Year 1, Week 36, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 36, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Psalm 22-24, 47, 68.

Today’s reading consists of a series of Psalms. 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 22, a Psalm attributed to David, reflects on a grave period of anguish and abandonment; but then abruptly shifts and ends with strong notes of praise. Psalm 23, another Psalm of David, reflects on the LORD’s shepherding activity in David’s life as He walks with David through the journey that is life and then welcomes David into His house at the end of his life: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6). Psalm 24, a third Psalm of David, expresses the amazement of entering God’s presence: “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?” (Psalm 24:3). This Psalm fits nicely with the Ark’s installment in Jerusalem. Psalm 47, a Psalm by the sons of Korah, is also related to the procession into Jerusalem with the Ark. However, Psalm 47, which celebrates the LORD’s Kingship, also anticipates a time that all nations would come and worship the LORD: "For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!” (Psalm 47:7). Psalm 68, another Psalm of David, is also associated with the Ark’s arrival into Jerusalem, and also looks forward to all nations worshipping the LORD: “O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord” (Psalm 68:32).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was how the LORD reveals the future experience of His Son, Jesus, through David’s experience: "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 24:46). These words of Jesus, spoken from the Cross, are also David’s words. Perhaps as David is celebrating the Ark’s entrance into Jerusalem, he is reflecting back on a moment of extreme suffering and isolation: “I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” (Psalm 22:6-8). This personal description by David, which could reflect moments while he was on the run from Saul, is also used in reference to Jesus: “So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Matthew 27:41-43). David’s continued description of his affliction is intense: "For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots” (Psalm 22:16-18). And while some of David’s personal descriptions may be figurative of the pain and humiliation that he experienced, they express what Christ would literally face: “And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots” (Matthew 27:35). David has been speaking of himself, but he has also been speaking of someone yet to come. David may even have had a sense that his words point to someone who would come after him. Someone who would even face a darker reality.

But while David began Psalm 22 crying out in his forsaken state, he ends the Psalm on a very different note: “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him” (Psalm 22:22-24). David, fast forwarding his past experience of affliction and abandonment to the present, acknowledges that he was not abandoned but heard by the LORD. David publicly celebrates God’s faithful deliverance, leading his people in praising the LORD. The writer of Hebrew uses this passage to explore the saving work of Jesus who suffered and yet rose for the benefit of those who were His: “That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise” (Hebrew 2:11b-12). David is expressing his praise publicly for the encouragement of the congregation. Jesus’ public statement, deploying David’s words, provides assurance that salvation has come through His affliction and resurrection. David reflects on deliverance by the LORD for the encouragement of others; Jesus fulfills David’s experience in a greater way—for the salvation of others. David points to Jesus’ resurrection and ascension in another one of the Psalms in today’s reading: “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation” (Psalm 68:18-19). David’s procession into Jerusalem with the Ark proclaims a triumph that previews an even fuller and greater triumph that Christ has secured through His death and resurrection.

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

Pastor Joe