Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake

Moses reminded them about their forefathers when they were in the desert. During that time they all experience the physical presence of God in the form of a cloud and God fed their hunger and thirst literally. The Rock which provided for them was Jesus Himself.

However, they were not satisfied with what God has given them. They followed idols and false gods, satisfied their lust with fornication. There were a few times they judged, once 23 thousand  were killed together. Another time God send serpents to destroy many of them. Paul reminded the people that these are examples to warn them.

We should not be too confident that we can stand against the temptations by ourselves. But God does not let us be temp teed more than we can handle. It is also advisable to flee from temptation in the first place and not let it take root. We are reminded that through the Communion with Christ, we are joined to Him, and therefore should not be joined to idols or other gods.

Paul again  brings this issue towards the question of eating food sacrificed to idols. This would have been a common issue the early believers have to deal with constantly. His first advice is to not ask where the food came from, so people can eat with a clear conscience. However, if someone said that the food had been sacrificed to idols, then although a believer has a clear conscience to eat, Paul suggests refrain for the sake of causing other believers to stumble. The ultimate aim is the salvation of others, not exercising our freedom to show others.




1 Corinthians 10
Old Testament Examples

10 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”[a] 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all[b] these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

All to the Glory of God

23 All things are lawful for me,[c] but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me,[d] but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”[e]

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake;[f] for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”[g] 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

And Israel whom I have Chosen

God reaffirms His promise to His people - Israel. In addition, the prophetic pouring of God's Spirit over His people is mentioned here. This will be fulfilled at Pentecost and believers after that. God also reminds them that He is the One and Only Lord, King of Israel. He has no beginning and no end. And He is also the Redeemer.

In a large part of this chapter, God shows how ridiculous their worshipping of idols is. He describes with great details the variety of processes which people use to make idols. The idols were made of wood or metal and using the same fire the people use to bake bread, and then the people foolishly worship these idols. They are made with hands and do not see and hear and hence are lifeless. Yet the people foolishly think such idols are able to deliver them.

God then commands Israel to return to Him, that He had blotted out their sin. At that time perhaps, the people may not yet understand about Messiah, but certainly today, we can see how God is able to redeem His people through Messiah. God the creator of the Universe then promised that Jerusalem will be rebuilt.




Isaiah 44
God’s Blessing on Israel

1 “Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant,
And Israel whom I have chosen.
2 Thus says the Lord who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you:
‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant;
And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
And floods on the dry ground;
I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,
And My blessing on your offspring;
4 They will spring up among the grass
Like willows by the watercourses.’
5 One will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’;
Another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
Another will write with his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’
And name himself by the name of Israel.


There Is No Other God

6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
‘I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.
7 And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people.
And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.
8 Do not fear, nor be afraid;
Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?
You are My witnesses.
Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock;
I know not one.’”


Idolatry Is Foolishness

9 Those who make an image, all of them are useless,
And their precious things shall not profit;
They are their own witnesses;
They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.
10 Who would form a god or mold an image
That profits him nothing?
11 Surely all his companions would be ashamed;
And the workmen, they are mere men.
Let them all be gathered together,
Let them stand up;
Yet they shall fear,
They shall be ashamed together.
12 The blacksmith with the tongs works one in the coals,
Fashions it with hammers,
And works it with the strength of his arms.
Even so, he is hungry, and his strength fails;
He drinks no water and is faint.
13 The craftsman stretches out his rule,
He marks one out with chalk;
He fashions it with a plane,
He marks it out with the compass,
And makes it like the figure of a man,
According to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.
14 He cuts down cedars for himself,
And takes the cypress and the oak;
He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest.
He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it.
15 Then it shall be for a man to burn,
For he will take some of it and warm himself;
Yes, he kindles it and bakes bread;
Indeed he makes a god and worships it;
He makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.
16 He burns half of it in the fire;
With this half he eats meat;
He roasts a roast, and is satisfied.
He even warms himself and says,
“Ah! I am warm,
I have seen the fire.”
17 And the rest of it he makes into a god,
His carved image.
He falls down before it and worships it,
Prays to it and says,
“Deliver me, for you are my god!”
18 They do not know nor understand;
For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see,
And their hearts, so that they cannot understand.
19 And no one considers in his heart,
Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say,
“I have burned half of it in the fire,
Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals;
I have roasted meat and eaten it;
And shall I make the rest of it an abomination?
Shall I fall down before a block of wood?”
20 He feeds on ashes;
A deceived heart has turned him aside;
And he cannot deliver his soul,
Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”


