Psalm 90

Living Wisely in the Time We’re Given

Psalm 90 is the oldest psalm in the Bible. It’s a prayer written by Moses, who spent forty years leading a stubborn people through the wilderness. He starts with the truth that holds everything else steady: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations… from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (vv. 1–2).

God has no beginning and no end, but we do. Moses compares us to grass that flourishes in the morning and withers by evening. He says it plainly: “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (v. 10). That’s a sobering thought, but it isn’t meant to depress us. It’s meant to wake us up.

That’s why the heart of the psalm is this prayer: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (v. 12). Numbering our days doesn’t mean being obsessed with death. It means seeing every day as a gift. When the clock is ticking, we can’t afford to drift.

Moses is also honest about sin, but he doesn’t stop at judgment. He turns to God’s mercy: “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (v. 14). We can’t earn God’s favor, but we can ask for it. When our joy comes from His love, it doesn’t rise and fall with how things are going.

The psalm ends with a request worth praying every day: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (v. 17).

Our lives are short, and we can’t add a single day to them. But when we offer them to the eternal God, He can make them count, for us and for the generations that follow.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.

Psalm 89

Psalm 89 is about one of the most important truths in Scripture: God is faithful.

Ethan begins with confidence: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89:1, ESV)

Two words appear again and again in this Psalm: steadfast love and faithfulness.

That is who God is. His faithfulness isn’t based on circumstances. It doesn’t change when life becomes difficult. God doesn’t make promises and then forget about them.

The writer looks at creation as evidence of God’s power. “The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.” (Psalm 89:11, ESV)

God created everything. Nothing is outside His authority. Nothing catches Him by surprise.

The Psalm then turns to God’s covenant with David. God had promised that David’s line would continue and his throne would be established.

God said: “My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him.” (Psalm 89:28, ESV)

But God also made it clear that disobedience mattered. If David’s descendants rejected God’s commands, there would be consequences. God’s love didn’t eliminate discipline. That’s an important truth.

God’s faithfulness doesn’t mean He ignores sin. A loving father disciplines his children because their choices matter. God can be completely faithful to His promises while correcting disobedience.

Then Psalm 89 takes a dramatic turn. What Ethan sees happening doesn’t seem to match what God promised. David’s kingdom appears broken. The crown has been brought down. The walls have been destroyed. Enemies are celebrating.

So Ethan asks the question many people eventually ask: God, what happened? “How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever?” (Psalm 89:46, ESV)

There is tension between what Ethan knows about God and what he sees happening around him. That’s where faith gets tested. It is easy to trust God when circumstances make sense. Faith becomes much harder when God’s promises and present reality seem miles apart.

Psalm 89 doesn’t provide Ethan with a quick explanation. Instead, it leaves the reader holding onto what was established at the beginning.

God is faithful. God’s character is greater than current circumstances. And God’s promises are bigger than what can be seen today.

The story also wasn’t finished.

God’s promise to David ultimately pointed beyond an earthly king to Jesus Christ. What may have looked like a broken promise was actually part of God’s much larger plan. That’s often the problem with human perspective. Only one page can be seen while God knows the entire story.

Psalm 89 teaches an important lesson for difficult seasons.

• Remember who God is.
• Remember what God has done.
• Remember what God has promised.
• Ask the hard questions.

But don’t allow temporary circumstances to redefine God’s eternal character. Life won’t always make sense. God will always be faithful. “Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.” (Psalm 89:52, ESV)

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.

Psalm 88

Psalm 88 is one of the darkest chapters in the Bible. Most Psalms of lament eventually turn toward hope. The writer describes the problem, cries out to God, and then remembers God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 88 is different. The darkness never really lifts.

Heman begins with these words: “O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.” (Psalm 88:1, ESV)

That first sentence is important. Heman is hurting deeply, but he still calls God “the God of my salvation.”

• He hasn’t stopped believing.
• He hasn’t stopped praying.
• He hasn’t stopped coming to God.

But he is struggling. Heman describes himself as being near death. He feels forgotten, overwhelmed and alone. He even believes God is responsible for some of what he is experiencing: “You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.” (Psalm 88:6, ESV)

Those are difficult words. But God allowed them to become part of Scripture. That should tell us something important about prayer. God doesn’t require people to pretend everything is fine when it isn’t.

