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Psalms and the Blessings of the Kingdom

In the final chapter of his Harmony of the Prophetic Word, A. C. Gaebelein writes about the blessings of the coming kingdom age. What does the book of Psalms reveal about the nature of things on earth during Christ’s reign?

We begin with the 46th Psalm where we read, “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.” And again in v.8-9 we read, “Come, behold the works of the LORD, who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; he burns the chariot in the fire.” The kingdom of Christ brings peace as God himself resides on the earth.

In Psalm 66:1-4 we find the praise of resound throughout the whole earth, “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of his name; Make his praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awesome are your works! Through the greatness of your power your enemies shall submit themselves to you. All the earth shall worship you and sing praises to you; They shall sing praises to your name.” And then just two psalms further, Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents to you…Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord.” (68:29,31-32) Gaebelein explains, “All this will be fulfilled when Jehovah has come and His glory is known in the earth, and because of that glorious temple in Jerusalem the kings come to bring their presents.”

wheat-field-640960_1920Psalm 72 includes many details of the coming kingdom blessings, including an abundance of peace (v.10-11) and an end to famine and poverty (v.16). The 84th and 85th Psalms also prophecy about the future hope of the restoration and redemption of Israel, and the perfections of peace and righteousness are spelled out in 85:10-13, “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and shall make his footsteps our pathway.”

Like the previous chapter, there is far more in the Psalms than can be included here. Gaebelein summarizes it this way: “The shortest of all the Psalms, the 117th, refers us to the coming age, while the longest Psalm, the 119th, gives the description of the righteous nation occupied with the law and the Word. How Jehovah will keep His people in the age to come is learned from the 121st Psalm. The 122nd Psalm is a beautiful one. It shows how they go up with rejoicing into the house of Jehovah…As we read through the fifth book of the Psalms we find that praise to Jehovah increases and there is not a word said that it will ever stop. Israel praises Jehovah, the nations praise Him, and all creation, mountains and hills, beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying fowls, every thing that hath breath, will praise Jehovah.” What a glorious and blessed hope for the whole earth!

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