Psalms 5

Psalms 5:1 says,  To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Then verse one begins, Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.  David asks God to listen to his words.  God does not have to listen to us, but if we are followers of Christ, He always will.  Verse two adds, Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.  David might have been the king of Israel, but he acknowledged that God was his King.  No matter how powerful a person may be in the world, God is still the only real King and the only true God.  Those who do not acknowledge this in this lifetime will one day acknowledge it when God's judgment comes, but it will be to late for them to claim salvation through Jesus Christ.  Verse three states, My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.  David said he would start his day in prayer to God, and so should we as Christians.  Verse four adds, For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.  David said that he knew that God had no pleasure in wickedness and did not dwell where evil was.  As followers of Christ, we should be the same way, not delighting in wickedness or living with evil ruling our life.  Verse five declares, The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.  The foolish, those who say there is no God, will not stand in God's sight, because God hates those who work iniquity.  David said this then, and it has never changed.  Verse six adds, Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.  David said that God hates deceitful people, those who live guided by anything but the truth of God.  Verse seven says, But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.  David said that no matter what anyone else did, that he was going to worship God in His house because of the multitude of God's mercy.  We will never lack God's mercy if we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse eight adds, Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.  David asked God to lead him and make his paths straight.  David was not looking to his own righteousness to guide him, but was looking to the righteousness of God to do so, and so must we.  Verse nine continues, For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.  David said there was no righteousness in his enemies, and until a person accepts Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior and Lord, the is no righteousness in that person.  Verse ten states, Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.  David called on God to destroy those who did not put their faith in Him, but we are called to pray for their salvation and not their destruction.  God will one day hold each person accountable for his or her sins, and faith in Jesus Christ is the only to avoid everlasting punishment.  Verse eleven adds, But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.  David then called on those who put their faith in God to rejoice.  As Christians, we should daily rejoice in the Lord.  Verse twelve concludes, For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.  David said that God would protect those who put their faith in Him.  I don't believe that this means that as followers of Christ we will never encounter difficulties in life, but that we can rest assured that God has already secured the victory over sin and death for us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. 

Psalms 4

 Psalms 4:1 says,To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. There is an introductory instruction, then verse one begins, Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.  David calls on God, whom he calls the God of his righteousness, to hear him.   He said God had enlarged Him, or made him greater than he was on his own when he was in times of distress.  If God is to help us in times of distress, He must be our God personally.  Verse two adds, O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.  God asked how long people would turn His glory into vanity.  Anytime we deny, doubt, or misuse the word of God, we are making it a vanity, or nothing.  Verse three declares, But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.  David said that God had set apart to Himself those that were godly, those that put their faith in Him, and that He would hear them when they called to Him, just as He heard David when He called.  God will always hear His people, those who follow Christ by faith, when they call out to Him.  Verse four adds, Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.  David may have been a great King, but he told people to stand in awe of God and to commune with Him even while they were in bed.  We should never lose our awe of God nor have times when we do not commune with Him.  Verse five states, Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.  David said our faith should lead to action.  We should offer sacrifices to God and put our faith in Him.  When we become followers of Jesus Christ, we sacrifice all that we have to Him and there should never be a time when our faith in Him falters.  Verse six says, There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.  David said many people would ask who would show them any good and would call on God to shine the light of righteousness on them.  Though the people of the world may never show any goodness to Christians, God has already shined the light of righteousness on us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.  We simply have to accept His sacrifice to live in His light.  Verse seven declares, Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.  David said God had put gladness in his heart more than material blessings did.  We need to have that same gladness of heart today because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse eight adds, I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.  Even though he was often under attack, David said because of  his faith in God that he could sleep in peace.  As followers of Christ, we should be able to sleep without worry today.  God is still in charge and our victory through our faith in Jesus Christ is already assured.

