05/29/2025 – Day 333 – Psalm 137 – 139
Verse commentary is from “The Apologetics Study Bible”:
Psalm 137 – “Lament of Exiles”
“137: 7-9. The language of these verses jars the sensitivities of the modern reader, especially one who has never seen war. The captives of Israel had suffered such grief at the cruelty of the Babylonians (see Habbakuk 1: 6-11) that they called on God to visit the wicked with divine judgment in the only way that they would understand – to inflict upon them the horrors that they had inflicted on the Israelites. This God had said He would do (Habbakuk 2: 6-20), so they were simply praying for His word to be fulfilled. The severity of the expression brings to mind the complete annihilation of the pagan enemies that was commanded for the Israelites’ occupation of Canaan. There are people in today’s world – not Christians – who hold this same view regarding ‘infidels,’ but the NT gives the Christian a different way of praying for enemies. But the NT also declares that God will avenge His people when He judges the world.”
Take a look at Jonathan Gill’s commentary for verse 9:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/psalms-137-9.html
Psalm 138 – “A Thankful Heart”
What a sublime adoration prayer! Here is a verse that jumped out at me. What is the count of calling for “humble” hearts in His Word? God forbid I would not take notice!:
“Though the Lord is exalted, He takes note of the humble but He knows the haughty from afar.” Psalm 138:6
Psalm 139 – “The All Knowing, Ever-Present God”
“You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.” (Psalm 139: 5-6)
“David felt trapped by this knowledge: God placed His hand (kph, the palm) on him, so to speak, and so besieged him with ‘extraordinary knowledge’ beyond his reach.”
Jimmy comment: It is a good thing I will have eternity to fully comprehend the Lord, for that is how long it will take me! For anyone that thinks they can fully comprehend God, I submit their god is way too small, infinitely so!
“139:16 The verse declares that, even in the womb, the child was being formed under the supervision and by the active involvement of God who already had planned the course of his life. This statement has much to say about how people must give human life in the the womb the same loving care about God — whose Spirit gives life (2 Colossians 3:3) — bestows upon it. The passage is poetry, but is still revealed truth. The passage also stresses the sovereignty of God more than any other psalm; people are not the masters of their destiny, but are in the hand of the Lord.”
“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Jimmy comment: So, when does life begin. Is it not before conception? Or, are you telling me we should take man’s perspective instead…
“139: 21-22 – David affirmed his complete loyalty to the Lord and His cause. The psalmist’s ‘hate’ was not a violent, self-centered attitude; i9t referred to the complete rejection and detestation of the ways of those who disregard God. The psalmist could not be loyal to God and still associate with His enemies.”
Soli Deo Gloria!