Tuesday, August 27 – Psalms 143, 144, 145

1. How can we face the inevitable judgment of God? Psalm 143:2

2. How can meditating on the works of the Lord help us? Psalm 143:5

3. What does the Lord do for those who fall and for the oppressed? Psalm 145:14

Commentary and Reflection:

Many of David’s psalms are prayers in the form of songs that he lifts to God in times of trial. His anguish and concern find expression in these poems, which he shared with the people as a living testimony. Many of his contemporaries and many throughout history have identified with these prayers. In most of them, he praises God and expresses trust and hope.

In the prayer of Psalm 143:2, he presents no merits but entrusts himself to God’s grace, “For in Your sight no one living is righteous.”

To strengthen his faith and take heart, he remembers in verses 5 and 6 the works of the Lord, His creation, His providence with His people, and his life. We may not turn our supplications into songs, but we can remember how the Lord has worked deliverance in the past and take courage, trusting that He will do so again.

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” —Ellen G. White, “Life Sketches of Ellen G. White,” p. 196 (1902).

What a beautiful prayer is in verse 10, “Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” Let this prayer be on our lips every day.

In the beautiful words of Psalm 144:12-14, a blessed nation “whose God is the Lord” is described. Nations should aspire to cultivate these values and receive the described blessings. “Sons as plants” represent the family and nation’s growth, vitality, and potential. “Daughters as pillars” represents the nation’s strength, grace, and beauty. Full granaries and the multiplication of livestock represent abundance. “Strong oxen” represent the health of the nation. Then he asks for God’s protection from the enemy, for we live in a dangerous world dominated by him, “that there be no breaking in or going out; that there be no outcry in our streets.” “Happy are the people who are in such a state!” How much a nation loses and suffers when its leaders do not fear God and seek Him as David did.

The introduction to Psalm 145 in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary says, “Psalm 145 is the first of the triumphant hymns. The psalms of this group are 145-150. They were evidently composed for liturgical use.” This is an acrostic psalm, each verse beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 145:18-19 has a beautiful promise, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” How comforting to know that the Lord is near to us when we call on Him sincerely.

“All flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.” verse 21.

May you have a day filled with the presence of God.