><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 39 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Why was the psalmist at first silent, and why did he break; silence and speak? When he gave utterance to his thoughts, to whom did he speak? What can we learn from this? Cf Ps. 62: 8;Jas. 3: 5,6 2 It seems that God had many lessons to teach David, and that after his fall his eyes were opened to some of them in a new Discover from this psalm what some of these lessons were, and ask yourself, 'Have I learnt them?' =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 39 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 39 Spare Me, Lord! David was determined to watch his ways, keep his tongue from sin and put a muzzle on his month, vs.1. He was silent and would not open his mouth, because he understood that all the events he experienced and the punishments were come from the Lord, vs.9. However, while he was keeping quiet, he could not stand the burning heat in his heart and he wanted assurance from the Lord. Because he realized that man's life is so fleeting and every man at his best state is but vapor, Vs. 5. Every man walks about like a shadow, Vs. 6. So he put his total hope in the Lord, Vs. 7. Then, David broke his silent and request for the surety for: Deliver me from all my transgressions, ----- Vs.8; Lord,don't hit me any more ----, Vs. 10; Spare me, Lord! Let me be filled with joy again for the rest of my life, Vs. 13. Why did David wanted to put a muzzle on his mouth? James made it clear for us: James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) At first, D. did not want to sin with his speech, and so kept silent. However, it was not good because he held his peace even from good (v. 2) and became sorrowful. Finally, he spoke about the vanity of life and how his hope was only in the Lord. It was to God that he poured out his soul and all his thoughts. (2) The Lord seemed to teach D. about life and human nature, humbled him, showed him who had ultimate control of his life. D. really learned, v. 11, the consequences of sin and what life was about, "When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah." This is a philosophical and more experienced/mature psalm of D.'s. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In psalm 39, David is silent because he does not want to speak evil and what is in his carnal tongue. He speaks to the Lord so as to speak only in asking for deliverance. We see here that we should not take our 'fight' to man or give in to our carnal nature and "speak our mind" but take it to the Lord, and He will handle the situation. 2) David learns several things: - He cannot keep completely silent, even avoiding good words - Our lives are but a breath going out only once, and never returning, we must make the most of the exhalation we have. - Our hope must be in Him, not in things of this world. There is a chorus by a Contemporary Christian group called Third Day which speaks about not saying anything if you have nothing good to say. It is based on the passage in James 3, and that passage is actually quoted during the song. The chorus is as follows: Nothing At All By: Third Day Chorus: Cause I know that there are times in life. When we just can't keep it to ourselves. But to want is not to make it right. We've got to tame our tongue If you can't say nothin' good don't say nothin' at all. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 40:1-10 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This psalm consists of two parts, which differ widely in their content. The first part is full ofjoyous thanksgiving for recent deliverance; the second part for help in the midst of distress and danger. 1 What five things does David say in verses 1-3 that God did for him? And what effects did his deliverance have upon those who witnessed it? Have you a corresponding experience of God's deliverance, and has it had a similar effect? Cf Acts 9:34, 35,41,42 2 To what reflections, resolve and actions did his deliverance give rise in David's own heart and life? See verses 4-10. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 40:1-10 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 40:1-10 Waited Patiently for the Lord This part is David's experience in his life. All what God did through his life was recorded in the Bible - in the book of Samuel, Chronicles and the first two chapters of I Kings. "----- in the scroll of the book it is written of me", vs. 7. Not only so, he gave testimonies to declare God's faithfulness and salvation. Vs. 10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly. The message of this part is waitED PATIENTLY for the Lord to hear his CRY, vs.1. Conditionof the sinner - in the pit, in miry clay; vs. 2b Pleaof the sinner - his cry unto God: vs. 1 Powerof the Savior - He brought me up: vs. 2a Securityof the saved - feet on the rock: vs. 2c Walkof the saved - his goings established: vs. 2d Testimonyof the saved - a new song: vs. 3a Influenceof the saved - many ---shall trust: vs. 3b. [World's Bible Handbook] vs. 6 --- my ears you have pierced ---. It implies that David is willingly serving as a slave of the Lord and the Lord accepted his request by nailing his earlobe on His doorpost. Exodus 21:5-6. Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) The Lord 1) turned and heard D.'s cry, 2) lifted him out of the slimy pit, mud and mire 3) set his feet on a rock, 4) gave him a firm place to stand, 5) put a new song in his mouth. Those who see "will fear and put their trust in the Lord." (2) The part I find most noteworthy is v. 10, "I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly." D. was not a very quiet person during praise and worship time. Although some are inclined to be quiet, I believe that a heart full of praise and worship will overflow and bless others. His is an infectious faith and praise. May our lives be "infectious" with the love and praise for Christ. MARK 4:21-23, "He (Jesus) said to them, "DO YOU BRING IN A LAMP TO PUT IT UNDER A BOWL OR A BED? INSTEAD, DON'T YOU PUT IT ON ITS STAND? FOR WHATEVER IS HIDDEN IS MEANT TO BE DISCLOSED, AND WHATEVER IS CONCEALED IS MEANT TO BE BROUGHT OUT INTO THE OPEN. IF ANYONE HAS EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR." Let your light shine to the praise and glory of God the Father alone. May we be more courageous for Him each day. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In the first portion of Psalm 40, David tells of what God has done for him. God has: inclined to him, heard his cry, brought him out of the pit of destruction and miry clay, set his feet on rock making his footsteps firm, and put a new song in his heart. God's deliverance caused many to turn to the Lord. This is one of the key elements for why good people suffer. 