A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away: The Podcast

David Wachter

A Daily Devotional Series Reflecting on the Psalms goforth0913.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 84

    Psalm 84 – The House of the LORD Today, we note a change in convention in the psalms going back to Psalm 42. Psalms 42-83 are known as the Elohistic Psalms because they seem to purposely avoid using the name of Yahweh in referencing G-d, instead preferring to refer to G-d as Elohim. As we have previously noted, in Judaism, avoidance in using the term Yahweh is a form of reverence for G-d’s Holy Name and it is thought that this group of psalms was written/edited/compiled during a period of time when reverence for G-d’s name was a point of emphasis. Starting with Psalm 84, Yahweh returns to prominence. On to the text, which is top five! After a seemingly endless sequence of personal and communal laments (complaints), Psalm 84 changes the mood completely. It is a Song of Zion (Jerusalem) and likely a pilgrimage song sung as Jews from across the nation journeyed to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple (remember, there are three pilgrimage holidays in Judaism). It is a song that draws on the communal experience of lament and previous pilgrimages, a song of anticipation of the beauty and awe of worship in the presence of the Holy One. It is a song of intense desire: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD.” (v. 1) Note that the word translated/interpreted as ‘lovely’ is ‘ye-di-DOT’ יְּדִיד֥וֹת which has the same root as ‘dod’ (lover) and ‘do-DEEM’ (lovemaking). It is so easy for our relationship with G-d to get stale. I pray that reading Psalm 84 sparks a memory of a time and a place where your relationship with G-d was passionately on fire. Maybe that passion was sparked by passing through a time of trial and recognizing G-d’s presence throughout the experience; or perhaps it was a particular worship service where the Holy Spirit’s presence was crystal clear; or possibly it was a vacation with your family where everyone just connected, and the blessings of G-d were so evident. I pray that reading Psalm 84 will create a spirit of anticipation for your next encounter with G-d and that today begins or continues that journey. Godspeed, DWach PS … DJ Revonda reached into the archives for today’s classic praise and worship song based on Psalm 84: 10 “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”: Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Sep 14

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 83

    Psalm 83 – Praying for Our Enemies Imprecation psalms (prayers cursing ill will on enemies) seem in complete conflict with our Christian doctrine of loving our enemies. Psalm 83 provides us the opportunity to reflect again on imprecations. Here are my observations this morning: 1. The psalmist is clear that the enemies are G-d’s enemies: “Look, your enemies rage. Those who hate you lift their heads.” (v. 2) 2. The psalmist and Israel are powerless against G-d’s enemies. 3. Only G-d can change the situation. 4. The laundry list of nations are all pagans (remember our Hebrew word from yesterday: גּוֹיִֽם ‘goy-IM’ which can be translated/interpreted as ‘nations’ and/or ‘pagans.’ 5. The purpose of the curses is to bring shame, disgrace and death upon the enemies (v. 17) not because they seek revenge for themselves, but because G-d has been disgraced and defamed. That is clear in the very next verse, verse 18, where the psalmist continues his prayer by praying that G-d’s enemies, the pagan nations, “may know that You, whose name is the LORD, that You alone are Most High over all the earth.” (v. 18) The tension of wishing ill-will on G-d’s enemies (and our own) and wishing they would recognize G-d Most High resonates in my soul. It’s why the psalms are so timeless to me. Part of our journey in this world is to navigate through the tension expressed in this psalm until we can pray as Jesus prayed: “May they [we] be brought to complete unity TO LET THE WORLD KNOW [the ‘goy-IM’] that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me [us]” (John 17: 23) May today be a day of prayer for G-d’s enemies (and our own) … that they may KNOW Him. Godspeed and Shalom, D-Wach Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 83

  3. Aug 23

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 82

    Psalm 82 – God of the Nations We believe in the ONE true God. We spent time with yesterday’s psalm reflecting on the Shema: “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God the LORD is ONE …” Monotheism is so ingrained in our modern religious psyche that we forget that it emerged (re-emerged from a Biblical viewpoint) out of the chaotic world of paganism which entailed myriads of gods. Much of Scripture (both Old and New Testaments) addresses the lingering appeal of paganism to the original Biblical audiences. Psalm 82 is a reminder and corrective poem to readers regarding the ONE true God. It is written as an oracle from Him to the “great assembly” of lesser “gods.” The question G-d asks the assembled “deities,” who in this very myth-like construct, act as His administrators of justice here on earth, is this: “How long will you judge dishonestly?” (v. 2) Ancient Jewish rabbis found an intertextual connection with Exodus 23:8 which says, “No bribe shall you take, for a bribe blinds the sighted and perverts the words of the innocent.” The “gods” have not grasped their responsibility, perhaps have taken bribes in administering justice, and as a result “all the earth’s foundations are shaken.” (v. 5) G-d then orates what His justice is about: “Do justice to the poor and the orphan. Do righteousness to the lowly and wretched. Free the poor and needy …” (vv. 3-4, my translation) The very foundation of Creation is built upon His definition of justice and righteousness. As the oracle ends, the condemnation of the “gods” is made complete: “Yet indeed like humans you shall die and you will fall like every other ruler.” (v. 7) But the psalm has one more verse, spoken by the psalmist: “Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.” (v. 8) The first part makes sense given the justice/righteousness theme of the psalm. But why this reference to the nations being G-d’s inheritance? We note that the Hebrew word גּוֹיִֽם ‘goy-IM’ that is here translated/interpreted as ‘nations’ is the same word that is often translated/interpreted as ‘pagans.’ Within this linguistic duality is the pagan idea that certain “gods” were assigned to preside over specific nations or people groups. The psalmist is reminding us that the pagan “gods” that serve the nations aren’t G-d. G-d is! There is but ONE God, and He rules ALL the nations and He is willing and able to bring His justice and righteousness to ALL of humanity and Creation. Our call to action today is to administer His justice and righteousness, and to do it better than even “gods” could do it. The “nations” are in desperate need of it. Shalom שָׁלוֹם DWach Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 82

  4. Aug 10

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 81

    Psalm 81 – Hear (and obey) The opening lines of this psalm are a great call to worship and serve as a call to covenant renewal. Some scholars argue that it was associated with the Fall festival known as the Feast of Sukkot (Booths or Tabernacles) which celebrates the Exodus wilderness experience whereby G-d saved His chosen people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt and led them into freedom in the desert. He dwelt with them in the Tabernacle (the Tent). If you recall, it was during this wilderness experience that G-d delivered Torah and the Commandments to Moses. Our psalm today recounts that history, with G-d speaking in the first person. After summarizing the events of the Exodus to the assembled congregation, He reminds His chosen people of their apostacy. The technique used, once again, is classic Jewish repetition of a word or phrase, this time focusing on the key word שְׁמַ֣ע ‘she-MA’ which means “to hear/listen (and obey).” In verse 8 G-d commands, “Hear (and obey), O my people, and I will warn you; Israel, if you would but hear me (and obey).” My mind immediately goes to Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the Shema, which is the greatest commandment (EVERY rabbi, including Jesus, proclaims it to be such): “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and all your soul and all your might …” G-d continues to speak in the psalm: “But my people would not hear me (obey).” (v. 11) And so G-d “gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” And then something I find remarkable happens. It is as if G-d is praying to Himself. I can imagine an almost wailing type of emotion. God cries out, “If my people would only hear me (and obey), if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would humble their enemies!” (v. 13) The theology of our text this morning reminds of us of several things: 1. G-d has seen us in bondage (whatever form that has taken in your life) and has already freed us from that bondage in a mighty act of salvation. 2. G-d desperately desires a relationship with us. 3. We often ignore and underestimate how great His love is for us. 4. If we would only ‘she-MA’ G-d, He would go to great lengths to satisfy us, even to the extreme of providing “honey from a rock.” (v. 16) Today, may we hear (and obey) G-d’s call from Psalm 81 for renewal in our relationship with Him. Godspeed and Shalom שָׁלוֹם D-Wach Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 81

  5. Jul 26

    The Journey To Freedom

    Go Forth Teaching Ministries is excited to announce our next faith based tour: Egypt! Our journey will include a 4-day Nile River cruise, a tour of the Egyptian Museum, a a visit to the pyramids and sphinx, an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the River Nile, and an optional hike up Moses Mountain. Each day will include a Bible study of the Exodus focusing on how the Egyptian culture and religious life impacted the People of God as they made their way out of Egypt and into the desert. We are partnering with Egypt Unlimited Tours, an Egyptian tour company with whom Noelle (Insights in Travel) has worked on prior occasions. They have created a website with access to the trip details and the ability to sign up on-line. As always, if you need/want help with flights, or have logistics questions, please reach out to Noelle (contact info below). And of course, feel free to reach out to me as well. The trip dates are March 6 (depart from USA) through March 16 (arrival back in the USA). These dates include your flight departure and arrival, but international flights are not included in the trip price. The international flights and travel insurance are extra costs and you can consult with Noelle about both of those. The trip website is: https://egyptunlimitedtours.wetravel.com/trips/egypt-luxury-tour-with-insights-in-travel-egypt-unlimited-tours-7395795074 The ship that we will most likely utilize has a website as well. See that link below: https://www.sonesta.com/sonesta-st-george-1-nile-cruise-ship Noelle’s contact information is as follows: Noelle Wachter, Insights in Travel LLC 828-244-6640 noelle@insightsintravel.com I am looking forward to another awesome experience with you all!!! Feel free to also reach out to me with any questions: davidwachter@charter.net Godspeed, D-Wach Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe

    The Journey To Freedom

  6. Jul 26

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Psalm 80

    Psalm 80 – God’s Favor We start today with a review of some lockdown dates everyone needs to remember regarding the ancient history of Israel in which the Hebrew Bible (what we call the Old Testament) was produced: 1300 BCE - The Exodus led by Moses - (give or take 100 years – there is significant dispute regards this date) 1000 BCE – The Kingdom of David 722 BCE – The Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel 586 BCE – The destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile of the “rich and famous” of Judea The references at the beginning of Psalm 80 to Joseph, Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh (all tribes and clans of the Northern Kingdom) locate this psalm historically in the period just before or just after the aforementioned Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE. It is a communal lament (complaint) that follows the typical pattern that we have seen before for lament psalms, including another great question (remember, the Bible is as much a book of questions as it is a book of answers, and the theology is always in the questions): “O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?” (v. 4) This question caught my interest because it states matter-of-factly that G-d is angry with our prayers. How could G-d ever be angry with our prayers? Aren’t we supposed to pray at all times and in all circumstances? In that case, how can He be mad? These are good questions to ponder. Part of our assignment today is to analyze our prayer lives. How faithful are we in seeking conversation with G-d at all times and in all circumstances? Or … do we seek G-d only when we need a favor from Him? Perhaps our selective praying causes Him anger. Psalm 80 also employs a classic Jewish three-peat refrain that acknowledges the need for G-d’s favor (His action that is necessary for us and that will occur without any repayment) for our rescue/deliverance/salvation: “Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us that we may be saved.” (vv. 3,7,19) An overriding Truth of the psalms is that we cannot save ourselves. Only through G-d’s favor can we be redeemed and restored. The psalms also speak to a people who too often in their history turned to G-d only when they needed a favor. The faith lesson today, and the reason for the self-examination, is to exhort us to lean into G-d at all times and in all circumstances. Our journey should be an all-day and all-topic conversation with Him. Give it a try. It is the key to joyful and abundant living. Godspeed, DWach PS … one textual note regards to v. 17: “Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.” There certainly seems to be messianic tones to this verse, and I think as Christians, it is fair to associate this passage with Jesus as Messiah, especially in a psalm that three times pleads to G-d for salvation and restoration. On the other hand, historically within Judaism, the rabbis associated this “man” with the king, who would be G-d’s agent of restoration. PPS … today’s musical offering from DJ Revonda based on Psalm 80 comes from Sons of Korah, which has become one of our favorite bands Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Jul 18

