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Tag: Psalms

Pangs of Sheol

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

What are the pangs of Sheol in Psalm 116:3?

Psalm 116, one of the Hallel Psalms, is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise in which the psalmist reflects on God’s healing deliverance from a life-threatening illness. He describes his agonizing ordeal in the throes of death: “The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish” (Psalm 116:3, ESV).

In the original Hebrew language, the word for “pang” means “an oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic adversity, distress, affliction, or anguish.” This word appears only in two other verses in the Bible: Psalm 118:5 and Lamentations 1:3.

Sheol is a transliterated Hebrew term used to refer to “the grave, the pit, or the tomb.” In Scripture, Sheol applies to the underworld or the realm of the dead (see Job 14:13; 1 Kings 2:6). Some older Bible translations incorrectly translate Sheol as “hell.” Psalm 89:48 asks, “What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?” (ESV). Death is the destiny of every person, but hell is not. The New Testament equivalent to Sheol is hades (Greek), which also refers to “the place of the dead.”

The psalmist’s torment is so great that he believes the underworld has come to claim him. The ESV speaks of “the pangs of Sheol”; other translations have “the anguish of the grave” (NIV), “the terrors of the grave” (NLT), and “the horrors of the grave” (GW). In his terrified frame of mind and tormented physical state, the psalmist is convinced that his hour of death has arrived. Later, he declares, “For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling” (Psalm 116:8).

While an ancient Hebrew cantor might say, “The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me,” a modern-day worshiper may sing, “Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels” (The Message), or “I was wound in the wrappings of death; the terror of dying and the grave had a grip on me” (The Voice). One thing is sure: the psalmist was convinced he was as good as dead before the Lord saved and delivered him.

In the New Testament, Peter refers to “the pangs of death” in connection with Christ’s resurrection: “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24, ESV). Since Jesus Christ is the resurrection and life (John 14:6, 25), death and the underworld have no hold on Him and no power to defeat Him.

Leviathan

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Creation: The Basics, Isaiah, Job, Psalms, What’s new?.

What was the leviathan?

The leviathan is a large aquatic creature of some kind. The Bible refers to it as a fearsome beast having monstrous ferocity and great power. The Hebrew word for “Leviathan” has the root meaning of “coiled” or “twisted.” Isaiah 27:1 speaks of “Leviathan the fast-moving serpent, Leviathan the squirming serpent; . . . the sea monster” (NET). Whatever this monster of the sea is (or was), its strength and wild nature were well known.

There are a handful of references to the leviathan in the Old Testament. Most passages describe the leviathan as a real creature, familiar to people (who, of course, kept their distance) by reputation if not by sight. In Psalm 104:25–26 God is praised as the One who created the habitat for the leviathan: “There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.” Only a great God could have created Leviathan and then made a place big enough for it to “frolic” safely.

In Isaiah 27:1 the leviathan is used as a symbol for the wicked kings of the earth who withstand God’s people. The great power that wicked nations wield can be terrifying, but God assures His children that evil, no matter how monstrous, will be defeated: “In that day, the LORD will punish with his sword—his fierce, great and powerful sword—Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.” Psalm 74:14 contains a similar reference to God’s victory over Leviathan; in that psalm, the pharaoh of Egypt is most likely meant.

Job 41 gives the most detail about Leviathan as an actual sea creature. In that chapter, God describes Leviathan, emphasizing the animal’s size, strength, and viciousness. The leviathan cannot be tied down or tamed (Job 41:1, 5); it is frightening to even look at (verse 9); it is best left alone (verses 8, 10). The leviathan has a graceful form (verse 12) but is incredibly well protected with scales (verses 13, 15–17). Its chest is as impenetrable as its back (verses 15, 24). It has fearsome teeth (verse 14), and death awaits anyone who approaches its mouth (verses 18–21). Even mighty men are terrified of the leviathan (verse 25). No sword, spear, dart, javelin, arrow, stone, club, or lance can defeat it (verses 26, 28–29). It cannot be caged, because it breaks iron like straw (verse 27). On land, the leviathan leaves a trail of ruts; in the water, it produces a deep, churning wake (verses 30–32). God’s description of the leviathan concludes with a statement that it is the true king of the beasts: “Nothing on earth is its equal—a creature without fear” (verse 33).

So, what animal is Job 41 describing? Some commentators believe Leviathan is a crocodile. Others believe it is a whale or a shark. Based on the biblical description, it seems more likely that Leviathan is a large sea reptile, possibly a species of dinosaur such as the plesiosaurus. Job’s acquaintance with a dinosaur is not far-fetched at all, given that the book of Job is set in a very early time of history.

The point God makes in Job 41 is that Leviathan is under God’s sovereign control. Job had been questioning God (Job 26—31), but God turns the tables and uses the leviathan’s might to emphasize Job’s weakness and frailty. If God created Leviathan (an animal Job cannot stand before), then how great is God? Why is Job even trying to grapple with the Almighty?

Leviathan was a dangerous creature that caused seasoned warriors to turn and run. Leviathan is no myth, but rather a real creature of the sea, subject only to its Creator. As God says in His description of Leviathan, “Who then is able to stand against me? Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me” (Job 41:10–11).

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

What is the significance of David saying, “You prepare a table before me” (Psalm 23:5)?

In Psalm 23:5, King David says to the Lord, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” Portraying his close relationship to God as an honored dinner guest of a generous and capable host. As a gracious host, the Lord attends to David’s every need, showering him with personal care, abundant goodness, protection from his enemies, and eternal blessings.

David had many adversaries, but in the presence of the Lord, seated at His table, they posed no threat because David had guest-rights with the Lord. In the ancient East, a host was obligated to safeguard his visitors from all enemies at all costs.

Psalm 23 begins, “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” The psalm’s central theme—that David lacks nothing—is reinforced through every line. The word my underscores the intimacy of David’s up-close relationship with God. David acknowledges that God is always with Him, looking out for his good, even in the darkest “valley of the shadow of death” (verse 4). Even in the most challenging circumstances—“in the presence of my enemies” (verse 5)—David lacks nothing because His God is with him, supplying his every need and looking out for his welfare.

David’s assertion, “You prepare a table before me,” is equivalent to Paul’s declaration, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). This theme of God’s constant provision and protection echoes in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians: “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:16–19, NLT).

When we are invited to someone’s house for dinner, we cannot open the host’s refrigerator and grab whatever we want to eat. We depend on the host to place dinner on the table for us. We wait to be offered food and drink. Thus, the statement, “You prepare a table before me,” highlights David’s dependence on God.

The same God who “spread a table in the wilderness” for the children of Israel by providing daily manna for them to eat (Exodus 16:15; cf. Psalm 78:19) would supply all the provisions and help King David would need. David’s confidence in God dovetails with the encouragement in Hebrews 4:16: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (NLT).

God (the Host) welcomes His guest (David) to a feast already prepared and spread out for him on the table. As it was for David, it is for all believers who accept the invitation to dine at the Lord’s table (Isaiah 25:6–9; Matthew 22:1–14; Luke 13:29–30; Revelation 19:9; 21:2–4). Like David, we depend on God to provide our material and physical needs (Psalm 104:27); we lean on Him for understanding and direction in life (Proverbs 3:5–6); we rest in Him through prayer (Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7); and, most importantly, we depend on God for our salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9).

You prepare a table before me means God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). Yet it’s not only in this life that God meets our needs. God is our gracious and bountiful benefactor for both our bodies and souls for all time and eternity.

Give his angels charge over you

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

What does it mean that He will give his angels charge over you? (Psalm 91:11)?

Angels are spiritual beings who assist God. One task assigned to angels is to carry out God’s sovereign protection over humans. In a time of crisis, the psalmist was assured:

For He [Yahweh] shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone
(Psalm 91:11–12, NKJV).

The phrase give charge over in Psalm 91:11 is a rendering of a Hebrew verb meaning “to command, give an order, or charge someone to do something.” The New Living Translation states, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.” The New International Version reads, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” God is the One commanding protection; the angels are merely His agents to carry it out.

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he misquoted this verse (leaving out the words in all your ways): “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone’” (Matthew 4:6, NKJV).

The patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament recognized God’s supreme guidance and protection as He gave angels charge over them wherever they went (Genesis 19:15; 24:7; 32:1; 48:16; 2 Kings 6:17; Isaiah 63:9). When He shut the mouths of lions and safeguarded men from fiery flames, even ungodly kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Darius acknowledged that the God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gives His angels orders to protect and rescue those who trust in Him (Daniel 3:28; 6:22).

