Description
This psalm is a picture of Jesus shining forth from Zion, as a mighty warrior at the second coming. Resurrected and raptured believers are summoned to give thanks and pray, and possibly to fight with Jesus in his upcoming battles.
Commentary
This psalm speaks prophetically of Jesus coming to Zion (Jerusalem) as the Mighty One at his second coming. His arrival is that of a conquering warrior king. As he comes, 'consuming fire goes ahead of him and all around him a storm rages' (v3). From there, he summons his covenant people, both from heaven above and from the earth. This is a picture of the resurrection of believers from heaven above, and of the rapture of living believers from the earth. Verse 4 tells us he summons them so that he may judge his people. His covenant people are those 'who ratified a covenant with him by sacrifice' (v5). This could include both Old Testament believers who ratified God's covenant by animal sacrifices, and also New Testament believers who have come into covenant relationship with God through Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
In verse 6 the heavens declare that God is fair in his judgement. Such declaration is made from heaven by both believers and angels in Revelation 15:3, 16:5 and 19:2.
In verses 7 to 15, his instruction to these believers is to sacrifice thank-offerings, in other words to be thankful to God. They are also to call on him in the day of trouble, which is a call to prayer. Verse 23 tells us that sacrificing thank-offerings honours him, and prepares the way so that God's salvation may be revealed. In verse 14, the believers are also called to fulfil their vows to the Most High. It isn't specified what this means, but one possibility is that he is calling them up as an army to participate with him in his coming battles.
At the point in time when the rapture happens, Jesus is preparing to defeat the Antichrist and his armies, while the seven bowls of God's wrath are released on the earth in accordance with Revelation 15 and 16. It is appropriate to call all believers to give thanks and pray. It is also possible that the armies of heaven that accompany Jesus at the Battle of Armageddon in Revelation 19:14 are comprised of resurrected and raptured believers, not angels. Isaiah 13:4 speaks of God mustering an army for war against Babylon, in a passage that seems to prophetically speak of the end-time battle against Mystery Babylon.
In verses 16 to 22, God accuses the wicked and warns them to consider their ways, lest they be ripped to shreds with no-one to rescue them (v22).
In verse 6 the heavens declare that God is fair in his judgement. Such declaration is made from heaven by both believers and angels in Revelation 15:3, 16:5 and 19:2.
In verses 7 to 15, his instruction to these believers is to sacrifice thank-offerings, in other words to be thankful to God. They are also to call on him in the day of trouble, which is a call to prayer. Verse 23 tells us that sacrificing thank-offerings honours him, and prepares the way so that God's salvation may be revealed. In verse 14, the believers are also called to fulfil their vows to the Most High. It isn't specified what this means, but one possibility is that he is calling them up as an army to participate with him in his coming battles.
At the point in time when the rapture happens, Jesus is preparing to defeat the Antichrist and his armies, while the seven bowls of God's wrath are released on the earth in accordance with Revelation 15 and 16. It is appropriate to call all believers to give thanks and pray. It is also possible that the armies of heaven that accompany Jesus at the Battle of Armageddon in Revelation 19:14 are comprised of resurrected and raptured believers, not angels. Isaiah 13:4 speaks of God mustering an army for war against Babylon, in a passage that seems to prophetically speak of the end-time battle against Mystery Babylon.
In verses 16 to 22, God accuses the wicked and warns them to consider their ways, lest they be ripped to shreds with no-one to rescue them (v22).
Tags
Places: Zion, Jerusalem
Symbols:
Tags: Jesus musters an army, Rapture, War and Rapture, Jesus uses fire, Weapons of Jesus
Symbols:
Tags: Jesus musters an army, Rapture, War and Rapture, Jesus uses fire, Weapons of Jesus
1 A psalm by Asaph. El, God, the Lord has spoken, and summoned the earth to come from the east and west.
2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places, God has come in splendor.
3 “May our God come and not be silent.” Consuming fire goes ahead of him and all around him a storm rages.
4 He summons the heavens above, as well as the earth, so that he might judge his people.
5 He says: “Assemble my covenant people before me, those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
6 The heavens declare his fairness, for God is judge. (Selah)
7 He says: “Listen my people! I am speaking! Listen Israel! I am accusing you! I am God, your God!
8 I am not condemning you because of your sacrifices, or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me.
9 I do not need to take a bull from your household or goats from your sheepfolds.
10 For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me, as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills.
11 I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.
12 Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belong to me.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Present to God a thank-offering! Repay your vows to the Most High!
15 Pray to me when you are in trouble! I will deliver you, and you will honor me!”
16 God says this to the evildoer: “How can you declare my commands, and talk about my covenant?
17 For you hate instruction and reject my words.
18 When you see a thief, you join him; you associate with men who are unfaithful to their wives.
19 You do damage with words, and use your tongue to deceive.
20 You plot against your brother; you slander your own brother.
21 When you did these things, I was silent, so you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will condemn you and state my case against you!
22 Carefully consider this, you who reject God! Otherwise I will rip you to shreds and no one will be able to rescue you.
23 Whoever presents a thank-offering honors me. To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”
2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places, God has come in splendor.
3 “May our God come and not be silent.” Consuming fire goes ahead of him and all around him a storm rages.
4 He summons the heavens above, as well as the earth, so that he might judge his people.
5 He says: “Assemble my covenant people before me, those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
6 The heavens declare his fairness, for God is judge. (Selah)
7 He says: “Listen my people! I am speaking! Listen Israel! I am accusing you! I am God, your God!
8 I am not condemning you because of your sacrifices, or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me.
9 I do not need to take a bull from your household or goats from your sheepfolds.
10 For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me, as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills.
11 I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.
12 Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belong to me.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Present to God a thank-offering! Repay your vows to the Most High!
15 Pray to me when you are in trouble! I will deliver you, and you will honor me!”
16 God says this to the evildoer: “How can you declare my commands, and talk about my covenant?
17 For you hate instruction and reject my words.
18 When you see a thief, you join him; you associate with men who are unfaithful to their wives.
19 You do damage with words, and use your tongue to deceive.
20 You plot against your brother; you slander your own brother.
21 When you did these things, I was silent, so you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will condemn you and state my case against you!
22 Carefully consider this, you who reject God! Otherwise I will rip you to shreds and no one will be able to rescue you.
23 Whoever presents a thank-offering honors me. To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”
(NET)
