Day 172

God Is the Ruler Yet

Read: Psalms 42-47

Book 2 consists of Psalms 42-72. Most of the psalms in Book 1 are ascribed to David, but these have a variety of authors. Psalms 42 and 43 are obviously connected by these common sentences: “Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy” (42:9; 43:2) and “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?” (42:5, 11; 43:5). The latter goes on to say, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.” This is the conclusion of the matter. Our distress is not without hope; the assurance we have is that in due time God will deliver us.

Some psalms deal with national as well as personal situations. Psalm 44 deals with a national disaster which took place in spite of the faithfulness of God’s people. National disasters often come as a result of sin, but not always. God is the Lord of the nations, but often his ways are beyond our understanding.

A royal wedding is the occasion of Psalm 45, but there is an application in terms of Christ. Psalm 46 was the inspiration for Luther’s great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” and describes God’s power as it is manifested in various areas of life. Psalm 47 describes a coronation scene. This is no earthly king; it is God himself, “For God is king of all the earth” (v. 7).

PRAYER
Father, we rejoice that you are Lord of all the earth and also our loving Father. Through Christ. Amen.