Welcome to Day 2662 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2662 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 73:1-12 – Daily Wisdom

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script – Day 2662

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2662 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today’s Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Stumbling Block of Prosperity – A Trek Through Psalm 73:1-12

Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I’m your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and Today, we begin a deeply honest and challenging trek through Psalm 73 in the New Living Translation, starting with its opening verses, 1 through 12.

Psalm 73 is penned by Asaph, one of the chief musicians and seers appointed by King David. Unlike many psalms that begin with an immediate cry for help or a declaration of praise, Psalm 73 opens with a profound struggle, a crisis of faith that many of us can intimately relate to. Asaph grapples with one of life’s most perplexing mysteries: why do the wicked often prosper, seemingly enjoying an easy life, while the righteous suffer?

This question has troubled believers in every generation. In the ancient Israelite worldview, there was a strong emphasis on divine justice being dispensed in this life. Obedience to God was expected to bring blessing and prosperity, while wickedness would lead to suffering and misfortune. So, when a faithful servant like Asaph observed the opposite – the ungodly thriving without apparent consequence – it created a serious spiritual dilemma, shaking the very foundations of his faith.

Let’s immerse ourselves in Asaph’s raw honesty as he confronts this agonizing truth and nearly loses his footing on the path of faith.

(Reads Psalm 73:1-3 NLT)

Truly God is good to Israel— to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost slipped; my feet were nearly gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

Guthrie Chamberlain: Asaph begins with a declaration that is simultaneously an affirmation and a struggle: “Truly God is good to Israel—to those whose hearts are pure.” On the surface, this sounds like a statement of unwavering faith. It’s a theological truth, a bedrock conviction for an Israelite. God is inherently good, and His goodness is particularly directed towards His covenant people, especially those whose hearts are “pure” or upright. This purity isn’t sinless perfection, but sincere devotion and integrity of intention towards God.

However, the “But as for me” immediately introduces a stark contrast, revealing Asaph’s personal crisis: “But as for me, I almost slipped; my feet were nearly gone.” This is powerful imagery. Imagine walking on a treacherous path, perhaps a slippery incline or a narrow ledge. One false step, one moment of distraction, and you could fall completely, losing all your progress, perhaps even your life. Asaph’s faith was on the brink of collapse, his spiritual footing was unstable. He was close to abandoning his trust in God altogether.

The reason for this near spiritual collapse is explicit: “For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.” This is the core of his struggle. He didn’t just observe; he “envied.” Envy is a dangerous emotion, leading to discontent and questioning of God’s justice. The “proud” (Hebrew: hollelim) are arrogant, scoffing, defiant individuals who often boast in their own strength and reject God. What truly disturbed Asaph was not just their prosperity, but that they prospered despite their wickedness. This challenged the very notion of a just and righteous God who rewards good and punishes evil.

In the ancient Israelite worldview, prosperity was often seen as a sign of divine blessing, and suffering as a sign of divine displeasure. So, when the wicked flourished, it directly contradicted this understanding, creating a theological crisis. Asaph was wrestling with the apparent unfairness of life, a feeling that still plagues many faithful people today.

Now, Asaph delves into a detailed and vivid description of this unsettling prosperity of the wicked, showcasing why his faith was so severely tested.

(Reads Psalm 73:4-12 NLT)

They suffer no pain; their bodies are plump and healthy. They don’t have troubles like other people; they are not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a necklace, and violence clothes them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with greed; their evil imaginations know no limits. They scoff and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten violence. They boast against the heavens and swagger through the earth. So the people are dismayed and turn to them and eagerly drink in their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease in wealth that continues to grow.

Guthrie Chamberlain: Asaph paints a disturbing picture of the wicked’s outwardly idyllic existence, highlighting the contrast with the typical struggles of humanity: “They suffer no pain; their bodies are plump and healthy. They don’t have troubles like other people; they are not plagued with problems like everyone else.” This describes a life free from suffering, illness, and the common hardships that afflict most people. “Plump and healthy” in that agrarian society was a sign of abundance and good living, especially contrasted with the lean, often struggling lives of the majority. The wicked seem to float above the fray, untouched by the common woes of humanity. They appear immune to the consequences that others face.

Their prosperity fuels their arrogance and self-indulgence: “They wear pride like a necklace, and violence clothes them like a garment.” This is powerful metaphorical language. A necklace is worn openly, a visible display of status or adornment. So too, their pride is flaunted openly, a conspicuous part of their identity. It’s not hidden but worn with confidence. And “violence clothes them like a garment” implies that violence is not an occasional act for them, but a pervasive characteristic, something they are wrapped in, an integral part of their very being and public persona. This means their outward prosperity is often acquired through exploitation and oppression, yet they suffer no ill effects.

