This is our third and last installment of purple passages in the Psalms. You will notice in this list a longing on the part of some writers to reach out to all peoples and all nations with the message of the one true, creator God -- an affirmation that Yahweh God is not the God of Israel only, but of all humankind.

All the ends of the world

Shall remember and turn to the Lord,

And all the families of the nations

Shall worship before You (22:27)

This is one of many “universalist texts,” as they are sometimes called, that indicate that everyone will be saved. It is especially significant here, coming right out of the heart of an exclusive Judaism. It is also in Isaiah 45:23 where it says every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, a passage that Paul quotes in Philippians 2:10-11. This view does not necessarily preclude judgment and punishment. It can be understood to mean that eventually -- after penitential purification -- everyone will be saved. It is exciting to contemplate -- every Buddhist knee will bow?, every Muslim mouth will confess?

Even the sparrow has found a home,

And the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may lay her young --

Even your altars, O Lord of hosts,

My King and my God. (84:3)

What beautiful poetry! What profound truth! Even with the sparrow and swallow one generation follows another under the watchful care of the creator. Our Lord, who studied the Psalms at his mother’s knee and in synagogue school, picked up on God’s care of the sparrow -- “Your heavenly father feeds the birds of the air. Are you not of more value than they?” That the swallow’s nest is an “altar of God” should give us pause in the claims we might make for our “sanctuaries” of brick and mortar.

Into Your hand I commit my spirit;

You have redeemed me, O Lord of truth. (31:5)

The psalmist recognizes that God is in complete control, and he is good and faithful to his children, so why should one worry? It was with this confidence that Jesus quoted the first line of this verse on the cross (Luke 23:49), and it has been repeatedly quoted by martyrs as they faced execution for their faith.

For my iniquities have gone over my head;

Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. (38:4)

The context of these lines indicate that the writer was a very sick man, and that he believed that his suffering was due to his sins, perhaps sexual sins. Verses 5-7 suggest they may have been some form of perverted sexual sin. This psalm teaches that we are to be open and honest with God about our sins, naming them for what they are, and that we are to take sin seriously. It also shows that God wants us to come to him for help amidst our despair. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,

And abundant in mercy to all who call upon You. (86:5)

The God of the Old Testament is often depicted as demanding and vindictive, a far cry from the God of the Lord Jesus Christ. But there are many verses like this in the Old Testament that reveal a God of love, mercy, and compassion -- a God eager to forgive. By the use of “all” the writer allows that Gentiles as well as Jews might call upon God and be forgiven.

He who works deceit shall not dwell in my house;

He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. (101:7)

Usually in the Psalms man is addressing God, but here God is addressing man, and it names sins that are most offensive to God. Sins of the heart -- such as deceit, lying, pride -- are always in Scripture more offensive than sins of the flesh. These are sins of the human race in general.

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing. (100:1-2)

These are the first two verses of one of the shortest psalms, only five verses, and they should be read together. It inspired one of the great hymns of the church -- All people That On Earth Do Dwell -- which dates back to the Scottish reformation in the 16th century. The invitation is to all peoples of the earth to serve the one God of heaven -- the one who made us and not we ourselves -- and to enter his presence with thanksgiving. The first verse of “The Old Hundredth” says it well, and makes a fitting summary of what the Psalms are about.

All people that on earth do dwell.

Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;

Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell;

Come ye before Him and rejoice.

Notes

Again I want to thank you for your loving concern for my wife Ouida and my daughter Phoebe. They have both been in the hospital -- different hospitals -- for the past five weeks, and they both yet have a way to go. Ouida has been transferred to Select Specialized Hospital, 2329 W. Parker Road, Carrollton, TX 75010, a longterm care facility. It is a hospital, not a rehab center. Her appetite and energy are improving, but her lungs and kidneys, though improved, are not yet normalized. Her younger sister Maudine came from her home in New Mexico to be with her for ten days -- 24 hours a day -- and accompanied her in the ambulance to the other hospital, 22 miles away. She has been a blessing to us both. Phoebe is still in ICU, but is off the respirator and doing better. She can talk to me now, and always has a word for me to convey to her mother.

All these essays are available at www.leroygarrett.org New names will be added upon request.

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