When we come to the book of Psalms, we come to a block of writing that is different (as a block) from anything we find elsewhere in the Bible. We will find a few of the Psalms scattered among the historical books of the Old Testament, but no where else do we find a block of writing which is essentially songs which are cries of the heart.

Approach

Because of the nature of the psalms, it is necessary for us to approach them in an entirely different way than that used with most studies in the Bible. You will observe that the layout of each psalm in your Bible is that used for poetry. They are essentially songs.

Now when you come to study a song, you can divide it up and analyse it intellectually, but if that is all you do, you miss the main impact of the psalm. What is needed here is both a head AND heart approach. In counselling we often talk about empathising with a person, entering into their feelings to understand them and convey understanding. When we read the psalms we need to do the same thing.

Although we would always encourage you to pray before and after the reading and study, when it comes to the psalms we need the Lord's help even more if we are to enter fully into the heart of the writer.

Inadequacy

Perhaps more than any other set of studies the author of these studies would want to declare a total sense of inadequacy in respect of writing notes to go with the study. There is so much that could be written about every psalm that it has to be said that what has been written has been just a tiny and poor comment.

To try and group these psalms to make them more memorable, has been an almost impossible task. The headings we have used for each group, we believe, do convey something of the heart of the psalms covered, but there is so much more in each one that deserves our time and consideration. Our hope in respect of this set of Studies is that they will act as the tip of the iceberg and provoke you to meditate fully on each one to draw out so much more than we can convey. May it be so.

INTRODUCTION TO PSALMS

Background

You will see at the start of most of the individual psalms that they are attributed to king David. For most of them in this set, however, we are not told when they were written or what provoked David to write them, therefore we must speculate in general terms on these matters. Reading 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel will help us further understand David.

Breakdown

You will see from your Bible that the book of Psalms is divided into five books, the first of which covers Psalms 1 to 41. In this set of Studies we will simply work our way through the first 27 of those Psalms, most of which are identified as having been written by David. A few of them are identified as having been written in particular historical circumstances that can be found elsewhere in Scripture.

We have broken the Study up as follows:

Part 1 : Righteousness, Revelation & Royalty

• these are exceptions to the rule that most of these psalms are cries in distress.

Part 2 : Anguish of personal unrighteousness

• these highlight David's times of awareness of his own sinful inadequacy and his cries to God in these times.

Part 3 : Anguish from the unrighteousness of others

• here David cries to God because of the unrighteousness of people that are round about him.

Part 4 : Anguish because of surrounding enemies

• here David cries out because of the forces around him that are seeking to kill him.

PART 1 : "Righteousness, Revelation and Royalty"

The psalms in this first Part speak about the righteous who delight in God's word, the different forms His word takes, and the different ways God is revealed. The effect of that revelation is to make us wonder how we can stand before such a God who is holy. Finally we will see how people who are unrighteous rebel against God, but we will also see that the Lord will deal with those who make themselves His enemies. This Part thus gives us an overview of the righteous and the unrighteous and their responses to God.

Passage: Psalm 1 - The man who is blessed

A. Find Out:

1. What 3 groups are to be avoided? v.1

2. Where instead is to be my delight? v.2

3. I will be like a tree situated where? v.3a

4. With what result? v.3b

5. The wicked are like what? v.4

6. What will happen to them? v.5,6

B. Think :

1. What two opposites are contrasted here?

2. What is the source of pleasure for each?

3. What is the end of each?

C. Comment :

This psalm contrasts the wicked and the righteous.

First of all, the DESCRIPTION of the wrongdoers who are described as wicked, sinners and scoffers. The wicked is a general description of those who do wrong. Their 'counsel' or way of thinking is declared wrong, ungodly wisdom. The sense when describing someone as a "wicked person" is that they have settled in their mind to be this. They arer simply morally wrong people. Sinners are those who actively do wrong against God, who rebel against Him and His law. They are not merely morally wrong, but they do that wrong against God first and foremost. Scoffers are those who mock the truth and mock good and mock God. They don't merely do wrong, they don't just oppose God, but they take up a position where they actively mock good and God.