Prayer can be honest. There are times when life hurts. There are seasons when God’s plan makes no sense. There may even be times when God seems far away and prayers appear unanswered.

Psalm 88 gives permission to bring those feelings directly to God.

Heman does exactly that: “Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you.” (Psalm 88:9, ESV)

Notice what he does not do.

• He doesn’t walk away.
• He keeps praying.

That may be the greatest lesson in the chapter. Faith isn’t always standing on a mountaintop praising God for a victory. Sometimes faith is getting up tomorrow and praying again when nothing has changed.

Heman asks God hard questions: “Why, O LORD, do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 88:14, ESV)

God can handle hard questions. Questions aren’t necessarily a lack of faith. Sometimes asking God “why?” is evidence that someone still believes God is there and is still listening.

The Psalm ends in a surprising way: “You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.” (Psalm 88:18, ESV)

That’s it.

• No sudden rescue.
• No happy ending.
• No explanation.
• Just darkness.

Sometimes life has chapters like that. But there is one fact that shouldn’t be missed. Heman wrote the Psalm to God. Even in the darkness, he kept talking to Him.

Psalm 88 teaches that faith doesn’t require having all the answers. It doesn’t require pretending pain isn’t real. And it doesn’t mean every problem gets resolved quickly. Faith keeps turning toward God.

• Keep praying when God seems silent.
• Keep trusting when the answer hasn’t come.
• Keep showing up when feelings say it doesn’t matter.

Darkness may describe the circumstances. It doesn’t have to determine the direction. When nothing else makes sense, keep turning toward God.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.

Psalm 87

Psalm 87 is short, but it contains a powerful picture of God’s plan for His people. The sons of Korah write about Zion, the city of God, and the special place it has in His heart.

The Psalm begins: “On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.” (Psalm 87:1-2, ESV)

Jerusalem was important because God chose it as the place where His presence would dwell among His people. But Psalm 87 quickly becomes about something much bigger than a city.

It becomes about people. “Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.” (Psalm 87:3, ESV)

What makes Zion glorious?

The surprising answer is who God says will belong there.

The Psalm names Rahab, which refers to Egypt, along with Babylon, Philistia, Tyre and Cush. These were foreign nations. Some had been enemies of Israel. They weren’t the people anyone would expect to be listed as citizens of God’s city.

Yet God says of them: “This one was born there.” (Psalm 87:4, ESV)

That’s an amazing statement. God’s plan was always bigger than one nation.

Throughout Scripture, God makes clear that His desire is for people from every nation to know Him. Israel had a special place in God’s plan, but God’s blessing was never intended to stop with Israel. It was intended to reach the nations.

Psalm 87 gives an early picture of that truth.

God isn’t impressed by where someone was born, what family they came from, how much money they have, or what position they hold. Human beings tend to create categories. God looks at whether a person belongs to Him.

Verse 6 says: “The LORD records as he registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there.’” (Psalm 87:6, ESV)

God keeps the record. That matters.

People spend a lot of energy building an identity around things that won’t last. Careers end. Titles disappear. Possessions get passed to someone else. Human recognition is quickly forgotten.

The most important question isn’t whether a name is known on earth. It is whether that name is known by God.

Psalm 87 points forward to the larger story of Scripture. Through Jesus Christ, the invitation into God’s family extends to every tribe, tongue and nation. People who once were outsiders can become part of God’s household.

That’s grace.

The Psalm ends with celebration: “Singers and dancers alike say, ‘All my springs are in you.’” (Psalm 87:7, ESV)

The picture is one of joy because God is the source of life. Everything ultimately flows from Him.

Psalm 87 challenges the tendency to make faith too small. God’s plan isn’t limited to one church, one community, one country or one kind of person.

God is building a family. And His family will include people nobody expected.

• That should change how God’s people look at others.
• There are no people beyond God’s reach.
• There are no nations outside His concern.
• There are no outsiders that His grace cannot bring home.
• God keeps the record.
• God opens the door.
• God provides the life.

