Psalm 79

War often sets men praying. In the midst of the great conflict between good and evil, right and wrong, we should join Asaph.

• in shock that the heathen defile the holy things of God (v 1)
• in sorrow that many of God’s servants have been slain by the enemy (v 2-3)
• in shame that we have become a reproach to our neighbors (v 4)
• in desire that God would avenge Himself (v 5-7)
• in prayer that God would save us (v 8-9)
• in compassion for those who have been enslaved by the enemy (v 11)
• in thankfulness and praise to our Sovereign Lord (v 13)

Psalm 80

Three times we read this prayer:

• Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. (v 3)
• Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. (v 7)
• Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. (v 19)

The vine (v 8-16)

• brought out of Egypt
• planted in Canaan
• deep-rooted and fruitful
• broken down and overrun
• burned and perishing

Is it any wonder that the psalmist prayed for revival? Do you?

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Psalm 78

Telling our children, the next generation, about God (v 1-8 )

• The account may be difficult to understand (v 2)
• We speak about our personal walk with God and about the testimonies we have heard from others (v 3)
• Our children will hear everything; we will keep nothing back (v 4)
• Previous generations were commanded to tell their children, too (v 5)
• Knowing the history of God and His people should lead us to faith in Him (v 6)
• Mistakes of the past should be lessons for the future (v 7)
• Do not be stubborn and rebellious; set your heart aright and be steadfast with God (v 8 )

Sins of our ancestors and God’s mercy (v 9-72)

Who would believe…

• They kept not the covenant of God (v 10)
• They refused to walk in His law
• They forgot God’s works and wonders (v 11)
• They sinned, and provoked God (v 17)
• They tempted God (v 18)
• They spoke against God (v 19)
• They questioned whether God was fully able to supply their needs under adverse circumstances (v 19)
• They acknowledged God’s provision of water, but doubted His ability to present bread and meat (v 20)
• They did not believe God (v 20)
• They did not trust in God’s salvation
• They ate angels’ food, yet sinned more and believed not in God (v 25, 32)
• They flattered God with their mouth, but they lied to him with their tongues (v 36)
• Their heart was not right (v 37)
• They were not steadfast in God’s covenant
• They often provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert (v 40)
• They did not remember God’s hand at work on their behalf (v 42)
• They tempted and provoked God; they did not keep His testimonies (v 56)
• They turned back and dealt unfaithfully, like their fathers (v 57)
• They provoked God to anger (v 58)
• They moved Him to jealousy
• And in the end, they died (63-64).
• But they did not defeat the purposes of God Who chose others with whom to build His kingdom (v 65-72)

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Psalm 77

The psalmist revisits God’s past dealings (v 1-12)

• I remembered God (v 3)
• I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times (v 4)
• I call to remembrance night songs (v 5)
• I will remember the works of the Lord, His wonders of old (v 11)
• I will meditate on God’s work (v 12)

God is great (v 13-20)

• He does wonders (v 14)
• He redeems His people (v 15)
• He controls the weather (v 16-18 )
• He moves without detection (v 19)
• He leads his people (v 20)

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Who was Asaph, the author of Psalms 50 and 73 to 83?

He attended the movement of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:14-19); and he was one of three, if not the chief, music leaders appointed by David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7, 37 and I Chronicles 25:1-6).

Psalm 75

• God judges in righteousness (v 2-3)
• God rebukes those who foolishly oppose Him (v 4-5)
• God promotes or demotes men (v 6-7)
• God pours out His wrath upon the wicked (v 8 )
• God exalts His people (v 10)

Psalm 76

• Where is God known? (v 1-2)
• How does God overthrow the wicked? (v 3-6)
• Who should honor God as the Sovereign over all (v 7-12)

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