded a city where they could live... he blessed them and their numbers greatly increased... whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord".