LIVING LIFE GOD’S WAY€¦ · Devotional Studies on Psalm 119 Making Christianity Work: and...

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LIVING LIFEGOD’S WAY

Reflectionsfrom the Psalms

Study Guide

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H. Carl Shank

The Psalms. Rich, vibrant, honest, inspirational, comforting. These are some of the words people have used to describe these 150 pieces of Hebrew poetry. They are as profound to our experiences today as they were to those who wrote and read and rehearsed them thousands of years ago.

These study selections come from a pastoral experience of forty-three years of preaching, teaching and lecturing. This span of time and study does not give me exhaustive knowledge of these Psalms, nor a “final” understanding of them. They are insights that God the Holy Spirit through His Word has placed on my own heart and mind through diligent wrestling with the language, hermeneutical and biblical theological insights, and numerous scholarly and practical commentary variations of the meaning and application of these Psalms.

It is my hope and prayer that God would use this study for your own enrichment, meditation and spiritual growth in the Psalms. I, with you, am but a student of Scripture. May we learn together what God is saying to us in these powerful and personal Psalms.

Carl Shank is a pastor and church health consultant. He regularly coaches churches and ministry leaders. He has written a number of books and articles, including Upfront and Indepth: Deeper Devotional Studies on Psalm 119 and Making Christianity Work: Letters and Lessons on Leadership, Theology and the Church, all available through amazon. com.

Living Life God’s W

ay: Reflections from the Psalm

s Carl Shank

5788167813659

ISBN 978-1-365-57881-690000

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Study Guide

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H. Carl Shank

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Living Life God’s WayReflections from the Psalms

Copyright © 2016 by H. Carl Shank. All rights reserved.ISBN 978-1-365-57881-6

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. Permission to make reasonable numbers of printed copies of sections for educational or church use is granted as long as due credit is given.

Printed in the United States of America

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About the Author

In addition to his M.Div. and Th .M. (systematics) work, H. Carl Shank has been a youth, associate, solo, staff and lead pastor in over forty years of church ministry, pastoring beginning and established congregations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and New York state. His passion for leadership development has resulted in mentoring numerous pastors, teaching in a number of local Bible institutes as well as serving as an adjunct faculty member of Th e King’s College, and training InterVarsity leaders on the East Coast. Carl has been regularly sought out for his acknowledged gift s of discernment and wisdom in dealing with church issues.

Besides numerous seminars and church related articles, his written contributions include Qoheleth’s World and Life View As Seen in His Recurring Phrases, Westminster Th eological Journal, 37 (1974), 57-73, More of Christ, Mack Publishing, 1973, A Faith Journey: Steps of Faith from Here to God, 2009 (www.blurb.com), Th e Two-Talent Church: Truths for Health and Growth, 2010, Upfront and Indepth: Deeper Devotional Studies on Psalm 119, Making Christianity Work: Letters and Lessons on Leadership, Th eology and the Church, and Th e Inbetween Book for Church Leaders: What You Need to Know and Do to Get Where You Want to Be. Carl is married to his wonderful wife, Nancy, and has three grown, married children, Stephen, Jeremy and Heidi. He lives in the Marietta, PA area and can be reached for consulting, seminars or leadership development at

[email protected]

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Table of Contents

Selected Bibliography ............................................................ixWhat To Expect From This Study .................................... xiiiIntroduction ............................................................................1Psalm 1: God’s Index to Life ..................................................5Psalm 2: God’s Coronation Song ...........................................9Psalm 3: The Lord Our Shield ..............................................13Psalm 4: Peace In The Midst of Distractions .......................................................................17Psalm 5: Praying With Pain and Praise ..............................19Psalm 8: Man and God .........................................................23Psalm 9 & 10: God’s Justice in the Light of Man’s Sinfulness ...........................................................27Psalm 11 & 12: Confidence Through Crisis ..................................................................................31Psalm 13 & 14: Godly Agony and Victory .........................35Psalm 15: Preparation for Worship .....................................39Psalm 16: Declaration of Confident Thankfulness .....................................................................43Psalm 17: A Righteous Plea for Help ..................................47Psalm 18: Victory Chant from the Lord’s Anointed ................................................................51Psalm 19: God Speaks Through Creation And His Word ...................................................................55Psalm 20 & 21: Victory Over Enemies Comes Only Through God .............................................59Psalm 22: Ultimate Agony for Ultimate Victory ...............................................................................63Psalm 23: God As Shepherd and Friend ............................67Psalm 24: King of Kings and Lord of Lords ....................................................................71Psalm 25: An Alphabet of Trustful Prayer .........................75Psalm 26: Unabashed Integrity for Worship .............................................................................79

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Psalm 27: Prayerful Confidence in God .............................83Psalm 29: The Glory of God Through The Storm ..........................................................................87Psalm 32: The Joy and Blessing of Forgiveness ........................................................................91Psalm 37: How To Live for God In An Ungodly World ................................................................ 95Psalm 42 & 43: Dealing with Dark Times ......................... 99Psalm 44: Working Through Persecution and Defeat ... 101Psalm 49: Death–The Great Leveler ................................. 105Psalm 51: True Confession ................................................ 109Psalm 58 & 59: Outrage Against Evil ............................... 113Psalm 63: Hungering and Thirsting After God .............. 117Psalm 66: Make His Praise Glorious– Everywhere! ....... 121Psalm 69: Praying in Desperate Times ............................ 125Psalm 70 & 71: Help! .......................................................... 129Psalm 72: The Perfect King ............................................... 133Psalm 74: Havoc and Complaint ...................................... 137Psalm 79 & 80: Where is God?!! ....................................... 141Psalm 82 & 83: Justice Is Needed ..................................... 145Psalm 86 & 87: The “Pillow of Sovereignty” ................... 149Psalm 89: Does God Promise and Not Fulfill? ............... 153Psalm 92 & 93: The Exalted God ...................................... 157Psalm 94 & 95: Worship the Just King ............................. 159Psalm 101 & 102: A Royal Outlook and A Complaint .. 163Psalm 105 & 106: God’s Provision and Man’s Plight ...... 167Psalm 109 & 110: Dealing with Character Assassination ................................................................... 171Psalm 114 & 115: The Power and Blessing of God ........ 175Psalm 146–150: Praise the Lord! ...................................... 179

ADDENDUMPsalm 1 Extended: God’s Index to Life ............................ 183Christmas in the Psalms .................................................... 201

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m SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHYReferences to selected works are by the author’s name only, unless there is more than one study attributed to that author. Pages are given when needed for clarification. Commentaries and studies are indicated in the following notes with most consulted listed first. Footnotes are thus kept to a minimum for readability. Abbreviations follow standard biblical book abbreviations, or as indicated at the end of this foreword.

COMMENTARIES

Derek Kidner, Psalms 1–72 and 73 – 150, The Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, ed. D.J. Wiseman, London: InterVarsity Press, 1973 and 1975. Peter C. Craigie, Psalms 1–50, Word Biblical Commentary, eds. David A. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker with Old Testament editor John D.W. Watts, Waco:Word Books, 1983. Marvin E. Tate, Psalms 51-100, Word Biblical Commentary, 1991. Leslie C. Allen, Psalm 101-150, Word Biblical Commentary, 1983. David Dickson, A Commentary on the Psalms, Banner of Truth, 1959. Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms, Eerdmans, 1970 reprint. E.W. Hengstenberg, Commentary on the Psalms, Cherry Hill, NJ: Mack Publishing. H.C. Leupold, Exposition of Psalms, Baker Book House, 1972 reprint. John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, trans. James Anderson, Eerdmans, 1949. William S. Plumer, Psalms: A Critical and Expository Commentary with Doctrinal and Practical Remarks, Banner of Truth, 1975 reprint.

BOOKS AND ARTICLES

Stuart Briscoe, David: A Heart for God, Victor Books, 1984. Gene A. Getz, David: Seeking God Faithfully, Broadman and Holman, 1995.

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Soul from 15 Selected Psalms, Victor Books, 1989. H. Carl Shank, Upfront and InDepth: Deeper Devotional Studies on Psalm 119, Lulu Press, 2011. Murdoch Campbell, From Grace to Glory: Meditations on the Book of Psalms, Banner of Truth, 1970. R.T. France, Jesus and the Old Testament, InterVarsity Press, 1971. C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, HarperOne, 2001 reprint. Encounter with God, Devotional Studies, March – December 1986, Scripture Union.

ABBREVIATIONS

Heb Hebrew textGk Greek text LXX Septuagint OT Old Testament NT New Testament Gen Genesis Ex Exodus Lev Leviticus Num Numbers Deut Deuteronomy Josh Joshua Judg Judges Ruth Ruth 1 Sam 1 Samuel 2 Sam 2 Samuel 1 Kings 1 Kings 2 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chr 1 Chronicles 2 Chr 2 Chronicles Ezra Ezra Neh Nehemiah Esth Esther Job Job Ps Psalms Prov Proverbs Eccl Ecclesiastes Song Song of SolomonIsa Isaiah

Jer JeremiahLam LamentationsEzek EzekielDan DanielHos HoseaJoel JoelAmos AmosObad ObadiahJonah JonahMic MicahNah NahumHab HabakkukZeph ZephaniahHag HaggaiZech ZechariahMal MalachiMatt MatthewMk MarkLk LukeJohn JohnActs ActsRom Romans1 Cor 1 Corinthians2 Cor 2 CorinthiansGal GalatiansEph EphesiansPhil PhilippiansCol Colossians

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1 Thes 1 Thessalonians2 Thes 2 Thessalonians1 Tim 1 Timothy2 Tim 2 TimothyTit TitusPhlm PhilemonHeb HebrewsJas James1 Pet 1 Peter2 Pet 2 Peter1 Jn 1 John2 Jn 2 John3 Jn 3 JohnJude JudeRev Revelation

KJV King James VersionNIV New International VersionRSV Revised Standard VersionMES The Message

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m PREFACE What To Expect From This Study

PLENTY OF SOUNDLY BIBLICAL and devotionally appealing writing has been done on the Psalms. Some of this material has been referenced in the selected bibliography. Typing the word, “Psalms,” in amazon.com, for instance, reveals over 50,000 entries, ranging from translations to studies to devotionals to electronic books to novels from the rich writing of the Psalms of the Bible. These 150 prose pieces have captured the imagination and hearts of many around the world and throughout the history of thought. So, why write another study on the Psalms?

An impetus for this kind of devotional study of selected Psalms comes from a Wednesday evening study and prayer group I had been facilitating. Composed of people from a number of churches, they have let me know how much they have appreciated the “new” insights from the studies. And, they have kept these brief studies in their own notebooks for personal reflection and more study.

The overall title of these studies is “Living Life God’s Way.” The format of these studies follows a simple pattern of a brief introduction to the Psalm, a working outline of the contents of the Psalm, and then some reflective study notes under each heading. There is usually an “application” section with general personal and group practical suggestions as how to apply the teaching to everyday life and thought. Each Psalm study is available in a fill-in-the-blank format.Extra relevant notes or comments that would add to the clarity of the particular Psalm are at the end of some studies. There is plenty of room for the reader or student to write personal notes or reflections under “Your Notes.”

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Selected Psalms are covered in this guide. These selections come from pastoral experience of forty-three years of preaching, teaching and lecturing. This span of time and study does not give me exhaustive knowledge of these Psalms, nor a “final” understanding of them. They are insights that God the Holy Spirit through His Word has placed on my own heart and mind through diligent wrestling with the language, hermeneutical and biblical theological insights, and numerous scholarly and practical commentary variations of the meaning and application of these Psalms.


Carl Shank2016

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Introduction

m LIVING LIFE GOD’S WAY General Notes about the Psalms

1. The Psalms are Hebrew ____________. Israel used the Psalms to:

a. Make ___________________ points

b. Allow for _____________ and ________________

c. Often make _____________ points through each verse, called Hebrew parallelism. Examples would be:

Ps. 103:10 – “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” An example of “synonymous poetry,” where the second line

reinforces or enriches the first line.

Ps. 37:21 – “The wicked borrow and do not repay; but the righteous give generously.” An example of “antithetic parallelism,” where the second line

opposes the first to make it stand out.

2. These 150 Psalms are divided into ________ “books” or collections:

a. Psalms 1–41; 42–72; 73–89; 90–106; 10–150.

b. Each book ends wih a _______________ (e.g. Ps. 41:13)

c. Not only liturgy to be used for formal worship, but the _______ experiences of people and places we can share and from which to glean lessons.

3. Many of the Psalms are ________________; that is, they are predicators or foreshadowings of Jesus Christ, the hope of Israel. Examples would include Ps. 2:7 with Rom. 1:4; Ps. 45:6

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with Heb. 1:8; Ps. 22; Ps. 69 and Ps. 118.

4. The _____________ are often found at the head, or beginning, of each of the Psalms:

a. Belonging to David (73 Psalms) b. Solomon (Ps. 72; 127) c. Sons of Korah (Pss. 42–49; 84; 87) – a Levitical family, guild

of temple doorkeepers and guardians (1 Chr. 9:17ff) as well as singers (1 Chr. 6:31, 33, 39, 44).

d. Asaph (12 Psalms) e. Heman (Ps. 88) – founder of the choir known as the “sons of

Korah” (1 Kings 4:31). f. Ethan (Ps. 89) – founder of one of three choirs (1 Chr. 15:19;

2 Chr. 5:12). g. Moses (Ps. 90)

5. _______________ or ______________ information is also provided in the headings:1

a. Selah – 71 times and usually found in Books 1–3 of the Psalter. It could be a signal for an interlude (rest) or a change of musical accompaniment.

b. Higgaion – Ps. 9:16; 19:14; 92:3 which indicates the idea of meditation or quiet music.

c. Miktam – Ps. 16; 56–60), an obscure term to us and perhaps a prayer of silence.

d. Maskil (13 Psalms) – maybe a reference to psalms of skill or understanding.

e. To the Choirmaster (55 Psalms) – references a collection of Psalms drawn together for special occasions.

f. Song of Accents (Ps. 120–134) – pilgrimmage songs sung on the way to Jerusalem.

g. Other headings possibly indicate tunes, obscure to us now (e.f. “According to Gittith” in Ps. 8).

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ANSWERS: 1. poetry; a. memorable; b. singing; learning; c. parallel. 2. five; b. doxology; c. life. 3. Messianic. 4. authors. 5. Musical; technical.

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Additional Notes

1. We really do not know much about these headings. Selah, for instance, could indeed refer to a pause, or rest or musical interlude, or even a place in a community hymn where the congregation prostrated themselves before God. Gittith may refer to a kind of musical instrument, or tune, or ceremony of some kind. Higgaion may refer to the manner of singing. Some of the Psalms were used for individual prayer or worship, while others were meant for community worship and experience.

Your Notes

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Psalm 1

m God’s Index to Life1

1. Why does a person do what he or she does? What motivates behavior? Rank the following choices in your own life and walk:

_____ a. Example of others

_____ b. Personal beliefs

_____ c. Being forced to do something

_____ d. Peer pressure

_____ e. Desire to be different than others

2. Psalm 1 can be seen as God’s __________ to life, a _______________ to all the other Psalms. There are ______ sections to this Psalm – vss. 1–3, 4–5, and 6.

3. According to Psalm 1, there are only __________ ways to live – __________ way or the way of the _______________. No one is ______________!

4. God’s way is the truly ________________ way, not in frivolity but true, deep contentment and purpose. Jesus Himself will introduce his ministry with outlining this kind of “blessed” lifestyle (Matthew 5:3–11).

5. God’s picture of a truly contented life includes three truths:

a. Such a life is ___________________ from the world around him or her (v. 1). ______________ that ________________ is the point here.

• “counsel of the wicked” = advice from the state of _______________, in which most non-Christians live (Read Isa. 57:20, 21).

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• “way of sinners” = lifetsyle of those who have “___________ God’s mark” (Read Ps. 25:8; 26:9; 1 Pet. 4:3; Prov. 23:17).

• “seat of mockers” = places and situations where Christians and Christianity is visibly and outwardly ______________ (Read Prov. 1:22; 19: 28, 29; 1 Tim. 6:3–5, 20, 21; 2 Tim. 2:23, 24; 3:6, 7; 4:4, 5).

A truly happy person is a Christian who walks by no advice, who stands by no rule, and who meets with no group except such as he dares die by and stand by in that Great Day of Jesus Christ.

b. Such a life _______________ in God’s Word (v. 2)

A deep-rooted reverence for Scripture; a daily ____________________ in God’s Word. (Read Psalm 112 for the blessings of such meditation)

What does it mean to meditate in God’s Word “day and night?”2

c. Such a life deeply ________________ on God (v. 3)

A “planted tree” indicates freshness, stability, and inner beauty that is ___________________.

• “planted by streams of water” = indicates _________ rooting by God’s sovereign grace

• “yields fruit in season” = the __________ fruit at the _____________ time in a person’s life (Read Gal. 5:22, 23).

• “whose leaf does not wither” = _____________ or _______________ (cf. Isa. 64:6).

• “whatever he does prospers” = biblical ___________ is the outcome (Read Josh. 1:8; Ps. 128:1–4; Prov. 22:4; 30:8).

6. The tragic opposite, or the “fearful negative” as Charles

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Spurgeon called it, is a life that is __________ _________! (v. 4f) Such a life is compared to ______________ which God’s wind of judgment blows away. Such a life will face _____________ and _______________ judgment (v. 6).

This picture is given to help us ____________ for and _______________ to the ungodly. (Read Jeremiah 9:1; Philippians 3:18; Romans 9:2,3; Psalm 119:136)

7. God’s _____________ and ________________ to life is given in vs. 6. God __________, or watches over, the way of the righteous (Read Ps. 139:1–4; Jer. 17:10; Isa. 40:27, 28).

8. Application of Psalm 1.

a. A Christian’s hope is not found in _____________ good deeds. It is a ________ of life that God wants and examines.

b. A Christian’s life is not built on his or her ___________, but rather their _________________ to God through Jesus Christ.

c. Such knowledge that God has of us should drive us to hearty _____________ and _______________ living.

d. Such knowledge should also cause us to ________ and ________ the Bible, God’s Word, as our “lamp and light” on a daily basis.

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ANSWERS: 2. Index; preface; three. 3. Two; God’s; wicked; neutral. 4. Happy (blessed). 5a. different; contact; contaminates; confusion; missed; scorned; b. delights; meditation; c. depends; God-given; firm; proper; proper; freshness; strength; success 6. Not so; chaff; final; eternal; care; witness. 7. comfort; challenge; knows. 8a. isolated; way; b. strength; relationship; c. worship; grateful; love; keep.

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Additional Notes for Psalm 1

1. An extended Bible study of Psalm 1 is available in the Addendum (pp. 183ff).2. Two helpful quotes on biblical meditation are as follows: “Meditation is

the touchstone of a Christian; it shows what metal he is made of. It is a spiritual index; the index shows what is in the book, so meditation shows what is in the heart. . . A serious and solemn thinking upon God, with the intent to recollect and gather together thoughts.” (Thomas Watson, Puritan writer) “Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God. Its purpose is to clear one’s mental and spiritual vision of God, and to let His truth make its full and proper impact on one’s mind and heart. It is a matter of talking to oneself about God and oneself; it is, indeed, often a matter of arguing with oneself, reasoning oneself out of moods of doubt and unbelief into a clear apprehension of God’s power and grace. Its effect is ever to humble us, as we contemplate God’s greatness and glory, and our own littleness and sinfulness, and to encourage and reassure us — ‘comfort’ us, in the old, strong, Bible sense of the word—as we contemplate the unsearchable riches of divine mercy displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(J. I. Packer, Knowing God, pp. 18, 19).

Your Notes

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Psalm 2

m God’s Coronation Song1. Introduction. Psalm 2 is called a “____________________”

Psalm, or a psalm for a time of trouble. It is written by ______________ (cf. Acts 4:25) and quoted often in the New Testament (cf. vs. 7 in Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5; vs. 9 in Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15).

2. There are ________ sections: Verses 1-3; 4-6; 7-9; 10-12.

3. Man’s temporal _______________ (vss. 1-3).

Why is there so much rebellion against God in our world?

a. People and entire nations practice “______________ ________________” against God and his Anointed One. They _______________ = negative meditation (cf. Ps. 1:2).1

b. They are set against the _______________ = Anointed One (cf. Acts 4:25–28)

c. They interpret God’s rule as _________________, not security and bliss, as it really is (v. 3)

Why do you think this is the case?

4. God’s ultimate _________________ (vss. 4–6).2

a. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18–25. Biblical examples of God’s response to man’s foolishness are the ___________________________ (Gen. 11) and King _____________________ (Dan. 4).

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b. The prime example to non-Christians as a mark of defeat is the ___________, which is actually ______________ – “Jesus reigns from the Tree!”

5. _____________ has been promised in the resurrected Christ (vss. 7–9; cf. Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5; Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15).3

a. The Christian’s power comes through ________________ Christ the King to exercise His rule – “Thy kingdom come!” (The Lord’s Prayer in Matt. 6:10)

b. Christians have a ___________ in subjugating the nations to Christ (2 Cor. 10:3–6).

c. The “rod of iron” was used as a shepherd’s __________ to sort out the flock (Lev. 27:32), a ______________ against marauders (Ps. 23:4) and a symbol of godly _____________________, a “scepter.”

6. God’s _____________________ to mankind (vss. 10–12).

a. “Kiss the Son” means to pay __________________, to lay hold of God’s instruction through Jesus Christ. (READ Acts 4:24–31). The only hope of the nations is to ____________ to God, to find refuge ____ Him rather than ________ Him.

b. “Wisdom” means choosing the ___________ _____________ of action with a _________ ___________ toward God (Read Prov. 1:1–7).

7. Application. How does this last section help you as a Christian live effectively in our rebellious world?

“God’s patience is not placidity, any more than his fierce anger is loss of control or his laughter cruelty or his pity sentimentality. His fear has joy in it and so does not bring distress. His joy has fear in it and

so does not pass into levity.”(Kidner, p. 53)

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ANSWERS: 1. Coronation; David. 2. 4. 3. Illusion; a. grumbling discontent; conspire. b. Messiah; c. bondage. 4. Reality; a. Tower of Babel; Nebuchadnezzar; b. cross; victory. 5. Victory; a. asking; b. share; c. crook; weapon; government. 6. Summons; a. homage; submit; in; from; b. right course; right attitude.


1. “conspire” means to “agitate” or engage in grumbling discontent with scheming purposes. Interestingly, it is the same term used in Psalm 1: 2 for “meditate!”

2. The “I” in 2:6 is emphatic in the Hebrew.3. This “decree” is permanent and unchangeable, an echo of 2 Samuel 14

referring to the establishment of the Davidic throne. This is a Messianic reference rooted in the ontological character of sonship, much like Melchizedek’s priesthood pattern being derived from the “Son” of God.

Your Notes

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Psalm 3

m The Lord Our Shield1. Introduction. Psalm 3 is an ___________________ Psalm,

one of fourteen Psalms tracing a bit of ____________ career (cf. Psalm 7, 18, 30, 34, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 60, 63, 142). His flight from Absalom, his own son, who usurped the throne is recorded in 2 Samuel 15:13–23.

2. This is what is called an _______________ Psalm for the ordinary believer facing the troubles of life when people are against them. The good news is that our troubles are ______________ compared to David’s, but David’s _____________________ are nothing compared to ours!

3. A note about the term Selah (vss. 2, 4, 8). We do not know its precise significance today. It could refer to a _____________, or a _________________ interlude, or even when the Psalm was used in worship as a point where the congregation prostrated themselves before God. (See Introduction)

4. The theme of the Psalm is: ________________________________________.

5. POINT ONE: God’s ___________ keeps our hearts! (vv. 1-6)

a. Sometimes we experience ____________ and ________________ opposition from those around us, even from our own families!

b. The Psalmist uses the term “LORD” to indicate God’s __________________ Name, referring to His promises and presence.

c. The thoughts of the Psalmist move from _____________________ to _______________.

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d. God as a “shield” indicates _____________ _______________ protection.

e. “My Glory” refers to the _______________ of serving such a Divine Master and the _________________ he imparts. READ 2 Corinthians 3:13, 18. God’s glorious presence makes our troubles and enemies seem _____________ in comparison.

f. “Lifter of my head” refers to a movement from dejection to __________________.

g. God’s “holy hill” refers to the place of His ___________________. In David’s life it was the place of the ____________ (2 Samuel 6:2); in ours it is the heavenly Jerusalem, the presence of ________________ Himself (READ Hebrews 12:22-24).

h. The result is ________________ sleep and lack of __________ (vv, 5, 6) The “I” is emphatic. He can face the worst with God!

6. POINT TWO: God’s ___________________ protects our life!1 (vv. 7–8)

a. For David as King, less than ______________ would be virtual abdication.

b. While verse 7 may seem barbarian and cruel, David’s real desire is to ______________ the destructive words of his enemies. Thus, to “smite someone on the cheek” refers to a major _______________ on them (1 Kings 22:24; Job 16:10; Lamentations 3:30). To “break or smash their teeth” would render the enemies speechless.

c. God’s protection is not just for ____________, but for _________ His people (v. 8). David as King is interested in the Israelites being a _________________ to others.

7. God as our _____________________ can grant ___________ and _________________ even with the most terrible of personal and spiritual enemies.

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8. Application.

“True Christian fortitude consist more in a gracious security and serenity of mind, in patient bearing, and patient waiting, than in

daring enterprises, sword in hand.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

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ANSWERS: 1. Historical; David’s. 2. Evening; nothing; expectations. 3. Pause; musical. 4. The Lord Our Shield. 5. Peace; a. active; accusing; b. covenant; c. reassurance, confidence; d. whole person; e. honor or privilege; radiance; small; f. confidence; g. blessing; Ark; Jesus; h. restful; fear. 6. Presence; a. victory; b. silence; insult; c. me; all; blessing. 7. Sustainer; peace; victory.


1. The term used for “God” in vs. 7 is “Elohim,” a reference to God’s Creatorhood and authority over all nations and circumstances.

Your Notes

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Psalm 4

m Peace In The Midst of Distractions1. Introduction. The heading of Psalm 4 indicates a Psalm “to

the Choirmaster” (Director of Music). This heading applies to _________ Psalms (and cf. Habakkuk 3:19b) and is part of a collection for _______________ occasions.

2. The theme of Psalm 4 is how to have _____________ with ___________________. It addresses our tendency, especially at night, to _____________, to _______________ and to ______________ and _________________.

3. The Psalmist needs relief from “_______________” (v. 1). He is ___________ ______________, or in a “tight corner.”

4. He appeals to God’s _____________________ as _______________________ or just. He is the “God of My Right.” This appeal comes from an understanding of God as our “covenant-keeper” and “divine protector.” READ Romans 8:28–39.

What about God and His character do you find comforting in distressful times? Why?

5. God gives ___________ answers or responses to people around us in distressing times.

a. An answer to those who would _______________ us (vv. 2,3). Slander is built on _________________ and ___________. The only ultimate solution is not self-defense but rather trust in ___________ defense of us.

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Do you go to God when people wrongly accuse you, or seek self-defense?

b. An answer to those who would rise up in ______________ to defend us (vv. 4,5). (cf. Luke 9:54, 55; James 1:19, 20). The solution to “hot-headedness” is to __________ in the Lord. _________________ replaces “getting even.”

c. An answer to the _____________________. These are “defeatists” who always see a friend’s trouble in the ____________ possible light. David’ solution is to ask God for ___________ and ___________ recalling the ancient Blessing of Aaron. READ Num 6:25, 26.

6. As in Psalm 3, the Psalmist can end his day in peaceful _____________ because the _________________ is his safe refuge.

7. Application and Challenge. Is it enough for you that the Lord is your safety and security? If not, why not?

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)

d

ANSWERS: 1. 55; special. 2. Peace; distractions; brood; complain; fret; worry. 3. Distress; hard-pressed. 4. Character; righteous. 5. Three; a. slander; delusions; lies; God’s; b. anger; trust; worship; c. discouraged; worst; peace; light. 6, sleep; Lord.

Your Notes

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Psalm 5

m Praying with Pain and Praise1. Introduction. This is a ________________ Psalm for no special

occasion, thus can be used _________________. There are __________ names of God in the Psalm – “Jehovah LORD” (3 times); “Elohim” (twice); and “El” = “Mighty God” (once in vs. 4).

2. The Psalm has _________ stanzas but only ______ themes:

a. Personal _________ and anguish at sinful, ungodly people around us, but

b. Personal ________ and security in God for His people

Why do we need BOTH in the practice of prayer?

3. Verses 1–3. The Psalmist __________ for the presence of God and comes to Him in the _________________.

a. This “sighing” is actually an inward __________________, the “piercing utterance of the heart in articulate sounds” (See Jonah 2:2; Psalm 39:3; Rom. 8:26).

b. Why pray in the morning?

> Sets the _________ for the day. It gives a proper __________________ of what the day might hold and an ________________________ perspective of God at work throughout the day in front of us. Note the language here: “my King/my God” a personal relationship; “lay my requests before you” = sacrificial language; “look up/wait in expectation” = awareness of enemy intrusion (cf. Isa. 21:5-8)

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> Gives a right sense of God’s _____________ often lost in the rush and press of the world around us. God’s omniscience implied here.

4. Verses 4–8. The Psalmist reminds us of both the _____________________ and ___________ of God. God is both holy and loving at the _________ time!

a. “enemies” (v. 8) are those who _______________ us, watching for us to fall

b. How do we deal with “enemies?” By applying God’s _______________ (“your righteousness”) and walking in God’s ___________ (Prov. 3:5, 6; 4:25-27), and remembering God’s __________ (“cover” in v. 12)

5. Verses 9, 10. This is called an “imprecatory” prayer, a prayer for God’s _____________ to prevail. Note the following:

a. Not a prayer for personal ____________________

b. Not a prayer out of unholy _____________________

c. A prayer that arises out of the keen awareness of the awesome _______________ of God and the stubborn _____________________ of people without God.

d. God’s just judgment unfolds in _______ ways:

> Exposure

> Collapse – sin sows the seeds of its own destruction (Rom. 1:18-23)

> Expulsion – in final judgment

6. Verses 11, 12. God’s protecting and sovereign __________ over His own. He is their

a. ________________ = a place to hide; a calm retreat from fear and harm (cf. Psalm 17:7,8; 31:19, 20; 34:19-22)

b. ________________ = A “covering” where God hides us so that evil cannot get to us

c. ________________ = a large, rectangular leather covered

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frame in those days that protected the ______________ body (cf. Psalm 91:4)

7. Application. Does prayer really make a difference? YES! Read Revelation 8:3, 4.

“Time spent with God is never lost, but it is time woven into the context of eternity.”

(Campbell)

d

ANSWERS: 1. General; anytime. 2. Five; two; pain; joy. 3. Sighs; morning; a. groaning; b. tone; perspective; expectant; reality. 4. Righteousness; mercy; same; observe; standard; path; care. 5. Justice; a. vengeance; b. frustration; c. holiness; sinfulness; d. three. 6. Care; a. refuge; b. shelter; c. shield; entire.


1. “sighing” in v. 1 – musing; inward, painful thoughts and groaning (cf. Ps. 39:3; Rom. 8:26).

2. “cry for help” in v. 2 – “the piercing utterance of the heart in articulate sounds” (cf. Jonah 2:2)

3. Notes on v. 3 – “morning” –“In the morning” (cf. Jesus in Mk. 1:35), or “as soon as the morning comes,” hence, “day by day.” “direct” or “lay my requests before you” = to lay before God as in the OT priestly sacrifice (cf. allusion to Lev. 1:6f here). Here God urges commitment, a sacrifical dedication and service of the day ahead. “look up” or “wait in expectation” – a term used in prophetic language for prophets to be so aware they can spot the very first signs of enemy intrusion (cf. Isa. 21:5–8; Mic. 7:7; Hab. 2:1). It also implies awesome responsibility and accountability to God for the watching (cf. Ezek. 3:17; 33:6, 7).

Your Notes

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Psalm 8

m Man and God1. Introduction. There is no _________ to this Psalm, and

“Gittith” may refer to a kind of musical ___________________, or a musical ________, or a _______________ of some kind in some setting unknown to us today.

2. The Psalm references both creation and consummation of all things. That is, God is to be adored as ____________________ and ____________ of all things, including the place and role of ___________________. So, I see this Psalm answering the question, “What is man?”

3. POINT #1: Man’s chief end is to ______________ and __________ God, who is seen by the Psalmist as ____________________. (vv. 1, 3, 9) Here the “_____________________” of humankind is set against the __________________ of the Creator God of the galaxies (v. 3). Note:

a. God _____________ the heavens with an eye for ___________ (READ Isaiah 40:26–31)

b. The universe is not empty and ______________________, but created by and for God and His glory.

c. God is both ______________ from his creation, yet intimately _________________ with His creation. This is against an understanding of God so subsumed with creation that He is not a distinct Being (Pantheism), and the misunderstanding of God as being so distant from His creation as to be some great “clockmaker” in the heavens.

d. God uses the ___________________ of humankind as the

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model for worship and praise. (v. 2 – “children and infants” and Matthew 21:14–16)

4. POINT #2: Man’s chief ___________________ is God His Maker. (vv. 4, 5)

a. “mindful” of him = compassion with ______________; God’s “remembering” implies his movement toward the object of his memory (Kidner, p. 67) (cf. Noah in Gen. 8:1)

b. “care for” him = ____________ as well as concern. (cf. Joseph in Gen. 50:20)

c. As a created being, humans have a _____________ place in the scheme of creation, that is, _________________ than angels, yet because of Jesus Christ, ___________ them in authority and destiny. (READ Genesis 1:26; Romans 8:16, 17; Revelation 20:6)

5. POINT #3: Man’s chief work is _______________________ for God’s creation. (vv. 6–8)

a. “___________ over the works of your hands” = all created things

b. Mastery over _____________ creatures as well, including domestic, untamed life as well as all marine life.

c. This gives man ______________, but control under sovereign ________________. Thus, he must take ____________ of God’s creation and rule it well.

d. The pattern of Jesus is the __________________ for us: Sacrificial love, not lordly rule, is the way to glory.

“It is marvelous that men who have no heart to praise God here should expect to be admitted to heaven to praise him there.

Dying will not make any man fond of celestial music or employments.” (Plumer)

d

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ANSWERS: 1. Date; instrument; tune; ceremony. 2. Beginning; End; mankind. 3. Glorify; enjoy; majestic; littleness; vastness; a. orders; detail; b. meaningless; c. separate; involved; d. weakest. 4. Care-giver; a. purpose; b. action; c. unique; different; above. 5. Vice-regent; a. ruler; b. living; c. control; authority; care; d. model.

Your Notes

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Psalm 9 & 10

m God’s Justice In the Light of Man’s Sinfulness1. Introduction. Again, the title of Psalm 9 is not _____________

to us today with certainty, though it probably was a ____________ to be sung. Also, the “Higgaion” after 9:16 may refer to the ________________ of singing (the Hebrew indicates quietly and solemnly) or to musical accompaniment. Finally, note there is no _____________ to Psalm 10, causing many to see these two Psalms as one.

2. The overall theme of both Psalms is the ______________ of God in a world where injustice and ________________ atheism (“There is no God!” – 10:4) runs rampant.

3. God’s justice is shown by his past ________________ (9:1). These wonderful deeds include God’s redemptive ________________ (Psalm 106:7, 22), our ______________ experiences (Psalm 71:17) and the hidden glories of ________________ itself (Psalm 119:18).

How does looking at God’s working in daily life as “miraculous” help our faith?

4. The past tenses in our language in 9:4–6 are what are called “prophetic perfects,” describing ______________ events as if they have ______________ happened. They prefigure the final consummation judgment of God in our world.

5. God’s justice has several sides as shown in these Psalms:

a. Justice is part of His ____________________ as Sovereign

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__________ of the universe (9:2, 7, 8; 10:16).

b. Justice does not mean uncontrolled ______________ or spiteful ______________. He is not like _________! In the Bible, just judgment comes from a person who has _____________, who is identified with ____________ and ____________, who has ______________ to discern the truth and ______________ to execute the sentence.

c. Justice or just judgment permeates the _____________ (READ Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:14; James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:8; Acts 17:31). Indeed, “the Jesus of the New Testament, who is the world’s ________________, is its ______________ as well” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God).

d. God’s character as just Judge __________________ all wrongs will be righted someday, and this is the ___________ of the Psalmist (9:5, 6, 8, 12, 19, 20; 10:15, 16)

e. God’s justice means ______________ for the afflicted and oppressed (9:9, 10, 12, 18; 10:14, 17, 18). A “refuge” is a _____________ _____________ or a place of ____________, shielded from the evil around him or her.

6. God’s justice may appear __________________ for us for a time (10:1), but it is never __________________!

7. God’s justice reveals the _______________________ of those without God in their lives and thoughts. Notice how this “practical” or functional atheism reveals itself:

a. Prideful ________________ (“I won’t slip” = “Nothing will shake me” in 10:6)

b. __________________ happiness (“I’ll always be happy and never have trouble” )

c. An “_______________ __________” lifestyle (10:5, 7)

d. No ________________ in immorality (10:7)

e. No concern for the welfare of ____________, if not outright planning of ________ to others (10:8–10)

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f. A flagrant discounting of coming ________________ (10:11, 13)

“While I draw this fleeting breath;When my eyelids close in death;

When I soar through tracts unknown,See Thee on thy judgment throne;

Rock of ages, cleft for me,Let me hide myself in thee.”

d

ANSWERS: 1. Known; tune; manner; title. 2. Justice; practical. 3. Wonders; miracles; daily; Scripture. 4. Coming; already. 5a. character; King; b. anger; vengeance; us; authority; good; right; wisdom; power; c. Bible; Savior Judge; d. guarantees; hope; e. refuge; hiding place; retreat. 6. Clouded; absent. 7. Sinfulness; a. self-confidence; b. self-centered; c. anything goes; d. restraints; e. others; evil; f. judgment.

Your Notes

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Psalm 11 & 12

m Confidence Through Crisis1. Introduction. “For the director of music” indicates the

Psalms are to be used and possibly __________ in corporate worship as well as used for _______________ laments, though a precise context cannot be determined. The title for Psalm 12, “upon the octave” (Heb.– sheminith) possibly refers to _________________ accompaniment, sung on a lower or base octave, appropriate for the mood of the Psalms. Psalm 12 could simply be the __________________ of the feelings of Psalm 11:1-3.

2. Some writers place these Psalms as taking place during David’s _______________, more precisely his conflict with ___________ or his flight from Jerusalem when his son, Absalom, usurped the throne ( 2 Sam. 15:19ff). Whatever the case, it seems like a time of open _________________ against God and His anointed one.

3. The overall theme of both Psalms is confidence ________________ crisis, not ____________ crisis, or ________________ crisis, or ______________ from crisis (See Psalm 12:8 and 2 Cor. 1:3–5).1 Either David’s advisors or his own ____________ _________ are telling him to flee crisis (Ps. 11:1).

The lesson for us is that although sometimes God delivers us _____________ crises, many times, and more often than not, He sustains and supports us _____________ them.

4. Old Testament reference points from the Psalm may be:

a. “refuge” = referring to the ____________ of Refuge (Ex. 21:12, 13; Num. 35:6-15), six of them scattered throughout

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Israel where an unintentional murderer may flee for safety.

b. “Flattering talk” = _____________ words that are inherently deceitful, but pleasurable to hear, which later Israel was accused of listening to (Isa. 30:10; John 5:44)

c. “fire and brimstone” = reference to the overthrow of _____________ in Gen. 19:24, and a reminder to us of God’s sudden and final judgment (2 Peter 2:6–9).

d. The power of ___________ referred to in ______________ and many other places in the Bible (READ James 3:5; Proverbs 4:20–22; 7:1, 2; 10:11, 31, 32; 11:9, etc). The ally of the Beast of Revelation is the false prophet (Rev. 20:10)!

5. Non-believers use ___________ kinds of corrupt words to invoke crises in our lives:

a. _______________ talk = “lies” in 12:2, referring to insincere and irresponsible words

b. _______________ talk = “flattering lips” in 12:2, which is deadly because of the false ________________ it gives, really addictive to those not versed with the truth of God (READ Isa. 30:10 and John 5:44)

c. ________________ talk in 12:3 = “with a heart and a heart” means a “double” heart, one that _____________________ deceives another person.

d. ____________ talk = “boastful” speech in 12:3, 4. Their words are like targeted ______________ (11:2), piercing the believer.

“The Psalmist has painted a picture of speech that has been raped–worth has been exchanged for vanity, truth for flattery, and humility for arrogance in word and thought.” (Craigie)

6. God, however, ______________ all words (11:4, 5) with ________________ fire (12:6). His words are “ ____________ wealth against empty tokens, and __________ truth against vain flattery, equivocation and bombast.” (Kidner) This is the everlasting __________ of the believer, that ______________

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and _______________ will reign in the end (11:7; 12:7).

7. It is sobering to note, however, that although God is our ______________ (11:1, 4; 12:5), His presence does not immediately____________ vile ( = cheap and worthless) speech of unrighteous people around us. The cry of Psalm 11:3 may express the sense of ____________ – “What has the righteous done to deserve this?!”, or the sense of _____________________ – “What can the righteous do?!”

8. The key to hope and stability in evil times is a firm grasp and trust in the __________ of a sovereign and reigning God. Such trust will give a new ______________ of the power and glory of God in the midst of crises (11:7). God’s promises must be ___________________ to become our own!

d

ANSWERS: 1. Sung; individual; musical; elaboration. 2. Monarchy; Saul; rebellion. 3. Through; ignoring; avoiding; escape; inner voice/fears; from; through. 4a. Cities; b. smooth; c. Sodom; d. words; Proverbs. 5. Four; a. empty; b. smooth; pleasure; c. double; intentionally; d. prideful; arrows. 6. Tests; purifying; solid; exact; hope; justice; righteousness. 7. Refuge; stop; despair; helplessness. 8. Words; vision; claimed.

Additional Notes for Psalm 11 & 12

1. “Why shouldn’t we experience heartbreak? Through these doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God’s purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, ‘Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.’ If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Nov. 1 meditation)

Your Notes

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Psalm 13 & 14

m Godly Agony and Victory vs. Foolish Comfort and Destruction1. Introduction. The pattern. Note the pattern of many

of the Psalms – they move from ______________ to _______________ in God. There is an ___________________ of both the “enemy,” be it spiritual, emotional or physical, as well as God – “the positive and negative charge which produced the driving force of [David’s] best years.” (Kidner, Psalms 1–72) This is a powerful lesson for our day since many spiritual forces around us would ____________ this as a healthy life-pattern for the Christian. David is a _________________, but a _______________ realist!

2. The other well-pronounced pattern of these and other Psalms is the ______________ of God and heaven among the ungodly versus the Christian’s ___________________ in God.

3. The final pattern is man’s __________________ (14:1) contrasted with true _______________, which is found only in a proper fear of God (Prov. 1:7; 9:10). “Foolishness” means active _____________ ineptitude, not silliness or intellectual stupidity. (cf. Rom. 1:22) (“The Hebrew word for fool in this Psalm is nabal, a word which implies an aggressive perversity, epitomized in the person of Nabal of 1 Samuel 25:25.” – Kidner)

4. Theme of Desolation (Ps. 13:1-4; 14:1–6). David’s “how long” is repeated ______ times, indicating true, severe distress.

a. God’s “face” = comforting ______________ is _______________ from the Psalmist here. The sense of ___________________ is gone! (cf. Ps. 11:7; 17:15; 27:4, 8;

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34:5)

b. God’s “remembering” = practical ___________ seems clouded.

c. He is in _____________ of thought = “wrestle with my thoughts” (13:2)

d. His “enemies” = ________________ evildoers seem to be on the rise (13:4; 14:1–6)

e. A reference to man’s _____________ depravity here (14:1–6), highlighted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:10–18. Notice that sinfulness begins with ________________ toward God – “There is no God!” (14:1)

5. Prayer of _____________________ (13:3; 14:7). Supplicatory prayer is an intense, personal, crying out to God for ___________________ in a life or a situation.

6. Theme of Certain Delight (Ps. 13:5, 6; 14:7b). David’s heart cries are joined to absolute __________________ of God’s sovereign, everlasting protection.

a. “Unfailing love” (13:5) (“mercy” in KJV) = a powerful term hesed referencing God’s _______________ love and commitment to His people. “So the Psalmist entrusts himself to this pledged love, and turns his attention not to the quality of his faith but to its object and its outcome, which he has every intention of enjoying.” (Kidner)

b. “good to me” (13:6) = “dealt bountifully with me” means ______________________ in the Lord. The tense of the verb indicates a certainty that David will have a song to offer to the Lord.

c. “restores the fortunes” (14:7) = grants complete ____________________, a foretaste of Romans 8:28–39.

7. Application questions.

How do you deal with God’s “absence” in your walk with Him? Is it hopeful?

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What does Psalm 14 teach you about every person you see or will witness to?

d

ANSWERS: 1. Desolation; delight; awareness; deny; realist; hopeful. 2. Contempt; contentment. 3. Foolishness; wisdom; moral. 4. Four; a. presence; hidden; friendship; b. help; c. turmoil; d. foolish; e. total; rebellion. 5. Supplication; intervention. 6. Certainty/assurance; a. covenant; b. completeness; c. well-being.

Your Notes

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Psalm 15

m Preparation for Worship1. Introduction. This is a Psalm of ____________, possibly used

as an _________________ song as pilgrims came to the temple to worship God. It is a psalm speaking of the ______________ requirements for proper worship of God.

Important Point! Rather than seeing the requirements of the Psalm as a _____________ to worshipping God, it should be seen as a _____________ to entering into the presence of God. So this is not _________________, but it is a warning about entering God’s presence in a _____________________ or ______________ manner. “Between these two poles, there is a proper median: there is indeed access to the Holy God in worship and prayer, but it must be employed carefully, not casually, with appropriate preparation and reverence.” (Craigie)

Reflection Question: Do modern worship services keep this “tension” in proper perspective?

2. The Psalm has __________ basic parts: An opening ________________ (v. 1); a middle ______________ content to true worship (vv. 2–5a); and, a closing ______________ (v. 5b). A variation of this Psalm is found in Isaiah 33:13–16.

3. The Opening Question: Who can be a __________ in the presence (house) of God?

a. “dwell” = sojourner, one who has no natural right to God’s presence (term used in Ps. 33:8; Isa. 33:14)

b. “sanctuary” = tabernacle or holy hill, a place where God receives people; the spiritual dwelling place of God (cf. Matt.

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23:21)

c. Implications of the question:

> The ____________________ of God determines the character of the worshipper.

> Not ____________________ can stand in the presence of God without _________________. Charles Spurgeon put it his way: “Without the wedding dress of righteousness in Christ Jesus we have no right to come to the banquet of communion with God.”

4. The Moral Content of a True Worshipper: If you claim to be a true worshipper of God, you will walk as a _____________________ person (vv. 2–5; Gen. 17:1; Ps. 101:6; Prov. 28:18). Notice these verses have _______________ and __________________, indicating that God’s __________ are as crucial as God’s _____________.

a. A true worshipper _____________ what is right (v. 2). “Blameless” does NOT mean ___________________, rather his deeds are _____________________ with his words. He is a person of __________________. (Ps. 119:121; Matt. 5:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7, 10)

b. A true worshipper possesses ____________ truth (v. 2). (“speaks truth in/from his heart”) For a person to ________ good in God’s sight, he or she must ______ good in God’s sight. According to the Bible this only comes through a ______________ relationship to Jesus Christ.

c. A true worshipper has a right relationship with his ____________________. Jesus said that part of the Great Commandment is that we ____________ our neighbor as ___________________ (Matt. 22:37-40; Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9). This means no ______________ and no practice that would ____________ your neighbor, like _______________. (READ Leviticus 5:4; 1 Peter 3:8) This also means no taking advantage of others through dishonest ____________________ practices, like unreasonable

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______________ or ________________ (v. 5).

d. A true worshipper hates what ____________ hates, and ___________ what God loves (v. 4).

5. God’s promise. A profound ________________ in the presence of God (v. 5b). Insecurity is not met by siding with the strong or the smart or the clever according to the Bible, but resting in the presence of God – In the Hebrew, “he shall not be moved–ever!” (READ Matt. 7:21–25; James 1:22–25; 2 Peter 1:10, 11)

d

ANSWERS: 1. David; entrance; moral; barrier; guide; legalism; thoughtless; casual. 2. Three; question; moral; promise. 3. Guest; c. character; everyone; judgment. 4. Blameless; positives; negatives; No’s; Yes’s; a. does; sinless; consistent; integrity; b. inner; do; be; saving; c. neighbor; love; ourself; slander; harm; gossip; business; interest; bribery; d. God; loves. 5. Stability.

Your Notes

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Psalm 16

m Declaration of Confident Thankfulness1. Introduction. This is one of ________ Psalms entitled

“Miktam” in the Psalter (Psalms 16, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60). While most footnoted Bibles say this term indicates probably a _________________ or _________________ meaning, the most likely Hebrew indicators point to an _________________ Psalm of confidence, for believers in crisis.

2. Depending on the translation of verses 2–4,1 the Psalmist, a true worshipper of God, may be having a __________________ with _________________, people who continue to worship the true God but also worship pagan deities:

“You have said to the Lord: ‘You are my master! My welfare indeed rests on you.’ (You have also said) to the holy ones (deities) who are in the land, ‘They are my mighty ones! All my pleasure is in them. They will multiply their pains: they have acquired another (god). I will not pour out their libations of blood, and I will not take their names upon my lips.” (Craigie)

“saints in the land” = “holy ones” referring to __________________ deities (cf. Ps. 89:5–7) OR to those who are people of holiness and godliness because they are “in the land,” or “on earth” (Ps. 34:9; 106:16).

David’s choice is clear, whatever the precise meaning of the Hebrew – He chooses God and God ______________ as his source of blessing, refuge and delight.

3. Verse 10 has what is called a _________________ reference, since it is cited in Acts 2:25–28; 13:35), noting that not only will God not _________________ the Psalmist even in the grave, He will ______________ Jesus from death itself.

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4. Giving thanks requires a conscious _______________________. Thanksgiving is not dependent on our moods, our circumstances, or those around us.

• “In ________, O God, I take refuge” (v. 1)

• “________ are ______ Lord” (v. 2)

• “The Lord is my ______________ portion” (v. 5)

• “I have ________ the Lord ______________ before me” (v. 8)

5. Giving thanks is a _____________________, not a ________________. This is against those who say that the true meaning of Thanksgiving, for instance, lies in being thankful, no matter to whom or for what.

• “You are _______ Lord; I have no good apart from You” (v. 2)

• “The Lord is _______ chosen portion” (v. 5)

• My ___________ being resonates with the life of God (v. 9)

> A glad __________

> A rejoicing ______________

> A secure ____________

• God is our “_________ of life” (v. 11)

6. Giving thanks focuses on the ________________ of God. It is God, not things, that really and truly matter!

• “my _____________________” (vss. 5, 6 and Number 18:20)

• My constant ___________ or ____________________ (v. 7)

• My ________________ in troubled times (v. 8)

• My ________________ blanket (v. 1) or “refuge”

• My ___________ beyond the grave (v. 10)

• My ______________ life, joy and reward (v. 11) = God’s

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“perpetual pleasantness” – “the full rejoicing of your presence”

7. Application.

a. We need to see _________ in the people and circumstances of life.

b. We need to be totally ________________ in God. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” (John Piper)

c. As we grow older, we need to get rid of “______________ _______________.” Asking God to help us need a little less every day; to detach ourselves from our things and follow simplicity in living.

“Exalted devotion brings the soul into contact with the mind of God.” (Plumer)

d

ANSWERS: 1. Six; literary; musical; inscribed. 2. Debate; syncretists; alone. 3. Messianic; abandon; deliver. 4. God-choice; You; You; my; chosen; set; always. 5. Relationship; religion; my; my; entire; heart; tongue; body; path. 6. Presence; inheritance; guide; counselor; stand-in; security; hope; eternal. 7a. God; b. satisfied; c. excess baggage.


1. “I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’ As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, In whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out Or take their names on my lips. “(ESV)

“I say to God, ‘Be my Lord!’ Without you, nothing makes sense. And these God-chosen lives all around–what splendid friends

they make. Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear

I’ll never Treat god-names.” (MES)

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“and I have said, ‘Only You are my Lord! Every good thing I have is a gift from you.’

Your people are wonderful, and they make me happy, But worshippers of other gods will have much sorrow. I refuse to offer sacrifices of blood to those gods Or worship in their name.” (CEV)

Your Notes

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Psalm 17

m A Righteous Plea for Help1. Introduction. This is one of ________ “Prayers of David”

(Ps. 17; 86; 90; 102; 142) as part of the ________________ community of faith (SEE the language of v. 7), not merely an individual complaint without any history or background. The modern reader often misses this point in these Old Testament prayers, only seeing these statements as individualized requests. They are set in the context of God’s faithfulness to His covenant people.

2. A prayer for ___________________ (vv. 1–6). Notice the following points:

a. David is not saying he is ______________. These are not statements of sinless perfection. The Psalms are full of declarations of his sins and the errors of his ways (cf. Ps. 32 and 51)

b. David is saying he is __________________ of the “violence” of the wicked people around him (v. 4 and vv. 10–12; also Ps. 26). His steps have not “slipped” or moved into sinful ways (v. 5). A historical example might be his restraint of violence against Nabal in 1 Samuel 25:32–35.

c. He is appealing to God as righteous _____________ and to His justice in his case. His piety is not ________________, but rather a ________________ quality (v. 3) as a dedicated ___________ of the Psalmist.

d. The enemies are described as ____________ (lit. “They closed their fat” in v. 10), arrogant, intent on “tracking him down” (v. 11) like a hungry ____________ (v. 12).

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e. David asks God for _______________ against these cruel and proud foes, not personal _____________________ (vv. 13, 14). This is both a prayer for ___________________ and for God’s just ___________________ of enemies. A historical reference point would be the Exodus in which the forces of Pharaoh were all killed.

“The prayer for the destruction of enemies appears to be particularly violent in tone, but it is probable that the words should be interpreted metaphorically rather than literally. . . the words ‘sword’ (v. 13) and ‘kill’ (v. 14) should be seen as part of the military metaphor, rather than as a literal expression of the psalmist’s desire.” (Craigie)

3. A prayer for ______________ mercy and ______________ (vv. 6–12). This is seen in the phrases used by the Psalmist:

a. God’s ________________ works (v. 7) or His _____________________ interventions on behalf of His people, a reminder of what God said to Sarah in Genesis 18:14, “Is anything too hard (lit. wonderful) for the Lord?”

b. God’s steadfast or great _________, which is really the Hebrew term for “covenant mercy” (hesed), which is God’s faithfulness to His covenant blessings to His people.

c. God as _______________ (“save by your right hand”) indicating refuge or safety from deadly peril and enemies.

d. God’s __________________ care indicated by the phrase the “apple of your eye” and shadow of your wings” (v. 8) referencing back to the song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:9–11.

4. A prayer for ______________ and ____________ justification (vv. 14b, 15).

a. “as for me” or “but I” (cf. Ps. 13:5) – a personal plea.

b. “satisfied with” = “have __________ __________ ______________!” (cf. v. 14b)

c. “seeing your face” = living in the ______________ of God

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now and,

d. “when I awake” = in the ____________________ (cf. Daniel 12:2; 1 Cor. 13:12; 15:50–57)

5. Application to our prayers today:

a. Christians can appeal to God in prayer for ______________ since He is a Just God.

b. We do not need to be ______________ to pray such prayers.

c. God’s ___________ is more than sentimental niceness, or a wonderful feeling. It is the fulfillment of His covenant mercies with us, His faithfulness to His promises.

d. The real joy and end of life is the _______________ of God.

d

ANSWERS: 1. Five; covenant. 2. Vindication; a. sinless; b. blameless; c. judge; pretense; tested; choice; d. callous; lion; e. justice; vengeance; deliverance; destruction. 3. Covenant; protection; a. wonderful; miraculous; b. love; c. Savior; d. protective. 4. Personal; final; b. more than enough; c. presence; d. resurrection. 5a. justice; b. perfect; c. love; d. presence.

Your Notes

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Psalm 18

m Victory Chant from the Lord’s Anointed1. Introduction. This is one of _______ Psalms “to the

choirmaster” or “superintendent” (Hebrew meaning) for ______________ use for special occasions in Israel’s history and journey. This Psalm is also found in 2 Samuel 22 introduced with a similar historical note. It is a Psalm of ______________, the Warrior-King of Israel but points in verses 49 and 50 to a Greater Anointed One from David’s lineage, namely ___________ ____________.

Note on singing the Psalms. “The psalms were the earliest songs of the Christian Church and, while they have been continuously used in all the major branches of the Church, this is becoming less common in our day. Yet here all the emotions of the soul, the loftiest thoughts of the mind, the firmest convictions of the conscience, and the most far-ranging interests of humankind and the Kingdom come to expression, from the Lord’s own hand. How can we deny them in our singing to Him?” (T.M. Moore in Chuck Colson’s BreakPoint, Pastor–to-Pastor)

2. The God of Supernatural ______________________. Two themes emerge – one a _________________ theme of God as strength, shield, and safe retreat and a rugged ____________________ theme of God as cliff, stronghold and rock. God is a God of the _______________ with all kinds of _________________, literal and spiritual, and a God who walks with us through the “wilderness” of life. Note the terms used:

a. “my strength” (vv. 1, 2, 39) = READ Exodus 13:9; Deut. 6:21, 22; 2 Chronicles 6:32, 33 with Psalm 18:47–49 and Romans

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15:8,9. Used of physical strength and royal power.

b. “my rock” (vv. 2, 31, 46) = READ Psalm 31:3; 42:9; 71:3; Isaiah 32:2. Used of cliff or crag of a rock for burial or safety.

c. “my fortress” (v. 2) = READ Psalm 31:3; 71:3; 91:2; 144:2.

d. “my shield” (vv. 2, 30, 35) = READ Gen. 15:1; Ps. 28:7; 33:20; 59:11; 119:114. Carried for defense.

e. “my deliverer” (vv. 2, 43, 48) = READ Psalm 22:4; 37:40; 40:17; 144:2. Used of place of escape or dispersion.

f. “my stronghold” (v. 2) =- READ Psalm 46:7, 11; 59:9, 17; 62:2, 6; 94:22; 144:2. Used of places with inaccessible height.

“The psalm reminds us that the total strength of God is concentrated into every act He makes, whatever its size or consequence. . . the mighty God actually intervenes in the world in response to our prayers (vv. 3, 6).” (Encounter With God)

3. The God of Wonderful __________________.

a. A ________________ of the blameless (vv. 20–26) (NOTE: Remember the comments from Psalm 17 about being blameless.)

b. A _________________ God (v. 25)

c. A ____________________ God (v. 26, 27)

d. A God who ______________ (vv. 3, 6, 16–19, 27, 48)

e. A God of ____________________ (v. 30)

f. A God who is ________________! (v. 46)

g. A God of covenant _____________ (hesed) (v. 50) = “unfailing kindness”

4. Application.

a. God’s supreme Anointed One, Jesus, is our ____________________ __________________ from all enemies. “In one sense, it is no more trouble to God to part the Red Sea than it is to heal an ulcer.

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Indeed, each of his actions receives equal, and total, attention.” (Encounter With God)

b. We need to periodically recall the ________________ of God’s great acts of deliverance to understand God was _________________ at work for His people.

c. This Psalm reminds us of the spiritual ________________ in which we are engaged (READ Ephesians 6:12).

d. Our response to God’s goodness and deliverance should be ___________ (v. 1) – impulsive and emotional! (Hebrew term) A strong term of compassion.

d

ANSWERS: 1. 55; singing; David; Jesus Christ. 2. Deliverance; military; wilderness; battle; enemies. 3. Goodness; a. rewarder; b. faithful; c. righteous; d. saves; e. perfection; f. alive; g. mercy. 4a. supernatural deliverer; b. history; always; c. battle; d. love.

Your Notes

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Psalm 19

m God Speaks Through Creation and His Word1. Introduction. While there are _______ obvious sections to

this Psalm (vv. 1–6; 7–14), it is a ___________ giving glory to the Creator God for revealing Himself in both _____________ and in His written ____________. Some suggest this can be classified as a ______________ hymn with features of a _________________ (cf. vv. 13, 14). Certainly, verses 1–6 do not deify or glorify a “sun god” as some writers would suggest!

This Psalm is quoted in Romans 10:18 and is the underlying thought of Romans 1:18ff.

2. Theme 1 – The ___________ of God revealed in creation (vv. 1–6).

a. God’s glory is made _______________________ through creation:

(1) It “declares” = continuously tells or announces

(2) It “proclaims” = manifests or makes conspicuous or plainly seen

(3) It does so “day after day/night after night” = orderly, constant, repeated revelation

(4) It “pours forth” = bubbles forth; gushes

(5) No special ____________________ is needed to hear it (v. 3)

b. God’s glory is _______________________ (vv 4–6).

(1) Their “line” (v. 4) goes into all the earth = reference to

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a measuring line; the testimony or influence of the voice of creation is universal

(2) The role of the “sun” = exultant and powerful yet constrained by God to its place and course

c. Creation revelation should ______________ us for reception of God’s written ___________ (vv. 7–11) and for _________________ (vv. 12–14).

SING: “This Is My Father’s World”

3. Theme 2 – The glory of God revealed in His written ___________ (vv. 7–11)

a. God’s Word, the Bible, is ________________________. Note the descriptors:

(1) “Law” or Torah = the comprehensive term for God’s revealed ___________

(2) “statutes/testimonies” = the __________________________ of God’s Word, declaring His __________________ obligations

(3) “precepts” and “commandments” = God’s Word is given with ______________ and ___________________

(4) God’s Word should evoke reverential ____________ or awe

(5) “ordinances/judgments” = _______________ decisions God has given about various human situations

“Together, these terms show the practical purpose of revelation, to bring God’s will to bear on the hearer and evoke intelligent reverence, well-founded trust, detailed obedience.” (Kidner)

b. God’s Word gives ______________________ blessing and instruction. Notice the adjectives used:

(1) “perfect” = flawless, giving life its fundamental ________ (READ Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3) (v. 7)

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(2) “sure or trustworthy” = firmness, giving wisdom for ___________ living (v. 7)

(3) “right” = morally upright, making life joyful (v. 8) (READ 1 John 5:2, 3)

(4) “radiant” and “pure” = adding _______________ to life, revealing all dimensions of truth and reality for human existence

(5) “sure or true” = _____________________ of God’s truth, likened to fine gold and sweet honey, being very desirable (vv. 9-11)

4. Application. Such revelation should produce an awareness of ____________________, the desire for ___________________ even for presumptuous sins, and the longing for __________________ worship of God from our heart and lips. (vv. 12–14)

d

ANSWERS: 1. Two; unity; creation; Word; wisdom; prayer. 2. Glory; a. conspicuous; (5) language; b. universal; c. prepare; Word; worship. 3. Word; a. all-embracing; (1) will; (2) truthfulness; covenant; (3) precision; authority; (4) fear; (5) judicial; b. comprehensive; (1) force; (2) daily; (4) fullness; (5) dependability. 4. Unworthiness; forgiveness; acceptable

Your Notes

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Psalm 20 & 21

m Victory Over Enemies Comes Only Through God1. Introduction. Psalm 20 and 21 are __________________

Psalms, historically describing prayer for their king going into ______________, and the confident ____________ for success. While we may not appreciate or identify with such prayers today in a literal sense, since we have no “king” and no theocracy, the spiritual and prophetic application to Jesus the Messiah as ultimate King and the suppression of His enemies (and ours) helps us grasp the point of these psalms.

“The background of Psalm 20 thus emerges in the liturgical and ritual context: the king, who would be commander in warfare, offered sacrifices and the people joined him in words. The words which they spoke, addressed formally to the king, vocalized the prayer and desire of the king who was engaged in the activity of worship.” (Craigie)

2. Victory over our enemies comes only through ______________ and full __________________ on God.

a. God’s ___________ signifies assurance, protection and safety (20:1, 7) – READ Numbers 6:22-27; 2 Chronicles 14:11. This is true for us today – READ John 14:14; 17:6; Acts 3:6; Rev. 3:12.

b. The ____________ of God (21:1, 13), symbolized in the Ark (2 Chr. 6:41), is part of Who God is for His people (Ex. 15:2; Ps. 28:7; 46:1; 62:11; 81:1; 118:14).

c. God’s unfailing __________, or as we have seen, _____________ ____________ gives confidence in difficult

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times (21:7).

3. Victory over our enemies is _________________ even before we have it! (20:6) The Hebrew perfect tense used in 20:6 indicates completed action, even though it lies in the future.

The prayer of __________ by us in the midst of our enemies should reflect such confidence.

Question/Discussion: Why don’t we often pray with such confidence today??

4. Prayer in these Psalms is defined as the ________________________________________ (20:4; 21:2) This reminds us that

a. God sees what is ____________ us, no matter what words we use.

b. God wants the very _____________ of our being in believing prayer.

c. The _____________ and outward ritual of prayer should reflect the inner person of prayer.

5. Psalm 21:8-11 reminds us of the _______________ of the true King of Kings, Jesus Christ, when all the enemies of God’s people will be _____________________ (READ 2 Thes. 1:6-10; Rev. 6:15, 16; 15:1-4).

6. Application.

a. These psalms model for us how we should pray for and about __________________.

b. The success of a church or a nation depends on __________, not human ability (20:7).

c. We need to exercise more earnest ___________ in sincere prayer.

d. God has promised to ______________ by, with and for His people, to keep safe their reputation since their “name” is inextricably linked with his (20:1).

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d

ANSWERS: 1. Companion; battle; praise. 2. Prayer; reliance/dependence; a. Name; b. strength/might; c. love; covenant mercy. 3. Assured; faith. 4. Desire of the heart; a. inside; b. center; c. formal. 5. Return; defeated/destroyed. 6. A. leadership; b. God; c. faith; d. stand.

Your Notes

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Psalm 22

m Ultimate Agony for Ultimate Victory1. Introduction. Psalm 22 has been traditionally called a “Psalm

of the ___________.” It dramatically and with great description outlines the agony of Jesus’ suffering and death, while God’s ultimate and perfect rule is the backdrop. So, it is not a song of ______________, but of suffering moving into victory. Historically, the Psalm records a painful liturgy, which moves into prayer and finally praise.

Since no incident in the life of David fits this Psalm, it has been seen as an “anticipatory __________________” Psalm. The title “Doe of the Morning” could refer to a song of _________ (Hebrew) or simply the name of the __________ to which the song was sung led by the “choirmaster.” Notice how the Psalm alternates between the “I/me” stanzas (vv. 1-2, 6-8, 12-18) and the “Yet You” phrases (vv. 3-5, 9-11).

The outline of the Psalm would be:

Lament (vv. 1-21)

Response (21c – transitional phrase)

Thanksgiving (22–31)

2. Lament 1 – Sense of being _________________ by God as well as by ____________ (vv. 1–10)

a. Note the difference between trauma ___________ and trauma ______________.

b. This is not despair since ___________ is at the foundation of the lament (vv. 4, 5)

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c. ___________ Himself used these words at his crucifixion (Matt. 27:46; See vs. 16, 18)

d. Even other people ________________ the sufferer, calling him a “worm” which indicates decay and eventual death itself. He is “surrounded” or encircled by enemies (vv. 13, 17), people who act like __________, sniffing and growling for something to eat. This evokes ___________ in the sufferer (vv. 15-16, 18). “Poured out like water” (v. 14) indicates he felt completely “washed out” – a bag of useless bones!

e. The primary problem, however, was not _________________ but the ______________ of God Himself. It appeared that God had ____________________ him in his pain.

3. Lament 2 – A prayer for ___________ and _________________ (vv. 11, 19–21)

a. Important point! The prayer is not first for rescue and deliverance, but for the removal of “divine ____________” as it seemed to the Psalmist. God is __________ us all, ________ of the time, but there are times we feel He has _________!

b. What is more precious than actual deliverance is the _________ ________________ of God Himself!

Discussion: Why do you think this is true?

c. He then prays for deliverance from these ______________ (vv. 20, 21)

4. A blessed ______________ from God in vs. 21 (not in our English Bibles) transitions the sufferer from pain to victory and praise – “You have answered me!” (Hebrew) His confidence is based on faith that God ________ heard him and _________ deliver him.

5. ____________________ of the sufferer about to be delivered is

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the theme of vv. 22–31.

a. He praises God __________ (v. 22)

b. He then ______________ his fellow believers to praise God with him (v. 23)

c. God’s ___________________ becomes the theme of his thankfulness.

d. This is true praise since he ends in ______________________ (v. 26)

e. He sees God and thanks Him from a ____________________ perspective (vv. 27–31), knowing that the faithful God sovereignly rules ____________.

6. Application.

a. Pain and lament before God are _________________ for God’s people! We are not to be Stoics, oblivious to the painful times in our lives.

b. Personal pain should drive us to ______________, trusting in God at all times.

c. God is still on the ___________ of the world, to be adored and celebrated, even in difficult times and personal pain.

d. Deliverance should lead us to ___________ God ________________ with other believers.

d

ANSWERS: 1. Cross; despair; prophetic; help; tune. 2. Forsaken; others; a. faced; experienced; b. trust; c. Jesus; d. despise; dogs; fear; e. sickness; silence; forsaken/deserted. 3. Help; deliverance; a. distance; near; all; left; b. felt presence; c. enemies. 4. Response; has; will. 5. Thanksgiving; a. first; b. invites; c. faithfulness; d. celebration; e. worldwide; well. 6a. O.K.; b. prayer; c. throne; d. praise; together.

Your Notes

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Psalm 23

m God As Shepherd and Friend1. Introduction. Psalm 23 has been one of the most precious

Psalms of David that the Christian and the Church have ever memorized and sung. While modern commentators have tried to find an appropriate __________________ for this Psalm, it retains its power and comfort for both the individual and the body of Christ.

“Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Its peace is not escape; its contentment is not complacency: There is a readiness to face deep darkness and imminent attack, and the climax reveals a love which homes toward no material goal but to the Lord Himself.” (Kidner, Psalms 1–72)

So we shall investigate this Psalm verse-by-verse because it is so rich.

2. Verse 1 – My Shepherd

a. “The Lord” placed at the beginning has an _________________ sense – God and ________________ else!

b. “my shepherd” = a ________________ and __________________ relationship. Shepherd verses – Gen. 48:15; 49:24; Num. 27:17; Ps. 28:9; 78:71; 80:1; Isa. 40:11; Jer. 31:10; Ezek. 34:15; Micah 5:4; Matt. 2:6; 9:36; John 10; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4; Rev. 7:17.

c. “not be in want” = not live in a ___________ of desperation or despair.

3. Verse 2 – My Adequacy

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a. “green pastures” = ______________ his flock

b. “quiet waters” = places of ___________ and quiet

4. Verse 3 – My Restorer

a. Two possible pictures here. The first is a picture of bringing back a _______________ sheep (Isa. 49:5; Ps. 60:1 and Ps. 19:7), giving spiritual renewal.

b. The second sense is _____________________ since “my soul” often refers to my physical or psychological state (cf. Isa. 58:12).

c. “paths of righteousness” indicates __________ and _____________ paths, keeping us morally straight.

5. Verse 4 – My Overcomer

a. “valley of the shadow of death” = taking the ___________ out of darkness, even death itself.

b. “you are with me” = The Shepherd comes ______________________ us, escorting us through enemies by his _________ (club worn at the belt) and ____________ (hooked and long stick to round up the flock), giving _______________ and _____________ for the flock.

6. Verse 5 – My Friend

a. “prepare a table” = setting out a feast or preparing a defense, giving ______________ under pressure (cf. Rom. 8:31-39) and providing infinite ______________ in the worst of situations.

b. “my cup overflows” = God gives us the ______________ over the worst of enemies and spiritual foes. (Picture of a victory celebration where the enemies are present as captives; the defeated rivals are there as reluctant guests.)

7. Verse 6 – My Eternal Hope

a. To be God’s guest is more than an acquaintance, it is to _________ with Him.

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b. Life is a _______________________ which is a journey ___________.

c. “goodness and mercy” = God’s nature as Good and His covenant love gives us steady _____________ and lifelong _____________, something we can always count on “for length of days,” an expression for eternity.

d. “will follow” = These qualities of God will “follow” us, meaning that God is not only with us but fighting _________ us.

“Wherever he may guide meNo want shall turn me back;My Shepherd is beside me,

And nothing can I lack.His wisdom ever waketh,

His sight is never dim;He knows the way he taketh,

And I will walk with him”(Anna Waring)

d

ANSWERS: 1. Setting. 2a. emphatic; no one; b. personal; pledged; c. state. 3a. feeding; b. rest. 4a. straying; b. refreshment; c. right; straight. 5a. sting; b. alongside; rod; staff; defense; control. 6a. assurance; resources; b. victory. 7a. live; b. pilgrimage; home; c. kindness; support; d. for.

Your Notes

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Psalm 24

m King of Kings and Lord of Lords!1. Introduction. Psalm 24 is one of ________ Psalms attributed to

David. While some have tried to compare it with other ancient Near East enthronement rites, it’s various elements simply make it a personal and congregational _________ “for use in the celebration of the Lord’s ________________ . . . this early use was later transformed to weekly usage in the worship service of temple and synagogue” (Craigie). This Psalm is traditionally sung on Ascension Day1 in the church. It most fittingly, however, reminds us of the Advent of the Lord, “the Victor’s arrival to possess the citadel He has conquered” (Delitzsch).

The middle section of the Psalm (vv. 3–6) may have been used in a ________________ service as Question by the Leader (“Who shall ascend . . .?”); Response by the Congregants (“He who has clean hands . . .”); and Affirmation by All (“This is the generation . . .”).

There are three distinct sections to the Psalm:

• God of All Creation (vv. 1, 2)

• God of All Holiness (vv. 3–6)

• God of All Glory and Victory (vv. 7–10)

2. God of All Creation (vv. 1, 2)

a. “The Lord”(v. 1) and “he” (v. 2)= used for _________________ here, indicating God _____________ and none other. He is both _________ and ____________ of all the earth.

b. He both ______________ (v. 1) and _______________ (v.

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2).

c. The earth is ______________ (v. 1), full of _______________ (v. 1), and ___________ (v. 2).

d. Everything in the earth has been created for __________ ______________, and man’s ___________ but not exploitation. (READ 1 Cor. 10:25, 26 and 31)

e. “Upon” could be translated ____________, referring us back to Gen. 1:9, 10 (READ 2 Peter 3:5). God is Lord of both __________ and __________ (cf. Ps. 46:2-4).

3. God of All Holiness (vv. 3–6)

a. This section reminds us of Psalm _________ (See comments there).

b. Coming into the presence of God needs to be _________________ (“ascend”) and ___________________ (“stand”) (cf. Rev. 7:9)

c. “Clean hands” indicates __________________ (READ Isa. 1:15; 1 Tim. 2:8).

d. A “pure heart” does not mean _________________ but rather internal righteousness given through Christ the Lord (cf. Titus 1:15; Matt. 5:8; Ps. 17:15).

e. Not “lifting up one’s soul” refers to not ________________ in vain idols, but only the Lord.

f. Not “swearing falsely” means keeping all dealings with others honorable and _____________ (cf. Ps. 15:4).

g. Such people will receive “vindication” or _____________________ by God Himself, a declaration of righteousness and the smile of God upon him. (cf. Rom. 3:22-26)

4. God of All Glory and Victory (vv. 7–10)

a. Historically, this could have been sung when David arrived at the gates of Jerusalem with the __________ (1 Chron. 13:8).

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b. “The Lord strong and mighty” reminds us of the _____________ (Ex. 15:3) and points forward to the ____________ coming of the Lord (Rev. 19:11-16)

5. Application. “If the earth is His (vv. 1,2) and He is holy (vv. 3-6), the challenge to the “ancient doors” is not an exercise in pageantry, but a _____________________ for the Church.” (READ 2 Cor. 10:3-5). (Kidner)

Our response should be ___________ and ______________________!

d

ANSWERS: 1. 73; hymn; Kingship; liturgical. 2.a. emphasis; alone; King; Judge; b. creates; sustains; c. fruitful; people; solid; d. God’s glory; use; e. above; land; seas. 3. A. 15; b. deliberate; reverent; c. guiltless; d. sinlessness; e. trusting; f. fair; g. justification. 4. A. Ark; b. Exodus; final. 5. Battle-cry; awe; gratefulness.


1. 39 days after Easter.

Your Notes

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Psalm 25

m An Alphabet of Trustful Prayer!1. Introduction. Psalm 25, a Psalm of David, is ordered according

to the Hebrew _______________. Thus, verse 1 begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (aleph – a), verse 2 with the second letter (beth – b) and so forth, twenty-two letters in all. It’s structure is thus not in an English ______________ form, but put together probably for ________________ purposes for Israelite people.

It is a _______________ of confidence, probably used in community worship (Notice verse 22), though appropriate for _________________ use as well. We can see various themes emerging in the Psalm.

2. The pressure of enemies (vv. 2, 3, 16–21)

a. David’s enemies are ___________________ opposed to him as well as against the ___________ of the Lord. They are ideologically opposed to integrity and uprightness before God (cf. v. 21)

b. Enemies are ____________________ (v. 2), laying a net for his feet and life.

c. Enemies __________ him and seek to ____________ him (vv. 2, 19, 20).

d. Enemies are _______________, so not just an annoyance (v. 19).

e. We defeat our enemies by not ______________ out against them, but by _______________ prayer (v. 15) and an ______________ life and witness (v. 21).

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3. The burden of guilt (vv. 7, 11, 17, 18)

a. David is _______________ before God about the sins of his __________ (v. 7).

b. His solution is not ____________ but God’s ___________ and covenant ________ (vv. 6, 7, 14, 21).

c. He _____________ his guilt (v. 11) and is ________________ to what sin does in separating us from God (“turn to me” in v. 16, “forgive” in v. 18).

4. Prayer for Guidance (vv. 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 20)

a. David prays to know the _____________ will of God (‘Your ways; paths” in v. 4). This is important because his concern is not for _________________ but for God’s ________________ direction and plan (“the way chosen for him” in v. 12).

b. He is _________________ in his prayer, not glib or sketchy (vv. 5, 15).

c. He is _________________ in his prayer, recognizing no one has a right to God’s direction (admits he is a “sinner” in v. 8 and “humble” in v. 9).

d. He wants to be ________________ to what God shows him (vv. 10, 21).

e. He approaches God alone as his ____________________ (“confides in those who fear him” in v. 14), not trusting in magic and omens, as those around him did (cf. Isa. 47:13).

5. A prayer of trust

a. Trust _______________ this prayer (“in You I trust, O my God” in v. 2). God is his ______________ (v. 5), his ___________ (v. 5, 21), and One who shows him love and mercy (vv. 6, 7, 10, 14).

b. His confidence is such that David ___________ on the Lord (vv. 3, 5, 21). To wait on the Lord is to accept His time and His wisdom.

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c. This trust is ___________, where David anticipates that God will come through for him (vv. 5, 21). So instead of waiting in resignation and fear, he rather waits in expectation for God’s blessings.

d. This prayer of trust extends to the ______________ of faith, knowing that God is Lord of not only himself but all Israel (v. 22), or, in our case, the Church.

6. Application.

a. We need to make a _____________ _________ of trust, even in the midst of pressure from without and within. In spite of the scorn of unbelievers, the guilt of our own failures and the turbulence of our emotions, we need to hope in the Lord.

b. We are taught here to _________ _______ (v. 1) instead of wildly around (v. 2).

c. We need to use our ___________ to get a grasp of God’s ways and truth. This will take humility and dedication.

d. We need to be ______________ before God, praying with eager and persistent trust.

What would you like God to teach you today??

d

ANSWERS: 1. Alphabet; outline; memory; prayer; personal. 2a. personally; ways; b. treacherous; c. hate; shame; d. many; e. lashing; trusting; upright. 3a. honest; youth; b. time; grace; love; c. mourns; sensitive. 4a. general; himself; overall; b. persistent; c. humble; d. obedient; e. counselor. 5a. permeates; Savior; hope; b. waits; c. eager; d. community. 6a. conscious act; b. look up; c. minds; d. urgent.

Your Notes

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Psalm 26

m Unabashed Integrity for Worship1. Introduction. Psalms 26, 27 and 28 all reference the Lord’s

______________, or the place where his glory dwells (cf. Ps. 26:8; 27:4; 28:2). In the Old Testament this was a “tent” first, then a “temple” (built and re-built). In the New Testament, God’s presence is not ___________________, but heaven itself (cf. Heb. 9:24; 10:19-22). God Himself through the Spirit of Christ is now vitally _______________ with His people wherever they worship.

A number of commentators see this Psalm as an “entrance liturgy,” or a ritual for Old Testament pilgrims entering the Temple for worship.

This worship, however, must be, as Jesus reminds us, “in __________ and in _________” (John 4:23, 24). Integrity before God is always the requirement and context of true worship. This is the theme of this Psalm.

2. Integrity is ___________________ not sinlessness (vv. 1, 2, 11)

a. “blameless” (v. 1, 11) means ____________________ sincerity, not faultlessness (cf. Ps. 38:3, 4, 18).

b. “without wavering” (v. 1) = “I shall not (or do not) slip” (Heb.) may refer to either the ____________ of his trust in the Lord or the ______________ of such trust.

c. This integrity is with both __________ (“kidneys” in the Heb, the seat of all emotion) and the __________ (v. 2).

d. “My feet stand” = the ________________ of trusting in God, not on shifting sands (cf. Matt. 7:24-27).

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3. Integrity resorts to _________ judgment, not man’s (vv. 1, 2)

4. Integrity is ____________ without _________________.

a. “I have led” and “I have trusted” (v. 1)

b. “I lead a blameless life” (v. 11)

c. “I walk continually in your truth” (v. 3) = in your _______________________

5. Integrity is a _____________ not a _________________ in the company we keep (vv. 4, 5, 9, 10).

a. God’s presence requires _________________ (v. 6). This is a ________________ choice of rejection of the fellowship of evildoers.

b. God’s presence evokes _____________ of praise (v. 7)

c. God’s presence moves us to share _________________ of God’s wonderful deeds (v. 7)

d. God’s presence is ________________ above everything else (cf. Psalm 63).

6. Integrity always requires _____________ (v. 11b).

a. Integrity before God is a matter of _______________ not _____________.

b. David recognizes his _________________ without God’s help (“redeem me”).

c. David also recognizes his lack of ________________ to claim a right to come before God apart from God’s mercy (“be merciful to me”).

7. Application.

a. The _______________ you keep defines the God you ___________! (cf. Psalm 1)

b. True worship requires ______________ of heart and mind.

c. Be careful of the danger of ______________________ in worship. A double focus is always required – God’s glory

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and our unworthiness and thus our need for “wholeness” of life and thought before God.

d. A firm commitment to God must always be tied to a humble __________________ on God.

d

ANSWERS: 1. House; localized; present; spirit; truth. 2. Wholeness; a. whole-hearted; b. quality; outcome; c. heart; mind; d. assurance. 3. God’s. 4. Resolve; reservation; c. faithfulness. 5. Choice; feeling; a. integrity; decisive; b. songs; c. testimonies; d. preferred. 6. Humility; a. loyalty; pride; b. inability; c. fitness. 7a. company; serve; b. integrity; c. familiarity; d. dependence.

Your Notes

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Psalm 27

m Prayerful Confidence in God1. Introduction. As we noted in Psalm 26, Psalms 26, 27 and 28

all reference the Lord’s ______________, or the place where his glory dwells (cf. Ps. 26:8; 27:4; 28:2). In the Old Testament this was a “tent” first, then a “temple” (built and re-built). In the New Testament, God’s presence is not localized, but heaven itself (cf. Heb. 9:24; 10:19-22). God Himself through the Spirit of Christ is now vitally present with His people wherever they worship.

A number of commentators see this Psalm as a “____________ liturgy,” a song used by King David before facing his enemies on the battlefield. It is a song of _________________ in the Lord, not prideful self-confidence.

The Psalm has two dominant parts, vv. 1–6 and 7–13, with a possible assurance in v. 14 from the person or priest leading the liturgy.

2. Confidence in God (vv. 1–3). Such confidence is based on three truths about God for the believer. Such confidence conquers _________ instilled by our enemies.

a. “my light” (v. 1) – a positive ___________ that dispels ________________ . “Light” references “everything that is positive, from truth and goodness to joy and vitality (cf. Ps. 43:3; Isa. 5:20; Ps. 97:11; 36:9)” (D. Kidner). Despite death’s dark shadow, I can be _____________________ because of God’s light in my life (cf. Ps. 23:4).

b. “my salvation” (v. 1) – could refer to _____________ or _____________________, despite the odds set against the believer (vv. 2, 3).

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c. “my stronghold/refuge” (v. 1) – a place of _______________ in the warfare of life and the presence of enemies. (cf. v. 5)

d. Our “enemies” are also __________ enemies (vv. 2, 3), so we never fight _________.

3. Determined purpose in God (vv. 4–6). Again note three aspects of such purpose:

a. It is singularly ______________________ = “one thing” (v. 4) God and ______________ or ___________________ else! This is always the best answer to distracting fears or spiritual attacks.

b. It is a preoccupation with God’s _______________ and His ______________ = “to gaze/behold” and to “seek” him (v. 4).

c. “to dwell in the house of the Lord” = to live ________________________ in God’s ____________________.

How do we live out such a purpose? How do we live such lives?

The answer is found in vv. 7–14.

4. Prayer for God’s aid (vv. 7–14)

a. The prayer moves from the ________________ (vv. 7–10) to the ____________________ (vv. 11-14), as our prayers often do.

b. It is a prayer of ______________________, modified by ________________ and a sense of _________________________. No presumption here!

c. It is a prayer of _________________ to God as __________ in his life (v. 10) (READ Luke 14:25–27). No hint here that David’s own mother and father had forsaken him.

d. It is a prayer for _________________ (v. 11a) and moral _____________ (“straight path” in v. 11b).

e. It is a prayer for ______________________ from his enemies (v. 12), who “watch” (Heb. term) him for the

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purpose of tripping him up (“false witnesses”).

f. It is a prayer of ________________ (v. 13), believing that he will survive the ensuing battle (“land of the living”).

5. Application.

a. God is our light, pushing out the _____________ and _________ of darkness.

b. God is our salvation, granting ________________ over all spiritual enemies.

c. God is our refuge, securing our ________________ in difficult times.

d. We should pattern our _______________ after David’s prayer here, moving from determination through humility to guidance and deliverance.

e. God’s word for us is to __________ on Him; to be ______________ and _________ in His promises (READ Joshua 1:5–9).

d

ANSWERS: 1. House; royal; confidence. 2. Fear; a. force; darkness; fearless; b. victory; deliverance; c. safety; d. God’s; alone. 3a. intentional; no one; nothing; b. Person; will; c. permanently; presence. 4a. general; particular; b. determination; humility; unworthiness; c. loyalty; first; d. guidance; integrity; e. deliverance; f. confidence. 5a. threat; fear; b. victory; c. safety; d. prayers; e. wait; strong; bold.

Your Notes

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Psalm 29

m The Glory of God Through the Storm1. Introduction. While modern writers have pointed to a non-

Christian Canaanite nature background to Psalm 29, it is actually a _____________ _____________ of praise to God as Lord of not only _________________, but of ____________ as well. God the Lord is __________ over everything, including the ______________ and daily _______________ patterns of earth itself.

The overall theme is the ___________ of God revealed in the storm of the _____________ of God the King. God “thunders” through natural events now and will do so at the end of this world-order (READ Rev. 11:19).

2. Give all glory to God! (vv. 1, 2). These verses are a _______________ to all beings, in heaven and earth, to give to God the glory and honor due His Name.

a. “mighty ones” (v. 1) = may refer to both ___________ (Psalm 89:5-7) and earthly ___________ or those who think they have power and strength(Psalm 2:10-12; 96:7).

b. God ____________ deserves such praise as _______________ and _______________ of this universe. Our view of God is often too ____________, too __________________, too ____________ and too _______________.

c. God’s essential Being is _________________ (v. 2), indicating that God is ______________ from his creation, but providentially _______________ with it (vv. 3-10).

d. “God is most glorified in us when we are most

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_________________ in Him” (John Piper). Rather than being scared, or afraid of God and His glory, we are to rest in Him.

3. God “thunders” in His creation and forever (vv. 3–10).

a. “the voice of the Lord” = used _______ times in the Psalm to indicate the _______________ of God in creation. God not only speaks in His ___________ and through His ____________ but also in the natural ____________ and _________________ in this world.

Think of the recent devastating storms in the middle part of the nation!

b. God’s _________________ is vastly more than earthly _____________ and _____________ of power and might, like “cedars of Lebanon” (v. 5), or “floods” (vv. 3, 10), or “lightning strikes” (v. 7), or “shaking” of the earth (v. 8), or disastrous storms (v. 9).

c. God is not only not _____________ from the storms of the natural order, but a vital ____________ of them. This is obviously against the mechanistic view of the universe most of us have!

4. God’s “thunder” means ____________ and __________ for His people (v. 11)

a. God is _______________, not in a static, far-off sense, but in a real world sense. He is __________________ involved and ruling this universe.

b. As God ruled over the worldwide ____________ recorded in Genesis 6-8 (cf. v. 10), so He will rule over the worldwide _________________ of the earth at the end of the age (Heb. 12:25-27).

c. God’s rainbow of __________ (= shalom in v. 11) will be the result of the storm of His presence for the believer.

5. Application.

a. Through earthly disasters, God delivers us

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from _________________________ and _________________________.

b. God shows us in this Psalm how ____________ our life on earth really is.

c. Through natural storms and events, God delivers us from a ____________________ view of the universe.

d. Even violent weather illustrates the ___________________ of the Lord over His creation. Notice the proper response is to cry “_____________” to God! (v. 9)

d

ANSWERS: 1. Victory hymn; salvation; nature; King; history; weather; glory; presence. 2. Command; a. angels; kings; b. alone; Creator; Sustainer; small; provincial; narrow; confining; c. holiness; separate; involved; d. satisfied. 3a. seven (7); revelation; Word; Spirit; events; disasters; b. strength; symbols; displays; c. absent; part; 4. Strength; peace; a. king; actively; b. Flood; judgment; c. peace. 5a. self-sufficiency; self-centeredness; b. fragile; c. mechanistic (worldly); d. rulership; glory.

Your Notes

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Psalm 32

m The Joy and Blessing of Forgiveness1. Introduction. This is one of the Psalms of ____________,

a “maskil” which could refer to a song of understanding, or wisdom, or to the musical accompaniment for the Psalm. It is a Psalm of ___________ as well as _____________________, to be sure, for it gives the wisdom of God to the person who wants to know His blessing and nearness in his or her life. The person who wants to live in _______________ with God finds the clues to real happiness in this Psalm.

It was written _____________ the penitential Psalm 51. Psalm 32 was Augustine’s favorite Psalm, read it frequently, and had its words inscribed on the wall by his sickbed before he died. He noted that “the beginning of knowledge is to know oneself to be a sinner.”

2. True happiness comes from thorough _______________ of sin (vv. 1, 2, 10, 11). Notice the full dimension of sin referenced here.

a. “transgressions” = sins of ____________________ against God, a breaking away from God, a tearing loose from His care and hold on one’s life.

b. “sins” = ___________________ from the path God has laid out for us; a missing the mark.

c. “iniquity” (v. 2) = the perversion or ___________________ of the will of God; an absence of respect of God’s will.

d. “blessed” = true and fundamental _____________________ comes from forgiveness (cf. Ps. 1:1).

e. “does not count against him” (v. 2) = God grants an official

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verdict of ______________, not based on our deeds but on His great ______________ (v. 10). In His sight, forgiveness means our sins are forever _________________ or hidden from view. This points to the blessing of the _______________.

f. God’s blessing acts as a ___________________ which “surrounds”(v. 10) or “enfolds” (v. 7) the repentant person.

g. “rejoice . . . be glad”(v. 11) = shouts of joy become _____________ for the forgiven person.

3. Unremitting pain and anguish comes through _______________ to confess our sins before God (vv. 3, 4). ________________ can be a result of impenitence (READ 1 Cor. 11:30).

a. “silence” = the natural _________________ that keeps a person from God.

b. “my bones wasted away” = the growing ______________ of natural life represented here by “aging bones.”

c. “my groaning all day long” = a feeling of guilt bottled up ____________.

d. “my strength was sapped”= reference to the “______________” in the bones; his life force was withering away.

e. “as in the heat of summer” = through his anxiety his vital moisture dried up; a fire burned deeply inside his soul threatening to engulf him.

4. The ___________ and _______________ experienced through confession of sin (vv. 5-9).

a. “while you may be found” = may refer to a time of ____________ or simply a season of finding God there for you. (READ Isa. 55:6)

b. “when mighty waters rise” = deliverance out of _______________ of distress (READ Ps. 69:1, 2; 144:7, 8)

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c. “my hiding place” = my protective _______________; my ______________; my shelter (READ Ps. 27:5).

d. “I will instruct … teach … counsel” = God’s _______________ walks with those who freely confess their sins before Him.

5. Lessons to be learned from Psalm 32:

a. Sin cannot be _______________ _______ forever (cf. Numbers 32:23; Prov. 28:13).

b. Acknowledge your sins ______________________ and don’t take advantage of God’s ___________.

c. Restoration comes with renewed _____________________ with God.

d. God will never ________________ His work in the lives of His children (Isa. 25:4; Ps. 119:114). Trouble in the Christian life is often the result of God’s discipline, bringing us back to the Father’s love and care.

d

ANSWERS: 1. David; insight; understanding; harmony; after. 2. Confession; a. rebellion; b. deviation; c. distortion; d. happiness; e. pardon; mercy; concealed; gospel; f. blanket; g. normal. 3. Refusal; sickness; a. reluctance; b. weakness; c. inside; d. marrow. 4. Relief; wisdom; a. distress; b. situations; c. garment; refuge; d. wisdom. 5a. covered up; b. immediately; grace; c. communication; d. forsake.

Your Notes

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Psalm 37

m How To Live for God in an Ungodly World1. Introduction. Psalm 37 is one of _______ alphabet acrostic

Psalms (Psalm 9 & 10 together; 25; 34; 37; 111; 112; 119; 145). That means that each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, 22 letters, is used for the opening words of the lines of the Psalm. Thus, in Psalm 37, a fresh letter of the Hebrew alphabet introduces each double verse (vv. 1-2, 3-4, etc).

The Psalm is an ___________________ poem, written for memorizing or learning how to live a godly life in the _______________ of God. It is much like _________________, with each double verse giving a nugget of godly wisdom and instruction. The Psalm acts like a commentary on the third Beatitude, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (v. 11 and Matt. 5:5). The two obvious themes of the Psalm are _________________ and ______________________, living a God-fearing life while understanding how to see the apparent success and prosperity of those who live irreligious and immoral lives.

So, let’s learn how to live for God in a world against God!

2. Don’t _________, rather ____________ yourself in God! (vv. 1–11)

a. Don’t fret (vv. 1, 7, 8) = don’t _____________ anger (Prov. 24:19) over what ________________ to be the success of those who are evil. Don’t be like __________ was in Jonah 4:1, 9. Keeping smoldering anger is really hurting __________________! Illustrations of a rattlesnake; an

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Aesop’s Fable; from Richard Nixon.

b. Look _____________ (vv. 2, 10 and 35, 36). The biblical point of view is _______________ ________________________. Explain from Romans 8:18-21 READ.

c. Look ________ (vv. 3-7). Note the active verbs of faith and hope here:

• ____________ in the Lord = “be unsuspecting of the Lord;” enjoy his safety and security.

• _____________ in the Lord = make a deliberate re-direction of your emotions to find deep down ____________________ in God alone.

• _____________ to the Lord = “roll” over your burdens to God. Illustration.

• Be ____________ = _________________ practice being still before God; stop and listen to God (1 Kings 19:11-13, 18). God often whispers to us in our joys and _________ to us in our pain! (C.S. Lewis)

d. Choose ______________ faith rather than self- ________________ (v. 11).

3. Be _____________________ in the midst of evil and ungodliness (vv. 3, 21, 22, 25–27, 37).

a. _____________ in the land (v. 3b) = Get on with the life God has assigned you; settle down and live for God.

b. Overcome evil with _____________ (vv. 21, 22, 26, 27; cf. James 1:20; Rom. 12:17-21)

4. Understand the ________ product of a life, either eternal ___________________ (= “cut off ” in vv. 22, 28, 34) or eternal ________________ (vv. 37–40). While those who disregard and disobey God will “vanish like smoke” (v. 20) and their future influence will disappear (vv. 35, 36, 38), those who trust in the Lord know their life and future come _________ Him (v. 39) and ______ Him (v. 40).

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5. Application. Some practical markers from Psalm 37:

a. Don’t be misled by __________________________, especially when examining lifestyles of those without Christ.

b. A Christian’s hope and assurance is not built on his own ________________, but on God’s ___________ and __________________.

c. ____________________ in the end is what matters in a life. What do you leave in your “life-wake?”

d. The goal of a Christian life is to find ___________ ___________________ in God.

e. In God’s way of reckoning, the _________ justifies the end, not the other way around.

d

ANSWERS: 1. Eight; instructional; wisdom; Proverbs; retribution; recompense. 2. Fret; delight; a. harbor; appears; Jonah; yourself; b. ahead; future backwards; c. up; trust; delight; satisfaction; commit; still; actively; shouts; d. patient; assertion. 3. Constructive; a. dwell; b. good. 4. End; destruction; salvation; from; in. 5a. appearances; strength; care; provision; c. character; d. daily satisfaction; e. means.

Your Notes

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Psalm 42 & 43

m Dealing With Dark Times1. Introduction. Notice that these Psalms open “Book II” of the

Psalter comprising Psalms 42–72. There are ________ such “books” or collections in the Psalter, a very old arrangement of the Psalms. Our best notion is that these “collections” are simply arrangements of materials used in Israelite worship, like a “cathedral built and perfected over a matter of centuries, in a harmonious variety of styles, rather than a palace displaying the formal symmetry of a single and all-embracing plan” (Kidner, Introduction).

Notice the repeating _____________ in Psalm 42:9 and 43:2 – “Why go I mourning . . .” and the similar ______________ in Psalm 42:5, 11 and 43:5. There are _______ natural sections: Ps. 42:1–5; 6–11 and Ps. 43:1–5.

These two Psalms are a maskil, or an _______________ Psalm, brought together by the Sons of Korah, temple musicians. They help us as we deal with dark times in our own lives.

2. Christians can have ________ swings, with ________ causes outlined in these Psalms.

a. Forced ____________ from _____________ (42:1, 2). Jesus values spiritual __________ (cf. Matt. 5:6), but Satan will often use unbelievers to _____________ us in these down times. It is important to see a “____________” here in life.

b. ___________ from __________________ (42:3, 10) which act like ______________ to the soul.

c. _______________ of ____________ times (42:4). Describe the feeling of “homesickness.” We can go through

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_________________ homesickness at times.

d. Overwhelming ___________ of life (42:7).

e. God’s seeming _______________ to act quickly on our behalf (42:9). Just to remember: God’s ___________ are not God’s ______________!

f. ____________ from unscrupulous and deceitful people (43:1).

3. God’s __________ for dark times:

a. “Put your __________ in ___________” (42:5, 11; 43:5).

b. God is a ______________ God = “my” God (43:4).

c. Even the darkest events are not by _____________ (42:6, 7).

d. God is his ______________ (43:2).

e. God will _____________ his ways (43:3).

f. Even in the midst of dark times, God sends His ___________ (42:8) READ Job 13:15; Lamentations 3:21–24.

4. Expect these times to end with __________ experiences of God’s power and love (42:5, 11; 43:4, 5). READ Hebrews 11:7–12.

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience,but shouts in our pains; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

– C.S. Lewis

d

ANSWERS: 1. Five; refrain; closings; three; instructional. 2. Mood; six; a. absence; worship; thirst; distress; both/and; b. taunts; unbelievers; arrows; c. memories; better; spiritual; d. trials; e. failure; delays; denials; f. attacks. 3. Cure; a. hope; God; b. personal; c. chance; d. strength; e. direct/guide; f. love. 4. New.

Your Notes

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Psalm 44

m Working Through Persecution and Defeat1. Introduction. This Psalm was written as a national

______________ following a defeat in battle by Israel’s enemies. It probably does not refer to a particular battle or historical event that we know. But it became a “psalm of understanding,” or a “meditation” which was put to music and sung by the Sons of Korah and directed by the “Choirmaster.” The Sons of Korah were a Levitical family, part of whom became singers and musicians of the temple choir founded under David.

It is a Psalm teaching us how to deal with ___________________ or _____________ in the Christian life, when there seemingly is no sinful cause for it. It is a Psalm for the “_________” of dark days.

Discuss: How do you deal with “dark days?”

Verse 22 of this Psalm is quoted by Paul in Romans 8:36. We can learn several lessons from Psalm 44.

2. Lesson 1: Remember _________ victories under God’s blessing and power (vv. 1–8).

a. Remember that spiritual victory in life is due to God’s ________________ (“right hand, arm” in v. 3), God’s __________________ (“light of your face”) and God’s ____________ (“you loved them” = were pleased with them).

b. Remember that God alone is sovereign _____________ (“my King” v. 4) and __________________ God (“my God” v. 4), who had _______________ past victories.

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c. Remember that past victory was not due to any spiritual ______________ I used (“my bow, my sword” v. 6)

d. Remember that just because heaven is silent, it does not mean ____________ is there! (READ Heb. 12:1)

3. Lesson 2: God understands our __________________ and ______________. (vv. 9–16)

a. _____________ defeats (vv. 9–12)

b. _____________ distress (vv. 13–16), involving a loss of __________________ and being _______________________.

4. Lesson 3: Asking God ____________ without ________________ (vv. 17–26).

a. Notice that this is not ______________ despair:

> God knows our ____________ (vv. 18 & 21)

> Suffering is “____________________” (v. 22)

b. “Suffering may be a battle-scar rather than a ______________________; the price of ___________________ in a world which is at __________ with God.” (Kidner)

c. Times when God seems absent may therefore be actually a sign of ________________, not alienation from God!

d. In our spiritually down times, we need to see them as the mere ___________________ and not the true _________________.

> “redeem us because of your unfailing love” v. 26 = the hesed of God, God’s covenant love and loyalty to us (Psa. 6:4; Psa. 13:5; Psa. 21:7; Psa. 31:16; Psa. 32:10;

Psa. 33:5; Psa. 33:18; Psa. 33:22; Psa. 36:7; Psa. 44:26; Psa. 48:9; Psa. 51:1; Psa. 52:8; Psa. 77:8; Psa. 85:7; Psa. 90:14; Psa. 107:8, 15, 21, 31; Ps. 119:41, 76; Psa. 130:7; Psa. 143:8, 12; Psa. 147:11)

> Paul’s use of v. 22 is in a context of _________________ and final __________ in Romans 8 (READ Rom. 8:28–39)

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5. Application. God is ___________ us, in all things, at all times, even when times seem the darkest and most ___________ to understand.

d

ANSWERS: 1. Lament; persecution; defeat; whys; assurance. 2. Past; a. strength; presence; favor; b. Ruler; personal; decreed/commanded; c. weapons; d. no one. 3. Complaints; distress; a. external; b. inner; confidence; demoralized 4. Why; giving up; a. hopeless; hearts; “for your sake;” b. punishment; loyalty; war; c. fellowship; d. appearances; reality; assurance; victory. 5. With; hard.

Your Notes

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Psalm 49

m Death – The Great Leveler1. Introduction. Twelve Psalms (42–49, 84, 85, 87, 88) are

ascribed to the “Sons of Korah,” a Levitical family, whose children were spared their father’s rebellion (cf. Num. 26:10f). Part of the family became temple doorkeepers and guardians, while the other part became singers and musicians of the temple choir.

Psalm 49 is a song of ____________, noting that death, after all, is part of living. While moderns avoid the subject or try to cover it up, the Israelites were taught to honor death as well as life. Psalm 49 gives us lessons concerning death and how to deal with it.

Just a note that the name of God used in Psalms 42-83 is “Elohim,” not the traditional Yahweh, or Jehovah, since the use of the latter was restricted.

The ______________ of death reminds us of Ecclesiastes 3:2 – “There is a time to be born and a time to die.” The Psalm is a _______________ song, teaching us how to view death.

2. Death is __________________________.

a. The “riddle” or enigma (v. 4) is the relationship of _________ to ___________.

b. Death affects __________________, no matter their position or status in this world. (vv. 1, 2)

c. Death cannot be “____________ _______; “ that is, there is no way to “redeem” either _____________ or ______________ from its clutches (vv. 7-9). No amount of money can deter death.

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d. One comfort in death is that we don’t need to be _________________ of either evil ____________ or evil _____________ (v.v. 5, 6)

3. Death is the great universal ____________________ of mankind.

a. ________ peoples ______________ (vv 1, 2).

b. Including _________ and _______________ (v. 10)

c. No matter how _________ or __________ (v. 2, 12, 20)

d. And it leaves _____________ to carry on without him or her (v. 14).

4. Death is therefore _____________________ and ____________________.

a. The answer to the question, “How much did he leave?” is ___________________! (v. 17)

b. Except maybe their _____________ (v. 11)

5. Death is not the __________, however (v. 15) God is ___________ even over the power of death.

a. Although our atonement through Christ is not boldly stated, it is ________________ at here (READ Isaiah 53:5, 6, 11; Matt. 20:28)

b. The word for “he will take me” or “receive” me is the same word used for _________’s passing (READ Gen. 5:24), giving death a _____________ thrust.

6. Application.

a. A call to _______________ (v. 3) about life and especially death. Wisdom is found in the _________________________ (READ Proverbs 1:7).

b. A call to __________ thinking about death. Not to ___________ talking about it, or _________________ it, or _____________ it’s reality.

c. A reminder that wealth and position is not an

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___________________, since no one gains at death.

d. A __________________ in the face of dying, knowing that ________ oversees the ____________ end of all people.

e. A right ______________________, free from the _________________ about death in our society.

d

ANSWERS: 1. Death; reality; wisdom. 2. Unavoidable; a. life; death; b. everyone; c. bought off; himself; another; d. afraid; days; people. 3. Leveler; a. all; everywhere; b. wise; foolish; c. rich; poor; d. others. 4. Indiscriminating; irreversible; a. everything; b. tomb. 5. End; Lord; a. hinted; b. Enoch; hopeful. 6a. wisdom; fear of the Lord; b. clear; avoid; romanticize; ignore; c. advantage; d. calmness; God; final; e. confidence; illusions.

Your Notes

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Psalm 51

m True Confession1. Psalm 51 is one of ________ “penitential Psalms,” which

include Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143. It explores the depths of guilt and conviction of sin, but also shows the power and love of the gospel of God’s grace. Kidner says it well, “The psalm can be studied for its themes, as well as in its progress from pleading to assurance. Much is to learnt about God, sin and salvation in the course of it.” (Derek Kidner, Psalms 1–72, InterVarsity Press, 1973).

The historical setting of the Psalm is the story of David’s sin of ______________ and ________________ by proxy recounted in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. Nathan the prophet is used by God to confront King David for his sins, and God transforms this man into truly a man “after God’s own heart.”

In contrast to a sometimes modern “__________” view of sin and its consequences and restoration, this Psalm provides us solid biblical grounds and lessons on what true confession involves and seizes. What does true confession of sin involve?

2. True confession of sin, or ___________________, involves _________ principles:

a. It is ______________ with God in that it is _________________, _________________ and practical. “Have mercy on ________ . . . blot out ________ transgressions…wash away all ______ iniquity, and cleanse me from _____ sin. I know ______ transgressions, and _______ sin is always __________ _______.” (vv. 1-3)

b. It is intensely _______________ and deeply __________.

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True repentance is not merely a “change of mind or direction” but also a deep, penetrating _____________ for sin. (READ 2 Corinthians 7:9, 10)

c. It truly and really _____________ the sin. That means “saying the same thing about our sin that God says.” (READ 1 John 1:8–10)

d. It is ________ - centered, not “me” oriented (Vv. 4–6). So it is not being “down” on myself, or driving me into morose feelings or destroying my self-image.

e. It is full of Gospel _____________ (vv. 8, 12, 15).

3. True confession asks for inward ______________ and ______________ once again to God alone (v. 10)

a. R.A. Torrey once said we lose the felt-presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives in one of __________ ways: “When we go back on personal separation of self from the sinful patterns of his age; self-indulgence; greed for money; pride; neglect of prayer; neglect of seriously studying the Word; or what he calls the “incoming of sin” into our lives.”

b. David asks for a _____________ spirit (v. 10) = the desire for a lasting, durable, loyalty to God that is rooted deep within. (READ Psalm 112:7, 8 and 108:1)

4. True confession appreciates the just ____________________ of God in our lives. God is _________ good and just. His severity tempers his goodness, and his goodness is displayed in his severity. (cf. 2 Samuel 12; READ Romans 11:22)

a. Confession does not ___________ the consequences of sin. David’s firstborn dies in 2 Samuel 12.

b. Confession assumes that the greater our _______________________, the greater our _______________________ to God. (READ James 3:1)

5. True confession knows that _______ sin is too __________ to be forgiven!

6. True confession always ends with an eager and

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______________ outlook (vv. 12-19)

a. A “________________” spirit (v. 12b) = a free, noble, inspired and liberal feeling and sense of God’s presence. Also note v. 8b = “let the bones dance which you have broken” (Hebrew).

b. A “willing” spirit results in _________________ faith (v. 13).

c. A “willing” spirit results in _________________ worship (vv. 18, 19).

d. How do you know when you have a “willing” spirit? Think of a sponge saturated with water. We can tell what fills us on the inside by what comes out under pressure.

7. Application – A Prayer of Confession

“Lord, forgive me for all my sins today. My sins of pride, worldliness and self-will permeate my life. For Jesus sake, please cleanse me from sins of commission and omission and sins of presumption. I plead your mercy and grace today.”

d

ANSWERS: 1. Seven; adultery; murder; light. 2. Repentance; five; a. honest; personal; pointed; me; my (5x); before me; b. inward; felt; sorrow; c. confesses; d. God; e. hope. 3. Purity; loyalty; seven; steady or steadfast. 4. Discipline; both; a. erase; b. responsibility; accountability. 5. No; great. 6. Joyful; a. willing; b. infectious; c. restored.

Your Notes

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Psalm 58 & 59

m Outrage Against Evil1. Introduction. Both of these Psalms are _____________

for Christians today. The difficulty lies in seeking to _________________ the harsh language and violent tone of the Psalmist with the Gospel call to “pray for our enemies” and not seek personal vengeance (READ Matt. 5: 43, 44 and Rom. 12:19-21). Technically, these are called Psalms of Imprecation. Several notes are in order:

a. David is not seeking __________________ vengeance; he seeks _________ judgment on the enemies of the godly and righteous.

b. Sometimes we need _____________ into realizing the depth and depravity of sin and evil, especially in high places. To this point, Derek Kidner says: “the psalms have among other roles in Scripture one which is peculiarly their own: to touch and kindle us rather than simply to address us. . . the passages have the shocking immediacy of a scream, to startle us into feeling something of the desperation which produced them.” (Kidner, Psalms 1–72, p. 28) So, these Psalms are not going to be “politically correct!”

c. Both _________________ and __________ contain similar cries of outrage over injustice and evil. So, the Psalmist is not alone in such language.

d. Jesus Himself amplifies and ________________ the call for judgment of willful rebellion and unrepentant sinning by taking it to the level of ___________ end-times judgment (READ Matt. 7:21-23; 13:38-42; John 3:36).

The introductory notes (“for the director of music” and

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“miktam”) are hard to both ______________ and appreciate today. At best, they are obscure to us today.

Psalm 59 is written from the viewpoint of David’s night escape from an upper window of his house in 1 Sam. 19:11ff in Saul’s evil _____________ of him.

2. Evil, especially in earthly rulers, is ______________ evil! Human conflict is not just a mere clash of interests, but a __________ of ___________ against ___________. (58:1-5; 59:2, 3, 6, 7, 12-15)

3. Sinful actions can be traced to the ____________ and from __________ (58:2,3; 59:12).

4. We can pray for both __________________ and righteous __________________ against evildoers. (59:2; 58:6-9)

5. God is not _______________________ to the cries of the persecuted righteous (58:10, 11).

6. Hostile rulers and powers may be ___________ by God as scourges (READ Isa. 10:5 and 12), as tests of loyalty (Judges 2:22), as hardeners (Judges 3:2) or as object-lessons for His people. But in the end, they will all face God’s final ____________________.

7. God ____________ is the _________________ of His people (READ Exodus 15:2, 13; 1 Chron. 29:12; Ps. 28:7, 8; 73:26; Eph. 6:10)

8. Application. What can we learn from such forceful Psalms?

a. Human evil is __________ and comes from a root of a _________ _____________ not circumstances, cultures, lack of privilege or upbringing.

b. Right and wrong _____________ to God and His justice.

c. We should be _________________ about sinful actions and decisions in high places.

d. God’s ways and truth will be vindicated in final _____________________.

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e. Our only sure refuge and strength is the ___________!

“And tho this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for he hath willed his truth to triumph thro’ us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure. For lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.” (Martin Luther)

d

ANSWERS: 1. Difficult; reconcile; a. personal; God’s; b. shocked; c. Jeremiah; Job; d. increases; final; translate; pursuit. 2. Really; war; right; wrong. 3. Heart; birth. 4. Deliverance; judgment. 5. Indifferent. 6. Used; judgment. 7. Alone; strength. 8a. real; sinful heart; b. matter; c. outraged; d. judgment; e. Lord.

Your Notes

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Psalm 63

m Hungering and Thirsting After God1. Introduction. The opening note places this Psalm as a

“Psalm of David.” While there is some debate here, most believe this is a _________________ psalm penned by the ___________________ King David (cf. v. 11). While this may seem “obvious” to many, scholars have debated whether these titles actually refer to real people at that time or were just “cultic” references that the Israelite community used later.

The scene is in the wilderness or wasteland of southern Judah. This was the __________ desert experience for David, the first being while he was fleeing from King Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 23:14-15; 24:1). The reference is from the ___________________ of Absalom when David was forced from the throne for a time (READ 2 Samuel 15:23–30).

Note the reference to _______________________ in verse 1. This was a draining, difficult, and agonizing time for David, whose throne was illegally usurped by his own son, Absalom. This Psalm is a great reminder of how we are to deal with ________________ and the emotional and spiritual ___________________ it brings to our lives. It is a wonderful Psalm of ___________________ to God in a difficult time.

2. God is my ________________ (vv. 1–4). Note the following passionate points:

a. The certainty of his _________________________ with God — “my God.” The Apostle Paul references a similar assurance in trying times in 2 Timothy 1:11, 12 (READ). David to God is not a stranger or just a dutiful servant, but a __________ to a heavenly Father.

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b. The ________________ of his relationship with God — He seeks God “earnestly” (or “early” at dawn); he “thirsts” for God; he “longs” for God.

c. The ________________________ of happier days when he “saw” God with the “inward eye of worship” (READ Psalm 11:7; 27:4), basking in the light of God’s presence.

d. The confession that God’s __________ is better than even __________ here (v. 3; READ Phil. 1:21).

e. The open - _________________ posture of prayer (v. 4) (“palms” in Heb.; READ 1 Kings 8:22; 1 Timothy 2:8)

3. God is my ___________________ (vv. 5–8).

a. The _____________________ of the soul here in contrast to the leanness of the desert (v. 5a). This is what Jesus Himself noted in response to the Devil in the temptation in the desert of his day (READ Matt. 4:3,4) and what He said in response to his disciples (READ John 4:31-34).

b. The exuberant __________ of full-throated praise (v. 5 – “I wake the echoes” in the NEB)

c. The ________________ during the night hours (“watches of the night”–v. 6)

d. The affectionate, parental _______________ of God Himself (“shadow of your wings” in v. 7)

e. The resultant ____________________________ — “my soul clings (or cleaves or sticks) to you” (v. 8) (READ Gen 2:24; Ruth 1:14)

4. God is my ___________________ (vv. 9–11).

a. David knows that God is a God of final ______________ (vv. 9, 10; READ Rom. 2:4–6)

b. David reasserts his divine ___________________ as “king” even though he is currently and unjustly banished from the throne (v. 11 and READ Heb. 11:38a; Rev. 1:5,6)

5. Application.

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a. “Hungering” and “thirsting” after God should be the _______________ state of a believer (READ Matt. 5:6).

b. In times of great injustice and distress, God _______________ is the refuge of the faithful Christian.

c. We need to remember our ________________ as “kings and priests” of God, even if we are despised and persecuted.

d

ANSWERS: 1. Personal; historical; second; rebellion; weariness; injustice; pressure; devotion. 2. Desire; a. relationship; son; b. intimacy; c. remembrance; d. love; life; e. handed. 3. Delight; a. feasting; b. shouts; c. peace; d. shelter; e. perseverance. 4. Defense; a. justice/judgment; b. calling. 5a. normal; b. Himself; c. calling.

Your Notes

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Psalm 66

m Make His Praise Glorious – Everywhere!1. Introduction. Notice the brief opening notes (actually verse 1

of the Psalm) — “for the choirmaster or director,” “a song,” and “a psalm.” While we can say that no one today knows exactly what these terms completely mean or what they signify, we can note the following:

“the director (of music)” — A term attached to _____ Psalms (and also Hab. 3:19b). The Hebrew term means to direct, to excel, or to the “excellent” one. One writer says it could have reference to an overseer of groups of workmen, who were directed in their work by someone “keeping time” on a rhythmical instrument, maybe one whose skill was used to keep the processional bearers of the Ark in step (Kidner, Psalms 1–72, p. 40).

“a song” —Used to indicate a collection of a certain type of hymnic ______________, which begin at Psalm 65 and go through Psalm 68. “Songs” were more generally known and sung, and they included both religious and secular tunes.

“a psalm” — a formally composed piece, designed for a particular occasion. “The double title would then indicate a formal poem by David or someone, which had become by its popularity virtually an institution.” (Kidner)

The point is that they were “____________” which acted as clues to the people of their day as to how to sing or lead or use the particular psalm.

2. _____________ praise belongs to God (vv. 1–4)

a. _______ nations all over the earth are instructed to worship

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and praise God. He is not a localized deity like the gods of the nations surrounding Israel.

b. True worship has adequate ______________ — “the glory of his name”

c. True worship has adequate ______________ — “make his praise glorious.” Worship is to be a ____________, ____________________ and ______________ experience for all peoples everywhere. The term “cringe” (v. 3) means “______________” in stature and power compared to omnipotence (READ v. 7).

In whatever language or medium of worship, true worship always displays God-honoring content and quality. Does your worship have these marks?

3. ___________________ praise belongs to God (vv. 5–12)

a. Praise God for His _______________ on our behalf. For the Israelite this was the historic crossing of the Red Sea (v. 6 and Exodus 14-15). “The river” refers to the crossing of the Red Sea not the Jordan later.

b. Praise God for being a _____________ to others (vv. 7, 8)

c. Praise God for being ____________ in all times and events, both the good and bad (vv. 9-12)

• He is there in _____________________ (“slipping of the feet” in v. 9)

• He is there in _____________________ (v. 10a; Jer. 9:7; 12:3; Ps. 139:23)

• He is there in ______________________ (v. 10b; Heb. 12:5-11)

d. We enjoy life and security by the ____________ of God, not by right or that we deserve it! (v. 9; James 4:13-15)

e. Praise God for _______________ from trouble (v. 12, “spacious place/place of abundance”)

4. ________________ praise belong to God (vv. 13–20).

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a. Individual praise emphasizes ______________ _________________ (“vows” given through “burnt offerings” – vv. 13–15; cf. Lev. 1)

b. Individual praise _______________ to others what God has done for me (v. 16)

c. Individual praise is _____________ praise, not gloating but understanding the depth of our sinfulness (v. 18).

d. Individual praise focuses on a lasting __________________ with God and His love (v. 20 – the word for “covenant mercy” is used, hesed)

d

ANSWERS to Psalm 66: 1. 55; prayers; cues. 2. Global; a. all; b. content; c. quality; grand; powerful; vital; small. 3. Localized; a. miracles; b. blessing; c. there; suffering; testing; disciplining; d. gift; e. rest (respite). 4. Individual; a. total dedication; b. witnesses; c. humble; d. relationship.

Your Notes

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Psalm 69

m Praying in Desperate Times1. Introduction and Historical Note. See our previous study

notes (Ps. 66 for instance ) on the Psalm title, “for the choirmaster/leader.” This is a Psalm for, to or by “David,” most likely sung to a tune called “Lilies,” which no one today knows.

We also do not know the precise historical situation of the Psalm. The reference to “your house” (v. 9) may refer to the Temple and the zeal to rebuild the Temple in Haggai and Zechariah’s days, or just to the general “household of faith” returning from the Exile in Babylonia, or even the revolt of the Jewish Maccabees in the second century after Christ. Even if the Psalm cannot be historically identified, it is suitable for the ___________________ and _____________ that suffering servants of God have had to walk through in their spiritual life on this earth. References to the life and trials of Jesus Himself, as the Suffering Servant of God (cf. Isaiah 53), are found in the New Testament from this Psalm (READ John 2:17; 15:25; 19:29-30).

The radicalized verses (vv. 22-28) against the Psalmist’s enemies we have covered in previous studies as well (cf. 2/13/13 on Psalms 58, 59). There is always a balance in the Bible between ______________ and _____________, so that we don’t on the one hand deny God’s judgment against sin and sinners, and on the other, forget Jesus’ words to pray for our enemies (cf. Matt. 5:43-48).

