Psalm 21
God delivers us
God answers prayer
God was here today, yesterday
God preserves us and gives life
God rewards us
God gives us joy
God guards us - defense
God sees our enemies
God is our avenger - offense
God’s wrath is never-ending
God prevents the enemies’ attacks
God subdues our enemies - retreat
God wants us to have fellowship with Him over success
Psalm 20:1-9
This Psalm is a prayer before the battle.
Will military strength alone win the battle?
There is always victory when we stand on the Lord’s side.
Deuteronomy 20:1-3 Moses tells the Israelites; God is with us. Do not be afraid of your enemies.
Verses 1-5: God’s people are praying for the King
1: The people pray for God to act. They know God has to work.
They know they have to rely on the God of Jacob. Jacob was a sinner, but still received God’s grace.
The people know that Jacob’s God is the same God that can help them.
2-4: worship and warfare go together
5: The people know they will win and rejoice before the battle begins
Verses 6-8: David is speaking in these verses
6: David knows God hears him and that God will win.
7: David knows God can be trusted in; not like the chariots and weapons.
David reminds us to not forget the name of the Lord of God.
8: David knows and tells people, the enemy will be brought down. He says to stand, they are the ones that are risen in the battle.
Verse 9 is David and all the people speaking
9: They make their request to God again to save them, and for God to hear them.
Psalm 19:14
Matthew 12:36 - Every idle word you speak, you will give an account for
We all have thoughts and conversations with ourselves going on in our head. They can be:
Good thoughts: I Samuel 30 - But David encouraged himself in the Lord.
Bad thoughts: 2 Kings 5:20 - Elisha instructs Naaman to dip in the Jordan River and is healed from his leprosy. Elisha refuses payment from Naaman; Gehazi goes to Naaman and accepts the reward with a lie to God and to people.
Meditations of the heart are very important.
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence.
David prays in this Psalm for accountability with the thoughts of his heart.
Psalm 19:7-13
vs 7: The laws of the Lord changes a person’s life
vs 8: Purity is important - The standard is God’s Word
vs 9: There is a right kind of fear - it never breaks, it’s always working
God’s Word is true
vs 10: God’s Word is to be desired
vs 11: God’s Word warns the servant to keep God’s Word - He gives us a great reward
vs 12: Veil of sin
vs 13: “Lord, I have a tendency to take things for granted.”
Psalm 19: 1-10
Verses 1-6: God’s glory is revealed in Creation
vs 1 - the heavens shout the glory of God. The firmament shows His handiwork
vs 2 - Day and night tells us of God’s incomprehensible knowledge
vs 3 - the language and message of Creation is a witness of God’s power and is universal, understood by all
vs 4 - The timing and order of the universe is set by God.
vs 5 - The sun is compared to a bridegroom and a strong man that has a purpose of running a strong race
vs 6 - The sun has order too. It gives heat and light to everything, but God created it that way
Verses 7-10 - God’s grace is revealed in His word.
vs 7 - God’s law is perfect, it converts the soul.
vs 8 - Rejoice in God’s statutes and His words
vs 9 - The fear of the Lord is clean. This fear motivates us to be more holy.
vs 10 - God’s word is more valuable than gold and it is sweeter then honey
Psalm 18:34-50
vs 34: The battle begins when we become a child of God
vs 35: God GIVES salvation, God’s hand holds us up
vs 36-38: God fights our battles or helps us fight it
vs 39-40: Sin caused him to take a stand
vs 41: They cried but no one could see them
vs 42-46: Look back and see how God has been with you
vs 47-48: He avenges my enemies
vs 49: He gives thanks among the heathen by giving testimony
vs 50: Sing praise to His name
Psalm 18: 4-33
vs 4 - Fear of God or the fear of man? (the fear of man brings a snare)
vs 5 - Death is certain
vs 6 - In my distress… I leaned upon God
vs 7 - David shook when he saw the Lord moving
vs 8 - God is powerful
vs 9-10 - God came just in time - right on time
vs. 11-12- God is bigger than storms that beset us
vs. 13-14 - God sends storms down on ungodly men
vs 15 - What is the cause of Heaven and Earth moving?
