1 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: – Way back at the beginning of the OT in Deuteronomy 6 v7-9 God says “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.“ How will the next generation know if we don’t tell them?
2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;
3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. – It is certainly true that when the Israelites relied on their own cunning and might, they often failed! The Bible tells exciting instances of God being with them!
4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! – Making God King doesn’t happen by default – it takes choice!
5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.
7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. – Christianity is a Christ centred way of life, it is much more than a formalized, legalistic religion! – His followers do or should trust in Him for our victory in living aright!
8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. – Oh, that this were truly our choice more than it often is! We often try to live to ourselves giving God the occasional nod! Selah– Stop and really consider this!
Proverbs 23: 17-18: “Your heart will not forget what you’ve learned. Keep a watchful heart, and hope in the Lord, for there’s a future for you.” – but learning needs instruction!
Prayer: Help to see and depend upon the realities which are real but beyond my human eyes and daily living in this world!
As I read it! 