Lessons from Psalms #3: History

You can't read the Psalms without getting a real sense of history. From the account of creation in Genesis, to the story of God's dealings with the descendants of Jacob, leading them out of Egypt (as recorded in Exodus), even up to the exile of Israel to Babylon, all of these historical events inspire the psalmists to write songs of praise to God and to warn God's people to obey Him and remember all His deeds.

Psalms 77-81 feature elements of Exodus and Deuteronomy as they recount God's dealings with Israel to explain their current situation and provide hope for the future. Psalm 77 is a personal cry to God, remembering His promises and works:

'I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds' Ps 77:11-12

The Exodus from Egypt is one of the biggest, most significant events which the Psalmist remembers (see v15-20), as this was in many ways a definitive act of salvation in which God set apart Israel as a people for Himself. Continuing with this focus, Psalm 78 gives a long history of Israel, teaching lessons from it, to evoke praise and faithfulness in God's people in the present:

'so that the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.' Ps 78.6-7

The main lesson to be learnt from the history of Israel, it seems, is that we need to have real faith in God, a faith that is willing to trust Him and not constantly look for something better elsewhere. The psalmist's main judgement on Israel is that 'they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.' (Ps 78.22) They occasionally had moments of revelation and repentance, but often they paid God lip service whilst their hearts were not loyal to Him (v36-37). This is one of those times where Scripture just cuts right to the heart of the matter and exposes our so-called good intentions as merely playing at being good to try to get away with as much as possible. It doesn't work with God! He sees our every thought. And this is where the history in the Psalms is so valuable for us today as Christians. It's our history too. If we're honest, we have exactly the same tendencies as Israel did, to go along to church and sing all the songs, but then to desire the same things as everyone else. We may not do anything visibly wrong, but we're just kidding ourselves if we think God will be satisfied with anything less than our whole devotion, love and obedience.

Where is the hope in this sorry history then? Ps 78:68-72 talks about God choosing Judah, and raising up David to lead them. The hope has to be in God's persistent goodness, despite His people's disobedience and lacklustre faith. Psalms 79-80 lead us in crying out to God for restoration, healing and forgiveness:

'Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
Help us, God our Saviour,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.' Ps 79.8-9

Finally, Psalm 81 reiterates many of the key points of the Law from Exodus and Deuteronomy, to remind God's people that He has infinite grace and infinite resources to satisfy them. We don't need to look elsewhere!

'I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it...
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.’ Ps 81:10, 16