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INTRODUCTION

 

A Difficulty

We want to just repeat what we said at the beginning of an earlier series: writing notes about the psalms in general is very difficult, because there is no uniformity in them. Yes, within this set there are some grouping – psalms of David, psalms of ascent, and psalms of praise, but mostly they are a complete mix of experience.

 

Clues to Reading the Psalms

As you come to read the psalms in this last set, can we encourage you to do what we suggested in an earlier set: look for the REASON FOR WRITING. If you've ever written a story or composed a piece of poetry, it was because of thoughts, ideas and especially feelings that you've had that you want to convey. So, before you read the commentaries of each study, read through the whole psalm (perhaps out loud) and see if you can catch WHY the psalmist was writing. Much of the psalm may be a call to praise but somewhere, possibly in the first few verses, you may find the thing that has provoked the psalmist to pen these words. Sometimes you have to read a long way into the psalm before one verse stands out and shows you what the psalmist has been going through. Sometimes there is petition for help, other times praise for the help that has been given. Sometimes the need was physical, sometimes it is because of people in opposition, sometimes it is simply because the enemy of souls has been pressing in. Often though that reason may just appear as a single verse or even part verse and everything else hinges around that.

 

Mankind & God

 As we said before almost more than any other parts of Scripture, the psalms show us the Achilles heels of mankind. The psalms do a great job of bringing balance and perspective. They show us the heart of the psalmists and we find we can so often empathise with them.

  Of course the greatest thing about the psalms is that they reveal and remind us about the Lord. For the person starting their walk of faith, they come as revelation. For the person who has walked many years with the Lord, they come as reminders. Be blessed as you read them. See yourself in them but mostly make sure you see the Lord. They are here to feed us, to help and encourage us and to show us the way, and to teach us how to relate to our wonderful God. May it be so!

Theme of the Psalms in this Series

          

   

	Psa	Content
1	120	A cry for peace
2	121	The Lord, my Guard
3	122D	Peace for Jerusalem
4	123	Submission to the Lord
5	124D	Escape by God's help
6	125	Trust & Righteousness
7	126	Returning Testimony
8	127S	Wellbeing through trusting in the Lord
		Recap 1
9	128	Blessings through the fear of the Lord
10	129	A testimony through overcoming
11	130	Waiting on God
12	131D	Maintaining a right perspective
13	132	David & Jerusalem
14	133D	The Blessing of Unity
15	134	Instructing the Temple servants
		Recap 2
16	135:1-12	The Lord's Greatness
17	135:13-21	God versus Idols
18	136	God of gods
19	137	The Anguish of Captivity
20	138D	Confidence in God
21	139:1-12D	Total Security
22	139:13-24	Known from Conception
23	140D	Please protect me
24	141D	Praying against evil deeds
		Recap 3
25	142D	Desperate aloneness
26	143D	Desperate Pleas
27	144D	Delivered & Blessed
28	145D	Praise God for all He does
29	146	Praise God, not men
30	147	God of Provision
31	148	God of Creation
32	149	Praise & Punishment
33	150	Whole-Hearted Praise

 

       

A. Find Out:

1. What state is the psalmist in? v.1

2. What does he ask of the Lord? v.2

3. What does he warn? v.3,4

4. What is he bemoaning? v.5

5. Why? v.6

6. How is he contrasted with those around him? v.7

 

B. Think:

1. Why is the psalmist upset?

2. Why should this be a common complaint for the Christian?

C. Comment:

This is a very simple and clear cut psalm. The psalmist is in distress (v.1) and so he calls on the Lord and senses the Lord responding. His distress is obvious and its cause is obvious. He is surrounded by people (or nations) who, he considers, are deceitful and whose words therefore are lies and deceit (v.2), so and he cries to the Lord to deliver him from these people. The suggestion that this might refer to nations is confirmed by his reference to the two places (v.5) (one in Asia Minor, the other in Arabia ) where it seems there are warlike people (v.6) and so when he speaks of peace, they speak of war (v.7).

Yet the psalmist is aware that, having cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord will come and punish those speakers of lies and deceit (v.3,4). It is a psalm that cries for peace but it also distinguishes the psalmist with his good attitudes and word, from those who surround him with violent attitudes and words.

The experience of being a ‘lone voice in the wilderness' is not uncommon for the Christian whose heart and words should be for peace, and yet we live in a world that is violent and a world where truth is often not spoken. We are to stand out in this world, to be those who speak out for and are known for, truth and peace. Our ways are not to be of violence and we are not to try to get our way by deceit, lies and violent approaches. Don't be afraid that it sometimes feels lonely!

