Three Beautiful Psalms Daniel Denham By themselves Psalms 22, 23, and 24 are literary masterpieces. The sweep of their individual messages, the beauty of their words, and the consolation of their advice would place them at the very front of literature, even if divine inspiration were never involved in their ultimate origin. The music that they bring to the human heart is incredible. But with the indisputable fact of their heavenly origin, their dolce tones are all the more pure and uplifting, and when taken together as a wonderful three part harmony, they form a sublime symphony heralding events in the life of the Messiah Himself! I urge you to read each psalm carefully and separately at first. Then reread them one after the other in flow. In Psalm 22, we have the Suffering Savior, who--forsaken by God and man-will give Himself on the cross for sinners. The psalm is filled with allusions to the Lords sufferings before and during the awful events at Calvary. Its words remind us that He indeed was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3). In Psalm 23, the beautiful Shepherd Psalm, we see the Good Shepherd (cf., John 10:7-18), and the provisions that He makes for His sheep. His care, comfort, and consolation is stressed throughout. In Psalm 24 we see the Reigning Sovereign, the Lord of glory triumphant in battle and ascended through the everlasting doors of heaven to reign at Gods right hand as Daniel also prophesied (Dan. 7:13-14) and as the New Testament records (Acts 1:9-11; 2:29-36; Eph. 1:21-23)! The three together stress His sacrifice, service, and sovereign power. Each testifies of salvation provided in His death, perfected through His work despite His own suffering, and preserved by His victory over death. Together they speak of death, resurrection, and ascension-sorrow, comfort, and jubilation! Again, read them carefully and prayerfully alone, but then read them together and see if your appreciation for them is not all the more enhanced! These psalms by themselves would make David well-deserving of the appellation the Sweet Singer of Israel: for the Spirit of God authored their melody and lyrics so unfailingly. ________________________________________ On the walls of a large university the following words are found: on the plains of hesitation lie the blackened bones of countless millions, who, at the dawn of victory, sat down to rest, and resting, died! in the Christian life, there is never time to rest on past attainments. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. (Heb. 3:14)
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 08:26:04 +0000
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