And belonging to Him is the identity that matters for eternity.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

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Psalm 86

Psalm 86 is a prayer of David. He is in trouble and needs God to act. But this Psalm is about much more than getting help during a difficult time. David shows what it looks like to depend completely on God.

He begins: “Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” (Psalm 86:1, ESV)

David was a king, but he understood something important. Position, power and possessions didn’t remove his need for God.

That’s humility. The world teaches self-sufficiency. Figure it out. Work harder. Take control. David takes a different approach. He admits that he needs God.

And he keeps asking. “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.” (Psalm 86:3, ESV)

David isn’t treating prayer as a last resort. He knows where his help comes from.

Why does David have that confidence? Because he knows God’s character. “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” (Psalm 86:5, ESV)

David’s confidence isn’t based on the size of his faith. It is based on the character of his God. That’s an important difference.

David then makes one of the most powerful requests in the chapter: “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11, ESV)

David doesn’t merely ask God to fix his circumstances. He asks God to change him.

• Teach me.
• Help me walk in truth.
• Give me an undivided heart.

That last request deserves attention. A divided heart wants God and something else. It trusts God but also wants control. It wants obedience but also wants its own way. It wants God’s direction until that direction becomes inconvenient.

David asks God to unite his heart around one purpose—honoring Him. That is a prayer worth praying.

David also understands that worship should involve everything: “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” (Psalm 86:12, ESV)

Wholehearted faith leaves little room for part-time obedience.

David’s problems haven’t disappeared. Arrogant and violent men are still after him. Yet he keeps his focus on who God is. “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15, ESV)

Circumstances change. God’s character doesn’t.

Psalm 86 provides a good pattern for prayer. Admit the need. Call on God. Remember who He is. Ask for His direction. Then ask Him to change the heart, not merely the situation.

It is easy to pray, “God, change this.”

Psalm 86 points toward a deeper prayer:

• God, teach the way.
• God, make obedience real.
• God, unite the heart.

The greatest answer to prayer may not be God changing what is happening around someone. It may be God changing what is happening within them.

An undivided heart is fully available to God.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.

Psalm 85

Psalm 85 is a prayer for restoration. The sons of Korah look back at what God has done, recognize the condition of God’s people today, and ask Him to do it again.

The Psalm begins by remembering God’s faithfulness: “LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin.” (Psalm 85:1-2, ESV)

God had restored His people before. He had forgiven their sin and turned away His anger.

Remembering what God has done matters. When things aren’t going well, it is easy to focus only on today’s problems. But God’s past faithfulness gives confidence for today’s challenges. The God who worked yesterday is still God today.

The writer then asks: “Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!” (Psalm 85:4, ESV)

Notice where restoration begins. The writer doesn’t blame the surrounding nations. He doesn’t point fingers at other people. He asks God to restore us.

Revival always needs to begin close to home.

It is easy to see what is wrong with the world. It is much harder to look in the mirror and ask God what needs to change within us.

The heart of the chapter comes in verse 6: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6, ESV)

Revival isn’t about creating excitement. It isn’t about having better programs or bigger crowds. Revival is God bringing His people back to spiritual life and restoring their joy in Him.

But there is another important part. “Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” (Psalm 85:8, ESV)

God’s people need to listen. And then they need to obey.

There is little value in asking God for restoration while continuing to make the same foolish choices. Repentance means turning around. It means changing direction.

God speaks peace, but His people must not return to the sin that created the problem.

The Psalm then gives a beautiful picture of what happens when God restores His people: “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” (Psalm 85:10, ESV)

God doesn’t compromise righteousness to provide peace. His love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace work together perfectly.

The chapter ends with confidence: “Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.” (Psalm 85:12, ESV)

Psalm 85 gives a simple pattern for renewal.

• Remember what God has done.
• Recognize where things have gone wrong.
• Ask God to restore.
• Listen to what He says.
• Don’t return to foolishness.
• Then walk in obedience.

It is easy to pray for God to change the world. Psalm 85 challenges God’s people to begin with a different prayer: God, revive us again.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.

