Year 1, Week 37, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 37, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, 39.

Today’s reading consists of five Psalms—all attributed to David (Psalm 33 is not explicitly stated as a Psalm of David, but it is commonly considered to be so because of its relationship to Psalm 32). While it is difficult to discover the exact historical circumstance for these Psalms, each one from today’s reading is a celebrative expression before the LORD. Psalm 25 celebrates the LORD’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 29 celebrates the LORD’s power and authority over creation. Psalm 33 picks where Psalm 32 left off: "Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:11) as multiple ways of celebrating the LORD are strung together: “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts” (Psalm 33:1-3). Psalm 36 celebrates the LORD by highlighting the satisfaction that the LORD’s people experience: “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7). Psalm 39 celebrates the LORD indirectly as it stresses the importance of knowing the LORD and His ways in order that the wisdom needed for life is provided.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the centrality of the LORD in David’s life: “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light” (Psalm 36:9). David was fully cognizant that his need for the LORD was so very crucial to every aspect of his life. Without the LORD, David knew he would not even have life. Without the light of the LORD, David acknowledged that he would not be able to see and make sense out of anything in life: “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you” (Psalm 39:4-5). 

Because he recognized his need for the LORD, David operated with a resolution against sinning: "I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence” (Psalm 39:1). David didn’t want anything to come between him and his LORD. David knew that there was to be a noticeable difference between himself and those who are enemies of the LORD: “Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good” (Psalm 36:1-3). And yet David also knew that sin was a lingering reality in his life: “Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!” (Psalm 39:8). David realized his need for forgiveness for he was convinced that he needed access into the presence of the LORD: “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears!” (Psalm 39:12).

David knew that the LORD—more specifically—the steadfast love of the LORD—was the foundation for his life: “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:20-22). Not only is the LORD loving, He is also mighty: “The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29:10-11). If the LORD was loving but not mighty, He would have good intentions and yet be unable at times to carry out His intentions. On the other hand, if the LORD was mighty but not loving, then His rule would just be that of brute force with no regard for how the implementation of His might was impacting His people. But the LORD is mighty and loving; He is loving in His might and mighty in His love. Such a God deserves the highest praise: "Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness” (Psalm 29:1-2).

Thus, David desired to praise the LORD and walk in the good ways of the LORD: “Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25:4-5). David was inclined to walk in the good ways of the LORD for He knew that the ways of the LORD were good: “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 25:8-10a). And yet, David’s ultimate confidence was not in his ability to walk in the ways of the LORD; his ultimate confidence was in the surety of the LORD’s merciful, steadfast love: “Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!” (Psalm 25:6-7). For David, it was the steadfast love of the LORD that shaped and steadied his life.

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

Pastor Joe