2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
12 But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Key Verse:
13Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
Key Observation:
25Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
The above passage is quoted in Hebrews 1:10-12:
“He also says: In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands, They will perish, but you remain; they will wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you will remain the same, and your years will never end.”
Thus we know that this is a messianic psalm.
Memory Verse:
12But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Devotion:
McGee: “This is a messianic psalm that pictures the Lord Jesus in Gethsemane.” Notice these descriptions:
1) My days are consumed like smoke (v. 3);
2) My bones are burned (v. 3);
3) My heart is smitten and withered (v. 4);
5) My bones cleave to my skin (v. 5);
6) My enemies reproach me (v. 8);
7) They are sworn against me (v. 8);
8) I have eaten ashes like bread (v. 9);
9) They mingled my drink with weeping (v. 9);
10) Thy indignation and thy wrath have lifted me up and cast me down (v. 10);
11) My days are like a shadow that declinith (v. 11);
12) I am withered like grass (v. 11).
That is a somewhat complete picture of our Lord on the cross. But notice verse 13: “13Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.” The Lord who freely came and gave of himself (“I lay down my own life; no man takes it from me.”) will also return the second time to show mercy to Jerusalem and Israel. In that day and at that time the Lord shall rule over all, and the earth shall know peace for the first time. “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day there shall be one Lord, and his name one.” (Zechariah 14:9)
Again there is a sharp division of God’s plan for Israel and his plan for the church. We learn in the New Testament that Christ is coming for the church that “we might be saved from the wrath to come”. Israel has waited for its Messiah to come now for many thousands of years, blinded to his first coming, but blind no longer when He returns for the second time. Says Chafer in his kingdom book: “This kingdom has ever been Israel’s only hope and was the consolation for which she waited when Christ was born (Lk. 2:25)” While there are many things shared in God’s plan, it is evident that He has separate plans for both the church and Israel. We, the church, are waiting for our “Blessed Hope”. Israel is awaiting their ruling king. God fully intends to keep both promises. They that wait on Him shall in no wise be disappointed!
Near the Cross
1. Jesus, keep me near the cross
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary's mountain.
2. Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Sheds its beams around me.
3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.
4. Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.
Chorus:
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest, beyond the river.
Lyrics: Frances Jane (Fanny J.) Crosby
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