Psalm One….(verses 1-6)

The Godly Man

Blessed is the man who walks in God’s ways,

Who delights in His laws, for all of his days;

Like a tree by the water that bringeth forth fruit,

Whose leaf doesn’t wither, in God is his root,

The ungodly aren’t so, but are like the dry chaff,

Which blows right away, in the lightest of draughts;

                                   The Lord knows the way that the righteous doth take,

And the way of the sinner which is man’s greatest mistake!

1.  Verses  1-6       

a.   What sort of social company does a godly man NOT keep?  (verse 1)

Those who are ungodly, or  scornful and maintain a sinful way of life.

b.  What is the difference in a godly person and one who is not?      (verse 2)

In their attitude to God… a godly person delights in God’s Word and reads and thinks about it every day, whereas others don’t care in the slightest about it or even give it a thought.

c.   As far as God is concerned, what is a godly person like?                 (verse 3; 92:12-14)

This person is like a fruit tree that is planted where there is plenty of water, and grows and bears fruit all its life for the owner.

d.   What is the contrast to those who don’t care about God?     (verse 4)

Whereas the godly person bears fruit, the ungodly are just like bare chaff worth nothing and which the wind blows away.

e.  What is the end result for the ungodly?   (verse 5; Revelation 20:12-15)

They will have no standing before God at the judgement day, and they will be banished from His presence forever.

f.  What does God know about people?          (verse 6)

He knows those who are His and makes no mistakes…..those who are ungodly will perish

g.  How does this compare with what Jesus taught?                         (Matthew 7:17-23)

Jesus said almost the same things….He talked about trees bearing fruit for God, and how a bad tree will be cut down….it’s not what people think about themselves that will count in the day to come, it’s what God thinks, and whether He KNOWS them in an intimate way with them knowing Him.

Psalm Two ….(verses 1-12)

The Ungodly Man

The heathen rage and imagine a vain thing,

Against God they rail, and curses they bring,

“We WON’T have His rules, we’ll throw them away,

We’ll go our own way, we will NOT God obey!!”

Yet the Lord in the heavens, has the last word,

Against them His anger, He’ll eventually gird;

His Son He’ll exalt to inheritance great,

And His wrath against sin will never abate,

They’ll be broken in  pieces, discarded for e’er,

Unless they confess their sin to prepare;

Then blessed they’ll be when they turn to the Lord,

                                                          And trust in Him with one accord.

1.    Verses  1-12       

a.   What sort of people set themselves against God?            (verses 1-3)

Those who aren’t His (heathen) and the rulers of this world’s governments who think they have all the right answers and can rule others.

b.  What do they say? Do we see this happening in the world today?            (verse 3)

They say they don’t want God or religion; that they are now an enlightened and  post-Christian people; they have thrown God and prayers out of schools and governments, and are even taking crosses down off churches!

c.   What does God think of all this? What does He think when He sees meetings of the heads of state discussing what they can do to alter the climate?  (verses 4-5; Hebrews 1:2-3a)

He just laughs at them and their puny ideas….the Lord Jesus is still  holding up everything by His Word. We are still having the worst earthquakes and floods which man can do nothing about! He can send an eruption of a volcano which stops all air travel for weeks, or a tsunami which decimates whole cities and areas.

d.   People appoint kings and governors for themselves, but which is the most important of all Who people refuse to acknowledge?                     (verses 6-7; John 3:16)

It is God’s King, His only begotten Son who He gave for the world.

e.  What has God given to Him as an inheritance?                 (verses 8-12)

God has given Him the heathen from all over the world for His inheritance…. those who trust in Him will be blessed and those who don’t will be broken in pieces

f.  What does God want people to do?            (verses 10-11)

He wants them to serve Him with awe and gladness.

Psalm Three….(verses 1-8) 

The Trusting Man…….                                                

Lord, there are many who rise against me,

Ones who say that  no help  comes from Thee,

But I know You are there, a shield for my head,

You don’t cast down, but lift up instead;

I know that You hear me, and give me Your peace,

I can lie down and sleep, for it never shall cease.

I will NOT be afraid, tho’ ten thousand abound,

My God will save me from those who surround;

Salvation comes free, from our God on the Throne,

His people are so blessed by Him  alone.

1.    Verses  1-8         

a.   What is David’s problem here?                 (verses 1-2)

He felt that people were against him and said that God wouldn’t protect him.

b.  In this case, it was when his son Absalom rose up to take his throne from him (read 2 Samuel , chapters 15-18 for this incident). What did David take comfort from at this time? (verses 3-4)

He took comfort in the Lord as his protector…he cried out to Him and knew that he was heard.

c.   How well did David rest in the Lord?                    (verses 5-6)

He was able to sleep well without worrying about the situation.

d.   How can we do this in worrying situations?        (Philippians 4:6-7)

By committing it all to the Lord and He will give His peace that is beyond understanding.

e.  What did he feel that God would do to those who were against him?       (verse 7)

He felt that God would step in and tackle the problem for him.

f.  In David’s case at this time, how did God solve this problem for him? (2 Samuel 18:9-15)

Absalom was caught up by his long hair in a tree as his mule went under it, and David’s men killed him.

g.  What did this prove? Can we say this too?           (verse 8)

This proves that salvation is for God to give, and He will bless His people in giving it.

h.  What attitude are we to have when things don’t work out as we had hoped? (Job 13:15a)

Even if things still look bad, we are to continue to trust God no matter what.

Psalm Four ……

                                                The Peaceful Man

Hear my call, O My Lord, and have mercy on me,

I know You will hear, my cry unto Thee,

I will stand still in awe, and not commit sin,

I will lie on my  bed, and commune within;

I will offer  the sacrifice of praises and sing,

And my trust to the Lord, I’ll continually bring,

You’ll put joy in my heart more than harvest increase,

And I’ll lie down and sleep, in peace perfect peace.

1.    Verses  1-8

a.   What is the Psalmist saying here?                        (verse 1)

He is asking God to hear his prayer and for relief from his distress.

b.  How was David feeling about the men who were with him?       (verse 2)

He felt he couldn’t trust them; he had caught them out telling lies.

c.   The word  “Selah” occurs in many of the Psalms and it means to stop and think about what has been said…..what is the contrast between verses 2 and 3?           

Man can’t be depended on but God is faithful to His people, and will answer when he calls on Him.

d.   How are we to approach God?      (verse 4; 119:161b)

In awe and reverence, confessing our sin and unworthiness.

e.  What sort of sacrifices are mentioned here? What does it mean? (verse 5)

The sacrifices of righteousness….right living before man and God.

f.  What other sacrifices can we as believers today,  offer to God?   (Psalm 27:6; 51:17; 116:17)

The sacrifice of being joyful and giving praise to God; having a contrite heart before God for what we have done wrong; having a thankful heart for all things.

g.  Why do you think these things are called a “sacrifice” ?

Because it requires effort to always be cheerful, it is much easier to complain when things go wrong; it’s much easier to brush our wrongdoings off than to confess them for what they are.

h.  What goes along with these “sacrifices” ?    (verse 5b)

Trust in the Lord comes with being thankful and joyful.

i.  What negatives and positives can we see in verse 6?        (1 John 5:4-5)

The negatives are that while people around will think all things are bad, and the positive is that we can look to the Lord for His help and strength to overcome.

j.  What are additional positives  that God gives His people ?    (verses 7-8; Romans 15:13)

He gives us gladness and joy in our soul more than what money and food do, and protection and a peaceful sleep as well.

Psalm Five……

The Praying Man…                     

Consider my thoughts and my words O my Lord,

                                                 Hear the voice of my cry, my King and my God;                                                                                                                                            

                                                       Each morning I’ll call and pray unto Thee,

Trusting that You will have mercy on me.

Wickedness cannot, stand  before You,

The foolish and evil will be destroyed too.

But because of Your mercy I’ll worship in awe,

Your faithfulness is great, I cannot ask more;

But let those who trust, all sing and rejoice,

                                                Blessing You Lord, with their heart and their voice.

1.    Verses  1-12

a.   What was the Psalmist doing  here?                     (verses 1-2)

He was meditating on God’s Word and extolling God as His King, then he was asking God to hear him.

b.  What was his confidence in God?       (verse 3)

That God would hear his prayer as he prayed each morning.

c.   What does David go on to say about God?           (verses 4-6)

God cannot stand evil of any sort and those who continue to practice it will ultimately be destroyed.

d.   How does this affect God’s people today?                       (Psalm 66:18)

If we have unconfessed sin in our lives, God cannot hear our prayers. Sin is more serious than we think.

e.  How did David overcome this?                  (verses 7-10)

He kept away from such men as much as possible, and went to the house of God as much as he could.

f.  How can we follow his example today?                 (2 Timothy 2:22)

By having our lives revolve around church activities, and putting the things of God first, working other things around this. Not socialising with people of the world.

g.  How did David find the people of the world acted ?          (verse 9)

They were unreliable and deceitful, and couldn’t be trusted.

h.  What attitudes are God’s people to have and show to others?                 (verse 11)

They are to trust in the Lord and be joyful in all circumstances.

i.  What does God do for His people?             (verse 12)

He blesses and protects them.

Psalm Six ….(verses 1-10)                                                                                                                 

                                                   The Weeping Man

O Lord don’t rebuke me for what I’ve done wrong,

I’ve lost my joy,  my peace and my song,;

My soul is vexed, and my flesh feels all raw,

My eyes have wept until they are sore;

God has heard my weeping and my cries,

As before Him I know my prayers will rise.

1.    Verses  1-10

a.   How was David feeling when he started writing this psalm?       (verses 1-3)

He was feeling as though God had deserted him, and was asking for mercy in this time of desolation.

b.  Where was he looking for comfort?       (verse 4)

He had no-one to turn to but God.

c.   What stage had David got to in his thoughts?      (verses 5-7)

He felt as though he would be better off dead, but if that were the case how could he thank God for things; he felt he didn’t have any more tears to weep, he had cried so much!

d.   What thoughts did David comfort himself with?              (verses 8-10)

He knew God had heard his prayer and was not allowing what others were doing to make him afraid any more.

e.  What are we to do when we feel like this?             (Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:1-3)

We are to take it all to the Lord in prayer, and to praise and thank Him for what He has done for us….as our minds are fixed on Him, so the troubles of this world will lose their power over our minds.

Psalm Seven….(verses 1-17)                                                                                                                          

                                            The Mischievous Man

The mischievous man seeks to tear and to rend,

Tis only our God Who can build and will mend;

The enemy persecutes, and treads in the dust,

But God defends the meek and also the just;

The soul that sins  most surely  will die,

And on his head, his fate will lie;

But we can praise our Lord  above,

And rest in His amazing great love.

1.    Verses  1-17

a.   How does David start off this psalm?       (verse 1a)

He was putting his faith and trust in God

b.  How was David feeling about this person who had turned against him?       (verses 2-5)

He felt he had done nothing to deserve all this, but if he had, then he would take the punishment.

c.   Who was he looking to for right judgement?        (verses 6-8)

He knew that God knew all about it and would judge righteously.

d.   What was the confidence he had in God at this time?      (verses 9-10)

He knew that God would defend him in the end.

e.  How does God feel about the wickedness in the world?   (verses 11-16)

He is angry with the way people behave to each other, and the way they deceive others. He will see to it, that people like this will get what they deserve.

f.  How did David finish off the psalm?    (verse 17)

He finished off by praising God and singing to Him.

g. How can we recover our spirits when things go wrong ? (Ephesians 5:19-20)

By singing songs of thanksgiving and praise to God.

Psalm Eight….(verses 1-9)                                                                                                                                                          

                                               The Excellent One

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent You are!

Your glory is peerless and above all par;

You can use the weak, the young and the small,

When the enemy seeks to make strong men fall;

How great are the heavens, the moon and  the stars,

The work of Your fingers, which are seen from afar!

Man is small and so weak in comparison,

Lower than angels, yet You gave them Your Son;

All sheep and cattle are under man’s feet,

The birds and the fish are for man to eat;

How perfect Your order, how great is Your fame,

As creation all sings to Your excellent Name!!

1.    Verses  1-9

a.   David has been contemplating about God and who He is….what conclusion does he come to?       (verse 1)

There is no-one to compare Him to…He is the most excellent and glorious One in existence!

b.  Who has the most truth in their minds? Why?       (verse 2; Matthew 21:15-16)

Small children are more trusting than adults who tend to be cynical and unbelieving  in their outlook; children can often see the justice of things more clearly than an adult who makes excuses for their conduct.

c.   What was David looking at to get some perspective of God? When would he have done this?   (verse 3)

He was gazing at the night skies, and had plenty of opportunity to do this while he was tending his father’s sheep, and again as he was on the run from king Saul.

d.   What did he contrast this with?    (verse 4)

He contrasted the immensity of the heavenly bodies with man and his puniness, and wondered how God could be bothered with them!

e.  What is God’s order in His creation?                     (verses 5-8; Genesis 1: 27-31; 2:7, 19)

He made man last and gave him dominion over all the animals, birds and fish in existence; man is lower than the angels and yet has been given an intellect, a  mind and a spirit that an animal doesn’t have.

f.  How do some people regard the value of an animal’s life compared to a human life?                

They seem to put an animal above humans, spending money and hours of time  to rescue whales, penguins etc and other wild creatures before considering that a human baby is worth keeping and not aborting.

g. After David had been contemplating these things, what conclusion does he come to?             (verse 9)

The same as he started with, the excellency and greatness of God.

h. What did Paul  feel about God’s greatness?           (1 Timothy 6:14b-16)

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Psalm Nine ….(verses 1-20)

                                                 The Praising  Man

I will praise You O Lord, with all my heart,

I will show forth Your work and how great You art;

My enemies will not silence my voice,

In you O my God, I’ll continue to rejoice;

You will judge the world in ways that are right,

To those who are oppressed, You’re a refuge of might.