 

D. Application:

1. We are to be full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14)

2. We are called to be peacemakers (Mt 5:9)

 

Study No.2 : Psa 121 : The Lord, my Guard

A. Find Out:    

1. What is the subject of this psalm? v.1a

2. What is his answer to his question? v.2

3. What will the Lord do, and what won't He do? v.3,4

4. What does He do and how does He act? v.5,6

5. So what, overall, will the Lord do? v.7

6. When will He do it? v.8

 

B. Think:

1. What does the magnitude of the Lord say about His care?

2. What about His alertness is spoken of here?

3. What, overall, will He do?

C. Comment:

This is a psalm of tremendous assurance. The psalmist, like all of us, has needs, and he wonders (v.1) where his help comes from. There is a sense, as he looks to the hills, of seeing if there are any signs of anyone coming, but as he does that he remembers that all he sees has been made by the Lord and it is the Lord who will help him (v.2).

He has a confidence in the Lord. He has a sense of the Lord watching over him, never dropping off, never letting His attention drift (v.3,4), so that He will be there instantly if he stumbles, to stop him slipping. Yes, he has a sense of the Lord watching over him and the Lord's very presence acting as a shade to protect him from anything that might harm him (v.5,6). Yes, he has complete confidence in the Lord and obviously in His love for him, the assurance that the Lord will protect him and keep his life from harm (v.7), whether he comes or goes, and this will go on for the whole of his life, indeed for evermore (v.8).

There is a challenge to us to believe as we read these words. The enemy would seek to challenge them – does He really watch over you, will He really keep you from harm? And the answer has to be a resounding. “Yes! He will!” Submit your life afresh to Him today and rest in the complete security that the psalmist knew, of a loving Lord who stood over him and guarded and protected him. May you know it!

 

D. Application:

1. God is there for His people.

2. We can rest secure in His loving presence.

Study No.3 : Psa 122 : Peace for Jerusalem

A. Find Out:

1. Where is the psalmist and where is he going? v.1,2

2. What does he say about Jerusalem ? v.3-5

3. What does he say to pray for? v.6,7

4. For whose sake will he pray? v.8

5. For what's sake will he pray? v.9

 

B. Think:

1. Why is Jerusalem significant to the psalmist?

2. What does he want for it, and why?

C. Comment:

You will note that these psalms are headed, “A song of ascents” and it is thought they were used at celebrations in Jerusalem . This psalm envisages going up into Jerusalem . Their intent is to go to the house of the Lord, the Temple (v.1), and they have approached Jerusalem to do that and stand and gaze in at one of the gates (v.2). It is a compact city (v.3) where the tribes of Israel come (v.4) and wend their way through the narrow streets up to the Temple and on the way in through the gate they see the thrones of the leaders where judgement is made (v.5) just inside in the gate's courtyard. This is a city for worshipping God and also a place for the reign of Israel to be brought.

As they come into Jerusalem the desire of the psalmist is for peace for Jerusalem (v.6a), for those who love her to be secure in her (v.6b). He wants peace not only from enemies outside (implied) but also peace within her (v.7), freedom from rebellion or upset. He wants peace for the sake of his fellow countrymen (v.8) that they may enjoy the place (implied) and peace for the sake of the Temple (v.9).

This city is the prime place on the earth for meeting with God where God has ordained encounter and praise (v.4b). If there is war then the people of the land cannot go up to Jerusalem to meet with the Lord. It is crucial therefore that there is peace for Jerusalem . As they process up to Jerusalem and into its streets, making their way to the Temple , this awareness is brought to them: it is crucial for Jerusalem to have peace!

 

D. Application:

1. Encountering God is what faith is all about.

2. Encountering God is what the Bible is all about.

Study No.4 : Psa 123 : Submission

A. Find Out:

1. To whom does the psalmist look? v.1

2. In what way do they look to the Lord? v.2

3. What does he ask for and why? v.3

4. What does he enlarge that to say they have endured? v.4

 

B. Think:

1. In what attitude do they come to the Lord?

2. How do they view Him?

3. What do they want from Him and why?

C. Comment:

Psa 121 started by lifting up eyes to look for coming help. This psalm starts by looking up to the help; it is the Lord on His throne (v.1), He who rules over all things.

They come humbly, rightly knowing their position before Him. He is the Lord, Almighty God, and they are mere humans, and so they come as slaves or servants (v.2), humbling acknowledging His greatness and their servility.

