Psalms 50:1-23

SACRIFICE THANK OFFERINGS TO GOD

Keywords 50:14,15

14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me."

 

1. Is God honoured and pleased simply with material offerings or rote recitation of God’s word? He is not. Our God is the Mighty One, the LORD, who summons the heavens and the earth. He is perfect in beauty and the God of justice. God’s people brought animal sacrifices, but God did not need their bulls and goats (9). Every animal, bird, insect, and everything else in the world already belongs to God (10-12)! God desires much more than things or good words from us. He desires our hearts.

 

2. Our offerings should reflect gratitude, love, and humility toward God. God invites us to sacrifice thank offerings and to humbly call on him in the day of trouble. He promises to deliver us and then we will honour him as a result (15). Rather than hypocritically speak God’s covenant and then later use our mouths to speak evil (16,19), we can offer a sacrifice of praise for his Son Jesus (Heb 13:15). When we relate to God in a mechanical or transactional way, he is not pleased. However, when we sacrifice thank offerings, we honour him and he reveals his salvation (23). How will you honour and thank God today?

 

Prayer Father, everything we have belongs to you. I offer to you praise and thanks for salvation in Jesus. Please deliver me from troubles and help me to honour you.

One Word An offering of thanks to God

Psalms 49:1-20

GOD WILL REDEEM ME FROM DEATH

Keywords 49:15

But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah

 

1. Those who trust in their wealth (1-14)

This is a wisdom psalm. The psalmist considers the fact that the rich and the poor alike all die someday. What good is it to boast in riches when one’s wealth can’t buy them salvation or eternal life? No money can buy that for us. Jesus also talked about this (Mk 8:36). Rich fools who have no investment in God are like animals that perish. Those who trust in themselves are like sheep with death as their shepherd. They will decay, far from their princely mansions.

 

2. God will redeem me (15-20)

Wise people have faith and hope in God. God will redeem them from death and take them to himself. No one can take worldly wealth with them when they die. Only God can redeem us from the grave and bring us to the light of life. People with wealth but no understanding are like perishing animals. To have understanding and wisdom is to live with faith and hope and life-investment in God.

 

Prayer Lord God, I recognize it is foolish to live for money or things or worldly pleasures, which all perish. Only you give eternal life. Thank you for giving us hope and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

One Word God will redeem me from death

Psalms 48:1-14

GREAT IS THE LORD, MOST WORTHY OF PRAISE

Keywords 48:1

Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

 

1. Praise God our true security (1-8)

This psalm celebrates the security of God’s chosen dwelling place, the city of the Great King. Where God resides, there is security. What made Jerusalem so great was not its location, but that the LORD God Almighty was in her citadels. No force can prevail against God, for God is an invincible fortress. Where God dwells, there is beauty and joy. Great is the LORD, most worthy of praise.

 

2. This God is our God forever (9-14)

Where God dwells, there is unfailing love and righteous judgments. God’s name and praise reaches to the ends of the earth. This God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

 

Prayer Great are you LORD, most worthy of praise. Great is your name, LORD God Almighty. You are our true security. Our souls long for your dwelling place and to be with you. For you are our God for ever and ever, our guide to the end.

One Word Great is the LORD, most worthy of praise

Psalms 47:1-9

GOD IS KING OF ALL THE EARTH

Keywords 47:7

For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.

 

1. Shout to God with cries of joy (1-4)

This psalm praises God, who is the great King over all the earth and all nations. The psalmist invites “all you nations”—that is, the non-Jewish world—to shout to God with cries of joy. Why? Because the LORD Most High is awesome. He subdued nations and gave Israel their inheritance.

 

2. Sing praise to God, sing praises (5-9)

The Jews sang this psalm for the new year, recalling the ark of the covenant brought up to Jerusalem when David danced before the LORD. Verse 6 bursts with singing praises to God. Why? Because he is King of all the earth. The nobles of the nation and the kings of the earth belong to God. God reigns; he is greatly exalted. Christians used this psalm to recall Jesus’ ascension into heaven as cause for rejoicing.

 

Prayer LORD Most High, you are awesome, the great King over all the earth and all the nations. We sing praises to you, Lord Jesus, for all peoples belong to you. You are greatly exalted.

One Word Sing praises to the King

Psalms 46:1-11

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD

Keywords 46:7

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

 

1. God is our refuge and strength (1-7)

This psalm has some imagery of chaos and trouble: mountains falling, waters roaring, nations in uproar, kingdoms falling (2,3,6). Where is security to be found? In God, our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble. With God, we will not fear. Where God dwells, there are streams of gladness. God upholds his people; we will not fall. He is with us; he is our mighty fortress.

