Pastor YC "Psalm 75: When the Earh Shakes"

This news article caught my eye a few days ago

Top international scientists to lead research in Singapore10.03.08 05:11
( dpa ) - Two international scientists will lead cancer and earthquake research at facilities in Singapore, news reports said on Monday.
The cancer facility at the National University of Singapore (NUS) will be headed by Professor Daniel Tenen of Harvard Medical School.
The earthquake centre at Nanyang Technological University will be helmed by California Institute of Technology geologist Kerry Sieh, The Straits Times reported.
The centres could each receive more than 100 million Singapore dollars (72 million US dollars) in funding under a scheme to set up a number of world-class research facilities at universities in the city-state.
Tenen was in a team which identified a mutation in the gene associated with lung cancer, the report said.
Seah will work on a proposal to create an earth observatory focusing on earthquake, coastal and climate hazards.

Singapore has always been said to be safe from earthquakes, but even in recent years, we detect signs that all is not totally safe.

PS 75:2 You say, "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly.
PS 75:3 When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.

God says in Ps 75:3 that when everything is shaken, God is still in control. Using the example of the scariest of all uncertainties (the earthquake), the Bible speaks of the reliability of God.

It is with this same confidence that we know God will judge righteously. Absolute justice is in His hands. Sin will be dealt with and those who hope in God will be vindicated.

PS 75:7 But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

Today I pause and think of all the injustices that happen everyday to our lives. We cannot go on accumulating frustrations and bitterness. Indeed there is no true rest apart from knowing that God is in control and surrendering to Him.

Psalm 76

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1 In Judah God is known;
his name is great in Israel.

2 His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.

3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
Selah

4 You are resplendent with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.

5 Valiant men lie plundered,
they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors
can lift his hands.

6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.

7 You alone are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?

8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet-

9 when you, O God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
Selah

10 Surely your wrath against men brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

11 Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.

12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.

I did some research on Psalm 76. Many believed that this psalm was written to celebrate God's divine power when He protected Jerusalem against Sennacherib's army. Read 2 Kings 19.

The psalmist actually remembered the Lord and wrote a psalm to celebrate Him.

How many times have we forgotten to thank God for moving in a divine manner in our lives?


I must confess that I often forget. I will start to pen down some personal victories for the year 2007. I want to learn to remember the Lord.


Things to ponder
1. What is one victory that you have enjoyed in 2007 and you know that it wouldn't be possible at all unless God helped you? Elaborate.
2. Pray a prayer to thank God and remember Him for His loving kindness.

Psalm 75

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1 We give thanks to you, O God,
we give thanks, for your Name is near;
men tell of your wonderful deeds.

2 You say, "I choose the appointed time;
it is I who judge uprightly.

3 When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
Selah

4 To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,'
and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns.

5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak with outstretched neck.' "

6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man.

7 But it is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.

8 In the hand of the LORD is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.

9 As for me, I will declare this forever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

10 I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

As I grow older in age and begin to see more things in life, I have no choice but to come to a sad conclusion: some people in this world are just NOT nice.

Though I've not experienced any major betrayals, backstabbings, etc, I've seen people abusing their authority; cutting you down with words at every opportunity; flaunting their ranks; hurling vulgarities every few seconds; manipulating your feelings and actions deliberately.

But does that mean we, Christians, hit back at them somehow?

No. I think the correct response is to trust that God is in control. God will bring about His judgement upon all of our deeds in His appointed time, just like what the psalmist described in Psalm 75:2. "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly."


My personal response is to learn to love the people who have done wrong against me. Easier said than done. But at least if I can't bring myself to love them, I must choose to forgive them and not hold any grudges. Secondly, I need to always seek the Holy Spirit and check if my thoughts and actions are acceptable before Him. My deeds too, are subjected to God's judgement.



Things to ponder
1. Can you elaborate on one or two incidents whereby you really felt that the other party did something wrong against you?
2. What was your response towards them at that time?
3. Pray a prayer to forgive the parties involved. Speak words of blessings.
4. Pray also for yourself to have the desire to have thoughts and actions that are acceptable before the Lord.

