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Looking at this Psalm this morning and there are some great promises and blessings
4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds[b]; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families,[c] he leads out the prisoners with singing;
9: You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.
The enduring word commentary states: Most commentators believe this psalm is connected with the coming of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6), celebrating not only that event, but also the faithfulness of God to give Israel victory over her enemies, and to make Jerusalem secure enough to bring the ark into the city.
The psalm proclaims God’s victory over his enemies but also highlights God’s compassion and care – a God of power and might and yet one of gentleness and grace, for me v 19 is very special:
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
I wonder what burden you carry today?
Grief and sadness? health or financial worries? Family concerns?
Work and careers problems?
We all have burdens that we carry, we live in a fallen and imperfect world! However, our burdens are light compared to many others around the world yet we believe that God’s promises are true for us all who will follow him, for we are all equally important.
This verse reminds us of a number of truths:
God’s sovereignty, He is Lord
God’s love, He is saviour
God’s presence, He is always, ‘daily’ with us
God’s care, He lifts our burdens
I am drawn to similar thoughts in Matthew
Matthew 6:31-34 New International Version (NIV)
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
What David found in the God of the old Covenant, the disciples were to discover in the Christ of the new, one of great power and strength and yet also filled with love and compassion
May we have confidence to bring our burdens, they are important to him, and to entrust ourselves to his love afresh today.
Maybe we can join David in his final proclamation:
34 Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. 35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!