Second, the PROGRESS of the wrongdoer, which has already been noted above, is downward and there is a three-stage progression shown here .

They first walk in wrong. There is a sense in this picture of their counsel being a transient thing that the foolish fall into, but once in it, the 'wicked' person makes it his way and so walks or progresses in it.

They then take up their position or stand in wrong against God. It's become a way or path that they regularly take, but now they simply stand in this path, and there is a sense of having come to a standstill in this way, having decided this is the place to be.

Eventually they settle there, they sit in the place of derision of good and the truth. They don't only do wrong and think wrong, they actively deride those who do right.

Third, the FUTURE of the wicked is clearly revealed: they will be blown away in God's judgement, there will be no place for them among those who stand before God in eternity, they will perish.

Fourth, the DESCRIPTION of the righteous, by stark contrast, who are seen to be those who delight in the things of God, who consider God's desires all their waking hours.

Fifth, the FUTURE of the righteous is sure, their future is fruitful. Like trees getting sustenance from nearby water they get their sustenance from God's word, and it nourishes them so that they grow strong, never to wither, and able to bear fruit at the right time. These are watched over by the Lord and they will be blessed with His blessing.

D. Application?

1. Negative : don't join in with the wicked!

2. Positive : delight in God, draw on Him, be fruitful, flourish!

Passage: Psalm 19 - The Revelatiopn of the Lord

A. Find Out:

1. What are the skies constantly doing? v.1-4

2. How many words describe God's instructions? v.7-9

3. How are they each described? v.7-10

4. What do they each do? v.7-11

5. Of what is David conscious? v.12,13

6. What does he hope? v.14

B. Think :

1. Why should all the world know there is a God?

2. What do we learn here about the nature of all that God says?

C. Comment :

Psalm 1 spoke of the man who delighted in God's word. Different versions interchange the words to describe God's word seen in verses 7-9, so it is perhaps better to consider them as different expressions of the same thing.

First, the names given to God's revealed word: Law, statutes, testimonies, precepts, commands, ordinances.

Second, what they mean: direction, teaching, instruction, charges, duties, rules.

Third, their nature or characteristics: they are perfect, they can be completely relied upon, they are always correct or completely right in what they say, they shine out in a world of indecision and self rule.

Fourth, their effect: they revive or pick up the soul, they bring wisdom, they bring joy in security, they nourish us. All these words from God are precious and should be of greater value to us than anything else.

But not only has God spoken through His proclaimed word, He is also seen through His creation. It is a hard heart that can gaze at the skies, whether day or night and say all that beauty and magnitude was an accident and not the design of a Creator God. Finally David desires to ensure that in the light of all this he is blameless and right before God, but he knows that he needs God's help to achieve that.

D. Application?

1. The Lord's word has been given to bless us in many different ways.

2. Evidence for the existence of God is all around us in Creation. It is a

foolish or stubborn person who refuses to see it.

Passage: Psalm 8 - God who is Majestic

A. Find Out:

1. How does the Psalm begin & end? v.1,9

2. Why does David see the Lord like that? v.3

3. Who recognises all this? v.2

4. What is the position of mankind? v.5

5. What is the role of mankind? v.6

6. What does David marvel over? v.4

B. Think :

1. How is man seen to be different from the animal kingdom?

2. How do you think children praise the Lord for His creation?

3. How is the Lord portrayed here?

C. Comment :

In Psa 19 we noted revelation through Creation. This psalm furthers that thought. The Lord's name is majestic, it is a name that is higher than any other as the Ruler-Creator of all things, but who acknowledges that? Every time a child looks in simplicity at the sky or the flowers and says, "Isn't that wonderful!" or "Isn't that pretty!" or "Isn't that beautiful!" they are acknowledging that what is before them is more than mere molecules brought together by chance, they are bringing praise to the One who made it all. The atheist may deny it all, but again and again, they simply proclaim in wonder the hand of God in it all. This is a designed world!

When David considers creation he wonders at the smallness of man, but also at the fact that God has made man only a little less than the powerful and glorious angels, but greater than all other creatures in creation. There is no room here for the philosophy that we are just advanced animals. NO, we are the peak of God's creation on earth, made to rule over all other living things. Such is the glory of man, and yet at the same time, the shame of man, in that he has forfeited so much of his position and role, when he rejected his God.