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 79

    Psalm 79 – Love Our Enemies? For those Psalm a Dayers who were alive, do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? I was in California on a business trip. I went down from my hotel room early to eat breakfast and saw what everyone else was seeing: the destruction of our iconic Twin Towers. I was scheduled to leave that day to return to NC, and obviously, the itinerary changed as all air traffic was shut down. I was stranded for four days. The feeling of helplessness and disorientation was overwhelming. I am sure all of us felt that same disorientation in our spirits as well as rage and anger as our nation’s very soul was affronted by our “enemies,” especially as they danced in the streets the next day in Arab cities around the world. The destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and the subsequent exile of the “rich and famous” of Judea to Babylon was analogous to our experiences of 9/11 … only worse. Arguably, the USA quickly recovered from the effects of that day and life returned to normal for most Americans. It took three generations before any Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and the Temple, but as we read in Psalm 74 a few days ago, it wasn’t the same as before. Our lament (complaint) psalm today was born out of the desperation of a people tired, angry, disoriented and desiring two things: revenge for the destruction of the Temple and mercy for Israel’s communal sin and apostacy. There is a great deal of irony in this statement. The psalmist practically admits that G-d’s people had not been obedient, and if truth be told, deserved their fate in exile: “Do not hold against us the sins of our fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us.” (v. 8) In the same breath the psalmist demands, “Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O LORD.” (v. 12) The raw passion of the psalmist mirrors our own spirit and sentiment. The sevenfold punishment the psalmist demands for Israel’s enemies (v. 12) hearkens back to Lamech’s vengeance in Genesis 4:24, and we can read that story and pass judgement on Lamech for his viscousness. But when our personhood, or our country is affronted, all notions of mercy and forgiveness are forgotten. Destruction is the proper destiny “for them” while grace and mercy are suitable and just “for us.” Almost 10 years after the events of 9/11/2001, news broke late one night that Osama bin Laden, master mind of the attack, had been killed. The demographic that heard the news first were our young adults, those who had been grade-schoolers in 2001 (they knew first because the news broke late at night, and they were the only ones still awake!). There was communal joy and euphoria that night as these young adults texted each other and celebrated and “danced in the streets.” Vengeance had been served. I felt the euphoria too when my son called and woke me up with the news that night. My reaction disturbed me. I was confronted with the hypocrisy of my own soul. Death to the enemy for their evil ways and mercy to me for mine. Did bin Laden deserve to die? Of course! But should I be joyful about it? I think the answer is no. A more spiritual response would have been to acknowledge G-d’s justice being served, to mourn the reality that we live in a sinful and fallen world in desperate need of G-d, and to yearn for His Kingdom to reign on earth. This psalm disturbs me more than any other. My sinful and self-centered soul is on full display. My self-righteousness and arrogance are on full display when I read it because the psalmist’s desire for vengeance appeals to me. Jesus said, “You have heard that it is said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven … If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that? BE PERFECT, THEREFORE, AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT.” (Matthew 5: 43-48) Yep, this thing called Christianity ain’t for the faint of heart. Godspeed, DWach Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 79

  8. Jul 10

    A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Episode 78

    Psalm 78 – A History Lesson The setting is a small village near the Sea of Galilee. I imagine an evening fire in the courtyard of an extended family’s “insula” which is a series of connected rooms (sleeping quarters for each family unit) and a courtyard making a singular rectangular compound (see attached sketch). The evening meal is finished, and the animals are secure within the courtyard. The families gather around the fire and listen to the patriarch recite/tell the story of Psalm 78: “Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, and bend your ears to what I tell you. I’m chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, stories that we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves. We’re passing it along to the next generation: God’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done. He planted a witness in Jacob, set his Word firmly in Israel and then commanded our parents to teach it to their children so that the next generation would know, and all the generations to come: that they would know the truth and tell the stories so that their children can trust in God, and will never forget the works of God, but keep his commands to the letter. Heaven forbid they should be like their parents, bullheaded and bad, and a fickle and faithless bunch who never stayed true to God.” (v. 1-8) The patriarch continues his recitation of Psalm 78 which recounts, in summary form, the history of Israel and its relationship with YHWH … the good, the bad and the ugly. Unlike the series of “looking backwards” psalms that we have encountered since Psalm 73, this psalm is not a lament. This is the reflection of a psalmist who understands the past and how it should be applied to the present and future, and he does so without emotional angst about what is happening to him (and his people) in the present. Psalm 78 is the history lesson of a seasoned theological warrior who recounts the rich history of his people and his God so that he can teach “the next generation.” (v. 4, 6) And what is the lesson? I believe it is a lesson of obedience/disobedience and the consequences of both of those responses to G-d’s presence in our lives. We have mentioned that scholars have tried to find an overarching structure to the 150 psalms, to no avail. However, there seem to be sections of text that are arranged in a certain order that betray some theological structure. The “looking back” psalms starting with Psalm 73 seem to be one of those sections. Each psalm adds some clarity on how we should treat our collective faith history and our collective relationship with G-d. These psalms exhort us to reflect on our past but not dwell on it. We should not yearn for the past but learn from it. As we continue along the path of our spiritual journey, we are to be humble and patient, present in the moment but also forward thinking in anticipation of G-d’s actions, and as demonstrated by today’s history lesson, do it in obedience to the words and commands of the Holy One. And, so very importantly, we are to use our faith history to teach the next generation how to love and relate to G-d. All of this is no easy task. As I have said so many times before, the life of faith ain’t for the faint of heart! But praise be to G-d that we live the life of faith in the midst of an eternal community of fellow sojourners and in the presence and power of the One who was, and is, and is to come! Grind on Psalm a Dayers! And be sure to do your part in passing on the faith. Shalom שָׁלוֹם DWach Sketch of a 1st Century Jewish Insula: Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe

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A Daily Devotional Series Reflecting on the Psalms goforth0913.substack.com

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