Singing the Psalms - 7/12/09pm

Colossians 3:16-17 -Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

Psalm 104:1-2 -Praise for God
Psalm 104:3-9 -God created all things
Psalm 104:10-23 -God’s continuing work
Psalm 104:24-30 -God’s concern for His creation
Psalm 104:31-33 -Praise for God
Psalm 104:34-35 -Victory of the Lord
Song # 513

Psalm 113:1-3 -Continual praise for God
Psalm 113:4-6 -The height and power of the Lord
Psalm 113:7-9 -The love of God for the lowly
Song # 601

Psalm 24:1-2 -All belongs to the Lord
Psalm 24:3-6 -Blessings for the righteous
Psalm 24:7-10 -The Lord of hosts
Song # 597

Psalm 118:1-4 -Give thanks for God’s mercy
Psalm 118:5-14 -Strength and refuge in the Lord
Psalm 118:15-18 -Salvation and chastening
Psalm 118:19-21 -Praise for God’s salvation
Psalm 118:22-24 -The rejected stone
Psalm 118:25-28 -Praise for God
Psalm 118:29 -God’s mercy
Song # 644

Christ in the Psalms - 7/5/09pm

The Lord said to my Lord
Psalm 110:1-4 -The Lord said to my Lord
Matthew 22:41-45 -Christ questions those around Him
Acts 2:29-36 -Peter gives the meaning of the passage
Hebrews 5:5-11 -A priest according to the order of Melchizadek

Prophecy of the crucifixion
Psalm 22:1-31 -Mocked,
-Pierced hands/feet
-People wagging their heads and staring
-Clothing divided and gambled for
-Thirst
-Forsaken cry
Psalm 34:20 -Bones not broken
Psalm 69:21 -Gall and vinegar offered to Him
Matthew 27:15-50 -The crucifixion

Zeal for Your house
Psalm 69:9 -Zeal for Your house
John 2:13-17 -Jesus clearing the temple

Sacrifice and offering is not desired
Psalm 40:6-8 -The Lord does not desire sacrifice and offering
Hebrews 10:1-10 -Application to Christ and the new covenant

The Rejected Stone
Psalm 118:22-24 -The stone that is rejected
I Peter 2:1-10 -Live a life based on that stone

After God's Own Heart - 6/28/09pm

I Samuel 13:13-14 -God has sought a man after His own heart
Acts 13:22 -David, a man after God’s own heart
David was a man after God’s own heart. But what does this mean, exactly? We know it doesn’t mean David was perfect, but rather, we can see that it was because David continually sought the Lord.

I Samuel 19:1-18 -Saul sends men to kill David, who escapes
David, as he so often was, found himself hounded by other men. Saul, the king over Israel, has been trying to send men to kill David, who is forced to flee. There are a number of things that men would commonly do in this circumstance. What does David do? He turns to God.
Psalm 59 -David’s psalm for the occasion

I Samuel 22 -David and his followers harried by Saul
Again, we see David harried and his followers slain. We see people turning on David to win favor with the king. And yet, once again, what does David choose to do? Go to the Lord.
Psalm 63 -David’s psalm for the occasion

We must be like David. In all things, we must turn to God. Not as a last resort, but as our first action. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we must turn to God.
James 5:13-18 -Prayer and psalms in all circumstances

In so doing, and in continuing to follow the Lord and set our hearts on Him, we do as David did. We are men and women after God’s own heart.
Luke 12:22-34 -Put your heart in the right place

What is your heart set after? Is it after God’s own heart? Is it set on following Him? Or is your heart set in other things?

"There is no God" - 6/21/09pm

Psalm 53: 1 -The fool says in his heart, there is no God, and so sin
Psalm 14:1 -The fool says in his heart, there is no God, and so sin
The psalmist begins both of these psalms by detailing a group of people: those who say that there is no God. And in this foolishness, disregarding the Lord, they choose to sin.
Psalm 19:1-3 -Creation tells of the glory of God
Romans 1:18-23 -Creation teaches of the divine nature
I Corinthians 1:17-25 -The wisdom of the gospel


Psalm 53:2-3 -The Lord looks for someone seeking Him, and finds none
Psalm 14:2-3 -The Lord looks for someone seeking Him, and finds none
These verses consider that the Lord is unable to find people seeking Him. This is not to say that no one was serving the Lord, but only that it was a small minority.
Genesis 18:16-33 -The Lord cannot find 10 faithful men in Sodom
Hebrews 11:6 -The Lord rewards those who seek Him


