What I Noticed Today (Psalms 67-71)
Psalm 67
Continuing from Psalm 66, the psalmist now calls on the people of Israel to praise God so that they will enjoy His blessings.
In verses 1-2, the psalmist asks for God to bless the nation and make His ways known on all the earth.
In verses 3-7, the psalmist calls on all the people to sing praises to God. All nations should sing for joy because God is a righteous judge. When the people praise God for His blessings, it causes others to worship Him.
Psalm 68
Psalm 68 is a song of celebration marking some triumphal procession or a great victory.
In verses 1-6, David prayed that God would display His power, scattering His enemies, while the righteous would rejoice. Then David asked the people to sing God’s praises as Israel’s protector.
In verses 7-18, David recounts the time when God led the people of Israel through the wilderness to their inheritance, the Promised Land. Then he describes the victories of the nation Israel over the kings of the land and the Lord’s establishing His sanctuary in Jerusalem.
In verses 19-31, David praised the Lord, who had been their salvation and their deliverer as they conquered their enemies and established the Lord’s sanctuary in Zion (Jerusalem). David asks God to display His power yet again so that pagan kings would see it and submit to God.
In verses 32-35, David concludes calling for all nations to sing praises to God in recognition of His power and majesty.
Psalm 69
Psalm 69 is a long song in which David asks God to save him from those who hate him.
In verses 1-4, David uses imagery to suggest he is near death as he waits for God to save him.
In verses 5-12, David admits his shortcomings and hopes that others who believe in God will not be ashamed because of him. He claims it is for God’s sake that he has suffered dishonor and reproach.
In verses 13-28 David asks the Lord to save and redeem him. He knew that God had seen how he had been mistreated and that God would bring judgment on the wicked because they had persecuted God’s people.
In verses 29-36, David prayed yet again that the Lord would hear him in the midst of his distress and save and protect him. David promised to praise God in anticipation of God delivering His people.
Psalm 70
Psalm 70 is a psalm of David asking God to rescue him quickly.
In verses 1-3, David asks God to save him quickly and to put his enemies to shame.
In verses 4-5, David asks all who seek the Lord to say, “God is Great.” He closes, saying he is poor and needy, and his only hope is in God’s deliverance.
Psalm 71
Psalm 71 combines elements from four other psalms (Psalms 22, 31, 35, and 40).
In verses 1-4, the psalmist prays for deliverance from God, his rock, and fortress providing security from the wicked.
In verses 5-13, the psalmist confirms his confidence and hope in the Lord. He asks God to continue to care for and protect him from those who would harm him and bring shame, scorn, and disgrace upon them.
In verses 14-24, the psalmist’s hope remains in the Lord, and he will continue to praise Him and tell others of His mighty deeds. As the aging psalmist closes, he vows to continue to praise God as the “Holy One of Israel.”
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