Psalm 84

Psalm 84 is a beautiful picture of someone who wants to be close to God. The writer isn’t simply interested in knowing about God. He longs to be in God’s presence.

He begins: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” (Psalm 84:1-2, ESV)

Those are strong words. His soul longs and even faints to be near God.

That raises an important question. How much do we really want God?

It is easy to want what God can provide. We want His protection. We want His blessing. We want Him to answer prayer and solve problems. But the writer of Psalm 84 wants something more.

He wants God Himself. He even notices the birds living near God’s altar and seems almost jealous of them. They have made their home near the place where God is worshiped.

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!” (Psalm 84:4, ESV)

But life isn’t always spent on the mountaintop. There is a journey involved.

The writer talks about passing through the Valley of Baca, which pictures a dry and difficult place. Yet those whose strength comes from God don’t stay stuck there.

“They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm 84:7, ESV)

Notice that it doesn’t say life will be easy.

Following God doesn’t mean there won’t be valleys. There will be hard days, disappointment, loss, uncertainty and challenges. The difference is where strength comes from while walking through them.

God doesn’t always remove the valley. Sometimes He provides the strength to walk through it.

Then comes one of the best-known verses in this Psalm: “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.” (Psalm 84:10, ESV)

Think about that. One day with God is better than a thousand days anywhere else.

The world offers plenty of alternatives. Money. Success. Recognition. Comfort. Possessions. Experiences. None of those things are necessarily wrong. But none of them can replace God.

The writer goes even further: “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalm 84:10, ESV)

He would rather have the lowest position near God than the best position away from Him.

That’s perspective.

Psalm 84 ends by reminding us why God can be trusted: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11, ESV)

God provides. God protects. God leads. God knows what is truly good.

The chapter closes with a simple truth: “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” (Psalm 84:12, ESV)

That’s the choice.

• Not simply knowing about God.
• Not merely asking God for things.
• But wanting Him, walking with Him and trusting Him.
• There is no better place to be.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.

Psalm 83

Psalm 83 begins with a prayer that probably feels familiar to anyone who has waited for God to act.

“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!” (Psalm 83:1, ESV)

Asaph looks around and sees enemies everywhere. God’s people are surrounded by nations that want to destroy them. The situation is serious. Yet God seems silent.

That can be a difficult place to live.

It is one thing to face a problem when God seems to be moving. It is another thing when the enemy appears active and God appears quiet.

But God’s silence does not mean God’s absence.

Asaph describes the enemy’s plan: “They say, ‘Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!’” (Psalm 83:4, ESV)

These weren’t minor disagreements. Israel’s enemies wanted them gone. They had joined together with one purpose—to destroy God’s people.

Asaph does something important. He doesn’t panic. He doesn’t develop his own plan for revenge. He takes the problem to God.

Then he remembers. He recalls how God defeated Israel’s enemies in the past. Gideon defeated Midian. Sisera and Jabin were destroyed. God had already demonstrated that He was able to protect His people.

Remembering God’s past faithfulness is one of the best ways to deal with today’s fear. God has a track record. The circumstances may change, but God doesn’t.

Asaph asks God to act powerfully:“O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.” (Psalm 83:13, ESV)

Those are strong words. Asaph wants God to defeat the enemies surrounding Israel. But notice something deeper about his prayer. His ultimate desire isn’t simply their destruction. He wants them to recognize God.

“Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.” (Psalm 83:16, ESV)

That changes the focus. The goal isn’t merely winning. The goal is that people know who God is.

Psalm 83 ends there: “that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18, ESV)

That’s the real point of the chapter. God alone is God. Enemies aren’t in control. Governments aren’t in control. Circumstances aren’t in control. And despite how things may appear, God’s silence doesn’t mean He has surrendered His authority.

There will be times when it seems like everything is moving in the wrong direction. Opposition may grow. Problems may pile up. God may even seem quiet.

Psalm 83 gives a simple response.

• Pray.
• Remember what God has done.
• Trust who God is.
• And recognize that the ultimate goal is bigger than getting through the problem. It is that God’s name would be known.
• God doesn’t need help being God.

He asks His people to trust Him while He is.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.

Psalm 82

Psalm 82 is a short chapter with a very big message: God cares about justice, and He holds those with authority accountable for how they use it.

