From Refuge to Revelation: Trusting God Through Every Season

Be God's Glory
Jun 10
10 min read

Welcome to Day 161 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Psalms. Psalms 71–73 collectively offer a powerful journey through life’s trials, hopes, and revelations, especially as seen through the eyes of the aging faithful and the spiritually discerning. Psalm 71 presents the prayer of an elderly believer who leans fully on God’s past faithfulness while facing present enemies, expressing lifelong devotion and hope for continued strength. Psalm 72 shifts into a royal prayer, asking for a king who rules with justice, compassion, and righteousness—ultimately pointing to the ideal kingship found in Christ. Psalm 73 then takes us into a deeply personal reflection from Asaph, who wrestles with the prosperity of the wicked until he enters God's sanctuary and receives divine clarity. Together, these psalms remind us that trust in God is not circumstantial but eternal, spanning from youth to old age, from the throne room to the sanctuary, from earthly confusion to heavenly wisdom.

Psalm 71 is a heartfelt cry from an aged believer seeking refuge in God. The psalmist reflects on a lifetime of God's faithfulness, recalling how God sustained him from his youth and pleading for continued protection in old age. Surrounded by enemies who mock his trust in God, the writer boldly declares his unwavering hope and praises God for His righteous acts. There’s a passionate desire not just for deliverance, but for the opportunity to declare God’s power to the next generation. This psalm beautifully blends urgency with remembrance, revealing a soul that clings to divine consistency even as physical strength fades. Ultimately, it’s a prayer of confidence in God's unchanging character, especially in the final chapters of life.

Psalm 72 is a royal psalm and intercessory prayer that envisions a godly king ruling with righteousness, defending the poor, and establishing justice across the earth. Written either by or for Solomon, it foreshadows the kind of rule that only the Messiah will fully fulfill. The psalm describes a kingdom marked by peace, prosperity, compassion for the needy, and global reverence. The prayer includes powerful imagery of abundance, such as the mountains yielding prosperity and all nations being blessed through the king. This chapter closes with praise, acknowledging God’s glory and the enduring legacy of a kingdom rooted in divine justice. Psalm 72 ultimately stirs hope for a perfect king—Jesus—whose reign will bring true peace and restoration.

Psalm 73, written by Asaph, wrestles honestly with the apparent success of the wicked compared to the suffering of the righteous. At first, the psalmist envies the arrogant and questions whether living a pure life is worthwhile. The turning point comes when he enters the sanctuary of God and gains spiritual insight into the ultimate fate of the wicked—they are on slippery ground and will suddenly face ruin. This revelation shifts his heart from bitterness to trust, recognizing God’s constant presence and eternal guidance. Asaph ends the psalm with a profound affirmation: while flesh and heart may fail, God is his portion forever. Psalm 73 is a deeply relatable reflection on doubt, perspective, and the power of God’s presence to bring clarity in confusion.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name "Psalms" comes from the Greek word Psalmoi, which means "songs" or "melodies." This term was used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. In Hebrew, the book is called "Tehillim", meaning “Praises.” Though many of the Psalms are laments or cries for help, the overarching theme is one of worship, adoration, and praise to God. The name reflects the book’s purpose as a collection of poetic songs meant to be sung or recited as expressions of worship and relationship with God.

Purpose of the Book:

The primary purpose of the Book of Psalms is to provide a rich devotional and liturgical guide for God’s people. It gives voice to the full range of human emotion—joy, sorrow, gratitude, confusion, repentance, and hope—and models how to bring those emotions to God in prayer and praise. Psalms teaches believers how to worship, how to lament, and how to trust in God in every season of life. It also contains prophetic elements pointing to the coming Messiah and affirms God's faithfulness, justice, and covenant with His people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 individual psalms written by multiple authors over many centuries. The most well-known contributor is King David, to whom 73 psalms are directly attributed (e.g., Psalm 3, 23, 51). David is referred to as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” in 2 Samuel 23:1, confirming his significant role. Other contributors include:

Asaph (Psalms 50, 73–83) – a Levitical choir leader (see 1 Chronicles 6:39 and 2 Chronicles 29:30).
The Sons of Korah (Psalms 42–49, 84–85, 87–88) – descendants of a Levitical family assigned to temple worship (1 Chronicles 9:19, 2 Chronicles 20:19).
Solomon (Psalms 72 and 127) – David’s son and successor.
Moses (Psalm 90) – one of the oldest psalms; supports Mosaic authorship (see Deuteronomy 31:22, where Moses is said to write songs).
Heman the Ezrahite (Psalm 88) and Ethan the Ezrahite (Psalm 89) – associated with wisdom and temple service (1 Kings 4:31, 1 Chronicles 15:17–19).

Some Psalms are anonymous, yet they align with themes and styles used by these known authors. Historical Jewish tradition and early church writings, such as those by Origen and Jerome, also affirm the Davidic authorship of many psalms.

Key People:

God (Yahweh) – the central figure, described as Creator, Deliverer, Shepherd, King, and Judge.
David – both author and subject in many psalms, especially as a representative of the Messianic king.
The Messiah – referenced prophetically (e.g., Psalm 2, 22, 110) and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as confirmed in the New Testament (Acts 2:25–36, Hebrews 1:5).
Enemies of Israel – including surrounding nations and personal adversaries, used to contrast God’s protection and judgment.
The righteous and the wicked – recurring symbolic characters representing those who follow God’s law versus those who rebel.

Conclusion

The Book of Psalms is a spiritual treasure chest that has shaped worship, theology, and prayer for thousands of years. With its vivid language, raw emotion, and deep faith, it connects head and heart, doctrine and devotion. It offers comfort in suffering, strength in trials, and joy in worship. Whether used in personal reflection, congregational worship, or prophetic meditation, Psalms continues to speak to every believer’s walk with God. Ultimately, it points to the greatness of God and His eternal plan of redemption through the Anointed One—Jesus Christ.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In Psalm 71, God is revealed as a lifelong refuge, a constant protector, and a faithful deliverer. The psalmist emphasizes God's reliability from youth to old age, showing that His character never changes despite the shifting seasons of life. God is portrayed as righteous, strong, and attentive—He listens, rescues, and renews hope. He is not only present in times of crisis but also worthy of lifelong praise and proclamation. The intimacy of the psalmist’s relationship with God shows a deep trust rooted in experience and remembrance.

While no specific Hebrew names like El Shaddai or Jehovah Jireh are directly mentioned, God's character reflects the attributes of El Elyon (God Most High), showing sovereign authority and protection over the psalmist’s life. The lesson here is the importance of remembering God’s past faithfulness to fuel present trust. It teaches that even in old age or weakness, God remains our strength and purpose, and we are still called to declare His goodness to the next generation.

Psalm 72 paints a picture of God as a righteous and just ruler who cares deeply for the afflicted and the poor. His justice is not partial—it uplifts the vulnerable and brings peace and prosperity. God is a defender, a blesser of nations, and the source of all enduring rule and authority. The prayer for the king reflects divine qualities of compassion, fairness, and power, portraying God's heart for justice and global peace.

Although specific Hebrew names of God are not listed, this psalm reflects the attributes of Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) and El Olam (Everlasting God), especially in its focus on enduring justice and righteousness. The lesson in Psalm 72 is that true leadership and lasting peace come from God's righteousness. It also points forward to Jesus, the perfect King, reminding us that only God's rule can bring true healing, justice, and blessing to all nations.

In Psalm 73, God is shown as just, wise, and intimately present even when life seems unfair. Asaph begins by questioning God’s justice because the wicked seem to thrive, but by the end, he realizes that God’s presence is his true treasure. God is patient with our doubts and compassionate toward our struggles. He offers perspective in confusion, strength in weakness, and a nearness that surpasses worldly gain.

Though no explicit Hebrew names are used, God’s attributes in this psalm are consistent with El Roi (the God who sees) and Jehovah Shammah (the Lord is there), showing that He is aware of our internal wrestlings and walks closely with us. The lesson in Psalm 73 is to not envy worldly success but to seek eternal perspective through communion with God. It teaches that God's presence is greater than prosperity, and true peace comes from trusting His ultimate justice and goodness.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

How does Psalm 71 portray God as a refuge throughout all stages of life?
In what ways does Psalm 72 reflect God's justice and compassion for the poor and oppressed?
How does Psalm 73 reveal God’s patience and grace when we struggle with doubt or envy?
What specific attributes of God are most emphasized across these three psalms?
How does God's unchanging nature offer comfort to the aging believer in Psalm 71?
How does the psalmist’s interaction with God change after gaining spiritual insight in Psalm 73?
What do these psalms collectively teach us about God's closeness and sovereignty in our lives?

Questions About Themes:

What theme of lifelong faithfulness is emphasized in Psalm 71, and how is it connected to purpose in later life?
How does Psalm 72 express the theme of righteous leadership, and why is it ultimately prophetic?
What major turning point occurs in Psalm 73, and how does it impact the theme of spiritual clarity?
How do these psalms balance themes of personal struggle and public praise?
What role does remembering God's past deeds play in each of these chapters?
In what way do these psalms connect worship with justice, especially in leadership and personal integrity?
How is the theme of eternal perspective emphasized and contrasted with worldly success in Psalm 73?

Reflective Application Questions:

How has God been a refuge for you in different seasons of life, especially in times of weakness or uncertainty?
What can you do today to share God’s power and faithfulness with the next generation like the psalmist in Psalm 71?
In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's justice, even when circumstances seem unfair?
How can you better align your values with the eternal perspective revealed in Psalm 73?
What practical steps can you take to be an advocate for justice and compassion, like the king described in Psalm 72?
How do you respond when you feel that the wicked are prospering while you're doing what is right?
In what ways can you draw closer to God’s presence this week, even amid confusion or discouragement?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans