Year 1, Week 36, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 36, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Psalm 89, 96, 100-101.

Today’s reading consists of a series of Psalms. Being still in the historical context of our current readings, King David has delivered the Ark to Jerusalem and placed it in the Tabernacle. This high moment of celebration for Israel as well as David, is expressed to one degree or another in some of the Psalms of today’s reading. Psalm 89 is a Psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite, but it pertains to David. Specifically, Psalm 89 highlights the LORD’s promise made to David concerning an everlasting dynasty: “I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” (Psalm 89:4). However, Psalm 89 also illustrates the momentary diminishment in confidence concerning the implementation of the LORD’s promise: “Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?” (Psalm 89:49). Psalm 96 is a praise to the LORD for His universal rule. Some of the verses from Psalm 96 are explicitly stated as being sung while the Ark was entering Jerusalem (Psalm 96:1-13 compares with 1 Chronicles 16:22-33). Psalm 100 is a Psalm that gives thanks to the LORD. While Psalm 100 does not provide us with any historical reference, it does describe entering the LORD’s presence: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4). Psalm 101, is a Psalm of David, and expresses David’s resolve to be a king who will rule in the same kind of love and justice that the LORD displays as king.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was David’s resolve to take on the role of king by attempting to be a king like God Himself rules as a loving and just King: "The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:2-3). Thus, David begins Psalm 101 by praising the LORD for these qualities: “I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music” (Psalm 101:1). But David would do more than rejoice in the LORD for the qualities of love and justice that he has been shown (by the way, Psalm 101 expresses many things that have correspondence to Psalm 1). David desired to reflect these qualities as king. David committed to showing the character of God by what he embraced: “I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house” (Psalm 101:2); as well as by what he rejected: “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil” (Psalm 101:3-4). David spelled out how in seeking to show God’s character, his policies as king would take shape: “Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD” (Psalm 101:5-8). David committed to ruling in accordance with the standard of God’s character.

And yet, as we read further into the historical narrative of King David, we will come to learn that David failed to do what he said he would do. David would not walk uprightly in his house, but would lustfully set his eyes on Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11:1-5). David would not do justly with Uzziah (see 2 Samuel 11:5-27). David will refuse to properly handle matters between Amnon and Tamar (see 2 Samuel 13:1-33). David will fail to promptly address the treachery of Absalom (see 2 Samuel 15:1-37), even going as far as turning from those who would seek a measure of justice (see 2 Samuel 18:1-19:8). There would be a striking contrast between the actual practice of King David and the ideals that he announced. If David would have been what he desired to become, it would have been a blessed era in the Land. However, David’s failures would have great implications upon the people of Israel. It would have been incredible to see that “all the evildoers” cut off, “from the city of the LORD.”

But as incredible as it seems—and it seems even more incredible today—it will still occur! A King from the line of David will rule in a manner fully reflective of Psalm 101, for the LORD has made a promise to David: “I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” (Psalm 89:4). There is still to come a New Jerusalem in which Jesus, the Son of David, will rule. Psalm 101 describes the policies by which He will rule—the wicked will be cut off from the city: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). But for those who enter the city, it will be wonderful: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). Does all this sound incredible? Remember what John reminds us: “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

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

Pastor Joe