THE PSALMIST REMINISCES

The thoughts of the psalmist revert to the days of his forefathers when Israel’s march to Canaan was in progress; recall yesterday’s reading, 77. 20. Asaph was a Kohathite, 1 Chron. 16. 4-7; hence his forebears carried the tabernacle furniture, including the ark, in the midst of Israel as they marched. We remember that the glory of the Lord resided over the ark when the tabernacle rested. The tribes which followed immediately were Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin; hence Joseph is included in verse 1. See Numbers 10. 21-24.

As Asaph (the chief singer) sings, he does so on behalf of Israel, and calls upon the Shepherd of Israel to shine forth, for such would guarantee Israel’s salvation, v. 3. They were privileged tribes which immediately followed the sanctuary, marching daily with their faces ever toward that which spoke of the divine glory. As we wend our pilgrim way, are our eyes ever unto the Lord of the sanctuary, our Shepherd? Is this our prospect? Do we walk in the light of His shining face?

Our psalmist links this with “being saved”. This psalm is punctuated with this certainty, vv. 3, 7, 19. Israel is seen as disconsolate, crying under the Lord’s displeasure. They had turned away, and needed to turn again, so they cry thrice. Do we need to be turned again? Is the Lord of the throne ceasing to be the Lord of the heart? Let us turn again, and get Him fully in focus (and He will return, v. 14), and the shining of His face will bring the salvation that we need as pilgrims. If we walk with face averted, there is still a Saviour to be seen.

Note that somewhere in that same grouping of the march the body of Joseph is being carried in a coffin, surely by one of Joseph’s tribes, Exod 13. 19. Whether they looked ahead or behind, they were reminded of God’s salvation, either in the Lord’s face, or in the bones of Joseph (called Zaphenath-paneah, the Revealer of Secrets) in a coffin.

Note the progress of thought: 1. “Turn us again, O God” (the Strong One), v. 3. 2. “Turn us again, O God of hosts” (the Victorious One), v. 7. 3. “Turn us again, O Jehovah God of hosts” (the Faithful One), v. 19; “cause thy face to shine” appears in these verses.

What cloud is hiding His face?