Their inner depravity is also exposed: “Their eyes bulge with greed; their evil imaginations know no limits.” Their greed is so immense it physically distorts them, bulging from their very eyes. Their minds are constantly churning with “evil imaginations,” wicked schemes and malicious plans that know no bounds. This is a chilling depiction of unbridled covetousness and unrestrained wickedness in their thoughts and desires.

This internal corruption manifests in their speech and behavior: “They scoff and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten violence.” Their communication is characterized by scoffing – mocking those who believe in God or adhere to moral principles. They speak with “malice,” intending harm with their words, perhaps spreading lies or tearing others down. And their “arrogance” leads them to openly “threaten violence,” showing contempt for laws and justice, confident in their ability to intimidate and dominate others without repercussion.

Their contempt for God knows no bounds: “They boast against the heavens and swagger through the earth.” To “boast against the heavens” means to defy God Himself, to speak arrogantly against divine authority and providence. They essentially challenge God’s existence or His ability to intervene. And they “swagger through the earth” – they walk with an arrogant, self-assured gait, as if they own the world and are accountable to no one. They are completely uninhibited by any fear of divine judgment or earthly consequence.

The most perplexing part for Asaph is the response of seemingly ordinary people to this audacious wickedness: “So the people are dismayed and turn to them and eagerly drink in their words.” This is the true crisis. Instead of being repulsed by the wicked, many people are “dismayed” – perhaps by the seeming injustice of God allowing the wicked to flourish – and then, shockingly, they “turn to them.” They are drawn to the wicked’s power and apparent success, and they “eagerly drink in their words,” adopting their cynical philosophy.

This widespread acceptance or even admiration of the wicked leads to the terrifying questions that undermine faith: “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” These are rhetorical questions, expressing profound doubt and skepticism about God’s omniscience, His justice, and His active involvement in human affairs. If the wicked prosper so effortlessly, then surely God either doesn’t know, doesn’t care, or isn’t powerful enough to intervene. This is the very conclusion Asaph himself was close to embracing, and it highlights the corrosive effect of seeing unpunished evil thrive.

Asaph then summarizes his agonizing observation, reinforcing the reality that had almost made him stumble: “Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease in wealth that continues to grow.” This reiterates the core problem: the wicked live a life of comfort and prosperity, and their wealth isn’t stagnant; it is “continues to grow,” suggesting an endless upward trajectory of success, completely unhindered by any divine or moral consequence.

Psalm 73:1-12 is a raw, honest confession of a spiritual crisis. It acknowledges the profound temptation to question God’s goodness and justice when the wicked prosper. Asaph’s struggle is a universal human experience, forcing us to confront the deceptive appearances of worldly success and the challenge to our faith when faced with apparent unfairness.

What profound wisdom can we draw from these opening verses for our Wisdom-Trek today?

Firstly, it validates the experience of spiritual doubt and envy when we see the wicked flourish. Asaph, a godly leader, almost stumbled. It reminds us that such struggles are normal, not a sign of weak faith, but an invitation to honest lament and deeper wrestling with God.

Secondly, it exposes the deceptive nature of worldly prosperity when it’s divorced from righteousness. The wicked may appear healthy and untroubled, but their inner reality is pride, greed, and violence. Their ease is superficial and fleeting.

Thirdly, it highlights the corrosive effect of such observations on others’ faith. When we see unpunished wickedness, it can lead to cynicism about God’s involvement and knowledge. This challenges us to seek deeper understanding beyond superficial appearances.

Finally, Asaph’s honesty sets the stage for a profound spiritual breakthrough. By articulating his struggle so candidly, he prepares himself, and us, to receive the divine perspective that will ultimately resolve his crisis and restore his footing.

Let us acknowledge our own struggles with the apparent unfairness of life, and like Asaph, let us be honest before God, trusting that He has a deeper truth to reveal, even when our feet nearly slip.

Guthrie Chamberlain: Thank you for joining me on this honest trek through the opening verses of Psalm 73. I trust that this exploration of a crisis of faith has resonated with your own journey and encouraged you to bring your deepest questions to God. Join me again next time as we continue to seek and apply the timeless truths of God’s Word.

Reflect…

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!

Welcome to Day 2661 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Divine Rebellions” – Supernatural

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script – Day 2661

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2661 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today, we begin a new focus on this 4th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book Supernatural, written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor, the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book ‘The Unseen Realm.’ If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.’ Today, we will read through chapter two: ‘Divine Rebellions.’

I ended the previous Theology Thursday poscast with the thought that free will in the hands of imperfect beings, whether divine or human, can have disastrous results. That’s an understatement. Some catastrophes in the early chapters of the Bible, all of them involving both humans and supernatural beings, illustrate the point.

