Bible: Beginning to End - Psalm 1-41

Episode Date: June 2, 2026

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Hello and welcome back to Bible beginning to end, where we are reading through the scriptures together from Genesis to Revelation. I am so glad that you're here today and choosing to spend your time listening to and meditating on God's Word. As always, I will be reading through each verse and I will be stopping along the way to ask critical thinking questions, but I won't be offering any commentary because that will give you time to really sit with and think Think through God's word for yourself, to pray through God's word, to ask God to reveal to you what he's trying to say. Right now I am using the Berean Standard Bible Translation, which will be linked in the description of this episode if you want to read along as you're listening. Okay, so a little recap and background before we start the book of Psalms.

Right now we are working our way through a part of the Bible called the Wisdom Literature. It starts with Job, and it includes Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. The first part of the Old Testament, the first part of the Bible that we've read, really focuses on history. Telling the story of God, telling the story of the world, telling the story of God's people, and the different kings and judges, and what happened to the people of Israel. And so we read through that story. And then we shift to this wisdom literature section, where we're really focusing less on the history, and more on answering these tough questions about God, suffering, creation, humanity,

all these really important and valuable questions that we as people tend to ask God or tend to wonder about. So as you read through these wisdom literature books in the Bible, a theme that runs throughout them is, you know, what is wisdom? Where does wisdom come from? What wisdom do we gain from reading? these sections. Last time, we finished up reading Job, where the big question that Job was trying to answer is, why do we suffer? Why do good people suffer? Why do we suffer even if we don't sin? Why was Job suffering? And that was the big question that Job tried to answer throughout the book.

And now we're transitioning to the book of Psalms. This is one of the most popular books in the Bible. A book that if you've grown up in the church, you're probably very familiar with. Depending on what denomination of church you attend, you might read a psalm in church every week. You might go to the Psalms to find comfort. You might go to the Psalms seeking answers to existential questions. You might go to the Psalms to see how to respond when you're sad. You might feel sadness and lament and go to the Psalms because you can relate to one of the Psalms about sadness. You might go to the Psalms to find a Psalm of praise because that's how you feel and you want to praise God. You might sing Psalms because a lot of them have been turned into music.

Because one of the first things you might notice about the book of Psalms is that it is a book of poetry. Remember we talked about in Job, Job was a book of prose and poetry. So prose, is just the opposite of poetry, meaning that it is written in sentences and paragraphs, whereas poetry is written in verse. So Psalms is a book entirely written of poetry. And you might be very familiar with some of these Psalms. Some of these Psalms you might have heard a hundred times, but have you ever read Psalms from the beginning of Psalms to the end, from Psalm 1 all the way to Psalm 150. And do you really know what the Psalms are, how they came to be, who wrote them? So we'll talk about a couple of those things before we start reading the Psalms together.

But as you're reading the Psalms from start to finish, I want you to really wonder and think about why are they in this order? Is there any structure to the Psalms and why they're structured and grouped in the way that they are. Does our understanding of the Psalms change when we read them in their entirety versus pulling a Psalm out here and there to answer a question or to pray or to feel a certain way? Does it change the way we read the Psalms to read them all together at once? And what is the purpose of the Psalms?

Why were we given these books? What do they teach us? What do they show us how to do? What do they teach us about prayer? What do they teach us about songs? What do they teach us about worship? What do they teach us about lament and sadness and mourning? And what do they teach us about praise and worship and giving glory to God?

Because all of those things are going to be covered throughout the book of Psalms. So before we get started, let's talk a little bit about the structure and how to read the Psalms. So the Psalms is a grouping of 150 poems with many different authors that were collected and put together and grouped in a specific order that make up the Psalms we have today. Many of you may know that King David of the Old Testament wrote a lot of the Psalms. 73 of the Psalms are attributed to King David, because he was a poet, he was a musician, and this is how he expressed his feelings toward God. Asaf wrote 12 of the Psalms, the sons of Cora, wrote 11 of them,

some of them were written by worship leaders, Haman and Ethan, wrote one each, Moses is attributed one of the Psalms, King Solomon is attributed to two of the Psalms, but the rest of them are actually anonymous, and we don't know who wrote the rest of the Psalms. So one question you might ask as you're reading through these is, why do they include words written by anonymous people in the Bible?

Why are these anonymous Psalms included in the Bible that we read today? And then the Psalms are divided into five books. Psalms 1 through 41 are book 1, Psalms 42 to 72 are book 2, Psalm 73 to 89 is book 3, Psalms 90 to 106 is book 4, and Psalms 107 to 150 is book 5. And remember that I said,

the Psalms were collected and grouped in a very specific purpose. there are themes with each book. There is a message that is told throughout the book of Psalms so that when you read them together in this specific order, it tells a specific message that was meant for the people at the time that it was written, but applies to us now as we're reading it many years later. So as you're reading through the book of Psalms

and reading them in this specific order that they're written in our Bibles, I want you to pay attention to how the Psalms are grouped, and see if you notice any patterns or themes that show up as we read these groups of Psalms together. And another thing to remember as you're reading through the Psalms is that this is poetry. That's the type of literature that the Psalms are. Poetry may not be your thing. You may prefer reading prose.

you may struggle with poetry and the figurative language and the imagery that it uses. But I would encourage you to keep an open mind and to really listen and allow God's word to speak to you as you read through the Psalms. Because yes, poetry does use a lot of imagery and metaphor and simile and figurative language. But why do you think poetry does this? Why do you think that is an effective way to get? get a message across or an effective way to express your feelings. And you also have to remember that this poetry is being translated from another language, and that's very difficult to do.

It's very difficult to translate figurative language and poetry style writing into another language. So keep that in mind as you're reading as well. And also remember the context under which the Psalms were written. So, Psalms are very personal to the author. They're very emotional. They're very raw. They are very honest.

Many of the Psalms are written as an expression of someone's feelings after they've gone through something. Whether those feelings are good and they're praising God, whether those feelings are sad and they're going through lament, whether those feelings are confused and they're going through a time of questioning. So remember that personal aspect to the Psalms. And remember that the Psalms are a book of emotions. And so as you're reading through these Psalms, it's important to ask that question,

is what the Psalmist is saying right now, something that is true or something that they feel in the moment? Because remember when we read through Job, there were a lot of it. a lot of things that Job said or that his friends said that were not true, but they were honest. They were how his friends felt. Those words were how Job felt at that time. Those words are very important. They teach us a lot. They give us the space to ask questions. But not everything that Job said or his friend said was true, which we found out. out when God came in and told us what was true and what was not true. And we saw how God felt about

what Job's friends said. So keep that in mind as you're reading through the Psalms, because it is a very honest book. And be thankful that God gives us that space to be honest and ask questions and express our feelings to him. So, as you're reading through the book of Psalms, what does it teach us about how to praise God? What does it teach us about how to go through times of sadness and confusion and lament? What does it teach us about how to pray? What does it teach us about worship? What does it teach us about God's promises and how he answers them? How does it give us comfort? How does it draw us closer to God? I'm very excited to go through the Book of Psalms, and I think you guys will be too,

because it's such an interesting book of the Bible with so much wisdom, so much beauty, and so much great language to work through. Okay, so in this episode, we're going to read through book one, and then in the next episode we'll start book two. So we'll start book one right after this break. Okay, so now we can start Psalm 1, and Psalms 1 and 2 are both anonymous Psalms, and they act as an introduction to the book of Psalms. So as we read through Psalm 1 and Psalm 2,

I want you to think about what are the themes that come up during these. Psalms. Why do you think these two Psalms were chosen to start off the book of Psalms? And why might these two Psalms be significant to the people of Israel at the time that this book was compiled? Okay, so we can start with Psalm 1. This starts off Book 1. Psalm 1, the two paths. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. Not so the wicked, for they are like chaff, driven off by the wind. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 1. What is celebrated in the first Psalm? What does it look like to be someone who does not walk in the council of the wicked? What does this person delight in? What does this person avoid?

What is this person compared to? What happens to a person who is wicked? What kind of warning do we get about wickedness in this Psalm? And where is God in the midst of this? What does it say about the Lord in the first Psalm? Why do you think they chose this Psalm to start the book of Psalms? What do you think it was meant to teach the original audience, and what do you think it's meant to teach us?

When someone talks about men being blessed if they don't walk in the council of the wicked, So basically, you know, blessed are those who are wise and listen to God and listen to the counsel of wise people. Well, where are they getting this wisdom from? What writings did they have at the time or who were they talking to to know what was wise and what was not, what was blessed, and what was wicked? And do we get any insight into what the book of Psalms is going to be?

If this is where the book of Psalms starts, does it give us any inkling as to what the entire book of Psalms purpose is? Does it tell us anything about, you know, if we read these Psalms, this is what we might gain from them. Psalm 2. The triumphant Messiah. Verse 1. Why do the nations rage and the people's plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His anointed one. Let us break their chains and cast away their cords. The one enthroned in heaven laughs. The Lord taunts them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his fury. I have installed my king on Zion upon my holy mountain. I will proclaim the decree spoken to me by the Lord.

You are my son. Today I have become your father. Ask me and I will make the nations your inheritance. The ends of the earth, your possession. You will break them with an iron scepter. You will shatter them like pottery. Therefore be wise, O kings, be admonished, O judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the sun, lest he be angry and you perish in your rebellion when his wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 2. What is the focus of this song? Whereas Psalm 1 talked about man, talked about blessed men and wicked men, what does Psalm 2 focus on? This Psalm talks about nations raging and kings of earth taking their stand against God, and the one enthroned in heaven laughing and the Lord taunting them, and God raising up a who the nations will be his inheritance and that he will conquer. And then it encourages kings to be wise and admonish the judges of earth and serve the Lord with fear and kiss the sun.

So what does this mean? What are they talking about here? What are they alluding to? If you go back to 2 Samuel chapter 7, God makes a promise to King David. God makes a promise that through David's lineage will be born a king that will build the Lord's house and establish the throne of his kingdom forever. You can go back and read 2. Samuel 8 through 17 to remind yourself of this part of David's story. So how does God's covenant with David, that promise that he made to David, connect with Psalm 2? What does Psalm 2 remind the people of Israel, the people who follow the God of Israel?

What, or rather, who is this Psalm reminding them that they're waiting for? What does this Psalm teach us about God, who he is, and He is? His promises. What would this psalm have meant to the people reading it at the time it was written and compiled into this collection? What does the psalm mean to us now? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 3. And so as you're reading through or listening to this Psalm, think about what themes

are being developed and discussed in this Psalm. Psalm 3, deliver me, O Lord, a Psalm of David. Psalm 3, verse 1. O Lord, how my foes have increased. How many rise up against me. Many say of me God will not deliver him. But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory and the one who lifts my head.

To the Lord I cry aloud and he answers me, from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep. I wake again for the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the myriads set against me on every side. Arise, O Lord. Save me, oh my God. Strike all my enemies on the jaw.

Break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord. May your blessing be on your people. Okay, so pause there. What situation is David in when he's writing this Psalm? What is he asking God to do? What does he attribute to God? David talks about these enemies he has, this trouble he's going through,

but what sustains him despite his trouble? Okay, now we can start Psalm 4 again, as you read through all of these Psalms. What themes are being discussed throughout this Psalm? Psalm 4, Answer me when I call. Psalm 4, verse 1. Answer me when I call, O God, of my righteousness. You have relieved my distress, show me grace, and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will my honor be maligned?

How long will you love vanity and seek after lies? know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself. The Lord hears when I call to him, Be angry, yet do not sin. On your bed, search your heart, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. Many ask, who can show us the good? Shine the light of your face upon us, O Lord.

You have filled my heart with more joy than when grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace. For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Okay, so pause there. What is David going through during this Psalm? How do you think David feels? What is he asking God to do at the beginning of this Psalm and throughout this Psalm? What does this Psalm say about people who follow God?

And what does this say about how God reacts when his people call upon him? Okay, now we can start Psalm 5. Give ear to my words. Psalm 5 verse 1. Give ear to my words, O Lord. Consider my groaning. Attend to the sound of my cry, my king, and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice.

At daybreak I lay my voice. At daybreak I lay my plea before you and wait in expectation. For you are not a God who delights in wickedness. No evil can dwell with you. The boastful cannot stand in your presence. You hate all workers of iniquity. You destroy those who tell lies. The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

But I will enter your house by the abundance of your loving devotion. In reverence, I will bow down toward your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make straight your ways before me. For not a word they speak can be trusted. Destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves, their tongues, practice, deceit. Declare them guilty, O God.

Let them fall by their own devices. Drive them out for their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against you. But let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them shout for joy. May you shelter them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely you, O Lord, bless the righteous.

You surround them with the shield of your favor. Okay, so pause there. How do you think David feels in this Psalm? What is he asking God to do in this? Psalm. According to David, how does God respond to wickedness? According to David, what does God offer those who take refuge in Him? What kind of justice is David asking for in this Psalm? And how does David approach God when he's speaking to God in this Psalm? How is he praying? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 6, which is called, do not rebuke me in your anger. Psalm 6 verse 1.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rap. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am frail. Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O Lord, how long? Turn, O Lord, and deliver my soul. Save me because of of your loving devotion, for there is no mention of you in death, who can praise you from Sheel. I am weary from groaning. All night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes fail from grief. They grow dim because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the Lord has heard my weeping, the Lord has heard my cry for mercy, the Lord accepts my prayer, all my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed. They will turn back in sudden

disgrace. Okay, so pause there. How does David feel in this Psalm? Is this a Psalm of sorrow or a psalm of rejoicing? It seems like David is asking for forgiveness. We don't really know what he might have done, but he seems to be asking for forgiveness here. So based on what David's says in this Psalm, how do you think he feels about what he did? And why is it important that he's telling God how he feels and telling God about his weeping and his grief? Why is it important that he express these feelings to God? And is David confident that God will forgive him? Okay, so now we can do Psalm 7, which is called I take refuge in you. Psalm 7 verse 1.

O Lord my God, I take refuge in you. Save me and deliver me from all my pursuers, or they will shred my soul like a lion and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me. O Lord my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands, if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause, Then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me. May he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Arise, O Lord, in your anger.

Rise up against the fury of my enemies. Awake, my God, an ordained judgment. Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Take your seat over them on high. The Lord judges the peoples. Vindicate me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and integrity. put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous,

O righteous God who searches hearts and minds. My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day. If one does not repent, God will sharpen his sword. He has bent and strung his bow.

He has prepared his deadly weapons. he ordains his arrows with fire. Behold, the wicked man travails with evil. He conceives trouble and births falsehood. He has dug a hole and hollowed it out. He has fallen into a pit of his own making. His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

I will thank the Lord for his righteousness and sing praise to the name of the Lord. Lord most high. Okay, so pause there. What is David asking God to do in this Psalm? What does David need rescuing from? Who are these people pursuing David? In this Psalm, we see that David has been accused of something, and people are coming after him. So based on David's words in Psalm 7 and what he's saying, do we think that David is guilty of what he's being accused of? or that he's innocent. According to David,

what happens to the wicked man versus the righteous man? And how does God know the difference between who is wicked and who is righteous, and how does God pursue justice? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 8, which is called How Majestic is your name? Psalm 8, verse 1. Oh, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name? name in all the earth. You have set your glory above the heavens. From the mouths of children

and infants you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries to silence the enemy and avenger. When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler of the works of your hands. You have placed everything under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air,

and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. Okay, so pause there. What is the main theme of Psalm 8? Is this a Psalm of sorrow or a Psalm of praise? What is David grateful for in this Psalm? Why is it important to remember or meditate on our place in the universe? David talks about beholding the heavens,

the moon and the stars, the work of God's hands, and then talks about how we're just a little bit below the angels and that we were given this earth to take care of. Why is that significant? Why is it important for us to remember what God created for us and what God has given us? And knowing that God gave us these gifts, how should we respond to that? How should we treat these gifts? How should we take care of them according to God?

The next Psalm is Psalm 9. I will give thanks to the Lord. Psalm 9, verse 1. I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. I will recount all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O most high. When my enemies retreat, they stumble and perish before you.

For you have upheld my just cause. You sit on your throne judging righteously. You have rebuked the nations. you have destroyed the wicked. You have erased their name forever and ever. The enemy has come to eternal ruin, and you have uprooted their cities. The very memory of them has vanished.

But the Lord abides forever. He has established his throne for judgment. He judges the world with justice. He governs the people, with equity. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion, proclaim his deeds among the nations,

for the avenger of bloodshed remembers. He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. Be merciful to me, O Lord. See how my enemies afflict me. Lift me up from the gates of death that I may declare, all your praises, that within the gates of Daughter Zion, I may rejoice in your salvation. The nations have fallen into a pit of their making, their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by the justice he brings. The wicked are ensnared by the work of their

hands. The wicked will return to Sheel, all the nations who forget God. For the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the oppressed, forever dashed. Rise up, O Lord. Do not let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your presence. Lay terror upon them, O Lord. Let the nations know they are but men. Okay, so pause there. What are the themes in Psalm 9? What is David asking God in this Psalm? How does David praise God and give him thanks in this Psalm. In verses 3 to 10, David starts talking about God's justice.

So according to David here, how does God judge? What does that look like? Justice is something that was a huge theme in the book of Job. So when David talks about God's justice here in Psalm 9, does that align with what we learned about God's justice in Job? And then what does David think is going to happen to the wicked? What is he observing about people around him? And what does he think is going to happen to the wicked who have fallen away from God?

And then what does David say that God is to people who are oppressed? What does God offer you in times of trouble? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 10. This is one of the anonymous Psalms, so we're not sure who wrote this Psalm, but here we go with Psalm 10, which is called the Perils of the Pilgrim. Psalm 10, verse 1. Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide in times of trouble? In pride, the wicked pursue the needy. Let them be caught in the schemes they devise. For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart, he blight. He blighted. blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. In his pride, the wicked man does not seek him. In all his schemes, there is no God. He is secure in his ways at all times. Your lofty judgments are far from

him. He sneers at all his foes. He says to himself, I will not be moved. From age to age, I am free of distress. His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence. trouble and malice are under his tongue. He lies in weight near the villages. In ambush, he slays the innocent. His eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. He lies in weight like a lion in the thicket. He lurks to seize the oppressed. He catches the lowly in his net. They are crushed and beaten down. The hapless fall prey to his strength. He says to himself, God is forgotten. He hides his face and never sees. Arise, O Lord. Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, You will never call me to account, but you have regarded trouble and grief. You see to repay it by your hand the victim entrusts himself to you. You are the helper of the fatherless. break the arm of the wicked and evil-doer, call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found. The Lord is king forever and ever, the nations perish from his land. You have heard, O Lord, the desire of the humble.

You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline your ear to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more. Okay, so pause here. What was the author of this Psalm's relationship to God? How did the author feel in relation to God? Did the author feel close to God or far away from God? Why do you think the author felt like God was not helping during times of trouble? Why do you think the author was doubting God? What did the author of this Psalm? want God to do? What did the author observe about wicked people and what conclusion did the author come to about people who are wicked? And even though this author was experiencing doubt and questioning, did they show that they still trusted in God and have some understanding of how God works? Okay, now we can read Psalm 11. This is another Psalm by David, and Psalm 11 is called, In the Lord, I

take refuge. Psalm 11, verse 1. In the Lord, I take refuge. How then can you say to me, flee like a bird to your mountain? For behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright and heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord is on his heavenly temple. The Lord is on his heavenly His eyes are watching closely. They examine the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked. His soul hates the lover of violence. On the wicked, he will rain down fiery coals and sulfur. A scorching wind will be their portion. For the Lord is righteous. He loves justice.

The upright will see his face. Okay, so pause there. Who is David talking to? At the beginning of the Psalm, he says, In the Lord, I take refuge. How then can you say to me? And then the rest of verse 1 and verse 2 and verse 3 are him quoting what people have been saying to him. So who is he talking to?

And what are these people telling him to do? And does David think that this advice they're giving him to flee to his mountain, because his enemies are approaching, does he think that that's good advice? And what does he say in response to that advice? What does he say about the Lord and how God will administer justice? Do you agree with David here? Is what he says about God and what God loves and what God hates and how God administers justice true?

Is that a line with everything that you know about God? Okay, Psalm 12, another Psalm by David, which is called the godly or no more. Verse 1. Help, O Lord, for the godly are no more. The faithful have vanished among men. They lie to one another. They speak with flattering lips in a double heart. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips in every boastful tongue. They say, with our tongues we will prevail, with our own lips, who can be our master. For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy,

I will now arise, says the Lord. I will bring safety to him who yearns. The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver, refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold. You, O Lord, will keep us. You will forever guard us from this generation. The wicked, wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men. Okay, so pause there. What is David noticing about humanity? And what is the sin of these people he's describing? And then what does David say about God, about who he is, who he fights for, and how he will protect his people? Okay, now we can do Psalm 13, which is called How Long, O Lord? This is another Psalm by David. Psalm 13, verse 1.

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle in my soul? With sorrow in my heart each day. How long will my enemy dominate me? Consider me and respond, O Lord, my God. Give light to my eyes lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say I have overcome him,

and my foes rejoice when I fall. But I have trusted in your loving devotion. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. Okay, so pause there. How does David feel in this Psalm? What is he upset about? Why does he feel like God has forgotten him?

What does David need from God that he feels like he's not getting? What answer is he looking for that he feels like God is not? not giving him. And then in the last two verses, when he says, I've trusted in your loving devotion, my heart will rejoice in your salvation, I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. What does that tell us about David and his relationship with God despite his frustrations? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 14, which is called The Fool Says, There is no God. This is another Psalm written by David. Psalm 14. verse 1.

The fool says in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt. Their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.

All have turned away. They have together become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one. Will the work? Workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread. They refuse to call upon the Lord.

There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is in the company of the righteous. You sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed, yet the Lord is their shelter. O that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion. When the Lord restores his captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 14. Who is David talking about in this Psalm? How does David feel about the people he's talking about in this Psalm? And how does he think God sees them?

And then what is he asking God for in this Psalm? What does he want God to do for the people of Israel? Okay, now we can do Psalm 15, which is called Who May Dwell on Your Holy Mountain? This is another Psalm written by David. Psalm 15, verse 1. O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain?

He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend, who despises the vile, but honors those who fear the Lord, who does not revise a costly oath, who lends his money without interest, and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. He who does these things will never be shaken. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 15. What kind of person is David looking for in this Psalm?

And the person he's describing is that a person who follows God closely or someone who is far away from God. And the things David describes about this righteous person, integrity, truth, fairness, are these characteristics? that God wants us to follow? Is this how we should be living our lives? Psalm 16, The Presence of the Lord.

This is another Psalm by David. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, You are my Lord. Apart from you, I have no good thing. As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides. Sorrows will multiply to those who chase other gods. I will not pour out

their libations of blood, or speak their names with my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup. You have made my lot secure. The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places. Surely my inheritance is delightful. I will bless the Lord who counsels me, even at night. My conscience instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand. I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body also will dwell securely. For you will not abandon my soul to shield, nor will you let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 16. How does David feel in this Psalm? How does David feel in God's presence? Why does David choose to follow the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, rather than following other gods, the gods of other people. How does God make David feel safe and secure? This Psalm is also one of many that is quoted in the New Testament. In Acts chapter 2, verses 25 to 28 and verse 31, Peter quotes this Psalm when talking about Jesus

and then later in Acts in chapter 13, verses 35 to 37, Paul also quotes this Psalm. And they're both quoting these last four verses, verses 8 through 11, where David is saying, I've set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand. I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. My body also will dwell securely, for you will not abandon my soul to Sheel. nor will you let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand. So how do you think those verses

connect to Jesus? Why do you think Peter and Paul would quote this song? And some of you may not have read the whole Bible or even know the story of the New Testament yet. So this may be new to you. This may be something to do a little research on. But if you have read the New Testament and you know the story of Jesus, how do you think this connects to him? Okay, now we can start Psalm 17, which is called Hear My Righteous Plea. This is another Psalm written by David. Psalm 17, verse 1.

Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea, listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer. It comes from lips free of deceit. May my vindication come from your presence. May your eyes see what is right. You have tried my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil.

I have resolved not to sin with my mouth. As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held to your paths. My feet have not slipped. I call on you, O God, for you will answer me. Incline your ear to me. Hear my words.

Show the wonders of your loving devotion, you who save by your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me from my mortal enemies who surround me. They have closed their callous hearts, Their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked us down and now surround us.

Their eyes are set to cast us to the ground like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush. Arise, O Lord, confront them. Bring them to their knees. Deliver me from the wicked by your sword. From such men, O Lord, by your hand, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May you fill the bellies of your treasured ones and satisfy their sons

so they leave their abundance to their children. As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness. When I awake, I will be satisfied in your presence. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 17. What does David need God's help with? What is he afraid of that's surrounding him? And how does David appeal to God? What does he say at the beginning of the Psalm?

Do you believe David that he is righteous, that he has not sinned, that he's not evil, that he was basically without sin? Is that what David's saying here at the beginning of the Psalm? If he is saying that he is without sin, how is he able to say that? because we have many instances throughout the Bible of David, sinning in the Old Testament. So how is he able to say that here?

And if he's not saying that he's sinless, then what is he saying at the beginning of Psalm 17? What do we learn about David's relationship with God throughout this Psalm? How does David show his trust in God? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 18, which is called the Lord is my rock. This is another psalm written by David. Psalm 18, verse one. I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, and whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies. The core of the Lord. The core of

The cords of death encompassed me. The torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. The cords of sheel entangled me. The snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord. I cried to my God for help. From his temple, he heard my voice. And my cry for his help reached his ears.

Then the earth shook and quaked. and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled. They were shaken because he burned with anger. Smoke rose from his nostrils, and consuming fire came from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth. He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath his feet. He mounted a cherub and flew.

He soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around him. From the brightness of his presence, his clouds advanced, hailstones and coals of fire. The Lord thundered from heaven, the voice of the most high resounded, hailstones and coals of fire.

He shot his arrows and scattered the foes. He hurled lightning and routed them. The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me. He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy,

from my foes too mighty for me. They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into the open. He rescued me because he delighted in me. The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness. He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands, for I have kept the ways of the Lord

and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his ordinances are before me. I have not disregarded his statutes, and I have been blameless before Him. him and kept myself from iniquity. So the Lord has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked, you show yourself shrewd. For you have an afflicted people,

but you humble those with haughty eyes. For you, O Lord, light, my lamp. My God lights up my darkness. For in you, I can charge an army, and with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect. The word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way clear. He makes my feet like those of a deer, and stations me upon the heights. He trains my hands for battle. My arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You have given me your shield of salvation. Your right hand upholds me, and your gentleness exalts me. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not give way. I pursued my enemies and overtook them. I did not turn back until they were consumed. I crushed them so they could not rise. They have fallen under my feet. You have armed me with strength for battle.

