Search The Scriptures —Study 101 — Psalm 119:153-176

Study 101 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 119:153-176

        1-   The writer continually prays for help and understanding (see verse 169), even though he has clearly been taught deep things already. What may we learn from this? See, e.g., verse 176; cf. Rev. 3: 17-19.

      2-   Why does the psalmist need God’s help? On what grounds does he expect his prayers to be answered? What is his reason for continual praise?

       3-   In verses 161-168, find at least three characteristics of the psalmist’s attitude to the Word of God, and three blessings which devotion to it brings into a man’s life. Cf. Pr. 3:1-4; 6:20-24.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 100 — Psalm 119:129-152

Study 100  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 119:129-152

         1-   List the terms in which the psalmist expresses his appreciation of God’s Word. What tests and demands does he find that it can stand up to? What does this awareness mean (a) to him, and (b) to you?

       2-   When did the writer set himself to pray and study, and what may we learn from the way he prayed? Are your requests as personal, definite and comprehensive?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 99 — Psalm 119:105-128

Study 99 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 119:105-128

   1-   The psalmist had pledged himself to be God’s servant (verse 106), but is tempted from several directions to go back on it. Which tests does he find hardest, and what is the way through them?

     2-   Verses 113-120. What does the psalmist say God is to him, and does for him? Can you make each of his statements your own?

     3-   Verses 121-128. In what matters is the psalmist conscious (a) of his dependence upon God only and (b) of the importance of his own obedience?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 98 — Psalm 119:81-104

Study 98  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 119: 81-104

       1-   Study the various aspects of the psalmist’s problems as described in verses 81-88. How is God’s Word relevant in these troubles?

      2-   Verses 89-96. How is it helpful to know that the author of these commandments and promises is the God of creation?

        3-   How do verses 97-104 illustrate from the psalmist’s experience that whole-hearted obedience is the practical condition for progress in knowing and understanding the truth? Cf. Jesus’s words in Jn. 8:31, 32.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 97 — Psalm 119:49-80

Study 97 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm119:49-80

         1-   How have sufferings been used for good in the life of the psalmist? How does this lead us forward in understanding why suffering sometimes comes? Cf. Je. 2:30; Heb. 12:6-11; Am. 4:6-11.

         2-   Each section begins with a statement about the Lord. How then is past experience of Him to be used in prayer, commitment and obedience?

         3-   What bearing have the commandments upon the relationships between God’s servant and others who fear Him? See verses 63, 74, 79.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 96 — Psalm 119:25-48

Study 96 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 119:25-48

     1-   In daily life the psalmist is confronted with many choices and subtle temptations. What are these, and how does the Word of God lead him (a) into the right choices, and (b) to victory in temptation?

      2-   For what motives and longings, described in this passage, do we particularly need to pray?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 95 — Psalm 119:1-24

Search The Scriptures —Study 95  — Psalm 119:1-24

The psalm consists of twenty-two stanzas of eight verses each, and goes through the Hebrew alphabet letter by letter. Each stanza begins with a new letter, and each verse in that stanza begins with that letter.

      1-   How must God’s Word be used so that a man may live a pure and sinless life? Conversely, what temptations have to be overcome so that our motives are right, both in coming to God and in living for Him? Cf. Jas. 1:21-25.

      2-   What compelling reasons urge the writer to study God’s law? In putting what we here read into practice, where is the responsibility for action ours, and in what matters must we look only to God?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 94 — Psalms 117 and 118

Study 94  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 117 and 118

Ps. 118 was used on a great Feast Day (verse 24). It opens with solemn liturgical exhortations and repeated responses. Then a kingly procession moves from outside the Temple (verse 19) to the interior (verse 26), culminating in a ceremony at the altar (verse 27). The king himself, entering into his victory celebration come through great struggles and opposition (verse 10-14, 18) to the gladness of victory and salvation (verse 21). This psalm, therefore, takes us to the center of Israel’s faith as a nation, and particularly to the triumph of her king.

       1-   In both psalms what truths about God particularly move the people, and how do they express their worship? What can we learn from their example?

        2-   Ps. 118:5-21. Examine in detail the more personal testimony of the king. What has he been up against? What has the Lord done for him? Have you any comparable testimony?

      3-   Study the use of Ps. 118:22-26 in its application to Jesus.  Cf. Mt. 21:9; Mk. 12:6-11; Acts 4:10-12; 1 Pet. 2:7.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 93 — Psalm 116

Study 93 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 116

While this psalm is written in the first person, there are indications that, like the other psalms of this group, it has a national character and sets forth the reaction of the nation to the deliverance from exile. At the same time it echoes the personal experience of any believer.

