From the pen of Dr. Sam Jones 

The Bible reading for today is Psalms 108-110. David, the writer of these psalms, shares three different thoughts. Allow me to give a brief summary of each chapter and with an application for you to consider in each.

In Psalm 108, David teaches us how to praise God. David is among the greats of the Old Testament who is qualified to instruct others on how to praise God appropriately. He states that those who praise God must do it out of a heart of steadfastness or a fixed heart. If they want God to be pleased with their worship, then it demands surrendering one’s life to God. Jesus, in Matthew 22:37, gives an answer to the lawyer’s question by explaining what it means to surrender self to God. Jesus’ answered the lawyer’s question by quoting from the Jewish confession of faith called the Shema. The Hebrew word shema means “hear.” Every person who desires to please God must “hear” that the Lord wants them to love Him “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This demands loving God completely; anything less can determine acceptance or rejection of our praise. Do your life and decisions reflect a fixed heart; a person fixed on pleasing God?

The exact time of the writing of Psalm 109 is not known. It’s not known whether David penned it during his persecution by Saul or when he was dealing with his rebellious son Absalom. David appeals to God not to be silent in the attacks from his enemies. The Psalmist pleads for judgment to rain down on all his enemies. The words of verses 14-16 seem extremely cruel and unkind, but David is calling for both a quick and severe judgment for his enemies. Today, Jesus demands that we treat our enemies differently. In Matthew 5:43-45, followers of Christ are demanded to love their enemies and to “do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Let’s imitate Jesus in the treatment of others even our enemies (cf. Rom. 12:20).

Psalm 110 is one of the Psalms which contains a prophecy related to Jesus Christ. In Matthew 22:43, Jesus identified David as the author of this psalm; Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, quotes this psalm in Acts 2:34-36. This psalm describes a discussion between Jehovah, the Father, and Jesus, His Son (v. 1). The discussion outlines four prophecies related to Christ. According to the Father, Jesus is to serve in the following positions: (1) He is to serve as Lord (v. 1); (2) He is to serve as a King (vv. 2-3); (3) He is to serve as an appointed Priest (v. 4); and (4) he is to one day sit on the right hand of Jehovah, as a Judge, as every person will be judged (vv.5-8). The Bible contains numerous prophecies related to Jesus Christ. Three of these four prophecies have been fulfilled. The day is coming when the fourth of these prophecies will be fulfilled. The question for you to consider today is, “Are you ready?” The Day of the Lord, as a Judge, is coming. When you stand before the throne of God, what will you hear Him say?