16 Sep Meditations on the Psalms #158
Day 158
Psalm 81
This psalm is connected with the Feast of Tabernacles which commemorates the wilderness journey. The NT reveals that Jesus was born during this feast (Sept/Oct). There is a place for songs rich with awe, reverence, or contrition, but never to the exclusion of songs that ‘make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob’.
The mention of the tambourine [timbrel] suggests that the people danced while singing praise.
The summons in v1 is to the whole congregation; the summons in v2 is to the Levites, who were the appointed temple singers and musicians; and the summons in v3 is to the priests who had the specific task of blowing the trumpets.
The purpose of this ‘trumpet’ (rams’ horn) was to call God’s people together for their ‘solemn new moon feast day’(V3),’ for covenant renewal and reflection on the past. The secret place of thunder(v7) was Sinai, shrouded in smoke and terrible with the voice of God. God not only delivered Israel, but He also trained them. At Meribah, they were tested; God miraculously provided water for a complaining and unbelieving Israel.
The story of Israel is our own history in another shape. God has heard us, delivered us, liberated us, and too often our unbelief returns mistrust, murmuring, and rebellion(sin).
The problem in vs8-12 is not that the world does not know God. How can we expect it to? The problem is that the people of God do not know God, or at least they do not act like they do. Instead of worshipping the Lord and him only, Christians seem to be worshipping the gods (v9) of secular culture – gods of wealth, power, pleasure, fame, status, and self-absorption.
This was God’s judgment against His unbelieving people – to give them over to their own stubbornness’(v12). One of the greatest judgments God can bring is to simply leave us alone to our own persistence and foolishness. 2Thess2:9-11 is a chilling last-day reminder of this.
Oh, that My people would listen to Me: (v13) There is a sense of longing in these affectionate words: God’s desire is to bless His people and do good for them. Compare this with Jesus lament over Jerusalem (Matt23:37.)
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