We need to remember as we read the Psalms that these believers lived under the Old Covenant. This was Asaph’s perspective as he wrote this “testimony” (superscription). This is also evident from his metaphor of Israel as a vine brought out of Egypt and planted in Canaan after God drove out the nations (8). Israel enjoyed a time of expansion & prosperity (9-11). But now its walls are “broken down,” and the vine is “ravage[d]” (12-13) & burned with fire (16). This, too, was part of the Old Covenant consequences for Israel’s disobedience (see also 4-6). What remains the same under the New Covenant is that God is still the “Shepherd of Israel” and is still “enthroned upon the cherubim” (1). He is still mighty to save (2). Asaph’s refrain was “Restore us, O God (O God of hosts, O LORD God of hosts); let your face shine, that we may be saved!” (3, 7, 19). In the New Covenant, Jesus Christ is “the true vine” (John 15:1), and we abide safely in him. He is “the man of [God’s] right hand, the Son of man whom [God] made strong for [himself]” (17). It’s in the face of Jesus Christ that the knowledge of the glory of God shines (2 Cor. 4:6). As we call upon Christ’s name, we are saved (Acts 2:21; Rom 10:13). In Christ we are restored to fellowship with God. In this time when fear has gone viral, we can still appeal to our mighty God and pray to be saved & spared from the Coronavirus. But we must remember that the greater need for everyone is to be saved from the danger of the plague of sin and its deadly consequences.
Leave a Reply