Monday, January 17, Psalm 67
- 1-2 – The Psalmist understood correctly that salvation wasn’t only for the Jews, but for everyone. Read Mark 16:15.
- 6 – The harvest here is a harvest of souls instead of crops. It reminds us of Jesus’ words, “Look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest.” John 4:34, 35
Tuesday, January 18, Psalm 68
- 5 – In June we celebrate Father’s Day. While we may no longer have an earthly father, through faith in Jesus we always have an everlasting heavenly Father. What a magnificent Father He is! As to His blessings in our life, read Luther’s explanation to the first article of the Creed. You can find it in your Catechism.
- 13 – The dove refers to Israel. “Sheathed with silver and gold” refers to the plunder from enemy nations that God gave Israel.
- 17-18 – The chariots of God refer to God’s mighty, holy angels. Read also II Kings 6:17; Matt. 25:31 and Rev. 5:11. Whom did Jesus lead captive when He ascended into heaven? This is a reference to His conquest of the Kingdom of Hell. Cf. Eph. 4:7-13 and Col. 2:15. In heaven, Jesus reigns supreme over everyone Eph. 1:20-23
Wednesday, January 19, Psalm 69
- 19-21 – These verses are Messianic. They look ahead to Jesus’ bitter suffering and death on Calvary’s cross. Read Matt. 26:56 and Matt. 27: 34, 48
- 25-28 – While Jesus on the cross prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” let us not forget His words in Mark 16:16 and Peter’s words in Acts 1:20. While God wants all men to be saved, all who reject Jesus on
Judgment Day in answer to David’s prayer (v. 28) will be blotted out of the Book of Life. Rev. 20:15, Matt. 25:41-46.
Thursday, January 20, Psalms 70-71
Ps. 70:5 – Can we count on God’s help when we really need it? We have God’s Word for that and God doesn’t lie! Think of Ps. 50:15 and Jesus’ unfailing promise, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.” (John 16:23, 24)
Ps. 71:6 – While the abortionists think little of what’s in the womb, not only does God bring us out of the womb, He created us in it. To prove that, read Ps. 139:13, 14 and Jer. 1:5.
Ps. 71:17-21 – A beautiful prayer for an elderly person. The Christian is God’s own from birth (v. 6) until death. Because Jesus Christ is our Redeemer (v. 23) and the Resurrection and the Life, He will give us everlasting life. (I Cor. 15:21, 22)
Friday, January 21, Psalm 72
- 17 – While all nations weren’t blessed through Solomon, they were through Jesus. Solomon here is looking forward to the coming of Jesus. Jesus’ rule was from sea to sea (v. 8). His name endures forever (v. 17). Through His blood shed on the cross He saved us from death (v. 13) and gives us eternal life. Cf. II Timothy 1:10.
Saturday, January 22, Psalm 73
- 1-3, 12, 16, 17 – Why we need not envy the wicked and feel they have advantages over us is clearly brought out in vv. 16-19.
- 23-26 – Beautiful verses to underline, memorize and think about. The wicked may have much greater earthly prosperity than we have, but what really counts, the certainty of heaven, they don’t have. We do have that through faith in Jesus. Read John 3:16.