Covenants of Men with God
The Scriptures speak of covenants of men with God that are separate from, but nevertheless responses to, God's covenants with men.
Covenants of God with Men
God's covenants are unilateral. He always initiates them and says, I will make my covenant with you. Therefore, they are not treaties or agreements, but promises which God makes voluntarily, and by which he graciously brings men into friendship with himself.
Covenants of Men with Men
The Scriptures speak of covenants that men make with other men. These are of different sorts, such as contracts, treaties and agreements; and they vary widely according to the circumstances and the relative status of the parties involved. But they all have this in common, that they are the establishing of a relationship between two…
Psalm 44: Why Have You Cast Us Off?
There are two things that are immediately obvious about this psalm. The first is that it was written in a time of military defeat and disaster for the people of God. The second is that the people were not, at the time of this defeat, in apostasy from God. It does not belong, for example,…
Psalms of the Incarnation
The Psalms are songs about Christ as the God of our salvation in all their praise of Yahweh, the Most High and the Holy One of Israel. They are also about our Lord's life, suffering, resurrection and glorification in all their descriptions of our sufferings and the glory of our salvation. They talk about his…
Psalm 26: Seven Assertions of Innocence, Seven Promises of Faithfulness, Seven Prayers for Vindication
There are great similarities between Psalm 17 and this psalm. In both David strongly asserts his innocence and asks the Lord for judgment in his favor. Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let…
Psalm 71: A Psalm for Old Age
David was an old man when he wrote this psalm. Do not cast me off in the time of old age (v.9). Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me (v.18). In it he faces the problems that go with old age: failing strength, unfinished business and unrelenting enemies.…
Psalm 119:97-104: Having, Meditating, Keeping
1. How I love your law! All the day it is my meditation. 2. Your commandment will make me wiser than my enemies, For it is mine forever. 3. I have more insight than my teachers, For your testimonies are my meditation. 4. I will understand more than the elders, For your precepts I keep.…
Psalm 24: The King of Glory
The psalm has three distinct parts. Verses 1 and 2 are about the Lord’s universal rule. Verses 3-6 are about the necessity of holiness in those who ascend the hill of the Lord. Verses 7-10 are about the entry of the Lord into his dwelling place, or, to put it differently, about the ascension of…
Psalm 15: Who May Dwell in the Lord’s House?
This psalm asks a straightforward question - who may abide in the Lord's house? - and gives an equally straightforward answer - only one who is perfectly righteous. It is a detailed exposition of the truth expressed in Hebrews 12:14, Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.…