Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Psalms 18:1-30

Study 11  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 18:1-30

1. David begins by expressing his love for the Lord (verses 1-3). God was to him a rock, fortress, shield and stronghold.  What are the equivalent defences and securities in which men trust today? Is God to you all that these can give, and more?  Cf. Hab. 3:17, 18; Heb. 13: 5, 6.
2. From David’s testimony concerning God’s answer to his prayer, what can we learn as to (a) God’s power to help, (b) the sort of person God will help, and (c) the reasons why this help will be forthcoming?

Notes

1. Verses 9-16 are probably not intended to be taken literally, but as a poetic description in vivid imagery of the strength and majesty with which God came to David’s aid.
2. Verse 29a. There is a possible allusion here to 1 Sa. 30:8; and in verse 29b to 2 Sa. 5:6, 7

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Psalm 17

Study 10  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 17

1. In verses 1-7 on what two grounds does David base his plea? Cf. 1Jn. 3: 21, 22.
2. Contrast the inward character, the aims and the actions of David and his enemies as revealed in this psalm. In what ways do you resemble David, and in what ways his enemies?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Psalms 15 and 16

Study 9  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalms 15 and 16

1. Go through Ps. 15 verse by verse, and use it as a test for your own life and holiness.  Then turn to 1 Jn. 1:8, 9.
2. What according to Ps. 16 are the marks of the believing man (verses 1-4)? What his privileges (verses 5-8)? And what his prospects (verses 9-11)?

Notes

1. 15:5a. Cf. Lv.25:35-38; Dt. 23:19, 20. The laws against usury were enacted more as a protection of the poor than against the legitimate use of capital in the interests of trade. Cf.. Mt. 25:27.
2. 16:10. Quoted by Peter (Acts 2:27) and by Paul (Acts 13:35) with reference to Christ. As with Ps. 15, the psalm is fulfilled in Him, and in us through Him.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — Psalms 13 and 14

Study 8  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalms 13 and 14

1. In Ps.13 what is David having to endure? And how does he avoid depression and despair?
2. What can we learn from Ps. 14 about the fundamental reasons why men say, “There is no God’? Cf. 2 Cor. 4:3, 4.  How should this affect our approach to such people? How are they sometimes made aware of the living God?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Hosea 13 and 14

Study 7 From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Hosea 13 and 14

This is the end of the study of the books of Amos & Hosea.  Tomorrow, we will go back to the Psalms. We will be studying Psalms 13-29. Then, we will start with Thessalonians books.

1. In what four ways is the coming judgment described in chapter 13 (verses 3, 7-8, 15, 16)? And what four reasons are given for this judgment (verses 1-2, 4-6, 9, 16)? What may we learn from this about the nature of sin?
2. Chapter 14 describes the final triumph of God’s love. What according to this chapter, does repentance involve (14:1-3, 8), and what is the divine response?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 6 — Hosea 11 and 12

Study 6 From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Hosea 11 and 12

In chapter 11 another aspect of God’s dealing with Israel breaks into view His persisting love. Judgement there must be (11:5-8), but God will not make a final end of His sinning people.

1. How was God’s love manifested in Israel beginnings?  See 11:1-4; cf. Dt. 7:6-8. How was this love still manifested, in spite of all His people’s backsliding?  See 11:8-11.
2. In chapter 11 God has spoken of His attitude to Israel; now in 11:12-12:2 He speaks of Israel’s attitude to Himself.  Then the prophet reminds the people of the very different history of their ancestor Jacob (12:3, 4).  What is the attitude to Himself which God desires (12:6; cf. 6:6; 10:12)? What, however was Israel’s response to all God’s pleadings (12:7-14)?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Hosea 9 and 10

Study 5  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Hosea  9 and 10

These chapters are prophecies of coming judgment, and show how the people’s sin will bring upon them (a) exile (9:1-8); (b) a diminished population (9:9-17); and (c) the destruction of both the sanctuaries and the throne, and the reducing of the nation to servitude (10:1-15).

1. 9:1-8. This passage was perhaps spoken at a religious festival, when people were making merry after the manner of the heathen. At their festivals (9:1). How does Hosea describe the changes that exile will bring?
2. 9:9-17. God Himself speaks.  He sees lust prevalent in the nation as in the most shameful days of Israel’s history. To what results would it lead?
3. What different kinds of sin are spoken of in chapter 10? What counsel does the prophet give as to the one way of escape from the coming judgement?

Notes

1. 10:1. ‘Pillars’: a common feature of a Canaanite shrine, imitated by the Israelites in their worship.
2. 10:5, 6. Cf. 1 Ki. 12:28, 29.
3. 10:10. ‘Their double iniquity’: perhaps meaning the sins of the throne and of worship.
4. 10:11. The position of Israel is to be changed from that of a heifer treading the threshing-floor and eating freely (Dt. 25:4) to the heavy labour of the yoke.
5. 10:14. ‘As Shalman destroyed Beth-Arbel’: the reference is uncertain. Shalman is probably the same as Shalmaneser, 2Ki. 17:3

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