 

2. God will be exalted in all the earth (8-11)

Come and see what the LORD has done! He brings desolation or makes wars cease. He says, “Be still [everyone], and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us. God is our fortress.

 

Prayer LORD God Almighty, you are our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in need. You are our fortress. With you, we will not fear.

One Word Praise God, our refuge, strength, and ever-present help—our

fortress!

Psalms 45:1-17

YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER

Keywords 45:6

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

 

1. Your throne, O God, will last forever (1-9)

This psalm is a royal wedding song of a direct descendant of David marrying a princess. An excellent man and king has lips anointed with grace. A great king parades truth, humility, and justice. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Hebrews 1:8-9 applies this psalm to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. His throne is forever. He reigns with truth, humility, righteousness, and justice.

 

2. Honour the king, for he is your lord (10-17)

The princess bride was indeed blessed to marry a noble, godly king in David’s line. Her only charge was to honour her lord, the king. This same charge is given to Christian wives toward their husbands (see 1Pe 3:1ff). Their children would be princes. A union based on righteousness and justice draws the praise of all nations. We are the bride of Christ. Our charge is to honour him, our Lord.

 

Prayer Lord Jesus, your throne is established on truth, humility, justice, and righteousness, and it is forever. We belong to you. May our words and actions honour you as Lord.

One Word Jesus’ throne is forever; honour him

Psalms 44:1-26

RESCUE US IN YOUR UNFAILING LOVE

Keywords 44:26

Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.

 

1. God gives the victory (1-8)

God’s people recall how God gave them victory after victory over their enemies. Victory was not by their own strength or weapons. Rather, it was by God’s strength and the light of his face, for he loved them. God is our King and God. He and his name give us victory. In God, we can boast all day and praise his name forever. It is good to remember God’s blessings and victories.

 

2. You made us a reproach, but we have not forgotten you (9-22)

Now they were defeated and humiliated. It seems God had abandoned them. Even so, they would not forget God nor be false to his covenant. They faced death daily, like sheep to be slaughtered (Ro 8:36). Sometimes we feel abandoned. In such times, we must cling to God.

 

3. Rise up and help us (23-26)

The community cries out, “Awake, Lord! Rise up and help us! Rescue us because of your unfailing love!” Times of trouble and distress are the prime times to cry out to God to deliver and rescue us.

 

Prayer O LORD our God and King, you have given us victory in Jesus’ name. When we fail or feel defeated, help us to be faithful to your covenant and cry out for your help, deliverance, and mercy. Nothing can separate us from your unfailing love.

One Word Rescue us in your unfailing love

Psalms 43:1-5

YOU ARE GOD MY STRONGHOLD

Keywords 43:3

Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

 

1. God my stronghold (1-2, 5)

This psalm is a continuation of Psalm 42, with the same refrain: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (43:5; 42:5,11). He describes his enemies who are oppressing him as “an unfaithful nation” and the “deceitful and wicked” (1). He prays for God’s vindication and rescue. God is his refuge and stronghold, but he feels rejected and oppressed by the enemy. When we are oppressed or feel downcast, God is our stronghold and rescue.

 

2. Send your light and faithful care (3-4)

The psalmist prays, “Send your light and your faithful care, let them lead me…to your holy mountain… where you dwell.” The LORD and his word are our light and salvation (Ps 27:1; 119:105). God turns our darkness to light. God’s faithful care leads us to worship him even more. God was the psalmist’s joy and delight; he only wanted to return to God’s altar to praise him (4).

 

Prayer God, you are my stronghold, my light, and my salvation. May my lips and my life praise you.

One Word God is my stronghold, joy, and delight

Psalms 42:1-11

WHY ARE YOU DOWNCAST? HOPE IN GOD

Keywords 42:11

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

 

1. First, yearning for God (1-5)

The psalmist pants for fellowship with the living God like a thirsty deer pants for streams of water. Due to enemy hindrance and taunts, he has no opportunity to enter the house of God. However, the psalmist recalls the Mighty One’s protection and joyful shouts of praise among worshipers. He spoke to his downcast, disturbed soul to put his hope in God. He would instead praise God—his Savior and God. What a beautiful longing for God!

 

2. The LORD directs his love (6-11)

Though he was depressed, he resolved to remember God. The LORD’s love, a song at night, and a prayer sustained him (8). Still, he felt forgotten by God his Rock since enemies oppressed and taunted him, saying, “Where is your God?” (3,10). To battle his downcast, disturbed feelings again, he told his soul to have hope in God and to praise God his Savior. We, too, when we are feeling down or depressed or attacked, must put our hope in God and praise our Savior.