Recall that God decided to share his authority with both divine beings in the supernatural realm and human beings on earth. That was the backdrop to God’s statement, “Let us make humankind in our image” (Gen. 1:26, emphasis added) and the fact that God then created humans in his image. Spiritual beings and humans are imagers of God. We share his authority and represent him as co-rulers.

On one hand, that was a wonderful decision. Free will is part of being like God. We couldn’t be like him if we didn’t have it. Without free will, concepts like love and self-sacrifice die. If you are merely programmed to “love,” there is no decision in it. It isn’t real. Scripted words and acts aren’t genuine. Thinking about this takes me back to the last of the original Star Wars movies, The Return of the Jedi. The spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke his father, Darth Vader, “is more machine now than man.” And yet, in the end, we find that isn’t true. Vader saves Luke from the emperor at the cost of his own life. He wasn’t just a programmed machine. His decision came from the heart, his humanity—his own free will.

But there’s a dark side to God’s decision. Granting intelligent beings freedom means they can and will make wrong choices or intentionally rebel. And that’s basically guaranteed to happen, since the only truly perfect being is God. He’s the only one he can really trust. This is why things could, and did, go wrong in Eden.

Trouble in Paradise.

Think about the setting in Eden. Adam and Eve aren’t alone. God is there with his council. Eden is the divine/human headquarters for “subduing” the rest of the earth (Gen. 1:26–28)—spreading the life of Eden to the rest of the planet. But at least one member of the council isn’t happy with God’s plans.

Just as we saw in Genesis 1, there are hints in Genesis 3 that Eden is home to other divine beings. In verse 22, after Adam and Eve have sinned, God says: “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil” (emphasis added). That phrase is the same sort of signpost we saw in Genesis 1:26 (“our image”).

We know the main character of Genesis 3, the Serpent, was not really a snake. He wasn’t actually an animal. No effort to put him behind glass in a zoo would have been effective, and he would not have been amused. He was a divine being. Revelation 12:9 identifies him as the Devil, Satan.

Some Christians presume, based on Revelation 12:7–12, that there was an angelic rebellion shortly after creation: And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. And they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Rev. 12:7–9 leb)

But the war in heaven described there is associated with the birth of the Messiah (Rev. 12:4–5, 10 leb): And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, in order that whenever she gave birth to her child he could devour it. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is going to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod, and her child was snatched away to God and to his throne.… And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

The Bible gives no indication that, before the events in Eden, any of his imagers—human or divine—were opposed to God’s will or were in rebellion. Circumstances changed dramatically in Genesis 3.

The Serpent’s crime was that he freely chose to reject God’s authority. God had determined that Adam and Eve would join the family business, so to speak. They would extend Eden on earth. But the enemy didn’t want them there. He put himself in the place of God. He said in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods” (Isa. 14:13 nlt).

He got a rude awakening. Since the Serpent’s deception led to Adam and Eve’s sin, he was expelled from God’s home (Ezek. 28:14–16) and banished to earth—“cut [or cast] down to the ground” in biblical language (Isa. 14:12)—the place where death reigns, where life is not everlasting. Instead of being lord of life, he became lord of the dead, which meant that the great enemy now had claim over all humans since the events in Eden meant the loss of earthly immortality. Humanity would now need to be redeemed to have eternal life with God in a new Eden.

The fallout (pun intended) was a series of curses. The curse upon the Serpent included a bit of prophecy. God said Eve’s offspring and that of the Serpent would be at odds: “Then Yahweh God said to the serpent … I will put hostility between you and between the woman, and between your offspring and between her offspring” (Gen. 3:14–15 leb). Who are Eve’s offspring? Humanity. And who are the Serpent’s offspring? Well, that’s more abstract. The apostle John gives us examples—like the Jewish leaders who hated Jesus. “You are of your father the devil,” Jesus told them (John 8:44). Jesus called his betrayer, Judas, a devil (John 6:70). The Serpent’s offspring is anyone who stands against God’s plan, just as he did.

The Bad Seed

It didn’t take long for more trouble to arise. One of Adam and Eve’s children became a murderer. Cain killed Abel, showing that he was “of the evil one” (1 John 3:12). As the human population grew in the biblical story, so did evil (Gen. 6:5).

Now comes another supernatural transgression that, although it may not be much discussed in Sunday morning sermons, had great impact on the expansion of wickedness on earth. This time there was more than one rebel. The evil contagion spreading through humanity in Genesis 6:5 is linked to the story in Genesis 6:1–4 about the sons of God fathering their own earthly children known as Nephilim.