You do not forsake those who seek Your face,

But give unto them a strong safe  place.

The heathen are snared in the trap they have set,

Caught in their sins, in their very own net;

But God will arise, and right will prevail,

We’ll praise Him for this, for He will not fail.

1.    Verses  1-6

a.   After David’s contemplation of the Lord, what does it stimulate him to do?       (verses 1-2)

He praises God for Who He is and what He has done; he can’t help but tell others about the Lord. He is glad and rejoices in the Lord, praising His name.

b.  What happened to David’s enemies when he looked to the Lord?       (verses 3-6)

They couldn’t stand before God, and all thoughts of them disappeared from David’s mind.

c.   We will find this too, but what sort of enemies are we all  prone to have? How are we to cope with them?  (2 Corinthians 7:5-6; Philippians 4:6)

We all suffer from fears and doubts of the mind at times, maybe ill health, family and financial worries. If we take our concerns to the Lord, He will comfort us and bring some solution to mind by good advice from others.

2.    Verses  7-14

a.   What does David remind himself about God?       (verses 7-9)

That God will endure for ever and will judge the world one day in righteousness; that He will be a refuge for those who are oppressed.

b.  That is what God is and does, but what is our part in these times?       (verses 10-11)

We are to trust in Him and speak of Him to others, praising Him as we do so.

c.   What sort of people does God hear?  (verse 12; 51:17)

Those who call on Him with a contrite spirit and a  humble heart

d.   How did David himself feel?                     (verses 13-14)

He cried to the Lord for mercy in the face of those who hated him and asked that he could be able to continue to praise and rejoice in Him.

3    Verses  15-20

a.   What does David say about those who ignore God and practice wicked things?     (verses 15-17)

They will never be able to get out of the pit they are in and will eventually cause their own demise because of the choices they have made in life, and will end up in hell.

b.  What about the poor and the needy?       (verses 18-19)

God will not forget those who turn to Him with genuine hearts in their time of  need.

c.   Why does God allow these disasters to come on nations and people?       (verse 20)

So they will know that they are helpless and  turn to God in their extremity.

Psalm Ten ….(verses 1-18)

                                                    The Hiding Man

Those who are wicked are walking in pride,

From this sort of man, God surely does hide;

God cannot work through the pride of men,

Like a waiting lion  sitting in its den,

He thinks in his heart, that God cannot see,

All that he does, so wickedly.

But God DOES see, all the mischief and spite,

And all of these things, He will surely requite;

God sees the way of the poor and oppressed,

And all of these things, will soon be addressed’

The wicked will be then be hiding no more,

But will face the Lord in fear and in awe.

1.    Verses  1-11

a.   David is feeling down to it with his wicked enemies surrounding him…who does he call on at this time?    (verse 1)

He calls out to God and wants to know why God is hiding Himself and why  nothing is being done.

b.  What is at the bottom of the wicked man’s heart?       (verse 2)

Pride and greed.

c.   What is their attitude to others and to God?             (verses 3-4)

They are proud and boastful and keep company with others the same, refusing to have anything to do with the things of God.

d.   Read verse 5 in several different translations…what sense do you get out of it?       (verse 5)

The wicked person always seems to prosper…they can’t understand God’s ways and they look down on their enemies.

e.  What is their secret thought?         (verse 6)

He thinks nothing can go wrong for him.

f.  What other things do the wicked ones do?   (verses 7-10)

They deceive and defraud others, they can’t be trusted and they are totally heartless in their dealings with others.

g. Have you heard of, or had dealings with people like this?

Yes, all those who scam others and make off with their hard earned money.

h. What sort of attitude do these people have towards God?             (verse 11)

They think that God won’t see or call them to account for what they are doing.

2.    Verses  12-18

a.   What does David call God to remember?              (verse 12)

He calls Him to remember those who are humble before Him.

b.  What does God see ?       (verses 14-15; 11:4b)

He sees everything that goes on  and the oppression of the poor,  in spite of what the wicked think.

c.   How does David finish off this psalm?    (verses 17-18)

He says the God is King forever and that He hears (and sees) those who humbly call out to Him and judges those who are oppressing others.

d.   What comfort can we take from this?       (2 Timothy 2:19a)

We know that God knows those who belong to Him, and what is going on in their lives. If we commit it all to Him, He will resolve the problem or give strength to bear it.

Psalm Eleven ….(verses 1-7)     

The Righteous Man

In the Lord I put  my faith and trust,

He is my strength, I am but dust;

The wicked seek to bend the bow,

They will no mercy to us show;

But our foundation is certain,  sure,

Without this fact, we’re not secure;

God, Who sits on high above,

Sees and tries each man in love,

He loves the right and hates the wrong,

Gives those who are His a joyous song.

The wicked He will cast away,

                                                           His own will see His eternal day.

1.    Verses  1-7

a.   Who does David put his trust in?               (verse 1a)

In the Lord alone.

b.  What does he say about those who leave God out?       (verses 1b-2)

They tell the righteous to flee away because they are getting ready to shoot at them.

c.   We may not suffer this physically, but what other ways can we be in a similar situation?  

People can attack us verbally and make sarcastic comments.

d.   What foundations are God’s people built on?   How sure are they?    (verse 3; Ephesians 2:20)

Our foundations are the prophets and apostles in the Word of God, with Jesus Christ being the main base of our faith. They are absolutely sure and certain, and can never be destroyed.

e.  Where is God, and what is He doing?        (verse 4; 2 Chronicles 16:9a)

He is in His temple in heaven and watches all that goes on in the earth….He misses nothing.

f.  What is the fate of the wicked?       (verse 6; Luke 16:22-25)

They will suffer in traps, fires and brimstone….Jesus said it is a torment.

g. What does God love in people? (verse 7)

He loves to see righteousness and uprightness.

Psalm Twelve….(verses 1-8)     

The Untrustworthy Man

Help me O Lord, for none  are left  good,

None are following the way that they should,

None can be trusted, they all speak lies

None follow God, for no-one is wise;

Man’s words are all wrong, and they listen not,

God’s ways they discard, and His words they  forgot.

But the words of the Lord, are straight and so sure

As silver when tried, comes utterly pure,

He keeps all  His own, preserving all them,

Treasuring them all as His own precious gem.

1.    Verses  1-8

a.   What is David feeling here?   (verse 1)

He is calling for God’s help as he feels there are no faithful people left.

b.  What was his main complaint about people around him?     (verse 2)

They couldn’t be trusted, they would say one thing and mean another

c.   What did he say that God would do with people like this?    (verse 3a)

God will cut off people who do this.

d.   What was the attitude of these people?    (verses 3b-4)

They were full of pride and were saying no-one was going to stop them talking like this!

e.  What was God going  to do about it?         (verse 5)

He was listening to the complaints of the oppressed and would keep them safe from those who were against them.

f.  What is the contrast between the Lord’s words and men’s words?     (verse 6)

God’s words are like pure silver that has been refined….there is no dross in them, they are utterly pure.

g. What does God do for His people in these situations?       (verses 7-8)

He keeps them and preserves them from the wickedness on every side.

h. What did Jesus say about His people? Can we apply this to ourselves today?      (John 17:15-16)

He said that His people are in the world, but they are not of the world, that is,  they don’t go along with the world’s ideas even though they live amongst them. We are to live a different way with different attitudes than most people live.

Psalm Thirteen….(verses 1-6)     

The Listening Man

Where are You, Lord, are You hearing me?

How long before Your face I will see?

How long will my enemies surround,

How long before Your peace I’ve found?

I’ve trusted Your mercy, help me  rejoice,

And I’ll sing again with heart and voice,

You truly deal so bountifully,

In all You do so fully and free.

1.    Verses  1-6

a.   How does David feel here?               (verse 1)

He feels that God has forgotten him, and that he has lost contact with Him.

b.  What is bringing this state of mind to him? What situation could this have been in his life?       (verse 2; 1 Samuel23:19-26)

He felt his enemies were  surrounding him; David was running for his life from King Saul who chased him for many months and years.

c.   Who did David take his problem to?    Can we do this?    (verses 3-4; Philippians 4:6)

He took it to the Lord in prayer, and we can do the same. The main thing is to not pick our problem up again after doing that.

d.   What was David’s confidence in? How did he feel after doing this?    (verses 5-6)

He felt confident and happy, knowing that God was looking after him, and was able to sing praises to God for His goodness to him..

e.  How can we feel after taking our problems to the Lord?      (Philippians 4:7)

We will experience the peace of God that is beyond explanation if we accept that our situation is in God’s hands.

Psalm Fourteen….(verses 1-7)

The Foolish Man

“No God for me!” the foolish cry,

“I don’t know Him, I can get by”.

Their works are corrupt, they do no good,

They do not walk  the way they should;

The Lord sought those who’d understand,

But they were evil and underhand.

There were none who did any good thing,

No, not one, could to God sing,

They did not know, nor could they call,

They did not fear the Lord at all,

But God has there salvation free,

For all who take it thankfully.

 

1.    Verses  1-7

a.   How does God view people who say He doesn’t exist?    (verse 1)

He calls them fools, no matter how wise and educated they may be.

b.  What is at the base of this philosophy?      (Psalm 10:4)

It is pride….people will not humble themselves to accept God’s existence and authority in their lives.

c.   What results from this attitude?               (Jeremiah 17:9; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

All sorts of sin and wickedness.

d.   What does God look for as He scans the human race?                  (verse 2)

He looks to see if there are any who are seeking Him.

e.  What does He find?                        (verse 3; 51:5)

That there aren’t any who are born good enough, they are all sinners from birth.

f.  How does God view the best that man can do?                    (verse 3; Isaiah 64:6)

Man’s best is like  filthy rags

g. What is the  worst feature of these people?                       (verse  4)

They refuse to acknowledge God and call on Him.

h. Who is God with?   (verses 5-6)

The righteous poor who have made God their refuge.

i.   What was David looking for?         (verse 7)

The time when salvation would come to the people from Zion, when all his people would rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm Fifteen….(verses 1-5)

The Abiding  Man

Who will abide in God’s holy hill?

Who will be in His tabernacle?

He who walks in uprightness of heart,

He who takes  the truth as his part,

He who doesn’t backbite with his lips,

Nor fight with his neighbour, getting in grips.

Who judges the wrong and honours the right,

Who keeps his promise to the last mite;

Who takes no advantage of the poor

Whose stand in the Lord is certain and sure.

1.    Verses  1-5

a.   Whose responsibility is it to seek God and live walking in His ways?         (verse 1)

It is people’s own responsibility to do this, they have to turn to the Lord.

b.  How do these sort of people live?                           (verse 2)

They are truthful, honest and upright.

c.   What do they NOT do? How hard is it to do this?               (verse 3; Romans 12:17-21)

They do not gossip or pick fights with their neighbours.

d.   What else do they do?                  (verse 4)

They don’t condone the evil that others do, but honour those who fear the Lord…they keep their promises.

e.  How do they do financially?                       (verse 5)

They don’t lend at high rates of interest or take advantage of those less fortunate

f.  What manner of life should a believer have?                    (verse 5c; 1 Peter 1:5-10)

They will never be moved in their faith if they practice goodness, self control, honesty, patience and kindness in their dealings with others.

Psalm Sixteen….(verses 1-11)

The Preserved  Man

Preserve me, O God, for in You do I  trust,

Keep me O God, to do good I must,

In the saints and the excellent I always delight,

Those who have idols are in a bad plight.

The Lord  is my portion, I  take of His cup,

He maintains my lot, with Him I will sup.

My ways have fallen in a pleasant place,

Where I  praise the Lord and look in His face;

I have set the Lord before me always,

I remember He’s with me, all of my days.

My heat is glad, I rest in His hope,

Whatever life brings, I  feel I can cope,

He keeps me through life till I come to death’s door,

And there I will have, pleasures evermore.

1.    Verses  1-11

a.   Who did David put his confidence and trust in?      (verse 1)

In the Almighty God.

b.  What does he realise about the Lord?   What can we say along these lines?    (verse 2; Psalm 73:25-26)

God alone is His Lord, there is no-one else who can compare with Him, nothing else can take His place.

c.   What did David take delight in? Do we do this?               (verse 3; 119:63)

He loved being with others of the Lord’s people, and this is a sign of a believer, that they won’t stop meeting with other Christians.

d.   What good do other activities do for you? How did David find this?                  (verse 4)

They don’t do anything for God’s people spiritually and it is better to not get involved with them .

e.  What did he prefer to do? What about us?            (verse 5)

We should make our activities revolve around the things of the Lord which sounds awfully boring to unbelievers, but gives us food for the soul….the Lord should be our portion, all that we want.

f.  What does David say in verse 6? What are some of the blessings that God has bestowed upon us?                    (Ephesians 1:3-14)

David says he has a good inheritance from God, and we can rejoice in the fact that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing there is….it is up to us to take advantage of them!  God has chosen us in Christ and brought us into His family; given us forgiveness of sins and shown us many things in His word that we would never have understood before!

g. What was David’s reaction to these blessings?  What should ours be?     (verses 7-8)

He was full of thankfulness to God for all these things and thought about Him continually whenever he woke in the night….He made God the centre of his life, and we should do and be the same as this.

h. When we do this, what will our attitudes be?         (verse 9)

We will be at peace and full of rejoicing…because our soul is at rest, as a rule our general health will be good.

i.   What does the next statement refer to?     (verse 1; Acts 2:29-32)

David was moved by the Holy Spirit to write this concerning the Messiah who would come from his descendants, and we have Peter in the days of the early church preaching from these verses concerning Jesus Christ’s death,  burial and resurrection.

j.  What three statements are made in the next verse? What do they  mean to you?  (verse 11; 1 John 2:28)

These are promises of three things that the Lord gives to His people, and what comfort there is in them! The path of natural life that is given to every human being  (no choice involved there) doesn’t compare with the path of spiritual life that people have to choose to follow. This leads to God’s presence where there is total and fullness of joy that never ends and pleasures for evermore. What a prospect! In the light of these three things, we should do our best to prepare for them NOW in the way that we live so we won’t be ashamed when we meet Him face to face.

Psalm Seventeen….(verses 1-15)

The Proved  Man

Hear my cry and prove my call,

Give sentence, for Your eyes see all,

You’ve proved my heart, and heard me at night,

You’ve visited me, and found what’s right.

I’m determined my mouth will never transgress,

Keep my path so I’ll never digress;

I marvel at all Your kindness and love,

I trust in You, who lives above.

Keep me as the apple of Your eye,

Under Your wings, like the eaglets that fly;

Keep me from those who seek to destroy,

From those who would take away all my joy,

From men around who don’t know You,

Evil is only what they all do.

But as for me, I’ll see Your face,

I’ll be like You in love and in grace,

I’ll be satisfied to just be with You,

Help me now Lord,, Your will to do.

 

1.    Verses  1-15

a.   What was David doing here?             (verse 1)

He was crying out to God to listen and to hear him.

b.  What did David have confidence in as he spoke to God?    (verses 2-3)

That God could see all things and knew the desires and motives of his heart.

c.   What is one of the hardest things for us all to do? How can we do this?   (verses 3c-4; James 3:1-10)

Holding our tongue is one of the hardest things to do; we must continually watch what we say in case people misunderstand our words. A careless word can upset relationships and cause much trouble.

d.   How can we avoid this?                  (verses 5-6)

By praying to God for strength and wisdom in what we say at all times. Thinking first and speaking last.

e.  What does God do for those who trust in Him?                 (verse 7)

He protects them and shows His marvellous loving kindness to them.

f.  What pictures do we see in verse 8?                    (Psalm 91:4)

We see God’s protection and care of His people….just as we protect the pupil of our eye, so God keeps us from lasting damage of the evil one. We also have the picture of a mother bird  protecting her young with her wings….God does His part for us, but we must make sure we stay within His protection….a mother bird can’t do anything for a chicken that strays away from her.

g. What are some of the enemies that chase us as God’s people?     (verses 9-14; 73:3-9)

There is active persecution from others, but there are also the hidden enemies of envy and resentment, of forgetting God’s blessings to us and focussing on the negatives in our life.

h. What positive does David move to? How can we be depressed when we have this prospect?  (verse 15)

He thinks ahead to when he will actually see God face to face and be free from sin’s shackles…he will not only see God, but will be freed from human limitations  and have a heavenly body like Him.

i.   How does John put this same truth?         (1 John 3:1-3)

We are even now the children of God and no longer part of the world, but in the day to come, we shall be like Him both physically and spiritually.

j.  What should this truth do to us now?        ( 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 3:3)

It should make us live a holy  and pure life here and now….just as God is holy, so we should aim at being holy. We will never reach this standard while here on earth, but we should aim for it.

Psalm Eighteen….(verses 1-50)                                                                            

The Delivered  Man

You, O Lord, are my strength and my  Rock,

You are the One who takes every shock;

I will call upon You Who are worthy alone,

For I am weak and to sorrow so prone.

In my distress I’ve called through the years,

My cries have risen up to your ears,

You took up my cause in your strength and Your might,

The brightness around You dispelled all my night;

You delivered me and have delighted in me,

I’ve tried to keep from iniquity.

For those who seek You with a heart that is pure,

Your mercy is there, stedfast and sure.

Your way is perfect, Your Word  it is tried,

In You our Rock, we can always  hide;

You gird us with strength and lift us on high,

When we seek Your face, we know You are

You deliver me from the enemies around,

Your mercy and peace encircle and surround.

1.    Verses  1-6

a.   The heading of this Psalm says that David spoke these words to the Lord when he was finally delivered from the hand of Saul……….how is he now  feeling?              (verses 1-3)

He has immense relief, all that pressure is off him now and he pours out his heart to God in thanksgiving, acknowledging that it is through Him alone that this deliverance has come.

b.  How does he describe God? Can we say this too?            (verse 2; Ephesians 2:12)

He describes God as a rock and his fortress; God is his deliverer and his strength; He is totally trustworthy and is his salvation, and his continued protector. We can say all this too…where would we be without Him? We would be strangers to God and His promises, and without hope of eternal life

c.   How had David been feeling? What did he do about it?                  (verses 4-6)

He felt completely swallowed up with fear and sorrow. He called on God in his time of distress.

d.   What confidence did he have as he did this?                  (verse 6b)

He knew that God had heard him and would answer him.

2.    Verses  7-50

a.   How did he perceive God helping him?        (verses 7-9)

He felt that God was coming to his rescue, and that light would come out of the darkness.

b.  How did he think of God?            (verses 10-12)

As riding on a cherub flying to his rescue…even though everything seemed dark to him, he knew that behind the clouds was the brightness and glory of God.

c.   What is indicated about God in verses 13-15? What else does the New Testament add to these thoughts?                 (Hebrews 1:2-3)

God has everything under control, from creation to the running of the universe….the Hebrews verses show us that it is all done through the person of His Son, our Lord Jesus. Not only creation and the world of nature is brought by the power of the Lord Jesus, but also man’s salvation…we owe everything we have to Him!

d.   What do we see about God on a personal level? Have YOU experienced anything like this?                  (verses 16-18)

God not only has all the universe and creation under control, but He takes an interest in each individual human being…for those who turn to Him and trust in Him, He brings them out of the waters of despair and delivers them from whatever enemies and fears they have. All those who know Him experience this.

e.  Why does God bother with the individual?                        (verses 19-20; 147:11)

God wants a people who will be true to Him and He takes great delight and pleasure in those who do.

f.  How does God react to the individual? Whose decision determines the end result?     (verses 21-27)

What we do with God determines what He will ultimately do with us! Those who follow Him will find that God deals rightly with them, and those who ignore Him will suffer the consequences….there are no other alternatives! We cannot slide along hoping He will miss seeing us.

g. What does God DO for His people?            (verses 28-36)

He gives us light in decision making and understanding; He gives strength and safety; His Word is true and tried; He is our protection and stability; He gives wisdom in spiritual warfare; we can know that He is there beside us keeping us safe and steady.

h. What hope did David’s enemies have?  What hope do our enemies have? (verses 37-45)

None whatsoever when we trust in God; no matter how dark the situation looks, God will bring a solution and give peace of mind…nothing can stand before God’s peace.

i.   How does David finish this psalm?            (verses 46-50)

With great praise to God for giving him the victory. Let us follow his example and give God all the praise!

Psalm Nineteen….(verses 1-14)                                                                            

The Revealed One

The heavens declare God’s glory so high,,

His handiwork’s seen both far and nigh,

Each day as it comes, shows His wisdom and might,

His knowledge is seen each star spangled night;

Before each nation this all is displayed,

For all to see what God has made.

The sun’s warmth is felt, its glory is seen,

Each day it rises as it’s always been;

It rises in the east, and circles the west,

Before setting each night to give  man his sweet rest.

The law of the Lord is perfect and whole,

Showing man’s sin and converting his soul,

God’s testimony is plain, making simple ones wise,

It’s pure and right, enlightening man’s eyes,.

The fear of the Lord endures forever,

His judgements are righteous and true altogether;

More desirable are they than all the fine gold,

Sweeter than honey in the comb untold!

We can’t understand our most secret sin

Let them not o’er me, presume to win,

Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart

Be acceptable to Thee, for this is my part.

1.    Verses  1-14

a.   People often say, “What about those people who have never heard of God?” . What are we shown here about ALL people?         (verses 1-3; Romans 1:19-22)

Everyone can see the world of nature…even the starry heavens, times and seasons show that there is a Creator. Common sense says that where there are things, there must be a Designer and Maker!

b.  What do we see during the daylight hours that shows God’s creation?            (verse 2a)

We see all the world of nature, the birds, animals, plants and flowers…these all show God’s wonderful creation.

c.   What do we see during the night hours?                  (verse 2b)

At night the stars and the moon show the vastness of the heavens…let us take the time to go out and gaze into the sky to see it!

d.   These things are part of everyday life and cover the whole earth…what does he liken the sun to?                  (verses 4c-6)

To a bridegroom who has vigour and purpose, to one who performs with joy what God has ordained.

2.    Verses  7-9

a.   What do you notice about  how this section is constructed?    (verses 7-9)

Each verse gives  different names to God’s Word and then says what it does.

b.  What do we see about the first two?  (Read different translations)          (verse 7)

God’s law is perfect and it will change a person’s life if they follow it; it is sure and certain and gives wisdom to those who accept it.

c.   What about the next two?                 (verse 8)

God’s rules are always right and His people can be glad that they are; it is also pure and will not lead people astray.

d.   What about the final two?                  (verse 9)

To regard God with awe and reverence is something that will last for ever; what God says is true and right and can be depended on totally.

e.  How should we react to all of God’s Word?                      (verse 10)

We should desire it more than anything else…it will give far more riches than money can buy, and is the sweetest thing on earth.

f.  What does God’s Word do for each one of us? What do we have to do with it?        (verse 11; 2 Timothy 3:16)

It warns us of dangers in life, and we will be rewarded by following it. But we have to pick it up and read it….it does no-one any good to leave it on the shelf unopened…it will correct us, feed us spiritually and teach us God’s ways.

g. How should all this make us feel? (verses 12-13; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Romans 3:23)

It makes us realise how far short we fall of God’s standards, and how deceitful our hearts really are….we know what we should be, and we know what we would like to be, but are we?!

h. What should be the prayer of our heart each day?           (verse 14)

We should pray that our thoughts and words be acceptable before God who is our Strength and Redeemer!

Psalm Twenty….(verses 1-9)                                                                           

The Listening One

The Lord will hear in my troubled days,

Defend and help me in all  my ways,

He’ll strengthen me in His holy hill,

Give me what’s best and His ways fulfil,

I know that God will  save His own,

His mighty strength from heav’n He’s shown

Some trust in chariots of iron and wood,

But I’ll remember God as I should,

He raises me up to keep going straight,

When to Him I call and then patiently WAIT!

1.    Verses  1-9

a.   Who did David have his confidence in?                        (verse 1)

He knew that God would hear him and defend him in the time of trouble.

b.  What sort of help was he guaranteed? Do we have this guarantee too?   (verse 2; 2 Thessalonians 3:3)

He was guaranteed spiritual help at all times, and we know that God will keep us from the evil one.

c.   What will God remember and do for us?                  (verses 3-4; 37:4)

He will remember all our offerings of praise and grant us our desires when we delight in pleasing Him.

d.   How will we feel when we are walking with the Lord as we should?                  (verse 5)

We will be rejoicing in the Lord regardless of our circumstances….nothing can take that away from us. We know that God will hear our petitions at all times and give us the right answer.

e.  What sort of circumstances did David find himself in before he was finally crowned as king?  (verse 10; 1 Samuel 23:13-15)

King Saul was trying to find him so he could kill him, he hated him so much.

f.  What did David trust in compared to some others?        (verses 7-9; 18:3)

While other people trusted in their army, David trusted in God to deliver him….he knew God would hear him and save him from his enemies.

g. What should our attitude be in times of stress?     (Philippians 4:6-7)

We should try to leave our burdens with God….pray about the situation and leave it there. Easier said than done, but God will give His peace if we do this.

Psalm Twenty-one….(verses 1-13)   

The Giving One

God’s strength and salvation He gives to His own,

Great mercy and grace He has surely shown,

Their heart’s desire He gives all the way,

As they delight in Him each day,

Blessings of goodness like crowns on their head,

Around them He pours and o’er them He’s shed,

Abundant life for all of their days,

And keep and protect them in all their ways

Their foes You’ll destroy and swallow them whole,

But Your own You’ll protect and keep their soul,

Be exalted O Lord, in Your strength and Your might,

They’ll sing and rejoice, in your power of right.

1.    Verses  1-13

a.   David had now become king…did he forget God’s goodness now he was safe from his enemies?      (verse 1)

No, he gave all the glory to God for His strength and salvation.

b.  What should we continually remember and give thanks for?   (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

We should always remember how the Lord Jesus died to save us from our sins, and remember Him in the way that He appointed. Even if circumstances don’t allow you to go to a church where this is practised regularly, make sure you get together with a few others of like mind and remember Him as He asked us to do. We are so prone to forget and focus on ourselves….this is one time when we can focus solely on Him.

c.   What was David so joyful about?      (verse 2-3)

His prayers had been answered positively, and he was thinking about all this, and all the blessings that God had given him.

d.   What had God given to David at this time?     (verses 4-6)

He had  kept his life safe, made him king, and David felt most blessed,  thankful and glad.

e.  What had kept David’s mind at rest during those years of being on the run?  (verses 7-12)

It was his trust in the Lord and the way he had been protected and saved by a narrow margin so many times

f.  How did David finish off this psalm?        (verse 13)

By exalting  God and singing of His power.

g. What should we do continually?     (Colossians 3:16)

We should be singing to God in our hearts with thanksgiving and praise to Him. This is the attitude He wants His people to have!

Psalm Twenty-two….(verses 1-31)                                                                                              

The Suffering One

1.    Verses  1- 19

a.   How was David feeling at this time? What was this cry an echo of?  (verse 1; Mark 15:34)

He was in agony of mind and felt that God had left him and was far away. When our Lord was dying on the cross, He knew that His Father God had turned His face away from Him when He took man’s sins on Himself, and this cry was wrung out of Him.

b.  What was Jesus actually doing when He felt like this?   (Habakkuk 1:12-13a; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

He was paying the price of man’s sins before the holiness of God….God could not bear to look upon the collective sin of the human race, and so He turned His face away from Him. God allowed this because there was no other way for the price of sin to be paid….sinful man could not work his way out of it.

c.   What did David realise about God?                  (verses 3-5)

That God was holy and trustworthy….he could call on Him and be delivered.

d.   How did David feel at times and how does this relate to how our Lord felt?    (verses 6-8; Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 27:41-43 )

David felt worthless and that everyone was against him with people mocking him. This is exactly what happened when Jesus was strung up on the cross….people despised and mocked Him and said if He was from God , God would deliver Him from this death.

e.  What comfort did David have at this time?           (verses 9-11; 1 Samuel 16:1,11-13)

That God had called him and had anointed him to be king one day….there was only God who could help him in the predicament he was in at this time.

f.  How did David describe how he felt at this time?        (verses 12-15)

He felt as though he was surrounded by wild animals…he ached all over and he badly needed water to cleanse and  stop his thirst.

g. How was this a prophecy of how Jesus Christ felt on the cross?  Think of the weather at the time.

We are told that Peter warmed himself at the fire during the trial, and here was the Lord stripped of His warm clothes and strung half (if not fully) naked in full public view….the shame and the pain was immeasurable!       (verses 16-18; John 19:23-24)

He had nails driven into His hands and His feet, and then the soldiers parted His clothes and tossed a dice for His cloak. John tells us it was in fulfilment of what David said here.

2.    Verses  19-31

a. What was David able to do in this time of his distress?           (verses 19-21)

He was able to call on God for help and deliverance.

b.   Who could Christ call on for help?  Was there any escape for Him? (Luke 22:41-44)

There was no escape…there was no other way for the price of sin to be paid other than a sinless One to lay His life down, and He was willing to do His Father’s will in this matter.

c.  What did Isaiah say about the finished result of this sacrifice?        ( Isaiah 53:10-12)

He said it pleased God to make salvation possible in this way and that our Lord was satisfied with the result. It was the final proof that God IS LOVE!

d.   When all this suffering was over for David, what did he do?    (verses22-25)

He told others of the Lord and called them to praise God for His help and His goodness…he praised God and honoured his vows.

e.  What did this cause others to do?           (verses 26-27)

It caused them to remember what God had done for them and to praise and worship Him too.

f.  What will people finally realise about God?        (verses 28-29)

That He is God and King over all, and they will bow before Him and worship Him as the One in control over life and death.

g. What is every single soul ever born going to do and acknowledge in a day to come? (Philippians 2:9-11)

Every person will bow before Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as Lord…the One who they now despise and use His holy name as a swear word.

h. What good will this do then?           (Philippians 2:11)

It won’t do them any good, but it will glorify God…Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It will bring everything into the right perspective.

i.   Who is David referring to in these last two verses?          (verses 30-31)

He is referring to a time to come (from his day) when people will tell of God’s righteousness and preach from His Word to people yet to be born.

j.  What did Jesus tell His disciples before He left to go back to heaven?  In what ways do we see this  happening today?       ( Matthew 28:18-20)

He told His disciples to go out into all  the world and preach the Gospel to everyone. We see this happening today through radio, TV,  and the internet as well as by preaching personally. Many people give their whole lives to spreading the Word to others.

Psalm Twenty-three….(verses 1-6)                                                                                                    

The Shepherding One

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need,

I rest in green pastures, by still waters He’ll lead;

My soul He restores, His paths are all right

He leads me each day, I walk in His light

In the shadow of death, I’ll not be afraid,

For my Lord is with me , my debts He has paid,

His rod and staff, they comfort and keep,

My cup runs right  over, my joy is so deep;

Goodness and mercy always follow me,

And I’ll live in His presence eternally.

1.          Verses  1-6

a.   What was David’s profession as a lad? How did this impact on him? (verse 1; 1 Samuel 16:11)

It was David’s job to look after his father’s sheep out in the field…he had plenty of time to think and meditate about God, and to note the comparisons between the way he looked after the sheep and the way God looked after him.

b.  He made two statements here…what are they about?      (verse 1)

He said that because  the Lord was his shepherd, he had lack of nothing…everything he needed was there.

c.   In what ways does God provide everything for His people today?     (Philippians 4: 6-7, 13,19)

He gives us our every spiritual need if we will only respond to it; in times of trouble He gives us His peace if we will only take our troubles  to Him; He gives us our every basic physical NEED (not necessarily our WANTS!) God provides our NEEDS, we have to accept what He gives, take it and use it.

d.   What was David’s job at times with his sheep?      (verse 2)

He had to find the food for them, the green grass and the water holes for them to drink from.

e.  How can we spiritualise this thought for us today?        

God provides spiritual food and drink from His Word, but He doesn’t put it in our mouth…we have to make the time to take it and eat and drink from it.

f.  What else does God do for His sheep (people) besides provide food and water?   (verse 3)

He builds them up in their souls and gives them strength to live the Christian life

g. What does David talk about next?   (verse 4)

How he doesn’t need to be afraid as he goes through the valley of the shadow of death because God is with him and will keep him safe.

h.   Stop and think about this…what can we take with us as we approach death’s door?  What can we NOT take with us?    

Nobody can go with us through the door holding our hand; our money won’t buy us an easy road; our good works can’t go with us. If we can’t go with the Lord at our side, we can only go with fear into the unknown

i.  What is death reduced to here? Why?                        (verse 4)

Death is reduced to only a shadow if we have the Lord with us….His rod and staff will keep and comfort us.

j. What else does the Lord provide for those surrounded by enemies of fear, doubt and maybe ill health?     (verse 5; John 14:16-18; Colossians 3:1-2)

He has a feast of good things for us if we will only set our minds on Him, if we will remember that He has given His people the Great Comforter, the Holy Spirit, (symbolised by oil)   to be with us

k.   Even if we are in the worst circumstances, what can we remember?       (verse 5c; Ephesians 1:3)

We can remember that we have been saved from our sins by Jesus Christ , and have God as our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit  inside us to give us comfort. No circumstances can take this away from us.

l.  What was David’s final  thought as he contemplated this?           (verse 6)

He knew that God’s goodness and kindness would be with him as long as he lived and that he would be with God for eternity ( ever and ever.)

m.  How can we take this thought for ourselves?        (John 14:1-3; Romans 8:35-39)

We know that we will be with the Lord for eternity…where He is, we will be and nothing can or will separate us from Him.

Psalm Twenty-four….(verses 1-10)                                                                                                                          

The Glorious One!

The Earth is the Lord’s, and His alone,

He created it all, it is His own,

Who can stand before His face?

Who can ascend to His holy place?

Those who have cleansed their hands and heart,

Are the only ones who can have a part

Those who have this hope so sure,

Must live their lives before Him pure,

The King of Glory, the Mighty One,

Reigns supreme as Heaven’s Sun;

None can compare with the Lord of Hosts,

The Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

1. Verses 1-10

a.   What do people forget , especially when talking about climate change?   (verses 1-2; Hebrews 1:2-3, 10-12)

That God made the heavens and earth by Jesus Christ  and He is the One who controls everything including the climate of the world….all man can do is to clean up the mess that they make, not alter what is already put in place! If there is any change to be made, it is God who will do it!

b.  Who can stand before God today?       (verses 3-4; Micah 6:8)

Only those who humble themselves to walk with Him, and then live the best they can.

c.   What do people get wrong today?     (Micah 6:8; Isaiah 64:6-7; Romans 12:1-2 )

They put the cart before the horse….they do good things which before God are like filthy rags and present them to Him, but they won’t humble themselves to walk with God. We are to confess that we are sinners to God and THEN do good to others….we have to present ourselves to God first in humility  before we present our good works.

d.   What does God do for those who do this?     (verses 5-6; Ephesians 1:3-4)

He blesses them abundantly and gives them salvation and the ability to live rightly before Him.

e.  David continues to speak of the King of Glory….who do we recognise as this One?   (verses 8-10; Matthew 3:17; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:14b-16)

God’s well beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,  who Paul describes as the Eternal King and only Potentate worthy of all glory and honour.

Psalm Twenty-five….(verses 1-22)                                                                                                                                                   

The Following Man

To You O Lord, I lift up my soul,

You are the One who makes me whole,

I trust in You, I’ll not be ashamed,

I’m led by You, I’ll not be blamed;

Teach me Your paths, show me Your ways,

Lead me O God all of my days,

Your mercy is tender, better than gold,

Your kindness and love are from times of old.

 Teach me Your way, pardon my sin

Show me your way to walk meekly within;

Thank You  Lord, that You always keep

I don’t  need to be distressed or to weep;

Keep me sincere and upright before You,

For You will keep and preserve me too.

Verses 1-22……

a.   What is the thought that David has in the beginning of this Psalm?    (verses 1-3)

He is looking to God with trust and confidence.

b.  What will keep us from being ashamed before God? What can cause us TO be ashamed?                       (verses 2-3; 1 John 2:28)

We will be ashamed if we don’t live as we should here on earth; John uses the phrase  “to abide in Him” to keep from feeling ashamed of letting Him down.

c.   What is entailed in “abiding in Christ”?     (2 Peter 1:2-11)

To KNOW God and Christ personally and to follow His ways in self discipline for ourselves, with patience and kindness to others….if we do these things we will be kept from doing wrong and won’t be barren or empty in knowing Christ,  being able to face Him with confidence because He won’t be a stranger to us.

d.   What does David go on to pray for?       (verses 4-5)

He asks God to teach him  and show him the truth and lead  him in the right way to go.

e.  What does he remind himself and the Lord of?         (verse 6)

He thinks of all the kindnesses and mercies that God has showered on people right from the old times.

f.  What does he want God  to forget, to NOT remember?  What confidence can we have in this respect?       (verse 7; 1 John 1:9)

He doesn’t want God to remember his past sins. We know that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and make us clean.

g. What sort of people can God teach, and what attitude must they have to learn? (verses 8-9)

God wants to teach sinners, those who are humble enough to realise they need His help.

h.   How do  those who keep God’s ways find His paths?   (verse 10; Matthew 11:29-30)

They are very easy, true and kind. It is only our innate sinful nature that rises up to make difficulties.

i.  What do we have to do when we find we have sinned?       (verse 11; 1 John 1:9)

David confessed his sin…he recognised it, and named it as sin and asked for pardon. When we confess our sin, God will forgive us and give us a new start, cleansing us from it.

j. David swings from one thing to the other (this is why we can identify so much with the Psalms) ….can you put the next passage briefly into how he is feeling?     (verses12-19)

From verses 12-15 David is happy, looking to the Lord with  everything going right, then in verses 16-19 he is back in trouble again with his enemies hating him.

k.   How does he drag himself out of depression? How can we do it too?  (verses 20-21; Colossians 3: 1-3)

He  calls on God and  focuses  on Him…he realises his trust is in Him; we too have to take our minds off whatever is worrying us and  think about our heavenly blessings.  

l.  Where does a nation’s release from trouble start?           (verse 22; 144:15)

It starts with each individual’s relationship with God….it starts with ME. Where does God fit into my life? Is He the top or the tail?

Psalm Twenty-six….(verses 1-12)                                                           

The Forgiven Man

Help me O Lord, in Thee to hide,

I’ll trust in You and will not slide,

Search  me Lord, and test my heart,

I’ve kept from sinners and stayed apart;

I’ll cleanse my ways and to You  bring,

Thanks and praise, Your songs I’ll sing;

I love the thought of where You dwell,

For keeping me  when e’er I  fell;

And if I  slip, my sins  confess,

And You O Lord,  my soul will bless.

Verses  1-12

a.   What was David not afraid to do here?     (verses 1-2)

He wasn’t afraid to  have God judge him…he trusted in Him to examine and test him.

b.  How do we feel in this regard?   What should we do continually?        (1 Corinthians 11:28a, 31-32)

We should continually examine ourselves and confess our shortcomings so that we will not be afraid to be examined by God either.

c.   What did David keep in mind?     (verse 3)

He kept God’s truth and His love ever in his mind.

d.   What helped him to do this? What did he keep away from?        (verses 4-6)

He chose his company carefully and  didn’t  socialise with those people who said one thing and did another or those who practiced and spoke bad things.

e.  What did he mean when he said he washed his hands in innocency?  (verse 6…look at other translations)

He was saying he would maintain a good life style so he could worship at God’s altar.

f.  What is a person in this condition able to do ?       (verses 7-8)

He is bubbling over with God’s goodness and tells others about it; he loves meeting with others of like mind at a church gathering, and wouldn’t dream of missing.

g. What did he not trust?        (verses 9-10)

He didn’t trust those who were into mischief  against the law and who used bribes to get their own way.

h.   How did he want to live?            (verses 11-12)

He wanted to live a good life and be conscious of God’s mercy. He wanted to be firm in his faith and to be where he could bless the Lord.

i.  How do these sentiments help us in our lives?                        (Ephesians 2:1-22)

This was what David desired to do, and the Philippians chapter tells us of our position in Christ and the blessings and position we have been brought into, so that we can live like this too.

Psalm Twenty-seven….(verses 1-14)         

The Seeking Man

The Lord’s my salvation and light indeed,

I will not fear, He supplies my need;

He is my strength, I’ll not be afraid,

For the debt of my sin, He’s surely paid.