Israel Is Not Forgotten

21 “Remember these, O Jacob,
And Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you, you are My servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!
22 I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
23 Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel.


Judah Will Be Restored

24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
And He who formed you from the womb:
“I am the Lord, who makes all things,
Who stretches out the heavens all alone,
Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;
25 Who frustrates the signs of the babblers,
And drives diviners mad;
Who turns wise men backward,
And makes their knowledge foolishness;
26 Who confirms the word of His servant,
And performs the counsel of His messengers;
Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’
To the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’
And I will raise up her waste places;
27 Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry!
And I will dry up your rivers’;
28 Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd,
And he shall perform all My pleasure,
Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,”
And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”’

Happy are the People whose God is the Lord!

This psalm has a personal introduction of who the LORD is to the psalmist. David who is most likely the psalmist here, describes the LORD as his rock, lovingkindness, refuge, fortress, deliverer. He knows God well and wholeheartedly trusts and depends on God.

Then in the next part, he expands the view of who God really is and describes how insignificant in stature man is compared to God. Yet this God who controls the the awesome power of nature and beyond is someone we can pray too, as the psalmist experienced. Because of this, the psalmist can praise and sing to and about God. He is thankful that God is a deliverer and a provider and blesses His people with abundance.



Psalm 144
A Song to the Lord Who Preserves and Prospers His People
A Psalm of David.

1 Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle—

2 My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people[a] under me.

3 Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?

4 Man is like a breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.

5 Bow down Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

6 Flash forth lightning and scatter them;
Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.

7 Stretch out Your hand from above;
Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,
From the hand of foreigners,

8 Whose mouth speaks lying words,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

9 I will sing a new song to You, O God;
On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,

10 The One who gives salvation to kings,
Who delivers David His servant
From the deadly sword.

11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners,
Whose mouth speaks lying words,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—

12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;
That our daughters may be as pillars,
Sculptured in palace style;

13 That our barns may be full,
Supplying all kinds of produce;
That our sheep may bring forth thousands
And ten thousands in our fields;

14 That our oxen may be well laden;
That there be no breaking in or going out;
That there be no outcry in our streets.

15 Happy are the people who are in such a state;
Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!

It Is Good To Give Thanks To The LORD

Following from the previous psalm of recognizing those who dwell in the LORD will be protected, this psalm encourages thanksgiving and praise to God. It even lists the musical instruments for music for praise such as strings, lute and harp.

It reminds us that God ultimately triumphs. It even suggests that wicked ones spring up just so that they can be finally destroyed by God. In contrast, the righteous will flourish and be fruitful even till old age.


Psalm 92
A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath day.

 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
         And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
         And Your faithfulness every night,
 3 On an instrument of ten strings,
         On the lute,
         And on the harp,
         With harmonious sound.
 4 For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work;
         I will triumph in the works of Your hands.
        
 5 O LORD, how great are Your works!
         Your thoughts are very deep.
 6 A senseless man does not know,
         Nor does a fool understand this.
 7 When the wicked spring up like grass,
         And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
         It is that they may be destroyed forever.
        
 8 But You, LORD, are on high forevermore.
 9 For behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
         For behold, Your enemies shall perish;
         All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
        
 10 But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;
         I have been anointed with fresh oil.
 11 My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies;
         My ears hear my desire on the wicked
         Who rise up against me.
        
