In our previous study, we talked about the Israelites and
the problem they had throughout the Old Testament with idol worship. Early on, when God brought them out of
slavery in Egypt, even before they arrived in the Promised Land, He warned them
of punishment if they worshipped idols.
God knew this was going to be a problem for them. We also discussed, in our previous study, how
the family lineage of King David finally lost the throne in Israel when God
sent His people into extended exile because of their continuing idol
worship. Moses had prophesied them
losing the Promised Land to their enemies before they had even entered it
(Deuteronomy 32:15-25).
After the Babylonian troops had come and destroyed the nation,
taking God’s people back with them into this extended exile, the prophet Jeremiah wrote the
book of Lamentations, a funeral dirge for the great city of Jerusalem which now
lay in ruins. Read Lamentations 2:15-17
and compare it with Psalm 89:38-45. This
portion of the Psalm is very similar to Jeremiah’s Lamentation and expresses
deep grief over God’s chastisement of the nation of Israel. Verse 39 of the Psalm even speaks of God
renouncing the covenant… perhaps a reference to the end of the monarchy. Again in verse 44 we see another reference to
the loss of the throne. This is a time
of much grief for Israel as can be felt in Lamentations 5:1-18. This was a punishment so severe that the
nation of Israel would never return to idol worship again. Do you have a habitual sin about which God
has repeatedly dealt with you and yet you continue? What punishment will it take for God to get
your attention?
It is easy to see how verses 38-45 pertain to David and his
monarchy yet we know from our previous study that here in Psalm 89, King David
is a representation of the coming Messiah.
Think about these verses in terms of their meaning if they are speaking
of Christ. Is He also dishonored when
His people are sent into exile and mocked by His enemies when His people must
be punished? Do you ever think about how
it reflects on God when you sin or when God must bring discipline into your life?
Finally, in verses 46-51, the Psalmist cries out to the Lord
to ease the burden of punishment on the nation of Israel and not allow it to
last long. What is his argument for
mercy in verses 46-48? His second
argument comes in verse 49 where he reminds God of His promise to David. And finally, in verses 50 and 51, the
Psalmist brings the argument that God’s punishment allows the nations to mock
God’s people, even God’s King Himself.
We see, in verse 52, the Psalm concluding with praise to God
forever. Amen and Amen.
Responding to God: Praise God for His mighty hand. Acknowledge Him as ruler over all things with
the power to establish rulers and to bring their monarchies to an end. Ask Him to reveal to you any sins for which
He has continually been dealing with you and for the chances for repentance you
have already received before He takes stronger measures to get your
attention. Ask Him to make you more
aware of when your behavior is bringing dishonor to His name. Record in your journal things you have
committed to change.
Further Research: To learn more about the exile of Israel
to Babylon, read 2 Kings 24-25, Jeremiah 52.