         1-   How did trouble test the faith of the writer, and what new realization did his experience bring?

       2-   What is shown about his prayer during the trouble and afterwards? What resolves and dedication sprang from his experience?

Note.  Verse 15. God sets a high value on the life of His people and does not regard their death lightly.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 92 — Psalms 115

Study 92  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 115

       1-   What answer is here given to idolaters who suppose that their gods are real, and that our God does not exist? Of what may we be sure concerning ‘our God’?

        2-   What ought this psalm to stir us to do? What concern and what resolve ought it to prompt in us?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 91 — Psalms 113 and 114

Study 91 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 113 and 114

Pss. 113-118 are psalms of redemption, the Hallel or Hymn of praise that was sung at Jewish festivals in time of Jesus. Looking back on God’s past acts of redemption, particularly in the exodus, the people, were encouraged to believe God would so act again. Jesus and His disciples may have sung these psalms at Passover as He Himself prepared for His act of redeeming us. (Cf. Mk. 14:26

     1-   Ps. What activities are here said to be characteristic of God? Cf. Lk. 1:46-55. What kind of response in terms of both time and place, should their acknowledgement secure from men?

   2-   Ps. 114. What features of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Canaan are referred to? Cf. Ex. 14-21, 22; 17:5, 6; 19:18; 33:14; Nu. 20:11; Jos. 3:14-17. To what truths were these events a permanent witness?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 90 — Psalms 111 and 112

Study 90  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 111 and 112

       1-   Ps. 111. What does the study of God’s works reveal about Him to those who make it their delight to examine them? What response to God should follow?

       2-   Ps. 112. What social and ethical obligations are laid on the man who wants to please God? Cf. Mi. 3:1-4; Je. 22:1-4, 16; Mk. 10:21. What blessings can such a man look for from God, in his own life and in his family’s? 

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Search The Scriptures —Study 89 — Psalm 110

Study 89 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 110

This psalm speaks of the enthronement of a king (cf. Ps. 2), and of God’s proclamation to that king. At the morning time (verse 3b) -symbolizing the newness of the era about to begin-a solemn procession (verses 3, 7) moves by way of the spring (verse 7; cf. 1 Ki. 1:33, 34, 45; 2 Ch. 32:30) to the coronation in the holy city. There the king, as God’s representative, begins his reign.

    1-   In detail, what hopes are expressed for this new epoch, with reference to (a) the rule of the king, and (b) the response from the people? Jesus applied this psalm to Himself in Mk. 12:35-37. How then is all this realized in His Messianic kingship over us and the world?

    2-   Study the use of this psalm in the New Testament. No Old Testament verse is cited more often in the New Testament than Ps. 110:1 Cf. Mk. 14:62; I Cor. 15: 25ff; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:13; 10:12, 13. Of what are we thereby assured?

   3-   The promised king is also to be a priest but not a Aaronic one. How does the writer to the Hebrews expound verse 4? Cf. Gn. 14:17-24; Heb. 5:7-11; 6:20-7:28.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 88 — Psalm 109

Study 88  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 109

This psalm falls into three parts. Verses 1-5 are a prayer to God for deliverance from persecuting opponents. Retribution is then invoked by the psalmist (verses 6-20) upon the leader of his enemies and all that belongs to him. In the third section (verses 21-31) there is a return to prayer, culmination in thanksgiving and faith.

     1-   Verses 1-5. How does the writer show that he has a good conscience, and is not being opposed because of his own offensiveness or evil deeds? Compare Jesus’s attitude in parallel circumstance.  (Lk. 22:32-43; cf. also 1 Pet. 4:12-19).

     2-   Verses 21-31. Instead of himself taking revenge, the psalmist takes refuge in prayer. Study the attitude of prayer in these circumstances.

Note. Verses 6-20. The retribution invoked includes the man himself, his person and office, his wife and children his property and also his prosperity. The place and significance of the imprecatory psalm (of which this is one), as part of the fullness of revealed truth, belong to the general subject of the progress of revelation. It is to be remembered that in pre-Christian days New Testament standards were not yet, reveled. Old testament believers lived in a dispensation in which retribution was a fundamental principle.  Their very faith in a God of righteousness, who would reward the righteous and condemn the wicked, encouraged them to pray for His blessing upon themselves and for His vengeance upon their persecutors; and in this they had scriptural support (e.g., Lv. 24:19; Pr. 17:13). Retribution was therefore prayed for as part of the practical vindication of God’s actual and righteous sovereignty. Note here that the psalmist does not take vengeance himself, but leaves it to God. The New Testament teaches us also to love and pray for them that despitefully use us (Mt. 5:43-45; Rom. 12:19-21).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 87 — Psalm 108

Study 87 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 108

   The first five verses of this psalm are taken from Ps. 57:7-11 and the remainder from Ps. 60:5-12.

        1-   Verses 1-5. What moves the psalmist to such determined praise? How do these verses show us the way to appreciate and worship God, and to include praise as a vital part of our prayer?

        2-   Verses 6-13. In the agony of wondering whether God is helping them any longer, how does the psalmist anchor his faith? Cf. Heb. 6:17; 10:23; 13:5, 6.

Note. Verses 7-9. The promise God gave in the Temple enforces His sovereign claim over these territories. The mention of Shechem and Succoth emphasized God’s claim over both sides of Jordan (cf. Gn. 33:17, 18). Ephraim and Judah, paired, bind north and south. (For the sceptre see the promise of Gn. 49:10.)  Moab, Edom and Philistia are traditional enemies and hostile neighbours of Israel. A campaign against Edom seems to be in mind (verse 10).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 86 — Psalms 107:33-43

Study 86  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 107:33-44

11-   What is shown about God Himself and His love by these great acts of deliverance? What was required of men to enter into these experiences?

22 -   Study the evidences given here of God’s control of human experiences and circumstances. Cf. verse 34 with Joel 1:19, 20; 2:3; Dt. 29:22-26; and verse 35 with Is. 43:19, 20; 44:3.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 85 — Psalm 107:1-32

Study 85 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 107:1-32

This psalm has a general introduction (verses 1-3), then four examples showing God’s steadfast love (verses 4:32), and a conclusion summarizing what is learnt about God from these experiences (verses 33-43).

1 1-   What are the situations of difficulty from which God rescued His people? Study (a) the reasons for these difficulties, (b) the feelings of the people in them, and (c) the way in which they obtained relief.

    2-   What reactions are called for from those who have been delivered in these ways?

3 3-   How do some of the acts of Jesus show the same pattern as God’s acts here? Cf., e.g., verses 23-32 with Mk. 4:35-41; Mt. 14:22-33. What does this show us about Jesus?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — 1 Chronicles 29

Study 14  From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: 1 Chronicles 29

With this study, we end the book of 1 Chronicles. Tomorrow, we will go back again into the book of Psalms

1 1-    Study verses 1-9 as a lesson in giving to the Lord. What did David ask of the people, and on what grounds? What characteristics of their giving are specially emphasized? Cf. 2 Cor. 8:3-5; 9:7. Is our giving of similar quality?

2 2-    Consider in David’s prayer (verses 10-19) (a) what he says of God, (b) what he says of man and of his own attitude of heart, and (c) what he prayed for. Seek to learn from to enrich and enlarge your own praying.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — 1 Chronicles 28

Study 13 From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: 1 Chronicles 28

When David had done all the could in his private and personal capacity in preparation for the building of the Temple, he summoned an assembly of the leaders in all departments of nation’s life to commend the scheme to them, and, as the next chapter shows, was greatly gratified by their response.

1  1-    ‘I had it in my heart to… But God said to me, “You may not”’ (verses 2 and 3). Have we known some such experience in our service of God? How does David bring out that God’s plan was far better?

2  2-    There are two charges to Solomon in this passage, in verses 9, 10 and 20, 21.  Considering them together, (a) what was to be Solomon’s first duty, (b) what the character of the God with whom he had to do, (c) what the two grounds of his confidence, and (d) what consequently the manner and spirit of his service?  What lessons do you find in this for your life?

Note. Verse 19.  Notice the distinct claim here made that the pattern of the Temple and of its service was given to David by revelation.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — 1 Chronicles 25-27

Study 12   From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: 1 Chronicles 25-27

These chapters record the family divisions and the work of (a) the 4,000 choristers mentioned in 23:5 (see chapter 25), (b) the 4, 000 doorkeepers (26:1-19), and (c) the 6,000 officers and judges (26:20-32). All these were Levites. Chapter 27 records the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the monthly division, and the chief officers of state.

1  1-    Who were the three chief leaders of praise? See 25: 1; also 6:33, 39, 44;15:16, 17. Why is their ministry of praise called ‘prophesying’? Cf. Eph. 5:18, 19.