 12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
         He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
 13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
         Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age;
         They shall be fresh and flourishing,
 15 To declare that the LORD is upright;
         He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Incline Your Ears to the Words of My Mouth

The first paragraph is as if God is speaking. Interesting to note that God says He will speak in parables to reveal wisdom to the people. This was exactly how Jesus preached to His people.

The second paragraph speaks of God in the third person, revealing His relationship to His people from the line of Jacob. God was made known to their children and they are regularly encouraged to keep the commandments and not be rebellious.

The psalm narrates the history of the Exodus, in particular the marvelous and wondrous provision of God as they ventured to the Promised Land. It details the miracles of the provision of food and water as well as God's presence as a cloud by day and fire by night to guide them. Yet they rebelled against God and were punished on several occasions.

In times of their punishment, they remembered God as their Rock and Redeemer. But they constantly turned again to provoke God and not remember the miracles in Egypt which forced Pharaoh to let them free. God also worked miracles in defeating all the armies of the Promised Land so the Israel can settle there. Yet they provoked God by worshipping idols and pagan gods.

Finally it describes God in His sovereign will chose from Judah, His servant David. David was taken from being a Shepperd of sheep to be the Shepperd of Israel, with integrity in his heart.


Psalm 78
A Contemplation[a] of Asaph.
 1 Give ear, O my people, to my law;
         Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
 2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
         I will utter dark sayings of old,
 3 Which we have heard and known,
         And our fathers have told us.
 4 We will not hide them from their children,
         Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
         And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
        
 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob,
         And appointed a law in Israel,
         Which He commanded our fathers,
         That they should make them known to their children;
 6 That the generation to come might know them,
         The children who would be born,
         That they may arise and declare them to their children,
 7 That they may set their hope in God,
         And not forget the works of God,
         But keep His commandments;
 8 And may not be like their fathers,
         A stubborn and rebellious generation,
         A generation that did not set its heart aright,
         And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
        
 9 The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows,
         Turned back in the day of battle.
 10 They did not keep the covenant of God;
         They refused to walk in His law,
 11 And forgot His works
         And His wonders that He had shown them.
        
 12 Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers,
         In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
 13 He divided the sea and caused them to pass through;
         And He made the waters stand up like a heap.
 14 In the daytime also He led them with the cloud,
         And all the night with a light of fire.
 15 He split the rocks in the wilderness,
         And gave them drink in abundance like the depths.
 16 He also brought streams out of the rock,
         And caused waters to run down like rivers.
        
 17 But they sinned even more against Him
         By rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness.
 18 And they tested God in their heart
         By asking for the food of their fancy.
 19 Yes, they spoke against God:
         They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
 20 Behold, He struck the rock,
         So that the waters gushed out,
         And the streams overflowed.
         Can He give bread also?
         Can He provide meat for His people?”
        
 21 Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious;
         So a fire was kindled against Jacob,
         And anger also came up against Israel,
 22 Because they did not believe in God,
         And did not trust in His salvation.
 23 Yet He had commanded the clouds above,
         And opened the doors of heaven,
 24 Had rained down manna on them to eat,
         And given them of the bread of heaven.
 25 Men ate angels’ food;
         He sent them food to the full.
        
 26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens;
         And by His power He brought in the south wind.
 27 He also rained meat on them like the dust,
         Feathered fowl like the sand of the seas;
 28 And He let them fall in the midst of their camp,
         All around their dwellings.
 29 So they ate and were well filled,
         For He gave them their own desire.
 30 They were not deprived of their craving;
         But while their food was still in their mouths,
 31 The wrath of God came against them,
         And slew the stoutest of them,
         And struck down the choice men of Israel.
        
 32 In spite of this they still sinned,
         And did not believe in His wondrous works.
 33 Therefore their days He consumed in futility,
         And their years in fear.
        
