Year 1, Week 34, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 34, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Chronicles 2; Psalm 43-45.

Today’s reading includes a genealogical focus on King David. I Chronicles 2 gives a brief mention of the twelve sons of Jacob, but then moves to an expanded look at the genealogy of Jacob’s son Judah, but before it covers Judah’s descendants more broadly, it zeros in on Judah’s most famous descendant, David: “Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse. Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, David the seventh” (1 Chronicles 2:12-14). Psalms 43-45, seem to be a part of a collection of Psalms composed of Psalms 42-49. One of the key matters that these eight Psalms have in common is that they are all ascribed to the sons of Korah (Psalm 43 does not explicitly have this ascription but since Psalm 42 and 43 are thought to be closely connected in their theme, the ascription over Psalm 43 was not need). The two Psalms are often read together as they share the refrain: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:5, see also Psalm 42:11; 43:5). The mood of Psalm 43 (like that of Psalm 42) is downcast, for the Psalmist is writing about his longing for the LORD as he is away for Jerusalem. Psalm 44 reflects a similar mood but the orientation of not just the Psalmist as an individual but the Psalmist’s voice of longing on behalf of the people. Desiring to be in Jerusalem, the Psalmist cries out to the LORD: “Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!” (Psalm 44:26). Psalm 45 expresses a change of mood as the Psalmist is confident that based on the rule of God, a king will be anointed in Jerusalem: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions” (Psalm 45:6-7).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the range of moods that are expressed by the Psalmist as he attempts to make sense of his difficulties in light of what he knows about the LORD: “For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” (Psalm 43:2). The Psalmist expressed the deep desperation that he felt as he had been overrun by his enemies. In his despair, the Psalmist is acutely aware of what he needs to face the challenges before him: “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God” (Psalm 43:3-4). The Psalmist knows that he needs the LORD. In his context, experiencing the presence of the LORD meant being in Jerusalem. Thus, he longs to be returned to Jerusalem.

With hopes of going to Jerusalem, the Psalmist rehearsed the LORD’s work in the past on behalf of his people: “O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them” (Psalm 44:1-3). So, while they are currently not on Jerusalem, where the presence of the LORD resided, the Psalmist honesty expressed what the struggle felt like: “But you have rejected us and disgraced us…You have made us turn back from the foe…You have made us like sheep for slaughter…You have sold your people for a trifle…You have made us the taunt of our neighbors…You have made us a byword among the nations” (Psalm 44:9-14). The Psalmist furthermore expressed that all that had occurred was undeserved: “All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant” (Psalm 44:17). The Psalmist desperately pleaded with the LORD: “Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!” (Psalm 44:23).

The Psalmist’s longing to return to Jerusalem has begun to be satisfied as he expressed confidence that he will see the King in Jerusalem. The Psalmist joyfully anticipated the king’s victory over his enemies: “In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you” (Psalm 45:4-5). The Psalmist celebrated the enthronement of the king along with his beautiful bride: “All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king” (Psalm 45:13-15). As 1 Chronicles is tracing the genealogy of David in particular, the sons of Korah exult in the LORD for insuring that the king will have a line of son to extend the dynasty: “In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.” (Psalm 45:16-17). The genealogies of 1 Chronicles will confirm this prophetic word from the sons of Korah. The LORD will show His praiseworthiness through what He will do through the line of David. What the line from the king of Israel will do will have global blessings.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe