The thrice-repeated prayer—“let your face shine, that we may be saved!”—reveals the deepest wisdom in Asaph. It is not merely a playful, poetic allusion to Aaron’s blessing (cf. Nu. 6:23-26). Do not think for a moment this prayer is more of an appeal to tradition than an outpouring of an understanding heart. The psalmist has known the glory of the Lord, believing him to be the consuming fire. It is a confession of his power and authority. God is not a sleepy shepherd, not a senile geezer, not a dimwitted king whose mind is absent from this kingdom’s business. This prayer acknowledges a serious problem for the people: God has hidden his face.
God himself fed his people with the bread of tears and broke down the wall of their safety. Not unknowingly did he lead his sheep among wolves. And even as Israel’s downfall was in God’s power, so also will be their restoration. He will turn his face toward them in the same way he turned away, with the same power and all in the same witting design.
No accidents have upset his plans. The nations have not taken God by surprise. So by the same power he brings both affliction and salvation. His strength opened the gate to the pasture, and his strength can shut it again; but if a power greater than he had assailed the flock, then woe to the world without hope of salvation. But to the contrary, there are none greater, and so the world does have hope. Let his hand be on the Son of Man whom he has made strong for himself! Asaph has known the glory of the Lord and prays what only understanding hearts may say:
Only your presence, O God, can alleviate our pain. Only your hand can deliver us. You do not sleep or grow weary; while we sleep you dream of the day when we will cry out with one voice, “Come.” You will drive away the wild boar, and the same hand that planted us in the midst of a violent world will lift our drooping heads and wipe away every tear. And we would see your face, shining in the city.
God himself fed his people with the bread of tears and broke down the wall of their safety. Not unknowingly did he lead his sheep among wolves. And even as Israel’s downfall was in God’s power, so also will be their restoration. He will turn his face toward them in the same way he turned away, with the same power and all in the same witting design.
No accidents have upset his plans. The nations have not taken God by surprise. So by the same power he brings both affliction and salvation. His strength opened the gate to the pasture, and his strength can shut it again; but if a power greater than he had assailed the flock, then woe to the world without hope of salvation. But to the contrary, there are none greater, and so the world does have hope. Let his hand be on the Son of Man whom he has made strong for himself! Asaph has known the glory of the Lord and prays what only understanding hearts may say:
Only your presence, O God, can alleviate our pain. Only your hand can deliver us. You do not sleep or grow weary; while we sleep you dream of the day when we will cry out with one voice, “Come.” You will drive away the wild boar, and the same hand that planted us in the midst of a violent world will lift our drooping heads and wipe away every tear. And we would see your face, shining in the city.
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