As we reread these psalms for today, Psalms 44,74,79,80,85, and 89, we were astounded at the message.  We often attribute the writing of the psalms to David. These psalms were written long after David lived.

Psalm 44 (of the sons of Korah) is a great reminder that it is God who gives us victory.  Yet the writers also cry out to God for deliverance from their enemies. 

Psalm 74 (Asaph) remembers God's deeds in the past and yet he cries out to God to once again defend their cause and defeat their foes. 

The destruction of Jerusalem before the Babylonian captivity is written by Asaph in Psalm 79.  Asaph bemoans the fact that God is disciplining them for their sins and is asking God to pour out His cup of wrath on their enemies instead.  The writer seems to be saying at the end of this psalm that God deserves praise only because of what He does for them.  In reality, God deserves our praise simply because He is God, not just because of what He does for us.  Also in Psalm 80, the writer continues to promise to turn back to God after God does something to somehow "earn" it.  "...revive us and we will call on your name..."  instead of "we will call on your name, then please revive us."

 "...make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved."

Just because God's face shines upon us doesn't automatically mean  that we will be saved.

Ethan writes in Psalm 89 of God's faithfulness in the past of crushing the enemies of His people.  Ethan knows that God restored His people in the past and will do it again, even though it's not happening in Ethan's lifetime right then.  Great lesson for us as well.  Blessed are those who have learned to praise Him and walk in His light no matter the darkness that surrounds us.   

Some additional lessons that we have learned in Psalm 89.  God disciplines His children to bring about a change in actions just as we humans discipline our children to make a correction in behavior. (ex. we may smack the hand of a two year old that reaches for a hot stove).  Another lesson is that we need to crave God's discipline and learn from it, otherwise it is no more than punishment and if we don't correct our behavior, it must continue.   Ethan ends psalm 89 with one great lesson we've learned.  God disciplines us in different ways, but our response should always be as Ethan's "Praise be to the Lord forever!  Amen and amen."

In today’s reading of the psalms of a people in exile, we are reminded that while they are reflecting on and confessing their sins, they seem to have forgotten that the prophets had been telling them all along this would happen.

They certainly understood who had the power. It wasn’t with them. It was with God.
Ps 44:5-8
Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. (In God We Trust)

Selah at the end of this passage (and many other psalms) is most likely a musical notation indicating an intended pause. Sounds like we are supposed to stop and contemplate that great truth. It’s all about Him and not about us. "Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and amen."