Psalm 53:4 -Don’t evil doers see God’s judgments?
Psalm 14:4 -Don’t evil doers see God’s judgments?
Those who have turned from God, even to the point of denying Him, do not see His judgments and works. Much like the Israelites in the time of Moses, they choose to ignore the great things that God has done, and the warnings that god has given.
Numbers 14:1-9 -The Israelites, ignoring God’s actions, rebel against Him


Psalm 53:5 -An unnecessary fear
Psalm 14:5 -And unnecessary fear
The unrighteous often have a fear of things in their life. Going beyond concern and crossing into fear, there is great worry about the things in this life. There is also often a fear of death. Someone following the Lord does not have these fears, trusting in the Lord.
I John 4:7-5:2 -Perfect love casts out fear

Psalm 14:6 -Evildoers compared with those who find refuge in God
In this verse, those who do not follow the Lord are compared with those who do. The unbeliever does not listen to the believer, scorning the word of God. The believer, in turn, finds refuge in the Lord.
Acts 7:51-60 -Steven is not heeded, finds refuge in the Lord


Psalm 53:6 -Prayer that the Lord will save His people
Psalm 14:7 -Prayer that the Lord will save His people
David calls to the Lord to save His people at the end of this psalm. We too should have such a focus: of seeking the Lord’s approval and of trusting in the Lord’s salvation. That is, of finding refuge in the Lord.
Matthew 1:18-23 -Jesus, who will save the people from their sins
I Peter 1:3-9 -The salvation of your souls

Psalm 19: Cause and Effect - 3/14/09pm

Psalm 19:1-6 -Glory of the Creator

Psalm 19:7a -Law, converting
Romans 12:2 -Be transformed

Psalm 19:7b -Testimony, wisdom
Matthew 7:24-29 -The wise and foolish builders

Psalm 19:8a -Statues, rejoicing
I Peter 1:3-12 -Rejoicing in salvation
Acts 8:29-39 -The Ethiopian Eunuch rejoices

Psalm 19:8b -Commandments, enlightening
I Corinthians 1:18-31 -The “foolish wisdom” of the cross

Psalm 19:9a -Fear, endurance
II Corinthians 5:9-11 -Knowing the terror of the Lord
Matthew 10:22 -Enduring to the end
Matthew 10:28-31 -Fear God

Psalm 19:9b -Judgments, righteous
Revelation 20:11-15 -Judgment based on what we have done

Psalm 19:10a -Desire for God’s judgments
Revelation 22:20 -Come, Lord Jesus

Psalm 19:10b -Judgments are sweet
Exodus 3:4-8 -A land of milk and honey
Numbers 13:21-29 -A land of milk and honey

Psalm 19:11a -Judgments warn His servants
Colossians 1:28-29 -Warning all men in preaching

Psalm 19:11b -In keeping the word, there is a reward
Philippians 3:12-19 -The prize/reward of the call
Hebrews 11:6, 24-26 -The Lord rewards His followers

Psalm 19:12-14 -Strength and approval from God

Psalm 119:89-176 -12/07/08pm

As we continue in our look at Psalm 119, let us remember the theme of the psalm: the word of God.

Psalm 119:89-96 -Endurance of the word
The word of God is eternal
The word is limitless beyond what we see elsewhere
The word will last as long as God’s faithfulness

Psalm 119:97-104 -Love for the law
Do we love the law as much as the psalmist?
Do we align our steps out of love for the word of God?
Do we gain understanding because we love the law?

Psalm 119:105-112 -Guided by the word
Do we use the word to know how to live?
Do we want to be taught the word so that we can better see the path?
Do we set our hearts on keeping to that path to the end?

Psalm 119:113-120 -Refuge in the word
The word is separated from the wicked.
The word grants security and refuge from the wicked.
We should be able to rely on the word

Psalm 119:121-128 -Walking upright by the law
We should look to the law.
We should be obedient to the law.
We should hate that which is opposed to God’s word.

Psalm 119:129-136 -Love for the law
Do we feel that God’s word is wonderful?
Do we love it so much that it pains us when it is not followed?
Do we regard the word as God’s face shining on us?

Psalm 119:137-144 -Righteousness of the word
The word is as righteous as the One who gave it.
The word is true and everlastingly right-it won’t become less so.
The precepts are tested and proven correct.

Psalm 119:145-152 -Drawing close to God through the word
We come close to God (He is near) through His word
Drawing close to God requires us to focus on Him and the word throughout the day
The word is everlasting and will always be there to provide instruction in drawing close to God

Psalm 119:153-160 -Salvation for the obedient to the word
The wicked do not seek out what God has said
If we do not forget God’s law, there is deliverance for us
God’s true words are provided for our salvation

Psalm 119:161-168 -Peace through the word
Peace comes only to those who love the word
The peace is opposite the false peace offered by many
This peace comes with the knowledge of what is in the word, and is there regardless of circumstances

Psalm 119:169-176 -Supplication to the One who gave the word
The psalmist asks God for things that might further the word in his life
Though he has strayed, he wishes to return to God and be found by Him
The psalmist longs for salvation. Do we?

