Psalm 1-5
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Introduction
The word psalm comes from a Greek word that means “a poem sung to
musical accompaniment.” The Hebrew name is tehillim,
which means “praises.”[1]
This is the hymnbook of God’s people. It’s also the “Him” book as well.
Jesus said the Psalms were about Him:
(Luke 24:44 KJV) And he said
unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with
you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses,
and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
The Psalms are divided into books:
Book I: Ps. 1-41
Book II: Ps. 42-72
Book III: Ps. 73-89
Book IV: Ps. 90-106
Book V: Ps. 107-150
There were many human authors in the book of Psalms:
David wrote at least 73 of the Psalms, possibly up to 30 more.
In Book 1 he wrote (37), Book 2 (18), Book 3 (1), Book 4 (2), Book 5 (15)
Asaph wrote 12 Psalms, Ps. 50, 73-83
The sons of Korah wrote 12, Ps. 42-49; 84; 85; 87; 88
Solomon wrote 2, Ps. 72, 127
Moses wrote 1, Ps. 90
Ethan wrote 1, Ps. 89
Heman wrote 1, Ps. 88 (a very STRONG song)
The book of Psalms contains many interesting Psalms, one of them is Psalm 118 – it is preceded by the shortest chapter in the Bible (Ps. 117) and followed by the longest chapter in the Bible (Ps. 119). It also contains the middle verse in the entire Bible:
(Psa 118:8 KJV) It is better to trust in
the LORD than to put confidence in man.
There are many ways of categorizing the Psalms:
Music touches the soul. It’s “soulish” in nature. It touches the emotions.
Some may say, “I’m not an emotional kind of person. I just worship God with my mind”
Yet worship is the very heart of our relationship with God. It’s the place where our soul, our emotions, connect with our spirit. It’s the place of intimacy with God.
Can you imagine your spouse saying to you as you are getting married, “I just want you to know I’m not a very emotional person. I just want to love you with my mind.”
What kind of intimacy is that?
God desires that we know Him and that we know Him intimately. He is our groom. We are His bride.
(John 4:23-24 KJV) But the
hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to
worship him. {24} God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him
in spirit and in truth.
God is looking for worshippers.
May God help us to not just those who study these things academically, but may we learn to be worshippers.
Psalm 1
We’ll spend more time on this Psalm on Sunday morning.
Hebrew Parallelism – To the ancient Hebrews, their idea of poetry wasn’t the rhyming of sounds, but the rhyming of ideas. All through the Psalms you will see ideas being compared and contrasted. Sometimes it’s one line right after another, sometimes it’s the contrast as in this Psalm of the righteous with the wicked.
:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Blessed – ‘esher – happiness, blessedness
walketh – halak – to go, walk, come
ungodly – rasha‘– wicked, criminal
standeth – ‘amad – to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand
sinners – chatta’ – sinners; from chata’ – to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness
sitteth – yashab – to dwell, remain, sit, abide
scornful – luwts – to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly
:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
delight – chephets – delight, pleasure
meditate – hagah – to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak
Like a cow chewing its cud. Meditate on God’s Word. Chew on it.
http://www.crazyforcows.com/fow/fow6.shtml
Digestion:
Cows are ruminants, members of the suborder Ruminantia (order Artiodactyla). Other members of this suborder are the pronghorns, giraffes, deer, antelopes, sheep, and goats. Most ruminants have a four-chambered stomach. (Camels and some other ruminants, however, have a three-chambered stomach.)
The first chamber is the large rumen (or paunch). The next two are the reticulum and the omasum (psalterium or manyplies). These first three chambers are believed to be derived from the esophagus. The last chamber is the abomasum (or reed), which corresponds to the stomach of other mammals.
The combined four-chambered stomach is big. In the domestic ox (Bos taurus) the whole stomach occupies nearly three-quarters of the abdominal cavity. In medium sized cattle, the rumen by itself can hold between 25 to 75 gallons. The rumen grows large in early life after the changeover from a milk diet.
