Day 44 ~ Tender Mercies

Book Three of the Psalms contains Psalm 73-89. Asaph, the author of several Psalms in this grouping (and also Heman - see Ps 88, 89) were selected by David in I Chronicles 15:16-17 to be singers accompanied by musicians in the temple.

• Psalm 73 - the writer is tempted to be jealous of the wicked and their stuff, until verse 17, when he is in the sanctuary of God, then he understands their true wickedness. If we are in God's presence, the evil will become obvious to us.
• 73:25-26 - song "God is the Strength of My Heart"
• Psalm 74 - describes the destruction and burning of the temple
• 77:9 - "tender mercies" - this description has leaped off the page at me a couple of times. Psalm 25:6, 40:11, 51:1, 69:16, here and again in 79:8, (then also in 103:4, 119:77, 156, 145:9 - which I haven't read yet). Mercy seems tender to me anyway, this seems very loving.
• Psalm 77 - for the insomniac
• 78:25 - Mannah is angel food. I thought we wouldn't eat in heaven. Who knows what that thought is based on.
• 78:47 - tree alert! Sycamore!
• 78:51 - Egyptians descend from Ham (son of Noah). I'm going to guess that's right - I'm too tired to go look it up!
• Psalm 81 - written in first person from God's perspective. I think that's something new.
• 84:1-2 - song "How Lovely Are Thy Dwelling Places"
• Psalm 86 - written by David, guess we're not done with his songs yet
• 89:1 - song "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever"