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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