D. Application?

1. God's creation is truly wonderful and should bring praise to my lips when

I consider it.

2. I am the peak of God's creation, ruler over all living things. Wow!

Passage: Psalm 15 - Wondering at it all

A. Find Out:

1. What starter question has David got? v.1

2. What is that person's walk like? v.2a

3. What is their speech like? v.2b,3a

4. What is their behaviour to others like? v.3b

5. What are their feelings towards others? v.4a

6. What are their financial dealings like? v.5

B. Think :

1. What is this psalm really all about?

2. What are key features of the righteous person?

3. What is the outcome of their lifestyle?

C. Comment :

The more we consider God's revelation the more we wonder at our position before Him. David now poses the question, who can live close to God? The immature believer takes their walk with the Lord for granted, but the believer who is maturing starts considering the wonder of it. They allow the Holy Spirit to work out sanctification (gradual change to become more and more like Jesus) in daily thoughts, attitudes, words and behaviour. It can only, David answering his own question, be someone who is without blame and who is righteous in all they do. Such are the people Jesus makes us to be.

How do we show this?

First, by our words , that we only allow truth to pass our lips, because yearning for the truth is in our hearts and therefore there is no room for untruths.

Second, by our attitudes , that we recognise and honour those who fear the Lord, but reject and despise the way of the evil doer, that we maintain an attitude of truth when it comes to promises made to others, that we honour them with our word being kept.

Third, by practical daily living so, for example, in our financial dealings with others, we lend generously to those in need without charging them for it, and refuse to take money to do wrong. These are some of the signs of a righteous person. May that be us.

D. Application?

1. Is my position "in Christ" a marvel that I still wonder at?

2. Righteousness is something practical, to be worked out in my life

Passage: Psalm 24 - Who can come to God

A. Find Out:

1. What does David declare about the world? v.1,2

2. So what question comes into his mind? v.3

3. What was his answer? v.4

4. What will happen to this person? v.5

5. What is he required to do? v.6

6. How is the Lord described? v.7-10

B. Think :

1. Why did David have a question?

2. How would you summarise his answer?

3. How would you summarise the descriptions of the Lord?

C. Comment :

The more revelation we have the greater the wonder as to how we can approach God. When we realise how incredible He is, we question how we, mere mortals, can ever approach Him.

David again proclaims the Lord who is Creator of all things. This God that we would worship is the One who made this very world. He is incredible, powerful, beyond our imagination really. So how can we come to such a powerful and perfect being?

David's answer is simple: in purity and holiness. He speaks of clean hands - that indicates we have not got into anything unclean or evil, and a pure heart - that indicates that we will allow nothing unclean on the inside, i.e. that both by our outward actions and our inward outlook we will be pure and holy. He continues: we must not worship idols or put our trust in anything that is false. Blessing comes on the one who seeks the Lord alone.

For us today our trust is in Jesus as our Saviour-Redeemer who pays the penalty for our misdemeanours, but that does not absolve us from our responsibility to live holy lives. Salvation is for people who have submitted to Jesus as Saviour (from sins) AND Lord (requiring submission to him and to a holy life).

D. Application?

1. God is holy, pure and Almighty. We dare not approach casually.

2. Jesus is the means of our approach, but we are to be holy.

Passage: Psalm 2 - Foolish Opposition

A. Find Out:

1. What 4 descriptions of the world's activity are given? v.1,2

2. What do they say? v.3

3. What is God's fivefold response? v.4-6

4. What relationship is first established? v.7

5. What will the two do? v.8,9

6. What should be our response therefore? v.10-12

B. Think :

1. What do the world feel towards God?

2. How do you see v.6 as God's response to this?

3. How are v.7-9 seen as a description of this newly installed king?

C. Comment :

By contrast we now see how the unrighteous world opposes God, and His response to them.

First, the WORLD'S ATTITUDE towards God. They consider God's presence and God's law to be oppressive, to be restrictive and they want to throw off any sense of being dictated to by God, they want to rule and decide for themselves. This is "the world", godless mankind in a state of sin.