Ruminants eat fast and store large quantities of grass or foliage in the rumen, where it softens. Many species of minute protozoans and bacteria live without free oxygen in the rumen. These little animals and bacteria digest the cellulose in the plant material, thereby releasing the contents of the plant cells for digestion by the cow. Large amounts of saliva get secreted into the rumen to further the digestion.
The action of the various microbes produces various substances, including fatty acids which are absorbed through the rumen wall. In addition, any protein is converted into fatty acids and ammonia; the ammonia and other simple nitrogen-containing substances are used by the micro-organisms for their own cell-protein synthesis.
After the plant material is processed in the rumen, it is later regurgitated. This material is now called cud, and the ruminant chews it again. The additional chewing breaks down the cellulose content, which is difficult to digest, even more. The regurgitation and chewing of the cud is called rumination.
The chewed cud goes directly to the other chambers of the stomach (the reticulum, omasum, and abomasum, in that order). Additional digestion, with the aid of various essential microorganisms, continues in these other chambers. For example, in the omasum, some fatty acids and 60-70 percent of the water are absorbed. In the abomasum gastric juice containing hydrochloric acid is secreted, as in an ordinary mammalian stomach, futher digesting the food. Also, those micro-organisms that used the ammonia and other nitrogen substances from protein in the rumen, actually get digested by the ruminant in the abomasum and small intestine, thereby providing the cow with protein.
Source: Encyclopedia Brittanica online at www.brittanica.com, entries Ruminant and Artiodactyl, digestive system.
:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
fruitfulness
:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
chaff – mots – chaff; always as driven by wind
:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 2
We’re told in Acts 4 that this psalm was written by David.
:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
heathen – gowy –; nation, people; usually of non-Hebrew people
imagine – hagah – to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak
This is the same word used to describe how the godly “meditate” on God’s Word (Ps. 1:2)
While we will find fruitfulness in meditating on God’s Word, the world likes to meditate on other things.
vain thing – riyq – emptiness, vanity, empty, idle, vain
:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
set themselves – yatsab – (Hithpael) to station oneself, take one’s stand, stand, present oneself, stand with someone
take counsel – yacad – (Niphal) to fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave
anointed – mashiyach – anointed, anointed one; of the
Messiah, Messianic prince; of the king of Israel Israel
This is the Hebrew word for “Messiah”, which is translated “Christ” in the Greek language.
The early church was acquainted with this song. Peter and John had been arrested because they had healed a man who had been lame since birth and they had insisted on giving Jesus the credit for it.
(Acts 4:21-31 KJV) So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. {22} For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed. {23} And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. {24} And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
They are praying and will now quote our psalm …
{25} Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? {26} The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
They stop after the second verse …
{27} For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
They are calling Jesus God’s “child” or “son” and saying that Herod, Pilate, and the Romans were fulfilling David’s prophecy about the nations being gathered together against God’s Son.
{28} For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
They see God has planned for this all along. Jesus’ death on the cross was not the fault of the Jews. It was God’s purpose and plan for Jesus to die for our sins.
{29} And now, Lord, behold their threatenings:
and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
{30} By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be
done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. {31} And when they had prayed, the
place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
They felt that with this Scripture, they realized that there are no cosmic
“mistakes”. God is in control. Instead of running with their tails between
their legs, they ask for more boldness.
Lesson
God knows what He’s doing.
The early church was standing by watching God fulfill Scripture before their very eyes and they realized that the difficulties they were facing were not a mistake.
God knows what is going on in your life.
You can trust Him.
There will also be a sense in which this Psalm will be fulfilled again in the future:
(Rev 19:19-21 KJV) And I
saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together
to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. {20} And
the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles
before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the
beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a
lake of fire burning with brimstone. {21} And the remnant were slain with the
sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth:
and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
The antichrist will have gathered the armies of the world together in order
to defeat this one who is going to invade the planet.
:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
They do not want God or His Messiah to rule over them.
Lesson
You don’t need freedom from God
This would be like … me going out into the parking lot and cutting everyone’s brake lines. I don’t want you to have anything “holding you back”. But brakes are good. God’s “cords”, His ways, His laws, His purposes for our lives are good, even if they “keep us back” from things.
