We see things from a very narrow perspective, whereas God sees things from the vast eternity of his unfolding purposes.
Every psalm becomes a pointer to greater realities that have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
When we render false judgments, betray those who count on us, or turn our back on God’s Word, then we are misrepresenting God in the world.
Despite our current difficulties, we can speak with confidence about our deliverance, almost as a past experience, because we have already been given God’s promise about the final outcome.
Jesus not only provides the basis for our forgiveness, he also bears our fear, shame, anguish, and the pain of betrayal.
Even in the midst of difficulties, the psalmist looks back from a future point when his deliverance has taken place.
We need to remember that the central problem of our age is not too much stress, but too little hope.
God works in us every good work, that the righteousness that was once merely imputed to us becomes, in real time, imparted to us, in ever-increasing measures.
It is important to David not only that we are declared innocent before God, but that we are publicly honored before the eyes of those who have plotted our downfall.
Psalm 48 points us away from the earthly temple to God himself, the ultimate citadel of strength and protection.
The final outcome of God’s work in the world may be peace, but it only comes about through the forceful intrusion of his judgments, overturning wickedness, and bringing about justice.
Just as the creation of Adam and Eve into a one-flesh relationship marked the beginning of the whole history of humanity, so the marriage of Christ and his church will mark the beginning of the New Creation.