If you have ever felt extreme _______________, _____________________ or even ______________________ by God, this Psalm is for you!

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2. ___________________ complaint before God (vv. 1– 5)

a. Inner _____________ and floundering (Think of Job here.)

b. Feeling extremely ___________, even to the point of ___________ ! This is not abnormal or _______________ for the believer (READ about Paul in 2 Cor. 1:8,9).

c. These desperate feelings are enhanced by wrongful _______________ (v. 4).

d. In these dark times, he admits his own ________________, as thoughtless sinning against truth (“folly” in v. 5).

3. _______________ added to injury (vv. 6–12; 19-21)

a. He is a loyal servant of God suffering ___________________ abuse and insults from those who hate God. (v. 7)

b. He is _________________ because of his service for God (v. 12), for his __________ for the “house of God.” (v. 9) (Remember Jesus here!!)

c. He is ________________________ by the reproach brought upon him.

4. How to respond in such times? Look _______! (vv. 13-18; 29-36)

a. ____________! (v. 13)

b. Refocus in these times upon God’s __________________ and ______________. (v. 16)

c. “At an acceptable time” (v. 13) means our __________ are in God’s hands (READ Psalm 31:15), and we are to humbly acknowledge this.

d. “Do not hide your face” (v. 17) means asking God not to ___________ ____________ in anger or wrath against someone (READ Ps. 27:9; 30:7; Deut. 31:17, 18).

e. Ask God to “ransom” and “redeem” (v. 18) you, knowing that only in __________ is true deliverance (READ Isa. 35:10; Rom. 4:25; 11:26; 2 Cor. 1:10)

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f. Ask God for ________________ (vv. 22-28 and previous notes).

g. Continue with intentional ______________ (vv. 30-36). The point here is that “personal, explicit praise is more to God’s liking (v. 31) and more to man’s help (vv. 32f) than the most expensive sacrifice”(READ Psalm 50:12-15) [D. Kidner, Psalms 1–72, p. 248]

d

ANSWERS to Psalm 69: 1. Persecution; pain; justice; mercy; distress; separation; abandonment. 2. Painful; a. turmoil; b. low; death; sinful; c. accusations; d. misdeeds. 3. Insults; a. scornful; b. mocked; zeal; c. humiliated. 4. Up; a. pray; b. goodness; mercy; c. times; d. turn away; e. Christ; f. justice; g. praise.

Your Notes

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Psalm 70 & 71

m Help!1. Introduction. See our previous notes on Ps. 66 and others

for the reference “for the director of music/choirmaster” and “Of David.” This Davidic psalm is a ______________ or cry to God to “remember” him in his needs and battles with seen and unseen enemies of the faith. It might also have been sung during a “memorial offering” (cf. Lev. 2:2, 9, 16; 5:12; Num. 5:26) to remind God of the person who offered it and his commitment to God.

Psalm 70 is a reprise of Psalm 40:13–17 while Psalm 71 opens with verses which coincide with the beginning of Psalm 31. So the two Psalms plead with God to quickly help _______ and in the future as _________ age approaches. Psalm 70 could be considered what C.H. Spurgeon and others have called “arrow prayers” – brief prayers shot up to God in needy and desperate times.

2. Help me ___________ and ____________ is the sense of Psalm 70.

a. “Make haste” = “God, to deliver me, Lord, to my help, hurry!” is the Hebrew phrasing.

b. “My help” and “my deliverer” could be translated “my delivering helper” (v. 5) (READ Ps. 10:14; 18:2; 37:40; 40:17; 144:2)

c. He wants his enemies to be brought to ___________________ (“shame”) and _________________ (“confusion”) because of their sinful, anti-God actions. They outwardly and visibly ____________ him (“aha!, aha!” in Ps. 35:21, 25; Ezek. 25:3; 26:2; 36:2).

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d. Think here of the agony and cry of _____________ in chapter 10, ____________ in John 11 and the promise of God to come to the humble believer at the right time in Isaiah 60 — “I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.”

e. Just to note: “Quickly” is defined by ___________ at _________ timing.

3. Help me, Lord, in __________ __________ is the sense of Psalm 71. As we grow older, we need to remember the following about the Lord:

a. He has been with us since ___________ and ____________ (vv. 5, 6, 17). This reminds us of Paul’s words of encouragement and instruction to _______________: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:14, 15)

b. God is our ___________________ (“refuge” in vv. 1, 3; “rock” and “fortress” in v. 3)

c. God is our _______________________ (vv. 15, 16, 19, 24)

d. God is ever _____________________ (v. 22 – the “amen” of God). We can always count on Him!

e. In spite of life’s troubles, and enemies scorn and persecution, God is always our _________________ (vv. 14, 20-21)

4. At the end of our journey, we need to offer vibrant ____________ to this wonderful, Holy, Loving God (vv. 8, 23, 24). Note how the Psalmist unabashedly puts together God’s “holiness” (“O Holy One of Israel”) with a personal relationship (“O my God”). This is after all, the joy of heaven (READ Rev. 15:2–4). Vindication, not vindictiveness, seals the day and ends the fight.

As the commentator Derek Kidner says, “So, with his name cleared and his faith confirmed, this veteran can set his mind at rest, and his fingers, lips and heart to the praise of God and the

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telling of his story.” (Psalms 1–72, p. 253)

d

ANSWERS to Psalms 70, 71: 1. Petition; now; old. 2. Now; quickly; c. humiliation; disgrace; mock; d. Daniel; Jesus; e. God; His. 3. Old age; a. birth; youth; Timothy; b. Protector; c. Righteousness; d. faithful; e. hope. 4. Praise.

Your Notes

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Psalm 72

m The Perfect King*1. Introduction

a. Ending of Book II of the Psalms of the traditional five books of the Psalms (Note beginnings at Psalm 1, 42, 73, 90, and 107). A doxology ends or crowns each of these books, as here in vv. 18–20.

b. “Of Solomon” — It may mean the Psalm is to, for, or concerning Solomon as well as by him. Perhaps it is a prayer by David for his son, Solomon. Perhaps more generally that the hopes and aspirations of David’s reign would be fulfilled in his descendants forever. Some call this a “coronation” Psalm, used for the installation of a king, where language is idealized.

c. Does the Psalm refer to Christ as ultimate King? While not strictly “Messianic,” its language points beyond a current Israelite king to no less a person than the true Messiah (READ Isa. 11:1-5). It points to the ideals of kingship and leadership of a nation or the whole earth.

2. The just or righteous King (Ps. 72:1-4)

a. The ability to deal justly is God-given (cf. 1 Kings 3 and Isa. 11:4).

b. Righteous government takes care of the poor and needy first.

Question: How does this apply today, or does it?

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3. The life-giving King (Ps. 72:5–11)

a. The true King’s life-span and influence endures forever (cf. v. 7, Ps. 110:4; Ezek. 37:25; John 12:34; Heb. 7:24. 25)

b. The true King provides life-giving sustenance (vv. 6, 7)

c. Blessings will be given to all nations through him (vv. 8-11, 17).

4. The compassionate King (Ps. 72:12–15)

a. He intervenes on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised (vv. 13-14).

b. He acts as a “kinsman-redeemer” (v. 14 and the story of Ruth and Boaz in Ruth 2:20)

5. The everlasting King (Ps. 72:16–20)

a. Earthly abundance (vv. 15, 16; Read Deut. 7:12–15; 2 Chron. 7:13, 14)

b. Honor and happiness (v. 17)

d

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“It is a magnificent prayer for a king and his country; for a leader and his enterprise;

THE King and the consummation of his kingdom, into which ‘the kings of the earth shall bring their glory,’ and ‘by whose light shall the nations walk.’” (Rev. 21:24)

(*D. Kidner on Psalms 1–72)

Your Notes

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Psalm 74

m Havoc and Complaint1. Introduction. This is a very difficult Psalm. Translators and

interpreters differ as to the details. A couple of notes on the setting of the Psalm can be given.

a. Psalm 74 is a lament of Asaph, a Levitical choir director (cf. I Chronicles 16:5; 2 Chr. 29:30), who wrote Psalms 50 and 73–83. It is a “maskil,” or a psalm of understanding, perhaps a “teaching psalm” or a psalm directed by skillful musicians (Ps. 30:22). Again, we are not certain about these titles.

b. Psalm 74 records the national disaster of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple area in 587 B.C. There are parallels in Psalms 79, 137, and the Book of Lamentations (cf. Lam. 2:5–9).

It is a raw, unvarnished song of complaint and grief over willful and violent destruction of Israel’s worship places, especially the central Temple area. This is hard for us in America to comprehend, since we have never gone through such visible destruction and annihilation. We can sympathize, even empathize, with the Israelites, but the scope of destruction and feeling of abandonment by God for His people is probably beyond us. We can, however, learn how to grieve and give voice to times of desperation and complaint when all seems lost.

2. Why?!! (vv. 1-11)

a. This is the “why” of faith, not doubt. God is still enthroned (v. 12), still sovereign Creator and Redeemer (vv. 16, 17), still the “covenant-keeping” God of His people Israel (vv. 19, 20).

b. This is the “why” that naturally follows disaster. It is the

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human reaction to intense suffering and desolation. (vv. 4–9)

c. This is the why of impenetrable silence by God. “Historically, this cry could well be that of the derelict community left in the homeland after the deportations to Babylon and the emigration to Egypt (cf. Jer. 43:5–7) which had removed first Ezekiel and then Jeremiah.” (Kidner, Psalms 73–150).

d. This why prepares the way for a new day! A church rather than a kingdom; an inner covenant rather than an outward agreement; a living Savior rather than just a promised Messiah. A hard point to grasp, but think about it!!

3. God still in control (vv. 12–17)

a. In control of salvation on earth (v. 12)

b. In control of history (vv. 13, 14) – maybe reference to the parting of the Red Sea (13a) to the Jordan (15b), and the defeat of Egypt, in poetical terms

c. In control of the spiritual forces of wickedness (READ Isa. 27:1; Rev. 12:7–9)

d. In control of the earth and nature (vv. 16, 17)

4. Prayer for God’s help (vv. 18–23)

a. When all seems hopeless, we can pray!

b. What to pray for?

• God to remember His people

• God to have mercy over His afflicted ones

• God to remember His promises

• God to defend His cause and uphold His justice

5. Some applications:

a. It is ______________ to ask “why” in terrible times.

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b. Ask “why” in ___________ and not ______________.

c. Remember _______ God is and _____________ He has done and is doing.

d. When all else fails, ____________! (See above)

d

Answers: 5a. normal; b. faith; doubt; c. who; what; d. pray

Your Notes

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Psalm 79 & 80

m Where Is God?!!1. Introduction. Psalm 79 and 80 are “disaster” complaint Psalms.

Psalm 79 records the cries of God’s people after the overthrow of Jerusalem in 586 BC, and Psalm 80 after the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC. Both are Psalms of Asaph, a Levitical choir leader appointed by David and noted in Psalms 50 and 73–83 (READ 1 Chronicles 16:4, 5a).

While Israel was God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, and we do not have the same history or promises as a nation, we can learn from these Psalms three important lessons:

a. How to _______________ to God about disasters that take place that affect us.

b. How to ______________ about God during these times.

c. What to ___________ God in these times.

Discussion: How do you talk to God in times of disaster? What questions do you ask Him?

2. How to talk to God in times of disaster —

a. God is O.K. with _______________ __________________! (79:1–4, 11; 80:5, 12, 13, 16) from “loyal” people (79:2 – “saints” = “loyal ones”)

b. We can cry out to God in ____________, not unbelieving doubt or fear. (Note Ps. 79:13; 80:7, 19)

c. We need to _______________ before God our role, if any, in

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the disaster. (79:5, 8, 9; 80:4) This is both _________________ confession and _________________ confession.

d. There is no place for personal ____________________ or “getting back” at the people-cause of the disaster (READ Rom. 12:17–21). The cry for God to “pour out his wrath on the nations” comes from the Old Testament fact of Israel as his “vine” of special choice among all the nations (Ps. 80:8, 14, 15; Isa. 5:7; Ezek. 15:6,7; John 15:1–8), though judgment has fallen on it due to their sins and rejection of God’s ways for them.

3. How to think about God in times of disaster —

a. It is ________ Name and honor that matters! (79:1, 2 – “your” inheritance, “your” holy temple, “your” servants, “your” saints; 79:13 – “your” people, the sheep of your pasture; and 79:9 – “for the glory of your name”)

b. He is our _________________ (80:1), knowing and caring about and for us.

c. He is in ___________ (80:1– “enthroned” and “O God Almighty” in Ps. 80:7, 14, 19)

d. He is ___________________, even in disaster (Ps. 79:5, 6; 80:8, 12)

4. What to ask of God in times of disaster —

a. For ______________ (Ps. 79:6), as He defines it, not as we want it!

b. For _________________ and mercy (Ps. 79:9; 80:3, 7, 19)

c. For God to ___________ the prayers of the oppressed (Ps 79:11)

d. For God’s glow of _________________ and friendship (“make your face shine upon us” – Ps. 80:3)

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d

ANSWERS to Psalms 79, 80: 1a. talk; b. think; c. ask. 2a. honest complaint; b. faith; c. confess; private; corporate; d. vengeance. 3a. God’s; b. Shepherd; c. charge; d. sovereign. 4a. justice; b. deliverance/restoration; c. hear; d. kindness.

Your Notes

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Psalm 82 & 83

m Justice Is Needed1. Introduction.

a. Both Psalms are attributed to Asaph, who is credited with twelve of the Psalms (Ps. 50, 73-83), who was the son of Berechiah, said to be an ancestor of the Asaphites. The Asaphites were one of the families or guilds of musicians in the Jerusalem temple.

b. The “gods” referred to in Ps. 82 MAY be those “principalities and powers” (angelic beings) at work invisibly on earth (cf. Job 1:6ff; Eph. 6:12), but could also refer to human judges (cf. Deut. 1:15-17) to whom the Word of God came (cf. Jesus comments in John 10:35). To bring a case “before God” as an Israelite was to bring it “before their judges” (cf. Deut. 17:8-13). The point here is that these “judges” have judged unjustly, neglecting those God especially cares for. Just to note that God’s character and ways are consistent, whether among angels or men.

c. Psalm 82 portrays a divine court in session, with an accusation (v. 2), the reciting of the law (vv. 3, 4), witnesses called (v. 5), and the pronouncement of the sentence (vv. 6,7), with a closing prayer for justice in the earth (v. 8). Remember this is Hebrew poetry and prose!

d. Psalm 83 is also concerned with God’s justice in the face of a hostile world, with the nations around Israel ganging together against God’s chosen people (vv. 5-12). Certainly, the wars recorded in Joshua and Chronicles refer to these kinds of situations.

e. While these Psalms may seem difficult to understand or

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unpack, they contain important lessons for us. This is our focus today.

2. God is a God in _____________ and is ___________. (Ps. 82:1, 8; 83:18)

a. God rules in the courts of ____________ and among earthly _____________. (READ Job 1:6-12; Ps. 2:10; 22:28; Prov. 8:15, 16)

b. The justice of God will in the end _____________ (READ Dan. 4:37; John 5:30; 1 John 1:9; Rev. 15:3)

c. “All nations will pass through your ____________.” (Alternate reading of Ps. 82:8b)

3. God is our prayer _______________ in the midst of a hostile world (Ps. 83:1-8)

a. A prayer for God to __________ (v. 1)

b. This enmity is to be _____________________ among God’s people (READ John 1:10; 15:18-20)

c. The enemy’s goals are nothing less than total _______________________ (v. 4), not merely co-existence!

4. We need to rest in the ____________ of God to overcome the world (Ps. 83:9-15: READ John 16:33 and Rev. 1:17-18). Examples are listed here in Israel’s history.

a. God will never utterly _______________ us (“the pastures of God” v. 12; READ Heb. 13:5).

b. Not merely to protect us, but God will stand by the glory of His Name (READ Ezek. 20:8-10).

c. Sometimes people need to be brought to ________________ to be brought to God (vv. 13-16)

5. We should pray not merely to be protected, but for the ____________________ of those who oppose us (Ps. 83:16-18)

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d

ANSWERS: 2. Charge; just. a. heaven; judges or rulers; b. prevail; c. sieve. 3. Resource; a. act; b. expected; c. destruction. 4. Power; a. forsake; c. nothing. 5. Conversion.

Your Notes

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Psalm 86 & 87

m The “Pillow of Sovereignty”1. Introduction

a. The titles

Psalm 86 — “A Prayer of David” could mean “for” David, “by” David, “to” David (dedicated to), “with reference, concerning, about” David, or “for the use of ” David. The older commentators usually choose the second option—“by” David.

Psalm 87 — “Of the sons of Korah” possibly refers to the Levitical Korahite family, a guild of temple singers (2 Chr. 20:19) and gatekeepers (1 Chr. 9:19). The title appears over 10 other Psalms.

b. The name for God (besides “LORD”) used seven times in Ps. 86:3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15 is adonai, which refers to the sovereignty of God, and thus expresses the rule of God in times of personal need (v. 1), in the day of trouble (v. 7) and when the arrogant and ruthless were set against him (v. 14). He finds, as we do, a “pillow on which to lay his head, the Sovereign God who would hear his prayers (vv. 3-4), deliver him (vv. 12-13) and put his foes to shame (v. 17).” (New Bible Commentary)

c. Notice by way of overview, Psalm 86 is a prayer of supplication, and a ____________ prayer for us, giving us an outline of how to approach God in times of need:

• We begin with meditating on God as _________, on His glory and worthiness, with verse 10 as the centerpiece.

• Then we recount our own _____________________ with God, praying for right __________ of the heart before we make right moves (vv. 11, 12).

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• Finally, we ask for _____________________ from our foes and enemies of the faith (vv. 14-17).

This is the kind of prayer offered throughout the Bible (Neh. 9:5–31, 32–37; READ Acts 4:24–28, 29–30) by the people of God in need.

d. Psalm 86 could have been written as David was fleeing from Absalom as recorded in 2 Samuel 16 and 17.

2. The sovereign God hears prayer because of __________ reasons or facts:

a. We are ________________ without Him (“poor and needy” (v. 1); “downtrodden” (v. 14)

b. We _________ Him and He loves us, a two-way love (“devoted to you” = loyalty, v. 2; “abounding in love” (vv. 5, 15, 17). This is true in spite of our wayward hearts at times, thus the plea in v. 11, “give me an undivided heart that I may fear your Name.” We humans are, by nature and choice, insincere (Ps. 12:1,2), fickle (James 1:6f), and engaged in a perpetual tug-of-war with our own sins and sinful choices (Romans 7:18, 19 — “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”)

c. We have committed __________ in Him (“my God” (v. 2))

d. We _________________ in expectant prayer (“all day” in v. 3; READ Luke 18:1-8 about the Persistent Widow)

e. We know God for who He _______ — good, kind, forgiving our sins, abounding in unchanging love toward us and able to rule and overrule any situation (vv. 5, 15, 16, 9 & 10 and Psalm 87)

3. The sovereign God is worthy of all prayer because of his __________________ (Ps. 86:8–10) and the fact that peoples from all nations will one day be given new spiritual ___________ because of His power and love, including

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a. Blustering national powers (Rahab = Egypt in Ps. 87:4 and Isa. 30:7)

b. Persistent persecutors of God’s people (Babylon and Philistia in Ps. 87:4)

c. Affluent merchants, the “movers and shakers” of the world economy (like Tyre)

d. Even the remotest nations (Cush = Ethiopia in Ps. 87:4)

Many peoples will be “born” (Ps. 87:6) in the City of God (Zion), in the book of life, written with God’s own hand (Rev. 21:4–27).

d

ANSWERS: 1c. model; God; relationship; habits; deliverance. 2. Five; a. helpless; b. love; c. trust; d. persist; e. is. 3. Greatness; birth.

Your Notes

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Psalm 89

m Does God Promise and Not Fulfill?1. Introduction

a. The title

A Maskil — Used in 13 Psalms, mostly in Books II and III, indicating skillful understanding or wisdom.

Ethan the Ezrahite — A member of the tribe of Judah, known for his wisdom, and leader of one of the choirs of Israel, along with Heman, Asaph and others. His name is probably identical with Jeduthun (cf. 1 Chronicles 15:19; 2 Chr. 5:12).

b. The historical context of the Psalm is probably between the Fall of Jerusalem along with the Captivity and before the Restoration under Nehemiah. The promise of a lasting covenant and blessing of David can be found in the Lord’s promise through Nathan in 2 Samuel 7:12-16.

c. The outline can be:

• Praise to and reminder of God’s love and faithfulness (vv. 1, 2, 5-18)

• Promises made to and about David (vv. 3, 4, 19-37)

• Lament over perceived failure of God’s promises (vv. 38-51)

• Editorial close of Book III of the Psalms (v. 52)

2. God’s “_______ - ________________” (Plural of hesed = “royal loves” in vv. 1, 49)

a. A rehearsal of God’s many____________ of mercy, love and faithfulness (See for example Gen. 32:10; Ps. 25:6; Isa. 55:3; 63:7,8)

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b. These “love-promises” are guaranteed by God’s _____________ (vv. 2, 5-8, 14-18) and revealed through God’s _______________ on behalf of His people (vv. 3, 4, 9-12)

c. Notice the repetition of three descriptive and related terms about God’s promises:

• His special __________ (vv. 1, 2, 14, 24, 28, 49)

• His ______________________ (vv. 1, 2, 5, 8, 14, 24, 33)

• His ___________________ promises (vv. 3, 28, 34, 39)

d. These love-promises require __________________ on the part of the recipients (vv. 30-32 and vv. 38-51) These are not “blanket” promises made without recognition of God’s laws. Interestingly, ________ declarations of God’s sovereignty (vv. 9-14) are matched in the Psalm with fourteen verbs of God’s judgment upon disobedience (vv. 38-45).

e. God’s _________________ (vv. 5-8) and might (vv. 9-13) are not abrogated through God’s rejection and discipline of His people Israel (vv. 38-51).

3. What do we do when God’s great promises become great _________________________?

a. We go to ________________ that begins with _____________.

b. We understand that God’s _________________ is not our sense of things.

c. We trust in the _______________ fulfillment of God’s promises. For Israel, (in God’s timetable) soon a root would spring from the dry ground (Is. 53:2) and a divine Son of David (Is. 9:6-7) would reign in victory (Is. 9:4, 5) and righteousness (Is. 11:1-5; 32:1) for ever (Lk. 1:31-33).

d. God’s _______________ are not God’s ________________!

“In a word, the promises had not failed but human understanding of God’s timescale and of the complexity of his world–rule was not sufficient to keep step with what he was

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doing. So it is for us: the promises never fail, though seeming delay makes some lapse into doubt (2 Pet. 3:4)-and it is not just the great promise of his coming, ‘for no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.’ The promises cannot fail, though our expectations may, at any moment, be blighted. At such a time, like the psalmist, we must turn the promises into song and the disappointments into prayer.” (New Bible Commentary)

d

ANSWERS: 2. Love-promises; a. deeds; b. nature; actions; c. love; faithfulness; covenant; d. obedience; 14; e. majesty; 3. Disappointments; a. prayer; praise; b. timing; c. future; d. delays; denials.

Your Notes

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Psalm 92 & 93

m The Exalted God1. Introduction

a. The title

“A Song for the Sabbath Day” (Ps. 92) — This is a Psalm of “thanksgiving,” the only Psalm in the Hebrew text specifically designated for the Sabbath Day (Jewish Saturday), but the Greek translation of the Psalms (The Septuagint) specifies seven Psalms, one to be sung for each day of the Sabbath week – Psalms 24, 48, 82, 94, 81, 93, 92. One writer has said that, “The Mishnah declares that Ps. 92 is “a song for the time that is to come, for the day that shall be all sabbath and rest in the life everlasting.”

b. Psalm 93 is what is called an “enthronement Psalm,” praising God who is enthroned on high. Some call these Psalms “royal Psalms” for the king, but all can identify with and share in such praise and adoration of the True King.

c. Psalm 92 and 93 (and possibly Psalm 94) go together, evidenced by God as “high” (Ps. 92:8 and 93:4), the “deep thoughts/statutes of God” (92:5 and 93:5), and the “house or temple of the Lord” (92:13 and 93:5).

2. The sovereign Lord is exaltedness itself! (Ps. 92:8; 93:1)

a. God possesses ___________ rule of His world, including His enemies (92:6,7,9)

b. God’s “exalted” people are __________ (92:4,5) and triumphant (92:10,11) through what he has done.

c. No matter the barriers and obstacles, God is still on the

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_____________ (93:1-4)

d. God is our __________ (92:15; READ Psalm 18:2, 31, 46; 19:14; 27:5; 28:1; 31:3; 42:9; 62:2; 71:3; 95:1)

Question: If all of this is true, why do we so often feel defeated or that God doesn’t know or care?

3. Sabbath not only means ___________ but also loud ___________ (92:1-4), a “holy convocation” (cf. Lev. 23:3). We praise God because —

a. He is ____________ (92:1), which means He is “intrinsically right and personally satisfying.” (New Bible Commentary)

b. He has sovereign _____________ over all our enemies (92:7, 9, 11; 93:3). READ Psalm 2 again here! “Enemies” are “senseless,” namely “unspiritual,” “fools” who never penetrate deeper than the surface appearance of life.

c. Unfailing praise is due God ___________________ (92:1-3)

d. His goodness lasts a ______________ (92:13, 14; 93:5)

4. Righteous people are those ___________ with God (92:12), whose life is pictured here full of dignity, strength and durability.

d

ANSWERS: 2a. moral; b. glad; c. throne; d. Rock. 3. Rest; praise; a. good; b. control; c. continually; d. lifetime. 4. right

Your Notes

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Psalm 94 & 95

m Worship the Just King!1. Introduction

Perhaps the best note on these Psalms is given by the Old Testament scholar, Marvin Tate: “It is worth noting that Ps 94:12–15 is found almost at the exact center of Psalms 90–99. The message of these verses is central both for Ps 94 and for the entire section of Psalms 90–99. These Psalms were intended for the flagging faith of Israelites who were living under long-continued ‘evil days,’ days ‘passed in your [God’s] wrath’ (90:9), when the vision of the future had grown dim and hope had waned. Some had turned to cruel and violent ways, making common cause with foreign oppressors, and disdaining the power of The Lord. Thus these psalms are designed to revitalize faith and create a new awareness of the kingship of The Lord [Yahweh].” (Word Biblical Commentary, Psalm 94, p. 494)

Psalm 95 might have as its setting the Feast of Tabernacles when Israel in holiday mood remembered the wilderness (Lev. 23:40-43), but its sobering facts in vv. 8–11 would deliver them from romanticizing their past. Hebrews 3:7 – 4:13 is the New Testament commentary on this Psalm.

If we then use Psalm 94:12-15 as the center of a concentric circle, we can make sense of these two Psalms and possible the whole section, Psalms 90–99.

2. Psalm 94:12–15 — The governing center

a. “How blest!” – Followers of God through Jesus Christ are truly ____________ and ultimately assured of God’s kingly presence. This term is used 26 times in the Psalms to indicate deep and lasting contentment, joy and fulfillment. This sense

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of God’s favor and depth of happiness drives the Christian to ________________ praise (Ps. 95:1, 2) We worship Him with “unashamed enthusiasm.”

b. God our Father is our __________________ – “the man you discipline; the man you teach from your law” (94:12), not to punish but to “grant him relief from days of trouble.”

c. God is our ________________ – “relief from days of trouble,” (94:13; SEE Psalm 91:14, 15; 97:10) He is our rock, our fortress, our stronghold, our refuge (94:22; 91:2; 92:15).

d. God is our _____________________ – “the Lord will never reject His people; he will never forsake his inheritance” (94:14); “he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (95:7); “he will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you find refuge” (91:4)

e. God our King is the ___________ ______________ of all peoples, all nations, all rulers, whether they honor Him or not (READ Psalm 94:1, 2, 15, 23; 96:13; 98:9; 99:4).

f. God is our eternal __________ – “my rest” (Ps. 95:11; Hebrews 3:7–4:13). This “rest” is nothing less than Jesus Christ and fellowship with Him for all eternity.

3. Application notes

a. Sin and injustice and rebellious pride will never ________ at the end of the day. To think that I can get away with it is to be a “dunderhead,” or a “dollard, ” a “senseless one” (Ps. 94:8).

b. The blessing of God’s protective care comes with a Father’s stern _____________________ about not “hardening our hearts” in His discipline of our lives (Ps. 95:8; Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7).

d

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ANSWERS: 2a. satisfied; exuberant or unrestrained; b. corrector; c. rescuer; d. protector; e. just judge; f. Rest. 3a. win; b. warning.

Your Notes

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Psalm 101 & 102

m A Royal Outlook and a Complaint1. Introduction

a. Psalm 101 has the air of royalty, speaking not only of David’s heart but every true national leader who desires to serve God and govern with truth and justice. Some read it as a prayerful complaint to God from a leader (“when will you come to me?” – v. 2). While it may seem boastful, especially from King David, noting his fall into sin in 2 Samuel, it is the hope of his heart and the desire of his kingdom.

b. Psalm 102 is one of seven (7) “penitential” Psalms (Pss. 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), expressing the agony of the cry of distress (like Job), but also the hope in the Name of the Lord and His purposes in the world and in the world to come.

c. Both Psalms have a definite Messianic element and fulfillment, that is they point forward to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, as the only true King, and the suffering (102:1–11 and Ps. 22) and final victory and enthronement of Jesus. Hebrew 1:10-12 quotes Ps. 102:25–27 word for word in the Greek translation of the Psalm (the Septuagint). Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). God the Father is here replying to the Son in his work on earth for us.

2. Psalm 101 – A Leader’s Desire for a People or A Nation

a. Desire for a ________________ life in a leader (vv. 1–4)

• To follow covenant loyalty (“love” = hesed in vs. 1) and justice by which the leader and people were bound to God first and then one another.

• True justice begins with a leader and his own house – Why

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so?

• Meets regularly with the people dispensing justice (8 – “every morning”)

b. Desire for ____________________ among his people (vv. 5-8). A good and just ruler looks for:

• People not jockeying for position by smearing others (v. 5)

• People not self-absorbed or self-important (5b)

• People who do not practice deceit or lies (7)

c. This description gives us those character attributes to pray for in our national leaders!

3. Psalm 102 – A plaintive cry, but hope in the God who rules the future!

a. Agonizing personal distress (vv. 1–11) = “Hear my prayer, O Lord!” (NOTE Ps. 39:12; 54:2; 61:1; etc). Such suffering was ultimately experienced by Christ Himself for us!

• Fever, frailty, wasting pain, sleeplessness, melancholy, despair (vv. 3–7)

• Taunting by others (v. 8)

• Feeling rejection and anger by God (v. 10)

• Sounds like ____________ !

b. God is still on the throne, still sovereign Lord (vv. 12–17)

• Wants God to act ________ (v. 13) yet hope for ___________ action (vv. 15-17)

• God _______ acting even today to fulfill this plea – in that Christ is the light of the nations, Zion’s true citizens will flourish; God’s glory is in our midst; the poor and destitute will be cared for (READ Heb. 12:22-24)

c. In the distant ____________ God will fulfill His purposes and promises (vv. 18-22) (READ Isa. 60:18–20; 62:6,7; Rev. 21:1-4)

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d. God will in the end show His faithfulness to all His people and their posterity (vv. 27, 28)

d

ANSWERS: 2a. blameless; b. truthfulness. 3a. Job; b. now; future; IS; c. future.

Your Notes

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Psalm 105 & 106

m God’s Provision and Man’s Plight1. Introduction

a. Psalm 105 and 106 are historical Psalms in the sense that they rehearse major historical events of Israel, from the point of view of God’s provision (Psalm 105) and the peoples’ sinful failings (Psalm 106). Psalm 106 ends what is called Book IV of the Psalter. Psalm 105:1-15 and 106:47, 48 are quoted in the account of David’s procession with the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem in 1 Chronicles 16.

b. Both Psalms begin and end with “Hallelujah” = “Praise the Lord!” reminding us that a recitation of history begins and ends with thanksgiving and praise to God for His powerful miracles in our lives as well as His longsuffering and patience with us in our sinfulness.

c. Why study ancient sacred history? 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (READ) gives us the answers:

• They serve as “_______________” (lit. “types”) to us. That is, they prefigure spiritual realities in our present age (the Messianic Age).

• They warn us of disastrous consequences of ________ (vv. 6 – 11)

• They keep our _____________ in check (v. 12)

• They show us the ____________________ and preservation of God over us (v. 13)

2. What we are to remember about God’s Provision (Psalm 105)

a. God performs “wonderful acts” (marvelous deeds in vv.

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2, 5) in the _______ miracles of life (Ps 106:7, 22) as well as the ____________, day-to-day workings of life (Ps 71:17; Ps 119:18).

b. God’s right dealings with mankind (his “judgments” in vv. 5, 7) (READ Psalm 19:7-11). We like Him are to “maintain justice, and constantly do what is right” (Ps. 106:3)

c. God’s Name as His character or essence — “holy” (Ps. 105:3); “goodness” and “love” (Ps 106:1). He is “set apart” from us but condescends to support us with His steadfast love (hesed).

d. That we as believers are _________ “children of Abraham” (vv. 6-8; Gal. 6:16; Rom. 4:11, 12; 10:12; 11:11f)

e. That all of life is by ____________ (v. 8 – covenant that He commanded forever)

f. God’s faithfulness to the Patriarchs (vv. 12-22; Gen. 45:4-8; 50:20)

g. God’s work through Moses (vv. 26-37) (References in Exodus 12, 13, 16 and 17)

h. God’s _____________________ through the Exodus (vv. 37-42)

i. God’s instructions in the Conquest of the Promised Land (vv. 43-45)

3. What we are to remember about the plight of mankind (Psalm 106)

a. That we have _______ sinned (v. 6) — “The Israelites are our ecclesiastical forbears; their sins are our own writ large.” (Derek Kidner)

b. Their (and our) rebellion and unbelief (vv. 7-12, 32-34; Exodus 14:10f)

• God’s solution is to “move on!” in following Him (Exodus 14:15).

c. Their (and our) leadership jealousy (vv. 16-18; Num 16:3,

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13)

• God’s solution is to repent and exercise humility in service.

d. Their (and our) idolatry (vv. 19-23)

• God’s solution is intercession (cf. Ezek. 22:30).

e. Their (and our) ungratefulness (vv. 24-27; Number 14)

• God’s solution is to always be thankful for all things.

f. Their (and our) apostasy (vv. 28-31; Number 25)

• God’s solution is the atonement through Jesus Christ (Rom 8:3).

g. Their (and our) secularization (vv. 34-39; All of the Book of Judges)

• God’s solution is discipline tempered with deliverance.

d

ANSWERS: 1c. examples; sin; pride; faithfulness. 2a. big; normal; 2d. all; 2e. grace; 2h. deliverance. 3a. all

Your Notes

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Psalm 109 & 110

m Dealing with Character Assassination1. Introduction

a. Both Psalms are credited to David, part of the collection of 73 Psalms attributed to his authorship. Both Psalms use military language and phrases, with enemies attacking and accusing (Ps. 109:3; 110:2, 3, 5-7).

b. Psalm 109 is also addressed “to the Choirmaster” or “Director of music,” a note attached to 55 Psalms, perhaps referencing an overseer of music, who directed the work of God by special Psalms of rhythmic music, for special occasions. Whatever the intent, a large part of its original meaning is lost to modern ears and audiences.

c. Psalm 110 is a royal Psalm, and a clearly Messianic Psalm, pointing to King Jesus. Jesus Himself owned David as the author of the Psalm (Mark 12:36, 37) as well as Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:33-35). It is a song of royal enthronement, less of King David, and pointing to the final and real King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It points to and speaks of the exaltation and royal priesthood of Jesus Christ.

d. Both Psalms can be classified as “psalms of imprecation,” calling for God’s judicial wrath (His “mighty scepter from Zion” – Ps. 110:2) and vengeance on enemies to His rule and oversight. Rather than rejecting these passages, however, in our New Testament age, we need to read them in the light of God as Just Judge of all the earth, who in the end will rule justly and rightly. Those who have rejected Christ as Lord and King will face eternal condemnation. This is plain in the Bible.

e. We are here dealing with character assassination and how to

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respond to unjust and cruel attacks to our character as servants of God. That is the point of the study tonight.

2. In the midst of such attacks, God is still the “God of my praise” (Ps 109:1, 21, 26, 27, 30, 31).

a. A call for God to not just hear his cries, but respond (v. 1)

b. A call for God to exercise His sovereign care (hesed) (v. 21)

c. A plea for deliverance from the relentless pursuit of the character assassins (v. 21)

d. A prayer for God to turn the scorn and assaults of the assassins into blessings (vv. 26-28)

3. We can bring all of our frustrations and fears and complaints to God (vv. 2-20). Some Christians think that bringing such frustrations to God is a sign of weakness and lack of faith. It is not. In the midst of unrighteous accusations, David simply resorts to similar outbursts that we find in Jeremiah and Job. God is pledged to hear the cries of innocent blood (READ Matthew 23:35; Luke 18:6-8).

4. This does not mean we as disciples of Christ and ministers of reconciliation act in kind against character assassins. No, we are to

a. “Bless and not curse” (READ Matt. 5:43-48)

b. Practice acts of love to them (READ Rom. 12:20). We are to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).

c. Leave final judgment to a just God (READ Rom. 12:19)

5. Finally, we are to remember Who is on the throne of this world order and His just judgment (Ps. 110:5-7).

d

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Your Notes

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Psalm 114 & 115

m The Power and Blessing of God1. Introduction

a. Some (the Septuagint, for instance) have thought these two Psalms go together, but they are very distinct in tone, structure and style. However, it is to be noted that “Hallelujah” frames them (at the end of Psalm 113 and 115). These Psalms begin and end with praise to the God of power and blessing. God is to be glorified for His powerful presence surveyed in Psalm 114 and His role as “help and shield” in Psalm 115.

b. “Psalm 115 [and, in fact, Psalm 114 also] is a stirring lesson to the people of God in every age concerning survival in an alien, hostile environment. It teaches the necessity of rising above life’s questions and paradoxes on God-given wings of prayer and faith. The reality of a relationship with God imparts strong resistance to rival human ideologies and creates a hope so certain to believing hearts that its prospect can already induce praise (READ Romans 5:2; 8:38-39; 1 Peter 1:3-9).” (Leslie Allen, Word Biblical Commentary)

2. Tremble before the God of power (Psalm 114)

a. The term “tremble” (v. 7) is somewhere between “agony” and “delight,” somewhere between Isaiah 26:17 and Psalm 96:9. READ Rev. 20:11.

b. This God demonstrated His miraculous, creative power in

• Deliverance from Egypt (vv. 1, 2, 8) (Think of the whole series of miracles in the plagues, deliverance from Pharaoh and his army, splitting of the Sea, the thunderous earthquakes at Sinai, provision of water from the rock, and so forth.) They

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became through such deliverances a “special people” (READ Deut. 7:6, 7)

• Crossing the Jordan (vv. 3-6) (See Joshua 3:14-17)

• The thunderous earthquake at Sinai (See Exodus 19:16-19)

c. Nature responds to the presence of God, rather than being independent of God (v. 7) (READ Psalm 77:16-19) This is not just “poetic language!”

d. “God of Jacob” (v. 7) reminds us that these miracles are not just a display of raw divine power, but directed toward the salvation of His people.

e. What miracles in your life can you recount that show God’s mighty power in your salvation journey?

3. Rejoice before God’s power to enrich our lives (Psalm 115)

a. God gets all the credit for blessing (v. 1) (NOTE: William Wilberforce marked the passing of his bill to abolish the slave trade by meditating on this verse!)

b. Human idols have no power (vv. 2-8). What we can see, touch, feel or hear and identify cannot compete with this God of power and blessing.

c. All God-fearers are called to trust the Lord as their Help and Shield (See Ps. 28:7; 33:20). He is the Guarantor of salvation.

• Just a note that “those who fear the Lord” (v. 13) is a technical term referring to non-Israelites who trust in the One God, to Gentiles who come to Him for salvation—namely, US!

d. God’s blessing — “every group (12, 13a), every type of person (13b) and every generation (14) – must have the smile and creative touch of God on us if we are to thrive (cf. 14 with 1 Cor. 3:6f.)” (Kidner) (READ 1 Cor. 3:7-9)

d

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Your Notes

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Psalm 146 – 150

m Praise the Lord!1. Introduction. Notice that these Psalms ___________ and

__________ with the word, “Hallelujah,” which in Hebrew is two terms – “Hallelu” + “Jah” = “Praise Jehovah.” The Psalter began with how to ___________ before God, and ends in how to ________ God. In this regard, the Psalms frame all of life and thought – “the Psalms are a miniature of our story as a whole, which will end in unbroken blessing and delight” (Kidner on Psalm 146).

Notice the opening and closing call to praise is in the ____________, indicating an emphatic call and summons to __________________ to give glory and praise to God. And praise is a _______________ not an option for the Christian life. There is powerful ___________________ and excitement in these Psalms. The Psalmist writes in unrestrained, unequivocal language. He is just really excited about God! (READ Ps. 146:5; 147:1). C.S. Lewis said, “In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him!”

Let’s look at some of the main themes of these five concluding Psalms of praise.

2. Theme #1: I praise God when I am overwhelmed by His __________________!

a. God is ______________ and ________________ of the universe (146:6, 10; 147:4, 5, 8, 9, 17, 18; 148:5, 6, 13; 150:2). God is not just a “higher power” or an “impersonal force.” He is a personal, living Being that gives life and reason for living to every aspect of creation.

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b. God is ____________________ or omniscient (147:4)

c. God is “incomprehensible,” or without ____________ (147:5). We cannot exhaust the understanding of God.

d. God ________________ cares for His creation (147:8, 9, 16-18) – He is a God of providence.

e. God’s power is _______________ (150:2) and covers ____________________, including unbelievers (cf. 147:7-9).

3. Theme #2: I praise God when I am humbled by His __________________! The more you ____________ God personally, the more profound your praise.

a. “Jehovah” (SEE 147:11, “unfailing love”) = _____________________ God. God keeps His promises and commandments to and for His people.

b. He is God of the ________________ (146:5) = the “God of Jacob”

c. He is God of __________ and ______________ (146:7,8, 9; 147:2, 3, 6; 148:14; 149:4, 5).

4. Theme #3: My praise of God ____________ as I grow in knowing Him.

a. Praise is a lifelong _______________ (146:1, 2; Phil. 4:4; 1 Thes. 5:16)

b. Praise is a ________________ I make, not a mood I am in! (146:2)

c. Praise is not just ____________ or loudness. It is the decision of the __________ to choose and make God through Jesus Christ the absolute center and supreme joy of my life.

“There is something deeper in this than the spontaneous welling up of gratitude from the heart that has received favor. It is the devotion of a mind able to lose itself in the very inward grace of God.” (G. Vos) “God is most glorified in us when we are most ________________ in Him” (John Piper).

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d. We must take pains to defeat the _____________ of praise, which include

• “toying with sin” in our lives = dulls our spiritual senses

• Having a “fortress mentality” about praise = unable to grow in this area

• “spiritual laziness” = the failure to set our hearts on things above (Col. 3:1, 2)

e. Praise of God can take many _____________ and uses many ___________ (Psalm 150).

d

ANSWERS: 1. Begin; end; live; enjoy; plural; everyone; command; exhuberance. 2. Greatness; a. Creator; Sustainer; b. all-knowing; c. limit; d. actively; e. absolute; everyone. 3. Closeness; know; a. covenant-keeping; b. outcast; c. care; justice. 4. Grows; a. journey; b. decision; c. noise; will; satisfied; d. enemies; e. forms; means.

Your Notes

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ADDENDUM

Psalm 1 Extended

m God’s Index to Life:A Study Outline1

Introductory NotesPsalm 1 has been seen by Bible scholars as a “preface” Psalm, an introduction to the wisdom literature of the Psalter. It gives the ABCs of the Christian (vss. 1-3) and non-Christian (vss. 4, 5) life, along with the eternal outcomes of both (v. 6). A suitable outline would be: 1. The State of the Godly (vss. 1-3) 2. The State of the Ungodly (vss. 4-5) 3. God’s Eternal Conclusion (v. 6)

A. God’s Benediction of Happiness upon the Godly (vss. 1-3) “Blessed is the man...” — This is in the original Hebrew a

“plural of intensity”, expressing the wonder and exclamation of God over his people— “How truly happy is the person!” —would be a good understanding here.

1. “Blessed” opens this Psalm of life; the NT Greek word for “blessed” is used by Jesus to open His ministry in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matt. 5-7).

2. This was the Queen of Sheba’s exclamation in 1 Kings 10:8 and it is found 26 times in the Psalter (l:l; 2:12; 32:1,2; 33:12; 34:8; 40:4; 41:1; 65:4; 84:4,5,12; 89:15; 94:12; 106:3; 112:1; 119:1,2; 127:5; 128:1,2; 137:8,9; 144:15,16; 146:5). The point is that the Christian state is one of true joy and rich blessing.

3. Such happiness comes from God alone—it is not worked up by us. It is God’s state-of-being for His people, just as

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“peace” is His state-of-being for all He justifies (read Rom. 5:l). This “happiness” is not therefore dependent upon our personality or emotional make-up. It is not a “mountain top” “high” that is attained through pumping ourselves up. It is a settled conclusion for the Christian life.

4. Such happiness has requirements of enjoyment— To truly enjoy God’s benediction of happiness requires choices of allegiance and lifestyle to be made by the Christian. The verbs used in vs. 1 (perfect tense) indicate a tone of decisiveness in the Christian lifestyle and thought. Vs. 1 indicates the negatives; vs. 2 specifies the positive lifestyle.

5. Christian happiness then is a matter of a. Receptivity — fully receiving God’s blessing; God’s

benediction in our lives. b. Lifestyle — The way we live and think; the motivations

of our heart are all here (vss. 1-3) c. Avoidance — Three types of sinners; three forms of

expression of sin; and three places of sinfulness are to be decisively avoided (v. 1)

B. What NOT to do to enjoy God’s happiness in our lives (vs. l) 1. Why is the negative stated first?? a. Christianity recognizes the reality and misery of sin in

the fallen world in which we live (cf. Rom. 1-3). The scars of sin are to be seen in every word, thought and deed done by people in this world. The Christian, the truly happy man, lives in such a world. (cf. Rom.8:5-8)

b. Christianity is first of all a matter of decisive choices that the man or woman who claims to know God must make. (Read Rom. 12:1,2; Luke 14:25-35; 2 Cor. 10:5)

c. The negatives, or prohibitions, guard against making broad, sweeping, universal sounding statements. Like the last 6 commandments (especially) of the Ten Commandments, what is not prohibited is permitted. God gives freedom to the Christian by stating the

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specific negatives! 2. Happiness in Christ requires avoidance of three types of

sinners. a. The “ungodly” (“wicked”) = a general term, used to

describe the state of confusion in which many non-Christians live (cf. Isa. 57:20,21). In the Psalms, the “wicked” are those out to disturb the peace of the godly, and attempting in the process to destroy them.

b. The “sinner” = has reference to those who have “missed the mark,” those who wilfully or ignorantly miss the Law of God. (cf. Ps. 1:5; 25:8; 26:9; I Pet. 4:3). These are people with no consciousness about ignoring God’s standards. (cf. Lev. 4:2; Prov. 23:17)

c. The “scornful” (“scoffer”) = those who visibly mock the Christian and Christianity. (cf. Prov. 1:22; 19:28,29). Scoffers argue for the sake of arguing, think themselves “wiser” than God and are often worldly wise. (cf. Rom. 1:21,22; I Cor. 1:19-29)

d. Avoiding these types of people does NOT ever mean we don’t rub shoulders with them daily, or speak to them, or help them. One of the joys of the Christian is to convert “sinners.” (Ps. 51:12,13) What we must avoid is contact that contaminates the Christian way of life and thought, so that we ourselves sin against God or become “dulled” to what is right and wrong. (Isa. 1:3).

3. Happiness in Christ requires avoidance of three forms of sinning.

a. “counsel of the wicked” = the plan, advice, way of life of the wicked. A way of thinking that may yield all sorts of earthly comforts (Job 22:18); that may seem to be sound, logical and proper (Prov. 20:5 with I John 5:20 and Col. 1:9).

b. “way of sinners” = the mode of conduct, lifestyle of sinners. REM: Outward piosity quite different than inward piety! E.G. We may avoid bars, night clubs, bad

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movies—but what about T.V. set, reading materials, etc??

c. “seat ofthe scornful” (“assembly places of scoffers”) = places and situations where the Gospel or Word of God is mocked and ridiculed. Note I Tim. 6:3-5, 20,21; 2 Tim. 2:23, 24; 3:6,7; 4:4,5.(cf. Acts 17) The issue is to avoid useless, godless chatter, quarrels and those things which lead to either a denial of or dispute of God’s Truth. Notice also that this requires self-control or personal discipline not to be swept up into these things or discussions. It also requires a daily perseverance in godly things and teachings. Finally, it requires a development of godly wisdom and perception not to get involved in such “assembly places.” APPLICATION: Student roles in university and college situations. Citizen participation in town gatherings, social clubs, professional groups, etc.