 34 When He slew them, then they sought Him;
         And they returned and sought earnestly for God.
 35 Then they remembered that God was their rock,
         And the Most High God their Redeemer.
 36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth,
         And they lied to Him with their tongue;
 37 For their heart was not steadfast with Him,
         Nor were they faithful in His covenant.
 38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity,
         And did not destroy them.
         Yes, many a time He turned His anger away,
         And did not stir up all His wrath;
 39 For He remembered that they were but flesh,
         A breath that passes away and does not come again.
        
 40 How often they provoked Him in the wilderness,
         And grieved Him in the desert!
 41 Yes, again and again they tempted God,
         And limited the Holy One of Israel.
 42 They did not remember His power:
         The day when He redeemed them from the enemy,
 43 When He worked His signs in Egypt,
         And His wonders in the field of Zoan;
 44 Turned their rivers into blood,
         And their streams, that they could not drink.
 45 He sent swarms of flies among them, which devoured them,
         And frogs, which destroyed them.
 46 He also gave their crops to the caterpillar,
         And their labor to the locust.
 47 He destroyed their vines with hail,
         And their sycamore trees with frost.
 48 He also gave up their cattle to the hail,
         And their flocks to fiery lightning.
 49 He cast on them the fierceness of His anger,
         Wrath, indignation, and trouble,
         By sending angels of destruction among them.
 50 He made a path for His anger;
         He did not spare their soul from death,
         But gave their life over to the plague,
 51 And destroyed all the firstborn in Egypt,
         The first of their strength in the tents of Ham.
 52 But He made His own people go forth like sheep,
         And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
 53 And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear;
         But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
 54 And He brought them to His holy border,
         This mountain which His right hand had acquired.
 55 He also drove out the nations before them,
         Allotted them an inheritance by survey,
         And made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.
        
 56 Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God,
         And did not keep His testimonies,
 57 But turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers;
         They were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
 58 For they provoked Him to anger with their high places,
         And moved Him to jealousy with their carved images.
 59 When God heard this, He was furious,
         And greatly abhorred Israel,
 60 So that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh,
         The tent He had placed among men,
 61 And delivered His strength into captivity,
         And His glory into the enemy’s hand.
 62 He also gave His people over to the sword,
         And was furious with His inheritance.
 63 The fire consumed their young men,
         And their maidens were not given in marriage.
 64 Their priests fell by the sword,
         And their widows made no lamentation.
        
 65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
         Like a mighty man who shouts because of wine.
 66 And He beat back His enemies;
         He put them to a perpetual reproach.
        
 67 Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph,
         And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
 68 But chose the tribe of Judah,
         Mount Zion which He loved.
 69 And He built His sanctuary like the heights,
         Like the earth which He has established forever.
 70 He also chose David His servant,
         And took him from the sheepfolds;
 71 From following the ewes that had young He brought him,
         To shepherd Jacob His people,
         And Israel His inheritance.
 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
         And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

God the Rock of Salvation

The psalm starts off in a very similar way as other psalms and it looks like a psalm by David. There is the appeal to God to save the writer from the enemies. There is also a description of who God is to the writer, namely rock, fortress, refuge. The writer has trusted God in his youth and asks God not to forsake him.
He calls on God not to be far from him. He promises to continue to praise God. The writer talks of spreading the knowledge of God, telling others of God's salvation and righteousness. The writer seeks to praise God with all his soul with any instruments he can like the harp, lute and singing.


Psalm 71
God the Rock of Salvation

 1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
         Let me never be put to shame.
 2 Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape;
         Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
 3 Be my strong refuge,
         To which I may resort continually;
         You have given the commandment to save me,
         For You are my rock and my fortress.
        
 4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked,
         Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
 5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD;
         You are my trust from my youth.
 6 By You I have been upheld from birth;
         You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.
         My praise shall be continually of You.
        
 7 I have become as a wonder to many,
         But You are my strong refuge.
 8 Let my mouth be filled with Your praise
         And with Your glory all the day.
        
