The psalmist, an old and very
wise teacher, crafted this psalm as an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which
begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Basically, the psalm
is a collection of wise sayings that contrast the lives of the wicked, with the
lives of those that are faithful to God. The psalmist’s wisdom and experience
have taught him that the spoils of the wicked are “like grass, they soon fade
away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither” but, the blessings of God are
eternal.
The essential message of the
psalm is in verses 5-6: “Commit your way
to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous
reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” This is
a very profound, yet simple, way to pattern your life. First, you commit your
life to God. Second, you exercise faith in God by trusting Him with your life.
Third, God will act. The psalmist is not very specific about how God will act,
but the description is rather breathtaking. The psalmist is trying to describe
the wonder, beauty and awe associated with being in the presence of God. The
reward for faithfulness to God is being in perfect peace as you rest in the
presence of your Heavenly Father. Seven times the psalmist refers to the
blessing of God as, “The righteous shall
inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.” This means the reward is eternal.
Our culture bombards us with
messages that rewards and blessings have to be tangible and received in the here and now. But God’s
blessings are His presence with us, now and forever. Because of God’s
faithfulness we can sing:
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is
plentiful
Where your streams of
abundance flow
Blessed be your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the
desert place
Though I walk through
the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's
shining down on me
When the world's 'all
as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked
with suffering
Though there's pain
in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing you
pour out
I'll turn back to
praise
When the darkness
closes in
Still I will say
Blessed be the name
of the Lord
Blessed Be Your Name
Matt Redman
Sē’lah
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What word or phrase
in today’s reading of the Psalms
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word
or phrase.
What insights come to
you?
How does this passage
touch your life today?
Reading for June 8, 2012 Psalm 38
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