This week's readings are from Psalms 80 through Psalm 89. And the last of the Psalms from Book 3.
Psalms 80 through Psalm 83 are Psalms of Asaph. Asaph was thought to be a descendant of Gershom the son of Levi and he is identified as a member of the Levites. He is also known as one of three Levites commissioned by David to be in charge of singing in the temple. Several of the Psalms of Asaph are categorized as communal laments because they are concerned for the well being of a whole community of people. Communal laments encompass a description of some sort of severe destruction followed by a cry out to God for help and a reference to his great mercy of the past.
Psalms 84, 85, 87, and 88 are the holy writings of the sons of Korah. Korah was the leader of the rebellion against Moses and God. Even the descendants of a leading rebel became the godly writers of psalms, praising God in their holy writings as a record existing for generations. It is marvelous that the descendants of Korah wrote something that became a part of the Bible. They were faithful to tell people that they were the sons of Korah, the one who rebelled against God. This shows us that all the psalms were written based upon the infinite grace of God. The sons of Korah were the descendants, the sons, of that great sinner and rebel, Korah, yet they became holy people writing psalms to praise God. Today we are like the sons of Korah. In a sense, we are still poor sinners and rebels, yet we poor sinners can be those who are speakers of the Holy Word!
Psalm 86 is a Prayer of David asking for protection, mercy, happiness, teaching, a pure heart, and strength.
Psalm 89 is written by Ethan the Ezrahite, Ethan the Ezrahite is mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 as a wise man, yet not as wise as King Solomon, who “was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite.” He was of the tribe of Levi.
Verse 1 opens, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; / with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Ethan emphasizes praise to God for His covenant with David and honors God’s character and power. In verses 19–37, recording God’s own words in a vision, Ethan details God’s faithfulness to David and his descendants. Then Ethan expresses lament at the king’s defeat and asks God to remember the covenant. Ethan concludes, “Praise be to the Lord forever! / Amen and Amen". Even in times of suffering and struggle, this psalmist calls God’s people to bless the Lord and call upon His strength in time of need.
Although these psalms are varied, they give us the assurance that God was there then, is here now, and will be here in the future for us to call on Him for whatever our need and to give him praise!