 9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
         Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
 10 For my enemies speak against me;
         And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together,
 11 Saying, “God has forsaken him;
         Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”
        
 12 O God, do not be far from me;
         O my God, make haste to help me!
 13 Let them be confounded and consumed
         Who are adversaries of my life;
         Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor
         Who seek my hurt.
        
 14 But I will hope continually,
         And will praise You yet more and more.
 15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
         And Your salvation all the day,
         For I do not know their limits.
 16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;
         I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
        
 17 O God, You have taught me from my youth;
         And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
 18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded,
         O God, do not forsake me,
         Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
         Your power to everyone who is to come.
        
 19 Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high,
         You who have done great things;
         O God, who is like You?
 20 You, who have shown me great and severe troubles,
         Shall revive me again,
         And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
 21 You shall increase my greatness,
         And comfort me on every side.
        
 22 Also with the lute I will praise You—
         And Your faithfulness, O my God!
         To You I will sing with the harp,
         O Holy One of Israel.
 23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You,
         And my soul, which You have redeemed.
 24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long;
         For they are confounded,
         For they are brought to shame
         Who seek my hurt.

Truly My Soul Silently Waits for God

David starts by acknowledging that only God is his salvation. His enemies are like any other, who are liars, blesses other in the front and curses them at their backs. Besides salvation, God is also his rock - a source of strength and refuge.
This psalm also encourages others to place their trust in God, instead of trusting in earthly stature and power or riches. Both power and mercy belongs to God who will judge according to their deeds.


Psalm 62
To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

 1 Truly my soul silently waits for God;
         From Him comes my salvation.
 2 He only is my rock and my salvation;
         He is my defense;
         I shall not be greatly moved.
        
 3 How long will you attack a man?
         You shall be slain, all of you,
         Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
 4 They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
         They delight in lies;
         They bless with their mouth,
         But they curse inwardly.  Selah 
        
 5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
         For my expectation is from Him.
 6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
         He is my defense;
         I shall not be moved.
 7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
         The rock of my strength,
         And my refuge, is in God.
        
 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
         Pour out your heart before Him;
         God is a refuge for us.  Selah 
        
 9 Surely men of low degree are a vapor,
         Men of high degree are a lie;
         If they are weighed on the scales,
         They are altogether lighter than vapor.
 10 Do not trust in oppression,
         Nor vainly hope in robbery;
         If riches increase,
         Do not set your heart on them.
        
 11 God has spoken once,
         Twice I have heard this:
         That power belongs to God.
 12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;
         For You render to each one according to his work.

David Not Ashamed of the LORD

David praises God with all honesty and humility. The keywords in this Psalm are repeated in other psalms including God is David's trust, rock, refuge, fortress, strength. Then David calls upon God again to help in a situation where it appears David was turned away from his friends. Some description here seem to suggest this is in the later part of his life. And David continues to call on God for His mercy.

Yet in his time of trouble, David again tells God that he still trusts God and still clings to Him. He has confidence in God who would deliver those who fear Him and trust Him. Despite the persecutions, despite the enemies plotting against him, despite the wickedness surrounding him, David had the peace and joy in the LORD, remembering that God would protect him and hide him in His secret place.

David closes with an encouragement:
"Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful"


Psalm 31

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

 1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
         Let me never be ashamed;
         Deliver me in Your righteousness.
 2 Bow down Your ear to me,
         Deliver me speedily;
         Be my rock of refuge,
         A fortress of defense to save me.
       
 3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
         Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
         Lead me and guide me.
 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
         For You are my strength.
 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
         You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
       
 6 I have hated those who regard useless idols;
         But I trust in the LORD.
 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,
         For You have considered my trouble;
         You have known my soul in adversities,
 8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy;
         You have set my feet in a wide place.
       