When Christians call out in need.
vs. 16-19 - He delivers us from difficult situations
vs. 20-21 - The Lord rewarded me (imputed righteousness)
vs. 22-23 - David has temptations and tests
vs. 24 - When I confess, I am clean
vs 25-26 - We received mercy so we need to give mercy
vs. 27 - It will come to pass
vs 28 - God will shine in our dark days
vs 29 - David never took credit for the good God did
vs. 30 - God always shows us the right way
vs 31-32 - His way is perfect
vs 33 - He maketh my feet as hinds feet (safe and fearless)
Psalms 18: 1-3
David’s attitude is:
The servant of the Lord
The emotions of love
vs. 1 - I love you. Lord, I am loving you.
love here is a unique word used for man’s love for God
other times it is used for God’s love for man
Psalm 103: 12-13, Psalm 116:5
vs. 2 - David describes his relationship with God
my strength
my rock
my fortress
my deliverer
my buckler
my shield
my high tower
vs. 3 - David looks back
I Timothy 6 - Flee temptations of worldly gain
Psalm 17
vs. 1-4: David’s Confidence
David wants God to hear his prayer.
Psalm 66 - If we regard iniquity in our heart, then God will not hear us.
Isaiah 1 - Disobedience from God’s commandments separates us from God
vs. 5-12: David’s Concern
David does not want to sin against God. David requests that God hear him and keep him from falling into sin.
vs. 13-15: David’s Comfort
David knows that he will be satisfied and not under affliction once he’s with God. It will be a better place then here on earth.
Psalm 16
Where is your joy?
Where do you long to be?
Is it with the Lord?
God’s promises are great and are found in Jesus. Find His promises in His Word.
Psalms 15
vs 1: Who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall abide in the holy hill?
Since Solomon’s temple had not been built yet, where is the holy hill?
The holy hill ends up to be where Ornan’s threshing floor was.
David sinned when he numbered his army. David wanted to give a sin offering to God, but the tabernacle
was in Gibeon, and the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem. Since these two items were separated, David didn’t know where to go to do his sacrifice.
David bought Ornan’s threshing floor to do his sacrifice at. This is the same hill that Abraham went to
sacrifice Isaac back in Genesis, and also this is Calvary’s hill where Jesus was crucified.
vs. 2-5: What do we do to have fellowship and a close relationship with God?
walk uprightly - this is your manner of living
work righteousness - do things Christ-like
speak truth in your heart - your heart is where your desires lie. Your desires will show outwardly without
words.
No backbiting, do not do evil towards neighbors
Despise vile people, honor those that fear God
Keep your promises
Do not take advantage of those that need money. Give loans without interest
Do not take bribes against innocent people
If you do these things you will never be moved from the fellowship of God.
Psalms 14
Chapter breakdown:
vs. 1-3: Mankind is corrupt apart from God
vs. 4-6: God is righteous
vs. 7: Jesus brings peace
1-3:
A fool says there is no God.
Deuteronomy 32:15 - in this verse, fool means “lightly esteemed”
Isaiah 64:6 - in this verse, fool means to “fade”
A fool is willfully morally deficient, but can be extremely intelligent. They reject God.
Jeremiah 9:23 - wise men should not glory in his wisdom
Jeremiah 10:10 - the Lord is the true God, everlasting King.
A fool is a man who rejects God, denies Creation.
Romans 1:18-20 - a fool holds truth in unrighteousness. God shows us truth, but they turn it into a lie.
Creation is clearly seen, they are without excuse. They have a foolish heart, they became fools when they reject what they know already true.
4:
All people know there is a God.
First Samuel 3:13 - God will hold people accountable for what they know. Every person has a knowledge of God.
5:
Saying no to God, will bring them in great fear because of their judgment to come from God.
6:
Fools shame the poor who call on God.
7:
Jesus will come and bring peace. Israel will be there.
Psalms 13:1-6
We are harboring sin and/or leaving it unchecked
We are failing to keep God in first place
God is testing us
David requests that God consider, hear him, and lighten his eyes
Without God we are helpless and hopeless.
Illumination comes from God revealing truth to us through the Holy Spirit.
Can we see truth apart from God? No.
Are you willing to trust Him even in the silence?
David is able to sing as he realizes he doesn’t have to endure these trials for eternity.
Don’t give up.
Trust God.
Ask Him to help you.
Psalms 12, I Samuel 24:1-2
There are three voices speaking in this Psalm: David, a sinner, and God
David’s Plea
Help, Lord! godly man ceaseth. The faithful fail.
Help means to save or deliver
Where do we turn for help in a trial? Where do we first go?
Saul is seeking David to kill him. David turns to God and asks for help.
David’s Problem
A. godly and faithful are failing because of lies they are saying
B. they have flattering lips that are seeking favor from others
C. they speak with a double heart, they cannot be trusted
God’s Promises
A. God will cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proudly
B. God will set the righteous in safety from those who puffeth at him
C. God’s says His Word is pure and can be trusted
D. God will preserve the righteous
Why do God’s people lie?
A. God says that those who speak vanity - they think they can talk their way out of trouble
B. They think that they will prevail and get what they want
C. They forget who their Master is… and they let their tongue take control.
Who are we lifting up? God or ourselves.