Psalm 119:1-88 -12/07/08am

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, and the longest chapter in the Bible. It’s authorship is not stated, but many believe it was written by David. It is an acrostic poem, with each verse beginning with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

It is written entirely about the word of God. It is telling that such a large, unified section of scripture is about the Lord’s decrees, and it behooves us to examine this psalm to better understand what our attitude towards the Bible should be.

Psalm 119:1-8 -Blessed is the one who keeps the law
God promises blessings to those who keep His ordinances
God blesses those who seek Him wholeheartedly
God’s laws are provided for good reason

Psalm 119:9-16 -Pure is the one who keeps the law
Living according to the word keeps one pure
Young people are also to live by God’s law
Learning the law of God is necessary to be pure

Psalm 119:17-24 -A good servant keeps the law
We serve God by obeying what He says
A good servant longs for God’s word
A good servant listens to the word’s counsel

Psalm 119:25-32 -Deliverance in the law
God’s word provides deliverance and guidance
In the word are the answers to the questions we need answered
Holding fast to the word are necessary for this

Psalm 119:33-40 -Guidance to the law
We should ask God to help us focus on the word
We should want to be guided by it
We should ask for understanding of it

Psalm 119:41-48 -Love for the law
Our hope is based in God’s word
Our search should be for God’s word
Our love should be for God’s word

Psalm 119:49-56 -Remembrance
God’s word is part of His keeping us in mind
We should keep Him in mind
We should remember His dealings in the past

Psalm 119:57-64 -Consideration towards the Law
Regardless of circumstances or situation, we should always consider the word
Our consideration of God’s word should be wholehearted
We should want to learn more to consider

Psalm 119:65-72 -Correction through the law
The law teaches us what we do wrong, and corrects us in that way
It serves to chastise us when we sin
We should delight in it for this reason (much as we should be happy for warning road signs)

Psalm 119:73-80 -God’s love through the law
God gave us His word because He loves us
It guides us that we may abide in His love
It informs us for His love

Psalm 119:81-88 -Persevere though the law
We long for salvation: it is found in the word
We must persevere in obedience, regardless of difficulties
We must determine to follow what God has commanded!

Psalm 40 - 3/16/08pm

The Fortieth Psalm
A Psalm of David, a Psalm of God


1 "I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

Talking to God:
Often we take prayer for granted, even when we remember to pray. But think about what prayer entails. We are speaking to God, the almighty, the creator of all things. We are speaking to the very definition of Good and Power. In fact, He is so awesome, Christ serves as the intermediary for prayer. Think about it, the Son, who was sacrificed for our sins, who led a sinless life of perfection, serves as an intermediary for the Father. Now that’s rank. And even more amazing, He listens to us. When we speak to Him, it is not ignored. It is not scoffed at or forgotten. Jehovah listens. We may not always get the answer we think we want, but He listens and responds. I can’t call up customer support and have them listen to me, yet the Almighty will.


2 "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in Jehovah. 4 Blessed is the man that maketh Jehovah his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies."

Blessings from God:
God can, and does protect us. He provides us stability in an otherwise unstable world. He is trustworthy, we can trust in the promises of our Lord. For those that live for Him, those who follow His Son, the Messiah, there are blessings beyond measure. Peace in this world. He will not make all our roads straight, but he provides us with strength to overcome obstacles. And through it all, we have the peace of knowing we have an eternity assured, so long as we follow Him. For those that fear and trust the Lord, there are many blessings. Peace. Fellowship and brotherhood. Strength. Protection. Stability.


5 "Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward; They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered."

The Power of God:
Can you name every great thing God has done? Of course not! Mankind has not even scratched the surface of what God has done for us, I don’t think. Creating the world and everything in it. Creating life. This is the God who has given each and every one of us life. Every heartbeat, every breath is His. He is the God who opened the Earth to swallow Korah and his followers. He is the God who divided the Red Sea. He is the God who stopped the sun for Joshua. Just think of the power involved in that, for a moment. He stopped the planet from moving. Try to do that sometime. And, most importantly for us, He gave His Son in our place, as a final sacrifice for our sins. Your sins. My sins. Because of God’s works, we are free.

6 "Sacrifice and offering thou hast no delight in; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required."