 9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble;
         My eye wastes away with grief,
         Yes, my soul and my body!
 10 For my life is spent with grief,
         And my years with sighing;
         My strength fails because of my iniquity,
         And my bones waste away.
 11 I am a reproach among all my enemies,
         But especially among my neighbors,
         And am repulsive to my acquaintances;
         Those who see me outside flee from me.
 12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;
         I am like a broken vessel.
 13 For I hear the slander of many;
         Fear is on every side;
         While they take counsel together against me,
         They scheme to take away my life.
       
 14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD;
         I say, “You are my God.”
 15 My times are in Your hand;
         Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
         And from those who persecute me.
 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant;
         Save me for Your mercies’ sake.
 17 Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You;
         Let the wicked be ashamed;
         Let them be silent in the grave.
 18 Let the lying lips be put to silence,
         Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
       
 19 Oh, how great is Your goodness,
         Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
         Which You have prepared for those who trust in You
         In the presence of the sons of men!
 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence
         From the plots of man;
         You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion
         From the strife of tongues.
       
 21 Blessed be the LORD,
         For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!
 22 For I said in my haste,
         “I am cut off from before Your eyes”;
         Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications
         When I cried out to You.
       
 23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!
         For the LORD preserves the faithful,
         And fully repays the proud person.
 24 Be of good courage,
         And He shall strengthen your heart,
         All you who hope in the LORD.

David Seeks God's Face

David starts of this Psalm with the great encouragement that the LORD is my light and salvation - so whom shall I fear? In other words, when the Mighty One of Jacob is our God, there is nothing else to be afraid of.

So David describes that no enemy army, nor wicked foes, nor wars would cause him to fear. He has set his sight on high - thinking about living with God. In times of trouble God will hide us in his secret place.

It is no wonder God describes as David as after His heart. David calls upon the mercy of God first and determines to seek God's face, to know Him, to be close to Him. He has full trust in God that even as earthly parents may forsake him, the LORD God will not forsake him.

As David pleads with God to teach him His ways so that he can withstand his numerous enemies and tribulations, one interesting verse is this: "That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living." Clearly David believes the blessings and goodness of God is also for this earthly life as well as for eternity.

Finally David ends the Psalm with an encouragement for each of us to: "Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; "



Psalm 27

A Psalm of David.

 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
         Whom shall I fear?
         The LORD is the strength of my life;
         Of whom shall I be afraid?
 2 When the wicked came against me
         To eat up my flesh,
         My enemies and foes,
         They stumbled and fell.
 3 Though an army may encamp against me,
         My heart shall not fear;
         Though war may rise against me,
         In this I will be confident.
       
 4 One thing I have desired of the LORD,
         That will I seek:
         That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
         All the days of my life,
         To behold the beauty of the LORD,
         And to inquire in His temple.
 5 For in the time of trouble
         He shall hide me in His pavilion;
         In the secret place of His tabernacle
         He shall hide me;
         He shall set me high upon a rock.
       
 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
         Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
         I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
       
 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
         Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
 8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
         My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
 9 Do not hide Your face from me;
         Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
         You have been my help;
         Do not leave me nor forsake me,
         O God of my salvation.
 10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
         Then the LORD will take care of me.
       
 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,
         And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
         For false witnesses have risen against me,
         And such as breathe out violence.
 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
         That I would see the goodness of the LORD
         In the land of the living.
       
 14 Wait on the LORD;
         Be of good courage,
         And He shall strengthen your heart;
         Wait, I say, on the LORD!

David's Song of Victory and Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Enemies

The first part of the Psalm says it all about who the LORD is to David: his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, shield, salvation, stronghold. David describes his hopeless condition of being surrounded by fierce enemies, then he described the awesomeness of God with the earth shaking and trembling as God came to save David.

David understands how to gain the favour of the LORD, which is by doing right in God's eyes, being blameless, staying away from wickedness, keeping His statutes. He understands that God will save the humble and bring down the proud. God is merciful to those who are merciful.