Psalm 74

A maskil of Asaph.

1 Why have you rejected us forever, O God?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?

2 Remember the people you purchased of old,
the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us;
they set up their standards as signs.

5 They behaved like men wielding axes
to cut through a thicket of trees.

6 They smashed all the carved paneling
with their axes and hatchets.

7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.

8 They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!"
They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.

9 We are given no miraculous signs;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.

10 How long will the enemy mock you, O God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?

11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

12 But you, O God, are my king from of old;
you bring salvation upon the earth.

13 It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.

15 It was you who opened up springs and streams;
you dried up the ever flowing rivers.

16 The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.

17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.

18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD,
how foolish people have reviled your name.

19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts;
do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.

20 Have regard for your covenant,
because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.

21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace;
may the poor and needy praise your name.

22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause;
remember how fools mock you all day long.

23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries,
the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

Every time when we gather together as a cell group, one of the things that we should do is to give thanks to God. It will be even better if we can regularly record down our thanksgivings.

As we read Psalm 74:2-9, we know the psalmist and his people (presumably the Israelites) were in terrible circumstances. The Babylonians invaded the Promised Land, destroyed the Temple of God and exiled almost the entire nation of Israel. No signs of miracles, no prophets.

How much worse can things get?

Yet, after all the complaints, the psalmist proclaimed (in verse 12) that God was still his King, and He will save his people. I believe that the psalmist was able to do it because he remembered the things that the Lord has done in the past. Psalm 74:13-17 recounts the mighty acts of God.

That is why right we need to record our thanksgiving regularly. When things start to fall apart in our lives, we can always go back and reflect on the thanksgivings. Then we will have the confidence to believe that God whom has brought us through before WILL bring us through again.


Admittedly, I have not been recording down my thanksgivings properly this year. I was supposed to update them regularly on my blog, but I kept forgetting. Today's pslam really reminds me of the importance of writing down thanksgivings.


Things to ponder
1. When was the last time you recorded down a thanksgiving?
2. How thankful to God are you (in terms of your present circumstances)? Rate 1 to 10 (10 means most thankful!).
3. Write down at least 3 thanksgivings for the year 2008. Start with "I thank God for ...".
4. Pray for yourself to have a thankful heart always.

Psalm 73

1 A psalm of Asaph.
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.

5 They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.

11 They say, "How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?"

12 This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.

13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

14 All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.

15 If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
I would have betrayed your children.

16 When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.

19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!

20 As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

The Year of Sabbath has been a challenging year for me so far. This is especially so in the area of ministry. After putting in much time and effort, be it sweat or tears, there just weren't much results. In fact, I had people either leaving me or not responding to me much.

Honestly speaking, there were times when I felt like the psalmist when he wrote verses 3-14. To put it simply, I looked at the friends around me (those not in church), and questioned myself why am I giving so much time to serving God and getting disappointed whereas they seemed to be having the time of their lives (some earning lots of money, some got married, some working in big firms).

But in the end, I always come back to the same conclusion. What my friends are doing or enjoying now is temporal. Those things won't last. The psalmist said it all in verses 18-20.

As for us Christians, the most important result in serving God is NOT having many cell members (though I believe God will give). It is to be able to draw near to God and depend on Him 100%, just like what is described in verses 21-28.


"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." (verse 28) - this is my prayer today.


Things to ponder
1. Which of the following has a greater influence on you: your friends in school or your church people (including cell leader, cell brothers, etc)?
2. Do a heart-check. In what areas do you love the world more than you love following God? Elaborate on at least two areas.
3. Pray a prayer for yourself to have a desire to be near God and depend on him 100%. You can use any of the verses in Psalm 73.

Psalm 72

Of Solomon

1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.

2 He will judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.

3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4 He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor.