Obedience to God:
Does this mean that when God ordered sacrifices that he was wrong or mistaken? No, I do not think that is what David is speaking of here. I think this is a similar passage to when the prophet confronted Saul about making an unauthorized sacrifice. God expects obedience. Not what we think is best, or what we determined He wants, but rather what He says He wants. We are to worship Him in spirit and in truth, according to the things He has told us. And really, it’s not too difficult (at least, it shouldn’t be). He no longer does ask for burnt offerings and sacrifices from us. He does not ask for great feats of strength or wisdom. He does not demand that we do great things to earn a place among His faithful. Rather, we are simply to humbly and obediently submit ourselves to Him, and His simple commands. To love Him above all else.

7 "Then said I, Lo, I am come; In the roll of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God; Yea, thy law is within my heart."

Delight in God:
David delighted in doing God’s work, and in knowing and obeying the law. Think about this. He did not grudgingly do what God asked him to do. He delighted in it. He enjoyed it. He wanted to do it. And, David knows that God knows this. Will it be written in the roll of the book that we delight to do God’s will? Do we always have God’s word in our hearts and minds, and look for ways to obey and do what God would want us to do? Or do we make excuses, and feebly try to get out of doing what we know we should be doing? Do we truly delight in God’s will?

9 "I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly; Lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Jehovah, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great assembly."

Teaching of God:
Do we have to force ourselves to speak of God, and our faith in Him? Do we hide our faith? Do we hide the righteousness of the Lord? Do we neglect speaking of the things God has done for us? Or are we boldly teachings others? Do we commonly speak of God? Do we teach others as we go about the day? Are we concealing and hiding God from others? Will we be responsible for not letting others know of God? I hope not. I hope we are all, throughout each day, teaching of God, Christ, and the hope that is within us. I hope that we can all say, at the end of the say, that we have not concealed His truth.

11 "Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Jehovah; Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about; Mine iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; And my heart hath failed me.13 Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me: Make haste to help me, O Jehovah. 14 Let them be put to shame and confounded together That seek after my soul to destroy it: Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor That delight in my hurt. 15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame That say unto me, Aha, aha."

Strength in God:
David felt beset on every side by those who would do him harm, from those who mocked him and his faith, and by those who lived sinful lives. Yet he found his strength in God. He begins by telling God of his troubles, and then asks for strength and justice. Which is interesting. In asking these things of God, there is the implicit belief and trust that God can deliver. The belief that God can, and will, support those who follow Him. The belief that God can, and will, deal justly both with the righteous and the unrighteous. God can give you strength, if you put your trust in Him. The knowledge that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear is great. After all, any temptation you encounter…you already know you can escape it! And the knowledge that God cares, and will deal justly with the ungodly, makes it easier to deal with the daily grind. God will give us strength to carry on, if we just ask Him.

16 "Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: Let such as love thy salvation say continually, Jehovah be magnified."

Joy in God:
Those who follow God, those who seek His word, those who strive to keep His will can find joy in God. So there’s two parts to this simple statement. The first part is the who, the second part is the what. The who is simply those who follow God. Those who actively and diligently seek Him. Those who love God, Christ, and the salvation He offers. The what is joy. Happiness. If you are consistently following and praising God, you will find happiness in Him. So, conversely, if you are not finding joy in God, perhaps you need to reevaluate whether you are truly following Him or not.

17 B"ut I am poor and needy; [Yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer; Make no tarrying, O my God."

Relationship with God:
What a clear picture of our relationship with God! We are lowly. We are merely human. We are unworthy. Yet God, in His infinite mercy, has seen fit to allow us salvation, and the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. He has seen fit to deliver us from hopelessness and sin. Our relationship with God is one of reliance. We rely on Him for strength, for protection, for salvation. All good things come from Him, and we are to know it. Although we are undeserving, God blesses us. And we pray for speediness on the part of the Lord. We long for Heaven and eternity with Him. To be in the presence of the Almighty, someone so much greater than we can ever be. Our relationship is clear. We are the created, and we are to worship our creator. Not only on the first day of the week in a formal service, but also every moment of every day of our lives. We must have that personal relationship with the Lord. We must trust Him, rely on Him, and know that He cares for us - not because we have earned it, but because He is merciful.

Do you have this relationship with God? Have you come to Christ? Can you find your strength in Him? Are you joyously serving Him? Do we pray to Him and are we obediently serving Him?

If you have not become a part of His body, you are not. None of that applies to you. You lack the relationship with God. Or perhaps you’ve begun your walk with God, but have ceased to serve Him as you once did. Or maybe you simply want prayers for strength to be a better servant of His.