You have subdued my foes beneath me. You have made my enemies retreat before me. I put an end to those who hated me. They cried for help, but there was no one to save them. to the Lord, but he did not answer. I ground them as dust in the face of the wind. I trampled them like mud in the streets. You have delivered me from the strife of the people.

You have made me the head of nations. A people I had not known shall serve me. When they hear me, they obey me. Foreigners cower before me. Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strong ones. holds. The Lord lives and blessed be my rock. And may the God of my salvation be exalted, the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me, who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes. You rescue me from violent men. Therefore I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations.

I will sing praises to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king. He shows loving devotion to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 18. That's one of the longer Psalms that we've read so far. And one thing that I think you should do is go back and read 2 Samuel chapter 22. because 2 Samuel chapter 22 is essentially the same song of Thanksgiving that we find here in Psalm 18. So you might go back and read that one, see if there are any differences that you can find, and ask yourself, why was this song of Thanksgiving included in 2 Samuel 22 and here in Psalm 18?

And what is David thanking God for in this Psalm? How has God protected David? Who has God delivered David from? And how has God helped David conquer these other nations? And why does David believe that God is helping him? Why does David believe that God is on his side? There are parts of this Psalm, like in verse 20, when David says, the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness. And then he says, I have kept the ways of the Lord, and he says that I am blameless before God. In verse 23. So do you agree with that? Do you agree that David is blameless? Do you agree that God is rewarding David because David is righteous?

or do you think that there's a different reason that God is protecting David? This kind of relates to the questions we asked during Job. Does God reward us because we do good things? Or does God reward and protect us because God loves us despite the things that we do? How do you think God works in that aspect of life? What do you learn about God and about God? David through this Psalm. Okay, so now we can start Psalm 19, which is called the heavens declare the glory of God.

This is also a Psalm written by David. Psalm 19, verse 1. The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they reveal knowledge. Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens, and runs its circuit to the other. Nothing is deprived of its warmth. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commandments of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure. enduring forever.

The judgments of the Lord are true, bringing altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them indeed, your servant is warned. In keeping them is great reward. Who can discern his own errors? cleanse me from my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins.

May they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgressions. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 19. At the beginning of this Psalm, David talks about, how the heavens show us the glory of God. So when you look around in nature, at the sky, at the grass, at the plants, at the animals, and you look around and see the world,

where do you see God's glory? Do you see God's glory in nature? And what can you learn about God through nature, through his creation. And then David talks about God's law and God's commandments and his judgments and the fear of the Lord. And what does he say about those things? How do those things affect our lives, according to David? And then David talks to God and he asks God, you know, forgive me from my sins, those that I know I committed.

and even those that I don't know I committed, because he has this desire to be blameless and to be cleansed from the things that distance him from God. So why do you think David is asking for forgiveness at the end of this Psalm? This Psalm starts with David recognizing who God is and seeing him in nature, and then recognizing what God's instruction and law does for us and for his people.

And it closes with David asking for forgiveness. So why do you think David meditating on God's power and who he is and his law and the way that he works in the world? Why do you think David meditating on those topics led to him asking for forgiveness? And does David believe that he is forgiven? I think this is an important lesson for people who follow God and believe in God, is that, yes, there will be guilt for things you might have done, or for things that you do, or for things that you don't even know that you do,

but do you believe that you have truly been forgiven so that you're not stuck in guilt, but so that you can live in the forgiveness that God gives us. So how do you do that? And can you learn from David and his life and the way that he speaks to God? And can you learn from that and remind yourself that, yes, I am forgiven. Okay, now we can start Psalm 20, another Psalm written by David, which is called the Day of Trouble. Psalm 20 verse 1.

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. May he give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy at your victory and raise a banner in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed. He answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we will collapse and fall, but we. We rise up and stand firm. O Lord, save the king, answer us on the day we call. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 20.

Who do you think David is talking to in this Psalm? He says things like, may the Lord answer you in the day of trouble, may he protect you, may he give you the desires of your heart, make your plans succeed. Who do you think he's talking to? And what kind of success is David looking for here? And can you tell throughout this Psalm how David feels about God? Does David trust wholeheartedly that God will help them succeed?

Or is he nervous that God may not help them? Do you see David is being confident here or nervous? At the beginning of this Psalm, David uses a lot of statements that start with May. May the Lord answer you. May he send you help? May he remember you? And then after the first five verses, he starts saying, now I know that the Lord saves his anointed. And then he starts saying things that he knows about God. So why do you think the first five verses he's using these may statements, may the Lord send you help? Why do you think he phrases the statements that way instead of saying, I know the Lord, will answer you. I know that he will help you. I know that he will give you your desires.

Is he unsure that these things will happen? Or is he hopeful that they will? Why does he phrase it this way? And then at the end, when he's talking about the Lord saving his anointed, and that they will rise and stand firm because they trust in God, why is he confident that he knows those things will happen? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 21, another Psalm written by David, which is called After the Battle. Psalm 21 verse 1. O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. How greatly he exalts in your salvation. You have granted his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

For you welcomed him with rich blessings. you placed on his head a crown of pure gold. He asked you for life, and you granted it. Length of days forever and ever. Great is his glory in your salvation. You bestow on him splendor and majesty. For you grant him blessings forever. You cheer him with joy in your presence.

For the king trusts in the Lord, through the loving devotion of the Most High, he will not be shaken. Your hand will apprehend all your enemies. Your right hand will seize those who hate you. You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of your appearing. In his wrath, the Lord will engulf them, and the fire will consume them. You will wipe their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from the sons of men.

Though they intend you harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail, for you will put them to flight when your bow is trained. upon them. Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength. We will sing and praise your power. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 21. Who is the king that David is talking about in this Psalm? He says, The king rejoices in your strength and that the king trusts in the Lord. Who is this king that he's talking about? And then when David talks about all the things he has, all the blessings he has, who does he credit for those blessings? Who does he say gave him victory? Who gave him his desires? And then what does David say God does to his enemies? What is David's understanding of God's justice? How does David see God administering justice? Is David correct in the way that he views God's justice?

Okay, so now we can read Psalm 22. This is another Psalm written by David, and it's called the Psalm of the Cross. And the reason for that is that in the New Testament, in the Gospels, the Gospels are a collection of books at the beginning of the New Testament that tell the story of Jesus's life on earth. In those Gospels, when they tell the story of Jesus being crucified on the cross, Jesus' quotes the beginning of this psalm, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me when he's being crucified on the cross? And so as you're listening to this Psalm, you can listen to it with two different thoughts in mind. One, thinking about the Psalm as it was written, at the time it was written, why David wrote these words during his life. And then you can also think about it in regard to

Jesus and the crucifixion and why you think Jesus chose to quote this Psalm when he was being crucified. Okay, so Psalm 22, verse 1. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning? I cry out by day, oh my God, but you do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest. Yet you, you, You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted. They trusted and you delivered them. They cried out to you and were set free.

They trusted in you and were not disappointed. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me. They sneer and shake their heads. He trusts in the Lord. Let the Lord deliver him. Let the Lord rescue him since he delights in him.

Yet you brought me forth from the womb. You made me secure at my mother's breast. From birth, I was cast upon you. From my mother's womb, you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me, strong bowls of bosh and encircle me. They open their job. against me like lions that roar and maul. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed.

My heart is like wax. It melts away within me. My strength is dried up like a potshard, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust, for dogs surround me a band of evil men encircles me, they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. But you, O Lord, be not far off. Oh, my strength come quickly to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs. Save me from the mouth of the lion, at the horns of the wild oxen, you have answered me. I will proclaim your name to my brothers. I will praise you in the assembly.

You who fear the Lord praise him. All descendants of Jacob honor him. All offspring of Israel revere him. For he has not despised or despise. the torment of the afflicted. He is not hidden his face from him, but has attended to his cry for help. My praise for you resounds in the great assembly. I fulfill my vows before those who fear you. The poor will eat and be satisfied.

Those who seek the Lord will praise him. May your hearts live. forever. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord. All the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship. All who go down to the dust will kneel before him, even those unable to preserve their lives. Posterity will serve him. They will declare the Lord to a new generation.

They will come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, all that he has done. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 22. How does David feel in this Psalm? Is this a Psalm of triumph and joy or a Psalm of mourning and sadness and frustration? It's interesting to read through David's Psalms because you see all the different emotions represented through his poetry. You see him when he feels at his lowest. You see him when he feels victorious.

And so you really get to see this picture of his honest emotions and feelings. So why do you think it's important for us to read these Psalms and tell you. and to hear David speak honestly about how he feels toward God, toward his situation, toward what's going on in the world at the time when he's alive. And why do you think David feels like God has forsaken him and that God is far from him? How does David feel when things are going well in his life versus when things are going poorly in his life when everything's not going his way. And how do you think God works? How do you think God shows up in our lives? When things aren't going well, does that mean that God is far from us?

