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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