They come seeking His mercy (v.2c,3a). Mercy is undeserved compassion by a greater one to a lesser one. They need Him to act on their behalf. As His people they have been subject to contempt from those who are proud and arrogant (v.3b,4), presumably their neighbours who do not honour the Lord.

This psalm is a simple recognition by the people of God of their dependence on the Lord. As His people we often are the butt of scorn from unbelievers, atheists, materialists, any who reject the Lord. It is frustrating and humiliating to constantly be derided by an ungodly population; it is part of living in this Fallen World and being God's people. The Jews have been the butt of the world's derision for the last two thousand years, quite unfairly so often, and so on occasion have the Christians. It's not always easy to cope with this ridicule but at such times we have to do the same as these people as they made their way up to the Temple – to cry out to the Lord for Him to uphold us.

 

D. Application:

1. When opposition comes, turn to the Lord.

2. When opposition comes, don't retaliate but pray for them.

Study No.5 : Psa 124 : Escape with God's Help

A. Find Out:

1. What does the psalmist envisage? v.1,2

2. What does he think would have happened? v.3-5

3. But what has the Lord done? v.6

4. So what happened? v.7

5. What is his concluding testimony? v.8

 

B. Think:

1. What does the psalm envisage could have happened?

2. But what happened instead?

3. Why?

C. Comment:

This is a psalm of simple testimony and declaration. The psalmist (David in this case) looks back to what has happened in the past. As so often there were enemies who had come against them, who had attacked them (v.2b). He envisages what might have happened: their enemies might have overcome them (v.3) and utterly swept them away (v.4,5). The truth is that they could have been swept out of existence! Yet that hadn't happened. Why?

The simple answer is that the Lord was with them and He stopped them being torn to pieces (v.6). It almost seemed like they had been caught in a snare and destruction was going to be their end, but the Lord freed them and they escaped (v.7). As he looked back over that, that was what had him pondering over what might have happened if the Lord had not been with them (v.1,2).

As a result of all this, he is able to declare that the Lord is their help (v.8), the Lord who is the all-powerful Creator of all things. That is a tremendous reassurance, that Almighty God is on their side, for no one can withstand Him!

Have we come to the same conclusion? Do we know the saving power of God's presence and activity that has been there for us? Is that the assurance we have in life, that He is there for us, He is there on our side? May it be so!

 

D. Application:

1. Without God we could be overwhelmed.

2. The Lord, our Saviour, is with us and for us (Rom 8:31 ,38,39)

Study No.6 : Psa 125 : Trust & Righteousness

A. Find Out:

1. Those who trust in the Lord are like what? v.1

2. What does the Lord do, like what? v.2

3. What won't remain in the land, and why? v.3

4. What does the psalmist ask the Lord to do to whom? v.4

5. What will happen to those who turn away? v.5

 

B. Think:

1. How is security portrayed?

2. What state is the land expected to be in?

3. What will the Lord do to ensure that?

C. Comment:

This is a psalm about Jerusalem and Israel and a state of security. Trust in the Lord is the initial concern and the psalmist says that the person who does trust in the Lord cannot be shaken or moved (v.1). They are, he says, like Jerusalem ( Mount Zion , one of its hills) which is surrounded by mountains (v.2). Although not actually tall peaks, Hebrew writers spoke of the hills as mountains, for no doubt that's how it seemed when you were always walking. So in the same way the person who trusts the Lord is surrounded by the Lord. In such a way the enemy cannot get at them.

But then he considers the land as a whole. A sceptre was a mark of one in authority and he now declares that such a one who is wicked will be not be given this land (v.3a) because if such authority leads the land the people would be led astray (v.3b).

He then asks the Lord to do good, or bless the upright in the land (v.4), perhaps in contrast to the wicked who He will exclude from the land (v.5), which includes not only the evildoers but those who turn away from the Lord.

The point of the psalm is that the land will be secure a) if the people of the land trust the Lord, b) the Lord excludes the wicked from the land, and c) the Lord blesses the upright in the land. It is a psalm of hope and aspiration for the land where they dwell.

 

D. Application:

1. Can we have such hopes for our land?

2. Do our prayers echo the desires of this psalm?

Study No.7 : Psa 126 : Returning Testimony

A. Find Out:

1. What were they like when the Lord did what? v.1

2. What did they do with their mouths? v.2a,b

3. What testimony went out around the word? v.2c

4. What did they acknowledge and with what? v.3

5. What does the psalmist ask? v.4

6. What principle does he reiterate? v.5,6

 

B. Think:

1. To what does this psalm seem to refer?

2. What is the outcome of that event?

3. So what do they now want?

C. Comment:

This psalm has a sense of being returned from exile (v.1a). They can hardly believe what has happened; everything seems like a dream (v.1b). It was a time of immense happiness and laughter (v.2a) and incredible joy (v.2b) and the word went round the nations of what the Lord had done (v.2c). It was a tremendous testimony. They acknowledged that this wasn't just chance, this was the Lord (v.3a) and as a result they were filled with joy (v.3b). It was an incredible time!

But now they are back they realise that if they are to have any sort of future they need the Lord's ongoing blessing on them and so they pray for it (v.4). When the rains came, the dried out rivers of the south flowed again. That is how they anticipate their own national life when the Lord comes to bless them.

They realise that they have nothing (and are reliant on Him) and so when they go out to sow the first crop they go in tears (v.5a,6a) that they had been brought to this, yet they have high expectations that if the Lord answers their cry, they will come back in the time of harvest in great joy (v.5b,6b). Possibly this is just a picture of what the Lord had done through the Exile. He had sown them as they went into exile with many tears, but now the time of exile has come to fruition and they are the Lord's harvest and they come back with immense joy.

 

D. Application:

1. When God disciples it is often a time of tears.

2. When the fruit of discipline comes forth it is a time of great joy.

 

Study No.8 : Psa 127 : Wellbeing

A. Find Out:

1. What two things are vain? v.1

2. What else is vain, and why? v.2

3. What are a blessing from the Lord? v.3

4. What are sons born while you are young like? v.4

5. How is this man blessed? v.5

 

B. Think:

1. How would you summarise verses 1 & 2?

2. What is the main point being made in verses 3 to 5?

C. Comment:

This psalm, attributed to Solomon, is a beautiful but challenging reflection of the wellbeing in life that comes with the Lord. Verses 1 & 2 declare that without God our security is nil. In the light of what follows, ‘house' probably means more than just a physical building, probably the family. We speak of “the House of Windsor” say, meaning the whole dynasty.

The point is that he who seeks to establish himself, whether physically with a house or with his family, works in vain unless the Lord is with him (v.1a). Similarly you can put as many guards over the city as you want, but unless God is overseeing it you will never be secure (v.1b). In a similar way you can work every hour of day and night (v.2a) but unless God blesses you, it will be pointless. If you have sleepless nights because of work worries, commit is all to the Lord, for He loves to give sleep to those who are His (v.2b)

The second part of the psalm is all about the blessing of families that the Lord grants. Fertility is a gift from God (v.3) as is seen in the case of a number of childless women in Scripture. Sons born when we are still young, will be there for us in our old age (implied v.4,5). They are like arrows in our hand; we have a responsibility of where to send them (v.4a). When we have many of them they will stand with us against enemies when they are grown (v.5). The clear teaching is that families are a gift from God, a gift to be treasured, a gift that will bless us in later years.

 

D. Application:

1. You have young children? Train them for the later years.

2. You have a family? Rejoice in it, in God's goodness to you.

 

RECAP No.1  Psalms 120 - 127

SUMMARY :

 

In this first group of 8 studies we have seen :

 

	Psa	Content
1	120	A cry for peace
2	121	The Lord, my Guard
3	122	Peace for Jerusalem
4	123	Submission to the Lord
5	124	Escape by God's help
6	125	Trust & Righteousness
7	126	Returning Testimony
8	127	Wellbeing through trusting in the Lord

COMMENT :

  These are a group of psalms with very personal aspects - peace, trust, righteousness, testimony and wellbeing. They are the first of the songs of ascents about the life of Israel , rehearsed as they go up to the Temple .

 

LESSONS?

 

Study	Psa	Subject
1	120	We are called to be peacemakers
2	121	We can rest secure in His loving presence.
3	122	Encountering God is what faith is all about.
4	123	When opposition comes, turn to the Lord
5	124	Without God we could be overwhelmed.
6	125	We need to pray for our land
7	126	When the fruit of discipline comes it is a time of great joy.
8	127	Train your children for the years to come

 

PRAY :

  Thank the Lord for His loving presence that is with us. Thank Him that He is there for us and that we can turn to Him for help and be confident in Him. Thank Him that He trains us to be His people, a holy people. Pray for our own land and ask His blessing on it. Ask for help with raising our families.