Day 171, Psalms 45-51

Psalm 45
Your Throne, O God, Is Forever

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO LILIES. A MASKIL OF THE SONS OF KORAH; A LOVE SONG.

*A song in praise of the king on his wedding day. He undoubtedly belonged to David’s dynasty, and the song was probably used at more than one royal wedding. Since the bride is a foreign princess, the wedding reflects the king’s standing as a figure of international significance. Accordingly he is addressed as one whose reign is to be characterized by victories over the nations.

As a royal son of David, he is a type (foreshadowing) of Christ. After the exile this psalm was applied to the Messiah, the promised Son of David who would sit on David’s throne. The body of the song falls into two parts: (1) words addressed to the king and (2) words addressed to the royal bride. These in turn each contain two parts, reflecting a similar pattern: (1) exhortations to the king and the glory of the king, (2) exhortations to the bride and the glory of the bride.

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Psalm 46
God Is Our Fortress

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. OF THE SONS OF KORAH. ACCORDING TO ALAMOTH. A SONG.

*A celebration of the security of Jerusalem as the city of God. Thematically this psalm is closely related to Psalm 48, while Psalm 47 celebrates God’s victorious reign over all the earth. It probably predates the exile. However, as a song concerning the “city of God,” the royal city of his kingdom on earth, it remained for Israel a song of hope celebrating the certain triumph of God’s kingdom. It was originally liturgical and sung at the temple.

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear
though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved
into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble
at its swelling.
-46:1-3

Be still, and know that I am God.
-46:10

Psalm 47
God Is King over All the Earth

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH.

*Celebration of the universal reign of Israel’s God: a testimony to the nations. This psalm belongs to a group of hymns to the Great King found elsewhere clustered in Psalms 92-100. Here it serves to link Psalm 46 and 48, identifying the God who reigns in Zion as “the great King over all the earth.”

It dates from the period of the monarchy and was composed for use in the temple liturgy on one of the high festival days. The specific setting is perhaps the Feast of Tabernacles, which was also the festival for which Solomon waited to dedicate the temple. The Christian church has appropriately employed it in the celebration of Christ’s ascension.

Clap your hands, all people!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High,
is to be feared,
a great king over all the earth.
-47:1-2

Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing praises with a psalm!
God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
-47:6-8

Psalm 48
Zion, the City of Our God

A SONG. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH.

*A celebration of the security of Zion (as viewed with the eyes of faith) in that it is the city of the Great King. It may have been sung by the Levitical choir on behalf of the assembled worshipers at the temple. Structure and theme are beautifully matched. The first and last verses combine to frame the whole with comforting confession concerning Zion’s God.

We have thought on your steadfast love,
O God,
in the midst of your temple.
As your name, O God,
so your praise reaches
to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
-48:9-10

Psalm 49
Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH.

*A word of instruction from the temple following upon Psalm 46-48. It concerns rich fools who proudly rely on their great wealth and on themselves to assure their security in the world. The Levitical author knows what it is to be without wealth and has observed attitudes of many of the rich. He has seen through their folly, however, and offers his wisdom for all to hear, so that those who are awed by the rich may be freed from their spell. Inescapable death is their undoing and their destiny, and in the end the “upright will rule over them.” The date of this psalm may well be postexilic.

But God will ransom my soul
from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me.
Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,
when the glory of his house increases.
For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
his glory will not go down after him.
For though, while he lives,
he counts himself blessed
and though you get praise
when you do well for yourself,
his soul will go to the generation
of his fathers,
who will never again see light.
Man in his pomp yet without understanding
is like the nests that perish.
-49:15-20

Psalm 50
God Himself Is Judge

A PSALM OF ASAPH.

*The Lord calls his covenant people to account as they meet before him in worship at the temple. The psalm appears to have been composed for a temple liturgy in which Israel reaffirms her commitment to God’s covenant. A leader of the Levitical choir addresses Israel on behalf of the Lord. This liturgy was possibly related to the Feast of Tabernacles.

In its rebuke of a false understanding of sacrifice the psalm has affinity with the prophecies of Amos, Micah and Isaiah and so may date from the late eighth and/or early seventh centuries B.C. Others find a closer relationship with the reformation of Josiah and the ministry of Jeremiah. Structurally, the psalm has three parts: (1) the announcement of the “coming” of Israel’s covenant Lord to call his people to account; (2) the Lord’s words of correction for those of honest intent; (3) his sharp rebuke of “the wicked” among them.

The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun
to its setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
-50:1-2

He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth,
that he may judge his people.
-50:4

The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge!
-50:6

And call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
-50:15

The one who offers thanksgiving
as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!
-50:23

Psalm 51
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN NATHAN THE PROPHET WENT TO HIM, AFTER HE HAD GONE IN TO BATHSHEBA.

*David’s humble prayer for forgiveness and cleansing. As the prayer of a contrite sinner, it represents a proper response to the Lord’s confrontation of his people in Psalm 50. This psalm has many points of contact with Psalm 25. In traditional Christian usage it is one of seven penitential psalms.

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
-51:1-3

Behold, you delight in truth
in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom
in the secret heart.
-51:6

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
-51:10-13