FROM THE SOVEREIGN LORD COMES ESCAPE FROM DEATH

Proclamation:

“Praise be to The Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.  Our God is a God who saves; from The Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.”  Psalm 68:19-20 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this psalm were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by King David.  Exactly what David was dealing with when he wrote this psalm is not clear.  This is a song which addresses many issues.  Here he notes that believers should praise The Lord for it is He who daily bears our burdens.  He also states that our God is The God of salvation.  He himself has conquered death and He will deliver us from it.

Application:

He bore all of our griefs and sorrows, and He was wounded and bruised for our sins. (Isaiah 53:4-5)  For all that The Lord God has done for us and all that He does for us daily, (Psalm 68:19) we ought to praise Him daily and continually. (Psalm 34:1)  God gave His only begotten Son so that we would have a chance at salvation and eternal life. (John 3:16)  Jesus, The Christ, said that all power in heaven and earth was given to Him. (Matthew 28:18)  He also has the power over death. (1 Corinthians 15:52-57 and Revelation 1:18)  He has defeated death and those of us who believe in Him will be delivered from death. (John 5:24 and 6:40) 

BLESSED ARE ALL WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN THE LORD

Proclamation:

“Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.  Serve The Lord with fear and celebrate His rule with trembling.  Kiss His Son, or He will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for His wrath can flare up in a moment.  Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”  Psalm 2:10-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

The human author of this psalm is unknown but it was clearly written under the influence of the Holy Spirit of God.  The author may have been King David as he is said to have spoken the words in verses one and two of this psalm. (Acts 4:25)  This psalm also serves as an introduction to the psalms.  Whereas psalm 1 refers to “two different ways” for individuals to respond to The Lord, psalm 2 follows it with an application to nations and their leaders.  It begins with human rebellion, (Psalm 2:1-3) followed by God’s reaction (Psalm 2:4-6) and His divine decree. (Psalm 2:7-9)  It ends with a statement of individual human responsibility.  The leaders of all nations are warned that all of the people must serve, worship, and submit to The Lord or they will incur His wrath.  Those who put their trust in Him will be blessed. (Psalm 2:10-12)  Those who don’t will be destroyed.

Application:

The Lord God is the sovereign ruler of all and we are instructed to obey His commands.  The message to us is that those who do not obey Him will perish. (Psalm 1:6 and Psalm 2:12)  This psalm deals with the triumph of The Messiah and His rule over all.  It offers us a warning that all those who oppose Him will be broken into pieces like fragile pottery. (Psalm 2:9)  Only those of us who trust in The Lord will find refuge, peace, and a safe haven in Him.  Blessed are all of those who put their trust in Him. (Psalm 2:12)