Friday, June 10, 2011

Psalm 74

The Temple is destroyed - Each verse from 1 - 12 could be followed by a hearty "Hasa Diga Eebowai!"

At verse 12, the psalmist (Asaph) gets away from the despair and reaffirms, "Yet God is from old, working salvation in the midst of the earth." He asks God to "Have recard for thy covenant" (20) and not to "forget the clamour of thy foes, the uproar of thy adversaries which goes up continually!" (23)

It's that extra step that the Ugandans in the South Park musical don't take.

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Psalm 73

Note: "An upright person, disconcerted by the prosperity of the wicked decides to stay true to God."

28. "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works."

This one was written by Asaph. From Wikipedia:
He was the grandson of the Israelite prophet Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:24). He and his male descendants were set aside by King David to worship God in song and music (1 Chronicles 15:16-17). He authored Psalms 50, and Psalms 73 to 83.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Psalm 72

"A Prayer for the King and his Reign Petitioning All Kinds of Benefits"

I suppose this would be a good prayer for any leader. Give him (her) righteousness and good judgement

4. May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy . . ."

15 "Long may he live . . ." (no term limits)

18. "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderous things." (It's God who does the good, rather than the king (who does good through God)

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Psalm 71

"A Prayer for help in old age"

Getting more and more relevant all the time.

3. "Be thou to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for thou art my rock and my fortress."

15. "My mouth will tell of thy righteous acts, of thy deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
16. "With the might deeds of the Lord I will come, I will praise thy righteousness, thine alone."

Monday, June 06, 2011

Psalm 70

This is a short one - Notes say it is a "Prayer for Divine Help" and that it is "For Rememberence" or "A Memorial"

Favorite line: Let those be turned back because of their shame who say, "Aha, aha!"