><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 34 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This is a psalm that shines with new light when we know the probable circumstances of the time when it was composed See the psalm heading and 1 Sa. 21: 10 - 22:2. Perhaps it was sung in the cave of Adullam for the instruction of David's followers. 1 Who are those who may expect the Lord's blessings? Note the various ways in which they are described. Are we ourselves entitled to claim blessings on the same ground? 2 Make a numbered list (avoiding repetition) of the blessings God gives to His people, as stated in this psalm. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 34 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 34 How to Trust God This is a psalm David wrote during his flight from Saul. David sought refuge with Philistine king, Achish, of Gath, I Sam. 21. David stopped at Nob first to see Ahimelech the priest and asked for food and weapon - The holy bread and the sword of Goliath, which David used to kill the Philistine giant, were given as per his request. At this desperate moment, David turned to the Philistines, worldly giant, longtime enemies of his people. Then, when they realized who David was, he was in great danger. He played the role of a mad man. Achish did not think that this mad man could do any harm to him and let David go. Then, David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. During this period of time David wrote two Psalms. Psalm 56 was written at his capture by Philistines and Psalm 34 was written after he escaped from Philistines. A mad man would be a silent one who could not bear witness and would not be able to perform his identity. When a Christian is mixed among the worldly people, he loses his identity and also loses his function as salt and light to this world. With this experience, David, "this poor man", teaches us how to trust in God: Give Him praise, verses 1-4; The angel of the Lord ENCAMPS around us, 34:7; Fearthe Lord, 34:9. It is a reverent sense that God is so powerful and righteous that we dare not take him lightly. Eventhe lions, the king of animals, grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing, 34:10; 34:17- The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 34 is the basis for many of our modern praise choruses and worship songs. I Will Bless the Lord(v1), O Maginfy the Lord(v2), I Take Refuge in You(v8), and Taste and See(v8). These are a few examples of the inspiration of this Psalm. 1) David writes that there is blessing from the Lord for the following: poor - salvation from troubles fearful of the Lord - angel encamps them, no want, rescued seekers of the Lord - No want righteous - deliverance, protection, hearing of their cry. 2) Here are some of the promises that God makes to His people here. Answered prayer, deliverance from fear, salvation from trouble, rescue, blessing, no want, open ears of the Lord, Lord's Presence(near),redemption and condemnation of opposition. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) Those who are afflicted, those who look to Him, the poor man, those who fear Him, take refuge in Him, those who seek the Lord, the righteous, the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit may expect the Lord's blessings. We too have the promises of His blessings. (2) 1 - answered prayer, 2 - deliverance from fears, 3 - radiance, 4 - saved from troubles, 5 - protection with angels, 6 - lacking nothing, 7 - deliverance from troubles, 8 - fellowship, 9 - physical protection of bones, 10 - vengeance taken on enemies, 11 - no condemnation. The best part of all this is that it encourages us to be good, faithful, and RIGHTEOUS. Then, no one can stand against us, for the Lord will uphold the righteous man's cause. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 35 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 The psalm falls into three divisions, each ending with a promise to give God thanks. Discover these sections, and give to each an appropriate heading, summarizing its contents. 2 David gives a vivid picture of the vigour, subtlety and malice of his persecutors, and reacts against them with equal vigour. What is the main cry of his heart, and on what grounds does he plead? In what respects is he an example to us? Notes Verses 11 and 12. Malicious insinuations were made against David, which had never even entered his mind. Cf I Sa. 24: 9, 17. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 35 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 35 Petition for God's Intervention To Protect Against the Killer 35:1 - Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. 35: 4 - May those who seek my life be disgraced ad put to sham; ----- 35:5 - ---------------------with the angel of the Lord driving them away; 35:9 - THEN MY SOUL WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD AND DELIGHT IN HIS SALVATION. To Protect Against the Oppressor 35:10 - ---Who is like you, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them. 35:11 - Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. 35:17 - -------. Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. 35:18 - I WILL GIVE YOU THANKS IN THE GREAT ASSEMBLY; --------------. To Protect Against the Accuser 35:19 - Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. 35:20 - They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. 35:23 - Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. 