Asaph opens with God standing as Judge. The picture is clear. Those who normally sit in judgment are now standing before the ultimate Judge.

God asks: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” (Psalm 82:2, ESV)

Leadership is a stewardship. Whether someone leads a nation, a company, a church, a family, or a small team, authority isn’t something they own. It has been entrusted to them. And God cares about how it is used.

The problem in Psalm 82 isn’t simply that these leaders made some bad decisions. They were using their positions wrongly. They showed favoritism to the wicked while ignoring people who needed their protection.

God tells them exactly what He expects: “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4, ESV)

That is pretty direct.

God has a special concern for people who cannot protect themselves. Throughout Scripture, He repeatedly points toward the poor, widows, orphans, strangers, and others who are easily overlooked or mistreated.

That means leadership isn’t primarily about privilege. It is about responsibility.

One measure of leadership is what happens to the people with the least power when that leadership is exercised. Are they protected? Are they treated fairly? Does someone speak up when they cannot speak for themselves?

Asaph says these unjust leaders “walk about in darkness.” (Psalm 82:5, ESV)

That’s what happens when leaders lose their moral compass. Bad leadership doesn’t remain contained to the leader. Families suffer. Organizations suffer. Communities suffer. Asaph says, “all the foundations of the earth are shaken.”

Leadership matters because leadership impacts others.

But Psalm 82 also reminds those in authority of something easy to forget: human power is temporary.

Titles disappear. Positions end. Influence fades. Every earthly leader will eventually answer to God.

“Nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” (Psalm 82:7, ESV)

Nobody outranks God.

The Psalm ends with Asaph asking God to do what human leaders have failed to do: “Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!” (Psalm 82:8, ESV)

There is both warning and comfort in those words.

The warning is for anyone entrusted with influence: use it God’s way.

The comfort is for anyone who has experienced injustice: God sees it. Human leaders may fail, but the ultimate Judge will not.

Psalm 82 leaves a question worth considering:

How is the influence God has entrusted being used to serve and protect others?

• Authority is temporary.
• Accountability is certain.
• Use influence well.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.

Psalm 81

Psalm 81 is a song that starts with joy and ends with a serious warning. It shows a pattern that shows up all through Scripture: God rescues His people, invites them to trust Him, and then calls them to listen and obey.

The psalm opens with a loud call to worship: “Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!” (Psalm 81:1, ESV). This is not quiet, private faith. It is public celebration. God’s people are told to use music and gather together because worship is meant to reset the heart. When life is heavy, praise helps pull the eyes back to who God is.

Then God reminds Israel why they should praise Him. He points back to the Exodus, when He freed them from slavery: “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket” (Psalm 81:6). God rescued them when they cried out: “In distress you called, and I delivered you” (Psalm 81:7). This is a key lesson: faith grows when people remember. Forgetting God’s past help often leads to fear, complaining, and chasing other “solutions.” Remembering builds confidence for today.

After the celebration comes the main message: listen. God says, “Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me!” (Psalm 81:8). He warns them not to mix God with idols: “There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god” (Psalm 81:9). Idols are not only statues. They can be anything that takes God’s place—money, success, control, comfort, image, or approval.

One of the most hopeful lines in the psalm is God’s invitation: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10). God is not stingy. He is not asking people to obey just to restrict them. He is calling them to trust Him enough to ask, and then to receive what He provides. The problem is not God’s ability. The problem is often the stubborn human heart.

The warning is blunt: “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me” (Psalm 81:11). When people refuse to listen, God may let them walk in the consequences: “So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels” (Psalm 81:12). That is a sobering thought: sometimes the worst judgment is getting exactly what someone insists on.

The psalm ends with God’s desire to bless: “Oh, that my people would listen to me… I would soon subdue their enemies” (Psalm 81:13–14). His promise is provision and satisfaction: “I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you” (Psalm 81:16).

Takeaway: worship with joy, remember God’s rescue, listen quickly, and obey fully. Then tell the next generation the specific stories of God’s faithfulness—so they have a foundation to stand on.

Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

AI tools assisted in the creation of this blog post.