5 He will endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.

6 He will be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.

7 In his days the righteous will flourish;
prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.

8 He will rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9 The desert tribes will bow before him
and his enemies will lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
will bring tribute to him;
the kings of Sheba and Seba
will present him gifts.

11 All kings will bow down to him
and all nations will serve him.

12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.

13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.

14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.

16 Let grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon;
let it thrive like the grass of the field.

17 May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
All nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.

18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.

19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.

20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

From Psalm 72, we can have a good idea of what is meant by a godly king (or leader).

Characteristics of a godly king / leader
1. He is righteous in judging his people (verse 2a).
2. He will bring justice to the poor (verse 2b).
3. He will defend and protect the poor and their children (verse 4a).
4. He will crush those that oppress the poor (verse 4b).
5. The righteous people under his rule will flourish (verse 7a).
6. The whole land will enjoy tremendous prosperity (verse 7b).
7. Even leaders of other nations seek to please him and come under his authority (verses 9-11).
8. He will deliver the poor and needy (verse 12).
9. He will have compassion on the poor and needy (verse 13).
10. He will rescue the poor and needy from oppression and violence (verse 14).


Even though at this point, many of us are not great leaders of nations or companies, but I do believe that we can start working on having some of the above-mentioned characteristics. Let's ask God to change us.


Things to ponder
1. Out of the 10 characteristics mentioned, which are the ones that you really want to have when you become a leader in the future? Why?
2. Pray and ask God to help you grow in the characteristics that you have mentioned in the previous question.
3. Pray for the key leaders of Singapore - PM Lee, MM Lee, SM Goh and President Nathan - that they will have all of the 10 characteristics.

Pastor YC "Psalm 71: God of my Youth, Rock of Ages"

PS 71:5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
PS 71:6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

It's been 27 years since I first became a christian. No I wasn't born a christian, but certainly I know God has been my help since the beginning of my days, carefully ordering my choldhood to prepare me for that day in secondary 1 when my eyes opened to the gospel.

All these 27 years it's been amazing how God held my hand and gave me confidence. I cannot imagine how my life would have developed if not for God. Today the psalm echoes the deep desire of my heart.

PS 71:9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

And the following verses certainly represent the best of what I can say to God, that to this day I am declaring his amazing work in all that I do.

PS 71:17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

PS 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

"God sustain me with your strength so that I can continue to shout it out!"

Psalm 71

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.

3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

7 I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11 They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."

12 Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.

13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.

16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.

19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?

20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

22 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I, whom you have redeemed.

24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.

This psalm was probably written as a prayer to God for help by someone in old age. The psalmist's enemies seeked to overcome him because they felt he was old and useless. And more importantly, perhaps they believed that God's presence has departed from him.

Is it true that when we grow old, God can't use us for His glory any more?

Apparently, the psalmist didn't believe in it. Throughout Psalm 71, he prayed with so much hope. Verse 14: "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Verse 21: "You will increase my honor and comfort me once again." He even promised to praise the Lord with all his strength (verses 22-23).


There is hope, even in our twilight years (old age). God will not belittle us. He loves the old just as much as He loves little children.

Every time I attend the Hokkien (now it's Hokkien / Cantonese) Service at TC, I'm always filled with so much awe. This is because I saw many old aunties and uncles dancing before the Lord, lifting their praises to Him! I was so touched by the sight of this. I can almost feel the delight of the Lord when He looks down upon them from heaven.


I truly believe that God has a purpose for those who are older. Their wisdom and experience is plentiful and valuable. If only we can humble ourselves and learn from them.. The psalmist summed it up nicely with verse 18 "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." My response now is to really treat those that are older with love and respect.


Things to ponder
1. Do you have this idea that the elderly are useless and can't contribute much to society? If so, confess and repent before the Lord.
2. What do you think you will be doing when you reach the age of 60?
3. What do you think you will be doing for God when you reach the age of 60?
4. Pray and commit your twilight years to God. May He use you all the way until He takes you back home.

Pastor YC "Psalm 70: Hide in the POWERFUL & PERSONAL"

PS 70:1 Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.