Psalms 11
Setting: This Psalm of David takes place when King Saul is trying to kill him. He asks King Saul’s son, Jonathan, in I Samuel 20:1, “why?”.
King Saul hardened his heart against God, and was not following God’s commandments.
He kept the fact a secret that he wanted David dead.
In Psalms 11, vs. 1-3, David knows he has to run and hide, while King Saul prepares his weapons against him.
We need to remember that the “righteous” (believers) are not helpless, even if the foundations around us are destroyed.
What are our foundations?
Justice, truth, marriage, family, etc.
What can we do when there is moral decay in the nation?
1. We can separate from evil influences.
Fleeing is a form of fighting
David ran instead of being put in the position of taking King Saul’s life. David knew that God is the judge.
Separate yourself from sin, or sin will separate you from God.
2. Maintain a right view of God
God is big enough to handle our big problems
Know His presence. We are God’s temple. His presence is in us.
God is big enough to watch everyone. He hates wickedness and will judge.
Psalms 9-10
Psalms 9 This chapter is David remembering God’s defeat of Goliath and the Philistines
vs. 1-2: God is worthy of praise and desires our worship
vs. 3-8: God is still on the throne
vs. 9-14: God is our refuge and is our salvation
vs. 15-20: God will avenge. The wicked will be snared by their own devices. God will supply all our needs and give us peace.
Psalms 10
vs. 1: Prayer is still effectual
vs. 2-10: God sees the evil deeds that the wicked perform
vs. 11-13: The wicked deceive themselves into thinking that God does not see them, and they think they will get away with it.
vs. 14-16: Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His coming is near.
vs. 17-18: God hears our prayers
Before we answer the question of this chapter, (What is man that thou are mindful of Him?) we have to ask, “Who is God?”
Psalms 8
1 - We find out about the names of God.
LORD = Jehovah, Lord = Adonai
My Master who can meet all my needs
Jews were afraid of pronouncing Jehovah, or even writing it, because it is so reverential.
God’s name is excellent and He is even better than all of the heavens.
2 - God’s strength is ordained in weakness
Matthew 21:14- Children are in the temple praising God. They are setting an example to the scribes and priests. They are showing perfect praise to God.
The power of praising God gives us strength.
3 - God’s power is displayed in creation.
Isaiah 40:12 - God stretched out the universe with the span of His hand.
4 - What is man?
We are insignificant in creation, but God sees us as precious and desires us to draw close to Him,
especially in our bad times. God’s mind is full of us.
Jesus Christ even came to earth, like us. He conformed Himself to a body.
5 - Man is significant to God
6-8 - Man had dominion over creation until he sinned. Jesus Christ helps us to have dominion again.
9 - God has sovereignty over man.
God is bigger than all of my problems. We need to trust Him.
We are significant in His eyes.
Psalms 6-7
Chapter 6
1-3: Sin’s fruit is painful
4: Come back to me, God!
5-7: David grieves because of his sin
8-9: David knows he needs to get his sin out
10: Sin should make us ashamed, so that we don’t do it again
Chapter 7
1-5: Look within yourself
6-16: Let God vindicate for you
17: praise God for working on your behalf
2 Corinthians 7:10 - Being sorry for your sins should lead to repentance.
Do not let bitter circumstances damage your character.
God will judge for you.
Psalms 5 and 6
Chapter Five answers the question: How do I deal with enemies in my family?
Chapter Six answers the question: How do I deal with the enemy of myself?
Chapter Five discusses David’s thoughts as his son, Absalom, is in rebellion against him.
Chapter Six show us how David, the writer, is in such distress.
The background for these two chapters:
2 Samuel 17, I Chronicles 2 -
Absalom pursues his father David
Absalom chooses Amasa, his cousin, to lead the army
Absalom dismisses Joab, a cousin, from leading the army
David is obviously in distress over all of these family problems and issues.
Psalms 5
1-3: Pray and seek God to intervene
4-6: God will deal with sinners
7-8: Seek God’s mercy, be God-fearing
9-10: Sinners flattereth with their lips, be careful who you listen to
11: God will bless and defend those who love Him.
Psalms 6
1-3: David realizes sin’s judgment is painful and he asks God, “How long?”.
God will always forgive you for your sins, but you have to pay the consequences. You do not get to choose the consequences.
Psalms 3 & 4
The pain of betrayal Psalms 3: 1-2
The prayer of a broken heart Psalms 3: 3-4
The peace of the blessed Psalms 3: 5-8
A petition against sin Psalms 4: 1-2
There’s purity in searching the heart Psalms 4: 3-4
There is peace in surrender to God Psalms 4: 5-8