35:27 - MAY THOSE WHO DELIGHT IN MY VINDICATION SHOUT FOR JOY AND GLADNESS; ---- . In Old testament time, the reason saints pray for revenge is because sinners tarnish God's honor. The writers of the psalms could not tolerate the idea of God standing by and permits these wrongs to go unpunished. Today, we should not pray for revenge. We pray for those mistreat us to be saved. However, when I read these psalms, I honestly have the feeling David's psalms like these smooth my heart and he really has the understanding of the evil ones and of what they are doing. In my mind, the Lord put them in Bible to comfort us by telling us that He understands our hearts desire. ------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) The first section, first 10 verses, petitions the Lord to fight for and "avenge" him; next section from about 11-18 shows D.'s innocence towards them, how he has not tried to harm them at all; the final section from 19 to the end asks the Lord to not let D.'s enemies gloat over him and wink the eye - for vindication. My headings would be Petition to the Lord to Defend, Innocence of the Victim, Bring the Proud Enemies Down. (2) I think the main cry here is "Vindicate me in your righteousness, O Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me." (v. 24) He pleads his innocence, "They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn." David's example was noble - the section from 11-18 shows how he treated these malicious men. When they were ill, he mourned for them like a brother. Yet they treated him in an evil way. The command of our Lord in Matt. 5:44-45, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Psalm 35 is divisible into 3 sections. The first is v1-10, Prayer for Relief. The second is 11-16, Lamentation of the Soul. The last is 17-28, Plea for Justice. 2) David's main cry throughout is for the Lord to contend with those who contend with him. Added to this, David cries out his rejoicing in the Lord, and ends with 28 And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness And Your praise all day long. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 36 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Note the contrast in this psalm in the attitude, action and end of the wicked and of those who know the Lord. What should this teach us (a) to avoid, and (b) to do? 2 Which of God's attributes are here extolled and what blessings flow from them? Are you living in the enjoyment of these blessings? Do you pray, as the psalmist did, for their continuance? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 36 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 36 The Work of A Servant of the Lord This psalm is written by a servant of the Lord, David. The work is: (1) Announcing the oracle of a sinful man, 36:1-4 and (2) Declare the greatness and goodness of God, 36:5-10. A WICKED MAN has no fear of God. He speaks wicked and deceitful words. He ceases to be wise and good. At the end of each day, he plots an evil and sinful course for tomorrow, 36:4. He will eventually be thrown down and not being able to rise, 36:12. For God, He is the creator of universe. GOD IS love, faithful, righteous and judgment. TO LIVE UNDER GOD'S WINGS would be protected, feast abundantly, drink from the river of delights and there is no darkness in his life. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) Wicked: no fear of God, flatters himself too much to detect his sin, wicked and deceitful words, not wise or good, plots evil even on his bed. Believers, on the other hand, can trust in the Lord's love and faithfulness, righteousness, justice, Holy Spirit, and light. We should avoid pride and wickedness in ourselves and in evildoers. Phil 4:8-9. (2) Love, faithfulness, righteousness, justice, abundance, river of delights, fountain of life and light are found in the Lord. He blesses both the high and low among men. "Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart." With this in mind, we can lift up our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, asking the Lord to continue His love to them. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 36 is a contrast of the wicked and righteous 1) The wicked: communicates with sin, no fear of God, speaks out wicked and deceitful words, ceases to be wise or do good, plans wickedness, sets himself on wicked path, does not despise evil. Those who know the Lord: trust His lovingkindness, fiathfullness, righteousness, judgements, preserved by the Lord, find refuge in Him, drink from rivers of delight. 2) The following attributes of God and what they yield in blessing. God's Lovingkindness-->blessing to all the Heavens and refuge for His children Faithfulness--> limitless and provision Righteousness--> vengance upon the wicked. Judgment--> preservation of man and beast(salvation) Let us pray for their continuance in our lives so that we may receive the blessings associated with them. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 37:1-20 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 What things are we told not to do in these verses, and what reasons are we given for this? 2 What positive counsels are contained in verses 1-11? Note also the promises attached. How far are you personally obeying these Injunctions? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 37:1-20 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 37 The Wicked and The Righteous Ones 37:1-20 - The Wicked Ones Shall Perish Do not become irritated or envious of those evil men, 37:1: For like the grass they will soon wither, 37:2. For evil men will be cut off;37:9. A little while --- the wicked will be no more --- they will not be found, 37:10. For the power of the wicked will be broken. 