2) David's suffering also had a direct affect on David himself. It changed his view of God, gave him greater insight and appreciation for the splendor and majesty of God, energized him to serve God even more, and gave him greater hope and faith in God. If we look at a situation close to home we see suffering in the life of the family of a dear brother who formerly attended Franconia Alliance Church, Andy Tamayo. His tragic and unexpected death brought many of his and his wife's family to the Lord. This is an example of suffering in the EXTREME, the fruit of which we may never know until that day. Even as he was passing on to join our Heavenly Father, the last thing Andy was doing was telling the wonderful story of Jesus Our Saviour. May the Lord guard and protect Andy's surviving family: Irene(his wife), Joey and Emily (their two children), and Gabriel(his son from a previous marriage who came to the Lord through this tragedy). ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 40:11-17 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 What are the reasons for the psalmist requiring God's help? 2 On what grounds does he ask for God's help, and what does he see as the result of an answer to his prayer? What lessons can we learn for our own prayer life? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 40:11-17 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 40 Part II You Are My Help and My Deliverer I am a sinful man, Lord, my sin has overtaken me and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. vs. 12. As a poor wretch I need Your salvation to deliver me from the death of my sin, vs. 17, because the wage of sin is death, Romans 6:23. Come and rescue me, Oh Lord! Come quickly and HELP ME! vs. 13: May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; May all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace; May those who say to me, Aha! Aha! Be appalled at their own shame. vs. 14-15 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; May those who love your salvation always say, "THE LORD BE EXALTED!" vs.16 YOUR ARE MY HELP AND MY DELIVERER; O MY GOD, DO NOT DELAY. vs. 17 -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) His sins have overtaken him, and he "cannot see" (spiritual blindness), his sins are more than the hairs of his head, and his heart fails within him. Does David sound dramatic here?? No; if we really consider - who's sins are not more than the hairs of his head? Not only David, but we all need God's help = salvation through Jesus Christ alone. (2) D. wants the Lord to be pleased to save him, v. 13. D. sees results in visible, tangible ways - that his enemies will be ashamed and confused, his rivals be disgraced, those who judge him,etc., be shamed. Also that those who seek the Lord may be glad in Him. D. was very specific in prayer, and he seemed to pray with great faith and expectation, with victorious hope in mind. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In the second half of Psalm 40, David is again asking for God's help. He is being surrounded by evil on all sides, his sin is weighing heavy, and his heart has given up hope. 2) David asks for God's help on the basis of those going against him being against God. David prayed with the sight of deliverance in his view. He had the confidence even though he was disheartened, that God was greater and could provide the deliverance. Even though his own heart(confidence) was failing, he put his trust in the Lord. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Psalms) CHAPTER 41 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 David from his sick-bed thinks of the words, thoughts and attitudes of other people, some of whom visited him. Note the different ways they added to the sufferings of David. In contrast to this, think of ways by which you can consider the poor, weak and those who are sick. 2 Amid the 'fighting without and fear within' (2 Cor. 7:5), how did the psalmist's faith finally gain the victory? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Psalms) Chapter 41 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Psalm 41 Blessed Is He Who Considers the Poor When I was in 5th grade, my composition teacher taught me one of the writing technique is dividing the body of content into four paragraphs: 1. Subject; 2. Emphasis; 3. Illustration and 4. Conclusion. This psalm appears to have the same concept of writing: Blessed is he who considers the poor, vs.1-3; Lord,be merciful to me, vs. 4-6; Even my familiar friend rebels against me, 7-9; and A faithful prayer - You uphold me in my integrity, vs10-12. DOXOLOGY: Congregational response, vs. 13 - Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen. For us, the ones who are going to reign together with the Lord in His Kingdom, the essential governing principle is considering the poor of those who are in needs in materials, position and possession. Being merciful - I take care of my children is gracious to them. I give a dollar to a beggar is my mercy to him. For my salvation, even we are in grace period, yet I feel it is totally God's mercy upon me; because I really do not deserve it. Some Bible scholars refer 41:9 is predicting the betrayal of the Savior by Judas. By reading the Book of Samuel, you may wonder why David is a man of God's own heart? After reading Book I of Psalm, I say no wonder David is a man of God's own heart! Lord! Thank you for giving us good and better understanding of You and king David through the E-Study of Samuel and the First Book of Psalms. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In Psalm 41 David is in his sick bed. He first praises those who have mercy, in a precursor to the beatitude of "Blessed are those who have mercy, for they will receive mercy" found later in Matthew 5:7. He then goes on to discuss those enemies who have come to whisper against him and to devise plans to hurt him. In verse 9 he is betrayed by a close false friend. Later in the NT, Jesus quotes verse 9 to describe Judas, the one who would betray him in John 13:18-19 18 ¶ "I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.' 19 "From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 2) David's faith finally gains the victory by turning to the Lord. He prays that the Lord will raise him up and that he will be upheld in integrity, that he will be in the Lord's presence eternally. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) His enemies wished for his death, and slandered him. Even his close friend has turned on him. They tried to add to his grief and to defame him while D. was sick, catching him at his weak point. As Christians, we really should be looking after the weak. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy (Matt. 5:7). (2) From the start of the psalm, D. pleas for mercy - regard for the weak, since he himself has shown it to others. A character of integrity is important, v. 12, "In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever." The Bible demotes self-pride, but promotes integrity; also qualities of compassion and humility as well as "sacrifice" are taught - poor in spirit, mourners, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted because of righteousness, insulted and slandered because of Christ etc., (Matthew 5:3-11, Jesus' teaching).