One thing I desire, and that will I seek,

The. beauty of God ,of it I  will  speak.

I will make my offering of joy ev’ry day,

And sing His praises along life’s way ;

I’ll seek His face with all my heart,

He will not leave nor forsake my part.

Teach me O Lord, the way to go,

And deliver me from every foe;

I’ll wait on the Lord, though hard it may be,

For He will encourage and strengthen me!

Verses 1-14..

a.   How does David regard the Lord?                       (verse 1)

As his light, salvation and strength….in other words, as everything to him.

b.  What did regarding the Lord like this do for him?        (verse 1)

It took all fear away from him.

c.   What confidence did he have as he thought about the outside world?     (verses 2-3)

It removed all fear  from him, no matter how bad his situation was.

d.   How should we react in fearful situations (whether it be ill health , financial or family matters etc.)?                            (56:3-4, 11; 1 Peter5:7)

If we trust in God and praise Him for Who He is, our fear will lessen considerably….we can roll all our cares and worries onto Him.

e.  What was David’s great desire above all else?                     (verse 4)

He wanted to be conscious of God’s presence with him at all times.

f.  What do we often forget as we contemplate God’s attributes?       (verse 4c; 96:6,9)

We often forget the beauty of God, and that holiness is beautiful.

g. How did David think and feel in his times of trouble?        (verses 5-6)

He felt as though God was hiding him and keeping him safe with something solid to stand on; he was able to sing praises to God in his difficult times.

h.   Why do you think praising the Lord is regarded as a sacrifice in times of trouble?            (verse 6b)

Because it is much easier to just wallow in one’s fears and to think negatively. It is an effort to think positively and to praise God in bad circumstances, and He appreciates this effort.

i. We can take these verses for our comfort too…what does the New Testament tell us along these lines?     (Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians  3:15-17)

To not let fear overtake us but to take God’s peace to ourselves and sing songs to Him…not easy to do when things are going wrong…it takes real effort but we have many aids to help us such as CD and MP3 players. Singing lifts our spirits….God is the author of singing and songs!

j.  What confidence did David have in God?                        (verses 7-10)

He knew that God would hear him and answer him; he responded to God’s invitation to seek His face, and he knew that God would never forsake him no matter who else did.

j. What is David asking God for next?                (verses 11-12)

Guidance for the right thing to do in regard to his enemies when they were telling lies about him.

k.   How does he finish up? What advice does he give us?                (verses 13-14)

He says it was only God’s goodness that  kept him going, and he tells us to wait on the Lord  being  brave and strong in Him.

l.  What is the most important thing for us?           (verse 14; 40:1-2)

To wait on (and for)  the Lord before acting.

Psalm Twenty-eight….(verses 1-9)                                                                   

The Crying Man

Unto Thee I cry, O Lord my God,

Keep me safe with protecting rod;

Hear my voice when to You I cry,

Keep me from danger for You are nigh,

I’m surrounded by those who seek You not,

Against my life, they wickedly plot,

I will bless the Lord, for He heard my voice,

He is my strength, I will rejoice!

a.   What was David’s cry to the Lord? How does he describe God?   (verses 1-2; 18:2)

He wanted God to hear and answer him; he likened God to his Rock of refuge and his Fortress.

b.  What was he afraid of?        (verse 3)

He was afraid he would be caught up with those who didn’t follow God.

c.   How did he describe them? Why?    (verses 4-5)

As being wicked because they didn’t want anything to do with God or His ways.

d.   What was David’s confidence in?                            (verses 6-7)

He had faith that God had heard his prayers, and had helped him; as a result his heart was rejoicing and he was praising God.

e.  Because God was this to him, what was he able to tell others?                     (verse 8)

That God could be their strength too.

f.  What was his desire for others?       (verse 9)

That they would be saved too  and eat the spiritual food that God provided.

g. How can the sentiments of this psalm help us?    

It gives us confidence that we can call on God and that He will hear and answer us…it lifts our heart up to praise Him in times of uncertainty.

Psalm Twenty-nine ….(verses 1-11)                                                                                  

The Mighty One

The Mighty One is worthy alone,

For all the glory and strength He has shown;

Give Him the glory due to His name,

For He alone is worthy of fame;

His voice is in the depths of the sea,

His voice is full of majesty;

His voice can break the greatest of trees,

His voice is in the faintest breeze,

He makes the beasts and hinds to calve,

He gives His people joy to laugh,

He blesses them with ways of peace,

Which strengthens and will never cease.

Verses 1-11…..

a.   What was David giving to the Lord here?                       (verse 1)

He is giving God glory for His strength,  and calling on others to do the same.

b.  What should we always realise as we come before God in prayer?        (verse 2)

That all the glory (praise and thanksgiving) is due to God for what He has done, and that we should come to Him with worship and holiness.

c.   What does this mean?    (90:17a; 1 John 1:9)

To confess our shortcomings to Him so we come before Him with a clean attitude (holiness) and then give praise and thanksgiving for what He has done. As we do this, God’s beauty is able to shine from us….we are able to give back what He has given us.

d.   What does he say about God in these verses?                            (verses 3-9)

God’s glory can be seen in all creation, from the seas to the forests,  to  natural phenomena like volcanos and lightning, and in the way live creatures function and produce….these all show God’s glory.

e.  What does Paul have to say about this?                     (Romans 1:19-22)

That God’s hand in creation is clearly seen by all people everywhere, and yet they won’t acknowledge that God is the author and creator….they think they are so wise and yet they are really just fools!

f.  What is the Lord’s position?       (verse 10)

He sits on creation as King forever!

g. What does God give His people?    (verse 11)

He gives them strength and the blessing of peace.

h.   What is the contrast between what is given in verses 1 & 2 and 11?   (1 Samuel 2:30b)

In verses 1 & 2 we are to give the Lord honour and glory which is due to Him, and in verse 11 it is God who gives His people strength and blessing. As we honour Him, He in turn honours us.

Psalm Thirty ….(verses 1-12)                                                                                              

The Lifted Man

I’ll praise You Lord, for You’ve lifted me,

You heard my cry when I called to Thee,

You brought me up from  sin’s deep pit,

Have given me a place to sit,

Weeping may endure a night,

But morning comes and all is right.

There is no peace outside Your place,

I need Your mercy and Your grace.

Lift me out of sin’s deep pit,

Make me by Your side to sit

You’ve turned my mourning into joy,

My voice in praise I will employ!

Verses 1-12…. a. What is David doing here? Why?  (verse 1)                                                   

He is praising God because He has protected him from his enemies.

b.  What did David feel?        (verses  2-3)

He felt healed and reborn, renewed from dangers surrounding him.

c.   What results from us thinking of God’s holiness?        (verse 4; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

Songs of praise and thanksgiving, and aiming at living a holy life because God is holy.

d.   What is the end result of  God’s chastisement of His people?    (verse 5; Hebrews 12:11)

It may not be pleasant to endure, but we learn much from it and are better people because of it.

e.  What was actually the attitude that brought about this correction?                     (verse 6)

It was an attitude of pride and not depending on God….thinking we know best!

f.  What happens when we sin and go our own way?       (verses 7-9; 66:18)

God cannot hear our prayer while we hug our sin, and it seems as though He is far away from us almost as if we had died to Him.

g. What can we be sure of?     (verse 10)

That when we call out to God in repentance and cry for mercy, God will hear and forgive us.

h.   What results from this?           ( verses 11-12)

We will have great joy and gladness and be able to praise Him again.

Psalm Thirty-one ….(verses 1-24)                                                                                            

The Troubled Man

In You O Lord, I put my trust

For You are right and good and just,

You are my Rock and Fortress strong,

Lead and guide me, this I long;

I give my spirit to Your hand,

For You’ve saved me, to heaven’s land.

I will be glad and rejoice in You,

For You know my troubles and trials too.

When I’m in  trouble, and  consumed by grief,

My life is sad and far too brief,

I’m left alone, my friends all fled,

I’m forgotten and broken as tears I shed.

Yet I can say I’m in Your hand,

You’ll deliver me, to heaven’s land;

Your great goodness to me You’ve shown,

I trust in You, my God, alone;

O love the Lord, all you His saints,

He’ll keep you strong, and you won’t  faint,

Have good courage and be strong indeed,

For He’ll give you strength and all you need.

Verses 1-24….

a.   What did David want to do here? What do we see about him here?   (verses 1-3; 1 Samuel 16:16-18; 2 Samuel 23:1)

David is calling for those who love the Lord to sing to His Name and play their instruments. David was very musical and loved to sing and play his harp….he was known as the sweet psalmist of Israel.

b.  What does David say about God? Why did he want to do this?       (verses  4-10)

He was pointing out God’s goodness,  truth and righteousness; God’s work in creation and how people should be in awe of Him as He is in control of all things.

c.   What is the contrast between God’s counsel and advice of people?      (verses 10-11)

God can bring what people say to nothing, while His counsel will stand for ever….God never changes.

d.   Where did David feel that his enemies had got him?                       (verse 4)

He felt that he was tangled up in a net they had laid for him.

e.  What was he inspired to write  about  his situation? What is the connection in the New Testament ?                     (verse 5;Luke 23:46)

He said he committed his spirit into God’s hands ….there was nothing more he could do. These are almost identical words that Jesus cried out on the cross as He was about to dismiss His spirit  from His body.

f.  What does David go on to say about his feelings at this time?       (verses 6-13)

He was really down in the dumps, nothing was going right. But in spite of everything going on round him, he still trusted in God….he felt as though everyone was against him, plotting to take his life and a reproach.

g. What was David’s confidence at this time? What can we say when everything seems to be against us?      (verses 14-18)

David’s trust was still in God and he knew that God had everything under control…in His time everything would work out and God would save him. We can have this confidence in God too and must just wait for Him to bring us through whatever the current problem is.

h.   What does David focus on to lift his spirits?           ( verses 19-22)

He thinks of God’s great goodness, and the prospect of God’s provision for His people. He knows that God will protect him and that there is still many wonderful things ahead.

i. What does he call others of God’s people to do and have?     (verses 23-24)

To love God and to be courageous in His things, and they would be preserved and kept.

Psalm Thirty-two….(verses 1-11)                                                                                                 

The Forgiving One

       You’ve forgiven my sin, and blessed me untold,

I’m cleansed in Your sight, more value than gold;

Yet when I refused to confess all my sin,

My bones all ached, and felt dry within.

But when I confessed my sin to Thee,

You forgave all my iniquity.

You are the place where I can hide,

And keep me from falling into pride

You will teach me all the way to go,

Protect and keep from ev’ry foe,

Keep me from being a stubborn horse,

That needs a bridle to keep on course,

I will be glad in the Lord and rejoice,

And sing aloud with cheerful voice!!

Verses  1-11

a.   How is David feeling here?     Why?    (verses 1-2; 2 Samuel 23:1)

He is feeling so blessed because his sin is forgiven and he is no longer under the burden of it.

b.  How did he feel when he knew he had sinned and hadn’t confessed it?        (verses  3-4)

He felt dry and parched, wrinkled and old; he felt that God’s hand was heavy on him.

c.   What is the pivot that brought the change for him? Does this work for us too?     (verse 5; 1 John 1:9)

When he confessed his sin, God forgave him, and it is just the same for us today…we have to confess before God can cleanse us. Otherwise our life is like a blackboard with smudges still on it

d.   WHEN is the best time to pray about our sin?    (verse 6; 2 Corinthians 6:2b)

NOW, before something worse happens….it will never go away until we do this. We will always be conscious of it lurking under the mat if we try to ignore it, and will never have true peace.

e.  When we do this, what is our spiritual position ?     (verse 7)

We are hidden in God and kept from trouble; we will have songs of deliverance and praise surrounding us.

f.  What does God want to do for each of His people?       (verse 8)

He wants to teach us what to do, and to lead us in the right way.

g. What is our part in this process?                   (verse 9)

We are not to be stubborn and unyielding, but to go along with what God shows us is right.

h.   What is the result of a life yielded to God?           ( verses 10b-11)

Those people will know for sure that God’s mercy surrounds them, and they will be glad and rejoice in His goodness….they will be a joyful people.

Psalm Thirty-three….(verses 1-22)                                                                                                 

The Singing Man

Unto the Lord, I’ll praise and sing,

With organ and a harp with strings

I’ll praise Him with a brand new song,

Which I will sing all the day long,

His Word is right and works are true,

Tis only righteousness He’ll do.

By His word, the heaven’s were made,

He gives us all the light and shade,

The nation that will trust the Lord,

Is blest indeed with one accord.

The Lord looks down, beholds us all,

His ear is waiting for our call,

We SHALL rejoice and sing His praise

And trust in Him for all our days!!

Verses  1-22

a.   What is David calling for the people to do here?   (verses 1-3)

To rejoice in the Lord and to praise Him with singing and playing of instruments.

b.  What do we know about David and his musical ability? (1 Samuel 16:18, 23; 2 Samuel 23:1)

He loved to play his harp and to listen to him was to feel refreshed….he was known as the “sweet psalmist of Israel”.

c.   What did he mostly like to sing about?                 (verses 4-5)

The goodness and greatness of God, and all that He has done.

d.   What are we told in regard to singing?                       (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 )

We are told to constantly sing to the Lord in our spirits and minds in spiritual songs and psalms.

e.  What are some other ways we can do this ?                  

By having Christian music playing on CDs or listening to an MP3 player or ipod….we are blessed in this day and age to have so many means to listen to music!

f.  What else does David go on to think about?       (verses 6-9)

God as the Creator and His creation.

g. How did David recognise the creation was done?                 (verse 9; Genesis 1:3,6)

By God speaking and it was done.

h.   What does God do with the ideas of ungodly men?           ( verse 10)

He brings them to nothing.

i. Can you think of any examples of this happening today?   