Second, the LORD'S RESPONSE. He simply laughs! How foolish for tiny man to challenge Almighty God! This stupidity angers Him and He challenges them for going so far away from the wonderful relationship He made them to have with Him in the beginning. Not only that, He frightens them with the statement that He has established His ruler in their midst on the earth. Far from moving away from them, He comes to stand in their midst and establish His unending reign.

Third, comes the DESCRIPTION OF HIS KING, Jesus who was to come, a Son who would reign with a rule that was inflexible, unbending and uncompromising. He comes with His word and brings total destruction to "self" if we are to gain eternity.

Finally the CALL TO BE WISE. A reverent respect should be the response of those who would consider these things! Only fools refuse to give it.

D. Application?

1. To challenge Almighty God is pure foolishness and stupidity!

2. Jesus rules today so honour Him.

Passage: Psalm 21- The Lord will deal with His enemies

A. Find Out:

1. What is David feeling and why? v.1-3

2. What has the Lord done for him? v.4-6

3. What does he feel about the Lord and why? v.7

4. What will happen to the Lord's enemies? v.8-12

5. In what does David rejoice? v.13

B. Think :

1. What is David feeling about his position in life and why?

2. What assurance has it left him with, about his enemies?

3. What characteristic of the Lord is particularly in his mind?

C. Comment :

This Psalm reveals further the Lord who will deal with His unrighteous enemies. First, note the Lord's ACTIVITY on David's BEHALF, what the Lord has done for David. David had unrighteous enemies and he has asked God for help to overcome them, and the Lord gave him that so that David was victorious. His desires were granted, but more than that, he was made king and was given security. This was a very real answer to David's prayers.

But now look at the CONSEQUENCES in David , the results of that.

First, it has brought a strong confidence in God , where he has experienced the love of God and feels he can now completely trust in that.

Second, he has a complete sense of confidence about his enemies . His enemies are the Lord's enemies and the Lord will totally and utterly deal with them. They will be thwarted, they will be destroyed.

Third, he is left with a great sense of praise as he has become aware of the great strength of the Lord. He has found that the Lord IS all powerful and CAN change circumstances and IS mighty so that none can withstand Him. This gives the whole psalm a sense of lightness that is often missing from David's writings. This is one where he has experienced the wonder of God working on his behalf and that leaves him full of praise. The Lord WILL deal with His enemies!

D. Application?

1. God IS all powerful and all mighty and IS worthy of our praise.

2. His blessing brings trust and confidence in us in opposition.

RECAP - "Righteousness, Revelation & Royality" - Psalms misc

SUMMARY :

In this first group of 7 studies we have seen :

- Psa 1 - the delight of the righteous, the word of God

- Psa 19 - the different forms His word comes in

- Psa 8 - God who is revealed in creation

- Psa 15 - the effect of that, to wonder how we can stand

- Psa 24 - how to approach a holy God, be holy

- Psa 2 - the enemies of Almighty God and His king

- Psa 21 - the Lord will deal with his enemies

COMMENT :

In this first block of Psalms we have considered the exceptions to the majority which are psalms in adversity. These ones speak about the righteous and their delight in God's word, the ways God is revealed to us, and the rule of God that will prevail over the unrighteous.

These psalms lay down a foundation from which to view all the other ones we will consider.

LESSONS?

1. The righteous person delights in all God has to say.

2. God gives instructions which are always excellent and for our good.

3. The Creation shows the glory of God & evokes praise in us.

4. Awareness of God's greatness creates an awe and respect in us.

5. Only the foolish rebel against God.

PRAY :

Thank the Lord that He has revealed so much of Himself to us.

PART 2 : "Anguish at personal unrighteousness"

In this next Part we will see how David, this “man after God's own heart” (1 Sam 13:14 & Acts 13:22) so often seemed to be aware of his own sin and failure. We aren't told when these specific psalms were written or to what they applied, but we do know there were times of great personal failure in David's life and these psalms give us an insight into the inner anguish he suffered at such times. The man or woman or God is not casual about sin and these particular psalms should give us guidance in our own times of personal sin and failure.