Search The Scriptures —Study 108 — Psalms 133 and 134

Study 108 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 133 and 134

        1-   Ps. 133. By what two similes does the psalmist depict the blessings of love and unity? What is the force of these similes? Cf. Jn. 13:34, 35; 1 Jn. 2:7-11.

         2-   Ps. 134. Note the ‘two-way traffic’ sustained in the house and from the city of the Lord. Where ought we to go to share in it? Cf. Heb. 10:24, 25; 12:22-24.

Notes.

           1-   133:2, 3. These similes both indicate copiousness. The oil was poured upon Aaron’s head so plentifully that it reached even the collar of the robe.  The dew of Hermon was also noted for its abundance.

            2-   Ps. 134 is a Temple son, consisting of the call of the worshippers as they left the Temple in evening to priests who were to serve during the night, together with the priestly blessing in response. It forms an appropriate ending to the book of pilgrim songs. 

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Search The Scriptures —Study 107 — Psalm 132

Study 107 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 132

This is another psalm describing the procession into the Temple as the king enters for his coronation. With him he brings the ark, the symbol of God’s presence, as David did on the first occasion of this sort.

      1-   What lessons do we learn about the presence of God among His people? What did it mean to the king as he looked at his responsibilities for his own life and for the life of the nation? Cf. 2 Sa. 7:1-17.

       2-   How do failures to enjoy blessings and promises of this sort arise? See how some of the kings went astray (1 Ki. 11:1-6; 15:1-5; 2 Ki. 13:1-6).

Note. Verse 6. ‘Ephrathah’ is the ancient name of Bethlehem, the home of David (see NBD, p. 383), and ‘the fields of Jaar’ mean Kiriath-jearim (1 Sa. 7:1ff; 1 Ch. 13:5ff), where the ark rested before David brought it to Jerusalem

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Search The Scriptures —Study 106 — Psalms 130 and 131

Study 106  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 130 and 131

             1-   Study the psalmist’s attitude in prayer. On what things does he particularly concentrate (a) about himself, and (b) about God? How does his renewed contact with the Lord enable him to encourage others?

               2-   What four things does the psalmist say about himself in Ps. 131? Cf. Mt. 11:29; Phil. 4:11-13, 17, 18.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 105 — Psalms 127-129

Study 105 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 127 -129

        1-   Ps. 127 and 128. What is the secret of true prosperity?  Cf. Ps. 37:5-7; Pr. 3:5-8.

         2-   Ps. 129. What two permanent truths concerning the life of the servants of God in the world are here set forth? Compare the experience of the Servant in Is. 50:4-10, and the example of Jesus as the Servant of God in 1 Pet in 1 Pet. 2:19-23.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 104 — Psalms 124-126

Study 104 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 124 – 126

        1-   Ps. 124. What salutary reflections does the psalmist draw from the narrow escape that is past? How do past experiences buoy up present faith? What ought we to learn from them?

       2-   Of what two things did the mountain beneath, and the mountains around, Jerusalem speak to God’s people? With Ps. 125, cf. Dt. 33:27-29a.

       3-   In Ps. 126, what are the effects of God’s intervention? Note the significance of the illustrations used. What kind of hope does such recollections inspire?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 103 — Psalm 122 and 123

Study 103 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 122 and 123

                1-   Ps. 122. What is this pilgrim’s attitude to Jerusalem, and why does he obey the summons to come and to pray? Cf. Dt. 12:5-7; Ps. 87

             2-   According to Ps. 123, what is the best antidote to despondency? Cf. also Heb. 4:16.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 102 — Psalms 120 and 121

Study 102  From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 120 and 121

In Ps. 120-143 we have a book of pilgrim songs, probably used on the way up to Jerusalem for the great national festivals. Gradually the pilgrim approaches Zion where God is, and where the people enter afresh into the blessings of His love and redemption.

          1-   What does Ps. 120 teach about the menace of the tongue and the way of control? Cf. Ps. 141:3, and the very similar teaching in Jas. 3:1-12; 4:1-3.

           2-   In Ps. 121 the infinite concern and care of God is shown. How, when and where can a man look to this God? And what will He constantly do for us?

Note. 120:5. Meshech is somewhere between the Black sea and the Capian Sea (Gn. 10:2; Ezk. 27:13; 32:26); Kedar is a tribe of Bedouins in the Syrian-Arabian desert (Gn. 25:13; Is. 42:11). They are so far from one another that their significance here is probably a symbol of quarrelsome adversaries without any special reference to their geographical position.

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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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