The idea of Global Warming has been shown to be nothing, and they have now called it climate change!

j.  What is the contrast between God’s ideas and advice and man’s?    (verse 11)

God’s Word stands for ever and never alters, whereas man’s comes to nothing.

j. What advantages does a nation who follows the Lord have?                (verse 12)

They are blessed beyond measure.

k.   How does God regard people?                (verses 13-15)

He has given all people equal opportunities and it is up to them what they do with it….God sees what people do with what He has given them.

l.  What is the final thing that delivers an army in battle?           (verses 16-17)

Not the amount of armaments they have, but  whether God fights for them or not.

m.   What is the believer’s hope in?                (verses 18-20)

Our hope is in the Lord…He is our help and shield

n.  How do we feel as a result of this?           (verses 21-22)

We trust and rejoice in Him. Our hope is not a “maybe” hope, but a sure certainty….we KNOW our God!

Psalm Thirty-four….(verses 1-22)                                                                                                   

The Delivering One

I’ll praise the Lord and bless His Name,

I’ll boast in Him and tell His fame,

Exalt with me and magnify,

The saving One who heard my cry,

He heard my prayer, my soul He saved,

His angel kept me from the grave,

O taste and see the Lord is good,

O help me fear Him as I should,

Keep my tongue from speaking wrong,

Instead give me a heavenly song.

I KNOW my Lord delivers me,

When I come to Him so brokenly;

1.  Verses  1-22

a.   What do we notice about blessing and praising  God here?                      (verse 1)

It is to be done continually at all times.

b.  What is the right sort of boasting?        (verse 2; Jeremiah 9:24)

It is right and good to boast about the Lord and His greatness.

c.   What are God’s people to do?                 (verse 3)

We are to magnify the name of the Lord together collectively….in other words, we are to get together with other believers and not stay away from their gatherings.

d.   What confidence do we have in times of trouble?            (verses 4-6; 50:15)

Not only can we call on God for help, but He tells us to do this and He will save us from our troubles…then we are to glorify Him (praise and thank Him)

e.  What wonderful truth do we read about here?                     (verse 7; Acts 27:23-25)

How God has appointed angels to be with His people for protection.

f.  How do we appreciate God’s goodness to us?       (verses 8-10)

By learning to trust in Him when things get tough…until we  go through these experiences we won’t fully appreciate His goodness. God will never let His people down.

g. What are we able to when we’ve been through these experiences?              (verse 11)

We are able to teach others that it pays to trust the Lord.

h.   What does it pay to do if one wants a great life?           ( verses 12-14)

To always watch what you say and keep the peace at all times.

i. What are we to always remember?     (verses 15-16; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 15:3)

That God watches all that everyone does….nothing is hidden from Him at any time!

j.  What does God want more than anything else from people?         (verses 17-18; 51:17)

God wants people to come to Him with a broken and contrite heart and admit they have sinned….He will be near them and save them

k. Do good people have troubles?                (verse 19)

Yes, they do, but God will bring them through….this is how they learn His faithfulness.

l.   What is special about the next verse? What is it related to?      (verse 20; John 19:31, 36)

When the Lord Jesus was on the cross, the soldiers didn’t break his leg to finish Him off because He was already dead….this was a direct fulfilment of this verse.

m.  What is the difference between those who have thrown God out of their lives and those who trust in Him?           (verses 21-22)

They will be desolate and destroyed, while those who trust in God will be redeemed and fulfilled.

n.   What have you learned from this psalm?               

That it pays to trust in God….He gives protection and provision….our part is to praise God and to watch what we say about people; His part is to redeem those who come to Him in contrition and to stay near to them.

Psalm Thirty-five….(verses 1-28)

The Delivering One

I’ll praise the Lord and bless His Name,

I’ll boast in Him and tell His fame,

Exalt with me and magnify,

The saving One who heard my cry,

He heard my prayer, my soul He saved,

His angel kept me from the grave,

O taste and see the Lord is good,

O help me fear Him as I should,

Keep my tongue from speaking wrong,

Instead give me a heavenly song.

I KNOW my Lord delivers me,

When I come to Him so brokenly;

1.  Verses  1-28

a.   What is David saying in these first few verses?      (verses 1-8)

He is calling for God to fight his battles for him, and to put his enemies to flight.

b.  What can we see in this for us today?        (2 Corinthians 12:7b-9)

We can call on God for help when we are being assaulted by ill health, financial and family problems….God may not fix the problem straight away, but he can give us the strength to endure and to stay rejoicing in Him.

c.   When we go through trials and troubles with the right attitude, what benefits do we have?                 (verse 9)

Nothing can touch our joy in the Lord, and we can always rejoice in His salvation.

d.   What trial was David going through here?            (verses 10-12)

People were spreading rumours and lies about him in spite of him trying to help them.

e.  What else can we see in verse 11?                     (Mark 14:55-57)

This was exactly what happened to our Lord Jesus when he was taken to trial…there were only false witnesses against Him.

f.  How bad was David’s problem?       (verses 13-16; 2 Samuel 15:12-13, 31)

Not only did his son (Absalom) turn against him, but his counsellor and adviser did too.

g. Who did David turn to in times like these?                (verse 17)

He turned to the Lord to rescue him.

h.   What was his prayer here?           ( verses 18-19)

First of all, it was praise and thanks to God for who He is, and then it was a request that his enemies would not overcome him.

i. What did David go on to say in his prayer?     (verses 20-26)

He went on to tell the Lord how his enemies were speaking against him, and asked God to judge his own attitude in this problem. He asked God to keep him from being swallowed up by these people and that they would be brought to confusion in their plans against him.

j.  How does David finish up his prayer?                        (verses 27-28)

By praying that those who were the Lord’s people would magnify the Lord with him, and that he would be able to continue to sing God’s praises all the time.

j. What can we learn from this psalm?                (Philippians 4:4)

That in spite of  troubles that may overtake us we do not have to allow them to swallow us up in misery, but we can tell them to the Lord and still rejoice in Him.

Psalm Thirty-six….(verses 1-12)

The Merciful One

The wicked say they fear not God,

They flatter in the way they’ve trod,

In spite of  all, God’s mercy  reigns,

For He can cleanse man’s sinful stains,

His righteousness  like mountains high,

The contrite man He will bring nigh.

His greatest kindness, we will sing,

And  shelter ’neath His outstretched wing.

We are fed with food and drink

More than we ask or even  think,

His kindnesses will never fail,

As we walk life’s  hill and dale.

Verses  1-12

a.   What is the attitude of those who don’t know God?                      (verses 1-4)

They neither know nor care! They can’t be trusted and are without kindness, always plotting further mischief.

b.  What is the contrast with their ways and  God?        (verses 5-6)

God’s mercy and faithfulness is as great as the universe

c.   What is God’s crowning attribute that is incorporated into His mercy and faithfulness?     (verse 7a; John 3:16)

It is His loving kindness…..His love for the creatures He has made..

d.   What can people do with confidence because of God’s love?            (verse 7b)

They can put their trust in Him and His protection as under the wings of a mother bird.

e.  What sort of picture do we get here?                     (verse 8; 16:11)

God gives His people abundantly more than they need here as they obey Him, and pleasures for evermore.

f.  What do we gain from God? What two things are mentioned specifically here?                    (verse 9)

Life and light….a fountain is something that continually gushes up, and God’s light enables us to see spiritual truths that non-believers cannot comprehend.

g. What will God never withhold from those who know Him?              (verse 17)

He continually shows His love and righteousness to His people.

h.   What did David pray for?                          ( verses 11-12)

He prayed that he would not become proud, and to be kept from those would remove him or take away his position before God.

i.   What do we have to be constantly on guard against?               (Ephesians 6:10-18)

We have to be aware of the Satan’s wiles and deceit, and to arm ourselves with God’s armour for protection.

Psalm Thirty-seven….(verses 1-40)

The Meek Man

       We need not fret when sin is rife,

Nor envy those with wicked life,

They will not last, their life will pass,

They’ll leave no more than withered grass,

. What we must do is trust each day,

And  God will lead along the way,

Delight  in Him and He will give,

All  our desires while  we live

Commit ourselves in every way,

He’ll bring to pass our prayer each day,

Rest in Him, and meekly wait,

God’s time will come, He’s never late.

No matter if we’ve little or much,

The Lord knows all, we have His touch,

Our steps He orders for each day,

And lifts us when we fall away.

Though I’ve been young, and now am old,

 His ways are far more value  than gold.

I’ll wait on the Lord, and keep His way,

I  have great  peace when on Him I stay,

The Lord will help and deliver the meek,

And strengthen those who feel so  weak.

1.  Verses  1-8

a.   What was David worrying about here?  What did he realise about them?      (verses 1-2; 73:3, 16-19)

He was telling himself to not worry about those who did evil things, nor to be envious of their success, because they would not last….their end would come.

b.  What is the antidote for these thoughts?        (verse  3)

To trust in the Lord and do the best you can (in that order!)….God will do what you can’t!

c.   What is the next thing that we must do?  Why does this work?     (verse 4)

We are to delight in the Lord and His ways and things….as we do this, our desires change and become what His desires are for us! Of course He will grant these desires!

d.   What is the third thing to do?            (verse 5)

We are to commit our way to Him…take God’s advice as found in His Word… and trust in Him as we move out and forward.

e.  What will result from doing this?                     (verse 6)

We will have a great testimony and will do the right thing before God and man.

f.  This all seems great, but what is still lurking around the corner of our minds?    (verse 7)

We are to still wait on the Lord and be patient in spite of how the evil people around us prosper.

g. These promises that God gives us seem to assure our spiritual success, but what else lurks there to trip us up?           (verse 8)

A flare up of the flesh in temper and anger, with envy of the success of those who do wrong.

h.   How did Paul describe this feeling?  What do we have to be on guard against?       (verse 8b;  Romans 7:15-25)

He knew what he should do but felt powerless to do right; we have to be on guard against wanting to follow the evil doers.

2.  Verses  9-22

a.   Read this whole passage through….what is the main topic?      (verses 9-22)

It is mostly about the wicked….those who throw God out of their lives and how they live and think.

b.  How does he start off? What is the contrast?        (verses  9-11)

Those without God won’t last, but those who follow Him have everything they need.

c.   How are these thoughts amplified in the next verses?          (verses 12-13; Romans 6:23a)

Those without God can never understand those who believe and make fun of them, but one day it will be a different story….this is why God overlooks  (in a sense) what they do now because their time of judgement is coming.

d.   What do we see about God’s people in this passage?            (verses 14-22)

Even though they are persecuted and martyred, they are better off than those who  don’t know God….God is watching over them and knows everything that is going on. They have an inheritance that the others know nothing about, and a satisfaction beyond words. In spite of their hard times, they give to others who are blessed by it.

3.  Verses  23-40

a.   What is the main topic in this section?                         (verses 23-40)

It is mostly about the  those who have God in their lives and the blessings they receive from God in spite of their circumstances.

b.  What do we see about a person who follows the Lord?        (verse 23)

God guides and leads His people…He delights in them and they delight in Him.

c. What promise do we see concerning those who follow the Lord?          (verse 24)

If they slip up and fall, God will pick them up and give them another chance.

d.   What does John tell us about this same thing?            (1 John 1:8-9)

We cannot help sinning but we are to confess it and God will forgive and cleanse us

e.  What does God do for His people?                     (verses 25,28)

He never forsakes His people and always provides their daily needs.

f.  What is the responsibility of God’s people?                    (verses 26-27)

They are blessed when they are merciful and kind to others, and are to walk in the ways of the Lord.

g. What does it mean when it says the righteous will inherit the land? What land?       (verses 29, 34; Romans 8:17; Hebrews 12:22-23)

God gives his children the promise of eternal life and a home in heaven…it is a spiritual land that we inherit and one which will never fade away.

h.   What is the end of those who throw God out of their lives?(verses  35-36, 38; Luke 16:19-31)

Even if they flourish while on earth, their end is destruction and torment

i.   What are the characteristics of those who belong to the Lord?               (verses 30-40)

They speak wisdom and know God’s Word; they have the peace of God in their lives; the Lord is their strength in bad times and God will help and deliver them. They have confidence in Him at all times.

Psalm Thirty-eight….(verses 1-22)

The Desperate  Man

O Lord don’t  rebuke or chasten me,

For all my sin and iniquity

I know I’m a fool and mourn each day,

I am feeble and broken within my way.

You know I’m weak and stand alone,

My friends no  longer  do me own.

There are those who seek  my  life,

They seek my hurt and  lies are rife..

I can only hope in You O Lord,

I seek Your face in true accord;

I’m sorry for my sin that’s clear,

Forsake me not and keep me near;

Make haste to help me O my  King,

Help me Your praises  always  bring.

1.  Verses  1-22

a.   How was David feeling here?      (verses 1-10)

He was really down to it and quite depressed….he didn’t feel well and it seemed to him that God had left him in his misery.

b.  How did he feel that others viewed him?        (verses  11-14)

All his friends and those who knew him wouldn’t have anything to do with him and kept away from him and he wasn’t talking to any of them.

c.   Have you ever felt like this? Is it wise to do this?     (6:6)

It is hard not to do this when we are feeling down to it, but we have to pull ourselves out of this mind set and count our blessings. We have to make a point of speaking to those we feel have been talking about us and make them talk to us. Otherwise things go from bad to worse.

d.  How did David tackle his problem?                     (verses 15-17)

He turned to the Lord and told Him all about it.

e.  What did he specifically mention?                    (verse 18)

He didn’t try to put the blame on the others but confessed he could have been wrong.

f. What are we told to do in similar circumstances?                 (Philippians 4:6; 1 John 1:9)

We are told to not worry and stew about it but to take it all to the Lord in prayer, and confess that we could be wrong too.

g.   David still felt that there were more than ever who were against him and who misunderstood him….how did he finish this psalm up?       (verses 19-22)

He begged God to not forsake him, but to help him bear the problem until it was fixed.

h.   What comfort can we take in times like this?               (1 Peter 5:6-7)

We are to keep ourselves humble before God, willing to admit where we are wrong, and then to throw all our concerns onto Him and leave them there because He cares for us more than we think.

