With this psalm we move into book 3 of the Psalms (73-89).
The psalmist, who has just experienced the devastation of the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 BC, asks God to consider Israel's sufferings and intervene on behalf of his people. Remember the book of Lamentations and Psalm 137. He describes the ruined temple, recalls God's mighty deeds in the past, begs for mercy, and calls for judgment upon God's enemies. (NET)
There are two primary causes for this lament: the Temple (and the external worship of God) has been destroyed and there are no prophets present to communicate God's Word. Could the situation be any worse?
1) Is God really concerned?—1-3 a) He asks emotional, agonizing questions b) He confidently presents faith-grounded requests c) The psalmist depends on God's unique relationship with the nation of Israel.
2) He describes the appearance of his PRESENT crisis—4-11 a) He describes Babylon's heavy-handed pillaging b) He is unsettled by God's apparent silence c) He makes statements of faith in the form of questions
3) He recalls the reality of God's PAST works during the Exodus—12-17 a) He trusts God despite all evidence to the contrary • This is the turning point of the entire psalm. b) God's work concerning the Red Sea c) God's work concerning sources of water d) God's work concerning time e) God's work concerning boundaries
4) His hope for the reality of God's FUTURE work—18-23 a) He describes Babylon's "not-my-God" attitude b) He asks God to tenderly protect them c) He longs for God to be praised d) He asks God to judge Babylon for their attitude e) The answer to these prayers is explained in the next psalm (75).
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By God's amazing grace alone, Phil was drawn to salvation in Jesus Christ as a college freshman. He began his pastoral ministry as an assistant pastor (working specifically with youth and music) in 1983 while in seminary. He became the senior pastor here at Calvary in December...