To David, God is his lamp and shield. David attributes all his being to God, including his strength, his agility, his war prowess. His success in avoiding Saul was attributed to God, so were all his victories against his enemies. From the victories of his conquest to his authority over a vast kingdom and empire of foreign nations - all these David attributed them to God's help. Whether as a leader of his band of misfits, or king over his empire, David had not dwell on his accumulated successes. Instead his continues to be grateful to God and depend on Him as his Rock and Salvation. David saw himself as God's king and God's anointed and no doubt lived for God's purpose.


Psalm 18

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

 1 I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
         My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
         My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
         So shall I be saved from my enemies.
       
 4 The pangs of death surrounded me,
         And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
 5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
         The snares of death confronted me.
 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD,
         And cried out to my God;
         He heard my voice from His temple,
         And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.
       
 7 Then the earth shook and trembled;
         The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken,
         Because He was angry.
 8 Smoke went up from His nostrils,
         And devouring fire from His mouth;
         Coals were kindled by it.
 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down
         With darkness under His feet.
 10 And He rode upon a cherub, and flew;
         He flew upon the wings of the wind.
 11 He made darkness His secret place;
         His canopy around Him was dark waters
         And thick clouds of the skies.
 12 From the brightness before Him,
         His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire.
       
 13 The LORD thundered from heaven,
         And the Most High uttered His voice,
         Hailstones and coals of fire.[a]
 14 He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe,
         Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them.
 15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
         The foundations of the world were uncovered
         At Your rebuke, O LORD,
         At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.
       
 16 He sent from above, He took me;
         He drew me out of many waters.
 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
         From those who hated me,
         For they were too strong for me.
 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
         But the LORD was my support.
 19 He also brought me out into a broad place;
         He delivered me because He delighted in me.
       
 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;
         According to the cleanness of my hands
         He has recompensed me.
 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD,
         And have not wickedly departed from my God.
 22 For all His judgments were before me,
         And I did not put away His statutes from me.
 23 I was also blameless before Him,
         And I kept myself from my iniquity.
 24 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
         According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
       
 25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
         With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;
 26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
         And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
 27 For You will save the humble people,
         But will bring down haughty looks.
       
 28 For You will light my lamp;
         The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
 29 For by You I can run against a troop,
         By my God I can leap over a wall.
 30 As for God, His way is perfect;
         The word of the LORD is proven;
         He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
       
 31 For who is God, except the LORD?
         And who is a rock, except our God?
 32 It is God who arms me with strength,
         And makes my way perfect.
 33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
         And sets me on my high places.
 34 He teaches my hands to make war,
         So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
       
 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;

         Your gentleness has made me great.
 36 You enlarged my path under me,
         So my feet did not slip.
       
 37 I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them;
         Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.
 38 I have wounded them,
         So that they could not rise;
         They have fallen under my feet.
 39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle;
         You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
 40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies,
         So that I destroyed those who hated me.
 41 They cried out, but there was none to save;
         Even to the LORD, but He did not answer them.
 42 Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind;
         I cast them out like dirt in the streets.
       
 43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people;
         You have made me the head of the nations;
         A people I have not known shall serve me.
 44 As soon as they hear of me they obey me;
         The foreigners submit to me.
 45 The foreigners fade away,
         And come frightened from their hideouts.
       
 46 The LORD lives!
         Blessed be my Rock!
         Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
 47 It is God who avenges me,
         And subdues the peoples under me;
 48 He delivers me from my enemies.
         You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
         You have delivered me from the violent man.
 49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,
         And sing praises to Your name.
       
 50 Great deliverance He gives to His king,
         And shows mercy to His anointed,
         To David and his descendants forevermore.

David's Song to God his Deliverer

This is one of the many songs of David, thanking God and praising Him. The first verse has many phrases in common with his other songs of praise such as: my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my strength, my shield, my Saviour.

From the acknowledgement of the personal God to him, David first describes his hopeless situation which nothing on earth can help him. He then calls God for help. Then God answers and make himself known as the awesome God through his control of nature.