Psalm Thirty-nine….(verses 1-13)

The Heeding  Man

Help me heed God’s ways each  day,

And do my best to walk His way;

Help me to keep my mouth shut tight,

Yet be quite clear when to speak right,

I know my life on You depends,

I know my days will one day end,

My hope is in Thee O my Lord,

All that I prize is in Thee stored.

You correct and chasten me,

You show me my iniquity,

You hear my prayer when I cry sore,

You’ll  give my needs till I’m no more.

1.  Verses  1-13

a.   What was David concerned about here?                (verse 1)

He felt he had said too much, and was determined he would keep his mouth shut.

b.  Is it always a good thing to say nothing on controversial topics?        (verses  2-3; Proverbs 22:17-21)

Not necessarily….if a person bottles up what they are thinking, it will upset them even more and maybe worse things will be said. Good advice may be heeded and people’s thoughts turned towards the things of God.

c.   What is a common saying about this matter?   

It only takes a good man to keep silent,  for evil to flourish!

d.   How does David view a man’s life?     (verses 4-6)

He was getting towards the end of his life and it seemed so much shorter and what had gone before counted for nothing….gathering up wealth  did him no good because he didn’t know how it would be spent when he was gone!

e.  What did he feel was the only certain thing in this life of vanity and futility?       (verse 7; 62:7)

All his hope was in God….He was the Rock he depended on.

f.  What was David asking God for?                    (verses 8-10)

To be delivered from his sins and to take away his trouble because he felt consumed by it.

g. Does God allow His people to get away with doing wrong? What does He do?   (verse 11; Hebrews 12:5-11)

When God’s people go the wrong way, He brings them back to Himself by chastening  (correcting) them just as an earthly father does with his children. David realised he wasn’t as smart as he thought he was!

h.   What was David’s final prayer here?       (verses 12-13)

He asked God to listen to his prayer, and not to take notice of his tears, but to spare him so he could be strong enough to sort things out before he died.

Psalm Forty….(verses 1-17)

The Caring One

       I waited for my God and Lord,

He heard my call and on me poured,

His love and care on me the day,

                                                     He lifted me from  miry clay.

He set my feet upon the Rock

And from wrong ways, my feet He blocked.

He changed my ways, gave me a song.

I am so blessed to Him belong.

I cannot count His thoughts to me,

More than numbers that can be;

Burnt off’rings now will do no good,

Help me to offer what  I should.

My Saviour came to do Your will,

Help me likewise to do it still;

I’ve told Your faithfulness and love,

And how Your Son came from above,

Yet still I can fall into sin,

Deliver me from bad within;

When I seek You I do rejoice,

Help me O Lord to hear Your voice!!

1.  Verses  1-17

a.   What sort of picture was David portraying here?                (verses 1-2; 69:1-4)

He is showing how that as he waited on God, he felt as though he was taken out of a horrible bottomless pit and put on a solid rock with secure footing.

b.  What did God give him in the place of his previous feelings?                       (verse  3a)

God gave him a new song and he was now able to sing praises to God

c.   What was the result of this?                              (verses 3b-4)

Many others would see the difference in him and would also turn to the Lord and be blessed.

 d.   What direction does David’s thinking turn now?                   (verse 5a)

He started thinking about God’s wonderful works and how much He (God) thinks about His people.

e.  What does he say about God’s thoughts?               (verse 5b; 139:17-18)

The amount that God thinks about His people is more than can be counted! It is mind boggling and beyond our comprehension!

f.  What do the next three verses break into?  (verses 6-8; Mark 14:34-36; Hebrews 10:4-10)

The things that David was feeling for himself were actually a prophecy of how the Son of God would feel and say many years later.

g. When a person wants to do what God wills, what is involved?             (verses 9-10; Matthew 28:19-20)

God’s will is that His Word will be spread around, and we will want to help do this.

h.   What are some practical ways that we can do this?               (Colossians 3:17, 23)           

We are not all able to go to other places to be missionaries, but we can support those who do go in prayer and finances. We are to be a good example to all those who know us so  they can see we are different and have a different outlook on life. We don’t have to do great things as there are many little ways we can encourage others; we can do whatever comes to our notice for the Lord.

i.   David goes on to say that he felt surrounded by those who wished to destroy him….how does he finish this psalm?               (verses 16-17)

He turned his thoughts towards God and asked for help to be delivered.

Psalm Forty-one….(verses 1-13)

The Dependable  One

The Lord will keep me and preserve,

More than  I  could e’er deserve,

He strengthens and will make me well,

More times than I can ever tell;

My Lord shows grace  in spite of sin,

My enemies seek  to o’er me win;

Those who hate me whisper and plot,

They say, “He’s sick, he rises not!”

                                                   Even friends lift up their heels,

They do not care just how I feel;

On You O Lord, I can depend,

You’ll raise me up until the end!

By this I know you  favour me,

Help me to have integrity,

I bless You Lord for keeping me,

Evermore, eternally!

1.  Verses  1-13

a.   Who is David talking about in these verses?                (verses 1-3)

He is talking about those  who consider those less advantaged than themselves, and how they would be blessed and preserved from their enemies and sicknesses….maybe he was actually thinking of himself in that category.

b.  What state of health does David seem to be in this psalm?                       (verses 4-8)

It seems that he was feeling depressed and ill…he confessed that he had sinned, and he thought that everyone else seemed to be against him.

c.   Did he feel he could trust anyone?                              (verses 6-8)

No, he thought everyone was gossipping about him.

 d.   What hurt David the most?                                   (verse 9)

Even his best friend (and his son) had turned against him.

e.  Who else does this remind us of?               (Matthew 26:20-25)

It was exactly the same for our Lord when Judas, one of His own disciples, plotted to betray Him to His enemies.

f.  Who did David turn to in his time of depression?       (verses 10-11)

He turned to the Lord and had confidence that He would lift him up and favour him.

g. How did he feel that God regarded him?                       (verse 12)

He knew that God knew his heart and mind and that he would be set before Him forever.

h.   What did this knowledge result in?               (verse 13 )          

He praised and blessed the Lord God of Israel….he could go no higher

i.   How did Paul put similar thoughts?               (Romans 11:33-36)

He was overwhelmed and mind-boggled when thinking about God’s grace to wicked mankind and broke into this paean of praise….

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

        For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counsellor?

    Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

        For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Psalm Forty-two….(verses 1-11)

The Depressed Man

I’m in the dumps, I need You Lord,

My soul it pants, I can’t afford,

To not bring You my worried fears,

Troubles, trials and all my tears.

I come to you with those who praise,

Who love You dear in all their ways;

My soul is down, what shall I do?

It seems Your waves and billows too,

Have rolled o’er me and yet I know,

Your loving kindness You will show;

You are my Rock, and stay alway,

Why should I mourn when I can pray?

Though enemies of fear and doubt,

Come daily yet I’ll cast them out;

I have no need to be depressed,

I’ll praise my God Who has me blessed

1.  Verses  1-11

a.   How does David feel here?                (verses 1-2)

He feels dry spiritually and in need of  water from God

b.  Where can we find this spiritual water when we are feeling like this?       (John  4:10, 13-14; Revelation 22:17)

Jesus Christ is the One who gives this spiritual water to those who ask. As we drink of His Word (the Bible), so our souls are satisfied.

c.   How did David feel when he was down in the dumps ?                   (verse 3)

He didn’t feel that God was with him and couldn’t answer those who taunted him.

 d.   How did he get himself out of that feeling?                           (verse 4)

He went with those who worshipped God and was able to praise God once more.

e.  What can we do when we are like this?                  (verse 5; Hebrews 12:12)

We are to pull ourselves together and fix our minds on God and what He has done for us!

f.  David seemed to go from one high to another with the depths in between….how was he feeling in verse 7? What does this remind us of?                  (Mark 14:33-34)

He felt as though all God’s waves were  buffeting and drowning him. This was how the Lord Jesus was feeling the night He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane.

g. In spite of bad circumstances how can we still feel?                       (verse 8)

We can still see God’s goodness to us somewhere during each day and think of all that He has done during the night when we can’t sleep; we can still pray to Him no matter how bad things are.

h.   What can we pray to God about in times like these?               (verses  9-10)           

We can tell Him exactly how we are feeling, even down to asking if He has forgotten us; we can tell Him how bad we are feeling and how others seem to be against us.

i.   How does David finish up this psalm?               (verse 11)

By pulling himself together from his depressing thoughts and telling himself to start praising God.

j. How can we learn to do this?                (Colossians 3:15-16)

By being thankful for the blessings we do have and listening to Christian music (if possible) or at least singing to yourself even if you don’t feel like it.

Psalm Forty-three….(verses 1-5)

      The Pleading Man

       O God as judge, You’re always right,

 You save me with Your hand of might,

Why do I feel You’ve cast me away,

Why do I mourn when I could pray?

Grant that now by Your truth be led,

That  now Your light  on me  be shed;

1.  Verses  1-5

a.   What is David asking God to do for him here?                (verse 1)

He is asking God to judge him, to be his advocate and to deliver him.

b.  Notice the order of these things….what is significant about this?       (1 John 1:9)

We have to be clean from sin before God can act on our behalf and before He can deliver us.

c.   Who was David’s strength, and how was David feeling about this ?                   (verse 2)

He knew God was his strength, but he felt that He was far away from him.

 d.   What was David’s antidote for this feeling?                           (verses 3-4)

He asked God to send him some light on the subject, and said he would go to the place of worship and praise God.

e.  Where do we get light from the Lord?                    (119:105; John 8:12)

We get it from God’s Word….by reading it and taking in what Jesus Christ has said.

f.  How did David lift himself out of his discouragement?                  (verses 4-5)

By praising God and having his thoughts towards Him

Psalm Forty-four….(verses 1-26)

     The Forgotten Man….

We know how God worked in days of old,

He drove out heathen with sword so bold,

He was our King and gave us strength,

To take the land in all its length;

But when we sinned He cast us away,

He made us like sheep to be killed each day,

A reproach to those near, a derision and scorn,

These are the things that we long had borne.

Because we forgot the Name of our God,

And in His ways no longer we trod,

But if  for His  sake, we were killed all day long,

 We became like sheep that were sold for a song,

 1.  Verses  1-26

a.   What is David talking about here?                (verses 1-3)

He is telling God how he remembers what He did in times past in bringing His people into the land of Canaan with a mighty hand because He wanted to.

b.  Because of all this, what was David going to do?       (verses 4-8)

David was making God his King and with His help he was going to win battles….he wasn’t going to trust in his own strength!

c.   How can we relate this to ourselves ?                   (34:14-18)

God is our King and with His help we won’t allow our enemies of fear, doubt and whatever else puts us down, to  overcome us….it is only God who can give the victory. We have to consciously turn from the thoughts that would swallow us up and fix our minds on what God has done for us…we have to confess our sins and God will hear us and deliver us from these negative thoughts.

 d.   What are these verses saying?                           (verses 9-16)

That God has turned against His people and everything is going wrong for them.

e.  David doesn’t say why this seems so, but what reason is there for God doing this?  (Jeremiah 16:10-12)

It was because they had turned away from God in the first place and worshipped other gods and idols.

f.  What is the reason for God not hearing OUR  prayers?                  (66:18)

God will not hear our prayers if we deliberately continue to sin against Him.

g.  Did God know the state of the people’s hearts?                       (verses 20-21; 139:1-4)

Yes, God knew their every thought and intention.

h.   What is David’s final cry to God?               (verses  23-26)          

Why are You still asleep O God and don’t see our plight? We are done and thrown down to the ground…come to our aid and redeem us in Your mercy!

i.   What can we cry to God when He seems far away from us?   (139:23-24; 1 John 1:9)

We can start off by confessing our sin and ask Him to search our hearts and show us what is wrong.

Psalm Forty-five….(verses 1-17)

The Royal One.

I am thinking of matters so high and good,

Things concerning the King as I should,

He is fairer than all without compare,

Full of grace and blessings with all to share;

In might and glory, majestic and meek,

To You O Lord our praises we speak,

Your throne O God is for eternity,

Your sceptre glitters in true dignity,

You are surrounded with  gladness and joy,

With praises and songs all tongues will employ.

The ivory palaces where sweet scents abound,

The queen and her maids in music resound;

The King is  their Lord, their clothing is gold,

And all is eternal where nothing grows old,

With gladness and joy they come to their Lord,

Into His presence, and  kept by His sword,

His Word is their guide, to Him they are loyal,

He’s made them a kingdom, lasting and royal.

