Day 91

Sons of Korah part 2

Of all of the psalms in the Bible, eleven are attributed to the sons of Korah. These beautiful psalms express a spirit of great gratitude and humility to an awesome, mighty God. They express a longing for God and deep devotion. These poetic songs include Ps’42-50, 62, and 72-85. Ps42:1 contains the beautiful line, “As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” Ps84:1 states, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O God.” Ps46:1-3 conveys the powerful message, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Luther’s favourite psalm in the reformation.) Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” How relevant are these psalms in the present crisis? 
One wonders if the poet who penned these lyrics was remembering his ignoble beginnings, his distant ancestor who perished in an earthquake for his pride and rebellion. Perhaps it was that reflection that prompted the following words of the same psalm: he says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth’” (Ps46:10). For each of us, our own songs of renewed purpose and redemption should flow out of a heart of humility as we remember the fallen state from which He raised us and the redemption that we experience through His grace. This was certainly the case for the sons of Korah.

My favourite Psalm from the Sons of Korah is Ps73 – a psalm of Asaph. In fact, it is one of my favourite psalms of the psalter.

As we struggle through the present crisis, the psalms of Korah give us hope that evil will not triumph in this world, that God is in control and even now working through this crisis to draw people to Him. This is a planet in rebellion, but God’s everlasting love and faithfulness is enough for us.

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