PS 70:2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
PS 70:3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame.
PS 70:4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!"
PS 70:5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

In Ps 70, it's clear that:

1. God is powerful
2. God is approachable

God is powerful because blessing follows Him; and where He is, there is protection (similarly ruin is upon those who attacks those whom God protects). Yet the psalm also reveals that the writer is comfortable with approaching God.

A powerful man who is approachable is a rare combination (even if he were approachable, he would likely be too busy for me). Yet the Lord is the perfect model of that combination.

I tried to find a good picture from the search engines that depicts these 2 qualities. I could not find any human! Replacing approachable witgh personal, all I could find was this gadget! :)

Think of the most powerful people you know personally. Frankly I can say there are very few in my life. Let's draw near to our powerful and approachable God.

Psalm 70

For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

2 May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.

4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"

5 Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

All of the verses of Psalm 70 are almost identical to the last 5 verses of Psalm 40. As I've shared before, any thing that has been repeated in the Bible must be important.

The sense of urgency within the psalmist was clear. He was probably in some kind of trouble and was desperate for immediate help (verses 1 and 5). And all this was done in humility. The psalmist admitted that he was weak (poor and needy, mentioned in verse 5) before the Lord.

It wasn't a demand at all. It was a plea. It was a sincere prayer from the psalmist.

Often, we Christians can be like some spoilt brats. We actually demand from God things that we want, as if God really owes us things. The pride and self-centeredness in us is incredible. And when we don't get what we want, we blame God.


Personally, today so many things went wrong and I was pretty resentful towards God. But at the end of the day, thankfully, I began to pray in humility to God and trust that He is in control. I really have to watch my attitude. God, help me change.


Things to ponder
1. What is your usual attitude when you come before God? Is it one of humility? Or one of pride (demanding from God)?
2. When things don't turn out the way you want, or when God doesn't answer your prayers straight away, how do you normally react?
3. Pray and ask God to help you change your attitude to a humble one, just like David.

Pastor YC "Psalm 69: The Narrow Path"

The leader's primary concern is many times not with his own suffering, but rather how his situation affects the people that seek God.

PS 69:6 May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel.

In Ps 69, King David dscribes a situation of extreme distress: people hating him without reason, multiple enemies seeking to destroy him, wrongly accused of stealing and forced to restore what he did not steal. Yet in these times, the true leader's heart lies with people who may be discouraged from following God because of his trying situation.

And King David goes on to respond in a true leader's way - to continue to do what is right, to praise God and glorify him. His cry is that the God-seekers' hearts will live.

PS 69:30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
PS 69:31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.
PS 69:32 The poor will see and be glad--you who seek God, may your hearts live!

What an example for the leader! A willingness to walk a narrower path than all others, so that others may live. Much as leaders wish that they will always ride on the heights so that others may be inspired, the true leaders are able to lead even when they are down and/or under a time of testing.

In real life I know how difficult that is, having seen how my Senior Pastor bear up so admirably in times of difficulty. I've also experienced the same situations as a leader. But of course, all these lead to memories of how Jesus our Saviour walked in all these times.

Pastor YC "Psalm 68: God Our Divine Warrior"

This is a long Psalm, and I found the outline from Expositor's Bible Commentary useful:

A. Prayer for God's Coming as the Divine Warrior (vv. 1-3)
-----B. In Praise of Divine Vindication (vv. 4-6)
---------C. A Reflection of the Divine Warrior (vv. 7-18)
-----B'. In Praise of Divine Vindication (vv. 19-20)
---------C'. An Oracle From the Divine Warrior (vv. 21-23)
A'. Joyful Anticipation of God's Coming as the Divine Warrior (vv. 24-35)



I've put down the heading with the verses, today let's just take time to dwell in this beautiful psalm and simply sing it out to the Lord. One good way to appreciate it is allow the Holy Spirit to bring pictures of God as our Divine Warrior!