 1.  Verses  1-17

a.   Who is David talking about here?                (verses 1-2)

He is talking about a king who is the most beautiful of all, One who has more grace than anyone else and who God has blessed for ever.

b.  Who is this to the believer?                                   (John 1:14; 1 Timothy 6:14b-16)

The Lord Jesus is our King, and full of grace and truth.

c.   What attributes do we see concerning this One ?                   (verses 3-4)

He is the mighty conquering One surrounded with glory and majesty, and also covered with truth, meekness and righteousness.

d.   What is used to subdue the king’s enemies?         (verse 5)

He sends his arrows into the hearts of his enemies.

 e.   What sort of arrows do we see the Lord Jesus using in the hearts of those who resist Him?   ( John 16:7-11; Acts 9:1-6)

The arrows of conviction until they refuse Him beyond His help.

f.  How does David address this One who is King? What does he say about Him?             (verses 6-7)

He says He is eternal; He is righteous (holy) and hates wickedness; He is joyous above all others.

g.  What do we see was used for the King’s women folk?                       (verses 8-9)

They were clothed with sweetly scented clothes and were all highly regarded.

h.   How does God view His people today?    (2 Corinthians 2:14-15; Revelation 8:3-4)          

As a sweet fragrance rising to praise Him.

i.   The writer of this psalm moves away from the King now and talks about His loved one…what is this lady’s focus to be  now she belongs to the King?               (verses 10-11)

She is to leave her old ways and to  be loyal to her Lord.

j. How can we relate this to the believer?                (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

We belong to the Lord now in body, soul and spirit and are to yield totally to Him, and are to be transformed into His image, leaving the things of the world behind us.

k.   What do we see in verse 11? How does this relate to God’s people today?      (Ephesians 5:24-30)

We see a picture here of a couple deeply in love…. the King loves his beautiful wife, and she in turn reveres and worships Him. This is how God’s people today should respond to Him. Marriage is a picture of this and when divorce comes onto the scene it breaks down the imagery that God wants to present to the world and unseen hosts.

l.  The rest of the psalm depicts the wedding feast and how the bride has prepared herself for this….what parallel do we see in the New Testament to this ?           (Revelation 19:6-9)

We read about the marriage supper of the Lamb as He gathers His wife to Himself and she will be with Him for ever.

m. What emotions will this bring to all participants?      (verse 15; Revelation 21:2-5)                

There is joy and rejoicing in the presence of the King, and there will be no more tears or sadness, gripes or grumbles ever again!

n.  What will be the overall response of God’s people in that day?           (verse 17)

Continual praise to their God for ever and ever!

Psalm Forty-six….(verses 1-11)

The Safe One.

God is our Refuge and place of all Strength,

In the world’s breadth and all of its length,

We need have no fear, tho’ the earth be removed,

Though waters are troubled, they just merely prove,

That God’s in control of the earth and the sea,

And  has been since past eternity.

As for the future, there’s the City of God,

Where His saints of old have ever trod,

The rivers and streams in abundance flow,

We’ll never be moved as the ages go,

The Lord of Hosts is with us for aye,

He is our Refuge as day goes by day,

Come and behold the works of the Lord,

The beauties and gladness that He will afford,

 1.  Verses  1-11

a.   What statement does David make here?                (verse 1)

God is there as our back-up and strength, He is our helper!

b.  What does this mean to His people?                  (verses 2-3)

Even in the most extreme conditions, we do not need to be afraid.

c.   What contrast do we see  next ?                   (verse 4)

From times of turmoil and trouble, we go to a place where there is a placid river flowing that can supply all our needs and where God’s city is situated.

d.   Who is in the centre of this and what do we learn about it?         (verses 5-6)

God is there in the centre and nothing can move His people, no matter what rages around the outside of it.

 e.   How can we take the next statement ?                      ( verse 7)

With the utmost confidence….God is with us as our Refuge, and that settles the mnatter!

f.  What is the aftermath of war?             (verses 8-9)

When war stops, desolation covers the area….everything is destroyed.

g.  What do we have to do to experience God’s presence?                       (verses 10-11)

We have to take the time to be still and read His Word and meditate on it. If we are too busy to do this, we will never know God’s presence or learn His word.

Psalm Forty-seven….(verses 1-9)

The Greatest One.

O clap your hands, give triumphant shout,

Your God is awesome, the greatest about,

He is  the greatest o’er the earth,

He’s the Majestic One of  worth;

As the shout of  trumpets sound,

Echoing  to His praise around,

God is the greatest King of all,

On earth’s unceasing orbiting ball.

He reigns o’er all upon His throne,

Both heathen nations and His own,

Will one day gather to exalt His  Name,

Some to glory and some with shame.

1.  Verses  1-9

a.   What does David tell people to do here?  What else do we read of doing this? (verse 1; 98:8)

He tells them to clap their hands and to praise God loudly…. not only people, but creation as well is to rejoice and praise God.

b.  How does David describe God here?                  (verse 2)

As the Lord most High; He is the most awesome Being there is and is King of all the earth.

c.   What does God do for His people ?                   (verses 3-4)

He subdues those around them, and gives them the inheritance that He has promised them.

d.   What about us today?         (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 1:11)

All of God’s people have the promise of an inheritance that God has for His people through what Jesus Christ has done on the cross.

 e.   What do we see in the next few verses ?                      ( verses 5-7)

We see that God is the Victor and reigns supreme….His people know this and sing  His praises for ever!

f.  What is mentioned about those who do not belong to the Lord?             (verse 8; Philippians 2:9-11)

God still reigns over them, and has the last word with their destination; they will all bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord which gives glory to God.

g.  Which people are mentioned in verse 9? How do we today relate to Abraham?   (Galations 3:28-29)

The people of the God of Abraham and their princes are mentioned, and we are told that all those who believe today are part of the same promises that Abraham received.

Psalm Forty-eight….(verses 1-14)

 The Everlasting  One.

The Lord is great and to be praised,

His city leaves us all amazed,

It’s beauty great, the joy of earth,

God is there, the King of worth;

Others saw and passed aside,

They feared to enter right inside.

Your loving kindness is there shown,

Joy and gladness ever known.

We’ll praise our God with all our breath,

He’ll be our guide until our death!

 1.  Verses  1-14

a.   What does this psalm open with?              (verses 1-2)

Praising God for his greatness and for the city He has prepared.

b.  David called the city of Jerusalem by the name of Zion, but what does the name “Zion” denote to believers today?                  (verse 2; Hebrews 12:22-24)

The term “Zion” refers to God’s people as a corporate body….it is because God lives in His people whether they are on earth or in heaven. A city is people, not buildings.

c.   What is the centre, and protector, of this city ?                   (verse 3)

God is the centrepiece of His city.

d.  How do the people of the world regard this city of God?         (verses 4-5)

They don’t understand how people can enjoy listening to God’s Word or follow a good upright and moral life, and they keep away from it….they are almost afraid of it.

e.   What is an inevitable result for the world ?                      ( verses 6-7)

Just as a pregnancy ends in a birth with great pain, so the things and economy of the world will end up being destroyed.

f.  What is the contrast between that and the city of God?             (verse 8)

God’s city is established for ever

g.  What is God’s city characterised by?                 (verses 9-10; Revelation  21:2-5, 23-24)

Love, kindness, praise and righteousness; it is brand new, filled with a glorious light, and everything negative  that we have known on earth will be done away with.

h.   What will God’s people be doing there?  (verses 11-14; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Ephesians 2:7)           

They will be rejoicing in the Lord and praising Him, and walking from place to place discovering more and more of what God’s grace means to them…we cannot even begin to comprehend now, the things that God has prepared for His people, any more than a caterpillar knows what it is like to fly like a butterfly!

Psalm Forty-nine….(verses 1-20)

The Rich  Man.

Hear this you people living here

All people in the world give ear,

I’m telling you with all my heart,

To  trust in God and take a part;

For those who trust in only wealth,

Will find their soul soon has no health;

They cannot save their brother’s soul,

They cannot make him to be whole.

No matter who, we all must die,

And meet our Maker up on high,

Our wealth is left with what we’ve gained,

And others waste all that remained.

People think to leave their name,

On their estates will keep their fame,

Riches cannot take their soul,

To the One who makes them whole.

Tis God who only can redeem,

Who takes us into heaven’s gleam.

Do not fret o’er those made rich,

They cannot take with them  one stitch!

Their glory fades and fame will pale,

For in their death all else will fail.

They are no better than a beast,

That perishes with all that’s least.

 1.  Verses  1-20

a.   What does David call for here?              (verses 1-3)

He is calling for all the people, both rich and poor, high and low, to listen to the wisdom that he gives.

b.  In what form does he give this?                  (verse 4)

He talks in parables and songs with his harp.

c.   How did the Lord Jesus talk to the people of His day ?                   (Matthew 13:34-35)

He spoke to the people in parables about things they could understand.

d.  Why is this important for us to know?    

We are to keep things simple if we are talking to people, because otherwise we could be talking above their heads….object lessons and stories can take them from things they can see and know to spiritual truths they have not thought of before.

e.   What do rich people trust in ?                      ( verse 6)

They trust in their wealth to get them where they want to go.

f.  What sort of things can money NOT buy?             (verses 7-8)

Money can’t buy salvation for themselves or for their families; money cannot guarantee happiness or love in marriage or relationships; it can’t bring good health; it can’t keep off old age.

g.  What is the only thing that can redeem a soul in God’s sight?           (1 Peter 1:18-19)

It is only as a person trusts in the precious blood of Jesus Christ that He gave on the cross, that a person can be redeemed and made acceptable to God.

h.   What does David say about people dying?               (verses 10-14)           

He points out that all men will die one day and leave what they have gained to others….they like to think that something  of themselves will carry on after their death.

i.   What confidence did David have about dying?  What can believers feel about death?      (verse 15; 1 Corinthians 15:51-56; Philippians 1:21-23)

David knew that when he died he would go to be with God; believers have the sting taken away from the fact of dying by Jesus Christ ; believers have the confidence that when they die they will be with Christ which is far better.

j. How are we to feel about people who are rich?                (verses 16-20)

Rich people can take no more with them into death than anyone else; those who do not know Christ have no more hope than an animal does.

k.   What did Jesus Christ teach about rich men who died without God?      (Luke16:19-31)

He told this story about the rich man who went to hell and was in torment, and who wanted his brothers to be warned against going there. Jesus said that if they didn’t believe the Scriptures which they had, they would not believe if someone went back from the dead and warned them.

Too many people take verse 20 to mean that there is nothing after death, that man dies like a dog, but that is not what Jesus Christ taught, and He knew what the after life is all about.

Psalm Fifty….(verses 1-23)

The Sufficient One

The Mighty God has called today,

He calls the earth to go His way;

God’s voice is heard from Zion’s tower,

He shows from heav’n His mighty power;

God calls to those who claim His name,

To those who say they know His fame.

“I need no bulls given from your house,

For all are mine from cow to mouse;

All I want is you to give  thanks

This means far more than cash in banks;

Call on Me in troubled days,

I will deliver in all your ways,

To Me you will all glory give,

Remember this the days  you live”.

The wicked hate my laws and rules,

They are no more than silly fools;

They go with thieves and prostitutes,

And from their mouths come evil fruits;

Dirty jokes,  and sland’rous lies.

One day I’ll  show before all eyes,

Stop and think before you  die,

Remember Me to glorify;

Give me the praise and speak aright

Then you’ll be saved and see My light!

 1.  Verses  1-23

a.   What does David say about God here?    (verse 1; Genesis 1:14-16)

God is the mighty One who created all things…He spoke and it was done! He created the sun, moon and stars just by speaking! We cannot comprehend it.

b.  What is God’s greatest creation of all?     (verse 2; Ephesians 5:25-27)

It is His people of all ages that make up the city of Zion…God in Christ gave himself for His people; He has set them apart from other people, and cleanses them so that they become without spot in His sight. Verse  two says it is the perfection of beauty, and  in  Ephesians it says that God’s people are glorious. Let us BE now what we ARE!

c.   How does God’s holiness show itself ?    (verse 3; Exodus 3:2-6; Hebrews 12:29)

God’s holiness is so great that it is like a fire that consumes every bit of evil and surrounds Him. Evil cannot exist in the presence of God.

d.  What shows God’s righteousness?         (verses 4-6)

The heavens above and creation around proclaims that God is right, true and mighty.

e.   What does God say in this next passage about sacrificing to Him ?        ( verses 7-13)

He says that He really doesn’t want or need the sacrifice of animals….after all, all the animals in the world are His by right of creation, man can’t do anything to help God.

f.  How does the writer to the Hebrews expand on this thought?             (Hebrews 10:3-14)

He says that the blood of animals will never take away sin, it only covered them for a year. It is only the blood of Christ that can take away man’s sin and give him a clean and fresh start, and this can only work as a person acknowledges his need of this.

g.  What does David go on to say that a person should do?           (verse 14; 107:22)

We are to give God the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and to see that we keep our promises to Him.

h.   What is God’s response to this?               (verse 15)           

He  points out that all men will die one day and leave what they have gained to others….they like to think that something  of themselves will carry on after their death.

i.   What confidence did David have about dying?  What can believers feel about death?      (verse 15; 1 Corinthians 15:51-56; Philippians 1:21-23)

David knew that when he died he would go to be with God; believers have the sting taken away from the fact of dying by Jesus Christ ; believers have the confidence that when they die they will be with Christ which is far better.

j. How are we to feel about people who are rich?                (verses 16-20)

Rich people can take no more with them into death than anyone else; those who do not know Christ have no more hope than an animal does.

k.   What did Jesus Christ teach about rich men who died without God?      (Luke16:19-31)

He told this story about the rich man who went to hell and was in torment, and who wanted his brothers to be warned against going there. Jesus said that if they didn’t believe the Scriptures which they had, they would not believe if someone went back from the dead and warned them.

m. What emotions will this bring to all participants?      (verse 15; Revelation 21:2-5)               

There is joy and rejoicing in the presence of the King, and there will be no more tears or sadness, gripes or grumbles ever again!

n.  What will be the overall response of God’s people in that day?           (verse 17)

Continual praise to their God for ever and ever!