Today’s passage: Psalm 5

Helpful thoughts:

• The preparation of the sacrifice in verse 3 is of prayer.  David prepared to pray and then watched expectantly for the Lord’s answer.
• The difference between the wicked and the righteous? The abundance of God’s steadfast love (Grace) and our fear of Him.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Questions to consider:

1. Does God’s love and grace, and then our fear of Him, precede or follow our change from a life of wickedness to our pursuit of righteousness?
2. From where does this Psalm say our joy, rejoicing, exulting, and blessings come?
3. How can David’s example of preparation and expectation in his prayer life help us to grow?

Today’s passage: Psalm 4

Helpful thoughts:

• Many truths are packed into this Psalm:
  • God supplies our righteousness.
  • Relief can be had IN distress, not just in taking the distress away.
  • Man can shame you with the very thing that is your honor (Christ!).
  • Confidence in the face of rejection and shaming comes from knowing that God has chosen you and hears you.
  • The world is looking for someone to do them good when God is the one who outshines them all. (Numbers 6:22-27)
  • There is more joy to be had in knowing God than in prosperity.
  • Placing your concerns in the Lord’s hands allows you to sleep.
• The word in verse 4 translated as “angry” in the ESV could also be translated as “tremble” (And it is in other translations like the NIV and NASB).  The idea of the verse is to say to those who do not fear the Lord, “Tremble, and do not sin.”  When God revealed Himself to Job, Job’s response was to put his hand over his mouth and be silent.
• A right sacrifice is one in keeping with obedience and reverence. (See 1 Samuel 15:22, and Micah 6:6-8)
• There are many problems presented in this Psalm.  There is one source of solution.

Questions to consider:

1. This Psalm was written for the choirmaster.  Why is it so important that we sing doctrinally rich and edifying songs?
2. What is the basis for accusations or hatred that is directed toward the faith of Christians?  (Second half of verse 2)  
3. If going to church and serving, giving, singing, etc. feels rote (like going through the motions) what needs to change in our heart, our values, our conscience?  What might be wrong with our “sacrifices” or our joy finder?

Today’s passage: Psalm 3

Helpful thoughts:

• It can be easy to remember to cry out to God when trouble comes.  It is harder to remember that He is your glory during times of trouble and times of peace.
  • David’s throne was not his glory.
  • David’s wealth was not his glory.
  • The praise of the people was not his glory.
  • The defeat of David’s enemies was not his glory.
  • God was his glory.
• Salvation is the Lord’s doing.

Questions to consider:

1. When God is not our glory, what things do we look for to be our shield?
2. Why did David cry out to the Lord in his distress and not to a trusted aid?
3. Why could David (And you) be confident that the Lord brings salvation and blessing on His people?  What does that blessing look like?  When will we see final and full victory?

Today’s passage: Psalm 2

Helpful thoughts:

• This is a “Messianic Psalm”, pointing us to Jesus Christ.
• “Kiss the Son” from verse 12 could also be translated as, “Pay homage”, or something like bowing to the king.
• We should expect the nations to set themselves against God and against Jesus Christ.  And, we can expect them to be defeated.  Jesus will rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Questions to consider:

1. What kinds of things do we learn about God in this Psalm?  Do you believe in the eternal, righteous and sovereign power of God?
2. What word describes the plotting of people?  Could this be true not only of the nations warring against God but also of individual people who will not submit to His lordship?
3. How does a person take refuge in God?  How can we be saved from His just wrath?  How can taking refuge in God help us not only in eternity but also today, tomorrow and every day?

Today’s passage: Psalm 1

Helpful thoughts:

• Walking is the course of life, the journey (e.g. “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.” – Colossians 1:10), standing implies relationship, sitting implies a permanent dwelling.
• Another way to say “day and night” would be, any time and all the time.
• Remember, righteousness comes as a gift of God’s grace through faith (Romans 3:21-22).
  • If you are in Christ, you are a tree planted by streams of water. (Wind won’t blow you away!)
  • If you are in Christ, you were made to thirst (Delight) for the water.
  • If you are in Christ, you are blessed as you delightedly meditate on God’s Word!
  • If you are in Christ, your delighted meditations will result in a changed life (The way of the righteous).

Questions to consider:

1. On a given day, who do you hear from the most? (Count everything from family to co-workers and from reading to television/radio.)  How are you doing at avoiding the counsel, the way and the seat of those who are like chaff?
2. Is it right to just altogether avoid the wicked in order to avoid their potential influence?  What is a Christian who delights in the Word of God prepared to do?
3. What delights you?  If you are a Christian who feels as though your leaf has withered, where should you go to be fed and watered?