 

Prayer O LORD my God, you are my Savior. When I’m feeling down or oppressed or attacked, remind me to put my hope in you and praise you. In Jesus’ name.

One Word Put your hope in God and praise him!

Malachi 3:13-4:6

ON THE DAY THE LORD ACTS

Keywords 3:17

"They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.

 

1. The Lord’s treasured possession (3:13-18)

Some Israelites thought that it wasn’t worth it to serve the Lord. They looked around and saw the wicked prosper, while those who acted piously seemed to have nothing. This is a question many people in the Bible (and even today!) wrestled with. Why does the Lord let the wicked prosper and those who love and serve him struggle so much? Malachi assures us that the Lord listens and hears those who love him. The Lord promises compassion on those who fear him. Those who love the Lord are his treasured possession. The Lord will make a distinction, on judgment day, between the rights and the wicked.

 

2. Judgement and salvation (4:1-6)

The day of the Lord will come. When it does, those who are wicked will perish and be punished eternally in fire. But those who revere the Lord’s name will be found righteous. On that day they will rejoice. Before that day, the Lord would send his messenger. This was John the Baptist who prepared the way for our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to be patient and wait for your reward. Lord, I revere your name.

One Word Revere the name of the Lord

Malachi 2:17-3:12

THE LORD’S MESSENGER WILL PREPARE THE WAY

Keywords 3:1a

"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.

 

1. He will sit as refiner and purifier (2:17-3:5)

The Israelites had wearied the Lord because they didn’t think the Lord cared about justice. But the Lord would send his messenger to prepare the way for him to come and purify and refine the Levites. After he has done this, the Lord would find acceptable the offerings of his people. The Lord would put his people on trial and testify against their wickedness. This messenger is Jesus. He came to purify us of our sins that the Lord may find us righteous.

 

2. “Return to me…” (3:6-12)

Even though the Lord’s people were continually disobedient, the Lord did not destroy them. The Lord’s mercy saved them. The Lord’s mercy is eternal. He never changes. All he asked is that they repent and return to him. They could show their repentance with their tithes. We can show our repentance with what we offer to the Lord. When the Lord’s people repent, the Lord blesses them abundantly.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for Jesus, whom you sent to refine and purify us. Help us repent and return to you.

One Word Return to the Lord and he will return to us

Malachi 2:10-16

WHAT DOES GOD SEEK? GODLY OFFSPRING

Keywords 2:15

Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

 

1. Two rebukes for God’s people (10-14)

Malachi first reminded the people of Israel and Judah that they were God’s creation, and that they had entered into a covenant with the Lord. Then he rebuked the people of Israel and Judah (Jerusalem) for being unfaithful to the Lord. Their unfaithfulness was detestable and manifested itself in two ways. First, the people of Judah were marrying women who worshipped foreign gods. In doing so, they were desecrating the sanctuary of the Lord. Malachi prayed that those who did this would be thrown out of the Lord’s community. Secondly, they had divorced their God-fearing wives to marry idolators, and then wept because the Lord had turned his back on them.

 

2. You belong to the Lord (14,15)

This is why the Lord was so angry with them. They belonged to the Lord, body and spirit. He was their creator. Their being unfaithful to the wives of their youths was violence against these women and showed them as unfaithful toward God.

 

Prayer Father, help me to be faithful to my spouse and to you.

One Word Be faithful to the Lord

Malachi 2:1-9

WARNING TO THE PRIESTS

Keywords 2:7

For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction--because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty.

 

1. A broken covenant (1-5)

Malachi had a message from the Lord for the priests. The message was a warning that the priests must listen to the Lord Almighty and to honor his name. The priests were the spiritual leaders of the Israelites. They were to lead people to the Lord. Thus, they needed to listen to the Lord. They needed to honor the Lord Almighty. But they did not. The Lord had made a covenant with Levi. But now the priests would be under a curse.

 

2. The priests had caused many to stumble (6-9)

These verses contrast what God expected from Levi with what he was getting from the priests. The Lord made a covenant with Levi. They walked in peace and uprightness and turned many people away from sin. The Lord wanted his priests to uphold knowledge of the Lord and to be his messengers. But the priests in Malachi’s time turned away from the Lord and showed partiality to certain people. So, the Lord made the priests to be despised and humiliated.

 

Prayer Father, help me to be your messenger. Bless my lips to preserve your knowledge.

One Word Walk with God in peace and uprightness