The God of All Comfort: The Psalms for February 14 - 20, 2021 The Daily Psalms

The was compiled, put in its present format, by the Second Temple ; those priests who returned from exile in Babylon in 539 B.C. They built a new, smaller temple (i.e., the Second Temple); renewed and revised Hebrew worship; and compiled the Psalter for daily, Sabbath Day, and festival uses. In doing so, they set out one psalm for each day of the week. In the (the Greek Translation of the Hebrew OT) these psalms carry various headings: “A Psalm for the First Day of the Week,” “A Psalm for the Second Day f the Week,” etc. How and why they chose these seven psalms is unknown (Pss. 24, 48, 82, 94, 81, 93 and 92, in that order). Most likely, the priests believed that the seven themes of these Daily Psalms should be reinforced in the daily living of Jews, in perpetuity.

Our Lord Jesus Christ knew these psalms. As a child, He would have memorized them by the age of 7 or 8. His devout family would have recited them at the start of each day, He would have said them, in unison, in His local and to begin each day of Torah school. These seven psalms helped to shape the spiritual DNA of His human soul. The seven themes of these various psalms, still considered an overview of the Christian faith, summarize a world- and-life-view guided by God’s Word: Corporate Worship, The City of God, Justice, Judgment, Providence, the Reign of God, and Sabbath Gratitude. We will read, pray, sing and talk about them, as the family of Jesus once did, day by day.

• Sunday – : The Call to Worship God (Worship) • Monday – Psalm 48: The Glory of the City of God (Church) • Tuesday – Psalm 82: The Hope of God’s Justice (Salvation) • Wednesday – : The Security Found in God’s Judgments (Righteousness) • Thursday – Psalm 81: Celebrating God’s Faithful Providence (God’s Care) • Friday – : God’s Throne Over All the Earth (Sovereignty) • Saturday – : A Song for the Sabbath Day (Gratitude)

These seven psalms are taken from the writings of (Ps. 24), Asaph (Pss. 81 and 82), the Sons of Korah (Ps. 48), and three anonymous psalmists (Pss. 92, 93, and 94), covering the span of almost 600 years. They include a Song of Zion, a Liturgical Psalm, an Enthronement Psalm, and three psalms about the character of God. These lovely, daily, provocative readings helped to rear many of God’s children in the Faith. Perhaps it would be a grand idea to read, recite, pray and memorize these seven psalms both for our good and for the sake of our children’s children. These seven psalms offer us great comfort and clear perspective, especially in these troubling times in which we now live. “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:19 (The Psalm for Wednesday)

The God of All Comfort: Psalms Psalm 24 Resources | February 14, 2021

Books The Expositor’s Bible Commentary on the Psalms by Willem VanGemeren Study notes in the Reformation Study Bible or ESV Study Bible Favorite Psalms, John Stott

Worship Resources The Daily Psalms (read one per day) Ps. 24, 48, 82, 94,81, 93, 93

Psalm 24 1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. 7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!

Questions for discussion and reflection • Do you agree with Pastor Ross that tradition is a greater good than most people realize? How so? • Read one of the daily psalms (Ps. 24, 48, 82, 94, 81, 93 and 92). What message does that particular psalm have for that day? Why is that message a needed reminder for us each week? • What "on earth" does the Lord own of which you desire to take possession? • How do you attempt to keep the Sabbath Day (Lord's Day) holy? • Do you think that how we dress for church has anything to do with the way we honor God in His "holy temple"? • How do you prepare for Sunday worship to ensure that you enter "the courts of the Lord" with clean hands, a pure heart and an honest soul? • How do you see "glory-seeking" in your life? What sense of worth does that earthly glory bring you? • How does Psalm 24 relate to Jesus Christ and His relationship with you?