><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 20-21 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The two psalms are closeIy linked together. In Ps. 20 a battle is about to take place between the king of Israel at the head of his people and his foes. Sacrifices have been offered, and the liing and his people commit their cause in faith to God. In Ps. 21 the battle is won, and the people give thanks to God for their king and look forward to further victories. 1 What does Ps. 20 reveal is the attitude of the King and his people as they set out against their foes? On what is the confidence of verse 6 based? Is this sort of confidence characteristic of God's people today? 2 Ps. 21 falls into two parts, verses 1-7 and $-12, with a concluding prayer. To whom is the first part addressed, and to whom the second? In what ways does what is said of the king find its fulfilment in Christ? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 20-21 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) They are looking to the Lord for strength, in an attitude of faith and expectancy, and anticipating victory. V. 5, "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests." It is sad to say, but I think Christians today (generally) have lost their confidence in God. I do not exclude myself, though I would like to. We do need a "second touch" due to lack of faith in His healing power as Pastor Sawyer preached about this past Sunday. May we start today to increase our confidence in the Lord by putting the small things in His Great hands. Faithful in little, faithful in much. (2) The first part seems to be David's conversation to the Lord. Verses 8-12, i.e. the second part, is from the people to their king (David). V. 9 graphically depicts the Lord's righteous anger, "At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the Lord will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them..." This reminds me of the verse in Rev. 20:15 about when the dead are judged, "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." It is a reminder to me of the need for us to witness to those around us all the more urgently. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Psalm 20 is a prayer for victory. It shows David's attitude in preparation for battle. Verse 6 expresses confidence that the Lord has power to deliver and will hear the cry of the righteous. Too often today we do not have confidence in the delivering power of the Lord. We place our trust in ourselves and our abilities when we should trust in the Lord and his total capability to handle any and all situations we face. There is a praise chorus based upon v7 Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots but we will trust in the name of the Lord! 2) In Psalm 21 David is giving praise for the deliverance(probably answer to the prayer in 20). David starts with 1-7 a praise to the Lord based upon the 'king's' desires, and concludes with 8-12 a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. In v5 His Glory is great through Thy salvation! Praise God Almighty for the Delivering Power of Salvation whose price was paid by the King of Kings. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 20 A Song of Trust Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:9 Give victory to our king, O Lord; oh hear our prayer. [Life Application Bible] This psalm is a prayer for the king as he goes out to battle - God is with us. Psalm 21 Triumph of the King Psalm 20 is a prayer for blessing before battle. This Psalm is a praise to celebrate the victory given by God after defeating his enemies. "You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips." Psalm 21:2 What is the request David made to the Lord? "He asked you for life, and you gave it to him - length of days, for ever and ever." 21:4 David's request is his salvation. What is the desire of David's heart? "Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!" 21:13a David's heart desires to exalt the Lord No wonder David is the man after God's own heart. It is the purpose of God in creating man - to glorify God. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 22:1-21 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Note the things that seem to make the sufferings here described the harder to bear. How closely does this psalm picture the sufferings of Christ? Cf Mt. 27: 3s-46;Jn. 19:23, 24. 2 In these sufferings upon what does the faith of this man stay itself? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 22:1-21 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- *Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) The physical anguish D. expresses here is vivid - my heart melted away like wax, strength dried up like a potsherd (pottery fragment), tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, pierced hands and feet,... It is really remarkable how prophetic this psalm is of the sufferings of Christ, especially v. 18, "THEY DIVIDE MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM AND CAST LOTS FOR MY CLOTHING." Do we even need any more reason to believe the Bible is true other than these prophecies which were fulfilled in Christ, ref. Mt 27:35. (2) "But you, O Lord, BE NOT FAR OFF; O MY STRENGTH, COME QUICKLY TO HELP ME..." is D.'s cry for mercy. He continues to place his hope in the Lord's deliverance. May the Lord God continually and constantly be our refuge and strength, our hiding place and our source of power. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) This is David's Cry of Anguish and call for help. Many of us are so familiar with Psalm 23, but how often to we get to look at this Psalm, the initiator of the 23rd. This is the cry for help, the desperate plea, of David, and of every man for help from God. Even Christ quoted the first verse while on the cross(Matthew 27:46). The pain described is hard for David to bear because the reason for the suffering is unseen/unknown. 2) Even in his sufferings, David takes hold to the Lord v19 and pleas for his deliverance, support, and help. May we too remember the Lord when we face such unprovoked suffering and anguish, humiliation and rejection. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 22:1-21 The Sufferings of the Virtuous Man There are three forms of suffering described in Psalm 22 as Dr. O. E. Phillips observed. 22:1-6 The suffering in the spirit, which is the most intense kind of suffering known; 22:7-13 The soul suffering, and that of self-esteem; 22:14-16 The physical suffering is easier to be endured than the other two. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 22-31 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Trace in these verses the happy results of the sufferings described in verses 1-21. Note (a) how far-reaching is their effect, and (b) to whom they mean most. 2 List those things that are stated will be the reaction of people to the deliverance of the sufferer, and see how far this is true of your own reaction to the resurrection ofjesus Christ. Note. Verse 22. This is applied to Christ in Heb. 2: 12. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 22-31 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) This second half of Psalm 22 describes the results of the suffering of 1-21. He shows the depth of the actuality and reality of God's love. The effects of God's love are far reaching, stretching out to all. 2) It is said of the reaction to the deliverance that: afflicted shall eat, those who seek will praise, the whole earth will remember, all families shall worship, prosperious will eat and worship, those who lie down will bow. These same things should be applicable to the deliverance of Christ s ressurection, are they? Let us bow before the King of Kings let us worship the Sovreign Lord whose ressurection has provided us deliverance from death to life! -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) The theme of the 2nd part of Ps. 22 is PRAISE, HONOR, and REVERE THE LORD! It reaches to all the descendants of Jacob, and is the most meaningful to those who seek the Lord - "may your hearts live forever!" This is D.'s infectious praise, calling the saints to worship together in the great assembly, in the congregation; much like many churches have an open worhsip/prayer time during the service. (2) The poor will eat and be satisified, they who seek the Lord will praise Him, fulfilling of vows, the ends of the earth will turn to the Lord, families of the nations will bow down before Him, the rich will feast and worship, and the weak and sickly will kneel before Him, posterity/future generations will serve Him and proclaim His righteousness. May our prayers of worship and thanksgiving for His resurrection be like a sweet smelling perfume rising up to our Risen Lord. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 22: 22 -31 The Hope in the Virtuous Man This portion of Psalm 22 looks forward in joyful anticipation to when Christ the King will rule during the Millennial period. Psalm 22 is the most important prophetic Psalm David was inspired to write. It was written about a thousand years before Christ appeared on earth. [Salem Kirban Reference Bible] Psalm 22:26 - The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. Psalm 22:27- 28 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord's and he is the governor among the nations. Amen! ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 23-24 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 David knows the Lord as his shepherd. In Ps. 23 note the effect this has upon his thoughts about his present and his future. Has your knowledge of the Lord had this effect for you? 2 From Ps. 24 what do we learn of the Lord? What is required, therefore, of those who worship Him? Note. Ps. 24 was probably written for the occasion when David brought the ark of God to Jerusalem. See 2 Sa. 6. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 23-24 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Psalm 23 is David's song about trust. He trusts the Lord as his shepherd, to provide for him, to care for him, and to lead him to safe places. David's confidence extends not only all the days of his life and wherever he may go, but forever when he dwells in the house of the Lord. What a beautiful picture of faith and trust. 2) This psalm is a hymn of praise to the Mighty God. We learn that God is: ruler over earth, founder, and unable to sin. We see that in order to approach God, we must have clean hands and a pure heart. We must come before him in Truth. Let us worship him in glory and with honor. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) Presently, D. says, "I shall not be in want" and then also says, "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Yes, what a comfort to know God has total control over each and every minute detail of our lives - all our molecules and cells - He knows and controls. That is such a blessing to me - The Lord is my Shepherd. I am still now just beginning to understand this truth more. (2) The Lord owns everything in the earth, He founded it and established it. Those who worship Him must have clean hands and a pure heart, and not lift up his soul to idols or swear by what is false. Therefore, we need SALVATION -- JESUS CHRIST, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Praise the King of glory. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 23 and 24 Psalm 23 - The Testimony of a Sheep - David David gave a word of testimony as to the goodness of his Shepherd, the Lord. 23:1 Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need! [Life Aplctn Bible] To lie down in green pasture means that the sheep were fed and come to a tender, cool and refreshing resting place to chew their cud. It is next to the still water, a pond or a sheet flow of water. 23:2. To live in a desert, the shepherd has to lead the herd to find grass daily at different locations. After they are fed they need to find a comfortable place to digest their food. Food takes water to grind to be absorbed into body's supply to grow. Each day, the Lord leads us to different spiritual ground, in the different chapters of the Bible. After reading the verses that day, we need to take time to digest it with the help of the Holy Spirit to convert our reading into our strength for sustaining our daily walk in Christ. In order to find the daily supply, often times the shepherd has to take his flock to go across a ravine, to find pasture for a new day, in high altitude above the valley filled with dense forests - the valley of the shadow of death. The shepherd talks continuously, assuring the sheep that he is with them, "for thou art with me." The rod is used for protection; the staff is for tapping and rescue the individual sheep and it denotes a personal relationship between shepherd and sheep. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; 23:5a When a wounded sheep must have special attention, and must be protected from his enemies. The wounded sheep is motionless and can not go out to find food. The shepherd will fence an area about 20x15 with his rod and staff to prevent others to eat the grass in this protected area as the table (food) for this wounded sheep. These enemies are the ones out of his own flock [World's Bible Handbook]. Remember, even Absalom, David's own son was his enemies. How deep and how beautiful this psalm is?! John 10:11-18 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ---" I Samuel 17:34-37: "But David said to Saul, 'Your servat has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. ----." Psalm 24 Psalm of the King of Glory God's supreme sovereignty requires a befitted holiness of life and heart in His worshippers. This psalm my have been written when the Ark was brought to Jerusalem (II Samuel 6:12-15). May be we will Sing it in the Glad Day when the King of glory comes again. [Halley's Bible Handbook] One day, the gates and doors will be opened to welcome the victorious King of Glory. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 25 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 What are the main petitions made here by the psalmist? What light do these petitions throw upon his circumsrances and spiritual experience? How far can you make these petitions your own? 2 In verses 6-15 what is said about God and what He does for those who fear Him? How far is this true in your own experience? What does this psalm teach about how you can experience more of the friendship, guidance and deliverance of the Lord? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 25 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) In my opinion, Psalm 25 is a super Psalm! This is my favorite one - I have a special connection with this psalm. In two of my Bibles, they are cracked at Psalm 25 (maybe due to sheer logistics of weight or whatever). I also have Psalm 25 up on the wall in my room. It is so full of prayer and soul. V. 1, "To you, O Lord, I LIFT UP MY SOUL; IN YOU I TRUST, O MY GOD." It shows exalting the Lord, petitions for instruction and guidance, hopes in the Lord, cries for mercy, characterizes Him (good and upright, loving and faithful), asks for forgiveness, search for peace in the Lord, asks for deliverance and protection, then includes all Israel. (2) "The Lord CONFIDES IN those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them," v. 14. It really gives a picture of "what a friend we have in Jesus." The tone is like that of confiding in your closest friend, yet it changes voice throughout. First speaking in first person (To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul...), then in third person (therefore He instructs sinners in His ways...), then back to first and switch to third, and finally back to first again. The main comfort of this psalm to me is verses 4-5: "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Saviour, and MY HOPE IS IN YOU ALL DAY LONG." If we place our hope and trust in the Lord, on a daily basis, He will be our great Shepherd and lead us through whatever the day may bring. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- My Study bible notes: This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. What a unique way to bring praise to God, through every letter possible! 1) David in this psalm is asking for protection, pardon and guidance. He seeks God and wants to know what the Lord wants for him. Each one of us should try to seek God and put our trust in Him as David did. v5, what patience, I will wait all the day... 2) v8 says that the Lord is Good. He who is humble will be dealt with justly and will learn the way to choose. Those who fear God will have their souls abide in prosperity. This psalm shows us that to draw nearer to God, we must lose ourselves and forget the 'me' and live for Him. A contemporary Christian rock band called Third Day has written a song based upon this psalm called My Hope Is You it goes like this... To you, oh Lord, I lift my soul In you, oh God, I place my trust Do not let me, be put to shame Nor let my enemies triumph over me Chorus: My hope is You Show me your ways Guide me in truth In all my days My hope is you -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 25 Prayer for Instruction This psalm directs our requests toward God during the periods of soul depression, on preservation from sins, help to defeat enemies, and divine guidance. Some of the requests and responses in this prayer are sorted out as the follows: Req. Let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. 25:2b Ans. --- no one who waits on You be ashamed; --- those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 25:3 Req. Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. 25:4 Ans. Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. 25:12-13 Req. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, 25:5 Ans. The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His Way. 25:9 Req. For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. 25:11 Ans. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. 25:8. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. 25:14 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 26 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Describe in your own words the main trend of David's life as he describes it here. Can you make similar claims for yourself? 2 In verse 12, David seems to be assured that God will answer his prayer. On what has it been based that he can have this assurance? Cf Ps. 66: i8;Jas. 4:3. Note. Verse 12. 'Level ground': i.e., a place of safety and ease, where he can flilfil the pronlises of verses 6, 7. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 26 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) David in Psalm 26 claims a holy life of trust in God. Each of us should strive to draw closer to God and attempt to walk continually in the Truth. 2) David in 12 claims the firm foundation of God. He rests in the assurance that God will be a solid rock. Based upon his following the ways of the Lord and his clean heart he has founded this assurance. May we each one press on to the faith and assurance David expresses here. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) D. has led a "blameless life) (v.1), trusted in the Lord without wavering (2), walked continually in God's truth (3), segragated himself from the wicked (5). He seems to have walked on a higher spiritual plane than most. Yesterday on the radio(105.1 FM - "The Urban Alternative"), I heard a story. A pilot was flying in a (single-person, I believe) plane and heard the sound of gnawing - a rat. This scared him half to death because he realized that the rat may chew some important wires and cause the plane to go down, resulting in his own death. (This plane did not have auto-pilot, and he was alone.) He suddenly remembered something he had learned before, that rats cannot breathe at high altitudes. So he brought the plan to a very high altitude, and waited until he heard the gnawing stop. Later, after landing, the pilot looked behind the cockpit and saw a dead rat. The speaker compared the rat to SIN, and its potentially devastating effects on us. We need to go to a higher plane spiritually to overcome sin. This is how righteously confident David was - (v.2), "Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.." May we strive to reach a higher plane, a closer walk with the Lord every day. (2) Looking back at Ps. 25:11, we see D.'s repentant heart, "For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great." Confession, repentance and prayer. David did these three; despite his sins, the Lord forgave Him. He had the right heart attitude. Therefore, D. was assured that God would answer his prayers. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 26 David Protests his Intergrity When we compare verse 1 with verse 11 and 25:21, it would give us a better understanding of what David's vindication is about. Verse 11 indicates that I WILL walk in my integrity so I ask for being redeemed and be merciful to not forget me and count me blameless. Verse 1 said that I HAVE WALKED in my integrity, by the same token I should be considered blameless. I do not think David would consider himself as a man without sin. In II Samuel 12:5, David spoke with emotion that "---- the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over. Because he did such a thing and had not pity." "May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. [Chinese version says I wait upon you]"