In the New Testament, God’s sovereign protection and guidance through angels continues (Matthew 18:10; Acts 8:26). While caught in a violent storm at sea, on the brink of shipwreck, the apostle Paul was visited by an angel who reassured him of God’s protection. Paul told the men onboard, “But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said” (Acts 27:22–25, NLT).

After Peter and the apostles were imprisoned for preaching the gospel, God commanded His angel to deliver them back to the task of saving souls: “An angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then [the angel] told them, ‘Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!’ So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching” (Acts 5:19–21, NLT).

At the time of His arrest, Jesus told the disciples not to resist the soldiers: “Put away your sword,” Jesus ordered them. “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” (Matthew 26:52–53, NLT). God gave His angels charge over Jesus to guide and protect Him throughout His life (Matthew 2:13, 19–20; 4:11; Luke 22:43).

The Lord’s faithful servants are under the constant care of angels. God gives them charge over us. Throughout history, He has directed these swift and powerful messengers—“his angels like the winds . . . like the flames of fire” (Hebrews 1:7, NLT)—to deliver His loyal followers from harm (see 1 Kings 19:5–7; Psalm 78:23–25; Acts 12:6–11).

Shadow of the Almighty

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

What does it mean to dwell in the “shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1)?

In one of the most uplifting passages of Scripture, we have this reassurance: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, ESV). To dwell in the shadow of the Almighty is to live under the promise of God’s protection.

The word dwell means “to live in or be an inhabitant of.” Shelter refers to “a hiding place, covering, or protection.” Shadow suggests “shade, comfort, protection, and defense.” And abide means “lodge, live, spend the night.” The language of Psalm 91:1 speaks of someone who is wholly comfortable and accepted into the household and community life of the Most High God.

Most High is a title for God that effectively levels every threat. This name stresses God’s supreme power as the sovereign ruler of the world. Almighty or Shaddai is the name that upheld the wandering patriarchs (Exodus 6:3). As the Almighty, God is fully capable of accomplishing all of His promises.

Dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty is the everyday experience of someone who, although persecuted or threatened by danger, is thoroughly at home in the protection, comfort, and safety of Yahweh, the God of absolute power. This person declares of the Lord: “He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him” (Psalm 91:2, NLT).

Psalm 91 does not provide immunity from life’s threats. It does not promise God’s protection from danger and trouble; it offers the promise of God’s protection amid hardship and peril.

The theme of Psalm 91 focuses a spotlight on absolute trust in God and loyalty to Him. This kind of trust suggests intimate friendship with God. It is this sort of loving relationship that inspires the psalmist to say, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7, ESV). It is the attitude of one who clings to the Lord at all times, saying, “For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5, ESV).

The person who is always thinking about God and trusting in Him has the Almighty as a constant companion. The Lord stretches His “shadow” or “protective shade” over the man or woman who sets up camp in His presence.

Isaiah 25:4 describes the “shadow of the Almighty” as “a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.” Psalm 18:2 declares, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (NLT). “The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand,” says Psalm 121:5.

Psalm 91 continues, “If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name’” (Psalm 91:9–14, NLT). Abiding in God’s presence, we find security, protection, and care. The ultimate victory is ours in Christ.

The “shadow of the Almighty” is like a shade cast by the Lord that marks off a clearly perceived boundary. Those who are covered by the Lord’s boundary line of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ will reside forever in God’s presence. Believers in Jesus are covered by the blood of Christ, which grants full access into the throne room of God’s grace (Hebrews 10:19–22; 13:12; Ephesians 2:13). The Lord’s sacrifice provides salvation and protection that stretches beyond the boundaries of this life (Hebrews 9:12). Only the redeemed of the Lord can securely say, “Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” (Psalm 61:4, NLT).

To dwell in the “shadow of the Almighty” is to find complete and eternal rest and safety, no matter what we face in this life, in death, or in the life to come.

Never seen the righteous forsaken

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

How could the psalmist say, “I have never seen the righteous forsaken” in Psalm 37:25?

