Apr 24 (Daily reading: Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87, NIV) Eleven psalms were written by the sons of Korah, and six of them are in our reading for today. Psalm 43 is not identified as being one of them, but it is probably a continuation of Psalm 42. Korah was Jacob’s great-grandson, Levi’s grandson, and he had died when he revolted against the leadership of Moses (Num. 16:32-33). But we read: “The sons of Korah, however, did not die” (Num. 26:11, NASB). By God’s grace, some of Korah’s sons, despite their father’s actions, were given an important role in David’s time as leaders in choral worship in the tabernacle.
These psalms describe the gratitude that we owe almighty God, and we see a question and answer for when we are troubled: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps. 43:5, NIV). Why are we downcast, despondent, or discouraged when we have assurance of our resurrection: “But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself” (49:15)? We are reminded that being in God’s presence is wonderful: “How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! … Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked” (84:1, 10).
We are blessed by the beautiful poetry of Psalm 85:10-11, “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.” This makes me want to sing: “It is well with my soul!”
– Al Gary
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