Living by Faith

       Psalm 83 is the last psalm of Asaph in the Hebrew songbook.  Verse two seems to indicate that this composition was written right before the temple’s defilement and Jerusalem’s unexpected overthrow by her enemies as described in Psalm 79:1-4.  This psalm and its…

As a Hen Gathers Her Chicks Under Her Wings

       Asaph’s frequent battles with the question of “Why?” are easily documented.  “O God, why have You cast us off forever?  Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?” (Psalm 74:1).  “Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand?” (Psalm 74:11).  “How…

Wrestling with “Why?”

       Psalms 74 and 75 have been placed consecutively in the Hebrew song book because the haunting questions of the former are answered in the latter.  In Psalm 74, Asaph is vigorously wrestling with the question of “Why?”— “O God, why have You cast us off…