Today’s reading is Psalm 65.
It’s a week of thanksgiving for us. What better psalm to read than the one allotted. It begins “Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion.” We could equally read that “Thanksgiving is due to you” based on the remainder of the psalm. The psalm breaks down into three parts. Each one demonstrates a reason to praise and thank God.
In the first section (vss. 1-4), we meet God the Redeemer.
Why are praise and thanksgiving due to our God? Because when iniquities prevail against us, He provides atonement. David gives a picture of sins overwhelming him, drowning him. I know the feeling. Do you? God provides the remedy.
Don’t read vs. 4, through our modern lens. “The one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts” doesn’t refer to individual saints God chose to be forgiven or saved. Read this through the ancient lens of tabernacle/temple worship with priests and Levites as those who dwelt and ministered in the courts of the Lord. This is not a picture of individual salvation but of the communal worship at the tabernacle (later the temple). It is a picture of the place of atonement. Because God had chosen priests and servants to dwell in His house, God would dwell with His people. Certainly, this service was a fantastic blessing for those who were most involved, but the blessing rolled down Mt. Zion and covered the whole nation of those atoned for by the worship and sacrifice in His house.
When God revealed the Day of Atonement sacrifices in Leviticus 16, he explains they must be offered to make “atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the people and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanness” (Leviticus 16:16, ESV). Because God chose someone to come into his house and make atonement, God’s house was able to dwell in the midst of the people despite their overwhelming sins and uncleanness. Otherwise, He would be forced to destroy them in their sins.
Our God is a Redeemer. He redeemed Israel. He has redeems His church. Let us give Him praise and thanks. Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 65.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Psalm 65 admonish you?
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