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“Summaries, Proverbs 31, Psalms 82-85”
Categories: Bulletin Articles
Proverbs 31 contains the wisdom of King Lemuel’s mother. She addresses two main topics. The first concerns the dangers of drinking alcohol. She warns him that alcohol isn’t for kings. It will destroy him and lead him to forget justice. If he wants to defend the rights of the poor and needy, he needs to abstain.
The rest of the chapter concerns the worthy woman. She is a trustworthy wife to her husband, works hard in providing for her household, cares for the needy and the members of her own family, and earns their praise.
Psalm 82 is addressed to the judges of the earth (called “gods” in 82:1 and 82:6 because they exercise the authority of God). It warns them that as they sit in judgment on others, God sits in judgment on them. He calls them to account for their failure to judge in favor of the weak and vulnerable. Because they have not judged wisely, God will strike them down, and they will die as other men do. The psalm concludes with an appeal to God to exercise this judgment.
Psalm 83 asks God for His help in battle. Many of the nations around Israel, from the Philistines to the Assyrians, have joined together and conspired against her. The psalmist appeals to God to defeat this alliance as He defeated the Midianites in the time of Gideon. He asks God to make them as impermanent as chaff and fire, so that they will be defeated and forced to acknowledge Him.
Psalm 84 is an expression of delight in God’s temple. The psalmist longs to be in the temple, and he compares being in the temple to a bird being in its nest. He belongs there, and he envies those who are always there. Similarly, the most blessed people are those who know how to travel to Zion, where the temple is. God will protect them.
Finally, the psalmist asks God to hear his prayers. Because of God’s presence and attention, a day in the temple is better than a thousand elsewhere, and dwelling in the temple is better than dwelling with the wicked. God will surely bless those who seek Him.
Psalm 85 is an appeal to God to restore His favor. It begins by pointing out His past kindness in bringing Israel back from captivity. Now, the psalmist asks God not to remain angry forever, but to show similar kindness to His people in their current trouble.
The psalmist then expresses his determination to wait for what God will do. He is confident that God will bring peace and bless the land. All sorts of virtues will come together there, the land will prosper, and God will dwell there.