Psalm 37 is an encouraging passage for those who face trials and tribulations. Despite our present suffering, the psalmist knows that God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked (verses 1–6). This reassuring message allows the righteous to “be still before the Lord and wait patiently wait for him” (verse 7; cf. Psalm 46:10). As we wait for the Lord to deliver us from trouble, we should continue to commit our ways to Him.

In Psalm 37:25, the psalmist expresses a statement of faith and trust in God’s providential care for the righteous: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (ESV). This verse is a reference to the psalmist’s own observations. In all his life, the psalmist had never witnessed an instance when God forsook the righteous. This does not imply that the righteous are exempt from poverty and hardship. Rather, the point is that God will not abandon or leave them to fend for themselves in times of trouble (verse 24; cf. Deuteronomy 31:8 and Hebrews 13:5).

Psalm 37:25, therefore, highlights the psalmist’s confidence that God is faithful and will not abandon the righteous. Again, there’s no promise that the righteous are immune from pain and suffering. Jesus said that God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Throughout the Bible, we find many examples of God sending rain on the righteous (Job 2:10; Isaiah 45:7; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 12:7–10). Amidst the turbulent waves of life, God promises to provide and care for the righteous.

While the psalmist’s words that “I have never seen the righteous forsaken” might seem fanciful or out of touch with reality, they are a powerful reminder of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Believers are therefore encouraged to hold on to God’s unchanging hand and trust that He will work all things for good (Romans 8:28).

Rather than viewing the psalmist’s words as a guarantee that the righteous will never face trials and tribulations, we should interpret Psalm 37:25 as an expression of hope and assurance. The psalmist’s personal experiences inform his testimony about God’s unwavering support for the righteous.

In our own lives, we will encounter instances when God’s providential care is evident, and we will have a testimony of our own. However, we must remember that our understanding is limited, and we cannot always fathom the ways that God works. Therefore, it is essential to approach this verse with humility and acknowledge that our understanding is incomplete. Although our experiences may not align with the psalmist’s observations, we can still draw encouragement from his experiences with a faithful God.

Ultimately, Psalm 37:25 invites us to reflect on our own relationship with God and to deepen our trust in Him. It also encourages us to seek righteousness and align ourselves with His will (cf. Matthew 6:33 and Romans 12:2), knowing that He will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).

As we navigate the highs and lows of life, let us remember the psalmist’s words in Psalm 37:25 and be encouraged by them. When we face obstacles and challenges, we can hold fast to the fact that God will never forsake the righteous. In Him, we have everything that we need.

Steps of a man ordered by the Lord

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord

How are the steps of a man ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23)?

In Psalm 37, David writes that the righteous can trust God to sustain them (Psalm 37:17) and that the inheritance of righteousness will never end (Psalm 37:18). The righteous are given righteousness and salvation from the Lord (Psalm 37:39). It is a psalm that reminds us of God’s faithfulness, and it encourages us that we can trust Him and that He is worthy of our trust. In Psalm 37:23 the psalmist observes that “the steps of a man are ordered by the Lord” (BSB). Earlier in the psalm, David explains that, when we commit our way to the Lord, He will bring about our righteousness. In Psalm 37:23 David proclaims that God orders or directs even the individual steps of the person, and God takes delight in that person.

The term translated as “ordered” or “established” in Psalm 37:23 is from a Hebrew verb that can also mean “to guide, direct, or make reliable.” In other words, the person who has committed his way to God will have his steps made sure by God. He will guard them and ensure that they are solid steps. How encouraging to know that even our small, seemingly inconsequential steps are not too insignificant for God! He loves and cares for us so much that He actually takes pleasure in guiding our steps. When we fall, we won’t fall to destruction because the Lord holds our hand (Psalm 37:24). Because the law of God is in our hearts, our steps or our path won’t be slippery (Psalm 37:31). What an incredible truth to know that God is right there, ready to establish our walk if we will simply commit our walk to Him! Even more incredible, perhaps, is that He delights in doing that. To think that God—the almighty Creator—takes pleasure in walking with each of His people in that way!

