Rev. Don Campbell

Psalms 73, 77-78

THOUGHT FOR TODAY, April 26, 2019

“THOSE WHO FAIL TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN HISTORY FAIL THEIR CHILDREN”

Psalms 73-89 comprise the third book. Eleven of the 17 carry the name of Asaph, a Levite chosen to lead David’s choir (1 Chronicles 6:39; 15:16-17). Asaph begins: “Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (vv.1-3). He went on to describe how the wicked always seemed to prosper and the righteous suffer. The thought embittered him until went into the sanctuary of God and discerned their end (vv.16-22). Having entered God’s presence, he proclaimed: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (vv.25-26). His final words provide our theme and title: “For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” (vv.27-28). Along with David, Asaph had tasted that the Lord is good and he wanted to declare it to all (Psalm 34:8).

In Psalm 77 Asaph either confesses his doubts or asks a rhetorical question: “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Whether reflecting Asaph’s doubts or rhetorically saying, “The answer is right before our eyes in God’s wonders of old: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph” (vv.11-16).

In Psalm 78 the history of Israel is recalled, beginning with their deliverance from Egypt on down to the reign of David. All three psalms when grouped together call the righteous to know the history of God’s workings, believe it, and pass it on:

“Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.

He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
and that they should not be like their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
whose spirit was not faithful to God” (vv.5-8).

CONNECTIONS

1. Many shun history, believing that it is irrelevant. What evils in the world do you see rearing their ugly heads because so many seemed to have forgotten the history of those evils?

2. Some attribute the following prayer to Thomas Jefferson, while some say that is from the Book of Common Prayer. Whoever prayed it, do you believe that as a nation we forgotten it? “Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”