Illustration
I recently came across an article by Chuck Colson entitled, “Family Values on HBO?” In the article, Chuck talks about how some of the most immoral programs actually can promote moral living if you watch carefully. He writes,
Recently, in the excellent English magazine The Spectator, writer Mary Kenny made an unusual observation: “Sex and the City means family values” read the title of her article. You’ve got to be kidding, right? Explicit sex, graphic language, glamorized promiscuity—where do “family values” fit in there?
Well, the truth …can pop up in unexpected places—particularly the truth about human nature. We’re made for one another, and men and women were created with certain roles. And when we flout them, the way we’re made will always come back to haunt us.
For example, the fact that homosexuals desire marriage actually betrays the “lifestyle” they extol. Of course they want to marry and have children—they’re human, and that’s the way God made us. But two homosexuals “married” can’t do that, which is why marriage and homosexuality can never go together. Gay “marriage” has always got to be a counterfeit, and gays know it.
“The ‘forces of conservatism’ always win in the end,” writes Mary Kenny, “because it is the natural order.” Though moral Darwinists would say otherwise, humans weren’t meant to jump from mate to mate, or juggle multiple partners at once, because sex is not a recreational act. It is not, says Kenny, that “brash, competitive, and indeed consumerist” activity depicted on Sex and the City. Rather, she goes on to say, it’s one that “evokes in human beings something both animal and transcendental.”
The author goes on to talk about some of the characters on the show and writes,
Carrie, the center of the show, sums up the futility of
the sexually “liberated” single life when she remarked to a friend, “I’m
lonely. I’m really lonely.” Later, at
The world wants to break the “bonds” that God lovingly gives us, and yet in the end when we break God’s laws, we’re the ones who are poorer for it.
:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
shall laugh – sachaq – to laugh (usually in contempt or derision); to sport, play
have them in derision – la‘ag – to mock, deride, ridicule
God is laughing at them for thinking that they could attempt such a thing, rebelling against Him.
:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
vex – bahal – (Piel) to make haste, act hastily, be hurried, be hastened; to dismay, terrify
It is totally correct for God to express wrath.
:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Zion Jerusalem
God speaks of it as having already happened. You could look at this as if David is talking about himself, but he’s speaking prophetically.
:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
decree – choq – statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due
begotten – yalad – to bear, bring forth, beget, gender, travail
Yahweh has a Son. He is speaking to the Son.
It may seem like David is speaking about himself, but he is speaking prophetically.
(1 Pet 1:10-12 KJV) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired
and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
{11} Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in
them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and
the glory that should follow. {12} Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto
themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported
unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost
sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
(2 Pet 1:21 KJV) For the prophecy
came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost.
(Heb 11:13
KJV) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen
them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed
that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
A great part of what we’ll see in the Psalms is prophetic.
:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
the heathen – gowy – nation, people; usually of non-Hebrew people
These are the very people who are “raging” against God and the Messiah (Ps.
2:1)
the uttermost parts – ‘ephec – ceasing, end, finality
Even California
God’s promise to the Son.
The Son will rule over the earth after He comes back.
There will be those who survive the Tribulation when Jesus comes back, who have come to believe in Jesus and yet have not been martyred. Jesus will rule over them.
:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
This speaks of a tough king.
rod – shebet – rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe
dash them in pieces – naphats – to shatter, break, dash, beat in pieces
This is how Jesus will rule and reign in the coming kingdom.
(Rev 19:15
KJV) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the
nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth
the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Jesus says to the church of Thyatira
(Rev 2:26-27 KJV) And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
{27} And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter
shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
We will share this rule with Jesus.
We will enforce righteousness on the earth over those who still have their natural bodies and are still going to be tempted in their flesh.
:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Here’s the application of the Psalm.
:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Joy without fear is frivolous. Fear without joy is morbid.
We need both joy and fear.
:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.
kiss – nashaq – to put together, kiss
One of the New Testament words that is translated “worship”, proskuneo, means to “kiss towards”. This is the same word used in:
(John 4:24 KJV) God is a Spirit: and they that
worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
:12 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Lesson
You can trust Him.
From time to time I get letters from folks who say things like, “God has let me down, I’ve tried to trust Him and it hasn’t worked”.
