Wednesday - Psalm 22 verses 25-31
Psalm 22 is an individual lament in which the assembly of the righteous is invited to participate both in giving thanks and in the communal meal, associated with the 'freewill' or votive offering (verses 25-26). Psalm 22 is also a messianic Psalm which depicts the suffering of Christ on the cross. The writer of the Psalm is David and it also deals with human suffering.
The Psalm opens with an individual cry for help in verses 1-2 and closes with a portrayal of all the families of the nations worshipping the Lord (v27). It begins by affirming God's rule, justice and mighty acts of deliverance for Israel (verses 3-5) and closes with a glorious anticipation of God's rule over and gracious care of the nations (verses 25-29). It commences with what God has done in past generations (verses 4-5) and ends with the expectation that future generations will serve him because they too will know the story of redemptive history and will join the proclamation of the good news that God has acted graciously on behalf of his people (verses 30-31).
Verse 25 David affirms the importance of public worship - in terms of praise and the presentation of the freewill (votive) offerings. A vow was often made in a period of distress and was fulfilled after God had shown his loyalty.
Verse 26 - the Psalmist shares the votive offering (Lev. 7.16-21) with the poor and afflicted, as a communal meal at the temple. It is a means of blessing to them and a comfort that just as the food strengthens them physically so the Lord will strengthen their hearts, enabling them to endure this period of affliction.
Verses 27-28 - The Psalmist looks beyond the congregations of the righteous in Israel the ends of the earth. Here is theme of God's lordship over all people - to God belongs the rule over the whole earth and all the nations that live in it - v28. The nations to will come to worship the Lord, this is a vision of hope.
Verse 29 - the rich and the poor are seen in this worshipping community. God's grace does not discriminate between Jew and Gentile, rich or poor.
Verses 30-31 the praise of God will extend from generation to generation. The story of redemption will not only include the nations but also generations yet unborn. The object of the proclamation is God's righteousness - ie His acts of deliverance whereby he demonstrates his sovereign, gracious and victorious rule over the earth. Each generation will join with the telling of the story of redemption and of his kingship, and will in the process of telling the good news, add what God has done for them. This is the essence of redemptive history.
Being witnesses to the sovereign grace of God is the task of each generation - and one day together we shall hear the story of redemption in each generation and be amazed.
Amen.
The Psalm opens with an individual cry for help in verses 1-2 and closes with a portrayal of all the families of the nations worshipping the Lord (v27). It begins by affirming God's rule, justice and mighty acts of deliverance for Israel (verses 3-5) and closes with a glorious anticipation of God's rule over and gracious care of the nations (verses 25-29). It commences with what God has done in past generations (verses 4-5) and ends with the expectation that future generations will serve him because they too will know the story of redemptive history and will join the proclamation of the good news that God has acted graciously on behalf of his people (verses 30-31).
Verse 25 David affirms the importance of public worship - in terms of praise and the presentation of the freewill (votive) offerings. A vow was often made in a period of distress and was fulfilled after God had shown his loyalty.
Verse 26 - the Psalmist shares the votive offering (Lev. 7.16-21) with the poor and afflicted, as a communal meal at the temple. It is a means of blessing to them and a comfort that just as the food strengthens them physically so the Lord will strengthen their hearts, enabling them to endure this period of affliction.
Verses 27-28 - The Psalmist looks beyond the congregations of the righteous in Israel the ends of the earth. Here is theme of God's lordship over all people - to God belongs the rule over the whole earth and all the nations that live in it - v28. The nations to will come to worship the Lord, this is a vision of hope.
Verse 29 - the rich and the poor are seen in this worshipping community. God's grace does not discriminate between Jew and Gentile, rich or poor.
Verses 30-31 the praise of God will extend from generation to generation. The story of redemption will not only include the nations but also generations yet unborn. The object of the proclamation is God's righteousness - ie His acts of deliverance whereby he demonstrates his sovereign, gracious and victorious rule over the earth. Each generation will join with the telling of the story of redemption and of his kingship, and will in the process of telling the good news, add what God has done for them. This is the essence of redemptive history.
Being witnesses to the sovereign grace of God is the task of each generation - and one day together we shall hear the story of redemption in each generation and be amazed.
Amen.