The Bible doesn’t say much else in Genesis about what happened, but pieces of the story show up elsewhere in the Bible, and in Jewish traditions outside the Bible the New Testament authors knew well and quoted in their writings.

For example, Peter and Jude write about the angels who sinned before the flood (2 Pet. 2:4–6 gnt; see also Jude 5–6). Some of what they say comes from Jewish sources outside the Bible. Peter and Jude say that the sons of God who committed this transgression were imprisoned under the earth—in other words, they’re doing time in hell—until the last days. They’ll be part of God’s final judgment, something the Bible calls the “Day of the Lord.”

Peter and Jude’s sources are well-known to Bible scholars. One of them was a book called 1 Enoch. It was popular with Jews of Jesus’ day and with Christians in the early church, even though it wasn’t considered sacred and inspired. But Peter and Jude thought some of that content was important enough to include in the letters they wrote.

These sources speculate that the sons of God either wanted to “help” humanity by giving them divine knowledge, and then got sidetracked, or that they wanted to imitate God by creating their own imagers. They also include an explanation for where demons come from. Demons are the departed spirits of dead Nephilim killed before and during the flood. They roam the earth harassing humans and seeking re-embodiment. In books of the Bible that follow Genesis, descendants of the Nephilim of Genesis 6:1–4 are called Anakim and Rephaim (Num. 13:32–33; Deut. 2:10–11). Some of these Rephaim show up in the underworld realm of the dead (Isa. 14:9–11) where the Serpent was cast down. New Testament writers would later call that place hell.

These ideas show us that early Jewish writers understood the threat of Genesis 6:1–4. The sons of God were trying to reformulate Eden, where the divine and the human coexisted, in their own way. They presumed to know better than God what should be happening on earth, just like the original enemy had. Alteration of God’s plan to restore his rule ends up making a bad situation worse.

Not only was the episode of Genesis 6:1–4 a terrible echo of the seed of the Serpent—deliberate opposition to God—it was a prelude to worse things to come. During the days of Moses and Joshua, some of the opponents they run into when trying to claim the Promised Land were scattered giant clans (Deut. 2–3). These giants went by various names. In Numbers 13:32–33 they are called the Anakim. They are specifically said to be living descendants of the Nephilim—the offspring of the sons of God back in Genesis 6:1–4. The Old Testament tells us Israelites were fighting these oversized enemies until David’s time. He took out Goliath (1 Sam. 17), and some of his men killed Goliath’s brothers to finally end the threat (2 Sam. 21:15–22).

Why This Matters

The prophetic curse on the Serpent and the divine transgression that followed are the early stages of what theologians call spiritual warfare—the battle between good and evil, the long war against God and his people. It’s a war fought on battlegrounds in two realms: the seen and the unseen.

As strange as these stories are, they teach an important lesson: God had divine competition when it came to human destiny. He still does. Opposition to God’s will for earth and humanity is alive and well, in both the spiritual realm and within humankind. But God has his own plans for how heaven and earth will be reunified. Hostile interference won’t go unpunished. Humanity is too valuable. God’s own plan for his human family won’t be altered or overturned.

These passages also teach positive lessons. While the long war against God can be traced back to God’s decision to create imagers, human and divine, who would share his attribute of freedom, God is not the cause of evil. There is no hint in the Bible that God prodded his imagers to disobey, or that their disobedience was predestined. The fact that God knows the future doesn’t mean it’s predestinated. We know that for certain from passages like 1 Samuel 23:1–14, which tells us about the time David saved the walled city of Keilah from the Philistines. After the battle, Saul learned that David was in the city. Saul had been trying to kill David for some time out of paranoid fear that David was going to take his throne. Saul sent an army to Keilah, hoping to trap David within the city walls. When David heard about Saul’s plan, he asked God:

“Will the leaders of Keilah betray me to him? And will Saul actually come as I have heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell me.” And the Lord said, “He will come … Yes, they will betray you.” (1 Sam. 23:11–12 nlt)

David then did what any of us would do—he got out of the city as fast as he could. And that tells us why God’s foreknowledge of events doesn’t mean they are predestined. 1 Samuel 23 has God foreknowing two events that never actually took place. That God foreknew there would be divine rebellion and human failure doesn’t mean he made those things happen. Foreknowledge doesn’t require predestination.

We need to view the events of the fall in this light. God knew Adam and Eve would fail. He wasn’t surprised. He knows all things, real and possible. But the fact that God could foresee the entrance of evil and rebellion into his world, on the part of both humans and the divine rebel who seduced humanity to rebel, doesn’t mean he caused it.

We can and should view the evil we experience in our own lives and times in the same way. God foresaw the fall and was ready with a plan to rectify it. He also knew we would be born sinners and fail (a lot—let’s be honest). But he didn’t predestine those failures. When we sin, we need to own our sin. We sin because we choose to. We can’t say God willed it, or that we had no choice because it was predestined.

But God loved us in that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6–8). He loved us despite knowing what we would do. He not only gave us the freedom to sin, he gave us the freedom to believe the gospel and live for Jesus.

God also knows—and we know, by experience—that bad things happen to people, even to Christians. Evil is in the world because people (and divine beings) have the freedom to do evil. Our God isn’t a twisted deity who predestines awful things or who needs horrible crimes and sins to happen so some greater plan works out well. God doesn’t need evil, period. His plans will move forward despite it—overcoming it and ultimately judging it.

We might ask why God doesn’t just eliminate evil right now. There’s a reason: For God to eliminate evil he’d have to eliminate his imagers, human and divine, who are not perfect like he is. That would solve the problem of evil, but it would mean that God’s original idea, to create other divine agents and human beings to live and rule with him, was a huge mistake. God doesn’t make mistakes.

We might also wish that God had never given humans freedom, but where would we be then? In choosing to give us freedom, God also chose not to make us mindless slaves or robots. That’s the alternative to having free will. But since freedom is an attribute we share with God, without it we couldn’t actually be imagers of God. God is no robot. He made us like himself. That wasn’t a mistake either. God loved the idea of humanity too much to make the alternative decision. And so he devised a means to, after evil entered the world, redeem humanity, renew Eden, and wipe away every tear (Rev. 7:17; 21:4).

Our look at the long war against God is underway. God has a battle strategy. But the situation is going to get worse before he makes his first move.

Heiser, Michael S. 2015. Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters. Edited by David Lambert. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Reflect…

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!

Welcome to Day 2660 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2660 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 72:15-20 – Daily Wisdom

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script – Day 2660

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2660 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today’s Wisdom Nugget is titled: An Eternal Legacy of Blessing and Glory – Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 72:15-20

Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I’m your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we reach the glorious, overflowing conclusion of our trek through Psalm 72 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 15 through 20.

This royal psalm has painted an extraordinary portrait of an ideal king – one whose reign is characterized by divine justice, righteousness, and profound compassion for the poor and oppressed. We’ve envisioned a rule as refreshing as rain, extending to the ends of the earth, where enemies submit, and distant nations bring tribute. Now, in these final verses, the psalmist adds to this grand vision, depicting the king’s enduring life, the boundless prosperity of his realm, the lasting renown of his name, and culminates in a magnificent doxology of praise to the God who makes all these wonders possible.

This conclusion reinforces the prophetic nature of the psalm, pointing far beyond any earthly monarch to the eternal reign of the Messiah. It would have filled the ancient Israelites with an even deeper longing for that perfect kingdom, where God’s glory truly fills the whole earth.

So, let’s allow our hearts to swell with hope as we immerse ourselves in these final words of aspiration and praise.

(Reads Psalm 72:15-17 NLT)

Long live the king! May he be given gold from Sheba. May prayers be offered for him continually, and may he be blessed all day long. May there be abundant grain throughout the land, even on the tops of the mountains. May the crops flourish like cedars of Lebanon and fill the cities like grass in a field. May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed through him and proclaim him blessed.

Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm continues with a fervent wish for the king’s enduring life and prosperity: “Long live the king! May he be given gold from Sheba.” The exclamation “Long live the king!” (Hebrew: Yechi ha’melekh!) was a common acclamation, a fervent wish for a long and prosperous reign. The desire for “gold from Sheba” directly links back to the tribute from Sheba mentioned in previous verses (v. 10). Gold symbolized immense wealth and honor. This isn’t just about personal enrichment for the king; it’s an affirmation that his just and prosperous reign attracts such tribute, further validating his universal acceptance and the richness of his kingdom.

But beyond material wealth, the psalmist desires spiritual blessing: “May prayers be offered for him continually, and may he be blessed all day long.” This is a remarkable request. It indicates that the king’s reign is so beneficial, so righteous, and so aligned with God’s will that his people would continually pray for him. This perpetual intercession underscores the deep respect and support he garners from his subjects. To be “blessed all day long” signifies a continuous flow of divine favor, enveloping his life and reign in God’s goodness from morning till night.

The vision then expands to an almost miraculous picture of widespread agricultural abundance: “May there be abundant grain throughout the land, even on the tops of the mountains. May the crops flourish like cedars of Lebanon and fill the cities like grass in a field.” “Abundant grain” (or “a richness of grain”) was the ultimate sign of prosperity in an agrarian society. But the phrase “even on the tops of the mountains” is truly extraordinary. Mountains were typically rocky and barren, unsuitable for agriculture. This implies a supernatural blessing, a divine intervention that makes even the most unlikely places fruitful. It’s a vision of overflowing abundance that defies natural limitations.