And that when things are going well, that God is near to us. Is that how God works? Or is that just how we feel during those times in our lives? And do you see moments in this Psalm where David is still praising God despite feeling distant from God? And then I want you to think about how David feels in this Psalm. What kind of situation is he in? What is he describing? He talks about feeling distant from God. He talks about people surrounding him, mocking him, threatening him.

How does David feel? What kind of situation is he in? And then I want you to compare that to how you think Jesus might have felt right before he was crucified. If you've read the Gospels, if you know that story. If you haven't, you can go read the story of Jesus' crucifixion in either Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, and think about how Jesus might have felt in those moments leading up to his crucifixion. Do you see any similarities between David in Psalm 22 and Jesus in the New Testament? And then what might be some differences that you notice between David here and how Jesus might be feeling in the New Testament?

And why do you think Jesus quotes Psalm 22 when he's on the cross about to be crucified? Okay, so now we can start. Psalm 23. This is one of David's most famous Psalms. Even if you're not familiar with the Bible, you have probably heard this Psalm before or parts of it before. It's one that's often recited at funerals or other gatherings. So if you've read this Psalm many times, if you've heard it before, I encourage you to go into it with fresh eyes like you've never heard it before and see if you gain something new from these words today. So, Psalm 23, the Lord is my shepherd. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside

quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord. forever. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 23. In this Psalm, David uses a metaphor, and he compares God to a shepherd. Why do you think David uses this metaphor? How is God like a shepherd in our lives? Remember that before David was a king, he was a shepherd. So David is writing

from his own experience of being a shepherd and then comparing God to that shepherd. So how do you think David's own experience as a shepherd impacted what he wrote here? What do we learn about David's relationship with God through Psalm 23? How did David feel when he was in relationship with God? what did that relationship do for David's spirit? How does God bring about peace in your own life? Peace and stillness. That's really a theme throughout this song.

So how does God bring that stillness, that peace, that's slowing down into your life? And then at the end of the Psalm, why is David so confident that goodness and mercy will follow him all the days of his life. Where is that assurance coming from? And do you feel that same assurance in your own life? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 24, which is another psalm written by David, and this one is called The Earth is the Lord's. Psalm 24, verse 1. The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein.

For he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully, he will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from the God of His salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates. Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the king of glory may enter. Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates. Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the king of glory may enter. enter, who is he this king of glory? The Lord of hosts. He is the king of glory. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 24.

In this Psalm, who does David say the earth belongs to? And then David goes on to ask a couple of questions. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? And then he describes a person worthy of standing in God's holy place and ascending the hill of the Lord. He describes this person as having clean hands of pure heart and talks about this person will receive blessings from God and vindication. So who do you think David is talking about here? And then the last section of this Psalm has some repetition. We hear this phrase, lift up your heads, oh gates, be lifted up, oh, ancient doors that the king of glory may enter.

Who is this king of glory, the Lord, strong and mighty? So what is David talking about when he says those words? Who is he talking about? And why do you think it's repeated? Okay, so now we can read Psalm 25, which is also a Psalm written by David, and this one is called, To you, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25, verse 1. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

In you, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies exalt over me. Surely none who wait for you will be put to shame. But those who are faithless, without cause, will be disgraced. Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation.

All day long I wait for you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and loving devotion, for they are from age to age. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts. Remember me according to your loving devotion because of your goodness, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord. therefore he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the Lord's ways are loving and faithful to those who keep his covenant and decrees.

For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him. His soul will dwell in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The Lord confides in those who fear him and reveals his covenant to them. My eyes are always on the Lord,

for he will free my feet from the mesh. Turn to me and be gracious, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart increase, free me from my distress, consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all. my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with a vicious hatred. Guard my soul

and deliver me. Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for you. Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 25. How do you think David feels, throughout this Psalm. And what is he asking God to do? How does David show his humility in this Psalm? What can you learn about God throughout this Psalm and how God works and how God interacts with us? According to David, how does God guide us and teach us when we follow him? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 26, which is called Vindicate me, O Lord, and this is also a psalm written by David. Psalm 26, verse 1.

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked with integrity. I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and mind, for your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in your truth. I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. I hate the mob of evil-doers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands and innocence that I may go about your altar, O Lord, to raise my voice in Thanksgiving and declare all your wonderful works.

O Lord, I love the house where you dwell, the place where your glory resides. Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed, and whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But I will walk with integrity. Redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground in the congregations. I will bless the Lord. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 26.

Why do you think David is asking for vindication? What do you think he's asking to be vindicated from? And then David sort of gives some evidence in his life saying, I don't sit with deceitful men or keep company with hypocrites. I wash my hands in innocence, et cetera. So he kind of gives this evidence for the righteous things he's done. So why do you think David is saying these things to God? Is he saying that he is sinless and has never sinned? Is he trying to give evidence as to how good of a person he is, how good of a job he's done following God's law. Why is he including this section in this Psalm?

And think about this list that David makes, where he says, these are the things I haven't done. These are the things I stay away from to be close with you, God. Are these things that David sees as righteous, things that God has called us to do? For example, David says, I refuse to sit with the wicked. So does that mean that we should stay away from people who don't believe in God? Or does God call us to something else? Because all these things that David lists, do those things actually make him righteous?

Do those things save him? Do those things forgive him? What does God teach us? what actually makes us righteous, what gives us our salvation? Is it God or is it the things that we do or don't do? And then at the end, he says, he's asking God, you know, do not take my soul away with the sinners. So what is David afraid of here?

What does he think is going to happen to him if God treats him like someone who is wicked? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 27, which is called the Lord is my salvation. Psalm 27, verse 1. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Whom shall I dread? When the wicked come upon me to devour my flesh,

my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. Though an army encamps around you, me, my heart will not fear. Though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust. One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I desire, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble, he will hide me in his shelter. He will conceal me under the cover of his tent. He will set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me.

At his tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, my voice when I call, Be merciful and answer me. My heart said, seek his face. Your face, O Lord, I will seek. Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in anger. You have been my helper.

Do not leave me or for me. forsake me, O God of my salvation. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my oppressors. Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. Still I am certain to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the Lord. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 27.

Where does David find his strength and find his salvation? How does this Psalm remind us to put our trust in God? And what does David express as his deepest desire in this Psalm? David wants to be in the presence of God. He wants to be seen by God and see God himself. Why do you think he has this desire? And when do you think he believes this desire will be fulfilled? Because at the end of the Psalm, David makes a shift in those last couple of verses.

And he says, still I am certain to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. So he's kind of implying that I'm not going to see these things that I desire here on earth. but he's still going to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living with the people around him on earth. So the question is, where do you see the goodness of God around you? Where do you see it in your day-to-day life? Where do you see God in your friends and family? Where do you see God when you spend time outside? Where do you see that goodness? And like David says at the end of this Psalm, why is it important for us to wait patiently and be strong and courageous? What are we waiting for?

And how can we rely on God while we're waiting for his promises? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 28, which is also a Psalm written by David, and it is called, The Lord is my strength. Psalm 28, verse 1. To you, O Lord, I call. Be not deaf to me, oh my rock. For if you remain silent, I will be like those descending to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy when I call to you for help,

when I lift up my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Do not drag me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts. repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil. Repay them for what their hands have done. Bring back on them what they deserve. Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord or what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never rebuild them.

Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in him and I am helped. Therefore, my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to him with my song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a stronghold of salvation for his anointed. Save your people and bless your inheritance. Shepard them and carry them forever. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 28.

What is David asking God in this Psalm? He says at the beginning of the Psalm, for if you remain silent, I will be like those descending to the pit. Him using that word remain silent implies that David feels like God is not speaking to him. He feels like God is remaining silent. Why do you think David feels that way? Are there times when God remains silent? Or is he always speaking to us whether we feel his words or not? And what do you think David means I will be like those descending into the pit? What do you think he's talking about here, what is this pit he's referring to? In what ways do you see David's desire for closeness with God throughout this Psalm? What does David say in this Psalm about people he sees as wicked?

What does he say that they do? How do they act? And David talks a little bit about God's justice in this Psalm. So what does David say about God and how he administers justice? Just Do you think David is right about how God administers justice? Because remember when we read through Job, if you've read through Job, there's a lot of discussion about God's justice and how he administers justice. And some of Job's friends were wrong and some of the things that Job said was wrong. And then God came in and gave Job the correct information, gave Job some insight into how God works. So does what David say in this Psalm align with what you

know about God's justice. Okay, so now we can start Psalm 29, another Psalm written by David, which is called ascribe glory to the Lord. Psalm 29, verse 1. Ascribe to the Lord, oh, heavenly beings. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord, the glory do his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the the waters, the God of glory thunders. The Lord is heard over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars. The Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf and Syrian like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness. The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, glory. The Lord sits enthroned over the flood. The Lord is enthroned as king forever. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses his people with peace.

