5How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;
7for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.
- P128
9Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. - P129
13Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise - P129
The psalmist laments over Jerusalem‘s destruction. He mourns the desecration of the temple, the slaughter of God‘s people, and their disgrace amongthe nations. - P129
He pleads for God‘s mercy, asking Him to avenge His people anddeliver them, so that God‘s people will praise Him forever, from $generationto generation. - P129
In this lament, the psalmist mourns what has happened to his nation. He is aware that the people are fully culpable. Their sins have brought about judgment and destruction. - P130
The people beg for relief while acknowledging that they have been unfaithful in the past and deserve God’s anger and judgment. When we realize that our sin has led to the pain we are experiencing, we can wallow in our sorrows or we can allow our pain to lead us to much-needed repentance. - P130
We repent in humility and gratefulness knowing that, because of Jesus, God’s wrath has already been fully satisfied on the cross. - P130
Rather than allowing the consequences of sin to persist in our lives, we have the opportunity to grow ever closer to God in our character and in our actions. - P130
After seeking forgiveness, the psalmist continues by asking God to demonstrate that He is the avenger of His servants who have been condemnedto die. - P130
The people identify themselves as God‘s sheep, using the imageryof the shepherd to ask for His protection and care, and they promise thatgenerations will praise Him forever. - P130
When others have committed wrongsagainst us, we can be tempted to seek revenge. However, this passage servesas a reminder that the God of justice cares about His people. - P130
We can lookto Him to deliver us from our troubles and to judge those who oppress us,We can offer praise to Him, giving Him the glory that He richly deservesfor His deliverance and protection.
- P130
Dear God, thank you that I do not suffer the wrath I deserve because of the grace poured out through Your Son, Jesus Christ. . - P131
I give You all the praise and glory in gratefulness for Your deliverance and protection. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen - P131
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