Prayer for God's Coming as the Divine Warrior
PS 68:1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.
PS 68:2 As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away;
as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.
PS 68:3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

In Praise of Divine Vindication
PS 68:4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds-- his name is the LORD-- and rejoice before him.
PS 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
PS 68:6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

A Reflection of the Divine Warrior
PS 68:7 When you went out before your people, O God, when you marched through the wasteland, Selah
PS 68:8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
PS 68:9 You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.
PS 68:10 Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.
PS 68:11 The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it:
PS 68:12 "Kings and armies flee in haste; in the camps men divide the plunder.
PS 68:13 Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold."
PS 68:14 When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.
PS 68:15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged are the mountains of Bashan.
PS 68:16 Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?
PS 68:17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
PS 68:18 When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious--that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.

In Praise of Divine Vindication
PS 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah
PS 68:20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.

An Oracle From the Divine Warrior
PS 68:21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
PS 68:22 The Lord says, "I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
PS 68:23 that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share."

Joyful Anticipation of God's Coming as the Divine Warrior
PS 68:24 Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
PS 68:25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines.
PS 68:26 Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.
PS 68:27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah's princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
PS 68:28 Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.
PS 68:29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts.
PS 68:30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.
PS 68:31 Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God.
PS 68:32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, Selah
PS 68:33 to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice.
PS 68:34 Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.
PS 68:35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

Darren's Reflection on Psalm 69

1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
5 You know my folly, O God;
my guilt is not hidden from you.

Thoughts: I was really troubled by issues and stress by so many things that is planned. As I mediated on these verses, I realised what I'm feeling now is exactly what the pslamist felt in verse 3. He's worn out from calling from help and his eyes fail looking for God, but God knows our thoughts, as in verse 5 it mentions that our guilt is not hidden from him and he knows our folly.

Application: Not only should I pray to God for usual things like (e.g. Family, marketplace etc.), I should learn to pray for the extra strength to fight the weariness and continue to ask God for his help. Cause though God knows our troubles, only when we ask for his help, then he'll give. This is where we learn to seek him earnestly and not take for granted.

Psalm 69

1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.

2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.

3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.

4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.

5 You know my folly, O God;
my guilt is not hidden from you.

6 May those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me,
O Lord, the LORD Almighty;
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me,
O God of Israel.

7 For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.

8 I am a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my own mother's sons;

9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10 When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;

11 when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.

12 Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.

13 But I pray to you, O LORD,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.

14 Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.

15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.

17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

18 Come near and rescue me;
redeem me because of my foes.

19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.

20 Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.

21 They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

22 May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and a trap.

23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.

24 Pour out your wrath on them;
let your fierce anger overtake them.

25 May their place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

27 Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.

28 May they be blotted out of the book of life
and not be listed with the righteous.

29 I am in pain and distress;
may your salvation, O God, protect me.

30 I will praise God's name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31 This will please the LORD more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33 The LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,

35 for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;

36 the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.

It seems that as the pslamist was writing this psalm, he was actually being disciplined by the Lord for committing some sins. Verse 5 "You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you" clearly shows this.

And at the same time, the people around were actually laughing at him and mocking him (verses 9-12). Some even tried to make things even more miserable than they already were (verse 26).
落井下石 seems to be most apt description.

The psalmist pleaded with the Lord to redress his greivances (verses 22-29) and finally gave praises to Him believing that He will answer him (verses 30-36).


Personally, I've not really encountered any situation that the people around me mock me when the Lord disciplined me (phew, thank God for it). But I've had times whereby the people around me (especially my family) thought that I'm crazy to give God so much of my time.

I think the right attitude to adopt is to do what is right in the Lord's eyes, and ignore the passing remarks. After all, "the mouths of liars will be silenced" (Psalm 63:11c).


Things to ponder
1. Has there been any situations whereby you endured scorn and sarcastic remarks because you love God? Give 1 example at least.
2. What was your response to the above situation? In what way do you think God wants you to respond?
3. Pray and commit to the Lord every scorn and sarcastic remarks that you may get for serving the Lord and loving Him.