Okay, so pause there. What do we learn about God throughout this Psalm? How does David feel about God? What does he think about God? What kinds of characteristics does he attribute to God? How does David feel throughout this Psalm? Why is he asking people to ascribe glory to God? In this Psalm, David is talking about how he sees God's power and majesty.

In what ways do you see and feel God's power and majesty in your own life? Okay, now we can read Psalm 30, which is another Psalm written by David, called You Turned My Morning Into Dancing. Psalm 30, verse 1. I will exalt you, O Lord, for you have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord, my God, I cried to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheel, you spared me from descending into the pit. Sing to the Lord, O you his saints, and praise his holy name, for his anger is fleeting,

but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning. In prosperity I said, I will never be shaken. O Lord, you favored me. You made my mountains stand strong. When you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, O Lord, I called and I begged my Lord for mercy. What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the pit?

Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear me, O Lord, and have mercy. O Lord, be my helper. You turned my mourning into dancing. You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Oh, Lord, my God, I will give thanks forever.

Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 30. So two Psalms ago, Psalm 28, we heard David ask God, don't send me into the pit. Don't forsake me. And now we have this Psalm where David is saying, you pulled me up from Sheel. You spared me from descending into the pit. So think about how David feels in this Psalm, Psalm 30, versus how he felt in Psalm 28. What kind of emotions do we see?

What kind of words does he use in this Psalm? How does he speak to God? And is it different from when he speaks to God when he is in mourning, or when he is worried, or when he is not. not sure that God is going to answer his prayers. Because we see many Psalms where David is sad and he is mourning, and now he's saying to God, you took my mourning and you turned it into dancing.

You gave me joy. Why does David feel joy right now? What has God done that has made David feel uplifted, made him feel joyful, made him feel like dancing? And what does that tell us about God? You know, in many of the Psalms, David is saying, Where are you? I can't feel you.

And now he's saying, sing praises to your holy name. Your anger is fleeting. Your favor lasts a lifetime. So did God ever leave David? Did God ever truly forsake him? Or was he always there? I think something that is really insightful about the Psalms is that, You can see David's emotions very honestly.

You can really hear and understand how he reacts to different situations. How he reacts when things are going poorly and he's scared of his enemies and how he reacts when he's had victory or feels like God is on his side. So what does that tell us about how we are as humans? Are we looking at David and saying this is how we should respond? Is he responding perfectly in every situation? Or are we seeing an honest representation of a relationship with God? And how we as humans do react because of our emotions and how we feel about things,

whether they're right or wrong, but they're honest. And why is it important to be honest with God? regardless of whether you're right or wrong about a situation, or if you desire your feelings to change a little bit, why is it important that we be honest when we feel like God has abandoned us, or that we struggle to praise him when we're suffering or going through something difficult? Why is it important that we be honest with God about how we feel all the time? not just when we feel good, but when we feel suffering or when we feel sadness. How can you be honest with God about how you're feeling right now?

Okay, so now we can start Psalm 31, which is called Into Your Hands, I Commit My Spirit. Another Psalm written by David. Psalm 31, verse 1. In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge. Let me never be put to shame. Save me by your righteous. Incline your ear to me. Come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance. For you are my rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me for the sake of your name.

You free me from the net laid out for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth. I hate those who cling to worthless idols. But in the Lord, I trust. I will be glad and rejoice in your loving devotion, for you have seen my affliction. You have known the anguish of my soul. You have not delivered me to the enemy. You have set my feet in the open. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress.

My eyes fail from sorrow. My soul embody as well. For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning. My iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away. Among all my enemies, I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends. They flee when they see me on the street. I am forgotten like a dead man out of mind.

I am like a broken vessel, for I hear the slander of many. There is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot. to take my life. But I trust in you, O Lord, I say you are my God. My times are in your hands. Deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Make your face shine on your servant. Save me by your loving devotion. Oh, Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be put to shame. Let them lie silent and sheal. May lying lips be silenced, lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.

How great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in you? You hide them in the secret place of your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in your shelter from accusing tongues. Blessed be the Lord, for he has shown me his loving devotion in a sense. city under siege. In my alarm, I said, I am cut off from your sight. But you heard my plea for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the Lord all his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant. Be strong and courageous all you who hope in the Lord.

Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 31. One piece of interesting information about this Psalm, is this is another Psalm that Jesus quotes when he dies on the cross, his crucifixion. So if you read Luke chapter 23 and then go to verse 46, you will see Jesus quote verse 5 from Psalm 31. These are the last words spoken by Jesus before he dies and he says, into your hands, I commit my spirit. So why do you think Jesus, if you know the story of Jesus in the New Testament, chooses to quote Psalm 31 in his last moments? Do you think David expresses any emotions in Psalm 31 that Jesus might have felt during the time of his death? And what do you think that phrase means, into your hands, I commit my spirit?

What do you think that phrase meant to David? What do you think it meant to Jesus? And what do you think it means for us today? Throughout this Psalm, how does David show his trust in the Lord? How do you think David feels throughout this Psalm? Is he joyful? Is he worried about something? Is he sad?

What is David asking God for throughout this Psalm? And towards the end of the psalm, he says, in my alarm, I said, I am cut off from your sight, but you heard my plea for mercy. What is David recognizing in this moment? What is he reflecting on? Does he feel like he's done something wrong than he needs to change? Is he acknowledging something he said in the past? Is he acknowledging something God has done for him?

What is he recognizing here when he says that? Okay. So now we can start Psalm 32, which is also a Psalm written by David, and it is called the joy of forgiveness. Psalm 32, verse 1. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose iniquity the Lord does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. My strength was drained as in the summer heat. Then, I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the godly pray to you while you may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near. You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will give you counsel and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding. They must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous ones, shout for joy all you upright in heart. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 32. What is David expressing in this Psalm? The theme of this Psalm is repentance and forgiveness. How did David feel when he acknowledged his sins to God? How did David know that his sins were forgiven? Where do we see God's grace in this Psalm?

How is David putting his trust in God? Why is it important to acknowledge our sins before God? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 33, and this is one of the Psalms that is anonymous. We're not sure who wrote this Psalm. The title of Psalm 33 is praise to the Creator. Psalm 33, verse 1. Rejoice in the Psalm 3.

the Lord, O righteous ones, it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp, make music to him with ten strings, sing to him a new song, play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is trustworthy. The Lord loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of his loving devotion. By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of his mouth. He piles up the waters of the sea. He puts the depths into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord. Let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke and it came to be. He commanded and it stood firm. The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations. He thwarts the devices of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever. The

purposes of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his inheritance. The Lord looks down from heaven. He sees all the sons of men. From his dwelling place, he gazes on all who inhabit the earth. He shapes the hearts of each. He considers all their works. No king is saved by his vast army. No warrior is delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for salvation. Even its great strength cannot save. Surely the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his loving devotion to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. For our hearts rejoice in him since we trust in His holy name.

May your loving devotion rest on us, O Lord, as we put our hope in you. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 33. This is a Psalm of praise. So what attributes of God is the psalmist praising throughout these verses? What did you learn about God and how he works throughout this Psalm? What does this Psalm say about trusting God? What does it say about God's creation? What does this Psalm say about God watching over us?

And what does this Psalm mean when it says our souls wait for the Lord? What does that mean? Okay, so now we can read Psalm 34. We're back to another Psalm written by David, and this one is called Taste and See that the Lord is good. Psalm 34 verse 1. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be on my lips. My soul boasts in the Lord. Let the oppressed hear and rejoice. Magnify the Lord with me. Let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant with joy. Their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man called out and the Lord heard him. He saved him from all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, children, listen. to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to seek good days?

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are inclined to their cry. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out and the Lord hears. He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted. He saves the contrite in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones. Not one of them

will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked and the haters of the righteous will be condemned. the Lord redeems his servants and none who take refuge in him will be condemned. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 34. What is the theme of this Psalm? At the beginning of this Psalm, David has this call to action. He says, I will bless the Lord at all times. And then in verse 3, he says, magnify the Lord with me. Let's exalt his name together.

So why do you think it's important for David to pray? praise God. And why does he want those around him to praise God as well? This is a very joyful psalm. David's talking about how he sought the Lord and God answered him and delivered him from all his fears. And he talks about how his life is and what he has been given because of God. So where does David see God in his life? And David talks a lot in this Psalm about those who follow God and what their lives look like and those who don't follow God and what their lives look like. And what does he say about those two different groups of people, how God sees them and how God interacts with them and how God answers the prayers of those who are righteous. And throughout this Psalm, David makes a lot of statements about those who are righteous. he says that if you fear the Lord, you will lack nothing, that God will listen to your cries,

and that he will deliver you from all your troubles, and that he will save the contrite and spirit, that God will deliver the righteous from all afflictions and protect their bones so that none of them will be broken. So what do you think David means when he says all of these statements? Because for many of you, you might be suffering from affliction. You might be calling out to God because of suffering that you're enduring. You might be going through a really tough time in your life, and it may not feel like God is answering your prayer or listening to you or delivering you from afflictions, like David says in this Psalm,

even though you believe in trust in God. So that might be something you want to sit with and meditate on. Why does David here say that God will deliver us from all afflictions if I don't see that in my life? Is that how God works? Why do we suffer even though we follow God? These are a lot of similar questions that we dealt with reading through Job, where he was a righteous man without fault, but suffered greatly on earth. So that might just be a question you want to sit with.