The comparison to “cedars of Lebanon” further emphasizes this miraculous growth. Cedars of Lebanon were renowned for their massive size, strength, and longevity, symbolizing grandeur and lasting vitality. The idea that common crops would flourish with such stature conveys an unprecedented level of prosperity. And this abundance would not just be in the fields; it would “fill the cities like grass in a field,” suggesting that the urban centers would also experience immense growth and vibrancy, with people multiplying like abundant grass. This paints a picture of a flourishing population, well-fed, healthy, and thriving throughout the entire land. This is the ultimate expression of God’s covenant blessing upon a righteous reign.

The psalmist then returns to the enduring nature of the king’s legacy: “May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed through him and proclaim him blessed.” This reiterates the prayer for an eternal reign from verse 5, using the sun as a symbol of unending time. The “king’s name” represents his reputation, his legacy, his very identity. For it to “endure forever” means his righteous influence and memory will never fade.

The ultimate reach of his blessing is then powerfully stated: “May all nations be blessed through him and proclaim him blessed.” This is the pinnacle of the psalm’s global vision. It moves beyond merely receiving tribute or serving the king; it speaks of nations experiencing God’s blessing because of this king, and then, in turn, acknowledging that blessing by “proclaim[ing] him blessed.” This means they will speak highly of him, invoke blessings upon him, and perhaps even invoke his name in their own blessings, recognizing him as the channel of divine favor. This Messianic aspiration goes far beyond any earthly monarch, pointing to the universal, redemptive work of Christ, through whom all the families of the earth are truly blessed (Genesis 12:3).

Now, let’s conclude our trek with the final verses, 18 through 20, which contain a powerful doxology and a significant closing statement.

(Reads Psalm 72:18-20 NLT)

Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things. Praise his glorious name forever! May the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen. This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm culminates in a magnificent doxology, a formal expression of praise to God: “Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things.” This shifts the focus from the ideal king to the ultimate source of all blessing and power—the Lord God Himself. He is specifically identified as “the God of Israel,” reinforcing His covenant relationship with His chosen people, but His power extends universally. The phrase “who alone does wonderful things” emphasizes God’s unique and incomparable ability to perform miracles, to bring about the kind of just and prosperous reign described throughout the psalm. No other deity, no human power, can accomplish what He does. He is the sole author of true wonders.

The doxology continues with a fervent, universal aspiration: “Praise his glorious name forever! May the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen.” To praise God’s “glorious name forever” is to perpetually celebrate His magnificent character and reputation. The prayer that “the whole earth be filled with his glory” is a profound longing for the day when God’s visible presence, His majesty, and His redemptive power will be undeniably evident across the entire globe. This is the ultimate hope, the fulfillment of all prophetic longing—a world entirely permeated by the knowledge and presence of God.

The double “Amen and amen” (or “So be it! So be it!”) is a powerful affirmation, a heartfelt expression of agreement and strong desire for these blessings and this glory to come to pass. It’s a solemn and joyful sealing of the prayer and the vision.

Finally, the psalm concludes with a unique editorial note: “This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.” This statement is not typically found within the body of a psalm itself but is an ancient scribal or editorial note marking the end of a collection of psalms attributed to David. Psalm 72, though attributed to Solomon in its opening (or a prayer for Solomon), effectively concludes the second of five books within the larger Psalter. It signifies that the compilation of certain prayers, particularly those associated with David, ends at this point, leading into new sections or themes within the larger collection of Psalms. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the ancient process of compiling the biblical texts.

Psalm 72, in its entirety, paints a comprehensive and inspiring portrait of an ideal, righteous king whose reign brings universal blessing, justice, and prosperity, and ultimately points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose eternal kingdom will perfectly fulfill every aspiration of this psalm. It culminates in an overflowing doxology, affirming God as the sole author of wonders and expressing the profound desire for His glory to fill the whole earth.

What profound wisdom can we draw from these concluding verses for our Wisdom-Trek today?

Firstly, they remind us that the blessings we experience, both personal and communal, are ultimately rooted in God’s power and righteous rule. When we see prosperity and justice, we should acknowledge God as the true source.

Secondly, the vision of extraordinary abundance, even in unlikely places, encourages us to believe in God’s ability to provide beyond our natural expectations, transforming barrenness into flourishing.

Thirdly, the call for the king’s name to endure forever and for all nations to be blessed through him points us directly to the lasting, universal impact of Jesus Christ. His name truly endures, and through Him, all nations find blessing.

Finally, and most powerfully, these verses lead us to worship the “Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things.” Our ultimate response to His majesty and His redemptive work should be unceasing praise, longing for the day when His glory truly fills the whole earth. This is our hope, our ultimate destination.

