Forward in Hope

Psalms for Troubled Times – Psalm 91a

The Blessing of Dwelling in God This precious psalm follows delightfully from the last, where Moses encouraged us to dwell in God. In this, we are brought into the enjoyment of the blessings that flow from this place of rest. A quick internet search will show much has already been said on this psalm in…

Psalms for Troubled Times – Psalm 90

For what is your life? As we move into book 4 of the psalms, we move from the sanctuary to the wilderness, and it is apt that the first of these wilderness psalms, likely the oldest of all, is a prayer from a man whose life’s work was leading God’s people on their wilderness journey…

Psalms for Troubled Times – Psalm 89

Permanence of God’s Covenant Psalm 88 & 89 are sibling psalms, both of an ‘Ezrahite’ – a descendent of Zerah, one of the sons of Judah. It is interesting to note their names. ‘Heman’ means ‘faithful’ and the author of Psalm 88 encourages us to remain faithful no matter how dark the night. ‘Ethan’ on…

Psalms for Troubled Times – Psalm 88

In the Darkest Hour This is the saddest psalm in the psalter. It is an elegy of affliction in that darkest hour of the night. There is a faint glimmer that morning is coming (v13), before the psalmist is swallowed once more by the darkness. This is a dreadful place to be, yet it is…

Psalms for Troubled Times – Psalm 87

Having an Eternal Foundation The Heavenly City A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah. ‘His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.’ As I read the beginning of this…

Psalms for Troubled Times – Psalm 86

A lesson in how to pray This psalm, called a ‘Prayer of David’ is unique in that almost every phrase is borrowed from a previous psalm. In this we find a good lesson on how to pray, especially in times of trouble. I don’t know about your prayers, but I find praying can be one…

Psalms for Troubled Times – Psalm 85

Salvation Expounded 1) It’s all of God’s GRACE. V1,2 – ‘LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.’ It is interesting that Jacob is mentioned here, for the first time this word ‘favour’ is used…

Psalms of Hope – Psalm 84

Blessing is found in God Today we move from psalms of Asaph, to psalms for the sons of Korah. This group of psalms begin in a place of great trouble. Remember the title Gittith speaks of a wine-press, and the middle stanza of three in this psalm tells of a journey through a valley of…

Psalms of Hope – Psalm 83

That they may know This is the last of Asaph’s psalms, and it continues the theme of seeking God in the midst of trouble. In this psalm he cries to God to act in a moment of crisis. V1 – The Cry ‘Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not…

Psalms of Hope – Psalm 82

No Respecter of Persons It has been often said of the current Coronavirus, “It is no respecter of persons”. Royalty, our Prime Minister, the rich and famous, have all been affected in just the same way as everyone else. We have all had to face our own mortality. This is no bad thing, if it…

Psalms of Hope – Psalm 81

Flee Idolatry, Kneel Humbly, Live Fully [This Psalm looks back to what was; considers what should be; and asks us to be honest about what is.] Asaph begins by looking back to Israel’s redemption from the bondage of Egypt, and calls Israel back to the worship of their God and Saviour. A worship that was…

Psalms of Hope – Psalm 80

Restore, Shine, Save This is a delightful Psalm, entitled ‘Testimony of Lilies’, and is a three-fold prayer of confidence in a gracious and glorious God that He would restore us, shine upon us, and save us. ——————————————————————- ‘Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the…