It's not one that I necessarily have an answer to. You may not have an answer to. But it is an honest question to ask. And one of those things we wrestle with when we read through some of these Psalms or any parts of Scripture, that we might have a hard time understanding because we don't necessarily see these things play out in our lives. And for some of you, maybe you do see this play out in your life and you understand this Psalm really well. And it makes sense to you. And so either way, just sit with that question and really meditate on it.

Because we also have to remember that when David wrote these Psalms and we've read through many of them, sometimes he is really strong and joyful with the Lord and thanking the Lord and praising the Lord from delivering him from all of these things. And sometimes he's going through suffering and he's saying, where are you? I don't see you. And I think that's very reflective of how we feel oftentimes in life. When we're going through suffering, sometimes it's really hard to see God and to feel like he's there. And then when everything is going, quote, unquote, well in our lives, it's easy to see God and to praise him. And so this is an interesting question to sit in and really think about as you go throughout your life and your walk with God.

Okay, so now we can read Psalm 35, another Psalm written by David. which is called contend with my opponents, O Lord. Psalm 35, verse 1. Contend with my opponents, O Lord. Fight against those who fight against me. Take up your shield and buckler. Arise and come to my aid. Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers.

Say to my soul, I am your salvation. May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame. May those who plan to harm me, be driven back and confounded. May they be like chaff in the wind as the angel of the Lord drives them away. May their path be dark and slick as the angel of the Lord pursues. For without cause they laid their net for me. Without reason they dug a pit for my soul. May ruin befall them by surprise.

May the net they hid ensnare them. May they fall into the hazard they created. Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and exalt in his salvation. All my bones will exclaim, who is like you, O Lord? Who delivers the afflicted from the aggressor, the poor and needy from the robber? Hostal witnesses come forward. They make changes I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. I paced about, as for my friend or brother. I was bowed down with grief, like one morning for his mother. But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee, they gathered together against me, assailants I did not know, slandered me without ceasing. Like godless gestures at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me. How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.

Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people. Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason, wink in malice. For they did not speak peace, but they devise deceitful schemes against those who live quietly in the land. They gape at me and say, Aha, aha, our eyes have seen.

O Lord, you have seen it. Be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me. Awake and arise to my defense, to my cause, my God. and my Lord. Vindicate me by your righteousness, O Lord, my God, and do not let them gloat over me. Let them not say in their hearts, aha, just what we wanted. Let them not say we have swallowed him up. May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded. May those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and reproach. May those who favor my vindication shout for joy and

gladness. May they always say, exalted be the Lord who delights in his servant's well-being. Then my tongue will proclaim your righteousness and your praises all day long. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 35. We've kind of flipped back. How does David feel in this Psalm and what is he asking God to do? So again, we have David up against an opponent and he's asking God to help vindicate him from his enemies. In this Psalm, does David feel like God is listening? Does he feel like God is answering his prayers? In a couple of times throughout this Psalm, David will say something like in verse 8 and 9,

David asks for his enemies to be trapped, and then he says, Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and exalt in his salvation. Then he goes on to say, I did all these things, I prayed, I humbled myself, but you're still not answering my prayer. How long will it be? And he says, rescue my soul from their ravages. And then in verse 18, he says, Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people. And then at the end, he says, may those who favor my vindication shout for joy and gladness.

And then in verse 28, then my tongue will proclaim your righteousness and your praises all day long. So why is David withholding his praise from God? And what does that tell us about David's relationship with God? why is David not able to praise God when things are not going well? Why is he not able to praise God when he feels like God isn't answering his prayers? But is God still there listening to David and listening to all the words that he's praying in this Psalm? Why is it so important that David be honest with God about how he feels? This is kind of the opposite of the Psalm we read before, where David is,

David was very confident in God and confident in how God works. And now he's asking, he's questioning, he's saying, where are you? Why are you not saving me? Why are you not rescuing me? And there might be times where we as people speak this way to God because it's how we feel and God already knows. But why is it important to still express those feelings to God? And is God listening even though we have questions, even though we might be getting it wrong,

even though we might not understand what's happening? You see, they are still listening when we express our sadness, our anguish, our confusion, like David does here. Okay, so now we can start Psalm 36, which is also a Psalm written by David, and is called the Transgression of the Wicked. Psalm 36, verse 1. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man. There is no fear of God before his eyes, for his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin.

The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful. He has ceased to be wise and well-doing. Even on his bed he plots wickedness. He seats himself on a path that is not good. He fails to reject evil. Your loving devotion, O Lord, reaches to the heavens. Your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains.

Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O Lord, you preserve man and beast. How precious is your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house. and you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life. In your light, we see light.

Extend your loving devotion to those who know you and your righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of the proud come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the evildoers lie fallen, thrown down and unable to rise. Okay, so pause there at the end of the end of the world. Psalm 36. What does David say about the wicked? What is their sin? What are they guilty of? And then David describes God's devotion to those who follow him, to those who love him.

And what does the world look like for those people? And what does David say the world looks like for those who don't follow God? And what is their fate versus the fate of those who do follow God. How does God give us life? David talks about in verse 9, for with you is the fountain of life. In your light, we see light. So what does he mean? What is this fountain of life? What does that metaphor mean? Okay, so now we can read Psalm 37, which is also written by David and is called delight yourself in the Lord. Psalm 37, verse 1, do not fret over those who do evil. Do not envy those. who do wrong. For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants. Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the

desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him and he will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord. and wait patiently for him. Do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and abandon wrath. Do not fret. It can only bring harm.

For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Though you look for them, they will not be found, but the meek will inherit the land, and delight in abundant prosperity. The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them.

But the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their sword will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Better is the light of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.

For the arms of the wicked, wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will last forever. In the time of evil, they will not be ashamed, and in the days of famine, they will be satisfied. But the wicked and enemies of the Lord will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish like smoke. They will fade away. The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving. Surely those he blesses will inherit the land, but the cursed will be destroyed. The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord who takes delight in his journey.

Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the Lord is holding his hand. I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned, or their children begging for bread. They are ever generous and quick to lend, and their children are a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever. For the Lord loves justice, and will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of God is in his heart, his steps do not falter. Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous and seek to slay them, the Lord will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment. Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it. I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree. Yet he passed away and was no more.

Though I searched he could not be found. Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. But the transgressors will all be destroyed. The future of the wicked will be cut off. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord. He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps and delivers them.

He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in him. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 37. What are some themes that you noticed throughout this Psalm? David tells us to not worry about those who do evil or envy those who do wrong. And he says to trust in the Lord and delight in the Lord. How do we do this?

What does that look like? And David says, those who delight in the Lord, those who follow God, will prosper, and those who do wicked, will fade away, they will disappear. How does David know this? And what does David mean by this? How and when will the wicked disappear? And how and when will those who follow God prosper and inherit the land? David says that the Lord loves justice and will not forsake his saints. So based on what we know about God's justice, does this align with what we've known and learned so far throughout the Bible about God's justice? Will he protect those who follow him?

And will he administer justice to those people who have done evil things? And what does it look like to be righteous according to this Psalm? How do those who are righteous differ from those who are wicked? And when will this justice occur? Because this might be a difficult Psalm to read, because you might be reading this, and hearing David say, the wicked will vanish, they'll fade away,

they won't inherit the land, and then hearing him say that the righteous will never be abandoned, their children will never beg for bread, but you might look around and see people who have done really evil things prospering. They might have wealth, they might have fame, and then you might see really humble people who are following God struggling to make ends meet and not knowing where their next meal might come from. So where is this justice David is talking about? Is it going to happen on earth? Is it going to happen in the future? Is David saying that if you follow God, you will get these things? Or is he talking about a sort of final judgment, final justice? What do you think David's talking about here in this Psalm? And how do you see God provide and show up in your

own life, even when you're going through times of suffering and times of struggle. Okay, so now we can read Psalm 38, which is also a Psalm written by David, and it is called Do not rebuke me in your anger. Psalm 38, verse 1. Oh, Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath, for your arrows have pierced me deeply, and your hand has pressed down on me. There is no soundness in my body because of your anger. There is no rest in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have overwhelmed me.

They are a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds are foul and festering because of my sinful folly. I am bent and brought low. All day long I go about mourning. For my loins are full of burning pain and no soundness remains in my body. I am numb and badly quills. crushed. I groan in anguish of heart. O Lord, my every desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you. My heart pounds,

my strength fails, and even the light of my eyes has faded. My beloved and friends shun my disease and my kinsmen stand at a distance. Those who seek my life lay snares, those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit. all day long. But like a deaf man, I do not hear, and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. I am like a man who cannot hear, whose mouth offers no reply. I wait for you, O Lord. You will answer, O Lord, my God.

