A little background

In this journal entry, I meditate briefly on what it might have been like for Mary and Joseph at the time they entered Jerusalem. I follow by a brief background into Psalm 24. Lord, You entered into a world unworthy of You. You were born into filth and also the clamoring din of people unconcerned about eternal things. To a people captive to sin but with a desired to be freed from political tyranny. Your mission to save from sin, not Caesar. Today, as then, this world is held captive by sin and concerned about freedom from political tyranny, their rights, and the freedom from poverty. They don't realize that true freedom comes from knowing You and that You have removed the barrier of sin that keeps us from You by sending Your Son into the world to die for the punishment of our sins and free us to glorify You by enjoying You forever. Free in the midst of political tyranny, loss of rights, and lack of material goods.

December 8, 2015

Worship: Lord I Need You as sung by Chris Tomlin

Verse 1:
Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

Chorus:
Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Verse 2:
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Bridge:
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay 

Video: https://youtu.be/_rR_Rdb1CTE?list=RD_rR_Rdb1CTE

Witness:

Skipped a day. Sat down last night and could not stay awake. Fell asleep several times as I read over a previous day. Finally woke up and went to bed at 1 am. Got up today and finished cleaning the house and hanging my laundry. I then got out all the Christmas stuff then but ran out of time because I was taking my mom out to eat. Now I sit here amidst the mess and am fighting fatigue as usual. How Mary and Joseph must have felt as they settled down before a feeding trough, amidst the mess and smell, exhausted from the trek from Nazareth. I will unpack and put pretty things up. They will sparkle and blink and twinkle, but for our Savior, through whom all things and creatures were created, there was only dust and the din of animals and voices from a city overcrowded with people. He created it all, all things were His. He deserved the best but was laid in the least. The Sovereign of the universe should abide in a palace but is born in a stable or worse, as some say, in an open courtyard in the center of the city. 

WORD:

Ps 24:1-2 24 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. NIV

Ps 24:1-2 24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. KJV

I promised more background on this psalm. It will be of interest to those who like history and history is important when it comes to understanding the Bible. Others may not see the need. Bear with me and I will move on from this little historical excursion. Rather than take time to put someone else’s words into my own I will just copy and paste what others have said.

Occasion of writing:

David's authorship is allowed by most critics; and the most probable period of the composition is the time when David determined to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the tabernacle which he had prepared for it on Mount Zion (2 Sam 6:12).

(from The Pulpit Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

This sacred hymn was probably written to be sung when the ark of the covenant was taken up from the house of Obededom, to remain within curtains upon the hill of Zion. The words are not unsuitable for the sacred dance of joy in which David led the way upon that joyful occasion.

(from The Treasury of David, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ps. 23 expressed a longing after the house of Jahve on Zion; Ps 24 celebrates Jahve's entrance into Zion, and the true character of him who may enter with Him. It was composed when the Ark was brought from Kirjath Jearim to Mount Zion, where David had caused it to be set up in a tabernacle built expressly for it, 2 Sam 6:17, cf. 11:11, 1 Kings 1:39; or else, which is rendered the more probable by the description of Jahve as a warrior, at a time when the Ark was brought back to Mount Zion, after having been taken to accompany the army to battle (vid., Ps 68). Ps 15 is very similar.

(from Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Use of the Psalm in History:

Genesis 23

It appears to be an antiphonal psalm. The people (or a Levitical chorus) opened with verses 1-2, a leader asked the questions in verses 3, 8 a, and 10 a, and the chorus or the people answered with verses 4-6, 8 b and 10 b. It was sung in Herod's temple each Sunday, and some connect the psalm with our Lord's entrance into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday. For years, the church has assigned this psalm to be read on Ascension Day, the fortieth day after Easter. Christians see Jesus Christ as "the Lord of Glory," first of all returning to heaven after His passion (Eph 4:8; Col 2:15), and then returning in glory to establish His kingdom (Matt 25:31). This explains the repetition of "Lift up your heads" in verses 7 and 9. The psalm presents a threefold privilege God has given His people.

(from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

There you have it, it’s background (as unclear as it is) and its use in history. Warren Wiersbe hints at three privileges that God has given His people. Let me share his outline as well as some other commentator’s.

We Are Stewards Who Enjoy His Goodness in Creation (vv. 1-2)

We Are Worshipers Who Experience His Grace in Redemption (vv. 3-6)

We are Victors Who Celebrate His Glory in Conquest (vv. 7-10)

(from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

A.     ASCENT TO THE HOLY PLACE (24:1-6)

B.     ENTRY OF THE KING OF GLORY (24:7-10)

(from Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries; Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved.)

The Lord is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, v. 1-2.

The great question: Who is fit to minister to the Lord in His own temple? v. 3-6.

The glory of God in His entrance into His temple, v. 7-10.

(from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Tomorrow I hope to start back with the actual text of Psalm 24. Forgive me for this little excursion into the background of this psalm. It’s something I like to know before I enter into a passage, but don’t always take the time to do so. Knowing the background can serve as an anchor to keep one from straying too far and wading into dangerous waters.