Wednesday
Evening Bible Study
October 1, 2003
Introduction
For every sigh there is a Psalm. The
Psalms express so much of what we experience.
Psalm 16
:1-7 Trusting God
:1 Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
Michtam – miktam –
michtam; a technical term found in psalm titles; meaning uncertain
There are a couple of suggestions as to what this means. Some have suggested that this means “golden”
or “precious”. Others have suggested that
it means “hidden”, “secret”, or “mystery”.
I wonder if it isn’t possible to carry both meanings. Spurgeon calls this “The Psalm of the
Precious Secret”.
It’s going to be a Psalm about Jesus.
He is precious. And there is a
sense that He is hidden within the prophecies of this Psalm.
:2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness
extendeth not to thee;
(Psa 16:2 NLT) I said to the
LORD, "You are my Master! All the good things I have are from you."
:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom
is all my delight.
saints – qadowsh – sacred,
holy, Holy One, saint, set apart
David finds joy in people who follow the Lord.
:4 …their drink offerings of blood will I not offer
(Psa 16:4 NLT) Those who chase
after other gods will be filled with sorrow. I will not take part in their
sacrifices or even speak the names of their gods.
David does not find joy in people who worship other gods.
:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct
me in the night seasons.
reins – kilyah – kidneys;
of physical organ (lit.); of seat of emotion and affection (fig.)
(Psa 16:7 NLT) I will bless
the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
Lesson
Learning at night
I think there is a sense that God can teach us even while we sleep.
(Psa 127:2 NASB) It is vain
for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Have you ever gone to bed worrying about something and
woke up with the answer? Sometimes I go
to bed on Saturday night feeling like something is missing from the morning
sermon, and when I wake up, I have it.
I think there is a sense in which we learn so much about life when times
are “dark”.
Sometimes our greatest growth in the Lord comes through difficult times.
(2 Cor 4:16-18 KJV)
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the
inward man is renewed day by day. {17} For our light affliction, which is but
for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
{18} While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which
are not seen are eternal.
Nancy Missler wrote a book that the Ladies’ have studied, “Faith in the
Night Seasons”. It’s about learning to
trust the Lord, even when we go through dark times that we don’t understand.
We’ve seen this as we’ve been studied through the book of Job. Job’s difficult times weren’t a result of
some sort of sin on his part, but his difficulties still resulted in bringing
him closer to God, so he could say in the end:
(Job 42:5 KJV)
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth
thee.
:8-11 Prophetic
:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I
shall not be moved.
(Psa 16:8 NLT) I know the
LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine
Holy One to see corruption.
hell – sh@’owl – sheol,
underworld, grave, hell, pit
Holy One – chaciyd –
faithful, kind, godly, holy one, saint, pious
David has this confidence of something happening after death. He has this
concept of a resurrection. He expects
that the body of the “Holy One” will not rot away.
(Psa 16:10
NASB) For Thou wilt not abandon my soul
to Sheol; Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.
:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
presence – paniym – face;
the sense of being in God’s presence is literally to be before God’s “face”.
fulness – soba‘– satiety,
abundance, fulness
joy – simchah – joy,
mirth, gladness
pleasures – na‘iym –
pleasant, delightful, sweet, lovely, agreeable; singing, sweetly sounding,
musical
Lesson
Joy in God’s presence
This is one of my favorite promises when it comes to worshipping God and
being in His presence.
I think there are several things that happen as we become more and more
aware of God’s presence.
Conviction
When Isaiah the prophet saw his vision of God sitting on
His throne in the temple, his first reaction was one of horror at his own
sinfulness.
(Isa 6:5 KJV)
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean
lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have
seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
I think this is one of the things that happens as we come
into the presence of unapproachable light – all of our faults and sins are
exposed. We too ought to be humbled and
shaken in God’s presence.
Cleansing
Just like with Isaiah, God’s heart is not to leave us in
our conviction, but cleanse us and forgive us.
(Isa 6:6-7 KJV)
Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand,
which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: {7} And he laid it upon
my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken
away, and thy sin purged.
God longs to have fellowship with us, and that comes after
we are humbled and cleansed.
Calling / Direction
After Isaiah was cleansed, God spoke to him and gave him
an assignment:
(Isa 6:8 KJV)
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who
will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Part of drawing near to God involves submitting to His
will and that means that from time to time He’s going to give you
directions. He’s going to ask you to do
something.
Contentment / Joy
As David wrote, we find joy in God’s presence.
One of the results of the Holy Spirit being on our lives
is joy (the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace … Gal. 5:22-23).
When we were in Russia,
we were often teased by the Russians about how we looked so much like
“Americans”. We asked what it was that
made us look like Americans. They said
it was because of our backpacks and our smiles.
I’m not sure about the backpacks, but I don’t think the smiles were
because we were Americans. The smiles
came from Jesus.