Let us live as instruments of His blessing, and with hearts full of praise, let us proclaim His glorious name, anticipating the day when His glory fills every corner of this world.

Guthrie Chamberlain: Thank you for joining me on this powerful and deeply hopeful trek through the majestic Psalm 72. I trust that this exploration of righteous reign, divine blessing, and universal glory has enriched your journey today. Join me again next time as we embark on a new segment of Wisdom-Trek, continuing to uncover the timeless truths of God’s Word.

Reflect…

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!

Welcome to Day 2659 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2659 – Mission Sunday – Gilberto and Helen Filsinger

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2659 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Each Tuesday, I will share the messages I have delivered at Putnam Congregational Church this year. This past Sunday was a special Mission Sunday, so the message today was presented by Gilberto and Helen Filsinger, who are missionaries to Brazil and are supported by our church.

I pray it will be a conduit for learning and encouragement for you.

Welcome to Day 2658 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2658 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 72:6-14 – Daily Wisdom

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script – Day 2658

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2658 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today’s Wisdom Nugget is titled: A Reign Like Rain, A Compassion Unbound – A Trek Through Psalm 72:6-14

Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I’m your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we continue our majestic trek through Psalm 72 in the New Living Translation, delving deeper into its prophetic vision of an ideal king, covering verses 6 through 14.

In our last trek, we began this royal psalm, a prayer for a king, which also serves as a profound prophecy of the Messiah’s righteous reign. We saw how the psalmist appealed to God to grant the king divine justice and righteousness, enabling him to rule impartially and, most importantly, to give justice to the poor. Now, as we move into this next section, the vision expands dramatically, detailing the pervasive blessing, universal dominion, and boundless compassion that characterize this ideal king’s rule.

This psalm would have stirred the hearts of ancient Israelites with hope, painting a picture of a ruler truly aligned with God’s heart – a king whose reign brings flourishing to the land and protection to the vulnerable, extending his influence far beyond Israel’s borders. It points us forward to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies every aspiration of this prayer.

So, let’s immerse ourselves in this beautiful portrayal of righteous kingship and consider its implications for a world longing for true peace and justice.

(Reads Psalm 72:6-8 NLT)

May the king’s rule be like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. May all the godly flourish during his reign; may there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist begins by describing the refreshing and life-giving nature of the king’s reign: “May the king’s rule be like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.” This is a powerful and deeply significant metaphor, especially in an ancient agrarian society in the Near East, where rain was absolutely essential for life and prosperity.

Imagine a field of grass, freshly mown or parched from drought. When gentle, abundant rain falls upon it, it brings immediate refreshment, new growth, and renewed vitality. The king’s rule is envisioned not as a destructive flood or a harsh storm, but as life-giving rain – gentle, pervasive, and beneficial. It brings refreshment and renewal to the land and its people, fostering growth and flourishing. This signifies a reign that is benevolent, restorative, and brings true well-being to all it touches.

The direct result of such a reign is flourishing: “May all the godly flourish during his reign; may there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.” “The godly” (or “righteous”) are those who align themselves with God’s ways, seeking to live in integrity and obedience. Under this ideal king, their lives would thrive. This is not a partial blessing but “abundant prosperity,” encompassing material well-being, spiritual vitality, and overall peace. The phrase “until the moon is no more” is a powerful expression of unending duration, echoing the desire for an eternal reign from earlier verses. It means this flourishing is perpetual, lasting as long as creation itself.

The vision then expands from the quality of the reign to its vast geographical scope: “May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.” In the ancient Israelite mind, “from sea to sea” likely referred to the Mediterranean Sea in the west and perhaps the Persian Gulf or Dead Sea in the east, encompassing the full breadth of the Promised Land and beyond. The “Euphrates River” was a well-known eastern boundary of powerful empires and also the ideal northern reach of Israel’s promised territory (Genesis 15:18). “To the ends of the earth” signifies a universal dominion, stretching beyond any known geographical limits.

This is a vision of an empire of unprecedented size and influence, far surpassing the actual historical reach of any Israelite king. This kind of universal dominion again points prophetically to the Messiah, whose kingdom truly knows no bounds, extending to every nation and every people group on the planet. This reign is not limited by earthly borders or political power but is destined to be global and eternal.

Now, let’s continue our trek with verses 9 through 14, where the psalmist describes the submission of enemies, the tribute from distant lands, and the king’s profound compassion for the vulnerable.

(Reads Psalm 72:9-14 NLT)

Desert nomads will bow before him, and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and distant lands will bring him tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him. He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed when they have no one else to help. He will have pity on the poor and the needy, and he will rescue them from death. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.