David knew better than most that there would be dark days in this life—it was David who wrote that, even though he walked through the valley of the shadow of death, he didn’t need to fear evil because His heavenly Shepherd was with Him (Psalm 23:4). From psalms like Psalm 23 and Psalm 37 we learn that God is with us, that He delights in fellowship with us, and that we can trust Him with our very lives. Even a simple observation that the steps of a man are ordered by the Lord represents an amazing truth that we matter to God. When we are encountering hardship or difficulty, or if we simply feel alone as if no one cares about our well-being, we can have confidence in knowing that He loves us and wants to walk with us and guide us through those difficulties we face.

He will give you the desires of your heart

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

What does it mean that God will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)?

Psalm 37:4 contains a great promise: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” This verse invites us to have a deeply intimate relationship with God. As we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. To fully appreciate this promise, we must review the immediate context, unpack its meaning, and apply it to our lives.

Psalm 37, penned by King David, is a poetic meditation on the righteousness of God and the fulfillment of His promises. This psalm specifically addresses the struggles faced by the righteous in a world that is dominated by the wicked (verses 1–2). Despite these struggles, David encourages his readers to “trust in the Lord and do good” (verse 3). It is within this context that we find the promise of verse 4 that God will “give you the desires of your heart.”

To understand the promise in Psalm 37:4, we must first examine the meaning of delighting in the Lord. The word delight encompasses a profound sense of joy, satisfaction, and contentment. When we delight in the Lord, we seek His presence (Psalm 27:4), meditate on His Word day and night (Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2), and align our will with His (Romans 12:2). This involves the heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37).

When we delight in the Lord, we will experience a radical shift in our desires. In other words, we will no longer desire selfish and sinful things (Galatians 5:17–21). Instead, we will desire the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (verses 22–23). And, when we desire the same things God desires for us, our requests will be granted (Matthew 6:33 and John 14:14).

The promise in Psalm 37:4 does not imply that God is a cosmic genie who grants every fleeting whim or selfish request. On the contrary, the promise points to a definitive transformation within our heart as we draw closer to Him.

God’s response to our delight in Him is twofold. First, He shapes and molds our hearts to align our will with His. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are purged of selfishness, pride, and unrighteous desires. As we draw closer to Him, our desires will begin to mirror His desires for us, reflecting His goodness and righteousness.

Second, God will grant desires that accord with His will and glory (Romans 11:36). This does not mean that every request will be granted; rather, the desires of our heart will be fulfilled in ways that accomplish His purpose for our lives (Romans 8:28).

God’s response to our delight in Him may not always meet our expectations or occur immediately. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8–9), and His timing is beyond our comprehension. He may even use delays or redirections to refine our desires and strengthen our faith in Him. As we wait for God to answer our requests, we can trust that His timing is always perfect (Isaiah 40:31).

Psalm 37:4 prompts us to delight in the Lord and align our desires with His perfect will. As we cultivate a heart that finds joy, satisfaction, and contentment in Him, He will transform our desires to reflect His purposes. While the fulfillment of our desires may not always align with our expectations, we can trust in the faithfulness of God. By embracing the promise in Psalm 37:4, our lives become characterized by the fulfillment of desires that bring glory to Him.

Commit thy way unto the Lord

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

Commit your way to the Lord

What does it mean to commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5)?

In the 37th Psalm, David writes that God sustains the righteous (Psalm 37:17) and that their inheritance will be everlasting (Psalm 37:18). The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord (Psalm 37:39). It is a psalm of God’s faithfulness and an encouragement that the righteous do not trust Him in vain. Psalm 37:5 challenges the reader or listener to “commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him.”

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need God to be our refuge, because there would be no threats. But in this fallen and broken world, we desperately need Him to be our refuge. The psalmist instructs that we not fret or be envious because of those who do evil (Psalm 37:1) because they will fade away quickly like the grass (Psalm 37:2). Evil has no staying power. Even though evil gains a foothold in the short term and may even appear to win the day, the reality is that it will not last. Because of that truth, we are encouraged to put our trust in the Lord and to do what He prescribes, which includes living faithfully (Psalm 37:3).

Our delight should not be in our circumstances; rather, our delight should be in the Lord. We should take pleasure in Him, and when we do that—when our desire is for Him—He provides that our desires are met (Psalm 37:4). The closer we get to Him, the more our desires begin to change from our own selfish wants to wanting what He wants for us. After presenting these thoughts, the psalmist exhorts that we commit our way to the Lord and trust in Him (Psalm 37:5). That commitment and trust does not come without reward, as God is faithful, “and He will do it” (NASB)—but what is it that He will do?