Lesson
The Resurrection of Jesus
On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted from Psalm 16:8-11 in his sermon to
the people who were came together when the church was filled with the Holy
Spirit.
(Acts 2:25-36 KJV) For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw
the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not
be moved: {26} Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover
also my flesh shall rest in hope: {27} Because thou wilt not leave my soul in
hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. {28} Thou hast
made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy
countenance.
This is Peter quoting the passage. Now Peter is going to explain the passage.
{29} Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the
patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us
unto this day.
Peter is saying that David can’t be talking about himself
because his body did experience decay.
His grave was still there for people to see.
{30} Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with
an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he
would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
David was speaking prophetically about the Messiah, one
who was to be a descendant of David.
{31} He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ,
that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. {32}
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Peter has used these verses as support for the
resurrection of Jesus, which the apostles have all been witnesses of.
{33} Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having
received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this,
which ye now see and hear.
Jesus taught that when He ascended into heaven, the Father
would pour out the Holy Ghost on the church (John 16:7). David spoke of being at the “right hand” of
God, and that’s where Jesus is.
{34} For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith
himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, {35} Until I
make thy foes thy footstool.
Peter quotes another Psalm of David (Ps. 110).
{36} Therefore let all the house of Israel
know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified,
both Lord and Christ.
The pouring out of the Holy Spirit was a proof that Jesus
was sitting at the right hand of God, fulfilling the prophecies of David.
Psalm 17
:1 A prayer of David.
This is the first Psalm that is called a “prayer”.
It would seem that the circumstances of David’s “prayer” had something to
do with wicked people that were oppressing David (17:9).
:1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer,
that goeth not out of feigned lips.
feigned – mirmah – deceit,
treachery
David is not trying to put one over on God.
He’s trying to be completely honest and open with God.
Lesson
Motivation in prayer
Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what your motivation was in your
prayer requests?
“Oh God save my pagan husband”.
Sounds like a great prayer. But why
do you ask for this? Is it because you
are truly concerned for your husband’s salvation? Or is it because you just don’t want to sit
by yourself in church? Is it because you
are concerned that your husband might spend eternity separated from God? Or is it because he might be nicer to you
around the house if he were a Christian?
I’m not sure we can always have the purest of motivation when we pray, but
I think from time to time it doesn’t hurt to ask ourselves why we’re really
praying.
If you find your motivation is wrong, don’t stop praying, just change your
motives.
:2 let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
He’s asking God to judge him fairly.
:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
Lesson
God’s protection
apple of the eye – refers to the
pupil of the eye.
The eye is the most sensitive part of our body, the pupil the most
sensitive of the eye.
We are told that the reflex that has the eyelid covering
the eye is the quickest reflex in your body, 1/10,000th of a second.
God promises His people:
(Zec 2:8 KJV)
…for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
When people try to hurt you, it’s like they’re poking God
in the eye. You don’t want to do that.
the shadow of thy wings
A parent bird protects it’s young by covering them with its wings.
Illustration
An article in National Geographic several years ago
provided a penetrating picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone
National Park, forest rangers began
their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a
bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the
base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with
a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead
mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had
carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her
wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have
flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had
arrived and the heat had singed her small body, the mother had remained
steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her
wings would live.
:9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me
about.
Apparently this prayer is a result of someone coming against David.
:10 They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak
proudly.
(Psa 17:10
NIV) They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
(Psa 17:10
NLT) They are without pity. Listen to
their boasting.
:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the
wicked, which is thy sword:
(Psa 17:13
NIV) Rise up, O LORD, confront them,
bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword.
:14 from men of the world, which
have their portion in this life
For the men of the world, this is as good as it gets. This is as much as they’re going to get. It’s actually quite sad.
:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be
satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
(Psa 17:15
NLT) But because I have done what is
right, I will see you. When I awake, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see
you face to face.
David knew that his reward would be far greater than anything he’d get in
the world. His reward will be the day
when he wakes up to be in God’s presence and sees Him face to face.
(Psa 17:15
NASB) As for me, I shall behold Thy face
in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake.
There is also a sense that David expected to be changed, to be transformed
closer to the image of God, to have God’s likeness in him.
John wrote,
(1 John 3:1-3 KJV) Behold,
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
{2} Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. {3} And every
man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Lesson
Looking for the right things
There are all sorts of prizes we can win in life.
Some live their lives in order to win the big house, the fancy car, the
fame, and the fortune.
Remember, this was a prayer – David could have said that he’d be satisfied
if God would wipe out his enemies.
But David was running for another prize.
He was living his life in order to see God.
(Heb 12:1-3 KJV) Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us, {2} Looking unto Jesus the
author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God. {3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of
sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
He was looking towards the finish line, when he would be with God and hear
God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.
