Overview: (BKC) By tracing some aspects of the history of Israel (from Abraham to the wilderness wanderings)—as the Lord moved His people miraculously in fulfillment of His covenant promises—the psalmist praised the greatness of the Lord’s love for His own.
Structure: (Kel-Ps)
I. The psalmist praises the LORD for his greatness and love to Israel as he remembered the promise of the land (1–11).
II. The psalmist traces the history of the ancestors from the sojourn in Canaan to the bondage in Egypt (12–23).
II. The psalmist traces the history of the ancestors from the sojourn in Canaan to the bondage in Egypt (12–23).
A. The LORD protected the patriarchs when they were sojourning in other lands (12–15).B. The LORD sovereignly brought Joseph to Egypt so that at the time of the famine the family could move to Egypt (16–23).
Reflection:
From v.1-2, the psalmist called us to give praise to God and sing to Him, but at the same time sing to all the nations about Him. Our personal relationship with God should also be a witness. The content of our praise should have a context, which is His deeds and name v.2-3 so that when people hear they could rejoice and seek the Lord v.3-4.
When was the last time we praised God in front of other seekers?
The psalmist praised God based on the whole history of his nation. He covered the very beginning of their history with Abraham v.6,12 and he covered the very details of how Joseph was imprisoned with the shackles on his feet and hte iron collar on his neck v.18. As the end of 2021 approaches, let us take time to reflect on what God has done to us.
The psalmist noted that their country started with the promise God gave to Abraham v.6-15. If God did not protect them they would not have existed. Do you share the psalmist's feelings?
Starting from v.7-44, God is in active control of everything, especially, in the history of Joseph all the way to the exodus from Egypt. "He called down a famine...He sent a man ahead of them..." The purpose is seen in v.45,
"so that they might keep his commands
and obey his laws. Praise the LORD!"
God controls the famine v.16, the brothers who sent Joseph away v.17, the timing of when Joseph's ability of prediction would get noticed v.19, the king who put Joseph in charge v.21, etc.
When we see God's hands in our lives do we fear God and obey Him?
Audrey
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