From this psalm to the end of the book of Psalms, each one is a psalm of praise to the Lord. This particular one has many of the same phrases that are in other psalms. This does not mean that they have necessarily been copied because the psalmist doesn’t know what to say, but there are times when the same words are appropriate at different times and in different settings. Often, when we pray or sing, the same words are used over and over again because they mean so much to us and/or are so important. The words of this psalm are personal at the beginning and then move on to suit the people of God in every generation, and conclude in a prophetic setting after the tribulation. The last few verses let us take a look into the millennium.
It is the Lord who gives success to His people in situations that are too great for them. Praise to the Lord at the beginning of this psalm is from a triumphant soldier who knows it was the Lord who gave him victory in times of war. His praise is to the Lord in whom he trusts personally as his rock, his fortress, his refuge, his deliverer, and his shield. The only motivation for all of these provisions is the lovingkindness of God. Wise is the person who acknowledges the Lord as the Source of our past blessings and present deliverance from evil. The greatness of God is contrasted with the weakness of men. We are insignificant in ourselves. Our lives are no more than a breath or a shadow unless we are found in Christ.
The Lord reaches out in grace and rescues frail, fallen mortal man from his latent nothingness, and makes us new creations in Christ who are accepted in the Beloved. What a rescue!
In the psalmist’s prayer for the Lord to “bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down…,” he is requesting the Lord’s intervention in his struggle with enemies who were making false charges against him, and breaking treaties they had already made with him. To pray a similar prayer regarding God's intervention in the stalemates that often affect the work of the Gospel seems appropriate. How often, when a soul draws near to the kingdom of God, but is hindered in some way, or an outreach into a new place seems to be called for, if we pray for divine intervention, God draws near and works in grace and salvation.
When God steps in and rescues a believer from what has brought him trouble and stress, we give thanks and praise in a new way, with words from our hearts that are appropriate to the victory we know is coming. Prayer and praise go together.
The peace the Lord gives today is in the hearts of those who know and love Him. There will be no world peace until the tribulation is passed and the Lord Jesus Christ reigns as the Prince of Peace. “What is man?” He has very little value without God. Without God, life is purposeless and meaningless. Man is never satisfied nor really happy without fellowship with God. There is a big empty space in a human personality that can only be filled with God. Vanity and emptiness are common to most people who live for fame, fortune, and pleasure. “A round world does not fill a three-cornered heart.” When God intervenes in human history as the Mighty Conqueror, the King of kings and Lord of lords, everything will change. A new song will be sung all over the world, not just by those who love the Lord now and live a “kingdom” life and lifestyle now.
The crowning blessing of a nation is happy people. Peace and prosperity will someday come to those who live for the future and in the future. An idealized family is described as living for the Lord and following a life of faith. Family life will be a blessing that is full of vitality, health, and vigor. The sons will be full of vigor and will be spiritually fruitful. Daughters will have beauty inwardly and outwardly. People will be trustworthy. Crops will not fail, and the earth will yield its abundance. Animals will be healthy and useful and will reproduce easily and be able to bear heavy loads.
The nations will be at peace, and there will be God-given happiness to those who are in the kingdom of God. Life is short, so life that is lived for the Lord is important. Purposeful goals have lasting value. A life that is worthwhile and meaningful with real, reachable objectives can be really good. It is up to those who are older to pass on to young people the kind of hope and faith that shapes life in the right way. Far too many young people are jaded, discontented, unhappy, and angry with life the way it is. They had hoped for something to make them feel fulfilled. Those of us who are believers in Christ know that He is the only One who can meet their longings and expectations. We have, and do experience, the happiness that so many are looking for. Let us tell our friends and families why we are happy and how they can be happy too.