Psalms 3

Psalms 3:1 says, A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.  After the introductory remarks,  verse one says, LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.  David was not at peace with the world.  Even his son was attempting to kill him.  We should not be surprised if we are not at peace with the people of the world today as Christians, and this may at times include our own family.  Like David though, the important thing is that we are at peace with God.  Verse two adds, Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.  David said people were saying that it did no good for him to serve God because there was no peace in doing so.  The dictionary says selah could refer to a break in the singing or mean forever.  There are many people today who say that there is no peace in serving God, but we as followers of Christ know that no matter what happens in this life that we have a forever peace with God.  Verse three states, But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.  David did not listen to the people who said that there was no peace with God, but declared God to be his shield, or protector, Who lifted up David's head in times of trouble.  God is the same for all who put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Verse four adds, I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.  In his time of great trouble and distress, David called out to God, and God heard his cry.  It was bad enough that so many people wanted to kill David, but it was made that much worse by his own son wanting to do so.  Still, David did not lose His faith in God.   No matter how bad things might become in our life today we must never lose our faith in God.  God is our shield, our defender in times of trouble.  Verse five declares, I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.  David said God's protection allowed him to sleep at night.  If we are having difficulty sleeping, maybe we simply need to put our faith completely in God and His protection of us.  Verse six adds, I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.  David said that even if ten thousand people aligned against him that he would not be afraid.  There should be nothing in the world today that causes us to live in fear if we are truly followers of Christ.  Verse seven states, Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.  David did not look to his own strength and position to save him, but looked in faith to God to do so.  We need to be the same way, looking to God for deliverance and strength no matter what the situation may be.  Verse eight adds, Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.  David recognized that salvation came from God alone and was available to all who put their faith in Him.  This always has and always will be true.

Psalms 2

 Psalms 2:1 says, Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  David asked why the heathen raged against God and imagined a vain thing.  We can easily ask the same questions today.   We only have to listen to the news to see examples of these two things.  Verse two adds, The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,  The earthly rulers aligned themselves against God.  Even when they may disagree with each other about many things, many of the rulers of the world today are aligned against God, either denying His existence or the power and truth of His word.  Verse three continues, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  These rulers believed that they could defeat God.  No matter how big an army or how strong a nation may be, God will never be defeated by anyone.  Verse four declares, He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  David said that the One Who sits in the heavens would laugh at them.  God is not up pacing and worrying about the world overcoming Him, but He is sitting and holding them in derision.  Verse five adds, Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.  Even though the rulers of the world may believe that they are not subject to God, one day He will speak to them in wrath.  The only way to avoid the wrath of God is through faith in Jesus Christ as one's Savior and Lord.  Verse six states,Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.  This King is Jesus Christ, Who the people of Israel looked forward to then and Who we look back on now.  Verse seven declares, I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  Again, this refers to Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.  That is the distinguishing factor between Jesus Christ and all others.  He is the only begotten Son of God.  Verse eight says, Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  If we wish to be victorious over those who deny God, we need to look to God for the victory.  Through Jesus Christ, God has already secured the victory, and we simply have to accept this by faith.  Verse nine adds, Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.  God said that those who followed Him would be as powerful as a man with an iron rod fighting against a man armed with pottery.  We have no reason to fear anyone if we are living by faith in God.  Verse ten states, Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. God calls on the rulers of the earth to be wise, and wisdom comes only from God.  Verse eleven adds, Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  No matter how powerful we may be in the world, when we come before God it must be with great humility and respect.   We cannot stand proudly before God.  Verse twelve concludes, Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.  We are to come before the Son, Jesus Christ, with love and honor for Him.

Psalms 1

Psalms 1:1 says, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  David said that the man, and we can add woman, is blessed if they do not follow the council of the ungodly or follow the way of the sinners and the scornful.  If we would be blessed by God today we need to heed this advice.  I don't believe that this means that we are to completely withdraw from the world, though, since God tells us to go into the highways and hedges to spread the gospel.  Instead, I believe it means that we are not to allow ourselves as followers of Christ to be ruled by the wisdom of the world. We are to be in but not of the world.  Verse two adds, But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  David said those who would be blessed would delight in and meditate on the law of the LORD day and night.  In other words, we are to continually be guided by God's word, and in order to be guided by His word, we must study it.  God's word should not be something we meditate on once or twice a week, but should be something that guides all times. times.  Verse three states, And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  David said that when we avoid the council of the ungodly and delight in God's law that we will be like a tree planted by the waters.  We will be fruitful and will not wither and whatever we do will prosper.  I believe this refers to spiritual, and not material, prosperity.  Verse four declares, The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  David also gave a warning to the ungodly.  He said that they are like the chaff, which blows away when the good grain is separated from the bad.  Those who do not follow God will one day see all their accomplishments in this world blown away by God.  Verse five adds, Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  David stated that the ungodly would not stand in God's judgment, nor would sinners be found in the congregation of the righteous.  Unless a person accepts Jesus Christ as His or her Savior and Lord, he or she cannot be made righteous in God's eyes, and therefore cannot stand in His judgment and be a part of His congregation or kingdom.  Verse six concludes, For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  We do not determine if we are righteous or not, but God does.  If we are to be declared righteous, we must put our faith in Jesus Christ. 