Psalm 18
:1-3 Introduction
:1 …who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD
delivered him
This Psalm is also found in 2Sam. 22:1-51 with only a few changes. Apparently this was not a song that was just
sung one time, but probably various times during David’s life when he
recognized how God had saved him from his enemies.
:2 …in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my
high tower.
Part of this is quoted in
(Heb 2:13
KJV) And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the
children which God hath given me.
buckler – magen – shield,
buckler
:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be
saved from mine enemies.
David saw prayer as the key to deliverance.
:4-19 Delivering Mercy
:5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented
me.
prevented – qadam – to
meet, come or be in front, confront, go before
:6 and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Lesson
God hears our prayers.
Sometimes we may wonder why God would ever bother paying attention to
us. But He does.
The Bible says that our prayers are like incense rising before God’s
throne.
(Rev 8:3-4 KJV) And another
angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given
unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints
upon the golden altar which was before the throne. {4} And the smoke of the
incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out
of the angel's hand.
As incense burns, the smoke rises, filling the room. Our prayers rise before God and are pleasing
to Him.
David was convinced that God heard his prayers and responded to them:
(Psa 34:4 KJV) I sought the
LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
(Psa 34:6 KJV) This poor man
cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Don’t think that your prayers don’t count.
God hears your prayers. He
responds.
On one hand, God already knows what we need. Jesus said,
(Mat 6:8 KJV) …for your
Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
But don’t let that keep you from praying, because Jesus
told us this in the very passage where He was teaching us to pray. The point is that we should be careful of
thinking that we’re informing God about something new, or that we’re telling
God something that He doesn’t already know.
Prayer is not about informing God, it’s about us learning
to trust Him.
We pray because we are learning to depend on God with our
concerns and our needs.
:7 Then the earth shook and trembled;
God responded to David’s prayers.
:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice;
hail stones and coals of fire.
It could be that David is describing a thunderstorm that occurred when he
prayed.
:19 He brought me forth also into a large place
:20-28 Because of David’s life
:20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness
The following verses can be a little confusing.
Some have chosen to look at these prophetically, as if Jesus is
speaking. He is perfectly righteous.
Some have seen this as almost hypocritical of David – David was a sinner
like all of us.
Some have chosen to see this as David standing in the righteousness of
Christ, how God would look at him. David
wasn’t perfect, but when he sinned he also confessed his sin and received God’s
forgiveness.
:26 With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou
wilt show thyself froward.
froward – perverse
(Psa 18:26
NLT) To the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.
:29-45 Deliverance and future victory
:29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped
over a wall.
David saw his battle victories as coming from the strength that God gave
him.
Lesson
God’s work becomes real strength
What David experienced wasn’t just some sort of emotional high. God gave him real physical strength.
He was able to do more than he thought possible with God’s help.
I think God can take us further than we think we can go.
:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a
buckler to all those that trust in him.
perfect – tamiym –
complete, whole, entire, sound; sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having
integrity; what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter
adj/subst)
tried – tsaraph – to smelt, refine, test; to
test (and prove true)
David had found that he could count on God’s Word.
God is a shield to those who will put their trust in Him.
:33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
hinds – ‘ayalah – doe,
deer, hind
(NLT) He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along
the mountain heights.
To be able to leap from one dangerous situation to the next.
:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine
arms.
steel – n@chuwshah –
copper (made from melting copper ore); bronze (made from copper and alloy)
:35 thy gentleness hath made me great.
gentleness – ‘anvah – humility,
meekness; condescension
That God would dare to humble Himself to help us.
:42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind
Lesson
Dealing with enemies
For us, when it comes to our battles, we need to be careful about who we
identify as our “enemy”.
Real people
Sometimes our enemy is a real person.
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.
We need to be careful to love our enemies.
Paul wrote,
(2 Tim 4:2 KJV)
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
There is a place for reproving and rebuking.
Jude wrote,
(Jude 1:17-23 KJV) But, beloved, remember ye the words which
were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; {18} How that they
told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their
own ungodly lusts. {19} These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having
not the Spirit. {20} But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, {21} Keep yourselves in the love of God,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. {22} And of
some have compassion, making a difference: {23} And others save with fear,
pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Some people need compassion. Others need to taste a bit of fear.
Spiritual enemies
Sometimes the enemy is a spiritual one.
Paul wrote,
(Eph 6:12 KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
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.
We need to be acquainted with spiritual weapons for spiritual enemies.
Me.
Sometimes the enemy is me.
(Rom 7:14-18 KJV) For we
know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. {15} For that
which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that
do I. {16} If then I
do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. {17} Now
then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. {18} For I know
that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is
present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Would I be willing to pray David’s prayer in Ps. 10:15 if
it meant ME? Would I be willing to ask
God to break my arm? Would I be willing
to be ground to dust? Less of me, more
of Him.