When you hear or read something like that you are faced with a choice. Are you going to believe what that person has said and feel bad for them for God having let them down? Or are you going to believe what God’s Word says and realize that God isn’t the one with the problem?
If you feel like God has let you down, you are faced with one of two things being true:
Either you haven’t really trusted God at all, or,
God simply hasn’t done the things you’ve expected Him to in the way you expected, or in the time that you expected. But that doesn’t mean that God isn’t at work and that He isn’t doing exactly what He’s planned.
Psalm 3
:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
These notes were added by editors, but they give us an idea about the background to the Psalms.
:1 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
David loved his son Absalom, yet Absalom turned on him.
(2 Sam 15:1-6 KJV) And it came to pass after this, that Absalom
prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. {2} And
Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so,
that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then
Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel Israel Israel
David understood what it was to be betrayed by those very close to him, those whom he had been extremely gracious with.
You’re going to see through the Psalms that there is a HUGE variety of emotions that will be expressed.
:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
As David fled from Absalom, Shimei cursed David:
(2 Sam 16:7-12 KJV) And thus said Shimei
when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
{8} The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in
whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the
hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because
thou art a bloody man. {9} Then said Abishai the son
of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog
curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
{10} And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto
him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? {11} And
David said to Abishai, and to all his servants,
Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more
now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let
him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. {12} It may be that the LORD will look
on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this
day.
There are plenty of people who will want to kick you when you’re down.
It is inevitable that people will come against you.
Selah – celah – to lift up, exalt; Selah; a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption
David is expressing great trouble, and he takes time to “pause”, to “reflect”.
:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
When things seem so sour, put your eyes on the Lord.
:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
Sometimes we shouldn’t feel so comfortable when we sleep.
Illustration
Baskin Robins
Two robins were sitting on a branch high in a tree. One looked down and saw a field full of worms. Turning to the second bird he said, “We ought to go down there and eat.” “Good idea,” said his friend. The two of them flew down to the field and ate their fill and then some. When he could eat no more one said to the other, “You know, we ought to stop eating and fly back to our branch.” Rubbing his belly the second responded, “Yep.” With that they tried to fly to their branch in the tree, but they had eaten too much to get off the ground. The second one said, “Maybe we should just stay here and relax in the sun.” Before long the two birds slept, basking in the afternoon sun. As they slept, a cat happened upon the field. Seeing the birds, sleeping, and oblivious to his presence, the cat pounced. As feather s settled around him, the cat rubbed his belly, and said, “There is nothing better than baskin robbins.”
Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking that everything is going to be okay and go to sleep with a false sense of security, trusting in the wrong things.
David knew of the danger around him, yet he was able to sleep because he trusted in the Lord.
:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
This was literally true of David.
Such a contrast to David’s early life when he had killed Goliath. At that time he was the darling of the people:
(1 Sam 18:6-7 KJV) And it came to pass as they came, when David was
returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all
cities of Israel
And now they all turn on David.
Be careful about getting your satisfaction from having people accept you. People
can turn on you. It’s God’s acceptance we look for.
:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Later we will see David asking God to break people’s teeth, but here he says that God has already taken care of his enemies.
Lesson
Identify the enemy.
For us, when it comes to our battles, we need to be careful about who we identify as our “enemy”.
Jesus said,
(Mat 5:43-45 KJV) Ye have heard that it hath been
said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine
enemy. {44} But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you; {45} That ye may be the children of your Father which is in
heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Paul wrote,
(Eph
We need to be careful about making humans out to be our “enemies”. I know that there is a reality of people who are going to hate you and they are going to make themselves your enemies.
But our real enemy is Satan.
And God has smitten him at the cross.
Humans who don’t like us aren’t the real enemy. They’re held captive by the real enemy.
(2 Tim 2:24-26 KJV) And the servant of the Lord
must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, {25} In
meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will
give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; {26} And that they may
recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him
at his will.
:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Psalm 4
:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.
Neginoth – n@giynah – music, song, from the word meaning “striking” – a stringed instrument, like a guitar or a harp.
It is thought that this was written at the same time as Psalm 3, while
David was fleeing for his life.
:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
enlarged – rachab – to be or grow wide, be or grow large
distress – tsar – narrow, tight; straits, distress; adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor; hard pebble, flint
Lesson
Growth through distress
God enlarges us when we are in “distress”.
Exercise and muscle building. Muscles get larger through breaking them down.
We grow stronger when we are in “distress”
Illustration
I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
Annie S. Hawks, 1835–1918
Refrain added by Robert Lowry
This deeply personal hymn came from the heart of a busy
housewife and mother who had no idea of the spiritual strength that her own
hastily written words would bring her later during a sorrowful time in her
life.
The author, Annie S. Hawks, has left this account about
the writing of her poem in 1872:
One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I
was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became filled with the
sense of nearness to the Master, and I began to wonder how anyone could ever
live without Him, either in joy or pain. Then the words were ushered into my
mind and these thoughts took full possession of me.
Sixteen years later, Mrs. Hawks experienced the death of
her husband. Years after, she wrote:
I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched
the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the
shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood
something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to
give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace.
One of the blessings of a victorious Christian life is knowing the closeness of our Lord in every circumstance of life. Like Annie Hawks, it is so important that we develop strong spiritual lives during the peaceful hours in order that we will be able to be victorious when difficulties come, which they surely will to everyone at some time.
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord. No tender
voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour; stay Thou near by. Temptations
lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain. Come quickly, and
abide, or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will, and Thy rich
promises in me fulfill.
I need Thee every hour, Most Holy One; O make me Thine
indeed, Thou blessed Son.
Refrain: I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need
Thee! O bless me now, my Savior—I come to Thee! [2]
Mrs. Hawks had stumbled onto something before really coming to grasp its full implications. God is here for us.
:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
leasing – kazab – a lie, untruth, falsehood, deceptive thing
The people that were causing David trouble were out to bring him shame. They
were people who loved worthless stuff. They were people who didn’t have a
problem lying about him.
:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
David knew that he belonged to God. He knew that God would hear his prayer.
:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Lesson
Prescription for sleep
Are you in distress? Having trouble sleeping?
Call on the Lord (vs. 3)
Stand in awe before Him. (vs. 4)
Stop sinning (vs. 4)
Be still before Him.
:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
:6 There be many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
Sometimes we can find ourselves getting so happy over material things, as ancient people would be thrilled over a great crop.
Yet the joy that God wants to put in our heart is far greater.
:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Illustration
Big John Doesn't Pay!
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and
drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops-a few people got
on, a few got off, and things went generally well. At the next stop, however, a
big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging
down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, “Big John doesn’t pay!”
and sat down at the back. Did I mention that the driver was five feet three,
thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn’t argue with Big
John, but he wasn’t happy about it. The next day the same thing happened-Big
John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the one after that, and so forth. This
grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was
taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for
body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff. By the end of the
summer, he had become quite strong; what’s more, he felt really good about
himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and
said, “Big John doesn’t pay!,” the driver stood up, glared back at the
passenger, and screamed, “And why not?” With a surprised look on his face, Big
John replied, “Big John has bus pass.”
When you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep. Talk to the shepherd.
If you don’t want to pray, you could get one of my tapes and listen to it, you’ll be out in no time. We once had a young couple come to our church and they told me that the reason they decided to have our church become their home church was that I put their little daughter to sleep when they brought her to church.
Psalm 5
:1 To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
Nehiloth – n@chiylah – meaning uncertain; may be name of melody; may be a musical instrument; from chaliyl – pipe, flute
:2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Lesson
Give God your morning.
I know that some of us say that we aren’t “morning people”.
But I don’t think the point is that you get up at 5:00 a.m. It’s
just about getting up a little earlier than you already do, whether it’s 5:00 a.m. or 9:00
a.m.
Give God the first part of your day.
Let God set the tone of your day.
But I think it’s really a great thing to start your day with the Lord.
:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Lesson
Jesus changes lives
Jesus came to take us out of the darkness of wickedness and put us into the light of righteosness:
(Col 1:13
KJV) Who hath delivered us from the
power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
That means there will be change in our lives.