A Confident Command

A1 (vs 1–3) The God of the past

>B1 (vs 4–8) Testimony: true faith

>>C (vs 9–16) Lament: the distressing present

>B2 (vs 17–22) Testimony: correct conduct

A2 (vs 23–26) The God of the future

Last week we dealt with the God of the past; today, this testimony of true faith

CIT: The psalmist expresses his confidence in the continued victory of the nation because of God’s relationship with it

Last week we didn’t nail down the time frame of this Psalm, except to say that it was before the Babylonian exile

Most likely after the exile of the northern kingdom (721 BC), definitely before before the downfall of the southern kingdom (597 BC)

Jerusalem, in which the temple stood, was still a city; Judah was still in place as a nation at the time of this Psalm

This morning’s message is on the Confirmation of God’s authority, the command (or petition) for salvation for the nation, the confidence in the work of God and the continuity of the work of God

However, we’ll ask if it’s a matter of false bravado…an unjustifiable boasting

The Confirmation

The psalmist, speaking as the nation of Israel (1st person), makes the unequivocal statement

You are my King, O God

It is an acknowledgement of the relationship between God (Elohim) and the nation

The plural form of God, plurality of majesty;

The form of the word signifying three or more—possible hint at the trinity---can’t make that doctrinal point from this this Psalm

One of the many pictures of the relationship between God and His people

We may look to Ps 2 6 As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.

This concept of kingship of God is not fully realized then; nor is it now

It will not be fully realized until the end times—however we understand that—until Christ is declared, unequivocally, King of Kings and Lord of Lord

At this time, in this Psalm, God is recognized as king over this nation

This is a statement of the intent that the nation should be ruled as a theocracy, despite having an earthy King in a subservient position; the national king is in second place to the Heavenly King

The Command

Ordain salvation for Jacob

The grammar here is an imperative; the verb form is most often translated “command” throughout the OT, it’s a strong statement, however it’s translated

Just what salvation is the psalmist commanding?

The eternality of the individual is clear in some Psalms, and other OT writings, along the hope of the life with God; but in other contexts, it’s not so obvious…this is one that looks like a temporal view only

The salvation is view by the psalmist is a temporal salvation as he sees the reality of the physical threats to the nation at the time; more a matter of day-to-day survival

Worth noting that “Jacob” was the term used for the nation, as it stood at the time

Since we don’t know the exact time of this writing, it could even be Babylon threatening during the years before the total captivity

If that’s the case, it might add more intensity to the plea--”ordain salvation....”

“Jacob” was the term used for the nation, as it stood at the time

It may sound rash, presumptive, but based upon God’s history with His nation, His promises to His people, it could be seen more an affirmation

We might say, “do what you’ve promised, Lord”

In retrospect, this is something of a short-sighted view

We understand salvation as an eternal salvation for individuals, not a temporal salvation of a nation…most of the time…more on that later

The Confidence

Present tense realities:

Note: the NAME, the history, the reputation, the glory....

through/by it they

Push down foes

Tread down oppressors

We have another poetic contrast set up here

It’s not in sword nor bow they trust

But in God Himself, in whom they have a history

He has saved the nation

…put its foes to shame

The immediate context here is for the nation of Isreal, more specifically, Judah, as by this time the northern kingdom has been taken into exile and dispersed among the nations

The Continuity

v.8, bridge from past to present

…have boasted continually

I see this as something of a stretch—though many times they’ve laid claim to their special relationship to God—His chosen people—they’ve been disobedient time after time after time

Maybe a bit of wishful thinking on the part of the psalmist??? (spoken cautiously)

The pattern of Israel’s history has been one that’s a sort of taking God for granted…assuming that since they are His chosen, they can do anything they want…including engaging in gross sin…without risking His chastisement or correction

…will give thanks; expression of continued activity

…to your name—representative of the being and the character of their God

…forever —a never-ending process

This sets up the lament to come, vv. 9-16

I see this as a rather arrogant view of the relationship between God and the nation

…and a Selah—pause and ponder; things that make you go “hmmmm”

First point to ponder

Do we have a short-sighted view of salvation?

Packaging a lot of things into one spot here

We must understand salvation as an individual thing

We are not worried about a national salvation—though some would have us think so

Each person must come to salvation as an individual!

We know that it’s available to all

Acts 2:21 ESV

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

We know the process,

Acts 16:31 ESV

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

…but we MUST recognize this as a continuing process, not a one and done event

Romans 8:30 ESV

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Second Point to Ponder

Does our salvation give us permission to live a life without regard for God and His laws or, as Paul well asks his readers at Rome:

Romans 6:1 ESV

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

Romans 6:2 ESV

By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

The Jewish nations, as a whole never really caught on to the reality of eternity, nor their responsibility to live for God fully

They seemed to think…or their behavior seems to prove…that going through the motions, without any heart change, was all they needed

Does that apply to us today?

How many in our day, go through the motions

Some are non-believers, trying to fool God

Others are believers

Those trying to fool God will hear the most dreaded words imaginable, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”

The others—truly saved, but living in rebellion of some kind—will enter into God’s rest, but will make it in smelling like smoke

They also face the reality of God dealing with us in discipline—it’s not punishment, it’s correction

It’s what we saw God do to the nation of Israel throughout its history

Should we expect him NOT to discipline us?

Hebrews 12:10 (ESV), comparing our Heavenly Father to our earthy fathers:

... but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

Third Point to Ponder

When we claim God as our God

What are we expecting?

Is He a get out jail free card?

…fire insurance

Is our boasting of him, justified?