Session 6 - Psalm 73

Psalm 73 is a psalm of wisdom; a powerful psalm which starts off dark, with skies heavily overcast. But then light breaks through and it ends in the full sunlight of resolution.

Divine providence and the internal battle within one's soul are the two main themes of this psalm. It speaks of the journey of self-realization, about the evils around the world and about realizing the plan of God.

Questions for reflection:

1) How did the writer come to terms with the paradox tha the wicked seem to be better off than the pure in heart?

2) Are people completely wicked or completely good? Does that change how one looks at this psalm?

3) I mentioned "God's plan". How do you understand God's plan?

4) How are the blessings of those who are near to God different from the blessings or advantages of the wicked?

5) What can we learn from this psalmist about how to handle doubt and bitterness?

Prayer:  Most High, you know our faithlessness, and our blindness to the rewards of goodness. Guide us with your counsel and be the strength of our hearts, that we may not fall but rejoice in the life of your eternal city; through Jesus Christ our Mediator.

Please feel add your comments below!

Session 5 - Psalm 51

Psalm 51 is a psalm of forgiveness and restoration - a prayer for cleansing and pardoning.

David's prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 is one of the great prayers of the Bible.

It was written, they think, when the prophet Nathan came to him. As the story goes, David used his power to seduce a woman named Bathsheba while her husband was at war on King David's behalf. When she was found to be with his child, David arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle to cover up the matter. Nathan calls him on it.

David was an adulterer and a murderer. Psalm 51 helps us understand why David was a man after God's own heart.

Questions for reflection:

1. As you read Psalm 51, what do you find you identify with the most?

2. How are the true characteristics of repentance (ie. appeal to the mercy of God, honesty, understanding the severity of sinning against God, no excuses or justification, desire to reform, recognition that forgiveness is not deserved by by grace alone) woven into the psalm?

3. The psalm speaks of sin - how do you define sin and how do you view the need to repent? What does that include?

4. Do you ever feel that you haven't been completely honest with God?

5. Can you remember a time when you felt the joy of God's salvation restored to you?

6. Have you ever shared your experience of sin, repentance and forgiveness with anyone?

7. In praying for restoration, what does David ask God to do? What do we ask?

As usual, feel free to leave comments, observations or answers to the above questions!

Session - Psalm 27

Psalm 27 is our focus this week. It is another one of David's psalms - a personal cry to God. It is a powerful psalm that tells us that where ever the believer is, they can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer.

I think the psalm speaks of a life that is full of changing situations, where our confidence in the Lord seems to change with our moods. We may feel confident in God's goodness in the midst of one crisis, yet fearful and doubtful as we face another. Either way, this psalm stirs us to see God and trust him in our fears.

Some questions to ponder:

1. What does it mean to "seek the face of the Lord"?

2.  What does it mean for God to be your light, your salvation and your stronghold? (from a personal perspective).

3.  What would it mean for you to be hidden in God's shelter or hidden in God's tent?

4. What does it mean for God to set you high on a rock?

5. How can the message of this psalm help you handle your fear better?

6. What is the key of being of good courage?

7. What prevents David from losing heart?

Prayer:  Faithful God, the shelter of all who hope in you, may those who seek your face be set free from fear and distress, and come to see your goodness in the land of the living; through Jesus Christ, our Light and our Salvation.

Feel free to leave comments or questions!

 

Session 3 - Psalm 22

Psalm 22 is described by some as the "The Victorious Sufferer" or "The Psalm of the Cross".

This is one of the psalms written by David and it is thought that he did so when he was ill or badly hurt. 

It is a Lament Psalm, but don't let it stop there! It is a psalm that goes from the depth of despair to passages of absolute praise that God has saved his life.

Note the change at Verse 22 from lamentation to praise and worship.

Some questions to ask as a guide:

How did the psalmist attempt to handle his feelings of being abandoned by God?

What do you think enabled the psalmist to move into affirmation?

Does the fact that Jesus quotes this psalm on the cross make it difficult for us to use? What does the psalm say about Jesus?

What does the psalmist call on us to do?

How would you use this psalm to counsel someone?

Thoughts and questions welcomed!

Poems to God - Session 2 - Psalm 23

This week we are studying Psalm 23 - arguably the most beloved of all the psalms for both Christians and Jews. Countless people have found comfort and strength in the richness of its imagery and meaning.

This Psalm of David is one that he felt close to his heart. He himself was a shepherd and he understood both how sheep behave and what it meant to be a good shepherd.

Some questions to ponder:

1. Why is a shepherd a good picture of God?

2. According to verses 1-3, what does the Lord do for us? Which of these actions has meant the most to you in your life?

3. Verse 4 - How is it that sheep can feel safe in the valley of the shadow of death? If we believe this, does that mean nothing bad will happen to us? How are the rod and staff used by a shepherd? What do they represent?

4. Verse 5 - Who are the 'enemies' referred to here? What does it mean to be feasting in their presence?

5. Verse 6 - What does the psalmist express with confidence in this verse? How would you define goodness and mercy?

This psalm is so full of imagery - perhaps you could pull out some other words and discuss why you think they add richness to the psalm.  

How about Jesus as the Good Shepherd?

Feel free to add your own thoughts about this psalm, its meaning, the imagery or anything else that comes to mind!