REFLECTION ON THE PSALMS

PSALM 57

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be above all the earth

(Ps. 57:11).

As we have walked with John Calvin through the book of Psalms during the past year, we have studied many testimonies of God’s faithfulness, power, and love. Our journey has not been an investigation into a list of commands, but an examination of the experiences and thoughts of God’s prophets. David and others told us with candor of their doubts in the midst of affliction, their fears in the face the enemy, their humility in the presence of the power of God, their penitence in the realization of their sin, their joy in the blessings of the Lord, their submission in the execution of God’s judgments, their hope in the midst of suffering, and their expectation of eternal life based upon the promises of God.

The Psalms draw all of us into an examination of ourselves, so that our struggles and our sins might be revealed. “It is by perusing these inspired compositions, that men will be most effectually awakened to a sense of their maladies and, at the same time, instructed in seeking remedies for their cure. In a word, whatever may serve to encourage us when we are about to pray to God, is taught us in this book,” Calvin wrote. Whether doubt, guilt, sin, or fear stifles our prayers, the Psalms teach us to persevere in faith, to lift our thoughts to God, to refrain from dwelling on ourselves, and to find peace with Him who is able to give us strength.

Calvin tells us that this book, like no other, instructs us to go to God with freedom and liberality, to express all our concerns—even those that we would be ashamed to confess before men. When you understand the goodness of God and His omnipotent power to save to the uttermost, your faith will be strengthened and confidence will be infused into your prayers and your life.

From the inspired words in this precious book, we have learned that happiness only comes to those who rest solely in the Lord. The Psalms have also taught us that true peace comes only through the remission of sins and reconciliation with God. Every passage resounds with man’s need of Christ and of God’s willingness to forgive. Go, then, in the manner of the psalmists and humble yourself before God, repent of your sins, trust in Him, find peace in Christ, cast your cares on Him, and give Him the glory.

CORAM DEO

Zechariah 12–14

Revelation 21

WEEKEND

Malachi

Revelation 22

Over the weekend take some time for reflection over the past year and some consideration toward the next. Examine your spiritual disciplines, your sins, your involvement in church, and your relationships. Confess any sin to the Lord. Be specific. Ask God to give you the grace to improve those areas that conscience brings to mind.

For further study: Peruse the hook of Psalms