When we commit our way to the Lord and trust in Him, God is faithful to “bring forth [our] righteousness” (Psalm 37:6, ESV). When our way is committed to Him, He shapes us and grows us in His righteousness. Paul explained many years after the psalmist wrote that a person who is walking in the Spirit of God will see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in his life (Galatians 5:22–23). God will accomplish His work in our lives—He will transform us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1–2) if we will simply be committed to allowing Him to do that.

Elsewhere, Paul reminds believers to set their minds on things above (Colossians 3:1–4). The mindset of the believer is important, and it involves commitment to allowing God to do His work in us. Paul provides another example in Ephesians 5:18. He says we should not be drunk with wine, but, instead, we should be filled with the Holy Spirit. When a person drinks wine excessively, that person is submitting to a process that will end in his having little or no control over his body. Instead of submitting our bodies to wine in that way, we should be submitting ourselves to the Holy Spirit of God—immersing ourselves in His Word so that we are controlled by Him and our desires are shaped by Him. When we are doing that, we are filled with His Spirit or are walking in His Spirit, and He is faithful to bear His fruit in us. When we commit our way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5), He will make sure that way is fruitful.

God is within her, she will not fall

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Psalms, What’s new?.

What is the significance of the statement “God is within her; she will not fall” in Psalm 46:5?

The book of Psalms—a collection of 150 poems intended to be sung—is packed with encouraging statements in times of trouble. Individual verses in the Psalms, however, are frequently subject to misinterpretation when taken out of context. This is particularly true of Psalm 46:5.

The statement “God is within her, she will not fall” is often used to encourage and uplift women facing challenging situations. When this verse shows up on social media, it is often taken as a direct message to women in adversity: “You will not fall, despite the hardship you endure, because God is in you, giving you power.” It is essential, however, to unpack the true meaning of Psalm 46:5.

The her in Psalm 46:5 is commonly assumed to refer to women in general, offering them a comforting message of resilience during troubling times. But we need to review the surrounding verses. In verse 4, the psalmist acknowledges that “there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” (ESV). The her refers to the city of God. So, while it is appropriate to draw inspiration and encouragement from verse 5, we must not interpret that verse as a direct reference to women. Rather, we must see it as Israel’s collective praise for God’s deliverance, as depicted in Psalm 46:1–3 (cf. Psalm 48:1–3).

The heart of Psalm 46:5 is that the all-present God guarantees Jerusalem’s unshakable stability. God is always by her side, ensuring that she remains secure, even in tumultuous times. Because of God’s protection, the people of God have nothing and no one to fear: “The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, ESV).

There are important parallels between Psalm 46 and the book of Kings. When the Assyrians besieged the city of God, the pagan field commander unleashed a series of taunts and threats upon the people of God. In doing so, he sought to prove that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was just as powerless as other gods in the lands conquered by the Assyrians (2 Kings 18:28–35).

During the siege, King Hezekiah sought the Lord. After receiving a menacing letter from the Assyrian king Sennacherib, Hezekiah took the letter to the house of Lord and fervently prayed for deliverance (2 Kings 19:14–19). As dawn broke, the Assyrian army found that they had lost 185,000 soldiers. During the night, an angel of the Lord had descended upon the Assyrians, putting a swift and decisive end to their terror (2 Kings 19:35). Jerusalem was saved.

God had predicted the defeat of the Assyrians through the prophet Isaiah: “This is what the Lord says concerning the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. . . . I will defend this city and save it’” (2 Kings 19:32, 34). In other words, God is within her, she will not fall.

The Assyrian invasion of Israel provides the historical backdrop for Psalm 46:5. Amid perilous circumstances, the psalmist’s words take on new significance. The vindicated faith of Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem is a testament to the almighty power of God. God is an impenetrable fortress, a divine shield against evil forces:

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:1–3)

Psalm 46:5 is a powerful reminder that God’s power and protection are not confined to a specific gender or individual. He is with His children. Psalm 46:5 refers to the city of Jerusalem, and today we can trust that God has the same protective love for the church of God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus. When we are besieged by various trials and tribulations, we can remain hopeful, knowing that God will never leave or forsake us (Romans 8:31; Hebrews 13:5).

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