For I said, let them not gloat over me those who taunt me when my foot slips. For I am ready to fall and my pain is ever with me. Yes, I confess my iniquity. I am troubled by my sin. Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason. Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good. Do not forsake me, O Lord. Be not far from me, oh my God.

Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my Savior. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 38. How does David feel in this Psalm? It seems like something has gone wrong. What has happened, and why is David so distressed? And what is he asking God to do? In the first line, he's saying, Oh, Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

So David feels like he's done something wrong and he's being disciplined. But why does he specifically ask God, don't discipline me or rebuke me when you're angry or when you're wrathful? Why does he ask God that? And then do we hear David make any confession throughout? this Psalm, where he asks for forgiveness. When you read through the Psalms, David can be very relatable because there will be Psalms where he's rejoicing and everything's going well.

And Psalms where it's clear he's done something wrong that he feels deeply sorry for, and you hear his confession and his conversation with God throughout all different parts of his life. So why is that helpful for us? Why is it helpful for us to read these Psalms that David has written and read through these different emotions? Okay, so now we can start Psalm 39, which is also written by David and is called I will watch my ways. Psalm 39, verse 1.

I said, I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue. I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present. I was speechless and still. I remained silent even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred. My heart grew hot within me, as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue. Show me, O Lord, my end, and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.

You indeed have made my days as hand breaths and my lifetime as nothing before you. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Surely every man goes about like a phantom. Surely he bustles in vain. He heaps up riches, not knowing who will haul them away. And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions.

do not make me the reproach of fools. I have become mute. I do not open my mouth because of what you have done. Remove your scourge from me. I am perishing by the force of your hand. You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear. Surely each man is but a vapor. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry for help. Do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with you, a stranger like all my fathers. Turn your gaze away from me that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 39. How does David feel in this Psalm?

Why does David want to be silent? Why is he decided he doesn't want to speak? And then he asks God to show him the end of his life, the end of his day. days. Why does he want to see this? Why is he asking God this? And then David makes this claim in verses four through six, and he talks about how life is fleeting, how a man's life is but a vapor. And he says, truly, each man at his best exists as but a breath. Why does David feel like life is fleeting? Is David correct about that? Is life fleeting? Is David able to find any meaning in life right now in the midst of his suffering?

And then David says that he remains silent because of his suffering, and he asks God to remove his suffering, to remove his discipline from David. He even says in verse 10, remove your scourge from me, I am perishing by the force of your hand. What do you think he means by this? Why does he feel like his suffering is coming directly from what? God. Do you think David's suffering is coming from God? Is David suffering because of something he has

done? And then he asks God to hear his cry, to listen to him. So do you think God is listening? Do you think God is listening to you when you cry out to him in the midst of your suffering? Okay, now we can read Psalm 40, also written by David, which is called I waited patiently for the Lord. Psalm 40 verse 1 I waited patiently for the Lord He inclined to me and heard my cry He lifted me up from the pit of despair Out of the miry clay

He set my feet upon a rock And made my footsteps firm He put a new song in my mouth A hymn of praise to our God Many will see and fear And put their trust in the Lord Blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust who is not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse in falsehood.

Many, O Lord, my God, are the wonders you have done, and the plans you have for us. None can compare to you. If I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have opened. burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, Here I am. I have come.

It is written about me in the scroll. I delight to do your will, oh my God. Your law is within my heart. I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I do not seal my lips as you, O Lord, do know. I have not covered up your righteousness in my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and salvation. I have not concealed your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly.

O Lord, do not withhold your mercy from me. Your loving devotion and faithfulness will always guard me. For evils without number surround me. My sins have overtaken me so that I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed within me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me. Hurry, oh Lord, to help me. May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded.

May those who wish me harm, be repelled and humiliated. May those who say to me, aha, aha, be appalled at their own shame. May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. May those who love your salvation always say the Lord be magnified. But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer. Oh, my God, do not delay.

Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 40. What themes come up throughout this Psalm? What has David learned from waiting patiently for God? What has he learned about God? And how has it impacted his faith? And what point is David making about ritual? and the law. He says in verses 6 through 8, sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have opened, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said,

here I am, I have come, it is written about me in the scroll. I delight to do your will, oh my God, your law is within my heart. So remember that at David's time, they were living by the law that was handed down through Moses that we read about in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. And there were a lot of sacrifices required for different sins. So what is David saying about those rituals and sacrifices? And then in the next few verses, we hear a little different side of David than we heard. In the previous Psalm, in the previous Psalm, he said he was remaining silent. And now here in verse 9, he says, I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly.

Behold, I do not seal my lips, as you, O Lord, do know. Why is David speaking up now, whereas in the last Psalm, he was remaining silent? And then in the last verses of this Psalm, how does David see God as a protector and a deliverer? Okay, so now we can read Psalm 41, which is the final Psalm in Book 1. of the book of Psalms, and that's where we're going to stop for today. So Psalm 41, also written by David, is called Victory Over Betrayal. And this is another Psalm that Jesus quotes in the New Testament. In John chapter 13, Jesus is with his disciples,

and he is about to tell him that he will be betrayed. And when he tells his disciples that he will be portrayed, he quotes the ninth verse of this Psalm. So in John 13, verse 18, Jesus quotes Psalm 41 verse 9, which says, even my close friend, whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. And in John chapter 13, verse 18, Jesus says, I am not speaking about all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but this is to fulfill the scripture. The one who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.

So as you're listening to this Psalm, I want you to think about Jesus quoting verse 9 later in the New Testament. Why do you think he quotes this verse? How do you think that that relates to Jesus's story? Okay. Psalm 41, verse. 1. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor. The Lord will deliver him in the day of trouble. The Lord will protect and preserve him. He will bless him in the land and refuse to surrender him to the will of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness. I said, O Lord, be gracious to me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you. My enemies say with

malice. When will he die and be forgotten? My visitor speaks falsehood. He gathers slander in his heart. He goes out and spreads it abroad. All who hate me whisper against me. They imagine the worst for me. A vile disease has been poured into him. He will never get up from where he lies. Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread has lifted up his heel against me. But you, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them. By this I know that you delight in me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. In my integrity, you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen and amen. Okay, so pause there at the end of Psalm 41, and the end of the first section Book 1 of Psalms. David starts out this Psalm by saying, Blessed is the one who cares for the poor. What does he say God will do, and how will God treat those who care for the poor? Why do you think David starts the Psalm out this way?

Why is it important to care for those who are less fortunate? And then David goes in to talking about his enemies. He says, oh, Lord, be gracious to me, heal me for I have sinned against you, and my enemies say with malice, when will he die and be forgotten? So why does David shift from talking about how God will bless those who care for the poor to talking about the trouble he's having with his enemies? And then he talks about his enemies and ends this section with verse 9, which is later quoted by Jesus, where he says, even my closest friends.

the ones I share meal with, the ones I live in close community with, have betrayed me, have turned away from me, have turned against me. So how do you think David feels about that? What do you think his mental state is like if it seems like everyone in his life is against him? And how do you think that relates to how Jesus feels later in the New Testament where he will be betrayed by one of his disciples? And then how does this Psalm end? Where does David find hope? How does David know that God delights in him? And how does David know that God will deliver him from his enemies?

Are there areas in your own life where you see God's protection, God's deliverance, God delighting in you? Okay, so this was a long episode. I originally thought we were going to read through book one and book two of psalms, but I realized that going through each psalm and giving each psalm the care that it needs takes a little bit longer than I expected. So we're going to stop there with book one. And as you're finishing out listening to Psalms 1 through 41, reflect on the themes of this first section of psalm. Remember that we talked about how this book was structured, what themes we would discuss in book one, and why the original authors, when they collected all the Psalms together, that they organized them in this specific way. So what did you learn about

in the first section of the book of Psalms? What themes stood out to you? What did you learn about David? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about the peace? at the time these were written, what really stood out to you reading through this first section? Okay, thank you so much for listening. I hope you're enjoying the book of Psalms. It's such an interesting book to read through. There's a lot there. A lot of rich history, rich emotion, rich language, rich imagery. There's just a lot to the book of Psalms, and I think it's a really fun one to read through. So thank you for sticking with me. I hope you're enjoying it. Thank you for listening. Thank you for sending your emails. I love reading them. And I really appreciate all of the support.

And I hope and pray that this continues to be a helpful resource and something that can really help you better understand God's word and who he is. So thank you for listening and I will talk to you in the next one. Are you one of those media strategy people clicking through slides, scrolling spreadsheets? Yes? Good. This is for you. Because on Spotify, there's an audience that's different. Locked in. Loyal, invested. They're called fans. Fans don't just listen to music. They feel seen by it like it belongs to them. So when your brand shows up on Spotify, that's who you're talking to. And you're right next to artists like me, Lizzo. So, are you ready to talk to fans? Spotify advertising. You're a mom. fans.