2  2-    Amidst the many differences of function and service described in these chapters, notice the way in which all contribute to the worship and honour of the Lord. What developments of this lesson do you find in the teaching about Christian service in Eph. 4:1-7, 11, 12; 1 Cor. 12:18-21?

Notes

1-    25:1. ‘The chiefs of the service’: the phrase seems to refer here to those in charge of the Temple staff’, ‘the authorities of the temple’ (Moffat).

2-    25:3. ‘Jeduthum’: elsewhere called ‘Ethan’. See 6:44; 15:17, 19.

3-    26:29. ‘Officers and judges’: the officers collected the tithes and other revenue and the judges gave judgement in matters of law.

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Introductory notes to chapter 23-27 – Before we tackle those studies

These five chapters describe how David and the leaders of the tribes organized

before David’s death the administration of the kingdom. The first matter taken in hand was the ministry of the priests and Levites, who had charge of the Temple and its worship and also administered judgment. This is set forth in chapters 23-26. Chapter 23 speaks of the Levites as a whole, chapter 24, of the priests (verses 1-19), and their attendants (verses 20-32). Then in chapter 27 are given in lesser detail the civil and military leaders of the nation other than Levites.

Study 11  From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: 1 Chronicles 23 and 24

Chapter 3, after telling of the assembly at which these matters were decided (verse 2), first gives the division of the Levites according to their work (verses 3, 4, and then their divisions according to families or house, as descended respectively from the three sons of Levi-from Gershom (verses 7-11), from Kohath (verses 12-20), and from Merari (verses 21-23).  The remainder of the chapter defines their duties. Chapter 24 speaks of those who served within the Temple, distinguishing between the sons of Aaron, who were priests (verses 1-19), and the rest, who were attendants of the priests (verses 20-31). Together these made up the 24, 000 of 23:4a.

1 1-    Compare the special duties of the priests (23:13-see Note below) with those of the other Levites who were not sons of Aaron. What part of the Levites’s former duties were now no longer necessary, and why (23:25-32)?

2 2-   Why has all this elaborate organization passed away? Cf.  Heb. 7:11-25. What has taken its place? Cf. Heb. 8:1, 2; 1 Pet. 2:4, 5, 9; Rev. 1:6.

Note. 23:13. ‘To consecrate…’ : better, ‘to sanctify as most holy him and his sons for ever’ as in RV mg. The burning of incense implies also the sprinkling of the blood of the atonement. Cf . Ex. 3010; Lv. 16:12-14.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — 1 Chronicles 22: 2-19

Study 10   From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: 1 Chronicles 22: 2-19

The thought of building a house for the Lord had been in Davids’ mind, but now the way for action was open. This passage tells of (a) the abundance of what David prepared; (b) his charge to Solomon; and (c) his charge to the leaders of the tribes.

1 1.     What may we learn form David’s high conception of the kind of building that alone would be worthy (verse 5), and from the abundance of his preparations? Contrast the spirit of the people in Malachi’s day (Mal. 1:6-8). What may we learn from David’s willing acceptance of God’s decision that not he, but Solomon, should build the Temple?

22.   Study David’s charge to Solomon and the people. What did he lay down as the all-important secrets of success? What were the people to do before undertaking the task of building (verse 19)? Cf. 2 Cor. 8: 5

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — 1 Chronicles 21:1 – 22:1

Study 9  From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: 1 Chronicles 21:1 – 22:1

1-    What circumstances, do you imagine, may have left David particularly prone to temptation at this time? Why was the numbering of the people displease God? Cf. Je. 17:5. What evidence do you find of the genuineness of David’s repentance? Cf.  2 Cor. 7:11.

2-    What two proofs are there in this passage of God’s forgiving mercy? Observe how God turned the incident into blessing by using it to show David the site of the Temple. Cf. 21:18, 22:1; 2 Ch. 3:1.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — 1 Chronicles 18-20

Study 8  From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: 1 Chronicles 18-20

1-    What indications do you find in chapter 18 concerning (a) David’s heart attitude towards God, and (b) the way in which he exercised authority as king? What in turn did God do for him? How? Then, did he come to the sad end described in 1 Ki. 2:31, 32, 34.

2-    How do chapters 19 and 20 show what grave consequences may arise out of a misunderstanding, and what retribution may result from an act of folly?

3-    What good qualities are seen in Joab in these chapters? How then, did he come to the sad end described in 1 Ki. 2:31, 32, 34.

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