Malachi review

First, the book speaks of the burden of the word of the LORD.  God is burdened when His people do not listen to His word, and so should we be as followers of Christ.  God spoke of His love for Jacob, because Jacob was sincere in his relationship to God.  God also said He hated Esau, or I believe more accurately Esau's actions.  Esau had concern only for the material things of life and not his God given heritage.  Though God loves everyone, He expects people to be obedient to His will and value their relationship with Him.  God also said that Esau's descendants refused to turn to Him in obedience.  They were not the only ones though, as even the descendants of Jacob, through Isaac or Israel, many times refused to acknowledge God as their Father and give Him the respect that He deserved.  God does not accept us as His children simply because of where we were born or who are parents are.  The people of Israel had polluted their worship of God and He said that He would reach out to the Gentiles with His gift of salvation.   The people of Israel were supposed to reach the world with the message of God, but they chose to ignore His commands.  We as followers of Christ are now commissioned to reach the world with the gospel, and we need to remain true to that calling.  God then directed His disappointment to the priests, who had totally failed in their calling.  As followers of Christ, we are a part of the priesthood of believers, and we need to be dedicated to doing what God calls us to do.  God said that empty worship was useless.  We may go through the motions and show all the emotions, but if they are not sincere, then they mean nothing to God.  God then said that the people of Israel were robbing Him by offering less than the best that they had to Him.  He also called on them to bring all the tithes into the storehouse.  We need to give God our best today and not just what we have no real use for or need of.  This includes our time, talents, and material possessions.   God then concluded by saying that He was sending a Redeemer to those who would accept Him.  Jesus Christ has already brought salvation to everyone, but we can either accept it or reject it.  

Malachi 4:1

Malachi 4:1 says, For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.  God said His day of judgment was coming, and it still is.  In that day, everything that goes against God's word will be burned up, and those that do not put their faith in Jesus Christ will be sent away to the everlasting fires of hell.  It is up to each individual to decide where they will spend eternity.  He or she can choose everlasting life with God through faith in Jesus Christ, or everlasting punishment through rejecting Him.  Those are the only two choices.  Verse two adds, But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.  God then offered the opportunity of everlasting life through Jesus Christ.  Once more, each individual must make the choice of accepting salvation through Jesus Christ or rejecting His salvation.  If we accept Him, we have God's promise that He will keep us safe forever.  Verse three continues, And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.  God said that His people by His power under His guidance would tread down the wicked in the day that God prescribed.  We have no reason to fear the wicked of the world, because God has already secured the victory through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Verse four states, Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.  God's people were instructed to remember God's law given to Moses.  It had not changed then nor has it changed since then.  Though our sins are forgiven by faith in Christ and we cannot be saved by the law, we are not exempted from obeying God's law as followers of Christ.  Verse five adds, Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:  The prophetic age was coming to an end, but there would come on more great prophet with the same spirit that Elijah had, and that was John the Baptist.  He came to call on the people of Israel to make ready for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  After Jesus came, there was no need for a prophet.  For those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, when He returns it will be a great and dreadful day of the LORD.  Verse six continues, And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth withheld a curse. THE END OF THE PROPHETS.  Jesus does indeed unite those who put their faith in Him in love.  Those who do not put their faith in Jesus Christ God will smite with a curse.  Again, it is up to each individual which he or she will choose.