Guthrie Chamberlain: With such a vast dominion, the king’s authority naturally leads to the submission of his adversaries: “Desert nomads will bow before him, and his enemies will lick the dust.” “Desert nomads” (or “dwellers of the desert”) often represented wild, untamed peoples on the fringes of settled society, difficult to conquer. Their bowing down signifies voluntary submission. “Licking the dust” is an ancient idiom for complete subjugation and humiliation. This illustrates that all opposition, even from the most independent or defiant, will ultimately yield to this king’s supreme authority.

This submission is accompanied by tangible tribute from far-flung, powerful regions: “The kings of Tarshish and distant lands will bring him tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.” Tarshish was a distant seafaring region, likely in the west (perhaps Spain), known for its wealth. Sheba and Seba were kingdoms in the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa (modern-day Ethiopia/Sudan), renowned for their valuable spices, gold, and frankincense. The mention of these specific, powerful, and distant regions bringing tribute and gifts emphasizes the universal recognition of this king’s unparalleled greatness. They are not merely conquered; they willingly bring their treasures as a sign of respect and submission. This imagery further emphasizes the global reach and influence of this righteous king’s reign.

The psalmist then summarizes this universal recognition: “All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him.” This reiterates the ultimate vision: complete and universal acknowledgment of this king’s sovereignty. Every earthly ruler will offer homage, and every nation will render service. This is the prophetic climax of the king’s dominion, a world united under his just and benevolent rule.

Having established the king’s universal power, the psalm returns to the core of his compassionate character in verses 12-14, which is truly the heart of his reign: “He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed when they have no one else to help.” This king is not distant or uncaring. He is actively engaged with the suffering of the vulnerable. “The poor” and “the oppressed” are those weighed down by hardship and subjected to injustice. This king hears their cries, not just their formal petitions, but their desperate pleas, and he actively “rescues” and “helps” them, particularly “when they have no one else to help.” This highlights his role as the ultimate champion of the defenseless, stepping in where all human aid has failed.

His compassion extends to their very being: “He will have pity on the poor and the needy, and he will rescue them from death.” “Pity” implies a deep, emotional empathy for their suffering. He not only acts on their behalf but feels their plight. And his ultimate intervention is profound: he will “rescue them from death.” This can refer to literal rescue from mortal danger, but also from the spiritual and existential death that can accompany extreme oppression and despair. This king brings hope and life to those on the brink.

The psalmist concludes this section with a powerful summary of the king’s redemptive work for the vulnerable: “He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.” “Redeem” means to buy back, to liberate, to set free from bondage. He actively intervenes to free them from the crushing weight of “oppression” (often economic or social exploitation) and “violence” (physical harm and injustice). The reason for this comprehensive, compassionate intervention is deeply moving: “for their lives are precious to him.” Unlike other rulers who might exploit or disregard the lives of the marginalized, this king values every life, especially those who are most vulnerable. Their well-being, their very existence, holds immense worth in his eyes.

Psalm 72:6-14 paints a vivid and inspiring portrait of an ideal king whose reign is characterized by refreshing blessing, universal dominion, and, most profoundly, an boundless compassion that actively defends and redeems the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. This is a glimpse of God’s heart for justice and His desire for truly benevolent rule.

What profound wisdom can we draw from this section for our Wisdom-Trek today?

Firstly, true leadership, modeled by this ideal king, is about bringing refreshment and fostering flourishing, not about exploitation or self-enrichment. Our influence, whatever its sphere, should aim to be like “rain upon the mown grass,” revitalizing and nurturing.

Secondly, the vision of universal dominion reminds us of the global scope of God’s kingdom. While we work for justice and righteousness in our immediate contexts, our ultimate hope is for the day when “all kings will bow” and “all nations will serve” the true King.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, this passage calls us to cultivate a heart of profound compassion for the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. This king actively hears their cries, pities their plight, rescues them from death, and redeems them from oppression. If we are to reflect God’s character, we too must value and advocate for the lives of those who are most vulnerable, recognizing that their lives are precious in God’s sight.

Finally, the king’s power to “crush their oppressors” is a divine assurance that evil and injustice will not ultimately prevail. God’s justice will ensure the triumph of the righteous and the vindication of the afflicted.

Let us pray for leaders who embody these qualities, and let us strive to be agents of this compassionate, life-giving reign in our own lives, reflecting the heart of the ultimate King whose rule brings blessing, justice, and peace to all.

Guthrie Chamberlain: Thank you for joining me on this powerful trek through Psalm 72:6-14. I trust that this exploration of righteous reign and boundless compassion has given you new insights and encouraged your heart today. Join me again next time as we continue to seek and apply the timeless truths of God’s Word.

Reflect…

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!