4. Note that a Christian may at times fall into these forms of sinning, and may at times seem like one of the characters described here. The issue illustrated in the use of the verbs in vs. 1 is that the Christian who is truly “blessed” is a person who does not continually practice or follow these ungodly ways. A “blessed” person realizes that his citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20; 1 Pet. 1:4), his fellowship is with Christ and His people (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 3:6). He lives in the conscious reality he is not wedded to this world-system, but he is rather a “stranger” and an “alien” of this age. It is that conscious reality that makes living and witnessing in this age bearable—and joyful!

5. Summary Statement: A truly happy or “blessed” person is a Christian who walks by no advice, who stands by no rule and who meets with no group except such as he dares die by and stand by in that great day of Jesus Christ.

C. The Christian’s Positive Lifestyle (Psalm 1:2) 1. Preliminary Observations:

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a. Be careful of a “negative purity” type of lifestyle. Christianity is not a religion of “Don’ts” only. Many die without eating food as well as eating poison. A person may go to hell for not doing the good things in God’s sight as well as for consistently doing sinful things. Note here such passages as Col. 2:14-23; Gal. 5:1. Psalm 1:2 is the O.T. counterpart to living in the power and freedom of the Spirit, so emphasized in the N.T. Query: Why do many people – Christians as well as non-Christians — think of the Christian way of life as merely a matter of “Don’ts”??

b. This lifestyle described is a consistent, daily thing —“day and night.” Christianity, at least healthy Christianity, is not a series of emotional “highs” or “mountain top experiences” which many seek after so vigorously today. It is a stable, daily, consistent walk with Christ that is pictured here.

2. The Objective Standard of the Christian Lifestyle — “the law of the Lord” Here “law” refers to the written revelation of God’s will, recorded for us in the Word He has given—the Bible. (Josh. 1:7,8; Ps. 19:1; Isa. 8:20; Ps. 119:18, etc.; 2 Tim. 3:15,16)

a. This is not something given by Israelite tradition. b. This is not our emotional, or psychological impressions

of God’s Word upon our hearts. Be careful of neo-orthodox “hoodwinking” here!

c. That objective standard, believed and obeyed, is the mark of a healthy Christian (Malachi 2:6).

3. The Subjective Feeling in the Christian Life — “delight in God’s Law.” “Delight” here means not so much a pleasurable emotion, as a favorable disposition, the prompting of the heart to take a certain course of action from a sense of its rightness. (Note the term’s use in Ps. 40:8; Isa. 58:13). ILLS: Like wanting to eat something so bad you can taste it!

a. Notice that the Christian way of life is not “forced obedience” — Read I John 5:3.

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b. Objection: But how can the Christian delight in God’s Law, if that Law condemns him??? It convinces him of sin, deepens his awareness of sin, and makes him realize over and over again the need of Christ—the perfect Law-Keeper-in his heart, soul and mind. (Compare Rom. 3:20; 5:6,8; 7:24,25)

4. A Christian’s Daily Practice— “on his law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:2) “Meditation is the touchstone of a Christian; it shows what metal he is made of. It is a spiritual index; the index shows what is in the book, so meditation shows what is in the heart.” (T. Watson, Puritan writer) The term used here may mean an open sounding forth of God’s Word (Ps. 35:28; 37:30; Prov. 8:7, etc) but its obvious use here is that “pondering, speaking to oneself in an undertone, with low, muffled sounds” (cf. Ps. 2:1; 63:6; Prov. 15:28; cf. I Tim. 4:15). It an absorption of thought with God’s Word that leads to healthy practice of Christian living.

a. What Meditation ISN’T (l) Not an unhealthy self-absorption, a trance like state

of unaccountability—no Far Eastern mysticism involved here. The use of the term in the Bible forbids this kind of twisting.

(2) Not a mental abstraction where biblical facts and doctrines are simply “stored up” so that the intellect grows, but the life is not really affected. You cannot have biblical faith without biblical life! “Study may leave a person not one iota better—meditation leaves him more godly.” “Study will not warm a frozen heart—meditation melts it!”

b. What Meditation INVOLVES (l) “A serious and solemn thinking upon God, with

the intent to recollect and gather together thoughts.” (Watson)—and then to act upon them. “Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the

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various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God. Its purpose is to clear one’s mental and spiritual vision of God, and to let His truth make its full and proper impact on one’s mind and heart. It is a matter of talking to oneself about God and oneself; it is, indeed, often a matter of arguing with oneself, reasoning oneself out of moods of doubt and unbelief into a clear apprehension of God’s power and grace. Its effect is ever to humble us, as we contemplate God’s greatness and glory, and our own littleness and sinfulness, and to encourage and reassure us—’comfort’ us, in the old, strong, Bible sense of the word—as we contemplate the unsearchable riches of divine mercy displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Packer, Knowing God)

(2) An illustration—a student of art going to a museum to study a masterpiece, so that the picture “becomes imprinted on his mind and heart. OR a contestant in the Van Cliburn Piano Competition, so intent with the music that all else is secondary, that music possesses and fills his/her very being.

c. Notice some of the results of “delighting” and “meditating” on God’s Word from Psalm 112:

vs 2 — family blessing vs. 3 — temporal provisions, even prosperity, in God’s

will vs. 4 — comfort in all troubles and a healthy emotional

state in them vs. 5 –7 — stability in grace vs. 8 — peace with God in distressful situations vs. 9 — ability to give to the needy, out of a full heart

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vs. 10 — a witness to the unbeliever that smites his conscience

d. If all of this is so great, why is meditation a “lost art” today?? How can it be regained by the serious Christian??

(l) A serious and sincere “want-to” before God (2) An ordering of priorities that will make time for

meditation (3) A refusal to read a passage of Scripture without

constantly examining yourself and applying the words and phrases to your thoughts, emotions, will, life.

D. God’s Marks of a Healthy, Christian Life (Psalm 1:3) 1. Introduction: Notice the use of the tree-figure. This is a

very popular and effective biblical figure used to describe a healthy or impoverished life in the sight of God. It is used in the Wisdom literature, such as the Psalms (cf. 92:12-15), in the Prophets (Jer. 17:7,8), by Jesus Himself (Matt. 7:15-20; John 15:lff) and by the Apostles in the N.T. letters (cf. Rev. 22:2). Leafy, green, fruitful trees meant a lot to O.T. saints in the valleys of Palestine, in the Jordan river basin. Thus, the picture in Ps. 1:3 alive to the physical eye meant much to the eye of faith in the godly Israelite. It means much to the 20th century Christian, Gentile and Jew, as well. There are four marks of a healthy Christian life outlined through the tree-figure in this verse:

(a) Such a life has a God-given stability; (b) Such a life displays a comprehensive maturity; (c) Such a life evidences freshness and strength in service

to the Lord; (d) Such a lifestyle produces God-honoring “prosperity”

2. Such a life has God-given stability —“like a tree planted (firmly) by the rivers of water” (Ps. 1:3a) The healthy

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Christian enjoys a stable life with God and among men. The uniqueness of Christianity is that it focuses on the state of the heart, rather than outward show and performance. D.M. Lloyd-Jones has said, “To be a Christian is something central to the personality, something vital and fundamental.” Stability is seen in the fact that a Christian life is something firmly planted by the Lord Himself. This “tree” is not produced by human skill, or effort, or by some sort of accident. The term used here denotes the sovereign in establishing the Christian: Psalm 92:13 (READ); Isa. 44:l-7; Jer. 17:7,8; Matt. 15:13. Christians are compared to healthy, durable, viable plantings of the Lord of Glory. They are fed by the river of life coming from God’s own throne (symbolic of the Spirit’s ministry), continuously growing and developing. From God’s eternal choice of the believer (Eph. 1:3-6) to the final glorification of the believer (Rom. 8:29,30) it is God’s own handiwork that has borne and given fruitfulness to the Christian. The Christian indeed must bear the fruit, but the source and potential for fruitbearing comes from God through Jesus Christ, by the agency of the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION: Every Christian has the God-given potential of stability and maturity in their Christian walk.Every Christian can become strong in the Lord (cf. Eph. 4:13,14). Each Christian, in spite of individual problems, circumstances, trials, afflictions, etc. has the God implanted root to be stable and mature. This is God’s guarantee in our Christian lives! Why it appears that many do not become stable and mature in their Christian faith and lifestyle is due to two major problems:

(l) A spurious faith— the “tree” has not been planted by God in His grace. Whether it be good deeds, personal exertion or piggy-backing on the faith of others, there are many in the visible Church of Christ who are not saved at all.’ (cf. Matt. 13:24-30; 13:18-23).

(2) A willingness to live in sin—like a withering leaf (cf.

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BELOW). Joined with this is an unwillingness to commit oneself to Jesus Christ as the Lord in every facet of thought and life (cf. Rom. 12:1,2).

3. Such a life displays a comprehensive maturity— “that brings forth its fruit in its season” (Ps. 1:3b) The point here is two-fold:

a. The Christian is a FRUIT-BEARER: He/she evidences the fruit of the Spirit in their Christian walk (cf. Gal. 5:22f;. Jn. 15:2,5,8,16). He perseveres to the end.

b. The healthy Christian displays “seasonable fruitfulness” (Spurgeon). That is, the proper fruit is seen at its proper appointed time in the person’s life and practice. A healthy Christian is not a “fair-weather” fruit-bearer. Fruit is not only produced in the “good” or “uplifting” times, but also in the “down” times. Patience is brought forth in suffering; faith in the day of trial; holy joy in the hour of prosperity; prayer when God withholds His blessing; confidence that indeed “all things work together for good.” The ungodly (and spurious Christian) show chaos, lack of peace and a loose-ended approach to hard times. Again, the whole scope of a person’s life is in view here—not isolated times of success or “failure”.

4. Such a life evidences freshness and strength in Christ’s service —“his leaf also shall not wither” (Ps. 1:3c) Faith converts the water of life into sap and strength for the tree. “Wither” has reference to “fading”. It is the rotting away of the tree, and such “fading” is due to sinful patterns kept up.’ Isa. 64:6 (READ); Isa. 34:4—A sign of God’s chastisement/discipline and/or judgment is the “leaf fading”. Such a life resists apathy and lukewarmness and indifference to Christian priorities, (cf. Rev. 3:15,16 (Church of Laodicea)) God through His Word and Spirit continually purges from this “tree” dead leaves, repairs cuts and bruises, and in general acts as the Master Gardener to cultivate it (cf. John

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15:2,3; 17s17). Is that happening in your life today???

5. Such a life produces God-honoring prosperity (vs. 3d—”whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”) God’s crowns a lifestyle described in Ps. 1:1-3 with success. BUT what is this “success” or “prosperity”? Is God saying that such a Christian will be wealthy, wise and well-to-do in the world’s estimation of success? The Answer from God’s Word:

a. “prosperity” can indeed refer to security, worldly riches and ease (I Chron. 22:11-13; 2 Chron. 32:27-30; I Cor. 16:2).

b. HOWEVER, such “worldly” prosperity always has Christ at the center and focal point (Rom. 1:10; 3 Jn. 2; Prov. 28:13). The spiritual point of view must not be missed or glossed over in such a discussion.

c. What is apparent is that godly prosperity has three conditions:

(l) It is dependent on God’s sovereign providence in your life;

(2) It is always given under God’s watchful eye, according to His Word

(3) It is dependent upon what we can handle under God. Notice these verses: Josh. 1:8; Psalm 128:1-4; Prov. 22:4; 30:8

SUMMARY: “What a richly flowing brook is to the tree that is planted on its bank, such is the Word of God to him who devotes himself to it: it makes him, according to his position and calling, ever fruitful in good and well-timed deeds and keeps him fresh in his inner and outward life. (Further) whatsoever such a person undertakes, he brings to successful issue, for the might of the Word and of the blessing of God is in his actions.” (Delitzsch)

E. The Misery and Finality of Sin (Psalm1:4,5) 1. Introduction: Why are such “gruesome” verses included

here in this Psalm of life??

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a. To correct inadequate, man-centered, watered-down ideas of sin and state of the person without Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord— The terminology and grammar used here indicates that God takes sin seriously.’ Note the following:

• “Not so the ungodly/wicked!”—starts off vs. 4. Spurgeon has called this a “fearful negative.” It is brief, to-the-point. It is a universal “NO” to everything stated in vss. 1-3 used to describe the life of the healthy Christian.

• “wicked/ungodly” = this term is used to describe the general restlessness, agitation and confusion (eternally) of the non-Christian. (Isa. 57:20,21). It is used in descriptive terms in Job 15:20-35, Ezekiel 18 and 33. The NT uses the term in Rom.1:18; Jude 15,18 and other places.

(l) The “wicked” at heart hate God’s standards = Job. 15:25; Isa. 5:24; Ps. 10:4; Prov. 28:4

(2) They lack godly stability = Job. 15:24; 20:4,5; Ps. 32:10; Isa. 57:20,21

(3) Though they may outwardly, to the appearance, fare well they cannot sustain the blessing = Job. 15:30-33; Ps. 37:35,36. They cannot even enjoy-really enjoy- earthly prosperity (Job. 15:21,23,29)

(4) They will finally, definitely face God’s judgment in the end—Ps. 1:5; Job. 15:34; Rev. 20:10 “sinners” (Ps. 1:5) = refer to those who “miss God’s mark,” who “fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:20). These may be “nice” people who engage in sin that is not necessarily wilful (cf. Lev. 4:2; 5:15; Num. 15:28).

• “chaff ” = a disturbing, biblical term used to describe the worthlessness, insecurity, and fiery judgment awaiting the ungodly (Job. 21:18; Isa. 5:24; Mat. 3:12)

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• “wind” = refers to God’s mighty, invisible, penetrating powerful presence. Just as God’s Spirit brings order out of chaos (Gen.1:2), so He blasts the non-Christian without Christ in His just judgment (cf. Ps. 11:6; 35:5; 83:13-15; Matt. 7:25ff; Rev. 6:13f). THE POINT is that sin is not just a “natural mistake,” or a person not “fulfilling his God-given potentiality.” It is wilful or indifferent neglect and rebellion against God’s Word, God’s Way through Christ and God’s Spirit. No wonder the “therefore” of vs. 5!!

b. To cause us to express deep care and emotion for the lost, giving them the gospel of hope?

(l) There is always hope for such “ungodly” = Ps. 130:3,4; Rom. 5:6; I John 2:1) That hope, of course, is to come to know Jesus Christ in a personal, vital, saving way.

(2) Our hearts need to “bleed” for the “ungodly” = Jer. 9:lff; Phil. 3:18; Rom. 9:2,3i Ps. 119:136 and Ps. 126:6 Note the following: Our anguish is not so much over the guilt of sinners without Christ, as it is over what they don’t have, or have rejected, namely the grace of God in Christ.

• We must never glory over calamities, especially spiritual problems of others.

• We need to remember our own sinfulness—that it is only by God’s grace in Christ we are not in the status of Ps. 1:4,5

2. God’s Judgment is a terrible, yet just, end to those without Christ, (v. 5)

a. “judgment” here refers to the Final Judgment (Ecc. 12:14; Rom. 2:l6; I Cor. 4:5)

b. “shall”not stand” = refers to the shame, eternal consternation, of the non-Christian at that Last Day (Ps. 130:3; Rev. 6:15ff). Jesus pictured it as the agony of

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(l) unquenchable fire = real, everlasting pain (2) everlasting hopelessness = “the weeping”(Matt.

13:37-43) (3) Frenzied pain and anger forever = “the gnashing of

teeth” (4) Eternal anguish of conscience = “the worm dies

not”—the vexation of a person’s own thoughts without God. (NOTE: This is not experienced in this life, since God is at work among non-Christians in common grace, and the activity of this life often blanks out such thoughts.)

3. QUESTION: How do we present such a sobering, awesome picture to our non-Christian friends, yet give them hope in Jesus??

F. God’s Conclusion to the Only Two Ways of Living (Psalm 1:6) 1. Introduction. Ps. 1:6 is a concluding statement from God’s

viewpoint of the two (and only two) lifestyles portrayed in this Psalm of life. Its purpose is twofold:

a. To comfort and encourage the godly, the Christian b. To challenge and finally condemn the ungodly, the non-

Christian. The term “know” is first of all a sovereign term, indicating God’s plans and purposes. God “knows” in “both grace and judgment” — He knows all things, not only what is actual but also what is possible (Job 37:16; Isa. 40:27,28). He knows the hidden depths of the heart (Ps. 139:1-4; Jer. 17:10), and certainly the ways of people (Deut. 2:7; Ps. 119:168; Ps. 37:18; 33:13). The point is that all people live under God’s watchful eye, under His “blessing or His judgment. Heb. 4:13— “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

2. God’s sovereign care over the life of the Christian (6a).

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God’s “knowledge” as the term is used here, “is a sovereign grace word, pointing to God’s initiative in loving, choosing, redeeming, calling and preserving. “It is a knowledge that implies personal affection, redeeming action, covenant faithfulness, providential watchfulness towards those whom God knows. It implies, in other words, salvation, now and forever.” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God)

• Not merely some kind of “abstract omniscience”, or knowledge about us

• We live before a God who knows us as He knew Moses “face to face” (Deut. 34:10) Who “knows our frame and remembers that we are but dust” (Ps. 103:14) Who said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the womb, I knew thee.” (Jer. 1:5)Who “knows His sheep and am known of mine” (Jn. 10:14,27)

APPLICATION: a. A Christian’s hope is not found in isolated good deeds,

or thoughts. A “way of righteousness” is the point of God’s care and love for us in His Son. We come to Jesus as “the way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6). We are people of “the Way” (Acts 9:2). God is supremely concerned for our lifestyle, not merely the “religious” things we do or don’t do.’ There is no secular/sacred dichotomy with God for the Christian. We must have a world-and-life viewpoint, that every act, every thought, every motive is under God’s care and providence and control and discipline.

b. A Christian’s hope and assurance is not found in a striving for a life of “perfection.” This “way” that God knows is a lifestyle that involves sins, and flaws, and mistakes. Thus, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism so ably points out: “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.” (Question 35) Or, as J.I. Packer noted: “What we hope to be

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supremely anxious about is the main purpose or desire of life; that being right, actions will adjust themselves accordingly, and, notwithstanding innumerable mistakes, the substance of the character shall be good, and a crown of glory shall be granted to the faithful servant.”

c. A Christian’s hope and assurance is not built on his strength; God alone is our sufficiency and hope. The issue in assurance is not whether the Christian is stronger, or more capable, or wealthier, or more talented than the non-Christian.The issue only is, what is the relation of the Lord to the person.’

d. This kind of knowledge should produce in us grateful awe and wonder (Ps. 139:1-6). It is inexhaustible knowledge. Adoration does not so much depend upon our familiarity with God, as it does upon His familiarity with us.

e. This knowledge should drive us to love and keep the Bible as our lamp and light daily. “I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.” (Ps. 119:168) Charles Bridges said, “Walking with God is the secret spring of Christianity. Walking before God is the manifestation and exercise of the hidden principle. For in all things, private as well as public, the most trivial as well as the most weighty, to have our eye fixed in dutiful reverence upon the Omniscient, Omnipresent eye of Jehovah—what solemnity would it give to our whole behavior! What influence would it have upon our public professions, our general conversation, our secret duties.”

3. The Christian, therefore, lives under the solemn recollection “Thou, God seeest me,” but also under the joyful assurance, “Thou, God lovest me!”

4. God’s sovereign disposition of the life of the non-Christian (6b). The lifestyle of the wicked, and the course of his

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life, ends up in eternal damnation. “Shall perish” is God’s certainity of judgment for those who refuse life in His Son and His Way. He knows every thought of the wicked (Ezek. 11:5)» beholds “the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3). The desire of the non-Christian perishes with him (Ps. 112:10; Prov. 11:7), and it is by God’s anger they will be consumed (Job 4:9;.Jn. 3:36). Where do you stand before this God who knows and sees all??? Read Isa. 55:7 and Psalm 130:4 if you are not sure!

_________________________________

1. This study was provided for Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Schenectady, NY in the mid-1980s by Carl Shank, Senior Pastor.

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The Royal Psalms

m Christmas In The Psalms“You will be with child and give birth to a son,

and you are to give him the name Jesus.He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;His kingdom will never end.”

(Luke 1:31–33)

Introduction. There are ten Psalms that are called “Royal Psalms” – Psalm 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 110, 132, and 144. While there are other Psalms with Messianic references, like Psalm 22 and 69, these ten have clear kingly reference and application, not merely to the kings of that day, but looking forward to the real and true King of kings and Lord of lords – Jesus Christ.

While many writers would want to collapse these Psalms into coronation Psalms of the historical period, the writers of the Psalms made no distinguishing between the near and distant future. God is still on the throne, not only in ancient Israel, but also in our modern, global world. As one writer has pointed out, “. . . it is the work of the same God, based on the same principles, and for the same purpose” – to express the sovereignty of God in judgment and salvation. (R.T. France, Jesus and the Old Testament)

The “Christmas” in these Psalms is one of the Messiah as sovereign Ruler without end and with both mercy and judgment. This was the announcement of the angel to Mary about the Christ child.

Psalm 2 – Jesus Christ is the Anointed Son. “Anointed” means

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Messiah, a term indicating consecration to high office and holy status and empowerment for the task of rule (cf. Ps. 89:20–29). Jesus assumed this role according to His reading of Isaiah 61:1f in Luke 4:18, 19. “Son” refers to no ordinary son of David, but set at God’s right hand, a place of co-eternal right and privilege (Read Heb. 1:5–13).

Psalm 18 – Jesus Christ is the Supernatural Deliverance from all our enemies. (See previous notes)

Psalm 20, 21 – Jesus Christ as Unending Victor. God the Father always hears His prayers (Ps. 20:6; 21:2 with Hebrews 5:7) He will reign forever (Ps. 21:4; Rev. 1:18). In Christ alone the full range of glory and majesty appear (John 13:31, 32; Rev. 5:12). He will be the ultimate judge of all the earth (Ps. 21:9 with Rev. 1:7 and 6:15, 16).

Psalm 45 – Jesus Christ has an everlasting throne (v. 6 with Hebrews 1:8).

Psalm 72 – Jesus Christ gives endless blessing with endless rule. He rules with justice (vv. 1-4 and Isa. 11:1-5 and Matthew 25:35, 36). He gives endless peace or shalom, which means “harmonious wholeness” (v. 3, 7). He deserves endless praise (vv. 18, 19 with Rev. 21:24).

Psalm 110 – Jesus Christ is the warrior-king, a Priest forever. (Heb. 5:6) – “. . . the high-priesthood of Christ is expounded in Hebrews 7, which itself leads to the fuller discussion of priesthood and sacrifice in Hebrews 8–10.” (Kidner)

Application. Like Mary, we need to learn several lessons:

a. The lesson of royal majesty. God is the “God of all possibilities” with true holiness, mercy and faithfulness (Luke 1:49-52).

b. The lesson of God’s victory over evil (Luke 1:51–53).

c. The lesson of deeply personal and ecstatic response (Luke 1:46, 47).

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m



Study Guide

m

H. Carl Shank

The Psalms. Rich, vibrant, honest, inspirational, comforting. These are some of the words people have used to describe these 150 pieces of Hebrew poetry. They are as profound to our experiences today as they were to those who wrote and read and rehearsed them thousands of years ago.

These study selections come from a pastoral experience of forty-three years of preaching, teaching and lecturing. This span of time and study does not give me exhaustive knowledge of these Psalms, nor a “final” understanding of them. They are insights that God the Holy Spirit through His Word has placed on my own heart and mind through diligent wrestling with the language, hermeneutical and biblical theological insights, and numerous scholarly and practical commentary variations of the meaning and application of these Psalms.


Carl Shank is a pastor and church health consultant. He regularly coaches churches and ministry leaders. He has written a number of books and articles, including Upfront and Indepth: Deeper Devotional Studies on Psalm 119 and Making Christianity Work: Letters and Lessons on Leadership, Theology and the Church, all available through amazon. com.

Living Life God’s W

ay: Reflections from the Psalm

s Carl Shank

5788167813659

ISBN 978-1-365-57881-690000

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