Then David describes how God helped him through his crises. This is followed by what God actually means to David and a more detailed description of the phrases in verse 1 are revealed. David describes the victories and dominion that God has given him. Then he repeats who God is to him and give God thanks.



2 Samuel 22

Praise for God’s Deliverance

 1 Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. 2 And he said:[a]

      “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
 3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
      My shield and the horn of my salvation,
      My stronghold and my refuge;
      My Savior, You save me from violence.

 4 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
      So shall I be saved from my enemies.

 5 “When the waves of death surrounded me,
      The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

 6 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
      The snares of death confronted me.

 7 In my distress I called upon the LORD,
      And cried out to my God;
      He heard my voice from His temple,
      And my cry entered His ears.

 8 “Then the earth shook and trembled;
      The foundations of heaven[b] quaked and were shaken,
      Because He was angry.

 9 Smoke went up from His nostrils,
      And devouring fire from His mouth;
      Coals were kindled by it.

 10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down
      With darkness under His feet.

 11 He rode upon a cherub, and flew;
      And He was seen[c] upon the wings of the wind.

 12 He made darkness canopies around Him,
      Dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

 13 From the brightness before Him
      Coals of fire were kindled.

 14 “The LORD thundered from heaven,
      And the Most High uttered His voice.

 15 He sent out arrows and scattered them;
      Lightning bolts, and He vanquished them.

 16 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
      The foundations of the world were uncovered,
      At the rebuke of the LORD,
      At the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

 17 “He sent from above, He took me,
      He drew me out of many waters.

 18 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
      From those who hated me;
      For they were too strong for me.

 19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
      But the LORD was my support.

 20 He also brought me out into a broad place;
      He delivered me because He delighted in me.

 21 “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;
      According to the cleanness of my hands
      He has recompensed me.

 22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD,
      And have not wickedly departed from my God.

 23 For all His judgments were before me;
      And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them.

 24 I was also blameless before Him,
      And I kept myself from my iniquity.

 25 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
      According to my cleanness in His eyes.[d]

 26 “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
      With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;

 27 With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
      And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.

 28 You will save the humble people;
      But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.

 29 “For You are my lamp, O LORD;
      The LORD shall enlighten my darkness.

 30 For by You I can run against a troop;
      By my God I can leap over a wall.

 31 As for God, His way is perfect;
      The word of the LORD is proven;
      He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

 32 “For who is God, except the LORD?
      And who is a rock, except our God?

 33 God is my strength and power,[e]
      And He makes my[f] way perfect.

 34 He makes my[g] feet like the feet of deer,
      And sets me on my high places.

 35 He teaches my hands to make war,
      So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

 36 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
      Your gentleness has made me great.

 37 You enlarged my path under me;
      So my feet did not slip.

 38 “I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them;
      Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.

 39 And I have destroyed them and wounded them,
      So that they could not rise;
      They have fallen under my feet.

 40 For You have armed me with strength for the battle;
      You have subdued under me those who rose against me.

 41 You have also given me the necks of my enemies,


 42 They looked, but there was none to save;
      Even to the LORD, but He did not answer them.

 43 Then I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth;
      I trod them like dirt in the streets,
      And I spread them out.

 44 “You have also delivered me from the strivings of my people;
      You have kept me as the head of the nations.
      A people I have not known shall serve me.

 45 The foreigners submit to me;
      As soon as they hear, they obey me.

 46 The foreigners fade away,
      And come frightened[h] from their hideouts.

 47 “The LORD lives!
      Blessed be my Rock!
      Let God be exalted,
      The Rock of my salvation!

 48 It is God who avenges me,
      And subdues the peoples under me;

 49 He delivers me from my enemies.
      You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
      You have delivered me from the violent man.

 50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,
      And sing praises to Your name.

 51 He is the tower of salvation to His king,
      And shows mercy to His anointed,
      To David and his descendants forevermore.”