37:17 37:16 - BETTER THE LITTLE THAT THE RIGHTEOUS HAVE THAN THE WEALTH OF MANY WICKED; 37:3 - TRUST IN THE LORD, AND DO GOOD; DWELL IN THE LAND, AND FEED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS. (NKJ) 37:4 - DELIGHT YOURSELF ALSO IN THE LORD, AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) These are the best words of wisdom I've ever read. Don't fret because of evil men, trust in the Lord and do good, DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD, COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD, be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him, REFRAIN FROM ANGER. This is the absolute best advice of all to find peace in your life. And the reasons given to do so are 1)the blameless can survive disaster and famine, 2) the wicked will perish and be judged, 3)the meek will INHERIT THE LAND AND ENJOY GREAT PEACE, 4)the blameless have an inheritance that ENDURES FOREVER. (2) THese are the very words from The (ultimate) Wonderful Counselor, as He is called in Isaiah 9:6, the Holy Spirit who brings comfort. Want solutions to unfulfilled desires, discontentment, restlessness and any lack of peace...find your problem and use His solution: Complaining - v1-2, DO NOT FRET... Doubt - v.3, TRUST IN THE LORD... Discontentment or depression - v.4, DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD... Confusion, in need of guidance - v.5-6, COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD.. Restless, want answers, feel lost - v.7, BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM... Angry, upset, bitter -v8 - REFRAIN FROM ANGER AND TURN FROM WRATH... For, "Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be BROKEN (!!!), BUT THE LORD UPHOLDS THE RIGHTEOUS (!!!)." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 37 presents in the first half a list of do's and don'ts 1)DONT'S We are told not to: fret against evildoers --> they will wither be envious of wrongdoers--> Fade like the herb cease from anger and wrath do not fret --> leads only to evildoing, evildoers cutoff 2) DO'S We are told to: Trust in the Lord Dwell in the land Cultivate faithfulness Delight in the Lord --> give you the desires of your heart Commit your ways to the Lord Trust in Him --> He will do it bring your righteousness as light, Judgement as intense daylight Rest in the Lord Wait Patiently --> Inherit the Land Be humble -->delight in abundant prosperity ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 37:21-40 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Verses 21-31. This section of the psalm expands in fuller measure what was said of the reward of the righteous in verses 4,6,9,11. What do verses 21-31 say about the righteous? How do you measure up to this description? 2 Upon what does the salvation (past, present and future) of righteous depend? See verses 22, 23, 24, 28, 33, 39, 40. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 37:21-40 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 37 Part II 37:21-40 - The Righteous Will Inherit the Land 37:11 --- the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. 37:22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. 37:29 the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. 37:34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. Land in the Old Testament symbolized more than just a piece of property. It often represented the blessing and presence of God. God's promised that ultimately, one day, the righteous ones would be rewarded and the wicked would be brought to ruin. [The Quest Study Bible] Jesus clarified verses 37:11 and 29 in Matthew: 5:5-6 - Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. To be meek means not to resist the world's opposition, but to suffer it willingly. If we are meek, willing to suffer the world's opposition in this age, we shall inherit the earth in the coming age, as revealed in Hebrew 2:5-8. Righteousness here is to be right in our behavior. We need to hunger and thirst for this righteousness, to seek after such righteousness, that we may enter into the kingdom of the heavens, Matthew 5:10, 20. To combine both Old and New testaments concepts, the meek and righteous ones (Psalm 37:11 and 29) will be blessed by the Lord with His presence and also will be reward with the everlasting kingdom of God. Amazing fact is that this truth was introduced to God's people 1100 years before Jesus through King David. Praise the Lord!!! -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) Contrasting righteous vs. wicked Righteous: generous, steps are firm, does not fall, not forsaken, children are blessed, protected forever, heirs of the land, mouth utters wisdom, tongue speaks justly, law of God in his heart, not condemned when in trial, have a future. Wicked: do not repay what they borrowed, cursed, no offspring, try to harm the righteous, may flourish a little while but soon pass away and cannot be found, will be destroyed, no future. (2) Interesting to note v. 27 (NIV) says, "TURN FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; then you will dwell inthe land forever." It sounds like a reprimand, trying to correct believers gone bad or perhaps a call to the wicked that there is a second chance. The key focus here is that "the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in times of trouble." Not by works that any man should boast, but freely given by God( Ref. Eph. 2:9). -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In Psalm 37:21-40, the continued description of the Righteous is made in 21-31 the righteous are: gracious and giving, led by the Lord and delight in the leading, stable even when falling, abiding forever with Him, not forsaken, heirs of the land, filled with the law of God in their heart 2) The salvation of the righteous depends on: the blessing of Him(Christ), establishment by the Lord, the Lord's hand, The Lord who preserves the righteous forever, The Lord-who will not leave the righteous, the Lord from whom salvation comes, and the Lord who delivers and helps. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 38 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 If this psalm was written when David's great sin first came to light and struck dismay and horror into the hearts of his friends, can we wonder that its tone is so subdued? How great the contrast with PS. 35! What light does the psalm throw upon the effects of discovered sin in the life of a believer? 2 The three divisons of this psalm are marked by the fact that they all begin with an address to God. Do you discern a progress in faith from one section to the next? Notes 1 Verse 5. 'My wounds': i.e., my stripes, a poetic description 0£ God'sscourging. 2 Verse I I. 'My plague': his friends regard him with horror as if he were a leper. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 38 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- *Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) Sin is, as seen here, like a terrible disease, infecting the whole body. You could compare that symbolically to the body of Christ, the church, and how true it is that when one member gets infected all the members suffer equally. A sinner in the church brings in an evil sickness; however, the body must respond in love to a brother or sister guilty of sin. However, note D.'s attitude - "I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning...All mylongings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you...I CONFESS MY INIQUITY; I am troubled by my sin...Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior." Are we that repentant when we sin? (2) First, there is a response of fear (do not rebuke me in your anger...), then one of seeking counsel (all my longings lie open before you, O Lord), then submission (I wait for you, O Lord my God.) and finally confession (I confess my iniquity...) and a petition for Sovereign help (O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God...) -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 38 Prayer in Distress 38:1-2 God's punishment in His anger and discipline in His wrath are unbearable. Please do not do it unto me. Let us see what happened when it was applied to David concerning his sins: (1) Physically Sick and Weak, 3-10: It caused internal injury, vs.2; when God's hand pressed on him, he felt pressure all over his body; his flesh lost soundness, there was no strength in his muscle; his bones were not healthy enough to support his body to stand up to be functional, vs. 3; his wounds were festering and full of pus, he was bent and racked because of pain; his days were filled with anguish, vs. 6; his blood circulation was malfunctioning, the toxic elements in the blood could not be removed through his urine system and caused his loins burn with inflammation, vs. 7; his heart beat widely, his strength failed and he was losing his sight, vs.10. (2) Friends Deserted Him, 11: My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance. [Life Application Bible]. (3) Enemies Searched for His Life, 12: Men intent on killing me lay snares, others, hoping to hurt me, threaten my ruin, hatching treacherous plots all day. [The Jerusalem Bible] (4) More Hurt Him for No Reason, 19-20: There are more and more to hurt me for no reason, There are more to hate me unprovoked, Repaying my kindness with evil, Arraigning me for trying to do right. (5) David Being Sorry for Having Sinned,17-18: And now my fall is upon me, there is no relief from my pains; yes, I admit my guilt, I am sorry for having sinned. (6) David's Attitude Toward the Situations: For His Sin - I moan aloud, vs.8; my sighing is no secret from you, vs. 9. For His Enemies - Silent, leave You to answer for me: Vs. 113-15 But I am like the deaf, I do not hear, like the dumb man who does not open his mouth; I am like the man who, hearing nothing, gives no sharp answer in return, FOR I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU, YAHWEH, AND LEAVE YOU TO ANSWER FOR ME, LORD MY GOD. (7) Closing Prayer, vs. 21-22: Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. Amen. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Psalm 38 reveals another type of effect of discovered sin in a believer's life:anxiety. David is anxious because of his sin and needs to have the sin confessed in order to relieve the anxiety. 2) The first step is the aspect of suffering from sin(1-8), the next is the isolation caused by sin (9-14), the last is the (15-22) confession and resolution of the sin. To move from one step to the next there needs to be a definitive mindset in the sinner. From the suffering to isolation there needs to be a realization of the sin and the magnitude. The move from isolation to confession needs a feeling of guilt/remorse, then the resolution can occur.