Psalms 73, 77, 78 (26th April) - Pamelia

PSALM 73
There are seventeen psalms in the third book. This psalm was written by Asaph (he wrote 11 of the psalms in the third book. Asaph was the son of Berechiach, a Levite, one of the singers who, David set over the singing, 1 Chronicles 6:31, 39. Asaph was one of those who sand and played an instrument when Solomon opened the temple of Jehovah, 2 Chronicles 5:12.

Here in Psalm 73, Asaph faced a real problem: Why do wicked men seem to succeed in this world? Asaph knew that God was good to men whose hearts are pure, but when he saw wicked men getting rich, he was jealous and wondered if God had changed. These men seemed to have no trouble. They became proud and fat, and even talked against God in heaven.

Other people saw these wicked men getting rich, and they began asking questions about God. Even Asaph began to think that perhaps he had kept himself clean from sin but would not gain anything by it. This reminds me of Job in Job 21:7-15. He also wondered about this problem!

Asaph knew he should not say these things to others, but he could not understand this problem at all. Then he went into the presence of God. There he learned again that God will indeed rememeber wicked men and judge them suddenly when the time comes. Asaph realised his foolishness and knew he could put his hope again in God alone. He was sure that God would guide him to the end of his life and then take him to heaven. Asaph did not have much in this world, but in heaven he had God!

God does not promise in the New Testament that Christians will be rich in this world. He does promise that we would have enough food and clothing in 1 Timothy 6:8. He also promises to be with us at all times. In Hebrews 13: 5-6. God in the Old Testament gave Israel special promises which are not for us today. Some Christians have a problem because they think these promises are for all God’s people. We should not be surprised when wicked men get rich in this world. We can serve the Lord and have far greater riches in heaven. Anyway, we should bring all our problems to God. Everything will turn out right in the end.

PSALM 77
This is a prayer of Asaph in time of trouble. He cried to God day and night but God did not help him. Asaph thought about Gof, but was so troubled that he could not sleep or speak.

Asaph remembered how God had helped him in early years, but this did not give him much comfort. He asked himself sic questions as he wondered if God would ever show him mercy again. If God really changed, it would be a terrible blow for all men. BUT He will not and cannot change! [Psalm 110:4; Malachi 3:6]

Then Asaph remembered about what God had done long ago and this made him happier. We must understand that God is holy and greater than any god. Asaph learned that he could not understand the problems of life until he went and stood before God. Now he learned that God is a God of wonders. He had redeemed Israel; He is God of the universe; He leads His people like sheep in the desert.

We can learn a lesson from each part of this psalm. In time of great trouble it may seem that God does not hear our prayers, but we can be sure He will never forget or change. Remember that God does things in His time and He knows what is best for us. Look back at the great work of the Son of God on the cross and you can be certain that He loves you. He will surely lead us like His sheep all the way!

PSALM 78
This is the longest Psalm besides Psalm 119. Asaph went back into the history of Israel and showed that God blessed His people when they followed Him.

Asaph called on the people to listen while he taught them this parable. By this he meant that he would explain what the people perhaps did not understand, The Holy Spirit used this verse in Matthew 13:35 to explain why the Lord Jesus used parable when He taught the people. Here we see that these lessons should be passed on to the children. The Holy Spirit did not want the children to forget the great works of God, or to rebel against Him as their fathers had done. Yet the men of Ephraim had done just that. Ephraim was the leading tribe in all Idrael at one time. They could have won great victories against their enemies but instead they turned away from God. We will see that God chose the tribe of Judah instead.

In the next part of the psalm, Asaph showed that God had given Israel everything they needed, but the people disobeyed and made Him angry. God brought them out of Egypt, showed them the right way in the desert, and gave them water to drink. Still they sinned and spoke against God.

They did not really trust in God, so they tested Him by asking if He could also give them food. This made God angry, but still He gave them what they wanted! He gave them manna which was like sweet seed, and wild birds like chicken. The people had not prayed in faith but still God answered them. He was angry because they did not trust Him. They still sinned but when He punished theem they turned back to God. Even then, their hearts were not true. God was kind to them because He knew that men only have a short time to live, but they kept putting Him to the test.

Next, Asaph told again how God had delivered Israel from Egypt. God struck Egypt with ten blows. The Holy Spirit refers to seven of the ten pplagues in verses 44 to 51. The angel of God killed the oldest child in every house in Egypt, but He led His people like sheep through the desert to the land He had promised them.

God gave them all these blessings but still the people turned back to worship images. Of course God had to punish them again for this sin. The ark of God was first kept at the village of Shiloh and this was a sign that God was with His people. When Israel sinned, God gave victory to the Philistines and they took the ark away from Israel. This made Israel very ashamned and also dishonoured the name of Jehovah. Many people were killed before the Lord at last came to help them again.

In the last part of the psalm, we see that the Lord did not choose Ephraim to be the chief tribe. Jacob had given great blessing to Joseph and Ephraim. Even so, the Holy Spirit led him to give greated blessing to Judah: the King would come from his tribe. Jehovah chose Judah and Jerusalem, He chose David of the tribe of Judah to feed and lead His children.

Many years later, the Lord Jesus was born in the tribe of Judah, God has chosen Him to be King of kings and Lord of lords. In Christ we have very great blessings. God has saved us from sin and provided everything we need for this world and the next world. Let us never ask God for anything unless we really believe and trust in Him. Let us never test God or turn from Him because we do not believe. Why should we make God sorry when He has done so much to make us glad?