Reading this psalm again today I'm really impressed by the last verses: that we may see that we are but men.
I suspect this verse connects to psalm 2 in that once again the nations are lined up against God and Israel, preparing to battle. But the reason the last verse connects to me is that humans are pretty arrogant. On architecture shows, architects talk about architecture as if it's a spiritual thing. It's not. It's an emotional soulish thing. Food experts talk about the "dining experience" as if being truly sophisticated about food means that one is in some ways immune to mere human stuff like going to the toilet. The world is full of human pretentiousness and folks thinking they are way deeper, way spiritual, way more intelligent and refined than everyone else. I know I'm particularly sensitive about this kinda thing. Probably cause I'm black and a woman and have had money problems. It's alienating. But honestly, even if I were a rich white male I'd find myself avoiding this crap.
I want to say to these sophisticated folks: "True, being humans we have much to be proud of as a species. God has made us great. But in the long run, we are only men. We go to the bathroom. We will die. And if we have not accepted Christ and forgiven our enemies, we will go to hell." Enough said.
I suspect this verse connects to psalm 2 in that once again the nations are lined up against God and Israel, preparing to battle. But the reason the last verse connects to me is that humans are pretty arrogant. On architecture shows, architects talk about architecture as if it's a spiritual thing. It's not. It's an emotional soulish thing. Food experts talk about the "dining experience" as if being truly sophisticated about food means that one is in some ways immune to mere human stuff like going to the toilet. The world is full of human pretentiousness and folks thinking they are way deeper, way spiritual, way more intelligent and refined than everyone else. I know I'm particularly sensitive about this kinda thing. Probably cause I'm black and a woman and have had money problems. It's alienating. But honestly, even if I were a rich white male I'd find myself avoiding this crap.
I want to say to these sophisticated folks: "True, being humans we have much to be proud of as a species. God has made us great. But in the long run, we are only men. We go to the bathroom. We will die. And if we have not accepted Christ and forgiven our enemies, we will go to hell." Enough said.
1I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
2I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
3When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
5Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
7But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
8And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
11Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
17The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
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