:43 a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
I think this is speaking prophetically of Jesus’ reign over all the earth,
of the Gentiles coming to trust in the Jewish Messiah.
:46-50 Thanks
:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and
sing praises unto thy name.
Paul quotes this verse as part of his reasoning to say that God had promised
to be merciful to the Gentiles as well as Jews:
(Rom 15:8-9 KJV) Now I say
that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to
confirm the promises made unto the fathers: {9} And that the Gentiles might
glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to
thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Psalm 19
:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
Spurgeon: In his earliest days the psalmist, while keeping his father’s
flock, had devoted himself to the study of God’s two great books—nature and
Scripture; and he had so thoroughly entered into the spirit of these two only
volumes in his library that he was able with a devout criticism to compare and
contrast them, magnifying the excellency of the Author as seen in both. How foolish and wicked are those who instead
of accepting the two sacred tomes, and delighting to behold the same divine
hand in each, spend all their wits in endeavouring to find discrepancies and
contradictions. We may rest assured that
the true “Vestiges of Creation” will never contradict Genesis, nor will a
correct “Cosmos” be found at variance with the narrative of Moses. He is wisest who reads both the world book,
and the Word book as two volumes of the same work, and feels concerning them, “My
Father wrote them both.”
:1-6 God’s first book - Creation
:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his
handiwork.
declare – caphar – (Piel)
to recount, rehearse, declare; to talk; to count exactly or accurately
firmament – raqiya‘–
extended surface (solid), expanse, firmament; firmament (of vault of heaven
supporting waters above); considered by Hebrews as solid and supporting ‘waters’
above
handiwork – ma‘aseh –
deed, work; business, pursuit; undertaking, enterprise; achievement
:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.
:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
(NAS) There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not
heard.
The witness of creation is a silent one.
It is something seen, but without words.
:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end
of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
line – qav – cord, line,
measuring-line
words – millah – word,
speech, utterance
Man is without excuse – the knowledge of God is obvious.
(Rom 1:18-25 KJV) For the
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness
of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; {19} Because that which may be
known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. {20} For
the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse: {21} Because that, when they knew
God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in
their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools, {23} And changed the glory of the
uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and
fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. {24} Wherefore God also gave them up to
uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own
bodies between themselves: {25} Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for
ever. Amen.
:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
strong man to run a race.
:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the
ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The sun shines on all the earth.
God’s revelation of Himself is obvious to all.
(Mat 5:44-45 KJV) 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.
:7-11 God’s Second Book – His Word
:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of
the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
perfect – tamiym –
complete, whole, entire, sound; sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having
integrity; what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter
adj/subst)
This does not mean that God’s Word is “finished” or “complete”. Some use this verse to teach that when the
last writer of the New Testament finished the last book, that God’s Word was
“complete” and since then there has no longer been a need for prophecy or
tongues, and that these gifts have ceased according to 1Cor. 13:8. Yet when David wrote this, the New Testament
hadn’t even been written yet, let alone half of the Old Testament as well.
sure – ‘aman – (Niphal) to
be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm; to be carried by a nurse;
made firm, sure, lasting; confirmed, established, sure; verified, confirmed;
reliable, faithful, trusty
:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment
of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
right – yashar – straight,
level; right, pleasing, correct; straightforward, just, upright, fitting,
proper; uprightness, righteous, upright
pure – bar – pure, clear,
sincere
enlightening – ‘owr – to
be or become light, shine
:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the
LORD are true and righteous altogether.
clean – tahowr – clean
(ceremonially-of animals); pure (physically); pure, clean (morally, ethically)
true – ‘emeth – firmness,
faithfulness, truth; sureness, reliability; stability, continuance
righteous – tsadaq – to be
just, be righteous
:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
gold – zahab – gold
fine gold – paz – refined
or pure gold
Lesson
Hunger for the Word
This is an incredible Book.
:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is
great reward.
warned – zahar – (Niphal)
to be taught, be admonished
Sin will keep you from this Book.
This Book will keep you from sin.
:12-14 Prayer for grace
:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
secret faults – cathar –
(Niphal) to hide oneself; to be hidden, be concealed
:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion
over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great
transgression.
presumptuous sins – zed –
arrogant, proud, insolent, presumptuous
dominion – mashal – to
rule, have dominion, reign
:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
meditation – higgayown –
meditation, resounding music, musing
be acceptable – ratsown –
pleasure, delight, favour, goodwill, acceptance, will
strength – tsuwr – rock, cliff
redeemer – ga’al – to
redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a
kinsman
The gospel. Jesus is our Redeemer,
our “near kinsman”, taking on human flesh so He might purchase the price of our
salvation.
Lesson
Open to rebuke
I think David’s heart is to be open to change. If he’s doing something wrong, he wants to
know about it.